Cowboy for Keeps (16 page)

Dallas didn’t know, either.

“My fault, I suppose.” Marina sighed. “I always pushed you and
Liam. Somewhere along the line I must have unintentionally allowed you to assume
it was because of some personal dissatisfaction.”

“You weren’t the one who pushed us. Hank did. All those rules
of his.”

Marina looked stricken. “I’ve really messed up.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I was the one who made the rules. Hank simply enforced
them.”

“What?”

“I’ve always been such a softie where you and your brother were
concerned. After your father and I divorced, I didn’t want you thinking both
your parents didn’t love you. If it was left entirely up to me, you and Liam
would have run completely wild. Hank was so much better at disciplining than
me.” Guilt shone brightly on her face. “I let him take over the task.”

Dallas’s jaw went slack. “You made the rules? Didn’t let us
watch TV after nine on weekdays? No date till we were sixteen? Drive until we
were eighteen?”

“I’ve been so unfair to Hank. You, too. I see now how it’s
affected your relationship with him. I thought all along it was some misguided
loyalty to your father.” She blinked her damp eyes. “I’m the worst mother in
history.”

Dallas suddenly saw her years growing up with her stepfather in
an entirely new light. “You are the worst mother.”

Marina looked shocked, then agreed resignedly. “I am.”

“And the most wonderful one.” Dallas hugged her mother fiercely
and kissed her soundly on the cheek.

“What’s all this?”

“Can I come over tomorrow? Early. Before Hank leaves for the
office.”

“Of course. But why—”

“I want to apologize to him.”

“Darling, you don’t have to do that. Like I said, it’s my
fault.”

Dallas wouldn’t be deterred. “I’ll bring him breakfast. Does he
still like those whole wheat pancakes from Wild Flower Bread Company?”

“They’re his favorite.” Marina smiled, happy again. “He loves
you, you know. In his way.”

“I do know. And I suppose I love him, too. In my way.”

Marina slapped her thighs with a back-to-business enthusiasm.
“Now, what are we going to do about you and Conner?”

There was no point in Dallas confessing her love for him, too.
As her mother had already pointed out, that was obvious.

“I owe him an apology, as well.”

“You need to come up with something better than whole wheat
pancakes.”

She picked up the ad proofs and considered her mother’s remark.
“I think I’ve figured out just the thing.”

* * *

“H
OW
LONG
HAVE
YOU
AND
I
been friends?” Richard asked. “Six, seven
years?”

“Something like that.”

He and Conner walked down the barn aisle, with no particular
destination that Conner knew of in mind.

“We’ve been to football games, bachelor parties, barbecues,
company events, dinners at each other’s house. All that and yet I’ve never been
here.”

“I don’t suppose I ever invited you.” He still wasn’t sure why
Richard had appeared out of the blue. Apparently, he was going to tell him in
his own sweet time.

Conner assumed it had something to do with Dallas. She must
have told Richard about them.

“I want to thank you again for helping me with Rosco and
Evelyn. Things aren’t perfect. But we’re making strides. The department’s
running smoother and morale’s slowly improving.”

“I’m glad.” Conner was, for his former employees and his former
friend. The better Richard did his job, the better he could take care of Dallas
and their child.

“Do all these horses belong to the Powells?” He gave the many
large heads hanging over the stall doors a strange look, as if they were alien
beings.

Conner supposed they were to Richard. He wasn’t the cowboy
type.

The two of them were so unalike. How had they been friends?

How had Dallas cared for them both?

“About half the horses belong to clients.”

“Where’s that wild stallion you and Dallas are always talking
about? And the—what is it? Mustang sanctuary?”

“Prince has his own quarters in the next barn over. The
sanctuary’s a few minutes away. At the Duvall Rodeo Arena.”

Richard let his gaze wander to the neighboring barn. “Maybe you
can take me to see him.”

“Prince? I could, but why?”

“I don’t want to wait for the book to come out.” Richard’s
smile and joke fell flat.

Conner studied him. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”

“I heard you and Dallas are seeing each other. Not from her.
Evelyn told me. I think she was rubbing my nose in it. Which I may have
deserved,”

Conner debated telling him that, as of Wednesday, he had
nothing to worry about. But decided to see where the conversation went
first.

“How did Evelyn find out?”

“There was a picture of you and Dallas at an AAWA dinner. Triad
put it in the corporate newsletter.”

Conner remembered. Back when Dallas and Richard were engaged,
she’d petitioned Triad to include the Arizona Animal Welfare Association among
the charitable organizations to which they made annual donations.

There had been a lot of photographs taken at the dinner. It
hadn’t occurred to Conner one might appear in Triad’s newsletter.

“She’s not going to marry me, is she?”

The lost look on Richard’s face struck a chord with Conner.
He’d seen a similar look in the mirror that morning.

“I have no idea what she’s going to do.” At Richard’s puzzled
expression, he said, “We’re not seeing each other. We did. Briefly. A few dates.
It didn’t last.”

Their relationship had been much, much more than just a few
dates to Conner. If he hadn’t messed up, it could have been the start of a
lifetime together.

Richard appeared to digest that information. Any comments he
had he kept to himself.

“I wish I knew when she fell out of love with me. What I could
say that would make her change her mind.”

Conner’s chest tightened. He didn’t want Richard and Dallas
together. At the same time, the man was clearly hurting.

“You’ve done everything right. You’ll be there when she needs
you. And your baby needs you.”

Richard’s gaze wandered to the riders practicing in the arena.
Near the hay shed, Javier and another hand were loading the flatbed trailer with
bales in preparation for the evening feeding.

“If I had to pick another man for her, I couldn’t do better
than you.”

“No chance I’ll be taking your place. You’re that child’s
father.”

“I’ll be a good one.” He squared his shoulders. “It wasn’t what
I wanted. Not at first. I didn’t think I was ready. But I’ll be okay.”

Conner recalled Dallas’s comment about how her life wasn’t
playing out in the order she’d planned.

The same could be said for all three of them.

“You’ll do fine.” He automatically raised an arm to give
Richard’s shoulder a friendly squeeze.

He let his hand drop before making contact.

Richard gave no indication he’d noticed.

“Hey, I didn’t drop by to moan about myself.” He withdrew a
business card from his bomber jacket pocket and handed it to Conner. “An old
college roommate of mine recently went to work for this outfit.”

Conner read the card. Infinity Renewable Energy Systems.
According to the address, they were located in northeast Phoenix. “What about
him?”

“Not him. Them. They’re hiring and have an opening for a
production manager. I gave them your name.”

“You did?”

“They need someone with experience who can hit the ground
running. They have a pretty impressive product line and a solid vision of how to
grow the company. He’s expecting your call. Today.”

Conner studied the card, not sure what to say. After Sonoran
Bottling, he didn’t dare get his hopes up.

“Keep in mind,” Richard continued, “they’re a start-up
organization. The salary won’t be anything near what you were earning at Triad.
But if they take off, and they could—there’s an expanding market for green
energy systems—you’ll be in on the ground floor. If it were me, I’d ask for
stock options.”

“Why would you do this for me? We haven’t been the best of
friends lately.”

“For the same reason you helped me with Rosco and Evelyn.”

“I didn’t want them to lose their jobs.”

Richard cocked his head, his eyes searching. “Really? That was
all?”

It wasn’t all. Deep in his heart, Conner didn’t blame Richard
for the loss of his job. Punishing him would have been unfair.

Considering that Richard had been under the assumption Conner
and Dallas were dating, recommending Conner for a job was, well, pretty decent
of him.

“Thank you.” This time, Conner didn’t hesitate; his hand made
firm contact with Richard’s shoulder.

“I’ve got another stop to make.”

Conner nodded. “Come back again. When you have more time.” The
invitation was heartfelt.

Richard seemed to sense that. “I will. You can show me that
wild stallion. Then maybe we can go out for beer.”

“I’d like that. My treat.”

“We’ll celebrate your new job.”

After Richard left, Conner walked to the stall holding Chiquita
and her colt. Both immediately came over for a petting.

Conner pulled out his cell phone and, reading the name and
number off the business card, placed the call to Richard’s old roommate.

The man was pleased to hear from Conner. They spoke for almost
twenty minutes, ending the call with a meeting scheduled for first thing in the
morning. Conner liked what the man had to say, and had the impression they could
work well together.

He would owe Richard a depth of gratitude if he got the
job.

What would Dallas think?

She’d probably tell him what she’d been saying all along—it
wasn’t
what
Conner knew that mattered but
who.
In this case, Richard. Go figure.

During the entire phone call, Conner had stood at the stall,
his free hand stroking the colt.

“Maybe I will get to keep you, after all. Would you like
that?”

The colt answered by nibbling his fingers.

Conner realized that, in all probability, this little guy would
be the last wild horse ever to be born in Mustang Valley.

“Principito. Little Prince. That’s what I’m going to call
you.”

The colt snorted.

“Too long? How ’bout Pito for short?”

With that, the colt officially became Conner’s.

He thought of going in search of Gavin, to tell him about the
interview with Infinity. He didn’t. He’d wait until he had a job offer in
hand.

Then what? Tell Dallas?

For all he knew, she didn’t want to see him again. Ever.

To finally land the kind of job he’d been hoping for after
seven long months, and not have her to share it with, didn’t seem fair.

Of course, getting a new job would be a good excuse to call
her.

Chapter Sixteen

Conner’s truck wasn’t parked by his apartment. Dallas
assured herself there was no reason to assume she’d missed him. He often used
his truck for chores around the ranch. As she was driving to the parking area,
she noticed Gavin and Sage at the arena fence, watching a young woman riding a
tall, leggy black horse. Gavin appeared to be giving her instructions.

They turned to look as Dallas pulled to a stop and got out of
her car. It was then she noticed Sage was carrying Milo, snuggled against her in
a baby wrap. As Dallas approached, his arms and legs started flailing. She chose
to think he was excited to see her. She was certainly excited to see him.

“How are you?” Sage greeted Dallas with a warm hug. Milo
squawked, annoyed at being squished between the two women, one who insisted on
pinching his chin.

Dallas got a kiss on the cheek from Gavin—a
you’re-one-of-the-family kind of kiss.

Nice.

“What brings you here?” he asked. “Not that we aren’t glad to
see you.”

“I have something for Conner.”

“Conner?” Sage’s brows rose quizzically.

“The agency sent me proofs of the ad. The one with his picture.
I made copies for him. Thought he might want them.” She pulled a proof out of
the manila envelope.

“Wow!” Sage studied it admiringly. “He’ll definitely like
this.”

Gavin offered similar praise.

Dallas looked at the proof with fresh eyes. It
was
praiseworthy. Her best yet. Being a respected
documentary photographer really wasn’t such a far-fetched dream.

Would she give up the chance of becoming one for a life with
Conner, as her mother had done with Hank?

No. Because she wouldn’t have to. Conner would always support
and encourage her. The same way she needed to support and encourage his
dreams—and not just because his success was a positive reflection on her.

“Is he here?” She scanned the immediate area.

“Not at the moment.”

She felt her face fall. “I should have called first.”

“He’s at the mustang sanctuary,” Gavin said. “Settling in a new
arrival.”

Doubts promptly assailed her. “I don’t want to bother him if
he’s working. I can come back later.”

“You won’t be bothering him.” Sage’s smile reached her eyes.
“Trust me.”

They must not have heard. “We had a...disagreement the other
day.”

“We know. He told us.” Gavin’s tone was sympathetic.

Okay, they had heard.

“I’m sorry.” Sage’s smile turned sad.

Even Milo commiserated by suddenly whining.

“Why don’t you drive out to the sanctuary? I’m sure he’ll be
glad to see you.”

Dallas did want to apologize. Tell Conner what a fool she’d
been. Even if nothing came of it, at least she’d sleep better at night.

“What if he isn’t glad to see me?”

“He misses you, too.”

Did he? Was he also putting up a good front just for show?

“I guess I will drive by the sanctuary. To drop off the
proofs,” she clarified, when Sage and Gavin exchanged knowing glances.

Her Prius kicked up a cloud of dust as she maneuvered it along
the dirt road. The pastures where the mustangs resided came into view, Conner’s
truck a small white dot in the distance.

Her nerves started tingling as she scanned the area for any
sign of him. She didn’t see him until she got closer. He was in the pasture, the
mustangs clustered around him like adoring fans. Except for one, a shaggy,
nondescript mare who warily kept her distance.

The new addition, Dallas concluded.

Soon enough, the mare would learn to trust Conner.

As Dallas did. Enough to place her future and that of her
child’s alongside his. If he’d still have her after the way she’d let him down.
She would wait if necessary. For as long as it took.

With a gentle pat to the many heads surrounding him, he strode
toward the gate. He must have recognized her car long before she emerged, manila
envelope in hand. What was he thinking? Was his heart beating a mile a minute
like hers, or were hurt and anger ruling his emotions?

“Hi.” The carefully guarded expression on his face revealed
nothing.

“I, um...Sage and Gavin said it was okay. I’m not disturbing
you, am I?”

“Just playing cowboy.”

“You don’t play at it, Conner. You’re talented. You have every
reason to be proud of your accomplishments.”

A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I’m glad
you’re here.”

“You are?” Were his reasons the same as hers?

“Gavin got a call this morning from the Scottsdale police.”

“They found the person who shot the mare!”

“He came forward.”

Dallas was glad—and furious. “I hope they throw the book at
him. He deserves it.”

“Actually, according to the officer who called, he’ll probably
only be charged with a misdemeanor.”

“That’s all?”

“He claimed it was an accident. And there are no
witnesses.”

“Accident, my foot!”

“He did come forward. He could have kept quiet.”

“Hmm.” She wasn’t satisfied.

“He also offered to make a donation to the mustang
sanctuary.”

Dallas was somewhat mollified when Conner named the amount.
“Still, it wasn’t right. He should have reported shooting the mare when it
happened.”

“Yeah, she was injured. But she and Pito are fine now. And a
lot of positive attention came from all the media coverage.”

“True.” Something Conner had said suddenly occurred to Dallas.
“Pito? Is that what you named the colt?”

“It’s short for
Principito.
”

“Little Prince. I like it.”

“By the way—” his smile grew “—what brings you by?”

“This.” Dallas held out the envelope.

Conner took it and removed one print, then another. “Not what I
expected.”

“You don’t like them?” Her spirits sank.

“I do. They’re great. I just don’t see myself as an
advertisement for a car dealership.”

“Exploring the Southwest in your brand-new truck,” she
explained. “Wide-open spaces. Modern-day cowboy.”

“If you say so.”

“It’s a gimmick. A way to entice customers to the
dealership.”

“And an effective one. I think I’ll buy a new truck from this
place. Maybe they’ll give me a smoking deal.”

“Sure. I can see you in one.” Someday. When he was back on his
feet financially. “But I like your old truck. It has character. Been though some
tough times and keeps running.”

Like its owner.

“Can’t continue driving this junker to my new job.”

“New job?”

His small smile transformed into a full-blown grin. “Infinity
Renewable Energy Systems. I start on Monday.”

“When... What... How long have you known?”

“I interviewed with them this morning. They offered me the
position on the spot. You’re the first person I’ve told. I wanted a little time
to myself to let it sink in.”

Before she quite realized what had happened, she was in his
arms.

He caught her, swinging her off her feet. They both
laughed.

“I’m so happy for you.” As he set her down, she cradled his
face in her hands and kissed him full on the mouth. “Did you find the job
online?”

“Richard told me about it.”

“Richard? No way!”

“He came by to see me yesterday. We talked. Things between us
are better.”

“I can’t believe he helped you land a job.”

“Sure you can. He’s not a bad guy.”

“He’s not. Actually, he’s a sweetheart, and I’m lucky to have
him for my baby’s father.”

Conner filled her in on the details about the job. There was
more potential than immediate reward, but it was perfect for him.

“I’ll have to work a lot of hours the first year or two.”

“Being afraid of hard work isn’t one of your faults.”

“I won’t have as much time for the horses.”

“Are you okay with that?”

“I am. I have other interests closer to home.”

“Such as?”

His reply was to take her in his arms again and kiss her
senseless.

Oh, my goodness!

She needed several seconds afterward to catch her breath. “I’m
sorry about the other day. I wasn’t—”

“Shut up.”

“What?”

“We both made mistakes. Said things we shouldn’t have, out of
anger and hurt. It happens with couples. We’ll talk it out, learn from it and
move on. Then we’ll be better, stronger, more in love than we were before.”

“Are we in love?” She was and had been since the dinner with
Sage and Gavin, when he’d tenderly held Milo.

“Crazy. Wildly. Enough in love that I’m not letting you leave
here without agreeing to marry me.”

“M-marry you?”

“I’ve never proposed before. Should I get on bended knee?” He
started to lower himself.

“Stop!” She tugged him to his feet.

“You’re turning me down?” He looked devastated.

“No. I mean yes, I will marry you.” Her words came out in a
jumbled rush. “Just don’t go down on one knee.”

“What should I do?”

“Kiss me. Buy me a ring. Take my parents to dinner and tell
them over champagne.”

“I think I can handle all that.”

“I do have one request.” She turned pleading eyes on him. “Make
time for the horses. You’re a smart and gifted businessman. But you’re also a
cowboy, with traditional values and beliefs. That’s exactly the kind of role
model I want for my child.
Our
child.”

“Richard’s the father.”

“And you’ll be the stepfather. There every day helping me.
Whether I like admitting it or not, Hank played a big role in shaping me into
the person I am.”

“Remind me to thank him.”

“You can. At the wedding, when he walks me down the aisle.”

Conner gave her that kiss she’d asked for. “Marry me, Dallas.
Love me always.”

“Yes to both. Forever and ever.”

They drove back to Powell Ranch in Conner’s old truck, to share
the news with their friends. Dallas was definitely going to talk him into
keeping it. If anything, as a reminder of where’d they been and how far they’d
come.

It had taken her a while, but she finally understood the lesson
her mother had tried to teach her. Everyone must choose their own path to
happiness, not the one others think they should.

Dallas was utterly certain her path to happiness included
Conner, their respective careers and the family they would create together.