KIDNAPPED COWBOY (27 page)

“I have family – you.”

“I’m talking children.”

With an unexpected chuckle, Brandon removed his hat and raked a sleeve across his brow.  “Children?”

“I’ve been surrounded by them all summer and find I kinda like having them around.”

His brother leaned against the desk and folded his arms.  “You know, Dalton, I never thought I’d see the day when a woman roped you.  And Miss Myers appears to have roped you real good.”

Handcuffed would be more like it.

“Right along with those kids out there,” his brother added, shaking his head in amusement.

Dalton couldn’t help but grin.  “I’m a lucky man and I’ll be even luckier once I convince Caitlin to marry me.”

“Marry?” his brother choked in surprise.  “I knew you had a thing for her, but marriage?”

“If I have my way,” Dalton told him, his grin widening.  “And I can be one stubborn man.” 

“Don’t I know it,” Brandon said with a chuckle.

“So what brings you out to the retreat?”

“I wanted to let you know that Alan Martinson is no longer in my employ.”

“You’re better off without that snake in the grass.”

His brother nodded.  “Getting back to Miss Myers-”

“Caitlin,” Dalton corrected.  “Miss Myers sounds too damn formal for a woman you’ll soon be calling sister.”

“So
Caitlin
has no idea what your intentions are?”

“Not the marriage part.  And I’d appreciate it if you kept this under your hat for the time being.”

“I can do that.  Do you mind if I ask what you’re waiting for?”

Other than not knowing he was going to ask her to marry him until he’d blurted out the words moments before?

“I can’t ask Caitlin to be a part of my life until I’m my own man.”

“Your own man?”

“I went from our father forcing me into a life I didn’t want to your trying to do the same thing after he died.”

Brandon sighed heavily.  “I never meant to drive you away.  I guess I felt like I had to take over for him
after he was gone.  Hell, Dalton, you were only seventeen at the time.”

“And you were only twenty-two.  But you were born to run the family business.  You had a passion for it.  I didn’t.  That’s why I left.  To chase after my own dreams.”

“I didn’t understand it at the time, but you did what you had to do.  Takes a real man to know where he wants to be in life.”

“I wanna be here,” Dalton told him.  “With Caitlin.  That’s why I wanna buy Stoney Brook from you.”

“You what?”

“She loves this place.  And it’s come to mean a lot to me, too.”  The cabins, the land, and especially the troubled teens that came there.  Granted, those rebellious kids had done their best to send him running for the hills.  But they had met their match when it came to stubbornness.  And, like Caitlin, he wanted to be a part of helping them turn their lives around.  Hell, just watching the teens evolve from angry and bitter kids to happy-go-lucky with the ability to trust gave him more satisfaction than all his years of riding ever had.  He now understood why Caitlin had invested so much of her life into Stoney Brook and why she’d gone to such lengths to save it.

“Stoney Brook is as much yours as it is mine,” his brother replied, drawing Dalton from his thoughts.

“I’m not making myself clear,” he said.  “I want Stoney Brook to be mine alone.  A place for me to put down roots of my own and build a life with Caitlin.”

“You’ve never taken any part of what our father left you.  If you want Stoney Brook, then take it,” Brandon offered.  “I’ll sign my half over to you.”

Dalton shook his head.  “It would never really be ‘mine’ that way.  I wanna buy you out.  Most of my money is tied up right now in investments, but I have some money owed to me I can collect on.  Should give me enough to give you a down payment towards buying you out and leave enough to buy Caitlin a nice ring with.”

“Works for me.”  He held out his hand.  “Welcome home, Dalton.”

Dalton took his brother’s hand, gripping it firmly.  “Glad to be back.”  He had just taken his first step toward putting down roots.  A pretty big one for a man who never imagined settling anywhere for any real length of time.  And he sure as hell never imagined it would be in the town he’d been in such an all-fire hurry to get away from all those years ago.

“This is a pretty big step for you,” his brother said.  “Glad you’re finally taking it.”

He was going to take an even bigger step when he asked Caitlin to marry him.  But before he could do that, he needed to go collect on those loans he’d made while riding the circuit.  If everything went the way he hoped, he’d be back before the retreat’s summer session ended.  He wanted the kids to be there when he asked Caitlin to marry him. 

Dalton had to clear the emotion from his throat before speaking again.  “I’ll never forget what you gave up to give me this opportunity.”

“You’re the one giving up his freedom, not me,” his brother said with a grin.

“I’m referring to the money you could have made by turning this place into a resort like you’d planned to do.”

“Hell, it’s not like I don’t have enough irons in the fire as it is.”

“Too many to keep an eye on Caitlin for me while I’m gone?”

Brandon hesitated, shifting uncomfortably.  “I’m not real good in the caring for females department.”

“I’m not asking you to move out here.  Just call her once in a while and make sure there’s nothing she needs.”

“I can do that,” his brother said reluctantly.  “But you’d best get your ass back here as soon as you can.  I’ve had my fill of dealing with feminine temperaments and something tells me Caitlin’s not gonna be very happy about your leaving.”

“Believe me I don’t plan to be gone any longer than I have to be.”  He walked his brother to the door and followed him outside.  “Thanks for everything.” 

“Just be happy.  That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, no matter how piss poor I was at showing it.”

This was the closest he’d felt to his brother in more years than he cared to count back.  “I am happy.  Damn happy.  Speaking of which, I’d best go find Caitlin.”

With a nod, Brandon headed off in long strides towards the truck he’d left parked down by the road.

Dalton stood watching him go, his smile widening.  A whole new future stretched out ahead of him.  Life was good.

*              *              *

Caitlin jumped with a start as her cabin door swung open behind her.  With a gasp, she clutched at the front of her robe and turned from the mirror, hair dryer still running.

“Dalton,” she said with a sigh of relief, “you startled me.” 

“I knocked.”  His gaze traveled slowly downward, perusing her half-dressed form.

The heated look in his eyes when his gaze lifted sent warmth rushing to the apex of her thighs.  Shutting the hair dryer off, she pulled its plug from the wall and then turned back to Dalton.  It was obvious he’d come straight from his confrontation with Brandon.  His dark hair still hung in wet strands over his thick brows and specks of mud from their pig-chasing fiasco still clung to his cheeks and chin.

“You and Brandon were in there quite a while.”

He nodded.  “We had some talking to do.”

“When I didn’t hear any furniture crashing into the walls, I figured it was safe to come back here and get washed up.”  She looked him over with a worried frown.  “Is everything okay?”

“We both emerged with all limbs intact.  No blood shed.”

Her frown eased.  “Thank goodness for that.”  She’d been sick to her stomach with worry since leaving the two of them alone in her office.  Especially when they were both in such stormy moods.  She stepped into his arms.

“I’m gonna to get you muddy again.”

“I don’t care,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist.  “Is your brother still upset about the pig?”

He slid his hands up and down her arms in a light caress.  “No, darlin’.  Brandon’s bark tends to be a lot worse than his bite.”

She wasn’t so sure other people would agree with Dalton’s assessment of his brother.  Her experience with Brandon was limited, but her description of the man would be gruff and demanding, and incredibly intimidating. 

“I hope so, because I wanna have a word with him before he leaves.”

“Too late.  He just drove off.”

She groaned.  “I wanted to talk to him about his plans for the retreat.  Considering what happened today and all.”

“Nothing happened today that shouldn’t have,” he assured her.  “Brandon overreacted and admitted as much before he left.  And you can stop spending all your time worrying about the retreat.  It’s not going anywhere.”

“Thank goodness,” she said with a soft sigh.  “But Brandon─”

“Forget about my brother,” he said.  “You and I need to talk.  About us.”

It felt like butterflies had swarmed her stomach. 
Us.
  He wanted to talk about them.  Was he breaking things off?  Or did he want to talk about continuing to see her once the retreat closed and she returned to her place above the diner.  And, if that was it, could she really go through with it?  Risk falling even deeper in love with him only to have her heart broken when he set off on his next adventure?

He ran his hand along her cheek, his eyes searching hers.  “This is the most important decision I’ve ever made in my whole life and it affects you.”

Her heart pounded hard against her breasts.  Whatever it was, she could handle it.  “How?” was all she could manage, and even that came out shakily.

“I know there’s not much time left before the kids go home, but you’re gonna have to handle things here on your own for a little bit.”

He was leaving?  Now?  “I don’t understand.”

“I know it’s not much notice, but I have to leave town to see to some business matters.”

“You’re leaving Lone Tree?”  Her words were barely a whisper.

“Not for long.”

“What about the kids?” 
And me.
  It felt like her heart had just been trampled on by one of those bulls Dalton used to ride.  How could she have been so wrong about his intentions?  So foolish.

“Caitlin, you have to believe me when I tell you I’m doing this for you and the kids.”

His leaving was for their benefit?  Somehow she missed the reasoning behind that one.  Then it dawned on her.  “This has something to do with your brother, doesn’t it?”

Dalton hesitated.  “Yes and no.  Brandon and I have a business agreement.”

“I knew it.”  She whipped free of his hold and paced barefoot across the cabin floor.

“Knew what?”

“That he really is an ogre!” she fumed.  “He’s sending you away because of me.  Well, he’s not gonna get away with this!  I’ll—”

He caught her and pulled her to him, cutting off her words with a deep, searing kiss.  One that literally took her breath away.

Finally, he lifted his head and smiled.  “You’re so damn sexy when you’re all fired up.”

How could he be so calm?

“You’re just gonna let your brother push you around like this?  Send you away from me.  From the kids.”

“He’s not making me leave.”

“I don’t understand.”  She looked up at him questioningly.  “It’s your choice to leave?”

“It’s my choice,” he said.  “But I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Why now?” she asked, her bottom lip quivering.

“Don’t cry,” he said, brushing away a tear that had slipped to her cheek.  “It has to be now.  I need you to trust me on this, Caitlin.  Can you do that?”

Could she? 
When he offered no real explanation.  No real promises.

Leaning down, he kissed the tip of her nose.  “I have plans for us, Caitlin.  Big plans,” he added with a reassuring smile.  “I just have to work some things out first.”

“I don’t understand,” she said in a choked sob, fighting back the tears.  “What things?” 

He smiled warmly.  “Trust me, Caitlin,” he said, repeating his earlier words.  His hand found hers, gently twining his larger fingers through her smaller ones.  “I’m doing this for you.  For us.  For our future.”

For their future.
  Those three little words sounded so promising.  Hope intermingled with fear.  What if Dalton decided not to come back to Lone Tree?  To her?  It wouldn’t be the first time someone she loved walked out of her life.  Dalton was telling her nothing, not really, yet asking her to trust him.

“Caitlin,” he urged, his voice gentle.

She looked up, seeing the concern in his eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said softly, “and you’re dead wrong.  I’m not about to run out on the woman I love.”

Her heart lurched.  “What did you say?”

“I love you, Caitlin Myers, and nothing’s gonna keep me from coming back to you.”

Please, God, don’t let me be dreaming.

She reached out to touch him, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers.  This was real.  He was real. “I love you, too.”

Cupping her face, he brushed his lips tenderly over hers.  “I’m gonna miss the hell outta you while I’m away.”

A knock sounded at the door, drawing a muttered curse from Dalton.   

“Shh,” she said, hushing him, then whispered, “Turn around.”

“What?” he mouthed.

“I need to get dressed so I can answer the door.”

“It’s not like I haven’t seen...”

Her warning glance had him turning to face the cabin wall.  “Fine.”

She shoved out of her robe and then stepped into a pair of jean shorts, zipping them with trembling fingers.  Then she pulled her dark green Camp Stoney Brook t-shirt on over her head, temporarily foregoing her bra as she hurried to the door.

Lifting the latch, she opened it just wide enough to poke her head out.  “Leah?”

“Sorry to bother you, Miss Myers, but some of the boys are arguing.  I’m afraid it’s gonna turn into a real fight.”

“I’ll be right there.”  She closed the door and grabbed for her shoes.

“I’m going with you,” he said, following her out the door.

They would have to finish their conversation later.  She was still confused by his leaving.  What kind of business was Brandon sending him on that was so urgent Dalton had to leave now, before camp even ended?