Chapter Twelve
Devin saw her the minute she entered the barn with Rocky. They pulled out chairs from a table and sat down. She looked so good. He still wanted her, but he wasn’t about to go to her. The pain was enough for now he didn’t need to add to it. She didn’t want him, and every man had a point where he’d had enough, and Devin was there. He hadn’t seen her in two days, and he was sure his heart was being ripped in two. How the hell would he feel when she left? Taking a deep breath, he leaned against the barn wall and folded his arms then glanced over to see Jaxon standing beside him in the same pose.
“Doesn’t look like the rain bothered anyone,” Jaxon said.
“Yeah,” he muttered.
“So, what’s going on with you and Willa?”
“Not a damn thing anymore. It’s over.”
“Seriously? What happened?”
“She won’t stay here. I asked her, she said no.”
“I’m sorry, Dev.”
“I’m fine. I’ll get over it.”
Devin was thankful when Jaxon didn’t say anymore but didn’t leave his side. The band started playing, and people either moved to the floor or the buffet and bar. He wasn’t hungry. He hadn’t had much of an appetite since he’d told her to get out of his house. His eyes shifted around the room and landed on Willa and Rocky on the dance floor. They danced well together. They knew how to read each other, probably because they’d been together ten years. He smiled as he heard her laugh when Rocky spun her around. People were watching them or just watching Rocky.
“Hey,” a male voice said from beside him. He looked over to see his friend, Grayson Beckett.
“Gray. What are you doing here?”
“I was passing by and thought I’d stop in.” He looked around Devin. “Hey, Jax.”
“How you doing, Gray?” Jaxon asked him.
“Good. Heading home. I’m on my way home after dealing with a bad wreck. It’s been a long damn day.”
“It must have been if you’re just going home.”
“Yeah, it was a bad one. All of us had to work it.”
“Anyone hurt?” Devin asked.
“Luckily, no,” Gray said and glanced around. He looked toward the dance floor. “So, that’s Rocky Fontaine, huh?”
Devin laughed. “Yep. I’ll introduce you as soon as he gets off the dance floor.”
“Who’s the beauty dancing with him?”
“No one,” Devin growled making Jaxon chuckle.
Gray raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?” He glanced at Jaxon and grinned.
“Her name is Willa Foster. She’s Rocky’s assistant, and she has Devin by the balls,” Jaxon said making Gray laugh.
“Fuck you both,” Devin said as he waved Rocky over.
“Devin. Jaxon,” Rocky said when he reached them with Willa in tow .
“Rocky, this is a good friend of ours, Gray Beckett. Gray, this is Rocky Fontaine, and his assistant, Willa Foster.” Devin introduced them but kept his eyes off her.
“Gray, it’s nice to meet you,” Rocky said as he put his hand out.
“Nice to meet you, Gray,” Willa said.
“You too, Mr. Fontaine. Miss Foster,” Gray said as he touched the brim of his hat and smiled.
Devin watched as her cheeks turned pink while she smiled at Gray. Damn Gray. He never had problems with women fawning all over him. It was probably those ice blue eyes and the fact he was a sheriff.
“I just wanted to stop in for a few minutes. I’ll see you all later.” Gray slapped Devin on the shoulder then gave Rocky and Willa a nod and walked out of the barn.
Devin noticed Willa’s eyes following his friend as he disappeared. In fact, as Devin glanced around, quite a few women were watching him. Shit. He didn’t need to be jealous of Gray. He loved him like a brother. When Willa turned back to face him, she caught him staring at her, and her cheeks turned even darker.
“You wouldn’t be interested in him. He’s younger than you.” When she gasped and spun on her heel then walked away, he felt like an ass.
“Way to go, Devin. What the hell is wrong with you?” Jaxon asked him with a frown.
“I have no idea.” He shook his head. “I’m going home. I’ll see you Monday, Rocky.”
Letting his anger grab hold, he strode from the barn and walked home. Climbing the steps, he opened the back door and then slammed it behind him. A long night stretched out in front of him.
****
On Wednesday after the trail ride, Devin walked out of the barn and headed for the van to take some of the guests to town. It was hot but not as bad as the previous day. Since he was running on no sleep, he hoped the trip was a quick one. Too bad, he couldn’t find someone else to take it. He’d been tempted to ask Jaxon but he was working in the north pasture cutting hay.
Hell, Devin would rather take the guests to town then deal with the heat out in the fields. Unlocking the van, he climbed in and started it up. It was as hot as a furnace inside, so he opened the windows until the air conditioning cooled it down. The van seated up to fifteen people and Josie told him only one would be needed this time, so Chip wouldn’t be taking the other one.
As he drove it through the barn, he almost slammed on the brakes when he saw Willa standing by the entrance. Damn it to hell! She was going on this trip. It hurt to look at her, but he was done having her make a fool of him. He hadn’t seen her since the dance when he’d pissed her off, and it had been a week since they’d been together. He wrapped his hands tight around the steering wheel until they hurt. To say he missed her would be a huge understatement. Pulling the van to a stop, he climbed out and knew by the look on her face, she hadn’t been expecting him either.
“All right, let’s load up, and I’ll take you into town. We’ll be there for two hours, and you’re welcome to look around and buy whatever you want. Within reason anyway. I can’t bring back large objects for you or someone will have to stay in town,” Devin told them making them laugh.
Sliding the side door open, he watched as they climbed in and completely ignored her when she stepped up into the van. Slamming the door, a little harder than necessary, he swore and walked around the vehicle and climbed in behind the wheel. After making sure everyone had buckled their seatbelts, he drove off the ranch and headed to Spring City.
The guests talked all the way to town, and he welcomed it. It helped take his mind off her. Why did she have to be on this trip? Son of a bitch! Damn her for making him hurt. He’d known it might happen though. There was no denying it.
When she’d first shown up, he knew his heart was in trouble, and he should have had the balls to stay away from her. There had been so many women here over the past five years, a lot of them came on to him and Jaxon, and not once did they ever go for it with any one of them. It just wasn’t done. Now he had and worse, he’d fallen in love and what does she do? Throws it back in his face. Well, fuck that shit. He was so done. Yes, he hurt, but he’d get over it. Someday. Some way. He’d get over her .
Driving down Main Street, he parked the van and turned in his seat to face the passengers .
“Meet back here in two hours. Please don’t make me come looking for you. As I said, you are welcome to do anything while here.” When no one said anything, he nodded. “All right. Go have some fun. It’s a quaint little town.”
Once everyone had piled out, he locked the van and strode across the street without looking back. He didn’t want to see where she was going or what she was doing. Slapping his hand on the door of the feed store, he entered the building.
****
Willa watched as he disappeared inside the building across the street. He hated her now, and she couldn’t blame him. He probably thought she’d led him on from the beginning. Staying away from him from the very start would have been the smart thing to do, but she couldn’t. No man would ever make her feel the way he did. Taking a deep breath, she turned and looked up and down the street then stepped onto the boarded sidewalk. Walking along the storefronts, she saw an antique store, entered, and immediately fell in love with almost everything in the store.
Weaving her way through the furniture, she then spotted several racks of old clothing. Smiling, she pulled out an antique wedding gown with a row of satin buttons from the high collar down to the hem. It was beautiful. Her fingers touched the lace lovingly, but then she sadly hung it back up. Turning, she smiled when she spotted the old dollhouses. She’d never had one when she was a little girl. Her parents had been so strict and thought such a toy was a waste of money. Something she’d grow out of and then it would only collect dust. She’d secretly wanted one for years and had forgotten all about it until now.
“Hello. That’s a pretty dollhouse, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Willa ran her hand along the red roof of the white house.
“Every girl loves a dollhouse no matter what her age,” the elderly woman said.
“That’s so true. I never had one when I was little, but I never gave up the dream of having one.”
“Oh dear, you have to come with me then. I can see you love them so please, follow me.”
Willa smiled and followed the older woman through a curtain and entered a room that had her gasping for breath. Dollhouses of every size and color filled the room. She blinked tears away as she looked at them and slowly moved through them. Afraid to even breathe, she stopped in front of a large three-story, grey colonial style house with white trim. The porch ran across the front and along one side. Walking around the back of it, she inhaled deep in appreciation when she saw the furniture inside. The floors were either carpeted or hardwood. She glanced over at the woman.
“This is so beautiful. It looks so real.” She laughed self-consciously. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, indeed, hon.” The woman stood beside her and peered inside the house. “It’s actually one of my favorite ones. It’s ancient. Like me. I’m Minnie,” she said laughing .
Smiling, Willa put her hand out. “Willa. It’s just gorgeous.”
“It’s been completely restored. It’s from the early fifties, and it is for sale you know.”
“Yes, but I’m with a group of people from Bur Oak ranch or I’d buy it in a heartbeat.”
“I see. Too bad, dear. I think you would give it a wonderful home.”
“Thank you for showing it to me.” She turned to go.
“Do you know why I think you’d give it a wonderful home?”
Willa turned back to her. “Why?”
“Because you didn’t even ask how much it was or look at the price tag. You’re truly in love with it. Numbers mean nothing to you. Have a good day and enjoy Spring City.” Minnie winked and disappeared behind another curtain.
Willa practically ran from the store. Numbers mean nothing to you. Minnie was right. Numbers were nothing to be upset about, and age was just a number but now she’d ruined it with Devin, and he’d never forgive her. She hoped the days passed quickly so she could leave here never to return.
****
Once everyone was in the van, Devin drove it back toward the ranch and listened as the guests chatted about the town. He straightened up when he heard a woman ask Willa a question.
“Where did you take off to, Willa?”
“I went into an antique store that had a backroom filled with dollhouses. It was beautiful,” she answered .
He knew precisely what store she’d visited. Minnie Dover had owned the store for years, and she loved her dollhouses. His mother even had one from there.
“I loved my dollhouse when I was little,” the woman said.
“I never had one. I always wanted one, but my parents thought it would just collect dust. They were very strict,” Willa said, and he could hear the longing in her voice. “There was one there that was so beautiful. A grey colonial with white trim and it was furnished just right for the time period.”
“How much was it?”
“I didn’t ask,” Willa whispered.
“Maybe you should get it before you leave,” another woman suggested.
“No. I can’t take it home on the plane. I’ll look for one when I get home.”
Devin swore softly when he heard her voice catch. Keeping his eyes on the road, he continued the drive home. She’d be leaving him soon, and he wanted to slam his hand against the steering wheel but if he did, he’d scare the guests. Gritting his teeth, he drove back to the ranch.
The next week passed quickly and before he knew it, it was Saturday night and the last dance for Willa. She’d leave him tomorrow, and he still didn’t want her to go but knew he couldn’t stop her. Every night, he’d toss and turn. He couldn’t remember when the last time was he’d slept all night. At least today he hadn’t had to worry about seeing her since he had gone to a picnic at his parents’ ranch. It had been to welcome Roark and Priscilla home from their honeymoon. There was another example of a quick romance. Priscilla was to follow Roark around the rodeo circuit for a magazine article but when he was eliminated, she talked him into letting her follow him around his ranch instead. They fell in love, and got married. Devin was happy for his cousin. There was no doubt that Roark adored Priscilla.
Now, as he sat on a hay bale against the wall, he kept his eyes on the door. It was nine-thirty, and she hadn’t shown up yet. His entire family was here, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was seeing Willa walk through that door.
By ten o’clock he was seething. Where the hell was she? Rocky was here, but Devin hadn’t had a chance to talk to him yet. Why did he even care? She’d made it abundantly clear how she felt. He just needed to get over it, though he wasn’t sure how he’d ever do that.
He was sure he’d never hurt like this before. He’d been thrown from bulls, kicked, stepped on, and tossed but nothing ever cut like this. Since day one, she’d thrown their age difference in his face, and she was letting it keep them apart.
When a group of familiar faces entered the barn, he smiled and jumped off the bale and walked toward them.
“Glad you all could make it,” he said.
“We never miss a chance to get out and dance,” Olivia Stone said as she smiled at him.
The woman was stunning, however she had the mouth of a sailor but her husband, Wyatt, adored her. He shook Wyatt’s hand then turned to his brothers, Jake and Gabe, greeted them then hugged their wives, Becca and Emma. Jaxon stopped beside him and did the same. Then another group of friends entered the barn. He looked over to see Sam and Tessa Garrett, Trick and Kaylee Dillon, Ryder and Kelsey Wolfe, Brody and Madilyn Morgan, Riley and Katie Madison, Bonner Gentry with his fiancée, Stephanie Taylor, Preston Mitchell, Reece Maddox and his brother, Cord, along with Ash and Cassie Beckett.
“Where are the rest of the Beckett’s, Ash?” Jaxon asked.
“Brayden and Lissa are on the way. Gray’s not coming since he has to cover for one of his men on vacation. Gage and JD are out on the circuit.”
“Well, glad you’re all here. Enjoy yourselves,” Jaxon said with a big smile.
“We will, but we’re going to get some food first. I’m hungry,” Ash told him.
Devin grinned. “By all means, get yourselves something to eat and enjoy the band.”
Later, as he walked up to his driveway, he could hear Dolly barking from inside the house. He opened the door and let her out then he entered the kitchen and strode to the refrigerator. Taking out a beer, he twisted the cap off and took a long pull as he leaned back against the counter.
She’d be gone tomorrow, and he’d never see her again. Slamming the bottle down so hard that beer overflowed down over it, he swore as he tore a paper towel off the rack and wiped it up. After tossing the wet towel into the trash, he headed for his bedroom. He’d take a shower and try to get some sleep. Shaking his head, he had a feeling that wasn’t going to happen. Why should tonight be any different?
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered as he entered his bedroom.
Sitting on his bed, he rested his arms on his thighs then hung his head. Love shouldn’t hurt like this. How was he going to live without her in his life? You should have stayed away from her. None of this would have happened if you had just stayed away from her.
“No shit,” he mumbled and shook his head. Damn, he hurt.
Two long weeks later, Devin entered the barn on Picasso leading the guests from the trail ride. He spotted Jaxon and nodded at him. Turning in the saddle, the leather creaking under him, he faced the other riders.
“You can dismount, and a ranch hand will take care of your horse.” Sighing, he dismounted.
“You look like shit,” Jaxon said looking at him.
“You’re my twin, what’s that say about you?”
“Hell, I’ve always been the better looking one.” Jaxon chuckled.
“Bullshit,” Devin muttered.
“Seriously, Devin, just go after her.”
“Why?”
“Because you love her and no matter what you think, she loves you.”
“Maybe, but not enough to get past the age difference and I’m tired of beating a dead horse.”
“So, you just plan on being miserable the rest of your life? Christ, I don’t want to have to put up with that. If you don't go for you, go for me.”
“I put up with you,” Devin growled then felt like an ass at the look on Jaxon’s face. “I’m sorry, Jax, I didn’t mean that.”
“It’s all right. But I do know what it’s like to lose the woman you love, so go after her.”
“I don’t know––”
“I do. Try one more time. What can it hurt? You sure as hell can’t hurt any worse than you do now.”
Devin stared at him. Was Jaxon right? Should he go after her and try to convince her to come back? He nodded.
“All right… I’ll go but if I come back without her, I’m kicking your ass.”
Jaxon snorted. “Yeah, right. Just go. I’ll take care of things around here. Bring her back to where she belongs.”
Devin finished with Picasso then strode from the barn to head home. Pulling his cellphone out as he entered his house, he called his uncle Declan to see when he could fly him out. After arranging to meet him at the jet in an hour, he cleaned up, and packed a small bag then walked down to his truck and climbed in. Was he really going to do this? Should he even do this? Yes. He’d beg her if he had to. Something he said he’d never do. Never say never. He needed Willa in his life. As he drove to meet his uncle, he decided to make a stop first.
****
Willa sat in her townhome and stared at the TV not really seeing the baseball game. A knock on the door startled her. Sighing, she tossed the remote down and walked to the door. The last thing she wanted was company. All she’d done since coming home from Montana was sulk and she wanted to continue to do so. Whoever was at the door was going to get an earful. Yanking the door open, any words she was going to say left her when she saw the big grey dollhouse sitting on the stoop. A tear rolled down her cheek as she stared at it.
“I hope that’s the right one, darlin’. Minnie doesn’t have the best memory anymore.”
She looked up to see Devin standing against the wall beside her door with his arms folded across his broad chest. God, she missed him, and he looked so damn good.
“What—” She cleared her throat. “What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like? I brought you the dollhouse.”
“You came all the way to Hollywood to bring me this dollhouse?”
Pushing away from the wall, he stepped up behind the dollhouse. “And to ask you to come back to me.”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Will you carry it in for me?”
Devin stared at her for a few seconds then picked the dollhouse up and carried it inside for her. Clearing off her dining room table first for him, she watched as he set it there and she couldn’t take her eyes off it.
“How did you get in the gate?” she asked him since a code was needed to open the gate .
“Rocky gave me the code.”
“Where were you during the day the last Saturday I was at the ranch?”
Devin frowned at her. “I was at my parents’ place for a picnic to welcome Roark and Priscilla home from their honeymoon. Why?”
“I spent the day at the pool praying you’d show up, since you did the other Saturdays I was there… but you didn’t.”
“Is that why you didn’t come to the dance?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like your dollhouse, darlin’?” he asked as he stepped closer to her.
“It had to be expensive, Devin.”
“I didn’t care what it cost.”
Smiling, she looked at him. “Because you don’t care about numbers.”
“What?”
“Numbers mean nothing to you. Any numbers.” She threw her arms around his neck.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, sweetheart, but I’m okay with it as long as you’re holding me.”
“You told me once when I told you I was older than you that numbers mean nothing to you.”
“They don’t. The only thing that means anything to me is you. The woman I love. But what does that have to do with the dollhouse?”
“Minnie told me when I first looked at it that she knew I really loved it because I didn’t ask how much it cost or look at the price tag because numbers didn’t mean anything to me. And I knew then she was right. They don’t. I was just scared. ”
“Then tell me why the hell you left me,” he growled.
“Because you were angry with me—” She ended on a squeal when he pulled her up against him and took her lips in a deep kiss.
“All you had to do was tell me you wanted to stay, and all would have been forgiven. I love you, Willa. Come home. To Bur Oak. To me.”
“Yes!” She hugged him tighter.
“The furniture for the dollhouse is at the ranch. The only piece I brought with me was this little steamer trunk.” He pulled a small chest out of his pocket.
Willa took it from him and ran her fingertip over it. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Open it,” Devin whispered.
When she did, she let out a gasp at seeing the diamond solitaire sitting inside winking at her.
“You’re going to marry me, is that understood?”
Grinning, she saluted him. “Yes sir. Only, I don’t need a big wedding. Let’s just have a quick wedding. You know, since I’m so old we don’t want to waste any time.”
“God, woman. I swear I’m going to put you over my knee.”
“Ooh, Callahan. You into that?”
“Not really. Are you?”
Willa laughed. “No.”
“What about Rocky?”
“I don’t know if he’s into that either.” She laughed when Devin narrowed his eyes at her. “I quit working for him the day we returned home. I told him I just wasn’t into it anymore. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”
“I have a feeling he didn’t on purpose.”
“Probably. I’m glad you two are remaining friends.”
“I’m waiting to hear something from you, Foster.” His eyes narrowed.
Frowning, she pursed her lips. “Something from me?”
“Willa,” he said through clenched teeth making her laugh but then she got serious.
“I love you, Devin Callahan, more than I thought it possible to love anyone.”
“Damn time, sweetheart. Now, where’s the bedroom?”
Picking her up, he carried her in the direction she pointed.