Chapter 6
“Favorite color?” An hour and a half down the road, getting close to Yellowstone National Park, Dax had been drilling Liliana, learning more about her life, her preferences and her favorite sports teams.
“Blue,” she answered. “Like the big skies over the rez. And you?”
“Green,” he answered. “I like when the winter morphs into spring and everything turns green again. It’s like a fresh start.”
“I like that,” she said. “I love spring and the different shades of green.”
“To summarize what we’ve learned so far,” Dax said, “your favorite color is blue. You’re a dog person, but you like cats, too. Your favorite food is lasagna, you prefer mountains over beaches, you love to travel but love to come home and your favorite sports team is the Denver Broncos.”
“You get an A+ for memorization.” Liliana laughed.
“Let’s see if I’m as successful…” She tapped a finger to her chin.
“Your favorite color is green, your favorite food is Mexican, you prefer beaches over mountains, you love to travel and don’t have a home…
which is sad. I can’t imagine not having a home.
And your favorite sports team is the Patriots. ”
“Okay, where did we meet?” he asked.
“Easy, at the Grand Yellowstone Lodge. When is a little trickier.” She frowned.
“Amanda and I went to West Yellowstone six months ago. We met then and have been corresponding since and have met in Cheyenne and Bozeman on different occasions. Your work kept you from visiting me in Riverton if anyone asks.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’d like to stop at the Yellowstone visitor’s center if you don’t mind the detour,” Liliana said. “The park is such a big draw to our state I’d be remiss in passing it by without stopping.”
“We have time, and I’ve always wanted to visit.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ve never been to Yellowstone?”
He shook his head. “Never came this close to it before now.”
“Oh, man. You’re in for a treat. We’re going to Yellowstone.”
He laughed, his chest swelling at her excitement to show off her state’s number one destination.
“Do you realize Yellowstone is the first national park in the United States?” she asked.
“Yes. I did know that,” he said with a grin. “Stone told me. Even though he grew up in West Yellowstone, Montana, he’s proud to be so close to Yellowstone National Park. It was his playground in his youth.”
“It’s truly magnificent,” Liliana said. “A park worth keeping in its natural state.
“Don’t you need reservations to get into the park?”
She shook her head. “No. We will need a park pass, though. I had one in my SUV, but that’s in Riverton.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind buying a park pass to see Yellowstone.”
“Now we can say our first trip together was to see Yellowstone National Park.” Liliana sat back in her seat, her face wreathed in a smile. “You’re going to love it.”
“I already do.” Just because it made her so happy to share it with him made him love the park, sight unseen. Of course, he’d seen pictures of the park’s attractions. But to go in person with someone equally excited to be there was a bonus.
His father had never taken the time to travel much with Dax. He’d taken him to the South Carolina beaches a couple of times because they’d been close by.
When Dax had gotten his driver’s license, any trips with his father ended.
He’d worked hard to save for a banger of a car to get back and forth to an after-school job.
He’d saved more and traded up to a four-wheel-drive pickup.
He and his friend had spent many days off and nights on the beach, fishing, crabbing and partying.
His real traveling began when he joined the Navy and then the Navy SEALs.
Then he’d gone overseas to posh places like Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and other choice locations requiring their skills.
Occasionally, their flights there or back had included stops in Germany, Italy, Australia and other places, giving them enough time to do a little exploring.
He hadn’t seen much of the interior States like Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas.
He paid for the park pass and parked at the visitors’ center. From there, they explored many of the spitting, spewing, bubbling and oozing geysers, viewed colorful pools and stopped at the visitors center with fifteen minutes to spare before Ol’ Faithful’s eruption.
While Liliana explored the handcrafts and souvenirs, Dax stood next to the jewelry counter, enjoying watching Liliana’s excitement and happiness at visiting her state’s pride and joy.
When he turned his head, he noticed a display case of shiny rings. One, in particular, caught his eye. The ring was a simple band in the shape of a mountain with diamond chips along the band. With one eye out for Liliana, he asked the clerk to show him the ring.
“You can get it in sterling silver with rhinestones or white, 14kt gold with real diamonds,” she said.
“Show me the one in white gold with diamonds.”
The ring was perfect. “I’ll take it.”
She pulled one out of the display case. “Is there a size you had in mind?” she asked.
“Yes, a size that would fit my fiancée,” he turned to find Liliana standing beside him. “Lili, honey, tell this nice young lady what size ring you wear.”
“Huh?”
“What size ring do you wear?” the clerk asked. “If you don’t know, I have a size set you can use to figure it out.”
“I don’t know.” A frown pulled at Liliana’s brow. When the clerk went to find the sizing rings, Liliana leaned close to Dax. “What are you doing?”
“We’re engaged. I’m getting you that ring.”
She glanced down at the mountain-shaped ring, and her eyes widened. “Oh my God, I love it.”
His chest swelled at the look of wonder on her face. “My mountains.”
The clerk returned, had her try the fitting rings, selected a size and found the corresponding ring size to fit Liliana’s finger.
“Do you want me to wrap it?” she asked.
Dax and Liliana both shook their heads.
“No, she’ll wear it out.” Dax paid for the ring. When the clerk started to hand the box to Liliana, Dax took it from her, extracted the ring and got down on his knee.
Liliana’s cheeks flushed a bright pink. “You don’t have to do it again.”
“I didn’t do it right the first time.” He looked up at her.
A crowd gathered around, excited to witness a proposal.
“No, wait.” Dax rose to his feet. “What time is it?”
The clerk glanced at the clock on the wall, her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face. “You have exactly 2 minutes to get outside.”
Dax grabbed Liliana’s hand. “Hurry!” They ran through the store and out to the viewing area in time to see the first puffs of steam rising from Ol’ Faithful.
Dropping to one knee, Dax held out the ring. “Liliana Lightfeather, will you marry me?”
Ol’ Faithful blew, steam and water rising high into the air.
Liliana laughed and cried, “Yes!” her voice in tune with the geyser’s crescendo.
Dax slipped the ring on her finger.
Liliana flung her arms around his neck and they kissed like any real couple in love and getting engaged.
Dax crushed her to him, deepening the kiss until they both were breathless and came up for air. When he looked around, a crowd had gathered, videoing them along with the geyser’s eruption.
A young woman approached him. “Would you like me to send you the video of your proposal?”
“Yes,” he said, working with the woman to airdrop the video onto his phone, all the while keeping an arm firmly around Liliana’s waist.
When Ol’ Faithful went back to sleep, in wait for its next showing, Dax and Liliana walked back to his truck in silence.
Once inside the cab, Dax glanced over at Liliana.
She was staring down at the ring on her hand, tears welling in her eyes.
Dax’s gut knotted. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, her voice choking on a sob.
“You’re crying,” he said, frowning. “Something must be wrong. Do you hate the ring?”
She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “No, I love it so much. It’s just a shame…”
“What’s a shame?” He reached across the console and cupped her cheek, his heart squeezing hard in his chest. “Don’t cry.”
“It’s just such a beautiful ring and the perfect setting and perfect proposal. It’s a shame it wasn’t real.” She gave him a weak, watery smile. “You put on a great show. And got the video as well. You’re playing this part so well.” Her gaze dropped to the ring again.
“You needed a ring. Like Kyla said, people will ask to see the ring.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I can reimburse you for the cost of the ring.”
He shook his head, a surge of anger rising in his throat. “No. It’s a gift.”
“But I can’t accept it.”
“You already did. I don’t want to discuss it further.” His tone was sharp, cutting.
Liliana didn’t argue but sat silently as they drove through the park and out the other side into the Grand Tetons.
By then, neither one wanted to stop and admire the view.
Liliana was right. The proposal, the acceptance had all been for show. It wasn’t real.
Then why did it feel real? And why was he mad? It was as if he was angry that it wasn’t real.
Which was ludicrous. He wasn’t the kind of guy who would ever marry.
But if you did…Liliana would be your perfect match.
Again. Ludicrous. She was an attorney on her way to becoming a congresswoman.
She’d be in Washington, D.C., representing her state, making laws, passing bills and being an asset to her country.
A relationship with a woman like that would require a man of equal standing.
Not a washed-up Navy SEAL who only knew how to shoot things.
“What’s wrong?” Liliana asked softly.
Dax pulled himself out of his self-defeating musings and shot a glance her way. “Why do you think anything is wrong?”
“You’re frowning like someone just shot your dog.” Her lips quirked upward. “What were you thinking about?”
For a moment, he paused. “I was thinking people might not buy our charade.”
Her brow dipped. “Why not?”
He stared straight out the front windshield at the curving road ahead. “Why would a hot-shot attorney, on her way up the political food chain, marry a former Navy SEAL, who only finished an undergraduate degree in political science? You are in an entirely different league.”
Liliana snorted. “Wow. I might have a license to practice law, but I came from the rez. I will never forget that. I learned at an early age that no one is better than anyone else. It’s what you do with what you have that makes you special.
You have amazing skills and have accomplished so much more, mentally and physically, than only a small fraction of people has succeeded at. I could never do what you’ve done.”
“Still, once you’re elected, you’ll be off to the nation’s capital to help guide our country by passing laws and bills. That’s big stuff. Important stuff. I’d be considered a house husband to your political standing. Why would anyone think I was a good match for you?”
She blinked. “Don’t be a snob about politicians.
Not all politicians are in it for financial and social standing.
I really do want the best for my state and the people who live there.
I’m running on a platform that emphasizes representing the people, not the big businesses.
They’ll be even more inclined to think we’re a good match because you aren’t a politician. You’re a Navy SEAL, for Pete’s sake.”
“Not everyone is impressed by Navy SEALs. Some don’t even know what they are.”
She rolled her eyes. “Everyone has seen the movies and television specials about Navy SEALs. They know what they represent—and what’s not to love about a military war hero?”
“A military war hero turned house husband to the congresswoman.”
She laughed. “I can’t begin to picture you in an apron, dusting the fine dinner settings.
” Liliana reached out and touched his arm.
“You won’t be a house husband because you’ll be working for the Brotherhood Protectors, helping others trapped in bad situations.
Or, better yet, you’ll be in charge of my personal security detail, should I need one. ”
“When you run for president, you’ll need one.”
Liliana smiled and leaned her head back against the headrest. “One step at a time. Congress first, ruler of the world next.”
He glanced her way, liking the way her lips curled naturally in a smile and the blue-black sheen of her hair. A man with less baggage than himself could easily fall in love with this woman. “You could do so much better than me.”
She turned in her seat, her brow wrinkled. “Are you kidding me? Have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re hot! I’ll be beating off the women with a stick. If anything, you could do better than a girl from the rez.”
He chuckled. “Now, who’s the snob? Look at all you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. And you’re running for an office at the federal level.”
“Some would think that I’m foolish even to try. I’m a woman, a Native American and too young to be a legislator. The odds are stacked against me.”
“Yet the polls are favoring you. They must see something in you the other candidates don’t have, like integrity, honor and commitment.”
“All the same values inherent in the Navy SEALs.” She lifted her chin. “Let’s agree that we both have merit and let it lie. You’re an asset to my campaign, not only as my protector but as my potential partner, my better half.”
“I’ll do my best to live up to your standard.”
“You don’t have to work at it. You’re way above the bar and more of a good man than most of the men in congress today.
How many of them went through the training you did and fought the battles you and your team fought?
” She shook her head. “I’m proud to call you my fiancé. Even if it’s only for show.”
“I couldn’t ask for a smarter or more beautiful fiancée,” he said.
She gave him a crooked smile. “You’re getting good at the role play.”
“If you stick close to the truth, it makes it easier.” He grinned. “You are beautiful and smart.”
She stared out the window, her lips twisting. “All this subterfuge is crazy and messed up. I hope we lure my attacker out into the open. I can handle snakes that I can see. It’s the ones in the grass that worry me.”
“Agreed.” Dax reached out and took her hand. “Promise me you’ll stay close to me at all times.”
She squeezed his hand. “I promise. I’d like to make it to election day intact.”
Dax would like her to make it further than election day. The woman had the ambition and desire to help the residents of her state. He hoped she got that chance. Dax would do his darnedest to make sure she did.