Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
DALLAS
I enjoyed myself during dinner. Rose seems to be having a good time, and Richard is behaving himself. Mostly, he’s keeping his distance, and I’m not sad about that.
Now, it’s late, and guests are saying good night and heading to their rooms.
Rose covers a yawn. “I can’t believe I’m still awake.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” I slide an arm around her waist as she leans her head on my shoulder.
“Immensely. This place is so cool. The restaurant is two hundred feet from the hotel. And tomorrow, we’re going to ride horses. I know that’s probably something you do all the time, but for me it’s a treat.”
Why has she never mentioned that she likes to ride?
“It’ll be fun.”
After a wave at the few still sitting around and chatting, we walk up to our room.
Sharing a room doesn’t feel as awkward as it did the last time, but back then, I barely knew her. It’s been nearly six months, and we’ve spent a lot of hours together.
She hoists her suitcase onto the foot of the bed. “You can have the bathroom first. I’ll take longer.”
“I could’ve lifted that for you.”
She smirks. “I’m capable.”
With one tiny sentence, she has me thinking about kissing her.
I grab shorts and a tee. I’m guessing she’ll blast the heat, and I’ll lose the shirt sometime during the night, but her comfort is more important. Then I pick up my toiletry bag. “I won’t be long.”
When I step back into the room, she’s in flannel pajamas, and her hair is in a knot on the top of her head. And the suitcase is no longer on the bed.
“Choose whatever side you want. I’m not picky.” She disappears into the bathroom.
I slide under the covers and stare at the ceiling.
Twenty minutes later, she crawls in bed and rolls to her side so that she’s facing me. “I did a quick mask thing. That’s why it took so long. I’ve been upping my skincare game so that I look good for the wedding.”
“You’re beautiful, Zuzu. Mask or no mask.” And now I have Mason’s voice in my head. The kid would be happy that I’ve been honest with Rose about finding her pretty.
She sighs. “Are you sleepy or can we chat for a bit?”
I extend my arm, inviting her to cuddle up. “I’m awake. What’s on your mind?”
She snuggles against my side. “Dad is avoiding any talk about the new location, and that has me nervous. Leaving the family business would hurt. A lot. I’m trying to think of what I can do to salvage things.”
“You really love that place.”
“When I was little, I’d do my homework in the back of the shop and listen to my parents talk to customers about flowers. Then when I was a bit older, I’d answer questions for customers. That was my first job. I’ve never worked anywhere else. It’s a part of me. Know what I mean?”
“I do. Emotional ties are not easily broken.”
If she stays, she’ll never be free of her mom’s manipulation. But since she loves the flower shop, I’ll support her any way I can. Even if it’s just holding her when she cries.
“I’ve talked about my dreams and what I want. What about you?”
“Working a ranch is what I love. I have great friends, some of which are covering for me this weekend and helping Colt. I see my aunt more than I ever did before, and I think my mom would approve of that. Family was a big deal to my mom.”
“I wish my family was as awesome as Tandy.”
I chuckle. “At least your parents don’t ask your friends to pose with their shirts off.”
“She didn’t!” Rose giggles. “How funny.”
“Not all the guys would agree with you.”
Still cuddled against me, she draws hearts on my T-shirt. “That night at the restaurant when I dropped the ring, what made you say yes?”
I’ve noodled that question a lot. “In that moment, I was the one who could wipe the worry off your face. Plus, I didn’t want you asking someone who would end up taking advantage of you.”
For the next hour in a room lit only by the splinter of moonlight spilling around the edge of the blinds, Rose and I talk. And when she falls quiet and her breathing changes, I kiss the top of her head.
The fencing I ordered should be in when I get back, and I’ll work extra hours this week to get the fields and the garden shed ready. After the wedding, I’ll take Rose out there and tell her how I feel. That I haven’t been pretending for a long time, and I can’t imagine spending my life without her.
The ladies have all gathered in a meeting room to have a pajama party, and the guys are seated in the bar, enjoying cocktails. Some are playing cards. Others are throwing darts. I’m tucked in a corner, watching the fun and enjoying my drink. And because I’m lucky, Richard sits down at my table.
“You don’t care if I sit here, do you?”
“Not a bit.” I sip my whiskey. I won’t have more than one because having a loose tongue wouldn’t do anyone any favors.
Richard downs his in one swallow. “You’ve really shaken up Rose’s family. I’ve heard that even Sage is behaving differently now that you showed up. And their parents aren’t happy about it.”
A few of his words slur a tad, making me think that wasn’t his first drink of the night.
“It was never my intention to make anyone unhappy. Only to make Rose happy.” That statement is completely true.
“I always figured that after I sowed a few wild oats, if you know what I mean, then I’d settle down with Rose. And after Sage and Cara announced their engagement, I thought this would be the time. I’m not getting any younger. And Rose is pretty cute. I prefer a little more endowment up top, but that’s nothing a plastic surgeon can’t fix.” He chuckles.
I ball my fists, breathing through my rage. “You can quit talking about her like she’s an object.” My verbal warning is accompanied by a glare.
That must scare Richard a bit because he stammers, “I didn’t mean to… she’s just… I forgot that you like her.” He lifts his glass and points to it as the waitress walks by.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have any more to drink.”
“My girl is engaged to someone else. I’m drinking away my sorrow.” He laughs. “And now that the others are engaged, my mom is pressuring me to settle down. Rose knows me. She’d understand my quirks. But no, now I have to find a stranger. And between you and me, I have trouble getting women to agree to a second date most of the time. I’m not sure how I’ll get anyone to say yes to a proposal.”
I’m fairly certain that anything I say to him tonight will not be remembered. “Try being a nice person who doesn’t judge women by their cup size.”
He responds as if I’m the best comedian ever. “Seeing Rose with you makes me realize what I’m missing, and I aim to get her back. You just watch. Unlike you, her parents like me. And I’ll use that to my favor.” He lifts his glass. “May the best man win.”
I stand and walk away because slugging Richard would ruin the evening. And I like Sage. But not his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Telling Rose about the conversation can wait until after the wedding. She doesn’t need the stress right now.
Early Monday morning, before heading to the hardware store to pick up the fencing I ordered, I stop by the horse barn. Colt has been putting in extra hours, making sure everything is ready for our Valentine’s Day opening, which is less than two weeks away.
It’s taken a lot of work, but Aunt Tandy will get her wish. Matchmaker Ranch will officially open on Valentine’s Day.
Colt is grooming a horse when I enter.
“You were wrong.” I’ve been waiting a long time to say it, but since I’m buying white picket fencing, the timing feels right.
He leans out of the horse’s stall. “I often am. Care to be more specific?”
“Spending time with Rose did not make the attraction go away.”
“You don’t say?” He chuckles. “How’s all that going?”
“Really well, I think. The wedding, which was the end of our deal, is this weekend, and then we can talk about what happens next. But I care for her. A lot.”
“She seems to like you too. I’m happy I was wrong.”
“You knew all along you were wrong. You just said all that so I wouldn’t obsess about it.”
“Guilty as charged.” He grins. “You were working yourself into a tizzy, and I wanted to help you relax.”
“If Aunt Tandy ever needs help matchmaking, she can rope you into it.”
He shakes his head. “No thanks. I do not see matchmaking in my future. I’m happy working with horses.”
“Don’t discount something too quick. I swore I’d never fall for anyone, and look at me.” I walk to the door. “I’m headed into town. I’ll catch you later.”
“Have a good one.” Colt gets back to work.
Ten minutes later, I walk into the hardware store. “Sutton, hey. Did the order arrive?”
“Yep. It’s in the back. If you pull around, I’ll help you load the white picket fencing.”
Anderson laughs as he walks into view. “What kind of fencing did you buy?”
“I’m working on a surprise for Rose.” I yank my keys out of my pocket. “Go ahead. Make fun.”
“I’m happy for you, Dallas. Truly.” He pats my shoulder. “Can’t say I’m all that surprised. The attraction was evident the night y’all met.”
“It took me a while to admit it.” I adjust my hat. “After this weekend, we’ll talk about it. And I plan to surprise her then.”
“Let me know how it goes.” He sets a box of screws on the counter. “Don’t make me hunt you down.”
“I’ll keep you posted.” I walk back to my truck, then load up the fencing.
I’m both nervous and excited about the surprise. And I’m glad I don’t have to wait much longer to show it to her.