Chapter 11
“Late as usual, Dak,” Ray said, standing up and clapping the newcomer on the back.
“You’re lucky I came at all,” the man said in a surly voice. “You know how much I hate this kind of stuff.”
“I know, I know, but I’m afraid it’s a necessary evil. A lot of these people are donors as well as volunteers, and they want to see you in person. You know that,” Ray said.
The man Ray called Dak looked at Camellia and tipped his hat. “Howdy, Camellia. I hope you and your daughter are both doing well.”
Camellia smiled at him, but it was clearly not genuine. “Yes, we’re both great. Autumn is back in school, but she should be home for Christmas break.”
Dak appeared surprised by that declaration. “So, she won’t be helping at the fundraiser this year?”
“No. Like I said, she’s back at school, and she has finals. She won’t make it this year.”
As soon as Lily could start breathing again, she looked from the cowboy to Camellia, bewildered. The tension between the two of them was unmistakable.
Almost as if he could feel her gaze, the man looked at her with a cold stare, but as soon as he saw her, she caught a faint glimmer cross his eyes before they once again became emotionless.
I think he might have recognized me! The realization made her panic, and her breathing quickened again. So, what if he did? I didn’t do anything wrong . Lily tried to slow her breathing, holding out her hand dutifully to shake the man’s hand as Ray introduced him to her and Violet.
“Violet, Lily, this is Dakota Clifton, one of the finest cowboys and bull riders I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.” Ray’s voice was filled with admiration as he spoke.
Violet’s face lit up like she’d just been introduced to the president and not a local cowboy. “Wow, a bull rider?” Violet said. “That’s impressive. I’ve never met anyone crazy enough to get on an angry bull’s back.”
“Sure, you have,” Dakota said, looking at Ray. “Ray Marshall here can ride a bull every bit as well as I can, if not better.”
Camellia looked at Ray pointedly, her eyes doing their best to bore holes into him. “But the fact is, neither of you is actually fool enough to ride a bull anymore. Isn’t that right, Ray?”
Ray laughed. “Well, we’ll see, Cammy. You know I still never got my swan song ride. Every bull rider needs that to retire properly.”
If Camellia had been standing, she likely would have had her hands on her hips and be stomping her foot in protest. “Raymond Marshall! One of those horrid bulls nearly killed you! Enough is enough. I need you alive and well, sitting next to me on a rocking chair in my old age—not ten feet under after being gored to death in some dusty arena!” Camellia was absolutely livid, and Lily was quite sure this was an argument the two of them had rehashed often.
Dakota’s expressionless face broke into a small, slow smile as he drawled, “That old bull really did get you good, old man. Maybe Camellia’s right. You should keep your feet on the ground.”
Ray shot him a look that Lily couldn’t quite decipher.
“I hear Rusty is selling that old roan horse of his. You could always join me in the arena as a bull wrangler if you’re getting bored.”
Camellia refused to entertain even a joke about her husband rejoining the rodeo circuit. “That’s enough of that, Dak. Ray has a job, and it’s more than enough to keep him busy. Now, since we’re all here to discuss the charity, maybe we could get down to business,” Camellia snapped.
Ray grinned, and both Dakota and Ray dutifully followed Camellia as she excused herself to take the two men over to the long table filled with charts and papers.
Violet watched them until she knew they were out of earshot. “Wow, that was intense,” Violet admitted. “Here I thought all that animosity I’ve been feeling was for us, but I’m starting to suspect it was really meant for that old cowpoke.”
Lily nodded, but she was still a bit miffed about Dak. “It sounds like Ray really must have gotten quite injured in the past. I can understand Camellia’s concern about not wanting him to put himself in danger anymore. Personally, I think anyone putting themselves in that kind of danger must be mentally impaired. It’s really not fair for Ray to take risks like that when he has a family,” Lily explained.
Violet put up her hands defensively. “Hey, no need to preach to me, sis. I’m in full agreement there. I was just saying that it explains her attitude about this whole charity situation, that’s all. I wonder if that cowboy has a wife and kids to worry about?”
Lily bit her lower lip. There was an unapproachableness about Dakota Clifton that made it hard for her to imagine him with any woman, let alone children. “That’s the guy I told you about, Violet,” she practically whispered, looking over at the threesome in the corner.
Violet looked confused, and asked frustratingly loudly, “What guy?” Then a light suddenly went on in her eyes. “You’re kidding me. That’s the cowboy who attacked that thug with the knife?” Violet glanced back over at Dakota. “You sure? I guess he does match the description you gave me, but boy, wouldn’t that be a coincidence?”
Lily nodded. “I think so, yes. I kind of think he recognized me as well, but it’s strange he didn’t say anything. It’s almost like he didn’t want the others to know we’d met.” Lily blushed. “Well, I mean, kind of met, anyway. I’ve been wanting to thank him, but now I don’t know if I should.”
“Why shouldn’t you? The man practically saved your life. A thank you would most certainly be in order.”
Lily chewed her lower lip, looking down at the floor.
“What?” Violet demanded. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Sighing, Lily looked up again. “It’s just that it seems like ever since I helped that girl and ran into him, my life has become nothing but shambles. I mean, I lost my apartment, my job, my kids don’t want to see me. Maybe he’s a bad omen or something. Part of me thinks I’d be better off staying as far away from him as possible.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “I doubt the poor guy is a bad omen, although I’m betting Camellia might agree with you. I’m not suggesting you become best friends with the guy, Lily, but I do think a proper thank you for saving your life is in order.”
The thought of approaching the tall, distant cowboy put her stomach in a knot, but Lily knew Violet was right. What kind of person would she be if she didn’t at least thank the man who had come to her rescue?
She took a deep breath. “Okay, you’re right. Let’s head over there. Although I think I’d better thank him in private, just in case, for some reason, he does want to keep it all a secret. I still think it’s odd he didn’t just say anything if he recognized me.”
Violet grabbed her arm, pulling Lily with her. “Maybe it’s not so odd. You didn’t say anything either, did you?”
Violet had a point. Maybe she should just quickly thank him and be done with it. Pulling him aside might make everyone suspicious. Lily groaned. Why did everything always have to be so complicated?
As they neared the long table, Lily’s stomach was doing flip-flops, and her mind raced with possibilities of what she should say. Should she pull him aside, or just start talking? Had he actually even recognized her, or had that just been her imagination?
“Oh hey, you two, we’re just about done here,” Camellia said, looking up as they approached. “I was thinking I’d show you some of the volunteer work we still need help with, and then maybe we can call it a night. I’m beat and looking forward to a nice glass of wine in front of the fire at home. If that sounds good to the two of you as well, maybe we can get out of here soon. Ray always stays to the end, but we don’t have to.”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” said Lily. When she looked at Dakota, she saw him watching her curiously. “I was just hoping I could talk with Dakota for a quick second first.”
Camellia raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, her eyes narrowed as she looked over Lily’s shoulder, and a shrill voice sounded directly behind her.
“Oh, now isn’t that sweet? The three long-lost sisters all together again.”
The loud voice made Lily jump, and she turned quickly to see Trish standing directly behind her, much too close for comfort, with a broad, false smile plastered on her face.
“Trish.” Camellia’s voice had gone from tired to icy in a split second. “I thought for sure you’d left by now. Don’t you usually just eat and run?”
Trish’s eyes flashed, but her smile remained unmoving. “You forgot the part about where I write the check, Cammie,” she countered, watching with pleasure as Camellia flinched at her use of Ray’s nickname for her.
As was her nature when she saw anyone in discomfort, Lily quickly jumped in, turning around to face Trish with a fake smile of her own. “Yes, Ray and Camellia were telling us at dinner about your tremendous generosity when it comes to this charity. Of course, it is for such a wonderful cause. If anyone deserves a helping hand, it’s these poor, innocent children. Don’t you agree?”
Trish practically drooled at the praise, and Lily suspected that the unpleasant woman didn’t receive too many accolades despite her contribution. “Yes, yes, that’s true. Those darling children deserve all the help they can get.” Then she winked at Lily conspiratorially. “And the tax benefits aren’t too bad, either, are they?” Laughing at her own joke, Trish turned her attention back to Camellia. “You really must tell me the story about how you and your charming sisters only just recently met again, dear. I can’t believe you would have kept these two adorable women a secret for all these years.”
When Camellia didn’t say anything, Trish turned her attention to Ray, purring at him.
“Surely you knew about these wonderful additions to your family, Raymond darling?”
Ray gave Trish a light smile. “You know Camellia and I have no secrets from each other. I found out as soon as she did.”
Lily saw Violet watching the interaction with amusement, and she shook her head. It wouldn’t be long now before her sister jumped in; she would bet on that.
Trish had all the classic moves of a flirt—the high-pitched voice, batting her eyelashes, and touching Ray just enough to make her presence known but not enough to be inappropriate. “Oh, come now, Raymond, I’m sure there are a few little secrets we could all share,” Trish purred, moving suggestively closer to Ray.
“Well, my goodness!” Violet exclaimed suddenly. “If that’s true, then you simply must share them with us! After all, what’s a good secret or bit of gossip if you can’t spread it around, am I right?” Violet gave Trish an obnoxious wink.
Trish turned her attention to Violet, clearly not pleased with her interruption. “Oh, well, I would much rather hear stories than tell them, my dear. Anyone who knows me knows that.”
“But that’s just it, my dear. I don’t know you, and I would absolutely love to remedy that. Something tells me you are just a fountain of information about everyone around here, and you’re just bursting to tell,” Violet said.
Trish’s face got visibly red, and she stammered, “Me? Oh no, no, dear. I certainly would never be the one to divulge anyone’s secrets. You misunderstood.”
Trish turned her attention to Dakota. “I’m very good at keeping secrets, Dak darling, aren’t I?” she murmured, clearly suggesting that she had a few about him as well.
Good lord , Lily thought, this woman just has everyone in her sights, doesn’t she?
Dakota looked at Trish with the same indifference he seemed to regard everyone with. “I have no idea, Trish, and frankly, I don’t really care. I doubt that anyone else does, either.” He turned his shoulder to the offending woman, clearly dismissing her, and turned to Ray. “I think Charlene needs a few signatures from you and Camellia still.”
He then looked at Lily. “And I believe you had something you wanted to say?”
As he took her arm to steer her away, Lily could see Trish blustering about, wondering how she’d suddenly just lost all the attention she wanted, and trying her hardest to avoid Violet, who was no doubt tormenting the poor woman further with her snide innuendos.
Lily accepted his invitation to speak more privately and followed him as he ushered her far enough away not to be heard. “You certainly know how to put someone in their place. I envy your courage in just saying what you think. Honestly, I wish I could do that,” Lily admitted as he took her over to the bar.
“Trust me, my talent for getting rid of people hasn’t served me all that well. You’re much better off staying the way you are,” he said dryly. “I’m not sure why, but every time that woman comes around, I end up needing a drink. What can I get you?”
“A white wine, please, on ice,” she said absently, marveling at the smoothness of his voice. Somehow, she’d imagined that he would sound much more like the cowboys she saw in the movies than the cultured voice she was hearing.
The bartender placed their glasses slightly behind her, clearly in a hurry to serve other patrons, and as Dakota leaned over her to retrieve them, she noticed a musky scent and inhaled deeply, realizing she liked it. It had been years since a man had been close enough for her to even notice his smell, and she’d never been overly fond of Scott’s cologne.
“Would you like me to place your glass back on the bar?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts and holding her glass out to her.
Flushing, she realized he must have been waiting for her to take it for a few seconds. “No, sorry, I’ll take it. Thank you.”
Holding up his own glass of beer in a mock toast to her, he took a deep drink and then set it back down. “It looks like we’re both just typical clichés,” he remarked. “The cowboy has his beer, and the lady has her wine.” He looked her up and down carefully, making her feel as if he could see straight through her. “Although with your wild-child outfit, I would have thought you would order something a little more exotic than white wine.”
“Oh, I, uh, I didn’t really know what to wear. Since my divorce, I haven’t really gone out much,” she stammered uncomfortably.
Inwardly, Lily could have slapped herself. Why--within ten minutes of meeting him--had she felt the need to tell him she was divorced? And what was wrong with her outfit? She was very similarly dressed to a lot of the women around her.
He gave her an easy grin that did something to her insides. “Oh, I’m not complaining,” he said easily. “I think you look great. Much less schoolmarmish than you did the first time I saw you.”
So, he had recognized her.
“I wasn’t sure if you recognized me or not,” she said. “And is that even a word?”
He shrugged. “I have no idea, but that’s what I thought you were dressed like.” He picked up his beer and took a big gulp. “You’d better start drinking, or I’ll be on my second before you even take your first sip.”
Lily obediently took a sip of her wine but then set her glass back down. She felt heady enough without the wine.
“You were very brave to step up and help that poor girl,” he said.
She didn’t see it that way at all. “Oh, well, no, not really. I’m not brave. I just kind of reacted. And I had no idea the man would pull out a knife.” She shuddered. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to thank you for saving me.”
He looked away, seemingly uncomfortable with the praise. “No need to thank me. It’s just like you said; I reacted without thinking.” He looked at her, and his eyes were suddenly cold. “If I had stopped to think about it, I probably wouldn’t have stepped in. What you did was very stupid, and stupid shouldn’t be rewarded.”