Chapter Thirteen
“Since you’ve moved in, we’re seeing a lot more of Dalton,” Diane said as she and Roxanne prepared dinner Saturday night. “As I was leaving work today he asked if I could set a place for him for dinner.”
Roxanne focused on the salad greens she was washing, hiding a smile of pleasure at both the prospect of seeing Dalton shortly, and the idea that he was specifically showing up to see her. “He’s always raving about your cooking,” she said.
“Oh, I don’t think my chicken casserole is the big draw.
” Roxanne didn’t have to look to know that Diane was watching her.
Though she had been wonderful about respecting Roxanne’s privacy, she hadn’t hidden the fact that she was curious about Roxanne’s relationship with Dalton and about Roxanne’s own past.
She finished washing the greens and dried her hands, then turned to face Diane. “I really like Dalton,” she said. “He’s smart and funny, and kind. He’s been a wonderful friend to me during a difficult time.”
“But something is holding you back,” Diane said. “Don’t look surprised. I’ve raised four young people whose moods I’ve had to learn to decipher.”
“My life is so unstable right now,” Roxanne said. “It’s not a good time to start a relationship.”
“It seems to me having a good man you could count on might be the best thing to have around in the midst of a lot of instability,” Diane said.
Roxanne looked away. The next thing she knew, she felt Diane’s arm around her.
“I’m not trying to tell you what to do,” she said.
“But now that you’re living here with us, I worry about you like you’re one of my own.
I want you to be happy. And I want Dalton to be happy.
He’s not like Carter, or even Bethany, who were in and out of love every other week all through high school.
He’s always slow to give his heart. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. ”
People had told her this so many times she had to believe it, didn’t she?
She hadn’t missed the looks Dalton had given her, but she didn’t trust her judgment when it came to most people, especially most men.
“You and George have been wonderful,” Roxanne said.
“I can’t thank you enough for opening your home to me. ”
“Dalton told me you needed a safe place to stay because someone from your past was harassing you,” Diane said. “I told Dalton any friend of his is welcome in our home.”
Roxanne tried to blink away tears once more but this time they overflowed too fast. Diane patted her back.
“In case you felt like you were fighting this alone, you’re not,” she said.
“You’ve got the whole family on your side.
The creep who’s after you doesn’t know it, but the Ameses altogether are a match for anyone. ”
Roxanne tried to smile and dabbed at her eyes with the paper towel she snatched from the roll on the counter.
“Hello? Anybody home?”
Dalton ambled into the kitchen. His hair was mussed from a day in the wind, his face flushed by the sun.
He wore a red Alpine Jeep Tours T-shirt that stretched over his muscular shoulders and khaki shorts that showed off his strong legs.
The shorts were wet around the hem, probably from when he’d washed the Jeep at the end of the tour. “Hey, Roxanne,” he said.
She looked away, wondering if he’d noticed her ogling him. “Hi, Dalton. How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I saw your RAV4 out front. Looks like they did a good job restoring it.”
“I picked it up this morning.” Having her car back had been a big lift to her spirits.
Dalton moved to his mother and hugged her. “Hi, Mom. What are you making?”
“Chicken casserole.” Diane swatted his hand as he reached around her and snagged a strip of bell pepper. “Did you remember to set the alarm when you left the office?”
“Yes, I remembered.”
“The alarm is new,” Diane explained to Roxanne. “We’re still getting used to it.”
“I took care of everything.” Dalton selected an apple from the bowl on the kitchen table and bit into it with a loud crunch.
“You’re going to spoil your appetite,” Diane said.
“Not a chance.” He chewed another bite of apple, then turned to Roxanne. “Do you have any plans for Monday?”
She paused in the act of tearing lettuce. “No. Why?”
“Want to come on a Jeep tour with me?”
“You’re doing the Foliage and Falls tour Monday, aren’t you?” Diane asked.
“Yeah, and I noticed there’s one seat available. I immediately thought of Roxanne.” His gaze met hers, and she thought again of May’s description of him as having a quiet smolder. Had his mother seen this heat, too?
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Diane turned to Roxanne. “The waterfalls are still flowing strong and the late season wildflowers are competing with the early-turning aspen. You’ll love it.”
“I don’t know . . .” she began.
“No charge,” Dalton said. “Why not come and keep me company?”
“All right. Thanks.”
“Both of you get out of here and let me finish dinner in peace.” Diane picked up the chef’s knife Roxanne had been using to prepare the salad. “I can handle everything from here.”
Roxanne followed Dalton into the living room, where they sat side by side on the sofa. “Thanks for inviting me on the tour,” she said. “I’ve been wanting to see more of the area.”
“It would be better if I wasn’t working and I could take you up there, just the two of us,” he said. “But this will be almost as fun.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing you work,” she said.
“Now you’re making me nervous. Just remember my jokes are geared toward elementary school kids. Seriously, though, the scenery is breathtaking. It’s a great stress breaker, to get up there and be in nature.” He took her hand and squeezed it gently.
She looked down at their intertwined fingers. “Your mom was asking about us,” she said. “If we’re, you know, involved.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “She can be pretty nosy. Do you want me to tell her to back off?”
“No, she’s been so respectful. I’m not sure in her position if I could have done as well.
I know she’s been curious. If she’s nosy with you kids, I think it’s only that she cares so much.
” She smoothed her hand down his arm. “Who takes in a stranger, knowing a violent felon might come after them because of it?”
“I guess my mom and dad do. They liked you right off the bat. But you’re an easy person to like.” He moved closer, bringing them hip to hip and thigh to thigh. “What did you tell her? About us?” he asked.
“I told her my life is so unstable right now that it doesn’t seem right to involve anyone else in my troubles.”
“I’m already involved.” He angled toward her and brushed one finger down her cheek.
She lifted her gaze and looked into his eyes.
“I’m here when you’re ready,” he said. And then he kissed her, his mouth on hers sealing the promise of his words.
He tasted of apples and the sweep of his tongue across her lips sent heat pooling between her legs.
She pressed one hand to his chest, not to push him away, but to steady herself against the dizzying sensation that spiraled through her.
He angled his head to deepen the kiss and a low moan escaped her.
The sound of the front door opening split them apart.
They sat back, a little wild-eyed, more than a little breathless.
Roxanne touched her still-tingling lips, wondering if they were swollen, then tried to smooth her hair.
Dalton cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
“Hey, kids,” George Ames called. “Dalton, have you seen my new camouflage ball cap? I can’t find the dang thing anywhere and I’ve only had it a couple of weeks. ”
“I’m pretty sure it’s hanging on the back of the door in the office at the tour company,” Dalton said.
“Really? I thought I’d looked there, but I guess I’d better look again.” He walked past them into the kitchen, where they heard him greet his wife.
Roxanne looked at Dalton, who patted her thigh, then picked up the half-eaten apple and took another bite.
Monday morning, Roxanne changed clothes three times before she settled on jeans and a teal Henley, along with the jacket Dalton had advised her to bring. “It can get cold at the higher elevations,” he had said. “Plus, you’ll be riding in an open-topped Jeep.”
With that in mind, she braided her hair in a single plait and added a black ball cap her employer had given to everyone at the last team-building function. This was the first time she had worn it, but she decided it didn’t look half bad.
All this fretting over her wardrobe meant that she was the last to arrive at the tour office.
Dalton’s relief was plain when she hurried to join the group gathered around him.
But there was a tension about him, too—a tightness around his mouth that made her instantly alert.
“That’s everyone, then,” he said. “Why don’t you all introduce yourselves while I take this paperwork up to the office.
” He indicated the clipboard in his hand.
“Roxanne, you can come with me and sign your release forms.”
She hurried to catch up with him as he crossed the yard to the office. “I’m sorry about this,” he said when they were out of earshot of the others. “I swear I didn’t know when I invited you that she was on the tour.”
“Who?” she asked, confused. She looked back over her shoulder, but could only see the backs of one of the couples around the Jeep.
“Debra Percy is on this tour,” he said.
She blinked, surprised. “You’re kidding!” Was Debra really so relentless in her pursuit of whatever she thought Roxanne knew that she would book a Jeep tour with her?
“She signed up two weeks ago, according to her reservation form,” Dalton said. “We could do this another time, if she makes you too uncomfortable.”
She shook her head. “No. It’s okay. I’m sure it will be fine.” She didn’t dislike Debra, really. The woman just made her uncomfortable. Sad. “I want to spend the day with you,” she added.