Chapter Twelve
By the time they’d finished doing the dishes, June had left.
A huge hole opened up inside of Dylan. He’d still been on edge because Becket was asking when he was getting married when he saw June with Luke.
She’d be a wonderful mother. He could see her with her own children.
Little girls with their mother’s blues eyes and dark hair.
The problem with the picture was, he wasn’t sure he could be a good dad.
Change that to he knew he couldn’t be a good dad.
When his dad had still been alive, they’d spent many hours outside on horseback, but his dad seldom talked about anything else besides ranching. Nobody ever talked about feelings or why their mother was so unhappy. He’d only ever been aware of tension in the house.
That was not a pattern he wanted to repeat but wasn’t that what usually happened? We tend to do what our parents did?
“What about coffee?” Arlene asked. “I don’t want you all to leave so soon.”
“Thanks, but I’ll be heading home,” Dylan said. “Thanks Arlene.” Turning on his heel, Dylan hurried to the front door whistling for Daisy who came running from the backyard.
He wasn’t quick enough for Willow, though.
She grabbed his arm as he was opening the front door. “You freaked out because you saw her with a little boy.” It wasn’t a question.
He attached Daisy’s leash. “June is a special lady who needs someone who can give her what she deserves. I’m not that guy. You know our story. What do I know about love, about making a family, about raising kids? I don’t want to repeat the previous generation’s mistakes.”
Willow rolled her eyes. “You haven’t listened to a word we said the other day, have you?
I never knew your dad, I don’t know why your mother was the way she was, but I do know you, and you, Dylan Weston, deserve to be happy.
You feel something for June, and I’m not the only one to see it.
What I also know is that she wouldn’t have let you into her bed if she didn’t feel something for you too. Don’t mess this up, please?”
“I have to go.” With a quick nod, he quickly walked to his truck and put Daisy inside.
“Urgh!” Willow cried. “Why are men so damn stubborn?”
He quickly got into his truck and drove back to the ranch.
*
Late Monday morning, June was walking toward the pharmacy when she heard Ellie’s voice behind her.
“June!” Ellie called as she rushed closer. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been meaning to call you all morning, but we’ve been so busy in the shop. Why don’t you come to dinner tonight? Becket can grill some steaks, and the two of you could talk while I set the table.”
June wasn’t sure what to say. She’d love to visit the ranch.
The previous time she was in Marietta, she’d met Becket in town and didn’t get to see it.
He’d mentioned words like cattle and grazing and horses—all things she’d never heard anyone talk about.
But even though Dylan had previously said he’d come and fetch her for a meeting with Becket, she knew she wasn’t going to see him again.
“I really want to talk to Becket but … I don’t know. ”
Ellie frowned. “You haven’t heard from Dylan yet?”
“No and I have no idea what happened. He … well, I suppose you know he spent Saturday night with me, he kissed me on Sunday, and then he just went silent.”
“Oh, men!” Ellie grumbled. “They can be so stubborn! Tell you what. Come on your own. The ranch is not that far out of town. We’ll make it an early night so that you can drive back before dark.
Fortunately, this time of year, the sun sets around nine at night.
What about five o’clock? You and I can have a nice chat before Becket arrives and then you two can talk business. ”
“That sounds perfect. What can I bring?”
“Nothing, please.”
They spoke for a few minutes longer before Ellie left.
It would be nice to finally talk to Becket.
She was glad the meeting would be sooner than later, because she’d decided to leave as soon as possible.
Seeing Becket had been one of the things she’d had on her list of things to do and after tonight she could tick that off.
June entered the pharmacy. She needed something for her sore throat. Maybe going for a run yesterday hadn’t been the best of ideas.
“Hi, June!” A little girl came running toward her. She recognized her as she came closer. It was one of the little girls who had been in the library.
“Hi Lucy,” she said, crouching down. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. Have you written the story yet?”
Smiling, June nodded. “I have. And I’ve added some of the ideas you gave me at the library.”
Lucy beamed.
“Lucy, don’t bother the lady.” A harried-looking woman hurried closer. “So sorry about this.”
Shaking her head, June got up. “She’s not bothering me at all.”
“She is so inquisitive,” the mother sighed. “Always asking embarrassing questions.”
“Asking questions is always good.” June smiled.
As the mother grabbed the girl’s hand to leave, Lucy turned around. “I told Dylan he should marry you if he wants babies.”
“Lucy!” The mother gave June an apologetic smile before she dragged the child away.
Stunned, June stared after the little girl. No wonder Dylan decided to flee. Babies were probably the last thing on his mind.
Babies. Shaking her head, June moved through the pharmacy looking for something that would ease the scratching in her throat. Having a family had been a dream when she was a little girl, but she hadn’t thought about it in a long time. Little boys with their daddy’s smile …
Grabbing something from the shelf, she quickly moved toward the short queue. If she ever wanted kids, she’d have to find another daddy for them. Dylan clearly wasn’t interested.
As she waited in line to pay, she heard the conversation of the women standing behind her.
“I promised myself this year I’m going on the Myer’s River Trail hike when they convert Wishberry Hollow’s into a retreat for migrating fairies,” one of them said.
“That sounds like fun. When and where?” the other one asked.
“The Myer’s River Trail is just outside town.
Wishberry Hollow is changed into a fairy wonderland around late summer, so sometime in August. A few artists have joined forces to make temporary dwellings for the fairies.
It’s apparently something to see and attracts a lot of people.
I think everyone is looking for an escape from reality nowadays. ”
“Have you hiked the Myer’s River Trail before?” the second woman asked.
“I have. It’s about four miles and is so beautiful. At some point you walk along the Yellowstone River.”
It was June’s turn to pay, so she didn’t hear the rest of the conversation but as she left the pharmacy, she was smiling. Imagine that—a hiking trail with a fairy sanctuary along the way. She’d love to see that, but by August she wouldn’t be here anymore. She’d be back in Seattle.
As she looked up to cross the street, a familiar truck approached. Her heart skidded to a stop. Dylan was behind the wheel. He was wearing his cowboy hat and a pair of sunglasses. Turning her way for a brief moment, he saluted before he sped away.
Sniffing, she hurried down the road. She’d walked to town, something she now seriously regretted. Her throat was burning, and she felt like crying.
Squaring her shoulders, she walked faster. Crying never solved anything, she knew that from experience. She’d take her medicine and have a nap. By tonight she would feel much better.
*
On Monday night, Dylan was hungry, tired, and grumpy as he parked in front of Hayden’s house for dinner. Opening his door, he picked up Daisy who promptly licked his face.
“Yeah, I know I’m not fun. I promise we can play when we get back home. Let’s go eat.” Eat was a word Daisy was well acquainted with by now and excited, she barked, charging toward the front door as he put her down.
Since he’d caught sight of June this morning in the street, he’d been out of sorts. Even in the brief moment he’d looked at her, she’d looked pale, not herself. Had she been to the pharmacy? Was she feeling ill?
There were fewer people around the table tonight.
“Hi, where’s everyone?” he asked as he sat down.
“Becket and Ellie have invited June for dinner,” Willow said. “June and Becket still have business to discuss.”
Of course, they’d talked about it. He’d even offered to fetch June and take her back. That was before he’d been with her, before he’d freaked out and realized he was not what she needed.
“You sell yourself short, coz.” Cooper who was sitting next to him, never raised his voice.
Dylan didn’t react; he just shoveled the food down his throat without tasting anything. Excusing himself, he ignored all the knowing looks, grabbed Daisy, and left.
He meant to go home but his truck kinda steered itself toward Becket’s house. June’s car wasn’t outside though, and frowning, he got out of his truck. “Stay,” he said to Daisy, and leaving the window open, he walked toward the front door.
Even before he reached the door, it opened and Ellie stepped out. Instead of smiling at him as she usually did, she frowned. “Dylan? What are you doing here?”
“I … um … is June here?”
“Look, Dylan, I like you, you’re part of our family, but the way you’re treating June just makes me so mad. You can’t kiss her one day and the next not talk to her. Who does that?”
“Is she here?”
“No, I’m on my way to see if she’s okay. She’d texted earlier to say she wasn’t feeling so well, she’d rather not go out tonight.”
Even before Ellie had finished talking, Dylan was sprinting back toward his truck. “I’ll go,” he called out over his shoulder.
“If you hurt her again, I’m going to kick your butt!” Ellie called out.
Dylan couldn’t stop the grin. Ellie was a tiny woman. The idea of her kicking his butt, however well-deserved, was funny.
“Wait!” Hurrying closer, Ellie put a key and a bag in his hand.
“This is the front door key. I’m not sure whether she’s awake.
And in the bag are all sorts of meds that would hopefully help her to feel better.
Tylenol, for instance, if she has a fever.
See what she looks like and phone Vivian if necessary. I’ll text you her number.”
“Thanks, Ellie.”
“Drive safely. And please remember you’re a great guy!”
*
June was lost in a forest of fairies. She was trying to catch them, but she was so thirsty.
There was supposed to be a river nearby, so why couldn’t she hear the rush of water?
Banging? Was that the noise she could hear?
Maybe it was the headache. So where were the fairies?
Why couldn’t she move? The banging became harder. Her eyes flew open.
She’d been dreaming. There was the banging again. Someone was knocking on her front door. Throwing the covers from her, she got up. The room tilted, she grabbed on to the side table and waited for the moving to cease.
The banging stopped. “June!” a voice called out as the front door opened.
Dylan? What was he doing here? Touching the walls to keep her from falling, she staggered toward the stairs. She met him and Daisy at the top of the stairs.
Body wriggling, Daisy rushed closer to her. She tried to bend down, but the world tipped again and she put out her hand quickly to steady herself.
“What …?” she tried to say, but her throat hurt and the sound that came out was only a hoarse whisper. Propping herself against the wall, she closed her eyes. “Why are you here?”
“Damn it, June, you’re sick.” Strong arms lifted her and cradled her against his chest, Dylan walked back to her room. “Why the hell didn’t you call or text me?”
“You don’t want me …” she murmured as her eyes closed again.
“Of course I want you, that has never been the issue.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Sit here,” he said as he put her on a chair. “Let me put clean sheets on your bed.” Gently, he put her down. Sliding down, she tried to find a comfortable spot for her head. Daisy jumped on her lap.
Cupboards opened and closed. She should help him, but her headache was worse, and it was much easier to keep her eyes closed.
*
“Let her sleep,” Vivian said as Dylan opened the front door for her to leave. “And make sure she hydrates. Let me know how she’s doing, please?”
“Will do, thanks. And thank you for coming this time of day.”
“She’s a friend, of course I’ll help.” With a smile, she walked to her car.
Dylan waited until she was driving away. Before he could close the door, another truck parked on the driveway. Cooper? Why was he here?
“Hi!” Cooper called out as he approached with a bag in his hand. “Hayden told me you’re looking after June. I realized you won’t have food and a bed for Daisy.”
“Thank you,” Dylan said. “I haven’t even thought about that.”
“Of course not, you’ve been with June. I want to see her. I won’t take long.”
Frowning, Dylan stared at his cousin. “Why?”
“Maybe I can help.”
Nodding, Dylan closed the door behind his cousin.
Although he’d of course heard about Cooper’s ability to heal animals and people, he’d never seen it firsthand.
Weird, but living with the rest of his cousins over the last few months, he’d grown accustomed to their idiosyncrasies.
He’d probably never be comfortable with it, but it seemed to come so naturally for them.
He accompanied Cooper to June’s room and waited in the doorway. Daisy was on the bed and when she saw him, she jumped down. She was hungry. He knew the look by now.
“Go feed her, I won’t be long.” Cooper was sitting next to June on the bed, his hands on her forehead.
With Daisy at his heels Dylan left reluctantly. Daisy was excited though and rushed down the stairs.
“There’s food for you, don’t worry,” he said as he picked up the bag Cooper had brought and walked to the kitchen.
With one ear listening for the sound of Cooper coming down the stairs, he quickly gave Daisy her food.
Trust Cooper to also bring along two bowls for the dog—one for food and one for water.
As Daisy just about attacked her food, Cooper joined them in the kitchen.
“Is June okay?”
“She should be fine by tomorrow,” Cooper said. “Let her rest and give her something to eat when she’s awake. Make sure she drinks water. She’s hurting. I’ll be around tomorrow to help on the ranch. Stay here and make sure she gets better.”
As he turned around, Dylan grabbed his arm. “Is she hurting because she’s sick or …?”
With half a smile, Dylan turned away. “Mind, body, and soul are all connected. If one hurts, the rest suffer as well. Let us know how she is by tomorrow.”
Dylan followed him to the front door. “Thanks, Coop.”
“We’re family, coz.” With a wave, he left.
As Dylan closed the front door behind him, he shook his head. He and Carson had always had each other’s backs, but their relatives took the idea to a whole different level.
He was privileged to be deemed worthy of their help and support. Deep in thought, he ran up the stairs to check on June.