Chapter Twenty-One
For a few miserable moments down in the parking lot, Blakely feared Hoodie was going to shoot Dalton. A panic attack took hold. It was as though the air had been sucked out of the universe, and she couldn’t breathe.
“We chased him, but he was prepared,” she explained.
Jules piped in, “The jerk had a motorcycle stashed in between two cars. One of those crotch rockets.” She shook her head. “We didn’t stand a chance because there was no way I was getting back inside my vehicle.” Jules smacked the flat of her hand against the wall. “We could have lost you, Dalton.”
“I’m here,” he reassured her, plucking at the cotton gown. “I’m good.” He assessed his injuries. “Can’t say my fashion sense is all that stellar.” He cracked a smile, and it broke the thick tension in the room. “Who dressed me in this?”
Blakely raised her hand, feeling the red blush heating her cheeks. “That would be me.”
“I helped,” Jules broke in.
“Great.” Dalton compressed his lips, looking like he had to bite back a snappy comment. “Then, you both must know where my pants are.”
Jules looked to Blakely and shrugged her shoulders in dramatic fashion. “Beats me.”
Blakely laughed. She couldn’t help herself. Her relationship with Bethany had never been this light, this playful. This fun?
“Maybe you should hit that call button,” Blakely said. “Ask one of the nurses.”
“Okay, funny guys,” Dalton said, putting his hands in the surrender position. “For the record, I’ve never felt better.”
Jules nodded. “Sure. Is that why you squint when you look at me?”
“So I need glasses,” he quipped. “Doesn’t everyone at some point?”
“It’s late, Dalton.” His sister walked over to his bedside. “What do you think about staying put for the night and regrouping in the morning? This day feels like it will never end, and you know how I get when I’m running on E.”
“Since I’d planned on spending the night at the hospital anyway, that’s not such a bad idea,” he conceded, much to Blakely’s surprise. He shifted his gaze to her. “Will you stay here too?”
“I don’t have anything with me,” she said, unable to think up a better argument against the idea. “Not even a toothbrush.”
Jules sized her up. “You look to be about my size. If you don’t mind sharing my clothes, I always have an emergency overnight bag with me. I left one in Grandpa Lor and Grandma Lacey’s room just in case I got permission to stay the night.”
“Sounds good,” Blakely said. “Besides, my adrenaline rush dissipated a while ago, and crawling into bed sounds amazing right now.”
“Great. I’ll be right back.” Jules gave a little wave before disappearing into the hallway. The woman had a remarkable resemblance to the actress Blake Lively when she was in her early twenties, great hair included.
Must be nice.
“Do you think the nurses would kick me out of the hospital if I took the bed over there?” She motioned toward the twin on the other side of the curtain that had been drawn back halfway.
“We can probably make some kind of arrangement,” he said. “Or you could just crawl into my bed.”
“We both know where that would end up.” She couldn’t deny the pull toward Dalton or the fact even thinking of being that close to him lit all kinds of wildfires inside her. But it would be a mistake.
“I’m not complaining,” he said before shaking his head. “No. Never mind. We’ve done that dance. Haven’t we?”
“We have,” she said, not mentioning the part about it being the best dance of her life. Or that she wished more than anything she could figure out a way to trust men. Trust him.
“No use beating a dead horse, in a manner of speaking,” he clarified.
“Nope.” Even though her lips still burned with the imprint of his from the kisses they’d shared. She needed to change the subject before heat consumed her. “He won’t come back tonight. Will he?”
“This guy is unpredictable,” he said after a thoughtful pause. “I have no idea what the man is capable of.” He paused another beat. “I would never believe someone would go after two marshals and a judge. You, of all people, know the kind of time he would do for that.”
“The promised paycheck must be big,” she reasoned. “For him to take that kind of risk.”
“Who would have that kind of money?” he asked.
“That’s a good question.” Before Blakely could think too much about it, Jules came bounding into the room again.
“Everything you need should be in this bag.” Jules held out the black gym bag.
Blakely took the offering and thanked her.
“I’m going home to grab a couple hours of shut-eye, but should be back at sunrise,” Jules said before exchanging goodbyes and then leaving once again.
True to Jules’s word, the bag had everything she might need for the evening. “Do you think we should ask permission for me to stay overnight?”
“Nah,” Dalton said. “We should be fine.”
“Do you need to shower?” she asked.
“Are you offering?”
Blakely’s cheeks heated once again. It wasn’t a terrible idea.
But sex with Dalton would only leave her wanting more.
And then what? The whole question of a relationship would enter her mind, causing even more confusion.
She couldn’t risk it. “I can hit the ‘call’ button for you if you’d like.
” She smirked. “Maybe one of the nurses with big, calloused hands will be on duty.”
His laugh was a low rumble in his chest, and it was one of the sexiest sounds she’d ever heard. “One can only hope.”
Blakely tightened her grip on the handle of the bag and then disappeared into the bathroom. A quick shower did the trick. Brushing her teeth with a clean, fresh toothbrush was beyond amazing.
She’d run out so fast from Houston that she hadn’t thought of necessities like clean underwear or toiletries. After getting ready for bed, she brought the bag with her into Dalton’s room. He was already asleep, softly snoring.
After climbing into bed, she did her best to shut down her thoughts as they spiraled. Who could hate her so much they wanted her dead? Who would be willing or able to pay someone to erase her?
The same hamster wheel of questions spun through her mind. She turned on her side and then punched the pillow in an attempt to get comfortable.
Closing her eyes only served to bring up images of Hoodie. She’d seen his mouth, his thin-lipped sneer. The fact he had day-old stubble on his chin. She concluded he had dark hair based on his facial hair.
A determined killer stalked her. And she had no idea who or why.
At least she knew the man was someone’s puppet.
But who?
* * *
The second Dalton opened his eyes, he checked to see if Blakely was still in the bed next to his. His heart raced until he received visual confirmation that she hadn’t taken off while he was out. Then, he could exhale the breath he’d been holding. Still asleep.
As much as he’d wanted to have a relationship with the stunningly beautiful judge, could he ever be certain she wouldn’t flip out and take off? Where would that leave him if he was always watching the door to see if she would bolt through it?
A soft knock at the door was followed by Jules entering.
“Good morning,” she practically chirped.
There’d been a lot of changes in her since Toby.
The two had found love and each other while transporting a prisoner.
Their chopper went down, and they’d had only each other to rely on.
Toby had taken more of the brunt of the injuries and was healing nicely with Jules by his side.
“You’ve had your fair share of hospital stays of late, haven’t you?” he asked as she set down the bag of bagels from his favorite place along with one of those carrying trays that held multiple drinks. This time, there were three cups of coffee.
“Yes,” she said on a sigh, taking the seat that had been pulled up next to his bed. “I have. I’ve been bouncing between floors, but Toby is home now, and Grandpa Lor is awake. It’s a miracle. And I never believed in miracles.”
“Good to hear Toby is recovering,” Dalton said. He should really stop by more often to check on his family members. “When you say home. What do you mean?”
“The family ranch,” she supplied, taking one of the coffees and handing it to him.
“You’re an angel,” he said, taking the offering. “I could stand to brush my teeth first.”
“Do you need help going to the bathroom?” Jules asked.
“I got it,” he said, grasping at the opening in back of his gown before a quick trip to the bathroom. Standing up made him woozy. He needed food in his stomach and caffeine.
“Thanks for the grub,” he said as he climbed back under the blanket, tucking in the sides so he didn’t accidentally give anyone a peep show.
“You’re welcome,” she said, taking out a bagel before slathering cream cheese on it.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” he started after she handed it over and he thanked her once again.
“About?”
“Coming back to the ranch,” he said.
“I thought you loved your job,” Jules said, surprised. She grabbed another bagel and opened it. Everything bagels were manna from heaven.
He acknowledged that he did. “I used to, but things have been changing for me lately. I think I’d like to put in notice and move back to the ranch full-time once this case is over.”
“Seriously?” Jules stopped mid-slather.
“I’m dead serious.” He regretted his word choice, but the sentiment remained the same. “I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching since our grandparents’ accident.”
“And?”
“Don’t you miss the ranch?” he asked.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean I want to come back and work it full-time.” She set down her bagel. “I have been thinking about becoming more involved again though. If I didn’t have to give up my job.”
“I wonder if everyone else is thinking along the same lines,” he said. “Seems like we’re usually in sync.”
“Crystal would definitely do more,” Jules said. “I’ve been talking to her about it. So would Abilene.”
“Have you talked to Camden?”
“Not yet,” she said. “He’s been unreachable lately. I see that he’s been reading the updates. But he doesn’t comment.”
“I can reach out to him,” Dalton said. “Just to get a baseline of what everyone is thinking.” He took a bite of bagel, chewed and then followed it with a swig of black coffee. “Grandpa Lor is feisty as usual, but I think he’d be thrilled with the help.”
“Did you get a good look at him?” she asked.
Dalton nodded. “He definitely needs some home cooking to put some meat on those bones.”
She smiled. “The bagels should help.” Then, she added, “I’m proud of you, Dalton. I hope that doesn’t sound too mushy or cliché.”
He cracked a smile.
“The ranch will be lucky to have you back full-time,” she said.
He nodded. “It just feels right. You know?”
“Then you have to do it.”
“Any idea how long it’ll take Grandpa Lor to be released from the hospital?” he asked.
“Do you seriously think he’ll leave Grandma’s side?”
“I guess not,” he agreed.
“Can you imagine the two of them being separated from each other?”
“No,” he admitted. He couldn’t. He’d always believed the two of them would ride off into the sunset together. “I doubt death will part them no matter what vows they took on their wedding day.”
Jules laughed.
“Agreed,” she said before urging him to eat.
Dalton polished off a bagel and then his coffee. “You still haven’t told me where they hid my clothes.”
“Right. That.”
“Do you intend to?” he asked.
“Have you spoken to the doctor about being released?” she asked.
“He stopped by last night after Blakely fell asleep,” he said. “Turns out, I have a mild concussion, but I could have told him that.”
“You and Camden should know what that feels like after our childhoods,” she teased.
“Truer words have never been spoken,” he said. “All of us played sports.”
“And ran around the ranch like wild animals if memory serves,” she added.
He couldn’t help but laugh as memories filtered through of him falling out of a tree, Camden falling out of a tree, Duke falling out of a tree. “Our grandparents are saints for putting up with us.”
“Yes, they were,” she said with a spark in her eyes that he’d seen many times before.
“We had an amazing childhood that I completely took for granted,” he said as shame filled him. “I should have been here for them.”
“Don’t blame yourself, Dalton. Any one of us could say the same thing, and you would be the first to tell us not to think along those lines.”
She had a point there. One he couldn’t argue.
And then she caught him off guard when she asked, “What about her?” Jules hooked her head in Blakely’s direction. “What will happen with your relationship if you move back to Mesa Point?”
“Simple. We don’t have a relationship to discuss.”
“Really?” Jules asked. “Is that what you think? Because I had no idea my little brother was so oblivious.”
Attraction didn’t make a relationship, he wanted to point out. And Blakely had been clear about not seeing herself trust another person.
“It takes two to tango, Jules.” And he was a one-man show.