Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
DALLAS
I ’ve made it three whole days without speaking to a single soul. Any business dealings I’ve handled through text. Anderson has called five times, and I’ve sent him to voicemail every single time.
Sleep isn’t happening because when I lie down at night, I hear Rose sobbing. I sat on her porch for thirty minutes, waiting for the torture to end. But by now, she’s busy getting the new location stocked with flowers and ready for the grand opening.
And if I think about Rose getting to do what she loves, it makes breathing a bit easier. Avoiding people helps too. But I ran out of bread yesterday. And I’m down to a few crackers and one serving of peanut butter. I don’t even have jelly.
So I’m going to risk being around people.
I’ll run to Keyhole and have lunch at the diner. It’s out of the way, and it’s unlikely I’ll run into anyone from Matchmaker or Stargazer Springs. A hot meal and more time alone are what I need.
Colt’s truck isn’t by the barn, so I don’t have to pretend I don’t see him. That’s a relief. And I avoid driving by the brand-new rec building where Tandy has her office. She’s busy planning activities for the couple that’s about to subject themselves to cupid’s arrow. If they only knew how much it can hurt.
With the windows down and the radio blaring, I make my way down the country road to the diner.
After parking, I pull my hat low and make my way to the corner table. I don’t need a menu to know what I want. It’s Thursday, and the special is meatloaf. That’s what I’m having.
Someone bumps the table, but I don’t look up. That only invites conversation, which is what I absolutely do not want. I plan to speak only to the waitress when she asks for my order.
“What can I get ya, hun?” The waitress sounds like she’s in a hurry.
“The daily special. And a coffee.”
“Got it. And what about you, sweetheart?”
Who is she talking to?
Colt says, “I’ll have the special and a large Coke. And this’ll all be on one check.”
“Coming right up.”
I cannot sit here and pretend that he’s not sitting across the table. “Hey.”
“By the looks of it, by that I mean you, things with Rose didn’t go well.”
“I heard that her parents were going to let her run the new location, which is what she wants with all her heart, but only if she broke it off with me. I could’ve handled the ending better. Her sobs on the other side of the door still ring in my ears, but what other choice did I have?”
“Is that a rhetorical question or do you want me to answer? Either way, I’m going to tell you what I think. You could’ve chosen to talk to her.”
“I know what Rose wants. She told me.”
“What else did she say?”
“You seriously want me to relive the conversation? It was hard enough the first time. Her last words to me were ‘I thought you were different.’ I don’t even know what that means.”
“I do.” Colt leans back as the waitress sets down our drinks. Then he tears the paper off one end of the straw wrapper and blows, pegging me in the face with paper. “She asked for your help because her parents were trying to run her life. They were trying to make decisions for her. Do I need to say that part again?”
I blink. “Okay, so maybe I messed up a little. But she wants to run that store. She told me when we were at the hotel.” I close my eyes and feel Rose snuggled against me.
He sips his drink. “I’m thinking your decision isn’t some great sacrifice on your part. What are you afraid of?”
“Have you been hanging out with Mason?” I sip my coffee, hoping caffeine will carry me through the rest of the day.
“Who’s that?”
“Kent’s kid. He doles out relationship advice. And who said I’m afraid of anything?”
“Are you?” Colt grins as if he knows there is a secret I’m keeping.
“Fine. I’ll tell you. Years ago, my fiancée ended our engagement a week before the wedding because her parents gave her an ultimatum. She didn’t choose me. I won’t put myself through that again.”
“So Rose is a lot like your ex?”
“No, are you crazy? My ex is more like Rose’s mom. Rose is the sweetest, bravest…” I drop my head into my hands. “Yes, I was afraid, but I really do care about her happiness. She proposed the fake engagement so that her parents would give her the new location. That was the reason. I can’t stand in the way of that.”
“You’re right. Running a store is way more important than finding love. Because love wilts, and flowers last forever.”
I kick him under the table. “Shut up.”
“I’ll be nice.”
The waitress slides plates in front of us. “Can I get y’all anything else?”
“This is good. Thanks.”
“Just holler if you need something. And, hun, assuming that you know what she wants is risky. You might both end up losing.”
“Thanks.” When she walks away, I lean forward. “Is everyone around here in the business of giving relationship advice?”
“No offense, but you kind of look like you need it.”
Standing outside Tandy’s office, I stretch and shake off the nerves. I can’t avoid her forever, and now is as good a time as any.
Before I knock, she opens the door. “You done avoiding me?”
“For now.”
“Come on in.”
“Before you ask, I wanted to let you know that Rose and I ended our engagement. We’re not faking anymore. But I still intend to cover the extra portion of the rent on her place.”
“No. Did you have anything else you wanted to discuss?”
“Aunt Tandy, you can’t throw her out. She needs a place of her own. If she moves back into the garage apartment at her parents’ house, she’ll have to get rid of Floofy, and she loves that cat. She’d live in her car before giving up that cutie.”
“I have no plans to throw anyone out of anywhere.”
“Good. Okay, but you shouldn’t have to endure a loss because of my decision.”
“Dallas, dear. I am well and capable of thinking for myself. All women are.”
“I was not implying that you couldn’t…” I stare, realization sparking. “You’ve already talked to Rose.”
“Yes.”
“Is she okay? When is the new location going to open? I bet she’s excited.”
“I need to set a boundary with you. I love you, and I love Rose. She’s a delight. But until further notice, I will not engage in conversations about her with you. My relationship with you is separate from the relationship I have with her.”
I nod. “But she’s okay?”
Tandy rolls her eyes and slides a sheet of paper across the desk. “Take a look at this and tell me which of those animals we currently have. I want to make sure the brochure is correct.”
“Goats arrive later today, and I’m picking up the chickens tomorrow. The list looks good to me.”
“Fabulous.” She turns to her computer and starts typing. “Did you need anything else?”
“Nope.”
As I stack hay bales in the barn, I think about Colt’s advice and Tandy’s scolding. I robbed Rose of her choice.
I feel bad about that. But what’s done is done. If I can just see her and know that she’s happy, I’ll get through this.
After I’ve tackled a few more chores, I drive into Stadtburg. Rose’s car isn’t outside the flower shop. There are other cars there, but not hers.
So I swing by Reuben’s barbecue to grab some dinner before heading home. As I slide out of my truck, I spot Rose across the street.
As quick as I can—without massively breaking traffic laws—I drive over. When she sees me, she spins around and rushes into the lingerie shop.
I run to the door, and as I reach for the handle, Delaney locks it.
“Sorry. We’re closed. We open at ten tomorrow.”
I lean, trying to see around Delaney. Rose is in there. But why?
If she’s buying lingerie, it means she has a reason to buy it. The thought makes me ill, so I shove it aside.
“Please, I just want to talk to Rose.”
Delaney shakes her head and pulls down the blinds.
Tandy may not want to talk about it, but I intend to camp in front of her until she gives me something.
Without barbecue, I race to Matchmaker Ranch and find Tandy in her office. “I saw Rose, but she turned around and hurried away without even speaking to me. I need to know that she’s okay.”
Tandy stares at me, her look riddled with sadness. “When someone gets bit by a dog, they avoid that dog for a while.”
I’ve been trying to make myself feel better by imagining that Rose is happy, but this is Tandy’s way of telling me that Rose isn’t. “I’m the dog in that story.”
“Smart man. Now, shoo. I have work to do.”
I drive to the horse barn because I no longer want to be alone. “Hey, Colt. Are you busy? Want to go grab dinner?”
“Sure. I’m just wrapping up here. What sounds good?”
“Nothing, but I need to eat. And sleep, but I’m not sure how to manage that one.”
“Eventually, your body will shut down. Mind if I invite a few others to dinner? The guys at Stargazer Springs have been calling me since you can’t seem to answer your phone.”
“Yeah. Tell them to grab a big table.”
Colt rides with me into town, and the whole gang is at the restaurant, waiting. Even Sutton.
After we get food, I give the short version, admitting to the fake part and how it turned real pretty quick. And then I take the deserved ribbing. After a few minutes of that, the mood changes.
Dag slaps the table. “You messed up, but to fix things, you need a plan.”
“I don’t know if I even have a chance anymore. I stepped in it big-time.”
Grayson laughs. “Is Rose a fan of those cowboy dances? That worked with Daisy.”
Sutton leans forward. “Look for what she left.”
I’m confused by the advice. “What are you talking about?”
“Remember when I thought Ivy was done with me? But she conveniently dropped her earring in the dirt at the goat farm,” Sutton says.
Grayson nods. “It was completely intentional. I watched her drop it. She wanted Sutton to find it. It gave him a reason to see her again.”
“I haven’t noticed anything.” I try to imagine where she might have left something.
Tyler raises his brows. “But have you searched your truck? Lots of stuff can hide under those seats. Believe me, I know about that.”
“You like this woman, right?” Parker asks.
“I love her.” Look at me admitting my feelings to an entire restaurant.
“Then you need to use your words.” Parker leans back and adjusts his ball cap. “I loved Bonny Blue for years, but she didn’t know because I didn’t use my words.”
Archer nods. “Communication is key to a healthy relationship. Keeping secrets will only tear y’all apart.”
Anderson pats my shoulder. “I don’t have anything to add. I think these guys covered it all.”
Kent points at me from the other end of the table. “I have one thing to say. Why are you still sitting here? Go talk to her. It’s not like you need to get a ticket or anything. Just drive to her house.”
Mason grins. “And kiss her!”
Carson and Fred start a chant. “Dallas. Dallas. Dallas.”
I jump up, then stop and look at Colt.
“I’ll find a way home. Don’t worry about me.” He waves his hand toward the door. “Go.”
I kick up gravel as I pull out of the lot and drive the few blocks to Rose’s house.
The house is dark, but I run to the door and knock. No one answers except Floofy, which is typically a sign that Rose isn’t home.
This conversation would probably go better if I slept tonight, so in the morning, I’ll go to the flower shop. The banner over the road mentioned that tomorrow was the grand opening. And that’s probably why Rose isn’t home.
She’s busy getting everything ready.
When I see her, I won’t ask her to give up the job she loves, but I will tell her how wrong I was and how much I care for her. The word love might be too much given the circumstances. But I’ll make that decision after I sleep.
I woke with the sun and have been doing chores for hours. But the flower shop opens in forty-five minutes, and I want to congratulate her on the big day. I won’t even ask to talk at the shop, but I’ll let her know I want to.
Before any of that, I need a shower. Because right now, I’ve met cows who smell better.
Everything is a blur until I walk into the colorful shop. Flowers in buckets cover the walls, and in the front is a long counter with pretty paper and several arrangements.
The door is unlocked, but there is no one at the counter, so I tap the little bell that has a sign beside it that reads Ring Bell for Service.
Richard walks out of the back and stops. “Why are you here? You won. Did you come to rub it in my face? I used all my charm to weasel my way into a job here, and do you know what I got for my trouble?”
“What’s that?”
“A job. One that I really don’t like. This whole place smells like an old lady’s perfume.”
“That’s a real shame.” I walk to the door, then stop. “I’d like a single red rose please.”
Richard complains as he preps my purchase, cursing once when he gets pricked by a thorn.
After paying him, I race to my truck and drive to the lingerie store.
Rose must be working there. That’s why she ran inside the other day.
But her car isn’t in the lot. She isn’t even parked behind the building. So I drive to her house.
Her car is in the driveway.
I knock, wait two seconds, and knock again. I plan to repeat that over and over until someone opens this door.