Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
ROSE
I yank open the door. “What?” I can’t let my walls down with Dallas because I’ll throw myself into his arms, and that would be an awful idea. I step back, planning to close the door. But he’s holding a single red rose. And it isn’t from a gas station.
He presses a hand to the wood, holding the door open. “Please, Rose. Give me two minutes.”
I cross my arms. “I’m not going to beg you to love me.” I didn’t mean to say those words out loud, but it’s too late now.
He leans in for a kiss, and I stop that with a hand to his chest.
“No. This is not a time for kissing. You say whatever it is you came to say, then if I like it, we can talk more. And maybe kiss. Maybe. But words come first. You have two minutes.” My insides are like jelly, but outside, I’m like a superhero with a force field.
“This is for you.” He hands over the rose without taking his hand off the door. “I was wrong and stupid, and I’m sorry.”
“I like those words. I’ll add an extra two minutes.”
“I came by last night to say all this, but you weren’t here.”
I bite my bottom lip, debating how honest I should be. “I was here. I just didn’t answer. My car fits in the garage.”
A smile plays on his lips. “First, I’ll say what I wanted to say last night. Then I’ll say a bit more.”
“Okay.” I hope he can’t tell that I’m shaking.
“Richard told me about the ultimatum during the reception. And I wanted you to run that store, but more than that, I wanted to protect myself. So I selfishly ended things after the wedding. I couldn’t bear the idea of you not choosing me.” He searches my face for a reaction.
I blink away the mist. “Well?—”
He leans in close. “I haven’t been faking for months. My plan was to pour out my heart the day after the wedding. But I chickened out. I should’ve been brave and trusted you. Because I know you haven’t been faking either.”
I swallow. “That’s what you came to say?”
“Most of it. But there is one thing I haven’t said yet.”
“What?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.
“I love you, Zuzu. I don’t want to live my life without you. You are like sunshine to my grumpy soul. You make me brave enough to expose my teddy bear side.”
Tears spill down my cheeks. “Oh, Dallas, I love you too.”
With one hand still holding open the door, he wraps his other arm around my waist as his lips meet mine. I hug his neck and press in closer.
He tightens his arm around me and lifts.
In the movies, ladies always kick up one foot when kissing. I kick up both my feet. And Dallas carries me inside.
After spending several minutes on the sofa making up, Dallas runs a hand over my hair. “You weren’t at the shop this morning. And Richard was not happy to see me.”
“I quit when Dad gave me an ultimatum. And why was Richard there?”
“He had a grand plan to woo you. Apparently, seeing you with me made him regret not getting you. He told me as much at the resort. He was drunk, but honestly, he did himself in.”
“How so?” I trail my fingers down the side of Dallas’s face and along his jaw. “You haven’t shaved.”
“Until last night, I didn’t sleep either.” Dallas presses a quick kiss to my forehead. “The night he spewed his nonsense, he lifted his glass and said, ‘May the best man win,’ and I did.” That gorgeous smile spreads across his face.
“And I think I like your stubble.”
“Then I shall keep the stubble.” He stands and holds out a hand. “Do you have shoes on? I have something to show you. It involves driving somewhere. And I have an idea to run past you.”
“Lead the way.”
He scoops me into his arms and carries me to the truck. “I’ve been working on this surprise since right after the gala. And I hope you like it.”
When he sets me down in my seat, it occurs to me that he hasn’t said a word about finding my earring.
I clasp his shirt as he steps away.
He lifts an eyebrow. “You going to tear my shirt off me here on the side of the street? I mean, I’m okay with that. But if you want me to take it off, all you have to do is ask.”
I tug him in for a kiss. “I’m missing an earring. The pair I wore to the wedding. Have you seen it?”
He’s sporting the brightest smile I’ve ever seen on the man. “I haven’t, but I hear that earrings like to hide under seats. That’s what Tyler told me.” Dallas leans down, shifts my feet to the side, then hands me the earring. “It took me a bit to come to my senses, but you were enough of a reason to bring me running, Rose.”
We hold hands on our way to the ranch, but he doesn’t turn in the main gate.
I lean forward, looking around. “Where are we going?”
“If I tell you before we get there, it won’t be a surprise.” He pulls my fingers to his lips. “Besides, I have to look at the road, and when I do the big reveal, I want to see every bit of your expression. Seeing you happy makes me happy.” He stops next to a gravel road. “Cover your eyes for me please.”
I do as he asks and don’t even peek through my fingers.
Then he stops. “Wait right there, I’ll help you out. And I’m begging you not to sneak a look.”
“Okay.”
He unbuckles my seat belt and lifts me out of my seat. Then leaves and grass crunch under my feet as he guides me into position. “You can look now.”
I drop my hands and gasp. “Teddy bear!”
A white picket fence surrounds a tilled field and at one end of the rectangular plot is a white garden shed. Sunlight glints off the windows.
“You did all this for me?”
“Yeah. I haven’t planted anything yet. I was trying, but between the ranch opening in a few days and breaking your heart, I didn’t have the time. I’m not sure if you can plant flowers in February, but the ground is ready.”
“What’s that about Matchmaker Ranch opening?”
“I didn’t mention it, but it’s Valentine’s Day, and Tandy wanted to open that day. Matthew, Colt, and I have been working like crazy to make sure it’s all in tiptop shape.”
“You are way more attractive when you communicate. Please don’t keep things from me.”
“I won’t decide what you need to know.”
“Thank you. Now, you said something about running an idea by me.”
“Let’s talk about it over breakfast. There is a waitress in Keyhole who will appreciate the opportunity to gloat.”
“You told a waitress about your relationship problems?”
He nods. “And last night at the barbecue place, I told an entire table of cowboys that I love you. And Mason had some good advice.”
“What’s that?”
Dallas cups my cheeks and seals his mouth to mine.
I let out a contented moan. From our first kiss, I felt a spark, and I want to kiss this man every single day for the rest of my life. “That kid gives good advice. I hope he gets to see his friend again and tell her that she’s pretty.”
“You and me both.”