Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
DANE
W hat the fuck were you thinking, Dane?” Waylon’s voice booms in the confined space of his office, his face flushed with anger. “Or were you thinking with your damn dick?”
I lean against the wall and look at Waylon. Waylon’s usually friendly eyes are hard, his jaw set.
“That was uncalled for,” I challenge. I’ve only known Cece a couple of days, but I won’t let anyone—even Waylon—talk about her like she was a random fuck. She’s better than that, and I’ll defend her against Waylon and anyone else if it comes to it.
“Taking her to one of the Creek Ravine cabins? Were you out of your mind?”
My stomach tightens. I knew this conversation was coming, but I hoped maybe he wouldn’t come out yelling. “Waylon, I can explain—”
“Explain? What is there to explain?” He throws his hands up, pacing across the wood floor of his office. “What if we had guests there? Did you even think about that?”
I step closer, lowering my voice. “But there weren’t any guests there, Waylon. I knew no one was there–everyone knows the cabins are empty right now.”
He scoffs, shaking his head. “That’s not the point, and you know it.”
I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. “Then what is the point? What were we supposed to do? It was getting late, and there were mountain lions in the area. I wasn’t willing to risk her life because it was the wrong,” I use air quotes around the word, “thing to do.”
Waylon’s anger deflates slightly at the mention of the mountain lions and potentially sacrificing someone’s safety because of rules. He knows the risks with mountain lions as well as I do, and he also knows why I left the Army. The silence stretches between us.
“We needed shelter,” I continue, calmer now. “I made a judgment call. Maybe it wasn’t perfect, but I was trying to keep us safe. I didn’t expect to find anyone alive when the beacon signal came in. I certainly didn’t want either of us to get hurt or killed because we couldn’t make it back here before dusk. We were tired and needed safety.”
Waylon sighs and runs his hand through his dark hair, his shoulders slumping. He leans against the wall of his office. “I get it, Dane. I do. But you have to understand how serious this is. That place is hidden and secret for a reason. We don’t let outsiders in. I know you haven’t been here long, but I need you to understand that.”
I nod, relief washing over me as the worst of his anger seems to have passed. I want to say that Cece isn’t an outsider, but I know how crazy that sounds—I only met her two days ago. I don’t know how to describe my connection with her, but she’s way more than some hiker I rescued or a beautiful woman I slept with. There’s something more, something deeper, between us.
“This woman,” Waylon says.
“Cece. Cece Charles,” I finish.
“Right. What’s your honest opinion of Cece?”
“Cece has more integrity in her little finger than most people have in their whole body. She’s passionate, driven, and she knows her mind.”
Waylon’s eyebrows rise at the fervor in my voice. “You seem pretty sure about that.”
I take a deep breath, knowing I’m about to lay all my cards on the table. “I am sure. Waylon, I... I’ve fallen in love with her.”
The words hang in the air between us. Waylon’s eyes widen, and for a moment, I’m not sure how he’ll react.
“Love?” he repeats as if he thinks he misheard me. “Dane, are you sure about this?”
I nod, my heart pounding. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I’m going to ask her to stay, Waylon. Maybe she could help with Creek Ravine.”
Waylon studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, though it’s obvious he’s still upset. Then, without a word, he turns and walks away, heading back into the bar.
By the time I follow Waylon back into the bar, he’s deep in conversation with Cece, their heads bent close together.
I go up to the bar, and Marian glances at me, popping the cap off a beer bottle and handing it to me.
“Looks like you need this. Everything okay with Waylon?”
I take a long pull of the beer. “I think so. I took Cece to Creek Ravine.”
Marian’s eyes widen, and she crosses her arms over her chest. I explain the situation, and her glare softens.
“You should’ve gotten permission first,” she finally says.
I shrug. “There wasn’t a lot of time. I had to make a decision, and that was the best for our safety.”
“Waylon must have been furious,” Marian says, shaking her head.
“Boss was mad about what?” Daryl’s voice comes from behind me. He slaps me on the shoulder and takes the bar stool on my left.
“This jackass took a woman to Creek Ravine,” Reggie says, leaning over the bar to kiss Marian. “A stranger.”
Daryl frowns. “The fuck? You crazy?”
I sigh, repeating the story for Daryl and Reggie while Marian clears plates from the tables.
“That’s fucked up,” Daryl says. “I understand, but…it’s still fucked up.”
“I get it. I get it.”
I look over to see Waylon and Cece still talking. Waylon is leaning back in his chair and looks more relaxed. All I can hope is he sees a glimmer of what attracts me to Cece. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’s a good woman. She’s courageous and trustworthy.
“So, what is it with this woman?” Daryl asks.
I take a long moment to choose my words. “I’m going to ask her to stay.”
Reggie laughs.
Daryl nearly chokes on his beer. “You’re what?” he demands, turning to take a long look at Cece.
“I know it’s crazy, but I’ve fallen for this woman. Hard. The idea of never seeing her again is…” I struggle to find any word that matches the depth of emotion I feel for Cece. “I can’t imagine life without her.”