Chapter 16 Dalton
DALTON
Later that night, Dalton stood by the pool table in a local pub called The Barrel, trying to focus on the moment instead of thinking about the day he’d spent with Ella and Dove.
The low sounds of conversation and chuckling mingled with the classic tunes playing on the jukebox to make the dim space feel cozy. Back at the table, a bunch of the guys from the veterans’ group were sitting around exchanging old stories.
Dalton had heard so many tales of the times before he had set foot in Trinity Falls that he could probably write a pretty convincing town history himself at this point.
But somehow, he never got tired of laughing at the old antics of his new friends, or trying to picture them as lanky teens instead of muscular former military men.
When Grayson Ward had asked if he wanted to play pool, Dalton figured it would be good to stretch his legs a bit.
Besides, he had the feeling the other man had something on his mind.
All Dalton knew about Grayson was that he used to be a big personality.
And that now he had a little baby, no wife, and few traces of his former bravado.
Dalton didn’t need to hear any more than that to know that the man was under pressure.
And then there was the fact that he had just come home.
Serving in the military had its challenges.
It required sacrifice, and much more for some than for others.
But leaving was its own struggle. In spite of the warm welcome he’d received at the Barretts’ place, Dalton still had so many moments where he felt off-balance, or nights when he couldn’t sleep alone in his quiet room, without the sound of his unit all around.
He even missed the strange comfort of the rigid routines that defined his life while serving.
But something in Grayson’s eyes was different—haunted and hungry. Dalton figured that if they got alone, he might start talking.
Maybe this group is worth more than I thought, he realized.
He’d thought all along that the captain wanted everyone to join to fill their own needs, but it was starting to feel like helping each other was the real gift.
Back at the table, he’d seen some tense faces relax and eyes begin to twinkle, just from being among other people who understood, even though all they were doing was telling old stories.
At the pool table, Grayson took a shot and missed, then grumbled to himself.
“Baby must keep you up all night,” Dalton said lightly. “It’s good you came out anyway.”
He expected another noncommittal grunt, but instead the other man met his eyes.
“I never go out,” Grayson said. “But there’s this girl now, well, this young woman…”
Dalton was so surprised, he couldn’t say a word.
Grayson nodded to the pool table, and Dalton took his shot, sinking one of his striped balls. He took another shot and missed, then backed out of the way for Grayson.
“So, she’s someone you’re dating?” Dalton asked, recovering a bit from his surprise.
He hadn’t expected the man to be seeing anyone.
“No,” Grayson said right away. “She’s my nanny.”
But something about the way the man grumbled out his answer made Dalton push a little more.
“Just the nanny, huh?” he asked. “Is she pretty?”
“She’s so much more than pretty,” Grayson said, abandoning the pool game to lean against the wall, his expression almost dreamy. “She’s incredible, generous, kind, and she… she gets me.”
“So why isn’t she your girl?” Dalton asked.
Grayson shrugged, his eyes meeting Dalton’s again.
“I’m in that boat too,” Dalton heard himself admit.
“Andy’s sister?” Grayson asked, a look of understanding in his eyes. “I heard you guys were out on the town today.”
Dalton could have denied it, but why bother?
“Is it wrong?” he heard himself ask.
“Why would it be wrong?” Grayson asked.
“She’s Andy’s sister,” Dalton said. “Maybe it’s taking advantage. Ella’s a widow, and she lost her brother too.”
“And that means she should be alone forever?” Grayson asked, arching one brow.
“I guess not,” Dalton said, smiling a little in surprise at the way Grayson was digging right in.
“She has a daughter,” Dalton said. “A little daughter, Dove.”
Grayson observed him, nodding.
“She’s the best,” Dalton said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like not to see Dove anymore.”
“If you really care about the two of them, you should tell Ella what you want,” Grayson said. “You should go for it. Life is short. Ella should appreciate that more than most.”
The other man’s words hit Dalton hard in the chest and he swallowed.
“You make a good point,” he managed after a few seconds.
Grayson nodded, looking pleased.
“Are you going to take your own advice?” Dalton asked him.
Grayson suddenly looked alarmed, and Dalton couldn’t help bursting out laughing.
A moment later, Grayson was laughing too. Then he took his shot and sank one ball after another until he had run the whole table and beaten Dalton soundly.
“Holy cow, man,” Dalton said, impressed.
Grayson thumped him on the back and turned to face the others.
“Who’s going to challenge the winner?” he yelled as he swaggered back like a conquering hero.
Everyone laughed and Dalton felt another rope of tension in his chest untangle as he thought about the other man’s words.
You should tell Ella what you want…
Could it really be that simple?