“In that case, I don’t suppose I could talk you into being a permanent part of my team?”
She stopped then. So did he. Peering up into his blue eyes, she could have said yes in a heartbeat. That was, if she’d thought Daniel meant what he said. But he was simply being kind. Besides, in two days, she’d be loading up her car and heading back to Denver.
“I think you’re on your way to having a really great camp next year.”
His expression went flat, his eyes widened. “Does that mean the camp will receive funding from the Ridley Foundation?”
He looked so stunned she couldn’t help smiling. “The board will have the final say, but that will be my recommendation, yes.”
His grin was a slow one, eventually hitting max wattage. “I—” Looking every bit the camp director in his cargo shorts and green Camp Sneffels polo, he shoved his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How about nothing? At least, not yet. Not until we hear what the board has to say.”
He nodded repeatedly. “Yes, you are absolutely right.” Hands perched low on his hips, he sucked in a breath of smoke-free air. “Where are you headed?”
“To my cabin to change.” Something that was going to be really strange now that she was the only person left in that big cabin. “And then I’m going to Montrose.”
His smile faded. Almost as though he was disappointed. “Why?”
“Because I need a dress for the wedding.”
“Oh.” Suddenly his eyes sparked to life again, as though he’d been struck with inspiration. “What about those sundresses you mentioned at All Geared Up?”
“They’re too casual for a wedding. I don’t suppose there’s a dress shop in Ouray?”
“There’s the Paisley Elk.” He thoughtfully rubbed the stubble on his chin. “However, I might have a better idea.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled through the screen. “What size do you wear?”
A breeze rustled through the leaves overhead as her arms instinctively crossed over her chest. “I can’t believe you just asked me that.”
“I have a good reason.” He set the phone to his ear.
She continued to watch him. The man was up to something. “Who are you calling?”
“Lily.”
“Your sister-in-law?”
“Yes. You two look like you’re about the same size. Well, when she’s not pregnant, that is. And until last fall, she was a prominent member of Denver society.”
“She—?” Lily? Denver society? She felt her eyes go wide. “Wait. Lily Davis?”
“That’s the one. Or was, anyway. Now she’s Lily Stephens.”
No wonder she’d looked familiar. There had been a time when the woman was all over Denver television and the society pages. According to people who knew her, some of whom Blythe had run into at Ridley Foundation functions, she was very sweet, which was the same impression Blythe had gotten yesterday. And she was married to Daniel’s cowboy brother. Boy, talk about a change in lifestyle.
“Lily. Hey, it’s Daniel.”
Blythe lowered her arms, watching and waiting.
“Not too much at the moment. Hey, Blythe needs a dress for Dad’s wedding tomorrow. Do you suppose you could help her out?”
He was silent for a long moment.
“Great. I’ll let her know. Thanks, Lily.”
Shoving the phone back into his pocket, he sent Blythe a satisfied smile. “She says she’s got an entire closetful of dresses at the ranch house and she’d be happy to meet us there. Except we need to make it soon. She promised Hillary’s daughter, Celeste, she’d help decorate Granny’s Kitchen for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Oh, that’s right. I guess they would be having that tonight. I hate to impose on her, then.”
“You’re not imposing, I promise. And maybe, after you choose a dress, we could swing by All Geared Up so you can pick up those sundresses before we head over to the church.”
“What’s at the church?”
“The wedding rehearsal. Then they’re doing a private dinner at the restaurant. Originally, I wasn’t going to be able to attend. But now that the campers are gone...” He moved closer, reaching for her hand. “Care to join me?”
Her insides bubbled with more happiness than she’d known in a long time. Did she dare to dream? Or was she simply setting herself up for heartbreak?
If there was one thing she’d learned these past couple of weeks, it was that life was much more fun when there was a little risk involved. Like Daniel said, life was an adventure.
“I think that sounds like a pretty fun way to spend an evening. I get a dress for the wedding, plus the sundresses and I get to spend time with you and your family.”
The smile he sent her was like the sun’s rays, warming her through and through. “Guess we’d better get going then.”
“Just let me grab some shoes that’ll go with one of those sundresses, and I’ll be ready.”
“Why do they need to go with the sundress?”
“Because that’s what I’m planning to wear tonight, silly.” Though she probably ought to change, just in case they were gone. The thought had her giving Daniel a quick once-over. “And unless you plan to wear your uniform to tonight’s event, you might want to consider changing, too.”
* * *
Daniel grew nauseous every time he thought about Blythe leaving. He had to find a way to make the most of these last few days they had together. To make them so memorable, Blythe couldn’t wait to come back. Or better yet, make her want to stay. And his father’s wedding tomorrow, not to mention tonight’s rehearsal, might be just the ticket.
Since she didn’t have to run off to Montrose for a dress, he’d get to spend the entire evening with her. Thanks to Lily. He hoped they were meeting with success. Blythe, Hillary, Lily and Lily’s eight-year-old daughter, Piper, had been inside the house for at least thirty minutes, while he remained outside with his father, filling him in on things that had transpired at the camp these past two weeks.
Yet as the late afternoon sun blazed overhead, making Daniel grateful they were in the shade, the conversation took a turn.
Sitting at the first of two picnic tables atop the wooden deck that spanned one end of the single-story cedar ranch house, Dad wore that grin Daniel had become accustomed to seeing as the man played matchmaker for each of his brothers over the past couple of years.
“So, she’s coming to the wedding with you, is she?” The glimmer in the old man’s dark eyes was hard to miss.
“All right, Dad, I’m going to cut to the chase. Yes, I like Blythe. Does she like me? I have no idea.”
Back against the tabletop, his father crossed his booted feet at the ankles. “She agreed to be your date, didn’t she?”
That, at least, gave Daniel hope. “Yeah. However, she lives in Denver and will be going back very soon.”
One dark brow lifted. “How soon?”
“Sunday.” He eyed the barn across the way and the cattle searching the drought-stricken pasture beyond for food. “But I’m going to do my best to talk her into coming back next weekend for the Fourth.”
“And after that?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “We’ll just have to see what God has planned.”
“Don’t approach that so lightly, son. Because He certainly defeated some odds to work things out for your brothers.” The man straightened, resting his forearms on his denim-clad thighs. “They all faced potential separation just like you’re talking about. And in each case, God brought about a change in plans.”
The door to the mudroom opened then, and a smiling Hillary emerged. The attractive blonde Daniel and his brothers had grown to love over the past two years looked as though she’d just stepped from the pages of a magazine in her tailored white slacks, a colorful print blouse and silver s
andals that revealed bright pink toenails.
“How’s it going in there?” Daniel watched her as she moved toward them.
“Blythe has narrowed things down to a couple of options.” Hillary eased beside him. “She’s a lovely young woman, Daniel. I hope you asked her to join us for the rehearsal and dinner.”
“Yeah, since things changed up at camp, I went ahead and extended the invitation. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Your father and I would be disappointed if the two of you weren’t there. Celeste will have more than enough food.” Hillary’s daughter owned Granny’s Kitchen but had closed the restaurant for the night so they could hold the dinner there.
He found himself smiling. “All right, then. We’ll definitely be there.”
The back door opened again, and Piper bounded outside, her blonder-than-blond ponytail swaying back and forth, while her mother and Blythe followed.
Standing, Daniel said, “Did you meet with success?”
“Wait till you see, Uncle Daniel.” Piper peered up at him. “Blythe looks bea-utiful.” She twirled then, as if adding an exclamation point to her statement.
“I have to say...” A hanger dangled from Blythe’s fingers, a gray plastic sheath concealing her selection. “That was the toughest shopping I’ve ever done. Lily has so many gorgeous dresses.”
“I’m glad I was able to help.” His sister-in-law gave Blythe a quick one-armed hug. “And just for the record, that dress looks a thousand times better on you than it ever did on me.”
“I doubt that,” said Blythe. “But thank you so much. I promise to take good care of it.”
Daniel inched toward the two, curious as to what was hidden underneath the hanger’s covering. “If you still want to stop by All Geared Up for those sundresses, we should probably get a move on.”
Her hazel eyes skimmed his attire, followed by an approving smile. “You changed.”
“Right about the time you ladies started discussing dresses.” He hadn’t taken any of his Sunday clothes to the camp, so he’d had to wait until they were here to don his chinos and a blue polo.
“You’re right, though. I do need to make my shopping trip quick because I’m going to help Lily and your other sisters-in-law decorate for the dinner.”
“Oh?” His tone lingered somewhere between confusion and disappointment. How were they supposed to be together if she was doing that?
His father stood and slapped him on the back. “Looks like you’ll have to join me and your brothers over at Matt’s.”
While that was fine, Daniel would much rather have been with Blythe.
“Yes, the men will be playing while we women are working,” said Hillary.
“What are you talkin’ about, woman?” Dad frowned at his bride-to-be. “We’re the ones doing the babysitting.”
“Pft.” Hillary waved a hand through the air. “Clint Stephens, you love nothing more than being with those grandkids.”
“Now that is a fact.” Pausing beside her father-in-law, Lily aimed a finger in his direction. “And don’t you dare try to deny it.” She winked then. “Come on, Piper. We have work to do.”
The duo continued down the steps toward a luxury SUV.
“See you ladies shortly.” Lily waved before disappearing into her vehicle.
Blythe eyed Daniel. “We need to run, too.”
They loaded into his SUV and started down the road, with the river on one side and a wall of red sandstone to their left.
“Tell you what.” She twisted to face him. “Since the restaurant is less than a block from the store, why don’t you just drop me off? That way you have more time to hang out with your brothers.”
While he appreciated her thoughtfulness, he groaned inside, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “I’d rather hang out with you.” Had he really just admitted that out loud?
The slow smile that teased her pretty pink lips said he had. “It’s only for a little while. Besides, helping will make me feel better about borrowing Lily’s dress.”
“In that case, I will try to manage.” He rolled up Main Street, looking for a parking space. Given that it was a Friday evening, the town was bustling with people. “We still have tomorrow to go on an adventure.”
“Adventure?” Anticipation sparked in her pretty eyes. “What do you have in mind?”
He angled into a spot, shifted into Park and looked her way. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Her giggle wrapped around his heart and refused to let go. “Glad to see you decided to be mature about this.”
“You ought to know by now that I’m just a kid at heart.”
“In that case, you’re the handsomest kid ever.”
Over the center console, their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Cars and passersby faded in the distance. He longed to taste her lips again. But then they might never make it to the wedding rehearsal.
Glancing at the people streaming in and out of the store, he said, “Guess you’d better get going.”
“Okay.” She reached for the door handle. “See you shortly?”
“That you can count on.”
Chapter Fourteen
By the next morning, Blythe knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her feelings for Daniel had drifted beyond friendship. Something new and different had unfolded between them last night. Something she couldn’t name, yet she’d felt it all the way down to her toes.
Maybe it was being with his family, watching the dynamics and seeing the genuine love they had for one another. Quite different from her family where her mother’s conditional love so often turned family gatherings into arguments.
So-called bad choices, including Jenna’s marriage, had caused their mother to disown Blythe’s sister. Blythe’s father kowtowed to the woman’s every whim, instead of being the leader God had called him to be. And Blythe had tried in vain to be the glue that held their family together.
Then her parents moved to Tucson, in part because her mother had decided she couldn’t tolerate winter anymore, despite having lived her entire life in Colorado. At first, Blythe had contemplated following them. Then she realized her stress level had dropped considerably after her parents were gone. She was able to enjoy her time with Jenna and her family instead of feeling guilty about it.
With their parents out of the picture, Blythe and Jenna forged a new family. One where they accepted each other for who they were, not who they thought they should be. Holidays became more festive. Birthdays a blessing. And now that they were so far away, her parents seem happier, too. Perhaps ignorance really was bliss.
Blythe liked Daniel’s family. But that wasn’t what had caused her shift. No, it was much simpler than that. It was the way Daniel made her feel when she was with him. Special, like no one and nothing else mattered.
Like last night when they’d returned to camp. Daniel had insisted they move her things back to the small cabin where she’d be closer to him and the rest of the staff. To the cabin that should have been his. His protectiveness had warmed her heart as much as it flooded her with relief. Just the thought of being alone in that big cabin she’d shared with Chloe, Evie, Teri and the other girls, away from everyone else, had her feeling a little uneasy.
Regardless of what had caused her change in perspective, she’d given herself over to the possibilities that lay ahead. And given that she and Daniel were spending all of Saturday together, those possibilities seemed endless.
She’d awakened early this morning, unable to sleep because of all the anticipation tumbling around inside of her. We still have tomorrow to go on an adventure, he’d said. Well, tomorrow had arrived, and she couldn’t wait to see what he had in store.
So she promptly gathered up her things once again, loaded them into her car and moved them all to Ouray where she’d remain until tomorrow. Since th
e wedding and cleanup were likely to run late and it would be inappropriate for Blythe to stay alone with Daniel at the ranch house, Carly had offered Blythe a room at her bed and breakfast. And while Blythe had offered to pay for the room, Carly wanted nothing to do with that.
Now she stood on the expansive front porch of Granger House Inn, Carly’s gorgeous Victorian B and B, watching Daniel move up the steps just after ten. He was dressed pretty much the same way he’d been every day at Camp Sneffels—cargo shorts and T-shirt—except this shirt was gray with the words Live Adventurously scrawled across the front.
Grinning, he said, “Ready for an adventure?”
Only weeks ago, she would have scoffed at the words. Today, the invitation had her eager to follow him anywhere.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
They piled into his SUV and headed south of town on the Million Dollar Highway, a road she’d heard of but never actually been on. It didn’t take long to understand why this stretch of highway was so notorious. The roadway snaked its way along the sides of the mountains, hugging a wall of rock on one side as sheer drop-offs threatened on the other. And every time it appeared they were in the clear, another hairpin turn was waiting just ahead.
They’d driven about twenty minutes when Daniel eased off the highway onto a narrow road. Only a few hundred yards in, they were met with an orange and white barricade.
“Uh-oh.” Looking across the center console, she noted Daniel’s mischievous smile. “What are you up to?”
“I’ll be right back.” With that, he hopped out of the vehicle, marched along the gravel until he came to the barrier, then promptly moved it out of their path before returning to the SUV.
“Daniel Stephens—” she scolded as he reclaimed the driver’s seat “—that barricade was there for a reason, you know.”
“Yes, it was. For a very good reason.” Grinning, he moved the vehicle beyond the barrier.
Drawing her brows together, she waited for him to continue.
“We put it there to keep Ouray’s many visitors out.” With that, he again shifted into Park and went to return the barricade to its original spot. When he returned, he said, “Hey, we love our guests, but we locals still like to keep a few secrets.” He rolled down the windows and put the vehicle into four-wheel drive before continuing up the rocky slope.
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