by Holly Rayner
She nodded. “Yeah, I guess I did. I mean, I had to be the one in charge, so that was a little bit stressful, but other than that…” Her voice drifted off as she recalled Jake’s unwanted advances.
“You look like you just stepped in that horse patty over at the Lazy J Ranch,” Sean joked.
She had to laugh, too. He read her expressions well. “No, no… I was just thinking about my ex,” she said.
“Oh, yeah?” he asked. He tilted the table on to its side and started folding it up.
“He’s a character,” Delaney said vaguely.
She didn’t like the idea of talking bad about anyone, but Jake’s advances had left a sour taste in her mouth and she needed to vent a little bit.
“I haven’t had a real conversation with him in years, even though he still lives in the area. He was… eager to catch up. Couldn’t be avoided, I guess.”
“I bet,” Sean said gently.
“He’s not the easiest guy to talk to, either,” Delaney said. “He’s always been the jealous type. I’m glad my taste in men has evolved since I was eighteen.” She gave a light laugh and then steered the conversation away from Jake. “Other than that, though, it was really good. Got some dancing in, and it’s been a while since I did that.”
Sean nodded. “I could hear the music,” he said.
She frowned. “I hope we didn’t keep you up?”
“No, not at all,” Sean said. “Like I said, I’m a night owl.”
At that moment, his two rescue dogs ran in through the back doors, which were propped open. The two chased each other around the remaining tables and chairs, and Sean laughed.
“And these two hooligans wouldn’t let me fall asleep even if I’d tried. They’re ferocious guard dogs, you know. If there are strangers on the property, they’re on high alert.”
“Oh, they look pretty ferocious,” Delaney responded as Sam raced by with a goofy grin plastered on his black lips and his tongue lolling out as he chased after his sister.
“You don’t want to mess with them,” Sean said with mock seriousness.
“What would happen?” Delaney joked back. “You think Sam would try to chase me off the property?”
“You wouldn’t stand a chance,” Sean said.
She laughed outright, imagining the goofy dog trying to act out guard dog duties.
“I guess he has every right to protect this place from strangers like me,” she said.
“You’re not a stranger,” Sean said, his tone turning warm. “You’ve been out here to the ranch before.”
“I have,” Delaney agreed.
She didn’t want to be a stranger to Sean. She wanted to get to know him. Would that desire ever come to fruition?
She glanced at him and noticed that he was looking at her, too. She felt the flame of attraction in her abdomen flicker with intensity. She looked away. A giddiness buzzed in her veins, flooding her as if she’d just taken a shot of whiskey, even though she’d resisted alcohol for the entire evening so that she could perform her role as hostess.
Actually, a drink sounds kind of good, she thought.
As if Sean was reading her mind, he moved over to the bar.
“Wow,” he said with a laugh. “Old Dog whiskey! I haven’t seen this brand in ages.”
He picked up the bottle and looked at the label, then held it up to Delaney. “Can I pour you a drink?”
She surveyed the room. Sean worked quickly. She’d pulled the streamers and banner down earlier while a few guests still lingered, but there were still some balloons floating up around the ceiling. Almost all of the chairs and tables were down, and the trash had been cleared away.
“Sure,” she said. “I think we’re almost done here, anyway—thanks to your help. Just those balloons left… I’m not sure how we’re going to get them down.”
She heard ice clatter against the side of a plastic cup. “Don’t you worry,” he said. “I have a method. Ever been fishing?”
She shook her head. She had no idea what her history with fishing had to do with the helium balloons hovering twenty feet above her. She looked over at Sean. He looked so handsome standing at the bar, pouring liquor into a waiting cup. A sense of anticipation filled her. The thought of having a drink with him filled her with excitement.
Was he going to make a move? She found that she wanted him to.
He walked over to her with two drinks in hand. He handed her one, and she felt the thrill of his closeness for a brief moment, before he moved away.
He walked to a closet that she’d barely noticed, and he pulled out a long, forest green fishing rod and a roll of duct tape. She sipped her drink happily as she watched him. The drink was expertly mixed and tasted like peaches and lemon with just a strong dash of liquor.
Sean climbed up a ladder that was propped up against one wall toward the back of the barn. He reached the wide beam up at the top and set his drink down on it as casually as if it was a side table. Then, he hoisted himself up onto the beam. He tugged down a nearby balloon and then started tying it to the fishing rod.
“What in the world are you doing?” Delaney asked.
She giggled as Sean started wrapping duct tape around the balloon tied to his rod. He sat down on the beam, and then held the fishing rod out like he was perched on a dock, casting out for catfish.
“Just a little fishing,” he teased. Soon, a dozen balloons were attached to the tape-covered balloon, and he pulled them in.
She held her hands over her ears and laughed some more as he popped them with his pocketknife. They joked about his “catch” as he finished hauling in the balloons.
“Now, for the best part,” he said. He stood on the beam again and picked up something that looked like a long, flat piece of wood with ropes attached. “Stand back,” he said.
She did as he said, curious about what he was up to.
He dropped the piece of wood, and she saw that it was a swing.
He climbed down the ladder again, with his drink in hand.
“What do you think?” he asked. The swing bounced around and slowly settled to a stop. “I made it a few years back. I always wanted one of these.”
“A swing?” she asked with a laugh. “You’re like a kid!”
He chuckled. “Hey, you’re never too old to enjoy some of the simple things in life. Come on. Give it a try. It’s fun.”
She eyed the swing and had to admit that it did look inviting.
“Oh, what the heck,” she said after a minute.
She walked over to it and sat. It was stable and comfortable. It swayed gently back and forth. It was wide enough for two, and she slid over a bit to one side and wondered if Sean planned on joining her. She hoped that he did.
“How’s your drink?” he said. “Need a refill?”
“I’m good,” she said. “And it’s delicious, thanks.”
She held her breath as he walked toward her. He lowered himself down onto the wooden bench next to her. Her heartbeat quickened. It felt so good, and so exciting to sit close to him. She could smell his cologne and feel the heat of his body. The swing rocked gently back and forth.
She sipped her drink. The barn was quiet, which was a nice change after listening to loud music and even louder conversations all night.
For a few moments, she felt her heart beating fast, and wondered what she should say to ease the tension she felt. No words came, and to her surprise, Sean didn’t fill the silence, either. He simply sat at her side.
Slowly, her nervousness dissipated, and she felt her body relax. Subtle sounds of the evening floated into her awareness; crickets in the fields outside filled the air with a high-pitched song, and she heard a few coyotes in the distance yipping out a staccato conversation.
The silence stretched on for a minute, and then Sean spoke in a soft voice. “It’s pretty nice, isn’t it?” he said.
She wondered if he was still talking about the swing, or if he was referring to the soundtrack that nature was providing. Or, maybe he’
s talking about this—me and him, sitting next to each other, she thought.
Though she wasn’t sure which of those three options was on his mind, she answered with one word.
“Yes,” she said softly.
“I’ve lived out here for five years,” he said. “And I sometimes think that at night is the way I like the ranch the best. It’s like I’m working in a factory and at night, when the lights go out, I’m able to stop thinking about work and production and just really enjoy the place. It’s relaxing.”
A cool breeze drifted through the open doors, and Delaney took a deep breath in. The air smelled like a mixture of the fresh wood of the barn, the spring grasses outside, and Sean’s cologne.
She imagined the sky like the ceiling of a factory. It was nice to imagine turning off the lights at night. She’d never thought of it that way, but it seemed to fit.
Sean’s words tickled some curiosity in her. Earlier, he’d said that he was homeschooled in preparation for taking over the ranch from his parents. So, what did he mean that they’d lived there for five years? It didn’t quite make sense, but before she could ask him about it, he went on.
“How about you? Are you a night owl, Delaney?”
She thought his question over before answering.
“I think I would be, if I didn’t have to wake up so early,” she said. “Being up late at night feels like a luxury to me, now. Like I’m breaking my routine and getting away with something naughty—staying up past my curfew.”
His laugh was easy and smooth, like water bubbling over rocks in a mountain stream.
“A self-imposed curfew,” he said. “I like that. Well, here’s to a break in routine.” He turned and held up his glass.
She tapped her plastic cup against his, and then looked into his eyes as she took a sip. Something about his eyes, the deep blue depths of them, triggered a memory inside of her.
It was almost as if she’d looked into them before, once, many years before.
Impossible, she thought. I just met him for the first time a month ago. I must be tired, she thought, pushing the strange feeling aside.
“I’ll pay for it tomorrow,” she said. “I’m supposed to do all this admin stuff for my business. I always save it for weekends.”
A heavy feeling settled over her as she thought about logging into her accounting software the next day. She remembered the way Marybeth had smiled as she described her Sunday plans—pancakes with the kids and then a playdate at the park.
And I’ll be at home alone on my computer, Delaney thought.
Aloud, she said, “Sometimes I wonder about my priorities… you know?” She turned to Sean.
The few strings of fairy lights still up around the room cast a faint golden glow over him. She could see the sandy blond stubble along his lower cheeks and jawline.
His lips curved into a subtle smile, but she thought she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes as he said, “I know what you mean.”
She sensed that he really did. After all, he was here on his ranch, sitting on billions in assets if Marybeth was to be believed, and yet he, too, was alone.
“I love my job,” Delaney said thoughtfully. “I really do. I’m glad I put so much into it.”
“You’re the most successful vet in Texas,” Sean said.
His words reminded her of how fortunate she was to have success in her career.
She nodded. “I’ve worked hard to get there, too. Maybe too hard…”
She fell into silence and sipped her drink. The cool liquid slid down her throat. A relaxing buzz traveled through her.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I really can’t complain, I guess. I have so much. I just…”
She looked over at him and wondered if she dared voice what was on her mind. She wasn’t used to talking about her deep emotions with men she’d just barely met. Then again, there was something about Sean that made her want to open up to him.
She wanted to trust him.
Like he said earlier, she thought, we’re not strangers to each other. And maybe if I open up to him, we could become friends.
Or more than friends.
She took another sip and tried to figure out how to put her feelings into words.
“You always hear the same thing,” she said. “I mean, at least I do. It’s that saying that money can’t buy happiness. You hear about these people finding all this success with work, and yet they’re not happy. It’s the same old story on repeat. But I guess I thought I was different.”
She bit her lip and wondered if she was making any sense.
Sean waited for her to go on, which she appreciated.
She continued. “I thought that I was somehow an exception—like I’d be the one person in a million who really would find happiness when I was successful enough in my work. I just kept on putting my nose to the grindstone. I was so driven. I never stopped to really question what was driving me.” She paused again.
“And what was driving you?” Sean asked gently.
“I wanted success in my business,” Delaney said. “I just kept my focus on that. And now—this reunion… it’s made me realize that fifteen years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I feel like I’m waking up from a trance or something. Where did all that time go? I can’t help but feel like something is missing.”
“What’s missing, Delaney?” Sean asked. His sincere, deep tone sent a shiver through her.
She looked over at him, and part of her wanted to answer with the word that was welling up in her heart: love.
But she couldn’t.
She was okay with being vulnerable with him, but that would be crossing the line. She didn’t want to overwhelm him or come across as needy. So, instead of saying what was on her mind, she looked away, tucked her hair behind her ear, and watched the playful dogs sniffing and licking the floor over near where the buffet table had been set up.
“Looks like they found some crumbs,” she said.
Sean’s tone was light as he responded. “I guess they decided to help us with the cleanup. Like I said, that Sam can be a good worker when he wants to be. Lila’s another story.”
At the sound of her name, Lila looked up with perked ears.
“That’s right, girl,” Sean said happily. “I’m talking about you.”
Lila wagged her tail and then got back to sniffing the ground, and Delaney and Sean laughed.
Not for the first time, Delaney felt grateful for Sean’s awareness. He could easily transition between sincerity and lighthearted banter, and she really appreciated that.
Being around him was so easy.
The barn was pretty much clean, and her cup was almost empty, but she didn’t want her time with Sean to end.
I’d sit here with him until the sun came up, she realized. Now, that would really be breaking my curfew.
Her lips curled into a smile, and she shifted a little bit on the swing. Her upper arm brushed the top of his. Heat flitted through her. She was aware of every inch of his body, so close to hers.
“You know what?” she said. “Maybe this is just what I need. A real break in routine. It’s late, and I can just text my neighbor and ask him to go feed Mr. Butters in the morning. There’s a hotel not far from here with plenty of vacancies. I checked online earlier in case I didn’t feel up to making the drive back to San Antonio tonight. I can take a cab there… so maybe I will have another drink.”
She held up her empty cup, and Sean seemed happy as he accepted it and walked over to the bar. It was like he knew that her desire for another drink was also a desire to spend more time with him.
She watched him pour the whiskey, and when he returned, he sat just close enough so that their arms touched. He handed her the drink and looked into her eyes. He seemed to be searching for something.
“What?” she asked softly.
“I—I have something to tell you,” he said. “But I don’t really know where to begin.”
Delaney looked deeply into his blue eyes. She was awar
e again of the depth. His statement didn’t surprise her. She sensed that he was complex, just like she was, and she longed to understand him better.
“Go ahead,” she said gently. “I’m listening.”
Chapter 7
Sean
It’s now or never, thought Sean, as he looked into Delaney’s chestnut-brown eyes.
“It’s about… me,” he said. “And actually, a little bit about us.”
“Us?” she said.
He nodded. He felt anxious, suddenly. How would Delaney react?
He hadn’t revealed his identity to anyone for eight years. He felt safe, out on his ranch with his dogs, horses, and cows. It was simpler just to keep his distance from other people and keep his identity a secret. Safer, too. He was sure there were charges against him; if the law found out that he was Derek, he could be thrown in jail.
But this distance I’ve created—this bubble of protection—is it really what I want?
As he looked into Delaney’s eyes, he knew that he didn’t want distance from her. There was something between them—he’d sensed it all night.
I always felt like she was the one who got away, he thought, and now, I have one more chance. I’ve got to take it.
He took a breath. Then, he spoke. “I’ve been through some things, Delaney,” he said.
“Like what?” she asked.
“I… I was… in my youth….” He looked down at the drink in his hands.
He felt her hand on his thigh.
“It’s okay,” she said. “You can tell me.”
He looked up and met her eye again. She was looking at him with so much compassion.
I can trust her, he thought.
Before he could speak, he saw a look of brief understanding flit across her face.
“Does this have something to do with why you seem so… so strangely familiar to me?” she asked. “Your voice… and your eyes.” She stopped there.
He nodded. “Delaney, I used to go to high school with you. My name was Derek Bradshaw.”
She gasped, and Sean felt his heart thud in his chest. Was she about to stand up and leave?
“Derek?” She was still peering into his eyes.
