“Did he hurt you, Sofie?”
“Never physically. But emotional pain and control is just as bad sometimes.”
Dan knelt beside her and placed a hand over hers on her stomach. “I am so sorry. No one should have to go through any type of abuse. Especially at the hands of someone they love and counted on to love them back. Unconditionally.”
“I suppose you think I’m naive for falling for someone like that.” Lord knows she’d blamed herself enough over it.
He squeezed her hand. “Never. Men like him are masters at putting on the perfect front.”
Sofie gave a harsh laugh. “That was Brent to a T. He’s a local politician, and everything was for the picture presented to the world. To his potential constituents. Every decision he made for me, he backed with ‘think of how this looks to everyone.’ I wanted so desperately to please him that I measured every outing, every conversation with ‘What would Brent do or say?’”
She rubbed her belly. “He never wanted children, said they couldn’t be controlled.” She snorted. “Lord, that was such a sign.” She met his gaze. “And once I refused to get rid of the baby, I was useless to him and his future.”
Dan stared, searching her face, his grip over her fingers tightening and releasing but never causing any pain. He seemed to want to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“Can he…I mean, does he have any claim to…?”
She cradled her stomach. “The baby’s mine. He signed over all rights. When I promised to not make a scene, he promised to never bother me again. He can’t control me or my son any longer.”
Dan laid his head beside her on the couch. “Sofie, God, you’re so strong. I knew the night we met that something had sent you running. But never could I have imagined it was something like this. I’m so sorry.”
The heat that warmed her had nothing to do with the roaring fire and everything to do with the man before her. She debated for all of a second before she ran her fingers through his hair. Silky curls slipped across her pale fingers. “It wasn’t yours or anyone else’s fault but his. I know that. I’ve known it practically from the moment I realized what was happening. I’m lucky in that, once I let the illusion of ‘I can change him or change this’ fall, I recognized how controlling he was, and then I made plans to get out. Once he understood I wasn’t going to be his docile trophy wife any longer, he let me go rather than have a big fuss ruining his aspirations. I waited around long enough for both the divorce and paperwork for my son to be legal, and then I left. I had the support of friends who had been observant enough to help me see what was happening and who sheltered me until everything was final. I know not all women are as lucky as I am. Brent was a man who cared more about himself and his future than controlling me and mine.”
She let him digest that. Her fingers moving over and over his scalp. The connection between them suddenly fused. The problem was their paths were going in different directions. She was about to have a baby, and she had a responsibility to him to not start something with a virtual stranger. What if things didn’t work out? Not to mention the stress of a newborn probably wasn’t great for a new relationship. Dan deserved to find the happiness he was looking for.
Eventually Dan pushed up and away. “I should get you home. Can’t have Shelby knocking down my door wondering what I’m doing with you.”
Sofie ignored his loss, his warmth, and their connection. The feel of his hair still lingered on her fingertips. “Shelby? She wouldn’t…would she?”
Dan cocked his head. “You have met Shelby, right?”
Sofie chuckled and let Dan help her up off the sofa. They stood there, close, or as close as they could get with her massive belly between them. He searched her eyes and then leaned forward and brushed a simple kiss on her lips.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
She cupped his cheek. “Thank you for being worthy of the trust.”
…
Dan let himself back in his cabin and leaned against the door. The walk back to Sofie’s room had been full of inconsequential chitchat. Her asking superficial questions about the ranch, and him answering with a joke about her Yankee ways. But he couldn’t get the moment of confessions—from both of them—out of his mind, and he imagined neither could she. Or the moment when their lips met, no matter how chaste the intent.
He shut the lights off and headed up to his room. Stripping down to his boxers and donning a pair of almost-clean sweats from the floor, he slid between the sheets and lay with his arms crossed behind his head. He hadn’t lied to her. He knew she’d been running from something, but he hadn’t expected anything like she’d told him. He hadn’t wanted to consider it.
The anger that roiled through him was unprecedented. It pulsed through him until every nerve urged him to act in defense of the amazing woman he’d come to know. Nothing, not even his own issue with his parents and upbringing, had caused such a visceral reaction. But this was a woman he had no claim to. A woman who was intent on forging her own way and would never need someone like him to support her. Thank God this ex dipshit of hers was clear across the country.
His phone whistled, and he rolled over to the nightstand to see who was bothering him this late. Shelby, of course.
Take tomorrow and show Sofie some more sights. But maybe have her back sooner.
Dan fired off a salute and laughed. Forever matchmaking, Shelby was. He would do as he was told, but not because he held any illusions about a future with Sofie, even if the memory of her lips lingered on his. And the swell of her stomach and her waddle warmed his heart more than seeing a horse born or a sunset glittering over the lake. No, he would do it because Sofie deserved a nice time. Time free from worries as she settled into her new town. Before she gave birth and all her priorities shifted.
That was the key thing to remember. If Sofie was hell-bent on going it alone and he were staying in Fly Creek, they might have stood a small chance. But throw in her baby, and her focus would and should be on her son, to the detriment of all and anyone else.
He shouldn’t be jealous of an unborn baby. But he also wasn’t going to lie to himself. He knew if the baby wasn’t a part of their equation, there might be the smallest glimmer of hope.
But he wasn’t a bastard, and he would do everything he could to help Sofie until Emily got back. Then he could move on, at least satisfied that Dependable Dan had once again done the right thing.
Another whistle.
Thank you.
A smile erupted across his face. Sofie.
My pleasure. Goodnight.
She responded with a GIF of a woman collapsing on a bed. A simple pleasure in a simple exchange. Man, her ex really was a dumb asshat.
He dropped his phone on the nightstand and turned onto his side. Asshat or not, Sofie was here for her fresh start in Fly Creek because of him. While he would like to acquaint the man with the front side of his fist, a very small part of him was grateful he was such a dip wad. Now Sofie stood a chance of finding love with someone who would worship her and treat her with the respect and care she deserved.
Shame it won’t be me.
The next morning, Dan met Sofie as she was coming down the main stairs.
“My, a girl could get use to this type of escort.”
He tipped his hat and bowed. “Entirely my pleasure. I thought I’d take you into town and we can grab a bite at the Wagon Train.”
Sofie looked around. “Isn’t that, like, breaking a rule or something?”
Dan led her to the doors, his palm burning against the small of her back. He adjusted his stride to meet her much more uneven one. “Only rule in Fly Creek is to eat. No guidelines on what and where, although I am partial to a few places and I would be happy to show them to you. After breakfast.”
“Lead on, cowboy.”
Once settled inside the Wagon Train, Dan watched in amuse
ment as Sofie turned Toby, the waiter, inside out between her smiles and the eighty questions about food and requests for everything on the side.
“Mr. Rigby?”
“Hey, Toby. I’ll have the miner’s breakfast and coffee.”
Sofie stared at him with wide eyes.
“No problem. Be back in a jiffy.”
“What?” Dan asked her, clasping his hands in front of him.
“Your order. It was so simple.”
“Food is simple. Meat, eggs, potatoes, toast. Pretty simple breakfast if you ask me.”
A blush crept across her cheeks. “I suppose I’m used to everyone needing to know where everything came from and asking for crazy exotic things on the side or mixed in. You know, appearances. I doubt they actually gave a fig.”
“Hey, no need to explain. As long as you ordered what you wanted, who cares?”
She slumped back against the bench. “That’s just it. I’m not sure I did.”
He wondered why this was such a big deal to her. He’d never seen her so uncertain. “What do you want, Sofie?”
“Chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream. Hot chocolate. Sausage links and maple syrup. Oh, and a hard-boiled egg.” She covered her mouth on an “oh,” the befuddlement absolutely adorable on her face. Had no one ever asked her what she wanted before?
Dan slapped his hand on the table and went up to the counter. He spoke with Toby and waved to Wanda, the cook.
“Done.” He slid back into the booth.
“Thank you.” But the surprise on her face quickly turned to disappointment.
“What? Change your mind? I can fix it.”
She shook her head, the dark strands falling in front of her face. “No. It’s just that I should have done it. I should have spoken up and fixed it myself.”
He reached across and covered her trembling hands. “Hey. It will take time. Look at how far you’ve come. I mean, Royce isn’t going to trick you twice.”
She managed a weak smile after that and shrugged.
“Now buck up, cowgirl, we got a long day ahead of us. I thought we would start with some boots.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“No, ma’am. The only thing I have to do today is continue to show you a good time. Shelby’s orders.”
Their drinks arrived, and Sofie eyed him over the white rim of her mug. He could see the questions and concerns still lingering in her eyes. He would have to be careful not to step on her toes any more than necessary. Clearly he hadn’t realized the depth that she blamed herself or the need she had to redeem herself.
They stepped outside, the weak Wyoming sun doing its best to warm them up. “So what’s on the agenda?”
“I thought I would show you around. Let you get to know some of the town and the residents.” He met her gaze. “I mean, that is, if you want. I’m not presuming you plan on staying here.”
“Presume away. No plans to leave any time soon.” She rubbed her belly. “I may still have about a month left, but no way am I tempting fate. I’ll probably end up stuck with a herd of moose next.”
Dan laughed. “Moose don’t move in herds.”
“Really, that’s your response?”
He slung an arm around her shoulder. “Hey, honey, you want to fit in, you better learn your animals and your terms.”
She pretended to hit his side and laughed. “I suppose I have to rely on your teachings. Don’t steer me wrong.”
“Are you kidding? I’m Dependable Dan. I’ve never steered anyone wrong in my life.”
“So what’s up first? Fringe, a hat, some turquoise, maybe?”
Dan snorted. “Woman, you’ve been watching way too much TV. Look around. Do you see fringe?”
“Dan Rigby!”
They both turned, and Sofie burst out laughing. Polly Brooks was making a beeline for them, and she was decked out in head-to-toe turquoise and orange, complete with fringe on every available surface.
Dan tipped his hat on an inward groan. Polly Brooks was trouble wrapped up in a seventy-year-old body. Worse, she was sidekick to Shelby. Nothing good came out of being hailed by Polly Brooks on a Fly Creek sidewalk.
Sofie was still beside him, giggling but doing her best to hide it. Hard when every movement reverberated down her adorably large belly. “Is that the woman from the saddle races?”
He nodded just before Polly arrived.
“I need a favor, Dan, and Shelby mentioned you were the perfect one for the job.”
Polly smiled, and the sun flashed from the silver dangling from her ears. He closed his eyes, already regretting the words about to come out of his mouth. The same game was played out every year. He actually thought he would escape this charade in leaving, but apparently, even the cows were in Polly’s pockets.
“What can I do for you?”
Polly’s gaze shifted to Sofie. “You must be Emily’s sister, Sofie. My, my, you’re a tiny thing, well, except for the beach ball you’re carrying around.”
Dan glanced at Sofie, who wore the “there’s an old woman in front of me that I don’t know what to do with” look. Standard for any first-time encounter with Polly Brooks.
“Don’t worry, dear. You’ll get used to me. They all do.” She wrapped her bird-like fingers around his wrist. “I need you to play for the show Saturday.”
“Play?” Sofie questioned.
“Why yes, dear, your escort here’s very accomplished at all things with strings.”
“Polly, I don’t know—”
“Oh, of course you do. We both know you’ll say yes. You would never let the town down. I mean, no Christmas show…why, Fly Creek hasn’t missed a Christmas show since…well, not in all my years.”
“And just how many years would that be?” Sofie asked innocently.
Polly gawked, then burst out laughing, much to the shock of the residents giving their little trio a wide berth on the street. “Well done, Sofie. You’ll fit right in here in Fly Creek.”
Polly smiled and walked right by, Dan never having given his agreement. She was right, though. He wouldn’t let the town down. The weight of his dependability settled on his shoulders, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Would it have been so much to ask rather than state?
“Practice tomorrow at five. Shelby has already excused you,” Polly said over her shoulder as her feet carried her and ten pounds of fringe off as fast as they could.
…
Sofie watched the bizarre yet lovable woman move away and inwardly cringed for her escort. There had been no maneuver. No real request, actually. The tension slid into his frame, and she could feel the rebellion building in him. This wasn’t the need he’d describe to her last night. This was plain taken for granted because… What did he say? That’s what he always did. He was a rescuer. She frowned. He’d rescued her, even. Was rescuing her now from unfamiliarity and probably boredom. She could totally see how that would weigh heavy on someone’s soul, even if they were a kind generous giver like Dan.
“So you play strings, huh?”
He shrugged and adjusted his hat. “A little.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re being modest?”
He tapped her nose. “Why do I get the feeling that if we stand here any longer, more residents of Fly Creek are going to descend?”
Sofie glanced around in horror. She still hadn’t recovered from Polly, someone she vaguely remembered Emily telling her about. Although, she’d assumed her sister’s stories were an exaggeration. Not at all. In fact, they may have been under embellished.
“Let’s go.”
As they drove through Fly Creek and the surrounding areas, Dan shared snippets and stories about residents and history, but Sofie was totally aware they were never really about him. She wanted to know more about this white knight who everyone depended on. Who women seemed t
o covertly ogle, even as their target was blissfully unaware. Who she now agreed with her sister was the perfect catch, even if he wasn’t her catch.
She figured now was as good as time as any to investigate.
“Did you grow up here?”
He nodded, but she didn’t miss the tightening of his knuckles on the steering wheel.
“Is your family still around?”
He took a turn, and they winded their way through a huge lane of trees. “I told you, I don’t really have family. I think I have relatives in the state, but not around here.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he snapped, and his shoulders drooped. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. You’re being genuinely interested, and it’s not fair for me to throw my family issues onto you.”
He pulled into a little cutout and shifted into park. When he turned in his seat, she met his gaze and waited. She had no idea why him sharing this part of himself with her was so important. They weren’t anything to one another, and yet, at that moment, she craved to know this man more. To see what drove him and what built him into the generous person he was.
“My parents were the type of people who should have never been allowed to have kids. Thankfully, I was it. They stopped after me, and that’s a blessing to this day.” He shifted so he was staring outside the window and sighed. “Long story short, Shelby and Fly Creek learned of the situation I was in and basically removed me from it. Was it legal? Who the heck knows, but I do know my parents never fought it, and to this day continue their self-destruction.”
“Dan, I am so sorry. I cannot imagine what it’s like to grow up without two loving parents.” Hers might be exasperating, and these days more often than not off on some travel adventure, but she’d always known she was loved.
He smiled. “But don’t you see, I did grow up that way. Shelby and Mitchum took me in and raised me alongside their son, Ryder. They loved and cared for me as their own. I really have been blessed in life.”
“And yet you want to leave that?” She tried to ask as unemotionally as possible. She’d understood his reasoning last night, but seeing him in the town, seeing how people reacted to and embraced him, made for a paradoxical statement.
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