“I don’t think I could have stood living here for much longer. My bear was becoming agitated. We need the freedom of the mountains.” Dylan flicked through the paperwork again, and began to reread the contract.
Grandpa sat still for a few seconds, then got up and headed for the kitchen. “Coffee? Maybe I’ll make a start on dinner.”
Dylan smiled to himself. “Coffee would be great.” Grandpa had been prowling around the apartment like a caged bear. It always took the old man a few days to settle into the beat of the city, but Dylan hoped they wouldn’t be here for that long. The offer from Thanket Holdings was still on the table, and he had phoned their CEO as soon as he reached the apartment to arrange a meeting. That was yesterday, today he had met with his lawyer, gone over the contract in great detail, and now it was up to Dylan.
One signature, and everything he had worked for over the last five years, all the long hours, the sore muscles and the financial rewards, would belong to someone else.
It was already signed and countersigned. All he had to do was hand it over.
“I’m going to take this across town,” Dylan said, entering the kitchen.
“That’s it, then? You’ve made your decisions?” Grandpa asked.
“Yes. Then I’m going to pick us up some dinner, and we are going to pack up my city life into a couple of boxes.” He looked around the apartment. “I’ll instruct someone to come in and sell the furniture.”
“What furniture? You have a bed and a sofa. No personal stuff at all.” Grandpa shook his head disapprovingly. “I’m glad you’ve decided to leave this place. Soulless, that’s what it is.”
Dylan chuckled. “What happened to all those, are you sure you want to leave and do you know what you are doing lines?”
“That was me not swaying you either way,” Grandpa said. “I can’t wait to have you home all the time. It’s where you belong.” He handed Dylan some coffee. “But I have to say, it’s done you good. You can come back to Bear Bluff and do what you want, no money worries.”
“If only I can convince Steph to accept my help.”
“She’s going to have a shock when she sees the number of zeros on the end of your bank account.”
“She’ll get used to it. It doesn’t make me a different person, not in her eyes.”
“No, she’s got your ring on her finger. Too late for her to run.” Grandpa laughed. “But I’m betting you’ll never persuade her to take your money. Not without a fight.”
“I have been giving that some thought, and I think I’ve come up with a plan.”
“Have you? Well, drink your coffee, go hand over that contract, and then we can get packing. I’m going to need an early night if I’m going to make that long drive.”
“Oh, no, Grandpa, I am feeling better, much better. You can sit in the passenger seat for this trip,” Dylan said firmly. “I’m in a rush to get back to my woman, and no offense, but you drive like a country hick.”
“That is because I am one and proud of it.” Grandpa grinned. “I’ll be glad when I’m back in Bear Bluff. I always liked coming here to see you, son, but I was always so damn glad to get home. Used to take me a week to get over thinking of you cooped up here in this concrete building, no mountains to look out on, no forest to run through.”
Dylan sighed. “I can’t wait to have some little cubs to run with.”
“They’ll come along soon enough, and when they do, I am going to enjoy teaching them all the things I taught you. A great-grandpa, never thought I’d see the day.”
Grandpa drained his cup, and put it in the sink, then he walked over to Dylan, put his scrawny arms around his big grandson and held him close. “I never had the heart to say it before, but I will now. Your parents would have been proud of you son. Real proud.”
“Thanks, Grandpa. And they would be really grateful to you for being the best role model a boy could have.”
Grandpa shook his head. “You know how many times I thought I’d failed you? When you were shut away in juvie. Damn near broke my heart all over again.”
“Past is the past,” Dylan said, kissed his grandpa on the head, and then added, “I am going. My future beckons, and the sooner I hand this over, the sooner that future can start.”
Chapter Seventeen – Steph
“Where are we going?” Kitty asked.
“I thought you deserved dinner at Svenelli’s,” Steph said, not letting on that the dinner was with Harlon. She knew for a fact her mom would talk herself out of going. “The loan money came through at last. So let’s treat ourselves. A mini celebration.”
“No. I don’t want to waste our money on food, not expensive food.” Despite her words, Kitty’s face lit up as she looked at the small, intimate restaurant as they drove past. Steph was trying to look for a space to park the old truck.
“You deserve this.”
Indicating, Steph pulled in and parked, pleased with herself, since driving the truck was probably similar to driving a tank. Not that she had ever driven one. Now the voice in her head was sounding nervous too. What if this was a big mistake, and her mom went mad and insisted they went home?
“Right. Come on.” Steph opened the door, and slid out, then went around to the passenger side and helped her mom out.
“It’s posh. I feel underdressed.” Kitty patted her hair, and then looked down at her dress, which was dated, but because she’d hardly worn it, it was immaculate. Steph could hardly ever remember her dad taking her mom out to dinner. Not even on anniversaries.
“You look great, that shade of blue suits you. You will have the eyes of every man in the place on you.”
Steph looped arms with her mom and they walked towards the restaurant, the smell of food making her mouth water. She wished she was going to eat here, but her job was to simply drop her mom off and make sure she met up with…
“Harlon!” Kitty exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Me… I…” Harlon looked at Steph, and realized Kitty had no idea she had been set up.
“Well, since you are here, why don’t you join us, unless you’re waiting for someone?” Steph winked at Harlon, who recovered himself well.
“No, I was just going to have dinner here.” He smiled at Kitty. “I’d love to not have to eat alone. It always makes me look like a sad old man. Would you mind if I joined you?”
“Err. No, if it’s all right with Steph, then we can ask them to add an extra seat at the table. You have booked, haven’t you, Steph?” Kitty looked at her daughter, face flushed with excitement.
“I did.” Steph nodded. “Shall we go in?”
Harlon held the door open, and the three of them went in. “Shall I check the reservation?” Harlon asked.
“Yes. Thanks. Oh, that’s my phone. One second.” Steph pretended to answer her phone, trying not to let her mom catch her eye. “Bad reception. I’ll just be outside.” She waved her hand, slipped outside, moving out of view, and then texted her mom.
Have fun. Enjoy yourself. And don’t hate me for setting you up with Harlon. You deserve a second chance. We all do x
Job done, she headed back to the truck, climbing in and waiting for her mom to reply. If she wanted to leave, Steph would take her home and they could grab Chinese food on the way. But Steph really hoped her mom would stay and enjoy the evening with Harlon.
When her phone eventually beeped, she picked it up nervously, scrolling through to the text. It simply said—Thank you. I would never have accepted a date with Harlon. But now I’m here… you are right, I do deserve it x
Steph smiled, her throat tightening and she fought to keep her tears from erupting. She had to keep it together. In answer to her mom’s text, she texted—If you need a ride home, let me know oxox
Ok, so now what do we do with ourselves for the next few hours? she asked her bear.
There’s a big mountain that we could run on, her bear answered.
Why not?
The evening was warm for the time of year, an
d the leaves were beginning to fall to the ground, making a carpet of crispness that was fun to run through and roll in. Even better if you had someone there to enjoy it with.
She took out her phone, and looked at it, trying to decide if she should call Dylan. Steph had promised herself she wouldn’t be one of those needy women who texted for updates all the time. He had gone to the city to finish up his business, and if she kept pestering him, that was just going to take longer. Which was exactly the opposite of what she wanted.
“Maybe a text,” she said to herself.
Hey, how’s it going? Wondering if you were nearly finished there. And when you might be home x
For five long minutes she stared at her phone. Knowing he might be busy, and if she stayed there sitting in the truck much longer she was going to begin to look like she was acting suspiciously, she turned on the engine. Just as a text came through.
Going good. Where are you? oxox
She replied—In town. Mom on a date. Heading home now. After a moment’s hesitation, she added—oxox
A date! Seems a shame to waste an empty house. See you there in five minutes oxox
What did that mean?
He’s going to meet us at the farm, her bear told her, speaking slowly as if Steph was stupid.
But he’s still in the city.
Well, unless he can fly super-fast, he must have driven back already. Her bear sounded very pleased, and Steph knew exactly how she felt.
Pulling out onto the quiet road, she headed back to the farm, trying not to speed. The excitement building up in her was almost unbearable, she wanted to see him so much, and she kept looking at the ring on her finger as if to remind herself this was real. Dylan was real and would meet her soon.
He sounded happy, and relaxed. That meant he’d settled everything in the city and was moving back here for good. Didn’t it?
Only one way she would know for sure.
Out on the back roads, she put her foot down on the accelerator a little bit more. She still wasn’t speeding, that was next to impossible in the old truck. Steph just hoped the vehicle wouldn’t give up on her now.
The night gathered in around Steph and she switched her headlights on, letting the big lights illuminate the road. A road she had traveled so many times. So familiar and yet the feeling inside her was new; her love for Dylan was new.
Love. That crazy word she had never expected to feel, because she never wanted to feel pinned down, never wanted a man to tell her what to do. Dylan wasn’t like that; they would be equals.
Apart from the one thing that bothered her. She was broke. Worse. In debt. While Dylan was rich, according to Harlon, and Harlon did not seem to be the kind of man who would get anything wrong where money was concerned.
A left turn off the road, and she was heading up the drive to the farmhouse. There was her mom’s old car parked in front of the house. No sign of Dylan. Her heart beat rapidly, and she had a horrible feeling something had happened to him, that happiness was going to be snatched away at the last possible moment.
She parked her truck next to the car, and got out, looking around for him. Still she could not see him. But she could sense him. Letting her inner bear guide her, she went around the side of the house. There he was. Blankets and pillows had replaced the lawn chairs.
“I also have champagne.”
“You did all this in the last five minutes?” she asked.
“No. I was already here; I came straight over as soon as we got back. It was supposed to be a surprise, but you weren’t here. I was just about to call you when I received your text. I brought the champagne with me, and the blankets and things are from my old apartment, I thought you could use them in some of the guest bedrooms when you are ready to open.”
She smiled. “Old apartment. I like the sound of that.”
“It is old, and soon to be sold.” He grinned and set about opening the champagne. “We brought everything I wanted to keep back with us. Including a nice big lump of cash.”
The champagne cork exploded, and he poured the fizzy liquid into glasses. Setting the bottle down, he passed her a glass, and stood in front of her, with his glass raised. “Here’s to us, Stephanie Summerfield.”
“To us.” She touched her glass to his, and then took a sip. “Bad boy made good.”
Dylan nearly choked on his champagne. “Where did you hear that?”
“We went to visit the local bank manager. Harlon Reddick. He asked whom I was engaged to, and when I told him, he said he had read an article about you. Bad Boy Made Good. I went to the local library while you were gone and looked it up.”
Dylan blushed. “So you know all my life story now?”
“Only the past. It’s the future I’m looking forward to learning about.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.
“So you know my secret?” He looked at her nervously.
“It’s not exactly a bad secret, is it?” she asked, watching his face. “There are worse things.”
“Is this where you tell me you are already married and have five kids?” he asked, kissing her cheek. The nearness of him had a more intoxicating effect than the champagne.
“No. I know I’m a little curvy…”
“In all the right place.” He kissed her neck, his hand covering her right breast. “But I am not complaining.”
“But I have not had five kids.” She gulped her champagne down, not the best idea when the bubbles fizzed into her nose.
“Let me take that from you,” he said, and reached out for her champagne glass, placing it down next to the bottle, and then leading her to the blankets, and sitting down, Steph sat next to him. “That’s better. Now, it’s my turn to make love to you.”
“So you’ve healed?”
“Completely,” he said, undoing his shirt and stripping it off so she could inspect his ribs. “I’m tough.”
“Not all the way through,” she said, leaning down and kissing him where the bruise had been. “Which I like. Bad boys are not my idea of a mate. I want the father of my children to be there for them, to play chase with them, and to run over the mountain with them.”
“While my wife stays home and does all the work,” he said.
“I thought I was going to be a kept woman?” she asked.
He pulled back, his voice serious when he said, “If that is what you want.”
She sat back. “It’s not what I want.” She shook her head. “But there is something I do want to ask you.”
“Go ahead.” He stroked her back, soothing her as if she was a child, and she tried to put her deepest desire into words that wouldn’t offend him. “I love you, whether you say yes or no. We’re mates.”
“This sounds serious.”
“It is.” She took his hand and placed it in her lap, palm upwards, and she traced the lines there as she plucked up the courage to ask. “My brother took a loan out on the farm.”
“How big?”
“Ten thousand.” She looked away, to where the moon was coming up over the lake. Just as Dylan had said, this was the perfect spot to sit on an evening.
“How? I thought the farm belonged to your mom?”
“It does. He must have forged her signature.” She shook her head again. “I’m not sure how, but it doesn’t matter.” She took a breath. “While you were away, we went to see the local bank manager. He has a thing for my mom.”
“The hot date?”
“Yes. I tricked her… But yes.”
“She deserves to be happy.”
“That’s what I told her.” She turned to Dylan, cupping his face in her hands. “And so, as a gift to me. Would you pay off the loan? We can pay you back. I wouldn’t ask, but if something did happen with Harlon and my mom, I would hate for us failing to make the interest payments to destroy their relationship.” She said it so fast, she was breathless by the end of the sentence. “I hate to ask you.”
He stroked her hair, and then leaned in to kiss her. “I want you to have the money. Not a
loan, I don’t want it back. It’s yours.”
“No, a loan,” she insisted.
“No loan. A dowry,” he said brightly. “I am paying for the privilege of having you as my wife.”
“Gee, that makes it sound so much more romantic.” But secretly, she wanted to be able to set her mom up with some security. She would get an income from the farm, enough to live on and then be able to make her own decisions.
“All the romance. That’s me.”
“You sell yourself short,” she said, kissing him on the lips.
“I am not short,” he said, grabbing her and turning her onto her back. “I am very long.”
She giggled as he undid his pants, and stripped them off. “OK, you’ve proved your point.”
“Oh no, I think you need some real, physical proof.” Hovering over her body, he slid his hand down her thigh and pulled up her skirt.
“Out here?” she squeaked.
“Under the light of the moon,” he said and pulled her panties aside, guiding himself into her, filling her with his hard length.
“Definitely not short,” she gasped as he impaled her. “But feel free to go on proving it over and over.”
Chapter Eighteen – Dylan
She made him happy. Yes, he loved her, and wanted her. But that could all be wrapped up in the way the mating bond made him need her. However, the happiness he felt when he was around her, that was all her. That was all Stephanie Summerfield. His soon-to-be-wife.
While he was away, he had discussed weddings with Grandpa, and Dylan had come to the conclusion there was no point waiting. He was sure Steph would feel the same way, because once they were married he could make love to her every night, or every day. Heck, he could make love to her all night and all day. Anywhere.
They fit together so damn right! He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of thrusting back inside her, feeling her tight inner muscles grip him. Pausing for a second to enjoy her fully, he then flexed his hips, the friction of skin on skin incredible as he pulled back out slowly.
Steph’s lips pressed against his chest, her tongue flicking out to leave a trail of fire across his skin. Dylan opened his eyes, and shifted his weight, his right hand going around the nape of her neck and tilting her head back so he could kiss her mouth, savoring the taste of her.
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