“Let’s get back on the subject, Dempsey. When are you leaving, and who will take over while you’re gone?”
“Not you? I thought you’d jump at the chance to run the whole operation.”
“Jerk.”
“Yeah, I am, especially today.”
“Every day.” Which made it difficult for her to understand why she was increasingly attracted to him. Maybe because he wouldn’t jump to her tune.
“Cluny will take over. He’s a subcontractor, but I’ll have him sign a waiver if that’ll make you feel more comfortable. He’ll have to leave now and then to attend to his own business.”
“A waiver’s not necessary. But aren’t you about to tackle the finishing work inside? That’s going to make it difficult to work around Miss Emmaline.” Grateful for not having to relocate, the old woman had not uttered a single complaint about living in the middle of a construction zone.
“I’ll take her with us. She’ll have a little vacation on the ranch while we do the work in her apartment.”
“What a good idea. I’ve lost sleep over how you were going to accomplish your final bit without disturbing her.” His concern for their old nanny touched her. He had a big soft spot for the woman. “Do you think she’ll mind?”
“Nah. She always liked my mother but wasn’t happy when I left here at sixteen to move up there. I’m sure they’ll have a good time catching up and badmouthing Dad. Mom has tons of room in the old ramshackle house she grew up in.”
“How long has she owned the ranch?”
He hesitated. “In reality I’m the legal owner. Grandad left it to me in his will with the caveat that Mom could live there for the rest of her life if she chose.”
“You own the ranch in Wyoming? How do Dylan and Donovan feel about that?”
“Except for having it available to them for family vacations, they have no interest in owning three thousand acres of Wyoming ranchland.”
Three thousand acres!
Her real estate broker’s brain went into high gear. “Three thousand acres? It must be worth millions. What do you plan to do with it?”
He shrugged. “Go back someday, I suppose. Mom has a good crew but someday she’ll get tired running all those cattle and bison.”
“Why bison?” Weren’t all the bison in Yellowstone Park?
He grinned. “They’re good to eat, Danaher. What do you think the Plains Indian tribes lived off for hundreds of years? They weren’t growing wheat.”
“Don’t be a smart aleck. How would I know? The closest I ever got to a wilderness is Sequoia and Yosemite parks.”
He snorted. “Compared to Montana and Wyoming, those parks are like downtown Denver. You really are a pampered city girl, aren’t you?”
“And you’re really a jackass, aren’t you?”
Face relaxed, Dwayne laughed. “You’re good for my black mood, Red.”
She failed to keep the smile from growing on her face and shook her head in defeat.
They ate the fast-cooling food in comfortable silence for a few minutes, then Marla said, “What about taking Amber to the dog park tomorrow? Do you think I should cancel it?”
“I hate to disappoint her. So, if it’s OK with you I’ll come along too. I need to keep an eye on her in case Francine shows up.”
“Oh. Uh, OK, sure.”
Squealing children drew their eyes to the patio. Bradley’s cake had been lighted and flamed like a small forest fire. A raucous version of Happy Birthday began. “Come on, Red. Let’s help with the chorus. I want a big slab of cake before it disappears.” He reached for her hand, and without analyzing her action, she grasped his. A melting sensation filled her middle and grew warmer when he tightened his grip and tugged her toward the crowd.
Dwayne got his big slab of cake and there still remained enough for another party. Marla gave Charlene credit for innovative thinking because she’d brought a couple dozen small cake boxes for guests to take the leftovers. Char and Donovan got busy cutting and boxing cake and stacking the boxes high on the table.
Amber whispered in Marla’s ear, “Uncle Donovan has a new girlfriend.” She pointed to him and Charlene packaging the cake. “I heard him ask her out on a rill date.”
“No kidding?” Why was she not surprised? “Where are they going?”
“They’re having a picnic in the dog park with us tomorrow, right Daddy?”
Marla blinked and stared at Dwayne.
“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” He stared back with childlike innocence.
“Duh. Why don’t I stay up all night making sandwiches? How many more did you invite, Dempsey?”
“None, and they’re bringing their own sandwiches, Red, so relax. Anyway, I think they need chaperoning, don’t you?”
“Donovan looks like he can take care of himself.”
“I don’t want Charlene taking advantage of my little brother’s broken heart.”
“What! You told me it was broken years ago.”
“Yeah, but you never know. He has PRSD.”
She scrunched her face in confusion. “Do you mean PTSD?”
“No. PRSD: Past Romance Stinks Disorder.”
Marla crossed her eyes and mouthed, Jackass.
“Uncle Donovan and his new girlfriend will be happy playing in the park with Skipper, Daddy.”
“We’ll all have fun chasing Marla’s mouse till he drops, right?”
Amber grinned and ran off to join Dylan’s kids.
“Look, the real reason I’d like Donovan along is in case Francine shows up. I could use an extra set of eyes.”
Dwayne reached to tuck an errant curl behind her ear. Heart thudding, breath caught in her throat, the warmth of his fingers coursed through her cheek and neck. His closeness threatened to unravel her composure. “I know I’m not allowed to say it, Danaher, but you’re beautiful.”
His words stole her breath. Giggling nervously, she said, “You’ve had too much beer. Let’s get some coffee.”
“I don’t drink alcohol, remember?”
Did he mean what he’d said when he’d touched her? She didn’t want to complicate her well-ordered life, to get hurt. They’d become friendlier, that’s all.
Friends? Who was she kidding? The guy had cast some sort of spell on her. Why would she want to get entangled with Dwayne Dempsey any more than she already was? He worked for her, and he had a crazy ex-wife to deal with.
She’d get a grip on her emotions, starting tomorrow.
CHAPTER TEN
Marla placed the ham and Swiss sandwiches for her and Dwayne and a PB&J for Amber in a cardboard box by her front door. As an afterthought, she dropped a handful of dog cookies on top. She returned to the kitchen for her small beverage cooler and opened it to check if she’d forgotten anything. No, it was all there, iced coffee, milk, bottled water, and two cans of Dr. Pepper.
She’d made a quick run to the store this morning to get the Dr. Pepper because she knew Dwayne preferred it. She had second thoughts about taking it. He knew she didn’t drink the vile stuff, so he’d think she’d bought it for him. That didn’t mean anything other than she was a thoughtful, considerate person, right? Her hand hovered over the cans for a couple of seconds, then she snapped the top down. He could think whatever he wanted. Why did she care?
Skipper barked at the sound of Amber’s voice calling his name. He made a skittering beeline for the front door and yipped impatiently for her to open it. Marla failed to grab Skip before he bounded out the door into Amber’s arms.
Dwayne strolled up the front walk behind Amber and grinned. “Hey, Red.”
“Hey, Dempsey.” She handed him the box with sandwiches. “I’ll get the cooler and Skipper’s harness.”
He stepped inside. “We’re a little early. I’d like Amber to use your bathroom before we leave. She was so excited to see that little rat dog of yours, I couldn’t get her to go before we left home.”
“Oh, sure. Set the box down there.” She called her dog in a sing-song v
oice, “Skipper wipper, come to Mama. I’ve got a treat for you.” The fickle mutt immediately lost interest in Amber and bounded into the house, eyes bugging with anticipation.
Dwayne placed his hand on his daughter’s head. “Let Marla show you where her bathroom is, squirt. You need to make a latrine call before we head to the park, OK?”
Amber sighed with reluctance. “Oookay.”
She took Marla’s extended hand and followed her to the guest bathroom. Marla lingered outside the door in case the child needed anything, but in reality she needed a moment to get her wits back to normal.
“Everything OK?”
She nearly jumped out of her shoes at Dwayne’s rumbling voice right behind her.
“Cripes, Dwayne, you nearly scared me to death sneaking up on me like that!” She smacked his shoulder. “Darn it!”
He laughed and rubbed his arm. “At ease, soldier. You need your hearing checked. I wasn’t sneaking, sorry.”
She closed her eyes, pressed overlapping hands on her breastbone, and willed her breathing to slow. He trailed a finger down her arm. Her eyes flew open. “What are you doing?”
“Touching you.”
“Don’t.” She leaned back against the door. Amber opened it, and Marla nearly fell on her bottom before Dwayne grabbed her and pulled her to his chest.
“Whoa there.” He stepped back. “OK?”
She nodded, mute.
“What’s wrong, Daddy?”
“Nothing, squirt. Marla stumbled. I caught her.”
“Can we go now? I want to play ball with Skippy.”
* * *
Dwayne carried the box and cooler to his truck. He lifted Amber then Skip to the backseat while Marla returned to unlock the house and retrieve a picnic blanket she’d forgotten. Was it any wonder? The shock wave that rolled over them when he’d pressed her to his chest still vibrated every muscle in his body. She’d felt it too. She could deny it all she wanted, but her face said it all.
“Got everything?” he asked when she reached the truck. He held the door open for her.
Her voice breathy, she replied, “Yes,” and stepped inside. He was rewarded with a great close-up of her butt in tight denim Capri’s. “Jesus,” he groaned.
“Did you say something?” Her suspicious brown eyes inquired from her flushed face.
“Nope.” Dwayne closed the door and rounded the front of the truck to the driver’s side. He started the engine and backed from her drive.
Marla looked over her shoulder. “Hold Skipper on your lap, honey, so he doesn’t fall if your dad has to stop fast.”
Dwayne shook his head and cast a sour look at her. “I know how to drive.” He slammed the brakes to avoid hitting a compact car that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
“I can see that.” Marla clutched the handle above the passenger window. She giggled. “Good job.”
Could this eight-minute drive to Lemon Tree Dog Park get any more awkward? At least Amber’s steady chatter to Skipper filled the truck with happy noise and gave him a chance to regain his equilibrium. It was a good thing Charlene and Donovan would also be there.
Marla pointed. “That’s Char’s car. I don’t see them, do you?” She leaned forward and craned her neck.
“They’re at the picnic table at the edge of the old lemon grove.” He tilted his head. “Over there.”
“Oh, good, they’re in the shade.”
He suspected the relief in her voice had more to do with the fact her sister and his brother were already here and less to do with the shade. “I’m going to park at the end. It’s a bit of a walk, but by the time we leave, this part of the lot will be in the direct sun. The seats will get hotter than a griddle.”
“Ah, good thinking.”
He parked and lifted Amber out of the backseat, then handed the sandwich box to Marla. “Hold on to that critter, squirt. He’s itchin’ to join those other dogs behind the fence.” Carrying the cooler in the direction of the tables, he reached for Amber’s hand and led the way.
“Wait, Dwayne.”
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “What? Did we forget something?”
“No. I’m going to let Amber take Skip inside. I need to show her how to work the gate.” She motioned for Amber to join her at the fence.
Marla pointed. “See this thing? It’s the dog park tag scanner. You need to hold Skip still in front of it for a second and the gate will unlock. See? When you go in and out you must be very careful that no other dog gets out. As soon as you’re inside, make sure it latches, then let Skipper off the leash. He’ll run and join the other dogs, but soon as he works off some of his excitement, he’ll come back to play with you. OK?”
Dwayne watched Amber nod her understanding of Marla’s instructions. His kid was smart and eager to please. He didn’t doubt she’d follow them to the letter. He couldn’t look at her without a big swell of love in his heart. God, she was beautiful, and she was his daughter.
“Have fun,” he said, “and come to the table when you get hungry.”
“OK, Daddy.” She shut the gate tight and let the dog go.
Marla joined him. “You have a very special little girl.” She bit her cheek to suppress her smile. “Hard to believe you’re her father.”
He grabbed his chest. “That hurts.”
“Uh, oh,” Marla said. “Do you see what I see?”
“If you’re referring to the unmistakable afterglow of great sex on both their faces, then yes, I see it.”
“I was afraid that would happen. Charlene is relentless when she sets her sights on a good-looking man. Poor Donovan.”
“Why poor Donovan? He looks like a satisfied and happy man to me. Why not poor Charlene?”
Marla sighed. “She tends to love ’em and leave ’em. I’d feel bad if Donovan expected her to stick.”
“Give it a rest, willya? He’s a twenty-nine year old Marine combat veteran. She’s the one you should worry about, if that’s something you feel you need to do. Why not just smile and be happy they had a great time in the sack, which it’s obvious they did?”
“Go to hell, Dempsey.” She bumped his shoulder and stormed ahead of him.
“Most likely.” He shook his head. He’d managed to get her Irish up again. He couldn’t say anything without making her mad, but he was right, damn it. She should mind her own business. As adults, Charlene and Donovan were fully capable of making their own decisions.
They reached the table to the smiles and waves of Marla’s sister and his little brother. Dwayne set down the cooler and fist-bumped Donovan. “I’m hungry, how about you guys?”
His eyes bored into Donovan’s. Dwayne tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. His brother answered the unspoken question with a barely perceptible head-shake. No sign of Francine.
Charlene grinned from ear to ear and leaned into Donovan’s shoulder. “I’m starved. We thought you’d never get here, huh, Donnie?” She gazed into his eyes and without a hint of shyness. Donovan bent to kiss her.
“Yeah,” he said when he came up for air, “we’re starved.” He gave her a squeeze and grinned at Dwayne and Marla.
Dwayne got the full meaning of his brother’s grin. “Look what I bagged, bro.” He took the sandwich box from Marla, set it on the table, and whispered in her ear, “If anyone other than your sister called him Donnie, they’d get knocked on their ass.” Then is a normal voice, he said, “Let’s eat, Red. What have you got to drink?”
He popped open the lid of the cooler. Two cans of Dr. Pepper. She cared enough to go out and buy them especially for him. Promising.
He lifted one of the cans. “Thanks, Red, very thoughtful.” Under the table he put his hand on her thigh and squeezed, then silently laughed at the blush blooming on her cheeks.
“Y-you’re welcome,” she stuttered. “I had some in the refrigerator.”
Like hell you did, gorgeous.
He left his palm on her leg. She shoved it away. He put it back.
She sto
od and said, “I have to check on Skipper.”
Charlene grinned at Dwayne when her sister walked away. “Don’t ever find yourself drowning alongside that dog, because you’d be second in line for Marla to save.”
“I get the picture.”
* * *
Grateful for Charlene’s endless chatter, Marla worked to relax, if that was even possible with Dempsey’s big warm hand on her leg. She reached under the table again and lifted it away. He squeezed her fingers and let go. She couldn’t look at him, so she nodded wide-eyed at Charlene, pretending to be interested in what she had to say.
“Then when we got to my apartment, I couldn’t find my keys. It’s not possible to lose keys between turning off the ignition of my car and walking to my front door, which can’t be more than fifteen feet from the curb, but that’s exactly what I did. You should have seen us crawling around the grass in the dark looking for them.” She giggled and gazed into Donovan’s eyes. “Right, Donnie?”
“Right, sugar.” He kissed her again.
Marla cleared her throat. “Should Dwayne and I move to another table? I get the feeling we’re intruding on a very intimate moment here.”
“Oh, lord, Marla. Don’t be a sourpuss.”
She was about to respond to her sister’s insult when Dwayne put his hand back on her leg. The retort got firmly stuck in her throat.
“Hey, why don’t we change the subject?” Dwayne suggested. “Donovan, I’m taking Amber and Miss Emmaline up to Wyoming to spend the summer at Mom’s place. I was thinking you might want to drive up with us if you have enough leave time. I know she’d love to see you.”
“It takes two days to drive each way, so I’ll have to pass. I only have three more days leave. I’ll visit the ranch this summer though. I’ve already talked to Mom about it. It’ll be great with Miss Emmaline and Amber there too. How long are you planning to stay?”
The look of relief on Char’s face when she heard him say he wouldn’t be leaving Spring Grove surprised Marla. Was it possible she cared about Donovan that much? The next few days promised to be interesting.
Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) Page 9
