Dearest Cowboys Box Set

by Mia Brown

  “Will? This is a surprise. What are you doing here?” I asked. It really was always a nice surprise to see Will. I wished the two of us had stayed more in touch when I had left to study, but it was good that we were bumping into each other so much now. He was one of those people who you couldn’t help but feel good around.

  “Dallas? I thought you seemed familiar. I think I need to get my eyes checked because I had no idea who you were until you got close.” This made a lot of sense to me now. I had wondered why he was squinting my way as he walked toward me. I had always liked a man who wore glasses, I thought and wondered if I could ever like Will as more than a friend. Perhaps. Perhaps.

  “The two of you know each other?” the owner asked. I realized that I had no idea what his name was but I felt as if it was too late to ask him. Hopefully Will would throw it into conversation to make my life easier. I usually had a system where I would ask someone their name and repeat it back to them, that way it would stay in my memory. But with Tyler rushing off I had too much on my mind to do so. Also, I wasn’t even sure if the man had even told me his name.

  “We do. We go way back,” Will said.

  “Small world. I guess that’s how it is in the horse business. We all have a tendency to know each other. We’ve all got that connection with one another. Well, I’m going to be hanging around the horses if you need any help,” he said.

  The moment he walked away I whispered. “What’s his name?”

  Will laughed. “It’s Billy.”

  “Okay thank you. I realized I didn’t know and I thought it was too rude for me to ask him now. I didn’t want it to get awkward. Although, I’m not sure if he knows my name either. Maybe that’s why he walked away. So, what are you doing here? I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

  “Oh, I’m interested in adopting some horses. I thought it would be a good idea to add a few more to my troop. I heard good things about this guy. He knows how to look after the horses and he has a heart of gold. I wouldn’t want to adopt from anyone else if I’m to be honest. It’s so nice to meet someone who really cares. So many people think they want a horse and then realize it’s too much work for them. Then instead of selling the horses they keep them and barely look after them. It drives me insane. It’s not fair at all. Oh, sorry, I’m ranting and raving here.”

  I smiled. “No reason to apologize. That sort of things drives me just as crazy too.”

  “Yeah, I figured you would understand. How about you? What brings you here? Are also thinking of getting some?”

  “Oh no, I would love to but I just don’t have the space. That’s a dream for the future though. I’m actually here on behalf of Tyler. His family is also keen on adopting a few. They asked me to come through and make sure that the horses were healthy. You know, with that virus going around they didn’t want to take a chance.”

  “I don’t blame them. Man, that virus was bad, huh? I am so lucky that my horses have managed to avoid it. I’ve heard some horrible stories. I’ve been so nervous about it. I’ve been checking my horses a few times to a day to make sure they’re okay. How about Tyler? Did any of his get it?”

  “Just the one, but he seems to be making a full recovery. He’s a great horse. He’s been through a lot so I’m glad he was able to recover from this quickly.”

  “Thanks to you, I’m sure,” he said with a smile that made me wonder if he was flirting with me. It was hard to tell with Will. Even back in school people would tell me that he was flirting but I could never tell for certain. Will was just nice to people and that was very different to flirting. Either that, or I was completely blind to things like this.

  “Oh, it was nothing. I just managed to get it in time. That’s all.”

  “I don’t know so much, Dallas. You should think more highly of yourself. If it wasn’t for you I doubt that horse would’ve gotten better. You know what you’re doing.”

  I blushed. “Well, thank you. That’s nice of you to say.”

  “Hey, isn’t that Blaze?” Tyler said as he pointed into the distance. “Or is it Tyler? Man I need glasses.”

  I turned to see where he was pointing and groaned when I saw Blaze walking toward us. Although, he really did look gorgeous. He was back to wearing his annoying suit, but he still had that cowboy hat on that he wore so well. Between him and Will I was one lucky lady. I definitely would’ve thought that Will was the better looking guy but now that I was comparing the two of them together I had to admit that Blaze was more my type. I didn’t realize I even had a type up until now, but there was something about Blaze’s ruggedness that sent shivers down my spine. Of course, thinking this just annoyed me. I didn’t want to like Blaze. Will was the better option and it was about time that the nice guy came first.

  “Where’s Tyler?” Blaze asked when he got nearer to us.

  “Well, hello to you too,” I said. Man he could be rude. He was definitely only my type when it came to his outward appearance. His insides were all rotten. It didn’t matter how good looking he was. I could never be with a man like that.

  He shook his head. “Sorry, I was supposed to meet Tyler here. I wasn’t expecting anyone else. Uh, hi Will.” I could tell straight away that Blaze didn’t like Will which was somewhat crazy considering what a nice guy Will was. I couldn’t imagine even one reason for someone not liking him. Then again, Blaze probably didn’t like any men.

  Will didn’t seem to notice though. He stuck out his hand. “Good to see you again, Blaze.”

  “Tyler around?” Blaze asked as he looked around.

  “He had to rush off. It doesn’t really matter though. I know what I’m looking for so I didn’t really need him here.”

  “Seriously?” Blaze said. “He just took off without saying anything to me? That guy is so bad at communicating. He could’ve at least said something to me.”

  “Well, sorry about that,” I said. “But don’t worry about it. Like I said already, I’ve got it under control.”

  “So, Blaze, how’s life been treating you?” Will asked. It was interesting to see the contrast of Blaze and Will together. It made me realize what a sweet guy Will was and what a grumpy man Blaze was.

  “Fine,” Blaze said gruffly. “You? What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, I’m here to see on some horses. I might be adopting some. Oh, Billy is calling me over. Well, it was good to see you both again. Dallas, I’m sure we’ll chat soon,” he said and walked off.

  “So, you really have things under control?” Blaze asked.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. “Yes I do. I always have things under control.”

  “Is that so? So, does that mean you’re the sort of person who has to live by routine and order? Are you not spontaneous?”

  I laughed. “I’m spontaneous when I want to be. Anyway, you don’t have to hang around. I’ve already got things under control.”

  “Yeah, I could see that.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “You and your boyfriend seem to be doing just fine,” he said.

  “My boyfriend? Oh, you mean Will? He’s not my boyfriend. Unless you mean Billy, because I do happen to like older men.”

  Will chose that moment to come over. He had chosen his horses and was heading home. I was glad he hadn’t heard the comment from Blaze, and as I leaned over to give him a hug goodbye I wondered what he really would be like as a boyfriend. Will ticked all the right boxes. He was good looking, smart, kind, and just a very genuine guy. Yet, there was no spark. Even the hug hadn’t brought on anything.

  “Good to see you again,” I said to him as we parted. Will shook hands with a very reluctant Blaze and then left.

  “Hi, I’m Billy,” Billy said to Blaze as he joined us. “Are you also here to check on the horses? I’m getting quite the crowd today.”

  “No, I’m Tyler’s brother. I was supposed to meet him here but instead I have to deal with this charming lady,” he said sarcastically.

  “You really don’t have to
deal with me,” I said rudely. “Like I said, I’ve got this under control, and I think I know a bit more about horses than you do.”

  “Are you kidding me? I grew up with horses my whole life. I think that qualifies me as knowing more than you,” he said.

  “Look at you. You’re wearing a ridiculous suit. You are a lawyer. You left this world for a reason. Your qualifications are no longer valid I’m afraid.”

  Billy burst out laughing and we both turned to look at him in surprise. I think we both had forgotten that Billy was even there in the first place and I could feel my face getting hot.

  “What’s so funny?” Blaze asked him.

  “The two of you are hilarious. You remind me so much of my wife and I. Well, when she was still alive of course. Always bickering and yet completely in love. You’re like an old married couple already.”

  “We’re not together!” I said a little too loudly.

  Billy looked at me to see if I was joking and then shook his head in surprise. “Really? Wow. You could’ve fooled me.”

  Sixteen

  Blaze

  I was sitting at home, cradling a cold beer and wondering what I was going to eat that night. I wished I had thought of going to see my parents as my mother would’ve fed me for days. But it was already getting late and I didn’t want to spring it on her. She wouldn’t mind but I would feel bad. Also, I was old enough to be able to fend for myself. I got up and opened the fridge, but there was very little to make. I opened the freezer, but even that looked bare. I really needed to sort my life out. It amazed me how I could be doing so well in my career but so poor in my personal life. I gazed around my apartment and sighed. I had chosen a rather expensive place, but it felt more like a house than a home. My mother had been horrified when she’d come to visit, and asked me where all the framed photos were, or where the plants were, or the cushions, or the personal touches that she was always so proud of in her own home. It was probably why they barely came to visit. They were always asking me to come over to the ranch. I didn’t complain. Truth was that I preferred it at the ranch anyway. Where had I gone wrong in my life? While there were many things I could be proud of, I knew that I could do more. I was lonely, even if I didn’t want to admit it.

  The thought of being lonely suddenly made me not want to be at home anymore. I wanted to get out and to have some sort of distraction from this life I had created. I thought of Mary and wondered how different my life would’ve been if I had followed her to Paris, but I was glad that I hadn’t done it. I would’ve been miserable. Then I thought of Dallas. I shouldn’t have gotten so annoyed with her today. I felt awful about it. After that Billy guy had mistaken us for a couple the two of us had swiftly parted ways. I wasn’t even sure why I had been so strange toward her, but I assumed it was because I had seen her chatting so amiably with another man. A man who she probably thought those flowers were from. Did Will like her? Worst, did she like Will? I couldn’t tell from their interaction. They were definitely close but it was hard to tell if there was anything more. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with her though. She had done absolutely nothing wrong. No wonder she hated me so much. Not only was I sticking up for Steve and trying to get her evicted but I was treating her badly. She didn’t deserve that. I needed to make amends. I peered into the fridge again. I also needed food.

  I grabbed my coat and headed straight to the pizza place down the road. It was both a blessing and a curse that I lived so close to this place, and I found myself there far too often. When I arrived Tom smiled at me. Tom had been working at this pizza place ever since I moved into my apartment and he knew me well. I often wondered what he thought of me. I tried to give people the impression that I was this big shot lawyer with heaps of confidence, but the fact that I always came in alone didn’t do much to help with the look I was going for.

  “Blaze. The same?” he said.

  I chuckled. “Make it two.”

  “Ooh, you have company do you?” he asked.

  “Something like that.” It annoyed that I was so pleased by this. Why should I care what some guy at a pizza place thought of me. And yet. I did. I cared. I cared far too much.

  I wasn’t sure how Dallas was going to receive me, but I figured it would be better if I arrived with food then if I arrived empty handed. I thought of also getting flowers but knew that would be pushing it. She didn’t know those flowers were from me and I wasn’t sure how much I wanted her to know just yet. It still didn’t feel like the right time to tell her. I had never been to her house but I knew exactly where she lived. Although it was going to make me sound like a bit of a creep if she discovered how I had found out. I had researched so much on Dallas because of the Steve case that I had learnt a few things about her that probably had nothing to do with the case. The one was her current home, which unfortunately for her, Steve was also the landlord of. Thankfully he had no interest in her house, and only wanted the big building where she did her practice. Losing your office was one thing. Losing your home was another thing altogether.

  I parked my car and looked at her house in trepidation. What was I doing? Was I really going to just knock on her door? Did I really think she would let me in after the way I had treated her today? I sighed. It was worth a try. I hadn’t come all this way for nothing. I grabbed the pizzas and made my way to her front door, and knocked. I inhaled deeply and hoped that she didn’t have company. I was going to look very stupid if she opened the door and I saw another man with her. I glanced around but didn’t see any cars around other than hers. Hopefully it would all be fine. If Will was there than I supposed I would know exactly where I stood with her.

  When Dallas opened the door she was wearing only her pajamas and she looked adorable. I could tell that she didn’t have a bra on underneath the pajama top and I forced myself to look away. Dammit, why did she have to be so pretty? I could see the slight raise of her nipple and it was taking all of my might to reach out and pull her shirt off. Was she doing this on purpose? Of course not. She didn’t know I was coming over.

  “Blaze? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “Uh, hi,” I said awkwardly. “No, nothing is wrong. I’m here bearing gifts.”

  She frowned. “Gifts? What do you mean?”

  I held up the boxes. “Pizza.”

  “You bought me pizza? Why?”

  “I bought us pizza,” I said with what I hoped was my most charming smile.

  “I’m confused. Why are you here? And how did you know where I lived?”

  “Uh, I just knew. And I’m here to say sorry about earlier. Also, I was starving so I went out to get pizza and figured you might want one. Trust me, this place makes the most delicious pizza in the world. They’re also right by my place which is both wonderful and awful.” I stopped when I realized I was babbling like an idiot. I didn’t like being so out of control but Dallas just had that effect on me.

  Dallas stared at the pizza and then back at me, as if trying to decide what to do. The pizza smelled delicious, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she grabbed the box and then slammed the door in my face. I probably deserved that too but I was going to stand my ground until she let me in.

  “Can I come in?” I asked when she still didn’t say anything. “Just to eat pizza,” I added.

  She sighed. “Fine. Come in. You’re lucky I’m so hungry.”

  Stepping into Dallas’s house made me realize even more than my house was not a home. Her house was impressively clean considering she wasn’t expecting gifts, and very creative, but it was also warm and inviting. It was the sort of place anyone would feel good in. I looked around and smiled.

  “You have a great home,” I said.

  “Sit down. Let’s eat. Then you can go home.”

  I laughed. “Sure thing. Aren’t you going to offer me a drink?”

  “No, I’m not going to offer you a drink. Actually, I want to know how you knew where I lived, because I sure as hell don’t go around giving my address to any
one.” She stared hard at me and I liked how she never backed down from an argument. Then she gasped. “Oh no. I know how.”

  “How?”

  “You got my details from Steve, didn’t you? Let me guess. This is just another little plan to get me to give up my lease. You thought you could sway me with this pizza and your charming smile.”

  I grinned. “You think my smile is charming?”

  She groaned. “I think you’re the most annoying person in the world. Maybe you should leave.”

  I sighed. “Dallas, Steve didn’t ask me to come here and I’m definitely not here to talk about your lease. Yes, I got your address from his details, but that has nothing to do with him. I wanted to see you so I figured out a way how to do it. Come on, why don’t you sit down and enjoy some pizza with me. You said you were starving.”

  “I am starving but I’m suddenly not too keen on eating with you. You do realize how creepy it is that you looked through my personal documents to find my address, don’t you? And you do realize that you’re sticking up for a man like Steve? Do you even like the guy?” she asked.

  “Of course I don’t. He’s an idiot.”

  She laughed. “Finally. Some truth from you. So why are you working with him then?”

  “It’s just business Dallas. It has nothing to do with my real life.”

  “Well, it should. Anyway, if this has nothing to do with Steve then why are you even here?” she asked.

  “Well, like I said. I came to apologize.”

  “For what?”

  “For the way I treated you today. I’m sorry about that. I was rude and I do feel awful about it.”