Dearest Cowboys Box Set

by Mia Brown

  “Blaze, you look shell-shocked my man. What’s going on?”

  “Oh, I’m fine,” I had said. I didn’t want him to know how nervous I was.

  “Don’t worry. I know exactly how you’re feeling. This is not quite what you had in mind, was it?”

  “Uh, no. Not really. I thought we were supposed to be the good guys.”

  He had laughed then and he’d revealed how white his teeth were. So white they were almost shiny. “Nah, we’re the rich guys. Trust me, you’ll soon see how much better that is. You’ll see, Blaze, in no time you’ll be one of us. I can already tell that you’re going to fit in well here.”

  He’d been right too. It hadn’t taken long for me to fit in. Soon I was part of the team, and taking on clients who I didn’t necessarily believe in. But I wasn’t like that anymore. Was I? I had started my own firm so that I could be more selective with the clients I took on. But had I actually done that?

  It took me a while to get home because I decided not to take the more direct route. Perhaps I knew that there was nothing waiting for me at home and the thought of that silent house made me feel worse. When I eventually got home it was dark. I looked at my phone to see if Dallas had called but obviously she hadn’t. I considered calling her but decided it would be a bad idea. She was probably still fuming. I needed her to calm down so that I could talk some sense into her. I might be working with Steve but I had done everything to get him to back away from her and she had no idea. I wanted her to know that I hadn’t just tried to charm my way into her life and that I had enjoyed every moment with her. I needed her to know that. I needed her to know that I wasn’t a bad guy. I needed her to know who I truly was. But the more I thought about that, the more confused I became. How could I show her who I was when I didn’t even know the answer to that myself?

  I took a shower, ordered in some pizza, and spent the rest of the evening losing myself to some terrible TV shows. It was the only thing I could think of to do to take my mind off Dallas.

  Thirty-Three

  Dallas

  A week had passed since the incident with Blaze and I was glad that I hadn’t seen or heard from him again. At the same time I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss him. I hadn’t realized how much he had come to mean to me lately and not having him around was strange. Still, I would rather suffer without him then be with a man who so clearly wanted nothing more but fame and fortune. He was a charmer, and I had unfortunately fallen for it, but thankfully I had seen the light. I wonder how long he thought he could fool me.

  I was sitting at the office now, looking at the broken window which now had a makeshift curtain attached to it. The whole thing was pitiful, but just as Steve had said we couldn’t get even one person to come and fix our window yet. I was on the computer now, desperately trying to find a place to at least store some of our equipment, and I was also trying to figure out a way to pay for the big move. It was all very overwhelming and I had no idea how I was going to pull it off. I felt a little sick to my stomach as I thought about difficult all of this was going to be. This was my own company, and I didn’t have the support of family like other people had. I had done this all on my own and I had made it work. I had clients who believed in me and who relied on me, and this was going to make things so difficult for me. How was I meant to move while still tend to the needs of my customers? How was I going to help the animals when I didn’t even have an office spot? I didn’t know what to do, and no building I had found so far had been suitable for what I needed. All the money I made went back into the business and I didn’t yet have enough money saved up for emergencies.

  “You okay?” Madison asked when she came back from the back room. She had been doing inventory to make sure that everything was still there. With the open window we were worried that someone was going to find a way in. Either to mess with the office and do more damage, or to steal the drugs we kept for the animals. Thankfully those were behind lock and key but it didn’t mean it was impossible to get. The security cameras were probably our only saving grace right now. We had positioned them in such a way that they were obvious to anyone from the outside or inside. I wanted people to know that they would be caught if they tried anything again.

  I sighed. “Not really. I’m only not sure how we’re going to do this. I feel lost. Maybe I should’ve taken that money from the start. At least it could’ve helped me out. Now I have to move anyway and I have nothing to help me.”

  “The money from Steve? Are you kidding me? That would be like joining hands with the devil. No, you did the right thing. If you took that money he would forever feel like he has a hold on you and that’s the last thing you want. You want to keep in control. I’m glad you didn’t do it, and I know that you are too. Don’t worry, we’re going to make this work. Even if we have to take a few months off to sort it all out. It will all work out in the end. I know it.”

  “I can’t take a few months off. I have to pay you. I have to pay myself. I have to keep things going.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” she said. “You can pay me once things are back to normal.”

  I almost burst out crying when she said that. “Madison, you’re the sweetest. I will definitely pay you though. I couldn’t allow that. But thank. It’s nice to know there are still some good people out in this world.”

  “You look like you’re going to cry. Are you sure this is just about the move? You’re upset about Blaze, aren’t you?”

  I sighed. “Love is stupid.”

  “Are you in love with Blaze?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “Definitely not. But love is still stupid.”

  She laughed. “Love is not stupid. People are stupid. But love definitely isn’t. Hey, at least you’re still getting flowers amongst all of this madness. So you still have your secret admirer to think about. That’s got to count for something, right?”

  I looked at the flowers and smiled. A new bunch had arrived that morning. “They’re beautiful flowers, and it’s nice knowing that someone cares. But I really just want to know who they’re from now. What if I never found out? It will be the saddest love story ever told.”

  “You’ll find out eventually,” she said. “I’m sure of it. Oh, hang on,” she said as the phone rang and she rushed to answer it. She grinned. “Sure thing.” She looked at me and smiled. “Will on the line for you. I’ll put him through.”

  I shot her a look of despair. Was she hoping that Will and I would get together? I hadn’t spoken much to him since the day I had turned him down at his ranch. I figured he was calling to talk about his horses because there was no way he would phone to talk about anything else.

  “Hi Will, good to hear from you again,” I said.

  “Hi Dallas, I’m sorry to hear about your office. That’s awful news.”

  I sighed. “You heard, huh? I guess everyone has heard by now. Yeah, it’s terrible. I can’t believe anyone would do such a thing.”

  “Well, I have some good news. I pulled some favors and managed to get some glaziers to come over the next day to fix your window. Don’t worry about paying for it either. It’s on me. They know me so I got it at a good price.”

  I gasped. “Will, are you serious?”

  “I’m serious. I hope that’s okay?”

  “Oh Will, of course that’s okay. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I said. I was completely overwhelmed by his gesture. So much that I didn’t actually know what to say to him. “Sorry…” I said after I had been silent for a while. “I’m shocked. This is amazing. You don’t have to pay for it though.”

  “You’ve been such a huge help over the years with my horses and it’s the least I can do. So, someone will be over there tomorrow. I tried to get them to come today but unfortunately tomorrow is the best they could do.”

  “Tomorrow is perfect. Thanks, Will.”

  “My pleasure.”

  When I cut the call I turned to look at Madison who was waiting to hear what the whole conversation
was about.

  “So, Will managed to get a glazier and they’re coming tomorrow. He’s also paying for it to say thank you for everything we’ve done for him over the years.”

  “Oh wow. You see, there are nice men out there,” Madison said. “That’s so nice of him.”

  “So nice,” I agreed. “And completely unexpected.” I looked at the flowers. Were they from him? I was now back to thinking that they were.

  That evening I met up with Teri for dinner. She was leaving in a few days but because of everything going on I hadn’t gotten the chance to see her again after the first time. When she called to invite me for dinner I had to say yes.

  “Oh Teri, I thought I’d get to spend more time with you,” I said. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a nightmare at the moment,” I said when I got to the restaurant. She had chosen another old favorite of hers. This one wasn’t the same as it had been when we were at school but it was definitely better.

  “Don’t worry, I heard about the rock through the window incident. That’s awful. Do you have any idea who did it?”

  “Actually, I do have a fair idea. I think it’s my landlord.”

  “Your landlord? Why on earth would he do that if he owned the place?” she asked.

  “It’s a long story.”

  “And I have time,” she said.

  We ordered drinks and I told her all about my issues with Steve, starting from when he had first asked me to move out, to how I had heard the voicemail he had left on Blaze’s phone. I left out the part about how Blaze and I had both been naked at the time. That was a little detail she didn’t need to know.

  “God, that’s awful. He sounds like a sorry excuse for a man,” she said.

  “A terrible human being.”

  “I’m so sorry that this has been happening. So what are you going to do?”

  “I’m still looking for somewhere to move. It’s not easy. It’s a small town and I can’t go too far out because I need to be where all my customers are. And the place needs to be set up in a certain way for me to run my practice. This place was so perfect. And Steve promised me from the start that I could stay there forever. I guess he didn’t mean it. He just wanted my business at the time.”

  “Oh, but silver lining in all of this…Will called me to say that he managed to get someone to fix the smashed window and he wants to pay for it. How’s that for a nice guy, huh? It took me totally by surprise when he called.”

  “That’s sounds like just the sort of thing Will would do. Actually it sounds like the sort of thing Will would do for you. The guy is totally in love with you.”

  I sighed. I didn’t want Will to be in love with me. I told her all about the secret flowers that I had been receiving and asked if she thought it was Will.

  “Sounds to me like they’re from him. The guy is shy. He will do things like this so that he doesn’t have to say it to your face. Of course, he’ll have to say it eventually, but yes I think this is from Will. Unless you have any other secret admirers in town?”

  “Not that I know of,” I said.

  “So, you think you’re going to give Will a chance then?” she asked.

  “I don’t know Teri. He’s wonderful, but is he the one for me? Some people say that you can develop those sorts of feelings for someone but I have always wanted those feelings to be there from the start. I don’t want it to be forced. I don’t know. I’ll see how our feel if he ever actually asks me out on a proper date. Right now I’m just grateful that he’s here to help out.”

  “I’m glad too. I wish I could be here.”

  I smiled sadly at her. “I wish so too. You see what sort of drama you’re missing out on,” I said with a laugh. “It’s like living in a soap opera.”

  “I know. And here I thought it was a sleepy town. Oh, I’ve missed this place, and I’ve missed you. We get on so well. We haven’t seen each other in years and we’ve pretty much taken off from where we left. We really need to stay in touch more.”

  “Let’s make it a promise. I’ll try and come back at least every two years to visit too.”

  “Bring your fiancé next time too. I’d love to meet him,” I said.

  “Only if you promise to also visit me.”

  I grinned. “Actually, a break away from here sounds like just the thing I need.”

  Thirty-Four

  Blaze

  Tyler called me early the following morning. He was going to be in the area and wanted to know if I wanted to meet for breakfast. I said yes because not only did I not have any food in the house but I also needed to see a friendly face before starting off my day. I hadn’t slept well the night before and I had a feeling today was not going to be an easy day. I met Tyler at a nearby café and smiled when I saw him. He wasn’t wearing his usual cowboy hat and he was wearing what looked to be like a whole new outfit. Some jeans which were far skinnier than his usual type and a nice shirt.

  “Wow, you look different,” I said to him.

  He laughed. “I met someone.”

  “Seriously? Who?”

  The waiter came by with some coffee and I smiled gratefully at Tyler for thinking ahead. We placed our food orders and I took a sip before continuing with the conversation.

  “Okay, tell me now, who is she?”

  “Veronica. She moved here from Austria. She’s absolutely beautiful. She looks like she stepped out of a Disney cartoon. She’s adorable. I literally bumped into her at the store. And I do mean literally. I knocked her right over. Then I apologized and asked her out for coffee and we just hit it off. Then I took her out for dinner that night, and the next day. Then we went shopping yesterday, hence the new outfit, and I’m seeing her again tonight.”

  “Wow, things seem to be happening quickly.”

  “I know. I’m going to bring her to the ranch next week for a ride. She loves horses.”

  “Mom is going to be over the moon. Have you told her?”

  Tyler shook his head. “No, I didn’t want to say anything to her yet. I wanted to make sure. But, to be honest, I feel sure. It’s so strange. Like I’ve only just met her and I already think I’m going to marry her. Do you think that’s possible or am I mistaking love for lust?”

  “Right now it’s probably lust, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be love. So, when do I get to meet her?”

  He grinned. “Soon. I promise. Let her fall in love with me first. I don’t want her meeting you and deciding that she wants the older brother.”

  “That won’t happen. Well, I’m happy for you. You look happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.”

  “I can’t say the same for you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You look like you haven’t slept in days. Is everything okay? I hope you’re not working too hard,” he said. “You really look like you could do with a break. Hey, maybe you should meet Veronica now. You look awful. It will make me look better.”

  I snorted. “Wow, you’re full of compliments today.”

  “Seriously, what’s going on?” he asked and I could tell that he was genuinely worried about me. I probably looked awful.

  I told him the story about Dallas and I. How we had gotten together in my office and how amazing it had been. Telling the story made me realize just how incredible it really had been and I hated that it was all coming to an end. When I got to the part about Steve I could see how horrified Tyler was.

  “Oh no, that’s bad. She must’ve thought you were behind the whole thing with Steve,” he said.

  “Oh, she definitely thought that. She stormed out and assured me that we would never be together again. And you know what, I believed her. I don’t think there’s anything I can do to make her think otherwise. She’s through with me.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Oh, I’m going to talk to Steve today. I’m going to go straight after breakfast actually. I need to find out what the hell this guy is doing and make him stop. As for Dallas, well there is nothing I can do. If she thinks that abo
ut me then I can’t force her not to.”

  “I’m sorry man, I really wish this had a better outcome,” he said.

  “You and me both.”

  “You sure you can’t convince her?” he asked. “I really like the idea of you and Dallas together.”

  “I’m going to do my best but to be honest I think the damage is done.”

  “Shit. That’s horrible. That Steve guy really buggered things up for you,” Tyler said.

  “I know. I wish I had never met the guy.”

  After the breakfast I headed straight over to Steve’s office. When I got there I noticed that he no longer had a receptionist. I knocked on the door and Steve came out to open.

  “All alone?” I asked.

  “Bloody woman got another job,” he said. “And I’ve been too busy to find someone else. Know anyone who needs a job?” he asked.

  “Nope,” I said. There was no chance in hell I would let anyone come and work for him. “Can we talk?”

  “Sure thing, come on through. I was wondering when I was going to hear from you. I left you a voice message yesterday. Did you get it?”

  “Oh, I got it,” I said.

  “And yet you’re only coming here now? Why didn’t you reply?”

  I didn’t answer him. Instead I followed him in to his office and took a seat. Then I looked at him in the eyes, wanting him to be truthful with me.

  “Steve, were you behind the rock incident?” I asked. I already knew the answer but I need to hear it from him.

  “Rock incident? What rock incident?” he said innocently.

  I groaned. “You know exactly what I mean.”

  He laughed. “Of course I was. Brilliant move, wasn’t it?”

  “Steve, you do realize that someone could’ve gotten hurt, don’t you?” This was the part that upset me the most. The fact that he didn’t even think about what sort of damage this could’ve done. He was lucky that the rock hadn’t hurt anyone or anything but this could’ve gone very wrong.