* * *
Caleb had messed up with Mallory once and didn’t want the second time around to be a repeat. So when chores on the ranch were finished the next day, he took a ride into town. The first stop was to see his dad. Ben Dalton was the wisest man Caleb had ever met and that opinion had nothing to do with the fact that they were related.
It was late in the afternoon when he parked his truck in the lot by his dad’s law office and walked inside. This time Lily wasn’t at the front desk and he greeted Jessica Evanson, the receptionist. She was blonde, blue-eyed and somewhere in her early to mid-twenties. He’d once thought about asking her out but decided not to since she worked for his dad. Maybe part of the reason he was here had to do with getting permission to cross that line.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hey, Caleb. How are you?”
“Good. You?” He stopped at the desk.
“Great.”
“Is my dad busy?”
She gave him a wry look. “Always.”
“Let me rephrase. Is he with a client?”
“No. He’s between appointments.”
“Can I go back?”
“Sure. If he doesn’t want to see you, he has no problem telling you.”
“I’ve been thrown out of better places than this,” he teased.
“And probably worse.” She laughed. “I’ll let him know you’re on your way.”
“Thanks.”
Caleb walked through the doorway separating the reception and waiting areas from offices. He knew his father’s was at the end of the hall and headed in that direction. The faint scent of perfume drifted to him and he knew it belonged to Mallory. His heart jerked as if he was standing on her front porch holding her, kissing her with everything he had. As far as he was concerned that was the only part of last night’s dud of a date that had worked.
There were voices coming from her office, telling him she was with someone, which was just as well. It was tempting to stop and say hi, but he didn’t want to do that until after talking with his dad. So he forced himself to walk on by. Without looking in.
Outside his father’s open door, he paused, then rapped his knuckles on the doorjamb. “Hey, Dad.”
Ben looked up from the computer. “Caleb. Good to see you, son. Come in.”
“Is this a bad time?” He moved to the desk.
“If you’re asking whether or not I’m busy, the answer is yes. But it’s nothing I can’t put on hold for a few minutes.” He grinned, then held out his hand, indicating the two club chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
“To what do I owe the honor of a visit from my number-three son?”
“Honor?”
“It’s unexpected. Usually ranch legal work brings you in, but we already took care of that. So, if this has nothing to do with my pretty paralegal and your recent date with her, I’m at a loss to explain why you’re here.”
Caleb squirmed in the chair and felt like a twelve-year-old waiting for an ear blistering after some foolish prank. But to get to the advice part, he had to own up to the boneheaded move first.
“Did you hear anything about what happened?” he asked.
“No. But Mallory has been in a mood all day and that’s not like her. What did you do?”
Besides kissing her good-night, a kiss that made him want her so bad he ached in places he never had before? Caleb met his father’s shrewd gaze. “I took her to the Ace in the Hole for dinner.”
A blank expression on his face, Ben leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his flat stomach. There was some silver in his hair now and lines in his face, but he was still a handsome man. “I suppose if it had gone well you wouldn’t be here now.”
“True enough. Between women eyeing me like a prime piece of meat and ornery cowboys checking her out...” He removed his Stetson and dragged his fingers through his hair. “Then there was Sharla Jenkins, who made sure to stop by our table and say hello.”
“One-night stand, I’m guessing.”
“That’s not really important, Dad.” He shifted in his seat. “The point is, you’re right. It didn’t go very well with Mallory.”
“Sorry to hear that, son.” Ben shook his head sympathetically. “She’s good people. Fate threw her a really lousy curve ball, and instead of whining and trying to dodge it, she’s stepping up.”
“Yeah.” Caleb admired that about her, too.
“It wasn’t her choice to adopt that little girl, but her sister did. And Mallory is picking up where she left off—making choices of her own.”
Besides moving here and being a mother? “What is she doing?”
“Can’t say,” his dad said mysteriously. “Attorney-client privilege.”
“So you’re doing legal work for her?”
“Not the point.”
“Then what is?”
“She’s a good woman. Salt of the earth. The kind a man would be lucky to have walking beside him through life—”
“Dad—”
“Too much?” His father grinned.
“You and Mom aren’t subtle about wanting all of us to settle down and have kids.”
“Only if it’s right.” A serious expression replaced the grin. “And that makes me wonder why you came to talk to me about Mallory.”
“Is there a law against it?”
“Not that I’m aware of, but you never have before.”
Because it never seemed as important before, Caleb realized. And he didn’t want to think too much about why Mallory was different. She’d claimed to usually be a planner and that moving to Rust Creek Falls was the only decision she’d ever made purely on instinct.
Caleb was just the opposite—flying by the seat of his pants. But he’d done that in taking her to Ace in the Hole and look how that turned out. Now he was going to plan—with his dad’s help.
“Look, Dad, I screwed up.”
“You’ll get no argument from me.”
“Thanks for the support,” he said wryly. “But here’s the thing. I want to ask her out again, but I can’t invite myself to her place for dinner.”
“No, that would be rude and she might think you’re hitting on her. Same thing if you ask her to your place. Actually, that would be worse, since Lily wouldn’t be there for a chaperone.” His dad thought for a moment. “You could extend a dinner invitation to them both, but I’m guessing you’re after something more private, where the two of you can become better acquainted.”
“Exactly.” Leave it to his dad to put a finer point on the problem. “So, any suggestions?”
“Take her to Kalispell. It’s bigger than Rust Creek, so not everyone knows you. Your mother and I go there from time to time.”
“Somewhere special?”
“North Bay Grill is good. Romantic.”
Anyplace they weren’t on display like mackerels in an aquarium would be an improvement, but Caleb liked the sound of romantic.
“Rising Sun Bistro is also nice. Great food.” There was a twinkle in his father’s eyes. “Just an FYI, I’d steer clear of any establishment with the word bar, saloon or pub in the title.”
“Yeah. I sort of figured that one out for myself. Okay, Dad. I’ll get out of your hair. Thanks for the advice.” He stood.
His father did the same and walked him to the door. “One more thing, son. And this is unsolicited counsel, but my gut is telling me to say it anyway.”
“Okay.”
“You’re a grown man and last time I checked you were smart enough to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.” His father slid his hands into the pockets of the jeans he wore unless appearing before a court judge. “This visit was about securing my blessing to go out with a woman who is an employee of mine.�
��
“And?” He wasn’t surprised his dad had figured that out and didn’t pretend to be.
“I’ve got mixed feelings,” the older man admitted.
That did surprise Caleb. “I thought you liked her.”
“I do. The thing is, your track record with women is impressive in volume but not so much when you’re talking substance.”
No one knew that better than Caleb. He was all about fun and no commitment. “Dad, I—”
Ben held up his hand. “There’s nothing wrong with that as long as everyone involved is on the same page. Your mother and I have made it a point not to get attached to any young woman who catches your eye. Until now.”
“With Mallory?”
“We’re very fond of her,” his father confirmed. “And we don’t want her hurt.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“You wouldn’t mean to,” Ben qualified. “Just keep in mind that Mallory isn’t your usual type. She’s not a fast and loose kind of woman.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll do that.” So he had provisional permission to ask his father’s paralegal for another date.
The two of them stood their ground for several moments before shaking hands. Ben went back to his desk and Caleb paused outside his door. He waited for internal confirmation that Mallory wasn’t his type and asking for a do-over was barking up the wrong tree. That was what usually happened, but this time there was only silence.
That was good enough for him. He liked her; they’d had fun last night on the drive to the Ace in the Hole. And the kiss was spectacular. More important, he wanted to see where this would go.
He really wanted to see whether or not the good times they’d shared were a fluke. If so, he would back off. No harm, no foul.
No one would get hurt.
Chapter Seven
Mallory had seen Caleb walk by her office and wondered what he was doing here. Scratch that. He’d come to see his father, but about what? Seemed too much of a coincidence, since their disastrous date was just the night before. That was disturbing enough, but it was more disconcerting how even a glimpse of him could skewer her concentration. She’d nearly sent Mr. and Mrs. Taylor on their way without signing all the paperwork for their trust. That was not normal for her and she didn’t like it one bit.
Now she was at her desk buried in paperwork and trying to recover her focus. That was proving to be a challenge, since she didn’t know whether or not he’d left the building. The man made her nervous. Not in a bad way, just in a she-couldn’t-think-straight-when-he-was-in-the-same-room way.
It was probably for the best that last night’s date had been a disaster, giving her an excuse to nip this whatever-it-was in the bud. In spite of his asking for another chance and even the most spectacular kiss she’d ever had, when the sun came up he almost surely had realized he was better off with Sharla Jenkins. Or someone else equally as uncomplicated and—dare she say it—stacked.
Looking down at her own less-than-impressive bosom, she sighed. “I’m sure men are more attracted to a woman’s brains than her boobs.”
“Who’s a boob?” Jessica Evanson stood in her doorway.
“No one.”
“Were you talking about Caleb? I heard you were out with him last night at the Ace in the Hole.”
“That’s true.” She almost welcomed the change of subject in order to avoid any reference to or explanation of the boob remark.
“And?”
“What?” Mallory didn’t like playing dumb when she wasn’t, but that was preferable to talking about her boss’s son. “You want details and there’s nothing to tell.”
“I can’t believe Sharla had the nerve to talk to him while he was there with you.”
Mallory wasn’t used to being the subject of town talk. Since arriving in Rust Creek Falls, she’d flown under the radar, settling in and being a mother to Lily. That had changed when she agreed to a date with gossip magnet Caleb Dalton.
“Who told you all this?” she demanded, wondering how the information had spread so fast.
“Lani Dalton. We’re friends. She said Caleb didn’t look very happy when Sharla stopped by your table.”
“He seemed friendly enough.” A little too friendly as far as Mallory was concerned.
“Then she brought him a drink and a phone number and right after that you guys were gone.” Jessica rested a hand on her hip. “What happened?”
She shrugged. “Just time to go.”
“Are you leaving?”
Mallory recognized that deep voice laced with lazy amusement and her question was answered. Not only was Caleb Dalton still in the building, he was standing behind Jessica, just a few feet from her desk.
“Hi,” she said. “I thought I saw you in the hall a little while ago.”
“Yeah. I have errands in town and stopped to see my dad.”
“And I just stopped by to let you know I’m going home,” Jessica said to her. “If there’s nothing else you need.”
“Got plans?” Caleb asked.
Jess nodded. “Going to meet friends at the Ace in the Hole.”
Mallory wanted to say she hoped her coworker had a better time than she had, but held back. They were in different places in their lives. It occurred to her that Jessica might have chemistry with Caleb. Maybe the receptionist should go with him. Not.
“Have fun,” she said instead.
“Thanks. See you around, Caleb.”
“Sure thing. Bye, Jess.” He touched the brim of his hat.
Then Mallory was alone with him and felt as if she had a lump in her throat the size of a Toyota. But apparently he didn’t have any problem talking.
He settled his hip on the only corner of her desk not covered in files and paperwork. “It occurs to me that the Ace in the Hole is a good place for meeting people and having fun but not so much for a first date.”
“You would know that better than me.” That wasn’t being mean or snarky. Just an observation based on what she’d seen and heard.
“I should have known,” he clarified. “Definitely dropped the ball on that. My dad confirmed just now.”
“You talked to your father about it?”
“Yeah. Not that I couldn’t figure things out for myself,” he added. “Just wanted to make sure he was okay with me asking you for a second date. Since you work for him.”
“It wasn’t really necessary for you to involve him.” This was another first for her—the boss being even peripherally involved in her personal life. “There isn’t going to be a second date.”
“Can we talk about this? You said we would later,” he reminded her.
“That was for Lily’s benefit. There’s nothing more to say.”
“I disagree. Give me one good reason why you won’t give me another chance.”
She stood up and walked to the far side of the office, where hopefully the spicy, masculine scent of his skin couldn’t reach inside and twist her in knots. “I’ll give you two.”
“Even better. Take your best shot.”
“I’m starting the legal process to adopt Lily.” She braced for him to turn white, then break a speed record heading for the exit. “Your father is handling it for me.”
“Lily’s a lucky girl and the two of you couldn’t be in better hands. Dad will take good care of you.”
“I know.”
An unwelcome and irrelevant thought popped into her mind. His father was a good man who had raised him. Would Caleb be like him, take good care of the ones he cared about?
“What’s the second thing?” he asked.
“Since Lily came to live with me, my goal has been to make her life as stable as possible. My getting involved with someone could threaten that.”
“But I’m her favorite cowb
oy.”
“She’s a child. It’s not her job to know what’s best for her. That’s why I’m here.”
“And what’s best for you?” His blue eyes darkened with intensity. “If you don’t make a life for yourself, it will be hard to make one for her. I’m not talking vows or commitments. I just want to take you out for a nice dinner. Not here in Rust Creek Falls. This time we’ll go to Kalispell, where no one knows us and we can just focus on getting to know each other.”
“That sounds really nice,” she said. “But I have to be honest about my concerns. You know I dated someone for several years and it was hard for me when things didn’t work out. Then I only had to worry about myself, but what if Lily gets attached to someone and then he’s gone? She doesn’t need more loss to deal with.”
“That’s a valid concern,” he agreed. “The thing is, though, you still need a life. Lily has to fit into it, and you can’t protect her from everything. It’s not realistic. She’ll grow up without the tools to get herself back up when she’s knocked down.”
“Kind of like getting back on the horse when you fall off,” she mused.
“Exactly.”
It made a certain amount of sense. “I never thought about it like that.”
“See?” He smiled. “I’m a handy guy to have around.”
“Either that or you’ve been watching too many psycho-babble TV reality shows.”
“Dang, you got me. I have that portable television in my saddlebags and turn it on every time the cattle let me take a break.”
The visual he conjured made her laugh. “Thanks, Caleb. You gave me an interesting perspective.”
“And for my reward, will you go out to dinner with me Friday night?”
How could she refuse? And who was she trying to kid? The moment she saw him standing in her doorway, her willpower had disappeared. Her two reasons for refusing to give him another chance were about scaring him away, but he wouldn’t let it drop.
Dinner in Kalispell sounded like fun and there had been too little of that for so long now. Besides, neither of them was looking for anything serious. She couldn’t really see a downside.
From Maverick to Daddy Page 9
