by Roni Adams
"I'm going to check out the buffet, anyone else coming?” Teddy said.
Beth almost gagged. She couldn't eat now if she tried. The others stood up and followed him. Suddenly, she was alone with Cole and Tyler. Very cozy.
"Don't you want anything to eat?” Cole asked.
The look on his face told her that he was dying to get a plate of food but didn't want to leave her alone.
"Actually, I think I'll use the ladies room. You go ahead and get something. I'll meet you back here."
"I'll get you some of those riblets you like so much,” Cole offered, touching her shoulder as he walked away.
Without a glance to Tyler, Beth left the table. Once inside the ladies room, she rushed to get inside a stall and then shoved the door closed. Her chest tightened, her heart raced. Closing her eyes she counted slowly to ten, then did it again, breathing in and out slowly and purposely. When she opened her eyes again, she forced herself to slowly read the cautions on the wall about what not to flush down the toilet. Her heart rate slowly returned to normal and the panic attack subsided. Whew. She drew one last deep breath and left the stall.
At the sink, she ran cold water over her wrists. Somewhere inside she had hoped that when she saw Tyler again, she would feel nothing. Instead, there was all this pent up rage and she just wanted to beat on him with her fists, scream and cry and ask all the questions he'd left unanswered. No, not all the questions. Just one question. Why? Not, why did you leave? She knew the answer to that. Tyler had lived his entire life wanting to get the hell out of Sweet Meadow, Texas, to pursue his own life, away from the family's constant interference.
No, what she wanted to know was why he'd left without her? Without even saying goodbye, without begging me to come with you? What had she done to make him leave her, too?
She ran her fingers through her short hair and left the bathroom. The band was playing again as she walked towards the table.
A hand grasped at her elbow and froze her in place.
"Dance with me.” Tyler's words weren't a question, but they weren't quite a command either. She could have refused, should have refused, yet she let him lead her to the dance floor.
He turned her to face him and her brain screamed its refusal even as her hand settled into his palm.
When he folded her in his arms, her mutinous body soaked him in like a sponge. The song, a familiar tune about being home for Christmas, was way too fitting. She took a deep breath and then another. I can do this. She'd danced with Tyler and only Tyler for most of her life; of course it would be as natural as taking a breath.
Dancing with him was different than before, though. His body had changed, harder, more muscular. He was completely unfamiliar to her, and yet, she still tingled everywhere he touched. There was a time when she knew every inch of every bit of the skin on his bones. Now he was a stranger. How could this be? How could a relationship that had been so strong and solid since they were children turn into this?
She focused on a spot on his dark shirt instead, pulling herself out of her disturbing thoughts. “You're in Abilene, then? How's that working out?"
"Good,” he said shortly.
His scent drifted to her nostrils. He still wore the cologne she'd always bought him. The smell wrapped around her like an old quilt on a cold night. A strange sensation flowed through her, as if she was a plant that hadn't been watered in way too long and slowly came back to life with a good dousing. She struggled against the urge to drop her head to his chest and snuggle in.
"You've cut your hair.” His large hand covered the middle of her back and slid up as if remembering where the thick blond mane used to hang.
She didn't miss the disapproval in his voice. He'd loved her long hair, loved winding his fingers in it when they made love. He used to drape it over her bare back and make her promise that she'd never cut it. Her body flushed with the memory. She lifted her chin. He'd once promised her forever, too. So much for promises.
She shrugged. “It was getting in the way."
Another couple bumped her from behind and she stumbled against him. Strong arms steadied her but, instead of moving her back to a proper distance, held her tighter. Her body immediately responded with hardened nipples inside her red dress, and her temperature rose several degrees. Traitor, she thought. For two years, she hadn't been able to feel anything. Now, with one dance, she was suddenly alive. And she wasn't the only one alive. There was no disputing the bulge pressing into her belly. The disgusting part was that it excited her body even more.
With a firm push she put some distance between them. “I'm sorry. These are new shoes. I'm not used to the height,” she said in excuse, trying to act like the incident was no big deal.
"They're pretty high. So that's dress. It's not your usual style; is it Susan's?"
Beth flung her head back and glared. “How the hell would you know what my style is?"
Tyler lifted one eyebrow but didn't comment.
She frowned. “Cole picked it out when we were in Dallas last week.” There, let him chew on that for a while.
"I didn't know you two were dating.” He looked down at her steadily. “No one told me."
The trip had been completely innocent. Doc was flying out of Dallas, and they'd agreed to give him a ride and do some shopping. They hadn't even stayed overnight. Again, not something he needed to know about. “Probably because it has nothing to do with you."
His gaze rose, looking past her, revealing no emotion. “No, I don't suppose it does."
His thigh brushed against hers and an old familiar desire tugged at her insides. His grip tightened and her body ached for what it no longer could have.
She closed her eyes against the feelings. Oh God. She so wanted to scream at him, beg him for answers and rant and rave like a lunatic. Purposely, she pulled back.
His gaze met hers. “At some point while I'm home, maybe we could talk."
When pigs fly! The time for that conversation was two years ago. “I'm very busy this time of year, especially with Grant on vacation,” she replied coolly.
"Yeah, I heard the practice is really busy. Isn't his being gone going to make it harder on you?"
Beth tossed her head, loving the way her new short hair defiantly shifted on the back of her neck. “Yes, but it's more important for him to be with his family. Family is everything, don't you think?” She wanted this dance to be over with.
His grip on her tightened. “That's why I came home."
"I guess your brothers weren't important last year, then?"
"It couldn't be helped.” His jaw tightened.
She scoffed and he dropped her hand to grab her chin, forcing her to look up into his face. She glared and decided she didn't like the beard or the moustache after all. It gave him a sinister appearance.
"I don't expect you to understand. I don't even expect you to forgive me, but don't you think we owe each other at least a conversation?"
Fury burned her veins. “I don't owe you anything.” Tears sprang to her eyes and it made her even madder that she was falling apart in front of him. “But you do owe me. So while your home, and I hope to hell it's a fast visit, stay away from me. Personally, I can't wait until you go back to Abilene or wherever the hell you ran off to."
He searched her eyes for what seemed an eternity and the room grew suddenly way too warm, but she forced herself to stare right back.
"You always were dramatic."
Her eyes widened and she stopped dancing. “Well, in that case, it'll be right in character if I make a dramatic exit, then."
She pulled out of his hold and quickly raced for the kitchen, slipping through the swinging door.
All heads turned and she glanced around frantically. Long time friend and bar owner, Bill, set down a tray of glasses. “Need something, honey?"
"Actually, um,” she struggled against the tears. “They've run out of riblets. I thought I'd come get some."
Bill nodded. “Why don't you go have a seat in my of
fice for a few minutes while I get them ready?"
With a quick nod she all but ran to the far end of the kitchen and through the narrow corridor to the private office.
* * * *
Tyler watched Beth practically run from him and into the kitchen. He didn't follow.
He shouldn't have asked her to dance, but the need to touch her, to have a moment alone with her had been too much to resist. What had he expected? Did he really think he could come back and she'd be happy to see him? Staying away this long had been a mistake. He couldn't change what was done; the best he could do was take his punishment like a man.
He moved to the bar to get another drink. Seeing her with Cole had been a surprise. But then, it made sense; they were perfect for one another. Cole's father had been the area's long time vet and Beth's mentor. She was the daughter Doc never had. It made perfect sense for his son to end up with her. Not that he liked it one bit.
"Another beer?” Bill asked, coming around the bar.
Tyler noted that the earlier warm welcome from the bartender was gone.
"Nah, I think I've had enough. Thanks, Bill. Have a good holiday if I don't see you."
The drive from Abilene and the stress of coming home weighed him down. Tyler shoved away from the bar and looked for his brothers to let them know he was heading back to the ranch. He turned his head in time to see Beth return and Cole's arm protectively wrap around her shoulders. She didn't lean into the other man though and, after a moment, he removed his arm. Odd.
Turning away, he headed towards Buck and Sara at the door, but Tyler avoided their eyes. He didn't need a lecture from his big brother or from his sister-in-law who always had an opinion on everything.
"Leaving?” Buck asked, holding open the door for his wife.
"Yeah,” Tyler said, following them out into the parking lot.
He couldn't help but smile as she waddled. A hand slid over her stomach as she looked up at Buck, her eyes tired, but adoring. Tyler's heart ached. So much had changed since he left. Buck and Sara had only been good buddies back then. Now they were married and about to become parents.
He slapped his brother on the back as the couple reached their truck. “You guys drive careful. I'll see you sometime tomorrow, I suspect."
Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned down and kissed Sara on the cheek. She looked as shocked as he was but didn't say anything, just watched him with those green eyes that made him always feel like a five year old.
"Goodnight, Tyler,” she said, climbing into the passenger seat with the aid of her husband's helping hand.
As Buck shut the door, Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets.
Buck shook his head and pushed his Stetson back. “I'm glad you're home, but you have a lot of fixing to do around here, and I don't mean fence lines."
He nodded but didn't say anything. Buck stared for a moment, then, with a brief wave, walked around to the driver's side.
As Tyler watched them drive away he admired his brother's shiny new truck. Sara had always driven a beat up old pickup and he wondered if she still had it. Probably not. They were about to become parents, grown-ups with grown-up responsibilities. Even the fact that they were leaving the bar well before midnight showed how much things had changed since he'd been gone. His older brother had become a responsible adult.
That's what you didn't want, remember?
With a last glance back towards the neon sign of the LoneStar, he climbed into his truck and turned it down the familiar road towards the Double B. The family ranch. Home. The place he drove away from two years ago, thinking he couldn't get away fast enough. He never dreamed when he pulled away that day, everything with Beth would be over when he came back. He would never have left if he'd known she wasn't coming to meet him.
When his truck reached the Double B arches, he stopped in the road and looked up. Through the light of his headlights he could make out the familiar landmark. His throat closed up and his eyes burned. He couldn't believe how emotional he was getting at the sight of a metal structure. “I'm home,” he whispered.
His parents had been dead for well over a decade. A plane crash had taken their lives along with Beth's mother's in the same accident. Her father had raised all eight kids on his own with the help of their long time housekeeper and ranch foreman. Now Beau Sampson was gone too. Still, this was home. Two years ago, he'd never appreciated that fact.
Feeling a bit foolish, he put the truck in gear again and continued on. Several miles up, the brand new house Buck and Sara had built came into view. Cord had told him about it and even emailed some pictures, but none of that did it justice. They'd built almost an exact replica of the main ranch house that Sara's family had lived in for generations. He was eager to get the tour in the daylight.
He drove several more miles and finally the white fencing that signified the main ranch yard appeared. He punched in the code to swing open the main gates to the long driveway.
Two large houses sat across from one another joined by one large horseshoe driveway. The house to his left was where Beth and her sisters were raised. Built by her great-grandparents it still served as ranch headquarters, complete with a full office and a kitchen that could seat 30 people comfortably. The other house was his family home where he'd been born and raised, and where Cord and Teddy still lived.
His headlights shown on the newest building on the main ranch property. Beth's clinic and cottage, the one he'd designed and made sure he finished building before he left. He had no idea what she thought of them. They'd been his graduation gift to her and, at one time, were meant to be where they would start their married life together. Tyler gripped the steering wheel and heaved a heavy breath. In the end, it had become his going away present.
He parked his truck in back of the family house and walked inside. The kitchen hadn't changed; a light still stayed on over the sink until the last person was in for the night. A cake of some type rested under a glass dome and he grinned. Flo never let them go without dessert. He couldn't wait to see her tomorrow morning. The adored housekeeper was his second mother—and another woman who he suspected he let down completely when he walked away.
Buck was right; he had a lot of fences to mend around here.
Coming home was the right thing to do. Though he couldn't change the past, he was a different man now. He hadn't done right by any of them, most of all Beth. She looked gorgeous with the way that red dress hugged her frame. She'd lost a lot of weight though, too much, but she still looked sexy as hell. Seeing her with Cole had almost killed him. He'd struggled hard to keep her from knowing how she'd affected him.
One thing he didn't miss: he'd left her and she wasn't going to forgive him. If he could turn back the clock, do things different, he would.
Leaving Beth, had been the biggest mistake he'd ever made. Was coming back going to be the second?
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Chapter Two
Beth leaned across the breakfast counter and picked at the muffin on Grant's plate. Her business partner was in the process of packing for his trip home and hadn't bothered to finish his breakfast. Even though she was going to miss him like crazy, they'd both worked almost nonstop for the past two years. She was glad he'd finally agreed to the vacation at his parent's ranch in Oklahoma. It would be good for him to go home.
"You going to be okay with me gone?” Grant rested his shoulder against the wall. “He's not going to be too pleased when he finds out who's living here."
Beth popped another piece of muffin in her mouth. “I own this house; he doesn't. It's up to me who lives here."
"Somehow, I don't think he's going to see it that way."
She shrugged. “It was silly for you to rent some place in town when this house was sitting here empty. It wasn't like I was ever going to live in it."
Grant walked across the room and put his laptop into a leather case, then pulled his cell phone charger out of the wall and placed it in the bag with the other cords.
He set his leather duffle bag on the floor. “I'll be back on the second, but I can be here in a few hours if you need me."
Beth climbed off the stool and crossed the room. “I'll be fine. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that you actually relax a bit."
"Ha. Relax at my father's ranch? Yeah, right. He twisted his face in disgust. “I'll be running back here to get some rest."
"Have a good time anyway and try not to let him get to you.” Beth hugged him. She had never met his father, but, from the stories Grant had told her, figured they had a very difficult relationship. She hoped he'd at least enjoy being with his mother, two sisters, and their families.
Unbidden tears filled her eyes as his arms tightened around her. She didn't want to have to deal with Tyler without Grant here. He was her rock. She could get through this no problem if Grant was here. But with him gone, she wasn't so sure she was strong enough.
Grant squeezed her tight and pressed his lips to the top of her head. “You'll be fine,” he said, as if knowing her concern.
She nodded into his shoulder and clung tighter.
Grant gently pulled her away. “I won't go. Just say the word and I'll drive to my folks on Christmas Eve and back on Christmas night. I don't need to be gone for ten days."
