The Cowboy's Surrender

by Anne Marie Novark

  She released his arm and went to kneel beside Dallas's chair. "All I wanted was for you to be happy. I live to make you happy." She frowned at Roland. "You've ruined everything! How can Dallas be happy in jail? Release him at once. He didn't do anything wrong."

  Dallas eased his frame from the chair, helping Nadine to her feet. He felt sorry for the woman. She lived in a fantasy world. "Nadine, who was helping you? You didn't do all those things at the rig by yourself."

  Nadine sniffed and opened her purse searching for a tissue. "No, I didn't do them. I have a partner. He wants to help you, too. I can't tell you his name. I'm not a tattle-tale." She wiped a tear from her eye.

  "You need to tell the sheriff who helped you," Dallas said. "What you did was against the law. Your partner broke the law. Everyone thinks I did those things. You don't want that, do you?"

  Nadine sat in the chair, twisting the tissue into a tight screw. "They'll know it wasn't you when they find out the truth. You're innocent. Let him go, Roland. Put me in jail. I'd do anything for Dallas. Even go to jail."

  "I don't want you to go to jail," Dallas said. "I want to help you."

  She smiled through her tears. "You do? Really?"

  "Yes, and the only way I can do that is for you to tell me the name of your partner."

  Hanging her head, she sighed. "I can't."

  "Nadine--" He turned sharply as the door burst open and Allen Dunbar came tumbling in, tripping and falling to his knees. Dallas watched his three brothers march into the office and slam the door behind them.

  Austin hauled Dunbar to his feet. The former ranch hand sported a black eye and torn shirt. Tyler's lip oozed blood. Cameron's knuckles were scraped. Austin stood in the middle of the room with a scowl on his face and a death-grip around Dunbar's neck.

  "Thought you might need some help," Cameron said, stepping beside Austin. "Ease up, will you? Don't want to actually kill the bastard."

  Austin shrugged and let go. "Sarah Sue called and told us you'd been arrested and why. Tyler figured Dunbar might be at the bottom of all this, since he's been making veiled threats ever since you fired him."

  "Didn't take much to get the truth out of him." Tyler wiped his bleeding mouth on the sleeve of his shirt. "Had to rough him up a bit. Enjoyed it, too. Never did like the son of a bitch."

  Nadine ran toward Dunbar. "Allen, what happened? You said you would take care of everything. But everything is messed up. They think Dallas did those things at the rig. Tell them it isn't true. Tell them we only wanted Copper River Oil to pack up and leave, so Dallas could be happy."

  "I don't care if he's is happy or not. In fact, I hope he rots in hell." Allen eyed his former boss with hatred.

  "But you said . . . you agreed to help me . . ." Nadine bit her lip, looking lost and confused.

  Allen turned his gaze on her. "I only helped you because I sure as hell didn't want them striking oil and lining the McCades' pockets. Especially Dallas McCade."

  "You got something against my brother?" Tyler said, grabbing Dunbar's collar. "You mess with one McCade, you mess with us all."

  "Let him go, Ty." Dallas stepped in front of Dunbar. "You know I don't own those mineral rights where they're drilling."

  "Oh, yeah. I know," he said. "But Jessie's a McCade now. Somehow, you'd benefit if they found oil." Dunbar spat at his feet.

  "What the hell have I ever done to you?" Dallas asked. "I hired you in good faith, kept you on for years--"

  "Then fired me for no good reason," Dunbar said.

  "Hell, you were embezzling the ranch. You were siphoning off money right and left."

  Dunbar shrugged a shoulder. "Like the high and mighty McCades would miss the little I was taking."

  "Stealing is stealing," Dallas said. "I let you go without pressing charges last year. You won't be getting off this time. Copper River Oil will prosecute."

  "I'll see you in hell, McCade," Dunbar sneered.

  Cameron, Austin, and Tyler stepped closer.

  "Want us to rough him up some more?" Tyler glared at the man and flexed his fingers.

  "I think Roland can handle it from here," Dallas said. "We'll take Nadine home. I need to talk to her father."

  "You mean I'm not going to jail?" Nadine asked.

  Dallas caught Roland's eye and shook his head. "No, Nadine. You won't be going to jail."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Two weeks later, Gillian stared at the invitation lying on her desk. Jessie McCade's baby shower. She picked it up and read it again. There was a personal message from both Jessie and Ruth begging her to attend. And Cameron wanted to meet her and thank her for helping deliver the baby.

  "What's that?" Harold asked, coming into the office. He grabbed a cold cola from the small refrigerator next to Gillian's desk. "Want one?"

  "What?" She looked up from the invitation. Conflicting emotions swirled inside her head, making it difficult to concentrate. "No, thanks. Not right now." She tucked the card in the envelope and laid it carefully aside. "The McCades have invited me to a shower for Jessie and the baby." She tried to smile, but couldn't quite pull it off.

  "Mighty nice of them, considering all that happened." Harold downed half the soda. "You going?"

  "I don't know. I want to, but it's going to be awkward if Dallas is there."

  "It'll be awkward no matter what. You should go. Not everyone gets to help in the miracle of a birth."

  "It would be nice to see the baby again." Gillian smiled for real this time. "I guess I'll go."

  "Good for you." Harold took another drink, then shook his head. "I sure hate how I miscalculated about McCade. You kept telling me it wasn't him, but I wouldn't listen. I'm sorry I messed things up for you."

  Gillian shrugged. "It wasn't your fault. Anyway, at least we found out who was causing all the accidents. And you were right about Allen."

  "Yeah, but I thought he was working for McCade, not against him. Sad about that Cooley woman, though."

  "She'll be better off where she can receive professional help. Dallas told me she had been unstable for a long time."

  "Still sad," he said. "Well, I need to get back to the rig." He heaved himself from the chair and threw the can in the trash. "Have you decided whether we're going to keep drilling or throw in the towel?"

  "I'm still studying the charts and numbers," she said. "I should know something by the end of the week."

  After the door closed behind Harold, Gillian picked up the invitation and stared at it. Two weeks had passed since that early morning confrontation with Dallas over the cows. The horrible sick feeling in the pit of her stomach had faded a little, but the sensation of being caught in the middle of a bad dream still haunted her. During the day, she went through the motions of working and living and eating. It was relatively easy to fake it when she was awake. Sleeping was the hard part.

  At night, images of Dallas rose before her, weaving a magical web. She would relive every touch, every kiss they'd shared. Then she'd remember his brutal rejection, and the sick feeling would come crashing down on her all over again. His anger and contempt pierced her heart. Every night, she cried into her pillow until finally, she would fall into a fitful doze only to reawaken and the cycle would start again.

  How many times over the last couple of weeks had she wanted to see Dallas? Try to explain that it had all been a mistake? Only in the beginning did she think he might have been guilty of any wrongdoing. It hadn't taken long to figure out he wasn't that kind of man. It hadn't taken long for her to fall in love with him. But he didn't want her love. He didn't want to get involved. Thinking about going to him and apologizing made her knees weak. She chickened out every time.

  The invitation in her hand would force her to gather her courage and see the McCades again. If Dallas was there, then she would make him listen to her. At the very least, she would tell him she was sorry.

  Tucking the card in a drawer, Gillian turned to the computer. She studied the figures and graphs on the screen, making notes and c
alculations. Everything pointed to a no go. A dry well. Soon, she would have to decide whether they would forge ahead or call it quits.

  Time was running out. For Copper River Oil. And for herself.

  ****

  The day of Jessie's shower dawned bright and hot. Gillian awoke with a feeling of impending doom and gloom. She cringed at the thought of seeing the McCades again. They had been so friendly and welcoming at the Founders' Day Jubilee. Gillian had felt like she was part of the family.

  Such a short time ago, everything had been going her way. Dallas had extended his friendship and more. They had shared the exhilarating experience of delivering a baby together. They had become lovers. Gillian still felt shivers of excitement and desire when she thought of the night they'd spent in each other's arms.

  All gone in a split second. After years of avoiding men and relationships, Dallas had broken through her barriers. Allowed her to let go of her fears. Allowed her to trust again. The chemistry between them had sparked the first time they had met. It exploded that night at the hangar.

  Gillian breathed deeply. She would go to Jessie's shower. If Dallas was there . . . well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it.

  Later that afternoon, Gillian found herself on the front porch of the big ranch house. She looked at the white Shaker rockers, remembering sitting there with Jessie, waiting for Dallas to come with the truck to take them to the hospital. Funny how quickly things changed. No, not funny at all.

  She knocked on the door, curbing the urge to run back to her car and drive away. She was grown. She was an adult. She could handle this.

  The door opened. Laughter and conversation drifted from inside. Dallas was grinning as he reached for the handle of the screened door. The smile vanished when he realized who was standing on the porch.

  Gillian's lungs nearly collapsed at the sight of his handsome face. She hadn't seen him in weeks. She wanted to throw herself at him, feel his strong arms wrap around her. She wanted to hear him say that everything was okay.

  He stood and frowned at her in silence, making no motion to invite her in. His crystalline gaze bore into her very soul. Accusation. Condemnation. Hurt.

  "Dallas, I--"

  He released the handle and turned away, leaving the door open.

  Gillian bit back a sob. His earlier rejections had stung. This time his rejection was complete, the pain bitter. He might as well have torn out her heart and crushed it beneath his boots. Swallowing the hard lump in her throat, she knocked again. A pretty young woman appeared at the door.

  "Did my brother leave you standing out here? How rude of him." She opened the screened door wide. "I'm Tori McCade. You must be Gillian. I've heard so much about you. Come on in. The party is just getting started."

  Gillian followed Dallas's sister into the large living room. She placed Jessie's shower gift on the coffee table along with the rest of the presents. The room was crowded with people talking in groups. She recognized a few faces. Sarah Sue from the cafe. Sam Garza who had fixed her flat tire. Tyler McCade stood near a table loaded with food. He waved at her from across the room. There was no sign of Dallas.

  Tori took her arm and propelled her toward an open doorway. "Jessie and Mother are in the kitchen. So are half the guests. Isn't it funny how people like to congregate in the kitchen? I've never been able to figure out why."

  Gillian wondered if Dallas was in there. She didn't know how she could face his family with him glowering at her from the sidelines.

  "Gillian!" a happy voice cried. Before she knew what was happening, Kelsey McCade was hugging her like a long-lost friend. "Come see my new cousin." The little girl grabbed her hand and tugged her into the kitchen. "You'll be surprised how much he's grown."

  Kelsey led Gillian to the head of the oak table where Jessie sat with the baby nestled in her arms. Ruth sat on one side of her, Cameron on the other. At least, she assumed it was Cameron. He looked a lot like Dallas, only with lighter colored hair. Austin leaned against the kitchen counter. Dallas stood next to him. There were several people she didn't know.

  "Here, take my seat," Cameron said, standing so Gillian could sit in his chair.

  "Thanks." She slid into the seat and summoned up a smile. She could feel Dallas's eyes on her. "You have a beautiful son," she said, focusing on the baby, determined not to let Dallas intimidate her.

  "I understand I have you to thank," Cameron said. "Jessie couldn't sing your praises loud enough." He bent to kiss the baby's forehead and gave Jessie a quick kiss, too.

  Gillian's breath caught at the obvious love flowing between them. She couldn't help glancing at Dallas. Wishing . . . She might as well be wishing for the moon. Dallas set his glass down and stalked toward the door.

  "Where are you going?" Ruth asked him. "You can't leave the party!"

  "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to check on something." He grabbed his Stetson from a hat rack and crammed it on his head. The back door slammed behind him.

  "Oh, my," Ruth said. "It's been like that ever since--" She hesitated, looking at Gillian, then shook her head. "Well, never mind. I'm glad you could make it, dear. I'm sorry you and Dallas are on the outs, but I'm happy you were here when the baby came. Jessie couldn't have done it without you. Dallas either, for that matter."

  Gillian nodded. "I'm glad I was here, too." She caught Jessie watching her and tried to smile. She felt like crying and knew she needed to get a hold of herself. Reaching across the table, she smoothed the baby's dark hair with trembling fingers, then grasped one of the tiny hands, willing herself to calm down.

  "I need to change his diaper," Jessie said. "Want to help?"

  "I'll help! I'll help!" Kelsey said.

  "You can help me," Tori McCade said, placing her hands on her niece's shoulders. "We have to see if everything is ready in the living room." She steered Kelsey out of the kitchen.

  Jessie stood and looked at Gillian. "Come on back with me. Please?"

  "Okay." Gillian followed her down a long hall into a cozy bedroom with a four-poster bed covered with a handmade quilt. A bassinet stood in one corner.

  "I thought you were staying at your house in town," Gillian said, eyeing the bassinet.

  "We are, but Ruth likes everyone to be comfortable. Especially this little guy," she said, laying the baby on a changing table. "She bought the bassinet and a baby bed, too. Nothing's too good for her new grandson."

  Gillian sat on the bed and watched Jessie with the baby. "You're very lucky. You have such a wonderful family. Everyone is so nice and friendly."

  "Everyone except Dallas. He isn't being very nice and friendly, is he?" Jessie looked over her shoulder. "What in the world happened between you two? I'm not being nosy. Well, maybe a little. I mean, you didn't really believe he was responsible for all that stuff happening at the rig, did you?"

  "No. Yes. In the beginning, when I first arrived . . ." Gillian paused for a moment, then sighed. "I didn't know him, you see. And his attitude when we first met . . . He could barely talk about the drilling without choking. He was extremely antagonistic."

  Jessie shrugged one shoulder. "Dallas never has been Mr. Congeniality."

  Gillian took a deep breath. "No, but he was actually hostile toward me. Then, when he brought you to my office to sign those papers, he said that he'd do anything to get Copper River Oil off his land. What was I supposed to think?"

  "He said that?" Jessie asked. "But he would never . . . What else did he say?"

  "Nothing. He kissed me." She stared at her hands in her lap. It seemed ages ago. Almost like a dream. Like it never really happened.

  "He kissed you? There in your office?" Jessie looked at her in amazement. "I remember now. He was so angry. I thought it was about the drilling. But it was you. He was in love with you even then."

  Gillian shook her head. "No, he wanted me. There's a big difference. None of this matters anyway. He won't let me explain. Or apologize. He doesn't want me now."

  Jessie finished dia
pering the baby and sat in the rocker Ruth had so thoughtfully provided. "Look, I've never seen Dallas look at a woman the way he was looking at you at the jubilee and at the hospital. He was positively glowing with happiness for a week after the baby was born. I think he's in love with you."

  "Not anymore. He thinks I betrayed him. I can't help what I thought about him at first. I made a mistake."