Dallas sat down next to her. “Ashleigh was taking pictures all over the place. I saw this photo at their house after we got back. She let me borrow the memory card to get a print made. I finally found time to get the photo enlarged and framed. I had one done for you, too.”
Lanier gave Dallas a passionate kiss, loving this man whether she deserved him or not. No one made her feel the way he did. She stared into his eyes. “I love you, Dallas Carrington.” I’ll never stop loving you.
Dallas swallowed the lump in his throat. “If you ever try to tell me otherwise, I won’t listen. I love you, too, Lanier Watson, and don’t ever forget it. If you do, this picture should remind you of the kind of deep love we share.”
“I won’t forget.” The moment had gotten a little too serious. Dallas’s profound honesty still scared her at times. “Neither one of us can live off love, so I’ll get dinner on the table. I popped bread into the oven before I let you in.” Nerves jangling, she ran from Dallas’s presence.
Disturbed by her fleeing, Dallas shoved his hand through his hair. He had to stop trying to make Lanier see their love as he saw it. It’d do her no good until she saw it with her own eyes. Knowing he shouldn’t leave her alone with doubts running through her head, he rose and headed for the kitchen.
Dallas walked into the room and stood quietly for a moment, watching Lanier as she disappeared into the adjoining dining room. He picked up a bowl of tossed salad and a tray of hot bread and carried the items to the dining room. He saw that the table had been set beautifully.
Lanier came up beside him. “Thanks, Dallas. I’ll get the rest. Sit down and relax.” She turned to leave. Stopping suddenly, she whipped around to face him. “Wine, red or white?”
His smile was tender. “You choose. I want what you’re having.”
She smiled back. “Okay. I’ll grab the casserole and a bottle of red wine.”
Lanier came through the door and he jumped up, taking a hot serving dish from her hand and setting it on the table. He pulled out a chair for her and they both sat. Lanier gave a short blessing.
Lanier began fixing his plate. He didn’t ask it of her, but he normally let it go without comment. She hadn’t learned how much of a true caretaker she was until after the girls had moved in. Her own childhood had made it impossible to believe she’d become a great caretaker for others. Figuring Dallas was hungry, Lanier hurried. The sauce and pasta had been mixed together and then simmered on a low flame, the way he liked it.
Lanier watched while Dallas practically shoved food down his throat. She wasn’t as eager to share the news as she’d been before seeing Casey. Before saying anything about the town house, she’d wait until he was on his second helping.
Dallas looked at Lanier and smiled. “Did you get your errands taken care of?”
“Pretty much. I also turned in a credit application for the town house.” She sat back and waited on his response.
Dallas’s eyes widened. “Congratulations!”
“I can’t believe I actually followed through. Once I made up my mind to go for it, I tried not to second-guess myself. They need my tax returns, and I plan to take them by there tomorrow.”
Thinking about how Casey acted, she pulled a face. “Maybe I’ll mail them in.”
“Why the ugly face? Did something bad happen?”
Lanier shrugged. “Just don’t like people in my business.”
“That’s part of the loan process. They have to know about your employment and credit history. They don’t ask only you for that information—everybody gets screened.”
Lanier wrinkled her nose. “It wasn’t that kind of information. Miss Rayburn decided to ask personal questions. I told her she needed to stick to her job and stay out of my personal life. She ticked me off.”
Dallas laid down his fork and took Lanier’s hand. “What in the world did she ask?”
“She wanted to know if we are in a serious relationship. I said we’d been together awhile, and she made a rude comment about an athlete’s inability to be faithful.”
Dallas’s expression darkened. “You told her right. She needs to stick to selling and leasing. Maybe I’ll have a talk with the management, because she has no right to say anything about your personal business.”
Lanier raised an eyebrow. “If she had her way, I’d probably be disqualified. She is in control. She seems to want what she thinks I have.”
Dallas’s eyes narrowed. “Thinks? Don’t you know what you have?”
Lanier heard dismay in his voice. “I have you, Dallas. I have your heart and your love. I didn’t mean to sound iffy.”
Sighing, he smiled through the disappointment. “Those are the things I don’t want you to forget. We’ll pay Miss Rayburn a little visit tomorrow to deliver the tax returns.”
Lanier shook her head. “I can handle her on my own. If she thinks I need you to fight my battles, she’ll see me as weak. This is something I’ve got to deal with alone.”
Impressed, Dallas nodded. “I’ll stay out of it. But if she gives you a hard time, I’ll have to deal with her.”
“Don’t worry, love. I’ve got it.”
Dallas grinned. “I’m sure.” He picked up his fork and resumed eating. His food had cooled some, but it still tasted delicious.
“Let me warm this up and what’s left in the casserole,” Lanier said as she took his plate into the kitchen with her.
Watching the door like a hawk, Dallas anxiously waited for Lanier. The room was cold without her warmth. Some folks would think he was a fool for love. He couldn’t remember when he last cared about what people thought, especially about his feelings for his woman.
Fool or not, he was in love. Before Lanier, all he’d ever dreamed of was World Series wins. He’d forgo all of it to have Lanier marry him and live happily ever after.
Smiling, Lanier came through the door and set Dallas’s plate before him. “It’s piping hot. Be careful.”
He pointed at her chair. “Sit back down and eat some more.”
“I’m full. You eat as much as you want, but don’t overdo it. I’ve got plans for you that require you to stay awake.”
“I don’t know what you have in mind, but my imagination is already going wild.”
“Up to taking a walk with me?”
“Trying to help me work off the food I downed?”
“Just want to walk hand in hand. It’s a beautiful evening.”
It was a beautiful evening. A full moon shone its subtle light on the large tract surrounding Haven House. The atmosphere was peaceful. She felt alive with her hand inside Dallas’s massive one. Every time he touched her, her pulse raced. As he leveled his dreamy, ebony eyes on her, she felt her knees weaken.
Dallas gently squeezed her hand. “I love how peaceful it is. I’ve lost track of the times we’ve walked this property, enjoying the atmosphere, losing ourselves in each other.” His eyes drank in her beauty. “Are you okay?”
Lanier laid her hand on the side of his face. “I’m fine. When I’m with you, I feel so much joy. I love it when we spend special times together, times like this.”
Pulling her closer, Dallas kissed her forehead. “I love it, too, Lanier. I can’t compare love, because you’re my first. I was looking for something, but I didn’t always know what I was searching for. Yet I knew love when I faced it the first time. And now I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
The couple fell into silence, walking on and enjoying the sounds of nightfall and rustling leaves. As Dallas looked over the property, he recalled how horrible Haven House had been before he, Houston and Austin had worked to turn a neglected place into a real home.
Lanier looked up at Dallas. “What’re you thinking?”
Dallas chuckled. “The mess Haven House was before everyone we
nt to work on it. The changes are remarkable.”
“Ashleigh and I never dreamed the place could look this good, but we were determined to make it beautiful and as livable as possible.”
“Mission accomplished.” He pointed upward. “There’s the North Star. Let’s close our eyes and make a wish on it.”
Lanier’s wish was for more kids to keep Haven House filled with love, peace and joy.
“I’d love to tell you my wish, but it won’t come true if I do,” Dallas remarked.
“I won’t try and persuade you to reveal it. I can’t tell you mine, either. We both want our wishes to come true.”
Stopping, Dallas turned to face Lanier, bringing her into his arms. Lowering his head, he kissed her passionately.
“I’ll race you to the gazebo.” Laughing, Lanier took off running.
Hot on her heels, Dallas ran at top speed to catch her. He could overtake her anytime he wanted to, but he was happy with the view from behind. Her laughter floated back at him. No one laughed like Lanier. Blindfolded, he could pick out her melodic laughter in a crowded room.
Reaching the white gazebo, Lanier took Dallas’s hand and they walked up the few steps. They situated themselves comfortably on the bench seating and then peered up at the ceiling. Countless tiny white and blue lights had been strung above a mural of black angels dressed in white, pink and blue robes and positioned on fluffy white clouds. Austin had paid an artist to do the intricate ceiling painting. Ashleigh loved angels, and he loved making her happy.
Dallas got up, walked over to a metal box and flipped on several light switches. A romantic blue-and-white light flooded the gazebo. As he hit another switch, soft music came on.
Dallas walked back to Lanier and extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”
Lanier got to her feet, allowing Dallas to lead her to the center of the floor. Floating into his strong arms, she wrapped hers about his neck and laid her head against his chest. “Does it get any better than this?”
“Our relationship can always get better. I want our love affair to be the best it can be. I think there’s much more in store for us.”
Dallas waltzed Lanier over the floor in a formal fashion. The instrumental music was slow and melodramatic, and the sounds from reeds and flutes were distinct.
“Back in the day, you’d wear a formal gown with rustling petticoats beneath and a corset-style waistline showing plenty of cleavage. I can imagine you wearing a half mask made of feathers, like something worn at a Mardi Gras ball. If any man tried to cut in, I’d tell him you’re only eligible to me then I’d sweep you away.”
Lanier laughed. “Is that so? You sound pretty sure of yourself.”
Dallas looked her dead in the eyes. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
Lanier winked at her charming dance partner. “No reason at all. I wish I had as much confidence as you. How is it you’re always so sure of yourself?”
“I know who I am, inside and out, but I’ll always be a work in progress. We’re students of life until the day we die.”
Unlike Dallas, Lanier was still learning who she was. She knew herself a lot better than she had a few years ago, but she was still growing. “You’re one confident man. I love that about you. Where does it come from?”
“Mom and Dad deserve a good deal of the credit. The rest comes from life’s trials and errors. When we make mistakes, we’re supposed to learn from them, but we don’t always. If we learn to weed the good from the bad, we won’t settle for mediocre.”
Lanier shook her head in dismay. “I’ve lost count of all the mistakes I’ve made.” She sighed. Mistrusting everyone she came into contact with and everything she heard had been a huge problem for her. She was always suspicious of other’s motives. Not believing in herself had to also be counted. Lanier still believed her biggest mistake had been calling 911 the night her parents had gotten into a terrible fight.
“Before I halfway figured it out, I was a repeat offender. I now know how to come away with a valuable lesson learned. I only wish I hadn’t made the mistakes to begin with.”
Dallas entwined his fingers in her hair. “It’s okay to make mistakes, Lanier. We’re only human. Gleaning something worthwhile from our experiences is important. I’ve been confident a long time, but cockiness never suited me. I had to learn how to show confidence without acting cocky.”
Leading Lanier back to the bench, Dallas stood until she’d reclaimed her spot. “What is your biggest mistake?”
Lanier didn’t have to give any thought to Dallas’s query. “Calling 911 that night tops everything. Taking the blame for what others did is my second-worst mistake. I repeated that one again and again. Every time I got evicted from a house and sent to another, I owned the blame when I wasn’t really to blame. Adults are supposed to be so much wiser than children, yet they make a mistake a minute. Isn’t it funny how a child blames herself whenever someone is cruel to her?”
He hugged her. “Children are never to blame for what grownups do. They do mean things because they’re plain evil or terribly frustrated with their own lives. Adults are supposed to teach the young, not berate them verbally and physically. As sweet as you are, I can’t imagine anyone being mean to you. Wish I’d been around to protect you.”
Lanier laughed. “My sweetness doesn’t fool you. I can be pretty mean, and you’re not a stranger to that part of me. But I’m actually guilty of being meaner to myself.”
“You do whatever you have to do to protect yourself. I’ve never thought of you as mean, but your frustration can be plain as day. How’s the new you progressing?”
Lanier raised both eyebrows. “I’m surprised you don’t already know. Progression is going great. The old me would’ve told Casey where to go and how to get there. Though I did speak my mind, I was calm and direct.”
Dallas cracked up. “Lucky her! She deserved to see you angry.”
“I said it before—she wants what I have.” Lanier gauged his reaction.
Dallas’s smile was engaging. “And what’s that?”
“You! She’d love to show you off to her family and friends. The woman is infatuated with a certain baseball player. I may have to buy you a T-shirt to stake my claim.”
“Oh, yeah. What will it say?”
“My heart is taken!”
He laughed. “I’d wear it proudly.”
Lanier yawned. “Excuse me. I’m getting sleepy. Must be all the food I ate.”
“Girl, you didn’t eat enough to keep a mouse alive. I’m the one who pigged out.” He got to his feet. “Come on. Let me get you back to the house. It’s getting late.”
Dallas desperately wanted to ask Lanier to go home with him. He knew she’d never let him spend the night at Haven House. He wasn’t about to push his luck, either. She’d stayed an entire night with him, and he had high hopes for countless reoccurrences.
Slipping his arm around Lanier’s shoulder, Dallas turned her in the direction of the house. They’d had another beautiful night together, and he was happy to end it on a high note. As the couple reached the front porch, Dallas again brought Lanier into his arms, kissing her with every ounce of passion he was capable of. Making contact with her luscious lips had him feeling wanton.
Dallas wasn’t surprised that he desired Lanier, because there was never a time that he didn’t. His mind made love to her day and night. She was the last person he thought of at night, and in the morning she was back in his head.
Dallas really didn’t want to go. “Good night, babe. Dream of me. I love you more than I did yesterday. By tomorrow, I’ll love you even more.”
“I always dream of you. Good night, Dallas. I love you more.”
Dallas stood at the bottom of the porch steps until Lanier disappeared inside.
As h
e walked away, he wore a dreamy smile. Things were much better between them. Even though he still had reservations about how long it would last, he was determined to let this new phase continue to play out.
Dallas heard Lanier calling him, and he walked back to the porch. “Is everything okay?”
Lanier shook her head. “I need you. Will you stay longer? I don’t want to be alone.” There was no way Dallas could turn down her request. The pleading look in her eyes melted his heart. She had said she needed him, which was another first. He needed her, too, all the time. Rushing up the steps, he lifted her off her feet and carried her inside. As he headed toward the family room, Lanier put her mouth to his ear.
“I want us to go upstairs,” she whispered.
He appeared perplexed. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. You can set me down so I can walk.”
Dallas took the overstuffed chair while Lanier went through her DVDs, looking for a good movie to watch. It had to be romantic, but not too sexual. He knew where she stood on making love at Haven House. He was the kind of man who respected her rules and wishes, but was she the one in danger of breaking them?
Lanier found a collection of romantic sagas, true stories and dramas she loved. After inserting the DVD into the player, Lanier stretched out at the bottom of the bed.
Dallas had watched her every move. Her strides were quick, sure-footed and sleek, and the light swaying of her hips fascinated him. He could sit and watch her for hours without getting bored. She was a force he loved reckoning with.
As hard as it was to do, Dallas turned his eyes to the television. Lanier lying on the bed conjured up a bevy of romantic visions, the type she would want to avoid. Although he’d love to lie down with her, he wouldn’t even hint at it. The best thing for him to do was shut off his mind and pay attention to the movie.
A half hour into the movie, Dallas looked over at Lanier again. The drooping of her eyes signaled to him it was time to go. As he was about to tell her he was leaving, she leveled those pretty brown eyes on him, causing him to lose himself in her gaze.
Tempted by a Carrington Page 7
