“There’s more?”
“There’s more.” Not that long ago she wouldn’t have been able to share this with anyone. “You know how upset I get at the thought of you wanting to take care of me.”
“That would be an understatement.”
“Paul...” She hesitated. Maybe she still had more qualms than she’d thought. Not about trusting Ben, but about having to show him how naive she’d been. “I told you he used me, too. He built his ego by tearing mine down. He started early, long before high school, and never let up. It was so subtle back then, I didn’t realize it.”
Ben’s eyes glimmered.
She swallowed hard. “When he came back from State, he wasn’t subtle anymore, just told me outright I needed him and would never get anywhere without him. And I...I bought into it.” Her laugh sounded bitter. “I was that dumb. But I’d never been with anyone else, and we’d been together since grade school. When he came home on leave that last time, I thought maybe things had changed for the better. He seemed different, as though he cared.”
“He was different,” Ben said in a low voice. “He did care. I told you, that’s when he asked me to watch over you and the kids.”
She nodded. “I believe now he meant well. But what he wanted for me isn’t what I want.” She spoke as quietly as he had. “I want to be a good mother to my kids. I don’t ever want to be weak and needy—the way Paul claimed I was.”
“Dana. You’ve been running a business and raising three children on your own for years. There’s nothing weak about you. You’re the strongest woman I know.”
Her heart soared. She’d been so wrong, for so long, about so many things. But not this. Of course, Ben was nothing like Paul. Of course Ben believed in her.
“After he left again,” she said, “I finally came to my senses. I realized that, no matter what he said, I’d never been the kind of woman he claimed I was. And he’d long ago stopped being the man I’d once cared about. The man whose image I’d always tried so hard to protect.” She took a deep breath and released it. “When he died, I felt I had to keep up that image. For the folks in town. For the kids. And especially for you. Because you were his best friend. And because...I love you.”
Her voice broke, but she rushed on. “I know I shouldn’t tell you, because we’re just friends. But I can’t help thinking that if I had said it months ago, we could have had a chance together. I could have had what I’d always wanted. A good daddy for my kids. A strong marriage. An equal partner.”
“That’s what I wanted,” he said.
Wanted, not want.
Now her heart broke, too. She looked away.
“Dana.” He took her hand. “A long time ago I made a big mistake by stepping back from what I wanted. Instead, I did what I could—for you and Paul—knowing you deserved the better man. Only now I know I’m the best man for you.”
Slowly she turned to look at him.
He twined their fingers together. “Everything I stepped back from is what you’ve always wanted, too. The kids. The marriage. The equal partner. I wouldn’t settle for anything less.” Smiling, he added, “Since kindergarten, I wouldn’t settle for anyone but you. I never changed my mind about that, and I never will.”
He reached up with his free hand to brush away the tear running down her cheek. “I won’t change my thoughts about taking care of you, either. I want us to take care of each other. Not because we’re weak, but because that’s what makes a marriage strong. That’s what makes us equal partners. Can you see that?”
Not trusting herself to speak, she simply nodded.
“And I came up with that suggestion for the committees because I wanted you to understand a compromise would work. That you and I could reach our own middle ground.” He tightened his fingers around hers and raised their joined hands. “We made it.”
She laughed shakily. “Are you expecting me to argue with that?”
He shook his head. “No, just to love me. The way I’ve always loved you.”
He wrapped his free arm around her and touched his lips to hers. His kiss was hot enough to satisfy the desire she’d fought for so long. Sweet enough to tell her he would always be the best man for her.
And filled with the kind of promise she’d want to hold him to forever.
Epilogue
One month later
On a cool, crisp Saturday morning, a week after their wedding, Ben stood on the playground holding Dana’s hand. It was a nice day for the dedication.
Across from them, on a bench near the basketball court, Lissa sat watching them. When she caught him looking at her, she grinned and waved. Smiling, he waved back.
P.J. had joined a group of boys his own age playing kickball in the schoolyard.
Ben gently pushed the baby swing. Stacey gurgled, and he laughed.
“She’s happy the committee let her christen the swingset,” Dana said.
“Looks like it,” he agreed. He caught his new wife’s gaze. Just a short while ago, Ellamae had asked her to cut the ribbon for the dedication ceremony. “You’re okay with your new job?”
“I’m glad for it,” she said. “It will let me cut the ties to the past. The bad ties. And,” she added in a softer tone, “it’s a way for me to honor Paul.”
His throat suddenly tight, he nodded.
Ellamae hurried up to them again. “Now, Dana, I hope you don’t mind that Kayla’s giving the dedication.”
“Not at all. She did so much to make sure everything was ready for today, especially with all the additions.”
He and Caleb and Sam had taken the initial proposal beyond just the play area for the kids. They would soon break ground for the new Flagman’s Folly Community Center, too.
“I think Kayla deserves the pleasure,” Dana added.
Ellamae looked at them both thoughtfully, then said, “They asked me to speak, but I recommended her.” She laughed. “Between Becky and the new baby on the way, she’ll have more to do with this playground than I will. Besides, I’ve taken care of enough around here already.”
“You mean by joining the monument committee?” Dana asked.
“No. I mean, by creating the monument committee.” She shook her head. “If I hadn’t helped you two work through all those problems Paul caused between you, you never would’ve made a couple.”
Dana’s eyes widened in astonishment. “You knew about Paul?”
She nodded. “The way the Wrights spoiled their only son, there was no surprise he turned out the way he did,” she said gruffly. “Besides, we’d had more than a few creditors calling Judge Baylor.” She shrugged. “But all that’s between us and the judge. And Stacey.” She smiled at the baby.
Ben squeezed Dana’s hand. “The important thing is,” he said, “folks have always thought Dana and I should be together.”
“Well, of course they have. Except Clarice. But don’t worry, I’m working on her, and she’s coming along.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “As usual, I’m the only one willing to do anything around here.” She winked at them, then sauntered away.
He and Dana exchanged a glance.
He shook his head. “Think of all the time we wasted, and for nothing,” he said.
“Think of all the time you waited,” she countered, “and never stopped being my friend. Ben, there are so many things that haven’t lasted for me. You will.”
“Yep. Like nature taking its course.” When she laughed, he wrapped his arms around her.
He’d never felt more content.
Just like the storybooks...
They would live happily ever after in the Land of Enchantment—otherwise known as the state of New Mexico.
Because Benjamin Franklin Sawyer had finally gotten his girl.
* * * * *
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Chapter One
“He’s married. I’m beginning to think this season is cursed.” Maggie Sullivan stared at the wedding picture of Rory McAlister, Devlin Designs’ cowboy model, on the Twin Creeks Ranch website. Tall, dark-haired and built like only a real cowboy could be, he’d have been perfect. Now here she was, two weeks from the start of taping for her reality show, Finding Mrs. Right, and they were short one key component—a bachelor.
Samantha, Maggie’s assistant director, turned from her computer monitor. “Who’s married?”
“Rory McAlister. The man we hoped would be this season’s bachelor.”
“Isn’t it Kate’s job to check into that?”
“She’s got the flu, and since we have to sign a new bachelor ASAP, I get to play casting director.” Maggie frowned. What luck. She’d also get to deliver the bad news about Rory to her boss. Right now having the flu sounded pretty good.
When their quarterback bachelor unretired in midseason, the powers that be had decided to capitalize on the current popularity of cowboys, and hoped to sign Devlin Designs’ gorgeous new model as the next bachelor. The man was featured in every popular fashion magazine, and his rugged good looks were a hot conversation topic among women around office watercoolers all over the country. Maggie had been sent to research the idea, which led her to the unfortunate news of his marriage.
Unfortunate for her, that is, not for Rory.
“What’re we going to do now that our prime candidate is off the market?”
“I’m working on plan B even as we speak.” However, all she’d come up with was an actor dressed up as a cowboy, but they needed authenticity. There was something about real cowboys. No one could define it exactly, but everyone knew when it was missing.
Think. She fingered the sterling-silver frame holding the last picture of her and her mother together. What would her mom think of her only daughter, an upstate New York farm girl, working on a reality show in L.A.?
I know it’s not what you would’ve wished for me, Mom, but the job will get me what I want out of life.
“How about a rodeo cowboy?” Samantha asked as she rolled her desk chair across Maggie’s pristinely organized office to join her at her computer.
“The National Finals are two months away. Anyone with a name is gearing up for that.” Maggie rubbed the back of her neck, trying to loosen the tension knot.
When she scrolled further down the ranch’s web page, a picture of the wedding party appeared. Beside Maggie, Samantha sighed and pointed at the screen. “Look at the best man. He’s too good for words.”
Slightly taller than Rory, the man had charisma that leaped off the screen. The tux fit him to perfection, emphasizing his broad shoulders. The sun highlighted the golden tones in his hair.
“He’s definitely what great dreams are made of.” Maggie scanned the copy beside the picture. Hope eternal burst through her. “He’s Rory’s brother, Griffin. Could that be more perfect? We can still capitalize on Rory’s popularity if his brother is our bachelor.” She could see the trailer now: Rory McAlister is off the marriage market, but don’t worry. He has a brother. Tune in every week to Finding Mrs. Right, and meet Griffin McAlister!
She frowned as another thought occurred to her. “How could a man this gorgeous be available?”
Samantha clicked her ruby-red fingernail against the monitor. “Look at the wedding photos. Each one shows him dancing or cuddling with a different woman. No way is that guy in a serious relationship.”
“I have to be sure.”
“Then call him and ask.”
Why not, since plan B stunk and plan C failed to materialize? Maggie clicked on the Contact Us page. “What do I have to lose?”
“Exactly. We can’t be any worse off than we are now.”
“Why don’t I find that comforting?” Maggie took a minute to compose her thoughts and study the Twin Creeks website, discovering the ranch offered horseback riding tours and other tourist activities. She’d lead with what a great opportunity being on the show was, emphasizing how the publicity would bring more visitors to the ranch and increase business. Then she’d tell Griffin how wonderful the bachelorettes were.
With the conversation and her pitch mapped out, she located the ranch’s phone number, picked up her iPhone and dialed. “Cross your fingers.”
Samantha crossed her fingers and held up her hands. Then she crossed her legs. “Extra insurance never hurts.”
A smooth feminine voice answered, throwing Maggie off stride. Calm down. Just because a woman answers the phone doesn’t mean Griffin’s married. She could be Rory’s pretty little wife, or a family member. Barreling forward, Maggie explained she had business to discuss with Griffin, and asked to speak with him. A minute later, she had his cell phone number. Then as an afterthought, she blurted out, “I know this is an odd question, but is Griffin married or engaged?”
Soft laughter floated over the phone lines. “Believe it or not, that’s not an unusual question, and no, he’s not married, or even dating anyone seriously.”
Maggie ended the call. “He’s available.”
“That’s good news,” Samantha said.
She punched in Griffin’s cell number. When he answered, his low sexy voice rippled through her. His voice was as good as his looks.
“Hello, Griffin. I’m Maggie Sullivan, the director on the reality show Finding Mrs. Right. We’re looking for a bachelor this season—”
“I’m not interested.”
“Being on the show would be great publicity—”
“I’ve got horses to see to.” Then he hung up.
Maggie stared at her phone. Their conversation had gone much better in her head.
“He hung up on me.” She sat there, unsure of how to proceed. “He wouldn’t even let me make the pitch.”
“Call him back.”
“What makes you think the second time will go any better than the first?”
“Divine intervention?” Samantha said, as she pointed upward.
“I think the Lord might be a little busy.” But knowing she couldn’t give up, Maggie called again. This time when Griffin answered, she blurted out, “Don’t hang up. Give me a chance to outline my—”
Click.
Maggie clutched her phone so hard her fingers tingled. “Maybe we don’t want Griffin McAlister on the show. He definitely needs to work on his social skills—he hung up on me again.”
“They say the third time’s the charm,” Samantha said encouragingly.
“The best indication for future behavior is past behavior, and I’m sensing a pattern here.”
“Then email him.”
Maggie
shook her head. “He’ll just delete the message without reading it. I need to see Griffin in person. It’ll be harder to dismiss me if I’m standing in front of him.” She tapped her neatly manicured nail against her desk. “I need to develop the right approach, because he won’t give me much time. I have to hook him immediately.”
Samantha grinned and pointed to a photo of Griffin surrounded by women. “I know exactly what will work. Start with showing him the bachelorettes’ photos. That’ll get his attention.”
“Are you sure?” Maggie still believed leading with the publicity for the ranch was best, but what she knew about men could be written on a matchbook cover. Samantha, on the other hand, could write a three-book series and have material left over.
“After seeing him with all those women? Absolutely.”
But before Maggie decided, her cell phone belted out “Defying Gravity.” Glancing at the touch screen revealed the number of the fertility clinic she’d contacted. Once the years started zooming by and her eggs grew older, with no marital prospects on the horizon, Maggie had realized she had two choices—never have children or be a single parent.
After tossing out a quick “I’ve got to take this call” to Samantha, she answered her phone. As she jotted down notes regarding the cost of the various procedures she would undergo for in vitro fertilization, she kept her responses vague and to a minimum.
Whichever way she went, adoption or having a child with a sperm donor, achieving her dream wouldn’t be cheap.
“Is everything okay?” Samantha asked when Maggie ended her call.
“It was the dentist reminding me about my appointment.” She paused.
Samantha tilted her head and looked as though she might probe further. “I’m glad there’s nothing wrong. You seem concerned.”
She should tell Samantha something plausible. The woman was the biggest gossip on the show, and if she didn’t know the reasons for someone’s actions, she speculated instead, and the theory spread through the office like a cold in a preschool. “I need a filling replaced. I was a little surprised at how much it’s going to cost.”
Honorable Rancher Page 20
