Someone to Trust

by Kay Lyons

  She gave him a quick, sweet kiss for that. “I agree.” Because they’d lived a lifetime in those three weeks. Sometimes you just knew. “I will marry you. Eventually. But I don’t want to rush.”

  Her words brought out one of Dylan’s smiles, all the more glorious because there was nothing to distract from it now. “Whatever you want, so long as you agree.”

  “What about you? Will you agree to talk to my dad about the test?”

  Dylan remained silent for so long she knew he was going to refuse. She should let him handle this in his own way but he was so close to freedom and she wanted to help him take that final step. Still, he had reasons for concern and she wouldn’t blame him for balking. Everything in its time.

  A deep sigh left his chest and Dylan lowered his head and brushed her mouth with a kiss, delving inside when she parted for him. She would never get tired of his kisses, never get tired of that zing she felt every time he looked at her.

  “Yes,” he whispered. “I want this to be our new start. If you’re by my side I can face anything.”

  “I hope so because it’s Christmas and at some point you’ll have to meet my family.” She made a face. “Let me say now that I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  Alexandra groaned softly. “You’ll understand when you meet them,” she said as she kissed him again.

  * * *

  SOME POINT CAME THE VERY NEXT morning when Alexandra took him and Colt to her studio. She’d already purchased paint and the needed supplies and since they couldn’t spend the entire time in bed— Colt required food, supervision and entertainment— Dylan had volunteered his services to paint the interior.

  Alexandra had taken Colt into the back with her to carry rollers and extension rods. The two of them were making quite a bit of noise rustling through bags and boxes she’d stashed out of the way. That’s why he didn’t hear the door open.

  Giving the paint one final stir, Dylan suddenly realized he was being watched. He turned to find several women carrying plastic containers of food, studying him with varying expressions of surprise, interest and out-and-out animosity. Into the building behind them came a troop of dark-haired men carrying ladders, buckets, toolboxes and more.

  Once they were all assembled in a semicircle Dylan was being stared at by no less than twenty people. He straightened slowly. “Hello.”

  “Who are you?” asked one of the women.

  Her gaze slipped to his hands before moving back to his face. That glance was all it took to make him realize she already knew who he was. Asking was a formality.

  Alexandra’s studio wasn’t the O.K. Corral but this was definitely a showdown. He was outnumbered. They all loved Alexandra, so he tried to get a handle on his unease. She’d obviously told her family enough about him that they questioned his reasons for being here and his presence in Alexandra’s life. But Alexandra loved him and he knew she would stand her ground. Her family might not like him or the events it had taken to get them to this place, but they’d better get used to having him around.

  Cycling through the many descriptions of family and friends Alexandra had given him the night before, he focused on the most tension-filled face and said, “Shelby, right?”

  The woman’s gaze narrowed even more.

  “Was it the sparks flying out of her eyes that tipped him off?” someone asked in a stage whisper.

  Several of them smirked but no one laughed.

  “You can’t take her,” said one of the younger boys. “Aunt Alex just moved back.”

  Dylan forced himself to meet the accusing gazes of her family. “We’ll be traveling to Alaska—”

  “She won’t get to see me play ball!”

  “Now wait a minute—”

  “Are they getting married?”

  “It’s too soon.”

  “She’s knocked up.”

  “I think it’s sweet.”

  “Tobias, that’s our sister you’re talking about!”

  “Stop!” Alexandra said, her voice laced with exasperation as she walked back into the room. “Tobias, I’m not pregnant. And thanks for starting that rumor.” She set down the items she carried on the floor, instructing Colt to do the same before she took Colt’s hand and pulled him along with her to stand at Dylan’s side. “What are you all doing here?”

  “What’s he doing here, Lex?” Shelby slid him another glare.

  “I asked first.” Alexandra waited with an impatient shift of her weight, leaning against his side.

  The oldest of the group smiled. “We came to give you your homecoming present, dear. You can’t possibly do all the work yourself so we came to help you.”

  “Oh, Gram. That is so sweet.”

  “Alex, you’re okay? What’s going on?”

  Alexandra’s hand slipped into his and squeezed.

  “I’m fine, Dad. Better than fine now,” she said with a glance up at Dylan. “Thank you all for coming. I really appreciate it. We both do.”

  “We?” Shelby asked pointedly.

  “Yes, we. Dylan and I are together.”

  “You’re Dylan MacGregor.”

  Remembering Alexandra’s father was a fan, Dylan nodded and prepared himself for censure. “Bower’s my last name. MacGregor is my middle name.”

  “We understood you’ve been living in Alaska for several years. Are you taking Alexandra back to Alaska with you?” her father asked.

  Dylan took in the expressions on all their faces and knew he walked a thin line of acceptance. Screw it up, say the wrong thing and he’d never make it out from under the pile of male bodies taking swings at him. But say the right thing… “We will definitely be visiting Alaska because my father lives there but—” Dylan squeezed Alexandra’s hand before releasing it and sliding his arm around her shoulders “—we’re living here. And so it’s clear,” he said, directing his statement to her parents, “I love Alexandra and I intend to marry her as soon as she agrees to set a date.”

  “Sounds possessive, don’t he?”

  “Doesn’t have a freaking clue who he’s taking on.”

  Alexandra glared at the two men Dylan assumed were her brothers.

  “And you’re okay?” Shelby asked. “Really?”

  Dylan could see the worry on Shelby’s face and knew his fiancée’s best friend asked out of love. That made it acceptable. The size of her family would take some getting used to but he’d do it.

  “I’m wonderful. Sometimes you just know when it’s right.”

  “I think I just puked a little—ow, Megan, that hurt. Kiss it and make it better?”

  “Will you two get a room?”

  “Enough,” Alexandra’s father said with a shake of his head.

  “Yes, boys, there are children present. Such as this little man. Alex, you need to introduce us, dear,” Gram said.

  Alexandra tugged Colt in front of them and glanced at Dylan again, giving him a look that stated loud and clear she had his back regardless of what the DNA test said.

  “Everyone, this is Colt, my son.”

  Epilogue

  One year later…

  DYLAN SAT BACK IN THE OFFICE desk chair located above Alexandra’s photography studio. Now painted a bold red, they’d bought the building from her brother Nick, remodeled it and lived on the second and third floors while their house was being built.

  Alexandra and Colt’s laughter drifted to him from downstairs, comforting and happy as they waited for him to finish writing for the day so they could take Doodlebug out for her evening walk.

  Following in her brothers’ footsteps with their penchant for marriages on holidays, he and Alexandra had tied the knot on July Fourth at her parents’ house. Independence Day. It seemed fitting since he’d never felt more free in his life.

  Turned out he had been recognized in the airport in Atlanta last year when he’d come to see Alexandra. Two days after Christmas and his arrival in Beauty, articles had appeared in the rags and news of the fire resurfaced with photos of him
snuggling a sleepy Colt close as he walked the airport terminal. This time the stories had taken a surprisingly positive turn and he was labeled as being the wrongly accused father who’d nearly lost it all and—quite visibly—now cherished it.

  The stories were embarrassingly incorrect on other aspects of his life but it didn’t matter. His book sales had soared once again and the photos quickly disappeared when some Hollywood hottie was caught cheating on her boyfriend. His reappearance became old news.

  His editor had e-mailed him after the sighting. His agent, too. He’d ignored them all and focused on one thing: his family. Never again would he lose sight of what was really important.

  Ansel and Walter had moved to Alaska to help Zeke run the lodge and the three old coots were having a blast. They’d hired Sam to cover the flights and spike camps for hunters during the season, and focused their talents on fishing and the telling of tall tales.

  Dylan worried about Zeke’s health but knowing Ansel was there gave Dylan comfort.

  Colt’s childish giggle filled the air again, and Dylan smiled at the sound. How many times had he begged God to hear Colt laugh again? Now he was. Every day.

  Colt was receiving counseling at Beauty’s hospital and had gone from being withdrawn and leery to happy and boisterous in a matter of months.

  Only one thing kept Dylan from total satisfaction.

  His writing.

  Writers write. It’s what they did. Scenes, dialogue, characters. The different characteristics appeared at will, impatient to be put to paper and created. And since November, ever since meeting Alexandra, he’d done that, hammering out the story of Evangeline and her gunslinger cowboy and their thrilling adventure to the Klondike following the trail of a killer. The story had it all. Mystery, suspense, romance. Aspects that would appeal to a broad audience.

  This was it. This was his comeback book if he chose to put it out there. All he had to do was be brave enough to e-mail his agent and start the process. Alexandra and her family supported him. Believed in him.

  And now that a very discreet, very nerve-racking paternity test proved Colt was indeed his, nothing held him back but himself.

  Hands shaking, Dylan clicked to send a new e-mail, added his agent’s name as the recipient and attached the file, but hesitated over the body of the letter.

  What to write when he hadn’t spoken to the man since the fire? When he’d ignored the calls and e-mails and letters lending support and asking for contact?

  Finally it came to him.

  Sorry it took so long.

  I hope it was worth the wait.

  * * *

  DID YOU ENJOY SOMEONE TO TRUST? CHECK OUT THIS EXCERPT FROM KAY’S MONTANA SECRETS SERIES TITLED HEALING HER COWBOY:

  GRACE KORBIT FLINCHED when a book slammed against the wall three feet to the right of her head.

  “Next time I won’t miss. Get out.”

  Gathering her courage, she peered into Seth Rowland’s bedroom, unable to see much because of the dark blinds covering the windows. Too bad they didn’t block the smell. Musty air and a decidedly unpleasant aroma assailed her.

  “You gotta hearing problem? None of you’ve managed to fix me yet and I’m sick of waiting for a miracle.”

  Grace was shocked. This wasn’t the Seth she remembered. Taking a deep breath, she ignored his order and went inside, hoping her instincts would protect her from any additional flying objects. Three steps in, her foot landed on something soft and skidded an inch to the left. Eeeew.

  But the goo sticking to her foot explained the smell. At least part of it. The pungent odor of a too-ripe banana filled her nostrils. She lifted her shoe, hobbling momentarily and, using the light streaming in from the connecting bedroom, spotted the outline of an overflowing trash can. She shook her foot over the container until she heard a dull thunk.

  “How about I open the blinds and windows?” she asked, her voice husky as she scraped the sole of her shoe over the edge. That done, a steadying breath full of dust and the lingering smell of fruit propelled her quickly through the mess.

  “How about you go—” Seth finished his crude suggestion. Grace winced, but she’d heard worse.

  She trailed her fingers along the wall until they found the drawstring pull of the blind and yanked hard, although she regretted it instantly when the dust flew. She waved one hand in front of her face while unlocking the sash with the other. Cold, crisp air flowed in.

  Seth’s eyes bored a hole into her back as Grace made her way to the second window, thankful the sunlight enabled her to maneuver around the messy room, which looked as though it hadn’t been cleaned in weeks.

  Mindful of the dust, she raised this blind slower, giving the task more attention than it deserved due to a sudden nervousness. How had she ever convinced herself she could do this? See Seth again? Talk to him, touch him? But in the same vein, how could she have said no?

  She stared outside, at the dirt-and-gravel road leading away from the house, and knew this was one window she’d better keep closed. Otherwise she’d have a hard time fighting the temptation to climb through and make a run for it.

  Unable to postpone the inevitable any longer, she turned. “Seth, I—” Grace gasped at the sight of him and hated herself because she wasn’t quick enough to squelch the revealing sound. He heard, too, because his gaze narrowed on her and she knew the exact moment he recognized her—and she realized in an instant Jake hadn’t told Seth his ex-girlfriend was to be his next physical therapist.

  Seth’s eyes widened, then he looked away. But in that moment in between she saw it all. Saw the cold, bitter distance she’d created. The anger and upset and breath-stealing pain.

  Seth’s guarded stare reminded her of an injured, cornered animal, fighting back out of instinct, but unsure of whether or not he really wanted to continue the battle.

  Oh, Seth.

  Lucky for her he appeared as shocked to see her as she was to see him in such a condition. She fell back on six years of training and experience. Lessons hard learned and refined by taking on some of the most difficult cases others had given up on. Like Seth.

  Squaring her shoulders, she swallowed. “It’s good to see you, Seth. Do you throw books at everyone who comes through the door or just me?”

  Jaw tight, he continued to glare. “I thought you were— Ah, no way,” he growled as understanding replaced his shock.

  She forced herself to move closer with a confidence she didn’t feel. “That’s right. I’m your new therapist.”

  * * *

  CONTINUE READING HEALING HER COWBOY BY CLICKING THE LINK OR ASK FOR THEM WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD.

  * * *

  TAMING THE TULANE SERIES:

  SMALL TOWN SCANDAL

  THEIR SECRET BARGAIN

  CROSSING THE LINE

  THE NANNY’S SECRET

  SOMEONE TO TRUST

  THE STONE RIVER SERIES:

  WORTH THE WAIT

  NOT BY SIGHT

  THROUGH THE VALLEY

  LEAD ME NOT

  CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD

  THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

  SECOND CHANCES

  MONTANA SECRETS SERIES

  HEALING HER COWBOY

  IT HAD TO BE YOU

  HERS TO KEEP

  MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF

  HIS CHRISTMAS WISH

  THEIR SECRET SON

  SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES

  BRODY’S REDEMPTION

  FALLING FOR HER BOSS

  WITH THIS MAN

  More books:

  Secret Santa

  COMING SOON!

  Secret Santa II

  For more information about Kay Lyons, please visit her website at www.kaylyonsauthor.com. You can also find her at the following:

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  About the Author

  Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances. Each and every one of her manuscripts included a love story.

  Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Look for her most recent novels with Kindred Spirits Publishing.

  For more information regarding her work, please visit Kay at the following:

  www.kaylyonsauthor.com

  @KayLyonsAuthor (Twitter)

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