Chapter Four
At five on Wednesday afternoon, Ethan stopped by Dallas’s desk as she prepared to leave. “Can I walk you to your car? I need to talk to you for a minute.”
Dallas smiled. “Sure. Come on.”
He placed his hand on the small of her back and followed her outside. “I think I came up with a solution to our problem. A friend of mine uses a nanny service when he and his wife go out. He said the employees have all been given thorough background checks, and he and his wife have been very happy with the nannies that have cared for their children.”
As they approached her car, he continued. “I thought it might be nice to hire a nanny to take Piper to do something fun when we have a date. Then the nanny can take her back to your parents’ house for bedtime or can stay at your house until you get home. I can even see if we can manage the same nanny as often as possible. What do you think?” He studied her expression, hoping for a clue to her thoughts. She had to go for this.
Dallas furrowed her brow. “Wow, that’s not something I ever considered. Piper’s never stayed with anyone but my parents. I’m not sure how she’ll do. Maybe if I could meet the nanny first? I don’t know. Let me think about it? But thank you so much for coming up with the idea. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to do something like this for Piper and me.”
Much better than a no. He clasped her hands. “I’m glad you’re considering my idea. I can’t stand the thought of not seeing you again.” Looking into her eyes, he hoped she could see how much he wanted her.
She squeezed his hands and smiled before turning and unlocking her car door.
Ethan stared as Dallas drove out of the parking lot, a hollow spot growing in his chest. She’d gotten to him. He’d work this thing as hard as he had to. That girl was his.
FRIDAY EVENING, CASH sat in his recliner, frowning at his phone. He spoke with Dallas during the week, but a call wasn’t what he needed right now. He wanted to be with her—missed her smile, the sweet sound of her voice, and the music of her easy laughter. He had enjoyed spending his Saturday with her, but tomorrow, he’d be busy castrating calves. His part-time ranch hand, as well as Ward Ramsey, a good friend of his who lived on a neighboring ranch, would be helping him with the chore.
Something else had been on his mind, too. He couldn’t help wondering if Dallas was dating someone else. She’d said she went out twice. True, it could be with girlfriends, but it bothered him some. Though he knew it was none of his business, he didn’t like the idea of her seeing another man. It would be awkward, but he wanted to ask her about it.
He glanced at the time. Nine—Piper should be asleep by now. Tapping Dallas’s contact, he waited for her voice.
“Cash. How are you?”
“I’m kind of bummed. I want to see you tomorrow but I need to cut a bunch of bull calves I spent all week rounding up.”
“Cut?”
“Sorry. Castrate them.”
“Oh ... wow. I never thought about that, I guess. Hey, we’ll miss you, too. But I could use the time to do some things around the house. I’m way behind. If you’re not too tired, you’re welcome to come by for a glass of wine Sunday afternoon.”
“That sounds great. I know Sundays are reserved for you and Piper.”
“We’ll make an exception. After all, you gave up your Saturday for us.”
Cash scrunched his forehead, hoping for inspiration. Nothing came. “Uh, I’m not sure how to bring this up, so I’ll just ask. Are you dating someone else?”
“Well,” she said on a sigh, “it all kind of happened at once. He’s a man I’ve worked with for several years, and he asked me out at the same time you did. I said yes to you both, not thinking the dating thing through—the time away from Piper—none of it.”
She continued, her voice gentle and earnest. “Cash, I like both of you. I told him the same thing—about spending time away from Piper. I really don’t know where all this is going. This is all new to me, and Piper has to remain my priority. Her and my goal of returning to school. I hope you’ll understand.”
Her honesty went a long way toward reassuring Cash. He could handle a little competition. It wasn’t like they had a commitment or anything.
DALLAS FLUFFED HER hair and adjusted her bangs as she walked to the door at two-thirty on Sunday afternoon. Cash had called earlier and said he was on his way. Her heart beat faster as she anticipated seeing him again. Looking through the Judas hole, she confirmed the tall, handsome cowboy was her visitor.
She opened the door, and Cash smiled, holding up a bottle of wine. “Thought I’d contribute to our afternoon debauchery.”
Dallas laughed and took the wine from him, stepping back to allow the big man to enter. “Debauchery? Is that what we’ll get up to?”
Cash chuckled and followed her to the kitchen. “One can only dream.”
She showed him her bottle. “I have this zinfandel. And I see you’ve brought us an Australian Shiraz. Which shall we open first?”
Cash tipped his hat to her. “Lady’s choice.”
“I want to taste this shiraz.” Grabbing an elaborate
