Eyes downcast, she said, “I understand how unfair my feelings are, but how do I change them? I’ve tried. I’ve prayed about it, but it runs around and around in my head.” She looked into his eyes.
Now, he scooted beside her and pulled her into him. Nestling her head under his chin, he said quietly, “Feel my arms around you. Listen to my heartbeat. Hear me when I say I’ll never betray you.” He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes, letting the silence seal his words.
THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY rolled around, and Dallas was more herself. She’d done a lot of soul searching, some of it pretty painful, though her conversation with Cash helped more than anything to dispel her distrust. His promise touched her deeply, forging a new and stronger bond between them.
True to his word, Ethan allowed her space, and she felt better about being with him again, too.
Kate and Sarah were coming over at three for wine and cheese and some much-needed girl talk. Sarah was bringing her two kids, six-year-old Colin, and three-year-old Cara, and Piper was ecstatic about having someone to play with.
At noon, Sarah called. “Hey, Dallas, you ready for two rowdy munchkins this afternoon?”
Dallas laughed. “Yours will fit right in with mine. She’s so excited she probably won’t take her nap.”
“You’re lucky. I can’t get my two to lay down at all anymore. Hey, listen, remember when we talked about Acacia?”
“Sure.”
“She’s been swamped with last-minute wedding plans. I thought I’d bring her along today, if you don’t mind. She’s agreed to be my designated driver, too.”
“Oh, I’d love to see her. Of course, she’s welcome.”
DALLAS FINISHED THE house and had time to get herself cleaned up when Kate arrived at the door, holding up a bottle. Dallas leaned in for a kiss. “Thanks for the wine. You know what I like.”
Kate laughed. “How are you?” Narrowing her eyes, she took in every detail of her friend’s face. “You need to get more sleep, woman. You’re getting crow’s feet.”
Dallas grinned. “Oh, just what I wanted to hear. I’ve lost some sleep, but I’m better now. Hopefully, they’ll go away.” Thinking of Ethan’s mother, she laughed. “Botox is not an option.”
Piper wiggled between them, reaching her hands in the air. “Hi, Auntie Kate.”
The woman smiled and lifted the little girl into her arms, following her hostess to the kitchen.
After opening the wine, Dallas poured them each a glass. Taking a sip, she asked, “What have you been doing? It seems like ages since we talked.”
Kate launched into a tale of her most recent shenanigans—who she was dating and where they’d gone.
Dallas smiled as she listened. Honestly, she couldn’t imagine a future where Kate settled down with one man and got married. She enjoyed being chased too much. The beautiful young woman had her pick of men and loved going out and traveling to new places. Neither could Dallas see Kate as a mother. Rolling her eyes, Dallas envisioned Kate with barf on her dress as she bottle-fed a baby. No way. Wouldn’t happen.
A knock sounded, and Dallas went to the door.
Sarah, full of energy, as always, swept in and headed to the kitchen, trailing Acacia in her wake.
Dallas drew Acacia into a hug. Her dark-brown hair and eyes set off her pale skin in a striking way. Dallas had forgotten how gorgeous she was. Pulling back, Dallas asked, “How are you? I hear you’re getting married.”
She grinned. “I didn’t realize how much work getting married was when I started all this. If I had known ... I would have eloped
Dallas laughed and pulled her into the kitchen, pouring her a glass of iced lemon water. “Let’s all go outside where the kids can play and stay out of our hair.”
With a chorus of “Yes!” they gathered the little ones and stepped into the back yard.
Dallas held the cheese-and-crackers tray and led the women to the chairs and tables under the shade trees. “I’m so glad you all could come. We need to do this more often.”
Sarah lifted her glass. “Here, here.”
“So, Acacia, tell us all about your honeymoon and where you’re going to live. You know, everything!” Kate said.
“Johnny’s keeping mum about the honeymoon. But afterward, we’ll live on his family ranch. We’ve been looking at house plans with a builder, and I’m excited. I want my kids to grow up on a ranch like I did.” She smiled, and a flush crept up the pale skin of her neck. “Not that we plan on children right away.”
Sarah laughed. “Take it from me, girl. Have lots of fun, first.”
Acacia giggled.
Cara jogged up to her momma. “Colin won’t share the ball. It’s my turn.”
Shaking her head, Sarah called, “Colin, let your sister have a turn, or you’ll have to come listen to girl talk for ten whole minutes!”
Cara ran back to join the play.
Sarah motioned to Dallas with her wine glass. “Speak, girl. How is everything with your two hunks? Better, now?”
“Yeah.” An immediate bubble of happiness tickled her chest. Thank goodness Cash talked some sense into her. She would have lost ... well, lost everything that had made her life so joyful recently.
Sarah launched into a remix of her past week and had everyone giggling.
As the evening went on, Dallas leaned back in her chair and looked at her friends, one-by-one. She’d been too shy and insecure to make friends when she was young. She’d missed out on so much. This was what made life worthwhile. Sharing time with people you love.
Soon, a choice must be made
