Chapter Eleven
Ethan filled his plate at the Chinese buffet near the office. Dallas was in line just ahead of him. He asked her to lunch with an agenda in mind. He was hoping she’d agree to an overnight date with him. Separate rooms, of course. He wouldn’t pressure her at this stage of the game. Sharing a room would come, though. He’d make sure of that.
A moment later, he joined Dallas at their table, and asked, “How is your daughter these days?”
“She’s great. Growing out of all her clothes. I think she’s going to be tall like her father.” A frown flitted across her face, and she took a quick bite from her plate.
Ethan reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I came across some symphony tickets, and I hope you’ll come with me. It’s the weekend after next. We’d drive up to Dallas Saturday morning and return Sunday evening. Please, say you’ll come. We’ll have such fun.” He examined her expression closely, hoping for enthusiasm or at least that she was open to the idea.
Dallas looked over his shoulder, her eyes far away. The corner of her mouth lifted. “I’ve always wanted to go to the symphony.” Taking a bite of food, she chewed a moment, then said, “Let me see what my parents have to say. And I need to find someone to cover for me Saturday night at The Cowboy.” She smiled into his eyes. “I’d love to go if I can work things out.”
Ethan grinned. “Wonderful! I’ll plan everything. I hope your daughter and the nanny can find some fun things to do as well.” Thank God the girl didn’t mind staying with the nannies at the service. That had been a stroke of genius on his part. Too bad Dallas had gotten pregnant so young. It was hard on her, as a single mom, planning for a child every time she wanted to do something on her own.
He was glad he never had children. At some point, he knew he must. But, by then, he planned on being married, and his wife would handle all the care. He’d be busy furthering his career. He would go much farther than partner in the practice in Wichita Falls. This job was merely a step toward a better one at a larger firm somewhere in Dallas, closer to his mother. He already had a nibble at a very prestigious partnership. This plan didn’t need to be revealed to the woman sitting across from him, though. Not yet, anyway. Not until she fell for him. It did mean that time was of the essence. His plans for Dallas had to move forward as quickly as possible.
That meant meeting her daughter. He needed to gain the child’s good will before he could seal the deal with Dallas. The girl was sure to be a good little thing. After all, look at her mother. It shouldn’t be too hard to establish a connection with ... Pipi? Piper? Pepper? It was one of those silly names. And, dammit, he’d forgotten it again. “Can I ask a favor?”
She met his gaze. “Sure.”
“Would you introduce me to your daughter soon?”
Her eyes filled with warmth. “I’d like that.”
“Perhaps we can all go for ice cream next weekend.”
“Piper would love it. How about Saturday after her nap? Say, two o’clock?”
Piper. That was the child’s name. He’d write it down when he got to his office. “It’s a date, then. I’m looking forward to it.”
As they walked the few blocks back to work, he shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled. Surely, he was leaps and bounds ahead of the other guy in Dallas’s affections. She was a smart woman. She’d realize that he had much more to offer than any cowboy could. Ethan slipped his arm around her waist, kissing her behind the ear and claiming what he already felt was his.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, Piper licked her banana cone in the Braum’s ice cream shop near their house. Dallas glanced over and Ethan’s wide-eyed gaze was locked on Piper’s face, which was smeared with goo. Dallas grabbed a napkin and wiped the stuff off before it could drip. Hadn’t the guy seen a child eat ice cream before? Now the cone was dripping on Piper’s hand. Hell! Grabbing more napkins, she wrapped the cone in several layers and handed it back to her daughter.
Ethan cleared his throat and said in a bright voice. “Piper, what do you like to do for fun?”
The little girl stared at him. She’d been quiet since Ethan had sternly told her on the ride over to please stop kicking his seat. She finally said, “Doggies.”
He drew his brows together and glanced at Dallas. “Doggies?”
Shrugging, she said, “Maybe she means my parents’ dog?”
Ethan tried again. “You like to play with your grandparents’ dog?”
Piper licked her lips and slowly shook her head no.
Dallas huffed. “Piper, use your words. What doggies?”
She turned to her mom, her eyes wide and innocent.
Ethan smiled uncomfortably and shrugged. “It’s fine. Kids will be kids.”
While they finished their ice cream, Ethan talked about a vacation he took to Rio one year. Piper was silent.
While Dallas gathered the used napkins and trash, Piper said, “I want to go to the park.”
Ethan, who’d begun to rise, froze.
Dallas glanced over and said, “That’s up to Ethan.”
He tilted the corner of his mouth up. “Uh, no problem.”
Not the most enthusiastic response Dallas could imagine, but he was willing. She’d give him that. It was obvious he didn’t have much experience with kids. But Cash said he didn’t either and look at how great he was with Piper.
Ethan took the tray full of trash and dumped it, and they headed for his car.
That was another thing. His two-door sports car was a pain when it came to putting Piper’s car seat in the back. Ethan had to pull the belts from beneath the seat because
