The warmth in his eyes made Elizabeth wonder if he’d really meant something far more personal, a temptation she couldn’t indulge. “That’s a nice offer, but...”
“Friends and family discount.”
At the door she turned and found herself mere inches from him, Dallas’s lean body and his broad shoulders too close for her comfort. He smelled good, of a pine-scented soap and fresh air. She had to tilt her head to look up into his face. “I’m not family and I already have friends. Not all of them stood by me, which you know, but the ones who did are my lifetime friends. I don’t mean to sound harsh or unwelcoming, but you’re only here for a few weeks, and everything about you says so.” She knew she was talking too fast, saying too much, but couldn’t stop herself. “I shouldn’t depend on someone who rents his furniture, even his lawn mower, and will be leaving Barren as soon as the rodeo is over.”
“I’m here now,” he said. “I realize you’ve been burned and have reason to be wary.”
“Three of them, yes. Ages six, seven and nine.” The awkwardness was back.
“All I’m saying is, when you see me, you don’t have to run the other way. End of story.”
“But it’s not, Dallas.” She gestured at the street outside, the houses in the neighborhood. “Yes, you’re here now, you can enjoy Barren, and let’s say your rodeo’s a big success—the charity that hasn’t been chosen yet gets a nice donation, and you look like a hero—but you’re not local. I am. As you also said, you’ll soon be on the road again, and I’d be suffering any fallout. I had enough of that with Harry.”
“I’m not Harry,” he said, his tone flat. “I didn’t ask you to make a lifetime commitment.” He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and without warning, Elizabeth’s eyes filled. Dallas’s voice turned husky. “I wouldn’t do anything to harm you—or your kids. As for being local, I’m not, but Hadley is, and believe me I’d never get out of line with him around. Not that I would anyway.”
And there, all at once, was the elephant in the room again. I was there too, he’d said.
“I swear, when your divorce came through, I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you when you were feeling so down. Let me put all my cards on the table here,” he said with a faint lightening of his expression. “I think you’re an amazing woman... I like you, Lizzie.”
“Please don’t call me that.” It sounded too...intimate.
He sighed. “Elizabeth. Would I hope for something more this summer? In theory, sure,” he admitted, “because I’m human and I remember us in May, together. I know you’re still hurting, but you can’t hide from people, from what happened with your ex, even from me, forever. That’s not good for your kids, and it’s certainly not good for you.”
She shook her head. “This, from a guy who never met a stranger. Yes, I know I can seem too ‘buttoned up,’ but I’ve always been an Elizabeth. We’re very different, Dallas, and as you pointed out, my family, not just me, suffered real damage this past year.” I lost my baby too, another piece of my heart, and I’m still mourning that loss. “I’m not ready to fully take part in the world yet. When I do, it will have to be on my terms, no one else’s.”
“You’ve already made a start with that job.” He paused. “Maybe I should have said this first. I’ve had my dark times too, and I want us to be friends, that’s all. You could use another friend.”
Elizabeth blinked back her tears. He was one of the best people she’d ever met, but was just friendship even possible after that day in May? She had to hold her ground. She’d given him that contact information as her latest apology, and that was where their connection should end. Her hand shaking, she opened the door. “I have to run. I’ll be late for work.” But before she stepped outside, Jordan’s distress yesterday on the phone came back to her, and she realized Dallas had a point.
She had made a fresh start with her new job. And if she juggled her work at Olivia’s, she might be able to help Dallas a bit and lift Jordan’s spirits too, at least when he got home. And because Seth copied anything his big brother did or wanted to do, two of her kids might end up happier because of this small treat. Stella wouldn’t care about a rodeo, so maybe a mother-daughter day with her would be best, but...first, she’d have to eat a bit of crow.
“I have an idea.” Her heart thumping, she held Dallas’s gaze. “When you find that other venue, maybe I could, um, handle some publicity, PR...”
Dallas blinked. “You will?”
It wasn’t as if Elizabeth would be putting herself out there, really. She’d stay behind the scenes and avoid any missteps. With any luck, though, this could also be her opportunity to prove herself again to the people of Barren. “I think my kids will love the idea of your event, and if it’s held after they come home—” If it’s successful...
“I know Jordan’s keen on rodeo.”
Elizabeth groaned. “I’m sure he and his friend Nick will be over the moon.”
“Don’t give in too much,” Dallas said, his gaze holding hers, “or I won’t know how to react. Thanks, Liz—Elizabeth.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I don’t know how much help I’ll really be but, well, it looks like I’ll help with your rodeo after all.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
LIZZIE HAD OFFERED to help! Reluctantly, to be sure, yet Dallas was still enjoying the victory when he pulled up at Clara McMann’s barn the next morning for work. This coming weekend he’d agreed to show up for the kids’ rodeo at the Sutherland ranch and provide some guidance before the fledgling cowboys, close in
