With Olivia out of the country, there was only one other person here. “You must mean Becca Carter.”
Her eyes widened. “You know Becca?”
“I work with her boyfriend. Apparently, their relationship isn’t all smooth sailing. He doesn’t know how to deal with her.”
“And you know how I feel about gossip. Becca confided in me and I can’t tell you any more than that.”
“It’s about him, though, isn’t it?” Dallas guessed.
“And does not involve his job.” She began to pull away. “Thus, not your concern.” She stopped and gazed up at him. “I’m happy about the stock you’ve found and your friends riding, but today has been hard for another reason besides Becca.” Her mouth turned down. “I had a visit this morning from Bernice. She heard us talking outdoors and assumed the worst.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were.” Elizabeth replayed that conversation. “I sent her packing, and I felt pretty proud of myself, but I’d hoped you and I had kept a low profile. It’s one thing to help with your rodeo, another to cause speculation about you and me.”
“If people want to talk, they’ll talk. You can’t keep them from it. Why let that throw you off base?”
“Because I have my children to think of. Maybe you can’t understand that—”
“Because I don’t want to get tied down before I’m ready? With anyone?” They were back now to last night, and whatever she hadn’t shared after he’d set her straight. “I’m glad you stood up to Bernice, but you really think she should dictate how you live? Looking over your shoulder all the time? Slinking around in your own backyard?”
“Dallas, you knew how I am when you asked me to help with the rodeo. If I can’t do it on my terms, maybe it really would be better for me to drop out.”
“Uh-uh,” he said. “You promised, and I’m holding you to it because I do need you,” he added. “Forget Bernice.” He took a chance and massaged her shoulders, warming her skin through her blouse. She felt cool, like the look in her eyes that bothered him all over again. “Working together, we’re bound to get noticed. That doesn’t mean we’re doing anything we shouldn’t. But I can’t help feeling there’s something else going on here.”
She held his gaze for a long moment, then hers dropped away. “No,” she said.
He could tell that wasn’t all. “What is it, Lizzie?”
She only shook her head.
Whatever it was, she wasn’t ready to delve into the subject. “If it’s about your kids, with them away they won’t be harmed by anything we do. For the rodeo...or otherwise.”
“You’re way too convincing. That’s how I ended up here in the first place.”
“Right here?” With her still in his arms, he tried a lighter tone, daring her rejection. “Tell me you’re glad about my news. It won’t kill you.”
She deadpanned him. “I’m glad about your news.”
He raised his eyebrows, teasing her now. “Tell me like you really mean it.”
Her eyes met his again. “I do, but Dallas, after the night in the yard and, um, that day you came over to console me—”
“I realize you wish that didn’t happen, but it did.”
She gently pushed at his chest. “And I know the friendship you asked for is all we can have. I agreed to help you, but that doesn’t come with benefits. I’d have to be far more daring than I am to let y—”
“Let me what?” In the dim light of the closed shop, he cradled her face in his hands.
“I know you like me, Dallas. I like you too, but—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know the drill. Your kids. Your mother and her friend don’t have enough to do so they keep track of you, and you hate being talked about. Your ex is a jerk who betrayed your trust, but this is now, you and me...here...and nobody else is looking,” he pointed out. “I won’t take advantage of you. Just remember,” he nearly whispered, “how good we were together in May.”
She made a frustrated sound. “I was half out of my mind then. When you showed up, I had a piece of paper in my hand that told me my marriage was officially over, that the man I had loved would never love me again... I felt utterly alone, Dallas. That day I would have clutched at a lamppost.”
“Gee, thanks.” He held her gaze. “You weren’t alone. I was there,” he said. “Yes, I need you now, but I’ve been thinking...” He lowered his head. “You need me too.”
He gave her another moment to say no before Dallas forgot his vow to himself, forgot his bull-riding career and everything he owed Millie and Joe. His mouth met Lizzie’s, brushed across her lips, and in the same instant Lizzie’s arms wound around his neck until she was clinging. To him, not some post.
For a few bedazzled seconds the kiss went on before she drew back. “I can’t... I really shouldn’t.”
“Neither should I,” he said, and, while Dallas was trying to tamp down his disappointment and get his head together, she slipped free of his embrace. Leaving him to wonder what she was still keeping from him.
THE NEXT MORNING Elizabeth drove out to the McMann ranch. She hoped Dallas wasn’t around, or at least stayed out of sight, but he stood outside the barn, spraying a dark horse with a hose. His hat thumbed back on his head, blue eyes squinting against the hot sun, he looked up and merely stared at her.
Elizabeth lifted a hand—he didn’t answer her wave—then went on to the house. She’d come to see Clara about the rodeo. She hadn’t meant to lead Dallas on yesterday, if that was what had happened, but nothing could come of the kiss they’d shared except another personal disaster for Elizabeth. She’d already been left by one man and was trying to stand on her own; she wouldn’t set herself up for another loss. Especially with
