“To be honest, I’m kind of hoping it’s a mistake. Women,” he added, shaking his head. “I should have stuck to grooming horses.”
“You and me both.”
Calvin misunderstood. He gaped at Dallas. “You have a girl? She pregnant too?”
“No way!” But he guessed in his misery Calvin craved company.
For a moment today, despite his promise to himself, Dallas had felt tempted to try to shift his relationship with Lizzie from being neighbors and friends to... But he’d obviously been wrong to even taste the sweetness of her mouth. The last thing she needed was to get dumped again at the end of summer by him.
“After I bring off this rodeo in Barren,” he said, “my concern is getting back to the professional circuit.” Or, as Ace had implied during their most recent phone call, he might lose his endorsements, his sponsors, which supplied a good part of Dallas’s income. “I need you to stick around, buddy. Got you down for calf roping and the bulls.” He hoped the change of topic might lift Calvin’s spirits while he considered what to do about Becca and their baby.
But Calvin’s voice held envy. “You must see a lot of girls on the circuit.”
Dallas couldn’t deny that. “Buckle bunnies everywhere, but like I said, my mind’s on work.” He recalled Lizzie had said no benefits, and if he wanted her continued help with the rodeo, which he did, he had to mind his manners.
“I don’t know how you resist.” Calvin’s eyes lightened. “If I was a big-deal rodeo star, on the road all the time, meeting women at every Saturday night dance... Man, that would be heaven.” Clearly, he wasn’t ready to settle down, but did Becca have the luxury of time?
“Like it or not, you’re in this situation too, Calvin. Becca didn’t start this new life she’s carrying—let’s assume she is—by herself. You care about her?”
“I love Becca. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Calvin switched the lead rope from one hand to the other. “I care—but for my whole life?”
“You’re not painting a very likable picture here,” Dallas muttered. Ditto, Maguire. He had the uncomfortable notion that this conversation, without the intention on Dallas’s part, might encourage Calvin to run.
Calvin sobered. “I’m not really looking to sleep around. I didn’t mean that. It’s more that I’m scared I’ll end up letting Becca down. What would you do in my place?” he asked.
Dallas didn’t hesitate. “I’m not in your place.”
“But if you were?”
A knee-jerk image flashed in his head: Dallas’s gear bag, loaded then tossed into the bed of his pickup truck, the tires rolling, gathering speed from one rodeo to the next...prize money in his pocket for his parents, their future assured... He couldn’t think beyond that. Lizzie didn’t want what he’d seemed to offer briefly with that kiss anyway.
“Calvin, I can’t tell you. I don’t know what I’d do if...” No, don’t even consider that. Dallas wasn’t ready either. He might never be ready.
Before he could even think about a long-term relationship, he needed to repay his folks for all they’d done for him when he was a kid, try to show them the kind of love they’d always given him. Why had he kissed Lizzie, then? Ruined what they already had for this one summer?
He said to Calvin, “Talk to Becca again. Find out what’s really going on. Then when you have all the facts, make your decision. Together.”
“Our decision,” Calvin said, half to himself. He opened the stall door. “Thanks, man. I’ll let you know what we decide.”
Dallas gazed after him. Where Lizzie was concerned, because of that kiss he’d been an idiot. But at least in May he and Lizzie had used protection. Dallas always did.
He didn’t need to worry.
ELIZABETH WAS WRAPPING a Lalique vase for a customer when Jenna walked into the store. Elizabeth came around the counter to give her a quick hug. “Hey, you.”
“I was in Farrier and thought I’d stop by on my way to the office.” Jenna’s pretty face looked as troubled as it had during their Girls’ Night Out meeting. “Do you have a minute?”
“For you, always.” She turned to hand the package to her customer. “Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy it. Please come again.”
The woman, a visitor from Texas, beamed. “This will be the envy of all my friends.” She swept from the store, the bell above the door jangling.
When they were alone, Elizabeth said, “Olivia claimed summer is her slow time, but we’ve had quite a few tourists, plus the locals who come in to see what’s new.” Or were the regulars sniffing for gossip fodder? No one could have seen her kiss Dallas, though. She was being paranoid. “First thing this morning, I supervised the packing and loading of a pricey Chesterfield sofa.” The indecisive customer had finally made up her mind. “The odds aren’t favorable that I’ll make another big sale today, but at least the store was hopping then.” That was both good and bad news. Elizabeth was enjoying her job, but by five o’clock she’d be even further behind in filling the online orders in her inbox for Kedar rugs. She’d have to work late and next weekend to catch up.
Jenna strolled around the shop’s main room. “Managing this place without Olivia must be a workout.”
“I’m dragging,” she admitted, “and today I’m shorthanded. Becca didn’t come in this morning or phone to let me know she was taking more time off.” Had she quit without notice after their conversation about Becca’s possible pregnancy? Elizabeth bit her tongue. She couldn’t mention that. “I haven’t had an opportunity to call and see how she’s doing. Now, about you...” she said, because obviously Jenna had come in for a reason other than to say hello.
Jenna stopped beside a table of antique snow globes. “Remember how much I love Luke and Grace? But I still can’t get it out of my head that I’d like to have another child. I’ve tried
