Chapter 41

A little after seven that evening, Shayna stood in front of the mirror, her fingers absently toying with the pearl choker around her neck. Memories of her past flooded her mind as she got ready to go out with Dayton. It had been years since she had felt the excitement of a night out, the anticipation of a special occasion. She missed those times dearly.

Her life had taken a dark turn when Erik had started threatening her, tracking her every move. The once vibrant and social Shayna had become a recluse, afraid to leave her apartment for anything that wasn't absolutely necessary. Work and quick trips to the grocery store had become her only outings, each one fraught with anxiety and fear.

As she applied her makeup, she reflected on how her life had been stolen from her, piece by piece. She had become a shadow of her former self, her world shrinking to the bare essentials. Dressing up and going out had become distant memories, overshadowed by the constant need to look over her shoulder.

But tonight felt different. There was a spark of something new. The thought of spending the evening with Dayton filled her with a mix of nerves and excitement. It was a chance to reclaim a part of herself, to step out of the shadows and remember what it felt like to celebrate life.

Taking a deep breath, Shayna smoothed down her dress and glanced at her reflection. She looked poised and elegant.

As she grabbed her coat and headed toward the door, she caught sight of Dayton's truck pulling up through the window. His presence stirred something deep within her, a sense of security and something else. He stepped out, his figure silhouetted against the evening sky, and she couldn't help but smile.

She watched him for a moment longer, appreciating the steadiness in his stride, the confidence he exuded. She met him at the door, her heart pounding not with fear, but with anticipation.

“If you’d quit frowning, you’d look perfect,” Dayton told her as he turned the pickup onto the main highway.

She glanced over at him and tried to convince herself not to be impressed. But she was anyway. He was wearing western-cut khaki trousers, a white shirt, and a brown leather jacket. None of which were particularly special or dressy. In fact, the jacket looked as if he’d had it for a long time. The leather was scarred and worn in several places. But it matched his old black hat, and with his dark, good looks and lean, rugged body, he made it all look special.

“I’ll do my best to look happier,” she told him, forcing a small smile.

“You didn’t want to come with me tonight. I can tell,” he said, glancing at her briefly before returning his focus to the road.

Shayna smoothed her hand nervously down the lap of her deep green skirt. “I haven’t said anything of the sort,” she replied, her voice a bit defensive.

“No. You haven’t said anything. That tells me a lot,” he countered.

Frowning, she turned her gaze back to the windshield in front of her. “It should simply be telling you I’m all talked out.”

“It’s funny how you should say that. For a long time now, I’ve hated talking. Mother and Charlene were constantly chattering, and they always expected me to join in. I would, but it was an effort at times. The ranch hands were always swapping stories and gossip, and they would include me in their conversations. I gritted my teeth and said as little as I could get by with. Now you’ve come along and picked and prodded at me until you’ve got all sorts of words coming out of my mouth.”

She looked at him again, this time her lips parted with surprise. “I haven’t picked and prodded at you.”

Shayna bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anxiety and something else she couldn’t quite identify.

“Then what have you done to me?” Dayton asked before she could respond.

A warm flush seeped into her cheeks, “Nothing. And I don’t intend to. I told you that last night.”

Dayton’s gaze traveled over the beautiful picture she made in her white silk blouse and green skirt. “If we weren’t on our way to church, I’d pull this truck over and prove you wrong.”

Just the mention of being back in his arms shook Shayna all the way down to her toes. “Well, we are on our way to a church,” she reminded him primly, then shot him an annoyed glance. “You really want to know what I’ve done to you?”

“I’m all ears,” he said, enjoying this time alone with her.

“I’ve simply awakened your libido. And now you’re beginning to think I’m someone special.”

She sounded weary, even a little cynical. Dayton wanted to shake her. “Oh, my libido was always awake. I just never wanted to acknowledge it. Until you waltzed into my life again”

Shayna started to point out that it wasn’t what she had intended. But she stopped herself. He had found her. Rescued her. And now he thought they were headed toward something more intimate between them. Again. How had this happened? she wondered miserably.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about last night,” he went on, his voice softer now, “and some of the things you said to me.”

Her head bent, she fixed her gaze on the toes of her black dress boots. “I said them because I—meant them.” Suddenly, she turned on the seat and allowed her eyes to glide over the shadowed angles of his face. It seemed incredible that this man had come to mean so much to her. Again. “And I do truly hope you can put Mel and everything that happened back then behind you. If you do, I know you can be happy again.”

Dayton was becoming happy again, and she was the reason. That much he already knew. What he didn’t know was how to make Shayna believe that she could be happy with him. His thoughts churned as he tried to find the right words to express what he felt, but nothing seemed adequate.

“I want to move forward,” he said finally, his tone earnest. “And I want you to be part of that future, Shayna.”

She looked at him, her heart pounding. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and it made her chest tighten with emotion. “Dayton, I don’t know if I’m ready for that. My life is complicated, and I have so much to sort out.”

He nodded, understanding etched on his features. “I get that. And I’m not asking for any promises right now. Just... consider it. Consider us.”

She bit her lip, the conflict clear in her eyes. “I’ll try,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Dayton’s hand reached over to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. “That’s all I ask. Just try.”

So far, she seemed determined to follow the course she’d mapped out for herself when she’d first left New York. But there were still a couple of days left until the wedding, he told himself, and from now until then he planned to use that time to do some mighty big persuading.

He leaned back in his seat, glancing out at the road ahead. “You know; I’ve been thinking about taking a break after the wedding. Maybe head out to the mountains for a bit. It’s something I used to do before... well, before everything changed.”

Shayna tilted her head, curiosity piqued. “The mountains? I don’t remember you ever doing that.”

“Yeah,” he said, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. “There’s a cabin up there. No phone, no internet. Just peace and quiet. It’s where I go to clear my head. After my dad passed and things became too much, I started taking time out.”

“That sounds... nice,” she admitted, imagining the serene setting. “I could use some peace and quiet myself.”

“Life changed. A lot. After you left. I had responsibilities. Then I met Mel. And after her, it was difficult to pick up the pieces,” Dayton said, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. “That’s when I realized that I needed to take time out for myself. Instead of pushing myself harder to forget everything, I needed to put myself first.”

He glanced at Shayna, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “Maybe you could come with me sometime. No pressure, just... think about it.”

She hesitated, her mind racing with possibilities. The offer was tempting. “I’ll think about it,” she said finally, giving him a small, hopeful smile.

Dayton nodded, satisfied with her response. “That’s all I ask,” he repeated, his voice warm and encouraging. He looked at her for a moment longer, his eyes softening. “You know, Shayna, it’s not just about getting away. It’s about finding a place where you can breathe, where you can just be yourself without any expectations or pressures.”

His words resonated with her. The idea of a place where she could simply be without constantly looking over her shoulder was almost too good to be true. She hadn’t felt safe, truly safe, in a long time. And here was Dayton, offering her that chance. “I haven’t felt like myself in so long,” she confessed softly. “I’ve been running for so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like to stand still.”

“You don’t have to run anymore, Shayna. Not here. Not with me.”

Her heart clenched at his words, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, embarrassed. “Thank you, Dayton. That means more to me than you know.”

They drove in silence for a few moments. Shayna’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions and memories. The pain of her past, the fear of her present, and the uncertain hope for her future all collided within her.

Dayton’s voice broke the silence. “I know it’s a lot to take in. And I don’t expect you to decide anything right now. Just know that you have a place here, with me. Whenever you’re ready.”

Shayna nodded, appreciating his patience and understanding. “I’ll think about it,” she repeated. She glanced out the window, watching the landscape blur by, and allowed herself to imagine a future where she could finally find peace.

She turned her gaze back to him, her heart swelling with a mixture of fear and hope. “Maybe one day, I’ll take you up on that offer,” she said softly.

Dayton smiled, a look of genuine happiness lighting up his face. “I’ll be waiting.”