Chapter Sixteen

Dusty spun April around, instinctively catching her when she stumbled.

She chuckled and beamed. “You’ve got good reflexes or I’d be on my butt right now.”

He smiled down at her. “I’d never let you fall.”

“I know you won’t.”

The lights in the three-sided barn shone brightly enough to see details and avoided the spotlight effect at the same time. He clearly saw her face and all the people around him as well. Chairs lined one side, allowing attendees to take a load off. A couple of tables held plenty of food and drink. The dance floor remained in the center. A disk jockey kept the country songs playing while people came and went, dividing their time between dancing and wandering out to peer up at the stars. A couple of tiki torches burned outside the entrance in an attempt to deter bugs. Barring that, an old-fashioned blue fly zapper did the trick.

Dusty scanned the area. Nearby, he glimpsed Tess and Brand dancing close in each other’s arms. They radiated happiness and perfect chemistry by the warm expressions they both wore. Completely enamored with each other. About time Brand found a girl.

Cole, on the other hand, entertained a handful of ladies near the seating area. Not surprising that the playboy of the family would garner the attention of several of the single women. A gift, to hear Cole tell the tale.

Archer and Carrie caught his eye next. They were on the other side of the dance floor caught up in each other. Evan hung back in one of the corners, talking with a couple of his buddies. No doubt Evan bided his time, even if he might appear to be a little shy. That wouldn’t last long. Evan carried Delaney genes. He’d enter the fray soon enough and would end the night with a girl on his arm. No other scenario seemed likely.

“I think I can. I think I can.”

Dusty couldn’t help but smile at April’s words. “Does that work?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s worth a try.” She sighed then tried the steps of the dance once again. “I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of this.”

She’d proclaimed herself a poor dancer with two left feet as soon as they’d arrived at the barn dance. He wasn’t much of a dancer himself, but had figured between the two of them they could manage to stay upright for the duration of the night. So far his prediction had proven true.

He led her into another turn, slower this time. She glided across the floor, steady and sure at this more sedate pace. “Looks to me like you’ve got it now.”

Her eyes met his. “That’s because you’re such a great lead. I start to go the wrong way, you literally pluck me off the floor and put me where I’m supposed to be.”

“Hardly.” He couldn’t help but absorb her compliment like a thirsty man gulped water. They’d been at the dance less than an hour and April already made him feel special. Dozens of other people attended, some on the dance floor, some along the periphery, enjoying refreshments or simply chatting. Yet even with the abundance of potential dance partners, she seemed to be totally focused on him.

The past three days had flown by as they’d fallen into a routine. Chores kept them all busy, April doubly so, as she helped out around the house as well as the ranch. Carrie commented with praise—and quite often—how much her houseguests did, from cooking, to cleaning, to laundry. Still, he caught her gazing at him from time to time, curiosity and interest sparking in her pretty blue eyes. She offered sunshine into the dreary times along with humor. The couple of kisses they’d shared had seared his soul. So good they had nearly unbalanced him completely. For a guy who reveled in controlling things with an iron will, he found April an enigma. She compelled him in many ways. Enough to break the bonds of the past? That he couldn’t say.

“Looking good.” Archer and Carrie two-stepped next to them.

“Thanks. It’s all Dusty though,” April pointed out.

Archer snorted. “Momma’s dance lessons rubbed off the least on him.”

April lifted her chin and pinned Archer with a hard stare. “He’s a great dancer. Light on his feet. Keeping me on mine. He could give anyone here a run for their money.”

Dusty’s ego grew. He squeezed April slightly in thanks.

“Yeah, she’s got it bad. Can’t see the forest for one tree,” Archer muttered, grinned, and moved away.

“A little biased?” Dusty asked when the others had moved out of hearing range.

April shrugged and peered up at him. “Nah.”

He smiled down at her as the song ended. “Need a break to catch your breath?”

“Definitely.” She wiped a lock of dark blonde hair out of her eyes. Tonight she’d left her ponytail holder at home, wearing her hair down for the first time since he’d met her. The long, soft strands hung nearly to the middle of her back. The light breeze played with her hair, only adding to the allure.

The long white dress hung below her knees, lightweight and airy. He knew she’d borrowed the dress from Carrie, as April hadn’t packed anything more than the basics to bring with her. Still, the garment fit wonderfully, hinting at curves while remaining demure and innocent. The combination matched April’s personality to a T.

“I’m going to get a drink. Do you want one?”

Dusty shook his head. “No thanks. I saw Trevor Wallace on the other side of the room. I’m going to catch up with him for a bit.”

“Okay.” She strode over to the refreshment table, plucked a bottle of water from an ice-laden cooler, opened it and took a long drink.

Dusty turned his attention to one of his friends from school who he hadn’t seen in ages. Trevor had always been a hard-working farm kid with a bright future. A good guy, he’d come along for more than his fair share of adventures with the Delaney boys.

Trevor dressed like the rest of the men in attendance. Fairly new jeans, a nice Western shirt and cowboy boots polished for the occasion. Nothing really fancy. It was a barn dance after all, not the prom.

Stopping in front of the man, Dusty held out his hand. “Trevor. Good to see you again.”

Trevor stared at him for a couple of beats before recognition lit up his features. “Dusty Delaney. What the hell have you been up to?”

“Been around. And you?”

“Still here. Doing the same thing that I’ve always done.” He gestured across the room. “Married Tammy. Remember her from school?”

Dusty followed the other man’s gaze only to land on a lady dressed in an emerald green maternity dress that emphasized her basketball-sized baby bump. “Looks like she’s ready to pop.”

Trevor lifted his head proudly. “A boy. Our first. Her due date is next week. Not sure if she’s going to make it that long, though.”

“Congratulations.” Dusty studied Trevor’s face. He’d seem the same expression before on other men. Pride. Happiness. Contentment. Something about impending fatherhood made a man strut around and want to show off his lady to the masses. Dusty knew those traits would only strengthen when the baby arrived.

“I better go check on her. She’s looking a bit tired.” Trevor nodded to Dusty. “Good seeing you again. If you’re around these parts again soon, stop by and pay us a visit.”

“Will do.” Dusty watched Trevor make a beeline for his wife, wrap an arm around her and lead her to a group of chairs waiting nearby.

He shook his head in amusement. Trevor might have been a wild hare in school, but he’d obviously tamed down as of late.

How things have changed.

Dusty picked up a glass of punch off a nearby table and sipped. He tasted a slight bite of alcohol and grinned. Apparently some things haven’t changed. Someone always managed to spike the punch bowl.

For a moment he considered fatherhood. He might have something to offer and pass on to his kids. However, that meant settling down with the right woman—something he’d pretty much given up on.

His gaze scanned the room until he found April, standing with a small group of both men and women. She held her water, sipped now and again while listening to the others talk. Relaxed and with a small smile on her face, she paid rapt attention to the speaker. As if unable to hear, she leaned closer. The guy bent over and whispered in her ear. April laughed. She turned her head and met Dusty’s gaze.

Memories flooded his mind. Not of war this time, but of another barn dance a few years back. Rose, dressed in a flowing red dress with a low-cut bodice had stood just as April did now, surrounded by others, presumably the life of the party. Men had brought her drinks, chatted her up and stuck to her like glue. She’d soaked up the attention, giggled and flirted outrageously. Dusty had stood in the wings, as he did now, watching Rose flaunt her charms, jealousy raging inside. She’d shyly peered his way now and again, making sure he took notice of her princess status complete with court.

As much as he’d wanted to pick her up and carry her away, he’d held back. She’d teased him mercilessly in public. Later, she’d invoked another sort of torment, that one sexual. She’d played him like a tightly strung guitar, enlisting rewards for her favors.

Like a lovesick idiot, he’d obliged. Over and over again. Watched her play her manipulation games in order to extract high-priced gifts later.

His gut clenched. Tension yanked his shoulders higher. His breath picked up as a trickle of sweat moistened his lower back.

I was such a fucking fool.

April left the others and sashayed over to him. She peeked up at him coyly from under her eyelashes. The action reminded him so much of Rose that his stomach churned. “This is so much fun. I’m glad you brought me along.” She stopped right in front of him. “I was thinking, maybe we could do this again sometime. Drive back for some of the activities.”

His breath caught at her words. The admission caught him totally off guard and left him reeling as the present and past merged. He narrowed his eyes. “What?”

She wrapped her hand around his forearm. “I think we make a good team. Now and in the future.” April sucked in a deep breath. “Not to be forward, but I guess now is as good a time as any.” She paused. “I really like you, Dusty. I was hoping we could discuss dating. Maybe more. Take our relationship up a step. Become an official couple. A committed couple.” She stared up at him with expectation written clearly on her face.

She’s fishing for a fucking ring.

His heart chilled. Pressured, pushed and cornered didn’t begin to describe the feelings flaring through his mind. Just like before. Rose had used games to get what she wanted. April simply tossed her wants right out there. Either way, he froze at the implications of commitment. How in the fucking hell did I get into this predicament again?

Old wounds reopened, allowing pain and bitterness to slip out.

He glared down at April, watched her lips turn down, her eyes widen and eyebrows furrow.

Tears would come next. They always had with Rose.

He didn’t want to be around for that particular scene.

Dusty removed her hand from him, dropped it like a hot knife, turned on his heel and strode out. He jumped in his truck, cranked the engine and drove off.

Well away from his past and the unsettling present. Away from women and their marriage-minded ways. Away from society and all the matchmaking pain in the asses that were his family.

I was damn happy on my own. Why now? Why me? Fucking wildfires and fate.

He shoved the truck into another gear and headed off the beaten path. Alone with only his memories for company. For good or bad.

* * * *

April watched Dusty leave, confused, ashamed and angered. She’d thought after what they’d shared so far that tonight might be a good time to discuss formally dating. Obviously, I was wrong.

With a stiff upper lip, she stared at the retreating lights of Dusty’s truck until they blinked out of view.

“What happened?” Archer drew up beside her along with Carrie.

April sucked in air and grasped her composure with an iron fist. “I mentioned that I wanted to talk about taking our relationship to the next level. Dating. Other things. He looked at me like I’d just told him I’d cut his fences and stolen his cattle.” April spun around to face them.

“Did he say anything?” Carrie asked.

“Not a word. Just dusted my hand off his arm, glared at me then stormed off.” April found her bottle of water enthralling. “I don’t know what I did. Pushed too hard, too fast, I guess.”

Archer patted her shoulder. “It’s not you. It’s him.”

April lifted her gaze. “I know about his past. I should have given it more consideration. I just figured we were getting along so well this week…”

Carrie wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Dusty is a hard nut to crack.”

“I’d like to take a shot,” Archer growled.

April shook her head. “It’s okay. Please. You guys are just back to getting along. Don’t jeopardize it because of me.” She pinned him firmly. “I might be a blip in his life, but he needs his family. Someone has to have his back.” As much as Dusty had been through, he deserved an anchor. A solid one that wouldn’t crack. His family was that for him. Never would she want to be the cause of another rift that might not be repairable, ever.

Archer bobbed his head once. “I’ll stay out of it.”

April released the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you. I know you want to throttle him at times. It’s human nature. We just have to remember that he’s haunted by memories. Those don’t go away. I don’t think ever.”

Archer looked away. “When he first came home, he blew hot and cold. None of us ever knew what would set him off. He’d just gotten a handle on things and started to settle in when that witch Rose screwed him over.” Leashed fury resounded in Archer’s tone.

“He’s been through some really bad stuff. I can’t blame him if he doesn’t want to spend his life with a woman after that. Most importantly, he needs to find an outlet and something to ease his demons. Even if I’m not that person for him.”

“If anyone can, it’s you.” Carrie sighed wearily. “A girl can’t wait forever, though.”

Archer glanced toward his wife before focusing back on April. “Want to catch a ride home with us?”

“Please. No hurry, though. I’ll hang out until you’re ready.” April hated to mess up their date night.

“It’s okay. We were about ready to take off anyway,” Carrie said. “Tomorrow is another early morning and we’re getting too old to be up all night long then pull our weight the next day.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Archer grinned.

“Well, if you’re sure?” April hesitated. The family probably rarely got time to just have fun. Leaving so soon after arriving slashed their date night into an exceptionally brief time frame.

“I’m sure. Besides, I have a hankering for some of Carrie’s pie. If we get home first, there’s liable to be some left. It’s first come, first served, you know.” Archer waggled his eyebrows playfully.

April smiled at his antics. “There’s that.”

“Then, ladies, your chariot awaits.” Archer led them through the barn, pausing only to whisper to Brand before escorting them to his truck.

April watched all the couples dance under the lights and slumped. Tonight had held so much promise.

Why did I have to push? She chastised herself for her lack of patience that had led to the rejection. Concern for him swamped her as well. Dusty preferred to be by himself, which wasn’t always the best way to be. While some people might thrive being always alone, she didn’t think Dusty fit into that category. The affection between him and his brothers told the truth. He’d missed them and would do anything for them. They might have had a huge canyon between them at one time, but after they bridged the gap, anyone could see how they felt about one another. Dusty needed people. Family. Love. He was just too stubborn and blind to see it. Which led her right back to the same place she’d started. She’d made her feelings known, thrown in her bid and heard nothing in response. His body language and actions spoke volumes. No declaration of love. No offers for dates. No comments about careful steps and taking plenty of time to follow that particular path. Nothing. Just an endless blind alley filled with hopelessness. Could I change his mind? Who knows? Even if she could, how long would it take? Months? Years? Never? She wasn’t getting any younger and the thought of waiting for the next decade for Dusty to come around left a bitter taste in her mouth. Spending the rest of her life alone sounded better than chasing after a man for the next several years all for naught.

At least I have my answer. Time to pick up the pieces and move on. Alone.