Flawless Surrender (The Surrender Trilogy, #2)(43)

Tanner was quiet for a moment before he smiled at them both, “Congratulations, Doctor Keegan, and welcome home.”

The two brothers shook hands and then hugged while laughing.

“This calls for a celebration before we go home!” Tanner said, giving Zoey a wink, “Robin’s is closed, so I can’t buy you a drink, Professor, but I can get you a cone from the Ice Cream Shoppe if you’re game?”

Dalton looked over at her, and she nodded, “Oh yeah, I think a cone with one scoop of chocolate mountain and one scoop of peppermint sounds perfect!”

“Well then lead the way, m’lady!” Dalton bowed elegantly gesturing that Zoey go ahead of him, and she did so laughing all the way down the street to the shop.

Dottie was behind the counter as always, her light gray hair with a soft blue tint was pulled up into her own unique version of a bouffant, and her green eyes were lined with blue eyeliner and eye shadow that gave her a particularly disturbing wide awake look. For all her makeup skills were lacking, her sweet genuine personality made up for it, and she greeted the three of them as they filed through the door.

“Zoey Carson, where you been girl?” She gave them all a once over and then her penciled eyebrow rose, “Hmm….guess you found better things to do, huh?”

“Miss Dottie, we are celebrating today, so we need three cones—two scoops each, as well as a small container of Butter Pecan to take home to Clint,” Tanner said, turning his most charming smile on the older woman.

“Whoa, two scoops? What’s the occasion?” Dottie asked as she pulled out three large waffle cones.

“New beginnings,” Dalton piped up, exchanging a glance with Zoey, and then waiting for Tanner’s nod of agreement.

“I’d say that’s a great thing to celebrate. By the way, welcome home Doctor Keegan.” Dottie put the emphasis on the doctor title, and Dalton flushed a little.

“It’s still Dalton for you, Miss Dottie.”

The older woman cackled at his discomfort, “You keep calling me Miss and I’ll be calling you son before long, sugar. Now, which flavors do y’all want?”

By the time they were finishing their cones, Zoey’s heart was feeling significantly lighter, and her sides ached from laughing. It seemed that Dalton’s decision to remain in Stone River had eased some of the rift between him and Tanner. Suddenly, anything seemed possible, and she went back to formulating a plan for seducing Tanner. If she could get him into her bed, perhaps she could get him to admit his feelings for her. At which point she would be glad to share her own, and they could talk about what happened next. Until then, she couldn’t let herself fall harder for his brothers. It would hurt too much if she was forced to give them all up later.

Tanner accepted the small pint of butter pecan ice cream that Dottie made up for Clint, and tucked it carefully into the cooler surrounded by frozen food so it wouldn’t melt. Before they could climb into the truck to leave, a startled gasp slipped from Dalton, and Zoey’s heart jumped.

Standing on the sidewalk holding a small bag of charcoal briquettes was Minnie White. Her face was a colorless as her name, and her hands were shaking. Tears filled her eyes, and Zoey’s heart broke when she saw Dalton take a step back as if he had been slapped.

“Dalton Keegan?” Minnie whispered. When Dalton nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets, she let out a small laugh. “Oh don’t look like that, son. I haven’t seen you in so many years…you just look so, grown up!”

His cheeks grew ruddy, and Zoey struggled with what to do. When she would have stepped forward to facilitate the awkward meeting, Tanner wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back again. The feeling of his long hot body against her back momentarily fried her brain.

“Hi, Minnie. How are you? How is Walt?” Dalton finally said.

“We’re both as good as you would expect. Getting old, but doing okay. I heard you were in Africa?” Minnie said, taking a step closer. Dalton seemed to relax now that he knew she wasn’t going to burst into tears.

“Yeah, but I’m back for good now. I’m going to be taking over for Doc Plass.” He was holding his breath. Zoey could see the tension in his every muscle.

“That’s wonderful news! I’m sure glad to hear it, Dalton. You know, I’d like to have you come over, if you want to. To see Walt, and…to talk.” Minnie’s words seemed to shock Dalton to the core, and he went pale.

“I don’t understand,” he said, his eyes jumping to Zoey, who was still held snugly in Tanner’s grip. “I thought you two hated me, for not saving—for what happened.”

Minnie shook her head, and tears finally started to fall, “Oh no, Dalton! Never once did we hate you! Have you thought that? All of these years? You poor boy! We went through such a hard time when Ben died. There were moments that I wasn’t sure we would either one survive it, but if you had gone back for him…well, every day I thank God that you ran for help instead of trying to pull him out. Otherwise we would have been grieving for both of you.”

Dalton’s eyes grew glassy with unshed tears, and the tension just seemed to drain out of him. “I-I never knew. I thought…”

“Will you come over tonight? Walt and I would really love to spend some time with you if you’re not busy, and we’re grilling steaks.” Minnie glanced toward Zoey and Tanner with a small smile. “Hello, Zoey, Tanner. Do you mind if I steal him away?”