Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)(13)

“He can suck it up and start doin’ rehab, or he can live in a nursing home.” Dalton looked between his brothers. “So which one of you is gonna tell him?”


“Why you pushing this all off on us?” Tell demanded.


“Because I’m the youngest and he’d discount anything I said.” His phone vibrated. The caller ID read Rory. “Sorry, I hafta take this call.” He excused himself from the table.


Chapter Four


Rory swore she wasn’t going to call Dalton. That’d teach Mr. I-Can-Kiss-You-Anytime-I-Want a lesson.


So why was her phone in her hand?


Because you’re a freakin’ marshmallow when it comes to Dalton McKay.


No, she wasn’t. Not anymore. But after the flashback, she’d wondered where he’d been the past three years. The jerk owed her an explanation. So she’d hear his excuses and move on.


She hit dial before another voice popped into her head with advice.


He answered with, “I knew you’d call me.”


“And there’s the reason I shouldn’t have.”


Dalton laughed. “Don’t hang up on me. Just a sec.”


Rory heard muffled voices in the background.


“Sorry about that.”


“Where are you?”


“At Brandt’s. And you timed this call perfectly because things had started to get a little heated. Anyway, are you working at the Twin Pines tonight?”


“No.”


“Can I see you?”


She fiddled with the straw in her to-go cup. “What do you have in mind?”


“Dinner. Conversation. Friends catching up.” He paused. “Don’t deny there’s unfinished business between us.”


“I don’t. But I’d really like to keep the Sundance and McKay gossip mongers out of our…unfinished business or whatever it is.”


“Which is why I’ll cook for you. I’m renting a house on Royal Street. It’s baby blue with red shutters. Can’t miss it.”


“Aren’t you staying with your brothers or in your old trailer?”


“I gave the trailer up when I left. I’ve been on my own too long to try and follow someone else’s rules. So do you wanna come over right after work? Or do you need to go home first?”


Wearing her less-than-flattering work uniform would reiterate the friendship line. But part of her wanted to saunter in wearing a sexy outfit, even when that’d give Dalton the wrong idea.


“Rory?”


“Sorry, yeah, I’ll need to go home, change and let the dog out.”


“You still have Jingle?”


“Yep. She’s getting up there in years though. Anything you want me to bring?”


“Just yourself. I’m really looking forward to spending time with you, Rory.”


When she almost admitted she felt the same, the angry girl who’d been taken for granted and taken for a ride by this man reared her ugly head and barked out: don’t fall for this because it’s an act; always has been, always will be.


So she said, “See you later,” and hung up.


The rest of the workday dragged ass. Rory wondered if she’d ever get out into the field and utilize what she’d learned earning her degrees. Given she hated this job, it’d be easy to spiral into the my-degrees-are-worthless-what-the-f*ck-was-I-thinking school of thought.


After she got home, she poured herself a drink. Standing in front of her tiny closet, she pondered clothing choices. A dress? Trying too hard. Jeans, hiking boots and a flannel shirt? Not trying at all. Rory slipped on her favorite khaki pants, a soft-hued angora sweater in heather brown, and drove into town.


She parked behind his pickup at the seen-better-days house and entered the yard through a chain link fence. She held her hand up to knock only to have the door opened immediately.


Dalton grinned so widely his beard moved. “Hey, gorgeous. Come in.”


Rory started to take her coat off, and Dalton was right there, helping her. “Thanks.”


“No problem. The kitchen is this way.”


The living area didn’t have a stick of furniture. At least the eat-in dining room had a table and chairs.


“After I invited you I realized I hadn’t been to the store. Since I spent most of the day at the rehab place in Spearfish, I picked up pizza, fried chicken and hot wings.” He headed to the fridge. “Want a beer?”


“Ah, no.”


“That’s right. You’ve never been a beer drinker. Sorry, but alls I’ve got is Coke.”


“Coke is fine. But the food—”


Dalton got right in her face. “Please tell me you haven’t turned vegetarian in the last three years?”


Tempting to lie to test his reaction, but she shook her head. “I’m not a vegetarian. I tried it for six months but couldn’t stand a life without bacon.”


“That’s no kinda life. Let’s get this stuff moved to the table.”