Second Chances (24 page)

Checking
his watch, he found April still had a bit over four more hours in her shift. As
much as he needed to see her, reassure himself she was fine despite the scare,
he found the timing sucked. He could venture inside and spend a couple minutes
with her, but she wouldn’t be able to leave for some time yet. For a moment, he
considered his options and simply knew he couldn’t drive away without setting
eyes on her.

His
phone rang. Checking the number, he immediately answered. “April? Is everything
all right?” Concern speared him in the chest. She never called while at work
since cell phone use was forbidden except during lunch or when off the clock.

“Yep.
Well, it is now, I guess. We were on lockdown for a while due to a shooter at
large, but they say the threat is over.”

Dusty
reached out to scratch behind Ben’s ear. “Good thing.”

“Anyway,
I wasn’t really calling about that, I was calling to let you know that I’m getting
off work early since our census has dropped.”

He
perked right up. “When do you get off?”

“Right
now. I just finished giving report. I’m gathering my stuff and getting ready to
walk out.”

“I’ll
be right outside waiting for you.”

Silence
reigned for a long moment. “You’re in town today?” He heard the bewilderment in
her voice.

“Yeah.
I stopped by to see about you and was just about to walk in the front doors.
But, this is better. I’ll wait here for you.”

“Okay.”

She
walked out, raked the parking lot, and headed directly toward him, clicking off
the phone in the process. A few more strides brought her right up to his
driver’s side window. “Hi.”

“Hi.”
Dusty studied her face, saw the genuine smile appear, and felt his heart thump
against his ribs. He found no sign of fear or anxiety, only happy welcome in
her pretty blue eyes.

Her
gaze flickered over to Ben, who climbed on Dusty’s lap to get closer to her.
Dusty flinched as a large paw landed directly on his groin. The dog’s weight
immediately followed. Quickly, he grabbed Ben’s foot and moved the appendage to
a more comfortable position, unwilling to risk being unmanned at this stage in
the game.

“Hello
there, superstar. How’s my favorite war dog today?” April scratched the dog’s
ruff, then tilted her head. “You came to town and brought Ben with you?”

He
could almost see the wheels turning inside her head.

“At
this time of day…” Her eyes widened in realization. “You were part of the
manhunt.”

Way too
perceptive by far. He shrugged, but didn’t say more. Besides, he much preferred
to turn the conversation to a lighter topic, such as getting her home and
kissing her senseless.

Except
his parents were there. He groaned audibly.

Her
face clouded. “What’s wrong?”

“I
almost forgot. My parents dropped by today for a visit. They’re still at the
stable.”

Her
lips languidly curled up at the corners. “How long are they going to stay?”

“I
don’t know.”

She
reached up and cupped his cheek, then laughed. “It’s hard when your family
craves your attention.”

Dusty
rolled his eyes. “I liked my life just fine for the past three years.” He
couldn’t resist brushing his lips across her palm.

“Maybe
so, but you have to admit it’s kind of nice to have them around to hug you,
love you, and call you George.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes.

He
snorted in amusement. “Not quite sure about that.”

“But
you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“No, I
wouldn’t.” The words soaked into his very soul.

Thirty
minutes later, they stood before his parents, who eyed them with equal parts
curiosity and interest. “Mom. Dad. This is April. April. My parents, Delia and
John.”

John’s
build reminded her so much of Dusty and his other brothers. Tall and strong. He
might have spent much of his career at a desk, but he didn’t grow fat because
of it. Silver hair at his temples provided a nice contrast with the otherwise
dark brown color, the short length not quite meeting his collar.

Delia,
several inches shorter, had black hair presently cut in a fairly short, but
trendy style. A smile sat on her lips since she’d spied April, as if pleased
with what she saw. April sure hoped so. Both were dressed in slacks with nice
shirts. John wore cowboy boots while Delia had chosen matching flats.

“It’s
nice to meet you.” April held her hand out, nervous to finally meet Dusty’s
parents. She’d heard quite a bit about them during her short stay at the ranch.
Now that they met her gaze, she felt like a child at her first piano recital,
nervous and excited.

“Ditto.”
John reached out and shook her hand gently.

Delia
smiled at her as if sizing her up for a wedding dress.

April
cleared her throat and wracked her brain for something to say. “You must be
very proud of Dusty.”

“We
are. For lots of reasons.” Delia smiled at Dusty.

John
stared at his son for a long moment. “The radio said the suspect had been
tracked down and eliminated, the hostage saved.”

April
understood John’s train of thought for she considered the same thing all the
way home. As usual, Dusty had been as tightlipped as a clam, but she knew he
had a big part in today’s events.

“Yeah.
Excuse me a minute. I need to get some stuff from my truck.”

Ben
stayed by her side, even as his eyes followed Dusty the short trip back to his
truck. April watched as he pulled out a black vest and a rifle carrier.

Dusty
shut the door and strode back toward them, his steps filled with confidence. He
was in full SEAL mode, April realized. Intense, and brimming with power, and
determination. She’d seen the strut before but never connected the dots. Until
now. Understanding hit her like a heavy sack of flour. Dusty didn’t just work
as a SEAL for a few years. He was a SEAL. The qualities, skills, and internal
fortitude inside each man who achieved such a high military status didn’t
simply fade away once they retired. Instead, every piece sank deep, becoming
part of the man. You could take Dusty from the SEALs, but you couldn’t take the
SEAL out of the man. The fact only endeared him to her all the more, if that
was even possible. Since the first day they met, he’d touched something deep
inside her.

“Dusty?
I don’t suppose you had anything to do with capturing that man?” Delia voiced
the obvious question.

Dusty
shrugged and brushed past them, still carrying his gear.

Leaning
forward, April whispered, “I don’t know what you think about your son, but he’s
a hero in anyone’s book.”

“Yes.
Yes, he is.” John’s voice filled with certainty and a bit of awe as if just
realizing the extent of Dusty’s abilities.

“He’s a
great man,” April added.

“He was
a good kid. I always knew he’d do something incredible with his life,” Delia
said.

“He did
and still is.” April’s heart buoyed at the love she read on their faces.
Whether Dusty knew it or not, he had the support of his whole family, not just
his brothers. The realization touched her, so she knew Dusty felt it too.

“More
cherry pie, anyone?” Delia asked.

“No
thanks.” Everyone shook their head.

She
liked his parents. John, much quieter, had a tough demeanor, but possessed a
softer inside, especially when it came to his family. Easily, she could see why
he made such a fierce prosecuting attorney as he intimidated her from the first
moment with a simple blank expression and a stare that bore into her very soul.
Only after spending some time with him and seeing him tease his wife mercilessly,
did April begin to feel more comfortable around the man.

On the
other hand, Delia proved likeable from the get-go. An obvious extrovert, Delia
jumped right in to help cook, talking the entire time. In truth, Dusty’s mother
reminded April of the leader of the church social activities back at home. The
woman didn’t know a stranger and couldn’t sit back and watch anyone work
without chipping in to help.

“How’s
Tess?” April voiced the question off the top of her head. She’d thought about
the petite redhead often during the past few days. More than once she picked up
her phone to call, but thus far only succeeded in speaking to her new friend
once.

“Holding
up as far as we can tell. She’s been getting her ducks in a row from our home
and searching for a new job. Poor girl. She apologizes every day for being a
burden.”

“She’s
no such thing.” John shoved a bite of dessert in his mouth. “Besides, Brand has
his eyes set on her.”

“I
thought interest existed on both their parts before I left. I’d hoped he would
be by her side every step of the way.” April patted her mouth with a napkin.

“Oh, he
is.” Delia sipped her tea. “The brothers have a running bet on how soon until
they make an announcement.”

“Really?”
April arched an eyebrow and stared at Dusty. “No one said anything about a
wager to me.”

Dusty
shrugged and sipped his drink. “Perhaps they didn’t want you to tip the scales
by telling Tess.”

April
rolled her eyes. “What other wagers do you guys have?”

John
and Dusty shared a look that could have meant anything.

“Nothing
important,” Dusty answered.

“Uh-huh.”
April stood and began clearing the small dining table in Dusty’s kitchen. She
didn’t buy his evasive words for a minute, but honestly didn’t care to pursue
the subject.

Ever
since he met her in the parking lot of the hospital, she hadn’t been able to
rid herself of the excited jitters and more than anything she wanted to crawl
into bed, feel Dusty curl protectively around her, and savor the sensation of
safety and care. Nothing could mean more to her at that moment. If a little
hanky-panky ensued prior, she’d jump in with both feet.

Delia
followed suit, gathering up dishes and dropping them off at the sink. The men
snapped lids on food and stored the leftovers in the fridge for another time.
By the time April loaded the dishwasher, Delia had wiped down the table and
Dusty and John disappeared back into the stable, presumably to care for the
horses.

“You’re
good for him.” Delia washed out the dishrag before draping it across the middle
section of the sink.

April
blinked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Dusty
was lost, isolated from his family, stubborn pride making him hold his head
high even as his soul cried out in loneliness. Then you came along. Now look at
him. He’s content, happy, and banters with his brothers just like nothing ever
happened.”

“The
fire is responsible for their reunited status. Not me. He had no one else to
call for help.”

“Hogwash.”
Delia waved her hand dismissively. “He didn’t have to bond with his brothers
again. Didn’t have to become part of the family again. Didn’t have to open his
door in welcome to us. Yet, he did. What’s changed? You’re not only in his
life, but showing him some wonderful things. Reminding him what love is.”

“Dusty
doesn’t love me.” April spoke the truth though her heart protested what her
mind already knew.

“Are
you so sure about that?” Delia gestured toward the dining room chairs. She took
a seat and waited for April to sit down.

“He’s
never said anything—”

“He
won’t. Not until he’s sure. Look at the trail of women who’ve taken strips off
his hide for falling in with the wrong one.” Reaching out, Delia laid her hand
on April’s forearm. “His feelings show in his actions.”

April
sighed. “We started off fairly rocky, but I think we’ve made decent progress
lately, considering the obstacles and bumps in the road and our dismal failures
in our romantic pasts.” She looked up and met the older woman’s gaze. “But,
that’s a far cry from love.”

“You
know what Dusty did when the radio announced the hostage situation?”

“Gathered
up Ben and rushed to the rescue. He’s a former SEAL. From what I understand,
that’s just who he is then and now.”

“Yes,
but there’s something else you should know.”

Intrigued,
April waited impatiently for Delia to continue.

“He
called your name. Said the name of the hospital, then called your name.” Delia
waited a beat. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to speak aloud and he only whispered,
but I heard. You were not only his first thought, but you should have seen his
face. He turned deadly serious and went into a zone as if preparing to face the
devil himself in order to battle his way to your side.”

Stunned,
April soaked up the words, her mind still whirling. “I’m sure he understood the
hostage’s life depended upon him rushing to the scene.”

“Maybe.
But that still doesn’t explain why he followed you back here and hasn’t let you
out of his sight until just now.”

“I
don’t know.”

“The
question, dear, is do you want him?” Delia leveled a steady look at her.

“Yes.”
The answer slipped out unbidden.

A wide
grin appeared on Delia’s face. “Then by all means, tell my son how you feel.”

“What
if he doesn’t want me in return?”

Delia
patted her arm. “I might not be as young and spry as I used to be, but I’m not
blind or dense. I know my sons very well, all of them, and I know love when I
see it.”

April
stared for a long moment, her mouth hanging open. Gradually, she shut her mouth
and stood. “I hope you’re right.”

“Have a
little faith, April. Have a little faith.”

Standing,
Delia started toward the stable, opened the door, and waited for April to
follow. They entered the area and stopped, watching as the men finished
carrying buckets of grain to the horses and topping off the water at the same
time.

“My, oh
my. Isn’t he handsome when he bends over?”

“Umm.
Which one are you talking about exactly?” April’s lips twitched.

“Why,
John, of course. My son is perfect, but I’m not about to ogle his butt.” Delia
grinned wickedly. “My husband, on the other hand…” She fanned herself.

April
couldn’t help but laugh. “Good to see the romance doesn’t fade away over the
years.”

“Fade?
Oh, goodness, no. That man is like a sex machine.”

I really didn’t need to know
that.
Heat
blasted across April’s face at the other woman’s candid remarks. Like father,
like son. The thought kicked her dormant libido into full gear.

Dusty
stepped out of Rule’s stall and turned off the hose. His father added his empty
bucket to the growing pile, and stood with his hands at his sides, his gaze
directed toward his wife.

“Oh,
goody. The come-hither look,” Delia whispered, then walked closer to the object
of her attention. “Thank you for your hospitality, Dusty. But, I think your
father and I need to retire early tonight.”

John
arched an eyebrow. “We do?”

“Definitely.
I believe you intended to explain the laws of possession to me tonight.”

John’s
eyes sparkled as a slow smile appeared on his face. “Why, yes. I think you’re
right.” He strode over to Dusty and held out his hand. “I know I don’t say this
often enough, but I’m proud of you.”

Dusty
blinked at his father and accepted the handshake, only to be pulled into a big
hug. “I love you, son.”

“I love
you too, Dad.” Dusty hugged him tight in return.

Delia
winked at April who remained quiet, unwilling to interfere in the touching
moment.

Stepping
back, John held out his arm, collected Delia, and led her out the entrance
gate, and straight into their fancy RV.

“Now
that’s something I never expected.” Dusty watched them go.

“What’s
that?”

“My dad
getting all sentimental.”

April
grinned. “He’s proud of you and obviously thought you should know.” Slipping
her fingers between his, she turned him around to face her. “Although the
thought of him giving her lessons on legal possession in their RV makes me need
some serious mind soap.”

He
pulled her into his embrace with a warm chuckle. “Yeah, there is that.”