Page 51 of The Seal's Promise

“Well, I think they both do need each other, I just suggested they each keep that to themselves to save the other’s pride,” Dalton admitted.

Wes nodded and a subtle smile broke his usually grumpy demeanor.

“So,” Wes said.

It was the first time Dalton had seen him truly smile since he’d been home. And now he was about to ruin all that.

“So I wanted to run the idea of me staying long-term in Sandy Point with you. I know you expected me to leave, but what if I don’t?”

“Obviously I want you to stay. It’s been a huge help having you help out with Gran. I’m starting to feel like I actually have some real downtime between planning for the summer influx of tourists and the Summer Solstice.”

“I can’t believe the town still has that big party each year.”

“Some things don’t change, they just get bigger. Now it’s a full-on event with food vendors, artists, bands. And it brings in a lot of money for the town.”

“Cool.”

“When you say you might stay long-term, do you mean for a year or two, or that you would put down roots and make this your home again?”

“I guess I’m not sure; I wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome or what was here for me. If I stay, you could reconsider your plans.”

“I think I’d need some time to think about it.”

“Alright, well, I just wanted to make sure the blood wasn’t so bad that you wouldn’t want me to stay,” Dalton said.

Wes stood and came around to lean on the front of his desk. “Dalton, you’re my brother, I never wanted you to feel like you couldn’t come home. If I could have it my way, you and Levi would both move home and we’d all grow old together.”

Dalton nodded. “Too bad Levi doesn’t have a house anymore.”

Wes smiled again. “I’ll let you two fight that out.”

Dalton left the sheriff’s office feeling more hopeful, but guilty that he hadn’t been able to divulge his reasons for staying away. He knew he’d have to eventually, but it could wait a little longer. Maybe it was best to see how things worked out for his grandmother and with Brooke first. Then he could decide.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Brooke

A Fork in the Road

After work Brooketook the time to shower and curl her hair, then she put on a simple red summer dress and sandals. Looking at the clock, she started to pace: Dalton was late. Had he changed his mind? Should she change her mind? Sneaking around was going to complicate things, especially in a small town. It was so out of character for her, and yet she so wanted to have something just for herself. Finally there was a knock at the door, and she checked the peephole just in case. Dalton’s gorgeous face smiled at her on the other side.

She pushed open the screen door. Dalton stood with a huge bouquet with a mix of colorful flowers. No two were the same.

“Hi,” she breathed.

“Hi.” He held out the flowers. “I realized I don’t know your favorite flower, so I asked the florist to include one of each, so you could decide.”

No man had ever brought her flowers. Such a small thing to do, but it felt monumental.

“I know that look, you think I’m being too serious for a casual, discreet relationship. I know you don’t want anything serious, and you don’t want to risk your child support case. I respect that, but I don’t want to put limits on the time we do spend together.”

Brooke smelled the flowers, noticing the bright color of the tulip and hydrangea.

“Okay, no rules when it’s just the two of us, but we still need to be really careful.”

Dalton stepped inside and closed the door behind him. His hand looped around her waist and she stood up on her tiptoes to press her lips lightly to his, while his other hand moved up to cup her face.

“So now that you’ve got my undivided attention tonight, what did you have in mind, Dalt?”

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