Page 30 of Blazing Hot Nights
“You,” I said, leaving the one word to float on the air.
Dawn’s head swung back and forth, and she grimaced like she’d sucked on a giant lemon. “We’re just friends, Heav. You know that.”
“I do know but I also know you could be so much more than friends. The way Beau looks at you when you’re not looking. Such devoted adoration. It’s hard not to lock you two in a room together until you figure yourselves out.”
“I could say the same about you and Blaze,” she mumbled.
“But we aren’t talking about me. We’re talking about you,” I pointed out, taking Dawn’s hand. “I know you’re miserable. It’s only gotten worse the longer you’ve stayed friends with Beau and not moved the relationship any further. I just want you to be happy.”
The look in her eyes told me what she was about to say was a lie. “Beau is shy, Heaven. I can’t push him. He has to make his own decisions about what he wants in life. I’m here to support him and be his friend. That has to be enough for now.”
“For now?” I asked incredulously. “It’s been four years.”
“Heaven,” she said, annoyed. “Please, just leave it alone.”
“You love him, don’t you?”
“Doesn’t mean a hill of beans if he doesn’t feel the same,” she whispered.
I squeezed her hand just as I noticed motion behind her. “Beau does feel the same. I know he does. I think part of his recent unhappiness has to do with loving his best friend—who is also a beautiful woman—and not knowing what to do about it. Keep supporting him the way you do, and he just might figure it out.”
I winked at her as Tex strolled through the door whistling. He stopped short when he saw us at the table. “Oh, tell me those are Midge’s rolls,” he said, flopping into a seat.
“Those are Midge’s rolls,” Dawn repeated, pushing the plate toward him.
Tex chomped into one, suddenly aware he’d interrupted something. “You lady folk mad at me?” he asked after he swallowed.
I shook my head and offered them both a relaxed smile. It was time to fill the ranch with smiles again instead of tears. “No, we were just talking about the future. I know you’re both frustrated, and I would be too if I were you guys. You work hard and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything in return.”
Tex set his fork down and swallowed. “That’s not true, Miss Heaven. I love living here. I got everything I need here.”
“I know you think so, Tex, but I can’t keep taking advantage of your hard work without offering some kind of salary. It’s time I make some decisions now that this is my ranch and not my daddy’s. I kind of forgot that over the last four years. Recently, someone reminded me that I’m the one who has to make the decisions now because no one else can. It was a rude slap upside the head, but it was needed for me to see that we can’t continue the way we are.”
Dawn smirked but didn’t say anything. She just finished off her cinnamon roll and sipped her coffee.
“Before we get into why I called this meeting, I was just telling Dawn I’ll need your help with something Friday into Saturday.” I was going to leave out the part about kissing Blaze when it came to Tex.
“Say the word, Miss Heaven,” Tex said around a mouthful of cinnamon.
“I’m riding with Blaze into South Dakota to make a delivery late Thursday night into Friday morning. I know the rodeo is happening Saturday night, so once we’re back, you can have the rest of the weekend off. Sunday is the Fourth, and I’m sure there will be plenty of fun and fireworks in town.”
“Not a problem on my end. You kidding? For a chance to have the weekend off, I’d cut all the hay by hand.”
I chuckled and shook my head at him. “I appreciate that you guys always have my back. Today is only Monday, so I have plenty of time to help you get everything caught up before I leave late Thursday night.”
Dawn held up her finger. “You still haven’t said what kind of delivery you’re making. If you’re taking the trailer that means bison are involved.”
I had already cleared it with Blaze to tell Dawn and Tex about the sacred bison calf. They would never tell a soul. “We’re moving a cow and a red dog to an Indian reservation in South Dakota.”
“I didn’t think Blaze sold his herd that way,” Tex said, confused.
“He doesn’t under normal circumstances, but this red dog isn’t normal. This red dog is a white dog.”
“What?” Dawn’s voice was hushed when she leaned forward. “He has a white bison on the property?”
“You are both sworn to secrecy along with Beau. Do you understand?” I asked, pointing to them both until they nodded. “Blaze does not want word getting out that he has a white bison on the ranch. That’s why he’s moving so quickly in transferring the dog and her cow to the reservation. The tribe will announce the birth when they are ready. That way, it takes the heat off Bison Ridge.”
Dawn and Tex were both nodding in unison, but Tex spoke. “I’m flabbergasted right now. Can we see it?”
