Page 6 of Long Past Dawn
“I used to think I knew what that was, Blaze. I’m not so sure anymore,” I admitted. “Listen, it’s nothing against you or Miss Heaven. I’m glad you two finally got your heads out of the backside of a bull to see what the rest of us could see. I’m going to be here to take care of this place while you get hitched.”
“And then you’re going to stay and keep working this land with me, right?” he asked, leaning forward. “You’re the reason this place stayed alive after Callie. We both know it.”
“Water under the bridge, Blaze.” I flicked my hand at my wrist to shoo that nonsense away. “Can I go to town now? I’m uncomfortable.”
“Because I’m expressing my appreciation for your hard work or because you know I know you’re in a bad place right now?”
I stared over his shoulder toward the empty doorway. “Both.”
“You still haven’t answered my question. Why are you so worked up about me marrying Heaven?”
“Callie was a known to me, Blaze. Miss Heaven is not.”
His brows furrowed for a beat before he answered. “You’ve known Heaven for eight years. What makes her an unknown?”
“I don’t know. That’s just how it feels, oh—oh—okay? I didn’t say I could explain it. You’re the one in—insis—sistin’ I do.”
“I won’t push you on it then, but I will push you on these two things. You start sleeping in the house. I don’t like worrying about where you are or if you’re safe. Feel free to move upstairs if you don’t want to run into Heaven when she’s here. If that’s making you uncomfortable, I won’t take offense.”
“Fine, done, but only until calving season, then I’m on the ridge again.”
“I don’t understand why. There’s nothing you can do out there to help the cows give birth.”
I tipped my head at him in confusion. Had he dropped his brains out his Stetson when he decided to get hitched again? “Well, of course not, but I can make sure the wolves don’t go after the little ones.”
“They won’t. Wolves don’t mess with bison.”
“I like being out there, is that oh—kay?” I asked angrily. “I just like being out there su-su-sometimes.”
“It’s fine, Beau. Just make sure you’re safe when you’re out there. Rifle at the ready at all times.”
I saluted, and he rolled his eyes in feigned sarcasm. Unfortunately, I could see the look in his eyes that said he was more than a little worried and not just about my safety.
“What’s the second thing?” I asked, tired of making small talk. I’d rather work until I dropped than talk to Blaze McAwley about our feelings.
“I want you to think about talking to someone about your momma. I can see the date on the calendar, Beau. You’re staring down twenty years since you lost her. I know that must be hard, but I think it’s more than time you lay her to rest.”
I stood, grabbed the bag of biscuits and my coat, then slammed the back door behind me without another word.
Screw him.
I’d never lay my momma to rest. He could ride all the way to hell on the high and mighty horse he rode in on first.
The truck rumbled under me on this cold morning, making it clear it didn’t want to be out here. Neither did I, but I had a job to do, and by God, I was going to do it. I didn’t care what Blaze McAwley thought. I made my trip into Wellspring for the things we needed, and I was ready to head back when I noticed a familiar figure walking down the sidewalk to my right. When I had dropped off the biscuits at Heavenly Lane earlier, Tex told me Dawn had gone into town for the morning. Looks like I just found her.
I slowed and rolled the truck window down before I called out to her. “Dawn? Where’s your truck? It’s too cold out to be walking.”
“Go away, Beau.”
Hmm, not the greeting I wanted. Dawn’s thin shoulders were hunched nearly to her ears to block the wind, but I couldn’t figure out where she was going. She surely hadn’t walked into town when the ranch was ten miles out in the sticks. Her coat hung on her now that she’d lost so much weight, but she was still as gorgeous as she ever was. If only she weren’t the only friend I had left in this town, I would take this woman out for dinner, dancin’ and a little romancin’.
“I’m not going to do that, Dawn. Get in the truck, and I’ll take you to your car.”
Her shoulders slumped, but she stopped walking and waited for me to bring the truck to a stop. Once I did, she pulled herself up into it and slammed the door. I rolled the window up and cranked the heater to high, warding off the chill of the morning.
“What’s going on? Tex told me you went to town, but he didn’t know why.”
“So you came looking for me?” she snapped. “I can take care of myself, Beau. I don’t need you following me around like a red dog follows his cow.”
