Page 47 of Lone Star Country Protector
“It’s good to be home,” he said.Home.Oddly, he’d had the same feeling when he was around Blakely. But it was no use. Her mind was made up. He had no idea what he was offering her anyway. And even if he had a clue, she’d been honest about needing to be alone.
After hearing the reason behind the scar on her forehead, he couldn’t blame her for going into protect-herself-at-all-costs mode. As much as he wanted a chance to see where a relationship might go between them, it took two to tango. She was both unwilling and unable to meet him halfway.
As much as he hated to admit defeat, it was time to cash in his chips when it came to the sexy judge.
“Grandpa Lor is looking alert,” Dalton said, switching topics in an attempt to reroute his thoughts.
“The doctor says his cognitive tests are coming back looking very promising,” she said. They’d wheeled him out of the room, promising to bring him back soon. Dalton wished the prognosis on their grandmother was better. She’d been having a difficult time. Much more so than Grandpa Lor. At least there was hope now, which was more thanthey’d had yesterday. “But it’s getting late, and we should think about ordering in food.”
“I can swing out and pick something up,” he said. “No need to eat more hospital food.”
“It wasn’t too bad the first few days,” Jules said. “But I can’t stand the smell of it now.” His sister stood there for a long moment. “He’s awake, Dalton.” Her voice held disbelief and shock rolled up into one.
“It’s a miracle,” he agreed, still trying to process the news. He’d bolted out of the courthouse quickly. Part of him felt guilty for not telling Blakely himself, but there’d been no time, and he’d needed to get on the road as quickly as possible.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but is everything okay?” Jules asked. “You seem distracted.”
“I’m good,” he said. “Shockis probably a better word for what I’m feeling right now.” It was mostly true. There were other feelings mingled with regret.
Jules’s gaze shifted to a spot behind Dalton’s left shoulder. Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Someone is headed toward us, and her gaze is fixated on the back of your head. Should we be concerned?”
Dalton turned in time to see Blakely making a beeline straight toward him. Threads of hair had freed themselves from her slicked-back ponytail. Half of her white shirt was untucked from her navy pencil skirt. He blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. “What are you doing here?”
Jules cleared her throat and introduced herself to Blakely. “I’m Dalton’s sister.”
“I’ve heard about you,” Blakely said, offering a handshake.
“Really?” Jules asked, wide-eyed. His sister needed toget better about hiding her surprise when she was caught off guard by a comment. “Well, it’s good to meet you.” She turned to Dalton. “I’ll run out for burgers. Do you still like the usual?”
“Yes,” he said, pulling out a credit card and handing it to his sister. “But only if you let me pay.”
“Can I get you anything?” Jules asked Blakely, ignoring him.
“No, thank you,” she responded.
“Put that away,” Jules said with a wrinkled nose before excusing herself and making an exit. That was Jules. She had a dramatic flair.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said to Blakely.
“I heard there was a family emergency, and I was afraid something… How are your grandparents, by the way?” she asked.
“My grandfather woke up,” he said. “Apparently, he just sat up and asked for my grandmother’s potato soup. Said he was starving.”
“And your grandmother?”
He shook his head. “There’s been no change.” It dawned on him that no one followed Blakely out of the elevator. “Where is your protection?”
“I’m sorry about your grandmother, but that’s incredible news about your grandfather.” She ignored the question.
“Thank you,” he responded, then repeated the question, slower this time.
“Nice guy,” she said. “I ditched him.” She made a move to enter his grandmother’s room. “Are visiting hours over?”
Did she think he was going to gloss over that response? “Not for family. And why the hell did you think taking off without protection was a good idea?”
“I didn’t.” She lowered her voice, fisted her right handand then planted it on her hip. “In fact, I didn’t think at all. You were gone, and I didn’t know if you were okay. So I slipped out the back, and Ralph drove me to my car. I had to check on you.”
She’d been clear where he stood with her. Did she need a reminder?
