Brenda Minton - Single Dad Cowboy

But taking her to his table would give everyone in town the notion that he and Harmony Cross were becoming attached.

Attached.

He could tell them all, if they asked, why a man would be attached to Harmony. Or want to be attached. It would have to do with the soft hand in his, the warmth of her smile and the sweet, floral scent that wrapped him up and drew him even closer.

A green bean smacked him in the face, and that dose of reality helped him get back to the man he knew he was. He pulled out a chair for Harmony and removed himself enough to take a deep breath.

Chapter Three

After a meal spent sitting next to Dylan as he cajoled the two children into eating vegetables, and even forced her to finish her fries, Harmony walked out the door of the Mad Cow. She knew that their departure would set off a firestorm of talk. She convinced herself she didn’t care. It had been a good hour of being entertained and not thinking. It was exactly what she’d needed, in ways Dylan Cooper wouldn’t have known.

The sun had set and the evening air was cooler with a breeze kicking up from the north. It didn’t matter what people were saying. For tonight, Harmony had enjoyed herself.

Dylan held on to the two children, Callie and Cash. She watched him wrangle them, holding their hands and keeping calm as he led them across the parking lot.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked as he opened the truck door and hefted Cash with one arm.

“Compared to what, a tetanus shot?” she teased.

She unlocked her door and waited as he put the children in their car seats. As much as she wanted to sit down, she didn’t. Instead she backed against her car and watched him lean inside the truck. His husky voice carried as he talked to the kids about bedtime and baths. He sounded for all the world like a man who had been a dad for a long time. As much as he smiled and joked, though, she’d noticed the weariness evident in his face, in eyes that looked as if they’d seen too much of life.

He finished with the kids, then mirrored her, backing against his truck as if they had all night.

He pushed his hat back and she could see his too-handsome face. Traitorous memories returned, of the one kiss they’d shared. Even though it had ended with him teasing her, it had still been a kiss a girl couldn’t forget.

“So, what do you think?”

She opened her car door and sat down. If he was going to take forever, she needed a seat. “About?”

Of course she knew he meant his idea. And she had yet to tell him she’d already put his plan into action, letting Wyatt and Rachel Johnson think that Dylan’s help was the only help she’d need.

He moved away from the truck and squatted next to her as she sat in her car, hitching up his jeans as he bent long legs. “Tonight worked out well. You didn’t have to eat alone, dodging people asking how you’re doing. I escaped more discussions on prospective wives. I saw Wyatt and Rachel Johnson’s truck heading up to your place a while ago. I guess that isn’t their first visit?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“I heard my mom say she’s coming by tomorrow to check on you.”

“I love your mom.”

“But you don’t need a daily check-in.”

She smiled at that. “No, I don’t.”

He stood and leaned on the side of her car, bending down to look in at her. The distraction of his Old West looks, mountain-man cologne and cinnamon gum kept her from hearing what he said. She had to focus.

“You did agree to sit with me tonight.”

She smiled up at him. “I might have already told Wyatt Johnson that we’re helping each other out.”

“Perfect. So that’s it, we’re an item now.”

His easy statement shocked her.

“No!” The word rushed out. “I’m not interested in being half of a couple.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to buy you a ring. But I will be here if you need me. I’ll help you out with that horse. I’ll mow your lawn. Whatever it is people are lining up to do for you, I’m your huckleberry. And if you want to fix me a roast for dinner, that’s even better.”

“You think I cook now?”

“Probably not.”

That hurt. “Well, I do.”

He winked. “Don’t get all upset, Princess, I’m teasing. I have to go, but you think about what I’ve said. I’ll be over tomorrow.”

He leaned into the car and kissed her cheek, surprising her. “Dylan, don’t.”

“Just a good-night kiss from a friend. Call if you need anything.”

“I’ll add your number to the dozens I already have,” she called out to his retreating back.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to save you from,” he tossed back as he climbed in his truck.

Harmony started her car and headed for home, leaving Dylan in her dust. As she drove she thought about what he’d said, about saving her.

For several years everyone had been trying to save her. They’d tried to save her before the accident—and after. They had tried to save her from the addiction. They’d tried to save her from herself. In Dawson, she’d been hoping to escape all of the people trying to save her.

What Dylan offered was a way to escape people and their good intentions. He offered a way for her to reclaim her life. What he got in return was a way to fend off the local matchmakers. It seemed like the perfect plan, yet it left her unsettled. Dylan had always unsettled her. It was his easy charm and the way he had of being completely comfortable with his life.

The flash of blue lights coming up behind her and then the wail of a siren stopped her from thinking too much about Dylan’s crazy idea. She pulled over and let the ambulance pass, then she got back onto the road.

She would have gone on home but the ambulance turned up the gravel drive that led to Bill and Doris Tanner’s place. Harmony followed close behind. Her heart gave a painful thud as she watched the EMTs jump from the vehicle, meet Bill in the yard and then follow him into the house.

Local volunteers were already on scene. A fire truck was parked close to the barn. Harmony stepped out of her car and watched as several men rushed out of the house for equipment. Another man led Bill outside. He saw her and shook his head.

Harmony approached, unsure but knowing someone had to be there for Bill Tanner, a man who had already lost too much.

“Mr. Tanner.” She touched his arm and his face crumpled, giving way to a few tears that streaked down his weathered face.

“Doris had a stroke. I was fixing her a hot dog and she just wouldn’t move from the chair.”

The volunteer moved Bill to the side as the paramedics pushed the stretcher through the front door and to the waiting ambulance. One of the men hurried to Bill’s side.

“Bill, she’s responding. We’ll get her to Grove and then I think they might fly her to Tulsa.”

“Bill, I’ll drive you,” Harmony said, taking hold of the older man’s arm. “Should we go on to Tulsa or wait?”

“I’d wait. If they can keep her in Grove, I think they will.” The volunteer smiled at her. “That’s real nice of you, Miss Cross.”

She nodded and old Bill Tanner gave her an odd look. “You don’t mind driving me? I think my old truck will make it, but I’m a mite shaky.”

“I don’t mind. We’re neighbors and that’s what neighbors do.”

They headed for her car and a truck pulled up, headlights catching them in twin beams of light. A tall figure stepped out, adjusted his cowboy hat and headed their way.

“Dylan.” Harmony released a pent-up breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“What happened?” He looked from her to Bill.

“Doris had a stroke. Miss Cross was nice enough to offer me a ride.” Bill’s voice was shaky.

“Let me take you.” Dylan nodded toward his truck.