Bartender's Beauty (Culpepper Cowboys Book 11) (10 page)

Austin shook his head. “Those people are masochistic!”

Dallas pointed toward the door, realizing Austin was, as always, just what she’d needed to finish getting through the day. She’d never loved anyone like she loved him, and she was sure she never would again. The thought hit her like a ton of bricks. She loved him. It wasn’t just that he was good to her. It wasn’t just the physical attraction. She was in love with Austin James. “Go. I’ll see you at home in a few hours.”

“Did you get your tests graded?”

“Not yet. I can do one or two more before my next class if you go!”

He winked at her. “I can sure see where I’m not wanted.”

As soon as he left, Dallas sank into her chair. She loved her husband. If she could just get through the mess she’d started with Deirdre that morning, maybe she could tell him.

When sixth period came, Deirdre was missing as she’d suspected. Trying to not call attention to herself, she asked as she always did when a student was missing, “Has anyone seen Deirdre?”

One of Deirdre’s best friends, another girl in a cheerleader uniform, answered. “She got called out of fourth period, and no one’s seen her since. She left her books there and everything.”

“All right,” Dallas said with a nod. “Thank you.” She stood and started passing out the tests that she’d just finished grading. “Most of these were very good. There were a couple of you that didn’t score as high as I hoped, and I made a note on your test asking you to come see me. We can arrange for some tutoring.” She grinned. “Trust me, it’s not shameful to need tutoring in algebra. My husband never would have made it through without me.”

The kids all giggled. One of the girls, Alexis, asked, “Isn’t your husband that hot Austin James? My mama said all the girls thought he was pretty sexy.”

Dallas blushed. “I think it’s time to move on to another subject.” It was funny that her students found Austin hot. They were right of course, but it was still funny.

During seventh period, Deirdre and Mr. Shoemaker entered her classroom while she was frantically finishing up the test grading. Deirdre had obviously been crying.

Dallas stood walking around her desk, afraid of what was about to be said. She could lose her job if the girl was able to convince the authorities Dallas was lying, but more important to her, she wanted Deirdre to get the help she needed.

Deirdre sniffled. “I was wondering if I could have my algebra test. I’m going to go live with my grandmother in Laramie for a while.”

Digging through the papers on her desk, Dallas found the girl’s test paper, taking it to her. “Best grade in the class. You aced it.”

“Thank you, Mrs. James. For some reason, algebra just feels really easy to me.”

“You just keep remembering how smart you are.”

Deirdre nodded, the tears starting again. “I didn’t say thank you this morning when you talked to me, and I should have. No one has ever acted like the way my dad talks to me is a bad thing. Thank you for caring.”

Dallas closed her eyes, wishing Mr. Shoemaker wasn’t there. “I understand better than anyone. You remember that if you need to talk, I’m here for you.”

After the principal and student had left, Dallas sat down and rubbed her eyes, trying not to cry. She was thrilled Deirdre was going to get the help she needed, but she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to Mr. Slocum.

*****

After supper that night, which Dallas had cooked despite her protests that she never would, she sat beside Austin on the couch, snuggled against him as she read a book by her favorite author, Katie Crabapple, and he watched Monday Night Football. She wanted badly to discuss the situation at school, but she couldn’t.

Her phone rang, and she absently reached forward to get it from the coffee table. “Hello?”

“Mrs. James?” A teenage girl was on the other end, and Dallas immediately knew it was Deirdre.

“Yes?”

“I want you to know that I wasn’t throwing up on purpose today. Mr. Shoemaker asked but that’s not what happened. When my dad yells a lot, and I get really upset, I throw up sometimes.”

Dallas nodded, moving a little away from Austin so he wouldn’t hear as well.  “I can understand that. I threw up when my dad got really bad too.”

“I appreciate you going to Mr. Shoemaker about me. I don’t know what’s going to happen now, but my grandma says she’ll make sure everything is better.” Dallas could hear the girl crying. “I hate that I have to leave all my friends.”

“I do too. I wish it didn’t have to be that way, but I do think you’re in a better place now. I think you’re safe.”

There was some sniffling. “Don’t let everyone forget about me.”

“Your true friends will never forget you. I was gone for eleven years, and my friends didn’t forget me.” At her words, she reached out for Austin’s hand, and he squeezed hers. “I promise.”

“Okay. Thank you, Mrs. James.” The call ended abruptly, and Dallas looked down at the phone in her hand.

Austin looked at her. “I think everyone in town knows about Mr. Slocum being suspended today, and about Deirdre leaving to live with her grandmother. That was her, wasn’t it?”

Dallas shook her head in disbelief. “How do things get around town so quickly?”

He shrugged. “It’s a small town and people care about each other. That’s just how it goes.”

“When a teacher was suspended in Cheyenne, no one ever knew where they truly went, whether it was a leave of absence, or a real suspension. Not even the other teachers. Here something happens at school and the whole town is talking!”

“I know it’s strange. Was that Deirdre on the phone?”

Dallas nodded. There seemed to be no point in hiding anything any longer.

“Her dad’s been yelling at her like that for several years.” Austin said the words casually, as if it was a well-known fact.

“You knew?”

He shrugged. “The whole town knew. I don’t think anyone knew what to do.”

“I went to the principal when I heard it, and made a formal report.” Dallas shook her head. “I couldn’t stand by and let another girl be abused the same way I was.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I think you did the right thing. For her, and for you.”

“For me?” she asked, surprised.

“I think you’re going to find that helping someone out of that situation helps you.” He took the remote and shut the TV off. “Now, let’s go make some new memories.” He pulled her to him, kissing her sweetly. “You’re pretty special, you know.”

“Keep telling me that, will you? I think I’m getting closer to believing it.”

Chapter Ten

By Friday afternoon, Dallas knew Austin was right. Reporting Deirdre’s situation had helped her come to grips with her feelings of guilt. She’d only had one nightmare all week, which was nothing short of miraculous. She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She knew that she would think nothing less of Deirdre for being relieved if her father died, so why did she have such feelings of guilt for the same thing? She didn’t know, but she was going to move past them. Her feelings shouldn’t be keeping Austin from being happy, not when he’d been so wonderful to her.

They looked at two more houses on Friday evening, not yet seeing one they were interested in. Megan finally turned to Dallas when they finished. “Why not build? Everything you see has something you don’t like. You have the finances to build what you want, ensuring it’s exactly what you’re looking for.” They’d looked at everything available for miles around, and Dallas couldn’t find anything she liked.

The idea hadn’t occurred to Dallas, and she looked at Austin, who nodded, a smile on his face. “I think we’re looking for land now.”

Megan grinned. “I know of some land that I think will be perfect. Just two acres, so not a ton to maintain or mow, and there’s a little stream that cuts through it.”

Dallas nodded. “I’d love to look at that.” She glanced at her phone. “It’s getting late though. Maybe tomorrow?”

Megan nodded. “That sounds good. I’m hoping to get to Bob’s Burger Barn during the grand opening, but other than that my day is free. Could we go around nine maybe?”

Austin smiled. “Perfect! And burgers after will be my treat, because I’ve heard that Bob’s burgers are incomparable.”

“Who said that?” Dallas asked.

“Bob.” Austin winked. “I ran into him yesterday, and he’s bouncing off the walls about opening this place. Seems he’s been wanting to open a burger joint for years.”

“I’m all about a good burger,” Megan agreed. “All right. I’ll pick you up at your house at nine, we’ll see the property, and then we’ll head to Bob’s. I heard he has some big celebrity coming into town to help him open it.”

“Who?” Austin hadn’t heard that, but he was interested in seeing who would come to Culpepper to endorse a burger restaurant.

“He won’t say!” Megan said, clearly annoyed.

“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow.” Austin reached out to shake her hand. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll be there, and I’m holding you to the lunch offer. I’m going to figure out what that burger barn is all about.” Megan strode off toward her car.

Austin took Dallas’s hand and led her to his truck. “I’m glad we brought separate cars, because I want to take my best girl out tonight.” He’d planned all week to take her to Laramie to dance. They hadn’t had a night where they were just out to have fun in—ever.

“Oh really? When will she get here?” Dallas teased, her eyes full of laughter.

“Don’t get snippy with me, Dallas James! You know there has been no girl in my heart since the nineties, and that’s saying a lot!”

Once they were in the truck, he headed toward Laramie. “I’m taking you to the place I’d planned to take you on our first Tuesday date.”

She rested her head against the back of the seat, looking over at him. “Really? It seems like so long ago, but such a short time too.” She watched him drive, thankful he’d finally broken through her wall, and she’d married him, glad he was watching the road, because she knew the look on her face was sappy.

He glanced over at her, seeing her staring. “What?”

“I just like looking at you. One of my students told me you’re hot.”

“Oh yeah? Did you tell them I’m a one-woman man?” He grinned, imagining how hard it had been to respond to that during class.

“Nope. I just changed the subject very quickly.” She stroked the hand resting on the seat between them. “I’m glad we’re married, you know.”

He grinned. “So am I. I don’t know how I survived all those years without you.”

“You lived. You grew. You made a life for yourself that would welcome me when I was ready to join it.” She sighed. “I love you, you know.”

Austin sat silently for a moment before steering the truck onto the shoulder of the road and turning to look at her. “Did you just say what I think you said?” He’d been waiting for those words from her for over twenty years, and she’d finally said them.

She nodded, taking a deep breath. “I love you, Austin. I loved you when we were in junior high, and I pretended I didn’t know you. I loved you in high school when you asked me to the homecoming dance, and I refused to go. I loved you when I left town to go to school. But now, now I love you more than I ever dreamed I could love anyone. I love you so much it hurts. Thank you for putting up with me and my insecurities. Thank you for marrying me and making me feel like I’m important to someone.”

He unbuckled his seat belt and moved across the seat toward her, gathering her in his arms and holding her close, raining kisses down over her face. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say those words?”

She grinned, reaching up and pulling him down for a real kiss. “As long as I’ve been waiting to hear them from you?” she asked, knowing without a doubt that he felt the same way. “I’m still waiting, by the way.”

He chuckled. “I love you, Dallas. I’ve never stopped, and I never will.” Austin sighed, shaking his head. “And now we have to put off our trip to Laramie yet again.”

She blinked at him, trying to understand. “We do? Why?”

“Because I have to take you home and make love to you, of course. It’s part of the being in love law.”

“It is, is it?” she asked, definitely liking the idea of a night at home more than a night dancing in Laramie.

“Yup. When your wife of two months finally tells you she loves you, it’s your sacred duty to take her home and make love to her until neither of you even has the energy to smile anymore.”

She laughed. “I see. Is this sacred law written anywhere? Or is it just something that men know about?”

“I think it’s something imprinted on men’s brains from birth.” He kissed her once more, lingeringly. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “I’ve been sure for a while. I just—I was afraid to say anything, because I wasn’t sure I was good enough to love you.”

“You are. You are perfect in my eyes. Except for this propensity you have for clothing. Do you think I could talk you into being naked around the house all the time?”

Dallas laughed, shaking her head. “Winter’s coming, and we live in
Wyoming
. It’s a little too cold to run around nude all the time.”

“Wimp.” He slid back across the seat and made a quick U-turn on the road, heading back to Culpepper.