chapter 2

A distant sound of a car approaching tensed all of his muscles.

“I think I’ll step outside and wait for Eli’s mother to pick him up.” He drew a few deep breaths and then prepared himself to face the woman who had kept this secret for so long from him.

Olivia reed couldn’t help smiling as she saw Eli & Mia waiting just outside the stables.

Her work worries were impossible to hold on to when she was with her son.

In the morning she was going to fire an employee, never a pleasant thing, but in this case necessary. The landscaping company was left to Olivia by her father after he passed away from Cancer two years earlier.

But for this afternoon and evening, all she had to think about was homemade tacos, popcorn, and watching a movie with the little man in her life.

She pulled up and turned off the car engine, then got out of the pickup. At that moment, a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a black cowboy hat exited from the stables and into her view.

She froze in her tracks.

Dean.

For a long moment, her mind refused to take the image in. She stared at him, and then a million questions fired off in her head.

Dean Grayson… What was he doing here?

Why wasn’t he doing whatever a texas ranger does somewhere else?

“Hello Olivia.” His icy blue eyes peered out beneath the rim of his hat.

He knows.

The two awful words repeated in her head as her heart beat uncontrollably.

“Dean, what a surprise.” She said and took two slow steps forward.

“Today is full of surprises.” he replied with a cornered glimpse at Eli.

“Eli, why dont you come inside with me and let Dean and your mom talk for a few minutes?” Mia said, “I’m pretty sure Ive got some of those chocolate brownies that you like in the pantry.”

Eli looked at Olivia for approval and she nodded her head, still shocked by Dean’s presence.

She viewed Mia and Eli as they headed toward the house, and a thousand old memories fluttered through her mind.

Dean was so handsome, dressed in a suit to escort her to their high school prom… Dean, naked and wonderful as he made love to her at his family’s lake house.

He had been her first love, her only love, and the one she felt would be her endless love.

Throughout high school, they dated. Throughout college, she would come back to Valley Mills to be with him.

After completing her college degree, she returned home, she and Dean resumed their love affair. The memories of loving and being loved by him warmed her.

She watched until Mia and Eli disappeared into the house, and then she turned her gaze back to Dean.

She’d always wondered if this day would come, but over time she’d convinced herself it wouldn’t. But here it was, and she was so ill prepared for it. She raised her chin and waited for him to speak, her heart racing.

“How could you keep him from me?” She knew to protest would not do. She wanted to reiterate the fabrication shed told him years ago when she’d been pregnant and he’d phoned to see if the baby was his.

However, it was one thing to express a lie over a phone call, quite another to look into somebody’s eyes and lie.

Everything inside her hushed. Her heart stopped beating and her lungs quit drawing breath as she gazed back at him without a sound.

“I had a right to know that he was my son and he has a right to know that I’m his father.” His words were brief… and concise, and he took a step toward her.

“You left town.” She replied. He’d left her completely heartbroken. She had two reasons to lie. Dean had pushed her away and Jack had just gone to prison for his abominable crimes.

Fear and anger surged into her chest. “You haven’t told him, have you?” What might he have already said to her son?

“I haven’t told him anything yet.” his tone was cool.

“What are you doing here in Valley Mills? I heard you were last protecting the border.”

His eyes darkened. “I decided it was time for a vacation.”

“How long is your vacation?” she finally asked.

“I dont know yet, and dont try to change the subject you’ve had eight years with Eli.” His jaw tightened.

“I dont think it’s a good idea, we’ve done fine without you.” She replied. “Particularly now that your father has escaped from prison.”

His shoulders hardened. “Jack has nothing to do with this. I have rights, Olivia, and if I have to get legal representation, I will.” The intention in eyes let her know he wasn’t kidding.

“I dont want you to hurt him, Dean.” His eyes softened. “Thats the last thing I plan to do.”

Worry fluttered through her. She sighed. “If the two of us can remain civil with each other, and until I think he’s ready to hear it, I guess we can work something out so you can spend some time with him.”

She didn’t want to do this, but Dean and Eli had a right to get to know each other. The last thing she wanted was a custody battle.

“I dont want to mess up his life, Olivia.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and took a step closer to her. “I dont want to screw up your life, but you should have told me.”

A pang of guilt filled her cheeks with warmth. “I did what I thought was for the best.”

“And look how that turned out for everyone.” He controlled his anger. “When can I see him?”

How about never… Or maybe when he turns thirty? She wanted to reply.

“Soon.”

“Not good enough.” he replied bluntly.

“You can see him tomorrow afternoon. He has a birthday party to go to in the morning.”

“Then I’ll pick him up at one O’clock.”

A new panic ran through her. “Where are you taking going to take him?”

He narrowed his gaze. “If you’re worried I’ll steal him away, then you need to calm yourself. I wouldn’t do that to him.” He relaxed his brow. “I thought I’d take him to Michael and his step-dad’s ranch. I haven’t stopped by and said hello since my return. I’ll send Eli out.” Dean turned and started back to the house.

Calm. Olivia was anything but calm. How could she when he clearly wanted to step into a parent role… When he’d walked away from their love so easily all those years ago?

She needed this reunion to be over, to go home and process what had just happened. Dean had always left her feeling out of breath.

With blond hair clipped short, highlighting his chiseled, attractive features. His facial stubble only enhanced his looks. He was almost a decade older than he’d been the last time she’d seen him, but those years had only made him more impressive.

She had to admit, despite current events, he still held some sort of sensual hold over her. She wanted to feel the warmth of his embrace once again and taste his kisses on her lips.

Preposterous, absurd thoughts. Dean had left her devastated when he left all those years ago. What kind of man had he become, maybe even married with his own family?

Eli came running out of Mia’s front door. Olivia took a deep breath to steady herself. Like it or not, Dean was back in her life.