She took her time with the words, noting Diane’s graceful penmanship, savoring the sound of her father’s name from the woman he’d fallen in love with. When she was done, tears stung her vision, but she read it again. Then again.

Finally she lifted her head and looked at Dalton.

“They were coming back.”

“Yes. You were right all along. You knew who they were, even when I doubted.”

The hard shell inside her cracked open and she began to shake. Dalton rose, tugging her into his arms, and wrapped her tight in his embrace. She allowed herself this one last time to take comfort in his strength, reveling in his spicy, masculine scent, the heat of his skin, the warm breath rushing past her ear. He rocked her like a child, and she cried as the past fell away and all the answers suddenly became clear.

She quieted but stayed in his arms, hating to leave.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, Raven.”

Raven sighed. One more moment in his embrace and she’d pull away. For now, it felt so good. So . . . right. “I know.”

“I made a lot of mistakes, but I see things more clearly now. And I understand why you don’t feel like you can just open up again and give me a second chance. So I’m going to earn it.”

Slowly, she pulled back. “I’m glad you called me. I needed to see the letter. I think there’s some closure for both of us now, don’t you? But there’s nothing left of us. We need to move on.”

His jaw tightened, but he nodded. “We do. But I don’t think it’s too late for us, Raven.”

“Dalton—don’t.”

He tipped her chin up, smiling down at her. Resolution gleamed in his eyes, along with a peace she’d never really noticed before. “I gave you words. But trust isn’t won back with words. It’s won back with actions. If I let you walk away without a fight, I’ll spend the rest of my life with regrets.”

She stepped away, tired all the way to her soul. “You need to move on. You’ve never wanted anything permanent anyway.”

“No, I didn’t. Because love is just a word until it’s attached to a person. I didn’t understand what it felt like to want to be with one person longer than a night or two. With you, I saw beyond. When I think about my future, I see you, sweetheart. Only you.”

“I’ve got to go. I’m glad you found the answers you needed, but I can’t do this anymore. I won’t. Some things can’t be fixed.”

“Watch me.”

His words should have sounded like a threat, but somehow, they were more like a promise. A promise she didn’t believe any longer.

Raven left and swore not to think about it again.

Dalton stood on the porch and watched her drive away.

His insides hurt. Holding her in his arms again was like coming home. But he didn’t expect her to believe him. He’d taken something precious she’d given him and destroyed it. She needed time to believe in him again and trust that he wouldn’t hurt her. He needed to be in this for the long haul, even if it was possible she would never give him another chance.

It was a risk he had to take.

He heard his brothers’ footsteps. They flanked him, watching Raven as she disappeared down the long drive.

“How’d she take it?” Cal asked.

“Good. She cried. I got to hold her.”

Tristan nodded. “Will she forgive you?”

“I hope so. I need to prove myself again. It’s going to take time.”

“Think you should make some grand gesture? You know, like they do in those romance novels and stuff?” Tristan asked.

Dalton shook his head. “Nah, it’s fiction for a reason. Women need long term. Small actions every day that make a difference. I’m fighting for something bigger here.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I think she’ll forgive you. Eventually,” Cal said. “In the meantime, we’re here for you. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks.”

“But you’re still paying me for some new bottles of whiskey.”

Dalton shot him a look, and they all burst into laughter.

chapter twenty-nine

What the hell was he doing?

Raven looked up. Perched on the bar stool to the far left, he sat quietly, iPhone in hand. Three weeks had passed, and he still continued the same behavior. The first night, she’d explained quietly that he needed to leave. He did, but he ended up sitting in his Bronco the entire time, waiting until she closed up. He followed her home, waited to make sure she got in, then drove away.

He repeated the same actions for the rest of the week, until she finally gave up and let him stay on the bar stool. She refused to serve him, hoping he’d get the hint and eventually go away.

He didn’t. He just brought paperwork with him, or read on his phone, not even drinking water. After a few nights she realized he hadn’t eaten. She allowed him to order from the menu and gave him a damn beer. But she refused to talk to him. She treated him like he was invisible, and it worked well for her. Kind of.

Raven knew what he was trying to do in this twisted plot to win her back. She also knew it was impossible, and with enough time, he’d tire of the game and move on. No man could continue in the same vein.

Until another week dragged by, and he kept sitting in her bar, night after night, happy to take whatever scraps she threw him.

It was driving her crazy.

Since it was a Tuesday, the crowd was a bit thinner than usual, so she took the opportunity to stomp over to his chair. He looked up, his expression happy, like he was grateful she noticed him. It reminded her of the first months after they’d met, when she’d given him a hard time. “Why are you doing this?” she demanded. “I don’t want you here. You don’t want to be here. Just move on, Slick, and pick up a pretty blonde who you can have fun with. Got it?”

His smile was pure joy. His dimples flashed. “Don’t you get it, Raven? I’m happy just being around you. This is the first time you’ve called me Slick in weeks.”

“It’s not a compliment,” she hissed.

“Okay.”

“Stop agreeing with me.”

“Okay.” He paused. “Can I have some sweet potato fries, please?”

“No.”

“Okay.” He just stared at her with that hungry look in his eyes. Her stomach dropped to her toes, but she turned her back and refused to say another word to him for the rest of the night.