work tomorrow.”
“Nonsense,” Talon says. “I’ll book all of us into the Carlton for as long as necessary.”
“Dad, I don’t think—”
“No argument,” Talon says to Dale. “This man is responsible for bringing you into the world. The least we can do is let him know he’s not alone.”
Now I feel really weird. “I came here to work,” I say.
“She’s right, Dad,” Dale agrees. “It’s harvest time. Not just for me but for you too. We can’t stay here.”
I don’t want to stay here.
Those are the words Dale really wants to say. I hear them floating on the velvety burgundy of his voice.
Talon stays quiet for a moment, his head cocked as if he’s in thought. Finally, “All right, Dale. Take Ashley home. See to the harvest. I know how much it means to you.”
“You’re not saying…” Dale begins.
“Yes. I’ll stay here with your father.”
“You’re my father, and the ranch needs you now.”
“We’ve got the best staff in the business,” Talon says. “The orchard will get along fine without me for a couple days.”
“Dad…”
“Did I not just say no argument? Go. Both of you. Someone should be here when the man wakes up.”
“The nurse will be here,” Dale says without feeling.
Talon’s jawline tenses. “You’ve made your feelings clear. Go. I understand. But do not attempt to sway me. I will stay here so Floyd is not alone when he wakes up. The man is responsible for bringing two of the people I love most into this world.”
“Neither one of us owes him a damned thing,” Dale says.
“You do. You owe him your life. Literally. And I owe him for giving me you and your brother.”
Dale says nothing.
The words hang in the air, and though I haven’t seen colors in other voices since I met Dale and his voice had such an impact, a new shade cloaks me now.
Talon’s voice is dark blue—a calming dark blue, like the night sky. It’s the voice of authority, and also the voice of a father’s love. This man loves his child so much that he also loves the man who’s responsible for his existence.
A lump catches in my throat.
Does my mother feel that way about my father? The vehicle that caused her such pain and torment but that also brought me into her life?
I hate what he did to my mother, but other than that, I have no feeling at all for the man.
Before I can contemplate the thought further, Dale grabs my hand. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll call you if there’s any news,” Talon says.
Dale nods.
“Wait, wait.” My thoughts are muddled. Love fills me. Love for Dale. And this man, who just went through surgery… This man is responsible for Dale being in the world. Talon’s words have made me see everything differently.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m overemotional because of the situation. Because of my love for Dale. Because I told him about my childhood. My father. Everything’s on the surface now, and I don’t know how to deal with any of it.
Except I can’t leave.
I feel the same way Talon does. The man in the ICU brought the man I love into this world.
Anyone who loves Dale should be here.
“For God’s sake,” Dale says. “What is it?”
“I… I think I want to stay. I mean, I know I have an internship, and if you want to fire me, I get it. I probably deserve it. But this man… Like your dad said. He’s responsible for bringing you into the world, Dale, and you know how I feel about you.”
Dale pushes his hand through his mass of hair. “Are you both serious right now?”
“It’s all right, Ashley,” Talon says. “Go with Dale. He needs you more than Floyd right now.”
Dale messes with his hair once more. “For fuck’s sake…”
Talon’s words ring true. He’ll stay here with Floyd, and he needs me to stay with Dale. To take care of his son. For even though Floyd abandoned Dale and Dale doesn’t feel anything for him, he’s still Dale’s birth father, and Dale is struggling on some level.
Dale always seems to be struggling on some level.
“Go on,” Talon says again. “I’ll call your mother and tell her what’s going on.”
“You’re right,” I say to Talon. “Let’s go, Dale.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Dale
I take Ashley home to the main house.
“Wait just a minute,” she says. “I’m going with you.”
“Ash, it’s late. I’m exhausted. We got nothing done today, and I just need…”
“Need what?” she asks. “What do you need? I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
I need to be alone.
But the words