Fate (Steel Brothers Saga #13) - Helen Hardt Page 0,56
mother must be an amazing woman.”
“She is. She’s strong. Getting help doesn’t make you weak, Daphne. It makes you strong.”
She nodded. “This is a beautiful place.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
“Is that why you brought me here?”
“Yeah, but also because it reminds me of you. The way you said you love the sunrise. This place, where flowers bloom all year round, is like a constant sunrise.”
“It is. It’s wonderful.” She walked toward another cluster of tulips, the palest green. “These look sad.”
“Those are my mother’s favorite.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. What do you mean when you say they look sad?”
“It’s almost like nature forgot to finish their color.”
“I never thought about it like that.” I cut a bloom and handed it to her. It did look pale and sad against the bright yellow of the first flower.
“Night and day,” she said, holding them both. “One is the moon, the other the sun. The light drives out the dark.”
“You have a way with words,” I said. “Have you thought about majoring in English? Maybe doing some writing?”
“I have, actually.” Her cheeks reddened. “I’m taking freshman year to sort things out, figure out what my dreams are.”
“That must be nice,” I said.
“I suppose so. Didn’t you do that when you began college?”
I shook my head. “I know where my future lies. Here. The ranch. It’ll be mine someday, and I need to know how to run it. My father taught me everything he knows, and college has taught me more about the business side of things.”
“You never had a dream, then? Other than the ranch?”
“No,” I said truthfully. “I never did.”
Her eyes took on a faraway look, a look laced with sadness. Was she feeling bad for me? I slid my finger over her hairline and down her silken braid that fell over one shoulder.
“I have a dream now,” I said softly.
“Do you?”
“I do.” I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. “Do you still want me to be the one?”
She nodded shyly.
“I want that too.” In fact, I never wanted another man to touch this beautiful flower—a flower that had wilted from lack of sun but now was blooming in full color.
What had she done to me? I was no poet, yet here I stood, thinking of her metaphorically as a flower…and it seemed so truthful and right.
I could make love to her right here in the greenhouse. My mother wasn’t home, and my father never set foot in here. It seemed apt…but no. No one’s first time should be on the cold floor of a glass house. Surrounded by flowers and greenery? Maybe, but not here.
Her first time would take place in a bed in the arms of a man who truly cared.
The guesthouse was fully furnished. We’d go there.
And we’d go now.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Daphne
Brad Steel was going to make love to me.
He was the man of my dreams…and he wouldn’t stop this time. I wouldn’t let him.
We drove to the guesthouse behind the ranch house.
“What if your father comes over here?”
“He won’t.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay.” I had no reason to disbelieve Brad. He knew his father better than I did. I wrapped my arms around myself, easing the nervous chill inside. I wasn’t frightened, exactly—just apprehensive. I didn’t know anything about lovemaking, but I had a feeling Brad knew a lot.
That fact unsettled me more than a little. He’d been with loads of women, including the beautiful one who’d shown up at my dorm room.
I wanted to be special to him, as special as he was to me. I could only give my virginity once, and while I knew Brad was the one, part of me wished we could experience this together.
Dr. Payne had told me to go slowly in relationships, that adult love was something that didn’t happen overnight. I’d believed him.
Until I met Brad Steel.
I didn’t know what love was, other than the love I felt for my parents. What I felt for Brad was brand-new to me—brand-new and so intense.
Was I in love?
Could a person fall in love in a week’s time?
In fairy tales, maybe, but in real life?
Brad led me into the guesthouse. It was nearly as big as the main house.
“Just how many guests do you have?” I asked.
“Not a lot.”
“Then why such a big house for them?”
He laughed. “I have no idea. The house has been here my whole life. Sometimes family stays here. Other times, friends. But honestly, it doesn’t get used that much.”
“Amazing. I can’t even imagine growing up the way you did.”
“Big houses