The Patriot A Small Town Romance - Jennifer Millikin Page 0,33

saying. Nobody has signed on the dotted line, so don’t do anything to fuck this up in the final hour. “What do you think about staying out here to manage the project?”

First I feel panic, but I rein it in by reminding myself that as soon as the sale goes through the property will be owned by my father, and there will essentially be no reason for me to have contact with Wes.

When I don’t respond right away, my dad says, “Dakota?”

“I’ll consider it,” I say quickly, looking at my watch and fighting back the panic. “Gentlemen, we have a flight to catch. And a long drive to the airport. I’ll be in touch, but rest assured Sierra Grande will be in great hands no matter who stays here full-time, because I will make certain of that.”

I stand, and so does everyone else. My dad shakes Beau’s hand across the coffee table, then Wes’s. “Usually my firm celebrates by taking the seller out to dinner,” my dad tells them. “Once the deal goes through, we’ll be back out here to hire a general contractor. Can I take you out to dinner then?”

Both Beau and Wes nod their agreement, then Beau and my dad start for the front door. I replace the notebook in my tote bag and wind my arm through the straps. As I turn to step around the side of the couch, there’s a tug on my elbow.

“You’re leaving?” Wes asks under his breath, something that sounds a lot like disappointment running through his voice. “Just like that?”

“Yes. The choice should be one you’re familiar with.” I give him a hard look. He’s made it clear he doesn’t see me as a one-night stand, but that doesn’t completely erase how it felt to wake up alone.

He ignores the remark. “Am I going to see you again?” His voice is low and urgent, and it reaches into that part of me I buried after Barrett.

“Dinner, remember? But, seriously, you let the last five years pass without seeing me, I’m sure you could manage.”

It’s as if my last two sentences have rolled right off him. He completely ignores my indignation and instead looks at me with eyes loaded with feelings he seems unable to express.

My boiling blood decreases in temperature, and I find myself softening. “I’m considering coming out here full-time, but I’m not sure yet.” I don’t want to let my dad down, and I really care about what we’re going to create in Sierra Grande. I think I’d miss being here to see the small moments as the project progresses, even when I’m keeping tabs on it from afar.

“What’s there to think about?” Wes asks. Understanding dawns on his face. “You have a boyfriend, don’t you?”

The air changes, becomes thick and charged with electricity, and I think if I licked the air I could taste his jealousy.

“Retract your claws, tiger.” I stare into those dark eyes, and the buzzing feeling in the air slips over my skin, covering me until I’m submerged in its current. Like the moment I met him, my decision feels inevitable. “I’ll take the role.”

“Thank you,” Wes murmurs, his face relieved. His hand leaves my elbow and comes to rest on my hip. The pad of his thumb moves up and down, skimming across the fabric of my top.

“Dakota?” my dad calls from the open front door. “We better get going if we want to make our flight.”

I glance up into Wes’s eyes, then turn to face the two men at the door. My movement forces Wes’s thumb to fall away from me, and immediately I miss his touch. “I’ve decided to stay here,” I say to Beau. “I’d like to make sure the building comes to life the way I’ve told you it will. Once the deal is complete, I’ll be back.”

Beau looks pleased. “My lawyer will draft the papers and we’ll make it a done deal.” He switches his gaze to me. “Dakota, every May our family hosts a cookout for the cowboys, and you’re certainly welcome to join us since you’ll be in town. We can get you the specifics at our dinner.”

I shoot Wes a quick glance, tell Beau I’d love to attend, and walk out the door.

Then my dad and I drive to Phoenix, return our rental car, and travel home to Colorado Springs.

We figured out the logistics on the drive from the airport to my sister’s house. This entire next week I will be at home, preparing to