Enchanted Enough, page 2
He turned his head and stared at me like I had turned purple.
“I was so nervous that I was going to slip and fall, or the back of my dress would get caught in my panties, or something equally mortifying. When I spotted Lady Gaga sitting in the front row, I thought for sure I was going to throw up right there on her.”
His head tilted in the most adorable way. “You’re a model?”
“Was. I was a model. Anyway, she looked right at me and smiled! The most genuine of smiles that anyone has ever given me. I was instantly put at ease, and I walked that runway like I owned the son-of-a-bitch. I’m shorter than most models, and when I got picked by Stella to wear that particular design, a lot of them were pissed. I was convinced they were going to sabotage me in some way.”
He looked shocked. “Would they do that?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I wouldn’t put anything past a bunch of competing women. And models can be vicious. Fashion used to be my dream. I moved to France when I was fifteen, and the first year was like a fantasy, until I realized I wasn’t cut out for that world.”
“Why not?” he asked, letting my poor hand go.
“One word. Drama. I’m just not about it.”
He grinned, and I tried to ignore the way that made my stomach feel like the plane had just dipped. I looked around. Had it? No, the stranger would have grabbed my hand again.
“So what’s bringing you to Montana?” I asked.
His smile faded, and he cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry, totally none of my business.”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a soft sigh. “My mother passed away from cancer a year ago.”
At that moment, the plane started to turn, and he grabbed my hand again and looked out the window.
I placed my free hand over his. He glanced down, noticed he was holding my hand again, and quickly let go. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Lifting my hand, I wiggled my fingers and thumb. “All good.”
He smiled, and I noticed a single dimple in his left cheek. Ugh. That was hot. And he was hot.
The spell was broken when he started to speak again. “Anyway,” he said, his smile fading and a sad expression taking its place. “My mother passed away, and when I was going through her belongings I stumbled upon some letters. My mother used to talk about my father a lot to me. She told me he was in the Marines, but she never would tell me his last name. She would say when the time was right, she’d tell me. When I was younger, I would be curious, but I was a happy kid and didn’t feel like it would change anything in my life one way or another. To know his last name that is. I never pressed her about it,” he said thoughtfully. “Except one time when I was eighteen, I asked her why she never told me. She said his family didn’t know about us and she left it at that. Once I got older, I realized my mother most likely didn’t want to disrupt a family.”
I turned in my seat, already invested in the story. The flight attendant appeared again, and the stranger ordered another drink. I could tell he was well on his way to being tipsy.
“The letters were from your father. Right?”
Nodding, he said, “Yeah. They were. She named me after him, much to my grandfather’s disliking.”
“Oh! So Granddad found out about them?”
He pointed to me and nodded. The flight attendant showed up again with his drink and my Dr. Pepper. She took our orders for food and finally left so we could return to the story.
“Okay, so your grandfather found out. And I take it that he didn’t like your dad?”
“Apparently not. Told her to stop seeing him or he’d cut her off from the family…and the family money.”
My eyes went wide. “Wow. He didn’t like Marines, did he?”
The handsome stranger laughed. “I guess not. Or maybe it was just this one in particular. My grandfather’s very wealthy. One of the wealthiest men in Texas. He was probably more worried that someone was trying to use his daughter for money, or take her to Montana and away from his beloved Texas.”
“Did you learn anything from the letters?”
“Yeah,” he said with a sad smile. “He wrote my mother all the time. He came from what sounded like a wealthy family himself, so I knew he wasn’t with her for the money. He talked about marrying her when he got out of the Marines and bringing her home to his family.”
I put my hand over my heart. “That’s so romantic.”
He looked at me and smiled. Then he said, “Cattle ranchers.”
“I’m sorry?”
“His family, they were cattle ranchers.”
That caused me to perk up. Montana had many cattle ranchers, but only a handful could genuinely count themselves as wealthy. “Did you find out in the letters how they met?”
“From what I can guess, my mother met him while living near a Marine Corps base and attending school. They fell in love, and he vowed to marry her when he got out. The last letter she wrote to him was the one telling him that she was pregnant with me. She mentioned she was so excited because he was getting out of the Marines soon, and he promised he would come get her, marry her, and take her to Montana. It didn’t seem like she was worried at all about telling him she was pregnant.”
“How do you know what her letter said to him?” I asked.
I thought his eyes couldn’t hold any more sadness, but I was wrong. “It was returned unopened. There was a note with her returned letter, telling her that my father had been killed in the line of duty.”
My hand flew to my mouth as I attempted to keep my emotions at bay. “How sad. Your mother was all alone, without the man she loved, and now she had to tell her family she was pregnant. Were your grandparents upset with her?”
He shook his head. “No, my grandparents told her everything would be okay. She took a job at my grandfather’s oil company and worked there right up until she was diagnosed with cancer.”
I took his hand in mine. “Oh…I’m so sorry.”
He simply gave me a half smile.
“I just realized we haven’t introduced ourselves.”
He burst into a nervous bubble of laughter. “Christ, I cannot believe I just told a stranger all of that.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “I guess I’m drunk.”
“No. Maybe if you have another drink, you will be.”
He turned and met my gaze, and for a crazy half-second, I wanted to kiss him. Those blue eyes of his seemed so damn lost.
Swallowing hard, he softly said, “I haven’t told anyone since I found the box of letters six months ago.”
“Six months! You’ve kept this to yourself for that long? Why?”
“My grandfather wasn’t very happy with me when he found out I was going to Montana to search out my deceased father’s family. It’s been an argument between us for a while now. He doesn’t understand why I want to meet them. Even I don’t actually know why I’m going to Montana, if I’m being honest. A part of me thinks my mother wanted me to.”
“You’re curious, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Do they know you’re coming?”
A look of embarrassment crossed his face. “No. No. I haven’t really figured that part out. I mean, how do you walk up to someone’s door and say, ‘Hi there, I’m your dead son’s kid he never knew about’?” He looked back at me and shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. I’m so sorry. The last thing you probably wanted is to hear my sob story.”
“Are you kidding? I’m enthralled and feel like I’m totally invested now.”
He laughed, and I realized I liked the sound of it. Reaching out my hand, I said, “I’m Avery Littlewood.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Avery. I’m Beck Dahlstrom.”
My eyes went wide as I instantly focused on that intense blue gaze…
Blue eyes I’d seen my entire life growing up were staring back at me.
His words from earlier came rushing back. “It turned out she named me after him, much to my grandfather’s disliking.”
“So, does your father’s family live in Missoula?” I asked lightly, although I had an inkling of where this story was going and already knew the answer.
“No,” he said. “They live in a little town south of there called Hamilton. They own a ranch…the Shaw Cattle Ranch.”
It was my turn to grab the armrests.
Holy shit! This is Uncle Beck’s son—that no one knows anything about!
Well, he wasn’t technically my uncle, and I wasn’t in any way related to Beck Dahlstrom. For which a part of me was very thankful, because for the last several minutes I’d been having lustful thoughts about him.
When I didn’t say anything, he narrowed his eyes slightly and studied me. “Have you heard of it before?”
I swallowed and somehow found my voice. “I live in Hamilton, Montana.”
His eyes went wide. “You’re kidding me. You do? Do you know the Shaw family?”
“I, um…I do. I know them quite well, as a matter of fact. Where are you staying?”
Frowning, he replied, “Bitterroot Inn. Why?”
With a smile that I prayed wasn’t showing I was freaking out inside, I asked, “Would you like to come to family dinner with me tonight?”
Beck’s brows shot up. “I’m sorry?” He laughed and shook his head. “I know I’ve had a lot to drink, but did you just invite me to have dinner at your family’s home?”
I nodded. “I did. I think we can help you with meeting the Shaw family.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
Smiling, I replied, “Of course I would.”
He smiled, and his dimple appeared. If I had been standing, I’m pretty sure my knees would be wobbling.
“Why would you help me like this, Avery?”
I chewed on my lower lip. How much should I tell him? “I’m really good friends…like seriously close friends with the Shaws. I don’t think you should just show up on their doorstep and declare you’re a long-lost grandson.”
“Yeah, I haven’t really thought that far ahead. Just getting to Montana was the first step.”
Taking his hand in mine, I gave it a light squeeze. “Then let me help you.”
With a slight nod, he agreed. “I guess it was fate that your trip was diverted to Dallas then.”
It was my turn to smile. “Or destiny.”
His eyes swept over my face and went to my mouth, where it lingered a bit longer than it should have. He cleared his throat and looked away. “So, how old are you, Avery?”
“I’m eighteen. What about you?”
“I’m, um…I’m twenty-seven.”
Damn. He was nine years older than me.
“You mentioned you worked for your grandfather. What is it hat you do?”
“I have a degree in petroleum engineering, so I’m the one who finds the oil or gas and then is responsible for extracting it in the safest, most cost-effective way.”
“Wow. Where did you go to school?” I asked.
“Texas A&M.”
“Have you ever worked on the oil rigs in the water?”
He chuckled. “Yes. My grandfather made sure I worked almost every job there is that has to do with oil. I was ten years old and sitting in his office, listening to him in meetings. All I wanted to do was be like him when I grew up.” He frowned. “Now I’d give anything to be anyone else.”
A strange ache filled my chest as I looked at Beck’s sad face. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged. “My grandfather lives, eats, and breathes anything related to oil or gas. He has more money than he knows what to do with…and he’s one of the unhappiest people I’ve ever known. I don’t want to end up like that. I enjoy being on the family ranch more, working with the horses and cattle. It feels like home when I’m there.”
“You must get that from your father.”
Beck looked at me and smiled. “I think so. My grandfather hates it when I’m there, though. We make a good amount of money off that cattle ranch, and I’ve offered to run it, but he wants me at the office, where the real money is, or so he says.”
“Well, I can promise you there is no oil or gas on the Shaw ranch. At least, I don’t think there is. You’ll get a reprieve while you’re in Montana. How long do you, um, do you plan on staying?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I figured a couple of weeks, depending on how things go. They might not want to have anything to do with me.”
“Oh, trust me, they will love you instantly.”
A soft smile played across his face. “I brought a few of the letters if they wanted proof. That’s the best I can do for now, unless I do a blood test or something. I don’t want anything from them. I want to make that clear. I guess I was more curious than anything.”
I nodded and fought to keep from staring at him. “Trust me, one look at you and they won’t need any proof.”
Glancing at me, he laughed. “Do I look like I have Montana blood running through me?”
Biting on my lower lip, I nodded. “Indeed, you do.”
Chapter Two
BECK
The moment Avery stepped onto the plane, I noticed her. It was hard not to notice. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and her eyes—Christ, she had the most beautiful sapphire eyes. I’d never seen eyes like that. The conversation flowed easily between us…or that could have been all the alcohol.
“So? Will you have dinner with us?” Avery asked, pulling her eyes away from my mouth.
Shrugging, I replied, “Yes, I’ll have dinner with your family. After all, I came here to meet mine, and if you know them, all the better.”
She beamed, and it made my body tighten with a desire I hadn’t felt in a very long time.
She’s too young for you, Beck. Nine years younger, so stop picturing her naked.
“Did you have transportation planned for when we’ve landed?” Avery asked.
“Yeah, I rented an SUV. Do you need a ride to Hamilton?”
She looked like she was thinking over her answer. “My brother is picking me up. Thank you, though. I would love for you to meet him. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe we can grab a drink. Well…maybe you should have water.”
I laughed. “I’d like that.”
Smiling once again, she said, “Thank you for sharing your story with me. I hope that I can help you in this part of your journey.”
“I do as well, Avery. It’s a crazy small world. I can’t believe you know the Shaw family.”
The only thing she did was smile and look away. “Hopefully it’s a smooth flight.” She leaned her head back against the headrest, and within minutes, she was sleeping.
I stared at Avery for longer than was appropriate before I reached into the seat pouch and pulled out the book I’d brought along to read. But the alcohol was kicking in, and I soon found myself fast asleep just like the sleeping beauty next to me.
“How many suitcases do you have, Avery?” I asked as I took off the fourth one from the belt.
“I was in France for a long time, and some of those are designer clothes that I was not about to give up. Oh…there’s a brown bag! Is that one yours?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I quickly turned and reached for the suitcase.
“Is that it? Just one small case?”
I smiled. “I travel light.”
“I texted my brother when we got the first suitcase, so he’s probably driving around waiting for me. Do you mind helping me with these?”
“Not at all,” I replied as I turned two cases around and held them by the handles.
“I’ll show you where the rental car company is as we’re walking out.”
I nodded.
Avery’s steps slowed, and she smiled. “Perfect timing! You didn’t have to come in.”
A man who was obviously Avery’s brother, and a pretty woman with light brown hair—whom I guessed was Mackenzie—made their way toward us.
“Who’s the boy toy? Someone you picked up in France?” Avery’s brother asked with a laugh.
Avery tossed him a look that should have knocked him back onto his ass. “No, and he speaks English, so will you please not be a jerk.”
Bradly looked past her and tilted his head. “Did you meet him modeling?”
Avery cleared her throat, causing her brother to focus his attention back on her.
“No, Bradly, I did not meet him in Paris.”
Now the brother was really looking me over with a narrow-eyed glance. “How do you know him then?” Bradly asked.
“Stop harassing them, will you?” Mackenzie stated.
Bradly looked at me, then Avery. “How did you two meet, if it wasn’t in France?”
Avery’s face slowly formed a grin that would give the Cheshire cat a run for his money. “You know how I love a good surprise. And to answer that question, dear brother…I think we’re going to need to stop at Forest Lounge so I can explain this one.”
I started to reach my hand out to shake Bradly’s and introduce myself. “Hi there, “I’m—”
But Avery stopped me. “Introductions will be at the bar. Bradly, could you take my luggage, and we can meet at Forest Lounge? I’ll ride with… I’ll meet you there.”
Bradly barked a laugh. “You think I’m going to let you just go off with this guy when you haven’t even told me who he is?”
“I can meet you there, Avery. It’s not a problem.”
She exhaled. “I just spent how many years in France on my own? I’m not a child who needs you to watch over me.”
Bradly’s eyes narrowed. “You’re eighteen. You’re a child.”
“Okay, let’s not do this.”
“Thank you, Mackenzie,” Avery said with a smile. “I’ll meet you both at the bar. We don’t have a lot of time if we want to make it for family dinner.”
Bradly folded his arms over his chest and glared at me.
Rolling her eyes, Avery said, “Fine, this is Mr. Dahlstrom.”
“Does Mr. Dahlstrom have a first name?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s—”
“Gotta run, big bro! Meet you at Forest Lounge.”
Avery grabbed my arm and started to pull me away from her brother and Mackenzie.
