“Love, I would do anything f
or you.”
Jessie felt tingles spread through her body. She reached across the table and took Dallas’s hand in hers. “I want you to know I’m not mad at you. Actually, I kind of understand why you did what you did. But no more lies, Dallas.”
“Agreed.”
“But you have to know that this is all new to me. I’m not sure if I can really be what you want me to be.”
He squeezed her hand. “Sweetheart, you already are. I know there’s a lot to take in. My family is…not like others. I want you to know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If a plural marriage isn’t something that you can wrap your head around, I’d like you to consider a more traditional proposal. If you’ll have me, I’d like to be your one and only.”
Her heart slammed in her chest. She couldn’t believe her ears. “If I understand what Selby and Samantha told me, if you don’t share a wife with your other brothers, you lose your inheritance. Is that right?”
Dallas shrugged.
My God, would he really do that for me? Somehow she knew he would. “Well, let’s just take it one day at a time. Stick to the here and now, as someone pretty smart told me one time.”
“Love, we’re good?”
“Green, Sir. We’re green.”
A familiar voice came from behind her. “Jessica!”
She whirled around and saw Michael pushing his way through the line of customers.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she said loudly, hoping he could hear above the din.
She grinned, knowing that what he was wearing had likely never been seen in this small mining town ever before. Actually, she doubted purple jeans and silver shirts had been seen since the seventies. Even his sunglasses were massive, pointing back to the disco era. Jessie jumped from Dallas’s booth. Her ex-fiancé walked over and gave her a big hug. She melted into his embrace. Gay, yes, but Michael had muscles to spare. He was tall, too. Six-three. Being held by him felt good and peacefully familiar.
Dallas stood and glared at him. “I think that’s enough. Get your paws off of her, now.”
“He’s my friend. Don’t be jealous.”
Michael’s eyebrows went up, but he didn’t let go. “Wow, Jessica. You really did trade up.”
Dallas grabbed Michael’s shoulder. “I said let her go.”
Jessie could tell he wasn’t kidding. His face was clouded with rage. She looked at Michael. Per his norm, he wasn’t going to take orders from Dallas or anyone else.
“Michael, please.”
Her ex grabbed Dallas’s wrist and not so gently removed it from his shoulder. All the while, keeping one arm around her. “Cowboy, if it’s a pissing match you want, I’m game. Of course, I’d prefer a kissing match.”
Dallas swung his fists, but Michael ducked, avoiding his jab. Then Michael landed a punch in Dallas’s gut, and another at the side of his face. Dallas rubbed his jaw then landed two blows that put Michael on the floor.
“What the hell are you two doing!” Jessie looked around the diner. Customers were staring, but none moved to stop them. In fact, they looked more amused than surprised, as if this was an everyday occurrence in Wilde. “I can’t believe this.” She snapped, “Dallas, this is Michael. My ex-fiancé.” She turned to Michael on the floor. He was smiling. “Michael, you’ll never change.”
He stood up, and held out his hand to Dallas. “That last left hook was amazing. I’m sure I could have two black guys in the morning. Oh… I mean two black eyes.”
Michael’s joke seemed to unhinge Dallas’s anger. Then the cowboy laughed. “Pleased to meet you, Michael.”
“The pleasure is mine, cowboy. Boy, I’m going to have to get back to my boxing classes at the gym.”
Dallas shrugged. “You should thank your coach. You landed some tough punches.”