Mick grinned. “I was in my element.”
“You still are. This is where you belong. In a saddle and on a ranch.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Dustin, because I have news for you. Jennifer Steele is selling the ranch to me.”
“Are you serious?”
“Very serious. Phoebe is drawing up the papers now. The deal is set to close early next week.”
“That’s great news, Mick. Congratulations.”
“Boy, Sam is good.”
Dustin smiled. “He really helped me open my eyes.”
Mick laughed. “Yeah. Those pretty big gray eyes of yours that Paris loves so much.”
“Almost as much as she loves your green ones.”
They continued talking the rest of the ride. It felt great to be so relaxed with Mick. Just like old times.
As they came up on the site where the new Swanson County Airport was being built, he could see Mick’s ranch hands were busy building fences around it.
“I just need to check in with them, Dustin. Fifteen minutes and we can ride back.”
“Perfect. I need to get down and stretch my legs before we do.” He couldn’t wait to get back to Paris, to the woman of his and his brother’s dreams.
Chapter Fourteen
When a sad love song came on her car radio, Paris clicked it off. The last thing she needed was a sad love song. She was sad enough as it was.
Over and over, she kept replaying how she’d told Dustin about being a doctor. Could there have been a better way? No. She was ashamed of herself for the lie she’d lived with for so long. But hadn’t he reacted like she’d expected?
She’d only been on the road about two hours. Eight more to figure out what I want to do. Take the job or not take the job. End it forever with Dustin and Mick. Or return to Destiny and try again. How many times have I tried?
“Incoming call from Dad,” the digital voice from her car’s communication panel announced.
She answered the call. “Hello, Dad.”
“Paris, I got your message. Have you left yet?”
“Yes. I’m on the road, almost to Rawlins, Wyoming.”
“I thought you were going to wait until I got home.”
“I just couldn’t, Dad. Too much on my mind. I thought the drive would help me sort things out.”
“I understand, sweetheart. Just promise me you will not take that job until we can have a heart-to-heart.”
“I love our heart-to-hearts, Dad, but this is one decision I have to make on my own.”
“Honey, I don’t trust your decision maker right now.”
“Always with the jokes, Daddy. My decision maker is going to be just fine.” Will it? “Love you, Dad. I’ll call you tonight after my tour of the hospital.”
“Do Dustin and Mick know you’re headed to Wilde?”
“No, but I’m from Destiny and I’m sure it won’t be long before they find out. No one keeps a secret for long there.”