Page 57 of Hard Rain Coming
“Done. Don’t worry about anything on this end.” Benton got to his feet and crossed the room. “I don’t know where Viv’s head is at or what’s going on with you two. What I do know is that I’m glad she’s back with us where she belongs, and that she’s come alive these last few weeks since the two of you have…” He cleared his throat and glanced away. “Well, since you two are, uh…” Sheepishly, he looked back at Dallas. “Doing whatever the hell it is you’re doing.”
“Eloquent as always, Bridgestone.” Dallas was silent for a few seconds, his thoughts scattered, his mind full of information he couldn’t share. Not yet, anyway. But one thing was clear. And it was a big thing. A big thing he’d been carrying around for years but hadn’t unpacked. A big thing he’d never admitted to himself before. And though he thought he should wait to say it, a part of him needed to hear it out loud. To share it with someone who knew how he worked. How his brain ticked.
“I love your sister.”
“No shit.”
He let out a long breath and shrugged. “I guess I always have. Our history isn’t easy, and we don’t always get along or say the right things. We fight like hell, make up, and then fight again, but I want to live my life with her, if she’s willing.” He took a step back, mind made up. “I’m bringing her home.”
Benton slowly nodded. “Okay. Go get her.”
He had a plan. Except… “I just need to figure out where in hell she is. She’s not answering my texts or any of the voicemails I’ve left."
“That’s a problem.” Bent frowned. “But maybe her pal Jack knows.”
“You got his number?”
“Yes.”
Dallas got the man’s contact information, then turned and headed outside. “I’ll be in touch.”
It was barely nine in the morning when Dallas strode out the door of the Bridgestone house. Less than thirty minutes later, he was on his way to Bozeman. He’d book a flight when he found out where she was. If that meant he was camping out at an airport until then, so be it.
It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all he had.
Dallas made it to the airport before noon. He’d sent Jack several text messages and had called him twice; the man’s cell had gone straight to voicemail. He sat in his truck and brooded, and, after drumming his hands on his steering wheel for forty minutes, was about to explode when his cell pinged.
The number was unknown, but he answered straight away.
“Henhawk,” he said roughly.
“This is Jack.”
“I need to know where Vivian is.” He cut to the chase, and when there was a pause on the other end of the line, he frowned. “I don’t have time to be nice or gentleman-like. I’m sitting in the parking lot of an airport, ready to fly anywhere. I just need to know where I’m going.”
“I appreciate your enthusiasm, but?—”
“It’s not enthusiasm,” he interrupted the man. That thin band of control inside was about to break. “It’s a need. I can’t explain it any other way. I have to make things right with Vivian.”
“I could point out that you’ve had fifteen years to make things right.”
“You’re not wrong.” Dallas had to take a moment and clamp down on the anger and frustration he felt. He didn’t have time for this shit. This back-and-forth. “I get that you’re protective of her. Hell, I’m glad she has you in her corner. But I’m hoping you know her well enough to know that she needs someone. This time it needs to be me.”
Jack was quiet when he spoke. “She means the world to me. I love her like she’s family.”
“I know. I feel the same, and it’s time I let her know.”
“She’s probably going to kill me, but I’m worried about her, and you’re right. She shouldn’t be alone,” Jack replied softly. “She’s in Louisiana. A small town called Belle Adair, staying at a B and B outside of town.”
Dallas ended the call before Jack was done speaking. He strode into the airport and booked a flight, then sidled up to a bar to wait. He ordered whatever was on tap and kept his head down. He wasn’t in the mood to socialize, and when the bartender brought him a large, frosty mug, he settled in. The game was on, basketball, and though his eyes were trained on the screen, he wasn’t paying attention. How could he? His entire world had just imploded, and he had no idea what to do about it.
Would he make things worse by following her to Louisiana? Would that push her away forever?
“You look like you’re carrying a load.” The soft feminine voice was beside him, but Dallas didn’t bother to engage. He kept his gaze averted and hoped like hell the woman would leave him alone.
“I could help ease some of that tension.”
Her voice practically purred, and he grimaced. Christ. He didn’t have time for this. Dallas cocked his head to the side. The woman was a knockout. A tall, blonde goddess with hair that hung in waves to her ass, and a body that didn’t quit. Her mouth was a pouty dream that glistened with a thick coat of gloss, and her expertly made-up eyes were dark brown. They dominated her face and, at the moment, were focused solely on him.