Page 107 of A Rancher's Vow
Tamara answered for him as Dustin had shot to his feet and stomped away from the gathering, glaring up at the sky. “She used to live in Heart Falls. She bought Dustin during his first year in the bachelor auction.”
Sasha’s jaw dropped. “Her? She was the one who went stalkerish on him, right?”
Tamara’s expression hardened. “Sent him flowers every day for a week before Caleb tracked her down at work and told her that was enough.”
It was Caleb’s turn to mutter a curse. He turned to face Charity. “I guess that answers another question. Back then she was the supervisor at the complex your apartment is in.”
God. “She must have still had a set of master keys, so she didn’t need to break in.”
Tamara nodded slowly, taking in all the twists and turns before asking Fern, “Did you figure this out by yourself?”
“Most of it.” Fern grinned widely. “Shim helped. And when we ran out of technological ability, we called in a secret weapon.”
Tamara raised a brow.
Fern pointed at her. “Your sister Julia has a major geek in her husband’s family. Petra Sorensen can make computers spill all their secrets.”
“A good person to have on our side, then. Thanks.” Tamara narrowed her gaze. “Now we’ll be able to put an end to this nonsense.”
Charity held up a hand. “We can’t change what she’s done.”
“No,” Caleb agreed, “but legally we can convince her to stay offline in the future, away from you, and away from Stone property.”
Dustin returned then, settling into his chair beside her with a heartfelt sigh. “I feel terrible about all of this. I’m so sorry, Tee. It’s all my fault. You shouldn’t have had to deal with any of this crap.”
“Oh, that’s enough of that nonsense.” Again, Chelsea beat everyone to the punch. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. “Speaking from experience, if you didn’t choose for it to be posted online, it’s not your fault. Someone else’s bad choices arenotyour responsibility. How you reacted to the nonsense was your choice, and you did everything you could. So skip the guilt, and thanks for taking care of my sister.”
Dustin was speechless for a second before nodding, the tension easing from his strong body. “You’re welcome.”
“Tee, this means you’ll be able to go home.” Suz breathed a sigh of relief before turning toward Caleb and Tamara. “Like Cee said, we’re so grateful you gave her a safe place to stay.”
“We were happy to do it,” Tamara said before her gaze returned to Charity. “But you’re not going anywhere until we confirm Patty has been dealt with. She doesn’t even live in Heart Falls anymore as far as I know, so this might take a while to untangle. For now, you’ll stay put, understood?”
“Thank you. Again.”
Except the warmth inside had vanished. Not even Dustin’s arm around her waist could help.
Charity glanced around the firepit, something uncomfortable twisting inside her. The social media circus had died down. The fake girlfriend idea had no reason to continue past the day of the auction in the first place. Her time at Silver Stone for safety reasons was nearing an end.
This wasn’t what she wanted. To be done with Dustin and his family. The thought made her ache inside.
Which meant somehow, sometime soon, she needed to be brave enough to do the right thing. To share how she felt and pray that Dustin felt even the slightest bit the way she did.
It’s not always easy to do what’s right, but we do it anyway.
Charity had always related her grandmother’s words to actions. Breaking from the toxic situation of her childhood. Stepping up to be there for someone who needed her. Now she saw a glimmer of the truth that the message was broader.
Just like the lights in her grandmother’s story were a physical representation of the very abstract concept ofacts of kindness. Doing what’s right meant being brave enough to not just stand with Dustin when he needed her, but to share that now, she needed him.
Physically, yes. But more importantly, on an emotional level. As more than a friend.
I’m falling in love with him.
Even saying the words in her head came reluctantly. Which meant she was going to have to be extra brave and pony up an extra serving of courage.
If she could give a virtual stranger hell for not appreciating his family, she could tell one generous, kind, gorgeous young man that he’d stolen her heart.
She’d just have to pray that he wouldn’t break it by giving it back.
