Page 17 of Camilla & Dallas
He also saved me.
“Dallas is great and all—well, he’s great when it comes to anything that doesn’t have to do with relationships. Who knows if he can be trusted in that respect.”
Camilla made a noncommittal sound. Cheyenne had been trashing her brother for the better part of the last hour. Okay, maybe not for that long, but it sure felt like it. Anytime Camillawanted to bring up a way that Dallas had actually treated her right, Cheyenne had shot her down.
“You can’t trust him. He’ll lure you in like he did last time, and then he’ll disappear when it serves his purpose. You deserve better and we both know it.” When Camilla didn’t respond, Cheyenne nudged her with her elbow. “Camilla? You listening to me?”
She glanced at her friend and feigned a smile. “Yep.”
Cheyenne didn’t seem convinced in the slightest. She arched a brow. “Then tell me what I said.”
“Mateo,jerk. Dallas,bad.” Camilla smirked at her best friend. “That’s the gist of it, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously. You need to put your foot down with your brother.”
“Well, he’s also my boss… so…”
Cheyenne sighed. “I’m sorry. This is so dumb.”
Camilla couldn’t bring herself to agree. She had never been one to believe in coincidences or fate, but after she’d fallen so fast for Dallas and been so hurt by his abandonment, she had to wonder if there was such a thing as soulmates and if she’d simply gotten a bad hand.
She peered out at the trail that Dallas had taken to get back to the hunting cabin as if she expected him to be there now. If he’d come back and told her he wanted another chance, if he’d dropped to his knees to plead for her heart again, would she be strong enough to turn him down?
When he had first arrived? Maybe.
Now? She had no clue.
“Hey, Camilla. Nikki wanted to know if Mateo was back yet.”
Her head lifted to find Jason leaning casually against the railing at the bottom of the steps. He grinned up at her, and Cheyenne nudged her in the way she usually did when she thought a guy was flirting. But they both knew that relationshipsnever lasted long for Camilla. It was getting ridiculous. Three weeks was about the longest she’d kept a boyfriend since her breakup with Dallas.
Jason cocked his head in that endearing way he did whenever she bumped into him in the cafeteria that Mateo had built for the people working at Winding Creek. It was more like an all-purpose space with a kitchen. Jason helped out with food prep when he wasn’t working with the horses directly.
Cheyenne nudged her again.
“Hmm?” Camilla asked, her attention immediately shifting to the sound of an incoming ATV.
Dallas was coming.
“Mateo,” Cheyenne offered. “When is your brother coming back?”
“Oh, right.” Camilla flushed, dragging her eyes back to Jason. “He’s getting back later tonight. Why didn’t Nikki just text him? They’re married, aren’t they?”
Jason chuckled. “True sibling fashion. Apparently, your brother isn’t picking up.” He rapped his fingers on the railing before glancing over his shoulder to see the new arrival.
Dallas remained seated on the ATV, that frown he seemed to be wearing more often plastered to his face. Cheyenne stiffened at her side.
“Well, I better get back to the kitchen. The guys might be coming in late, but I’m sure they’re going to want food regardless.” He winked at Camilla before sauntering off. She heard him call out to Dallas, “Hey, man. You’re welcome to get grub anytime you need from the kitchen. Most folks won’t be back ’til late, so stop by if you get hungry.”
Dallas gave him a curt nod then his eyes shifted to Camilla.
Cheyenne leaned in close. “You want me to stay?”
Camilla shook her head. “He probably forgot to tell me something I need to tell Mateo. I’m good. Besides, you have to pack for that amazing trip you have planned.”
Still, Cheyenne hesitated, eyeing her brother. “Maybe I should cancel.”
“What? No!” Camilla gave her friend a pointed look. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How many people do you know who go to China to teach English?”
