Chapter 20
He shrugged, “Since I was 18. My father used to be the ranch foreman. He trained me to take over when he was ready to retire, I was still part of my Mom’s pack, I hadn’t quite pledged to this one. The Alpha saw me handle horses at a trade show in Montana, and he gave my father the go–ahead to retire. He and my Mom have a little house there, just right for them. They also spend time at my Mom’s pack in Idaho, more there than here. Dad still works a little over at the ranch supply store, but otherwise he’s pretty much retired.”
1 smiled at that. It must be nice to feel so grounded. “That sounds pretty great. This ranch is beautiful. It must have been something to grow up here.”
“It’s a great place to raise a family,” Dawson is searching my face and I get the impression that there is more meaning behind that statement. I just raise my eyebrow at him and take a sip of my beer.
We sit in silence for a little while. It’s never really awkward with us. I always feel like we can sit and say nothing, but still value the moments we are sitting together. It’s calming to be around Dawson. My wolf sighs in my head like a love sick puppy.
“I’d like you to meet them,” Dawson pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Umm I’m sorry, what?” I wasn’t expecting that, so he definitely caught me by surprise.
Dawson stands up to flip the steaks on the grill, then plops back into the chair next to me. “My parents. I’d like you to meet them. They would love you.” He’s grinning ear to ear. I can’t help but think about how his smiling makes me catch my breath. How could a man be so beautiful, yet so rugged at the same time.
“Oh, I didn’t realize we were at that point yet Dawson. I mean we haven’t even been on a real date,” I’m joking with him. We both work to much for dates, aside from this little dinner right here.
“I guess we haven’t,” he says with a pensive look on his face. “I’m going to have to rectify that I suppose.”
“Hmmm, are you now?” I’m teasing him now, but he’s taking it seriously.
“Would you go out with me Saturday night? Dinner in town. Maybe we can find something fun to do after that. A movie or a walk around the lake?” He’s got a hopeful look on his face and I can’t say no to that.
“I’d love to Dawson, thank you.” I feel warm and happy. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to spend an evening with you.”
“It’s a date then,” he smacks his hand on his thigh, then hops up to pull the steaks off the grill. He turns to me with a smile, “dinners ready, let’s go inside and eat.“/
We sit at his little table for two. He’s managed to pull out some coleslaw, a pan of baked beans and rolls from the kitchen and sets them on the table. “Oh you’ve been busy, “I exclaim.
We settle into our food, and as simple as it is, it’s delicious. “It’s really good Dawson, did you make all this yourself?”
‘I did. My Mom taught me how to cook. She said no son of hers would be eating microwave meals and that I shouldn’t depend on the pack house cooks all the time. Gotta be self sufficient and all.” He says it with pride, puffing out his chest like he just beat the biggest wolf in a fight.
“I think that’s a very nice quality. I could get used to this, you can cook for me anytime,” I wink at him. “You want to be my man maid?” The look on his face has me cracking up.
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Chapter 20
Woman, I wont be your mald, but I will sure be your man.” He stands from the table and takes my hand. “Come on, the son is serine, let’s go watch it. As we walk out to his balcony, his sits on the first chair and pulls me into his lap. And bet right, The sunset is amazing. The sky is a mesh of pinks and oranges, the sins ball of fire setting over the mountain
ange. The ridge line is dotted with trees that fade into the majestic hues of the suns dying light. It was breathtaking. I let out a righ and snuggled myself against Dawson’s chest. I felt content. I felt peace. It was something I hadn’t known since I
was a child. This was where I was meant to be.
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