“She can handle him herself,” Dallas felt obligated to add, because he believed it. It didn’t mean he had to like it, however. “It’s complicated, that’s all. She was with him a long time.”
“There are five stages of grief and loss—or seven, depending on who your therapist subscribes to—and they apply to all loss, including broken relationships,” Ryan said, who’d had plenty of therapy and should be an expert, but really, he wasn’t. He liked to parrot it back, but Dallas suspected none of it truly sank in. “Her ex showing up has caused a setback in the process for her. If she’s loaned him money, then she’s likely got some guilt happening. Over what, I can’t say. Maybe you. Maybe she burned all of his belongings when they split up. Who knows? None of which means she wants him back. She’ll likely get angry again any day now, and when she does, I wouldn’t want to be either one of you—because you’re both potential targets.”
“Have you always been this much of a downer?” Dallas asked. “And if so, why am I just noticing it now?”
“Ignore Dr. Phil. Don’t you know better than to take relationship advice from a guy who picks up his women outside of the men’s room at rodeos? He’s aggravated by all of the paperwork involved in setting up a group home and is taking it out on us,” Dan said.
Ryan sighed. “It’s true. The hoops never end. A case manager has to be assigned, and all of the plans for treatment programs reviewed. The high school has to approve the education plans. I have to hire staff. Not to mention, I need a board of directors. You two have both volunteered to be on it, by the way. And all before the Endeavour can open its doors.”
“Jazz has the smoke jumper base under control so my obligations for that are met, and I have connections through the sheriff’s department who can help me find the right people to work with at-risk youth on a ranch, so why not let me hire the staff for you?” Dan suggested.
“How are things going with Jazz, anyway?” Dallas asked, happy to have the subject shift off him. “Isn’t she headed back to Helena soon?” The base was only open part of the year, at least for now, and Dan and Jazz were about to embark on a long-distance relationship because they both had other commitments.
“Things are great. It’s going to be a long year of back-and-forth travel, but she’s worth it,” Dan said, with so much contentment that Dallas was almost sorry he asked. He’d had that same level of contentment within reach and then it slipped through his fingers. “Don’t listen to Ryan. If she’s the right woman, things will work out with Hannah, too.”
“And if they don’t, never fear. You’ve always got us to help keep you warm,” Ryan said, and Dallas threw a pillow at him.
*
Hannah
“What’s the matter?”Marsh asked.
They were watching a movie on the TV in his room because he hadn’t felt up to the trip to the residents’ lounge. Normally, Hannah would have tried to convince him to get out and socialize, but today, his color was poor and he seemed rather listless, so the nurses had propped him up with pillows in the armchair next to the window and she sat beside him. Rain spit at the glass. He’d lacked his usual enthusiasm when she walked in to visit, and hadn’t been particularly engaged in the movie, so it surprised her that he noticed she wasn’t herself.
“Nothing,” she said.
A spark of interest animated his worn features. “Uh-oh. When a woman says nothing, it usually means a man ought to run. I’m afraid that’s beyond me these days, so you might as well tell me what’s put that gloom on your face.”
“You don’t want to hear about it,” she said.
She’d grown to love Marsh, but she had doubts about spilling her relationship troubles to someone so old school. He might not approve of her having lived with Tim. She definitely didn’t plan to tell him how she’d first gotten involved with Dallas. Revenge sex was never something she’d be proud of.
“Problems with Dr. Dallie, I take it? Your date didn’t go well?”
She didn’t really have any problems with Dallas. If he weren’t so wonderful, she wouldn’t feel so much to blame. “The problem is me.”
“There’s another man,” Marsh said, nodding. “Pretty girl like you likely has to beat them off with a stick.”
Hannah laughed. He sounded so all-knowing and wise.
“What?” he demanded, showing more life. “I’m old. I’m not dead. Not yet, at least. I’ve learned a few things over the years.”
She let the dead comment pass. “Promise you won’t think less of me if I tell you.”
A twinkle entered his eye. “If I have to promise, this should be good.”
“Remember, you asked,” she warned him. She left out the more intimate details, but told him everything else—about Tim, the affair, and how she’d moved to Grand to start a new life.
“So. Your ex-partner is in town and he’s had a run of bad luck,” Marsh said when she finished. “A man who cheats on a good woman is bound to realize his mistake sooner rather than later. Why is this a problem for you?”
“Because I don’t want him here. I moved to Grand to get away from him.”
“Why did you do that?” Marsh persisted. “Did you do something wrong, too?”
“No, I didn’t,” she said slowly. She’d been telling herself she hadn’t, and her head knew she hadn’t, but now, her heart finally began to believe it, too.
“Then why is his being here a problem for you? Do you still love him?”