Stella remained silent as she glanced away.
“You’re not responsible for her death,” he stressed as he sat all the way up. “Listen to me.”
Dane took her bare shoulders and turned her to face him before he framed her face and forced her to hold his gaze.
“Whatever you grew up believing, whatever he said or just implied, you know nothing was your fault.”
Stella stared back and shrugged. “It was not exactly my fault, but if I hadn’t been born maybe she and my dad would still be married. Maybe they would’ve had other children. Boys—to fulfill all the requirements to be a Garcia heir.”
Dane couldn’t wait to take this resort back and get Stella out from under her father’s ruling thumb. She might hate Dane in the end, but at least she’d be saved from one bastard.
“You don’t really believe that.” Dane wanted to shake sense into her, but he’d only known her a handful of days and he couldn’t exactly reprogram her from over twenty years of dealing with her father. “You’re stronger than your father. You wouldn’t be here if you were weak. Being a woman is actually your strength. Women think in a different way than men and this resort needs you.”
Stella attempted a smile. “Nobody has ever acted like I’m needed here or at any other business, for that matter.”
“Then everyone is a damn fool.”
He meant every word. She was valuable, and she’d done wonderful work here. The only problem was that he just couldn’t have her take his resort.
“You’re a sharp businesswoman and if your dad can’t see that, then stop beating yourself up and go out and make something of your own without worrying about how he’d react.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she retorted. “I don’t have unlimited means of income. Everything I have is from my salary, but it’s not a lot. My father considers room and board enough. This resort, this little piece of his life is all I’ve ever wanted. I gave up on his love a long time ago, but getting his respect is something I may never give up wanting.”
“Why?”
“Because he only deals in business,” she explained. “Respect for my business abilities may be the closest thing to love that he can give. I don’t know that he’s capable of love in the way that I need it.”
Not likely, but since Dane didn’t know how to love anyone like they needed, he wasn’t the person to offer advice on this matter.
His cell rang, breaking the tension and giving him the out he needed.
“I need to take that,” Dane explained as he eased off the bed.
He scooped up his jeans and pulled the cell from his pocket. With a quick glance to the screen, he saw it was Ethan.
“I’m just going to step out here.” He started for the patio when her words stopped him.
“That’s not your ex-fiancée wanting you back, is it?”
Ex-fiancée. Damn it. Dane had gotten so swept away in this whole charade, he’d forgotten about the fictitious woman.
“I promise, it’s nobody wanting me back.”
Possessive girlfriends had never been an issue in his life because no one had ever been allowed to get that close. He was fine with that. There was no need to chance having your heart ripped out again. Once was more than enough for him when he lost his mother. The ranch kept him busy and that was all he needed. Well, that and Mirage.
Dane swiped the screen and glanced over his shoulder to see Stella sliding beneath the covers, her hand going to the dent in his pillow.
Swallowing the guilt, he answered. “It’s awfully early for you, isn’t it?”
“I haven’t been to bed, yet,” Ethan replied. “I figured being a rancher you’re always up at this time anyway.”
“I’m not on the ranch.”
“I’m aware,” Ethan growled. “Shut up and listen. Robert is due to be at Sunset Cove in three days.”
Dane gripped his cell. “How do you know? And are you positive?”
“My sources confirmed his travel arrangements. How soon can you get here?”