The Cowboy Daddy Hero (The Winchester Cowboys Series Book 1), page 12
He shrugged. “What’s not to love?”
She laughed, feeling her stress slip away. Beau was right. Tonight would be great.
When she glanced at the door again, she saw her parents talking to the hostess. “There they are.”
“Your mom’s pretty. Like mother, like daughter.”
She smiled. “Thanks. She’s hardly aged at all. And my dad looks a lot younger too. I think it’s because they stay so active.” She waved, and her mother waved back.
As her parents arrived at the table, her father leaned down and kissed Dakota’s cheek. “You look beautiful, honey. That’s a pretty red dress you’re wearing.”
“Thanks, Daddy. Let me introduce you.” She turned so that she could see Beau too. “Dad, this is Beau Winchester. Beau, meet my father, Peter Ross.”
Beau stood and reached out to shake hands. “It’s great to meet you, Mr. Ross.”
“Please, call me Pete.”
As her mother sat down, Dakota said, “Mom, this is Beau. This is my mother, Francesca, Beau. You can just call her Fran.”
Beau offered his hand.
Her mother shook it and said, “I’m so glad to finally meet you. Dakota says such nice things about you.”
Beau smiled and sat down again. “Well, that’s sure good to know. I think the world of your daughter, ma’am.”
Her father said, “I’ve heard a lot about that ranch of yours. I’ll bet you miss it.”
Beau nodded. “I do. I grew up there and never expected to live anywhere else. I especially miss my family.” He glanced at Dakota and smiled. “But there are definitely compensations.”
She smiled at him and said, “Cat’s doing well with her therapy. Beau’s really proud of her.”
“I sure am. It’s definitely been worth the sacrifice. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Movement caught Dakota’s eye, and she waved as Aiden walked toward their table. “Well my brother’s finally here.”
Beau stood up again and smiled as Aiden reached them.
Dakota said, “Aiden, I’m so glad nothing kept you from coming.” She gestured to her left. “Meet Beau Winchester.”
Aiden offered his hand. “It’s great to meet you. My sister sings your praises.”
Beau shook his hand. “I’ve heard all sorts of good things about you too. I’m glad we’re all finally getting together.”
Aiden found his seat beside Dakota as Fran said, “Isn’t this nice? I can’t remember the last time our whole family got together for dinner.”
Pete opened his menu. “I’m having a steak. They have great seafood too.”
Aiden glanced around the table as he picked up his menu. “I’d like to pay for our meals tonight.”
Dakota saw Beau look up, his brows drawn slightly together.
Her father said, “Now, son, you don’t—”
“Dad, of course I don’t have to. I want to. Getting together with everyone means a lot to me.” He glanced at Dakota and smiled. “And knowing that my sister finally has a great guy in her life is something to celebrate.”
Beau nodded. “Thank you.”
Dakota put her arm around Aiden. “Thanks, big brother. I agree, we should celebrate tonight.”
As they all bent over their menus, she sneaked her hand under the table and rested it on Beau’s thigh.
He gave her a surreptitious glance and clasped her fingers.
Smiling, she scanned her menu, doing her best to concentrate on the words.
It all looked delicious but, in the end, she ordered the mesquite-grilled Gulf red snapper royale. Beau asked for the sixteen-ounce New York strip.
She and her mother decided on wine with their meals, while the men ordered mixed drinks.
As they waited for their food, Beau said, “Dakota mentioned that you’re an orthopedic surgeon, Aiden. Are you in a large practice?”
Aiden shook his head. “There’re just two of us. I originally thought of going it alone, but it’s worked out much better having a partner. We each have our own patients, of course, but sharing the cost of the equipment and having each other’s backs for vacations has been great.”
“That sounds like a smart way to operate,” Beau said.
“I hear you’re working at a bank now. How’s that going?” Aiden asked.
“There’s a lot to learn. And being stuck inside all day is certainly something new for me. But I like it. I feel fortunate that I’m able to support Cat and myself now that I’m here in San Antonio to stay.”
Fran said, “That’s a great outlook, Beau. I know it’s a huge change for you. Like Dakota says, you’re a good daddy for making the move here.”
Beau smiled. “Thanks, Fran.”
“Mom, I told Beau that you and Dad take ballroom dancing classes,” Dakota said.
“We sure do. We have a competition coming up in a couple of weeks, and those are always a blast.” She touched her husband’s shoulder affectionately. “Pete’s quite the dancer, especially at salsa.”
He grinned. “She loves to brag on me, but I think it’s only because she doesn’t want me to quit.”
Fran laughed. “That’s not true at all.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re good, and you know it.”
When Fran asked about Cat, Beau told everyone a little bit about her.
Dakota added her two cents, feeling like he was being too modest. “She’s a beautiful baby with a headful of dark curls.”
“You’ll have to take her for pictures with Santa this Christmas,” her mother said. “She’ll be adorable.”
“That’s a great idea. I will,” Beau said.
When their food came, the conversation quieted somewhat.
After her second bite, Dakota said, “This red snapper’s delicious. I love the crabmeat and scallops they put on top.”
Beau nodded. “My steak’s good too. So tender.”
“I’m glad you chose Bohanan’s, sis.” Aiden said. “I like eating here.”
“I’m sure enjoying mine,” her dad said and patted his son on the back. “Thanks for this, Aiden.”
When they’d all finished eating, they ordered another round of drinks.
Dakota, relaxed and happy now that everything had gone so well, reached for Beau’s hand, and said quietly, “This has been a nice evening. You were right.”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “I never doubted it.”
Her mom and dad told Beau about the yoga class they’d been taking for several years and encouraged him to try it, touting its benefits. Then they told him how they liked to hike in state parks and talked about the ones that weren’t too far away.
Pete said, “I’m sure you’ve always been physically active. Don’t let your muscles waste away, Beau. Hiking’s a good way to stay in shape.”
Beau nodded. “I’m sure it is, and it sounds like fun. Maybe I can get a backpack carrier for Cat so I can take her along with me.”
Fran smiled. “That’s a wonderful idea. I’ve seen other parents on the trails who do that.”
Eventually, it was time to leave, and everyone thanked Aiden for dinner before saying their goodbyes.
Fran gave Beau a hug. “It was wonderful meeting you. It’s obvious why my daughter likes you so much.”
“Thanks, Fran. And I know now why Dakota’s such a good person. It’s the family she comes from.”
When they arrived home, Beau walked her to her door.
She slipped her arms around his neck. “Thanks for tonight.” She kissed his cheek. “I was so proud to show you off to my family.”
“I guess I do clean up nice.”
She grinned. “That you do, beautiful.” She kissed him again, long and slow, as her pulse raced in her ears. Then she said, “I’m going to ask Michael when he can stay over again. Any requests on the date?”
“As soon as possible?” he said with a grin.
She chuckled. “My thought exactly.” Then she brushed a quick kiss across his lips and turned to the door. “Think of me tonight?”
“Yep. Naked, of course.”
She laughed and stepped inside.
The streetlight was a distant glimmer, and Dakota’s house was in darkness except for the porch light dimly visible through the raging storm. Beau had held the umbrella with both hands as she climbed into his truck, but the wind had blown the rain so hard on the way from the house that she’d still gotten soaked.
He slammed the door shut and raced around to the driver’s side. By the time he’d gotten inside and shut the door, he was drenched too. He threw the useless umbrella into the back seat with a silent curse and started the engine, turning the heater on high. Despite it being summer, he could see that Dakota was shivering. “I’m so sorry, honey. The cab’ll warm up soon.”
He wore a suit, and Dakota was in a sexy, cocktail-length black dress. They had tickets to a musical at the Majestic Theater downtown. And they were running late. Really late.
When he’d arrived to pick her up, Michael had answered the door. Johnathan had vomited all over himself, and Dakota had stopped her preparations for the evening to give him a shower. Michael had said that Johnathan was feeling much better and that she’d just put him to bed. Now she was finishing getting ready.
Beau glanced at her as he drove down the street. “Just relax. It’s going to be fine, even if we’re a little late.”
She shook her head and gave a disgusted sigh. “A little late? I’ve made us more than that. I’m so sorry, Beau. We’ve both been really looking forward to tonight.”
He clasped her hand while keeping a sharp eye on the road. It was raining so hard that he could only see a few yards ahead. Rain thundered on the roof as brilliant bolts of lightning flared in the sky.
He reached the stop sign in their neighborhood. No headlights shone through the heavy downpour. He waited a moment, unhappy with the poor visibility, and then turned right. He put both hands on the steering wheel, peering into the torrential downpour, driving slowly and keeping an eye out for other vehicles. His headlights barely pierced the sheeting rain and darkness.
The roads were mostly deserted. As they arrived at an intersection, he realized that the traffic lights overhead were out. He paused, wondering what to do. To the left, there was no sign of headlights. Ahead, he could see nothing coming. He looked to the right, but all he could see were sheets of pouring rain.
He eased off the brake and entered the intersection.
Boom!
The airbags exploded as the truck rocketed sideways from an impact on the passenger side. Dakota’s piercing scream shot through his brain as his head connected with the side window. Dakota’s door buckled inward as her body flew toward him, held only by the deployed airbag and seat belt.
His world went black.
When he opened his eyes. Dakota was unconscious, the passenger door crumpled against her. With the deflated airbag settled around her, he couldn’t see how badly she was hurt.
He grabbed his phone from his inside jacket pocket and dialed 911. When the operator answered, he said, “We’ve been in a car accident and need an ambulance. My girlfriend’s unconscious and is badly hurt. The rain’s coming down hard, and we’re stuck in the middle of an intersection where another car can hit us. We need a tow truck, fast.”
After giving the location, he stayed on the line, answering questions as he examined Dakota more closely, fear for her making his hands tremble.
Heart pounding, he felt her neck. Her pulse seemed okay. He was afraid to move her, even though she was in an awkward position.
The rain was still coming down in sheets, hammering the roof. He looked around, worried sick about being hit again. The truck’s headlights were still on, but they weren’t facing in any helpful direction.
A few minutes later, relief flooded his chest as he heard a siren and saw blue and red lights entering the intersection. The vehicle skidded to a halt beside them, and a police officer jumped out and ran over to them.
Beau opened his window and heavy rain blew in, striking him in the face. “Officer, thanks for coming,” he called over the storm. “How far away is the ambulance?”
“The tow truck and ambulance should be here soon. I was in the area, so I got here first. What’s your name, sir?”
Beau told him, then gave him his address.
In the wet conditions, the officer didn’t even try to write it down. “Mr. Winchester, your head’s bleeding. Be sure you get yourself checked out too.”
For the first time, Beau realized that he’d been hurt. He touched his head and winced.
The officer said, “I’m going to check on the other vehicle now.”
Beau looked to his right and saw the outline of the other car through the faint glow from the streetlights above. He knew that car hadn’t had its headlights on. He would have seen them if it had. Damn that driver to hell.
Dakota still hadn’t moved. He wanted to take her into his arms—to make everything all right. Tears pooled in his eyes, and he brushed a stray lock of hair off her face. Blood matted one side of her head and it was bleeding freely. More blood ran from lacerations on her arm.
He had a sick feeling in his stomach. Where was that ambulance? He took a wad of napkins from the pocket in his door and pressed them to her head wound.
He peered through the rain as a siren sounded off to the left. He couldn’t see the lights yet. It was raining too damn hard. Please, God, let it be the ambulance and not another police vehicle.
He turned to look as the siren blared up close. Whirling red lights entered the intersection, closely followed by another ambulance arriving from the opposite direction.
EMTs arrived at his truck carrying their bags. He opened his door and got out as rain pummeled him. Pain stabbed his temple, and he tasted blood.
He told the closest EMT, “My girlfriend, Dakota, is on the other side of the truck.” Before he could say anything more, a fire truck pulled up. He glanced in that direction, then said, “I think she’s pinned in. The door might be crushing her.” At those words, pain lanced his heart. It was the first time he’d admitted to himself how badly she might be hurt.
Another EMT said, “The firefighters will have the jaws of life. They’ll be able to free her, sir.” Then he took a good look at Beau. “Let me take you to the ambulance and check that head of yours.”
Beau shook his head. “I want to stay here.”
One of the firefighters jogged up, and the EMT who had been inside the truck taking stock of Dakota’s condition began talking rapidly to him.
Beau turned his head as a tow truck entered the intersection, yellow lights flashing. Thank God. The tow truck could move the other vehicle so that the firefighters with the jaws of life could get to Dakota.
He watched as the tow truck maneuvered slowly around and hooked up to the battered car. A few minutes later, it was out of the way, and two firefighters began working to free Dakota.
Watching from a few yards away, Beau ignored the drenching rain as he prayed for her safety.
Another patrol car had arrived and was blocking oncoming traffic. More EMTs stood by with a gurney, waiting to go to Dakota’s aid.
Beau shifted from foot to foot, wiping the rain from his eyes time and time again. It seemed to take forever to get the crumpled door off.
The rain was beginning to ease. The glow from the overhead lights was brighter, and he could see farther.
Suddenly the door was free, and the EMTs moved in as the firefighters gently lowered it to the ground.
Beau gasped in shock and rushed forward. Dakota was covered in blood, her thigh at an awkward angle.
Another firefighter grabbed his arm. “I’m sorry, sir. You need to stay back.”
“Dakota,” he moaned. “My God, how bad is she?”
The EMTs checked Dakota’s vital signs, then gently lifted her onto the gurney and wheeled her rapidly toward the ambulance.
Beau followed. “Which hospital are you taking her to?”
The first EMT turned around. “University. You can meet us there.”
He walked over to the officer who had first arrived at the scene. “Do you mind if I sit in your car? I need to call a ride so I can get to the hospital.”
“Sure. I still need to get your particulars.”
Beau sat in the back and called an Uber. Then, while the officer wrote down the information, he went over everything again.
His mind felt shattered. Focusing took an act of will. How long would it take his ride to arrive? He had to get to the hospital.
“Just stay in the car until your ride arrives. No point in standing out in the rain. I’ve still got to get that other driver’s information.”
Anger rose up like bile in Beau’s throat. “Like I said, that bastard didn’t have his lights on. And he just blew into the intersection! What the hell is wrong with him? Who drives that fast in weather like this?”
“That’s a very good question,” the officer said, opening his door. “I’m sorry this happened, Mr. Winchester. I hope Miss Ross isn’t too badly hurt.”
Chilled through and sopping wet, Beau scanned the roads leading into the intersection looking for signs of the Uber car. The rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle.
Ten minutes later, he saw a car come to a stop outside the intersection as the Uber app said that his ride had arrived. He lurched out of the car and then winced in pain, realizing just how battered he was. He staggered over, waving his arm in the air.
The car waited as he got into the back seat. He said, “University Hospital, please.”
“You got it,” the driver said, then carefully turned the car around.
As they drove, Beau realized that he needed to call Janey.
When she answered, he said, “Janey, we’ve been in a serious accident. Dakota’s been taken to University Hospital, and she’s unconscious. I’m heading there now. Can you go over to her house and tell Michael? Let him know that she won’t be coming home tonight. See if he can stay for part of the morning too. Ask him to look for some information on the agency she works for. She’ll have a number to contact them. I’ll try to call them in the morning to see what we need to do about Johnathan’s care.”
