Chapter 3

Dean headed back to his brothers Ranch feeling a mixture of anger at Olivia and shock at discovering he was a father. It finally occurred to Dean maybe Olivia was married and Eli already had a father figure.

He had noticed Olivia was even prettier now than ever since when they were dating. 

He had taken her in. From the tip of her head, her long dark hair cascading down and framing her green catlike eyes luminous in her beautiful face and her lips - hell, her lips. Nobody wore a pair of Levi’s like Olivia. The jeans hugged her slender, long legs and reminded him of how much he had loved those legs tangled with his.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and remembered his anger. That was easier than to admit the sight of Olivia after all these years sent him reeling.

Years ago, he had called her to see if the baby she had was his. She told him it belonged to someone else, and she’d gotten pregnant during the time after she and Dean had renewed their relationship.

He hated her for her betrayal. She knew he needed time to pull himself together after his father’s prison sentence and the tragic accident that claimed his mother’s life. There was an incredible fallout for his siblings and he needed to make sure they were okay. His younger sister was taken care of and the rest self-sufficient. Dean left and became a Ranger. It took him months to get his head back on straight, and he’d never intended to leave Olivia forever. Ranger life had been all-consuming and when he’d reached out to Olivia again, he’d heard she’d had a baby.

Her betrayal had been just another blow… one he couldn’t get past. Damn it, she should have told him about Eli. He’d missed out on so many firsts.

Dean sped up the driveway of Michael’s ranch. Michael was getting down off the tractor. “Hey where’s the fire?” Michael shouted.

Dean pulled to a stop in front of the barn. Dean watched as Michael approached him.

“What’s up?”

“Have you ever noticed how Olivia Reeds boy looks a lot like me?”

“Lets go inside Dean and I’ll get us a couple of beers.”

Dean nodded, and the two men walked silently into the house.

“She lied to me, Michael. She’s kept him from me.”

Michael leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Think about it. Do you blame her?” He continued. “When our father was arrested you pulled away from her.”

“I was more than a little out of my mind. I thought I was going to take physical custody of Mia and Sarah. I thought Olivia would always be there.”

“Did you let Olivia know that at the time?” Michael asked.

“No, I just told her I needed a little time away.” he let out a sigh as his shoulders dropped. “I didn’t want Olivia to know how crazy I was and how weak I felt.”

“Dean, you were gone. The whole town turned against us. The Grayson’s name was being dragged through the mud. Is it any wonder she didn’t want her child attached to anything, Grayson?”

“And I wanted to be a Grayson?” He could feel a pounding headache had begun. “She still shouldn’t have lied when I asked her point-blank about the baby.”

“Olivia is well respected in Valley Mills.” Michael was insistent. “She is known as a very savvy businesswoman and a great single mother and after nursing her sick father until he passed has more than endeared her to this town.”

“She isn’t married?”

Michael shook his head. “From all accounts, I hear she’s totally devoted to raising Eli.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Dean asked.

“Because Olivia has worked hard and has a good life here. Don’t be a father to Eli for as long as you’re back in town and then drop him to return to Ranger life and she has to pick up the pieces.”

“I want to be in his life in a meaningful way.” Dean could feel his heart filling with love for the boy he had yet to know.

Michael smiled. “Well then, congratulations, it’s a boy. Shall I hand out cigars?”

Dean laughed. “Thanks for the hard talk and good advice.” Dean stood up.

“Anytime.” Michael stood and, on impulse, gave his half-brother a man hug. “ Oh, I put those boxes you left before you went away in your room.”

“Thanks, Mick,” Dean said, not really recalling the contents of the boxes he had left behind.

Michael went back out to the barn. Dean sank back down at the table, his thoughts on his younger half-brother. Dean had been six when Michael’s mother left him at the door with a note saying Jack was the father. Dean’s mother was a wonderful big-hearted woman, if not extremely misguided, when it came to his father, and after a positive DNA test confirmed Jack was the father, they took Michael into the Grayson family.

Jack was busying himself with his community projects and fundraising. Including building a large wing at the hospital complete with labs, imaging equipment, and any other expensive, impressive bit of equipment, he could lay claim to gaining. Added to his achievements were a much-needed track and athletic field for the local high school.

But there was a dark side to Jack Grayson. He was a cunning, manipulative sociopath who had seen his wife and children only as tools to be used to gain wealth and power.

He trotted out his children for display when it served his purpose, then handed them back to his wife, who seemed to do whatever he requested.

That had been the very least of his crimes.

He’d been under investigation by the FBI for years, and they’d finally gained the evidence they needed to put him away. They arrested and indicted him on charges of human and drug trafficking, among other crimes. They had even found him guilty of murder. 

The authorities had confiscated the family’s beautiful mansion, livestock, and land. To complete the string of atrocities, his mother died two days before the trial when a drunk driver ran his car head-on into her car.

Dean could only hope the authorities would find Jack as quickly as possible and put him back behind bars, where he deserved to spend the rest of his life.

He hoped Jack didn’t know he was back in Valley Mills.

He turned away from the window and pushed thoughts of his father out of his head. He went down the corridor to the western wing of the house where he was staying. He jumped into the shower where the water could wash over him, taking all his problems away.

His mind filled with thoughts of Olivia. There had been something heartwarming about seeing her. How almost breath-taking she appeared.. her lips. They were point blank, the most kissable lips he’d ever had the pleasure of exploring, let alone tasting. He imagined he could smell the amber floral scent she’d always worn, the fragrance that had once represented sweet sighs, tangled sheets, and lovemaking. 

She’d been his first lover, and he’d thought they would be together forever. There had been other women since they had broken up. However, they all had one problem: they weren’t Olivia.

 He didn’t want to brood about Olivia and what they once shared. She was nothing more than someone who had let him down and kept his son’s secret. He would have to deal with her because of Eli, but he would never forgive her.

The next day Olivia watched the yellow sunshine spotting the backyard trees where Eli and his friends played and celebrated his best friend James’ birthday. After lunch, Dean would pick up Eli and spend the day with him. She’d hoped Dean was in for the long term and desperately prayed that he wouldn’t break her son’s heart. 

She should have held her ground and told Dean no. But it was too late to go back on it because she’d already told Eli, who was excited about spending time with Dean.

As they headed back home in the car. Eli said with a smile. “This is the best day ever. A party at James with my friends, and I can’t wait for Dean to pick me up. I’ve never been to Michael’s ranch before. What do you think we’ll do there?”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll have fun whatever you do.” She replied. “And you know how nice Michael is.”

“Yeah, Michael is great, and Dean is cool. Did you know he’s a Texas Ranger?” Eli was bursting with all the anticipation of a new adventure.

In thirty minutes, their lives would change for good. No matter what she thought of Dean Grayson, he would be back in her life. Her biggest concern was that he would be back in their lives long enough to completely capture their hearts and then be gone once again.

Despite all the life she had lived in the past nine years, she still remembered the anguish that filled her heart when he had told her he needed time away from her. Feeling so hurt, the only thing she could do was lie to him.

When they reached the driveway of their two-story house, Eli was nearly out of the car before she completely stopped. He raced to the door and hopped impatiently for her to join him and unlock the door.

Eli ran upstairs to get changed. She sank down at the table and wondered what on earth she was going to do with herself during the time Eli was with Dean. Mostly they spent the time together, playing games, cooking his favorite food for dinner, and watching movies.

Olivia hoped she’d hide her anxiety when Eli entered the kitchen. “Looks like you’re all ready to go.” Her throat felt dry.

His smile faded. “Will you be alright without me today?”

“Of course I will, Eli. I might do some mom stuff.” She didn’t want her young son to be worried about his mom at home alone.

Curiously he said, “Mom stuff?”

She nodded. “I might do a pilates workout, take a long bubble bath and watch an old movie.”

“Sounds kind of boring,” Eli replied.

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Eli ran to the door. “I’ll get it.”

Olivia took a few deep breaths, feeling her fight-or-flight response kick in. She was just getting up from her chair when the two walked in. “Don’t bother getting up.” Dean waved her back down.

“Eli has been eating bits and pieces at the party, but he may still need something a little more substantial soon.” She said. There were so many things Dean needed to know, but her voice failed her at that moment. 

He looked incredibly handsome in a pair of tight jeans and a navy polo shirt that enhanced his tight waist and emphasized his broad shoulders. Looking very much the part of a Texas Ranger with his black cowboy hat rode at an angle.

“Don’t worry; I’ll see that he gets all he needs.” He replied and ruffled his hand on top of Eli’s head. Eli looked up at him with a big smile. “We plan on having a BBQ at Michael’s alright with you if I bring him home after that?”

“Ok, shall we exchange numbers?” She could feel the tension in the air and hoped Eli was oblivious. Dean’s tone was pleasant enough, although his gaze was cold as ice when he cast it her way. 

Olivia got up to walk them to the door. “I’ll see you this evening.”

“See you later, Mom. And don’t make too many bubbles.” Eli replied.

With that, they were gone, taking most of her heart with them.