Drake
“What do you think?” Drake motioned to the stretch of the new deck in view. He’d even gone so far as to change the composite material to a more weather resistant, tougher type.
Stefanie had walked out the door and he wanted to catch her eye. Standing off to the side of the driveway on the grass, Drake stood with his hands on his hips as he surveyed the handiwork of the crew he’d just paid. They’d done a great job.
He was in the perfect position to see her come outside. He needed her to see him, the way he saw her. He couldn’t help himself. He just had to say something to her.
Stefanie’s grin was wide and happy. As if she was really excited to see him for once.
She sped down the stairs and rushed up to him, throwing herself into his arms. She hugged him tight, startling him with the voracity in her grasp.
Pulling back, she grabbed his face in both her hands and drew his lips down to hers. She met his lips with a rushed and determined tenderness. Withdrawing, she stared at him with surprise. “I got it. I got the loan. I had to tell you. I’m so...” She spun from him, her dark hair whirling in the summer sun. “Excited! I’ll be back later. Talk to you then?” She didn’t wait but rushed towards her brother’s truck.
Bemused, Drake stared after her, wanting to press his fingers to his lips but determined not to show how affected he was in case anyone was watching.
Since when did she want to kiss him? Dang, he wished he would’ve been ready for that one. Drake took the few steps to the stairs and shifted to sit down on the second step up.
He rested his elbows on his knees and watched Stefanie drive away.
That girl. The things she did to his soul. Even after all these years his heart wouldn’t stop beating for her.
Another truck pulled up just as Stefanie pulled out of the driveway. They stopped, windows rolled down and talked for a few minutes, peaking Drake’s curiosity. After a moment, Stefanie drove on toward Colby.
The other truck came up the drive.
After parking, Cyan Burns climbed out of the front of the rig. She closed the door, waving at Drake. She approached him, hooking a thumb in her jean pocket. “Drake Benson. I knew Emma’s brother was here, but it wasn’t clicking. What are you doing out this way? Are you heading up to see Dad?”
“I’ve been slumming it. I’ll probably try to make it up to see your dad in a couple months. He and I are working on some deals right now. Plus, he said he’s trying some different pain relieving methods, so I’m sure now isn’t the time.” Drake smiled, standing and descending the stairs to shake the hand of the daughter of one of his best clients. “What are you doing out here, Cyan? I didn’t think I’d see you down this way.” Hoped would be a more accurate way of putting it.
He didn’t need Cyan giving away that he knew her. She didn’t need to spill his secrets to Stefanie when he wasn’t sure how Stefanie felt about him. Not yet anyway.
Cyan nodded towards the house. “I married Jareth. Jareth Darby. He’s Nate’s cousin.” Her eyes darkened and she frowned. “And Emma’s.”
“I guess the family is pretty close?” Drake tucked his hands into the back pocket of his jeans.
“This family is very close. So close, in fact, we know that you haven’t been spending time with Emma. Had I known you were her brother, I would’ve just called you, but the family agreed I should be the one to come and interfere on their behalf. Most of the guys are out dealing with their own issues right now, so it fell to me.” She rolled her eyes.
Drake closed his eyes, turning away from her. He shook his head, taking his hat off and pushing his hair back. “She’s my sister. I think I’m seeing just enough of her. And I’m living in the house right now. I moved my work up here until I can get back. There’s nothing else I can do to spend more time with her.” Not that it was any of their business.
Cyan moved around to get into his line of sight. Her voice softened and she searched his face. “She called hospice, Drake.”
Drake straightened. Who did Cyan think she was? She didn’t know him well enough to get into his personal business. Yes, he came across as approachable and personable, but she was the daughter of a client. He couldn’t be dismissive or rude. He glanced toward Colby, worry eating at his gut for Stefanie. “Really? Does Stefanie know? She’s awfully happy, and as happy as I want to see her, I don’t know that she would be acting the way she is if she knew about Emma’s decisions.”
Cyan glanced in the direction he did then focused her attention on him again. She studied him for a long moment in silence. Suspicion colored her tone. “Did you know my dad is backing Stefanie’s loan?” Cyan watched him like he knew something that he wasn’t sharing. “I mean, I know you approved his financial decisions, but did you actually know it was her loan?”
Drake nodded slowly. How much did he share and how much did he deny? “Yes, I recommended it. I’m going to purchase the loan from him after a couple months, and relieve the stress from her as well as increase his investment by an agreed upon percentage.” Telling her the basics was only the smart thing to do.
Mr. Burns was known to have a loose tongue when he was in pain and trying to cope with it. Better to be straightforward from the beginning.
“You like her don’t you? I mean more than like her.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. A sparkle in her eye as she teased him. Cyan reached out and nudged his elbow.
Drake couldn’t smile. He opened his mouth and then closed it. He narrowed his eyes. “No, I don’t like her. She infuriates me. There are things about her stubbornness that drives me up the wall. She’s loyal. I don’t like her. I love her. I’ve always loved her. But I always get in my own stupid way.” Heat flooded his face.
Admitting it to anybody out loud was hard. But if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to admit it to himself.
“What are you waiting for then? I know you haven’t asked her out. I know you haven’t done anything to date her or do anything else to show that you’re interested. If you had, the rest of us would know.” She angled her head and shrugged. “Close family, remember?”
Drake shoved his hands in his pockets. “Stefanie needs to come to me. She’s so stubborn and strong-minded, I don’t want to push her away.”
Cyan’s laughter burst forth with surprising warmth. “Then prepare to be old and alone. Stefanie won’t ever come to you. She doesn’t know what she wants. She has her mind focused on one goal and one goal only. You will not win her by giving her space. She needs action, sacrifice, you need to make her happy. But... You need to make it seem like it’s her idea.” Cyan stepped up to the stairs and turned to face him, so her eyes were on level with his.
She reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, leaning conspiratorially closer. “And just between you and me? The fact that you want to pay back my dad’s loan and essentially buy the ranch from Stefanie is going behind her back. It’s sweet and all but she’s not going to let you help her, if she thinks it’s for her.”
Cyan waited for that to sink in, then she continued. “You need to make a deal with her like you’re doing it for Emma. That’s the only way to get Stefanie to agree to anything. If you pay for things behind her back and if she doesn’t know about your deal with my dad, you’ll be doomed from the start. Make a deal with her. I promise that will work. Stefanie is hardheaded. But she has soft spots. And I’ll bet anything you’re one of them.”
Drake watched after Cyan as she walked into the house. He had a lot to think about.
How long was Stefanie going to be at the bank? He needed to know how long he had to come up with a game plan.
He needed to ask her out.
He needed to see her again.
He needed a lot of things, but first he needed to make his intentions known.
Everyday occurrences of her kissing him playfully in the front yard or anywhere was all he wanted.
He wanted what Nate and Emma had... minus the hospice. Was that too much to ask? He hoped not. One thing he couldn’t stand was the thought of going any more time without Stefanie in his life.