A Daring Proposal Read Free Page A

road to that end.”
    Jed didn’t say anything. As much as he wanted to deny it, the words held more than a grain of truth. Oh, he had loved Chaney. He would never deny that. He did have to admit his original interest in their relationship had been colored by the fact it would tick her father off.
    “Son, if I thought for one moment, it would have been better for you to stay here and face down McBride, I’d a backed you as if you were my own. Truth is you needed to go. You didn’t think you needed anybody. I figured some time on your own, away from everyone that cared for you, would show you how wrong you were.”
    Jed didn’t bother taking his gaze from the dance floor. He didn’t believe his uncle really cared about him. He decided to keep the conversation going on the outside chance he was wrong. “You could have said something before now.”
    I f Dale had said something back then, Jed might have had the support he needed when his marriage fell apart and he never would have lost custody of Ashley. Instead, he had been alone. His ex used his deployment as a way to get their daughter back. He could still hear Ashley begging him not to let her go as her mother took her away from his apartment. Reliving the experience wasn’t going to help him now. He released a breath and returned his attention to his uncle’s reply.
    “Probably, but I’m better at giving orders than explanations,” Dale said with a chuckle, drawing Jed’s gaze to him. “I’m not saying this to upset you. I’m also not apologizing for letting you leave.”
    Now that Jed believed. His uncle never apologized for anything. Nevertheless, something in those blue eyes that reminded Jed of his father eased some of the ill will Jed harbored toward the man.
    “Anyway, what I mean is, maybe I should have said something all those years ago, but I can’t change the past.” Dale turned.
    Jed followed his uncle’s gaze to the doorway where Chaney stood. He couldn ’t imagine what Dale planned to say. He didn’t have to wait long to find out.
    “If you still love her, do your best to win her back,” he said, and then turned his full attention back to Jed. He raised a hand to Jed ’s shoulder. “If you don’t, then as much as it hurts me to say it, you should probably leave. That girl’s had more hurt than she deserves. Don’t give her anymore.” His uncle squeezed Jed’s shoulder before walking away.
    Jed stared after him in shock. Dale never cared about Jed’s feelings one way or the other. He sure as hell had never called him son as he’d done a few minutes ago.
    Shaking his head Jed decided it must be some kind of emotional thing tied with weddings. People said and did things they didn’t normally do. Like Chaney kissing him.
    Not to mention me daring her to marry me. What the hell was I thinking ?
    Custody .
    The single word brought him crashing back to the ugly reality he called life. From the moment he’d seen Chaney walking down the aisle, he knew she could solve all his problems. He had known in that moment that a simple dare could change everything. Everything wrong could be set right. Someone bumped into him, and he realized he was in the middle of a crowded room staring at nothing. Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the patio doors. He needed air, even hot, dry, dusty Colorado air.
    Standing on the patio, he gazed up at the Rocky Mountains. Late afternoon had turned to evening. The setting sun caused shadows to shoot reds and purples over the dry ground, softening the austere landscape, much as clouds had done on the vast ocean when he’d been in the Navy. He followed the sun’s descent with his eyes. The hope that bloomed when he first saw Chaney today faded with the sun disappearing behind the dark peaks. Dusk enveloped the land. Loneliness wrapped around his heart.
    “Hey, Jed,” a s ultry voice crooned behind him.
    His grip momentarily tightened on the wrought iron railing. He remembered that voice from high school.