Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

F or a rookie, Delaney was doing quite well. After a short tutorial by one of the instructors, she’d gone down the bunny slope. As soon as she did her first run, she pumped her fist victoriously in the air letting out a loud whoop. Corbin loved the fire in this girl.

“Are you ready for something a little more challenging?”

“Let me go down the bunny slope a couple more times, and I’ll be ready. You wanna do this one with me?”

The excitement in her voice caused him to smile. Coming out here was a good idea, giving them both a chance to decompress. Delaney didn’t know it, but before they left the cabin, Corbin had made a quick call to Sutton, verifying that Hugh and his men were still in Northern Cal. He explained that he was taking Delaney to Bear Claw Resort for the afternoon. He wanted Sutton to know where they’d be in case anything unexpected happened.

A couple hours later, they were in the lodge sitting in front of a toasty fire, their hands wrapped around steaming mugs of hot chocolate when Corbin glanced over and saw Madison Wells approaching. Crap! It had been against his better judgment to bring Delaney into the lodge, but she was cold and wanted something warm to drink. He wished he could jump up and take her out of here this instant. He cringed at the cheerful ring in Madison’s voice. “Corbin Spencer, I didn’t realize you were back in town.” Madison was the blonde, peppy cheerleader type. Her voice oozed sweetness as she flashed a bright smile. Dutifully, Corbin stood as she stepped up to him and gave him a tight hug.

“Hey,” she said in an intimate tone. “You should’ve called and let me know you were in town.”

He stepped back, clearing his throat as he tightened his hold on the handle of the mug. He motioned at Delaney who rose to her feet. “Um, Madison, this is my girlfriend, Dee.”

Madison’s face tightened, going blistering red. She shot Delaney a vehement look then seemed to realize how she was coming across. A strained smile stretched over her face as she held out her hand. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”

Delaney slipped her free hand through Corbin’s, stepping closer to him. “Nice to meet you too.”

“You have the cutest accent,” Madison said with such condescension that it made Corbin cringe. “Where are you from?”

“Alabama,” Delaney shot back, giving her a steely look.

“Oh, Ala-bam-y,” Madison twanged. “How cute.”

Her phony Southern drawl grated on Corbin’s nerves. Everything about Madison Wells got on his nerves, which was why he was so glad he’d ended things with her a long time ago.

Hurt clouded Madison’s eyes. “I didn’t realize you had a girlfriend.” Before he could answer, she turned to Delaney looking her up and down. “Huh,” she grunted.

“I beg your pardon,” Delaney said. Corbin had to bite back a smile, loving how territorial Delaney was acting. He still couldn’t believe that this stunning, amazing woman was with him.

Madison laughed. “Oh, I’m just surprised.” Her lips turned down in a frown as she zeroed in on Delaney’s hair. “Corbin has always preferred blondes.” She flipped the ends of her shoulder-length platinum hair, giving Delaney a smug look.

Delaney turned to him, her eyes dancing. “Is that right? Good to know,” she mused.

A bewildered expression crossed Madison’s features. Corbin was ready for the diva to go away, but it was obvious that she had no intention of leaving just yet.

“I miss you, Cor,” Madison drawled, thrusting out her lower lip into a petulant pout. She looked at Delaney, a conspiratorial chuckle rumbling in her throat as she touched Corbin’s arm. “How strong is your relationship with Bea, anyway?”

“It’s Dee,” Corbin said firmly. “And it’s ironclad.”

Madison’s face fell at the same time Delaney went rigid. Corbin was sure that if he looked at Delaney right now he’d see steam coming from her ears. Madison had always been catty, one of the reasons why the two of them didn’t work out. That and she was too clingy. And bossy. About the only thing Madison Wells had going for her was her looks. But even then, she couldn’t hold a candle to Delaney. And Delaney had class, whereas Madison didn’t. Ironic considering Delaney was born into poverty and Madison with a silver spoon in her mouth. It just went to prove that true culture and class had more to do with the inner person than privileges they were given at birth.

“I’m just teasing,” Madison purred, laughing lightly. Her brows furrowed as she studied Delaney. “Have we met before?”

“No,” Delaney said stiffly.

Madison cocked her head. “You look so familiar. What’s your last name?”

“Smith.” Delaney tightened her hold on Corbin’s arm. He glanced at her, noticing that her face had gone pale, alarm reflected in her eyes.

“I could swear I’ve seen you before … or someone like you,” Madison continued. Corbin could feel the huntress going in for the kill.

“Maybe I look like someone you know,” Delaney said.

“Maybe.” Madison pursed her lips. “Hmm. It’ll come to me. I never forget a face.”

Silence dragged like a lead ball between them.

“Well,” Madison finally said in a chipper, Bambi voice, “Nice meeting you, Dee.” She smiled but her eyes remained cold. She looked at Corbin, her tone going silky. “Good to see you too, Cor.” Before he realized what was happening, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips. Then she patted his cheek and laughed. “One for old time’s sake.” She looked at Delaney. “Better hold onto him.”

“Oh, I will,” Delaney countered, a bite in her voice.

Madison sniffed and sauntered away.

When Delaney turned to him, her eyes were blazing. “So that was Madison Wells.”

“Yep.” He knew instinctively that the less he said, the better.

She put the mug of hot chocolate down on the side table. “Why did the two of you break up?”

The last thing he wanted to do was rehash his past relationships with Delaney. “Because Madison was controlling, vain, and not exactly the nicest person as you’ve just witnessed.” He rolled his eyes.

She scoffed. “That’s an understatement. I guess the more appropriate question is … how in the heck did you ever pair up with her to begin with?”

He sighed. “She was a cheerleader, I was a football player. I was young.”

A smile played on Delaney’s lips. “And stupid.”

“Yep, that too,” he chuckled.

“Well, at least you had the good sense to get away from her.”

“Amen to that.” He turned to face her. “Had you been in the picture, I never would’ve started dating Madison.”

Delaney blinked in surprise, a smile tipping her lips. “You’re certainly charming.”

“Just telling the truth.” He glanced around, putting down the mug. “Now would be a good time for us to leave before someone recognizes you straight out.”

“Good idea. That was a close call.”

“Yeah, too close.”

“Hey, you two. How did the skiing go?”

They turned as Addie stepped up to them.

They’d have a short conversation with Addie and then leave. “Really well,” Corbin said. “Dela—Dee is a quick learner.”

Delaney smiled. “Your brother’s being very kind. I did okay on the bunny slope, but biffed it on the green circle. I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow.”

“You did great for your first run,” Corbin said, and he meant it.

Addie tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “I had intended to look for you earlier, but it has been nonstop today, people coming in droves to take advantage of the fresh powder.”

“No worries,” Corbin assured her. He slid his arm around Delaney’s waist. “We’ve been just fine.”

“I can see that,” Addie said, her eyes sparkling. She brought her hands together. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Oh, not too much,” Corbin said evasively, not wanting to have to share Delaney with anyone. “Just spending time together. Couple stuff.”

“Ah, I get it. Three’s a crowd,” Addie said.

“No, that’s not the case at all,” Delaney argued, red-faced.

“Yes, that’s exactly the case,” Corbin said firmly.

Delaney shoved him. “Hey, don’t be rude to your sister.”

“Thank you,” Addie said, jutting out her chin. “I’m glad one of you appreciates me.” She stuck her tongue out at Corbin.

“Hey, I appreciate you. I just wanna spend some time with my woman,” he teased. Delaney was shooting him warnings with her eyes, but he just laughed.

“All right. I won’t interrupt your little lovefest tonight, so long as you leave tomorrow afternoon open.”

Corbin studied his little sister wondering what plan she was concocting in her curly head. “Why’s that?”

“Because I’m taking off early and we’re going to the care center to visit Gram.”

Corbin sucked in an audible breath, dread pouring over him. “I don’t think that’ll work, sis.” Geez . Pops and Addie were tag-teaming him. Why was it so important for him to visit the stupid care center? Gram wouldn’t even know he was there.

Her hand flew to her hip, eyes narrowing. “Why not?”

“Delaney and I have other plans,” he said crisply.

Addie shook her head. “Who’s Delaney?”

He cleared his throat, his face going warm. Oops. He hadn’t meant for that to slip out. Just as he feared, his personal hang-ups were clouding his judgment. “Um, I mean Dee.”

“Oh.” Addie looked back and forth between them, suspicion forming on her face. “Is there something going on that I need to know about?”

A streak of fear shot through Corbin. He glanced at Delaney who looked like she might pass out. He forced a smile. “No, sis. It’s all good.”

“Awesome. Then I’ll meet you at the care center at three p.m. tomorrow.” She jutted out her chin, daring him to disagree. “You can come too, Dee … or Delaney.”

“It’s Dee,” Corbin corrected sharply, “and I told you, tomorrow won’t work.”

“Maybe we should go to the care center.”

He turned, surprised that Delaney had spoken.

She gave him a tender look. “We’re all about fresh starts. It’ll do you good to see your grandmother. And I’d like to meet her.”

“You would?” he gulped.

“Absolutely.”

It was amazing how fast Delaney had diffused the tension. Everything hung in the balance. He couldn’t believe he was actually considering going. But he did want Delaney to meet Gram. “All right,” he finally said. “We’ll go.” Had he really just agreed to this? Could he stand seeing Gram in her state? The truth was … he wasn’t sure, but knowing that Delaney would be by his side made the situation tolerable.

“Sounds good,” Addie clipped. “See you both tomorrow.” She patted Corbin’s arm. “I’ve gotta run. You two enjoy the rest of your day … and your lovefest,” she cooed. When she got a couple of steps away from them, she turned and blew a kiss over her shoulder, laughter in her eyes.

“Lovefest, huh?” Delaney mused.

“I’m sorry about Addie,” he began with a pained expression. “She can be a pill sometimes.”

Delaney waved a hand. “No worries. I like her.”

He tipped his head. “You do?”

“Yeah, she’s got spunk.” She chuckled. “She obviously knows how to put you in your place. Maybe I should get some pointers from her.”

He laughed. “Oh, I think you do a pretty good job of putting me in my place all on your own.” As he gazed into her mysterious dark eyes, he couldn’t help but feel lucky. He would go to the end of the earth for Delaney Mitchell. Or to the care center, which was the harder task of the two.