Second Burn Cowboy (Second Chance Series Book 6) (18 page)

She grinned and picked up her clothes from the en
d of the bed. “Man, I knew I should have snagged you long ago. I made a huge mistake. Elsa’s a lucky woman.” She pulled on her bra then dragged on her shirt.

“Elsa wants nothing to do with me. That’s the
insanity of this.” He tugged on his jeans. “How could a woman who wants nothing to do with me have a hold over me?” He grabbed a shirt and hauled it on. When he turned back, Aspen was already completely dressed.

“I think that’s called love, cowboy.” She winked
, finger-combing her hair.

“Love? I thought it could be, but
I barely know her.”

“
Sometimes love knows before we do. And I don’t know Elsa, but I saw something in her eyes when she looked at you that a woman only feels when she’s interested.” She stood on tiptoe, kissed him on the cheek and took a step back. “I’ll see you around, cowboy.”

Deckland stood there
for the longest time, absorbing Aspen’s words. He wanted to be with Elsa, but apparently, that wasn’t going to happen. She lived in a bubble with layers of ice and he didn’t have the tool to break through.

Going downstairs, he found April with her head stuck in the refrigerator.

“Lose something?” he said.

She jumped and popped out, eyeing him with disappointment. “I can tell Elsa isn’t here anymore. No variety of sweets. Unless we count the chick
that just left.”

“You know there’s nothing between Aspen and me.” He brushed past his si
ster-in-law and grabbed a bottled water.

April waddled over to the table, pulled out a chair and took a seat. She palmed her large belly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I had to get away from the farm for a while. Dante is scraping the bottom of my patience barrel.”

He sat across from her. “What happened?”

“He’s becoming too sweet. He is catering to my every need, he rubs my feet and back and he even offers to carry me wherever I go. Don’t you have any work over here for him to do?”

Deckland laughed. “Most wives would find his kindness a praiseworthy value. But, you can’t get any song writing done, huh?”

“I love him, I do. To the moon and back, but when he’s near I can’t think of
anything but seeing him naked. I should be beyond this, right?” She rubbed her forehead.

“And that’s probably why he’s not leaving your side.” Deckland uncapped his bottle and drank. “Is your mother coming to town as planned?”

April’s nose wrinkled. “Let’s hope she can manage to keep her opinions to herself this time.”

“I’m sure a visit with his mother-in-law will douse his desire.”

“No kidding.”
With a toss of her long hair, a brow curved. “Okay, Deck, how are you? I’m not talking how’s the weather stuff. I want to know the deep stuff.”

April never did mince her words. He liked that quality. “Besides being as uptight as a broomstick and as confused as a sea lion looking at a seal, I’m peachy.” He winked.

“Women trouble. Never good. By the way, Peyton and I are going over to Elsa’s new place later.”

He controlled his expression. “Yeah? Have fun.” He was proud that his tone was smooth and without any sign of his inner turmoil.

“Wanna come?”

His brow snapped up. “I’d rather dress up in high heels.”

“Didn’t think so.” She pushed herself up. “I’m going home. I miss my husband.”

“I’m sure he misses you too.”

She smiled. “You’re coming to Dante’s birthday party tomorrow evening, right?

“You know I’ll be there.”

Once April was gone, he reminded himself that Elsa made the decision to leave. He had no reason to feel guilty.

****

“You’re making me dizzy, Elsa,” April said.

“Me, too.” Peyton laughed.

Elsa hit stop on the treadmill and stepped off, giving her friends an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but if it’s here at my fingertips I’m going to use it.”

“Who is subletting you this place?” April spun a hand through the air.

“Jacey Stanhope. She’s traveling Europe with her book group. I was lucky that I found it. Rent-free and all I have to do is water some plants and make sure her things are safe. Easy.” Elsa opened a bottled water and downed half.

“The kitchen isn’t much, especially when you’re making cupcakes in there.” Peyton frowned as she pointed to the galley kitchen.

Elsa shrugged. “At least it has an oven.”

“You could have come and stayed with Dante and me. We have the space,” April chimed in
as she plopped onto the pink Peacock chair. “Wow, I need one of these at home. This is comfortable. Peyton, you have to try. This is the best my back has felt since I’ve gotten pregnant.”

Elsa bit back a giggle as April, with large round baby belly, attempted to pull herself out of the low c
hair. She waved a hand of defeat and sank into the cushion. “April, I appreciate the offer, but there is no way I’d intrude on you and Dante. After all, you’re still newlyweds.”

“You could have also s
tayed with Dillon and me, too. We have plenty of space in the new house,” Peyton added.

“Ladies, I’m grateful for both of you, but I’m fine here. And look, when I want to get groovy, all I have to do is turn this on.” She clicked the
power switch of the disco ball and the bright lights swirled the room in color. “Now, this is some life, huh?”

They laughed. “What does Jacey do with al
l of this stuff anyway?” Peyton wrinkled her nose.

Elsa shrugged. “Beats me. I didn’t peg her as the hippie
-type. In fact, I thought she was more of a nerd.”

“You’re
coming to Dante’s birthday party tomorrow, right Elsa? When I asked you to make the cake, that included an invite,” April said.

Elsa drained the
water bottle. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

“And why is that?” April narrowed her gaze.

“Because it’s a family function.” Elsa pretended interest in swatting a fly.

Peyton shook her head. “Friends are invited, too. Aspen is coming.”

Elsa kept her expression blank at hearing the name. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

“Not good enough. You’re
my fiend and you need to socialize. You can’t hide away in this dinky apartment treadmilling. You’re already skin and bones,” April sighed.

“Is that even a word? Treadmilling?” Elsa joked.

“Well, if it wasn’t before, it sure is now.”

“Okay, I’ll stop in for a bit. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my friends.” Elsa sat down on the short sofa and tucked her legs up under her bottom. “By the way, how are you ladies feeling? Are the babies anxious to get out of the oven?”

April palmed her large stomach. “Junior here has decided that he loves kicking my ribs. Unlike Mary Poppins over there who looks radiant and has had the easiest pregnancy known on the face of Earth.”

“Don’t be
a hater.” Peyton laughed. “If you remember right, the first few months weren’t as easy as pie.”

“One thing I can say,
even if I still have morning sickness, I’m always horny. Dante and I are having more sex than ever and I swear it’s a cure for most pregnancy issues.”

“It’s not like Dillon and I don’t have sex, but
now that I’m so big and my stomach is pressed, I’m afraid I’m going to puke on him. I’d never live that down.”

Elsa laughed. “Eat crackers and risk it
.”

After they drank tea and
ate tarts, April and Peyton left to finish the last of the preparations for the party.

The next day, w
rapped up in finishing the cake for Dante’s birthday, Elsa hadn’t realized how late it was. She packed up the cake and sealed the container then took off for the shower. Butterflies fluttered her stomach, but she wouldn’t allow her anxiety to get in the way of a good evening. Sure, Deckland would be there, but that was okay.

After showering, she took her best sundress from her suitcase, shook out the wrinkles and laid it out on the bed. The bright red always made her happy, and looked good against her pale complexion. She hadn’t worn it in a long time and she had a glimmer
of excitement rush through her—it had nothing to do with seeing Deckland, of course.

Once upon a time, owning an upscale restaurant, she’d always dressed in fine clothes, her hair coiffed and her make up detailed.
She’d lived a life of luxury until she’d walked away from it all.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked at her reflection in the mirro
r. She only wanted happiness—she wanted to make someone happy.

Lying
back on the comforter, she closed her eyes, and Deckland appeared behind her lids. She missed him.

Before she could
give herself freely, she had to repair a past that continued to haunt her, fix the mistakes she’d made.

She’d stayed with Tom too long, until she’d almost lost herself.

The last time he’d abused her, she’d wanted him to pay for the pain he’d caused her, but more than anything, she’d wanted to get away and find herself again.

That night seemed so clear, like it was only yesterday.

As Silently as possible, she’d tiptoed around the bedroom, gathering a few items, shoveling them into the small bag, not thinking what she’d keep or take—the thought of leaving her only focus.

Once she had stuffed the tiny bag, she
’d tiptoed out of the room, down the hall and into the kitchen where she’d kept a spare car key hidden in the utensil drawer. Tom never cooked and she knew it’d be safe there, including the small savings she’d stashed. Because he’d kept track of every cent, she’d had to sneak it bit by bit—coin by coin.

Not
bothering to close the drawer, she turned and smacked into Tom, sending her against the edge of the granite counter.

“Go
ing somewhere?” His voice contained rage.

She reminded herself, standing there with fear spiraling through her spine, that t
his was her time to leave. There was no turning back. “I’m leaving.”

He laughed and the bitter sound worked its way like poison over her flesh. “Like hell you are. Get your ass back into the bedroom.”

She’d never stood up to him, at least not since he’d become harsher. “I won’t. I’m done being mistreated. I told you the last time, if it happened again, I’d leave. And, it happened.”

He reached out, grabbed t
he suitcase and jerked it out from her hand then threw it across the room. “I’m sorry, Elsa. I lost my temper. I shouldn’t drink.”

“You always say sorry but you don’t follow through. You say you won’t hit me, but you will. You say y
ou’ll stop drinking, but you won’t. I’m not a punching bag. We’re not the same couple we were before. You’ve changed. I’ve changed. We’re no longer happy.” Her voice pleaded. She just wanted to walk.

“Don’t make me angry, Elsa. You know I’ll never let you go,” he spat through clenched lips.

“You don’t have a choice, Tom. I’ve made my mind up and I’m walking out that door.”

He ste
pped closer, drenched in whiskey odor and another woman’s perfume. It made her stomach turn. She knew by his cold expression and fierce gaze that he wouldn’t let her walk. Doing the only thing she knew to do, she slowly moved her fingers to the open drawer, behind her back. When her fingers were on the cold handle of the sharp knife, she secured her fingers around the metal.

He lifte
d his arm, his fist clenched. With no hesitation, she pulled out the knife, holding the tip against his chest. “Don’t make me hurt you,” she whimpered.

He looked from the
knife back to her, his eyes turned black as he chuckled, as if he found something humorous about her bravery. “You? Hurt me?”

“I don’t want to, but I w
ill if you force my hand.” She held the knife with shaking hands, willing her body to relax and not falter.

“You, bitch! Have you thought this through? Where wil
l you go? You are nothing without me. I made you who you are today. When we met you were just one generation away from white trash, a step up from a whore of a mother. Now, put the knife away and let’s go to bed. Tomorrow will be a brighter day.”

“You’re right, tomorrow will be a brighter day because I choose for it to be
better. Now, step back and let me pass,” she demanded.

“You know I’ll only hunt you down,” he seethed.

“And you’ll be wasting your time.” She kept her gaze steady with his, not blinking.

He took
a step to the side and motioned for her to pass. Slowly and carefully, without turning her back to him, she moved around him and toward her exit of freedom. Her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickened in her neck and her stomach turned. She bent to gather her bag, clutching it with trembling fingers as she continued to back with slow paces toward the door.

She counted
each step as she watched him, waiting for him to make a move. He stood still, only watching. Jaw tight and lips thin.