Second Burn Cowboy (Second Chance Series Book 6) (22 page)

“And you’re seeing a specialist?”

“When I have a way there. With a limited income I can only go when the money’s in my pocket.”

Elsa swallowed the remorse in her throat. Her mother had chosen her path, and Elsa had been an innocent child who had been lucky to get away.

At least being here now, she found forgiveness in her heart. And that released her of any guilt. Tomorrow would be a brighter day.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

DECKLAND SAW THE
silver car coming up the drive and his gut tightened. Tom had called the day before and asked for permission to come to Texas so they could meet. Deckland started to hang up when Tom said, “This has to do with Elsa. You’ll want to hear.”

Reluctantly, Deckland had agreed. Elsa would be at the store for the afternoon so there was no chance of a run-in.
He’d stayed at the ranch to be on the safe side. He also had Dante and Dillon following Tom from the airport, just in case he decided to take a detour from the direction of Brooke Creek. Deckland spotted Dante’s truck pulling in. If Tom would make one wrong move, the three brothers would be on him at the blink of an eye. That was the reason for meeting him at the ranch instead of a public place, to maintain control of any unexpected hiccups.

He watched Tom
climb from behind the wheel of his car. He wasn’t dressed as lavish today, making Deckland suspicious.

Meeting him halfway across the grass, Deckland didn’t bother with a greeting. “I have no clue why you wanted to meet, but let’s get this the hell over with ASAP.”

Dante and Dillon got out of the truck and leaned against the front, watching from the short distance.

“Rest assured, I’m not here to cause problems. I’m here to make you an offer that you can’t refuse,” Tom said.

Deckland blinked. “I don’t think you have anything I’d want.” He started to turn, but Tom’s words stopped him.

“Zupita Bistro.”

Deckland smirked. “Like I said, you have nothing I need or want.”

“But Elsa would feel differently.”

“I’m listening. But only for a minute,” Deckland said.

“As you know, I’m in trouble. I wanted to give Elsa the opportunity to make an offer on the restaurant before I put it up for sale.”

“What you’re really saying is, you need money fast.” Deckland could see straight through the manipulation. 

“Does it matter what my reasoning is? Don’t you want to make Elsa happy?” He lifted a brow.

“Cut the bull shit and name the price.”

“I know you don’t think a lot of me, and I’m not expecting you to like me, but you should know that I still love Elsa. I always will.”

Deckland palmed his neck, irritation bubbling in him. “And is that supposed to excuse you for all of the shit you put her through
? You have a lousy way of showing love, my man.”

Tom sighed. “I want the best for her, and I mean that. It’s hard to admit the truth, but I failed in many ways.” He glanced into the distance. When he looked back at Deckland, Tom’s expression was blank. “Here’s what I’m asking.” He withdrew a business card from his front pocket and handed it to Deckland.

Staring down at the number, which was far less than he’d expected, he looked at Tom with a shake of his head. “Damn, you’re in more trouble than I first thought.” After a lengthy pause, Deckland nodded. “I don’t make deals with the devil, but as I see it, Elsa deserves to have the restaurant and she can decide what’s best.”

****

Elsa was elbow deep in scrubbing the floors at the new site of Elsa’s Fluff. She’d been doing repairs and cleaning for two weeks in preparation for the opening day.

“I came at the right time.”

The husky voice made Elsa drop the brush. She looked over her shoulder at Deckland, who was wearing a playful smile.

“Are you watching my behind?” She narrowed her gaze.

“Sweetheart, you look mighty fine in those shorts. You give shaking your booty a whole new meaning.”

Laughing, she stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Deckland, what are you doing here? I thought you had a busy day at the ranch?”

He shrugged. “I wanted to see my beautiful lady and pitch in, if you need me.”

“Baby, I always need you in the worst and naughtiest ways possible.” She
swayed to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I probably smell like bleach and dirt.”

“You smell like sugar to me.” He nuzzled his nose against her neck. “I’m sorry if I dragged you away from your cleaning
.”

“
Oh, sheesh, what a disappointment.” She chuckled. “Anyway, I have to leave soon. I have to call and make sure all of the preparations are in order for Mother to move to the assisted living apartment. It’s going to be different with her being close, but I do think it’ll be for the best, especially since I can help make sure she gets the care she needs. Then, I have to be at the bridal shop. Peyton and April are meeting me there to help me pick out a dress.”

“Can I come?” He wriggled his brows.

“Not unless you want bad luck in our marriage. You know you can’t see me in the dress before the wedding.” Kissing his cheek, she stepped back.

“You know that’s just a wives’ tale. But I get it, this is a girl’s only event. Dillon and Dante will be coming with me to pick out a tux.”

“Just keep in mind the colors.” Seeing his curious expression, she shook her head. “Pale pink and grey.”

“Yeah, I knew that.” He winked. “I want to speak to you about something.”

“You do? You look serious.” Her stomach did a loop.

“I bought a restaurant today.”

Her mouth dropped and she quickly closed it. “Deckland? A restaurant? Sorry, but I’m a bit confused.”

“I’ll rewind a little. I had a visitor today that made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. So, I bought his restaurant—well, in actuality, it’s your restaurant.”

She narrowed her gaze.
“What are you talking about?” Then realization struck her. “Tom was the visitor, wasn’t he?” He nodded. “He sold you the business he and I started together? Zupita?”

“He needed money.”

“And you of all people gave it to him?” She moved, placing distance between them.

“It’s not about the money, sweetheart. Trust me, it was far less than what it’s worth. And you rightly deserve the restaurant.”

“But—But…really?”

“Yes, my love. From what I understand
, it’s temporarily closed because he had to shut the doors. Just to let you know, it’s yours to do with whatever you want. You can always sell it, make a sizable profit and open an Elsa’s Fluff chain. Up to you. I just wanted you to get what belonged to you, at least the right to do what you deserved.”

“Deckland, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“I love you, darlin’.”

“
I love you. I guess I’m flabbergasted that Tom would make this offer.” She could guess that he was in trouble.

“A man in desperate need will go to extreme measures.
”

“Once upon a time, I loved Zupita, but now I realize Elsa’s Fluff is where my heart is. I couldn’t imagine doing anything but baking. And, with the profit we’ll make after selling it, we’ll put toward a college fund.”

He squinted. “You plan on going back to school, sweetheart?”

“No.” She went to her purse, pulled out the white stick and held it up. “Do you know what this is?”

He looked closer. “Maybe a modern type of coffee stirrer. Beats me.”

“
No, not even close. It’s a pregnancy test. I used it this morning.”

His eyes widened and a smile played at the corner of his mouth. “You took a test?” He took the stick and examined it. “There’s a plus sign. Does that mean what I think it means?”

“It means you and I are going to be parents.”

“Holy smoke! Come here, sweetheart.” He scooped her up in his arms and swung her around.
His laughter filled her with joy.

“Good thing our wedding is next month, before I start getting wider.”

He stopped turning, placed her back onto her feet, but held her close. “Have I ever told you that you make me the happiest man alive?”

“Every day, in the way you look at me, touch me, treat me like gold. I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

The End

From the author:

Thank you for reading Second Burn Cowboy. Pleaseleave a revie
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and like my author page
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http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-LeeCarver/

Hugs,

Rhonda Lee Carver  “Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”

At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas would no longer be contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first rough draft was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.

Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.

When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee.

I hope you’ve enjoyed
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6 of the Second Chance Series)

For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit:

www.rhondaleecarver.com

 
Find me on Facebook, too!

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Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver

Diamond in a Rose

Double Dare

Delaney’s Sunrise

Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)

Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)

Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)

Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)

Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)

Castle’s Fortress

Dreaming Ivy

Friends With Benefits

Sin With Cuffs

With Honor

Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)

Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)

Fighting Flames

Have you read
Fighting Flames
(Available at Amazon)? If not, here’s an excerpt I hope you’ll enjoy.

One year ago…

The elevator doors slid open and Karsyn Page exited the cubicle into the quiet parking garage. She’d spent another late night in the office and everyone else had already gone home.

Digging to the bottom of her purse, she finally found her keys after wading through tubes of lipstick, a bottle of lotion, receipts and coins. She clicked the unlock button on her keypad, the car beeped twice and she quickly headed toward the Lexus. Her fingers were on the handle when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and scanned the dim garage. Nothing.

She never liked parking in the garage, but the alternative meant walking a mile in heels in the snow.

A sense of relief spread through her when she pulled the door open.

“Karsyn Page.”

She jerked and spun, her keys fell from her hand as she looked up into the pale features of the man who’d startled her. Alarm sped through her, making her limbs tingle and the hair stand on her neck. “Robert? You scared me. What are you doing here? We didn’t have an appointment, did we?” Even as the questions left her tongue, she knew the answers. No client ever approached her outside of the office.