Second Dance Cowboy (Second Chance) (16 page)

Surrounded
by his brother and a few friends, he kept his expression mutual. No one needed to know just how hot Peyton made him. He shifted, hoping his body behaved.

“Hey, Dillon.” Oliver ran acr
oss the yard and came to a quick stop in front of him.   

“Hey, little man
. Nice to see you again. Ready for some fishing?” Dillon shook his hand. Reality spun Dillon’s thoughts. He liked the kid, cared for the mother…more than simple caring. He wanted to get to know her better, see her often, and chat about everything.

“I brou
ght my fishing pole. Uncle Marty came with us. Mom threatened that she’d tie him up and drag him here. She said he needed to get out of the house.”

“What’s that you’re saying,
Ollie?” Peyton asked as she joined them. Dillon saw that Marty had stopped to talk to one of the old timers.

“I was
telling Dillon that Uncle Marty wouldn’t get out of bed and you told him—”

“I know what I told him.” Pe
yton looked at Dillon, pink spreading across her cheeks. “Hi Deckland.”

“Hi, Peyton.”
Deckland tipped his hat. “Glad to see you could convince Marty to come.”

“He’s been crabby here lately. His
doctor said he’s most likely going through a depressed stage since he can’t work on the farm.” The wind picked up and tousled her hair, sending tendrils across her lips.

Dillon
was staring and he couldn’t drag his gaze away. He struggled with an overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms. Reaching for her, he placed his hand on her elbow instead. That was as close as he could get for the time being. Her eyes danced and tugged every string attached to emotion in his body.

Clearing his throat, he
dropped his hand. “It’ll take some time for him to get used to the changes.” She lifted her chin and the tip of her tongue came out, sweeping across her bottom lip. He wanted to help lick.

“Did my mom tell you that we’re moving on
the farm? Everything’s packed at our house.” Oliver took a deep breath. “She’s thinking she might put our house up for sale.”

“No, she didn’t tell me,” Dillon said.
An unspoken word passed between them. “Hey, big guy. Will you go with my big brother Deckland to check out the worms for bait? See if we have enough.”   

Deckland mo
tioned for Oliver. “You like creepy crawlies, Oliver? I sure did when I was a kid.”

Oliver nodded eagerly as they walked away.

Peyton smiled and her features lit. Dillon had always thought she was beautiful, but she was radiant this afternoon. “Thank you, Dillon.”

“I sensed some discomfort,” he said.

“He has no filter.” She laughed.

“
What kid does? You’re moving to the farm?” he asked.

She buried her hands in
to her back pockets, which pushed her firm breasts against the fabric of the thin shirt. He kept his eyes glued to the area between her brows, not wanting to see if her nipples were erect, aching for his touch. “I decided it was for the best. Marty needs the company. I haven’t decided if I should sale my house, at least not yet. I could rent it out as an investment.” He could see a sliver of disappointment in her eyes.

“
I’m sure Marty will be pleased to have you and Oliver close.”

“
He’s been after us to move in. I think he’s lonely. I’ve hired someone new at the studio so that I can add more classes, and I can be at the farm helping him more often. He doesn’t know yet that I’ve hired someone and I’d like to keep it that way. I’m letting him believe we are moving in with him for my benefit, not to take care of him. He’s as stubborn as a mule and he’d make a big deal out of me changing my schedule to help him.” She glanced over her shoulder in the direction of her uncle.

“But is
this what you want? You could hire a nurse. He may not mind after he got used to having someone care for him.”

Bringing her gaze back on him
, her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. “When my parents died, he took me in. Not once did he leave me in the hands of someone else. He raised me like a second father and now I’m going to be there for him. If it means selling everything I have, then that’s what I’ll do. After he’s gone,” moisture filled her gaze, “I can rebuild my life, my business.”

He respected her. I
t took guts for her to do what needed done. He knew he’d do the same in her situation. “It makes sense.” Her gaze softened and he realized she needed to hear a word of support. He understood it couldn’t be easy for her. “I’m glad he came.” He looked past her to where the older man laughed with Harry Johnson. “I’m glad you came.”

“
I almost didn’t.”

“Why?” he asked.

Her chest rose and fell as she exhaled. “I heard the news. Cassie broke off her engagement with Dante.”

His stomach twisted. “Oh, just that. It has nothing to do with me.” The last thing he wanted to
do tonight was talk about the past.

“Let’s not sugar coat the truth. Their break up has everything to do with you. You know it. I know it.
I’m sure Dante suspects it.”

Dillon opened his mouth but the loud exhaust of a motorcycle
coming up the driveway made him snap his lips closed. Dante and the toy he’d bought recently came into view. Deckland had told Dillon to be on his best behavior if Dante showed up. Dillon shook his head. He had nothing to do with Cassie breaking off the engagement, but truth was, his brother deserved better. Dante had a reputation for being a bad boy, but Dillon believed Dante really cared for Cassie.

“Looks like someone else may be in need of special attention,” Peyton said
as she nodded toward Dante who was sliding off his bike.

“If a man plays with fire he’s bound to get burn
t.” Dillon hated that he had sympathy for his brother’s predicament. The man got himself into the mess. At the same time, he loved Dante and hated that he was hurting.

The corner of her mouth turned down
. “It appears you two have a lot in common. You’ve loved the same woman.”

A
part of him couldn’t get past what Dante had done. If a man didn’t have a brother to depend upon, what did he have? And yet, Dillon felt a connection with his brother. “I better go talk to him. Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I know most everyone
and Aspen is on her way.”

“I’ll catch up to you in a bit.”

Dante was digging into the cooler and pulling out a beer when Dillon got across the yard. Dante snapped the can open just as Dillon approached. “Nice ride. It’s what you’ve always wanted.” He pointed at the Harley.

Dante shrugged
. “Best ride I’ve ever had.”

Dillon
wondered if there was deeper meaning. “I didn’t know if you’d make it.”

“Or were you hoping I wouldn’t?”

“Let’s not do this,” Dillon said.

“Do what? Talk about Cassie?” Dante
took a long sip. “Deckland asked me to be here and here I am. I don’t have to promise to be good company.”

“Look, brother—”
Dillon rubbed his tired eyes, “—you may not like to hear what I have to say, but I’m going to just let it out. You’re better off without Cassie. You should be grateful it didn’t take you as long as it did for me. I wasted too many years on that woman. Don’t do the same.”

Dante snorted. “Thanks for the
advice, dear brother, but worry about yourself.” He grabbed another beer from the chiller and took off toward the pond.

“This should be loads of fun,” Dillon whispered.

He turned on the heel of his boot and caught sight of Peyton. Her laughter filled the air and his heart tugged. She made him fully aware of all of his flaws. She could make a man want to be better. Realization clamped his soul—he had grown attached to her. What he wanted more than anything was to march across the grass, take her in his arms and carry her away.

What was holding him back? Nothing.

Dillon took a step toward his intention and felt a tap on his shoulder. He swiveled and met Oliver’s bright blue gaze. “Hey Dillon. That’s the most worms I’ve ever seen.”

Dillon laughed. “A man can never have too many worms when he’s fishing. The pond is fully stocked, waiting for some lines. I bet you’re ready to head down.”

Oliver
’s smile, just like his mom’s, was wide and bright. For the second time in a minute, his heartstrings tugged. Dillon’s protective side came alive and he knew he’d do anything to help Oliver and Peyton. He lifted his chin and caught her chocolate gaze on him. She was smiling and she mouthed, “Thank you.”

At the moment
, he was hooked. “Grab your gear, buddy.” Dillon tousled Oliver’s thick hair.

Once they both had
what they needed, side by side, Dillon and Oliver walked the beaten path.

***
*

The sun was
setting and some folks had returned from fishing. Dillon and Oliver hadn’t come back yet. Peyton had stayed behind and hung out with Uncle Marty, Aspen and Dillon’s Aunt Bettie. A retired schoolteacher, she had the best stories to tell about the kids she’d taught for thirty-five years, her late husband, and how she loved the Brooke brothers. Peyton wasn’t the only one interested in the woman’s tales. Marty hadn’t taken his ears, or eyes, off the woman since he’d sat down with her at the campfire.

Peyton listened as her uncle told Bettie about his farm.
As he talked, his eyes lit up and hadn’t seemed this energetic in weeks. There was a definite attraction. She’d always hoped that he’d find someone, a companion. She knew he’d never love anyone like he had his wife, but Peyton had never liked the thought of him being alone. He had so much to offer in the way of kindness, he should share it with someone who appreciated a gentleman.

Aspen went to grab a
water and Peyton excused herself. She decided to give Marty and Bettie some alone time.

Leaving the
warmth of the fire, she wrapped her sweater closer around her body. The smell of the first batch of fish in the large fryers made her stomach growl. She caught sight of Oliver and Dillon coming down the path and her heart skipped several beats. Oliver had a renewed skip to his walk and a smile on his face. She could easily get used to evenings like this. Dillon had a wonderful family, and they all welcomed her, except Dante who’d disappeared earlier.

Thinking on her future
, she’d always wanted a large family, and had one day hoped she’d have more kids. She wanted Oliver to have a brother or sister.

She noticed
Deckland and another group standing in the yard. Clangs of horseshoes and laughter echoed across the short distance.

Following the worn path to
the house and captivated in her thoughts, she didn’t realize she wasn’t alone until her hand was on the screen door.

“
Peyton?”

She jumped and turned toward
the deep Texas twang. “Dante? I didn’t see you sitting there.” He was sitting on a rocker, his hat in his lap and his booted feet were propped on the rail. She could smell the alcohol before she spotted the whiskey bottle beside him.

“Come and sit for a minute,” he slurred.

“Well, I would but I was going to the restroom—”

“Ah
, just a minute.”

Not wanting to
seem rude, she crossed the porch and leaned against the rail. “Why aren’t you down with the guests?”

He shrugged and she noticed the top few buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned.
The sun had set and in the dim lighting, his eyes looked glossy. His jaw had several days of beard growth. He was still handsome, of course, but not the well-groomed pretty boy she’d seen in passing.

“I’m not
up for socializing. I don’t know why I came.” He chuckled and picked up the bottle, taking a long drink. He swirled it around inside of his mouth, all while keeping his gaze on her in heated curiosity before he set the half-full bottle beside the chair. Swiped the back of his hand across his chin, he sighed. “I’m sure you understand why.”

“I
do.” She played with the seam of her shirt. If she got much closer to him, she’d get a contact buzz.

“Do you?”
Brows shot up.

“I guess to a certain extent. I’ve had my own
bad break up. In fact, I was a bit commitment phobic for a while. Thankfully, time heals all.”

“
And you and Dillon are in love? Very fitting, I guess.”

Dante’s words scraped
against her emotions. “Why is that?”

“
Cassie spilt up with me to be with him.” He dropped his feet, his boots banging the wood. His hat fell to the floor and he didn’t bother picking it up.

“Is that what she told you?” she asked. Her discomfort level grew.

“Not in those words. But I can tell you this much, since Dillon came home she’d been out here several times.” He scratched his jaw.