Second Hope Cowboy (12 page)

Tucker shrugged and tapped his palm against the wood. “No matter what the end brings, Cash, my gut tells me this is right.”

A slow smile curved Cash’s lips. “Then go for it and enjoy every second of this, bro. Second chances don’t come often. Wish I had one.” Cash grabbed the polished saddle that was resting over the top rung and laid it on his shoulder. “Now, enjoy your day but tomorrow be prepared to work your ass off. This land needs another hand and there are tons of cows that still need branded.” He lifted a hand and waved as he stomped across the grass toward the brown and white spotted horse Cash called his favorite.

Tucker watched his brother saddle the horse and prepared Pinto for a ride. Tucker ached to grab the horns of a saddle and squeeze leather between his thighs, the ground thundering under hooves. He’d ridden many times since he’d left Havens, but there was nothing that compared to riding his own land—and working that same land.

There was an unexplainable soothing to working out here in the fresh air. Maybe tomorrow he could work off some of the stress. Tucker didn’t like the burning need in the pit of his stomach.

He’d put a lot of time in ranching. He’d never regretted one minute because he’d done it for his future—a future with his family. He jerked his hat off his head and scrubbed his fingers over his scalp in irritation. Dropping the Stetson back in place, he sighed. He’d lost connection with the land—his land. He wasn’t sore about selling it to Cash. At the time, it’d seemed like the right move. In fact, he believed Cash bought it because he hoped Tucker would come work with him one day, just as they’d talked about before Rebecca died. Tucker planned to expand Havens, wanted Cash to join him.

They’d never gotten that far.

Tucker understood completely what Cash had gone through when he’d lost his wife.

He could see that his brother still mourned Rebecca’s death—even after four years he still couldn’t say her name without a catch in his tone.

When his wife had died, Cash had buried himself in the bottle. Night after night, Tucker had watched his brother cry into whiskey, angry at the world. Several months had gone by while Tucker and Hope and Rebecca’s parents had taken care of Becca. They’d taken turns and Hope had fallen in love with the little girl.

One night, Tucker had dropped Becca off and told Tucker to step up, to take care of his child. Something happened and, whatever it had been, it was a gift from God. Cash never tipped the bottle again and every available minute, he’d dedicated to Becca.

Problem was, now that his daughter no longer needed all of his time and the loneliness was setting in, Cash didn’t know what to do with himself.

Tucker had suggested Cash start dating, but that was laughable.

Pushing away from the fence, Tucker glanced up at the sun. Hope would be coming soon.

He hadn’t slept a wink last night, anticipating today.

He had no clue what tonight—or every other night for the next four weeks—would bring.

It’d certainly be a challenge. He’d already moved his things in earlier that morning. He’d taken a quick stroll through the rooms, but not the one at the far end of the hall—the nursery.

Walking back to his truck, he jumped in the seat and started the engine, pulling out.

He wouldn’t deny that a part of him hoped Hope would share his bed, but he knew that was overshooting reality. And sex would only get in the way.

A cowboy could hope, though.

Her scent lingered in his nostrils. Every time he closed his eyes, he remembered walking in and seeing her touching herself in his bed, and then the expression on her face when she saw him. His cock jerked alive and he shifted in the seat.

He rubbed his face and sighed. Now that he’d gotten a taste of her again, he wanted more. But no matter how much he got, he’d never be satisfied.

Sex wasn’t why he wanted Hope here at Havens. He could have a good time with any female, if that’s what he was looking for. He’d been there, done that, and he’d never digress.

He’d have to keep his emotions in check. But was that possible?

Time would tell.

****

Hope dropped her suitcase in the foyer at the same time she heard the familiar hymn. Following the singing, Hope popped her head around the doorway of the kitchen and spotted Delores wiping down the glass cabinets.

“Delores? What are you doing here?”

Her singing stopped. She swiveled on her heel and planted her palms against her heavy bosom. “Well, well, if it isn’t the sweetest woman I ever did lay eyes on.” Her cheerful smile made her plump cheeks redder. “Come here and give this old woman a hug.”

Hope crossed the room and stepped into the housekeeper’s warm embrace. Hope got a strong scent of pine. “I’m a little shocked to see you. Forgive me.” Hope admitted. She’d expected to have the house to herself, at least for a bit while she looked around.

“I offered to come in and give this place a sprucing so you wouldn’t have to. Tucker boy was going to have one of those cleaning businesses come in and clean, but I could only imagine the chaos.” Delores waved a hand through the air and dropped her dirty rag on the counter.

Hope swallowed. Leaning against the counter, she swept a hand across the smooth granite. “But aren’t you helping with Becca?”

Delores nodded, sending her tight silver curls bouncing. “The child is in pre-school until two-thirty. Then I’ll go and get her. There ain’t much to do over at Cash’s with the baby away all day long. I hope you don’t mind that I’m here. You probably had your mind set on how you wanted things.”

“I’m very glad to see you, Delores, and you’re always welcome here. I’m sorry I haven’t been around to visit you.”

“I understand, sweet pea.” She took Hope’s hand into her larger ones and gently squeezed. “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that you and Tucker are giving your relationship another go around. When he told me the news, I did a little jig and—” she leaned in closer as if someone would hear, “broke a seam in my girdle.”

Hope laughed so hard that she felt a stitch in her side. Delores waved. Following the woman’s attention, Hope saw Tucker leaning in the doorway.

“You ladies don’t stop laughing because of me. It’s about time this place had some life again,” Tucker said.

Hope’s laughter dried up—more because of the feeling at seeing him instead of the fact that he’d caught her laughing. For some reason, she felt vulnerable showing emotion around him. Or maybe it was guilt.

One thing was for certain, he looked good—real good. Like a seven course meal to a starving woman. She dared not allow her gaze to drop over him, and secured her eyes to his. “I figured you’d still be out working,” she said smoothly.

“Tomorrow.” Tucker crossed his brawny arms over his wide chest, then pushed away from the door frame. “I smell chocolate chip cookies, Dee.”

He filled the kitchen with his strapping size, and stole every bit of oxygen from Hope’s lungs. She hadn’t even been here for an hour and she was already drooling over him. Not good—not good at all.

“You caught me, Tucker-boy. I made a dozen just for you. And for Hope too. I remember how you both loved my cookies.” Delores beamed three shades of red. She wasn’t even immune to Tucker’s charm.

Hope sighed, pretending interest in a dishtowel and not the hand-sized cookies Delores produced from the cookie jar. Hope’s stomach betrayed her and growled loudly. She looked up to find Tucker and Delores staring at her. “Sorry. I didn’t eat breakfast.” She palmed her aching stomach.

“No turkey bacon?” Tucker teased.

“What’s this about turkey bacon?” Delores covered her mouth as if she’d come to the end of the world.

Hope shook her head at Tucker. “It’s okay, Delores. I respect the fact that you are a beef and potatoes cook, but I believe in eating as healthy as I can. I feel better than I have in a long time.”

Delores dropped her gaze over Hope. “You look like you’d get blown away if a hearty Texas wind came through. Oh my, chickadee. You need something of substance.” Delores was already heading toward the refrigerator.

“Don’t go to the trouble, Delores,” Hope urged. Without looking, she knew Tucker watched her above his half-eaten cookie.

“Young lady, you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I’ll prepare you and Tucker a fine breakfast. Your first breakfast together here in a long time.” She lifted her hands in a praiseworthy motion. “The Lord has blessed us today, oh yes indeed He has. I can’t wait to tell my friends, Darla and Maddy, the news.”

Hope cringed. The older woman didn’t need any more encouragement in thinking Hope and Tucker were together permanently.

Delores grabbed a skillet down from the hook hanging from the wall and went to work on breakfast. Hope knew Delores wouldn’t take no for an answer. And when another growl rumbled through Hope’s insides, she realized she’d better eat or she’d end up throwing up from the havoc being played on her nerves.

She shot Tucker a narrowed expression. This was all his fault for telling Delores of their agreement and having her come into the house to help. The more people who knew of the circumstances meant more people they’d have to tell that it was over when the month was up.

Not able to contain her irritation any more, Hope marched to the door. “I need to speak to you, Tucker.”

“But I’m not done with my cookie,” he stammered.

“Bring it with you.” She nailed him with a look that he couldn’t argue with. He followed her out onto the porch.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she swung on him. “How dare you!”

He blinked. “How dare I what?” He stuffed the last bite of cookie into his mouth and chewed.

“Oh don’t you dare look so innocent. You know fully well what I’m referring to. Why did you involve Delores in this?” She could barely contain her anger. She dropped her hands and clenched her hands into fists.

“Why are you getting your panties in a bunch? The house needed a good cleaning, not to mention she likes coming here and helping.” He continued looking innocent, which drove her to shake her head and stomp across the porch.

“But things are not as she thinks they are.”

“Fine, then I’ll tell her that she shouldn’t come back.” He started for the door.

“Don’t move another muscle,” she seethed.

He shot her a curious look over his shoulder. “Wow, changed your mind quick.”

“There’s no way you can go in there and tell her that she can’t come back. That would hurt her feelings.”

“I’m getting the idea that I can’t win in this situation.” He stepped away from the door. His eyes grew darker.

“It isn’t about winning. Who else have you told about this?” She forced the words through clenched teeth.

He scratched his chin. “I may have mentioned it to Cash.”

“May have?”

“Okay, I did, but how the hell was I supposed to keep it from him? He’ll see you here. Not to mention Becca will see you too.”

At the mention of the sweet little girl with the angelic face made Hope’s emotions come to a head. Becca had stolen Hope’s heart. “You did this on purpose!”

“Did what on purpose? You’re overreacting. Surprise, surprise.” His jaw tightened.

She stomped toward him, stabbing her pointer finger into the middle of his chest. He didn’t even flinch, not like she could hurt his solid muscle anyway. “I can’t believe I’ve agreed to this.”

“It’s not too late to change your mind. You’re not even unpacked yet.” Lowering his voice, the words came out on the tail of a growl. He leaned his large body against the porch rail and it cracked.

Hope huffed a frustrated sigh. “Don’t push me!”  He stared at her in a battle of wills.

“If this is how you’re going to act for the month, I’d rather get pecked repeatedly by a hen,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

“Oh, we can make that happen. If I remember correctly a few of the hens pecked you every time you got within twenty feet.”

He laughed and the sound wafted on the cool breeze. “Yeah, I remember you got plenty of laughs from those crazy hens. Hate to tell you, but your partners in crime are no longer here.” He strummed his fingers against the wooden beam.

Surprise slapped its way through her. “You got rid of the hens?”

“That was some tasty meat, sweetheart.” His laughter grew louder. “With each bite I took I remembered how much I hated those damned things.”

Tingles of sadness pricked at the back of her eyes. “I hope you got food poisoning. That was a cruel thing to do. But then again, you like being cruel.”

“They’re hens, Hope. That’s why we bought them—so we could eat the meat. I can’t help it if you took one look into their beady eyes and felt sorry for them.” All humor skidded to a halt on his olive complexion. His gaze narrowed to dangerous slits. “And if there’s something wrong with my character, I have you to thank for that.”

Two years had passed, and so had the man she once knew. One that was far more dangerous than before—even scared her a little, and not in a hurtful way. That was saying a lot because she couldn’t remember ever being scared of any man.

She stiffened her shoulders and straightened her spine. “It’s a good thing I want this house. In the meantime, we need to set some ground rules.”

He grabbed the closest rocker, dragged it across the wooden planks, the scraping sound sending the fine hairs on her arms erect. He dropped into the seat and slouched, eyeing her with either remorse or regret, it could have gone either way. “Oh I can’t wait to hear these.”

“Good, because rule number one, we aren’t sleeping in the same bed.”

“Ahh, are you sure, darlin’? We both know how good we are together in bed. I wouldn’t mind a repeat of what we shared at the cabin. I bet you still have that sexy little cocktail waitress outfit and those knock out black heels you wore when we first moved in here. Woo-wee, then again, I think we ripped that thing to shreds.”

Her cheeks burned, and worse, her panties moistened. Her nipples became sensitive against the soft lace of her bra. “Dream on, Tucker.” He was out of his mind if he thought she’d pull out their old toys and props. She instantly shot her gaze to his lap and the thick bulge made her lips quiver—and the other moist lips to quake.

“It’s not a dream, sweetheart. These are memories.” A sexy grin curved his mouth. A naughty thought of where she wanted those lips generated enough heat between her inner thighs that she ached for fingers buried in her wet folds.

“Rule number two,” she drawled.

“Of course. Another rule.” He snorted.

“I won’t demand that you…well…stay faithful to this relationship. I’m sure there’s someone who expects your attention now and again.” Tucker didn’t have any trouble finding a woman, no doubt. He probably had a list of women he’d slept with. Jealousy tore through her. She had no right to be upset. After all, she’d had sex—plenty of sex. But somehow it didn’t ease the tension in her muscles. Blaise in bed was nothing like Tucker in bed.

He rubbed the small white scar above his left brow, something he did when irritated. “What you’re really saying is that you want to still see Breck.”

“For the love of God! His name is Blaise.”

“I won’t agree to that rule. If you think you’ll run off and fuck him then come back here, you’re mistaking my level of tolerance. Just as I won’t come strolling in here smelling of another woman’s pu—”

She held up a hand. “I get the point just fine. Thank you. I was only assuming you have a girlfriend.”

He practically ripped off his hat then tossed it onto the small glass table. “No, you were fishing. And if I had a girlfriend that’d mean I’d had to work really fast, being that I don’t cheat. Have you already forgotten what we shared at the cabin?”

“Okay, scratch rule two, as long as you don’t plan on me sleeping with you as part of the bargain.”

He chuckled and it was cold—distant. Scraped every nerve ending in her body. “Don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart. You’re good and we’re good together, but I’m not desperate. And, rule number two no longer holds any water. Can’t change the fact that you invited me to join you in my bed at the cabin. You might end up not being able to satisfy yourself with those pretty little digits and need a man’s thick hands.”