Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance) (23 page)

Every beat of his heart cried for April. His soul ached for her when they were apart. He realized for the first time what Dillon meant when he said, “Love is
like living for the first time.”

April made him want to be a better man. He’d crawl the earth to be by her side.

“Dante, why are you over here by yourself?”

He brought his chin around.
Anneta was standing next to him. She looked like a fish out of water with her expensive clothes and shoes. “I’m just observing,” he finally answered.

With a batting of fake lashes, she gave him a stiff smile.
“April is special, isn’t she?”

“Very much.” He shifted his gaze to his wife again. Peyton was whispering something in her ear.

“I’ve always wanted the best for her. Is it possible that I can be blunt?” One over plucked brow came up. She tapped her adorned fingers on the crystal wine goblet.

“Of course.” He brought his bottle of cold beer to his lips and took a long drink.

“I’m not sure you’re what is best for my daughter.” She brought her dark gaze upon him. “I realize you two had a summer fling years ago, before she made something of herself, but it’s possible some things should stay in the past.”

He winced at her truthfulness. “
Everyone has a right to an opinion.”

“I married April’s father because I was pregnant. We were young and when I told him about the baby, he asked for my hand in marriage. He was living in this good for nothing town and he saw me as his way out.” She sniffed loudly. “I agreed
, and some months later, April was born. Money was never a problem and we could afford to travel, have the best nannies. Unfortunately, April is different than I was. I know my daughter and her dedication to this baby…and to you.” Her sidelong glance nailed him with a sliver of disgust. “Oh, you’re a man who wields great power with your looks, charm and other capabilities.” With a delicate clearing of her throat, she continued, “But I’ve learned the hard way that once the appeal wears thin there isn’t much left except a career.”

He knew exactly where she headed. Emptying the bottle, he tossed it into a nearby
trashcan. “April’s lucky she has you to look out for her. But rest assured, April and I will be happy and whatever choice she makes regarding her musical career is hers to make.”

Her laugh sent chills up his spine. “Ah, we both know that’s not true. Weren’t you assuming she would give up everything and stay here?” Her upturned nose wrinkled.

“She’s pregnant, Anneta. I believe she will make the best decision for our family, but no matter, I will be here taking care of her and our child, whatever she decides.”

Taking a long drink from the glass, she swallowed loudly. “It’s easy to imagine that we’re needed. I plan to help my daughter with this pregnancy
too.”

“That’s great because I know how much that means to her. But if you’re against April and I getting married, then why are you supporting her with the wedding?”

Looking at him through fake lashes, she sighed. “I believe before the wedding you will see that you don’t belong in her world. This is your life.” She swept a hand through the air. “And she belongs in a world of fans.”

“You’re wrong. April and I belong with each other. It doesn’t matter what you think.” His patience thinned.

“Is that so?” Her laughter scraped against his nerves. “Who did she ask to accompany her for the baby’s first ultrasound?” He winced. “Ahhh, so she didn’t tell you, did she? Poor, poor man. I’m sorry. I don’t like being a bearer of bad news, but you needed to know.”

Every muscle ached as truth sunk in. He had to believe April had an excuse why she took her mother and didn’t tell him. “Excuse me.” He forced the words through tight lips.

He moved his way across the freshly mowed lawn, searching for April. He spotted her sitting at one of the tables. He zig-zagged through the maze and people, barely hearing their congratulations as he moved closer to the only person he wanted to speak with. The only thing that could smooth his doubts was hearing her reasoning.

Finally reaching her,
she saw him as a smile swept across her face. “Hi, handsome.”

“April, we need—” An awful squeal
came from the makeshift stage. “What the hell is he doing?” Dante squinted as Kiefer tapped the head of the microphone with two fingers.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to talk.”

“Hello, partygoers.” Kiefer’s shrill voice broke through Dante’s attempt to speak to his wife. “I’m Kiefer, April’s manager. I wanted to take it upon myself to t
ell you how happy I am for her. She has found Mr. Right. I know all of you are her fans, so don’t fret. A wedding ring on her finger doesn’t mean you won’t hear from her again. In fact, she has signed a contract to perform at four shows after the wedding.”

Dante blocked out Kiefer as he turned to April who had gone pale. He swallowed the shards of glass in his throat. “Is this true?”

Her bottom lip trembled. “I was going to talk to you about the shows in private. It’s not how it seems. Let me explain.”

“Your mother is right. I don’t belong in your world, and you certainly don’t belong in mine.” He
tore his gaze away as he brushed passed her.

“Dante! Wait!” She jumped up and grabbed his elbow.

He turned and looked at her, putting up his wall of protection. “What?”

“
Let’s talk.”

“So now we need to talk, huh? When did you plan to tell me about the ultrasound?” He didn’t bother to warm his cold tone. By her silence, he guessed she’d wanted to keep it a secret. “Thankfully, your mom and Kiefer
are more open than you are.”

“You don’t understand—”

“
I
don’t understand? Really?” He laughed. “What about the honeymoon you asked me to plan? When did you think you should tell me it was off?”

“What’s going on here?”
Anneta interrupted them. “You two are causing a scene.”

“Back off,
Anneta. This is between April and me.” He didn’t even bother looking at the older woman.

“Who do you think you are?” Her lips thinned and she clenched her hands into fists.

“Who do I think I am? I’m her husband…that’s who. But don’t worry, apparently it wasn’t a ‘real’ wedding considering April didn’t feel the need to tell you.” He gently pulled his arm free of April’s grasp. He saw his wife’s expression turn icy as he walked away. If he’d looked back, he couldn’t do what needed done. And he couldn’t allow her do draw him in. Right now, he couldn’t think through all of the emotions swarming through him. Betrayal nicked his heart as his veins froze. The last person he’d ever thought could have betrayed him just proved to him that he couldn’t believe in anyone.

Chapter Twenty-Two

APRIL SLIPPED OFF her shoes, avoiding her mother’s probing glare from across the kitchen. Kiefer hadn’t stopped apologizing since they’d left the party early. In the end, she knew she couldn’t blame him.

“I’ll talk to him. After I explain that you’ve decided to do
the shows then take a long break, he’ll see that you’ve put him as a priority,” Kiefer said.

“You should think this over, April,”
Anneta huffed. “You’re talking about your career. You can’t drop everything and expect to take up where you’ve left off.”

“Mother, it’s my choice.” April poured water into the kettle and put it on the stove.

“Talk to her, Kiefer. Tell her this is a huge mistake,” Anneta cried.

“I’m not always good at keeping my opinions to myself, but on this, she’s made a decision.”

Anneta threw her hands up in frustration. “You’ve got be kidding me! This is insane.”

“Lots of people take breaks from their musical career. Some come back stronger than ever. I need to do th
is for my family.” April wished her mother would understand.

“Your family? I’m your family,”
Anneta whined.

“Yes, and so is Dante and this baby.” April placed her palm over her small baby bump. “He was telling the truth. He’s my husband.”

Kiefer backed toward the door. “I need my beauty sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He was out of the room before April could respond.

Anneta
didn’t even acknowledge him. “If he’s your husband then he’ll allow you to follow your dreams.” Her mother’s expression became bitter.

The dam inside of April broke. “Let me inform you of some truths, mother. He did step aside and allow me to follow my dreams fifteen years ago when all I wanted was to stay here and be with him. I know you couldn’t begin to understand that because you have no clue what true love means. Why can’t you be happy that I’m happy?”

“Why do you think I’ve done everything the way that I have? Everything was for you, and to give you things.”

“That’s accurate. To ‘give’ me things when what I wanted was your time. Why do you think I didn’t tell you that Dante and I are already married?”

Her mouth twisted. “I have no clue why you’d lie.”

“Really? No idea whatsoever? I thought for the first time in forever
you wanted to be a mother to me. I must admit, the last few days have been rewarding, but now it all makes sense. You were doing all of this, pretending to want this wedding just so you could sabotage my relationship with the only man I’ve ever loved.” April bit back tears. No way would she give her mother the satisfaction of seeing her pain. “I hope you’re happy because it appears you have what you wanted. Dante walked away.”

“April, I only wanted you to have what I never had.”

“If that were true then you would have wanted love for me, because that’s something I never really knew until Dante came into my life.” Leaving the room, she kept walking even when her mother called after her. For the first time in her life, she saw things clearly where her mother was concerned. April could no longer allow her parents to dampen her outlook on life. She’d given them far too much control up until now.

She took the stairs two at a time as tears fell to her cheeks. Losing Dante the first time was pure hell. The second time would destroy her.

****

Dante signed off on the shipment of hay and handed t
he paper back to the delivery person. He grabbed one of the bales and tossed it over his shoulder as he saw a woman walking toward the barn. His gut clenched and he dropped the hay. “Did you lose your way, Anneta?”

Her gaze narrowed and her mouth thinned. “Looks like I’m at the right place.”

He didn’t have time for dealing with her this morning. She crossed the grass and her heels were stuck in the soft dirt. He resisted the urge to smile and instead, offered help. “Here.”

She stared at his gloved hand before she placed her palm into his. “There goes a new pair of heels,” she huffed.

“They’ll wash up, I’m sure,” he said.

Flicking him an impatient eye, she dropped her hand now that she was standing in the gravel driveway. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“No. I have ten things I need to do at once.” She glanced at the bales then her brow shot up in accusation. “Okay, I have a minute, but I’m not sure there’s anything for us to discuss. Usually when people win they don’t come back to taunt the loser.” He dragged off his gloves and tossed them on a nearby bale.

Her nose wrinkled slightly. “
I know you must think I set out to hurt my daughter and you, but that wasn’t my intention.”

He removed his hat and brushed his fingers through his sweat-soaked hair.
“By the way, I know it was you who alerted the media of the engagement. You were the only one around here who didn’t know we were already hitched.” She opened her mouth, but he shook his head. “Don’t bother with explaining. I realize you did it because you thought it’d keep us from getting married. I’d say your intention is clear.” A part of him wanted to be angry with Anneta, but his heart still ached. Over the last week he’d come to the conclusion that April needed time to get her concerns squared away.

“I really am sorry.” She played with the huge diamond on her right hand. “April will never talk to me again if she finds out.”

He sighed. “I don’t plan on telling her. I’d rather not see her hurt any more than she probably already is.”

She blinked. “You really do love my daughter, don’t you?”

“More than you could possibly understand.”

“April and you should talk—”

“If you’ve come as a liaison for April then you need to tell her I’m not interested in a middleman.” He started to walk away.

“April doesn’t know I’m here.”

He turned on booted heel. “Then why are you?” He didn’t trust her. Not like she’d given him a reason to.

“I’m here because, contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter and so it seems that she loves you. Therefore, because I opened my mouth at the party I caused damage that needs fixing.”

“Is that right? Well, you didn’t force April to invite you to the baby’s ultrasound. And you didn’t have anything to do with her decision, which she made alone, to perform again so soon after the wedding.” Dante just wanted to leave well enough alone. Eventually he and April would have to discuss the baby, but in the meantime, he wanted to get over the pain that had embedded itself deep in his chest. “What’s done is done.” He shrugged.