Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (13 page)

Chapter Nine

“Is this about sex, bro?”

Cash stared at his brother across the space of the room where they waited for the wedding ceremony to start. “I wouldn’t marry any woman just for a fuck,” he growled the words. “Suddenly everyone thinks I’m a sex-starved jerk.” He sniffed loudly.

Tucker adjusted his hat. “Okay then. I just had to ask.”

Checking himself in the mirror again, Cash hadn’t dressed this fancy since, well, never. The suit jacket and white button-down shirt that Dakota had picked out for him to wear for today were both new. Even the fancy boots were fresh off the western shop’s shelf. Good thing she’d picked out his outfit, otherwise he’d have showed up at the end of the aisle wearing an old T-shirt and jeans. No, not really, but he was glad she made it easy for him.

A soft knock on the door came before it opened. Hope stepped in, smiling, her eyes twinkling. “Look at you two. Whoo-wee. Dakota and I have caught the best looking cowboys this side of Texas.” She sashayed over to her husband and kissed him on the cheek.

“Is she almost ready?” Cash wiped his sweaty palms down his black slacks. Since Dakota had said yes a week ago, he’d anticipated her changing her mind. This had all happened in a whirlwind. A woman could easily back out.

“That’s why I’m here. It’s time for you and Tucker to head outside and take your places. Your bride is ready to walk.” Hope fluffed her dress around her legs.

“Let’s go, bro.” Tucker slapped him on the back. “Time to fit that ball and chain to your ankle.” Hope growled and Tucker grimaced. “I’m only joking, sweetheart. Being married to you is the best thing that ever happened to me.” He reached over, pulled Hope to him, and kissed her fully on the mouth.

Cash shook his head and started for the door. His knees were a little weak and he didn’t think a cowboy should ever be this nervous. He’d wrangled bulls and cows. Faced a wild horse head on. Fell off a roof and cracked a few ribs once, but never felt nerves quite like he did right now.

And as he stepped in front of the preacher in his backyard, sweat beaded on his back, sliding down into the crack of his ass. Hell if he didn’t have sweaty balls. His boxers stuck to his junk and he shifted. Did all men feel this way on their wedding day? He’d gone through this before and hadn’t lost one drop of perspiration.

The music started, thanks to one of the musicians who played at church. Hope made her way down the makeshift aisle, followed by Becca who tossed flowers from a small basket. Cash smiled from ear to ear at seeing his little girl in her pretty dress. When he’d told her he was marrying Dakota, Becca had been ecstatic. Her smile hadn’t left her face since. It warmed his heart.

The music picked up tempo. Dakota stepped into view and Cash’s chest pumped. He couldn’t focus on anything but her as she strolled toward him. Her hair was pulled up, tendrils fell around her flushed cheeks. She’d chosen a simple dress that fit her curves nicely and flowed around her knees. The pretty yellow roses she’d picked right out of the backyard.

None of that got him as much as her dazzling eyes. They seemed to twinkle as bright as a thousand stars. He could see the trembling in her bottom lip. He wanted her to be happy—he wanted to make her happy. He especially liked his daughter being pleased.

When Dakota stepped up in front of him, she offered a slight smile and her eyes shone with something he hadn’t seen before. The nerves rested in his stomach. He was doing the right thing.

****

Hope had taken care of the reception and it was exactly how Dakota would have planned it herself. Strings of lights hung around the perimeter of the backyard and the musicians were playing on the makeshift stage. A buffet table was set up with a huge selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and desserts. Large metal buckets were set up at each table filled with ice and a variety of bottled soft drinks. The harder stuff was at another table and Cash and Bailey were already tapping into the beer keg.

Dakota scanned the small crowd of strangers, glad to come across Hope’s smiling face sitting in the swing, holding a sleeping Marah. Several people greeted Dakota and everyone was friendly, but there was a part of her that remained a little uneasy.

She looked across the yard at Cash. He started to make his way toward her, but was caught by a couple.

“I thought you could use this,” a husky voice said from behind her.

She looked around, meeting gazes with a tall, handsome cowboy holding a plastic cup. “What’s in it?”

“It’s a cocktail. If you don’t want it—”

“Oh I’ll take it.” She accepted the drink and took a long gulp of the sweet mix.

The cowboy smiled. “By the way, I’m Brody.”

“The new hand here?” she asked.

He nodded. “New and a little out of my comfort zone, but I’ll come around.”

“Thank you for the drink. You must have recognized the look of anxiety in my expression.”

“These are good people, but I’m used to being with a bunch of rowdy, crazy fellows riding bulls.” He took a long drink of his beer. “I’m a fish out of water here.”

“I do believe we all must settle down eventually.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

“Sorry, Dakota. I got corralled by several people.”

The sound of Cash’s voice immediately eased her tension. “That’s okay. Brody saved the day.” She shook the ice in the empty glass.

“I’m glad you two got to meet. But if you don’t mind, my friend, I’m going to dance with my wife.” Cash pounded Brody on the back.

“A bride and groom must always have the first dance of the evening. Enjoy, you two.” He saluted them both with his bottle.

Dakota laid her hand in Cash’s as he led her to a grassy spot in front of the band. People gathered in a circle, watching them come together for their first dance as man and wife—first dance together. Her body trembled as Cash held her close and a slow tune started.

“Is that a look of disappointment?” he whispered.

So he’d noticed. “Not disappointment. Just a lot of people I don’t know.”

“Then let me stay close.” His hand on the small of her back heated her skin through the material of her dress.

She leaned closer, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on his back, feeling his muscles coiling under her palm. “I’d like that.” All tension left her body. She was glad to be here with him.

And later, as she made her way toward the house for a bathroom break, she was still high on the fact that she’d married Cash when a familiar face met her in the hallway.

“We haven’t met. I’m—”

“Lanie Madru,” Dakota said, surprised.

Lanie wore a red, sequined dress that scooped low, showing off deep cleavage. “I was a bit shocked when I heard about the wedding. One day you showed up in town and the next you’re wearing Cash’s ring.” Her gaze dipped to Dakota’s hand.

She swallowed against the sudden constriction in her throat. “I think a lot of people were surprised, but why wait when it’s right?” Forcing a smile to her lips, Dakota took a drink from her glass. The alcohol did wonders in easing the discomfort in her stomach at seeing Lanie.

“I’m just glad that you and I could share the honesty. I wouldn’t want any bad blood between us.” She fluffed her long locks.

“Why would there be?” Dakota asked.

One corner of Lanie’s mouth lifted as she leaned forward. “I don’t know if you realize this, but Cash and I were in a relationship up until recently. I didn’t understand just how ready he was for matrimony. Otherwise, I would have been the one wearing the diamond.” She laughed.

Annoyance slithered down Dakota’s backbone. Lanie stepped across a line, just as she’d planned. She could see straight through the woman and into her intentions. Dakota wasn’t interested in sinking low and playing games, not on her wedding day. “I knew about the relationship, Lanie. I think you were just too much woman for Cash.”

Lanie blinked. “Really?”

“Yes.” Dakota enjoyed the other woman’s confused look.

As if she had something covert to say, Lanie glanced around for onlookers, then said, “Is it true that you and Cash married because of an inheritance your aunt left you?”

Dakota stiffened. This touched a chord in her and it took all she had not to lash out. That’s what Lanie hoped for and she wouldn’t get it. “How do silly rumors get started anyway?” Lanie shrugged in bogus innocence. “I’m certain that I can count on you not to spread such silliness, right Lanie? After all, I didn’t spread the rumor I’d heard about you.”

Lanie’s red-painted mouth opened in a perfect O. “You’ve heard something about me?” Some of her fake tan was lost.

“Don’t worry, honey.” Dakota patted her shoulder. “I don’t believe everything I hear, especially when it comes to tales of plastic surgery. A woman that looks as good as you wouldn’t need a lift and a tuck.”

Lanie looked like she could be sick, but she gathered herself, smoothing her hands down her dress. “I’d never go under the knife. People just talk, talk, talk.” She tossed her hair over one shoulder.

“Indeed they do.” Dakota winked.

“It’s great that you and Cash have married for love. He deserves someone who cares for him, not someone looking for financial relief.” Lanie’s brow scrunched. “Good luck, honey.”

When Lanie sashayed away, Dakota wanted to feel justified and pleased for putting the woman in her place, but she didn’t. Dakota hadn’t heard any rumors, but anyone could see that Lanie’s perfectly round and firm double Ds weren’t a gift at maturity and the thin scar lines around her ears hadn’t even healed yet.

Dakota had a sense of doom building within her. Just as she thought, everyone knew of her and Cash’s marriage of convenience. This wasn’t the dream wedding she’d fantasized about, not that she’d expected it to be, but a woman can hope. She’d even gone as far as wishing Cash would have told her their crazy pact to not sleep together just wouldn’t work. That didn’t happen.

And why was Lanie Madru at their wedding? Did he invite her?

Sighing, Dakota went into the bathroom and checked herself in the mirror.

“Delores, I hope you’re watching because this is going to get real good.”

****

Cash searched for Dakota and couldn’t find her. Guests were leaving the reception and he was sure she’d want to say goodbye—but mainly he simply wanted to see her.

Yeah, he was hot for his wife.

He smiled and headed toward the house when he spotted her pushing Becca on the tree swing. His chest tightened and he reminded himself to breathe.

His wife was beautiful. His chest pumped up with pride. He’d gotten lucky, even if it wasn’t a traditional love affair.  There were still feelings involved. But how much and to what depth, he wasn’t sure.  He was only getting used to the fact that his heart was opening up again.

Where did Dakota stand? He wanted to believe she cared, at least a little.

Becca saw him and waved. He stepped across the grass and when he approached, she jumped from the swing and came running. “Look, daddy! Look!”

“What is it, sweetheart?” He lifted her up into his arms.

She pointed at her neck. He saw the oval sterling silver locket necklace. The words ‘I love you’ were written on the front. “I’ll show you.” She held it up, her eyes twinkling as she opened the face. “See, daddy?”

A small picture of Rebecca rested inside. “Where did you get it?”

“Dakota gave me it for a wedding gift.”

He couldn’t remember seeing his daughter happier. He lifted his gaze and met Dakota’s. “That’s a nice gift.”

“I’m going to show Hope.”

He put her down and watched her run toward the backyard. Then he turned back to Dakota, rubbing his jaw. “What you did was very kind.”

“I just want her to know that although I’m her step-mother, I’ll never want to take Rebecca’s place.” She stayed close to the swing.

“You doing okay?” He got a distinct feeling the distance had grown between them since they’d danced.

“Of course,” she answered.

“I’m getting the feeling that’s not quite the truth.”

“I ran into Lanie earlier.”

His gut twisted. “I didn’t expect to see her here.”

“You didn’t invite her.”

He blinked. “I ran into her last week and she asked about the wedding, but I didn’t extend an invitation.” Dakota nodded, but didn’t say a word. “ “She must have thought she didn’t need one. I’m sorry.”

She lifted her shoulders then let them drop. “It’s fine. I was just caught off guard.”

“Hope and Tucker have offered to keep Becca for the night.”