Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (3 page)

A chill raced across her skin, battling the heat between her inner thighs.
Damn misbehaving body.

She switched the heater on high, turning all of the air vents toward her. Pulling the visor down, she checked her reflection, wincing. Oh damn, this was what people meant by ‘dragged through hell and back’. Her hair, wet and matted to her head, framed her rosy cheeks and nose. Her eye makeup was long gone.

Grabbing a compact from her purse, she opened it and patted on a layer of powder. Shifting the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her shirt and the outline of her nipples, shaded and perky. “Oh shit!” Humiliation washed over her. She’d wanted to dress nice for the funeral and donned the best blouse she’d owned. Unfortunately, the thin material wasn’t meant for a downpour.

Snapping the compact closed, she dropped it back into her purse. She brushed her hair until the red truck pulled onto the narrow lane. Dakota followed them and they headed toward the main road. They stopped at the stop sign and the Honda’s exhaust pipe popped loudly, sending a flock of birds out of a nearby tree.  She shook her head in irritation. At least the sun was shining and her clothes were fast drying.

Reaching for her favorite lip tint, she applied a liberal amount. Lipstick always made a woman feel better.

On the ride from the cemetery, they drove past acres and acres of grassy fields. Farmhouses and ranches were scattered across the flat land, and as the sun’s rays came through the clouds and the sky turned a bright blue, everything looked anew. The grass looked greener. The trees looked browner. As they turned into Havens Ranch, the horses running along the fence raced with the vehicles. They were beautiful black with long, flowing manes.

They followed the gravel lane until reaching the two-story, white farmhouse with green shutters and a wraparound porch. Rockers were lined up along the front and colorful flowers brightened the landscape. Vehicles lined each side of the driveway and more were coming. The truck continued closer to the house, but Dakota parked at the end of the row. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts before going in and meeting a house full of strangers.

Oddly, her nerves were calm. 

For the first time since she left Oklahoma, she felt a sense of relief—a sliver of hope. She didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her, but being here, close to where her aunt had lived for more than sixty years, made Dakota feel closer to Delores somehow.

Once the will was read in a few days, she’d decide what to do then. For now, she would keep her focus on the moment at hand. Small baby steps.

She got out and made her way toward the house, running her palms down her skirt to straighten some of the wrinkles. Now if she could do the same with her internal wrinkles.

Chapter Two

Cash sat on Tucker and Hope’s porch watching Becca and Dalton playing in the yard, laughing and chasing each other. He liked hearing their giggles, lightening his mood some.

Most of the visitors had gone, and Cash was still reeling from the day’s events. Sounds of hushed voices drifted through the screen door from inside of the house. He’d socialized until he couldn’t take anymore and needed fresh air. He didn’t think many people would want to be around him anyway. His sour mood couldn’t be contained.

He would rather go home but, out of respect for Delores, he’d stay longer. At least Becca seemed happy. Since Dalton had come into the family, his daughter had taken the boy under her wing and he didn’t argue about it.

Becca stopped in her tracks, grabbed the football from Dalton’s hands, and tilted her chin in a saucy manner. “I can throw this ball better than you.” Her head bobbed as if emphasizing each word.

“You’re a girl. Girls don’t throw like boys,” Dalton retorted. “Only boys play football.”

“Girls can do anything boys can do. Watch this.” Becca lifted the football high in the air and threw it across the yard, a good twenty feet. Not bad.

Cash smiled, glad his daughter didn’t back down, but his pride fizzled some. She’d become a tomboy, and what had he expected? She spent most of her time hanging out with him at the barn, or playing with Dalton. Hell, Cash didn’t mind that his girl had spunk or liked to throw a ball, but she should experience more than just hanging with the guys. Hope mentioned dance class, and maybe it was time he signed her up. Or soccer. Anything that would introduce her to a variety of friends, male and female.

Becca and Dalton forgot about the football and climbed into a tree.

Cash’s mind wandered back to the funeral, and something else…

Delores’s niece, Dakota Childs.

The house had been filled to the brim with company and he hadn’t seen her since she’d arrived on the ranch. He had a feeling she was avoiding him, but at least he wouldn’t have to face her or the fact that she made him feel things he hadn’t felt in a long time. She tweaked his protective side and things below the waist.

On the way to the ranch from the cemetery, Hope had talked about Dakota…how they’d immediately connected. And when Hope had suggested Cash volunteer to show Dakota around the ranch, he immediately saw cupid’s arrow in Hope’s eye. He didn’t want any part of her matchmaking. His family had gotten too worried over his relationship status.

Scrubbing his jaw, he stretched his legs and hooked his ankles. Hope had every right to be concerned about Cash. Hell, he was even getting concerned. When he simply looked at a woman at a funeral and his body hardened, things were serious. He chalked the stirring up to loneliness, and nothing to do with the petite blonde with expressive eyes. Her pale pink lips or the way her wispy hair swept across her cheeks.

He removed his hat and placed it on his knee, dragging his hand through his hair. He had to get ahold of himself.

Engrossed in his thoughts, he didn’t realize he had company.

“You okay, bro?”

Cash looked up. Tucker leaned against the porch rail, concern in his eyes. “Sure. Why?”

Tucker shrugged. “You haven’t seemed, well, connected since we left the cemetery. I know it’s hard losing Delores. We all loved her.” Tucker pushed his hat off his head, holding it against his chest. “And I can only imagine the memories today brought back for you.”

Cash shifted in the rocking chair, hearing the wood creak under him, much like his emotions. “It wasn’t pleasant.”

“The Pastor gave a good speech. Delores would have liked it. She would have even accepted the nasty weather. I can hear her laughing now, telling us to eat a cookie and everything’ll be fine.”

“I don’t think I ever told her how appreciative I was for all that she did for me and Becca. She did more than I ever realized.”

“Give yourself a break, Cash. Delores knew we cared for her, that’s why she stuck around. Becca seems like she’s doing okay with Delores gone and all.” Tucker hung his hat on a nail in the rail and slid his hands into his front pockets.

“I don’t think it’s quite struck Becca that Delores is no longer with us. Yesterday she asked me when she could see Delores again.” Cash sighed. “I told her she was in heaven with Rebecca.” The words made his throat ache.

“Maybe it’s best she doesn’t understand death.” Tucker pushed off the rail and took the seat next to Cash. “Hope has offered Dakota a place to stay while she’s in town. My wife has taken a liking to the woman. I think since Hope quit work to take care of Marah, she misses seeing people besides just us. I know it can be hard out here, especially with me out on the land until dark.”

“Hope seems happy to me. I think it’s your guilt bothering you.”

Tucker blinked. “Guilt?”

“You and Hope haven’t been back together that long. It’s only natural you want to spend all of your time with her. Be glad you have someone to come home to.”

“I guess you’re right. Hell, I’d never have guessed it could be this good the second time around.”

Cash shot Tucker a smile. “Why isn’t the niece staying at the bed and breakfast in town?”

“Exactly.” Tucker rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Hope says we have plenty of room for guests. I overheard the two of them discussing plans for Dakota to visit our church while she’s here. I thought she was only planning to stay until after the will is read?”

“Hey, you can’t expect anything different from your wife—she’s as kind as they come, bro. And face it, man, Dakota is out here with no one she knows, her one family member gone. It’ll only be for a few days. I’m sure she’ll be ready to head home after all of the details are taken care of.”

“Maybe you’ll take Hope’s offer and be the tour guide.” Tucker wagged his brows.

Cash snapped his head around. “And when do I have time to play host?”

Tucker shrugged, laughing. “I thought with the way you were looking at her at the funeral, you’d jump at the chance to spend some time with her.”

“I’m not desperate.” Cash snorted.

“You don’t find her attractive? Hm, I must have been imagining your tongue hanging out. Great gesture with the umbrella. I didn’t see you offering Big Joe your jacket out there today. He only wore a T-shirt.”

“Big Joe is two-hundred-fifty pounds and can bench press a car. I don’t think he minded the cold and rain.” Cash glanced at the tree where Becca and Dalton were sitting on a branch. “I felt sorry for the woman. That’s all.”

“If you felt sorry for her then you should have offered her a bedroom at your place. You have more space than we do. With the new baby keeping us up all night, I don’t think we need any more—”

“What’s this I hear about the baby keeping
us
up?” Hope pushed open the screen door and stepped out onto the porch, her long skirt flowing around her ankles. One corner of her mouth dipped into a frown and a thin brow lifted in accusation. “From your snoring each night, I’d say the only one of us Marah keeps up is me.” Hope crossed her arms over her chest and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

“Sweetheart, I help as much as I can, but until it’s possible for me to breastfeed, I’m afraid there’s not much more that I can do.” Tucker stood up, crossed the porch to Hope, kissing her on the cheek. He grabbed his hat and stuck it back on his head.

“Don’t use your charm to apologize.” She pressed her lips together as if she tried hard not to smile.

“Honey, you know I can’t keep my hands off of you.” He nuzzled his nose in her hair.

Cash turned his cheek and stared across the yard where a bluebird was perched on the feeder. He was a third wheel—he didn’t like being a third wheel. That’s why he no longer came to dinner with them.

“I’ll admit, you do change a dirty diaper pretty skillfully,” Hope teased. “Good thing you had some practice with Becca.”

Cash laughed. “Seems like only yesterday. I don’t recall him being that skilled. He couldn’t seem to remember which side was front and which was back.”

“He’s come a long way,” Hope added.

“At least I’m good for something.” Tucker wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Speaking of, where is our little princess, Marah?”

“Dakota volunteered to hold her and she rocked our angel to sleep.” Relief filled Hope’s expression. The dark circles rimming her eyes spoke of her lack of sleep.

Tucker took a step back. “We don’t even know her.”

“Shh!” Hope glanced at the open door. “She might hear you.”

“It’s not like I was trying to hide my feelings.”

Hope narrowed her gaze. “Tucker, I realize you’re a new dad and that gives you the right to be over the top protective at times, but you need to trust me. Dakota is Delores’s niece, not a stranger we brought in off the street. Now behave yourself and come in. Talk to these wonderful people who’ve come to say their farewells to Delores. They’re getting ready to leave.”

As if he knew arguing would be futile, Tucker turned on his heel and started for the door. Hope swatted him on the bottom and he looked at her, smiling. Once her husband stepped inside, she turned to Cash. “Now, how about you?”

Cash smiled and held up his hands in surrender. “What about me? I’m behaving myself.” He liked Hope and owed her a great deal. She’d always been good with Becca and still helped with so much. Not to mention she made Tucker happy.

“Are you doing okay, brother-in-law?”

He nodded, hoping she didn’t pry too much into his emotions. “Sure.”

“Hmm.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I know you.” She sat down in the chair Tucker had occupied. “I saw your expression at the service and you looked like you saw a ghost.”

He rubbed his chin, realizing it was about time for a shave. “First funeral I’ve been to since…”

She patted his hand as understanding came to her eyes. “Cash, I realize you loved Rebecca very much, and I know you were the love of her life. Don’t hate me for saying this, but I knew her well and I can say without a doubt that she wouldn’t want you living like this. She would want you to move on, enjoy life, find love again. Not only for your sake, but for Becca’s as well. She’s getting older and little girls need a woman’s guidance.”

“And what are you? Chump change?” He snorted.