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

Cash blinked. “What changed since last time we talked? You didn’t want her staying.”

Tucker rubbed his chin. “Last night, she helped Hope with Marah while I did evening chores. Hope even managed a half hour nap. Not everyone would jump in and help us out.”

“Hey, bro, I’m sorry if I’m not doing my part…”

Tucker waved a hand of dismissal. “I’m not referring to you. I just think there’s an appropriate amount of time before Hope and I look for a replacement for Delores, and now isn’t the time. Hope’s glad to have someone at the house.”

“We can hire another hand soon, take up some of your work so you can spend more time at home. I believe that’s what Hope is really wanting.”

“Could be for the best. I was hoping you’d suggest that idea. Remember Brody Zane? He’s looking for a job. Think we should ask him to come out, ask him a few questions? I know he has the background.”

“I think he’d work out fine here, but what happened with being a rodeo star?”

Tucker stood up, put his gloves back on. “I hear he took a dirt bath off a bull and screwed his leg up, limping now. Enough that he’s hung up his spurs.”

“Have him come out this evening.” Cash stood too, retrieving his glove from the ground.

“I can’t this evening. I promised Hope I’d be home.” Tucker went back to putting another bale on the truck.

“No worries. I’ll handle it. Enjoy your time with your family. I bet Dalton would like to throw around a baseball or football.”

“I bet he would. I think it’ll be a good fit with Brody. The man’s as tough as nails.”

The rest of the day Cash spent in silence. He went alone to check the perimeter of the property and mend a fence, needing the space and to connect with nature. He had a lot to think about before he saw Dakota that evening.

When his chores were finally finished, Cash drove up to the house. He had a layer of dirt from head to toe, and if he stomped his boots he’d probably send a cloud of dust around his head. He needed a good scrubbing and a beer.

Sliding out of his truck and stretching his aching back, he marched up the stairs to the porch.  Flipping through the day’s mail, he tripped over something. “Shit!” A large manila envelope had almost caused him to break his neck.

He looked down at the offending obstacle, wondering where in the hell it came from. He read the wide label. “Texas Bachelors.”

Never heard of it.

Grabbing it up, he carried it inside with the rest of the mail, dropping everything on the table. He overlooked the bills and stared at the large, mysterious package. Sliding his finger under the flap, he broke the seal and peered in. Inside he found a pile of envelopes, dumping the contents onto the table and scattering the parcels. They all had his name on them. His curiosity growing, he picked up the loose, folded piece of paper, smoothed out the folds and read it...

“Dear Mr. Bailey.

We are so pleased to spotlight you as this month’s bachelor of the year. Hundreds of men were nominated and we narrowed it down to you. Congratulations. I’m forwarding the letters you’ve received here at the magazine.”

He ripped open one envelope, practically shredding it, pulling out the one page letter inside, reading…

“Dear Bachelor of the month.

After reading your article in Texas Bachelors, I just knew I had to meet you. I’m a single mother myself with two children. I understand what it’s like to lose a loved one…”

He dropped the paper to the table.

“What the hell?”

He grabbed another, opened it, read it, and the three after that all mentioned an article in the magazine—each one made him sicker.

Grabbing his cell phone out of his back pocket, he hit quick dial. On the third ring, Hope answered. He sighed. “Would you happen to know anything about an article in the Texas Bachelor?” he asked.

The line remained silent for a good ten seconds. “Uhh…well, why are you asking?”

“I have about a hundred letters on my table from women who want to meet me. Now, I know I didn’t sign myself up for this, so can I get an explanation?”

Her moan cracked the line. “I’m sorry. With Delores’s death, I’d completely forgotten all about it.”

“Forgotten what exactly?” He gripped the phone tighter.

“I came across an ad in the magazine, Texas Bachelors. They look for top bachelors looking for love. On a whim, I decided to enter you. I guess women liked you, huh?”

“At any time in this did you think you should ask me first? Or take into consideration I’d never do something as crazy as this?”

“Yes, and that’s why I didn’t ask.” Marah’s cries sounded in the background. “You know we did this because we love you.”

“We as in Tucker was in on this?”

“After the fact.”

“I’m going to wring his neck for not telling me,” he growled.

“If you’re not going to help yourself, someone has to. Don’t be mad at me or your brother. I’ve got to feed Marah, but we’ll talk soon.

Once he hung up, he stared at the envelopes scattered around the table. He didn’t have time to think about it right now. It was already five-thirty and he still had to shower.

****

Dakota stared into her open suitcase. She had all of her best clothes with her and still had nothing to wear. It wasn’t as if she needed to dress a certain way. So then why did her stomach get all tight and her palms clammy? She didn’t need to impress anyone, especially a tall, sexy cowboy.

Who was she kidding? She’d thought about Cash all day, and she still couldn’t seem to get enough. He was a bittersweet poison rushing through her veins.

Cash was a real cowboy, rough and tough, and his looks could upend any woman, especially one who hadn’t been around a man in a long time.

Where would all this lead? And did it matter? She needed to extricate all naughty thoughts of Cash, his calloused hands and charming smile from the recesses of her mind. She needed to think of the future and how the heck she’d get off Havens Ranch because currently, she was stuck.

Rubbing her temples, she made a wish that the throbbing didn’t turn into a migraine—a huge one with a capital C etched on her forehead for the man who’d done nothing but haunt her every waking hour since they’d met. She wasn’t desperate, didn’t even want a male persuasion.  So why all the fuss?

Her emotions were whacked. After all, she’d been on a non-stop emotional roller coaster for the last few months. Losing Delores had been the toughest hill and she didn’t see a descent anytime soon.

Pulling a blue, short-sleeved shirt from the suitcase, she held it up to her body, checking herself in the mirror. Too dressy.

She then tried a long-sleeved blouse. Too warm.

Finally settling on a v-neck, she pulled it on.  Then her favorite skinny jeans.

Since working at the diner, she’d stopped worrying about her appearance. A world of a difference from when she worked at the boutique. No surprise. Waitresses worked twelve hour shifts with only a five minute break all day. Dakota had been lucky to get a good night’s sleep just to get up and go at it again. The boss had been a slave driver, and she should be happy she had gotten away.  It’s just too bad her wallet squeaked because it was so empty.

This was only a hurdle she’d have to jump. She’d been in worse spots before. She would make it out of this bad situation stronger.

She had half a mind to open a map, close her eyes and point—wherever she landed, she’d go. But at thirty-two, could she be so careless? No, it was time to start getting her life in order.

But where did she belong?

Here maybe?

The Bailey family was kind. She felt she already knew them and had become fast friends with Hope.

Whoa, slow down. She was getting ahead of herself. Job offerings in the small town would be limited, if not obsolete.

The loneliness grew like a black hole in her heart. She missed having someone to talk to, someone to listen. Warm hands on a cold night…calloused, ranch-handling hands. Her mouth went dry. She hadn’t been this confused and crazy, since high school.

Last night she’d finished reading Delores’s letter and cried herself to sleep.

Her aunt had written about Becca and how fast she was growing up. Delores had loved the little girl and worried about her. She’d also mentioned Cash and the loneliness she saw in his eyes, and she wished he’d find someone to love again. Dakota’s heart went out for Becca, and maybe for Cash too.

With one last brushing through her hair, she slid into sandals and went downstairs.

Hope caught her before she stepped through the door. “Thank you for this, Dakota.”

“I’m glad I can help. Becca is such a sweet child.”

“Do you have a second? I wanted to run something by you before you left.” Hope joined Dakota on the porch. She nodded. “I remember you telling me that you wanted to open a coffee shop and, while at the doctor’s office today, I overheard someone talking about a price reduction on a building here in town. The owner is in a hurry and wants to unload it. I just thought you might be interested.”

Dakota shrugged. “I’m afraid even a reduction in price is outside of what I can afford right now.”

“I knew you would say that.” Hope smiled, holding out a piece of paper.

“What’s this?” Dakota took it.

“It’s the number to a realtor friend who can help you if your situation changes. I’d love to have you stick around.”

“It’s a lot to think about.” Dakota stuck the paper into her purse. “I’ll definitely consider it.” But how could she manage buying a business right now? Without a job and without a good credit history, it would be impossible.

“Okay. We’ll talk soon.” Hope bid her goodbye.

Driving toward Cash’s, Dakota admired Havens Ranch. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful yellow-orange glow as a backdrop to rolling green fields dotted with wildflowers. A herd of cattle grazed part of the land separated in a pasture. Further ahead, horses hung their necks over the side of the white fence as she drove by. She realized she couldn’t have seen more than half of the property on the short drive. The fields seemed to stretch for miles and beautiful blooming trees lined the narrow lane. Only a handful of buildings broke up the blue, cloudless skyline. The squawking of a flock of birds hovering overhead was the only thing heard. She wanted to see more of the ranch, and decided she’d ask Cash if he’d still be interested in taking her for a tour.

The old farmhouse loomed ahead. An old beat up truck along with the red truck she’d seen him driving sat in the driveway. She parked in between the two vehicles and killed the engine.

She didn’t get out immediately, but sat staring at the house that had lost its charm under chipped paint and overgrown weeds. It needed painted, white again with black shutters, and colorful flowers to add life. Some of the posts were gone from the railing on the porch and the rockers had seen better days—or years. This home was so unlike Tucker and Hope’s where everything was well-maintained and cheerful.

Climbing out, her stomach flip flopped and she demanded her body to stop reacting.

Breathing in the fresh air, her lungs thanked her. The environment was motivating, encouraging. She wanted to do more, be more. She had to prove to herself that she could reach her goals and that she was ready to start all over again.

Smoothing her shirt, she slowly made her way up the crumbled sidewalk, just as sprinkles started. Grey clouds were rolling through and the sky quickly turned dark. The breeze picked up, scattering goosebumps all over her skin and she wrapped her arms tight around her waist. A storm was building.  And it looked like it was going to be a bad one.

A nuzzle against her leg brought her attention to a shaggy-looking dog who was staring up at her, his tongue hanging out. “Hello there. You’re awfully cute.” She stroked behind his ear, getting a panting smile in return. Once upon a time, as a kid, she had a dog. Going from place to place, she missed out on so many things, like having animals.

Hearing heavy thuds on the ground, she watched the horses galloping by the fence, their tails blowing in the wind and their ears perked. They knew a storm was brewing. Lightening flashed in the distance, lighting the sky. She jumped and ran to the porch. Yeah, it definitely looked like Mother Nature had an axe to grind.

She had her hand in mid-air, ready to knock when the door swung open. Cash stood on the other side of the screen and her body came alive—her breath caught, her nipples bunched. The man had control over her.

“You might not want to stand there too much longer. A good wind’ll come along and carry you off.” The rich tone of his voice made her blood pump faster and her knees weak. He opened the door with his foot, the springs creaked and cracked in resistance.

Dakota swept her gaze over him.  She couldn’t have prevented a peek if she’d tried. Standing well over six feet, his dark hair was damp and droplets of water splashed onto his shoulders, dampening his black T-shirt. His clear blue eyes were on her, pensive and observant. Could he see straight into her and see the throbbing in secret parts of her body? The cowboy should have a warning label, ‘danger…touch at your own risk of combustion’. One corner of his mouth lifted, not quite a smile, but a playful grin that seemed connected with a string to her core. The laugh lines were the only thing that softened his rough and rugged features. His mouth—delectable and perfect, even when frowning—was shaped for kissing. She remembered how good his tongue felt, his lips teasing and warm. She swept her gaze over his strong, stubbled jaw. He hadn’t shaven and the tips of her fingers ached to touch the dark shadow. He had broad shoulders—wide and strong. She refused to look at the shiny belt buckle, although it beckoned her.