Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (14 page)

“There’s really no reason. Hope has her hands full with Marah and Dalton.”

Disappointment slithered down his spine. This wasn’t headed where he’d hoped it would. “Dakota, are you mad because Lanie is here?”

She tilted her chin. “Why should I be? It’s really none of my business.”

The heat of her words could have fried an egg. “It is your business considering we’re married now.”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “True, we’re married.”

The stabbing feeling that things were heading south multiplied. “If you’re thinking Lanie means anything to me—”

“No, Cash. That’s not what I’m thinking. I’m fine, maybe a little tired. We should get back to our guests or they’ll think we’ve disappeared.”

“I guess you’re right.” Warning signs popped up into his head. He should talk to her, find out what Lanie said that bothered her because he knew something wasn’t right.

Instead, he needed to go straight to the source. Dakota went back to the dwindling crowd and Cash scanned it from the buffet table. He found Lanie standing by Brody, her hand laid on his arm possessively.
Poor Brody.

They saw Cash approach and Brody dipped his hat in greeting. “There’s the groom. We were just chatting about you.”

“Is that right. I’d love to ask what the conversation was about if I didn’t have something more important to speak to Lanie about.” Disgust spiraled through Cash seeing Lanie’s proud smile. The woman was full of herself.

“Sure thing, boss.” Brody left them alone.

“I’m flattered you wanted to speak to me Cash Bailey. I didn’t think you’d even noticed that I wore your favorite color.” Lanie cocked one hip.

“You were right. I didn’t notice,” he said through thin lips.

Her eyes widened slightly then narrowed. “What do you want to speak to me about?” Some of the smugness left her face.

“Why did you come?”

She chuckled. “You asked me to, remember?”

“I didn’t ask you. I only mentioned the ceremony.” He gritted his teeth.

“You’re certainly not being very kind right now, that’s for sure.” Her bottom lip puckered.

“What did you say to Dakota?”

The haughtiness returned. “Oh my, are you telling me she came running to you after our little chat?”

“No, she didn’t, because I have a feeling if she did I would have kicked you off this ranch long ago.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, almost sending her breasts spilling out of the top. “I only told the truth, Cash. You two married so she would inherit Delores’s money. I know you and you were looking for a mother for Becca, that’s all. There’s no reason why we can’t still see each other. I’m very good at keeping secrets.” She walked her nails up his sleeve.

He chuckled. “Is that so?” He shook his head. “I married Dakota because she belongs here, unlike you.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What?”

“It’s nice of you to stop out, have a couple of drinks, but I think it’s best if you call it a day. The alcohol has gone to your head.”

“You’ll regret this. I swear you will.” Her eyes misted, but Cash didn’t feel an ounce of guilt.

Chapter Ten

“Let me get this straight. You and Cash haven’t slept together yet?” Hope narrowed her eyes, looking at Dakota over the cup. “You’re kidding me, right? It’s been a week since you two got hitched.”

Dakota rolled her finger around the rim of her mug, looking down into the steam. “We agreed we wouldn’t.”

Hope’s moan brought Dakota’s head up. “You decided this or did he?”

“We both did.”

“Oh, sweetie. Is this really what you want, or are you serving up a plate of pride because you think he only married you for Becca’s sake?”

Dakota sighed. “I can’t deny the connection between Cash and me. I feel like we’ve been walking the tight rope since I came to town, but I have to face the facts, he married me because it works for him—it works for both of us. He gets a mother for Becca and I, well, I get a daughter and a lot of money. I can start planting roots, open a business like I’ve always wanted to, and make Delores proud, something I didn’t do much of when she was alive.”

Hope patted her hand. “Hun, I’m sorry. I can see the need for not forcing things, but I’ve been there before, allowing pride to stand between me and the man I love.”

Dakota shifted her gaze. “This is different.”

“So you don’t think there are feelings involved here? I’ve known Cash for a long time. If he was looking just to find a mother for Becca, he would have found one a long time ago, back when he was balancing fatherhood, work and emotions and had no clue which path to travel. It’s possible the problem here is in regard to the emotions involved.” Hope pushed her cup aside. “We all fear loving someone and not being loved back.”

“Cash and I barely know each other.”

“I fell in love with Tucker the day I met him. I think when you meet the person you’re supposed to be with, you see beyond the physical appearance, beyond all of the obstacles and walls, and straight into the soul. Let me ask, Dakota, have x-ray vision lately?”

Dakota laughed, but it fizzled. “Look around you, Hope. Cash can’t love anyone else, not when he’s stuck in a time warp. I’m living in another woman’s house and I don’t want to make love to another woman’s man.”

“I’m going to share something with you.” Hope scooted back in her chair. “Rebecca and I spoke before she passed away. She knew Cash would have a hard time moving on and letting go. Tucker’s the same way, so I understood completely. The Bailey men have a strong sense of loyalty. Once they open their heart, nothing, not even death, can close it. They have big, caring hearts and you’ll never reside in the same place that Rebecca did in Cash, but you’ll find your own place and it’ll be everything you want, and more.” 

“I felt he wanted this, between us, but when he spends all day and evening working, I get the feeling he’s avoiding me.” Dakota took a sip from her cup, forcing the liquid down her throat.

“A rancher’s job isn’t nine to five. Have you spoken to him about your feelings?”

“I should, I know. He’s my husband, after all. Wow…that’s a mouth full.”

“And husband and wife must communicate. You have to be the change you want to see in him. Start finding that place that I mentioned.” Hope winked.

“Delores brought me here and I feel for the first time I have a chance at having the things I’ve wanted. She knew I belonged here.”

Hope smiled. “She knew I belonged here too. And now she’s right where she wanted to be, with her family again.”

“I believe that, I really do. She left me a letter and told me how much she wished I was here with her.” Dakota looked out the window through misty vision.

“Don’t go beating yourself up again, honey. As much as she wanted you here, she understood you had a life back in Oklahoma.”

“But you see, the problem is, I didn’t have a life. I was searching, but I’m still not quite sure what I was searching for. Then I came here and I feel like I belong.”

Hope patted her hand. “You do belong here. The way Becca looks at you, be still the heart. That child is head over heels enthralled with you. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous. She usually asks me to make her cookies and now she says you make the best.”

Dakota sighed. “You shouldn’t be jealous—”

“I’m only teasing. I’m happy for her, and you. I’m especially happy for Cash. At the wedding I caught him looking at you. I can’t explain what I saw in his expression, but let’s just say, Becca isn’t the only one attached.”

If only Dakota could believe that. She wanted to, more than anything. But the fear of losing everything lingered in the forefront of her mind.

****

Cash came through the front door and the first thing he smelled was dinner. His mouth salivated and his empty belly grumbled. Dakota had called him several hours ago wondering if he’d make supper, but he’d been in the middle of a crisis. He was a few hours late and he doubted anything was saved back for him, not that he blamed her. He was lucky she even gave him the time of day after all of the hours he’d spent on the land lately.

Hanging his hat on the hook, he started for the stairs when he heard noise from the kitchen. Stepping down the hall, he found Dakota on her hands and knees, her shorts high on her bottom and his cock stiffened until he thought his zipper would burst. For a week she’d been under the same roof, wearing his ring, and he’d reminded himself every hour that he’d made a promise to keep his hands off his wife. Damn, if she only knew how crazy it was making him. All week he’d been out at the crack of dawn and staying out long after sunset. Maybe it was a Godsend that anything that could go wrong on the ranch, did.

He’d kept his deal and made sure he didn’t look at Dakota the wrong way, even a glimpse that would risk him touching her. It got harder and harder—literally.

Now here she was, on the floor, on all fours and in a pair of shorts designed to make men slobber and melt into their boots. He wasn’t immune. He had it bad for his wife.

He cleared his throat and she popped her head around, her cheeks were a promising pink and her lips parted in a surprised O.

“Sorry, darlin’. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

She stood, tossed a dirty paper towel in the trash and swiped her hand down the stonewashed denim of her tiny shorts. “I spilled milk on the floor.”

“You know what they say. Don’t cry over spilled milk.”

“Hungry?’

“Always.” He forced a smile to his lips, contradicting the fact that he was spiraling on the inside.

“I saved you back something.” She opened the oven door, took out a heaping plate as he took a seat at the table. Steak and potatoes. Just what a man needed after a hard day’s work.

“Thank you.” He dug in. He half expected her to leave him alone, but instead she surprised him by pulling out a chair and joining him. He looked at her above his fork, watching her. Her old pale color was now a glowing tan. Ranch life suited her.

“You got a call today.”

He chewed and knocked it back with a drink of beer. “Yeah?”

“Kennedy. She said you’d know what she wanted to talk about.”

He dropped his fork and it
clanged
the china plate. “I figured it wouldn’t take her long before she called.”

“She seemed nice.” Dakota played with the corner of a napkin.

“I guess so.” He shrugged.

“I think she has good intentions where Becca is concerned.” She now tore the napkin, shredding it. Restless agitation maybe?

“Everyone has good intentions until you find out who they really are.”

“It’s Becca’s aunt. Rebecca’s sister.”

He nodded. “Long lost sister.” He finished off his food and pushed the plate to the side. Dakota started to stand, reaching for his plate, but he stopped her. She was so small and he could wrap his fingers around her wrist, tips touching. “No, don’t wash my dish. I can take of this.”

“Okay,” she plopped back into the seat and he removed his hand. “Does Becca know about her?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

He shrugged. “Because I just met her myself recently. I didn’t realize there was a timeframe on this.”

“What if Kennedy happens to show up and Becca sees her? That could be hurtful.”

He drank half his beer, feeling his tense muscles relax some. He could see Dakota’s point. “I haven’t mulled it over much.”

“She mentioned staying in town.”

“I can’t make her leave.” He sighed and dropped his hand on the table. The plate popped up, sending the fork over the side. The last thing he wanted to think about right now was Kennedy.

“I have to ask, Cash, are you keeping this from happening because you don’t trust Kennedy or because you’re afraid you’ll find out more about Rebecca than you want to hear?”

His head whirled. “She could say anything and how would we know what the truth is?”

“I think the letter Rebecca wrote says what matters.”

He rubbed his tired eyes and leaned his elbows on the table. “So you think I should set up a visit between Becca and Kennedy?”

“It’s not my decision to make.”

“I’m asking. What do you think?” He watched how her expressive eyes told of her emotions.

“What would it hurt? Becca could benefit from this. What you don’t want to do is steal this opportunity from her.”

“It’s just, ya know, it’s hard allowing people into her life.” He peeled at the label on his bottle.

“Yes, it is, but people come into someone’s life for a reason. We shouldn’t let chances pass us by.” She stood up. “I’m going upstairs.”

He watched her walk away, the sway of her hips making a statement…a huge one.

He lowered his forehead to the table and banged it gently against the wood. He was going crazy. Why had he ever agreed to keep his hands to himself? The other times they’d gotten close, he could feel the need in her too.

Hell, he needed to straighten this issue out with Dakota. She said it herself, “We shouldn’t let opportunities pass us by”. He knew that all too well. She’d done nothing but the right things since she moved into the guest bedroom. She’d helped with Becca. Cooked, cleaned, and was in bed by the time he came into the house each evening—none of these things he’d expected or asked from her.  He was the problem. He’d made her think he wanted her as a stand in mother and not a wife.