Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (22 page)

Every muscle in his body tensed. “Dakota, that’s not true. Let me ex—”

“I don’t want to hear it. I have a share of blame in this. I knew you could never allow me inside of your heart and I still maintained hope. I had a good cheering section in Hope and Tucker, but I think even they knew you wouldn’t be capable of moving forward. I’m leaving.”

A raw sensation spread through him. “Where will you go?” He was glad his voice worked.

“The shop, the upstairs apartment. It’s finished, has furniture and ready to live in. If Becca needs anything, just call me. I’m still here for her, if that means anything.”

He watched her walk away and his heart pounded hard in his chest. He wanted to go after her, but what would he say? Tucker had warned him this would happen. Hell, he knew how easily happiness could be washed away.

Chapter Sixteen

Dakota poured water into two tea cups and handed Kennedy one across the bar.

“I can’t believe how much work has been done here. It doesn’t look like the same place compared to the pictures you showed me.” Kennedy sipped from her cup. “Is this the new blend you wanted me to try?”

“Yes.” Dakota looked down into the swirling black liquid that matched her feelings. “Cash brought in all of the workers and they moved fast. The opening date is in a week.” Dakota looked around at the finished product. From the walls to the floors, everything was ready for business, especially her. It had been two weeks since she packed her suitcase and left Havens Ranch. A part of her had been disappointed that Cash didn’t come after her, but a bigger part had already known he wouldn’t. She missed him, but she couldn’t have lived another day surrounded by his memories. Hope told her he wasn’t talking to anyone and seemed angry at the world.

She and Kennedy had become friends after they ran into each other a few days after Dakota had moved into the apartment.“I wanted you to know that Cash called me today. He wants me to come and visit Becca, with an agreement that we take things slow.”

Dakota smiled. “Kennedy, I’m so happy for you. I’m glad that he’s made the offer. I knew he would once he absorbed all of the facts.”

“He hasn’t called you yet?”

Looking through the steam of her cup, Dakota sighed. “No, and I don’t think he will.”

“I don’t know him very well, but he seems like a man who plays his cards close. I can speak from my own experience, it’s easy to allow bitterness to own one’s heart.”

“I hear what you’re saying, but I want his love and I’m not willing to accept anything less than what I’m deserving of. I held out that he would grow to love me, want me, find a place for me inside his heart, but instead I came upon a dead end. I could have stayed, shared his bed and been with Becca, but eventually I would have been resentful. Becca doesn’t need a step-mother who is sad and always wanting something she can’t have. Thankfully, I’m still seeing Becca every day. I get her from school and keep her until Cash picks her up that evening.”

“I just find it hard to believe he doesn’t come in to see you.”

“I pretty much pushed him in a corner. I can’t live in that house another second, not like it is.”

Kennedy patted her hand. “He is a stupid man if he lets you get away. Rebecca would be pleased to have you in her daughter’s life.”

“Thank you. How are things with the new position?”

“Dr. Huselton is a man who is set in his ways…and practices like he’s back in the dinosaur ages. He’s another man who doesn’t believe in change.” She shook her head. “But I’ll prove that modern techniques do have their place in medicine.”

“I’m glad you’re here. And I hope you mean it when you say you’ll be my best customer at the coffee shop.”

“Honey, trust me, coffee is a doctor’s best friend.”

They laughed. Dakota’s phone vibrated next to her on the bar. She checked the screen. “Hmm. It’s Cash. He’s left me a text. He wants me to meet him at an address.”

“Is everything okay?”

“It doesn’t say why, but that’s odd.”

Kennedy slipped from the stool. “Then you should go. Will you be fine?”

“Yes, I’ll be okay. I’m glad you stopped by.”

They gave each other a quick hug and before Kennedy walked out, she turned. “I hope everything works out for you.”

Dakota had a sliver of hope, but fear kept her from expecting much. Lonely nights in a cold bed made her realize all too well that she’d allowed herself to have foolish faith.

****

Cash sat on the porch watching Dakota pull up and slide out from the driver’s side. His heart skipped a beat and acrid rose in his throat. He had one chance and he couldn’t blow this.

She strolled toward him and she made every muscle in his body come alive. He’d missed her. “Thank you for coming.” He stood up from the step.

“Why am I here and not at the farmhouse? Is Becca okay?” Her hair was pulled back on top and tendrils floated around her flushed cheeks.

“Yes, Becca is fine.”

“So then why did you invite me here? Is this place empty?” She looked around.

“For now, but not long I hope. Tucker and I own this place now.”

“It’s nice. The house is pretty.”

“I’m glad you think so. It’s yours if you want it.”

She blinked. “Mine? What would I do alone in a big place like this?”

He sighed at his own miscommunication. “Let me say this again.” He pulled off his hat and slammed a hand through his hair. “It’s for our family. Becca, you and me, and maybe a few more down the road.”

Seconds ticked by. “I appreciate the thought, but I can’t go back to the way things were.”

He took a step closer, wanting to rush and grab her into his arms, but she needed to hear everything he had to say. “I’ve been stupid, Dakota. I should have made a better home for you long ago. But you have to know, I need you to know, that I love you. You’re not second in my heart. I didn’t realize I could love so strongly, find happiness again until you came into my life. If you can forgive me, I’ll prove to you every day, from this day on, just how much I want you in my life. Not as only a step-mother to Becca. Not just as a lover. I want our love. Our family. I want to give you everything and make you happy.”

A single tear slipped to her cheek and she swiped it away. “It took you two weeks to realize this?”

“I was angry. I couldn’t believe you left me, when I’d already decided we needed a fresh start.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I really am. I knew I couldn’t go another day without you in my life. You leaving showed me what I needed. Please come back, sweetheart.”

“On one condition.”

Oh hell, not another condition. “Dakota—”

She held up a hand to stop him. “That we share a bed, each night for the rest our lives. You kiss me. Hold me. Make love to me. Tell me that you love me on special occasions, and on no occasion at all. I will be there for you. I will love you and give you a family. And mostly, we shall take lots of pictures and hang them on these walls.”

He swallowed. “I’m sorry about the pictures, sweetheart.”

“I’m not done yet. I want a picture of Rebecca to hang on our wall too. She is Becca’s mother and I’d never, ever try to take her place.”

He couldn’t hold back any longer. He marched to her and grabbed her up into his arms, swinging her around. “I love you, Dakota Bailey. With all my heart.”

“That’s good. Now let’s go inside and see how many bedrooms this place has.” She kissed his cheek, his lips and his jawline.

“Five bedrooms, sweetheart,” he whispered.

“Think we can fill them all?” She wagged her brows. “Starting in about eight months?”

His brows scrunched. “Eight months? Are you saying…?”

She smiled. “Yes, I’m saying that I found out just this morning.” She palmed her flat stomach. “I was beginning to wonder how I’d tell you.”

“Oh, baby. You’ve made me the happiest man this side of Texas.”

And together they walked into their new home.

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Hugs,

Rhonda Lee Carver  “Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”

At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas would no longer be contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first rough draft was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.

Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.

When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee.

I hope you’ve enjoyed
Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8 of the Second Chance Series)

For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit:

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Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver

Diamond in a Rose

Double Dare

Delaney’s Sunrise

Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)

Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)

Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)

Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)

Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)

Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)

Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)

Castle’s Fortress

Dreaming Ivy

Friends With Benefits

Sin With Cuffs

With Honor

Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)

Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)

Fighting Flames

UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)

Under the Mistletoe

Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)

Leather for Two, Wings of Steel MC

Have you read Cowboy Paradise (Book 1, Cowboys of Nirvana)? Here’s a gift to you…Chapter One.

Chapter One

Three years later…

The creaking and popping of the old Victorian house brought Cara to a sitting position in bed. She listened closer, but only heard silence. She was alone.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose and wiping the beads of sweat from her brow, she forced her breath in and out of her lungs, calming the fast beating of her heart. The last panic attack had been months ago and she wasn’t about to have another one. Not tonight.

She’d had a nightmare about James—a nightly event that she had no control over. Three years had passed since the accident, the one that had brought her freedom, yet the damage had already been done.

After James had accused her of sleeping with Tommy Baker, and slapped her around, Cara had blacked out. When she awoke a few minutes later, she’d heard the whirling of sirens. Then what happened was a blur. He was arrested and Cara was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she was met by a concerned Cleo.  She’d admitted that she’d called the sheriff because she worried about Cara’s safety.  Once released from the hospital a few hours later, Cara went to the sheriff’s department where picture after picture was taken, and statement after statement was given.