The Cowboy's Secret

by Jill Kemerer

  She had a feeling there were about a million things left unsaid between each short statement. “I take it you didn’t want him to sell it?”

  He met her eyes then. So much hurt was in them, she was tempted to reach over and touch his arm to comfort him.

  “I didn’t even know he wanted to sell it.”

  “He didn’t ask you about it? Warn you in advance?” Her stomach clenched. It sounded mean. Needlessly hurtful.

  “No,” he said quietly, his gaze focused ahead. “I’ve blamed him. I’ve blamed myself. None of it changes anything. He’s still gone.”

  “What type of business was it?”

  “Can we not talk about it anymore?”

  “Sure.” A few miles sped by as questions piled up in her mind. It must have been hard on Dylan to find out secondhand his father was selling the company. Like her, he’d been betrayed by a parent. “What about your mother?”

  He let out a half-hearted snort. “She was kind of like yours, except she used me to get back at my father. They divorced when I was three.”

  “What do you mean she used you?” Gabby knew people who refused to follow visitation schedules and made life as miserable as possible for their ex-spouses at the expense of their kids. One of her high school friends had developed an eating disorder because of her parents’ drama.

  “She’d fight him about when I could visit and demand more child support. She’s had a few husbands since. Nothing really changes. We don’t talk anymore.”

  “I’m sorry. I understand, but I’m still sorry.”

  “I am, too. I wish people didn’t have to be so selfish sometimes. Your parents missed out on you, and it’s a shame because you’re a really great person.”

  “Thank you.” The compliment warmed her like the summer sun. “It would be great if divorce didn’t have to be so messy. I’m twenty-seven and still miss having parents to lean on.”

  “I know exactly what you mean.” His lips curved into a soft smile. “We’ll make sure Phoebe never feels like a chess piece or an afterthought.”

  We’ll? What did he mean by that?

  “Yes, I’ll do my best to make her feel loved and important.” She watched for his reaction.

  “So will I.”

  “You will? Am I missing something? I thought you were staying here for a month or so.” She tried to ignore the anxiety sizzling through her veins. If he’d changed his mind about staying, he could also change his mind about wanting a more active role—a legal role—in Phoebe’s life. If he went to the courts, they’d probably agree.

  “I am, and I’m not sure what I’m doing next, but I know it won’t be in Texas. I’d like to be closer to Rendezvous, at least within driving distance, to see Phoebe more often. I don’t want her to only know me through birthday cards and Christmas presents.”

  On the surface it made sense. He wasn’t making demands, just stating he wanted to see the baby on a regular basis. But Gabby had seen too much, had been lied to too many times to take his words at face value.

  The words cowboys said sounded good, but their actions never matched up.

  She’d been warming up to Dylan. She actually liked spending time with him. But she couldn’t forget what was important—loving and protecting Phoebe. And to do that, she’d better start safeguarding her own heart before she went and made another stupid mistake like falling for Dylan Kingsley.

  Chapter Eight

  The following Saturday afternoon, Dylan carried a cooler to the pavilion in the city park where a crowd had gathered. A strong wind from last night had mellowed to a gentle breeze, and sunshine made everything bright. Laughter and conversation grew louder as he approached. He couldn’t believe two weeks ago he’d been watching other people hang out in this very park, and now here he was—getting ready to hang out with them, too. He might not belong here the way they all did, but he’d been invited. It was enough for now.

  Enough for now? He scoffed. It would have to be enough for forever. He had no business making long-term plans here, considering no one knew the truth about him.

  He wasn’t like them.

  He hadn’t earned his money. He’d inherited it. And he’d let down the two people he’d loved the most. When Gabby found out the truth, he had a feeling he’d be letting her down, too.

  Stop being negative. What’s the big deal? You’re rich. Who cares? Enjoy this. For once, just relax and enjoy a simple outing.

  He scanned the crowd for the cute, no-nonsense brunette who’d organized this shindig. There she was. Gabby’s dark brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. Her white shorts showed off her trim figure, and her brick red tank top draped like a blouse to her hips. She was laughing at something someone said. He frowned when he saw who she was talking to. He’d seen the guy in church last week. Gabby seemed to be very friendly with him.

  She turned and stared straight at Dylan. Time seemed to stop as their eyes met. Then hers crinkled in the corners as she grinned and waved him over. “Dylan, come meet everyone.”

  A flush of adrenaline spiked through his veins. How had he gotten so fortunate to meet this woman? She was going out of her way to make him feel welcome. And she did it without an ulterior motive, unlike some of the women from his past.

  He strode under the pavilion and placed the cooler he’d borrowed from Stu in line with the other ones, then he wiped his hands down his shorts and made his way to Gabby’s side.

  “Dylan, this is my friend Mason Fanning.” Gabby shifted to look up at him, then extended her arm to indicate the man she’d been talking to. “He’s in my Tuesday night support group. And this is his new bride, Brittany.”

  Relief spread through his chest, and he probably pumped both Mason’s and his beautiful wife’s hands a little too hard.

  “Gabby told us you lost your brother,” Mason said. “I’m sorry. It’s terrible losing someone you love when they’re so young.”

  This guy spoke as if he had experience with it. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

  “You’ll find several people, including myself, around here who have lost special people way too soon. If you need anything, I’m here.”

  He didn’t know what to say. Another stranger going out of his way to welcome him. He didn’t deserve this.

  “Oh, there’s Eden! I’ve been dying to introduce you.” Gabby moved past him to greet her friend. He watched them hug. Gabby dragged her by the hand to him. The petite brunette had an understated beauty. “Dylan, this is Eden Page. She babysits Phoebe for me, and she’s my best friend in the whole world.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” He smiled at her, wanting to put her at ease. A slight blush rose to her cheeks, and her kind eyes instantly made him like her. She was slightly taller than Gabby, with expressive brown eyes and shiny, dark brown hair that slid over her shoulders.

  “It’s good to meet you, too. I’m glad you found Gabby and the baby. Phoebe is such a sweet thing. I’m thankful she’ll have an uncle.”

  “Mason, why didn’t you tell me Ryder was coming?” Gabby’s voice rose with excitement, and once again, she rushed away.

  Dylan turned his attention back to Eden, but her face had lost some of its color. He peered into her eyes. “Hey, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She didn’t look fine.

  “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get you something to drink.”

  Her eyebrows formed a V, but she let him lead her to a picnic table.

  “What can I get you? A Coke? Water?”

  She sat on the bench and stared up at him. “Um, I don’t need anything.”

  “There you are.” Gabby appeared, dragging someone by the hand behind her. “For a minute I thought you guys ditched me.”

  Dylan shifted to introduce himself, but his mouth dropped open instead. Wasn’t this Mason? The man he’d just met?

  “Dylan, this is
Ryder Fanning,” Gabby said. “He’s Mason’s identical twin.”

  “Good to meet you.” Ryder thrust out his hand, and Dylan shook it.

  “Identical twin. I thought I was seeing double for a minute.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

  “Trust me, you’re not the only one.” Ryder grinned. “Mason and I didn’t even know each other existed until last Christmas. It took us a while to get used to seeing each other.”

  “Really? You didn’t know each other? I’ve got to hear this story.” He glanced down at Eden quickly to make sure she wasn’t going to pass out. Her color had returned, and her lips were pursed. She didn’t seem thrilled to have Ryder around, but what did he know?

  “Excuse me.” Eden stood and gave them both a lukewarm smile. “I see someone I need to talk to.”

  Dylan stepped aside so she could leave, and then he turned his attention back to Ryder, but Ryder’s attention was firmly fixed on Eden as she strode away.

  “I’ll be right back. I have to do something.” Ryder followed Eden.

  “That was weird.” Gabby wore a thoughtful expression. “Oh, good. She’s talking to Judd.” She leaned closer to him. “She actually took my advice. I’m floored.”

  “Where’s Phoebe?” It occurred to him he hadn’t seen the little ball of cuteness, yet. He’d stopped in at Gabby’s a few nights this week. She had even allowed him to give Phoebe her bottle and showed him how to change a diaper. He’d mangled the first one, and the second had fallen off when he’d picked up the baby, but the third had stayed put. It was a start.

  “Babs insisted on watching her. She thinks I don’t have enough fun, but she’s wrong.”

  He hadn’t considered how raising Phoebe had impacted Gabby’s life. “Do you miss your life, you know, before raising the baby?”

  “Oh no.” She laughed, her teeth flashing as she grinned. “Life is much better now, well, except for Allison being gone. She would have loved this party.”

  He found it difficult to believe being plunged into motherhood with no help or warning would make anyone’s life better. But Gabby wasn’t the average woman, either.

  “Hey, boss, introduce us to your friend.” The flirtatious blonde he’d met the day he’d walked into the inn materialized with a tall, curvy girl who had light brown hair and hazel eyes.

  Gabby stiffened. Was that a stifled groan? He must have been mistaken, because she smiled brightly. “Dylan, this is Stella Boone, you might remember her from the inn. We work together. And this is Misty Sandpiper.”

  Stella moved to his right side, and Misty somehow edged to his other side, leaving Gabby standing awkwardly in front of them. Both girls began peppering him with questions, and Gabby raised her eyebrows, gave him a smirk and told him she’d be back in a little while. Disappointment broke his concentration, but he forced himself to engage with Stella and Misty.

  As he answered their questions and admitted he was from Dallas, Stella clung to his arm and raved about how she always wanted to go there and how he’d have to take her sometime. He couldn’t picture a scenario where he’d ever take Stella to Dallas, but he nodded politely, all the while keeping an eye on Gabby. A very pregnant woman hugged her, and the cowboy Eden had been chatting with tipped his hat to the pregnant woman. Eden disappeared down a path, and Ryder followed her a few minutes later. Mason had his arm slung over Brittany’s shoulders when several guys broke away from the group to grill the burgers.

  One of the men stopped to talk to Gabby. Dylan narrowed his eyes. The guy looked to be in his late twenties, and he was handsome, lean and muscular. Dylan could see the appreciative gleam in the guy’s gaze clear over here, and the cowboy kept getting closer to Gabby. She laughed at whatever he said, and then he had the audacity to whisper something in her ear.

  Dylan clenched his hands into fists.

  “Don’t you think so, Dylan?” Stella asked.

  “What?” He had to pull it together. What was Stella talking about anyhow?

  “We should plan a day trip to the hot springs soon.”

  “Oh, right. Sounds fun.” It didn’t sound fun, though, not unless Gabby was coming. “I’m real busy at the ranch. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get away.”

  “But you have to come with us. Stu won’t mind if you play hooky one afternoon.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

  He wouldn’t say it out loud, but the only woman he’d consider skipping out on the ranch for was Gabby. And from the looks of it, he wasn’t the only cowboy in town who felt that way.

  * * *

  Where had Eden disappeared to? Gabby barely listened to Cash McCoy’s tale of getting bucked off a bull at last weekend’s rodeo. Eden was supposed to be making an effort with Judd Wilson, but Judd was standing silently near Nicole, who didn’t seem bothered by the lack of conversation. And Eden was nowhere in sight.

  How was she going to get Eden on a date if she was never around the guys who would date her?

  The one person who would be guaranteed a date after the picnic was Dylan. The way the single ladies were fawning over him was getting annoying. She hadn’t invited him here to jump-start his dating life. The only one she wanted to play matchmaker for was Eden.

  She discreetly scanned the crowd and caught Dylan laughing at something Stella and Misty said. Those two had latched on to each of his arms like rabid nurses conducting earth’s final blood drive. Seriously, didn’t they have anyone else to talk to? They acted like he was a celebrity or something.

  He was probably lapping up all the female attention. How long would it be before he was too busy to stop by and see Phoebe? She wouldn’t think about it. Wasn’t this what she wanted, anyhow? For him to get bored and move on so her life could go back to normal?

  Well, it had been nice of him to bring over dinner Tuesday and Thursday this week. He’d been as excited as she was when Phoebe crawled throughout the living room. And when she’d insisted on teaching him some of the basics of baby care, he’d taken her guidance like a champ. She wished she would have videotaped him changing Phoebe’s diaper—it had been hilarious.

  She frowned. Would she and Phoebe get shoved aside as afterthoughts when Dylan knew more people? Especially pretty girls like Stella and Misty? Her gaze tracked to where a small crowd of women had gathered around him.

  It appeared he’d freed his left arm from Misty’s claws and was attempting to loosen Stella’s grip, as well. He stepped away from them. She wished she could hear what he’d said. Their disappointed faces soothed her irritation.

  “Excuse me, Cash, but I think the guys are done grilling the burgers. I’m going to announce it’s time to eat.” She was glad to have an excuse to get away from him. Cash was exactly the kind of cowboy she avoided thinking about romantically—he knew he was good-looking, and he charmed every girl he came across.

  “Everyone,” she yelled, clapping her hands, “the food is done—” No one could hear her.

  A high-pitched whistle got everyone’s attention. Dylan’s index finger and pinky were in his mouth as he whistled again. The pavilion grew quiet.

  He approached her and grinned. “Thought you could use some help.”

  Her heart should not be singing a show tune right now.

  “Thanks for coming, everyone,” she said loudly. “Go ahead and get in line for the food—it’s all ready.”

  “Mind if I say grace, Gabby?” Mason said before the conversations resumed.

  “That would be terrific.”

  They all bowed their heads, and as soon as the short prayer was finished, a line formed at the tables covered with checkered tablecloths and filled with casseroles, salads, slices of watermelon and trays of cookies and cakes.

  She loved potlucks. And picnics. And sunny days at the park surrounded by good friends.

  “Should we get in line?” Dylan interrupted her reverie.

  “Sure, but I und
erstand if you’d rather eat with your fan club.” She kind of hoped he would. Then her suspicions would be confirmed, and she could stifle some of the tender feelings she’d been having toward him.

  “My fan club?” His face grew red. “Please don’t ever leave me alone with them again.”

  “Why not?” Was he being serious? They fell into the back of the line.

  “I feel more comfortable with you.” His brown eyes gleamed with sincerity.

  The compliment rushed through her, blowing down the house of cards guarding her heart.

  Dylan preferred to be with her. He chose to be with her over younger, prettier women.

  Do you really believe it? It’s a classic cowboy move. Make you think he prefers you to them, then go behind your back and flirt with them. As soon as we’re done eating, he’ll find an excuse to talk to them again.

  They filled their plates and took seats at a long picnic table. Mason and Brittany joined them. Then Ryder and Nicole, followed by Judd. Eden sat across from Judd.

  Gabby bit into her burger. At least one thing was going right. Eden and Judd were having a conversation. Her friend even chuckled at something he said.

  Gabby relaxed. She didn’t need to get all amped up over nothing. Who cared if Dylan really did prefer her company to Stella’s and Misty’s? She had no interest in being more than friends. She’d be thankful she got along with him...for Phoebe’s sake.

  The next hour was filled with friendly conversation, way too many desserts, and then some of the guys drifted away to try their hands at horseshoes. The ladies found seats in the shade to chat while they watched.

  “That’s quite the hunky uncle Phoebe has.” Brittany’s eyes sparkled as she turned to Gabby. Her tone was all teasing. “Must be terribly hard to spend time with him.”

  “How long’s he staying, Gabby?” Nicole turned to her, curiosity all over her face.

  “I don’t know.” She sounded snippy and knew it. “If you’d like to take him off my hands and spend time with him, you’re welcome to it.”