Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8)

by Carver, Rhonda Lee

“But I don’t have the money to do anything with it, and it could take months, even years, to sell the building.” Her sniffs turned into sobs and she couldn’t wipe her tears fast enough.

  He took a step closer, the tip of his boots rubbing her shoes. “Sticking around wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”

  “You’re completely misunderstanding where I’m coming from.” She threaded her fingers through her hair. She looked up at him through moist eyelashes and an invisible foot kicked him in the gut. “I didn’t come here for all of this…to inherit money, to meet you, or to get stuck here.”

  He blinked. “I didn’t say that you did.”

  “I especially didn’t come here to screw you,” she said through snuffles.

  “Damn, Dakota, I definitely didn’t think that you came here to screw.”

  “It sure did seem like you thought that’s what I was doing here last night.” She clamped her mouth tight.

  “I’m sorry about that, but I was caught up in the moment and so were you.”

  “I don’t really know why I’m so emotional. Suddenly I feel like I’m carrying a load of baggage.”

  “Or maybe you’ve just realized that you have an anchor.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He shrugged. “You don’t have roots. Not in a job, not in a family, not in a home. I think you’re scared of commitment, and receiving an inheritance is certainly a big one.”

  “And you have a right to talk. Your wife has been gone for five years and yet you hang on as if you’re afraid to move forward.”

  He leaned against the rail. “I have no idea what you mean.”

  “Your house is a shrine to the past. You can’t even do the repairs around here because it would change the way things were when she died.”

  He scratched his jaw. “I’m more than willing to change.”

  “Is that right? I happen to disagree.” She wrapped her arms around her stomach.

  “To show you how wrong you are, I think we should get married.”

  Chapter Eight

  Dakota stared at Cash. A cloud washed over her.

  “What did you say?”

  “I think you and I should get married,” he said the words with such ease, no hesitation whatsoever.

  She laughed, but it fizzled. He stayed straight-faced. “Married? You must think I’m desperate to get the money.”

  He rubbed his forehead, knuckled his hat, pushing it back on his head. “I don’t think you’re desperate, but I do think you’re logical. The way that I see it, we can both gain from a union.”

  Blinking, she wrapped her mind around what he offered. “A union? Between us? We don’t even know each other.” Was she even contemplating his offer? She should just say ‘no’, but then why wouldn’t her tongue form that one, simple word? He couldn’t possibly mean it anyway.

  “People marry for far less.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Serious as a horse racing in the Kentucky Derby.”

  The breeze picked up and a chill raced across her skin. “Usually people have time to think a question like this over.”

  He shrugged and she swore she heard a seam break. “You don’t have to answer right now.”

  “Let me ask, what do you get from this?” Her bottom lip trembled, much like her insides. She couldn’t believe they were actually discussing marriage. What looney train did she step off of on her way here?

  There was a long hesitation. He was never at a loss of words, but there was a first time for everything. “You’re good with Becca. She likes you.”

  The proposal wouldn’t rate as a top best, and she should be disappointed that the only reason he wanted to marry her was for Becca, but a part of her found his reasoning admirable. After all, she had grown to care for Becca and being her mother, step-mother, wouldn’t be a bad thing at all. But could she marry Cash just to become a part of the family? They were a package deal. And what would he expect from her? She didn’t want to give him any more ammunition. He already had a virility about him that brought her to her knees, but it didn’t look like she had any other choice. Standing there on the porch, the boards creaking under her weight, she decided she needed to lay it all out on the line. “It’s not about the money, Cash.”

  “You don’t need it?” His soft voice dripped like an IV of morphine into her bloodstream.

  She growled in frustration. “I-I have fifty dollars to my name. Does it sound like I need it?” Breathless from standing so close to him, she took a step back, pressing against the rail.

  Cash’s gaze darkened, intoxicating blue eyes broke through her barrier. Why couldn’t she resist his charm?

  “Delores didn’t do this as punishment, Dakota. I think she knew exactly what she was doing.”

  “I think she’s playing cupid from her grave.”

  He chuckled, but the wind caught it and carried it away. “She could always work magic. Why would it stop now?”

  Exhaling, she clutched the wood. “I quit my job before I left home. I have nothing to go back to.”

  He dragged off his hat and hooked it on the rail. “I understand I’m probably not what you’re wanting in a husband, but I’m hard working and I’ll provide.”

  She met his gaze. Dakota was hanging on by a thread here and this good looking cowboy stood before her, and for the first time she wanted to fall into a set of brawny arms. She had a real chance of making a home here, to be part of a family, but why did it scare the shit out of her? She’d run for so long that slowing down had become difficult, if not impossible. Now it made sense what her aunt tried to do for Dakota. She wanted her to set roots…find a home.

  “I don’t even have a place to stay here. I can’t live with Hope and Tucker.” Her voice caught.

  “I think something can be arranged.”

  Her lips quaked. “Tell me, what would that be?”

  “Right here. We have three extra bedrooms to choose from. Take your pick.”

  “If we get married?” Her stomach looped.

  “And even if we don’t.”

  The air turned stifling hot. “Why would you offer?”

  “Texas hospitality.” He grinned, playing her veins like a violin.

  “I’ve heard that before.”

  “It’s the truth.” His eyes glowed like magnetic jewels.

  “I’m curious. Who was the woman sitting with you at the diner this morning? You seemed very captivated in the conversation.”

  Surprise flashed across his rugged features. “You were there?”

  “I would have said hello but I didn’t think it would have been good for me to interrupt the cozy breakfast.” Yes, these were her words leaving her mouth, full of jealousy. She should be ashamed, and yet, if she even considered the thought of marrying him, she needed to understand where he stood—where they stood.

  He swept his palm down his jaw. “Her name is Kennedy and there’s a lot more there than you’d ever guess.”

  “Oh, I bet there is.” The sliver of jealousy turned into a snake, weaving its way through her heart, into her stomach. “Have you asked this Kennedy to marry you too?”

  One thick brow lifted. “No. I was married to her sister.”

  “I—what?” That’s why she looked familiar.

  “It’s nothing what you think. There’s a whole story there, and one that I’m not even clear on myself.” He rubbed his chin and his calloused palm scraped against the layer of beard. “Rebecca and Kennedy had a falling out and she had no clue she had a niece until she read an article about me in some bachelor magazine.”

  “Texas Bachelors? That’s where all of the mail came from scattered across your table.” Should she be relieved that he mentioned the article?

  He nodded. “Some silly idea Hope came up with.” He rubbed a hand through his hair, agitation making his jaw hard. “It appears once Kennedy realized she had a long lost relative, she wants to be a part of her life.”

  Dakota tried to follow what he was s
aying. “So you’ve never met Kennedy before?”

  He shook his head, sending his hair down his forehead. “Not until yesterday.”

  “Wow. That’s a lot to digest. But if Rebecca and Kennedy are sisters, why hadn’t they spoken in such a long time?”

  “It might be best if you read this.” He reached into his front pocket and brought out a crumpled paper.

  Dakota took it, went to the rocker and sat. After she was finished, she refolded the paper and laid it on the small glass table. “Rebecca slept with her sister’s husband?”

  He exhaled. “It seems so. It’s as surprising as hell to learn something about someone you thought you knew like the back of your hand.”

  “I don’t think anyone ever truly knows another person. Everyone has secrets and hidden agendas.”

  He tilted his jaw. “I didn’t think Rebecca did.”

  “I didn’t think Joseph did either.” Her mouth went dry. She hadn’t spoken his name since they broke up.

  “Joseph?”

  “My ex-fiance. I should look at the positive side. I learned of his discrepancies with other women before the wedding.” She smiled, but her cheeks ached.

  He pushed off the rail and took the seat next to her. “I don’t understand that shit at all.”

  “What’s not to understand? He wanted me as his partner, and someone else as his lover.”

  “I don’t get why he’d need anyone else if he had you.”

  His words struck a chord in her. “I don’t think I ever knew him either. I certainly know he never got me. But in your case, you and Rebecca were married and she loved you, and Becca. That’s obvious by the words she wrote in the letter to her sister. She wanted to make everything right with the people she cared for, but maybe she couldn’t tell you because she didn’t want you to think differently of her.”

  One corner of his mouth lowered. “She was a good woman. She made a mistake.”

  Dakota nodded. “We all do.”

  “Kennedy believes she can add to Becca’s life.”

  “I wonder why Rebecca didn’t mention Becca in the letter.”

  “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

  “You’ll make the right decision. I’m sure.” Dakota rubbed her hands down her thighs.

  “What about you, sweetheart? Will you make a decision?”

  She realized the unspoken question. “I need some time.”

  How had this man reached in and found parts of her she’d thought were buried? Somehow life here at Havens opened a new book for Dakota—blank pages waiting for her story. Where would she go from here?

  ****

  Cash poured himself a cup of coffee and took it out on the porch. The sun was shining and the blue sky promised a cloudless day—just too bad he had storms brewing inside his head.

  He hadn’t slept more than a few winks last night and he blamed a petite blonde who’d haunted his sleep—and his wakeful hours—since she’d popped into his unexciting life. And what did he go and do? Up and asked her to marry him. Pfft. Either he’d lost his sanity, or for the first time in his life he was saner than he’d ever been. He didn’t regret one second asking Dakota to be his wife, and that should scare the hell out of him, but instead it made him feel alive.

  He wasn’t a man with a lot of skill when it came to being romantic or relationships. Rebecca had never needed or wanted flowers, poems, or jewelry. Hell, thinking back, maybe she did and he just didn’t provide.

  Fact was he liked Dakota and found her to be someone he wanted to get to know better. He guessed he could have done it the easy way by dating like normal people, but when it crossed his mind that she could leave town, he’d been overcome by an urge to keep her close.

  Sure, he had a hankering deep in his groin that ached for release, but what single man wouldn’t for a beauty like Dakota. He had another craving that ran far deeper than sex would ever satisfy. He wanted her in his life, every day.

  Fuck!

  The realization struck him like the impact of a semi-truck. Why did he open himself up to her? Hell, she’d snuck in when he least expected it, batted her expressive eyes and he was a goner.

  He laughed at his calamity. He was falling for a stranger.

  Could be worse. In fact, he quite enjoyed ‘liking’ Dakota Childs. She made his day brighter.

  And when he heard the familiar rumbling of the loud exhaust coming up the lane, his heart pitter-pattered like a schoolboy’s. Sheesh. Get it together, man.

  She slipped out of her car and walked up the sidewalk as he skimmed his gaze over her. He could have melted into the cracks of the dilapidated wood. The short hem of her skirt hit a few inches above her knees, swaying, teasing him. The tank top held the firm mounds of her breasts that bounced just enough to remind him how they felt in his palms. Her toned, tanned legs would fit nicely around his hips as he drove deep—

  “You’re up. Good.” Her hands sunk to her hips, tilted at a saucy angle. “We need to talk.”

  He meandered his gaze back to her face, but the bulge in his zipper didn’t ease, not even an inch. “Coffee?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. I gotta say what’s on my mind.”

  “Shoot.”

  Her tongue swept out, moistening her bottom lip and hunger pangs spiraled through him. He had it bad and it felt so damn good. “Yes, Cash Bailey, I’ll be your wife.”

  He stood up so fast his coffee sloshed over the side, right onto his hand. He didn’t even notice the burning sensation because of the scorching inside his body. “Yes?” Hell, this was the last thing he’d expected this bright and early.

  “Well, you meant it, didn’t you?” One corner of her mouth slipped into a frown. He couldn’t have that. A pretty face deserved a smile.

  “Of course I meant it. I wouldn’t joke about something like getting married.”

  “On two conditions.” One thin brow popped up. Cash didn’t like conditions. “I understand this is in name only. You said you had three guest rooms and I could have my choice.”

  “You want to sleep apart?” His gut jerked.

  “I wouldn’t want to muddle things.”

  “Do you think I asked you to marry me so I could fuck you?”

  She nibbled at the corner of her mouth. “No. I think you asked me to marry you so Becca would have a mother.”

  He gritted his teeth. He wanted to argue, but what argument did he have? Wanting Dakota in Becca’s life had a lot to do with the proposal, but he couldn’t deny a big part of him wanted a wife. But would she believe him? “Dakota—”

  “I only ask that you’re always honest with me.”

  He blinked. “I’ve never been a dishonest man. I wouldn’t start now. What made you decide to say yes?”

  Several expressions flitted across her face. “Becca. She changed my mind. I like the idea of being a part of her family.”

  The realization struck him like a sledgehammer to the head. He was getting married again.

  Chapter Nine

  “Is this about sex, bro?”

  Cash stared at his brother across the space of the room where they waited for the wedding ceremony to start. “I wouldn’t marry any woman just for a fuck,” he growled the words. “Suddenly everyone thinks I’m a sex-starved jerk.” He sniffed loudly.

  Tucker adjusted his hat. “Okay then. I just had to ask.”

  Checking himself in the mirror again, Cash hadn’t dressed this fancy since, well, never. The suit jacket and white button-down shirt that Dakota had picked out for him to wear for today were both new. Even the fancy boots were fresh off the western shop’s shelf. Good thing she’d picked out his outfit, otherwise he’d have showed up at the end of the aisle wearing an old T-shirt and jeans. No, not really, but he was glad she made it easy for him.

  A soft knock on the door came before it opened. Hope stepped in, smiling, her eyes twinkling. “Look at you two. Whoo-wee. Dakota and I have caught the best looking cowboys this side of Texas.” She sashayed over to her husband and ki
ssed him on the cheek.

  “Is she almost ready?” Cash wiped his sweaty palms down his black slacks. Since Dakota had said yes a week ago, he’d anticipated her changing her mind. This had all happened in a whirlwind. A woman could easily back out.

  “That’s why I’m here. It’s time for you and Tucker to head outside and take your places. Your bride is ready to walk.” Hope fluffed her dress around her legs.

  “Let’s go, bro.” Tucker slapped him on the back. “Time to fit that ball and chain to your ankle.” Hope growled and Tucker grimaced. “I’m only joking, sweetheart. Being married to you is the best thing that ever happened to me.” He reached over, pulled Hope to him, and kissed her fully on the mouth.

  Cash shook his head and started for the door. His knees were a little weak and he didn’t think a cowboy should ever be this nervous. He’d wrangled bulls and cows. Faced a wild horse head on. Fell off a roof and cracked a few ribs once, but never felt nerves quite like he did right now.

  And as he stepped in front of the preacher in his backyard, sweat beaded on his back, sliding down into the crack of his ass. Hell if he didn’t have sweaty balls. His boxers stuck to his junk and he shifted. Did all men feel this way on their wedding day? He’d gone through this before and hadn’t lost one drop of perspiration.

  The music started, thanks to one of the musicians who played at church. Hope made her way down the makeshift aisle, followed by Becca who tossed flowers from a small basket. Cash smiled from ear to ear at seeing his little girl in her pretty dress. When he’d told her he was marrying Dakota, Becca had been ecstatic. Her smile hadn’t left her face since. It warmed his heart.

  The music picked up tempo. Dakota stepped into view and Cash’s chest pumped. He couldn’t focus on anything but her as she strolled toward him. Her hair was pulled up, tendrils fell around her flushed cheeks. She’d chosen a simple dress that fit her curves nicely and flowed around her knees. The pretty yellow roses she’d picked right out of the backyard.

  None of that got him as much as her dazzling eyes. They seemed to twinkle as bright as a thousand stars. He could see the trembling in her bottom lip. He wanted her to be happy—he wanted to make her happy. He especially liked his daughter being pleased.