Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  He kept his eyes on April at the door. She held a sheet as a barrier between her and the person who’d invaded their privacy. The door was only slightly ajar so he couldn’t see who he’d like to have a talking to about the “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on the outside knob. From what he could gather, from the octave tone, it was a man who wasn’t pleased. He said something along the lines of “no time for this” and “don’t you care what people will think.”

  With a loud sigh, April shut the door and bolted the lock. She turned and her gaze met his, a glimpse of surprise marring her features. He swept his hungry gaze over her tousled curls, swollen mouth, and fresh-faced beauty. “Did you hear that?” she asked.

  “Not really.” He shrugged and leaned his upper body against the headboard. He didn’t want to snoop.

  “All good things must end, unfortunately.”

  “You have to leave now?” He glanced at the clock on table. Eight-thirty. A sliver of disappointment swished through his stomach. He knew she’d leave, that was the unspoken agreement. Spending the night with April had only been a means to an end, to salve the deprivation of intimacy.

  He was fooling himself.

  He’d slept with April for something far more than a need for sex. He’d thought of her often over the years, and like anything good, a man could never forget completely.

  Now reality settled in.

  He watched her dig in the open suitcase on the chair, throwing things over the side. “I have a plane to catch. My manger expected me to be ready by now. But, I forgot to set a wakeup call. I was a little preoccupied.” She turned, clutching an armload of clothes to her chest while holding the sheet tight against her body. Didn’t she realize he’d seen every bit of her amazing body? Her green gaze jetted across his nudity and her tongue swept across her bottom lip. Yeah, their thoughts were on the same page. His dick twitched and came alive, but Dante knew it’d be a waste of effort. The beautiful lady was heading out the door, and by the looks of it, without any time for an encore.

  “You’re just as sexy in the morning,” he said.

  “I must look a wreck.” Her cheeks turned rosy making him want to kiss her even more, and not just on her lips.

  He shook his head. “Not even close.”

  “I should get ready.” She took a step toward the bathroom.

  With the pride of ten men, he needed to make this as easy as pie. He was good as throwing walls up when the need arose. “I guess duty calls,” he said, hating the disappointment that he couldn’t mask, but if she caught the leakage of his emotion, she didn’t show any sign. She seemed anxious to send him on his way.

  “Last night was great,” she said. “Better than great.”

  His heart pitched. “Maybe you could take some time away, come and visit?” What was he doing? What happened to making this ‘easy as pie?’

  Her gaze narrowed. “That’s a sweet offer, but…”

  “But what?” He scooted to the edge of the bed and placed his feet on the floor.

  “We knew last night would be all that we had.” She averted her eyes.

  “I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, April. I thought you might like to see the old farm. Visit your grandpa’s grave. You probably haven’t been—”

  “I get enough grief from my manager. I don’t need you doing the same,” she snapped.

  He blinked. “Yeah, how could I mention your grandpa, right?” He stood, grabbed his boxers and jeans from the floor and dragged them on. “How could I think he was important now when you didn’t even bother with him while he was alive?” Shit! That was unnecessary. He opened his mouth to apologize, but before he could say one word, her gaze narrowed.

  “How dare you! How could you say that to me? You know nothing about what my relationship was like with Gramps.” Her lips thinned.

  Anger shot through him. “The hell I didn’t know. I knew enough. You were so busy that I stayed with him when he got sick. I took him back and forth to the doctor. I even worked his farm. I guess fame makes a person forget those who loved them,” he said as he slid into his shirt.

  “Do you want an award? Maybe you should have called and told me he was sick? How was I supposed to know?” Her voice shook.

  He tore his hand through his hair. “He was your family, sweetheart. If you’d been interested in what was happening with him you’d have known he was dying.” Sitting in the chair, he shoved his feet into his boots, stood, grabbed his hat and resisted the urge to twist it in his hands.

  “Who are you to tell me anything?” Dropping her clothes, she held tight to the sheet, her fingers noticeably trembling. “As if you are perfect!”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I was going to stay with you! Remember? I planned to give up everything to be with you and you turned me away.” Her gaze filled with moisture and his stomach did a loop. “When I told you I couldn’t leave, you distanced yourself, made me feel like I had no other option but to head to Nashville.”

  “April, I did what I thought was best for you. And apparently it was right because look at you. You’re a star and everyone knows your name. But you can’t blame me that you only showed your face in Texas years later at Liam’s funeral. You disappeared by your own choosing.”

  “I love how you’re turning this around, making me look bad. Let me get this straight. You told me I should leave, spread my wings, and when I do, I’m blamed for leaving everyone? Why don’t you just say it how it really is?” Her face paled.

  “And how is it?” He faced her.

  “You got what you wanted from me and you no longer had any interest.” She wrapped the material tighter around her body.

  He scrubbed his jaw. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before from you. Who am I to argue when you have your mind made up about me?” He needed to get away. “Be grateful that you’ll never have to see me again. You can live in your materialistic world, alone, just as you like it. I see the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. The very thing you disliked about your parents you’re now the example.” He heard the whizzing and ducked as the boot struck the wall. He turned toward her, narrowing his gaze. “What the hell was that for?”

  Her chest lifted and fell with each breath as her frown creased the corners of her mouth. “You’re a real jerk, Dante.”

  “And you don’t like the facts.” He shrugged and opened the door. “This certainly has been the best rodeo I’ve ever ridden.” Laughing as he walked across the threshold, he gave her one last glance over his shoulder.

  “Good bye, Dante.”

  He clicked the door closed.

  By the time he’d made it to the elevator, his humor had fizzled and displeasure filled his gut. He wanted to wash away any emotions and guilt for leaving things with April on a sour note. Yet, he couldn’t change the things he had no control over.

  The door slid open, and with one final glance down the long hall, he stepped into the cubicle.

  They belonged in different worlds. She was heading to some stage to entertain fans and he was going back home to help his brothers on the Brooke Creek Ranch. He considered this a fork in the road, a chance to move on and forget. He needed to store last night in with the rest of the filed memories of April Rayne. History.

  Who was he kidding? It wasn’t that easy. No doubt, he’d remember last night for years to come, just as he recalled every second that he’d spent with her at nineteen.

  He rubbed his tired eyes. He pitied the poor bastard she got with next. A smile crept back over his mouth. Dante had set the bar high. She’d cried his name, clawed his back and had one big O after another. Bringing his hand to his face, he got a whiff of her scent. A stirring happened behind his zipper as the void in his heart deepened. So, she did get the final jab after all.

  At least he had a good memory. The door opened and he made his way into the hotel lobby, whistling a happy tune.

  ****

  April dropped to the wrinkled sheets and buried her tear stained face in the pillow.
Dante’s woodsy scent inspired her senses, reminding her of what they’d shared here in bed. He’d made love to her repeatedly, showing her what she’d missed. She’d opened the gates to him, and the flood of desire had drowned them both. But the strong emotion had oozed into her heart, making every crack and raw wound stick out like a bleeding pit.

  Over the years she’d gotten good at pretending what she’d shared with Dante was more a dream through a young girl’s eyes, and not reality. She’d made herself believe that she’d fallen victim to a crush for a handsome, self-assured cowboy who could charm the panties off any female with one glance of his blue eyes. The lies she told herself eased the pain she’d felt of leaving him…losing him.

  His words before he walked out of the room seeped into every cell of her mind. Why didn’t she know that he’d stayed with Gramps during his last moments? Why hadn’t Dante called her and told her that Gramps was dying?

  Deep inside the recesses of her heart, she realized she could only accept responsibility for what she’d done. Earlobes deep in her career, she’d overlooked those she cared for. Dante was right, when he’d encouraged her to leave and follow her music career, she’d left and never went back. That was her choice. She couldn’t change the truth.

  Yet, his cold attitude left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  Knock! Knock!

  April sat up. Had Dante come back?

  If he had, she’d go home with him. No matter what the consequences held.

  Swiping the remnants of tears from her cheeks, she stood up and wrapped the sheet around her body before finally making her way to open the door. Distress made her shoulders slump. “Kiefer? I thought you were waiting for me downstairs?”

  With an exasperated sigh, he brushed past her. “I totally get the cowboy craving. He left a few whiplashed necks on his way through the lobby, but he’s gone. No excuses. Get dressed so we can make our plane.” He turned on loafers and his smile fizzled. “Are those tears? You had that tall, sexy beast in your bed and you’re crying?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Give me ten and I’ll be ready to leave this place.”

  Inside the bathroom, behind closed door, she sucked back another sob and put all thoughts of Dante to rest.

  Chapter Four

  “SHE CALLED AGAIN.”

  Dante looked up as he laid the saddle pad across the horses back. “What did you say, Deck? Someone called?”

  “Cassie. She left a message for me to give you,” Deckland said from the doorway.

  “Good girl, Sophie.” Dante patted the horse on the neck. He didn’t look at his brother as he picked up the saddle and placed it on her, making sure it was centered.

  “Don’t you want to hear?”

  Shrugging, Dante continued to mess with the leather straps. “If you think I need to.”

  “She wants you to call her. Must be important since she’s called twice today,” he said with a large dose of sarcasm.

  Dante glanced over the horse’s back, meeting his brother’s gaze. “I’ll get right to it.”

  “When are you going to get over it?” Deckland helped secure the saddle.

  “I am over Cassie,” Dante practically growled the words.

  “I’m not talking about her, bro. I’m referring to whatever it is that’s had your balls in a sling for the last couple of months. I noticed the difference about the same time you took off to the Houston Rodeo. Are you still pissed because you’re no longer in the rodeo? Hell, if it means that much to you, I’ll take the trailer, pick up a mean-ass bull and bring him back for you.”

  Dante’s chest tightened. “We move on. That’s part of life.” He’d allow Deckland to think whatever, but he couldn’t tell him about the night he’d spent with April. He’d rather keep the experience, and what happened after, to himself. “When are you going to get a life of your own and quit stressing about mine?” Dante asked.

  “Get your shit together and I won’t have to worry,” Deckland huffed.

  “Damn, Deck, whatever gave you the idea that you have to worry about Dillon and me? We’re big boys. It’s time you started thinking about your future. What happened to that woman you were seeing? Aspen, right?”

  Deckland scratched his jaw. “I’m not into long distance relationships. So what’s with the sudden thought about our future, bro?”

  “None of us are getting any younger.” Dante wondered if he could let go of the past and move on, find someone he could see himself with forever. Something about the word forever scared him shitless. Maybe he knew deep inside once he committed himself completely, through thick and thin, he’d never give up.

  “Does this mood have anything to do with April Rayne’s appearance at the arena?”

  At the mention of her name, every muscle on Dante’s body clenched. “Hell no!”

  “Sure, if you say so.” Deckland chuckled. “Anyway, Peyton dropped off a buttermilk pie. Better grab a piece before I eat all of it. I think our sister-in-law is attempting to fatten us up.” He rubbed his belly and Dante smirked. His brother didn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere on his brawny frame.

  “I’ll be up after I take a ride.” Dante slid into the saddle. “If Cassie calls again tell her the truth.”

  “And what exactly is the truth?”

  “That I’ve ridden off into the sunset without her.” He snapped the reins and Sophie took off into a trot. Deckland opened the fence and Dante led the horse toward the open field. He needed a long, hard ride to help him get over his anger. He wasn’t sure why his blood still boiled, but it certainly had nothing to do with Cassie.

  His mind wandered back to the argument he had with April.

  Damn, why should he feel any guilt? He’d only been honest.

  The hurt he’d seen in her eyes when he’d mentioned the death of her grandpa Liam still haunted him. Somehow, the one night they’d spent together had broken the layers to the wounds he thought were mended. Being near her again reminded him of the man he once was, how he’d wanted to share his life with April.

  Pfft! He needed to bury his useless dreams.

  The best thing he could do for her was stay as far away as possible. He should never have gone to see her after the show, but when he’d seen her step on stage, her hair wild around twinkling eyes and bright smile, he’d taken a quick stroll down memory lane and he’d found himself craving more.

  While others at the concert had shouted, screamed and clapped, he’d sat quietly, thinking of her when she was nineteen and how she’d turned him inside out.

  Hell, she still could.

  He gave the reins a shake and Sophie took off into a gallop. “Let’s make this a fast one, girl.”

  ****

  April hated the doctor’s office. Always had. The sanitized smell and medical information glaring back at her made her cringe. She could feel her blood pressure rise a few points as she donned the ghastly flowered robe. Whoever was responsible for the patient wardrobe needed thrashed with an ugly feather.

  Groaning, she snapped the last button, tugged the robe into place and pushed the button on the wall to let the doctor know she was ready. The air conditioning kicked on and a cool breeze seeped through the thin material, making her nipples tighten. Who needs the temperature this cold?

  She shouldn’t have come.

  Kiefer demanded she take the time out of her busy schedule to see a doctor. She’d passed out after her performance in Utah and he’d freaked out. Odd considering he was a drill sergeant in designer clothes who never believed in taking time out from the business, even for a doctor.

  Fatigue had gotten the best of her. Hell, more than fatigue. Drained was a better word. This was all Kiefer’s fault and she’d made that clear. He worked her like a horse, always throwing it in her face how younger country singers were making their way on the scene.

  Yeah, she understood how fresh talent was sidestepping the old. She refused to wear tighter shirts, shorter skirts and appear naked in a smut magazine to earn album sales. If s
he didn’t do it in her twenties, she certainly wasn’t going to now.

  Restless, she scanned the tray of plastic gadgets that would be inserted into a place on her body that needed more than a medical tool. The nurse reminded her that she was overdue for her pap and the doctor wanted to do a quick exam. The last thing she wanted was to have something cold inside of her when all she’d done was crave a cowboy since he’d disappeared from her hotel room two months ago.

  Probably for the best.

  A man like Dante could make her do just about anything with a flash of his wide smile. How had he gotten sexier with age? How had he slipped in and turned her to mush? Hadn’t she learned her lesson years ago that he was a danger to the balance between her head and heart?

  Why couldn’t she forget him? Years passed, but his memory remained. She’d even married another man with no luck of purging memories. Dante had haunted her thoughts, her dreams, making her wish for things that weren’t possible. Why did she still love him after so long?

  Love?!?

  Nonsense.

  A tear escaped one eye and she quickly brushed it away.

  Since that night in Houston, she couldn’t seem to get over a streak of the blues, laughing one second, crying the next. She was becoming a basket case. Maybe she’d visited the wrong type of doctor.

  Did she regret the night she’d spent in Dante’s arms? Not even in the slightest. But she’d move on, just as she had before.

  Looking for something to occupy her, she grabbed a colorful pamphlet from the display case and read the front, “Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” Opening the cover, a horrifying picture made the contents in her stomach roll. She knew she shouldn’t have pigged out on the eggs, bacon, toast and fruit. Her eating habits were malfunctioning.

  Replacing the brochure, she scanned a few others. Birth Control. Not needed. Lactation. Sheesh! Even worse.

  Skipping over the magazines boasting photo shopped models, she hadn’t read anything in print since being nominated as the year’s worst dress singer a few years back.

  Exploring the contents on the sink—gloves, soap and tubes of KY Jelly—she stopped and stared at the fetus model set. Her head screamed for her to move on. She was far from starting a family, but her curiosity paralyzed her. Touching the biggest of the detailed models, she jerked her hand back. The skin felt so life-like. Taking the model from the plastic nest, she weighed it in her palm. A baby at full-term.