Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “Oh my. Busted!” Cassie laughed. She blew an air kiss toward their audience.

  Once he was detangled, he stepped away from the truck. “April. It’s not what it looks like.”

  Several emotions flicked across her features—confusion, sadness and then settled on anger. “I’m sure you have an explanation, but I just don’t care to hear.” Her voice was deathly eerie.

  “April, just listen…” He darted toward her, but she held up a hand to stop him.

  “I want to go home.” She turned to Peyton. “Can I catch a ride with you?”

  “Yes.” Peyton shot Dante a look of disapproval.

  He felt a hand squeeze his elbow. He looked down into Cassie’s glassy eyes. At least she’d pulled her shirt on, although turned inside out and it barely covered her butt cheeks. He jerked his arm away. “April Rayne! Oh my God! I am your biggest fan.” Cassie’s voice was close to a squeal. “Oh my…are you and her…well…” Her venom laughter scraped his nerves. “I can’t believe this. April Rayne is the baby mama. Holy cannoli!”

  April turned back, her shoulders high and her chin cocked. A look of murder spread over her features as she marched toward them. Cassie was still laughing and apparently didn’t see the warning glowing bright in April’s narrowed expression. “April?” Dante stepped forward.

  She didn’t even acknowledge him as she lifted her hand high and brought it down with a sounding crack against Cassie’s cheek. The other woman’s laughter fizzled as shock widened her eyes. “Now go get some clothes on,” April said through clenched teeth.

  Turning on heel, April started walking and Dante took a step after her. Dillon blocked his path. “Trust me, brother, now’s not a good time. Clean up the mess here and give April some time to absorb tonight.” His brother patted him on the shoulder then followed April and Peyton.

  “That—that fucking bitch! I’ll get her back!” Cassie seethed.

  Dante turned, nailing her with his anger. “No you won’t.” He stomped to his truck, grabbed her remaining clothes and tossed them into the parking lot. “Hopefully you’ll wake up in the morning and see how despicable of a human you’ve become. You have no friends. No job—” Seeing her blink, he shook his head. “—yes, I know you got fired.” He climbed into the driver’s side, started the engine and didn’t look back as he drove away.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “GET UP!”

  Deckland’s voice seeped into Dante’s slumber. “Leave me the hell alone!”

  “Time to wakey, wakey. You can’t sleep your life away.”

  Cold swept across Dante’s nude body. He reached for the covers, but came up empty. “Give me the sheet back.” He opened one eye. Deckland stood above him, waving the blanket back and forth like a matador teasing a bull. “What the hell is wrong with you, Deck?”

  “I refuse to watch you slither back into misery. It’s time you did something about this slump you’re in.” Dante grabbed for the cover but Deckland was faster.

  “Go to hell!” He rolled back onto the mattress and pulled the pillow over his head.

  “You should know that April is planning to go back to Nashville.”

  His brother’s words made Dante flinch. He tossed the pillow and rose up on elbow. “Maybe it’s for the best.” His gut clenched. “I’ve done what I can to make things right and everything still turns to shit.”

  “Who are you kidding?” Deckland threw the blanket onto the end of the bed, knocked the clothes out of the high back chair and took a seat.

  “It’s not a joking matter. I wasn’t there when April needed me most. That psycho bastard could have seriously hurt her backstage.” The thought of some maniac touching her made every muscle on his body tighten and burn. When Dillon had told Dante what had happened in the hallway, he’d wanted to punch a hole in the wall. He’d meant to do best by April, but he’d fucked up, even when he’d tried very hard to do better. Just like everything up until this point. He was a major screw up—he didn’t want to screw up his kid’s life.

  “Damn, bro, that wasn’t your fault. Shit like that happens. I know you feel guilty because you want to protect her, but you can’t babysit her. We learn from our mistakes.”

  Dante tore his hand through his hair as he eyed the half-empty whiskey bottle sitting next to his bed. He’d taken three drinks out of it last night then recapped it, falling asleep with April on his mind. She’d filled his dreams, just like she’d occupied every waking moment. He couldn’t believe it’d been a week since he’d seen her when it felt more like years. “I didn’t do anything with Cassie. She snuck into my truck and I found her naked. She was drunk and thought she could convince me to sink back into her web.”

  “I believe you.” Deckland sighed. “But April needs an explanation.”

  “I tried but she walked away.”

  “And this would be the time to do some chasing.” Deckland shook his head. “Haven’t you learned anything?”

  “Yeah, but no matter what I touch it turns to hell.” He buried his face into his palms.

  “Stop feeling sorry for yourself, knucklehead. Step up. April has a good head on her shoulders.”

  He looked at Deckland over the tips of his fingers. “I went out to my truck to get the ring I had hidden there. I wanted to ask her to marry me after the show.”

  “You bombed. Yet, not the end of the world. But it will be if she takes off and leaves you here for me to take care of. I love you, bro, but if you let her walk away then you’re doomed.” Deckland chuckled. “Who else could slap Cassie hard enough to knock the lip tint off her lips?”

  “You heard, huh?”

  “Every detail. Damn, wish I’d been there.”

  A smile tickled the corners of Dante’s lips. “You should have seen the look on Cassie’s face. I think I heard the earth crack from the pressure.”

  “Maybe Cassie will get the hint and leave well enough alone.” He sat up and braced his elbows on his knees. “April’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Don’t let pride blur your future.”

  ****

  April wiped her eyes and blew her nose for the umpteenth time. She looked over top the soiled tissue into Peyton’s sympathetic gaze. “You must be glad that I’ll be leaving and you won’t have to watch me cry anymore.”

  “I cry too. It’s hormones,” Peyton assured her.

  “I haven’t seen you cry once. You seem balanced and I seem a wreck.”

  Shrugging, Peyton played with the fringe on the comforter on April’s bed. “If I was experiencing with Dillon what you’re experiencing with Dante I’d be a walking faucet.”

  “I know how Dante is, his bad boy reputation and love for the opposite sex hasn’t changed,” she huffed and tossed in another shirt into the open suitcase. Peyton frowned as April’s shoulders slumped. “You saw what I did, Peyton. How can there be an explanation? An ex doesn’t just show up naked in a man’s truck. He looked awfully cozy if you ask me.”

  “If we were talking about the Dante from years ago, I’d believe he acted out of stupidity. But I know Dante, and he’s different. Not only has he changed, but you’re the difference in him. I see it in the way he looks at you. I know he wouldn’t risk that for anything, especially over a woman who doesn’t hold a candle to you. I can’t tell you what you should do because you have to live with your decision. I can say that Cassie is like a poison that has seeped into this family in one way or another.”

  “I know that she was once engaged to Dillon. Dante told me the story. She’s a real piece of work.”

  Peyton nodded. “I almost feel sorry for her. She’s her own worst enemy. In her attempt to come between Dillon and me, she made a real mess. I took a step aside and watched. If he wanted her, then I knew I didn’t want him. When he didn’t give her the time of day, this made her even more dangerous. I wondered when she’d pop up again, spreading her venom.”

  April plopped to the edge of the bed and sniffed back another round of tears. “I’ve been hurt by a l
ot of people—my mother, my father, friends who weren’t friends at all, and a husband who cheated. All of this has made it difficult to trust.”

  “Oh, sweetie, don’t I understand. I was married to the dictionary version of untrustworthy. In fact, I think I knew who he was long before I knew what I needed to do. Even after we divorced, he’d still come around and spread his evil charm. It took me a long time to realize I was just a pit stop.”

  “Does he have anything to do with Oliver?” April’s tears finally dried up.

  “Every two years, almost to the exact day, he bee-bops in and swears he’s going to be a superhero dad. What he ends up being is a dud. For so long I felt guilty, and gave him opportunity after opportunity to be a father. It wasn’t long that Ollie started seeing his father’s discrepancies. Now, my son is happy and Dillon is an awesome step-dad.”

  April nervously played with the hem of her shirt. “Growing up, I felt more like baggage to my parents than a daughter. I’m not saying they never loved me, because I know they did, but they always seemed preoccupied with work and traveling to every exotic place they could find. Thankfully, I had some great nannies along the way, although I’ve always wanted—craved—my mother’s attention.”

  Peyton nodded. “Does she know about the baby?”

  “I left her a message. Imagine a daughter telling her mother in a message that she’s pregnant. That’s our relationship in a nutshell.” April sighed, releasing all of the disappointment. “I should finish packing. Any more time here and my manager will come searching for me. He’s already doing damage control and keeping the media far away from here.” Rolling her eyes, she went to the dresser, grabbed a handful of clothes and shoved them in with the rest.

  “I’m going to miss you, April. You promise you’ll come visit?”

  “I promise. And you must come to Nashville.”

  They hugged and for the first time in a long time, April felt roots tugging at her. If only things could have been different.

  ****

  Dante slammed on the brakes in the gravel, sending a cloud of dirt around his truck. The old red truck was in the driveway, and so was Peyton’s car. He tore out of the driver’s side and raced up the grass, taking the steps to the porch in one leap. He pounded on the door, hoping April would open up.

  “Dante, what are you doing?”

  He turned, still trying to even out his breath. “Peyton, where’s April? And why are you stealing her trees?”

  Peyton shifted the armload of branches and shook her head. “I’m not stealing trees, mercy me. April said I could grab some starts from these unusual bushes she has in the back. I’ve never seen anything quite like them. I’m hoping if I plant—”

  “Peyton?”

  “Oh, yes, you asked a question. April left for the airport in a cab.”

  “What?” His chest tightened as his stomach did a flip.

  With a long sigh, Peyton shrugged. “I told Deckland to tell you she was leaving this morning. It’d be nice if you answered your cell on occasion.”

  “When did she leave?” He was already running back to the truck.

  “Fifteen minutes ago, maybe twenty,” she yelled as he backed out.

  Dante sped out of the driveway onto the road, his heart pumping and his fingers tight around the steering wheel. Even after speaking to April, he wasn’t sure she’d stay, but he needed to tell her how he felt before she went back to her old life. He needed to explain that Cassie meant nothing to him and he’d never cheat—had never cheated on any woman he was dating.

  What if April still left?

  He couldn’t fail at being a father. This was the most important job he’d ever have.

  The bright sun glinted off something up ahead. Squinting, he saw a mass of golden curls waving in the breeze and a pair of worn cowgirl boots. His chest tightened.

  Slamming on the brakes, the tires skidded in the gravel. He looked through the window and shook his head. “What the hell?” He steered the truck onto the side of the road.

  Sliding out from behind the wheel, he rounded the front of the truck and felt every nerve in his body come to alert. “You didn’t get very far.”

  April lifted her chin. Her large mirrored sunglasses hid most of her expression but the moisture on her cheeks told him all he needed to know. Her bottom lip trembled. “I—I found that I couldn’t leave, at least not yet. I told the cab driver to let me off here so I could wait.”

  Stepping closer, he frowned at the sight before him. She was sitting on her upturned suitcase, knees pressed together. Her flip-flopped feet were spread wide as if keeping her from falling. Her guitar case was beside her and the sun reflected off her silver ‘Peace’ sticker. Had he traveled back fifteen years? “Waiting for what?”

  “You, I suppose.” She sniffed and wiped the back of her hand across her nose.

  “You had a lot of confidence in me then.” He ached to pull her into his arms but he couldn’t make a move until he’d said everything that was weighing on his mind.

  “I figured if it was meant to be, you’d find me. If not, then I’d call another cab and head back to Nashville with zero regret.”

  “April, I know the incident with Cassie must have looked suspicious—”

  “Don’t say anything.” She jumped up, knocking over the suitcase into the dirt. “I realize how things looked. But let me ask you a few questions and all I need is a yes or no answer.” He nodded. “Do you still love her?”

  “I don’t think—”

  “Do you not understand rules? A yes or no is all I want.” She huffed and took a small step closer.

  “No.”

  “Do you want to help me raise our child?” Another small step and she pulled off her glasses.

  “Yes.”

  She was near enough that he could see her red-rimmed lids. “Do you still care for me?”

  He smiled. “Yes.”

  In one quick motion, she jumped against him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and her legs around his hips. “That’s good, because I still have feelings for you.” She kissed his neck, his face, his lips.

  “When we get married, there’s no running away from home, you hear?”

  “So, you’re still on this marriage thing, huh?”

  “You betcha.” He kissed her fully on the mouth. Holding her close, he carefully moved toward the truck as she planted more kisses over his cheeks. Opening the door to the passenger side, he pulled his head back slightly. “I need you to sit.”

  “But I am sitting, and it seems your body has no complaint.” She wriggled her hips.

  “Yes, sweetheart. I haven’t went flaccid in weeks, thanks to you.” He kissed the tip of her nose and helped her into the seat. “Close your eyes, please.”

  She squirmed and chuckled. “Do I have to?”

  “Yes.” He tried to be stern, but that wasn’t possible with her. “At least give it a try.”

  “Did you stop at Elsa’s Fluff again?”

  “April?”

  “Okay.” Her eyes went shut and he quickly dug into the glove compartment, pulling out the black box. “I know this isn’t the most romantic, but every plan I’ve made has somehow been thwarted by inopportune events. I won’t let that happen again.”

  “Can I look now or are you more comfortable with them closed?”

  “Go ahead, open.” Her eye widened as she stared at the tiny diamond nestled on the silver band. “This isn’t anything compared to the rock you got from Mr. Ex-Asshole, but I bought this when I was still earning an allowance working the ranch. I’ll get you another, I promise, but for now it seemed fitting to give you this ring when I’ve kept it all these years.”

  “When did you get this?” Her gaze filled with curiosity.

  “I had it in my truck the night we celebrated your birthday under the stars. We broke up and I tucked the box away.”

  “You mean you had planned to ask me to marry you, but you let me walk away?” Tears filled her eyes.

 
“I’m sorry. I regret letting you walk. I would have waited for you for a thousand years.” He took the ring from the velvet. “April Rayne Baers, will you marry me?” She probably hadn’t heard her last name used in years.

  “Yes.” He held her left hand as he slipped the ring on her fourth finger. “The ring is perfect. I couldn’t imagine wanting anything different.” She waved her hand as if admiring the diamond.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He brought her hand up and kissed her knuckles. “I’m glad it’s finally home.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  APRIL BROUGHT HER eyes open. Dante’s arm was thrown over her shoulders and his snoring tickled her eardrum.

  Shaking him slightly, he grumbled and turned. She bit back laughter. Although she hated hearing him snore, she loved sleeping with him.

  A loud thump outside the window brought her to a sitting position. Had she heard a door shut? Glancing at the clock, it was only eight-thirty. Who dared visit this early?

  Sliding from the cocoon of Dante’s warm body, she tiptoed to the window and looked out. She didn’t recognize the car parked in the driveway. Starting to wake Dante, she stopped, remembering how tired he was last night. She’d kept him up past his bedtime.

  Grabbing his shirt from the end of the bed, she pulled it on and quickly buttoned the front when the soft knock came at the door. Dante didn’t even move.

  Making her way downstairs, she tiptoed to the door. She could always pretend she wasn’t home. Peeking through the eyehole, she jumped back and covered her mouth. “Oh. My. God!” She tore open the door. “Mother. What are you doing here?”

  Her mother, Anneta, never changed. She was still as youthful as always. Her blonde hair, coiffed into a stylish bob, dewy skin and perfect makeup wasn’t the only things that contributed to her young-looking appearance. April knew she’d had plastic surgery—more than a few procedures. “Is that anyway to treat your mother after she flew half way across the world to see you?”