Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) Page 2

  Up until two days ago, she’d been working at a diner to make ends meet. When she’d told her boss she would be leaving for a few days to attend her aunt’s funeral, he’d warned her that if she left, she wouldn’t have a job to come back to since she was still on probation. Without hesitation, she removed her apron, handed it over and walked out. Thankfully, she’d made good tips that day, which happened to be all of the money that she had to her name.

  Losing the waitressing job didn’t break her heart, but her choices had been limited when the fashion boutique she’d been working at had closed. Now, here she was in Texas, unemployed, a half tank of gas, and a hundred dollars to her name. And, pathetically, nowhere to sleep for the night except in her car.

  Laying her head back on the headrest, she closed her eyes.

  How had she managed to get herself in such a mess? In the last year, she’d lost two jobs, ended a three year relationship with a man who had his priorities screwed up, and buried her aunt who’d been Dakota’s emotional soldier. Maybe she should have listened when Delores invited her to come to town to be closer to her. Where would she be right now? Would she have more prospects here? If she didn’t figure out something soon, she’d be stuck.

  Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall again. She wanted to be strong—needed to be strong. To get her life in order, she needed a clear mind. Fate wouldn’t abandon her. Delores had always promised that when doors closed, windows opened. We just had to be willing to accept change.

  This was definitely change, possibly more than she could handle at one time.

  Tap, tap.

  She jumped and jerked her eyes open and head up. A pretty blonde stood by the door, waving and smiling.

  Rolling the window down, Dakota forced a smile to her lips as her heart returned to normal beats. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you standing there.”

  “I hope I didn’t interrupt you.”

  “I was just, well, absorbing everything.”

  “I wanted to introduce myself before you got away. I’m Hope Bailey. Your aunt Delores was like family to us.”

  “Dakota Childs.” She held out a hand, aware that her nails were chipped and in badly need of attention. The other woman shook it and didn’t seem to notice. “Delores talked about you often. All of you. I feel like I know your family through her letters.”

  “She spoke of you all of the time, too. I know she was looking forward to your visit this Christmas.” Hope’s eyes misted and she blinked. “I wish we could have chatted before the funeral. We were running late. I have a colicky newborn who rules the roost these days.”

  “It’s fine. I was running a bit late myself.” Dakota started to run her fingers through her hair when she remembered she’d gotten it cut short a month ago, donating the locks to a charity that made wigs for cancer patients. She liked the new style, although it was taking some getting used to. She’d wanted a change, out with the old and in with the new. Losing her job hadn’t been on that particular list, at least until she had another one to take its place.

  “Will you be staying in town for a few days?”

  “Yes, I will.” Dakota had nowhere else to go.

  “We are having a gathering at Havens Ranch this afternoon. I hope you’ll come. Delores had a room at our farmhouse and I haven’t touched any of her things. I know she’d like for you to have them.” Hope’s frown grew wider as a tear slipped to her cheek. She wiped it away. “I want to say sorry again for your loss, but I know it’s of little help under the circumstances. Delores was a wonderful friend to me. She’d been there for my family, seen lots of trials and tribulations.”

  “Delores always had the right words it seemed.” Dakota clasped her hands in her lap, counting to three, calming her nerves. “Thank you for thinking of me. I’m grateful that you and your family treated Delores with such kindness, like she was part of the family. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that meant to me and how much it meant to her.” Thunder sounded loud above them. “Won’t you come in, out of the rain?” Dakota patted the passenger seat.

  “Thank you. I will, for a minute.” Hope rushed around the front of the car to the passenger side while Dakota did a fast clean-up of the floorboard, tossing fast-food wrappers and foam cups to the back seat. Hope opened the door, the springs squeaked and she slid in. “Texas weather is so temperamental lately. I’m sorry. I’m getting your seat wet.”

  “Trust me, the water can only help.” Dakota pushed aside her embarrassment.

  “You drove all the way here from…?”

  “Oklahoma. I’ve lived there for a few years now. I met a guy who made moving seem like a good idea.” Dakota shrugged. “I miss living here.”

  “Are you staying at the bed and breakfast in town?”

  Dakota swallowed the tension in her throat. “Uhh…well, no. I’m afraid I don’t have any reservations yet. I just made it to town this morning.” Spotting a sock clinging to the gearshift, she grabbed it and gave it a toss to the back.

  The rain finally eased and sunshine peeked through the clouds. Hope smiled. “It’s about time the sun decided to pay us a visit. Now, you must come and stay at our place. We have plenty of room.”

  “I-I couldn’t do that. It’s very kind of you, but I couldn’t impose.”

  “You wouldn’t. In fact, if you don’t mind, you can stay in Delores’s room. You’ll be more than comfortable there among her things, so much more than at the bed and breakfast. It has a new owner and I hear things have gone downhill. Anyway, it’ll give us time to get to know one another. I’m assuming you’ll be staying at least until the will is read.”

  “Yes, I will. Delores’s attorney, the one who’d called and informed me that she’d passed, told me he’d read the will at the end of the week.”

  Hope’s frown returned. “I hate that Mr. Jones got to you first. I found your number in Delores’s address book and I tried calling, but the call wouldn’t go through.”

  Dakota nodded, her cheeks warming. “He called me at my job because my phone was—” she chose her words carefully, not wanting to speak of her financial issues. “broken. I came just as soon as I heard. Mr. Jones said all of the arrangements were already made for the funeral services.”

  “Delores had made all of the preparations for her funeral a few years ago and Mr. Batemen, he owns the funeral home, took care of the last few details. He said she wanted everything simple and easy. Not sure about the second part. Losing someone is never easy.”

  Dakota nodded. “The casket was beautiful. And the Pastor did a nice job officiating.” The tears came and she couldn’t stop them. She grabbed the first thing she came to from the back and wiped her eyes. “I-I’m so sorry. I’m a mess.” She forced the words through sobs.

  “Oh don’t apologize, honey. Let the tears flow. You’ll feel better.” Hope wrapped an arm around Dakota’s shoulders and gently squeezed.

  “Just…I…spoke with her last week. She said she had the flu. I should have been here for her.” She blew her nose in the cloth.

  “You should know that your aunt didn’t suffer. The night before she passed, she was in great humor.”

  Dakota looked at Hope through wet eyelashes. “How? What happened?”

  The corners of Hope’s mouth lowered. “I got up that morning and, when I didn’t find her already working in the kitchen, I went upstairs and she was gone.” Her eyes misted with tears. “I’m the one who should be guilty. I had no clue that she was sick, not with a heart condition.” She wiped her tears with the sleeve of her jacket.

  “Delores didn’t tell me either. She didn’t want anyone to know, and as stubborn as she was, she would have continued doing all of the things she loved to do. Your family made her happy.” Finally able to get her tears under control, Dakota patted Hope’s knee. The windows were fogged up. She pushed a button on the dashboard and the air filtered through the vents. “I’d offer you a tissue, but it seems all that I have is…” She looked down at what she had in he
r hand. “A dirty sock.”

  “I’ll pass,” Hope said.

  In the next instant, they burst into laughter. It was an instant relief for Dakota, something she needed to ease the stress. “Thank you, Hope. I’m so grateful for our talk.”

  Hope removed her arm and patted the areas around her eyes. “Well, then you come and stay with us. I could use a few good laughs too.”

  It would have been impossible for Dakota to turn Hope’s invitation down, especially after they’d shared a moment. And what choice did Dakota really have? She couldn’t spend her last few dollars on a room, and that meant she would have been stuck sleeping in her car for a second night in a row. Getting ready in the fast food restaurant bathroom that morning hadn’t been easy, nor pleasurable. Reluctantly, she nodded. “Okay. That’s very kind of you.”

  “Welcome back to Texas.” Some of the sparkle returned to Hope’s eyes. “Do you remember how to get to Havens Ranch from here?”

  “No, I don’t think I do.”

  “Then follow us. We’re in the red truck. I hope you’re hungry. I hear the church family has enough food set out to feed a football team.”

  As if in reply, Dakota’s stomach growled. “I could eat a bite or two.” The chili cheese dog she ate last night had long gone through her system.

  “There’s my husband waiting.” Hope pointed.

  Dakota looked at the hunky cowboy standing in the grass. Next to him stood the scowling cowboy, Cash. Sure, he was good looking, in a brooding, serious way. Even now, his eyes were narrowed on her through the window as if he questioned whether he wanted to like her or not. Well, she’d make it easy for him. She didn’t have time for arrogance or a cocky attitude. When he’d handed her the umbrella, and their fingers had accidently touched, he’d given her a sour expression as if she’d deliberately touched him. After spending three years with a man who had enough ego to share with ten more men, she had little tolerance. “Tucker, right?”

  “Yes. Standing next to him is his brother, Cash. Don’t let his frown fool you. He’s actually a very sweet guy. He’s had a hard time…”

  “With the death of his wife?” Delores had told Dakota all about Rebecca and her illness.

  “Not only had he lost a loved one, but he had a brand new baby. That’s a lot for even a rough and tough man. I guess I’d better go. See you in a bit.” Hope climbed out, waving as she crossed to meet the two men.

  Cash didn’t move from the edge of the grass, but instead watched Dakota from the shade of his lowered black hat. She didn’t need to see his eyes to know they were the palest blue, almost silver. The heat of his pensive stare penetrated her skin, seeping straight to parts of her she’d counted useless as of lately. His jaw tightened, he dipped his hat and strolled toward the truck. Dakota turned her head, catching his reflection in the rearview mirror. Grrr. If she had to endure men like him in this town, she certainly wouldn’t be staying long. It was a sin that he had the looks of an Adonis and an attitude of a prick.

  A chill raced across her skin, battling the heat between her inner thighs. Damn misbehaving body.

  She switched the heater on high, turning all of the air vents toward her. Pulling the visor down, she checked her reflection, wincing. Oh damn, this was what people meant by ‘dragged through hell and back’. Her hair, wet and matted to her head, framed her rosy cheeks and nose. Her eye makeup was long gone.

  Grabbing a compact from her purse, she opened it and patted on a layer of powder. Shifting the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her shirt and the outline of her nipples, shaded and perky. “Oh shit!” Humiliation washed over her. She’d wanted to dress nice for the funeral and donned the best blouse she’d owned. Unfortunately, the thin material wasn’t meant for a downpour.

  Snapping the compact closed, she dropped it back into her purse. She brushed her hair until the red truck pulled onto the narrow lane. Dakota followed them and they headed toward the main road. They stopped at the stop sign and the Honda’s exhaust pipe popped loudly, sending a flock of birds out of a nearby tree. She shook her head in irritation. At least the sun was shining and her clothes were fast drying.

  Reaching for her favorite lip tint, she applied a liberal amount. Lipstick always made a woman feel better.

  On the ride from the cemetery, they drove past acres and acres of grassy fields. Farmhouses and ranches were scattered across the flat land, and as the sun’s rays came through the clouds and the sky turned a bright blue, everything looked anew. The grass looked greener. The trees looked browner. As they turned into Havens Ranch, the horses running along the fence raced with the vehicles. They were beautiful black with long, flowing manes.

  They followed the gravel lane until reaching the two-story, white farmhouse with green shutters and a wraparound porch. Rockers were lined up along the front and colorful flowers brightened the landscape. Vehicles lined each side of the driveway and more were coming. The truck continued closer to the house, but Dakota parked at the end of the row. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts before going in and meeting a house full of strangers.

  Oddly, her nerves were calm.

  For the first time since she left Oklahoma, she felt a sense of relief—a sliver of hope. She didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her, but being here, close to where her aunt had lived for more than sixty years, made Dakota feel closer to Delores somehow.

  Once the will was read in a few days, she’d decide what to do then. For now, she would keep her focus on the moment at hand. Small baby steps.

  She got out and made her way toward the house, running her palms down her skirt to straighten some of the wrinkles. Now if she could do the same with her internal wrinkles.

  Chapter Two

  Cash sat on Tucker and Hope’s porch watching Becca and Dalton playing in the yard, laughing and chasing each other. He liked hearing their giggles, lightening his mood some.

  Most of the visitors had gone, and Cash was still reeling from the day’s events. Sounds of hushed voices drifted through the screen door from inside of the house. He’d socialized until he couldn’t take anymore and needed fresh air. He didn’t think many people would want to be around him anyway. His sour mood couldn’t be contained.

  He would rather go home but, out of respect for Delores, he’d stay longer. At least Becca seemed happy. Since Dalton had come into the family, his daughter had taken the boy under her wing and he didn’t argue about it.

  Becca stopped in her tracks, grabbed the football from Dalton’s hands, and tilted her chin in a saucy manner. “I can throw this ball better than you.” Her head bobbed as if emphasizing each word.

  “You’re a girl. Girls don’t throw like boys,” Dalton retorted. “Only boys play football.”

  “Girls can do anything boys can do. Watch this.” Becca lifted the football high in the air and threw it across the yard, a good twenty feet. Not bad.

  Cash smiled, glad his daughter didn’t back down, but his pride fizzled some. She’d become a tomboy, and what had he expected? She spent most of her time hanging out with him at the barn, or playing with Dalton. Hell, Cash didn’t mind that his girl had spunk or liked to throw a ball, but she should experience more than just hanging with the guys. Hope mentioned dance class, and maybe it was time he signed her up. Or soccer. Anything that would introduce her to a variety of friends, male and female.

  Becca and Dalton forgot about the football and climbed into a tree.

  Cash’s mind wandered back to the funeral, and something else…

  Delores’s niece, Dakota Childs.

  The house had been filled to the brim with company and he hadn’t seen her since she’d arrived on the ranch. He had a feeling she was avoiding him, but at least he wouldn’t have to face her or the fact that she made him feel things he hadn’t felt in a long time. She tweaked his protective side and things below the waist.

  On the way to the ranch from the cemetery, Hope had talked about Dakota…how they’d immediately connected. And when Hope had suggested Cash
volunteer to show Dakota around the ranch, he immediately saw cupid’s arrow in Hope’s eye. He didn’t want any part of her matchmaking. His family had gotten too worried over his relationship status.

  Scrubbing his jaw, he stretched his legs and hooked his ankles. Hope had every right to be concerned about Cash. Hell, he was even getting concerned. When he simply looked at a woman at a funeral and his body hardened, things were serious. He chalked the stirring up to loneliness, and nothing to do with the petite blonde with expressive eyes. Her pale pink lips or the way her wispy hair swept across her cheeks.

  He removed his hat and placed it on his knee, dragging his hand through his hair. He had to get ahold of himself.

  Engrossed in his thoughts, he didn’t realize he had company.

  “You okay, bro?”

  Cash looked up. Tucker leaned against the porch rail, concern in his eyes. “Sure. Why?”

  Tucker shrugged. “You haven’t seemed, well, connected since we left the cemetery. I know it’s hard losing Delores. We all loved her.” Tucker pushed his hat off his head, holding it against his chest. “And I can only imagine the memories today brought back for you.”

  Cash shifted in the rocking chair, hearing the wood creak under him, much like his emotions. “It wasn’t pleasant.”

  “The Pastor gave a good speech. Delores would have liked it. She would have even accepted the nasty weather. I can hear her laughing now, telling us to eat a cookie and everything’ll be fine.”

  “I don’t think I ever told her how appreciative I was for all that she did for me and Becca. She did more than I ever realized.”

  “Give yourself a break, Cash. Delores knew we cared for her, that’s why she stuck around. Becca seems like she’s doing okay with Delores gone and all.” Tucker hung his hat on a nail in the rail and slid his hands into his front pockets.