Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance) (12 page)

“
I ran into her at the diner yesterday and I introduced myself. I mean, she
is
famous. You know that I love her music and it’s awesome to have her here. Don’t worry. I didn’t make a fool out of the Brooke name by slobbering all over her. I was cool and collected.” A bright smile curved Peyton’s lips. “Ollie is spending the night with a friend, and Betty and Uncle Marty are out of town. We have the extra seating. What’s the big deal? After all, she practically grew up a mile from you.”

He shr
ugged. “I guess there isn’t one.”

“I’d think you’d like the idea of a beautiful woman hanging around.”

“This isn’t you playing matchmaker, is it?” He watched her take the steaming bowl of corn from the microwave. The last thing he needed was for Peyton, or anyone, meddling between him and April. He was tired of the sudden wall she threw up when things got out of control. He couldn’t understand why she just couldn’t go with the moment instead of coming across as a steamroller.

“Noooo…
of course I’m not.” She batted her lashes innocently. “Except, she is single.”

“Sorry I’m
late, sweetheart.” Dillon popped into the kitchen and snuggled up behind Peyton, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Did Dante help you cook until I got here?”

“
Dante, cooking? Oh, sweetheart. Were you in the sun a lot today?” Peyton laughed then turned in her husband’s arms, kissing him fully on the mouth.

“Come on, you two. Awkward
moment,” Dante said with a shake of his head. He suddenly wished he’d excused himself from dinner tonight. He’d rather be home with a grilled steak and a beer. Knowing April would be coming made his gut lurch. He hadn’t seen her since he’d fixed her truck. Several times, he’d thought about calling her, but what good would it do. She’d entice him into her web just to drop kick him against the wall. He wouldn’t mind the challenge if he wasn’t so damn confused.

Dillon laughed. “Sorry, brother, but sometimes I can’t help myself when I see my beautiful wife.”

Dante huffed as he heard laughter—April’s melodic laugh. His gaze drifted to the doorway as she walked in next to Deckland. The air sucked out of Dante’s lungs as the bottom dropped out of his emotions.

“Look who I ran into at the door
,” Deckland said. “I didn’t realize we’d have a celebrity in our presence today.”

“I’m just a
hometown girl and I don’t want anyone thinking any differently.” Her eyes twinkled and her smile was as bright as fireworks.

Damn, how could she make Dante
feel like he was in the front seat of a roller coaster? Why was it that as soon as he changed his ways from bad boy to gentleman, along came Miss Hotpants with a body that made his engine roar?

“I believe you already know everyone,” Peyton said.

The instant she saw him a bit of surprise slipped across her pretty face. Lifting his tall glass of iced tea to his lips, he downed half in one gulp as beauty swept his direction.

“Dante, I didn’t expect to see you here
.” Although subtle, April’s voice held a sliver of trouble. He doubted anyone noticed, except Peyton’s curious gaze landed on Dante.

“L
et me guess, Pey, you didn’t tell her the whole clan would be here.” He gave his sister-in-law a wink.

“I didn’t want to scare the
poor woman off before I’ve had a chance to get to know her.” Peyton laughed and looked at April, concern replacing her joy. “You’re not afraid of the Brooke brothers are you? I know they can be a bit intimidating at times.”

April’s eyes widened. “What woman would
complain being in a room full of tall, muscular, virile cowboys? I could think of far worse places.” Her gaze flitted over Dante and his chest inflated as he realized she was talking directly to him.

Peyton and April chatted about something and
he couldn’t quite wrap his brain around the words. He was stuck in between her curls that were falling from the bun and bouncing around her cheeks and the movement of her lips. The neckline of her shirt drew him like a red cape to a bull. Her pale globes peeking above the top button teased him, enticed him to dive in and lick. The mounds looked bigger. Was that possible or did his mind play tricks? His gaze drifted lower to the tight jeans that fit her curves like a denim glove. How could he still crave her long legs draped around his back when he knew she’d turn him away like yesterday’s news when she was finished?

Hell, she was playing him. Maybe he deserved it.

“Do you need more iced tea, Dante? You’re sweating,” Peyton said with a knowing smile. “I hear you and Dante knew each other when you were teens.”

April moistened her lips
, which made his senses amplify. He shifted and hoped his worn jeans could take the growth. What he hated most was how his body reacted to her as if he was a wet-behind-the-ears boy. He was a man, with skills, mature and all grown up. He respected women, especially April. Why couldn’t he just behave?

“Yeah, Dante and I go way back, ain’t that right cowboy?” The raspy tone of her voice plucked his insides.

“Aint that the truth.” Dante realized his own tone was a little rough. A man couldn’t concentrate with his gun loaded, plain and simple.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.” April kept her gaze glued on him
and everything around them seemed to disappear.

“Should I apologize?” Dante thought it best to get the awkwardness out of the way.

Peyton, as observant as always, said, “Dillon and Deckland, can I get your help with the steaks on the grill?”

Deckland was in the middle of
grabbing a sliced cucumber off the crudité platter. “How big are the steaks if it takes two men to turn them?”

Dillon patted Deckland on the back
. “I need to talk to you about the horse feed. What better place than over the grill?”

“And
Dante, would you mind getting April a glass of wine? Or tea.” Peyton said before disappearing with Dillon and Deckland through the door to the patio.

“A water or tea would be fine.” April didn’t remove her stare from him. Her gold-tipped lashes swept across her cheeks as a flirty smile blossomed across her pearly lips. He woke up that morning with her mouth on his mind and the pleasure he’d get from kissing her. “Peyton seems great.”

“She is.
” He scrubbed his jaw, wishing he’d taken the time to shave and put on his best jeans.

“I’m actually glad you’re here, Dante. Maybe we’ll get a chance to clear the ai
r— have a talk later when we can grab a minute alone. I think it’s long overdue.”

“
Have a seat.” He pulled out the wooden chair from the table with the toe of his boot. He then grabbed a glass from the tray and poured her tea. Ice clinked and clattered.

Plopping into the seat, April
sipped from her glass as she watched him with a new curiosity. “Do you think Peyton’s playing matchmaker?”

He
relaxed into the wood. “Hard to tell. She’s a fan of yours so it could be she wants to get to know you. Either way, it’s harmless.” Dante guessed Peyton had no clue exactly what he’d shared with April.

“
Well, we don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, do we? Let’s pretend we like each other, a little at least.” She slid her finger through the condensation on the glass. “You didn’t give me a chance to say thank you for fixing the old truck.”

“Didn’t expect or need one
. How’s the farm?”

“Lots of work, but I can do this.” A determined expression made her eyes brighter.
“I hired a roofer and a plumber.”

“I’m sure you’re capable.” That was an
understatement.

Chapter Ten

THE EVENING TURNED out to be a promising one indeed, April thought as she looked across the short distance where Dante sat in a rocking chair. His legs were stretched and hooked at the ankles, and on occasion, his eyes slipped over her as he and Deckland talked business. After dinner, they’d filed out onto the porch to enjoy the lovely night. The stars kissed the purple-hazed sky and the breeze cooled her heated skin from being close to Dante during dinner. She’d sat across from him at the table and several times his boots had skimmed her feet. She’d wondered if he’d been playing footsy with her on purpose, but she didn’t mind either way.

Peyton’s laughter drifted from inside the house.

April had offered to help Peyton with cleanup duty, but she’d shooed her out of the kitchen while Dillon said he’d stay and help. April had a feeling the couple wanted to be alone. The love they shared for one another was obvious in everything they did. During dinner, Dillon had leaned in and kissed his wife on the cheek and she’d looked up at him with complete trust. April had always envied those who could love and trust without reservation.

Dante chuckled an
d she immediately smiled. She’d trusted him years ago, back in a time when her heart and soul was open and willing.

She hadn’t expected to see him
tonight, but she was glad he was here. Anything involving Dante and a delicious meal could only be an engaging time. She’d missed him over the last few days, and as useless as her emotions were, she wouldn’t bother denying how much she cared for him.

Ticking her gaze over his
dark hair, mesmerizing eyes and prominent jawbone, she swallowed against the stiffness in her throat. He left his hat sitting on the table and she was glad. She liked seeing all of his features. He had the silkiest hair and she wanted to comb her fingers through the thick locks.

His gaze came up
as he looked past Deckland, catching her with blue magnets. Instead of turning away shyly, she held the connection. A wealth of emotion passed between them and it sang to her soul.

“I’m sorry, April. Here Dante and I are going on and on about boring business,” Deckland said.

“I don’t mind. I’m enjoying the evening.” She forced her attention to move to Deckland.

“Will you be staying in
town long?”

Shrugging, she thought over how she’d answer. “I’m taking day by day
, Deckland.”

“Well, we’re glad to have you around these parts.” Deckland stood and stretched. “I think I’ll be heading out. I’ve got an early morning.”

“Before dessert, bro?” Dante asked.

“
I ate enough of Peyton’s cooking that I won’t be able to fit another scrap in my stomach until tomorrow.” Deckland turned his attention to April. The older Brooke brother had gotten better looking with age and she couldn’t believe a woman hadn’t snagged him. She wondered if he played hard to get like the others? “April, it was nice seeing you again.”

“Y
ou too, Deckland.”

“Tell Dillon and Peyton I’ll
see them later.” Deckland walked toward the driveway.

April watched his truck lights disappear
and Dante moved to sit in the rocker next to her.

Feeling a little naughty an
d daring this evening, she gazed up at him, not attempting to hide her admiration. Dante’s gaze settled on her, and she knew the neckline of her shirt opened slightly. He swallowed and his jaw tightened, his eyes glittered with trouble. She didn’t want to have the cowboy drooling, so she fixed the collar of her shirt.

“Cake is sounding better and better by the minute.” His husky voice sent goosebumps across her skin. She caught the double meaning. “We may just get some
if my brother could keep his hands off his wife.”

She
chuckled and removed the clip from her hair, tangling her fingers in the mass of curls that bounced to her shoulders. “I think it’s nice. The love they share is amazing. They look at each other as if each time is the first.”

“I guess.”

“Come on, Dante. Don’t be a sourpuss. Haven’t you ever felt such unbinding love for someone?”

He didn’t blink. “Yes.”

Turning her cheek, she looked out into the darkness. A coyote howled in the distance, making the dog asleep on the step perk his ears. “Tell me about this woman you almost married?”

“Do we have to
talk about her?” His tone went dark.

“No.”
Playing with the shell hairpiece to keep him from seeing her shaking hands, she ached to entwine her fingers with his. They were alone and silence had monopolized them. Could she tell him about the baby? “We don’t have to talk about your ex, but I’m just trying to get an understanding of who this exceptional woman was that almost changed your relationship status from career bachelor to husband. That blows my mind.”

“Maybe I
didn’t want snatched. It’s possible I came to that understanding just in time. Hell, I can’t rule out that I knew all along she wasn’t the one for me.” His slow Texas drawl curled her toes.

“Did she cheat?”

“She stabbed someone else in the back, and so did I.” He smoothed his knuckles across his chin.

“What do you mean?”

“Cassie was engaged to Dillon first.” He
kept his gaze averted.