Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance) (15 page)

“Yeah, you’re a lucky woman. I saw the love you
two have for one another and I won’t lie, I felt a bit envious.” April played with the broken threads on her shorts.

“
You’re a woman who is blunt, so I don’t think there’s any reason for me to mince my words.” Peyton turned in her chair. “The baby you’re carrying is a Brooke, and that makes him or her part of our family. And you’re family now too. We are as good as sisters. I’ve never had a sibling, always wanted one though. So, I guess I need to—”

“Know if I’m keeping the
baby. Right?” With a simple nod from Peyton, April sighed. “When I first found out, I gave every option a toss around my mind. But the fact is, I’m not getting any younger and I don’t have prospects of a relationship in the near future. This may be my last chance at having a child. Of course, this isn’t how I’d planned to become a mother, but does anything ever turn out as we hope or wish? Each day I carry the baby the stronger my feelings grow. So, to answer your question, yes I’m keeping my baby, with or without Dante.”

A broad smile spread over
Peyton’s features. “I’m so happy.” She clasped her hands together and gave a quick clap. “Dillon and I haven’t told anyone yet, but we’re expecting also. I’m twelve weeks along.” Her hand fell to her stomach protectively.

“Congratulations
. How wonderful for you both.”

“We are so excited. We just want to get into our new house and create a wonderful home for Ollie and the baby.” Peyton took on a glow.

“I’m not sure if this is normal, but I feel like I’m on a roller coaster of emotion. One second I’m laughing and the next I’m crying. I was watching a movie last night on one of those sappy channels and suddenly tears started falling down my cheeks. I ended up crying myself to sleep.”

Peyton patted her hand
then gently squeezed. “I’d like to tell you that it gets better, but while you’re pregnant, the emotional ups and downs only get worse. And your tummy gets large. Our breasts fill with milk and we wonder why we’d ever wanted a larger bra size. Our feet swell. Then we pee our pants every time we laugh or sneeze.”

April frowned. “You are kidding.
I hope.” Fear made her throat tight.

“Sure.” Peyton turned her cheek, but not before April saw the wriggling of brows.

“I’m freaking out now.”

With a shake of her head, Peyton laughed. “Don’t freak out now. Sleep every possible moment because once the baby is born you won’t get another restful night for the next eighteen or so years. But every second is a gift.” She then stood up.

“Thanks for the advice.” April’s stomach rolled.

“Now, what are you attempting to do here?”
Peyton pointed to the overgrown flowerbeds.

“Tidy this
place up. I thought some color would brighten up the scenery. Everything is just so, well, green.”

Peyton laughed. “You could use another hand.”

“I can’t let you help me. I’ve been out here this morning and the only thing I’ve accomplished is working up a good sweat and a backache.”

“You misunderstood. I have someone who will whip this place into shape in no time
at all. I recently hired a landscaper for the house we’re building. It’s too hot out here for women in our condition.” She winked. “But, do you like chocolate?”

“Who doesn’t?” In fact, chocolate was on her recent list of cravings.

“Then let’s go into town and visit the new sweet shop, Elsa’s Fluff. I’ve been sneaking there every chance I get for her ooey-gooey delights. They are heavenly and I can’t resist. Wanna?” Peyton’s eyes sparkled.

April’s stomach growled as hunger pangs set in. “I’d love to, but I can’t go like this.” She swept a hand in a downward
motion over her dirty T-shirt and dirtier shorts. An image of chocolate cake drizzled in icing made her mouth water. “But I can be ready in twenty.”

Chapter
Thirteen

“NEED REINFORCEMENTS?” PEYTON asked as they drove up to April’s house and they spotted Dante’s truck parked in the grass near the house.

“Thanks, but I’ve had e
nough chocolate that I feel like I could conquer the world, even a six-foot-tall cowboy who can be a big ass at times,” April said as she gathered her bags filled with goodies from the back seat.

Peyton laughed. “You may be exactly what Dante Brooke needs.”

“Thank you for coming to save me from the weeds.” April bid her new friend farewell and turned toward the house, reminding herself that she had no reason to feel nervous. If Dante decided he didn’t want to be a part of the baby’s life, then she’d make it on her own.

Back straight, chin held high, she headed toward sexy cowboy.

He was sitting in one of the wicker chairs. His legs stretched for miles and he seemed relaxed. His hat was pulled low on his forehead, hooding his eyes, but she knew he watched her. Placing her bags by the door, she came back to sit beside him. “Are you lost, cowboy?”

“Now that’s a loaded question.” He sat up and pushed his hat ba
ck, exposing sparkling gaze. Her stomach did a triple loop. How could he look better with age and she just kept getting old?

“You here to talk or did you bring more eggs?”

“I did bring more eggs, but I believe it’s time we had a heart-to-heart.” His raspy voice did naughty things to her dessert-filled body. Chocolate and hot cowboy was almost too much pleasure in one day.

“
We’ll talk, but just so we’re clear, I’m keeping the baby. That doesn’t mean I’m expecting anything from you, because what you decide is your choice. I plan to give this baby a wonderful life, full of love. In my heart I know this baby wasn’t a mistake.”

“Good.”

She popped her chin up, staring at him, drinking him in. “What?”

“
Just because the pregnancy wasn’t planned, doesn’t make it a mistake.” A hopeful expression slipped over his features. “I can’t imagine a child of mine being out in the world with me not there to protect him or her.”

Her heart sped up.
April had never doubted that Dante had a protective side the size of Texas. Once he set his mind to something, he wouldn’t stop until it was accomplished. A stubborn attitude did have benefits. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. I want to be a part of my child’s l
ife. The child can grow up here.”

Her s
mile fizzled. “I think you’re jumping the gun,” she snapped. “This is something we should discuss further, when we are closer to the due date.”

His jaw hardened slightly. “April, on the road is nowhere to raise a child.”

“I agree, but if you think I’m going to hand over my baby and walk away, you don’t know me at all.”

Creases formed around his eyes. “Then we will have to compromise.”

“Agreed.”

“That’s why
we should get married.”

“I thin
k we—what?” Her brain took a nosedive into confusion. It wasn’t possible that he’d just offered marriage as a solution. She stuck her finger in one ear and rubbed. “I’m hearing things.”

He got up,
buried his hands into his front pockets and scuffed the toe of a boot across the wooden planks. “We should get married.”

Her baffled thoughts made her temples ache
. “Have you thought about this?”

“Every second since…”
There was a curious pause.

Bringing her gaze upward along jean-clad legs, shi
ny belt buckle, broad chest, and stopped at a contemplative gaze. “How long, Dante?”

“A while.”

Her stomach flipped. At nineteen, she’d dreamed of him asking her to marry him. As the years had passed, so had the fantasy. Who could fall in love as teenager and believe in a future?

Now, he asked her
to marry him out of obligation—not exactly a fairytale proposal.

“I—I don’t know,” she answered honest
ly.

His jaw
twitched. “At least it’s not a no.”

****

Dante slept like shit. He crawled out of bed, scrubbed the remaining sleep from his eyes and dressed.

He’d asked April to marry him and she’d basically said “maybe.” He didn’t like it, but he’d accept it for now.

In the meantime, he’d work on being the man she needed.

He glanced across the room where the black box
sat on his shelf. In all these years, he hadn’t moved it. It’d sat there as a reminder of the past.

He’d often wondered how life would have turned out if he’d chased her to Nashville
. What would he have done in her world? He never could have made it as a trophy husband.

Guilt clutched his
memory. She’d had an opportunity to follow her dreams and he’d stepped aside.

He
buried his forehead in his palm. Deep in his heart and years later, he knew this was the correct thing to do—marrying her. They had created life between them and they needed to make everything right.
He
needed to make everything right.

Getting up, he marched across the floor, snatched up the box and shoved it into his front pocket. The ring belonged to her, always had.
He’d put it on her finger soon.

Downstairs, he poured hi
mself a large cup of coffee, added a good amount of sugar and creamer and brought the mug to his lips when he heard the scraping of the legs of a chair. Turning, he met Deckland’s cool glare. “What the hell, bro. You should have let me know you were here.”

“Dillo
n told me.” His chilly tone made Dante blink.

He
didn’t need to ask what his brother meant. “Figures. Can’t anyone keep a secret in this family.”

“Not when it involves all of us,” Decklnad growled.
“We’re talking about a baby.”

Shrugging
, Dante took his coffee and went out onto the porch, inhaling the sharp scent of freshly mowed grass and a hint of horse manure. Deckland’s stomping followed him and the slamming of the screen door set Dante’s nerves on edge. He loved and cared for his brother, but the last thing he needed was a lecture.

“Did you hea
r me?” Deckland came around to look Dante in the face.

“Loud and clear. H
ate to burst your bubble, but this doesn’t involve everyone. This is between April and me.” He turned, meeting his brother’s death stare.

“It’s time you grow up. First Cassie and now this.”

“Now
this
what, Deck? I’m a grown man.” He took a long drink of his coffee, not caring that it burned all the way into the pit of his stomach.

“I
f you’re planning on not being—”

“Stop right there.” Dante placed his cup on the wooden railing and dug the box out of his pocket. “I’ve asked her to marry me.
I’m going to ask her again soon.”

Deckland
’s jaw dropped. “You did what?”

“Close
your mouth before you catch a fly. I asked April to marry me.”

Eyes narrowing and mouth slamming shut, Deckland shook his head. “Why would you do something like that?”

Dante gave his head a quick shake. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“A marriage out of obligation?” Deckland huffed. “
That’s you. Always jumping in before you stop and think.”

Dante tore his
hand through his hair. “Jesus! Can I do anything to make you happy?” Frustration bubbled up into his chest.

Deckland sighed and his jaw loosened. “I love you and I only want the best for you.” It’d been a long time since Deckland had
touched upon his sentimental side. “That was April’s ring you’ve kept, wasn’t it?” Understanding surfaced in him.

No
dding, Dante returned the box to his pocket. “I planned to ask her to marry me during that summer when we were kids, but it didn’t work out. The ring has haunted me all of these years, and now I guess I’ve come to a fork in the path. I don’t plan to screw things up. I want to be a father. Hell, I can even be a husband.”

Deckland nodded. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re stepping up. I didn’t want to ruin a damn good morning with kicking your ass.” Dante
chuckled as his brother pulled him in for a quick hug. “There’s nothing like a second chance. Makes us appreciate what we have.” Deckland patted Dante on the back then headed off the porch, whistling.

Dante emptied his cup as he watched his brother disappear toward the barn.
For the first time in years, tears filled Dante’s eyes. He knew Deckland had a moist eye also. Dante wanted nothing more than to see his brother find happiness too. He deserved love.

Chapter
Fourteen

DANTE FOUND APRIL sitting under the shade of an oak tree strumming her guitar. He stayed back, waiting and listening. She hummed along and it touched his soul. As she lifted her chin, her gaze connected with his. Surprise darted across her features. “Dante? How long have you been standing there?”