Second Chances (17 page)

“Here.
If you hold him, I’ll get Miracle in hand.” April stepped through, took Miracle
by the halter, then nodded toward Tess who presently held Mischief. “You’ll be
fine. Women don’t bother her.”

Tess
led Mischief into the field and released him. Miracle lowered her head and
sniffed Mischief, seemingly content that indeed her best friend had returned.
Immediately, she settled down.

April
released her and followed Tess back out the gate, making sure to fasten both
the latch and the chain behind her.

“Are
those whip scars on her rump?” Brand asked.

“Yes.”

Brand
cussed under his breath. “No wonder she gets all bent out of shape around men.
How can Dusty deal with her?”

“With
gentleness, patience, and food. He’s slowly gaining her trust. Any other
stable, the humane society wouldn’t let me have them. But, his reputation with
horses gave me their approval.” April swallowed the lump forming in her throat.
“He’s got a touch. A magical touch.” The soft words faded.

“If
it’s any consolation, Dusty’s an idiot,” Brand offered.

April
shrugged and started back toward the house. “He’s following his heart.”

“More
like his dick.”

She bit
back a smile at Brand’s blunt words and tone.

Tess
fell into step beside her. “You’re too good for him.”

“Oddly
enough, I always thought he was too good for me.” April blew out a long breath
as her heart grew heavy once more.

Fluffy
white clouds traveled slowly across a bright blue sky, making for a pretty late
afternoon with an even more beautiful woman. Dusty squeezed Colette’s hand as
they sat on the front porch swing, one of their favorite hangouts, lazily
watching time pass by.

They
had driven to town for lunch at the local café, then revisited the hiking trail
Dusty knew by heart as a teenager.

She
edged closer, snuggling against his side. The low cut dress she chose for the
day easily allowing him a barely impeded view of her ample bosom. He didn’t
complain in the least. The short skirt had ridden up when she sat, leaving her
long legs exposed from mid-thigh down to her heel clad feet. If he wanted to
cop a feel, he certainly wouldn’t have to work hard for a bountiful reward.

Earlier,
she’d hinted at just that as they sat on a bench alongside the trail, one that
held a few memories of kissing, groping, and a bit more during their teen
years. Colette wanted to make the memory come to life, as she ran her hands
over his body, pulled at buttons and zippers, even grabbed his hands and put
them directly on her breasts, then lower.

Her
actions made his blood run hot, but, at the same time, didn’t motivate him to
do more than share a few kisses and light touching. As kids, he’d have promised
anything to get more than an eyeful. Now, he found himself in no hurry to
consummate their reconciliation. Odd considering how often she dominated his
thoughts and caused him to walk around with a hard-on at most times when she
clung to his side.

“You’ve
made me happier in these past three days than I’ve been in forever.” She rested
her head against his shoulder.

“I’m
glad.” He glanced down at her, then movement caught his eye. Peering out across
the pasture, he found April with her horses, grooming them without benefit of a
tied lead rope or closed into a stall, and slipping them a carrot now and
again. The geldings closed in, so she turned her brush on them as well, giving
each a reward when finished.

April
had to return to work soon, whenever they decided the threat had passed and
reopened her hospital. Unless the fire ravaged the building, then he didn’t
have a clue what she or the rest of the workers would do. No job, no home. Mother
Nature’s fury could leave her lost in the world. His gut clenched tightly at
the thought.
No.
If things went from
bad to worse, he would make sure she stayed here, with the animals she’d refuse
to leave, until she could find another job close by. He’d ensure she was cared
for. After all, it was the least he could do considering all she did to help
him before and after they arrived.

“What’s
with the frown?” Colette slipped her hand up the inside of his thigh, stopping
just short of his groin. She peppered kisses on his neck and paused a moment to
suck on his earlobe.

His
body tightened immediately, a natural reaction to her petting and nearness, but
he wasn’t in the mood to rush upstairs for a quickie. Hell, she’d literally
thrown herself at him since she showed up three days ago back at the ranch.
After all these years, he’d been thrilled, excited to see her, yet he couldn’t
quite accept her blatant offers. She wouldn’t be a one-night stand, and the
ramifications of sex with Colette would reach far into his future, something he
hadn’t quite figured out to date. Instead, he tolerated her advances and
carefully sidestepped anything past second base. For now.

“Thinking
about the fire.” Worry carried in each word.

She
nibbled lightly on his ear. “If you lose your stable, it’s not the end of the
world.”

He
sucked in a breath.

She
didn’t catch his sudden tension or attributed the tight muscles to a sexual
response as she continued to kiss all around his shoulder and neck. Boldly, she
licked a trail up his throat only to stop at his chin. “You can simply move
back here, with your family. Be with me.” Leaning back, she looked to his face.
“In fact, it might be for the best.”

Inner
rage threatened to boil over at her selfish and caustic statements. She
flippantly thought the idea of him losing everything he’d worked so hard for
over the past three years didn’t matter. His eyes narrowed as he struggled to
control his sudden anger. Her caresses, once inspiring and sensual, now left
him cold as ice, the same temperature as her heart.

“You’d
better get going.” He managed to keep his voice flat, devoid of the rolling
emotions that cascaded through him.

She
blinked at him, and smiled. “I do have to get ready for tonight. It takes a
while to look this good. Just for you.” Standing, she bent over and pressed her
lips to his.

He
allowed the caress for only a moment before turning away, his mind churning
with thoughts and a possible introduction back to reality.

“What
time will you pick me up?” She pulled at her tiny skirt as she stood and walked
toward the front porch steps.

For a
long moment he pondered canceling the date, then decided to go through with
their planned night. First of all, he needed to determine if this moment had
turned into an epiphany toward Colette or if she was just rambled on without
thinking. A faux pas, a big one. He’d give her a second chance to convince him
they were on the same path or to essentially hang herself. Something told him
she’d lean toward the latter. But, he had to know for sure, leave no doubts,
for he didn’t want to look back later and wonder what if. Grinding his teeth in
annoyance, he grappled for patience. “Five-thirty.”

“Perfect.”
She beamed, showing off straight white teeth and waved, her long artificial
nails with colorful paint flashing in the afternoon sun. Navigating the steps,
Colette walked to her car, got in, and drove off.

Dusty
lowered his head into his heads and scrubbed his face, more pissed than he’d
been in a long time. Just when he thought he’d found happiness with the woman
he’d once loved, he heard those words flow from her mouth.
It might be for the best.

He
wanted to hit something, to punch on a bag until his knuckles bled. Each day he
worried and struggled with the potential of losing his stable, knowing life
would never be the same if he did. Even after making up with his brothers, he
couldn’t see himself living here full time and falling back into life as
before.
No way.
Too many things had
changed. He’d changed.

Nightmares
plagued him from time to time. Those wouldn’t go away any time soon, if ever.
He found comfort in his somewhat isolated stable and surrounding land. People
rarely visited and those who did didn’t stay long. His animals provided an
income as well as companionship. They would be part of his days come hell or
high water.

Ben
whined as if sensing his owner’s inner turmoil.

Dusty
reached down to scratch the dog’s head as he reclined on the porch beside him.
Animals don’t belong in the house.
He
recalled Colette’s words during last night’s dinner. Sure, he should have shut
her down then and there, but he didn’t want to burst the fresh bubble that
formed with her appearance, nor have a blistering discussion in front of the
family. No, he’d simply forced himself to forget the statement. Until now.

Reality
began to sink in with renewed vigor. Colette and he were worlds apart and would
most likely stay that way. She expected to reside in mansions, spend tons of
money on fancy clothes, the latest fashions, and have her nails done weekly. He
doubted she ever did anything remotely related to work. On the other hand, he
lived in a stable, spent most of his days covered in dust, sprigs of hay, and
sweat. His cologne came from working with horses from sunup to sundown and he
didn’t bring in much overhead. Sure, he had a tidy sum in a trust fund from his
parents, but he vowed never to use the money. Not when he could take care of
himself. His pride refused such an easy road and a blatant handout.

Looking
up, his gaze landed on April, still working with the horses in the center
pasture. Her dark blonde ponytail swayed with each step as she moved around the
large animals with easy familiarity, brushing and petting each one, even taking
the time to check their hooves for stones or mud. She didn’t have any makeup on
and, quite honestly, didn’t need any. A healthy glow and natural radiance
showed on her supple skin while those big blue eyes completed the pretty
package. As he watched, she wiped a trickle of sweat from her forehead using
the sleeve of her white T-shirt. Dampness showed through the upper section, a
testament to perspiration in the summer heat.

He
cringed as he thought how little attention he paid to her since Colette showed
up. Hell, he’d been completely blinded by the stunning brunette, his focus on
her curves, and his mind stubbornly stuck in the past. April got lost in the
process. Guilt weighed his shoulders down as he considered how much slack she’d
picked up during her short stay at the ranch thus far. Carrie sang April’s
praises for all the hard work in the kitchen and around the house. Even his
brothers seemed impressed with the little nurse, commenting on how often they
spied her with the horses, not just her own, but doting on each and every one.

Blowing
out a long sigh, he checked his watch. Just enough time to get a shower, change
clothes, and head out to pick up Colette. He felt neither excitement nor
enthusiasm. Instead, this date resembled a trip to the DMV. Mundane, annoying,
certainly lacking in the romance department, but genuinely necessary. To be
fair, he had to give Colette one more chance. If his revelations came to pass,
he would hold no regrets. If she stepped up her game and straightened back out—

He
stood and shook his head. Right now, he didn’t hold much hope in a long term
relationship with Colette. He would go to the restaurant, find out for certain,
and then cut his losses.

On the
somber note, he slipped back into the house, Ben right on his heels.

For
three days, April watched Dusty lavish attention on Colette, even as he hurried
through his chores in order to spend every free moment with the woman, his
former girlfriend and almost fiancé. Now, the pair had headed into town for a
date night.

Something
she’d never had with Dusty in their short time together.

Carrie
had filled her in the first night on the details of the pair’s history
together, adding to the information Evan first disclosed. April appreciated the
courtesy, but the facts didn’t lift the dreary cloud hovering over her head.

She’d
gone through the motions, cared for the horses as best as she could, and tried
to stay out of the way as much as possible. When not in the pastures or barns,
she hung out in the kitchen, helping the women wrestle up three meals per day
for five hungry men. Not a small task. The brothers tried now and then to give
her a hand, to cheer her, but even their silliness and attention failed to do
more than provide a holey umbrella under a torrential rain of a broken heart.

At
least today perked up in the form of glorious news. The fire had turned the
first night, sparing their little neck of the woods. The mandatory evacuation
had been lifted and residents were being allowed to return home. Relief washed
over April. Not for herself, but for Dusty. He’d worked so hard to build his
business. To have everything destroyed would have devastated him. Sure, he
could move back to the ranch, possibly even buy some nearby land, but she
didn’t know if he’d been happy spending day in and day out with his brothers.
Something told her Dusty needed his space. War changed people and Dusty would
be no exception. He could return to the good times of old, but eventually, he’d
need some distance.

Her
little rental home filled her need for now. If she’d lost the house, it
wouldn’t be a huge ordeal. She’d simply move elsewhere. The benefit of leasing
rather than owning, she supposed. However, Dusty needed land to call his own
and horses to provide him daily therapy for all the consequences and leftovers
from what he suffered during the war. She’d do anything in her power to make
sure he had those things.

Starting
with checking out the stable and making sure everything stood as they left
them. Once her horses returned, she’d decide what her next steps might be.

The
front door creaked. Light from the living room silhouetted Carrie, dressed in
her typical T-shirt and jeans.

Ben,
who lay at April’s feet, wagged his tail in greeting. Ever since Dusty took off
to pick up his date for the night, Ben had been attached to April’s hip.

The
lady of the large house patted his head, and then turned her attention to
April.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”
April smiled sadly at the woman. She much preferred to be alone, but couldn’t
be rude to her new friend.

Sitting
down beside April, Carrie moved her legs back and forth to keep the seat
rocking. “Beautiful night.”

“Yeah.”

“I saw
Dusty take out of here to pick up Colette earlier.”

“Yeah.”
April folded her hands in her lap.

“That
boy’s thinking with his dick and living in the past.”

April
blinked at Carrie’s candidness. “They make a pretty couple.”