Second Ride Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (3 page)

A new confidence uplifted her mood and she crossed the room to his bedside. “Duke?”

He slowly turned his head and the vulnerability in his eyes tore into her soul. Seconds ticked by like centuries as he stared at her. Finally, one corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m a little late for our date, sweetheart.” His unused voice came out gruff and weak, and yet it sounded like a harmonic tune to her.

“Just a tad.” Her own voice shook in emotion. Wishing she could wrap her arms around him and never let go, she denied the craving, reminding herself that she needed to follow his lead. Rushing him could make him shut down, and that was the last thing she wanted.

He reached up, scrubbed his chin with his palm and sighed. “I didn’t have time to get all spiffed up for you. My hair’s a little too long. I need a shave and shower to wash away eighteen months of dust.”

Lila cleared her throat as some of the tension eased from her shoulders. “Ask me and I’ll tell you Duke, you’re one of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.”

His warm gaze lowered over her and her insides twitched. It’d been a while since she’d felt butterflies in her stomach and a quivering in the apex of her thighs. The man still, after so long, had an unbelievable affect over her. She’d fantasized many times over the last months, remembering how he’d brought her to levels of unbelievable passion—sensations she hadn’t known existed until Duke McGraw.

“You look different,” he said.

“I do?”

He nodded and raked his fingers through his hair. “I guess I do too. I remember bits and pieces of that night...the fire...falling.” His eyes narrowed as if his mind wandered back to that night. “I walked into the barn and it was on fire. That son-of-a-bitch Kincaid ran off when he saw me. I had a choice to either chase him down or put out the flames.”

She stepped closer. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, I do. I tried to put it out but it spread faster than I could imagine. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground and I couldn’t breathe. How did I end up in a coma?”

“You went in for emergency surgery on your burns and you never woke up from the anesthesia. The doctors couldn’t find any reason because your vital signs were fine and tests came back okay. They believed it was from the head trauma,” she said.

“I’m not dreaming am I?” One brow curved.

“No, this is real. Although, it seems like a fantasy to me too.” She couldn’t count how many times she’d prayed and hoped he’d come awake. No words could describe how she felt.

He shrugged and shook his head. “I’m alive. I guess I have someone to thank.”

Lila nodded. “Chance saw the smoke coming from the barn that night and raced in to save you. Martin Kincaid was caught the next day when he went into a hospital for the burns on his hands. He’s in prison for attempted murder.” She nervously played with the lace trim of her shirt.

“Is everyone okay? You? Chance and Carly?”

“They’re great. They had a baby boy. He’s a little over a year old.”

A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I bet Chance is a proud father.” His blue eyes twinkled but his pallor didn’t change.

“Yes, he’s swollen with pride. His already inflated ego grew to the size of Texas.” She laughed, but couldn’t deny he made Carly happy beyond words. Chance had stayed at Duke’s bedside during the first few months after the injury and he still came to visit twice a week. Lila knew Chance was loyal to Duke.

“And you, Lila? How are you?”

His intense gaze seemed to search her hidden thoughts. Lila swallowed the tightness in her throat. She wanted to open up and tell him everything, but she couldn’t burden him with the pain she’d lived through. “I’m okay.”

“Your eyes say differently.”

“I have a mixture of emotions—confusion, insecurity…and fear. I’m guessing you have the same feelings and, under the circumstances, that’s normal.” Although he’d been away involuntarily, it didn’t change the fact he’d been gone. Time couldn’t rewind to before the coma. It was selfish of her to wish things were the same, and yet how could she not hope? The last time she’d spoken with him awake, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, they talked about everything and she knew Duke had planned to ask her to marry him.

Lila needed to keep things in perspective and not put too many expectations on her or Duke. Her life had evolved with the responsibility of being a single mother. Maybe that’s what scared her the most. How would Duke respond to the idea of having a child? That she was pregnant at the time of the accident? It was too soon to tell him. Piling too much information on him could be detrimental to his recovery and she wanted nothing more than to see him grow stronger every day.

“We have a lot of catching up to do,” he said as the door opened and Dr. Scott bustled into the room followed by a staff person rolling a gurney.

The doctor looked from Duke to Lila. “I’m sorry, Lila. I scheduled Duke for a CT and the techs are ready for him.”

Lila stepped out of the way as the aide started prepping Duke to be transferred out of bed. His gaze remained on her. She smiled and he smiled back. He’d get better, she’d see to that, but it’d take time. Having worked with cataleptic recovering patients, she knew he would need months of therapy, possibly years, to rehabilitate his muscles and ligaments. His mind would also need to recuperate.

And this was only the beginning of a new chapter. Rushing wasn’t necessary.

Duke’s gaze dropped and narrowed.
What was he looking at?
She followed his stare and her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no!
She’d forgotten to take off the engagement ring. He closed his eyes and kept them shut as they moved him out of the room.

CHAPTER THREE

NIGHT FELL AND the dim light over his bed didn’t help in keeping the shadows at bay. Duke compared the small dreary room to a tomb and the confinement smothered him. He wanted to get out of the hard bed and run like the wind. If only his body had the same ambition as his mind. He’d be damned if he’d allow a bastard like Martin Kincaid to take away another day of his life. Eighteen months was all the maggot got.

He was wide-awake now. Duke planned to stay that way. He had plenty of time to sleep later.

Lila had left a few hours ago. He’d wanted to ask her to stay, but he’d been out of the room most of the day getting tests run. He’d gotten the distinct feeling she was keeping something from him. And he hadn’t missed the mountain-sized diamond she wore on her fourth finger. That’s where things got confusing. Had he gotten as far as asking her to marry him before the accident? He couldn’t remember everything, but he recalled putting a ring in his pocket, yet his thought pattern was vague. Hell, he couldn’t be sure about anything. Damn! A year and a half of being out of the picture was a long time.

He laid his head back into the pillow and ran his fingers down his face. He was scruffy—and lonely, but mostly he ached for Lila. Months may have passed while he lay comatose but it did nothing to douse the flame in the pit of his stomach. He still wanted Lila like a cowboy needed his rodeo. The area below his waist hardened and his boxers stretched. He lifted the cover from his legs and lowered his gaze to the pajama bottom tent. He chuckled. Pleasure soared within him. Good to know some muscles still worked on his body and he wouldn’t need therapy in that part of his anatomy.

Dropping the sheet, he thought back to Lila.

Their relationship had faced many challenges, from breaking up, getting back together and then the coma. Before the accident, he’d known what he’d wanted, and that was her as his wife, for the rest of his life.

He’d had another surprise he’d wanted to tell her. After Carly’s dad died, she was left with the McAllister Ranch and wanted to sell. He’d made an offer and Chance and Carly had accepted his proposal, which Lila probably knew by now. After years of working alongside Chance as ranch supervisor and saving every penny, Duke had been ready to venture out on his own, to plant some roots. For a man who’d always loved his freedom, he’d finally wanted nothing more than to settle down beside the woman he loved on a ranch he could take pride in. He’d found himself wanting to experience life, and to start a family.

Hearing a soft knock on the door, his heart raced.
Could it be Lila returning?

It wasn’t Lila, but it was the next best thing.

“Well, well. You look like shit, but you’re awake.” Chance Taylor came in and filled the room with his brawny frame.

“I see life’s been treating you kindly,” Duke said. “You’re even smiling.” Chance had been an angry son-of-a-gun until Carly came back into his life. The scowl Duke remembered was gone from his best pal’s features and he looked happy. Once upon a time, Chance had been the most wanted bachelor in Texas. He was Carly’s now, but Duke guessed women still swooned over him. Chance was a rough and tough cowboy, but would gladly help a man out when needed. His honest character and hard work had earned him a golden reputation among ranchers, businesspeople and anyone he met.

Chance grabbed the small wooden chair from the corner and carried it next to the bed. He sat down and smoothed his hands down his jeans. “Damn, McGraw.”

Lines of distress marred Chance’s forehead and Duke shook his head. “Don’t go there, buddy. The last thing I need is your pity. What’s done is done and Kincaid is behind bars.”

“That day, I’d tracked Kincaid down, but he was quicker and made it to the Swift Wind before he could be caught. His intention was to hurt Carly to get to me but she wasn’t at the ranch. I’m sorry, buddy.”

“Your family is safe. That’s what matters.”

Chance raked a hand through his coal black hair. “I want you to know, nothing’s changed. The McAllister is still yours. Carly and I didn’t want anyone else working her father’s land but you.”

“I’ve gotta say I’m a bit surprised, you and Carly saving the ranch. It could have been sold ten times over in eighteen months. I appreciate the vote of confidence that I’d wake up.” Duke narrowed his eyes. “Some things have changed, though. You going to be honest with me, pal?”

“Are you thinking there’s something I’m hiding?”

“Tell me the truth about Lila.”

Chance shrugged. “What’s there to tell? She came here and sat by your bedside every chance she got. She was torn up over the accident. I’d say she’s been thrown for a loop, like all of us.”

“You paint a picture of a woman who waited steadfastly by my bedside.” Duke blew a breath through his tight lips. “Today, she looked as uncomfortable as a two-legged horse.”

“Do you blame her?” Chance’s brow lifted.

“Not one bit. But I could look at her and see she’s keeping something—more than the obvious.”

“I think you’re forgetting that some time has passed, my good friend. Eighteen months to you was like a good night’s sleep. To everyone else, well, we’ve been carrying around a whole helluva lot of hope that you’d wake up.”

“Are you saying in a roundabout way that she moved on?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Chance said.

“I’m going to guess it’s not my ring she’s wearing.” Duke’s chest tightened. Hell, he couldn’t blame her if she’d moved on, but it wouldn’t change the heartbreak and disappointment. The one thing that’d kept him alive was Lila.

Chance sat forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “You should ask her. It’d be a good thing for you two to talk when you’re stronger.”

“I’m asking you.” Duke flinched. “What’s going on? Is there another man?” His gut clenched. It’d drive him insane if he didn’t know the truth.

There was a long sigh before Chance shook his head. “What do you want me to say?”

“The facts. I need to know,” Duke said.

“Some things aren’t meant for me to tell, buddy, but as your best friend I’ll tell you what I heard.”

****

The next day Lila showed up at the clinic bright and early. Janette called her over to the nurse’s station. “Can I speak to you a minute, Lila?”

“Sure.”

A worried expression carved lines into Janette’s forehead. “After you left last night, Chance Taylor stopped by and when he left, Duke asked one of the student aide’s for a mirror.”

Lila brought her fingers to her mouth.
Oh no.
“He needed time to adjust after the coma before—”

Janette nodded. “I guess after he saw himself, the scars, he became angry. He threw the mirror across the room and ignored everyone. He refuses to eat and has thrown everybody out of his room who has dared enter.”

Lila had worried this would happen. “Did the cat scan come back? Is his brain functioning without obstruction?”

“His brain is fine. It’s his emotions that are fried.” She made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Can’t say I blame him. This world is puzzling enough, then he wakes up from sleeping a year and a half and his physical appearance is altered.” She shook her head and sighed. “Hey, I see you lost the rock.”

Lila tilted her chin. “Huh?” She followed Janette’s nod to her left hand. “Oh. I...I have it in my purse, for now.” She’d called Shaun and asked to meet him when he was available, and she’d give it back.

Janette lifted a dark brow. “Well, good luck. Hopefully Duke’ll listen to you. He’s alive and that counts for something. I can see why you stuck around all these months.” She chuckled. “The man’s a looker. Scars or no scars.”

Lila wanted to laugh. She wished she could, she just couldn’t find humor anywhere in her body.

Entering Duke’s room, he laid in bed with his back to the door. “Duke?” He didn’t acknowledge her arrival. Steadying the trembling in her hands and the butterflies in her stomach, she moved toward the bed.

“Why are you here?” His curt voice stopped her mid-stride.

“What do you mean? I’m here to see you.”
What transpired after she’d left last night?

He pulled himself up and around, shakily bringing his legs over the side of the bed. She saw the weakness in his limbs and knew it took a lot of strength to maneuver his fragile body. His ice blue gaze held harshness and his jaw tightened into a steely angle. “I asked, what the hell are you doing here?”

The severity in his tone made her wince and she stiffened her spine. “And I answered your question. I’m here to see you.” Her voice rose in tone too.

He chuckled. The sound sliced through the air with contempt and rage. “Because you felt some sort of obligation for me that has prevented you from moving on?”

Anger clutched her in its tight hold and she sank her teeth into her lip until she felt the sting. She reminded herself to stay calm. “No, I didn’t come here out of obligation.”

He squeezed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Why did you remove the engagement ring?”

She impulsively glanced down at her bare finger. “You saw it.” She whispered. “It’s not what it seems.”

“You and Doc aren’t engaged? If you slip a man’s ring on your finger I’d say that’s as close to yes as a woman can get.”

Confused, she wondered who’d told him? She hadn’t told a soul about Shaun’s proposal except for...Carly. Her head throbbed. Chance had overheard the conversation she had with Carly when they were talking about the ring. “So Chance told you I was engaged?”

His shoulders tightened. “Was it supposed to be a secret?”

“No, I just want to explain.”

He scoffed. “Damn, Lila, the last thing I want is your pity.” His voice shook. “I don’t hold it against you that you’ve moved on, but I damn well sure will get pissed if you lie to me for sympathy’s sake.”

She moved to the window. A hard lump clogged her throat and she forced her next words through trembling lips. “I won’t lie. Time had passed. I wasn’t sure you’d ever wake up, but I didn’t move on.”

“Yeah, time’s passed. I got that.”

His deep voice vibrated into her heart. She connected her gaze to his hard profile wishing she could touch him and all harsh thoughts would disappear. “You can’t think I came here because I felt sorry for you.”

“Do you love
him
?” His voice was dangerously low.

“I care for him, yes, but—”

“But what? You’re afraid I’ll keep you from following your dreams? Sweetheart, you’re off the hook. You owe me nothing.”

“Off the hook?” She laughed. Was he serious? He had no clue how she felt.

“Where did you meet the good ol’ doc?” he asked.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Tell me!” His voice echoed off the walls like the crack of a baseball against a bat.

“We worked together in the emergency department at the hospital.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something but then tightened his lips together. She could see his thoughts swirling by his serious expression. “I’ve met him. I remember.”

She swallowed hard. His memory was improving. “Yes.”

“Figures.” He shook his head and steadied his gaze on the bare wall. “You can go.”

The temperature of the room dropped. Lila wrapped her arms tight around her waist but it did nothing to warm the chill in her bones. “You’ve barely been awake for twenty-four hours and you’re running already?”

His gaze came back to her. “It doesn’t look like I’ll be running anywhere anytime soon.”