Second Song Cowboy (Second Chance) (19 page)

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Dante slammed on the brakes in the gravel, sending a cloud of dirt around his truck. The old red truck was in the driveway, and so was Peyton’s car. He tore out of the driver’s side and raced up the grass, taking the steps to the porch in one leap. He pounded on the door, hoping April would open up.

“Dante, what are you doing?”

He turned, still trying to even out his breath. “Peyton, where’s April? And why are you stealing her trees?”

Peyton shifted the armload of branches and shook her head. “I’m not stealing trees, mercy me. April said I could grab some starts from these unusual bushes she has in the back. I’ve never seen
anything quite like them. I’m hoping if I plant—”

“Peyton?”

“Oh, yes, you asked a question. April left for the airport in a cab.”

“What?” His chest tightened as his stomach did a flip.

With a long sigh, Peyton shrugged. “I told Deckland to tell you she was leaving this morning. It’d be nice if you answered your cell on occasion.”

“
When did she leave?” He was already running back to the truck.

“Fifteen minutes ago, maybe twenty,” she yelled as he backed out.

Dante sped out of the driveway onto the road, his heart pumping and his fingers tight around the steering wheel. Even after speaking to April, he wasn’t sure she’d stay, but he needed to tell her how he felt before she went back to her old life. He needed to explain that Cassie meant nothing to him and he’d never cheat—had never cheated on any woman he was dating.

What if April still
left?

He couldn’t fail at being a father. This was the most
important job he’d ever have.

The bright sun glinted off something up ahead. Squinting, he
saw a mass of golden curls waving in the breeze and a pair of worn cowgirl boots. His chest tightened.

Slamming on the brakes,
the tires skidded in the gravel. He looked through the window and shook his head. “What the hell?” He steered the truck onto the side of the road.

Sliding out from behind the wheel, he rounded the front
of the truck and felt every nerve in his body come to alert. “You didn’t get very far.”

April lifted her chin. Her large
mirrored sunglasses hid most of her expression but the moisture on her cheeks told him all he needed to know. Her bottom lip trembled. “I—I found that I couldn’t leave, at least not yet. I told the cab driver to let me off here so I could wait.”

Stepping closer, he frowned at the sight before him. She was sitting on her upturned su
itcase, knees pressed together. Her flip-flopped feet were spread wide as if keeping her from falling. Her guitar case was beside her and the sun reflected off her silver ‘Peace’ sticker. Had he traveled back fifteen years? “Waiting for what?”

“You
, I suppose.” She sniffed and wiped the back of her hand across her nose.

“You had a lot of confidence in me then.” He ached to pull her into his arms but he couldn’t make a move until he
’d said everything that was weighing on his mind.

“I figured if it was meant to be, you’d f
ind me. If not, then I’d call another cab and head back to Nashville with zero regret.”

“April, I know
the incident with Cassie must have looked suspicious—”

“Don’t say anything.” She jumped up, knocking over the suitcase into the dirt. “I realize how things looked. But let me ask you a few questions an
d all I need is a yes or no answer.” He nodded. “Do you still love her?”

“I don’t think—”

“Do you not understand rules? A yes or no is all I want.” She huffed and took a small step closer.

“No.”

“Do you want to help me raise our child?” Another small step and she pulled off her glasses.

“Y
es.”

She was near enough that he
could see her red-rimmed lids. “Do you still care for me?”

He smiled. “Yes.”

In one quick motion, she jumped against him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck and her legs around his hips. “That’s good, because I still have feelings for you.” She kissed his neck, his face, his lips.

“
When we get married, there’s no running away from home, you hear?”

“So, you’re still on this marriage thing, huh?”

“You betcha.” He kissed her fully on the mouth. Holding her close, he carefully moved toward the truck as she planted more kisses over his cheeks. Opening the door to the passenger side, he pulled his head back slightly. “I need you to sit.”

“But I a
m sitting, and it seems your body has no complaint.” She wriggled her hips.

“Yes, sweetheart.
I haven’t went flaccid in weeks, thanks to you.” He kissed the tip of her nose and helped her into the seat. “Close your eyes, please.”

She
squirmed and chuckled. “Do I have to?”

“Yes.” He tried to be stern, but that wasn’t possible with her. “At
least give it a try.”

“Did you stop at Elsa’s Fluff again?”

“April?”

“Okay.” Her eyes went shut and he quickly dug
into the glove compartment, pulling out the black box. “I know this isn’t the most romantic, but every plan I’ve made has somehow been thwarted by inopportune events. I won’t let that happen again.”

“Can I look now or are y
ou more comfortable with them closed?”

“Go ahead
, open.” Her eye widened as she stared at the tiny diamond nestled on the silver band. “This isn’t anything compared to the rock you got from Mr. Ex-Asshole, but I bought this when I was still earning an allowance working the ranch. I’ll get you another, I promise, but for now it seemed fitting to give you this ring when I’ve kept it all these years.”

“When did you get this?” Her gaze filled with curiosity.

“I had it in my truck the night we celebrated your birthday under the stars. We broke up and I tucked the box away.”

“You mean you had planned to ask me to marry you, but you let me walk away?” Tears filled her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I regret letting you walk. I would have waited for you for a thousand years.” He took the ring from the velvet. “April Rayne Baers, will you marry me?” She probably hadn’t heard her last name used in years.

“Yes.” He held her left hand as he slipped the ring on her fourth finger. “The ring is perfect. I couldn’t imagine wanting anything different.” She waved her hand as if admiring the diamond.

“I’m glad you like it.” He brought her hand up and kissed her knuckles. “I’m glad it’s finally home.”

Chapter
Eighteen

APRIL BROUGHT HER
eyes open. Dante’s arm was thrown over her shoulders and his snoring tickled her eardrum.

Shaking him slightly, he grumbled and turned. She bit back laughter. Although she hated hearing him snore, she loved sleeping with him.

A loud thump outside the window brought her to a sitting position. Had she heard a door shut? Glancing at the clock, it was only eight-thirty. Who dared visit this early?

Sliding from the cocoon of Dante’s warm body, she tiptoed to the window and looked out. She didn’t recognize the
car parked in the driveway. Starting to wake Dante, she stopped, remembering how tired he was last night. She’d kept him up past his bedtime.

Grabbing his shirt from
the end of the bed, she pulled it on and quickly buttoned the front when the soft knock came at the door. Dante didn’t even move.

Making her way downs
tairs, she tiptoed to the door. She could always pretend she wasn’t home. Peeking through the eyehole, she jumped back and covered her mouth. “Oh. My. God!” She tore open the door. “Mother. What are you doing here?”

Her mother,
Anneta, never changed. She was still as youthful as always. Her blonde hair, coiffed into a stylish bob, dewy skin and perfect makeup wasn’t the only things that contributed to her young-looking appearance. April knew she’d had plastic surgery—more than a few procedures. “Is that anyway to treat your mother after she flew half way across the world to see you?”

“I’m just surprised. You should have called and I could have met you at the airport.”

“I’d forgotten how far out into the country I’d have to drive.” She swept through the door and kissed April on the cheek. “Don’t look so shocked, dear. If you call and leave me a message telling me you’re pregnant, aren’t I expected to come and check on you?”

April wanted to ask about all of the other times she’d needed her mother and she never came, but decided not to open
an assortment of problems. “Well, I’m glad you came.”

“So, when shall we start planning the wedding?”

“The wedding?” April felt her stomach drop to her feet.

“Yes, dear. You did say the father of the unborn ask
ed for your hand in marriage.”

Brain cells popped. “I—well—yes, he did ask.
” Vomit burned the back of her throat. “Mother, how long do you plan to stay?”

“As long as it takes.”
Anneta pulled her scarf loose from around her neck.

“That’s vague.”

“Well, dear, did you think I’d miss my only child getting married?” Her mother peeked into the living room. “I see not much has changed around this place.” April caught the wrinkling of her mother’s nose. “Anyway, I need coffee. Do you have some?”

“I just got up, but in the kitchen…I have your favorite. Would you like to go and make a pot while I get dressed?”
April edged her way to the staircase. Seeing her mother’s hesitation, April asked, “You do remember where the kitchen is, right?”

Anneta huffed. “I’m sure I won’t get lost.”

Would she remember how to make coffee? Her mother had never spent much time in the kitchen. Raised in a wealthy family, she’d always had cooks and housekeepers who did the day-to-day duties. When
Anneta had met April’s father, Danny, a country boy from Texas, she’d heard her mother couldn’t take living in the small town and insisted they travel, using her grandparents’ inheritance, of course. They never came back. Danny had worked himself up the ladder at her family’s oil business, and combined with Anneta’s bottomless inheritance, they’d lived a life of luxury. Thankfully, growing up, April had her grandfather who’d helped her stay grounded with things that were important, things money couldn’t buy. Somehow, she’d lost her way and had forgotten all of his life lessons.

April hurried up the stairs,
taking two at a time and ran down the hallway. Once inside the bedroom, she closed the door and took a moment to catch her breath. Dante still slept. Naked and stretched across the bed, the white sheet barely covered his tight bottom. Knowing her mother was downstairs dampened any desire.

“Dante, wake up,” she whispered. He moaned. “Wake up.” She gave his shoulder a shake. One eye opened.

“What is it?” He pushed himself onto an elbow as he blinked against the sun streaming in through the window. “Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not.”

He quickly sat up. “What’s wrong? Is it the baby?”

She shook her head. “No. My mother is downstairs.”

He blinked. “Good. I’d love to meet her.”

His morning woody bobbed and April swallowed as she grabbed the sheet and covered him. “You can’t.”

“I can’t?” Confusion made his eyes slant.

“Not right now. She’s come to help plan our wedding. And I don’t want her to meet you like this.” She paced the floor as anxiety trickled through her spine.

“Hold up, sweetheart. Planning a wedding?
Our
wedding? You didn’t tell her?”

Stopping mid-stride, she looked at him. “No, I didn’t tell her that you and I
are married already.”

“Okay, well, go and tell her now.
Better yet, let me get dressed and I’ll be by your side when you break the news.” He stood up and the sheet dropped to his feet. His erection aimed at the ceiling.

“Not with that you won’t.” She pointed.

He picked up the sheet and secured it around his hips. A smooth grin curved his lips. “Don’t act so shy, sweetheart, especially after what we shared last night.”

“Did you no
t hear? My mother is downstairs.” She forced the words through tight lips.

“And I doubt she can see through the walls. Why are you freaking out?”

April inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “I’m a little shocked that she showed up unannounced—”

“She’s family and family is welcome any time.”

She looked at him through the veil of her lashes. “And, she wants to plan a wedding. How can I tell her that we got married in front of a justice of the peace?”

He shrugged and scratched his two-day-old beard. “You said you didn’t want a big wedding.”

“I know and I meant it.”

“Then why don’t you tell her a
wedding isn’t needed?”