Second Sunrise Cowboy (Second Chance Book 8) (7 page)

“Sounds good.” Maybe she did like him some. A woman didn’t drink a cup of coffee with a man she found revolting, although he needed to cool his jets and not get too confident. It was coffee, not a big deal. He followed her into the kitchen and watched her pour two mugs, then handed him one. “This is good coffee. I thought I was the only one who liked it kick-ass strong. Best cup I’ve had in a long time.” If she was sticking around, he’d have to make some effort to be civil.

She shrugged. “What’s it worth unless you get a caffeine buzz?”

“True.” He drank half his coffee in one gulp, not caring that it burnt all the way down into his stomach. “How about we try this introduction thing all over again?”

“You mean pretend that I didn’t meet you yesterday and decide you never think and can be a jerk?”

“Yeah, let’s nix that and start again. I’m Cash Bailey.” He held out his hand. She stared at his palm for a good five seconds before extending hers, laying her palm against his. Her fingers were slender and soft compared to his nasty, calloused ones. He jerked back so fast that her eyes rounded.

“Dakota Childs.”

“Nice to meet you Dakota Childs.”

“Can I ask you a question Cash Bailey?” Her chin rose. He had a feeling he wouldn’t like what she was about to ask.

“Are you always scowling or is it just when you’re around me?”

He had to say, he liked her bluntness. He didn’t find that in many people these days. They were too busy trying to make him feel better. “I wouldn’t say I’m always scowling.”

“Then what would you call it? Brooding? Cantankerous?”

She wasn’t holding back. He set his hat on the counter and leaned against the cool granite. He wasn’t sure if he should be amused or miffed. He certainly wouldn’t allow the searing need spiraling through his groin to take precedence, not today at least. “None of the above.”

“I beg to differ.” She took a sip from her cup, keeping her gaze connected to his. “You’re always looking at me like I’ve grown horns and red skin.”

“When?”

“Definitely right now,” she said.

“I’m happy, really.” He forced a smile to his lips.

“Then you should tell your face because it hasn’t gotten the message.”

He shrugged and ran his palm down his face, hoping he could wipe whatever look she referred to right off his features. “I think you’re taking things a little too personal. Or are you still angry over what happened upstairs?’

“Oh I thought we were starting over?”

Shoot! She was right. “I’m glad we can wipe the slate clean. I was beginning to think you didn’t like me much.”

“Truly? And what would give you that idea?” One thin brow curved teasingly.

“You have a glare that can fry the flesh off a man’s bones.”

“Have I hurt you in some way?” Her tongue swept out and moistened her bottom lip. His dick jerked.

“My ego.” They were flirting, or at least he hoped.

“I’m sure you have many women who’ll stroke—” the slight pause and her quick glance at his belt buckle made him woozy. “—your ego.”

“I think you have me all wrong, sweetheart. I wish you’d allow me to prove that to you.” He leaned in, ignoring the warning signs flashing in his brain.

Dakota’s bottom lip trembled, her mouth opened ever so slightly. He wanted to kiss her—damn, he wanted to do more than kiss.

Caught up in the moment, neither of them realized they had company.

“Uhh…I’m sorry…I’ll come back.” Hope turned and started for the door.

Dakota jumped back so fast that her coffee spilled. “No, please don’t. We were just talking—chatting about yesterday. Right, Cash?”  Her eyes penetrated him.

Cash handed her a paper towel and their fingers touched. The electric passed between them like a bolt of lightning. Dakota gave him a plastic smile. He was surprised it didn’t crack her cheeks. “Yes, just catching up.”

“Okay, well, then I’ll grab myself a bottle of water.” Hope went to the refrigerator. “Cash. I’m surprised to see you this morning,” Hope said. Marah was asleep in her arms so Cash took the bottle from Hope and opened it. She glanced at the clock. “Did Becca make it to school on time?”

“Barely.” He admitted. He grabbed his hat, clutching it tight in his grip.

“By the time she’s in middle school you’ll get the hang of the morning routine.” Hope patted him on the shoulder. “I can start taking Becca and Dalton next year because they’ll be at the same school. Hopefully by then Marah decides she likes sleeping some. Thankfully, Dakota is a sweetheart and took Dalton for me this morning. I actually didn’t have to rush.”

He squinted. “I better get this down before middle school or Becca will never forgive me.”

“Now, unless you find someone to marry, I’m sure you two will work together on seeing that she gets to school on time.” Hope looked from Cash to Dakota. Although subtle, he didn’t miss the latent meaning in Hope’s words. He cringed, catching Dakota’s pale expression.

He shifted in his boots, feeling heat rise in his neck. It was best he change the subject. “Becca is complaining about her clothes. Do you know she won’t wear a dress right now?”

Hope shrugged. “She’s going through a stage. Don’t worry, Cash. Girls can wear jeans.”

“It’s not about the fact that she doesn’t want to wear skirts, but more that I’ve been oblivious to how my little girl is changing.” He blew out a long breath. “She even likes some boy named Sam. I’m going to have to have a talk with this young man.”

Hope and Dakota exchanged looks. “That young man is only five. Save your talks for high school, tough guy,” Hope said.

“I guess it’s time for a new wardrobe since she’s grown an inch in the last month. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind helping me out.” He hated depending on others for help.

Hope frowned. “I can’t today, Cash. I’m sorry. Marah has a doctor’s appointment and I promised Tucker I’d be here when the painter’s arrive this afternoon. However, Dakota did work in a children’s clothing shop. I learned that last night over our long talk.”

Dakota, who had been drinking her coffee up until this point, coughed. Cash didn’t see the importance of where she’d worked. “Is that right?”

“Yes, for a few years,” Dakota answered.

“Then she worked at an upscale boutique,” Hope added. “In fact, I need her to help pick out a new wardrobe for me. She has a fun style I really like.”

Dakota’s cheeks turned a color that matched her lips. “And believe it or not, I didn’t pay her to sing my praises.” She turned her cheek to Hope. “And you dress just fine. You don’t need my help.”

Cash laughed. He liked seeing the exchange between the women.  

Hope’s eyes lit up. “If you wouldn’t mind, Dakota, could you help? Who better to shop for girl’s clothing than someone who knows fashion?”

Dakota looked at Cash through a fringe of lashes. She looked like a cat eyeing its prey. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I do know what girls like to wear. I’d be happy to help Becca.”

Cash got a feeling she wanted to make sure he understood it wasn’t for him. “If you don’t mind.” To think he could spend some time with her wasn’t a bad thought.

“We don’t even have to leave the house.”

“We don’t?” At home, with her, was even better.

She tapped her finger on the rim of her cup. “Yes. We can visit online shops that have a wide variety of choices. I have some time this morning.”

Cash planned to check out the new irrigation system, order bales of hay, check into hiring a new ranch hand…none of that included shopping for girls clothes.

“Or you could go to his house this evening,” Hope added, smile growing by the second.

Dakota smiled too, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Or I could come to your place later. Becca could help pick out her own clothes. If you say she’s going through a particular stage, it might be best. Nothing worse than having a closet full of never worn clothes.”

“I should be finished about six this evening.”

“Then it’s a plan.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” He knew Hope was watching him closely.

Dakota set her coffee down on the counter. “I really don’t mind. I’ll have nothing else to do anyway.”

As Cash stepped toward the door, he caught Hope’s expression. She wagged her brows as if he should understand what she meant. He sighed and went to his truck. He needed a basic class on the ins and outs of a woman’s thoughts.

Ten minutes later, when he stepped inside of the barn, he found Tucker stacking bales of hay. His brother looked at him, smiling like he’d won the lottery. “Still in a pissed mood?” Tucker asked.

“No, and why do people keep asking me that question?”

“Probably for good reason.” Tucker sighed.

“Fuck that.” He shrugged.

“Oh now come on, bro. No one’s judging you.” Tucker pulled off his gloves and threw them on the workbench. “You and Lanie ain’t seeing each other anymore, are you?”

Cash rubbed his forehead.  “We were
never
seeing each other.” He pulled on his gloves and took over where his brother left off. “I’ve already put in the new order for bales.”

“Ok, let me correct that statement. You two aren’t hitting the sheets and knocking boots anymore, are you?”

Cash gave him a side glance. “How’d you know?”

“Pfft. How would I not know? You actually removed the corn cob stuck where the sun don’t shine for a while.” Tucker shook his head. “Now it’s back and a bigger cob this time.”

“For your information, we haven’t ‘hit the sheets’ for several months now.” Sweat beaded on his back and dripped down below the waist of his jeans. He unbuttoned his shirt, hearing seams rip, and he pulled it from his shoulders.

“What happened?”

“I couldn’t give her what she wanted,” he admitted.

“She wants more than sex? Really?” The underlying sarcasm couldn’t be missed.

“She wanted me to take her to dinner, bring her flowers, treat her like I cared.” Once the words were out, he realized how harsh they were, but the truth was that he didn’t care and that’s why he stopped having sex with her before things got more complicated.

“Ouch. Can’t beat the truth, can you, bro? I hope you were gentler when you broke the news to her.” Tucker stretched his legs and hooked his boots on the stall rail.

“I wasn’t mean.” He didn’t want to hurt anyone, at least not intentionally. His mind drifted back to Dakota. Another pissed off female because he’d either done something or said something wrong. He shouldn’t care what she thought, so then why did he? Tonight he’d clear things up as much as he could, but his misbehaving parts had to tread carefully. He wanted to get to know her on a different level.

Tucker shrugged. “Good thing. You wouldn’t be happy with yourself.”

“I stopped over to see Hope this morning and instead ran into your guest. Too bad that bed and breakfast wasn’t available, huh?” Cash heaved a bale and tossed it to the top of a stack on the trailer, wishing it eased some of his stress.  Instead it irritated him more. When Tucker didn’t respond, Cash gave him a glance. Tucker’s brow lifted. Cash sighed. “What’s that you say?”

“I didn’t say a word.” Tucker pretended interest in his boots.

“You didn’t have to. You got somethin’ to say, just say it,” Cash grumbled.

Tucker dropped his boots to the floor. “Okay then, I will. Why are you pushing away every female that comes near you?”

Cash blinked. “What are you talking about? I don’t push anyone away. If this is about Lanie, isn’t it best I ended it before anyone got hurt?”

“I’m not talking about Lanie. I’m referring to Dakota. Hope called me and told me she’d walked in on you and our guest having a heated moment, and when I say heated, I’m talking cold shower good.” Tucker’s eyes turned dark.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Dakota doesn’t like me.” Cash dropped down on one of the bales and stretched his legs. He just wasn’t much into work this morning. Maybe he needed another cup of coffee, or two, or three.

“Nothing happened?”

Hell, he had no reason to lie. “While I was in Delores’s bedroom looking for Becca’s stuffed animal, Dakota and I kissed.”

“Whoa, for a cowboy who moves slower than molasses, you certainly did shoot out of the gate on this one.”

Cash wiped his brow with his arm. “It won’t happen again, I’m sure.”

“You’re confidence motivates me.” Tucker snorted. “Here we go with the excuses again. There’s always a good one why things wouldn’t work.”

“Fuck off, bro.” Cash rubbed his shoulder, hoping to ease the tension in the muscle. “I think Dakota hates me because she caught Lanie kissing me.”

“Wait, she caught Lanie kissing you, and then she decided to kiss you too?”

“Not at the same time,” Cash growled. He didn’t have the inclination to explain it further.

Tucker slapped his hand against his thigh and erupted into laughter. “Fuck, Cash, that’s as close to a threesome as you’ll ever get.”

Cash tossed his glove at his brother’s head. “I don’t want one of them, let alone both.”

“Yeah, right. I can see why you don’t want husband predator, Lanie Madru, but Dakota seems like a pretty decent woman.”