Second Hope Cowboy (14 page)

“Earth to Hope,” Cash’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

She lifted her chin. Both men had their pale eyes on her, curious. “I-Im sorry…did I miss something?” They’d caught her staring at Tucker’s hands. She shot him a quick glance and one corner of his mouth lifted as if to say, “I know what you’re thinking.”

“I was just telling Tuck that it’s nice to have you both here again. Even if it’s temporary, but I’m glad.” Cash winked.

He was a kind man. Stubborn, but kind. He’d always been good to Hope and she’d felt her heart break for him when he’d lost Rebecca. They’d been so in love.

“Thank you, Cash. I appreciate your kind words. I bet you plan to keep Tuck busy on the land,” she said.

“Tuck knows more about this place than I do. He’s like the first baseman who knows where the ball is going before it does. I guess I should get out of here and let you two get back to—” his gaze widened, “whatever it is that you two will be doing.” He pushed back his chair and got up, putting his hat back on his head. “By the way, Hope. You want the hens and chickens back?”

“Wait, you have my hens and chickens?” She could practically hear the air leave Tucker’s lungs.

“Well, I wouldn’t say they’re the same ones, after all, they have a short lifespan, but these are the sons and daughters and grandkids,” Cash said.

“Oh, you didn’t kill my hens for Thanksgiving dinner?” She darted a glance in Tucker’s direction who was sitting quietly, slouched in the chair, his legs stretched. She could swear she saw humor in his eyes.

Cash’s eyes narrowed. “We wouldn’t have killed those chickens. Who the hell told you—ahh.” He shook his head. “I’ll let you two hash this out. I’m getting baby girl home and into her bed. Thank you, Hope, for spoiling her with milk and cookies. I’m sure she’ll be back and you’ll regret it soon enough.” He winked.

“Any time she wants to visit, she’s welcome. And if you need anything, please let me know.”

Cash kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Hope.”

Once they were gone, Hope tapped her nails against the surface of the table. “Good chicken meat, huh?”

He shrugged. “Well, I should have fried them up. Like you would have cared.”

She pushed back her chair, and the legs scraped against the wood, making a screeching sound that matched the warning buzzer going off inside her head. “You’re real funny.” She got up, realizing she needed to stop the conversation before it got out of hand. She didn’t need another argument tonight. “I’m going to bed.” Seeing one brow curve, she shook her head. “No, I haven’t changed my mind. I’m sleeping in the guest room.”

“Didn’t think you would change your mind.” He slid his palm down his stubbled cheek and the raspy sound did fatal things to her reserve.

This was going to be a very, very long month.

****

Tucker rolled out of his bed just as the sun was rising. He looked out his window at the beauty. The reddish-pink sun as it lit the horizon was a painting fit for an artist. If only he had the talent.

He pulled on jeans and T-shirt, then his boots and went downstairs. He needed coffee. Tons of it and maybe the caffeine would kick start his motivation. He hadn’t slept more than a few winks last night, thanks to a blonde nymph.

Once the coffee started rumbling and the smell of liquid gold filled the air, he knew he’d be functioning soon.

He went to the screen door and stared out into morning. It seemed like only yesterday he stood in this very spot, looking out with hope and dreams. Things had changed.

The coffee maker beeped and he turned, almost running Hope over. He bumped her and she wobbled. He quickly grabbed her shoulders to steady her. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” He dropped his gaze over the thin T-shirt and shorts that looked a lot like the boxers he was wearing. And then it struck him… “Hey, aren’t those my old boxers?”

Her tongue came out to smooth across her bottom lip. “No, well, sort of.” She backed up.

“What does sort of mean? They either are or aren’t.” He loved the way she blushed a color that matched the red apples from the tree in back.

“It wasn’t like they were used. I took them before you wore them.” Her pert nose wrinkled.

“But yet, they were mine. How old are they now? Five, maybe six years old? Can’t you afford a pair of shorts?” he joked.

She shook her head and turned her back to him, fidgeting with the cups hanging from hooks under the cabinet. “Yes, I can afford shorts.”

“I’m only teasing. I don’t mind sharing my boxers. If you’d like, I have a couple of new pairs still in the package.” She made it easy for him to get a rise.

She turned and leaned against the counter. “Tucker, I don’t want your boxers. If you must know why I have kept them, then I’ll tell you. Do you remember when you and Cash took the trip to the rodeo in San Antonio? You were gone for three days.”

How could he forget? He didn’t want to go and leave her in the first place, but it was business. “Yes, I remember.”

“That first night, I couldn’t sleep a wink, which made the following day even worse. So, before I went to bed the following night, I searched through your drawers for a T-shirt. And I just happened to come across these too.” She fingered the fabric of the boxers. “I slept better that night.”

This made the cave of his chest swell to the size of an ocean. “Well, I must say, you look better in them than I do.” He wriggled his brows. “Even if they’re a little big.”

“And don’t you dare start teasing me. If I’d thought about it, I wouldn’t be wearing them now.” She went back to pouring a cup of coffee.

“All right, I won’t tease you. In fact, I think it’s sweet. How come I never saw you wear them?”

She shot him a funny expression. “And when did you ever see me wear clothes to bed? The few times I ever tried in the winter, you had them off me and were promising to keep me warm.”

Cock stiffened and heart raced. Sweat beaded on his brow. She had to realize that she just threw him for a triple loop and he landed face first.

“You okay, cowboy? You look a little red-faced.” Although she had a blank expression he didn’t doubt for a second that she teased him.

“Point taken. I need coffee. A gallon.” He slipped beside her, grabbed the biggest cup he could find and poured it rim-high. He didn’t even bother with waiting while it cooled. In fact, it could have used a shot of whiskey, but it was still too early even when he knew he’d be dealing with aching balls all day. Nothing harder than baling hay, herding cattle and branding horses with a woody in the way.

Emptying his cup, he rinsed it and set it in the sink.

“Don’t expect me before dark,” he huffed.

“I wasn’t expecting anything,” she called at his back but he kept walking, right off the porch and stomped away.

Damn woman! It wasn’t right that one woman, five foot three and weighing in at a whopping one hundred fifteen pounds could carry such a hard punch. And she didn’t even touch him.

By the time he marched down to the stables, his anger had only increased. Cash was already saddling up Pinto. He shot Tucker a narrowed eye. “That bad, huh?”

“Imagine having your balls in a vise grip and a woman being in control of the tension,” Tucker snarled.

“That’s what it’s like, huh?” Cash laughed.

“No, it’s ten times worse.” He stomped into the building, grabbed his saddle and geared up Jessie. A paint that had a stubborn disposition. Once he was on the horse’s back and had joined Cash, some of the frustration had absolved.

“We have a broken fence so we need to look for the horse that busted through. That is if you think you’re up for it.”

Tucker gave him a side glance. “Nothing like work to take care of a man’s demons.”

“You mean a man who is horny?” Cash knuckled his hat.

“Yeah, that too.” No reason to deny it.

“I know the feeling all too well, brother. I miss having a warm body to come home to. Not just any warm body would do. What I loved most about being married was having someone to talk to. Rebecca always listened. And damn did she make the best grub. How in the hell did a man like me luck out?” Cash stared into the distance.

“Probably for the same reason I lucked out. We both hit the jackpot—too bad we lost it.”

“And it looks like you might have struck gold twice in a lifetime, buddy.”

Tucker shrugged. “It ain’t that easy. I really can’t see how we can pave that bumpy road and start back up. Sometimes the mess is too much to clean up.” He gazed across the green pasture. He’d missed the land—and his old life.

Maybe he could get some of his life back.

“I’ve been pondering the idea of my future. I need to start thinking of Becca as she gets older. It’s getting clearer that I need some help in this thing called parenting. I’m lacking.”

“I’m sure all single parents feel the same way.”

“But I’m not fishing for appreciation, Tuck. I know I’m not all that and a pack of gum. Rebecca saw something in me. She loved me even through all of the flaws.”

Tucker snorted. “Is this ‘feel sorry for yourself day’? Maybe this is just your gut telling you it’s time to start dating again. I’m sure there’s some woman out there who’d fall in love with Becca and take you as part of the deal.”

“Like there are a lot of options in this town, bro. They’re either illegal or planning retirement. I’d need someone who wanted to be a stepmother and can deal with being a rancher’s wife. Won’t find that close by.”

“And how would you know? You haven’t been out in the dating scene for so long all of the rules have changed.”

“And you have room to talk,” Cash shook his head. “By the way, what’s this story about you wanting a doll that you can dress and undress?”

Tucker groaned. “Oh hell. You know that kid of yours tells everything she knows.”

“We have no secrets,” Cash said.

“Yeah, exactly. She told me you play dolls with her.”

Cash turned his cheek so fast he should have gotten whiplash. “She did?”

Tucker grinned. “Yes, but when I was talking doll I wasn’t referring to rubber with plastic blinking eyes.”

“Hey, just you wait, one day you’ll understand what a father will do for his kid.” Immediately, Cash scrubbed his jaw. “I’m sorry, Tuck.”

“Stop walking on eggshells. It’s to a point that sugar-coating your words or limiting discussion is no longer needed. Now let’s get out there and find our missing horse.” He kicked the sides of his horse, but it was his insides that felt like they were being kicked.

When would he ever be relieved of the pain?

CHAPTER TEN

Hope shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked up at the whirl and twirl ride as it spun. The screams floating from the ride were caught in the afternoon breeze that cooled her skin. The ride stopped and teenagers exited, laughing and sharing stories about how much they liked it. She shivered in memory. Tucker had talked her into getting on the ride once and she’d sworn she’d never do it again.

It was the first date she went on with Tucker.

How embarrassing it was for her when she threw up the chili cheese fries she’d inhaled before he’d managed to convince her she could stomach the whirling, tornado-like ride.

Besides the part of throwing up, and getting over her embarrassment, it had turned out to be one of the best nights of her life.

She moved her attention to the ticket booth where a long line mazed through the growing crowd.  Past the throng of people, she looked at the gates. Tucker said he’d meet her here.

She wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to go on a ‘date’ with him.

They were exes. Exes didn’t date.

But in some rare occasions, they did. And here she was, and admittedly anticipating his arrival.

Hope swiped her clammy palms down her jeans as she scanned the crowd by the 4-H building. Further down, she skipped a glance across the homegrown vegetable booth. And then her favorite stand. Each year she’d come here with Tucker and buy several jars of homemade jams. They were the best she’d ever had and, although she’d searched far and wide, she couldn’t find any that tasted so good. She made a mental note to stop and get some strawberry and raspberry before she left.

Waves of people walked past her. Smells of corndogs, cotton candy, candied apples and lemon shakes drifted into her nose, making her stomach growl. She was hungry and wondered if she could find an elephant ear. What was visiting a country fair without sampling some of the fare?

Her thighs would never forgive her if she ate the treat and the fried pickles in the same day. Since she’d moved back into the farm house six days ago, Delores had filled her with large breakfasts of succulent bacon, fresh eggs, and fluffy, sweet blueberry pancakes smothered in rich buttery syrup. She should turn away from the whopping calories on a plate, but how could she deny such wonderful cooking. Tomorrow she planned to start running again.

While she waited for Tucker, she moved toward the livestock building. She’d always liked watching the 4-H kids auctioneering off their animals they’d raised. A strong smell of hay and manure took away some of her hunger for carnival food.