Second Hope Cowboy (19 page)

Hope moistened her lips and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She swallowed hard. “I won’t deny that I still love Tucker—always had and probably always will.” Her stomach twisted.

Peyton blinked. “Like I said, we all have a story, but Tucker’s a good guy and handsome to boot, and I can’t imagine it was easy to let him go.”

Hope gave her head a quick shake. “Words couldn’t even begin to describe just how hard.”

“Take a look around you, Hope.” Peyton gave a motion of her chin. “Over there, sitting on the porch swing, is Deckland and Elsa. She was married to a man who abused her, but she got away and met Deck who has nothing but love for her. He’d cut off his limbs to protect her and the baby she’s carrying. Then if you take a look to your left, playing the guitar is April and that good-looking fellow watching her like a lost puppy is Dante. They fell in love as kids and drifted apart. Dante lived a life dedicated on raising hell. But years later, they found each other again and he’s as committed as an elephant with her newborn calf. April even gave up her singing career for love and she hasn’t looked back once. She’s still happy writing music and providing a loving home to their daughter, Grace. And I have my own story.” She looked across the yard where Dillon flipped the burgers on the grill. “I found true love when I least expected it. Out of nowhere came Dillon, a true gentleman, and it scared the life out of me, but the path of my past was well worth finding him. We are a family of second chances, proof that it’s possible.”

Hope’s vision clouded with tears. She pushed them away. Peyton’s words sunk in deep, making Hope explore what her future held.

The sun went down as they all sat around the bonfire, listening to April sing and play the guitar while eating s’mores.

Hope and Tucker drove home, but when they reached Havens, he didn’t head toward the house. Instead, he pulled off along the grass.

“What are we doing?” she asked.

“The moon is too beautiful to waste.” He grabbed a blanket from the back of the seat, climbed from the truck and came around the passenger side to help her out. “Take a walk with me.” He held out his hand.

She slid her palm into his, and fingers entwined as they started across the grass. “It is a lovely night. Thank you for inviting me to Brooke Creek. They are all so nice, welcoming. I can say that I have met friends.”

“They are a great family. I don’t resent anyone’s happiness, but it sure can make a man see what his life is lacking.”

His honesty moved her. She stopped walking, and so did he. “You deserve a family, Tucker. A wife, children—” 

“That’s not a one-way street, darlin’. I want you to be happy. If I ain’t that man then I sure hope you find him. As much as that hurts, it’s the truth.” Tears welled in her eyes and dropped to her cheeks. “Hey, none of that, you hear?” He wiped the wetness off her skin and his tenderness made her heart flutter. “No more stalling. I want to show you something.”

Together, side by side, they followed a worn horse trail. Hope wasn’t sure where they headed through the shadows, and was grateful for the moonlight that lit their way, but once they reached past the wooded area, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The moon looked larger from the hill, giving the appearance that she was close enough to throw a rope and lasso the bright orb.

“Tucker, this is beautiful.”

He nodded. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”

She stepped in front of him, wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head back so she could look up at him. “I think I know what you had planned in bringing that blanket.”

His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “Was that too presumptuous of me?”

“Is it too presumptuous of me that I was going to jump your bones the second we stepped foot into the house? And this seems like a perfect place. Under the moonlight, like we had many other times.”

After he spread the blanket, he gently laid her down, removing her boots. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

She chuckled. “I wondered why you kept looking at my boots. And here I thought you were envious because they’re newer than yours.”

“They’re sexy on, but sweetheart, they’re much sexier off. If I haven’t told you before, you have the best looking legs in Texas.” He licked her ankle, then her calf and upward until he reached the hem of her dress.

Hope removed his hat, laid it to the side of the blanket and buried her fingers in his hair. She loved the feeling of the silken locks against her skin. Especially as they brushed her sensitive inner thighs.

“There was something else I couldn’t quite get my mind off doing,” he mumbled against her flesh.

“What…was…that?” She pushed the words through trembling lips.

“Licking your pussy. I’m addicted and I need my fix,” he growled and pushed the material of her skirt high on her thighs. “Mm, I can smell the sweet scent and you’re ready.”

“When am I never ready?”

He chuckled and his chest vibrated. “You have the same effect on me, sweetheart. Now, I’ll stop talking so I can bury my tongue into your cotton candy and show you the ride of your life.”

Hope dropped her head back on the blanket and moaned as he did exactly as he said he would.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tucker came into the house from a late evening on the ranch. He was so tired his bones ached. But he wasn’t too exhausted to find Hope and snuggle her sweet curves.

He searched the entire downstairs and came up empty.

He opened the basement door. “Hope, you down there?”

Nothing.

Upstairs, he was halfway down the hall when he stopped dead in his tracks. The door to his right was open, the key still hung from the knob. He’d put the lock on the door years ago, secured it and hadn’t entered since.

The cave of his chest grew narrower. He couldn’t swallow, he could barely breathe.

Stepping to the threshold, he peered into the empty room, except for Hope, who was staring out the window.

“Hope?”

She turned. Her eyes were puffy and red, her cheeks were pale and her bottom lip trembled. “I-I had to let go.” Her words shook with emotion.

He stepped across the short space, but didn’t touch her. Everything was gone—the crib, the dresser, clothes, stuffed animals. All trace of the child they’d mourned, but never held, was gone.

A part of him ached, upset that she’d emptied the room without talking with him first, but he understood. She needed closure.

“What did you do with everything?” There was a slight quiver to his voice.

Her arms came up and around her waist. “I gave it to a family who couldn’t afford to buy the things for their infant son.”

The air cracked around him. He’d known this day would come, but even through his expectation, he hadn’t thought he’d feel like an ice pick slammed into his temple. “Are you okay?”

“Yes—no. I don’t know.” She shrugged, dropping her arms weightless to her sides.

He stepped closer, taking her hands into his, feeling the quivering. He wasn’t sure what to say, or if he needed to say anything. But the words came. “Living here will be easier without the baby items reminding you of what we don’t have.”

She pulled away from him. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

His gut tightened. The invisible ice pick was now clawing through his intestines. “Those are never words a man wants to hear.”

“Remember the little boy Dalton?” Tucker nodded. She moistened her lips. “I want to take him in. I want to give him a home.” She smoothed her knuckles over her cheek, wiping the wetness.

He blinked. “Hope, he has a home. You saw his grandfather. You can’t just take a child because you want one.”

“I’m not just ‘taking’ him, Tuck. I’ve met with the grandfather several times—”

“You have? And you’re just now telling me this?” He took a step back and exhaled slowly.

She squinted. “You’re acting as if I needed your permission.” She must have realized her harshness because her jaw softened some. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t think anything like this would happen. Dalton’s grandfather can’t take care of him. You even saw how sad the boy was, and you said he didn’t talk much since his mom died. Dalton has been traumatized and needs a place where he can be nurtured.”

“But Hope, I didn’t think I was encouraging you to start planning the boy’s adoption.” He scratched his jaw. “Is that what this was all about?” He moved his hands through the air, circling the room.

“No. It made packing easier, but this should have been done a long time ago.”

His heart slammed against his ribcage. “It’s pretty clear what your decision for us has come down to. I guess I don’t need to ask what next month brings.”

“Tucker, you’re jumping to conclusions. I don’t know yet about us—”

“And yet, you’re so certain that you want to raise a son, careless of anyone or anything around you.” He looked at her, feeling his world crashing down. “I understand you want to help Dalton, but don’t allow him to become the salve for your pain. That’s only a temporary solution. That boy needs, deserves, someone who wants him for him, not to fill the void.”

“Tucker, it’s more than that.”

He held up his hand to stop her. “I don’t want to talk about this now. I’m tired and the baby calf died earlier. I’m going to take a shower and then fall into bed. I’m glad you found closure today.”

****

Hope pulled up in front of her father’s house and saw the red Porsche. A sickening feeling filled her as she climbed out.

She was almost to the top of the porch steps when Blaise came out of the door. “What are you doing here?”

His eyes widened, probably shocked to see her, but then came the poker face. Seeing him after so long, with his designer clothes and polished shoes, she had to wonder what she ever saw in him. He was nothing close to Tucker…and that was a good thing.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Odd question considering I live here.” She finished ascending the stairs and went to the door.

“You mean you
lived
here.” She caught the resentment in his tone. “JR told me.”

Guilt splattered through her. “I should have told you, but we were broken up.”

He swallowed. “Good luck, Hope. I wish you the best.” He winked and took off in a hurry toward his car.

With a sigh, she pushed open the door and headed to her father’s office. He sat at his desk, head bent as he read the newspaper. “I hope you’re not nosing into my business, Dad.” She moved around the desk and kissed his cheek. “What was Blaise doing here?’

“Of course I’m not intruding into your life. If you remember, Blaise and I were friends before you started seeing him. I set you two up, after all.” JR removed his glasses and laid them to the side. “What are
you
doing here?”

“That’s the question of the day, apparently, as if I’m trespassing at my own house.” She went to the chair and took a seat.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m glad you stopped by. What do I owe the pleasure?”

She thrummed her fingernails on the flowered material of the wing-backed chair. “I told you that I was staying with Tucker for a while—”

“And as the month is coming to a close I’m ready to have you away from him again.” His eyes narrowed. “That is your intention, right?”

Meeting his stringent gaze straight, she cocked her chin. She wouldn’t allow him to change her mind. “I’ve decided to stay. I’ve realized how much I still love him. We deserve another chance.” There was a sense of freedom as she said the words.

JR shot out of the executive chair, sending it hitting the wall. He crossed in front of the desk, his tan disappearing as shock spread over his expression. “You’re kidding, right?”

Not enjoying the feeling of being a small kid again with him standing above her and lecturing her, she stood too. “I’m serious. I’m staying, and before you start, I’ll let you know I’m not changing my mind.” She’d always respected her father, loved him dearly, and even at times had allowed him to influence her to make decisions that made him happy, but not her. As an adult, it was time she took a stand and didn’t feel guilty. She guessed she’d always felt sorry for her dad because her mom had left him when Hope and Sky were young. JR had never moved on with his life after the divorce, and he spent too much time worrying about Hope.

He rubbed his forehead, then dropped his hand as if he was defeated. “And does this mean you’ll provide him with a family?” One grey brow slipped upward in an accusatory fashion. “How much more pain will you put yourself through?”

“To answer your question about a family, I’ve realized that loving a child doesn’t require that I carry him or her in my womb. Tucker and I can adopt. Many children need homes. In fact, I plan to open my heart and door to a young boy, Dalton, soon.”

JR stared at her as if she had grown horns. She knew he wanted to say something negative, but instead, he turned and went to sit back down behind his desk. After a long sigh, he nodded. “Since I can’t change your mind, I won’t try.”

“Thank you, Dad.” She smiled. “I’m hoping you can stop targeting Tucker with your anger because you blame him for taking me away. That’s unfair to him and the love I feel for him.”