She swallowed. His voice told her something wasn’t right. “Cash, is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. So, what do you think? Can you come?”
Her pulse quickening, she answered. “If it’s important, of course I will.”
He expelled a loud breath. “Good. I’ll pick you up at seven,” and he disconnected.
She laid her phone down, her hand at her throat. He didn’t know if anything was wrong? What did that mean? And where had that flitting sense of being untrue come from?
It had only taken the sound of Cash’s voice to remind her how deeply she cared for him. Groaning, she hid her face in her hands. Her life was on the road to disaster, and she had no idea which path to take.
CASH LAID HIS PHONE on the coffee table in the family room and stared at nothing. Hoping Dallas would agree to his request, he’d made reservations at the Salt and Pepper restaurant, the most romantic place in Wichita Falls. He’d also ordered a large bouquet of flowers for pick up on the way to her house and had a small present for Piper which Dallas could give her the next morning. His plan was set.
The past weekend had been awful. Knowing Dallas was with the lawyer made every minute scald his nerves. He imagined the man with his arms around her, kissing her, and Cash had had to jump in his truck and drive like hell—anything to shove the thoughts away. He didn’t know how to keep on going. How to love her and let her be with this man. What he did know was that he was near the limit of what he could take.
THE NEXT EVENING, CASH arrived at Dallas’s house at straight-up seven. Acid ate at the lining of his stomach. He glanced at the vase of blooms buckled into the passenger seat. Were they too much? Should he have bought a smaller arrangement? Blowing out a few quick breaths, he scrubbed his palms together. He had this. Since practicing what he wanted to say tonight many times, he was sure he’d remember it. After throwing his door open, he strode to the other side of the truck and grabbed the flowers and Piper’s gift.
When Dallas answered his knock, his jaw dropped. She was barefoot and fiddled with the back of her earring, but that wasn’t what captured his attention. The tight-fitting bodice of her brilliant blue dress pushed her breasts into soft half-moons above the neckline. The garment’s slightly clinging material hugged every sensuous curve of her waist and hips. His fingers flexed instinctively. Lord, how I want this woman.
Dallas’s eyes widened. “Oh, Cash, the flowers are gorgeous. Thank you. Come in.” Taking the vase from him, she walked into the living room and placed it on the coffee table. Leaning in, she sniffed a lily. “This smell will fill the entire room. They’re wonderful.”
He relaxed a little. “I’m glad you like them, Dallas.” Clasping her hand, he tugged her gently toward him, giving her a choice to come or stand still.
She came.
Holding her gaze to the last, he kissed her tenderly. “Thanks for seeing me. I know Piper must have missed you last weekend and how that bothers you.”
“She’s kind of clingy, for sure. There’s been a lot of newness for her to get used to lately.”
“I understand. I’m one.”
Smiling, she said, “That little girl adores you.”
The sudden pang in his heart had nothing to do with Dallas. He loved Piper. The fact that she might never be part of his life tore at him. “The feeling’s mutual.” Handing her the gift, he said, “I got her a little something.”
Dallas smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for thinking of her. Let me get my shoes, and I’ll be ready.”
They arrived at the restaurant with plenty of time for their reservation. As Cash had anticipated, the darkened ambiance and candlelit tables were perfect for the evening. They were seated, and he handed Dallas the wine list. “Why don’t you choose what you like?”
She smiled at him, an unreadable expression on her face. “Thank you. I’d like that.” After finding what she wanted, she ordered.
Dallas glanced around the shadowed dining room. “This place is lovely. I haven’t been here before.”
“I’ve eaten here once. I remembered you said you liked fish, and they’re known for their fresh selection here. I was sure you’d like it.” He couldn’t stop looking at her. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful. Dallas shone with goodness, emanating a clean wholesomeness that couldn’t be faked. He’d found a woman who embodied everything he wanted in a life partner, and yet, there was the lawyer. The big boogeyman in the equation. He had to find a way to X him out.
They’d ordered dinner, though now Cash couldn’t remember his choice. His focus kept straying to the end of the evening. He rubbed his hands down the thighs of his sharply pressed Wranglers. How would Dallas react?
She took a sip of wine. “What’s going on at the ranch?”
“I did some late branding on a bunch of calves out at Rule on Saturday. They were kind of big, and it turned into a rodeo. Other than that, I fed and worked around the home place.”
“I’d like to see you branding calves sometime.”
He reached across the table and clasped her hand. “Enough about me. I want to hear more about you.” Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Dallas was funny and easy to talk to and she kept up a lively conversation until their food arrived.
Following her lead, he’d branched out and ordered the sea bass.
Dallas laid her napkin on her lap. “You’re spoiling me, Cash. How can I go back to macaroni and cheese after a dinner like this?”
“I feel ya. I don’t eat like this either.” During the meal, he focused on enjoying his food, preventing the end of the evening from niggling at his pleasure.
When Dallas had
