I enjoyed meeting you though I wish it had been under better circumstances.
I’d like to spend a quiet evening together somewhere, get some dinner, and learn more about you. If you’re interested, just tell me.
Here’s hoping,
Cash
Sarah and Kate both whooshed out, “Wow.”
Sarah stared at Dallas and slapped her hand on the table. “Well?”
Dallas fidgeted in her chair. “I didn’t know what to do. He seemed so kind, but I never, ever see anyone from the club. You know I don’t date, either. But I knew he wouldn’t leave until I answered. He came up for his last beer, and I slipped him a note.” She took a sip of her wine.
Sarah shook her head, her lips jammed together. “Girl, speak now or I swear—”
Dallas giggled. “I gave him my cell number and thanked him for asking me out.”
Sarah threw her arms wide. “Finally, I can’t believe it. The girl makes some sense.”
“So, when are you having dinner?” Kate asked.
“Tomorrow night, since Piper’s feeling okay now. Speaking of my daughter, I gotta scoot. I have so little time with her, what with working and tending bar. Oh, you girls know how I feel guilty, even when I’m in the best of company.”
Leaving money for her tab on the table, she kissed each of her friends.
Sarah called, “Get a picture of that cowboy,” before Dallas got to the door.
Driving home, she considered Kate’s advice. Should she go out with Ethan? It felt weird even considering it. After being a loner for so long, it was hard to imagine that she could be the kind of woman who dressed up and went out on dates. Yet, Ethan had always been sweet to her. And he had a way of making the staff laugh when he dropped by the break room. Though he was hyper-focused with his clients, when he stopped at her desk for a chat, he was easygoing and made Dallas feel like she was the only person in the world. Perhaps if she got through the date with Cash without having a heart attack, she might accept an invitation from Ethan, if he asked again.
The only thing she hadn’t figured out with this whole dating thing was Piper. She had so little time with her daughter. How would she fit dating into her already hectic schedule?
Chapter Two
Ethan signed off his conference call and leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head. Dallas’s daughter should be healthy again. He didn’t want to waste any more time. If that cowboy had eyes in his head, he’d be making a move on Dallas any day.
He stood and slipped his suit jacket on, running his fingers through his short, prematurely silver hair and straightening his tie. At nine-thirty in the morning, Dallas would probably be at her desk. Clearing his throat, he headed down the hallway.
She was signing for a FedEx package as he walked into the room. He waited while she handed the tablet back to the driver.
As she finished, she asked, “Help you, Ethan?”
“Nah. How’s your daughter feeling?”
“Much better. Her cough is almost gone, and she hasn’t had a fever in several days. Thanks for asking.”
Ethan smiled. Just what he wanted to hear. “That’s great news, Dallas. Does that mean you might have some time to spend with me one evening next week? I’d like to take you to dinner and a movie.”
Dallas lowered her gaze and squared a stack of papers. When she looked up, she said, “Why don’t we just try dinner? Both would make it late for a work night, don’t you think?”
Ethan grinned. Score! That was better than a turn-down. “Sure thing. How about next Monday evening? May I pick you up around seven-thirty?”
Dallas nodded. “Monday works just fine, Ethan. I look forward to it.”
With a jaunty step to his stride, he returned to his office. Wichita Falls didn’t offer the culinary choices of a city like Dallas, but he enjoyed the food at McBride’s Steakhouse. He called and made reservations, ensuring he and Dallas would have a small, quiet table away from the family eating area. Then he ordered a bouquet of bright flowers.
He leaned back in his chair, pressing his steepled hands to his lips. Everything had to go right Monday night. Dallas reminded him of his steady girlfriend throughout high school. Before the chaotic, traumatic years in college.
Being with Dallas made him smile and gave him a sense that life was worthwhile. No way would he lose her to some cowboy who couldn’t offer her the lifestyle he could. Ethan didn’t mind that she already had a child. He had plenty of money to make sure the girl would be well taken care of.
He drummed his fingertips on the desk. Had he beaten the cowboy to the punch? Or had the guy slipped in behind Ethan’s defenses and set up a date night? Mandy might know, but how in the hell could he ask her without making it obvious he was spying on Dallas?
THURSDAY EVENING, DALLAS was ready for the first of her two dates. Cash would arrive at her house in an hour. She pulled over to the curb and switched the car off.
“Yippee, Mimi and Papa’s house,” Piper called from her car seat in the back.
“That’s right. You’re having a sleepover tonight. But I’ll see you for breakfast in the morning, kiddo. Okay?”
Piper nodded as she fiddled with her harness.
Dallas unhooked the straps and pulled her daughter out of the car, grabbing her overnight bag.
Dallas’s mom was standing on the sagging wooden porch, wrapping her sweater tightly around her. It was warm outside, but she was perpetually cold. Dallas thought it had to do with years of chronic malnutrition. Her mother had always gone without so that Dallas and her brother could eat the best of the food her mom managed to put on the table.
Dallas mounted the steps and hugged her mom. “Thanks so much for watching
