Cash glanced at Dallas and grinned. “I haven’t been in a long time. It’s a cool place.”
Dallas repositioned her purse at her feet and noticed a piece of grain stuck between the rubber stubs of the mat on the floorboard, reminding her that this was a working man’s truck. It smelled of fresh air and clean leather, unlike Ethan’s Lexus which had that almost-acrid, new-car smell. After running her hand across the door frame, she inspected her fingers for dust and smiled. Cash had probably washed his truck before picking them up. She admired the cowboy’s handsome profile for a moment. Cleaning it was another little thing he did to make life special for her and Piper.
She reached over and patted Cash’s forearm. “Hey, thanks for taking us out today. It means a lot to me and Piper.” When he turned to her, she hoped he could read how much she cared in her gaze. “You’re a good man, Cash. I’m lucky to have you in my life.”
Cash smiled. “You’re welcome, and I think I’m the lucky guy with two beautiful ladies to spend the day with.”
When they arrived, he paid their admission and led Dallas and Piper to the steam engine. “This is my favorite exhibit in the whole museum. If they still ran trains like this, I’d be an engineer.”
Once inside, Dallas looked around. The cab still had a greasy engine smell, though the interior was spotless. It was amazing—every little boy’s dream. Glancing at Cash’s enthralled expression, she could see it was a big boy’s dream, too.
He lifted Piper so she could touch some of the knobs she couldn’t reach.
As they walked to the next exhibit, the morning sun’s heat beat down on them. Cash held Piper’s hand, explaining the purpose of the dining car and how the people had been served in the old days. He led Piper throughout the museum, lifting her to see things and helping her climb into the cars.
Piper had all but forgotten her mother was along, only glancing occasionally in Dallas’s direction. Her heart twisted. This was what her daughter’s life should have been like. One with a father to pamper her and take her places, carry her around and love on her. Cash was a natural with kids. Piper was hooked.
By twelve-thirty, after seeing all a three-year-old could handle, Piper requested that Mr. Cash hold her.
He grinned and opened his arms, kneeling to pick her up.
Dallas’s heart melted, watching Piper cuddle into his embrace. He looked as happy as her daughter did.
Patting Piper’s back, Cash turned to Dallas. “So where to for lunch, Mom?”
She grimaced apologetically. “McDonald’s? The playscape will keep her entertained for a while, and we can visit a little.” He’d been so awesome with Piper today, she hated to subject him to fast food. But her daughter was tired, and it was close to her nap time. In a sit-down restaurant, she might get fussy.
Cash nodded. “I’d like that.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. He really was a sweet guy.
The McDonald’s was nearby, and they sat inside at the playscape. Piper ate her chicken nuggets quickly so she could join the other kids her age already playing.
Dallas leaned back in her chair as Piper slid her shoes in the bin under the slide. “Ah, a mother’s dream—fifteen minutes of quiet.”
Cash grinned. “Kids are a lot of work. But I get how they’re worth every bit of it. Piper’s wonderful.”
Dallas took in the sight of him, slouched comfortably in his chair, wide shoulders relaxed, hands in his pockets as he eyed the kids scooting from one cube to the next. The gleam of curiosity and interest in his eyes matched the lopsided grin on his face. He did like children. Her heart filled with warmth. She’d been right to introduce him to Piper.
Leaning toward him, she said, “Thanks for today. I hadn’t thought of something like this as a solution when we talked before.” Her pulse sped up as she picked up the scent of his oh-so-male cologne.
“I enjoyed myself. We’ll have to do more of it. But I’d like a grownups’ night once in a while, too.”
She watched the kids for a few seconds. She and Piper would be having fun together, just with company, and occasionally Piper could stay with her grandparents. It sounded like a perfect solution.
“That would be wonderful, Cash. You know, I went out twice last week after not dating in years, and I’ve been feeling kind of guilty. I’m glad you figured this out. I feel so much better about trying to have a life of my own.”
He raised his brows, looking a little confused, then he smiled. “It was easy. I like kids. This was the obvious answer, as long as you were willing.”
Piper came jogging up to the table. “Mr. Cash, can I have an ice cream cone?”
Dallas grinned. Since when had she become second choice in Piper’s attention?
Cash patted her back. “That’s up to your mom.”
“Sure, but you need to sit at the table to eat it.”
He stood. “Be right back.”
Piper sat in her chair and watched Cash through the windows. “He’s big, huh, Momma?”
“Yep, he’s a big guy all right. Do you like him?”
“Uh-huh. He’s my friend.”
Dallas glanced behind her. Cash was heading their way. “Good. I like him, too.”
THAT NIGHT, AFTER PIPER was fast asleep, Dallas sat curled on her couch, sipping a glass of wine. Running her hand over the soft cushion, she remembered how proud she was when she first brought it home. The IKEA store in Dallas was her go-to place when she first furnished her house. A bar-back from the club owned a truck, and they made several trips over the first six months that she lived here. He even helped her put it all together. She promised herself that not one stick of used, hand-me-down furniture would be in her daughter’s world, and she kept that promise.
She took another sip of wine. Despite how sure she’d been that she did
