The Cowboy's Secret

He blinked once, twice, three times. Then his expression became unreadable. “My dad left me a little something.”

Relief spread through her like rain over a dry prairie. She’d been right. He’d come into some cash. Blowing through a small inheritance she could handle. Preying on gullible, lonely women, she could not.

“And you returned home because the money’s running out?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “That’s fair.”

He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

“What are you going to do next?” She wiped her hands off on a napkin.

“I’m not sure.” His face fell.

There was something broken about him. She knew broken. If it wasn’t for the baby, she probably would have fallen apart a long time ago. The brittleness edging her curiosity softened.

“You’re struggling with their deaths, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He nodded, setting his plate aside. “I am. No matter where I go, it doesn’t change the fact they’re gone.”

“The traveling… Have you been trying to escape?”

“Maybe.” He drew his eyebrows together. “Looking back… I guess I might have been.”

“Does anything help you with the grief?” She’d been blessed with her support group—their prayers and meetings each week had gotten her through the toughest of times.

“Somewhat.” Their gazes locked, and the connection between them could not be denied. Flutters filled her chest. “My faith helps me hobble through.”

“It gets me through, too. I know I’ll see Allison someday.”

“I’m glad.” He sighed, dropping his elbows to his knees. “Faith wasn’t part of my life until a few years ago. As for Dad and Sam… I don’t know what they believed.” He arched his eyebrows.

Her and her big mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think before I spoke.”

“It’s okay.” He seemed to see right through her. “You meant well.”

Phoebe started to fuss. She was probably hungry. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to fix her a bottle.”

A few minutes later, she took Phoebe out of the jumper seat and set her on her lap with the bottle. The baby snuggled in her arms as she drank it. This was one of Gabby’s favorite parts of the day. There was nothing more relaxing than having Phoebe cradled in her arms.

“Did you grow up around here?” He had an intent gleam in his eye as he watched them.

“No, Allison and I moved here to take care of our grandma after I graduated from high school. Allison was going into eighth grade.” She caressed Phoebe’s forehead, trying not to dwell on the other reason they’d moved to Rendezvous. She’d finally seen Carl’s true colors. The man she’d dated during her senior year of high school had been living a double life. She’d grown up fast after that.

“What happened to your parents?”

“Oh, they’re still alive and well. Mama lives down in Laramie with her boyfriend, and Daddy is probably charming some widow in Montana. I don’t talk to them much anymore.”

“And it’s just you and the baby? No husband?” He didn’t seem to be fishing about her love life with an ulterior motive, but what did she know?

“No, just us.”

“And you plan on staying here?”

She laughed. “Oh, yeah, Rendezvous is home. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have good friends here, and I love working at the inn…” She proceeded to tell him about her job and how she loved the town. He asked about the area and before she knew it, an hour had passed.

“I should get going.” He stood and took his plate into the kitchen. Then he walked over and touched Phoebe’s cheek. “You take care now, little one.”

“What’s next?” Gabby stood, carrying the baby, and followed him to the door.

“I don’t know. Let’s sleep on it and talk tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She frowned. “You can stop by after noon.”

He put on his hat, tipped it to her and left. After locking the door behind him, Gabby carried Phoebe back to the couch and stretched out on it. Impressions tangled in her mind.

She wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was easy to talk to—too easy. In fact, she’d done all the talking. She pressed her hand against her forehead. What was wrong with her? She was supposed to be finding out if he was worthy of being part of Phoebe’s life, not gushing about how much she loved Rendezvous.

Still, he had shown his vulnerability when it came to the deaths of his brother and father. But as far as his work history, his future plans…she’d completely flaked out on getting any concrete answers.

And once again she’d invited him over.

In all his travels, he hadn’t found this.

Dylan drove across Silver Rocks River and turned onto Centennial Street to drive through downtown Rendezvous. After 7:30 p.m., the sun was still out. Families entered and exited the few restaurants along the street, and once he passed the main businesses, a line appeared around an ice cream stand—the Dipping Dream. He slowed and pulled into a spot in front of a park. Green grass was dotted with picnic tables where people were barbecuing. The smell of grilled burgers reminded him summer had arrived. Rendezvous made it look slower, more fun than he was used to.

Little girls and boys stood near the playground equipment taking turns lassoing a fence post. He chuckled as one of the boys stuck out his tongue and a girl threw down her rope and began chasing him. They looked like they were having a good time.

From what he’d seen of the town, it appeared to be a place where everyone knew each other. He got out of the truck and enjoyed the warm breeze. A white gazebo was nestled in the park. Mature pines partially hid a ball diamond from his view, and he could just make out what appeared to be seven-year-old girls playing softball. Shouts erupted. Proud grandparents and parents stood up cheering.

An unexpected longing hit his heart. This was what community meant. Ice cream stands, barbecues with friends, peewee ball games—all things he’d missed out on as a kid. He hadn’t realized until this moment that he was still missing out on them.

Would Phoebe play softball? Would Gabby be in the stands jumping up to cheer her on?

Of course, Gabby would cheer the girl on. It was obvious she loved the baby. Who wouldn’t love the girl with her chubby cheeks and cheerful smile?

Earlier when he’d watched Gabby holding her and giving her the bottle, something had shifted inside him. The maternal picture they presented had kicked up a longing he’d never had before. For a brief moment, he’d wanted a child and a wife of his own who would love a baby the way Gabby did Phoebe.

“Na na na na na!” Up ahead, two little girls taunted a group of boys. Another round of chasing ensued. He shook his head. Kids being kids.

Gabby had been easy to talk to. The one red flag he’d had about her was when she’d probed into his financial situation. Why did she want to know what he’d been doing and how he’d been supporting himself for the past year? And what had the comment about his nice truck meant? Had she been trying to figure out how much money he had?

“Charlie!” A brunette in her early twenties waved to a couple of guys strolling toward the metal bleachers.

“Hey, Misty,” one said without breaking stride. “You watching the game? Emma’s playing.”

“I was on my way to get a sundae, but I might as well join you.” She jogged over to them, and they all laughed about something. Their camaraderie deepened the stirring he’d been feeling for the past few hours.

Man, he was tired of being alone. He turned in the direction of Dipping Dream.

As he’d listened to Gabby talk about her life and friends here in Rendezvous, he’d found himself wishing she’d keep talking for hours. She seemed so genuine. And when she’d asked, “What next?” he’d had no idea how to respond.

What was next?

He supposed he should return to Dallas to set up the trust fund and child support. It had been a year since he’d checked in with any of his old friends. They’d been growing apart for a long time, though. The only people he’d had contact with at all this year were his lawyer and his financial advisor.

The thought of checking out of Mountain View Inn tomorrow and putting his life back together in Texas weighed on him. He didn’t know how to put it together. It all seemed meaningless without…

Maybe it was time to face facts. He’d spent his entire life trying to impress his father and get his attention. Now that Dad was gone, there wasn’t anyone to impress.

Dylan slowed as he neared the ice cream stand. He had to figure out what to do with his life. No more traveling around the world, delaying the inevitable.

What would it hurt to spend the rest of the weekend here? He could get to know Phoebe better and find out more information about how Gabby planned on raising her.

Come to think of it, he didn’t know much about either of them. He’d gotten so mesmerized listening to Gabby talk about the town, he’d barely asked any questions at all. He didn’t know her ideas on school and extracurricular activities. Who babysat his niece while she worked? What church did Gabby attend? Would she spoil the baby or be strict? Did she plan on having fun birthday parties for the girl? How would they celebrate Christmas? Would he be invited?

As he fell into the back of the line, relief mingled with peace.

Yes, he’d stay a few days and gather more info. He’d find out how Gabby intended to raise Phoebe. And if he didn’t like what she said, he might have to speak up. In fact, he might have to be more involved with the baby than he originally intended. Money was a poor substitute for a flesh and blood person who cared. He should know.

His niece deserved an uncle she could depend on.

But what if he let her down the way he had his father and Sam?

He firmed his shoulders as Phoebe’s smiling face played in his mind. He’d have to be someone she could depend on.

He couldn’t live with himself if he let her down, too.

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