Cowboy Promise

by Janalyn Knight

  The chef melted butter on the grill then dumped a large bowl of vegetables in the puddle. It sizzled as the aroma of garlic and butter permeated the air.

  Cash raised his glass to her. “Now, tell me all about you.”

  She smiled and sipped her wine. “I have an older brother, too. Jason. We never had much growing up, and he got into trouble with the law right out of high school. His court-appointed attorney really dropped the ball, and Jason went to prison for five years. That changed my life. I decided I wanted to be a lawyer and maybe prevent that from happening to another pour soul.” She stared at her glass and sighed. “If only things were so simple.”

  Cash touched her arm. “What happened, Dallas?”

  “I fell in love with a grad student my sophomore year. When I was a junior, and right before the guy graduated, I got pregnant. His name isn’t on the birth certificate. Piper is my blessing. He’ll never know what he missed.”

  Cash reached for her hand and squeezed it. “That man was an idiot. He gave up something very precious.”

  Dallas looked at Cash, her eyes fierce. “And I’m not stupid. I know how to prevent pregnancy. I came down with pneumonia and was on heavy antibiotics. My birth control failed.”

  She grimaced and continued. “I attended school until Piper was born, then went to work as a legal assistant at the law firm where I am now. The money I make at the club goes into my education savings account. I will finish my law degree.”

  “Wow, Dallas. I’m impressed.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t be. I made my share of mistakes.”

  Cash reached for her hand again. “We all did. It’s how we handle them that counts.”

  The chef was well into his routine. The fried rice was done, and he served it into bowls all around. Shrimp, beef, calamari, and lobster were crackling on the grill, and piles of vegetables were turned as they browned.

  Soon, they had their dinners in front of them. Cash dug in with relish.

  Dallas turned to him, her brows raised questioningly.

  He lifted his fork loaded with beef and vegetables. “This is really good. I’ll have to tell my friends about this place.”

  She grinned. “I thought you’d like it. This is one of my favorite restaurants. Thanks for letting me choose tonight.” She realized it had happened. She was relaxed—even happy. Everything had turned out all right this evening.

  Later, Cash pulled up in front of Dallas’s house and got out to open her door. She slid to the ground and took his arm as he escorted her to the steps.

  Dallas smiled. “Thanks so much for dinner. I had a lot of fun.”

  “You’re welcome. I had fun, too.”

  She got out her keys.

  Cash continued. “Can I see you again, Dallas?”

  “Cash, I have so little time with Piper. Can I think about it?” His face fell, and she could tell he was disappointed.

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he said. “You’re a good mom, Dallas. The last thing you need to be worrying about is fitting me into your busy life. Let me work on that.”

  Chapter Three

  Heads turned as Ethan and Dallas wove their way through the restaurant Monday evening. He knew they were a stunning couple with him in his bespoke suit, and gorgeous, blonde Dallas in her striking red dress and upswept hair. He walked a little taller knowing that every man in the room envied him.

  Ethan held her chair as Dallas settled in at their quiet table. After he sat, he perused the wine list, deciding on a cabernet since he, for one, would be having a steak. Closing the book, he ordered a bottle as the waiter stopped beside him.

  Dallas frowned slightly at his choice. But, of course, she’d like it. He did.

  Ethan smiled and leaned toward her. “I want to say again, you look lovely tonight. That color suits you, Dallas.”

  She raised her hand to her neckline, fingering the tiny locket she wore. “I like dressing up once in a while. Honestly, I had forgotten what it was like, and now I’ve done it twice in less than a week.” Smiling, she took a sip of water.

  Ethan frowned as the sommelier arrived with the bottle of wine. Dammit. He wanted to find out about Dallas’s other date. Tapping his foot, he waited as the man filled their glasses and left.

  Ethan took a drink of wine and leaned in. “Dallas—”

  “Hi, my name is Irene, and I’ll be serving you tonight.”

  Really? Again? He restrained himself from rolling his eyes.

  The waitress laid menus in front of them.

  Dallas thanked her and opened her menu.

  Ethan chewed his lower lip. How could he bring up this other date, if that was what it was? He took another drink of his wine. “Anything strike your fancy? The steak and lobster are always good here.”

  “How did you know I’m starving? That sounds wonderful. What are you having?”

  “We’ll make it two. Speaking of two, you said you’ve been out a couple of times this week. Care to share?”

  Dallas took a sip of her wine. “It was a first date. They can be awkward, but this one was nice.”

  Nice? Ethan gritted his teeth. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He smiled and raised his glass to her.

  Straightening the fork beside her knife, she met his gaze. “Between my two jobs, I feel like Piper and I don’t spend much time together. Dating takes time away from her, and I guess I didn’t think that through. I don’t know how going out will work for me right now, Ethan.”

  He reached across the table and captured her hand. “Surely there’s something we can do. Let’s think about it, shall we?” Breath held, he waited for her response.

  She hesitated then nodded slowly.

  The waitress returned and took their orders.

  Ethan regaled Dallas with funny stories from his vacations in Europe, to Aruba, and to see plays in New York. She should know the kind of life she could lead if she fell in love with him. He sensed a vulnerability in her, and he had no qualms exploiting it.

  They also talked about their shared passion for the Dallas Cowboys and the team’s chances for the next Super Bowl.

  After dinner, Ethan walked Dallas to her front door. Reaching for her hand, he said, “Don’t give up on dating yet. We’ll figure out something. Promise?”

  Nodding, she squeezed his hand. “Thanks for a wonderful evening, Ethan. I enjoyed myself.”

  He stayed on the porch as she slipped inside and waited to hear the door lock before heading to his sleek black Lexus sportscar. As he started the engine, he turned over the problem in his mind. He would find a way to solve it and, in doing so, he’d make sure Dallas fell for him and only him.

  WEDNESDAY MORNING, Dallas stopped typing as Mandy came by the reception desk. “What’s up?”

  Mandy arched back, hands on her hips, and sighed. “I’m already tired out. Wish we had a four-day work week.”

  “People like that a lot. But you know my bosses. They want me here answering phones. You may have a shot at it though. Why don’t you ask?”

  “Yeah, right. I don’t see it. Not with the hours I put in around here.”

  Dallas nodded and smiled. “Never hurts to dream.”

  Mandy headed off. “See you at lunch.”

  A few minutes later, Dallas heard a text land on her phone. Peeking in her desk drawer, she saw it was from Cash. When her morning break arrived, she picked up her coffee cup and phone and walked to the kitchen. Curiosity had been eating at her for nearly an hour, and, as soon as she sat with her coffee, she opened the text.

  Smiling, she read that Saturday, before she had to work at the club, Cash wanted to take her and Piper to the Railroad Museum, and then to lunch.

  She tapped her finger against her lips. This certainly solved the problem of leaving Piper when she saw Cash. And Piper would love the trains. But there was something else to consider. Did she want to introduce a man into Piper’s life? It would be a first. Was it the right thing to do?

  She took a sip of coffee. Did Cash even like
kids? Her fingers flew.

  Are you experienced with kids?

  Cash sent back:

  I was one once. Do I need experience? I like kids just fine.

  Well, he actually didn’t need experience with her there. And he’d said he was glad he didn’t have children because his marriage would have been awful for them. That was good thinking. She shook her head. What the heck? She typed:

  We’d love to go.

  He sent right back:

  Yay! Tell me what time works for you.

  10:30? That would still give her and Piper a relaxed morning.

  He wrote back:

  I’ll see you girls then.

  Dallas laid the phone on the table. This was big. Second thoughts bombarded her. What if Piper got attached to Cash? It would make it so much harder to stop seeing him, if it came to that. The last thing she’d do was let Piper get hurt.

  SATURDAY MORNING, DALLAS answered the door to Cash’s tall, powerful presence. His flashing smile reached deep into his amber eyes. She shivered, reacting to him more strongly than she ever had. Was it because she was about to allow him into her private world? Laying her hand across her pounding heart, she stepped back. “We’re ready, I think. Come meet Piper.”

  She led him into the living room, bidding her thrumming pulse to slow. Kneeling, she held out her arms to her daughter. The three-year-old pulled her blanket up to her chin and stared at Cash from her perch on the couch. After running her wide-eyed gaze over him several times, she finally trotted to her mother.

  Dallas picked up the child. “Cash, this is my daughter, Piper. Piper, this is my friend, Mr. Powers. Do you want to shake hands?”

  Piper put out her hand. “Hi, Mr. Pah-wahs.” She stumbled a little over the pronunciation.

  Cash grinned and shook her hand. “That’s kind of hard to say. Why don’t you call me Mr. Cash? Or, if Mom lets you, just Cash?”

  Dallas smiled. “Let’s stick to Mr. Cash. We’re working on manners around here.”

  Cash drove a one-ton, cab-and-a-half truck, so there was a bench seat in the back to buckle in Piper’s car seat. He opened the back door on his side and helped Dallas get Piper settled in.

  While he drove, Cash looked in his rear-view mirror. “Have you ever been to the Railroad Museum, Piper?”

  Shaking her head, she answered, “No-o-o-o-o.”

  “You can climb into all sorts of train cars. There are old trains and some newer ones, too.”

  Dallas looked over her shoulder at Piper. “I’ve never been there, either, sweetheart. We’ll have fun together.”

  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 the right thing going with Cash today, her misgivings were back. For years, she kept on track to make her dream come true by staying at home and working hard. Would the newest changes in her life eventually derail her plans? Standing, she began to pace the minimally-furnished room. That couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let it. She had to be strong—committed to her goal. Cash and Ethan had to understand that, or she’d cut them out of her life.

  Chapter Four

  At five on Wednesday afternoon, Ethan stopped by Dallas’s desk as she prepared to leave. “Can I walk you to your car? I need to talk to you for a minute.”

  Dallas smiled. “Sure. Come on.”

  He placed his hand on the small of her back and followed her outside. “I think I came up with a solution to our problem. A friend of mine uses a nanny service when he and his wife go out. He said the employees have all been given thorough background checks, and he and his wife have been very happy with the nannies that have cared for their children.”

  As they approached her car, he continued. “I thought it might be nice to hire a nanny to take Piper to do something fun when we have a date. Then the nanny can take her back to your parents’ house for bedtime or can stay at your house until you get home. I can even see if we can manage the same nanny as often as possible. What do you think?” He studied her expression, hoping for a clue to her thoughts. She had to go for this.

  Dallas furrowed her brow. “Wow, that’s not something I ever considered. Piper’s never stayed with anyone but my parents. I’m not sure how she’ll do. Maybe if I could meet the nanny first? I don’t know. Let me think about it? But thank you so much for coming up with the idea. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to do something like this for Piper and me.”