Cowboy Promise

by Janalyn Knight

  After opening the wine, Dallas poured them each a glass. Taking a sip, she asked, “What have you been doing? It seems like ages since we talked.”

  Kate launched into a tale of her most recent shenanigans—who she was dating and where they’d gone.

  Dallas smiled as she listened. Honestly, she couldn’t imagine a future where Kate settled down with one man and got married. She enjoyed being chased too much. The beautiful young woman had her pick of men and loved going out and traveling to new places. Neither could Dallas see Kate as a mother. Rolling her eyes, Dallas envisioned Kate with barf on her dress as she bottle-fed a baby. No way. Wouldn’t happen.

  A knock sounded, and Dallas went to the door.

  Sarah, full of energy, as always, swept in and headed to the kitchen, trailing Acacia in her wake.

  Dallas drew Acacia into a hug. Her dark-brown hair and eyes set off her pale skin in a striking way. Dallas had forgotten how gorgeous she was. Pulling back, Dallas asked, “How are you? I hear you’re getting married.”

  She grinned. “I didn’t realize how much work getting married was when I started all this. If I had known ... I would have eloped

  Dallas laughed and pulled her into the kitchen, pouring her a glass of iced lemon water. “Let’s all go outside where the kids can play and stay out of our hair.”

  With a chorus of “Yes!” they gathered the little ones and stepped into the back yard.

  Dallas held the cheese-and-crackers tray and led the women to the chairs and tables under the shade trees. “I’m so glad you all could come. We need to do this more often.”

  Sarah lifted her glass. “Here, here.”

  “So, Acacia, tell us all about your honeymoon and where you’re going to live. You know, everything!” Kate said.

  “Johnny’s keeping mum about the honeymoon. But afterward, we’ll live on his family ranch. We’ve been looking at house plans with a builder, and I’m excited. I want my kids to grow up on a ranch like I did.” She smiled, and a flush crept up the pale skin of her neck. “Not that we plan on children right away.”

  Sarah laughed. “Take it from me, girl. Have lots of fun, first.”

  Acacia giggled.

  Cara jogged up to her momma. “Colin won’t share the ball. It’s my turn.”

  Shaking her head, Sarah called, “Colin, let your sister have a turn, or you’ll have to come listen to girl talk for ten whole minutes!”

  Cara ran back to join the play.

  Sarah motioned to Dallas with her wine glass. “Speak, girl. How is everything with your two hunks? Better, now?”

  “Yeah.” An immediate bubble of happiness tickled her chest. Thank goodness Cash talked some sense into her. She would have lost ... well, lost everything that had made her life so joyful recently.

  Sarah launched into a remix of her past week and had everyone giggling.

  As the evening went on, Dallas leaned back in her chair and looked at her friends, one-by-one. She’d been too shy and insecure to make friends when she was young. She’d missed out on so much. This was what made life worthwhile. Sharing time with people you love.

  Soon, a choice must be made between two very special men. She could only share her future with one of them.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ethan filled his plate at the Chinese buffet near the office. Dallas was in line just ahead of him. He asked her to lunch with an agenda in mind. He was hoping she’d agree to an overnight date with him. Separate rooms, of course. He wouldn’t pressure her at this stage of the game. Sharing a room would come, though. He’d make sure of that.

  A moment later, he joined Dallas at their table, and asked, “How is your daughter these days?”

  “She’s great. Growing out of all her clothes. I think she’s going to be tall like her father.” A frown flitted across her face, and she took a quick bite from her plate.

  Ethan reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I came across some symphony tickets, and I hope you’ll come with me. It’s the weekend after next. We’d drive up to Dallas Saturday morning and return Sunday evening. Please, say you’ll come. We’ll have such fun.” He examined her expression closely, hoping for enthusiasm or at least that she was open to the idea.

  Dallas looked over his shoulder, her eyes far away. The corner of her mouth lifted. “I’ve always wanted to go to the symphony.” Taking a bite of food, she chewed a moment, then said, “Let me see what my parents have to say. And I need to find someone to cover for me Saturday night at The Cowboy.” She smiled into his eyes. “I’d love to go if I can work things out.”

  Ethan grinned. “Wonderful! I’ll plan everything. I hope your daughter and the nanny can find some fun things to do as well.” Thank God the girl didn’t mind staying with the nannies at the service. That had been a stroke of genius on his part. Too bad Dallas had gotten pregnant so young. It was hard on her, as a single mom, planning for a child every time she wanted to do something on her own.

  He was glad he never had children. At some point, he knew he must. But, by then, he planned on being married, and his wife would handle all the care. He’d be busy furthering his career. He would go much farther than partner in the practice in Wichita Falls. This job was merely a step toward a better one at a larger firm somewhere in Dallas, closer to his mother. He already had a nibble at a very prestigious partnership. This plan didn’t need to be revealed to the woman sitting across from him, though. Not yet, anyway. Not until she fell for him. It did mean that time was of the essence. His plans for Dallas had to move forward as quickly as possible.

  That meant meeting her daughter. He needed to gain the child’s good will before he could seal the deal with Dallas. The girl was sure to be a good little thing. After all, look at her mother. It shouldn’t be too hard to establish a connection with ... Pipi? Piper? Pepper? It was one of those silly names. And, dammit, he’d forgotten it again. “Can I ask a favor?”

  She met his gaze. “Sure.”

  “Would you introduce me to your daughter soon?”

  Her eyes filled with warmth. “I’d like that.”

  “Perhaps we can all go for ice cream next weekend.”

  “Piper would love it. How about Saturday after her nap? Say, two o’clock?”

  Piper. That was the child’s name. He’d write it down when he got to his office. “It’s a date, then. I’m looking forward to it.”

  As they walked the few blocks back to work, he shoved his hands into his pockets and smiled. Surely, he was leaps and bounds ahead of the other guy in Dallas’s affections. She was a smart woman. She’d realize that he had much more to offer than any cowboy could. Ethan slipped his arm around her waist, kissing her behind the ear and claiming what he already felt was his.

  SATURDAY AFTERNOON, Piper licked her banana cone in the Braum’s ice cream shop near their house. Dallas glanced over and Ethan’s wide-eyed gaze was locked on Piper’s face, which was smeared with goo. Dallas grabbed a napkin and wiped the stuff off before it could drip. Hadn’t the guy seen a child eat ice cream before? Now the cone was dripping on Piper’s hand. Hell! Grabbing more napkins, she wrapped the cone in several layers and handed it back to her daughter.

  Ethan cleared his throat and said in a bright voice. “Piper, what do you like to do for fun?”

  The little girl stared at him. She’d been quiet since Ethan had sternly told her on the ride over to please stop kicking his seat. She finally said, “Doggies.”

  He drew his brows together and glanced at Dallas. “Doggies?”

  Shrugging, she said, “Maybe she means my parents’ dog?”

  Ethan tried again. “You like to play with your grandparents’ dog?”

  Piper licked her lips and slowly shook her head no.

  Dallas huffed. “Piper, use your words. What doggies?”

  She turned to her mom, her eyes wide and innocent.

  Ethan smiled uncomfortably and shrugged. “It’s fine. Kids will be kids.”

  While they finished their ice cream
, Ethan talked about a vacation he took to Rio one year. Piper was silent.

  While Dallas gathered the used napkins and trash, Piper said, “I want to go to the park.”

  Ethan, who’d begun to rise, froze.

  Dallas glanced over and said, “That’s up to Ethan.”

  He tilted the corner of his mouth up. “Uh, no problem.”

  Not the most enthusiastic response Dallas could imagine, but he was willing. She’d give him that. It was obvious he didn’t have much experience with kids. But Cash said he didn’t either and look at how great he was with Piper.

  Ethan took the tray full of trash and dumped it, and they headed for his car.

  That was another thing. His two-door sports car was a pain when it came to putting Piper’s car seat in the back. Ethan had to pull the belts from beneath the seat because they’d never been used. If Dallas wasn’t mistaken, he swallowed a few choice words before the car seat was firmly in place. Strapping Piper in was no picnic, either.

  Once they got to the park, her daughter seemed more relaxed. She ran to the swings and called, “Push me, Mr. Keys.”

  Ethan glanced at Dallas with startled eyes.

  She laughed. “Go ahead, Mr. Keys. It’s my turn to rest. I do this all the time.”

  He helped the little girl up into the swing and, with a small push, set her moving.

  “No. Harder,” Piper said, in a disgusted voice.

  The next time, he pushed her a little higher, and Piper was quiet.

  Dallas sighed. The poor man. He couldn’t be more out of his element if he were at the bottom of the sea.

  Soon, Piper called, “I want to slide.”

  Ethan pulled her to a stop.

  She slid out of the swing and headed to the playscape.

  Ethan turned around, reminding Dallas of a dog, with his soulful, begging eyes. But she wanted to see what the man was made of. With a shooing motion, she said, “Go, go. She needs help. I’ll watch you from here.”

  Sighing, he gave her a quick smile and stuffed his hands in his pockets, walking after Piper.

  The little girl climbed the wooden fort and twirled the steering wheel, ignoring Ethan.

  He stood quietly, watching.

  Suddenly, she was at the top of the slide and pushing off, yelling, “Catch me!”

  Snatching his hands out of his pockets, he lurched for the bottom of the slide. He was too late.

  Landing on her back side, Piper yelled, “Ouch!” and pouted, thrusting out her lip as she glared at Ethan.

  He picked her up and dusted off her shorts. “I’m so sorry. Let me take you to your mother.”

  Dallas observed it all with narrowed eyes. Her little turkey was playing games. She knew how to land on her feet when she went down the slide.

  Piper sat stiffly in Ethan’s arms as he walked toward her mother.

  Dallas picked up her purse and sighed. This day hadn’t gone well at all.

  AFTER ETHAN DROPPED them at the house, Piper was Dallas’s shadow, following her from room to room until time to go to her grandparents’ house. Dallas had even rocked her while she read her a book.

  Piper’s unusual behavior kept coming back to Dallas as she tended bar that night. She wasn’t sure if Piper disliked Ethan or if she was just uncomfortable with him. Maybe she felt he was trying to take Cash’s place. Dallas knew having two men in her life was complicated, but it looked like it might also be disruptive for her daughter. She couldn’t have that. Somehow, some way, she had to choose.

  SUNDAY MORNING, CASH slid the steaks into his homemade marinade, sealing the lid before putting them in the fridge. He had a lot riding on today. Dallas and Piper were on their way to spend the day with him, and he was determined to make Dallas his before she went home. He’d thought it all through, and he’d been way too relaxed in his approach to their relationship. He needed to take control and show the woman just how much he cared.

  He headed down to the barn where two of his horses stood ready in stalls. Yesterday, to save time this morning, he’d brought them up from the pasture. As he brushed each one down, he went over his strategy. By the time they were saddled, he heard Dallas’s car drive up. Mounting Rambo, he jogged toward the house.

  Dallas stepped out of the car as he approached, the sun boldly highlighting her long, blonde hair. His blue heeler cow dog wiggled his butt and begged for attention. As she bent down to pet him, Cash called out, “Say hi to Blue Boy.”

  Pulling the horse to a stop in front of her, he said, “Dallas, meet Rambo, your ride for the day.”

  Taking a step back, she eyed the animal. “He’s kind of big, isn’t he?”

  “Naw, my horse is bigger. Rambo’s just right.”

  Piper cried, “I want out, Momma.”

  Dallas opened the back door and released her daughter from her car seat. “You stay close to me, honey. I don’t want you to get kicked.”

  “Hey, Rambo’s got manners. He won’t kick,” Cash said in a wounded voice.

  Piper held her arms up to Cash. “I want a ride. Please, Mr. Cash?”

  He raised his brows and looked at Dallas.

  “All right, but be careful with my baby.”

  Cash pulled the little girl from Dallas’s arms and settled her in front of him. “There are cold drinks in the fridge, and I put a fresh pot of coffee on. Make yourself comfortable while me and my sweetie here take a ride.”

  Dallas chewed her lip and nodded.

  Nudging Rambo with his heels, they turned toward the barn.

  Piper clutched the horn and yelled, “Yippee!”

  Cash grinned. She felt so fragile—didn’t weigh more than a bug’s fart. He stroked one of her little pigtails with his finger. Was there anything in the world more precious than this tiny person?

  They passed the barn, and he turned down the lane that led to a bunch of old rusty tanks, some as tall as twenty feet. At one time, there’d been oil pumped out of this land. But when the price dropped, his father stopped production and sealed the wells. The ground still had scalds from those days where nothing would grow.

  Details he seldom spotted anymore caught Piper’s attention. “What’s that brown stuff on the road?”

  He grinned. “That’s cow poop.”

  “Yucky. It’s big.”

  “Yep.”

  “How come Rambo makes that sound when he walks?”

  “Because he has hard shoes on his feet.”

  “Oh. I don’t want shoes like that.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I like your butterflies. You have lots of butterflies.”

  How come he never noticed that? She was right, though. He looked around and counted three without even trying. “They’re pretty, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  And so their ride went. By the time they returned to the house, he was enchanted. How had he lived this long and not realized how much he wanted a child? Tying Rambo to a shady oak tree in the yard, he pulled Piper into his arms. “Let’s go find Momma.”

  Dallas sat on the sofa in the living room, drinking a cup of coffee and reading his book on the history of Haskell County. She smiled and held it up. “Your family is in this.”

  “Yeah, we’ve been here a while. There’re quite a few of the original pioneer families still ranching in this area. My friend, Ward Ramsey’s family is in there, too. We grew up together, and his ranch butts up to mine.”

  Shaking her head, she said, “It’s like something out of a Zane Grey book.”

  He sat down next to her and settled Piper on his lap. The little girl snuggled into his chest.

  He put his arm around Dallas, giving her a quick kiss. “Well, one thing’s for sure. I always knew how I’d make my living. I can’t imagine spending my life doing anything else.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder and cupped Piper’s face. “Did you have fun on your ride?”

  She giggled, playing with the buttons on Cash’s shirt sleeve. “We saw butterflies and cow poop.”

&
nbsp; Dallas laughed. “Really?”

  “Uh-huh, and Mr. Cash says I can ride by myself in the ca ... ca...”

  “Corral.” He kissed her cheek. “That’s right. But when we go anywhere else, you sit with me.” He wasn’t taking any chances with this precious little bundle.

  Dallas wrinkled her forehead at this revelation but didn’t say anything.

  Cash reassured her. “I’ll lead her around.”

  Dallas let out a breath. “Good. Horses are just so big.”

  “I guess they are. I don’t notice anymore. She’ll be fine.”

  Piper crawled into Dallas’s lap. “I’m hungry, Momma.”

  Cash said, “I’ve got sandwich fixings for lunch, and I’m barbequing steaks later. Come on in the kitchen.”

  Piper yawned several times while she ate though her avid curiosity kept her asking questions.

  When the little girl was finished eating, Dallas scooted back her chair. “Naptime, baby girl. You’ll need lots of energy for our horse ride this afternoon.”

  Piper’s frown instantly turned into a smile at the mention of another horse ride.

  “I’ll show you where she can sleep.”

  Dallas hesitated. “I may need to rock her some. She’s wound up, and it’s a strange place.”

  “How about I bring a rocker to the room?”

  She smiled. “Perfect. Thanks.”

  While Dallas put Piper to sleep, he cleaned up the kitchen. His chest tightened as he thought of having at least an hour with Dallas all to himself. Tired of being patient, now he’d show her in every way how much he cared for her—how he wanted her. He couldn’t lose the woman he loved for lack of trying.

  Thirty minutes later, Dallas found him on the couch where he’d been fidgeting, hoping Dallas would be receptive to the warm, seductive kisses he couldn’t wait to give her. Admitting to a little insecurity had been hard for him, but it was true. Between work and their dates, Dallas spent a lot of time with the lawyer. Cash stood and pulled Dallas into his arms. “Is our girl asleep?”

  “I thought she’d never close her eyes. She’s so excited.” Dallas grinned at him. “You’re her hero, but I guess you know that. I finally had to threaten there’d be no horse ride before she relaxed and fell asleep. I hated to do it but, trust me, you don’t want to be around that little hellion this evening if she skips a nap.”