Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (9 page)

Finding bra and panties, she moved toward the door. “Shouldn’t you go and wake Lilly? I’m going to shower and then we’ll head to the McAllister.”

“You never were good at skirting the issue,” he said.

“And you were never good at getting the hint that some questions don’t need answers. And this is definitely one of those.”

“You were hurt over me?”

“If you insist, yes I was. It wasn’t easy leaving, especially under the circumstances, but sometimes we have to lose so that we can grow. I learned that lesson from Carly and Chance who have been through a lot but have landed on their feet, more in love than ever.”

“Carly seems like a good woman, but I have a feeling she still carries some pain.
”

Leslie knew Stryker had great instincts. “
She does and will for the rest of her life I’m sure. They lost their first child to a heart defect and Carly fell into depression. I didn’t know her then, but from what I’ve heard, she had changed—she became bitter and selfish. Then a miracle happened. She fell, got amnesia and had forgotten all of the pain, but remembered loving Chance.”

“That’s horrible, yet wonderful at the same time. Did she get her memory back?” he asked.

“Not all of it, which is probably for the best. Some things should remain in the dark.”

“What brought you and Carly closer?”

“Don’t laugh, but I helped Carly deliver Chasity.”

He blinked and she bit
back a laugh. “Some drama you got going on here.” He smiled.

“
Actually, no drama. And now I’m taking a shower.”

“Nee
d someone to wash your back?” A spark lit his eye.

Hell yeah
…but instead, she said, “No. I’ll manage. We can’t forget we have a wee one in the house.”

“I figured you’d say that. Once upon a time,
I’m sure the answer would have been different.”

The temperature rose.
“Things have changed. And now you’re a father.”

“And that’s
not too much for you?”

“I told you, I’m in this
with both feet. I can’t promise I’ll be the best, but I’m ready to give it all I have.”

“For Lilly?”

“Yes, for Lilly.”

He got up and headed to the door. “See you after your shower.”

When he walked away, she wanted him to come back.

Slow down girl!

      
Could she think with her mind and not her heart? If she wasn’t careful, she’d find herself in a heap of horse manure…and that was never pleasant.

CHAPTER SEVEN

STRYKER WAS TOSSING the ball with Lilly in the front yard when Leslie came out of the house. The ball smacked him in the face as he stared at her, dumbfounded. Although her plain tee and worn jeans weren’t meant to impress, she still looked sexy as hell. From her cowboy hat, to her bright blue eyes, to the tips of her scuffed boots—she was more beautiful than ever. She didn’t have to try being sexy, and that’s what he appreciated most.

Out of the
corner of his eye, he saw Lilly waving. He turned to the little girl and took in the bubbly smile on her face. His heart melted. He realized she’d grown fond of Leslie. No surprise. Once a person got to know her, they couldn’t resist her.

He hadn’t been able to fight his need last night.

After hearing about the baby, he’d taken a long walk and was headed to sleep in his truck when an emotion overcame him. One of loss, pain, and more importantly, forgiveness.

He’d gone to her bedroom.

They’d connected like never before, heating the sheets and climbing emotional mountains.

He was at a tug
of war between his mind, heart and another part of him that shot up like a rod every time she stepped close—as it did now.

“Lilly, how are you t
his morning?” Leslie swept by him, leaving a trail of sugar-vanilla in her wake, and tousled Lilly’s hair.

The shine in Lilly’s
eyes spoke wonders.

Man,
she does the same for me.

Leslie bent down so that she was face to face with Lilly. “Would you like to see Ava again?” Lilly nodded. “I’m s
ure she’s excited to see you.”

“
Shall we go then?” Stryker asked.

What
happened next tore through him like a sharp hook. Lilly took Leslie’s hand and led her toward the truck. He could see that Leslie was just as surprised, and he even believed there was a hint of moisture in her eyes.

Damn, where were they heading?

Leslie said she wanted to be a part of Lilly’s life, and he had faith in her ability, but he didn’t have a lot of confidence in himself. Leslie wasn’t a woman a man could sleep with when the need arose and leave it at that. She was a classy, intelligent, beautiful lady and should be treated with the utmost respect.

Trut
h was, he couldn’t help from acting like a schoolboy around her. Not to mention, he hadn’t been satisfied in years. She did something to him that no one else could, and he wanted more.

He was out of his mind. He
knew this could end horribly—again.

H
e couldn’t pull away, not yet. He had to do what was right. Lilly needed Leslie, and maybe he did too. He’d had plenty of chances to move on, but he’d always hit a hurdle that he couldn’t jump. He’d been looking at his love life like a rotating door, spinning but never stopping…but now it was slowing. What would he find once he took a good look?

“You ready?” Leslie asked.

“I don’t know,” he mumbled.

“Did you forget something?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten anything.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Okay, I’m confused.”

“Me too,” he whispered. “However, I’m ready.” And although she had no clue there was another meaning to his words.

****

Leslie watched Lilly and Ava play
on a blanket by the patio. Although there was a difference in age, they played happily together. Lilly was very patient and sharing with the toddler. The two girls got up, Lilly holding Ava’s chubby hand, and together they walked to the slide. Ava slid down first, giggling, followed by Lilly who erupted into laughter.

Stryker was also watching
. Leslie saw his smile and happiness gurgled inside of her. She loved to see him happy.

“Sweet iced tea.” Lila came out of the patio glass doors carrying a tray. “Anyone want some?”

“Sounds delicious.” Leslie tore her gaze away from Stryker.

Lila poured each of them a glass and handed the first to Stryker. “So, will you be coming to the wedding?”

Leslie jerked her head around to him
, paying attention to the fact that he was also dumbfounded.

“I’m betting Lesi invited Cowboy
.” His tone was aloof, but Leslie didn’t go unscathed. She felt the sting all the way to her inner core.

“If you’re referring to Dillon, I invited him.” Lila handed Leslie a glass and their gazes met.
“I didn’t know you and Dillon were coming as a couple, Leslie.”

       
“Dillon and I hadn’t talked about it.” She downed half of her tea in one gulp.

Lila shrugged. “Well
, I’m inviting you and Lilly,” Lila said to Stryker. “I’m seeing a friendship building here.” She turned toward the two girls who were now playing in the sand box. Lilly was scooping with a small shovel and pouring into Ava’s bucket.

“We’ll see. I hate to say
yes and not be able to make it.” Stryker didn’t even look at Leslie, which infuriated her more. “By the way, Lila, how did you know it would be good for Lilly to play with Ava?”

“I took a
several college courses in child therapy. Play therapy is very popular for trauma patients. I also saw how the two girls connected at dinner last night. Lilly is very tender with Ava.”

“Thank you
for having us over,” Stryker said.

“There’s my
cowboy now,” Lila said. “Oh, no. He doesn’t look too happy.” Duke stomped toward them. His tight jaw and dark eyes warned them something had happened. “What’s wrong?” Lila asked.

“The new mare,
Frances, was grazing in the pasture and one of the hands took her back to the stall because she was acting lethargic. She’s resting, but it doesn’t look good.” Duke was out of breath. Leslie wondered if he’d run all the way to the house from the barn.

Leslie stood up, already grabbing her medical bag. “What symptoms is she showing?”

Duke removed his hat and held it against his chest. “She’s having trouble breathing and she’s weak.”

Leslie’s heart skipped a beat. “I’ll go and check on her.”

“We’ll take the utility vehicle. We’ll get there a lot quicker,” Duke said.

“Care if I come along?” Stryker stood.

“Sure,” Duke answered.

“Go on with them Stryker. I’ll look after Lilly,” Lila offered.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I don’t mind at all. After all, they look like
they’re having so much fun.”

“She
’s right, Stryker. We should let her enjoy herself,” Leslie interjected.

They rode to the stables and Leslie hopped out as soon as the vehicle stopped. She noticed that Dillon was standing by
Frances. When he saw her, he gave her a quick nod. “How’s she doing?” Leslie asked.

“She’s gotten worse.” Dillon stepped out of the way as Leslie passed.

“I need you fellows to please step aside for a bit and let me exam her.” Leslie was already pulling things from her bag.

They did as she requested, leaving her a
lone with the mare who was on her side.

Fifteen minutes later, Leslie finished examining
Frances and found the men standing by the fence leading to the pasture. She met Stryker’s gaze as she made her way toward them. “It doesn’t look good, Duke.”

“What do you think is wrong?” Duke scrubbed his jaw with the back of his hand.

“She has a high fever, weakness, swelling of the abdomen and an irregular heartbeat, which leads me to believe it’s EIA, equine infectious anemia. They get it from an infected mosquito. ”

“Swamp fever?” Stryker asked.

“Yes, that’s what I believe it is,” she said. “There is a test that can tell us if she does have EIA, which I’ll get a blood sample, and we can give the other horses treatment for prevention.”

“Is there medicine, a shot, anything we can do for
Frances?” Duke asked.

“I’m sorry, Duke. She’s in a lot of pain and I don’t know a lot about EIA, but I don’t think she’ll live into the evening.”

“What do you suggest?”

She swallowed, hating this part of her job. “I’d recommend putting her down. She’s suffering.”

Duke’s jaw tightened. “I trust your judgment. Do you have what you need?”

“I do. It’ll be over in minutes.” Leslie loved working with animals, healing them, keeping them healthy, but unfortunately, losing animals came with the position.

Back in the stall with Frances, Leslie got the blood sample and stored it in her bag. She prepared the needle for the injection when she heard footsteps behind her. She looked up and found Stryker crossing the barn. Relief spread through her.

“Thought you could use some support.” He knelt beside her.

“Is it that obvious how much I hate doing this?”

“I know, but you can put your emotions aside for the humane treatment of the horse. She’s in pain, obviously.”

His words eased some of her agony. “It seems like such a sad waste to put down a beautiful mare like her.” Leslie stared into Frances’s milky brown gaze.

“
Are you ready, Lesi?”

Inhaling deeply, she forced her grief aside and d
id what she knew she had to do.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ON HER WAY back to the house with Stryker to get Lilly, Leslie saw Dillon heading her way. She glanced at Stryker to see if he’d noticed Dillon.

“Hi, Leslie.” Dillon pushed his hat back on his forehead.

“Hi, Dillon.”

“Can I talk to you a minute
?” He didn’t even acknowledge Stryker.

“I don’t
know. We need to get Lilly before it gets much later.”
And I’m drained.

“I’ll go on and get her. It’ll give you two a chance to talk.
” Stryker was already three steps ahead before Leslie could get a word out.

Leslie
swallowed. “I don’t know what to say, Dillon.”

“I’m not a bitter man. I see the way you look at him—” He glanced
into the distance where Stryker had disappeared inside the house. When he brought his gaze back to her, she could see genuine kindness. “And I’m happy for you.”