Page 42 of Making a Cowgirl

“Not exactly.” Sarah sighed, dragging a hand down her face. “We almost kissed.”

One of Brielle’s brows lifted. “Almost.” She let out a soft chuckle. “Man, he’s changed.”

“He has?”

Brielle tossed her clothes onto her bed and moved over to sit beside Sarah. “Okay, maybechangedis the wrong word. You have to understand the two of us know each otherreallywell. I probably know him better than anyone he’s dated. He has always been more comfortable around me. If he’s taking it slow with you, that is probably a good thing.”

“Wait, you’re not mad?”

She tossed her head back and laughed. “Of course not. Dax and I aren’t together. He doesn’t owe me anything. If he wants to date you, I’m not going to stand in his way. That man deserves every bit of happiness he can get.”

The way Brielle said that, it sounded like she thought Sarah made Dax happy. A warm sensation replaced the trepidation she felt inside. Maybe all her worry was for nothing. She offered a shy smile at Brielle. “Do you really think I make him happy?”

She shrugged, then got to her feet. “All I know is that he hasn’t dated anyone seriously since we had our fling. He tends to keep to himself—likes his privacy. So if he’s willing to open his heart to you, don’t take it for granted.

18

Dax

Dax stood and walked to the front of the room. Only half-a-dozen people showed up to this meeting. It wasn’t the usual one he attended, but he had needed it. He shouldn’t even be nervous, but he was. His date with Sarah meant far more to him than he’d let himself believe.

There was something intangible that made him realize just how much he wanted this to work out. Yes, she was pretty. But it was more than just her looks. It was everything she offered—the complete package.

He cleared his throat. “I’m Dax, and I’m an alcoholic.”

“Hi, Dax,” the chorus of voices welcomed back.

Dax rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s been five years since my last drink, and I find myself wanting just a sip to take the edge off.” He continued explaining how Sarah made him feel. Each time he met the expectant gazes of those in the group, he grew a little calmer. “I don’t want to mess this up. For the first time in my life, I know what I want, and I’m terrified that I’ll sabotage it. But I know if I take that one drink, I will head down a road I don’t want.” He forced a smile. “I’m keeping a lot about myself from her, and that might be making matters worse. I’m worried that if she sees this side of me, it will scare her off.”

All of his worries tumbled from his lips, worries that he couldn’t tell her or Brielle or anyone really. But just getting them off his chest made things a little easier to bear.

Dax took a deep breath and let it out through pursed lips. His smile morphed into one that was more genuine. “I’m taking her out on a date tonight. If everything goes well, I’ll be able to take more steps to share this part of my life with her.” He ended his turn and returned to his chair.

The pastor patted him on the shoulder and gave him an encouraging smile. Dax nodded to him and turned his focus on the next speaker. He could do this. He was a different man than he’d been when he was younger. And he’d continue to be that guy—the one who deserved to have someone like Sarah.

* * *

Silence.

Awkward, nerve-wracking, and irritating silence filled the truck. He could taste it, breathe it in and all he wanted to do was get some fresh air.

Up until Dax asked Sarah out, their interactions had been more carefree. Sure, there were moments when he’d have to teach her something new and she grew frustrated. But once the lesson was over or she’d grasped the concept, everything settled.

But now, in his truck as they headed toward the country club, he was second-guessing everything. The only way he could describe it was that there was this pressure to be something—do something that would guarantee he wouldn’t mess anything up.

He knew better. Nothing was ever perfect. So why couldn’t he shake that feeling?

Dax glanced at her for what seemed like the hundredth time, and his eyes met hers.

She let out a soft laugh. “So why is this country club so special? Is it like the nightclubs in Colorado Springs?”

He shook his head. “There’s dancing and food, but it’s not seedy like the places you might have seen in the city. The guy who owns it is a pretty good guy.”

“Do you know him?”

Again, Dax shook his head. “Shane has some local fame. We all thought when he opened this place, he’d turn it into some hoity-toity golf club for the elite. But it turns out he has different plans.”

“Oh?”

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