Page 17 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

Chapter Four

THIS WAS SO NOT A GOODidea.

Dallas nearly turned around and went back to the ranch three times. Spending time with Skylar brought back too much pain and longing for things that couldn’t be.

He twisted his fingers around the steering wheel. When Mom relayed the news that someone had tried to run her off the road, it put him on edge and reawakened his protective instincts. He couldn’t fall in love with her again, but he didn’t want anything to happen to her, either.

Yes, thankfully she was safe. Someone had seen her car go into the field and called the police. But still. He resisted the urge to grind his teeth as he slowed around a curve.

He took a deep breath of air filled with the scents of wood and the stale french fries he’d grabbed on the go yesterday.

Was it an accident? Or did someone deliberately try to hurt her? Did a person in her past wish her harm and follow her to Port Sunshine?

Granted, they had some crime in tourist season, but it was mostly pickpockets or disorderly conduct from visitors who downed too much of the local wine.

Nothing more serious. Except for the things that happened atthatcottage...

He frowned. That was many years ago. Never solved, it had become sort of a legend. Just like the legend about the pirate’s treasure buried somewhere on the shore, but that one was from centuries ago.

At least, her car had only suffered minor damage that he’d heard was already repaired. The small-town grapevine made sure even if Skylar wasn’t telling him things he wished she would, he’d find out, anyway.

Dallas pulled up to the canary-yellow cottage with her artsy seashell mural and turned off the engine.

What was he even going to tell her? Bringing the cherry pie was a flimsy excuse. Offer of protection? But from what? Besides, she hadn’t asked for a bodyguard. And even looking at her still hurt him. Breeze barked somewhere inside, more in greeting than in warning. Skylar already had a dog to protect her. The thought of Breeze brought a smile.

Well, he should just leave.

Then the front door opened, and Skylar walked out to the porch. Too late now.

He jumped out of his truck and lifted the pie. “Mom sent this for you and your grandmother.”

“Oh.” Skylar squinted at the sun. “That was sweet of her. Thank her for us, please.”

He ran up the steps to her and gave her the pie. Their fingers touched, and awareness jolted through him.

Her eyes widened, and she edged back, changing awareness into disappointment. She stared past him at the ocean. “I’d invite you for tea, but Grandma and I are leaving soon.”

Did she seek an excuse not to invite him in? His disappointment deepened. “Okay. I was just dropping off the pie, anyway.”

“How kind of you.” She walked inside and waved him in. “Come on in.”

He stepped inside the house sweet with the nostalgic scent of tea and safety. Breeze jumped at him and licked his face as he bent to pet her.

“Breeze, stop!” Skylar seemed to try to sound stern and failed. Then she called out, “Grandma, Mrs. Lawrence sent us a pie.”

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