Page 81 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

“Maybe those feelings became stronger than ever.” Austin winked. Could he be right?

“Or not. Besides, I don’t want to tie her down to this place.” No matter how difficult it was going to be to let her go again. Dallas’s gut twisted as he took in her beautiful, peaceful features to remember them forever. “To stay out of guilt. She’s finally becoming herself again. She’s like a bird in the sky or a fish in the ocean. I want her to spread her wings.” Well, fish didn’t have wings.

Austin raised a reddish eyebrow. “Or fins?”

“You know what I mean.”

His expression turned pensive. “Yes, I do.”

What was that about?

––––––––

Aweek after beingdischarged from the hospital, Skylar placed another stroke on the canvas and stepped back.

Worry clenched her stomach. It had been such a long time since she’d painted. Had she lost her skills? The sunset evoked a sense of awe, but could she evoke the same in others with her work?

Then her heart started beating faster as Dallas walked toward her in the sand.

“The doctor told you to take it easy for some time. Are you taking it easy?”

Right. Very romantic. Not! She didn’t want him to see her as someone weak who needed looking after. “I sure am,” she grunted, about to pack up the easel.

“Don’t lift it. I’ll carry it home for you.”

“I can carry it.” She stroked the smooth surface lovingly. “And remember, it saved my life.”

“The worst day of mine.” His eyes widened as if he realized what he’d said. “Not because your life was saved but because it could’ve been lost.”

That was also the day she’d told him—in a way—that she loved him. In the hospital, he’d told her he’d heard the conversation and called the police. And he’d just called it the worst day of his life. But he’d declared her love for him, and yet he hadn’t said that he loved her too.

Her heart fell into the sand. Was it too late for them, after all? Had she done such irreparable damage to their relationship that he’d—understandably—given up on her? He still obviously cared about her, or he wouldn’t be here right now, fussing over her. But maybe not to the degree of loving her, and her loss felt overwhelming.

“Wow.” He touched the edge of the painting. “It’s striking. I don’t even know what’s more striking, you or the painting.”

Secretly pleased, she playfully slapped his bare forearm exposed from his T-shirt. “Yeah, sure. Kai must be giving you lessons on how to give compliments.”

“I don’t need those kinds of lessons to see how amazing you are.” Yet he didn’t say he loved her.

A gigantic lump formed in her throat, but she muttered, “Thank you.” Then she frowned. “I’ll have to do lots of community service for not reporting my father when I remembered what he did. But it’s much better than the alternative. Marina came through for us, and will make sure Grandma and I both get much lighter punishments than I expected.” She dragged the toe of her sneaker through the sand, digging deep. If only she hadn’t buried her memories so deep. If only she and Grandma had gone to the police when she began remembering them. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my memories. I’m sorry I broke off our engagement.”

“I understand you had your reasons.” His voice was gentle.

“I wanted to keep you and Grandma safe. But I went about it the wrong way.” Guilt still needled her. She shouldn’t have told Grandma. At least then, she could have spared her from having to share in the punishment. But it was over now.

“It’s in the past,” Dallas said as if confirming her thoughts. “And I’m sorry you went through so much.”

“Thank you. By the way, I’m keeping Breeze.” She lifted her chin. She couldn’t imagine her life without the goofy dog. But then, she couldn’t imagine her life without Dallas, either, and she didn’t know where they were standing now. “I don’t care if she used to be Earl’s dog. She’s mine now.”

“Good. And I’ll be glad to get a puppy. Mom, too. My brothers are still undecided, though.”

They kept silent for a few moments. Earl had confessed to shooting Wyatt and told the police where he’d buried him in the sand. Skylar had given her father a proper burial when the remains were released to her. She’d even visited the grave with her grandmother and Dallas, more for Grandma’s sake than her own. But she hadn’t put flowers there.

Instead, she’d let a wreath float in the ocean. For Mom.

She’d let her past consume her before, even when she’d avoided it. Or maybe precisely because she’d avoided it. She needed to live in her present. And she ached for Dallas to be her present and her future.

While she’d been painting again, she’d allowed herself to dream they’d be together again. Was it only a dream? “I’ve decided to stay in Port Sunshine.”

---