Page 70 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

Her fingers itched to call Dallas. She needed him now more than ever, and that was saying something because she’d always needed him, even when she didn’t admit it.

She pulled her shoulders back and went inside the cottage to help her grandmother pack. Her tail wagging, Breeze followed her.

“Let’s make sure you’re well fed.” She put kibble into Breeze’s bowl.

Then she called Grant’s sister to try to set up a meeting with her, but the call went to voicemail. Skylar left a message. If she didn’t receive a callback, Grant would be her only option to talk about Earl’s friends and hope Grant could remember Wyatt. She grimaced. Calling Grant didn’t sit well with her. It would sit even worse with Dallas.

But she dialed Grant’s number. They’d exchanged numbers to keep in touch about any developments in Earl’s case, but there had been a bit of a predatory gleam in Grant’s eyes when he’d put her number in his phone.

He answered on the second ring. “I’m so glad you called, darling.”

She cringed at the endearment. Still, she needed the information, so she didn’t call him out on that. “Did your father ever mention anyone by the name of Wyatt Newman, by any chance?”

“Why don’t we discuss it over dinner?”

“Why don’t you just tell me now.” Okay, she shouldn’t have snapped.

In the following pause, she almost thought he hung up on her.

Finally, he said, “I believe it was Dad’s accountant.”

“Anything else you can tell me about that man?”

“Sorry.” Then his voice turned suave again. “So how about that dinner?”

“Sorry.” And she shouldn’t have mimicked his words. There might go his collaboration. “I have someone in my life.”

“That’s a pity.” He did sound disappointed.

“Would you mind asking your sister to call me?” Skylar didn’t hold her breath, but it was worth trying.

“Sure.”

“Thank you, and... I should’ve said it already. I hope your father is all right.”

Once she disconnected, she texted the photos and the request to her aunt. If Auntie didn’t remember that man visiting, she’d still ask around among her staff. Sociable and friendly, she might ask her colleagues at other eating establishments, as well.

Then her heart skipped a beat when her phone rang and Dallas’s name flashed on the screen. “Hi, Dallas.”

“Hi. Would you like to talk to the clerk at the remaining gas station? If the owner is there, we could ask to watch camera recordings. Politely. And then we could talk to cashiers at the grocery store. And...” He hesitated. “I have a little surprise for you for later, if you have time.”

Her heart jumped, then settled. “Of course. I’m bringing Grandma to the ranch, so I’ll meet you there.”

“Can’t wait to see you.”

Her heart jumped again. “Ditto.”

She went through her strict wardrobe, for the first time in years allowing herself to wish for a flowery summer dress. She didn’t have a single pretty dress. Not any longer. She frowned at her black and gray suits and decided to stay in jeans and sneakers, only she changed the white T-shirt for a ballerina-slipper-hued one.

About an hour later, she followed Grandma to the ranch and helped her out of the car. Kai met them and picked up the suitcase before Skylar had a chance to.

After getting her grandmother settled, Skylar hugged her. “Please call me if you need anything.”

“I’ll be all right, Little Miss.” Her grandmother patted Skylar’s hand, then chuckled. “Your date is here.”

Dallas entered the living room, and her heartbeat increased like always in his presence. Her cheeks flamed up. “It’s not a date.”

“Hello, Mrs. Rafferty and Skylar.” His gaze bore into her. “Why not?”

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