Page 73 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

“Thank him from me.” She sat on the jacket, curious about what was in the cooler and guessing already.

He opened it and handed her ice cream. Peach flavor. Her favorite. Yes, he did remember everything. Just as he remembered the way they’d celebrated her first successes.

But he didn’tknoweverything.

––––––––

Skylar asked Dallasto meet her at the cliff the next day, staying far from the edge, of course. She’d needed to face this place before sharing what she knew, but standing there, she shook so hard she couldn’t speak. Instead, she wanted to run into his embrace and stay there forever, bury her face against his chest and hide from it all.

Her phone rang, and she reluctantly pulled away. She sent him an apologetic glance. “It might be Grandma.”

“Of course. No problem.” His gaze remained kind.

She fished out the phone from her jeans pocket, nodding to herself as her guess turned right, then swiped the screen to answer. “Hello, Grandma. I hope you’re having a great time.”

“I am, but I forgot a few things. I’m at my place right now, picking them up.”

Her insides went cold. “Okay. Okay. Would you please do me a gigantic favor? Will you please lock the door and don’t open it to anyone while getting your things? I have a key.”

“Are y–you all right?” Grandma’s voice trembled.

“I’m fine. Just please humor me.” Skylar’s pulse increased. She needed to warn her grandmother and take her back to the ranch immediately. And she needed time to think, to process everything, to see how all she now knew and all she only suspected fit together, like tiny strips of fabric on her grandmother’s quilt.

“Okey dokey, but you owe me an explanation, missy.”

“I’ll see you soon.” Skylar disconnected.

Her gaze locked with Dallas’s, and her heart fluttered. She also wanted to tell him so many things. But she couldn’t be so selfish. Her grandmother’s safety had to be the priority. Skylar would explain everything later. But right now, she needed to hurry.

She should’ve told him already, even with the fifteen-year-old threat that if she told anyone about her memories of the day her father disappeared people she loved would pay for it. She should have, even if it felt more like an attempt to clear her conscience and justify her leaving. One more mistake to add to her long list.

Growing up, she’d told Dallas all her secrets, the few she’d had. Then she’d kept the biggest one from him. But not any longer. Once she was sure Grandma was okay, she’d call him and tell him everything. It was time.

“I’m sorry.” She tore her gaze away from him. If she didn’t, she’d stay. “I’ve got to go.”

“Are you leaving already?” The depth of hurt in his voice made her flinch.

“Yes,” she said, her thoughts with her grandmother already. How could she find the right words to spare the woman who’d raised her from this additional heartache?

After getting Grandma safe and talking to Dallas, Skylar was going to the police. Offer herself as bait if needed. Call Marina, too. Her friend was a lawyer, which would be handy in a situation like this.

“Bye, Dallas.”

“Bye.” His jaw hardened, throwing off her resolve.

But minutes later, Skylar floored the gas pedal all the way to the canary-yellow sea cottage and called her grandmother on the hands-free phone. Grandma didn’t answer. Worry knotted Skylar’s gut. Then regret tightened it further. She should’ve asked Dallas to go with her and explained everything on the way. What was she thinking?

She’d thought she’d changed, but sometimes her head was still in the clouds and she didn’t make the right decisions. Far from it. She took a corner at a high speed, and the tires squealed.

To think about it, Dallas would never let her offer herself as bait. She nibbled on her lower lip. But was there any other way to guarantee her grandmother’s safety? Fifteen years ago, Skylar had fled the danger, and it had only made the current situation worse.

She parked, leaped out of her sedan, and dashed to the house, taking the porch steps two at a time.

The door was locked, so she rang the bell. Then remembering she’d told Grandma not to answer, she snatched the keys from her purse, turned the key in the lock, and hurried inside.

And met the barrel of a gun.

---