Page 62 of Seaside Cowboy's Second Chance

Chapter Thirteen

THE NEXT DAY, SKYLARstared at the ocean sparkling like a myriad of diamonds under the generous sun.

She didn’t just want to keep it in her heart forever—she wanted to keep it on a canvas. Her hands itched to bring out the easel and paints Dallas had gifted her.

“It’s such an incredible, rare beauty,” she whispered. Then she petted Breeze who trudged nearby.

“Yes, you are,” Dallas said near her. How did he even hear her over the ocean’s roar?

Though deeply pleased, she waved him off. “Oh please.”

“I don’t say empty words. You know I mean every one of them.” His tone was serious, and his gaze intense.

He truly did. She knew him well enough to be sure. She knew him better than she knew herself. She could understand him better than she could understand herself. What did that say about her?

“I know. And thank you.” And she didn’t just want to keep him in her heart—she wanted to keep him in her life. A longing, as large as the ocean and just as impossible to bottle down, grew in her chest.

Breeze trudged along with them.

Then Skylar winced. She probably shouldn’t even be with Dallas like this, out in the open. It was shockingthat man—she refused to call him the name she’d called him before—hadn’t contacted her yet.

Because now she’d done what she shouldn’t do, according to him. Being in her hometown. Communicating with Dallas. And with Grandma’s wedding up in the air—even Grandma had stopped preparations now—Skylar had no excuse for staying.

Of course, she needed to provide emotional comfort to her grandmother, and she did, when her aunt or Dallas’s mother weren’t with Grandma. But a man like that wouldn’t understand.

She snatched up a pebble and sent it skipping over the water like she’d done with Dallas as children.That manhad a rock instead of a heart.

Then she froze. But what if...

Breeze barked as if sensing Skylar’s distress.

“Are you okay?” Concern glossed Dallas’s baby blues.

“Yes. Why are you asking?” She did her best to keep her voice neutral and schooled her features the same way.

“You paled as if you’d seen a ghost.”

She flinched again. He had no idea how right he was. “Do you ever wish you could go back and change your life?”

“No. Except for you leaving, of course.” Then his eyes darkened like the ocean in a storm. “And I wish I could’ve stopped Dad from hitting Mom.”

Maybe someone had. Skylar didn’t believe his father had committed suicide inthatcottage. But it was too-painful a topic. Yet she was glad Dallas had an alibi. He’d been with her at the time.

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