Cowboy Lullaby. Sasha Summers

a final pat. “Not sure what’s next, but you can stop by anytime.” He headed back to the bar. The same time Tandy was headed out.

      When she saw him, she paused—her posture going rigid and stiff.

      Dammit. He kept on going, his heart picking up with every step he took. He’d made a mistake tonight, coming here. He wouldn’t do it again. Should he tell her as much? Let her know he’d do his best to stay out of her way? Because seeing the effect he had on her dragged up all the self-loathing and shame he couldn’t face right now. One good thing about being Pearl’s father—it forced him to keep his shit together.

      He tipped his hat as they passed, offering her some sort of greeting, and kept going. It was hard. Damn hard.

      “Click.” Her voice carried on the wind, bringing him to an abrupt stop. “I—I’m sorry about Lynnie,” Tandy said. “She was a gift to us all.”

      He nodded his head but didn’t turn. “You all going to be able to get home okay?”

      “Yes.”

      He glanced back, knowing it was a mistake, knowing he’d regret it later. Later. Not now. She took his breath away.

      “We’ll be fine...thanks.” She hesitated, her gaze finding his.

      Damn if he wasn’t caught, held tightly by his love for this woman. “Night, then,” he murmured.

      “Night,” she repeated, heading toward the waiting truck.

      He made his way inside, taking the beer Brody offered him and sitting at the bar.

      “Something about the Boone women,” Brody said, shaking his head. “Once they get under your skin, you can’t get them out.”

      Click grinned. “I’ll drink to that.” Loving Tandy had been the greatest gift of his life, something he’d known he didn’t deserve but couldn’t bring himself to point out. It had been his greatest secret, one he’d protected for most of his youth. Hadn’t she known she was better than him? He’d almost told her again and again. Until the summer she’d kissed him and he’d stopped caring. Seventeen and bold, fearless and desperate—that she’d felt the same had blown him away. That was the last summer Tandy had come to Fire Gorge. Uncle Woodrow had made sure of that.

      “How’s India?” Click asked. All the years he’d been carrying a torch for Tandy, Brody had been pining for Scarlett’s sister, India. Not that Brody had ever acted on it. Or India Boone had the slightest idea.

      Brody’s laugh was startled. “Moved back not too long ago.”

      “That so?” Click stared at the man. “See her yet?”

      He shook his head, taking a long swig off his beer.

      “She still has no idea?” Click asked.

      Brody’s narrow-eyed look said it all. “Nobody does.”

      Click chuckled. “Can’t decide if that’s better or worse. Having her and losing her or...” He shook his head. “Never having her.” He shrugged. “Cuts both ways I guess.” As much as he regretted the loss and hurt they’d experienced, he couldn’t regret the love they’d shared. In the short time Tandy had been his, he’d loved a lifetime. All the dreams and plans they’d shared were gone, but not forgotten.

      Now he had something new to dream and plan for. He had Pearl. And his little girl deserved all the love and dreams and attention he could give her.