Read Second Dance Cowboy (Second Chance) for Free Online

it’s up in a tight bun. I have noticed a few stains on your leotards, but you work with kids. What’s to be expected? And your guilt? You have to let go of that. When you met Richie, you had no clue that he was a jerk. What woman does? Oliver is a happy boy—most of the time.”
    Aspen went into the back, leaving Peyton with her thoughts. And boy, were they confused this morning. She swore she’d forget Dillon, again. They’d bumped into each other by chance. They’d talked, had a good time, almost let things get out of hand then walked away. Much like what had happened years ago.
    She’d been strong last night when she’d pulled back from his oncoming kiss. It’d been the hardest thing she’d done in a long time. Probably since Richie had shown up on her doorstep wanting to spend “family” time. She knew what that entailed. He needed a loan. The last time he’d asked, she’d gathered every ounce of gumption and told him no. He hadn’t called or shown up again. That’d been about two years ago. She was losing count.
    A nd a kiss wouldn’t have been the end of the world. Or would it? It could have landed either way. If she liked it, she’d want more, and could very easily be tangled up in a situation that would leave her hurt. On the other hand, she could really hate it and be disappointed because all of these years she’d believed Dillon Brooke knew how to kiss. She’d rather keep her fantasy nice and naughty so she could continue to pull it out on lonely nights when images were all that she had.
    A man like Dil lon could turn her upside down. He could break her heart. She had enough cracks in that part of her body. Another one could be the final blow that’d send her into never trusting another man again. She had to have some trust in the male gender, for her son’s sake.
    The bell above the door dinged, drawing her thoughts away from Dillon and onto the first child arriving for class. Dancing always cured her blues, an d today she’d dance like she was on fire.
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
    DILLON WISHED HE’D grabbed a different cart, unless they were all supposed to make the loud thumping sound like a flat tire on gravel. He bent and checked the wheels. One had thread wrapped around the base and another needed tightened. He’d never shopped before, at least not with a cart, but he had to make this seem real. He’d always stopped at the corner grocery by his house and picked up an armload of necessities. Buying for one doesn’t require much.
    He wasn’t here for the variety of food items boasted on the sign out front. He was on a mission. This is where Peyton shopped.
    After looking up her dance studio’s website and reading about her business, he knew more than ever he wanted to get to know her better. Unfortunately, by the time he made it to the studio the closed sign was up in the window. Luckily, the kind neighbor lady who was outside gardening had no issues with telling him that Peyton said something about grabbing groceries on the way home. With a bit more coaxing, he was able to get the name of the store where she shopped. Now here he was, but no sight of Peyton anywhere.
    As he turned down aisle five, he struck another cart. “Sorry,” he said, but received no validation of his apology. The woman seemed preoccupied with the pile of coupons she was anxiously skimming as several fell to the floor. She had his cart penned and he waited. Finally, she looked up, gaze narrowed and lips pursed, as if he’d committed a crime.
    Carts detached, he moved on at a fast pace.
    The cart came to a sudden stop, sending the handle bar into his ribs. “Shit!” Frustrated, he checked the wheels again, gave each a slight push, and summed up that the loose wheel was now stuck. He kicked it good with the toe of his boot, doing the trick. Smiling, he started down the aisle again and noticed that he was getting the eagle eye from a lady who was standing in front of the soup cans. He was ready to apologize again, not