Cowboy At Arms. Carla Cassidy

and you’ve turned them all down. It took me forever to get up my nerve and brace myself for what I figured would be an instant rejection. So, why did you agree to go out with me?”

      She gazed at her son and then looked back at Dusty. “For the past couple of years my focus has been exclusively on working hard and raising Cooper. It’s only been in the last couple of months that I realized I was ready for more in my life.” She offered him another smile. “I guess the easy answer is that you were the right man at the right time.”

      “I’m glad. And speaking of secret crushes, last night you reacted pretty violently to those flowers that somebody left for you.” There was an unspoken question in his voice.

      The warmth that had suffused her dissipated. She had reacted badly the night before and he deserved some sort of explanation. She also needed to assure him that she wasn’t a crazy drama queen.

      “When I was younger I had a stalker,” she finally replied. “It was one of the most frightening things I’ve ever experienced. When I saw the flowers and the note, I guess I had a kind of flashback to that time.” It certainly wasn’t a complete lie, but it wasn’t the complete truth, either.

      His gaze softened. “I’m sorry you went through something like that, but I want you to promise me something.”

      “What?” She eyed him cautiously.

      “I want you to promise me that if you get another mystery gift, before you freak out and do something impulsive like leave town, you’ll call me. I don’t want you to be afraid, Trisha, but I also don’t want you to go away.”

      The inner cold that had threatened to grip her never took complete hold as she saw the strength, the sweet possibilities that shone from his eyes. “Okay, it’s a deal,” she replied.

      The blond-haired, blue-eyed man was definitely getting beneath her defenses far more quickly than she could have ever imagined. For the next few minutes the conversation turned to her desire to move out of the motel.

      “I’d really like to buy a house, but right now it just isn’t feasible,” she explained. “I did find two rentals in the paper this morning and I think I’m going to check them out before I go in to work tomorrow. I want to make a move out of that motel room soon.”

      “I’d be glad to go with you to check them out,” he said. “You know, kick the foundation and check out the roof.”

      “I wouldn’t want to take you away from your work here,” she replied, although she wouldn’t mind having a second pair of eyes to see any potential issues that might arise.

      “Our work schedule here is fairly flexible. Cassie doesn’t care how many hours we work or when we work them, all she cares about is that the daily chores get done.”

      “Then I’d love to have you tag along. I’m planning on heading out around eleven. I have to be at work at the café by two.”

      “Then I’ll meet you at the motel at eleven,” he replied with an easy smile.

      Trisha was slightly surprised by her pleasure at the idea of spending more time with him the next day. Things were definitely moving fast between them, but she wasn’t at all sure that she wanted them to slow down.

      “Is it time to go fishing again?” Cooper asked as he popped up from his prone position and rubbed his eyes with the back of his fists.

      Dusty laughed and sat up. “Yeah, I think maybe the fish are especially hungry by now.”

      “Good, ’cause I ’specially want to catch a big fish,” Cooper replied.

      “Before we go let me hit you with some sunscreen again,” Trisha said and pulled a tube of cream out of her purse.

      Minutes later Cooper once again wore his life jacket and the three of them were back on the dock with fishing poles in hand. Trisha watched in amusement how Cooper imitated not only Dusty’s stance but his facial expressions and actions, as well.

      There was definitely a little bit of hero worship going on. Did she worry that Dusty might break her son’s heart? Absolutely, but she also wouldn’t take this wonderful experience away from Cooper for the world.

      As they waited for a bite, Cooper asked a hundred more questions. Did fish have ears? Did they play games in the water? Did Dusty like fish sticks? Did he like fish sticks with ketchup?

      Dusty answered each and every question with thoughtful consideration. And then it happened... Cooper’s bobber took a dive. He squealed and vibrated with excitement as Dusty hurriedly set down his own pole and helped Cooper reel in his catch.

      Cooper whooped and hollered until they had the tiny perch on the dock. “I catched a fish! I catched a fish!”

      “You sure did,” Dusty replied and crouched down next to the dancing boy.

      Cooper grabbed Dusty by the face and kissed him on the cheek. Trisha didn’t know who was more surprised, herself or Dusty. He looked up at her with a stunned expression and then quickly gazed back down at the flopping fish on the dock.

      “Ah, it’s just a baby,” Cooper said with disappointment. “It wouldn’t even make one fish stick, so I guess we’d better put it back and let it grow bigger.”

      “I think that’s a good idea,” Trisha said.

      “Now I wanna catch a bigger one,” Cooper said once the fish had been returned to the water and his hook was once again baited and ready.

      For the next half an hour nobody got any bites and Cooper showed all indications of becoming bored. Trisha had been surprised by how attentive he’d been throughout the day, but now that focus had been lost.

      A glance at her wristwatch let her know it was almost seven. She was surprised by how quickly the hours had flown by. She was just about to tell Dusty that it was probably time for them to head back to the motel when he ripped up his pole and his line went taut.

      “You got a fish, Dusty?” Cooper asked excitedly.

      “I think so.” Dusty began to reel in with effort. Trisha couldn’t help but notice how his biceps popped with his exertion. Sunlight danced in his hair and she wondered how those golden strands would feel against her fingers.

      Get a grip, she told herself even as the memory of their kiss played provocatively in her head once again. They were still early in their courtship—or whatever they were doing together.

      “Is it big, Dusty? Is it a big fish?” Cooper asked.

      “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think it’s a fish after all,” Dusty said with a frown. “It feels like I’m reeling in a tree branch or a big stick.” He continued to reel in a little more easily.

      Ripples appeared in the water and suddenly something bobbed to the surface. Smooth and covered with algae, the object shot a wave of horror through her. Was it...was it really...?

      “Trisha, take Cooper over to the blanket.” Dusty’s voice registered a terse alarm.

      “But I wanna see the big stick,” Cooper protested.

      “Come on, son,” she said and grabbed him by his shoulder. “You’ve seen plenty of sticks before.” She hurried him away from the dock.

      It wasn’t until they were seated on the blanket that she fully processed what had been on the end of Dusty’s line...a human skull.

       Chapter 5

      “I’m sorry about the way the day ended,” Dusty said two and a half hours later when they were finally in his truck and headed back to the motel. Cooper was sound asleep in his car seat and the deep shadows of night had moved in.

      “You don’t have to apologize,” she replied easily. “I’m sure you didn’t plan for this to happen.”