Second Hope Cowboy by Rhonda Lee Carver

now.”
    “Then what will it be, Hope? It’s in your court, again. Will you drop the ball? Will you give me a second chance—a second hope?”
    He knew he couldn’t pressure her. She had to decide what she wanted. In the end, she’d probably still want him to leave—he was pretty sure, but he had to give this a shot. He needed closure and this could be the only way he’d ever get it. And if anything, maybe it’d keep her away from the doc for a while longer and she’d see that he wasn’t the man for her.
    She deserved to be happy, even if it wasn’t with him.
    “I need some time to think. I don’t have to give you my answer right now, do I?”
    He shook his head. “I can wait. If you want to go get dressed, I’ll run you to get your car. And then you’ll have to decide.” He swallowed against the ache in his throat. The odds were against him, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
    ***
    Hope stared out of the window of Tucker’s truck. She was in an internal tug of war—again.
    Why didn’t she just tell Tucker that it wouldn’t work. She was leaving.
    It would have been easier than dealing with the hell racing through her brain now.
    Fact was, she couldn’t tell him no while sitting across from him. Her mind had flashed warnings, encouraging her to stand strong while her heart bled with the opportunity to be near Tucker longer.
    It was possible he wanted this chance so that he could walk away, like she’d done. Everyone liked having the upper hand.
    And what if she didn’t want him to leave at the end of the month?
    Laying her head against the cool glass, she closed her eyes. No, staying couldn’t happen. Nothing had changed since their marriage. She’d have another miscarriage. The odds were against her.
    She’d hurt him again—hurt herself.
    And he had no clue of the last miscarriage. He’d be angry that she’d kept the secret from him.
    It was best he never knew about the baby, but being close to him, it’d be hard not to be honest about the past. He’d demand answers, she realized he wanted them.
    How could she hurt him again…two years down the road? She’d had her grieving time, but he hadn’t been given that chance.
    Opening her eyes, her vision blurred and she blinked back tears. She couldn’t cry. She couldn’t be vulnerable. Just because they’d made love, and it had been so right, didn’t mean that it could pave a bright future.
    By the time they drove into the small two-store town, she knew what she had to do. She’d have to tell him she was leaving. If she didn’t leave she’d be giving up so much more of herself.
    They pulled into the gravel lot and Tucker slid the gear into park. He started to open the door but she placed a hand on his arm, pausing him. “Wait. I have something to say.”
    He took his hand away from the handle and turned in the seat to look at her. His expression was blank. She guessed he already knew her answer. “What is it?”
    “I’ve made my decision,” she said.
    He nodded. “Then what is it?”
    “I can’t stay with you, Tucker.” Her tongue swelled. Her heart reflected the same feeling. “It can’t work. It won’t work. We’d only be torturing each other. What we shared last night was…well…magical, but now reality is at our door and we have to walk out into the real world. We are over, have been for a long time.” With each word that passed her lips, her heart ripped open, deeper and wider gashes.
    She expected his question of why but instead he nodded and slipped out from behind the wheel.
    Her heart clenched. Sickness rolled around her stomach.
    Tears filled her eyes and she pushed them back. She couldn’t allow emotion to get the best of her.
    Sliding out of the passenger side, she spotted the little boy, Dalton, sitting in the exact same spot she’d seen him before. He saw her too. His gaze was on her, watching and curious. She smiled and waved. He gave her a quick wave in return. She realized the boy moved her because she