Page 53 of Promise Me a Forever Texas Love

“Damn right.” Jaxon’s smile faded. “Although I’m going to miss running the dancehall with you and Dawson.”

“Dawson? Dawson quit?”

“Yeah, it seems Otis Hastings wants to retire, and he asked Dawson and Magnolia if they would like to run Time To Read for the next few months to see if they want to take over.”

“Well, it does make sense. Dawson has always loved books as much as I’ve loved building things.” The look of disappointment on Jaxon’s face had Huck placing a hand on his shoulder. “This doesn’t mean Dawson and I won’t still help at Honky Tonk Heaven. As much as we try to deny it, the dancehall is our family’s legacy. One we need to keep going for our kids and our kids’ kids.”

Jaxon’s eyebrows lifted. “I think Mama just flipped over in her grave. That’s exactly what she was hoping for.”

Huck laughed. “It was, wasn’t it? And maybe it’s time we let bygones be bygones and give her what she always dreamed about.”

Jaxon sighed. “Maybe it is time.” He shoved Huck toward the door. “Now get out of here.”

After leaving Tully and Jaxon’s, Huck felt much lighter. Not only because he’d told Jaxon he didn’t want to continue to work at Honky Tonk Heaven, but also because of what his brother had said about Huck being like their daddy. Just because Huck had some of their daddy’s traits didn’t mean he had all of them. He could be fun, charming, and good with his hands and still be a responsible man, a reliable father . . . and hopefully a devoted husband.

The thought of marrying Cadee and becoming a family had him heading to Austin. It wasn’t hard to find a used car lot willing to take his classic motorcycle in trade for a used Dodge truck. The Harley had been the perfect vehicle for a single guy with no ties. It was not perfect for a father who wanted to take his son to soccer practice or a carpenter who needed to haul lumber and deliver porch swings.

Or a besotted man who wanted to take the love of his life on a date.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“. . . Huck even has this round saw that is wicked cool and will cut through just about anything. He showed me how it works, but he wouldn’t let me try it. He says I have to start with hand tools before I can graduate to power ones.” Camden sighed dramatically. “And do you know how long it takes to cut through a piece of wood with a handsaw? Like five thousand hours. It took forever for me to cut one piece of wood for the arm of—” He cut off before starting back up again. “Anyway, Huck’s workshop is the best thing ever and you should see all the people that stop by to ask him to make things for them. He has orders all the way through Christmas.”

Cadee wasn’t surprised Huck’s carpentry work was in such high demand. She was surprised that he’d started his own business. He’d even placed a sign on the side of the road leading to the house.

Hennessy Custom Carpentry:

Making your ideas a reality.

And she was also surprised to find out he’d taken orders all the way through the holidays. Of course, that didn’t mean anything. Just because he took orders months in advance didn’t mean he was going to stick around to complete them.

Huck’s promises meant nothing.

The last few weeks had been a perfect example.

He’d said he was going to prove his love, and he’d barely talked to her since the night at Honky Tonk Heaven. He waved and smiled at Camden’s soccer practices and games, but he didn’t come over to talk to her. Nor did he show up at the ranch long before Camden got off from school and help her with mucking stalls, gardening, and canning. Instead, he made arrangements with her every few days via text to pick Camden up from the bus stop. When he dropped him off later, he never got out of the old Dodge truck he’d traded his motorcycle for.

That surprised her too.

Huck had always loved motorcycles. As a kid, he’d had a dirt bike he’d ridden around the roads by his house. As a teenager, he’d graduated to a Honda 650 that all the girls loved getting rides on. Cadee included. It was the only time she’d had an excuse to touch him. She’d loved the feel of being wrapped around his lean body as the wind whipped through her hair.

She knew Huck had gotten rid of his motorcycle as a way of proving he’d changed and was no longer a wild hooligan. But it would take more than a vehicle switch and opening a new business to make her believe it.

Which was why she should be thrilled that he wasn’t seeking her out. Thrilled that he’d come to realize she was right.

It was too late for them.

Now all she needed to do was stop thinking about him twenty-four seven. Stop thinking about the way he’d looked on the dance floor when he’d told her that he loved her. Stop thinking about the hot kiss in the parking lot that had lit her up like a Fourth of July sparkler.

Stop thinking, Cadee! Just stop thinking!

“Mom?”

She blinked out of her thoughts to see Camden looking down at the pencil she’d been using to help him with homework.

It was snapped in two.

“Oops! I guess I’m stronger than I thought.” She dropped the eraser end and used the stub to point to the next math problem. “Okay. How would you figure out this one?”