Read Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) for Free Online Page A

where you got that one from, but I
bet that just stole her heart.”
    “Thanks, I just didn’t want her to think I
was crazy. Now can you get out? I’ve got to get ready for my
date.”
    At exactly six, I arrive at Cadence’s and
make my way to the door. Cadence answers as I begin to knock.
    “You ready?” she asks.
    “Sure,” I say as I take her hand in mine. I
use the other to wave to Ms. Mae and Regina, who is decked out for
her date. No wonder she’s ready to go.
    “You hungry?” I ask her.
    “Yes. Please tell me we’re eating more than
popcorn.”
    “I’ll take you somewhere good, as long as
you don’t eat a salad,” I say with a smile.
    “You’re on,” she says as she kisses my cheek
and steps into the truck. I’m so relieved she doesn’t seem upset
that I danced with her this afternoon.
    Arriving at the steak house in Hickory,
Cadence makes a face. “I promise we don’t supply the cows,” I say
with a laugh and she punches me in the arm.
    I hurry to open her door, she slides out and
we make our way inside. We take a table near the back, where the
lights are dim. It’s perfect. I pull Cadence’s chair out for her
and slightly slide it in as she sits before taking my own. We place
our order and I’m surprised when she orders a filet. The South
might be rubbing off on her after all.
    As we eat and talk, I’m
oblivious to everyone in the room but her. Her smile radiates the
room and I can’t get enough of her. I try to keep the conversation
upbeat and off her family. When the server brings the check, I
notice her staring at the door. I glance over my shoulder and see
Regina and Hamilton. Crap.
    “Hey, no worries,” I say to her as I take
her hand.
    “I wish I didn’t have any. I guess that star
didn’t work,” she says as she lets go of my hand and looks down at
her lap.
    “You wanted your dad back but you also
wanted everyone to be happy, right?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “Maybe this is what is supposed to happen.
Maybe your mom can be happy and you can find a way to see your
dad.” She goes from sad to pissed off in two seconds.
    “Are you taking her side? I mean, why him?
He’s so not her type,” she says with a ton of attitude.
    Trying my best not to put my foot in my
mouth, I take a second to gather my thoughts. “Cadence, I’m sorry.
I’m not sure what your mom’s type is, but Hamilton’s a good guy.”
She stares at me, waiting for more. “His first wife left him for
some doctor in Charlotte. He’s been hurt before too.”
    “How do you know this?”
    “Small town. Everyone knows everything,” I
say as I take my wallet out to pay the bill. “Plus, he and my dad
are best friends and I overheard most of a conversation one
afternoon when he was at my house. Just give it a chance,” I say,
praying she doesn’t throw something at me.
    She sits there quietly and as she’s about to
speak, Regina walks to the table.
    “Hey guys! Thought you were going to the
movies,” she says.
    “We are, but we needed a bite to eat first,”
Cadence says.
    As Hamilton approaches, I see Cadence tense,
“Hey Barrick, how are you?” Hamilton says to me.
    “Good. Hope you are as well,” I say as
Regina interrupts our conversation.
    “Hamilton, this is my daughter, Cadence,”
she says as Cadence puts a smile on her face and stands to greet
him.
    “Nice to meet you,” she says, shaking his
hand.
    “Nice to meet you too,” Hamilton says.
    “Well, I just wanted to introduce you. I’ll
see you at home, Cade,” she says as she gives Cadence a hug. If
Cadence isn’t happy, she’s put up one hell of a front.
    As they walk toward the bar, I notice
Cadence has tears in her eyes. “Cade, talk to me, it’s okay, you
can tell me how you really feel about all this.”
    “It’s all so fast. I understand Hamilton’s
been hurt too, but I wanted everything to go back to how it used to
be in New York. It’s hard to change. I want my mom to be happy, but
knowing that’s not my dad is