The Secret Heir of Sunset Ranch

by Charlene Sands

  “You just rest now and don’t fret about a thing.”

  Kat slid a worried glance at Justin.

  He could only return the look.

  The ambulance arrived. Two paramedics and an EMT hooked Mattie up to oxygen, poked her with IVs and did a thorough assessment. Justin knew something about following medical protocol. He didn’t doubt Mattie needed observation and treatment at the hospital.

  They worked on getting her ready to leave, bracing her head and limbs with restraints. Bravely, she did what she was told. They transferred her onto a gurney and rolled her carefully out of the house.

  He took Kat aside. “You go with her in the ambulance. She shouldn’t be alone.”

  Troubled, Kat glanced at Connor. “But the baby—”

  “He’ll be fine with me. I know the routine. I’ll get him ready, pack up his clothes and bottles and meet you at the hospital. Just leave me your keys so I can use the car seat.”

  Kat’s eyes closed. Seconds ticked by. Finally, she nodded. “Okay, I know you’ll take good care of him.”

  Thank goodness she was going to let him help. She didn’t need to be alone right now. “I’d give my life for him, Kat. So don’t worry. I can figure out the small stuff.”

  She lifted on tiptoes and brushed his cheek with a kiss “I know you can.”

  She picked up Connor and covered him with kisses before setting him back in the play yard. “You be a good little boy....”

  Connor’s sweet face crumbled with tears. Poor kid. Three strangers wearing white uniforms marching into the house must’ve confused the hell out of him. “Maybe I shouldn’t go,” Kat said. Her loyalties were clearly split in two.

  “Go... Mattie needs you.” Justin walked over to Connor. He lifted him out of the playpen and situated him in his arms. Then he rocked him like a melodic pendulum swing, to and fro. The baby’s inquisitive eyes widened, his crying stopped. Connor’s cooperation proved Justin’s point. “There, you see, I can handle him. I promise I’ll be a few minutes behind you. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

  Kat agreed with a nod and grabbed her purse. Digging her hand inside, she came up with her keys and handed them over. “Here you go. Thank you... I’d better run.” She smothered the boy with another round of kisses. If Connor wasn’t his kid, Justin would be jealous. “I don’t want to delay the ambulance.” Kat hurried out the door.

  Justin hugged the baby tight to his chest. “Looks like it’s me and you now, son.”

  Nine

  When the doctor asked Kat to leave the room so that he could examine Mattie again, the older woman gave her a small brave smile that nearly broke her heart. Reluctant to go, Kat pushed through the emergency room doors on wobbly legs and ran her hand through her hair. It was hard leaving Mattie alone. She’d almost lost it in there seeing her tied to all those machines.

  Poor Mattie. She didn’t deserve this.

  After a short walk, Kat reached the waiting room at Silver Springs General Hospital. Framed pastel landscapes decorated the beige walls, and the chairs were cushioned with durable mauve material. It was a whole lot more cheery than the room she’d just left. Not that any of it mattered—the most important thing was Mattie’s diagnosis and aftercare.

  She scanned the room and immediately honed in on Connor in the crowd. He was lying across Justin’s broad chest, his head nuzzled under his father’s chin, sleeping soundly. What a sight. The two of them were a matched set. So incredibly alike. They looked beautiful together.

  Happy endings rushed into her mind.

  Kat had never had things go her way before.

  She’d never had smooth sailing in her life.

  Because of her father’s abuse, her young life had been filled with fear, mistrust and poverty. Her mother died years before her time and Kat had had to scrounge and fight her way to a decent existence. Under her wavy blond hair and flashy clothes was a scarred, frightened woman she concealed from the rest of the world. For Connor’s sake, she’d been strong, and done things that wouldn’t gain her sainthood. She’d thought them necessary at the time.

  Looking at Justin and Connor now and picturing the three of them together as a unit...as a real family, could be a foolish move. Did she dare to hope for something she’d never really had before? Kat wouldn’t risk it. The hurt she carried inside still smarted like a son-of-a-gun.

  Don’t go there, Kat. Don’t start believing.

  Justin lifted his head; there was a question in his eyes. She put a finger to her lips as she approached. He nodded and understood she didn’t want to wake Connor right now. Phones rang, nurses’ chatter filtered into the room and elevator bells pinged. More power to her baby if he could continue to sleep through the noise.

  She eyed the seat next to Justin. Her weary body welcomed the rest and she plunked down into a chair and closed her eyes.

  She had some serious praying to do anyway...for Mattie Applegate.

  Kat had held her hand in the ambulance, reassuring her with soothing words. “I’m going to stay with you,” Kat told her. “You’re going to be just fine.” She wasn’t sure Aunt Mattie had bought her Pollyanna act, but she’d nodded and her tired eyes had lit briefly with gratitude. Kat couldn’t stand the thought of losing the dear spirited woman.

  When Connor woke up, she explained to Justin that they were running tests to see if Mattie had suffered a mild heart attack or if it was a case of her meds needing adjustments. Kat hoped it was the latter. At any rate, the doctor said that she wouldn’t be coming home anytime soon.

  Images popped into her head of another hospital, another time, holding hands with her mother, and reassuring her, too, that all would be right soon. But her mom’s battered body hadn’t been able to fight off the bacterial infection that led to the complications that finally took her life.

  A tear dripped from Kat’s eye and then another and another until her cheeks burned. She wiped at the droplets with the back of her hand. If only she could’ve protected her mother. If only she could’ve defended her from a man who wouldn’t control his rage.

  Kat would never be a victim again. She would never let anyone hurt those she loved. But Kat was helpless now. She couldn’t do anything for Aunt Mattie.

  She sobbed.

  She felt a hand on her arm and knew it was Justin. His gentle touch seeped into her skin and released some of her pain. She absorbed his warmth and tenderness and drew strength from it. He slowly moved his hand along her arm to her hand. She opened her eyes as he entwined their fingers. Once their hands were joined, he tightened his hold. The connection brought her peace. His strength made all the bad things in her life disappear.

  She gazed into his dark eyes—her son’s eyes—and was hit with a jolt of awareness. A single moment elapsed, and in the very next instant, Kat knew. There’d be no talking herself out of this. She couldn’t wish it away. No amount of mental hammering would pound this out of her brain.

  She loved Justin Slade.

  She was deeply in love with him.

  And she’d never felt anything so potent, so wonderful and so incredibly scary in her life.

  * * *

  “Come back to the ranch with me tonight,” Justin said to Kat in the parlor of Aunt Mattie’s home. “Connor would love it and I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

  Kat sighed quietly. He already did have everything she needed. She had to disguise her new feelings for him...they were just that...new, and she needed time to work it all out in her head. “It’s tempting. But you know I can’t.”

  Justin frowned.

  It was terribly tempting. He’d asked her to stay at his ranch yesterday, too, and she hated refusing him a second time. So she clarified her reasons. “It’s easier for us to be here, Justin. All of Connor’s stuff is here. And this house is closer to the hospital in case
Aunt Mattie needs me. I have to take care of the place for her.”

  It turned out that Mattie had had a mild heart attack after all. Luckily, there wasn’t too much damage to her heart, but she was weak and they were still in the process of observing her and adjusting her medications. The doctor had informed Kat that it would be at least a week or two before Mattie was released to come home. She’d probably have to spend time in a rehab facility.

  Justin approached her. He slanted a quick look over his shoulder at Connor banging away at the new baby keyboard piano he’d given him. “If I was still into betting, I’d bet that I could change your mind.”

  Musical notes and baby sounds zinged from the piano. Justin zeroed in on her.

  She faced him head-on, holding her ground. Okay, mellowing a little. Gosh, he was hard to resist with those melt-your-heart dark eyes and sharp handsome features.

  His hands snaked around her waist. He drew her up against his body and the fit was darn near perfect. Kat blinked as he leaned in, touched his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly.

  When the kiss ended, Justin said, “I don’t think you should be alone tonight. I’m going to stay here with you. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

  Last night, Justin had been a dream, taking her home from the hospital after visiting hours were over. He’d helped her settle the baby down and get Connor off to bed, then stayed until very late, comforting her about Mattie’s medical condition.

  “Justin, that’s a sweet offer, but are you sure you want to do that?”

  Justin was quick with a nod. “The sofa’s a heck of a lot nicer than some of the places I’ve slept during the last nine years. I’m good with that. I want to be here for you and Connor.”

  There was no way she could refuse his generous offer. Having him stay over and lend support meant the world to her. “Thank you. I would like that very much.”

  Later that evening they fed Connor, gave him a bath and put him into his pajamas. Justin got down on the floor and played with him for a long time while Kat did the dishes and took care of some Babylicious business. As soon as she could, she joined them, and when nine o’clock rolled around and the baby rubbed his eyes, Justin rocked him to sleep in his arms. “Little guy is tuckered out,” he said softly, brushing a kiss to his forehead.

  “Wonder why?” She grinned.

  Kat marveled at how close Justin was getting to Connor. Not too long ago, she’d forgiven Justin the lies and deceit of that New York weekend. If that weekend had never happened, she wouldn’t have Connor, her precious little boy and the one really good thing she’d done in her life. How could she continue to hold a grudge against the father of her child, especially when she saw them together like this?

  “Let’s put him down,” she said.

  Justin transferred the baby into her arms and they walked to her room together. Kat laid the baby down gently on his back in the crib. He stirred for just a second before falling asleep.

  It was sweet to see Justin stare at Connor and watch him sleep. “Still can’t believe it.”

  “I know,” she said on a sigh. “He’s a miracle.”

  “He is.” Justin took her hand and led her away from the crib. They stood just outside the doorway. “I know how concerned you are about Mattie.”

  “I’m worried sick about her,” she said.

  “From what I can tell, she’s a strong woman. She’ll pull through.” He ran his hands up and down her arms with reassuring strokes. It felt like heaven having him touch her with such warmth and caring.

  “You should get some rest while Connor is sleeping,” he whispered.

  “That’s a good idea. I’m beat.”

  “I’ll be here if you need me,” he said.

  She was grateful that he’d sacrifice his comfortable king-size bed for a bunch of pillows and blankets on a lumpy sofa to stay over tonight.

  He reached out and tipped her chin up with his thumb. Then he lowered his mouth to hers and she squeezed her eyes shut, absorbing the taste and feel of his tenderness as he kissed her. “Good night, Kat.”

  “Good night,” she said and before she opened her eyes, he was gone.

  * * *

  Justin thrashed back and forth on the sofa. His breathing was rapid and sweat pooled on his forehead and ran down his brows. He struggled to wipe away the drops.

  It had happened again. He’d dreamed of the firefight and the day Brett died. The dream was mixed up, a concoction of his brain, where saving five men in that village coincided with Brett’s death. It had all run together somehow and he’d been a part of it. This time, Brett was one of the men he’d rushed in and saved that day. Brett was alive in his dream. Justin’s heart pounded. The rest of the dream jogged his memory and he trembled.

  In real life, Brett had been taken out by a sniper’s bullet.

  He sat up and opened his eyes. Darkness surrounded him, but in that instant he remembered he wasn’t with his platoon. He wasn’t in Afghanistan. He was in Brett Applegate’s home. He planted both feet on the ground, his head in his hands as he leaned forward.

  “Justin, are you okay?” Kat rushed into the parlor, her concerned expression illuminated by a sliver of moonlight streaming through the curtains. She sat down beside him.

  He sighed. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” Keeping his voice calm, he told her, “It’s just a bad dream.”

  She leaned over to stroke his arm. He was amazed at how much comfort she packed into that touch. “You’ve had a lot of those lately.”

  “Some. It’s getting better.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  “It’s okay. I want to help.”

  She bent to kiss his cheek. The sweet peck calmed him like nothing else could.

  “Would you like me to stay with you for a little while?” Kat asked gently.

  He took a swallow and nodded. There wasn’t anything he wanted more at the moment. He didn’t have the strength to refuse her or deny himself the comfort.

  She nestled close to him and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. In her light flowery scent and the warmth of her skin, he found a keen sense of peace.

  “I’m here for you, too, if you need me,” Kat whispered. The woman was good for his soul.

  His eyes drifted closed.

  Hell, he was quickly coming to the conclusion that he did need Katherine Grady.

  In his life.

  Always.

  * * *

  Justin checked in on Connor taking quiet sweet breaths in his crib for the third time in a span of thirty minutes. His little boy was tuckered out. A smile emerged on Justin’s face and his boots hit the floor quietly as he walked out of the room.

  Kat was visiting Aunt Mattie again at the hospital tonight and babysitting duties fell to him in her absence. The boy was responding to Justin more and more each day, giving him smiles and allowing him to hold him without instantly reaching out for his mama. Yep, he had mad fathering skills now. Pride tipped his heart off kilter. The love he felt for Connor was immeasurable. It kinda blew him away, these powerful feelings he held inside.

  He glanced at the broken cuckoo clock on the wall that told time without the usual fanfare. No cuckoos, just clock. It was almost nine. Kat should be home within the hour.

  He missed her.

  Strolling over to Aunt Mattie’s thirty-two-inch television set, he picked up the remote, making a mental note. Her wall was big enough for a flat-screen television almost double the size of the old TV she had now. He’d make sure it was part of her remodel.

  He lowered himself down on the sofa and clicked on the TV. He had ten solid minutes until another bunk check on Connor.

  Leaning back, he stretched out his legs and surfed through a limited choice of stations, searching fo
r any kind of sports. Baseball, golf or basketball highlights? Nothing looked appealing and he was about to shut the darn thing off when he came across an entertainment news show where ace Arizona Diamondback pitcher, Doug Broadmeyer, was being interviewed about a possible move to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Broadmeyer was big news to Douglas County sports fans. He was a local high school boy who’d made his way up the ranks from the minors to the major leagues. Justin leaned back settling in for a few minutes of tube.

  It wasn’t long before the show’s host steered the conversation to the pitcher’s love life. “Is there truth to the rumor that you and Mia are talking wedding?”

  “Oh, man.” He should’ve known the host wouldn’t stick to sports news. Leisure and Luxury Lifestyles, or LLL for short, was pure tabloid TV. He put his finger on the remote’s off button.

  “And in luxury news,” the English-accented male host announced as he moved on to the next segment, “owner and CEO of the Golden Hotels, Michael Golden, is dating another Marilyn look-alike. Yes, that’s right, this time it’s Belinda Brubaker. We all know her as Charity McGrath on the nighttime soap opera, Avenue M.”

  “What’s up with that, Michael?” the TV host asked rhetorically.

  A split screen flashed two photos, side by side...on the left, one of Belinda, the woman the hotel mogul was presently dating, a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe, and on the right...a picture of Kat?

  Justin blinked rapidly. His brain scrambled for some sense. He slid forward onto the edge of his seat and focused on the photograph again. Yeah, there was no mistaking it. It sure as hell was Kat. She was holding Connor and gazing happily into the camera with Golden by her side.

  What the hell?

  “This rare photo of Golden with his ex-fiancée, Katherine Grady, is proof positive that Mike certainly doesn’t stray too far in his taste of women,” the LLL host was saying. “Too bad this happy little trio never made it to the altar after a year-long engagement. Rumor has it Golden was heartbroken that his instant family didn’t work out. Maybe actress Belinda Brubaker will have better luck snaring the insanely wealthy bachelor. We’re sure Avenue M fans want her to have a happy ending.”