The Rancher's Redemption (The Millers of Morgan Valley Book 2)

by Kate Pearce

  Cauy doubted that, but even he was surprised at the scale of the operation Chase Morgan had organized, and the speed of their deliverance. Chase had obviously called in the best of the best. Without anyone asking him he found himself bundled up in a blanket being transported to Morgan Ranch. Mrs. Morgan sent Rachel up to bed and put Cauy in the best parlor tucked up on the couch with a bowl of hot soup and crusty bread.

  He fell asleep almost immediately and woke up to find Mrs. Morgan sitting opposite him knitting something fluffy. He blinked at her for a puzzled moment before everything came flooding back.

  “Mrs. Morgan.” He struggled into a sitting position. “Is Rachel okay?”

  “Please call me Ruth.” She looked up from her knitting. “Rachel’s sleeping now. January’s keeping an eye on her. How are you feeling?”

  “A little tired,” Cauy acknowledged. “Being stuck in a mine wasn’t exactly high on my to-do list.”

  “So I should imagine. I checked that cut on your head, but it seems to be healing nicely all by itself.” She smiled at him. “Rachel said you were very brave and protected her when the wall came down.”

  He shrugged. “I did my best. She kept me sane while we were trapped in there, so I think we’re even.”

  Ruth shuddered. “I can’t imagine how that must have felt for you.”

  He held her gaze. “If Rachel hadn’t been there I would probably have freaked out. She was . . . amazing.”

  “Rachel’s certainly good at keeping everyone happy,” Ruth agreed.

  Cauy swung his legs over the side of the couch and set his feet on the rug. He had a sense that he needed to be upright for this conversation.

  Ruth returned her attention to her knitting. “All her life, Rachel has believed it’s her job to support everyone, make the best of everything, and put herself second. Sometimes it breaks my heart.”

  Cauy nodded. “I hear you.” He carefully drew the quilt to one side, his sense of relief of being out of the mine rapidly evaporating. Was Ruth subtly trying to tell him that Rachel didn’t need another set of problems to deal with? Problems like him?

  “I think I’d better be going home now.” Cauy cleared his throat. “Thanks for everything, and please give Rachel my best.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say any of that to make you bolt, young man.”

  “I know.” He found a smile somewhere. “I just need to get back. Jackson will be worried.”

  Ruth stood as he did and put her hand on his sleeve, her gaze concerned. “Cauy, you’re a good man. I hope you stay and make the Lymond Ranch a huge success.”

  Cauy nodded. “Thank you. I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon.”

  Rachel would be leaving. Not him. She deserved to fly.

  He’d make sure of it.

  He turned to the door and went into the mudroom where someone had put his jacket, boots, and hat. It occurred to him that he didn’t have his truck or a working cell phone. He was reluctantly turning toward the kitchen to see if he could beg a ride when Billy came toward him.

  “Ruth says you’re leaving, Cauy. I can give you a ride home. I’ve got to go into town.”

  “That would be awesome.” Cauy took a quick look up the stairs as they went by, but there was no sign of Rachel. But what could he say to her now? “I’d call Jackson, but my cell phone is broken.”

  “It’s not a problem.”

  Billy got into his truck, and Cauy opened the door on the passenger side. It was only afternoon, and yet it felt like another endless day. It was still blowing a gale and the snow had turned to sleet, which made everything miserable and churned up the muddy roads.

  Kind of how he felt inside, like someone had kicked him down the stairs.

  Cauy braced himself in case Billy wanted to offer him some advice about Rachel, but the rancher talked about the weather, his cattle, and the departure of the last guests, and how glad everyone was to see them go.

  It didn’t take long to reach home. Jackson’s truck was parked next to the barn, and all the house lights were on. Grace barked from inside as he got out of the truck, and the cold hit him afresh. Billy got out too and came around to him.

  Cauy held out his hand. “Thanks for getting us out of the mine.”

  “That was all Chase’s doing.” Billy smiled as he shook Cauy’s hand. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to see what went down and act on it.”

  “I’m grateful for that.” Cauy hesitated. “And if there’s anything I can do for you or your ranch, please feel free to ask. I’m not my father, and I have no intention of adopting his old prejudices.”

  “I think we’ve all worked that out already.” Billy clapped him around the shoulder and winked. “Stay safe, Cauy.”

  Cauy went into the house to an enthusiastic welcome from Grace, who pranced around him like he’d been gone for a week. Jackson came into the kitchen and looked him up and down.

  “You okay, Bro?”

  “Perfect. You?”

  “I’m good.” Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Dude, you were stuck underground in a mine. I think you could elaborate a little.”

  Cauy shrugged. “I’m fine. I got out alive. There was no fire, no oil exploding under high pressure, and all I got hit with was a piddly piece of rock on the back of my head.”

  Jackson leaned against the doorframe. “Are you sure that knock on the head wasn’t serious? You sound weird.”

  Cauy forced a smile. “I’m just tired.”

  “I can imagine.” Jackson straightened up. “If you need to talk to me about anything, you know where I am.”

  “Got it.”

  Cauy took off his hat and jacket. He’d left his boots on the mat outside. If he had anything to say he trusted Jackson, but there was nothing left to share. He had some thinking to do, but he already knew the answers. Mrs. Morgan had just pointed out something so obvious that even he had realized it was true. Now he just had to find a way to live with it.

  * * *

  “I saw the paperwork Kim sent you on your desk, Cauy. I hope you don’t mind that I read it.”

  Jackson had paused from eating an enormous piece of chicken pie to address Cauy, who sat opposite him at the kitchen table. He’d taken another nap, and Jackson had woken him up to eat at seven.

  “Are you going to take it up?”

  “Nope.” Cauy chewed vigorously but the food still choked him. “No point in riling everyone up around here.”

  “Especially if we want to stick around.” Jackson nodded. “It made interesting reading though.”

  “I barely made it through the cover letter,” Cauy admitted. “Although seeing how much Kim charged me for each sentence I probably should get my money’s worth and read it through.”

  There was a knock on the back door, and Grace started barking. She’d definitely perked up in the last couple of days.

  Jackson raised his eyebrows. “Are we expecting anyone?”

  “No.” Cauy put down his fork. “But I bet you a hundred bucks it’s a Morgan.”

  Jackson went to open the door while Cauy kept hold of Grace’s collar.

  “It’s Roy.” Jackson stepped back to reveal the diminutive ranch foreman. “You owe me a hundred bucks.”

  “No way,” Cauy snorted. “He’s basically a Morgan.” At this point he was just glad it wasn’t Rachel. He still hadn’t figured out exactly what to say to her. “What can I do for you, Roy?”

  “Evening, Cauy.” Roy tipped his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, and closed the door behind him. “Chase told me to bring that old filing cabinet we found in the mine up to you. It was under Lymond land so he reckons it must be something to do with your family.”

  “Or he just wants to get rid of it,” Jackson added. “Do you want a hand taking it out of the truck?”

  “Yes, please. I’m not as strong as I used to be.” Roy winked at Jackson. “I’m afraid it will flatten me if I try to do it alone.”

  Cauy had half risen from his s
eat, but Jackson waved him back. “I’ll get this. Where do you want me to put it?”

  “The new feed store would be best,” Cauy said. “I don’t want anything rusting here in the house.”

  “Yeah, we’ve got enough junk. I found Mom’s old Christmas tree in my closet today. We should put it up.” Jackson nodded at Roy. “I’ll just get my coat.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “So Cauy was okay when he left?” Rachel asked Ruth as she ate her lunch at the kitchen table. She’d slept round the clock and was ravenous.

  “He seemed to be, why?” Ruth sipped her coffee.

  “I meant to tell him to get checked out by Dr. Tio. He did lose consciousness for a minute, and that can’t be good for someone who’s had previous head trauma.”

  Ruth studied her over the rim of her mug. “Cauy’s an adult. I’m sure he can make that decision for himself, Rachel.”

  “Yes, but he doesn’t like to admit there’s anything wrong with him, so—”

  “Maybe you should let him make his own mind up.”

  Rachel put down her fork. “Are you trying to say I’m interfering?”

  Ruth’s blue gaze met hers. “What do you think?”

  “Oh, don’t do that answer a question with a question thing.” Rachel sat back. “It drives me nuts. Can’t you just tell me what you’re getting at?”

  “From what you’ve told me, you and Cauy aren’t going out together, are you?” Ruth asked.

  “Not officially . . .” Rachel said. “But—”

  “So it’s not up to you to tell him what to do. That’s all I’m saying, my dear.”

  Rachel folded her arms across her chest. “He likes me telling him what to do.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Ruth sighed. “You don’t have to fix him, Rachel. He’s not your problem.”

  Rachel stared at her grandmother as a thousand replies formed in her mind. “I don’t want to fix him.”

  “If you say so, dear.” Ruth smiled at her. “Now, what are you planning to do for the rest of the day? Now that the last guests have departed we can finally just be family again and start preparing for Christmas.”

  Ruth carried on talking as if eager to distract Rachel from her blunt appraisal of her tenuous relationship with Cauy. She liked him just the way he was. After the night they’d spent together in the mine she was fairly certain he was as keen to have a real relationship with her as she was.

  She finished her meal, took a last gulp of iced tea, and wiped her mouth on her napkin. “I have to take Grace to the vet’s today. She needs more shots, and Jenna wants to check how the puppies are doing.”

  “Shouldn’t Cauy be doing that?”

  “I made the appointment, and I forgot to tell him, so this one’s on me.” Rachel made sure she had her cell phone in her pocket. “The next one will definitely be up to him.”

  Ruth nodded. “Give Jenna my love, and ask her if she wants to come over for dinner and tell us how life is in her new house.”

  “I’ll certainly mention it to her.” Rachel stood and dusted toast crumbs off her chest. “It’s odd not having BB and Maria in the house anymore.”

  “I know,” Ruth agreed. “And it’s certainly a lot quieter.”

  Rachel put her silverware and plate in the dishwasher, washed her hands, and went to put on her warmest outerwear. A chill was definitely settling over the whole valley and she’d have to get used to it. The stark splendor of the white fields against the towering black Sierra mountains spoke to her soul. Wherever she went in the world, she now knew this place would always remain in her heart.

  She got into her truck and drove the short route to the Lymond Ranch singing Christmas carols at the top of her voice. Maybe getting stuck together in the mine had been a good thing for her and Cauy after all....

  She parked outside the house and got out to the sound of Grace barking from the fenced-in yard. The henhouse had been repaired and was currently full to bursting with feathered occupants huddled together against the winter cold.

  “Back door’s open! Come on through!” Jackson called out to her.

  She went inside to find him sitting at the table eating cake and drinking coffee. He wore a thick flannel shirt and had bunny slippers on his feet.

  “Hey, how are you feeling, Rachel?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” Rachel bent to pet Grace, who had come bounding in through the doggie door in the mudroom. “Is Cauy around?”

  “He went into town about an hour ago to get a new phone. He just sent me a text saying he’s on his way back. Would you like some coffee while you wait?”

  “That would be great.” Rachel glanced out of the window to where Cauy’s truck usually stood. “What are you up to?”

  “Still going through the family finances,” Jackson said, grimacing. “I can’t believe how disorganized my father was, and Cauy’s not much better. He’s not used to having to think about every dime because he has all these people to do stuff for him.”

  He handed her a mug of coffee and a carton of cream. “For light relief, I decided to clear out the closet in my bedroom and found the old Christmas decorations my mom used to put up. Cauy’s going to check the lights when he gets back so we can put the tree up.”

  “That’s cool,” Rachel said. “Do you need any help? I’m just sitting here doing nothing.”

  Jackson looked her up and down. “If you mean it, could you help me shift a couple of the boxes into the farm office? I can’t get deeper into the closet until these two are out of the way, and they are too big for me to manage on my own.”

  “Sure!” Rachel took off her jacket. “I’d love to help.”

  It was better than sitting there biting her nails waiting for Cauy to come back, full of a weird mixture of hope and fear.

  Jackson carried on talking as they walked down to his bedroom. “They’re not heavy. Just awkwardly shaped. I don’t want to bring a whole pile of crap down on top of myself while I manhandle them out. I think one of them is full of stuff for the tree.”

  When they reached the closet, Rachel immediately saw what he meant. The two biggest storage containers were at the bottom of a huge stack of boxes. “Maybe we should move some of the smaller ones on the sides before we start.”

  “Okay.”

  They worked together for several minutes to reduce the piles, and were able to slide out the first box and then the second without incident.

  “Phew!” Jackson said. He checked the weight of each cardboard container. “How about you take the one on the right?”

  Rachel bent down to gather the box in her arms and discovered that it was a lot lighter than she had anticipated. It was just awkwardly large to hold. She followed Jackson across into the office and waited as he cleared a space on the desk. Several papers fluttered to the ground, and Grace pounced.

  Jackson groaned and relieved Rachel of her box. “Can you get that back from Grace? Cauy will kill me.”

  “Sure!” Rachel sat on the floor and picked up the rest of the pages while Grace wrestled and growled at the one she’d found. “She’s only got the envelope. Does he really need that?”

  “Probably not,” Jackson said. “I’ll just go and get some scissors. Mom taped these up good.”

  Rachel gathered the rest of the scattered papers on her lap and was attempting to set them in some sort of order when the word Morgan caught her attention. Forgetting all about good manners, she read the first page of the document, her sense of outrage growing with every word. Cauy and his lawyer were joking about screwing Chase out of a fortune?

  She stared at the wall. Was that why he’d really come back? To take down her family?

  “I found the scissors.” Jackson came back in and halted as he noticed she was still sitting on the floor. “You okay?”

  “Yes.” She stood and fixed a smile on her face. “I couldn’t help noticing this letter is about Cauy suing the Morgans for land.”

  “Oh yeah, that.” Jackson cut through the tape. “Kim’s
really good at discovering the dirt. That’s why Cauy pays him so well.”

  The back door slammed, and Rachel started toward the sound, the papers clenched in her hand. Cauy was just taking his coat off as she entered the kitchen. He looked exhausted. Everything in her wanted to rush into his arms and make him better.

  “Hey.” He nodded but made no effort to come any closer. In fact he looked downright wary. “What’s up?”

  “I came to take Grace to the vet.”

  “Okay,” he said, nodding. “Do I need to come with you?”

  “That’s entirely up to you.” Rachel raised her chin. “I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I was telling you what to do or anything.”

  “Is something wrong, Rachel?” Cauy asked slowly, his gaze on her face.

  “You tell me.” She held up the pile of paper. “Your lawyer seems to think you have a legal case to grab some of Morgan Ranch.”

  “Yeah, that’s true, but I—”

  “So why haven’t you gotten around to mentioning it while my family have saved your ass on several occasions including getting you out of the very mine your lawyer thinks you should have ownership of?”

  He opened his mouth to answer her, and then seemed to think better of it. She, on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking.

  “And what about me? I thought we’d reached some kind of understanding the other night, some kind of . . . bond.”

  “Rachel . . . as to that.” He met her gaze. “I’m sorry.”

  Her heart actually hurt. “Sorry for what exactly? Raising my expectations, or making me look stupid?” She was proud her voice wasn’t shaking. “Or did you just get a good laugh out of deceiving my whole family?”

  A muscle flicked in his jaw, but he didn’t defend himself. Rachel gathered her resources.

  “You might not be Mark Lymond’s real son, Cauy, but you sure as hell act like him.” She bent down and gathered Grace in her arms. “Have a great day.”

  She managed to grab her coat as she left, and made it to her car without losing it entirely. She settled Grace in the seat beside her and started the engine. So there it was. Someone she thought cared for her had let her down again and thought only of himself. Ruth had been right. Cauy didn’t need her at all. Was she cursed? Or was there something seriously wrong with her that made everyone take advantage of her even when she tried her best?