“Okay. I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, baby girl. Go to sleep,” Storm repeated.
Chloe blinked tears from her eyes. If her heart was aching for Mandy, she couldn’t imagine how Storm’s felt. She watched as he leaned down, kissed Mandy’s forehead, and then stood. Chloe stepped from the doorway to let him out. He stopped beside her and gazed down at her.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not hungry anymore.”
She nodded. “No problem. I’m not either. I can put everything in the fridge.”
He glanced back to his daughter, and then left the room with Chloe following him. They entered the kitchen and Storm started putting his coat and hat on.
“I need to check the horses for the night. I won’t be long.” He tore a sheet of paper off a post-it and wrote on it. “This is my cell phone number. Call me if Mandy wakes up and wants me.” After handing it to her, he left without another word.
Chloe watched as he strode to the barn. She looked up at the yard lights and watched the snow floating through the beams. The path Storm made earlier was quickly filling up with snow again. When he disappeared inside the barn, she turned away from the door.
She sighed then went about wrapping up the food she’d prepared. She put it away in the refrigerator for another time then she went about making herself a cup of tea. After pouring the hot water over the teabag, she headed to the living room to watch TV for the evening. Thirty minutes later, she decided to check on Mandy. Tiptoeing into the little girl’s bedroom, she walked to the bed and smiled as she gazed down at her. A nightlight gave the room a soft glow. Chloe noticed Boo was lying on the floor. She picked it up, placed it under the blanket, and tucked it under Mandy’s chin. Chloe leaned down and kissed the top of Mandy’s head, and then she touched her forehead. It felt cooler to the touch now, which was a good thing. She turned to leave the room and came to a halt when she saw Storm standing in the doorway with his arms folded across his broad chest.
“Does she feel cooler?” he whispered.
Chloe nodded as she walked to him. “Yes. Maybe the aspirin is helping. I wanted to check on her, I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Storm smiled at her but then his eyes moved to his daughter. “I hate it when she doesn’t feel good. She’s usually so full of life.” He shook his head. “It just kills me seeing her sick.”
“Children get sick, Storm. It’s normal.”
He ran his hand over his mouth. “I know but one day she’s out running around laughing and the next she gets sick. Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t get sick any more than any other child, but it’s just hard to watch her feeling bad.”
“She’ll be running around again in no time,” Chloe told him as she laid her hand on his arm. She could feel the muscles flex under his shirtsleeve. She jerked her hand back. “I was going to watch some TV, if that’s all right with you.”
“It’s fine. I have some paperwork to take care of, so I’ll be in my office. It’s at the end of the hall on the left.” Storm jerked his chin toward the back of the hall. Chloe nodded and stepped around him. She stopped when his fingers wrapped around her arm. She raised her gaze to his. “Thank you for helping me with her.”
Chloe smiled. “You’re welcome. It’s my job, right?” She laughed when Storm groaned.
“How did I let you talk me into this?”
“It’s just while I’m here. Any longer than that and we’d have to discuss wages.”
Storm chuckled. “I have a feeling you wouldn’t be cheap either.”
“You have no idea, Mister Bateman.”
Chloe chuckled as she headed back to the living room. She could hear him grumbling as he walked down the hallway—his boot heels clacking on the hardwood. She shook her head as she sat on the sofa and picked up the remote to turn the TV on. Her parents probably had a good idea she was back in Wyoming by now, but they’d have heart attacks knowing she was on a horse ranch with a cowboy. She had no doubt they’d look down their noses at Storm, even though the ranch looked prosperous. The horses she’d seen in the corrals were gorgeous animals.
Suddenly, she hopped up and walked to her bedroom to see if Storm had gotten her laptop. When she found it, she headed back to the living room, sat down on the sofa again, and opened the laptop. It quickly came to life. Thank God, being in the cold overnight hadn’t damaged it.
In the search engine, she typed Storm’s name and smiled when she saw a website for his ranch. The Crooked Tree ranch was more than prosperous. It was a goldmine. She read over the site and sat back in awe. He wasn’t just doing well—he was rich. Mega rich. His horses sold for up to fifty thousand dollars. Who knew a horse could cost so much? According to the website, he’d been running the business for over six years when he inherited it from his grandfather and his horses were in high demand. She skimmed through the website and looked at the pictures of the horses and barn. No personal information appeared and there were no pictures of him. Chloe figured that was a good thing or women would be beating down his door. She was so engrossed in the site that she didn’t hear Storm enter the room until he took a seat in the recliner.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” she told him. “Thank you for getting my laptop.”
“I thought if you were going to be stuck here a while, you’d want it.” He shrugged.
“Is Mandy still asleep?”
“Yeah, and she’s cooled down a lot. She’ll be fine.”
Chloe smiled. “Of course she will. Where did the name Crooked Tree come from?”
Storm’s eyes widened, in a startled expression. “You did a search on me?”
“Yes, I thought I’d check out my new boss.”
He stared at her then shook his head, and chuckled. “Should I do a search on you?”
Chloe gasped. “No!”
“You will tell me what happened, Chloe. I’m letting you live in my house and take care of my daughter.”
“Okay...I promise I’ll tell you.”
“All right. My grandmother named the ranch for the huge tree out front. It’s an oak tree over a hundred years old and it’s crooked. You can see it tomorrow but when my grandfather bought the land, he wanted to chop the tree down only my grandmother wouldn’t let him. She said it represented their road to owning the ranch. The road they’d traveled to get here was crooked like the tree.”
Chloe grinned. “I like it.”
“The old farmhouse fell in years ago, so I built this home.” Storm sighed. “I love this ranch. I worked here every summer when I was a boy. My mom let me live here in the summers instead of with her on the reservation. When I turned twelve, I started running with the other guys...well, you know. I was arrested when I was fifteen for breaking and entering.” He shook his head. “My mother wanted me to return to the reservation with her but my grandfather told her he could straighten me out, and he did. Not by disciplining me but by working me. I hated him for so long but as I got older, I looked forward to coming here and working alongside him. He died six years ago and left me the ranch. He left me a letter telling me how proud he was of me and how I’d know what to do with the ranch.” He blew out a breath. “He knew I loved Arabian horses and I’d always said if I had a place, I’d raise them. So it’s what I did.”
“He sounds like he was an amazing man.”
“He was and he missed my grandmother so much, I believe he died of a broken heart. He only lived a year longer than she did.”
“It always amazed me how you bad boys remained friends all these years.”
Storm smiled. “Yeah...we’re all still great friends.”
“You all did well for yourselves too.” Chloe smiled.
“Yes, but we’re still called the bad boys of Dry River by those who remember. I suppose we’ll always be known as that.”
“Do your parents still live on the reservation?”
“No. They moved here to Dry River years ago. Mom married Drew Hill when I was three years old and he’s the only
dad I’ve ever really known. I love him. I never knew my real father and I had no desire to search for him. He left my mom when she needed him most. Just like Tracy did with Mandy, but I’ll tell her all about Tracy once she’s old enough to understand. I don’t think Mandy will bother looking for her either. Tracy signed over all rights to her. My real father never even married my mom. He got her pregnant and then shirked his responsibilities. I don’t understand how people can leave something as precious as a child who didn’t asked to be brought into the world, but I wouldn’t trade Mandy for anything or anyone.” He stared at her and she knew he was telling her he’d never get involved with her or any other woman for that matter.
Chloe stared at him and saw a man who loved his daughter very much, and one who was not interested in a relationship. She pushed to her feet. “I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow. What time do you get up, so I can make you breakfast?”
“You’re not going to tell me what happened?”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. What time?”
He sighed. “Five.”
“Five? As in...five in the morning?”
Storm grinned and stood. “Yes. You’re the one who wanted the job.”
When he moved past her, she wondered if he was punishing her for not telling her about the wedding that didn’t happen. She watched him as he headed down the hallway. When she heard his bedroom door close behind him, she shut off the lights and followed.
“Who in their right mind gets up at five in the morning?” she muttered as she headed to her bedroom.
Chapter Four
Storm entered the kitchen the next morning, going straight to the coffeemaker and poured a cup of coffee. He took a sip and raised his eyebrows.
“This is good,” he said.
“I’m glad you like it but don’t be so surprised. I do own a restaurant, you know. How do you like your eggs?”
“I’ll take scrambled this morning. First, I need to check on Mandy but I needed a cup of coffee first. I didn’t sleep well last night.” Leaving the kitchen, Storm walked to Mandy’s bedroom, quietly pushed the door open, and gently went to her bed. She was bundled under the covers, clutching Boo. He lightly touched her forehead and sighed with relief when her skin felt normal to the touch. She was fine. He leaned down, kissed her forehead, and turned to leave intending to let her sleep.
“I love you, Daddy,” she whispered, stopping him in his tracks. He never got tired of hearing those words. He turned back to her.
“I love you too, baby girl. Go back to sleep now. I’ll see you later.” Storm knew she was asleep again before the words left his mouth. Smiling, he headed back to the kitchen and leaned against the doorjamb as he watched Chloe bending over, peering into the refrigerator. He stared at her ass covered in painted on jeans. Damn, she had a body and he knew that first hand. He cleared his throat and pushed away from the doorjamb.
“Do you need some help?” Storm grinned when she straightened up, spun around, and narrowed her eyes at him.
“No. I believe I can find what I need on my own. Thank you.”
“Mandy’s feeling better. Her forehead feels cool, but please check her again when she gets up.” Storm took a seat at the table and sipped his coffee.
Chloe set a plate of scrambled eggs in front of him. He picked up his fork and took a bite then chewed, and swallowed. “Damn. These are really good.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks. I just add some secret ingredients.”
“Well, they’re damn good.”
“I’ll make Belgian waffles for you tomorrow.”
Storm looked at her. “So, was it just your grandma who taught you how to cook?”
Having poured a cup of coffee for herself, she took a seat at the table across from him. “I also learned from Jennifer, the chef at my parents’ mansion,” she said quietly.
“Mansion? Your parents have a mansion?”
“Yes. To say my parents are wealthy would be a huge understatement.”
“I know they own a chain of hotels but...”
“Yes, all across the states.”
“And yet, here you are...back in Wyoming.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Yeah, well, we’re going to make time for it soon.” Storm lifted a brow at her and she glanced away.
When Storm finished one of the best plate of eggs he’d ever had, he stood then rinsed his cup and plate in the sink. He pulled on his sheepskin coat and put his cowboy hat on. He opened the back door and glanced back to her. “Real soon,” he said as he pulled the door closed.
Taking a deep breath, the cold air filled his lungs as he pulled his gloves on, trudged through the snow, and then entered the barn. It looked like he was going to have to plow a path again. His ranch hands and Jimmy waved at him as he headed to his office. He gave them a nod and then closed the door. The closed door was a sign to them he was not to be disturbed unless it was an emergency. Storm took his coat, hat, and gloves off then sat down to get some work done.
Three hours later, he sat back in the wingback chair in his office and stared out the window at the Big Horn Mountains. Snow was moving in again. He sighed, thinking about what Chloe had told him. He couldn’t get over it...her parents were more than rich. Although she’d spent summers here as a young girl, he didn’t really know her. But what he did know of her made his cock ache.
Storm ran his hand down his face. He’d never forget that night in his truck. Both of them so hot for each other, they couldn’t hold back but then when it was over, she wouldn’t even look at him. He’d gotten out of the truck and walked around the building. When he’d finally convinced himself to go back inside the Fireside, she and Kendra were gone. He’d been disappointed but he also quickly faced the fact that it couldn’t go anywhere between them.
Sitting forward, he laid his arms on the old scarred oak desk, and looked at the computer. He woke it up and typed her name in the search engine. The only thing that came up was that she was the daughter of Colin and Candace Baxter. He searched their names and all it said was they owned a string of hotels. His cell phone rang.
“Crooked Tree Ranch,” he answered.
“You didn’t look to see who was calling, did you?” His mother’s voice came over the line making him mentally groan over her motherly chastise of him.
“No. I’m sorry, Mom.”
Jaya Bateman Hill laughed. “It’s fine. You must have something on your mind. How are you?”
“I’m fine. You know, just trying to get some things done before more snow moves in.”
Her sigh came across the line. “That’s why I’m calling. I think we may have to postpone having Thanksgiving at our house.”
“Yeah, I think so too. I just hate telling Mandy because she’s really looking forward to turkey day with you and Dad. It’s a toss-up which she talks about more...that or getting a tree.”
“We’ll make up for it after the snow clears, which could be spring at this rate.” She laughed.
Storm grinned. “If then.”
“Can I talk to my granddaughter? Is she up yet?”
“I’m in the barn. She was sleeping when I came out. She was sick last night.” Storm told his mother about Mandy being sick, leaving Chloe out of the conversation. He wasn’t sure he was ready to tell his mother about the beautiful woman staying in his house.
“Is Claire with her?” Jaya asked with a not surprising note of concern in her tone.
Damn! “Uh, no.”
“She’s not alone, is she?” Storm could hear the censorship in her voice.
“Of course not...she’s with Chloe. Chloe wrecked her car in the snow. Mandy and I brought her here, and she’s watching her now.” The silence on the other end of the line was deafening.
“Chloe?”
“Chloe Baxter. She owns Zellene’s in town. I found her in the snow and brought her here. Her car is plowed under now and with more snow moving in she can’t go anywhere anyway so she’s staying here and taking care
of Mandy, and cooking—”
“Storm, sweetheart, you’re rambling.” His mother laughed.
Storm blew out a breath. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. This is the most I’ve ever heard you get tongue tied over a woman in a long time.”
“It’s not like that, Mom,” Storm told her.
Her laughter came across the line. “Sure. Okay, I’ll let you go, honey. Tell Mandy I love her and we’ll have a special turkey day soon. I love you, Storm.”
“I love you too, Mom. Bye.” Storm hung up and groaned. He had not gotten tongue tied over Chloe. He’d like to tie his tongue with hers though.
He stood quickly. The woman was going to be the death of him. She was so beautiful and now living under his roof, taking care of Mandy, and cooking for them. What in the hell are you thinking, Bateman?
A knock on the door made him jerk. He strode to it and yanked it open, ready to chew out whoever had the balls to bother him. The frown left his face when he saw Chloe standing there holding Mandy.
“Hi, Daddy.” Mandy reached her little arms out to him, and with a big smile, he took her from Chloe.
“Hi, baby girl. Do you feel better?”
Mandy nodded. “I had pancakes. Chloe makes really good pancakes, Daddy.”
“Am I being replaced in the pancake department?”
“What’s a ‘partment, Daddy?” Mandy frowned up at him.
“Never mind. As long as you get your pancakes, it’s fine. Do you want to see Ariel?”
In answer, Mandy pushed away from him and Storm put her down. She put her hand in his and pulled him out of the office, leading him to Ariel’s stall with Chloe following behind.
CHLOE FOLLOWED THEM as they moved down the aisle of the barn. Several horses stuck their heads over the gates and whinnied at them. She stopped alongside one of them and rubbed its soft nose. She saw Storm and Mandy come back to her.
“This is Quasar. He’s a three-year-old and going to a new home for Christmas,” Storm said.
“He’s so beautiful,” Chloe said as she rubbed the horse’s velvet nose. “They must come in all colors.”
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