by Lauren Canan
He sighed and pulled a hand over his face. The only thing worse than wanting a real home and family was having one and knowing it couldn’t last.
“Where is Kelly?” Jace asked his mother as he entered the large kitchen. His mom sat at the table munching on a slice of Carmen’s homemade butternut bread. She didn’t answer his question, merely took another sip of her coffee, not meeting his eyes. Jace frowned, his senses going on full alert.
“Mom?”
“I believe she had some things she needed to do.”
“Did she leave the ranch?”
“Don’t worry, dear. She’ll be back as soon as she can.”
Dammit to hell. He took the cell from his pocket and punched Tom’s number. His head of security answered on the first ring.
“She said she had to get some things and she wanted her car,” Tom said, answering Jace’s unasked question. “Murphy drove her to town, and when they reached her house she told him to leave. Jace, you know we’re limited in what we can do. If she tells us to get lost...”
“Yeah, I know. Was there anyone at her house?”
“Just a few dozen determined gawkers. She’ll be fine if she stays under the radar. I don’t foresee any problems.”
Obviously Tom didn’t know Kelly.
“What time did she leave?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“Thanks.”
Kelly was independent as hell. He just hadn’t thought she would push her luck to this extent. She knew what could happen. Apparently, whatever she was up to, in her mind it was worth taking the risk.
Jace glanced at his watch and frowned. Two o’clock. It didn’t take half a day to make the drive from town. Jace headed outside and jumped into the truck. Three miles down the road, he spotted her, trudging toward his place, baby in her arms, her ponytail swinging side to side.
“Do I need to guess?” he asked as he pulled up next to her.
She didn’t look amused.
He threw the truck into Park and walked around to open the passenger door, helping her and the baby inside, and then tossed the bags, purse and brown paper sack she was carrying onto the backseat. He hoped to hell that wasn’t her lunch, but he suspected it was. Miss Independence. He had to wonder how far she’d walked.
He turned the pickup around and headed back to the ranch. “I’m getting you a phone.”
“I have a phone. I can’t get a signal out here.”
“Then I’m getting you a better one.”
“No, you’re not. The one I have works fine in town.”
“What about while you’re living out here? It’s not smart to have a baby and no way to call for help if you need it.”
“You’re right. I’ll buy a new one eventually.”
“And what are you going to do between now and then if something happens?”
“With no transportation, I doubt it will be a problem,” she answered dully. “First, I need to get the car fixed.”
“That piece of junk isn’t worth repairing,” Jace muttered under his breath. He glanced her way. She was smiling down at the baby, who cooed and held on to his mother’s finger. “Pick out a new car and have it delivered tomorrow.”
“No.”
Jace gritted his teeth and rubbed his neck. “You have got to be the most stubborn, hardheaded woman I’ve ever come across in my life.”
“Me? Look in the mirror. Why do you keep pushing? Why do you keep insisting I take things from you? Frankly, it’s getting old.”
Goddammit.
“I don’t need your help. We’ve already had this discussion. Maybe you should write it down and tape it to your forehead?”
Kelly was the only woman who came close to bringing him to his knees out of pure frustration. And she didn’t have to touch him to do it.
“Why did you go into town?”
“I wanted my car.”
He snorted.
She glared.
“You mother kindly offered me a job. Temporarily. I have to have transportation to get to the ranch.”
“You’re staying at the ranch.”
“We can’t keep living in your house.”
“Why not?”
She presented him with a deadpan stare. The silence was deafening.
Okay, so he knew why not. The attraction between them, the pheromones, so powerful that they pulled him to her like a winch and a steel cable. He would have to be dead not to feel it. But he didn’t want her to leave the ranch, and it wasn’t only because of the safety issue. And it wasn’t solely because he wanted to take her to his bed.
He wanted Kelly to like him again.
“Maybe there’s another option.”
“Like what?” She frowned.
Jace applied the brakes. Coming to a halt, he threw the truck into Reverse. Backing up some fifty feet he turned into a small, one-lane gravel road that disappeared into the trees. In less than a quarter of a mile the road ended at a small white house. Jace pulled up to the side and killed the motor.
“When I bought the ranch, there were four small houses on the property, originally built for ranch hands. I had them updated along with the main house. The ranch foreman lives in one, my head trainer in the second. The third was redesigned for my security team. This is the fourth. It’s empty. It has its own entrance separate from the ranch, three bedrooms, a bath and a small kitchen.”
“Are you saying...? I can’t move here.”
“Why not? The house is just sitting here. I have no plans to use it.”
She had to admit it was better than living in his house. Barely. Kelly had been concerned about his close proximity if she worked for his mother. Living in his house was her single biggest worry when she’d agreed to help Mona. But this might be a temporary solution.
Or not.
“I don’t know...”
“Kelly, don’t be so stubborn about everything. This is a great idea.”
She snorted at the absurdity. “No, it’s not.”
She didn’t like it. A sense of unease churned inside. If she moved here, she would be totally reliant on Jace for everything. And it didn’t come with an expiration date. There was no until-the-end-of-the-month move-out date. And that wasn’t a good feeling.
“At least think about it. It makes sense.”
“I like living in town.”
“You haven’t seen the inside of the cabin.”
“I don’t care. Why would I move out here just for a few months? Seems like an awful lot of trouble. I’m already indebted to your mother for a job. I’m not going to ask you for a place to live as well.”
“I don’t recall you asking.”
Kelly turned to face him. His vivid emerald eyes made her want to waver, but she held firm. “Jace, I have two people who rely on me. I can’t take the chance you won’t suddenly decide to sell this place. Then where would we be? No job. No home. And you’d be gone without so much as a backward glance, just like before.”
A glint of resentment darkened his eyes to the color of singed leaves; the barely perceptible narrowing of his eyes said he was ready to defend himself against her challenge. His jaw muscles tightened, his mouth straightening to a hard line. Then in an instant it was gone, replaced with a look more closely resembling determination.
“You will never have to worry about a job or a place to live or money in your bank account. Deal with it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You might be okay with your ex-lover living on your ranch like some kind of leech. I’m not. I’m sure I’ve already been branded a gold digger. I hate that. Moving here... Word would get out and only make it worse.”
“I really don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks,” Jace responded, slight traces of annoyance in his tone. He looked at her, his olive eyes intense and thoughtful. Then he dropped a bombshell. “But if you’re that concerned about public opinion, marry me, Kelly. Problem solved.”
Eight
Kelly had to steady herself. “That isn’t funny.”
&nbs
p; “I didn’t intend it to be.”
“Then you’re out of your mind.”
“Why?”
She turned away from him, looking out the side window without really seeing. She shook her head, swallowing down the bile that rose in her throat. “Do you honestly expect me to respond to a joke? Having a child together does not a marriage make.”
“I can come up with more reasons.”
“Being good together in bed is not a valid reason, either.” It didn’t take the mental aptitude of Einstein to guess where his mind was going.
“At least you admit it.” He raised his eyebrows as if daring her to deny it.
Kelly fought to keep him from seeing the hurt churning inside. She’d never expected him to say those words even in jest. A little part of her died at the realization that Jace viewed marriage as a joke. A prank. To him life was a game. That fact above all made his words seem almost cruel.
This was a pie-in-the-face wake-up call about how Jace viewed life. She’d always suspected, but never really let herself believe it.
She’d had a front-row seat during her parents’ marital atrocity. She’d seen her father’s feelings of obligation turn to disinterest, then disgust and finally hatred. He’d maliciously mocked her mother’s love, seemingly taking glee in her anguish.
Her mother may have settled for a man who didn’t love her, but Kelly was not interested in starring in the sequel. She wanted someone who loved her and wanted to be with her, not a man who felt trapped by circumstance. Despite the deterioration of her parents’ marriage, Kelly still believed in the rightness of marriage. It was an ideal she held close to her heart, harboring a childhood dream that maybe someday she could have a chance to do it better. But it wouldn’t be with Jace Compton, Mr. Love-’em-and-Leave-’em.
There was a time she would have jumped at the chance to marry the man she’d met and fallen in love with fifteen months ago. But even then, it had to be because he loved her. Not because he felt obligated.
The only reason Jace was spending time with her now was because of his son and the mess he’d created in their lives. Once his baby revelation died down, he’d be out of here so fast his exit would suck the leaves off the trees. Marry today. Divorce tomorrow. Fodder for the gossips and a publicity boon. No harm done. Life goes on.
How had his life morphed into such a bizarre existence?
She blinked the moisture from her eyes and gritted her teeth to overcome her momentary weakness. Inside, a mature, sensible woman battled an immature fool who was willing to believe anything, go anywhere, do anything, just to be with him. Reach for the stars and the delusion of happily-ever-after.
The single common thread between the two conflicting forces was love. She loved Jace. Behind all the barriers protecting her heart, she’d never stopped. But he must never know. She couldn’t bear the shame and the mockery that would undoubtedly follow if Jace and the world ever found out.
“Come on. At least look at the cabin.”
“No.” Her voice was almost a whisper. She released her death grip on the seat, folding her hands in her lap.
“I would prefer you stay in the main house but I understand your need for some privacy. At least wait until you’ve seen the house before you decide?”
“Jace...”
Walking around the front of the F250, he opened the passenger-side door.
“Come on. Get out.”
“Please. Just let it go.”
The humor left his face. It was as though he’d suddenly realized something had changed. He looked at her questioningly.
“I respect your need for independence, Kelly. But you’re letting your hatred of me overshadow your common sense. I have no intention of selling this place. Mom needs it as much as I do.” His eyes were steady as his gaze held hers. “And we both need you.”
His deep voice and those last words shook her to the core. Kelly wanted to reach out and touch the strong, handsome face only inches from her own. She wanted to feel his arms around her again despite how badly he’d hurt her. But she’d already used up her share of idiocy for a lifetime.
“I don’t hate you, Jace.”
For long seconds, neither moved. Then Jace leaned toward her. Ignoring the warning bells going off inside her head, Kelly didn’t back away. His lips touched hers, warm, tentative, as though asking for permission. The subtle fragrance of his natural male scent surrounded her. She felt the slight rasp of his day-old five-o’clock shadow as his tongue entered her mouth, bringing with it the rich taste of coffee and the tantalizing taste of pure male. Her right hand lifted to rest on his powerful shoulder. God help her. It was as if fifteen long months had shriveled down to yesterday, his touch both familiar and new.
With a sudden squeal and a string of happy jabber from Henry, who chose that moment to awaken from the nap in Kelly’s arms, Jace drew back, watching her closely. Frowning, he lifted her face to his, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears.
“Why the tears, Kelly?”
She gave her best impression of a laugh. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He continued to watch her, his look intense. “Kelly—?”
“Just don’t say anything else, okay? I’m...I’m just grateful. For the offer of the house. That’s all.”
She knew that look on his face. He didn’t buy the gratitude excuse for a second. Unlike him, she was no actress. He would let it go for now, but he wouldn’t drop it completely.
He reached to take Henry from her arms, and then held out his hand to her. Kelly reluctantly accepted his help getting out of the truck. His hand was big and warm, his grip strong and sure around hers. The baby laughed, then began sucking on his forefinger, his feet in a simulated run. They walked to the front of the cabin where Jace unlocked the door.
It was nice. The small kitchen was the same size as the one in her rental. A breakfast bar separated it from the living area, and a high-beamed ceiling gave a spacious feel.
“The bedrooms and bathroom are through there.” Jace nodded in a direction behind her. The entire house was fresh and clean. The bathroom fixtures and kitchen appliances appeared new. It was already furnished with a sofa, stools for the breakfast bar and beds.
Jace dangled a key in front of her.
“It isn’t bait. This is not a trap. It’s yours if you want it. No expectations. No hidden agenda. As you saw, it has its own entrance, its own driveway. You’ll have the only key.” He tilted his head and waited for her decision.
Chewing her bottom lip, she looked back over the spacious room and then returned her gaze to Jace. “Why are you doing this?”
“Does there have to be a reason other than practicality?” He readjusted his stance as though ready for another battle.
“That doesn’t answer my question, does it?”
Her mind said she was about to make another huge mistake. She hated weakness, especially in herself. Being weak caused regrets and all kinds of pain. Why did everything have to be so hard? Why did her world suddenly seem to revolve around this man? It was like being strapped to a merry-go-round as it spun faster and faster out of control until the very breath was sucked from your lungs. By the time you realized you had to get off, you knew doing so was really going to hurt.
“You have to live somewhere, and staying at your house in town right now is not a good option. You don’t want to live in the main house with me. This is a sensible, workable alternative. The rent on your house in town has already been paid through the end of the year—so don’t feel you’re trapped here. And I intend to replace your car—which I refuse to argue about.”
Despite what had just happened between them, Kelly reached out and took the key from his hand. Her heartbeat increased as she turned it over and over in her fingers. She nodded her head in reluctant acceptance. It was only a couple of hundred yards farther away from him than she was now. But she’d take what she could get.
Jace stepped outside, still holding Henry. “This path leads to the back
door of the house. Follow it in the opposite direction and you’ll be at the main barn.”
Together they returned to his truck. He helped her inside, handed her the baby and got behind the wheel.
“You had no right to pay my rent.”
Jace didn’t comment as he started the motor but just pursed his lips, obviously biting back a grin, and shook his head as though he’d expected her to say exactly that. She didn’t like charity and she damn sure didn’t like being a foregone conclusion.
They headed back to the main road, made the short ride around to Jace’s front gate and on to his house in silence. Kelly had to wonder where all this would end. She was increasingly becoming part of his life and it frightened her. Putting up a brave front was hard to do. And getting more difficult every day. A wave of reality washed over her and she swallowed hard. Change was always a scary thing. In her life it had never been for the better.
It’s only temporary, she reminded herself. It isn’t forever.
* * *
On Friday afternoon, three of Jace’s ranch hands moved the boxes she’d packed from her house in town to the cabin on the ranch. Jace stood next to her while they unloaded the truck. He appeared content to hold Henry, even responded to his gibberish. It surprised Kelly how Jace and the baby seemed to have already formed a bond. While it worried her, she had to resign herself to the fact that it was done. If Henry became upset when it was time for them to leave here, she’d have to handle it then as best she could. Mr. Playboy of the Year was definitely becoming a hands-on father. Who would have thought?
“That’s the last of it,” the ranch foreman told Kelly as two lanky cowboys walked out of the cabin. “We put the baby bed together for you. Looks like all that’s left is for you to unpack and settle in.”
“Thanks so much, Sam. Thanks, guys.”