A Child for Cade

by Patricia Thayer

  “You’re probably tired. Maybe another time.”

  Brandon’s chin nearly sagged to the floor. Cade couldn’t stand to disappoint him. “You know, I have some time. Maybe we can take a short ride.”

  Abby followed them outside. “Cade, you don’t have to do this. I’ll take him tomorrow.”

  “You know, I haven’t done much riding since I’ve been home. I’ve kind of missed it. If I remember, your daddy had some good-looking horseflesh around here. Wouldn’t mind getting a look at his mount.”

  “You mean Midnight Dancer,” Brandon said. “Nobody has ridden him since Grandpa.”

  They went to the barn. Once inside, they walked down the center aisle, where Cade found several horses. But when they came to big box stall, he knew which horse was inside. The plaque on the door confirmed it—Midnight Dancer.

  “Hi, boy,” Brandon said as he approached the half door of the stall. The coal-black stallion immediately shied away and whinnied, then tossed his head and pranced around the stall. “Isn’t he beautiful?”

  “He sure is,” Cade answered, then looked at Abby. “He’s probably worth a lot. Have you thought about selling him?”

  “I didn’t want to rush into anything.” She glanced at her son. “Dancer is Brandon’s horse.”

  Cade nodded, and decided he would talk with Chance. His brother was the horse expert. They continued down the row and met up with Charlie. The foreman had saddled up two mounts. Cade watched Brandon. The seven-year-old apparently knew about horses, thanks to Tom Moreau. The boy easily climbed on a gentle gray mare, and Cade was given a roan. With a wave to Abby, they started out to the pasture. Not long past the gate, Brandon struck up a conversation.

  “Do you ever miss your dad?”

  Cade didn’t know what to say. He had tried not to think about Jack Randell. The man had caused so much pain in his childhood. “I miss not having a dad, but I didn’t like that he did something bad. But I was lucky to have Hank.”

  Brandon’s small hands clutched the reins. “I don’t miss my dad. I’m glad he and my mom aren’t married anymore. He was mean to her.”

  Cade could hear the catch in the boy’s voice. His grip on the reins tightened. “Did your dad ever hurt you?” he asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

  Brandon shook his head. “He tried one time, but Mom stopped him. After that we came to live with Grandpa.”

  “What about now? When you see your dad, how is he?”

  “My dad never wants to see me. He hates me.”

  Abby knew her time was running out. Soon Cade would know about Brandon. Someone would see the resemblance. She’d caught Charlie watching the two together. He already knew because of his wife, Carmen.

  Oh, God! She should have told him years ago. But after she’d married Joel, she didn’t have that option. Now, how was she going to explain nearly eight years of silence? Cade would never understand. He’d never forgive her, either. She didn’t care about that, though. Her only concern was what was best for her son. She had to tell Cade, but when?

  The back door opened, and at the sound of her son’s laughter Abby’s chest tightened. How long had it been since he’d been happy? Tears filled her eyes, and she managed to blink them away by the time Brandon and Cade entered the kitchen.

  “Oh, Mom, it was great.” Brandon hugged her. “Thanks for letting Cade take me.”

  She smiled, trying to mask her uneasiness. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time.” She looked at Cade. He, too, was smiling. “You look like you survived the ride.”

  “I got a few sore spots that will probably hurt more by tomorrow.”

  “Mom, Cade’s a good rider, just like Grandpa.”

  “Well, honey, Cade grew up on a ranch. He even competed in some rodeos.”

  Brandon looked up at Cade, his dark eyes wide. “You did? Wow! Can you teach me to ride and rope?”

  Abby and Cade both found themselves laughing.

  “Whoa, son,” Cade said, and Abby’s heart skipped a beat. “I might be able to teach you a little roping for now, but broncos and bulls are out.”

  “But not right now,” Abby said. “Why don’t you go up and have your bath before supper, Brandon.”

  “Okay.” Her son started to walk away, then stopped. “Can Cade eat with us?”

  Abby drew a breath. This was her chance. “Why don’t you ask him?”

  “Please stay, Cade,” Brandon begged. “Carmen made tamales.”

  “Wow, that’s tough to turn down,” Cade said as his gaze met hers. “If you’re sure it’s okay.”

  No, I’m not sure about anything, she cried silently, then swallowed her fear and answered, “It’s fine. Besides, I need to talk to you about something…later.”

  Cade didn’t know what to think about Abby’s quick turnaround. “I guess I can stay.”

  “Yippee!” Brandon cried as he ran from the room. They were able to hear him all the way upstairs.

  “Like I said before, that boy has too much energy.”

  Abby walked out of the kitchen and into the large living room. Cade followed, curious to know what she wanted.

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  “It’s personal. If you don’t mind, I’d rather wait until Brandon goes to bed.”

  He shrugged. “I can wait.”

  “Were you serious about my selling Dancer?” Abby asked as she sat down on the leather sofa.

  Cade took the chair by the fireplace. “I’m sure he’d bring top dollar.”

  “What about using him for stud services?”

  “I’m not an expert,” he said. “I could ask Chance—”

  Suddenly there was a crash upstairs and then a child’s cry. “Oh, God.” Abby took off up the steps, Cade right behind her.

  In the bathroom, a naked Brandon lay facedown on the titled floor.

  “Oh, Brandon, you’re hurt.” Abby knelt down beside him.

  The boy raised his head, tears glistening in his eyes. “I slipped when I got out to get my GI Joe. I bumped my head.”

  “Here, let me check you out,” Cade said, and crouched down on the boy’s other side. He examined the child’s limbs, then his neck to make sure there weren’t any other injuries.

  His gaze wandered over his back and stopped at the sight of the half-moon-shaped birthmark at the base of his spine. Surprisingly it looked very similar to the ones his dad and brother Travis had.

  A strange feeling came over Cade as he looked at Abby. Her worried expression was not just for her son’s condition. The sudden jolt of awareness constricted his breathing. Now he knew why she’d been trying so hard to keep the boy away from him.

  Brandon was his son.

  Chapter Four

  Brandon was his son.

  Cade paced Tom Moreau’s study. He was trying to control his emotions. The shock, anger and then the rush of unbelievable wonder.

  He had a son.

  Another rush of anger. How could Abby have kept Brandon from him all these years? Almost eight years. All this time Joel Garson got to play father. Fury ripped through him, restricting his ability to breathe, when he thought about how close Garson had come to abusing his child.

  His son.

  Cade was bombarded with strange new feelings—pride, protectiveness. A lump swelled in his throat as he thought about the little boy’s dark eyes, the shy smile that revealed a missing tooth. The scattering of freckles along his nose that reminded him so much of Travis. A sudden tightness surrounded his heart. He wanted to run out and shout the news to the world.

  He had a son.

  And by God, he was going to be a part of his life.

  Abby took longer than usual with Brandon, putting ice on his bump. She brought his dinner up on a tray, then sat with him while he ate. Cade hadn’t stayed in the room. He told Brandon he would be back tomorrow. She had no doubt Cade would keep his word.

  Abby remained in the sanctuary of Brandon’s room until he was ready for bed. She assumed Cade was wai
ting for her downstairs. How was she going to explain the reason she’d kept his child from him?

  Forty minutes later she entered the study to find Cade standing at the patio doors. He turned around to face her. If she hadn’t known he hated her before, she knew it now. And she couldn’t blame him.

  “Why?” was all he said.

  She drew a deep breath, trying to calm her trembling. “At the time I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  “What’s right about keeping me from my son? For God’s sake, Abby, I’m not a serial killer.”

  His eyes flashed with such rage she had to look away. “You didn’t want me,” she said.

  “You’re kidding, right?” he asked, his voice incredulous. “I asked you to marry me. I gave you a ring. I wanted you to go with me to Chicago.”

  She remained silent for a heartbeat, then said, “And when I called you a month later to tell you I was…pregnant, you didn’t want to talk to me. And then when you finally came on the line, you told me it was good that we broke up. We were both too young to marry.”

  “Not once did you say you were carrying my child.”

  Abby wished she could make the pain in his eyes go away. “Okay, I was frightened, Cade. And young. Too young to—”

  “To marry a Randell,” he finished. “You didn’t have any trouble walking down the aisle with Garson.”

  “What do you want me to say?” she pleaded. “That I handled it wrong?”

  “You handled it the only way I expected you to. You went for the man with the name and the money.” He glared at her. “Too bad it all backfired on you.”

  Abby ached to tell Cade what really happened, that her daddy made her send him away and pushed her to marry Joel. But she knew Cade was too angry to listen. He probably wouldn’t believe her, anyway.

  “That’s right, it backfired,” she said, knowing from the start her loveless marriage had been a mistake. “And I’ve been paying for my mistakes every day for nearly eight years.”

  “Well, my son isn’t going to pay anymore,” he said, his voice shaky. “We’re not finished here, Abby. I’ll be back. Tomorrow.” He stormed out. Seconds later she heard the front door slam.

  Abby sank onto the sofa as the tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face. She’d done everything all wrong. And Brandon had been the one who paid, and dearly. He’d been cheated of the father he deserved. More tears escaped, but Abby knew they would never cleanse her of what she’d done.

  She’d already lost Cade. Now she could lose her son.

  Abby was up early. Not that she’d gotten any sleep in the ten hours since Cade had left. But this morning she needed her strength. She knew that Cade would be back, demanding the right to see his son. But what rights did a part-time father have? He would go back to Chicago, and Abby would be a single parent again. The one thing she needed to do was protect Brandon, at least until she and Cade worked this out.

  The doorbell rang, and Abby told Carmen that she would get it. She pulled open the door. Cade was dressed in a deep-blue polo shirt, jeans and boots. He held his hat in his hand.

  “We need to talk,” he announced as he stepped inside. He looked around. “Where’s Brandon?”

  “He’s not here.”

  Cade’s dark gaze swept her face. “What do you mean, he’s not here? You knew I was coming by.”

  “And that’s exactly why I sent him to day camp. I don’t want him to overhear us arguing. He’s spent most of his life in the middle of a turbulent relationship.”

  “Who’s fault was that?”

  His remark stung. “Look, if you can’t be reasonable, we can hire a lawyer,” Abby said, praying he wouldn’t push for that.

  He looked almost remorseful. “No. The last thing I want to do is bring in lawyers.”

  “Then stop the nasty remarks and let’s see if we can work this out. We both want the same thing, what’s best for Brandon.”

  Cade nodded, and Abby escorted him into the study and closed the door.

  “I don’t want you to tell Brandon you’re his father, not yet.” She needed to establish that she had control of the situation.

  Cade glared at her. “Like hell. I have rights.”

  “I didn’t say I never want Brandon to know you’re his father. I just don’t want you to blurt it out right away. I need time.”

  “I’ll agree to that if you promise to stay clear of Garson. I’m Brandon’s father. I’ll take care of him financially.”

  Joel had told her long ago that he would not pay for the child. “I only get alimony from Joel.”

  “Does he know that Brandon isn’t his?”

  “Yes, I told him. At first he said it didn’t matter, but when Brandon was born…and when he began to look…more and more like you—” Abby paused “—Joel resented him.”

  “Is that when he started hitting you?”

  She looked away, and Cade cursed.

  Abby fought the flood of painful memories. She looked away, and Cade cursed.

  “I don’t want you anywhere near Garson again.” He came up to her, and his hands gripped her arms. “I’ll take care of you both.”

  Abby started to argue, but suddenly the fight left her and she nodded. “You take care of Brandon, but I don’t want your money.”

  He glanced around. “By the looks of things, you don’t have any choice.”

  Abby had learned one thing through therapy. She had choices. She pulled away from his touch. “I could sell the ranch and move into town,” she said. “Then I won’t need your money.”

  Cade wanted to laugh. For years he’d been envious of the Moreaus’ and Garsons’ money. It was ironic how the tables had turned. No matter how Abby hurt him by keeping his child from him, she was Brandon’s mother. They needed to present a united front. And right now the ranch was in sorry shape. Something needed to be done immediately.

  “Stuff your pride, Abigail. You do need my help. Because the bank is going to take this place away from you.”

  “The ranch is Brandon’s. Dad left it to him. I’m the trustee until he’s twenty-five.”

  “Great.” Cade ran his fingers through his hair. How could he let Garson take away his son’s legacy? “Then you had better hire me, and together we might just come up with a way to save at least part of this place.”

  “I can’t afford to pay you,” Abby said.

  He knew that—he’d seen the books. “Don’t worry, my fee is taken out of the profits, something you don’t have to worry about right now.”

  Anger flared in her eyes. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you. Seeing a Moreau go under.”

  “If that’s what I wanted, I wouldn’t offer to help.” Damn, why did she still get to him?

  She stood there in her snug-fitting jeans. Her slim figure had filled out since she’d had Brandon. His gaze raised to meet hers. Underneath her fierce temper, he caught a glimpse of her vulnerability, and his chest tightened. She was in over her head. For that matter, so was he.

  “Just remember, I’m doing this for Brandon, and only Brandon,” he said.

  “And that’s the only reason I’m allowing you to help.”

  Cade nodded. “I’m going to need your power of attorney.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can deal with the bank. I doubt you want to meet with your ex-husband again.”

  Cade went to the desk and pulled out the ledger he’d worked on the previous day. He sat down in the chair as if he belonged there. Abby couldn’t help but wonder how things would have been different if she had told him about the baby when she called him in Chicago. Would they be married today? She quickly shook away the thought. It was too late. His hatred was enough to last a lifetime. Now she had to help him salvage a relationship with his son. At least until he returned to his life in Chicago.

  “When are you going back to Chicago?”

  Cade didn’t look up from his work. “Not for a while. I’ve taken some leave from my job.” He finally forced her. “
I’m not going away, Abby. And nothing you say will make me leave my son.”

  That afternoon Cade went out to greet Chance, and together they walked to the Moreau barn.

  “Thanks for coming by,” Cade said.

  “You said you needed a favor.”

  “Yeah. It looks like I’ll be staying around awhile longer. I’m going to help Abby with the ranch. Seems she’s in a financial bind.”

  A grin split his brother’s face. “No need to explain any further. I understand.”

  “It’s not what you think,” Cade said. “This has nothing to do with Abby. It has to do with Brandon.” Cade found he was shy about telling Chance. “Brandon…is my son.”

  Chance’s mouth fell open. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he breathed. “When…how…? You just find out?”

  “Yeah. Not that Abby was willing to tell me anything. I found a half-moon birthmark on Brandon’s back. Abby couldn’t deny it.”

  “Damn! She kept it from you all this time.”

  “Yeah, she married Garson after I went to Chicago.” Cade couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. “She said she called me but couldn’t tell me about the baby.”

  Chance slapped him on the back. “Well, congratulations, Dad. How does Brandon feel about this?”

  “We decided to wait a while to tell him.”

  “Probably wise. Any chance you and Abby will get together and be a family?”

  Cade shook his head. “She kept this from me, Chance. I don’t think I can ever trust her.”

  “She must think she had her reasons. You know a lot of marriages have started out with less.” His brother grinned. “All Joy and I had was a contract, no more than a business deal. And look what happened.”

  Cade didn’t believe in miracles. He and Abby were history. “All I’m worried about is being a good father to Brandon.”

  “You and the boy are getting along, aren’t you?”

  Cade shrugged. “I guess, but I’m flying blind. You got any pointers?”

  “Just love him.”

  Cade felt emotions churning inside him. “That’s the easy part. He’s a great kid. And he’s been through so much. He loves the ranch. But if I don’t do something fast, he’s going to lose it.”