A Child for Cade

by Patricia Thayer

  He touched her face. “I said we’re going to find him. We’re not going to let anything happen to him.”

  “Hey, you two,” Charlie interrupted, leading another horse out for Cade. “This weather is going to get worse before it gets better.” A crash of thunder punctuated his words.

  A short time later, protected by rain ponchos, the three rode through the pasture, combing every section for Brandon. The approaching storm was going to bring heavy rain, which could mean trouble for the search. Cade tried to think of all the places he’d taken Brandon, places a kid could hide. But so far, no sign of the boy. An hour had passed, and the rain intensified to a downpour. Chance met up with them just over the rise, but he had nothing to report. He told them he hadn’t seen anything as he came from his ranch. Hank arrived a minute later. Even when the group split up, they didn’t see any sign of Brandon. And the heavy rain had washed out any signs of a trail.

  Cade looked at Abby, and his heart sank into his gut. He wanted desperately to relieve the fear he saw in her eyes. The fear he felt himself but didn’t show. He had to find their son.

  “Abby, you’re shaking,” he said, knowing the temperature had dropped fifteen degrees. “You should go back to the house and wait. Hank and I will continue the search.”

  “No. I’m staying until we find Brandon.”

  “Maybe we should call in the sheriff,” Hank suggested.

  “It would take another hour before they got here,” Cade said. “I’d rather call in more of the neighbors. They’d get here faster.”

  Hank pulled out his cell phone and punched in some numbers. While he was talking, an idea came to Cade. “I think I know where Brandon might have gone. Mustang Valley.”

  The rain made the ride slow going, but when Cade, Abby and Hank crested the hill and looked down into the valley, they found the gray mare under a tree. Filled with hope, they rode to the creek, all three hollering for Brandon.

  Then Cade heard a faint cry. He jumped off his horse and hurried around the shrubs toward a group of trees. He found a shivering Brandon huddled under a low branch, trying to stay dry. “I found him,” he yelled to the others, then rushed to the boy’s side. When he picked him up, the soaked child clung to his neck and began to cry.

  “Cade,” he said, “I was so scared.”

  “It’s okay, Brandon.” Cade hugged him close. “I’m here, and I’m not leaving you.”

  Abby rushed over to her son. Hank jumped off his mount, too, and slipped a rain poncho over the boy’s head and pulled the hood up.

  “We need to get the boy out of this weather,” Hank said. “There’s a lineman shack about half a mile from here. If I remember, Tom kept it in good shape.”

  Cade agreed they should head there and he carried Brandon to his horse. Ten minutes later they arrived at the one-room structure. Tying up the horses under the covered porch and out of the rain, Hank pushed open the door and ushered everyone inside.

  He glanced around the sparsely furnished room until he saw what he wanted. “Good, there’s dry wood.” The older man pulled off his rain-slicked poncho and went to the fireplace. Within minutes he had a fire going. Within moments the room began to warm.

  Brandon’s teeth chattered. “I’m s-so c-cold.”

  “I know, son.” Cade had pulled off his poncho and now did the same for Brandon. Then he began to strip off the boy’s wet clothes. Once he was down to his underwear, Cade put him in front of the fire.

  Abby dried his hair with a blanket from a shelf of meager supplies. She looked at Cade and mouthed the words, thank you. He nodded, but wanted more from her than gratitude. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how he felt about her and Brandon. But she didn’t want him, so instead, with his emotions raw, he turned and walked out the door to the porch.

  Hank was taking care of the horses. “I called home and let them know where we are,” he said. “Chance is gonna bring the truck when the rain lets up.”

  “Thanks.” Cade began to tremble, and he couldn’t seem to stop. “I thought we’d lost him.” Tears filled his eyes. “I didn’t think we were going to find him…safe.”

  Hank crossed to Cade and pulled him into a strong embrace. “He’s fine now, son. Everything is fine. You’ve got to find out why he ran away. Something like that doesn’t happen without a reason.”

  Cade pulled away. “I think he overheard Abby and I arguing.”

  “Then if that’s true, you need to straighten things out.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” He looked at Hank pleadingly. “I would have been there if I’d known about my son. I would have married his mother. I loved her.”

  “Tell him that,” Hank suggested. “And don’t leave out that Abby loved you, too.”

  Cade stared out at the rain sheeting off the edge of the porch. “How can you say that?”

  “Because it’s true.” Hank raised an eyebrow. “Over the years, did you ever ask yourself why Abby changed her mind about you so quickly?”

  Cade hated thinking about that time. “I just figured she let her daddy talk her out of it.”

  He nodded. “That part is true. But there was more. A few years ago I learned what Tom Moreau did that day. It seems that when Abby told her daddy that she was in love and was engaged to marry you, he had a fit and ordered her to break it off. Abby refused. Then Tom pulled out his big guns. He told his daughter about some robberies on the ranch and that two of his men saw you in the area.” Hank studied Cade for a long moment. “Tom told her that these men would testify against you in court if she didn’t break it off with you.”

  Cade was having trouble believing the story. But he wouldn’t put anything past Tom Moreau. “I never stole anything from him.”

  “I know that, and Abby knew it, too,” Hank continued. “But she thought she needed to keep you safe, so she had to let you go.” Hank cleared his throat. “She did it because she loved you, Cade.”

  He felt as if he’d been punched in the chest. He couldn’t breathe, remembering the phone call. “Oh, God.” He wiped a hand over his face. “I never gave her the chance to tell me she was pregnant.”

  “You both made mistakes,” Hank added. “You were young. I think it’s time you both forgave each other.” He nodded to the cabin. “You have a child who needs you.”

  Inside the cabin, Abby hugged Brandon to her and pulled the blanket tighter. His trembling had finally stopped, and he was asleep now. She was tired, too, but she wasn’t going to leave her son.

  The door opened and Cade came in. She drew a breath at the sight of him. He was so handsome and she loved him, even more after watching how he’d handled things today. He crossed to her and sat down.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, and looked at his sleeping son. “I’m sorry I caused so much trouble.”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry, Cade. I should never have kept your son from you. I was just so scared he would hate me.” She stopped and blinked, praying she wouldn’t cry. “He needs you, Cade. You’ve been so good with him.”

  “Brandon could never hate you, Abby.” Cade’s hand touched her arm, and she felt his warmth. “My son is lucky to have you for his mother. You were just protecting him. Just like you’ve protected all the people you love. Can you forgive me for being a first-class jerk?”

  “We both were acting crazy,” she admitted, cuddling her son against her body. “I was so afraid all you wanted was to get even with me for keeping you from Brandon.”

  Cade stroked his son’s head and accidentally touched her breast. His eyes shot to hers, and she saw desire flame in the dark depths. “We need to talk about some things, Abby.” Brandon stirred in her arms. “Later.”

  Brandon opened his eyes and looked at Cade. “Are you mad at me?”

  “Not at this moment.” Cade smiled “I’m too happy you’re safe. But you have a lot of explaining to do, son. Like why you went riding by yourself.”

  The boy’s eyes traveled from Cade to Abby. “�
�Cause you and Mom were fighting…about me. I didn’t want to make any more trouble.” Tears formed in his eyes. “I remember when my dad used to fight with Mom about me. He didn’t like me.”

  “I’m not like Joel.”

  The boy nodded. “I know. You never get mad and yell. But I still got scared. I remembered you said that you used to go to Mustang Valley when you needed to think about things. You said you always felt better being there. You didn’t feel like a misfit. I needed to think about things, too. I was okay, but when it started to rain… I tried to wait until it stopped, but it didn’t.” The boy’s eyes met his. “I was hoping you’d come after me. Are you really my dad, like you said back at the house?”

  Cade’s heart swelled with love. “Yes, I’m your dad,” he said.

  Brandon’s eyes widened. “Oh, boy. I used to pretend you were. Do you love me?”

  “Oh, yes, I love you. I love you very much.”

  Brandon nearly jumped in his arms and hugged him. “I love you, too…Dad.”

  Cade hung on tight. Nothing had ever felt this good. He looked at Abby. Only one thing would make it perfect.

  The boy pulled back. “Does that mean my name is Brandon Randell?”

  “Would you like that?”

  “I’d like that a lot.” He wrinkled his nose. “But what about my mom? Will she be a Randell, too?”

  Chapter Eleven

  Cade wanted to tell his son the truth. That with all his heart he wished Abby would take his name so they could be a family. But before he could get the words out, the sound of Chance’s truck horn distracted everyone.

  “Looks like our ride is here,” Hank announced as he peered in the doorway.

  “I don’t have any clothes on,” Brandon said, grabbing his blanket.

  “That’s the reason we have to get you home,” Cade said as he swung his son up in his arms. “You’ll be wrapped up, so no one will see your bare bottom.”

  Brandon laughed as Chance walked in, wiping the rain from his coat. His gaze shot to Brandon and he grinned. “Hey, isn’t it a little wet for a ride?”

  The boy smiled shyly. “I didn’t know it was going to rain.”

  “Yeah, who would have thought in the middle of a drought we’d get a gully-washer.” Chance turned serious. “Hey, kid, you had a lot of people worried.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay, you had a lot on your mind,” he said, patting the boy’s arm. “Sometimes a man’s got to get away and think things out.”

  Brandon studied Chance. “Are you my uncle?”

  Cade’s older brother paused, then nodded. “Yeah, I’m your uncle.”

  “Cool,” the boy said. “I never had an uncle before.”

  “Well, I never had a nephew, either,” Chance countered. “Now I think we better get you home. We’ll have a family get-together soon.”

  Cade started out the door with his son. “Chance, if you’ll take Abby and Brandon back to the house, I’ll stay and bring back the horses.”

  “I can stay with Hank,” Chance offered. “You drive your family back.”

  Cade liked the sound of that. “You sure?” he asked.

  Chance nodded and leaned closer. “Take it from someone who knows—they both need you now.”

  Cade’s hold on his son tightened. “Okay, I owe you.”

  “Believe me, I’m going to collect,” Chance said. “Now go.” He shoved them toward the door. “Abby, we’ll make sure the horses get back.”

  “Thanks, Chance,” she said.

  They walked out to the porch. The rain had slowed considerably. Fragments of blue sky showed that the storm was moving on. “Thanks, brother,” Cade said. “And, Hank…” He couldn’t think of words to express his gratitude.

  “Anytime, son. I couldn’t lose my grandson.”

  “Wow.” Brandon’s eyes lit up. “I got a grandfather, too!”

  “Just calm down,” Abby said. “You’re going to have to be punished, so it’ll be a while before you see any relatives.”

  “You’re going to punish me?”

  Abby smiled. “No. I’m going to let your dad do that.”

  Cade groaned. “Great. Guess it’s my turn to be the bad guy.”

  “Get used to it,” she said. “It’s all part of the job.”

  Cade leaned toward her. “I’m still going to love being a daddy.” Before she could say anything else, he hustled Brandon into the truck and fastened him inside before Abby arrived. Cade took the same care with her and saw that she was safely in her seat. Then with a wave, he jumped in, started the engine and headed home with his precious cargo.

  Fifteen minutes later they were back at the ranch, where Charlie and Carmen were waiting with open arms. By the time Brandon had a bath and was tucked in bed, Cade could see he was pretty sick of all the attention.

  “Hey, don’t knock it,” Cade told him. “Someday you’ll love having a woman give you so much attention.”

  “Mom and Carmen treat me like a baby.”

  “Well, I wish I’d had a mother like yours. Mine died when I was about your age.”

  “Oh. Who took care of you?”

  “My brothers and I went to live on the Circle B. Ella was like a mother to me. She was great.”

  “Then will she be like my grandmother?”

  Cade couldn’t help but grin, knowing the matronly housekeeper’s love for kids. “She would like that. Boy, you are going to get spoiled.”

  Brandon looked pleased at himself, then slowly his expression changed. “Are you going to marry my mom?”

  Cade had wondered how long it would take before that question came up, but he was still caught off guard. He sat down on the bed and leaned back against the headboard, then pulled his son to him. “That’s a tough question, son. So much has happened between your mom and me. So many years. There are things you won’t understand until you’re older…”

  “I’m older now,” he insisted. “I know my grandpa didn’t like you. Is he the reason you didn’t marry my mom?”

  Cade didn’t want Brandon to have any hard feelings toward his grandfather. “That’s one of the reasons, but he thought he was doing what was best for your mom,” he said truthfully, watching his son yawn. “Now, I think you might need some sleep.”

  “I’m not tired,” Brandon said as his eyelids drifted shut. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “I’m here, son.” Cade brushed the boy’s hair from his forehead, determined to somehow straighten things out with Abby. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Abby carried the food tray back downstairs, after overhearing the father and son’s conversation. With Cade promising Brandon that he wasn’t going anywhere, she decided to let them have some time and privacy.

  Feeling a little jealous of their closeness, she headed back to the kitchen and dropped off the tray. She found Ella and Joy seated at the table.

  “They didn’t want anything to eat?” Ella asked.

  Abby shook her head. “Brandon’s nearly asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb them.”

  “You’re Brandon’s mother—you can disturb them all you want,” Ella said, and pushed a bag across the table. “Here, I brought some clean clothes for Cade. Will you see that he gets them?”

  Abby nodded, but knew she couldn’t face Cade now. Not after everything that had happened. They’d come so close to losing Brandon. And it was her fault. She should have let Cade tell Brandon he was his father long ago.

  Joy came around the table to Abby. “What’s the matter?”

  Abby sighed. “Nothing. Just some leftover emotions from the day’s events. I’ll be fine.”

  She walked out of the kitchen, hoping no one would follow her. Before she made it upstairs to her room, there was a knock on the front door. Abby went to answer it. On the porch she found an express-mail-service driver.

  “Good afternoon, ma’am. Sorry for the delay. The storm left us behind schedule.” He handed her a large envelope. “Would you sign here, plea
se?”

  Abby wrote out her signature on the clipboard, then handed it back to the driver. She shut the door and walked into the study as she examined the envelope. The return name was that of a local bank. She ripped off the tape and pulled out a manila folder. Inside she found a sheaf of papers. She scanned the first page, then the next, until she realized that what she was reading was the second deed to the ranch. The name on the deed was Brandon Garson Randell. Cade had transferred it from his own name to his son’s. Abby’s breath caught, then stopped completely. Her name was there as trustee of the account.

  She sank onto the sofa. Cade had been telling her the truth. All this time he was doing what he said he was doing—helping.

  She glanced down at the folder and found a note attached:

  Abby, I hope this will clear up any misunderstandings. My only intention was to help. Everything I did was for our son. I should have told you. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?

  Cade

  Tears formed in her eyes as she crushed the letter to her chest. “Can you forgive me?” she said, remembering all the things she’d accused him of.

  She had to set things straight. She had to let Cade know she’d been wrong. She went upstairs and opened the door to her son’s bedroom. She saw father and son both sound asleep on the bed.

  With her heart in her throat, she walked to the side of the bed, her gaze hungry for the two most important people in her life. She watched the slow even rise and fall of Cade’s chest. One large protective arm was around his son. A tear slid down her cheek. Brandon should have had this all his life. Her back stiffened as she brushed the moisture from her face. Somehow she was going to make sure that Brandon knew his father.

  Abby leaned down and kissed her son’s forehead. She ached to touch Cade, but was afraid. What right did she have? “Oh, Cade, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, then turned and walked out.

  Not wanting to talk to anyone, Abby went to her room and showered away the grime of the day. She wasn’t interested in any dinner, and deciding to let Cade handle Brandon’s needs, she went to bed.