Her stomach growled. Now she was hungry and dirty. Turning her wrist, she glanced at the clock. It was well past noon. Rusty had told her Cole expected to be back by now and she’d been doing her chores, waiting to have a bite to eat with him. This morning, she’d been keenly disappointed when she discovered he’d taken off before she’d arrived at the ranch. She shouldn’t be—he had work to do, but her heart wasn’t too good at listening to her brain.
He’d been sweet last night offering to follow her home. Well, offering wasn’t the right word. He’d insisted and she’d agreed because she liked thinking that he cared about her. That he would worry about her if he didn’t see her home. And because it seemed important to him.
That kind of attention can get a girl in trouble.
She smiled, her heart soaring in anticipation of laying eyes on him as he rode up.
But when tires crunched along the road leading to the house, she turned toward the sound. Instead of a sole rider coming into view as she’d hoped, a long black limousine ambled up to the house. Curious, Day quickly put her gear away and walked toward the car.
The driver got out and ceremoniously opened the left-side passenger door. Day strained to see who was in the limo. And soon, out scooted a woman. She wore her thick pale blonde hair down in big barrel curls that streamed down her back and she wore a bright red dress that fell just below her knees. The outfit could’ve easily been something Jillian Lane might have designed for Barely There; it was silky and stylish, showing off just the right amount of skin. A short matching jacket completed the look, and oh, her black leather boots reached her knees. It was evident they weren’t bought at the Boot Bonanza; that was for sure.
“Hello,” Day said to the woman.
She put on her sunglasses and smiled. Not that the sun was bright or even out for that matter. It had dipped behind the clouds half an hour ago.
“Hello.”
“Can I help you?” Day asked.
The woman did a sweep of the Circle R, taking in the house, the barns and outer buildings, the corrals. She seemed to hesitate a moment, her lips pursing as if…well, she didn’t know what. But she seemed taken, all of a sudden.
“I’m here to see Colby Ryan.”
Day gulped and something powerful burned in her belly. It was hunger. Had to be. Because if it wasn’t her appetite calling… No, she wasn’t going there. She didn’t know who this woman was, or what she wanted from Cole and it was apparent she wasn’t from around here.
“Cole’s out right now. He should be back shortly. Would you like to wait for him?”
“I’ve come a long way. Yes, I’ll wait.”
Day’s pulse sped up. The woman had a sense of class and sophistication that Day could only dream about. She was put together beautifully and it killed her to think so.
“I’m Dakota Jennings. I’m…an employee here. Would you like to wait inside?”
The woman glanced at the house. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
A tremor ran through Day’s system. “When Cole returns, who may I say is calling?”
“Just tell him it’s Sarah.”
“Sarah? I’m sorry. Are you a friend of Cole’s?”
The woman took off her glasses to look directly at Day. Her eyes were deep sea blue, her skin tinged pink at the cheeks and her mouth, full-lipped and slathered in flattering shiny red lipstick. On her, it all worked.
“A friend? Well, I guess you could say that. I’m Cole’s wife.”
“Wife?” Day blinked. She had to be kidding, right? Cole wasn’t married. How could he be? Her heart began pumping at breakneck speed and the first time she opened her mouth to speak, nothing came out. She tried again. “I’m…I’m sorry?”
“Ex, to be exact,” she corrected. “Sorry, slip of the tongue.”
I’ll say.
But Day couldn’t quite comprehend any of this. Cole had a wife, ex or not. When on earth had he gotten married? No, this wasn’t true. She was being pranked. “This is some kind of joke, right?”
The woman smiled sadly. “No joke, I’m afraid.”
Darn if she didn’t believe her. The expression on the woman’s face, a touch of sadness mingled with regret, pounded dread in Day’s heart. The woman wasn’t lying.
Day only stared at her.
“Please wait for me here,” Sarah told the driver and the man nodded.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t know Cole had ever been married.” Day was rambling now, trying to make sense of it.
“It’s a long story,” Sarah offered, but said no more.
Day finally got her bearings. “Well, uh, let me show you inside the house.” Day turned and marched up the walk toward the house. It was only once she reached the front steps that she pivoted around. Sarah was way behind, her stride inhibited by a limp on her right side. The way she lifted one foot and dragged the other couldn’t be missed by a keen eye. Day hid her surprise, a result of the good manners her mother had drilled into her and smiled at the woman. “Right this way,” she said, her voice as casual as she could make it after learning that this woman had once been married to Cole.
Questions burned into her head, but again her good manners prevented any more probing. She was sick to her stomach, her heart aching and her mind spinning. Of all the things she might’ve suspected about Cole and his reasons for holding back from her and staying on that ledge, having once been secretly married wasn’t even on her scope of possibilities.
How much had Cole hidden from her? How many lies had he told her? How could Cole do this to her?
They entered the house and Day led her to the parlor, where just yesterday they’d thrown Maddie a baby shower. The room, clean now with no leftover remnants of the party, looked barren but for the few pieces of furniture they’d decided to keep in the room. Funny thing, Day had pictured herself revamping this room with Cole, painting, adding new pieces that the two of them would pick out together. But that dream was fading fast in the light of day, because now she didn’t know where she stood with Cole. Her belief system was crushed, destroyed by one big whopping secret that Cole had kept from her.
“Please have a seat. Would you like a glass of lemonade or water?”
“Water would be nice,” she said, taking a seat.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” As Day made her way to the kitchen, she caught her reflection in the wall mirror in the foyer and stopped up short. Holy hell. The hair that wasn’t twisted in a braid, was sticking up in four different directions, her clothes were coated in dust and she had a big ole blotch of dirt on her left cheek. She scurried into the kitchen, washed her face, scrubbing it real good with soap, and then smoothed down her hair. She patted at the dust on her clothes the best she could and then stood there a moment by the sink, her limbs trembling.
“Damn it,” she whispered. Her relationship with Cole had been progressing. She’d been so happy lately, but now it was as if the man she loved wasn’t who she thought he was. It was as if everything she’d ever believed in was turned on its head.
She wanted to get out of here. To run away and hide her pain from discerning eyes. The betrayal she experienced ran deep. Cole had lied to her. At best, he hadn’t told her the truth. About anything. He’d kept himself closed off to her all these years.
She was judging him, yes, before giving him a chance to explain, but her heart was telling her that Sarah was the reason Cole had been holding back with her. Her heart saw things clearly. Cole was still in love with this beautiful, impeccably dressed, stunning woman.
And that tore her up inside.
Emma was out doing the week’s shopping so Day was stuck. She had no choice but to return to the parlor and pretend all was right with the world.
She filled a glass with water from a pitcher in the fridge, took a big deep breath and walked out of the kitchen. Right at that moment, Cole strode into the house and spotted her in the foyer. “Hey, what’s with the limo?” he asked her, his voice booming. “Did we finally win the lot
tery?”
His joke fell flat. Day couldn’t lift her lips for all she was worth. “You have a visitor,” she said, handing him the glass of water. “Your ex-wife is here.”
Cole’s eyes widened. Shock stole over his face and then he turned his head toward the parlor just as Sarah was rising from the sofa. His eyes locked on her and immediately his expression softened. “Sarah,” he whispered. The reverence in his voice jolted Day and pain stabbed at her stomach.
Cole shoved the glass of water back into her hands and strode over to the woman. “What are you doing here?” he asked in boyish wonder, reaching for her hands. She took his hands easily, as if they’d never been apart, as if they belonged entwined with Cole’s.
Sarah gushed, her light laughter filling the room. “I’m glad you’re happy to see me. I didn’t know what to expect.”
“Are you kiddin’? Of course I’m happy to see you.”
Day cringed, watching the scene play out. How quickly Cole had forgotten about her. His gaze flowed over Sarah, taking her in, a spark lighting in his eyes that Day had hoped one day to see for her.
It was all so unreal and unfair. Her belly in knots, she couldn’t stand here another moment. She was the outsider to this private little reunion. Quiet as a mouse, Day exited the house.
She was too keyed up to work. Too hollowed out inside to pretend she was okay. She would text Sam or Rusty later with an excuse. She jumped into her humble old car and drove off.
A little voice in her head said to give Cole a chance to explain. Not to give up on him, but those thoughts were overshadowed by the sound of her heart breaking in two.
Chapter Eight
Cole couldn’t believe Sarah Mulrooney was standing in his parlor. It had been twelve long years since he’d seen her. Twelve years since he’d gazed into her pretty blue eyes and now she was here looking as beautiful and healthy as he’d remembered. His heart did a little flip and for just one or two moments he was that young smitten boy who’d loved Sarah to distraction. “You look great,” he said, a little awed.
“So do you, Colby.”
He squeezed his eyes closed briefly.
The last time he’d seen her had been in a hospital two counties over. The grueling memory had changed his life forever. He’d been responsible for ruining her life, her career. She’d been visiting her ailing grandmother in Hope Wells, when they’d first met at Four Corners Park. Cole had fallen instantly in love and at eighteen years old; his hormones had been raging. Everything he’d wanted in life had suddenly been wrapped up in Sarah.
To his amazement, she’d loved him back and because Sarah was heading to the Olympic trials as a top-rated gymnast her mother had strictly prohibited any romantic involvements. Mrs. Mulrooney was a stickler, a woman who focused her entire life on Sarah’s success. The Mulrooneys’ stay in Hope Wells was to be short-lived, but Gemina Brown, Sarah’s grandmother, had lingered and during those extra weeks he’d been granted, Cole had fallen harder for Sarah. The thought of living without her loomed like a monster in his head, until he’d convinced her to run away with him to secretly marry.
And on one glorious summer night they drove two counties over to become man and wife. The quickie wedding was short in time and long on love and afterward Cole had arranged for them to spend their honeymoon in a cottage at an exclusive ranch resort. After a blissful night together, in the morning he and Sarah had saddled up and took off on horseback. Cole was determined to teach Sarah how to ride. She was, after all, the wife of a rancher now. Despite her fear of horses, Sarah was all in, wanting so much to please him.
All was going well too, until a sudden August T-storm crowded the sky and thunder boomed directly overhead. Sarah’s horse was spooked and Cole couldn’t get to her fast enough. The memory of seeing her tossed ten feet through the air was never far from his mind. She’d landed on solid-packed earth and had hit her head hard, but it was her leg twisted awkwardly against a rock, resulting in a dozen fractures to the limb, that really had shattered her dreams.
In the hospital, Sarah had been groggy for days and didn’t really know Cole had been there. Shortly after, she’d been flown back to her home in Chicago for medical treatment that would last years.
When Sarah’s mother insisted they secretly divorce and not reveal to anyone what had happened, Cole had agreed. He’d do anything to help with Sarah’s recovery. But Sarah’s domineering mother had also forbid him to ever see or speak with Sarah again, claiming it would only upset Sarah more. He’d already ruined her life and Mrs. Mulrooney had him convinced that Sarah never wanted to see him again.
Cole had lived with the guilt ever since and for the past twelve years he’d been sending checks to help pay for Sarah’s medical expenses.
“Sit down, please. I think Day’s got water…” He turned around and Day was gone. He blinked. He hadn’t noticed her leave. But then, he’d never expected to walk inside his house and find Sarah here.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not really thirsty,” she said, taking a seat.
Cole sat down on the opposite end of the sofa and stared at her. He had no clue why she was suddenly here, back in Hope Wells. Her grandmother was the only tie she had to Hope Wells and she’d passed away during that fateful time, adding to the list of losses Sarah had suffered twelve years ago.
He sighed.
“The ranch looks great,” she said. “You’ve had some success?”
“Yes, we’re managing. I’m uh, I’m running the ranch fully now and things are good.”
“You used to talk about expanding the ranch. Buying up more property. Wanting to make the Circle R the biggest baddest ranch in all of Texas.”
Cole chuckled and ran a hand down his face. “Yeah, well. I was a dreamer back then. We haven’t expanded much, but it’s a comfortable living. I have a good crew and we’re keeping busy.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Cole drew breath in his lungs. “Sarah, listen. I want you to know, I didn’t abandon you back then. I wanted to come see you. I wanted to speak to you, but your mother hated me, and my family and had me convinced it would only hurt you, if I contacted you. Everything was my fault and I’m so incredibly sorry for the pain you went through. I, uh, have never forgiven myself for being so careless with your life.”
“I know now that my mother was responsible for holding you back,” she said. “Mom was infuriated with both of us, but of course, she couldn’t take it out on me at the time, so she made you feel guilty. You were the scapegoat. She wanted you to think I blamed you. But I never did, Colby. I never did. I loved you. Very much.”
“I loved you too, Sarah. It killed me not to see you after you left the hospital.”
“But maybe my mother was right in that I needed to concentrate on my healing. I had to put all of my effort into learning how to walk again.”
“You’ve healed then?”
“Yes, I have healed. Well, I do have a bit of a limp, but I don’t let it stop me from doing what I love to do.”
“Which is?” Cole was curious. Sarah was older, wiser and prettier than he remembered. She’d been a professional athlete with the skills set to battle incredible odds and he hoped that was the case now too.
“I’ve opened up a franchise of gyms across the mid-west.”
“You have?” His voice elevated and something bright entered his heart.
“I have. It’s been a dream of mine.”
“That’s great. But how did you manage that?”
“Well, while I was recuperating I was also busy getting my business degree online. And once I got my legs back—” she stopped to smile “—I started working with kids interested in gymnastics. I set up a training facility in my mother’s garage and, from there, my vision grew and grew. Now, I’m working with a group of retired gymnasts and we’re extremely happy with our progress. We’re called Gems Gym.”
Cole choked up. “You named it after your grandmother, Gemina?”
“Yes.”
&
nbsp; “I’m…very happy for you, Sarah.”
“You may even be happier, once I give you this.” She opened her purse and pulled out a check. “This is yours, Colby Ryan.” Leaning toward him, she set the check in his hand.
He glanced at it mystified. “One hundred sixty thousand dollars?”
“It’s the amount of money you’ve been sending to my mother over the years.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know about it, until very recently. My mother can be quite deceptive at times. But this money, though appreciated very much, Colby, belongs to you.”
“Are you saying your mother never told you I was sending help for your medical bills?”
“She never told me. I never saw the checks or the letters you sent. I found out by accident just a few months ago. And I went a little ballistic on her. Actually, we’re not speaking at the moment. She had no right to accept this money.”
“I did it for you, Sarah. I was responsible for you. You were my wife. And you lost your livelihood, your health, because of me.”
“How is falling in love and getting married a bad thing? We both went in with our eyes wide open. We knew our families would be furious. We knew what we wanted. There’s no blame to be had. That thunderstorm came up suddenly. You couldn’t have known what would happen to me. And as you can see, my life turned out pretty well.”
“But you never got your chance at the Olympics.”
“I didn’t and it hurt for a few years, but honestly, I love teaching and working with kids. I’m in a great place now. I wanted to give you back your generous offering. I don’t need the money.”
“And you think I do?”
She moved strands of her silky blonde hair behind her ear. “It’s yours to do with what you want.”
“So this is the reason you came out to the ranch? To give me this check?”
Sarah wavered then, and her head tilted to one side. “That was one of the reasons,” she hedged.
Redeeming the Texas Rancher Page 13