by Jill Lynn
The two of them headed for the cabin. “So where’s Luc staying while we’re here?” He hadn’t told Cate any details. “Another cabin? Or with you or Mackenzie?”
“With us.” She jutted her head toward the house Mackenzie had entered. “He’d probably choose another cabin over us. Jerk. But they’re all full.”
“Wow.” Cate wrestled open the screen door, holding it for Emma as she went through and then following herself. “I’m sorry for forcing him on you two. Taking up your space.”
Emma’s easy laugh turned into a snort. “Puh-lease! You brought me a niece. No apologies allowed.”
God, did You know I’d need this girl? This welcome? Cate sent up a prayer of thanks as her mouth curved to match Emma’s. Ruby’s new aunt was good for the soul.
They both put their items down, Cate on the counter to be sorted into cupboards if she could find space, and Emma leaving the clothes with a pile of bags, suitcases, boxes and other items Cate and Ruby had deemed necessary for the next few weeks. They planned to head back to Denver the first Sunday in September since Cate had a meeting that Tuesday with the firm she did freelance for. That way they’d have Monday—Labor Day—at home before jumping back into day care and their normal schedule. She and Ruby would be here just shy of a month.
“The guest-ranch business must be doing really well.” And Luc must really want them here to give up his place for them. Why did he have to be so kind? Cate should be paying penance for her sins. But no matter how many times she reminded herself that wasn’t how God operated, her brain had the hardest time comprehending the concept of grace.
“It is.” Emma stretched one arm over her head, then the other. “Luc does a great job keeping us booked up and running well. Mackenzie, too. We’ve even earned the Top Twenty Guest Ranch Award twice.”
Emma made no mention of her own involvement, but Cate knew from their brief encounter at the ranch that she was phenomenal with kids. Ruby had talked quite a bit about her after their visit. She’d referred to her as “that really nice lady that showed me the horsies.” Emma had made a big impression on Ruby in a short amount of time.
“I think you forgot someone.” Cate pointed an accusing finger as she took a cue from Emma and rolled her neck, muscles complaining about the past few days of hurried packing while taking care of Ruby. “Luc says you really have a gift with kids, and I’ve seen it firsthand with Ruby. She already adores you. You’re very sweet with her.”
Emma’s eyes lit up, a faint rose color dusting her cheeks at the compliment. “How could anyone not instantly fall for Ruby?”
Cate had been afraid to let Luc—and his family—into Ruby’s life for years...but she was starting to thaw. To see the advantages of more people loving her little girl.
“Somebody wants a new place to rest.” Luc came out of Ruby’s room with her in his arms, an unnecessary ride that their daughter had likely instigated. They’d been given very few limitations for Ruby—basically letting the entry site heal—but they planned to have her take it easy for at least a week. Okay, Cate planned to. Just to make sure she was healed and whole.
Dr. Thom had said the surgery went wonderfully, but Cate might need some time to believe it.
“Says she was bored in there. So the couch it is.” Luc deposited Ruby on the sofa, rearranging pillows to make her comfortable. “I’ll grab your orange thingy.”
Her giggle filled the room. “Dad, it’s an Apple. A mini iPad.”
“Are you sure it’s not a banana?”
Another titter from Ruby.
Emma shook her head, one corner of her mouth inching up. “Oy with the dad jokes.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Luc questioned. “What’s a dad joke?”
“Anything lame and not that funny. So basically...you.”
At Emma’s retort, amusement bubbled in Cate from a place long forgotten. It felt good to laugh.
Luc’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t like the two of you in cahoots.” His scowl wobbled, fighting a curve.
Mackenzie reentered the cabin carrying the last thing from Cate’s car—a laundry basket of folded clothes. A cold rush of air accompanied her instead of the August heat. She wasn’t exactly an ice queen. But her protectiveness of Luc could be spotted from miles away.
Cate understood it. She’d probably be the same way in Mackenzie’s boots.
Mackenzie set the basket down and knelt in front of Ruby by the couch, handing her a small wooden box that had been perched on top of the clothes. “This was mine when I was a little girl.” She removed the flat wooden doll and showed Ruby how the little pieces of doll clothes could be moved and changed to create different looks. “Now it’s yours.”
“Really?” Ruby lit up like a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.
“Yep.” A rarely bestowed smile framed Mackenzie’s face. It was like spotting an endangered animal. A beautiful creature that only surfaced at night. Or in search of prey.
In true Ruby fashion, she went in for a hug. At first hesitant, Mackenzie’s arms quickly tightened.
Cate’s heart turned to crème brûlée, the crisp shell giving way to the soft custard beneath. If there was a way to win her respect, it was by seeing Ruby for the sweet, wonderful girl she was. Tough-as-nails Mackenzie had found the key. And the fact that she wasn’t letting her obvious concern over Cate affect her relationship with Ruby meant Cate’s regard for her just shot up another ten notches.
“Anything else you need me to get from the car?” Luc entered Cate’s personal space as he asked, sending off those pesky alarms again. He wore a simple blue Wilder Ranch T-shirt boasting their get out in the wild tagline, jeans and boots. And he managed to make it look photo-shoot worthy. How was that possible? And why did she stay attracted to him like a magnet when she’d told herself numerous times to stop already?
Space. Cate needed a few miles of separation between them right about now. Was it too late to hop back into her car and escape?
“I don’t think so. Pretty sure Mackenzie got the last of it.” She busied herself with a few of Ruby’s snacks, tucking them into surprisingly empty cupboards. Luc must depend on the communal meals for most of his nourishment.
He stayed still, watching her. Luc had a habit of noticing her. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. It was hard to be next to him and not wonder about them. The “them” that had existed before Ruby. Before that last awful fight. But then, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t go anywhere near that kind of thought pattern. Ruby came first, and Cate wasn’t about to let herself fall in and out of a relationship with Ruby’s father. She knew too well from her parents’ example how that ended. Yet another lesson they’d graciously demonstrated.
“Dinner is at six at the lodge.” Mackenzie paused by the door before leaving. “I left my cell number for you, but coverage can be spotty. Emma and I are here if you need anything.” Serious blue-gray eyes met Cate’s—the kind that saw all and dissected before coming to a conclusion—their message clear. Mackenzie might not be ready to forgive Cate for what she’d done to Luc, but Ruby wouldn’t suffer because of it. Cate got the impression she could count on Mackenzie for just about anything regarding Ruby and the woman would come through, superhero muscles not even sporting a scratch.
Comforting thought. If Emma was made of love and wispy cotton candy, Mackenzie was built of steely strength. Both were good to have in her corner.
“Thank you.” Funny how much they’d just communicated without speaking.
“I’m going, too,” Emma piped up. “The afternoon Kids’ Club starts in a few minutes.” She gave Cate a quick hug, like it was a normal, everyday occurrence and didn’t make her breath catch in her throat like it did in Cate’s. The simple gesture warmed Cate in a place that had frozen over years before. Around the time when Luc had walked out of her life. Her heart had shattered when she’d told him to leave a
nd never contact her again—and he’d listened. Now it was like a puzzle on the thrift-store shelf with torn edges and missing pieces.
“Thank you for your help,” she called after the two women. Her voice quickly faded, leaving only the sounds of the show Ruby watched.
Luc stood still as a statue, glancing between her and Ruby.
“Don’t you need to go?”
“Yes. But I can find someone else to cover the shooting range. One of the wranglers can handle it.”
And then what? Luc would stay here with her and Ruby? No, thank you.
Cate jutted her chin in Ruby’s direction. “She’s doing really great, Luc. I’ll just let her watch something while I unpack and get my computer set up. You go do your thing and we’ll see you for dinner.”
That sounded like a date.
“At the lodge,” she added. With lots and lots of other people.
His breath rushed out. “Okay. Call me if you need anything. I’ll have my cell turned way up, but since they don’t always work, I can check in on you girls after—”
“We’re fine.” Cate infused some Mackenzie-like steel into her voice. “That’s only a few hours away. You don’t need to check on us this afternoon.” She placed her hands on his shoulders, turning him toward the door like a little kid’s spin top. Heat met her fingertips through his T-shirt, and she cast her eyes toward the ceiling to avoid concentrating on his shortly cropped hair that begged for her attention. Or touch. “Time to go away now.” She shoved lightly, knowing her strength might not propel him physically, but he should get the picture.
A quiet chuckle shook his back, and Luc raised his hands in defeat. After calling out a goodbye to Ruby, he was gone.
Cate indulged in a supersize inhalation that felt like the first in days, releasing it slowly.
Why did his presence make her feel so...jittery? The illusion of safety and yet hopped up on caffeine at the same time. But Luc was nowhere near safe. In the beginning he might have been, but then she’d fallen too hard and loved him too much. That got a person in trouble.
Cate couldn’t make decisions based on emotion. Ruby needed her to be logical and steer clear of any thoughts revolving around a relationship with Luc.
“Mom, can I have some juice?”
“Sure.” She got out the apple juice and added some to Ruby’s cup, topping it with the lid and straw.
After her parents’ divorce, there’d been a short time—about a year later—when they’d attempted a reconciliation. Not that they’d told her. But Cate had been eleven and not as oblivious as they imagined. She’d sat on the stairs, hearing their laughter. The clinking of wineglasses. Hope had ignited as she’d slunk back up to bed at her mom’s house. Could they really be a family again? It was every kid’s dream. But Cate should have known better, even at that age. A few short weeks later it was heated voices that rose and fell. New arguments. And even more tension and viciousness than when the divorce first happened. It had almost been harder for Cate the second time around. Taking any dream of them reuniting that she’d secretly harbored and running it through the paper shredder of life.
Her parents had taught her exactly what happened when feelings led the way. Logic was, by far, the better choice. When Cate had been nineteen and in love with Luc, she’d had all of the first and none of the second. And just look how that had turned out.
She passed the juice to Ruby, running a hand over her forehead and smoothing her hair back. “I’m not going to do that to you, sweets.”
Ruby looked up. “What, Mommy?”
“Nothing.” Cate managed a shaky smile.
Ruby might not be able to keep her emotional distance from Luc—and she shouldn’t—but Cate could. She could protect herself. They might be living at the ranch for Ruby and Luc’s sake, but that was the only concession Cate planned to make.
* * *
Luc pushed away from his desk. Paperwork. Bills. Bookkeeping. These were his least favorite parts of the job, but they were important. Which was why he forced himself to do them when he’d rather be out leading a trail ride or doing any of the other outdoor activities.
The week since Ruby and Cate had arrived had flown by, and Luc had gotten to spend time with Ruby each day. He popped over to their cabin as much as he could between responsibilities. Ate meals with them every day.
Since he had a few minutes and the numbers in front of him had started swimming, he’d head up to see her now. He wanted to take advantage of Ruby’s presence at the ranch. Couldn’t help feeling like the time would be over with the snap of his fingers.
His phone beeped with a text as he walked the gravel path that snaked through thirsty grass. His mom.
Praying for you today, hon. Be who God is asking you to be in this situation. He’ll give you peace and wisdom.
Luc had told his parents about Ruby after the test came back positive. They’d been shocked, of course. He understood the sentiment well. In the days since, they’d been trying to wrap their minds around the situation and had also been praying for him, Ruby and Cate. It meant a lot to him that they weren’t completely freaking out. Not that he knew that for sure. His mom was an interesting mix of calm and protective mama bear. She’d likely be full of more and more questions as time progressed. Ones Luc didn’t have answers to. He was flying by the seat of his pants. Or maybe the better way to say it would be, following God blindly.
He knocked quietly on the cabin door in case Ruby was sleeping. Though she hadn’t been napping much at all. Cate said before surgery, she got tired a lot faster. But her energy levels had gone up since the procedure. That had to be a good sign.
No one answered the door. Luc eased it open an inch and called out in a loud whisper. “Cate.” Still nothing. He edged it farther and heard Cate’s voice.
Sounded like she might be on the phone in the bedroom. Luc stepped inside and caught part of her discussion about colors and a vector file—not that he had a clue what that last thing was. Must be work related.
He’d just say hi to Ruby and then be out of here.
She was on the far side of the living room, playing with her colorful ponies under the back window.
“Ruby.” He said her name quietly, hoping he wouldn’t scare her.
In response, Prim gave a snarly meow from the kitchen sink, arching her back. The cat had taken to napping—or perhaps just hiding—in the sink. Almost as if she was waiting for Luc to enter the cabin so she could scare the living daylights out of him.
But that couldn’t be, could it?
Either way, he definitely had not won over the feline’s affections.
Ruby’s head swung in his direction, eyes widening with excitement. She crossed the room in a flat-out run to give him a hug, and he swung her into his arms, not sure he’d ever get used to a greeting like that. By far the best part of his day.
“How’s my girl?”
“I want to go play with the horsies, but Mommy said I have to stay here while she does her meeting.” Her mouth formed a pout. A cute one. Ruby wore jean shorts and a purple T-shirt, her bare toes sporting bright pink nail polish. “I don’t want to stay in the cabin anymore.”
At first, Cate had wanted Ruby to lie low until the incision site healed. But it definitely had. And despite Cate’s lingering worries, Ruby was over being cooped up.
Luc didn’t blame her. He’d always been far more comfortable outside than in.
He also didn’t blame Cate. She had work to do, and he’d told her they’d be a help not a hindrance. At this point Ruby could be back in day care and Cate would have time to accomplish her projects without interruption. Luc didn’t want Cate frustrated and scrambling out of here before their planned departure date. He’d ask Emma if there was room for Ruby in Kids’ Club. And Luc could keep her with him for a bit of time each day. That way Cate would have the hours she needed for work and not want t
o tear out of here before the month was up.
“I think I have a cure for that. Why don’t you come with me for a little bit?”
Ruby’s head bobbed.
“Or you can go with your aunt Emma and the other kids. I’m sure she’d love to have you.”
The nodding increased. “I want to do that.”
“Which one?”
“Aunt Emma.”
Luc would be more offended that she’d chosen Emma if his sister wasn’t so amazing with kids. He’d pick her, too.
“Get your shoes on and we’ll go.”
He plunked her down, and Ruby disappeared into her room. Luc could still hear Cate on the phone, and he didn’t want to interrupt by text or in person, so he scavenged in the junk drawer for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a note, then tried to figure out where to put it so she’d see it.
The cabin was immaculate. A vase of wildflowers decorated the kitchen countertop, a marshmallow-scented candle burning next to it. And on the fireplace mantel, she’d displayed a number of small, clear glasses he recognized from the cupboard, filling them with branches and other greenery. Things he never would have put together but that now looked like they should go in an art show.
Cate had been here for one week and she’d already managed to make the cabin into more of a home than he ever had. Luc had kept things tidy, but she made him look like a slob. The counters were gleaming. Even the small toaster had been stored.
He opened a cupboard and spied some crackers. He set the box on the edge of the counter closest to the bedroom and propped the note against it. That would have to do. Surely Cate would see something out of place right when she walked out.
Ruby was back at his side in no time at all wearing pink sandals. Luc wasn’t sure that worked for what Emma had on the schedule for today, but it would have to do.
He’d need to get Ruby some boots if she planned to grow up on a ranch. Except...she wasn’t going to, was she? Luc was living in a fairy tale his daughter would watch in one of her movies if he thought that was a possibility.
Cate had agreed to stay at the ranch for a few weeks on a temporary basis. Probably out of guilt. The rest of Ruby’s life would be torn between two places.