by Jill Lynn
“I’m sure you’re silently calling me a cynic right now, but shouldn’t you rethink this? As your lawyer—”
“You’re not my lawyer. You’re my friend.”
“Okay, then, as your friend—”
Luc laughed. Shook his head. “There’s no one I’d rather have in my corner than you.” He picked up the papers and held them out to Gage. “But I don’t need this info. And you’re just going to have to be okay with that.”
Gage groaned. “Fine. I’ll let it go.”
“Take these.” Luc waved the stack.
“Keep ’em. Maybe something will change in that hardheaded noggin of yours and you’ll come around to the logical side again.”
Luc dropped the incriminating evidence back to his desk with amusement.
The door opened without a warning knock, and Ruby flew into his office. “Daddy!”
He moved around the desk and swept her up. “Hey, Rube-i-cube.” He squeezed her in a hug, the stress of the conversation with Gage quickly taking a hike. “Do you remember Daddy’s friend Mr. Gage?”
Gage stood, greeting Ruby, asking her about her time at the ranch and receiving answers about how much she liked the horses and the people and even her bedroom. Luc’s chest swelled with pride. She was such a sweet girl. Willing to talk to anyone. And the fact that she loved the ranch as much as he did didn’t hurt, either.
“Ruby?” Cate’s voice echoed down the hall, and Luc swallowed a flash of panic. The paperwork.
He sat on the edge of the desk, praying he covered the sheets. “We’re in here.”
Cate entered his office. “Sorry. I started talking to Emma, and Ruby just took off to find you.” The woman was an irresistible bit of sunshine in a bright yellow shirt, navy capris and brown leather sandals.
He strangled the urge to stand up. “What are you girls up to?”
Cate’s head tilted, confusion evident. “We came over to eat. It’s dinnertime.”
“Right.” Luc glanced at the wooden clock on the wall. “Gage was here, and I lost track of time.”
“Okay.” Cate stretched out the ay, implying he wasn’t doing a great job of acting normal. She greeted Gage, and the two of them chatted while he tried to figure out how to get Cate out of his office without her seeing the stack on his desk.
“Gage, you’re welcome to stay for dinner,” Luc offered. “It’s rib night.” And then the square dance would round out the evening. Though thankfully Luc wasn’t in charge of that. No one wanted to see his lack of rhythm on a dance floor.
“How can I say no to that?”
“Good. Glad you’re staying, Gage.” Cate quirked a thin eyebrow in Luc’s direction. “Should we head to the dining room?”
He fought every instinct in his body screaming for him to push off the desk. He already felt awkward being the only one in the room not standing.
“After you.” Luc lightly patted Ruby on the behind, and she grabbed Cate’s hand, pulling her toward the door.
“Come on, Mommy. I’m hungry.” Good girl.
He waited for Gage to follow, then quickly turned, shoving the papers his friend had delivered to the bottom of his to-do pile. Not a permanent fix, but it would get them out of sight for the moment. He’d have to come back later and shred the evidence.
He hurried to catch up with them, thanking the good Lord above Cate hadn’t spied that information. The last thing he needed was to backtrack on all the progress they’d made and how far they’d come in their relationship. He wasn’t sure they’d ever recover from what he’d once considered.
* * *
A small group lingered after devouring Joe’s amazing fall-off-the-bone ribs, now sipping decaf coffee and overindulging in banana pudding cupcakes. Cate had quickly gotten used to the abundance of baked goods that came from Joe’s skilled hands. Good thing she didn’t have much longer to stay at the ranch, or she’d have to take up running or trailing after Mackenzie in order not to pack on extra pounds.
The hum of conversation around the table caused a sense of peace in her. Tonight’s dinner had been easy. Even with Gage and Mackenzie. Were they warming up to her? Gage had been rather distant with her previously, but tonight he’d made more of an effort to engage her in conversation.
Cate couldn’t shake the thought that she was fitting in with this crew. And liking it. Just as she and Ruby were gearing up to move back to Denver—they planned to pack up the car on Sunday—she’d found her footing.
But it was still good news for the future, because while she might not be living here, she would be involved in Luc’s life and he in hers. That was what coparenting was all about.
If only the thought of being separated from Luc didn’t smart like an art critique in college. Those days in school were the worst—her hard work up for everyone to criticize. She’d agonized over her projects for days beforehand and was currently fighting that same sense of dread.
But why? This was what she’d planned for all along. What she wanted. For her and Luc to be able to function as single parents who put their daughter’s needs above their own. Wasn’t it?
Luc’s shoulder nudged hers. “You okay?”
His quiet question was for her ears only. Intimate. Goose bumps spread along her arms. “I’m good.” Perhaps too much so.
But really, she should be the one asking him that question. He’d been jumpy in his office earlier. But at dinner he’d seemed fine.
Strange.
Ruby had finished her cupcake and now scooted around the table behind Luc, throwing her arms around his neck. He latched on, lifting her off the ground and causing a squeal of delight. In a split second he’d pulled her to his lap. She perched on her knees and held his face in her hands to procure his attention.
“Daddy, I want to go to the church thingy tomorrow night. There’s going to be bouncy houses and games and cotton candy.”
Cate vaguely recalled the pastor talking about the kickoff party for Wednesday night church clubs happening tomorrow evening—Saturday. But how had Ruby remembered?
“Sorry.” Emma winced. “My fault. I’m taking my friend’s boys tomorrow night, and we were talking about it.” She motioned between her, Mackenzie and Gage.
Cate waved off Emma’s concern, turning back to Ruby. “Sweets, we’re not going to be here for Wednesday night church in the fall. Remember? We’ll be back at our apartment in Denver by then.”
Ruby’s lower lip protruded. “I know, Mommy, but I want to go anyway. Pastor said everyone could go!” She must have been listening in church last week, too. Ruby picked up on more than Cate gave her credit for.
“I guess I don’t mind. What do you think?” Cate asked Luc. “I can take her if you can’t go.”
“I don’t have anything going on. I’m willing.”
Guests left on Saturday mornings, and Luc usually took the day off after they were gone. At least he had since she and Ruby had been here.
“Yay!” Ruby jumped down from Luc’s lap, spinning in circles of excitement behind them.
A night with just the three of them? It sounded...nice. Too nice. When it made her heart dance a jig with Ruby, Cate slammed the lid on her unacceptable reaction.
Those thoughts needed to remain tucked away, right where they belonged.
Tomorrow night would be a good way to end their time at the ranch and create a bridge to the next chapter in their story. To go back to the life she had with Ruby.
Messing everything up by allowing romantic thoughts about her and Luc to surface wasn’t an option. Not when things were going so well between them.
It was just...ever since she’d confessed her fears to Luc, she’d been drawn to him like a bug to one of those zapper lights. A choice that could ultimately end in its demise. She kept trying to be logical and do what was best for Ruby. But the temptation to lean into Luc, to let herself inc
h in his direction, body and soul, was hard to fight.
A whiff of Luc’s pine/grass/fresh mountain air scent spiraled her way, causing her to inhale slowly. To latch on to the small piece of him, knowing she couldn’t keep him. But if things were different? If she could protect Ruby and have Luc? She’d let her head rest on his strong, capable shoulder. Slide her hand into his under the table like a teen not wanting to get caught.
If there was a different choice, she’d hold on to him and never let go.
* * *
It’s not a date.
Once again Cate reminded herself that being out with Luc and Ruby did not a family make.
Even if she’d created a bit of trouble by wearing a red sundress with black wedges. It was supposed to be casual. Fun and flirty. If Luc’s smoldering eyes when he’d shown up at the cabin door to pick them up were any indication, she’d accomplished that last one with flying colors.
Numerous times on the way into town, he’d glanced across the front seat of the truck and opened his mouth as if to say something, then swallowed and stared straight ahead.
Thankfully Ruby had jabbered from the back seat the whole way into town.
And it wasn’t helping matters that Luc wore a short-sleeved plaid button-down, jeans and square-toed boots. The man cleaned up well. He’d shaved, the faint smell of lotion mingling with his typical scent in the cab of the truck.
They parked in the overflow parking—pretty much a field of run-down grass, weeds and dirt. Carnival-like sounds and the sugary-sweet aroma of cotton candy drifted across the summer night air as they got out.
“Can I have a treat?” Ruby’s pleading caused her and Luc to share an amused look. They hadn’t even taken a step yet.
“Maybe in a little bit,” Cate answered.
“I agree with your mother,” Luc added before Ruby could beg him for a different outcome. “The ground is kind of muddy from the rain. Probably should have dropped you girls off.”
The downpour overnight had been hard and fast, drumming against the cabin roof. Luc snatched up Ruby, holding her on his left side. “I’ll carry you over the bad part.” She’d worn her pink sandals with a white sundress. One Cate would surely have to bleach by the end of the night. But when Ruby had requested to wear a dress so she “looked like Mom,” Cate hadn’t been able to refuse.
“Here.” Luc held out his right hand to her.
What was she supposed to do with it?
“The ground’s uneven. I’ll just steady you until we’re out of the lot.”
She eyed her strappy wedges that peeked out below the midcalf hem of her sundress. “Guess I should have worn more logical shoes.”
Though Cate had been feeling anything but. She and Ruby had enjoyed getting ready. Cate would like to think it was just because they were getting a night out. But one greedy glance at Luc told her otherwise.
“I’m not complaining.” Luc’s quip held a grin and more. A message she wasn’t sure she should read.
She took his hand. What was a girl supposed to do? Raising a fuss about it would only make her feelings more known.
Once they made it across the overflow lot, Luc released her hand and plunked Ruby on the ground. The absence of his touch wove through her, a foreshadowing of the week to come.
Ruby spotted the red-and-blue bounce house and took off in a run. They followed.
She got in line, and within a few minutes she was romping with her new friends from church—two little girls whom she’d hit it off with in Sunday school.
Cate spotted Emma across the churchyard and waved. She walked toward them, holding the hands of two little boys, one a few inches taller than the other.
“Hey, guys. These two are my dates for the evening.” Emma introduced them just as a cry came from inside the bounce house.
Didn’t sound like Ruby, but Cate should probably check.
“I’ll make sure Ruby’s okay.” Luc read her mind and strode across the grass. She stole a glance or three at his retreating back. Was there anything more attractive than Luc being a father? Cate didn’t think so.
She snapped her attention back to Emma before she got caught. “What are your friends up to tonight? You never said.”
“Date night. They were in desperate need and I had nothing going on, so I offered to bring the boys down here.”
“You’re the best. I could have used a friend like you when I first had Ruby.”
“Well, you’ve got me now. Anytime you need anything, even in Denver, let me know.”
“Thanks.” That meant a lot. It was so Emma to do for everyone else and act like nothing made her happier. “Did you at least relax a little today?”
“Yep.” Emma’s peaches-and-cream complexion shone with contentment. “I went out to the hot springs for a bit and read a book. It was a good day.” Her eyebrows wiggled. “By the way, you look beautiful tonight.”
Heat singed Cate’s cheeks. “I’m overdressed, aren’t I?” Especially considering Emma wore black shorts and a T-shirt that said I was country before country was cool in yellow letters over gray. Coupled with charcoal Converse, she had irresistible down to a science. Funny that Emma never talked about dating. Never mentioned any guys she might be interested in. Cate wanted to ask, but the opportunity to probe had never presented itself.
“Not in the least. Your dress is perfect for a night out. And I’m sure my idiot brother hasn’t said a thing about how gorgeous you look.” Emma punctuated the sentence with a huff.
Cate laughed, neither confirming nor denying. Though they had been with Ruby. That might have been awkward if he had said something. Or maybe he hadn’t noticed her at all and she’d only imagined his interest earlier.
Luc came back to them just as the boys lost their patience and began clambering to go in the bouncy house.
“Ruby’s fine. It was one of the other kids.”
“You guys should leave Ruby with me for a bit,” Emma offered. “Go walk around town. I’ll be here anyway. No reason we all have to stay.”
She and Luc most definitely did not need alone time. And Cate loved being near Ruby. Always had. Being with Luc minus the buffer of Ruby did sound like a date.
“I guess we could.” Luc’s questioning gaze landed on Cate. “What do you think?”
“Don’t ask, Lucas Wilder,” Emma called over her shoulder as the boys dragged her toward the wildly moving bounce house filled with screeching children. “If she’s smart, she’ll come up with any reason to avoid you.” She beamed with little-sister victory and sass.
When Ruby slid out to let a new group in, Emma bent to speak with her. Ruby’s head bobbed, and Emma waved at them. Dismissed. Just like that.
A rush of uncomfortableness and a hint of anticipation danced across Cate’s nerves at the idea of time with Luc. Just the two of them.
“Okay, then. Guess we’re not needed here.” A grin that would cause any woman in a one-hundred-mile radius to sigh surfaced on Luc’s handsome mug. “Let’s walk. You okay in those shoes?”
“You okay in those boots?”
He laughed.
The sound of kids giggling and people talking faded to a quiet hum as they hit the Main Street sidewalk. A few of the stores had sale items out on tables or hanging on racks. Others had their doors propped open with welcome signs placed prominently in the windows.
Cate perused a table of clearance kids’ clothing. Not a huge selection, but one pair of snow boots that might fit Ruby over the winter. Still a little out of her price range. She could probably get them for less if she shopped online or in a mom swap group. As they left that storefront, a group of teens strolled by, not noticing them and almost plowing into her. Luc grabbed her hand, nudging her behind him. Protective man.
But once the kids passed and they walked again, he didn’t let go.
She wasn’t sure whether to
be flattered or concerned or try to run. All three sounded like good options. Luc’s fingers loosened. Cate held her breath. But then he simply switched from cupping her hand to threading his fingers through hers. Her stomach dipped and rolled. Being with Luc like this felt like coming home after far too long. But those thoughts shouldn’t be on her radar. She was supposed to be thinking about her daughter and not herself. The opposite of what her parents had done.
Still, she could relax about a little hand-holding, couldn’t she? Even if it was making her mind flood with memories of when she and Luc had been inseparable. Back then he’d always held her hand...if he was driving. Or walking. Breathing.
Oh, man. This was exactly why she should be running from him right now.
At the local fudge shop they stopped for a free sample. The taste of salted caramel lingered on Cate’s tongue as they exited the small store.
“I was thinking—” Luc nudged her shoulder with his “—since we don’t have Ruby with us—and she’s perfectly well taken care of by Emma—that maybe we can just be us. One night off from parenting. From only focusing on Ruby. We can allow ourselves that, can’t we?”
Ever since Ruby was born, Cate hadn’t let her guard down. Not once. Through all of the medical appointments. The diagnosis. The sleepless nights and long days of work. Her mind churned with the mistakes she wanted to avoid making and this precious time with Luc she so badly wanted. Maybe even needed.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Luc’s hand squeezed hers, and Cate opened her mouth to protest, but not even a squeak came out. So much for standing strong. She was already entangled with him, and they hadn’t even been alone for ten minutes. What did that say about her? Maybe it said she was human. And a girl who’d once loved a boy with all of her broken pieces. For a few moments she wanted to not overthink.
Besides, what would be the harm in one night off?
Chapter Thirteen
Luc had set a lot of boundaries for himself regarding Cate, and tonight he’d leaped right over them without a backward glance. Stupid? Probably. But Cate’s hand was currently linked with his, and after he’d touched her, his logical senses had signed off for the night.