Second Chance Rancher

by Patricia Thayer

  Laurel sat down on the rocky edge, but she didn’t have to look around to remember. She’d thought about this spot so many times, replayed that last day Kase had brought her here.

  “It’s been over ten years, and the trees are bigger, but yes, I remember. You used to bring me here when we’d go riding.” And where she’d given herself to the boy she loved and thought loved her, too.

  Kase joined her on the ground. “I wish there were only good times to remember here. It’s hard, since I can only think about the last time we were here.”

  She placed her chin on her raised knees, recalling that day when he told her he didn’t want her any longer. “Gosh, it can’t be ten years ago. Sometimes, it seems like yesterday.” She finally looked at him. “When you came home from college that first time, you seemed different. You seemed to have turned into someone I didn’t know.”

  He looked away. “Yeah, a semester of college and I thought I knew everything. I made new friends, was pledging a fraternity. I thought I was too cool to be from Hidden Springs.”

  He turned back to her, his expression serious. “I did so many things wrong, Laurel. I’ll regret until my dying day how much I hurt you.”

  She hated that their breakup still hurt her. “We were both so young, Kase. And a long-distance relationship wouldn’t have worked anyway.” She looked out to the water again. “It was for the best. You’re forgiven for being a teenage boy.”

  “It still wasn’t right, Laurel.” He sighed. “I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to call you, just to talk.”

  She blinked at the tears, working hard to keep them from falling. The last thing she wanted was for Kase to see the pain he’d caused her. And that it still bothered her. She put on a smile and looked at him. “You should have. I would have liked to know how you were doing. It’s funny because our parents weren’t exactly friends back then, or I would have asked Gus about you. I’m glad they got everything resolved with the land dispute. Now they’re good neighbors. And you and Addy are our neighbors, too.”

  He leaned in closer and she inhaled his familiar scent. “How can you be so generous?”

  “What do you want me to do, Kase? Yell at you, tell you that you broke my heart? Of course you did, you were my first boyfriend, my first love. I gave myself to you right here.” Oh, God. She looked down at the soft grass, and she flashed back to how his kisses had her crazy, causing a fire and a desire that she’d never found with any other man.

  He turned toward her. “If it’s any consolation, Laurel, I regret pushing you out of my life. I struggled with so many things all those years, and I found my career was all I could manage well. And when I did begin to have success, I married someone who I thought would help me. Instead, I couldn’t give her what she needed.”

  She raised her head. “Are you saying you married for your career?”

  He shook his head. “At first, I was enamored by Johanna. She was breathtakingly beautiful, we had a physical attraction, but there wasn’t much else, no friendship, no shared interests. Everything about her was superficial. All she cared about was a social life, and getting her parents to love her.”

  He tore at a piece of grass. “When Mom and Dad didn’t give it to her, she wanted my undivided attention. I had to work. Her father, Ben Chappell, insisted I put in a lot of hours for the firm. Bring in clients. Then Johanna thought a baby would keep me close to her.”

  Kase glanced away. “I still let work keep me from home. Because Addy was so young, I didn’t think she would miss me. I thought Johanna and Addy needed the money and nice things more than me. It took a tragedy to make me realize I was wrong.”

  “Oh, Kase, I’m so sorry. But you are with Addy now, and she adores you.”

  “I don’t ever want her to feel unloved again. That’s why I’ll do anything to keep her safe and secure, keep her from living in a sterile environment with her grandparents.”

  She finally smiled. “You might have made mistakes in life, but you’re a good dad, Kase. No one can take Addy from you.”

  He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “That means a lot to me, Laurel. You still mean a lot to me. That’s the one thing that hasn’t changed over the years.” He leaned forward, and Laurel panicked but couldn’t seem to pull away. When he brushed his lips over hers, she sucked in a long breath.

  “Kase, this isn’t a good idea.”

  “I disagree. It’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time.” His mouth closed over hers.

  Kase had to be crazy, tempting himself with this woman, but even knowing he couldn’t start anything right now didn’t stop him. He pulled her close, trying to ease that gnawing in his gut.

  Laurel felt wonderful in his arms, her breasts pressed against his chest. The feel of her mouth under his was both erotic and sweet at the same time. He loved those soft sounds she made when his tongue slipped past her lips to taste her.

  He groaned this time and tightened his hold. Oh, God, he wanted her. Her arms moved up his chest and circled his neck as she angled her head to deepen the kiss. A kiss he never wanted to end. Finally he tore his mouth away but didn’t release her.

  “Wow. That was just as incredible as I remembered.” His hands continued to move up and down her back, aching to press closer, to feel her body against his. To lay her down on the sweetgrass and make love to her.

  When Romeo whinnied, Laurel pulled out of Kase’s embrace, then stood. “Still, that doesn’t mean it was a good idea. Besides, our lives are far from settled.”

  He looked at her. “So I just pretend I don’t have feelings for you?”

  * * *

  A WEEK LATER in the afternoon at the Bucking Q Ranch, Laurel sat on Ruby Ridge and cantered the mare around the arena and began the reining routine with a figure eight.

  After warming up, she began the first pattern with a fast circle at a near gallop and then with a change of direction began the loping circle. She marveled at the horse’s response to her commands, making her look good.

  Ruby began along the side of the arena, picking up speed into a gallop, then suddenly the horse slid to a stop in the center of the arena and backed up in a straight line.

  “Oh, good girl,” Laurel cheered as the mare performed perfectly. She saw Chet on the fence railing shouting his approval. She waved and continued on. After another twenty minutes she and the horse were ready to call it a day.

  Laurel climbed down and walked the animal to the barn. She paused when she saw Kase leaning against the railing.

  Her heart began to race on seeing him for the first time since their kiss. She’d been avoiding him when she’d dropped off Addy. Even when the little girl would invite her inside, Laurel had made excuses to keep from seeing Kase. She couldn’t let him get close enough to hurt her again. Besides, her goal now was to pay back her parents, and she couldn’t let Kase Rawlins distract her from that.

  Problem was, she’d already fallen in love with Addy and Gus, and hated not seeing them.

  She continued to walk Ruby to the barn and Kase came to her. “How long are you going to avoid me, Laurel?”

  She handed Ruby off to Chet. Once he took the animal into the barn, she said, “I’ve been busy, Kase.”

  “You’re not a very good liar,” he challenged.

  She turned to face him, all six feet one inch of the gorgeous man. “I’m trying to run a business here. Not all of us are independently wealthy.”

  Seeing his hurt look, she wished she could take her words back.

  “Whoever gave you that information better check their facts. I’m not poor yet, but if I have to keep paying my lawyer’s bill, I will be soon.” He took a step closer. “So you don’t have to wonder any longer, my wife was rich, not me. Johanna’s money is in trust for Addy. Not that I would, but I can’t touch it. Sorry I interrupted your training, it won’t happen aga
in.” He took off down the center aisle of the barn.

  “Kase...” She hurried after him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was just angry...”

  “Because I kissed you and you felt something?”

  “No! Yes... I did. But we’re not teenagers anymore.”

  “No, we’re adults. You’re not married and I’m not married. What’s so wrong if I kiss you?”

  She could get hurt. “What about your custody issues with Addy?”

  He ran his hand through his sandy-colored hair. “That’s all I’ve been thinking about, and Dad, of course.”

  He didn’t act anything like the self-assured man she’d seen the past few weeks. “What happened?”

  He looked at her. “Why do you think something happened?”

  “For a lawyer, your mannerisms give a lot away.” She tried to make light of the situation.

  “I’m not in the courtroom. I thought I was talking to a friend.”

  “You are. What happened? Is it Gus?”

  He shook his head. “I have a custody hearing in two days.”

  “Whoa, that was fast.”

  He nodded. “I think Ben is pulling some strings to get this in front of a judge. I don’t want to take Addy back to Denver, and with Dad still unable to get around, I need to ask...”

  “You want me to stay with them while you’re gone?”

  “I don’t have anyone else to ask. If I hire a professional babysitter, both Dad and Addy would throw a fit.”

  “They would throw more than that.”

  She caught his smile, and her heart raced.

  “Seriously, Kase, I can stay with them while you’re gone. How long?”

  “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t for Addy. Dad would probably be okay by himself, but if something happened, like if he fell...”

  Laurel reached out and touched his arm. “It’s only a few days, Kase. The most important thing is you handle this case for your daughter.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about it. I don’t know why Ben and Judith want Addy anyway. They never spent any time with her. Why now?”

  She hated seeing him so worried. “I’m sorry, Kase, that you have to go through this. Worse, I hate that Addy has to go through it. When do you want me to move in?”

  “Tomorrow night. I’ll leave at dawn the next morning. Dad’s room is vacant, since he’s been sleeping downstairs during his recovery.”

  She’d be in the same house with him. “Of course.” She glanced away. “I’ll get Chet to take over my training for a few days. I still have to work two mornings this week, but since Addy will be in school... Will Gus be okay by himself while I’m at the office?”

  “Yes, he has therapy, and he’ll get around all right by himself. I just don’t want him responsible for a four-year-old.”

  “I’ll have Mom stop by while I’m at work, or maybe Dad.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not necessary, Laurel.”

  “Are you kidding? Mom will probably drop by with a pile of food. I won’t have to cook.”

  He laughed. “I’ll leave money so you can bring home food from town. That way you don’t have to cook.”

  “So you think I can’t cook?”

  “I couldn’t care less if you can or not. I just don’t want any extra work for you.”

  She smiled. “That’s nice of you, but I’m Diane Quinn’s daughter. I was cooking before I went to school.”

  “I figured you could.” His gray gaze locked on hers and his hand reached out and touched her cheek. She knew she needed to back away, but the pull of the man was too strong. That she ached for his touch made her angry. She was in big trouble, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

  Chapter Eight

  The next evening, Kase sat at the kitchen table across from Gus and Laurel, eating Addy’s favorite meal, spaghetti. All the while his daughter chatted away about her day at school, excited that Laurel was spending the night.

  He was excited, too, but for a whole different reason.

  “Child, slow down,” Gus said. “Let Laurel eat her supper. You have two days to share all your news.”

  “It’s okay,” Laurel told him. “I’m glad Addy likes her new school and that she’s making friends.”

  The child nodded, causing her blond curls to bounce. “I do. Lots and lots, but you’re still my bestest friend.”

  Laurel stroked the child’s hair. “That’s so sweet, Addy. Thank you.”

  Kase was touched at Laurel’s open affection. Although he was happy his daughter had female attention, what would happen when Laurel wasn’t around all the time? Would his daughter be devastated again?

  And how would he feel if Laurel found another man?

  A man who didn’t come with baggage, or a man who wasn’t fighting a custody battle that would put any potential woman in his life under intense scrutiny. The right thing to do would be to keep her out of his mess. Yet he couldn’t dismiss his growing feelings for her.

  He watched the pretty blonde whom he’d loved once, then hurt when he pushed her aside.

  She looked across the table, and her smile faded away. “Is something the matter?”

  Where do I begin? He shook his head. “I just want some more sauce.”

  Kase scooted his chair back, went to the stove and stirred the spaghetti sauce, then poured more on his plate. He turned to see Laurel bending over toward Addy. Her hair was tied back, but some curls had escaped the band. There wasn’t any makeup on her face, revealing a dusting of freckles across her nose. Her lips were naturally pink and full. The memory of their kiss had him wanting to taste her again.

  “Son, you okay?”

  He glanced at his dad’s odd look.

  “I’m fine.” He made his way back to his chair and began to eat.

  Laurel took a drink of her iced tea, then asked, “What time are you leaving in the morning?”

  “Five a.m. I’m driving, so I want to make sure I have plenty of time.”

  He glanced at Addy, grateful she was happy twirling spaghetti on her fork. “Are you going to be gone a long, long time?” his daughter asked.

  “No, sweetie. Only a couple days for business.”

  “But I thought Papa Gus’s horsies were your new business.”

  “They are, but I have to go back to Denver and see about selling our old house.” It was a complete fib. If he had time, he would check in with the Realtor.

  “’Kay.” She shook her head. “I don’t like that house.”

  Her statement caught him off guard. “Why?”

  “It was scary there.”

  “Scary how?” he asked.

  “I got locked in the closet when I was playing dollies. I cried and cried...but Mommy didn’t come find me for a really long time.” She shook her head. “I didn’t play in there anymore.”

  Kase clenched his fists against his jeans. Surely Johanna hadn’t locked their daughter inside? He looked at Addy and saw a tear run down her cheek. He stood, went around the table and pulled his daughter out of her chair.

  “Oh, Addy, don’t cry.” He cuddled the tiny child in his arms. “You’re never going to get locked in a closet again. I promise. In fact, when I get home, I’m taking all the locks off the doors.”

  Addy raised her head and wiped her tears. “Really?”

  He felt the sting of his own tears. “For you, I’d do anything. I love you, sweetie.”

  “I love you, too, Daddy. I miss you when you go away.”

  Guilt washed over him as he recalled all the times he spent away from her. “I’ll be back soon and I’ll call you before you go to bed tomorrow night.”

  She rewarded him with a big smile. This thirty-seven-pound child had stolen his
heart. He was grateful she was giving him a second chance to be her father.

  “Daddy, could we watch a movie tonight?”

  He glanced at the clock to see it was nearly seven. “It’s getting late and you need a bath.”

  “I can give her a bath,” Laurel suggested as she stood up from the table.

  Addy grinned. “With bubbles?”

  “If you don’t make a mess and hurry up,” Kase said as Addy darted around the table. “Papa and I will do the dishes.”

  Laurel took the child’s hand. “I bet we’re finished with our bath before you finish the dishes,” she challenged.

  “Yeah,” Addy said.

  Kase couldn’t help but smile at his two girls. “It’s a bet.”

  He watched the happy twosome hurry out of the kitchen, then he sat back down at the maple table with his father.

  Gus shook his head. “Those two are really something.”

  There was no doubt Gus liked that Laurel was around so much. “Yeah. I don’t want to disappoint either one of them again.”

  His father studied him. “You won’t, son. Just don’t walk away from what you really want.”

  * * *

  WITH THE DISHES FINISHED, Gus settled in front of the television and Kase went upstairs to see what was taking the girls so long. Once he got to the bathroom door, he heard the giggling and splashing.

  He smiled, loving his daughter’s joyful sounds. He opened the door a crack and peaked inside. He froze when he saw Addy’s reflection in the mirror. She was barely visible in the pile of bubbles, and she wasn’t alone, either. On the other end of the claw-foot tub, also buried in suds, was Laurel.

  Her blond curls were piled on her head, exposing her long neck and shoulders, and the top of her breasts. He swallowed the sudden dryness in his throat as a need stirred in his gut. Dear God, she was beautiful.

  Laurel couldn’t help but smile at the antics of this child. She loved her honest approach to everything, and her innocence. Although she hadn’t planned to take a shared bath with the four-year-old, Addy convinced her it would be fun.

  “Will my chest get big like yours?” The child looked down at her own flat chest.