“You look pretty, too,” Addy said.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
Laurel had chosen a pair of black slacks and a cream-colored silk blouse. Looking around at the five-star hotel’s clientele, and even though there were plenty of cowboy types, she was glad she’d ditched her usual jeans.
She glanced at Kase. He had on dark slacks and a dress shirt and loafers. This was Kase’s world, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she would fit in. She put on a smile as he approached them and Addy ran into his arms. She wanted to follow the child. She wanted to pretend they were a family.
“It’s beautiful.”
Addy smiled. “It’s so pretty, Daddy. Maybe a princess lives here.”
He winked at her. “You and Laurel are the only princesses here now.”
He leaned toward Laurel’s ear. “I chose this place hoping you’d like it.”
“Thank you,” she told him, just as a handsome man in his midthirties wearing a slate-gray business suit walked up to them.
“Mr. Rawlins, it’s good to have you back with us.”
“Thank you, Kyle. It’s nice to be back. This is my daughter, Addy, and my friend Laurel Quinn. Laurel and Addy, this is Kyle Hutchins. If there is anything you need, he’ll find it for you.”
“I’ll do my best.” Kyle smiled. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Quinn and Miss Addy, to have you at our hotel.”
The child giggled. And Laurel said, “Thank you, Kyle. Like I was telling Kase, you have a beautiful hotel.”
“I’m glad you like it. We’ve tried to keep its centuries-old charm, along with some modern conveniences.” He turned to Kase. “We have your suite ready, and I also made a lunch reservation for you at the hotel restaurant, or I can have lunch sent up to your suite.”
Addy’s head resting on her daddy’s shoulder signaled to Laurel the child needed a nap. “Daddy, I want some mac and cheese.”
“Sounds good, sweetie.” Kase shifted Addy in his arms. “Maybe upstairs might be best.”
Laurel nodded in agreement and the concierge escorted them to the bank of elevators. Addy had to press the button, and the doors opened with a chime. Kase let Laurel in ahead of him and followed with Addy. Once on the ninth floor, Kyle led them down the hall of the historic hotel, then opened the door to their suite.
Laurel’s heart began to race as she stepped into the large sitting area. The oversize furniture was elegant and comfortable looking. The dark hues of the leather sofa, and the contrast of the light gray walls, showed off the richness of the wood. A row of windows exposed the Denver skyline.
Doubts filled her head once again. She couldn’t help but wonder if coming here was the right thing to do. She was a small-town girl who raised and trained horses. She’d been to the state capital before, but never experienced this side of the city.
Kyle motioned with his left hand. “I’ll put your daughter’s suitcase in the smaller bedroom, and you and Miss Quinn in the bigger room.”
Laurel’s eyes grew wide. Oh, dear Lord, was she ready for this?
Quickly, Kase set him straight. “Miss Quinn and my daughter will be staying together. Give them the bigger room, please.”
Kyle didn’t blink. He walked away and gave instructions to the bellboy.
Soon the task was completed, and there was a knock on the door. Addy’s dish of macaroni and cheese had arrived, along with two club sandwiches and green salads. They sat down and ate an early lunch, then Kase convinced Addy to take a nap before they headed for the aquarium. Although the four-year-old argued, she’d barely finished her food before she crashed on her bed.
* * *
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, Kase saw Laurel quietly tiptoe from the large master bedroom so as not to disturb the child, but the minute she closed the bedroom door she turned and found Kase. He walked up to her and cupped her face. “I’ve been wanting to do this since I picked you up this morning.” He lowered his head and captured her mouth.
Kase shifted his stance and drew Laurel against his body, and kissed her as if he were a starving man. He pressed closer, letting her feel what she did to him whenever she was near. He held her tight, relishing the fact she was here. She had no idea how much he needed her, not just physically, but her strength and support.
He broke off the kiss, and his gaze locked on hers. “Have I told you how glad I am that you came with me?”
“I think you just did.” She smiled. “And I like that you’re glad.”
He kissed her once more, then took her hand and walked into the sitting area, and they sat on the tufted leather sofa. He wanted to tell her so many things. He kissed her fingertips.
“Laurel, I’ve made so many mistakes over the years, but the biggest one was leaving you.”
She turned to him and placed her finger over his mouth. “Kase, don’t go there. You can never regret going after your dream of becoming a lawyer, or being a father to your wonderful daughter. Addy is such a blessing.”
“I know that, and she’s so precious to me, and Dad, too. All those years we lost touch...” His eyes met hers. “Six months ago when I called and asked to come home, Dad welcomed Addy and me with open arms.”
She turned to face him. “That’s what parents do, Kase. My mom and dad have never said, ‘I told you so.’ They were just there to support me, even when I made mistakes.”
They both knew she was talking about Jack. The last thing he wanted was to bring up any ex-boyfriends. But he knew it was between them. Kase reached out and touched her cheek. “I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. If I ever see the guy...”
“No, don’t, Kase. Jack’s not worth it.”
“You must have thought he was.”
She glanced away, but not before he saw her sadness. “Laurel, what aren’t you telling me?”
She finally looked at him. “I knew what I was getting into with Jack.”
No way she could have known. “You knew he was a thief?”
She shook her head. “No, but I knew from Trent’s PI report he had a gambling problem.”
He didn’t understand any of this. “Then why did you want to marry him?”
“Sometimes being alone is worse. Do you remember the population of Hidden Springs? There are nine thousand one hundred and eighty-two men, women and children. I was everyone’s kid sister.” Her eyes were watery with tears. “Even my twin sister, Brooke, comes here and finds love. Jack said the right words and showed me attention.”
His heart was breaking into a thousand pieces. He reached out and stroked her hair. “Do you know how special you are?”
She shrugged. “My parents tell me all the time.”
“Well, let me tell you something, too. I don’t think of you like a sister. I think of you as a woman. A woman I desire very much.” He touched her face. “I want you, Laurel. We may have some obstacles in our way, but that’s not going to stop me.” He brushed his mouth over hers and loved hearing her intake of breath. “I wish I could offer you more, but right now...”
She placed her lips against his. When she finally broke off the kiss, she said, “No promises, Kase. That way no one has any expectations. I’m here for you and Addy. So it’s all good for now.”
He wanted more. Not the girl he once knew, but the beautiful, giving woman she’d turned into. Would she give him a second chance? His thoughts turned to his daughter. Would he get that second chance to be a father? He cradled Laurel’s head against his chest. How he prayed he didn’t let either one of them down.
* * *
“LOOK AT ALL the pretty fishes, Daddy,” Addy announced as they walked through the tunnel-like glass enclosure at the Downtown Aquarium. Sea life was all around them. “Laurel, look!”
“I see them.”
Laurel smiled, trying to push aside her fatigue. After getting up
at dawn, they’d spent the past few hours walking through several of the aquarium’s exhibits, the underwater sea, the rain forest, the coral lagoon and Addy’s favorite, the Mystic Mermaids show.
She was happy that the four-year-old had taken her attention off Kase. But nothing could erase the memory of his kisses, his touch and his mouth moving over her skin. Although they hadn’t made love, Kase let her know how much he desired her. And he practically had her begging for more. She was getting in deep, but she didn’t want to stop.
First and foremost, she had to remember they were here to help Addy, and make sure she could handle going with her grandparents tomorrow.
She stole another glance at Kase. Standing there holding his daughter in his arms, he pointed out the different fish to the youngster. He tipped his head back and laughed at something Addy said and something shifted in Laurel’s chest. Suddenly sexy took on an entirely different picture with this father-and-daughter combo.
“Laurel, Laurel, that fish is yellow and black.”
Laurel stepped up to the enclosure. “I like that blue one.”
“So many pretty colors.” The child giggled with excitement. “I feel like I’m swimming with them.”
“How about if we eat with them?” Kase announced.
“Daddy, I can’t go in the water.”
“Well, there’s a restaurant that we can go to.” He took Laurel’s hand. “Come on, I’m getting hungry.”
As they walked together, Kase silently thanked Kyle for putting this excursion together on short notice. As a father, he wanted to make the trip special for Addy, help relax her before she headed off with the Chappells tomorrow. He squeezed Laurel’s hand. She’d been the one who helped the most, and Addy relied on her, too. He found that he didn’t want to be without her, either. Maybe he could find a way to convince her to take a chance on him again.
It was a short distance to the restaurant, and the hostess seated them close to the wall-to-wall fish tank. The waitress brought a special children’s menu for Addy, and the child loved the attention from everyone.
The young waitress named Lisa looked at Laurel. “Your daughter looks just like you.”
Kase watched Laurel’s surprised reaction.
Blushing, she smiled. “Thank you.”
Lisa handed them the menus and walked off.
The conversation didn’t get past Addy. “She said you were my mom.” The child’s blue eyes widened, then just as quickly the joy faded. “I wish you were.”
Chapter Eleven
By nine o’clock, Kase had said good-night to his daughter and left the master bedroom. Laurel remained, promising Addy she’d stay until she fell asleep. Besides, she wasn’t ready to be alone with Kase.
Call her chicken, but she wasn’t ready to deal with her feelings for the man. There was too much going on. She couldn’t help but think about the mess in her life. There was the money hidden back in her apartment, and she was pretty sure it came from Jack. What if he’d gotten it illegally? If she was connected to something bad, could that jeopardize Addy’s custody? God, she prayed not.
She heard her phone chime. She’d turned off the ringer earlier so as not to disturb Addy.
She slowly rolled over to see a message from Kase.
She pressed the button to read, R U hiding from me? K.
She typed back, Just tired. Long day.
Need to talk about court. No little ears.
She sighed. OK B out.
She got off the bed and gathered her hair into a ponytail. Be strong, and don’t do anything stupid like let him kiss you.
After one more look at the sleeping Addy, she silently opened the door and walked out to the sitting room.
She paused as she saw Kase standing at the window looking out at the city lights. He was in his socks, his shirt pulled from his jeans.
Drawn by the beautiful scene, she walked across the plush carpet to join him. She was surprised to see a longneck bottle of the local-brewed beer. He held it up. “Join me?”
She had an automatic denial ready, then she saw something in his eyes and quickly changed her mind. “Sure.”
She watched him go to the minibar and take out another bottle. After using the opener, he walked back to her in a long, easy gait that reminded her of the teenage Kase she’d once known and loved. Oh, no. Don’t go thinking about your past together.
“Thank you.” She accepted the beer, took a drink and turned toward the window.
After enjoying the view a few minutes, Kase finally spoke. “My lawyer called me. Ben and Judith will be in the lobby tomorrow at nine o’clock to pick up Addy.”
Laurel sighed, wishing she had some encouraging words to give him. “They’ll only have her twenty-four hours, Kase. And her nanny will be there, too. You said Addy loves Mary Beth.”
He looked down at his beer. “I know. I just wish I didn’t have to put her through this. Not with everything else that’s happened to her.” He cursed. “Dammit, Laurel. Why are they doing this? Neither one of them wants this child. I know that in my gut. There has to be another reason.”
Hearing the anguish in his voice, she wrapped her arms about him. “It’s going to be all right, Kase,” she promised. “The judge can’t take her away without a reason.”
He held her tight, as if she were his lifeline. “I pray you’re right, Laurel. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.”
He held her for a long time, then finally looked down at her. “Have I told you how happy I am that you’re here with us?”
She smiled. “Yes, you have. But, really, Kase, it’s my pleasure.”
“No, it’s mine.” He took their bottles and set them on the glass-top table, then cupped her cheeks, and his mouth captured hers in a tender kiss that quickly became all-consuming. So much for her resolve. She wrapped her arms about his neck and pressed her body against his.
He tore his mouth away, his eyes searching hers. “I need you here, Laurel,” he breathed. “I don’t think I’ve ever stopped needing you.”
She wanted to confess her feelings right back at him, but something stopped her—panic, fear, maybe the uncertainty of their future. She needed to protect her heart. How could she when he’d already stolen it? She said good-night and turned and walked back to her room. Alone.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, both Kase and Laurel put on a big, bright smile for Addy as they rode the elevator down to the lobby. Of course, the little girl was wise to their attempt.
“It’s okay, Daddy. I won’t cry, but can I miss you?”
Kase nearly broke down as he pulled her into a tight hug. “Oh, sweetie,” he breathed against her ear, nearly choking on his emotions. “Yes, because I’m gonna miss you, too.”
Suddenly the double doors opened just as Laurel hugged Addy goodbye.
Ben Chappell demanded attention, even if it wasn’t deserved. About six feet tall, he kept himself trim. The sixty-year-old lawyer had built his prestigious law firm with hard work and by marrying a wealthy philanthropist’s daughter, Judith Kirsch.
Ben crossed the lobby, dressed in a pair of tan chinos and a navy polo shirt. “Kase, where’s my granddaughter?”
Laurel walked Addy over to them. “She’s here.” Kase leaned forward and in a low voice said, “You hurt her and you answer to me.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Of course not, but it’s a damn harsh warning. I’ll see you in court at nine o’clock tomorrow.”
Kase bent down and kissed his daughter’s cheek just as Mary Beth came through the hotel doors. The fiftysomething woman was a retired teacher, and since her husband’s death, she had worked as a nanny.
“Mary Beth,” Addy cried and ran off toward her.
Mary Beth waved to Kase, then took Addy’s hand and walked out t
he door. Kase’s chest constricted painfully and he fought to keep from running after his child.
He felt Laurel’s hand on his arm. “Come on, we’re going to get out of here,” she said.
He didn’t want to go anywhere but to the bar to get good and drunk. “Where are you taking me?”
“First, we’re going to have some breakfast. And before you argue, you didn’t eat anything this morning.”
“I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Well, change your mind, because we’re going to do some walking today. Kyle told me there’s a historical city tour. You know, from back in the gold rush days.”
He frowned. “Really, that interests you?”
“Well, since they don’t have horses readily available, walking is the next best thing to get rid of stress. Come on, it will do us both some good.”
He tried not to smile, but too late—she saw it. He pulled her into his arms. “Probably would be good, but I know something else that would distract me.”
She blushed and he loved it. “Sorry, that’s not on the day’s schedule.” Although she didn’t pull away. “And I believe you need to speak to your real estate agent this afternoon.”
He didn’t want to deal with business now, but he had no choice. He wanted to get rid of the house and all the memories from the past. Until then, he couldn’t think about a future for him and Addy. One that he hoped included Laurel.
“Okay, let’s get started.” He glanced down at her cream-colored, cable-knit sweater, white capri pants and deck shoes. “So where do you want to eat?”
She beamed. “There’s a café not far from here.”
“Okay, I’m in your hands, so lead the way.”
She gave him a smile that melted his heart, and he followed her out the door. Ah, hell, he’d follow her anywhere.
* * *
AT FOUR O’CLOCK that afternoon, Kase drove the twenty-minute trip from Denver to Aurora, Colorado. When he pulled the SUV into the long stone-pavered driveway and parked in front of the massive home, Laurel’s mouth dropped open. This wasn’t a house, this was a mansion.
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