Second Chance Rancher

by Patricia Thayer

  “I missed you, too, Addy.” She relished in the feel of having the sweet child close. She kissed her head, then said, “I think your daddy wants to see you, too.”

  Addy grinned and the child took off toward Kase. “Daddy!”

  Kase caught her in a flying leap. Laurel’s throat tightened at seeing the two together. She glanced back to the Chappells and noticed they didn’t look happy at the scene.

  Judge Steffen came in from the front and everyone stood. Once he seated himself behind the desk, he looked at the Chappells. “I take it you had the child overnight?”

  Ben nodded. “Yes, Your Honor. We had a lovely time. We went out to dinner and Addy played in her old bedroom with some of her toys.”

  The judge looked at Addy and smiled. “Hello, Addy. My name is Judge Steffen and I was wondering if we could talk.”

  At first Addy buried her face in her daddy’s shirt. After a few words from Kase, she sat up and nodded.

  With the judge’s instruction, Mary Beth took the child’s hand and walked her up to him. She helped Addy into a seat, then sat down not far from her.

  Laurel was relieved that the girl would have someone to go to if she felt panicked.

  The judge leaned closer. “Addy, can you tell me how old you are?”

  She held up four fingers. “I’m four years old and I go to Saint Theresa Preschool.”

  The judge smiled. “Such a big girl.”

  “I am. I don’t take naps anymore.” With a glare at her grandfather, she sent a clear message.

  “Do you have friends at your school?”

  She nodded. “Yes, Kelly is my best friend. And sometimes when Chelsea is nice, I play with her, too. But some days she’s mean and I have to tell my teacher, Miss Julie.”

  “How about at home? Do you like living on a ranch?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I’m a cowgirl now. I have boots and a hat I wear when I ride a pony.”

  Judith sucked in an audible breath.

  Addy hurried to say, “It’s okay, Grandma Judy. Laurel walks with me and I have to wear a helmet so I won’t get hurt.” She looked up at the judge. “Laurel is the best rider and is the best trainer in the whole world.” Addy turned to Laurel and smiled.

  The Chappells’ lawyer stood. “I object, Your Honor. It’s clear the child has been coached with her answers.”

  “Counselor, let me stress again, this is an informal hearing, and a delicate situation.” He nodded toward the child. “So please refrain from any more outbursts.”

  Addy agreed with the judge and said, “And you didn’t raise your hand. That’s rude. That means not nice or polite. That’s what Miss Julie taught me at my school.”

  Laurel wanted to stand and cheer. Way to go, Addy. You tell them.

  The judge turned back to the child. “Addy, did you enjoy being with your grandparents?”

  “They are nice, but I want to go home with my daddy and Papa Gus.”

  The judge continued on. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a woman living with you?”

  Those blond curls bobbed as the child nodded. “I have Laurel. She’s with me and takes care of me sometimes. So does Papa Gus, but he had to get his hip fixed and he couldn’t walk. So when Daddy had to come here before, Laurel stayed at the house.”

  Judith didn’t stay quiet this time. “It’s barely been a year, and already Kase has removed our daughter from Addy’s life. That’s not right.”

  “No, Grandma Judy, my mom didn’t want me.” Big tears filled the child’s eyes. “Laurel loves me. So I want her to be my mom.”

  Addy scooted down from the chair and hurried to get to Laurel and climbed into her lap.

  The judge looked at her. “Well, Miss Quinn, it seems this child is under the impression that you and her father are going to be a family. Is that true?”

  Laurel swallowed and looked at Kase. He smiled and nodded. She’d said she’d do anything, and she didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Kase and I have discussed being a family.” She just hadn’t said the conversation had been ten years ago.

  * * *

  THE COURT DIDN’T adjourn for another hour. After Addy’s testimony, the judge had Mary Beth take the child from the room. Kase had tried to assure his daughter that he’d be out soon. He was grateful that Laurel followed them out, too.

  Once the door closed, the fireworks began. The Chappells’ lawyer went after Kase, accusing him of knowing of Johanna’s drug problem and doing nothing to help her. When they hadn’t offered any proof of that accusation, Judith went on to testify that her daughter had been left alone for long periods of time. Kase had never been home, not for his wife or child. Then the woman tossed in that Kase had married Johanna only for her money and name.

  Kase accounted for every hour he’d worked, and documented the day he’d moved out of the house and began his legal separation from Johanna. He was glad that Laurel wasn’t hearing about his failings as a husband and a father.

  The worst, the judge hadn’t rendered a decision. He told Kase to take his daughter home and he’d be in contact with his decision. Not what Kase wanted to hear. Of course, why was there even a custody hearing?

  The Chappells left the courtroom without so much as a goodbye to Addy. Kase took his daughter and Laurel back to the hotel to pack, and within an hour, they were headed back to Hidden Springs. Not the happy ending Kase wanted, but at least he still had his daughter.

  With Addy nearly asleep in the backseat, he had time to wonder about the answer Laurel gave the judge. Had she been thinking about them being a family for real, or was it just for the judge? Either way, he couldn’t even think about a future, and according to the Chappells, he wasn’t good husband or father material. With his past, maybe they were right.

  Exhausted, Laurel worked to find a more comfortable position in the car, wishing she could just go to sleep like Addy. No way would her mind stop replaying what had happened in the courtroom.

  Had she hurt or helped Kase and Addy’s case? She’d never forgive herself if she’d made matters worse. She remembered the glare that Judith Chappell sent her before she walked out. She understood she lost her daughter, and Addy was her granddaughter, but Laurel would do anything to help Kase keep his child.

  She reached over the console and touched his hand. “It’s going to be okay, Kase. There’s nothing to keep the judge from ruling in your favor.”

  “You weren’t there to hear the Chappells’ accusations.” He blew out a tired breath. “I have this feeling they’re going to try to dig up something else to incriminate me.”

  “Don’t think about anything but the fact you’re taking Addy home today. It’s going to be fine, Kase, I know it.” She prayed that was true.

  He finally smiled. “You’re right. We had a great weekend together with Addy.”

  She smiled back at him. No matter what happened she’d never forget last night. “I had a wonderful time, and so did Addy.”

  “I’m glad, because us being together meant a lot to me. You’re so special to me, Laurel. It’s just that I managed to destroy my marriage and career.” He glanced across the car. “Maybe you should think twice about getting mixed up with a guy like me. Again.”

  Was he trying to end it? Her heart sank. “Stop, Kase. A marriage takes two people to keep it together. As for your career, you gave that up to be a father to Addy. As for us, we already decided not to make any promises to each other. Not until Addy’s case is over.”

  He nodded. “You’re right.”

  Laurel already knew his daughter had to come first. And if the unthinkable happened, and he lost Addy, Kase would definitely move back to Denver. He’d make his life there so he could be close to his child. That was one of the reasons she loved him so much. She might just have to give him up...again.

  * * *

  LATE
R THAT EVENING, back in her apartment, Laurel was tired from the trip, but sleep eluded her. She missed being with Kase and Addy. They’d been like a family the past few days, but now she was back to reality. And alone.

  Suddenly she heard a soft knock on her door. Dressed in a long T-shirt, she slipped on a robe, wondering if there was a problem with one of the horses. To her surprise, when she looked out the peephole, she found Kase standing on her stoop.

  She pulled open the door. “Kase! What’s the matter? Is it Addy?”

  He stepped inside and took her into his arms. “No, it’s me. I missed you.” His mouth found hers, hungry and demanding. By the time he released her, they were both breathless.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t come after you that way. It’s just that...”

  She’d never seen him so distraught. “Kase, talk to me.”

  He paced, then stopped to look at her. “God, Laurel, I wasn’t totally truthful with you.”

  He paused and her heart sank. “I did suspect that Johanna was doing drugs, and I tried to get her help. When she refused to go into a rehab facility, I went to Ben. He told me we had to be careful how we handled it to avoid bad publicity for the firm. I should have handled it.”

  Kase walked to her kitchenette, then came back. “Maybe if I had pushed harder, I could have gotten Johanna into rehab.”

  Laurel had to stop this. “You put your trust in Ben to help his daughter. He failed her.”

  “But I was her husband. I should have made sure she was cared for.”

  “She refused your help, Kase. Johanna was an adult. You couldn’t force her.”

  “I know. That’s why I filed for the divorce, and I was going to get Addy, too. I would have never left her with her mother if Mary Beth hadn’t been there.”

  “Kase, you were a good father. The only thing you did was work hard. That’s not enough to make a judge side with the Chappells.”

  “You didn’t hear all the awful things the lawyer said about me. What if I am a terrible father?”

  “Why don’t you ask your little girl that question? Who just happens to think you can do no wrong. Where is Addy anyway?”

  “Gus is getting around better, and he sent me off to see you. Said he was tired of my bad mood.”

  Whatever the reason, she was so happy he was here. She leaned in and kissed him. “So how do I get rid of your bad mood?”

  “Darlin’, just being here with you brightens my mood. I missed you. After three days together, I hate us being apart.”

  “I missed you, too.”

  He pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. “What are we going to do about that?”

  “I don’t know. You have any ideas?”

  “Maybe a few.” His mouth closed over hers. His taste was potent and familiar on her lips, only making her crave more. Her body ached with need for him. She ran her fingers through his hair, wanting to deepen the kiss.

  “I want you so much.” He broke off and swung her up into his arms, carrying her to the bed.

  “I was only planning to steal a couple of kisses, but I ache for you, Laurel. So if you don’t want me to stay, tell me now.”

  She touched his face. “I don’t want you to leave, Kase.”

  At that moment, there wasn’t anything more perfect than being with this man. She just didn’t know how to keep the rest of the world out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Before dawn the next morning, Laurel rolled over in her bed and read the clock. It was 4:37 a.m. She also noticed the other side of the bed was empty. Kase was gone? Sadness washed over her as she sat up and looked around the dark apartment.

  “Looking for me?” She heard the familiar voice and smiled as Kase stepped out of the kitchenette. With two coffee mugs in his hand, he walked to the bed. “Good morning, sunshine.”

  She pulled the blanket closer around her body. “Good morning to you, too.” She took the mug. “I thought you left.”

  He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. “Not before I said goodbye.” He kissed her again, deeper, making her hungry for him.

  He pulled back with a groan. “As much as I’d like to stay, I have chores to do, and Addy will be up soon.”

  “Of course, you need to get home to her,” she told him. “Go.”

  He paused a moment, then said, “Come back to the house with me. Spend the day with us.”

  Sure, it wasn’t as if she didn’t have a business to run. “I’ve spent days with you, Kase. The last three days in fact. This morning, I have a full day of training scheduled.”

  He nodded. “What about the rest of the week?”

  “I go to work at the accounting office tomorrow, but by next week, I’ll be done because tax season is over.” She’d already lost some hours during her trip to Denver. She hated not getting the extra money, then she remembered the envelope in her dresser.

  “Laurel?”

  She blinked and looked at Kase. “What?”

  “Is something bothering you? I know I’ve been pressing for your time.”

  She liked being pushed.

  When he started to move away from the bed, she reached for him. “No, it’s not that. I loved our trip to Denver. It’s just I need to think about my commitments. To be honest, I need the money that I make from the accounting firm.”

  He frowned. “To pay back your parents?”

  With her nod, he said, “If it’s that important, I have some money.”

  She stiffened. “Don’t go there, Kase.” She reached for her nightshirt beside the bed and slipped it on, then stood. “This is something I need to do myself.” She went to her dresser, turned on the lamp, then opened the top drawer. “Seems someone else wants to help me, too. This came right before we left for Denver.” She handed him the envelope.

  Kase opened the package and pulled out the paper along with the stack of bills. “What the hell?”

  “There’s five thousand dollars.”

  He glared at her. “Is this from Aldrich?”

  She shrugged. “It doesn’t say, but I’m pretty sure it is.”

  “When did you say you got this?”

  Okay, he was going to be angry. “The day we left on the trip.”

  She watched his eyes narrow. “I didn’t tell you because you had enough on your mind with the court hearing. I thought I’d wait until we got home.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “I wish you’d told me sooner. I could have had the PI look into this. At the very least, let the police know about it.”

  “Jack’s name isn’t on this note, or the envelope. If it was, I would have contacted the police myself.”

  “Of course this is from Jack. Do you know anyone else who would send you five thousand dollars?”

  Okay, now she was angry. “Look, I’m not on trial here, Kase, so stop acting like a lawyer.” She waved her hand at him. “Take it, do what you want. I don’t care.” She turned away so he couldn’t see how upset she was.

  “Look, Laurel...”

  She raised her hand to stop him. “We said enough. I need to get ready for work.”

  He wouldn’t give up. “I don’t want you to go through this alone.” He touched her shoulder, and she shrugged it off.

  She wheeled around. “I got into this mess. I’m the one who trusted Jack, and look what happened.”

  “When we fall in love, we don’t always think clearly. You only trusted the wrong man.”

  When he came toward her, she backed away.

  The last thing she wanted was to discuss her bad judgment. “Please, Kase. Let’s just drop this.”

  He frowned but finally nodded. “I’m not stopping the investigation, so I’ll take the envelope with me.”

  “Whatever you want to do with it. I don
’t want that money. Goodbye, Kase.”

  “Goodbye.” He hesitated, then turned and walked out the door.

  Laurel was shaking by the time she heard the door close, and then the footsteps on the stairs.

  She wanted to call him back, but she couldn’t add to his own burden. Now it looked like that was exactly what she had done.

  * * *

  FOR TWO LONG DAYS, Kase wanted to see Laurel. He missed her smile, her touch, just being together. Addy missed her, too, and couldn’t understand why her friend hadn’t come to see her. What made it worse was Kase still hadn’t heard anything from the judge about Addy’s case.

  Since he couldn’t do anything about the custody decision, he concentrated on helping Laurel. He’d been in contact with the Denver police and faxed them a copy of the envelope with the PO box number and told them about the money.

  He’d learned the mailbox didn’t belong to Aldrich, but to a woman named Peggy Watson, Aldrich’s ex-wife. The police also went through security tapes at that post office branch, but they showed only a man who could be Aldrich. So Kase had his PI stake out the branch, hoping old Jack would show up again. There wasn’t much else he could do.

  He wanted to tell Laurel of his plans, but when he’d called her, it went straight to voice mail. Okay, she was angry with him. He didn’t blame her. He should have handled things better.

  “Why don’t you get in the car and go see her?”

  Kase looked up to see his father come in the back door. “Who?”

  “The woman you’ve been brooding about since you came home.” He shook his head and limped to the kitchen sink. “I can’t understand why anyone wastes their time arguing with a beautiful woman. Just tell her you’re sorry. Better yet, send her flowers.”

  “Laurel didn’t tell me about money that Jack sent her. She said she didn’t want to burden me with her troubles.”

  Gus wiped his hands on a towel. “I just think she cares enough about you to keep her troubles to herself.”

  “Okay, so I worry about her. This Aldrich isn’t a good guy. If he came back...”