Kase wasn’t hearing anything Laurel said. He was thinking about how much he wanted to steal her away. “I should go. I’ll be with Trent and your dad at the cabin if you need me.”
“You don’t want to see Chris?”
He would love to hold the little guy. “He’s a little busy right now. I’ll wait until later when I pick up Addy.”
“See you then.” Laurel kissed him sweetly, then she started to push him toward the door.
When he heard the collective gasp over her action, he said, “I’m out of here.” He turned and walked through the kitchen and out the door.
Laurel smiled, her heart still pounding wildly, watching Kase leave. She fought the urge to go after him. Instead, she turned her focus to the group of women who came today to celebrate the birth of her nephew, Christopher.
Her mother, Diane, had helped with the party. Trent’s mother, Leslie Landry Brannigan, came from Denver to see her first grandson, and the namesake of her son Christopher. She hadn’t returned to Hidden Springs since she’d divorced her first husband, Wade. Their marriage hadn’t survived after they’d lost their youngest son.
The new mother, Brooke, was dressed in a sheath-style blue print dress and looked wonderful for having a baby a week ago. Next to her was their biological mother, Coralee Harper, who had early onset Alzheimer’s and lived in a facility in town.
Another friend of Brooke’s, Erin Carlton, had been Coralee’s caretaker in Las Vegas and recently relocated here to work as a nurse. Erin was the reason Coralee could be here today. The older woman was a little confused over the party and her new grandson, but Brooke wanted her here, and to take pictures to mark the occasion.
Little Addy went over to the rocking horse and announced, “This is my present for baby Christopher for being born.”
The group chuckled.
“And it’s lovely,” Diane said. “Don’t you think so, Leslie?”
The two women had been friends over forty years from way back when their husbands, Wade and Rory, traveled the rodeo circuit. Later they had also been neighbors.
Laurel hadn’t seen the former Mrs. Landry since she was a little girl. Leslie’s blond hair was now streaked with gray and there were a few more lines around her pretty blue eyes, but Laurel remembered her sweet smile. Leslie made her way to the rocking horse.
“He’s beautiful,” she told Addy.
“I know, and I thought baby Christopher would really like him. This can be his first horse till he’s old enough and gets a real one. I named him Buckeye.”
The room grew silent, knowing that had been the name of Leslie’s son’s horse.
“Laurel said Christopher’s uncle’s favorite thing in the whole world was his horse.” The little girl cocked her head sideways and looked at Leslie. “Maybe Uncle Chris will see him from heaven and smile.”
Addy looked at Laurel. She was barely holding it together, but she managed to nod.
Leslie finally spoke up. “Thank you, Addy, for the lovely gift. Now we have a reminder of Chris’s horse.” She hugged the child. “You brought the best present ever.”
Diane took Addy’s hand and together they walked over to the baby.
Addy looked into the white bassinette with the blue lining, staring at the baby. “He looks like my baby dolly.”
Smiling, Laurel looked down at the infant. Christopher was the image of Trent. He had dark hair and his big brown eyes were wide as several women cooed over him.
Laurel had fallen hopelessly in love with her nephew, making her want a child of her own even more. Her thoughts turned to Kase. Back in high school they’d daydreamed about getting married and having a houseful of kids. Was that all it was, a dream?
Hearing Addy’s voice, Laurel quickly returned to the present. “He keeps waving his arms. It’s like he’s waving to us.”
“I think he hears your voice and is excited you’re here.”
Addy turned her face to Laurel and smiled. “I’m excited I got to come to the party.”
Beaming with pride, Brooke walked over to them. “We’re glad you came, too. You look so pretty in your pink shirt. That’s my favorite color on you.”
Addy looked down at her outfit. “I picked out my prettiest clothes because it’s a special party.” The child looked at Laurel. “Daddy said you were the prettiest girl in high school.”
Laurel tried not to blush but lost the effort. “Thank you, sweetie.”
She was happy when the doorbell rang and more guests arrived, including two little girls who came with their mother.
With Addy distracted, Laurel returned to the kitchen to finish the food prep. Yet she couldn’t help but think about Kase. She’d missed him this past week, but they both had things to do, and Laurel wanted to catch up with her training schedule and needed to get the baby shower together.
Yet the man wasn’t far from her mind. The picture of the two of them together had Laurel dreaming not only of a life with Kase, but also Addy. She loved them both, but how did Kase feel about a future for all of them?
* * *
AT THE CABIN, Kase sat back in an overstuffed chair with a longneck bottle in his hand. He’d been nursing the same beer for the past hour. The other men were a lot further along than he was, but he wasn’t about to try to catch up.
He was distracted, his thoughts on Laurel. He wanted to be with her, now and in the future. He’d been a fool to let her walk away, and he was going to do everything to keep it from happening a second time. He needed her in his life.
He glanced around the one-bedroom cabin on the Quinn property that usually rented out for fishing and hunting. The four other rental cabins were a nice way to bring in extra income for both Rory and Trent. Trent was also hired on as an outfitter frequently. There were plans to build more and expand the business to include more structures for country weddings and business retreats.
His own head was spinning with ideas for the Rawlins Horse Ranch. Dad was doing well with his new hip and eager to start training again.
He wanted to move on with his life, too. Make more improvements at the ranch—the barn and corral needed help—and hire some help for the chores. Even the house was desperate for repairs. Maybe he could add on an addition to the main floor, and a new kitchen. A place a woman would feel comfortable living in.
Suddenly laughter broke out and he heard his name. “Isn’t that true, Rawlins?” Trent asked. “Aren’t girls harder to raise than boys?”
Kase smiled. “They might be, but I wouldn’t trade my little girl for anything.”
“She’s a little heartbreaker, that one,” Rory added with a grin. Rory would make a much better grandfather than Ben Chappell any day.
Trent glanced at the time. “I wonder if the ladies are finished with the party.”
“Why, are you that eager to go back and change diapers?” one of the men teased.
Trent nodded. “I spent a lot of years wiping the bottoms of recruits, so taking care of my son is nothing but a joy. Brooke and Chris are the best things that have ever happened to me.”
Kase stood and raised his bottle. “To fatherhood.” Then it suddenly hit him that his family was all he needed to be happy. That included Laurel.
* * *
AFTER THE BABY SHOWER, Laurel walked upstairs at her parents’ house and peeked into her old bedroom. She smiled, finding Addy fast asleep in the bed. The girl had had a busy day.
Laurel turned to see Kase walking toward her. Before she could speak, he reached her, and then without even a hello, he was kissing her.
Oh, mercy. The man had skills. He knew how to hit the right buttons. With the firm pressure of his mouth on hers, she tasted him. Inhaled his scent and her desire grew.
He hooked his arms around her back and drew her closer. She was plastered right up against him unti
l she couldn’t think of anything else. Soon he maneuvered her against the wall. Oh, boy, she was melting on the spot.
She managed to come to her senses and broke off the kiss. Trying to gather her breath, she glanced down the hall, hoping her parents weren’t around.
“Sorry, I can’t stop myself around you.” He cupped her face and whispered, “I want you so much, Laurel.”
She knew how he felt. “I want you, too,” she admitted.
He rested his forehead against hers. “I’m trying to be good. What I really want to do is carry you off to one of those vacant hunting cabins.”
Laurel wanted to tell him she’d like that, too, when he surprised her and asked, “How would you like to go out on a date tonight?”
“With you and Addy?”
He shook his head. “Just you and me as a couple. No kids allowed.” He pressed a soft kiss on her lips. She wanted him to linger longer.
“I love that idea, but I probably should help Mom and Leslie with cleanup.” Leslie was staying here at the house while in town.
Kase shook his head. “Both women were in the kitchen having coffee. The place was spotless. I guess your services aren’t needed tonight.” He paused and pulled her close. “So, Miss Quinn, how would you like to go out with me tonight?”
Before she got too excited, she nodded toward the bedroom. “What about Addy?”
“Got that covered, too. Your mother said she’d watch her tonight.” He nuzzled her neck, causing shivers to rush down her spine. “Come on, your choice on where to go. Dinner, a movie, dancing...”
Laurel pulled back and looked into his mesmerizing gray eyes. She wanted desperately to be alone with this man. “I know where the extra keys to the cabins are.”
* * *
LATER THAT EVENING, in the queen-size bed at the cabin, Kase pulled Laurel closer against his side and covered them with a blanket.
“I don’t want to move ever again,” she breathed as she placed her arm across his chest. “I’m happy to stay here forever.”
He rubbed his fingers over her arm. He wanted the same thing. But how did they keep the outside world from intruding?
As badly as he wanted to plan a future with this woman, how could he when he didn’t know what tomorrow would bring?
Laurel raised her head, her blond hair highlighted in the dimly lit bedroom. “I can hear you thinking, or should I say worrying?”
He hugged her closer, feeling her warm, sexy body against him. “I’m sorry. I wanted to give you my undivided attention.”
She smiled and something squeezed around his heart. “You were doing a pretty good job a few minutes ago.” Her green eyes darkened with desire. “I’ve never made love—”
He stopped her words with a finger to her lips. “I don’t want to hear about any other men in your life.” He’d never been the jealous type, until Laurel. “You can keep them in your past.”
She gripped his finger, then kissed it. “You don’t have to worry, Kase. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had.”
“Damn right, I am.”
He couldn’t help but grin, then flipped her over onto her back. She giggled and he kissed her, then kissed her again until they were both groaning.
“And here I was worrying that any minute your father would come banging on the door, wanting to know my intentions.”
“I’m an adult, Kase. I can do what I want without my parents’ permission.”
He sobered. “I still don’t like sneaking around.”
She grinned. “Really? You don’t think it was a little exciting stumbling around in the dark, feeling our way from the front door and into the bed?”
“Well, maybe I enjoyed it a little. Kind of reminded me of that time in high school when your dad caught us making out in my truck.”
“Oh, yeah.” She blew out a breath. “I got the big sex talk that night. Dad gave me the male point of view. What guys are really after.”
“And what are guys really after?” he asked as he placed kisses along her neck and down to her breasts.
“The same thing girls are after.” She raised his head to make him look at her. “It must have worked because I never had another lover since you.”
He froze. How could that be? “What about...?” He couldn’t get himself to say Aldrich’s name.
She shook her head. “There’s only been you.”
They hadn’t been together for ten years. “But you were engaged.”
Laurel wiggled her delicious body against him. “You really want to hear the details when you’re in bed with a willing naked woman?”
He groaned. “God, no.”
“Wise man.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a slow, deep kiss.
When he tore his mouth away, his gaze locked on hers. “I could get lost in you. In your eyes...your laughter...your mouth...your body...” His lips brushed over hers. “My feelings for you aren’t just physical, Laurel. The way you make me feel...inside.”
He stopped and swallowed back the raw emotions. Suddenly he realized he needed her as much as his next breath. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
Laurel reached out and touched his face. “Kase, I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, Laurel hurried across the Allen and Jacobs Accounting parking lot. She’d gotten a surprise call from Mr. Allen asking her to come in to work today and tomorrow to finish up some accounts.
Although she had been sad to leave Kase last night, she’d talked with him this morning and offered to bring Addy home from school. So she’d get to see him then, too. They’d made a date to go out to dinner tomorrow evening, so this was a bonus.
Laurel walked through the glass office doors and greeted the receptionist. “Good morning, Melody.”
“You sure are happy for a Monday morning,” Melody said.
She was allowing herself to be happy about Kase, along with the extra money she was getting paid this week. “I had a great weekend. Brooke’s baby shower was yesterday.”
Melody smiled. “Oh, how is the little guy?”
Laurel couldn’t help but act like a proud aunt. She took out her phone and brought up pictures of her nephew. “Chris is adorable, and he’s growing so fast.”
“Gosh, he’s so cute,” Melody cooed, “But, hey, look at his parents. They’re both gorgeous.”
Laurel beamed. “Since Brooke is my twin sister, I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you. Now, I better get to work. Mr. Allen said he’d leave my work packet with you.”
Melody went through her files, then she finally came up with a thick manila envelope. “Here it is.” She handed the packet over. “Have a good morning.”
“You, too.”
Laurel walked down the hall to the familiar glass-enclosed work cubicle. After putting her purse away in the drawer, she sat down and turned on the computer. As the machine warmed up, she opened the envelope and took out the small stack of client files. She scanned the top four accounts and their instructions, then she came to the last file. On the front page it read Kase Augustus Rawlins. She froze. She wasn’t sure if she should have this. Wasn’t Mr. Allen personally handling Kase’s account?
Okay, what she needed to do was put this file aside and not look at it. She hesitated. Then curiosity got the best of her and she opened the file folder. Without getting a chance to see the bottom line of Kase’s net worth, she saw the Post-it addressed to Cleve Allen from one of the senior accountants in the office.
Cleve,
In trying to transfer Addison Marie Rawlins’s trust account from Denver, I was unsuccessful. I did manage to obtain the balance of the account. It was substantially less than what was estimated by Mr. Rawlins.
Mike Henderson.
Laurel saw the date and noticed the report came in on Friday. Okay, what should she do? She had to look, of course. She opened the file of Addy’s portfolio. With a quick glance over the lists of stocks and bonds, she went straight to the bottom line. She raised an eyebrow. This was a lot of money, or was it? Then she saw the number of withdrawals and gasped. Why would someone take money out of a child’s account?
As if a lightbulb went off, she smiled at her conclusion. This could change everything.
* * *
THE MORNING DRAGGED on as Kase went about his morning chores. He’d dropped off Addy at preschool, but he really missed her chatter and company. Now he was looking forward to her coming home, along with Laurel bringing her from town.
His two girls. He liked the sound of that. If only he could convince Laurel to stay the day. These late spring days had him thinking about new beginnings. He wanted a fresh start with his daughter, and hopefully with Laurel. He still couldn’t get over his surprise at her confession. He’d been humbled to know he’d been her only lover.
Not even her fiancé. He didn’t want to think about Aldrich, but as long as he was out there, he was trouble for Laurel. He didn’t like knowing Jack could show up at Laurel’s door anytime. No, Jack Aldrich needed to be found, and soon.
Kase walked through the barn toward Honor’s Promise’s stall. He couldn’t help but smile. Something was going right. “Hey, girl, how are you doing today?”
With an excited whinny, the pretty chestnut came up to the gate to meet him, putting her muzzle against his chest, wanting some attention. It had been nearly two months since Capture the Wind had broken down the fence and mounted his mare. That same day Laurel came barreling back into his life. Now he was going to try everything he could to keep her there.
“How’s she doing?”
Kase turned to see his dad. There was only a slight limp in his gait as Gus made his way toward them.
Kase scratched the mare’s neck. “The vet checked her earlier. She’s happy and healthy. Matt also told me about a bay stallion that’s for sale over at the Phillipses’ ranch. Seems Jake and Kitty are selling off their stock, leasing their grazing land and retiring to Arizona to be with their kids and grandkids.”
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