Second Chance Rancher

by Patricia Thayer

  “Great job, sweetie.”

  Kase knew he couldn’t keep hiding things from his daughter. If they could just get through today without a lot of drama... “Addy, I have to go back into court today and see your grandfather.”

  Those big blue eyes locked on his, and his chest tightened. “I know, Daddy. Grandpa wants me to live with him and Grandma.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to. I want to live with you. You tell him that, okay? Then we can go home to live forever and ever with Papa Gus and Laurel and Pops and Mimi.”

  He didn’t know what he did to deserve this child, but he couldn’t let her down. “You’re going home with me today, guaranteed,” he emphasized.

  His child grinned.

  He glanced at Laurel to see tears in her eyes. He took hold of her hand. “It’s going to be all right.” He wasn’t about to let his girls down.

  His friend since college, also his lawyer, Sam, walked up to the booth. “Well, hello, little darlin’.”

  Addy grinned. “Sam!” She reached out her arms and he picked her up.

  “How’s my favorite girl?” he asked.

  “Good. I have a new friend at school.” She frowned. “Please don’t make me go stay with Grandpa Ben again.”

  He shook his head. “No way. You’re going to go home with your daddy today.”

  That produced a big grin from the child. Sam looked at Laurel. “It’s good to see you again, Laurel.”

  “Good to see you, too, Sam,” Laurel said. “I hope this is the last time here at the courthouse.”

  He winked at her. “Thanks to you, I’m pretty sure this will be.” He looked at Kase. “You ready to bring down the bad guy?”

  * * *

  RIGHT AT NOON, Sam and Kase stepped off the elevator onto the floor of Chappell, Hannett and Caruthers, Attorneys at Law. Kase paused and looked around the prestigious law offices. The dark paneling, light-hued walls, plush carpeting and offices with names gold embossed on the glass doors.

  At the large reception desk, the pretty blonde looked up. Slowly her smile faded. “Oh, Mr. Rawlins.”

  “Hello, Jennifer.”

  She seemed to be at a loss as to what to say. Sam stepped in. “We’re here to see Ben Chappell and Charles Hannett. We have an appointment.”

  Jennifer quickly glanced at her computer screen. “Yes, of course, Mr. Gerrard. They are expecting you in conference room one. Please follow me.” She took them down the hall. Kase knew where to go but let the woman do her job.

  Jennifer knocked, then opened the door and announced them.

  Letting his lawyer take the lead, Kase followed Sam inside to find Ben at the head of the table and Charles seated next to him.

  Ben glared at him. “I told Charles I didn’t want this meeting. You coming here was the only way I’d agree to it.” He glared at Kase. “So get on with it. Are you willing to end this court battle over Addy?”

  “Never,” Kase said and sat down.

  “Then there isn’t anything else to discuss.” Ben stood. “Come, Charles, they’re wasting our time.”

  They had reached the door when Sam said, “I think you’ll be interested, since it’s about Addy’s trust fund. Or we can save it for the judge.”

  Ben swung around, his face red with anger. “You can’t have access to her funds. Her grandmother set that account up when Addy was born. I’m her trust officer.”

  “That’s what we’re here to talk about,” Sam said. “This hasn’t been a matter for the courts. Yet. I thought I’d give you the opportunity to keep the matter...private. Just between you and Kase. I’m sure you want to think about your granddaughter’s best interest.”

  Charles spoke up. “Ben won’t discuss anything without his lawyer present.”

  Sam grinned. “That’s fine with me.” He opened his briefcase and took out the manila folder. “We have records from Addy’s trust account.”

  “Stop!” Ben turned to his law partner. “Charles, I can handle this.”

  The distinguished older gentleman frowned. “No, Ben, I can’t allow you to talk with them without representation.”

  Kase knew his father-in-law didn’t want anyone to know about the disappearance of funds. Ben raised a hand to his law partner. “I said, I’ll handle it, Charles. Please leave us.”

  “I advise against this, Ben. But I’ll go.” He walked out and closed the door behind him.

  Ben glared at Kase. “How dare you go into Addy’s trust.”

  Kase wasn’t going to let this man intimidate him any longer. “Sit down, Ben. It’s time you listened.”

  Seconds passed as if the man was weighing his options, but they all knew he had none. Ben pulled out the chair and sat down. Sam slid the portfolio across the table for Ben to see.

  Ben shook his head. “I already know what’s in the file.”

  Kase sat across from the man who’d given him a chance to build a career. He was to be the firm’s golden boy. He wondered if the marriage to Johanna had been part of the program. He didn’t care about that, because he got Addy. She was the reason he was here.

  “Not much left for your granddaughter, is there?”

  Ben continued his arrogant attitude. “She’ll have plenty from her grandmother. Hell, Judith is loaded.”

  “Then why take from Addy?”

  “It was just easier. Besides, I’m planning to pay it back.”

  “Damn, Ben,” Kase began, “as a lawyer you knew you were breaking the law.”

  Ben’s hand hit the high-gloss table. “Do you have any idea how much work it is to keep this practice going? How many clients it takes?”

  Kase couldn’t feel sorry for Ben. “Maybe when you started losing revenue, you should have downsized the practice.” He glanced around. “You could have made a good living without all the fringe benefits.”

  Ben sent him a long hard stare. “I don’t need a lecture from you. I made you. I gave you opportunity. You couldn’t even handle my daughter, or the exclusive clients that I sent your way.”

  A few years ago, Ben’s reprimand would have bothered him, but not anymore. “I cannot care less about the clients, but I’ll regret not being able to help Johanna. Now Addy is without a mother.”

  “Johanna was always a headstrong child,” Ben said. “She’d been a trial from the beginning.”

  Kase shook his head. Good Lord. Didn’t this man have any paternal feelings?

  Kase couldn’t take any more. “Well, I can’t do anything about the past, but I sure as hell can see that my daughter’s future is secure.”

  “So sending her grandfather to jail will do that?”

  “Don’t make me out to be the bad guy,” Kase said. “You tried to take my little girl away from me. If I thought that you loved her and it was in her best interest, I could understand. But this was purely for greed.”

  Ben looked defeated. “So now I lose my practice and get disbarred?”

  Sam stepped in and began to speak. “Not necessarily. Although I advised him not to, Kase is willing to give you a second chance.” His lawyer slid a paper across the table. “You sign this and give up this fight to take Addy. You have two years to pay back the money you stole from your granddaughter’s trust,” Sam said. “Also, make me the trustee of the account, or Kase, and no one will have to know about this.”

  Again, Ben hesitated.

  Kase had had about enough. “You’re not going to win this, Ben, not once I tell Judge Steffen you’re embezzling Addy’s money. Whether he is a friend or not, he can’t overlook this. I win custody, and you don’t go to jail.”

  “Take the offer, Ben,” Sam encouraged. “It’s more than you deserve.”

  * * *

  IT HAD TAKEN nearly two more hours before Sam and Kase finalized the details of the contract. The cour
t also had to be notified the Chappells were dropping the custody case. Once they’d walked out of the conference room, everything was signed, sealed and notarized, then Sam took possession for safekeeping.

  Kase couldn’t wait to get back to his daughter and Laurel. Earlier, he’d gotten a message from Laurel saying she’d taken Addy to the aquarium.

  He couldn’t wait to see them. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me,” Kase told Sam as they climbed into a taxi. “You helped more than just representing me.”

  Sam grinned. “All right, I’ll bill you extra for all those late-night calls.”

  They both laughed. “Go ahead. Today’s results are worth everything. Name your price. How do you feel about a new foal?” He thought about the future horse that he shared with Laurel.

  “I’ll pass on the foal. There’s a no-pet clause in my lease. But I wouldn’t mind if you’d listen to a proposition I have.”

  Kase studied his friend’s suddenly serious expression. “Okay.”

  “I have this venture I’ve been thinking about and I want to include you. How would you feel about practicing law again?”

  * * *

  FEELING BOTH EXCITED and anxious, Laurel kept a lookout for Kase as she walked Addy out of the Downtown Aquarium. He’d texted that he was on his way. After two hours of looking at sea creatures, even the mermaid show hadn’t distracted the child. She wanted her father.

  Kase hadn’t been able to tell her much, only that he’d explain things when he got there. Why couldn’t she get her heart to slow to a normal pace? Ever since Kase Rawlins had come back into her life, nothing had been calm and soothing.

  She missed the days when she worked hard all day, and fell into bed at night exhausted from working her horses. Now she wanted to be with Kase and Addy. She wanted nothing more than to be a part of their lives.

  Addy tugged on her arm. “Laurel, do you think the judge put Daddy in jail?”

  She knelt down. “Oh, no, honey. Your daddy didn’t do anything wrong. He just wants to make sure you get to stay with him.” She put on a smile. “Just wait. He’ll be here.”

  No sooner than she said the words, she heard her name called. She looked up and saw Sam and Kase rushing toward them. Her heart started racing. “See, Addy, I told you your daddy would be here.”

  The little girl took off and threw herself into Kase’s arms. She watched the emotions play out on his face as he held his daughter close. He finally looked at Laurel. When his gaze locked on hers, she felt her body warm. The need for this man was overwhelming. He set Addy down and he and Laurel walked toward each other.

  He pulled her close and brushed his mouth over hers. “It’s over, Laurel,” he breathed. “I have permanent custody of Addy.”

  She released a breath. “Thank God.”

  “Thank you for all you did, too.”

  “I couldn’t let Ben take your daughter. I know a little bit about being separated from family.” She couldn’t help but think about Brooke. She’d never gotten to know her twin until last year. “Addy needs you.” She wanted to add, I need you, too.

  “Why don’t we go have a late lunch and celebrate? Then we can head home.”

  She loved the sound of that. “I’d like nothing more.”

  “Me, too,” Addy cheered.

  Kase turned to his friend. “Sam, come with us.”

  Sam shook his head. “Sorry. As much as I’d like to, I have another client to see today. I only wanted to say goodbye to Addy.” He hugged the girl, then turned to Laurel and embraced her, too. “I hope I get the chance to know you better. I’ve heard so much about how great you are at training quarter horses.”

  She was touched that Kase had talked about her. “You’re welcome on the Bucking Q anytime.”

  “I just might show up one day.” He turned back to Kase. “Don’t wait until you get into trouble to call me.” He shook his hand and turned serious. “And think about my offer. You’re too good a lawyer not to think about practicing law again.”

  Laurel froze. Practice law? A sudden ache settled in her stomach. Kase was thinking about going back to Denver?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Since returning from Denver two days ago, Laurel had been working from sunrise to sunset with her horses. She hadn’t realized how much time she’d spent away from her normal routine until she climbed back in the saddle. She had Chet to thank for his help. And since she hadn’t been called in at the accounting office, she could concentrate on doing her real job.

  She missed the time she’d gotten to spend with Addy. But the child was in school most days, and Kase was busy doing his thing.

  Did that include thinking about going back to practicing law? She didn’t know. On their ride home from Denver, she’d hoped he might say something about Sam’s offer. But not a word.

  She’d gotten a call from him yesterday. He’d invited her to the house for dinner, saying he wanted to thank her for all she’d done for them.

  She needed some time and space to think about his possible return to Denver. She’d turned down the invitation, saying she needed to put in extra training time with Ruby. This morning, the local florist arrived with a large spring bouquet, with a card that read “Thank you for everything you did. You’re so special to us. Love, Kase and Addy.”

  * * *

  LAUREL SAT UP on the large roan mare, going through the reining movements, starting with the circles, then she rode around the arena and into the flying lead change, the rundown and sliding stop. After Ruby backed up in a perfectly straight line, Laurel praised her.

  “My good girl.” She rubbed the mare’s neck and repeated, “Such a good girl.”

  She heard cheers and looked over to the corral fence to see her sister. Laurel rode over to Brooke.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  “Dad-and-daughters night, remember? We haven’t gone out since before Chris was born.”

  She’d forgotten completely. “Speaking of my nephew, where is he?”

  Brooke laughed. “Hey, doesn’t anyone want to see me anymore?”

  “Sorry, how are you doing?”

  “I’m fine. Chris has been sleeping longer, so I’m getting more rest.”

  “You look great,” Laurel said, amazed how Brooke managed to get into a pair of jeans when her baby was barely a month old.

  “I’m eating like a horse. Breast feeding makes me so hungry.” A big smile appeared. “But I love having that special connection with my baby.”

  Laurel felt tears threatening. What was wrong with her? She hated being envious of her sister because she had a husband...and a child. “You’re so lucky,” she told her and climbed down from Ruby. Brooke hadn’t had an easy life. “You deserve it all.”

  “I count my blessings every day.” Her sister studied her a moment. “Now, tell me what’s bothering you.”

  Ruby was getting restless and Laurel called to Calvin, the new ranch hand. After Laurel’s care instructions, he took the mare into the barn. “Just a little tired, I guess,” she admitted. “I’ve been pretty busy.”

  Brooke waited until Laurel walked through the corral gate. It was true she hadn’t known her twin long. In fact, it hadn’t been a year yet since she came to the Bucking Q to meet Laurel.

  “I know we’re still new at being sisters, Laurel, but you can tell me anything. I won’t even share with Trent.”

  Laurel made a face. “As much as I love that guy, he can be a little overprotective.”

  Brooke smiled. That was one of the many things she loved about her husband. “That’s because Trent loves you.”

  “Yeah, he’s the brother I never had,” Laurel said.

  Brooke frowned. “You don’t think of Kase that way.”

  Laurel glanced away.

  Brooke conti
nued to prod. “I thought you’d be happy that Kase won the custody suit.”

  “I am. He never should have had to go through this.”

  “Then what’s the problem? You two were getting pretty close, right? From where I stand, it looks like the man is crazy about you. Did you fight?”

  “No. I just need to catch up with some training.”

  Brooke didn’t like this. “What could be more important than being with the man you love? I seem to remember a certain sister who wouldn’t let me give up on Trent.”

  They started walking toward the house. “That was different.”

  “How so? Have you talked with Kase about how you feel?”

  Laurel stopped at the back door. “Look, Brooke, I think Kase is moving back to Denver.” She went on to explain about Sam’s job offer.

  “Whoa, just because someone offered Kase a job doesn’t mean he’s going to take it. Gus is here, and Addy is settled into school.”

  “Yeah, but Kase couldn’t leave fast enough ten years ago. Maybe he’s tired of small-town living again.”

  * * *

  KASE WASN’T IN the mood to go out to dinner tonight. Not without Laurel anyway. But when he talked to her this morning, she let him know how busy she’d be the next few days. He hated that he’d taken so much of her time, so he let it go.

  He looked down at his daughter. He saw how much more relaxed the child had been since coming back from Denver.

  Now they could all move on, plan their lives, their futures. He only needed to convince Laurel.

  They walked into the noisy atmosphere at Joe’s Barbecue Smokehouse. Even for the middle of the week the place was crowded.

  “Daddy!” His daughter tugged on his arm. “Look, Laurel’s here. So is Pops and Brooke. I’m gonna go see them.”

  As usual, Addy took off running toward the table. He paused, seeing Laurel’s big smile at Addy’s arrival. Her arms went around his child and pulled her close, then the rest of the Quinns hugged her. That was what he wanted for his child. A family.

  Gus came up to him. “You might want to avoid Laurel, but your daughter isn’t going to let you.”

  “I’m not avoiding her. She’s just busy.”