“Don’t give up, son.” The older man shook his head.
Kase suddenly became determined. “I don’t plan on it. Come on, we’re crashing a family dinner.”
“That’s my boy.”
Kase led the way and was ready to give Laurel a small piece of his mind when she turned to him. Her smile wavered, and her eyes filled. What was going on here?
“Hello, Kase.”
“Hello, Laurel.” He leaned down and kissed her on the mouth, lingering a little longer than for just a friendly kiss. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Before she could answer, he looked around the table. “Good to see you, Rory.” The men shook hands, then he turned to Laurel’s sister. “Brooke, you look wonderful. Motherhood agrees with you.”
“Thank you.”
“Daddy, Brooke didn’t bring Christopher with her because it’s a princess party.”
Brooke answered, “That’s because Chris needs to be in bed. If Trent is lucky, our son is sound asleep by now.”
Gus was chatting with Rory when the waitress showed up and asked, “Will they be joining you?”
“Of course,” Rory said. “Please, join us for supper.”
Kase looked right at Laurel. “Thank you, we’d like that.” He got Addy situated next to Brooke and he took the chair beside Laurel. The waitress took their orders, and when the beers came, the conversation got interesting.
“I heard about your trip to Denver,” Rory said. “Glad things worked out.” He raised his beer. “To having your daughter where she belongs.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Kase said, feeling Laurel’s thigh brush his. He got a little distracted but worked to refocus. “It’s thanks to your daughter, Rory. Let’s say she stumbled onto some information that helped the case.”
Addy looked up at her dad. “Laurel helped me so I didn’t have to go live with Grandpa Ben. He doesn’t have any horsies like Papa Gus. And soon, I’m getting my own pony when I’m five years old.” She held up her fingers. “How soon is that, Daddy?”
“Your birthday is this summer, in July.”
“Oh, yeah. On fireworks day.”
Everyone laughed, and Rory said, “Why am I not surprised? You are a little firecracker.”
Addy’s eyes rounded. “Maybe that’s what I can call my pony.”
Under the table, Kase took hold of Laurel’s hand and squeezed it. She finally turned and smiled at him. “I want to see you,” he said, his voice low.
“I’m pretty busy, Kase. I have an early morning.”
He shook his head. “I’ll be over tonight.”
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, Laurel paced her apartment. She wasn’t ready to talk to Kase. She needed some more time. Maybe he wasn’t going to return to Denver, but everything in her gut told her he would leave Hidden Springs. He was a top-notch lawyer who spent a lot of years in school to get his degree. And now that Addy’s trust had been depleted of funds, maybe he felt he needed to make a larger income.
There was a knock on the door. She released a breath and went to answer it. A thrill raced through her seeing Kase standing there. Smiling, he stepped forward, pulled her into his arms. “I need this more than my next breath.”
His mouth covered hers in a kiss that started out slow and easy but quickly began building her hunger. He parted her lips and she groaned as he slipped inside and tasted her.
Her arms found their way around his neck, and she tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss.
Kase finally pulled back, placing his forehead against hers. “I need you so much, Laurel.” He kissed her again, then again. He finally picked her up and carried her to the bed.
She was weak when it came to this man, and she couldn’t resist him. She needed him, too.
He laid her down on the mattress. She reached up to him. “Make love to me, Kase.”
“I plan to,” he said. He joined her, and she pushed aside the rest of the world and her problems for a little while. All that was important was loving Kase.
* * *
KASE PULLED LAUREL CLOSER. Why was he so afraid he was losing her? Ever since they left Denver, she’d been distant. Even making love, she held back from him.
He rolled over and looked down at her. “Look, Laurel, I didn’t mean to walk in here and practically attack you.”
She forced a smile. “I seemed to be a willing participant.”
“What I wanted to do tonight was talk and find out what is wrong.”
“I told you, nothing. I just have a lot of catching up to do. I’ve decided to ride Ruby Ridge in the Summer Slide Futurity in July.”
He grinned. “That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you for following through on this new venture.”
She shrugged. “I know I’m a good trainer, but I also have a great horse. I’ve been lucky with Ruby. Now, Wind I’m not so sure of.”
He kissed her lips. “It’s not that I don’t want to hear about your horses, but another time. This is you-and-me time. I want to talk about the future.”
She sat up on the bed, then reached for his shirt off the floor and slipped it on. “Maybe it’s not a good idea right now.”
“Why? Things are settled with Addy.”
“But they aren’t resolved with Jack, and the money I owe my dad and Trent.” She shook her head. “We can’t think about anything right now. Besides, you aren’t ready.”
He got up, too, grabbed his jeans and slipped them on. Walking to the window, he turned her around. “Who says I’m not ready?”
“I do. You haven’t been home long enough to know what you want.”
Kase stood back and folded his arms across his chest. “Really? You don’t believe that I came home to make a life here?”
“You left before, Kase. You’re a big-time lawyer who’s lived a pretty exciting life. In ten years, you achieved a lot in Denver. I don’t blame you for wanting to go back. You had a beautiful home, money and a law practice. Not everyone is cut out for small-town living.”
Did she really think he wanted his old life back? “What suddenly brought this on?”
She shrugged. “I overheard Sam offer you a job.”
She must not have heard all of the conversation. “So you just assume that I’m going back to Denver?”
She looked at him. “You tell me, Kase. Are you moving back?”
Kase was angry. How could she think that he’d just pick up and leave her? Maybe because he’d done it before. “Laurel...”
Her cell phone suddenly went off. She went to the table and picked it up. “Oh, no, it’s the same number from before,” she told him. “Jack...”
Kase went to her side. “Answer it on Speaker, and if he asks why, tell him you’re in the car.”
Laurel was shaky when she finally pressed the button. “Jack?”
“Sorry, Laurel, but I had to talk to you again.” His words were slurred. “I’m leaving for a long...long time.”
“He’s been drinking,” she mouthed. Kase motioned for her to keep him talking.
“Where are you going, Jack?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Jack said. “I just wanted to tell you...I’m so sorry, Laurel. Sweet Laurel. I shouldn’t have ever taken the money. So I’m gonna give it back.”
Kase signaled for her to keep talking. “Really, Jack? Why should I believe you?”
“Because, dammit! I never wanted to steal it, but people were threatening me.”
“What about me, Jack? I was going to be your wife, or was I part of the ruse, too?”
There was a long pause and he finally said, “Leaving you was the hardest part, Laurel. But everything fell apart. I had no choice.”
Before Laurel could think of anything to say, Jack announced, “I want to see you, Laurel, bef
ore I go away. I promise I won’t bother you ever again. I’ll be at the Branding Iron, in the parking lot until twelve o’clock. If you don’t come, I’ll understand.”
Before she could answer, Jack hung up.
Kase punched in a number. “Yes, Sheriff. Laurel heard from Aldrich.” He turned away and gave the information to the officer.
Laurel grabbed her clothes and began putting them on. She slipped on her boots, and by the time Kase was off the phone, she was out the door.
“Laurel,” Kase said as he caught her at the base of the steps. “You can’t go there. It isn’t safe.”
“He won’t hurt me. Besides, I’m the reason the money was taken in the first place.”
“No, you’re not. Jack knew how to work his victims.”
“There aren’t going to be any more victims if I can help it.”
He held her hand tight. “Don’t go, Laurel. This man is on the run. That means he’s dangerous.”
Kase pulled her close and buried his face in her hair. “I can’t lose you again, Laurel.” His heart was beating hard and fast. “It would kill me.”
She raised her head to look at him. “Oh, Kase. You aren’t going to lose me.”
“Then stay here, Laurel. The sheriff will get Jack. No amount of money is worth the risk.”
He placed his finger over her lips to stop her argument. “You are too important to me. It’s just taken me ten years to realize that. All I ask is a chance to prove it.”
Chapter Eighteen
With help from her parents, Kase managed to keep Laurel from leaving. So for the next two hours, a sullen Laurel sat in the Quinns’ kitchen, ignoring him as they all waited for news. The only information they’d gotten about Aldrich had been nothing but sketchy. So all they could do was let law enforcement handle it.
He got up and walked to the back door. Rory followed him. “If you haven’t noticed, Laurel has inherited the Quinn stubbornness.”
Kase glanced back at him. “Throw in a little pride and a lot of determination, and disregard for her safety.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Do you know she’s hell-bent on paying you back the money Jack stole?”
Rory nodded. “Trent and I haven’t been able to convince her that she’s not responsible. Hell, we hired Aldrich. Even without Laurel, the man would have figured out how to hack into our account.”
Kase released a breath. “Somehow we have to resolve this, because Laurel isn’t going to let it go.” Dammit, she deserved to be free of the jerk.
Suddenly headlights appeared and Kase rushed out as he recognized the sheriff’s vehicle. Rory and Laurel followed close behind to meet the fifty-five-year-old sheriff, Ted Carson, as he climbed out of the patrol car.
“Hello, Rory, Laurel. Kase.”
“Sheriff,” Kase greeted him. “Please tell me you have some good news.”
He nodded. “We apprehended Jack Aldrich. He’s in custody at the jail.”
“Thank God,” Rory said. “Do you need us to press charges?”
“Yes, but it can wait until tomorrow. I just wanted to come out to ease your mind.” He looked at Laurel. “Would you mind answering some questions tomorrow, too?”
“Sure. Could you tell me if there was any money found on him?” Laurel asked.
Ted paused, then said, “About five thousand, but that’s evidence right now.”
Kase suddenly went into lawyer mode. “I’ll be with her tomorrow, Sheriff.”
“I have nothing to hide, Kase.”
“I didn’t say you did, but it doesn’t hurt to have someone with you.” Kase looked at the sheriff. “We’ll be there in the morning.”
Ted Carson nodded. “Then I’ll expect you in my office at nine o’clock.” He walked back to his car and drove off.
“I didn’t think about us having to press charges,” Laurel said.
“Trent and your father were the ones who reported the theft to the sheriff last year,” Kase said. “And, of course, the bank is concerned they allowed an unauthorized person access to the account.”
“No, I’m the reason Jack got my user ID and password,” Laurel announced. “I’m sorry, Dad. If I hadn’t been so careless...”
“Stop it,” Rory said. “We all trusted Jack. And after tomorrow we can finally move on and forget that bastard.”
“But what about the money?”
Rory shook his head. “The money has been replaced, then Trent got a new loan, the cabins were completed and they’re renting. End of story. Now, I think we can all use some sleep. Good night.” He kissed his daughter, then walked back into the house.
“Come on, Laurel. You need sleep, too.” Kase took her hand and started toward the garage. The stone pathway was well lit, as were the wooden stairs that led up to her second-floor apartment. He hated that he had to leave her now, but he needed to get home to Addy.
“It’s okay, Laurel. Jack is going to jail. He isn’t going to bother you again.” Kase pulled her into his arms. “This isn’t how I wanted to spend tonight, but there’s plenty of time to talk now that everything is settled with Aldrich.”
Why didn’t he feel as convinced as his words? And after one look at Laurel, he knew she wasn’t giving him any encouragement, either.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Kase dropped Addy off at school, then he headed over to the sheriff’s office on Main Street. He saw the familiar truck parked at the curb and inside were Rory, Trent and Laurel.
Laurel was dressed in her standard working clothes, jeans, a Henley shirt and boots. He happened to like that look.
Rory greeted him and he glanced at the sheriff, not happy that they’d all spoken without legal representation. “Have you already questioned them?”
Ted frowned. “It wasn’t an interrogation, Counselor. Just some basic questions about what happened. Now we’re finished, and I’ll be taking the prisoner to the courthouse to be arraigned and formally charged.”
Kase nodded and looked over their statements. Everything seemed to be in order. He looked at Laurel. “You okay?”
She put on a smile. “Yeah. Since Jack confessed to the crime, we don’t even have to testify.”
Kase was happy about that. “Good. How about I take you all out to breakfast?”
Trent stepped up and said, “I’d like to, but I have to get packed for a fishing trip early tomorrow.”
Rory excused himself, too.
Kase looked back at Laurel. “Looks like it’s you and me.”
“They’re my ride, Kase.” She started to leave, but he stopped her.
“Laurel, at least let me drive you home. I’d like to finish our discussion from last night.”
She turned away from her father and Trent. “I can’t do this right now, Kase,” she said, her voice low. “Besides, you have to think about what you really want, too. For both you and Addy.” She turned and walked out the door.
Kase started to follow her, but stopped. What good would it do? She wasn’t ready to listen to anything he had to say. He could be stubborn, too.
He looked at Rory. “I’m not going to give up. I love your daughter.”
Rory arched an eyebrow. “I’m not the one you have to convince, son. Laurel’s been hurt more than she lets on. It might take a while.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
* * *
THREE DAYS LATER, Laurel received a bouquet of roses along with a handwritten invitation to dinner with Kase and Addy. The little girl even printed her own name and said to dress as a princess. And a chariot would pick her up at six o’clock. Laurel smiled and frantically searched her closet until she found a suitable dress, one she’d worn in a friend’s wedding.
With one last look in the mirror, Laurel was happy with her reflection. The pink satin gown had
a fitted bodice and off-the-shoulders sleeves. The tea length showed off a pair of strappy sandals. She wore her hair down in curls. She told herself she was doing this for Addy, but she couldn’t wait to see Kase’s expression.
Her father came up the stairs. “I believe your prince has arrived.”
If possible, Laurel’s heart raced harder. She glanced at her mother.
“Don’t think so hard, Laurel,” Diane told her. “Just listen to your heart and to a man who loves you.”
“I tried that before and it didn’t work.”
“Forget about the past.” She nodded toward the door. “Your prince awaits.”
“I know, but can I trust him?”
Diane exchanged a special look with her husband. “Sometimes even the best princes make mistakes, but when they come back to you, that’s when you know that it’s meant to be.”
Laurel knew that her mother was talking about the time before she and Rory were married. They broke up, and that was when Rory met Coralee during the rodeo finals. Then realizing his mistake, he’d come back to the woman he truly loved.
Laurel kissed her parents, accepted a shawl from her mother, then walked out to find Kase standing at the bottom of the stairs.
He was dressed in a fitted black tux and a white pleated shirt and bow tie. He was one gorgeous man. In his hand he held a long-stem red rose.
His silver gaze never left her. “You look incredibly beautiful.” He took hold of her hand, then kissed it.
Laurel took the rose he offered her and inhaled the floral scent. “You look handsome, too,” she managed to say.
“You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now, but if I do, I won’t be able to stop.” He released a shuddered breath and said, “And I promised Addy I’d bring you to the house.”
Laurel nodded, discovering she was a little excited to see what he had planned for her. “Then we should get going.”
The limo driver held the door as Kase helped her into the vehicle. She relaxed against the plush leather seat as Kase opened a bottle of champagne, then poured her a glass.
She accepted the flute. “This is so fancy.”
Second Chance Rancher Page 18