“I hope to impress you tonight.”
He’d been doing that ever since returning from Denver. She took a sip, enjoying the bubbly drink. “It’s not that hard. I’ve been impressed with you since I was a freshman in high school.” Oh, God. Did she really say that out loud?
He turned to her, showing off that sexy grin that made her body tingle. Suddenly she wished they could keep driving away from all their troubles and distractions.
He touched his glass to hers, then he took a drink and said, “The first time I noticed you, I mean really noticed you, you had on this pretty blue-green sweater and a pair of dark jeans. Your hair was pulled back and nearly hung to your waist. The last bell had just rung and I walked out of the building and saw you waiting for the school bus. It was like a lightning bolt hit me, and it took me a week before I got the nerve to talk to you.”
She blinked. He’d remembered? She took a hearty sip of courage. “Do we need to go through this?”
“I do, Laurel.” He took her hand and pressed it against his thigh. “We were just kids back then, but I knew what I wanted. You.” He touched her chin and made her look at him. “But I was a selfish kid who had something to prove. I pretty much got everything I wished for, then realized I didn’t have the right person to share it with.” His voice lowered. “You’re what I want, Laurel. I don’t think I ever stopped wanting you.”
“Oh, Kase. I never stopped wanting you, either. But we’re not those kids any longer. So much has happened...”
He stopped her protest when his mouth covered hers. She couldn’t think then, could only feel the intoxicating rush that went through her with his look or touch. She reached around and combed her fingers into his hair. She moaned as he deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue past her lips and tasting her.
He tore his mouth away, breathing hard. “Whoa, we’d better slow down.” He pressed his head against hers as the limo came to a stop. “We’ll have to continue this later. It’s time for a party.”
Kase climbed out, happy the evening air was cool. He took a breath and released it, then reached in and helped Laurel out.
Offering her his arm, he escorted her to the front of the Rawlinses’ home. When they reached the porch, the door opened and Gus appeared with a smile. Addy had managed to talk him into wearing a tux this evening, as well. Kase loved his father for playing along.
“Good evening, Princess Laurel. You look especially beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you, Prince Gus,” she returned. “You look mighty handsome yourself.”
Gus bowed. “Princess Addy is waiting for you in the parlor.”
The Rawlins home wasn’t large, but there was a small entry that opened into a large living area with a used brick fireplace as the centerpiece. Kase had many improvement plans for his childhood home. But first, he had to convince Laurel to share his life.
The lights had been dimmed, but there was the addition of candlelight. Addy stood in the middle of the room in a long pink princess dress he’d bought in town. He’d also added some sparkly bows to her hair.
“Hello, Addy,” Laurel greeted. “Oh, my, don’t you look pretty.” She went over and bent down and hugged her. “Thank you for inviting me tonight.”
Addy giggled. “I wanted to have a princess night like you do with your dad, but with us together.” The child looked over Laurel’s dress. “You look like a real princess, too.” Her head full of curls bobbed. “Doesn’t she, Daddy?”
“Yes, she does. You both are lovely.” Kase reached in his pocket and took out his phone and took their picture.
Addy said, “Thank you for coming to my dinner.”
“And thank you for sharing your princes with me.”
Addy looked back at her dad. “Tonight, you can have Daddy as your prince, and I have Papa Gus as my prince.”
Kase watched his daughter as she played her part as practiced. Gus came in and took his granddaughter’s arm and walked her into the dining room. The table was draped in lace, long tapers sat in the center and there were four place settings. Gus helped Addy into her chair as Kase assisted Laurel.
Then both men went into the kitchen and came out with plates of spaghetti. Kase retrieved a basket of bread and set it on the table. “Addy chose the menu.”
Laurel was generous with her praise toward his daughter. “It’s one of my favorite meals.”
Kase sat down at the end of the table with Laurel to his right. They said a short blessing and began to eat.
“This is really good,” Laurel said. “You look so pretty I think next time you should talk your prince into going out to a restaurant.”
Addy giggled. “I know, but this time we wanted to come here to celebrate my coming home for good. Daddy said I never have to go back to Denver.” She smiled. “I want to live here forever and ever. I pretend this is my castle.” She twirled her spaghetti with her fork. “And Daddy is going to make it bigger.”
“Really?”
Addy nodded. “He’s going to build more rooms and fix the kitchen and make a bigger corral. Do you like that idea?”
“Well, that’s a lot of work.”
“Daddy and Papa Gus want to have more horses, too.” The girl beamed. “And I need a stall for when I get my pony for my birthday.”
“A princess with a pony.” Laurel smiled and took a bite of her food. “What else do you want for your birthday?”
Kase sat back, hoping his daughter wouldn’t give away too much. Addy shot a look at him and he placed a finger against his mouth. “Oh, it’s a secret.”
Laurel took another bite of her food. After swallowing, she said, “So, you’ve decided to do some remodeling.”
“It’s time,” he told her, knowing Gus wouldn’t give in if it weren’t for the fact his granddaughter asked him. “And I got Dad to agree.”
Gus shrugged. “I didn’t have much choice. The family is expanding.”
“Shh, Papa,” Addy whispered. “It’s a secret.”
“What secret?” Laurel asked again.
Kase smiled. “We’ll tell you after dinner.”
* * *
ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES later the meal concluded with dishes of ice cream with chocolate sauce. Then the men carried the dirty dishes into the kitchen.
Laurel still hadn’t learned any more about what was really going on, especially when Addy got down from the table and announced it was bedtime. After Addy gave Laurel a hug, Gus walked his little princess up the stairs to bed.
Laurel turned and looked at Kase. “Okay, what’s going on?”
He gave her an innocent shrug. “I wanted some alone time with you.”
Remembering the kiss in the car, she wasn’t sure if she could handle another. Kase had a way of making her forget her common sense. He crossed the room toward her, and his heated gaze left no denying his desire for her. She wanted this man, too.
He took her hand and said, “Come with me. I have something to show you.”
With her nod they walked down the hall to the office. On the old desk was a set of architectural plans spread across the top.
“I had plans drawn up for an addition to the house.” He pointed to the French doors behind them. “They’re going to blow out the entire back of the house and add another suite of rooms. There will be two rooms with another bathroom downstairs, and a large master suite with a bath upstairs. The kitchen will be remodeled, adding space from part of the mudroom.”
Laurel’s head was spinning. “This is a big project.”
“It’s going to be Addy’s and my home.” He removed his tux jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “Come on, I’ll show you.” He opened the French doors and they stepped out to a small deck. The sun was setting, and there was a gold-and-orange hue outlining the mountains. The land was dense with giant pine trees. The scene stole her breath.<
br />
She leaned against the railing. “It’s beautiful here.”
He stood beside her. “It’s the reason I wanted the bedrooms on the backside of the house with a wall of windows.” He sighed. “Can you imagine waking up to this view?”
She would love nothing more. “It would be heavenly.”
He turned to face her. The light was growing dim, but she could still see his incredible eyes. He touched her face. “Yes, it would, but only if you’re with me.”
Her heart was pounding. “Oh, Kase...”
“Hear me out.” He brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “I love you, Laurel. I don’t think I ever stopped. It’s just taken me years to wise up and realize what’s important. You. You are so important to me, and my family. I want to build a life here with you, Addy and Gus.”
She didn’t get a chance to answer as his mouth closed over hers. Suddenly she lost the fight and wrapped her arms around him and gave in to the feelings.
Kase broke off the kiss. “Sorry, you got me a little distracted.” He kissed her nose. “Now, where was I?”
She had no idea. “Something about building a life together.”
He smiled. “So toss out any doubts you have, and I bet I have a solution.”
“This isn’t funny, Kase.”
“No, it’s serious. I want you in my life, Laurel. I know you hate the fact that your family lost money, and nothing I say will convince you that you aren’t to blame. And there’s nothing I can do to get that money back, but I have an idea on how to replace it.”
She frowned. “Okay, I’m listening.”
He grew serious. “The first idea is we could invest in Q and L Rental Cabins. Help your dad expand the business.”
“I won’t take any money from you,” she argued.
“No, not from me, but from us. We have the foal. The money we get from selling the horse, we can invest in the rental cabins. And any profits we make, we give to Trent and Rory until all the money is paid back.” He paused, then went on. “After talking with both your father and Trent, they’ll only accept ten thousand. That’s one-third of the money because they feel they should pay, too.”
Laurel was stunned to say the least. “You’d sell your foal?”
He nodded. “Rory and Trent are already drawing up plans for phase two of the cabins. Brooke thinks we should concentrate on weddings and also cater to families, maybe think about adding horseback riding.”
“Seems you’ve been busy.”
“Of course, this is our future. I don’t want to lose you, Laurel, especially over money.”
She was touched and thrilled. “You never lost me, Kase.” But she was still reluctant. “What happens when Hidden Springs isn’t enough? When I’m not enough?” Her voice began to fade away. “Sam offered you a job, and I can’t compete with that.”
He reached for her. “Ah, baby, this isn’t a competition. Sam’s job offer was so I could stay here with Addy, Dad and you. The job offer from Sam was to do legal consulting online.” He blew out a breath. “I nearly lost my daughter, Laurel, and I never want another parent to go through that. I want to help fathers who feel they don’t have any rights.”
She felt tears well in her eyes. “Oh, Kase. You’d be wonderful at that.”
“So you like the idea?”
She nodded. “Very much.”
He cupped her face tenderly. “Good, because I love you, Laurel Quinn. And I want us to work this time.”
She nodded. “And I love you, Kase Rawlins.”
“The sweetest words I could ever hear. Hold that thought.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket she was wearing and pulled out a velvet box.
Laurel gasped when he opened the lid and she saw an incredible platinum ring with a pear-shaped emerald surrounded by small diamonds. “Oh, Kase.”
“Addy helped me pick it out. So you like it?”
“Oh, yes, but I love you and Addy more. I don’t need a ring.”
He wasn’t listening to her protest as he went down on one knee in front of her. “Addy instructed me on how a prince is to ask for your hand.” He looked up at her, his expression serious. “Laurel Kathryn Quinn, I love you more than I could ever put into words, but over the next fifty years I’m going to do my best. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Oh, yes. Yes...yes...yes!”
He stood and slipped the ring on her finger, then kissed her until they were both breathless.
“I want nothing more than to carry you off to bed and make love to you, but I promised one little girl that she would be the first to know if you were going to be her mommy.”
Laurel’s chest tightened. “Oh, Kase. Do you think she’ll be awake?”
“Let’s go find out.”
Like two kids, they hurried up the steps and quietly opened the child’s door and silently walked inside to find Addy sound asleep.
“I think she’s asleep,” Kase said in a loud whisper. “We’ll just tell her in the morning.”
“Daddy! Laurel!” Addy sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Tell me what?”
Laurel sat down on the bed. “Sorry to wake you, sweetheart, but we wanted our daughter to be the first to know.” She held out the beautiful ring.
“Oh, it’s so sparkly.” She smiled as she looked at Laurel. “Are you my mom now?”
Fighting tears, she pulled the child close. “Now and forever.”
Kase sat down behind her. “And we’re going to live happily ever after.”
Laurel felt Kase’s arms around her and she knew she found what she’d been looking for. It was definitely worth the wait.
Epilogue
The autumn leaves blew across the Rawlins Horse Ranch’s new corral. Laurel rode Wind around the arena, taking him through his reining exercises. Over the past four months, the wayward stallion had shown a lot of promise. And she still trained Ruby Ridge, who made a good showing in Laurel’s first reining competition.
Even with the recent move from the Bucking Q to their new home at the Rawlins Ranch a few days ago, both horses had adjusted nicely. Wind seemed to be happy sharing a barn with Honor’s Promise. The mare was fat and sassy like all pregnant moms should be.
A pang of envy hit Laurel. Her own desire was still unfulfilled. Although she loved her new daughter, she wanted a baby, Kase’s baby.
Since her June wedding to Kase, they’d forgone a honeymoon, but both wanted to add to the family. Maybe now that all the construction on the house and new arena was completed, they could concentrate on each other. Warmth surged through her as her thoughts turned to the sexy man who’d been curled up against her this morning, eager to please her. His every touch, his kisses...
A horn honked, startling Laurel back to reality, and she saw Kase pull his SUV into the driveway. She felt the excitement; her husband and daughter were home. Laurel climbed off Wind and handed the horse off to their new ranch hand, Charlie. She caught up with Gus as he came out of the barn.
“I guess we missed them today, huh?” She hugged her father-in-law. She knew he’d given up a lot with them all moving in together. He had a new suite of rooms on the ground floor with his own sitting room, bedroom and bath. He even had his own entrance, if he wanted more privacy.
“After all these years, this old cowboy loves having his family here.”
She slipped her arm around his waist and together they walked to the car. “We’re the ones who’ve been blessed, Gus. We need you around.”
He nodded. “I just don’t want you to feel I’m in your way.”
“I love you being in my way.”
They reached the car as Addy was getting out of the backseat. “Hi, Mommy.”
Laurel’s chest tightened hearing her new title. Addy decided on their wedding day that was what she wanted L
aurel to be. Her father got a wife and she got a new mommy.
Addy hugged her. “We stopped at Pop Rory’s house and saw the new cabins. And I got to ride Firecracker but just for a little bit. Daddy said when we bring my pony here, I can ride more.”
“Yes, you can,” Laurel told her. They hadn’t been able to bring all the horses over yet. “Was Mimi there?”
“Yes, she gave me some cookies.” She held out a plastic bag. “I have to save them for after lunch. She was going to see Coralee with Aunt Brooke. She said she would take me the next time.”
It saddened Laurel that their biological mother’s Alzheimer’s had become a lot more aggressive in the past few months. The last time Laurel had visited her, the woman didn’t know her. It was different for Brooke. Coralee had raised her and her twin was hurting over this loss. “We’ll both go with Aunt Brooke the next time.”
Gus stepped up. “And how about we go and start on lunch now?” He shuffled the child into the house.
Kase pulled his wife into his arms and relished the feel of her against him. “I missed you today.” He kissed her, reminding him that just hours ago, they’d been making love in their new bedroom, in their new bed. “So much.”
She laughed. “You were only gone four hours.”
“It was five hours. Maybe I need to rethink this new career path.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re a wonderful lawyer, and Sam needs you.”
His good friend Sam Gerrard had done what he promised and opened a small law office in Hidden Springs. Kase went to work in the mornings when he took Addy to school, and did consultations online.
He tossed her a sexy grin that had her body stirring to life. “You’re right, I’m enjoying it. How was your morning?”
“It went well. Wind seems to be adjusting to his new home. I worked both him and Ruby pretty much the entire morning. I guess I’m a little tired.”
“I don’t know why. Besides training horses and being a new mother and a wife, you’ve supervised the remodel of the house. You’ve been going nonstop for months.” He wrapped his arm across her shoulders and whispered against her ear. “Want to go take a nap?”
Second Chance Rancher Page 19