Second Chance Rancher (5 page)

She was excited about working her horses through the precise patterns of circles, spins and stops. The new corral her father built was a perfect area for the Western-style dressage.

The past few months she'd been working one of Trent's horses, Red Baron, a beautiful stallion showing plenty of promise. Now she had Ruby Ridge and a chance to prove herself. With the owner, Kat Bryce, willing to help her horse learn, and Laurel putting in the practice time, how could she pass it up? She'd be building a reputation, too, and the money she'd make would go into the fund to pay back her parents.

Hearing her name, Laurel turned to see her mother and little Addy walking down from the house.

She smiled and waved back at her mom, a woman who was an attractive brunette in her early fifties. The best mother ever, even after she'd discovered last fall that Diane Quinn wasn't her biological mother.

That discovery came out when Brooke Harper arrived at the ranch, claiming to be her twin sister. And her biological mother was really a Las Vegas singer, Coralee Harper, who spent a weekend with their father, Rory Quinn, before her parents got married.

All these years, Rory knew about only one child, Laurel. When Coralee was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, she wanted to see her other daughter before losing all memory and sent Brooke to find her. Now, seven months later, Coralee had been moved into a nursing home only a few miles from the ranch.

Brooke, who'd been raised by the woman, visited her almost daily, and Laurel got there once or twice a week. Some days Coralee knew her, and some days not. Coralee might be her biological mother, but nothing could ever change Laurel's feelings for the woman who'd raised her.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Addy.”

Addy smiled. “Hi, Laurel. Your mommy showed me your old bedroom. I saw your special dollies.”

Laurel grinned. “You mean Amy and Betsy?”

The child nodded her head, causing her curls to bounce. “Mimi said she wants to keep them for when you have a little girl, so she can play with them.”

Laurel looked at her mother and mouthed, “Mimi?”

Diane shrugged. “I didn't know what she should call me.” She smiled. “She's so adorable.”

Oh, no. She didn't want her mother to hatch a scheme to get her and Kase back together. As far as she was concerned she'd sworn off men. She leaned forward and whispered, “Be careful. This little conniver will steal your heart.”

“I think she already has,” her mother admitted.

Just then she saw her truck coming up the road. It parked next to the barn, the door opened and Kase stepped out. Her breath caught when he straightened to his full six-foot-one frame, exposing the width of his broad shoulders and his narrow waist. His long, easy strides took him around to the passenger side, where he helped Gus climb out.

“Daddy! Papa!” Addy cried and took off running toward them.

Kase turned in time to catch the enthusiastic child in his arms, then swung her around in the air. Addy giggled in delight.

“Will you look at that?” her mother said with a sigh. “There's just something about a man holding a child that's so appealing.”

Laurel couldn't stop staring when Kase hoisted his daughter high into his arms and kissed her cheek, then held her while Gus kissed her, too. She felt her own chest tighten on seeing the loving scene.

Kase looked toward her and waved. As his father moved slowly with his cane, the threesome made their way up the drive. Laurel and her mother met them halfway.

“Hello, Laurel,” Kase greeted.

Her heart raced. “Hi, Kase. Gus.”

Gus nodded and looked at her mother. “It's nice to see you again, Diane.”

“Good to see you, too, Gus. It's been too long.”

Kase turned to her mother. “How are you, Mrs. Quinn?”

Laurel watched as her mother blushed. “Oh, please, Kase, call me Diane.”

He nodded, but Addy said, “I get to call her Mimi, Daddy.”

The blush deepened. “I wasn't sure what to have her call me.”

“That's okay, as long as she's respectful.”

“She's been nothing but polite, and a sweetheart.”

“Did she talk you to death?”

Diane smiled brightly. “I'm used to it.” She hugged her daughter. “I raised this little chatterbox.”

Laughter rang out in the group.

Addy touched her dad's face and made him turn toward her. “We made peanut butter cookies. I got to make the crisscross marks on top.”

“Wow, it sounds like you had fun today.”

Diane looked at Gus, leaning on his cane. “Gus, please come up to the porch and sit down.”

“We should go,” Kase said. “I've already taken advantage of your and Laurel's time.”

“Nonsense,” Diane said. “In fact, I'd like to extend an invitation for supper.”

Laurel froze. What was her mother doing?

Kase spoke up first. “Oh, Mrs.... Diane, we can't intrude.”

“You're not intruding at all. It's just a big pot of beef stew and some homemade bread.”

Gus groaned. “And peanut butter cookies for dessert?”

Addy nodded. “Daddy, I want to stay. I didn't get to play with Laurel. She had to work all day.”

Laurel caught the mischief in Kase's eyes before he turned to his daughter. “Maybe Laurel's too tired to play.”

All eyes turned to her. What was she to do? As much as she didn't need to get involved in Kase's life, she couldn't seem to help herself. “Maybe we can play for a little bit before supper.”

“Yeah.” Little Addy grinned at getting her way. She squirmed out of her daddy's arms and walked ahead with Laurel's mother and Gus.

He reached out and touched Laurel's forearm. “I truly didn't mean to tie up your entire day.”

She looked at his incredible eyes. Her breath locked in her lungs and she glanced away to gather herself. “Not a problem.”

She started toward the house. “Come on, they'll wonder where we are.”

No matter how much fun she had with Addy today, it was not good to get any more involved with a man who'd already broken her heart once. But here she was back in line to let it happen again.

Chapter Five

After two heaping bowls of Diane Quinn's beef stew, Kase had been easily convinced to go out to have a look at one of Laurel's mares. Even suspicious that his dad was playing matchmaker, he followed Laurel out the door, leaving Addy happily occupied by Diane, Rory and Gus.

Kase stepped inside the immaculate barn with only a faint scent of horses and hay. Impressive. He looked around to see several enclosed stalls and the tack hung neatly on the wall. With Laurel's arrival, he heard several equine whinnies.

He followed her as she greeted her horses. Suddenly she stopped and he ran into her. Trying to keep his balance, he quickly grabbed her waist. But the close connection made him very aware of those once-familiar curves.

“Whoa there.” Feeling the softness under his hands, it was impossible not to react, or to let her go. It had been a long time since he'd had any interest in a woman. Johanna had made sure of that.

Laurel quickly pulled away. “Sorry.” She didn't look at him, just walked to one of the stalls, where the horse came to greet her. The rogue stallion's bobbing of his large head and familiar wild mane made Kase quickly recognize him.

“You already know Wind,” she said.

He nodded, making eye contact with Laurel, and another zing hit him. “I have a feeling I'll be seeing those markings on his foal in about eleven months.”

Laurel smiled as she rubbed the horse's nose. “Would that be so bad?”

He realized her smile had him thinking about something other than horses. “According to my dad, no. And since Gus is the expert, I'll let him handle Honor's condition.”

“Isn't she your horse?”

Kase leaned against the post and nodded. “Gus was the one who suggested I buy Honor. He said she was a good investment, so I went along with him. You and I both know that Dad runs the operation. I'm still learning and adding some backing to jump-start Rawlins Horse Ranch.”

“What about when Gus has his surgery? Who's going to run things then?”

“Well, there won't be much training unless I hire someone, but Dad doesn't want anyone else messing with his horses. That's why he's been so stubborn about having surgery. He refuses to be away from the ranch for any length of time.”

“Then why can't you take over? As I remember, you were pretty good at working his stock.”

He frowned. “I only did what Dad told me, but he did all the intricate training. Besides, who's going to be caring for Addy while I'm spending time with the horses?” He shook his head. “No, I've missed too many years with her. I refuse to hire a babysitter to be her parent. She's had too much of that already.” He started off down the aisle.

Laurel stood there in shock.
He's missed too many years with her.
What did that mean? She wanted to ask him more questions, but it wasn't her business.

She caught up with him as he reached the next stall. The chestnut horse with a white star on her forehead appeared at the gate and she watched as Kase stroked her forehead. The pregnant mare ate up the attention.

Laurel immediately went to her, letting the horse nuzzle her chest. “This is Starr Gazer, my championship cutting horse. I recently bred her with Wind. She should have her foal in about six months.” Laurel wrapped her arms around the horse's neck and hugged her close. “Going to be a mama soon, huh, girl?”

“I can see why Dad wanted me to see her. She's a beauty.” Kase rubbed the animal's head. “What are your plans for the foal?”

“I'd love to keep her, but I'll need to sell.”

She didn't miss his questioning look. “Why not hang on to the foal and train it?”

“Because I can't afford the time.” She hated that she'd gotten in this position. “I have loans to pay back.”

“That's rough.” His gaze met hers and immediately her body shuddered, reacting to this gorgeous man. “I'm sure your dad doesn't expect you to pay him back.”

Laurel glanced away, embarrassed that she'd been so gullible over Jack. “So you've heard the gossip in town about my runaway groom.”

He shook his head. “Dad told me. I wondered why you never married.”

She was surprised by his answer. “It seems I'm better off with horses than men.”

His mouth twitched in amusement. “If that's how you feel, then you've been with the wrong men.”

Her gaze shot to his, her throat suddenly dry. A flash of memories of a younger Kase appeared in her mind. That cocky grin, his tempting mouth and his tender touch... She swiftly shook them away. “Seems I have a habit of choosing wrong. You'd think after all these years, I'd learn my lesson.”

Kase saw the hurt on her face, knowing she'd included him in that group. He'd give anything to take away her pain. He wanted to reach out and touch her, remembering how soft and giving she'd always been with him. He ached to find out if her mouth still tasted as sweet...

He pushed aside the image. Now wasn't the time to rehash the past.

“Look, Laurel, I know we've been thrown together these past few days, but if you want me to stay away, I'll do it.” He held his breath, hoping that she wouldn't send him packing. The last thing he needed was to include her in his crazy life.

She placed her hands on her hips. “Now you tell me. Now, after I finally get a new best friend to share my dolls with. And then there's Gus. Who can give me his expertise on training? And you want to take that away.”

He smiled at her joking, then he grew serious, realizing that his daughter was getting very attached to Laurel. Besides being beautiful and sexy, he'd seen how loving and caring she'd been with Addy.

“Look, Laurel, my life is unsettled to say the least. I have a daughter to raise, and a father facing surgery.” He sighed. That was only the tip of his problems. “As you'll soon learn, my in-laws are suing for custody of Addy. So everything I do is under a microscope.”

He saw the compassion in her eyes. “Is that because they believe you're the cause of their daughter's death?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“A newspaper article on the web.”

“We'd already separated before her overdose.” His gaze met Laurel's interested look. “I tried to help her, but she wouldn't go into rehab. Not even for Addy. I even went to my father-in-law, but he refused to help have his daughter committed. Bad for business, he said. So I resigned from the firm and filed for divorce.”

“Was Addy living with her mother then?”

He nodded. “I'll regret that until my dying day. The only consolation was her nanny, Mary Beth, who'd been with Addy since birth and had gone with her when they'd moved into the cottage on Johanna's parents' property. At least Addy and Johanna had supervision.” He stole a look at Laurel. She had every right to judge his parenting skills.

“Two weeks later, I got the call about Johanna's drug overdose.”

He felt her hand on his arm. “I'm sorry, Kase.”

He shrugged, ashamed that he couldn't give his wife what she needed. And questioning himself if he even tried enough to make the marriage work. “So am I.”

“So you came back here?”

“Since Addy had already been staying at her grandparents', I had a tough time getting physical custody. Ben and Judith refused to give her up, but I finally got a lawyer to help me and removed her from her grandparents' home.”

“They were probably upset about their daughter's death,” Laurel said. “And Addy is their last connection to her.”

Kase knew that wasn't true. They hadn't been that attentive with their own daughter, let alone with their granddaughter.

“Whatever the reason, they're suing me for custody.” He looked at her. “I won't lose Addy, Laurel. I've done a lot of things wrong, but my daughter is the best thing in my life. I have a second chance to be a father, and I'm trying my best not to mess it up.”

Laurel smiled. “You've got one thing going for you.”

“What's that?”

“She adores you. You're her hero, her knight in shining armor and prince all rolled into one.”

He felt his chest swell. “No, I'm just the man who prays he doesn't let her down again.”

* * *

N
IGHT
HAD
FALLEN
by the time they finished the tour of the barn and started back to the house. Security lights illuminated the way as Kase found he didn't want this time with Laurel to end. It had been so long since he took time for the simpler things, such as enjoying the company of a woman.

During the years he'd been trying to make partner, he'd spent long hours working. At the time, he'd thought that was the road to success. He hadn't stopped to enjoy what he had. Right now all he could think about was what he left back in Hidden Springs.

He glanced at Laurel as she walked ahead of him. Her long legs encased in slim jeans ate up the distance to the house. He wished the trip took longer as his attention went to the gentle sway of her hips. Awareness surged through him, settling in the pit of his stomach.

They might have been just fumbling kids when he'd left for college, but that didn't mean they hadn't burned for each other. He could still feel the heat and found it difficult to keep his hands off her.

Yet the last thing he needed was another complication. His renewed attraction to Laurel could be trouble. No matter how strong that pull was, any personal relationships would be impossible now. Not until he was sure Addy's custody issue had been resolved completely.

Suddenly Laurel's voice broke through the silence. “If you want, I can talk to Gus about trainers,” she suggested. “At least give him some names that I've worked with.”

Good, let's talk about a safe subject.
Kase wasn't sure his dad trusted many people. “Thank you. I might have to take you up on that. With his procedure scheduled for this coming Friday, I'm running out of time.”

She glanced at him. “How long does the doctor say he'll be out of commission?”

“About five days in the hospital. It's the rehab that he's balking about. He's refusing to go into a rehab facility, but it's the fastest and easiest way to get him back on his feet.”

They reached the porch and Laurel said, “I think he's worried, Kase. He loves having you back home, but he doesn't want to be a burden, either.”

“Well, he's being a pain in the as...bottom.”

She tossed her head back and laughed. “That's quite a mouth you got, Mr. Attorney.”

He smiled, too. “It's Addy's influence. She doesn't like me to say bad words.”

She pushed open the back door, walked through the mudroom and into the kitchen to find the foursome at the table working on a puzzle.

Addy raised her head. “Look, Daddy, I'm helping Mimi, Pops and Papa Gus do a puzzle. It's a picture of a horse.”

“And you're doing a great job.” The cozy family scene gave him hope that he made the right decision to bring his daughter home.

* * *

L
AUGHTER
FILLED
THE
Quinns' kitchen as Addy entertained everyone with her silly chatter. They ate ice cream and tried to come up with more puzzle pieces.

“This is fun,” she announced. “Daddy, can we get some puzzles at our house?”

“That's a great idea. When Papa Gus has to stay inside after his surgery, you can help him do puzzles.”

His daughter nodded, bouncing her wayward curls against her shoulders. “I can do that.” Looking around the table, she announced, “Papa Gus has a broken hip. The doctor's gonna fix it on Friday.”

Suddenly Diane Quinn looked at Kase's father across the table. “Gus Rawlins, you've sat here all evening and didn't say a word to us.” She folded her arms across her breasts. “What time on Friday?”

Gus glanced away, then back at her. “Seven a.m. at Mountain View Hospital.”

“So I expect you have to be there much earlier. How can we help?”

Gus seemed to be at a loss. “Not sure there's much you can do.”

Rory Quinn stepped in. “I can send two hands over to your place to take care of your stock. You just write down the feed mix and what needs to be done.”

Kase started to answer, but his father took over. “Kase and I would appreciate that. Thank you, Rory. You're a good neighbor.”

Rory gave a curt nod. “Don't mention it. I know you'd do the same for me.”

Suddenly Addy looked worried. “What about me? Daddy, you said I can't go to the hospital 'cause I'm too little.”

“I completely forgot about a sitter.” He looked at Laurel. “Could you recommend someone?”

“Yeah, how about if she stays with me?” she said.

Addy's blue eyes sparkled. “Yeah, Daddy, that's a good idea. I can stay with Laurel.”

Everyone around the table seemed to be fighting a smile. He realized his daughter had set him up. “But Laurel has her horses to train.”

The child thought a minute, then said, “Maybe I can stay with Mimi and bake cookies.” She turned to Diane and gave her a sweet smile. “Can we bake cookies again?”

Kase was embarrassed. “Addy, what did I say about asking?”

“I said
maybe
,” Addy clarified.

The room broke into laughter. “She's got you there, son,” Rory said.

“There's no
maybe
about it,” Diane told her. “Addy, you are welcome here anytime. Friday is a perfect day because I planned to be inside and baking all day. In fact, Brooke is coming by.”

Addy turned back to her father. “Please, Daddy? I'll be good for Mimi. And I won't be sad thinking about Papa in the hospital.”

Kase realized he wouldn't have to worry about his daughter's care. “Diane and Laurel, thank you. I'd appreciate it if you would watch Addy.”