Second Chance Rancher (7 page)

“I think it'll do both of them good,” he said as Diane set down a plate filled with sliced beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. “Thank you, Diane, this looks wonderful.”

“It tastes really good, Daddy. But you better eat or you don't get any dessert. Mimi and me made an apple pie. So clean your plate.”

Laughter rang out. “Not a problem.”

He enjoyed the family surroundings in the oversize kitchen. Funny how he once thought this was so boring. He looked across the table at Laurel and locked on those mesmerizing green eyes. He felt a tightening in his stomach, and his fingers itched to touch those wild curls. Oh, he was far from bored.

He felt Addy's hand on his arm, shaking it. “Daddy. Daddy.”

He tore his gaze away and looked at his daughter. “What, sweetheart?”

“Brooke and Laurel and me went to see Miss Coralee today. She lives with a lot of old people. And sometimes she couldn't remember my name, but Laurel told me it was because she forgets things.”

Addy wrinkled her nose. “I had to tell her my name three times. That's okay because she was nice to me, even if she called me Laurel.” Addy smiled. “Then we left and went to lunch. It was girls' day, no boys allowed.” His daughter giggled. “We had a lot of fun.”

Kase looked at Laurel. “No men, huh? I hope that rule isn't every day.”

“No,” Addy assured him. “But girls need time to get all pretty just for themselves, and they don't need men around.”

Rory coughed, Diane tried to hide her smile and Laurel's cheeks flamed. She said, “Remind me never to tell this little one any secrets.”

* * *

A
N
HOUR
LATER
, after delicious apple pie, Addy and Diane went upstairs to get her overnight bag. Rory poured himself a cup of coffee, excused himself and went into his office.

Laurel was at the sink finishing up some of the pans that didn't go into the dishwasher.

Kase went to her. “I should be doing those. You've worked all day and took care of Addy.”

She didn't look up as she quickly rinsed off the platter and placed it in the drainer. “I'm finished.” She grabbed the towel.

He didn't move away. He found he liked being close to her, feeling her warmth, inhaling her intoxicating scent. He hadn't had this kind of reaction to a woman in a very long time.

“You've done so much, thank you. Addy has had so much fun staying here.”

Laurel shrugged as she wiped her hands on a towel. “We did have a fun girls' day. Brooke is about to deliver her baby soon and it's time we got to spend together.” She looked at him. “I hope you didn't mind us taking Addy to see Coralee.”

He shook his head. “It's good that she spends time with other people. I probably should have her in preschool so she can socialize with other kids her age.”

“That's a good idea. But you've been a little busy with Gus. I could ask Melody, the receptionist at work, where she takes her two kids.”

“Thank you. I didn't send her before because she'd been with too many babysitters and Gus wanted to get to know his granddaughter. But she needs to be with kids her own age. At least a few mornings a week, especially with Dad laid up at the house during his rehab.”

She turned back to the sink and began to wipe off the counter. “Have you found someone to come out and work with him?”

He caught another whiff of her soft powdery scent. His gaze went to her new-looking pair of jeans, and the way they caressed her nicely rounded bottom. He lost his train of thought for a moment.

“No, but I have several names that I need to call.” He pulled the list out of his shirt pocket. “Do you know any of these therapists?”

She took the list from him. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip in concentration and his pulse began to race. “I know Darcy Mason. She comes out here to ride sometimes. Her husband, Matt, is a firefighter in town. She also volunteers at the medical care facility where Coralee resides.”

“Maybe I'll try her first.”

Laurel gave back the paper and saw Kase staring at her. “Is something wrong? You're looking at me funny.”

He smiled. “I like your hair down. I remember you used to wear it like that when we were in school.”

She was uncomfortable with his attention. “I work all day with horses. It's easier to tie back.”

He reached out and touched the curls. “Soft. So pretty.”

She swallowed hard, trying to rid the dryness in her throat. “Thank you.” He'd moved closer and she wasn't sure what to do. Suddenly her phone rang, causing her to jump.

“Excuse me.” She punched the answer button. “Hello?”

There was a long silence, then she heard a soft “Laurel.”

She froze, recognizing the voice, then turned away. “If this is who I think it is, be man enough to talk to me.”

“I'm sorry” was the only answer she got, then the line was dead. She cursed and looked at the number. Redialed it, but no one answered.

“Are you okay?” Kase asked.

She shook her head. “I'm pretty sure that was Jack.”

“The man you were supposed to marry?”

She added, “And the creep who stole from my parents and Trent.”

Kase took her phone and looked at the number. “It's a Denver prefix.”

“We went to Denver last fall, trying to find him.”

“Are you positive that's who was on the phone?”

She shrugged, quickly losing her confidence. “He only said my name, ‘Laurel,' and then ‘I'm sorry.'” She looked at him. “Should I call the police?”

“And say what? You got a call that might be your ex-fiancé.” He got a pen and paper off the counter and wrote down the number, then pocketed the information. “Let me see if I can find out whom it belongs to. Don't say anything until I learn more.”

He paused and reached out and touched her cheek. “I'm sorry he hurt you, Laurel.”

She glanced away. “It's okay, I'm over Jack. He was one of the mistakes in my life.”

“Seems we've all made those.” He had so many regrets, he was afraid to start the list, because right on top would be Laurel.

Chapter Seven

The next week, Gus had come home from the hospital, but since he wasn't ready to climb stairs just yet, Kase had moved him into the den on the main floor.

Equipment had been rented for his therapy, and Darcy Mason had been hired to work with Gus five days a week. Luckily, his dad hadn't complained, not about being confined to the house, or about the strenuous exercises Darcy had put him through. Right now, all his dad cared about was being with Addy and his horses.

Kase also knew his daughter needed more interaction with kids her own age, so he'd enrolled Addy into Saint Theresa Preschool in town. At first Addy had been nervous about leaving him, but once she'd arrived at the school and seen all the other kids, she agreed to give it a try. She quickly began to make friends. Best news, Laurel had offered to pick her up on the days she worked for the accountant and bring Addy home. Plus she could also help out with the horses.

Today was one of those days, and he found he was anxious to see her. Crazy, huh? He'd just seen her two days ago, but that didn't seem to matter. He told himself that the reason was because he had some news about her mysterious phone call. The way his insides churned and the restlessness he'd been feeling, he knew it was more. This was all about seeing Laurel.

“Staring out the window isn't going to bring her here any faster.”

Kase turned to see his father leaning on his walker. Darn, the man could always read him. “Shouldn't you be in bed?”

“No, I need to walk around to help with circulation. Hurts like the blazes since Darcy's torture session this morning, but it's getting better.” He grimaced as he moved across the kitchen. “That girl should be in the military. She could whip our troops into shape.”

Gus nodded toward the window. “Laurel's truck just pulled into the drive. Go ask her to come in. I'd like her to check on Romeo for me.”

“I need to talk to her about something...private.”

His father raised an eyebrow. “Then go.”

Kase stepped outside in the warm sunlight just as Laurel climbed out of the truck. She waved to him as she walked to the back door to unbuckle his daughter.

Kase went to help. “Here, let me get her. She's too heavy for you.”

“You're kidding, right? Have you seen the horses I work with? Addy is a lightweight.”

“I'm big,” the child said. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, sweetie. How was your day?”

He lifted her out of the seat. “I played with Chelsea, but she was mean and didn't want Kelly to play with us, too. Kelly cried so I hugged her and we played together. And Chelsea got a time-out for not sharing.”

His heart swelled with pride. “I'm glad you were nice.”

“I don't like people who are mean.” She turned sad. “Now Kelly is my new friend. And if Chelsea can be nice, we'll play with her, too.”

“Good girl.” He set her down. “Go inside and see to Papa Gus. He's been waiting all morning for you.”

“I drew a picture for him.” Holding the paper up, the child ran off.

After the screen door shut, Kase turned to Laurel. She was dressed in a dark slim skirt, giving him a glimpse of her long, shapely legs while the cream-colored silky blouse caressed the curve of her breasts. His thoughts wandered until he directed his attention to her face. Light makeup enhanced her eyes, and he loved that she wore her hair down. “I like your hair that way,” he said.

She smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

“If you have some time, Gus would like to speak with you. But before you go inside, I need to discuss something with you.”

She blinked those big green eyes at him. “Sure.”

“It's about the phone call you got the other day. I had the number checked out. We got a location. It was from a pay phone outside a Denver restaurant. There's no way to trace it back to Jack.”

She sighed. “Of course, that would make it too easy to find him.”

“Look, Laurel. I know it's disappointing, but I'm more concerned that this guy might try to contact you again, or even come back to see you.”

Laurel clenched her fists. “If Jack does, I have a few things to say to him before I call the sheriff.”

He frowned. “Calling the sheriff is a good idea, but not confronting him. This guy might not have a police record, but he stole money from you, and he has connections with some pretty sleazy characters. And that worries me because the word is Jack owes them money, too. And if they find out about your connection to him, they might come after you for it.”

She studied him. “How did you find this out?”

“I have a great PI, Clark Johnson. I asked him to do some investigating. He talked with some of the neighbors at Aldrich's last address. Seems there are some rough-looking characters also looking for him.”

“How much did this investigator of yours cost?”

Kase knew she would want to pay him. “He's on retainer with the law firm.”

“But you don't work there anymore.”

“Let's just say he owed me a favor.”

“My dad and Trent already had Jack investigated last year. We already knew he was a gambler and needed money to pay back debts.”

He had a feeling Jack's problems were much more than a few debts. “Just be careful, Laurel. Aldrich might be a two-bit hustler, but he's on the run. That makes him dangerous. So if he calls again, let me know.”

“Kase, I don't want you to get involved in my mess. It was my mistake to believe Jack, and it cost my family.”

Did she truly believe this was all her fault? “This guy deceived everyone, Laurel, including Trent and your dad.”

She avoided his gaze. “I just feel so stupid for falling for his lies.”

He touched her cheek and made her look at him. When those emerald eyes glistened, he found himself mesmerized by her. “When we fall in love, we aren't always smart. You loved the guy.”

She sighed. “Who said love had anything to do with it?” She turned and headed toward the house, leaving Kase shaking his head and wondering why the hell she had been going to marry the guy then.

* * *

T
HIRTY
MINUTES
LATER
, Laurel had gone to the Rawlinses' barn to check Gus's horses. He might have only a half dozen, but they were all quality quarter horses. Gus had asked her to exercise Romeo, and she couldn't refuse. After she changed into a pair of jeans and boots she kept in her truck, she took the roan stallion out into the corral. She climbed into the saddle and began to ride him around the arena, and slowly the tension from her day, and the disappointing news from Kase, began to disappear on this magnificent horse.

Not ten minutes later, Kase came out of the barn with Honor's Promise. The big chestnut mare pranced excitedly as if showing off. Once she settled down, Kase rode her toward the gate. After he opened it, he motioned for Laurel to join him on the other side.

She hesitated, then nodded toward the mare. “How has she been around the stallions?”

“Ignoring them mostly.”

That wasn't a good sign. “You think she's pregnant?”

“I'm not an expert so I had the vet come out. Besides an exam, he also did an ultrasound.” He gave that cocky smile of his. “Looks like we're officially going to be parents.” He wheeled his horse around. “Come on, let's go for a ride.”

She followed once she closed her mouth, which she'd opened in surprise. Was he happy about the foal? She was. This could help build her stallion's reputation. She smiled. This was turning out to be a good day.

Once the gate was shut, she took off in a canter. Kase caught up to her, then led her along a path. Since she didn't know where she was, she followed him. That was very enjoyable. He might be a lawyer now, but he still looked good on horseback. Relaxed in the saddle, he held the reins lax, but in command. She couldn't help but remember those teenage days when they'd ridden together. There were so many places they could find for privacy.

Once they got to a clearing, Kase gave her a sideways glance. “Let's pick up the pace,” he called.

She smiled. “What about Gus and Addy?”

“Dad knows we went riding, and he has my cell number.”

“Okay, then.” Pushing her hat down on her head, she put her heels into the horse's sides and the animal shot off. They galloped across the high grass as a herd of cattle grazed in the distance. She felt the cool spring air against her face, and the powerful stallion moving under her. There was nothing better. She glanced at the man beside her. Well, she could think of a few things. She turned away from the temptation and raced across the field.

Soon they came upon a grove of trees beside the creek, and Kase slowed his mare, then he began to walk her alongside the water. Once in a clearing, he stopped and climbed down. “Let's give them a rest before we start back.”

“Good idea.” Laurel swung her leg over the saddle and slid to the ground. Holding the reins, she led Romeo to the stream, where he dipped his head and began to drink.

Kase did the same. “Does this look familiar?”

Laurel sat down on the rocky edge, but she didn't have to look around to remember. She'd thought about this spot so many times, replayed that last day Kase had brought her here.

“It's been over ten years, and the trees are bigger, but yes, I remember. You used to bring me here when we'd go riding.” And where she'd given herself to the boy she loved and thought loved her, too.

Kase joined her on the ground. “I wish there were only good times to remember here. It's hard, since I can only think about the last time we were here.”

She placed her chin on her raised knees, recalling that day when he told her he didn't want her any longer. “Gosh, it can't be ten years ago. Sometimes, it seems like yesterday.” She finally looked at him. “When you came home from college that first time, you seemed different. You seemed to have turned into someone I didn't know.”

He looked away. “Yeah, a semester of college and I thought I knew everything. I made new friends, was pledging a fraternity. I thought I was too cool to be from Hidden Springs.”

He turned back to her, his expression serious. “I did so many things wrong, Laurel. I'll regret until my dying day how much I hurt you.”

She hated that their breakup still hurt her. “We were both so young, Kase. And a long-distance relationship wouldn't have worked anyway.” She looked out to the water again. “It was for the best. You're forgiven for being a teenage boy.”

“It still wasn't right, Laurel.” He sighed. “I can't tell you how many times I wanted to call you, just to talk.”

She blinked at the tears, working hard to keep them from falling. The last thing she wanted was for Kase to see the pain he'd caused her. And that it still bothered her. She put on a smile and looked at him. “You should have. I would have liked to know how you were doing. It's funny because our parents weren't exactly friends back then, or I would have asked Gus about you. I'm glad they got everything resolved with the land dispute. Now they're good neighbors. And you and Addy are our neighbors, too.”

He leaned in closer and she inhaled his familiar scent. “How can you be so generous?”

“What do you want me to do, Kase? Yell at you, tell you that you broke my heart? Of course you did, you were my first boyfriend, my first love. I gave myself to you right here.” Oh, God. She looked down at the soft grass, and she flashed back to how his kisses had her crazy, causing a fire and a desire that she'd never found with any other man.

He turned toward her. “If it's any consolation, Laurel, I regret pushing you out of my life. I struggled with so many things all those years, and I found my career was all I could manage well. And when I did begin to have success, I married someone who I thought would help me. Instead, I couldn't give her what she needed.”

She raised her head. “Are you saying you married for your career?”

He shook his head. “At first, I was enamored by Johanna. She was breathtakingly beautiful, we had a physical attraction, but there wasn't much else, no friendship, no shared interests. Everything about her was superficial. All she cared about was a social life, and getting her parents to love her.”

He tore at a piece of grass. “When Mom and Dad didn't give it to her, she wanted my undivided attention. I had to work. Her father, Ben Chappell, insisted I put in a lot of hours for the firm. Bring in clients. Then Johanna thought a baby would keep me close to her.”

Kase glanced away. “I still let work keep me from home. Because Addy was so young, I didn't think she would miss me. I thought Johanna and Addy needed the money and nice things more than me. It took a tragedy to make me realize I was wrong.”

“Oh, Kase, I'm so sorry. But you are with Addy now, and she adores you.”

“I don't ever want her to feel unloved again. That's why I'll do anything to keep her safe and secure, keep her from living in a sterile environment with her grandparents.”

She finally smiled. “You might have made mistakes in life, but you're a good dad, Kase. No one can take Addy from you.”

He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “That means a lot to me, Laurel. You still mean a lot to me. That's the one thing that hasn't changed over the years.” He leaned forward, and Laurel panicked but couldn't seem to pull away. When he brushed his lips over hers, she sucked in a long breath.

“Kase, this isn't a good idea.”

“I disagree. It's the best idea I've had in a long time.” His mouth closed over hers.

Kase had to be crazy, tempting himself with this woman, but even knowing he couldn't start anything right now didn't stop him. He pulled her close, trying to ease that gnawing in his gut.

Laurel felt wonderful in his arms, her breasts pressed against his chest. The feel of her mouth under his was both erotic and sweet at the same time. He loved those soft sounds she made when his tongue slipped past her lips to taste her.