The Bachelor’s Surrender (20 page)

“Maybe you should take some time off from the agency,” Maureen suggested, her pale blue eyes expressing concern. “You work too much, at Blair and with Bright Beginnings. Dealing with all those cases must be emotionally draining.”

Catching the barest hint of disapproval in her mother’s tone, Lauren sighed, and took a long drink of her iced tea. She wished Maureen would offer more support with her chosen profession, and for the foundation she’d established, but her mother had never shown much interest in Bright Beginnings, opting instead to focus on Lauren’s social and love life.

“I enjoy my work,” Lauren stated firmly, hating that she had to defend something so important to her.

Maureen dabbed at her lips with her napkin, nodding absently. “Well, I think I might have someone who might cheer you up and take your mind off of work.”

Unless her mother had managed to locate Rafe and change his mind about her, Lauren seriously doubted her claim of distraction and happiness. “Mom, I’m really not interested.”

Maureen waved a manicured hand in the air, ignoring Lauren’s refusal to be set-up with an eligible, suitable man. “Do you remember Vivian Wingate, the interior decorator who helped me redesign the living room?”

Lauren didn’t, and though she shook her head, her mother continued on, excitement shining in her eyes.

“Well, I found out her son, Robert, is an established pediatrician, and we both thought the two of you would get along wonderfully.”

Lauren raised a brow. “Really?” She didn’t bother disguising the skepticism in her voice. Rarely did she “get along wonderfully” with the men her mother hand selected for her to date. Most were arrogant and were looking for a dutiful wife to adorn their arm. None had yet to accept Bright Beginnings as a permanent part of her life, instead of some fanciful hobby that would end upon marriage.

“I saw a picture of him, and he’s very handsome, too.” Maureen beamed, as if proud of the most recent, good-looking, wealthy suitor she’d discovered for Lauren.

Tired of her mother’s match-making, and knowing there was only one way to stop it, she said very calmly, “I’m sure Robert is very attractive and quite a catch, but I’m in love with someone else.”

Her mother blinked at her, momentarily stunned by her confession. Then she frowned in bewilderment. “I didn’t realize you were seeing someone seriously.”

Lauren set her fork next to her plate. Now that she’d revealed her feelings for Rafe to her mother, she decided she might as well tell her everything. “It happened quite unexpectedly, actually. His name is Rafe Dalton. He’s the man I met in Wyoming, the one that granted Chad Evan’s his wish.”

Maureen’s mouth pursed in disapproval. “The one that rides bulls for a living?”

She hadn’t thought her mother had been listening when she’d vented her frustration over trying to initially contact Rafe, and him ignoring her letters. A grin quirked Lauren’s mouth. Leave it to her mother to remember Rafe’s occupation.

“Rafe used to be a bull rider,” she clarified, much to Maureen’s chagrin. “But now he raises Quarter Horses on his ranch.”

Pushing her half-eaten plate of quiche to the side, Maureen grew unusually quiet as she searched Lauren’s expression. After a long moment passed, she asked, “And you really love him?”

“Yes, I do.” Lauren couldn’t deny what was in her heart.

Lauren expected censure from her mother for falling for a cowboy. Incredibly, something in Maureen’s gaze softened with a rare understanding, and resignation, too. “And how does he feel about you?”

Smiling sadly, Lauren swirled her straw in her drink. “I know he cares about me, possibly even loves me, but he’s too stubborn to admit it.” It felt peculiar discussing such an intimate, private topic with her mother who’d spent so many years foisting prospective beaus upon her, but she appreciated the listening ear. “He doesn’t think we belong together.”

“And you do?”

“I could make it work, if he was willing to meet me halfway.” She drew a deep breath, and admitted her deepest feelings. “He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. Rafe is warm, and sensitive, and fun, even if he won’t admit to those traits. And he respects
me
, and what I do with Bright Beginnings.”

A seldom seen tenderness shone in Maureen’s gaze. “You really do love him.”

Lauren’s throat grew tight with so many different sentiments—most predominant was the fact that her love hadn’t been able to heal Rafe’s emotional scars. “Yeah, I really do.”

Silence settled between them as their waitress cleared their lunch plates and refilled their glasses of iced tea. Lauren thought their conversation was over, until her mother reached across the table and grasped her hand, capturing Lauren’s attention.

“I want to tell you something,” Maureen began softly, her fingers trembling ever-so-slightly against Lauren’s hand. “Before I met your father, I was seeing a young man your grandfather didn’t approve of. His name was Michael, and he was a waiter at the country club we belonged to. After a few months of sneaking around and dating, we fell in love. We talked about running off and getting married, but when my father heard about our plans to elope, he ended the relationship, furious that I’d marry such a common, ordinary man. And because I was so young and naive, and didn’t know any better, I obeyed my father.”

“Wow,” Lauren breathed, stunned that her mother had stowed away such a scandalous secret.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Maureen muttered, her face flushing. “I met your father about a year after that, and we married for, well, more necessary reasons.”

Lauren nodded, knowing what those “necessary” reasons had been. It wasn’t a mystery that her parents had married because Maureen had been pregnant with her. Nor was it a secret that they’d settled into a marriage of convenience, lacking the kind of passionate love that was the foundation of most relationships.

“I’ve always regretted letting Michael go, and that I didn’t fight for
us
.” Melancholy emotions tinged Maureen’s voice and a long ago sorrow filled her blue eyes. “He might not have been wealthy, or prominent enough for my father, but I loved him more than I’ve loved any other man.”

Confusion creased Lauren’s brow as she digested her mother’s astonishing story. “But I thought you wanted me to marry someone upstanding and affluent.”

“Oh, I do,” she admitted unabashedly. “I know I haven’t set the greatest example, but I was hoping you’d
fall in love
with one of the men I set you up with. But I of all people know that you can’t necessarily pick the person you’re going to fall in love with. Sometimes, it just happens. And when it does, you should follow your heart.”

“To Wyoming?” Oddly enough, Lauren wanted her mother’s approval, and needed to know that in this one endeavor, she had her support.

Maureen shrugged, a strange moisture shimmering in her eyes. “Your happiness is what matters most to me, whether it be here in California, or in Wyoming with the man you love.”

In that priceless moment, mother and daughter shared a mutual respect and admiration that paved the way for the kind of special, close relationship Lauren had always wanted.

With her mother’s encouragement, Lauren was going to follow her heart . . . back to Cedar Creek.

Rafe opened the screen door for his sister to enter his house, eyeing the casserole dish she carried. A delicious scent filled his senses, and he recognized the aroma as her tender pot roast and potatoes.

While he appreciated Kristin’s cooking skills and her “left-overs”, he knew it was all an excuse to stop by and make sure he was doing okay. He’d never verbally admit it, but he looked forward to Kristin’s company and her visits. After experiencing Lauren’s bright personality and sassy conversation, he no longer craved the solitude he’d cloaked himself in the past year.

That particular revelation was one he was still trying to come to terms with and accept.

The past few weeks had been hell. For as hard as he tried to forget about Lauren and the impact she’d made on his life in the short time she’d been in Cedar Creek, nothing banished her from his mind. One week, and she’d made an indelible impression on him, and the town. And for as much as he told himself he’d done the right thing, the
honorable
thing, by sending her back to California, he couldn’t convince his heart of the noble deed. He hoped, in time, that the misery of missing Lauren would fade. The despair of loving her was something he suspected would take an eternity to ease.

Taking the meal from Kristin, he headed for the kitchen, with her following behind. “If you’ve come to check up on me, I’m just fine.” The gruffness in his tone was all growl, and no bite.

“And just as ornery as ever, I see,” she commented wryly. “After this week, you won’t have to put up with me as often. I’m going to be too busy to worry about feeding you.”

Setting the casserole dish on the counter, he turned to face his sister, unable to miss the bright excitement sparkling in her green eyes. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” A jubilant smile spread across her face, and she clasped her hands in front of her as if to contain the elation bubbling to the surface. “Temporary guardianship for Chad has been granted until the adoption is finalized. He’ll be coming home next Saturday.”

Rafe smiled, genuinely pleased that his sister and James would finally have the family they’d always wanted. Folding her into his embrace, he gave her a hug to congratulate her, and to express his own happiness. “That’s wonderful, Sis.”

Once the emotional moment passed, Kristin glanced up at him, surprise widening her eyes. “Wow, giving you the news was worth seeing you smile.”

“You weren’t supposed to see that.” He scowled at her, erasing the grin, and she just laughed.

“James and I are planning a welcome home party for Chad on Sunday,” she went on enthusiastically. “And as his new uncle, I fully expect you to attend.”

He had to admit that being an uncle had a nice ring to it. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

“Good.” Kristin grew serious and touched him gently on the cheek. “If it wasn’t for you, none of this would be possible. I have you to thank for bringing Chad into our lives, and giving me and James a gift more precious than gold. Because of you, we’re going to have a family.”

Rafe felt humbled by his sister’s words. “I had nothing to do with it.”

“How can you say that?” She frowned at him. “You granted Chad’s wish.”

Finding it difficult to accept his sister’s praise, he propped his hands on his hips and grasped for levity. “If I remember correctly, I was
coerced
.”

“Do you regret it?” she asked softly.

Her question reached straight to his heart, giving him a moment’s pause. How could he regret bringing Chad into Kristin’s life and granting his sister her fondest wish? “No, I don’t.”

“I’m glad,” she whispered, her voice emotion-filled. “You were Chad’s hero, but now you’re my personal hero.”

Rafe’s belly clenched, and he automatically rejected the title that had brought him nothing but grief. “I’m nobody’s hero, Kristin.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Rafe,” Kristin refuted, a smile curving her mouth. “You’re a man with integrity and courage, and the ability to care and give. You showed me that, and more, when Mom died, and every day since. Even if you don’t want to admit to those caring qualities, I see them all the time.”

He blew out a harsh stream of breath that did nothing to ease the tension twisting within him. “Don’t make me out to be something I’m not. Past actions prove I’m too much like our father.”

She scoffed at that. “Heroes come in many forms, Rafe, but all require a chivalrous heart. That’s something our father
never
had.” She let that statement sink in before continuing. “You and Lauren have those same generous traits in common, and it would be a shame if you let such a wonderful woman slip through your life.”

Rafe glanced away from his sister’s steady gaze, unable to argue with her, not when Kristin’s words held too much truth.

He heard her sigh, then her footsteps as she started toward the living room. Before she exited the kitchen, she stopped and asked, “Did I mention that Lauren would be the one bringing Chad on Saturday?”

A sound between humor and hopelessness escaped him at his sister’s last attempt to rattle him. She did, more than she’d ever know. Seeing Lauren again would be one of the most difficult things he’d ever have to endure. No, he silently amended, watching her leave,
again
, would be pure torture. “No, you didn’t.”

“Just in case you’re wondering, she’ll be staying with us for the weekend, then returning to California on Monday.”

Rafe hung his head, listening to Kristin leave the house, her words playing havoc with his emotions.

He spent the rest of the evening thinking about everything his sister had said, arguing with himself over all the reasons why he didn’t deserve a woman like Lauren, or her healing faith and love. She’d given him the laughter, warmth and tenderness missing from his life, and was willing to sacrifice so much to be with him. In return, he’d been incredibly selfish, allowing his fears to push her away, when she was the one person besides his sister who believed in him.