Second Chance Rancher (14 page)

Wide-eyed, she asked, “What'd he do?”

“Well, he kicked out one of the boards in his stall, then bucked off one of my trainers.”

“Oh, no. Did he get a time-out?”

“Yes, he did. He's doing so much better now, so he gets apples and hugs for rewards when he's a good boy.”

Laurel glanced at Kase. This was a delicate subject because of Addy's mother's harsh discipline. “Addy, I would never hit a horse, or anyone. I train my horses by telling and showing them how much I love them.”

“I know. Chet said you have the magic touch with horses. You have them eating out of your hand.” She giggled. “That's silly because that's how you feed them.”

She was touched that Chet would say that. “Well, I love what I do.”

She looked up at Kase and smiled. “Hey, Addy, did your daddy tell you that Brooke had her baby?”

She pouted. “I want to go see him, but Daddy said Chris is too little.”

Laurel remembered her mother's invitation. “Yes, we have to be careful when babies are really small so they don't get sick. But there's going to be a party for the baby this weekend. If it's okay with your daddy, I'll take you.”

Addy turned toward her father. “Please, Daddy, can I go?”

“If you go to bed without arguing, then yes, you can go for a little while.”

“Okay.” She stood and cheered, then hugged Laurel and her dad and went to the door. She paused, then asked, “Laurel, will you come up and read me a story?”

There was that tug on her heart. “Of course. Go brush your teeth and get into bed.”

The child started to leave again when her grandfather came out. She kissed him, too, then disappeared.

“My, that girl hasn't moved that fast in days.” Gus smiled. “Nice to see you, Laurel.”

“How have you been?”

“Getting around,” Gus said as he held open the door and Kase and Laurel walked into the kitchen. “While you all have been gallivanting around Denver, I've been here working.”

Kase smiled. “You're just upset because you aren't the center of attention since you got back on your feet.”

Laurel noticed that he was standing on his own. “Oh, look at you, Gus. You aren't using a cane, or anything.”

The older man beamed, even stood a little taller. “I'm not doing too bad, for an old guy. I'm still in physical therapy, but soon I'll be back on a horse.”

Kase finally spoke up. “Let's table that until we talk to the doctor. You don't want to rush it.”

“I didn't say I was going riding tomorrow.” Gus huffed, then smiled again at Laurel. “I better head to bed myself. Good night, Laurel. Don't be a stranger.”

Laurel went over and hugged the man. “I won't.”

Once Gus left the kitchen, Kase reached for Laurel and drew her close as he leaned against the counter. “I've missed you so much.” He bent down and kissed her. “Again, I'm sorry about the other day.”

“That's over.” She kissed his chin, loving the feeling of being in his arms. And as much as she ached to get lost in his loving, they had too many other distractions. “Come on. We have a little girl waiting for us.”

She took his hand and together they went upstairs to Addy's room. It took only about ten minutes of reading, and a short discussion of what to buy baby Christopher, before the four-year-old yawned, then rolled on her side and closed her eyes. Seemed all was right in her world. If only life were that simple.

Laurel kissed Addy's cheek, wishing she could always be included in this child's nightly ritual. With one last look at the sleeping child, she and Kase walked out of the room.

Kase waited in the hall as Laurel closed Addy's door. As much as he wanted to take her into his bedroom and let her know how much he'd missed her these past days, the safest place for them to have their talk was downstairs.

He directed her back into the kitchen so they wouldn't disturb Gus in the den. He pulled out a ladder-back chair and she sat down, then he joined her. He hated to wreck the mood, but he needed to tell her about Aldrich.

“I heard from my PI.”

Laurel sat up straighter. “You found Jack?”

Kase shook his head. “Not yet, but the PO box address belongs to his ex-wife.”

“His ex-wife?”

“You didn't know he'd been married?”

“Of course I did,” she said, then added, “since Trent looked into Jack's background last fall. But I doubt if anyone went looking for her. What's her name?”

“Peggy Watson. She still lives in Denver and has the same PO box, which I believe Jack has a key to—or maybe he never gave it back to her.”

Laurel rubbed her temples. “This just keeps getting better.” Her gaze avoided his. “Don't say it. I should have learned more about the man I'd planned to marry. Please tell me they aren't still married.”

He wasn't going to mention she was far too trusting. “They were divorced three years ago. I'm still trying to understand why Jack put a return address on the envelope. He should have known that law enforcement would trace it.” Kase suddenly knew the answer. “Unless...he wants you to get in contact with him.”

“That's crazy. If he wanted me around, why'd he leave?”

“From what we've discovered, he had no choice but to take Rory's money to pay off a gambling debt.”

“He's not going to like it if I ever get my hands on him.”

“No, Laurel. I don't want you anywhere near him. Promise me that if he contacts you again, you'll let us know.”

“But if I can get him to give me more money...”

He shook his head. “We don't know what else Jack is involved in. Illegal gambling...money laundering... And those guys can play for keeps.” He went to her and pulled her to her feet. He didn't want anything to happen to her. “Please, promise me you aren't going to do anything foolish.”

“I'm not stupid, Kase.”

He raised a soothing hand. “I'm sorry. I just don't want you to worry so much about getting the money from Jack that he manages to talk you into seeing him.”

She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “I never should have trusted him, but he told me he loved me.” Her voice softened. “But he knew I didn't love him, not that way. We were both lonely. One night after a few drinks we got this crazy notion...”

“To get married?”

She eyed him closely. “I guess you weren't the only one who chose the wrong person.”

He didn't want to remember the turmoil that Johanna had put him through. “Why didn't you just wait to fall in love with someone?”

Laurel met his gaze. “Because I was already in love with someone, but he didn't want me.”

Chapter Fourteen

The following Sunday afternoon, Kase drove to the Bucking Q Ranch to deliver an excited little girl for Brooke's baby shower. He climbed out of his SUV, opened the back door, released Addy's safety seat and helped her down.

They were a little early for the party, but Kase didn't want to be there when the other guests showed up. That included a lot of women, since men weren't invited to the party. He'd been instructed by Trent to drop off Addy, then meet the other guys at Q and L cabin number one. The other husbands and boyfriends would be there to celebrate the birth of Chris.

“Daddy, how do I look?”

He glanced down at his adorable daughter dressed in a ruffled white skirt and a pink shirt that read Pretty in Pink and white sneakers with glittery laces.

“You look beautiful, sweetie.”

She smiled and his heart tripped. She was the joy of his life, and losing her would kill him. He couldn't imagine not having his daughter with him.

“Daddy, did you hear me?”

He shook away the dark thought. “What, sweetie?”

“I said, do you think Christopher will like the horsey?”

“Of course. Every little boy wants a horse. Come on, you've got a party to go to.” Together they walked around to the back of the car and lifted the hatch. The gift might be a little extravagant, but when Addy saw the wooden horse in the store window, she wouldn't settle for anything else.

Kase lifted the horse from the back and along with his daughter walked up the steps and knocked on the back door. After hearing “Come in,” he allowed Addy in first, then followed her into the kitchen.

Laurel was busy at the sink, her back to them. There were trays of small fancy sandwiches and a big bowl of green salad on the table. Laurel turned and smiled. “Addy and Kase, you're here.”

He wanted nothing more than to walk across the room, take her in his arms and plant a big kiss on her inviting mouth. He tabled that thought until later. “I thought I'd drop Addy off a little early, along with this guy.”

“And sneak out,” Laurel teased as she walked over and hugged Addy. “Don't you look adorable.”

The four-year-old smiled. “You look pretty, too.”

Kase thought so, too. Navy trouser pants and a print blue-and-burgundy tunic-style top with a wide belt showed off her small waist.

“I agree,” he told her.

Laurel gave quick kisses to both of them. “Oh, my, that's a big horse. Let's take it in with the other presents and the other early guests.”

He groaned and followed as she led them through the Quinns' formal dining room. A lace tablecloth covered the table with a big bouquet of flowers as a centerpiece, blue napkins and plates and matching balloons, one that announced “It's a Boy.” In the living room there were already several women on the other side of the room, busy looking at the baby in the bassinette.

He hadn't seen Chris since the hospital, but he planned to keep it that way for now. He wanted a quick departure from the party. He found the stack of presents on the fireplace hearth and placed the horse down. He kissed Addy and instructed her that he'd be back to pick her up in a few hours.

He took Laurel aside in the doorway to the dining room. “Thank you for inviting Addy today. She's been so excited all week.”

“I'm glad. There are a few other little girls coming, too. So she'll have someone to play with.”

Kase wasn't hearing anything Laurel said. He was thinking about how much he wanted to steal her away. “I should go. I'll be with Trent and your dad at the cabin if you need me.”

“You don't want to see Chris?”

He would love to hold the little guy. “He's a little busy right now. I'll wait until later when I pick up Addy.”

“See you then.” Laurel kissed him sweetly, then she started to push him toward the door.

When he heard the collective gasp over her action, he said, “I'm out of here.” He turned and walked through the kitchen and out the door.

Laurel smiled, her heart still pounding wildly, watching Kase leave. She fought the urge to go after him. Instead, she turned her focus to the group of women who came today to celebrate the birth of her nephew, Christopher.

Her mother, Diane, had helped with the party. Trent's mother, Leslie Landry Brannigan, came from Denver to see her first grandson, and the namesake of her son Christopher. She hadn't returned to Hidden Springs since she'd divorced her first husband, Wade. Their marriage hadn't survived after they'd lost their youngest son.

The new mother, Brooke, was dressed in a sheath-style blue print dress and looked wonderful for having a baby a week ago. Next to her was their biological mother, Coralee Harper, who had early onset Alzheimer's and lived in a facility in town.

Another friend of Brooke's, Erin Carlton, had been Coralee's caretaker in Las Vegas and recently relocated here to work as a nurse. Erin was the reason Coralee could be here today. The older woman was a little confused over the party and her new grandson, but Brooke wanted her here, and to take pictures to mark the occasion.

Little Addy went over to the rocking horse and announced, “This is my present for baby Christopher for being born.”

The group chuckled.

“And it's lovely,” Diane said. “Don't you think so, Leslie?”

The two women had been friends over forty years from way back when their husbands, Wade and Rory, traveled the rodeo circuit. Later they had also been neighbors.

Laurel hadn't seen the former Mrs. Landry since she was a little girl. Leslie's blond hair was now streaked with gray and there were a few more lines around her pretty blue eyes, but Laurel remembered her sweet smile. Leslie made her way to the rocking horse.

“He's beautiful,” she told Addy.

“I know, and I thought baby Christopher would really like him. This can be his first horse till he's old enough and gets a real one. I named him Buckeye.”

The room grew silent, knowing that had been the name of Leslie's son's horse.

“Laurel said Christopher's uncle's favorite thing in the whole world was his horse.” The little girl cocked her head sideways and looked at Leslie. “Maybe Uncle Chris will see him from heaven and smile.”

Addy looked at Laurel. She was barely holding it together, but she managed to nod.

Leslie finally spoke up. “Thank you, Addy, for the lovely gift. Now we have a reminder of Chris's horse.” She hugged the child. “You brought the best present ever.”

Diane took Addy's hand and together they walked over to the baby.

Addy looked into the white bassinette with the blue lining, staring at the baby. “He looks like my baby dolly.”

Smiling, Laurel looked down at the infant. Christopher was the image of Trent. He had dark hair and his big brown eyes were wide as several women cooed over him.

Laurel had fallen hopelessly in love with her nephew, making her want a child of her own even more. Her thoughts turned to Kase. Back in high school they'd daydreamed about getting married and having a houseful of kids. Was that all it was, a dream?

Hearing Addy's voice, Laurel quickly returned to the present. “He keeps waving his arms. It's like he's waving to us.”

“I think he hears your voice and is excited you're here.”

Addy turned her face to Laurel and smiled. “I'm excited I got to come to the party.”

Beaming with pride, Brooke walked over to them. “We're glad you came, too. You look so pretty in your pink shirt. That's my favorite color on you.”

Addy looked down at her outfit. “I picked out my prettiest clothes because it's a special party.” The child looked at Laurel. “Daddy said you were the prettiest girl in high school.”

Laurel tried not to blush but lost the effort. “Thank you, sweetie.”

She was happy when the doorbell rang and more guests arrived, including two little girls who came with their mother.

With Addy distracted, Laurel returned to the kitchen to finish the food prep. Yet she couldn't help but think about Kase. She'd missed him this past week, but they both had things to do, and Laurel wanted to catch up with her training schedule and needed to get the baby shower together.

Yet the man wasn't far from her mind. The picture of the two of them together had Laurel dreaming not only of a life with Kase, but also Addy. She loved them both, but how did Kase feel about a future for all of them?

* * *

A
T
THE
CABIN
, Kase sat back in an overstuffed chair with a longneck bottle in his hand. He'd been nursing the same beer for the past hour. The other men were a lot further along than he was, but he wasn't about to try to catch up.

He was distracted, his thoughts on Laurel. He wanted to be with her, now and in the future. He'd been a fool to let her walk away, and he was going to do everything to keep it from happening a second time. He needed her in his life.

He glanced around the one-bedroom cabin on the Quinn property that usually rented out for fishing and hunting. The four other rental cabins were a nice way to bring in extra income for both Rory and Trent. Trent was also hired on as an outfitter frequently. There were plans to build more and expand the business to include more structures for country weddings and business retreats.

His own head was spinning with ideas for the Rawlins Horse Ranch. Dad was doing well with his new hip and eager to start training again.

He wanted to move on with his life, too. Make more improvements at the ranch—the barn and corral needed help—and hire some help for the chores. Even the house was desperate for repairs. Maybe he could add on an addition to the main floor, and a new kitchen. A place a woman would feel comfortable living in.

Suddenly laughter broke out and he heard his name. “Isn't that true, Rawlins?” Trent asked. “Aren't girls harder to raise than boys?”

Kase smiled. “They might be, but I wouldn't trade my little girl for anything.”

“She's a little heartbreaker, that one,” Rory added with a grin. Rory would make a much better grandfather than Ben Chappell any day.

Trent glanced at the time. “I wonder if the ladies are finished with the party.”

“Why, are you that eager to go back and change diapers?” one of the men teased.

Trent nodded. “I spent a lot of years wiping the bottoms of recruits, so taking care of my son is nothing but a joy. Brooke and Chris are the best things that have ever happened to me.”

Kase stood and raised his bottle. “To fatherhood.” Then it suddenly hit him that his family was all he needed to be happy. That included Laurel.

* * *

A
FTER
THE
BABY
SHOWER
, Laurel walked upstairs at her parents' house and peeked into her old bedroom. She smiled, finding Addy fast asleep in the bed. The girl had had a busy day.

Laurel turned to see Kase walking toward her. Before she could speak, he reached her, and then without even a hello, he was kissing her.

Oh, mercy. The man had skills. He knew how to hit the right buttons. With the firm pressure of his mouth on hers, she tasted him. Inhaled his scent and her desire grew.

He hooked his arms around her back and drew her closer. She was plastered right up against him until she couldn't think of anything else. Soon he maneuvered her against the wall. Oh, boy, she was melting on the spot.

She managed to come to her senses and broke off the kiss. Trying to gather her breath, she glanced down the hall, hoping her parents weren't around.

“Sorry, I can't stop myself around you.” He cupped her face and whispered, “I want you so much, Laurel.”

She knew how he felt. “I want you, too,” she admitted.

He rested his forehead against hers. “I'm trying to be good. What I really want to do is carry you off to one of those vacant hunting cabins.”

Laurel wanted to tell him she'd like that, too, when he surprised her and asked, “How would you like to go out on a date tonight?”

“With you and Addy?”

He shook his head. “Just you and me as a couple. No kids allowed.” He pressed a soft kiss on her lips. She wanted him to linger longer.

“I love that idea, but I probably should help Mom and Leslie with cleanup.” Leslie was staying here at the house while in town.

Kase shook his head. “Both women were in the kitchen having coffee. The place was spotless. I guess your services aren't needed tonight.” He paused and pulled her close. “So, Miss Quinn, how would you like to go out with me tonight?”

Before she got too excited, she nodded toward the bedroom. “What about Addy?”

“Got that covered, too. Your mother said she'd watch her tonight.” He nuzzled her neck, causing shivers to rush down her spine. “Come on, your choice on where to go. Dinner, a movie, dancing...”

Laurel pulled back and looked into his mesmerizing gray eyes. She wanted desperately to be alone with this man. “I know where the extra keys to the cabins are.”

* * *

L
ATER
THAT
EVENING
, in the queen-size bed at the cabin, Kase pulled Laurel closer against his side and covered them with a blanket.

“I don't want to move ever again,” she breathed as she placed her arm across his chest. “I'm happy to stay here forever.”

He rubbed his fingers over her arm. He wanted the same thing. But how did they keep the outside world from intruding?

As badly as he wanted to plan a future with this woman, how could he when he didn't know what tomorrow would bring?

Laurel raised her head, her blond hair highlighted in the dimly lit bedroom. “I can hear you thinking, or should I say worrying?”

He hugged her closer, feeling her warm, sexy body against him. “I'm sorry. I wanted to give you my undivided attention.”

She smiled and something squeezed around his heart. “You were doing a pretty good job a few minutes ago.” Her green eyes darkened with desire. “I've never made love—”