Count on a Cowboy (21 page)

“We can ride in the direction of the Bucking Q. This would be a good time to tell him he’s your father.”

Brooke glanced away. She knew Trent was right, but she didn’t want to spoil the tentative friendship that was starting between the two of them. “How do I start that conversation?”

* * *

A
FTER A LEISURELY RIDE
, but too soon for Brooke, they headed to the Bucking Q and her cabin. Trent kissed her, then gave her another pep talk on trusting Rory. She agreed, then stood there and watched the incredibly handsome man climb onto his horse. With the promise to meet her back here in a few hours, he rode off on Rango, leading Raven back to the Lucky Bar L.

With a last wave, Brooke watched the figures disappear over the rise. An ache circled in her chest and gripped her heart. She didn’t want to leave this place, or Trent. Would it be possible to return here? To be a part of all this?

She pushed aside the fantasy and walked inside the cabin where she gathered the report and the hotel brochure from her laptop case and got into her car and went up to the main house.

As she parked at the back door and climbed out, she could feel her nerves starting to take over. Suddenly Laurel appeared on the steps and once again Brooke wondered how her sister would take the news.

There was a big grin on Laurel’s face. “So how are you feeling today after you lassoed that cowboy last night?”

Brooke blushed. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t try and act innocent. I saw you and Trent making eyes at each other. Those looks got pretty heated at times, too.” Laurel grew serious. “I know I’ve said this before—Trent is a good man, Brooke. And he seems to be pretty wrapped up in you. I’ve never seen him act this way with anyone. I hope you give him a chance.”

That thrilled her. “I still have to go home.”

“But you can come back here,” her sister encouraged. “And I want to come and visit you in Las Vegas.”

Hope spurred her. Maybe Rory would feel the same. “I’d like that very much.”

Laurel hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad you came here, Brooke, and that you’re my sister.”

Brooke closed her eyes, working to hold back the emotions. “I’m glad you’re my sister, too.”

They pulled apart. “Sorry, I’ve got to go. I need to start a training session on a mistreated gelding. Can we get together later?”

“Sure, I’d like that. I need to see Rory. Is he around?”

Laurel nodded. “I just left him in the office. Go on in, it’s the first room past the kitchen.”

Brooke felt a little strange just walking in, but when she saw the kitchen was empty she felt better that Diane wasn’t there. She hurried through the large room and into the hall, then continued looking for the elusive office. That was when she heard voices. She started to turn around, but when her name was mentioned, she couldn’t. She went to the open door and saw Rory and Diane in a heated discussion.

“Diane, none of this is Brooke’s fault.”

Diane paced in front of the big desk. “That may or may not be true, but every time I see her, I’m reminded of that woman. Rory, she nearly destroyed us. I don’t want Brooke here. Send her away.”

Rory started to speak, but must have sensed her there and looked toward her and froze. “Brooke...”

Diane swung around and glared at her.

Brooke fumbled for the right words. “I’m sorry, Laurel told me to come in.”

Diane didn’t say a word, she just stormed out, leaving Rory and Brooke. There wasn’t any choice now. Brooke’s decision had been made. She released a calming breath and walked inside the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Rory.”

“No, I must apologize that you had to hear that.”

“Please, don’t... I understand how your wife feels. I’m sorry my being here caused you both pain.” Her throat tightened, and she held out her papers. “Here are the hotel brochures and some more information you might want to look at for ideas. I’m sorry I can’t stay to look over your website with you, but I need to get on the road and home to my mother.” She forced a smile, feeling her lips trembling. “Thank you so much for letting me stay here. I had such a great time. Good luck with the cabins.”

His piercing gaze locked on hers. “I wish things could be different, Brooke.”

She took one last look at her father, to memorize his face, trying to store away memories of him. She nodded. “Goodbye, Rory.” She turned and walked slowly out of the house, then got in her car and made her way back to the cabin.

Once inside, she shut the door, and leaned against the wood frame, feeling her pounding heart. She had to leave here, and soon. She walked into the bedroom and began tossing her clothes into her bag, then straightened up the bed and bath. She hated the memories of time with Trent that flooded her head. She pushed them aside and carried her bag into the main room.

Then she took time to write Laurel a note, giving her a phone number and her Las Vegas address so she could stay in touch. Now, for the hardest part, composing the words to say goodbye to Trent. She decided to make it brief, believing he didn’t want any more from her than what they’d shared this past week. Leaving the addressed envelopes on the counter, she looked around the cabin one last time. The pain in her chest made it difficult to breathe. She closed her eyes, praying that she had the strength to move on. She wiped the tears from her face, then walked out and got into her car.

Sadness blanketed her as she drove under the Bucking Q Ranch sign. How did she let this place come to mean so much to her? She never meant to fall in love with Colorado. This life or this family...and Trent. But she couldn’t have any of them.

* * *

T
RENT RETURNED TO
the Bucking Q and parked at the cabin. He was excited and had been a little apprehensive about leaving Brooke to show the report to Rory. Although he couldn’t imagine his friend not accepting Brooke with open arms.

He parked in front of the cabins, surprised to see Brooke’s car wasn’t there. He opened the door and dread struck him as he went into the bedroom and found the closet emptied of Brooke’s clothes.

Damn, she was gone. “No, she wouldn’t leave without telling me.” He went into the kitchen and found the note on the counter.

Trent,

I’m sorry, something came up and I had to leave right away. I want to thank you for a wonderful time. Learning to ride Raven was incredible, and the roundup, too. Most of all it was the time I spent with you that was the best. I will never forget you. Brooke.

Brooke was gone? What the hell happened? He rushed out of the cabin, jumped in his truck and drove to the house.

His tires squealed as he turned into the Quinns’ driveway, then threw the gearshift into park and jumped out. He hurried through the back door, down the hall and into Rory’s office. He saw his friend seated at the desk.

“Dammit, Rory! What did you say to make Brooke leave?”

Rory stood and came around the desk. “I didn’t say anything. Brooke overheard Diane and me talking.” He sighed. “Diane was upset.”

“So you threw Brooke off the property because she brought back bad memories of Coralee. That’s just great.”

“Look, I didn’t see any choice. Laurel and Brooke can still have a relationship.”

“You have to know that Brooke had nothing to do with Coralee’s behavior, but she’s the one being punished.” Trent threw up his arms. “Well, guess what? She’s gone. Problem solved.” He glared at Rory. “But it’s not. Not by a long shot.” He pointed to the manila envelope. “Did you even read the PI report?”

Rory shook his head. “That’s only something Brooke brought me for our website.”

“No, it’s a PI report from Cody. He sent it to me the other night...” The night he’d made love to Brooke. The night she’d slept in his arms. He shook away the memory. “I showed it to Brooke and she promised to bring the information to you today.”

Rory tore open the envelope. He scanned the page. “I’m not seeing anything...” His voice died out as his eyes widened, and he glanced at Trent. “She’s the same age as Laurel. How is that possible?”

Trent nodded. “Because they’re twins.”

“Brooke’s my daughter,” he breathed and sank down into the chair. “Coralee kept her from me?”

“It seems so. Brooke didn’t know about you until her mother’s Alzheimer’s had progressed and she began calling Brooke Laurel.”

“How do you know all this?” Rory asked.

“She told me the other night, but I wanted Brooke to be the one to tell you.”

“Oh, God.” Tears formed in Rory’s eyes. “Why? How did this happen?” He looked at Trent. “I swear I didn’t know.”

Trent shook his head. “Of course you didn’t. It was Coralee who wasn’t honest.”

“You’re right. But why did Brooke make up the story about being Laurel’s half sister?”

Trent frowned. “She told me she only wanted to get Laurel to come to Las Vegas to see Coralee. She wasn’t in the market for a father. I think her real reason was because she was afraid of getting rejected.”

“And that’s exactly what I did.”

Laurel walked into the room. “Hey, Dad. Could you help...” She stopped after seeing Rory’s sad expression. Was he ill? “What’s wrong?”

Rory shook his head, then glanced at Trent.

“Tell her, she deserves to know,” Trent said.

Okay, now she was panicked. “Somebody better tell me.”

Rory looked at his daughter. “Seems that Brooke isn’t your half sister—she’s your twin sister.”

A big smile spread across Laurel’s face. “Really? Oh, wow! I can’t believe it, I have a twin. How?” This was even better than she’d thought. She knew there was something special between them, more than the bond of half sisters. They’d shared a womb. She couldn’t lose her now.

Rory explained everything to his daughter. She beamed and looked around. “Where is Brooke? I want to see her.”

Trent delivered the bad news as he handed her the note that Brooke left for her. “She’s on her way back to Las Vegas.”

Rory took over. “I had no idea she was my daughter.”

Another squeal came from Laurel when she realized Brooke had more of a connection to this family. “Oh, that’s right, you’re her dad, too. With Coralee sick, she needs someone to help her.”

Rory glanced away. “I’m sorry, Laurel. I messed this up badly. I sent her away.”

Laurel knew that, but she was aware that both her parents felt threatened. She only hoped that Brooke could understand that. “Well, then, you’re just going to have to fix it because I’m not losing my sister.”

* * *

T
RENT ARRIVED BACK
at his house and slammed the door in frustration. He’d called Brooke’s cell phone, but it had gone straight to voice mail, and he didn’t leave a message. What would he say?
Come back? I want a life with you?

He cursed and was met with silence. The place was so cold and empty. He could still remember years ago when these rooms had been filled with laughter, happy Christmases and birthdays celebrated right here in this living room. It had all disappeared in one tragic day. Then about a year later, his mother had left, taking him away from everything he loved on the ranch, including his father...and any memories of Christopher. What made him think he could come back and change the past?

He shook away his morbid thoughts and walked upstairs, stripping off his shirt before heading to the shower. In his room, he paused when he saw the bed where he’d made love to Brooke that first time. His chest tightened. The sheets probably still smelled like her.

He walked to the window and looked out at the barn and corral. He’d worked hard to rebuild this place. For whom? Chris was gone, so was his father. His mother wouldn’t set foot on the ranch. She’d made a new life for herself outside Denver, with a new husband and new sons.

His thoughts turned back to Brooke once again.

Why did she have to come here, into his home, leaving him more memories to bury? Now, she was gone, too. How was he supposed to get things back to normal and to stop thinking about her?

He walked to the dresser and pulled out clean underwear. His attention went to the stack of his father’s unread letters.

You need to read them, Trent
, Brooke had said.
Your father loved you.

He picked up the stack of mail, released the string and began to sort through to find Wade Landry’s last letter to his son. Trent checked the postmark. It was dated a week before his dad’s death. Tears formed in his eyes as he opened the folded paper and began to read.

Dear son,

I got some time so I thought I’d write you and give you some news from back home. We had spring roundup this past weekend. Rory and Laurel helped, along with our crew of guys to bring the herd down from the high pasture. I only managed to ride half the day, before I wore out. I guess your old man isn’t as young as he used to be.

My hope is one day when you retire from being a soldier, you’ll come home and take over running the Lucky Bar L. It’s a nice piece of grazing land, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, a pretty view in any direction. There are also good neighbors on either side of the property. Rory would love to have you nearby, too.

I know we haven’t been close for a long time, and I’m going to take the blame for most of that. After Chris died, I closed up, shutting out you and your mother. She didn’t want to leave me. I pushed her away until she had no choice but to go. I pushed you away, too. You didn’t deserve that, son. My only excuse is that I was so filled with guilt about Chris that it was hard to look you in the eye. No more.

For years I’ve left too many things unsaid, and it’s time to let you know the truth. I know you’ve always felt guilty about not taking Chris along with you that day. I want you to stop blaming yourself. I’m the reason Chris is dead.

When your brother got up that morning, he was hurt that you left him behind. I told him if he wanted to go along, then go after you. Chris was
an
experienced rider, and I had no doubt that he could find you. I was wrong, dead wrong. It cost me my son, and you your brother. I’m so sorry.