Second Chance Rancher (13 page)

He finally smiled. “You're right. We had a great weekend together with Addy.”

She smiled back at him. No matter what happened she'd never forget last night. “I had a wonderful time, and so did Addy.”

“I'm glad, because us being together meant a lot to me. You're so special to me, Laurel. It's just that I managed to destroy my marriage and career.” He glanced across the car. “Maybe you should think twice about getting mixed up with a guy like me. Again.”

Was he trying to end it? Her heart sank. “Stop, Kase. A marriage takes two people to keep it together. As for your career, you gave that up to be a father to Addy. As for us, we already decided not to make any promises to each other. Not until Addy's case is over.”

He nodded. “You're right.”

Laurel already knew his daughter had to come first. And if the unthinkable happened, and he lost Addy, Kase would definitely move back to Denver. He'd make his life there so he could be close to his child. That was one of the reasons she loved him so much. She might just have to give him up...again.

* * *

L
ATER
THAT
EVENING
, back in her apartment, Laurel was tired from the trip, but sleep eluded her. She missed being with Kase and Addy. They'd been like a family the past few days, but now she was back to reality. And alone.

Suddenly she heard a soft knock on her door. Dressed in a long T-shirt, she slipped on a robe, wondering if there was a problem with one of the horses. To her surprise, when she looked out the peephole, she found Kase standing on her stoop.

She pulled open the door. “Kase! What's the matter? Is it Addy?”

He stepped inside and took her into his arms. “No, it's me. I missed you.” His mouth found hers, hungry and demanding. By the time he released her, they were both breathless.

“Sorry, I shouldn't come after you that way. It's just that...”

She'd never seen him so distraught. “Kase, talk to me.”

He paced, then stopped to look at her. “God, Laurel, I wasn't totally truthful with you.”

He paused and her heart sank. “I did suspect that Johanna was doing drugs, and I tried to get her help. When she refused to go into a rehab facility, I went to Ben. He told me we had to be careful how we handled it to avoid bad publicity for the firm. I should have handled it.”

Kase walked to her kitchenette, then came back. “Maybe if I had pushed harder, I could have gotten Johanna into rehab.”

Laurel had to stop this. “You put your trust in Ben to help his daughter. He failed her.”

“But I was her husband. I should have made sure she was cared for.”

“She refused your help, Kase. Johanna was an adult. You couldn't force her.”

“I know. That's why I filed for the divorce, and I was going to get Addy, too. I would have never left her with her mother if Mary Beth hadn't been there.”

“Kase, you were a good father. The only thing you did was work hard. That's not enough to make a judge side with the Chappells.”

“You didn't hear all the awful things the lawyer said about me. What if I am a terrible father?”

“Why don't you ask your little girl that question? Who just happens to think you can do no wrong. Where is Addy anyway?”

“Gus is getting around better, and he sent me off to see you. Said he was tired of my bad mood.”

Whatever the reason, she was so happy he was here. She leaned in and kissed him. “So how do I get rid of your bad mood?”

“Darlin', just being here with you brightens my mood. I missed you. After three days together, I hate us being apart.”

“I missed you, too.”

He pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. “What are we going to do about that?”

“I don't know. You have any ideas?”

“Maybe a few.” His mouth closed over hers. His taste was potent and familiar on her lips, only making her crave more. Her body ached with need for him. She ran her fingers through his hair, wanting to deepen the kiss.

“I want you so much.” He broke off and swung her up into his arms, carrying her to the bed.

“I was only planning to steal a couple of kisses, but I ache for you, Laurel. So if you don't want me to stay, tell me now.”

She touched his face. “I don't want you to leave, Kase.”

At that moment, there wasn't anything more perfect than being with this man. She just didn't know how to keep the rest of the world out.

Chapter Thirteen

Before dawn the next morning, Laurel rolled over in her bed and read the clock. It was 4:37 a.m. She also noticed the other side of the bed was empty. Kase was gone? Sadness washed over her as she sat up and looked around the dark apartment.

“Looking for me?” She heard the familiar voice and smiled as Kase stepped out of the kitchenette. With two coffee mugs in his hand, he walked to the bed. “Good morning, sunshine.”

She pulled the blanket closer around her body. “Good morning to you, too.” She took the mug. “I thought you left.”

He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. “Not before I said goodbye.” He kissed her again, deeper, making her hungry for him.

He pulled back with a groan. “As much as I'd like to stay, I have chores to do, and Addy will be up soon.”

“Of course, you need to get home to her,” she told him. “Go.”

He paused a moment, then said, “Come back to the house with me. Spend the day with us.”

Sure, it wasn't as if she didn't have a business to run. “I've spent days with you, Kase. The last three days in fact. This morning, I have a full day of training scheduled.”

He nodded. “What about the rest of the week?”

“I go to work at the accounting office tomorrow, but by next week, I'll be done because tax season is over.” She'd already lost some hours during her trip to Denver. She hated not getting the extra money, then she remembered the envelope in her dresser.

“Laurel?”

She blinked and looked at Kase. “What?”

“Is something bothering you? I know I've been pressing for your time.”

She liked being pushed.

When he started to move away from the bed, she reached for him. “No, it's not that. I loved our trip to Denver. It's just I need to think about my commitments. To be honest, I need the money that I make from the accounting firm.”

He frowned. “To pay back your parents?”

With her nod, he said, “If it's that important, I have some money.”

She stiffened. “Don't go there, Kase.” She reached for her nightshirt beside the bed and slipped it on, then stood. “This is something I need to do myself.” She went to her dresser, turned on the lamp, then opened the top drawer. “Seems someone else wants to help me, too. This came right before we left for Denver.” She handed him the envelope.

Kase opened the package and pulled out the paper along with the stack of bills. “What the hell?”

“There's five thousand dollars.”

He glared at her. “Is this from Aldrich?”

She shrugged. “It doesn't say, but I'm pretty sure it is.”

“When did you say you got this?”

Okay, he was going to be angry. “The day we left on the trip.”

She watched his eyes narrow. “I didn't tell you because you had enough on your mind with the court hearing. I thought I'd wait until we got home.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “I wish you'd told me sooner. I could have had the PI look into this. At the very least, let the police know about it.”

“Jack's name isn't on this note, or the envelope. If it was, I would have contacted the police myself.”

“Of course this is from Jack. Do you know anyone else who would send you five thousand dollars?”

Okay, now she was angry. “Look, I'm not on trial here, Kase, so stop acting like a lawyer.” She waved her hand at him. “Take it, do what you want. I don't care.” She turned away so he couldn't see how upset she was.

“Look, Laurel...”

She raised her hand to stop him. “We said enough. I need to get ready for work.”

He wouldn't give up. “I don't want you to go through this alone.” He touched her shoulder, and she shrugged it off.

She wheeled around. “I got into this mess. I'm the one who trusted Jack, and look what happened.”

“When we fall in love, we don't always think clearly. You only trusted the wrong man.”

When he came toward her, she backed away.

The last thing she wanted was to discuss her bad judgment. “Please, Kase. Let's just drop this.”

He frowned but finally nodded. “I'm not stopping the investigation, so I'll take the envelope with me.”

“Whatever you want to do with it. I don't want that money. Goodbye, Kase.”

“Goodbye.” He hesitated, then turned and walked out the door.

Laurel was shaking by the time she heard the door close, and then the footsteps on the stairs.

She wanted to call him back, but she couldn't add to his own burden. Now it looked like that was exactly what she had done.

* * *

F
OR
TWO
LONG
DAYS
, Kase wanted to see Laurel. He missed her smile, her touch, just being together. Addy missed her, too, and couldn't understand why her friend hadn't come to see her. What made it worse was Kase still hadn't heard anything from the judge about Addy's case.

Since he couldn't do anything about the custody decision, he concentrated on helping Laurel. He'd been in contact with the Denver police and faxed them a copy of the envelope with the PO box number and told them about the money.

He'd learned the mailbox didn't belong to Aldrich, but to a woman named Peggy Watson, Aldrich's ex-wife. The police also went through security tapes at that post office branch, but they showed only a man who could be Aldrich. So Kase had his PI stake out the branch, hoping old Jack would show up again. There wasn't much else he could do.

He wanted to tell Laurel of his plans, but when he'd called her, it went straight to voice mail. Okay, she was angry with him. He didn't blame her. He should have handled things better.

“Why don't you get in the car and go see her?”

Kase looked up to see his father come in the back door. “Who?”

“The woman you've been brooding about since you came home.” He shook his head and limped to the kitchen sink. “I can't understand why anyone wastes their time arguing with a beautiful woman. Just tell her you're sorry. Better yet, send her flowers.”

“Laurel didn't tell me about money that Jack sent her. She said she didn't want to burden me with her troubles.”

Gus wiped his hands on a towel. “I just think she cares enough about you to keep her troubles to herself.”

“Okay, so I worry about her. This Aldrich isn't a good guy. If he came back...”

“Give Laurel credit. She can handle herself. And if you care about her as much as you act like you do, then be there for her. Just don't try to run her life.”

“I think I'm beginning to understand that. I just need to get her to talk to me so I can apologize.”

“I tell you, flowers are the way to go.”

* * *

L
ATER
THAT
DAY
, Laurel paced the hospital waiting room along with her dad and mom. They'd been here the past four hours, ever since Trent had called to say that Brooke had gone into labor. She was three weeks early. The doctor wasn't too concerned, but Laurel couldn't help but worry for her sister and her little nephew. But at the thought of being an aunt, joy rushed through her.

She sent up a prayer asking God to take care of both of them. Christopher was being named after Trent's younger brother, who'd died in a riding accident when he was only nine. Trent had always felt responsible for not keeping Chris with him. It had been Brooke's love that helped her husband get rid of the guilt and ease the loss.

Trent came into the room dressed in green scrubs. He should have looked ridiculous, but the big ex-military man pulled it off. “The show's about to start. Brooke's progressing pretty quickly.”

That brought smiles, and more tension. “Give her our love, son,” Rory said. “Tell her...we're here praying for her and the baby.”

With a nod, Trent turned to Laurel and she whispered, “Tell Brooke I love her and can't wait to meet my nephew.”

“I will.” Trent hurried back into the birthing room.

Laurel had been in the room with Brooke earlier that day, but the birth of her baby should be shared only between Brooke and her husband.

Laurel felt a tightening around her heart. Would she ever be blessed with her own child? Her thoughts turned to Addy and tears formed in her eyes. She knew that she could love that little girl like she was her own, and felt the same about Kase. Darn. Why couldn't life be simple?

Two days seemed to be forever. And she missed him. She'd tried to concentrate on training Ruby Ridge, but she found her mind would wander to Kase. She checked her phone, afraid to take his calls. Now she was more frightened because his calls had stopped today.

Maybe she should call him and tell him about Brooke. She started to punch in the number when she heard her name.

“Laurel?”

She turned to see the man who'd been the center of her dreams for far too many nights. Dressed in a collared white shirt, creased jeans and polished boots, he walked toward her. Her heart began racing to the familiar rhythm whenever Kase was around.

“Kase. What are you doing here?”

He looked disappointed by her question. He paused. “I heard about Brooke, and I wanted to see if you or your family needed anything. I don't want to intrude.”

He came all this way for her? “You aren't intruding at all.” She gripped his arm. “I'm glad you're here. It's been rough just waiting.”

He arched an eyebrow. “So there's no word?”

“Trent came out a few minutes ago and said she was progressing.”

“Would you like me to wait with you?”

Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “I would like that.”

He didn't hesitate and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Oh, Laurel, I'm so sorry I got angry with you. I know I hurt your feelings.” He rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Your work is important. Your reputation as a horse trainer is incredible.” His gaze locked on hers. “I guess I'm just a man who happens to want to be with you, a lot.”

Laurel relished in his touch, his comfort. She needed this man so much it frightened her. “And maybe I overreacted a little, too.”

He touched her chin so she would look at him. “Why don't we talk about this later?” He kissed her gently, then nodded to the audience behind her. “When we're alone.”

Laurel turned and faced her family. With Kase's nudge, they went to join them. He reached out and shook hands with her dad. Mom beamed. “It's good to see you, Kase.”

“Nice to see you, too, Diane. I bet you're excited at becoming a grandma.”

“Oh, yes. I can't wait to get my hands on little Chris.”

Kase smiled. “I don't want to intrude with the family, but if you need me for anything, I'm here.”

Rory spoke up. “You can hurry up that grandson of mine. He's taking far too long.”

Kase chuckled. “I wish I could, but babies come when they're ready.”

Rory nodded, then looked from Kase to his daughter. Although Laurel was an adult, she wanted her parents' approval.

“I'm glad you're here for Laurel,” her dad told him.

Kase nodded. “I wouldn't be anywhere else.”

Suddenly the door opened and Trent came in with a big grin. “Poppy and Mimi, and Aunt Laurel, Christopher Wade Landry has arrived.” He blinked at tears as his voice grew hoarse with emotion. “My son is seven pounds and six ounces of all boy.”

Laurel and her mother gasped and hurried to congratulate the new daddy.

“How is Brooke?” Diane asked.

“She's wonderful. And a champ in my book.”

“Can we see her?” Laurel asked, still hanging on to Kase's hand.

“Give the doctor a few minutes. I'm going back in with my son while they clean him up. I don't want to miss anything.” He walked back into the room.

Twenty minutes later, they went in to see Brooke. Rory was the first to hold his grandson, then Diane took a turn and cooed over the infant, who looked just like his daddy.

“I haven't even finished the baby quilt,” Diane said. “Oh, and the baby shower is next week,” she told Brooke.

“I think we can deal with the change in schedule.” Brooke squeezed Diane's hand. “The most important thing, Chris is healthy. I want him to know his family, especially his grandparents.”

Diane blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. When Brooke first arrived at the Bucking Q, Diane hadn't wanted Rory's
other
daughter around. She'd felt Brooke was a threat to her family. Over the months, they'd come to care about each other.

“And his Aunt Laurel.” Diane handed the swaddled baby to Laurel. The tiny baby felt wonderful in her arms. She fought tears as she examined the precious child. His dark eyes and crop of black hair looked like Trent's. She gripped his hand. “He's beautiful.”

Kase stood close and looked over her shoulder. Laurel couldn't help but picture them as a family with maybe another child in their future.

* * *

A
FTER
LEAVING
THE
HOSPITAL
, Laurel followed Kase back to his house. She was tired, but she promised to stop by and see Addy. It had been nearly three days since she'd seen the child. So when she got out of her car she felt excitement when Addy came rushing out the door dressed in her pink princess pajamas.

The child hurried down the steps, calling her name. “Laurel! Laurel! You came to see me.”

Laurel caught the child in a big hug. She felt the warm weight and powdery scent that was only Addy's. “Hi, Addy. Of course I came to see you.” She set her down on the porch steps. “I'm sorry, but I had to get some work done. I took time off to go with you to Denver and my horses missed me.”

“Were they sad when you were gone?”

“Yes, but Wind wasn't being nice, either, so I had to spend extra time with him so he'd behave again.”