Second Chance Rancher (2 page)

The young man smiled atop his big black gelding. “So you caught the bad boy.”

“Not before he did the damage, and I'm not talking about the fence.” She told him about the mare and Chet laughed.

“It's not funny,” she argued, but found herself smiling, too. What choice did she have? It had been the way her life had been going lately. Now she was here with the once love of her life.

Chet looked up and studied the threesome at the fence. “Is that Kase Rawlins?”

Laurel avoided eye contact. “Yeah, and his little girl.”

The ranch foreman frowned. “Do you think it's a good idea that you're staying?”

Chet was in his midthirties, and he'd been around the Bucking Q since he was a teenager, as far back as when Kase had left. “I appreciate your concern, Chet, but I'm a big girl. So do me a favor, and take Wind back to the barn, and I'll be home in an hour.”

She waved and headed back toward the man who'd walked out of her life without a second glance. So why was she putting herself through this again? Good question. Even after all these years, she couldn't think of an answer when it came to Kase Rawlins.

Chapter Two

Questioning her lack of common sense, Laurel followed Addy into the brightly painted lavender bedroom. The centerpiece was a glossy white canopy covered with a floral comforter and lined with stuffed animals.

She smiled at the perfect little-girl's room. And she didn't need to be here. She didn't need to be reminded of everything she didn't have in her life. A home and family of her own. One of the main reasons she wanted to marry last fall, even if she'd chosen the wrong man. A sudden thought popped into her head. Where was this child's mother?

“This is Bobby. Her name is Bonnie,” Addy said as she pointed to the two baby dolls sitting on the windowsill.

Laurel sat down beside the child. “Oh, they're so precious.” She looked at Addy. “Could I hold one?”

With Addy's enthusiastic nod, Laurel carefully picked up Bobby and cuddled the doll close. “He looks like a real baby.”

A pleased-looking Addy followed Laurel's example and reached for the other doll. “I pretend Bobby is my little brother and Bonnie is my sister so I won't be all by myself.” The light went out of her eyes that were so much like her father's. “'Cause sometimes I get scared.”

Laurel understood the girl's feelings. She'd been an only child until a few months ago when her twin sister, Brooke, had shown up at her door. Best day of her life.

“Maybe you'll get your wish and your parents will have another baby someday.” Why did she hate the thought of Kase with another woman? It had been years since he'd left here, and since he'd left her.

Addy looked at her with tears in her eyes. “We can't have any more babies...'cause my mommy died.”

Oh, my God. She hadn't heard that bit of news. “Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry.” Laurel reached for the tiny girl and pulled her into her arms. Warmth spread through her as she inhaled the soft powdery scent of a sobbing Addy. Her heart ached for the child, wishing she could help her more.

Finally the girl stopped crying, but Laurel continued to rub her back. “You are lucky you have your dad and your grandpa to take care of you.”

Addy raised her head. “My daddy loves me and so does Papa.” Her lips trembled again. “But my mommy didn't.”

“Oh, Addy, that's not true.”

The little girl brushed away tears from her cheeks and nodded. “She said I was a bad little girl. Then she went away and never came back.”

Kase stood outside his daughter's bedroom, his fists clenched at his sides as he listened to the conversation.
Damn you, Johanna.
Yet his wife didn't deserve all the blame. He hadn't been around for his daughter, either. He was ashamed he'd allowed the abuse to happen. What kind of father did that make him?

Then he heard Laurel's soothing voice. “I can't imagine you were ever a bad girl, Addy. Look how nice you treat your dollies. I bet your mother was just having a bad day.”

He stole another glance inside to see Laurel brush back his child's hair gently. “We all have bad days,” she repeated.

Addy sat up and Laurel used the bottom of her shirt to wipe away the child's tears.

“So Mommy didn't mean it?” Addy asked.

“Of course not. She was probably tired. I'm sure she would be so proud of you for being such a good girl for your daddy.”

“I am, 'cause he's so sad. I'm good for Papa Gus, too. I help him with the dishes, and I go get things 'cause his hip hurts a lot.”

“What a good helper you are. And you're only four years old.”

Kase's heart tripped at the sight of his daughter's sudden smile. He moved out of view but listened to the sound of their laughter. Guilt washed over him, thinking about all the selfish choices he'd made in the past ten years. And it'd all started with Laurel Quinn.

* * *

A
FTER
PULLING
HIMSELF
TOGETHER
, Kase headed back downstairs. If he didn't have enough to deal with, there was now this to go with his daughter's adjustment to living here, the legal fight with his in-laws and his father's hip surgery.

Besides facing the possibility of a pregnant mare, Laurel was in this house. Pretty Laurel Quinn had been his girlfriend when they both were in high school. There had been a time when she'd spent more time here than at her house, especially that last summer before he'd gone off to college. Their relationship lasted for a little while longer until he realized that Laurel would never want the same things he did. He came home for holiday break and ended it soon after.

He shook away the memory of that day when he'd told her goodbye. Several times in the past few years, he'd questioned his decisions, but he couldn't change them. Now he was back to square one, and living in Hidden Springs again.

Since being back, he'd expected to run into Laurel occasionally, just not having her dumped on his doorstep. And not looking so fresh and pretty, and with a shapely body wrapped up in a pair of snug jeans and a Henley shirt. She'd turned his head a long time ago and nearly kept him from his dream. He couldn't let it happen again, even if they were tied together with a possible foal.

Kase walked into the small country kitchen and looked around to see the sorry shape of the room. The peeling paint on the walls was the same color as when he left, along with the worn vinyl floor and ancient appliances. If he was going to be home, he needed to do some remodeling.

His father turned from the counter, carrying two mugs of coffee. The older man made his way across the kitchen, his limp more pronounced than earlier. He probably hadn't taken any pain pills. Stubborn man.

Kase went to him. “Here, let me get those.”

His father glared. “Getting out of my way is the only help I need, thank you.”

Meeting his steely-gray gaze, Kase quickly moved out of the way.

At sixty-five, Gus Rawlins was tall and still slender. His face was weathered from years in the sun and his gray hair was thinning under the battered cowboy hat he wore at all times, except inside. He had a bum hip from his rodeo days long ago, then the years in the saddle, training his quarter horse.

Gus made his way to the kitchen table without spilling a drop. He sat down and doctored his coffee with cream and sugar.

His father nodded toward him. “Aren't you going to drink yours?”

Kase took a sip, then asked, “How do you feel about what happened with Honor's Promise?”

The old man tried to hide his grin behind his mug. “I've heard good things about that stallion. If I'd been able, I'd have bought that animal myself. We might just get a good colt out of this...accident.” His father raised an eyebrow. “Question is, how do you feel about Laurel being here?”

He shrugged. “We have some history, but that was years ago.”

“All that money spent on your law school paid off,” his father said. “You've gotten pretty good at dodging a question.”

Kase refused to rise to the bait.

His father took a hearty sip. “All I know is the smile I saw on that little girl's face and it made my day. And Laurel Quinn was the cause of that.”

“What about the fact you and the Quinns are dreaded enemies?”

Gus waved a hand. “Things have changed with the passing of the years. The last time Rory and I talked we couldn't seem to remember what all the hoopla was about.”

Kase blinked in surprise. “It was about land boundaries, which isn't hoopla.”

His father glared. “Well, it's settled now. All legal, too. Had a lawyer draw up papers and everything.”

Kase tensed. “You had a lawyer? Dad, I'm your lawyer, and your son. Should I have known about this?”

Gus directed his gaze at him. “I did contact you,” he insisted. “I called your house and talked to your wife, Johanna. She said she'd let you know, but you never called me back.” He shrugged. “I figured you were too busy, so we used Rory's lawyer.”

Kase cursed, but the fact was he hadn't been home much. He'd been working twelve-hour days and weekends, trying to make partner. And when he was home, he fought with Johanna. “I'm sorry, Dad. I never got the message.”

“It's not important now.”

“The hell it isn't. Dammit, Johanna had no business in keeping your call from me.”

Gus raised his hand. “I won't speak ill of the dead, and she was your wife.”

If his father only knew. Kase sighed. “And she was Addy's mother, too.” That had been what Gus had done over the years after Kase's mother left them. He'd never breathed a bad word about Liz Rawlins.

Gus nodded, then he abruptly changed the subject. “So what do you think of Laurel?”

He wasn't ready to talk about this. “What's to think about?”

“Maybe how pretty she is? And how she's building a pretty good reputation around here with her training horses.”

Kase didn't want to think about how good she looked, or how he reacted to just seeing her again. “She was always pretty, and she's always loved horses. Remember how she used to watch you work the horses, and ask you dozens of questions?”

Gus grinned. “That she did. And looks like she got herself a good-looking stallion.”

“He doesn't seem to be trainable. Look how he took off.”

Gus laughed. “Now, I know you're not that old, son. That horse caught whiff of a mare in season, and nothing could stop him from getting to her.”

Kase's thoughts suddenly turned to the teenage boy who had ridden off with his girl to steal some time alone. Laurel Quinn in his arms was like a dream. The taste of her mouth...

Suddenly he heard the sound of his daughter's giggles as she rushed into the kitchen. “Daddy! Daddy!” The tiny girl stopped in front of his chair. “Laurel and me had so much fun.”

“I'm glad.” He hugged her. But his gaze went to the woman who stood in the doorway, her long slender frame—but her subtle curves were visible to him. Even years later, he remembered her body. Those long legs, and how those firm breasts brushed against his chest. A sudden stirring began low in his gut.

His daughter's small hand nudged at him. “Daddy?”

He blinked back to the present. “What, sweetie?”

“Can Laurel spend the night with us?”

* * *

L
AUREL
FELT
THE
HEAT
rush up her neck. She couldn't even look at Kase. Would he think she put his daughter up to asking? The man holding the child wasn't the same boy who'd left here years ago, and she wasn't the same person, either. The last thing she wanted was to get more involved with the man who'd already broken her heart.

She quickly made her feelings known. “Addy, I'm sorry, but I can't stay tonight.”

The little girl went to her, wrapping those tiny arms around her legs. “But you're my friend, you said so.”

Laurel knelt down. “I am your friend, but that doesn't mean I stay here all the time. I have to go work my horses, but I'll come back to see you. But tonight, I have a date with a very special man.”

Addy's eyes lit up. “Is he a prince?”

Laurel couldn't help but smile. “I think he is. He's my dad, but I have to share him with another princess, my sister, Brooke.”

“Your sister?” Kase said.

She stole a glance at the man and nodded. “A long story, but a happy one.” She kissed Addy's cheek. “My daddy is taking me out to dinner with my sister.”

Addy jumped up and down. “Can I go, too?”

Kase stood. “Addison Marie, it is not polite to ask to be invited.”

“Maybe another time,” Laurel said, wondering how she would get out of this. “I think your daddy and Papa need you here to help with supper. How about when I come back to check on the mare in a few days?”

“To see if she has a baby in her tummy?”

“That's right.” Laurel fought a grin as she hugged the little girl. “So we'll say goodbye for now. You be good and I'll see you soon.”

“I'll be good, I promise.”

Laurel stood. “I better get back before they send out a search party.”

“Glad to see you again, pretty girl,” Gus said and hugged her. “Don't be a stranger, you hear?”

She forced a smile. “I won't. You take care of yourself.”

She looked at Kase. “Goodbye, Kase.” She started for the door.

“Daddy, you didn't hug Laurel.”

Laurel tensed, seeing the stern look on Kase's face.

“You're right, Addy, I didn't.”

He went to her, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. At the feel of Kase's hard body against her, the years suddenly melted away. His familiar scent, which she'd know in the darkness, nearly brought tears to her eyes.

As he finally released her, he said, “I'll walk you out.”

“There's no need, Kase.”

He tensed. “I said I would walk you out.” He opened the screen door and motioned for her to go through.

She stiffened, but she wasn't going to argue with this man, not in front of his daughter. She stepped off the porch and started toward the corral where the ATV was parked.

“Hey, slow down.”

She didn't look at him. “I don't take orders from you or any man.”

“Whoa, I didn't give you orders... Sorry, I guess I did, but I wanted to talk to you.” His long stride easily kept up with her pace. “I wanted to thank you for what you did for Addy.”

Darn it. That took the fight right out of her. “She's easy to be nice to. Sorry about your wife. That's got to be hard on both of you.”

“Yeah, it's been a difficult year.”

Those gray eyes met her gaze. She could see the pain. He must have loved his wife a lot. She wasn't sure she could deal with him being around again. Not that she had any remaining feelings for the man. “So being home might help you both.”

“Looks like I don't have much choice in the matter.”