Second Time Around (28 page)

“Age doesn’t matter. When we lose a parent, even a bad one, we’re all children,”

she said quietly. “It’s time for you to say goodbye to Edward now, and realize there’s nothing you can do to change the past.”

“I think you’re right. But I’m so damn tired. I feel like I could sleep a week.”

“That’s natural. And it will probably be good for you…”

Her words trailed off as someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Quinn kept his grip on her as Duncan stuck his head inside.

“Edward’s lawyers are ready to read the will. They need you downstairs.”

“Tell them we’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Duncan hesitated. “We have an unexpected guest. Harper is here.” He shot Lanie a glance, then closed the door.

Quinn studied her face, noting the puzzled look. “You weren’t expecting him?”

“Why would I be? He was—” She halted abruptly, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I was going to tell you later, when things calmed down a bit. He was working for Edward, Quinn. He has been the entire time. That’s where Edward got the pictures of Zack. He confessed the whole thing to me last Sunday.”

“I know.”

Her eyes widened. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me?”

“Well, let’s say I suspected. Edward knew everything that happened on the ranch.

He had to be getting the information from someone. Harper seemed the most likely candidate.”

16Quinn cupped her cheek. “I didn’t have any proof, Angel, and I knew you wouldn’t believe me without it. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

He hesitated then took a deep breath. “There’s something else you should know.

When I had the accident, I wasn’t going to Chicago, Lanie. I was coming back to Wyoming, to you. The farther I went that night, the more I realized I’d never be able to live without you. So I turned the truck around and headed home. If I hadn’t had the accident we’d have been together all these years.”

Gently, he tilted her face up and searched her eyes. “We both have to stop blaming ourselves. Those years are gone and we can’t get them back. But we can go on and make a life together from here on out.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Now, let’s get downstairs. Dad’s lawyers are waiting.”

* * * * *

Lanie was reeling with shock when they finally left the sitting room. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend the amount of money he’d had in his bank accounts, the

“only inheritance Quinn would get”. It was more than most people could earn in ten lifetimes, and her husband hadn’t even blinked.

Zack had been gifted with yet another trust fund, this one earmarked for his education. And it was big enough that he could go to Oxford if he wanted.

Even Jared hadn’t been forgotten. Edward had left him the clinic in Watson. She glanced in her ex-fiancé’s direction. He was standing by himself in a corner, looking lonely and uncomfortable and she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.

“Quinn…”

“I know.” His knuckles skimmed her cheek. “Let’s go talk to him.”

Jared straightened as they approached, his eyes wary. “Sorry to intrude, McAllister.

The lawyers insisted I be here.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad Dad left you the clinic. You deserve it after what he put you through.”

The vet’s gaze drifted to hers, then he nodded curtly. “I agree with you. But knowing Edward, he only did it because he hoped I’d keep making trouble for you. You don’t have to worry, though. I won’t. And if it’s any consolation, I think in his own warped way, Edward cared about Zack. He couldn’t have been all bad.”

Lanie threaded her arm through Quinn’s. “Does this mean you’ll be staying in Watson after all?”

“It looks that way.” He cleared his throat. “When you get home I’d like to talk to both of you about buying your grandparents place.”

She smiled at him. “You don’t have to wait. I’d be happy to sell it to you.”

“Guess that means we’ll still be neighbors then.”

16“For a few months of the year, anyway.” Her grip tightened on Quinn’s arm as he looked at her in surprise.

“Lanie?”

“Excuse us, Jared. I need to talk to my husband.”

She pulled Quinn away from the others, leading him to a window that overlooked the backyard. Zack was on the swing set, yelling in glee as his feet reached for the sky.

Several other children and a few mothers were with him.

“He’ll start school in the fall,” she mused. “It really wouldn’t be good for him to drag him back and forth from here to the ranch every few weeks. And I’m afraid I’m a little selfish. I don’t want to be away from you for even a day.”

She turned from the window to gaze up at Quinn. “When I was in your room, I knew how wrong I’d been to force you to stay in Wyoming. This is your home, and it always will be. And you were right about something else. For me, home is wherever you are. I think we should live here.”

He looked as stunned as she’d felt after hearing the will read. “Lanie, I can’t ask you to do that. You love the ranch.”

“You aren’t asking me.” She touched his cheek. “I’m volunteering. As for the ranch, we’ll still have it. We can spend every summer there, and every holiday. I’m sure Sherry will jump at the chance to run it herself.”

“But you always said you’d die spending your time cooped up in a house. And you hate the idea of country clubs.”

The cleft in her chin became more prominent as she grinned. “Who said I was going to stay cooped up? I think it’s time the McAllister Riding Stable expanded. Some of these people sure look like they could use the exercise.”

Quinn threw back his head and laughed. “I won’t tell them you said that.” His gaze sobered as he put his arms around her. “Lanie, are you sure?”

“I’ve never been so sure about anything. I want Zack to grow up in the same house you did, in the same room. I love you, Quinn.”

His arms tightened and he buried his face in her hair. “And I love you. I promise you, Angel. The second time around is going be a lot better than the first. I’ll never leave you again.”

“I know,” she whispered. “And even if you did, I’d come after you.”

16Epilogue

Lanie leaned against the fence in the bright afternoon sun, watching Quinn put Xan through his paces. Beside her, Sherry shifted restlessly. There was something on her foreman’s mind and she waited patiently, knowing Sherry would tell her sooner or later.

Zack ran by on his way to the stable. Now that he was six, he’d decided he was too big for his pony, and Lanie had promised him he could choose his own horse. Spot, almost as big as Zack, trotted at his side, tongue lolling in the heat.

“I can’t get over how Kate has grown,” Sherry commented. “Or how much she looks like Quinn.”

“She acts like him, too.” Lanie smiled at mention of her year-old daughter. “I’m afraid she’s spoiled rotten, thanks to her father and brother. And now Martha has joined her fan club. She hasn’t let Kate out of her sight since we got here yesterday.”

She glanced at Sherry, noting the blonde wasn’t meeting her eyes. “So tell me all the news. How’s Duncan doing with his store?”

“Wonderful. Between the tourists and the locals, he’s really making a killing. And he fits into the community like he was born here. Everyone loves him. I think he’s planning on dropping by tonight. He misses Quinn when you’re in Chicago.”

“Quinn misses him, too.”

Sherry crossed her arms on the top rail. “Have you heard from Jared?”

“Not in quite a while. What’s up with him?”

“He’s seeing someone, and you’ll never guess who it is.”

Lanie smiled. “Sara Carson?”

“How did you know?” Sherry gaped at her.

“I could say it was a lucky guess, but I always got the feeling Sara was a lot more interested in Jared than she let on.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No, I’m happy for them. They’re more alike than Jared and I ever were.”

Sherry turned to face her, her expression intent. “What about you? Are you happy in Chicago?”

Lanie arched her brow in surprise. “Sherry, you know I am. I’ve got Quinn and the kids, and the riding stable is doing great. I’ve never been happier in my life. Now, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or am I going to have to pry it out of you?”

The blonde’s face turned three shades of crimson. “Well, I was just wondering if you might be willing to rent me one of the bunkhouses. I mean, I love gramps, and 17everything, but he doesn’t really need me living with him. And since I’m running the ranch anyway, I thought it might be easier if I lived here.”

“I don’t know why you’re even asking me.” Lanie studied her face. “You’re in charge here. If you want to live in one of the bunkhouses, just move in. And forget the rent.”

Sherry looked down, apparently finding the toe of her boot very interesting. “What if I won’t be living there alone?”

Lanie’s smile turned into a full-fledged grin. “Who is it? Anyone I know?”

A sigh lifted Sherry’s chest. “Cody asked me to marry him.”

“Cody? Cody Simmons? Our Cody?”

“You don’t have to sound so shocked.” Sherry glared at her. “I know he’s a few years younger than I am, but grandpa is crazy about him.”

“What about you?”

The blonde’s gaze softened. “I’m nuts about him too. I haven’t given him an answer yet, but I can’t even think straight when he’s around. Then, when I see you and Quinn together with Kate and Zack… I want the same thing. I want a family of my own, with kids and everything. Do you think I’ll make a lousy mother?”

“I think you’ll make a wonderful mother.” Lanie hugged her. “Now go find Cody and put him out of his misery. Then, we’ve got a wedding to plan. Good thing we’re going to be here all summer.”

Sherry returned her hug with a whispered, “Thank you,” then hurried off in the direction of the brood mare barn.

Lanie watched her go, until Quinn stopped next to the fence and slid from Xan’s back.

“What was that all about? It looked pretty serious.”

“It was. Cody asked Sherry to marry him.”

“And?”

“She’s on her way to tell him yes.”

He stepped closer and draped an arm around her shoulders. “I guess I should be happy for her, but I was hoping her and Duncan would work things out between them.”

“I know.” She stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick kiss. “But you can’t push him, Quinn. When he’s ready, he’ll find someone.”

“You’re right, as usual.” He got back on Xan, and with no warning, leaned down and lifted her over the fence, eliciting a squeal of surprise.

“Quinn! What are you doing?”

He gave her a lecherous grin. “Taking you for a ride. There’s this waterfall I know about, and you have been hinting it might be time to give Kate and Zack some competition. I can’t think of a better place to get started on it.”

17She went soft against him. “Neither can I, McAllister. Neither can I.”

17

About the Author

In real life, I’m Kathy to those who know me, since Katherine has always sounded snooty to my ears. Physically, I’m 5’5” with brown eyes. The rest of me is subject to change at the whim of my caloric intake, exercise regimen (or lack thereof), and Miss Clairol. I’ve worked at everything from killing bugs to telephone operator. I have a degree in journalism that is stuffed in a drawer somewhere. I’ve been writing for seven years now and have sold seven novels, five most recently to Cerridwen Press. The Sweet Gum Tree won the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest in 2002 in the single title category. I’ve been a member of Romance Writers of America since the day I started writing, and serve as judge for numerous chapter contests. I’ve been married to the same man for thirty-eight years now. We got married when I was two. That’s my story, I’m sticking to it.

Katherine welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at 1056 Home Avenue, Akron, OH 44310-3502.

Also by Katherine Allred

The Sweet Gum Tree

What Price Paradise

Cerridwen, the Celtic goddess of wisdom, was the muse who brought inspiration to storytellers and those in the creative arts. Cerridwen Press encompasses the best and most innovative stories in all genres of today’s fiction. Visit our site and discover the newest titles by talented authors who still get inspired—much like the ancient storytellers did,
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