A Child for Cade

“Marry me.”

Abby stared at Cade in disbelief. “Are you crazy?”

“Maybe,” Cade said. “But Brandon needs two parents who love him.”

He needs parents who love each other, Abby cried silently. “We can barely stand to be in the same room together,” she argued.

“That’s not what I’d call what was happening in the pool.”

Abby’s face heated. She couldn’t deny that, not when she could still taste him on her lips. Gooseflesh rose on her skin, and she crossed her arms. Damn him. “We should try to have a cordial relationship—apart—except for raising our son.”

“Brandon deserves more,” Cade said. “He needs a mom and dad.”

“I can’t, Cade.”

Cade watched as Abby ran into the house. His body still ached for her. Once again, his heart smarted from her rejection. But he wasn’t going to let her push him away. Not this time. He was going to have his family.

Chance’s Joy

A Child for Cade

Travis Comes Home

A Child for Cade

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Steve, my friend, my lover, my computer expert.

As I write this, today is our anniversary, and it seems only fitting that I dedicate this book to you. I want to thank you for always being there with your love and chocolate kisses. It’s been a wonderful 30 years.

Forever yours, Pat.

PATRICIA THAYER

has been writing for fourteen years and has published fourteen books with Silhouette. Her books have been nominated for the National Readers’ Choice Award, Virginia Romance Writers of America’s Holt Medallion and a prestigious RITA Award. In 1997 Nothing Short of a Miracle won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Special Edition.

Thanks to the understanding men in her life—her husband of thirty years, Steve, and her three sons—Pat has been able to fulfill her dream of writing romance. Another dream is to own a cabin in Colorado, where she can spend her days writing and her evenings with her favorite hero, Steve. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 6251, Anaheim, CA 92816-0251.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Chapter One

He never expected to see her here.

Cade Randell leaned against the post, oblivious to the sounds of the celebration going on around him. His only interest was the woman with the auburn hair and deep-green eyes standing across the patio. His body tensed as he examined her tall willowy frame. There was a hint of curves beneath the Indian-print skirt, the ivory T-shirt and honey-colored vest.

Damn, Abigail Moreau looked good. A dull pain gripped his chest at the realization that she hadn’t been a Moreau for more than seven years. Not since she’d married Joel Garson.

Just then the woman looked in his direction. When their eyes met, her smile faded and was replaced with a panicked stare before she quickly glanced away.

Cade stiffened. He wasn’t going to let her ignore him. He tipped his long-necked bottle against his lips and took a swallow of beer, then put the empty down on the table and went off to renew an old acquaintance.

He made his way through the crowd, his courage diminishing with each step.

Abby had never dreamed Cade Randell would return home, not after so many years. Her body trembled, and she wanted to run. But there was no escape. Cade had already seen her, and he looked determined to speak to her. She had known this day would come and had dreaded it. It had been nearly eight years. Enough time to forgive and forget and move on with their lives. That was it. He was probably just wanted to say hello.

The tallest of the three Randell brothers, Cade stood six-two. His body was long and lean with broad muscular shoulders. Dressed in black jeans, a wine-colored western shirt and polished sharkskin boots, he moved in a slow easy gait, as if he had all the time in the world. Abby drew another breath, trying to calm the wild beating of her heart.

He stopped in front of her. His face was as handsome as she remembered, but now there was a hard edge to his deep-set eyes. His short-cut raven hair still had a slight wave.

“Hello, Abby,” he said in a deep baritone voice.

Another shiver raced through her. “Cade…it’s good to see you.” Her gaze locked with his night-brown eyes. The same incredibly beautiful eyes she’d seen every day for the past seven years. Her son’s. Oh, God, she shouldn’t have come tonight.

“Is it?” he asked.

She forced herself to look cheerful. “I’m sure Hank is happy you came back for his birthday celebration.”

His stare grew more intense. “That’s the only reason I came back. For Hank.”

She didn’t miss the anger in his voice. “He’s a good man.”

Cade nodded. “And the only person around San Angelo who’d take in three wild boys.”

“Like I said, he’s a good man.”

“Speaking of men—” Cade glanced around “—I don’t see your husband. Where is Joel?”

Abby tensed. No way was she going to explain her situation to Cade. “He’s not here.”

“What a shame. And here I wanted to give him my congratulations.” His eyes bore into hers. “Let him know there are no hard feelings. Is he still working for his rich daddy?”

“Look, Cade, if you want to see Joel, you can contact him at the bank. He and I are no longer…married.” Escape. She needed to get away. She started to leave, but Cade stepped in front of her.

“Why?” He had a cynical sneer on his face. “You were the perfect couple.”

Abby fought the feeling of being trapped. “Nothing’s perfect, Cade.” She moved past him and made her way through the crowd. There was a clear path to the edge of the yard, but she wasn’t fast enough.

Cade caught her. Taking her by the arm, he led her to a secluded area by some trees. “What happened, Abby?”

“It’s really none of your business,” she whispered, and tried to break his hold, but his grip only tightened.

“I think it is my business,” he said. “Wasn’t he enough for you, Abby? Couldn’t he satisfy you, either?”

Suddenly Cade felt a weak push against his body, then a stinging kick in the leg. “You leave my mom alone!” a child’s voice cried out.

Cade released Abby and looked down to find a boy of about six or seven, pushing at him with all his might. He grabbed the child’s arms and held him away before he could inflict any more pain. “Whoa, partner,” Cade said. “I’m not hurting anyone. I was just talking to your mother.”

The boy looked unconvinced. He jerked away, then hurried to Abby’s side. So Abby had a child. Another pain stabbed his heart as he stared at the dark-haired boy.

“Brandon, it’s all right,” Abby said. “This is Cade, Chance’s brother.”

The boy glared at Cade, then at his mother. “But he grabbed you. Just like—”

“No, son. I’m okay,” she assured him with a hug. “Why don’t you go and play with your friends?”

“But, Mom…” Finally the boy nodded, gave Cade a warning look, then reluctantly wandered off.

Abby turned back to Cade. “I’m sorry, since the divorce, Brandon’s been very protective of me.”

Cade saw something in Abby’s emerald eyes. Sadness? Fear? He felt a tightening in his chest again. Damn. Why should he care that her marriage broke up? She had made her choice years ago. And it wasn’t him. Just walk away, Randell, he told himself. But he didn’t move. “Why does your son think you need protection?”

Abby’s back straightened and she raised her chin. “I don’t need anyone’s protection. I can take care of myself.”

Before Cade could speak, his younger brother, Travis, came over. “Cade, come on, we’re going to toast Hank.”

“Be there in a minute.” He looked back at Abby. “We aren’t finished with this conversation.”

“Yes, we are, Cade,” Abby said. “You’ve made a life in Chicago, and mine is here…with my son.” She smiled, and it was as if something ripped the air from his lungs. Suddenly she was transformed into the same beautiful girl he’d once loved.

“Goodbye, Cade.” She walked away.

“Come on, brother,” Travis called again. “Chance is waiting for us at the bandstand.”

“I’m coming.” He looked over his shoulder to catch a final fleeting glimpse of Abby as she hurried off. Something told him it might be the last time he’d ever see her. He should be glad. If so, why was there a terrible ache in his gut?

Cade stood on the bandstand next to Hank, his brothers—Travis and Chance—and Chance’s wife, Joy.

Nearly a hundred people had come to celebrate Hank Barrett’s sixty-fifth birthday. A man who had been a rancher in the area all his life. A man who was loved and respected by all. A man who took in three wayward boys when everyone else had given up on them.

Cade’s best childhood memories had been the years on the Circle B. It hadn’t been an easy life, but Hank and Ella, the ranch housekeeper, were there for them. Besides his brothers, they were the only people Cade could depend on.

With a glass of champagne, Chance stepped to the microphone. “It’s wonderful to see so many friends and neighbors here for Hank’s birthday.” He turned to Hank. “You know half these people came for the free food and beer,” Chance teased, and everyone laughed. Cade watched his older brother in amazement. He’d never known Chance to joke around. He’d always been so serious about everything. Cade decided Joy and their new baby daughter had had a lot to do with it. Funny how love could change a person, Cade thought as he looked over the crowd while his brother continued to toast Hank.

Once again, his gaze wandered toward the back of the patio. Immediately he picked out Abby. When his eyes met hers, something stirred inside. Damn, he’d thought she’d headed home.

When Chance finished the toast, applause broke out, pulling Cade back to the reason he was here. It was his turn to step up to the mike.

“It’s been nearly eight years,” Cade began, “since the last time I was here at the Circle B. But Hank has welcomed me just as he did my brothers and me twenty years ago. Back then I was a smart-mouthed kid and thought I knew everything,” he said as he glanced at Hank. The sixty-five-year-old rancher, with his head of thick gray hair, stood straight-backed. His face was weathered from the sun, but he’d retained his ready smile and kind heart.

“Hank told me I had a lot to learn. Then he proceeded to teach me how to muck out a stall, feed the livestock, brand a calf and shoe a horse. All skills I definitely needed in Chicago.” The crowd laughed. Cade stole another glance at Hank, and he swallowed hard as his emotions threatened to erupt. “But the most valuable lesson I learned from this man was not to give up on a job, no matter how hard. He told me anything worth having is worth the struggle. It’s what gives you such sweet satisfaction, knowing you’ve accomplished something.”

Cade raised his glass. “To Hank. Thanks for all the lessons. And may your days all be sweet.” There was silence as everyone took a drink, then unable to help it, Cade glanced at Abby again.

Abby knew she should have left when she had the chance, but this had been her first social outing since her daddy’s death six months ago. Brandon needed the party, too. Since school let out, he’d been isolated from kids his own age. He’d been sticking close to her, playing her protector. But she didn’t want him to worry about her. She wanted her son to be a kid. Tonight was for him. But was it safe to stay any longer?

When Cade stepped off the bandstand and headed toward her, Abby knew she had to get her son home where it was safe. Sending one of the teenagers to get Brandon, she planned to disappear before there were any more confrontations. No such luck. She looked up and saw Cade still moving in her direction. She tensed, ready for a fight.

He raised a calming hand. “I just want to apologize for before. I had no right to talk to you that way.”

“No, you didn’t,” Abby said, though she knew after her rejection of him he had every right to despise her. He could never know that she hadn’t had a choice. “I know we never can be friends, Cade. But I do wish you the best. I hear you’ve made a good life for yourself in Chicago.”

He nodded. “I have a job I like. I make a decent living.”

She’d known he would do well. “You always worked hard. I’m glad everything’s gone your way. I guess I better go. Goodbye, Cade.” She made her way toward Brandon, fighting the urge not to turn around for one last look at the man she’d loved since the first day she saw him. No, Cade Randell was her past. She couldn’t go back and change anything. It was too late, and there were too many secrets for him to forgive her.

Cade wasn’t in a party mood anymore. He needed time alone. He headed toward the barn and some privacy. Damn, he didn’t want these feelings for Abby stirred up. After all this time, he’d thought he could come back, no strings, just a nice visit with his brothers and Ella and Hank. No demons from his past. Cade walked down the center aisle and stroked a few of the horses in the stalls.

He’d left San Angelo and last seen Abby Moreau eight years ago. Now her hair hung to her chin, and was much tamer than the wild red mane that used to hang to the middle of her back. He groaned as memories of the silken strands draped over his body came rushing back. How she’d been able to make him forget all the cruelty in the world with just her touch. Then just as quickly he recalled Abby’s parting words. “It will never work between us, Cade,” she’d said with tears in her eyes. “I don’t love you.”

“You were right, Abby,” he said to himself. “We wouldn’t have worked. Not when you wanted a man with money. And one without the last name of Randell.”

“Hey, what are you doing out here by yourself?”

Cade swung around to see his older brother, Chance, coming toward him. “I’m not sure I know all those people anymore,” he lied. The real reason was he didn’t know if he fit in. Had he ever?

“Hell, the neighborhood hasn’t changed that much. It’s the same ranching families, though some of the kids have grown up. Got some pretty women here tonight.”

“Whoa, better not let your wife hear you say that,” Cade said, realizing his brother qualified as one of the lucky ones to have found Joy. Chance had also been the only one of the three brothers who stayed on the Circle B, totally content to ranch.

“Joy doesn’t have to worry,” Chance said. “She knows how I feel about her. I was thinking about you. All you and Travis have been doing these past years is working hard and making lots of money. Aren’t you a millionaire yet?”

Cade glanced away. “A million doesn’t seem to be enough these days, bro,” he said. After all, Abby had come from money and chosen to marry into an affluent family, instead of marrying him.

“Took me a lot of years to learn that the right woman doesn’t care,” Chance said. “Not if she loves you.”

“That’s the key, Chance, but it never hurts to have the advantage of wealth.”

“I noticed you had your eyes on a certain woman.”

Cade looked at his boots. “Aren’t I a little old for you to be checking up on me?”

“Just habit, I guess. It’s hard not to watch over your younger brothers.” Chance grinned and pushed his hat back, allowing his hair to fall across his forehead. “Can you believe how much Travis has changed?”

Cade shook his head. “Seems like he was just a skinny college student not that long ago. Now he has his own business.” Travis and Chance looked more like brothers, Cade thought, the same sandy hair and light eyes like their mother. Cade had had the misfortune to inherit his daddy’s dark looks.

“Travis seems to be here, but not here,” Chance said, sobering. “There’s something bothering him.”

Cade smiled. “Yeah, probably trying to figure out how to spend all his money.”

Chance shook his head. “I think it’s more. He hasn’t said more than two words since coming home. And that cell phone of his is attached to his ear. Tomorrow I’m going to get it and bury the thing. That way he’ll be guaranteed a vacation.”

Both brothers laughed.

“Abby looked good tonight,” Chance said.

Cade knew his brother was fishing. Chance was the only one who knew about his past relationship with Abby Moreau. “History. It’s best left there. Besides, I’ll be gone in a few days.”

“You have to go back that soon, huh?”

“I have clients who depend on me.” That wasn’t completely true. As a financial adviser, he could handle just about anything by phone or e-mail, but he didn’t belong here anymore.

“You know, she divorced that jerk.”

Cade didn’t have to ask who Chance was talking about. “I’m not interested. She told me once that she didn’t want me.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, Cade. I think Abby’s daddy was more interested in hooking his daughter up with Garson than she was.”

“She had a choice.”

“Well, whatever, she’s had to pay a heavy price. I hear Joel was pretty free with his fists.”

Cade’s head jerked up. “You mean he hit her?”

“I’m not positive, but I heard stories, and I saw Abby one time with bruises on her face. She told me she fell.”

Anger seethed through Cade. How could a man strike a woman? He thought back to earlier, how Abby had trembled when he touched her. Now he understood her son’s reaction. Cade closed his eyes, trying to block out the pain. The pain he’d felt every day since she left him. But what kind of pain had Abby suffered?

“Tell Hank I’m going for a ride,” he said. “I need to clear my head.”

Chance patted him on the back. “Just remember I’m here if you need me.”

Cade saddled up Gus, a big bay gelding. Chance had told him the horse would get him back to the barn if they got lost. Once on the open range, with the bright moonlight to guide the way, Cade gave Gus free rein and let him fly.

Twenty minutes later Cade reined in the animal at the edge of a rise, then wandered to a grove of trees by the creek. He climbed off and led Gus to the water’s edge for a well-deserved drink. Cade sat down and looked out over the valley. Mustang Valley.

A place he and his brothers had come to a lot. Hank had told them stories about the wild horses who took refuge here because of the water and grazing land. Mostly because Hank didn’t chase them off as a nuisance. Some people had labeled the Randell boys the same way. Like their cattle-rustling father who’d been sent off to prison, they were no good. Branded with the stigma of those circumstances and with their mother deceased, they had no one willing to take them in—until Hank Barrett.

It had taken Cade some time, but he’d finally realized how good Hank was to them. How he made the Randell brothers think they were worth something. That if you worked hard, people would see it. Cade had worked hard in school, then college. But he’d wanted to leave San Angelo, where the Randell name held too many bad memories. But he hadn’t planned to go alone.

Abigail Moreau, the daughter of one of the richest men in the area, loved him. Cade’s gaze went to the oak tree and the memory of their last day together came flooding back…

It had been a June afternoon, perfect for a ride to the valley. Cade had spread a blanket on the ground for them to sit on. He was nervous as he dug into his pocket, trying to find the small diamond he’d worked for months to buy. It wasn’t a large stone, but it was all he could afford for now.

He looked at Abby and couldn’t believe she loved him. She was so beautiful with her long red hair, tied back with a blue ribbon. He held up the ring, and her eyes grew bright with excitement.

“I love you, Abby. I want us to get married so you can go with me to Chicago. I know I don’t have much now, just my college degree, but with my new job, I’ll be able to take care of you. I know it’s not what you’re used to, but someday…”

“Oh, Cade.” Abby blinked back the tears. “I love you, not what you have. Oh, yes, I’ll be your wife.”

Cade slipped the ring on, and she threw herself into his arms. He kissed her, then kissed her again, and soon they were lying on the blanket. He raised his head, trying to catch his breath. “I guess we better slow down.”

Her gaze searched his face. “I don’t want to stop, Cade. I want you to make love to me.”

His heart jumped into his throat. “But, Abby, you said you wanted to wait…”

“I’m going to be your wife, Cade. I want to show you how much I love you…”

Cade shook his head to erase the memory. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t erase Abby’s lie. She hadn’t loved him. The next day his ring came back with a note, saying they were too young for marriage.

Cade got up and walked along the creek and thought back to the naive kid he’d been when he hadn’t believed Abby’s note and had gone to her house. It hadn’t been until she told him to his face that he finally believed her. The clincher came a month later, when she married Joel Garson.

Cade picked up a flat rock and tossed it into the water. The last seven-plus years he’d worked day and night, driven because he hadn’t been good enough for Abby Moreau. And now he had a successful career. Guess he could thank her for that. He was wealthy enough to buy and sell people like the Moreaus and Garsons. But none of that mattered, because what he really wanted he couldn’t have. Abby. And it was too late, because he could never forgive her.

When Abby got home from the party, it was after eleven. By the time she got Brandon to bed, she was exhausted. But in the lonely silence of her old bedroom, sleep eluded her.

Abby went downstairs. Since her father’s death, only she and Brandon lived in the big ranch house. It was almost eerie, with so many empty rooms. She stepped into her father’s study, Tom Moreau’s private domain, and flicked on the lights, then walked past the cinnamon-colored leather sofa and matching chair. The large mahogany desk sat facing French doors that opened onto a large flagstone patio adorned with white wrought-iron furniture. An olympic-size pool and an ornate fountain took up most of the yard, and multi-colored flowers and a boxwood hedge surrounded the property. Nothing had been too good for Tom Moreau. He had loved the lifestyle. Too bad he hadn’t been able to pay for it.

Abby glanced over her shoulder at the pile of unpaid bills on the desk. In the past months she’d been trying to think of a way to pay off the debts. But with her limited financial knowledge, she hadn’t come up with a single idea. She needed a professional, which she couldn’t afford. But she also couldn’t afford not to hire one. It was either that or she’d have to sell the ranch, her last resort. The Moreau ranch was Brandon’s legacy. Since the divorce, Abby knew this was all her son would have. And she’d do almost anything to keep her boy from losing it. She’d already used most of her divorce settlement paying the inheritance tax, then some more on the enormous debt, but it had hardly made a dent.

Joel wasn’t about to help her, either. Besides, she didn’t plan on taking anything else from her ex-husband. As it was, Joel practically made her beg for her monthly check. She guessed that it took the place of working her over with his fists.