Second Chance Rancher

She closed her laptop. Did he really mean he was going to stay here? Could he build a new life here, or after Gus’s surgery and recovery would he get bored and take off again? She couldn’t afford to dream about anything happening with Kase, and definitely not act on impulse. No matter how cute his little girl was, and good-looking the man was, he was off-limits.

Her focus had to be her parents and Trent and the money she had to pay them back. There was nothing more important than that.

* * *

THE NEXT DAY, Laurel had been up early as usual. She fed the stock, exercised the horses and even got in some training. After Wind’s adventure yesterday, she wanted to make sure he didn’t get out again while she was in town.

Right before 9:00 a.m., she pulled her truck into the parking lot in downtown Hidden Springs, next to the professional building. She glanced up at the name Allen and Jacobs Accounting painted on the brick facade.

A few months ago, she’d applied for a part-time job to work during their busy tax season. As much as she wanted to train horses full-time, she was in debt over $30,000. That was the amount Jack had stolen from her parents and Trent when he had been their general contractor on fishing cabin projects. And if it hadn’t been for her carelessness, that money might still be in the account.

She climbed out of the truck, brushed off her black pencil skirt, then reached back inside and grabbed her matching jacket off the seat. After slipping it on over her silk blouse, she headed to the door. Okay, so she enjoyed the chance to work with numbers all day, at least until tax season was over, and she was paid well.

She greeted the receptionist. “Hi, Melody.”

“Good morning, Laurel.”

Melody Hayes was happily married with two kids. A picture of her son, Parker, and daughter, Claire, sat on her desk like a shrine.

With a smile, Laurel continued through the double doors to the main room, where several cubbies were divided by glass partitions. She went to hers and began to sort through the new files on her desk.

Two hours later, she looked up from her computer. She raised her hands over her head and worked to stretch out the kinks from her back. That was when she heard the voices. She looked from her cubby to see Mr. Allen talking with a client outside his office. Not just any client, it was Kase. Oh, no, what was he doing here?

She moved back inside her space, hoping that he wouldn’t see her, but then she heard her name called.

“Laurel!”

Suddenly Addy Rawlins stood in her doorway.

“Oh, Addy. Hi.”

The little girl grinned as she strolled in and up to the desk. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, this is where I work. What are you doing here?”

“I got to come with Daddy. He said he needs help with his money now that we live with Papa Gus.”

Wonderful. Would Kase somehow blame her for this, too? “Well, Mr. Allen and Mr. Jacobs are good at that.”

Then she heard that familiar voice. “Addy, where are you?”

“Oh, no. Daddy’s mad.”

“No, he isn’t. He’s just worried because he doesn’t know where you are.” Laurel stood up and waved. “She’s with me, Kase.”

Kase frowned as he came around the corner to the office. Inside, he found Laurel and Addy. Great, Laurel worked here. “Addison Rawlins, what have I told you about wandering off?”

Addy looked down at the floor. “Not to leave you.” She raised her head and blinked her eyes. “I’m sorry, Daddy, but I saw Laurel and I wanted to say hi.”

His anger dissolved as his heart rate slowed. He knelt down. “I know you did, but I didn’t know where you went.”

“I won’t do it again, I promise.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t be mad at me, Daddy,” she whispered against his ear.

His heart squeezed tightly. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you. I was afraid that you were lost and scared.”

Addy clasped her hands together. “And you were going to save me?”

He couldn’t help but smile. He kissed Addy’s cheek. “I’ll always save you.” Holding his daughter’s hand, he stood up and looked at Laurel. “Seems we keep meeting.”

She nodded. “I work here a few days a week.”

He couldn’t help but stare at the woman whom he’d never seen dressed like this. Hair pulled into a bun, wearing a blouse and skirt. He actually saw her legs. A tingle of awareness hit him low in his belly. It had been a long time since he’d seen those legs. He shook away the memory. “So you got your accounting degree?”

“I might be a few classes short, but close enough.”

Cleve Allen walked up. “Mr. Rawlins,” the older man began, “is everything okay?”

“Yes, my daughter just found a friend.”

Allen smiled at Laurel. “Good. Would you like to go into my office and we can have our meeting?”

Kase looked down at Addy. He wasn’t sure if this was a good idea. “Maybe we should reschedule. My daughter is upset and...”

“No, don’t do that,” Laurel jumped in. “Addy can stay with me while you two have your meeting.” Laurel looked at her boss. “Is that okay with you, Mr. Allen? I’m due for my break and I could take her into the lunch room.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea, Laurel. If it’s okay with Mr. Rawlins?”

Kase didn’t want to feel anything, but Laurel Quinn had nixed that idea. She’d stormed back into his life and he couldn’t seem to stop her.

“Of course,” he said and looked down at his daughter. “Addy, you be good and stay with Laurel.”

Addy took hold of Laurel’s hand. “I will, Daddy, ’cause she’s my best friend.”

Great, just another complication added to his life. With a nod, Kase turned and followed Allen down the hall.

After Kase took a seat in a barrel chair across from the man’s desk, Allen walked around the desk and sat down. “First of all, thank you for trusting our firm to handle your finances, Mr. Rawlins.”

Kase leaned back in his chair. “The main reason I came to you was for my father’s business. He’s a quarter horse trainer, but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to continue his work. I want to make sure he has an income to live on.” Kase had done well for himself in Denver. And although he hadn’t made partner at the firm, his income was quite impressive. “I’ve already invested in the business with a brood mare, and I plan to do some improvements.” After all, his father was just sixty-five, and he could continue to do his training if only in hiring personnel. “Also I have my daughter’s trust from her deceased mother. That’s handled by a bank in Denver. As of now, the trustee is her grandfather. I’m hoping to change that in the future.”

Allen took notes. “We’ll see if we can assist you in that trust transfer.” He arched an eyebrow. “Will you be strictly working with your father, or opening your own law practice?”

“I’m not ready to make that decision.” The type of law he’d practiced for Chappell had left a bad taste in his mouth. He’d sold his soul for money. Now that Johanna was gone, he had to worry about what damage her lifestyle had done to Addy. Even though the four-year-old was worth millions, she needed a lot more than money. She needed stability and love. He’d hoped by coming back here he could do more for her. His thoughts turned to Laurel Quinn. It seemed that she was doing a much better job with his daughter than he was.

Chapter Four

Two hours later, Kase had finished with his financial meeting and ended up at the Rocky Mountain Grill for lunch. The place was a mix of fifties-style diner with a Western twist. The storefront restaurant hadn’t changed since he used to hang out here in high school.

He glanced across the table at Laurel, and a funny feeling rushed over him. Suddenly he thought about the cocky-as-hell seventeen-year-old boy who’d dated the pretty freshman with the big green eyes. She’d been into horses, but he’d quickly changed her interest to him. He also remembered how he used to sit in this same booth and share some fries...and a few kisses.

Then came the day he’d broken her heart and went off to what he thought would be a better life. The joke was on him. It seemed everything he’d been looking for wasn’t found in Denver. The big home, beautiful wife and illustrious career had gone down the tubes. The only thing that mattered now was Addy. He tensed. He would do anything to keep her safe and with him.

At the sound of Addy’s soft sigh, he looked down to find that she was snuggled up beside Laurel, fast asleep.

He started to stand. “Let me take her.”

Laurel waved him off. “She’s fine.”

“I should move her so you can at least eat your lunch. You have to be uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay.” She continued to rub Addy’s arm. “Let her sleep. I have a feeling she’s missing her naptime.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you know naps are for babies?”

That got a smile from Laurel, and his pulse sped up.

“Then I guess I’m still a baby because I like naps,” she confessed. “But then I’m up at five.”

He glanced again at his daughter and how Laurel’s hand stroked her lovingly. He couldn’t remember his wife ever spending much time with their child. Addy was probably starved for some affection. Guilt hit him deep in his chest. He should have been there for his child, too.

Laurel got his attention when she said, “I bet she was up this morning at five.”

“Yeah, you know my dad. He needed to feed the horses.”

“Where is Gus?”

“I dropped him off to visit his friend Charlie Cleveland.” He checked his watch. “But I’ll need to pick him up soon and take him to his appointment at the clinic.”

The waitress arrived at their table and set down their plates. “Would you like anything else?” the girl asked.

He glanced at Laurel and she shook her head. “We’re fine, thank you.”

Laurel took a bite of a french fry. “Oh, so good.” She moaned in pleasure. “I don’t get much of a chance to indulge in Rocky’s hamburgers and fries.”

Kase tried to concentrate on his food but found he’d rather watch Laurel.

When she frowned at him, he realized he’d been staring again and picked up his hamburger. He took a big bite. “So good. I haven’t had a good burger in a long time.”

Laurel waved another fry before popping it into her mouth. “So the big-time lawyer can’t be caught eating a double-stack burger with everything, including onions?”

“Most of my clients prefer something more than a hamburger lunch, especially for what it costs them to keep us on retainer.”

Laurel knew it wasn’t a good idea to accept Kase’s lunch invitation, but here she was sitting across from him. Even though it had been Addy who’d invited her, Kase had tossed in he wanted to thank her for watching his daughter during his meeting.

She was so out of her league. This wasn’t the Kase Rawlins who’d left here ten years ago. She didn’t know how to play the game. She’d proved that with her lousy record with men. “You must be good at what you do if you’ve made junior partner so soon.” She took a big bite of her sandwich.

His gaze shot to hers, his gray depths suddenly dark and searching. “So you checked me out.”

When would she learn to keep her mouth shut? She shrugged, trying to act like it didn’t matter much. “It’s easy to Google a person.” She took another french fry. “Seems you got everything you wanted after you left here.”

He paused, then said, “Sometimes we get confused about what we want, especially when we’re so young.”

Her heart stopped, then sped up again. “You didn’t want to be a great criminal defense attorney?”

“Great is a stretch,” he said. “I had one landmark case. I got lucky with some evidence and with a good cyber investigator, so I was able to prove my client’s innocence.”

Laurel couldn’t help but get caught up in his enthusiasm as he talked about his case. No doubt he was born to be a lawyer. Hadn’t he told her that was his passion from day one of their dating?

Now he was back in Hidden Springs, widowed, with a young daughter. Would he be changing careers and staying permanently? “I think you’re being modest.”

Kase leaned back in his seat. He didn’t want to talk about himself or the future, since he wasn’t sure about anything but keeping Addy. His attention went to Laurel as she lovingly brushed his daughter’s hair back. Her gaze met his. Those green eyes had always been able to turn him inside out.

Laurel sighed. “Addy’s had a lot to deal with in her short life, especially losing her mother so young, and moving back here. All those changes can’t be easy for her.”

“I guess so.” He didn’t want to hash over Johanna’s lack of mothering. “But I want to concentrate on building a new life for us here.”

She arched an eyebrow. “So you’re staying? Permanently?”

A funny feeling came over him as he looked across the table at the beautiful woman and wondered why he ever left. He nodded slowly.

She smiled and his breath locked in his chest.

“Isn’t it funny how life works out?” she questioned. “I mean, the last place you wanted to be was in Hidden Springs.”

“There isn’t much opportunity in a small town for defense attorneys.” He paused. “Look, Laurel, I know I didn’t exactly treat you fairly when we broke up. I was young and selfish...”

She sweetly replied, “And I was a rancher’s daughter who didn’t fit into your plan to make a life in the big city.”

He glanced away, wishing she’d hit him with anger, instead of being nice. He could fight her fury, remembering how the teenage Laurel would stand her ground against him. “What did I know back then?”

“A lot. You followed your dream, Kase. You made a name for yourself with your perseverance and drive. You need to be proud of that.”

And his family suffered. “It doesn’t seem that important now.”

Silence hung between them in the noisy diner that was filling with other customers. “So what are you going to do?” Laurel finally asked. “Retire? Help Gus with breeding and training horses?”

He frowned. “I’m Dad’s partner, but he’s the expert and has the reputation. With my financial backing, I hope we can rebuild the business. Dad’s had some rough times lately. And with Honor’s Promise’s possible pregnancy, looks like I just launched my new career.”

Laurel huffed out a breath. “Again, I’m so sorry about what happened yesterday with Wind.”

He reached across the table and touched her hand. He ignored the warm sensation and said, “I was teasing.”

Laurel smacked his arm playfully, needing to lose his connection. His touch did more than she was willing to admit. “You won’t be laughing when you see the beautiful foal you’ll be getting for free.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but his phone rang. “It’s Gus.” He put it against his ear. “Hey, Dad. Are you ready?” He listened a moment. “Okay, I’ll be by as soon as I get Addy moving.” Ending the call, he looked down at his little girl. Laurel didn’t miss the emotion in his eyes.

He slid out of the booth, leaned over the sleeping child and shook her gently. “Hey, baby, it’s time to wake up.”

Addy’s eyelids fluttered and her tiny hands came up to rub them.

“Daddy?”

“Hi, sweetie. We need to go get Papa and take him to the doctor.”

The child sat up and looked at Laurel, then burst into tears. “But I didn’t get to eat lunch with Laurel.”

At Kase’s panicked look, Laurel stepped in. “It’s okay, sweetie. You can still eat with me.” She knew she was overstepping her bounds. “And your dad can take Papa Gus to the doctor and you and I can finish our lunch.”

Kase frowned. “Laurel, I can’t expect you to keep watching Addy.” He checked the clock on the wall. “Besides, don’t you have to go back to work?”

“I only work three mornings during tax season. The afternoons, I work at my main business, Quinn Stables and Training.”

The child’s tears stopped immediately and Laurel looked back at Kase, daring him to say differently. “And when we’re finished eating, I’ll take Addy home with me. I have a new client coming by with her horse today. Since the Bucking Q is on your way home, you can pick her up there.”

“That’s too much to ask of you.”

“I know that,” she told him, “but you need to get Gus to the doctor, and I bet he’s being stubborn about going. So don’t lose this opportunity to get him help for his hip.”

Kase smiled at her, and she felt her guard slipping, darn it. “Thank you. I owe you big-time.”

“You sure do, and I plan to collect.”

“Gladly,” he told her. His gray eyes flashed heat, then he looked back to his daughter. “Do what Laurel tells you, and I’ll pick you up in a few hours.” With Addy’s nod, he exchanged cell phone numbers with Laurel and stood, then pulled out his keys. “Since you’ll need her car seat, we should just exchange cars. Where are you parked?”

“Next to the office. It’s the black truck with the Bucking Q Ranch logo on the side.” She reached into her purse and handed over her keys.

He grabbed them as he leaned down to kiss his daughter’s forehead, and she caught a whiff of his aftershave. The subtle fragrance got her motor running. He raised his head and his gaze locked on hers. “Thank you again.”

“Daddy, don’t forget to kiss Laurel, too.”

He winked. “I wouldn’t forget that.”

Her heart began to pound as his head descended toward hers and he brushed a soft kiss against her cheek. He picked up the check from the table. “Goodbye, Laurel.”

“Goodbye,” she answered, but her voice didn’t sound like hers.

Unable to help herself, she watched as the good-looking man dressed in a pair of dark jeans and boots walked to the cashier and paid the bill. Then he started out and held the door for a woman, then nodded a greeting and walked out.

She had to stop this, realizing her heart was still racing. Kase was not the man for her. Not ten years ago, and definitely not now.

She felt a tug on her arm and looked down at Addy. “Do I have to eat my fruit?” she asked.

This child could steal her heart if she let her. “Maybe two bites and eat some of your hamburger. Then we’ll go see my horses.”

She was rewarded with a big smile, and the girl picked up her fork and began to eat. Laurel wished she could stimulate her appetite, but Kase had her stomach in knots. She didn’t even want to think about what he could do to her heart again.

* * *

“DAD, YOU NEED to listen to the doctor. He’s telling you that you need this surgery. It’s the only thing that will get rid of the pain and help you walk easier again.”

Gus Rawlins sat in the chair in the medical office and glanced between his son and the young doctor who didn’t look much older. “Will I be able to ride again?”

The fortysomething orthopedist adjusted his wire-rim glasses. “After a successful surgery, many patients go back to normal activities. I’m not sure if it’s wise for you to spend all day in a saddle, but I’ve seen people do it.” He smiled. “The important key is getting a good rehab program.”

Gus didn’t look convinced. “And what if it makes my hip worse?”

Dr. Copeland folded his arms. “I perform this type of surgery every week, Mr. Rawlins, and I haven’t had many complications. That is, unless the patient doesn’t work at rehab.”

Gus looked at his son. “That’s another thing. I don’t need to go into any nursing home. What if I don’t ever get out?”

Kase’s heart sank. Did his father really think that? Guilt washed over him. He wasn’t going to abandon him again. “They can’t keep you, Dad. If they try, you can have your lawyer sue them.” Kase smiled, trying to make light of the situation.

Gus looked at the doctor. “He’s got a smart mouth because he’s a lawyer.” He sighed. “Okay, I’ll do the surgery, but I want to do the rehab at the house.”

“Dad...”

Gus raised his hand. “I need to make sure my horses are looked after. And what about Addy? Who will watch after her? I don’t want to worry her because I’m not there. She’s already lost people...”

Kase wasn’t sure how to handle this. He looked at the doctor for help.

“I have a list of excellent physical therapists who could come out to the house,” the doctor said. “It could be expensive, though. Your insurance may not cover all the expense.”

“If this helps my father, I’ll pay extra for a therapist to come to the ranch.” He frowned at his father. “So when can you schedule the surgery?”

The doctor looked over his computer screen. “I have next Friday at seven in the morning.”

They both looked at Gus. Finally his father relented. “Okay, I’ll do it, but not for you—it’s for my granddaughter. I made a lot of promises to her, and I plan to be around to make good on all of them.”

Kase wanted to know what his father was up to, but right now he’d settle for what he could get from the man.

* * *

THREE HOURS LATER, Laurel watched as her new client drove away pulling an empty trailer. Left behind was a beautiful three-year-old roan mare named Ruby Ridge. Laurel was going to be training the quarter horse for reining competitions.

She was excited about working her horses through the precise patterns of circles, spins and stops. The new corral her father built was a perfect area for the Western-style dressage.

The past few months she’d been working one of Trent’s horses, Red Baron, a beautiful stallion showing plenty of promise. Now she had Ruby Ridge and a chance to prove herself. With the owner, Kat Bryce, willing to help her horse learn, and Laurel putting in the practice time, how could she pass it up? She’d be building a reputation, too, and the money she’d make would go into the fund to pay back her parents.

Hearing her name, Laurel turned to see her mother and little Addy walking down from the house.

She smiled and waved back at her mom, a woman who was an attractive brunette in her early fifties. The best mother ever, even after she’d discovered last fall that Diane Quinn wasn’t her biological mother.

That discovery came out when Brooke Harper arrived at the ranch, claiming to be her twin sister. And her biological mother was really a Las Vegas singer, Coralee Harper, who spent a weekend with their father, Rory Quinn, before her parents got married.

All these years, Rory knew about only one child, Laurel. When Coralee was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, she wanted to see her other daughter before losing all memory and sent Brooke to find her. Now, seven months later, Coralee had been moved into a nursing home only a few miles from the ranch.

Brooke, who’d been raised by the woman, visited her almost daily, and Laurel got there once or twice a week. Some days Coralee knew her, and some days not. Coralee might be her biological mother, but nothing could ever change Laurel’s feelings for the woman who’d raised her.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Addy.”

Addy smiled. “Hi, Laurel. Your mommy showed me your old bedroom. I saw your special dollies.”

Laurel grinned. “You mean Amy and Betsy?”

The child nodded her head, causing her curls to bounce. “Mimi said she wants to keep them for when you have a little girl, so she can play with them.”

Laurel looked at her mother and mouthed, “Mimi?”

Diane shrugged. “I didn’t know what she should call me.” She smiled. “She’s so adorable.”

Oh, no. She didn’t want her mother to hatch a scheme to get her and Kase back together. As far as she was concerned she’d sworn off men. She leaned forward and whispered, “Be careful. This little conniver will steal your heart.”

“I think she already has,” her mother admitted.

Just then she saw her truck coming up the road. It parked next to the barn, the door opened and Kase stepped out. Her breath caught when he straightened to his full six-foot-one frame, exposing the width of his broad shoulders and his narrow waist. His long, easy strides took him around to the passenger side, where he helped Gus climb out.

“Daddy! Papa!” Addy cried and took off running toward them.

Kase turned in time to catch the enthusiastic child in his arms, then swung her around in the air. Addy giggled in delight.