To Protect His Own

His gut twisted. Vince was married to his exwife’s sister, D’Ann. Melissa’s parents. Alex slipped his arm around Hallie’s shoulders and gave her a protective squeeze. “Not by choice, baby.” Not like your mother.

D’Ann and Vince hadn’t had a choice, either. Melissa’s death had destroyed them and they’d been unable to live in the town where their daughter had been murdered. Where so many memories haunted them. They’d returned to Laramie—Vince’s hometown.

“No. But that’s just it. Sometimes people don’t have choices. You don’t know what will happen. You can wake up one day and everything’s fine—” Her voice cracked and she struggled for control. “And the next minute it’s not fine. You’re dead or someone you love is gone.”

That his daughter should have such a fearful perspective bothered him more than Alex could say. He hated that she lived in a world where violence was common. Hated that he might have in some way contributed to that violence through his video games, desensitizing young people to bloodshed.

And now his twelve-year-old daughter, who should be worrying about boys, clothes and socializing with her friends, was instead worried about death and abandonment.

Alex laid his cheek against Hallie’s head. “You know, sugar, there are no guarantees in life. And there’s really nothing we can do about that. But there are promises, which we can choose to keep.” He pulled back and looked at her, hoping she could see in his eyes just how much he loved her. “And I promise, Hallie, I will never, ever abandon you. Not if I can help it. Besides, I’m planning to live to a ripe old age.” His lips curved in a teasing smile. “That way I can run off all the boys who come knocking on our door, at least until you’re thirty. And I’ll do the same for my granddaughters one day.”

“Da-ad.” Hallie rolled her eyes, and the gesture made his heart soar. To see her do something so normal felt wonderful.

“Well, okay.” Alex shrugged. “Maybe just until you’re twenty-nine.” He stood and took her hand. “Now, come on. You can’t sit here crying, or you’ll wash away the gully. You might even cause a flood.” He kept his voice light, hoping to make her smile.

But there were days when he wished the rain could pour down in a flood to rival Noah’s day, and wash away all the things that threatened his daughter and her happiness. He knew he couldn’t put her in a plastic bubble or lock her away in a bulletproof room. But he’d be damned if he’d let anyone hurt her. And if Caitlin Kramer was going to make her cry—albeit unintentionally—then he’d have to do his best to see to it that Hallie stayed away from her.

No matter how pretty he thought Caitlin was.

CAITLIN WOKE UP Saturday morning to a cold nose in the middle of her back. She jerked reflexively, arching her back, and a sharp pain shot through her spine. “Damn it, Spike!” Crankily, she opened her eyes and looked at the tan-and-white Jack Russell terrier her dad and brother had brought over when they’d returned her truck last night. The dog wriggled with joy, hopping across the bedcovers like a rabbit on speed. In spite of herself, Caitlin grinned and ruffled Spike’s ears. “You’ve got to learn better bedside manners than that,” she said, pushing away the sheet and blanket. Stiffly, she placed her feet on the floor. She looked at the clock—8:00 a.m. No wonder Spike was impatient.

Caitlin went to the back door and opened it for the little dog. She hoped he wouldn’t find a way to climb the V-mesh fence. Jack Russells were notorious escape artists. But it wasn’t as if she could’ve stepped outside in her camisole and panties to keep an eye on the dog. Not with Alex Hunter living across the way.

A short time later, Caitlin threw on some clothes and went out to feed Silver Fox, Spike trotting along ahead of her. The gray gelding whickered softly as she neared his paddock. She reached up to stroke his muzzle, planting a kiss on his velvety nose. “What’s the matter, boy? Did I wake up too late to suit you?” Fox’s normal breakfast time was 6:00 a.m. “Guess I’ll have to work on that, huh?”

In the barn, Caitlin leaned her cane against the two tons of hay Dillon had neatly stacked against one wall, near the fifty-five-gallon drums of sweet feed and alfalfa pellets. Even though the bales were somewhat stair-stepped, the ones on top of the pile were well out of her reach. Her brother tended to forget that the rest of the world was not six foot four. Grumbling, Caitlin stepped onto the bottom row of hay and began to climb, slowly, unsteadily, yet pleased she was able to do it. By the time she was within reach of the top row, she was shaking, her hairline beaded with sweat.

But she got a rush from doing the familiar task, one she dearly loved. The sweetness of the alfalfa-grass mix mingled with the clean scent of the wood shavings in Fox’s stall—comforting smells she’d known her entire life. Fox had come through the open entrance from the paddock to his stall, and he now nickered at her over the half door. “I’m moving as fast as I can,” she called down to him.

Spike had scaled the haystack as though it was nothing more than an anthill. He stood above her, docked tail wagging, his bright, curious eyes seeming to ask what she was waiting for. Caitlin laughed at the little dog, who appeared to be part cat half the time, and reached to grasp the twin loops of nylon twine on a hay bale.

As soon as she tugged it free, she realized her error. This bale likely weighed between sixty to eighty pounds, but Caitlin had completely misjudged it. The heavy load jerked her off balance, and she fell backward, tumbling down the stair-stacked hay. Involuntarily, she let out a shriek.

Spike bounded down and circled her where she landed on the dirt floor, barking for all he was worth. His antics made her all the more dizzy, and Caitlin groaned, clutching one hand to the small of her back. Thank God for the back brace. Still, pain shot through her extremities and her lower spine as she sat up unsteadily. She remained on the floor, trembling, myriad emotions running through her. Anger at her own stupidity. Frustration at not being able to do something so simple. And humiliation at having fallen like a helpless newborn filly trying to gain her legs. She raked a hand through her hair and growled a curse.

“Are you all right?”

Startled, Caitlin looked up into the wide eyes of Hallie Hunter. The girl stood in the doorway of the barn as though unsure of whether to move inside or take off running for help. Her face looked pale.

Caitlin shifted position, then moaned at a fresh stab of pain. “Yeah, I’m okay. Could you please hand me my cane?”

Hallie hurried to get it. She also reached out to give Caitlin a hand in rising to her feet.

“Boy, do I feel stupid.” Caitlin gave the kid a crooked grin. “Did you see me fall?”

Hallie’s face flushed, and she shook her head, her ponytail swishing. “No. I, uh, heard your dog barking and thought maybe something was wrong.” She bent to pet Spike, who leaped all over her with his usual vigor, as if he hadn’t seen a human in weeks. The girl giggled as the terrier licked her face. “He’s cute.”

“He’s a handful sometimes,” Caitlin said. “But I’m glad he set off the alarm.” She hid her embarrassment, knowing the child couldn’t possibly have made it across the road so quickly after Spike had begun to bark. She’d probably been lurking in the vicinity to visit Silver Fox again. In all likelihood, Hallie had seen her lose her balance and fall so unceremoniously from the haystack.

“I thought you were going to send Silver Fox to your parents’ ranch?”

“Yeah, well, I changed my mind,” Caitlin said. “You want to help me feed him?”

Immediately, the girl’s face brightened. “Sure.”

But before Caitlin could move to cut the twine on the bale that had tumbled to the floor with her, Alex’s deep voice carried from across the way. “Hallie! Hallie, where are you?”

“Over here, Dad!” Hallie shouted. “In the barn.”

Caitlin’s stomach churned. What had she been thinking? That she could befriend the girl and avoid the kid’s dad? Self-consciously, she realized what a sight she must look. She’d tossed on a T-shirt with no bra and a faded pair of jeans. And she knew she had hay sticking in her hair, since she was still in the process of picking flecks of leaf and stem from it.

Lovely.

But what did it matter?

You aren’t yourself and you never will be. The guy was here for his daughter, not for her. Caitlin faced him as Alex came through the barn door.

“Hi,” he said, and then frowned at his daughter. “Hallie, you know better than to take off and not tell me where you’re going. I thought we talked about this yesterday.”

“Da-ad.” Hallie squirmed with obvious embarrassment. Looking up at her father, she quirked her mouth. “I was helping Caitlin.”

Caitlin made an effort not to mimic Hallie’s squirm as Alex’s gaze raked her from head to toe. She picked more hay from her hair. “She’s helping me feed.”

“Really?” Amusement lit his chocolate-brown eyes and his lips curved, making her heart beat faster. “Looks more like you’re wearing that hay than feeding it to your horse.”

She rolled her tongue against her cheek. “Yeah, well, I had a little problem pulling that bale off the stack. It more or less pulled me down instead.”

Concern instantly replaced his bemused expression. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah. It was nothing.”

He glanced at her cane, and Caitlin wanted to melt into the floor.

“You know, if you need help, all you have to do is ask. I can even give you our phone number in case—”

“That won’t be necessary.” Caitlin cut him off, then realized she sounded rude. “But thanks.”

“Oh, I forgot—you’re sending the horse away.”

“Actually, I’m not.” She flashed him a forced smile. “But Hallie and I have things under control here. Right, kiddo?”

“Right.” Hallie grinned at her, eyes full of hero worship.

Caitlin was sure that wouldn’t last, as soon as the kid realized she was no longer the woman portrayed in the magazines. Ignoring her inner voice, she showed Hallie how to separate the hay into flakes and feed an armful of the large square sections to Fox. She stood patiently while Hallie cooed to the gelding and patted his neck. But her body throbbed, and all she really wanted was to go back inside the house and lie down. She didn’t even bother to protest when Alex moved three bales down from the top of the stack to the floor where she’d have easy access to them the next time she fed her horse.

Leaving Silver Fox to his breakfast, Caitlin walked outside with Alex and Hallie, trying to find a graceful way to escape their company. But before she could say a word, Spike suddenly bolted in pursuit of a rabbit that scampered across the open land beyond the barn.

“Spike! Come back here.” Caitlin knew it was futile.

“I’ll get him,” Hallie said, sprinting off after the dog.

“Hallie, don’t go far,” Alex called after her, his face pinched with worry.

Why on earth did he treat his daughter as though she were five years old? “What grade is Hallie in?” Caitlin asked.

“Seventh.” He turned, frowning at her. “What, you’re insinuating that I treat her like a baby?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” He folded his arms. “You are way out of line, Caitlin. You have no idea where I’m coming from.”

She shrugged. “You’re right. None of my business.” She set a pace she could manage, following Hallie and Spike.

“Wait a minute.” Alex stopped her with his hand on her arm.

To her annoyance, every nerve along her skin responded. She scowled at him. “What?”

“I didn’t mean to snap at you.” He sighed. “I’m sure Hallie will be fine. Let her catch your dog. Lord knows she’s got five times the energy I do.”

“Kids always have endless energy.” Abruptly, Caitlin felt light-headed and shaky.

“Are you all right?” Alex reached out to steady her.

“I’m fine.” Doing her best to maintain a casual air, Caitlin walked back toward the barn and sank onto a glider Dillon had installed near the walkway leading from the building.

“You don’t look fine,” Alex said, sitting beside her.

Sweat beaded her upper lip, and she knew it was a safe bet she’d either gone pale or flushed. “All right, maybe not fine, but I’m okay.” She laughed without humor. “Apparently even Spike is more than I can handle. Maybe I should send him and Silver Fox both back to the ranch.” She hoped her comment appeared offhanded.

Alex’s eyes were serious. “I read about your accident,” he said. “Hallie’s horse magazines finally caught up with us through our forwarded mail, and I was thumbing through them last night. There was a story about you in Equus.”

She didn’t want to talk about the crash. Hadn’t even wanted the magazine to do the article. But Gran had insisted that it was far better to get the facts straight than to leave everything open to public speculation and gossip. She’d wanted it made clear that while the driver of the SUV who struck Caitlin was suspected of—and later confessed to—being intoxicated, there had been no alcohol involved on Caitlin’s part.

“Then you know exactly what happened,” Caitlin said.

He was silent for a moment. “We had a terrible tragedy in our family about three months after you were run down by that drunk,” he said.

Surprised, she looked directly at him. “Oh?”

“Yeah. And since I can’t seem to keep Hallie away from your horse, I think it’s best you know about it.” He took a breath. “My daughter witnessed a drive-by shooting. But for the grace of God, it could’ve been her who was killed.”

Shock gripped Caitlin. “What happened?”

“She and her cousin were walking to a convenience store a few blocks from our house, when kids with a score to settle drove through the parking lot. They fired at some high school boys who were coming out of the store as Hallie and Melissa were going in. They missed the boys but hit Melissa.”

“Oh, my God.” Caitlin stared at him, not knowing what else to say.

“Melissa was thirteen,” Alex said. “She and Hallie were like sisters.” He fought to control his voice. “She died right there, while Hallie watched. Bled to death in the parking lot before help could arrive.”

Suddenly, Caitlin’s own problems seemed petty. “I’m so sorry, Alex.” She touched his knee. “I can only imagine what Hallie has been through.”

He nodded, glancing down at her hand, and she quickly removed it. “I don’t normally tell my business to everyone. But like I said, if Hallie’s going to hang out at your place, I want you to know what she’s been through. That’s why I’m a little overprotective.”

“I completely understand.” She felt like an ass for having criticized him moments ago.

Alex nodded, then rose to his feet as Hallie reappeared clutching Spike in her arms. Her smile obviously did Alex’s heart good, by the look in his eyes.

“Boy, your dog sure can run. I only caught him because he’d stopped to try to dig that rabbit out of its burrow.”

Caitlin rolled her eyes, hoping it would help hide her emotions. That Hallie wouldn’t be able to see her empathy. “That’s a Jack Russell for you. They’ll go to ground after a rabbit or just about anything else they see.”

“That’s what kind of dog he is?” Hallie asked. “I thought he was a mutt.”

Caitlin laughed. “He is. But he’s a purebred mutt. They’re a pretty popular breed out on the show circuit. Those and Welsh Corgis.”

“What’s a Welsh Corgi?” Hallie asked.

Caitlin laughed again, enjoying the girl’s curiosity. She proceeded to describe the breed.

“Hey, cupcake,” Alex said, tweaking his daughter’s ponytail. “If you’re going to pester Caitlin with a million questions, then the least we can do is offer to feed her.” He looked her way. “Your horse has had his breakfast. Have you had yours?”

“No,” she admitted reluctantly. The last thing she wanted was to go out to breakfast. Especially with Alex, with his dark eyes and cowboy drawl.

“Neither have we. Why don’t you come over and eat with us? I was about to whip up a batch of scratch pancakes anyway. You can even bring Spike.” He gave the dog’s head a pat.

Caitlin raised her eyebrows. “You make your pancakes from scratch?”

His deep chuckle sent shivers down her back and arms. “What, you don’t think a man is capable?”

“No. I mean, yes, I’m sure you’re capable. It’s just that…” Just that she’d mostly eaten out in restaurants or had her meals prepared by the family’s chef. How pretentious would that sound? She shrugged and laughed. “I’m not much of a cook myself, so actually that would be nice.” How could she say no? Especially with the way Hallie was looking at her, as though she walked on water.

Her heart went out to the girl. She’d suffered such a horrible trauma. Come close to being killed herself. It was something, regretfully, they had in common.

“Good,” Alex said. “Then it’s settled. Let’s go.” He slipped his arm around Hallie’s shoulder and began to walk back toward their house.

At least now Caitlin knew the answer to the question at the back of her mind. Alex wasn’t married.

As he waited for her to catch up, Caitlin had a nice view of his snug-fitting Wranglers.

Maybe that fact wasn’t such a good thing after all.

CHAPTER FOUR

PANCAKES. Alex made them every Saturday, yet he couldn’t remember having enjoyed them so much in a long while. He wondered if his pleasure had anything to do with watching Caitlin’s face as she closed her eyes and savored a bite of maple syrup-covered, made-from-scratch hotcake.

“Mmm, these are delicious.” She opened her eyes and looked at him, smiling. “I don’t normally eat such a heavy breakfast, but this is wonderful.” She helped herself to a fourth slice of bacon. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Dad cooks pancakes all the time,” Hallie said, heaping another serving onto her plate. “I love them.”

“You’d better slow down,” Alex said with a chuckle. “Or we’ll have to roll you out the door.”

Hallie gave him a mock grimace, swallowing a mouthful. “How many horses do you own, Caitlin?”

“Foxwood Farms has about thirty or forty head at any given time, depending on how many foals we’ve got. But personally, I’ve got three. Silver Fox is my grand prix show jumper, then I’ve got Black Knight—my hunter—and my retired gymkhana gelding, Red Fire. He was my first, and he’s a quarter horse/Thoroughbred cross.”

Hallie’s brows lifted. “You used to do gymkhana?”

“Uh-huh. Barrel racing, pole bending, scurry jump. It was the scurry jump event that gave me the bug to want to become a show jumper. That and watching those classy jumpers at the Denver National Western Stock Show.”

Hallie’s eyes widened even more. “Dad used to take me to the stock show every year. I love watching the jumpers. And the barrel racers.” Her animation made Alex’s heart soar. “I want to barrel race soooo bad. Dad says he’ll buy me a horse, now that we live in the country. But first we have to fix up the barn.”

“Really?” Caitlin paused. “If you’re serious, Alex, why don’t you bring Hallie out to Foxwood Farms to look at what we have for sale.”

“Actually, your brother already suggested that. But I’m not so sure a Foxwood Thoroughbred’s in my budget.” He smiled, his face warm.

Caitlin’s chuckle filled him with a pleasant heat. “You might be surprised. Not everything on the place is six figures, or even five.”

“Thank goodness,” Alex said. “I’d hate to have to take out a second mortgage to afford a horse for my kid.”

“Dad makes good money,” Hallie spoke up proudly.

“Hallie!”

“Well, you do.” She shrugged unapologetically.

“What do you do for a living?” Caitlin asked, her curiosity more obvious than her tone of voice let on.

For some reason that pleased him. “I design video games.”

“Not violent ones,” Hallie said.

Her words hurt. “I used to,” he said quietly. “But not anymore.” He exchanged a pointed look with Caitlin.

“Yeah, now he just designs boring games rated E for everyone,” Hallie said. “But he still makes good money.”

Not as much as he’d made in Denver, now that he worked out of his house. But the money didn’t matter. His daughter’s happiness and safety were all he cared about.

“Good enough to buy a horse?” Caitlin teased.

“Yeah, I think so.” He grinned, cutting into another pancake.

“So when can we go look at them?” Hallie practically jumped up and down in her chair.

Suddenly, Caitlin’s smile faded, and Alex felt her playful banter wilt like a deflated balloon. “I’ll call Dillon and make arrangements for you to see the horses.”

Hallie frowned. “Why can’t you take us?”

“Hallie,” Alex reprimanded, “don’t be rude.”

“It’s okay,” Caitlin said, looking at Hallie. “I’m not sure I’m up to showing you around. Your dad can bring you out to the ranch this afternoon though, and we’ll see. How does that sound?”

“Cool!” Hallie’s face immediately brightened.

Caitlin glanced at her watch. “Speaking of which, I’d better head home. Mom is going to pick me up in a half hour.” She grimaced. “I can’t drive yet.”

“I see.” Alex could only imagine how her limitations must frustrate her. “What time would you like me to bring Hallie out?”

“How does one o’clock sound?” Caitlin reached for the pen in the center of the table near the salt and pepper shakers. “If you’ve got a piece of paper handy, I’ll give you directions. It’s easy to find—about three miles from here.”

“If it’s that big ol’ place with the wrought iron gates and white rail fences, I already know where it is.”

She blushed. “That would be it.”

“Okay, then. I’ll see you at one.”

ALEX’S PALMS began to sweat as he neared Foxwood Farms. What was he doing here? Caitlin Kramer’s horses were obviously way out of his league, and now that he really thought about it, so was she. He had no business pretending he could afford a horse from such a highbrow ranch. But he hadn’t wanted to disappoint Hallie, and he figured the outing would do her good. If nothing else, she’d have a fun afternoon looking at all the horses, and then he would suggest they shop somewhere else.

Maybe Caitlin would point him in the direction of a horse breeder more within his budget. He grimaced, the thought just as sour in his mind as he knew the words would taste in his mouth. It wasn’t that he was trying to keep up with the Joneses. It was more a matter of wishing it was within his power to give Hallie whatever she wanted. He didn’t want to spoil her. He just wanted to shower her with love and anything that would make her happy.

“Daddy, look!” In her excitement, Hallie called him by the term of endearment she’d claimed to have outgrown some time ago. “Look at all the colts!” She pointed out the window at the mares and foals, grazing in a postcard-perfect expanse of green grass behind white fencing. Some of the foals played and bucked. Others nursed or nibbled grass alongside the mares, fuzzy tails flicking.

The sight brought back memories of his palomino mare, Goldie, and the buckskin colt she’d had the summer he was thirteen. He’d had to sell it when he and his mother moved to Denver.

Alex stopped in front of the set of wrought iron, electronic gates. He pressed the security buzzer and spoke to Caitlin through the speaker, then pulled his truck through the gates as they whirred open. Hallie was out of the pickup before it had even come to a complete stop.

Caitlin greeted them from the front porch. “Hi. Are you ready to look at some horses, Hallie?”

“You bet! Your foals are so cute.”

“Thanks. We can take a closer look at them, too, if you want.”

“All right.” Hallie dogged Caitlin’s heels as she made her way toward the paddocks, leaning heavily on her cane.

Suddenly, it occurred to Alex that maybe she was more exhausted from her physical therapy than she wanted to admit. But then, he supposed she would’ve had Dillon show them around if that were so.