Patricia Thayer - Second Chance Rancher

Laurel sank back into her chair. Kase had been right to leave her behind. She would never fit into that life, any more than Kase would fit in back here. He’d proved that when he left and never came back, not even for a visit.

She scrolled down on the computer and continued to read more. She stopped at the headline “Heiress Johanna Chappell Rawlins found dead in drug overdose. Denver Police question the husband as to his whereabouts.”

She continued to read that Kase had cooperated with the police and was never charged with anything. The Chappell family felt differently.

Laurel sighed. No wonder he brought Addy back here. With the Chappells’ accusation and being followed by the media, that couldn’t be good for a child.

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.