Patricia Thayer - Rocky Mountain Brides - Raising the Rancher's Family

Leah forced aside the memories and smiled. “I wish I’d had better accommodations. Most of the places I went didn’t even have running water, or toilets.” Or any respect for life.

“Well, we for sure can give you better living quarters. I just hope you don’t get bored.”

On the contrary, Leah welcomed the peace and quiet of her hometown. Her thoughts turned to Destiny’s new resident, Holt Rawlins. He hadn’t exactly made her feel peaceful. “I think I can stay busy enough.”

“If you’re talking about the runaway boy, maybe I should give Reed a call. As sheriff he could get together a lot of volunteers.”

“I’m just afraid that we’ll drive him deeper into the woods. Maybe it’s better if Holt and I go out tomorrow alone.”

“You’ve been in town for only a few days and you’ve seen more of our new resident than we have in the past four months.” Morgan’s eyes widened. “What’s he like?”

Leah shrugged. “I see a strong physical resemblance, but he’s nothing like John. Has he made friends with anyone in town?”

“Outside of the few times I’ve seen him at the grocery store or the trading post, he’s pretty much kept to himself. He’s cordial and polite. Maybe you should invite him to a town meeting and introduce him around.”

Leah wasn’t sure Holt wanted to make friends. “Doesn’t it seem strange that John never mentioned a son?” Leah asked. “Why he never had a relationship with Holt?”

Morgan shrugged. “Could be the divorce was a bitter one, and it’s difficult to keep a long-distance father/son relationship going.”

Leah drew a breath. “It’s still hard for me to imagine John Rawlins ignoring his own child.”

“It happens,” Morgan told her. “Look at us. Our birth mother never came back to get us.”

It was no secret that twenty-seven years ago three girls—two toddlers and an infant—were left at the inn for the childless Keenans to raise. There had never been much discussion about the girls’ biological parents. Why would a mother just leave her daughters?

Morgan looked at her sister. “Sometimes parents can’t keep their promises.”

The next morning, although the sun was shining, the weather was still chilly. It was a perfect day for a ride. Leah brought her camera this time and tucked it away in her saddlebag. She wasn’t going to waste this incredible scenery.

Riding Daisy, Leah followed behind Holt on the trail. They’d already checked out two abandoned mines. Only this time, Holt had her stay outside while he looked around. As much as she wanted to protest, she knew better than to push him anymore. So she busied herself taking pictures.

As they headed back they approached the waterfall. Holt reined his horse and turned toward her. He pushed his hat back exposing his handsome face. “How about we take a break?”

“Sure why not.”

Leah climbed down and retrieved her camera. She started toward the rushing water, feeling the temperature cool. The fresh mountain air was refreshing and a fine mist caressed her face as she climbed over the rocky base to find the best angle to shoot a picture. Poised with her camera, Leah was in her own world when she shifted and began to slip. She gasped. Suddenly a pair of strong arms circled her waist and kept her from falling in the water.

Leah regained her footing, then looked up into Holt’s green eyes. Her heart raced. “Sorry, I lost my balance.”

He gave her a hint of a smile. “Seems that’s been happening to you a lot lately.”

“I’ll try to be more careful.” She regained her footing, and climbed onto a big boulder to look around. “That’s where I first saw him.” She pointed. “At the edge of the pool.”

Holt took in the incredible sight of his own piece of Shangri-la. Crystal-clear water sheeted over the granite that protruded from the mountainside. Several large boulders circled the small pond below, its bottom covered by colorful rocks. He heard a clicking sound and glanced back at Leah. She was taking his picture.

“Surely you can find a better subject than me.”

“Maybe, but right now you’re all I’ve got.” He caught her sly smile. “Just don’t turn grumpy on me.”

He surprised himself and smiled. “You’re pretty sassy for…a kid.”

She moved and took another picture. “You need your eyes checked. I’m not a kid.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my eyesight.” He flashed back to yesterday with her in his shirt. Her long legs. “You might be full grown, but in years, you’re still a kid.”

“And you’re so old.”

She lowered her camera and he caught a flash of sadness in her eyes. His chest tightened and he wanted to go to her, but decided it wasn’t wise to pursue it.

“What do you say we have some lunch? Maria made sandwiches.”

He made his way to his horse and returned with a saddlebag and blanket. He found a big flat boulder and spread out the blanket. Leah sat down on the far edge…keeping her distance. Was she really so afraid of him? Maybe she was wise to be afraid.

“Is there anywhere else we should look?” he asked, handing her a wrapped sandwich.

Leah was getting discouraged. Where had the boy gone? She prayed he was safe. “I can’t think of where he’d go.”

“He must be a pretty bright kid to outsmart adults,” Holt said.

She looked him in the eye. “Or he doesn’t trust them.” She took a bite of her sandwich. “Maybe they’ve let him down. But surely his parents would put out a missing persons report.”

“Not all parents are like yours,” he said, looking at her. “Some don’t have time for their kids.”

Leah saw the pain on his face, the sudden distant look in his eyes that suggested his childhood wasn’t ideal. Before she could speak, he moved toward her.

“Don’t turn around but your little friend is hiding just behind the falls.”

Leah gasped as Holt’s arms encircled her shoulders. “I’m going to try to get a better look, so go along.”

She nodded. “Okay, but don’t frighten him off.”

Holt smiled. “Then you better help.” His head lowered as his arms went around her back and drew her closer. She tried not to react, but he radiated heat, and there was the feel of his muscular chest. When he nuzzled her neck she had to fight her response.

“The little thief is moving closer to the edge of the water.”

Holt shifted so his mouth was close to her ear. She could feel his warm breath, the brush of his lips as he spoke. Agonizingly sensitive to even such a slight touch of his mouth, the delicate outer curve of her ear seemed to tingle and burn.

“You were right, he’s only about eight or nine, dirty blond hair.”

“That’s him,” she whispered. “How are we going to convince him we’re here to help?”

His lips moved to her cheek, then her jawline. She shivered as an ache started in her chest and began to shift lower. She didn’t need this complication. A man like Holt wasn’t good for her. “Is this a good idea?”

He raised his head just inches and stared down at her. “I’m not sure…you tell me.” Just then his mouth closed over hers.

Leah was totally lost in the kiss as Holt drew her closer against his body. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she forgot everything but the feel of Holt’s mouth against hers. Then slowly he lifted his head, breaking the intimate contact. He sucked in a shaky breath as his eyes drifted open and locked with hers, revealing the heat in the emerald depths.

Suddenly he blinked and turned his attention over her shoulder. “Damn. He’s gone.”

Before Leah could clear her head, Holt took off after the kid. She scrambled to her feet and hurried along the edge of the pond behind Holt. There was no sign of the boy.