tell this little one any secrets.â
* * *
A N HOUR LATER , after delicious apple pie, Addy and Diane went upstairs to get her overnight bag. Rory poured himself a cup of coffee, excused himself and went into his office.
Laurel was at the sink finishing up some of the pans that didnât go into the dishwasher.
Kase went to her. âI should be doing those. Youâve worked all day and took care of Addy.â
She didnât look up as she quickly rinsed off the platter and placed it in the drainer. âIâm finished.â She grabbed the towel.
He didnât move away. He found he liked being close to her, feeling her warmth, inhaling her intoxicating scent. He hadnât had this kind of reaction to a woman in a very long time.
âYouâve done so much, thank you. Addy has had so much fun staying here.â
Laurel shrugged as she wiped her hands on a towel. âWe did have a fun girlsâ day. Brooke is about to deliver her baby soon and itâs time we got to spend together.â She looked at him. âI hope you didnât mind us taking Addy to see Coralee.â
He shook his head. âItâs good that she spends time with other people. I probably should have her in preschool so she can socialize with other kids her age.â
âThatâs a good idea. But youâve been a little busy with Gus. I could ask Melody, the receptionist at work, where she takes her two kids.â
âThank you. I didnât send her before because sheâd been with too many babysitters and Gus wanted to get to know his granddaughter. But she needs to be with kids her own age. At least a few mornings a week, especially with Dad laid up at the house during his rehab.â
She turned back to the sink and began to wipe off the counter. âHave you found someone to come out and work with him?â
He caught another whiff of her soft powdery scent. His gaze went to her new-looking pair of jeans, and the way they caressed her nicely rounded bottom. He lost his train of thought for a moment.
âNo, but I have several names that I need to call.â He pulled the list out of his shirt pocket. âDo you know any of these therapists?â
She took the list from him. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip in concentration and his pulse began to race. âI know Darcy Mason. She comes out here to ride sometimes. Her husband, Matt, is a firefighter in town. She also volunteers at the medical care facility where Coralee resides.â
âMaybe Iâll try her first.â
Laurel gave back the paper and saw Kase staring at her. âIs something wrong? Youâre looking at me funny.â
He smiled. âI like your hair down. I remember you used to wear it like that when we were in school.â
She was uncomfortable with his attention. âI work all day with horses. Itâs easier to tie back.â
He reached out and touched the curls. âSoft. So pretty.â
She swallowed hard, trying to rid the dryness in her throat. âThank you.â Heâd moved closer and she wasnât sure what to do. Suddenly her phone rang, causing her to jump.
âExcuse me.â She punched the answer button. âHello?â
There was a long silence, then she heard a soft âLaurel.â
She froze, recognizing the voice, then turned away. âIf this is who I think it is, be man enough to talk to me.â
âIâm sorryâ was the only answer she got, then the line was dead. She cursed and looked at the number. Redialed it, but no one answered.
âAre you okay?â Kase asked.
She shook her head. âIâm pretty sure that was Jack.â
âThe man you were supposed to marry?â
She added, âAnd the creep who stole from my parents and Trent.â
Kase took her phone and looked at the number. âItâs a Denver prefix.â
âWe went to Denver last fall, trying to find him.â
âAre you positive
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley