“It wasn’t stupid,” she countered with a low chuckle.
He lifted one brow. “Yeah, it was. But the fact that you could be that good in a show that bad only made me madder because I figured you’d proved that you were right to leave. So I never watched it again.”
Emma smiled up at him and her green eyes glimmered in the overhead lights. “You know, I find that oddly flattering.”
“You should,” he told her and looked into those amazing eyes so she would see that he meant every word. “I almost tossed the television.”
She laughed and he enjoyed hearing it rise up around him. “You were good, Emma. You didn’t fail.”
After a second or two, she asked softly, “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Well,” he hedged, “that’s a question, isn’t it?”
“And that’s not an answer.”
“No, it’s not,” he agreed. He wouldn’t tell her he loved her still. Wouldn’t say that having her back in Montana made the rest of his life straighten out. Wouldn’t put his heart on the line because having it crushed once in a lifetime was more than enough. “Does it really matter?”
She sighed, moved in closer, laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “No, it doesn’t.”
He tipped her face up to his, stared down into her eyes briefly, then lowered his head to hers and took her mouth fiercely. She clung to him, her tongue tangling with his and they swayed together, lost in the heat that flashed up between them. His body was on fire, his blood sizzled in his veins. She was everything. She was all. Her hands on him, his mouth fused to hers. This was what was important. The only important thing.
When he finally broke the kiss, his arms came around her and he held her tightly because he needed to feel her, safe and warm in his arms. Thinking about her alone in Hollywood used to haunt him. Now that he’d heard her story, he knew that he’d be haunted for a lot longer.
* * *
Two days later, Emma was back at her family’s ranch. The snow had stopped, the sun was out and the temperature was rising enough that the fresh snow was melting as quickly as it had fallen.
When she got home, Molly greeted her as if she’d been gone a month and Emma’s heart swelled with love for the baby girl. She hadn’t given birth to Molly, but she’d been there with the baby since the day she was born. Emma was her daughter in every way that mattered. She didn’t know what would happen in the future, but she knew she would fight for that baby no matter what. And now she had Caden on her side, as well.
Caden. Just the thought of him was enough to make her melt. She shivered, remembering all those hours wrapped around his body, feeling him moving deep within her. Her belly swirled with fresh desire and Emma didn’t know how she’d make it through the day without touching him. So, the only thing she could do was to force her mind away from thoughts of him.
Her father was looking downright perky and even Gracie was a little less hostile. Emma was still finding her way back into the family circle, still a little unsure where she fit now, but at least she didn’t feel as though she were trying to tiptoe her way across a minefield.
“Was Molly a lot of trouble?”
Gracie glanced at her. “I’d like to say yes, so I could make you feel guilty...but no. She was great. Dad loved taking care of her and I helped out when I could.”
Emma leaned on the half stall door and watched her sister using a currycomb on an older gelding. “I appreciate it, you know. If I could have gotten home from Caden’s earlier, I would have.”
Gracie paused, the comb resting on the horse’s broad back. “Yeah. I know. And don’t worry... I’ll think of a way for you to pay me back.”
“I’m sure.” Emma was willing to take this conversation, since it was the friendliest one she’d had with her sister since coming home again. “So how long have you had this old boy?”
The horse lifted his head and gave Emma what would pass for a dirty look. She laughed.
“Hey, old is a state of mind and Herman’s just getting started, aren’t you?” Gracie stroked her hand down his back with a slow, gentle touch. The big animal turned his head to give Gracie a gentle nudge. “I brought him home a few months ago.”
“Okay,” Emma said, stepping into the stall and closing the door behind her. She picked up a brush and absently dragged it through Herman’s mane. “Why?”
“He’s good with kids. Patient. And—” Gracie ducked her head, shrugged, then said, “He’s going to be one of my equine therapy horses.”
Emma just blinked at her. “Your what?”
Gracie smiled and looked suddenly more animated than Emma had seen her in a long time. “I want to start a business here on the ranch. Boarding horses, giving riding lessons and mostly, to work on equine therapy.”
She stroked her hand along Herman’s neck and the older horse leaned into her like a giant puppy looking for more love. Gracie laughed a little and obliged him.
“I totally understand boarding and riding lessons, you’d be great at it. But equine therapy? What made you think of that?”
She’d heard of it, of course. The therapy was designed to help people suffering with everything from PTSD to autism to depression. It could help with physical disabilities as well and was becoming more and more widely accepted.
The familiar scents of hay and horse and weathered wood surrounded Emma like a warm hug as she waited for her sister to speak again.
“I didn’t, at first. But when we hired Tom, a year or so ago, he was...on edge a lot.”
Emma knew she was talking about Tom Hatton. About forty, with short hair and sad brown eyes. He was quiet, kept to himself, but from what she’d seen, he was a hard worker.
“He’s a veteran and he really needed the job. He hadn’t done much ranch work, but Dad hired him anyway, because he could see Tom was in a bad way and—”
“Dad’s a softy.”
Gracie grinned. Sisters, sharing family truths, and it felt good to Emma.
“That he is,” Gracie said. “Anyway, over the next few months, as Tom spent time around the horses, grooming and caring for them and learning to ride, he sort of...unwound, you know?”
Emma understood that completely. Horses were soothing to the soul. Just being around them could remind you to pause and enjoy the moment. “Not surprising at all.”
“Exactly!”
In her obvious excitement, Gracie had evidently forgotten about any lingering anger she had for her sister and Emma was grateful for it.
“So the horses healed Tom and you figured you could do it for other people, too?”
“Basically.” Gracie leaned her forearms on Herman’s broad back. “I’ve studied up on the theories and taken classes at the community college. And Madison Peters, the local vet, is helping me get it started.”
“Well, that’s really nice of her.”
“Yeah.” Gracie stiffened a little, then went on. “She’s helped me find old or abandoned horses. I’ve got five now, ready for riding lessons in the spring and Herman here will be the star of the therapy clients.” Gracie stroked his neck again. “He was left tied to a fence in the middle of a field outside of town. No one knew where he was from or who had left him, so I went and got him.
“I think Herman and the others are so grateful to be loved and have a home again, that they’re eager to be with people.”
Emma could never understand how anyone could walk away from the animals who relied on them and she was glad that Herman had found a home with Gracie, who would always care for him.
“I’ve got two horses that we’re boarding right now, too,” Gracie said. “So that’s good for income, but I’ll want to expand and that means adding onto the stable or maybe just building another one.”
“Big plans,” Emma mused, happy that her sister had found something she was excited about. Something
she wanted to do with her life. And Emma was grateful that Gracie wouldn’t go through what she had. Working for yourself had to be better than having your life in someone else’s hands.
“I know, but I think I can make it work. Dad’s all for it and Madison thinks it’s a great idea.”
“No reason you can’t,” Emma said with enthusiasm. “It’s perfect, Gracie. You’re terrific with horses and with people. You were made for this.”
“Really?” Gracie looked at her, and it was clear she wanted to believe Emma.
“Really.” For the first time since returning to Montana, Emma felt as if there was a chance to win back her sister. To have the kind of relationship they used to have. “I’ll support you any way I can. If you need help, just tell me and I’m there.”
“Thanks, Emma.”
The more she considered it, the better the idea sounded. Gracie had always had a gift with animals. Plus, she was warm and friendly, and was great with kids, too. Which was a good thing because there would always be children wanting to learn to ride.
But as much as she was happy for her sister, Emma was able to look down the road and see a few speed bumps. “How big a stable are you thinking of building?”
“I’d like to have ten horses for lessons and the therapy sessions, and this stable can only hold five, plus the ranch’s working horses.” She looked at Emma and said, “So the new stable would have to be big enough for the therapy horses, and for boarders. I’d like to use this stable for the ranch animals and keep my business horses separate where I can.”
She could actually see it in her mind’s eye. “You’re right. You’ll need a new stable. A big one, with room to grow. You could build it just on the other side of the yard. Separate, but still close to the corral...”
“That’s what I was thinking,” her sister said, smiling.
Emma loved hearing how sure of herself Gracie sounded and wanted to do everything she could to help. Not only because this was the first time they’d actually “connected” since Emma came home, but because she loved her sister and wanted her happy.
“But it all sounds expensive, right? Have you already gone to the bank to set up a loan?”
Boom. Gracie’s features went blank instantly and Emma knew that somehow she’d lost her.
“Not necessary.”
“You’ve already got the money?” Emma asked. “How?” If she’d taken another mortgage out on the house, then Emma wanted to know about it. If she’d gotten the money somewhere else, Emma really wanted to know about it.
“I handled it, okay?” Gracie finished grooming Herman and set the comb down on the shelf alongside the door. “This is going to be my business, Emma, and I know what needs to be done. Just like I’ve handled everything else for the last five years.”
Emma’s heart sank a little. “Really? We’re back to being enemies again?”
“I’m not your enemy, Emma,” Gracie said. “But I’m not a kid anymore, either. I can take care of this by myself.”
“Damn it, Gracie, stop shutting me out.”
But her little sister just shook her head. “Thanks for helping with Herman. I’ll see you up at the house later.”
When she was alone again, Emma wondered if she’d ever feel as if she’d really come home. It was as if she was still an outsider. A stranger in the place where she’d grown up. Every time she took a step into the circle of family and friends and lovers, that circle narrowed and she found herself still shut out. She’d felt much the same in Hollywood—but here, the pain of it was much sharper because these were her people. This was her place. She needed to be a part of it all again.
Her past was here and this was where she wanted to build a future. But the present was filled with potholes and mistrust that she hadn’t figured out how to conquer yet.
* * *
When Caden’s truck pulled into the ranch yard late that afternoon, Emma’s heart gave a solid jolt. Her skin buzzed and every one of her nerve endings bristled. She walked out of the house to meet him and her mouth went dry as he climbed out of the truck and settled his hat on his head.
He looked across at her and their gazes clashed with all the heat and need and passion they’d shared during the storm. God, she’d missed him. One day away from him had her burning to hold him, to feel his arms come around her. She wanted his kiss, his touch, and knowing that she couldn’t have any of it right now was the only thing that kept her from hurrying over to him.
Instead, she leaned against a porch post and watched him. “This is a nice surprise. What’s up?”
He came around the front of the truck, and everything about him screamed cowboy, badass, dream lover.
“Thought I’d come over to meet your...daughter.”
Emma threw a quick glance behind her at the house, making sure her father wasn’t overhearing the hesitation in Caden’s voice. Frowning a little, she waited until he was close enough that she could keep her voice low when she spoke. “Dad doesn’t know. Neither does Gracie. You’re the only one I’ve told.”
His expression clearly said her he didn’t think much of that. “Why, Emma? They’re your family. You don’t trust them?”
“Of course I do,” she whispered, still casting a worried glance at the house behind her. Yes, she felt terrible, keeping this secret from them. But sometimes, hiding the truth was the only way to protect someone you loved. In this case, both Molly and her father.
Then meeting his gaze again, she said, “But Dad’s doing so well now, I don’t want to throw him back into a decline when he finds out the granddaughter he loves so much isn’t really his. How can I tell him?” She straightened up, and shot a look at the stables, where the vet’s van was parked. Madison and Gracie were inside, dealing with the horses and Emma hoped they stayed there.
“As for Gracie, well, we haven’t exactly been chatty since I came home,” she pointed out with a sense of grief over what she’d lost. “Except for earlier today when we managed to actually talk without swiping at each other for like ten minutes, she can hardly stand to be in the same room with me. So pardon me for not catching her arm in the hall and confessing everything.”
Caden shook his head and scowled at her. “Em, you’re making this harder than it has to be.”
“Am I?” she countered. Nerves rattled around in her stomach and she slapped one hand to her belly to try to quiet them. It didn’t work. “I don’t have legal custody of Molly. All I have is a letter from her mother asking me to take her. I can’t tell my family because I don’t want to include them in what I’ve already done by taking Molly.
“Plus, I can’t risk someone finding out she isn’t mine because what if they say something and then that spreads until finally I have Sheriff Eagle dropping by to handcuff me and hand the baby over to social services?”
His eyes widened. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or horrified by how your brain works. How the hell do you build up an entire scenario in your head? You don’t know any of that would happen.”
“I don’t know it wouldn’t, either,” she told him. “I brought Molly here to keep her safe.”
He yanked his hat off, stabbed his fingers through that thick, beautiful black hair of his, then jammed his hat back on. Narrowing his gaze on her, he said, “That letter’s not enough for you to keep her safe. You know that, right?”
“Thank you, Mr. Obvious. Yes, I know. But it’s all I have.”
“All right.” Caden sighed, looked into the distance for a long second or two, then shifted his gaze back to her. “Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll take you into Kalispell. We’ll talk to my lawyer.”
“A lawyer?” Panicked at the thought, Emma tried to sift through the dozens of thoughts that sprung into her mind. “I’m trying to hide and you want to take me to a lawyer? Doesn’t he have to tell someone? I mean, officer of the court and all that?”
&nbs
p; “Confidentiality,” Caden reminded her.
Okay, her fear dropped a notch or two. “Right, right.”
“I trust Max, Em. I’ve known him for years. He can give us an idea of what to do from here.”
“Us?”
“You,” he corrected and Emma was sorry to hear it. For a second there, she’d thought they were a team. “It all boils down to this. Do you trust me, Em?”
That was an easy question to answer. She looked into his eyes and saw the steady, strong man she’d always known. She saw her lover. The man who made her hunger like no one else ever had. His eyes were steady, cool and fixed on hers. Of course she trusted Caden. So she’d trust his lawyer, too. She’d accept his help and be grateful for it.
“Yes, Caden. I do trust you,” she said, taking a deep breath of the crisp, cold air. “When do we go?”
“Tomorrow. No point in putting it off, is there?”
“No,” Emma said, fighting a fresh tide of fear washing through her, “I guess not. So you want to come in and meet Molly?”
“In a minute.” Caden climbed the steps until he was on the porch with her, then he pulled her up close. So close, his belt buckle dug into her middle and the hard, thick proof of his passion pressed against her belly, quickening so many new fires inside her, she could hardly breathe.
Looking into her eyes, he said, “Damn it, Emma, I missed you last night. I didn’t want to, but damned if I didn’t.”
Her heartbeat actually fluttered. She hadn’t known it could do that. “Oh boy, I missed you, too.”
One corner of his mouth lifted and his eyes burned with the heat that could scorch her in seconds. “Good to know.” Then he bent his head to kiss her and everything that wasn’t Caden drained right out of her mind.
For seconds, minutes, hours? Her mouth tangled with his, their tongues entwined, their breath moving from one to the other and back again. Emma felt herself melting into him and somehow, her mind woke up as she half wondered how she had ever managed to leave him. He was in her heart, her soul. He was so much a part of her that without him, she’d never really felt whole the entire time she was gone.
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