The Rancher's Redemption (The Millers of Morgan Valley Book 2)

by Kate Pearce

  Idiot Number Three laughed and wheeled his horse around. “That would be cool to see, dude. Shall I try it?”

  Billy whistled to the horse, which immediately stopped, turned on a dime, and came back to him.

  “Whoa! Not cool, dude! Not cool at all!” Idiot Three bleated as he struggled to gather his reins and not lose his seat.

  Rachel hid a smile as Billy petted the horse and stared levelly at the guy. “Try it again, and I’ll get him to turn so fast you’ll fall off on your ass.”

  “Jeez,” Ry muttered, and looked at Billy. “How about we escort these gentlemen back down to the barn?”

  He faced the four guys. “I’ll give you a choice. Either ride down the slope to the house or get in the truck and let us take the horses.”

  “We’ll ride.” Idiot One looked like a thwarted toddler. “Thanks for nothing.”

  “You’re welcome.” Ry said, nodding, and then stalked over to Billy’s truck. Rachel had never seen him so mad.

  Billy hesitated, his keys in his hands, and looked between Cauy and Rachel. “You two going to be okay? I’ll come back when I’m done with these fools.”

  Cauy nodded. “We’re good.”

  Rachel blew out a breath as the truck moved away following the horses and riders. “That wasn’t how I expected my morning to go at all.”

  “Bunch of jackasses.” Cauy started walking toward his land. “Billy and I have figured out how to drill down. Let’s get the rest of the markers in so that when he comes back we’re ready to go.”

  “Okay.” Rachel took out her phone again and studied the screen. Her heart was still racing after the confrontation, and the higher altitude was making it harder to breathe.

  “You all right?” Cauy asked.

  “I’m fine.” She found the drilling spot and crouched down to place a flag there. “Just one more to do.”

  “Do you want to come and fetch the dog with me later?”

  “Me?” Rachel’s head shot up, and she almost overbalanced.

  “Yeah. I thought you could help me settle her in.”

  Rachel got slowly to her feet. “I don’t get you at all.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “Yesterday you sulked for the entire day, and now—”

  “I didn’t sulk.”

  “What would you call it then? Manly silence?” Rachel asked. “Because it sure looked like sulking to me.”

  “I didn’t know what to say to you.”

  She blinked at him. “About what?”

  “About me acting like a complete wuss in the gas station.”

  “I didn’t see you acting like that. I saw someone reacting to what they perceived as a threat.”

  He opened his mouth as if to say something and then closed it. Rachel’s faint hope died. Expecting people to share what was going on in their lives had never worked with her mother and obviously wouldn’t work with Cauy, either. She was just supposed to quit asking questions, smile, and move on.

  She looked blankly down at her phone. “Last marker to locate. How about we go find it?”

  Cauy didn’t move. “I hate how I overreact to shit.”

  She still couldn’t look at him. “It’s about fifteen meters that way.”

  “Rachel, I hate it.” He shook his head. “I feel like a little kid cowering in the dark, and I freaking loathe it.”

  “Have you talked about it with anyone?” Rachel asked. “Have you—”

  He cut her off. “I’ve talked about it until I’m sick of talking! I know why I do it, but that doesn’t mean I like doing it.”

  “Okay.” She looked past him. “Then let’s not talk about it anymore.”

  * * *

  Cauy watched her walk away from him, a ball of frustration growing in his chest. What the hell did she want him to say? Go all Oprah on her in the middle of this wasteland? And then what? What good would it do to rehash the worst moment of his life? Last time he’d tried sharing he’d ended up dumped and divorced while his ex cried on his best friend’s shoulder about how frightened she was of him.

  But he’d hurt Rachel. He’d seen it in her eyes, and that was even worse....

  He went after her, but she acted as if he wasn’t there. Her gaze firmly fixed on the terrain as she counted down the distance. By the time she stopped they were out in the middle of nowhere upslope, and he couldn’t see the mine workings.

  “Here should do.” Rachel stuck a flag in the tufted grass and straightened up. “Ruth gave me some coffee. Would you like some while we wait for Billy?”

  “That would be great,” Cauy said cautiously, and trekked back with her to the mine entrance where all the gear was piled up.

  Rachel busied herself finding the right bag and produced hot coffee and cookies that she set on top of one of the piles of boxes.

  “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.”

  He watched her closely. She was perfectly composed and smiling, but he’d learned enough to know that was just a front. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until she melted against him and forgave him everything. But he knew in his soul that at some point he’d hurt her again, and he wasn’t the kind of man who played with people’s emotions.

  He cleared his throat. “I feel like I always owe you some kind of apology.”

  “For being yourself?” She shrugged and sipped her coffee. “That’s not really on you, is it? You don’t owe me anything.”

  “I’m not good at sharing how I feel.”

  “I got that.” She bit into her cookie and slowly chewed. “That’s a good cookie. I’ll have to ask Ruth to give me the recipe.”

  He tried again. “I’ve never felt that rehashing things and endlessly going over them makes anything better.”

  “I can understand that. I come from a family where all the secrets are finally coming to light, and it’s totally shaken my worldview.”

  “How so?” Cauy asked.

  “Finding out I had a living father and four brothers after thinking I was an only child for about twenty years was pretty mind-blowing. Realizing that my mother lied to me her whole life made me doubt who I was.”

  “That’s tough.” Cauy’s curiosity overcame him. “Did you really have no idea?”

  “Nope. My stepdad only told me that the Morgans were trying to find me when he ran out of reasons to keep me in the dark. My mother mentioned some stuff when she was dying, but I didn’t really understand what she was talking about. After she died, my stepdad . . .” She paused. “Was obviously wanting to move on with his life. Giving me the Morgans probably made him feel a lot less guilty for finding a new woman to love.”

  Cauy instinctively reached for her, but she stepped out of his grasp. “It’s okay. I didn’t tell you that to make you feel sorry for me.”

  “I didn’t think you did.”

  “Then we’re good.” She finished her coffee, all business again. “Billy should be back soon. Is there anything I can do to help you set up the drill rig before he gets here?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Rachel lay down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. It had been an emotionally and physically tiring day. She was proud that she’d set up the GPR system and helped her family. For the first time she’d felt like she’d added some value rather than just endlessly taking. Watching the drilling and installing the equipment had kept her hands and mind busy.

  But now it was almost time for dinner, and she’d showered and warmed up, and all she could think about was Cauy Lymond telling her to keep her nose out of his business. Maybe he really was emotionally unavailable. Or maybe he just didn’t want to let her in.

  Why did she constantly go after guys who weren’t really into her? Did she really believe she could solve everyone’s problems and make them love her? She’d have to ask Jenna about that.

  Her cell phone buzzed, and with a groan she reached over to pick it up from the nightstand.

  I’m planning on getting the dog. Let me know if you want to come and I�
�ll pick you up.

  Rachel stared at the message for at least five minutes. It would be far better for her sanity if she didn’t respond, but she did feel some responsibility for the dog.

  “Argh!” She rolled onto her back and put her hands over her face. “Life sucks!” She reluctantly texted back.

  I’m just about to have dinner. Either come and join us (Ruth will love it), or pick me up in an hour.

  Thanks, I’ll be there in 10.

  Cauy might send her all kinds of mixed signals, but his love of Ruth’s cooking was a given. Rachel got up, groaning as her muscles protested, and made her way downstairs.

  “Ruth, are you okay if Cauy joins us?” she asked her grandma, who was working with Billy to get the meal out on the table. “Because I kind of already invited him.”

  “That will be lovely. The more the merrier.” Ruth beamed at her. “Billy said he was very helpful and knowledgeable today.”

  “Yes, he was,” Rachel said. “Thanks for letting Cauy come. We have to go and pick up the dog from Jenna.”

  “The one you found at the feed store?” Ruth asked as she handed Rachel the silverware to put on the table.

  “Yup. She’s female and pregnant.”

  “Oh my.” Ruth shook her head. “Where are you going to keep her, in your room, or in the barn?”

  “I’m not keeping her. Cauy said he’d take her.”

  Both Billy and Ruth stopped what they were doing and stared at Rachel.

  “That was nice of him, dear,” Ruth said slowly. “But you’re welcome to bring her here if you want.”

  “But I’ll be gone a lot, and it didn’t seem fair to load all that responsibility on you,” Rachel pointed out.

  “So you loaded it on Cauy instead.” Billy grinned. “He’s obviously quite taken with you if he agreed to that.”

  “Taken with whom?” BB walked into the kitchen and stole a roll from the table.

  “Cauy Lymond with Rachel,” Ruth said as she swatted BB with the tea towel.

  “Seeing as she obviously likes kissing him I can’t say I’m surprised.” BB blew his grandma a kiss. “What’s he done?”

  “Agreed to take on that dog Rachel found.”

  “Oh yeah? Jenna was telling me about that. She said I should admit Cauy wasn’t a bad guy seeing as he’d insisted on paying the whole bill.” BB took his seat and sniffed appreciatively. “I’m going to miss your cooking when I move out, Ruth.”

  “You’re only going to be a quarter of a mile down the road so you can come back anytime,” Ruth said. “And when are you going to move out? Jenna says the house is ready.”

  “Trying to get rid of me?” BB winked at Ruth and lowered his voice. “I’m planning something around Christmas for Jenna, but don’t tell her. If I succeed I’ll be moving out before Maria goes back to school in the New Year.”

  “And if you don’t?”

  “I will. There isn’t another option on the table.” BB’s smile was so confident Rachel had to admire him. “Maria agrees with me. Now all we have to do is convince Jenna and make me the happiest guy in the universe.”

  Rachel helped Billy place the roast beef, mashed potatoes, beans, and gravy on the table and took her place. True to his word, Cauy arrived on time along with a gaggle of Morgans and was seated across the table in January’s seat. As usual, the conversation was loud, brisk, and a mixture of ranch business and personal stuff that sometimes had Rachel looking fourteen different ways at once. She still wasn’t used to being part of a big noisy family.

  Cauy ate his way steadily through two plates of food and answered every question thrown at him politely and succinctly. No one would ever accuse him of being chatty, but he wasn’t rude. Even BB relaxed and stopped treating him like a threat. Rachel reminded herself that she’d only be at the ranch for another month or so before she got a new job, but she liked Cauy’s smile, the way he used his hands, and the quiet, steadfast strength that emanated from him.

  “Rachel?”

  She blinked as he addressed her directly for the first time. “What?”

  “I told Jenna we’d be there by seven. She said that was fine as she’s finishing up some paperwork.”

  “Okay.”

  “Then you’d better eat your dessert fast and get a wiggle on.” Ruth placed a huge apple crisp and a jug of cream in the center of the table. “I’ll pack you up some food for Jenna as it looks as if she’ll be missing her dinner.”

  * * *

  Rachel got into Cauy’s truck and put on her seat belt, placing the box of food Ruth had prepared for Jenna firmly between her booted feet.

  Cauy didn’t speak as he drove down to the vet’s and turned into the empty parking lot. There were lights on in the main house so they headed in there.

  Jenna was sitting in the back office, head down, writing when Rachel knocked and went in.

  “Hey! You made it!” She came around to hug Rachel and eyed the box. “Don’t tell me that’s my dinner? Ruth is the best person ever!”

  “Yes, it’s all for you.” Rachel grinned as she handed the box over. “It started off as a snack, and ended up as a three-course meal with extra sides so I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Always.” Jenna inhaled the scent of beef. “I’ve been out on call all day, and I barely had a chance to eat a thing.” She turned to greet Cauy. “Hey. How are you?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” Cauy tipped his hat to Jenna.

  “Let me go and fetch the dog.” Jenna put on her white coat. “I’ve typed up a whole load of instructions for her, Rach, but if you have any worries or issues, just call me, okay?”

  “Cauy’s taking the dog to his house,” Rachel said.

  “Oh! Okay! That’s awesome.” Jenna smiled at Cauy. “Same instructions to you. Call me anytime.”

  Rachel followed Jenna out into the lean-to and closed the door firmly behind her.

  “Jenna, have you got a sec?”

  “Yes, what’s up?” Jenna paused beside one of the big cages on the floor.

  “It’s Cauy. Do you think I should try and make him talk to me more?” Rachel asked.

  “Make him?” Jenna snorted. “He’s a man. Good luck with that.”

  “Then should I even try and ask him if he’s interested in me or not?”

  “You’re not sure? From what I’ve seen and what you told me I would definitely say he’s interested.” Jenna checked the clipboard hanging on the front of the cage and detached a whole pile of papers. “The thing is, what are you trying to achieve here?”

  “I just want to know where I stand.”

  “Fair enough.” Jenna studied her. “And what if he books it?”

  “Then at least I’d know, and I’d stop hoping. I think that’s the worst feeling in the word, not knowing.”

  “Okay, so what are you looking for? Love, sex, marriage, all three?”

  “I haven’t thought of it like that.” Rachel frowned.

  “Then maybe you should,” Jenna said. “Go in with a clear expectation of what you want and take it from there.”

  “If I have the nerve to actually do it,” Rachel said gloomily.

  “What have you got to lose?” Jenna sounded way too cheerful for Rachel’s liking.

  “Visiting rights to the dog?”

  “At least you’ll know,” Jenna said.

  “True.” Rachel nodded. “I’ll play it by ear.”

  “And remember, honesty is the best policy.” Jenna unlocked the cage and the dog sat up expectantly. “Come on, my beauty. Time to go to your forever home.”

  * * *

  The dog sat on Rachel’s lap as Cauy drove them back to his house, her ears half-cocked, and her big wet nose snuffling everything in sight. It was good he wasn’t a car nut because his window was now covered in dog drool. Rachel didn’t seem to mind the occasional lick that was lavished on her either.

  She’d fallen silent after they’d left Jenna’s and had remained so, which was slightly unnerving. Maybe she’d given up tr
ying to talk to him. He certainly deserved it. They arrived at the house and he killed the engine.

  “You can bring her into the kitchen.”

  “Okay.”

  He opened the passenger door for her and then flicked on the lights in the mudroom and kitchen so Rachel could see where she was going. She kicked off her boots, came past him, and stopped dead.

  “Wow, did you get the dog bed and crate for her already?”

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t want her coming home to a hard floor.” He shut the door. “The crate was already here so I just cleaned it up, but the rest of the stuff I got in town the other day.”

  Rachel put the dog down in the cozy bed and stroked her head. “Look, you’ve got your own water and food bowls, your own blankie and toys!” She turned to smile at Cauy. “You’ve forgotten one thing, though.”

  He pointed at a cupboard by the sink. “I have food, bones, and meds in there, and her leash is hanging in the mudroom.”

  “Not those things.” She rolled her eyes. “Something way more fundamental.”

  “Like what?”

  “What are you going to call her?”

  “I’m not good with names.” Cauy took off his coat, hung it over the back of the chair, and did the same with Rachel’s. “I still call my horses Horse One and Horse Two.”

  “You can’t call her Dog,” Rachel objected. “Ry’s already taken that one, and I’d get confused.”

  “Maybe you should pick something,” Cauy suggested.

  “She’s your dog,” Rachel said.

  “But you found her.” He smiled at her. She looked freaking adorable sitting there cuddling the dog, her blond hair shining in the light. “Help me out, here, please.”

  Rachel turned her attention to the dog and studied her intensely. “How about Hope or Grace—seeing as we found her and gave her a new life of opportunities?”

  Cauy came over, crouched in front of the dog, and patted her head. “I like Grace.”

  And he sure needed some in his life . . . and had already been given more than he deserved.

  Up close, Rachel’s eyes were very blue and way too easy to just fall into.... Cauy recoiled as the dog jumped up and licked his jaw, sending Rachel down on her remarkably fine ass.