The Rancher's Unexpected Family

by Helen Lacey

  Lucy nodded and squeezed her arm. “Of course. They’re both in triage. Come this way.”

  Ash could barely contain her emotion when she saw Jaye lying, eyes closed, on the bed, his left arm propped up on pillows and already turning a nasty shade of purple. She didn’t look at Cole as he strode past her and down toward the far end of triage. She pulled up a chair and smoothed out her son’s hair, and he opened his eyes.

  “Hey, Mom,” he said croakily.

  “Hi, sweetie. I’m here.”

  He smiled and his eyes filled with tears. “Sorry about the truck.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” she assured him. “I only care that you’re okay.”

  He winced. “I couldn’t let her go alone, Mom. You understand, right?”

  Ash swallowed hard and pressed her palm to her son’s forehead. “I know, sweetie. I know.”

  She said a silent prayer, thanking the powers above for protecting her son, and then felt the tears on her cheeks. And she realized one heartbreaking fact. The sooner Cole Quartermaine was out of her life, the better.

  * * *

  Cole heard Maisy arguing with a nurse ten feet before he reached the triage cubicle.

  “I said I was fine,” his daughter complained. “I don’t need to lie down. I don’t need anything. My father will be here soon, so just stop poking at me and leave me alone.”

  He almost stopped in his tracks. My father. Just like that. Public recognition. Real and earnest acknowledgment. There wasn’t sarcasm or cynicism in her words. He’d been striding through triage imagining the worst, thinking she hated him and that he’d lost her to her anger and disappointment.

  “Maisy?” he said, and stood by the curtain.

  She looked up and her face crumpled as her shoulders sagged. “I’m...sorry.”

  The nurse offered him a comforting smile and nodded, leaving them alone. Cole sat beside her on the bed. She had a bruise on her temple and a narrow bandage on her forearm. But she was safe and alive and the knowledge filled him with relief. “What were you thinking?”

  She shrugged hopelessly. “I wasn’t. I just had to get away.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “I guess I’m grounded now?”

  “Is there any point?” he said and sighed wearily. “You know, I didn’t teach you to drive so that you could end up here, Maisy.”

  “I know.”

  “And Jaye?”

  She shrugged again and winced slightly. “He followed me. I said I was bailing and he got in the truck. The kid’s persistent.”

  “You both could have been killed, do you realize that?”

  “Yeah...I know,” she said, getting visibly choked up. “But I wasn’t driving fast, I promise. I just lost control and the truck bounced and then before I knew what was happening we had hit a fence.”

  “I was so worried about you.”

  Maisy met his gaze and looked at him, then inhaled a shuddering sigh and, somehow, she sagged against him. Cole wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she pressed her face into his shoulder, clearly all out of resistance.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, forcing out the words, and suddenly she clung to him. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I know I do stupid things, but sometimes I can’t help it.” She gripped tighter. “Are you going to send me away? Are you going to send me back?”

  “Send you back?”

  “To social services,” she said and hiccuped, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

  Cole crumbled inside. “Of course not.” He had his child in his arms and she was terrified he was going to send her away. “Maisy, I’m not going to send you away or leave you. Ever. I promise.”

  “Mom promised, too,” she said, crying now. “She promised and then she left me alone.”

  Cole’s heart felt as though it was being strangled. Her pain, her fear, became part of him and he pulled her close. “Honey, your mom got sick. She didn’t leave you on purpose, or because of something you did. And you’re not alone,” he said gently, her quiet sobs tearing him up inside. “I’m here—I’ll always be here. I’m your father, and you’re a part of me.”

  “Why didn’t Mom tell you about me?” she asked in an anguished voice.

  Cole took a long breath. “I don’t honestly know. But don’t be mad at her, honey. She loved you and cared for you and although I can’t promise not to die, I do promise that I’ll always do everything I can to protect you and keep you safe.”

  “Promise?”

  He smoothed back her hair from her face. “I promise,” he assured her gently. “Maisy, I know you were angry about what you saw this afternoon. And I—”

  “I’m not really angry,” she said and hiccuped again. “I was just...surprised. And I freaked out. You know how I am sometimes. But I like Ash. She’s really cool. And I get why you like her. Although, no one ever really wants to see their dad making out...it’s kinda gross. Just like if you saw Pops and Nan, you know, doing...whatever.”

  Cole chuckled. Dad. Pops. Nan. It was as though someone had waved a magical wand and Maisy had somehow come to accept his family as her own. A deep and enduring love for his child washed over him and he knew in his heart that it was Ash who’d made the magic. Ash, with her gentle voice and caring arms. She’d wrapped Maisy in a secure embrace the moment they’d stepped onto the ranch. And his daughter had flourished beneath Ash’s kindness and understanding.

  “Okay, I hear what you’re saying.”

  She smiled tentatively. “Um, is Jaye going to be all right?”

  “The doctor said he has a fractured arm,” Cole said quietly. “And will be in a cast for a while.”

  Maisy grimaced. “Ash must be so mad with me.”

  “She’ll understand,” he said, remaining positive for his daughter’s sake. “How about you stay here for a while and I’ll go and see how he’s doing?”

  She nodded. “You’ll come back soon?”

  Cole squeezed her shoulder. “Be right back. Get some rest.”

  He got to his feet and once she was settled back and resting, Cole pulled the curtain around and then headed toward the front of triage. Jaye was lying on a bed, his arm propped up on a pillow.

  “Hey, Cole. I got a broken arm.”

  “So I heard,” he said and smiled. “Where’s your mom?”

  “Talking to the police,” he replied and waved his good arm. “Out there. You don’t think me and Maisy will go to jail, do you?”

  “No, kid. You’ll be staying right here. But I need to talk to your mom for a minute, okay?”

  Cole left the triage area and headed back out to reception. He spotted Ash talking with two uniformed officers and walked toward the group.

  “They’ll need a statement from Maisy,” Ash said quietly when he approached. “Once the investigation is done you can get the truck towed.”

  Cole nodded, then answered a few questions and then provided his contact details. Once Maisy had given a statement, they spoke briefly to Jaye, who confirmed his daughter’s story of the truck skidding and losing control. As the boy relayed the information he could feel Ash’s anguish. Her arms were crossed, her jaw was tight and he knew she was barely holding on to her emotions. When Jaye was taken for an X-ray he remained with Maisy while Ash headed off to be with her son. Cole spoke to the doctor about his daughter and once a concussion was ruled out, he was told he would be able to take her home within the next couple of hours.

  When she dozed off, Cole left the triage and went looking for Ash. He found her outside Radiology, sitting in a chair, hands in her lap. There was no one else around other than a receptionist behind a small reception desk and he wordlessly pulled up a chair and sat opposite Ash.

  She looked up and met his gaze. “How’s Maisy?”

  “Fine,” he replied. “No concussion, thank goodn
ess. Just a few cuts and bruises. Ash, I know—”

  “He wanted to help her,” she said, her voice so tight it pained him. “Jaye said Maisy was upset and he didn’t want her to be alone. She didn’t know where she was going. What she was doing. Only that she wanted to run, to get away from you, from me...from the whole world.”

  “She’s calmed down now. And she’s okay. But she’s concerned that you’re angry with her.”

  Her shoulders twitched. “I’m not angry with Maisy. She’s a child.” She jumped to her feet and propped her hands on her hips. “Where were you?”

  “What?”

  “She packed her bag and stole the truck. Where were you when that was going on?”

  Realization seeped through his blood. She wasn’t angry with Maisy. She was angry with him. Cole slowly got to his feet. “When Maisy got back to the cabin she wouldn’t talk to me. She was in her room with the door locked. I took a shower and when I got out she was gone. I thought she was up at the main house.”

  “But she wasn’t,” Ash said flatly. “I told you that she needed you. She saw us together and that triggered something inside her—emotion, fear, betrayal—and you needed to be there for the fallout. If you want to be a parent you don’t get to do it when you feel like it. It’s a full-time job, Cole.”

  Resentment quickly wound up his spine. “I know that. And I wasn’t ignoring her, I tried to—”

  “Trying’s not good enough,” she responded harshly. “You’re her father, you don’t try—you just do. But you were distracted, right? Caught up in this thing between us. Maybe wasting time thinking about how you’d get me into bed one more time before you leave? And while you were doing that, the safety of my son, my child, was put at risk.”

  It was quite the accusation, and Cole’s immediate thought was to mount a counteroffensive and demand why she’d let her son out of her sight. But she looked exhausted and overwrought and the last thing he wanted to do was magnify her distress. Plus, there was an element of truth in her words that needled at him. He had been distracted. Maisy’s outburst in the barn had torn him in two. Because he knew he needed to be there for his daughter, but he also knew that the knowledge he was leaving the ranch in a matter of days was beating him up inside. And instead of insisting Maisy talk to him about her feelings, he’d taken the easy route and given her the space she craved, knowing it was exactly the opposite of what he should have done.

  He inhaled deeply. “You’re upset and concerned about Jaye. I get that. So how about we—”

  “Don’t you dare patronize me, Cole,” she stormed. “I’m over being wrapped up in your good looks and charm. I’m...done. Whatever we had, it’s over.” She turned and took a few steps away from him, her entire body heaving. When she turned back there were tears in her eyes and rage in her expression. “I wish you’d never come here.”

  Her words hurt, deep down, like they were obviously meant to. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t say anything to ease her pain and anger. She was done. It was over. He nodded, aching right down through to his soul, and then slowly walked away.

  Chapter Twelve

  Saying goodbye was never easy. Ash had done it countless times over the years. Children came and then went. Families were reunited. But saying goodbye to Maisy and Cole was one of the hardest things Ash had ever done. It didn’t help that Nancy had tears in her eyes, or that Uncle Ted was no better and Jaye was trying valiantly to stand stoic and strong beside her, while Tahlia and Micah clung onto her hands. It also didn’t help that she and Cole had barely exchanged words since the night at the hospital. Maisy was still sporting a few bruises and Jaye had a bright yellow cast on his arm, but the real wounds ran much deeper.

  Watching him load the bags into the rental car, witnessing Maisy’s obvious unhappiness that she was leaving the ranch, made Ash ache all over. The kids all hugged her, and watching Jaye and Maisy hold on to one another made her throat burn with a kind of raw emotion she could hardly compartmentalize. But it was when Jaye hugged Cole that she experienced the real, bone-wrenching reality of the situation.

  “You take care, buddy,” Cole said and hugged him tightly. “Look after your mom.”

  “I will,” Jaye promised. “I’m gonna miss you.”

  “Me, too,” Cole said and released him and then looked toward Ash. “Thank you for everything.”

  He held out his hand and she took it tentatively, her knees almost giving way as their skin connected. Electricity shot up her arm as his grip tightened. Ash let out a shallow breath. She didn’t want to touch him. She didn’t want to remember or yearn or feel anything. “Good luck,” she said and then quickly withdrew her hand. “Goodbye.”

  And within minutes the car was driving off, dust in its wake.

  After they left the mood around the ranch was somber. Uncle Ted did his best to amuse the kids with a video game and after an hour of trying to do some paperwork, Ash headed for the kitchen to make tea. She was dipping a tea bag into a stone mug when Nicola appeared in the doorway.

  “Your mom called,” her friend said and smiled. “She said you might need someone to talk to.”

  Ash beckoned her into the room and took out another mug. “My mother is a smart woman.”

  “Yes,” Nancy said from behind Nicola. “I am. I’ll have some of that tea if you’re making it.”

  A few minutes later she was sitting at the kitchen table, her chin in her hands. Looking across at her mother and friend. “So, is this meant to be an intervention?”

  “No,” her mother said. “But I am concerned about you.”

  “I’m fine, Mom. Never better.”

  “You know, it’s okay to be upset that he’s gone.”

  “He?” Ash shook her head. “Mom, you’re the world’s worst matchmaker. And if you must know, I’m glad he’s not here anymore. Things can get back to normal.”

  Nancy’s dramatic brows rose. “Normal. You mean dull. That young man brought this place to life. He brought you to life.”

  She knew her mother didn’t mean to hurt her, but she was hurt. “I liked my life the way it was before Cole crashed into it. I felt safe and content.”

  “Scared and lonely,” Nancy said. “You know, it’s okay to admit that you fell for him.”

  “I didn’t,” she argued. “That would be stupid. He came here to work on his relationship with his daughter. I’m not going to waste time imagining his time here was anything more than that. Or that it could be anything more than that. He’s gone. End of story.”

  Gone.

  He left.

  Men always leave me.

  Ash didn’t allow the words to leave her tongue. She didn’t want pity or commiseration. Cole had been gone barely a few hours and she already missed him. She missed his smile, his deep voice, his loping gait. His kiss. His touch. And she ached knowing she would never see him again. But she was right to end things. Life had to return to normal. And it would.

  “It’s good that he patched things up with his daughter,” Nicola said and drank some tea.

  Ash nodded. “I really do think they’ll work it out.”

  “Things often have a way of doing that,” her friend said. “Look at how things worked out for Kayla and Liam. And Brooke and Tyler. See, love really does conquer all.”

  Ash managed a laugh. “Since when did you become so sentimental? Or have you been hanging around my mother?”

  Nicola shrugged. “Maybe it’s when I saw you and Cole together.”

  Ash’s insides constricted. Nicola was being fanciful and overly romantic and she wasn’t going to get drawn into the conversation any deeper. Cole was gone and she would never see him again. End of story.

  “I want to forget about him,” she said and took a long breath. “I have to.”

  And as the days blended into one another and a week passed,
Ash got back into the rhythm of her life. Sort of. She went to work, spent time with the kids and met Nicola for coffee, ignoring every attempt her friend made to bring up Cole’s name in the conversation.

  “Have you heard from him?” Nicola asked on a Friday afternoon when they met for coffee and cake at the Muffin Box café.

  “No,” she replied. “And I don’t expect to. I think Maisy and Jaye have texted a few times. And I spoke to Ricky, who’s been texting Maisy, and apparently she’s back at school and doing okay.”

  “I thought Cole might have called you.”

  “I made it pretty clear I wanted to end things.”

  “Because you blame him for the accident?”

  She’d talked to Nicola about it, and said aloud it sounded irrational. But she couldn’t help how she felt. If she and Cole hadn’t been acting like a pair of lustful teenagers, then Maisy would never have caught them in the barn and the accident would never have happened. So, even if her anger was misdirected, she couldn’t help herself. She needed to blame Cole to keep him at a distance and somehow work out how to forget all about him and the weeks they had spent together.

  Which might have been easier had he not continued to invade her life. Because when she arrived home that afternoon there was a bright red pickup in her driveway, bigger and more robust than the silver one Maisy had crashed down the embankment. That one had ended up at the wrecking yard behind Joss Culhane’s garage and she’d made it abundantly clear that she wanted nothing to do with the vehicle. This one was bigger and looked even more expensive. And she knew immediately that the new truck was from Cole. Uncle Ted was standing by the steps and he smiled as she got out of her battered old truck and then stared long and hard at the shiny pickup.

  “This is for you,” her uncle said and passed her an envelope.

  There was a card inside, with a note written in a dark, masculine scrawl.

  Ash, I know you probably have steam coming out of your ears right about now. But, just keep steaming and take this in the spirit with which it’s given. You need a new truck and we both know you’re too stubborn to admit it. So, take this as a gesture of my gratitude for all you have done for my daughter. And please know that despite how badly things ended between us, I don’t regret one moment of the time we had together.