The Secret Truth at Dare Ranch
Page 8
Lexie smiled and swung her arm over the back of the seat. "Yep, you’re doing great too.
The truck jounced along the road, the sun dipped behind the mountains and the light grew dusky. Mitch switched on the headlights. Dani gave the steering wheel a sharp jerk to the left and the truck swerved. A shallow canyon lay where the road turned up toward the ranch house and barn.
The canyon where Parker had died.
Mitch whipped the truck around while his heart slipped back down his throat. He glanced over at Lexie. Her gaze slid from the canyon to Dani and an uneasy smile trembled over her lips. "Take it easy, pumpkin," she said softly. "Just keep the wheel steady."
When they pulled into the drive beside the house, Lexie climbed out of the truck and shut the door. She walked around the front of the truck, removed her cap and slapped it softly against her thigh. "Dani would love it if you stayed for dinner."
But would you?
Dani bounced on her feet. "Stay, Daddy, stay!" she cried with excitement.
Mitch ruffled her hair then looked back at Lexie, her face in shadow. "Thanks, I’d like that."
He held his hand up in a high five to Dani. "Good job.” Dani giggled and slapped her small palm against his. He barely felt it.
A chilling breeze whirled around them and Dani shivered. "Better run inside and wash up, sweetheart. If it’s okay with your mother," he said glancing at Lexie, "I’ll come by tomorrow and we’ll go rollerblading."
Dani's small face turned sober. She looked up at him with serious eyes. "Okay, but I don't skate too good."
Mitch smiled and winked at her. "No problem, sweetheart," he said in his best Humphrey Bogart imitation. "We'll work on it. Together."
"Okay," Dani said and smiled at him.
The door of the house swung open and a small wiry woman with a puff of gray hair on her head, like a small fluffy cloud, stepped onto the porch. She waved a skinny but strong hand through the air. "Mitch Quinn. As I live and breathe," she said in a loud, raspy voice that belied her petite stature.
Dani raced ahead and bounded onto the porch. "Hi, Hattie," she said then stopped suddenly and turned toward Mitch. "He's my dad," she said with pride in her voice.
"Hi, Priss. And a fine daddy he is too."
As Lexie walked past Hattie she laid a hand on her arm. "Thanks for making dinner."
"Glad to. It's almost ready. You and Dani go wash up," Hattie said.
Dani and Lexie disappeared inside the house. Mitch walked forward and propped a foot on the front steps. "Hattie. It’s good to see you."
"Good to see you too.” Her wise, brown eyes narrowed slightly. She tossed her head in the direction of the house's interior. "First time seeing her?"
"No, we got reacquainted the other day."
Hattie smiled as a look of satisfaction covered her tanned thin face lined with wrinkles. "'bout time."
Mitch nodded. "Yeah."
"Come on in," Hattie said turning toward the front door. "I don't want my meatloaf to get cold."
# # #
"Not hungry?"
Mitch's question drew Lexie from the weight of exhaustion pulling at her body and mind. She glanced at him. He stood next to the counter by the stove, poured another cup of coffee and took a sip.
She looked down at the leftover food on her plate. She'd eaten next to nothing, just pushed the food around without really tasting anything. Emotions from the drive back up to the house still haunted her. When Dani had yanked the wheel of the truck in the direction of the canyon where Parker had died, she'd nearly lost it. It was as though the past were about to repeat itself.
"I don't have much of an appetite these days.” She rose from her chair to gather the dinner dishes. Hattie had gone home after helping Dani bathe and get settled up in her room for the night.
Mitch walked toward her, his steps slow and measured as if he had all the time in the world. Dark with emotion, his eyes roamed her face and body surveying her with subtle precision. His mouth thinned with displeasure. Without saying a word, he took the dishes from her hands and set them on the table.
"What are you doing?"
Still silent, he ignored her question and lowered her into a chair. She popped up from the seat. "I need to clean up the kitchen," she protested.
She'd only made it half-way when Mitch laid his hands gently but firmly on her shoulders and pressed her back down. "Then I have bills to pay--"
He slid his warm, male fingers from her shoulders up her neck until he cupped her head between his hands. His touch felt like heaven. She wanted to relax and just enjoy the moment but she couldn't.
"Okay, what's going on," she asked surprised by the combination of sensuality and irritation she saw on his face and in his eyes.
"I'm taking care of you," he said in a velvet-edged whisper.
"But I don't need--"
Before she could finish Mitch lowered his head and laid his lips over hers. He rocked his mouth against hers, coaxing her lips apart, slipping his warm, wet tongue inside to stroke and lick. Deep-seated needs, too long ignored unfurled like ribbons in her blood.
Her legs turned weak. If she hadn't already been sitting, her knees would have buckled beneath her. When he decided to stay for dinner, she never expected him to...she wasn't sure what she expected but not this. Not this tender, yet sensual kiss, this slow penetration through the emotional barriers she kept firmly in place.
By the time he lifted his head, Lexie was dazed and edgy with arousal. She stared into his eyes. "What was that for?"
He straightened and smoothed the back of his hand over her cheek in a gentle caress. "I just thought it was time we both got past a few things," he murmured in a husky voice.
Lexie swallowed. "What things?"
He picked up the dishes, walked to the sink and set them on the counter. With a twist, he turned on the water and rinsed the plates. "Like the fact that you're working too damn hard, running yourself into the ground."
Lexie rolled her eyes and shrugged. "If I don't do what needs to be done who will?"
Mitch turned and looked at her. His eyes flashed with concern. "If you don't start taking better care of yourself you're going to get sick--and then who will take care of Dani?" he asked in a low controlled voice.
How could she have been so stupid? Of course he was right. There was no one but her to take care of Dani. She depended on her for everything. But so did the ranch.
She rose from the chair and picked up the remaining dishes and cutlery. If she could just hang on a little longer, she might be able to pull it off. She walked toward the sink and placed the dishes on the counter.
Lexie turned and looked at him. "I've done okay so far. Besides, I've always had a strong constitution. After the haying is done and we bring the cows up from the lower pasture to fatten them up for market, I'll be able to slow down a little.” She grabbed the dishcloth from the sink and headed toward the table to wipe it down.
Mitch exhaled a deep breath. "You need to slow down now, Lex."
Lexie stopped, bunched her hands into fists and rested them on the table's surface. "Look, I'm a little tired, I admit that but I refuse to give up.” She cleaned the place mats, stacked them in the center of the table and wiped away the crumbs from the table's surface.
Mitch stepped up beside her and lightly gripped her upper arms. She felt the heat from his body; she heard the slow inhalation of his breath not to mention the warmth of his skin seeping into her arms. Oh, God how she wanted to turn into him, to let someone else help her shoulder the burdens. But how could she? He was here to take the ranch. Period.
"You're more than tired. I'm worried about you," he stated softly.
Lexie looked at him over her shoulder, his face and eyes barely inches away. How handsome he was. She wanted to turn, wrap her arms around his waist and lay her mouth over his. Years had passed since she'd allowed a man to kiss and comfort her and not just any man...Mitch. But how could she let him?
Was he serious about bein
g worried or were his concerns just a ploy to try to convince her to sell the ranch to the foundation? She turned her face away resisting her desire to lean into his strong chest, to close her eyes and just breathe. "I needed to lose a couple of pounds anyway."
He dropped his hands from her shoulders. "You've lost more than a couple," he said in a terse voice.
Lexie tried to move around Mitch to head for the sink but he shifted blocking her path. Her chin shot up. "Would you please move so I can finish?" she asked in a polite but patronizing voice.
He reached out and tried to pull the dishcloth from her hand. "Give me the cloth. I'll finish. Go up stairs, have a good long soak in the tub then get into bed."
She would like nothing better. Lexie tugged on the cloth instead. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm almost done."
Mitch crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her with steadfast determination in his eyes. "I'm not moving until you agree," he stated firmly.
Why was he being so stubborn? She let go of the cloth. "Fine."
He stepped back but as she brushed past him he caught her arm to stop her. "There's one more thing--sleep late in the morning."
When she opened her mouth to protest he held up a hand stopping her words. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Dani and I will feed the horses. I'll even make her breakfast. And don't forget, she's supposed to stay over with me and Dad tomorrow night."
Chapter Seven
Lexie cruised along the warm, sleepy current of her dream. Sunlight beamed down, warmed her face and limbs while the air stirred comfortingly around her.
In the midst of this paradise a shrill noise pierced her brain and wiped away the dream in an instant. She opened her sleep clogged eyes, reached over and groped for the button on the alarm clock.
Absently, she glanced at the clock. When she saw how late it was her eyes popped open. She was absolutely certain she'd set the clock for six but now it was almost eight thirty.
Lexie threw back the covers and shrugged into her robe. Half-way down the hall to Dani's room she stopped in her tracks and tapped her palm lightly against the side of her head. It was Saturday. Smiling to herself, she walked slowly back to her room to shower and dress.
At the top of the stairs, she heard the murmur of Mitch and Dani's voices. Though she couldn't hear exactly what they were saying Dani's laughter mingled through their conversation. The delicious aroma of fresh coffee and bacon frying wafted through the air. Her mouth watered. She always needed a good jolt of caffeine each morning to get her going but to her surprise she felt more refreshed than she had in a long time. And more optimistic as well. She wasn't sure if it was because of the restful night she'd had or because Mitch had followed through on making breakfast.
When Lexie stepped into the foyer she noticed watery sunlight misting in through the sidelights on either side of the front door. She stopped and looked outside. Clouds, thick and gray, bunched together covering the sky like a giant quilt. She heard the wind moan and buffet the glass.
It looked like rain or maybe even snow moving in. Not good. She would have to hustle today to finish harvesting the hay before the rain began. Turning, she headed for the kitchen.
Lexie stepped up to the doorway. Her eyes widened and despite the mess that spread before her she couldn't have stopped the grin if she tried.
Mitch, dressed in faded jeans that molded his hips and thighs and a long-sleeved gray shirt, stood at the stove flipping pancakes while bacon sizzled in another pan. Dani perched on a stool beside him and spooned batter onto the griddle. A few dribbles joined the light dusting of flour already covering the counter tops and floor.
The biggest surprise of all was the ball of fur sniffing at their feet. Golden blonde with floppy ears and big paws, the Labrador puppy licked drops of pancake batter from the tile. Dani reached into a ripped bag of chocolate chips and sprinkled them onto the pancakes. "How's that Daddy," she asked as her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Perfect. I'm making you the chief executive chocolate chip pancake decorator," Mitch said in an official sounding voice.
"Thanks, Daddy.” Dani licked chocolate from her finger tips and looked up at him. "What's cheef 'zecutive mean?"
He leaned over and gave her a raspberry on the side of her neck. Dani dissolved in a fit of giggles. "It means that no one decorates pancakes better than you."
A mixture of joy and trepidation washed through Lexie seeing Mitch and Dani at such ease with one another. They interacted as a loving father and daughter in a relationship she had always longed to have with her own father. Tears sprang unexpectedly to Lexie's eyes at the unfulfilled yearning and she hastily brushed them away.
A blind man could see that Dani adored him. How could she not? He'd waltzed into her life, showered her with charm and attention that no female alive could resist. Then to top it off he'd brought her a dog. "Good morning."
Mitch and Dani turned at once and looked at her. At the sound of her voice, the puppy ceased in his pursuit of pancake dribbles and pricked his ears. He yipped once before racing over to her all floppy ears, lolling tongue and big feet.
"Hi, Mom," Dani chirped and shifted her attention back to the pancakes. Her hair hung down her back in a messy ponytail and the collar of her checked shirt stood up around her neck.
The dog jumped up, planted his paws on Lexie's legs and gave her a doggy grin. His tail whipped furiously in excitement as she bent to give his head and body a good rub. His fur felt soft and warm beneath her fingers.
"Morning," Mitch said in a low voice as his eyes skimmed over her. His mouth curved in a smile that made tingles begin to dance in the pit of her stomach. "Sleep well?"
Lexie nodded and straightened from petting the dog. Don't get all hot and bothered. He's just a man cooking pancakes. That's all. "Like the dead.” She made a bee line for the coffee pot.
"Glad to hear it," Mitch said when she stepped up beside him. He smelled faintly of soap and hay. She glanced down at his jeans where bits of straw still clung to the denim.
"Daddy and I are making breakfast," Dani said happily. "He got me a dog. His name is Toby. Isn't he cute?"
Lexie glanced at the dog who had just hiked a leg against one of the breakfast table chairs. She raised a brow. "Yes, he's very cute. He also just piddled on the floor.”
Dani's head jerked around. "Uh, oh," she said as she scooted down from her stool. She wagged a finger at the small puppy. "Toby, that wasn't very nice," she scolded in a soft, sweet voice. "If you do that again, Mommy won't like it. So don't do it again. Okay?"
The puppy just wagged his tail and started licking at the stray drops of batter on the front of Dani's shirt. Dani turned and reached for the paper towels.
She snatched the end and pulled. A long white stream of paper draped over the counter onto the floor. "Oops," Dani said and chuckled.
The dog promptly thought she wanted to play. He grabbed a corner of the paper towel in his teeth and dashed across the kitchen. Dani chased after him snickering the whole way. Lexie managed to head the puppy off before he ran into the hall. He dropped his end of the paper towel as she bundled him up into her arms, lifted his head and washed her chin with his tongue.
Mitch's laughter joined Dani's and filled the kitchen. The full-throated sound rippled over her skin. Lexie put the puppy down on the floor and turned to Dani. "Take him for a quick walk and I'll clean up the mess. But only this once. From now on he's your responsibility. Understand?"
Dani threw her a jerky nod and smiled. "My 'sponsbilty. Come on, Toby, come on boy," Dani called as she headed for the back door. In a moment they both scrambled outside in a whoosh of wind followed by a sharp slam of the door.
After cleaning up after the puppy and scrubbing her hands, Lexie reached into the cabinet for her favorite mug with a chip on the handle. She poured a cup of coffee, added cream and sugar and gave it a stir as she leaned against the counter. She took a sip and eyed the sloppy stack of pancakes lying in the middle of the large white platter she used to
serve the Thanksgiving turkey. "Have a seat. I'll finish breakfast," Lexie said reaching for the fork to turn the bacon.
Mitch lifted some more pancakes from the pan and added them to the platter. "Not a chance. Dani and I have everything under control."
Lexie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Mitch took the fork from her hand and stared at her with raised brows. "Relax. How often do you have someone make you breakfast?"
"Not often," Lexie said as she walked to the table. Never in fact.
Mitch placed the rest of the bacon on the platter with the pancakes and set it on the table. He turned and looked at her. "Hope you don't mind the dog. Bill Lovett's bitch had a litter about nine weeks ago. He had two left so I thought Dani might like one."
She shrugged. "No, it's okay. She's wanted a dog for a while. I just haven't had the time to do anything about it."
The back door flew open. Dani and Toby sailed back in. "I talked to Toby," Dani said in a breathless voice as she closed the door. She walked to the table, slid into her chair and reached for the pancakes. "He understands that he has to do his business outside. Don't you Toby?"
Toby settled at Dani's feet and looked up at her with his ears pricked. On the sly, she nipped a piece of bacon from the platter and tossed it on the floor. He inhaled the tidbit, then waited for more.
Lexie felt Mitch's hands settle on her shoulders. His warmth, his strength felt good. Maybe too good.
"Have a seat. You could use a nice long breakfast," he said next to her ear. "Among other things."
His breath blew over her ear sending shivers down her neck and over the slope of her right breast. "Hay won't wait. Storm's coming in and I still need to finish the baling.”
She sipped at her coffee and nearly choked when Mitch said, "It's being taken care of."
Lexie slumped to her chair and set her mug down with a thump on the table. "How?"
Mitch forked three pancakes onto her plate along with several strips of bacon before filling his own. "I made a call this morning after Dani and I fed the horses. She did a great job too.” He glanced at Dani and gave her a wink.