A Child for Cade

by Patricia Thayer

“Sit down and talk to me.”

  “Cade, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I told Brandon we used to be friends in school. I don’t want him to think there’s any hostility between us.”

  “In other words you want us to lie.”

  Cade put down his pie and stood. He went to her, took her hand and tugged her back to the porch. “I want us to act civil, Abby. I know we have some baggage from the past, but I’m only going to be around a few more days. Can’t we get along?”

  Abby pulled her hand away. “Sure. When are you going back?”

  “The end of the week.”

  She walked to the railing. “Being here must be boring compared to Chicago.”

  Watching her face, he felt his heart trip. The dusky light highlighted her hair like a halo. Damn, being this close to her was killing him.

  “No, not really,” he said. “In fact, I’ve been enjoying my stay. I’m glad we got a chance to see each other again. Maybe clearing the air was a good thing. I’d like to put the past behind us and move on.”

  She shrugged. “Cade, I put our past away long ago.”

  She was lying. He could see it in her eyes. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking that Abby Moreau Garson still had some feelings for him.

  “Let’s just test that theory.” He drew her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. He heard her sharp intake of breath. But it didn’t take long before her arms circled his neck, and she surrendered to the desire he knew now they would always share.

  Then the bliss suddenly ended when Abby tore her mouth from his with a soft cry. Her eyes met his, and Cade could see a mixture of pain and longing in their emerald depths. Then Abby turned and dashed into the house.

  Chapter Three

  It had been a stupid thing to do.

  The next morning Abby was still chastising herself for letting Cade kiss her. As if she’d had a choice. Whenever the man got within ten feet of her, she turned to mush. And she had to stop it, she told herself as she paced her bedroom. She wasn’t a crazy-in-love college student any longer. She was a single mother, trying to raise her child. Cade’s child. Just the thought turned her legs to jelly. She sank onto the bed. If he discovered Brandon was his…

  Abby quickly shook away the thought. Cade would be gone by the end of the week. Just as before, Chicago was where he wanted to be. He’d proved that when he’d stayed away from San Angelo for so long, never interested in her well-being or if she could be pregnant from their lovemaking.

  Tears started to well up in her eyes, but Abby refused to let them fall. She wasn’t going to waste her time on something that could never be. Her only concern was her son. She wanted to protect him and to raise him with love in a good home.

  That was one of her other problems. One she’d been dreading all week but couldn’t put off any longer. Damn her ex-husband for doing this to her, for humiliating her this way. Obviously if she wanted her alimony check, she’d have to play Joel’s game.

  She dressed in a pair of pleated taupe slacks and a cream-colored blouse. After slipping on a pair of nut-brown flats, she went downstairs. She checked her hair in the mirror, then turned to find her son watching her.

  “Where are you going, Mom?”

  “Into town, honey. You stay with Charlie and Carmen.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  “No, I’m going to the bank to see your fa—Joel. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

  She didn’t miss the fear in his eyes as he shook his head. “No, Mom, don’t go.”

  “I have to, Brandon. He didn’t send the check.”

  “But what if he hurts you again?”

  Abby forced a smile. “He won’t, Brandon. That’s why I’m going to the bank. There’ll be a lot of people around. I’ll be fine.” She kissed him, then hurried out to her car, remembering that her therapist had told her to confront her fears. Abby seriously doubted that the psychologist realized what it was like to be knocked around by a drunken Joel Garson.

  Cade drove into town, amazed at how things had changed. But after nearly eight years, what did he expect? Nothing stays the same. Before he knew it, his thoughts had turned to Abby. She had only become more beautiful with the years.

  No. He had to stop thinking about her, Cade told himself as he pulled the truck into the First Security Bank parking lot. The kiss had been out of line, but it only verified what he already knew. Abby could still turn him inside out. Four more days, and he’d be back in Chicago. Back to his life with no Abby Garson to tempt him. He climbed out and walked into the one-story brick building. It was Tuesday, and the bank was quiet. Three tellers handled the customers. Cade pulled out the deposit slip and check Hank had given him and got in line.

  He was next when he heard a loud voice that echoed through the hollow building. Cade glanced toward the glass enclosure. His heart pounded harder when he saw Abby inside—with Joel.

  He froze when he saw that Garson had a grip on her wrist. The average person not looking closely wouldn’t see the man’s intense look. Fury raced through Cade as he made his way across the bank. What did Abby think she was doing, going to see Joel on her own? The man had beaten her before. He could do it again. If Garson touched her, he would be a dead man.

  A receptionist looked up as he approached the door. “You can’t go in there, sir.”

  “The hell I can’t.” Cade gave the door a sharp knock, then swung the door open to see Joel corraling Abby, his hand still gripping her wrist.

  “Garson!” he growled.

  The big stocky man turned to him in surprise. Joel Garson hadn’t aged well. He had the ruddy complexion and puffy eyes of a drinker. He looked as if he’d been on a weekend binge. His stomach hung over his belt, and not even a custom-made suit could hide the fact that he was a good thirty pounds overweight.

  “Release Abby or I’ll break you in two.” Cade stepped inside, then shut the door. He gripped the doorknob so he wouldn’t carry out his threat.

  Joel glared at him. “Get out, Randell. This is between my wife and me.”

  “Your ex-wife.” Cade pushed away from the door, his fists clenched. “Let her go.”

  Abby remained silent, but her eyes revealed her panic.

  “Now.” Cade growled.

  Finally Joel dropped Abby’s wrist and backed away. “You’ll be sorry you interfered in something that isn’t any of your business.”

  “Yeah, I’m real scared,” Cade said. “I doubt you would go at it with someone your own size.”

  “You can go to hell.”

  “Not before you give Abby what she came for.”

  Another glare, and Joel finally walked around the desk and opened the drawer. He pulled out an envelope and shoved it at her.

  Abby’s hand trembled as she took it. Then she moved away. Cade opened the door, but turned back to Joel. “If you want a fight, Garson, I’ll gladly accommodate you. Just leave Abby alone.”

  “You’ll be sorry for this, Randell.”

  “Never. Just don’t let me hear that you hassled her again.”

  Cade shut the door and caught up with Abby. With a protective hand at her back, he escorted her through the bank, past the curious glances of several onlookers. He felt her stumble. His arm went around her waist, pulling her against his side. “It’s okay, darlin’, we’re nearly out of here,” he whispered. “Just hold it together a little while longer.”

  Finally outside, she sucked in a long breath, but it didn’t bring much color back to her face.

  “Come on, you need to sit down.” He led her to the coffee shop next door and Cade directed her to a booth, then ordered two cups of coffee from the waitress.

  He turned his attention to Abby. “Are you okay?”

  She took a swallow of water. “No, I’m humiliated. How could you storm in there like that?”

  “Look, I could hear Garson’s voice from across the bank,” he said, wondering where her gratitude was. “Did you want me to wait until he started smacking y
ou around?”

  She covered her face with her hands.

  Cade ached to hold her, but figured she wouldn’t welcome a man’s touch right now. “How long has Joel been abusing you?”

  She gasped at the question. “How…”

  “Chance told me his suspicions.” Cade couldn’t hide his anger over the situation. “Brandon’s actions confirmed it. How long did you put up with the man beating you?”

  “This is none of your business.”

  “I’m sorry, Abby. I only want to help.”

  “Well, you’re not. I have to deal with Joel.” Her eyes filled with tears, and the sight broke his heart.

  Even remembering the pain she’d caused him, Cade had the overpowering urge to protect her. He reached out and took her hand. “Abby, you don’t have to take anything from the man. You don’t even have to see him.”

  “I do. It’s the only way I can get my money.”

  “Then go to court. Tell the judge what he’s doing.”

  She pulled her hand away. “I can’t, at least not now.”

  “Abby, you can’t let Joel get away with this.”

  She gave him a jerky nod. “I know.”

  “Promise me you’ll go back to court.”

  “I can’t promise you anything, I don’t have the money. Are you satisfied now? I’m broke.”

  The waitress suddenly appeared with the coffee, and Abby’s face reddened. Cade wasn’t surprised by her confession. He’d seen the shape of the ranch and that stack of unpaid bills on her desk.

  She finally looked at him again. “How did you know I was at the bank?”

  “I didn’t. I was handling some business for Hank. It’s a good thing I was there.”

  Abby closed her eyes, but not before he saw her pain. “I’ve got to get home,” she said.

  He wanted to help her. “Wait, Abby. You’re not in any shape to drive.”

  She sighed. “Look, Cade, I’m fine. What I need now is to get back to my son. Thanks for what you did, but I can handle things on my own.” She stood, squared her shoulders and walked out of the restaurant.

  Well, she sure told him. Cade tried not to feel hurt over Abby’s rejection. But once again she’d walked away from him.

  She had made a mess of everything.

  Abby sat at the desk in her father’s study. After yesterday’s events had robbed her of sleep, she’d gotten up before 5:00 a.m. She’d gone out and helped Charlie feed the stock, then returned to the house and showered. Now she was trying to sort through the mound of bills. Her support check hadn’t gone far to help the situation, but at least they wouldn’t starve.

  Her son was getting the worst of the deal. He was going to lose his inheritance—the Moreau ranch. Her thoughts turned to Cade and what had happened at the bank. Damn. She didn’t want the man championing her. It had taken her five years to get out of a loveless marriage and months of therapy to make her strong enough to handle her life. But Cade Randell wasn’t just any man. He was her son’s father.

  The sound of the doorbell interrupted her, along with Brandon scurrying across the hardwood floors, yelling he would get it. More commotion when her son walked into the study with Cade in tow. Her heart pounded in panic and she rose to her feet.

  “Hey, Mom, look! Cade’s here. He said he had something for me.”

  Abby hadn’t seen her son smile so much in months. “He did?”

  She glanced at Cade. He looked wonderful. Since returning home, he’d dressed in slim-fitting jeans with a stacked hem on hand-tooled boots. A tan western shirt showed off his broad shoulders. She raised her gaze to his face, to his mouth. Heat surged through her as she recalled their searing kiss.

  She quickly looked away. “You didn’t need to bring Brandon a gift.”

  “It’s nothing much.” Cade pulled out an aged leather pouch and opened it. “I found these Indian arrowheads in a box in my old room. I thought Brandon would like them.”

  Brandon came closer to see. “Wow! These are cool.” He picked one up. “Where did you get them?”

  “My brothers and I used to collect them. We’d ride out to Mustang Valley. All along the creek there are a lot of them.”

  Abby knew that was true. She’d found some, too, when she’d ridden out to meet Cade.

  “Can I go out there sometime with you?”

  Abby wanted to scream no, but managed to bite back her objection.

  Cade placed his hand on the child’s shoulder. “It’s a long ride.” His dark gaze met Abby’s. “We’ll see.”

  Brandon didn’t hide his disappointment. “That’s what everybody says.”

  “Brandon, that’s not a nice way to act,” Abby said.

  The boy looked at Cade. “Sorry. Thank you for the arrowheads.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Cade knew that all the things that had happened to him recently must have been rough on the kid.

  “How about I take you riding sometime? If it’s okay with your mom.”

  The boy’s eyes lit up. “Really? You mean it? Mom, can I go?”

  Cade knew he’d put Abby on the spot, but he wanted to help. And she wasn’t about to let him without putting up a fight. He was crazy. A few more days and he’d be back in Chicago. Abby would be a part of his past again. Could it hurt if he spent some time with her and her son? He was smart enough to know that nothing would come of it. All he had to do was resist the urge to kiss her again.

  “If you stay close to the house.” She turned to Cade. “He just started riding with my dad before… He hasn’t had much time on horseback.”

  “That’s because we lived in town,” Brandon said. “But I have my own horse, Smoky—she’s a mare—and my grandpa gave me his horse, too. But I can’t ride him until I’m bigger. I’m gonna go show Charlie my arrowheads. I’ll be back.” The boy ran out of the room before either adult could stop him.

  Cade shook his head. “Where does he get that energy?”

  “He’s always had it. I used to have trouble getting him to quiet down…”

  “And Joel didn’t like that,” Cade finished for her. “Good Lord, didn’t the man realize what a great kid Brandon was?”

  Ignoring his comment, Abby said, “I don’t want to keep you, Cade. I’m sure you have better things to do. Like spending time with Hank.”

  “Hank’s off to the cattle auction this morning,” he said. “I came by to see if I could help you.”

  “Help me?”

  “I work in finance, Abby. There might be something I can do to help with your…situation.”

  Her stubborn chin came up. “There’s nothing anyone can do. I’ve already paid an accountant to tell me my best solution is to sell the ranch.”

  “What would it hurt to get a second opinion?”

  She stared at him, unbelieving.

  “I already know that you’re in financial trouble, Abby. I promise you I’ll handle everything discreetly. Nothing will leave this room.”

  Abby blinked. Cade would be here…with Brandon. But what if he really could help her? She couldn’t turn down the chance to save the ranch. They wouldn’t have to move back into town, and she wouldn’t have to go to work full-time in town somewhere. The last thing she wanted was for her son to be a latchkey kid. She’d grown up without a mother and didn’t want that for her son. Brandon needed to grow up on the ranch.

  “I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” she conceded.

  Cade released a long breath. “Okay, lead me to the files.”

  Abby directed him to the desk. “All the files are in the drawers.” She pulled out the ranch ledger and handed it to him.

  Within ten minutes Cade was deeply engrossed in the job. Not seeing any reason to stay around, Abby left, praying that Cade could come up with some ideas how to help. Her son and the ranch were all she had. She would never take another chance on love again.

  After a few hours Cade realized that Abby hadn’t exaggerated the situation. Things were bleak. Several times he’d cursed Tom Morea
u and his poor judgment, his inability to conserve when cattle prices took a dive.

  Now all Cade had to do was come up with a miracle. The short-term solution for Abby was to sell off most of the herd to come up with some quick cash to cover debts.

  Long term, she had to make the ranch profitable again. Not an easy task, since it would take a few years to get things going again. Besides cattle, Abby needed another way to make her land pay. She might have to sell some acreage to get things started, such as the valuable lake property. Cade had a few other ideas, but he wanted to discuss them with Hank and Chance first.

  Before he realized it, the afternoon had flown by. Carmen had brought him lunch which he’d eaten while working. He should probably head home. He got up and was closing the folders when Abby walked in.

  “Are you finished?”

  “No. I just went over the ranch records. This place hasn’t been working at a profit for the past few years.”

  “I know that now, but not when Dad was alive,” she admitted. “He never confided in me about business.”

  Cade saw the forlorn look in Abby’s eyes. Again he felt the urge to pull her into his arms. But he knew that would only lead to trouble. Trouble he didn’t need, like the kiss they’d shared the other night. He let his gaze fall to her mouth, recalling her taste, her softness, and his pulse began to race. All at once he realized what he was doing, and he forced himself to return to business.

  “I don’t know if there was anything you could have done. My big concern is the bank note. Did you know that Joel can foreclose on you by the first of next month?”

  She nodded. “Believe me, it’s something he doesn’t let me forget.”

  Cade was worried. He doubted very much if he could get any kind of extension from Garson. “How badly do you want to save the ranch?”

  She blinked in surprise. “It’s my home and Brandon’s home. I don’t have a problem selling off some of the land if I could keep the house.”

  Cade nodded. “Let me run through some ideas and see what I can do.”

  Brandon rushed into the room. “Cade, you ready to take me riding?”

  Cade looked at Abby. “Well, that’s up to your mother.”