Second Chance Rancher by Patricia Thayer Page A

custody battle that would put any potential woman in his life under intense scrutiny. The right thing to do would be to keep her out of his mess. Yet he couldn’t dismiss his growing feelings for her.
    He watched the pretty blonde whom he’d loved once, then hurt when he pushed her aside.
    She looked across the table, and her smile faded away. “Is something the matter?”
    Where do I begin? He shook his head. “I just want some more sauce.”
    Kase scooted his chair back, went to the stove and stirred the spaghetti sauce, then poured more on his plate. He turned to see Laurel bending over toward Addy. Her hair was tied back, but some curls had escaped the band. There wasn’t any makeup on her face, revealing a dusting of freckles across her nose. Her lips were naturally pink and full. The memory of their kiss had him wanting to taste her again.
    â€œSon, you okay?”
    He glanced at his dad’s odd look.
    â€œI’m fine.” He made his way back to his chair and began to eat.
    Laurel took a drink of her iced tea, then asked, “What time are you leaving in the morning?”
    â€œFive a.m. I’m driving, so I want to make sure I have plenty of time.”
    He glanced at Addy, grateful she was happy twirling spaghetti on her fork. “Are you going to be gone a long, long time?” his daughter asked.
    â€œNo, sweetie. Only a couple days for business.”
    â€œBut I thought Papa Gus’s horsies were your new business.”
    â€œThey are, but I have to go back to Denver and see about selling our old house.” It was a complete fib. If he had time, he would check in with the Realtor.
    â€œâ€™Kay.” She shook her head. “I don’t like that house.”
    Her statement caught him off guard. “Why?”
    â€œIt was scary there.”
    â€œScary how?” he asked.
    â€œI got locked in the closet when I was playing dollies. I cried and cried...but Mommy didn’t come find me for a really long time.” She shook her head. “I didn’t play in there anymore.”
    Kase clenched his fists against his jeans. Surely Johanna hadn’t locked their daughter inside? He looked at Addy and saw a tear run down her cheek. He stood, went around the table and pulled his daughter out of her chair.
    â€œOh, Addy, don’t cry.” He cuddled the tiny child in his arms. “You’re never going to get locked in a closet again. I promise. In fact, when I get home, I’m taking all the locks off the doors.”
    Addy raised her head and wiped her tears. “Really?”
    He felt the sting of his own tears. “For you, I’d do anything. I love you, sweetie.”
    â€œI love you, too, Daddy. I miss you when you go away.”
    Guilt washed over him as he recalled all the times he spent away from her. “I’ll be back soon and I’ll call you before you go to bed tomorrow night.”
    She rewarded him with a big smile. This thirty-seven-pound child had stolen his heart. He was grateful she was giving him a second chance to be her father.
    â€œDaddy, could we watch a movie tonight?”
    He glanced at the clock to see it was nearly seven. “It’s getting late and you need a bath.”
    â€œI can give her a bath,” Laurel suggested as she stood up from the table.
    Addy grinned. “With bubbles?”
    â€œIf you don’t make a mess and hurry up,” Kase said as Addy darted around the table. “Papa and I will do the dishes.”
    Laurel took the child’s hand. “I bet we’re finished with our bath before you finish the dishes,” she challenged.
    â€œYeah,” Addy said.
    Kase couldn’t help but smile at his two girls. “It’s a bet.”
    He watched the happy twosome hurry out of the kitchen, then he sat back down at the maple table with his father.
    Gus shook his head. “Those two are really something.”
    There was no doubt Gus liked