Read Second Chance Rancher for Free Online Page B

being nice. He could fight her fury, remembering how the teenage Laurel would stand her ground against him. “What did I know back then?”
    â€œA lot. You followed your dream, Kase. You made a name for yourself with your perseverance and drive. You need to be proud of that.”
    And his family suffered. “It doesn’t seem that important now.”
    Silence hung between them in the noisy diner that was filling with other customers. “So what are you going to do?” Laurel finally asked. “Retire? Help Gus with breeding and training horses?”
    He frowned. “I’m Dad’s partner, but he’s the expert and has the reputation. With my financial backing, I hope we can rebuild the business. Dad’s had some rough times lately. And with Honor’s Promise’s possible pregnancy, looks like I just launched my new career.”
    Laurel huffed out a breath. “Again, I’m so sorry about what happened yesterday with Wind.”
    He reached across the table and touched her hand. He ignored the warm sensation and said, “I was teasing.”
    Laurel smacked his arm playfully, needing to lose his connection. His touch did more than she was willing to admit. “You won’t be laughing when you see the beautiful foal you’ll be getting for free.”
    He opened his mouth to speak, but his phone rang. “It’s Gus.” He put it against his ear. “Hey, Dad. Are you ready?” He listened a moment. “Okay, I’ll be by as soon as I get Addy moving.” Ending the call, he looked down at his little girl. Laurel didn’t miss the emotion in his eyes.
    He slid out of the booth, leaned over the sleeping child and shook her gently. “Hey, baby, it’s time to wake up.”
    Addy’s eyelids fluttered and her tiny hands came up to rub them.
    â€œDaddy?”
    â€œHi, sweetie. We need to go get Papa and take him to the doctor.”
    The child sat up and looked at Laurel, then burst into tears. “But I didn’t get to eat lunch with Laurel.”
    At Kase’s panicked look, Laurel stepped in. “It’s okay, sweetie. You can still eat with me.” She knew she was overstepping her bounds. “And your dad can take Papa Gus to the doctor and you and I can finish our lunch.”
    Kase frowned. “Laurel, I can’t expect you to keep watching Addy.” He checked the clock on the wall. “Besides, don’t you have to go back to work?”
    â€œI only work three mornings during tax season. The afternoons, I work at my main business, Quinn Stables and Training.”
    The child’s tears stopped immediately and Laurel looked back at Kase, daring him to say differently. “And when we’re finished eating, I’ll take Addy home with me. I have a new client coming by with her horse today. Since the Bucking Q is on your way home, you can pick her up there.”
    â€œThat’s too much to ask of you.”
    â€œI know that,” she told him, “but you need to get Gus to the doctor, and I bet he’s being stubborn about going. So don’t lose this opportunity to get him help for his hip.”
    Kase smiled at her, and she felt her guard slipping, darn it. “Thank you. I owe you big-time.”
    â€œYou sure do, and I plan to collect.”
    â€œGladly,” he told her. His gray eyes flashed heat, then he looked back to his daughter. “Do what Laurel tells you, and I’ll pick you up in a few hours.” With Addy’s nod, he exchanged cell phone numbers with Laurel and stood, then pulled out his keys. “Since you’ll need her car seat, we should just exchange cars. Where are you parked?”
    â€œNext to the office. It’s the black truck with the Bucking Q Ranch logo on the side.” She reached into her purse and handed over her keys.
    He grabbed them as he leaned down to kiss his daughter’s forehead, and she caught a whiff of his