Page 28 of River Legacy
She watched him listen for a few seconds before he said, “We’re on our way.” Disconnecting, he said, “Tilly just had a baby girl.”
“That’s wonderful.” Victoria couldn’t believe how excited she was for Tilly. She had looked so miserable earlier.
“Mind if we make a quick stop by the hospital before dinner?”
“Not at all.” She broke into a smile. “I’m so excited for her. A baby girl.” She felt goose bumps, happy for Tilly, but also for the whole Stafford and McKenna family. That old ache for family felt like a punch in the gut. Ryder had no idea how lucky he was.
Chapter Nine
Holden had only seen Lottie once, as he’d always called Charlotte Stafford, since she’d returned to the Powder River basin. He’d ridden over to the creek where they used to meet and found her after so many months of missing her and worrying that she would never come back.
Just the sight of her standing there by the water had filled his heart to overflowing. Yet he hadn’t been sure if her coming back had anything to do with him. He’d been worried with her gone so long. While he could never stop loving her, he wasn’t so sure she felt the same way.
He’d dismounted, and as he’d moved toward her, she’d looked in his direction. There had been so many times when he’d found her here. A few times she’d been so angry and unforgiving that she’d gone for her bullwhip. Other times she’d threatened to go for her rifle.
But this time, her gaze had met his and he’d seen the tears were because she’d missed him maybe as much as he’d missed her. As he’d moved closer, she’d stepped to him and fell into his arms. He encircled her as he’d pulled her to him. He’d felt thepast slipping away, all the hurt and pain and animosity evaporating into the cool summer morning air.
They’d only held each other, not needing words. Since then, though, he’d been trying to give Lottie time, but he was growing impatient not just to see her, but also to start their future together. She hadn’t said they had a future, yet he felt that they’d both mellowed and actually might still stand a chance at happiness.
He’d known he wasn’t the only reason she’d come back. She needed to make amends to the people she’d wronged. He understood her need to do that. He had some of his own to take care of as well.
And while Lottie was always on his mind, this morning his thoughts were on his own grown children and mending fences. He reminded himself that he hadn’t talked to his oldest son, Treyton, for months. Their last conversation hadn’t gone well. Treyton had called him an old man who knew nothing about running a ranch. The words still stung, even though he knew that his son had been trying to hurt him. His eldest thought he could run the McKenna Ranch better than his father could. That was debatable.
He feared that Treyton was a lot like Lottie’s oldest son, CJ. Both wanted power and money. He didn’t think either really wanted the daily responsibility of actually running a ranch.
It wasn’t just Treyton who had him thinking of all he’d done wrong raising his offspring. He picked up the book lying on his desk. It had come by specialmessenger this morning. On the back cover, it saidThis tell-all rivals evenPeyton Placefor the sex and secrets that go on in the Powder River basin of Montana.
Holden cringed as he turned the book over. Under the titleDirty Businesswas the author’s name, Bailey McKenna, his daughter. Bailey had sent him a copy with a note inserted in the pages of the book. It readYou don’t have to read it. But I thought you’d like a copy before it comes out so you can prepare yourself. All the names have been changed, but you’ll know who you are.
He’d never read anything more frightening except for the ransom note when his now-adopted daughter Holly Jo had been taken. Prepare himself? He looked up to find his housekeeper, close friend and confidante standing in his office doorway. “I thought you were going for a horseback ride?” Elaine asked.
“I am. Did you get one of these?” he asked.
“Mine came yesterday. I read the whole thing last night. Couldn’t stop myself. Your daughter is one hell of a writer.”
“Really?”He couldn’t help the doubtful face he made. Bailey had always been his black sheep. For years he had no idea who she was. He now understood part of the reason why she’d avoided him. Yet he still didn’t fully understand her.
“You should read it,” Elaine said. “She did change all the names, but you’ll recognize everyone.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He looked at thebook in his hand. “Sounds like there will be a lot of lawsuits.”
Elaine shook her head. “People would have to admit that they are Amy X or Jud Z.” She laughed. “It’s a fun read. I heard she was working on another book.”
“I hate to think about what.”
“A novel about the daughter of a pig-headed rancher.”
“Very funny.” He hesitated. “Tell me you’re kidding.”
She laughed. “Read the book, Holden. Your daughter wrote it. It’s already a bestseller. You should be proud of her.”
“I am,” he said.
“Make sure you mention that to her,” Elaine advised. “Afteryou read the book.”
His cell phone rang, and he saw it was Charlotte. His heart did that little whoop-de-do it always did. “I have to take this,” he said to Elaine, who nodded and left. He picked up. “I’m so glad you called.”
“Tilly’s having her baby. I’m here at the hospital. I didn’t think you’d want to miss the birth of your first grandchild. We’ve let Cooper know, but I thought—”
