Page 11 of Rancher's Rescue
“If you ever touch what’s mine, again, you won’t like the outcome.” I looked up at Kane as butterflies flitted from stomach to my heart. I wasn’t one to swoon. I didn’t actually have much opportunity in my life to have swoonible moments, but right here, right now, having Kane call me his, I was a goner.
As if he’d been stung, Palmer released my arm, and I took a step away from him. Kane put his hand on my waist and moved me effortlessly out of the way, and he stood between me and the madman on my porch. “Do you have actual business here?” Kane’s low voice was enough to make me melt further into the puddle I’d become.
“I am trying to buy this ranch. A woman can’t run it and before it ends up in control of the bank, I want it.” Palmer puffed up his chest, trying to match Kane’s size, but it was laughable how small he looked in comparison.
Kane turned to look at me and arched his brow. We had talked about everything over the last few weeks and never once had I mentioned selling. Shaking my head no, he turned back to Palmer. “I don’t think the ranch is for sale.”
“I don’t think that’s for you to say. You’re a ranch hand. You need to learn your place.” Palmer poked Kane in the chest. Reaching out, I took Kane’s hand, and Palmer dropped his eyes.
“Pretty sure I know my place, and it’s right here making sure Maggie and the kids are safe from parasites like you and your family. I’ll also be the only one to make her scream.” He stood straighter, which made him look even larger.
Palmer took a step back and looked at me. “I could have been the one to fuck you and make you a rich woman. Instead, you settle for this guy?”
“Palmer, I wouldn’t have let you in my house, much less my bed. If all I was looking for was an orgasm, you definitely wouldn’t have been the person I called. Shelly Grater told me how disappointing her night with you was. Disappointing might be an understatement, to be honest.” I turned and said to Kane. Palmer turned eight shades of red, turned on his heel, and nearly ran to his truck.
“You haven’t heard the last of me.” He said as he climbed into his vehicle.
“We better not hear from you again. I swear I will bury you so deep in the mountains nobody will be the wiser.” Kane took a step toward the porch stairs.
Gravel pinged and tinged off the side of the garage as Palmer sped away from the house. My sigh of relief was audible, and I collapsed against the man who had been my knight in shining armour.
“How much trouble is the ranch in?” Kane asked, holding me tightly.
“I might have six months left before I have to sell land.” Letting my head rest against him and I looked out into the evening light shining over my property. “I’ve already talked to Kipp Miller. He’s the only person I would consider selling to. He’d at least let me stay.”
“Let me help you.” His words were quiet, without hesitation.
“No, Kane, I can’t take what little money you have.” I couldn’t imagine he had much money, since what I was paying was barely enough to get by.
“Mags, I don’t work because I need the money. I work because I enjoy it and to keep my mind off my life. Marry me. Nothing will change around here except your last name, and I will take care of everything.” He was sincere, but I immediately hated this.
Wiggling out of his arms, I turned to face him. I didn’t know what to say. Here was this man offering to save me, take on my two kids as his own, but I knew nothing about him. He’d been here for a few months. That wasn’t enough time to jump into a marriage. “Other than your last name, I know nothing about you.”
“Why don’t we go get a drink, and hide out in that room of yours waiting for the stars to glow and we can talk.” He reached out and took my hand in his. He didn’t seem offended and hadn’t told me to forget the offer. Nodding, I followed him into the house.
Once we were settled on the bed, I waited for him to talk. “I was born and raised in Wyoming, on a ranch which I still own. My family is full of only children for generations, so the ranch has easily stayed in the family. I was married, and we had a daughter. Ten years ago, she fell from her horse. I was a split second from making it to her, but she hit her head on a rock.” His voice trailed off, and I remembered back to how ashen he looked when Kit fell from the railing.
“Oh, my god Kane. I’m so sorry.” I wiped a tear from my eye and wrapped my arm around his. “You don’t have to keep going.” I whispered.
“No, I want to. It feels good to tell someone. My ex-wife and I fought constantly. She blamed me for it and so did I fora long time. When we finally divorced, she walked away and wanted nothing from me that reminded her of our life.” He got up and paced the room. I wanted to tell him to stop, make him stop, capture his lips with mine, but I knew the heartache of not talking, so I stayed quiet. “I rented out my ranch to my best friend and I worked for people, sharing my knowledge with young or new ranch hands.”
“I will forever be grateful you wanted to work off your place.” I stood and walked over to him. With his powerful arms, he pulled me into him and I rested my head on his chest.
“Having Trent oversee my place has given me the freedom to grieve and live in a new way.” His words were quiet, and I knew the grieving wouldn’t ever be over, but it changed somehow.
“Wait, who’s the man who rents your place?” I leaned back a little, still supported by his arms.
“Trent Hastings. I’ve known him all his life. Our parents were close friends.” He frowned when he looked at me. “What?”
“Janie’s my sister.” It all came rushing to my brain. She said her boss lost his daughter and left. She said he was working some place in Texas and he was a drifter, not one to settle down again. Backing out of his arms, I shook my head. “Did you know who I was? Is that why you responded so quickly?”
“No, Mags, I swear I didn’t know. I never put two and two together, with you obviously using your married name.” He took a step toward me and I didn’t back up.
“Are you here to stay? Really stay? Not move on in a few years?” My words were whispers, like I could change his answer of I didn’t ask too loudly.
“I’m here for as long as you want me, and even then, I will move back to the bunkhouse and stay to help. In the last few months, I have realized my heart hasn’t been at peace for years. Here, with you, Kit and Marshall have made me remember who I am. Marry me? Let me help you in every way possible.” Pullingthe ring from my pocket, I watched her eyes move from me to it, and back to me.
“Say yes, mom.” A whisper came from behind me. Turning, I saw two little heads pop out around the doorframe, their eyes wide and full of hope. Kit put a hand over Marshall’s mouth and I couldn’t help but laugh. “He asked us and we both said it would make us happy. Oh, please say yes mamma.” Kit’s genuine smile was something I hadn’t seen since her father died, but it was back and that’s all I needed to know.
