Chapter 14
A stiff breeze caused dust to swirl in the corral. Justin rested his arms on the top rail and watched Kaycee walk Sunshine. Kaycee still wasn’t ready to mount the Appaloosa mare, but she was working with her frequently, and she was more relaxed around horses. It wouldn’t be long, thanks to Miranda. Kaycee’s appointment with Miranda was in an hour and it would be the first time Justin had seen her since the night her ex had hurt her.
Justin’s gut tightened and he absently rubbed his sore jaw. Just the memory of the man hitting Miranda was enough to cause flames to lick his insides, and he had the desire to punch the bastard again.
The ache in his head increased, and he forced himself to calm down. Over the last few days he’d called Miranda a couple of times to check in on her to make sure she was okay. He hadn’t stayed on the phone long, because he hadn’t made up his mind how he felt about what amounted to a betrayal.
Kaycee jogged beside Sunshine as she trotted around the ring. The smile on the girl’s face was enough to send warmth through his chest.
His thoughts turned back to Miranda. Was he overreacting? She’d thought the divorce was final. In the grand scheme of things, did it matter?
But she was still married, and it felt wrong to have had sex with a married woman.
Justin dragged his hand down his face. Damn, this should be simple and clear-cut, but it wasn’t. It was all about a piece of paper.
Maybe they could start over from a different place. Once the divorce paper came through, officially notarized, they could go back to where they’d left off.
Couldn’t they?
Ah, hell. The real problem was he’d fallen hard for a woman he couldn’t have yet. He loved her more than he thought he could ever love a woman. When you loved someone, you had to take everything into consideration. She should have told him, but she hadn’t. Was that enough to throw away a once-in-a-lifetime love?
“I’m ready to go to Miranda’s.” Kaycee walked Sunshine toward Justin and she frowned. “Are you okay, Dad?”
“I’m just fine.” He didn’t have to force a smile because it came easily as he looked at his daughter. He loved this kid like crazy. “Get Sunshine settled, and we’ll head on over to Miranda’s place.”
“Okay.” She took Sunshine to the pasture, removed her bridle and the lead, then headed to the barn to put them away.
Justin took off his Stetson and pushed his hand through his hair before putting his hat on again. He had to get his head sorted out.
When Kaycee was ready, she climbed into the truck and he settled in the driver’s seat.
On the way to Miranda’s, Kaycee chatted about her horse. “I can’t wait to ride her again.” She hesitated. “I hope it’s soon.”
His daughter still sounded nervous, but her words told him she was close to reaching her goal.
When they pulled onto the short drive leading to Miranda’s place, he saw her in her corral with Socks and Star. Her back was to them.
His gut ached at the sight of her. Damn, he loved that woman. Then why was he having such a hard time with this whole thing? It was like he’d had an affair when he’d sworn up and down he’d never do anything like that. But wasn’t this situation different enough to get past?
He parked the truck then headed to the corral behind Kaycee, who radiated the kind of energy only a motivated tween could expel.
When he reached her, Miranda gave him a hesitant smile. “Hi, Justin.”
He nodded. “Good morning.” He wanted to knock himself upside the head for sounding formal.
She turned and walked into the ring with Kaycee, who went right up to the horses and started talking with them both. She trotted Star around the corral first. Justin remained at the rails, watching her.
Miranda stood in front of him and he couldn’t help but admire the shape of her body and the way her long hair flowed down her back. He wanted to touch her so badly he could taste it. Memories of their nights together made him want her again, but he couldn’t have her. Not yet.
He squeezed his eyes shut for just a moment. It wasn’t like him to be conflicted about anything, yet here he was, about to drive himself out of his freaking mind.
She continued to watch Kaycee, who was on her second time around the corral with Star. Miranda readied Socks for Kaycee to walk next.
“Miranda.” Justin called out to her, not even sure of what he was going to say.
She slowly turned, a hesitant look on her beautiful face. She didn’t say anything, just waited for him to talk.
“Are you free tonight?” He cleared his throat. He had to get this resolved. “I’d invite you over for dinner, but I think we need to be alone.”
“Why don’t we have dinner here?” Her expression remained neutral. “I can’t promise a winning meal, but whatever it is, it’ll be filling.”
He gave a slow nod. “What time?”
“Come at seven,” she said. “My last appointment will be over at five and I need to run to the grocery store.”
“I’ll be here,” he said.
She gave him a last look before turning away. Her back was rigid, and he could feel tension rolling off her in waves.
Miranda didn’t look at him as she worked with Kaycee. After her second time around with Socks, Miranda asked, “Are you ready to get on Socks?”
He had no doubt Kaycee would tell her, “Not yet.”
Instead, Kaycee said, “Yes.”
Justin stilled as Miranda inclined her head toward a saddle resting on a sawhorse. “Let’s get her saddled up.”
Kaycee gave a hesitant smile, then did as Miranda instructed.
After Kaycee saddled Socks, Justin found himself holding his breath as she stood beside the horse, ready to mount it. He forced himself to let it out slowly.
Kaycee bit her lower lip, then gave a look of determination. In a smooth, practiced movement, she stepped into the stirrup and swung her leg over the horse and settled into the saddle.
Justin straightened. She’d done it.
She smiled over her shoulder at him, showing him her triumph and slight nervousness in that one look. Miranda said something to Kaycee he couldn’t hear. His daughter gave a nod, then took hold of the reins. She clicked her tongue then guided Socks into a walk.
“Great job, kiddo,” he called out.
She gave a big smile, raised her hand and waved before taking Socks around the corral.
“You did it, Miranda,” he said as Kaycee rode away.
Miranda looked at him, smiling. “I didn’t, Kaycee did. She conquered her fears, I just guided her.”
He smiled back at her. She was so beautiful that for a moment he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was equally as gorgeous on the inside.
Miranda turned and watched Kaycee and he focused on his daughter as well. He was so proud of her, he could just about burst with it.
As Kaycee rode the horse back around, the grin that split her face made Justin grin, too.
Kaycee brought Socks to a halt in front of Miranda. “Can I ride Socks a little more, Miranda?”
Miranda’s smile was beautiful. “One more time around, okay?”
“I’ll be right back.” Kaycee clicked her tongue, and to Justin’s surprise she urged the horse to go a little faster.
“Slow it down,” Miranda said. “It’s your first day back in the saddle for a while, so let’s not push it.”
“Okay,” Kaycee called back.
Justin watched his daughter round the corral. He glanced at Miranda, who still had her back to him. Why couldn’t he take his eyes off her? Why couldn’t he think straight around her?
He’d better figure himself out by the time he came back this evening. He wasn’t going to put her or himself through this past tonight.
When she reached the gate, Miranda took Socks by the bridle and Kaycee dismounted. She gave Miranda a big hug. “Thank you so much.”
“You did it, Kaycee.” Miranda smiled down at the girl. “Great job.”
Kaycee beamed. “I’ll get her saddle off so you can prepare for your next appointment.”
“Thank you,” Miranda said.
After Kaycee unsaddled Socks and said goodbye to the two horses and Miranda, she came out of the corral and hugged Justin. “I did it, Dad.”
“You sure did, honey.” He squeezed her tight. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She withdrew and headed toward the truck. “I can’t wait to show the guys.”
Justin turned back to Miranda as she came through the gate and latched it. “I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
She didn’t smile, just gave him a nod. “See you then.”
He went after his daughter, who had already climbed into the truck. He joined her and started up the vehicle.
As he drove, Kaycee said, “Is something wrong between you and Miranda?”
Justin thought about what to say. “We have something we need to talk about tonight.” He looked at Kaycee. “It’ll all work out.” One way or another, he added to himself.
Kaycee frowned. “I hope you stay with Miranda. I like her a lot.”
It wasn’t something Justin could or would discuss with his daughter. “Are you ready for lunch?”
“I’m starving,” she said.
“I think Shari is making cowboy beans and cornbread,” he said.
Kaycee sighed. “I wish Aunt Kit was our cook.”
Justin laughed. “Not many ranches get a gourmet chef.”
“Uncle Carter did.”
“He’s the exception.”
She perked up as she changed the conversation. “After lunch, can you get all the guys to the corral? I want to ride out from the barn and surprise them.”
“You’ve got it.”
Kaycee laughed and talked with the ranch hands over lunch. The men doted on the girl, a bunch of softies when it came to her.
After dessert, Kaycee left before the men did. Justin had them gather out at the corral, telling them he had something to announce.
Davie grinned. “You announcin’ something about that pretty therapist we saw you with last week?”
Justin shook his head but smiled. “Nope.”
The men chimed in and joked that he was holding something back.
All talk stopped when Kaycee came out of the barn, riding her Appaloosa.
“Well, look at that girl,” Henry said.
John called out, “You look mighty fine up there, Miss Kaycee.”
Davie shouted, “Way to go, Kaycee.”
She grinned and waved to them.
The men shouted and cheered Kaycee on as she trotted Sunshine around the corral, like she’d never had a problem getting back in the saddle. She ate up the applause, her pleasure at conquering her fear clear to see.
Justin hitched his shoulder against a post and crossed his arms over his chest while watching Kaycee. Even though Miranda had said it was all Kaycee’s doing, he knew it wasn’t. Miranda had everything to do with encouraging and guiding his daughter back into the saddle. Ultimately it was Kaycee who had climbed on the horse, but Miranda had helped her get there.
After Kaycee finished showing off for his ranch hands they dispersed, and Kaycee headed back to the barn on Sunshine to brush her down.
Justin shoved his hands in his pockets and went into the house to his home office. He threw himself into his chair and picked up a pen. He clicked it repeatedly as he thought about Miranda.
Tonight, he’d get out everything he wanted to say. Now he just needed to figure out what that was.
Miranda chewed her fingernail, then forced herself to stop. She’d never been one to chew her fingernails out of nervousness, and she wasn’t going to start now.
Her small home smelled like spaghetti sauce and meatballs, and she hoped Justin would like it.
Did it matter? What mattered was what he had to say. Should she even have said she’d cook? What if he was just going to walk away from her. If that was the case, then what was the point of tonight?
A knock came at the door, startling her. She glanced at the clock and saw that he was right on time. She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, tossed it on the counter, and walked to the door. She peered through the peephole and her belly fluttered at the sight of the man she’d fallen in love with.
Her throat worked as she swallowed. No time to be thinking about things like that.
She opened the door and Justin smiled. He took off his hat and ducked in through the doorway and set his Stetson on the chair by the door.
He didn’t kiss her, and her stomach sank.
“Something smells great,” he said.
“Spaghetti and meatballs.” She led the way to the kitchen area. “Beer?”
“Sounds great.” He opened the fridge and pulled one out. “You want one?”
She held up a glass of red wine. “I’ve already started.”
He closed the fridge and opened his can as he walked to the small table that she’d already set for two. He settled back in his chair. “I wish you could have seen Kaycee ride out for the men. She wanted to surprise them, and they did a great job cheering her on. Every one of those men thinks the world of that girl.”
“And they should.” She grabbed a pair of potholders out of a drawer. “She’s a special young lady.”
“She sure is.” Justin watched her as she started to pick up the stock pot to drain the spaghetti in a colander. He got up. “Hold on. Let me do that.”
She could do it perfectly well on her own, but she stepped aside and let him help. Sometimes, you had to let people help because it made them feel better to be of use.
“I hope you like apple pie,” she said.
He poured the water and spaghetti into the colander, steam rising up around his face. “What red-blooded cowboy doesn’t like apple pie?”
She laughed. “I picked one up from the bakery. You can take the leftovers back to the ranch for the men.”
“I might share with Kaycee, but the men aren’t likely to get one bite.” He grinned. “Truth be told, hot apple pie with vanilla ice cream is my favorite.”
Warmth filled her at his easy smile. Maybe everything would be fine between them. If not, she hoped they could be friends, hard as that would be.
Miranda pulled out two pasta bowls, loaded each one with noodles, then poured spaghetti sauce over the noodles. She added three big meatballs to her bowl and five for Justin before carrying them to the table.
As they ate, their conversation flowed like nothing was wrong between them. He was so easy to talk with and it was effortless being with him.
They went straight to apple pie alamode after he carried the plates to the sink while she got out the pie and vanilla ice cream. She heated slices of pie in the microwave, then topped the slices with scoops of the ice cream.
When they finished with dessert, Justin pushed his bowl aside. Miranda did the same, her belly twisting as she looked into his eyes.
He took her hands and gripped them.
She held her breath, then forced herself to let it out.
“Miranda.” Justin paused, his chest rising and falling with his deep inhale and exhale. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it.”
Her stomach fell. This was it.
He spoke quietly. “You should have told me about the fact you didn’t have the document that said you’re not married.”
“I know.” The words would barely come out. She closed her eyes, trying to fight back the tears that burned behind her eyelids. “I kept trying…but all it comes down to is the fact I didn’t.”
“Everyone makes mistakes,” he said, his voice low and husky. “This one has just been hard for me to take. You’re still a married woman.”
Miranda opened her eyes, trying hard not to cry. But in the end, she couldn’t stop the tear that rolled down her face.
She tried to pull her hands from Justin’s, but he wouldn’t let go.
“I have a proposition to make,” he said.
She waited for him to speak as another tear fell.
“We’ll start over. We’ll spend time together while you get that paperwork taken care of.” His earnest expression had her heart beating faster. “We just won’t end up in bed together until all is said and done.”
“You’re okay with it?” She could hardly speak. “You forgive me?”
He squeezed her hands. “There’s nothing to forgive. You made a mistake and we’re going to take a few steps back. Everything is going to be fine.”
Justin stood and pulled her up and into a hug. He held her to him, and she fell into his embrace, enjoying his heat and the warmth of his heart.
He leaned back just enough to look into her eyes. “I love you, Miranda, and I’m not letting you go.”
More tears rolled down her face. “I love you, Justin.”
“You’d better,” he said with a cocky grin.
She threw her arms around his neck and never wanted to let go.