nodded, unable to make eye contact. It had been ten years since her first love took off for college and never came back. “This is Capture the Wind. I’m so sorry about what happened. He got away from my handler. I came after him...but not in time.”
“You should be sorry.” He nodded toward the horse headed through the barn door. “We had plans to breed Honor’s Promise. Even paid the stud fee.”
She definitely didn’t have the money to repay him right now. “Well, I didn’t plan this, either. And if it’s any consolation, Wind is registered, and he gets a substantial stud fee.” Which was a stretch, since he hadn’t sired any foals. Yet. She’d had him only a few months, but her mare, Starr Gazer, her best cutter, was pregnant.
He blinked those steel-gray eyes at her. “You don’t expect me to pay for what just happened here.”
She tossed her long braid over her shoulder and jammed her hands on her hips. “Of course not, but don’t insult Wind like he’s some mongrel horse that runs wild.”
Kase couldn’t believe Laurel Quinn would show up here of all places. His gaze couldn’t help but wander over the girl he once knew. It seemed like a million years ago when he was young and arrogant. There was still that deep fire in her green eyes. Damn, if it didn’t have him thinking about all the times they’d been together. Also their last argument before he’d left Hidden Springs.
Laurel had been only eighteen then. She might still have that long braid, but she definitely was a woman now. His gaze moved over her body, full breasts and long, shapely legs. He had no business thinking about her, or any woman, right now.
“I have no clue to the bloodline of this stallion.”
“Well, believe me, he has an impressive pedigree.”
“Too bad he doesn’t have any manners.”
Kase eyed the magnificent stallion. At least sixteen hands, he had a rich golden-brown coat and black mane and tail. And was cocky as hell. This might be a good thing. Of course, he wasn’t the expert. That would be his dad.
The large animal danced sideways, but Laurel managed to hang on to the lead rope. He would offer to help her with the horse, but he knew she’d turn him down.
“I’ll pay for any damages to the fence.”
“Good, I’ll send you a bill.” He’d planned to repair the rotted wood that had been neglected the past few years. There had been several things around here that needed attention. Now that he had the time, he planned to get to them. “You still live at home?”
She straightened. “I live at the ranch. I have an apartment over the garage. I breed and train horses there, so being close to my horses is important.” She flashed those big green eyes at him. “So how long are you staying?”
He hesitated, not sure how much he wanted to tell her. “Not sure... I need to help Dad with the ranch.” Maybe by then, he’d figure out what to do with his life and handle the problems he’d left back in the city.
He saw Laurel’s surprise. There had been a time when he’d sworn he would never set foot on this ranch again. He was going to be a big-time lawyer and make a name for himself. Well, that dream had cost him dearly, and it’d cost Addy even more.
“But I thought... Aren’t you practicing law in Denver?”
“Not at the moment. I’m taking some time off.”
She glanced around. “Is Gus okay?”
In a town the size of Hidden Springs, there weren’t many secrets. “He needs hip surgery. So he will be out of commission for a while. I came back to stay and help out.”
He couldn’t stop watching as she stroked the stallion. This wild beast had suddenly become docile with her touch. He remembered those hands on him... His attention went to her mouth. At eighteen she hadn’t been experienced with anything but horses. Yet her innocent kisses had turned him inside out.
He’d heard at the local diner that she’d nearly gotten married a few months back. Then the bridegroom had run off with her heart and the family’s money.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Kase turned to see his father, Gus, bracing his four-year-old daughter, Addison, on the middle rung of the corral fence. Addy had sunny-yellow hair that lay in ringlets against her tiny shoulders. Several curls had escaped, probably because he couldn’t fasten the clips correctly. Her blue-gray eyes were wide with excitement, and her big smile melted his heart. She’d been wearing jeans, T-shirts and new cowboy boots since they’d arrived home. She told him she was a cowgirl now.
“Hey, sweetie. What are you doing out here?”
“Papa said I could come out if I stayed out of the way.”
He looked at his dad. The cagey old guy had a grin on his weathered face. “We saw you had company and we wanted to come out and say hi. Didn’t we, sweet pea?”
His daughter’s head bobbed up and down. “And to see the pretty horsey.”
He wasn’t sure if he was ready for this introduction, but he might as well get it over with. “That’s Capture the Wind, sweetie.”
Addy’s attention went to Laurel. “Who’s the lady, Daddy?”
He glanced over his shoulder to see Laurel’s surprised look. “This is Laurel Quinn, our neighbor and the owner of the horse. Laurel, this is my daughter, Addison Marie Rawlins.”
Addy waved. “Hi, Laurel. I’m four years old.”
“Hi, Addy.” Laurel finally smiled back. “I’m twenty-eight.”
“Laurel, can I pet your horsey?”
Gus nodded toward Wind. “I wouldn’t mind a closer look at that animal myself.”
Laurel looked at Kase, and at his nod she tugged on the reins and started across the corral. “You stay right there and I’ll bring him to you.” Then she said to the stallion, “Mind your manners.”
Kase watched Laurel’s movements as she walked the large animal across the corral. She matched the spirited animal with her long strides. No doubt she was the boss and Wind was doing her bidding. He followed her like a gentle lamb.
Of course, he was more interested in the woman. Captivated by those long legs and full hips encased in a pair of faded jeans. She still wore the standard cowboy uniform, manure-caked boots and that old battered straw cowboy hat. She was a working cowgirl, and everything he’d never wanted. Then why did she still get to him?
Laurel was nervous. A few months ago, she’d heard that Kase was back in town. She thought it was for only a short visit. It was hard to believe the big-time Denver lawyer had moved his entire family back here. No sign of his wife—maybe she’d stayed in Denver.
She put on a smile and looked at Gus. “Hi, Gus.”
“Hey there, Laurel. Haven’t seen you in a long time.”
She nodded. “A few years.”
“You’re
