The Rancher's Unexpected Family. Helen Lacey

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СКАЧАТЬ the granddaughters?” she inquired.

      “We’re an equal-opportunity family,” he said and grinned. “However, both my sisters preferred college to the garage and our five cousins are all male. But you never know, Maisy might just decide to pick up a wrench instead of a textbook.”

      Ash raised a brow. “Good answer. If that’s the case, I may get you to take a look at my old truck. The brake line needs replacing and the darn thing keeps overheating.”

      “No problem,” he replied. “I’d like to earn my keep while we’re here, since Joel made it very clear that you refuse to take any kind of financial assistance from me.”

      “You’ll only be here a few weeks,” she reminded him. “That won’t make me broke.”

      He sighed. “I’d still like to pay my way.”

      She shook her head. “I’m doing this as a favor for Joel. And because I want to help you.”

      “I appreciate that, but –”

      “Money muddies the waters,” she said, interrupting him and then she chewed on her bottom lip.

      “Maybe,” he said and looked at her mouth for a second. “I’ve never really had to worry about it.”

      “Lucky you,” she said wryly. “I shall make sure I stir your coffee with a silver spoon from now on.”

      He laughed and the sound made her heart beat faster.

      When he spoke again she was barely able to meet his gaze. “I guess that comment did make me sound like a pompous ass. Which I assure you, I’m not. My grandfather didn’t believe in free rides in life, and my dad feels the same.”

      “Sounds like you’ve had strong role models,” she remarked. “That will be good for Maisy. Tell me about your mother—I saw a picture when I was surfing the web. She’s striking.”

      “She’s the best,” he replied quickly. “And she’s tried to develop a relationship with my daughter in the last few months, but Maisy...” He shrugged. “Small steps, I guess.”

      Ash nodded. “Absolutely. Once Maisy works out that you’re not her enemy, I’m sure she’ll take comfort in the rest of your family, too. Thank you for being candid.”

      “We’re living at your home, imposing on your generosity, so I have no intention of whitewashing how bad things have become.”

      Ash’s insides contracted. He genuinely cared for his daughter and she felt a sudden surge of compassion for him. “Has it been difficult from the beginning?”

      “She’s been in trouble pretty much since she came to live with me,” he replied. “Once it was confirmed that she was my daughter I sought full custody. Since there were no other close relatives it was granted and she moved into my apartment. But it was hard. Maisy didn’t want to be there. Actually, I’m sure she didn’t know what she wanted. But I enrolled her in school and then within a couple of weeks I got a call from the principal about truancy and smoking. She was suspended for a week and then we had the issue with the shoplifting and she got hauled down to the police station. Thankfully, Joel got the charges dropped, but I knew she was getting deeper into trouble. And frankly, I was all out of options until your cousin suggested we come here.”

      “Can I offer some advice?”

      He nodded. “That’s what I was hoping for.”

      “Don’t expect too much, too soon,” she said and sighed. “She’s obviously still grieving for her mom and learning to trust you will take time. You need to put aside any impatience or judgment and simply let her...be. Tell me, does she have a boyfriend?”

      His eyes rolled. “God, I hope not.”

      Ash chuckled. “Well, she’s fourteen, and fourteen-year-old girls think about all that.”

      “It’s what fourteen-year-old boys think about that worries me.”

      She met his gaze. It was steady. Unwavering. She suspected he was always like that. Strong. Reliable. He’d clearly embraced the responsibility of his child, which said plenty about his measure. Ash admired that. Some people didn’t have the backbone for that kind of responsibility.

      Like Pete.

      A little voice reminded her that now was not the time to reminisce about Pete Shapiro and his many failings. She knew them as though they were carved within the very fiber of her soul.

      “Well, there are no fourteen-year-old boys here at the moment, so you can relax.”

      He sat back and the chair creaked. “You said you had three kids here right now?”

      She nodded. “Yes. Tahlia, she’s eight. Her brother, Micah, is nine. And Ricky is seventeen.”

      His brows came together. “Seventeen?”

      Ash smiled. “No need to worry, he’s not interested in girls. At all,” she added. “Which is part of the reason why he’s here. His parents can’t accept that he’s gay and it’s been a tough time for him.”

      He nodded. “I look forward to meeting them. And your son, of course.”

      Ash’s heart warmed. “Jaye is amazing. He’s my whole world.”

      “Can I ask about his father?”

      “You can ask,” she replied. “He’s not on the scene and hasn’t been for a long time. And I’d prefer the subject not to come up around my son.”

      “Sure,” he said easily. “Anything else off-limits? Old boyfriend? Current boyfriend?”

      “No boyfriend,” she responded.

      “Have the men in this town all got blindfolds on?”

      Even if it wasn’t meant that way, his words sounded pretty flirtatious, and they both knew it. Heat, bright and damning, rose up her neck and throat and smacked her directly in the cheeks like a cattle brand. She got to her feet and pushed in the chair. Coffee was over. She had chores to do. And blue eyes to escape from.

      “You should come for dinner tonight,” she said quietly. “That way you and Maisy can meet everyone. So, about six?”

      He stood and nodded, obviously aware he was being dismissed. “Thank you. See you later.”

      For a time after he left, Ash still smelled the traces of his cologne in the air. It was nice, sort of woodsy and masculine, and it did a whole bunch of things to her usual good sense. She shook the notion off and started packing the dishwasher and once the dishes were done, Ash picked up her phone and called her friend Nicola Radici. She wanted to vent and Nicola was exactly the ear she needed.

      “So, he’s hot and single?” Nicola asked after Ash told her friend about her new guests, including how unfairly attractive Cole was. “How awful for you.”

      Ash bit back a grin. “Yes. Inconveniently so.”

      “Are СКАЧАТЬ