Rocky Mountain Cowboy. Tina Radcliffe

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Two

      “Momma!” Casey Simpson raced across the lawn, her dark braids bouncing as she moved. When she got close, she launched herself into her mother’s arms.

      Rebecca buried her face in her daughter’s neck, breathing in the sweet scent.

      “I’ve missed you so much, Momma.”

      “I’ve missed you, too, baby.”

      “Grandma’s in the house. I’ll get her.”

      A moment later, the front screen creaked open, then closed with a bang, causing Rebecca to look up. Joan Anshaw stood on the front porch of the gray clapboard house. “I thought you’d never get here.”

      “I was starting to feel the same way. That old Honda is on its last legs.”

      Her mother pushed back a strand of her short dark bob, and took off her glasses to wipe the moisture from her eyes. “Oh, Mom, don’t cry.” Rebecca moved quickly to the porch, wrapping her mother in a warm embrace.

      “I’m not crying.”

      “You’re not?” Rebecca peered down into the face of the woman who had been her rock for the last twenty-four months.

      “No. Cowgirls don’t cry. Remember? Your daddy always said that.”

      Ah, her father. Rebecca smiled at the memory. Her dad, Jackson Anshaw, had spent most of his life as foreman for Hollis Elliott Ranch Holdings.

      “Daddy only said that so I’d stop whining about all the chores he gave me.”

      Joan laughed. “It worked, didn’t it?” She sniffed before slipping her glasses back on.

      “Yes, it did.” She pressed a kiss to her mother’s cheek. “We’re in the homestretch now, Mom. Let’s not forget that.” She smiled. “I am so grateful for OrthoBorne Technology for giving me my job back and this opportunity. Just the fact that we don’t live four hours from each other is a blessing.”

      “Does that mean you’re here in Paradise to stay?”

      “One step at a time. I have custody of my daughter again. I have a job, and I’m here until Joe Gallagher finishes certification.” Rebecca smiled, savoring the thought of being in the same place as her mother and her daughter for a while.

      “What then?” her mother asked.

      “Then the company will decide if I can be promoted to full-time senior case manager. With that position, I can work from home. I’d touch base with the Denver offices once a week.”

      “Oh, Bec, that would be wonderful. Casey wouldn’t have to change schools again.”

      “I know. There’s a lot riding on this assignment, not to mention a fat bonus check.”

      Joan sank onto one of the rocking chairs on the porch. She tucked her slim, denim-clad legs beneath her. “So what’s the plan?”

      Rebecca leaned back against the porch railing. “I start at Gallagher Ranch on Monday.”

      “Wonderful.”

      “Yes. And I’m still looking for a place for the summer.”

      “I thought you had a rental.”

      “That fell through.”

      “Fell through? That’s odd. You don’t think Nick’s grandfather had something to do with it, do you?”

      “Let’s not go there.” Rebecca shook her head. She refused to let Judge Brown put a cloud on all the good things that were happening. “I’ll be making a few calls on Monday. Something will open up.”

      “You know you can stay with me,” her mother said. “Casey will be here after school and during the day in the summer anyhow.”

      “I appreciate all you’re doing, but it’s really important for me to establish a home for myself and Casey.” She pushed her hair back. “You’ve raised her the last two years while we’ve been waiting for the case to go to trial.”

      “I was glad to be able to help.”

      “And I’m grateful, but I don’t want her to forget I’m her mother. Besides, you deserve a little time for yourself. You’ve given up everything for me, and the least I can do is give you your life back. It’s time for you to just enjoy being a grandmother.”

      “Grandma?”

      Rebecca and her mother turned to see Casey standing inside the house, her face pressed against the door screen looking out at them. “May I go next door to see if the twins can come out to play?”

      Joan opened her mouth and then paused. She looked to Rebecca. “Honey, you need to ask your mother.”

      Casey looked back and forth between the two adults, her brows knit. “Momma?”

      “Who СКАЧАТЬ