The Lawman's Rebel Bride. Amanda Renee

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СКАЧАТЬ handle against the crook of her arm and tugged off her gloves. “Everything else aside, I feel guilty about not coming to see you when your dad died. Your family has always been wonderful to me and I should have swallowed my pride and tried.”

      Harlan picked up her coffee and handed it to her. “You did. I saw you at the cemetery.” Her eyes widened at his admission. “At first I wasn’t sure it was you off in the distance, but when Dylan noticed you, too, I had my confirmation.”

      “It wasn’t enough.” Belle averted her gaze from his once again. “How is your mom?”

      “Good. She remarried and seems happy with her new life in California. I’ve only been out there once.” Now it was his turn to feel awkward. Four years had passed since Ryder had been convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Harlan still didn’t believe the circumstances surrounding his father’s death, but he’d been forced to accept them after his brother pled guilty and had been sentenced to fifteen years in the state penitentiary. “I should fly out there sometime soon. I know Ivy would love to see her grandmother. Maybe over Thanksgiving.”

      “Please give her my best.” Belle flipped open the top of the mug and took a sip. “Thank you. You even remembered how I take my coffee.”

      “Light and sweet.” How could he forget? He used to tease her about it. Light and sweet, just like you. “But seriously, Belle, I don’t want you to feel you owe me anything for staying here. I know we can’t ignore the past, but we can try to keep it there. I appreciate the gesture.”

      “I will still clean the stalls because, believe it or not, busy work helps me think. The sooner I can get my rescue operation open, the more animals I’ll be able to save.” She plucked her phone from her back pocket and tapped the screen. “Come look at this.” She sidled up to him as he entered the stall, her shoulder grazing his upper arm. “It’s a nonprofit with locations in California and Tennessee called The Gentle Barn. It provides a safe haven for animals in need while educating the community about kindness and compassion. They even have a cow with a prosthetic limb. Isn’t it remarkable?” Belle beamed as she continued to scroll through the photos. “My goal is to provide my rescues with whatever medical care they may require. If I can adopt them out into loving forever homes, wonderful. If not, that’s okay, too. Either way, they’ll never suffer again.”

      The sincerity in Belle’s voice was another reminder why he fell in love with her so long ago. She did everything with purpose and her whole heart. The rescue was a great idea. Ivy would love it, especially since she wanted to become a veterinarian.

      “Why are you looking at me like that?” Belle stepped away from him.

      “I have a proposition for you.” Harlan feared he’d regret what he was about to say, but even worse, he feared he’d regret it even more if he didn’t. “I have more acreage here than I need. You and I chose this property because of its spectacular views of the Swan Range. I think it’s only fair for you to use part of it for your rescue. No strings, no cost. We’ll call it your first donation.”

      She opened her mouth and for a second he thought she’d balk at the idea. “Are you sure you want me this close to you and your daughter?”

      “Belle, I have nothing against you. And I admit, I am concerned with you interacting with Ivy. She’s an inquisitive child and as soon as I pick her up after work she’ll want to meet you. Are you okay with that?”

      “I don’t harbor any resentment toward her.” The corners of her mouth turned downward. “I resented the situation and a part of me still does. But Ivy is an innocent child who became the victim of a bad situation. I can sympathize with that. I know what it’s like to have a mother walk out and never return. I’ll be her friend, but I don’t want her to believe you and I are a real couple because it will break her heart when I leave.”

      Leave? Of course she would leave eventually. But if she accepted his proposal, she would just be on the other side of the property. Granted he wouldn’t see her every day, but he’d know she was there.

      “Ivy’s aware of your grandmother’s illness. She doesn’t know the specifics, but she knows enough. I’ll remind her so there’s no confusion. Does that mean you’ll accept my offer?”

      “I’d be a fool not to.” She exhaled slowly. “And I might be a fool to say yes.”

      “I have a little over a hundred acres. You’re welcome to half of it.”

      Belle shook her head. “Fifty acres is much more than I can handle.”

      “I’ll deed you whatever you feel you need now, and if you want to add more later, you can. There’s another entrance to the ranch on the back side of the property. Start with that parcel. The land’s fairly clear and there’s already an outbuilding there. I can’t guarantee it’s not a complete teardown. I haven’t been out there in a while. But if it is, I’ll help you with that, too.” Harlan fought to stop rambling. “It’s up to you. You need to be comfortable with it.”

      Her expression filled with worry. “Are you comfortable with it? Or is this an attempt to clear your conscience?”

      “Belle, I’ll never escape the guilt of leaving you at the altar, but that’s not why I’m offering. I have one major concern. I can’t have my daughter affected by your sometimes reckless choices. If you can promise to call me before doing anything rash, I would be happy to help you start your rescue.”

      “Then I think we have a deal.” She gave him a soft, warm smile.

      Belle held out her hand. This time he knew enough to shake it. The feel of her palm against his set his heart aflame. A small ball of forbidden desire burned in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to seal their arrangement with a kiss. To give her what was rightfully hers and what should have been hers all along. The land and his heart. But he couldn’t. He’d had his chance. If he hadn’t bolted on their wedding day, Belle never would have faced half the challenges she’d endured. And she most likely wouldn’t have a police record. He’d set off a chain reaction eight years ago and it had deeply affected Belle and his daughter. He might be able to right some of his wrongs, but he’d have to live with the consequences of never knowing what could have been.

      * * *

      FOR THE SECOND day in a row, Belle couldn’t believe how much her life had changed overnight. Harlan’s generous land offer touched her more than she’d ever admit. At least she wouldn’t admit it to him. Was that petty and childish? Maybe. But she wasn’t ready to destroy the protective wall she’d built around her heart. Not only to keep him out, but to keep herself from wanting more.

      Harlan was an old habit, one she craved with each passing second. She refused to give in to it. She’d worked hard to form new, less dependent relationships. None had resulted in any long-term romances, but she’d learned to value her friendships and stand on her own. And until she saw the deed transferred into her name, she couldn’t afford to get her hopes up.

      Who was she kidding? She silently cheered behind the steering wheel of her truck, not wanting to startle Lillie. She was over the moon thrilled. Any attachments she had to that property had faded long ago. Or so she thought. This morning had been difficult. It was the first time she woke up on what should have been hers. Not that she’d gotten much sleep, and she lived in the stables, but it was close enough. And it stung.

      She drove onto Dr. Lydia Presley’s ranch and parked in front of the stables. It was strictly an ambulatory practice, but Lydia used the ranch as home base. Breaking the news to СКАЧАТЬ