A Rancher's Redemption

The idea appealed to Dani. “I’m pretty sure Christy and her fiancé have plans, but Becca and Janelle might be free. By the way, I have a new dating plan,” she said, her own words filling her with hope. “From now on, I’m going to go out with a different kind of guy. He’ll have a decent job and be looking to settle down and get married.”

Once she met her Mr. Right, she’d be able to forget all about Nick’s kisses. Then they could return to being just friends.

Lana opened her mouth to say something, but Johanna broke into noisy tears and barreled into her mother’s arms.

“What’s the matter, sweetie?” she asked, pulling the howling toddler onto her lap.

“Owie,” Johanna wailed, pointing to a red place on her kneecap.

“Aww, poor Johanna. Let Mama make it better.” Lana placed a tender kiss on the injury.

Instantly, the cries turned into sniffles. “C-can I have a Band-Aid?”

“It’ll come right off in the bathtub, but why not? Dani, will you grab the box of Tinker Bell strips from the bathroom cabinet?”

Moments later, Lana kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Is that better?”

Johanna studied her bandaged knee and nodded.

“This has been fun, but Johanna needs a bath before bed,” Lana said. “Then we’re both going to sleep.”

“I need to get to bed myself,” Dani said.

After pulling on her coat and kissing her niece and sister-in-law, she opened the door.

“Good luck with your dating plan,” Lana said. “Keep me posted.”

Chapter Four (#ulink_b72edc29-e7eb-5923-909f-9994b8e0faed)

“Hey, Mom,” Nick said when his mother let him into her apartment late Friday afternoon.

At five feet three, she was short enough that he had to bend down to kiss her cheek.

He nodded to his sister, Jamie, who was two years older than him and sitting on the couch, idly thumbing through a magazine. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

She shrugged. “When Mom says to show up, I do.”

They’d both been divorced twice, and were as tight as a mother and daughter could be.

Nick narrowed his eyes at his mother. “What’s this about?”

“Does there have to be a reason for me to want the company of both my son and my daughter?” she asked. “I’ve missed you, Nick. It’s been too long.”

“Since the last time you asked for money.” She’d never been shy about asking him for a loan. Since his father had left him the insurance policy, the requests had only increased.