Rocky Mountain Brides: Raising the Rancher's Family

He forced himself to take a seat, but he wasn’t finished with this. He would just have to wait until he got Leah back to the ranch, then he’d set her straight.

Set everyone straight.

CHAPTER SEVEN

LATER that evening, Leah was in the ranch’s kitchen when Holt finally came in from checking on Lulu. Her foal was due anytime and he’d been watching her closely.

“How’s the mother-to-be doing?”

He walked to the coffeepot and poured a cup. “She’s getting close. Zach’s going to call when it’s time.”

Leah was excited. “Could I go down, too? It’s been a long time since I’ve watched a birth.”

He shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that.”

He sure knew how to make a girl feel welcome. “I promised Corey he could go, too, I should wake him.” He started to leave the kitchen when Leah stopped him.

“Holt, is there something wrong?”

He looked at her with that unreadable hooded gaze of his. “Why should there be something wrong?”

“Maybe because you haven’t said more than a few words to me since last night when you came into my room. I thought that …”

“You thought what?”

“I thought we could now at least talk to each other if something was bothering one of us.”

He frowned and crossed the room to her. “Okay, maybe we should talk. When were you planning on telling me about the town wanting me to sell land for an access road?”

She swallowed hard. “I’d forgotten all about it.”

“Were you elected to sweet-talk me into agreeing to give the town access?”

Leah was starting to get angry over his constant mistrust. “Well, whatever the plan, it seems that I’ve failed miserably.”

“I don’t like being used.”

“And I don’t like you thinking I would use a friend like that. Besides, all Morgan wanted me to do was present the idea to you. You have the choice to look over the plans and tell them yes or no.” She threw up her hands in defeat. “Word was people in town thought you came here to sell the ranch, then head back to New York.”

“Well, I’m staying,” he said.

“Then prove it. Stop closing yourself away from everyone and get to know your neighbors.”

He opened his mouth to protest and she stopped him. “And don’t say they’re just curious because you’re John’s son, or I’ll clobber you. You are John Rawlins’s son. If you’re not proud of that, there’s something wrong.”

Raw emotion flashed across his face. “I am tired of being compared to the man. He wasn’t in my life. This ranch, this land, is all I ever had of him.”

“I’m sorry about that, Holt.” She stepped closer and placed her hand on his arm. “I know you never had the chance to know John, and I wish so much you had.” She felt him start to pull away and she tightened her grip. “No, please listen to me. The man I knew would have loved his child—his son. There had to be something that happened between your parents to keep him away.”

“Well, whatever it was, it worked. I never saw him after I left here.” Holt broke free and walked out the door. As much as Leah wanted to stop him, Holt Rawlins wasn’t going to listen to anything she had to say.

“Wow, look, Holt.” Corey gasped. “She’s getting up.”

“I see,” Holt said as he leaned back on the railing in the birthing pen. He was exhausted, but even more amazed at the Silver R’s newest equine resident.

“That’s what a foal is supposed to do,” Zach said. “They got to stand up to see if everything works, that she’ll be able to reach her mama to eat.”

Holt watched the still-wobbly golden-chestnut filly check out her new surroundings. He wiped his hand on a towel and glanced across the gate at Leah.

“Congratulations, Dad,” she told him.

Almost against his will, he found himself smiling. “Thanks. Am I supposed to hand out cigars?” He couldn’t believe how a new foal could bring him such joy. Maybe it wasn’t the recent birth as much as the shared experience with Corey. And Leah.

“I guess someone needs to come up with a name,” Zach said. “You have any ideas, Corey?”

“You want me to name her?”

Zach exchanged a glance with Holt. “Sure.”

“Her coat is all golden,” Corey said.

“How about we call her Golden Girl?” Zach suggested.

“Goldie, for short,” Corey said.

“I like that.” Holt nodded. “Goldie it is.”

When Corey yawned, Zach suggested they all turn in. He’d keep an eye on the filly.

Once Corey was settled in bed, Holt followed Leah into the hall, but he stopped her before she retired to her room. When she looked at him with those big eyes, he nearly forgot what he wanted to say. But he couldn’t lose his nerve now.

“Leah, about earlier…I guess I jumped to conclusions before I knew the whole story.”

She didn’t say anything.

“You were right, I’ll go and talk to your sister in a few days.”

She sighed. “That’s all Morgan wanted you to do in the first place. You’ve got to start trusting people.” Leah started to turn away, but Holt stopped her.

“I wish I could change that.”

Leah wanted to believe him. She wanted a lot of things. She wanted to know the man behind the armor. The same man who held her one night when she was afraid to be alone. “There’s nothing wrong with admitting we need someone.” Unable to stop herself, she leaned into him and rested her head against his chest. She loved the sound of his pounding heart. “Just so you know. I’m here if you need a friend.”

Holt pulled back and his intense gaze locked on her. The heat between them quickly became electrifying. “Friends? Friendship is not exactly what I’m feeling for you right now.”

His head lowered and his mouth covered hers. The kiss started out slow and tantalizing, then began to feed on their hunger for one another. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer, pressing his body against hers as his mouth magically caressed hers. With a moan, she parted her lips, allowing him inside.

Suddenly Holt broke off the kiss, leaving her dazed and confused. His eyes narrowed as he fought to slow his breathing. “Oh, Leah. I think we both want more than just friendship. A lot more.”