Chance's Joy. Patricia Thayer

up helping his younger brothers with their chores just so Hank wouldn’t turn them over to child services. He’d do whatever he had to so the Randell boys wouldn’t be separated. Funny, but years later that’s how it had turned out—Cade was in Chicago and Travis was in Houston.

      “Maybe they’ll surprise us and come for a visit this summer,” Chance said.

      “Sure. But I won’t hold my breath.” Hank walked to the pantry, then came out with three large cans of chili.

      Chance thought that he should call Cade and Travis and see if he could coax them home to surprise Hank.

      “How did your talk with Lil’s niece go?” Hank asked as he worked the can opener.

      Chance muffled a groan thinking about another night of heartburn. He went to the refrigerator and pulled out bacon and eggs. “Not good. She hasn’t changed her mind. She’s determined to move in.”

      The older man raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like she’s inherited a little of Lil’s stubbornness.”

      Chance didn’t like the comparison. “It’s foolhardy to move with a new baby into a place that’s been deserted for nearly a year.”

      “Look, son, I know you’re disappointed not to get the place, but the woman has a right to—”

      Chance held up a hand. He didn’t want to hear about right. “It’s just a temporary setback. Joy Spencer will change her mind. She’ll never survive.”

      “That’s out of our hands. Besides, when Ella returns tomorrow and gets wind of the new neighbor, she’ll be over there with her broom and bucket, cleaning. Maybe you should go over first and check out the place. Clear out anything that might have taken up residence.”

      Chance pulled out a skillet and set it on the front burner of the stainless-steel stove. He would do it, but he didn’t have to like it. How was he supposed to feel, seeing her move into his place? All at once he remembered the tiny baby he’d seen in the nursery and knew he would make an effort. He’d had a taste of what it was like to be homeless.

      “There isn’t any rain in the forecast for the next week. I’ll make sure all the windows get opened, and the place airs out. All that dust wouldn’t be good for a baby.”

      “That little one got to ya, huh?” Hank’s expression turned sad. “They used to get to Mae, too.” Chance had never known Hank’s wife; she’d died a few years before he and his brothers came to live at the ranch. But he remembered how lonely Hank looked whenever he talked about his Mae.

      Chance placed strips of bacon in the cast-iron skillet. “I’m tryin’ to do the right thing. She’s gonna be our neighbor.” He hoped it wouldn’t be for too long, because he was also going to do everything possible to convince her to sell out to him.

      The old man had a sober look on his face. “You say this woman is widowed?”

      Chance nodded. “Says she has no family, just her daughter.”

      “By all means, you should do the right thing.”

      Chance ignored Hank’s comment, telling himself he’d do as much for any neighbor. “I plan to.”

      Hank’s tired hazel eyes lit up. “Hey, you think this Joy Spencer can cook?”

      Two days later, Joy was more than ready to leave the hospital. On her tight budget she couldn’t afford to stay any longer. She didn’t have health insurance. There was the life insurance money she’d received after Blake’s death, but that was all she had until she got on her feet and made a living off the ranch.

      “Looks like you’re ready to go.”

      Joy swung around at the sound of Chance Randell’s voice. The tall man looked the part of a cowboy. His jeans appeared new and his light blue shirt was lightly starched, the sleeves rolled up past his elbows. His black, tooled boots shone, and he carried a straw Stetson in his broad hand.

      Realizing that she was enjoying the view far too much, Joy redirected her attention to his face. “What are you doing here?”

      “I’m taking you and the baby home,” he said matter-of-factly.

      “But…but you don’t need to,” Joy said, then realized her car was at the ranch, a good fifteen miles out of town. So it seemed Chance Randell was coming to her rescue again. She remembered how soothing he’d been to her in her time of need. But that was before. She couldn’t forget he wanted to buy her out.

      “Look, I’m just making sure you and…Katie, is it?”

      Joy nodded.

      “That you and Katie make it home okay. If Ella were here, she’d tell you to take it easy.”

      “Ella. Is she your wife?”

      A half smile tugged at his mouth. “I’m not married. Ella is the cook and housekeeper at the Circle B.” He raised a hand. “And I don’t know how it is where you come from, but in Texas we help our neighbors.”

      He was right, she was too suspicious of his motives. “I’m sorry. Thank you, Chance, I’d really appreciate a lift to the ranch.” She folded her arms over her tender breasts. “Tell me, do you spend all your free time rescuing women?”

      “I assure you, I have plenty to keep me busy.” His piercing gray eyes held hers. “But I couldn’t sleep nights if I didn’t make sure you and the little one get settled.”

      Joy knew he was right. She had a baby to think about. Katie deserved the best, the best from her mother. “Okay, but I’m going to pay you back for your kindness.”

      He pushed the wheelchair up to her. “I’m sure you will.”

      Chance watched as Joy nodded and went to finish packing up her things. Then the baby was brought in.

      “Here you are, Katie,” the nurse said as she laid the tiny bundle on the bed. “Your mommy and daddy are going to take you home,” the young woman crooned to the infant. She looked up at Joy. “She is so adorable, we really hate to give her up. You and your husband are so lucky.”

      Joy glanced at Chance, and his stomach tightened at the thought of someone as beautiful as Joy Spencer being his. And a child… A yearning hit him like a rock to the gut.

      “Yes, we are,” Joy said. The nurse checked the wristbands on mother and daughter, then left. Avoiding his gaze, Joy tried to explain. “Sorry, it was just easier not to go through the whole long story.”

      “No problem,” he grumbled, then glanced down at the baby who had stolen his heart the second he’d held her. “It’s the closest I’ll come to having a kid.”

      “You never know, Chance. Life is full of surprises.” Joy picked up her child, then took a seat in the wheelchair. “C’mon, Katie, let’s go to our new home.”

      Chance stared at Joy for a long time, thinking about his life and all that the name Randell had cost him. Nice women had stayed clear of the likes of him.

      But since he’d first found Joy Spencer in the barn, he’d been drawn to her. Without question, she’d trusted him to deliver her baby. He glanced at the infant in her arms and his chest tightened. A yearning stirred deep inside him, making him want things he couldn’t afford to want.

      He quickly shook away the thought. He had to stay focused. He needed to convince Joy Spencer to sell him her land. And the sooner she left, the better.

      Chapter Three

      Carrying Katie Rose, Joy walked through the front door of the Kirby house. She glanced around with a gasp. She couldn’t believe this was the same house she’d briefly walked through two days ago.

      From the floors to the windows, everything sparkled. In the living room, the sheets had been removed from the furniture, the cobwebs were gone. The scent of lemon teased her nose as she noticed