A Child for Cade. Patricia Thayer

her shoulder at the pile of unpaid bills on the desk. In the past months she’d been trying to think of a way to pay off the debts. But with her limited financial knowledge, she hadn’t come up with a single idea. She needed a professional, which she couldn’t afford. But she also couldn’t afford not to hire one. It was either that or she’d have to sell the ranch, her last resort. The Moreau ranch was Brandon’s legacy. Since the divorce, Abby knew this was all her son would have. And she’d do almost anything to keep her boy from losing it. She’d already used most of her divorce settlement paying the inheritance tax, then some more on the enormous debt, but it had hardly made a dent.

      Joel wasn’t about to help her, either. Besides, she didn’t plan on taking anything else from her ex-husband. As it was, Joel practically made her beg for her monthly check. She guessed that it took the place of working her over with his fists.

      Abby shivered and moved away from the window, hugging herself. Closing her eyes, she’d tried to erase the ugly memory of her marriage. A marriage her father had coerced her into.

      Instead, she thought back to the day she’d gone to Mustang Valley, the day Cade had asked her to marry him. She’d accepted quickly, unable to believe they were finally going to be together. They wouldn’t have to hide any longer.

      But Tom Moreau hated the Randells, ever since Cade’s daddy had rustled his cattle. Abby knew he would fight her on the marriage, but never realized how far he’d go until that day.

      Abby had arrived in the study with her new engagement ring. Her father was sitting behind his desk as usual. She was nearly twenty-two, and the man still frightened her. Well, she wasn’t going to let her father control her life any longer. She wanted a life with Cade, and she was going to have it.

      Her father stood. “You were with Randell.”

      Abby bit back a gasp. “I have a right to see whomever I please.”

      “I think not,” he said. “You’re a Moreau, and certain things are expected of you. You stay away from that trash.”

      “Cade isn’t trash. He’s a college graduate and has a good job in Chicago.”

      “Fine. Then he’ll be out of here.”

      Abby grew braver. “And I’m going with him.”

      Her father looked her over and grinned. “I don’t think so. I have plans for you.”

      “But I love Cade. We’re getting married.”

      Tom sat on the edge of the desk. He looked calm, but Abby saw the anger in his eyes. “You know there’s been more rustling going on in the area. I’ve lost several head myself. Two of the hands told me they saw someone who fits Cade Randell’s description on the property.”

      Dread rushed over her. “It wasn’t Cade.”

      “It’s my word against a Randell. Who do you think people will believe?”

      “That’s not fair, you know Cade didn’t do anything wrong.”

      “He did everything wrong when he touched Moreau property.”

      Abby flinched at the words. Was that all she was to him—his property? “Then I’ll say he was with me. You won’t be able to do anything. I’m of age. I can go away with Cade if I want.”

      She saw her father’s jaw clench, then he drew a breath as if trying to gather his control. “You best not argue, girl.”

      Abby began to shake. “Daddy, please. I love Cade.”

      “If you love him, then you’ll let him go. It’s the only way he’ll stay out of jail. Don’t cross me, girl. Tomorrow you’ll tell him you’ve made a mistake. Then I’m sending you off to Europe with the Garsons. Their son, Joel, asked about you.” Her father smiled. “Now, there’s a fine young man from a good family.”

      “I don’t want to go out with Joel,” she argued.

      “I wasn’t giving you a choice. That is, if you really care about Randell.”

      Abby knew she’d lost. “Okay, I’ll go. But you have to promise me you’ll leave Cade alone.”

      He glared at her, as if to say how dare she question him. Finally he nodded. “Send the ring back by messenger, I don’t want you seeing Randell again.”

      For days Abby had ached to go to Cade and tell him the truth. But she knew her father would carry out his threats. The following week Abby was sent off to Europe with the Garsons. A month later when she returned home, her circumstances had changed. She was desperate to talk to Cade. But when she’d called him in Chicago, he didn’t want to talk to her. He said their break up was for the best. They were too young to know about love. Brokenhearted, Abby had let herself be talked into marrying Joel.

      Abby wiped the tears from her face. All these years, she’d never stopped loving Cade Randell. But there had never been a chance for them, not then, and certainly not now.

      Not after he discovered her lies. Not after he discovered he had a son.

      Chapter Two

      The next morning Cade woke up groggy. He told himself it had been the excitement of the party, of returning home after all these years. He was staying in his old room. Things hadn’t changed much, maybe a fresh coat of paint. The truth was, it had been Abby that robbed him of sleep.

      By the time he showered and went downstairs, the family was already in the bright yellow kitchen eating breakfast. Hank sat at the head of the large trestle table, Cade’s brothers, Chance and Travis, in the same places they had occupied years ago.

      “Good morning.” Cade took his seat.

      “Well, it’s about time you showed your face,” Ella said, giving him a stern look, but her hazel eyes were smiling. The gray-haired woman was still housekeeper at the Circle B.

      “Love you, too, Ella,” Cade teased. He took a swallow of coffee from the mug she put in front of him. He sighed, waiting for the caffeine to kick in.

      “Gotta get you accustomed to ranch life again,” Hank said.

      “In Chicago I’m usually up early because of the stock market.”

      “Must be Ella’s cooking you’re trying to avoid,” Hank teased.

      “Stop it, old man,” Ella said. “Joy’s been teaching me.”

      Cade chuckled, recalling that the Circle B’s housekeeper had never been famous for her cooking. If she didn’t burn the food, it was a good day. “As long as I don’t have to eat my own cooking, it tastes good to me.” He winked at Ella. “It was just a late night.”

      “Yeah, quite a party,” Travis said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He quickly looked away to check the pager attached to his belt, then pulled out a cellular phone. He began punching the buttons as he got up from the table and walked into the pantry.

      Cade watched his younger brother. There were only a few years’ difference in their ages, but Travis had been in college when he’d left. Now, eight years later, his kid brother was nearly as big he was. And he ran his own company in Houston. Something to do with computer security. Funny, he didn’t really know much about the business his brother had started. It must have been doing well. Travis’s nice clothes and the Rolex on his wrist left little doubt. He had even brought Hank expensive gifts.

      So it seemed all three of the Randells had made their way in the world. Too bad their worlds had to be so far apart.

      “How was your ride last night?” Chance asked from across the table.

      “Good,” Cade said. “And there was plenty of moonlight to find my way back.”

      “Wish I’d known,” Hank mumbled. “I would have gone with you. There were way too many people here to suit me. All that fuss over a silly birthday.”

      Ella