A Dad for Her Twins (6 page)

“Why didn't I think of that?” Cade muttered as he towed the snowmobile into his machine shed, dismayed that his attempts to bond with the boy had gone so poorly.

Things got a little better after lunch when Abby insisted on seeing his horses. She crept up to the stall as if in fear for her life, but when Liberty, his favorite mare, stuck her head over the gate and whinnied, Abby seemed to forget her inhibitions. She reached up a hand and gently brushed it over Liberty's golden-red mane. A moment later the two were holding a mutual admiration meeting. Abby's green eyes grew huge with wonder when she looked at him.

“She's beautiful,” she murmured.

“She's a sucker for apples.” Cade handed her one of two he'd tucked into his pocket earlier.

“Does it have to be cut up—oh!” Abby blinked as the horse nipped the apple from her fingers and chewed the treat. She looked at her hand in wonder. “She didn't even touch me.”

Cade laughed.

“Liberty's an expert thief. Sometimes she searches my pockets for carrots when I'm cleaning her stall or feeding her and she always finds them.” A sudden rush of satisfaction filled him when Abby began to caress Liberty, which made Cade wonder why it seemed so important she was comfortable with his animals.

How at home do you want her to feel?
He ignored the voice in his head.

“Liberty loves her treats almost as much as she loves being brushed,” he explained. “Want to try?”

Abby studied him for a few minutes, then slowly nodded. Cade went to the tack area, grabbed Liberty's favorite brush and carried it to Abby. Carefully he opened the gate and positioned himself by Liberty's side so he could show Abby how to brush. When his fingers covered hers, Cade's heart rate giddyapped, just as it had right before he'd shot out of the chute on an ornery bronc when he competed at the Calgary Stampede.

As soon as Abby had the motion memorized, Cade let go and stepped back, trying to even out his erratic breathing. What was wrong with him today?

Liberty shifted and whinnied. Abby backed away with a frown. “Did I do it wrong?”

“No. You're doing it right. That means she likes it.” Cade smiled. “She won't hurt you, but she might not want you to stop,” he warned.

“Do all her noises have meanings?” Abby resumed her work.

“Not always, but you'll know if she doesn't like something. She's not subtle.” He couldn't tear his gaze away from Abby's face and the pure joy that radiated from it as she curried the horse.

“I hear you had some trouble with Ivor this morning.” She gave him a quick sideways look.

“We don't seem to be hitting it off,” Cade admitted. “He won't listen to anything I say. I tried to tell him to keep the snowmobile away from the pond but—” He shrugged and let the rest of his sentence die.

“Ivor doesn't come from a ranch family, does he? I think Mrs. Swanson mentioned his dad was some kind of mechanic.” Abby moved to Liberty's other side. Cade followed and stayed close, just in case she needed him.

“Maybe Ivor worked with him,” Cade said dourly. “Then he could help me fix my sled.”

Abby chuckled, then smoothed her hand between Liberty's eyes, whispering soothing words. She winked at him.

“Maybe Ivor would like to brush a horse,” she mused in a speculative tone.

“I'm not sure he likes animals.” Which was a relief since Cade wasn't sure he wanted Ivor anywhere near his prized horses. Sensing that Abby was wearying, he called a halt and put Liberty back in her stall, placating her whinny of complaint with another apple.

“It's coffee time,” he said as he closed the stall door. “Let's go see what Mrs. Swanson baked today.”

“Does she bake a lot?” Abby asked. She slid her hand through the arm he offered and daintily picked her way over the snowy path toward the house.

“She usually makes something special every day. It's her way of trying to tempt my dad to eat a little more,” he told her.

“Has she been here a long time?” Abby wondered.

“Since my mom died. She practically raised me.” He cleared his throat and said the words that had nagged at him for hours. “You were with my father for a long time this morning. I really think it's better if you stay away, Abby.”

“Your father and I were playing games.” She stopped when he paused outside the back door and studied him. “Ed seemed to really get into them, so I didn't want to cut it short. But if you'd rather I didn't interact with him—” She stopped, waited.

“I don't want you hurt,” Cade said firmly. “I heard his cane banging several times. When he gets riled he sometimes loses control—”

“He wasn't riled.” Abby laughed. “He was celebrating. He beat me at every game of checkers. Ivor told me he'd lost to Ed earlier, too.”

“He didn't get upset?” Cade frowned when Abby shook her head.

“Your father seems to enjoy winning.”

“Yeah, he loves winning,” Cade told her with an ironic grin. “Understatement of the year to say he loves winning. My father
has
to win.”

Winning was all that mattered to Ed. At least it was all that seemed to matter in his relationship with his son. Since Cade had often overruled him in regard to decisions about the ranch, he'd assumed that accounted for his father's worsening behavior.

Confused by the different view of his dad, Cade held the door for Abby to precede him inside. They shed their outer clothes and boots in the mudroom that adjoined the kitchen.

“Something smells wonderful,” Abby said, following her nose. “I can't believe I'm hungry again. I ate a huge lunch.”

“Ranch life does that to you.” Cade accepted two cups of coffee from Mrs. Swanson and set them on the kitchen table. “It's the fresh, unspoiled air.”

“It's also the wee ones wanting a snack,” Mrs. Swanson said with a knowing glance at Abby's midriff. “Some cinnamon rolls might quiet them.”

“They certainly would.” Abby sat next to Cade, then accepted a steaming cinnamon roll. She nipped a bite between her pink lips, closed her eyes and smiled. “Delicious,” she said, much to Mrs. Swanson's satisfaction.

A few moments later Ed and Ivor joined them. Ivor pushed Ed's chair to the table as if he'd done it a thousand times before. As they all sat around the table sharing the delicious treat, Abby teased Ed about winning and then Ivor about almost sinking the snowmobile.

For the first time in memory, Cade realized that he and his father were seated together at the table without the usual tension. Everyone seemed to find harmony, fun and pleasure in one another's company. Cade had no doubt that was Abby's influence on them. She seemed to bring out the best in everyone she met.

Cade's gaze slid to Ivor. According to Marsha's call this morning, the kid was going to be here a while. None of the relatives she'd spoken to seemed ready to add the orphaned boy to their menageries, which meant Cade needed to find a way to connect with Ivor. His horses had reached Abby. Maybe they would Ivor, too.

Cade spared a moment to wonder why it was so important for him to connect with Ivor, then decided he was just being a good host.

“Maybe tomorrow you'd like to go for a horse ride,” he offered. “I could teach you if you don't know how to ride.”

“No, thank you.” Ivor didn't even look at him. He did turn to Ed and ask him for a rematch. The pair left the kitchen with Ivor teasing the older man and Ed thumping his cane as he rolled along in his wheelchair, just for effect.

“Well, that went well,” Cade muttered, embarrassed that Abby had witnessed the brush-off he'd just received.

“Don't get discouraged,” she encouraged, patting his arm. “Ivor's hurting. He's found a safe place with Ed. Let him savor that for a bit.”

“He seems to reject almost everything I suggest.” He grimaced. “Except for the snowmobile, and look how that turned out.”

“He'll come around. You're doing fine, Cade.” She leaned back, cupping her coffee cup against her cheek as she studied him. “Kids are unpredictable, especially when they've suffered such a big loss. I heard Ivor weeping last night. He sounded like his heart was breaking.” She sighed. “I wanted to go to him and comfort him, but I didn't because I believe he needs those moments to release the miasma of emotions he's got whirling inside.”

Cade listened, trying to grasp what she wasn't saying.

“Ivor would never weep in front of us,” Abby explained. “It would embarrass him. But in private he can express his feelings without feeling judged.”

“I wouldn't judge him,” Cade objected.

“No, but he
thinks
you would.” Abby smiled. “You're a big tough cowboy. You run a ranch with a lot of land and animals and you stand up to Ed. In Ivor's eyes, you're too tough to cry. He's intimidated. Give him time to find a real bond with you. Don't force it. He'll share your horses when he's ready.”

Abby made it sound so easy to relate to Ivor. Cade didn't think it was going to be, but for now he'd take her opinion on the matter. After all, she was the kid expert.

“What do you think about Mayor Marsha's plan for the adoption agency?” He watched her pretty face, trying to decipher the emotions that fluttered across it.

“I think it's great,” she enthused, eyes bright. “I'd love to help create a sanctuary for women who are in a situation like mine. And to help find homes for kids like Ivor would be very fulfilling. I see lots of potential.”

“Is that because you're getting bored with us?” he asked. Surprise flared in her eyes before she looked down.

“That would be rude of me after all you've done.”

“Hardly. Living out here is nothing like living in the city. I get that.” Cade grinned when she finally looked at him. “I'm used to the slow pace of life around here, but you're not. If you can fill in the time till the babies come by getting involved in the adoption agency, then I think that would be good for you.”

“You talk as if I was living the high life in Calgary,” she said and made a face. “Hardly. I'll be happy to help out however I can. But it's hard to get an agency going.” Abby's green eyes darkened to match her serious tone. “Most have years of reputation that clients can trust in. Of course, offering expectant mothers a place to stay until they give birth could be a major draw for this agency. I might suggest that. Also, I think Marsha's friend could have even more impact if she specialized in placing ‘special' kids.”

“You mean mentally handicapped children,” he said, mulling over her words.

“Or disabled children. Or older children. Many adopting parents aren't prepared to take an older child until someone tells them how much difference they can make in that child's life,” she explained.

“I guess,” he said, thinking of his own past and what a difference feeling loved would have made to him.

“In social services we always had a long list of kids like that waiting to be adopted. Like everyone, they desperately want to be loved.” A haunting note filled her voice. “If Marsha's friend's agency specialized in adoptions for children who are hard to place, she would quickly make a name for herself.”

“And the agency would get more business.” Cade nodded. “I see.”

“It would also be a big hit with the government,” Abby explained. “Most social workers simply don't have the time or resources to search for families with the references and skills to take those kinds of children. Mayor Marsha's friend would have business from day one.”

“Great idea!” Cade studied Abby with new respect. “You should think about going into business with this woman,” he said. “You have a lot of knowledge that she could use.”

“Actually I am considering it. If my money would come through I could use some of it to buy in.” Abby studied her hands. After a moment she lifted her head and looked at him, her smile self-mocking. “I can't stay here forever.”

“Well, don't rush into anything. Stay as long as you want,” Cade offered. He hesitated, then added in a low voice, “If you like, I could try mediating with the military for you. There's no reason they should be stonewalling you about money you're owed.”

“Thank you. I accept your offer,” she said promptly. “I have had zero success with them. They intimidate me, just like you intimidate Ivor. He hasn't figured out yet that you're a teddy bear inside.” She brushed his cheek with her fingertip, smiled at his grunt of disgust, then added, “It's very nice of you to give me shelter, Cade. But my stay has to be temporary. I've got to get a job so I can make a home for my babies. If I can't do that—”

Abby didn't say the rest. She let her words drain away to silence, but it was clear to Cade that she was considering a number of options, including some last resorts to give her twins security.

“I'll get in touch with the military tomorrow morning if you'll give me the information. For now you'll have to excuse me,” he said, rising. “I have an appointment with someone this afternoon. He should be arriving soon and I have a couple of things to do to prepare.”

“Sure. I'll go dig out my records. Thanks for the trip to see Liberty,” Abby said.

Cade hurried back to the barn. Truthfully, he had an hour before the scheduled meeting and he'd already done as much as he could to get the ranch into the black and thereby prepare it for this prospective buyer who would see that it was profitable. But he wanted to be alone to think about what Abby had said and wonder why he'd wanted to protest when she'd talked about leaving. Why did her staying matter so much?

Cade knew why. Because with Abby here, the ranch felt like home. Because with her in the house, people laughed, enjoyed each other. Because there'd been no bickering with his dad since Abby's arrival.

Because he liked her company and wanted her to stay.