Chance's Joy

“They’re lovely. Thank you for bringing them,” Joy said, feeling tears welling up again. Stupid hormones. “You’ve been my only visitor.”

He frowned. “Is there anyone I can call for you?”

Joy shook her head, feeling a sudden fear grip her. “No! I mean, thank you, but since my husband died it’s just me, and now, Katie. When Great Aunt Lil’s lawyers finally located me in Denver and told me about the ranch, I decided to make a new beginning for us here in San Angelo.” A safe place to escape my in-laws, she added silently.

Chance shifted his stance, then moved closer to the bed. “Look, Mrs. Spencer—”

“If I’m going to call you Chance then I think you can call me Joy.”

Chance frowned. He hadn’t meant to get too familiar with this woman. He came here to convince her that turning the Kirby Ranch into a profitable operation would cost a lot of money and take time, not to mention all the hard work. And it would be impossible for her to handle it on her own. After all, she was a city woman.

“Look, Joy, you probably didn’t get much of a look at the property you inherited, but your aunt hadn’t been running cattle for a long time. Maybe five years or so. It won’t be easy getting things going again. There’s been rain this past week, but we’re still in a drought. The house is in pretty good shape but….”

“I don’t care about the land, Mr. Randell.”

“Chance,” he corrected her.

“As I said, Chance, I’m not planning on raising cattle. Right now my main concern is the house. The Kirby Ranch is going to be my home now.”

“So, you’re not planning on running a herd?”

She shook her head, and Chance felt a weight lift from his shoulders. “I’m not a rancher,” she said. “But I had thought about harvesting my aunt’s pecan orchard and maybe putting in a vegetable garden.” She picked at the bed linen. “But believe me, Katie and I plan on staying.”

“Then you won’t be offended if I offer to take the place off your hands.” Chance began to pace the small area, then stopped and looked at her. “And at a fair price,” he said. “Then you can move into town and take care of your daughter.”

Joy couldn’t believe the gall of this man. He wasn’t listening to her. Most of her life, she’d moved from place to place. Since her parents’ divorce, she hadn’t had a permanent home for any length of time. Her short marriage to Blake had been as close as she’d gotten. But her father’s aunt had left him a cattle ranch, and Joy was his only heir. She’d gladly taken Lil’s place no matter what condition it was in. The ranch had been in her family for generations, and it would be Katie’s one day. Most importantly, Joy desperately needed somewhere for herself and her baby to live, somewhere far away from the Spencers. Far away from any threat to her daughter.

Now, she had this big cowboy trying to get his hands on it. Well, no one was going to take her home away from her.

“I’m very capable of taking care of my daughter, Mr. Randell, we are going to live at the ranch.”

He didn’t look happy. “Fine, suit yourself,” he finally said, then mumbled something about stubborn females as he jammed his cowboy hat on his head and stalked out.

“Thank you for the flowers,” Joy called after him, wishing she hadn’t just lost the only friend she’d made in town.

Chance parked his truck next to the barn, got out and slammed the door. His mood hadn’t improved in the slightest during the twenty-minute drive home from the hospital. He marched across the gravel drive to the yard, then up the walk to the back porch of the large, two-story house he’d lived in for the past twenty-plus years.

That sure as hell didn’t go well, he thought about his talk with Joy Spencer. She’d rejected his offer fast. He couldn’t help but wonder why. He didn’t buy her story about the ranch being a family home. As far as he knew, she’d never once visited Lillian Kirby.

He thought back to his recent talk with Mrs. Spencer, remembering her elusive sapphire eyes. She had a secret. He couldn’t hold that against her. People had a right to start over without everyone nosing into their business.

But there was no law that said he couldn’t try again to buy her land. And he wasn’t giving up. He jerked open the screen door and stepped into the utility room, jammed his hat on the peg and walked into the kitchen. The sunny yellow walls and biscuit-colored tile kept the room bright even at night. He glanced toward the double-door refrigerator. Hank was staring inside.

“What you lookin’ for?” Chance asked.

“Something I’ll never find as long as Ella works here. A decent meal.”

In spite of his mood, Chance found himself smiling. The feud between Hank and the housekeeper had been going on for years. “Why don’t you just fire her?” he asked for the hundredth time.

The older man stretched to his full six feet in height. Even in his mid sixties, Hank’s back was ramrod straight, and his white hair was thick and wavy. Although his face was lined from years in the sun and showed his age, Hank Barrett could still outwork most men. He was a gruff man, but underneath he had a kind heart. How many men would have taken in three boys and given them a home?

“Who’d hire her?” he said. “She’s too old to start over. Besides, I guess I’m used to her ways. How long before she gets back from her sister’s anyway?”

“Tomorrow,” Chance answered. “You should have gotten a temporary cook in here to help. The hands haven’t been too crazy about cooking their own meals.”

“Well, dagnabbit,” Hank said as he slammed the refrigerator door. “You’d think at least one of the men I hired could throw together a decent supper.”

Chance grinned. “I take it it’s your turn to feed us tonight.”

Hank made a rude comment.

“Hey, we used to get into trouble for that kind of language.” Chance couldn’t help but think back to his adolescent days when he thought cursing made him seem tough. “You used to make me muck out stalls every time you caught me swearing, and I had to muck out more when Cade and Travis cursed.”

“It was only fair, they learned that nasty talk from you.”

Hank exchanged a sad glance with him. No doubt he was thinking about the two absent boys. “Sure would be nice if we got to see them once in awhile.”

“Yeah, that would be nice.” Chance would like to have them closer to home, but he couldn’t ask Cade and Travis to give up the lives they’d made for themselves elsewhere. His brothers hadn’t chosen ranching and that was all Chance had ever wanted to do.

From the time he had set foot on the Circle B at fourteen, he’d known he’d do anything to stay. He’d ended 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 the high gloss on the tables and hardwood floors.

“Oh, my, the cleaning fairies must have been here,” she whispered, amazed at the transformation.

Chance came in behind her, toting baby supplies the hospital sent home with all new mothers. “Ella, our housekeeper, rounded up some of the women from the local church to help get the house ready for you.”

“They sure worked fast.” Joy eyed him closely, wondering if he’d put in a few hours himself.

“Well, once word got around, everyone was curious about the new neighbor.” His expression was impassive. “Especially with you just having had a baby. The ladies also did some baking, and stocked the kitchen with a few staples, just until you can get to the grocery store on your own.”

Joy felt tears well up. “But they don’t even know me.”

“You’re Lil Kirby’s niece,” he said. “Your aunt was well liked around here.”

“I guess so.” Joy wiped away a tear, remembering she had only met her great-aunt once when she was a child. Back when her parents had still been married, and Joy had had a family.

“You okay?” Chance asked.

She sniffed and nodded, suddenly feeling tired. “Just my silly hormones.”

“You need to rest. You had a baby less than forty-eight hours ago.”

Joy caught his silver-eyed gaze. Was it only two days ago that this man had helped her give birth to Katie? If it hadn’t been for his coming to her rescue, she might not be bringing her daughter home today. The thought terrified her. “Did I ever thank you for all your help?”

“Too many times,” he said. “You need to rest. Wait here, I’ll take the baby upstairs, then come back for you.”

Before Joy could reply, Chance took the carrier from Joy and climbed the steps to the second floor, returning seconds later.

“Your turn,” he said as he suddenly swung her up in his arms.

“Wait, you can’t carry me. I’m too heavy.” Feeling herself blush, she could only loop her arms around his neck, immediately feeling his muscles flex under his skin.

“You’re not heavy. Besides, you look about as shaky as a new colt. Right now you need to save your strength so you can take care of Katie. I have orders from both the doctor and Ella to make sure you get some rest. And I don’t mess around when Ella gives orders.”

Joy opened her mouth, but didn’t know how to answer him. He was right, she needed to take care of herself. She was all Katie had. Her body was still sore, and her daughter would soon be awake and wanting to be fed.

But Joy couldn’t let this big, charge-into-her-life cowboy take over. She had to stand on her own. Soon. But right now, it felt too nice to let someone else handle things.

Chance reached the top step without even breathing hard. “I figured since this was the largest room,” he said, “you’d want to move in here.” He carried her down the hall and into the master bedroom. He set her down beside a wrought-iron bed. Next to that was a bassinet. Joy glanced inside and saw Katie sleeping.

“I suggest you take advantage of this quiet time and get some rest.” Chance walked to the door. “I’ll check in on you later.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Joy glanced around the recently cleaned bedroom. The floral wallpaper was old and faded. The sheer curtains in the window had seen better days as had the rug that covered most of the floor. The bassinet was wicker and probably fifty years old. Joy ran her hand over the freshly laundered white eyelet skirt with loving hands as her beautiful daughter slept peacefully in her new bed. “She looks like you, Blake. She has your eyes,” she whispered. Sadness nearly overtook her as she thought of her husband not seeing his child grow up; of Katie not having a father around. But Joy knew one thing for sure. She was going to give her daughter a home and plenty of love.

Now she just had to figure out how she was going to make a living on a cattle ranch.

Two hours later, with orders from Ella to check on the new mother, Chance walked through the back door and into the kitchen. The house was silent, which probably meant that mother and baby were still napping. But they would be hungry soon.

He went to the ancient refrigerator and pulled out a container of homemade chicken soup one of the ladies had made. He poured the liquid into a pan and began heating it up on the small stove. Taking a tray from the pantry, he searched for a bowl in the cupboard, discovering several doors and drawers that needed fixing. The flooring was pretty worn, but it would hold for a while.

He made a mental note of the repairs and wondered when Joy would realize that the ranch was too much for her and sell it to him. She wasn’t going to want to take on running a ranch when she had a baby to care for. If she needed to stay in San Angelo, she could buy a house in town.

He placed the bowl of soup on the tray, along with crackers and a glass of milk and headed upstairs. On the way he glanced around the large house, seeing some other things that needed attention. Nothing he couldn’t handle. But when he bought the ranch, they were all going to have to wait, because his first concern would be the grazing land and enlarging the herd.

He pushed open the partly closed door, looked up and froze at the sight before him. Joy was on the bed, but she was awake with her baby suckling at her breast.

He felt the heat rush through his body to his face. “Uh… I’m sorry… I didn’t know….”

Joy glanced up and saw a shocked Chance staring at her. She quickly pulled a receiving blanket over her shoulder, covering herself. “Chance, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, trying to distract from the awkward moment.

“Ella said you needed something to eat.” He walked into the room, set the tray on the other side of the bed, then started backing up toward the door.

“Were you able to get any rest?”

“Yes, I slept until about fifteen minutes ago.” She glanced down at her daughter. “I guess we were both tired.”

He kept staring at her, then finally spoke, “Well, I should get back to my chores. Is there anything you need before I go?”

“No, you’ve done so much already. I think I can handle things. Thanks for the soup. I was getting a little hungry.”

He leaned against the door frame, his large body taking up most of the space. “It’s important you keep up your strength.”

“I know.”

“Oh, I called the phone company. They’ll be out in the morning. Until then…” He pulled a small cellular phone from his pocket and came back across the room. “Use this. Press one, then Send, and you’ll get the Circle B.”

Joy was touched by his concern. “Thank you again.” Just then Katie started to fuss.

Chance jumped. “I’ll be going,” he said. “I’ll check in later.” And he was out the door.

Joy lifted her tiny daughter to her shoulder and began patting her back. “Well, sweetheart, like it or not, looks like we got ourselves a big cowboy looking out for us.” But for how long? she wondered, knowing the ranch was what he really wanted.

The next morning, Katie was awake at six. She’d slept four straight hours. After feeding her, Joy tried her hand at the first bath. Her daughter wasn’t ready to be submerged in water, but a sponge bath was due.

Joy loved the experience. All the talking and cooing to the baby and that clean powdery smell was so intoxicating. Soon Katie was worn out and went back to sleep. A few minutes to herself, Joy thought. Baby monitor in hand and last night’s bowl of soup a distant memory, she headed downstairs in search of food. She started for the kitchen, and the aroma of bacon assaulted her nose. She thought she was dreaming, until she found Chance standing at her stove.

Looking as if he’d recently showered and shaved, he wore butt-hugging jeans and a blue western shirt over broad shoulders. His sandy hair was lying across his forehead, and she could see the mark of his hat just above his ears.

Realizing what she was doing, she shook her head and stiffened. Didn’t this man have anything else to do? Was he here to badger her again about selling her ranch?

“Aren’t your cows feeling neglected? I mean I don’t want to keep you from your job.” Pulling together her robe, she ran her fingers through her hair. She looked a mess.

“I was out there at five,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder. “Everything’s fine. In fact we have five new calves.”

“Oh, really?” she said, finding she was actually interested in the workings of the ranch. “I bet they’re cute.”

“Cute? I don’t think about calves that way. It’s not wise to get attached to animals who are going to be sold at market.”

“I guess you’re right.” She went to the coffee-maker, unable to resist the smell of the fresh brew. The doctor had assured her one cup a day wouldn’t hurt the baby. Taking a mug from the cabinet, she poured herself some.

“How do you like your eggs?” he asked.

“Look, I appreciate your help, but I don’t need you to take care of me. I can fix my own breakfast.”

“Never turn down a man wanting to cook for you.” A woman’s voice rang out from the pantry.

Joy watched as a tall, sturdily built woman with short gray hair walked to the table. She was dressed in dark jeans and a plaid shirt.

“Hi, I’m Ella, the Circle B’s housekeeper. Sorry to intrude so early.” She smiled at Joy. “We were hoping to have your breakfast ready before you came down.”

Embarrassed, Joy held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Joy. It’s nice to meet you. I’m the one who should be sorry. You and the other ladies have been so kind to me.”

“But good intentions can be overwhelming,” Ella said. “We’ll leave.”

“Oh, please stay,” Joy insisted. “You haven’t even seen the baby.”

The older woman smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t mind hanging around for a peek just in case she wakes up. And Chance here can finish your breakfast. Don’t worry, he’s a good cook, he learned long before he came to the Circle B, and before I could do any damage.”

Joy smiled as soft cooing sounds came over the monitor.

Ella’s eyes lit up. “You sit down and have your coffee and I’ll go check on the baby.”