Cabot’s willpower had been forged through crisis and disaster.

In the years since his wife walked out, he’d learned when to take someone on and when to walk away. It was all about survival. And right now his head was telling him to hit the road as fast as he could. The problem was other parts of him were telling him something else.

His self-control couldn’t stand up to the force that was Kate. It felt as if he would burn up and blow away if he didn’t kiss her. So he did the only thing he could.

He pulled her against him and lowered his mouth to hers.

* * *

The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake: They won’t be single for long!

The Rancher
Who Took Her in
Teresa Southwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TERESA SOUTHWICK lives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Mills & Boon.

To my female friends.

Your support and love inspire me every day.

Contents

Cover

Excerpt

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

It wasn’t often a woman walked into the Grizzly Bear Diner wearing a strapless wedding dress and four-inch satin heels.

If Cabot Dixon wasn’t seeing it for himself, he’d have heard pretty quick because people in Blackwater Lake, Montana, talked and this was something to talk about. The bride had parked a beat-up truck out front and she was a looker. The woman, not the truck. From his seat at the diner counter he had a view of Main Street and had watched her lift the floor-length cream satin skirt in one hand, probably to avoid tripping because it was way too late to keep it from getting dirty. Then she marched inside, as opposed to down the aisle.

He was sitting on a swivel stool, and she slid between the two beside him to talk with Michelle Crawford, the diner’s owner, who was openly staring.

“I’m here about the Help Wanted sign in your window.”

The bride was even prettier up close, with light brown, blond-streaked hair and a figure that could back up traffic for miles. And that wasn’t all. Her voice had the barest hint of huskiness that could stop a man’s beating heart for a second or two.

There were a few customers in the diner and everyone continued to stare when the newcomer added, “I could use a job.”

“Okay.” Michelle slipped him a help-me-out expression, obviously wondering if he would jump in, considering he was the one looking to hire.

When he’d put the Help Wanted sign in the diner window, she’d promised to run interference and weed out the applicants who weren’t really serious so he didn’t have to come all the way into town from the ranch every five minutes. Frankly, he was looking forward to seeing Michelle handle this one on her own. Because there was no groom in sight, the lady clearly was a runner. It would appear that, unlike his ex-wife, she’d cut out before taking vows and getting pregnant.

Cabot glanced at her flat belly in the tight, unforgiving, dropped-waist gown that wouldn’t hide even an extra ounce of fat, let alone a bump. He couldn’t swear there was no baby on board, but it didn’t look likely. Her bare arms were super toned and she had great shoulders, slender but strong. She was a little lacking in the chest department, but her cute nose and even better mouth made up for it.

The bride rested her palms on the red Formica counter. “I’ve never waitressed before, but I’m a fast learner and a hard worker—”

Michelle held up a hand. “Let me stop you right there. I’m not hiring, just handling the interviews for the rancher who is.” She glanced at him. “The ranch is about ten miles outside Blackwater Lake.”

“I see.” The woman looked momentarily thrown, and then she nodded. “I admit I didn’t read anything on the poster after the help wanted part and that doesn’t speak well about my attention to detail. But I’m a bit distracted just now.”

Cabot figured that was the truth. The wedding dress was a big clue.

“Well—” Michelle gave him another jump-in-anytime look. “The job is for a summer camp counselor. The owner runs a program for kids at his ranch, and duties include activities, sports and whatever else comes up. General pitching in as needed.”

“I can handle that,” the bride said. “I love kids.”

“I’m not sure you’re what he had in mind.”

“Who?”

“The rancher who’s looking to hire,” Michelle responded. “You’re probably overqualified.”

“I just want to work.” Cabot saw something vulnerable and fragile in her expression. “These days a lot of people are taking jobs they’re overqualified for and happy to have them.”

She was right about that, he thought. Although the job he needed to fill was more suited to a young college kid or recent graduate, he’d posted the sign in the diner window later than he usually did. Camp was starting soon and most people who wanted summer work had already lined something up. That meant he couldn’t afford to be as picky as usual.

Michelle folded her arms over her chest and looked the woman up and down. “Even your average employee doesn’t go formal to apply for work.”

“So you noticed the wedding dress.” The bride’s tone was deliberately casual, as if she always showed up for a job interview in a long white gown. “I guess I stand out like a fly in milk.”

“Pretty much,” Michelle agreed.

The woman was plucky, Cabot thought. He’d give her that. Taking a sip of cold coffee, he listened intently, interested to hear what she had to say.

“The truth is, I ran out on my wedding.”

“Really? Could have fooled me.” Cabot knew he should have stayed out of this conversation but just couldn’t resist. “So you broke some poor guy’s heart.”

She met his gaze and took his measure. “And you are?”

“Cabot Dixon. Couldn’t help overhearing. So, why did you run?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s a lying, cheating, scumbag weasel dog.”

“That sounds bad,” he said. “But I have to ask—couldn’t you have said something to him before he showed up for the wedding?”

“Probably I should have. My sister warned me, told me he hit on her, but I was stubborn and didn’t believe. Then I caught him kissing one of my bridesmaids at the church. It seemed like an excellent time to let him know the marriage probably wasn’t going to work out.” She clenched her teeth and a muscle jerked in her delicate jaw. “I hate it when my sister is right.”

“Jerk,” Michelle said, the single word dripping with disgust.

Cabot had to agree.

“I gave him back the ring with a fervent wish that he’d choke on it, but dealing with the rest just then was—” The bride sighed and the movement did amazing things to a chest that suddenly didn’t seem so lacking. “I grabbed the truck keys and left. Drove all night and this looked like as good a place as any to stop.”

“It is a good place, honey.” Michelle patted her hand and gave him a glance that begged him to take over.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Katrina Scott. Kate.” She glanced between him and Michelle. “Why do you keep looking at this guy?”

“I keep looking at this man because he’s Cabot Dixon, the rancher who put the Help Wanted poster in my window. Take over anytime.” Michelle settled a hand on her hip and met his gaze. “In my humble opinion, Kate is just your type.” To the bride she added, “He’s a sucker for hard-luck cases.”

“I know you mean that in the nicest possible way,” he said to Michelle.

“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.” She smiled at the bride and said, “My work here is done. By the way, I’m Michelle Crawford. It’s nice to meet you, Kate. Welcome to Blackwater Lake, Montana.”

“Thanks.” After the other woman left, Kate turned to him. “You could have said something about being the rancher in question before I spilled my guts.”

“You were on a roll,” he said.

“Just so we’re clear, I’m not a hard-luck case. And I don’t suppose there’s a chance that you could overlook or forget everything I just said?”

“Probably not.”

“I didn’t think so.” She sighed.

“So Katrina. Like the hurricane.”

“I came first and I’m pretty sure my parents named me after a Viking queen or at the very least a Swedish princess.”

He laughed. She was quick-witted. He liked that. But Michelle was probably right about her being overqualified. He would guess her to be in her late twenties and likely on a career path that had been interrupted by running out on her wedding. Although by the looks of the ancient truck out front, she didn’t have much money.

“Nice dress.”

“Thanks. I plan to burn it.” She smoothed a hand over the curve of her hip.

The gesture drew his attention and suddenly his mouth went dry. This was a pretty strong reaction and he didn’t much trust the feeling, but there was no reason to read anything complicated into it. He was a guy and she was a pretty woman. That was all. But she was looking to work for him and he was looking for a reason to turn her down.

“You need a job.”

“It would help me out.”

She had pride. He understood and respected that.

Cabot pushed his empty plate and coffee cup away. “Like Michelle said, it’s really a nowhere job.”

“Just where I want to be.”

“The kids’ activities include sports—basketball, baseball, soccer.”

“I’m athletic.” He noted conviction in her voice, not so much in her expression.

He couldn’t tell about athletic, but she looked as if she was in great shape. “I’m offering minimum wage, and that’s not much more than gas money for a college kid who’s willing to work.”

“I’m obviously not a college student but definitely not afraid of hard work. And money buys gas whether you’re in school or not,” she said. “I’m sensing hesitation on your part and just want to say that you’re not seeing me at my best right now.”

He had to disagree with her on that. What he saw was pretty darn nice, although she did look tired. She had dark circles under her eyes. Green eyes, he noted. Beautiful, big green eyes.

“When was the wedding supposed to be?” he asked.

“Yesterday.”

The skirt of her dress had deep creases, as if she’d been sitting for a long time. Behind the wheel of a crappy old truck.

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“I didn’t.”

He’d guess she was running on fumes. “Do you have a place to stay here in Blackwater Lake?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. Maybe you could recommend something.”

Glancing out the window, he assessed her ride. The paint was old and chipped, and rust showed through in some places. It had seen better days. He figured she probably couldn’t afford to pay for a room.

“Blackwater Lake Lodge is the only place in town, but it’s expensive.”

“That’s okay. I’ll be all right.”

Again, that was probably pride talking. Sleeping in the truck wasn’t a good idea, but she likely had no other choice. She was here without a lot of options. And somehow he felt she was now his problem, which he didn’t like even a little bit. Bottom line was the camp needed an extra pair of hands and the duties weren’t rocket science. He couldn’t afford to be too choosy.

He stood up. “The job comes with room and board. Meals included.”

She blinked those big green eyes at him. “Are you hiring me?”

“Subject to approval by Caroline Daly. She manages the camp for me and also does the cooking.”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

He didn’t, either. If anyone had told him he’d be hiring a runaway bride that day, crazy would have been the first word that came to mind.

The thought made him irritable. “Do you want the job or not?”

“I want it.”

He looked at the dress then met her gaze. “Do you have anything else to wear?”

“No.”

“You’ll need stuff. I can give you an advance—”

“That’s okay. I can handle it.”

“Okay.” He wasn’t going to argue. “Michelle can tell you where the discount store is and give you directions to the ranch. Like she said, it’s about ten miles outside of town. When you’ve got what you need, meet me there.”

“Thank you, Mr. Dixon.”

“It’s Cabot.” He looked at his watch and shook his head. If he didn’t leave now he’d be late picking Tyler up from school. “I have to go.”

“Okay.” She held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cabot. I promise you won’t regret this decision.”

Time would tell. He shook her hand and the electricity that shot up his arm made him regret not letting Michelle handle the interview solo. But the diner owner was pretty close to dead on about one thing. He was a sucker for hard-luck cases. At least he wasn’t a romantic sucker anymore.

When a wife walked out on her husband and infant son, it tended to crush the romance out of a man.

* * *

A few hours later, as Kate Scott was driving to the ranch, she figured a rush of adrenaline was the only explanation for the fact that she hadn’t passed out and run off the road into a ditch. She’d never been this tired in her life. As an athlete she was trained to eat well, get enough sleep and take care of her body. In the past twenty-four hours she’d done none of the above. Candy bars and coffee were nothing more than survival snacks. That was what happened when you drove from Southern California to Montana in nineteen hours.

But the adrenaline rush in the diner had been unexpected. It had a lot to do with Cabot Dixon, she thought as she drove Angelica, her brother’s ancient truck, through his gates and beneath a sign that announced Dixon Ranch and Summer Camp.

Serenity was the first thing she noticed. It was all about rolling green meadows crisscrossed by a white picket fence. Majestic mountains stood like sentinels in the distance. As the truck continued slowly up the long drive, she passed a huge house. It looked a lot like a really big wooden cabin with dormers and a double-door front entry. The kind of place Architectural Digest would have on the cover for an article about mountain homes for the wealthy.

Following the instructions Michelle Crawford had given her, Kate drove past a real working barn, then a smaller barnlike building with a large patio and scattered picnic tables. That must be where camp meals were served. Beyond that were six spacious cabins. Michelle had told her the first five housed campers and senior counselors, and the last one, a much smaller cabin, would be where she’d stay for the summer. If she got the cook’s approval for the assistant-counselor position.

She parked by cabin number six and turned off the truck’s ignition before blowing out a long breath. What a relief to just be still. It felt weird. Not good; not bad. Just...strange. She couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t had a million things going on at once. Training, practice, competition and product endorsements made for twenty-hour workdays. Now she had...nothing.

Sliding out of the truck, she noticed a little boy running toward her. Oh, to have that much energy, she thought.

The dark-haired, dark-eyed kid skidded to a stop in front of her. He looked about seven or eight. “Hi. I’m Tyler, but most people call me Ty. Not my teacher, though. She believes in calling kids by their given name.”

“I’m Kate Scott. Nice to meet you, Ty.” His features and the intensity stamped on them were familiar. “I bet your last name is Dixon.”

“It is.” His long-lashed eyes grew bigger, as if she’d read his mind. “How’d you know?”

“You look like your dad.”

“That’s what folks say.”

And when he grew up, he’d probably be just as drop-dead gorgeous as his father. It hadn’t escaped her notice that Cabot Dixon was one fine-looking man, which had probably sparked the unexpected blast of adrenaline at the diner. She hadn’t been too tired to notice that he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.

She’d felt only a little shame about the spurt of gladness following the observation. Shame because mere hours ago she’d been on the verge of getting married and now she was scoping out commitment symbols, or lack thereof, on the handsome rancher. It felt wrong to ask this little boy about his mother, so she didn’t.

She looked around and saw the lake just past a grassy area beyond the cabins. “This is a nice place you’ve got here, Ty.”

“It’s not mine. It’s my dad’s.” His expression was solemn, as if he’d been taught to tell only the absolute truth. “He told me to come down and let you know he and Caroline will be here in a few minutes.” The boy thought for a moment, as if trying to remember something, and then his expression changed. “Oh, yeah. And I’m s’posed to welcome you to the ranch.”

“Thanks. That’s very sweet of you. I’m here for the camp-counselor job—to do whatever I’m told to do, which could be dishes. And I’m fine with that.”

Ty nodded sympathetically. “I have to do that all the time.”

“Even grown-ups have to follow orders.”

“Not my dad.” She heard pride in his voice. “He gives ’em.”

“I guess you can do that when you’re the boss,” she agreed. “I appreciate the welcome. Thanks.”

Thin shoulders lifted in a shrug. “My dad would say that’s just the way it is here in Blackwater Lake.”

For a second Kate felt as if she’d ridden a twister to the land of Oz. This was a place where folks made a person feel welcome because it was just a small town’s way. That was unbelievably refreshing.

“Well, a stranger like me thinks it’s pretty cool to get a friendly welcome.”

“Where are you from?” He looked up, and a ray of sunshine slicing through the tree leaves made him squint one eye closed.

“I’ve been all over.”

That was vague but still the truth. She trained wherever there were facilities for skeet shooting. Then there were competitions all over the country, all over the world, not to mention the Olympics. Winning had opened the door to lucrative product-endorsement deals, and fitting in those location shoots with everything else was stressful and challenging.

Ted, her too-good-looking-for-his-own-good manager and weasel-dog ex-fiancé, had pushed hard to get it all in and now she knew why. Marrying her would have punched his meal ticket for life. The sleazy jerk had been using her. She’d been stupid to accept his proposal and move forward with wedding plans, but at least her instinctive judgment about the man had been right on target. She’d never once been swept off her feet when she kissed him.

“My dad said you’re pretty.” The kid was staring at her, obviously trying to decide for himself if it was true.

“He did?”

Ty nodded uncertainly. “Caroline asked if you were as pretty as Michelle said. That’s Mrs. Crawford. She owns the Grizzly Bear Diner.”

“I met her.” And obviously word about the weirdo in the wedding dress was spreading. “Your dad said I’m pretty?”

He thought about that. “He just said ‘yes’ when Caroline asked if you were as pretty as Mrs. Crawford said.”

That was something, anyway. Kate would have figured if he thought anything at all, it was mostly questioning her sanity for asking for a job while dressed for her own wedding.

“That was very nice of your dad. Thank you for telling me, Ty.”

“It’s the truth. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.”

She was curious about the moral and personal lesson that was in there somewhere. Maybe she’d find out, and maybe she wouldn’t. And maybe she was better off not wondering about it at all.

“Here comes my dad and Caroline.” He pointed, then raced back down the road to meet them.

Kate watched the man stoop down to his son’s level and put a big hand on the small, thin shoulder. He smiled and affectionately ruffled the boy’s dark hair before Ty continued running toward the house. One picture was worth a thousand words, and the one she’d just seen said Cabot Dixon loved his boy a lot.

She waited and watched the two adults walk toward her. Now that she’d seen the ranch, something about it pulled at her, and she wanted very much to stay for a little while. It wasn’t hiding out, she assured herself. Just taking a much-needed break.

Kate had always thought she was different from other women, so it was surprising to realize that she was having a clichéd reaction as Cabot approached. She found something inherently sexy about a tall, well-built man in worn jeans, white long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots and a black cowboy hat. What was it about a cowboy? He stopped in front of her and again she could feel adrenaline obliterating her exhaustion.

A quirk turned up one corner of his mouth. “I sort of miss the dress.”

“It’s carefully packed away.”

“I thought you were going to burn it.”

“Something to look forward to.” Kate glanced down at the new sneakers, jeans and red scoop-necked T-shirt she’d purchased at the big discount retail store in Blackwater Lake. “This is more practical. And comfortable.”

“Amen to that.” Caroline looked to be somewhere in her fifties. She was tall with stylishly cut and discreetly streaked blond hair.

“Kate, this is Caroline Daly.” Cabot looked from her to the other woman. “Caroline, meet Kate Scott, Blackwater Lake’s own runaway bride.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Caroline held out her hand.

Kate gave it a firm squeeze. “Very nice to meet you. And, just so you know, I had my reasons for leaving that toad at the altar.”

“Cabot told me.” Sympathy brimmed in her blue eyes. “He also said you need a job.”

That wasn’t technically accurate, but she did need to keep busy. She didn’t know any other way to be. “I could use work.”

“Have you ever been involved with kids?”

She’d mentored some of the girls in her sport and roomed at the Olympics with a younger archery competitor, but she had never coached. Then Ty’s words echoed in her mind. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.

“I’ve never worked with kids. But I was one once,” she said hopefully.

“Funny how that happens,” Cabot said wryly. “I don’t know what I’d do without Caroline. Not only is she a good cook and outstanding camp manager, she’s great with kids. Probably has something to do with being Blackwater Lake High School’s favorite English teacher and girls’ basketball coach.”

“Wow. That must keep you busy.” Kate had had tutors in high school and had never attended traditional classes with other kids. Sacrifices were required at the level she competed and she’d never regretted it. Not until she found Ted kissing another woman on the day of their wedding and realized he’d been playing her for a fool.

Caroline waved a hand as if it was nothing. “I like to be busy. I like to cook. Mostly I like the kids, and being around them keeps a person young.”

“So that’s your secret to looking so youthful,” Cabot teased.

Kate tapped her lip and studied the older woman. “Not a secret so much as embracing an attitude. In addition, I think you just have some good genes, the kind of DNA that makes forty the new thirty.”

Caroline grinned. “You’re just saying that so I’ll give Cabot the okay to hire you.”

“Busted.” Kate shrugged. “But seriously, you look timeless.”

Caroline seemed pleased at the compliment. “If I were you, Cabot, I’d hire this young woman. Now I’ve got to get home and fix dinner for my husband. We own the sporting-goods store in town,” she added. “Food has to be on the table at a certain time so someone at the store can cover for him.”

“I see.” And if her husband looked through the outdoor magazines that were probably displayed at the checkout counter, there was a good chance he’d seen her picture in an ad for camping and outdoor equipment.

“’Bye, Caroline. See you next week when the kids get here,” Cabot said, watching her walk down the dirt road to her car parked in front of his house.

When he looked back at her Kate asked, “So, what’s the verdict?”

He reached in his jeans pocket, pulled out a brass key that probably unlocked cabin number six and handed it over. “I’m willing to give you a chance.”

“Thanks.” Relief swept through her and took the last of her energy with it. Suddenly she was so tired she could hardly stand. Not even close proximity to this handsome hunk of cowboy could generate enough adrenaline to hold back a yawn. She shook it off and said, “Sorry. That’s not what I usually do at an interview.”

“The first part was bizarre enough, what with the dress. And now it’s technically over since you got the job.” Sympathy softened his dark eyes before he shook it off. “Caroline’s a good judge of character.”

“And you’re not?”

His mouth pulled tight for just a moment. “I wanted her opinion since she has to work with you. I just sign your paycheck.”

A dozen questions raced through her mind, but the one she really wanted to ask was Does that mean I’ll never see you? The deep disappointment generated by that thought was bewildering; she’d spent barely ten minutes in this man’s presence.

“I like her,” Kate said. “Caroline.”

“Me, too. A lot. So don’t make me regret giving you the job.” He turned and started walking away. Over his shoulder he said, “Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”

A shiver skipped over her as she stared at his broad shoulders. They tapered to a trim waist and a backside that would earn ten out of ten points from any female judge. But she’d learned her lesson about looks being shallow and superficial. She didn’t know Cabot Dixon from a rock. It was entirely possible that he used women and threw them away. Just like the man she’d almost married.

Still, the attraction was just strong enough to make her hope that when the summer was over she didn’t regret taking this job.

Chapter Two

Two days ago when Kate had arrived in Blackwater Lake after driving for nearly twenty-four hours, doing nothing had seemed like heaven. Now she was rested, restless and bored. She sat in her one-room cabin that was comprised of a small stall-shower bathroom, full bed and kitchenette that had a four-cup coffeemaker, frying pan and microwave. She was grateful to have four walls, a roof and the small cozy space they made, but the smallness was starting to close in on her along with the realization that she’d run away from everything and everyone in her life.

A walk before dinner seemed like a really good idea. After, she would head up to the big house and talk to Cabot about doing chores to earn her keep until camp started.

She left the cabin and, as a precaution, locked the door. The ranch was remote and quiet and she didn’t have much to steal, but you could never be too careful. The beauty of Blackwater Lake lured her down to its edge, where she drew in a deep breath of sweet, clean air. Blue water sparkled where rays of sunshine kissed it, and on the other side, tree-covered mountains stood guard over the serenity.

“So this is what peace looks like,” she whispered to herself. It felt as if a louder tone would violate Mother Nature’s sensibilities, and that seemed like a sin.

When she’d looked her fill, she went the other way, past her cabin and the ones that campers and seasoned counselors would occupy in a couple of days. She was looking forward to that, to being busy. With too much time on her hands it was difficult not to obsess about how stupid she’d been to accept Ted’s marriage proposal.

What a huge mistake she’d nearly made. And how anxious her parents had sounded when she’d called to let them know she was okay but refused to say where she was now. She needed time by herself, and God bless them, they understood. They had handled canceling the wedding and reception and were returning gifts. She had planned to take the summer off for a honeymoon and settling into married life. Now she had time off to figure out where her life went from here.

The sound of a deep voice followed by childish laughter carried to her. Then she heard a muffled slap. As she made it to the top of the hill, she saw that in front of the big log-cabin house Cabot was playing catch with Tyler, who had his back to her. When the boy missed his father’s underhanded toss, the baseball rolled downhill toward her. He turned to chase it and stopped short when he spotted her.

“Hi, Kate.” His smile was friendly and he seemed happy to see her.

“Hey, kid.” She stopped the rolling baseball with her foot, then bent to pick it up.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d played any sport involving a ball. Once she’d started going to the shooting range with her father and showed an aptitude for skeet, her life had changed. Practice and competitions dominated her life. Before that she’d gone to traditional school, where organized peer activities were possible, but she’d never participated. All the family moves because of her father’s military career had made her reluctant to join anything. Then she found her best event. The sport, and being good at something, had made her happy. Until finding skeet shooting, she’d never fit in anywhere.

“Are you going to stare at that ball all day or throw it back?” It wasn’t clear whether Cabot was irritated or amused.

“Sorry.” She drew her arm back and tossed the ball at Ty. At least that had been her intention. It went way to the right of the mark and rolled away from him. “Sorry,” she said again.

“It’s okay.” Ty ran after it.

“Athletic? Really?” One of Cabot’s dark eyebrows rose questioningly. “You throw like a girl.”

“At the risk of stating the obvious, I am a girl.”

“Yeah. I noticed.”

Nothing in his tone or expression gave away what he was thinking, but Kate remembered that Cabot had said she was pretty. It had been indirect, an answer to a question from someone else, but he’d agreed. That was something and she would take it. Her ego had recently taken a hit, even though it was stupid to care what Ted thought. If she’d been enough, he wouldn’t have been hitting on someone else on the day of their wedding.

Ty ran back with the ball clutched in his hand. “Wanna play catch with us, Kate?”

“I don’t have a glove.”

“You can use mine,” Cabot offered. “It’s probably a little big but should work okay.”

She could have said no, but that eager, friendly, freckled eight-year-old face wouldn’t let her. Ty was a sweet kid and his father had taken a chance on a stranger and given her a job. The world wouldn’t end if he fired her now for misrepresenting her skills, but she didn’t want to go back to Los Angeles and the glare of the spotlight waiting for her there. At some point she’d have to, but not yet.

“Okay, Ty. But you might be sorry. I’m not very good.”

“My dad and I can give you pointers.”

“I’d like that.”

When she moved close to Cabot and smelled the spicy scent of the aftershave still clinging to his skin, the sport of baseball slipped right out of her mind. Everything about him was sexy, from the broad shoulders to his muscled legs covered in worn denim. She liked his white, cotton, long-sleeved snap-front shirt and decided he wore the cowboy uniform really well.

She took the seen-better-days leather glove he held out and put her fingers inside, finding it still warm from his hand. It seemed intimate somehow and tingles tiptoed up her arm, put a hitch in her breathing.

“Ready, Kate?” Tyler called.

“Yes.” She dragged her gaze from the man and turned it on his son. “Go easy on me.”

“I will. Don’t worry. Just keep your eye on the ball.” Obviously Ty had heard that advice before.

She did as he suggested, but as it came at her, she didn’t know whether to hold the glove out like a bucket or lift it and close her hand around the ball. In the end she jumped out of the way and let it fall.

“That’s okay,” Ty called. “Good try.”

Probably he’d heard that from his father, too. Children were a reflection of their environment, and she had to conclude that Cabot Dixon was providing a very positive one. The revelation made her like him a lot.

She picked up the ball, then straightened to meet Cabot’s gaze. Amusement glittered there and his silence said what her mother had always told her three children—if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

She put the ball in the glove, testing the feel of it. After several moments, she prepared to throw it back. “Get ready, Ty. I can’t guarantee where this is going.”

The boy set his sneaker-clad feet shoulder-width apart and held up his glove as a target. “Right here.”

The body movement to make it go there was so different from sighting a moving clay pigeon. She was also pretty good with a bow and arrow. During Olympic training, she’d made friends with one of the female archers who had given her pointers in their downtime. Right now she had to command her arm to throw this ball at just the right velocity and close to the vicinity of the kid’s glove.

She threw and it went way to the side, out of his reach, forcing Ty to chase after it again. “I’m sorry.”

“I like to run,” he called out cheerfully.

“Hmm” was all Cabot said.

She wasn’t sure whether she was just a little embarrassed or totally humiliated for being proved a fraud. When Ty returned, he moved closer and tossed the ball underhand, like his father had. She turned her hand up but misjudged and it fell at her feet.

“Hey, kiddo, I’m really sorry. This isn’t my best sport. Playing this with me isn’t much fun for you, is it?”

“It’s okay.” He shrugged. “You’ll get better with practice.”

They kept at it for a while, and Kate figured Tyler had also learned patience from his father in addition to encouragement and liberal praise. She actually caught a few and was getting the hang of throwing more accurately. Finally shadows started creeping in and Tyler announced he was getting hungry.

“It’s about that time,” Cabot said. “Ty, you go on in and wash up for supper.”

“Okay, Dad. See you later, Kate.”

“’Bye.” She watched the boy run up the steps and into the house, then handed the glove back to Cabot. When he started to turn away, she said, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” He folded his arms over his chest. “What’s on your mind?”

“I want to do something to earn my keep until the kids arrive for camp.” Because that sounded a little like a come-on, she felt it necessary to put a finer point on the statement. “Chores. Like housekeeping maybe. Cleaning. Doing dishes. Cooking.”

“You know your way around a stove?”

“I’m not the best, but I’m definitely competent in the kitchen.”

“I already have a housekeeper.” He looked as if he’d rather be kicked in the head by a horse than let her into his house. “Although I do my own cooking. You’ll earn your keep soon enough. Making dinner for us isn’t necessary.”

“It is to me. I don’t take something for nothing. Cooking a meal would be a way for me to give back.”

She was still processing the fact that he had a housekeeper, which made her pretty positive that he was a bachelor. That along with the fact that she hadn’t seen a woman at the house or another vehicle besides his truck.

Surely the women around here would be interested in a man as attractive and sexy as Cabot Dixon. The fact that he was single didn’t speak well of Blackwater Lake females. Although, by definition, a relationship required two interested parties, which could mean he was unreceptive to being part of a couple. Could be he’d learned the hard way, just like she had.

If Kate had paid attention to her instincts, she wouldn’t have gotten herself in this mess. But when she took in the beauty of his land, as messes went, this was an awesome place to be in one.

Something wouldn’t let her drop the offer and she was pretty sure the determination was driven by her need to prove she had other skills. That he shouldn’t be sorry he’d hired her.

“Do you love cooking?” she asked.

“Not really.”

“Wouldn’t you like a break from it? Hang out with Ty for a change? Maybe play a game with him?”

“He’s used to hanging out on his own.” But his mouth pulled tight at the words.

“Sometimes it’s good to shake up the routine when you can.” She’d certainly done that, and only time would tell whether or not it was a good thing.

“Look, Kate, I really appreciate the offer—”

Before he could say “but,” she interrupted and started past him toward the front steps. “Okay, then. Lead the way to the kitchen and I’ll get started.”

Kate half expected him to stop her either with words or physically. Instead he mumbled something, and she didn’t try very hard to understand what he’d said. Then she heard footsteps behind her.

She took that as a yes and walked into his house.

* * *

It was weird to see a woman in his kitchen.

Cabot remembered the last time a female, other than his housekeeper, had stood in front of the granite-topped island. His wife, Jen, had said she was leaving him and her infant son. She’d hated the ranch and right that second Cabot had hated it, too.

Now Katrina Scott was here and he hated to admit that she was stirring up more than fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. She was scraping off a patch on the ache in his gut, the yearning for that time when he’d had a whole and complete family. How stupid was it that this woman did that to him? She’d freely admitted running out on a life like that. Although, if he was being fair, the cheating jerk had deserved it.

But here she was, cooking. He’d planned chicken for dinner, but his method involved a boxed coating and the oven. Hers involved flour, egg, oil and a frying pan. His mouth watered at the aroma. She’d rummaged through the fridge and pantry, coming up with all the ingredients necessary for macaroni and cheese. He’d kept her company, just making small talk, because it didn’t seem right to leave her in here alone.

Ty ran into the room. He’d been watching TV in the family room, which was an extension of the kitchen. It was a big, open place where he’d once pictured a bunch of kids playing while he and Jen watched over them from the kitchen. That dream went out the door with her.

“Is dinner ready? I’m starving,” the boy said.

Kate moved to the stove and checked the chicken sizzling in a pan. “This is done.”

After turning off the burner, she lifted the golden-brown pieces to a platter and set it on the island beside a warming tray. Turning, she went to the oven, opened the door and took out a casserole dish using protective mitts. She was better with them than the baseball glove, and the thought almost made Cabot smile.

“The mac and cheese is bubbling nicely. I’d say it’s done.” She set the dish on the hot tray beside a pot containing cooked green beans. “Dinner is ready.”

“Ty—”

“I’m already washed up.”

“Okay, then. You’re all set, men. Enjoy your dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cabot was just about ready to breathe a sigh of relief as she started to leave. He felt edgy around her and was looking forward to letting his guard down and relaxing. “Thanks for cooking.”

“Wait,” Ty said to Kate. “You’re not eating with us?”

“No, sir,” she said. “I’m on the payroll and not doing anything to earn it. That’s why I cooked. I certainly wasn’t looking for an invitation to stay.”

“But, Dad, we should invite her.” Dark eyes, eager and innocent, looked into Cabot’s.

Apparently his son wasn’t getting his vibe about wanting her gone. “We shouldn’t take up any more of Kate’s time. She probably has things to do.”

“She just said she wasn’t doing anything and that’s why she cooked dinner,” Ty pointed out. “You always tell me to be polite and neighborly.”

Cabot looked at Kate, giving her a chance to jump in and say she couldn’t stay. The expression glittering in her green eyes said she knew he was squirming and she didn’t plan to do anything to help him out. If he had to guess, he’d say she was enjoying this.

He always did his best to be a good example to his son, which basically left him no choice. “Would you like to stay for dinner, Kate?”

“I’d love to,” she said brightly.

“Cool. I’ll set the table. It’s my job.” Ty proceeded to get out plates and eating utensils and set them on the round oak table in the nook.

“Don’t forget napkins,” Cabot reminded him. He looked at Kate. “What would you like to drink? Water, iced tea, beer, wine?”

“Beer,” she said after thinking about it.

For some reason her choice surprised him. “You look more like a wine woman to me.”

“Beer sounded good. I don’t drink normally when I’m in—” She stopped short of saying what she was in. Then she added, “I just don’t drink much.”

He wondered about the slip but let it pass. The less he knew about her, the better off he was. After pouring milk for Ty and grabbing two longnecks from the fridge, the three of them sat down to eat.

“This is my favorite dinner.” Ty took a big bite out of the chicken leg he’d picked off the platter. “This is really good. Way better than the Grizzly Bear Diner.”

“I’m glad you like it,” she said.

Cabot took a bite of his piece and found the crunchy, juicy flavors unbelievably good. After trying the mac and cheese he decided she was two for two. Green beans fell into a category of not good, not bad. Just something he had to eat because of that being-a-positive-role-model-for-his-son thing.

“Don’t you think this is the best dinner, Dad?”

He looked at the boy, then Kate. “It’s really good.”

“Thanks.” She looked pleased.

“How did you learn to cook like this?” he asked.

“My mom taught me. I spent a lot of time hanging out in the kitchen with her.”

“Why? Didn’t you have any friends?” Ty asked.

“Ty,” Cabot scolded. “That’s nosy and rude.”

“It’s all right,” Kate said. “You’re very perceptive, Ty. I actually didn’t have any friends.”

“Why?” Ty started to say something, then stopped.

Knowing his son, Cabot figured he’d been about to ask if there was something wrong with her. His son was developing a filter between his brain and his mouth. Maturity was a wonderful thing.

“When I was growing up,” she said, “my dad was career army and we moved every couple of years. It got hard to make friends and leave them, so I just stopped. I hung out at home mostly.”

“Wow.” The boy set his picked-clean leg bone on the plate, his eyes growing wide. “I wouldn’t like moving away from C.J. He’s my best friend. And I’ve never lived anywhere but here.”

“The ranch has been in the family for several generations,” Cabot explained.

Kate looked wistful. “I’ve never had roots. You’re lucky, Ty, to have a long-standing connection with the land and community.”

“It’s a blessing and curse,” Cabot said.

“How so?” She scooped up a forkful of macaroni and delicately put it in her mouth.

“When you’re the only son of a rancher, you pretty much know what your career is going to be when you grow up. What’s expected of you. There’s not a lot of choice.”

“Did you want to take another career path?” she asked.

“I majored in business in college because it was expected that someday I’d run this place. What I didn’t expect was having opportunities in the corporate sector. That life pulled at me some. But when it’s a family business, the situation becomes a lot more complicated.”

Kate glanced at Ty, and it was clear that she wanted to ask how he fit into the scheme of things, considering Cabot’s mixed feelings. When his boy grew up, would he be expected to take over the ranch? Cabot hoped he would be more flexible than his own father and let his son decide what he wanted to do with his life. He didn’t plan on pressuring Ty and saddling him with expectations of taking over the operation. Being stuck on the land near a small town in rural Montana could be limiting.

It was a great place to grow up, but there was a big world out there, and once upon a time it had tugged at Cabot. Now he just didn’t think much about it. He was doing his best as a father, rancher and businessman who was exploring the responsible use of mineral rights on the land. Pretty much he was content with things now. Until meeting Kate, that was.

“So, I’ve been looking over the camp curriculum,” she said, changing the subject.

Cabot was grateful to her because taking over the ranch wasn’t something he wanted to discuss in front of his son. The years were going by too fast, but a decent amount of time was still left before any decisions needed to be made.

“Caroline takes care of that.”

“You don’t have input?”

“I could, but I mostly just stay out of the way.”

Kate looked surprised at that. “I see.”

“You look surprised. Is there a problem?”

“No. It’s just that you’re so patient and comfortable with Tyler, I’d have thought you were more involved with the camp and the visiting kids.”

“I don’t have a lot of time for it.” Guilt pricked him because he could make more time if he chose. “What do you think of the activities?”

“There sure are a lot of them.” She looked thoughtful. “Arts and crafts. Water sports, which makes sense with the lake right here. Archery. Horseback riding. I like that the kids can choose what activities they want to participate in.”

Cabot hadn’t made any changes since he’d taken it over from his father. And he didn’t get involved very much after the kids arrived, leaving it to Caroline to run things day to day.

“They’re encouraged to try as many activities as possible,” he said, recalling his manager’s recommendations. “But it’s still their choice what they do.”

Kate nodded thoughtfully. “I noticed there was a course in wilderness survival.”

“Presenting the basics is wise, although it’s up to the staff to make sure the kids’ survival is never in question.”

“Very funny.” She took a sip of beer. “Seriously, though, are basics enough? You always hear stories in the news about someone getting lost in the woods, stranded with their car, driving off the road. Last winter there was the case of a family who got stuck when they went to play in the snow.”

“What happened to them?” Ty asked.

“The father did everything right. They stayed with the vehicle, burned the car’s tires to stay warm, and everyone huddled in the car at night to share body heat when the temperature dropped below freezing.”

Cabot’s attention perked up at the body-heat part. His definitely cranked up at the thought of keeping her warm. It was an image that popped into his mind without warning or permission. Once there it seemed disinclined to leave.

“It took a couple of days, but they were finally found not too far from their home.” She looked at Cabot. “By the way, I’m certified to teach wilderness-survival techniques.”

In spite of the fact that she was doing a good job on her beer, it was hard to believe this girlie girl could hold her own in the wild. “You’re serious?”

“Don’t judge me by the way I handle—or mishandle—a baseball. I can build a fire without matches and find food in the woods.”

“Why?”

“Why not?” she shot back.

He waited for more details, like why she would go out of her way to acquire that kind of skill, but she stared him down without saying more. It made him curious, but he didn’t ask. She probably had her reasons for not sharing more personal details. It was typical of all the strays who had a need to use his spare cabin.

All he knew was that she’d been engaged to a guy, then ran out when it was time to commit. Her story was that he’d cheated, but Cab didn’t know for sure. What he did know was that there were too many similarities to his ex, and that was plenty of reason to keep his distance.

But obviously he was cursed. Otherwise he wouldn’t be attracted to a woman who had run away from something.

Chapter Three

It was a spectacular night.

At about nine o’clock, after cleaning up the pots and pans she’d used to cook dinner, Kate sat on the wooden bench on the small front porch of her little cabin. The inky-black Montana sky glittered with stars, a sight that took her breath away. The absence of Los Angeles nuisance light revealed the beauty a person couldn’t see in the big city.

Being away from L.A. was having unexpected effects on her. She hadn’t been this relaxed in a very long time. Dinner with the Dixon men had been partly responsible for that. Fried chicken, mac and cheese and beer were probably the world’s most comforting foods. But the best part was that no one wanted anything from her. She’d had to make a federal case to get her boss’s permission to cook.

Cabot Dixon was a brooder, which only added to his appeal. He didn’t have a poker face, either. That was for sure. When he’d talked about missed career opportunities, she’d seen resentment and resignation in his expression. But when she’d gone into Blackwater Lake to shop for food and toiletries, everyone she’d talked to had said he had made the Dixon ranch more successful than his father or grandfather had. So it might not be his first choice for making a living, but he was darn good at what he did.

The scrape of boots coming down the dirt path startled her in the still night. Adrenaline kicked up her heart rate; she was all alone out here. As a tall form moved closer, lights mounted on the cabins revealed that it was Cabot.

“Evening,” he said, not slowing his stride.

He was going to walk right on by. If he’d said nothing, a case could be made that he hadn’t seen her, but he clearly had and didn’t want to talk to her.

Kate knew she should let him go, but for some reason his remoteness kicked up her contrary streak. She didn’t like being ignored. On top of that, she was curious about why he was out here. Surely he didn’t exercise. He was lean and muscular, walking proof that his job kept him fit without having to add a workout routine.

“Hey, wait up.” She stood and hurried after him.

“What?” he asked over his shoulder.

Kate caught up to him, but it wasn’t easy. His long-legged stride made it a challenge. “That’s what I’d like to know. Why are you out here? Is something wrong?”

“Nope. Habit. I do a nightly inspection of all the ranch buildings.”

“Where’s Ty?”

“In bed.” Cabot glanced down at her. “He’s old enough to be left by himself for a few minutes.”

“I wasn’t judging,” she protested.

“Maybe not out loud, but I could hear you thinking about it.”

Just a little. Possibly.

When he got to the grassy area by the lake, he turned right on the dirt path and headed for the barn and corral. He wasn’t saying anything, and she felt the need to fill the conversational void.

“It’s a beautiful night.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you ever get used to it? Take all this for granted?”

“Probably.”

The least he could do was throw her a bone, she thought. But she didn’t discourage easily. A person didn’t win Olympic gold medals by giving up when the going got tough.

“The lake is spectacular during the day, but with the moon shining down, it just takes your breath away.” Or maybe she was breathless just being near him and trying to match his strides. “The mountains are gorgeous, too. And the air.” She drew in a deep breath. “So clean and fresh.”

“You’re not wrong about that.”

“This is a lovely piece of land you’ve got here.”

He glanced down again. “Sounds like you love the outdoors.”

“Who wouldn’t?”

“My ex-wife, for starters.”

Their arms brushed and she could almost feel the tension in his body, the annoyance he felt at letting that slip out.

But he had let it slip. “You were married.”

“A lifetime ago.”

“What happened?” That was nosy and probably rude, but he knew about her past. Turnabout was fair play. This was the opening she’d been waiting for, and she didn’t plan to let it drop.

“She didn’t like it here. Wasn’t happy being a wife and mother.”

“That pretty much sucks.”

“Pretty much,” he agreed. But there was a harsh edge to his voice.

“Must be hard on Ty—not having a mom, I mean.” Moments of silence dragged out after the comment, and she didn’t think he was going to answer.

“He asks questions,” Cabot admitted. “And I answer as honestly as I can.”

“What do you say?”

“That the two of us are a different kind of family. But there’s no way a kid can understand why his mother didn’t want to stay for her own son. Hell, I don’t understand.”

Anger had given way to wistfulness in his tone and that made her wonder if he still had feelings for the woman who’d walked out on him. “Is there a chance that Ty’s mom will come back?”

“Always, I suppose.”

Kate was a little surprised when he didn’t add that it would be a cold day in hell before he took her back. “What if she did?”

His mouth pulled tight for a moment, but when he answered, his voice lacked any emotion. No anger, regret or sadness. Just matter-of-fact. “If she showed up at the front door tomorrow, Ty wouldn’t have to wonder where his mother is.”

“Do you wonder?”

“No. I know where she is.” And she doesn’t want to be here. He didn’t say it, but the words hung in the air between them.

“Where is she?” That question was out-and-out nosy. Every time he answered something, more stuff popped into her head to ask him. At some point he was going to tell her to mind her own business, but until he did she couldn’t seem to stop herself from inquiring.

“Helena.”

Montana’s capital. “So it’s not that she doesn’t like Montana.”

“Nope. Just the ranch and small-town life.”

“Does Ty know how close she is?”

“Nope. She hasn’t shown any interest in seeing him and I wouldn’t put him through that unless she did.” He slowed his pace. “There’s no point in it. Rejection hurts.”

“Yeah.” She’d been rejected very publicly. She was realizing that she didn’t love her ex-fiancé because he hadn’t crossed her mind all that much since she’d arrived in Blackwater Lake and, more specifically, since she’d met Cabot. But at first it had hurt. The humiliation was no fun, either. And she was a grown-up. Ty was a little boy. “Are you ever going to tell him?”

“If he wants to know.”

“That seems wise,” she agreed.

“You’re judging again.” This time there was a smile in his voice.

“In a good way.”

“It’s not wise. Just common sense,” he claimed. “If you tell a kid he can’t do something, that’s exactly what he wants to do.”

“Is that the voice of experience talking?” she teased.

“Maybe. Maybe not. I think of it more as human nature.”

They had come full circle, past his house. She’d expected he would go inside and let her see herself back, but he didn’t. Cabot walked her to her front door and stopped.

“Good night, Kate. Two more days until the kids get here. Get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

“See you,” she said.

She watched him turn and walk back up the hill, a solitary man in the dark. Walking with him had been both exhilarating and enlightening. He had been married but was now divorced. She’d wanted so badly to say that he and his son were better off without a shallow, selfish woman like that having any influence on their lives. Only an idiot would run away from the child she’d borne and a man who loved her.

It was the running part that gave Kate pause. She’d run. Granted, the guy she’d left might be a good match for Cab’s ex—in the shallow-and-selfish department. But still, she’d run. Did he put her in the same category as his ex-wife?

The thought troubled her, which was both annoying and not very bright. She’d just escaped from complications with a man and shouldn’t let herself lose sleep over what this man thought. They’d only just met.

And she hoped to be wrong but couldn’t shake the feeling that he might be pining for the woman who’d left him.

* * *

On the first day of camp Kate helped the other four counselors greet and sign in the kids, then assign cabins and settle them there. The other employees were all first-or second-year schoolteachers and this was their summer job. She was the only oddball without training.

It was late afternoon when she walked into the camp kitchen. The dining room was a log-cabin-style building, and the food-preparation area was situated behind the larger room where picnic tables would seat the campers for meals. A patio jutted off, and if they wanted, the kids could eat out there with a spectacular view of the lake. Without children around, it could be the perfect spot for a romantic dinner if you were with a man who looked like Cabot Dixon, one who might lean toward a little romance after a walk under the stars. He didn’t seem to lean that way, but maybe she just wasn’t his type.

And the fact that she would even wonder about this meant she probably needed serious therapy.

“Hi, Caroline.” She greeted the manager/cook who was cutting up vegetables on the long stainless-steel counter in the center of the room. A six-burner stove stood behind her, and different-sized pots hung from a rack suspended from the ceiling.

The tall blonde looked up and smiled. “Did the kids scare you off?”

“No.” But Kate grinned at the teasing. “They’re a terrific bunch and I really enjoyed meeting them. But Jim told me to take a break while they divide the campers into color groups for activities.”

“Jim Shields is a good teacher and really terrific at what he does here.”

Kate knew Caroline worked with him at Blackwater Lake High School, where he taught math and was the boys’ volleyball coach. “I came to see if you need any help in the kitchen.”

“You don’t want to put your feet up? Catch a power nap?”

“Working with children might not be my best skill, but I can take it. I’m sturdier than I look.”

“What is your best skill?” the other woman asked.

Kate couldn’t blame her for being curious. She’d shown up in a wedding dress and given no other information about herself besides the fact that she’d left her cheating weasel of a groom at the altar. But this peace and quiet felt good after so many years of nonstop media interest and craziness. It would end if the details about her came out. She wanted serenity for just a little bit longer.

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather not say.”

“Suit yourself.” Caroline put down the knife in her hand. “I can use some help. Hamburgers and fries are the traditional first-night meal here, and I insist on fresh, not frozen, potatoes. You can cut them up. Real thin.”

“Okay.”

“When you finish that, would you slice some carrot and celery sticks? I always like to have those available.”

“Got it.”

Kate saw that the potatoes were already peeled and soaking in a pot of water. She got to work, and after checking the thinness of her fries, Caroline said nothing for a few moments. Finally Kate couldn’t stand the silence. It was against all the laws of nature for two women to be in a kitchen together and not talk. Usually about men. And she knew exactly which man she wanted to talk about.

“How long have you managed the camp for Cabot?”

“Ten years now.”

Tyler was eight, which meant this woman had met his mother. After the little bit Cabot had said, Kate had a lot of questions. “So what was Cabot’s wife like?”

Caroline glanced up quickly from the tomato she was slicing. “Why do you want to know?”

“He told me what happened and why.”

“Interesting.” She looked up again. “He doesn’t usually talk about it.”

Should she feel special that he’d told her the story? A question for another day. “I guess I’m just curious what you thought of her.”

“It’s hard to answer that. There is my impression when he was first with her and my feelings about what she did to him by running away.” She sighed and rested her wrist against the cutting board. “She was a very pretty little thing. Long black hair and violet-colored eyes. Seemed sweet and head over heels for Cabot. No one saw that she was unhappy or that she would do what she did. Folks were shocked, and some blamed it on postpartum depression. But she never came back to set things right. Cabot was stunned and dazed. The thing is, he didn’t really even have time to process his feelings because he had an infant to care for and a business to run. Maybe that was a blessing.”

Kate remembered his wistful tone when he’d talked about his wife. “Do you know how he feels about her now?”

“No,” Caroline said. “As far as I know, no one knows.”

Kate had been hoping for something specific, a tidbit to explain why he hadn’t shown the least bit of interest in kissing her. It wasn’t that she’d wanted him to get romantic, because that would complicate her peace and quiet. But she kind of wanted him to want to and be fighting it just a little. Crazy. Except that she was still feeling the effects of her fiancé cheating on her and the lingering questions about why she was found lacking. Maybe her self-confidence had taken a bigger hit than she’d realized.

“Does he have a girlfriend?” That would explain the lack of interest.

“Not that I’m aware of. And this is a small town,” Caroline said pointedly. “If he did, everyone would know.”

“He must have needs.”

Caroline gave her a sharp look. “You’re awfully curious.”

“I’m sorry. That was really nosy. I didn’t mean to be inappropriate. But he’s an exceptionally good-looking man. It’s hard to believe he’s been unattached for so long.”

Kate figured if he had an itch that wasn’t getting scratched and he’d still not been tempted by her, that would make her feel even more pathetic.

The other woman nodded, apparently understanding the curiosity. “Cabot likes women, if that’s what you’re asking. No one knows for sure, but the assumption is that he ‘dates’ discreetly. The last thing he’d want is talk linking him to anyone getting back to his boy. He’d never put up with that.”

“Anyone can see he cares about Ty,” Kate agreed. “He seems like a wonderful father.”

“And then some.” Caroline looked thoughtful. “Because of what happened, he’s got a deep empathy for wounded people and goes out of his way to protect them.”

That actually was a segue into something else she was curious about. “I have another question.”

“I bet you do.”

“Clearly I have no right and I’d like to believe it’s not prying. Maybe inquisitive—”

“You think?” She saw humor in Caroline’s blue eyes.

“Yeah. But I can’t help it. I’m curious about the cabin where I’m staying.”

“Why?”

“It was empty and available. Stocked with basics—including coffee and toiletries, like a hotel room. As if it was ready. Like people in areas that are prone to natural disaster keep emergency supplies up to date.”

“Natural disaster and emergency pretty much describe Cabot’s reasons for keeping it prepared.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Folks call it the ‘stray cabin.’ Cabot has a soft spot for the three-legged dog or a blind cat. People, too. He keeps that place for anyone who’s in need. Like the soldier returning from the war who needs quiet to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder. Or the homeless guy who lost his job and just needs a temporary place to stay while he gets back on his feet. Then there was the abused woman who left her husband, and Cabot made sure she was safe until the crisis was over.”

“Very noble of him.”

“Also, there’s the occasional runaway bride,” Caroline added drily.

“Not that I don’t think he’s an incredibly decent man, or that I’m ungrateful for his help, but I’m not a charity case,” Kate assured her.

“Okay.”

The tone was on the patronizing side and Kate felt obligated to share just a few big details. “In some circles I’m fairly well-known.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t need a little help.”

“Not really,” Kate assured her. “I can take care of myself. In fact, it will be news when I surface and I’ll have to make a statement.”

“You mean running out on your wedding wasn’t statement enough?” Caroline asked.

“You know why I did it. And there are lots of reasons for running. That doesn’t make me like his ex-wife.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” She winced at the words that she would have said if she hadn’t run out on the wedding.

Kate would love to know what Cabot had said to this woman about her. If she had to guess, there was some comparison between her and the woman who’d done him wrong. Some judgment that lumped her in the same, unsympathetic group of females who were selfish and irresponsible.

“Look, Caroline, I did run out on my wedding. In hindsight, probably I should have faced everyone at the church and announced the wedding wasn’t going to happen and explained why I was backing out of it. At the very least I’m guilty of avoiding the public humiliation, but I’m not a liar.”

“I believe you, Kate.”

“Then I hope you’ll accept as fact that I like the anonymity here in Blackwater Lake and the chance to work with kids for the summer. It’s something I never really considered doing, but I think it will be challenging and fun. I’m grateful for the chance.”

“No matter what your circumstances are, that’s Cabot’s goal. The stray cabin is his way of giving someone a chance.”

Kate nodded and continued slicing potatoes. Her goal in the conversation had been to extract information, but now she had more questions than answers. It wasn’t clear whether she was more bothered about being put in the same category as the woman who’d upended his life or that he was treating her as if she needed a handout.

Still the most persistent question of all was why she even cared what he thought.

Chapter Four

Kate hadn’t known what to expect from this job, but after her first full day and most of her second, she was pleased with her showing. More important, she was enthusiastic about doing it again tomorrow.

She was there as backup for the other experienced counselors, an extra pair of hands during games, crafts and competitions. Another pair of eyes to watch over the kids and make sure all went smoothly didn’t hurt, either. If one of the adults got sick or needed help, she could fill in. The kids were funny, energetic, exasperating and so much fun to be around.

With school out, Ty was participating in camp activities. Caroline had explained this was child care for him so that his father could work. The boy had joined in on some of the events and had hung back on others. Swimming was his strongest skill; he was like a fish. He was not a shining star at basketball, football or baseball, and his lack of confidence showed in his facial expressions and body language. Tyler Dixon simply tugged at her heart.

It was now late afternoon. Everyone was taking a little breather before dinner. She’d checked with Caroline to make sure no help was needed for the evening meal. After getting the all clear, she’d decided to take a walk by the lake.

Even though she saw it every day, the beauty of Blackwater Lake still astounded her. It would never happen in a million years, but she wondered whether or not she would take the view for granted if she lived here.

She stopped at an outcropping of rocks at the water’s edge, breathed in the pine-and flower-scented air and watched the sunlight turn the gently moving surface of the lake into a sparkling blue carpet. If not for her pesky attraction to Cabot Dixon, her soul would be at peace for probably the first time ever.

She hadn’t talked to him for a couple of days, since that night he’d explained he walked ranch inspection every night. From the window of her tiny cabin she’d seen him pass by, but he didn’t look over, obviously not even tempted to drop in and see her. She wasn’t accustomed to serenity, but she also wasn’t used to being ignored. Or being considered a “stray.” It had been so hectic she hadn’t had time to process what Caroline had told her about the cabin being available to Cabot’s charity cases. She wasn’t a three-legged dog or blind cat. Or an abused woman. It rankled some that he’d pegged her that way.

“As a rule a man’s a fool. When it’s hot he wants it cool. When it’s cool he wants it hot. Always wanting what is not.” She shook her head at the silliness of the ode to human nature that her mother had taught her.

“Kate—”

She whirled around, startled because she hadn’t heard footsteps behind her. Ty stood there. “Hi. Wow, you were really quiet.”

“You weren’t.” His freckled face was solemn. “Do you have an imaginary friend?”

“No. I was just talking to myself.” She studied him. “Do you?”

“I used to. Then C. J. Beck—I mean, Stone—and me got to be best friends.”

She was no shrink, but it wasn’t much of a stretch to assume that this little boy was lonely. His father was busy running a business and his mother was somewhere in Montana but made no effort to see her son. No two ways about it. The situation just totally sucked.

“Do you want to walk back with me?” she asked.

He looked up hopefully. “Would it be okay?”

“I’d like that very much.” She pointed to the way she’d come. “It’ll be time for dinner pretty soon.”

Ty fell into step beside her. “Can you have dinner with me and my dad again?”

“I’d like that,” she said cautiously. “But you’d have to ask your dad if it’s okay first.”

He kicked a rock on the lakeshore. “I just know he’ll say no.”

Kate figured the only reason Cabot had allowed her to dinner that one time was because she’d just pushed ahead and didn’t give him a tactful out. “Does your friend C.J. come to dinner?”

The boy thought for a minute. “Not very often. I usually go to his house.”

“I’m sure your dad has his reasons.”

“He works all the time,” Ty agreed. “And C.J. has a mom and dad now. When there’s school I go to his house a lot and either his mom or dad brings me home.”

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah.” He picked up a rock and threw it into the lake. “He got adopted.”

“Oh?” Did C.J. have different biological parents? Her response was designed to elicit more information if Ty wanted to tell her.

“Yeah. Dr. Stone—Adam—got married to his mom and then adopted him.”

“I see. Does he like Adam?”

“Yeah. But he calls him Dad now.”

“That’s really nice.” She looked down, and it was impossible to overlook the brooding expression and longing on the small face.

“He’s got a mom and dad.”

“Do you miss your mom?”

He thought about that. “I was a baby, so I don’t remember her.”

If she read between the lines, he was saying you couldn’t miss what you never had. But you could certainly envy what someone else had. “I always had a mom and dad around, so I don’t really know what you’re going through. Guess it’s hard to only have one parent, huh?”

“Most of the kids at school have two parents,” he said. “I wish my dad would get married so I’d have a mom.”

Uh-oh. She was afraid there was an ulterior, matchmaking motive to another dinner with them. Oh, God, what to do? She didn’t want to reject him, but wasn’t it more cruel to let him hope that she and his father would ever become romantically involved?

“Ty, are you hinting about me and your dad getting—close?”

He looked up. “Maybe. I think he likes you.”

Kate wasn’t so sure about that. “Why do you say that?”

He shrugged. “Prob’ly ’cause he looks at you funny.”

Prob’ly he did that ’cause he wished he’d never laid eyes on her or offered her the “stray” cabin, she thought. “I’m flattered that you believe he’s attracted to me. But you know it takes two people to like each other for anyone to even think about marriage.”

“Yeah, I know.” He kicked a well-worn sneaker into the wet dirt at the lake’s edge. “Do you like my dad?”

She’d walked right into that one. No way could she answer honestly, that she thought Cabot Dixon was the hottest cowboy she’d ever seen and one look into that handsome face made her heart beat way too fast. But there were too many stumbling blocks. He needed someone who would love the ranch and stay there. She thought it was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen, but she had to go back to her regularly scheduled life and numerous commitments. Letting this child go on hoping for a relationship felt heartless, and she couldn’t let him continue.

She put a hand on his shoulder. “Ty, your dad is a great guy. He’s a wonderful father and works very hard to take care of the ranch and you. But—”

“What? You like him.”

“I do. But my stay here is temporary and you’re talking about forever.”

“Do you have to go?” His voice was wistful.

“Yes. I’m just taking a break here.” She squeezed his thin shoulder. “Do you understand?”

“Yeah.”

The tone said quite clearly that he didn’t like it, though.

They were just passing the archery range, an open field where targets were secured on bales of hay. In the summer-camp compound, bows and arrows were stored in an equipment shed. Kate had dabbled in the sport because almost every shooting range where she practiced hitting clay targets also had an archery section. And she’d become friendly with some of the members of the Olympic team. Her roommate had come close to a gold medal but had to settle for silver. Today Kate had given some of the kids pointers to improve their form and accuracy. It had felt good to make a difference.

Ty glanced over at the field and frowned. “I’m no good at that.”

“It’s a difficult skill to learn and takes a lot of practice to master it.”

“Dustin and Maddie are really good.”

“They’re older and have been to camp for the past several years,” she said. One of the other counselors had filled her in on them.

“I’ll never be as good as them.”

Kate looked down at the boy’s expression and recognized it from looking in the mirror twenty years ago. Because of all the moves her family made, she used to be him, on the outside looking in. The loneliness was consuming. Her parents had noticed and that was when her father started including her on his outings to the skeet-shooting complex. She’d wanted to try it and then amazed everyone with her raw ability. The rest was history.

But her parents were a team. Cabot was a single father and couldn’t be faulted for not noticing his son’s isolation. She suspected Ty wouldn’t say anything because on some level he knew his dad was juggling so many things and didn’t want to be a burden. Or risk that another parent would think he was too much trouble.

Unlike her, he was growing up in the place where he’d been born, but he still battled loneliness. This boy got to her, and suddenly the words were coming out of her mouth. “I could help you with archery. Privately.”

“Really?” Excitement shone in his eyes when his gaze jumped to hers.

“I’d be happy to. Although you should know it’s not my best event.”

“Horseback riding is my best event,” he said, clearly engaged now.

“Good for you. I’m afraid of horses.”

“Really? They’re easy compared to archery,” he said, more carefree and a little cocky now. “I could help you get over it.”

“I bet you could.” And it would boost his self-confidence. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll teach you about archery and you help me with horses.”

Tyler took the hand she held out and said, “Deal.”

Would Cabot’s average charity case be able to do that?

* * *

Cabot made sure Ty was sound asleep before starting his nightly inspection of the ranch buildings. It hadn’t taken his son long to be out like a light; camp activities kept him busy and wore him out. Caroline had texted him that everything was fine before she went home for the day. As he walked down the hill all seemed quiet.

The program was a good one because he hired the best people to run it. His son was busy in a positive way and well supervised during the summer off from school. That meant Cabot could take care of business without worrying about him getting into trouble.

Earlier Ty had come in happy and excited after having dinner with the campers and said this year he was going to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow really good. That was a direct quote. And Kate was going to teach him. Why the heck would she know how? Maybe she’d had a class in college, but that would have been a while ago. Just showed Cabot how little he knew about the runaway bride.

He walked past the camp cabins, where he could see dim lights and hear quiet talking from inside. The crickets were louder than the kids, which told him the situation was normal. Moving on, he passed the cabin where Kate was staying and felt the same knot in his gut that he had every night when he forced himself not to look over and see if she was on the porch.

If he did and she was, the temptation to talk to her could be too much to resist. And if he didn’t resist, there was a better-than-even chance he would make a move on that spectacular mouth of hers and live to regret it.

No, ignoring her was the smartest play and that was what he did.

Cabot came to the end of the dirt path, where a patch of grass bordered the lake. The moon was nearly full tonight, and he spotted a lone, slender female figure at the water’s edge. Because the counselors were with kids and Caroline had gone home, he knew whom that body silhouetted against the moonlight belonged to.

Kate Scott.

Fate was putting another temptation in his path, but her back was to him. She didn’t know he was there, which meant slipping away quietly was an option. He started to turn and his boot scraped a rock, a small sound that echoed loudly in the quiet night.

She looked over her shoulder. “Cabot?”

So much for slipping away quietly.

“Evening, Kate.” He walked across the grass to stand beside her.

The sun had gone down. How was it possible that her lips looked even more appealing? Moonlight was sneaky that way.

“You’re on routine inspection?” No greeting and her tone was cool, clipped, as if there was a chip on her shoulder about something.

“Yeah. Everything’s quiet.”

“No three-legged dogs creating havoc or blind cats bumping into trees?”

“Not that I’ve seen.” Definitely a chip on her shoulder, and he had no idea what was on her mind.

“That’s a relief.”

He wasn’t going to bite. Staying neutral and unengaged. “Nice night.”

“Beautiful,” she said, glancing up at the stars. “The sky is like diamonds on black velvet.”

He followed her gaze. “Never thought about it like that, but could be.”

“Tell me something.”

“Okay,” he said, bracing himself.

“I can’t imagine ever taking all of this for granted. But I can’t help wondering. Does it ever get old?”

“What? The scenery?”

“It’s not just scenery. The lake. The mountains. Trees and flowers. Meadows. Everything.”

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