A Rancher's Pride(58)

“A residential school? You mean, you would send her to live away from you?”

He nodded shortly. It was the hardest decision he’d ever made. “Look, in these weeks, I’ve gotten close to Becky. And she’s come to trust me. All the more reason for me to do the right thing by her. For once in her life.”

He started down the length of the barn, knowing he would have to go past her. Deliberately, he kept his gaze on the loaded wheelbarrow. He didn’t want to look at her. Didn’t want to see the expression on her face. As he came near, she held up her hand. He wasn’t sure what he would do if she tried to touch him. Fight like hell not to take her in his arms, probably. He stopped beside her but stared across the yard.

“Sam.”

He tried to tune her out. How she felt shouldn’t matter to him. Becky was his daughter, and only he had the right to decide what was best for her. Over at the house, he could see her sitting on the top porch step.

“Look at her,” he said, his voice raspy, his throat tight.

Kayla turned slowly away from him and faced the yard.

Becky sat playing with the stuffed lamb he’d bought for her. With her free hand, she sketched words in the air.

“She needs people around her who can talk to her that way,” he said urgently to Kayla. “Real people. Friends. Not just dolls and stuffed animals.” He hardened his heart and his voice and demanded, “How can you say you care about her but not be willing to give her that?”

Now he couldn’t help looking at Kayla, couldn’t help seeing her blank, wide-eyed expression. She looked shell-shocked.

Before she could respond, he walked away, clamping his jaw shut against a whole list of other things he wanted to tell her. Why bother to share any of that? She wouldn’t be around long enough to make it worth his while.

Besides, the look on her face just now had told him she wouldn’t accept any of his ideas.



LATER THAT NIGHT, KAYLA paced the floor of her bedroom, her cell phone clutched in her hand. Her thumbs sped across the keypad as she tapped out a message almost faster than she could think, making up for her lack of reaction earlier. Too little, much too late.

Sam’s announcement had hit her like a physical blow. His news had stunned her so completely, she couldn’t summon words to respond to him. Couldn’t make herself move quickly enough to stop him before he walked away.

Couldn’t find the courage, for a few long, heartbreaking moments, even to turn and look at her niece.

How could she have let things come to this? How could she have failed Becky this way?

Her thumb stabbed at the send button.

When Lianne responded almost in the space of a heartbeat, Kayla could have cried with relief.

Can’t Matt do something? Lianne texted.

Kayla groaned. I called him. He’s not answering his phones, cell or home. I’ll bet Kerry’s gone into labor. I didn’t even leave a message. But I’m sure if he’d found out anything, he would have been in touch already. She choked back a panicked sob. It’s too late. He hasn’t turned up anything we can use to fight with. And I’m not doing any better at this end.

The only things she did know—about the fire and Sam’s wild past—couldn’t help her.

She had to get custody of Becky. And she would.

Still, there was the fear. The chance. The slim possibility she didn’t want to think about, that the judge would rule against her. And if she waited until he had made his decision, only to find her fears had come true, it would be too late for her to press Sam for a better solution.

Too late to do anything at all.



Lianne, what if I DON’T get custody?



She gripped the phone more tightly and felt thankful for the silent communication. If she’d had to say those words aloud, everyone in Flagman’s Folly would have heard her.

That won’t happen, Lianne shot back.



It could. And then he’ll send Becky off to school. She’ll be all alone. And scared. You know she will. You know that more than anyone.



Kayla, I hate to say this but…



Lianne’s message trailed off, as if she was choosing her next words carefully.

She froze. Now what? Had Ronnie turned up? Was there even more bad news? Before she could tap out her question, her phone vibrated. Lianne again.



I think having me go away to school was harder on you than on me.