A Rancher's Pride(61)

“Six pounds, eight ounces,” he went on, “and I know you won’t believe this, but she’s got red hair like Kerry.”

She laughed. “Told you so. With all the redheads in her family, you didn’t stand a chance.”

“I know. Well, I can live with it.”

“I’m sure. What’s her name?”

“We’re still trying to decide. It’s turned into a family matter. Kerry’s brothers are trying to round up votes for their choices. Her uncle claims since he brought us together, Kerry and I should name the baby after him. I don’t think so.”

“Maybe not,” she agreed. “Well, give her a hug from me and tell her I’ll see you all soon.” Too soon.

Her heart throbbed painfully. What had been only a thought in her mind a few minutes ago had turned into stark reality now that she’d given voice to it. She looked through the kitchen window and over toward the barn, where Becky appeared to be putting the dog through his paces.

She would be home again, very soon. The question was, after the hearing was over, would she be taking Becky back with her? “Can’t wait to see the baby,” she added, forcing a lightness she didn’t feel into her tone. “Congratulations again.”

“Thanks,” Matt said. “But, Kayla, that’s not the only reason I called.”

“Oh?” She gripped the phone tighter.

“First item, we’ve reached Ronnie. She was off to the Bahamas with a friend. A female friend. Whatever wedding plans she had were called off, and she said she’s not getting remarried after all. But she has confirmed that she’s given custody of Becky to Robertson. Permanently. And she’s willing to sign any paperwork necessary.”

Kayla sighed. “Well, at least we know.”

Now she only needed to fight Sam.

“Second item,” Matt continued. “We’ve gotten some updated reports on Robertson. They show he’s been working to pay off a lot of outstanding credit card bills. Very large bills.”

“Where did he get the money?”

“He’s sold some of his stock—animal stock, that is—in the past couple of weeks. And he’s planning to put part of his property up for sale.”

She gasped. Through the window, she looked at the barn and at the tree-covered hills in the distance. Sam loved this ranch. He wouldn’t part with any of it, she knew. Not unless he had dire reasons for it. “Why?” she asked Matt. “Do you know?”

He hesitated.

It wasn’t like him not to be up-front about anything. “What is it?”

“I don’t know this for sure.” He sounded troubled. “But he could want to show he’s solvent when he presents his case to the judge.”

“Solvent?”

“Yes. He could use his newly inflated bank account to prove he has the means to take care of Becky financially.”

“And I don’t,” she said dully.

“We both know what a teacher’s salary is like.”

“We do.” She swallowed a sigh. “Well, thanks for letting me know, Matt. And again, hugs for Kerry and the baby.”

When they ended the call, she sat with the phone still clutched in her hand.

The news from Matt had shaken her. Badly.

She would give Becky all the love and care in the world, but when it came to finances, she couldn’t compete with a rancher’s income. Especially with the additional amounts Sam’s land would bring in.

If the judge took Sam’s assets into consideration, he would never rule in her favor. She would never win custody of Becky.

She would have to face making the trip home to Chicago alone.



HIS FOOTSTEPS DRAGGING, Sam crossed the yard, headed toward the house. It was getting on time for supper, and he wanted to prolong the minutes before he would have to go in and sit down at the table.

And he knew full well why.

In the weeks that Kayla had been on his ranch, even with all the upset between them, he felt closer to her, felt more of the joy a real family could bring, than he ever had with his ex. But he couldn’t get used to those things. Couldn’t let himself get any more wrapped up in Kayla. Couldn’t dwell on what he wanted anymore.

The judge had shot a long-held belief out from under him earlier this week.

Kayla would shoot one of his dreams dead, too, when she left him.

A full week of keeping himself busy away from the ranch house and far from her hadn’t provided the time he needed to come to terms with it all.