Second Chance Rancher

Second Chance Rancher
Patricia Thayer

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME…Single dad Kase Rawlins wants to give his little girl, Addy, a fresh start in life by moving back to the family ranch. The only downside to that plan is seeing his neighbor Laurel Quinn every day—his first love and the woman he walked away from.After being jilted at the altar, Laurel decided to focus her attention on training and breeding her quarter horses. But being around Kase, she’s finding her heart is being stolen once again, and not just by the rugged rancher. Because it seems Addy’s mission is to make Laurel her new mommy!

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME…

Single dad Kase Rawlins wants to give his little girl, Addy, a fresh start in life by moving back to the family ranch. The only downside to that plan is seeing his neighbor Laurel Quinn every day—his first love and the woman he walked away from.

After being jilted at the altar, Laurel decided to focus her attention on training and breeding her quarter horses. But being around Kase, she’s finding her heart is being stolen once again, and not just by the rugged rancher. Because it seems Addy’s mission is to make Laurel her new mommy!

His heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

He reached out and stroked her hair. “Do you know how special you are?”

She shrugged. “My parents tell me all the time.”

“Well, let me tell you something, too. You’re a woman I desire very much.” He touched her face. “I want you, Laurel. We may have some obstacles in our way, but that’s not going to stop me.” He brushed his mouth over hers and loved hearing her intake of breath. “I wish I could offer you more, but right now…”

She placed her lips against his. When she finally broke off the kiss, she said, “No promises, Kase. That way no one has any expectations. I’m here for you and Addy. So it’s all good for now.”

He wanted more. Not the girl he once knew, but the beautiful, giving woman she’d turned into. Would she give him a second chance? His thoughts turned to his daughter. Would he get that second chance to be a father? He cradled Laurel’s head against his chest. How he prayed he didn’t let either one of them down.

Dear Reader (#ulink_ec1a25ea-4cec-5e1d-9aee-df3976cf1fbc),

This story is connected to my previous book, Count on a Cowboy, and is about the other twin sister, Laurel. She’s the rancher’s daughter, the sister who grew up with the advantage of having both a mother and a father. She trains quarter horses for a living. It seems she had everything. Even her twin, Brooke, came looking for her, and now they have a wonderful relationship.

The one thing Laurel didn’t have was the man she loved. Ten years ago, Kase Rawlins left her when he went off to college to be a lawyer. She tried to forget him, and even planned to marry another man.

Then Kase walks back into her life, and he doesn’t come alone. The widower father brings his cute four-year-old daughter, Addy. That’s so unfair! What is also unfair is Kase’s in-laws want custody of their grandchild. He needs Laurel, and so does his daughter. Could they finally find their way back and make a life? Will Laurel be able trust the man again?

I hope you enjoy the read.

Second Chance Rancher

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

PATRICIA THAYER was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, the second in a family of eight children. She attended Ball State University before heading west, where she has called Southern California home for many years. There she’s been a member of the Orange County Chapter of RWA. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When not working on a story, she might be found traveling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while enjoying time with her husband, Steve. Together, they have three grown sons and four grandsons and one granddaughter, whom Patricia calls her own true-life heroes.

To my readers who have faithfully read me

over the years. You are the reason this story

is my 50th book for Harlequin.

And always to Steve.

My dad might have been my first hero,

but you are my forever hero.

Love you.

Contents

Cover (#u838f14d3-3f6a-5ff8-b117-f589b5293a03)

Back Cover Text (#ued6c058d-59cd-5f35-b267-6f90fe610827)

Introduction (#u41cc720a-095f-5622-8236-192f0c292c75)

Dear Reader (#u269f917b-e2ee-5fe4-a2f0-885b2efe42cc)

Title Page (#u983b2680-5add-5542-bdef-130550576e63)

About the Author (#u763abf8c-4a83-5fa6-94d6-7aa16202bbd7)

Dedication (#u7921ea95-2b25-5727-b295-c90518520eba)

Chapter One (#uf6d912b2-0b6c-5d95-91c6-e32741b6a716)

Chapter Two (#u46a33cfc-212e-58e0-a23a-00af9cf5c99a)

Chapter Three (#u89799bbe-a222-5da5-b218-8aa024ebe7cf)

Chapter Four (#uaf0fad85-e2aa-5015-9da5-4d93c14c1965)

Chapter Five (#u0fd645ea-887d-5236-a493-1d589b3651f4)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_1bd9a416-d699-50b6-9e7a-504440e50f4c)

Laurel Quinn drove the all-terrain vehicle over the rough pasture at the Bucking Q Ranch. The ATV was ideal for getting around in the hilly pastureland. In the Colorado winters, the ranch hands had to switch to snowmobiles to find lost cattle. Today, she wasn’t looking for lost calves, but for one runaway stallion. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, she flew over a rise but still kept an eye peeled for the honey-brown-colored quarter horse.

Sadly, she seemed to have trouble keeping a male, no matter what the species. Right now, though, she had to focus all her attention on the valuable horse, Capture the Wind.