The woman’s pale blue eyes swept over her before she smiled. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Mrs. McAllister, even under the circumstances. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She leaned over to put herself on a level with Zack. “You don’t have to tell me who this is. You look just like your pictures, Mr. Zack. I’ve got some cookies in the kitchen I made especially for you. Would you like to go have one?”
Quinn’s gaze sharpened as the woman straightened and took Zack’s hand. “What pictures?”
“Why, the ones in your father’s bedroom. There must be a dozen of them.” The housekeeper headed for the kitchen with Zack following her eagerly.
Quinn turned to look at Lanie. “You sent him pictures?”
“No, but I know who did.” She saw Franklin approaching and shook her head. “I’ll tell you about it later when we have more time.”
She barely recognized this Franklin as the one who’d worked beside Quinn the last few days. His suit was crisp and every hair was in place. He exuded calm dependability and she blessed him silently for taking most of the arrangements from Quinn’s shoulders. It was clear why Quinn had made him CEO of the company. He looked apologetic as he spoke.
“Quinn, several of the board members are waiting to speak with you. I know this is a bad time, but I think they need a little reassurance. It shouldn’t take long.”
Quinn rubbed his forehead tiredly then put his arm around Lanie’s shoulders. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”
As they crossed the room, she leaned in closer. “Tonight you are going to get some sleep if I have to slip a sleeping pill in your drink.”
“You’d probably do it, too.” He smiled down at her. “But I don’t need a pill, Angel. All I need is you.”
* * * * *
Lanie breathed a sigh of relief as she slipped quietly from the room. If the house had been a surprise to her, the people now filling it had been an even bigger one. She’d always insisted that she would never fit in with Quinn’s circle of rich acquaintances. But everyone had made a point to speak with her, make her feel welcome.
Had her grandfather’s hatred of the wealthy colored her own opinion? A few days ago she would have said no. Now she wasn’t so sure. Maybe they dressed a little better, but these people seemed no different than her friends at home.
Curiously, she glanced around the hall she found herself in. The house was so large she’d only seen a small part of it so far. The front of a wide staircase curved near the entry, and she made her way toward it, pausing to run a finger over the shiny surface of an antique table.
Edward may have been the son of an immigrant, but he’d certainly had good taste in furniture. Every piece she’d seen had been an antique, sturdy and comfortable. Unlike Quinn’s apartment, this felt like a real home, one that should have been filled with the laughter of children.
At the top of the stairs, she hesitated a moment then turned left. The first room was a guest room. While decorated beautifully, there were no personal touches. It wasn’t until she opened the door of the last room that she found signs of occupancy.
This must have been Quinn’s room, she realized as she stepped inside. Partially used bottles of cologne still sat on the dresser and his familiar scent lingered in the air. On a chair in the corner lay a pair of sweats, looking as though he’d just stepped out of them.
A vague feeling of unease settled on her as she wandered around the room, examining an old tennis racket here, a trophy there. On one wall hung a picture of a younger Quinn with three other boys. All were sweaty and laughing, dressed in football jerseys, their arms draped around each others shoulders.
Every item in the room catalogued Quinn’s growing up years. Years when she hadn’t known him, and later, years when he’d lived here while he went to college. It was the room of someone who had been happy in this house.
Oh, God, what had she done? How could she have been so self-centered?
“I see you found my lair.”
Lanie spun toward the door, her stricken gaze falling on Quinn. He’d undone his tie, leaving it loose around his neck. His voice had a raw, husky quality, and his eyes were rimmed in red.
“Don’t sell it,” she whispered.
His brow furrowed. “Don’t sell what?”
“The house. Oh, God, Quinn. I was so wrong. All this time I’ve thought of the ranch as your only home. I could never picture you here. It was like this place didn’t exist for me. But I was wrong. This is your home, the house you grew up in. I shouldn’t have forced you to stay in Wyoming. You tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen. It’s no wonder you left me. I was stupid; stupid and naive, and blind.”
“You weren’t blind, Angel.” His arms closed around her, pulled her tightly against his body. “The ranch is my home. I’ve always loved it. But I didn’t understand until a few weeks ago that it was home because of you.” He stroked her hair with one hand. “If you don’t want to sell this house, then we won’t. At least it will give me somewhere to stay when I have to come back.”
She tilted her head back and stared at him. Somehow, he seemed different than he had earlier. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out several sheets of paper. “Right before Dad died, he told me he’d left a letter on his desk. I found it about twenty minutes ago.”
She took the letter he was holding out to her, hands shaking. “Are you sure you want me to read this?”
“Yes.”
Hesitantly, she opened the pages, her gaze dropping to the first line.
Quinn,
If you’re reading this, it means time has finally caught up with me. My doctors told me a year ago that my ticker was bad and nothing short of a transplant would help. I chose instead to live what was left of my life on my own terms. Which brings me to the reason for this letter.
If you think I’m going to apologize for everything I’ve done, you’re wrong. I did what I had to do, and I’ve no regrets.
Laughter bubbled in Lanie’s throat, pushing past the tears. “Typical Edward. Stubborn to the end.”
Quinn put his arms around her from behind, and she suddenly realized the tension was gone from his body.
“Keep reading.”
She nodded and leaned back against him.
There are things I should have told you long before now, but I could never bring myself to speak them out loud. A letter seemed easier for both of us.
We never talked much about your mother and I know you think I married her for her money. Well, you’re right. When you’ve known the kind of poverty I grew up in, you’ll do anything to get out of it. Again, I’m not apologizing. Love is weakness you can’t afford when your future is on the line. Your mother understood that, and in our way we served each other well. She had you and her social functions, and I had the company. We were content.
There’s one final thing I have to tell you before I go. I’m afraid your inheritance will consist of what money I have in my bank accounts and the house. You see, the stock in the company that would normally have gone to you, I no longer own. When I realized you were buying up company stock for my grandson, I ordered my broker to sell my shares to you. Zack has them all now.
It’s ironic in a way. The only thing I ever wanted was to see you at the head of the company, continuing the heritage I started. Now, I’ve got exactly that, and you did it yourself. So, you see, in the long run, I’ve at least won that battle.
The battle over your wife goes to you, however. I still think you could have done better, but I’m willing to admit she’s doing a fine job raising my grandson. Just make damn sure he knows everything he needs to know about my company before you turn it over to him.
Edward
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lanie folded the letter carefully. “How do you feel about this?”
“Well, at least I know I didn’t cause his death.”
She turned in his arms, her own coming around his waist. “I never doubted
that.”
“You know, right now I just feel sorry for him. He never knew what real happiness was. He was too driven to succeed. It seems like such a waste of the time we’re given.”
“I know, but it was his choice, Quinn. He didn’t have to be the way he was.” Her head settled against his chest. “And I know this has been hard for you. When my parents died I was numb. Nothing seemed real anymore. I kept thinking it was a mistake, that any second they’d walk through the door. As long as I believed that, they weren’t dead. It was a month before I finally accepted they were gone and let myself say goodbye.”
“But you were only thirteen.”
“Age doesn’t matter. When we lose a parent, even a bad one, we’re all children,” she said quietly. “It’s time for you to say goodbye to Edward now, and realize there’s nothing you can do to change the past.”
“I think you’re right. But I’m so damn tired. I feel like I could sleep a week.”
“That’s natural. And it will probably be good for you…”
Her words trailed off as someone knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Quinn kept his grip on her as Duncan stuck his head inside.
“Edward’s lawyers are ready to read the will. They need you downstairs.”
“Tell them we’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Duncan hesitated. “We have an unexpected guest. Harper is here.” He shot Lanie a glance, then closed the door.
Quinn studied her face, noting the puzzled look. “You weren’t expecting him?”
“Why would I be? He was—” She halted abruptly, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I was going to tell you later, when things calmed down a bit. He was working for Edward, Quinn. He has been the entire time. That’s where Edward got the pictures of Zack. He confessed the whole thing to me last Sunday.”
“I know.”
Her eyes widened. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, let’s say I suspected. Edward knew everything that happened on the ranch. He had to be getting the information from someone. Harper seemed the most likely candidate.”
Quinn cupped her cheek. “I didn’t have any proof, Angel, and I knew you wouldn’t believe me without it. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
He hesitated then took a deep breath. “There’s something else you should know. When I had the accident, I wasn’t going to Chicago, Lanie. I was coming back to Wyoming, to you. The farther I went that night, the more I realized I’d never be able to live without you. So I turned the truck around and headed home. If I hadn’t had the accident we’d have been together all these years.”
Gently, he tilted her face up and searched her eyes. “We both have to stop blaming ourselves. Those years are gone and we can’t get them back. But we can go on and make a life together from here on out.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Now, let’s get downstairs. Dad’s lawyers are waiting.”
* * * * *
Lanie was reeling with shock when they finally left the sitting room. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend the amount of money he’d had in his bank accounts, the “only inheritance Quinn would get”. It was more than most people could earn in ten lifetimes, and her husband hadn’t even blinked.
Zack had been gifted with yet another trust fund, this one earmarked for his education. And it was big enough that he could go to Oxford if he wanted.
Even Jared hadn’t been forgotten. Edward had left him the clinic in Watson. She glanced in her ex-fiancé’s direction. He was standing by himself in a corner, looking lonely and uncomfortable and she couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
“Quinn…”
“I know.” His knuckles skimmed her cheek. “Let’s go talk to him.”
Jared straightened as they approached, his eyes wary. “Sorry to intrude, McAllister. The lawyers insisted I be here.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad Dad left you the clinic. You deserve it after what he put you through.”
The vet’s gaze drifted to hers, then he nodded curtly. “I agree with you. But knowing Edward, he only did it because he hoped I’d keep making trouble for you. You don’t have to worry, though. I won’t. And if it’s any consolation, I think in his own warped way, Edward cared about Zack. He couldn’t have been all bad.”
Lanie threaded her arm through Quinn’s. “Does this mean you’ll be staying in Watson after all?”
“It looks that way.” He cleared his throat. “When you get home I’d like to talk to both of you about buying your grandparents place.”
She smiled at him. “You don’t have to wait. I’d be happy to sell it to you.”
“Guess that means we’ll still be neighbors then.”
“For a few months of the year, anyway.” Her grip tightened on Quinn’s arm as he looked at her in surprise.
“Lanie?”
“Excuse us, Jared. I need to talk to my husband.”
She pulled Quinn away from the others, leading him to a window that overlooked the backyard. Zack was on the swing set, yelling in glee as his feet reached for the sky. Several other children and a few mothers were with him.
“He’ll start school in the fall,” she mused. “It really wouldn’t be good for him to drag him back and forth from here to the ranch every few weeks. And I’m afraid I’m a little selfish. I don’t want to be away from you for even a day.”
She turned from the window to gaze up at Quinn. “When I was in your room, I knew how wrong I’d been to force you to stay in Wyoming. This is your home, and it always will be. And you were right about something else. For me, home is wherever you are. I think we should live here.”
He looked as stunned as she’d felt after hearing the will read. “Lanie, I can’t ask you to do that. You love the ranch.”
“You aren’t asking me.” She touched his cheek. “I’m volunteering. As for the ranch, we’ll still have it. We can spend every summer there, and every holiday. I’m sure Sherry will jump at the chance to run it herself.”
“But you always said you’d die spending your time cooped up in a house. And you hate the idea of country clubs.”
The cleft in her chin became more prominent as she grinned. “Who said I was going to stay cooped up? I think it’s time the McAllister Riding Stable expanded. Some of these people sure look like they could use the exercise.”
Quinn threw back his head and laughed. “I won’t tell them you said that.” His gaze sobered as he put his arms around her. “Lanie, are you sure?”
“I’ve never been so sure about anything. I want Zack to grow up in the same house you did, in the same room. I love you, Quinn.”
His arms tightened and he buried his face in her hair. “And I love you. I promise you, Angel. The second time around is going be a lot better than the first. I’ll never leave you again.”
“I know,” she whispered. “And even if you did, I’d come after you.”
Epilogue
Lanie leaned against the fence in the bright afternoon sun, watching Quinn put Xan through his paces. Beside her, Sherry shifted restlessly. There was something on her foreman’s mind and she waited patiently, knowing Sherry would tell her sooner or later.
Zack ran by on his way to the stable. Now that he was six, he’d decided he was too big for his pony, and Lanie had promised him he could choose his own horse. Spot, almost as big as Zack, trotted at his side, tongue lolling in the heat.
“I can’t get over how Kate has grown,” Sherry commented. “Or how much she looks like Quinn.”
“She acts like him, too.” Lanie smiled at mention of her year-old daughter. “I’m afraid she’s spoiled rotten, thanks to her father and brother. And now Martha has joined her fan club. She hasn’t let Kate out of her sight since we got here yesterday.”
She glanced at Sherry, noting the blonde wasn’t meeting her eyes. “So tell me all the news. How’s Duncan doing with his store?”
“Wonderful. Between the tourists and the locals, he’s really making a killing. And he fits into the
community like he was born here. Everyone loves him. I think he’s planning on dropping by tonight. He misses Quinn when you’re in Chicago.”
“Quinn misses him, too.”
Sherry crossed her arms on the top rail. “Have you heard from Jared?”
“Not in quite a while. What’s up with him?”
“He’s seeing someone, and you’ll never guess who it is.”
Lanie smiled. “Sara Carson?”
“How did you know?” Sherry gaped at her.
“I could say it was a lucky guess, but I always got the feeling Sara was a lot more interested in Jared than she let on.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No, I’m happy for them. They’re more alike than Jared and I ever were.”
Sherry turned to face her, her expression intent. “What about you? Are you happy in Chicago?”
Lanie arched her brow in surprise. “Sherry, you know I am. I’ve got Quinn and the kids, and the riding stable is doing great. I’ve never been happier in my life. Now, are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or am I going to have to pry it out of you?”
The blonde’s face turned three shades of crimson. “Well, I was just wondering if you might be willing to rent me one of the bunkhouses. I mean, I love gramps, and everything, but he doesn’t really need me living with him. And since I’m running the ranch anyway, I thought it might be easier if I lived here.”
“I don’t know why you’re even asking me.” Lanie studied her face. “You’re in charge here. If you want to live in one of the bunkhouses, just move in. And forget the rent.”
Sherry looked down, apparently finding the toe of her boot very interesting. “What if I won’t be living there alone?”
Lanie’s smile turned into a full-fledged grin. “Who is it? Anyone I know?”
A sigh lifted Sherry’s chest. “Cody asked me to marry him.”
“Cody? Cody Simmons? Our Cody?”