Caught Up in a Cowboy, page 27
She felt the blood drain from her face. She hadn’t considered the possibility that they would come to the ranch and try to harm her or her family. The court summons seemed like harm enough. “No. I think Monty is too much of a coward to show up here. He knows both Logan and my dad are armed and wouldn’t hesitate to fire at a trespasser, especially one who was threatening their family. Hell, I’m ready to take a shot at the guy myself.”
“All right. Well, we’re only a few minutes away. Call us if you need us.” Mason stood up. “Thanks again for the meal. I’m going to head home. Be prepared for my mom to call you as soon as she hears about this. Or she might just show up.”
Quinn smiled, comforted by the idea that Vivi would rush to her side.
Logan stacked the remaining plates in a pile. “I’ll get these washed up. Quinn, you better go get Max ready. Dad will be ready to leave soon.”
She nodded, wishing that she could pack a bag and disappear with them.
* * *
Rock stomped into the house and threw his gloves on the counter. He’d spent the last hour in the barn, hauling hay and stacking bales. He’d thought the physical work would give him an outlet for his stress, and his body was exhausted, but his mind still reeled with thoughts of Quinn.
And no amount of busywork would heal the wounds in his heart.
The front door slammed, and Mason strode in, a concerned look on his face.
Rock could tell just by the way he walked that something was going on. “What’s wrong?”
“I was just over at the Rivers’s place, and apparently, that scumbag Hill has filed some kind of petition with the courts to try to get custody of Max.”
“What? That’s insane. On what grounds?”
“He claims that you sent him to the emergency room yesterday.”
“Are you kidding me? I barely touched the guy. I’ve taken worse hits and played a full period on the ice.”
“Quinn told us what happened, and from the sounds of it, the guy is lucky you didn’t beat him into a bloody pulp.”
“It wasn’t for lack of desire. I wanted to and would have done much worse if Quinn hadn’t pulled me out of there. But that was between me and Hill. How can he use that against Quinn?”
Mason shrugged. “He’s saying something about her putting Max in dangerous situations and arguing that it’s your fault the kid’s arm got broken at the ice rink.”
A heavy weight settled in his chest. It had been his fault. And now look what had happened. He’d caused Quinn and her boy even more pain and harm.
He grabbed his keys from the counter. “I’ve got to go over there. I need to tell her I’m sorry.” But she didn’t want to see him. She’d made that perfectly clear the day before.
Rage and frustration boiled in his blood, and he hurled his keys across the kitchen. They hit a glass mixing bowl and knocked it to the floor, shattering it into several pieces.
“FUCK!” Rock yelled, then scrubbed his hands across his face. “I can’t go over there. She doesn’t want to see me anymore. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
He’d never felt so helpless.
He had power and money and was strong as an ox, yet when the woman he loved needed him, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do.
Except… An idea struck him, and he reached for his phone. “She may not let me help her, but I know who can.”
Mason had grabbed the broom and was sweeping the broken shards of glass into a dustpan. “Yeah, but who’s gonna help you when Mom finds out you broke her favorite mixing bowl?”
Rock ignored him as he scrolled through his contacts. Finding the one he wanted, he tapped the screen and held the phone to his ear.
* * *
The next afternoon, Quinn stood nervously outside the courtroom doors. She peered down the hall, watching for her lawyer to appear. She’d considered saving the expense and representing herself. Her bank account couldn’t take the hit, and besides, she had the law on her side on this one. It was up to Monty to prove that she’d done something wrong.
But it was Max. And she couldn’t take a chance that anything would happen to him. He was worth every cent she had to protect him.
She’d called Bob Dempsey the night before and asked him to meet her at the courthouse today. He was an old friend of her father’s, and both the Rivers’s and the James’s ranches used him as their legal counsel when they were in need of such a thing.
And she was in serious need.
Her dad had taken Max the night before, and she’d spent a restless night worrying about today. Thankfully, she still had Logan.
He’d said he had a couple more things to do at the ranch, then he’d meet her at the courthouse, and she peered anxiously down the hall, watching for both her brother and the elderly cowboy who would serve as her lawyer.
Bile rose in her throat as Monty stepped through the doors instead and swaggered toward her. The left side of his face was swollen, and a purple bruise circled his eye. Three dark stitches under a transparent butterfly bandage held a small cut together on his cheekbone.
The corner of his lip was swollen, yet he still managed to offer her an arrogant grin. “Hey, Quinn.” He looked around her shoulder. “Where’s Rockford?”
Rock? Why was he worried about where Rock was? If anything, the guy should be nervous that if Rock were here, he’d blacken his other eye.
She was considering doing it herself. “He’s not here.”
He leaned down, close enough that she could smell the scent of coffee and cigarettes on his breath. “I hope he’s at the bank, getting my money.”
Money? What money?
He tilted his head. “Didn’t he tell you about my little offer to him the other day? I thought you two were closer than that.”
She pushed back her shoulders, not wanting him to see that he was getting to her, and putting on a braver front than she felt. “Yeah, he did. Of course he did,” she bluffed. “But he’s not paying you any money.”
“He better reconsider that idea. You tell him this is just the beginning. I don’t care if he pays it or your dad coughs it up again, but either they get me my money, or this is just the first of many battles you and I will fight—in court, and otherwise.”
Fear spiraled down her back like a trickle of ice water on her spine, and she couldn’t speak.
Monty’s words spun inside her already dizzy head. Or your dad coughs it up again.
Again?
Had her dad paid Monty off before? Is that why he’d left town? Is that why he’d never contacted Max?
Monty’s eyes gleamed, like he knew he’d hit a nerve with his threat, and he twisted the knife one more turn. “The internet is full of petitions and forms, and it only costs me fifteen bucks to file them with the county. I can tie you up in court proceedings for years, and that’s gonna cost you more than if you just pay up now. Because, honey, I’ve got nothing to lose. And you’ve got everything to lose.”
“Quinn Rivers?” A tall man wearing an expensive suit and carrying a leather briefcase walked up behind Monty.
“See ya inside,” Monty said, giving her a lurid wink before turning toward the courtroom doors. “Remember what I said.”
Quinn turned to the man, feeling like she’d just had the wind knocked out of her. “Yes, I’m Quinn Rivers.”
The man held out his hand. A gold designer watch shined on his wrist. “I’m Michael Brennan, from Hughes, Brennan, and Baker Law. I’ll be representing you today.”
She shook her head. “But I already have a lawyer.”
“I understand. And I’ve already spoken with Mr. Dempsey, and we agreed that I’ll be taking over your case.”
She leaned her head into her hand, rubbing her fingers into her aching forehead. “I don’t understand. And no offense, but I can’t afford another lawyer.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about that. Rock sent me. I’m with the firm that represents his team. We take care of the players and their families.” He smiled encouragingly at her. “And I owe Rock a favor. So honestly, there’s no charge. I’m happy to help you.”
Logan hurried up to Quinn and put an arm around her shoulders. “You okay? Who’s this?” He eyed the other man suspiciously.
“Michael Brennan. Apparently, he’s my lawyer. Rock sent him.”
Logan’s eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. “Nice. Good to meet you. I’m Logan Rivers, Quinn’s brother.”
Michael smiled and shook his hand, then pulled open the door and held it for her. “Call me Mike. And we should go in. We don’t want to be late.”
Her heart pounded as she walked down the aisle and toward the table at the front of the courtroom. Logan squeezed her shoulders, then slipped into the seats behind her as Michael pulled out her chair and she sank into it.
Feeling stunned and still winded, she couldn’t quite grasp the happenings of the last few minutes. She was still reeling from Monty’s declaration that her dad had paid him off, and now Rock had arranged for a top-notch lawyer to represent her.
The bailiff stood and called out to the courtroom, “All rise for the Honorable Judge William Moray.”
They all stood as Judge Moray entered from a side door and approached the bench. He was a tall man, probably in his early sixties, with a full head of silver-white hair. His eyes were sharp and narrowed as he surveyed the courtroom, then sat down behind the bench.
His face remained passive, but Quinn wondered what he was thinking about Monty’s obvious injuries. She almost wished she’d gone sleeveless—she had a few bruises of her own to show.
The judge silently studied her and her lawyer, then turned his gaze to Monty. “Do you have legal representation that you’re waiting on, Mr. Hill?”
“Huh?” Monty said.
“A lawyer. Do you have a lawyer?”
“No. I don’t need one. I’ve got the law on my side.”
She winced, thankful that she had gone ahead with securing an attorney. Even though she’d been thinking the same thing earlier, she didn’t realize how idiotic it sounded until it came out of Monty’s mouth.
The judge raised an eyebrow at Monty but didn’t say anything more. He turned his attention to Quinn’s side of the room.
Michael gave a respectful nod to the judge. “Michael Brennan, Your Honor, attorney for Ms. Rivers.”
The judge nodded back, then cleared his throat. “Let’s get started then.”
Chapter 24
Less than an hour later, Quinn left the courthouse alone and hurried down the sidewalk to her car. She pulled the door shut behind her, leaned back against the seat, and let out a shaky breath.
The hearing was over, and she couldn’t believe how well it had gone.
Having Michael Brennan there had been a godsend. He was smart and succinct, answering the judge’s questions and making Monty look like a fool.
She’d allowed herself a tiny fist pump at the best part of the hearing when Michael had slipped in the fact that Monty had never paid a dime in child support nor claimed Max as his child until the week prior.
Rock must have filled Michael in on their history, because he seemed to know all the right things to say about what kind of mother she was and about the safety and security of the home that she, her dad, and her brother provided for Max.
He’d been amazing, and from the way Monty had skulked out of the courtroom after being ordered to pay back child support, she figured that she wouldn’t be hearing from him again anytime soon.
She crossed her fingers and started the car. With everything going on the past few weeks, she still hadn’t taken it into the shop, but Logan had put in a new battery, and it had seemed to be running fine again.
Rolling down the window to let out the summer heat, she headed toward the Triple J Ranch. She had Rock to thank for all of this. And she needed to do it in person.
She called her dad on the way out of town and gave him the good news. He said he’d bring Max home that night. She didn’t bring up the subject of him paying off Monty. They’d have plenty of time to talk about that later, and she didn’t feel like picking a fight with him now.
Pulling into the driveway of the James’s ranch, she noticed that Rock’s truck was next to the barn. Her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him again.
Stop it, she told herself. This was just about a simple thank-you. Nothing more.
Nothing had changed since the last time she’d seen him.
He was still leaving, still going back to Denver, back to the team. And she was still being left behind.
That hadn’t changed.
But he had come through for her. He’d been there when she really needed him.
And she did owe him her thanks.
Could she have thanked him over the phone? Probably. But she didn’t want to dissect her reasons for showing up at the ranch in person too closely. She felt too good, too happy about the results of the hearing.
And he was the one she wanted to share that happiness with.
Vivi’s car was parked in front of the porch steps, and she came out of the house, carrying a Crock-Pot, her hands covered in colorful oven mitts. “Quinn, darlin’, I heard the good news. I just got off the phone with Hamilton, and he told me that the judge dismissed that idiot’s claims.”
Dang, word did travel fast.
Vivi nestled the Crock-Pot in the box of dish towels that sat on the front seat of her car, then stood to give Quinn a hug. “I’m so glad that it all worked out.”
“Thank you.”
“Listen, honey, I have to get this chili down to the church, but if you need me, I can wait, make some coffee, and sit a spell with you.”
“No, really. Thank you, but I’m okay. You go on. I really came to see Rock. To thank him for sending the lawyer. He made all the difference.”
Vivi nodded as she circled the front of her car. “I’m glad. But Rock’s not here. He went to Denver first thing this morning. He said he had some errands to run and a meeting with his coach. He should be back before too long. He called a couple of hours ago from the bank and said he was almost finished, then he was headed back up the mountain.”
“The bank?” A bad feeling rumbled through her stomach. Surely he wasn’t considering Monty’s threats. “What was he doing at the bank?”
Vivi shrugged “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. That boy can take care of his own finances. It’s got nothing to do with me.” She opened the car door, then gestured toward the house. “You’re welcome to wait for him. I just made a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. Help yourself. I know how you used to love those.”
“Thanks. I think I will wait for a bit.” Quinn waved, then walked up the porch steps and into the house.
Wandering through the living room and into the kitchen, the smell of chocolate chip cookies in the air, she was flooded with memories of being in this house as a kid, sitting at this table and having cookies and milk with Rock.
That was before.
Before the remodel—before the house and the boy who lived in it had changed.
The renovations were amazing though. At least of the house.
She plucked a cookie from the cooling rack and nibbled on it as she wondered if the boy hadn’t changed as well—hadn’t gone through his own renovations and improvements.
He really had come through for her today.
Not just in sending her Michael Brennan, but by giving him all of the ammunition he needed to support her against Monty’s claims. Rock must have spoken highly of her to Michael for him to have all of that information.
She wandered around the kitchen, wishing he would hurry up and get home already. Pulling out her phone, she tapped the screen to call his number.
She heard the ring in her ear at the same time that a ringtone sounded from a phone sitting on the counter in the kitchen.
She recognized the phone as Rock’s, and a lump formed in her throat at the ringtone that played when she called his phone. It had been their song in high school.
Crossing the kitchen, she looked down at his phone and smiled at the simple Q that came up as her contact information. She hung up, watching the screen as it changed to his wallpaper of the team’s logo.
A text message box was at the top of the phone, and she let out a small gasp as she read the message that was labeled from Coach Sullivan. She could read only the first words of the text, but they were enough.
I refuse to accept your resignation. Call me as soon…
Resignation?
Had Rock really quit the team?
Was that the meeting he had with his coach that morning? She’d assumed it involved setting the timetable for when he would be healthy enough to return to practice.
She sagged against the counter, her mind and her heart trying to comprehend why Rock would quit the team, why he would give up the thing he loved so much.
There was only one reason he would quit and give that all up.
Well, two, really.
Her and Max.
She stood staring at the text message, the other half of the cookie forgotten in her hand, as her heart battled it out with her head.
The choices seemed like many, but really, there was only one.
And that was to stop thinking, stop analyzing every decision, and just act.
Shoving the rest of the cookie in her mouth, she left Rock’s house, hurrying down the front steps and to her car.
One of her favorite songs was playing on the radio as she pulled out of the driveway—a song that spoke of warm summer nights and riding in the truck next to the one you love. She turned up the stereo, singing along as the dust flew behind her on the country road leading away from the ranch.
She was on her way to find Rock. She didn’t know how, but she knew she couldn’t sit and wait for him one more second. She had to move, to act, to run—whatever it took to find him and fling herself into his arms.
“All right. Well, we’re only a few minutes away. Call us if you need us.” Mason stood up. “Thanks again for the meal. I’m going to head home. Be prepared for my mom to call you as soon as she hears about this. Or she might just show up.”
Quinn smiled, comforted by the idea that Vivi would rush to her side.
Logan stacked the remaining plates in a pile. “I’ll get these washed up. Quinn, you better go get Max ready. Dad will be ready to leave soon.”
She nodded, wishing that she could pack a bag and disappear with them.
* * *
Rock stomped into the house and threw his gloves on the counter. He’d spent the last hour in the barn, hauling hay and stacking bales. He’d thought the physical work would give him an outlet for his stress, and his body was exhausted, but his mind still reeled with thoughts of Quinn.
And no amount of busywork would heal the wounds in his heart.
The front door slammed, and Mason strode in, a concerned look on his face.
Rock could tell just by the way he walked that something was going on. “What’s wrong?”
“I was just over at the Rivers’s place, and apparently, that scumbag Hill has filed some kind of petition with the courts to try to get custody of Max.”
“What? That’s insane. On what grounds?”
“He claims that you sent him to the emergency room yesterday.”
“Are you kidding me? I barely touched the guy. I’ve taken worse hits and played a full period on the ice.”
“Quinn told us what happened, and from the sounds of it, the guy is lucky you didn’t beat him into a bloody pulp.”
“It wasn’t for lack of desire. I wanted to and would have done much worse if Quinn hadn’t pulled me out of there. But that was between me and Hill. How can he use that against Quinn?”
Mason shrugged. “He’s saying something about her putting Max in dangerous situations and arguing that it’s your fault the kid’s arm got broken at the ice rink.”
A heavy weight settled in his chest. It had been his fault. And now look what had happened. He’d caused Quinn and her boy even more pain and harm.
He grabbed his keys from the counter. “I’ve got to go over there. I need to tell her I’m sorry.” But she didn’t want to see him. She’d made that perfectly clear the day before.
Rage and frustration boiled in his blood, and he hurled his keys across the kitchen. They hit a glass mixing bowl and knocked it to the floor, shattering it into several pieces.
“FUCK!” Rock yelled, then scrubbed his hands across his face. “I can’t go over there. She doesn’t want to see me anymore. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
He’d never felt so helpless.
He had power and money and was strong as an ox, yet when the woman he loved needed him, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do.
Except… An idea struck him, and he reached for his phone. “She may not let me help her, but I know who can.”
Mason had grabbed the broom and was sweeping the broken shards of glass into a dustpan. “Yeah, but who’s gonna help you when Mom finds out you broke her favorite mixing bowl?”
Rock ignored him as he scrolled through his contacts. Finding the one he wanted, he tapped the screen and held the phone to his ear.
* * *
The next afternoon, Quinn stood nervously outside the courtroom doors. She peered down the hall, watching for her lawyer to appear. She’d considered saving the expense and representing herself. Her bank account couldn’t take the hit, and besides, she had the law on her side on this one. It was up to Monty to prove that she’d done something wrong.
But it was Max. And she couldn’t take a chance that anything would happen to him. He was worth every cent she had to protect him.
She’d called Bob Dempsey the night before and asked him to meet her at the courthouse today. He was an old friend of her father’s, and both the Rivers’s and the James’s ranches used him as their legal counsel when they were in need of such a thing.
And she was in serious need.
Her dad had taken Max the night before, and she’d spent a restless night worrying about today. Thankfully, she still had Logan.
He’d said he had a couple more things to do at the ranch, then he’d meet her at the courthouse, and she peered anxiously down the hall, watching for both her brother and the elderly cowboy who would serve as her lawyer.
Bile rose in her throat as Monty stepped through the doors instead and swaggered toward her. The left side of his face was swollen, and a purple bruise circled his eye. Three dark stitches under a transparent butterfly bandage held a small cut together on his cheekbone.
The corner of his lip was swollen, yet he still managed to offer her an arrogant grin. “Hey, Quinn.” He looked around her shoulder. “Where’s Rockford?”
Rock? Why was he worried about where Rock was? If anything, the guy should be nervous that if Rock were here, he’d blacken his other eye.
She was considering doing it herself. “He’s not here.”
He leaned down, close enough that she could smell the scent of coffee and cigarettes on his breath. “I hope he’s at the bank, getting my money.”
Money? What money?
He tilted his head. “Didn’t he tell you about my little offer to him the other day? I thought you two were closer than that.”
She pushed back her shoulders, not wanting him to see that he was getting to her, and putting on a braver front than she felt. “Yeah, he did. Of course he did,” she bluffed. “But he’s not paying you any money.”
“He better reconsider that idea. You tell him this is just the beginning. I don’t care if he pays it or your dad coughs it up again, but either they get me my money, or this is just the first of many battles you and I will fight—in court, and otherwise.”
Fear spiraled down her back like a trickle of ice water on her spine, and she couldn’t speak.
Monty’s words spun inside her already dizzy head. Or your dad coughs it up again.
Again?
Had her dad paid Monty off before? Is that why he’d left town? Is that why he’d never contacted Max?
Monty’s eyes gleamed, like he knew he’d hit a nerve with his threat, and he twisted the knife one more turn. “The internet is full of petitions and forms, and it only costs me fifteen bucks to file them with the county. I can tie you up in court proceedings for years, and that’s gonna cost you more than if you just pay up now. Because, honey, I’ve got nothing to lose. And you’ve got everything to lose.”
“Quinn Rivers?” A tall man wearing an expensive suit and carrying a leather briefcase walked up behind Monty.
“See ya inside,” Monty said, giving her a lurid wink before turning toward the courtroom doors. “Remember what I said.”
Quinn turned to the man, feeling like she’d just had the wind knocked out of her. “Yes, I’m Quinn Rivers.”
The man held out his hand. A gold designer watch shined on his wrist. “I’m Michael Brennan, from Hughes, Brennan, and Baker Law. I’ll be representing you today.”
She shook her head. “But I already have a lawyer.”
“I understand. And I’ve already spoken with Mr. Dempsey, and we agreed that I’ll be taking over your case.”
She leaned her head into her hand, rubbing her fingers into her aching forehead. “I don’t understand. And no offense, but I can’t afford another lawyer.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about that. Rock sent me. I’m with the firm that represents his team. We take care of the players and their families.” He smiled encouragingly at her. “And I owe Rock a favor. So honestly, there’s no charge. I’m happy to help you.”
Logan hurried up to Quinn and put an arm around her shoulders. “You okay? Who’s this?” He eyed the other man suspiciously.
“Michael Brennan. Apparently, he’s my lawyer. Rock sent him.”
Logan’s eyes widened, and a grin spread across his face. “Nice. Good to meet you. I’m Logan Rivers, Quinn’s brother.”
Michael smiled and shook his hand, then pulled open the door and held it for her. “Call me Mike. And we should go in. We don’t want to be late.”
Her heart pounded as she walked down the aisle and toward the table at the front of the courtroom. Logan squeezed her shoulders, then slipped into the seats behind her as Michael pulled out her chair and she sank into it.
Feeling stunned and still winded, she couldn’t quite grasp the happenings of the last few minutes. She was still reeling from Monty’s declaration that her dad had paid him off, and now Rock had arranged for a top-notch lawyer to represent her.
The bailiff stood and called out to the courtroom, “All rise for the Honorable Judge William Moray.”
They all stood as Judge Moray entered from a side door and approached the bench. He was a tall man, probably in his early sixties, with a full head of silver-white hair. His eyes were sharp and narrowed as he surveyed the courtroom, then sat down behind the bench.
His face remained passive, but Quinn wondered what he was thinking about Monty’s obvious injuries. She almost wished she’d gone sleeveless—she had a few bruises of her own to show.
The judge silently studied her and her lawyer, then turned his gaze to Monty. “Do you have legal representation that you’re waiting on, Mr. Hill?”
“Huh?” Monty said.
“A lawyer. Do you have a lawyer?”
“No. I don’t need one. I’ve got the law on my side.”
She winced, thankful that she had gone ahead with securing an attorney. Even though she’d been thinking the same thing earlier, she didn’t realize how idiotic it sounded until it came out of Monty’s mouth.
The judge raised an eyebrow at Monty but didn’t say anything more. He turned his attention to Quinn’s side of the room.
Michael gave a respectful nod to the judge. “Michael Brennan, Your Honor, attorney for Ms. Rivers.”
The judge nodded back, then cleared his throat. “Let’s get started then.”
Chapter 24
Less than an hour later, Quinn left the courthouse alone and hurried down the sidewalk to her car. She pulled the door shut behind her, leaned back against the seat, and let out a shaky breath.
The hearing was over, and she couldn’t believe how well it had gone.
Having Michael Brennan there had been a godsend. He was smart and succinct, answering the judge’s questions and making Monty look like a fool.
She’d allowed herself a tiny fist pump at the best part of the hearing when Michael had slipped in the fact that Monty had never paid a dime in child support nor claimed Max as his child until the week prior.
Rock must have filled Michael in on their history, because he seemed to know all the right things to say about what kind of mother she was and about the safety and security of the home that she, her dad, and her brother provided for Max.
He’d been amazing, and from the way Monty had skulked out of the courtroom after being ordered to pay back child support, she figured that she wouldn’t be hearing from him again anytime soon.
She crossed her fingers and started the car. With everything going on the past few weeks, she still hadn’t taken it into the shop, but Logan had put in a new battery, and it had seemed to be running fine again.
Rolling down the window to let out the summer heat, she headed toward the Triple J Ranch. She had Rock to thank for all of this. And she needed to do it in person.
She called her dad on the way out of town and gave him the good news. He said he’d bring Max home that night. She didn’t bring up the subject of him paying off Monty. They’d have plenty of time to talk about that later, and she didn’t feel like picking a fight with him now.
Pulling into the driveway of the James’s ranch, she noticed that Rock’s truck was next to the barn. Her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him again.
Stop it, she told herself. This was just about a simple thank-you. Nothing more.
Nothing had changed since the last time she’d seen him.
He was still leaving, still going back to Denver, back to the team. And she was still being left behind.
That hadn’t changed.
But he had come through for her. He’d been there when she really needed him.
And she did owe him her thanks.
Could she have thanked him over the phone? Probably. But she didn’t want to dissect her reasons for showing up at the ranch in person too closely. She felt too good, too happy about the results of the hearing.
And he was the one she wanted to share that happiness with.
Vivi’s car was parked in front of the porch steps, and she came out of the house, carrying a Crock-Pot, her hands covered in colorful oven mitts. “Quinn, darlin’, I heard the good news. I just got off the phone with Hamilton, and he told me that the judge dismissed that idiot’s claims.”
Dang, word did travel fast.
Vivi nestled the Crock-Pot in the box of dish towels that sat on the front seat of her car, then stood to give Quinn a hug. “I’m so glad that it all worked out.”
“Thank you.”
“Listen, honey, I have to get this chili down to the church, but if you need me, I can wait, make some coffee, and sit a spell with you.”
“No, really. Thank you, but I’m okay. You go on. I really came to see Rock. To thank him for sending the lawyer. He made all the difference.”
Vivi nodded as she circled the front of her car. “I’m glad. But Rock’s not here. He went to Denver first thing this morning. He said he had some errands to run and a meeting with his coach. He should be back before too long. He called a couple of hours ago from the bank and said he was almost finished, then he was headed back up the mountain.”
“The bank?” A bad feeling rumbled through her stomach. Surely he wasn’t considering Monty’s threats. “What was he doing at the bank?”
Vivi shrugged “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. That boy can take care of his own finances. It’s got nothing to do with me.” She opened the car door, then gestured toward the house. “You’re welcome to wait for him. I just made a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies. Help yourself. I know how you used to love those.”
“Thanks. I think I will wait for a bit.” Quinn waved, then walked up the porch steps and into the house.
Wandering through the living room and into the kitchen, the smell of chocolate chip cookies in the air, she was flooded with memories of being in this house as a kid, sitting at this table and having cookies and milk with Rock.
That was before.
Before the remodel—before the house and the boy who lived in it had changed.
The renovations were amazing though. At least of the house.
She plucked a cookie from the cooling rack and nibbled on it as she wondered if the boy hadn’t changed as well—hadn’t gone through his own renovations and improvements.
He really had come through for her today.
Not just in sending her Michael Brennan, but by giving him all of the ammunition he needed to support her against Monty’s claims. Rock must have spoken highly of her to Michael for him to have all of that information.
She wandered around the kitchen, wishing he would hurry up and get home already. Pulling out her phone, she tapped the screen to call his number.
She heard the ring in her ear at the same time that a ringtone sounded from a phone sitting on the counter in the kitchen.
She recognized the phone as Rock’s, and a lump formed in her throat at the ringtone that played when she called his phone. It had been their song in high school.
Crossing the kitchen, she looked down at his phone and smiled at the simple Q that came up as her contact information. She hung up, watching the screen as it changed to his wallpaper of the team’s logo.
A text message box was at the top of the phone, and she let out a small gasp as she read the message that was labeled from Coach Sullivan. She could read only the first words of the text, but they were enough.
I refuse to accept your resignation. Call me as soon…
Resignation?
Had Rock really quit the team?
Was that the meeting he had with his coach that morning? She’d assumed it involved setting the timetable for when he would be healthy enough to return to practice.
She sagged against the counter, her mind and her heart trying to comprehend why Rock would quit the team, why he would give up the thing he loved so much.
There was only one reason he would quit and give that all up.
Well, two, really.
Her and Max.
She stood staring at the text message, the other half of the cookie forgotten in her hand, as her heart battled it out with her head.
The choices seemed like many, but really, there was only one.
And that was to stop thinking, stop analyzing every decision, and just act.
Shoving the rest of the cookie in her mouth, she left Rock’s house, hurrying down the front steps and to her car.
One of her favorite songs was playing on the radio as she pulled out of the driveway—a song that spoke of warm summer nights and riding in the truck next to the one you love. She turned up the stereo, singing along as the dust flew behind her on the country road leading away from the ranch.
She was on her way to find Rock. She didn’t know how, but she knew she couldn’t sit and wait for him one more second. She had to move, to act, to run—whatever it took to find him and fling herself into his arms.
