The Lonesome Rancher (13 page)

S
LOAN
knew in his heart he couldn’t stay away today, so he drove into town. He had to support his father no matter what. He had to stand with his family. After all Clay Merrick had always stood by him. If Clay wanted to claim his daughter, there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He would never feel brotherly toward Jade, but if nothing else she deserved to be a Merrick.

Pulling into the parking lot, he saw it was full. There were numerous news vans and reporters anticipating the senator’s arrival. But Sloan didn’t see his father’s town car anywhere when he pulled around to the alley and in at the back of the building. He parked his truck, then went inside the door. Several workers greeted him, but no media people were allowed inside, which he was grateful for.

A few minutes later, his dad appeared along with his mother and Alisa. He combed the area for Jade, but she wasn’t with them.

“Sloan, you came,” his mother said, surprised.

“I thought you might need me,” he told her. “There’s quite a crowd out there.”

She nodded. “We were expecting this. Your father can handle it.”

Clay turned around and nodded. “Glad you’re here, son.”

Sloan held his breath a moment as his father conversed with one of his workers.

“Where’s Jade?”

His father closed the office door, making it only the family. “She didn’t come.”

“I see that.” He looked around at each family member.

“Okay, someone tell me what’s going on.”

Clay was the first to speak. “I had plans to announce she was my daughter.” His father’s gaze locked on him. “But Jade said she didn’t want to disrupt this family anymore.”

Sloan couldn’t swallow the dryness in his throat. “She just changed her mind?”

Louisa spoke up. “It was never Jade’s idea to announce anything. She only wanted to find her father. Yet, no matter how much we wanted her to be a part of us, she didn’t feel as if she belonged here.”

Sloan knew why. He was the cause of this. “Okay, I wasn’t happy she invaded our lives, but for her to go away?” He suddenly recalled every cruel word he’d said to her and felt ashamed. He had to do something. He headed for the door. “Where is she? I’ll go and convince her she belongs here.”

“It’s too late,” Alisa said, looking sad. “She’s headed back to Dallas.”

Sloan felt like he’d been punched in the gut. “She’s gone?”

His sister spoke up. “Does it really matter to you?”

He stared at her. He didn’t think she’d leave, not after the DNA results. Truth was, he was the reason
Jade left. In the end it might have cost him his best chance at happiness.

“Sloan.”

He looked at his father.

“Are you all right?”

He would laugh if he wasn’t so miserable. “Sure, I’m great.”

His father gave him a half smile and walked toward him. “If it’s any help, I know you were trying to protect us. And Jade knows that, too.”

“You were right it could have been handled better. I never even let her have the chance.” He looked at the man who’d always been there for him. “I’m sorry. Tell me what to do to fix it.”

“This isn’t about me, son. I’m going to have a relationship with my daughter no matter if she’s here or in Dallas. It’s you I’m worried about.” Clay leaned against the railing. “Over the years you’ve had to give up a lot because of me. Your privacy, for one. I know the price you’ve had to pay, especially with your personal life.”

Sloan knew he was talking about Crystal. But in truth, he hadn’t wasted much time thinking about the woman in over a year. “Jade is different.” Emotions made it hard for Sloan to speak. “I need to make things right.”

“I know you do, son,” Clay said, folding his arms. “Now, how about you be honest about your feelings for Jade?”

He swallowed, knowing his feelings ran deep. So deep he was not going to let her go. Not if he could help it. “First, if I can get her to forgive me, I plan to stand right next to her, while you tell the world she’s a Merrick.”

Alisa grinned. “Wow, my brother’s in love.”

He glared at his sister. “I need to talk to Jade. Dad, can I borrow your plane? I need to get to Dallas.”

Clay smiled this time. “There’s no need, yet.” He checked his watch. “She’s probably still at River’s End. If you hurry you’ll catch her.”

Sloan felt excitement rush him. “At the house?”

“No, at her great-grandparents’ place. She’s saying goodbye.”

Sloan recalled all the questions she’d asked about Otis. How much work she’d put into the house. Every detail had to be just right. He felt his chest tighten. What a fool he’d been. How could he think she didn’t belong here? He had to get her to forgive him.

Jade stood at the ridge looking over River’s End, thinking about the generations of Merricks who’d once lived here. How hard they’d work to build this place, to develop the land. She wished she’d had the chance to learn more about Otis and Sarah. She smiled. Maybe when Clay came for a visit she could find out from him.

She sighed. Staying longer wasn’t going to make her departure any easier. Heading back to the house, she took time to examine the simplicity of the new tongue-and-groove flooring that had been painted gray along with the new white railing.

She opened the heavy oak door and walked inside. The scent of fresh paint still lingered as she discovered pretty much everything was finished. The oak floors gleamed a honey hue, the fireplace had been cleaned and Otis’s furniture sanded and polished to a high gloss.

The place looked wonderful. She was proud she had been a part in the restoration.

The cozy living room was so inviting. She’d always
felt at home here from the very first. Walking into the kitchen area she could almost picture Sarah preparing supper. She ran her fingertips over the new soapstone countertops. A farmhouse sink was below the window overlooking a corral that had nearly disappeared into the landscape. She bet Otis’s wife stood here daily and watched for her husband to come home.

She released a long breath. How simple life had been back then. Just to be able to love someone without any complications.

She knew now that coming to Kerry Springs hadn’t been a mistake. She’d found a lot of her heritage, along with her father, and an added bonus, a sister and a wonderful stepmother who’d opened her arms to her.

She always had a home to come to.

Yet, Jade knew she couldn’t live at the ranch. It was Sloan’s home first, and her being here would only hurt him. She loved him too much to cause any more pain.

Jade continued her journey through the living area and glanced back at the fireplace. This had been where she first started to fall in love with a rancher named Sloan Merrick. Remembering the day they’d been stranded here made her smile, but it didn’t stop her tears.

She went into the bedroom. This was her favorite room. It was painted a pretty blue-gray, and the magnificent hand-carved headboard stood out like a piece of art.

Spread across the bed was a beautiful Double Wedding Ring quilt in blues and soft greens. Where had that come from?

She frowned, not expecting to see this here. She raised one of the corners and found the initials QC.

“The ladies from the Quilters’ Corner?”

Jade thought about the friends she’d made in town: Liz, Beth, Millie, Lisa, Louisa and, of course, Jenny. No, she had no regrets coming to Kerry Springs.

She had a father. What a lucky girl she was to find him. And as sad as she felt, she was glad she met Sloan, too.

“I’ll never be able to come into this room without seeing you.”

Jade swung around and saw Sloan. Her breath caught as she looked him over. He was wearing new jeans and a white Western-style shirt. He placed his black Stetson on the dresser and walked toward her. She sucked in a breath, not knowing whether to run or to stay and hold her ground. She just couldn’t argue anymore.

“I just came to get the rest of my things.” She started for the door. “I’m leaving.”

He reached out to stop her, but she stepped away. “Please don’t go, Jade.”

She paused, trying to gather up enough strength to keep going. “Why? If you’re worried that I’ll spill my guts to the first newspaper, don’t be. I’m not telling a soul that I’m Clay’s daughter. Oh, that’s right you don’t believe anything I say.”

He winced. “I was wrong, Jade.”

She sighed. “So was I. I was wrong to keep secrets, and wrong to encourage you. What was not a mistake was that I got to meet my father. But don’t worry, I’ll be gone as soon as I load my car.” She glanced away, anything but to look at him. “Goodbye, Sloan. Tell Clay I’ll wait for him to call me.”

She turned to leave, but this time he stopped her as he took her arm.

“Please, Jade, I know I don’t deserve it, but just hear me out.”

She shook her head. “I can’t do this anymore, Sloan. Isn’t it enough for you that I’m leaving town? What more do you want from me?”

“You. I want you, Jade. I know I’ve made so many mistakes, and I wish I could take all those cruel things I said back. I can’t. So I’m asking for your forgiveness, Jade. Forgive me for trying to drive you away. You belong here on Merrick land. And the last thing I want is for you to leave this place.”

She could only stare at him, afraid to hope.

“You should be here with your father and sister. River’s End is your heritage. Your great-grandfather and grandmother lived here in this house. I understand why you were so interested in the stories when we were stranded here during the storm. You are a Merrick.”

“Thank you for that.” She blinked back her tears. “I want you to know that I’m not going to take anything from you. I know how important the ranch is to you. That’s why I’m returning to Dallas. I don’t want you and your family at odds.”

“That’s exactly what will happen if you do leave.”

She paused, searching his face again for any encouragement. He took her hand in his and pulled her closer. She didn’t resist as she felt his heat, his strength. Okay, she was weak when it came to this man.

“You can’t leave,” he continued. “I need you.” He swallowed. “I want you to stay not just because of Clay, Louisa and Alisa, but for me, too. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Jade.”

Her gaze locked with the dark depths of his. She needed more from him. “Why should I stay, Sloan?”

“Because I love you, Jade. I think I fell in love with you the day of the storm, right here in this house. I tried to tell myself it was all physical, that I wanted noth
ing to do with a woman who needed a commitment. That I could live here, work the land without giving my heart.” His hands cupped her face. “Somehow you broke through, and no matter how many times I tried to push you away, I still wanted you. I love you, Jade Hamilton Merrick.”

His mouth closed over hers and he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against him. Her chest tightened with emotion, with longing for this man. He loved her!

The kiss was gentle and tender, and then became intense and hungry. She clung to him, afraid that she would break the spell.

Finally Sloan tore his mouth away. “Jade, when I discovered you were leaving I’d already planned to come after you, to beg you to come back.” He looked her in the eye. “I had no business to blame you for what Crystal did. I should have known what a good person you were, just seeing what you’ve done for Mom.” He kissed each eyelid and along her jawline, sending chills down her spine. “Say you’ll forgive me, Jade. And please stay.”

“Oh, Sloan, I forgive you. I love you, too.”

Sloan covered her mouth again and soon they were both lost in the kiss. He didn’t mind that, either, except that he had more to do, more to say.

He broke off the kiss and stepped back. “Damn, you’re distracting me again.”

She laughed. “What did I do?”

“Just looking into those incredible eyes of yours, I get lost.” He released her and began to pace the room. “That first day when you arrived at the ranch.” He stopped. “No, correction, it was when I saw you in
town. Even through my anger, I was thrown by how beautiful you were. I wanted you even then.”

She smiled. “You had a funny way of showing it.”

“Not anymore.” He grew serious again as he stopped in front of her. “I don’t want you to doubt my feelings for you ever again.” He looked into her wide green eyes and released a breath. “I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I deserve your love. I want to share everything with you. I promise that I will always be there for you. Will you marry me, Jade?”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, Sloan. Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He suddenly grinned. “Really?”

She nodded and he kissed her.

This time she was the one who pulled back. “I have a question. How will the family feel about us?”

“They’ve already given their blessing.” He pulled her to the bed and raised the corner of the quilt. “As you can see, so have the ladies of the Quilters’ Corner.”

Jade was surprised. “How could they finish this so fast? We didn’t even know.”

Sloan shrugged. “I have no idea. Mom says they’ve been working on it since that day they took you to lunch at Rory’s Bar and Grill. Seems when I came in, they could see something going on between us. And they were hoping I would get you to stay.”

She touched the beautiful blanket. “Can I ask a favor?”

“Anything. Ask away.”

“Do you think we could have this bed? It’s so beautiful. I mean, move it to your house.” She raised an eyebrow. “That is where we’ll be living, isn’t it?”

“Unless you don’t like the house. I’ll build you a new one. Anywhere.”

She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. “First of all, I love your house. I want to live on Merrick land. It’s where you run your business.” She placed a soft kiss against his mouth. “You are a rancher, and I’ll be honored to be a rancher’s wife.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Maybe we should go and tell the family our news.”

“Later.” He dipped her toward the inviting bed, but she resisted.

“No, Sloan. That’s our wedding quilt and marriage bed. It’s for after our wedding.”

He groaned. “Then we’re going to start a new tradition and have a very short engagement.”