The Ranger's Rodeo Rebel (18 page)

Lane's stomach hardened. Curly had announced his retirement six weeks ago. All this time he'd thought the position had been his. “You could have told me at any point between then and now. Letting me find out in front of everyone was cruel. I know you've never been my biggest fan. You made that clear when I dated Lucy ten years ago and you've never let me forget it, but a little respect would've been appreciated.”

“You're right.” Nicolino nodded. “I knew how much you wanted it and I should've told you. It has nothing to do with you once dating Lucy—it was strictly a business decision. That being said, I'm sure I don't have to remind you that she's your new boss. You're an excellent employee and I need you here, but if working with her is going to be a problem, you may want to start looking elsewhere. Lucy's here to stay.”

Nicolino's words punched him in the gut. He could work for a woman. He could even work for Lucy, but he didn't feel he should have to. Nicolino was wrong. He was qualified to manage Bridle Dance and he'd prove it.

“Understood.” Lane left the office and headed for the stables where he'd last seen Lucy. Their reunion had been a long time coming and Lane wished it were in a private setting instead of the middle of his workplace. Spotting her halfway up the spiral staircase leading to the main administrative offices, Lane called out to her.

“Lucy, do you have a minute?”

She froze at the sound of his voice, not turning to face him at first. Slowly she loosened her white-knuckled grip on the railing and made her way back down the stairs.

“Lane, I'm surprised to see you. I thought you had moved to Wyoming.”

Her Italian accent wasn't as heavy as he remembered. Her English had improved significantly, but her voice was still velvety rich and deep, yet utterly feminine.

He had waited ten years to have this conversation, and the resentment he'd bottled up finally broke free. “I was in Wyoming. Waiting for you in the apartment that I'd rented for us. But you never came.” He could taste the bitterness in his tone. “You never answered any of my calls or emails. Then, a year later, I found out you'd gone and married someone else. So I guess you could say I never thought I'd see you again.”

“Lower your voice, please. If you want to discuss this, we will, but my employees don't need to know my personal business.”

“Your employees.” Lane smirked. “How easily the phrase rolls off your tongue. For the record, I'm one of your employees. I'm sure there are quite a few around here who remember you, and many others probably already know we dated for four years.”

“We were teenagers back then, and what do you mean you work for me?” Lucy asked.

“I'm your second-in-command—the assistant barn manager.”

“I didn't know.” Lucy squeezed her eyes shut and for a moment Lane wondered if she was attempting to wish him away. She opened them and came a step closer. “Things got complicated after I left.” Her voice was low. “I never meant to hurt you, but it's in the past. I'm trusting that we can work together, because, Lane, I could really use a friend right now. Someday I'll tell you all about it—but not today, and definitely not here. If you will please excuse me, I have paperwork to fill out upstairs. I'd like to meet with you later this afternoon to go over the barn schedules...if you have time.”

Lucy's raw honesty startled him and Lane suspected that whatever had happened back then paled in comparison to what had happened recently. And that bothered him more than he cared to admit. “I'll be here. Page me if you can't find me.”

“Mamma,” a small voice called out from behind them.

“Carina!” Lucy perked up at the sight of the child, who was accompanied by Ella
.

Lucy has a daughter?

“Did you come to see where I work?”

Carina nodded and quickly walked past her mother to the stalls.
“Sono molto belli!”

“In English, Carina,” Lucy corrected.

“They are very beautiful.” The girl's thick accent was reminiscent of the one Lucy had had when they first met.

“Come here,
mia gattina
. I want you to meet someone.” Lucy waved the girl over. “Lane, I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Carina.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Lane shook her hand. His mind raced as he attempted to determine the girl's age. Finally, he asked, “How old are you?”

“Almost nine,” she answered.

Lane swallowed hard, quickly doing the math in his head. He blew out a breath, relieved she couldn't possibly be his. When he looked up at Lucy, she shook her head and quickly looked away as if she'd read his mind.

“I'm going to show Carina around,” Ella interrupted. “Then we'll head over to Aunt Kay's house.”

Lucy gave her daughter a quick kiss goodbye. “Thank you, Ella.” A silent look of concern briefly passed between the two women.

He waited until Carina was out of earshot before he attempted to explain. “I didn't mean to imply—”

“Yes, you did.” Lucy brushed past him. “Your poker game must really suck with tells like those. You and I are in the past. Things happened, and we've both moved on, so let's not make a scene.”

Things.
Lane had thought they were more than a
thing
back then.
“No problem.” Lucy continued up the stairs as Lane watched Ella and Carina exit the stables. He felt like a damned fool. It had been bad enough finding out she'd married someone else. It was entirely different to know that while he'd been planning their future in Wyoming, Lucy had been carrying another man's baby. All the scenarios he'd imagined as to why he'd never heard from her again had always been forgivable. This wasn't.

Copyright © 2016 by Amanda Renee

ISBN-13: 9781488006227

The Ranger's Rodeo Rebel

Copyright © 2016 by Pamela Britton

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