Free Ladd Haven by Dianne Venetta Page B

Had
she lost her capacity to encourage and support him through the
tough times? “You don’t think people can change?”
    “ Do you?”
    Visions of Jack came to mind. No, not
Jack. But Troy? Maybe. It was possible. When Casey didn’t respond,
Delaney said, “I called his employer in Kentucky. They seemed real
pleased with him.” Casey turned to her. “Mr. Foster had good things
to say about him as well.”
    “ But they fired
him.”
    “ He made a
mistake.”
    “ A pretty big one, don’t you
think?”
    “ I think we’re all fallible.
I don’t think any man or woman is immune to a fall from grace. I
think it’s more important to know whether or not they’re interested
in picking themselves up and moving on.”
    Casey pivoted on her stool. “What are
you saying? You’re going to give him a job?”
    “ I sure could use a stable
hand who knows his way around a horse. The hotel is booked clear
through Christmas and I’m going to need hands to accommodate all
the guests who will want to ride.” Thoughts of the next six months
warmed her heart. Delaney couldn’t wait to share her horses with
people from all over the world. The first batch of guests had been
thrilled with their trail rides. Word would spread like wildfire,
and she predicted her stables were going to be the hottest spot on
the property!
    “ He’s the best rancher there
ever was,” Casey said. “Nobody knows horses better than
Troy.”
    Delaney slipped into a smile. “Are you
endorsing the hire?”
    Casey retreated just as quickly as she
had advanced. “No, not really, but—”
    “ But you think he’d be a
good fit.”
    She nodded.
    “ I agree. I’ve known Troy
since he was a boy. He’s a good egg.”
    “ You’re not worried about
him drinking or quitting?”
    “ I’m willing to give him the
opportunity to prove otherwise.”
    Casey stilled. A light switch had been
turned on, its dimmer slowly increasing the luminescent of her blue
eyes. “You are?”
    “ I am,” she said, deciding
on the spot.
    Casey fidgeted on her stool, glanced
into the kitchen as a new energy swirled about her. Visibly curbing
her enthusiasm, she remained silent, as though she feared jinxing
it.
    Placing a palm to the counter, Delaney
relaxed into her decision. “I guess I do think people can change,
at least grow and mature and find their way.” She’d done it herself
over the last year. No reason why Troy couldn’t do so.
    “ Thank you, Miss Delaney. I
know he’ll be happy to hear it.”
    “ Are you?” The blunt
question sideswiped Casey, knocking the cheer from her expression.
Nibbling a nail, she rubbed a hand over the high mound of her
belly. In the space of an instant, Casey looked young, vulnerable.
Delaney could smell the insecurity and her heart went out to her.
“You need to tell him about the baby.” Casey dodged her gaze,
seeking the activity in the kitchen. Delaney followed her line of
vision, catching glimpse of an elusive Fran. Instinctively
intuiting the conversation, she was giving them time. It was time
Delaney appreciated. Moving a hand closer to Casey, she added
softly, “He needs to know.”
    “ I don’t know.”
    “ What are you afraid of? Him
leaving?”
    She nodded.
    “ What if he stays? What if
once he knows you’re carrying his child, it gives him the
motivation he needs to stay? Have you thought about
that?”
    Tears pushed into her eyes. “I don’t
want him to stay because of the baby.”
    Comprehension zipped Delaney
tight as a drum. She wanted him to stay
because of her .
    Not out of duty or obligation but
because he wanted her. Of course she did. Struck by the simplicity
of Casey’s desire, Delaney was surprised she had missed
it.

Chapter Eight
     
    Delaney leaned over and pulled the
pistol from her boot, tucked it into her rear waistband, then
tugged her boots off. Setting them alongside those of Nick and
Felicity, she pushed through the front door of her cabin, a torrent
of emotion rumbling through her.