But Ricky had told him to make things right. Rachel and Katie were Ricky’s only connection to Cinco, and for Ricky’s sake, Ty had to try to forgive Rachel for her deception.
When Rachel didn’t answer, he said, “I usually do a better job with words. Most people think my speech is flawless, especially in the courtroom. But in this case, I guess I don’t know what to say. I was wrong, but I’d like to think I did it for the right reasons.”
Still nothing. Rachel continued looking at him like she thought he was a jerk. If it weren’t for Ricky, Ty would have given up already. As far as Ty was concerned, he didn’t need a relationship with someone like her. But Ricky did. Which meant Ty would go the extra mile.
“I hope you’ll find it in your heart to give me a second chance,” Ty said as they reached the landing. He gestured at the first door on the right. “This is you.”
He pulled a key out of his pocket and handed it to her. “I know we said you’re part of the family now, and you are. We don’t usually have guests come into this wing, and you should be safe. But just in case you needed a little peace of mind, I had a lock put on the door so you can lock it as you please.”
She took the key and stared at it. “You had it installed?”
He shrugged. “After everything that’s happened, you don’t have a reason to trust us. Even though we welcome you as family, it might still feel like you’re staying with strangers. This is one more way to make you feel secure.”
After unlocking the door, Ty pointed out the layout of the wing, including where Wanda stayed as well as the hallway leading to the wing that housed Ricky’s quarters. As they entered the suite, he watched as she took in all the details. The sitting area had a wet bar, and Wanda had put together a small tray of refreshments.
When he saw her gaze go that way, he said, “The fridge is stocked with some things Wanda thought you might like.”
“You must think I’m incredibly ungrateful,” she said. “You have to understand. I’m not used to people rolling out the red carpet for me.”
As he looked at the tiny lines around her eyes, he could see the strain and the toll dealing with her situation all alone must’ve taken on her. The preliminary report from his investigator indicated that everything she’d said was true. But other information had also come to light. Katie’s father had been a well-known lawyer, his name familiar to Ty. Ty hadn’t liked him much, because the man was a hothead. Chris Henderson was a good lawyer, and given the custody battle with Rachel at the time of his death, Ty felt sorry for Rachel. Chris wasn’t the sort of man to give up without a fight, and he played dirty tricks. The investigator had indicated Chris was having Rachel investigated for being an unfit mother. Ty hadn’t spent much time with Rachel, but he already knew it couldn’t be true. Still, he would look into the allegations, if only to be thorough and give everyone peace of mind.
But for now he had to work on making Rachel feel comfortable here.
“We’re trying not to overwhelm you too much,” Ty said, looking at the expression on her face and trying to read it. If he had to hazard a guess, he’d say that their attempts had failed. She looked more than overwhelmed, and he wished he could do something about it.
“I know,” Rachel said. “And I appreciate that. I’m sure my coming on the scene wasn’t what you were expecting, either. You asked me for a second chance. We could both use a fresh start. Let’s just pretend we’re meeting for the first time today.”
The tired smile she gave him told him that what she needed wasn’t another half-sincere apology, but time. Something she might not have much of, if they weren’t successful in finding her a kidney.
And there was still the other matter. Of wanting to hug her and tell her it was going to be okay, and that they’d get through it together. Which was something Ty wouldn’t do, no matter how tempting. He couldn’t be that man for her, not when she’d already shown him that when their desires were at odds, she wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to get what she wanted—including lie.
People might call Ty ruthless, but there were lines he’d never cross. He deserved a woman who adhered to those same principles.
“Fine,” Ty said. “I’m Ty Warner. Welcome to the Double R Ranch.”
He extended a hand and gave her the same warm welcome he’d give any other guest. She might be someone special to Ricky, but beyond that, to Ty, she was just like anyone else, and he wasn’t going to let himself get attached.
Chapter Six
As soon as Rachel got out of the car at church on Sunday and let Katie out, Katie went running to where her new friends, Sam and Ryan, were gathered with a bunch of other children. Her heart melted a little bit as Sam gave her a hug when she handed him the picture she’d painstakingly drawn for him earlier in the week. She had another for Ryan, who also hugged her when she gave him the picture. It was weird to Rachel, finding herself a member of this community and being welcomed with open arms.
She cast a glance over at Ricky, who was talking with Ty and the pastor. Even though it went against her better judgment, she’d agreed to allow him to let people quietly know that she was his granddaughter, and, as much as she hated to impose on a bunch of strangers, that she was in need of a kidney. From the way they all turned and looked at her, that must have been
