Ricky smiled as he shook his head. “I would never regret befriending a child. Children are precious gifts from God. I only wish our society valued them more.”
Rachel’s smile made Ty’s heart skip a beat. They’d had plenty of nice-looking women show up at the ranch, trying to seduce their way into both Ricky’s and Ty’s wallets. Even though Ty didn’t believe Rachel’s motives in being here were pure, he did know that her smile was genuine. And it took his breath away.
Maybe the real threat she posed wasn’t to Ricky, but to Ty. It made him doubly glad that he’d already sent Rachel’s info to the investigator. Women didn’t just use their pretty smiles to get what they wanted from Ricky; Ty had also been burned by it. He knew better than to trust that a person’s motives were really what they said they were.
Whatever Rachel was up to, her real plans would be exposed soon enough. Until then, he’d remain on guard.
Chapter Two
Rachel hadn’t wanted to impose, despite what Ty seemed to think, but when Ricky offered them the chance to stay in a cute little cabin, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. Especially since it was the exact one she’d been admiring on the internet. Besides, they’d been at the ranch for a couple of hours, and Ty hadn’t left Ricky’s side. How was she supposed to talk to Ricky about what she’d found on the DNA website and tell him about her kidney situation?
Based on the conversation at the café, it sounded like others had come to the ranch claiming to be Ricky’s long-lost grandchild. She didn’t know the full story, but she did have the DNA website to back up her claims. And, unlike the people Ty referenced, Rachel didn’t want anything from Ricky, other than the names of other possible relatives who might be willing to help her. But how was she supposed to convince Ty that she wasn’t a schemer after a paycheck?
And if she didn’t convince Ty, how was she going to get Ricky alone?
She set her bag on the dresser, then turned to Katie. “Are you ready to go exploring?”
Ricky had given her a map of the property, and one of the trails was marked as being suitable for families with children. It looped around a lake and sounded pretty. It had been a long time since Rachel had had the opportunity go to hiking, and she missed spending time outdoors.
Katie grabbed the small backpack she liked to carry with her. “Maybe we’ll find treasure!”
Rachel grinned. “Maybe. Let’s fill our water bottles and we can go.”
As she stood at the sink, a knock sounded at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Katie called.
Her daughter skipped to the door with the reckless joy she always had, and Rachel felt a pang in her heart. What if she didn’t get to watch Katie grow up? She treasured every one of these moments, hoping they wouldn’t be all she got.
When Katie opened the door, Ty stood at the entrance.
“Ricky said you were going hiking. He thought I should come with you, and you could tell me your ideas for an ad campaign.”
Even though she was just thinking about how to win Ty over, she had to admit that she didn’t want to spend one of the few peaceful moments she’d been looking forward to with the disapproving man. She wasn’t ready to have to put up her defenses against a lawyer who seemed to be looking for a reason to tear her down. Rachel hadn’t done anything wrong, but that didn’t mean Ty wouldn’t find something.
“I was thinking about doing the loop around the lake. It seems like it would be easy enough for Katie.”
Part of her hoped he’d say it was too difficult and find some excuse to not go with them, but it only brought a smile to his face.
“The lake, huh? That’s one of my favorite places on the ranch.” He turned to Katie. “Have you ever gone fishing? There’s a great spot just off the trail. We could catch dinner.”
She’d only been fishing herself once. With one of her many foster families who’d meant well, but had never connected with Rachel. She’d spent the entire time being chased by her foster brother, who’d thrown fish guts at her. Not exactly something she wanted to relive.
But the grin on her daughter’s face made it impossible to refuse.
“I’ve always wanted to catch a fish,” Katie said.
This was why she was here. Yes, she wanted to talk to Ricky and see if he could help her find a kidney. But more than that, she wanted to make lasting memories with her daughter. No matter what happened, Katie would have good memories of her mother and know that she was deeply loved.
Rachel hadn’t had those memories of her mother before she’d died, and if history was going to repeat itself and leave another little girl orphaned too soon, at least Rachel could change that one piece.
Ty smiled, and once again Rachel found herself wanting to let her guard down. He seemed almost harmless, and if she didn’t know better, she’d let herself trust him.
Especially when he turned that smile on her. “I don’t want to impose on your weekend, but I do know this place like the back of my hand. If you’re serious about earning our advertising business, this is your shot.”
“Please, Mommy?”
Even if Katie hadn’t given her such a puppy dog look, Rachel wouldn’t have been able to refuse.
At least Ty was making his intentions known up front. He wasn’t trying to be their friend. He was taking them on a fun outing to hear her sales pitch. Similar to when she’d go golfing with clients. Only here, it was fishing, and he’d been kind enough to include her daughter, remembering that she was also here to spend time with Katie.
“That sounds wonderful,” Rachel said. “I don’t have much experience with fishing, so it will be fun for us both to learn. I’m
