His Unexpected Return

Chapter One

Can I go swimming, Mommy? Piper tugged on Cassidy Danvers’s hand. At almost five, Piper had already perfected the art of the doe-eyed pout.

Cassidy pulled her apron over her head, then set it on the wall of hooks at the back of the kitchen. She turned and eyed the bright pink cast on Piper’s arm. Even when Cassidy plastered every inch of her daughter’s arm in obscene amounts of plastic wrap or used a long bread bag to cover it, Piper had a hard time keeping the cast from getting wet while taking a bath. With her enthusiasm and daring, going in the pool sounded disastrous. Cassidy’s daughter had missed her best friend’s pool-themed birthday party the prior weekend, so it wasn’t the first time they were having the conversation, but if Piper was anything it was determined.

Piper noticed where her eyes fell. I’ll be so careful. She tucked her little casted arm behind her back as if keeping it from Cassidy’s view would somehow make her mom forget about the injury. You’ll see. It will be fine. I just want to swim, Mom. One time.

Baby girl. Cassidy dropped to her knees in the middle of the industrial kitchen where she spent most of her time. Despite the large window AC unit blasting wave after wave of cold air across her skin, the smell of burger grease lingered in the air from dinner. As head cook at the ranch, Cassidy was used to the smell—used to the four walls that made up the dining hall at Red Dog Ranch.

Her safe place.

After a tornado had torn its way through the ranch only weeks ago, the dining hall had been one of the first buildings the work crews had put back together. The owner, Rhett Jarrett, had insisted upon it. Outside, however, at least half of the ranch was still in shambles. Organized shambles, of course, but there was still so much to rebuild.

Too much.

After such destruction, Cassidy wondered if the ranch would ever truly be put back together again. In her life, that had never been the case. Trauma left scars.

Strands of hair had escaped the twin braids hanging over each of Piper’s shoulders. Cassidy brushed the errant wisps away from her daughter’s face, then let her hands cup Piper’s rounded cheeks. Piper had Cassidy’s brown eyes, but her daughter’s hair and expressions were the same as her father’s had been. Wade. Cassidy’s heart squeezed at the thought of him like it always did. Even though his funeral had been five years ago, memories of him invaded her life every day.

Only one more week left until the cast comes off. Cassidy let her hands fall to Piper’s tiny shoulders, offering a light squeeze. Let’s hold off swimming until then. We can do that or something else fun to celebrate. It’ll be your choice.

Piper huffed. But it’s so hot out. Even my knees are sweating.

Cassidy chuckled. It’s called summer in Texas, sweetheart. We’ve got hot days and hotter days. Take your pick.

Uncle Rhett said if you said no to the pool, then I should ask about the sprinkler.

Did he now? Cassidy’s voice warmed. Piper’s uncle Rhett was the new owner of Red Dog Ranch. He had inherited the family estate two months ago and was now devoting every spare minute to rebuilding the ranch in time to host free summer programs for foster kids—a longtime mission of the ranch. But he always made time for Piper.

Piper nodded solemnly. And Aunt Shannon told me she broke her arm one time when she fell from a tree. The same one that I broke. Isn’t that neat? Piper put up her good hand when Cassidy opened her mouth to respond. She was about to explain falling from trees was actually not neat at all. Cassidy loved that Piper was adventurous, but her daughter hardly needed encouragement or ideas that might get her hurt again.

Piper leaned closer, her excitement palpable. That’s not even the best part. Shannon said Grandma still let her swim in the pond and tube on the river with her cast. She just made her wear a bread bag with a rubber band over her arm. Just like I do for tubs! Piper drew a line on her bicep, showing where the rubber band fit.

Cassidy tapped her chin, making a show of giving it all some thought. Sounds like I need to tell Shannon and Rhett they’re not allowed to gang up on me like this.

No, Mommy. Piper’s eyes widened. I like playing with them. Don’t—

I’m only kidding, sweetheart. Cassidy pulled her daughter in for a tight hug. She pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Well, what are we waiting for? Sounds like it’s time to go to the big house and see if the bag we used for last night’s bath is still hole-free.

Really? Piper grinned like it was Christmas. We can? You promise?

Of course. But only to jump through the sprinkler. Cassidy flipped off the lights in the kitchen and took Piper’s hand, ushering her through the expansive dining area, where they weaved around all the tables to get to the front door at the other end of the building. Red Dog Ranch usually functioned as a summer camp for foster children. That was the reason why the dining hall had been built initially, but it was also where meals were served for the staff that lived on the property year-round.

Cassidy held the cumbersome front door of the dining hall open for Piper, then she followed her outside. Bright sunlight momentarily blinded her. She cast her eyes down. Positioned beside the small chapel on a hill that overlooked the ranch, the dining hall got blasted with sunshine in the afternoons.

A wall of heat slowed their progress. It was the type of uncomfortable warmth that made a person want to lie down and not move until it passed. Cassidy gathered her hair into a makeshift ponytail. Summer had quickly glided into the Texas Hill Country, driving the temperature into triple digits so early in the season.

Cassidy? What are you... Why... I didn’t think... It’s you. A man’s voice rocketed through her, making Cassidy startle. Her heart pounded loud and hard in her chest as she turned in the direction of the speaker. Her hands trembled and her throat went drier than the Texas dust.

She knew that voice.

Only one person had ever uttered her name that way. Wrapped three syllables in so much emotion, as if her name was a secret—the best secret—his lips had ever formed.

But it couldn’t be.

Her eyes landed on Wade Jarrett. Wild light brown hair and dark brows. Eyes a muted green like the underside of a leaf after a storm. A mouth with a constant quirk in it as if he was continuously on the edge of smiling, even when he wasn’t trying to.

She gasped and shuffled back on unsteady feet. Cassidy stumbled a bit and would have fallen if Wade hadn’t lunged forward and grabbed her arms, steadying her.

Strong. Solid.

How? she whispered. When? Unable to form a solid sentence, she shook her head. This isn’t real. It can’t be. He offered her a reassuring smile but it only made her shake her head more.

Because Wade Jarrett—the man who had been the love of her life—was dead.

She blinked, but he was still there, his touch sending tingles up her arm.

The man in front of her was very much alive.

Impossible.

You’re here. Wade’s voice was raw. I never imagined... Didn’t think... But you’re here.

Her limbs shook as black edged her vision. She forced herself to gulp in some air, but it was difficult to breathe beyond the wave of nausea pummeling through her body. It’s really you?

Wade nodded. It’s me, Cass.

No one had called her Cass for five years.

A loud sob lodged in her throat as she threw her arms around him. You’re alive. I don’t understand. How are you alive?

Wade hugged her back. Hey, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay. Wade’s voice was the same soft comfort it had always been.

There had been a boating accident and Wade had drowned in the Gulf of Mexico. A gravestone two miles down the road bore his name. Each week, Cassidy watered the black-eyed Susans she had planted there.

But here he was, back in her arms. God had answered the prayers she had stopped praying years ago.

Mommy. A small hand pressed against her thigh.

Piper. She had witnessed everything.

Cassidy broke away from Wade quickly, swiping at her eyes. Wade’s gaze locked with Cassidy’s. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He looked at Piper, then back to Cassidy. His dark brows formed a V.

Cassidy wasn’t prepared for the conversation she would have to have with Wade or her daughter when they realized who each other were. Not yet, not right this second. Cassidy needed her emotions to catch up—needed something to make sense before she could do anything.

She took a step back, finally slipping away from his touch completely.

They had held a funeral. She had mourned him these last five years. This was impossible.

Wade scrubbed at his jaw. Mommy? You’re a mom. He turned his head, focusing on the horizon.

I know who you are. Piper bounced on her feet, drawing his eyes back to her. I’ve seen your pictures in the house. Grandma has them everywhere. Mom too. All over, Piper said. You’re my—

Piper, Cassidy broke in. Go to the big house. Find Rhett. Cassidy jutted her chin toward the large ranch house where most of the Jarrett family lived. If Rhett and Shannon had been talking about going in the sprinkler with Piper, they were both there. And these days, Rhett’s fiancée, Macy, was never too far from him so she was probably there too. Piper would be safe with them while she talked with Wade.

Wade was alive.

All this time.

Where had he been the last five years? Why hadn’t he contacted them? Cassidy needed answers.

Piper scrunched up her face. But, Mom, he’s—

I said inside. Cassidy sidestepped, putting her body in between Piper and Wade. Made it so Piper had to stop gawking at him. She pointed toward the house at the bottom of the hill.

Piper’s eyes narrowed. I know who he is.

Now, Piper. Cassidy’s voice had never been as stern as it was in that moment, but now wasn’t the time for them to meet each other. Not yet. Not formally.

Piper took a few steps back, putting her at an angle where she could see Wade once more. She looked at him for another heartbeat before she obeyed. Cassidy watched her daughter pick her way across the expanse of green in her little cowboy boots, glancing back at them after every couple of steps. Cassidy didn’t say a word, even when Piper was long out of earshot. She watched Piper go up the porch steps and disappear into the house. It wouldn’t take long for her to alert Rhett and Shannon to Wade’s presence. His siblings would probably assume Piper was confused; they thought Wade was dead, after all. But Cassidy knew they would head outside to investigate. They would be here already if they knew.

Lord, help me. How is this possible? How do I navigate this with Piper?

Cassidy sucked in a deep breath. A drop of sweat skated in between her shoulder blades as she turned to face Wade. He worked his jaw around, rubbed at a spot on his neck. His gaze fixed on the door Piper had just vanished through.

Finally his green eyes found hers. Piper. Is she... She’s... Am I...? He cleared his throat, but his voice was still completely raw as he asked, Am I her dad? He glanced down at her hands, checking for a ring. Or is there someone else in your life now?

She’s my daughter, Wade. Cassidy laid her hand on her chest. Until now, she had raised Piper alone, after all. Only mine.

His left eyebrow rose. Always the left. You realize in most cases that’s physically not possible.

She would confirm Piper was his daughter soon enough, but not until they had a chance to talk. The Wade she had known five years ago had been a troubled young man, who had drowned his problems in copious amounts of alcohol. Even when he had been a teenager, he’d had fake IDs so he could go into gaming halls. Before she let him into Piper’s world, she had to find out who he was now.

You have no idea how happy I am to see you, but five years, Wade. Where have you been? Her voice shook a little. We thought you were dead. She could hear the tears gathering behind her words.

He flinched.

Cassidy. His hand moved as if he was going to reach for her again, but it stopped mid-extension. He curled his fingers in slowly, his hand falling back to his side. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked toward the little white chapel. After all this time, I didn’t expect you to be here.

Not an answer. He had always been skilled at avoiding hard conversations, but she needed answers so she could begin to make sense of what had happened. Had he been stranded on some island this whole time? Only recently cured of amnesia? What had prevented him from contacting them?

She spoke each word carefully. There is a headstone with your name on it a few plots from your dad’s. She gestured toward him. Yet here you are. How is that possible?

He rubbed his hand up and down his jaw and traced it down the side of his neck. Blew out a long stream of air as he looked out across the ranch. I’m so sorry.

Cassidy latched onto his arm, seizing all of his attention. What happened? It was as if you just vanished.

That’s because I wanted everyone to think I had.

She jerked her hand away and took a step back. Wait. You...you wanted us to think you were dead? On purpose? Her voice rose.

He took a nervous half step toward her. Let me explain.

Her anger flared, hot and sharp. Late to the party, but very much there.

He had willingly forced them to live through five years of lies.

After all this time, I didn’t expect you to be here.

His words clicked into place. He had left and hadn’t wanted to see her ever again. He wasn’t happy she was here. He had wanted her to go on believing he was gone. A hot wave of embarrassment washed over her. She felt so foolish for flinging her arms around him moments ago, for her tears.

Wade didn’t want her. Maybe never had.

Cassidy willed strength into her body. She would stand tall and face this man. His lie—believing he was dead—had forced her to become resilient, tough and independent. Now he would have to deal with what he had done.

She lifted her chin. You left me alone.

For your own good.

How could you?

Cassidy. He put his hands up defensively. Please, just hear me out.

You missed almost five years of your daughter’s life. There. Now he knew. It wasn’t how she had wanted to confirm his suspicion but she couldn’t take it back now.

His gaze dropped to the toes of his shoes as if the brown leather encasing them was the most interesting thing he had ever seen. His hunched shoulders did nothing to stem her anger, though in any other situation they would have caused her ready compassion to spring forward. She waited for him to say something more, to explain himself. To offer some reason that might suddenly make what he had done okay.

As if anything could.

He glanced up, his gaze latching onto her face as if she was a lighthouse and he was a ship tossed in a storm. I didn’t know. If only I’d known.

Cassidy balled up her hands.

She would not feel bad for him. She would not pity this man who had misused and discarded her as if she had meant nothing.

As if she had not mattered.

Surely if he had loved her at all, he wouldn’t have faked his death. He wouldn’t have let her cry and mourn and grieve for him.

Why? she whispered. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. Why did you do it?

Wade licked his lips. His hand shook right before he shoved it into his hair. I thought... It was for the best, I promise. I did it for you.

Cassidy reeled back. Don’t you dare pin what you did on me. Not this. Not what you put them through. She pointed at the house. At the place where Shannon and their mother had wept for months over him. At the home Rhett had left after he and his father had fought about who was to blame for Wade’s death. The entire Jarrett family lost their way for a while after they thought Wade had died.

Cassidy had almost lost herself in grief too.

She jammed her fingers against her chest. Not after what you put me through.

Cass, hey. He gently took hold of her arm as he stepped nearer. I’m so sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. I shouldn’t have—I’m making a complete mess of this. Of everything.

She yanked her arm away from him. Don’t you ever say you did it for me again, understand? You clearly did it for you and you alone, Wade. So you need to own what you did to everyone.

His eyes widened. That’s not what I meant. Let me ex—

She held up a hand. Moments ago, she had wanted answers, but she no longer wanted to hear whatever lie he was trying to spin to shirk the blame.