Sunrise Canyon (New Americana 1)

“Nope. According to her, she’s too involved in her work to look for a man, or need one—not that I really believe her. Anyway, she’s got Paige for family. She’s done a fine job, raising that little girl of yours.”

Something clenched inside Jake at the thought of being around his daughter. And what about Kira? By now, Paige would be like her own child. She couldn’t be too happy about having the little girl’s father in the picture.

Hell, this was a bad idea. When Dusty showed up at the jail, he should’ve told the old man to mind his own business and walked right back into that cell.

“Does Kira know I was in jail?”

Dusty chuckled. “Nope. I told her you were working in a garage. Far as I’m concerned, that’ll be our secret.”

“And Paige? Does she know I’m coming?”

“Kira didn’t plan to tell her. She didn’t want Paige to be disappointed if you didn’t show up.”

“Then do this for me—and for her.” As soon as he spoke, Jake knew his idea was the only way. “Don’t tell her I’m her father. As far as Paige is concerned, I’m just a man you met who needed work.”

“You don’t think she’ll recognize you?”

Jake recalled the image he’d glimpsed in the mirror of the convenience store restroom—the bloodshot eyes and gaunt cheeks, the shaggy hair streaked with premature gray, the scruffy growth of beard on the lower part of his face. “She won’t recognize me,” he said.

“All right.” Dusty nodded. “For now, that’s not such a bad idea.”

“What about Kira? Will you make sure she knows about it?”

“I’ll tell her right off,” Dusty said.

“I have a feeling Kira won’t be overjoyed to see me.”

Dusty didn’t answer. He was looking out the side window, already watching the freeway signs for the exit to the ranch.

* * *

Kira untangled the covers from her legs, punched her pillow and, lying back, willed herself to drift into slumber. It was no use. She’d been awake most of the night, too agitated to sleep and too tired to get up. She wanted to be in top form for her students tomorrow. But if she didn’t get some decent rest, she’d be a stumbling, coffee-swilling wreck.

She’d closed her eyes and was doing her best to relax when she heard the familiar rumble of Dusty’s Jeep coming up the drive. She sat bolt upright. A glance at the bedside clock told her it was barely two in the morning. Her grandfather was back sooner than expected. Maybe he hadn’t found Jake after all.

Spurred by hope, she sprang out of bed, flung on her flannel bathrobe and shoved her feet into her leather-soled slippers. Headlights cast moving shadows through the window blinds as the Jeep pulled into the yard.

Kira rushed down the hall, through the living room and out onto the front porch. By then, the big vehicle had come to a stop, its engine and lights switched off. Lit by the risen moon, the doors on both sides were opening. Two people. Her heart plummeted.

The lanky figure climbing out of the near side was her grandfather. He moved wearily, his back and limbs stiffened from the long ride. Kira hurried down the steps to lend a supporting arm. She had just reached him when the driver came around the front of the Jeep.

Taller, even, than she remembered, he was dressed in ragged jeans and a denim jacket over a black T-shirt. His features were gaunt; his dark hair was in need of cutting; his body was all bones and sinew. But there could be no mistaking the defiant attitude he’d never lost. She was looking at Jake O’Reilly.

“Hello, Kira.” He’d paused a few steps away, one hand balancing the backpack that was slung over his broad shoulder. A haunted look flickered in his eyes. If she’d passed him on some city street, she might have assumed him to be homeless.

“Hello, Jake.” Her voice betrayed her unease. “I suppose you’ll want to see Paige, but she’s asleep right now. Tomorrow I’ll need time to prepare her. She wasn’t told you were coming. It might be a shock, especially . . .” She looked him up and down, leaving no doubt what she meant.

“Your grandfather has something to tell you, Kira,” Jake said. “Hear him out before you say any more.”

Dusty cleared his throat. “On the way here, we decided it would be best not to tell Paige that Jake’s her father. That’ll give her some time to get used to him, maybe even figure things out for herself. For now, he’ll just be a man we hired to do some maintenance around the place. Does that set all right with you?”

“It’s fine. Good idea.” Kira turned back to Jake. “Your cabin is the one on the far end. It’s unlocked and ready. The key’s on the dresser. If you’re hungry, you can help yourself to any leftovers in the fridge. Breakfast, if you want it, is at seven, or you can fix your own in the kitchen. I’ll let the cook know you’re here tomorrow, so she won’t be startled when you wa

lk in.”

“I’m not hungry now. Anything else?” His gaze narrowed. Kira realized she’d been talking in a nervous stream of words, none of them welcoming. But why should she be anything but honest? She wasn’t happy to have him here—this stranger who had the power to shake her world.

“I said, anything else?” He shifted on his feet, his voice edgy.