The Rancher's Redemption

“Did you just tell me to calm down?”

There was a dangerous glint in Lizzie’s eyes that made Adam scramble to back up and rephrase. “I meant that when you look at this logically, it might be an opportunity to allow Ray’s family some limited access to Roman, which is, after all, what you originally wanted.”

He held his breath as she studied him.

“Okay, you might have a point.” Lizzie conceded and took another turn around the room. “She’s not going to go away now, is she?”

“Probably not,” Adam said. “I’m happy to sit in with you if you want to meet her again.”

“Thanks.” Lizzie groaned and pushed her hair away from her face. “Why did she have to turn up right now when CPS are investigating me?”

“Coretta probably clued her in,” Adam suggested. “And if she did see pictures of Roman, she probably realized what she was missing.”

“He is pretty darn cute.” Lizzie flopped down on the couch, her anger leaving her as suddenly as it had risen, and raised her arms above her head. “I’m going to have to talk to her again, aren’t I?”

Adam sat beside her and put her feet in his lap. “It might be a good idea.” He rubbed his hand over the arch of her foot. “I really will come with you if you need me.”

“Thanks. You’re certainly a lot calmer than I am.”

“I don’t have a son to protect,” Adam said gruffly. “But if I did, I’d want his mother to be just like you.”

“Oh, Adam . . .”

Lizzie launched herself at him, knocking off his hat, and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face under his chin. He gathered her close and just held her, rocking her back and forth as she cried.

Eventually, she drew back and swallowed hard, her blue eyes still full of tears. “I’m sorry. I hate getting mad. Whenever I do I immediately start crying afterward.”

“It’s okay.” He reached over to the countertop, grabbed a tissue from the box, and handed it to her. “You had a right to be upset.”

“Not with you.” She blew her nose. “I was so calm in front of Miranda that I couldn’t keep it together any longer when I saw you.”

“I’m a tough guy. I can take it.”

She leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you for talking me down from the ledge.”

“You would’ve gotten there by yourself eventually.” He kissed her back. “You’re no fool.”

He had his arm around her waist, and, as she didn’t seem inclined to move, he kept it there. She placed her palm against his chest over his heart.

“I will have to talk to her again.”

“Yeah.”

“I’d like you to be there, but I’m worried that if she sees you with me, she might get the wrong idea.”

“What wrong idea?” Adam asked slowly.

“That we’re a couple or something.”

He frowned. “I thought we were a couple.” He tried not to feel hurt. “Aren’t we?”

“I didn’t want to assume—” Lizzie sighed. “Oh God, now I’ve messed up again and hurt your feelings.”

“No, I just thought we were going out.” He looked into her eyes. “I want that. Don’t you?”

“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate to answer, and some part of his soul quieted down. “I’d love that.”

He kissed her. “Then consider it settled. We’re a couple. If you want me to come and support you when you talk to Mrs. Smith, I’ll be there. Just let me know the when and where.”

* * *

Lizzie scrambled out of Adam’s lap and disposed of her tissue before running to the bathroom where she spent a few minutes splashing cold water on her flushed face. She needed to get back to work, and she refused to let Miranda ruin her day.

When she came out of the bathroom, Adam was in the kitchen. He’d rolled up his shirtsleeves and was cooking something on the stove.

“Get some plates out, will you? I’m making us scrambled eggs.”

Tears threatened again at his calm demeanor and the mere fact that he’d thought to feed her when she was at her most vulnerable. She pushed her feelings down and went to open the correct cupboard.