The Rancher Who Took Her In (The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake) Read online

  A runaway bride. A single-dad rancher. Who said opposites don’t attract?

  Perhaps applying to a Help Wanted ad in her wedding gown wasn’t the best way to make a first impression on a job interview! But Kate Scott needed to escape the humiliation of her hastily called-off wedding. Cabot Dixon’s Montana ranch, if not the most welcoming place in the West, seemed like the perfect place to keep a low profile.

  Cabot was a rancher—not a couples’ counselor!—and his past experiences with women (plus the dusty wedding dress) told him Kate was a runner. So when his young son, Tyler, attached himself to Kate and made not-so-subtle hints about wanting her as his mom, the single dad wondered what he’d opened himself up to…especially when he realized that he’d do anything to have the runaway bride by his side for keeps!

  Cabot’s willpower had been forged through crisis and disaster.

  In the years since his wife walked out, he’d learned when to take someone on and when to walk away. It was all about survival. And right now his head was telling him to hit the road as fast as he could. The problem was other parts of him were telling him something else.

  His self-control couldn’t stand up to the force that was Kate. It felt as if he would burn up and blow away if he didn’t kiss her. So he did the only thing he could.

  He pulled her against him and lowered his mouth to hers.

  * * *

  The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake:

  They won’t be single for long!

  Dear Reader,

  When life throws you a curve, have you ever wanted to run away from it all? I sure have, but unfortunately there’s no writer fairy to step in and finish my books. Instead, it’s much less messy and more fun to read about a character who, in a moment of desperation, takes off. The Rancher Who Took Her In is that story.

  Well-known world-class athlete Kate Scott finds her groom kissing another woman at the church on the day of their wedding. Still in her long satin dress, she grabs the keys to her brother’s beat-up old truck and drives until she’s too tired to go on, stopping in Blackwater Lake, Montana. With time on her hands and reluctant to face the humiliation she left behind, she applies for the job of summer camp counselor at a local ranch and feels an instant attraction to the rancher who takes her in.

  Cabot Dixon’s wife ran out on him and their infant son eight years before, so he’s not overly sympathetic to the runaway bride who shows up in the town diner. But his summer camp is opening soon and a counseling position needs filling, so he hires Kate against his better judgment. During their summer together, both Cabot and Kate learn there are different ways to run and only by taking a leap of faith can you learn to trust again.

  Cabot appeared in the first Blackwater Lake book, The Doctor and the Single Mom. Thanks to so many of you who asked for his story. I hope you enjoy it.

  Happy reading!

  Teresa Southwick

  THE RANCHER WHO TOOK HER IN

  Teresa Southwick

  Books by Teresa Southwick

  Harlequin Special Edition

  ☐To Have the Doctor’s Baby #2126

  ~~Her Montana Christmas Groom #2156

  ☐Holding Out for Doctor Perfect #2187

  ☐The Doctor and the Single Mom #2204

  ¤The Maverick’s Christmas Homecoming #2230

  ¶¶The Doctor’s Dating Bargain #2234

  ¶¶Her McKnight in Shining Armor #2271

  ++Finding Family…And Forever? #2320

  ++One Night with the Boss #2326

  >From Maverick to Daddy #2347

  ++The Rancher Who Took Her In #2363

  Silhouette Special Edition

  The Summer House #1510 “Courting Cassandra”

  Midnight, Moonlight & Miracles #1517

  It Takes Three #1631

  ¶The Beauty Queen’s Makeover #1699

  At the Millionaire’s Request #1769

  §§Paging Dr. Daddy #1886

  ☐The Millionaire and the M.D. #1894

  ☐When a Hero Comes Along #1905

  ☐Expecting the Doctor’s Baby #1924

  +Marrying the Virgin Nanny #1960

  ☐The Doctor’s Secret Baby #1982

  +The Nanny and Me #2001

  ~Taming the Montana Millionaire #2059

  ☐The Surgeon’s Favorite Nurse #2067

  ☐Cindy’s Doctor Charming #2097

  Silhouette Books

  The Fortunes of Texas

  Shotgun Vows

  Silhouette Romance

  *And Then He Kissed Me #1405

  *With a Little T.L.C. #1421

  The Acquired Bride #1474

  *Secret Ingredient: Love #1495

  *The Last Marchetti Bachelor #1513

  **Crazy for Lovin’ You #1529

  **This Kiss #1541

  **If You Don’t Know by Now #1560

  **What If We Fall in Love? #1572

  Sky Full of Promise #1624

  ∆To Catch a Sheik #1674

  ∆To Kiss a Sheik #1686

  ∆To Wed a Sheik #1696

  ΩBaby, Oh Baby! #1704

  ΩFlirting with the Boss #1708

  ΩAn Heiress on His Doorstep #1712

  §That Touch of Pink #1799

  §In Good Company #1807

  §Something’s Gotta Give #1815

  ☐Men of Mercy Medical

  +The Nanny Network

  §§The Wilder Family

  *The Marchetti Family

  **Destiny, Texas

  ∆Desert Brides

  ΩIf Wishes Were…

  §Buy-a-Guy

  ¶Most Likely To...

  ~Montana Mavericks: Thunder Canyon Cowboys

  ~~Montana Mavericks: The Texans Are Coming!

  ¤Montana Mavericks: Back in the Saddle

  ¶¶Mercy Medical Montana

  ++The Bachelors of Blackwater Lake

  >Montana Mavericks: 20 Years in the Saddle!

  Other titles by Teresa Southwick available in ebook format.

  TERESA SOUTHWICK

  lives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Harlequin.

  To my female friends.

  Your support and love inspire me every day.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  It wasn’t often a woman walked into the Grizzly Bear Diner wearing a strapless wedding dress and four-inch satin heels.

  If Cabot Dixon wasn’t seeing it for himself, he’d have heard pretty quick because people in Blackwater Lake, Montana, talked and this was something to talk about. The bride had parked a beat-up truck out front and she was a looker. The woman, not the truck. From his seat at the diner counter he had a view of Main Street and had watched her lift the floor-length cream satin skirt in one hand, probably to avoid tripping because it was way too l
ate to keep it from getting dirty. Then she marched inside, as opposed to down the aisle.

  He was sitting on a swivel stool, and she slid between the two beside him to talk with Michelle Crawford, the diner’s owner, who was openly staring.

  “I’m here about the Help Wanted sign in your window.”

  The bride was even prettier up close, with light brown, blond-streaked hair and a figure that could back up traffic for miles. And that wasn’t all. Her voice had the barest hint of huskiness that could stop a man’s beating heart for a second or two.

  There were a few customers in the diner and everyone continued to stare when the newcomer added, “I could use a job.”

  “Okay.” Michelle slipped him a help-me-out expression, obviously wondering if he would jump in, considering he was the one looking to hire.

  When he’d put the Help Wanted sign in the diner window, she’d promised to run interference and weed out the applicants who weren’t really serious so he didn’t have to come all the way into town from the ranch every five minutes. Frankly, he was looking forward to seeing Michelle handle this one on her own. Because there was no groom in sight, the lady clearly was a runner. It would appear that, unlike his ex-wife, she’d cut out before taking vows and getting pregnant.

  Cabot glanced at her flat belly in the tight, unforgiving, dropped-waist gown that wouldn’t hide even an extra ounce of fat, let alone a bump. He couldn’t swear there was no baby on board, but it didn’t look likely. Her bare arms were super toned and she had great shoulders, slender but strong. She was a little lacking in the chest department, but her cute nose and even better mouth made up for it.

  The bride rested her palms on the red Formica counter. “I’ve never waitressed before, but I’m a fast learner and a hard worker—”

  Michelle held up a hand. “Let me stop you right there. I’m not hiring, just handling the interviews for the rancher who is.” She glanced at him. “The ranch is about ten miles outside Blackwater Lake.”

  “I see.” The woman looked momentarily thrown, and then she nodded. “I admit I didn’t read anything on the poster after the help wanted part and that doesn’t speak well about my attention to detail. But I’m a bit distracted just now.”

  Cabot figured that was the truth. The wedding dress was a big clue.

  “Well—” Michelle gave him another jump-in-anytime look. “The job is for a summer camp counselor. The owner runs a program for kids at his ranch, and duties include activities, sports and whatever else comes up. General pitching in as needed.”

  “I can handle that,” the bride said. “I love kids.”

  “I’m not sure you’re what he had in mind.”

  “Who?”

  “The rancher who’s looking to hire,” Michelle responded. “You’re probably overqualified.”

  “I just want to work.” Cabot saw something vulnerable and fragile in her expression. “These days a lot of people are taking jobs they’re overqualified for and happy to have them.”

  She was right about that, he thought. Although the job he needed to fill was more suited to a young college kid or recent graduate, he’d posted the sign in the diner window later than he usually did. Camp was starting soon and most people who wanted summer work had already lined something up. That meant he couldn’t afford to be as picky as usual.

  Michelle folded her arms over her chest and looked the woman up and down. “Even your average employee doesn’t go formal to apply for work.”

  “So you noticed the wedding dress.” The bride’s tone was deliberately casual, as if she always showed up for a job interview in a long white gown. “I guess I stand out like a fly in milk.”

  “Pretty much,” Michelle agreed.

  The woman was plucky, Cabot thought. He’d give her that. Taking a sip of cold coffee, he listened intently, interested to hear what she had to say.

  “The truth is, I ran out on my wedding.”

  “Really? Could have fooled me.” Cabot knew he should have stayed out of this conversation but just couldn’t resist. “So you broke some poor guy’s heart.”

  She met his gaze and took his measure. “And you are?”

  “Cabot Dixon. Couldn’t help overhearing. So, why did you run?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but he’s a lying, cheating, scumbag weasel dog.”

  “That sounds bad,” he said. “But I have to ask—couldn’t you have said something to him before he showed up for the wedding?”

  “Probably I should have. My sister warned me, told me he hit on her, but I was stubborn and didn’t believe. Then I caught him kissing one of my bridesmaids at the church. It seemed like an excellent time to let him know the marriage probably wasn’t going to work out.” She clenched her teeth and a muscle jerked in her delicate jaw. “I hate it when my sister is right.”

  “Jerk,” Michelle said, the single word dripping with disgust.

  Cabot had to agree.

  “I gave him back the ring with a fervent wish that he’d choke on it, but dealing with the rest just then was—” The bride sighed and the movement did amazing things to a chest that suddenly didn’t seem so lacking. “I grabbed the truck keys and left. Drove all night and this looked like as good a place as any to stop.”

  “It is a good place, honey.” Michelle patted her hand and gave him a glance that begged him to take over.

  “What’s your name?” he asked.

  “Katrina Scott. Kate.” She glanced between him and Michelle. “Why do you keep looking at this guy?”

  “I keep looking at this man because he’s Cabot Dixon, the rancher who put the Help Wanted poster in my window. Take over anytime.” Michelle settled a hand on her hip and met his gaze. “In my humble opinion, Kate is just your type.” To the bride she added, “He’s a sucker for hard-luck cases.”

  “I know you mean that in the nicest possible way,” he said to Michelle.

  “Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.” She smiled at the bride and said, “My work here is done. By the way, I’m Michelle Crawford. It’s nice to meet you, Kate. Welcome to Blackwater Lake, Montana.”

  “Thanks.” After the other woman left, Kate turned to him. “You could have said something about being the rancher in question before I spilled my guts.”

  “You were on a roll,” he said.

  “Just so we’re clear, I’m not a hard-luck case. And I don’t suppose there’s a chance that you could overlook or forget everything I just said?”

  “Probably not.”

  “I didn’t think so.” She sighed.

  “So Katrina. Like the hurricane.”

  “I came first and I’m pretty sure my parents named me after a Viking queen or at the very least a Swedish princess.”

  He laughed. She was quick-witted. He liked that. But Michelle was probably right about her being overqualified. He would guess her to be in her late twenties and likely on a career path that had been interrupted by running out on her wedding. Although by the looks of the ancient truck out front, she didn’t have much money.

  “Nice dress.”

  “Thanks. I plan to burn it.” She smoothed a hand over the curve of her hip.

  The gesture drew his attention and suddenly his mouth went dry. This was a pretty strong reaction and he didn’t much trust the feeling, but there was no reason to read anything complicated into it. He was a guy and she was a pretty woman. That was all. But she was looking to work for him and he was looking for a reason to turn her down.

  “You need a job.”

  “It would help me out.”

  She had pride. He understood and respected that.

  Cabot pushed his empty plate and coffee cup away. “Like Michelle said, it’s really a nowhere job.”

  “Just where I want to be.”

  “The kids’ activi
ties include sports—basketball, baseball, soccer.”

  “I’m athletic.” He noted conviction in her voice, not so much in her expression.

  He couldn’t tell about athletic, but she looked as if she was in great shape. “I’m offering minimum wage, and that’s not much more than gas money for a college kid who’s willing to work.”

  “I’m obviously not a college student but definitely not afraid of hard work. And money buys gas whether you’re in school or not,” she said. “I’m sensing hesitation on your part and just want to say that you’re not seeing me at my best right now.”

  He had to disagree with her on that. What he saw was pretty darn nice, although she did look tired. She had dark circles under her eyes. Green eyes, he noted. Beautiful, big green eyes.

  “When was the wedding supposed to be?” he asked.

  “Yesterday.”

  The skirt of her dress had deep creases, as if she’d been sitting for a long time. Behind the wheel of a crappy old truck.

  “Where did you sleep last night?”

  “I didn’t.”

  He’d guess she was running on fumes. “Do you have a place to stay here in Blackwater Lake?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet. Maybe you could recommend something.”

  Glancing out the window, he assessed her ride. The paint was old and chipped, and rust showed through in some places. It had seen better days. He figured she probably couldn’t afford to pay for a room.

  “Blackwater Lake Lodge is the only place in town, but it’s expensive.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll be all right.”

  Again, that was probably pride talking. Sleeping in the truck wasn’t a good idea, but she likely had no other choice. She was here without a lot of options. And somehow he felt she was now his problem, which he didn’t like even a little bit. Bottom line was the camp needed an extra pair of hands and the duties weren’t rocket science. He couldn’t afford to be too choosy.

  He stood up. “The job comes with room and board. Meals included.”

  She blinked those big green eyes at him. “Are you hiring me?”

  “Subject to approval by Caroline Daly. She manages the camp for me and also does the cooking.”