by Gold, Ciara
Emma, on the other hand, kept an immaculate home if memory served him right. Her room wouldn’t be cluttered with worthless dolls. A mental picture of Emma baking in the kitchen set his heart to pumping. His thoughts continued to take him into a make-believe world as she placed a plate full of buttered biscuits, roast smothered in gravy, mashed potatoes, and black-eyed peas in front of him. Three or four kids would run in, their endless chatter filling the empty spaces. At night, he would carry her to bed and...
He closed his eyes, the daydream making him pleasantly hard. The soft scent of lilacs wafted over him, reminding him of Kaitlin. Cool blue eyes seemed to intrude from nowhere and shattered the image of Emma’s warm body next to his. How could he be so foolish, lying on Kaitlin’s bed and dreaming of Emma? He opened his eyes once more to the army of dolls that guarded Kaitlin’s room. Hmm, not Kaitlin. Katy seemed a more fitting handle for the strange woman. Calling her Katy gave her a softer, more feminine persona.
The hard ridge in his pants pushed against the seams, demanding release. Fool or not, he’d wanted things to work between him and Emma. He conceded he’d been more in love with the idea of marriage than with the woman. Mentally, he’d prepared himself to take on the responsibilities of a wife, physically needing the warm and willing arms of a lover and a friend. How he hated giving up the dream that was Emma, though he knew in his heart he hadn’t loved her.
“Uncle Bryce?” Charley called from the other side of the door.
Bryce grabbed the pillow and set it in his lap to hide the tell-tale signs of his wandering thoughts. “Come on in.”
Charley peered around the doorframe. She’d put on a flowing white nightgown that swallowed her. He beckoned her forward with a smile. She sat on the foot of his bed, her pretty features a mask of forlorn displeasure. He frowned.
“Spit it out, girl. No sense in holdin’ on to what’s botherin’ you.” Bryce rested his hands on the pillow.
“I wanna go home now.”
“Why? I thought you were enjoyin’ your time here.”
Charley shrugged. “Maybe. I just wanna go home now.”
“You gotta have a better reason than that.” Bryce set the pillow aside, no longer needing its protection. He leaned closer to Charley.
“I don’t like her.”
“Who? Kaitlin? Why?”
“I don’t know. She stares at me weird. And she has some funny views about things—things my momma would have disagreed with.”
“Seemed like you were havin’ a good time tonight holdin’ that flag,” he said. In fact, Charley had seemed downright disappointed when he’d hauled them all home.
“Well, I kinda liked the singin’ part, and the streetcar ride was fun, but I didn’t like standin’ in the cold, and I wouldn’t have gone in the first place if’n she hadn’t made me.”
“Made you?” His temper sparked anew. Katy had no right dragging a child to a saloon, especially if that child hadn’t wanted to go. “You mean Kaitlin forced you to go on that march?”
“She said I needed to learn early to stand up for my rights, to voice my opinion. Thing is, my opinion don’t line up with hers. I don’t cotton to the notion of women votin’ and men not drinkin’. It don’t seem right.”
“She forced you to go.” The statement was redundant, but he’d said it again more to convince himself Charley wasn’t spinning tales. He studied his ward’s face, knowing the child enjoyed stirring up trouble.
“Charley, give it to me straight. You know how I dislike lying. Did Kaitlin threaten you?” He squeezed her knee. “How did she force you to go?”
Charley twisted the hem of her nightgown, refusing to meet his eyes. He doubted the truth of her story until she glanced his way, tears glistening on her eyelashes.
“Charley, tell me true. What did your aunt do to make you attend that gatherin’?”
“Please, Bryce. Let’s just drop it.”
Her manipulation hit home. She knew just how to make him dance to her tune. She had a way of giving him just enough information to make him angry, and then back off until he badgered her for more. By the time she finished telling him the story, he would likely be past the boiling point. Yet, knowing she fed his temper, he continued to let her work her wiles.
“No droppin’ it now, girl. You started this, and I aim to finish it. I want to know what Kaitlin did.”
Charley wiped at her moist eyes. “She accused me of havin’ no ambition, of being lazy. She said no woman worth her salt would just sit back and take what men dish out.”
“And?” Bryce didn’t really see how that was so bad.
Charley must have thought she’d lost her audience. She took a deep breath, and he knew, as surely as he knew a heifer from a bull, whatever Charley said next would be the catalyst that would send him over the edge. He’d had a bad enough day today, and he needed the release. He needed a reason to vent some of his anger and frustration, and bless Charley for giving him ammunition.
Charley took a deep breath. “Aunt Kaitlin said I weren’t welcome to stay if I didn’t support her cause. She had no use for a worthless child.”
“Worthless child?” That did it. Charley didn’t need to lie as far as he could see. Katy, on the other hand, could have very well said those things to Charley. She was just stodgy enough to badger the girl, and he wasn’t going to allow it to continue. He had yet to discuss Charley’s inappropriate presence at the saloon anyway. He might as well lay it all out on the table. Yep, that saucy woman was about to get a piece of his mind.
Bryce jumped up from the bed, his anger riding just below the surface. Charley got up to follow, and he turned back to her. “You stay here. I don’t trust myself to stay rational, and I’d rather you not witness the dust devil I’m about to stir with my words.”
Charley sat down for a minute and got back up again. She followed at a distance, and he said nothing more to discourage her. He was too focused on setting things right with Kaitlin to worry about Charley.
His forceful knock upon Maggie’s bedroom door rattled the entire doorframe. “Kaitlin! Katy Kanatzer, I want to talk to you.”
“It will have to wait. I’m getting ready for bed.” The muffled answered fueled his temper more.
“This can’t wait,” he boomed.
Maggie opened the door a crack, and he pushed himself through just in time to catch a glimpse of Katy’s shapely ankles before the billowy nightdress settled into place. She whirled to face him, the stain of anger high on her cheekbones.
“Mr. Stanton, you will remove yourself from our room at once.”
“Not until we get a few things straight.” He craned his neck, determined to make his temper known.
Against his wishes, Charley stood in the doorway. Bryce nodded toward Charley. “Did you badger the girl into goin’ to that protest movement tonight?”
“Badger her? I don’t think I understand your meaning.” Kaitlin grabbed a dressing robe and slipped into it. Maggie stole a look at Charley. Bryce noted the smug expression on his ward’s features, but it wasn’t enough to cool his anger. Charley had ignited flames that had been stoked long before she’d made her accusations.
Maggie shook her head, understanding clear in her brown eyes. “Oh Lordy, girl. What mischief did you whip up this time?”
Bryce pointed a finger at Kaitlin. “Takin’ Charley to that saloon was a very irresponsible thing to do on your part, but Charley tells me she didn’t want to go, that you forced her into participatin’. What were you thinkin’?”
Maggie scooted around Bryce and ushered Charley out the door. “I think I’m real thirsty. Think I’ll go on down to the kitchen and get me a drink of water. Come on, Charley. You look thirsty, too.”
“Don’t you dare leave me alone with this lunatic.”
But Maggie shut the door, leaving Bryce alone with Kaitlin in the bedroom.
“Good. Now we can hash this out without any interruptions,” Bryce said, enjoying the discomfiture upon her stunned face.
“There’s nothing to hash out except your rude intrusion into this room.”
He glanced around the room, liking the simple decor. “A right fine room, too. Maggie has good taste, less cluttered than yours.”
“Say what you came to say and get out.” She pointed a slender finger toward the door.
He glanced down at her bare feet. The dainty toes peeking out from beneath her gown made him lose his train of thought. His imagination drifted upward, and he wondered what else was naked beneath the layers of material.
“Reckon I flew off the handle a mite. It’s been a rough day.” Bryce scratched his head, suddenly realizing just how inappropriate his intrusion into this private room really was. “I guess Charley’s accusations lit my fuse. On the other hand, I think I’m justified. Charley had no business goin’ on that march with you tonight.”
“Make up your mind. You bring Charley here and all but give her over to my care. And now, you don’t like the care I’m giving her.” Kaitlin tilted her head, and frizzy stray curls framed her round face. The rest of her hair was tucked into a tight bun at the base of her neck. “You’re the one who demanded I take responsibility for that girl while you gallivanted around town. She’s too mischievous to be leaving alone in this house.”
“You could’ve made other arrangements, or you could’ve told me you planned to be out tonight. I would’ve come back to watch Charley.”
She raised a brow. “Instead of drinking yourself silly at that saloon?”
“Whoa, there.” He held up his hands. “This fight isn’t about me. This is about you and your niece. I can’t condone you forcin’ Charley to go on your little protest march against her will.”
“Force is a very strong word.” She rocked back on her heels. “That girl’s eleven, old enough to form her own opinions.”
“Accordin’ to Charley, you didn’t give her a choice, which makes it your opinion and not hers.”
“I believe your ward misled you.”
While he knew Charley to be less than honest on many occasion, Kaitlin’s assumption aggravated him. “How so? Are you callin’ Charley a liar?”
“Perhaps she just misinterpreted my words, Mr. Stanton.”
He hated it when she called him mister. He’d been staying in her house for a week now, long enough for her to start calling him by his given name. “Sure wish you’d call me Bryce, ma’am. Mr. Stanton makes me feel old.”
She ignored his suggestion. “Mr. Stanton, you have entered my room uninvited, leveled your accusations, and succeeded in making me very uncomfortable. I believe this interview is at an end.”
“Do I have your word you won’t take Charley on any more of these crusades?”
“No.”
The simple word inflamed his anger again. What did she mean by no? “You know. This has been a mistake from the beginnin’. I wanted Charley to learn some feminine charm, and I thought a visit with an aunt might be just the thing. Instead of helpin’ her learn how to be a lady, you want to turn her into a man like yourself.”
She took a stumbling step backwards as if he’d punched her in the gut. “I am not a man.”
“No, ma’am. I can see that, but you tend to act like one. A man likes doin’ things for a woman, but you want to do everything for yourself, like fixin’ that window. Ain’t no crime in lettin’ a man take care of you.” He fixed her with a hard gaze. “In fact, it ain’t no crime in acceptin’ your limitations.”
“Just because I wear skirts doesn’t mean I don’t have the same capabilities a man has. You have to admit, I did just fine helping you with that glass pane. With a little instruction, I could have done it by myself.”
“You’re missin’ the point.”
“No, sir. You’re missing the point. I don’t feel less of a woman for attempting things ordinarily deemed masculine chores. Nor should you feel less of a man for accepting help from a woman.”
“Less of a man?”
“God, save me from sensitive specimens.” She shook her head and turned as if dismissing him.
Was this little bit of a woman questioning his masculinity? He had a mind to prove her wrong on one account, but he’d have to change tactics to do so.
“Do you always wear your hair like that to bed? That tight bun looks mighty uncomfortable.” He reached up and pulled at a hairpin that had worked itself loose.
“That’s none of your business and highly inappropriate under the circumstances.” She yanked the hairpin from his hand and attempted to shove it back into place. The change in topics must have caught her off guard. Bryce smiled, enjoying this new game.
“Yep. About as inappropriate as my next statement.”
“Which is?” She patted her bun, checking for other loose hairpins.
“I think I’d like to kiss you.”
“Kiss me?” Her hands fell from her hair.
“Yep. I’d like to know what you taste like without molasses.” He took a step toward her.
“This is very unseemly.” She backed away from his advance, her eyes bright.
He didn’t really mean to kiss her. The statement was meant to rattle her cage. She was wound tighter than a corset on a young bride, and the desire to loosen the stays of her composure made him say things he wouldn’t ordinarily have said.
“I’m thinkin’ a man’s lips upon yours might take the vinegar out of you and make you feel like a woman,” he murmured.
“You stay away from me.”
“You look like you just ate a persimmon. Gettin’ ’em all puckered just for me?” He stared at her pursed lips and grinned. God, but she was fun to tease.
He had her backed against the dresser. Her hands grasped the edge of the furniture, and she leaned away as he stood toe-to-toe with her. He licked his upper lip before biting gently on his lower one. Reaching out, he tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
“I reckon you’ve never been kissed by a man. Or have you? You have the look of a cornered animal.”
“Why are you doing this?” she whispered. The lace at her bosom moved in time with the frantic pumping of her heart.
This was all wrong. He shouldn’t bait her like this. Her mouth parted slightly. Without knowing it, she’d given him the invitation he searched for. He bent his head and paused.
He pulled away abruptly. “I forgot, ma’am.”
“Forgot?” Her voice sounded slightly breathless.
“Yep. I forgot about you wantin’ to be an equal, to have the same skills as a man. I reckon you’ll want to lead.”
“Lead?”
“Yes, ma’am. You’ll want to initiate our first kiss, take the lead so to speak. Just don’t wait too long before makin’ up your mind on the matter. I surely want to know what you taste like.” Bryce pulled away from the promise of her rosy lips. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to crush her in his arms and taste her sweetness. He’d teased her with the idea of a kiss just to shock the primness out of her starched attitude, but once he’d initiated the thought, he couldn’t let go of the idea. The look on her face when he’d pulled away was priceless. Although he’d cheated himself out of that kiss, it had been well worth it.
~ * ~
Kaitlin stared at the door in shock. Bryce had waltzed into Maggie’s bedroom with the confidence of a riled bobcat. The charged atmosphere stimulated their conversation with more than anger. How could one man exude such a range of emotions in such a short space of time? How could one man spark her desire so readily? She touched her lips. They tingled with unanswered curiosity. How could he tease her like that? How could he be so cruel?
“Kaitlin? You all right?” Maggie stepped into the room with Charley close behind. “You look rather pale.”
“Uncle Bryce must have really yelled at her. She looks like I feel when he finishes giving
me one of his lectures.”
“I’m...I’m fine.”
“What’s wrong with your lips?” Charley stared at Kaitlin’s mouth. “They look all twitchy.”
Maggie looked pointedly at Charley. “Charley, I think you best leave your aunt alone.”
Bless Maggie for coming to her rescue. “I...I don’t think I can sleep right now. I...I think I’ll read a bit.”
“Well, don’t pick one of those romances you’re so fond of. It will only compound what ails you.” Maggie went to her side of the bed and pulled down the covers.
Charley climbed into the makeshift palette on the floor. “Romance? Did Uncle Bryce kiss you? Is that why you look so strange?”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Bryce did not kiss me.” She fluffed a pillow. “I am just flustered by our conversation. That’s all.”
“Bryce, is it? Not Mr. Stanton?”
Kaitlin threw Maggie a disgruntled frown. It didn’t help any that Maggie and Charley had the right of it. Bryce—Mr. Stanton had flustered her. But that wasn’t all. He’d given her a smidgen of hope, and she’d wanted him to kiss her. For once, she wanted to feel desirable, wanted to feel beautiful in a man’s eyes.
It was all an illusion. Bryce had snapped to his senses fast enough, leaving her feeling more crushed than Bethany’s past ridicule.
You might as well dig your heels in here, girl. Ain’t nobody gonna want a plain woman with more fancy learnin’ than needed for these parts. Her father’s words rose from the grave she’d buried them in. She hadn’t thought about her father in years. The ghosts of her past were lining up, knocking on the door to her sanity.
How dare Bryce Stanton show up out of the blue and make her question herself and her goals? How dare he make her want things beyond her reach? Well, she would show him. The top of Pike’s Peak would become a desert before she’d ask for that kiss.
Twelve
“Charley. Charley!”
Bryce’s booming voice reached the kitchen where the rest of them gathered for breakfast. Kaitlin glanced at Charley. The girl ducked her head but ignored the heated summons.
