by Lopp, Karen
At the call to board, she once again chose the uncomfortable seat next to Mrs. Gibbs. Who promptly and volubly gave her a whispered lecture on virtues and impressionable young girls falling prey to the wiles of men. Kathleen twisted her fingers tight. The woman needed to have this talk with her daughter.
Much to her discomfort, Mike kept casting pleading glances her way. She squirmed. With his puppy brown eyes a woman didn’t have a chance. By the time evening rolled around and the stage crawled to a halt, Kathleen decided Mike’s fickle moods were better tolerated than Mrs. Gibbs unceasing discourse on her behavior. All she’d done was fall asleep on Mike’s shoulder. That wasn’t immoral. Neither was a smile.
And with the driver’s insistence on the slow pace due to his shabby fix of the axel, she was forced to endure another day of travel and the choice between more berating from Mrs. Gibbs or Mike’s shoulder. Not a difficult choice.
At the cramped dining table, Kathleen avoided Mrs. Gibbs and chose the remaining seat beside Mike. If she wouldn’t look so ridiculous, she’d stand at the stove and eat.
Kathleen filled her plate and wedged in next to Mike. She would not offer entertainment for this crowd. Nor would she cower in the corner and let Mike’s snub affect her. Besides, he did try to apologize. And he was much more pleasant to sit beside than Mrs. Gibbs.
“Guess we have one more day till Trinidad.”
Mike shifted to give her more room and smiled. “Looks that way.”
She swallowed a few bites of the sour-smelling beans, put her fork down, and leaned close to Mike.
“Do you think it’s safe to walk around outside? The smell in here is awful.”
“I reckon it’ll be safe enough. Just don’t wander too far.”
Mike’s gaze followed Kathleen out the door and a rush of shame swamped his gut. How could he let her amble about in the dark after her terrifying close call at the hotel? He glanced around the table and noted smirks on Mrs. Gibbs and her daughter’s faces. He grimaced. The nosey busybodies who looked askance at Kathleen irritated him. Especially when the daughter herself blatantly ignored all proper social conduct.
To hell with them. Mike drained the last of his coffee and stared at the door. Outside, in the dark with no one around, could he resist her? He clenched his fists. Kissing those inviting lips would be heavenly, but heavenly or not, he would stick to his commitment to Sally.
The questionable fellow with blue eyes got up and followed Kathleen outside. Mike cursed. He couldn’t leave her alone outside in the dark with such a man. He had no proof the man might bother Kathleen, but the guy raised his hackles, and his instincts screamed a warning. He pushed away from the table, crammed his hat back on, and strode toward the door. Miss Gibbs intercepted him. She dredged up a huge smile, took a death grip on his arm, and said, “Oh mister, I’d love to get some fresh air.”
Mike didn’t care who went outside, he needed to check on Kathleen. He opened the door for her and scanned the area for Kathleen. His gut seized into a tight knot when he didn’t immediately spot her. Squinting in the darkness he scanned the area. A small sigh of relief escaped his lips when he spotted the other man casually leaning up against the wall smoking a cigarette.
He heard a soft step behind him and turned. There stood Kathleen. The night didn’t offer much light but he didn’t need much to see the disgust in her eyes as she arched one brow high as the Tetons, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
Mike glared into the darkness. Kathleen obviously thought he had resorted to lapping up Miss Gibbs offered pleasures. He shuddered. Not a pretty mental picture. The girl may not be as fat as her mother but her tongue was just as sharp as Sally’s. Mike froze, glanced sideways at Miss Gibbs, eased her hand from his arm and darted off into the night.
Now why did that particular comparison have to pop into his mind? Because it was true. In the time he had spent on the trail, he had deliberately kept his mind from dwelling on Sally. Not what any normal fiancé would do.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. Hawkins had wined and dined him during the week prior to Sally’s arrival. Filled his mind with all the possibilities of dual ownership of their combined holdings. Lavished praise on his ability to manage a cattle ranch, handle personnel, and how he’d make a fine husband and father.
Then Sally had come home. Mike had been stunned by her beauty and cocky at the assumption she’d chosen him over all the other men around. He had closed his eyes and jumped in with both feet at her come-hither look. He never considered the fact they may not even like one another. Or that some chance encounter with a stranger would have him regretting the choices he made.
Mike glanced back at the station. Inside that building was the first and only woman who had instantly wormed her way under his skin and latched on with a vengeance. But only a fool would give up a once-in-a-life-time deal on the slim chance Kathleen would even consider staying. She had to be headed somewhere. She would be the fool for hanging around with no promises from him. And that, he wasn’t prepared to do.
Kathleen once again found herself jammed next to Mrs. Gibbs on the long, slow ride to Trinidad. She perked up as the air began to feel infinitely cooler. The sun had disappeared hours ago. Everyone was tired and hungry, which meant everyone was grumpy.
Sore from the constant bounce of the carriage, Kathleen rubbed her weary eyes. She had finally come to her senses and gave Mike a cool reception earlier in the morning. He took the hint and left her alone. She had other business to worry about than mooning over some man she would never see again.
Somewhere out there, in the vast range of mountains, mesas, and canyons, she planned to put down roots and make a home. A spark of excitement flared in her belly. Soon, real soon, she’d be home. Home. She smiled. A brand new start. And this time, she was determined to succeed.
Step one, find a way to make a living. Kathleen knew her little bit of savings would not repair a house if she had to spend it all on meals. She hoped someone needed help in a restaurant, a store, or perhaps the town could use a school teacher. She wasn’t foolish enough to count on this neighboring rancher to lease her land.
Kathleen cast a wistful glance in Mike’s direction. He stirred up a hornet’s nest of longings she couldn’t afford to give into. If, she could forget his dark gaze and irresistible smile.
Chapter 6
Hawkins stood in his bedroom swearing, soft and long, as he held a second telegram in his hand. His hopes for Simpkins’ ranch had undergone highs and lows since he first learned Frank Barnes and his sons had been dead for the past six years, murdered by the Apache. But the discovery of a daughter who’d disappeared three months later worried him, until, after eleven months, with even Pinkerton on the verge of giving up the search, she had been found in New York City.
His hired killers had moved in swiftly, but not fast enough. The girl had left the day she got the news, one unknowing step ahead of her murderers. He ground his teeth in frustration. It made no sense for the girl to up and leave so quickly. And it infuriated him.
His first telegram had been from Harv, informing him he failed to kill her in Dodge. Harv wisely disappeared. This missive came from New York. Mr. Turner, the agent he had hired, personally handed the will to her and hadn’t seen or heard from her since. His man did a little digging and discovered the fool girl had run straight to the train station.
So where the hell was the will? He had debated a quick raid on the stagecoach but decided it involved too many risks and too much notice from the law. And he hadn’t had the proper time to plan such a raid. Hawkins liked plans. Rash moves led to disasters and he’d spent too many months working toward this end to jeopardize it now.
He needed to come up with another solution. Hawkins poured another healthy dose of whiskey into his crystal glass and stared out the window. Miss Barnes should be arriving tomorrow. He needed to find
the will before killing her. A smile tugged at his mouth and he went to find his housekeeper.
“Marie, I need my suit pressed and boots polished. I’m going to town tomorrow for an important meeting.”
Young women were silly enough to believe anything if you lavished them with gifts. A box of chocolates, a friendly smile of “Welcome to our town,” and she’d be his.
Trinidad, ah, the feel of mountain air, cool, clear and crisp stirred poignant feelings deep in Kathleen’s soul. The smell of pine and pinion brought back strong, heart-wrenching memories of a home, of Mother, Father, and her brothers, forever lost to her.
When the stage swayed to a stop, giddiness settled over her. As she stepped out of the coach, she inhaled and smiled. Clean, fresh air greeted her. For the first time in days, her good fortune was imminent. So close she could almost taste it on the soft breeze. She was home.
Mike froze in his tracks and stared at Kathleen. The enchantment painted on her face by the silver beams of the full moon fascinated him. She stood still, eyes closed, her face tilted up toward the heavens, the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.
She looked happy. And that also brought a smile to his lips. He waited quietly as the rest of the passengers departed, not wanting to disrupt this special moment. What did she dream of?
When Kathleen opened her eyes, it appeared as though some of the stars in the night sky had come down and taken up residence in them.
He held out his arm. “Tell me where you’re headed, and I’ll walk you there.”
She laughed and gave him a mock curtsey. “Thank you.”
The jovial tone of her voice bubbled around him like a hot bath on a cold night. Warm and comforting.
“I’m just going to the Sherman House.”
“Shucks, don’t you want to stretch your legs a bit first?”
“Umm. Yes, that would be nice.”
Mike didn’t know why, but he just wasn’t ready to let her go and the joy she exuded was catching. When her dainty fingers rested on his arm, he turned away from the hotel and gave Kathleen a walking tour of Trinidad. A strange lightness filled his chest and he felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be strolling along a dark street with Kathleen by his side.
Blame it on the moon. Blame it on the sparkle in Kathleen’s eyes. Blame it on his stupidity. Didn’t matter, it was fitting when he finally stopped at the steps of the hotel to cup her face in his hands, tilt her head back, and take a taste of her lips.
His kiss was leisurely, and she yielded to him without hesitation. He felt her hands slid up to his chest, and he braced for a shove that never came. The sounds around him ceased. The street lamp burned brighter and the strangest sensation curled around him. He felt as if he had just come home after a long journey.
He started to pull away but Kathleen gripped his shirt and tugged. Now, he was not one to deny a lady, so he returned to the unexpected pleasure of fulfilling Kathleen’s desire. But the kiss Kathleen offered this time was full of need. His pulse galloped through his veins. This time he jerked away.
“Goodnight, Kathleen.”
She raised a trembling hand to her mouth and surprised confusion entered her eyes. She may be confused but he wasn’t. He pivoted and sauntered off.
There was no way he wanted to condemn himself to a loveless marriage. He didn’t love Sally and he was certain she didn’t love him. Hawkins was the only one in love. And that was with Mike’s land.
He shot a glance over his shoulder. He owed Kathleen a debt of gratitude for shaking him out of the lethargic, malleable lump he had become. He didn’t get where he was by letting some rich rancher with a beautiful daughter swoop in and start issuing orders.
Sally may not be willing to defy her father, but he didn’t fear the man. He could take a punch or two if necessary. No one was going to force him into marriage.
Kathleen bit her lip. Did she really just kiss Mike? Heat fanned the back of her neck. And did she really pull him back for another? Maybe the full moon had turned her into a loon. A nervous laugh gurgled up her throat and tumbled out her lips. She cast a wary glance around. Did anyone see?
She rolled her eyes. That was a stupid question. She stood directly under a burning street lamp. Of course people saw. She hustled inside, grabbed the key offered, and without signing in ran up the steps to her room.
A short time later, she jerked out of bed, her heart stampeding like a herd of cattle as her door was kicked open and in strode that same blasted man who had tried to assault her in Dodge.
“Where is it?”
“What?” She crawled to the opposite side of the bed as he staggered closer. A strong scent of cheap whiskey permeated the room.
“You give it to him?”
“Get out.”
He laughed and tumbled onto the bed. She shot from the bed and down the stairs at a gallop then dashed up to the counter. She yanked the register around and ran a shaking finger down the list of guests, praying Mike had checked in.
He had. Or at least she thought he had. A Mike was in Room Fourteen. Mike had a gun. She wanted to borrow it. And if the man tried to break into Mike’s room, he’d be met with a fist or a gun.
Kathleen peered up the dark stairwell. With the drunk nowhere in sight, she tiptoed up and cringed when she found a loose squeaky board. The sound echoed like thunder in her ears. She drew in a deep breath and continued.
When a tousle-headed Mike yanked the door open, words momentarily froze on her lips. She gazed at more flesh than she’d seen on a man since she and her brothers had swam together. She shook herself.
Mike simply crossed his arms and arched his brows. “Well?” Sarcasm mingled with amusement mingled with query in that one word.
“Well, what?”
“I suppose you came calling for some reason.” The emphasis on ‘some’ sent a wave of heat up her cheeks and those stupid tingles peppered her flesh.
She glared up at him. “It’s not what you’re obviously thinking.” She shoved past him as her brain recovered from the sight of a nearly naked Mike.
“Give me your gun.”
“Now hang on.” He rushed over, snatched his gun, and held it behind his back.
“You knocked on my door. Can’t blame me for speculating on why you show up in your nightgown in the middle of the night.”
“There’s a drunk in my room. Demanding to know here ‘it’ was and if I ‘gave it to him.’”
“What room are you in?” His barked question made her jump.
“Nine.”
Mike dashed out and Kathleen sank down on the edge of the bed. She began to shake. First Dodge, now Trinidad. Why was this man following her? And who was the ‘he’ he looked for? She knew no one out here.
A cold clammy sweat slicked her body and she curled her knees to her chest, locking them in place with her arms. She jerked her head up at the soft pad of bare feet on the wooden floor. Mike, mostly naked Mike, strode in.
“There’s no one in your room.” He yanked on his trousers and crouched in front of her.
“You all right?”
“Not really. It was the same man that accosted me back in Dodge.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Mike muttered something unintelligible. Probably a curse. Whatever it was, she agreed.
“Any idea what he wanted?”
“I told you, he was looking for someone.”
“But not you?”
“He thought I would know where this person was.”
Mike punched his thigh. “I’ll swap rooms with you again.”
“Only if you leave me your gun.”
“Do you even know how to use it?”
Kathleen unfolded her legs and frowned. “Yes, I know how
to use it.”
“Look, whoever this man is hasn’t harmed you yet. He must have seen us together earlier and assumed . . .” Mike glanced away. “Well, he may have assumed we were together.”
She gasped.
“It’s just a guess so don’t get all bothered and angry. But, I’m the one he’s after, so I need the gun.”
“I disagree. No one has come into your room and shot your bed full of holes.”
“And you’re forgetting that was my room.”
Kathleen jumped off the bed and paced. No way did she want to be weaponless and the only alternative was to stay in the same room with Mike. If he’d let her. And if she didn’t mind the risk of being caught.
“I’ll go get your things.”
“Bring a pillow and blanket.”
Mike whirled around and stared at her, his eyes wide.
“Why?”
She planted her fists on her hips. “Because I’m sleeping here and so are you.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I won’t tell. But I won’t be left without a way to defend myself and neither will you. I won’t kick you out of your bed. I’ll sleep in the corner. If I sleep at all.”
Mike stood so still she wondered if he even breathed. So he may think she was a wanton hussy, but after tomorrow, no, today, she’d never see him again. She tapped her foot, crossed her arms and arched one brow in challenge. It wouldn’t hurt his reputation one bit.
“You can have the bed. I’m used to sleeping on the ground anyway.”
He turned and stalked out. Her shoulders slumped. Being alone and single was turning out to be far more difficult than she’d ever imagined. And dangerous.
She chewed on her lower lip. If she read Mike wrong she was soon going to be in a terrible position. She shivered and glanced out the window at the moon-bathed, empty street. Her first purchase was going to be a shotgun. Her father had always said a scattergun was a sure way to get someone’s attention. How else was she going to be able to live alone on an isolated ranch?
