by Everly West
Caleb wrestled with his conscience. This was his opportunity to tell her about Melody's mother. How she was a pampered young woman who was brought up to be selfish and useless. He hadn't known that about Victoria until they were married. By then, it was much too late to run in the opposite direction. Divorce hadn’t been an option in Kansas City, but here? It was a distinct possibility. Maybe he could share enough of the truth about his wife without losing Arielle's respect.
"Yes, I...I suppose I do know, or did know, someone who was spoiled and selfish. It's a hard thing to admit, especially now."
"Was it your wife, Caleb? Was it Melody's mother that was the selfish person you are speaking of that way?
He looked down into Arielle's eyes and something about their dark soulfulness drew him in. Suspended somewhere between the present and his past, he lingered in limbo unsure what he should do.
"I can see the pain and disappointment on your face. I suspected the truth when Melody admitted to missing a woman by the name of Mrs. Haversham, but she never talked about missing her mother." He watched in hopeful suspense as she leaned in and rose up on her toes to touch his cheek with her lips. "I'm sorry, Caleb. I know how that must hurt, knowing Melody didn't have the kind of mother you would have wished for your daughter."
Caleb's heart stumbled at her closeness, wisps of Arielle's hair brushed his cheek and tugged at his beard when she pulled away. He knew he should let her go, but the past slipped away and only the present remained.
He pulled Arielle into his arms and, when she did not resist, he slowly bent his head giving her time to object. When she didn’t pull away, he covered her lips with his own. The heat of passion he felt growing deep inside threatened to consume him. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her tight against him, deepening his kiss. Again, she did not resist.
Thoughts swirled around his head—thoughts perfectly acceptable considering his current behavior. Divorce is most definitely an option here in Laramie. All he needed now was for his father to send him his money. Sooner rather than later.
8
Arielle spent the rest of the afternoon in the main room of the ranch house searching through catalog of dress patterns. Caleb had told her she was welcome to use the sewing machine in the spare bedroom, and she thought using sewing to teach Melody about measurements was a brilliant idea. She had been teasing Caleb she mentioned the sewing machine to Caleb, but after thinking about practical things she could use to teach Melody measurements, she decided it was a brilliant idea.
She flipped the pages for something simple to sew all the while her head floated in the clouds as her finger-tips traced the path that Caleb's mouth had left on her lips. She had wanted to kiss him. That was her intent when she leaned in, but at the last moment her courage faltered and she kissed him on the cheek instead. She had been overjoyed when he pulled her against him and took her mouth against his.
"Arielle? Are we going to use your pastels again before supper?" Melody's voice penetrated her hazy daydreams. "Um, no sweetheart, I think today we shall spend an hour or so down by the river under the willow trees and practice your reading. Would you like that?" Arielle pulled Melody to her and took the brush from her hand. She turned her around and undid this morning's braids.
"I would rather use your pastels, but I like to read too," Melody answered over her shoulder. "What kind of book shall we read?"
"How about a fairy tale?" Arielle asked and pulled the brush through Melody's curly hair.
She watched the little girl ponder her question as she worked to re-braid her hair. Finished, Arielle turned her around and patted her bangs into place. "There. All set."
The little girl surprised Arielle by throwing herself into her arms and giving her a heartfelt hug. Surprised at the display of affection, she hugged Melody back. Tears stung her eyes as she thought of all the little girl had been through the last few months—perhaps even years after Caleb's admission about her selfish mother. She had guessed as much, but it was nice to have her suspicions verified.
"Melody, darling. Are you alright? Is there anything I might be able to help you with? I come from a long line of very good listeners, you know?"
"You do?" Melody stepped back and searched Arielle's face.
"I do. I have a twin sister and sometimes we can even talk without saying a word. And my mother has always been a very good listener as well." Arielle offered the little girl bits and pieces of her life in hopes of putting her at ease enough to confide in her.
"You and your sister talk to each other? Without words? How do you do that?" Arielle could see the confusion of Melody's face.
"Well, we are identical twins and people say that twins have a special connection that allows them to understand one another without speaking a single word. I know my sister and I did. We could convey messages by just looking at each other. It used to drive our father mad."
Melody frowned at her words. "Everything I do makes my papa mad."
"It isn't you, sweetheart. Your father just worries about you. That’s all it is. It might appear that you drive him mad, but he loves you very much and he would be heartbroken if anything should ever happen to you. That's why he hired me to take care of you."
The little girl nodded in understanding. "And teach me stuff."
"Yes, and teach you lots and lots of stuff. Stuff a young lady should know."
"Even coloring with your pastels?" Melody asked and cut a sly look at Arielle.
"Yes, even coloring with pastels." She grinned at the precocious little girl.
"Papa didn't like it though."
"He just didn't understand, but now he does. As long as you learn everything, he won't mind one bit if you learn to color too. I promise."
Melody nodded again. "Your momma is really good at listening? That sounds real nice." Melody's wistful words drifted off into silence.
Arielle didn't want to push the four-year-old to talk against her mother, and yet she really did want to know more about the woman who had been Caleb’s wife. But only because she wanted to help them heal. At least that’s what she told herself.
"It was nice. Very nice. My mother listens to even my most silly thoughts and never once has she laughed at me."
Melody studied the tips of her laced-up boots. She didn't say anything more.
"I would be happy to listen to you...if you want me to that is."
The little girl shook her head no. "I can't talk about it. My papa said you would be sad."
"Make me sad? Oh, Melody, darling, nothing could be further from the truth. I would be happy to listen to you, and if something is making you sad, perhaps I can make it better." Arielle urged the little girl to open up and talk about her feelings.
Melody was quiet and she began to play with the yarn in Arielle's knitting basket sitting on the floor next to her chair. Arielle didn't wish to push Melody or make her feel uncomfortable so she busied herself with the pages of the catalog in her lap.
She cut a glance toward the quiet little girl and her instincts told her Melody was deep in thought although her tiny fingers were busy knotting up Arielle's yarn. She kept quiet and waited. Finally, Melody left the knotted yarn beside the chair and turned to her. "Can we talk now?"
"Of course. What would you like to talk about? Anything at all." Arielle set the catalog aside and sat down on the floor pulling Melody into her lap and hugged her.
"Can we talk about my Momma?"
"Of course. You can tell me anything."
She watched Melody hesitate again. "Even if my Papa said it would make you sad?"
Arielle's heart nearly broke in two at the little girl's sad expression. "Perhaps you misunderstood what your father said, and yes, even if it makes me sad, I want to hear whatever it is you have to say."
"Papa said you couldn't fix it and if I told you about it, it would make you sad." Arielle could see the confidence in the little girl’s words. What on earth could be so horrible that Caleb would counsel his little daughter not to t
ell anyone for fear of making them sad?
"Why don't you let me be decide what I can fix and can't fix. I'm quite resourceful you know." She offered assurance even though she herself was beginning to doubt her abilities hearing Melody repeat her father's warning.
"What's resourceful mean?" Melody wanted to know.
"It means that I am able to meet a situation with a positive solution." It was the best explanation she could come up that a four-year-old might understand.
"Positive solution?"
"It means I can find a happy ending in even the most difficult situations."
Relief softened Melody's frown. "That's good because my momma is sure enough a difficult situation."
Caleb thought about the kiss he and Arielle shared after she left him to go check on Melody in the house. He knew he was attracted to the woman, but he had greatly underestimated that attraction to her—until today.
He had dug fence pole holes all afternoon. He had pushed himself until his arms shook with exhaustion and his back ached from the strain. Jeremy was busy mucking the stalls and feeding, shoeing, and all things horses. There was just too much work for two people to do. Three if he counted Arielle. And he did count on Arielle a lot more than he should. She couldn't stay forever. That much she had made clear when she accepted the job, but she hadn't said how long she could stay. That was something else he needed to clear up before things went too far.
The sun was hanging low in the expansive Wyoming sky. He guessed it was about six thirty, maybe closer to seven, and he had put in a full day’s work. He loaded up his tools, along with extra posts and wire, into the back of the wagon. He covered everything with a tarp and headed to the house.
Caleb glanced to the spot he had seen Arielle and his daughter sit beneath the trees on the water’s edge. He wanted to join them, but he couldn’t spare the time. No, that wasn’t the reason. He didn't know what to say or how to act around the woman he kissed only a few hours before. Now that she had time to think about what happened, would she be angry? Worry punched through his doubts. What if she decided she needed to move back to town because of his impulsive behavior?
He needed her to take care of Melody. He refused to acknowledge any other possibilities until he could gauge her feelings. She seemed receptive to his advances. At least, she didn’t shy away from his kiss, but now that she had time to think about it, would she decided to—
Arielle’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "Caleb, I thought you might be hungry since you didn’t come up for supper.”
Startled by her unexpected appearance, he whirled to find her standing beside the wagon. Shirtless again, he yanked it off the wagon seat and shoved his arms into the sleeves. His fingers quick to button up the front. He wasn't certain why he did that since he wanted to pick up where they left off this afternoon. He said the first thing that came to mind. "Where is Melody?"
"She and Jeremy are up at the house eating supper. Are you going to work out here all night?" He could tell by the amused look in her eyes that she was kidding him.
"No, I—I just hadn't realized how late it was getting, that's all." He couldn't seem to get his brain to work. He was usually quick-witted, but today, in front of Arielle, he sounded like a witless dunce.
A light breeze lifted the curls around her face. He watched her pull at her shawl, drawing it closer around her shoulders. "Are you chilly?" He asked.
"No, I like the evening breeze. I've noticed it comes up every night about this time, kind of like an old friend who greets me after a long day's work. Don't you agree?"
She turned her wistful gaze from the landscape surrounding his ranch and pinned him with an expectant look.
"I suppose I've never thought of it that way, but you may be right." He turned and glanced around the horizon himself, taking in the sweeping panoramic view surrounding the ranch. His ranch. "Yes, this place is like an old friend to me. It's been that way ever since I was a kid, visiting my uncle for a lot of summers. I'd be lost if anything happened to this place. Completely. Lost."
"Well, then. I guess we shall have to make certain nothing happens to it then." The confidence he heard in Arielle's voice pulled his gaze back to her. And then to her lips. Their pull was irresistible and he found himself moving closer.
"And how will we do that?" He whispered, not really certain what he was saying because his full attention was focused on kissing her. Again. Against his better judgment.
She stepped closer and looked up into his eyes. "I would think that would be obvious, Caleb. Teamwork. It is an essential component of any project."
"Teamwork, huh?" He waited for her to make the next move. Was she teasing him or enticing him? One thing was for sure, she wasn't running from him.
"Yes, teamwork." She kept her eyes trained on his, but she didn't move any closer.
What should he do? Was she waiting on him to make the next move? Was she testing him to see if he would continue to behave in the same reckless manner? Would she welcome his advances or was she looking for an excuse to pack up and leave?
He realized he needed her to stay, and not just for Melody. Standing here, lost in the depths of her dark sultry eyes, he knew he needed her too.
"Mr. Montgomery. Are you going to kiss me or are you not?" Her words pulled him out of his indecision. He stepped closer and pulled her against his body. "I am, Miss Dufossé. I most certainly am."
His lips claimed hers and he allowed his passions to rule. At least for now.
Caleb deepened the kiss between them and held on tight to this woman who was the answer to his prayers. He pulled Arielle closer so she could feel his desire for her.
As hard as he tried to forget about tomorrow, his thoughts reminded him that he had no tomorrows to offer Arielle. Not until he could divorce Victoria and claim his missing money.
She pulled away and searched his face. “Are you having seconds thoughts…about us?” She asked.
He looked down at her face, pink with passion, and refocused all of his attention to her. "No, ma'am. Not one.”
He pulled her close again and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.
9
Arielle busied herself with the breakfast dishes while her thoughts continued to stray to her most exciting adventure yet. Last night in Caleb’s arms had been—like a fairy tale. She was living in her own real-life fairy tale. She had never doubted her attraction him, but she wasn’t sure if he felt the same. Until yesterday. Since then, his kisses were all she could think about.
She thought Melody’s confession. It seems Caleb’s wife had not been much of a mother. And she sensed she wasn’t much of a wife either.
It seems the woman was never around, preferring to leave Melody’s care in the hands of a woman named Mrs. Haversham. And while Caleb might have no choice but to leave Melody in Arielle’s care, Victoria had no reason other than she couldn’t be bothered.
As much as she hated to admit it, Arielle was relieved she didn't have to compete with the ghost of a perfect wife. It was very hard to live up to the memories of someone who had passed, especially in the mind's eye. It seemed the people who loved them only wanted to remember the best parts of them—and it was impossible to compete with that kind of perfection. Now that she knew the truth, she knew Mrs. Victoria Montgomery was anything but perfect.
Arielle had hoped to share with Caleb what Melody had told her, but when she left Jeremy and Melody eating supper to walk down to where Caleb was still working to build the new horse pasture, things had gone in a different direction—one she was more than willing to take. There would be plenty of time for them to have that conversation later.
The clock in the main room struck nine. She had just finished the breakfast dishes and needed to hurry Melody along. Caleb told her early this morning he had business in town and invited her and Melody to ride along. Now that she and Caleb appeared to be growing closer, she needed her cousin’s advice. What did the future hold for her here in Laramie? And what would her parents do if she
told them she wasn’t coming back to Boston?
She had busied herself straightening the house, gathering the eggs from the henhouse, and getting herself, and then Melody, ready to go. Caleb would be here any minute with the carriage and she didn't want to keep him waiting.
As if her thoughts conjured him, she heard the carriage roll by the open kitchen door and stop out front. "Melody, your papa is here. It's time to leave. Go upstairs and get your bonnet and jacket."
Melody left her place at the kitchen table ran from the room to get her things. Arielle heard her footsteps on the wooden staircase leading to her bedroom upstairs. She finished tidying the kitchen and hung the drying towel on the wooden peg by the sink.
She sensed his presence before she saw him.
Her heart raced with anticipation at the thought of seeing Caleb again. She inhaled a deep breath to calm her unexpected anticipation at seeing Caleb again and turned to see him standing in the doorway. His shoulder rested against the door jam. His arms crossed. Her stomach fluttered at the sight of him. Tall. Handsome. Vulnerable. Just the kind of package she liked her Prince Charming to come in. Thoughts of unwrapping that package caused her to blush. Oh my.
"Good morning. Again." He offered with a lopsided grin as his gaze slid from her eyes to her lips. "Where's Melody?" He asked and stepped inside the roomy kitchen, his eyes never leaving her.
"Um, Melody? Oh yes. Melody. She is upstairs getting her bonnet and jacket in case it gets chilly." Caleb crossed the kitchen to where she stood and looked down at her with the eyes of a man who was clearly on a mission. Arielle's breath caught in her throat as he leaned down.
"I can assure you, Arielle, chilly is not a word I think about when I think of you." His breath caressed her face when he whispered his words. She nearly swooned against him. She had to remind herself, she was not the swooning kind.
They heard Melody's boots coming down the stairs and he gave her a look that said there would be more to come later when interruptions were not a constant possibility. And as much as she was looking forward to spending the day with her cousin, she couldn't wait to return to the ranch and put Melody to bed.
