She looked into his eyes as he waited, and her breath caught. She could either stand in the circle of his arm where she wanted to be or go outside and ignore what had just happened. She stepped over the threshold. He followed and strode off without another word being spoken.
Thunder rumbled again in the distance, even as the rain slowed to a gentle shower. Kimberly stood under the shelter of the porch roof. Travis walked down the driveway until he disappeared in the barn. He never looked back. A few minutes later a beam of sunlight peeked through the clouds, lighting the way for all four men as they rode their horses out. Kimberly leaned against the porch railing and allowed a long, ragged sigh to release her tension. She hadn’t known she’d been holding her breath, but one thing she did know. She’d never be able to ignore Travis’s kiss.
~*~
For as long as Travis could remember, Gramps had counted his cattle on Monday morning. It’d become tradition to Travis, but if the steers kept disappearing, they might have to count every day. He and the three ranch hands mounted up and rode out separately to the four pastures that held his herds. A few hours later they met near the barn to give their report.
“It’s weird, Travis.” Elliot rubbed the back of his neck. “For the last couple of months we’ve been coming up short a couple of head every week or two. And not a sign of a carcass or any broken fence, yet today the west pasture is short two steers.”
Jason dismounted. “I went through the brush in the north pasture last week and didn’t find anything. We had two missing from there but none this week.”
“Are you saying you didn’t see any tracks in the west pasture, Elliott?” Travis searched the other man’s face. “Not even after that rain we had the other day?”
Elliott shook his head. “Nothing. But that doesn’t mean anything because the rain came in the middle of the week. Maybe the steers were taken down before it rained.”
“A cat would leave a carcass. At the very least a struggle.” Red spoke up, “My guess is you’ve got a real smart rustler.”
“Two head at a time?” Travis shook his head. “Anyone stupid enough to steal cattle would take more than two. The risk’s too great. They’d only be getting four to six head in a month. It isn’t worth it. I think it’s a cat. Maybe two cats. Or maybe space aliens are beaming them up. I don’t know.”
He slapped his hat against his leg then settled it on his head. He glanced to the right. Kim and Gran were in the field with the sheep. “Let’s get back to work. We’ll check again next week. If we lose any more, I’ll call in the sheriff. Maybe the conservation agent.”
Travis slid his boot in the stirrup and swung up onto Midnight’s back. Kim’s hair flashed golden in the sunlight, and he couldn’t resist the pull that had always been so much a part of her appeal. Besides he wanted to know what she and Gran were doing so far from the house, when Gran shouldn’t be anywhere near a sheep.
Chapter Ten
Travis walked Midnight the last several yards. It wouldn’t do to startle the sheep or Kim and Jamie. Kim’s immediate, unguarded smile disappeared, and he wondered if he’d imagined it. At least he didn’t have to guess at Jamie’s welcome. The little boy left the new lamb he’d been petting and would have run up to Midnight if his mother hadn’t caught him by the shoulder. He lifted a hand high and waved. “Travis, come see the lambs. They’re soft.”
“You don’t say?” Travis chuckled as he dismounted. The last few days Jamie had been talking to him and the other men without hiding behind his mom or Gran. Maybe there was hope for the boy after all. Sometimes he had the crazy idea Jamie could be his son. Quick as that notion entered his head though, he shoved it out. Jamie was a cute kid, and he was fitting in on the ranch just fine, but he wasn’t his. Kim would’ve told him right off if he was. With Midnight’s rein in one hand, he pulled a glove off and touched the springy wool on the lamb Gran held. “Like this one?”
“Yeah. Where’s Trixie?” Jamie pressed closer to Kim.
Travis kept his voice soft to keep from frightening the child. “Trixie’s helping Elliott this afternoon.”
“Oh.” Jamie seemed disappointed then a smile lit his face. “Can I touch the lamb again, Momma?”
Kim nodded, and Jamie soon had his arms around the lamb’s neck.
Travis raised his eyebrows toward Gran. “Got your own petting zoo, huh?”
“Of course.” Gran smiled. “And you’ve got something to say about it, I suppose.”
He shook his head. “Like it would do any good.”
“Excellent. You are teachable.” She winked at Kim. “See, I told you there was hope for my favorite grandson.”
“And I keep telling her that calling me her favorite isn’t going to win any favors.” Travis grinned at Kim. Her blond hair was down, flowing about her shoulders. She wore an open red plaid blouse over a white knit shirt with black jeans. She looked almost country. “These innocent-looking sheep are the very ones who put that cast on her arm.”
“Oh?” Kim’s beautiful blue eyes sparkled. “I thought she hit her arm against a post in the barn.”
“True, but Red takes care of the sheep now. And does a good job.” Travis gave his grandmother a stern look. “There’s no need for you to be out here where you could get hurt.”
Gran rolled her eyes and shook her head. “There’re plenty of reasons, but you’re too old and set in your ways to hear any of them, so I won’t waste my breath.”
Kim unsuccessfully covered a snort of laughter with both hands. Her eyes danced above her fingers. While he tried to think of a good retort, his cell phone rang. He pulled it from the holster and held it to his ear. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“Hey, Travis.” Elliott’s voice sounded on the line. “Thought you might want to know. Jason’s with Butternut. We’ve got a foal coming.”
“Everything okay?”
“It was when I left.”
“Okay, thanks.” Travis slid his phone back in the holster. He turned to Gran. “That was Elliott. He says Jason’s with Butternut now.”
He crouched down beside Jamie.
The little boy looked at the reins Travis still held in his hand.
“So you like lambs. Is that right?”
Jamie nodded, but he looked where Midnight stood a few feet away, grazing behind Travis. “I like horses, too.”
Travis grinned. He figured a big horse like Midnight might frighten the little guy. “How would you like to see a brand new foal?”
Jamie shrugged. “Okay, but can I pet your horse first?”
Gran had a big smile on her face. Travis looked over his shoulder at Kim. He couldn’t read her expression, although it was pleasant enough. Maybe she didn’t want her son petting his horse. “I won’t let Midnight hurt him, Kim. Okay?”
She nodded. “It’s fine.”
“Do you ladies mind walking up to the barn? If you want to see the foal, that is.”
Kim gave Gran a questioning look.
Gran nodded. “You bet we do. Jamie isn’t the only one who likes babies.”
Travis stood and held out his hands to Jamie. “Why don’t I lift you up on his back? Would you like to sit in the saddle?”
Travis ignored Kim’s sharp intake and watched Jamie’s eyes. The little boy hesitated as his gaze traveled up Midnight. He looked at Travis. “Will you hold me tight?”
Sharp edges of Travis’s cold heart melted at the trust he saw in Jamie’s eyes. He nodded and lifted the child in his arms so he could stroke Midnight’s nose. “Yeah, I’ll hold you real tight.”
He slipped in a quick hug, that he hoped no one noticed, before turning to Kim. “Jamie and I have a new foal to visit. You don’t care if he rides Midnight with me up to the barn, do you? I’ve already agreed to hold him tight.”
“I heard.” Kim’s smile wavered. Her eyes shimmered. With moisture? Travis fought the urge to wrap his other arm around her and hold her tight, too.
Instead he lifted Jamie to the saddle. “Hang on now.”
>
Travis mounted behind the little boy and lifted the reins with one hand while he held Jamie against his chest with the other. “You all set?”
Jamie twisted to look up at him. He nodded, a wide smile covering his face. His brown eyes danced with excitement. “I’m ready.”
Travis clicked his tongue, and Midnight stepped forward.
A warm and unexpected tenderness wrapped around Travis’s heart. Little more than a week ago, he wouldn’t have dreamed of taking Kim’s son on horseback. He’d expected the son of a rich, spoiled city man to be a nuisance. He resented Kim bringing her boy to his ranch when his child was gone. But Jamie wasn’t what he thought he’d be. Something about him drew Travis. Spoke to him in a way he didn’t understand. Made him entertain notions of being the boy’s father when that wasn’t likely. Jamie had found his own special place in Gran’s heart. If he wasn’t careful, the kid might work his way into his heart, too.
Holding Jamie in front of him on Midnight was almost like having Steven back. Travis turned the horse toward the barn and kept him at a walk. Might as well make the ride last as long as he could. This was probably Jamie’s first horseback ride. His warm, sturdy little body felt natural in front of Travis.
He’d given Steven more rides this way than he could remember. Mixed feelings of loss and contentment warred deep inside. Since Sunday, memories of Steven had invaded his consciousness, filling his mind with the fun times he’d almost forgotten. Happy memories of riding Midnight, fishing from the dock in the pond, and of roughhousing with Trixie. Steven had loved the collie as much as Jamie seemed to. So many good times Travis didn’t want to forget.
He stopped outside the barn and dismounted before he reached for Jamie. “You ready to see that brand new foal?”
Jamie fell into his arms. He held him close just a moment before setting him on the ground. “There you go.”
“I like your big horse. What’s his name?”
“Midnight.”
“’Cause he’s all black ’cept for his star?” Jamie stepped to the front of the horse and reached his small hand up. Midnight lowered his head and nuzzled Jamie’s chest so the little boy laughed. He stroked the patch of white in the middle of the horse’s forehead. “He likes me. See, that’s a star. It don’t look like a real star, but Gran says that’s what it is.”
“She told you that, did she?” Travis grinned.
Jamie nodded. He turned to look up at Travis. “What’s a foal?”
“What’s a foal?” Travis laughed and called to Kim as she and Gran drew near. “Why doesn’t your son know what a foal is?”
Her chin lifted and a crease formed between her eyes. “He’s a city boy. Remember?”
So she wanted to throw his words back at him, did she? Jamie lived on the ranch now and his education was sadly lacking. Knowing the white patch on Midnight’s forehead was called a star wasn’t enough. In a day or two he’d be riding alone for the first time, but right now he needed to meet the newest foal on the Circle G Ranch.
He touched Jamie’s shoulder. “Come on, buddy. I’ll show you what a foal is.”
As they walked back to the birthing stall, Travis cautioned Jamie. “We need to be quiet so we don’t upset the mare. The momma horse.”
Jamie nodded, but didn’t speak. Travis smiled, something he’d been doing a lot of lately. He lifted Jamie to stand on one of the cross pieces of timber making up the fence that separated the stalls. He stood close enough to lend support so the little guy didn’t fall and so he could answer any questions.
“This is the birthing stall. It’s larger than the others so the mare and Jason have plenty of room to move around without getting hurt.” He peered past Jamie and saw a beautiful little foal struggle to its feet. “Looks like we’re a little late. How’s it going, Jason?”
“Couldn’t be better. She was ready when I got here. Hey, Jamie.” He called to the little boy. “See our new filly?”
“Uh-huh.” When he didn’t say anything else, Travis leaned forward to see Jamie’s face. He clung to the top rail, but his attention was riveted on the newborn foal as she struggled to stand. The wonder and excitement on his face touched Travis’s heart, reminding him of Steven. How could this boy be so like his son and invoke the same emotions in him Steven always had unless he was . . ? No, that was nothing but wishful thinking. Kim would’ve told him. He needed to stop dreaming.
Kim caught up with them and stood close, looking over the stall. “Gran went on to the house. She said she’d look in on the newborn tomorrow.”
Kim placed her hand against Jamie’s back as if Travis would let him fall.
Jamie ignored them and looked toward Jason. “Can I pet it?”
“Not yet. Why don’t we let her get used to being here first? You come back tomorrow, and you can pet our new filly. Does that sound okay?” Jason grinned at Jamie, but Travis didn’t miss his gaze shifting to include Kim.
He didn’t miss the sparkle in her eyes either, when she smiled at Jason. “So you’re the midwife here.”
Jason laughed. “I guess you can call me that.”
Travis let out a soft snort. So now if the guys called him a midwife he won’t care? He’d set them straight soon enough that he was an equine expert.
“This must be Butternut. She has a beautiful little baby.” Kim patted her son’s back. “Doesn’t she, Jamie?”
“Uh-huh. I’m gonna pet the new filly tomorrow. Jason said so.” Jamie looked around the stall and turned his head to look at Travis. “Where’s your foal? I don’t see anything else.”
Travis chuckled and stepped closer so his arm rested around the little boy’s shoulders. “A newborn horse is called a foal.” He pointed into the stall. “This one is a female, so we also call her a filly.”
He liked Jamie. In fact, he could get used to having the little boy around all the time. Not that he could take Steven’s place. No one could. Jamie reminded him of Steven in some ways, but he was his own person, and Travis liked that. If only things were different.
“What’s a boy foal called?” Jamie’s question brought his attention back to the horse.
“A male foal is called a colt.” The filly had gained her footing and, although wobbly, she could walk on her own. Her mother nuzzled her, knocking her into the straw. Travis laughed. “Did you see that, Steven?”
“Is she hurt?” Jamie leaned against the stall.
“Naw, she’s fine.” To prove him right, the little horse regained her feet and headed back to her mother.
“Who’s Steven?” Kim searched his face.
Travis’s heart constricted. “What do you mean?”
He’d been thinking about Steven. Had he unwittingly spoken his son’s name?
“You called Jamie, Steven.”
“No, I didn’t.” He turned away from her questioning eyes and spoke to Jamie. “Hey, fella, you’ve seen enough for today. We’ll leave the horses alone now and get back to work. Tomorrow you can come and see them again. Why don’t you be thinking up a good name for the new baby?”
Travis lifted him down.
“I can name her?” Jamie turned wide eyes to Travis as he set him on the floor. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Travis smiled at the little boy. “You run along with your mom now. I’ve got work to do.”
Without waiting to see if they obeyed, Travis strode out of the barn. He hadn’t called Jamie Steven. He wouldn’t do that.
~*~
Kimberly turned on the television in the living room, and Jamie frowned. “Why do I hafta stay in here?”
“I know you’d rather be outside playing, but I don’t think a couple of hours of cartoons will hurt.” Kimberly plumped the sofa pillows. “The rest will be good for you. Trixie should be back tonight, and maybe you can play with her before bedtime.”
“Okay.” Jamie climbed on the sofa and took off his shoes. “I’ll watch TV then.”
“Good. I need to talk to Gran. Be a good boy and relax so you can play lat
er.” She slipped out the door as he nodded.
“Gran.” Kimberly walked through the dining room and peeked in the kitchen. She retraced her steps to the front hall and the stairway leading to the second floor. She ran up the stairs to Gran’s room. “Gran, are you in here?”
“Come on in, Kimberly.” Gran stood in front of the window looking down on the back yard. She turned toward Kimberly. “I saw Travis leave the barn before you and Jamie. Something about the way he walked made me wonder if something happened.”
Kimberly stopped in the doorway. “I don’t know for sure. He called Jamie, Steven. Who is Steven?”
Gran took a quick breath and placed her hand over her heart. “Oh, my.” Her lips pursed, and she shook her head. “I’ve half expected something like that, and still it’s a shock.”
“I don’t understand.” Kimberly repeated. “Who is Steven?”
“There, on my bookshelf. Do you see those two picture albums?” Gran pointed them out and walked toward the door. “Bring them to the kitchen. I’ll have coffee started.”
Kimberly stepped aside and stared after Gran as she disappeared down the stairway at the end of the hall. Her thoughts tumbled one over another while she crossed the bedroom to get the albums. Who could Steven be? Travis’s brother? Wasn’t he an only child? Did he have a son? If so where was he now?
She lifted the heavy albums and carried them from the room and down the stairs. Gran sat at the table with two empty mugs. “The coffee should be ready soon.”
“That’s fine.” Kimberly set the albums in front of Gran. “Here they are. Will you tell me now what the big secret is?”
The hint of a smile crossed Gran’s face. “I did good to keep quiet this long. What’s it been? At least a week since I first saw Jamie?”
Kimberly nodded.
“When exactly did you and Travis meet? Can you tell me about that?” Gran’s eyes bore into Kimberly’s.
Kimberly sighed. “Seven years ago in Omaha. Travis’s cousin Brent is married to my best friend. Trish and Brent were engaged back then. Trish and I were just out of high school and both of us were getting married at the end of the summer. She and Brent were crazy in love. I figured Colin was okay, and I was scared of my grandfather.”
A New Life Page 9
