A New Life

by Mildred Colvin

  “Of course.” She didn’t hesitate, and he breathed easier.

  When Gran saw them, she smiled. “What’s going on?”

  Travis saw no point in beating around the bush. “You know we’ve been coming up short two to three steers almost every count for the last couple of months?”

  At Gran’s nod, he continued. “We haven’t found any fence down. None cut. None broken. We can’t find a carcass. Nothing makes sense, but I’ve had it. I’m calling Lee in case it’s some slick rustler who’s crazy enough to operate this way. And I’m calling the conservation department in case it’s a predator.”

  “A predator?” Kim looked toward Jamie. “What do you mean?”

  “A cat. Maybe a cougar.” He shook his head. “Don’t worry. A cat isn’t likely to come anywhere near the house.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” The insane urge to kiss the worry line between her eyes gripped him. He looked at Jamie sitting on the grass with his arm around Trixie and nodded toward the two. “I’m leaving Trixie here tonight. Just don’t go outside after dark. She’ll let you know if there’s anything out of the ordinary.”

  “Won’t you need her?”

  He shook his head. “We’ll be fine. But I need you to fix us some sandwiches for tonight and something we can fix for ourselves at breakfast. It’ll just be two of us. Red’s going with me. Elliott and Jason both volunteered to stay in the bunkhouse tonight so you wouldn’t be alone. They’ll be a phone call away if you need them.”

  “We won’t.” Gran shook her head, her lips drawn together.

  “Gran, I asked Kim to stay with you at the house.” Travis squatted beside her chair with one arm resting on his bent knee. He plucked a blade of grass and wound it between his fingers. “I’d like for you to be together tonight.”

  “Is that for my protection or Kimberly’s?” Gran laughed. “Never mind, don’t answer. Knowing you, it’s for both of us. I’d love to have the company. Might have to put that little boy in your bed, though.”

  Travis looked up as Jamie and Trixie ran toward them. He grinned. “That’s fine with me.”

  “Travis.” Jamie called out and Trixie barked. Boy and dog hit at the same time, knocking Travis off balance. He went over laughing with Jamie on his chest and Trixie running back and forth barking. Since his hands were on either side of Jamie, he wiggled his fingers, just as he used to do with Steven, and delighted in the infectious giggles from the little boy. He sat up with Jamie on his lap and tickled him some more.

  “That’ll teach you to knock me over.” He grinned so the little guy would know he was still playing.

  “You’re a good tickler, Travis.” Jamie squirmed free and Travis let him go. He didn’t want to overdo a good thing. It hadn’t been that long ago, Jamie had hidden behind his mom when anyone looked at him. Now he gave Travis a big grin. “You’re even better than Grandfather.”

  “Oh, so you have a grandfather who tickles you?”

  “Uh-huh.” Jamie giggled. “But you’re the bestest.”

  “Thank you.” Travis stood. “I’d stay and tickle until you cried for mercy if I could, but I need to get back to work.”

  “Doin’ what?” Jamie watched him with large brown eyes.

  Travis patted the boy’s shoulder. “Red and I have to go out to a back pasture and camp out tonight. Some of our steers are missing, and we need to find out why.”

  “Can I go, too?” Jamie’s pleading expression pulled at Travis’s heart. “I never been camping.”

  Travis looked at Kim for help. Her smile suggested he was on his own. He mouthed the words, “Thanks a lot.”

  She giggled.

  He turned back to Jamie. “Why don’t we plan a special campout that isn’t work? When you and your mom learn to ride better, we’ll even take the horses. How does that sound?”

  “Okay, does Trixie have to go with you now?”

  Jamie’s easy acceptance knocked Travis back a step. “Uh, no. No, Trixie’s going to stay here with you.”

  Travis wanted to draw the little boy in for a hug. He had no right. Shouldn’t even want to. He hesitated a second too long. Jamie let out a whoop and ran off calling the dog. “Trixie, come and play.”

  Travis laughed and turned to meet what appeared to be admiration in Kim’s eyes. He looked away in case he was wrong. “Now that’s taken care of, what’s for lunch?”

  “Casserole. And biscuits as soon as I make them.” She smiled as she watched her son running across the yard with Travis’s dog. “Thanks for playing with him, Travis. He needs a male role model.”

  “Sounds like your grandfather was doing a good job of that. Of course, I’m a better tickler.” He laughed and headed around the house with Kim walking beside him. “It’ll just be me for lunch. I need to get packed for tonight. I’ll call Lee from the house.”

  “Lee?” Kim’s eyes held a question. She gave a quick laugh. “I almost hope it’s a rustler instead of a cat.”

  Travis shrugged. “Probably is.”

  She didn’t say any more, and he didn’t elaborate on the cat theory. No sense in worrying Kim about something that would never happen. Cougars might be a threat to calves, but little boys who stayed near the house wouldn’t likely be in any danger.

  ~*~

  After supper, Kimberly went to the cabin to get the things she and Jamie needed for the night. She’d just crossed the driveway and stepped on the porch when Jason called to her from in front of the barn. “Hey, Kimberly. Hang on a minute.”

  She turned with a smile for the handsome cowboy. “Sure, what’s up?”

  He grinned up at her from the ground by the porch steps. “I wondered if you’d like to take that ride we talked about? You’re getting pretty good on horseback, you know.”

  Strange he chose tonight to ask her when he knew Travis was gone. She liked Jason, but they could never be anything other than friends. Jason didn’t seem to understand that. Going with him would only encourage him. Travis said he was jealous. He didn’t want her to go riding with Jason, but her decision had nothing to do with what Travis wanted.

  She gave Jason a friendly smile and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’d better not. With Travis gone, I need to stay pretty close to Gran.”

  She hesitated at his disappointed look. “Jason, you’re a nice guy and you’re very good looking. If I’m not mistaken, we’re about the same age. Only thing is, I feel a couple of decades older.” She smiled to soften her words. “My life hasn’t been easy, and honestly, I’m not interested in beginning a relationship with anyone. I know a ride across the prairie isn’t starting anything, but some might see it that way. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and I like the idea of friendship best.”

  He watched her with his lips curved the tiniest bit. When she stopped, he nodded. “I understand. The guys told me you had history with Travis. I’ve seen the way he looks at you and acts toward you. I figured they were right. Still, I don’t usually give up until I’ve tried my best.”

  He shrugged. “Guess my best isn’t good enough this time. But friendship isn’t bad.” He grinned. “We could still ride as friends.”

  She laughed. “You know, Jason, some girl’s going to fall hard for you, and when she does, you’ll be a great catch. But the truth is, I’ve got to get back to Gran and Jamie. Thanks for offering to take me riding though. I do appreciate the thought.”

  He nodded. “Need help carrying anything to the house?”

  “No thanks, it’s fine. I’m just getting toothbrushes and nightclothes. That sort of thing.”

  “Okay, if you need anything just call.” He turned and walked off whistling.

  She smiled. At least he didn’t sound as if his heart was broken. If Travis found out she’d turned Jason down, he’d think she did it for him. But she didn’t think Jason would tell him, and she sure wasn’t going to.

  ~*~

  Late that night, after they went to bed, Kimberly opened her eyes and looke
d around the moon-drenched guestroom. Other than the double bed, the only furniture in the room consisted of a matching dresser and a small, upholstered chair. Her clothing for tomorrow hung in the empty closet. Although she’d been keeping the room clean since her arrival, she was probably the first to stay here in years. Only she couldn’t sleep.

  She slipped from bed and padded barefoot down the hall to Travis’s room where Jamie slept. Her little boy lay on his back, both arms out, elbows bent so his hands relaxed on either side of his head. His baby position, she’d always called it.

  She didn’t enter the room, but watched for a few minutes at the partially opened door. He didn’t know he slept in his father’s bed. The thought smote her conscience. Travis might not want him, but Jamie still had the right to know his father. After Colin made sure everyone, including Jamie, knew that Jamie wasn’t his son, Kimberly had expected him to ask who his father was, but he hadn’t. Maybe Colin’s death so soon afterward had overshadowed everything else. Soon she would tell Travis and together they’d tell Jamie.

  She returned to her room and stood at the window overlooking the front lawn and the pond beyond. The white gazebo stood out in the night surrounded by water sparkling in the bright moonlight. Linda Good surely had an unusual husband. He must’ve loved her very much. Was Travis like his grandfather?

  As quickly as the question invaded her mind, she turned from it and the window and climbed back into bed. Tomorrow she’d paint the front shutters with the blue paint stored in the utility room. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t stop thinking about Travis. She went to sleep praying for God to protect him from whatever was out there taking the cattle.

  ~*~

  Travis caught snatches of sleep. He rolled out of his sleeping bag as soon as the first blush of dawn spread across the land. His thoughts went immediately to Kim. The brief moments he’d spent with her yesterday at noon hadn’t been enough to satisfy him. He gave a soft huff, as disgust coursed through him. He could spend the entire day with Kim, and it wouldn’t be enough.

  He pulled his boots on and stood. Most of the night they’d sat out here watching nothing. The most activity they’d seen had been a truck driving past on the back road. Could’ve been their rustler, or it could’ve been anyone from any of the ranches around or even from town. There’d been no sign of a cat either. No evidence of tampering with the fences. Nothing. Neither the sheriff nor the conservation agent had found anything earlier. Maybe there was nothing to find.

  Red sat up and blinked. “Thinking of giving up?”

  Travis nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m thinking. Let’s eat breakfast and then break up camp. We’ve covered every inch of the ranch and didn’t find anything. All the good we did sleeping out here is getting a stiff back and watching the neighbor drive past.”

  “Yeah, I been wondering about that.” Red pulled his boots on. “You ever notice neighbors out driving around at two o’clock in the morning before?”

  Travis grinned. “I’m not usually out looking at that time.”

  “That’s my point.” Red nodded. “Ranchers get up early, so they go to bed early. They don’t drive around at two in the morning.”

  Travis shrugged. “You have a point, but I don’t see what we can do about it. Besides, ranchers have kids and some of them sleep in after a late date.”

  He left Red to mull over his explanation and started picking up his sleeping gear. “I’m heading in. There’s no point in wasting any more of our time out here.”

  “Yeah, I guess not.” Red stood and began rolling his bed.

  They fried some eggs and bacon over the fire and ate from force of habit more than from hunger. After that, they saddled their horses and tied the bedrolls on behind the saddles, put out their fire, and left everything the way they’d found it. As they worked, anticipation grew within Travis. He felt like the kid he’d been when he first fell in love with Kim. Plenty of work waited to be done, but he’d find Kim first just to make sure she was all right.

  On the way in, with the morning sun rising in the east, Red pulled out his cell phone and called Elliott then veered away to help out in one of the back pastures. Travis headed home. He figured he’d find Kim in the house, and he might stay for a while to let the women know what they’d found, or more accurately, hadn’t found. He rode Midnight into the barn and unsaddled him before letting him out through the back into the corral.

  He couldn’t stop the grin that kept returning to his lips as he walked toward the house. He looked for Jamie, but didn’t see him playing in the yard as had become usual. He clomped across the deck to the back door and pulled it open. He should’ve snuck up on Kim and surprised her. Too late now. If she was in the house, she’d have heard him.

  The kitchen was empty. He walked through the lower floor and found no one. He ran upstairs before he concluded that no one was home. As he came back down the stairs, he caught a glimpse of Kim outside the living room window. His heart quickened at the sight of her profile. She turned toward him, tilted her head back and looked up. Pretty strange behavior for a housekeeper. He decided he could sneak up on her after all.

  Travis went out the back door and around the house. He slowed at the back corner before stepping around. Kim was halfway up a ladder and climbing higher. He hurried toward her. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Kim gasped and turned with only one foot on the ladder. In slow motion, he watched her foot search for the rung and miss. She teetered, suspended in the air forever it seemed, while he felt frozen and unable to stop her. Her eyes grew wide, and she stared down at him. Her hands flew out. She screamed and began to fall. He ran the few steps to catch her.

  After that, he didn’t know what happened except his foot made contact with something solid at the same time Kim landed on top of him, knocking him to the ground. From his prone position, Travis watched the ladder lean. He had to do something or it would fall on Kim. He kicked out as high as he could reach, catching the ladder and sending it teetering the opposite way.

  The can of paint tilted toward them. His arms tightened around Kim as blue paint appeared at the rim of the open can. He managed one word before it hit.

  “No-o-o!”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kimberly heard Travis yell out and figured either the ladder or the paint can would hit her within milliseconds. She hid her face in the hollow of Travis’s shoulder and arm as he tightened his hold on her.

  She squirmed, trying to get away, but Travis wouldn’t let go.

  He rolled with her seconds too late.

  Cold, wet paint poured over her back and hair. “Oh, yuck.”

  She squealed. A shiver swept through her as the crazy urge to laugh took over. She pushed against Travis’s chest and he relaxed his hold. She scrambled to stand. Between giggles she yelled at him. “You dumped paint all over me.”

  Travis sat up. He held out his arms and looked at the paint dripping from his elbows into the grass.

  Kimberly laughed. Travis scowled at her, and she laughed even more. She laughed until his scowl melted and a grin took its place. He stood. The glint in his eyes didn’t warn her when he raised his hand and shook it. Tiny blobs of blue showered her face.

  “Oh, how could you do that?” She resisted the urge to wipe her face, knowing she would smear the paint. Instead she scooped a handful from her shoulder and flung it at him.

  A good-sized blob hit his cheek and ran down. He jerked as if she’d slapped him. “Did you just throw paint at me?” His eyes narrowed.

  She squealed and ran.

  She couldn’t hear his footsteps on the thick grass, but she felt his presence close behind her. She wanted to look, but he’d catch her if she did. Of course, she had more paint on her than he had on him. Maybe she should let him catch her. The thought frightened and appealed to her at the same time. Where could she run? She was getting close to the pond. She’d be caught for sure.

  “You can’t outrun me, Kim. You should know
that.” Travis grabbed her from behind. His laughter sounded in her ear, and he scooped her up in his arms, stealing her breath.

  He walked toward the dock, carrying her.

  “Where are you going?” Kimberly squirmed, anticipating his thought. Hoping she was wrong.

  He grinned but didn’t answer. His boots rang hollow against the wooden boards. He stopped at the end of the dock. “You’re a mess, Kim. You need a bath, don’t you think?”

  “No!” She squirmed in his arms, giggling. “Put me down, Travis. This isn’t funny.”

  “You can’t laugh and say it isn’t funny all in the same breath, Kim. Make up your mind. Do you want a bath or not?” He lifted her away from him, and she screamed.

  “Travis, you can’t do that.”

  He laughed. She squealed and kicked her feet. She pushed against him and squirmed more. “Let me go.”

  She didn’t know what happened next. Maybe he tripped on a nail head in the dock. The only thing she knew, he was holding her suspended in the air one minute, and the next they were both falling. They hit the water at the same time. She went under screaming his name. When she broke the surface, he grabbed her.

  “Kim, are you all right? I was only playing around. I didn’t mean to drop you.”

  She brushed her wet hair from her face and laughed. “It would’ve been hard to hold on when you were flying through the air yourself. I’m fine. Just blue and wet.”

  He laughed, glancing down at his shirt. “That seems to be going around.”

  Then his eyes centered on hers, and she couldn’t look away. She searched his face before touching his cheek with her hand. Although most of it was gone, blue paint still colored his cheek. She wiped it off.

  “You didn’t get hurt when you caught me, did you? I mean, I’m not exactly a light weight, and I landed on your chest.” Her hand slipped down to touch the second button on his shirt.

  He shook his head. “You aren’t heavy. Not at all.”