Finding Kimber (Canyon Junction; Hearts In Love Book 2)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Regardless, Kimber stretched her neck to glance back out of the corner of her eye. His dark brown hair was neatly tied back, and his tanned skin proved he worked outside. Maybe he was a rancher. She turned away, but dammit, she couldn’t help turning back. The cute guy rested his ankle on the opposite knee, laid his head back against the seat, and closed his eyes. She gazed at his black and gray cowboy boots. Him sitting in that position brought a familiarity. Had she seen him before? Where? The boots? She’d seen them.

  His arresting green eyes opened, and he looked straight at her. She might have blushed. His attentive orbs showed warmth, friendliness. What a sexy cowboy he was. Sexy? Why would she think of sexy? She wanted to burn sex out of her mind. His smile was adorable though. Turn away. If he looked familiar to her, then he might think the same thing, though it was doubtful. She rarely left the hotel in Boise since she’d changed her appearance.

  But she was drawn to glance at him again—becoming attracted to the appealing features of his face. When he nodded, she nodded back. Kimber jerked her head forward and pulled the jacket to her neck, settling lower in the seat so she couldn’t see past Melinda if she did look back.

  ***

  At the gate in Phoenix, the handsome man stood and stretched then put his hat on. She gulped. He was a tall one, and his body looked strong. He was the kind of guy she and her friends would salivate over from the sidelines.

  In reality, he was another man who couldn’t be trusted.

  He walked off the plane in front of her, but he didn’t have more than a small duffel bag. In the baggage department, he waited close to her. Her bag came around, and he reached for it when she did. Their hands touched, shooting sparks through her body. He lifted the bag off and set it on its side on the floor. She meant to upright it, but the heavy bag made her off balance. His warm, working-man’s hand caught her wrist and slid to the handle.

  “Thanks so much.” Kimber peered at her boot. The heel wrenched, which is what set her off balance. “Oh, no.” She reached down to twist off the heel. “This is not what I needed.”

  Mr. Handsome-tall-guy casually said, “I can fix that for you. Give me your other one.”

  Kimber leaned against the carousel and removed her other boot. He slammed the heel against the floor until it matched the broken one. She gasped. “No! What the hell?”

  “There was no choice, ma’am. I guess I should’ve asked you first. I’ll pay for it. How much?” He grabbed his bag when it came around then pulled out his wallet.

  “Never mind paying for it.” A lucky woman had to be attached to him, but as he let go of the handle on her bag, there was no ring on his finger.

  He nodded before leaving the baggage area. “If you’re sure. Hope you’re having a great day, ma’am. Enjoy small town living.”

  Hope you’re having a great day, ma’am. Then it hit her where she’d seen him. She drew in a breath. The doctor’s office where she’d gotten the mole removed? Fear overtook her, but she looked totally different now. He couldn’t have recognized her. She didn’t recognize herself. His deep but smooth voice mimicked how it sounded in the office when he spoke to the receptionist.

  The softer side that had always been Tressa, gave a subtle smile as Kimber, for she couldn’t help acknowledging his gentlemanly deed. However, he’d destroyed a perfectly good boot. “You, as well.” She removed the broken shoe and headed to the restroom with Melinda to get another pair from her bag, and to hopefully never see him again. Then why the hell had she looked back? So had he.

  Should she mention this to Jerry? Obey the rules, and you won’t have any problems. Obey the rules. Obey the freaking rules. Melinda caught her off guard with a nudge. “Sweet of him, wouldn’t you say? Nice Levi’s.”

  “Stop right now.” Kimber brushed a strand of red hair from her eyes, and the smell of his cologne remained on her skin where he had gripped her wrist. She lingered over the scent that was as smooth as his voice. What had it smelled like across his neck, his cheek? She had finally lost her mind after all, for she had given up on men back in Oregon the day Sam betrayed her.

  ***

  Jerry turned the rental car left onto a dusty, narrow road, and then into a driveway. Kimber peered up at the weatherworn sign dangling above the dilapidated signpost. She brushed her hair, next popping a couple mints into her mouth. A quick swipe of lipstick in a pinky-beige-brown color quenched her parched lips. “Where are we?”

  “Home,” Jerry shot back bluntly.

  She removed her seatbelt to sit forward. In the far distance behind the home sat a mountain. Tall and shorter cacti stood noble throughout the landscape. What a stunning and welcoming, yet barren sight.

  “Mr. Brooks put a clause in the lease for you to rent with an option to buy. Once he knows the place is gone for good, he doesn’t want to return. Frank said this was a nice area with friendly people. I hope you’ll decide to use the buy option by this time next year.”

  Kimber didn’t know what to think. “Thank you.”

  Sand-dust followed behind the car. Her eyes widened at first glance at the adobe home. “This isn’t what I expected at all. This can’t be my home.” Kimber figured there must be a little hut tucked away behind it.

  They got out. She stood with her hands on her hips, her head turning in all directions to take in everything at once. Impossible. It’d take many days of viewing this landscape to see it all.

  Observing the white fencing around the place, she decided right then to embrace this new life the best she could because she had no choice. The twilight sky seemed lower here. If there were any clouds, they were far off. She walked off the driveway toward the side of the home. Behind the house sat a red barn.

  “Let’s go to the barn.” Jerry walked on ahead of her. “Frank is leaving the horses with the property. I’ve read over the contract. It’s safe to sign.”

  “Thank you, Jerry.” She walked faster at the first neighing sound. “The horses are here now.” She should’ve sniffed the air. “Who’s been watching them?”

  Jerry huffed. “I told you we already lined up a foreman. He’s been here, but Frank got rid of him for this evening.”

  Got rid of him? She learned not to ask too many questions.

  “The ranch foreman’s number should be in the house. When you need him, call.” Jerry slid the barn door open. A blast of cool air whooshed out.

  “It’s air conditioned.” Kimber entered with an urgency. “Lucky horses.”

  “Kimber, it can get up to 108 degrees plus in the summer.” Jerry’s phone rang, and he walked off to talk.

  She knew that. Kimber went inside to the first stall. “Hey there. Aren’t you a tall, beautiful boy with your white tail?” His legs were white beneath the knees. The horse had a patch of white on his right shoulder, but he also had a smaller patch of white on his left side.” He came to the door and bobbed his head, grunting. “Are you friendly?”

  His ears were stiff and pricked a little forward. She held her hand out. He nudged it with his muzzle, then he bumped it hard. A bag of treats hung on the door, and she took one and held her hand out. “Here you go.” He ignored her. His mane and forelock were both black like his body.

  Another horse whinnied and strode around rambunctiously in the stall across from this one. Kimber turned back when the gelding neighed. She offered the treat again, and he took it. Across the way, she boasted, “Oh, look at you!” She strolled over and eased her hand out. This palomino mare showed a friendliness right away.

  Jerry stood at the door. “Will you be okay for a few minutes? I need to go to the house. Don’t forget to come sign the lease and meet Mr. Brooks.”

  “Jerry? I’m a little afraid of my new identity. Do I have to worry about anything? I mean—”

  “It’s all good. I wouldn’t set you up to let you down. Accept things as they are and learn to live as Kimber.”

  “Can I say thank you again without sounding like a recording?”

  “Sure.”

&nbs
p; “Thank you,” she said softly. “I can’t wait to see the inside of the charming little place.”

  Jerry hugged her. “It isn’t exactly little. It’ll take some work inside. Come up to sign the lease before Frank leaves.”

  She faced the mare. A name tag hung on a bridle on the stall. “Honeycrisp is a good name for you, girl, with your pretty golden body. Let’s see if your buddy has a tag somewhere.” She crossed the floor and sure enough, a nameplate had been attached to the gelding’s stall. “Hi, Major. What a cool name.” He bobbed his head again, but came closer and placed his nose against her hand but shoved her hand away.

  “I see how it is.” Gazing around, she lifted her eyes. The loft held a few bales of hay. The place was clean, but the inside of the building needed a lot of work. The stalls holding the horses were secure. She moved through the stable to the darker back section. A light bulb from above needed to be replaced. Spotting a door toward the back, she opened it slowly, unsure of what might jump out at her. It squeaked open. She peeked inside, though it was too dark to see much of anything.

  “Hello, ma’am.”

  She bumped her head jumping back. Her left hand splayed across her chest. “Dear God, you startled me. I didn’t know anyone was here.” He’s young for a ranch foreman.

  The man removed his hat. “My name’s David. I’ve been working around here for the past couple weeks.” He glanced around. “You can tell it needs a lot more work.”

  Where were her manners? “Nice to meet you. I’m K-Kimber Sin-Sin…Sinclair. Thank you for taking care of the horses. They’re beautiful.”

  “Don’t let Major hear you say he’s beautiful.” He diverted his eyes. “Sorry, ma’am, I was joking with ya. The horses are good family horses. I’d watch out for Major at first. He’s a man’s man kind of horse. I’ll be around now and then when y’all need an extra hand.”

  “Thank you. Are you here to work now?”

  He removed his hat again and fingered the brim. “Nah, I brought the horses back to the barn from the paddock.” He pointed toward the back with his thumb. “They’ve had feed and water.”

  What a nice and good-looking young man. He must’ve been in his late-twenties. His dishwater blond hair was uncombed. Or, maybe he called it “hat hair.” A friendliness showed in his warm brown eyes. “I see a couple light bulbs are out. What’s in this room? Supplies?” She pointed to the dark room she had peeked into.

  “Yup, the tack room. You know, where they keep saddles and stuff.”

  “Of course. Are there any saddles for these horses in there now?”

  “Everything you need to ride can be found there. I’ll make sure to get some light for you. Oh, and the lights up top in the loft need replaced.”

  “Okay.”

  “Kimber?” Jerry came in through the door, eyed David, and his body language showed a guarded stance. At least he hadn’t gone for his gun.

  “Hey, you’re back. This is the hired hand. He came by to check on the horses. Meet David.”

  Jerry came to where they stood. “David isn’t the guy who’s supposed to be working here. I didn’t get your last name?”

  “Ah, David Stark. Somebody had to care for the horses when they came back early.” David told Jerry he’d be in and out and around when someone needed him.

  Jerry shook his hand. “It looks like you’ve been busy around here.”

  “There’s a lot more to do.” He pushed the front of his hair back and put his hat on. “Well, I’ll let you and your daughter get to know the place. Have a nice evening now.”

  “No, he’s not—”

  Jerry bumped her shoulder.

  When David walked away, she frowned. “Why’d you want me to keep quiet?”

  “None of this is any of his business. Besides, the other guy should’ve been here. I’ll have David checked out. I don’t like when things don’t go to plan. Why don’t you go up to the house to sign that lease?”

  Bossy. “For one thing, you said no one knew we were coming, so how would the regular guy know he should’ve been here? Besides, at least someone cared for the horses whether we were here or not.” Kimber stormed out, saying bye to David who stood at Major’s stall out of earshot of their conversation.

  She’d be glad to get on with life. Reality would hit when she had nothing to do but think. She’d built a wall up high around her so she didn’t have to think about home—her real home.

  Chapter 4

  Kimber finished putting her last pair of undies in the drawer when there was a tap on the door. She let Melinda in.

  She entered, frowning, then padded to the window. “What did you want to talk about earlier, Tress…Kimber? Do you need Jerry, too?”

  “No. It was nothing.” Kimber observed the large room for the size of the house, as was the spare bedroom. This one was painted pale yellow, so light in color it resembled alabaster. She observed Melinda. She owned her own bodyguard service. Kimber had overheard a conversation about her business failing.

  “The view from here is gorgeous. I hope you like it and enjoy yourself. By the way, the guy… David? He checked out.”

  “Okay, good.” What did she expect? “What’s going on with you and Jerry?”

  Melinda turned and folded her arms. Her whole facial expression changed to gloominess. “What do you mean?”

  “Look, I know I can’t ask questions that are killing me not knowing the answers to, but I love Jerry almost as much as I love my own father.”

  “Jerry and I had become close.”

  She might as well change the subject. “I vowed to myself that I’d dedicate my life to finding Kimber Kay Sinclair.” She patted her chest. “She’s here.” Kimber strolled to the window and looked out. “Yes, Melinda, this is a remarkable view. If possible, I wish to remain close to Jerry when you’re gone.”

  “It’s best you keep your distance from him. You know how to contact him for an emergency, but other than that, you have to be wary of contacting him.”

  Kimber turned abruptly. “No one said I’d have to give up Jerry, too.”

  “Go ahead and finish unpacking. I’ll call you when we’re ready to head to town for dinner.”

  Well, she’d rather hear the words come from Jerry himself. If it meant keeping her distance from him, she didn’t know what she’d do. He’d be the only one to keep her updated about her family. Or was that off limits?

  The restaurant sat outside of town, or so she’d been told since she’d never seen the town yet. The mid-sized eatery hadn’t been busy tonight, so they got a lot of attention from the wait person. Delicious smells made her stomach grumble and when her Gai Cow arrived, she ate like she hadn’t eaten in days. She enjoyed the egg roll and plum sauce.

  After hardly eating much for weeks, tonight’s dinner satisfied her. Sitting back with a cup of tea and a fortune cookie, she glanced around the authentically decorated dining room.

  No. Way.

  She recognized his profile when he glanced to the side. The same man from the plane sat with his back to them a few booths down on the other side of the room. It can’t be. Seeing him put her on guard. If she told Jerry now, he’d make a scene and embarrass all of them. But the word red flag crossed her mind.

  ***

  Once they arrived home, Melinda asked her to come into the library to talk.

  Jerry poured them each a glass of wine and himself a glass of Scotch he’d purchased. Kimber took her glass. “Before we go on, there’s something that seems weird. Remember the guy on the plane and again in baggage claim?”

  “Oh, sure. I definitely remember him.” Melinda gave a bemused smile.

  “Well, did you see him in the restaurant tonight?”

  “What?” Jerry perked up and sat forward in the blue leather, high-back chair.

  Kimber stood, clenching the wine glass in front of her. “What does this mean?”

  “You saw him on the plane and in the restaurant?” He reached for his phone.

  “Should I be worri
ed?” Kimber paused a moment to get her bearings. Yes, she should be worried. “But, I also saw him at the doctor’s office as Tressa.”

  Jerry rose from the chair with a pinched expression. “At the doctor’s office? Did you see him before or after the mole removal?”

  “No, it had been removed, but I had a band-aid covering it. Calm down, Jerry. I still had blonde hair not red. I told you I was Tressa, but I signed in as Kimber as you know since you made the appointment.”

  Jerry glanced at Melinda then left the room with his phone to his ear.

  Kimber sat her glass down. “Now I’m nervous. Who is he calling?”

  “I don’t know all his contacts. It could be coincidence, or not. Seeing the same man like this needs to be checked. Especially since you saw him in different places.”

  “And two states. But he was in the restaurant when we got there. I didn’t see him walk in, so he didn’t follow us. Obviously, he’s a man who isn’t missed walking into a room.”

  “Was he alone or with someone in the restaurant?”

  “He was with a cowboy and a young boy, about ten or eleven.”

  “Any minute Jerry will walk in here with an answer.”

  And he did.

  “I have to go back to the restaurant to meet someone. I’ll return soon.”

  Kimber’s mind went haywire imagining the worst of everything. Not yet here for twelve hours, and she could be moved again. She didn’t want this anymore.

  “A day from now when we’re gone, you’ll be exploring the area on your own. You’ll figure it all out as you go.” Melinda peered around the library then pointed at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves along two walls. “Mr. Brooks left all these books for you, Jerry’s little darling.”

  Her eyes widened at the snark. Was she jealous of the attention Kimber received from Jerry? The room was smelly like old paper, but she loved books. Kimber got up to peruse the shelves, her finger trailing over the spines. She peered at her finger. No dust. She spotted Major’s Secret Command with a drawing of a two-faced image on the cover. One side of the face smiled, while the other side appeared angry like a Jekyll and Hyde kind of man. Had the previous owner named the horse because of this book? “How long do you think it’ll take Jerry?”