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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “Hi, bro. Your truck’s done. What do you want me to do with it?”

  Zach’s stomach grumbled. “That’s up to you. Hold on a minute.” He lowered the phone to speak to Wade. “Yeah, we can get dinner.”

  Zach headed toward town, speaking back to Tyler, “Last I heard you were staying with Dad and shipping my truck.”

  “I might’ve changed my mind. The old man’s still selling off stuff like it’s water running out of a pump, which tells me, whether I like it or not, the ranch will be gone in no time. I have to think of my future as well. So much for our inheritance.”

  “Gotcha. But dammit, Ty, I gave him money down and told him not to sell anything else. I never planned on an inheritance anyway. That’s why I gave him money up front. You leavin’ for Arizona, or do I have to take a flight home?”

  “I’ll get a bag together and hit the road in a couple days. I’ll call when I get started, but I need to take care of this property issue with Dad, first.”

  “Thanks, Ty.”

  Zach hung up and pulled into the rear parking lot at the Sunset Grille. “That was my brother. He’ll be here in about a week or less with my truck.” Inside, they sat near the window, picked up the menu, and both ordered sodas when the wait person came over.

  She brought over their beverages right away. Zach took a drink of his soda while his heel tapped on the floor. “You thinking about asking Kimber out again?”

  Wade narrowed one eye. “Well, now, I don’t know. I’ll play it by ear. Seriously, I’d like to get to know her.”

  Zach came close to coldcocking him, but he didn’t know why he wanted to hit him, other than the gnawing in his belly encouraging him. “Yeah, so would I.” As hard as it was to admit that to himself, and Wade, he meant it. Would she turn him down if he asked her for coffee?

  Chapter 8

  Tears filled her eyes upon waking. Obey the rules and no one gets hurt. Isn’t that what Jerry had ingrained into her brain? Last night had been hard. She yearned to talk to her sister. Charlotte cried herself to sleep. Kimber knew this without solid proof. Her heart ached this morning. She needed her family. If not for the sound of tires in the drive, she’d have stayed in bed all day to wallow. She dressed in light green jogging shorts and a pale blue tee, then slipped into slippers.

  While the coffee perked, Kimber brushed her hair and brought it into a high ponytail then splashed water on her face. She forced herself to apply a light amount of makeup to make herself look presentable.

  She took her cup of coffee to the east window in the great room. Then her phone rang. “Melinda?”

  “Good morning, Kimber. You know I’ve been thinking… I could visit during vacation. We can go horseback riding.”

  Huh? Who was this, and what had they done with Melinda? Kimber couldn’t forget her cold attitude. “Why?”

  Melinda spoke in a low voice as if she didn’t want someone to hear. “Maybe I can sneak away and see you now and then.”

  Kimber gave a sidelong glance out the window again. “It isn’t a good idea. If I follow the rules I won’t get killed. Check. Except for sometimes. Check.” She stretched her neck back and to the sides and stood to do some side-bends to work out some kinks in her body. “Do you honestly think Sam will think I’m alive and keep looking for me?”

  “I think he will until he expires all his options.”

  Kimber sighed. “Were those two men from the courtroom at my funeral?”

  “They were at Tressa’s funeral.” Melinda paused. “Don’t forget Kimber is very much alive. Listen to me and things should be fine.”

  “No, I’m on my own now and living this life. You don’t have to call me anymore.”

  “Listen, Kimber. Your credentials say you’re Kimber Kay Sinclair. You have legitimate paperwork to back it up. As long as you stay strong and confident you’ll beat this, and listen to what I tell you.”

  I’m tired of listening. “Wait one minute. I did this to my family so we could trust again. To be safe again. This is all bull-crap. Isn’t it?”

  “I mean you should be cautious is all. Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem. Listen—”

  “Why do you keep saying that?”

  “I want you to know some things aren’t as they seem.” She took a deep breath. “Never mind.”

  “Never mind?” She believed Melinda was not what she’d seemed. “It’s better if you don’t call me anymore. I’m trying to start a new life.” Kimber hung up. She was done with her.

  She needed another cup of coffee like she needed snakes at her door. The large kitchen had cupboards on both end walls and Formica countertops. The appliances weren’t new. A large window with a terrific view stood as a backdrop to a snack bar and two stools.

  Peering into the great room, the wood floors shined. The square wood dining room table gave the room a look of a rural setting, but she’d never liked the country style before. Tressa wasn’t country, but Kimber could be. The hutch in the room, would one day hold real crystal glasses and china dishes. She’d have nice pieces like before whether anyone liked it or not. One day.

  The day she told Jerry and Melinda good-bye only reminded her she had told every living soul she loved, good-bye. The rest of her life depended on her alone. Tomorrow she’d go to town to begin job hunting. In a town so small, it didn’t look too hopeful for a good paying job. Nothing here would match what she made back home. What would she find when she went to downtown Canyon Junction? Downtown Canyon Junction had to be an oxymoron, but she’d learn to love it, exist in it, and to find Kimber.

  ***

  Kimber took Zach out a mug of coffee after breakfast. He thanked her and took a drink without any rebuttal or nasty face. Today, the man appeared to be in his element. His dirty, faded jeans fit his body well. The tool belt low on his waist only added to his ruggedness, and she liked that about him. He wore a straw hat and a plaid shirt with cutoff sleeves.

  The long ends of his hair had been tied back today, but he had a few loose strands falling over his forehead. Sexy. The rest of his hair pulled back, showed the sharply carved bone structure—his high cheekbones and sculpted jaw that only enhanced his handsomeness. A bit of whiskered-shadow appeared on his face.

  Curious, Kimber guessed at his height, but if she asked him to confirm her query, he’d throw her question right back at her. She lifted an eyebrow as a thought came to her. “My height comes in handy for getting on tall horses like Major.”

  Zach peered at the ground then he took a drink of coffee, swallowed, and eyed her from the feet up. “Good for you.”

  She laughed at his droll expression. “How tall are you?”

  His lip lifted at one corner. “What the hell are you up to?”

  “I’m getting you figured out, cowboy.”

  “Quite smart you think you are, Ms. Sinclair. I’m over six without my boots. And you care, why?” Zach swallowed the last drink and handed her the mug back.

  She felt giddy in his presence today. “I figured close enough.”

  “That wasn’t hard. You plan on buying me new jeans?”

  She grinned, observing him from the head down. “Yours are fine.” He moved in a step until he stood close. The smell of his cologne surrounded them. “Why do you always have to be a wisecracker, Bryson?”

  Their gaze connected in a mesmeric hold. “Why do you ask so many questions?”

  As she’d expected, he couldn’t take a question before asking one first. “Because I’m new here and I want to learn. Why wouldn’t I want to learn about you? You’re the only person around to talk to.”

  “You could’ve talked to Wade last night.” Zach snorted and pulled his tool belt higher on his slim waist, but it didn’t stay there.

  Kimber glanced to the loft to avoid looking into his eyes that were still too close. Regardless, she met his scrutinizing gaze with the same. “Wade isn’t interested in me. He wants to get lucky.”

  Zach held his hand against his chest, exposing the muscles in h
is bare arm. “And you figured that out in a few words? Maybe you don’t know him all that well. Neither do I, but I imagine he has no problems getting what he wants.”

  He stared her down, but she didn’t back away. With Wade’s looks, women probably fell right into his arms with one glance. “I’ll give you that much. Why did he come over with you?”

  Zach shook his head while waving her off and took a step back. “I’m not getting in the middle of this. You need to go talk to him about your account.”

  In his eyes, she saw something different than what she’d seen when Wade looked at her. “So, I should have coffee with him?” Now what would Mr. Smartass say?

  “Do as you wish. I don’t care what the—”

  “Yeah, you do.” She stomped off. Why had she said something so daring? She didn’t know him either, but since Sam, she became good at reading people.

  “Dammit, woman.” Zach caught her and yanked a hold of her arm to stop her. He stared down at her with his gorgeous twinkling eyes. It wasn’t her imagination when he leaned in and lowered his face closer. “Why do you do this?”

  Kimber gulped, lifted her chin, and narrowed her eyes. “Let go of me, Mr. Bryson.”

  He let go of her arm then clenched and released his fingers like he wanted to do it again. “I got work to do. Oh, and I’ll paint the barn as soon as I can.”

  “I decided to leave it faded.”

  “Of course, you did.”

  “I like the old tattered look. Zach? The other night we didn’t get a chance to talk. I wanted to explain something to you.”

  “About the guys at the store?”

  She nodded. Her whole life had become a secret, and she didn’t know who to trust. “I don’t know who they were, but they followed me to the Double Dutch and then again when I left. I pulled in the parking lot hoping they wouldn’t follow.”

  Zach groaned. “I have a friend checking the license plate. Something didn’t look right about them. Lo and behold, when I left you at the store, I came upon them on my way home. I took a picture of the plate number.”

  “No, you can’t do that. Please, whoever it is, ask them not to check. But…can you give the license number to me? This is personal. Please, Zach? Please.”

  “Okay. Okay. You know who they are then?”

  “No, but I have a suspicion. Listen, I have to go to town to find a job. I can’t talk now.” Kimber walked out of the barn, and her phone beeped. He’d sent the plate number. She glanced back. He stood in the doorway all sexy and strapping. “Thank you.” She proceeded to the house, but before she reached the porch, Zach called after her.

  “I don’t know what kind of experience you have, but they might still need a front desk person over at the extended stay hotel outside of town. I stayed there last year, and I saw the notice in the paper recently. It’s a decent place.”

  “Where is it?”

  “I’ll text you the address. It’s easy to find.”

  She smiled. “I appreciate it. Thank you.” Again, she turned to go.

  “Hey.”

  Kimber gripped the handrail and went up one step and waited. “Yeah?” She asked over her shoulder.

  He peered off toward the mountains before speaking, then he sighed. “I’ll be in town later. Let me buy you lunch. It’ll make up for the times you fed me.”

  Oh, no. Zach asked her out? Tingles tickled her belly from the inside out.

  “It isn’t a date or anything. If I’m there and you’re there…”

  She faced him. “I don’t know my way around town yet, but where did you have in mind?”

  “Right on main street there’s a little Mom and Pop place called Sunset Grille.” He peeked at his phone. “Ah, twelve-thirty?”

  “Okay. I should be finished with an application by then.” Oh, God. Did she say yes? The warming glow in the pit of her belly moved higher…to her heart. Filling out an application wasn’t something she wanted to think about. It would all be a lie. Kimber slogged back to where he stood. “The other day at the Double Dutch you said something, or joked I guess, about a cattle ranch. Is it possible to raise cattle here? Would you have any idea how much it would cost to get started, and how many cattle I could have?”

  “I have work to do now, Kimber. If you’re serious, I’ll ask around about who you’d need to talk to. We’ll discuss it at lunch. Maybe I’ll have some numbers for you.” Zach walked toward his truck, which had lumber in the bed. Then he came to an abrupt stop. “Wait. Maybe I have a better idea. You know, my little brother will be visiting before long, and we’re taking over our family ranch.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Our place in Idaho is all set up. Let me talk to my brother before I go any farther, but a third partner might not be a bad idea. We’d need my dad’s approval to bring in someone outside of the family.”

  She touched his arm. “A third partner? Are you suggesting I buy a cattle ranch in Idaho with you and your brother? Who would run it?”

  “Let’s talk later.” He sprang into his truck and drove down the road, but stopped at the gate entrance, got out, and lowered his tailgate. Those broad shoulders looked good from a distance, as well. Her future ranch—Adobe Sunset—would soon have its name hanging at the front entrance again.

  The heck with the job application this morning. She needed to go to Jake Lawton’s to set up an account. She raised her hands to her head. Would life ever run smoothly again?

  If money flowed in from a ranch in a different state, so what. But why did his dad want to sell if the ranch did well? First, she needed to check with Jerry. She didn’t want any hassles with her identification or background information if something as crazy as his idea came to pass. This would be a true test to her identity.

  Zach could end up a partner. Before that happened, she’d background check the history of the ranch. She’d not allow herself to be burned again.

  Inside, she stuck a flavored pod into her other coffeemaker. When finished, she took a seat in front of the window facing south and made a list of questions. Kimber eyed the room. One day she might actually feel like it was her home.

  She clicked on Jerry’s name in her contacts, knowing she needed to keep her distance from him, but she dialed. “Jerry, do you have a second?” She kept a friendly tone when he answered. “I might’ve come across an opportunity to become a partner on a cattle ranch in Idaho. I need to be put in touch with someone who can do a background check.”

  “Your foreman is from Idaho. Have you lost your damn mind?”

  Kimber laughed. She visualized the shocked expression on his face. Had she lost her mind? Had Zach? “Nope, I’m serious…”

  ***

  It pleased her to see a good-sized library in town. While checking out all the cute little shops on Main Street, she missed the restaurant. An historical home made into a bed and breakfast sat on the edge of town. What had Canyon Junction looked like at Christmastime?

  Turning around, she drove back through, this time keeping her eyes on signs. She spotted the restaurant with no empty parking spaces out front. To her, vertical parking spoke small town, but she wished a spot was open. Kimber followed the Parking sign with an arrow around to the rear. Sure enough, there sat Zach’s truck. This time there was no wood sticking out from the bed. She couldn’t wait to see her new signpost.

  Zach opened her door, peeked at his watch, and shook his head. “You’re late.”

  Kimber blew out a breath, ready to charge verbally until Zach smiled. The man had it in him to tease?

  “You’re only five minutes’ past. Did ya get lost?”

  He mocked her. Damn him. “Not lost but so enamored with your town, that I missed the restaurant.”

  Zach took a step away from the door and pointed toward where she’d driven in. “I should’ve told you to turn on Library Street if no spots were open in the front.” He pulled her door more open. “Figured you’d use your GPS.”

  “Well, I didn’t Mr. Smarty. Maybe I wanted to be
surprised.” She gathered her purse and phone.

  “Were you?” He grinned again. “After you.”

  Yes, she’d been surprised. “Uh huh,” she said smiling. “Pleasantly.”

  “You’d like Bakerdale back home then.”

  ***

  She’d stepped out of her SUV with a frown before a smile. Apparently, Ms. Sinclair didn’t like teasing. Her rose colored toenails peeked through the toe opening in her low-heeled brown sandals. She was not in her element on the ranch or Canyon Junction, and it made him curious as to what her life had been like before coming here. He held the door to go inside. “Looks like we can seat ourselves. Head to the table near the window. Or a booth if you prefer.”

  Zach walked behind her as she strutted on like she owned the place. He liked that about her. Her cotton khaki pants without any pockets in the back defined her lovely ass he couldn’t help but notice. She looked good in lavender, which was the color of her fitted shirt, emphasizing her narrow waist. This blouse had two top buttons undone, which about made him undone. There was nothing like a hint of cleavage to get his blood boiling, and hers needed his attention.

  Since this morning, she’d pulled her hair up at the sides. Her green eyes were wide and clear without hair in her face.

  “I’m glad you chose this table by the window. It gives me a chance to look around outside. See what I’m missing, you know?”

  “Uh huh. Maybe we can walk it sometime.” Before she pulled out the chair, he beat her to it, eyeing her as she slid into it, butt first.

  She peered up at him before sliding the chair in. “I’d like that, Zach.”

  Cool. Now that they both sat in public with broad daylight streaming through the window, the silence between them screamed out for conversation. “You never told me where you used to live.” Oh, shit… She had avoided that question the first time. Now the way she jerked her head toward the doorway, he expected her to bolt.

  She faced him with a knitted brow. “Did you find any information on cattle farming here? Is your brother serious about taking over yours? Are you?” Kimber chuckled. “I mean ranching…not farming.”