She gave an uplifting smile when her phone rang. “Howdy.”
“Hey, Kimber, the horses have been taken care of. Where ya been?”
Hmm, she barely heard from him and he asked about her day? “I’m on my way home from Phoenix.”
“Okay. Bet you didn’t see any stars there.” He laughed.
“It wasn’t dark when I left, but it sure is closer to home.” Did he want to come over?
“Yeah, well, I tended to the horses. Thanks for having their food set out. I replenished it for the morning.”
Small talk from Zach? “Thanks. That’ll make it easier if I get out there before you. Are you hanging around? I’d love to see you.”
“I’ll probably see you in the morning.”
Probably? This was his job. “Zach?” He’d avoided her but dare she ask why? She sensed distance between them now.
“Yeah?”
“Never mind. Tell Tyler hi.” She paused. “Hey? What about the dog’s owner?”
“Sure thing. See ya. Huh?”
Kimber stopped in a long line of traffic at a light. It seemed to change back to red every fifteen seconds, and only a few cars got through. “Your trip? What did you two find out?”
“Not much. We didn’t see anything unusual. There weren’t any other dogs around. Either way, he no longer owns Stormy. You do. C’ya.”
“C’ya? Zach?” Too late. He must’ve had second thoughts about them. There was nothing she could do about his feelings, but hers couldn’t let go. He was the one who stopped them from going further than kisses and caresses that night. Sure, he said he’d stick around. Humph. Here we go again…
***
With only headlights for light, the dark dropped a black curtain over the area. As she drove down the side road to her house a car sat in front and across the street. There wasn’t a home there, so who could it be and why? Slowing to turn into the driveway, she gasped. It could have been the same light car that had followed her to the Double Dutch Ranch. “It can’t be.” But it wasn’t. She drove below the speed limit and got the license number, then slowly got up to speed and turned back onto the highway down by the middle school. Maybe they switched cars?
Whether it was a mistake or not, she called Jerry. Kimber explained, “Yeah, I got the license number.” She repeated it back to him when she caught her breath. It wasn’t the same number Zach had sent her. “Jerry, this is ridiculous. I’m going back home.”
“Maybe you should get a room tonight.”
How professional did that sound? “I can’t get a room. I live here. I’m not supposed to worry about things like this, and I can’t leave my dog all night.” It remained quiet on his end. “Jerry?”
“Hi, Kimber, Melinda here. Jerry is checking the plate number. You okay, hon?”
What? “Where have you been all this time? This is ludicrous. Melinda, what’s going on with you? You’re with Jerry again?” What went on with this wacky woman? Kimber didn’t like her messing with Jerry after dumping him.
“It’s only business. Jerry wants to talk to you.”
He came back on the phone. “Hey, the plate checks out to an Italian family from Las Vegas. There is no need to worry.”
“Excuse me? No.”
“This means nothing.”
Oh, yes it does. “What about Pino Cavalli’s family?”
Jerry huffed into the phone. “Every Italian family isn’t related to Pino, Kimber.”
She squeezed the steering wheel, saying through gritted teeth, “It’s not a coincidence.”
“It’ll be taken care of. I’ll let you know when you can go home.”
“Dammit. You told me I’d be safe. What if Pino’s men found me?” That was the least of her worries.
Jerry sighed at her last statement. “You did nothing to Pino.”
“How soon you forgot. They thought I stole their money!” Kimber pulled into a parking lot, got out, and paced back and forth along the length of her vehicle.
“It was proven you didn’t. That’s why Sam’s in prison and not you.”
“This isn’t right. How can I feel safe now?”
“Listen to me. It’s safe for you to go home,” Jerry said adamantly. “There is nothing to worry about. A deputy was out that way. He drove by, and they were gone. I’ll stay on the phone with you.”
She drove home. Now, she wished Zach was there working on something. As they had said, the car was gone. She pulled up close to her door, but fear gripped her when she stepped out of the car. She glanced around. The black curtain hung over her property. There were many places to hide. She imagined rifles pointed at her.
“You have your pistol I assume?”
“Yes, Jerry.” Now, she was mad at herself for acting scared.
Melinda came on the line again. “You should always have your pistol with you, that’s why you’ve been trained to carry one. Jerry is making another call in the other room.”
Kimber took a frustrated breath. “Then why am I doing this?”
“Where are you?” Melinda asked.
“In my driveway near my car.” Her hands shook so badly she’d never be able to pull the trigger if she had to.
“Walk through your house while we’re on the phone and keep your pistol in your hand.”
Nausea overtook her as she visualized Pino’s body on the floor. Killing someone tonight, or ever, was the last thing she’d wanted to do. Squaring her shoulders, she unlocked the door and turned off the alarm. It hadn’t been tripped, which lessened her apprehension.
Stormy met her at the door wagging her tail like everything was fine. “My dog is here, but I have to let her out.” She turned on the porch light, then waited in shadows until Stormy sauntered back in. Kimber eyed every inch of the property within her sight. The security light on the pole must’ve had a short in it, or the doggone thing only worked when it wanted to. Like Zach.
Kimber flipped the light on in the hallway, then walked to the dining room and through the kitchen doing the same thing. She opened the pantry and scanned the empty corners. Stormy stayed at her side. Next, she checked the closet off the living room an onward to her bedroom. This is crazy. I’m losing my mind. She stuck her pistol into her holster.
After checking every nook and cranny she sat at the dining room table. “Everything looks okay in the house. Stormy has potential to be a good watchdog from what I’ve seen so far.”
“Kimber, you’re not thinking straight.” Melinda whispered, “Will it make you feel more comfortable if we set up cameras outside the house?”
“I don’t know, maybe. I’ll think about it.”
“Listen, I’ll be there this week. Here, you talk to Jerry now while I finish what I was doing before you called.” The fact she whispered freaked Kimber out.
“Why do you think they were parked outside of my house, Jerry?”
“Logically, we don’t know if they were there because of you. They could have been spotting…coyotes or something, or the car might have broken down.”
“They left before the deputy drove by.”
“Kimber, calm down. They didn’t know a deputy would drive by.”
Get a grip. Jerry was right. “You made me this way. I had a happy life in a nice, safe place in Oregon. Remember?”
“How soon you forgot you were framed for murder and extortion.”
He was always right. Her life wasn’t happy after Sam’s dirty deed. “I’m sorry. I am getting obsessed, and I hate it.”
“It’ll get better.” He covered the phone and she couldn’t hear. “Talk to Melinda a minute while I make a call with my cell.”
They drove her crazy with the back and forth phone calls. Muffled voices muttered through the covered speaker. Now I have a headache.
Again, Melinda whispered, “Do you want me to come and stay with you for a couple days?”
“No, Melinda.”
“Well, until you make up your mind, I’m packing and I’ll drive up tomorrow. I’ll be there before the v
ideo surveillance guys can get there.”
“I said no. I’ll call my security company, and they’ll install their own cameras. That makes more sense.”
“Don’t call them. This won’t cost anything. Get some sleep,” she mumbled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit! She pummeled her thigh with each curse word. Pacing throughout the house, she waited for someone to speak. Jerry came back on and she let it rip. “Will you two knock off the back and forth conversations? Why, I ask again, is Melinda with you?”
“Business, like she said. Good night.”
A moment later, Melinda called from her own phone, still whispering, “See you tomorrow. I’ll arrive around two o’clock.” She hesitated. “You need to keep this between us.” She hung up.
Why had Melinda decided to break the rules when she pounded the importance into her head for months? A change of heart didn’t fit her persona. Needless to say, a sleepless night waited.
She jumped at every little creak. Every time Stormy lifted her head or perked her ears, Kimber’s heart beat a little faster. All the same she checked the alarm and went to settle into bed. She picked up her book but couldn’t concentrate due to one particular cowboy on her mind. Honestly, after what happened between them as of late, she missed him being around. How long would he remain invisible?
Yesterday she’d seen Tyler in town with a friend. He’d remained uncommunicative about Zach, other than saying his brother and Randy had to take care of something. Tyler did slip in, ‘give Zach a chance to explain.’ Well, okay. She would because she said she’d understand him better than the rest. This could be harder than she’d anticipated.
***
Zach took care of chores and got the feed together for their next feeding, though Kimber liked to do that part. He glanced toward the house. The blinds were still closed. He knocked on the door, saying when she opened, “Morning. Got any coffee? Did you sleep in?” He let Stormy out.
“No, I’ve been up a while. I heard you arrive. Come on in. Let’s go, Stormy.” Inside, Kimber folded her arms and squeezed them as she headed toward the kitchen.
“How you doing this morning?” From behind, Zach eyed her unique little wiggle. Today she wore dark blue, short, shorts, a turquoise top and cowboy boots on her feet. She turned abruptly, but he didn’t care if she knew he approved of the way she looked, especially after rudely disappearing. Kimber handed him a cup then poured coffee.
She got the sugar. “I didn’t know if you were coming over.”
Her more-than-friendly behavior of late had disappeared. In fact, she looked agitated. His fault. “Everything okay?”
“No, it isn’t. What’s going on, Zach? You act like we’re strangers now. Did something happen on the trip with your brother?”
He sipped coffee without looking at her, for he couldn’t let her see the pain in his eyes. “I told you it went well.”
“You’re having second thoughts about us.”
“Is that a question?” He waited for a reply, but she leaned against the counter staring back at him. “I picked up the faucets you showed me in the catalog. The receipt is in my truck. And I got the paint you wanted for the bathroom.”
She unfolded her arms. “Make sure I get it. Thank you. When do you want to put them in? Oh, I’m having company.”
Company? “Do you want it done before they arrive?”
“That isn’t necessary.” Kimber continued, “She’s arriving this afternoon. I don’t want her to come.”
Zach pointed to a chair. “Do you mind?”
“Take a seat.” She topped off her coffee and sat in the chair across from him. “She’s the woman who came here with me. You know, the one on the plane?”
“Right, and you don’t want her here? Didn’t you tell her?”
“I did, but she didn’t listen. She thinks because we have history she’s invited. My history with her is over. I don’t trust her anymore.”
“You can’t have that. Once that trust is stolen, ya got nothing.” Her eyes lifted to his as if he’d done something to sway her trust in him. No wonder. He’d been avoiding her on purpose. “Listen, Kimber…”
She tapped her index finger against her mug. “Don’t say anything. I had a bad night. Today won’t be any better. Please don’t say something I don’t want to hear right now.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been distant. I had to figure out some things.”
“Now you need space.” She’d said it as if it was a thought.
“If you want to put it that way, yeah. Sort of.” Kimber shrugged and his heart skipped a beat. “I’ll be to work every day—”
She held her palm up to him. “You’ve said enough. I get it.”
Zach stood, took the mug from her, and pulled her up. “There’s nothing to get.” What did he want to say? He looked into her eyes. As he suspected, he’d hurt her without saying anything. “I don’t want to call us off.”
“Then what does needing space mean when we’re so new? You want to take time off, do it. I won’t force you to come to work.”
He clenched her arms, not letting her move away, but he couldn’t say anything. The smell of her hair floated between them. He touched it and slid one side behind her ear. She cuddled her face against his hand and that weakened him. Zach couldn’t deny wanting to kiss her. He couldn’t not want to be with her. “I guess what I’m saying is, this took me by surprise without giving me time to know what comes next.” He peered at the ceiling a moment. She was what he wanted. Get your head straight.
Kimber laughed. “Well, cowboy, I can say the same thing. Look, I have to deal with Melinda today. Work on getting your issues out of the way while I work on mine.”
“I’ll be around if you need me. Remember that, babe. I’m not saying good-bye unless you want me to.”
She raised her hands to her head. “I don’t want you to.”
Zach put his hat on. “We’re on the same page, then. If she becomes a problem, let me know.”
“Sure, Zach. Sure.”
“I’m taking off with Jake and my brother for a while today. Jake wants to introduce Tyler to some of his bronc riding buddies. I decided to go along, but it isn’t far. Call if you need me. I mean it.”
Kimber nodded. He felt like a heel walking out of there now. Being close to her made it harder to leave. He meant it though. He wasn’t calling it quits. Admittedly, he was moody. Dammit. Zach pounded the doorjamb. “Kimber? It’s hard to say this. The anniversary date of when a lot of my buddies lost their lives recently passed. I haven’t dealt with it well this year.”
“Oh, Zach. I’m sorry.” She went into his arms and he embraced her.
“Try to understand if you can, how hard this is for me. I can’t talk about it, but I want you to know you haven’t done anything.” He held her out from him. Her wet eyes shaved off a piece of his heart. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want you.”
“Tyler said you and Randy had taken off the other day. You have to get through this in your own way. Should I be worried about you being alone?”
Zach tilted his head to the side and half shrugged. “No.” He knelt to stroke Stormy. “That’a girl. You’re a good dog.” He nuzzled his face into her fur then glanced at Kimber when she knelt.
“If you need me, I’m here for you, too, when you’re ready.” She placed her hand on his shoulder and nodded.
“Thank you. That matters a lot.” They stood and embraced again. “Don’t let this woman coming today push you around.”
“I won’t. I missed you, Zach.”
He whispered, “And I’ve missed you.” It was true and hard to accept that he needed her, but he did. “We’ll talk about it all one day, okay? I can’t yet.”
She held his arms and peered sincerely into his eyes. “I told you I’ll understand. I meant it.” She questioned, “Do you smoke?”
Aww, damn. “Sorry if my breath smells like it. I’m trying not to.”
“It’s on your shirt. This pro
bably isn’t the best time to deal with quitting.”
Somehow a smile crept out behind his veil of gloom. “I appreciate that more than you know.” Zach held back the emotion that waited to pour itself out to her. “I gotta go.” He stopped at the door with his back to her. “Wait for me.” He rushed out. Oh, God. This sickened him. He didn’t want to blow it, but he didn’t know how to get free. Kimber, I love you. He should be telling her.
***
Kimber rolled over from her nap. Afternoon had crept in on her. She frowned when she thought of Melinda’s visit in a couple hours. Kimber sighed. With so much going on, soon she’d be as nutty as a fruitcake.
Kimber peeked out the window. She was more at ease now since their talk. Her heart broke for Zach and tears fell. Pain riddled him. Losing his buddies had to be devastating and a horrible thing to go through. Losing her parents was acceptable because they were still alive, but he’d lost friends. Oh, Zach.
She made more coffee and set the freshly brewed pitcher of sun tea in the refrigerator. Kimber went back to her bathroom to place a cool washcloth over her eyes. For sure, she wouldn’t let on to Melinda that she’d had a horrible night with fitful sleep.
Kimber peeked at her watch then checked on what needed to be done. If not for her curiosity about the visit, she’d have insisted Melinda stay home.
***
At two-twenty Melinda pulled into the driveway. Kimber opened the front door and welcomed her in. They hugged as if they were old friends, but Kimber kept distant.
“My men will be here to install your cameras.”
“Wow. So soon?”
“Connections.” Melinda grinned. She cocked her head, and her lips did the same thing, giving her a snooty look instead of the pretty woman she remembered.
Before Kimber’s throat closed up from frustration, she asked, “Are you hungry? I have lunch ready.”
“Sure, I could eat. You know I’m always hungry. This Southwest living has you looking well, Kimber. You have a nice sunglow on your skin.”
Finding Kimber (Canyon Junction; Hearts In Love Book 2) Page 21
