by Paty Jager
Hank returned with her boots and knelt at her feet. She gathered the hem of her dress and raised it to her knees. His eyes widened and flared with the same dark heat she’d witnessed moments before.
“You don’t have stockings on.” The sentence came out more choked than unhappy.
“The feet in them didn’t fit well. I wear men’s socks with the work boots.” Her large body caused more problems. She’d been surprised when the dressmaker had one that was long enough and wasn’t too small for her broad shoulders.
“We’ll take them back and get ones that fit you proper.” His warm palm held the heel of her foot as he slipped her new boot over her toes.
“Could I take them to the camp and give them to Mor?” Talking about her mother took her mind off the sensations buzzing up her leg from his touch.
“Yes. But you’ll still need proper stockings to wear these boots.” He tugged on the laces and had that foot properly booted.
He picked up her other foot. His fingers ran over the scar just under her ankle. “What is this?” His gaze drifted from her ankle to her face. His wrinkled brow and narrowed eyes warned her he wasn’t going to like her answer.
“When I was learning how to work the chute, I got caught between two logs.” She shrugged. Every job she’d worked through the years had given her a scar, but she’d learned from every one of them.
He stared into her eyes. “This is why I won’t have you working in the woods. It’s dangerous.”
She tried to pull her foot from his grip, but he wouldn’t release it. “I got that when I was learning. Now I know what I’m doing. Only those who don’t pay attention get hurt.”
Hank continued to hold her gaze and raised her foot, kissing the scar.
Her heart raced as her body pulsed with excitement. How could she stay angry with him when he kissed her and shimmered wonderful sensations through her body?
“We won’t talk of logging the rest of the night. I want this to be a special night for you.” He slipped her other boot on and laced it.
Hank rose to his feet and extended a hand toward her. Kelda accepted the offering and stood, her body only inches from his. The spicy scent of his shave soap wafted around her adding to her dizzy sensation.
His hands held her head like a cherished object. Her breathing quickened as his lips descended, inch by inch, until the connection sent shivers of anticipation sparking through her body. His tongue caressed her lips, and she opened.
The initial intimate contact struck her like a bolt of lightning, spinning her senses. She clung to him with a talon like grip on his upper arms. His body pressed closer. The scrape of his clothing across her breasts added another jolt of sensations.
He drew back, but held her head. “Kissing you makes me forget proprieties.”
She understood. If he laid her on the bed at this moment, she would welcome his advances with open arms and heart.
Dropping his hands to his sides, he backed away. “I like your hair down like this but you should do something with it before we go to dinner.”
Her body flamed with a yearning she didn’t understand. She understood there was a need it wanted fulfilled but what that need was…she peered at Hank. Her heart fluttered and the juncture of her legs throbbed. Her body wanted his. Unsure how to fight the desire, she ducked her head and hurried into her room.
She stopped at the bureau and stared in the mirror and gasped. The woman starring back at her didn’t look a thing like the Kelda she knew. Who was this striking woman with lips swollen from kisses and eyes shimmering with desire?
Kelda picked up her hair brush and swept the bristles through her hair. The grounding aroma of vanilla filled the air. She sprinkled drops of the extract on her brush once a month to keep her hair smelling good between washings.
The locks shimmered in the light as they dried. She didn’t want to braid it, but had never had a need to do any of the fancy upswept styles or even a bun. Gathering her hair on the sides, she twisted and pulled them to the back, using the ribbon from her braid to tie the two together at the back of her head. There, it was up and out of her face, yet down the way Hank liked it.
She felt his presence. He stood at the doorway watching. Kelda set the brush down and walked over to him. “I’m ready.”
He skimmed his knuckles down her cheek. “You’re beautiful.”
His eyes darkened, and she thought he was going to kiss her again, but he stepped aside allowing her to enter his room. He followed and held out her cape. She wrapped the garment around her and stepped out into the hall.
Hank offered his arm, and they walked side by side without talking all the way to the Warhauser.
The magnificence of the hotel stole her words. Inside the door, their coats were taken by a courteous young man. The restaurant was as beautiful and reverent as a church Far had spoken of seeing when he first arrived in America. The high ceiling was stained glass with rich dark wood furniture and accents.
Kelda tugged on Hank’s arm as the waiter escorted them into the dining area. Hank bent his head toward her. “This is too expensive.”
He placed his free hand over her hand on his arm and his eyes twinkled. “Seeing the admiring looks on all the people seated is worth every penny.”
She drew her gaze from his and noticed everyone watched their entrance. The thought so many people were interested in them stumbled her feet. Hank held on tight making her fumble look like she caught a toe in her skirt. Her body shook.
The waiter finally stopped beside a table in the back corner. Hank held her chair and she sat, breathing a sigh of relief that her back was to the room. She could forget all the people in the room.
Hank sat across from her, beaming. “You are sparkling like a star tonight.”
Her cheeks warmed. “It’s all because of you. The dress and shoes would make any woman feel special.”
He frowned. “It’s not the dress or the shoes. Your smile captured me from the first moment I saw you. Your warmth and caring is what makes you glow. The new dress only draws more attention to your smile.”
He’d noticed her smile first? No wonder when she was moping around he’d caught onto her poor disposition. Since they were making confessions…
“I couldn’t stop looking at you that first day. I’m so used to my brothers round faces, I found your face interesting.”
The tips of his ears grew red. “Really? Now that you’ve met my brothers did you find their faces as interesting?”
Kelda giggled. “You all do have a similar look about you. But I like the way your face crinkles around your eyes when you smile and laugh and the softness of your voice.”
Their food arrived and they fell to eating. Kelda glanced over at Hank several times and found him watching her. She’d return to the meal as heat curled in her body.
The waiter was removing their dishes when Kelda noticed Hank’s mood shift. He stared across the room. She peered over her shoulder to see what caught his attention. A large group of men and woman were being seated.
“Do you know them?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Hank drew his gaze from the family that had just arrived and peered into Kelda’s concerned face.
“Yes. That family is our biggest competitor.”
“They’re loggers?” She turned in her chair giving him a tantalizing view of her profile and drawing his thoughts from the Eccles to her.
“No, they aren’t loggers. They hire loggers. Your father said he turned Eccles down but didn’t say why.” Hank stood and placed his hands on Kelda’s chair. “Ready to go?”
She peered at him and his body tightened like a taut rope. Kissing and holding her earlier had made him so randy he’d wanted to bed her. She still had that hold over him now. He fisted his hands, digging his nails into his palms. He had to control his urges.
Kelda nodded and stood, placing her arm through his. He’d planned to move on by the Eccles family and avoid conversation. He didn’t dislike t
he man, but he did, however, have misgivings about the way the man did business, using his large family and marriages to dovetail businesses and shut out the local businesses.
“Mr. Halsey.” The loud voice couldn’t be ignored.
Hank stopped, pivoting slowly with Kelda still clinging to his arm. “Yes, Mr. Eccles?”
“I heard you contracted with the Stoddard brothers.” Mr. Eccles stood, walking away from his family and toward them.
“Yes, sir. We have a good stand of timber and my wood boss says we can fulfill the contract and more.” Kelda’s hand gripped Hank’s arm.
“If the Stoddard’s can’t handle all your trees at their McEwen mill you’ll need to come see me about using my railroad to haul your trees to our mill.” The gleam of proprietorship in the man’s eyes shouldn’t have rankled. But it did.
Eccles had not allowed anyone to buy into the railroad. Instead he’d used money procured from members of his church and banking partners. Hank and Ethan had looked into getting a piece of the railroad from Baker to Sumpter and had been turned down flat.
“I plan on coming to see you when the railroad is completed.”
“Good. I’ll be looking for you.” Eccles turned his attention to Kelda. “And who is your lovely companion?” The spark of interest in Eccles eyes along with his slow perusal of her from head to toe flashed heat and jealousy through Hank.
Kelda smiled and extended her hand. “Kelda Nielsen.”
Hank wanted to pull her hand back but knew if he needed his timber hauled to Baker City he had to have this man’s acceptance.
Eccles grasped her hand. “David Eccles.”
Hank placed his body between the two. “We need to be moving on. I’ll be by to see you later this summer.” He drew Kelda toward the front doors.
They paused to collect their coats. Hank helped Kelda with her cape, making sure all his motions told everyone in the establishment she was off limits. Eccles studied her like he was looking for wife number three.
Out in the cold night air, Hank tucked Kelda close to his side. He didn’t care if he was being too familiar. This trip had taught him one thing. He wanted Kelda.
Chapter 15
Kelda removed her new dress, folding it carefully and packing it in her valise. They’d leave early tomorrow for the logging camp. She liked the silky undergarments so well she decided to sleep in them. As she brushed and braided her hair, she pondered Hank’s strange reactions to Mr. Eccles. Hank had been very attentive and very quiet after Mr. Eccles introduced himself, and he’d ushered her into her room with barely a good night.
She’d hoped they would kiss some more. Though the kisses they’d shared so far were enough to keep her happy for a lifetime. The sound of heavy footsteps on Hank’s side of the door stopped her hand mid-stroke. The muffled steps grew loud then faded. He paced.
What had him so upset he couldn’t sleep? She placed her brush on the bureau and started for the adjoining door. The cool breeze washing over her exposed skin as she walked halted her steps. She couldn’t show herself to him dressed in these skimpy undergarments. Kelda grabbed her flannel night dress hanging over the end of the bed and pulled it over the top of the unmentionables.
Drawing in a deep breath, she turned the knob and pulled the door open.
Hank stood in the middle of the room staring at the door. Her gaze took in the wide expanse of bare chest covered with a sprinkling of dark curls, down to his flat stomach and pants hanging low on his hips. Her undoing were his bare feet cushioned in the colorful carpet. Her heart raced and her body heated.
“Do you need something?”
She leisurely ran her gaze back up his body. The heat in his eyes rocked her back on her heels.
“I-I…”
He crossed the room in three strides gathering her in his arms, pressing her against his bare chest. She splayed her hands out, feeling the hard muscles bunch and the hair tickle her palms.
She’d heard of swooning, but this was the first time she understood the word. His mouth covered hers, and she dove into the sensation of floating. The kiss lifted her onto her toes and quivered her body into heated need.
Her hands slid to his back, allowing her body to press against his chest. The heat and hard contours of his body under her palms started a new flood of desire swirling low in her torso. His lips moved over her jawline and down. Kelda tipped her head back allowing his soft kisses access to the hollow of her neck.
“Kelda,” he whispered her name so soft and low she almost didn’t hear it for the swooshing in her ears.
“Hank.” Her throat felt raw and sounded raspy.
He held her tight against his body. The hardness pressing against the juncture of her legs stole into her hazy thoughts. His arms banded around her like a choker chain. He kissed her neck again and his arms slowly released her. “Go to your room and don’t come back in here tonight.” Hank turned his back to her.
She placed a hand on his shoulder and he flinched. “What’s wrong?”
“Go to your room, we’ll discuss it in the morning when we’re both dressed.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Her heart dropped like a falling tree.
He turned but only enough for her to see the pained expression on his face. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I promised I wouldn’t compromise you on this trip, and I’m trying to stay to my word.” He waved to the adjoining door. “Go.”
“But I like kissing you.” She turned him to face her and placed a hand on his cheek.
He kissed her palm and closed his eyes. “I like kissing you. But that’s the problem. The kisses lead to more. I won’t do that to you. I won’t bed you even though that’s all I can think of.”
Kelda stepped back. Was that what came next after the kisses? Her body heated thinking about lying in bed alongside Hank. She reached out, but he closed his hand over hers before she touched him.
“No. If you touch me I won’t be able to stop. Go.” He spun her forcefully. When she dug in her heels, he picked her up, carried her into her room, and dumped her on the bed.
“Stay!” he ordered and closed the door to their rooms. The key clicked.
He’d locked her out.
~*~
Hank woke surly and tired. He’d spent most of the night lying awake wishing he wasn’t so honorable. When Kelda walked through that damn connecting door in her nightdress he’d pushed aside all good sense and sought the feel and taste of her. He wanted her even more now that he’d pushed her to the point where her desire for him was as consuming as his desire for her.
The only honorable way to get what he wanted was to marry her. But marriage was out of the question. He didn’t have time in the next two years for a wife. Especially with Eccles watching and hoping he didn’t come through on his contract to Stoddard.
Would Kelda wait two years? The heat and passion in her eyes last night said she wanted him but would that passion diminish if they had to wait? He dressed quickly when he heard her moving around. His belongings were packed in his bag and sitting by the hallway door.
A knock on the outside door surprised him. They told Lars they’d meet him downstairs. He opened the door. Kelda smiled brightly at him. Her new cape draped over her shoulders and the deep blue of the day dress he bought her peeked out from under the cape. She clutched her valise in her right hand.
“I’m ready.”
“Why didn’t you use the adjoining door?” He plopped his hat on and slipped into his coat.
“It was locked.” A brief flicker of disappointment dulled her eyes before she caught it and smiled.
“True. Let’s get breakfast and then find Lars and head back to camp.” He picked up his bag and offered Kelda an arm. They strolled down the stairs and found Lars sitting on a cushioned chair in the lobby.
The new cook jumped up a smile widening his face. “God morgen.”
“God morgen,” Kelda chorused.
Hank stopped at the desk. “Would you hold our bags, please, and have
someone retrieve my wagon from the livery over on Washington?” He slid a silver dollar across the counter to the clerk.
“Yes, sir. Your wagon will be waiting out front when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.” Hank relieved Kelda of her valise, setting both bags at the end of the counter. “Lars, leave your stuff here, too.” He motioned to the cook.
Lars nodded and placed his bundle with their bags and followed them into the restaurant.
Hank wanted more time alone with Kelda but having the third party present was a good way to keep him from overstepping and kissing her. He held out a chair for Kelda then sat to her side while Lars took the seat across from Kelda.
If the man wondered at their relationship, he didn’t seem interested. He asked questions in Norwegian and Kelda answered tossing an explanation Hank’s direction now and then in English.
They finished the meal and collected their belongings. Lars climbed into the back of the wagon without a word. Hank tossed their bags in hurrying to Kelda’s side to help her onto the wagon seat. To her credit, she waited patiently for help. Did she like being treated like a lady rather than a logger? The thought settled warm in his chest.
They slogged through the muddy streets and out to the less busy road leading to McEwen and Sumpter.
Hank leaned his head toward Kelda and whispered. “Does Lars understand any English?”
She giggled and whispered. “Some, why?
“I wanted to speak to you about last night, but we don’t need him telling your family how familiar we’ve become.”
Her body shifted, leaving more space between them. What had he said? He wanted to reach over and take one of her hands but the gap between them would show his actions to the man in the back of the wagon. “What did I say?”
Kelda’s body shifted, her knees banged into his. He glanced over and caught her icy green stare.
“Am I only to gain your attention when we are away from the log camp?” The anger and edge on her voice told him she was about to boil over like an unwatched pot.
“No.” He captured her hand in his. “I-I just don’t want your family thinking anything about the trip was inappropriate.” He played with her gloved fingers. “I won’t be forced into marriage.”
