The Climax Montana Complete Collection

by Reece Butler

  She blinked as her eyes filled. This was the home she’d dreamed about as a child. All it needed was a cat to curl up on her lap while she sat in a rocking chair, knitting. She didn’t know how to knit, had never sat in a rocking chair, nor had he ever had a cat purr in her lap. That was all going to change. Surely someone would be able to show her how to knit.

  The sound of spitting bacon burst through her dreams. She turned to the unattended electric stove. Typical. The man in the kitchen ignores what he considers women’s work. She spotted a full-front apron hanging on a hook. She grabbed it, threw the cord over her neck, and strode toward the stove, tying the apron behind her back in a bow as she walked.

  “Good morning, Mr. Adams. I apologize for sleeping in.”

  Perhaps a tiny bit of censure crept into her voice. She picked up the tongs resting on the counter and began flipping the thick strips over. A splatter screen lay to the side, so she covered the pan with it when she was done. The oven surface felt warm and the light was on, so she peeked in. A pan of biscuits was ready to come out. She looked around for something to protect her hand.

  “This what you’re looking for? “

  A set of sunflower patterned oven mitts appeared. She forced herself to meet his gaze. He looked amused more than anything.

  “Thank you.”

  He didn’t move away as she put on the mitts, so she ignored him. She opened the oven the whole way and bent over. She set the pan on the stove and knocked the door shut with her hip. A quick look around showed a basket lined with a tea towel waiting on the table. She quickly filled it with the biscuits, covering them to keep in the heat. The table was set, even though it was past daylight.

  “You haven’t eaten yet?”

  “We grab a granola bar and cup of coffee before doing the morning chores. Breakfast doesn’t happen until they’re done.”

  His voice was as deep as Travis’s but had more depth. Due to his age, perhaps?

  “Is that where everyone is, Mr. Adams?”

  “I’m Keith. Aggie put the eggs in that basket beside you. She’s out feeding the hens and Donny’s helping Travis with calf duty.”

  Jane wasn’t sure what that meant, other than he expected her to cook the eggs. She turned to face him. He dominated the room with his size, but it was the eyes which seared her. She was used to men trying to control everything, and Keith was true to type. She held her head high and gave him the same back.

  “I’m Jane,” she said briskly. “Jane Stark. Thank you for allowing me to stay here as your guest. Once this is over I’ll get out of your way. Do you know if anyone has a job that needs filling? I can do a lot more than cook and clean.”

  “Don’t knock those skills, they’re in high demand. And yes, I do. Travis said you get along well with old people. You might think of applying to the senior’s home. They’re a lively bunch, eager for new faces.”

  He obviously didn’t consider himself old, though he must be in his mid-sixties. Once things fizzled out between her and Keith’s sons, she wouldn’t be able to stay at this ranch. But neither could she just walk away from this town after hearing so many good things about it. Maybe the seniors’ home would need someone to live in. She could then stay in the mountains, but not have to see Travis and Riley every day.

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Jane.”

  An invisible hug wrapped around her heart. “I wouldn’t want to impose on your hospitality once it’s safe for me to move on.”

  His deep chuckle rumbled through her the way Travis’s did, only it didn’t make her pussy thrum.

  “You’re no guest, Jane, and there’s no need to move on.” He motioned with his cup. “You’re already at work. I like that.” His eyes flicked over her. “Aggie should wear a dress more often.”

  Her ears and cheeks burned, which meant she’d turned red, but she was not going to show fear or embarrassment. This man had raised Riley and Travis, and they spoke highly of him. He was definitely testing her, and she was going to pass that test.

  “From what your sons told me, your wife wears whatever you tell her.”

  His eyes warmed. One side of his lip turned up.

  “I also like smart women. Welcome to the J Bar C Ranch, Jane. Stay as long as you like.” He put his empty mug in the sink. “Forever’s fine with me.” He winked, then sauntered toward the door. Though he seemed to move slowly, his long legs ate up the distance. “I’ll roust them while you finish breakfast. I like my eggs over easy.” He left through a passageway rather than the big wooden door.

  “You’ll get them the way I make them,” she replied, but quietly. “I guess I passed your test,” she added.

  She went back to the bacon and eggs, missing Buster’s company. By the time she heard the door at the end of the corridor open and an assortment of voices approach, she had scrambled eggs and a plate of bacon, and the basket of biscuits, keeping warm in the oven.

  Travis came in first. He stopped, blinked, and then grinned.

  “Now that’s what I like to see first thing in the morning. A pretty woman in a dress and heels, cooking me breakfast.”

  He strode forward, grabbed her, and kissed her. She struggled to escape, knowing they were being watched, but he didn’t let up. She finally surrendered, grabbing him back as she sank into his kiss. He smelled of fresh, cold air, a touch of leather, and a stronger whiff of barn.

  “You got something on under this dress?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Of course!” she whispered back.

  “See that dress, Aggie?” said Keith, his voice full of amusement. “The boys chose a woman who knows how to please her men.”

  “I can’t do barn chores like that, and you know it,” complained Aggie.

  Men! Jane thunked her head on Travis’s chest. He chuckled so she pounded his arm with her fist.

  “Ow! Mom, Jane hit me!”

  “Then let me go!”

  “Hit him again, Jane,” said Aggie.

  “If you don’t mind,” she replied between clenched teeth, “I’m trying to feed your family breakfast!”

  “Gal’s right,” said a new male voice, which must be Donny. “I’m hungry. Leave the lady to do her work and go wash up.”

  Travis obeyed, but swatted her bottom as she escaped. Three men and a woman snickered. Furious, she punched Travis again, this time in his belly. His mother laughed.

  “That’s it, Jane. You keep him in line.”

  “That’ll cost you, wench!”

  Keith’s arm snagged around Aggie’s waist and pulled her to him for a hug. Jane realized Travis had touched her with the same an easy affection his parents treated each other.

  This was what her life could have been growing up, if her parents had cared about their children and each other.

  By the time the four of them returned to the kitchen with clean hands, Jane’s eyes were dry and she’d composed herself. They exclaimed about the food, then joined hands for a blessing. When Donny included her in their prayers, she teared up again. She’d seen people do this on her DVDs, but had never experienced it. She realized she was still wearing her apron, so used the excuse to get up and take it off. She wiped her eyes with one corner before sitting down. They waited for her before they dug in.

  Jane listened as they discussed the work that needed to be done and who would do it. They included Riley in their plans, assuming he would soon join them from Texas. She was fascinated at this view of family life. Their caring for each other, the easy way the older ones touched each other’s hand, or smiled with their eyes, had her tearing up again. She kept her head down and blinked a lot.

  They were almost finished eating when Donny held up his last biscuit. “Does Jane make these a lot?” he asked Travis.

  “No, Pops, she doesn’t.”

  Jane opened her mouth to speak, but caught Travis’s wink.

  “Pity,” Donny replied. “Guess we’ll be having store-bought toast from now on. Not that there’s anything wrong with toast,”
he added, nodding mournfully at Jane.

  “Mom uses packaged biscuits, Pops. Jane makes hers from scratch,” said Travis. He tapped the one in his hand against the table. “Sorry, Mom, but Jane’s biscuits are a heck of a lot better than these. You mind if she takes over the kitchen?”

  “Mind? I’ll dance a jig on the table if you’ll take over, Jane.”

  “Remember what happened last time you tried table dancing, Aggie,” said Donny.

  Aggie swatted him, though all three seniors laughed.

  It was easy to tell where Riley had got his outgoing personality. Aggie asked about life in Port Aransas. She sighed over the description of a beach longer than you could see in either direction.

  “That reminds me. We’ve got a present for you, Mom. Be right back.” Travis pushed back his chair and stood.

  Aggie turned to Jane, questions in her eyes. Luckily Jane had just filled her mouth so couldn’t reply. Travis came in with the large glass pickle jar. He set it on the table in front of his mother.

  “Here you are, Mom. Most of it’s from Riley, but Jane and I added a few dollars here and there.”

  The swear jar was mostly filled with dollars, but there were some fives and tens. Aggie exclaimed in delight over the contents. Jane squirmed when she remembered the hot bill Riley had folded and slid into her back pocket. Trav grinned at her, sharing the memory, and her cheeks heated. So did the damp spot between her thighs.

  “Looks like we’re going on that cruise, sweetheart,” said Donny. He placed his liver-spotted hand over Aggie’s and squeezed.

  “I don’t know if we can afford it,” she replied. “We need a new bull, and the fencing—”

  “I told you, Riley and I are paying,” said Travis. “Thanks to Jane’s work, we finished early and will get that extra bonus. You’re going to Europe, Mom, no matter what. Call Doc Nikki and start talking dates.”

  “Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of us,” said Keith mildly.

  “Dang right,” Travis shot back. “Riley and I want to show what we can do without you three getting in the way.”

  Keith’s eyes slid to Jane. “That room my son put you in is part of the original cabin, and far too cold. Travis didn’t know we’d cleared out the extra suite for you.”

  “It’s a sunny room with a king-size bed, and an ensuite,” added Aggie. “Upstairs, at the other end of the hall from our room.”

  Travis’s ears turned red. “Ah, isn’t that the, um…”

  “Dungeon. Yep,” replied Donny, nodding briskly. “I covered everything with drop sheets.”

  Jane wasn’t going to ask what he meant by a dungeon, but needed to establish that she would not be sharing her bed with either son.

  “I was quite warm last night, thank you. Buster keeps me company.”

  Donny popped the last piece of biscuit into his mouth and stood up. “Those heifers should be ready to calve about now. Nice meeting you, Jane. We’ll have us a chat later. You up to pulling, Trav? I’ve been looking forward having to a pair of young legs do the work.”

  Travis raised an eyebrow at Jane. “You okay here? The gate is padlocked. The only ones who can drive in are those who know the combination. That’s every ranch in the valley, but they’ll protect you.”

  “Don’t worry if you see a large raven or two checking you out,” said Donny. “They’re friendly.”

  “Um, okay,” she replied. She’d ask Travis about it later. All of them looked eager to get back to work, which was not surprising with all they had to do. “I’ll be fine. Is there anything in particular you want for lunch, I mean dinner, and supper?”

  Aggie jumped up eagerly. “Consider yourself on the payroll, Jane.”

  After they helped clear the table, Aggie gave Jane a hug. Travis’s mother was short, stocky, and strong.

  “I’ve never seen my son look so happy,” she said quietly. “Whatever happens, I’m glad you’re here. Stay as long as you wish. Have a look around. There’s a few things hanging on our bedroom walls that might shock you, but don’t worry, Trav and Riley would never harm you.”

  Aggie gave her another quick squeeze, letting go before Jane could ask what she meant. Donny hugged her as well.

  “Glad to have you here, Jane,” he said. “I’ll work my son so hard he’ll sleep well no matter where he is.”

  Donny left the kitchen, hollering for Travis to move his butt before it got a paddling. A grin and a quick kiss from Travis, this one on her temple, and he was gone. Jane thought she was alone until a broad hand rested on her shoulder. Her father had touched her only rarely, and never for comfort. She hadn’t realized how much she craved it.

  “Great breakfast, Jane,” said Keith. He nodded solemnly. “No one will harm you while you’re under my protection. I understand you wanting to do your part, and I appreciate it, but don’t overdo it. You’ve been under a lot of strain. Take time to relax.”

  His giant hand squeezed gently. Though he was old, his muscles were equal to those of her father’s bodyguards. Not from lifting weights, but from ranching every day of his life. She could learn a lot about Riley and Travis from their fathers.

  “We’ll be back in time for dinner at noon. Buster’s working, but there’s a few cats around to keep you company. They’ll come running if you tap the side of a saucer of milk. You like cats?”

  “I love them! You wouldn’t have a rocking chair, by chance?”

  Keith’s deep, welcoming chuckle warmed her soul.

  “This is a ranch, Jane. Of course we have rockers.” Though the corners of his mouth didn’t turn up, she could see his smile in his eyes. “Check out the family room. We’ve got an extensive library of books, CDs and DVDs. No TV, but there’s a computer with Internet. Make yourself at home.” He sobered. “Trav tells me Riley’s finally over the woman who did her best to destroy him. We owe you for that. Don’t think you’re beholden to us, for anything.”

  One more squeeze and he was gone. He moved quietly for such a big man. But then, so did Travis and Riley.

  Jane stood there for a few minutes, savoring the calm that seemed to seep from the walls of the huge kitchen. Small sounds, the hum of a fridge, lowing of cattle, and neighing of a horse, cocooned her with a sense of timelessness. Her father’s home was silent, filled with fear and vengeance and rage. It made her think of the tomb of a rogue vampire which had been cursed long ago, and had now been disturbed.

  This place was filled with sunshine and kittens, cookies and…love.

  She found herself tearing up again. After the roller-coaster emotions of the last few days, she had a right to a few private tears. She wiped them away as she tidied up. There was nothing left of what she’d cooked, other than a few crumbs of scrambled eggs. Wondering if what Keith had said was true about the cats, she took a large chipped saucer from a cupboard, filled it with milk, and placed it on the floor. She tapped the edge with her fingernail and stepped back.

  The thudding of soft paws warned her before three large cats padded into the room. The first was orange, the second black and white, while the third had gray stripes. They stopped in the doorway, looked at her, then at the milk. Some mutual signal flashed. They decided she was not a threat, and hurried forward. They settled around the saucer like spokes of a wheel, and began lapping.

  Jane watched, entranced. She didn’t dare move, or make a sound, in case they fled. It didn’t take long for the milk to disappear. Then they sat up and washed their faces. When they were done they leaped onto a padded bench by a corner window that she hadn’t noticed. The sun had warmed the red cushions. The rumble of loud purrs filled the room as, eyes half closed, they stomped their spots into submission before curling up against each other.

  Sudden tears stung her eyes. She had to get control of herself. But she now realized how much she wanted this life. A large home filled with love, a warm kitchen where she could be appreciated, and pets to keep her company. She used her now-damp apron to wipe her eyes. All those years unable to show emotion, and
now she was leaking tears like a sieve.

  “Time to work,” she told the cats. The orange one opened an eye, then settled down again. A closer look showed that the kitchen could use a major cleaning. Not that it was dirty, but it was obvious Aggie would rather be out working. She would change out of her Miss Penelope outfit and put on Jane’s sweats.

  Humming a show tune from an old movie, she put the dishes to soak and hurried down the hall to change.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  “If I had a woman like that Jane, I wouldn’t be sleeping in a bed down the hall from her,” said Pops. “That California king-size bed is big enough for three. Comfy, too. We ordered a new mattress when you first told us about Jane. Be a shame not to try it out.”

  Travis bit back a sarcastic comment, having already heard versions of the same thing from his dad and his mom. Dad said Jane was a fine-looking woman with manners who knew how to keep her man happy. Mom had insisted he was not to plan a wedding while they were away. He’d thanked Dad, and told Mom he had no plans for a wedding anytime soon. Dad had hauled her away at that point, telling her to “leave the boy alone,” and “you didn’t want your parents horning in on us, either.”

  Pops, however, could be like a dog with a bone. He got his mind on something and kept at it until he either figured it out or wrestled it into submission. This was one of those times.

  “Pops, Jane did not have a happy childhood. I want her to feel wanted here. Wanted for herself, not for what services she can provide, day or night. If she decides to share her bed, it will be because she wants to, not because she feels obligated.”

  “Might be that she’s the one wanting your services.”

  “What?”

  “Women have needs, too, son. Think about that.”

  The bawling of a momma cow in labor ended the conversation. The next few hours were intense as calves struggled to be born. They were washing up, taking advantage of a lull, when Pops went back to the subject of Jane as if they’d not been interrupted. Travis finished washing his forearms and scrubbing his hands before answering. He stood there, waiting, until he had this father’s full attention.