“Do you still have family alive?”
He shook his head. “There may be distant relatives on the reservation, but I have not spoken to my family in over twenty summers. They did not come for me when my family was killed.”
“Do you ever visit the reservation?”
“No, Beau believes that if I show up there, I would not be allowed to leave. They would consider me a renegade and possibly lock me up to make sure I stayed. It is not something I’m willing to risk.”
David could see the pain in his lover’s eyes and wanted to take his mind off of the past. “Okay, guys,” David said. “Who’s up for some dinner?” He slapped a brown mass on a tin plate and handed it to Kat. “Your beans, my lady.”
She took the plate and giggled. “Thank you, kind sir.”
He handed her a fork and then filled another plate to share with Win. Grabbing the pot, he poured the fragrant coffee in two tin cups and then sat down next to Win. He handed him the plate, letting his fingers slide over Win’s cold hand.
“Everybody eat up. We’ll get an early start tomorrow.” David took a sip of the coffee. “Kat, don’t worry about clothes. We can get you a couple of things from our own mercantile and order the rest from her catalogs. It’ll take a few weeks to get here, but you can borrow from Eva and Mom until they come. I don’t think we should make any more trips to Treasure City unless it’s some kind of emergency.”
Win picked up the fork. “I agree. It wasn’t just those men today. I felt like we were being watched all day. I think we should stick close to home until we figure out what’s getting people all stirred up.”
Kat looked over at the fire. “What am I gonna do?”
David placed his hand on her arm. “You’re gonna figure out what makes you happy, and then you’re gonna make a life for yourself here.” He moved closer and put his arm around her shoulder. “Fate sent you to us, Kat. Now you have to trust that we can make you happy.”
The crash of thunder had Kat scurrying into David’s embrace. She looked up just as his lips came down, their tongues twining together. Lightning illuminated the corners of the room as his own desire raged. He wanted her back at the saloon, lying firmly between him and Win.
Kat pulled away, her hand firmly against David’s chest. “This isn’t the time or place for this. There’s too much to consider and I need some time to think.”
Win laid his hand on her knee. “Trust in what David says, Kat. We’ll help you find your way. You belong with us. Before you know it, you’ll feel as if you’ve lived here your whole life.”
* * * *
Kat looked down at herself and groaned. She was miserable, dressed in the feminine frills of the era. “I can’t believe I let Anna talk me into wearing all this crap.” She slid a hand up her skirt and scratched the back of her leg. “‘You’ll look great, Kat. They’ll respect you more as a teacher, Kat.’” She snorted and moved to the teacher’s desk. “How can anybody respect somebody whose drawstring drawers itch?” Her only consolation had been refusing to wear the corset. She might jiggle in her clothes, but there was no way she’d let them tie her into some type of torture device.
She squealed and jabbed her broom toward the corner when a squirrel raced toward the door. “I’m never gonna get used to the primitive living conditions here.”
It had been over a week since the ill-fated trip to Treasure City. She hadn’t had to order clothing from a catalogue. Anna had been incensed at the treatment Win had received and had insisted Beau and Zeke take her there immediately so she could have words with the sheriff. She’d purchased a wide variety of clothes in Kat’s size while she was there.
“You don’t look very happy, Kat.” Eva walked in, trying to hide her smile behind her hand. “What’s wrong?” She was a little over five and a half feet tall. Her strawberry-blonde hair cascaded down her back, reflecting the sunlight filtering through the freshly washed schoolhouse windows. Her smile brought out the dimple in her right cheek, a copy of the one in Zeke’s right cheek.
Kat sighed. “Nothing’s wrong. Cleaning is just not really my thing.”
“Mom says you were a schoolteacher in the time after us.”
“That’s true, but where I come from teachers don’t have to shoo critters out of their classrooms with the end of a straw broom.”
Eva’s gaze wandered around the room. “Well, the place is looking great.”
“I guess. I never in my life thought I’d be scrubbing windows with vinegar, but it seemed to do the trick. You can actually see details through the glass now.”
The young girl snickered. “Tell me about your time.”
Kat frowned and looked out the window. “It’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be at the Silver Rush working on the dinner menu?”
Eva cooked for the guests that stayed at the Silver Rush. Kat had been sampling her cooking all week and was quite surprised at how well the girl could cook.
“No, they don’t have any boarders but you right now. David said they could handle it until they had more people show up.”
“Why don’t you ask your mom to tell you about our time?”
Eva groaned. “I have, believe me. She’s told me everything she can remember. I just want to see how your memories differ.”
Kat leaned the broom in the corner and squeezed into one of the student’s seats. The top had been desecrated with carvings of initials. “Well, what do you want to know?”
“How free are the women in your time? I mean, can they come and go as they please? Work at whatever they want? Can they own property and decide for themselves who they want to marry? Or, can they just decide not to marry at all?”
“I’m not sure Anna would want me filling your head with stories about the future.”
“Come on, Kat. She won’t mind, I promise.”
“Well, it’s very different in the future. Women are equal to men in every way. You can hold any job that a man can and make the same amount of money doing it. You don’t have to marry if you don’t want to. In fact, many women live with men without ever marrying them.” She ran her fingers through her hair where it had come loose from her braid. “I guess you could say I was free to do what I wanted. I had to work to support myself. You already know that I’m a teacher. Schools are different there. I only taught students in the sixth grade. It wasn’t like here, where you have all grades in the same class. I had to plan lessons for the year and make sure I was around to carry on with my classes.”
“What would happen if you weren’t around to teach your classes?”
She laughed. “Oh, honey, when Kat was away, the little mice played.”
Eva frowned. “Huh?”
“My students gave the substitute teachers hell when I wasn’t around. It was like they thought my being out sick was a reason for a playday. That kept me from calling in sick unless I was near death. It didn’t seem fair to them for me to be gone since I knew they wouldn’t learn anything from anybody else.”
“Are you going to stay here with us and teach, or are you looking for a way to go home?”
Kat looked down at her fingers, twining them together. “I don’t want to go home, Eva, I really don’t. But I think it would be best for everyone if I could find a way to open that portal and go back.”
“Why?” asked Eva.
“I don’t belong here, sweetie. Your mom has made a life for herself, and she has your dads to support her.” She shrugged. “I’m alone, and I don’t relish the thought of spending the rest of my life this way. I need something of my own. Do you understand?”
Eva nodded. “Yes, I understand better than you think. I often feel as if something is missing in my life, but I just don’t know what it is.” She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger. “What about David and Win? Don’t you think you could develop feelings for them?”
Kat froze for a moment, not sure if she heard the young girl correctly. “Honey, they’re not suitable for me. I mean, they’re Anna’s children. It just wouldn’t
be proper.”
Eva cocked her head. “Does that mean you have feelings for them, but you just don’t think anyone would approve?”
Kat turned away, uncomfortable at how clearly Anna’s daughter could see. “In this case it doesn’t matter whether I have feelings or not because I wouldn’t do anything with them if I had.”
“But…”
“No, this is not something I’m prepared to discuss.”
“It’s probably moot anyway because in all this time Mom never figured out a way to open the portal, and if she can’t then I don’t think it can be done. Maybe it’s just a one-way deal and has to be triggered from the other side.”
A knock had Kat turning toward the door. She stiffened when Timothy Canders walked into the room. He smiled, his dark-brown hair slicked back on his head.
“Hello, ladies. I saw you through the window and came to pay my respects. How are you both doing this fine, beautiful day?”
Kat had to smother a laugh when Eva turned away and rolled her eyes.
“We’re fine, Timothy. What do you really want?” asked Eva, her voice cold and harsh.
He frowned and moved farther into the room. “Must you be so rude, Miss Eva? I’m wanting to know how our newest resident is settling in. I gather from all the cleaning going on in here that you’re planning on reopening the school.”
Kat shrugged. “It’s a possibility. I haven’t received permission from your town council yet, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to get the building ready in case they give me the go-ahead.”
Timothy laughed. “Town council? I wasn’t aware we had one of those.”
“It’s my understanding that the mine and mill owners, along with the sheriff, have to approve me before I can start classes. To me, that represents a town council.”
He smirked and moved closer again, inspiring Kat to get up from her seat and move closer to Eva. “You know, I could put in a good word for you with the mine owners and the sheriff.” He took another step. “Maybe you could have dinner with me tonight and we could discuss it.”
Kat took a step away and pushed Eva toward the door. “I’m very sorry, Timothy, but I’ve already got plans for tonight. In fact, Eva’s mother is waiting on us now. It was nice to see you again.” She pushed Eva out the door and pulled her down the street toward the Silver Rush Saloon.
Eva quickened her pace. “What’s the matter, Kat?”
“I don’t trust that man, and he gives me the willies. I just felt a really strong need to get as far away as I could.”
Eva chuckled. “Good instincts. It would have been mine if he asked me to dinner. Funny thing.” She put her hand on Kat’s arm. “Since you’ve been here, he’s stopped asking me out and trying to corner me all over town. You keep your eye on him, Kat. There’s something not right about him.”
“Don’t you worry, little girl. I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Eva giggled. “No, you haven’t been born yet.”
* * * *
Gustaf Heinsenn, the owner of the Hamilton Mercantile, hurried forward when Timothy Canders strolled through the door. “Hello, young Timothy. What can I do for you today?”
“May I have a word with my sister? I understand she’s here today doing some alterations for you.”
“Of course, she’s in the other room.”
“Thanks, Mr. Heinsenn.” Timothy walked toward the back. He peeked around the blanket that had been nailed over the door and spotted Alicia sitting at a desk, sewing buttons onto a shirt.
“Hello, Timothy. What are you doing here?”
He walked over and pulled up a chair to sit beside her. Leaning close, he kept his voice low. “I’ve just come from the school.”
“What in the world were you doing there?”
“Kat and Eva were there cleaning. Kat has some grand ideas of starting up classes again.”
Alicia groaned, placing her sewing on the desk. “You weren’t harassing them, were you? There’s going to be trouble if you don’t leave those women alone.”
“It’s a good thing I hung around today, because I overheard them talking.”
“Talking about what?”
Timothy flashed a triumphant grin. “About what it’s like in the future where Kat comes from.”
“Damn it.” Alicia pushed back from the desk. “You’ve got to give up on this nonsense. It got Pa killed, and it’s bound to be just as bad for you.”
He grabbed her arm and pulled her close. “You watch your language, little girl, or I’ll be washing your mouth out with soap just like Pa would’ve done. There’s no mistaking what I heard, Alicia. She clearly talked about what it was like where she came from, but, more important, she talked about some portal that brought her here. She’s actively looking for a way to go back home.”
Alicia bit her lip. “Are you sure you heard her right? I mean, couldn’t you have misunderstood? Maybe she knew you were there and was feeding you a tall tale.”
“No, this was the real deal. I’m telling you, if we watch her close enough we’ll find out her secrets and maybe even find a way to go to the future with her.”
Alicia shook her head, her hands trembling. “Do you really think something like that would be possible?”
“Yes, I do, and I need your help.”
She leaned back, her eyes going wide. “What do you need me for?”
“I want you to make friends with her, close personal friends. I want you to buddy-up and spend some time with Little Miss Future.”
Alicia swallowed hard. “Why?”
“Because people tell their close friends their innermost secrets. If you get close to her, Kat just might share her secrets with you.”
* * * *
Kat tried the door of the saloon and frowned. “It’s locked, Eva.”
“It’s too early for them to be open, and they don’t have any guests right now. You’ll have to go in through the back.”
“Won’t they let me in if I knock?”
“Yes, if they hear you. If they’re upstairs they probably won’t know you’re here.”
“Okay, I’ll go around. You coming inside?”
“No, I’m gonna head on home. I promised Mom I’d help with some chores this afternoon. I think we’re all having dinner together, so I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” Kat started around the side of the building. “Don’t work too hard.” She continued on to the side door, glancing up at the billowy white clouds in the deep-blue sky. Hurrying inside, she went straight to the kitchen but found it empty. “Okay, where would they be?” She listened for a moment and heard the faint sound of voices upstairs.
She took the steps two at a time, holding her petticoats up around her knees. The door to the last room at the end of the hall was open, and she could hear David’s voice. She walked down the hall, glanced inside, and froze.
Holy shit! They’re naked!
Kat stepped back behind the door where she couldn’t be seen and peeked around the edge. They were making love on the bed, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away.
* * * *
Win’s eyes shifted down, his gaze roaming over David’s body. The dark-brown pubic hair stood out in stark contrast against the lighter skin. He felt a hand fist in his hair and looked up. He cradled David’s face in his hands and slammed their mouths together, devouring his lips. Their tongues slid together, licking and stroking.
David pulled back and buried his face in Win’s neck, licking his sensitive skin.
“We agreed this was my show.” Win pushed David to lie flat on his back. He kissed down his chest, stopping to swirl his tongue around David’s nipple. He blew over the brown nub, licking the flat disc leisurely.
“Come on, Win. You know what I want.”
Win moved to the foot of the bed and parted David’s legs. He teased his way up his thigh with licks and bites. “Is this what you had in mind?”
“No, damn it. Don’t waste time. We don’t have all afternoon.”
Win took Da
vid’s shaft in his hand in the gentlest way imaginable and just held it lightly. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and rubbed their cocks together. “Damn, that feels good.” His tongue traced a path up David’s chest, and then his lips closed over David’s mouth. They kissed, tongues entwining.
David pulled him close and licked around his ear. “We have an audience,” he whispered.
Win stiffened for a moment and then relaxed. “Then let’s inspire her.” His hand slipped between their bodies, cupping David’s balls, rolling them in his palm. He slid down David’s hard body and flicked his tongue across the tip of his engorged shaft, letting his lips rub along his balls and up the length of his cock.
“Come on, fuck me, Win. Make me come.” David’s fingers clenched in the sheets.
Win pulled David’s hips toward him, nudging him with the wet tip of his cock. A large warm hand cupped Win’s ass, one finger running lightly along the crease between his buttocks. A probing finger had his balls drawing up tight, ready to explode.
“Don’t, or it’ll be over too fast.”
Win let his hands roam over David’s hips, kneading the hard muscles as the tip of his cock grazed the area behind David’s balls.
“You’re killing me here.” David groaned.
He chuckled and nipped David’s thigh then pushed his legs wider, dipping his head to run the tip of his tongue over the heavy, low-hanging sac. “Get on your knees and grab the headboard.” Win reached for the Vaseline as David scrambled to get into position. He smoothed his hands over David’s ass before rubbing some of the slick down his crease.
“Hell, that’s cold.”
“It’ll warm up fast.” Win circled David’s hole with the tip of his finger and then began working his way inside. David moaned loudly when he let a second finger trail down the cleft of his ass, sliding it next to the first. Soon, a third finger joined the first two. “Can you feel the burn?”
When Kat's Away [Sequel to Anna Doubles Down] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 8
