Whispers of the Heart

by Woster, Barbara

  “Understood. Thank you, sheriff, and again, I wish I wasn’t the squeamish sort. Kind of a turn off to the women, let me tell ya.”

  Dalian nodded, not understanding at all. Still, it wasn’t his job to judge people and their proclivities. “I’ll prorate your payment and try to have it to you before you leave – tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, probably tomorrow afternoon,” the sheriff concurred.

  “ Ordinarily, I would say keep the money, since I’m not really hard up for cash, but since this is a business and my vacation has been interrupted because someone apparently holds hatred for the owner of this business, I’d say a refund would definitely be in order.”

  “Completely understood. I only hope that you can come to realize that I am not responsible for the actions of a madman. Still, collaterally, this person has inconvenienced all of my guests severely. Kat included.”

  Cal nodded, but didn’t reply. He appeared to lack empathy completely for anyone else’s circumstances.

  “Harvey will drive you into town...”

  “I’d rather he rent a car for me. I may decide to tool around here a bit before returning to the airport. After all, I still have several weeks of vacation time left. Might go to Yellowstone.”

  “We can’t rent the car for you, but as we only have the one rental agency in town, it shouldn’t be too difficult to have a car brought around tomorrow evening.”

  “This vacation has been very inconvenient,” Cal griped, “anything but the fun I expected to have.”

  “We’re very sorry that things turned out the way they did.”

  “You and me both,” Cal said and then turned to leave.

  “Oh and Cal,” Dalian called, stalling his departure, “I do have one request.”

  Cal quirked a brow as if any request would add yet another inconvenience to his life. Still he nodded his acquiescence.

  “When you do leave tomorrow, try to do so quietly. Don’t let the other guests see you go. I don’t want to start a stampede for the doors. As you said, this is a business, and I don’t want the remainder of my guests unduly agitated. I’m sure you understand.”

  Cal nodded again, and then, as if suddenly realizing that his manners had been atrocious, turned to address Kat, “I should have said something to you first, Kat. I guess I just let my fears overshadow my manners. I just want you to know that I’m happy that you weren’t hurt – too badly, that is. I haven’t known you long, but I can tell you’re a special lady – which I’m certain Dalian will agree with. Anyway, you take extra care of yourself, and if you ever tire of this particular ranch owner, I wouldn’t be overly upset if you decided to look my way.”

  His expressionless delivery left Kat confounded, so that all she could do was nod. Cal turned and left the room. Dalian looked at Kat, “Well, that was interesting,” he said, and then shook off the feeling of menace lingering in the room. He affected a positive demeanor and then turned to the sheriff, “I feel like the Kind of England, holding court.”

  The sheriff laughed. “Well, I’ll keep my visit brief. I just wanted to let you know that our job here is done, so I’m headed back to town. The lab is already providing information, so I should know something by this evening as to whether someone has a criminal background.”

  “I thought you said it would be tomorrow evening before you knew anything?”

  “No, it could be tomorrow evening before all of the information returns for all sets of prints. Those that have already generated a report, I can go ahead and review, but I’d rather do that at the office, not on my IPad. So, it could very well be another day before I can grant anyone permission to leave the premises. I couldn’t give Mr. Withers leave because I don’t know if a report has been generated for his prints yet. I’m not rushing through this process. I want to be extremely thorough – this time.”

  “Thank you, sheriff.”

  “No problem. Anyway, as soon as I know something, I’ll give you a call, so keep your cell phone handy. I’m leaving two deputies, as I said earlier, so if there’s trouble you’ll have backup.”

  “If there’s trouble, I’m prepared to handle it.” Dalian said, nodding to his firearms sitting on the dresser.

  “I can’t condone your taking the law into your own hands, Dalian, but at least you know the law is on your side, but only if an assailant enters your house. It’s important you make that distinction. I don’t want to arrest you over this. It’ll make me feel real bad.”

  “I promise not to fire my weapon anywhere but in my house.” Dalian said in his best oath-taking voice.

  “Good to know. Well, I’ll head on over to the office and get to work. Ladies.” He tipped an imaginary hat toward Kat and Chloe and then departed.

  “Next?” Dalian said with a grin. “What’s up, Mrs. Guthrie?”

  “Well, I have the guests settled in for lunch and thought perhaps you could use a bite, since I know you haven’t eaten since before sunup.”

  Dalian’s stomach chose that moment to growl, and he grinned at Kat, whose face flushed at the implication it was she responsible. She laughed, “Go eat, Dalian. I can’t have you passing out from lack of nourishment; and I’ve already had my soup.”

  “Mrs. Guthrie, would you mind putting something aside for me? I’ll be down in a bit to eat.”

  “Not at all, Dalian. Can I put something aside for you too, Kat?”

  “No thank you, Mrs. Guthrie. Your marvelously delicious soup was very filling.”

  Mrs. Guthrie blushed, and then turned and left the room. Dalian turned his attention to his foreman. “Well, that just leaves you, old man.” Dalian pointed to a seat near the bed and Harvey moved to sit down. “What gives?”

  “I talked to the guests. You already know where Cal stands, but I guess the sheriff handled it well enough that none of the others felt their civil rights were trampled on, so I don’t foresee any lawsuits in our future. What about you, Miss Chloe? Plan to sue over this little nightmare?”

  Chloe laughed softly, “It would mean I wouldn’t have to try to snare a rich rancher.”

  “Hmm, good point. Her, we may have to bribe.” Harvey said, cocking his head at Chloe.

  Dalian grinned. “I guess the biggest concern, besides paying Miss Chloe hush money, is whether the guests feel safe now. Did any express a desire to leave? Request a refund? Other than Cal?”

  “Nope, not even Miss Chloe over there.”

  “You willing to hang around a bit longer, Chloe?” Dalian asked.

  “There isn’t anyone trying to do away with me, that I know of, so I can’t see why I should be concerned about staying. Of course, since Kat managed to snare the only eligible rancher in this county, I may pack up as soon as I’m cleared and head on to the next county. See what sort of men they have over there.”

  “Hey, hey, hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” Harvey retorted playfully.

  Kat laughed, “She didn’t mean offense, Harvey, but she really meant it when she said she’s out to snare a rich rancher, and a rancher you aren’t,” Kat explained and Chloe nodded.

  “Well, I run a ranch,” Harvey sighed dramatically. “that should count for something. Still, I get it, but you don’t know what you’re missing out on young lady.”

  It was Dalian’s turn to laugh. “Alright, think we can bring this conversation back on track? Our primary concern should be getting our other guests interested in resuming their vacations. Move forward as though none of this ever happened?”

  “That was the other reason I stepped in. I managed to persuade every last one of them of the benefits of keeping preoccupied, while reminding them that no one was going to be left alone to be causing any mischief from this day until the case is solved.”

  “Thanks Harvey. I certainly couldn’t have managed without you.”

  “That I already knew.” Harvey said, and then turned to address Kat. “Like Cal, my manners seem to be lacking today, and I can only blame the hubbub. So, I’ll extend my heartfelt commiseration over what happe
ned to you and just say that I’m mighty happy to see you doing much better.”

  Kat smiled, “Thank you, Harvey, and I completely understand. I’m just glad that everything is turning out for the best; however, the only thing that could truly return things to normal is catching whoever is responsible for this.”

  “Everybody is definitely working on that. Well, I’d best be seeing to my own lunch. Care to join me, Miss Chloe?”

  Chloe appeared reluctant, eyeing Kat with concern. “Want me to leave you alone?”

  “Um, Miss Chloe. I’m here, remember?” Dalian laughed at Chloe’s look of embarrassment. “She’s in safe hands. I promise.”

  Chloe laughed nervously, and then stood to leave with Harvey. “I’ll check on you later, ok?”

  “Thanks, Chloe.”

  “Try to get some rest,” she replied, eyeing Dalian with a “stop bothering her” look.

  When the two left, Kat looked at Dalian, “You know, despite the fact that she gave up on hopes of snaring you, I think she’s still a tiny bit jealous that you and I got together.”

  “She was seriously trying to snare me?” Dalian asked. “Wow, a looker like that! Had I only been more aware...oof...hey...watch where you land those punches, woman.”

  “Then watch what you say, mister!”

  “I knew she was interested, Kat,” Dalian said, scooting to wrap his arms around her. “My radar’s not broken, remember? I also have absolutely zero interest.”

  “I know. She said as much – after a few days of trying to catch your eye. In fact, she was the one that had to point out to me that I was the object of your attention.”

  “Wow, I knew you’d erected a rather high wall around you, but didn’t realize it was so high that you couldn’t tell I was pursuing you without someone telling you I was.”

  “I guess after Robert and the kids died, I never thought I’d ever want to find someone again.”

  “That’s how I felt when I lost Carolyn and our baby. But, as I told you a few days ago, I really do believe that time heals the heart. We’re entitled to fall in love more than once in our lives. If we weren’t, we’d all be miserably lonely when loss occurred.”

  “True enough. I’m glad too. Oh, and I really do like the title you came up with for the book.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, very appropriate. Of course, you more like yelled at my heart, than whispered, but . . . hey, at least it listened – finally.”

  “I wasn’t yelling, I was whispering with blaring determination,” Dalian growled playfully, grabbing at Kat. “Now, come here. I want to do that ravishing I was denied earlier, before someone else comes knocking on our door. Oh, wait!”

  “Where are you going?” Kat asked when Dalian leapt off the bed.

  “Putting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ note on the door.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Dalian slipped from beneath the covers, after both awoke from a leisurely nap. Each had been justifiably exhausted from both the activities of the day and the activities beneath the sheets. He slowly donned his clothes and then tucked the sheet snug around her shoulders, placing a kiss on her smiling mouth.

  “I’ll have Harvey come up and keep an eye on you while I see about placating the other guests. He may have convinced them not to sue, but it wouldn’t do me any harm to show them I care about more than just your wellbeing.”

  “Well, you just tell Harvey to stay outside of the bedroom, will you, because I fully intend getting out of this bed and taking a nice, relaxing shower. Then I plan to resume my vacation. I agree with you that it’s important to maintain some sort of normalcy while the sheriff conducts his investigation.”

  Dalian nodded, “We can’t let this person get to us. We do, and he wins.”

  “I’m glad you’re here with me. I’m not certain I could face this alone.”

  “Same here, sweetheart. I’ll let Harvey know what you said. I’ll be in my study, when you come down, so meet me there. I want you near me at all times. Especially while our attacker is still out there somewhere; and if I don’t happen to be available, stick close to Harvey. I may want things to seem normal, but that doesn’t mean I want you wandering about alone.”

  “You don’t have to twist my arm.”

  Dalian stole another quick kiss, and then moved to collect his weapons from the dresser.

  “You look more like a cowboy when you’re wearing a holstered gun,” Kat commented admiringly.

  “Think I look serious enough to keep anyone from trying another stunt like they did in the barn?” To lighten the impact of the reminder, Dalian turned and assumed a broadened stance, his fingers twitching at his sides as if he were readying for a showdown at high noon. It had the desired effect. Kat laughed.

  “Oh my, I certainly wouldn’t want you calling me out for a face-off,” Kat said in a more pronounced southern drawl, which made Dalian laugh.

  He made for the door, then turned again, “Remember, be certain that you don’t go anywhere unescorted, okay?”

  “I give you my word,” Kat said softly, and then sighed when Dalian left, pulling the door closed behind him. She felt brave when he was near, but the moment he left her side, vulnerability stole into her heart. She didn’t like feeling unsafe. A light rap sounded at the door, startling her. “Yes?”

  The door opened and Achak stuck his head around, “Just wanted to let you know I’m right outside, okay? Harvey was tied up and couldn’t get up here. Hope I’ll do?”

  Kat smiled and sighed in relief. “Um, I’m sorry; I never can remember your name. It’s so unusual.”

  “Yeah, my mom really wanted to go for broke with the Native American theme. I’m Achak Broadwater, and it’s nice to meet you again.”

  “Well, Achak, I appreciate you keeping watch over me. More than you know.”

  “It’s my pleasure. When you’re set to head downstairs, I’ll escort you to Dalian.”

  Kat nodded and Achak closed the door behind him. She slid from the bed, moved to the dresser, removed a set of clothes from the top drawer, and laid them on the bed. Another swift glance at the door, and she quickly shed her clothes and moved to the bathroom.

  She didn’t realize the extent of her fears and concerns until she stood beneath the warm spray of water, and the tremors began, intensifying to a ferocity that made her bones clatter. She slid to the floor of the tub and wrapped her arms about her knees, letting the tears fall unchecked. During this emotional upheaval, awareness surfaced that she had relied upon Dalian’s confidence and his strength during this ordeal. She lifted her head and let the water caress her face, as her mind continued its ruminations. How would she have managed to cope had he died in the barn? Would she have had the mental fortitude to continue as if all was well, as she’d been doing when in Dalian’s company? She began unspoken supplication, asking the Lord to forgive her weakness of mind and requesting the strength to continue each day unencumbered by fear. Her next thought breached unbidden and she held her breath at the unwelcomed allegation that she’d survived the death of her husband and children with little more than a few sleepless nights and several weeks of shed tears. Why had she felt more capable of dealing with the trauma of that loss than she did now at just the proposition of loss?

  Without faltering, an answer found its way into the forefront of her mind. An answer that left her feeling guilty yet simultaneously comforted. She had not been present when that driver killed her family, so felt detached from the tragedy. Moreover, while she loved her children with ever fiber of her being, Robert had been more a friend and she did not suffer his loss as she would Dalian’s loss. She shook her head and then laid it down on her knees, tears of guilt and anguish starting anew. She felt awful feeling about Robert as she did, but at the same time knew it to be true. Her children she would die for, and knew it was them who she missed, not so much Robert. She missed his companionship, but not him. With Dalian, she felt a oneness that would be difficult to surmount if she ever lost him. He was the half
that made her whole.

  She swiped at the tears and stood on legs, shaky from lamentation. She’d have to be stronger if she were going to get through this psychologically whole. Now that she knew how much Dalian really meant to her, she would also be as alert as he in regards to their safety. She couldn’t lose him, not when she’d just only found what love really is.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Why is it that you can’t do anything right?

  “Oh, yeah, like I deliberately charmed them into following me into Kat’s bedroom. You should be saying ‘bravo’ for giving a credible performance as to why I was there in the first place. You know, sometimes I wish you’d just get out of my head and stay gone.”

  The voice remained silent, and a sigh escaped; hope flooding throughout that perhaps, for the first time since puberty, individualism would come back. It was too big a hope to have, because a moment after the thought emerged, the voice retorted, tone laced with reprisal and derision.

  If I stayed gone, how would you survive, how would you get what you wanted? Your life would be devoid of fun without me, and you certainly wouldn’t have the charisma to snare all of those rich spouses.

  “For far less time than I should have, and spouses that you killed, remember?”

  You mean spouses who were getting ready to cut you out of their will because they’d discovered our deceit. They needed to die before we let that happen. If it weren’t for me, you’d likely have screwed everything up long ago and ended up sitting in a jail cell for fraud.

  “Yeah, well that’s better than being on death row for murder.”

  “No one will ever find out what we did, so relax. We can do better for you anyway. We stayed in the wills because of me, and you inherited a nice tidy sum each time.”

  “Why can’t things have been different? Maybe had we stayed with just one, we could have been persuasive enough to stop the changes to the will. I just can’t comprehend how killing them was a better option.”

  That’s because you’re a dolt. I’m the brains; you’re the body. Besides, the people we married didn’t appreciate the way we spend money. One was even considering putting you on an allowance. Can you imagine us on an allowance? Where’s the fun in that? The one we’re after now is plenty wealthy, and if we can get ‘em to turn eyes in your direction . . . well, who knows, this may be the one you live with for the remainder of your life. You’d like that wouldn’t you?