Ring of Fire

by Hestand, Rita

  "You'll get used to it and wonder why you sweat it. It just takes a little time." Debby smiled at her.

  As they were finishing up for the day Letty looked at Debby. "How long have you been doing this?"

  "Oh, I started right out of high school. Actually, I didn't finish high school. My mom got sick, Dad lost his job, and I had to go to work. Joe hired me on the spot and I've been here ever since." Debby sighed, glancing up at Joe a couple of times.

  "Are you married?"

  "Nah, never had time for that either I guess."

  But Letty noticed that Debby was rather fond of her boss more than once that day and she smiled to herself. Twenty years of waiting tables kept Debby thin and in good shape. Still, Letty sensed an inner sorrow in Debby, as though she hadn't had time for many of the luxuries of life.

  Letty pondered that for a few minutes, wondering if she had become a pampered, spoiled daughter during her own childhood. She shrugged; the one thing that was paying off for her these days was that she wasn't a pampered or spoiled woman. She worked for what she got and was proud of it.

  Taking her job into account, she realized that there was a tremendous amount of pride that she managed to wade her way through the day without any major mistakes. In a few weeks this would be a breeze for her, she was confident of that and smiled to herself.

  She'd never known a job like that could take so much out of a person though and her feet ached. She glanced down at her feet. Joe had been right, sandals were definitely out in this job. The first day she'd spilled hot coffee on them and danced about the floor for several seconds.

  "How in the world can Debby stand on her feet all day?" she blurted out in the car on the way home.

  On Wednesday afternoon, Mike showed up with his equipment, wanting to get some interior shots of her in evening wear. This work was so much different and required little effort on her part. The money was much more than her waitress job, but she admitted to herself that her job in town was an invaluable eye opener. Letty believed that everything she did in life taught her some kind of lesson.

  However, nothing prepared her for the scowl on Hank's face a couple of days later. It was Saturday and she was up early. She did her chores and hummed a tune as Hank approached her.

  "You're not thinking of riding Thunder I hope." He sounded grumpy.

  Letty turned all her attention on the man who filled her thoughts. The sight of him in well-fitting jeans, and bright yellow shirt took her breath away. She hadn't realized how hungry she was for the sight of him. She hadn't realized that one look from him made her whole body come to life. What was it about Hank that made her react?

  "Hello Hank, how are you? I haven't seen you in a while."

  "Miss Letty. You didn't answer my question…about Thunder," he finished as his eyes connected with hers.

  "No, actually, I wanted to ride Whitey this morning. I've missed doing that for a while." Letty smiled. "I've actually come to appreciate his tame ways."

  "That's good to hear. Heard tell you got yourself a job in town," he muttered thickly.

  How did he know? Letty's eyes widened. "Y-yes, I did."

  "Waitressing?" he muttered again in a grumble.

  Letty twisted her head to look into his craggy face. "That's right."

  "What are you trying to prove?" he asked under his breath.

  She moved closer. "What did you say?"

  "Are you trying to prove something by taking a job that is way below your standards?" He turned his full attention on her as he pulled Whitey out of the stall. "I mean, you're a law student, a model, why take a job like that? It couldn't be the money, so what's the draw?"

  "The draw?"

  "Yeah, why take a job like that?"

  Letty studied him a moment, and then her temper got the best of her. "You wouldn't have any idea!"

  "Try me!" he demanded as he turned to stare at her.

  "I went to apply at the bank for a job, there was a sign outside that said they had a teller job. I figured I could handle that. I had my little resume in perfect shape; the man didn't pay a bit of attention to me. I was more than qualified for the job, but he completely turned his nose up at me. I applied at a cute little dress shop on the main strip of town; the girl looked at me as though I had two heads. Naturally I had no experience, but she could see perfectly well I knew how to dress and my resume was spotless. It seems we McKay's have some sort of sign on our heads. A 'do not hire' sign."

  "I don't follow?" He frowned.

  "Everyone in this town knows we're about to inherit money. And people tend to treat you as if you have a disease. You can't just be a regular person. At least they think they know so much about us. Getting a job around here is like pulling teeth. You've got to be born here, raised here, and picking out a plot to die here to get a job in this town. And if your name is McKay, forget it. They think we live in some ivory palace." Letty didn't mean to sound so condescending but she did. "It's not like that. I wish people could understand it." She was near tears and didn't even realize it.

  Hank was silent a moment, but his voice held compassion. "It's a small town Letty, forgive them for jumping to conclusions about you. But for one thing, you don't need a job, others do," Hank answered.

  "But I want to work, I enjoy working. I'm happy working. And it doesn't matter the job or the money," she countered.

  "Maybe that's the problem."

  "I beg your pardon."

  "It's complicated to explain, but rich girls don't have to work, especially rich ranching girls. They figure if there is something to do out here, you'd be doing the bookwork here, or helping out with the ranch chores, not getting a regular, nine to five job. Most of the jobs that come up are given to relatives or good friends, not rich little strangers."

  "I found that out, the hard way," Letty remarked scornfully. "It isn't fair. Besides, Wendy helps Wade with the bookwork. I don't want to horn in on her work. She's been doing it for years now. There's only so much work you can do, unless you're a man."

  Hank shook his head. "I guess you're right about that. But look, it's more than fair. Jobs are hard to come by these days. And most people looking for them are trying to feed their families."

  Letty looked down a minute, thinking over what Hank was saying. "You mean they need money more than I do?"

  "Exactly."

  "The money isn't that important to me…"

  "I know, that's your problem right there. You don't have to have it. Don't need it. Others do."

  Letty took the reins and climbed on Whitey, shooting Hank a quick scowl. "Well, I don't think taking a waitressing job stole anything from anyone, do you?"

  He let out a chuckle and smiled up at her. "No ma'am, I don't guess it did. So…how do you like it?"

  "Let's just say, I'm learning," she quipped and trotted out of the barn and into the bright morning sun.

  "I guess you are." He smiled and patted Whitey on the rump.

  Seeing Hank again made her shiver with anticipation. She wondered what effect she might have on him.

  As she rode she thought about her actions. She really liked Joe and Debby and working with them was a lot of fun. They were jovial people and always in a good mood. For the life of her she couldn't imagine why the two of them hadn't gotten together.

  She realized something else, since she'd gone to work; her thoughts had been more on others and less on herself. She liked that. Working was good for her.

  But she groaned, "Just a little hard on the feet, though."

  She motioned Whitey into a light run and felt the wind in her hair and the morning dew on her. She'd never felt so alive. Whether it was due to working or seeing Hank she wasn't sure. All she knew for sure was that when she saw Hank her heart bubbled with happiness.

  She stopped to rest in a meadow and gazed out over the horizon. Before she went to work she didn't get up this early. Enjoying the quiet of the morning, she walked her horse for a while.

  It was nearly noon when she returned to the bar
n. She removed Whitey's saddle, and blanket, and then spotted Caleb.

  He barely noticed her; he was unusually quiet this morning.

  "Caleb, are you alright?" she asked.

  "I'm just fine. And you?"

  "I'm great!" she replied with a smile.

  "Heard you took the waitress job in town," Caleb said.

  "Yes, I did." She sighed happily.

  Caleb frowned. "Guess I don't understand it. I mean, a girl like you, almost got a law degree, gonna have more money than I've ever seen, and yet you take a job like that."

  "It's just a part time job, Caleb," she quipped.

  "But why?"

  "I applied at other places; they weren't interested in hiring a McKay."

  "Shore they weren't, you're over qualified. Where did you apply?" Caleb announced.

  "At a bank, at a dress shop, even a doctor's office."

  "They probably thought you'd be trying to take over their jobs next."

  "Never thought of it that way, but I guess you have a point."

  "Sure, they figure you are too smart and might want their job." Caleb chuckled.

  Letty stared at the old man. "I—guess you're right. But they are so wrong."

  He shook his head. "You got something up your sleeve, gal. You got your modeling, and gonna be a big fancy lawyer, what do you need with another job?"

  Letty sighed heavily, and then flopped down on a barrel. "Caleb, sometimes people just want to be looked at like normal people. I mean, when you look at me, don't you ever see who I am, what I am? Or are there dollar signs on me, saying money? I'm so much more. I'm a model and that puts me in a different category too. I'm studying to be a lawyer, but I don't want to talk cases when the sun sets. I'm also a woman, and I'd like to be looked at like a woman, not for how much money I'm about to inherit. I don't care about that. I don't need that. It's hard to escape and be just a regular person. It's like Wade and Cade, they are the managers of this place. Everyone respects them, looks up to them, but at the end of the day do they play poker with men, invite them over to meet the missus? No…"

  Caleb scratched his chin.

  "You want to be included, is that it?"

  "Sort of…" She stood up and walked about the barn for a few minutes rubbing her arms and trying to make Caleb understand. "I'm not just a McKay; I'm a woman, with feelings, with talents, with so much love stored up in my heart. But the other day, even Aiden, a twelve year old boy, was asking Kellie about the ranch and how she would inherit it someday. Now why would a kid that age even think about it? Because maybe his parents talked about it in front of him. What difference does it make? Kellie is a young girl, a beautiful young girl. Didn't he see that? Did he know that she gave up a weekend night to come stay with an Aunt who is lonely? Did he see how she worked to get her parents together? Has he looked into her eyes, seen her heart? No, all he talked about was her ranch, her money. And Caleb, the boy is only twelve. When she grows up I'd like to think she'll mention me, her Aunt who earned her own living and made her own way. I'd like to think she'll marry a man that sees more than dollar signs. I want that for her, for me, for all of us here."

  Caleb nodded, and then he looked at her. "I guess I see, but looks to me like the only way you can change things is not be a McKay."

  "I'll always be a McKay, but I'm more than that. That's what I want others to see."

  "Others or Hank?" Caleb raised a brow.

  "Both," she replied and left the barn.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was two thirty, and her feet hurt. Taking her shoes off, she rubbed them before she hung her uniform up and put her street clothes back on. Slipping into her jeans and a t-shirt she put her shoes back on and grunted. She really liked working here, she met so many nice people and Debby and Joe were so good to her, but it sure didn't help the feet any.

  Almost limping from the fresh blister she rubbed with her new walking shoes, she waved all of them goodbye and headed home. She'd gotten the bright idea of walking home, for exercise today and regretted it beyond belief. She tried walking on her toes, so as not to rub the blister on her heel.

  Normally she would have enjoyed listening to the mockingbird in the big pecan tree at the end of the street, but today her worries were foot bound.

  The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day.

  So absorbed in her misery, she didn't see the pickup truck pull slowly alongside her.

  "Need a ride?" a familiar voice called out.

  Shocked to see Hank, she let out a happy sigh and smiled brightly. "Oh…you don't know how much…."

  He chuckled and opened the other door of the truck for her. "Let me guess, feet problems?"

  "Mm," she sighed, hoping up into the truck and leaning back into the leather seat. The truck was nearly new and very comfortable.

  "I see you invested in some sensible shoes." He glanced down at her feet.

  She chucked the shoes and leaned back. "It doesn't take long to learn…."

  "Guess not. Hard day?"

  "No actually, it was a great day, except for the huge blister these shoes have given me." She laughed.

  He looked at her socks and laughed.

  "I figured you would have quit that job by now."

  "Quit? I just started a couple of weeks ago," she wailed. "Besides, I love working with Debby and Joe, and I meet so many of the people here."

  "Well, I guess you do. That little café stays busier than any place in town." He smiled.

  "Good food, good people, good job…" She smiled back.

  "I don't figure you…" he began.

  "Oh no…not you too." She shook her head. "No one seems to understand me taking a job like that. But…well, I like it. I'm not sure I would have liked working for that bank manager, nor the little old lady that ran the dress shop, and I really know nothing about working in a Doctor's office, so maybe I'm better off. Joe likes me. He's easy to work for, and Debby is a real friend to me."

  "I was talkin' about your car. I saw you left it at home. I had some supplies to pick up for Cade so I timed it about right."

  "Oh…so you planned this, did you?"

  "Sort of. Why did you leave it at home?" he asked.

  "Exercise!"

  "Exercise? I don't follow you?"

  "I thought walking home might be good exercise," she replied, putting her head on the back of the seat and sighing heavily. "I was wrong, okay."

  "Yes ma'am, it's a good five or six miles to the house. That's a mighty long walk."

  "It wouldn't be that bad, if my foot didn't hurt," she quickly defended herself. "It's such a pretty day."

  She glanced about at the scenery she had taken so for granted.

  "Now why would a woman in your shape need exercise?" He glanced from head to foot.

  "To stay looking like this for one. Modeling requires it," she insisted. "And I don't intend giving that up for a while."

  He seemed to think about that a minute. "Guess you are right."

  "How's your grandmother?" she blurted without thinking.

  "Just fine, thanks for asking." He glanced at her once more, his eyes landing on her lips a little longer than necessary.

  "When am I going to meet her?" she asked with a curved smile to her lips.

  He glanced again and this time he pulled over to the side of the road. "I hadn't given that much thought."

  "I'd like to meet her," she said in a soft whisper.

  His eyes flew to her lips once more. "I swore I wouldn't do this again, but sometimes a man has a thirst bigger than Texas."

  That's when he brought her close, and bent his head to kiss her.

  Unprepared, Letty let out a soft moan, as his lips seemed to melt hers into pure butter.

  His hat scrunched up, so he stopped kissing her and put it in the seat behind her. She stared up at him, unable to focus on anything but being close to this powerful man. When he kissed her again, she swooned in his arms, and her hands went around his neck to pull him closer.

&nbs
p; The natural smells of a man that worked with hay and leather blended with a hint of some soft scented masculine cologne.

  Her fingers wound into the softness of his hair, as he pulled her closer.

  Fire spread through her, as his tongue sought to delve into her very soul. She met his tongue and danced the dance of love for long drugging moments. Her insides turned to jelly, the natural needs swelled within her.

  Then his lips trailed soft kisses over her eyelids, down her nose, and back to her waiting mouth. He growled and pulled her closer if that were possible. When his lips trailed to her ear he breathed against her there, making Letty stir against him.

  "I needed this," he whispered.

  "Me too." She sighed happily as he pulled away to look into her eyes.

  "Letty, you are like a circle of fire for me. Every time you are around, I lose my head. You heat my thoughts, carry my dreams. But you know as well as I do…it just won't work." He sighed and held her away from him.

  "I understand…it's just lust, huh?" Letty nodded and moved against the door.

  "Hell no, it's not just lust…" He frowned and stared deep into her eyes. "I never wanted you to think that. If you know me, you know better than that. I'm not a man to fool around."

  Letty turned away so he wouldn't see the tear roll down her cheek. "I know."

  "Finding temptation is one thing. But that's all it is. That's all it can be. We come from different worlds. And I am kind of old fashioned. I want to be the bread winner of the family. I want to be the man."

  "I can understand that," she protested. "It's natural; it's the way it should be. But what's the difference in lust and temptation?"

  He was silent for a long while before he answered. "Lust is when something is so wrong and you jump into it anyway because you want it. Temptation is something you know you can't have, but it can get a grip on you, it's something you can't resist, can't fight. Keeping my hands off you is the hardest thing I've ever done. Every time you are around I want to make you mine. I want to make love to you, all night long. I want to wake up to you every morning. I want to hold you in my arms, kiss you until you're dizzy and make you mine."