by Sable Hunter
Fancy stumbled backward and raised a hand to cover her lips. Her eyes met his and she saw anger and another emotion shining in them that she didn’t really understand.
“My debt is paid,” King said softly. “Goodnight and leave me be.”
Fancy didn’t say anything in return, she couldn’t. Whirling around, she ran to her room, tears flowing down her cheeks like rain. She’d wanted the kiss, Lord knows she’d wanted it. Now, she knew she’d made a mistake. Now, she knew what she’d been missing – and what she’d never have again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Over the next couple of weeks, things seemed to settle down at King’s Ransom. The normal work on the ranch continued, and Fancy did her best to do her part. Keeping food on the table for all the men, doing their seemingly endless mountains of laundry, and keeping the main house and all the cabins as clean as possible. The tasks were exhausting, but doable. She was used to long hours and backbreaking labor. Her main responsibility, taking care of King, was much more of a challenge. The tension between them could be cut with a knife. Although neither mentioned the kiss again, and it certainly wasn’t repeated, the dynamic between them seemed to change – it was almost as if they were each walking on eggshells around the other.
Not that the kiss was forgotten on Fancy’s part.
Not a chance.
Every night, lying in her solitary bed, Fancy would pull the memory from where she kept it hidden in her heart. She would relive every second and analyze it all carefully, the same way someone would take out a treasure to admire and cherish, admiring its rare beauty. Fancy knew that she’d never forget the feel of King’s lips on hers if she lived to be a thousand.
King, to everyone’s relief, regained more strength every day. His color improved, as did his appetite. He became feisty and restless, quick to anger and hard to please. Fancy did her best to appease him, making special dishes she thought he would like. With the cast in place, he was able to venture out of the bedroom to spend time on the porch, supervising his men from a distance.
He also began taking his meals in the kitchen, oftentimes coming to sit at the kitchen table to drink coffee while Fancy worked. To say his presence set her on edge, was putting it mildly.
Like this morning, Fancy could feel his eyes on her as she washed dishes. The unusual attention made her nervous and her hands were shaking. To her dismay, one white pottery plate slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor. “Oh, dammit! Sorry.” Blushing, she bent to pick up the pieces. “I guess that was my plate, I’ll be eating off a piece of bark from now on. I’m sorry I broke the plate, King. You’ll never keep me now.”
“I wasn’t planning on keeping you.” As he sat there sipping his coffee, his injured leg propped up on a chair, his statement was made in a calm and factual manner.
Fancy wasn’t surprised at his response. Instead of getting upset, like he expected her to do, she smiled placidly. “Yes, I know.” She let out a long sigh. “Don’t mind me. I’m pretending again. I’ve spent most of my life in a dream world because I’m unhappy in the real world I exist in.”
“Did you ever pretend to be someone else?”
His question perplexed her, but she answered evenly. “All the time.” Throwing the broken glass into the refuse bucket, she wiped her hands on the drying rag. “I used to immerse myself in fantasy, I spent hours on the city streets, pretending to be one character or another. Did you ever do that?”
“Oh, yea.” King gave her a rare smile. “Pirates. Dragon-slayers.” He well remembered playing Robin Hood. “I had a great imagination.”
Feeling a little comradery with him, she brought up the book they’d shared before. “Do you want to continue reading Frankenstein? I’m curious how it ends.” She certainly wasn’t about to suggest another chess game, not after that punishing, amazing kiss he’d given her.
“I’m not sure, I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” She placed two syrup pies in the oven to bake. “You know what? My time here is growing short and I plan on enjoying the days with you I have left.” When his eyes widened with a look of concern, she giggled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to throw myself at you. I’ve learned that one can enjoy most things, if you make your mind up firmly. I think you and I have something in common, a stubborn streak.” She gave him a happy smile and he grumped out a noncommittal noise.
Ignoring his lack of a response, her eyes went to the window. “Just look out there, King. There’s a sea of wildflowers blowing in the wind.” Laying down the towel, she ran to the door. “I’ll be right back. Don’t move. I’ll let you have the first piece of pie. You can eat dessert first, I think that’s the way we should live our lives. Dessert first!”
Watching her run out the door, King sat there, wondering what in the world the batty woman was up to now. He didn’t have long to wait, for she came running back with her arms full of blooms. “Wild roses. Aren’t they beautiful? Pink is the most gorgeous color.” She held them up to her nose and inhaled deeply, then brought them for King to smell. He waved her away, but his attitude didn’t deter her. She spun in a circle, giggling happy. “I love pink! If I had a pretty pink dress, I’d weave a chain out of the blossoms and wear them around my neck.” She paused, considering the idea for a moment. “Can you imagine? I could never, ever wear pink.” She made a face at King. “Plus, my horrendous hair would insult the roses.”
King felt unsettled, but he wasn’t able to let her comment about herself pass. “Your hair isn’t that bad.”
Isn’t that bad? Why, that was almost a compliment! “Thank you! Have you ever known anyone as homely as me?”
King frowned, having no idea how to respond. Was there a right answer to that question?
Fancy laughed at his perplexed stare. “Don’t look so panicked. I gave up on being beautiful a long time ago.”
As she flitted around the kitchen, King had to admit she looked different than when she first came. She’d filled out, she had a figure now. Not a lush one, but she wasn’t nearly as emaciated as when she first arrived. To King’s surprise, he found himself feeling anger at those heartless people who’d deprived her of food. He also found himself worrying about the circumstances she’d return to when she left King’s Ransom.
What was he doing? King slammed down his cup in disgust.
“What’s wrong?” Fancy asked, jumping at the noise.
“Nothing.”
She eyed him with suspicion. “Okay. I think it’s time to take those pies out.
As she bent over the wood stove, carefully removing the pies, then placing them on the counter to cool, King studied her every move. “Did you say you were from New York?” he asked after some time, his thumb rubbing the smooth wood of the table in an absent-minded manner.
“Originally,” Fancy answered. “When I was eight, I was placed on one of the orphan trains to travel west. Where did you grow up, King?”
“Tennessee.”
Fancy nodded. “I heard about your fiancée, I’m sorry for what she did to you.”
He ignored her sympathy. Instead, he pointed to the pies. “I think they’re cool enough.”
“Okay.” She hurried to cut him a piece, placing it in front of him with a fresh cup of coffee. “I hope it’s good.”
King accepted the pie, cutting a bite and eating it before he answered. “I guess you could say I dodged a bullet when it comes to women and marriage.”
Fancy finished her meal preparations, then sat down across from him, knowing the others would be arriving soon to eat their lunch. “I understand how you feel. For what it’s worth, I think she was crazy for not waiting for you. I’ve seen how gentle you are with the animals and how kind you are to Ace. I’m sure if you really loved a woman, she’d be the luckiest creature on the face of the earth.”
For some reason, King found her words made him extremely uncomfortable. He was more than grateful when his men came in to join them, each one asking how he felt, and telling him what they’d been up
to around the ranch.
While they ate, he made a decision, one he knew would not be popular. He was getting around better now, he could see to his own needs. There was no use postponing the inevitable.
“Why aren’t you eating, King?” Boone asked, his fork full of chicken and dumplings.
He didn’t say that he’d already eaten pie. “I’ll eat later. I’ve made a decision.”
His announcement caused them all to still. Sitting in her place next to Reno, Fancy froze also. She had an odd, sick feeling that she knew what he was about to say.
“What decision?” Clay asked, trying to read King’s face. Whatever he was about to say, their boss didn’t seem happy.
“I’m taking Fancy back to town tomorrow.”
Reno’s fork clattered to his plate. “You are? Is this wise? Don’t you still need…”
“I’m fine. Much improved.” He held up his hand, a signal that he wasn’t taking questions. It didn’t matter, everyone had something to say about it.
Except Fancy.
She listened as each one tried to talk him out of his decision.
“Please. We need her King,” Ace begged. “She takes care of us.”
“Where will she go?” Jericho asked.
“What will she do?” Gentry wanted to know.
“Stop!” Fancy rose, not wanting to hear anymore. “King’s right. I need to leave and begin my life anew. Here, I’m just waiting, biding my time.” She looked at him and nodded. “I’ll be ready to leave first thing in the morning.” With that promise, she fled the room before anyone could see her cry.
* * *
King’s resolution wasn’t a popular one by any means. The next morning, it became obvious most of his men had quit talking to him. Ace pouted, and Reno was brave enough to tell him he was a fool. “We’ve got it good here with her to help out. Why can’t you see that?”
He refused to justify his actions. “Everyone knew this was merely a temporary situation.”
“It didn’t have to be,” Reno persisted.
Feeling guiltier than he wanted to admit, King lost it. “Look, this is my home, and this is the way it’s going to be!”
Reno glared at him, pressing his lips together. “Yea, this is your home. Your ranch. Your town. If you’re not careful, Captain, you’ll be running this place by yourself!” Turning on his heels, he vacated the premises.
Inside, readying her reticule to leave, Fancy heard every word. She wanted to go out and tell them not to fight. Not over her. She wasn’t worth it. Still, knowing Reno defended her meant everything. Glancing around the small room that she’d come to call her own, Fancy said goodbye. She was going to miss the ranch and miss the men. Especially the young one. Ace meant the world to her. But the one she was going to miss the most was the one who couldn’t wait for her to leave. Hanging her head, she admitted that she’d hoped King would change his mind and ask her to stay. She’d worked so hard for him, trying to prove her worth, praying that she’d make herself indispensable to them all. Her plan hadn’t worked.
“Time to go,” she whispered. Standing up straight, she squared her shoulders and marched to the front of the house. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Fine.” King put his crutches under his arms and made his way out on the porch to where the others were waiting to say goodbye to Fancy. When she saw them all lined up, tears came to her eyes and she found herself too choked up to say much.
Each one had to have a hug and all she could manage was a heartfelt, “Goodbye. Take care of yourselves, please.”
Jericho took her bag and placed it in the back of the buckboard. No one came forward to help King climb up into the wagon, so Fancy ran to his aid, holding his crutch steady while he shifted his good leg forward enough to hop in. “Thanks.”
When it came her turn to climb in, the men rushed forward to help her and Ace presented her with one of the wild pink roses he’d picked from the nearby field. Fancy hugged them all one more time and this time she couldn’t hold back her tears. “I enjoyed taking care of you all very much.”
Before King could set the team in motion, Gentry came forward and pressed something in her hand. When she looked down, she saw it was money. “No, no, I can’t take this.”
“It’s not much, it’s from all of us and we want you to have it. You’ll need it, in case you don’t find a job right off.”
Gentry gave her a courtly bow and Fancy sniffed loudly. “Thank you, I’ll pay you back.”
“Oh, you paid us in cakes and pies galore, Miss Fancy,” Jericho told her. “Not to mention our clean clothes. I don’t really know how we’re going to make it without you.”
“We’ll be fine.” King stated flatly, flicking the reins. “I’ll be back tomorrow, and we’ll start the branding.” No one answered him, and he knew he was in hot water, but there was nothing else to be done. Having Fancy here only reminded him of what he’d lost with Caroline, he’d realized that when she brought up his past. No, just as he’d feared, having a woman around didn’t make things better for him, she only made them worse.
On her side of the buckboard, Fancy kept her head down. She wanted to beg for him to reconsider, but she had her pride. Besides, she knew begging would be futile. King had never wanted her here; her leaving was inevitable.
She tried not to look around at the ranch as they left it. Every square inch had become dear to her – the bubbling stream, the cedar covered hills, the rocky limestone cliffs. In days to come, she could look back on this as a sojourn, a break from her sad reality.
King stood the silence for as long as he could. He hadn’t thought this part through very well, it would be hard to remain stoically mute for a full two day’s journey. “I want to thank you for what you did. I’m not ungrateful.”
Fancy felt something shift within her chest, like a heavy rock giving way to a landslide. “No need, like you said from the beginning, you never asked for any of this. My remaining the extra time after you were injured was a blessing for me.” She held up her arm. “See, I even gained some weight. Having a home, if even for a little while was something I’ll never forget. So, it’s me who should be thanking you.”
Oddly enough, her remarks didn’t sit well with him at all. “Why are you always so damn agreeable? You should be angry for the shitty hand life has dealt you!”
“Angry? Like you?” she answered quietly. “What good has it done you, King?”
“Makes me feel a sight better.” He kept his eyes on the trail, afraid to look at her. Every time he ventured a glance, he felt an odd stabbing sensation in his mid-section.
“No, it doesn’t make you feel better. It just prolongs the pain. I could rail against my fate, but all it would do would be to spoil the one thing I do have control over.”
“What’s that?”
“Me. My mind set. My inner peace. I can’t control my destiny, not so long as I’m trapped in a life where I’m at the mercy of people who value me no more than the dirt under their feet.” When he started to say something, she interrupted him before he got the first word out. “What I can control is how I react to things, how I look at a new day, how I treat other people.”
King was just about to tell her how the cow ate the cabbage when an ominous rattling sounded and both horses whinnied and reared straight up. “Whoa! Whoa!” King pulled back on the reins, to no avail. The team of horses seemed crazed with fear, rearing on their back legs, then jumping forward in a wild run through the open field. As they fled down a steep rocky incline Fancy tried to help King grab the reins, but the wagon tipped, and she lost her balance and fell hard to the ground, rolling and tumbling when she hit.
When her body came to a stop, she laid there, for a brief second, staring up at the blue sky. She gasped, trying to regain the breath that had been knocked from her lungs. Hearing the frantic sounds of the horses and the crashing of the wagon through the brush, Fancy regained her equilibrium and rose to run in their direction.
“Fucking Holy Hell!�
�� King frantically tried to control the team, but the yoke splintered in two, and the reins were ripped from his hands. By the time the wagon rolled to a standstill, one wheel was broken, and he was hanging precariously on the buckboard trying to find his crutches.
“Are you hurt?” Fancy came running up, panting and out of breath. “How’s your leg?”
“Fine.” He was embarrassed. “Goddamn rattler spooked the horses.”
“I’ll find the horses. Don’t move. I’ll be back to help you as quickly as I can.”
“Fancy!” he yelled to call her back, but she was already gone. “Damn fool woman!”
She kept picking up her skirt, but the waistband had torn in her fall and she would be lucky to be wearing clothes at all when this was over. “Stormy! Windy!” She kept tripping over her hem and running was slow over the rocks scattering the hillside. Every few steps, she stopped to scan the area, letting out a breath of relief when she spotted them a few hundred yards ahead, grazing peacefully on a patch of green grass.
“There you are!” She slowed her steps, so as not to spook them again. “Come on, you’re not in trouble.” Fancy eased up to them and gathered up their reins, looking them over to make sure there were no cuts. She also knelt and inspected their legs to ensure the rattler hadn’t bitten either one of them. “Let’s go back to King, I know he’s worried.” Stepping carefully, she led the horses back the way she came.
King had managed to hop down from the buckboard and by the time he saw Fancy coming over the hill leading the two white horses, he was leaning against the damaged wagon, wondering what in the hell they were going to do now.
“They’re okay, King.” She tied them to a bush and came over, kneeling next to him to look at his leg. Running a hand over the cast, she made sure it was still in one piece. “I’m so, so sorry this happened to you.”
