“It is your duty to this family, Kate Ellen, that you marry Hiram Devereaux. He is wealthy and influential, and you should be flattered that he’s asked for your hand.” Her mother’s sharp words on the day she had found out she was to be married to her deceased father’s former business partner echoed in her mind. Kate had never liked the man.
Even as a little girl, the way he had looked at her whenever he came by the house, had sent chills of dread down her spine. On her sixteenth birthday, he had sent her a bouquet of flowers. Kate couldn’t even remember what kind they were. She had paid no attention to them. Three years later, she found herself married to him.
He had been rough with her on their wedding night, and Kate only remembered the pain and humiliation. A woman’s first time was supposed to be special, she’d always heard. The beatings had begun whenever Hiram had difficulty completing the sex act. He’d be drunk on those occasions, and he would blame her, and punish her for being, as he put it, undesirable. Over time, he’d found other excuses to hit her.
Kate sighed heavily, and forced the unpleasant memories from her mind. Stretching her body, she quickly got out of bed and dressed. She ran the brush that Kyle had given her through her hair, and was about to pin it up out of habit. Changing her mind, she let it fall freely down her back.
She opened the bedroom door slowly, her heart suddenly beating faster. Kyle would no doubt want to know what had prompted her to leave the table so abruptly the night before. With a heavy sigh, she realized she would have to lie again.
A quick glance around the room told her he wasn’t there. Her eyes darted to his bedroom door, which was closed. She couldn’t imagine he would still be asleep.
A piece of paper on the table caught her eye. She walked over and read the message:
There’s leftover biscuits on the workbench, and fixins for tea.
Hot water in the coffee pot. ---Kyle
Kate ran her fingers over the scribbled letters on the paper, a soft smile on her face. His penmanship wasn’t pretty or elegant, but it was legible, and his grammar would have her mother screaming in fits of outrage.
Nothing about this man would meet with her mother’s approval. Not that it mattered. Her mother had given – no, sold - her to Hiram Devereaux, with no regard for her feelings on the matter. Kate had objected outright, but her mother turned a deaf ear on her. After her father’s passing, the money had slowly dwindled, and Kate’s marriage to Hiram would assure her mother a continued comfortable life in style and luxury.
Kate read the note again. How did Kyle know that she’d rather drink tea than coffee? She sighed. Despite his backwoods upbringing, which was so different from her life in Boston, in her eyes, he was perfect. The warm sensations trickling through her veins scared her. She couldn’t allow herself to have such feelings for a man.
She held no affection for her husband, and certainly didn’t love him, but she’d married under the eyes of God, and to be unfaithful to Hiram would mean being unfaithful to Him.
Kate walked over to the workbench. A clay jar stood next to a tin coffee cup, and a plate was covered with a towel. She opened the lid of the jar, and a pleasant herbal fragrance wafted to her nose. Bending down to the hearth, she wrapped a towel around the coffee pot handle, and set it on the counter. She added some of the dried herbs and leaves from the jar to the pot, and closed the lid to allow the tea to steep.
The rumbling in her stomach prompted her to reach for a biscuit from the plate, and she took a bite. Some honey or butter would make it taste less dry. She didn’t think either of these items would be found here, and didn’t dare look around for any. Dipping it in some tea might soften it up some.
Using the towel as a strainer over her cup, she poured tea from the pot. The door creaked open behind her. Startled, she spilled some of the hot liquid over the counter, and hastily set the pot down. With trembling hands, she wiped at the mess she’d made.
“Mornin’,” Kyle’s cheerful voice greeted her.
Kate turned slowly, her heart rate increasing. Why did his presence make her react this way? Hiram always made her nervous, but the constant threat of a beating was the cause for that reaction. Kyle wouldn’t hurt her, but he still set her nerves on edge with an inexplicable anticipation.
“Good morning,” she said, looking across the room at him, and her eyes grew wide. Her mouth suddenly went dry, and heat crept up her neck. There he stood, in the center of the room, clad in only his britches. A shirt was slung casually over one shoulder, and his wet hair sparkled golden in some spots, the water droplets catching the rays of the sun streaming into the window.
With a mind of their own, Kate’s eyes traveled over his magnificent body. A nude man was nothing new to her, but she’d never looked upon one with such exquisitely honed features. Michaelangelo’s sculptures came to mind. Hiram looked nothing like the man in front of her. Her husband’s body was more a product of excessive food and drink, and a life devoid of physical activity. Thick layers of adipose tissue covered any muscles he did have.
A slow smile spread across Kyle’s face, and Kate quickly averted her eyes. Her face flamed with heat, and she spun around to face the workbench.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked, his voice close behind her. Kate held her breath.
She managed to nod and produce a faint “yes”.
“I hope you like the tea. It’s all I could find. Josh and I drink coffee, but this was in one of my mother’s cabinets.”
Kate turned her head slightly and dared to take a look. He’d moved next to her at the workbench, and she stared at his well-defined arm muscles. Her cheeks had to be scarlet at this point. She wished she had something to fan herself.
“Are you sure you’re all right? You look feverish.” Kyle leaned forward to peer at her face, his forehead wrinkled.
“I’m . . . quite well,” she stammered.
Kyle raised one eyebrow. His warm chocolate eyes held an amused sparkle. “Am I making you uncomfortable? Don’t men take their shirts off in Boston?”
She turned fully toward him, and straightened her shoulders. His chest was at eye level, and her gaze slowly lifted upward to his face, until her eyes met his. If he wanted to display himself, then she might as well enjoy the view. “Men in polite society don’t present themselves in public. Presumably only in the privacy of their home,” she mumbled.
“This is my home, Kate,” he reminded her. “Josh wore less clothing yesterday morning by the river. You couldn’t take your eyes off him.”
Kate glared at him, her lips parting in ire. She’d done no such thing. A wide grin spread across his face. Was he mocking her? Her eyes narrowed, and she raised her chin. “I don’t make it a habit of staring at nude men, Mr. Russell. I barely recall your cousin’s features from yesterday. If you’d care to remember, he gave me quite a fright.”
”Turnaround’s fair play, Kate. You showed off plenty of yourself yesterday, and the day before. I wasn’t uncomfortable with it at all.” He shrugged his sculpted shoulders.
Kate huffed, and her mouth flew open in exasperation. “I . . . I wasn’t flaunting myself, if that’s what you’re insinuating.” She grabbed the towel off the table and wiped at the water stains on the counter, anything to escape his glaring eyes. How could he suggest she was behaving like a wanton! “You assured me I would have complete privacy. And might I also remind you, the day before that, you are the one who insisted I remove my dress!”
Kyle began to laugh.
“I don’t see what you find so amusing.” Her voice rose several octaves.
“It’s nice to see you ruffle your feathers for a change, Katelyn. It suits you better than acting like a quiet church mouse all the time.” His face grew serious. Kyle’s hand reached out and he brushed the backs of his fingers along her flushed cheek, sending a ripple of longing coursing through her. An involuntary shiver raced down her spine, and her skin tingled. A sudden ache gnawed at her insides, and she was sure he could hear her heart pound
ing in her chest.
Kate gripped and twisted the towel in her hand, afraid she might reach out and touch him if she didn’t have some kind of anchor. His tender hand left her wanting something she couldn’t define. These reactions to a man’s touch were foreign to her. Was this desire she felt?
She stepped back, out of his reach, startled by her body’s intense reaction to him. The sensations seemed to grow exponentially each time he touched her, leaving her yearning for more, and for something that could never be. Kyle’s face visibly hardened. His hand dropped, and he pulled his shirt over his head. Running his fingers through his damp hair, he expelled a puff of air.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Katelyn. I didn’t even know if you’d be awake when I came back from the river.”
His sincerity was real. Too often in Boston society, she had heard people offer apologies simply for the sake of apologizing. She doubted most of them to be heartfelt and honest. She heard only genuine honesty in Kyle’s voice. Unlike you, Kate. You continue to lie to him.
The thought of lying to him suddenly reminded her of her predicament from the night before.
“When will you be taking me to Virginia City?” she asked, reaching for the coffee pot again with unsteady hands to finish pouring her cup of tea. She prayed she could complete the simple task without spilling any more.
“Can’t get away from here fast enough? Boston is calling you back, is it?” Was that disappointment she heard in his voice?
“No, I was simply wondering how much time I have to enjoy the beauty of the mountains here.” She looked at him, and held his eyes.
“I have to meet this Devereaux fellow in Helena after I deliver those horses. I thought I’d take you to stay with my folks in Virginia City before I head that way.”
Kate cringed at the sound of her last name, but expelled a sigh of relief. She had her answer. She was still safe. Her chest felt lighter all of a sudden. She lifted the towel from around her cup, and blew air onto the steaming hot liquid, then took a sip. “This is good. Unusual, but good,” she commented.
“It’s some kind of Shoshone concoction. Don’t ask me what all is in it. My mother drinks this stuff.” Kyle’s face had lightened up again. “What would you like to do today, Kate?” he asked.
She held the cup to her lips, savoring the warm brew. Rarely had anyone asked her how she wanted to spend her day. She couldn’t even think of an answer, when suddenly it came to her. “Would you show me more of these mountains?” Her eyes peered up at him.
Kyle’s mischievous grin made her nervous, and she gulped more of her tea. With a trembling hand, she set the empty cup on the counter.
“I usually get paid to guide people through here,” he said slowly. Kate’s heart sank. She was hoping to discover more of the beautiful landscape they had traveled through to get to this valley.
“I have nothing of value. I left everything behind when Ezra died.”
“You’ve got something very valuable to me, Kate.” His low, husky voice sent shivers down her spine. He took a step toward her, and his eyes had darkened.
“What could I possibly posses that you’d consider payment for your guide services?” she asked. She drew in a sharp breath. He stood much too close to her now.
“I’d consider a kiss payment enough,” he said hoarsely as he stared down into her eyes.
His answer startled her, and she shook her head. “I . . . I can’t kiss you, Kyle.” She tried to take a step back, but bumped into the wall. His jaw clenched and unclenched.
“A Montana woodsman isn’t good enough for a Boston lady?” His cold words seeped right to her heart. Nothing could be further from the truth. A small peck on the mouth couldn’t hurt, could it? She’d keep it quick and simple.
Sensing he was about to turn away from her, Kate acted on pure impulse. Her hands reached up to cup his whiskered face, and she stood on her toes as she pressed her mouth to his.
No sooner had her lips made contact with his, and his arms wound around her waist, pulling her close. The warm rush of sensations flowing through her made her knees go weak and, afraid that her legs would give out on her, she leaned into him for support, her hands gripping his shoulders.
Kyle must have misunderstood. He tightened his hold on her, and took command of the kiss. One of his hands found it’s way to the back of her head, and he buried his fingers in her hair while his lips moved across hers.
Kate thought she might swoon. Breathing became impossible. A slow, deep moan escaped her throat, and her lips parted under his mouth. Her arms seemed to have a will of their own as they slowly crept around his neck. Never had she imagined a man’s kiss could feel like this. Hiram’s wet and sloppy advances had always repulsed her, and he’d never embraced her with any kind of tenderness.
Hiram! Dear God, what was she thinking. Kate stiffened, and she pulled her arms away from Kyle’s neck, and pushed against his shoulder. He would have no problem overpowering her, she realized suddenly, but she felt his hold on her relax, and he drew his head back, ending the kiss that left her heartbeats pulsing in her lips. His eyes smoldered with warmth and desire, and a slow smile spread across his face. Kate drew in a ragged breath. No one had ever looked at her this way. She felt bathed in love, and she blinked, wondering if she’d imagined it.
“For a kiss like that, I’ll show you anything you want to see,” he whispered hoarsely. His hand grazed her cheek, and he brushed his lips to hers again, the contact feather light.
Kate quickly ducked away from him. There was no telling what she might do if he kissed her again. She desperately needed some air, and headed for the door on unsteady legs. Kyle’s hand on her shoulder stayed her. The warmth of his close body radiated into her back, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Katelyn,” he said slowly, his breath tickling the back of her neck. “I . . .” He abruptly dropped his hand, and stepped away from her. Clearing his throat, he said in a firm voice, “I’ll get my gear, and we can head out in about twenty minutes.” Without looking at her, he sidestepped around her and out the door, leaving her swaying on wobbly legs in the middle of the room.
Chapter 12
Kyle stomped out the door, kicking at dirt clods on the ground. What the hell had prompted him to do something as foolhardy as ask her to kiss him as payment for showing her the land? He’d already planned to take her out and show her around. He wanted her to see his world, watch her reactions to the beauty of the mountains. That she’d asked on her own had come as a pleasant surprise. He ran his hands through his hair, shaking his head. His mind must be completely addled. Admit it, Kyle. That was a hell of a poor excuse to get your hands on her. He could blame it on the fact that he hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in days. Kate occupied every crevice of his mind.
That kiss, and her soft curves pressed against him, the way she clung to him, it all left him with a need to go back to the river, for a soak in the frigid Madison, and not the warmer waters of the Firehole. Not that it would do any good to quell the fire in him. Her response to his kiss only left him wanting more.
Kyle headed for the horse corral next to the dilapidated old cabin that had been his grandfather’s first home. He could sure use the old man’s advice right about now. He’d always held a deep respect for his grandfather, who’d been intimately familiar with every rock, tree, and critter in these mountains.
His father had taught him how to survive off the land, but it was different with his grandpa. Daniel Osborne had instilled in him a profound respect for the mountains and its inhabitants. Every encounter, from the fish in the waters to the birds in the sky, and all things in between, everything held some sort of spiritual meaning according to grandpa’s Shoshone upbringing. Where did Kate fit into that kind of thinking? Kyle figured if he’d go to his father now, asking for advice about a woman, he’d most likely receive a slap on the back, and be told something like, “good for you, son. About time you found yourself a woman.”
Kyle pulled a leather bridle
off one of the corral posts, and opened the gate. Rosie raised her head and pricked her ears in his direction when he strode up to her.
“Hey, old girl,” he called softly to the horse. Rosie nickered, and ambled over to him, pressing her soft nose into his shirt, rooting for a treat. At least with animals, he could always tell by their body language what they were thinking or how they would react to a situation. A woman was different. Kate sent him such mixed signals, he didn’t know which way was up any more. Every time he touched her, he could feel her respond, but then she’d stiffen up and pull away. She told him she couldn’t kiss him, but had done it anyways.
She seemed sad and withdrawn at times, but he’d also seen her spunky side. Her stiff and proper Boston upbringing must have squashed her passionate side, which he knew was in there somewhere. She’d wanted to respond to his touch, to his kiss. He could feel it.
That first night in the Indian village, she’d brazenly stuck her hand down his britches. Was that the moment he felt the attraction to her? No, it was before that. The minute he gazed into her blue eyes just before Laughing Badger pulled her from Rosie’s back, he’d been hopelessly lost. And the feeling had only intensified over the last few days.
Every fiber of his being wanted to tear down her walls, and find out about the real woman underneath all that big city stuffiness. Beneath all those layers was a woman ready to awaken from a deep sleep, like a beautiful glacier lily eager to push through the last of the winter snows, ready for the rays of a summer sun to warm its soft pedals.
Why her? A lady from a big city like Boston couldn’t possibly have anything in common with him. He’d never been further east than St. Louis. Could a proper lady with a refined upbringing change her ways and learn to live the way he did? What the hell are you thinking, Kyle? He was thinking about tomorrow, the years ahead. Somehow Kate had wormed her way into his heart in only a few short days, and she’d become part of his visions of his future.
Yellowstone Awakening (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 3) Page 9
