Kate shrugged. “My mother and he pushed for a quick wedding. There were no guests. It was a private ceremony.”
Kyle moved to the bed, and took hold of Kate’s hand, urging her to stand. His arms wrapped around her, and he kissed her cheek. “Go downstairs and eat some supper, Kate,” he said softly.
“And you?” Kate asked.
“I need to talk to my uncle.” With those words, he left the room. Kate stared after him, puzzled by his abrupt departure.
Chapter 23
Kyle propped his foot on a wooden shipping crate, his elbow resting on his knee. He glanced from his father to his uncle. He’d asked both men to meet him inside the depot. Something Kate had said bothered him. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something about her wedding day didn’t make sense to him.
“How does a woman not remember her own wedding day?” Kyle asked, his eyes darting from one man to the other. “Even if it’s a forced marriage?”
“Maybe she just doesn’t want to remember it,” his father suggested.
“No, Chase. Your boy’s right. Something struck me as odd when Kate told us about her circumstances a couple of weeks ago.”
Kyle’s father grinned. “Too bad it’s not like it is with some of the Indian tribes. A woman can divorce her husband simply by tossing his belongings out of their tipi.”
“True. I’ll make sure to alert you the next time Sarah throws some of your things away,” Samuel offered dryly.
“When has she thrown away my stuff?” The older man frowned.
Kyle cleared his throat. “Can we please focus on the subject at hand,” he growled impatiently.
His father’s face sobered. “Well, it doesn’t sound like Kate can get a divorce real easily. There’s got to be some other legal way to get her out of this marriage.”
”Uncle Zach,” Kyle said quietly. “But lawyers deal with criminals, and business matters.” He didn’t see what his uncle Zach, who was a lawyer in St Louis, would be able to do about a woman trying to end her marriage, but it was worth a try to contact him.
“Send a telegram to him in St. Louis first thing in the morning,” Samuel said, excitement in his voice.
”You need more information about this whole marriage arrangement,” his father said. “What you need, Kyle, is a P.I.”
“A what?” Kyle asked, his forehead wrinkling.
“A private investigator. Someone to snoop around and check things out, and ask questions.”
“Pop, you’re speaking that strange language again that no one understands.” Kyle shook his head.
“No, I think your father is on to something here, Kyle,” Samuel said excitedly. “We’ll have to wait and see if Zach has any useful information.”
Kyle looked doubtfully from one man to the other. He simply wanted to find a way to end Kate’s ties to Hiram Devereaux. In his heart, she belonged to him. Convincing her to be his wife was no longer the problem. Something far more daunting stood in his way.
Kate was right. Her husband would never grant her a divorce. Whether Hiram had any feelings of love for his young bride, Kyle wasn’t sure, but he was doubtful. From the man’s demeanor in the tent when Kyle had seen Kate’s image in the watch, he’d gotten the impression that Hiram viewed her more as an acquisition of beauty to show off. And what man would beat the woman he loved?
Kyle cringed at the thought. He’d lost his temper, and hurt her tonight. Was he any better than Devereaux? Unlike the pompous railroad owner, Kyle knew he would never lay a hand on her in anger again.
“Get that telegram sent, and go from there,” Kyle’s father suggested. “In the mean time, Kate stays here with us.” He looked at Kyle. “Are you planning to head back to Madison, son?”
“No, I’m staying right here. I’m not leaving her,” Kyle answered adamantly. His father grinned. “Besides, I need to write a few letters to Hayden in Washington. He’s asked me to come east to speak at the congressional hearings, possibly in November, about setting aside the region as a nation’s park.”
“I have no doubt it will happen, Kyle.” His father put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder.
“Sorry for, you know, taking a swing at you, Pop.” Kyle swallowed his pride. He’d never done anything like that before. First, he’d hurt the woman he loved, and then he’d tried to hit his father.
“Love can make a man do things he normally wouldn’t consider,” his father said, squeezing Kyle’s shoulder. “And I meant what I said.” He grinned. “I can still lay you over my knee any day.”
*****
Standing on her toes and stretching to reach the very top, Kate swished the feather duster over the shelves stacked with canned goods. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the ground. She was sure she’d seen a stool behind the counter at one time. It might be easier to get to the top most shelves if she had something to stand on.
She moved her arm, and winced. The spot on her back where Kyle had shoved her into the dresser the night before throbbed with certain movements. If she were to look, she was sure there would be a bruise. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. It had been an accident. Kate pushed the unpleasant memory of the previous night to the back of her mind. Kyle had every right to be angry with her, she reminder herself again. She still couldn’t believe that his feelings for her hadn’t changed, and that he was adamant about wanting to help her dissolve her marriage.
Kate focused her attention back to the task at hand. She found she liked working in the mercantile, helping Sarah with selling their wares. The people in town had been told she was a family acquaintance from back east. No one knew of her relation to Hiram Devereaux, or her involvement with Kyle. The women in town had been quite receptive to her, eager for news of life in the big city.
Kate also enjoyed the domesticity of household chores, and over the weeks she’d been staying with the Russells, she practically had to beg them to let her help out. Under Sarah and Hannah’s tutelage, she’d learned some basic cooking and baking techniques, and her confidence in the kitchen grew daily.
“What is a beautiful, highly refined lady from Boston doing cleaning dirty shelves in a remote Montana outpost?” Kyle’s slow, deep drawl behind her startled her momentarily. She turned to find him standing a few feet behind her. He was much too close, and her pulse increased. The scent of a freshly laundered shirt and shaving cream enveloped the air around her.
“Earning my keep,” she said, dropping her hands, swirling the duster in front of her.
“You’re a guest here, Kate,” Kyle said, and took another step toward her. Kate glanced around nervously. “The store’s not open yet. No one’s gonna see.” Kyle must have read her mind. What if someone saw them standing so close? Kate took a step back when he reached for her hand.
“I rather enjoy the work,” Kate said as a diversion. She stepped around him, and darted behind the counter to put some distance, and a barrier, between them. They were no longer in the remote Madison Valley, alone and away from prying eyes. The fact that she was married apparently wasn’t a deterrent to Kyle.
“Do I have to chase you now to touch you?” He grinned, but didn’t move in her direction.
Kate took a deep breath. “Kyle, I’m married. I made a mistake and allowed myself to give in to my feelings. You . . . you made . . . make me feel things. We can’t pretend that I’m free to continue like this.”
Kyle walked up to the outer side of the counter opposite her, and placed his palms on the shiny wooden surface. He leaned forward, and stared at her intently. “Miss Kate, you won’t be married much longer, if I have anything to say about it. The only man you will call husband in the future is me.”
Kate shivered at the intensity of his words. If only she could be as sure as he seemed to be. “Kyle, I –”
“Tell me you love me,” he said in a husky voice. “Say it and I promise I’ll leave.”
“I love you, Kyle,” she whispered, her eyes trained on a spider crawling across the floor. It was shameful how much she
loved him, and the way she behaved in his presence. Her mind simply wasn’t her own when he was near. Before she realized it, Kyle darted around the counter, and pulled her into his arms.
“Kyle, you promised you’d leave.” She squirmed in his embrace, even as her body yearned for his touch. His hand slid along her cheek, and he touched his mouth to hers. The instant his lips made contact with hers, Kate surrendered, and she melted against him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she pulled him closer.
When he released her again, they both struggled for breath. “Now I’m leaving,” he said, a satisfied smile on his face. His smoldering eyes scanned her face. “I love you, Katelyn. I always keep my promises. About everything. And I promise you I will find a way to free you of your marriage.”
“If only you could, Kyle,” she whispered.
“The next time I ask you to be my wife, you can answer without a guilty conscience.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb. She smiled up at him.
“How can you be sure I’ll answer yes?” she teased, and raised her eyebrows.
Kyle’s face turned serious. His eyes darkened, and the smile vanished. “Because I know you love me. Because I know what we have is real.” His face brightened again, and one corner of his mouth rose in a wicked grin. “And because I know you can’t resist me.” He pulled her into his arms once again, lifting her off the ground. Kate squealed, and put her hands on either side of his clean- shaven face.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kyle,” she said hoarsely, and kissed his lips.
He set her back on the ground. “I could stand here all day, and hold you, but I have to go. I have a promise to keep,” he said slowly, stepping away from her.
“Where are you going?” she asked, suddenly apprehensive. What was he up to?
“I need to go send a telegram,” he called over his shoulder, and disappeared through the door that led to his parents’ living quarters.
Kate stared after him. Was there a way to end her marriage? He sounded so sure. A shiver ran down her spine, and she smiled softly. She could only dream that her fairy tale would have a happy ending after all. She touched her fingers to her mouth. The strong scent of shaving cream lingered on her hands.
The deep sounds of the chimes of the clock in the living room reached all the way to the store, and after the eighth chime, Kate unlocked the double wide doors to the front of the mercantile. Sarah would be along in a while to help her in the store. The smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee drifted from the back door. Kate had told Sarah to enjoy a quiet breakfast with her husband this morning. It was the least she could do for the people who had taken her in, and made her feel as part of the family.
She’d barely turned away from the door, when the bell above it announced the day’s first customer. Kate turned, and her eyes widened in surprise.
“Josh?”
“Hi, Kate. You’re looking well.” Josh Osborne filled the frame of the door, grinning broadly at her. “I was going to come around back, but I saw you open up shop.” His eyes roamed over her. “Is everything all right?” he asked, his forehead wrinkling.
“Yes, what should be the matter?” Kate’s forehead surely matched Josh’s.
“Where’s Kyle?” Josh stepped fully inside the store. His hand rested on the belt around his waist, and his dark eyes scanned the room. Kate realized how much he looked like Samuel. His skin was a shade darker, and his hair shone raven black, a testimony to his Indian heritage, but there was no mistake in who his father was.
“You just missed him. He had to go run an errand,” Kate answered. “Why did you come all this way, Josh?” Her eyes traveled over him. He must have traveled fast to be here only a day after Kyle. It looked like he hadn’t shaved in several days, darkening his features even more. The red flannel shirt he wore was covered in a fine layer of trail dust, and Kate’s nose told her he could use a bath.
“I’m checking up on my horses, to see if they’re still alive,” Josh scoffed. “My cousin acted as if the devil himself were after him a couple of days ago. All he said was that someone was in trouble and would pay. He was madder than a grizzly with a burr up his a . . . in his eye.”
Heat crept up Kate’s neck. Josh didn’t know yet about her circumstances. She was weary of having to explain herself again. Loud giggles and chatter from just outside the store drew her attention away from Josh.
“Hurry, Danica. Maybe we can hide inside the mercantile, and he won’t find us.”
“All I need is a loaded shotgun, and he won’t be chasing after us again.”
Kate’s eyebrows rose as she watched two young women dart swiftly through the door. She judged them to be a few years younger than herself, perhaps sixteen or seventeen. The first girl through the door wore dark gray britches, and a blue cotton shirt that appeared to swallow her up, even with the tails tucked into the pants. The sleeves were rolled halfway up her arms to her elbows. Leather suspenders kept the britches from sliding down her hips. The pant legs disappeared inside dark leather boots, which were the only articles of clothing she wore that at least looked to be a correct fit. Her head was turned, and she glanced over her shoulder as she dashed inside the store. She collided against Josh, who was still facing Kate.
Josh whirled around, and grabbed the girl by her upper arms, an annoyed snarl on his face. She pulled back against his hold, until she looked up at him. Her eyes grew wide, and she ceased her struggle. Kate suppressed a smile. The raw look of admiration in the girl’s eyes would make a blind man blush.
Josh released her arms and stepped away, his expression unwavering. “Don’t you have any common sense in that female head of yours?” he growled, his eyes traveling up and down her body in apparent assessment of her clothing.
“Josh!” Kate couldn’t believe his rudeness. It was an accident that this girl collided with him, and he acted as if she’d done it on purpose.
“I need to find my father,” Josh grumbled. Without another glance at Kate or the two girls, he sidestepped past them and out the door. The young lady stared after him, while her friend held her hand to her mouth in apparent shock.
“Danica,” her friend finally nudged her, and whispered nervously, “Maybe we should go.” Unlike her tomboyish friend, this girl wore a modest calico dress, and a bonnet covered her hair.
“Can I help you find something?” Kate stepped forward, smiling at them. The girl named Danica had blond hair that had been braided and coiled at the back of her head. The attractive hairstyle didn’t go with her distinctly non-feminine clothing. She had the most startling green eyes Kate had ever seen.
“We’re just trying to stay out of sight for a few minutes, if that’s okay,” Danica said. When Kate raised her eyebrows, the girl elaborated, “We’re hiding from Trent Sloacum. He fancies himself my beau, but I can’t stand him.”
“Stay as long as you like,” Kate offered, fully appreciating Danica’s dilemma. If only it were as easy for her. Kate hoped this girl’s parents would be more supportive of her decisions and would allow her to choose her own suitors and eventual husband.
“Who was that man that just left?” Danica asked, and glanced in the direction Josh had disappeared. Perhaps she was hoping he’d come back. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in town before.”
“That was Josh Osborne. His father Samuel Osborne is part owner of this mercantile,” Kate said. Her intuition had been correct. One look at Josh, and Danica was smitten. Kate couldn’t tell her that any notions she might have of pursuing him would be futile. Kyle had mentioned on several occasions that Josh didn’t fancy fair-haired women. The chances of them meeting again were fairly slim. From everything Kate knew about Josh, he didn’t come to town very often.
“There you are,” a male voice said, startling all three women.
Danica backed up toward Kate. Her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings, and she picked up the object closest to her, a brass candlestick holder. “If you don’t leave me alone right now, Trent, I
’ll throw this at your ugly head. Your brains can’t get any more addled than they already are,” she said, raising the weapon in front of her. Kate had a feeling this girl wouldn’t hesitate to carry out her threat. She didn’t appear afraid of the man entering the mercantile.
Trent Sloacum smiled, and Kate shuddered involuntarily. He pulled his dusty, sweat-rimmed hat off his head, revealing limp brown hair underneath. Running his hand across his brow, he repositioned the Stetson on his head.
“Hush your mouth, Danica. If your pa sees you dressed like that, he’ll lay you over his knees for sure. You wouldn’t want to be an embarrassment to the all-important Lars Jensen, now would you?”
The man’s eyes darted to Kate, and lingered. His shaggy eyebrows rose, and the smile on his face turned almost evil.
Kate’s pulse increased and her stomach churned when recognition filled his eyes. She swallowed nervously. “Looks like I’m about to become a rich man,” he drawled. He looked toward Danica. “Then your pa can’t say I ain’t good enough for you anymore.” He leered at Kate. “You’re the spittin’ image of that missing wife of that railroad fella in Helena.”
Kate was too stunned to speak. She backed up several steps. The man in front of her apparently forgot all about Danica as he advanced on Kate.
“I saw you several months back. My brother works for Mr. Devereaux. You were dressed up all fancy like, but I never forget a pretty woman’s face.”
“Well you can just forget about this one,” another man’s menacing voice came from just outside the store. Kate’s eyes shot to where the voice came from. Kyle strode into the store, positioning himself between Kate and Trent. His mouth was set in a firm line, and his eyes blazed with anger. Josh entered behind him, and moved off to stand along the wall just inside the door, his hand near the hilt of his knife hanging off his belt.
Yellowstone Awakening (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 3) Page 20
