Yellowstone Awakening (Yellowstone Romance Series Book 3)

by Peggy L Henderson

”Kate, you’re going to be free,” he said suddenly, his tone husky and hoarse. Her heart skipped a beat at his words. “I just need to get the proof.” He kissed her again.

  “Proof of what?” He must think her daft. She had no idea what had sparked his excitement. Abruptly, he jumped to his feet.

  “I have to go find Josh. I’ll explain everything later.” He pulled her to her feet. I love you, Kate.” He wrapped her in his arms, and hugged her tightly to his chest. His heart beat strong and fast against her cheek. Before she realized it, he released her, and darted through the door leading to the kitchen.

  “Kyle,” she called softly after him, her arm reaching out. He had already disappeared.

  Chapter 25

  Kyle entered the kitchen through the side door, wiping a towel across his damp face, and over his wet hair. The delicious smells of fried meat and fresh bread made his mouth water. His stomach growled loudly. He could eat a horse this morning. He’d been so on edge recently, he’d barely tasted the food he’d eaten. Everything was different today.

  Katelyn had finally provided him with the information he needed to free her from her supposed marriage to Hiram Devereaux. He hadn’t realized it immediately, but something his uncle had said in his telegram had struck Kyle like lightning after Kate mentioned she’d been medicated with sedatives.

  After leaving Kate’s side in haste the night before, he sought out Josh. He needed concrete evidence to support his theory. Kyle highly suspected that Kate’s maid, Eliza, had known what was going on. According to Kate, she had been a witness at the wedding. All he needed was to talk to her, and get her to tell the truth. Kyle couldn’t show up in Helena himself. He would be recognized, and it would raise suspicions. But no one there knew Josh. Kyle supplied his cousin with a list of questions to ask the maid. He was absolutely sure this time that he was on the right track. When the telegraph office opened later, he would send another message to Uncle Zach.

  Kyle draped the towel over his shoulder, and scanned the room. His father sat at the table, his profile hidden behind a newspaper. His mother stood at the stove, frying bacon. Kyle strode up to her and kissed her cheek.

  “Mornin, Mama,” he said, a wide grin on his face.

  His mother looked up at him with wide eyes. She returned his smile. “You’re awful chipper this morning,” she said. She looked him up and down, and her hand reached up and into his hair, pushing the strands that fell over his eyes out of his face. “When are you going to cut that mop of yours, Kyle?”

  “Katelyn likes my long hair,” he said.

  “Oh?” His mother’s eyebrows rose, and her lips curved in a smile.

  “That’s what counts, son. You have to do what your woman tells you. It’s the secret to a happy life.” Kyle’s father peered up over the newspaper he was reading, and winked at his wife.

  “Well, then come over here and give me a hand with breakfast.” His mother glared toward the table.

  “Sure thing, Angel.” His father folded the paper and heaved himself out of his chair.

  “Is Kate up yet?” Kyle asked, snatching a piece of bacon off the serving plate his mother held, avoiding her hand as she swatted at him.

  “Up and about,” she said. “She went to school with Hannah already. I guess the kids are learning about the Boston Tea Party, and Hannah thought it would be nice to have Kate describe the area to them, since she’s seen Boston Harbor.”

  Kyle’s smile faded. He was eager to share his thoughts with Kate this morning. He hoped to put her mind at ease that everything would work out. He wanted to sit with her, and discuss their future together. All the dreams he’d had weeks ago, after she told him she loved him, played in his mind. He hadn’t had the chance to share any of that with her. The day her marriage was officially over, he planned to ask her to be his wife.

  “Sam mentioned that you think you figured out a way to get Kate out of her marriage,” his father commented, a platter with steaming eggs in one hand, and a basket piled high with fresh bread in the other. He set them on the table, and took to his seat again.

  “I have a theory.”

  Kyle pulled out a chair opposite his father, then reached for the egg platter. His mother brought him a cup of coffee while he piled food onto his plate.

  “Thanks, Mama,” he said, looking up into her warm eyes. She touched his shoulder, and gave it a light squeeze.

  “I hope it works out for the two of you, Kyle. She’s a lovely girl.” She tousled his hair with her hand. “I just need to convince her to tell you to go visit the barber.”

  Kyle grinned broadly, and forked eggs into his mouth. This day would only get better. After sending another telegram to Zach, he’d head over to the school, and escort Kate back home. Maybe he’d take her for a stroll through town, and they could go visit Rosie at the livery. Kate would like that. Then he could tell her everything he was impatient to share with her.

  He wolfed the rest of his food, and washed it down with coffee. Both his parents watched him from across the table, amused looks on their faces. Kyle’s mother reached for his father’s hand, entwining her fingers with his, and they exchanged a quick glance. His parents appeared to be just as glad to see an end to Kate’s plight as he was. Snatching a slice of bread from the basket, he pushed his chair back.

  “I’ll see you two later,” he said, and headed for the door.

  “Don’t go disturbing your sister’s class, Kyle,” his mother called out a warning. He stopped and turned.

  “I won’t, Mama,” he answered, and darted through the door. Sam waved to him from the depot, and Kyle veered in his direction.

  “Breakfast’s hot. You’d better go in and get some,” he called.

  “I’ll be there in a minute.” Sam wiped his hands on the front of his shirt. “I knew you’d find a way, Kyle,” he beamed, and slapped Kyle’s shoulder. “That girl deserves some happiness in her life after what’s been done to her.”

  Kyle squinted, and he studied his uncle’s face. “You still miss your wife, don’t you?” he asked quietly.

  Samuel’s eyes took on a haunted, faraway look. “Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her,” he said, his chest heaving. “The guilt I feel will never go away. I wasn’t there to protect her, and she died a horrible death.” His voice cracked, and he ran his hand over his face.

  Kyle understood his uncle’s anguish better these days. The thought of anyone hurting Kate, and the suffering she’d already endured at Devereaux’s hand, filled every cell in his body with rage. Kyle clenched his jaw. Nothing like that would ever happen to her again. He’d protect her with his life if he had to.

  ”In a month’s time, Kate will be a free woman,” Kyle said firmly.

  “No, she won’t.” Samuel looked amused, his eyes sparkling. Kyle’s eyebrows furrowed. “You’ll have her standing in front of the preacher the minute you get her out from under Devereaux’s clutches.”

  “Yeah, I think you might be right about that.” Kyle grinned broadly.

  *****

  Kyle leaned against the tree trunk, his arms crossed over his chest. He observed the quiet one-room schoolhouse that stood singularly at the edge of town, nestled against a grove of cottonwoods. A grassy field surrounded the small building. Off to the right was a play area, with several teeter-totters and swings. Kyle glanced at the sky. The sun shone brightly overhead. Hannah would surely let her students out for a mid-day break soon.

  The thought had barely entered his mind, when the door to the building burst open, and children piled out, laughing and chattering loudly. Kyle straightened, and pushed away from the tree. Bringing up the rear of the class, Hannah and Kate emerged from the room. His heart skipped a beat. His sister and the girl of his dreams appeared to be conversing animatedly, and Kate laughed at something Hannah had said.

  Kyle lazily lumbered in their direction, his thumbs hooked in his belt. His chest burst with happiness while his entire focus remained on the one woman who consumed his every thought. Sh
e would be his soon. The radiant smile on Kate’s face, and her relaxed manner as she chatted with Hannah, warmed his entire insides.

  Kate looked up, and her eyes met his across the distance of the field. Kyle held his breath. She stopped in her tracks, then her face lit up with joy. Kyle groaned. The smile on her face was just for him. The jolt of desire coursing through him nearly knocked him to his knees. He picked up his pace. Hannah waved to him, then motioned with her hand, and gave Kate a nudge on the arm. His sister obviously understood he’d want to be alone with Kate, and not stand around visiting.

  “What a nice surprise to see you here,” Kate said when they were within feet of each other. Kyle reached up and cupped her flushed cheeks between his hands, and stepped up close enough for their bodies to touch. Heat seared his insides.

  “Kyle,” she whispered. “The children. You shoul—”

  He covered her mouth with his own, gliding his parted lips across hers. His fingers slid underneath her hair and behind her neck. Kate’s hands moved up his chest. Her gentle touch left a trail of scorch marks on his skin, even through his shirt. The knowledge that she would soon be free fueled his desire, and he deepened the kiss, demanding an equal reaction from her.

  Kate’s mouth parted and her lips moved in time with his, driving him nearly mad. He had to stop, or he’d embarrass them both. Reluctantly, he pulled his face back.

  Panting, he held her cheeks between his hands, looking down at her beautiful face. Kate’s eyes shone with desire, and a renewed jolt of electricity coursed through him.

  “When’s the last time I told you how much I love you?” he asked, his voice raspy.

  “Last night, but you can say it again,” she answered, her own words shaky.

  The grin that spread across his face surely had to be wide enough to drive a team of horses through. “I love you, Katelyn. Very soon, you’ll be mine forever.”

  She sighed, and the joy on her face faltered. “I love you, too, Kyle. I wish it would be so.” She sounded almost sad as she said it. She still didn’t believe he would free her of her vows. Had she heard about his father’s feats, and wondered if Kyle was lacking somehow? If she had heard the stories, she hadn’t mentioned them. Kyle pushed his nagging self doubts from his mind.

  He released her face, and took hold of her hand. “Are you done here?” he asked. “I have things I want to talk to you about.”

  “Yes, I was about to head back to the mercantile.”

  “Then let’s go. We can visit Rosie on the way.” Kyle pulled her along, and she fell in step beside him.

  “I’d like to see her,” Kate said, trying to remove her hand from his grip. Kyle eyed their entwined fingers. “Kyle,” she said hesitantly. “We can’t be seen like this together in public.”

  Kyle’s eyebrows rose. “Katelyn, we just shared a kiss that would melt the ice off a frozen winter pond, and now you’re worried about holding my hand?” He laughed, and she swatted at his arm.

  “That’s . . . that’s different,” she stammered.

  “Okay, I’ll let go of your hand, but then you’ll have to kiss me again while we’re walking through town.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” She pulled her hand from his, and he loosened his hold. Watching her stiff back as she rushed up the path ahead of him, he sighed contently. In two easy strides, he caught up to her, and clasped his hands behind his back.

  “There. Is that better?” he asked.

  She glanced at him sideways, and he caught the curve of her upturned lip, even as she raised her chin haughtily. “Much,” she said in a most Boston-like manner. Then she burst out laughing. Kyle fought the impulse to pull her into his arms and twirl her around.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll mind my manners,” he said, trying to sound properly demure.

  Kate glanced into several store windows as they passed along the boardwalk. She barely gave notice to the fancy dressmaker’s shop they passed. A sky blue satin gown was prominently displayed in the window, with black trim and an off-the-shoulder neck. It reminded Kyle of the dress Kate had worn in that picture in Hiram Devereaux’s watch. He eyed the dress on display. Kate would look stunning in it, but she seemed to show no interest.

  They had almost reached the livery, when Kate stopped abruptly in her tracks. She drew in a sharp breath, and her hand flew to her mouth, just before her other hand gripped Kyle’s arm tightly. Looking at her, all color drained from her face.

  “Kate?” Kyle held her arm. Her entire body shook. His eyes followed her line of vision. Up ahead loomed the prestigious Daly Inn. In front of the hotel stood a concord coach with a team of four matching bay horses hitched to it. It looked almost like the Wells Fargo stage that came through town once a week, but this was definitely a privately owned coach.

  Kyle’s stomach dropped, and his heart pounded in his throat. He didn’t have to ask who the coach belonged to. Kate’s reaction said it all. He stepped quickly in front of her, and pulled her up against the side of the store they stood next to.

  “Let’s go a different way,” he said. “We can head around this building, and get to the mercantile the back way.” He held her elbow to steady her, and guided her back up the street.

  “He found me, Kyle,” Kate expelled, her words barely audible.

  “Let’s get back to my folks’ place, and we’ll talk there.” Kyle clenched and unclenched his jaw as he walked. He didn’t want to confront Hiram Devereaux in the middle of town. If Kate hadn’t been with him, he wouldn’t have hesitated to walk past the hotel. Chances were the man wouldn’t have even noticed them. He was probably settled in to his hotel room, but Kyle wasn’t about to take the risk. Kate’s panicked reaction was all the reason he needed to take the coward’s way out. For now.

  Kyle ushered Kate briskly down a path along the outskirts of town. They reached the mercantile, and slipped in through the side door into the kitchen. Wisps of hair clung to Kate’s forehead, and Kyle brushed the strands away from her damp face.

  “Everything’s going to be all right, do you hear me?” he said between clenched teeth, his hands on her arms. He squeezed gently, and locked his eyes on hers. Her breathing came in quick and shallow gasps. Her terror-filled gaze tore at his very soul.

  “Kyle,” she swallowed several times. “If he comes for me, I have to go with him.” Her voice cracked noticeably.

  “No, you don’t,” he growled. “Your marriage is a sham, Kate.” He stared into her wide eyes. “I just need the proof. I need another week. Dammit!” He pulled her into a fierce embrace. Both their bodies shook; hers with fear, Kyle’s with pent-up rage.

  “You don’t know what he’s capable of. If he finds out that you and your family have knowingly kept me from him, there’s no telling what he might do.” Kate’s voice was muffled as she spoke into his shirt. “I won’t let you or your family get hurt because of me.” She pulled away, and wiped at her eyes.

  The door opened, and both of them jumped. Kyle’s father walked into the kitchen, his eyes darting from Kate to Kyle.

  “Am I interrupting something?” He grinned. The smile froze on his face. He frowned, and tight lips replaced his grin. “What’s up?” he asked, and his eyes narrowed.

  Kyle stepped away from Kate, but kept a steady arm around her waist. “Hiram Devereaux is here in town.”

  “Hell.” His father’s eyes darkened. “I’ll let Sam know to be on the alert.” He moved to head back out the door, then faced Kyle again. “Don’t do anything rash, son. Wait for him to come here.”

  Waiting was the last thing Kyle wanted to do, but he knew his father was right. It would do no good to seek the man out himself. He had to bide his time, and wait and see what Devereaux knew.

  “I’m gonna kill that weasel, Trent Sloacum,” Kyle said between clenched teeth, and smacked his fist into the open palm of his other hand. “No doubt he’s the one who notified Devereaux that Kate’s here. I should have knocked the tar out of him the other day.”

  The first chance
he got, his fists would connect with Trent Sloacum’s face. He had recognized Kate several days ago, and surely sent a telegram to Helena.

  “Best we just go on as usual for now,” Kyle’s father suggested. “You can hit whoever you want later, but keep Kate out of sight for now.” With those words, he headed back out the door.

  Kyle turned to Kate. She stood stiffly, her hands clasped in front of her. He pulled her against him. “Go on up to your room, sweetheart. It’s going to be okay.” He nudged her toward the living room, and up the stairs. He held the door open for her, and she entered the small space. Kyle stood under the doorframe.

  “Try and relax. I’ll have my mother come sit with you.”

  Kate whirled around to face him. “If he comes for me, I’m not putting you or your family in danger.”

  “And I’m not letting that scum hurt you again,” Kyle bellowed. She stepped toward him, and touched the palm of her hand to his cheek. “I love you, Kyle,” she whispered, and leaned up to kiss him. “You’ve taught me to speak my own mind, and how to really be alive. I will always be grateful for that.”

  Kyle hugged her to him. “He’s not getting you back,” he said fiercely. He released her, and backed out of the room. The panic in Kate’s eyes from earlier was replaced with an almost serene calm. Hopefully she realized he would keep her safe. “Wait here until I figure out what to do.”

  He closed the door, and headed back down the stairs. Rage consumed him like a wildfire out of control. Dammit! Why did Hiram have to show up now? He knew without a doubt that he could free Kate from Devereaux’s clutches, but he didn’t hold concrete proof in his hands. Not yet. Kyle slammed his fist into the wall along the staircase.

  Chapter 26

  Kyle paced the floor, the muscles in his neck and arms strung tighter than Kate’s corset when he first met her.

  “You’re gonna walk a path straight though those floorboards, son,” his father commented without much enthusiasm. None of the men sitting in the living room had spoken in a while. Kyle’s father and uncle sat in continued silence while Kyle paced. All three heads jerked toward the passage leading to the mercantile when the store bell announced a customer. This late in the afternoon, most town people would have concluded their shopping.