by BJ Wane
Her hands shook, forcing her to set down the cup. Rubbing her palms up and down her jean-clad thighs, she blew out a shaky breath. “I didn’t think of that.”
“Oh, honey, don’t you fret.” Babs set a plate of eggs in front of her and reached over to pat her forearm as Leslie brought her hand up from her lap. “Anyone would be a fool to try and come after you on Wilcox property. Eat your breakfast.”
Kurt’s lips curved at Leslie’s bemused expression. “Don’t argue with her, it won’t do you any good.”
She flicked him a sly, teasing glance. “Like with you?”
“Exactly. When you’re done, you can write the things you want from your apartment. Or would you rather go into Willow Springs when you feel up to it? We can purchase whatever you need for the next few weeks.”
She shook her head and then winced, brushing her fingers over the bandaged bump above her right eye. “I don’t want to answer any questions and I’m sure news of this has already made the small-town gossip circles. Besides, I’m not anxious to get back on that highway anytime soon.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll run into Billings and get your things this morning, while you’re still recovering inside. It won’t take me long. As soon as you’re up to it, we’ll start target practice.”
That had her halting her fork halfway to her mouth as she paused to say, “Huh?”
He nudged her fork hand forward. “You heard me. It’s past time you knew how to defend yourself. Gotta run so I can get back.” Taking his plate to the sink, he asked Babs, “If Dad’s plate is ready, I’ll take it to him.”
Leslie frowned. “Why doesn’t he eat in here with us? You shouldn’t cater to him. That just enables his bad behavior.”
Kurt lifted an inquiring brow, regarding her with curiosity. “Have you met Leland?”
“Yes, last evening.” She waved her hand holding the utensil. “It only took a few minutes to ascertain he could benefit from more blunt speaking. Sorry if I’ve overstepped, that’s just my opinion.”
“And here I thought I was the only one who had the guts not to put up with his bullshit.”
“Language, Kurt,” Babs admonished, swatting at his shoulder.
“Right.” He winked at Leslie. “Go for it, sweetheart.” He handed her Leland’s plate. “I’ll get out of here a lot faster if I don’t see him first.” Giving her another kiss, this time by tugging her head back with a handful of hair, he strode out with her narrowed-eyed glare drilling a hole in his back.
Leslie turned from watching Kurt walk out, her blood having pooled in a hot puddle between her legs and her nipples peaking in her usual response from his touch. She encountered Babs’ knowing grin and returned it with a rueful smile. “Has he always packed such a wallop with the girls?”
Babs bobbed her head. “Oh, yes, ever since he was too young to know what those looks meant.”
Leslie smirked. “I bet it didn’t take him long to find out.”
Babs turned serious. “No, but he also didn’t let it go to his head and get all cocky like some teenagers. His father taught both Kurt and Brittany to respect others and hard work.” Sadness flitted across her rounded face. “It was a shame, what happened to that girl, and what her passing did to the two of them.”
She wanted to know the whole story, but it should come from Kurt or his father. Maybe helping them mend their rift would ease some of the guilt riding her over the unconditional stance of protection Kurt and his employees had given her. Eying the two plates Babs was filling with eggs, sausage and toast, she asked, “Who’s the second one for?”
“Cory, Mr. Wilcox’s aide. He’ll be in there by now.”
“Mind if I deliver them? I’d like to make myself useful.”
Babs cast a critical eye over her before handing Leslie the plates and pointing in the opposite direction of her guest room. “The master bedroom is on the far south end of that hall. The missus wanted privacy from her children. Just don’t overdo. I’ll be here all morning, so you tell me if you need anything.”
She grasped the plates, grateful for Babs’ support. “I will, Babs. Thank you.”
Leslie got a better idea of how the sprawling, one-story house was laid out as she wound her way toward Leland’s quarters. Splashes of sunlight streaming through wide windows and skylights brightened the buffed, dark hard wood floors throughout, the views outside them amazing, no matter what direction you looked. She itched to explore the property, get a closer look at the beautiful Thoroughbreds she spotted grazing in the pastures and familiarize herself with the running of a working ranch. In the three and a half years she’d lived in the midst of cattle country, she’d stuck to the familiarity of city life, but now found herself interested in learning more about how Kurt spent his days.
That new interest didn’t bode well for keeping a physical distance between them, but she wouldn’t be content to sit around the house all day for long. She needed to stay busy to keep from freaking out over someone intent on killing her.
The door stood open when she reached the bedroom, the frustrated voice coming from inside reaching her before she saw who it belonged to.
“Why don’t you want to go this morning?”
“I didn’t sleep well,” Leland snapped.
A tall, young man in his mid-twenties shook his blond head at Kurt’s father who was up and dressed and sitting at a small table in a corner of the spacious room. “You used that excuse last week.”
Leslie held up the two plates as she entered. “Maybe breakfast will perk you up and then you’ll feel like going out.” She smiled at the aide. “Hi, I’m Leslie.”
“Kurt mentioned you this morning. I’m Cory,” he said, reaching for the plates. “Thanks but I could’ve gotten them.”
“No problem.” She looked down at Leland with a wry expression. “Are you starting the day giving him a hard time? I don’t know you except for what Kurt’s mentioned, but I’ll bet you’re balking at going into therapy again.”
Leland’s glare reminded her of Kurt’s when he was annoyed with her. “Mind your own business,” he returned sourly.
“I’d love to but your stubbornness is weighing your son down with worry and since I care about him, I hate to see him upset. I would think his father would have even stronger feelings.” Satisfied with the consternation filling the older man’s eyes, she beamed at Cory. “Nice to meet you. I’m going to rest so I don’t give my generous host anything else to fret over.”
Cory’s face split in a knowing grin. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Pivoting, she ignored Leland’s disgruntled hrrmph. Her gaze landed on a chess set by the window as she headed out. An idea took hold and, pausing, she turned her head to say, “I used to be damned good at that game. I’ll play a match with you after your next therapy session.” Satisfied she’d given him something to think about with that challenge, she left the room.
Leslie made it back to her room, closed the door and leaned against it before her trembling body could threaten her composure. Admitting her feelings hadn’t been easy and added to the hardship of her uncertain, risky future. It also ratcheted up her anger over her circumstances, Edwin Glascott and whoever he hired to come after her. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, she prayed for a quick, safe end to the threat against her, wondering if it was too much to hope she could stay in Montana and see where these feelings could lead.
Kurt kept himself busy over the next few days, giving Leslie time to recover and think about where she wanted to go from here. Denying her submissive needs while living alone and staying home from the club was one thing, dismissing them while living with her Dom would be much harder. He joined her for dinner Monday night and breakfast the next morning, sitting close, touching her often, and enjoyed watching her tremble or hearing her sudden, indrawn breath, the flash of arousal in her eyes before she masked it with annoyance.
The unguarded moments when he caught the fear and uncertainty on her face tore at him, her hands-off stipulation grati
ng the most then, the depth of his feelings as obvious to him as the sun at high noon on a cloudless day.
Tuesday morning, he started the day on a positive note when Leland announced he was going into therapy. Kurt greeted the news with relief even though he silently questioned his father’s change of heart. And then he’d returned to the house for lunch and found Leslie sitting with his father, her hand hovering above her bishop on the chess board that had gone unused since he’d returned. When his dad refused to join them in the kitchen for lunch, she’d surprised him by standing and saying, “Then we’ll have to finish this later because I want to have lunch with Kurt in the kitchen.” She’d breezed out with a small smile, his father’s irritated scowl priceless.
And Kurt fell in love a little bit more.
Now, as he let Atlas out in a full run back to the stables two days later, Kurt realized Leslie had transferred her drive for encouraging kids to work hard toward reaching their full potential to his father. Whenever he saw her with Leland, sparring over a chess game with Cory looking on in bemusement, the clutch around his heart gripped his chest tighter. She’d even managed to coax Leland out to the patio table for dinner last night after Kurt grilled steaks for everyone, including Roy, Babs and Cory.
As pleased as he was with her efforts toward his father, Leland still kept a wall between him and Kurt, still refused to discuss what had driven Kurt away for so long and wouldn’t put out the effort to do anything physical outside of his bedroom. But as he savored the hoof-pounding ride across the pastureland, the strength of Atlas’ bunching muscles against his legs and the brisk air rushing by him, he shoved aside thoughts of his difficult parent and focused on his difficult guest. Leslie was moving without pain, hadn’t taken the prescribed meds past the first twenty-four hours and he’d caught several fleeting longing glances aimed his way from those blue eyes. It was time to push his sub back where she belonged, under his sexual control.
Pulling up on the reins, he slowed the stallion by degrees until he cantered into the stable yard with a toss of his head. “Yeah, that’s my boy.” Kurt patted his sleek neck before dismounting and looping the reins around the fence rail. Powerful ripples ran under the soft pale coat as he tugged the saddle off. He intended to escort Leslie to the stables soon and was looking forward to her face when he showed her the surprise he’d been holding for her, but today they would start target practice.
“I take it you located our lost mama and her baby,” Roy said, walking up to run a hand over Atlas’ flank.
“Took most of the morning, but yes, we found the calf in a ravine and mama standing guard out past the north ridge. How they managed to get so far from the herd is beyond me, but Travis and Casey will bring them in with them later today and I’ll get the vet out here tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. I’ve been asked by several hands when they get to meet the pretty blonde.”
Kurt cut him a sharp glance, his brows furrowed. “How do they know she’s a blonde? Rumor?”
A smile creased his manager’s weathered, lean face. “Nope. She’s been on the porch with Leland for the last hour, playing chess. Relax, Kurt.” Roy rushed to assure him. “There’s been someone within feet of the porch at all times even though no one can get close enough to the house to get to her or take a shot without being detected first. That’s why you brought her here.”
“Yeah, I know.” The tenseness went out of his muscles. He’d spoken with Grayson every day this week, asking for news, but so far no leads had turned up. The sheriff’s frustration matched Kurt’s. “I planned on giving her a tour this afternoon on our way to the target area. I’ll make some introductions then.”
“I’ll let them know.” Roy started to turn away then paused to say, “I wouldn’t be too quick to turn this one loose like you have all the others.”
“If the authorities can’t free her of this threat I may not have a choice.” And that thought ripped at his insides with sharp talons every time the possibility snuck into his head.
“Then let’s hope they’re successful.”
As Kurt slapped Atlas’ rump, urging him into the paddock to romp with the mares waiting for him, he turned his mind to pulling more information from Leslie, teaching her to defend herself and reminding her of how he could distract her from her troubles. He spotted her still sitting on the porch next to Leland as soon as he came around the stables. Tipping his Stetson down, he stalked across the lawn wishing his father would look as pleased when they were together as he appeared with Leslie. Since his return, Leland had either been withdrawn or argumentative, but at least he hadn’t hurled blame for Brittany’s death at him again. That small boon gave Kurt hope they could eventually find their way back to a decent relationship. Right now he had another relationship that needed attention.
“Who’s winning this match?” he asked them as he came up the steps.
“Girl’s a damn good player, and devious. Challenges me then blackmails me into accepting.” Leland glared at Leslie, but there was a twinkle in his eyes Kurt hadn’t seen in way too long.
Leslie shrugged, her bland expression unconcerned with the accusation or his father’s peevish tone. “You don’t have to accept. Cory offered to play with me.”
“I don’t pay him to play chess.”
“No, you pay him to drive you into therapy and help you get stronger here at home,” she returned, jumping a pawn and snatching up one of Leland’s men.
“I’m going, aren’t I?”
“Not without arguing,” she shot back.
“I owe you for getting him there twice this week, regardless of his reluctance,” Kurt stated, enjoying their banter. Not many people stood up to his dad. “You’ll have to pause this match. Leslie and I have a date for target practice.”
She whipped her head up. “We do?”
He loved the skepticism in her eyes. “I told you I would teach you to defend yourself while you’re here. You’ve recovered enough to spend an hour or two on your feet.” He held out his hand to her as he looked at Leland. “Dad, do you need me to get the door for you?”
Leland’s gaze flicked toward the cemetery then quickly away again. “No, I’ll sit out here for a while.”
Leslie reached for Kurt’s hand, wondering if she was the only one who noticed the flashes of guilt Leland portrayed whenever he eyed his son approaching him. And then Kurt’s firm, calloused grip closed around her hand, diverting her attention to the immediate frisson of pleasure that simple touch radiated up her arm, making her question whether this was a good idea. The struggle to keep her longing for him and his sexual control at bay these past few days was more difficult than she’d imagined. The threat, her new surroundings and his nearness coupled by those probing, dark-eyed gazes kept her tense and always on guard with coping with all three. As he pulled her up, the peek she got at his expression from under his hat gave her pause. She knew that intent, determined look very well.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he led her across the lawn, the cool breeze more noticeable away from the protection of the house.
“We have a target range well away from the livestock and cowhands but I want to take a few minutes to show you around the grounds, even though I don’t want you wandering around without me.” He pointed to the nearest ranch building. “We board our personal mounts in this first stable along with the Thoroughbreds we breed and sell.”
Like the house, the stable sported walls of half brick and half white painted siding with black trim. The building was massive with wide double doors opened to reveal rows of neatly kept stalls. The heads of several regal equines hung out window openings along the outside as they walked by.
“I’ve seen them in the pasture. They’re beautiful to watch.” And much bigger this close up, she mused, reaching up to rub a hand over the soft muzzle of a dark sable mare.
“That’s Annie. She’s too spirited for you. Tomorrow, if you’re up to it, I’ll take you up with me on Atlas and give you a riding lesson in the pasture.�
�� Kurt shifted and pressed one hand against her butt, prodding her forward.
Leslie tried to ignore the distracting goosebumps his touch produced but that proved impossible as he squeezed one cheek before resting that hand on her hip and halting to introduce her to the three cowhands coming their way. Flicking him an annoyed scowl, she held out her hand to the young men who looked to be in their early twenties and greeted her with polite ‘Nice to meet you, ma’ams’ before getting back to their chores.
“Everyone is so polite,” she stated, fighting back a grin as she watched Kurt’s employees swaggering strides they all seemed to have in common.
“A combination of good upbringing and wanting to earn brownie points with the boss.” Pointing to a much smaller barn, Kurt started that way, saying, “Over here we house the livestock in need of special attention or veterinary care.”
A loud neigh resonated from the corral in between the two structures, snagging Leslie’s attention. An angry looking horse that needed to put on weight tossed his head with a snort as he pranced back and forth along the rail, eyes glued toward them. “What does he want?” she asked, looking up at Kurt.
Dipping into his pocket, he pulled out a sugar cube and nudged her toward the paddock. “A treat. I rescued him from the dog food factory and have been using bribes to gain his trust. I became his best friend when he got his first taste of sugar. Stay back, he’ll bite if you give him a chance.”
Bemused, she watched as Kurt held his hand out, palm flat and the mustang nipped the cube without checking it out first, his large eyes glaring at her with mistrust. “I don’t know a thing about horses, but can’t understand how anyone can allow one to get into this condition. Even I know their ribs aren’t supposed to be so pronounced.”
“Seeing an animal so neglected tries the patience of conscientious ranchers and livestock owners. Unfortunately, we see it all too often. This guy,” Kurt managed to pat the horse’s rump as he trotted away, “doesn’t trust me enough to saddle him yet, but he will. I haven’t failed with a reluctant partner yet.” He cast her a pointed look before dipping his head to nip the tender skin along the curve of her neck, the slight sting ricocheting down her body.
