One Stubborn Cowboy (14 page)

She'd meant it to be a light, thank-you kind of kiss, but he caught her head and held her against his mouth for a long, deep kiss, his fingers threading through her silky hair, holding her close. Taking his time, he made sure she and everyone there knew she'd been thoroughly kissed.

"What are you going to do with him, Kelly?" Sally asked as Kelly stood up in confusion.

"I don't know. I never had a pony before." Actually, she was having trouble moving her gaze from Kit's. Having trouble recognizing the other guests. His kiss was another of the wonderful things he did. She smiled at her new gift, her heart swelling at the unexpected pleasure she felt.

"I had a pony cart when I was a teenager," Beth said as she went down the stairs to inspect the pony. "I bet Dad still has it around. You could have it and Sam could pull you around. In fact, I bet Dad'll let you board him at our place."

"Sam stays here, no charge," Kit said. "How else can I make sure I see her often?"

Kelly was aware of the silence that dropped with his statement, then she smiled pertly and flirted with him. Her heart ached at the thought they were just pretending. But she never fooled herself. "Cowboy, I don't need the pony as an excuse to see you."

Kit laughed, his eyes applauding her response.

Dinner was fun. Everyone had grown up around Taylorville except Kelly and Mike Stapleton, so they all knew each other and spent the meal recounting the most outrageous escapades of their youth. Kelly sat back and enjoyed the banter and backchat the others passed back and forth as they reminisced about childhood exploits, school activities and mutual friends. Their stories brought laughter and more memories from everyone. The stories Clint told about Kit were the most outlandish, though he swore they were all true.

Soon, however, Kelly began to feel left out. She didn't belong with this group. They had been friends forever. They all had families that lived in the area, could trace their roots back for generations, had shared memories and common interests. She had only a few vague memories of her mother, and then endless foster homes. She no longer belonged in San Francisco, but she didn't belong here, either.

Maybe she never would belong anywhere, she thought forlornly. They moved to sit on the deck later, after-dinner drinks and coffee in hand. The night air was soft and balmy, a slight breeze stirring. Kelly pushed her chair back a little from the loose circle, moving into the shadows. There wasn't much light, just the illumination spilling from the house and the faint light from a million scattered stars.

She could hear the gentle nicker of the horses in the corral. The stamping of a hoof. This was an alien setting for her. Was she foolish to think one day she'd fit in, belong?

She watched the others, listening avidly, but contributed nothing to the conversation, feeling out of place and lonely.

It was late when the first of the guests began to depart. Everyone had enjoyed the evening, but they wore working people, with chores to see to in the morning, or a store to open, and they'd already stayed longer than they should have.

"I'll take Kelly home," Kit said easily when Beth and Mike rose to leave.

"It's on our way," Mike said. Beth nudged him.

"If it's okay with Kelly," she said.

"Ill go with Kit. Thanks for the ride here," Kelly said warmly, tantalizing sparks of anticipation dancing at the thought of being alone with Kit. Though she knew why Kit was doing this; she shouldn't let herself read anything more into it.

When the last of the other guests had departed, Kit turned to Kelly. "Want to see Sam again before you go?"

"Yes. I can't believe you got him for me! I've never had such a special gift. Did Clint put him in the corral?"

"Yes. Come on, I'll show you."

They walked down the ramp from the deck and around the house toward the corral at the back. The night was cooler now, the air still and scented with horses and dirt and dried hay. She heard the quiet clomp of horses in the corral, the gentle nicker from one a melodious sound in the quiet night. She walked toward the rail fencing. Overhead the stars were brilliant in the dark, clear sky. A serene feeling of peace, happiness and contentment pervaded the air.

Kit went toward the barn and flicked on a switch at the outside wall. Immediately the corral was flooded with bright light. Kelly stepped up on the fence and leaned against the top rail, watching her little pony. He ambled over toward her and she reached through the rails to rub his face.

"Looks small next to the horses, doesn't he?" Kit joined her.

"Yes. Will he be all right in there with them?" she asked. "They won't step on him, or anything, will they?"

"He'll be fine. Now you can join in when people talk of livestock and ranching. You'll have more in common with everyone around here," he said gently.

Kelly was touched he'd noticed she hadn't fit in tonight. And had wanted to make things easier for her. "I don't know much about taking care of him," she said as the pony ambled away.

"We'll show you. He won't take much care. Come on, I'll drive you home."

Kelly relaxed against the back of her seat when she was in the truck, pleasantly tired after a long day. It was dark as Kit pulled away from the house. The headlights slashed the inky night ahead of them, the surrounding hills shadowy and shapeless. After a couple of turns, Kit slowed, drawing to a stop. He clicked off the lights, plunging them into darkness.

"Why have we stopped?" Kelly asked. Her eyes strained to see something besides the stars in the sky.

"I wanted to explain to you about Althea and our charade."

"I thought you had. This whole charade is for her benefit."

"Because of her, yes, but not just for her. It's for others, too."

Kelly still couldn't see him clearly, just a silhouette against the starlight.

"Sally is an incurable romantic. She sees Althea and me as star-crossed lovers, torn apart by a huge misunderstanding. She's hoping for rekindled happiness." Kit's voice was hard, sardonic.

"And you don't?" Kelly said.

"For the last couple of years I've been rebuilding my life. It's different from what I'd always expected. It's taking a long time. I'm doing okay. But I haven't dealt with the personal side, the romantic side as Sally puts it. Before I met you I didn't think I could."

"Did the injuries..."

He shook his head. Kelly could just see it in the faint light. Her eyes were growing more adjusted to the feeble light.

"I was gored pretty badly, but the son of a bitch missed that part. Hell, I don't want to talk about sex. I'm trying to tell you why I want to keep Althea at bay. Why we need to continue the charade, why it's so important to me."

Would she buy it? It had started out that way, as a charade to assuage his pride. Now he knew he was just using it as an excuse to spend time with Kelly. Without her agreement to help, he really didn't know if she'd see him as much, and he craved her companionship. He'd never admit it, of course. Not to anyone. But for as long as she was willing, he'd keep up the pretense.

"Because Althea was so awful when you got hurt?" Kelly clarified.

"That and I don't want her pity or condescension. I know how her mind works. She's a beautiful woman, and knows it. And uses that to get what she wants. I think she and most of the other people in town believe I'm still carrying the torch for her."

"And are you?" Kelly held her breath, her heartbeat heavy against her chest.

"No, dammit, haven't you been listening to anything I've said?" He lifted his hat from his head and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, slamming the hat back on hard. "You're as bad as Sally."

But at least she didn't suspect the real reason for his pretense.

"No, I'm not. I just want to understand where we stand with this make-believe romance you want. I thought I was to pretend to be your girlfriend. Half the time I don't know if I'm supposed to be in love with you or just a casual friend. If you truly don't want her, then I'll do all I can to show everybody you are over her. But if you think the two of you can get back together, let's stop this charade now, before it goes any further."

Before I have a chance to fall in love with you and get hurt.

Chapter 7

"I want Althea to be convinced once and for all that it's all over between us. I don't want her hanging around me, acting solicitous, patronizing me. Dammit, I won't have her calling Sally every day to check up on me. I need Sally to believe we are involved so she can make it very clear to Allie. It isn't something we just turn on and off whenever Althea is around. We need to play it for all it's worth around everyone."

"Okay, so we pretend for a while longer, and around everybody. How long is Althea going to be here?"

"I don't know. She said something about it depending on things. Maybe if she sees I'm not interested, she'll leave that much sooner."

"Maybe." Kelly thought it might take a lot to convince Althea, if she'd really set her sights on Kit.

"I appreciate your help, Kelly. I won't repay you by taking advantage of you again." His voice was low and the words sounded rehearsed.

Kelly's amused face tried to see him, but it was just too dark. She thought he was staring straight ahead and she knew him well enough to imagine his expression.

"You mean no sex? No more kisses, caresses..."

"That's exactly what I mean."

He only hoped he could do it. Even now when he was promising to stay away from her his hand itched to hold her, his mouth wanted to plunder her softness, taste her sweetness, feel the silky texture of her skin, learn all the hot secrets she alone held. He tightened his fists on the wheel.

"You're sure stupid sometimes, Kit," she said, amusement lacing her voice.

His head snapped around as he tried to see her in the darkness. His eyes narrowed, but he couldn't make her out in the stygian night.

"I have it on excellent authority that no woman would want me. That from a woman who once professed to love me."

"Nonsense. If she loved you nothing on earth would have kept her away from you, no matter what happened. If you'd lost both legs and both arms and she loved you she would have been there for you. And you're a damn fool if you believe otherwise. Maybe that bull addled your brains, as well. Did the doctors check that?"

He slapped the steering wheel.
".
Are there any more insults you want to hurl at me? I've never met anyone as insulting as you in my entire life! The first words out of your mouth were an insult and you haven't slowed down since."

She laughed softly, reaching out to trail her fingers lightly down his arm, feeling the leashed energy, the tightly coiled muscles.

"Just because you're stubborn and hardheaded and act like an idiot and a fool sometimes, are people supposed to tiptoe around that and keep quiet?" she asked teasingly.

He sighed and leaned back in the seat, quiet for a long time. "Everyone else has since the accident." His reply was low, bitter.

"They're coddling you, Kit. And you don't need it. I think it's become a habit now," she replied seriously.

"God help the man who tries to court you. You've a hard tongue in you."

She laughed again, squeezing his arm gently. "I hope he comes along soon. I'm not getting any younger."

"He'd need to be strong to take you on."

"Yes, strong and handsome and full of life. Appreciating me and what I do as I'll appreciate him and what he does."