Shades of Gray (19 page)

He snorted. 
“Do you think I want money?”  His face contorted, revealing the evil beneath
his pleasant façade.  “Fortunes are easy to obtain.  You are here to maintain
my reputation.  It was tarnished a bit by your odious knight.  Everyone in town
knows that you came to this country to become my wife.  And my wife, you will
be.  I will not allow Hampton’s fine citizens to think I was jilted at the altar,
especially by a bought and paid for whor. . . , bride.”

Kat bristled
at his implication, but thought he had given her an area to negotiate.  “How
did you explain my presence at Oak Willow?

Reece glanced
down at his fingernails and brushed them against his pant legs.  “There is no
need to explain something that never occurred.”

“Never
occurred?”

“No one knows
you were there.  As far as everyone is concerned, you have been overrun with
details for our wedding.”

“But your
staff?”

“Have been
most helpful with fulfilling your every whim.”

“I will not be
as silent as your paid staff.” She said, her body becoming stiffly indignant.

“I think you
will, if you want Lily to remain alive.”

“You would
hurt a little girl?”

He looked over
at her as though she of all people should know the answer to that question. 
“Gray undoubtedly told you his version of Daria’s death.  Did he also tell you
that he was blind for several months during that time?”

The image of a
puckered line along Gray’s temple entered her mind.  She had seen the scar
several times when he checked her wounds to make sure she healed cleanly.  He
had rubbed the spot whenever an unpleasant conversation centered on Daria or
Reece.  Knowing the details, she had tried to avoid the distasteful memory.

“He mentioned
it,” she said and pulled her hair away from her face.

“I’m surprised
he would tell you and risk your godlike infatuation with him.”

She glanced to
the side.  There was still enough daylight for her to go to Hampton before the
shops closed.  She would let him ramble.  Gray was with Lily.  He wouldn’t let
anything happen to the girl.

“I shot Gray,
in self defense of course,” he clarified.

Her attention
whipped back to Reece.  Laura and Gray had accused him of murdering Daria. 
While Kat knew from experience that Reece was capable of violent abuse, she had
questioned the extent to which he would take it.  Daria was dead.  Gray had
been left blind after a misguided shot.  A man responsible for both of these
acts would have no difficulty ending the life of a child, especially Gray’s
child.  This had to be the reason Gray had isolated himself from his daughter. 
The reason he removed her from her home. 

Reece’s laugh
brought her back from Gray’s hell to her own nightmare.  “I don’t want you to
think me heartless,” he said.  “I will allow the safety of Gray’s daughter to
be in your hands.  You will be my wife or you will know that you could have
prevented Lily’s demise.  How welcome do you think you will be at Oak Willow,
not to mention Hampton, once everyone knows you are responsible for a little
girl’s death?”

“Lily is an
innocent in this.”

He shrugged. 
“There is one way to stop me.”

“When Gray
returns from Crest Ridge, he will want to know why I have left Oak Willow.  Have
you considered that?"

“More incentive
for you to make sure Laura believes your story.  She will convince Gray that
you decided to return to me because of Lily.  It isn’t a lie, if that’s what
concerns you.  The reason concerning the girl is different.”

“Gray is with
her.  He won’t let you near.”

“Thanks to
your dismal attraction to him, Gray will leave her within the day.  The man I
have stationed along the roadway will be there for as long as I say.  If he
does not hear from me by ten o’clock, two days after Gray leaves, a very
unfortunate accident will befall the little girl.”

“You are worse
than despicable, Kat sneered.  “How can you do this to Daria’s child?  I
thought you cared for her.”

Reece
ruffled.  This was the first time she had seen his composure slip out of
place.  “If Daria had cared for me, Lily would have been my child,” he
shouted.  “Since she is not, she is Gray’s responsibility . . .  and now,
yours.”  He held his hand over his heart in mock admiration and looked up at
her from under a bowed head.  “Miss Bailey, will you extend me the honor of
becoming my wife?  The choice is yours, and with it, her fate.”

Haunting
thwaps of leather ripping skin tore across her memory, taking her back to the
bedroom where Reece had beaten her several weeks ago.  She flinched, feeling
the bite of the meaty strap as it slashed her back and face, flaying her skin
as it dug its way to the bone.  Gray had healed her body and soul with salve
and soothing promises.  This type of torment was to never happen to her again. 
She had believed him, but she couldn’t allow Lily to experience the same fate
as her mother.  She raised her gaze, her stomach rolling with the knowledge of
what she had to do.

“I’ll marry
you,” she said.  Her words left her throat like a spirit leaving a lifeless
body, and dread wrapped its shroud around her shoulders in an inescapable
embrace. 

Chapter 22

Gray loosened
his hold on the reins and let Stonewall walk at his own pace.  It was doubtful
the horse had any thoughts of breaking into a run after the long day they had
both experienced.  There was only about another mile left to travel before they
arrived home, and then they could call it a night. 

Moonlight
flickered above him, and Gray glanced up.  The sun had set hours ago, and the
full moon was riding low on the horizon.  Leaves and branches swayed overhead,
shaping gauzy contours and silhouettes into misshapen images.  He'd have better
luck making sense of the scenery than of the day’s events. 

It had been
dusk when he finally left Marta's home.  Lily had insisted that he play a game
with her before he departed.  One hour of pretend had stretched into three. 
The extended playtime had not discouraged her lower lip from jutting forward as
he said his goodbyes.  Tears had flooded her grey eyes and threatened to spill
over her dark lashes.  She gulped air, her chest shaking, and her breathing
staggered.  In a brave attempt to show him how much of a big girl she was, she
inhaled slowly.  Her little head shook as she tried hard to not cry.  Gray's
chest tightened, thinking about her courageous effort, and he wondered if it
was possible for a man's heart to simultaneously shatter while it swelled with
pride.

"I miss
you so much when you're gone," she had said in between gasps.  Unable to
control her emotions, she threw herself at him and tightened her arms around
his neck, hugging him like a new puppy.  Her uninhibited display of affection
brought tears to Gray's eyes.  He swallowed and tried to remove the still
present lump.  At least one female in his life loved him. 

He had wanted
to ask her if she would like to come to his house for a long visit, but there
was no point in promising something he wasn't sure he could deliver.  He would
need to see where Kat fit into his life, and from the way she had left Crest
Ridge, he wasn't sure what kind of response to expect from her when he arrived
home.  He hoped she was still awake.  He was dead tired but didn't want to let
another minute lapse before things were resolved between them.

Stonewall
veered to the right and followed the grade in the road.  It was too bad the
animal couldn't unsaddle himself and put away his tack.  Normally, Gray would
make the most of this chore, using the time to form his thoughts.  This time,
however, his nerves were on edge, wondering what he would say to Kat.  Even the
right words placed in the wrong order could undo the best of intentions.  His
mind had remained on nothing but Kat and Lily during the entire ride home.  It
was good that Stonewall was familiar with the route.  Gray had not been aware
of steering him through a few turns in the road.  He reached his hand and
patted the neck of his dependable steed.  The animal’s jaws were mostly likely
sore from wearing the metal bit for such a long period of time.  Gray would
give him an extra portion of oats to soothe his abused gums.  Stonewall must
have anticipated his upcoming treat.  He nodded his head and increased his
gait, and then rounded the last bend in the road toward Oak Willow.

Atop the
raised knoll, the white clapboard house came into view, and Gray's gaze
instinctively rose to the second floor.  The apple tree was always a good point
of reference when searching for his bedroom from the roadway.  Even though his
view was partially covered by leaves and branches, he could see the outline of
the window.  If Kat was awake, she would undoubtedly have a lamp burning.  His
hopes dropped with his shoulders.  Nothing illuminated the area behind the
tree.  The entire upper half of the house was dark and quiet. 

He lowered his
gaze to the back porch.  In place of the upper window glowing softly as he
hoped, a dim light burned in the kitchen.  A shadow moved in front of the open
doorway.  Perhaps she was still awake after all and was brewing a pot of tea
while she waited for him to return.  She certainly had plenty of time to think
about their earlier conversation. 

The hairs on
the back of his neck stood on end as he considered what she might have
concluded.  He rubbed his hand over the bristled strands, smoothing them in
place.  Whatever her decision, he hoped she would hear his thoughts on the
matter.  He had forgotten what it was like to desire someone the way he did
her.  At some point over the last few weeks, Kat had become as important to him
as Lily.  He wouldn’t be able to protect them from all the evils that plagued
life, but he planned to keep both of them in his life and in his home.

He swung down
from Stonewall’s back and walked him to the rear of the barn.  The horse’s
hooves clopped against the hard-packed ground.  From the sluggish movement he
used, the gelding would be asleep before Gray could remove his saddle.  He
stroked the side of the animal’s neck.  Maybe the extra scoopful of oats could
wait until tomorrow.  There was no threat of forgetting the treat.  Stonewall
would certainly remind him of the oversight the moment Gray walked into his
line of vision. 

With Stonewall
safely tucked away for the night, Gray glanced around the interior of the
building.  He looked for any indication of what he might face when going inside
his home.  Polly and Morning Glory stood contentedly in their stalls, their
heads poking over the gate.  They had watched his every action, seeming curious
for details.  No matter what time of the day or night it was when he returned
home, both of the horses always appeared as though they couldn’t sleep until
Stonewall was in his stall across the walkway from them. 

Gray scooped a
bucketful of oats into Stonewall's trough, honoring his commitment.  He would
allow the horse to decide when to enjoy his reward.  Satisfied that the animals
were properly cared for, he grabbed his saddle and moved to the tack room. 
Harnesses and reins lay ready for his use.  From his quick assessment of the
area, everything appeared to be in proper order.  At least Kat had been
rational when stabling Polly.  Perhaps the night would be less traumatic than
he thought.  Light illuminated in the front of the stable.  Gray shielded his
eyes and squinted into the brightness.

"Kat?  Is
that you?" he asked.  The person carrying the lamp lifted it higher, and
his mother’s face shone above the glow.

"No, it's
not Kat," his mother said, walking closer. 

Still dressed
in her skirt and blouse, she looked as though she had waited up for his
return.  Gray wiped his hands on the back of his pants.  He did not need a
lengthy argument with her tonight.  Whatever she felt necessary to say could
wait until tomorrow. 

Somber-faced,
she moved with less confidence than she normally did when delighted with her
latest accomplishment.  She refused to make eye contact, choosing to study
items she passed by as though she strolled through an art museum.  Hooking the
lantern on a peg, she patted Morning Glory’s nose.  The pony held still, but
eyed her warily.

"How is
Lily?” Laura asked, seeming to reference her question to Morning Glory.  “Did
you give her the doll I tucked into your saddlebag?”

He glanced at
the open door.  It would take more than a few quick steps to exit the stables,
and his mother stood in the center of the aisle.  It would be impossible to
pass by her without saying a word.  Maybe a brief answer would be enough to
satisfy her questions.

"Lily's
healthy and happy, and yes, I gave her the gift.  She liked it very much. 
Named it Button Eyes, I believe.”  He hurried past her, certain he had provided
adequate information to hold her until the morning.  “Is Kat upstairs?  Do you
know if she is awake or if she turned in early?"

Instead of
answering, Laura pulled a carrot from her pocket and held it out to the filly.

Gray stopped
his forward movement.  It wasn’t like his mother to not try to coax more
conversation from him.  He had readied a feeble excuse, but her silence chilled
him more than when he had fallen through the ice as a small boy.  He turned to
face her.  The temperature in the barn dropped.  Gray was certain his breath
would mist when he spoke.  

"Mother,”
he said, his words freezing in mid-air.  “Is Kat upstairs?"

Laura’s hand
stopped moving and she stared into Morning Glory’s eyes.  Inhaling deeply, she
released her breath and turned to face him.  "No,” she answered.  “Kat
isn't upstairs.  She isn’t here at all."

Terror filled
Gray, slipping in and around his heart like a poisonous vapor.  He didn’t want
to consider what could have happened to Kat.  He should never have let her go
home without him.  He swallowed and then forced air from his lungs, attempting
to breathe life into his words. 

"She came
home, didn't she?  Polly is here."  With everything he had considered
today, he never thought about her not being in his home when he returned. 
Polly stood to his right side.  He scanned the mare, searching her body for
damage.  Other than dust and a few brambles in her mane, she didn’t have a
scratch on her.  “Was Kat injured?” he asked.  “Did she need a surgeon?”

“She wasn’t
injured.”  His mother stuffed her hands in her pocket.  She stared into the
distance behind him and shook her head as though she didn’t understand what she
needed to say.  "It was still daylight when she returned home."

"So where
is she?" Gray asked.  His neck muscles tightened, threatening to strangle
him if he didn’t learn what he needed to know.

His mother met
his stare, her eyes wide.  "I didn’t think it would end this way.  Believe
me, I didn’t." 

Her face
paled, and she spoke as though she tried to convince herself as much as him. 
Bile rose in his throat, and he swallowed, pushing it down.  The guilt-ridden
woman might be more forthcoming with her information if she thought he didn’t
blame her.  Tempering his anger, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and
spoke softly, yet firmly.

"Mother,
where is Kat?"  His hand tightened on her forearm, and he pulled her to
him.

She turned her
face upward.  "I tried to stop her.  She’d hear none of it.  It didn’t
matter what I said.  Her mind was made up."

"Made up
about what?" Gray asked.  Laura seemed to drift off into her own
thoughts.  "Mother," he snapped.  He shook her by the shoulders. 
“Enough of this.  Tell me what you know.”

"She's
with Reece."

Gray dropped
his hands from his mother’s shoulders.  His legs weakened, and he leaned
against the gate of Polly’s stall.  Of all the things his mother could have
told him, this was the last thing he expected to hear her say.  Further into
the barn, Stonewall was already asleep.  Gray pulled himself erect.  He
couldn’t force his horse into service after such a long day.  Next to him,
Polly whinnied and stepped back into the far side of her stall.  Whether she
volunteered or shied away, she was certainly aware of the tension in the barn. 
She had been pampered long enough.  Since Kat’s arrival, the mare had formed an
attachment to her.  If Polly planned to see her again, she would have to help
Gray bring her home. 

Ducking into
the tack room, he draped a bridle over his shoulder and hefted his saddle from
the rack.  Polly was strong enough to support his weight and the gear.  She was
as involved as he was.  Morning Glory was proof that the Mullins’ stallion had
been as abusive as his owner.  It was only appropriate that she be there when
he ended the feud with Reece.

"What are
you doing?” his mother asked.  She pulled the bridle from his shoulder and held
it as though she refused to give it back.  “Grayson,” she shouted.  “Where are
you going?"

All but
forgotten, her voice penetrated his thoughts and brought him back to his
surroundings.  He held the saddle in one hand and lowered his face to meet her
eyes.  His mother had meddled in his life.  She may have meant well, but before
he left Oak Willow to bring Kat home, she would feel the weight of what she had
done.  "I'm going after Kat before Reece does something you’ll
regret."

“I’ll regret?”
she asked, shifting her shoulders.  Apparently, she didn’t see the role she
played in Kat’s disappearance.  She turned full on him.  "You will watch
your tone, son, and calm your temper.  Nothing will be accomplished if you go
to the Mullins’ home and do something rash."

His hair hung
loose over his eyes, and he glared sideways at her.  If she had any idea of
what he planned, she would lock him in the stable and go to the Mullins’ home
herself.

Laura grabbed
his arm and pleaded.  "I never thought she would go to Reece.”  Her voice
shook as she tried to diffuse his plans.

Gray slipped
the bit into Polly’s mouth and flipped the reins over her head.  "No,
Mother?  You didn't?  What did you think would happen when you took it upon
yourself to interfere with everyone's lives?”  He pulled the girth tighter and
Polly grunted.  Patting her shoulder, he ducked under her neck.  “Why on all
that is holy, did you send Kat to Crest Ridge?"

Laura stepped
back, allowing herself plenty of room to answer.  "I thought she would see
how much Lily needed to be home.  I haven’t been able to convince you.  I
thought maybe she could."

Gray slid his
foot into the stirrup and swung up into the saddle.  “You didn’t need to
convince me of anything.  The only thing your meddling has done is jeopardize
Kat’s safety and possibly her life."  He nudged Polly forward.  "For
your own wellbeing, Mother, you had better hope she hasn't been harmed." 
Kicking his heels into Polly’s ribs, he ducked his head under the door casing
and gave Polly her head.  His own sense of judgment had already been
sacrificed.