Train From Marietta (28 page)

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. But it would hurt your daddy terribly to get up.”

“No, it wouldn’t. Daddy never hurts.”

“He does, but he just doesn’t tell you.” Kate knew she needed to change the subject from Tate. If they kept talking about him, Emily would want to see him more and more. “Have you heard the story of Cinderella?”

“I don’t like it.”

“Well, how about the story of the naughty little girl who wouldn’t stop saying, ‘I don’t like it,’ and refused to eat her supper?”

“I don’t know that one.” Kate saw a flicker of curiosity in Emily’s face. “Is it in a storybook?”

“Oh, yes. Where I live, everyone knows this story.”

“Where do you live?”

“A place called New York City.”

Emily stared at her for a moment before saying, “I’ll listen to your story.”

“May I sit down next to you?”

“Uh-huh.” Kate sat down on the edge of the bed and folded her hands in her lap. She smiled gently before starting her story. “In a kingdom far, far away, there lived a little girl named Elizabeth, who was six years old.”

“I’m six,” Emily said.

“Elizabeth had pretty dark hair, just like yours. She was always saying, ‘I don’t like it. ’ When her father bought her a new dress, she said, ‘I don’t like it. ’ When a friend of her mother painted her a picture, she said, ‘I don’t like it. ’ One day her father brought her a beautiful birthday cake. Without thinking, she said, ‘I don’t like it,’ and her father took the birthday cake away. That night a fairy princess came and asked Elizabeth if she had liked the beautiful dolly that she had put inside the cake. The next morning the little girl ran to find her father. ‘I want my cake! I want my cake!’ Her father frowned as he said, ‘Sorry honey. You said you didn’t like it, so I gave your cake to Sally, the washerwoman’s little girl. She wanted the cake and was very happy’”

“But the dolly,” Emily said.

Without answering, Kate continued. “Elizabeth sat under a tree in the garden and cried. She didn’t like Sally because she had the dolly that was meant for her. ‘I want it back! I want it back!’ she cried. Suddenly she opened her eyes, and the fairy princess was standing before her.”

“What did she say?” Emily asked. She looked anxiously at Kate.

“She said, ‘You told your father you didn’t like it before you even knew what was inside. You tell people you don’t like them before you get to know them. You say you don’t like food before you taste it or music before you hear it. ’ Elizabeth cried because she knew the fairy was right. ‘I won’t do it anymore. ’ The fairy princess touched her on the head with her wand and said kindly, ‘If you treat people nicely, they will be nice to you. ’ The end.”

With the story finished, Kate unfolded her hands and looked down at Emily. The little girl’s eyes were wide and fastened to her face. “Was Elizabeth nice after that?”

“She was so nice that everybody in the entire kingdom loved her. She grew up to be a beautiful princess, married a prince, and lived happily ever after.”

Emily was quiet, looking at Kate with the same expression on her face that she had seen on Tate’s when they discussed Emily’s behavior. Finally she asked, “Will you tell me a story tomorrow night?”

“If you’d like me to.”

“I do.”

Kate stood, reached over, and tucked the bedcovers around Emily’s shoulders. She leaned down and placed a kiss on the girl’s forehead. “Good night. Sleep tight.”

“You won’t forget the story?”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Emily’s eyes followed her out of the room. At the door, Kate turned and waved. Emily lifted a hand off the bed and waved back.

Chapter 26

K
ATE PUSHED THE DOOR OPEN A FEW INCHES
and peered into the room. A kerosene lamp gave out a dim light, but it was bright enough for her to see Tate. He lay on the bed, arms crossed over his chest, looking at her. Kate went into the room, leaving the door ajar.

“Well?” he said. “How did it go?”

“Fine,” Kate said with an easy smile. “She’s a bright little girl.”

“She didn’t give you any sass?”

“Just a little bit.” Kate crossed the room until she stood next to Tate’s bed. He looked tired, haggard.

He reached out, grasped hold of her hand, and pulled until she was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Emily must have liked it because she asked me to tell her a story tomorrow night. I think she’s reconciled to the idea that I’ll be here for another day.”

“I wish it would be longer.”

His words made Kate a little breathless, but she managed to say, “I told the doctor I’d stay a few days in case you developed an infection and came down with a fever. It will take that long for your friend to come for me.” Kate paused. There was so much she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to tell him. “I hope you know how much I appreciate your coming to get me. If not for you, I’d be dead.”

“Don’t talk like that. Sometimes a man is given a gift in the most unexpected way.” His eyes held hers.

“What do you mean?” she whispered.

“By doing a favor for my friend, I met a most unusual woman, who could come to mean a great deal to me.” While Tate was talking, he slowly raised his hand toward her face, touched her, then began to caress her cheek with his knuckles. “Beautiful Katherine,” he said softly. “I know that nothing can come of this, but it makes me happy to dream that you’re mine. Are you shocked to hear that?”

“Why do you think I’d be shocked?”

“We live in different worlds, you and me.”

“And that makes me unfit to live in yours? Not all of the women who come from the city are like your wife.”

“My ex-wife,” Tate interjected. He looked at her steadily before adding, “I suppose you’re right. It’s just that we’re used to different things. What I have here wouldn’t make you happy.”

“Tate …” She said his name softly.

“I wish I could get up.” His voice was raspy with frustration. “I’d hate to think I’ll spend the whole time you’re in my home trapped in this bed.”

Kate brought her finger to Tate’s mouth and pressed gently against his lips. At that moment, sitting on the edge of his bed, all she wanted was to be with him.

A flood of tenderness overwhelmed her as she turned his face to hers. She kissed him with a lingering softness. As their lips touched, she found his mouth sweet, his breath warm, and his cheeks pleasantly rough against her face. At first, the kiss was hesitant, but then became more demanding.

As the kiss lengthened, her fingers began to move, slowly at first. They roamed over the firm muscles on his shoulders and into the silky down on his chest. She wanted to touch him, instinctively knowing that it was what he wanted too. He drew his lips away and buried his face in her throat. His body answered the movement with a violent trembling.

He groaned against her neck. “Is this all there is for us?”

“Is this all you want?”

“Someday I’ll show you what I want,” he said, his lips pressed to her cheek. His arms pulled her tightly against him, until her head rested on the pillow next to his. Their mouths touched, their breaths coming as one. He captured one of her hands and pressed its palm against his bare chest. Her fingertips slid across his chest and then up and over his smooth shoulders to his neck. Rough stubble scratched against her skin before she plunged her hand into his thick black hair.

“Your hair smells like spice,” he said as he took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of her. “I’ve dreamt of being with you like this every night. Now at last, you’re here in my arms.”

He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together. Kate’s arm moved over his body, but as she ran her fingers down his side, Tate’s face winced in pain.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“This is worth a lot of hurt,” he whispered reassuringly.

She wanted to tell him how she was feeling, to open up and pour out these new thoughts, but she couldn’t find the words. Her heart hammered in her chest, and there was a fluttering in the pit of her stomach.

In the stillness that enclosed them, she could see his face in the faint light from the lamp. His eyes searched hers. He swallowed the tightness in his throat. Never had he wanted anything as much as he wanted to hold this wondrous sweet woman. He wanted to gather her up and carry her away where there would be just the two of them. He’d work, he’d slave, sweat, and fight to provide for her.
You fool,
he groaned inwardly.
If you jump the gun, she’ll shy away.

“I’ve not kissed a man as many times as I’ve kissed you. I suppose you’ve kissed lots of girls lots of times.” Her words broke into his thoughts. Her voice shook with uncertainty.

“I’ve kissed a few. But I’ve never wanted to do it as much as I want to do it now.” He laughed in relief. She lay relaxed against him. Her soft breasts were against his chest. He wanted more than anything to caress them, strip away her blouse, and let the rough hair on his chest arouse her nipples to rock-hardness. Fighting down his desire for her, he stroked her hair. Her breathing was quiet, and he wondered if she had drifted off to sleep. He closed his own eyes, but they wouldn’t stay closed. He wanted to be aware of every moment he held her. He wanted to fill his mind with an indelible memory of her.

Footsteps sounded on the wooden floor outside the door. She stirred. Her lips brushed against his ear. “I should go.”

Quickly she sat up, smoothed her hair down, and pulled up the neck of the blouse.

“Embarrassed?” His eyes teased her.

“I don’t want Jorge and Yelena to think I’m taking advantage of you.”

“They might think I’m taking advantage of you,” he said, chuckling.

Tate pulled her back down to him and held her chin firmly. She felt a flutter of excitement rush through her as he brought his face close to hers. Again, their lips touched. Their kiss began firmly, but then softened as their passion rose. She moaned as his lips began to roam to her chin, her cheek, and her neck. Her breath came in fits, and she found it hard to move.

When her arms slid around his neck, a low groaning sound came from his throat. Kate felt a sweet singing in her blood as she lifted her head and looked down at him. He was looking at her with such a yearning that, for a moment, she was speechless. When she finally spoke, it was low and breathless.

“You do strange things to me.”

“I’ve never met another woman who could make me feel like I do when I’m with you,” he murmured. “You’re so beautiful.”

Tears came to her eyes. They weren’t tears of sadness, far from it; she was overwhelmed with joy. Tate was surprised to see the shimmer of tears in her eyes.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m not,” she lied.

“Yes, you are,” he said firmly. “You didn’t cry when I took you from the cabin, and you didn’t cry when you shot Hayden or the longhorn. Why are you crying now?”

“I … am not … crying.” A sob racked her body.

“Look at me.” With one hand, Tate turned her face toward him. Through wet eyes, she could see the concerned look on his face. “I’ll never hurt you. Don’t you know that?”

“It’s too late. You already have,” she answered as another large tear ran down her cheek. “Ever since you came for me, everything that you’ve done has made me care for you, but it’s not enough. Soon you’ll make me leave.”

“Why do you say that? I won’t make you leave. Sweetheart, a few more days here on the ranch, and you won’t be able to get out of here fast enough.”

“How can you say that? How do you know how I’ll feel?” A flare of anger rose in Kate. She started for the doorway, but before she could reach it, Tate called out.

“I don’t want you to jump into something you’ll be sorry for later.”

Scarcely pausing to answer, Kate said, “I think we’ve both said enough for tonight. If you need me for anything, call out.” She left the room.

For a long while, Tate stared at the closed door, fearing he’d ruined his chance with her.

His concerns were real: Her life in the city was too different from life in Muddy Creek. Conflict raged within him. After Hazel had left, he convinced himself that he would never marry again. Meeting Kate had changed all that. He wanted her to stay. What they had could be wonderful.

“Let’s go back to town.”

Squirrelly stood in the doorway, oblivious to the beautiful scenery spread out in front of him. The sun had begun to rise in the east, and the tops of all the trees were bathed in the early morning light. “I’m gettin’ so sick of this place. Hayden’s probably killed her anyhow. If he hasn’t, it ain’t any skin off our nose. If someone’s pissed about it, we’ll just blame the whole damn mess on him.”

Eddy got up from the table, where he had been looking at a map. “Stop complaining,” he barked. “You don’t have anyone to blame for your boredom but yourself. If you hadn’t gotten as randy as a goat and pulled your pants down around your knees, things would be different now. You had your mind on one thing. That’s why we lost her.”

“She’ll pay for that,” Squirrelly groused, choosing to ignore the blame that Eddy was placing on his shoulders. “The damn high-and-mighty bitch.”

Eddy grunted with disgust. “Don’t talk about Kate like that.”

“I don’t wanna be here any longer!” Squirrelly strode across the room and snatched the empty booze bottle off the floor next to his bunk. “Damn! If the old man’s got the money, then I’m gonna get my share no matter what Hay-den does to that bitch. I got enough in my pocket for a train ticket out of here. I’m going home to get my money from Jacobs.”

“You’re welcome to go anytime.”

“I want to go now!” Squirrelly shouted, and tossed the empty bottle into the corner of the room. It exploded in a shower of glass. “Take me to town!”

“All right, goddamn it! I’m sick of your whining and bitching. Get your stuff together, and I’ll take you. Don’t think you’re going to fill your father’s shoes with that attitude.”

“You think I can’t do it?” Squirrelly said confrontation-ally “You think I can’t deal with men like William Jacobs? Hell, guys like him will be working for me before long!”

Eddy ignored the boasting and headed for the door. The sooner he was rid of the whiner, the better. “Come on. I’ll drop you off at the station in Muddy Creek.”