Pennyroyal Christmas (A Ruthorford Holiday Story Book 1) (9 page)

She looked at Rowe, who was watching her. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He reached over and took her hand.

“Hope you eat meat,” Teresa said and set plates of prime rib in front of them.

“Oh, yeah,” Kat cooed.

“Good. You didn’t get any salad because I want you to save some room for dessert. Eat up.” The same young girl that had taken their coats set a breadbasket between them and two glasses of water. Beside the water, she set two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot, then glanced at Teresa, who handed Rowe the opener. “I’ll let you handle it. Sharon’s a bit too young.”

“My pleasure.”

The prime rib was tender and flavorful, the minted peas fresh, and the baked potatoes as fluffy as the snow. Then there were the rolls. Plump, light, yeast rolls. Kat could have made a meal on those alone.

They talked of ranches and Ruthorford, art and sculpting. It wasn’t until Teresa set two bowls of hot bread pudding with whiskey sauce and deep rich mugs of coffee, that Kat mentioned Morgan.

“It was very strange. When she hugged me, I felt…,” she took another bite of pudding, looking for the right word and unable to resist eating more.

“She’s a healer,” Rowe commented casually, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. “She’s still getting the hang of it. That’s why you might have felt something other than warmth.”

“A healer?” Kat put down her spoon.

“Um-hmm.” He took a sip of hot coffee and closed his eyes in appreciation. “She also scanned you when we first went in.”

Kat tried to think back. “When she blinked?”

“You got it. She can see your aura. Probably should have asked, but knowing that you’d had the accident, she just wanted to make sure. You’re fine.”

Kat wasn’t sure how she felt about being “scanned” without her permission, or healed for that matter. Which was stupid, she realized. She hadn’t questioned the EMT’s.

“It’s a rather strange place,” she mused. “Ruthorford, I mean.”

“Remember, you’re a part of it now.”

She took a deep breath. “I haven’t quite figured all that out, either.”

He put his hand over hers. “Don’t rush it. You’ve got time. Just know that Ruthorford takes care of its own.”

Although his words caused a slight unease, he offered it with a smile.

“Let’s talk about Dink,” Kat said.

“What?”

“I thought Elements would be run by an Indian…Native American…,” she stumbled over the words.

He laughed. “I remember so well the first time we met and you stated very plainly that I was an Indian.

Kat felt the color flood her cheeks.

“It’s okay. I like being an Indian.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “Back to Dink. Basically, we—the tribe—don’t stay in town.” He shook his head at her raised brows. “No. It’s not what you might be thinking. There is no prejudice here. In fact, when your father…I mean Doug Chance…said the things he did; I’d never heard anything like that. I was so mad. I got a lesson—“

“I am so sorry,” she interrupted.

“It wasn’t you. Don’t be sorry for that man. You don’t carry that burden. The man was a plain out bigot.”

Feeling his anger flare just at the thought of Douglas Chance, Rowe concentrated on his explanation of his people. “Dink runs the store for us. I, or someone else, come in and check on it.” He saw her frown. “It’s not like we can’t. We just don’t. Before Ruthorford was Ruthorford, it was sacred ground to us. It still is. Some settlers came from Scotland and our people saw they were special and allowed them to settle here. Some others, too. Don’t ask me how they decided. Our farms circled the town and we protected them from outside raids. For a time, things were peaceful. We all flourished. Then the government started grabbing the land and forced many tribes west. That became known as the Trail of Tears. But here, the founding families claimed our land and us as kin. Families literally moved in with us. By the time things began to change, many people had intermarried. Those that wished it got their land back. To this day, the town of Ruthorford remains protected—by us and the descendants of the founding families. We have our farms and our ranches that surround the town. Everybody’s happy.”

He glanced out the window. “Wow. The snow is really starting to come down. We ought to head back. I don’t think Tramp will like having to feed Pharaoh.” He rose, walked around and pulled out her chair.

Teresa emerged out of nowhere. “You heading to the barn?” she asked.

“Probably need to. Don’t see it letting up. Do you need anything?” he asked and hugged her.

“Nope. We’re set. I guess we’ll have guests longer than I expected. Apparently, the low has stalled out near the state line. You guys be safe.” She followed them to the front where the young girl handed them their coats.

Kat glanced back as they drove down Main Street. She couldn’t have painted a prettier picture.

Chapter Six

Tramp bounded off the porch to play in the fresh snow, racing in circles snooting through the white fluff. Pharaoh whinnied from the barn and Tramp was off like a shot, barking out the joy of the night. Rowe laughed at Tramp’s antics as he watched through the window. He set a fire before heading out to the barn himself.

Having unbundled, Kat walked over to the window, watching the white flakes drift through the floodlights. She couldn’t see the barn for the haze of white. She curled up on the couch and watched the flames flicker and jump on the damp wood until Rowe stomped his way across the porch, shedding snow. She listened to him give a few commands to an exuberant dog and the dog opened and Tramp flew to her side, as if to tell her about his adventures.

Rowe watched as she asked questions and listened to Tramps whines. If he didn’t know better, he would swear they were having a conversation. Hell, this was Ruthorford. They probably were.

He shed his coat and plopped down beside her, drawing her into his arms. “I’m freezing.” He wrapped his cold arms around her.

“You are.” She laughed. “We’ll have to fix that.” She tilted her head back, offering him her lips.

His cool lips quickly warmed as their kiss deepened. Somehow, he had turned her around and she was lying across his lap, his mouth feasting on her breast. How had that happened? His tongue circled and her breath hitched. The hand that rested between her legs was not cold. It burned through her jeans.

“Rowe,” she breathed.

“Mmmm?” he didn’t stop the ministrations of his mouth on her breast.

“Want to move this someplace more comfortable?”

His hands and his mouth stopped completely. For an instant, she wasn’t sure if she’d said the wrong thing. Then he was up, lifting her in his arms and striding through the hall. Tramp jumped up to follow. Kat looked at him and whispered, “Not now, boy.” He went over and dropped down by the window, his head on his paws.

Rowe eased her onto the bed and sat down on the edge. His eyes moved over the length of her and back to her face. “You sure about this?”

“Oh, Rowe, I was sure a long time ago.”

He lowered his mouth to hers. As the kisses deepened, their hands raced, determined to strip off the other one’s clothes, and before long, they lay naked, facing one another.

“I’ve dreamed of you,” she said, running her hand down his chest and lower, exploring bands of muscle that trembled under her artist touch. She heard his intake of breath as she took him in her hand. His eyes stared into hers, darkening, becoming fathomless.

His breath fanned her lips, hot, wanting. Rowe let his hand slide from her softness of her breast, down her hip to the mound of dark blonde curls. He eased his fingers between her legs, seeking her warmth.

She shifted and lay on her back, spreading her legs.

It had been too long—forever—that they’d waited for one another. It was torture to wait much longer. He eased himself over her and felt her shift her hips, welcoming him. He heard her moan as he slipped inside and she tightened around him, holding him to her. His mouth sought hers.

Each stroke sent fire through her veins and the heat coiled and built. She heard him moan and rocked her hips up to meet his thrust. The world exploded and sent waves of sensation pouring through her body as his body tensed. He paused but a heartbeat, then pushed deeply into her one last time.

****

Snuggled in the deep plush of Rowe’s maroon robe, Kat sipped the hot toddy and watched the crackling fire. Rowe had dressed, let Tramp out and gone down to the barn. He seemed full of energy, where she just wanted to curl up and snooze. Several courses of lovemaking and a hot shower probably explained her fatigue. She set the mug on the end table, snuggled deeper and pulled the blanket off the back of the couch, covering her feet. Kat hadn’t felt this relaxed in years, if ever. Feeling well and thoroughly loved, she stretched and smiled like a Cheshire cat.

That was how Rowe saw her, as she walked back into the greatroom. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and, in the firelight, she glowed. He leaned over and kissed her love-swollen mouth, then placed the package from Elements on her lap.

“Happy Holidays,” he said and went around to sit beside her. Flipping open his knife, he handed it to her handle first.

“Thanks,” she said and clipped through the twine with one quick motion. She closed the blade and handed it back to him, her attention back on the package. Kat pulled away the brown paper and held a hand-carved image of Pharaoh in her hands. About eighteen inches high, it was magnificent, done in detail very much like she would have done it in clay. She ran her hands over the satin feel of the horses flank. Tears welled.

“Thank you,” she whispered. She didn’t have to ask, she knew he’d done it for her. “When?”

“About five years ago. I always hoped you’d return and I wanted you to see him in his glory.”

She hugged the statue to her, not saying a word.

Rowe reached over and ran his hand through her thick blonde hair. “You know I love you, Kat.”

She nodded, sniffling.

When she raised her eyes to his they shown like amber stones in the firelight. “I’ve always loved you.” She spoke quietly, reverently. “No other.”

He pulled her head closer and kissed her, tasting the salt of her tears.

****

“I suppose you’re gonna want me to fix your breakfast like this every morning,” she teased and stuck the plate under his nose. She wasn’t Teresa, but she could make a mean omelet.

He inhaled and smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Big Brave Chief want squaw to do woman’s work.” He made a fist and hit his chest.

Kat pulled the dish towel off her shoulder, twirled it round and round, and let it fly. With a snap, it popped him in the thigh. He was up and out of the chair in an instant and had her up over his shoulder before she could catch her breath. Laughing, she pounded his back. “Let me down.”

He swatted her bottom.

“Your omelet’s gonna—” She stopped. “Tramp, no!” Too late—a slice of bacon eased off the plate. He immediately sat and tried not to look like he’d just swallowed.

Rowe set Kat on the ground. “How do you want to handle this?” he asked in a stage whisper.

Tramps tale stilled and he lay down right there and put his head on his paws.

Kat bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

She looked at Rowe. “He left you the omelet.”

“Hmmm. Wonder what’s wrong with the omelet.”

“Rowe!”

Rowe laughed and Tramp raised his head, pricked his ears forward, and panted.

Rowe took a bit of omelet and closed his eyes. “Not a thing. He can keep the bacon.” He sat down and made quick work of the omelet. Kat poured some coffee in a mug and joined him at the table. “Want some?” he pushed the plate toward her.

“Nope. Not an egg person.”

“I’ve got to ride out to the north pasture. I got a call from the neighboring farm. The fence is down and a couple of horses are in their field. I’ll take Pharaoh.”

“Leave me the keys to the truck, if you don’t mind. I want to run to Merc’s.”

“Why don’t you wait til I get back? We’ll make a trip of it.”

“Rowe, I know what you’re doing. It’s been over a week. I’ll be fine. No one’s going to mess with me at Merc’s. And I’ll be in your truck.”

He hesitated but knew she was right. Nothing else had happened and, so far, everything was going well. They’d been by the cabin to pick up more clothes for Kat. Samuel went by often. Abbott House, with its many foundation contacts, had made arrangements to have the furnace repaired and a lock placed on the doors. Since Brenda had hired someone online and had never been in the basement, they really couldn’t tell if it was tampered with or just a really poor service job.

“Tramp, stay with your momma.”

“No,” Kat said. “You know how he loves to roam the range with you and Pharaoh. I’ll be in town. That’s not fair to him.” As if on cue, Tramp rested his furry black head on Rowe’s leg.”

“You sure this isn’t a human under some sort of spell?” He stroked the dog’s fur.

“Well, maybe he just hasn’t kissed the right princess,” Kat mused.

“Okay, you win.” Rowe pulled on his coat, grabbed his gloves and hat and opened the door. He fished the truck’s keys out of his pocket and tossed them to Kat. Then, at the last moment, stepped over and kissed her hard. “Try not to get in trouble, okay?” He smiled.

She swatted at him. “Go mend the fence. I’ll bring back something good for dinner.”

“Ah…going by the bed and breakfast?” he called from the porch and leapt to the ground, laughter following him as the raced Tramp to the barn.

Kat closed the door with a smile.

****

Slipping a jacket over her sweater, Kat grabbed the keys. It would only take a moment and she’d been waiting all week for him to give her the time to get it. Watching Rowe with Tramp assured her it would be the perfect gift. Then, after he gave her the statue of Pharaoh, she had no doubt. She’d slip by her studio and pick it up. Easy breezy.

Snow still spotted the ground as she eased the truck up the lane to the cabin. Its red stained wood gleamed against the white on the roof. The cabin looked inviting. She could almost picture lazy curls of smoke drifting out of the chimney. She sighed as she pulled in front. The inside was dark and not as inviting as it had appeared from the lane. She pulled further around the side, stopped and got out. Kat couldn’t help but glance at the cellar doors slanting against the house, now locked. She shivered, knowing how easy it could have been for her to slip into death. Thank God for Rowe and the Ruthorford sense of Christmas. Thinking of Rowe sent her into memories of the past week and she inhaled the crisp, pine-scented air around her. Joy filled her heart. She really was a lucky woman.

Humming the Christmas tune she’d heard on the radio, she pulled the key from her pocket and slipped it into the studio padlock. Having replaced the old one, it opened with ease and she swung open the door. She began looking for the small statue of Tramp. It was cold, but it wouldn’t take her long, definitely not long enough to start the heater. Still she shivered as she glanced around. Okay, maybe it would take more than a minute, she thought as she glanced around at the boxes scattered about the shop. First, she’d have to remember which box it was in and she glanced at her watch, still wanting to get to town.

Kat went through three boxes before she stepped back, looking around and thinking. It wasn’t cold anymore. She’d almost worked up a sweat. Tugging off her jacket, she tried to remember where she’d packed the sculpture. She’d been so careful—marking each box—thinking everything would be in storage for some time. She shrugged, cut the top on another box and opened it. Aha! She stood back feeling victorious. She’d wrapped the smaller pieces in bubble wrap and put them together—here. She could almost tell by feel which piece was which without unwrapping them. About a third of the way down, she felt the familiar lines of the dog and eased out the wrapped sculpture, pulling away the bubble wrap. She smiled at the beloved likeness of her dog. Perfect.

“Really didn’t think you could get away, did you?”

Kat spun around at the sound of the voice filled with venom.

The statue slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor.

****

Rowe pulled the fence board up and braced it with his knee as he hammered the nail in place. Later, he’d come out and use screws to secure it. How it’d worked its way loose baffled him. It had taken hours to round up the strays and bring them back. Now all he had to do was get this fixed and he could head home to Kat. He slammed the hammer one more time with satisfaction.

It had been an amazing week. She was everything he’d imagined. Fun, bright, easy to be around, and a fabulous lover. Rowe’s grin widened remembering the early morning shower they’d shared. Okay, so neither of them were great cooks. Food was overrated, anyway. And there was always the bed and breakfast. Teresa would keep them well fed.

A hawk circled once, swooped down and landed on a post a ways down. Rowe glanced up. “Hey, Clancy!” he said to the bird he’d nicknamed a year ago. “Haven’t seen you around lately.”

The hawk screeched as Tramp woofed.

“Yeah,” Rowe shifted his hat further back on his head. “Tramp does look rather imposing.” He turned to the dog. “You wouldn’t hurt Clancy, here, now would you?” he asked the dog. Tramp’s tail thumped and he let out another woof. The hawk took flight.