White Dove's Promise (16 page)

She pressed a kiss on his cheek, then pushed herself away from him. “It's getting late. I've got to go in.”

“All right,” he reluctantly agreed, “but we'll take this up tomorrow night at my house. I'll cook supper for you and Peggy.”

“You're not playing fair, Jared.”

Grinning sexily, he leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “I have no intention of playing fair, Kerry. So get ready.”

“Jared—”

The rest of her protest was cut off by a hungry kiss that left Kerry's senses reeling, crumbling beneath a hot weight of desire.

“All right, I'll see you tomorrow night,” she promised once he lifted his head. But as she quickly climbed out of the truck and headed into the house, she wondered if she'd lost her mind, along with her heart.

T
he next evening Jared was frying T-bone steaks when Bram entered the kitchen by way of the back door. One glance at his tired face told Jared something other than a brotherly chat was on his mind.

“Hey, an unexpected visit from my brother,” Jared greeted him. “What's up?”

Bram pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and straddled it. “I'm on my way home to the ranch. I thought I'd stop by and clue you in on the fire.”

Jared turned away from the sizzling skillet to face his brother. “Has the fire inspector come to any conclusions?”

“He wound up the investigation this afternoon and although it will be a while before he makes any public statement, he's told me it was a clear case of arson. In fact, he said there wasn't even an attempt to hide the
origin of the fire. Someone splashed gasoline everywhere then tossed on a few burning candles.”

Even though Jared had pretty much suspected the fire had been set, hearing the facts from Bram sent a cold chill to the pit of his stomach.

“Hell, Bram, what's going on here? Who would want to hurt me and Kerry?”

“We don't know if the arson was meant to harm you two. The perpetrator might not have been aware that you two were in the courthouse.”

Jared cursed. “You don't believe that any more than I do. The bastard knew we were there. He couldn't have missed the light or our voices. He was only a room away from us!”

Bram swiped a hand across his face. “Yeah. You're right. I think there was real criminal intent here,” he admitted in a weary tone. “I'm just not sure if the fire was directed toward you and Kerry or if it was only set to destroy county records. Or both.”

Suddenly remembering the steaks, Jared turned back to the cookstove and flipped the contents of the skillet.

“I don't get it, Bram. Kerry and I went through most of the birth and marriage certificates in the Colton family and we didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Why would anyone want to destroy our family records?”

“Why does anyone want to destroy information,” he said grimly. “To cover up something.”

“Yeah. But what?” Jared countered. “I went by the feed store last night to talk to Gran about it. I was hoping she could shed some light on this whole thing. But she wasn't feeling well and had gone to bed.”

“I doubt she would have told you anything.” Bram
replied. “She's always been tight-lipped. Especially about her younger years.”

“I can't understand why,” Jared said as he forked one of the seared T-bones onto a warmed platter. “She's been a widow for what, sixty years or more now? You'd think she could talk about the man without breaking apart.”

Bram rose from the chair to join Jared at the stove. “You think this has something to do with our grandfather?”

Jared shrugged. “Hell Bram, I'm just guessing. I really can't see how it could be connected to him. Gran is eighty years old and as far as we know she's never heard anything from his family. We don't even know if he had any family.”

Bram took a few moments to mull over Jared's suggestion before he spoke. “That's true enough. And I'm not so sure I want to be the one to question Gran about this,” he admitted. “Are you going to try again?”

Jared reached up to a cabinet to his left and pulled down three plates. “George says I shouldn't. He says it won't gain anything and will only upset her.”

Bram cast a curious look at his younger brother. “George? What does Granddad know about any of this?”

Jared snorted. “Are you kidding? That old man knows everything.” He glanced at Bram. “Did you tell him about the fire—that someone tried to fry me and Kerry?”

“Lord, no! I haven't even spoken to him in several days. When did you?”

Jared pulled out a drawer of silverware and picked out three of everything. “Last night at the feed store.
He says a crazy coyote is stalking the Colton family. And that we all need to watch out for his tracks.”

Bram chuckled. “Jared, the man is ninety-seven years old. He believes he's some damn Comanche medicine man or prophet, or something.”

“Try chief,” Jared said dryly.

“Well, whatever, he couldn't have known about you and Kerry. The only people who know you were in the building are the firefighters and the fire inspector.”

Maybe Bram didn't believe in George's spouts of wisdom, but Jared wasn't about to dismiss their great-grandfather's words. Especially after George's uncanny perception about him and Kerry.

Carrying the plates and silverware to the table, he began to place the settings on three placemats. “Did you have any trouble convincing the fire inspector that Kerry and I were innocent victims?”

“No. You were there legally. You had my permission. It would have been idiotic for you two to set a fire, then call the fire department and remain there to try to put it out. Besides, the inspector knows I'd tell him the truth. Even if it meant incriminating my own brother.”

“Thanks,” Jared said with a wry chuckle as he headed back to the cookstove and the sizzling skillet of steak. “I always knew if I got in a pinch you'd step up to bat for me.”

“You're not in a pinch, so you'd better thank God, and me, for that,” he told him, then glanced pointedly at the table set for three. “Are you having guests for supper, or did you put out two extra plates for me?” Bram asked.

Jared chuckled again. “Not hardly. Kerry and her daughter are coming out tonight.” With a broad grin,
he glanced at his wristwatch. “In fact, they'll be here in just a few minutes.”

Folding his arms across his chest, Bram leaned against the cabinet counter as he studied his brother. “Hmm. Cooking supper for a woman. And her child. This is a new one for you.”

“Get used to it, Bram. I'm going to make Kerry my wife.”

Totally stunned, Bram stared at him. “I knew you were attracted to the woman, but marriage—hell, I never thought I'd see this day. You a husband!”

Jared grimaced. “What do you mean by that? You're older than me and you still haven't hitched yourself up with a woman.”

Ignoring the personal jab, Bram said, “If you ask me, this is all rather sudden. What does Kerry think about this? Has she agreed to marry you?”

Jared opened the oven door and tested the baking potatoes for doneness. “No. But she will.”

“What's the matter?” Bram asked wryly. “Losing your touch?”

Jared shut the oven door, then raised up to glare at his brother. “The woman has been hurt. She's a little leery.”

“Of you? Or marriage in general?”

Jared sighed. “Both, I expect. She thinks I'll drag her and Peggy from state to state and she doesn't want that. She wants a permanent home.”

“Most women want to stay put, Jared. Surely you can understand that.”

Jared nodded glumly. “Yeah, I can understand it. But what am I supposed to do? I can't just toss my job away and settle for a menial job that would do well to cover the monthly cost of living, much less savings or
luxuries. I don't want that kind of life for Kerry and Peggy. I want to be able to give them everything they want and deserve.”

Bram studied him for long moments. “I may be crazy, but I actually believe you're in love.”

A wide, charmed smile spread over Jared's face. “Bram, I never thought I'd ever meet a woman like Kerry. I wasn't even hunting one like her, because I didn't think they existed. But everything about her is wonderful. Her smile, her walk and talk and the way her little hand hangs on to mine like I'm some brave Comanche warrior that will always keep her safe.” He stopped and shook his head in amazement. “Do you know she wouldn't leave me alone that night in the burning room? The ceiling could have fallen at any moment, but she was more concerned about my safety. And I don't have to tell you what a dedicated mother she is to Peggy.”

Bram grinned. “Yeah. And I can also see that you're pretty hooked on the woman.” His expression sobered. “So you need to make this work, Jared. No matter what you have to do.”

Jared closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “That's what worries me, Bram. I don't know what to do. And it scares me to death to think I might lose Kerry.”

Bram patted his brother's shoulder. “You'll know the right thing to do when the time comes. And who knows,” he added with a teasing grin, “maybe Granddad can give you some of his sage wisdom.”

Jared dropped his hand and shot him an annoyed look. “Don't make fun of George. I'm telling you, Bram, he knows things. He may sound kooky at times,
but he sees this stuff before it happens. It wouldn't hurt any of us to listen more closely to what he has to say.”

Bram started to laugh, but the serious look on Jared's face stopped him. “Jared, what's happened to you? You were always the first one to poke fun at Granddad's visions and predictions.”

Jared let out a long breath. “I don't know, Bram. I guess love changes a man. It opens his eyes. Or at least, it has mine. Everything seems different to me now. I never knew the sky was so blue or the grass so green. Maybe you ought to try it.”

The suggestion was enough to get Bram headed toward the door. “I'm a happy man just like I am. So I'm gonna get out of here before your little honey arrives.”

“Hey Bram,” Jared called to him as he stepped out the door. “Let me know if you get any leads on the arsonist. I'd like to see him behind bars.”

“You and me both, brother.” He lifted his hand in farewell and shut the door behind him.

Jared turned back to finishing the last of the meal and while he worked, his mind kept turning over the news Bram had given him. Someone had blatantly set fire to the courthouse. Not only that, he'd set it in the very room next to where he and Kerry had been working. Why hadn't they heard him moving about? he wondered. And how had the person gotten in without being noticed? He hoped to heck Bram could figure it out. The idea that someone was out for him or anyone that he loved chilled him.

Ten minutes later, he was taking a loaf of buttered Italian bread out of the oven, when he heard Kerry's knock on the front door.

He hurried out to greet her and was totally bowled
over the moment he opened the door and spotted her on the threshold. She was wearing a filmy dress printed in small pink and burgundy flowers. The neck was scooped low and the bodice clung to her body, outlining the pert curves of her breasts. Her hair was pulled back on the sides and fastened with silver barrettes. The extra touch of makeup on her eyes and lips gave her an exotic, tempting look and the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss the cherry color from her mouth hit him like a hammer. But with little Peggy standing at her side, he had to control himself.

“Hello,” he greeted her, while pushing open the door to allow them entry. “You're right on time. I just took the bread out of the oven.”

As they stepped past him, he leaned forward and planted a swift kiss on Kerry's cheek. Color immediately bloomed in her face and she cast him a shy smile.

“I'm glad we haven't kept you waiting,” she murmured.

“It was worth it,” he said softly as his eyes devoured the sight of her. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

“Thank you.”

His gaze lingered on her lips for one last moment, then he turned his attention to Peggy. The little girl was dressed in a blue short set and her wavy black hair was pulled into a bouncy ponytail atop her head.

As Jared squatted on his heels, and drew the child into the circle of his arm, emotions swelled in his chest. He'd never thought much about being a father or how it might feel to have a child of his own, but Peggy had changed all that.

“How's my best girl? Have you missed me?” he asked.

She nodded fiercely. “I've been telling Mama to call
you, 'cause I wanted to see you. But she says you have lots of things to do and that we can't be bothering you.”

He shot a frown up at Kerry, then turned an apologetic smile on Peggy. “I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to see you in a few days, Chenoa. But I haven't forgotten you. Next to your mother, you're my very best girl.”

A wide grin spread across her pretty little face and she curled her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

Above her head, Jared glanced at Kerry, who was smiling indulgently at the two of them. “Think I'm forgiven?” he asked Kerry.

She laughed softly. “I think she'd forgive you anything.”

Chuckling, Jared rose to his feet with Peggy perched carefully on his arm. “Come on, little dove,” he said, “let's eat and then we'll go outside and I'll push you in the swing.”

In the kitchen, the table was already laid out with tossed salad, baked potatoes, steak and hot bread. Jared found a big cooking pot and turned it upside down in a chair for Peggy to use as a booster seat. After he carefully seated her and then Kerry, he went to the cabinet and poured iced tea for the adults and a glass of milk for Peggy.

“If you cooked this yourself, I'm very impressed,” Kerry told him when he'd taken his own seat at the end of the table. “Are you sure Willow didn't do this?”

He laughed at her suggestion. “Willow's a tomboy, always has been. I can cook anything she can. Besides,
there's nothing to it. Anybody can throw a piece of meat in a skillet.”

“It takes a little more work than that to make all this,” she said gesturing toward the food on the table.

“Mama makes spaghetti,” Peggy spoke up, “and it's good. She knows how to cook everything.”

Jared's brows lifted suggestively as he looked at Kerry. “Sounds like I'm in for all kinds of treats.”

His double-edged remark had her clearing her throat. “I'm not so sure about that,” she murmured, amazed at how easily he could turn her cheeks beet red.

“Well,” he said to Peggy, “I doubt this food is as good as your mama's, but maybe you'll like it.”