Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (49 page)

“Kyle,” she panted. Her arms released their hold on him, and she braced against his chest, her fingers tingling at the contact with his bare skin. “Kyle, we can’t do this.”
Oh, but I want to
.

Kyle’s body lifted from hers, and her hands balled into fists to prevent herself from pulling him back to her.

“I love you, Kate,” he rasped hoarsely. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, for taking advantage of you.”  He kissed her lips, and pushed away from her. He sat up at the edge of the bed, running his hands through his hair.

Kate sat up, her breathing unsteady. She scooted up behind him, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, too, Kyle.”

“You’d best get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us come morning.” He stood, and headed for the door.

“I love you, Kyle,” she whispered after watching him disappear from the room.

Chapter 17

Kyle reined Blackjack to a halt at the top of the bluff. The snow-capped Bitterroot Mountains stretched along the horizon. In the valley below, the buildings of Virginia City appeared no larger than the match stick houses he used to build when he was a little boy.  Although not as busy as it had been several years ago when the gold rush was in full swing along Alder Gulch, the city still boasted a large population of hopeful prospectors. The majority had moved on to try their luck elsewhere, as the gold strikes began to play themselves out.

Nevertheless, Virginia City was still considered the capitol of Montana Territory, even with its decline in citizens. Kyle wondered vaguely if his parents would pull up stakes and move elsewhere if the city continued its decline.  Last Chance Gulch, near the town of Helena, seemed to be the hot spot for mining these days.

Last chance. Kyle scoffed, and stared into the valley.  Tomorrow would certainly be his last chance to strike it rich. Gold didn’t matter to him. He’d give everything he owned if he could simply claim Kate as his. Her rejection three days ago had cut deep, but he wasn’t a quitter. Convincing her she was better off with him, rather than going back to Boston, might be the biggest challenge he’d ever faced. Approaching the United States government with a nation’s park proposal seemed almost easy now in comparison.

Their relationship had been strained the last three days. Kate was withdrawn and nervous for most of the trip here. Engaging her in conversation had proved to be futile. He’d asked her to talk about her nightmare, but she’d only apologized for waking him in the middle of the night. Kyle ran his hand through his hair. The memory of her in his arms, of almost making love to her, remained fresh in his mind. Some selfish part of him wished he hadn’t stopped. Then he’d have a reason to claim her.

“Hell,” he said out loud between clenched teeth. He didn’t want her tied to him like some dog on a string. She had to want to be with him of her own will, not because of something he forced on her. She knew he loved her. He’d made it quite clear. He was almost sure she had the same feelings for him. Some twisted sense of obligation seemed to be holding her back. Kyle sighed. One day. Twenty four hours to change her mind. Would he be able to ride away, knowing he’d never see her again?

Kyle turned Blackjack around, and kneed the gelding into a lope down the soft incline to the gulley where he’d asked Kate to wait with his string of horses. He wanted to give them a chance to fill their bellies before heading into town. They’d been on the move for three days, and he certainly didn’t want to present starving horses to his buyer.

Kate sat by the creek, splashing water on her face when he rode up. She turned her head, and smiled. Not the radiant smile she’d developed over the last few weeks. The closer they came to town, the more she withdrew back into her Boston shell. Kyle cursed under his breath. He was tempted to take her back to the Madison Valley right this second. The city seemed like poison for her.

Kyle dismounted, and turned Blackjack loose to graze with the other horses.

“They’re glad you’re giving them some time to eat,” Kate said. “Even though Rosie still doesn’t want to have anything to do with the rest of them.”

“Yeah, she’s always been a bit stand-offish. She’s a lead mare, so she gets to make the rules.”

Kate mumbled under her breath. To Kyle it sounded as if she’d said, “Kind of like my mother.”

“Do you miss her?” he asked.

“Who?” Kate’s eyes widened.

“Your mother. Didn’t you tell me she died six months ago?”

The color drained from Kate’s face. Kyle’s eyes narrowed. Kate turned back toward the creek. “I . . . suppose so,” she answered slowly.

“If you have family obligations in Boston, how come your guardian brought you all the way out here? Couldn’t you just stay put in the city?” Kyle approached her and knelt next to her. He cupped his hand in the clear water and held it to his mouth. His head turned in her direction when she didn’t answer. Her eyes darted to him, then she quickly averted her gaze. She stood, and walked away.

Kyle stared after her. It was time for some answers. He’d never asked these questions, and realized now, he probably should have. There was something she wasn’t telling him. Perhaps it was time for some honesty. He followed her, and grabbed for her arm, spinning her around.

“You’re not a very good liar, Kate,” he said huskily, stepping toward her.

Her eyes were round as saucers.  “I told you the truth,” she said, but her shaky voice betrayed her.

“You want to know what I think?” he said slowly. It was now or never. He had to risk confronting her, or lose her altogether.

She shook her head slowly. Panic filled her eyes.

“You’ve never been allowed to choose your own path, have you? The big city, and all the expectations of being a fancy lady, squashed all the life out of you. Hell, when I first met you, you could barely think for yourself.”

She stared at him stoically. Kyle gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “I think you’re so damn scared to be happy for once in your life, you’re making up this entire cock-and-bull story about family obligation. If your parents are both dead, and your guardian picked up stakes and dragged you this far out west, I don’t see what kind of family obligations are waiting for you in Boston.”

Kyle reached out and held both her arms when she tried to pull away. He was going to finish what he needed to say. Her eyes softened, the panic no longer visible. He took a deep breath, and continued, “I also think your guardian caused those bruises you had when we first met. What else did he do to you, Kate? Is that why you’re so afraid to make a commitment to me? You have to know by now that I’d never hurt you.”

“He didn’t….I’m not…” she stammered, shaking her head vigorously.

“Like hell you’re not,” he growled. “That nightmare you had proves how scared you are of him. Even though he’s dead. That’s one thing I can believe. Even you wouldn’t make up a story of falling through a crust in the earth.”

Kate inhaled deeply. She raised her chin, and her eyes narrowed. “You seem to have me all figured out,” she said evenly.  An icy chill seeped down his spine. With a sinking feeling in his gut, he sensed he was about to lose her.  His grip on her arms tightened involuntarily, and she stared at his hands.

“I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me, Kyle. I will always be in your debt.” She took another deep breath. “But it’s best that you forget about me. I don’t belong in your world. Now please release me.”

Her round doe eyes betrayed her words.

“Dammit, Katelyn.” Kyle let go of her arms, and turned away from her. He clenched his fists at his sides. He could force the truth out of her. Hell, she melted like butter whenever he held her and kissed her. It would be easy enough.

“Let’s mount up and head out,” he said, not sure if she heard. “Before I leave tomorrow, I’ll buy your ticket back to Boston. The stage comes through here about once a week. I’m sure my folks won’t mind having you stay with them until it arrives again.”

*****

“Wait here.” Kyle dismounted Blackjack in front of the hitching post at the livery, and threw the reins over the rail. Kate wordlessly positioned Rosie alongside the gelding, but made no move to get off the horse. Kyle uncoiled the leadlines of the other three horses from his saddle horn, and headed toward the barn. A large man wearing a blacksmith’s apron rounded the corner of the building. His head was nearly bald, and he sported a large walrus mustache. He hastily wiped his hands on his sweat soaked shirt.

“Kyle Russell. What a pleasant surprise.” The man smiled broadly, and reached out his hand. The burly man’s eyes fell on Kate, and widened. Kyle’s jaw clenched. He’d seen that look on more than a dozen men’s faces as they rode through town.  He swallowed, and returned the man’s friendly greeting.

“Amos, good to see you.” Kyle shook the beefy hand. “I brought the horses for Harry Wilcox.”

“Oh, yeah. He said he was waiting for you to deliver some stock. He’s staying at the Whiskey Bend Hotel. You can put them in the corral over yonder.” He pointed to a small fenced enclosure along the barn.

Kyle released the horses into the corral, and checked the water trough. “They’ll need some feed,” he said. “Do you have room for my saddle horses in the barn? I’m heading out again in the morning, but I’ll need a place for my mare for a while until I get back.”

“I’ve got room,” Amos said. Kyle wished the man would stop staring at Kate.

“Thanks, Amos. I’ll just leave them to your care, then. It’s been a long three days on the trail. I’m anxious to see my folks.”

“Sure thing, Kyle. I’ll get ‘em settled in right away.”

Kyle walked around to Rosie’s left side, and held up his hands to assist Kate off the mare’s back. When her eyebrows rose, he said, “We’re walking to the mercantile. It’s just up the road.”

Apparently satisfied with his answer, Kate bent forward and placed her arms on his shoulders, letting him pull her from the saddle. Their eyes met and held for a moment when he set her down in front of him. He almost reached for her hand, but stopped himself in time.

Kyle untied the leather bag that held the rest of Kate’s clothes from Rosie’s saddle, then pulled his rifle from the scabbard of his own saddle.

“Let’s go,” he said, and led the way. Kate scurried to catch up to him. She stayed closer than was necessary, and Kyle clenched his jaw anew. She must have noticed the leering eyes of the miners and gold prospectors they passed as well.  Several men in business suits passed them on the street, some of them tipping their hats politely. Kyle wanted to punch every one of them. He was glad to be carrying a bag in one hand, and his rifle in the other. It controlled the urge to put his hand on Kate’s waist. He wanted to make it clear to everyone that she was his, even though he couldn’t make that claim.

The mercantile and supply depot were the last buildings at the end of the street. Kyle recognized his mother standing outside the store, conversing animatedly with two other women.  He smiled slowly. His mother stood out in any crowd, especially a crowd of females. While the other two ladies wore dresses, his mother preferred to be in leather britches. Her mahogany hair was braided in a long rope down her back. Even a move to the city hadn’t motivated her to change. It had taken a while, and Kyle suspected some intervention by his father, but the community had accepted her and her unconventional ways.

She looked his way. A broad smile spread across her face. “Kyle!” she called, interrupting one of the other women. They all looked in his direction. Kyle lengthened his strides. He set the leather bag and his rifle on the ground, and opened his arms wide.

“Hello, Mama,” he said, and pulled his mother into an embrace, kissing her on the cheek. 

“I knew you’d show up any day,” she beamed at him, holding his face between her hands. “Josh stopped by a month ago, and mentioned you had business in town. Did you get the letter we sent with him?”

“Yes, Mama. I got the letter.”

“How are things back ho . . . I mean, back in the valley?”

Kyle studied her face. “You’re still homesick, aren’t you?”

“It’s hard, but as long as I’m with you father, I can live anywhere,” she said, and looked over his shoulder. Kyle turned. Kate stood a few paces back, her body stiff.

He cleared his throat. “Mama, meet Miss Kate Ellen Devon, from Boston.” With his eyes on Kate, he said, “This is my mother, Sarah Russell.”

Kate stepped forward and held out her hand. “How do you do, Mrs. Russell? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Kyle clenched his jaw. Her formality graded on his nerves. She’d definitely reverted back to her Boston ways. His mother took her hand, and smiled tentatively. Her eyes darted to Kyle, and he could only imagine what she must be thinking. For the thousandth time, he wished he could have introduced Kate as his bride.