Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(19)
She gave him a sad smile. “I mistook your protection as . . . as something more. I probably made you feel uncomfortable.”
“I don’t think you misunderstood my actions at all. I spend time with you because it’s what I like to do. I find you interesting and attractive.” There he’d said it—well, some of it.
She cringed a little. “Thank you.” Her voice sounded flat. She took a deep breath and continued. “I’m glad you’re here. We really do need your help.”
Did she think him insincere? It had possibly been the truest thing he’d said in his life, and she didn’t believe him. He felt much more than the few words he had given her. He ached to tell her, but he knew he had to win her heart before she would hear them.
Eliza pushed her chair away and began to gather the dishes. “I guess I’d better get to work. Have a good day, KC.”
KC ate a couple of bites, then left. They both had plenty to get done. He worked hard, using aching muscles to ease his tension as he figured out what to do next. He admitted that he liked seeing Eliza’s smile every morning across the breakfast table. Walking around the farm between his chores and talking with her—even just a word or two—brightened his day. Spending the celebration with her was a rare treat. How could he help her see his true feelings for her?
That night after supper, KC went to the barn while the family gathered in the front room. He’d forgotten to make a few notes about the missing homesteaders in his book and quickly jotted them down. Ellis had left the house right after eating as he’d done most nights since the parents had left. When KC returned, Rayna was lying across Kailin’s lap while they drew on a slate. KC had been welcome to sit here in the evening instead of staying in the barn. He liked the feeling of being part of a family, of sitting together and doing nothing of consequence more than being together.
Eliza was knitting scarves for next winter, though her hands were slow and at times stopped moving as she stared past the yarn. Then she would start again. KC wondered what was worrying her.
Eliza set her needles and yarn aside and stood. “I made a pie today. Would anyone like a piece?”
KC looked into Eliza’s face, which she quickly turned away from him. He thought he saw sadness.
Kailin and Rayna both answered, “Yes.”
Since KC hadn’t answered yet, Eliza looked at him, and he could see pink rimming her eyes. “I’ll help you get that.” He jumped up and followed her into the kitchen. She walked to the cupboard and leaned her hands against the counter below it. He thought her shoulders shook. Without thinking what to do, his arms wrapped around her waist.
Eliza turned toward him and laid her head on his shoulder, sobbing softly.
He wanted to be her comfort, her confidant, her everything. “What’s the matter?” His lips touched her forehead. “Can I help?”
Her arms tightened around him. She didn’t answer, but she stayed.
Maybe this was all she needed. He could just be for her. He rested his cheek against her head. Only a couple of times, he forgot he was just holding her, and his hands moved across her back. His body responded to the feel of her against him. His heart claimed her with each beat—mine, mine. His lips wanted to taste hers, but he quickly shut it down and continued to hold her close.
Too soon, Eliza’s arms relaxed, and she leaned away from him. “I guess it just got to me tonight. It’s all been so hard. My parents haven’t sent word. I’m always tired. I never get to see my friends. So much has changed.”
KC wanted to pull her close again but didn’t. “I’ll go into Creede tomorrow and see if I can send word to your parents. Write a letter tonight, and I’ll put it the mail. That will be one less worry for you.”
Eliza hugged him again briefly. “Thank you.”
She turned back to the cupboard, and KC released her. She wiped her eyes on a dish towel, blew out a deep breath, and smiled. “I promised everyone pie.”
KC admired her more each day. She was shouldering a heavy load. It couldn’t be easy to run a farm this size and take care of her siblings and cousin. He wondered if tonight was the only time she had cried under the weight. Even when it got her down, she didn’t stay there, and she picked herself up and served pie.
The sky was dark—not even a moon shone through the clouds. KC was getting used to starting chores at three a.m., but some of the animals protested, especially MayBelle, who huffed and snorted like her beauty sleep was being interrupted. The donkey was in the wrong stall again. Each night, he stabled her in the stall at the end, and each morning, he found her next to Merlin. Merlin seemed to enjoy the company and hung his head over to her side.
KC went through the motions of each task as quickly as he could. He barely had to think about them now. Instead, he wondered if Eliza had been able to put her worries aside and sleep. Mostly he thought about her standing in his arms, his head resting on hers. She had turned to him for comfort. Even though she had claimed to think he didn’t care, something inside her had allowed him in. He would make sure it wasn’t the only time.
At midday, he walked into the telegraph office to see Arthur Jameson and waited for him to finish up with Mr. Anders and the weaselly man beside him. When Anders walked away from the counter, instead of going out the door, he approached KC.
“You’re the man who won the shooting contest,” he said. He pushed his coat open and tucked his thumbs into little pockets in his vest.