Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(23)

KC smiled. Getting up early to do the chores was getting to be the normal routine around here. “Good idea. I’d like to see what I’ve gotten myself into.”

They entered the kitchen as Eliza was ladling stew into bowls. “We’re going to take a look at the new homesteads tomorrow,” KC said when he entered the kitchen. “Come with us?”

“I’d like that,” Eliza said. “Do you want to go with us, Kailin, or do you and Rayna want to stay here?

“We’ll go with you.” Then Kailin turned to Rayna. “Go for a ride tomorrow?”

“Horsey. Horsey,” the girl answered.



The next day when KC went to saddle Merlin, MayBelle nickered until he glanced her way. He was nearly finished saddling his horse. She looked him in the eye, then butted her head against the gate to her stall. When KC didn’t come to the gate, she did it again and gave a shrieking trumpet sound, startling KC. He began pulling the reins to lead Merlin out, and MayBelle repeated the sound. This time, Merlin answered it with one of his own.

KC turned toward MayBelle. “See what you’re teaching him? You’re being a bad example.”

MayBelle butted the gate again. “I suppose you can come along.” KC opened the latch, and MayBelle trotted through the opening to stand alongside of Merlin. He nuzzled her in greeting before they left the barn. KC and Ellis wore six-shooters on their hips, and all three of them had rifles in scabbards on their saddles. Kailin held Rayna in front of her on the saddle.

“Which way?” Ellis asked as they mounted their horses in the yard.

“Straight south,” Eliza answered. “We’ll see mine first, then KC’s and come back through yours.”

Eliza seemed a little on edge as they rode. She was in no hurry, and KC kept his horse back with her. The space between them and Ellis grew. It wasn’t the horse, as far as he could tell. She was either talking about anything and everything or she was silent for a long stretch. When Ellis was a ways in front of them, KC asked, “Is something on your mind? You seem . . . different today.”

He noticed a shadow of worry come over her expression. Her lips thinned. Her eyebrows creased with worry. “Yes. I just don’t know how to start. I’ve been thinking that you need to know something more about me.”

When she paused, KC added, “I’d like that very much.”

“Maybe not this.” She squared her shoulders and sat taller in the saddle. “It was a year ago. People are going to tell you the story if they haven’t already.”

KC shook his head.

“I went to Creede to meet the train. We were expecting a shipment of chicks, and I was picking them up. I stopped by Shawcrofts’ Dry Goods before I went over to the station. We also needed some feed for the chicks and a few other things. While the clerk was putting the order together, I decided to go over to Edwin’s Restaurant. I was just going to grab some of Millie’s cinnamon buns that she sold there.”

Eliza must have noticed KC’s puzzled look because she explained, “Edwin’s place was right beside The Nugget Saloon. Little Archie blew it up trying to keep the fire from spreading to Mr. Anders’ saloon. That didn’t work.” She blew out a big breath. “Anyway, I left our wagon to be loaded and walked toward the restaurant. I could see a fire down the street and lots of smoke blowing to the west of town.”

Her voice was soft and cracked on the words. KC’s heart leaped in his chest. He could see the struggle on her face. This was hard for her to tell.

“That’s when I was taken.”

KC turned in his saddle. “What? You mean abducted?” Rage burned in his chest.

Eliza stared straight ahead. “A man grabbed me from behind and pulled me into the Nugget. He held a wet rag to my face.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. KC’s arms ached to hold her. He couldn’t stand the distance between them while her feelings were so raw.

“You would have found out.” She sobbed. “Someone would have told you that I was soiled goods. I’m not, but I’ve heard it said. I wanted you to hear it from me. I knew it would change what you think of me.” Her shoulders were slumped, and she cried softly. “ I don’t know how long I was asleep, but I was waking up when the man threw me into the root cellar where some other women were being held. It broke my leg, and now I limp. It reminds everyone that I’m that woman.” Her words gasped out with her breath.

“We need to stop for a moment.” KC and Eliza reined their horses back, and KC jumped from his saddle. In a second, he was beside Eliza, his hands raised to help her dismount. She slid into his arms, and they came around her firmly. He needed this. He needed her to know that she didn’t have to be alone when she remembered something so painful. She could lean on him.

Her cheek again laid against his shoulder as it had once before. He wanted to be that person who held her up or held her together when life was too heavy. He hadn’t just decided to move to Colorado—he’d decided to move into her heart. They would share the difficulties and the joys.

KC held her close. Even now, he didn’t think this strong, tall woman was weak, but at this moment, she was fragile. “When I first saw you, you were so strikingly beautiful, my tongue was tied. I think I forgot how to speak.”

Eliza gave a laugh. KC’s hand moved her face and brushed the hair away from it. He kissed her forehead.