Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(24)
“Then when you turned out to be the one who had invited me to Creede, I couldn’t believe my good fortune. I quit a job to take the one your pa offered just to be near you.”
Eliza’s arms squeezed him lightly, and he hugged her back. He buried one hand in the thick of her hair, lost in the softness.
“I didn’t think it possible for you to become more beautiful, but you have. You’re kind to your family.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re smart and capable of running the homestead while your parents are gone, and you have your own land now.” He kissed her nose. Eliza’s eyes shut momentarily. “You’ve cared for your friends and neighbors and taken in a stranger.”
Eliza’s hand touched KC’s cheek. That simple gesture nearly stole his rational thoughts, but he had to finish before the words vanished. “Your story only changes one thing, Miss Eliza.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “Now I understand a new depth to your soul. You’re a virtuous woman. I can never doubt that.”
KC looked into Eliza’s face, and her lips found his. Her whole body pressed into him, and her lips parted. The feel of her, the taste of her—he couldn’t help the groan that rose from deep in his chest. There was only her. All of Colorado disappeared. This was the kiss of a woman giving herself to a man. It was a precious gift. One he would guard and treasure all his days.
The magic was broken when KC heard Ellis yell, “Eliza!” and his horse galloped to a stop near them. KC’s blood continued to pump through him with fury—Ellis would be upon him soon. He moved his lips to her ear. “I love you, Eliza.”
“That kiss nearly stole my breath, but only because you surprised me.”
“I’ll have to plan more surprises.”
KC was grabbed by the shoulder and turned to face Ellis whose eyes squinted with anger, and his fists were tight and ready to swing. “I’ll ask you one last time. What are your intentions?”
Kailin rode up at a slower pace, her eyes round as saucers. “Sparking. Sparking,” Rayna chanted before Kailin put her hand over the child’s lips.
KC’s hand reached for Eliza’s, and their fingers laced together. Eliza gave KC a broad smile which he knew reflected his. Then she turned the same one to Ellis. The man deflated.
“I won’t be talking with you about it here or now,” KC answered, his words slow and measured.
“No. We won’t,” Eliza said firmly.
When KC could see that Ellis wouldn’t accept that answer, he added, “But I’ll talk to your father.”
“As soon as he’s back,” Ellis said as he shoved KC in the chest.
KC nodded. The rest of the world came back onto focus then. Their horses stood a ways off. MayBelle had the reins from Eliza’s horse in her mouth, making sure the horse didn’t run off.
KC helped Eliza back into the saddle. He stood close with her booted foot in his hands. He whispered to her, “That, Miss Turley, was a real kiss.”
“Yes. It was.” Her voice was breathless. “But I kissed you.” She pushed her knee straight and settled into the seat. “I believe you still owe me.”
The trio trotted through meadows and over a ridge with MayBelle staying at Merlin’s side. They stopped, overlooking a small valley rimmed with stands of aspens and pines. The grass was already a dark green. Off in the distance, KC could see the white caps of the mountains, whose melt-off supplied the glistening stream that ran through the valley. It was beautiful country, but it all seemed to pale compared to the beauty who would be by his side throughout his life. KC could hardly wait for her father to return.
In the meantime, he owed her. She likely didn’t know that meeting her had changed his life. He rode for posses and sleuthed for Pinkertons to have purpose. Eliza eclipsed those with the promise of love and family. That would be his life’s work and his joy.
“Your property starts here,” Ellis said to KC. “What would you like to see?”
“Let’s ride along the foothills over there.” KC was surprised to find that the path was well-worn and had fresh horse tracks along it. He looked closely. The horses had been shod, so they weren’t mustangs. They might be a group of strays gotten loose from a nearby ranch. “Has someone else homesteaded out this way?” he asked. He looked closer at the tracks. It appeared that wagon wheels had come this way. Their tracks run under the horses’ hoofprints.
“Not that I know of,” Eliza answered.
“At least not on the official land records,” Ellis replied. “There might be squatters. That happens a lot around here.”
KC looked each direction to see if there were others near them. People who took up on someone else’s land tended to be jumpy with their trigger fingers. He didn’t see or hear evidence of people or horses.
Ellis continued to talk, pointing toward a stream that snaked back and forth through the valley. “You’ve got some ponds down that way. This will make good summer range for cattle.”
“Let’s head over and give our horses a drink.” Eliza veered off the path, and the other animals followed.
The native grass was already a foot high, and it was still early spring. This would be good grazing land. Did he want to raise cows or sheep? He’d had experience with both on his grandfather’s farm near Taos. He’d have to ask Eliza her opinion. His heart burned with joy. He liked having someone to make plans with. How quickly could he get a house up? He’d seen the boundary between their lands and thought he had an idea for making it work to keep both.