Kisses With KC (Cowboys and Angels Book 11)(7)
At dinner that night, Mama didn’t put the stew in the bowls as she usually did before the family sat down. Instead, Eliza’s father picked up the telegram that Willie had delivered.
Looking at it, he said, “My brother Morris is ill and has requested that your Uncle Ted and I come to Texas. We thought something like this might happen.” His voice faded. Mama touched Pa on the sleeve. He seemed to take courage from that. “He wants to settle his affairs.”
“Maybe he’ll be well before we even get there, and we can bring him and his children back to Colorado with us,” Mama added.
Pa gave her a tired smile. “And if not, it will take some time to sell his property and get the children packed up. That’s why I hired a man to help out. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone. While we are, Eliza and Ellis will take charge.”
Kailin crossed her arms and sat back in her chair.
“Eliza, you’ll take Ma’s responsibilities, and Ellis, you’ll have mine.” Eliza thought Kailin might protest, but Father went on. “Kailin, that means you’ll get chores from Eliza. You’ll also take care of Rayna while her ma and pa go with us.”
Kailin finally sat up with a smile.
“Rayna’s too young to travel that far with your aunt and uncle, and she’d be in the way in this kind of a move,” Pa finished.
“And illness is a concern,” Ma added softly.
Pa didn’t reply but clenched his jaw and nodded. Then he said, “Let’s have supper.”
Ellis and Eliza exchanged looks that seemed to give them confidence, which Eliza was sure she had little of right now.
3
KC Murray
On Sunday afternoon, KC stood at the front door of his new employer—sort-of employer. This might have been the worst idea for being incognito he’d ever had for an investigation. He’d already been hired by Mortimer Jackson to do deliveries for the mercantile, leaving him plenty of time to snoop around, but when an opportunity to be closer to Miss Turley came up, he had jumped at the chance—without thinking. And oh, his pulse had raced when he got the job.
He had stumbled upon being in the exact place where he wanted to be. He needed to find out what E. Turley knew—after he found out who E. Turley was.
He lifted his hand to knock, but Mr. Turley walked around the corner and onto the porch.
“Let’s start in the barn. You can meet my son. Then we’ll go in for dinner. Bring your horse and donkey.”
What? KC spun on his heels. Sure enough, the silver reins from MayBelle’s halter were tied around Merlin’s saddle horn. Her mouth was wide open in a toothy grin. Some private investigator I am. I’ve got a donkey following me around and didn’t even notice. She trotted to where KC stood, leading his horse behind her.
“That’s a well-trained, obedient animal right there,” Mr. Turley commented and then walked to the barn.
KC smiled, but under his breath, he said to MayBelle, “We both know that isn’t true.” The donkey pranced beside him to the door.
“Ellis, this is Mr. Murray. Show him around.” Mr. Turley turned to walk out. “Supper’s on. Come in when you’re done.”
KC followed Ellis around the stalls and tack room. “You’ll bunk up there,” Ellis said, pointing to the loft.
After he settled his animals, KC walked to the backdoor of the house and scraped his boots on the metal bar. His heart pounded, anticipating seeing Eliza again. He shook his head. What was he doing? He was spending time with a family who might be in harm’s way, getting to know them, and offering some kind of protection while the parents were gone. That was the sensible reason he told himself. Deep in his mind, he also said that he hoped the beautiful woman he’d met wanted to get to know him better, too.
Before he knocked, a girl in her early teens opened the door. “Come on in. We’re just sitting down.” She pointed to the chair nearest the door next to Ellis and across from Eliza. The parents sat on the ends, and the girl took the last seat. “I’m Kailin,” she said as she dropped into the chair.
Grace was said, and plates of food were passed. “Where are you from, Mr. Murray?” Mr. Turley asked.
KC spent so much time incognito that he had found it was better to stay as close to the truth as possible. “California.”
“What a romantic place,” Kailin said. “Don’t you think so, Eliza?”
Eliza didn’t answer, but her cheeks flushed. KC felt the whole family stiffen at Kailin’s remark. All except Ellis, who avoided eye contact and dipped his head. KC wasn’t sure, but the man seemed to enjoy the comment.
“I’ve heard the weather is very nice in California,” Mrs. Turley commented. “Yes, very nice.” Her voice sounded a little strained, and KC noticed she stared pointedly at Kailin.
“Are you married?” Kailin asked, undeterred.
KC choked a bit on his drink and set it down on the table.
Mrs. Turley put her spoon down. “What she meant to ask was, do you have family?”
Answering either question was difficult. His family—both parents—had died when a bandit entered their home, shooting them. KC had arrived home later and found them. That was what had propelled him to join the agency. And the first question—well, he’d likely never marry in his line of work. He wasn’t in a place long enough to court.