Authors: Ribbon of Rain
Chapter1 (17 page)
The boss, whoever he was, had ordered her parents killed.
Perhaps Bill and Mary had discovered the illegal activities going on.
Or the boss wanted to make sure they never found out.
Willie happened to show up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Although, he had some connection with Carl Winter.
Where did Carl fit into the picture?
Kat worked shampoo into her scalp, scrubbing hard to make sure the smell of death washed down the drain.
Deep in thought, she gasped when she pulled open the shower curtain to reach for a towel.
Jude sat in a chair in the corner of the bathroom, as if he had every right to be there.
He did nothing to disguise his hungry stare at her nakedness.
“I took a shower in Cody’s cabin.”
Kat’s anger lessened at the tenderness in his voice, but she kept her defenses firmly in place.
Pretending a relaxation she didn’t feel, she casually reached for a towel before climbing out of the tub.
She faced him safely covered with the towel.
“And you’re sitting in the bathroom while I take a shower because…?”
She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Because I couldn’t stay away.
Because I wanted to make sure you were okay.
Because I care about you.
Take your pick.”
She saw only truth in his eyes.
“Get over yourself, Callahan.
Who the hell do you think you are?
You come in here playing my heart like a harp.
Do I
seem like someone who’d put up with a man who turns their feelings on and off like a freaking water faucet?”
She grabbed a brush and pulled it through her tangled hair.
“I’m fine.
Honest,” she added when he opened his mouth to speak.
Her temper rose when Jude ignored her dismissal.
He stayed seated in the chair, crossing his legs.
“You were brutal out there tonight, leaving Willie’s body for the coyotes.”
Kat leaned back against the sink and regarded him with somber eyes.
“At last.
The real reason for your visit.”
She ran the brush through her wet hair.
“I told you guys to bring the body back here.
Or get a shovel and go back to bury him.
Although I assure you, even if you do that, the coyotes will dig him up.”
Jude’s mouth tightened.
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
Kat glared at him
“Exactly what did you mean?”
The tension in the room grew taut.
“Your attitude struck me as cold, hard and calculating.”
He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“I don’t think those characteristics are really who you are.”
Kat turned away and busied herself wiping up the sink.
“You’ve known me for a little over a day.
How can you possibly know who I am?”
She swallowed hard to hold back the tears, but two big hot ones slid slowly slid down her cheeks and plopped in the sink.
Determined not to let him see her cry, she turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face.
Warm arms enfolded her from behind, pulling her against a warm chest.
His body held the heat she craved.
Kat peeked in the mirror and met his gaze.
“You’re the first woman I’ve met who cries without making a sound.”
“I’m not crying.”
Even though she wanted nothing more than to lean against him, she removed his arms and stepped away.
“It’s my allergies,” she lied.
“Now go, so I can get ready for bed.”
His face hardened.
She prepared for his argument, but he surprised her by walking out and closing the door behind him.
Kat sank onto the chair, telling herself she’d done the right thing by rebuffing Jude’s attempt to comfort her.
Why should she chance opening her heart to him again?
How many times did she need to hear him tell her they had no future?
She discarded the towel, slipped on a large nightshirt and brushed her teeth before heading to bed.
*****
“Where’s Cody?”
Jude started when Kat entered the room, surprised she spoke to him.
“Is he downstairs?”
“He’s sleeping on the porch in the hammock.
Said he liked sleeping outside and thought it best someone be out there in case we were followed tonight.”
“Makes sense,” she murmured as she climbed into bed, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of well-muscled legs.
His heart beating double time, he took the plunge.
“Can we be friends?”
Silence.
He waited a few minutes.
“Did you hear me, Kat?”
“I heard you.
I don’t have an answer for you tonight.”
She sounded exhausted.
Tonight she’d reverted back to the woman he’d first met, the prickly one with a chip on her shoulder.
He preferred the woman he’d discovered since that first meeting.
He walked over and sat on the edge of her bed.
Before she could react, he reached over and let his hands perform their magic on her stiff neck and shoulders.
She rolled from her side to her stomach, giving him better access and moaned.
“I swear, Callahan, you should change your career.
That feels so damn good.”
“Relax and enjoy it, Kat.
You’ve had a rough night.”
Her body tensed when he pulled the nightshirt over her head.
“No ulterior motives.
Promise.
I can do a better job with it off.
“I bet you can.”
He smiled, glad to hear the humor back in her voice.
“Doesn’t sound as if we’re going to find your gems.
Hope you don’t get fired.”
Jude chuckled, kneading the knots in her shoulders and neck.
“I’m not worried.
Frank was well aware of that possibility.”
As he massaged the muscles in her back, he felt her stress fade away.
“What direction are you headed in now that your time in the Army is coming to an end?”
“I’ve no idea,” she sighed.
“My dream’s always been to make this a working lodge again, but I have no capital to make it happen.
I’ve been thinking about re-enlisting for another hitch.”
Jude’s hands stilled.
He gripped her arms.
Fear for her safety overwhelmed him.
“Tell me you’re not serious.”
“Unlike some people, I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
The hostile Kat made an appearance.
“And what’s it to you anyway?”
.
He worked out another knot.
“Why not come with me to
Her body stiffened, but his hands continued their circular rhythm.
“And do what?”
“Get to know me.
Let me get to know you.”
He held his breath.
She flipped on her back, either forgetting or not caring that she was naked.
He didn’t know which.
She snatched the sheet around her breasts.
“We’ve been down this road before, Callahan.
Remember?
It’s full of potholes.”
The sadness in her voice hurt Jude more than her anger ever could.
“Jude.
Please.
For both our sakes, accept that we either have a long distance relationship, visiting each other whenever we can or end what’s between us.”
She turned back onto her stomach.
On automatic pilot, Jude resumed his massage.
He knew she was right, but he refused to give up hoping or searching for a solution.
Within minutes, she fell asleep.
He placed a tender kiss on the back of her neck, lingering for a long moment.
*****
The minute he stopped touching her, Kat awoke.
She squeezed her eyes shut to prevent tears from escaping.
She’d never met anyone who even came close to this man in the bed next to hers and probably never would again.
How easy it would be to go to
Her conscience refused to consider the suggestion.
The fantasy she’d created about their love didn’t include
Visions of them working and playing side by side here at
Kat swallowed the lump in her throat and pushed away her fantasies, seeking the oblivion of sleep.
She pulled the pillow on top of her head to shut out the sound of his gentle snoring.
Chapter 8
‘Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition…and we’ll all stay free.’
Jude’s eyes sprang open, thinking someone was bellowing in his ear.
The he realized the God-awful noise was Cody’s resounding version of an old hymn.
A quick look confirmed that Kat still slept.
She needed it.
And he needed coffee to chase the cobwebs from his head.
Jude walked into the kitchen and laughed.
Cody stood at the baking counter wearing a white apron, surrounded by various cooking bowls, utensils, flour, sugar and spices, sporting a huge smile.
“What’s the matter?
Didn’t think I was chef material?”
Cody’s grin grew.
“Keep it down.”
Jude was still smiling.
“Kat’s still asleep.”
Cody sobered.
“How is she?”
Jude swallowed his jealousy and managed not to choke on it.
“She hides her feelings well.
She’s lucky to have you for a friend, although it kills me to say it.”
Cody rolled his eyes and heaved an exaggerated sigh.
“Well, I guess that answers my next question.”
Jude poured himself coffee from the thermos on the counter.
“It’s too early for word games.
Get to the point.”
He sat at the table and watched Cody’s large hands rapidly breaking one egg after another into the bowl.
“My point being, all’s not well in paradise.”
Jude grimaced, wishing he could deny it.
“You’re right.
I haven’t a clue what to do next.
I’ve tried to get her to agree to come to
“Are you crazy, man?”
Cody waved the wooden spoon in the air.
“If you thought she would move to the city, then you haven’t got a clue about her.”
Jude set the mug down with a bang, sloshing coffee on the table.
“I know she’s a loner and has a hard time trusting people.
I know she trusts me, or she used to.”
“Come on man, think about it.
If she lived in the city, she’d wither and die like a pond lily in the desert.”
Jude’s fingers rubbed his forehead in an attempt to ward off a headache.
“I’d hoped that…..Did you know she plans on re-enlisting?”
Cody’s dark brown eyes widened, and he stopped stirring his concoction.
“Tell me you’re kidding?”
“That’s what she said last night.”
Frustrated, Jude got up and paced the floor, wishing he had a degree in psychology.
Maybe then he’d be able to understand the damn woman.
“Shit.”
Cody furiously whipped the ingredients in his bowl.
“They’ll send her back to
“You’d follow her over there?”
Jude asked, astonished.
“I already told you.
She’s saved my life more than once.
Someone’s got to watch her back, and I owe her.”
“If it comes to that, I’ll owe you.
You make excellent coffee, Cody.
Strong, the way I like it.”
He refilled his mug.
“Maybe you’ll be able to convince Kat not to re-enlist.”
Jude winced at the pathetic plea he heard in his own voice.
“Yeah, right,” Cody drawled.
“And maybe Bin Laden will waltz into the American Embassy in
Want to eat or wait for Kat?”
