Damaged Hearts (7 page)

~X~

He woke up the next morning with a smile on his face, until he realized she was gone.  He climbed out of the bed and slipped his pants on leaving them unbuttoned and padded silently to the kitchen.  There, he stood quietly in the doorway admiring the way the sunlight streaming through the window turned her honey blonde hair to copper.  After realizing what she was doing up, he cleared his throat as not to startle her and entered the kitchen.  Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he bent down giving her a good morning kiss.  “Good morning Sunshine.”  He said, happily following her outside on the porch.

They sat together in comfortable silence watching the horses run in the pasture and some crows pecking at the ground before hop, skip, and jumping into flight.  The coffee and companionship were good and Kat savored both as she sipped the creamy fragrant brew.  Rick’s arm slid over her shoulders to gently tug her closer and rather than argue, she allowed the contact.

“I’ve come to a decision.”  She offered, not knowing that Angel and Matt stood behind them in the doorway.  “I want Angel and Matt to have somewhere to raise a family where they can both be comfortable.  There is plenty of land and water available here and there is the barn and bunkhouse.  The house is big enough for a family unless they have more than five children, and if that were to happen, some of them could share a room.”

“That’s all fine and dandy,” Angel announced, interrupting her sister. 

“But what are you going to do for a home?”  Matt finished.

Kat jumped.  After collecting herself, she looked at Angel and announced, “We’re going to be twice sisters.  I have decided to marry Rick and move into his home.  I plan to take part of the stock and give you then rest as well this house for a wedding present.”   

“When did you decide all this?”  Matt asked devilishly.  “Looks like big brother followed in my footsteps and got the cart before the horse.”  He laughed looking at Rick’s unbuttoned pants. 

“So, we can have a double wedding!”  Angel exclaimed.  “When do you think we can find a preacher?”

“I was going to head into town today for supplies.”  Matt said.  “I thought maybe Rick and I could get a list from James of what he needs if he’s going to cook for the bunkhouse; we can stop and talk to the preacher too.  You girls may as well get a list together too so we can get everything in one trip.”

Rick kissed Kat as he got up and went inside to clean up, leaving her to talk to Angel.  Matt headed out to the barn to get Warlock and Lucifer saddled up and ready to go.  “What do you think Angel?”  Kat asked.  “Can I do this; can I give up everything on the hope of having a man that loves me and the possibility of having my own children?  You know me, am I being crazy to hope for this?”

“Kat, listen to yourself.”  Angel said.  “You are gaining a man that loves you and the possibility of having children; does it really matter where you live so long as you are living?”

“You’re right.”  Kat replied.  “But I can’t help but be scared.  I screw up everything I touch.”

“How can you say that?  Look how I turned out.  Look at the cattle and the horses.  Look at the perfectly trained dogs we have and at how well our riding stock respond to the slightest pressure of a foot, leg or flick of the wrist.  Kat, everything you touch turns to Golddust!”  Angel exclaimed. 

“Yeah, and now he wants me to leave Golddust Ranch behind and make my life at Dark Magic Ranch.  It’s like turning my back on the light of my life.”  Kat answered nervously.

“Or you can look at it like following the rainbow after the storm.”  Angel added.  “Finding love and being happy can’t be wrong Kat.  It’s about time that it’s happened for you after so many years of sadness.”

“Oh Angel, I can’t believe this is happening.”  Kat said crying.  “Look at me, I never cry and I’m bawling my eyes out.  I am so nervous that I’ll screw everything up.  Am I doing the right thing?  Can I really do this and have it turn out good?”

“Take a deep breath and listen to me.  Rick is one of the best things, if not THE best thing that has ever happened to you.  Yes, you are very stubborn and independent, but he knows that and he still loves you.”  Angel said.  “Granted, I don’t think things will always be easy but nothing ever is Kat.  I don’t think you should let this chance at happiness escape without at least having a sample.  Plus if it doesn’t work out for you, the ranch and I will always be here to welcome you back with open arms.”

Kat sighed as she thought about what Angel had said; she did deserve a chance at happiness and this looked like her best possibility.  Rick was not only handsome but he also seemed like someone she could share her dreams with.  He already shared her love of ranching plus she laughed to herself, she’d get all of her cattle back in a roundabout sort of way.

“Well, what are we waiting for?  We need to get our clothes for the wedding picked out!”  She grabbed Angel’s hand and the two almost collided with Rick in their hurry to start down the hall.

“Whoa!” He hollered, grabbing Kat by the arms to keep her from falling.  “What’s the rush?  You two look like you’re late for dinner or something.”

“One thing you’ll learn about Kat, is that she never does anything halfway Rick.  Now that she’s agreed to marry you, we have to get things ready so we will look perfect for our respective grooms.”  Angel laughed as Kat continued to tug her down the hallway.

Rick shook his head laughing as he followed them to Kat’s room.  “Ok, here’s what’s going on.”  He started.  “Matt and I are going to head into town to get supplies and to talk to the preacher.  While we are there, I think we may go ahead and pay a visit to the sheriff too.”

Rick held up his hands to ward off Kat’s protest.  “Let me finish Babe, then you can have your say.  We need to file a report to keep the sheriff and George from knowing that we’re on to them.  From there, we’re going to send out a few casually coded telegrams.  Of course, we need to send out word of our upcoming nuptials but we also need to call in some reinforcements.”

Kat sighed.  “Well, after hearing the whole thing I suppose I can’t argue with logic.  Just don’t expect me to like it.”

“Just promise me you won’t leave this house while we’re gone Kaitlyn?”  Rick entreated knowing the Kaitlyn would never break a promise.  “I want to know that you’re safe.”

“Don’t do this to me Rick.  You know we have to start checking the cattle and separating more of them for breeding.  Also, I thought you were bringing Coal for a visit; these others are really going to need the bull soon if we hope to have calves next spring.”  Kat argued.

“How about if I send Frank over to get Coal and keep James here for a little added protection?  I still don’t feel good about leaving you here but I don’t really think a trip to town would be good for you either.”

“I guess that will have to work if that’s all you’ll give.”  Kat said, avoiding the answer to the requested promise.

Rick bent down and gave Kat a lingering kiss before whispering “I know what you’re doing hun, I just hope I don’t regret letting you get away with it.”  He turned and went outside meeting up with Matt.  They both mounted and Kat and Angel stood side by side watching as their men rode off.

~XI~

Marie sighed as she stretched and rang for her maid.  Last night’s dinner was a wonderful success but so totally boring that she found herself wondering what life would be like if she actually had a purpose.  Her only friend was Frances and like her, her sole purpose in life was to preen and smile and be beautiful.  She hated being treated like a doll with no brain and no more usefulness then to set up on a shelf and be gazed at.

“Oh, I don’t care what I wear today Susan.”  Marie grumbled in reply to her maid’s pleasantly asked inquiry.  “I must go to Millie’s for a final fitting this morning and then I have the luncheon with the Mayor’s wife and Frances at one and a small dinner with father this evening.”

“My goodness Miss, you have quite a busy day planned.”  Susan bustled around pulling clothing out and helping Marie to dress.  “Will you be requiring Willie’s services today?”

“Oh gracious yes, I won’t have time to dally with the horse and to drive myself.  Also, I think the carriage might be better than the buggy judging from that bank of clouds forming.”  Marie replied. 

“I’ll see to it right after I finish dressing your hair Miss.”  Susan deferred. 

Once Susan left to give instructions to Willie, Marie silently paced the floor waiting for her coach.  “So what are you off and about to so early this morning?”  Her father asked jolting her from her thoughts. 

“Well hello Father, I was just telling Susan that I have the final fitting on my gown for the Spring Fling, then luncheon with Frances and her mother.  Then, tonight I have just a small dinner with you unless you have invited people over that I should plan for.”  Marie replied.

“No, no. nothing like that.”  He smiled patting her hand.  “I just thought you might enjoy a small shopping trip out of town.  I have a business trip I must attend to in Denver and was hoping that you might wish to accompany me.  We never seem to spend any time together anymore.”

“Oh Father!”  She exclaimed.  “I’d love to go to Denver with you.  What kind of business are you taking care of this time?”

“Just business Marie, nothing so important that you need to worry your pretty little head over it.  Why don’t you concentrate on packing and getting ready for the trip instead?  We can leave in the morning if that gives you enough time to prepare tonight.”  Her father said as he left the room and closed the door to his study.

Jumping up and down excitedly, Marie ran upstairs inadvertently leaving her gloves and reticule on her bed as she checked her appearance then ran back downstairs again.  “Your carriage awaits out front Miss Marie.”  Susan informed her when she reached the bottom. 

Marie had just reached the door when a knock sounded.  Knowing that Simmons was in the kitchen with cook, Marie opened it herself since she was heading out anyway.  “My, my, my look how low we have stooped.”  George said snidely from the other side.  “What is the world coming to when the hired help doesn’t even answer the door for you?”

“Oh!  How incredibly rude!  Drat you, you unpleasant pig!”  She said skirting around him and stomping off to the carriage. 

“Take me to Millie’s, please Willie.  I have a fitting and then I have a small amount of shopping that I hadn’t planned on.”  She instructed as Willie helped her in and closed the door.

“Yes ma’am, right away ma’am” He nodded in reply before hopping into the seat and taking up the reins. 

They were almost to Millie’s Place when Marie glanced down and realized that she had forgotten her gloves and handbag.  “Willie, I really must apologize but I seem to have left my bag at home.  Would you please turn the carriage and take me back to the house.  I really am dreadfully sorry.”

Always cheerful, Willie replied.  “Yes Ma’am, no problem at all.”  He turned the coach and urged the horse back in the direction they had just come. 

Upon arriving back at the house, Marie was so agitated with herself that she jumped down without waiting for Willie’s assistance and hurried towards the door telling Willie that she would be right back.  She opened the door and headed up the stairs and towards her room where she remembered leaving her gloves and reticule on the bed.  Noticing that the door to her father’s study was slightly ajar, she stopped momentarily upon hearing her name.

“I don’t want Marie to have any clue that there ever was a sister, George.  The sooner you take care of Kat Carson, the better.  I have arranged a trip to Denver and we are leaving first thing in the morning.  I assume that three days is enough time to kidnap one slight female and get out of town with her.”

“Yeah Boss.  I can get her out of town in that kind of time.  Do I really have to take her down to Arizona to get rid of her though?  You did promise that I could have her once our plans came together.”

“That was before you messed everything up by killing Robert.  Now, rather than keeping her until you’ve had your fill, you’ll have to enjoy her on your way to Sedona, collect the money, and leave her at Rancho Gato.”  Henry ground out, clearly irritated at being questioned.

Knowing that she could not, under any circumstances get caught listening at key holes, Marie quickly and quietly ran back out the door and to the carriage.  “Hurry Willie, you must take me to Kat Carson’s ranch immediately.”  She announced after arranging her skirts.  “This is an emergency and I don’t have time to explain everything as I don’t really know all of the details myself.  I have to speak with Ms. Carson; her very life depends on it.”

“But Miss Marie, what about your fitting and your luncheon with Miss Frances.  I know it’s not my place to question but won’t Miss Frances be worried if you don’t show up?”  He asked thoughtfully.

“Oh drat it, you’re right Willie.  Ok, let’s go by her house first so I can tell her what’s going on and then she can cancel my appointment for the fitting.  You’re a genius!”  She answered.

He then grabbed up the whip and made it sing in the air above the horse as he skillfully maneuvered the carriage through the busy streets.  In little time at all, they stopped in front of the Mayor’s grand home and Marie ran extremely unladylike towards the door beating on it several times.  In just a handful of seconds, Thurston threw open the door quite expecting to be presented with an emergency.

“What on earth is all that racket for Miss Marie?”  He asked frowning.

“I apologize Thurston but I must see Frances immediately.”  Marie huffed, silently cursing her corset, which made it quite impossible to breathe.  “It is an emergency but I can not tell anyone but her.”

“Shall I seat you in the parlor and send for her?”  He asked quite impertinently.  “I am certain that whatever the emergency, it can wait for her to dress properly.”

“Oh Thurston, don’t be such a stick in the mud.  You know Frances and I have been friends forever and we’ve seen each other in our bloomers before so I’m highly unlikely to swoon if I see her in a walking gown instead of a day gown.”  Marie stated as she neatly sidestepped the butler and ran up the stairs. 

She ran down the hallway calling out her friend’s name.  Towards the end of the hall, she turned to the right knocking only once before letting herself into Frances’ room.  “Frances, please come out of the dressing room.  I need to talk to you immediately and then I must leave.”

Her friend peeked her head out of the dressing room.  After ascertaining herself that Marie was alone, she came out grabbing her wrap but not bothering to put it on.  “What is all the commotion about Marie?  I could hear you downstairs.”

“What would you say if I told you my father was plotting to have someone kidnapped?  And even worse; what if I told you that that someone was my half-sister that I didn’t even know I had?”  Marie asked breathlessly.

“I would say that I think you might possibly be in need of a doctor.”  Her friend giggled.  “What is this nonsense that you are spouting?”

“It’s true.  I forgot my gloves and bag and had to go back to the house to get them.  When I came back downstairs, the door to my father’s study was slightly cracked and I overheard Father telling George that he was supposed to kidnap Kat Carson, take her to Sedona and to leave her there at some place called the Rancho Gato after collecting some money for something.“

“Oh my goodness!  You mean to tell me that those words actually came out of your father’s mouth?  I would have never thought that of him.  What could he possibly be thinking to do something like that?”  Frances shot out.  “Wait a minute…Did you say half-sister?”

“Yes, and don’t ask me too many questions about that right now.  I haven’t had any time to think it over and decide how I feel about it, if anything.”  Marie answered.  “Now, I haven’t much time.  I have to get out of here and try to warn her.  Here’s what I need you to do.”

The girls went over the plan quickly and Marie left in much the same way she had come in.  Frances then finished dressing and called for her coach, much to the surprise of Thurston.