Whispers of the Heart (6 page)

“My mom.”

“Yeah, your mom.”

“What stupid thing did you do?”

“I stole into my dad’s liquor cabinet. Decided that, at eleven years old, I was man enough to take a swig or two – or ten. Then decided that I could swim – which I couldn’t. So, when that same gangly fifteen-year old girl returned over a decade later, son in tow, and asked for their help, I wouldn’t let my mom and dad say no. Not that they would have. They felt obligated also – for my life. “A life for a life”, they said.”

“I guess I owe you one then as well.”

“You’ve already repaid me – a thousand times over.”

“I don’t see how you figure that? What you did for me and mom...”

“Don’t you remember our reunion thirteen years ago?”

“Oh, yeah, that.”

“Yeah, that.”

“You thought you were man enough to handle a swig or two – or ten – of whiskey, and big enough to take on ten equally drunk cowhands.”

“Yeah, losing your wife and kid will make you crazy.”

“I know.”

“I know you do, but if you hadn’t magically showed up that day and kicked ass for me, I probably would have been buried next to my wife. I never did figure out how you knew where I was.”

“Your parents told me.”

“Ah. Well, you know the rest. You started this spread and asked me to come work for you. Helping you build this place and keep it running, kept me going all these years. You may not have realized it at the time, kid, but if you hadn’t brought me here to work with you, I probably would have gotten into another bar room brawl eventually and ended up with my head bashed in.”

“What gets me is that I’ve known you nearly my entire life and
you
never mentioned any of this.”

“I promised your mom that I wouldn’t, and that I’d keep you safe.”

“And ignorant?”

“And ignorant. She figured the two went hand-in-hand. Of course I never expected...”

“That I’d go back?” Dalian interrupted. “That’s why you seemed so surprised when I told you I was leaving for the reservation. Not because you were concerned that I was abandoning the ranch, but because...”

“I wasn’t sure how understanding and forgiving you’d be, once you found out that I’d kept your past from you. Your mom must have had concerns too, because she certainly didn’t say anything. So, now that you know, are we okay?”

“The past is past. I only wish you and mom would’ve trusted me to hold onto my own memories. I may have been a boy, but I was never weak.”

“Well, you proved that enough times. I guess if I hadn’t promised your mom, I would’ve 'fessed up long ago.”

“You loved her, didn’t you?” Dalian asked suddenly, reading more into his friend’s body language than his words revealed.

“Yeah, I did. That bother you?”

Dalian shook his head, “Not really, no. None of it bothers me as much as I figured it would. I guess water under the bridge washes away most everything, including revelations that can otherwise make a man bitter.”

“Wow, a poet and he didn’t even know it.”

“You’re twisted, old man.”

Harvey laughed. “Wouldn’t be happy straight.”

“Better watch what you say, or someone might misconstrue that statement.”

“Now, who’s being twisted?”

Dalian laughed.

“So, are we cool?” Harvey asked, suddenly serious again.

“We’re cool.”

Harvey sighed, relief flooding through him. He’d carried the burden of Dalian’s past for so long, the release made him feel downright giddy. “So what now?”

“We get ready for our guests that are due to arrive next month.”

“Yeah, and don’t forget that two of those guests...”

“Have breasts. Yes, I know. You really are twisted, old man.”

“Nah. I just have a good appreciation for breasts.”

“Welcome to
Heart of the Mountain
Dude Ranch. My name is Harvey Bennett and I’m the foreman here. I’m usually the one to show you folks a good time during your stay.”

“Usually?”

Kat glanced toward the young man that had spoken, and then her gaze slowly moved from person to person, wondering whether they felt as she did. Tired, yet eagerly alert; simultaneously feeling out-of-place, yet oddly at home.

“Yes, well, unfortunately, I’ve got a family emergency and am leaving this afternoon, but not to worry none, folks. I’ll be leaving you in the capable hands of the owner of this fine establishment. In fact, he should be along shortly so that I can make the intros.”

“Doesn’t he usually help you anyway?” Another guest asked.

“No, he sees to the day-to-day running of the ranch itself. Something I help him with the rest of the year. But come spring, when we open the touristy part of the ranch, he maintains the actual ranch, and I get to spend my time with you fine people.”

The sound of an approaching horse reached her ears and she looked over her shoulder. Her eyes widened slightly and she sucked in a deep breath. She heard a sharper intake next to her and glanced to her right. The bombshell blonde, in skin-tight jeans that had arrived at the ranch at the same time as she had caught sight of the approaching rider as well and was eyeing him with possessiveness. Looking at the man seated in the saddle, Kat understood all too well. He had a confident bearing that bordered on arrogant, but Kat figured that any man that looked that good had a right to carry himself that way.

“Here he is now, folks,” Harvey said, as the rider reined in his horse in front of the line of vacationers. “I’d like to introduce you to Dalian Rivers, owner of the
Heart of the Mountain
Ranch.”

“Welcome folks,” Dalian said, tipping his hat. “Everyone, please call me Dalian.”

Kat heard a sigh and for a moment thought that it escaped from herself, and then realized that it came from the blonde. She did sigh then, softly and with relief. She’d never make an idiot of herself over a man, even a man as sexy as this one. Obviously, the blonde had no such compunctions, for she was smiling very idiotically, a dreamy expression on her flawless features. “That’s a mighty fine specimen,” she breathed.

“Which – the horse or the man?” Kat asked humorously.

“What horse?”

Kat rolled her eyes, but had to laugh at the woman’s blatant show of lust. Her laugh faded quickly when she looked back to the rider. He was looking at
her
. Surely, he didn’t think
she
was the one drooling over him adolescently.
Keep dreaming, cutie.
She smiled thinly and he grinned. He tipped his hat and turned his attention away.

“Before we let you go and get settled into your rooms, we have something here we like to do; help folks get acquainted better so you don’t spend so much time feeling like you’re in the company of strangers.”

“Oh, but I don’t feel that way at all,” the blonde said airily, which made Kat wince. “In fact, I’m feeling right at home.”

Oh, brother!
Kat thought when she caught a glimpse of the batting eyelashes aimed at the ranch’s owner.
Laying it on a bit thick aren’t you, blondie?

“Well, that’s how we want you to feel, little lady. We hope that you all feel that way before the end of the day. And since you seem to have fewer inhibitions than most folks,” Harvey said to the blond, “we’ll start with you.” Harvey cast a glance at the boss man. He kind of hoped the boss noticed her, but he didn’t. Of course, he’d have been surprised if he had. The boss didn’t tend to mix business with pleasure. Still, the signals this girl was sending could be picked up three states away. Too bad, he thought, she’d definitely make a good distraction. “Why don’t you tell us your name, what you do, and what made you decide to visit a dude ranch?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” the blonde cooed, “I came to meet a real-life cowboy; and for anyone who’s interested,” she said, eyeing Dalian, “my name’s Chloe Harper and I model lingerie. Or, I used to. I’m sort of retired now.”

“Well, if I could’ve retired when I was as young as you, I’d have jumped at the chance,” Harvey said, grinning.

“No you wouldn’t have, you old coot,” Dalian laughed, “Ranching’s in your blood and you know it.”

“Dalian’s got a point,” Harvey laughed, and the tourists chuckled politely, “Well, anyway, it’s a right nice pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Harper.”

“Likewise,” Dalian said politely.

“Oh, I’m sure,” Chloe said, and Kat rolled her eyes again. This
blonde was certainly going to prove the ‘blondes have more fun’ saying, she thought, if the glances she was receiving to her “I’m an available lingerie model” speech were a good indication.
Well, have at it, sister,
she thought.

“And what about you, little lady?” Harvey asked, addressing Kat.

“Oh, well,” Kat said. “Um, my name is Kathryn McMurray, but my friends call me Kat, and I’m a writer.”

“That’s a charming accent you have there, little lady? Where are you from?” Harvey asked and was thrilled to see Dalian’s attention perk up.

“Georgia.”

“Ah, a real Georgia peach.”

Kat smiled politely, but didn’t know what else to say, and then Dalian was asking her a question.

“What do you write, Miss McMurray?” Dalian asked. “Or is it Missus?”

“It’s Miss,” Kat said. “Now,” she whispered, and then continued. “I, um, write different things, really. I’m just a novelist.”

“Well, Miss Novelist,” Dalian grinned, “welcome to my ranch.”

“Thank you,” Kat replied and wondered why she suddenly felt so flushed. She was glad that Dalian didn’t ask any more questions, and would have liked nothing more than for attention to be shifted on to the next person, but then Harvey was asking her yet another question.

“So,” Harvey interjected, “what brings you here,
Miss
McMurray?” He asked, more for Dalian than himself. He’d seen Dalian perk up when she spoke in that lilting southern accent, and smiled. He should have known that he would go for the brunette over the blonde. Especially one with a voice as smooth as honey.

“Call me Kat, please, and I’m just on vacation.”

“Ah come on now, little lady,” Harvey prodded. “A trip to Europe is a vacation. A dude ranch is fun, yeah, but you can get mighty dirty learning to rope a cow. In fact, we rarely get women vacationers here for that very reason.”

“That’s okay. A little dirty, hard work never hurt anything, except maybe a manicure.”

“Yeah, and don’t forget my pedicure,” the blonde interjected and everyone again laughed courteously. Kat smiled politely.
Apparently, Miss Blondie has a difficult time sharing the limelight.

“Well, you’re still mighty welcome, and definitely easy on the eyes.”

“Thank you.”

“That goes for you too, Miss Chloe.”

“Oh, without a doubt,” Chloe grinned.

Harvey finally moved his attention onto the others standing in line, and Kat determined to pay attention and not allow her mind to dwell on the fact that she could see Dalian Rivers
watching her out of the corner of her eye. It was only an occasional glance, but it was still a little unnerving having someone so gorgeous watching you when you weren’t all that certain if you wanted the attention.
Of course, your mind could simply be playing tricks on you
, she thought.
He may actually be looking at Chloe, the blond former lingerie model.
If anyone was out of place on a ranch, it was she, so why didn’t either man grill
her
about her reason for being there?
Because she really
is
here to find a cowboy, that’s why
, she thought.

She glanced around nonchalantly, and her gaze met
Dalian’s. She felt a small shiver tickle her neck.
Far too sexy
, she thought, smiling slightly.
Especially when he smiles
. She turned to look back at Harvey.
Safe territory there,
she thought.
Cute, yes, but too old to be my type. Great! That means I’m admitting that the owner
is
my type.

“Well, folks, welcome once again. If you will follow Mrs. Guthrie into the house, she’ll see that you all get registered, settled, and then fed a hearty meal.” The guests turned in unison, talking amongst themselves. Kat tagged along, thinking to herself.

“Hi, I’m Chloe.” The blonde fell into step beside her.

Kat jumped inwardly at the intrusion, but quickly recovered. She looked at the blond, wondering if the woman was truly as empty-headed as she acted. A glance into her eyes confirmed she wasn’t. This was a very shrewd woman, and her gaze revealed that she could be a force to be reckoned with, if crossed. Then again, so was she. She smiled. “Hello.”

“You’re Kathryn, right?”

“Kat’s fine.”

“Since your friends call you Kat, does that mean we can be friends?”