Yellowstone Romance Series - Bundle (# 2-5) (52 page)

“I’ll announce your presence. Please wait here,” the woman said, and curtsied, then turned quickly and headed for a set of double-wide doors to the left. She knocked quietly, and a gruff voice told her to enter.

“The scout, Mr. Kyle Russell is here to see you, sir.”

“About time. Send him in, Eliza.”

The maid reappeared, and motioned for Kyle to enter. Curious, he stepped through the door she held open for him. Floor-to-ceiling book cases made up the walls of this room. A brick fireplace commanded the wall on the left. Kyle’s eyes roamed the rest of the room.  A large-bodied, balding man, whom Kyle judged to be in his mid to late forties, sat behind a large cherrywood desk. It was strategically positioned in front of a huge stain-glassed window, giving the man a complete overview of the room. By the looks of him, he spent most of his time behind that desk, and not enough hours outdoors. Kyle assessed the man discretely. His tailored suit couldn’t disguise his bulk, and he wondered vaguely if this man was fit enough for a journey through the mountains.

Peering up from a stack of papers in front of him, he said in a gravelly voice, “You the scout, Kyle Russell?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re a day late.”

“Yes, sir. I had family business to attend to. But we’ll still be ready to leave first thing in the morning. I can inspect your gear right now, and make sure everything is in order.”

Hiram Devereaux waved a dismissive hand at him, painting swirly gray patterns through the air with the smoke from the cigar he held between two fingers. “My three freight wagons are packed and ready to go. They’re parked down by the stables.”

“Freight wagons?” Kyle’s eyebrows rose. “My letter to you specifically stated you needed pack horses or mules. Wagons can’t get through the mountains.”

“Nonsense. I can’t pack all my provisions on mules. I need wagons.” He puffed on the stub of his cigar, the smoke enveloping him in a gray haze. Kyle’s eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath, and prayed for patience.

“Mr. Devereaux. I meant what I said in my letter. I won’t take you, or anyone else, through the mountains with wagons. It’s impossible. I’ll go through your gear, and if you provide me with some stock, I’ll have the things you’ll need packed and ready by morning.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Son, let me tell you something.” Devereaux pointed his cigar at Kyle. “I hired you. That means you work for me. And as my employee, you will do as I say.”

Kyle inhaled slowly. He’d met some high and mighty easterners before, but this man certainly topped them all. He was nothing but a pompous ass, and obviously used to people doing his bidding.  He was about to learn real fast that Kyle didn’t bend to anyone’s will.

Kyle walked up to the desk, and placed both his palms flat on the shiny wooden surface. Leaning toward the older man, he looked him straight in the eyes, and said in a low, quiet voice, “You may have hired me, Mr. Devereaux, but let’s get one thing clear right now. Out there in those mountains, I’m the boss, and I make the rules. That way I get everyone in and out safely. If you can’t follow my rules, if you’re not willing to do things my way, I’m not taking you.”

Kyle stepped back and folded his arms across his chest. This was going to be an agonizing three weeks. Part of him wished Hiram Devereaux would tell him the deal was off. Then he could get back to Virginia City, and to the woman who was constantly in his thoughts. 

Hiram’s face turned a deep shade of red, and his cheeks puffed, reminding Kyle of a bullfrog.  He glared at Kyle from behind his desk, and Kyle could have sworn he saw steam coming out of the man’s ears.

“Tell one of my men what you need for stock animals. I’ll draw up a list of items that I absolutely won’t leave behind.”

Those words must have been mighty painful for him to say, judging by the stilted way he formed his words. Kyle smiled inwardly.

“Just so we understand each other, Mr. Devereaux. I will adhere to your list as best as I can, but anything I deem as frivolous or unnecessary stays behind.”

Devereaux’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, and Kyle fought back a grin. He hated to get on the man’s bad side, especially since he was looking for his company’s support, but this man needed to be put in his place. The Yellowstone wilderness was not a Sunday ride in the park, and Kyle never wavered from his rules.

He realized suddenly that this venture might be a wasted trip for him. Swaying Hiram Devereaux to do him any kind of favors seemed to be impossible even under the best circumstances. All he could hope for was that the man would see the business opportunity in Kyle’s intended proposal. He was glad he hadn’t mentioned it yet.

Hiram leaned forward, his eyes narrowing, as he pointed the cigar stump he had wrapped around his beefy fingers at him.

“So, are you as good as your father?”

Kyle stared at him. “What do you mean?” He groaned silently. He didn’t need to ask the question, for he already knew the answer.

“I did some checking into you before I hired you. I always make sure I know the backgrounds of the people who work for me. Seems like your father did some pretty impressive things some years back. He’s sort of a legend in this territory. Are you as good as him?”

Kyle fought to stay calm. He clenched his jaw, and took a deep breath. “Mr. Devereaux, whether I’m capable of outrunning a war party of hostile Indians or not isn’t relevant to this trip. If you’re asking whether I know my way around the mountains we’ll be traveling through, rest assured, I’ve always brought back everyone alive.”

Devereaux’s bushy brows rose, and he leered at Kyle from across the desk.

“Ah, so you have your doubts. Must be hard, living in your father’s shadow. Doesn’t seem like you’ve done anything impressive with your life, other than act as scout for adventure seekers and idealists. Tell me, is your father disappointed in you?”

Kyle wanted to hit the smug expression off the buffoon’s face, and ram that cigar down his throat.

“Are we going to discuss my relationship with my father, or am I here to take you through the Yellowstone wilderness, Mr. Devereaux?” Kyle hoped the impact this man’s words had on him didn’t show on his face. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his features relaxed, and his facial expression impassive.

Kate’s face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Would she feel the same about him if she knew? By now, she must have heard about his legendary father. People in Virginia City were always eager to boast of their resident hero to any and all newcomers. Would she, like all the others, wonder if Kyle measured up?

Devereaux’s scornful laughter tore into his thoughts. “Be gone with you, and do what you have to do to get my supplies ready, scout.” He crushed the smoldering end of his cigar into the ashtray, probably envisioning Kyle’s head squashed between his fingers.

“I’m glad we understand each other,” Kyle said, eager to put some distance between himself and this man. He turned on his heels, and quickly left the fancy home.

Chapter 20

Kate had acted like a coward again. She’d been firm in her resolve to finally tell Kyle the truth about her marriage to Hiram. When Sarah had told her Kyle had left already that morning, she’d panicked. After tossing and turning all night, she’d finally fallen asleep in the early hours of dawn, and overslept. Sarah had told her that Kyle might still be at the livery, and Kate had raced through town. Kyle needed to know why she’d rejected him. All the hurt she’d caused him, she had to make it right. It didn’t matter anymore if Kyle returned her to her husband. The pain in his eyes the night before had been too much for her to bear.

She had planned to simply tell him that she cared for him deeply, and thank him for everything he’d done for her, then confess her marriage to Hiram. When she arrived at the livery, he’d stood there, looking at her with so much love and hope shining in his eyes. Kate had broken down. She had to tell him she loved him. She wanted to feel his arms around her one last time. He would hate her soon enough once she told him the truth.

Kyle had lifted her into the saddle at the livery that morning, and taken her back to the mercantile. Kate remembered Chase Russell with a wide grin on his face when they rode up.  Sarah had tears in her eyes. Right in front of his parents, Kyle had pulled her from the saddle, and into one of his embraces that melted her to him. He’d kissed her goodbye, leaving her standing on wobbly knees as he rode off.

Kate stared out the window of her little bedroom. She sighed deeply. Swirling high up in the sky, dark cloud formations rolled and changed shape constantly, announcing an impeding storm.  The cloudy skies reflected her somber mood. A young woman in love shouldn’t feel so sad. Hannah was proof of that. She talked nonstop about her fiancée and upcoming wedding. Kate tried her best to smile and share in her new friend’s joy. Her very short engagement before her own wedding had been anything but joyful and exciting.

Kate remembered feeling sickly shortly after her mother announced that Hiram Devereaux had asked for Kate’s hand. She’d been shocked when her mother told her that she’d given her consent. Both Hiram and her mother had insisted on a short, one month engagement, and a quiet, private ceremony. Not once had her mother consulted with her about what she wanted. As the days drew nearer to her wedding, Kate remembered feeling lightheaded and weak. She’d been so nauseous, she could scarcely hold down any food. It had gotten so bad that her mother had to summon the doctor. The medication he prescribed had only increased her lethargic state.

Kate moved away from the window, and straightened an invisible crease in the covers of her bed. Why hadn’t she simply said the words to Kyle?
“I’m married.”
Two words. He hadn’t allowed her to say it. It would have been quick and easy to let the words slip out.
You’re still a coward, Kate
.

It had been two weeks since Kyle left. Two weeks of misery and anxiety, waiting for his return. She wouldn’t back down again. She would say what should have been said a long time ago, the minute he returned. Kate wondered how Kyle was faring in Hiram’s company. Somehow she couldn’t picture Kyle giving in to any of her husband’s demands. And she knew he would make demands. Hiram Devereaux was not the sort of man who allowed others to tell him what to do. But then again, neither was Kyle.

A soft knock sounded at the door, and Kate moved to open it. Kyle’s mother, Sarah, greeted her with a warm smile. Kyle’s parents and sister had been friendly and kind to her, including her in everything, as if she was truly part of the family.  

“I’m about to start on that pie crust, Kate, if you’d like to help,” Sarah Russell said.  Her eyes narrowed, and filled with concern. “You look sad, Kate. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Kate tried to sound cheerful. “And yes, I’d love to help, or else I’ll never learn how to bake a pie.” She hoped her smile looked convincing enough.

“I worry about him, too,” Sarah said, as they headed down the staircase. “But Kyle can take care of himself. Another week, and he should be back.” The older woman patted her lightly on the arm.

Kate smiled weakly. “I miss him,” she confided softly. “I’ll always miss him.”

“It’s hard when our men have to go away for any length of time. I remember Chase leaving me once . . . I thought I’d never see him again.”

“Did I just hear my name, Angel?” Chase Russell called from the kitchen. Kate followed Sarah through the living room into the warm kitchen that smelled like fresh apples. Chase stood at the counter with knife in hand, expertly rotating an apple in his hand, the green skin dangling toward the ground in a spiral pattern.

“Which one of you taught Kyle to cook?” Kate asked, surprised to see this big man standing in the kitchen, peeling apples.

“I don’t cook, I just do the grunt work,” Chase said, holding up the apple. Kate mentally shook her head. Sometimes she had a difficult time understanding the words Chase uttered.

Paper rustled to her left, and she turned her head. Samuel Osborne sat at the table, his body hidden behind a newspaper. Her eyes darted back to the couple standing at the counter. Chase had his arm around his wife’s waist, and the look in his eyes as he smiled at her when he offered her a slice of apple, made Kate’s heart ache. Kyle looked so much like his father, except Kyle wore his hair longer. She’d seen the same expression on Kyle’s face when he gazed at her. She bit down on her bottom lip. She’d never experience growing old with him, sharing a home, or raising children together. 

“Okay, Kate, let’s get started on the crust before all these apples disappear,” Sarah called to her. “It looks like a good portion of them have been eaten already.”

“I always save enough for your pies, Angel,” Chase whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, and kissed his wife’s cheek. He stepped away from the counter, apple in hand, and sat at the table.

“Anything newsworthy in the paper?” he asked Samuel.

“Nothing to speak of. What was the name of that railroad bigwig that Kyle was taking through the Yellowstone?”

“Some French name,” Chase shrugged. “Starts with a D . . . Dev something.”

“Devereaux?”

“Yeah, I think that’s it. Why?”

Kate stood at the counter with her back to the conversation. Her hands began to tremble, and anything Sarah told her at that moment about pie crust became mute.

“Hmmm . . . there’s an interesting advertisement he placed.” The paper rustled, and Kate glanced over her shoulder. Samuel had laid the page flat on the table, pointing to something.

Chase didn’t bother to look, but merely asked, “What’s it about? Hiring people for slave wage to build more tracks for his railroad?”

Kate’s heart beat faster.

“No,” Samuel cleared his throat. “Apparently his wife was kidnapped a little over a month ago. He’s offering a five hundred dollar reward for any leads to her whereabouts and safe return.”

Kate nearly gasped. Hiram thought she’d been kidnapped? He wouldn’t think that. He knew she’d run away. That had to be the story he told everyone. It would be difficult to explain a runaway wife. A kidnapping would certainly show him as the concerned husband, eager for the safe return of his wife. Especially since he offered such a large reward.

“Five hundred dollars?” Chase whistled. “I remember a time when a woman wasn’t worth more than three or four horses, and a couple of pelts.”

“Chase Russell!” Sarah whirled around, hands on her hips, and glared at her husband.

Chase grinned. “It’s true, Angel. That’s what your dad told me once.”  He reached for her arm, and pulled her onto his lap. “Of course, I would have paid double that amount for you.” He winked at her.

“She must be some woman. If she was kidnapped, didn’t someone demand a ransom?” Samuel asked, his eyes darting to each person in the room. “It says here, his wife is slightly built, of average height, and has golden blond hair.”

“Hey, Kate. He just described you.” Chase pointed a finger at her. “Of course, she’s probably horse-faced and has large bat ears. He didn’t mention that in the ad, did he?”

Kate coughed, and hastily reached for a cup of water.

“Kate, are you sure you’re all right?”  Sarah asked, pushing herself off of Chase’s lap. She placed the back of her hand on Kate’s forehead. “You didn’t look well when I came to your room, and you look very pale now.”

Kate stared at each person around the table, then at Sarah standing next to her. She set her water cup on the counter for fear she might drop it, and swallowed nervously.
It’s time, Kate. You have to tell them.
It would be easier telling Kyle if his family already knew.

“There’s something I need to tell you all,” she said, her voice cracking. She wrung her hands together in front of her, and inhaled deeply. “I . . . I’m the woman in the ad.”

“What are you talking about?” Sarah asked, her forehead wrinkled.

Kate looked her straight in the eyes. “My name is not Kate Devon. It’s
Mrs.
Kate Devereaux. Hiram is my husband.” Her heart hammered loudly in her ears, drowning out all sound around her. Three pairs of eyes stared at her.

Chase suddenly grinned, and snapped his fingers at her. “Didn’t I say it could have been you from that description? And I was wrong about you, too. You do have a sense of humor.”

Sarah and Samuel remained silent.

“No, I’m not making a joke.” Kate shook her head. Her eyes darted from one person to the next. “I wasn’t kidnapped. I ran away.”

The silly grin left Chase’s face. He sat up straighter in his chair. Sarah covered her mouth with her hand. Only Samuel seemed to maintain his composure.

“Kyle doesn’t know, does he? He’s not going to take this news well,” Chase mumbled.

And icy chill ran down Kate’s spine. She couldn’t stop the tears that welled up in her eyes. “I was trying to tell him the day he left. Please, believe me, I never wanted to hurt him. I . . . I fell in love with him. I’ve never met a man like Kyle.” She spoke quickly, trying to expel every thought from her mind all at once. “He didn’t want to listen to me, and said it wasn’t important, that I could tell him what I wanted to say when he returned.” She swiped at her eyes, and looked for understanding in the faces staring at her.  At the moment, there was only incomprehension.

“I knew there had to be a reason you’d turn down his marriage proposal, other than just wanting to go back to Boston.” Chase sounded almost relieved. There was no anger in his voice. Kate’s eyes moved to Samuel. He shifted in his chair, his face unreadable. Sarah moved to stand behind her husband’s chair. Chase reached up, and patted her hand.

“I never want to go back to Boston,” Kate cried, frantically begging for understanding. 

“How old is this Devereaux guy?” Chase asked suddenly, his eyes narrowed.  He looked Kate up and down. “He can’t be all that young. Talk about robbing the cradle. Were you like a child bride or something?”

“That’s enough, Chase,” Sarah hissed. She put her arm around Kate’s shoulders, and led her out of the kitchen into the living room. She pointed to the settee. “Here, sit down. I don’t want you to swoon in the kitchen.”

Kate sat, and buried her face in her hands. Sarah kept a supportive arm around Kate’s shoulders, gently urging her to lean against her. Kate let the tears flow freely into her hands, and Sarah’s hold on her tightened. Kate’s own mother had never treated her with such love and kindness.

Sarah sat quietly, allowing Kate to cry herself out. She stroked the back of her hair, and rocked her back and forth like a little child.

Kate sniffed, and raised her head. Sarah held a handkerchief out to her.  Kate accepted it with a trembling hand. She blew her nose. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She pulled away from Sarah’s embrace, looking around the room. “I’m sorry for everything.” Samuel and Chase stood stone faced near the fireplace.

“Kyle said when he found you, your back was covered in bruises. He almost thought you had a broken rib. He said he suspected the man who acted as your guardian had done that to you, and possibly worse.” Sarah’s quiet, even voice was comforting. She gently stroked her hand down Kate’s back.