by Clay, Verna
Skye was in the midst of swallowing the last of her juice and gulped, coughing uncontrollably. She grabbed a napkin and rasped, "Sorry. You–you have a daycare here?"
Bertram nodded. "Yes, we do, and it's Kitty's brainchild. She even requires all department heads to volunteer at least one hour a week to help out." He laughed at Skye's expression and answered her unspoken question. "And that includes me."
Skye lifted her hands to her cheeks. This was all too much. Her brother was married and living in a doublewide in the desert, her grandfather was chasing the world with a woman named Princess, and her stepbrother was in charge of the Rutherford Empire and volunteering at a daycare center.
Bertram reached to pat her shoulder. "I know, sis. I can't believe it, either. I was the biggest asshole around until Kitty got her sweet clutches into me. Come on. I want you to meet her."
Chapter 25: Cowgirl Kitty
Skye followed Bertram to the stairwell. He'd asked if she wanted to ride the elevator five floors down or get some exercise. She'd chosen exercise. After each flight, however, he'd entered the office area to call greetings and speak with employees, introducing Skye to new faces. She mentally shook her head. She couldn't wait to meet the woman who had converted Bertram from a jackass into a human being.
They finally reached their destination: two large doors opening into an area with a glassed in room on one side and a long counter on the other. Inside the glass room, Skye counted eight toddlers. One was sliding down a plastic slide and two were crawling through cubes. Two women were holding toddlers. The first woman looked up as Skye and Bertram stepped through the double doors, the second had her back turned and held a child under each arm while speaking to two more who were gazing up at her with tear-stained cheeks.
The lovely woman facing them waved. She was tall and thin and wore a colorful smock apron over sixties style pedal pushers. Bertram grinned and returned her wave. Skye decided she must be Kitty. Bertram said to Skye, "That's Bethany Lacrosse; she's the new head of finance. It must be her turn to volunteer." Silently, Skye scolded herself for falling into the same snare of making a hasty conclusion as the doorman.
Behind the counter opposite the daycare, a young woman with mahogany hair pulled into a high ponytail, said cheerily, "Hello, Mr. Babcock. We've been waiting for you and your sister." She smiled at Skye.
Bertram said, "Hello, Jo-Beth, I'd like you to meet Skye Rutherford." To Skye he said, "Jo-Beth came with Kitty from Dallas to work here. She's Kitty's right hand woman and we'd be in a pickle without her."
In a pickle? Did Bertram just say, "In a pickle?" Skye and Jo-Beth greeted each other and Skye noted all the shelving behind the counter that was filled with blankets, toys, backpacks, diaper bags, and everything else mothers and fathers would bring for their children.
Bertram said, "Come meet Kitty."
Kitty was still turned away from them holding the two toddlers and talking to the crying ones. Skye thought about how Bertram was often written up in society pages and photographed with statuesque and exquisitely coiffured socialites. Kitty was so different from those women that Skye did a double-take. Kitty was short; maybe a couple of inches shorter than Skye, and round, round as in, chubby. Bertram's Kitty set the two children she was holding down and patted the heads of the other two.
Then she turned around.
Skye almost gasped aloud. The woman had the countenance of a forest fairy, exotic and sweet, with uptilted eyes and a tiny nose above a full, heart-shaped mouth. Kitty grinned widely showing off perfect teeth except for a small gap between the two front ones. Rather than detract from her fairytale beauty, it enhanced it.
Skye glanced at Bertram. The man was practically swooning. This was definitely not the same Bertram she had grown up with.
Bertram touched Skye's elbow. "There's my lovely lady." Then he said low, "Of course we have to remain professional at work, but in here, I kind of let things slide."
When they reached the door to the enclosure, Kitty was already there and held it open for them. Bertram said, "Hi, honey. This is my sister, Skye."
Without hesitation, Kitty enfolded Skye in a hug. "Howdy, Skye. I've sure been wantin' to meet you." She spoke with a full-blown Texas accent.
Skye hugged her back. "And I you."
Now Skye had a close up of this unusual woman. Her exotic eyes sparkled emerald green, and her complexion, creamy and pale, personified the phrase, "peaches and cream." As if her face wasn't enough, her hair was a magnificent riot of pale blonde curls that touched her shoulders, and only a shade away from being platinum.
One of the children began tugging on Kitty's jeans and she bent to speak with the little guy. It was then that Skye registered Kitty's sixties attire. Her jeans appeared modern, but her pullover top had an appliqué of a puppy dog on the front and a kitten on the back.
Bethany, the other woman, stood off to the side and Bertram made the introductions while Kitty dealt with the child. After that, the children who had been crying started up again, and Kitty laughed. "I guess I better solve the missing doll mystery or these twins aren't going to stop crying." She grinned at Skye. "I hope Bertram told you about supper tonight." She made a waving motion toward her hips. "As you can see, I love to cook."
Skye answered, "Oh, yes. Ah…I didn't mean I could see..." She wanted the floor to swallow her up. She finished lamely with, "I'm looking forward to dinner."
Kitty laughed happily. "You're a sweet woman, Skye. But I'm not sensitive about my weight. I've carried extra pounds all my life, just like my mama. And my mama's the happiest woman alive. My daddy dotes on her. They had six kids and I'm the only girl. So don't you worry 'bout sayin' anything that might hurt my feelins'. On my first date with Bertram, I told him he could take me the way I am, or forget any more dates." She grinned at Bertram. "And as you can see, he likes the whole package." She winked at Bertram.
Skye glanced at her stepbrother. He was blushing.
Bertram is blushing?
Instinctively, she knew that anyone who could make Bertram blush would become a fast friend. She couldn't wait to take pictures of Kitty and Bertram together and she was going to frame one and send it to Max and Pilar. It was time for Max to see for himself the change in Bertram and the woman responsible for it. It was also time for both Skye and Max to stop referring to Bertie as their stepbrother. He was their brother.
Chapter 26: First Class To France
A traffic accident delayed Skye's afternoon limo ride to JFK International and she barely made it to her gate on time. As she walked through the jetway to the plane she placed a hand over her pounding heart. She was more breathless knowing she was about to see Kade again, than from the dash through the airport.
A steward and stewardess greeted her warmly as she stepped inside the plane and into first class. Scanning the occupants, she watched a dark haired man turn from gazing out the porthole. His eyes lit when he saw her and her heart ceased its rapid pounding. In fact, she could have sworn it stopped altogether. Stepping toward him, she said breathlessly, "Hello, Kade. Sorry I'm late. The limo got caught in traffic." Damn, why did I have to mention the limo? He's got an aversion to women with money.
His expression didn't change and when she reached to store her backpack and carryon overhead, he stood to assist. "Here let me get that." He moved behind her with his back pressed to hers as he lifted the bags into the overhead compartment. Skye's body went from feeling warm to feeling on fire and her heart started racing again.
Kade asked politely, "Would you like to sit by the window?"
"No, you go ahead."
He returned to his seat and she sat beside him. A beautiful stewardess greeted them and made sure their seats were upright and their belts fastened. The woman's gaze lingered on Kade as she said, "My name is Amy, and as soon as we're airborne, I can get you drinks and snacks. It's my pleasure to serve you." The woman was blatantly obvious in her attraction to Kade.
For the next twenty-five minutes, the plane tax
ied to the takeoff location while personnel went through the usual instructions about exit points, oxygen masks, and no smoking.
As soon as they were airborne the captain released the crew to perform their duties and Amy made a beeline for Kade. "Would you care for a cocktail, sir?" She glanced briefly at Skye. "Ma'am?"
Kade leaned his seat back. "No, I'm good."
Skye said, "I'd like a glass of orange juice, please."
Amy sent Kade a brilliant smile and glanced briefly at Skye. "I'll be right back with your juice."
They were now above the clouds and Kade turned to Skye. "I really want to thank you for joining me. I feel like a fish out of water. The only country outside the U.S. that I've visited is Sonora, Mexico. I motorcycled down to Guaymos for a few days after moving back to Oasis from Phoenix. I suppose you've been overseas many times."
"Yes. My mother loves France and we spent much time there. That's one of the reasons I was so excited to learn your photo layout was going to be in the Provence region. It's simply fabulous! Did you get a chance to go through the itinerary I sent?"
"Yes; quite impressive. I even researched the locations on the internet."
Amy returned with Skye's orange juice and became overly solicitous again. When she left to help another passenger who called for her, Kade leaned toward Skye and asked, "Is it just me, or is she a bit over-the-top? Are all first class stewardesses so helpful to the point of irritation?"
Skye bit the inside of her cheek to keep from blurting the truth. It's your combination of looks and first class seating. She wonders if you're famous. Skye sighed. And soon you will be.
She turned toward Kade and spoke softly, "Sometimes, but not always." With a twinkle in her eyes she finished with, "I guess you got lucky."
Kade grimaced but didn't reply to that. Instead, he asked, "Did you have a nice visit with your stepbrother?"
"Oh, yes. I met my brother Bertram's girlfriend and she cooked dinner for us. All I can say is that Chef Ramsay better watch out. She broiled steaks that were melt-in-the-mouth perfect and made a pasta salad to die for. She also made something called crazy bread with mayonnaise, sharp cheddar cheese, onions, and sourdough bread." Skye saw Kade's questioning look and reassured him, "It was delicious. Maybe I can make it for you someday."
He responded with a smile, "I'd like that."
"Anyway, Bertram isn't the same man Max and I couldn't abide, and after meeting Kitty, I understand why. She's one of the most loving, compassionate, caring people I've ever met. And she looks like the fairy queen of a magic forest."
While conversing with Kade during the flight, Skye often lost track of time. Occasionally, the captain's voice came over the intercom to update everyone about their progress. He also commented on weather conditions, informed passengers when they entered new time zones, and sometimes gave interesting tidbits of information. He spoke first in English and then in French. As for their stewardess, Amy was indeed over-the-top helpful—and irritating—Kade's words. But Michael, the steward, was excellent and between Amy and him, they never lacked for anything.
Skye and Kade's conversation for the first couple of hours was mostly centered on Oasis. Kade informed Skye that the mysterious owner of the town had begun remodeling buildings on Main Street and that Josiah Wilson, owner of the museum, with unbridled enthusiasm, kept everyone at Desert Princess Diner advised as to the progress of the upgrades. Kade chuckled when he relayed that Mrs. Wilson wasn't so enthused. Then he told her about the newspaper ad that had been taken out by the mysterious owner, requesting artifacts for the museum.
Skye said, "Sounds like the whole town is involved. That's a good thing."
Kade grinned, "You could say the whole town except Mrs. Wilson."
Skye asked, "Have you seen any of the donated museum pieces?"
"A few. Josiah grabbed me one day and insisted I go to the storage shed with him."
Leaning forward, Skye asked, "What did you see?"
Kade smiled at her enthusiasm. "There were several pieces of mining equipment—shovels, pick axes, head lanterns, stuff like that—some old letters written to residents of the town back in the day, storage trunks, clothing, wash boards, and things that I have no idea what they are."
"I'd love to visit the museum when it's finished."
"Why don't you?"
His tone made Skye glance into his eyes. Her heart jack hammered, but then she chided herself for wanting to read something in his voice and gaze. Impersonally, she responded, "Next time I visit Max and Pilar, if it's open, I'll be sure to stop by."
Kade settled back in his seat and Skye changed the subject. "How is Shiloh?"
He sighed. "About as well as can be expected from someone who needs a hip replacement. She never complains about the pain and it kills me knowing she's hurting." His head was leaning against the headrest and he turned it to look at Skye. "I hate feeling so helpless. The surgery is scheduled for a month from now."
Skye lightly touched his hand. "It's all going to work out."
Kade twisted his hand to cover hers and squeezed.
They conversed a few minutes longer and then, with his hand still covering hers, each became lost in their own thoughts and drifted to sleep.
Skye woke and saw Kade flipping through a magazine. He paused on every page that featured a male model. She reached to lift the front cover—Esquire. Glancing sideways at him, she said, "Soon, that will be you."
He puffed a breath. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. I'll probably look like an idiot and make a fool of myself."
Skye shook her head. "No, way. Like I said before, you're a natural."
Kade grinned and whispered, "Are you my own personal cheering section?"
They were interrupted when the captain came over the intercom. "We are now halfway to our destination of Avignon, France. I trust your flight has been pleasant. Please do not hesitate to ask for amenities that you may require, such as pillows, blankets, drinks, or snacks. We thank you for flying European Skyways."
An hour later, Amy and Michael were serving dinner and Amy was still trying to engage Kade in meaningful conversation. Skye grinned as she cut into a roasted chicken breast.
After Amy moved on to another passenger, Skye said, "I've flown this airline before and it's always pleasant and the food is good."
Kade leaned toward her. "And the help is friendly."
Skye laughed. "Well, you better get used to women wanting to strike up conversations with you. This layout in Vogue is going to make you famous."
Chapter 27: Avignon
Kade listened to Skye's excited chatter about Vogue Magazine and inwardly sighed. He didn't want to be famous, he didn't want women chasing him, and he wasn't looking for one-night stands, he was looking for… He jerked his thoughts away from what he wanted, but they'd already gained a foothold. What he wanted was what Shiloh had nailed the head on. He wanted a wife and children. He'd been resisting those longings since his breakup with Ashley, but seeing his cousin Pilar's happiness with Max only intensified what he tried to resist.
After dinner, they talked, slept a little, and talked some more. Even though he was in first class, the long flight finally had Kade's legs cramping. He could only imagine being crammed into a coach seat for so long. Then he chided himself for thinking like that. He refused to behave like a coddled brat. If his ticket had been coach class he would have been cramped and just dealt with it.
Glancing at Skye carrying on a quiet conversation with the businessman across from her so as not to wake anyone, he remembered the cashier's check he had brought for her. When her conversation ended, he bent to her ear and said, "After we debark, I have something for you. I said I was paying your expenses for this trip, so I had a check made out to you after I received my advance. I had it made out for three thousand dollars. Keep track of your expenses and anything above that I'll reimburse you after I receive the balance of payment."
Skye glanced at him with startled eyes. "I really don't need–"
<
br /> He lifted a finger to her lips.
"You may not need it, but I need to do this. Don't argue."
She snapped her mouth shut, opened it again to say something, but was cut off when a voice came over the speakers.
"This is Captain Boucher. We are now beginning our descent into Avignon-Caumont Airport, located eight kilometers from Avignon, the largest city in the Provence Region of France. We should arrive within twenty minutes. Please follow the instructions of our crew as they prepare for landing. The time in Avignon is 6:10 a.m. and the weather is cool and clear. I thank you for flying European Skyways, the only airline with a direct flight from New York's JFK International to Avignon-Caumont International in Provence. We hope you will choose European Skyways for future international flights or flights within Continental Europe. Copilot First Officer Dufour and I wish you pleasant travels. It has been an honor serving you." The captain then repeated his message in French.
Kade moved his chair upright, fastened his seatbelt, and turned to see if Skye needed help. She was already buckled up and staring out Kade's porthole. She smiled and said, "I absolutely love this area. Wait until you see the lavender fields and the sunflower fields. Many times they're juxtaposed to each other and the colors are unbelievable. Did you know that the painters Van Gough and Ceyzan created many of their masterpieces in Provence?"
Kade replied, "No. I didn't." At that moment, he considered Skye's expression a masterpiece. Her eyes, bluer than the sky shone with enthusiasm, and her pretty mouth, slanted upward in a smile, drove longing deep within him. He wanted to connect with this woman on a soul level. He also wanted to discover the taste of her mouth. He hadn't slept with a woman in several months and his body craved that physical connection, but he also craved something else, something elusive, something insatiable…he craved a woman to love. When his subconscious mind allowed his deepest desires into his conscious mind, he was startled. So startled, that Skye said, "Kade, are you all right? You look a little green. Are you feeling airsick? Should I call the stewardess?"