Only tonight, she’d be working out for a very different purpose. When she finished, she wanted to be able to hit the shower and then drop into bed without another thought of Travis.
Good luck with that.
* * *
“They both heard me!” Danny whooped and did a fist pump in the air to celebrate his victory. Yes! His vibration must be getting stronger or something. “Did you see that, Ben?”
Ben shrugged. “See what?”
How could he have possibly missed it? “A little while ago, before they went for their ride,” he prompted. “When I whistled to bring Angus under control to keep Trav from getting killed, not only did the horse listen, but Katie thought Travis had whistled and vice versa.”
Ben harrumphed. “Well, I wouldn’t have minded it one bit if Travis had been trampled by Angus. Then he wouldn’t be taking advantage of my daughter the way he just did.”
Danny stood stock-still as the smile faded from his face and glared at the old man. “What do you mean, taking advantage of? From where I hovered, Katie kissed him back.”
“She’s vulnerable, young, and impressionable.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, but that woman’s in her thirties and well beyond the age of not knowing what she wants. She wants him, all right.”
“Then why did she hightail it back to the barn?”
“Because she’s stubborn—like you are.”
“I like to call it using her head,” Ben argued, crossing his arms.
Danny shook his. “Why do you want her to be alone and miserable the rest of her life? Trav would be a fantastic husband to her, the best there is.”
“Doesn’t matter what I think. She doesn’t want him around and, apparently, isn’t going to tell him about Chelsea.”
“I’d lay odds that she comes around before Sunday. She’s wavering because she can’t find any reason not to tell him.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean she wants him in her life, just that she might allow him in Chelsea’s.”
“It’ll be pretty hard to separate one from the other.”
“Which is probably why she hasn’t confessed yet.”
“You sure are a killjoy, Ben. Not just with me, but wishing the worst for Katie, too.”
“That’s a matter of opinion what’s best or worst for her. I’m not saying I don’t want her married. Every woman needs a husband.”
“Tell that to an independent woman.” Danny grinned. “And Travis has a lot of strong, independent women, from his mother to his three sisters alone. He also knows how to find balance in control. I’m sure, if he had to, he’d relinquish authority in some areas.”
“Kate’s as independent as they come. She isn’t going to let some cocky man come in and tell her how to run things.”
“Oh, Trav’s not going to take over running her farm. I’m just saying he likes to be in charge in the bedroom.”
“What are you talking about? He’s not getting anywhere near Kate’s bed.”
Danny chuckled. Dream on, old man. Dream on.
Despite Ben’s being blind to what was happening right in front of them, Danny continued to celebrate having gotten through to both Katie and Travis, even if they weren’t completely convinced yet that it was truly him.
More work to do. One way or another, Danny intended to make Travis see he needed to go after what he wanted in life—Katie Michaels.
* * *
Sleep didn’t come quickly to Travis that night. Katie’s refusal to acknowledge the undeniable chemistry between the two of them had left him beyond frustrated. He’d never be able to relax enough to get any rest. Not to mention trying to figure out why she was fighting the attraction. Was there someone else? Did she have a date Sunday with whoever it was?
Hard to believe she was all that serious about the mystery guy because she damned well participated willingly in that kiss. So why the brush-off right after?
He’d never fallen for any woman like Katie in his entire life. Oh, there had been others he’d dated—mostly the ones Danny had thrown in his path who were looking for a man to settle down with and have kids. He hadn’t been ready for anything permanent at the time, and eventually, Danny had quit trying to fix him up.
Hell, even though it had annoyed him, he’d love to have Danny try one more time to find him someone because that would mean he wouldn’t be gone. Would Danny have approved of Katie for him? Travis had certainly talked about her enough, especially when the two of them were awaiting their next move in Iraq and had time to kill. Travis wished he could have introduced the two of them before…
Once upon a time, he’d dreamed of settling down with Katie, having kids, and building a good life together. He’d tried to pretend—to himself, at least—that he’d gotten over her long ago, but those old wounds had been split wide open the moment he laid eyes on her.
Why had she sent him away in the first place? He ought to ask her, but she seemed so evasive about anything personal that she wouldn’t tell him anyway.
Travis rolled over and punched the pillow, taking out some of his frustration—but not nearly enough. On top of being haunted with thoughts of Katie, his Danny delusions were getting worse, simply adding to what kept him awake long into the night. This sure as hell needed to come to a stop.
Danny’s death was the most devastating loss Travis had suffered in his life. Yeah, he’d been heartbroken when Katie dumped him, but as this week was proving, that couldn’t be repaired. Danny, on the other hand, wouldn’t be coming back into his life again. No wonder his mind wanted to hang onto him, but Danny was dead and cremated, for Chrissake.
Let the man rest in peace.
Giving up on getting any sleep—or anything else—Travis decided to do something worthwhile. He should clean the saddle he’d used today. He tossed off the sheet, pulled on his jeans, and headed to the tack room next door. Flipping on the light, he laid out everything he’d need on the workbench.
The slow process of applying saddle soap and conditioner to the leather soothed his nerves. He’d missed riding and being around horses. Not that he was ever going to consider getting a horse of his own. He had more than enough to handle running his construction firm and taking care of his employees. But maybe he ought to find a riding stable nearby doing what Katie did and take lessons once a week for equine therapy or something. Or drop in on Jackson’s farm more often. Being around Angus today, despite his orneriness in the beginning, had been a balm to his soul.
The barn door opened. He waited for Katie to make her way to where he had the light on. Was she having a tough time sleeping tonight, too? Maybe the two of them should talk over what went wrong in college and whether there was any hope for working it out now. They could then make better use of these sleepless nights.
Grinning as he thought about those possibilities, Travis entered the barn aisle, glancing toward the door he’d heard opening, but neither that one nor the one at the other end was open. A niggling sense of concern sent him checking on each horse. He’d walked up one row of stalls and had started down the other when the smell of smoke bombarded his senses.
Fire being the biggest fear in any horse barn, he checked out the stall closest to the smell—Neptune’s. The horse whinnied at him when he looked between the holes in the grill on the upper part of the door. The horse’s gaze was intent upon the opposite corner from where the horse stood. Travis saw nothing but an oat bucket hanging on the wall of the stall.
He sniffed again. Vanilla pipe tobacco? Old Man Michaels was the only person he’d ever known to smoke a pipe, and that was his favorite flavor of tobacco.
“Mr. Michaels?”
Sheesh. Still talking to dead men much?
“Everything all right?”
Travis nearly jumped out of his skin at the voice then realized it was Katie, not another ghost.
“Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t mean to scare you, but I came downstairs for a drink and saw the light on out here. Wanted to be sure none of the horses was having
a problem.”
No, she wouldn’t come out here to check on your sorry ass.
She wore a long T-shirt and a pair of tennis shoes. She must have dressed in a hurry because he could swear she wasn’t wearing a bra or shorts. Had she been sleeping in the nude? As if he’d given himself away by staring, she crossed her arms in front of herself.
Too late, darlin’.
But had she just come into the barn? If so, where was she when he’d looked in the aisle a few minutes ago? “Do you smell tobacco?”
She sniffed the air. “No.”
“For real?” Maybe he was going nuts. “It smells just like your dad’s pipe tobacco.” Travis didn’t believe in ghosts, either, but needed a rational explanation for what he was experiencing if not a ghost.
She gave him a wistful smile. “I used to sense him in here when he first passed. He loved the horses so much. Maybe he’s hanging around still.”
Seriously? “So you think he’s haunting the barns?”
“Oh, no. Haunting sounds creepy. But I’d like to think he’d pay a visit every now and then as more of the benevolent spirit of a loved one.”
Then why wasn’t he letting her smell it? Old Man Michaels wasn’t exactly what Travis would consider his loved one.
But who wouldn’t think it nice to pretend their loved ones never really checked out? Travis would be the first in line to see or talk with Danny again, mainly to ask him why he’d done it. But he didn’t intend to give in to any more wishful thinking.
Her smile faded. “Daddy didn’t expect me to be able to do as well with the farm as I have. I can’t imagine him coming around anymore.”
“You’ve done an amazing job, Katie. I’m sure he’d be proud of you. I know I am.”
She glanced at the dirt floor and muttered, “Thanks.” Why wouldn’t she believe him? She met his gaze again and added, “Listen, don’t worry about Daddy. He won’t bother you out here.”
“Knowing him, he’s probably doing it just to freak me out.” Or keep me in line around his daughter. “He never did like me much.”
She grinned lopsidedly. “He wanted to be top dog—not only in my life but on this farm. If he met you today, I think he’d love you.”
“Why’s that?”
“For one, he was intensely patriotic. You served your country when you could have easily focused on building your business skills rather than giving up those prime years to the Army.”
“The Army only improved my skills.”
Her eyes twinkled in the dim light. “Daddy would have liked hearing you say that.” She shuffled her feet and stifled a yawn.
“Back to bed, missy.” He took her by the shoulders to turn her around and send her back to the house, but touching her sent his good intentions out the window. Staring down at her like this, all those emotions from up at the springhouse came back with a vengeance. When she didn’t shrug out of his hands, he pulled her closer. Still no sign she wanted to bolt.
He lowered his face to hers, and her eyelids fluttered closed. Have mercy! He might regret this for the rest of his life, but he pressed his lips against hers—tentatively at first, giving her one last chance to get the hell away. Instead, she snaked her arms around his neck, tilting her head and opening her sweet mouth to him.
Once again, he took what she offered. How could he resist? Who knew when her mood would shift again, and she’d push him away?
She tasted of mint. The woman turned him on like no other had. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her curves into his body. Grabbing her hair, he pulled her head back until her mouth opened more completely to him.
The kiss grew deeper, and he lost himself in her until her passionate moan was followed quickly by her hands pushing him away. Again. Her eyes showed passion…and confusion. Damned if he’d apologize for this kiss, either.
“Why?” she asked.
Why what?
Why’d he kiss her?
Why’d he come back to her?
Why’d he stop kissing her?
He fought to control his breathing. “I think you’d better go back inside, Katie.” Where you’re safe. From me. Not that he’d ever hurt her, but he hadn’t had a chance to go to the drugstore for protection, and he respected her too much to let things get out of hand unless he could be responsible. He wanted her more than ever, but for keeps this time. Until he understood her reason for breaking it off all those years ago, he’d better not fan the flames.
“You don’t need to be losing any more sleep.” This time when he grasped her shoulders, he turned her around and gave her a gentle shove in the direction of the barn door. He couldn’t resist smacking her pert little ass for good measure. “Don’t come anywhere near this barn in the morning until after you’ve eaten breakfast. I’ll take care of the horses.”
She stopped and turned to face him, tilting her chin back. “They’re my responsibility.”
“Maybe so, but while I’m here, consider me another hand. Allow yourself to wake up naturally, rather than to the sound of an alarm at the crack of dawn.”
He pictured her eyes opening for the first time tomorrow morning. Would her hand search him out in her bed after dreaming about him during the night?
Yeah, dream on.
His groin tightened imagining it. In his fantasy, she didn’t have on a stitch of clothes, either. If he kicked his morals to the curb right now, he’d be the first thing her eyes would light upon when they opened in the morning.
Don’t go there.
She sighed as if disappointed in his resolve to send her away. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this to you of all people, but I’m exhausted. I’ll set my alarm for an hour before the first lesson—but don’t expect me to start following orders like I’m one of the troops you’re used to bossing around.”
“What makes you think I gave orders?”
She shook her head and grinned. “Because you’re a natural leader and a take-charge person. Even if you barely outranked them, I have no doubt the men in your squad followed your direction.”
“I could say the same about you—being a take-charge person, that is.”
“You do what you have to.” She pivoted around before tossing back over her shoulder, “Get some sleep yourself. Breakfast will be about eight-thirty. Join me.”
He grinned as he watched her walk away. “I’ll be there.” In his mind, he stripped off her shirt. But that fantasy wasn’t going to come true until she trusted him again. To that end, he’d continue to share meals and other times with her.
I’m not giving up on you so easily this time, Katie.
Chapter Eight
When she heard the knock on the kitchen door at eight-thirty sharp, a sleep-deprived Kate emptied the rest of the sausage patties onto the platter beside the well-done scrambled eggs. A bowl of cubed cantaloupe she’d harvested from her garden the day before yesterday was all she could find to go with it.
“Door’s open!”
“Smells wonderful.” Travis sounded as cheerful as ever.
“I’ll bet you’re starving after all the work you did this morning. I’m just glad I set that alarm for eight or I might still be snoring away.”
“You never snored.” She’d only slept at his place a few times after they’d become intimate before she’d called off the relationship.
“I’m older now, and the Ohio Valley takes a toll on your sinuses over the years.” Chelsea let Kate know in no uncertain terms that she snored like a freight train, although her daughter slept lightly and might have exaggerated a tad.
The two sat across from each other at the oval table. Kate still wondered why her dad had visited the barn last night. Probably to scare Travis off. Funny that even in the afterlife he didn’t trust Travis around her.
“What are you grinning about?”
She wasn’t aware she had been. “Oh, just thinking about…last night.” When he beamed at her, her insides melted making her forget what they were talking about. Then she realized they weren�
��t on the same wavelength. “Did Daddy give you any more trouble after I left?”
He sobered. “Oh, no. And he wasn’t any trouble in the first place. A little alarming maybe. You never want to smell smoke in a barn. Once you confirmed it was your dad, I didn’t allow him the satisfaction of bothering me.” Apparently, Travis hadn’t forgiven Daddy for all the slights while she and Travis had dated, either. “How’d you sleep, Katie?”
“Like a baby.” A colicky one.
“Glad to hear it.”
She took another bite. Should she invite Travis to stay in her guest room instead? Why didn’t the thought freak her out as much as it had two days ago? Oh, Katie, be careful.
She was calling herself by Travis’s nickname for her now. Sounded right to her ears.
“The apartment isn’t too bad, is it?” she asked. She’d spent a few nights out there before hiring Miguel. Now he handled most of the long nights waiting for a foal to be born, unless multiple mares were in labor at the same time.
“Not at all. Don’t worry about me.” He took another bite of his eggs and asked, “So which is more lucrative—breeding and selling horses or training horses and riders?”
“I really need to do both to stay afloat. Each has its season. I’m slowly making a name for the stables with a number of excellent performance horses sold in recent years, but until I have that coveted World Champion, I won’t be in high-enough demand as a breeder to stop training. Plus, I love working with young students.”
“Maybe Melissa’s Miss Pickles will be the one.”
“I didn’t breed that one, but I did train her, so perhaps that would help my reputation in that regard.”
“How many stallions do you have?”
“Three. A fourth will be on loan from another stable next month, though. He’s a two-time World Champion. I’m hoping he’ll give me some fine foals that will be the break I need to make it to the next level.”
Kate's Secret (Bluegrass Spirits Book 2) Page 10