by Becki Willis
“Sounds like you’re one of his supporters.”
She could hear the cheeky grin in her editor’s reply. “If he’s granting us an exclusive interview, I’m not only a supporter, I’m a fan!”
“So tell me what I need to know about booking my trip.”
Kathryn provided all the pertinent details. Due to security concerns, the Senator’s office would take care of hotel accommodations and ground transportation. Kenzie would book her own flight, then be reimbursed by the magazine.
“And by the way,” Kathryn said before hanging up. “There’s a concert in Denver on Thursday night. I know you’ve been shooting that story on Sugar Rush’s comeback tour. They’re playing at the Red Rocks Amphitheater on Thursday, if you want to swing by and check it out.”
“I might just do that,” Kenzie said. She had planned to attend their Houston concert later in the month, but it would be cutting her deadline closer than she preferred. If she could get two shoots out of one trip, all the better.
As she searched for airline tickets, her mind drifted to Red Rocks. Denver was among one of the many towns she had lived in as a child, but she had not been back to the state since she was five. Kenzie usually ignored her formative years and rejected anything that reminded her of that difficult time. However, knowing she had a sister finally offered something positive about the past and made acknowledging her childhood a bit easier.
With a rare stroll down memory lane, she recalled her fascination with the mountains and the rocks she liked to collect. She had actually visited the Red Rocks complex several times. Looking back, she was surprised her parents had taken her there, since they seldom ventured out of the house. And their limited outings were certainly never for family fun, the one trip to the zoo notwithstanding. Kenzie vaguely recalled meeting a man at the complex once, late in the day. Probably a clandestine meeting with an informant, she thought, which would explain the outings to the middle of nowhere. She wondered how many criminals she had been exposed to in her innocence.
Thoughts of the key popped into her mind. Instinct told her it would only unlock trouble.
Her hand hovered over the keyboard. Should she stay the extra days in Colorado and go to the concert? It seemed the easiest solution, but a tiny voice of caution whispered in her head. Deciding to ignore the warning, she clicked on the extended return flight. A few more clicks and she had a hotel room reserved for two additional nights.
As an afterthought, Kenzie elevated her leg to combat swelling. She had six days before she boarded a plane. Six days to be back on her feet and ready for action.
***
Makenna and Hardin insisted on driving Kenzie to the airport and seeing her off. It was their first time to be separated since learning of their blood connection and the sisters were oddly reluctant to be apart.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, Kenna, we’re acting like we’ll never see each other again!” Kenzie finally said dismissively, yet she clung to her sister’s hand. “I’ll be gone for less than a week! What could happen in six days?”
“The last time I was gone for six days, I came back with a broken leg, a connection to the mob, the love of my life, and a twin sister!” Makenna reminded her with a laugh. She shot a loving glance to the handsome man at her side.
“Let’s hope my trip is less eventful. Hardin, take care of my sister.”
“You can bet on it.” He hugged her with genuine affection, his intense blue eyes twinkling with merriment as he added, “If you think you need your own Ranger to keep you safe, I know one who’s available.”
Kenzie stabbed a finger into his well-toned abs. “Not a chance, buster. I have work to do, and no time for arguing with that temperamental man. Kenna, give me one last hug so I can go. I didn’t wear this silly cast again for nothing. I plan to get on board first.”
“Okay. And I’m sorry again if I made you late. I completely forgot about the broken wheel on your suitcase.”
Kenzie already had her bags packed when she discovered the problem. The damage had occurred while Makenna was using the piece in New Hampshire, but the problem had slipped both their minds. At the last minute, Kenzie pulled an old suitcase from her closet, one she used primarily for storage. Dumping the contents onto her bed, she switched her clothes into the empty valise while Makenna fretted over the lost moments.
“Don’t worry about it, I should be alright.” She shrugged it off with a casual smile. “Love you!”
Kenzie put an extra stagger in her step as she approached the gate. Even though she no longer needed it, the air cast qualified her for early boarding and she was one of the first people allowed on the plane. Selecting a window seat near the front of the aircraft, Kenzie settled in for the flight into Denver.
She picked up her e-reader, but found herself unable to concentrate. Her mind kept drifting.
Unfortunately, it repeatedly drifted to a tall blond haired Texas Ranger. She had not seen Travis since the night he kissed her. Their worlds were spinning in different circles now. In fact, the only thing they had in common was that her twin sister was engaged to his best friend and co-worker; more than likely, she would not see him again until the wedding.
Kenzie puffed out a sigh. Kenzie and Hardin did not have a date chosen yet, so there was no telling when she might actually see the handsome Ranger again. And when she did see him, they would probably argue as they always did. She might as well put him out of her heart and out of her mind. Nothing would come of these silly thoughts of him. They had nothing in common, nothing to build a relationship on. Nothing but sparks.
But the memory of those sparks warmed Kenzie even now, over a week later. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to relive every moment of Travis’ kiss. She hadn’t been joking when she told Makenna her life was now defined as “before” the kiss and “after”. That kiss had changed her, changed everything.
By her own admission, Kenzie was a flirt. Oh, it was innocent enough, but the fact was, she enjoyed the attention of men. A shrink would probably say it had something to do with being ignored by her father as a child, some deep-rooted need to be loved and appreciated by the opposite sex. Kenzie did not know about that, she simply knew she enjoyed being the center of attention, particularly when men were around. It was not so much a sexual thing; she didn’t care if they were young or old, good-looking or dog ugly. She didn’t like to be the brunt of dirty jokes or sleazy comments, but she enjoyed catching a man’s eyes. She felt it was her personal duty to capture their attention. Her flirting was less about how it made her feel, and more about how it made the men feel. She loved making men feel good about themselves.
Something about Travis Merka was different. It was not just that the man oozed confidence; he hardly needed her to feel good about himself. And perhaps, she had to admit, that was part of the problem. He did not need her. But there was more there, something else that set him apart from most men. Kenzie had the uncanny feeling that if she let him, Travis Merka could ruin her for all other men. He could easily become her measuring stick, her standard of excellence, and she could not let that happen. Not to her, when she enjoyed men so much.
His masterful kiss was the perfect example. From now on, she would measure every kiss by Travis’s paradigm. She would compare other men’s kissing skills to his, and it would hardly be a fair competition; sexy as sin, the Ranger kissed as if he had invented the technique himself.
With an indignant sniff, Kenzie swore she didn’t care if she ever kissed another man. And she liked kissing!
Fully irritated, Kenzie jabbed the refresh button on her e-reader and ignored visions of the tall Texan stalking her brain. She was going to forget all about Travis Merka and simply read her book for the remainder of the flight.
Chapter Four
Kenzie collected her old suitcase from the luggage carousel and made her way to ground transportation. She had dialed the number provided by Kathryn and now a long black limousine waited for her curbside.
“There will be a sligh
t delay while we wait for the private jet to land,” the driver informed her as he tucked her into the luxurious interior. “Please help yourself to the bar. The wait should be less than an hour.”
“Thank you.”
She immediately took off her cast and propped her leg onto the cushions beside her. She hated to admit it, but her leg was swollen and hurting. At least she had the luxury of a few moments to herself, when she could simply sit back and relax. A chilled bottle of water, bite-size chunks of chocolate, and soft tunes playing in the background were all she needed in order to unwind.
By the time the other passengers arrived, Kenzie’s leg was already feeling better. She tucked the air cast into her bag, slipped on a fashionable teal pump that matched her outfit, and fluffed any dark curls she might have crushed during her ten-minute nap. She settled against her seat in a more dignified posture and studied the two men approaching the car.
The first man was small and wiry. He made a compact figure of efficiency with his neatly trimmed mustache, smart bow tie, and leather bound attaché case. From the top of his dark head to the tips of his shiny wing-toed shoes, he was all spit and polish, and he could not have stood more than five foot three.
The man behind him was dressed similarly in dark navy, yet on his athletic frame, the suit looked more edgy than polished. Over six feet tall, he had the solid, muscled body of a football player. Kenzie instinctively scooted over, allowing more room to accommodate his size. Even with half his face hidden behind dark sunglasses, she knew he was a very nice looking man: dark auburn hair, clean-shaven cheeks, firm chin.
The driver opened the doors for the newcomers. The big man stepped in first, folding his body to fit inside the confines of the back seat beside Kenzie. His cologne was strong and spicy, just like the man, but not too overpowering.
He greeted Kenzie with a charming smile and a huge hand that engulfed hers. “Craven Shaw,” the big man introduced himself. He pulled off his shades, revealing smoky blue eyes. As the smaller man scrambled in behind him, taking the rear-facing seat, he continued. “This is my associate, Bernard Franks.”
“Kenzie Reese.” It was an effort to make her smile encompass both men, when Craven Shaw was the kind of man to hold the spotlight all to himself.
“I’m very familiar with your work, Miss Reese. You could even call me a fan. I must say, however, that a woman as lovely as you should be in front of the camera, not behind it.”
In spite of herself, Kenzie blushed. She had heard similar remarks before, but the hand still holding hers was warm and dominating, and sending odd signals to her brain. She gracefully pulled her hand free, so that she could offer it to the man sitting across from them.
“That’s very kind of you to say,” she murmured. She forced her attention to the second man. Was his name Fife? He certainly looked a lot like Barney from the old Andy Griffith Show. She racked her brain, trying to recall the introduction made just seconds ago.
“Franks,” he supplied, shaking her hand. His grip lacked the firm confidence and tingling impact of his companion’s. “Bernard Franks.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you gentleman.”
“Senator Lawrence regrets that he is unable to join us for this meeting,” Craven Shaw told her. “If things go smoothly with the Appropriations Committee, which of course he chairs, he may be able to join us the last day.”
“That would be wonderful.” Kenzie pretended more enthusiasm than she felt. Not much of one for politics, she failed to be impressed by his congressional title.
“I see you’ve found the fridge,” he smiled, nodding to the bottled water she held in her hand.
Bernard Franks did the honors, taking it upon himself to get drinks for both men. It was obvious that the bigger man was in charge, even though he introduced his companion as an equal. As Franks deftly mixed up two drinks with quick, efficient movements, he offered to make one for Kenzie.
“I’m good, thanks.” She was already feeling unsettled enough, without the added effects of alcohol. Something about Craven Shaw caught – and held – her slightly off balance.
They made idle chitchat as they rolled away from the city. Kenzie caught glimpses of snowy mountain peaks in the distance as the altitude beyond the mile-high city continued to rise. It would be dark soon, and already it was difficult to enjoy the view around them.
Noticing how she kept glancing out the window every few miles, Craven Shaw finally said, “I’m sorry it’s too dark to see this evening.”
“Yes, Colorado is such a lovely state.”
“So, you’ve been to our state before?”
“It’s been quite a while, but beauty like this is never forgotten.” She nodded to the mountains she could no longer see beneath the dark night sky. Turning back toward him, she said, “I take it you are from Colorado originally?”
“Absolutely.” Pride warmed his voice. “Grew up near Steamboat Springs, played football for Colorado State, then made the move to Washington. Naturally, I still own a home here in the Rockies.”
To be polite, Kenzie included Bernard Franks in the conversation. “And you, Mr. Franks?”
“I’m from back East,” he supplied, glancing down as his cell phone rang. It was at least the third call in a half hour. “Excuse me, I must take this.”
While he talked on the telephone, Craven Shaw leaned in closer to Kenzie so they could have their own conversation. “And you, Miss Reese? Where are you from?”
“Please, call me Kenzie. And although I’ve lived several places, my home is in Texas now.”
“Ah, another gorgeous state. And you’ll call me Craven, of course.”
“Of course.”
Blue eyes twinkled at her. “I think we’ll locate our rooms first, then have dinner. We should be getting close to Estes Park by now. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at a charming set of cabins, set along the banks of the meandering Fall River. Kenzie loved it immediately. The cabins were located out of the downtown area and just off the highway but had the feel of seclusion. Cocooned between mountains on either side, the setting was idyllic.
The moment the limo stopped, another man in a dark suit was there to assist with luggage. Judging from the clothes and dark shades and the way no one bothered to introduce him, Kenzie assumed he was part of the security detail. As she followed him into the smaller cabin on the right, she wondered why a senator’s staff would even need security. It seemed a bit over the top, another example of taxpayers’ money spent frivolously.
Spending it on rooms like this, however, was perfectly acceptable. Kenzie forgot all about wasted tax dollars as she surveyed her cabin. This was rustic elegance at its best, and her idea of camping! Her eyes darted to the necessities – coffee pot, microwave, flat screen television, thermostat controls – then lingered on the details: large stone fireplace, exposed beams, scrubbed pine cabinets, leather couch with cheerful red and cream gingham pillows.
She impatiently waited for the man to deposit her luggage and go, so she could investigate the rest of the cabin. The backside of the fireplace warmed the bedroom and to her delight, the bathroom featured a large Jacuzzi tub and radiant flooring. She wondered if she could skip dinner and stay in tonight.
Knowing that was not an option, Kenzie opened her suitcase and began hanging up outfits to avoid more wrinkles. She took a few minutes to freshen her makeup and fluff her hair, and decided to trade her pants for a free-flowing floral skirt. The teal colored silk blouse and pumps stayed in place. A long silver necklace and a coordinating scarf fashioned loosely across her shoulders turned her outfit into casual chic.
Kenzie stepped out onto the deck that served as a front porch and riverside balcony. The evening air was crisp but pleasant and the sound of rushing waters was a welcomed chorus. She sent Makenna a text, telling her what a beautiful place it was.
“Quite breathtaking.”
The deep masculine vo
ice startled Kenzie. She whirled around to find Craven coming up her porch steps. He still wore his navy slacks but had traded the button up shirt and jacket for a beige cable knit sweater. The bulky fabric did wonders for his already wide shoulders and muscled chest. He could have as easily been a model as he was a politician.
Kenzie smiled. “I think the sound is almost as beautiful as the sight.”
“Perhaps.” Something in his noncommittal reply and his smoky blue eyes told her he was not referring to the view of the river, but the nonverbal clues were too subtle to be construed as inappropriate. They were embarking on a working relationship and did not need the sticky matter of sexual innuendos coming between them.
Taking no offense, but pleased at his implication, Kenzie looked past him. “Where is Mr. Franks?”
“On the telephone. As soon as he’s off, we’ll be leaving, if that’s alright with you.”
“Fine,” Kenzie nodded agreeably. With a playful grin, she added, “He does like his phone, doesn’t he?”
Craven moved a step closer, his eyes shining with mischief. In a conspiratorial tone, he confided, “He usually walks around with a headphone, so it makes it look like he’s talking to himself.”
Kenzie laughed aloud. “I have trouble picturing him as anything less than the epitome of efficiency. Seen talking to himself doesn’t fit his image.”
“That’s what makes it so hilarious,” he grinned.
“So what is his title? What position does he have on the Senator’s staff?”
“Officially, Franks is Press Secretary. And a very efficient one, as you have already guessed. Unofficially, he is ‘the man behind the man’. He’s been with the Senator from the very beginning.”
Some of the pleasure left Kenzie’s face. She had guessed this trip was more about bolstering Senator Lawrence’s approval ratings than righting injustices done to the local communities, but she resented being used to accomplish his self-serving goals. Still, she did appreciate the chance to be working again and the fact that a U.S. Senator was conscious of her work. By covering the story, she could serve more good to the people of upper-state Colorado and bring proper attention to the situation, even if the byproduct was a boost to the Senator’s ratings.