Ketra glared at Trevor.
“Don’t be mad at me. All I asked is where you were headed.”
“Shut. Up.” She stood on the edge of the grooming kit and swung her leg over the top of the horse then charged out of the barn. When she caught up with Kenny, they loped toward the bottom pasture.
The ground remained crusted in places from last night’s frost, but the sun warmed her face. When they passed through the gate, they kicked the horses into a canter. After a few minutes they slowed and rode side-by-side.
“Why’d you say that?” Ketra tried not to sound irritated.
“Say what exactly?”
“All that shit about passion and relationships? We’re not in a relationship.”
“It’s tumultuous, but there’s something between you two.”
The confidence in Kennedy’s tone stirred up uncomfortable feelings in Ketra’s gut. “There is nothing between us.”
“Yes there is. Don’t even try to deny it because it’s obvious.”
Ketra opened her mouth, closed it, then gritted her teeth. How is it obvious?
Kennedy’s eyes, shined with amusement in the crisp autumn air. “I see how he looks at you. Last night at dinner, he couldn’t keep his eyes off you. I told you the dress was a good idea, by the way. And, I see how he looks out for you. Like walking you down to your house and then back up—much, much later.”
“I…we….”
“He didn’t have to do that.”
“H—”
“The real giveaway was you. You let him walk you home. And you let him walk you back to Uncle Rocky’s. You didn’t protest or argue. You let him Ket. That’s how I know.”
Ketra shrugged. “He knows I’m afraid, that’s all.” No way would Kennedy believe her lame excuse.
“But you’re not afraid of him.”
“I was. At first.”
“What changed?”
Ketra stopped her horse and raised her face skyward, gazing at clusters of fluffy white clouds bunched into bloated cartoon shapes across the brilliant turquoise sky. A solitary hawk swooped down then rode on an updraft of breeze before circling and swooping again. “He’s nice to me. Even when I don’t deserve it.”
Kennedy smiled. “Like how?”
Ketra shifted her focus to her sister. “He came to my rescue when one of the guys here hassled me. He fixed my spur. I didn’t ask him to. He took care of me when I was sick. I was puking, Kenny, and he just came right in my house and held my hair back and washed my face. He tucked me into bed like I was a baby. I was so embarrassed.”
“He sounds like a stand-up guy.”
Ketra fingered the buckskin’s mane. “He knows about Kyle.”
“I figured that out.”
Ketra noted the tenderness in Kennedy’s voice. The horses fidgeted, swishing flies with their tails.
“Why’d you tell him?”
Ketra took a deep breath. “There was a really bad storm. Mom called to tell me that Kyle was out. I panicked. I felt so alone. All I could think about was Kyle finding me and hurting me again, or maybe even killing me.”
“Oh, Ket.” Kennedy nudged her horse closer to the buckskin and leaned over to wrap an arm around her sister.
Ketra wiped tears from her cheeks and started the horse moving again. All she did these days was cry. That had to stop. “I’m not sure why, but I ran over to his house. I stood in his doorway and had a meltdown. There was so much thunder and lightning. I kept seeing Kyle’s face. Over and over. I felt his hands on me. There’s no way I could have stayed alone in my house. I got spooked.”
Kennedy plodded her mustang close to the buckskin. “You did the right thing.”
“I’m not sure what I was expecting, but he was so…kind and understanding. He just held me and listened and…let me cry.”
“You need someone like that, Ket. Someone you can lean on and depend on. Trevor sounds like the perfect guy.”
“I don’t know.” She sniffed and swiped her sleeve across her face, drying the last of the tears. “He makes me so mad.”
“That’s because he has a mind of his own and you don’t like that. And he’s strong and independent and willful. Just like you. You’re two peas in a pod.”
“He’s an arrogant bastard.”
“But you love him.”
Ketra stopped the horse and gawked at her sister. For several seconds she tried to identify the scary, confusing emotions bouncing between her stomach and her brain. She didn’t want to talk about Trevor any more. “How do you know you’re in love with Marco? He’s so different from you. He doesn’t even ride a horse, for God’s sake.”
A blissful kind of smile that only a woman in love can produce crossed Kennedy’s face. “I can’t explain it. I just feel so wonderful when we’re together. Like I’m safe and there’s no one else in the world but us. I can tell him anything, and no matter how bad my day has been, I know everything will be okay as long as I have Marco.”
The restless horses tossed their heads and stamped their feet, fruitless efforts to ward off the buzzing and biting insects. Ketra touched her heels to the buckskin. The mustang followed, weaving a crooked path through the tall grass.
“Did you know that Mom was engaged to someone else before she met Dad?” Ketra asked.
“What?”
“Uncle Rocky told me.”
“To who?”
“Trevor’s dad.”
“Your Trevor?”
“He’s not my Trevor. His dad is Uncle Rocky’s best friend.”
Kennedy laughed. “Seriously? How weird is that?”
Ketra tugged her horse to a stop. “Ask her about it when you get home. Speaking of home, we should head back. I always feel guilty when I’m not working.”
They turned and rode back toward the ranch. Cattle meandered through the lush pasture grass. Ketra wished for their unemotional existence. Kennedy’s words warred with her jumbled emotions. She felt safe with Trevor, but did she love him? She hated the person she’d become and longed for the carefree girl she used to be. Trevor and Kennedy made it sound so simple to have that again. But could she risk letting her guard down? She trusted Trevor. He made her feel safe. Is that enough? Is that love?
“You’re awfully quiet all of a sudden. Thinking about Trevor?”
Ketra snorted. “It’s always about love with you now, isn’t it?”
“Do you love him, Ket?”
“I don’t know.”
“Have you…slept with him?”
Ketra pressed her lips together and swallowed. When Kennedy hounded her with imploring eyes, she gave a meager nod.
“Was it…were you…was he…?”
“He was a perfect gentleman.”
“I’m glad. I thought maybe you’d never experience physical love because you’d be afraid of getting hurt. After Kyle—”
“I wasn’t afraid.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
The horses meandered. The jangle of tack and the occasional snort of a horse the only sounds disturbing the silence.
“I think you should at least explore the possibility of having a relationship with Trevor. He seems really nice, too nice for a one-night stand. And I know he loves you.”
“How do you know? And don’t say because of the way he looks at me.”
“He told me.”
“He told you?”
“Well, not in so many words, but he didn’t deny it.”
“So he didn’t tell you.”
“I asked. He didn’t deny. What does that say?”
The horses slowed to reach down and fill their mouths with dewy grass. Ketra tugged on the reins to remind her mare they weren’t stopping for a snack.
“All I’m saying is think about it,” Kennedy said. “Take a c
hance.”
“Being nice gets you hurt.”
“Stop it. You know that isn’t true. When Mom and Daddy brought you out here, they hoped you’d heal, that you’d find that happy person inside again. Instead, you’ve become bitter and despondent. I hate to see you this way. It’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
Ketra looked sideways at her sister. “I was attacked again.”
“What?” Kennedy yanked so hard on the reins, the mustang’s front feet came off the ground. She circled the horse, patting its neck to apologize for her abruptness. “When? Here?” Oh, my God. What happened?”
“A guy who used to help me in the barn. I trusted him. I was nice to him. He hurt me.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. He…he’s…he has special needs.”
“Does Rocky know? Does Trevor know?”
“They both know. He didn’t mean to hurt me. But I still feel like I can’t be nice to anyone.”
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell Dad?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m fine, Dad doesn’t need to know. Rocky took care of it.”
“That’s how you got the cut on your head, isn’t it? You’re not a klutz. I’ve never known you to be clumsy or accident prone.”
“Can we not talk about it? Please?”
Kennedy sighed and stopped the horse. “Well, shit. I’m so sorry.”
Ketra circled her horse to face her sister. “Does Marco know you swear?”
Kennedy snickered. “Marco knows everything about me. Speaking of Marco, he’s no doubt wondering where I am.”
“What was that you told me? Separation is a good thing. Adds a little mystery to the relationship. Keeps the passion alive.”
“That’s when we were talking about you.”
“Oh, I see how it works.”
“Speaking of me and Marco…how would you feel if Marco and I stayed here after we’re married?”
Ketra’s mouth widened in surprise. “I’d love it.”
“You mean it? You wouldn’t feel like we were moving in on your space or anything?”
“It’s not my space. It’s Uncle Rocky’s. I’m just lucky enough to get to live here.”
Kennedy chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes focused on the covered arena in the distance. “Since Trevor’s only here temporarily, Uncle Rocky offered us his cabin, as a wedding gift. He said we can stay as long as we want.” She continued to scan the horizon. “The new arena is perfect for training. I can bring my horses here and train year-round.” She turned her head back to Ketra. “And I’d get to have my baby sister back.”
Her sweet smile warmed Ketra’s heart. “That would be awesome.”
“Are you sure? Marco said he wouldn’t mind living with Mom and Dad if you’d rather not have us here. We don’t want to interfere with your work.”
“Are you kidding? You wouldn’t be interfering. We’ll figure out a schedule that works for both of us for using the arenas. It’ll be great.”
Kennedy prodded the mustang next to the buckskin. She spanned the distance between their horses to squeeze Ketra’s shoulder. “Let’s go tell Rocky then. I told Marco I wanted to talk to you first before agreeing.”
“Having you here would be wonderful, Kenny.”
“You know Marco’s gonna be here, too, right?”
Ketra rolled her eyes. “Will he at least try to ride?”
“Let it go. Come on. Race you back.” She took off toward the barn. Ketra didn’t follow. She needed some time alone to sort through her thoughts. She sat motionless, luxuriating in the tranquility surrounding her, admiring the landscape, the vast expanse of mountains encircling the ranch, their blue-purple peaks begging for their winter blanket of snow to enrich the soil and fortify the earth with moisture. Puffs of billowy clouds drifted overhead on a lazy journey to parts unknown. Maybe these same clouds would soar over Oklahoma, the home she’d left behind for good.
She arrived back at the barn several minutes after her sister. Kennedy’s mustang was already groomed and back in her stall when she rode in. Kennedy sat on the top rail of the fence next to Marco, talking and pointing at things in the distance. No doubt planning their future together. Rocky and Trevor stood next to the fence, interjecting occasional comments.
Ketra dismounted and removed the saddle and other equipment, replacing each item to its designated spot in the tack room.
Rocky ambled in as she curry-combed the horse. “I’ve got a couple of paint mares coming over this afternoon for breeding. Should make ole Lucifer’s day, huh?”
She smiled, “Yeah. I’ll be here when you need me.”
“You two have a nice ride?”
She stopped grooming the horse and looked at Rocky. “Kenny’s changed.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Probably not as much as you, I expect.”
“You think so?”
“You’re both growing up. Priorities change.”
She chewed on the corner of her lip. “You like this Marco guy?”
Rocky scratched the back of his neck. “She looks to be happy. He seems like a good man. Kennedy loves him. That’s all that really matters.”
Ketra moved to the other side of the horse, dragging the comb along its sweaty belly. “You still believe that? After what happened to you?”
“I loved Theresa. Love overlooks a multitude of sins.” He leaned a shoulder against the wall. “If Marco loves her back—and I believe he does—they’ll be fine. Put this horse away and come up for lunch. The others are headed up now. Sadie made her barbecued beans and I’ve got some ribs cooking. We’ll have us a picnic while the sun’s shining. Let’s show this pretty Italian boy how we do things ranch style.”
Ketra tossed the brush into the grooming bucket and unhooked the rope. “So, you still believe in love?”
“I do.” He cocked his head and winked. “And I think you do, too.”
“I do,” she admitted to herself when she was alone.
She went in to her cabin to freshen up before lunch. As she stepped off her front porch, the big white police cruiser turned off Routh 66 toward the ranch. She picked up her pace, hoping to avoid facing Deputy Atkins alone.
“Afternoon, Ms. Weston,” he called.
“Rocky’s inside. I’ll send him right out.” She flung the door open, plowing into Rocky and Trevor. They went on to the porch. Ketra, Marco and Kennedy hovered in the shadows of the doorway.
“What can I do for you, Atkins?” Rocky asked.
“I’ve got a few questions. I guess you know I was out here a couple of days ago with one of your hands?”
“I do. Ketra mentioned that Brooks was determined to come back here even though I left him at Sadie Russell’s for a few days. She needs some help around her place. Brooks was the only hand I could spare, with round-up and branding and all.”
“That’s the story I got. Ms. Weston seemed a little shaken up. Thought I’d check in. Make sure everything’s all right.”
“She took a pretty hard fall that day. Wasn’t feeling too well. She’s fine now.”
“I noticed the high-powered handgun by her front door. Know anything about that?” He addressed Rocky, but his gaze traveled across the face of each person standing on the porch and in the doorway.
Ketra took several deep breaths, letting each one out bit by bit. Trevor fisted his hands. Kennedy shot bewildered looks between her and her uncle.
“You want a bottle of water or a cup of coffee or anything?” Rocky asked.
“No, I won’t take up much of your time.”
He fell silent again, studying each person on the porch. Ketra presumed he expected an introduction. “Seems your ranch is experiencing its share of problems lately. Mr. Applewhite graced us with an overnight stay a couple of n
ights ago. Drunk and disorderly, I believe it was. Anything going on out here I should know about?”
“Way I heard it, Mr. Applewhite got himself into trouble in town, not out here,” Rocky stated.
“He a problem out here, too, or do you send him into town to raise hell?”
“They don’t raise hell on my spread.”
Deputy Atkins curled his thumbs into his waistband so that his right hand rested over the gun holstered at his side. Ketra wondered if Trevor ever stuck that pose. “I don’t recognize some of these folks. Got new hands hired on?”
“Got family visiting for a spell. Anything else you need? Our lunch is getting cold.”
The deputy shifted his considerable bulk from one foot to the other. “I’d better not find any slugs from that gun in any bodies any time soon.”
The way he inclined his head toward Ketra raised goose bumps on her arms. The idea of shooting anyone made her nauseous. Trevor needed to take his gun out of her house as soon as the deputy left. If anyone got their hands on it and killed someone, she’d be the first suspect on Deputy Atkins’s list.
“It’s not a crime to have a gun, Deputy,” Rocky said. “Thanks for following up on Ket. Like I said, lunch is getting cold.” He flicked his fingers at the others to go inside the house.
“Have a nice day.” He wedged his girth behind the wheel and turned the cruiser around. On his way down the gravel drive, he passed a truck and trailer heading in.
Beside her, spiraling bolts of tension emanated from Trevor’s upper body. She straightened her spine and followed the direction of his narrow-eyed gaze.
Chapter Thirty-One
Rocky insisted that the others finish their lunch while he met with Perry and Sue Latiger about breeding their mares. They parked their rig in front of the small barn where Lucifer would be brought up for stud services.
Trevor didn’t contribute to the conversation. Instead he fretted about the fragile nature of Ketra’s emotions and how the arrival of her trusted older sister might jeopardize his need for anonymity. He couldn’t help but wonder what they had talked about on their ride this morning. The way people came and went from the ranch these past few days, he hoped like hell no one recognized him or asked too many questions. In particular, the pesky local deputy who’d left a few minutes ago.
On Common Ground Page 21