The Taming (The Black Thunder Series)

by West, Cary

  “Thank you,” she whispered brushing a kiss along his long neck.

  He snorted spraying a bit of his mist over her as if he were covering her with some mystical blessing or baptizing her into something new. His head darted in the air and he caught scent of another and with a quick flick of his tail he took off, galloping back into the hills and disappeared in a vapor of dirt filled smoke.

  Twenty-Seven

  Second Chances

  Kate received a call from the Virginia City school board offering her the teaching position and she happily accepted. It had been over a week since she last saw Jack. She hated that she was missing him and had trouble sleeping without him lying by her side. In spite of her longings she didn’t want to see him just yet. Even after her encounter with Black Thunder, she still needed time to think. Besides, she wanted him to suffer a little bit longer in order to learn boundaries.

  She spent the rest of the morning sorting through her school materials and building her curriculum for third grade. She went through her poster boards deciding which ones to use to fill her classroom. She pulled out her welcome board and redesigned it for her new class.

  By afternoon, hers stomach began to growl and she realized she hadn’t eaten since yesterday. She went to the refrigerator and opened the door but it was empty. She thought about going to the grocery store, but she didn’t feel like traveling back and forth to Carson City.

  She could always go to Virginia City and grab a bite to eat there. It might do her some good to get out and explore rather than being cooped up inside hiding from Jack and her life. Mingle with the community for a change, Clara told her. She’d already taken her first step by calling Kyle. She was to meet him at the poetry class this evening, so why not go exploring Virginia City too.

  Decision made, Kate grabbed her purse along with her keys and headed out the door to her car. She climbed in and drove along the dirt road passing the main house. Jack’s truck wasn’t parked outside and she wondered where he went. It wasn’t like him not to be working. Kate pushed her curiosity to the back of her mind. What Jack did was his business.

  She pulled out onto the main road and rounded the hillside as Virginia City came into view. She traveled along the main street and parked. She watched the tourists walking up and down the wooden planks visiting the two long blocks of shops and saloons.

  Kate left her car and blended in with the crowd. Rather than visiting The Bucket of Blood Saloon or the Washoe Hotel, she went exploring the shops. She stopped and bought a hot dog from one of the small stores, then made her way up the steep hill to the candy store where she bought a piece of chocolate fudge. She lingered at one of the saloons and played a slot machine losing five dollars in less than ten minutes.

  Kate moved on and stopped out front of a boot shop. She entered the establishment housed with cowboy apparel from leather trimmed jackets down to long drover coats. She moved to the boot section and saw every kind of shape and size imaginable. She tried on a pair then looked at the price. She cringed and put the boots back on the shelf.

  She left the shop and continued on her journey up the inclined row of shops until she reached the end then she crossed the street and descended the other side lined with stores and wooden planks. She stopped at a country store where the sales clerk talked her into buying a homemade chili packet, a vegetable dip, and herb seasoned crackers. She left the shop proceeding down the main street hill as a horse drawn coach passed her on the street. Kate waved at the people in the coach and they waved back.

  She heard a gunshot and saw a group of tourists crowding around one of the buildings. A gunslinger dressed in old west garb appeared holding a revolver in his hand while several other outlaws acted out a gunfight. She paused and watched until the show was over and continued down the boardwalk as her sandals flopped against the wooden boards. She reached the last remaining shop and saw a man dressed like an old prospector showing children how to pan for gold in his makeshift stream.

  Kate returned to her car. As she traveled up the main street’s hill, she saw the old schoolhouse and recognized the side road that led to Jack’s childhood home. She turned onto the road knowing it was why she came here in the first place. She needed answers, and though she was not sure why, she needed to see it again as she drove toward the shack.

  She turned onto the small dirt road lined with tiny wooden shacks and rustic relics from days gone by. A blur of different shades of brown blended into the hillside, all except for the dark green truck that was parked outside by the shack.

  Kate stopped her car and stared at Jack’s truck parked not more than a hundred feet away from her. She wondered what he was doing here. His truck was empty and she knew she would find him inside. She pulled her car closer to the truck and stepped out and gently closed the car door. She walked in silence up to the tiny wooden structure and peered in through the window.

  Jack was sitting on an old worn sofa with torn arms and matting popping from its seams. She focused her attention on the man. He was just staring blindly at the opposite wall, not moving a muscle. He looked so lost and afraid that her heart began to soften.

  Kate walked over to the door and saw it was partway open. She entered the tiny dwelling and stepped into what looked like the kitchen. She saw a metal sink with no cupboards along one wall and an old refrigerator on the other. There was no table or stove. She took several steps through the cramped room and stood in the doorway to the living area. Two small sofas filled the room on either side along with a rickety table made of wood scraps situated in the corner.

  Jack felt her presence and looked up from the sofa.

  “Hi,” said Kate sadly, as she leaned against the doorway.

  “Hi,” he answered back, with a sadness that matched her own. “What are you doing here?”

  “I went for a drive and saw your truck parked outside,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

  “Thinking,” said Jack with a somber expression.

  “What are you thinking?” She asked in a soft and gentle tone.

  “You, me, this-” said Jack as he waved his hands to show her his place. “Pretty crazy, huh?”

  “Yeah, I guess it is,” she whispered.

  “I can show you around if you like.” He didn’t get up. “This is the couch I use to sleep on and the other was my old man’s. You saw the kitchen and over there is the bathroom.”

  He pointed in the direction of something that looked more like a broom closet. Kate saw a toilet but no sink or shower. Her heart broke for him, seeing the pain in his eyes. She moved into the room and went to sit beside him.

  “Oh, please don’t, Kate,” said Jack as tears filled his eyes and he held out his hand for her to stop. “I can’t bear you being here in this place, much less sitting down. You’re too good for this.”

  Jack stood from the couch and he wiped the tears from his eyes. He placed his hand on her back and motioned for them to leave. Kate nodded. Together, they walked through the kitchen and left the wooden shack. Jack led her to his truck. He leaned against it and ran his hand through his hair.

  “You know I was five when I first saw my old man get it on with a woman,” he said as a haunted look crossed his face. He couldn’t bear to look at Kate as he continued to speak. “By the time I was thirteen, he was sharing his throwbacks with me.”

  “Oh Jack, I am so sorry,” she said as tears filled her own eyes.

  “I don’t mean to be the way I am, Kate,” he finally looked at her and she saw a stream of tears cascading down his cheeks. “It’s a miracle I came out the way I did.”

  “Oh, Jack-”

  He stopped her before he lost it altogether. “On the outside, I’m the owner of a successful ranch, but on the inside,” he put his hand on his heart. “I’m still this.” He pointed to the shack. Kate stepped forward and brushed her hand against his hair. “I screwed up, Kate,” he said beside himself. “I screwed us up bad, and I wish I could take back what I did.” He took her hand and brought it t
o his lips, kissing her tenderly as tears streamed down his face. “Please forgive me.”

  “I forgive you,” said Kate as she matched his tears.

  Jack broke down. He took her in his arms and held her as if he were clinging to her for life itself. Kate folded into him, her heart breaking, listening to his sobs. “I love you, Kate,” Jack cried from deep within his soul. “I love you so much it hurts.”

  “Oh Jack, I love you, too.” Kate wept with him.

  “Don’t leave me,” he begged her. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she replied trying to sooth his soul.

  “You promise?” he asked like a lost child.

  “I promise.” She looked up and gave him a sweet smile. Jack chuckled a nervous laugh feeling embarrassed by his emotions and feelings for her. “The school called and offered me the job.”

  “Good, I’m glad they did,” said Jack as he wiped his eyes dry with back of his hand. “Did you take it?”

  “I did.”

  He nodded. “So where do we go from here?” he asked her.

  “Home,” she smiled. “Let’s go home, Jack.”

  “Oh, thank you, Kate,” he said as his eyes welled up with tears again. He embraced her, brushing his hand over her hair and laying kisses to her sunshine strands. “Oh God, thank you.” His eyes moved upward as if he were beckoning his gratitude to the heavens.

  They stayed that way until Jack could pull himself together. Once more he wiped the wetness from his cheeks against his shirt sleeve. Kate stepped back and started walking to her car. A thought crossed her mind. She turned and looked at him.

  “You still have my ring?” she said as her mouth twisted into a grin.

  “Its right here,” he said, pulling it out of the pocket of his jeans.

  “Can I have it back?”

  Jack rushed to her side. She held out her hand and he slipped it back on her finger.

  “Don’t ever give me a reason to take it off again,” she warned.

  “I promise, I won’t,” said Jack as he felt his spirits lift and his heart melt.

  “Well, see that you don’t,” said Kate as she twirled on her heels and headed for her car.

  Twenty-Eight

  Deciphering the Language

  Put it all back boys!” Jack gave his order to Dustin and the other ranch hands.

  “What do you mean put it all back?” asked Dustin as he scratched his head. “We just moved her out ‘cause she’s leaving.”

  “Kate’s staying,” declared Jack gleefully.

  Dustin sighed and rolled his eyes. “I wish you two would make up your mind,” he grumbled. “She’s staying, she’s leaving, she’s staying. I want a raise, yah hear me Jack. I’m a ranch hand, not a mover.”

  “Just do it,” Jack barked his order. “And I’ll give you a raise.”

  “How much?” asked Dustin.

  “A dollar more an hour.”

  “I want two.”

  “Fifty cents,” said Jack as his eyes narrowed.

  “I’ll take the dollar,” frowned Dustin.

  “I knew you were reasonable, boy.” Jack gloated and patted him on the back.

  Jack returned to the house and found Kate folding laundry.

  “Dustin says he’ll bring the boxes and your clothes back,” said Jack as he leaned against the washer. “But it cost me a dollar raise for him to agree.”

  “I’m sorry,” Kate cringed.

  “I’m not. It’s worth every penny,” said Jack as he trailed the thin line of freckles on her nose with his finger.

  “He must think we’re crazy,” she said.

  “Nah,” he lied. “He was a good sport about it.”

  “I’m glad,” said Kate relieved.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No, why are you?” She already knew the answer.

  “I’m starved,” he said. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

  “Well that’s an easy fix.” She stopped folding and placed the basket on top of the dryer. “I’ll make you lunch.”

  “I wasn’t hinting for you to make it,” he said. “I do know how to fend for myself, but I was hoping you’d join me.”

  Jack led her into the kitchen. He motioned for Kate to sit at the table. He made two ham sandwiches and joined her.

  “You sure you don’t want one?” he asked before taking a bite.

  “I ate already,” said Kate.

  He wasn’t sure if he believed her knowing there was not a lick of food in the fridge at the carriage house. “Why do I get the feeling you’re lying to me,” he grinned as he took a bite of his sandwich.

  “I did eat,” Kate restated again. “I stopped in Virginia City and had a hot dog and some fudge.”

  “You went sight-seeing?”

  “I went shop-browsing.” She corrected him.

  “They are mostly tourist traps,” said Jack. “Except for the boot shop.”

  “Those boots are pricey.”

  “A good boot is worth its weight in gold,” Jack informed her. “They’re made well and they last. Did you find one you liked?”

  “I did, but I didn’t get it,” said Kate as she picked up Jack’s other sandwich and took a bite.

  “We’ll go back this weekend and get you a good fitted boot,” he said as he watched her polish off the sandwich she was too full to eat. “You need something proper to wear on your feet other than sandals.”

  “Yes, Jack,” She couldn’t help but grin hearing the old Jack resurface.

  “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” He heard his own words.

  “Kind of,” she giggled. “But it’s okay.”

  “It is?” Now he looked really confused.

  “Jack, I like that you’re a strong take-charge kind of guy,” said Kate. “You just need to learn not to push so hard and be so overbearing that you run me over.”

  He shook his head and finished his sandwich before Kate had a chance to claim it as well. “I’m overbearing,” he repeated her words as he tilted his head arching a brow. “Does that bother you all the way around?”

  “I don’t understand,” she said, sensing he was fishing, but what he was fishing for she hadn’t a clue.

  “Well right about now, I’m thinking I want to touch you, Kate,” said Jack in a serious tone. “Normally I would just tell you to come here.”

  It was a simple request and Kate was figuring out his love language. “I kind of like when you’re overbearing in that department.” She gave him a sheepish smile.

  “Well now you’re really confusing the hell out of me.” He ran his fingers through his hair as his frustration grew. “How am I supposed to know when you like it and when you don’t?”

  “I’ll tell you when I don’t like it.”

  Jack felt like a mouse trapped in a crazy science experiment, getting shocked for every wrong turn until he found the cheese. “That gives you all the power,” he frowned.

  “Yes, I know, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it,” she said knowing it was not going to last long.

  “I don’t like it,” he pouted as he watched her take his plate to the sink, rinse it off and put it in the dishwasher.

  Kate grabbed the laundry basket and walked upstairs. She put away the clean clothes just as Dustin and two ranch hands entered her bedroom carrying her boxes.

  “You want us to unpack?” He asked her.

  “No, I’ll do it,” she said.

  They placed the boxes in the middle of the room and left. Kate went to work once more returning her clothes to the drawers. Jack entered the bedroom and flopped on the bed.

  “You want to know what I missed the most?” he said.

  “What?” she asked as she began to work on the second box.

  “I missed all your smelly, female junk in the bathroom.”

  “I wasn’t gone that long,” she laughed.

  “It felt like forever.”

  “That’s sweet.” Kate walked over to him and bent down an
d gave him a quick kiss. She went to walk away, but Jack reached for her hand.

  “Come here, Kate,” he said in a loving tone. “Please, I just want to hold you.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed beside him. Jack placed his arms around her waist and pulled her close, then rolled her on her back and pressed against her. He kissed her sweetly, parting her mouth and savoring her lips, her tongue. He parted from her mouth and stared into her eyes.

  “This is what I missed the most,” he whispered. “The thought of never feeling you again killed me inside. I love you, Kate.” Before she had a chance to respond he kissed her again, wrapping his arms around her head, covering her with his flesh.

  Jack felt a presence at the door and heard a loud cough. Dustin and the other ranch hands were nervously standing at the door holding more boxes. “Don’t you knock?” he barked.

  “The door was open,” said Dustin getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

  “What are you staring at?” He was getting annoyed.

  “Umm, nothing-” Dustin’s eyes darted from the bed to the floor. “Where do you want the boxes?”

  “Put them in the hall,” Jack ordered. “And close the door behind you.”

  “Whatever you say boss.” Dustin closed the bedroom door, laid the boxes in the hall, and ran like hell.

  “Now where was I?” Jack turned his attention back to Kate.

  “You were being all soft and snuggly on me,” she grinned.

  “To hell with all this soft shit,” he growled. “I’m going to love you, and I’m going to love you hard, baby.”

  “Oh thank God,” Kate rejoiced as Jack practically ripped off her clothes.

  He quickly discarded his own. Jack pressed her body into the mattress as he seized her hands and lifted them over her head. In one swift move he parted her legs wide with the muscular strength of his own. Kate gasped as he entered her deeply and began thrusting inside her. He nipped at her bottom lip with his teeth as a growl escaped his lips.