by Celya Bowers
“I bet he’s going to be surprised.”
“Not really. He said it was a temporary. Which at the time, I didn’t believe him, even when Janna agreed with him, I didn’t believe her at first.”
“She’s was processing her grief. Kids do it differently than adults.”
“I think the horses helped,” Jemma said honestly. “I’m grateful to you for your ranch more than you’ll ever know.”
“I don’t want you to be grateful.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want you to go out with me because you’re grateful your daughter starting talking. I want you to go out with me because you like me and think we have a connection.”
“I do like you, Kyle. Yes, Kassie is a part of it. You’ve done so much for her in such a short time. I believe we have a connection as well.” She couldn’t admit how safe she felt when she was in his arms.
“So when are you going to teach me to cook?”
“What?” Talk about jumping subjects.
“You said you could teach me to cook and now Mom says I must learn.”
She laughed. “I can see that. Your house is missing that cooking smell.”
“I’m sorry?”
“You know cooking smells. I think that’s what makes a house feel like a home. The smell of someone cooking for the people they love.” She sounded like a romantic. She had to stop that.
“Is that why I feel like a kid every time I step in my parents’ house? The first thing I always notice is the aroma coming from the kitchen.”
“Most likely,” Jemma said. “It gives you comfort.”
“Yeah, it does. No matter how I feel when I walk through the door, I feel so much better when I leave.”
He sounded so dreamy when he talked about his parents. “I feel like that when I go to my parents. Especially now, normally when we go to Dallas, we always spend the weekend. Mom spoils us rotten, and makes me feel like there’s nothing I can’t handle. Even when Kassie wasn’t talking, it just made it more doable.”
“When I first came home I stayed with my parents before I moved into the ranch house. You’re right, it made betrayal a little easier to handle.”
Her heart broke for the pain he felt. “I’m sorry for the hurt you went through, Kyle,” Jemma said. “I’m glad Tesla was there for you.”
“Speaking of, Mom really like having you at breakfast on Sunday.”
“I had a nice time too. I really like your family. They reminded me of my family at the holidays.”
“I’m glad you liked them.” He sighed. “I’m going to think about you the whole time I’m in Houston. Is it okay if I call you while I’m there?”
Jemma was taken back by the request. Did men actually ask if anything was okay before doing it? “Yes, by all means, please call.”
“I will. I’d better let you get your rest. Goodnight, Jemma.”
“Goodnight, Kyle.” She ended the call. So what was the call about? He sounded troubled. Maybe it was the ex, she thought. Her phone rang again. She reached for her phone and answered. “Janna?”
“You know I could start getting the feeling that you don’t want to talk to me?”
“Kyle?” She had to be dreaming.
“Yes, it’s me. I have to confess something.”
Oh no. “What is it?”
“I can’t wait until Thursday. How about dinner tomorrow night?”
“I won’t have a sitter,” she said. “Why don’t you come here?”
“I meant dinner with you and Kassie. Pick a place and I’ll pick you guys up about seven.”
Flustered, Jemma agreed. What was she getting herself into? “I can tell you the place right now. It’s Kassie’s favorite adult restaurant. The Olive Garden.”
“Wonderful. See you tomorrow night.” He ended the call.
Jemma stared at the phone. What was happening here? Feeling like she needed something a little stronger than her usual mug of tea, she went downstairs and got a glass of wine. Maybe that would jolt her brain back into activity.
SEVENTEEN
“Mommy, look police!” Kassie pointed as they drove into the ranch.
Jemma watched as the police cars were parked in front of the business office. “I see, baby. I wonder what happened.” Everything always seemed so well-ordered at the ranch, she couldn’t imagine them needing outside help for anything.
She parked the SUV next to the Mansfield Police Department cruiser. She got out, then helped her daughter. “Let’s go into the office first,” she told Kassie.
They walked inside the office and sure enough two officers in police dress were sitting in the waiting area, looking at a cookbook! Jemma relaxed. Maybe they just came to buy something. She and Kassie walked to the counter. Tesla was busy on the computer, but smiled when she noticed Jemma. Tiffany and Chutney also waved at her.
“Hi, Jemma. It’s so good to see you. I really enjoyed Sunday morning breakfast,” she said. “Kyle’s running a little late. He should be here very soon. These gentlemen are also waiting for him.” She nodded to the boys in blue.
“Thank you, Tesla.” She led Kassie to another table and they took a seat. Jemma hadn’t missed the look the teenage girls gave each other when Tesla mentioned breakfast. So much for keeping things a secret. Jemma wasn’t ready for everyone at the ranch to know she was dating the ranch manager. Hell, she didn’t even want to know and it was her life!
The door opened, Kyle and his father walked inside the building. Kyle nodded at the officers, but went straight to Jemma. He had a strange look on his face. Almost like he’d seen a ghost.
Kassie ran to him and hugged him. “Hi, Mr. Kyle. I like the flowers you sent Mommy.”
Jemma felt her honey brown skin turning a deep red. Only her daughter would out her like that. Once the thought sank in her brain, she thought about it. Her daughter, who a month ago, wasn’t talking, just embarrassed her by talking! She decided to take the win for what it was.
“Well, I’m glad you liked them.” Kyle kneeled in front of Kassie. “Honey, I have to talk to these officers for a minute, but my Dad is going to start your lesson. Is that okay?”
Kassie looked at Turner Cosgrove, then at Kyle. “Can he ride?”
The room erupted in laughter. Kyle strained to keep a straight face. “Yes, honey, he taught me a long, long time ago. I promise he’s very good.”
Kassie stood there for a moment as if she was deciding Turner’s future. “Okay, he can do it.”
“Good. I’ll be right there.” He rose and looked at Jemma. “Can I speak to you for a minute?”
She glanced at the officers who were patiently waiting. “Aren’t they waiting?”
“This will only take a minute.” He blue eyes searched her face. “I really need to talk to you.”
The officers nodded.
“We’ll be in tack area,” Turner told Jemma.
Outnumbered. She gave in. “Be careful, sweetie. Mommy will be right there.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Kassie took Turner’s weathered hand and they headed outside.
Kyle helped Jemma out of her chair, led her back to his office, and closed the door. This little scene took her back to the night the police came knocking on her door and announced her dear husband had been killed by a drunk driver. “Kyle, what is it?”
He sat on the desk in front of her. “It’s Ava. The police found her body this morning in Arlington. She had been killed. One bullet to the temple.”
“Oh my goodness,” she said rising. “Kyle, I’m so sorry.” She wrapped her arms around him. His arms snaked around her body and he held her tight. “They don’t suspect you, do they?”
“No,” he said. “They said she was killed about seven-thirty this morning when I was eating breakfast at Mom’s.”
“So why are they here?”
“Trying to get some background information on her and Max Burnett.”
“The millionaire, yes.”
“He’s in a lot of trouble right now.”
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“No kidding. The police suspect him. The manager at Burger Island had called the police on a domestic violence complaint and it was those two.”
Jemma shivered at the thought. “How awful.”
Kyle kissed her gently. “I just wanted you to know up front. I’ll try to wrap this up quickly.”
Jemma walked to the door. “Okay, I’ll see you later.” She left the room, wishing she was small enough to fit through the doggie door in the back of the office. She wasn’t, so she would have to face Tesla, Tiffany and Chutney.
The women smiled at her as she exited the hallway. Tesla stopped her before she could get away. “Jemma, why don’t you and Kassie come out for breakfast on Sunday?”
“Oh, I don’t know if we’ll be back that early. We’re going to see Kassie’s grandparents, both sets, on Saturday. Her paternal grands haven’t seen her since she started talking. If we get back early enough, we’ll definitely come to breakfast.”
“Great. I understand if you can’t make it. I would want to see that little angel too especially since she’s talking. I watched her and Turner as they walked to the stables. I don’t think she stopped talking once.”
Jemma laughed. That was her baby girl. Making up for all the lost time, when she chose to block out the world. She was so happy she was back.
Kyle sat in his office, willing his body to return to normal. The last thing he wanted was to walk out of that office with an erection. How had he made it five years without having sex? It had only been two days and he was ready for another session with Jemma.
The more he was with the Patterson women, the more he wanted to be with them. Even getting the news about Ava this afternoon, all he could think about was Jemma and Kassie and how this would affect them.
A timid knock on the door brought him back to the present. “Come in,” he called.
The two officers walked in and took a seat. He knew them, of course. He’d went to school with both of them. Blake Douglas and Paul Lott were sitting before him, pad in hand. Blake spoke first. “Okay, Kyle, we know you were here on the ranch when your ex was killed, but why had she contacted you on Sunday?”
“She wanted me to sign an amendment to our divorce decree entitling her to half a million dollars,” Kyle said dryly.
“Ouch,” Blake said. “Was she entitled to the money?”
“No. The reason for our divorce was that she became pregnant and I was not the father.”
“Ouch. So where’s this kid now?”
“I believe she had a miscarriage, according to my attorney.” Kyle took a deep breath. “Look guys, I haven’t seen or heard from Ava for five years.”
Blake nodded. “Yeah, we know. Just covering all angles.”
“I have to go to Houston tomorrow to pick up some horses, but I’ll be back on Saturday.” He reached in his desk drawer for a business card and scribbled his cell phone number on the back. “Here’s all my contact information. My mother runs the office, so she always knows where I am.”
The officers rose. “There’s an APB out on Max Burnett. Since that was the last person she was seen with. Not sure if Burnett had anything to do with the amendment or not, but I’d stay on my toes.”
“No problem. I’ll inform my family and the ranch hands.” Kyle rose as well and shook the officer’s hands. “Thanks for coming by. I have a lesson to get to.”
Blake smiled. “Yeah, I saw. She’s pretty. You better run after her, before I get to her.”
“Thanks for the warning, Blake.” He escorted the men out of the office and out of the building. After a few minutes of catching up, the officers left.
He noticed that Kassie was in the smaller arena with his father. She was trotting like he had shown her the week before. Jemma was sitting on one of the benches watching them.
He sat next to her as she cheered Kassie with praise. She glanced at him. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, they were trying to get some background information on Ava, but I haven’t really had any contact with her since the divorce until Sunday night.”
Jemma shook her head. “No one deserves to die like that. So sad.” She wiped her face. “I know how it feels to suddenly lose someone. I’d felt like someone had ripped my heart out.”
He hadn’t intended on making her cry. “Now, I don’t want to see those tears.” He handed her a handkerchief. “I don’t Kassie to see you with tears in your eyes. Hell, I don’t think I like seeing them either.”
She sniffed.
“By the way, I wanted to talk to you about Kassie.”
“What is it?” She peered at him with teary green eyes. “I’m still waiting on a bill. Every time I try to give them my credit card, Tiffany or Chutney always says to talk to you.”
She was determined about that bill, he thought. Most people would just wait until they received their statement. Not Jemma. “This is not about that. For the last fifteen years, our ranch holds a competition for the youngsters. The Junior Champion Show is held at the end of January. I would like Kassie to represent the ranch.”
“My Kassie?”
“Yes, she’s very talented for someone who has never been on a horse. She’s exhibition great skill. What do you think?”
“I think I need to think about it. What all would this entail?”
This was where his great skill was going to come in handy. “Maybe an extra lesson per week. You could bring her out on Sunday for another practice. I heard Mom inviting you to Sunday breakfast. That would be perfect. She could practice after that. ”
“I’ll have to talk with Kassie. I mean being around the horses have done her a world of good, but it’s really up to her. What would she have to do?”
Here was the tricky part. Convincing Jemma to let Kassie enter the contest. “There are a few jumps. It’s a timed course.” When Jemma remained silent, he pushed on. “The best time wins. It’s going to be held at the large arena toward the back of the property. If it makes you feel better, you can look at the course and judge for yourself.”
“That sounds like a good idea. If Kassie and I get back early enough we’ll come to breakfast and you can show us the terrain.”
“That’s all I ask.” He kissed her quickly and went to the arena to join Kassie and his father.
EIGHTEEN
Kyle walked to the arena and stood next to his father. He watched in amazement as he used hand signals for Kassie. “You’ve only been working with her ten minutes and you’re already doing hand signals. She’s talking now.”
His father looked at him smiling. “I know. She talked the whole way to the stables, while we were in the tack room, and getting Nutmeg ready. Using signals will be good for the competition.”
“How did you know I wanted her to represent the ranch?”
Turner looked at his son. “Because if you didn’t, I would think something was wrong with your brain. Have you asked Jemma yet?”
“That’s what we were talking about. She’s a little skittish about letting Kassie do it, but agreed to look at the arena.” Kyle waved at Kassie as she rounded the arena. “She’s a natural,” he said proudly. “With a little more practice, she’s going to be hard to beat.”
“Is there a possibility of her reverting back to not-talking?” His father watched Kassie. “She’s seems like such a happy little girl. No sign of that withdrawn child just a few weeks ago.”
“There’s always that possibility, but I don’t think she’ll revert. Yeah, there may be times when she’s not talking, but for the most part, I think she’s good.” Kyle had noticed how happy Kassie had been lately. “When we had dinner last night, she actually held my hand as we walked to the table at the Olive Garden.”
“Made you feel good, didn’t it?” His father put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “I know you got a lot going on with horse sale, and now Ava’s murder, but I know you’ll get through all that just fine.” He nodded toward Jemma. “She hasn’t ran yet. I don’t think she’s going to.”
Kyle f
ollowed his father’s gaze. “That’s for sure.”
“So what did Blake want?” He asked about the police visiting the ranch. “I knew it was a bad sign when that woman showed up on Monday. You know I never actually cared for her. She just gave me a bad feeling.”
“I know, Dad. I don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I mean, Jemma is great, and I would like to be totally sure.”
“You’re never sure. I’ve been married to your mother for almost forty-five years, and there’s still a doubt. I get jealous when men are too nice to her. She thinks it’s crazy, but that’s how it is. I love her with all my soul. There’s nothing I’d do for her.”
“Like traveling,” Kyle said.
“Like traveling,” his father said. “I’ve never been out of the state in my life, neither has she, but now she’s ready to see the rest of the world and I’m going to give that to her.”
Kyle nodded. His father was amazing. His mother wanted to go on a trip to Europe and that was what they were going to do. Kyle knew he’d never felt that way about Ava, but Jemma? “I want that feeling one day.”
“I think that day is coming.”
He did too. “I think it’s too soon.”
“There’s no time limits on love, son.” He waved at Kassie. “Are you coming for dinner?”
“Most likely. I’m going to talk to Jemma for a minute after the lesson is over.”
His father flashed that smile. “Bring them to dinner too. You know your mother always cooked for an army any way.”
“I’ll run it by them,” Kyle said.
“Oh, yeah, it’s not too soon.” He walked back to the stables.
Kyle shook his head at his father. Soon Kassie slowed the horse down and rode toward him. “Can I jump again, Mr. Kyle?”
“Sure baby.” Did he really just say that? “I’ll just set it up.” He walked inside the arena and set up the small obstacles for Kassie to jump. His cell phone rang. “Kyle Cosgrove.”
“What are you doing?” It was Jemma. She was actually calling from the stands. “Looks like you’re setting up things for my baby girl to jump. Is this so?”