A New Life
Mildred Colvin
Romantic Reflection Books (2011)
* * *
She’s city. He’s Country. She just found out they have something in common. Her son!
Kimberly Burris and Travis Graham have a past. Circumstances and family caused their break-up seven years ago and both married other people. Now they’re single again, and Kimberly has shocking news. DNA proves without doubt her husband is not the father of her son. That leaves only one choice. Accept the housekeeping job on Travis’s ranch and pray for courage to tell him he’s the father of her six-year-old son.
Travis lost his wife and son and feels he’s to blame. He figures Kim won’t last in the country, and he fears her city-bred son will get hurt, or worse, on his ranch. The kid appeals to Travis in a way he doesn’t understand, but there are too many dangers on a ranch for a small child. So he tells Kim her boy had better stay out of the way, or they’ll have to leave.
Kimberly has to decide what’s best—keeping her secret from Travis and her son or taking the chance that Travis will become the father their son desperately needs.
About the Author
Mildred Colvin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network, and is active in two very special critique groups. She is also active in her church and enjoys special times with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her hobbies, when she has time, include quilting, photography, and gardening. Of course, reading is more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. Mildred has been writing sweet inspirational romance since 2001, and is an award-winning author of fifteen novels in both historical and contemporary themes, including two compilations, three e-books, and one audio book.
A New Life
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Mildred Colvin
Contemporary Christian Romance
A New Life
Copyright © 2011 by Mildred Colvin
Cover photo ©Ilya Glovatskiy | Dreamstime.com © Randy Miramontez | Dreamstime.com
Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
All rights reserved.
Chapter One
The door swished closed behind his grandmother.
Travis Graham scowled after her, muttering under his breath. “Sweet, bossy old lady.”
He turned back to the sink, swiped the dishcloth over a plate, let it slide into the rinse water, and reached for another. “I don’t have time for this. Who’s supposed to run the ranch while I wash dishes?”
He glared at the broken dishwasher. Where was the housekeeper his cousin had promised to send? Gran’s voice echoed in his mind as he muttered in a singsong voice. “They’ll wash up easier before the food dries, she says. And she’ll do it herself if I don’t.”
He snorted. Not with a broken arm, she wouldn’t, but that was the threat she’d used to keep him standing in front of the sink.
A knock at the kitchen door cut off his complaining. Just what he needed. More interruptions. He growled toward the door. “It isn’t locked.”
A young woman stepped in, her long, blond hair pulled back into a saucy ponytail. She turned her head to look at his kitchen, and her hair brushed the collar of her fancy, silk blouse. Snug blue jeans hugged her hips, while her pristine white athletic shoes told him she didn’t belong on a ranch. Her inspection, and his, came to a halt as she faced him.
His hand, still in the dishwater, tensed around the wrong end of a knife. “What are you doing here?”
She stared at him.
He jerked from sharp pain. It couldn’t be her. Not here. Not on his ranch. Not after all this time. He had to be dreaming. “Kim?”
His voice faltered on the one word and he tried again. “Kim Johnson?”
“Kimberly Burris.” A crease formed between her eyes. “Didn’t Brent tell you to expect me?”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “No.”
“Travis, you’re bleeding. You’ve cut your hand.” She took a step forward.
He held his other hand up, stopping her. “It’s nothing. A knife in the water, I think. I’m fine.”
“No, you aren’t.” She strode across the room, yanked several paper towels from the roll by the sink, and folded them together under his hand. “You’re dripping blood all over the place. Let me help you.”
He stood without resisting as her warm hands cupped his. The unique floral scent that had always been Kim’s filled his senses. His heart pounded out of control. Could a man have a heart attack from shock? Or close proximity to a woman he hadn’t seen in seven years, but had never forgotten?
She took his other hand and held it below the paper. “Hold this in place.”
He followed her orders without question.
She rummaged in a large brown purse that hung from her shoulder. “I’m sure your finger is clean since you had it in dishwater. Still it won’t hurt to put some antibiotic on the cut. You’ll need butterfly bandages. I think I’ve got some in my first aid kit. Yep, here it is.”
One smile from her and he almost forgot what they were doing. He’d forgotten the little dimple beside her mouth. She trickled some water on more paper towels and blotted the blood from his cut finger. “Good, it isn’t too bad. The butterfly bandages should hold the sides together so it can heal. Are you planning to stick your hand in filthy places this afternoon?”
The shock of seeing her had eased, although the pounding in his heart hadn’t. He grinned. “I’m a rancher, Kim. What do you think?”
Her sky blue eyes twinkled as she peered at him beneath long, dark eyelashes. “I think you’re just as impossible as ever, and I’m wrapping your finger so it can’t get dirty.”
“Naw, I’ll wear gloves.”
“Not good enough.”
He didn’t have to let her fuss over him. If one of the guys walked in, he’d never hear the end of it. But so what? He’d take the chance for the feel of her hands against his. He kept quiet and watched her wrap his finger.
She finished too soon. “There you go. That should do until tonight. You’ll need to redo it then and let it have air to heal.”
“Aren’t you gonna do it for me?” She’d always been fun to tease. He never knew what she might say. He stepped back and leaned against the sink, his arms folded across his chest.
“That depends on if I get the housekeeper job.” She put her first aid kit back in her purse.
Travis snorted. “Are you telling me Brent sent you over two hundred miles on what could’ve been a wild goose chase?” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Can you even cook?”
“Your cousin told me I had the job as housekeeper slash cook on the Circle G Ranch in western Nebraska. Since I’ve never known Brent to lie, I believe he meant what he said. As for my cooking, you don’t really think he’d send you someone who couldn’t, do you?”
She looked so appealing, standing there in his kitchen challenging him, her blue eyes flashing just as he remembered. She hadn’t changed a bit. Still looked like the eighteen-year-old girl who’d stolen his heart and forgot to give it back. He shrugged. “Maybe Brent’s likes and mine aren’t the same.”
The laughter bubbling from her sounded like music. “Then I guess you’ll just have to try my cooking and see, won’t you?”
The way she skirted the question meant one of two things. Either she couldn’t cook and hoped he wouldn’t realize it, or she co
uld and knew she had nothing to worry about. He grinned. Time would tell.
“Where’s your husband, Kim?” His blunt question took the color from her face.
She stared at the floor. “A car accident took his life six months ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He was sorry. So why did his heart leap at the news she was free of the jerk?
“Thanks.” This time her smile seemed forced. “Are you going to let me stay?”
“What about your grandpa?” He held her gaze.
She shrugged, and her gaze shifted. “He’s busy with his own life.” She looked back at him. “I want the job. Do I get it?”
He pushed away from the counter. She wasn’t telling him everything. What was she afraid of? “We eat supper around here at six. At least Gran does. Brent did tell you about my Grandmother, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he mentioned I’d also serve as companion to your grandmother, as she’s not well.” Kim glanced toward the café doors leading into the dining room. “I’d hoped to meet her.”
“She’s taking a nap. Upstairs. You’ll have your own place. Maybe you saw it when you drove in.”
Travis held the back door open for her and followed her out on the wide, back porch. He pointed toward the cabin across the driveway and down several yards. “It’s small, but should be large enough for one woman. Even one who’s used to luxuries. It has everything except a kitchen, but you shouldn’t need that since you’ll take your meals here.”
“Travis.” She stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Thank you for this chance. There’s been a lot of changes in my life. I need a job, but I won’t beg for it. Luxuries aren’t as necessary as you might think. I understand if you feel strange around me, but I hope we can become friends while we let the past . . .”
She glanced toward her van parked beside his truck before looking back at him. Her voice dropped. “Our past—stay where it belongs. I promise to do the best I can here.”
Once more, he was struck by how young she looked. Young, innocent, and nervous. Almost as if she were scared of him. He looked down at her left hand, pale against the dark of his arm. No oversized rich man’s ring adorned her finger. What had happened to her that she brushed off her husband’s death so casually? Why did she need a job?
When he left Omaha the summer before Kim was to be married, Travis told Brent he didn’t want to hear her name again. He couldn’t bear hearing about her and her married life. Then he’d gone home to California and married the first girl who said yes. That was his biggest mistake.
“Travis?”
She was looking up at him with wide, blue eyes. He gave her a quick nod. “That’s fine. You need help hauling your stuff in?”
She stared into his eyes as if trying to read his mind. “No, I’ll manage.”
He laughed. “Puny, little thing like you? Get in your van and take it down to the cabin.”
Without giving her a chance to argue, he stepped off the porch and headed out with long strides. He hoped she wouldn’t mind finishing the dishes he’d started. If he were lucky, Gran wouldn’t wake from her nap and find he’d walked out on them.
When Kim slammed her van door, a rare grin twisted Travis’s mouth, and his feet ate up the distance to the cabin.
~*~
Where was Jamie? The empty seat in their packed van set Kimberly’s blood pounding. She gripped the steering wheel for balance. “Jamie, where are you? Answer me now.”
No answer. He was little. Maybe he’d crawled between some boxes in the back. Common sense said a small boy wouldn’t fit anywhere other than the empty front seat, but she looked anyway, wasting precious moments. If she didn’t move, Travis would come to see what was wrong. She couldn’t look for Jamie now. She started the van with trembling fingers. Calm down Kimberly. He’s little, but he’s smart and mature for a six-year-old. He understands stranger danger. He hasn’t gone far.
She’d have to tell Travis about him sooner than she intended. They needed to find Jamie. When she put the gearshift into reverse and started to back out, a flash of movement at the barn door caught her attention. She focused on the small figure of her son who gave her a jaunty wave before disappearing in the barn. He was all right. Thank You, Lord. Again weakness washed through her body, and she slumped against the seat.
Lord, please let Travis taste my cooking before he knows of Jamie. I promise I’ll tell him everything as soon as I can. Brent and Trish assured me Travis would welcome Jamie, but I’m not sure. I need this job, Lord. We need this place to stay until I can figure out what You’d have me do. Please keep us safe here, and let me know when the time is right to tell Travis about his— Well just everything about Jamie.
~*~
Travis lifted the tailgate and pulled out the first box. Kim grabbed the second. Except for one quick gasp when she stepped inside the cabin, she didn’t say a word. He liked a woman who didn’t complain, but total silence unnerved him. He pulled a baseball bat from the back and carried it inside on top of a box. What would she want with a bat? Protection? Reckon a woman alone had to have something. He set the box near the door to the bedroom and leaned the bat against the wall. He met her coming in as he went back out. She kept up with him, box for box and didn’t slack off until the van was emptied. Chalk up a point for the wealthy debutante.
“Looks like that’s it.” Travis closed the side door. “These little vans hold quite a bit, don’t they?”
She nodded but seemed distracted as she looked toward the barn. He frowned. “Is anything wrong?”
She swung to him. “No, of course not. When does your grandmother get up from her nap?”
He leaned against her van. “Three or three thirty. Why?”
“I need cleaning supplies. Where will I find them?”
“The utility room off the kitchen in the house.” He frowned. “What about supper? The men don’t worry about cleanliness if their bellies are filled with good, tasty food, and Gran needs to eat on schedule.”
“Does she have a special diet?”
He shrugged. “Not that I’ve ever noticed. Why?”
She folded her arms as if annoyed. “Travis, I’ll fix you a meal tonight you won’t mind eating. But have you looked at this filthy cabin I’m supposed to live in?”
Her complaint slammed against his conscience. The cabin hadn’t been occupied for at least a year. He hadn’t thought about providing a clean house for the housekeeper. Why would he? When he hired a new ranch hand, it was because he had work for him to do. If he got everything done before the man arrived, there’d be no reason to hire him. Shouldn’t that apply to the housekeeper, too? Of course, he hadn’t known Kim would be his housekeeper.
He stared into large, angry eyes, blue like the Nebraska sky before a storm hit, and wondered why his logic seemed all twisted when it should make perfect sense. Sure, the cabin was filthy, but it was mostly just dust and maybe a cobweb or two in the corners. Maybe some mouse tracks here and there. A good housekeeper could have it swept out in no time. He met her glare and something cracked deep inside.
“What’d you want me to do? Pull a couple of men off the job and have ‘em clean it out?”
Her gaze never wavered as she ignored his sarcasm. “You said you want supper at six?”
He forced his attention to his watch. “Gran eats at six. It’s one now. That should give you enough time to cook something. Fix for her, the men will eat when they have time. I’ll make sure they come in tonight, though. We don’t need anything fancy. Just the basics and lots of it. You’ll be cooking for four hardworking men who can put down the food. Think you can handle it?”
Her eyes narrowed.
He’d issued a challenge, but she looked so small and delicate standing in front of him. Small, delicate, and young. She’d been raised in the lap of luxury. He’d asked for a companion for Gran, a widow, and expected a woman in her fifties at least. He cringed at a new thought. How would he keep the men away from her? Brent should’ve known better. Kim woul
d be like an innocent, little lamb in the midst of a pack of hungry wolves.
“Excuse me, Travis, but I have work to do.” She stepped around him as if dismissing him.
He watched her walk away and almost laughed. She still had as much gumption and fire as ever. He shook his head and headed for his truck. He had other things to worry about. He’d drive out and check on the fencing along the road. They’d noticed a couple of head missing when they took a count Monday morning. Funny thing about it was, they still hadn’t found any fence down. They couldn’t decide if the cattle walked off or if someone thought the Circle G was an easy target for rustling. Maybe both, although you’d think rustlers would take enough to make it worth the risk. And if that were true, there should be a clue somewhere. Even a cat would leave a carcass.
~*~
Kimberly reached Travis’s back porch as his truck roared to life. She stopped and watched him roll down the driveway to the road. Good. He was gone and no one else seemed to be about. The silence of the country might be relaxing if she didn’t have to face what was coming. Jamie and Travis together. A tremble started deep inside. Seeing Travis again. Talking to him. Acting as if she didn’t care. This was the hardest thing she’d had to do since the day she married Colin. Oh, how she wanted everything to turn out right, especially for Jamie. He was innocent, yet his future was at stake. She clutched the porch railing and closed her eyes.
“Your strength, oh Lord, is made perfect in my weakness. Jesus, fill me with your strength now. Help me do my job here and keep Jamie from harm. Prepare Travis’s heart, Lord, to accept Jamie, because it’s only right that they know each other. Jamie needs to know his real father. He needs his father’s love.”
Chapter Two
Kimberly stepped off the porch and headed for the barn. At the wide open door leading into the dark interior, she hesitated before calling. “Jamie.”
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