A New Life

by Mildred Colvin

  Kimberly smiled at the stocky redhead with friendly green eyes. “I’m pleased to meet you, Cletus. I’m Kimberly Burris.”

  As the men drifted into the dining room, Kimberly’s attention shifted to the final tall figure that jerked the door open and stepped in. Travis. The last of his men ambled from the kitchen, leaving her alone with Travis and his frown.

  He turned to the sink and washed his hands. Kimberly glared at his back, but kept her mouth shut. He owned the house. He could wash his hands anywhere he wanted, even if she preferred he use the bathroom sink like a normal person. She turned back to the oven and pulled the golden cornbread out. She set it on the stove and stole another glance at Travis drying his hands on the clean tea towel she’d just put out. Only one left in the drawer. She’d be doing laundry tomorrow.

  He looked up and caught her watching him. “Do you need something?”

  “No, not a thing.” My, what’d put him in such a foul mood? She stepped to the refrigerator and took a couple of ice trays from the freezer. Keeping her back to him, she added ice to the glasses she’d placed on a tray. “What do your men like to drink with their meals?”

  “Water or tea. Depends on who you ask. Coffee sometimes.”

  She sensed his presence right behind her. An ice cube slipped from her hand. He reached past to pick it up, bringing a flush from his warmth to her cheeks. She moved to the refrigerator and opened the door, her heart pounding.

  She stared inside without seeing. What had they been talking about? Drinks, right? “What about your grandmother? I have a fresh pitcher of ice water in the frig, and I see tea here, too.”

  “That’ll work. I’ll get ’em.” He stepped to her side and took hold of the refrigerator door. “You carry the glasses in. Better get one for yourself, too. You’ll eat with us.”

  Her gaze flew to his. She couldn’t eat with them tonight. What would Jamie do when he couldn’t find her? She moved back to the counter, putting distance between them so she could think. “I can eat later. I’d like to be free to wait on the men.”

  “I’d rather you eat with us.” His dark eyes drew her into a strange web of feelings she didn’t want.

  She blinked. “But you won’t insist?”

  He stared at her a moment in silence then shook his head. “No, if you really don’t want to, I won’t insist.”

  “Thank you.” She almost whispered the words.

  “No problem.” He took the tea and water from the refrigerator and strode through the café doors leading to the dining room. He returned before she had the glasses picked up. He lifted the huge pot of chili from the stove and followed her.

  As he set his load on a couple of potholders in the middle of the long, oak table, he turned to her. “Need help with anything else?”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s all small. But maybe you could let your grandmother know it’s ready. Or should I take her a tray?”

  “Don’t you even think of it.” Linda entered the room with a smile and a shake of her head. “You’re not to wait on me. I’m perfectly capable of sitting at the table with these fine-lookin’ men.”

  Elliott jumped up and pulled out the chair at the end of the table. “Here you go, Ma’am.”

  She bestowed a warm smile on him. “Thank you, young man. I see word got out that we’ll be eating high on the hog now.”

  Kimberly set a glass at Linda’s place and moved around the table.

  Travis ducked his head. “Gran, I told the men they might as well get something to eat before they leave. As you well know, we’ve been making do a whole lot longer than the few days you’ve been here. After a while frozen dinners start tasting like the cardboard they come in.”

  Cletus jumped up and took the tray of glasses from Kimberly. “You go ahead, Ma’am. I’ll hand these out.”

  She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. I’ll be right back with cornbread and butter.”

  When she returned to the kitchen, the outside door opened and Jamie came in.

  “I wondered what was taking you so long.” She pulled butter from the refrigerator and put it with the cornbread. “I need to take this into the dining room. But I’ll fix you a plate first. I saved some chili and here’s cornbread with butter just the way you like it.”

  She set his meal on the table then crossed the room to the café doors, where she paused. “Um, Jamie, we still need to keep you a secret until after Mr. Graham’s eaten, okay?”

  “Sure.” He grinned. “I’ll stay right here. Then I’ll go outside and play.”

  ~*~

  Travis watched the doors swing open as Kimberly pushed through with her load. He could smell the sweet fresh bread from across the room mingling with the spicy scent of chili. His stomach growled. He would’ve already dug in, but Elliott had gotten them into the habit of saying a blessing before they ate. He figured even Elliott could scarcely wait for this meal. Of course, the proof would be in the tasting. A man couldn’t live on smell alone. He still had a hard time believing little rich girl Kim Johnson, or Burris, could cook.

  Kim disappeared into the kitchen while Elliott prayed. The men insisted Gran fill her bowl first, then they converged on the chili and cornbread as if they were starving. The room grew quiet except for the occasional clank of spoon against bowl or butter knife against plate.

  Travis stuffed his mouth like the rest, but he caught himself watching the café doors more than once. He swallowed a mouthful of the best chili he’d tasted in a long time and took a bite of cornbread. This time he closed his eyes to better savor the flavors while he chewed.

  “Will ya look at that?” One of the men spoke out and a cheer rose from around the table.

  Travis’s eyes flew open to see Kim step away from the doors, a pie held in each of her hands.

  “What kind is that, Ma’am?” Elliott asked over the rumble of appreciative voices.

  “I’m afraid they’re both chocolate.” The smile she turned on the men might’ve been meant as an apology but finished what her cooking had already started.

  They loved her. Travis saw it in the admiration on every face, the sparkle in every eye as the rough cowboys watched her set the pies on the sideboard. She’d have them eating out of her hands within a week. A fact he understood. She’d done the same to him seven years ago the summer he stayed in Omaha. They’d double dated with Brent and Trish. They knew full well they could only be friends because of her engagement, but they’d connected in an unexpected way, and he’d lost his heart to Kim. She’d loved him, too. Not that it mattered. She’d still married the rich guy her grandpa chose for her.

  He caught Gran watching him with a soft smile on her face. She’d been awfully quiet while they ate. Still, he couldn’t help wondering if she knew what he was thinking. She hadn’t known about Kim, but Gran had a way of seeing through him.

  Elliott moaned. “If I’d known we were getting pie, I wouldn’t have eaten so much chili.”

  Kim’s laughter rang out. “I thought I’d go ahead and bring these out so you’d know to save room.”

  “No way I’m saving room. I’ll just pack it all in.” Red patted his stomach.

  Jason covered a burp and grinned. “You bet. Ma’am, you don’t know what we’ve been eating. Don’t seem to matter who cooks it, if the meat ain’t burnt, it’s still bleeding. Sometimes it’s both. We’re lucky to get frozen dinners.”

  She laughed and joked with the men as they exaggerated about the food they’d been forced to endure. Finally, she took the pitcher of ice water from the sideboard and held it up. “Anyone need a refill?”

  Elliott lifted his glass. “I do. Say that’s a great idea.”

  “What is?” Red asked.

  Travis watched Kim circle the table filling water glasses. She was a bright spot in his dingy dining room. Her golden hair shone as she stepped under the light and her laughter filled the room with sweet music.

  “Yeah, Elliott, what great idea’d you come up with now?” Jason popped his
last bite of cornbread in his mouth.

  When Kim reached Elliott, he took the pitcher from her and set it on the table. Then he took both her hands in his and looked up at her with a silly grin. “I’m too full to kneel, Mrs. Burris, but if you’d do the honor of becoming my wife, me and my taste buds would both thank you.”

  The room erupted in laughter and catcalls. Gran laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. Travis didn’t make a sound, even though he wanted to knock Elliott away from Kim. A touch of pink spotted each of her cheeks, but she laughed as heartily as the men. In fact, she pulled her hands away and gave Elliott a quick curtsey as silly as his proposal.

  “I’m honored, kind sir. The only problem is I have no intention of ever marrying again.” Her eyes flicked toward Travis before she turned to the others. “However, I want to tell you how much I look forward to cooking for you all. I’ll do my best to provide you with meals you will enjoy. Thank you for making me feel so welcome my first evening on the Circle G Ranch.”

  Travis caught the look she’d flung his way. So she didn’t plan to remarry. Had she been warning him off? Why’d she come? To twist his heart more than it already had been?

  She’d proven she could cook and clean. Already she’d made changes in the kitchen and cooked a great meal. Brent knew what he was doing, all right. Except for one thing. He’d sent the one woman who not only wouldn’t stay, she couldn’t.

  She was too appealing. Elliott meant his proposal as a joke, and she’d taken it that way. But what of the other men? Red had a girl. Jason was young, never been married. He’d been watching and smiling at her. Maybe they needed to be warned off. All of them. Kim was off limits.

  Kim stepped to the sideboard and picked up a pie in one hand, a server in the other. “Are you ready for pie?”

  Amid the appreciative sounds from around the table, Kim cut the pies in fourths and gave each person a piece. She served Travis last.

  He held her gaze. “The chili’s about gone. You need to eat.”

  No smile set on her face now. “I had some in the kitchen.”

  He nodded toward the center of the table. “Cornbread’s nothing but crumbs.”

  She took a step back. “It’s all right. I kept some.”

  He gave a curt nod, and she turned and walked away taking the pie pans with her. Why’d she disrupt his life? He wouldn’t flatter himself by thinking she’d come because of him.

  The men finished their pie and ambled out one at a time carrying their empty bowls, all but licked clean, with flatware and glass on top. Whose bright idea was that? Next thing, they’d be staying to wash the dishes for her.

  When the last man disappeared between the swinging doors, Gran laughed.

  Travis threw his napkin on the table as he stood. “I’m not taking my dirty dishes to her.”

  That made Gran laugh even more. She blotted her eyes with the paper napkin Kim had left by each place. “Oh, Travis, I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a meal more. That’s some of the best chili I’ve had in a long time, but the entertainment . . .” She laughed again. “is worth having a broken arm. If you don’t snatch that girl up, you’re not the smartest grandson I’ve got after all.”

  He let out a rush of frustrated air. Just what he needed. If Gran knew he and Kim had a past, what would she say then? Well, he wasn’t about to tell her. “Remember? I’m your only grandchild. I hate to tell you this, but the family line stops here.”

  He walked around the table and regretted his words when he saw hurt in her eyes. Hurt that was quickly replaced by a twinkle. “Oh, Travis, have you ever heard the expression, ‘Famous last words’? She’s very pretty.”

  “Can I do anything for you, Gran? Other than talk about the cook, I mean?” He stopped by her chair.

  She patted his arm. “I’m fine, except you might take my dishes to the kitchen along with yours. I think I’ll leave you young people alone tonight.”

  He met the teasing light in her eyes and thought about ignoring the request, but what difference did it make? If he didn’t take the dishes like everyone else had, he’d appear childish as if the new cook had gotten to him. He spun on his heel and retrieved his dirty dishes, then came back for hers. “Why not?”

  Her soft snicker drifted to him as she rose and turned toward the living room. Travis entered the kitchen, his focus narrowing to the scene there. Jason chatting with Kim.

  Travis glared at the younger man. “When did you check on Butternut last?”

  Kim’s smile died as Jason turned to face Travis. She stepped to the sink with her back to them, and he couldn’t see her expression.

  Jason shrugged. “Just before we ate.”

  “Her foal’s due to drop any day now, isn’t it?” Couldn’t the guy take a hint? Travis didn’t want to come right out and tell him to get away from Kim. At least not in front of her. He knew as well as Jason did that the mare wouldn’t likely foal tonight, but Jason was their best hand with the births, so it was his job to check on the mares as their time drew near.

  With a quick glance toward Kim, Jason shrugged. “I can check her again. Thanks for that swell meal, Ms. Burris.”

  She turned toward Jason with a smile. “You’re welcome, but please call me Kimberly.”

  “Kimberly.” He nodded with a wide grin and strode to the door without another look at his boss. Just before going outside, he lifted his hand in a quick wave at the kitchen table. “See ya around, Sport.”

  Travis turned to find a little boy sitting at the far side of the table draining the last few drops of tea from his glass. He stood and carefully balanced the glass and spoon in his bowl as he walked past Travis to Kim. “Here, Momma. Can I go outside again?”

  Momma? He stared at the little boy. Pain like a knife thrust through Travis’s heart. The boy looked the same age his son would have been had he lived. Steven’s death took everything from him. His son, his marriage, and then his wife. But Kim had her son. Where’d he been when she arrived? Somehow she’d kept him hidden until now.

  He met her gaze and read the guilt in her eyes. What game was she playing? There’d better not be any more surprises. He’d had enough for one day.

  Kim turned from him to touch the little boy’s shoulder. “Yes, Jamie, you may go now. Just make sure you follow the rules we’ve already discussed. Especially staying nearby.”

  After the boy disappeared outside, Kim turned back and met Travis’s frown with a defiant tilt to her chin.

  Chapter Four

  “Brent didn’t mention a boy.” His growl accused her. “Why’d you hide him from me, Kim?”

  She refused to give an inch. “Would you have let me stay and cook if you’d seen him first?”

  He glared at her. “You already know the answer to that.”

  She crossed her arms. “Then you have your answer. I’ve told Jamie to stay away from the horses. He’s been playing with kittens from the barn. He’s a good little boy. He won’t bother anything.”

  “Have you ever seen what a person looks like after they’ve been kicked by a horse?” Travis’s frown matched the threatening tone of his voice. “I won’t be held responsible for your city-bred boy. I didn’t invite him, and I don’t want him here.”

  Kimberly sucked in air. He couldn’t speak any plainer than that. Would he say the same if he knew Jamie was his son? She couldn’t take that chance. Jamie didn’t need another father with harsh words.

  She looked at the floor. “Yes, I saw a little girl once who was bucked from a Shetland pony and kicked in the face. The wound went all the way through her cheek, taking most of her teeth on that side, and breaking her jaw.”

  She looked back at him. “Jamie promised to stay away from the horses. I need this job, Travis, but if you don’t want us here, I’ll pack and leave in the morning.”

  Maybe she should go anyway. She’d made a mistake thinking she could waltz onto Travis’s ranch and tell him he had a son. He didn’t want her little city boy. He didn’t want his own child.
Well, Jamie didn’t need him either. If only she’d known everything seven years ago she’d have told him then, and things would have been different. Now he wouldn’t listen. Not tonight. Maybe not ever. Lord, what should I do?

  A harsh laugh erupted from Travis. “I reckon you’ve got me over a barrel, Mrs. Burris. After that meal you put together, the men would string me up to the highest limb they could find if I even suggested running you off.”

  He stomped to the door and yanked it open, then pivoted and said, “Keep your boy out of trouble and away from the corral. If there’s a horse in the barn, he’d better not be. Keep him out of the way. We eat breakfast at six thirty. Make sure it’s hearty and plan on a good lunch tomorrow. We’ll be branding calves in the pen by the barn. It’s hard work and we’ll be hungry so make plenty. Sandwiches should be fine.”

  “All right. I’ll take care of it.” Kimberly ignored the sarcasm in his voice when he called her Mrs. Burris. She pressed against her chest to still the hard pounding inside. Her voice was soft. “Thank you.”

  His dark brown eyes bored into hers. His voice softened. “I’m not doing you any favors, Kim. A city kid running around free on a ranch is a time bomb just waiting to explode. I expect you to defuse him before he goes off.” An expression moved through his eyes too fast for Kimberly to understand. He lowered his voice. “Just keep him safe and do your job. That’s all I ask.”

  He closed the door before she could respond.

  Kimberly let her breath out in a rush. That was that. She’d bide her time until Travis cooled down before she told him about Jamie. What else could she do? She turned back to the sink to start the dishes. Tears threatened. Holding the edge of the sink, she bowed her head and blinked to stop the self-pity.

  “Lord, I may deserve this, but I don’t want it.” She whispered her prayer. “Please, keep me strong. Thank You, Jesus, in spite of what just happened. I don’t understand Travis, but I believe You brought us here for a purpose. It’s only right for Jamie and Travis to know each other. Your word says our steps are ordered by You, so that doesn’t leave room for chance, does it? Maybe he needs to know You or come back to You. Help me be a witness while I’m here, and please, Lord, help me keep Jamie safe. Shield his heart so he isn’t hurt if his father can’t accept him.”