Jason kept his voice calm. “You’re mistaken, Carter. Kale is a free citizen of Naiara with diplomatic status. If you stir trouble with him, you’d instigate an international incident. I’d hate to have to tell your daddy that you were arrested and brought before the prime minister and the king for assaulting a Naiaran agent under the protection of the government. Have you ever met the king? Nice fellow, although he does hate it when he’s made to look foolish to the Naiarans.” Anger flared in Carter’s eyes, and they darted from side to side, as if searching for the truth. “I know I said a lot of big words just now. If any of them confused you, I’d be happy to clarify.”
Carter’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped backward, jabbing a finger in Jason’s direction. “You’d best leave this county as quick as you came. No wonder your daddy’s dyin’. Mine’d rather be dead than see me shame myself like you have.” Before Jason could respond, Carter turned on his heel and motioned for his friends to follow. “Let’s go. This place has gotten too trashy.”
It wasn’t worth following and taking a swing at him. Jason had wanted to avert trouble, and he had done it. Surrendering to his anger would give Carter exactly what he wanted. Jason lowered himself to his seat and registered the surprise on George’s face. Of greater concern to him was Kale, who breathed deeply, eyes still fixated on the drink clasped in his hands. Jason gently rubbed his back. “It’s all right.”
“Thank you.”
“I told you there wouldn’t be any trouble.”
“You shouldn’t have to fight my battles for me.”
“That’s what I’m here for, to fight when you can’t. It wasn’t cowardice, Kale. You didn’t know if he would accept that you’re free. There was tremendous risk for you in acting and none for me. You were always the wise one of us, and that’s why you sat there and kept your mouth shut even though I’m sure you had an earful for him.”
Kale’s breathing was returning to normal, and his body slouched into a more natural posture, his grip on the glass relaxing. Jason knew Kale had been scared. More than that, he had been terrified, and with good reason. However, despite all that was at stake, it wasn’t cowardice that had stilled Kale. It was shame, his hurt pride at being viewed as a slave, and probably at having family who were still slaves despite his efforts. Jason would do anything to protect Kale’s pride. Kale could keep his fear under control, but without his pride, he was nothing.
It was a familiar situation. A picture of Kale standing broken before him when Jason had discovered that—in an ironic twist of fate—Kale had ended up working for a labor firm at one of Jason’s steel mills flashed before him. Without his pride, Kale had shriveled into a shell of a man. Seeing Kale stripped of the one thing that mattered to him had been the worst moment of Jason’s life. Worse than the moment when Renee had told him he would have to sell Kale or lose her. Far worse than when Kale had told him he had never loved Jason, so that Jason would sell him in order to live happily ever after with Renee.
Jason’s hand shot out and grabbed Kale’s drink. He downed the whiskey in a single gulp to chase away the images. Jason couldn’t let Kale turn into that broken man again, even for a moment. “You’re fine, Kale. I’ve got you. You never have to hang your head. And if you want to go find Carter and beat the shit out of him, I’ll be right there with you. Gods know he deserves it.”
“No. You’re right. I’m fine.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but you’re diplomats?” George’s face looked as if he didn’t know how to process what had just happened.
“Yes, I was wondering that myself.” Kale faced Jason with a hint of his usual good humor glinting in his eyes.
“Well, I’m sure he’s not smart enough to figure it out.”
George laughed and shook his head. “You sure are smooth, Jason.”
Kale ordered another drink, and the three of them relaxed into comfortable banter. Jason had the information they needed to find Monroe. It was time to enjoy the respite from his father’s home and the ghosts that lingered there.
Chapter Thirteen
“Martin, it’s Kale.” Despite Jason’s insistence that his father was opposed to scientific progress, there was actually a telephone in the house.
“Kale, what can I do for you?” Martin’s tone was as formal as ever, but Kale detected a trace of warmth in his voice.
“I was hoping you could look into something for me.” Martin had been Jason’s secretary until Jason and Kale decided to move to Naiara. Now, he served as president of Arlington Steel. He was their go-to man, and they both trusted him implicitly.
“Certainly, let me just get a piece of paper.” There was some rummaging on the line, and Martin returned. “All right, Kale, go ahead.”
“Jedediah Monroe. I want you to see if there’s any record of court proceedings regarding his estate, creditors, bankruptcy, that sort of thing. It would be in Malar County. Also, see if you can find anything about a cousin he might be staying with. We don’t know where they live, but we don’t think it’s in Malar. Any information you can dig up about what kind of people they are would be helpful in addition to their whereabouts.”
“I’ll telephone Mr. Smithson, and we’ll start searching immediately. I take it the search hasn’t gone well if you’re needing my help.” Mr. Smithson was one of Jason’s attorneys.
“No, there’ve been a few bumps.”
“Well, don’t worry. We’ll find them.” The earnest words comforted Kale. He and Jason weren’t alone. “I don’t mean to pry, but was this Mr. Monroe your original owner?”
“I figured you would have known that already from my title.”
“I’ve never seen your title. Jason wouldn’t let anyone handle it but him and his attorneys when it became necessary.” There was some commotion: a female voice and the clink of a tea cup and saucer. “Sophie’s here and wants to say hello.”
“Kale, it’s been too long. How are you? How’s Mr. Wadsworth holding up? You’d better be taking care of each other at a time like this.”
Kale chuckled. Just the sound of her voice cheered him, such a stark contrast to the gloom of recent days. “We’re doing all right, Sophie. Don’t worry about us.”
“I do, and I will, and you should be used to it. Don’t lie to me. If everything was all right, you wouldn’t be needing Martin’s help.”
“We came across a little obstacle is all.” Kale hesitated to say more, but he knew Sophie would pull it out of him. “My family wasn’t where I thought they’d be. I went out to the farm where I was raised, and the place was abandoned. I knew there was good chance they wouldn’t still be there.”
“Oh, hon, I’m sorry. But don’t be getting down. It’s just a delay is all. You know Martin won’t sleep ’til he finds out what you need. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thanks, Sophie. How’s that beau of yours doing?” Sophie had been their cook-cum-housekeeper and had stayed on to keep up the Perdana house with Martin. While Kale didn’t want to see her leave their odd little family, he wanted her to live her own life and be happy. She was young and pretty and should be out having a good time.
“Martin had no right telling you and Mr. Wadsworth about Max. He’s just fine. Now, I have to be getting back to my chores.”
“Sure you do, Sophie.”
“Oh shush. A girl’s allowed to have some private things. Give my love to Mr. Wadsworth, and be good.”
“I will, Sophie.” The call disconnected. Kale hung up the hand piece and leaned against the wall. He was glad he’d made the call himself. Jason offered, but Kale had already let Jason do too much. That scene in the bar the previous night had been ridiculous. Kale could stand up for himself.
Jason was reading one of his mother’s journals when Kale reached their room. “Sophie sends her love.”
“Thanks. Did you get any more information out of her about her gentleman caller?”
“No, she ended the conversation pretty quickly after I brought him up.”
“You know, I alw
ays wanted her and Martin to end up together. Wishful thinking.”
“They would make a good pair. I admit I’ve thought the same. They already act like an old married couple.” Kale sat on the stuffed chair next to the fireplace. There wasn’t a sofa in the room, just a desk and chair Jason currently inhabited. “Martin and Mr. Smithson are going to see what they can find and call us back.”
“Good. They’ll find something. Do you want to head down to breakfast? Demetri said it would be served at nine.”
“Oh, well if Demetri said…” Kale drew out the words as he stood.
“Stop. He’s not that bad. You can’t blame him for my stupidity in wanting him as my valet. He was the only slave I knew. Besides, can you imagine where I’d be right now if I’d gotten my wish?”
Yes, Kale could. Jason would probably be happily married with a few children. Instead of avoiding his dying father, he’d probably be gathered with his family around him, letting the grandkids spend as much time as they could with their grandfather while the wife tutted and fussed, making sure Robert was comfortable. Domestic bliss, that’s what Jason would have right now had his father given him Demetri, the habitually well-behaved slave who would have never entered into a personal relationship with his master.
Jason’s arms wrapped around Kale. His weight pressed against Kale in a comfortable and familiar way. Sometimes, Kale felt more like himself with Jason’s body pressed against his than without it. “Stop. I should know better than to mention it, even in jest. How many years do you think it’ll take until you’ll realize there’s no one I’ll ever want more than you?”
“I do know it. I just question your judgment every now and then. I want the best for you.”
“You are the best for me.” Jason tilted his head up and closed his eyes. It was impossible for Kale to resist Jason’s lips. It was amazing how even simple kisses still ignited something inside him. There had been thousands over the years, and every one felt like the first.
“Well, now that that’s settled, let’s go eat.” Kale couldn’t resist lightly swatting Jason’s ass before he let him go. It was unsettling how much Jason’s presence affected him.
When they reached the dining room, Kale was surprised to see Robert sitting at the head of the table. After their arrival, Kale hadn’t seen Robert at all. Instead of one of the normal dining room chairs, Robert was tucked into an armchair pushed up to the table. Hopefully, this was a sign he was willing to work on reconciliation.
Robert nodded to Jason, and Jason responded in kind. A place was set on each side of Robert, and Jason sat on his father’s left, leaving Kale with the right. Once they were seated, Kale and Jason were served plates heaping with eggs, sausage, ham, tomatoes, and toast. Robert received a bowl of tomato soup.
“I heard you had a confrontation with Carter Cartwright last night.” Robert didn’t look up from his spoon. “I don’t want you causing trouble here. I’d prefer you not tarnish my name in my home.” Apparently, he hadn’t made the effort to join them for a reconciliation, but for a scolding.
“How did you hear about that?” Jason asked.
“It doesn’t matter. Don’t change the subject. You’re always trying to avoid taking responsibility.”
Kale couldn’t abide Robert’s condescending tone. “Carter started it. Jason handled himself well. He ended it before Carter could resort to blows.”
“I don’t recall asking for your opinion. I understand you were the cause of the problem.”
“He was defending me, yes.”
“Kale wasn’t the cause. Carter just wanted to cause problems.” Jason interjected.
“Yes, as well he should when one of his former slaves comes traipsing into his bar.”
“It’s not his bar, Father.”
“It’s more his than yours.”
“You should be proud of Jason for not rising to the bait. He’s always been good at diplomacy.”
“I’m aware of my son’s talent for talking his way out of problems.”
Silence hung thick in the air. Kale concentrated on eating his eggs. There was nothing he could say to a man who had already determined to hate him no matter the circumstance.
“What, you don’t have anything more to say? My son defends you, and you can’t be bothered?”
“What would you like me to say, sir? You raised a fine man. Whether you choose to see that or not is up to you.” Kale held Robert’s gaze. He wouldn’t look away again. He had played the same game the last time he’d been in this dining room with Robert, except this time he was free to see it through to the end. Kale thought he saw a softening in Robert’s eyes before he succumbed to a coughing fit. Once it had passed, they all returned to eating.
“What do you boys have planned for today?”
Jason exchanged looks with Kale. They hadn’t discussed it. There wasn’t much to do until they heard back from Martin, and that likely wouldn’t be until tomorrow. Kale knew Jason wanted to continue reading his mother’s journals, but he certainly wasn’t going to tell Robert that. The idea of Jason cooped up inside all day dredging up the past didn’t sit well with Kale. They needed to be active. “I was hoping to tour the ranch. A man we met last night said your cattle have the best hides in the country.”
Robert paused and lifted his eyebrows. “You must mean George.”
“Yes, sir. Thought it’d be nice to see what all the fuss is about. He isn’t the first person who’s told me Wadsworth cattle are the best. I thought Jason and I could saddle up some horses and go for a ride.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Jason said, “but I don’t even know where the property line is. Do you think we could have someone show us around, Father?”
“Hmph. That’s the problem with you: you don’t even know what you have, what I worked so hard for. John will be in from his morning rounds soon. You can have him take you out.”
“Thank you, sir.” Kale knew Jason wasn’t about to thank him.
Jason didn’t seem embarrassed at all by his ignorance. It was part of the fundamental problem between father and son. They didn’t value the same things, and they each took it as a sign of disrespect and lack of love. Neither recognized that they felt exactly the same.
Chapter Fourteen
An hour later, Kale was astride a mare, riding with Jason and John—the free man who managed the ranch—sandwiches tucked away in their saddlebags for lunch. “We’ll go down to the creek first and follow it around. It’s the lifeblood of this place.” On the way, John pointed out all the different facilities: the storehouse, the barn, the corrals. He pointed to the hay fields in the distance. They all studiously avoided the family burial plot behind the house.
They followed the creek’s path through the land. John pointed out spots where some of the cows liked to hide when they knew their calving time was approaching. He showed them all the different places they rotated the cattle to for grazing.
“Where’s the property line?” Kale asked John as they emerged from a wooded patch. Land stretched for kilometers in each direction, and Kale supposed they must be getting close to the boundary.
John laughed. “I don’t have time to show you today.”
“Mr. Wadsworth implied he wanted Jason to learn where the line is.”
“Robert was pulling your leg. If he wanted me to take you all the way to the back line, he would have had me pack some provisions.”
“Provisions?”
“Yeah, you can’t reach the back of the property and get back to the house in one day.”
“Just how big is the ranch?”
“Right around fourteen thousand acres.”
“What? How many cattle are there?”
“We have a little over sixteen hundred head right now.”
“Surely you don’t need all that acreage for that many cattle?” Jason turned to John.
John looked at Jason like he was missing something fundamental. “Robert just likes to buy up land. He says it’s the only thing they’re no
t making any more of.”
Kale liked the simple sensibility of that. Seeing the ranch, he found a lot to admire about the senior Wadsworth. For a brief moment, Kale wondered how they would have gotten along had Kale been born free and entered Robert’s life under different circumstances.
After lunch, John showed them around for a few more hours. It was refreshing to be outside on a horse again. Kale found being surrounded by nothing but living, breathing things peaceful, and peace was something Kale needed. They scaled a hill and beheld a panoramic view of the countryside.
“You see the house down there?” John pointed to their right. The cabin was a tiny speck in the distance.
“Yes, sir.” Kale replied.
“Good. Don’t get lost. I’ve got some work to do. You should head back so you’re not late for dinner.”
“Thank you for your time.” Kale reached out his hand. John didn’t seem to have much of a problem with Kale despite his boss’s prejudice. Or perhaps it was just that he saw more in common between himself and Kale than with Jason, even though he’d been a free man from birth.
“Not a problem. You ever have any questions and see me around, just ask.” John nodded and rode off in a direction slightly to the left of home.
Jason and Kale stayed at the top of the hill, enjoying the view. The sun lowered in the sky, and the landscape was awash in her red hues. Perfect lighting for a painting.
“This is all going to be yours soon. Any idea what you’re going to do with it?”
Jason shrugged. “Never considered it for an instant. I never thought I would inherit it, and we don’t even know if I will. There’s no telling if my father reinstated me in the will after I married Renee.”
“Who else is he going to leave it to?”
“John.”
“No.”
“He likes him. He’s like family.”
[Measure of Devotion 01.0 - 03.0] Box Set Page 58