“But I…I…” she stammered, fighting to stop her mouth from saying what it had begun to confess to him.
“Don’t say it, Vaden,” he demanded, closing his eyes tightly as if to block out her words. “I’m not what ya need. I can’t be what ya want. Ya only think that ya…it’s because I was such a mystery to ya for so long. You have the curiosity of a fairy, Vaden. You’ll find now that it’s quenched…I won’t seem as—”
“What on earth do you think I was going to say to you, Mr. Lake?” she exclaimed, though she knew full well she would have confessed her love for him that very moment had he not interrupted her.
“I know more surely than you can imagine exactly what ya were about to say, Vaden. But it’s only youth and admiration causin’ ya to think…I’ve rescued ya twice now. I’m a man in your eyes…older than that flimsy Jerome Clayton. It’s all just your…imagination. I’m not what ya think I am,” he nearly growled.
“You may think you know what I was going to say to you, Mr. Lake,” Vaden spat, “but don’t flatter yourself. I was only going to say that you were not taking advantage of me; therefore, you were not taking advantage of my uncle’s hospitality. I was not being lured blindly into your arms, Mr. Lake. I am not the idiot you continue to take me for.”
She could tell by the narrowing of his eyes and the way he studied her face that he doubted…no, he knew she was lying. So she turned indignantly and began to walk away from him. She gasped aloud when next she felt him come from behind her and pick her up swiftly in his arms.
“Leave it to you to be wanderin’ around in the middle of the night and completely ruin a man’s chances of gettin’ a good night’s sleep. This is the second night in a row you’ve been the cause of my tired eyes and body, girl,” he grumbled as he carried her toward the bedrooms. He paused before the door to the guest room in which he was staying the night. “You think you’re too smart to be taken advantage of, do ya now?” he whispered. “Well, Miss Know-It-All Valmont…what if old man Ransom Lake was to take ya on into this room instead of on to your own? What would ya do then?”
She set her jaw squarely, and even though her body trembled with rapture at being held by him, she said firmly, “Scream for deliverance at the top of my lungs.”
The awesomely handsome man glared at her. “Ya couldn’t. My mouth would be exhaustin’ yours, and ya wouldn’t be able to scream.” Then he lowered his voice even more, and as the beguiling gray storm in his eyes fixed on hers, he added, “And ya wouldn’t want to anyway.”
Her mouth gaped open in astonishment at his lewd remarks. “And you pride yourself as holding to high morals—in being a gentleman.”
“I do, Miss Valmont.” Then he turned and headed in the direction of Vaden’s own room.
As he started to push the door open with his foot, she protested in a whisper, “No! Don’t! You’ll wake Yvonne, and she’ll think—”
Ransom looked at her for a moment. “Not if ya keep that honeyed mouth shut for once, girl,” he whispered as the door to Vaden’s bedroom slowly swung open. Quietly he carried Vaden to her empty bed as she watched to be sure Yvonne did not stir. He laid her gently on it and then whispered, “You’re lucky this night, Miss Vaden, that I chose not to stop at my own room.”
Vaden sat up and spat in a whisper, “You would never have seriously considered it.” She knew he was a gentleman and also a friend of her uncle’s. He was only teasing her, and she knew it well.
“So sure, are ya?”
“Perfectly. Don’t pretend to be the villain, Mr. Lake. I know better.”
“Don’t be so sure, girl,” he whispered. As he leaned forward, his arms on either side of her body supporting his weight, she melted against him once more as he kissed her with a deep ferocity nearly causing her to faint from the rapturous intensity of it. His mouth was hot and demanding and left hers too soon. He exited the room quietly but with haste and anger, and Vaden wondered if she would ever sleep before morning.
“Am I dreaming, Vaden?” Yvonne whispered quietly from the other side of the room. “I could have sworn I just saw—”
“Yes, you must be dreaming, Vonnie. And so must I be.”
Vaden was uncomfortable at breakfast the next morning. She could feel the blush rise to her face every time she looked at Ransom Lake and he caught her looking at him. He seemed to wear an eternal expression of knowing amusement, and it unnerved her greatly.
“Ya might as well stay through lunch, Ransom,” Dan stated.
“No. I’ve got to get back. Hard tellin’ what kind of shape I’ll find things in,” he explained.
“It’ll take ya two hours to get home in this weather, boy! Ya better stay on.” Dan shoveled another bite of eggs into his mouth.
“Nope. Can’t. Found myself away from home long enough already, Dan. But I thank ya for your generosity. You too, Myra.”
Ransom smiled at Myra, and she nodded and smiled back. “Any time, Ransom. You’re a joy to have around, not to mention bein’ Vaden’s deliverer from tragedy.”
Vaden looked to him, and as his eyes captured hers, his tongue moistened his lips slowly as he stared at her mouth, and her eyes widened indignantly. When she next looked to Yvonne, it was to see her sister’s eyes practically bulging from her skull, for Yvonne had witnessed Ransom Lake’s gesture. It delighted Vaden to know she had, for now Yvonne had seen his flirtatious nature firsthand.
As Vaden stood at the window watching Ransom Lake’s mare struggling to carry him through the knee-deep snow, her depression and heartache continued. For nearly two days—definitely two nights—she had been in his company, and her heart ached for his arms about her. Her body ached to hear his mumbly, low-pitched voice whisper something, anything, in her ear. She wanted only to stare at him every moment of the day, to have him talk to her. Just one of their silly, argumentative conversations would’ve sufficed. She longed for his smile, his frown, the way he rubbed at the whiskers on his chin. Little things were what she longed for as well as the more obvious, such as his marvelous kiss.
As she watched him disappear around the corner toward his home, she knew her tale of companionship with the phenomenal man Ransom Lake was at an end. He would have all the more reason to avoid her now. She knew that for certain. It was mere common sense testifying to her that once someone had confided some deep-felt secret to another person, that person, having chosen in a weak moment to reveal himself, often felt uncomfortable around his confidant, wanting only to avoid them at all cost. And there was much more reason for Ransom Lake to avoid her when coupled with the fact she held knowledge of his pain, for not only was she forever and always tripping him up somehow, she also tempted him physically. This final fact she could admit to herself, for he had told her as much. She also knew it to be true, for she knew a man could not feign such passion. Even the best of players would’ve slipped up somehow. It was only another reason for him to want to avoid her as much as possible.
Vaden was in love with Ransom Lake, and she would not let him suffer more than he already had, more than necessary. And it was not necessary. Perhaps he didn’t want her. Perhaps she couldn’t heal his pain or fill his lonely heart. But there was someone who could. She had promised not to repeat his secrets; she had promised, and she would keep her promise. But there was someone whom Ransom Lake needed—someone who needed Ransom Lake. And she would not let the man she loved suffer needlessly any further.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Vaden sent the telegram to Denver Lake only two days after Thanksgiving. It was a mere one week later, while she and Yvonne were tending to the store, when a tall, handsome stranger entered. Vaden’s heart began to pound furiously, for his resemblance to Ransom Lake was undeniably obvious. He was perhaps even taller, and his own black hair was completely grayed at the temples. He wore the clothes of a man who had great wealth, and his eyes were the deepest of blues. He was not as striking to look at as was Ransom Lake but was very handsome all the same.
“He’s here,” Vaden
whispered under her breath as, for a moment, she felt it difficult to stay conscious.
“He looks remarkably like…” Yvonne began, but the man removed his hat and approached the counter, and her words were lost.
“Pardon me, ladies,” he began. His manner of speech was confident and well-enunciated. “I’ve come to town in answer to a…excuse me, but my explanation is rather complicated. I’m looking…rather, I’m told there may be living nearby a man whom I believe to be my brother.”
Vaden held her breath, barely able to retain her balance and composure under the realization this was indeed Ransom Lake’s brother—his only remnant of family. So it was Yvonne who answered.
“Well, pardon me for being so bold, sir,” she began, “but I must tell you that you bear striking resemblance to our own Ransom Lake.”
Vaden watched as the man’s face immediately drained of all trace of color as he stared at Yvonne.
“Then…it’s true…what the telegram said? My brother is living? Living here?” he asked.
Yvonne frowned, puzzled, and looked to Vaden questioningly. Vaden only took a step back from her, shaking her head, unable to believe what she had done and the result standing before her.
“Yes, sir. If your brother’s name is Ransom Lake, it would seem to be certain, considering your resemblance to him, that it is one and the same man.” Yvonne looked to the man, concerned immediately about his reaction as well as Vaden’s. “Sir, do you need to sit down? You suddenly look quite unwell.”
Vaden held her breath as the man’s eyes concentrated on her. His eyes narrowed, and he held out a piece of paper to her, not to Yvonne, even though Yvonne had been the one to answer his questions. When Vaden shook her head and took another step backward, Yvonne reached out and took the paper, reading it aloud.
“To Denver Lake, Leadville, Colorado. Sir, I believe it would be in your best interest, as well as that of another, to know a man believed to be your relation is living near our township. His last name is Lake, and he carries with him a pocketknife engraved with your name. Sincerely.” Yvonne looked up to Denver Lake. “It was anonymous?” Vaden could feel Yvonne wanted to turn and look at her, but she also knew Yvonne would instantly understand why she mustn’t.
“Can you tell me where I might find Ransom Lake?” the man asked.
He glanced again at Vaden, who stood paralyzed, unable to inwardly admit what her actions had caused to happen. Here he stood before her, the beloved brother of the man she loved—the brother whom Ransom Lake wanted to believe was alone in the world. And she had betrayed the man she loved in bringing him here. She felt that, from the depth of the pain and guilt in her heart, the organ must be ripping itself in two within her bosom.
“Certainly, Mr. Lake. He, um…” Yvonne looked again to the telegram, and Vaden knew the situation was almost as shocking to her sister as it was to herself. “He lives not but a mile north of town. And…” Yvonne’s voice broke off. Vaden followed her sister’s gaze to the front entrance as the color faded from Yvonne’s face.
“Mornin’, ladies,” Ransom Lake greeted as he entered the store for the first time since he’d left them the day after Thanksgiving. “Is your Uncle Dan around?” He approached the counter and stood directly next to his brother, completely unaware of the fact because his attention was directed to Vaden and Yvonne. “Are ya feelin’ all right, Miss Vaden?” he asked as his gaze fell on her. “Ya don’t look yourself. For that matter, neither do you, Miss Valmont. Is everything all right here?”
Vaden felt as if someone had plunged a knife into her chest as she watched Denver Lake lay a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Ransom? Ransom…it can’t really be you,” Denver muttered.
Someone twisted the invisible knife piercing Vaden’s heart, Ransom Lake’s eyes narrowing as he glared at her before turning to see standing next to him, for the first time in a decade, his elder brother.
“Denver,” Ransom Lake mumbled as he looked back to Vaden. For a moment, his eyes filled with anger. Yvonne looked to Ransom Lake and then to Vaden and back, a frown of inability to comprehend the situation furrowing her brow.
“Ransom. Where have you been? I was told you had died with everyone else. Why didn’t you contact me?” Denver asked, obviously awed by his brother’s existence. The man was visibly battling to control the conflicting emotions of joy, pain, and anger simultaneously attacking his soul. Ransom Lake’s attention was still on Vaden. She could no longer endure his abhorrent gaze. Quickly she walked to the end of the counter and out from behind, meaning to flee past him and through the front door. He lunged forward, catching her arm and pulling her to him.
“How could ya do this to me, Vaden?” he growled. The storm in his eyes was seething—raging and violent! She had hurt him deeply, she knew. She could only stand before him, shaking her head. “How could ya betray me like this?” he shouted.
“Ransom,” Denver scolded from behind him.
Ransom’s eyes continued to glare at Vaden.
“How could ya tell him? After you promised me,” he growled at the girl whose arm was held painfully tight in his grip.
“I told him nothing,” Vaden managed to force from her lips in a whisper. “I told him nothing. I only…it was wrong of you, and you know it. You were wrong. It was selfish. I only…”
Ransom’s chest rose and fell heavily with his angered breathing. “I trusted you,” he mumbled.
“Ransom,” Denver began, taking a step toward his brother. “Remember, Ransom. Remember what our father taught us. ‘When a woman provokes you to anger and you’re in doubt as to whether to strike her or kiss her…’”
Vaden tried to pull her arm free as Ransom Lake clenched his teeth and closed his eyes tightly shut for a moment, but his hold was too powerful.
Then he opened his eyes to her once more and mumbled, “Our father told us, ‘There is no consideration to be made, for the latter releases the frustration faster and more valiantly than the prior.’” He paused for a moment and, still glaring at Vaden, whose tears were profuse on her cheeks, said to his brother, though he still did not look at him, “I would never think to strike this girl, Denver.”
Suddenly, he released her arm and cupped her chin firmly. “Quit meddlin’ with my life, girl!” he whispered angrily. The next moment, the hot moisture of his mouth captured hers roughly, forcing a strong, deep, and very insistent kiss. The fierceness of the kiss softened but not the sheer, magnificent power of it. Vaden’s body was weakened. Had it not been for his body before her and his powerful arms around her to hold her when her knees failed, she would’ve fallen to the floor. All the splendid sensations that had enveloped her the first time he kissed her, and every blissful time thereafter, did so again. In a mere moment, she was returning his kiss, and they were both lost in its passion.
“Oh, my! Vaden! Slap him, for Pete’s sake!” Yvonne insisted, rushing from behind the counter to stand behind her sister. “Vaden! What if Auntie comes in here?” Yvonne hurried to stand between Ransom Lake and his brother, tapping Ransom Lake lightly on the shoulder. “Mr. Lake, please! Have some decorum.”
Vaden heard Denver Lake chuckle and heard Yvonne protesting as he took hold of her arm, pulling her back from the embracing couple.
“If my brother kisses a woman anywhere nearly as perfectly as I do…then I think we must have something in common other than just our resemblance to our father, miss.”
Yvonne’s voice echoed through Vaden’s mind, and she did indeed raise her hand to Ransom Lake’s face. His kiss was overpowering, and instead of delivering a firm slap, she felt her hand tenderly caress his face for a moment.
His kiss intensified, and the passion of it frightened Vaden. She knew it was a passion of anger and frustration he must feel, yet to her it seemed to be something quite different. Her own passion for him frightened her, for she wanted nothing else in the world except to stay in that exact situation forever. Suddenly he broke their kiss, and Vaden drew in a deep breath, unaware until that m
oment the force of his kiss had made it difficult for her to breathe easily.
“Were ya sent on this earth solely to torment me, girl?” he barked, taking her by the shoulders and holding her away from his body. “My life is in shreds since ya came here. I have no privacy, no self-control, and no hair either, for that matter!”
“More likely she was sent here to save your soul, Ransom Lake! How dare you take such familiarities with my sister?” Yvonne scolded, wrenching her arm free of Denver’s strong grip. Vaden knew Denver had willingly released her sister, for she knew Ransom Lake’s strength and expected his brother’s to be no less. Yvonne rushed to her sister. She raised her hand to slap Ransom Lake, but he easily caught her wrist.
“I would never harm your sister, and ya know it. And besides, it’s not the first time we’ve tasted each other’s affection, Miss Valmont.” Ransom Lake released Yvonne’s wrist rather violently and turned to look at his brother.
“There’s time enough to scold your little pet, Ransom,” Denver Lake spoke. “This moment is for you and me. We’ve far too many things to discuss.”
“I’m not his pet!” Vaden was horrified the man would refer to her so, as if she was no more than a common, ordinary, uninteresting kitten.
“You melt in his arms easily enough, Vaden,” Yvonne whispered scoldingly, and Vaden felt the stinging tears of humiliation rise to her eyes.
Ransom and Denver Lake still stood gravely facing each other.
“Why, Ransom?” Denver asked in a lowered voice, filled with pain in its intonation. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ransom Lake looked to Vaden again; this time his eyes were sad and guilty—defeated. “Vaden,” he mumbled, “why did ya do this?”
“I couldn’t stand it,” she whispered as the tears streamed down her face. “I couldn’t stand by and watch you needlessly endure such misery and loneliness for the rest of your life. I couldn’t watch you waste your life. It was wrong of you never to tell him you were alive, to sit feeling sorry for yourself all these years. You can hate me forever if you want, but I did it because I…”
The Visions of Ransom Lake Page 24