by Debra Holt
“Why don’t you buy it?”
“And do what with it?”
“You always need more grazing land and those fields we passed looked in good shape. At least that’s my best guess as more or less a tender foot when it comes to all things ranching.”
“You aren’t that much of a tenderfoot. I’ll wager you’ve a country girl heart under all that city girl polish and designer clothing you hide it under. What’s that saying? You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.”
He didn’t need to know he had stumbled on something that was awfully close to a truth she was only discovering for herself in recent days. “I thought we came out here to leave some keys or something?”
“Right. Guess I got sidetracked. Be right back.”
Calla watched him climb the stone steps set into the hillside, cross the expanse of yard and then disappear around the side of the house. Her eyes returned to the water and she contemplated slipping off her sandals and taking a few steps out into the enticing water. The thought was still tempting her when she heard a sound that did not belong in the setting. She listened and there it was again… a plaintive meow. It sounded like a kitten. A very scared one. Calla moved closer to the tangle of tree roots on the edge of the bank and listened again, her eyes searching for the animal making the sound.
A movement overhead, and a flash of orange caught her eye. On a branch of the tree, about eight feet above her height, was a small kitten, its orange and white fur looked dirty and matted and it had one blue eye and one green eye.
“You adorable little fellow,” she whispered at it. “Are you stuck? Why did you go up that high and get yourself in that mess?” She began to pick her way over the roots, when a voice stopped her.
“What are you doing? Be careful… that’s a good place for a moccasin to be waiting.” Ty’s words immediately brought a vision of a venomous cottonmouth snake to mind and she stopped still in her tracks, her eyes leaving the kitten and going to the ground around her.
Ty was beside her in a couple of long strides. “You wait on the bank over there and I’ll see what I can do.” His gaze had latched on the kitten.
She didn’t argue. She was glad to wait where he said, her eyes darting now and then along the river bank. Her concern became halved between the kitten in its precarious perch and the man who was traversing the roots now and trying to find a foothold on the tree. She remained silent so as not to distract either one.
Ty found a knot in the trunk and leveraged himself up, his hand reaching for the limb closest, studying his next move; he jumped for the limb and caught himself up another couple of feet. He was balanced finally between the branch where the kitten was still clinging, her meowing more insistent and frightened, and the branch he had managed to gain a foothold upon. Reaching for the kitten, he had to strain to really pry the little claws away from the tree branch.
Calla saw the wince cross his face when he finally got hold of the kitten in one hand, the little claws left the tree to sink into his arm. She bit her lip watching the whole scene. “Can you hand it to me?” She inched closer.
“I couldn’t get her to turn loose of me right now if I had a pair of pliers.” Ty spoke through gritted teeth. He began moving along the branch.
Calla was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when there was a sound that made her eyes fly to the man who had heard it also but could not react fast enough. The branch snapped in a second and in slow motion, she watched in shock as the man was falling through the air, kitten in hand held high above his head, and then there was a splash as half of his body went straight into the river. Luckily, it was shallow enough and he was able to keep from going totally under the water. Naturally, the poor kitten was hanging on for dear life.
Calla took off the sheer blouse she had over her camisole, wrapped it around her hands and reached out to the man who was trying to stay upright and gain a foothold on the riverbank. “Let me have the kitten.”
“She’ll scratch you.”
“Just give her to me… now.” She used the tone she reserved for the courtroom when she needed a client to sit up and listen.
Ty did as she ordered, but not without reluctance. Calla saw the scratches and the blood running along his palm. She didn’t hesitate but wrapped the cloth around the animal and lifted it away from Ty, securing the kitten in the cloth and against the steady beat of her heart. She began to softly croon to it, trying to soothe it after the last few harrowing minutes it had gone through. It took another few minutes, but the animal seemed to settle, unable to move much due to the swaddling of the cloth.
“Poor baby. You just need to feel safe and secure. And get some food in you. Where in the world did you come from?”
“Probably from a mother who was dumped out here in the country,” Ty replied, taking a handkerchief from his back pocket and winding around his palm. “People think some farmer or rancher will take the strays in and that gets the problem off their hands. But they don’t think about the predators that will get them faster than anything… coyotes, foxes, hawks…you name it.”
Calla shivered at the prospect of something harming such a helpless little creature. She saw Ty’s bandaging and her concern moved to encompass him.
“We need to get back to town to the clinic and let them take care of that hand.” She started toward the truck.
“I can take care of it… no need to go to a clinic.”
“Are you afraid of needles or something?” She faced him as they reached the truck and she opened her door.
He looked almost affronted at the question. “Of course not. It’s just a few scratches, nothing life threatening.” She noted the slight wince as he reached into the back seat and withdrew an old camping blanket to sit on while he drove, and his jeans drip-dried on him. There was another when he slid behind the wheel and reached for the key in the ignition.
“Stop being a tough guy. Take me home and I’ll take care of it if you won’t go to the clinic.”
He didn’t argue. They headed back toward town. “What about that little tiger there? You keeping it?”
Calla looked at the silent kitten snuggled against her chest. It was so small. What would she do with it? She hadn’t thought that far when she knew it had to be rescued.
“I guess I could try to find it a home.”
“Why not keep it? You have a huge house and big yard. It would be some company for you.”
“How about you? You rescued it and have a ranch with lots of room,” she countered.
He shook his head. “Nope. Raider, my cow dog, would not share his territory with some scrawny cat.”
Calla had a sinking feeling. She just might have inherited one feline roommate. “I know that Lily would latch on to her right away. She was always the one bringing home strays. Maybe she’ll take her back to her place in town once she sees her.”
A few minutes later, they crossed her porch to the front door. Ty hesitated after she opened the door and then turned back with a question in her eyes.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll head home and take care of this hand.”
“Nonsense. It’s my fault you got hurt. It’s the least I can do to bandage your wounds. Unless you don’t want me to see how vulnerable you might be when faced with something that might sting?” She knew that would do it. His male ego puffed.
“I’m not a wimp. I’ll take a band aid… or two.” He followed her into the house.
Calla turned before he could see the smug smile on her face. She led him toward the back of the house, pausing long enough to find a large box she had sat on the back porch earlier that day. She placed the kitten inside, along with a soft towel from the dryer. She quickly took a saucer from the cabinet and placed a few tiny pieces of turkey from the refrigerator on it. Almost as soon as she had sat the saucer inside the box, the kitten wasted little time gnawing at the meat.
“Poor little fellow’s so hungry.”
“At least it’s eating o
n its own. You won’t be sitting up half the night trying to feed it from an eyedropper.”
“That’s a positive. Follow me.” She led the way into the large bathroom at the back of the house. “Have a seat.” Calla nodded toward the edge of the high-sided tub. She began to open drawers and cabinets, gathering what she needed. Ty sat still and eyed each thing she sat on the cabinet.
“You aren’t performing surgery… are you?”
Calla tossed him a knowing look. “Worried?”
“I think there’s a much easier way to treat this injury.”
She paused, a brow raised in skepticism.
“You know the best medicine… just kiss it and make it better. I’m all for that treatment.” There was a gleam of devilment in those jade depths as he watched her. His ‘old self’ seemed to be returning, much to her dismay.
“Nice try. Give me your hand and try not to faint on me.” She held out her palm for his.
Ty didn’t push the subject. He unwrapped the material from his palm and the wounds looked even more painful… all red and puffy and blood drying in streaks.
Calla laid his palm on the towel and went to work, carefully cleaning around the scratches with a warm, wet cloth, then with an antiseptic strip. She took his hand in one of hers and held it over the sink. “Okay… do you need a strip of leather to bite on right now? You might want to scream and it’s okay… just don’t faint and fall off your perch and hit your head.”
Ty didn’t smile. “You’re enjoying this way too much. Do your worst, Dr. Rose. I can take it.”
“Okay. I did warn you.” She poured a stream of the bottle’s contents over the scratches and foaming immediately began… along with a quick but quiet clinching of a male jawline that did not escape her notice. Screwing the cap back on the bottle, she set it aside, working to keep the smirk off her face.
“Air dry and then a bit of cream and gauze. When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?”
“Six months ago,” he replied. “You’d be a fool to do ranch work without keeping that current.”
“Wise man.” She finished securing the gauze wrap in place and looked over at him. His head was bent over the injured hand, very close to hers. His eyes met hers. That sizzle reared its ugly head.
“I try to be wise, but sometimes a man simply has to toss caution to the wind… like right now.” Moving just a short distance, his lips had no problem connecting with hers.
Calla was taken by surprise and had little time to put an evasive move in place. And truth be known, she wasn’t so certain she would have wanted to do so. His kiss was light, not possessive, simply a tasting… perhaps a thank you…perhaps just testing the waters. Her lips didn’t complain. Maybe they had their own question to answer. Whatever it was, it wasn’t Calla who drew away first.
The warmth in the emerald gaze that slowly searched the space from her lips to her eyes was almost as palpable on her skin as if he had reached out a hand and touched her. There was heat simmering in the air around them. Whatever he saw brought a slow, satisfied, curving smile to the mouth that had just tasted hers.
“Thanks for that, doc.”
“For saving you a trip to the clinic?”
“That… and for opening a window.”
His cryptic remark brought a question to her mind, but he didn’t give her time to get it spoken before he stood up, grabbing his hat, and stepping toward the open door. His demeanor gave no indication of what had just transpired between them. “Good luck with little tiger in there. If you need a good vet, I’d recommend Doc Jonas. Let me know what you think of the candidates when you have time to go over the file I brought you earlier. See you later.” He exited through the back door.
Calla could hear his light whistling receding as he disappeared into the darkness of the yard. Her dad used to whistle a lot and she felt a remembered warmth in the center of her chest. She flipped the switch on next to the doorway to shed some light on the grounds, but he had already disappeared around the side of the house. A few moments later, the sound of the engine of his truck was heard. She closed and locked the door.
Slowly, she made her way into the kitchen. Bending over the box, she found the kitten looking up at her with those unusual, wide eyes. Calla didn’t pick it up, she just sat talking to it with the same soothing voice as before.
“It’s scary, I know. Your world has suddenly changed again. You don’t know who to trust or not. We humans go through much the same thing. Guess that’s really true for me right now. But you have me, and I have you… and my sisters. So, we’re okay right now.”
Ty’s face and his kiss suddenly filled her mind again. Was she really okay with that? Maybe there was a bit of room left on that list she had just made? The unexpected question made her straighten and take a breath. But unlike before, there was no quick dash to throw the door closed… the one standing guard in the wall around her heart. Just as quickly, Calla knew with crystal clarity that had been the reference Ty had made before he left. Maybe she had slammed a door on the entrance to her heart once already… but that didn’t mean a window couldn’t be opened to another possibility? And for once, she didn’t run from that realization either.
CHAPTER NINE
“Have you been drinking a lot of the local water lately?”
Jaz’s question took Calla by sudden surprise. She looked up from the papers in front of her on the coffee table to the woman lounging on the sofa across from her. “Local water? What’s that about?”
“I’m just trying to find the reasoning behind this change in my ‘all-business, take-no-prisoners’ big sister.”
“Seriously, Jaz? What are you talking about?”
“Look at you… you’ve relaxed your clothing. By the way, I like that peasant top…love the coral color. And the jean capris and sandals…you’ve got the country girl vibe going for you.” Jaz grinned. “And instead of a balance sheet in front of you, you’re mapping out a beauty contest of all things. But the final evidence I can put before this little courtroom is that furry critter snuggled next to you on the couch. Calla Rose and a cat, humming a country song to yourself. I’ll keep the rest of my comment to myself about what could be the reason for all this since I’m beginning to feel some heat coming my way from those sparks beginning to burn in the glare you’re sending my way.”
“The reason is simple. Civic duty for one, and the fact I got roped into doing this whole town promotion in conjunction with the hall’s grand re-opening. You and Lily both pushed me into this mess and don’t pretend otherwise.”
“Right. Although I can’t remember when it was so easy to push you into doing anything. So, it has to be something in the drinking water… or some tall, sexy, green-eyed…”
The throw pillow earned its name as it was launched across the room and hit its mark, cutting off the rest of that sentence.
“Hey! You two can’t be left alone for two minutes.” Lily came in the door with two bags of groceries in her arms. “Make yourself useful, Jaz… there’s another one of these in the car. I’m making lasagna tonight just in case you want to invite your fellow judges to stay for dinner.” She tossed that over to Calla as she passed by her and headed down the hallway toward the kitchen.
Jaz didn’t say anything as she leveraged herself off the couch. She didn’t need to… the smug grin on her face and look she threw over at Calla said it all. “Got it.” She called toward the kitchen.
Calla bit back her retort and was glad her sister left on that note. She wasn’t going to explain herself to anyone. It was perfectly normal to tone down her wardrobe to fit into the local flavor. And she saved a ton on dry cleaning her expensive business wardrobe that way. Besides, there was a lot to be said for being comfortable in the heat of a late Texas spring.
Before Jaz could return with the bag of groceries, she would make her escape. Gathering her papers and tote, Calla escaped across the porch and over the expanse of gardens to the quieter confines of the dance hall. The long windows were open
wide and ceiling fans stirred the air, cooling the hall to a comfortable level if one did not do anything too strenuous to work up a sweat. The light scent of roses wafted through on the soft breeze that filtered across the room now and then. It was strange how comforting Calla always found the quiet of the place in the early afternoon. This Sunday afternoon was no exception.
Settling her paperwork on the long table she had Joe set up earlier for the group, she moved a few more chairs into place. Five behind the table and two in front should be enough. The stage had been swept and the microphone was in place and so was the piano. The door to the kitchen swung open and she turned to see Joe sticking his head out.
“I’ve got that snack tray… cut veggies, dips, fruit, cheese and crackers ready to go. Anything else you might want me to fix?”
“No, thanks. I just wanted the judges to have something to nibble on to keep them awake if need be,” she responded with a smile.
“I don’t think that’ll be the problem. But you might want to add some earplugs to the tray for some of the talent portions.” He laughed at his own joke. Calla grinned.
“True. It might get interesting. Thanks again for coming by and helping out. You could stay if you like and…”
He couldn’t back up fast enough. “No, thanks. I know I have something else to do right away. Bye!” The door swung shut behind him.
Calla shook her head. He just might be the smartest one of the bunch… leaving while he could make good his escape. She wished she could. Not necessarily for the same reason though. It might have something to do with the fact that she would be seeing Ty for the first time since he had kissed her four days before and made that window remark. She wasn’t quite certain how they might be around each other… or if she was just being ridiculous. Kisses didn’t always have to mean anything. She had been taught that lesson well enough. She needed to just put it out of her mind and act as if all was business as usual. So why did you get the new outfit and the matching nail polish, pedicure…stop it!
“And why am I talking to myself?”