As he turned his face in the direction of the rattling, he realized it was her teeth chattering from the cold.
“Cat?” He moved his good arm away from his body. “Come closer, darlin’. We’ll have to keep each other warm.”
“You’re awake.” She sounded pleased, although her teeth continued to chatter. “I was so worried, Kade. You bled so much and you wouldn’t wake up. I tried to climb the rope but my ribs made it impossible. I sent Ike for help.”
“Ike, huh? We’ll see how he does as a rescue dog.” Kade could make out Caterina’s outline in the sliver of moon that moved over the top of the hole.
In the confined space, Kade didn’t have room to stretch out his cramped legs. Hesitantly moving them from where they rested, folded to the side, he bent them at the knee and planted his feet firmly on the earth beneath him.
“Climb up here on my lap. If you pull the edges of my coat around you, it’ll help keep us both warm,” Kade instructed. He slid his hand around Caterina’s waist and pulled her toward him. She stifled a scream when the movement pushed against her ribs. “I’m sorry, darlin’. I’m so sorry. I forget about your ribs.”
Unable to speak, she waited for the pain to diminish then got to her feet and unbuttoned her coat with shaky fingers. Caterina sat down across Kade’s lap. She settled her head against his good shoulder then draped her long coat over them both. Heat from their bodies combined, instantly warming the space beneath the coat. Kade wrapped his frigid fingers around her hips, sliding her closer to his chest.
Under other circumstances, he would have found it nearly impossible to keep his wits about him. He was sorely tempted to give in to the desire to memorize every soft and alluring curve of Caterina with his hands and lips. Nevertheless, since they both were injured, his primary focus was on keeping them alive. He couldn’t climb out of the hole and she couldn’t either, so he prayed someone would look for them soon.
Caterina would be missed at the restaurant and the sheriff would eventually search for him.
Uncertain how long they’d been in the hole or how much longer they’d be there, he decided it was the last time he’d hold Caterina in his arms. The reason he avoided relationships all these years came back with crystal clarity.
Loving a woman was like an Achilles’ heel. It gave lawmen a weakness they could ill afford while putting the women they cared about in constant danger.
He wouldn’t, couldn’t, do that to Caterina. She had enough trouble of her own with some mafia maniac trying to find her. The last thing she needed was the added burden of wondering when someone set on revenging himself with Kade would cause her harm.
Devastated by the knowledge of what he was going to have to do, he rested his head on top of hers and committed to memory the fragrance of her hair, the silky texture of the tresses. He memorized the feel of her held against his chest and how his hands rested so naturally against the curve of her hip.
Kade wished for a full moon so he could better see her features, he pictured her rich brown eyes, thick black eyelashes and her perfect button nose. His mouth tilted in a smile as he recalled the lift of her chin when something displeased her and the way her entire face lit up when she was excited.
Letting her go would be the hardest thing he’d ever do, but Kade had to do it, just as soon as they got out of the hole.
“Kade?”
“Hmm?” He could spend every night for the rest of his life holding her in his arms and it would never be enough.
“What happened to your parents?” Although he’d never said anything, Caterina could tell the subject was one Kade preferred not to discuss. All Aundy had told her was that Kade’s parents died when he was only six years old and he’d moved to his Uncle John’s farm.
“It’s not a story with a happy ending, Cat.”
“I assumed that much, considering your uncle raised you.”
“Are you sure you want to know?” Kade asked. The only people who knew what happened to his parents were Uncle John, the Nash family, and the sheriff.
“Yes, I’d really like to know, Kade, because I care about you. Whatever took them from you had a big part in shaping your life, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, it did.” Kade shifted her weight in his lap, making them both more comfortable before he spoke again. “My dad said he saw my mama walking to church one Sunday and knew, from that moment on, his life would never be the same. He promised himself he’d never wed, but he could no more stay away from her than he could stop breathing, so they married just a few months later.”
“That’s romantic,” Caterina said, thinking about a man much like Kade in looks and temperament falling in love at first sight.
“So everyone said,” Kade agreed. “My folks lived in Texas. Had a little place just out of San Antonio. My dad was a Texas Ranger. He knew he’d be gone a lot and didn’t think it was fair for a wife to spend that much time alone. My mama, though, she loved my father and the ranch. She took it all in stride. They were married a few years when my sister was born. I came along four years later.”
“I bet your father was proud when you were born,” Caterina said, listening to both Kade’s story and the deep timbre of his voice as he spoke. Although she couldn’t see his face, she could hear the emotion in his words.
“I suppose he was. He was excited when my baby brother was born six years later, too. Dad came home a couple of days before my brother arrived. He stayed for a few weeks then received a message, calling him back to work. We were used to him leaving, but that particular time it was awful hard to say goodbye. I heard him tell my mama that he had to finish the case he was working on then he’d come home for good.”
Kade took a deep breath and sighed.
“Mama was in the house with my sister and baby brother when Dad rode into the yard like the hounds of Hades were behind him. He boosted me on his horse and told me to go for the sheriff and not come back without him. I rode into town right to the sheriff’s office. He saddled up and we raced to the ranch. By the time we got there, my dad was the only one alive and he died within minutes.”
“Kade,” Caterina gasped, reaching down to place her hand over his. “How terrible for you. For a child.”
“Dad spent several years hunting down a particularly violent gang. He ended up killing three of them and bringing the other four in. One of them broke out of jail, hunted down my family, and plotted to kill us all. He planned on my father arriving home to find everyone dead. Instead, he shot my father then the rest of my family. Dad managed to drive a knife through the man’s chest before he died, but he’d been forced to watch that man kill my mother, sister, and baby brother.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she listened to Kade. The catch in his voice made an ache that had nothing to do with her injuries grip her chest.
“The sheriff wired Uncle John. He came to the funeral then helped me pack a few things and brought me back here to live with him. He’s actually my great-uncle, but he’s all the family I have.”
“Oh, Kade, I had no idea. I’m so sorry. No child should have to experience that. No one should have their family ripped away so senselessly.”
“They shouldn’t, but I did.” Kade fought to keep his emotions from overwhelming him.
Thankfully, he heard hoofbeats approaching before he forced himself to say anything further. Tonight wasn’t the time to tell Caterina things were over between them. But soon. He had to do it soon.
“Kade!” he heard Garrett yell. Ike’s bark echoed across the still of the night and soon the light of a lantern flickered above them.
“You two okay?” Garrett asked, peering down in the hole.
“No, but we will be.” Kade waited while Caterina got to her feet and fastened her coat. “There’s a rope down here but I got a bullet in my shoulder and Cat’s ribs might be broken. If I tie her in a harness can you pull her up?”
“Yep. Dent and the sheriff are here, too, so we’ll have you out of there on a jiffy.” Garrett set a lanter
n on the edge of the hole. Welcome light spilled down into the well.
Kade quickly fastened the rope around Caterina’s hips and ran it between her legs, bunching up her skirts and petticoats. She balked at the arrangement, but he ignored her protests.
“Look, Cat, I realize this isn’t the most ladylike way to be pulled from a hole, but you can’t do anything with those ribs, and you need to be secure. Just hush up and hang onto the rope.” Yanking on the rope, he looked up at Garrett. “Go ahead and pull.”
Caterina’s feet came off the ground and she bit her lip as the three men pulled her to safety. Garrett sent the rope back down to Kade. He pulled on his gloves, tied the rope around his waist and wrapped the end around his right arm, holding it tightly in his hand.
“Go ahead,” he called and cringed as he tried to hold his left arm against his side to keep it from pulling on his shoulder.
When he reached the top, he took a deep gulp of fresh air. Before he could untangle himself from the rope, Ike pushed against him, licking his face and whining.
“You are the best dog, Ike. Good boy. Very good boy.” Kade rubbed the canine with his good hand.
Ike wagged his tail and barked.
“Nik arrived at the restaurant and talked to Jeb, deciding something was wrong. He phoned Aundy. Dent and I went with her into town to see what could be done,” Garrett said, helping untie the rope from around Kade. “I was just walking to the sheriff’s office to see if he knew anything when Ike barreled down the street and nearly flattened me. It didn’t take long to figure out he wanted us to come out here. And here we are.”
“James Bolton is tied up in the barn. I’m not sure where his horse is, but it’s got to be close by.” Kade tilted his head toward the barn where a string of cuss words loudly emanated from inside.
“You mean you captured the James Bolton?” the sheriff asked. “Brother of ol’ Jude?”
“One and the same.” Kade whistled for Pete to come out of the trees. The horse wandered in holding his head high to keep from stepping on the reins dragging on the ground. “I think we better get Caterina to the doctor and I wouldn’t mind having the bullet out of my shoulder, either.”
“How bad are you, son?” the sheriff asked, touching Kade’s arm.
“I can make it to town just fine.” Kade gritted his teeth as he mounted Pete. Blood oozed from the wound again. He prayed he’d make it to town without falling off his horse. He looked at Caterina then nodded to Garrett. “Hand her up here. She can ride with me.”
“Kade, I don’t…”
Garrett picked her up and set her on Kade’s lap before she could finish stating the reasons why she should walk back to town or wait for someone to bring a buggy.
Dent approached leading Bolton’s horse with the outlaw tossed belly first across the saddle, tied hand and foot to keep him from falling off. A gag covered his mouth and quieted his cussing.
“Garrett, would you mind feeding Ike? I think there’s a bone in the basket on the kitchen table.” Kade wanted to make sure the dog was cared for, since he’d turned out to be the hero of the day.
Garrett fed the dog, filled his water bowl, and tossed him the bone Caterina brought for him.
After giving Ike another pat on his head and praise for a job well done, he locked Kade’s door, returned the key to its hidden spot, and ran back around front.
“Let’s go.” Kade followed the sheriff and Dent as they led the way with Bolton riding between them.
Although it seemed like they’d been stuck in the old well for hours, Kade realized he was probably down there closer to one.
Dent and the sheriff went directly to the jail with Bolton while Garrett escorted Kade to the doctor’s office.
“Can’t you stay out of trouble, deputy?” Doctor Reed asked as Garrett helped Caterina inside and Kade staggered in after him. Between a loss of blood and the cold temperatures, he was about to embarrass himself by passing out again.
“Guess not, Doc.” Kade sank onto the first chair he came to.
The doctor cast him a wary glance and started his direction.
Kade waved him off. “Take care of her first, please. I think she has a couple of cracked ribs. You’re gonna have to dig a bullet out of me. That will take far longer than wrapping up her side.”
Doc glared at him but escorted Caterina into an examination room. Kade and Garrett grinned at each other when a string of heated Italian words let the doctor know what she thought of his care.
When she screamed, Kade started to rise from his chair but Garrett pushed him back down.
“You’re in no shape to do anything beyond sit right there and wait your turn. Besides, you know Caterina well enough to realize she’s not going to sit quietly while the doctor does what’s necessary.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Kade tried to relax, but found it difficult when he heard Caterina gasp in pain.
“Did I tell you about the day I first met Aundy, when she was covered in mud from the wagon wreck and Erik was in such sad shape? She had that broken arm and didn’t say a word about it. When the doctor went to set it, she didn’t even make a noise. She just gripped the edge of the table, pressed her lips together, and took it better than most men.”
“That’s because you married a Viking queen, my friend.” Kade grinned at Garrett. “I’m convinced there isn’t anything she can’t do if she sets her mind to it.”
The door swung open and Aundy rushed inside, eyes wide as she took in a blood covered Kade and her smiling husband. At their calm poses, she decided no one was in mortal danger and let her stiff shoulders relax.
Mindful of the arm Kade held with his hand, she bent over and kissed his cheek. “Glad to see you’re going to be okay.”
“Me, too.” Although he started to feel lightheaded again, Kade offered her a grin. “You might want to go in and help Doc with Cat. She doesn’t seem to be a very good patient.”
“I thought maybe one of the mine workers was injured for all the noise coming from here. I could hear screams in Italian halfway down the block.”
Aundy disappeared down the hall. The sound of two feminine voices blended with the doctor’s voice and buzzed in the background as Kade’s eyelids drifted closed.
“So, Kade, have you given any more thought to what we were discussing last week?” Garrett asked.
“Discussin’?” Kade asked, unaware his speech slurred.
“You know, about you and Caterina settling down. You two balance each other pretty well, but I’ve got to say, you’ll have your hands full if you plan on having children.” Garrett wanted to keep Kade talking. His friend was about to pass out and as big as he was, it would be nearly impossible to move him once he did.
“What?” Kade popped open his eyes as his mind cleared. “I never said anything about settling down. You get into some loco weed out riding fence today?”
“Nope, but I knew it would get your attention. You’ve got to hang on until Doc finishes with your girl.”
“She’s not my girl and she can’t ever be.”
“But Kade, she’s…”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Just leave it be for now.” Kade’s tone caused Garrett to take note the man meant what he said.
Abruptly changing the subject, Garrett talked about news from town.
“Did you hear about the wheat and wool harvest this year?”
“Can’t say that I have,” Kade commented, grateful Garrett dropped the topic of Caterina for the moment. “How’d it come out?”
“Right at four and a half million bushels of wheat was harvested and more than two million pounds of wool sheared.” As happy as he was about their combined wheat fields contributing to the astounding harvest numbers, Garrett was equally proud of the wool yield from his wife’s sheep.”
Kade whistled. “That’s amazing. Guess you probably have to agree Aundy had a good idea raising the sheep.”
“She could have gloated until the cows come home, but instead, she s
miled and said she was pleased with how well all the sheep growers did this year. Isn’t that something?” Garrett’s face softened with admiration and love as he thought of his wife.
“She is something,” Kade said, in agreement.
Aundy stuck her head in the waiting room, asking Garrett to phone the restaurant and have Nik come take Caterina home.
“I can get her home.” Kade attempted to gain his feet. Garrett rolled his eyes and pushed him back in the chair.
“Sure you can, but Nik will take good care of her for now.” Garrett cranked the phone and reached the operator. He requested the restaurant.
It only took a few minutes before Nik hurried in the door, his brown eyes shining brightly while his smile lit the room.
“Are you okay, Kade?” Nik noticed the man’s pale face and bloodstained clothing.
“Aw, I’m fine.” Kade tried to make light of his injuries. The boy looked up to him, almost as much as he did Garrett. He didn’t want to disappoint him by appearing anything but strong and tough.
“You don’t look fine,” Nik said, then watched as Doc walked into the room with Caterina and Aundy.
“Miss Campanelli has three cracked ribs and some bruises, but nothing a little time won’t set to rights. She needs to rest for a few days and no heavy lifting until those ribs have time to heal. I have a feeling you won’t be able to keep her out of the kitchen, though. She may do only those activities that don’t put a strain on her injuries.
“We’ll keep her in line.” Aundy gave Caterina’s shoulders a gentle squeeze as she helped her put on her coat. “Nik will take you back to the restaurant and stay with you until we finish up here.”
As she glanced at Kade, Caterina took in his pale, clammy skin and the droop to his broad shoulders.
“I can stay and help,” she said, starting to unbutton her coat. Aundy caught her hands and shook her head. “You’ll be the most help by going home and resting. We’ll stop by to check on you as soon as we can.”
Caterina (Pendleton Petticoats Book 2) Page 23