by V. A. Dold
First K.I.S.S.
K.I.S.S. Series
Book 1
By
V.A. Dold
Copyright 2016
by V.A. Dold
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author–except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web.
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 9781943896080
This is Dedicated
To all of my readers and fans of the Le Beau Series, I appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you to my friends and family who cheered me on.
To the Bayou Babes, who jump right in and spread to word about every book I write.
...You all helped make this possible.
...Enjoy the adventure!
First K.I.S.S.
K.I.S.S. Series
Book 1
What do you do when your past
comes creeping back?
Carol Duffy is facing the next chapter in her life. She alternates between excitement and fear as she drives toward her fresh start with a new job in a new state. She’s washed her cheating ex-fiancé out of her hair, and the last thing Carol wants is another man in her life. Now if she could just get her dog back.
Moving from the only home she’s known is terrifying enough. It’s a good thing she didn’t know how deadly it could be or she would never have gotten into her car.
Widower Joe Christian has spent the last ten years raising his children as best he could and managing the Rocking Double L Ranch for Lucas Le Beau. Relationships and romance are off his menu.
He had his chance at true love and lost it.
The quiet life at the Rocking Double L is about to become much more exciting. It's just another day on the Le Beau ranch with a heady combination of a romance that refuses to be denied, Texas weather that can turn dangerous, and a lethal stalker.
Krystal's Intuitive Soulmate Service. Come to the Le Beau Rocking Double L Ranch, where Krystal and your spirit guide will match you with your perfect partner today.
Chapter 1
Lightning forked angrily across the sky, immediately followed by a thunderclap that roared like an enraged lion. Joe Christian frowned in concern as swirling puddles of dark, muddy water formed ever-increasing ruts on the dirt road that edged his front yard. The same road that ran parallel to the creek. He knew those innocent streams would converge and rush down dry gullies to add to the ranch’s already cresting water source. Joe couldn’t see more than twenty feet through the sheet of rain. What he saw was enough to cause concern. Flash floods were a terrifying possibility.
The spring storm besieged the area with destructive force. Trees would be toppled, power lines down, and livestock drowned. The weather wasn’t all that unusual. May was notorious for weather such as this.
If he could sleep, he would. He was going to have an early morning. The pastures and fences were sure to be a mess.
Joe scowled at the torrential downpour. He hated springtime and for good reason. Before his legs could give out, he turned from his picture window and collapsed into a chair.
Hanging his head, he huffed an anguished sigh and rested his elbows on his knees. Both hands raked through his hair to cradle his head. Slowly, a tear tracked down his face.
Storms, like the one raging, always triggered memories better left buried. Scenes from that horrible night played out in his mind. Sirens screamed, disrupting the silence of his small Texas town. Emergency vehicles flashed a ghoulish light show. Every cop, fire and rescue team, and ambulance in the county gathered around the massive live oak that was the namesake of Oak Grove and the pride of everyone in the area. The last remaining live oak left from the original forest that provided lumber to build this town. Joe stepped from the café to see if he could help in any way. His feet froze mid-step. What used to be a car, but now resembled an accordion, was sandwiched between a semi and the tree.
His wife’s car.
I miss you so much, Janice.
*****
Most mornings, Joe was in the saddle by daybreak. Today, daybreak wasn’t for another hour. He roused the ranch hands and headed out expecting them to catch up. The storm had wreaked havoc with the fences and scattered the cattle. They needed to round them up and repair the fencing before the herd wandered off.
“Morning, Joe.” Lucas trotted his massive stallion to the next downed fence post and dismounted. “That was one hell of a storm.”
“Yep,” was all he said as he righted his post.
“The crew should be here in ten minutes or so. Kensie insisted they eat breakfast before they headed out.”
“That was mighty thoughtful. You have a fine wife, make sure you keep her happy, or the guys will skin you alive,” Joe teased.
“Tell them not to worry. I plan to keep her very happy. By the way, did I tell you she has a friend moving here? They worked together at the Mayo clinic. Kensie hired her to manage the new medical center.”
Joe grunted his response as he wrestled a post back into position to string the wire. Hearing hoofbeats, he straightened and wiped a sleeve across his brow. “Here come the spoiled brats now.”
Roy stopped next to Joe and leaned a forearm on the pommel of his saddle. “Do you want us to take over for you here or move on to the next pasture?”
Joe assessed the stretch of fence. “Hank, you can lend a hand here. The rest of you can start on the next pasture. Once we finish repairing this, I have to head back at noon to get the kids off to camp. After the fences are secure, move the herd to this pasture before you knock off for the day.”
“You got it, boss.” Roy wheeled his horse and rode off with the rest of the crew.
Lucas removed his leather, work gloves, grabbed the reigns of his horse, and swung gracefully into the saddle. “It looks like you have things in hand. I have a few calls to make. Don’t forget. We have a load of horses coming in today.”
Joe put his shoulder to the next post. “I won’t forget,” he grunted as he forced it upright.
*****
Determined to show patience, Joe tossed the last of his daughter’s bags in the bed of his truck. He had an hour to get the twins to church camp before he needed to be back. Lucas had a delivery of trail horses coming in, and he was expected to be there when they arrived. Troy had one large duffle bag. Exactly what Joe expected a ten-year-old kid would need for summer camp. Tracy seemed to think she needed every stitch of clothing she owned, plus the entirety of her bathroom.
She was ten for Christ sakes! Not one, or two, but three bags. How could she possibly need this much crap?
Troy barreled from the cabin, travel mug filled with steaming coffee in hand. “Here you go, Dad. You look like you need it. Are we ready to go? If we don’t get moving, we’ll miss the bus.”
“Thanks, kid. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Troy was ten going on thirty. He didn’t know of another kid his age that was as mature and responsible. His boy would be a great foreman one day.
Sighing, he opened the cab door. “Okay, kids. Jump in and let’s roll.”
Tro
y high fived him and Tracy squealed excitedly as she used his arm to swing up into his four-wheel drive truck. Like many working ranch trucks, his was jacked up to ford seasonal streams.
The kid’s chatter became background noise. Joe’s focus was centered on the storm damage. He eyed the fencing and herd as he drove the long winding road that served as a driveway. In the distance, he saw a large tree downed. That would have to be taken care of. From what he could see, the herd looked no worse for wear, but every foot of fence would need to be checked.
The day he had been told the ranch had been sold was the second worse day of his life. He’d heard story after story of ranch hands cut loose by new owners with new ideas. Thank God, Lucas wasn’t a rich wannabe cowboy set on changing the operation. Joe had called the ranch home his entire life. He planned to draw his last breath on it, too. Twenty thousand rolling acres of prime Texas land.
Convincing Janice to live with him on the ranch had been a challenge he didn’t have the energy or interest in repeating. Absently, he scratched his eyebrow with his thumb. He didn’t delude himself into believing he would ever be blessed with a second chance at love. What was the point? The few times he’d had an inkling of interest in a woman he felt like he was cheating on Janice. He knew it was ridiculous to feel guilty. His wife had been gone for nine years, but there was no telling his heart that.
Why was he even thinking about it? He hadn’t thought about dating in over two years. No, he’d given up on female companionship and concentrated on his kids and the ranch. He planned on keeping it that way.
Joe waved to Troy and Tracy until the bus drove out of sight. His children were in the capable hands of the camp counselors, and it was time to head for home. Without the twins talking a mile a minute, his truck was uncomfortably silent. Loneliness filled the cab like malevolent fingers of smoke creeping along the ceiling to smother its victim.
The pain and loss he kept locked away in a deep dark corner of his heart, reared its ugly head. Sorrow swamped him. Joe rubbed at the ache in his chest and blinked rapidly. An overpowering need to be near his beloved Janice overwhelmed him.
He bypassed his cabin, ignoring Lucas’s attempt to flag him down, and drove straight to the family burial plot. Thankful once again Lucas kept him on as ranch manager when ownership changed hands. He didn’t know what he would have done if he’d had to leave his home and Janice’s resting place.
Joe sank to his knees next to her headstone. It took several shaky breaths to ease his tight chest. “Hi there, sweetheart. You’ll never believe what the kids did today.”
By the time he’d told Janice all about the kids and their latest antics his sadness had lifted. Joe knew the ranch hands whispered behind his back. Many of them thought he was a few bricks short of a load. A sane person doesn’t talk to his deceased wife. But he didn’t care. Simply sitting quietly at the head of her plot, with only the sound of the birds and wildlife around him, brought him peace.
The pastor at his church reminded him every few month that a marriage was until death do you part. That he was free to find love again. But Joe knew a love like his and Janice’s only came around once in a lifetime, and that was if you were damn lucky. No, he would live his life for his children and then his grandchildren, and that would be enough. At least he had been given a few years of bliss before it was ripped from him. The memories would just have to sustain him.
As Joe stood and brushed his faded blue jeans clean, he stilled. “Janice?” He swore he just heard her voice like a whisper on the wind.
“Joe.”
There it was again. He whirled around, searching for the asshole pretending to be his dead wife. Ready to teach the bastard a lesson in respect. No one was there.
“Joe, I love you, baby, but you need to move on. I want you to find love again.”
“Janice! Where are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m in your heart. I will always be with you, always watch over you. But you need to find another to love.” Her voice faded as if she was moving further and further away.
“Janice! Don’t leave me!” But he knew in his heart she was gone. He would never get her back. With his heart shattered into a million pieces, he touched her headstone with reverence and turned to go.
*****
Carol Duffy slid her bank card into the tiny slot and lifted the nozzle as she eyed the octane choices. “I sure hope I don’t regret this move.”
A man on the other side of the gas pump gave her a quizzical look. Crud, she must have said spoken aloud. She topped off her tank and quickly made a beeline for the lady’s rooms. Two café grandé’s and three hours of continuous driving had her bladder in fits.
She knew she was making the right choice following Kensie to Texas. That didn’t make it any less scary. Giving two weeks notice to the Mayo Clinic was one of the hardest things she had ever done. She loved her job at the prestigious hospital. But truth be told, working for Kensie was an integral piece to that enjoyment. Without her, the fun factor took a severe nosedive.
Besides, working at the hospital had taken on a distinct creep factor. The day before she gave notice, a sticky note had been left on her desk. Chills had run down her spine the instant she saw it. Another man used to do things like that to her. He’d leave notes on her saddle, tucked into the bit of Pretty Girl’s bridle, anywhere he was sure she would find it.
But that bastard was in jail. If he were released, she would have been notified. So, it looked like she had a new lunatic admirer on her trail. Scrawled across the bright yellow post it, in what looked like a man’s handwriting, were three words, “I’m watching you.”
Whoever the freak was, he or she didn’t grace her with their identity. The author of the lovely message could have been any one of a thousand people. So, here she was relieved to be leaving the stalker behind and apprehensive about the move. It was a long twenty-hour drive from Minnesota to God knows where, Texas, and she’d barely put a dent in it.
She hadn’t told Kensie, but this was the first time she had ever set foot outside her home state. She could do this, she assured herself. She could pull up stakes and move blindly to the other end of the country.
Carol fastened her seatbelt and checked her mirrors. When she caught a glimpse of her eyes in the rearview mirror, her right foot paused over the gas pedal. Good heavens! She was only thirty-five years old. When had she gotten wrinkles around her eyes and mouth? Sighing, she wondered where the years had gone. Wasted on her lying, cheating ex-fiancé, that’s where. The jackass not only broke her heart, he stole her dog, too. If she ever caught up to him, he wouldn’t stand upright for a month.
A flash of sunlight reflecting off something caught her eye. There was a sedan with darkened windows parked at the outer edge of the gas stations parking lot. For some unexplainable reason, a shiver ran through her. She could see someone sitting in the driver’s seat, but not make out their face. “He’s probably waiting for someone inside the store,” she mumbled under her breath.
She turned the key in the ignition, took a deep breath, and continued her quest toward a new, albeit frightening life. As she pulled onto the interstate, she swore she spotted the sedan again. “Stop spooking yourself, dang it. Not everyone is out to get you.”
Turning south off Interstate 90 onto 35W, she rolled down her window. In a few miles, she would drive past Myre Big Island State Park. There was no way she was going to miss her chance to enjoy the peace and calm of Minnesota’s forests one last time.
Six monotonous hours later, she was still on the road. When she hadn’t thought the drive could get any more mind numbing, she entered the desolate landscape of eastern Kansas. She needed to stop for a bite to eat and stretch her legs before she went batshit crazy. She’d lost the signal from her favorite classic rock station hours ago, and her butt was asleep. Tingling cheeks were definitely not a comfortable sensation.
A heavy sigh escaped as she wiggled from the driver’s seat to walk on numb legs and what felt like a non-existent
backside. Maybe she should take breaks and stretch her legs more often for the rest of the trip.
“Look out Texas, here I come,” Carol mumbled as she pulled open the diner’s door.
The sun was high in the afternoon sky when Carol crossed the Texas state line on the second day. The huge welcome sign featured a red, white, and blue state flag with the lone star proudly displayed. Just a couple more hours and she would stop for the night in Hillsboro.
Feeling like a wilted flower, Carol took the Old Brandon Road exit. She needed a good night’s sleep, and the Hampton Inn looked inviting. Well fed and showered, she felt like a new woman. Now that she was only a few hours away from seeing Kensie again, her apprehension was fading, and she was finally getting excited about the move. It was time to make her nightly call. Kensie worried about her on the road alone and insisted on hearing from her each night. Carol grabbed her phone and tapped the screen.
“Hey, Kensie.”
“Hi, Carol. Where am I tonight?”
“I’m just south of Dallas. I should be at the Ranch sometime tomorrow.”
“Great. Have you had any problems?”
“No. Everything has been rather boring and uneventful.”
“What time to plan to be on the road tomorrow?”
Carol reached for her laptop, which still had Google maps on the screen.
“I just mapped out my route. According to the map, I only have a couple of hours on the road between here and the ranch. I think I’ll sleep in, so I’m guessing I’ll check out around nine or ten a.m. Does that work for you?”
“Sounds perfect.”
She set the computer beside her on the bed. “Okay, I’ll see you for lunch. Good night, Kensie. Sleep well.”
Carol plugged in her phone to charge and shut her laptop down. Snuggling into the pillows she’d propped against the headboard, she fired up her e-reader and lost herself in the romance novel she was reading.