Shadows from the Past

by McKenna, Lindsay

  “I wasn’t even around then,” Kam said, “but it sounds like a fairy tale compared to today.” She smoothed down the soft folds of the skirt. She glanced down at her saddle shoes, a combination of brown and white leather. They were very comfortable, which Kam liked since she hoped to spend most of the night on her feet.

  She walked over to Iris who was admiring her own outfit. The dress was red-and-white gingham, exactly like her own in every way but color. “Will the cowhands be wearing gingham shirts?”

  “Oh, yes,” Iris said, pleased. She sat in her suite on a butter-yellow leather couch. “Rudd puts out some money for white straw Stetsons for this celebration every year. Each cowhand gets a new hat and they like that. They cost money but they’re worth it because they can handle the wear and tear of ranch life. The hands wear the gingham shirts and also receive a new bandanna and hat. It’s a lot of fun and a small way to thank all of them for their hard work.”

  Kam nodded and sat down on the arm of the leather chair next to the couch. Her petticoats raised the skirt a good six inches above her knees. Laughing, she tried to tame them but they were starched and thick and wouldn’t be laid down.

  “These petticoats are something else!”

  “Nowadays, they don’t exist. We’re lucky we have an American factory that will still make them up for us. I loved petticoats, especially the swirl of them around your body when you dance. Speaking of dancing, you have been practicing square dancing with our instructor?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I have.” Kam grinned as she put her hands over her runaway petticoats.

  Iris smiled and sipped her coffee and then set it back on the elk-antler table. “Everyone looks forward to this day. Our guests love coming back year after year. I like seeing their children grow up. It’s always interesting to see them change as they go from being children to teenagers.”

  Groaning, Kam said, “I didn’t like my teen years. I was so up and down emotionally.”

  “Every teen is,” Iris counseled. She beamed over at Kam. “You going to snag a dance with Wes?”

  Gulping, Kam avoided Iris’s sparkling eyes. “I—well…” thought we were supposed to be available to dance with our guests, not the hired hands.”

  “Oh, that’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Wes has eyes for you. Surely you know that by now?”

  Yes, she did. And Kam tried with all her might to avoid the handsome cowboy at every turn. But sometimes, that didn’t work. Looking over at Iris now, whose face was beaming, Kam wondered if the older woman wasn’t trying to play matchmaker. Of course, Iris was the matriarch and Kam had seen her getting other couples together here at the ranch, too. Right now, Iris seemed to have her eye on blond-haired Erick, who was terribly good-looking and a wonderful person. Iris had two women in mind who lived in Jackson Hole. And she had invited both of them to tonight’s celebration, but Erick didn’t know that. Yes, there was no question that Iris was manipulative—in a good way—when she wanted to be.

  “Wes is very nice,” Kam began, sounding sensible. “But I’m not interested in a relationship right now, Iris.”

  “Why in the world not?” Iris demanded, frowning. “You’re beautiful, you’re single and you’re nice. People weren’t created to be alone, you know. In the Garden of Eden, God created Adam and Eve, don’t forget.” She wagged her finger over at Kam. “And you shouldn’t be alone, either! No one should.”

  Kam saw Iris’s care burning in her eyes, and it touched her deeply. Rudd had been alone and abandoned, and she and Trevor had stepped up to the plate to make a difference in his life. “I’ll keep that in mind, Iris,” Kam said softly.

  “I expect you to dance with Wes tonight, young woman.”

  Kam rolled her eyes. “I’ll try….”

  ABOVE the jamboree, the stars twinkled, and Kam found wonder in the black blanket of the sky quilted with diamonds. The Coyote Band, composed of five young men dressed in cowboy outfits, worked with a caller who led a fast square dance. The floor was filled with happy couples—a mix of Elkhorn Ranch personnel and the ten families who had been lucky enough to reserve this week.

  Everyone was in high spirits, the music drifting out into the darkness around the well-lit dance floor. Soft drinks, iced tea and beer flowed for the adults. As Kam stood off to one side, breathing hard after dancing with a guest, she drank deeply of the iced tea in her hand.

  All night, she’d seen Wes on the dance floor. He and Erick were the most popular cowboys among the teenage girls. No wonder, she thought wryly; they were the best looking of the bunch. Erick seemed in particularly high demand and she had watched the shy young Swede literally blossom as the night went on. The two girls Iris had invited with Erick in mind were being elbowed out by teenage-girl guests who drooled over the muscular blond.

  When the song ended, to her surprise, Kam saw Wes heading directly toward her. Instantly, her heart began to pound. He was without his hat, his short dark brown hair gleaming beneath the lights. The feral look in his gray eyes sent a frisson of desire straight from her heart into her lower body. How badly she wanted to kiss him. She’d had so many inappropriate dreams about this lone cowboy, it was no wonder she kept feeling the urge to touch him.

  Setting down her cup, she tried to smile as Wes came up to her. He held out his rough and callused hand toward her.

  “Last dance, Kam. How about it?”

  His voice was low and sexy, making her heart spring open as never before. The expression on his face was that of a man wanting his woman. Gulping, she held out her hand, her fingers sinking into his palm. As he led her out on the clearing dance floor for a slow song, Kam wondered what it would be like to feel his hands move across her body. The thought was excruciatingly sweet and filled her with intense yearning.

  Wes took Kam into his arms and left just enough space between them. What he wanted to do was pull Kam even closer, but with so many onlookers, he wasn’t going to do that. He smiled. “I’ve been fighting myself.”

  “So have I.” She saw his brown eyebrows lift in surprise. Giving him a nervous smile, Kam admitted, “Iris has been wanting me to dance with you all night.”

  “So that’s why she was over there so many times whispering in your ear?” Wes chuckled. Could he tell Kam how warm and soft she felt beneath his hands? He touched the small of her back. She had such a strong, straight spine. There was such pride in the way she walked and squared her shoulders.

  “Iris was urging me to ask you to dance.”

  “But you never did.” Wes looked deeply into her shadowed blue eyes, the pupils huge and black.

  “I—uh…”

  “Cat got your tongue?” Wes teased, swinging her around on the crowded dance floor.

  “Not exactly,” Kam admitted a little breathlessly, her breasts flush against his chest. The heat was instantaneous and she couldn’t fight her attraction. She just wanted to get closer. Their upper bodies touched like feathers dancing in the wind.

  “Was there a reason you didn’t want to dance with me?” Wes figured he deserved a straight answer. If his desire for her was one-sided, then he’d savagely chop off the connection. He wasn’t going to pine after a woman who didn’t want him. Yet, looking into her eyes, he saw heat like summer lightning. It was the heat of a woman wanting her man. Wes wasn’t too young to read that intent in her wide, glistening eyes. And when his gaze dropped to her luscious mouth and her lips parted, he nearly lost his mind. These were the lips he’d dreamt about touching. About taking as his own. What would her mouth feel like beneath his?

  It was hard to think at all with Wes this close to her. Kam inhaled his male fragrance. It was an aphrodisiac to her spinning senses. She gazed upon his full mouth quirked in a boyish smile. Wes was a man but he also knew how to play, laugh and have fun. She’d seen it so many times in the past with the guests or the other cowhands. Wes was good with children and they idolized the tall, lanky cowboy. What to say to him? Her heart told her to tell the truth. If she did, she’d be walking into a relati
onship with him. Kam didn’t want to lie to Wes, yet could she trust him with her secret?

  As she looked into his stormy gray eyes, Kam felt no deviousness in him. He didn’t manipulate people. What you saw was what you got. Plainspoken and honest was only one reason why she liked Wes. Opening her mouth and then closing it, Kam sighed. She felt Wes move his hand lingeringly down her spine, a slow movement that said so much more than words or a look. Every inch of her flesh reacted hotly to his grazing touch. A man-loving-his-woman kind of touch.

  Suddenly, anxiety, fear and want soared through Kam. She wouldn’t lie. Ever. It just was not in her nature. She felt awful enough as is. And she simply couldn’t do it twice. “I really like you, but I’m not ready for a relationship right now.” That was the truth.

  His eyes flared and then turned feral again. A sweet panic flowed through her as he brought her solidly against him.

  Gasping, Kam tried to pull away, but he just kept smiling like a hunter who had cornered his quarry. And then, just like that, he released her. Heart pounding, Kam frowned. Wes allowed her to keep six inches between them as they continued to dance around the floor. “I told you,” she whispered, “I’m not ready.”

  Wes nodded and saw the anger in her eyes. “I’m sorry. It was good news and I just couldn’t help it, Kam. I did let you go.”

  “Yes, you did.” Oh, why wouldn’t her heart settle down? Wes was treating her like a gentleman. His hand was barely touching her back now. Her other hand, entwined with his, was damp and sweaty. How badly she wanted Wes! It would be one thing if she were a virgin, but she was not. Kam understood the ache in her lower body that she knew Wes could heal. And yet, she refused to lead him on.

  As the music began to slow and die away, they halted on the dance floor. Kam didn’t see it coming—one second, Wes was holding her at arm’s length, the next, his head was coming down—his lips were upon her mouth.

  The ending of the music, the laughter and chatter, all seemed to drift away from Kam. Wes’s mouth moved down upon her lips gently, as if asking her to participate. His mouth was strong, searching and, before she could think about it, her lips parted. As his tongue moved slowly across her lower lip, a shiver of anticipation wove through her. His hands remained exactly where they had been before, but his mouth was wreaking a sweet havoc upon her. Warm breath cascaded against Kam’s cheek as he deepened his kiss with her. She wanted this! And all her arguments and reasons melted beneath the onslaught of his very male, confident mouth. The scent of his aftershave, a lime essence, combined with his maleness. His lips molded strongly against hers, sliding, giving and taking.

  One moment he was taking her. The next moment, Wes reluctantly withdrew from her mouth. Kam was so dizzy and shocked that if Wes hadn’t been holding her, she’d have fallen. Her knees were weak. The heat and moisture between her legs sent a keening ache throughout her. Gasping for breath, she looked into his hooded gaze. There was no hint of apology in Wes’s eyes. Gripping his hand because she felt boneless in that moment, she could only stare, thunderstruck, at his bold move.

  And then, Kam saw that very male mouth hitch up in one corner, and he gave her that boyish smile that always softened her heart.

  “That’s a kiss between us to remind you that I’m waiting, Kam.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  ALLISON seethed inside. Who could blame her after such a disgusting display? Wes kissed Kam Trayhern so blatantly out on the dance floor. What could she do but turn away? Something had to be done to get rid of the girl! Kam was getting too chummy with the family. Allison had made quick work of the other five caregivers by paying them off. They’d given lame excuses for leaving. Everyone had a price, even Kam.

  The only way to wrest power from Iris, who held an ironclad grip on her affairs, was to work secretly around her. Allison understood strategy and tactics from her years in Hollywood. If she wanted control, she wouldn’t get it by being aboveboard and confrontational. No, the only way for her to take the power away from Iris was to add stress to her life. The old witch would break eventually.

  Scowling, Allison left the area of the gala festivities as the fireworks began. She heard the celebratory crowd oohing and ahhing, but she didn’t care. After entering her suite, she got out of her silly 1950s costume and threw it over the end of her bed. All she wanted was a long, luxurious bath with a glass of champagne in hand. That would help her think best. Rudd wouldn’t be coming in until at least midnight and that left her a good hour alone. Time to devise a plan to get rid of Kam Trayhern.

  “THAT WAS a heck of a celebration last night,” Iris crowed as she sat at her desk the next morning. Kam was at her own desk with coffee in hand.

  “It was wonderful,” Kam said, noting her own hesitation. She couldn’t help feeling confused. Wes had kissed her. The blazing look in his eyes branded her. What was there not to like about Wes? He was hardworking, honest and responsible. How many men had she met who were as good? Next to none.

  Kam sipped the hot, black liquid and got down to the business of the day. Iris had entrusted her with the banking and accounting duties for the flower-essence business. Iris hated anything to do with numbers. The trust Iris had placed in Kam’s hands—the money, the banking and movement of funds—was huge. She knew Iris was having trouble with her eyes and needed help.

  “I saw Wes steal a kiss from you,” Iris sang out, giving her a big smile. “That did my heart good.”

  “It was a surprise,” Kam admitted, hoping that would end this topic of conversation. It was obvious Iris was a matchmaker at heart and was always trying to pair up her cowhands with women. Iris knew everyone in Jackson Hole and she delighted in getting young people together. Clearly, Iris and Trevor had had a marriage made in heaven here on earth. So did her own adopted parents. If only she could be so lucky someday and have a dream marriage with a man who respected her, supported her and treated her as an equal. She hadn’t found such a man—until now. Wes Sheridan held her heart whether he knew it or not. But now wasn’t the time. She couldn’t allow him to know how much he affected her.

  Redirecting her thoughts, she got down to the business of paying bills. She had full control of a multimillion-dollar bank account and this left her breathless. There was so much money in the business bank account. She had talked to Iris about putting some of it into stocks, bonds, or a place where it could accrue more interest. Iris had shrugged, maintaining she’d always handled the finances the same way. Kam had countered that someone could steal the money because so much was in one account. Why not parcel it out to several accounts and only Iris would have the password and ability to get into them?

  No, Iris didn’t think that was necessary. The senior wanted to keep things simple. Kam understood, but felt uncomfortable dealing with so much money. Banks had been hacked into before and identity theft was a widespread problem. Still, Iris had to face these demons and protect her money. Maybe Kam could discuss this with Rudd first. He might understand the gravity of the situation and talk to Iris about changing some of her account procedures.

  “You know,” Iris said from across her office, “Wes is the son of Dan Sheridan. He’s the owner of the second-largest ranch here in Wyoming, the Bar S. Did you know that?”

  “No, I didn’t,” Kam admitted, transferring some funds electronically to an online vendor.

  “Dan is an alcoholic, unfortunately,” Iris told her. “When Wes left two years ago to come and work for us, his father disowned him. Wes was written out of his will so he’ll never run his father’s ranch. He has a brother and sister, but they won’t have anything to do with their father or ranching, either. Wes was the only one who loved ranching. If you ask me, it’s a pretty sad state of affairs for him. He’s such a wonderful young man, don’t you agree?”

  Raising her brows, Kam looked over her computer monitor at Iris. In a bright yellow shift printed with sunflowers and green leaves, her hair slightly frizzed but held up on her head with a rubber band, the woman was full of sunshine, and Kam
couldn’t help smiling over her motives. “Now, why do I feel your matchmaker side coming out, Iris?”

  “Humph!”

  “I’m sorry to hear Wes has such an awful family life. I can’t imagine being disowned.” And she couldn’t. And yet, when she went to Rudd with the truth, he might kick her off his land, disown her as Dan Sheridan had done to his son. Kam secretly grieved for Wes.

  “I know. On his day off, he usually drives to Cody to meet his mother, Anne. He refuses to set foot on the Bar S, so he meets her in town. He talked to me about it one time.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes,” Iris said. “One day, Wes seemed really upset. I kept nagging at him until he came clean. He asked me why his mother wouldn’t leave his father. Dan had been verbally and emotionally abusive to Anne all their married life. Wes couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t walk away. I tried to tell him that women have this thing in them that doesn’t like to leave hurt or sick animals. We had a long talk about alcoholism and how Anne is an enabler to her husband. Wes is very clear about what is going on and how the disease has infiltrated the entire family. I guess he’s begged his mother to leave, but she won’t. Anne’s health is declining, and that’s got Wes even more worried and upset. There’s nothing he can do. I learned a long time ago the only life I could control was mine.” She chuckled a little. “And even my life isn’t that much under my control. You never know what’s going to come out of left field and knock you on your butt.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? “Wes has a really messy situation,” Kam said, feeling sorry for him. Again, she felt lucky that her adopted family had been healthy and stable. What must Wes be going through on a daily basis?

  “I feel so sorry for him,” Iris told her. “There’s not much he can do. His father now has diabetes, and yet he continues to drink like a fish. Anne is way overweight and has heart problems and high blood pressure. They’re in their fifties and could have a long, good life but I don’t think either of them are going to last much longer.”