Kiss of an Angel

by Janelle Denison

“Morning,” Paula said, and began scrambling the eggs sitting in the frying pan, as was her regular routine once all her “boys” arrived.

  “You’re up mighty early, Ms. Daniels,” Frank commented, taking a seat next to J.T.

  Kirk poured two cups of coffee and carried them back to the table. Setting a mug before Frank, he lowered himself beside Caitlan. “Only fools like us get up this early,” he added to Frank’s observation, then slanted J.T. a goading look from across the expanse of wood. “You plan on making her work the range, or what, J.T.?”

  Only from his brother-in-law would J.T. take such blatant ribbing. “No, and I don’t want Caitlan to leave the general area without someone with her. Considering her bad sense of direction, I don’t want to chance her getting lost.”

  Caitlan gathered up her dishes and stood. “You won’t have to worry about entertaining me.” A serious expression etched her features, but J.T. saw the sassy twinkle in her eyes as she repeated the order he’d given her last night in his office. “I’ll do my best to stay out of everyone’s way.”

  He watched her take her dishes to the sink, expecting her to leave the kitchen on that parting remark. To his surprise, she picked up a dish of bacon and a stack of clean plates and brought them to the table.

  “Honey,” Paula said, a little flustered with Caitlan’s assistance. “You’re a guest here. You don’t have to do that.” She scooped the fluffy scrambled eggs into a bowl.

  “It’s not a problem.” Caitlan grabbed the entree before Paula could put the skillet back down and delivered the dish and the platter of pancakes to the hungry men. “Four hands are better than two. Besides, I’ve got nothing but time to kill. The least I can do for everyone’s generosity is help out around here.”

  J.T. forked a couple of pancakes onto his plate, wondering how long Caitlan’s enthusiasm would last. Today a novelty, tomorrow a chore, he thought in private, wry amusement. As soon as those soft hands of hers became chapped, dry, and sore, he was sure she’d be singing a different tune.

  Turning his attention away from Caitlan, he glanced at Frank. “Do you have all the hands lined out for today?”

  Frank nodded and took a gulp of coffee to wash down a bite of scrambled egg. “Gotta get that fence on the east end repaired, and I’ve got a group rounding up the cattle in the north pasture.”

  “Good.” J.T. bit off a chunk of bacon and chewed. “If you don’t need the extra body, I need to spend the day in the office.” Out of the corner of his eye J.T. saw Caitlan look his way. He glanced at her just as she smiled and cast a long look upward. He frowned, wondering what she found so fascinating about the kitchen ceiling.

  “I think we can manage without you today, boss,” Kirk cut in while Frank nodded his agreement, since his mouth was full. “Wouldn’t hurt us any if you took it easy for a few days, considering your accident.”

  “I’m fine,” J.T. insisted, refusing to admit even to himself that he was exhausted and could use a few days to recuperate. Sticking around the house doing paperwork would have to do as far as rest and relaxation was concerned. “With Graham out because of his slipped disc, our feed order is falling short. I need to take inventory of our supplies and get everything back up to date again.

  “Not a problem, boss.” Frank wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed it on his empty plate. “We’ve got the work covered.”

  “Great!” With that settled, J.T. thanked Paula for breakfast and went to his office to immerse himself in bookkeeping and order-filling for the day.

  * * *

  “Caitlan, do you want to see the new kittens we have in the barn?” Laura asked, shoveling a spoonful of Frosted Flakes into her mouth.

  At the kitchen sink, Caitlan glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Laura’s excitement. “I’d love to. Just let me finish peeling this last potato for Paula.” Finishing the task quickly and with ease, she placed the skinned potato with the others on a paper napkin.

  Paula filled a huge pot with water to boil the potatoes. “The bus is going to be here in thirty minutes, Laura,” she reminded her.

  “Do I have to go to school today?” Laura complained, finishing off her bowl of cereal. She brought her empty juice glass and dishes to the sink. “Can’t I stay home and show Caitlan around?”

  Paula sent her a gently reproving look. “I don’t think your father would be too pleased if you did that.”

  Laura let out a long sigh. “Why do I have to go to school while everyone else gets to stay home and have all the fun?” she grumbled.

  Caitlan and Paula exchanged amused glances.

  “I promise not to have any fun while you’re at school,” Caitlan vowed in a serious tone, drying her hands on a dishtowel. “Besides, today’s Friday and you’ll have all weekend to spend with me. We’ll have all kinds of fun together. I promise.”

  Laura brightened marginally. “Sundays we usually go to Aunt Debbie’s for dinner. Will you come with us?”

  If the invitation had been issued by J.T., Caitlan would have accepted without hesitation. She needed to stay close to him, but how would he feel about her intruding on something as personal as a Sunday supper ritual? “I don’t know—”

  “Of course she’ll go, Laura,” Paula interrupted, lighting the burner beneath the pot of potatoes. “Your father wouldn’t leave Caitlan all alone.”

  Don’t bet on it, Caitlan thought.

  “Good.” Laura hooked her arm through Caitlan’s, beaming a grin up at her. “Come on. Let’s go see the kittens.”

  “I’ll be back to help with those cherry tarts, Paula,” Caitlan called as Laura tugged her out of the kitchen. “Don’t start without me!”

  Instead of heading for the front door, Laura made a detour down the hall toward J.T.’s office. Realizing her intent, Caitlan pulled back and stopped just as Laura grabbed the doorknob. “What are you doing?”

  Laura tilted her head to the side, grinning. “I just want to say good morning to Dad. It’ll only take a second.”

  Before Caitlan could bow out gracefully, Laura opened the door and, arm still linked in Caitlan’s, dragged her into the room with her. “Morning, Dad!” Laura announced, her bubbly mood nearly infectious.

  J.T. glanced up from the papers and ledgers spread out on the wide desk in front of him. “Hi, Smidget.” His gaze flickered from his exuberant daughter, bounding across the room, to Caitlan.

  Caitlan gave him an apologetic look for interrupting his business, but he truly didn’t seem to mind the intrusion. Standing by one of the chairs in front of J.T.’s desk, she watched as he accepted Laura’s hug and quick kiss on the cheek. The closeness between father and daughter was evident, and Caitlan fleetingly wondered about Laura’s mother, and how any woman could walk out on her own child. The young girl seemed well adjusted, her Aunt Debbie and Paula doted on her, but what about that constant mothering attention and guidance a girl Laura’s age needed?

  J.T. glanced at his watch, then chucked Laura lightly under the chin. The bus is going to be here in twenty minutes. Don’t miss it.”

  “I won’t. I just want to show Caitlan the kittens, and then I’ll go to the bus stop.” Laura crossed back to Caitlan, then turned to her father with an impish grin. “Oh, and I just wanted to tell you so you don’t worry about it. Caitlan is going to Aunt Debbie’s with us on Sunday. Aunt Debbie really likes Caitlan, so I’m sure she won’t mind having her over.”

  J.T.’s gaze slid to Caitlan, a half grin turning up the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure Debbie won’t,” he murmured.

  Caitlan shifted on her feet, suddenly uncomfortable with his lazy observation. “If this is a family thing, I don’t really need to go—”

  “Debbie would skin me alive if I left you at home.” He leaned back in his chair, his countenance relaxed. “We go over to her place every Sunday. I think she feels sorry for me, because it’s the only day Paula doesn’t cook supper.”

  “Dad can’t cook,” Laura said out of the side of her mouth.

 
; “Hey, I thought you liked my grilled cheese sandwiches.” J.T. feigned a hurt look. “I’m kind of partial to them myself.”

  Laura rolled her eyes dramatically. “Dad, you can’t live on grilled cheese sandwiches alone. You need a wife. That way you wouldn’t have to depend on Paula or Aunt Debbie.”

  J.T. shook a finger Laura’s way. “And you need a swat to your bottom.”

  The words were tossed teasingly, but Caitlan noted the barely perceptible shift in J.T.’s easy mood. His jaw hardened, and the sparkle in his eyes faded. He kept his emotions tightly leashed, careful not to take his own personal grudge about a wife out on his daughter.

  Sitting up, J.T. picked up his pencil and flipped open a folder. “Now get going before I make good on my threat.”

  “You’re too much of a softy, Dad. I’ll see ya after school.” Laura blew her father a kiss from across the room, then headed for the door. “Come on, Caitlan. Time’s a wastin’.”

  Caitlan couldn’t help delivering a parting remark to J.T., sugar-coating it with a grin. “Considering I have a full schedule ahead of me today, I’d better get a move on, huh?”

  As she slipped out the door behind Laura, she heard J.T. say, “I ought to swat your butt.”

  Smiling to herself, Caitlan walked beside Laura as they cut across to the barn. The day promised to be beautiful. A slight, chilled breeze blew, but the sky was clear for as far as the eye could see. The ranch hands had long since gone, leaving the area peaceful and serene for the time being.

  Laura looked at Caitlan, concern creasing her delicate brows. “Dad doesn’t usually stick around the house. I hope he’s feeling okay.”

  “I’m sure he’s fine.” Caitlan rubbed Laura’s back in a gesture meant to soothe her worries.

  “He mentioned this morning at breakfast that he had some paperwork to catch up on.” Caitlan was grateful J.T. had decided to stay indoors. Having him so close made her job easier. She knew where he was and didn’t have to worry about defying him, and angering him even more, by following him around the ranch while he worked. How would she explain the need to be by his side all day long? The longer he stayed around the house, the better.

  Laura grabbed Caitlan’s arm. “Will you keep an eye on him while I’m at school, just to be sure he’s really okay?” she asked, her tone a shade away from a plea.

  Caitlan patted her hand reassuringly. “Consider it done.”

  “Good.” Laura smiled, her step suddenly light and buoyant. “You might want to have lunch with him, just to be sure he takes a break.”

  Caitlan lifted a brow, seeing through Laura’s scheme. “Don’t push your luck, sweetie. Your father barely puts up with me as it is. He knows where the kitchen is if he gets hungry.”

  “He likes you.”

  Caitlan shook her head. “Trust me. We’ve been over this before, Laura. Your father just tolerates me, and I don’t think he’d appreciate you trying to play cupid.” He’d made his feelings about relationships and involvements crystal clear last night.

  “Someone has to do it.” Laura tossed her head, her mahogany mane of hair tumbling around her shoulders. “Give my dad a chance. He’ll come around. I know he’s a little stubborn and grouchy sometimes, but he can be really sweet, too.”

  Sweet wasn’t a word she’d use to describe J.T. Sexy, tough, arrogant, and maybe a little humorous sometimes. Sweet? Never. “I’m all wrong for your father, and nothing good could come out of this. I’ll be gone in a few days.”

  “You might find you like it here.” Laura flashed her a smile and skipped ahead.

  Caitlan liked it here—too much. She liked J.T., way too much, despite his resolve to keep her at arm’s length and his sometimes gruff manner. There had been glimpses of a tender man, but he’d never allowed that side of his personality to fully develop with her. He always withdrew just in time, leaving her grasping for the promise of something more.

  Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she followed Laura into the large red structure. Inside, the barn was cool and dim. Dust motes danced in a beam of sunlight filtering through a window in the loft.

  “They’re over here,” Laura said, motioning to the far end of the barn.

  At Laura’s outburst, a huge black horse snorted and kicked the side of his stall. Caitlan stopped and peered through the pen’s slats at the spooked animal as he tossed his head and bared his teeth. Caitlan moved closer, trying to make eye contact with the horse.

  “Stay away from him,” Laura said, a bit of fear in her voice.

  “He’s a beautiful stallion,” Caitlan said in a soft voice, so as not to scare the horse any more than he already was. “What’s his name?”

  “King’s Ransom, and he’s mean and dangerous.” Laura glanced at King warily and shuddered. “Dad would freak if he knew we were even this close to his stall.”

  “King,” Caitlan whispered, and the stallion immediately settled down. Ears twitching, he searched for the source of the gently coaxing voice.

  “Caitlan, leave him alone. He’s worthless.” Laura tugged on her sweater. “Come on, I only have a few minutes before I’ve gotta catch the bus and I want you to see the kittens.”

  Reluctantly, Caitlan left King, promising to return when she could be alone with him for a few minutes. The vibrations of terror she’d sensed from the horse concerned her.

  In the corner of the barn, in a large box lined with shredded newspaper, five kittens stumbled about on shaky legs and mewled for their mother, their cries sharp and insistent.

  Laughing at the expressive kittens, Caitlan knelt by the box. “They must be hungry.” She reached in and picked up a smoky gray striped one.

  Laura knelt beside Caitlan, looking over the kittens with pride. “The momma kitty, Missy, will be here any minute. She’s very protective of her kittens.”

  Rubbing noses with the gray, Caitlan chuckled as he licked the tip of her nose. “They’re adorable.”

  “The one you’re holding I named Brutus.”

  The kitten squirmed and twisted in Caitlan’s grasp, trying to escape. “He’s a strong one, isn’t he?” She put him back with the rest of the litter and stroked the head of another kitten.

  “That one I named Sunshine, and that’s Pumpkin, and this one is Bandit,” Laura said, pointing to each one in turn.

  “What about this one?” Caitlan picked up the little feline getting trampled by its rambunctious siblings.

  “I haven’t figured out a name for her yet.” Laura frowned as she thought. “She’s the runt. Why don’t you name her?”

  Caitlan held the kitten up for inspection, her heart giving a little tug at the sweet, furry face with deep blue eyes staring back at her. The kitten let out a howl of protest and Caitlan laughed, placing her back in the box. “How about Sassy?”

  “Yeah, I like that.” Laura nodded. “Sassy it is.”

  Missy, the mother cat, nudged her way past Caitlan and jumped into her domain. After finding all five of her kittens safe, she cast a baleful look Caitlan’s way, then promptly stretched out.

  Each kitten clamored greedily for a nipple, sucking noisily.

  Laura sighed. “I guess I’d better get going.”

  Straightening, Caitlan brushed the hay off her knees. “Yes. I don’t want to be the one responsible for making you miss the school bus. Your father would just love that.”

  Once Laura was gone Caitlan went back inside the house and helped Paula make cherry tarts for that evening’s dessert. They talked and joked, and Caitlan found she enjoyed the older woman’s company immensely.

  The day progressed slowly, even though there was plenty to do to help Paula with household chores. Every time Caitlan passed J.T.’s study she debated whether to stop and talk to him. But what would she say? Knowing he probably wouldn’t appreciate being disturbed, she decided against the idea. He didn’t even emerge for lunch. Paula took him a sandwich, a side of freshly made potato salad, and a glass of iced tea.

  By early afternoon boredom set in
. Caitlan thought about sketching, but after the disturbing vision she’d drawn the night before she wasn’t all that eager to put pencil to paper. At least not in the light of day. She wanted the privacy of secluded night hours to delve deeper into her mind for the source of those images.

  Sitting on the window seat in the living room, Caitlan gazed out the window, thinking of King’s Ransom’s peculiar behavior. Within five minutes Caitlan stood by the stallion’s stall, sugar cubes in her hand.

  As soon as King saw her, he went wild, kicking and rearing like an animal possessed. “King,” she called softly, and quietly unlatched the door to his stall.

  The horse whinnied, a sound so mournful and hurting Caitlan ached deep inside for him. Slowly opening the door, she whispered his name again and again, a soothing litany that eventually calmed the stallion enough so he wasn’t thrashing any longer. He stood at the far end of the stall, breathing hard, watching her warily.

  Holding his gaze, she silently urged the horse to relax, giving him no reason to fear her. Heart pounding, she stepped inside his pen. King backed up anxiously, terror flashing in his gaze. She willed him to trust her, and gradually the trust came in the form of a soulful nicker. And then Caitlan knew, the perception so strong her animal sense tapped into the source of the stallion’s anguish.

  “Oh, you sweet, sweet thing. You’re not dangerous, are you, boy?” she said, her throat thick with sorrow. “Someone’s been abusing you. I’ll make it better, I promise, but you’ve got to let me get close so I can help you.”

  After a long, tense minute King’s Ransom took a tentative step forward.

  * * *

  J.T. pushed his chair back, stood, and stretched his stiff muscles. His body ached more from sitting in one position for hours, bending over a desk and pushing a pencil, than it would have if he’d ridden out with the boys today. He’d accomplished a lot, but he still needed to take inventory of supplies, and that would take a good day or two, considering the task had been neglected for far too long.

  Right now, though, he needed a break.

  Leaving the office, he found the house quiet and Paula gone, as was her daily routine. She’d be back to prepare dinner for the family later that afternoon, when Laura returned from school.