When she got to her room, Kenna undressed, careful not to wrinkle her dress. All the washing was done by hand here, and with no place to do her laundry herself, she'd have to pay someone to do it for her. She'd been given money to live on, but as she had no idea how long she would be staying, she would have to be careful with her finances. She performed her ablutions and then climbed into a very soft and comfortable bed. It was a blessing for her sore back after riding on a hard, wooden bench for miles.
As she snuggled into her pillow, her mind drifted to the sheriff. So much for not giving him a second thought! She was innately drawn to his strength. She wanted his big, muscular body close to hers. As close as possible. But the way he treated her wasn't endearing. Kenna wound a long, thick lock of her soft auburn hair around her finger, a habit when she was thinking. His condescending tone was just part of being a man, she reasoned. In this time period, men owned women, just like any other possession. It was logical that he thought she needed his guidance because she didn't have a man around to tell her what to do. He must have decided it was his right to step in and boss her around. When he'd lectured her, it felt good in a way, as though he was concerned for her, but it was also annoying because she had no intention of letting a man get in her business.
Kenna had come to this town to do a job, and if she completed the assignment, she would be paid a great deal of money—enough that, if she weren't extravagant, financial security would be one less thing to worry about. She was determined to fulfill her contract and return home as soon as possible. She couldn't let the sheriff or any other man get in her way. He had no idea what was at stake for her. The risks she had to take were worth it.
Kenna would make sure she had as little to do with the sheriff as possible. Maybe she could eat dinner in her room? That would cut down on the possibility of contact. But it would look strange, and her goal was to blend in and go about her business. That wouldn't work.
She yawned and drew the extra pillow in close to her body. It was a poor substitute for a man, but it would have to do for a while! She fell into a deep sleep as soon as she closed her eyes.
2
Town
The sun was shining brightly when Kenna finally awoke. It took her a few minutes to fully regain consciousness, making her miss the phone alarm that normally woke her up gradually as she hit the snooze button several times. She vaguely remembered dreaming that she was running at full speed as the sheriff chased her down the street. It wasn't going to be easy to stop thinking about him.
She rolled out of bed and went over to the window, pulling back the light-blue ruffles of the curtains that matched her bedding, to see another beautiful, hot summer day. Her stomach growled as she went over to her dresser and poured some water into her basin to freshen up. She was looking forward to a big breakfast.
When Kenna made her way downstairs, it was quiet. She walked over to the kitchen and found Pauline cleaning up the dishes.
"Good afternoon, sleepyhead!" she chirped. "You looked perty tired last night. I'm not surprised you slept half the day away."
"What time is it?" Kenna asked, still feeling as if she were sleepwalking.
"Lunch finished up an hour ago. Go sit down, and I'll bring you a coffee and some leftovers."
"Thanks," she said as she walked to the closest table in the dining room and sat down. She heard the front door open and close and looked over to see the sheriff come in. Oh, not now! she thought.
Pauline set a cup of steaming coffee and a plate of delicious-smelling lunch in front of her.
"Can I have a plate too?" the sheriff asked. "I'm starved." He smiled engagingly at Pauline.
"Yep, go sit down, and I'll see what I can rustle up."
The sheriff took a seat beside Kenna. "You look sleepy there, missy. Did you just roll out of bed?" He gave her a lazy grin as he slowly rubbed his scarred jawline with his right hand, and she got the impression he was trying to make a decision.
"Yes, I did. I'd appreciate not having any lectures until after I've finished my first coffee."
"Whoa... you're a bit testy when you get up, aren't ya?" He looked at her with raised eyebrows, leaning back in his chair and taking in her scowl as she picked at her food. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Or maybe you need a man in your bed to keep you in a good mood?"
Kenna studied him as she gathered her thoughts. He was clearly waiting for a reaction, and she didn't want to provoke him. She just needed him to leave her alone. "Yes, I'm not a morning person. I need coffee before I wake up completely. And, no, I don't need a man, thanks." She smiled at him as innocently as she could manage.
"I ain't never heard a woman say she didn't need a man. Are you one of those girls who doesn't like men?" He grinned at her mischievously.
She took a sip of her coffee and grimaced slightly at the bitter, somewhat burnt-tasting liquid. This definitely wasn't from her favorite coffee shop.
She tried to sound casual. "I'll think about men and marriage when I get back home to Chicago. I don't want to settle down here."
"Maybe after you're here for more than a day, you'll change your mind. Finding a husband here would be easy for you. There are probably twenty decent men for any woman of marriageable age."
"Does every woman of a 'marriageable age' get this lecture from you?" She raised one eyebrow. "It's an interesting way to increase the town's population."
"You're a difficult woman, Kenna Scott. Too smart for your own good. It's a good thing you're pretty, because not many men would tolerate that attitude otherwise." He shook his head.
Kenna smiled sweetly and chose to ignore his comment.
Pauline brought his lunch out. Kenna finished hers quickly and drank the rest of the brown water that passed for coffee.
"Is there a good stable around here where I can rent or buy a horse?" she asked the sheriff. "I'd like to go riding." She avoided looking directly into his dark-blue eyes. They were fringed with long, thick black lashes that gave him a dramatic look—as if he wore a thin stroke of eyeliner. Kenna felt herself smile a little. He'd probably punch someone if they suggested he looked like he wore any kind of makeup!
He looked at her incredulously. "You don't need a horse. I told you to stick close to the boarding house or you'll end up getting yourself in trouble. You don't listen very well, do you?"
She tried to sound sincere and not too snarky. "I heard you, but I have a job to do, and I'm not going to get it done by sitting around here. I have to explore the town to experience it, and for that, I need a horse. If you don't want to give me an answer, I'll ask someone else."
The sheriff looked at her and shook his head. "Wyatt runs a good stable just down the road. Tell him I sent you and he'll set you up with a decent horse. You've ridden a horse before, I expect?"
"Of course, I can ride—and shoot, for that matter. I'll be fine. Thanks for your help," she said, giving him her best smile before pushing away from the table and heading for the front door. She wanted to find a horse so she could get out of town, find the base and get to work as soon as possible.
* * *
Pauline came out of the kitchen to check on her guests. "Did you scare off your new friend already?" she asked Jack playfully. "Where'd she go?"
He gave her an exasperated look and shook his head. "No, I didn't scare her. I tried to get her to listen to reason, but there's no reasoning with that woman. If she gets into trouble, she's on her own."
Pauline refilled Jack's coffee cup. "Ha! I don't believe that tough talk for a minute. I imagine you'll keep a close eye on that one." She winked at him and smiled.
He looked up and sighed. "Yep, you're right. Kenna doesn't understand how things work out here. I guess it's a lot different from her life back east. I'll watch out for her," he said with a resigned glare.
Pauline patted him on the shoulder. "Not sure you're goin' to tame that one. Be careful, Jack. I saw the way you looked at her. She's nothing like what you're used to."
He smi
led lazily up at her. "You know me too well. Am I that easy to read?"
She patted him on the shoulder again. "Finish your lunch," she said affectionately and went back to the kitchen.
Pauline is right, Jack thought. That woman is small in stature but seems headstrong and willful and smart. But she won't survive long in this town with an attitude like that. I'll have to teach her how to act like a proper lady very soon. Her parents must've spoiled her and let her do whatever she wanted. That might be fine in the city but not out here in the west, where most men are rough with their women. It's going to be a challenge to keep her safe.
I'd sure like to see what she looks like under that dress.
* * *
Kenna walked carefully along busy Main Street to the stable. There were no sidewalks, and she had to dodge a wagon or two whose drivers weren't paying attention to pedestrians. It became apparent very quickly that wagons had the right of way.
The craziness of the Gold Rush had ended a few years ago, but the town still prospered as cattle ranchers and farmers had staked their claim on the surrounding land. The broad valley in which Forest Hills was built was fertile and had several streams running through it. There was even a hot spring that was said to be good for your health if you could stand the heat and the strong smell of sulfur.
The town would become even busier when the railroad connected it to the rest of the country. It would only be a few months before it was finished and brought more people and business to the area. Kenna had come most of the way here on the train, but for the last fifty miles or so, she'd had to take the stagecoach.
She walked to the end of the street and found herself in the front of a large stable. An older man with a short white beard sat on a chair smoking a cigarette a few feet from a stack of hay. Didn't he realize smoking and dry hay don't mix? Oh, well. Not her problem.
"Hello, are you the owner of the stable?"
"Yes, ma'am. Who wants to know?" he asked with a sparkle in his eye.
"I'm Kenna Scott, and I'd like to buy or rent a horse for a month or two. The sheriff sent me."
"He did, did he? Well, now, this is a strange situation. Do ya know how to ride a horse?"
"Yes, sir, my father taught me how to ride. I'd like a horse with some spirit but not too easily spooked," she explained.
"Where do you intend to ride? It ain't safe to go out of town."
"Yes, that's what the sheriff said. I can take care of myself, and I know how to shoot a gun. I don't imagine you'd ask a man where he wanted to ride?" She gave him a teasing smile, trying to prevent him from getting angry. She was just stating facts.
"Nope, you're right about that. But things is different fer a man. Are you hankering to go out of town?"
"Yes, I'd like to look around the countryside."
"The countryside, eh?" he repeated with an amused look on his face. "Well, then, I'll have to ask ya to buy the horse. I cain't rent it to ya. Ain't no guarantee that you or the horse'll come back in one piece."
"Yes, that's fine."
He showed her a suitable horse, and they haggled on a purchase price and a monthly cost for boarding.
"I'll come by tomorrow morning to pick her up. What's her name?"
He shrugged. "I dunno. The sheriff gave her to me a couple weeks ago after he killed her owner. He didn't need another horse, and she was too small to pull the lumber wagons for his buddy's business."
"Oh. The sheriff killed her owner? Why?"
"He was cheatin' in a card game at the saloon and killed two men who accused him. He shot at the sheriff and winged him on the arm before he got shot dead. Good riddance, I say. Don't need that cheatin' son of a bitch in town." He winced slightly and looked down at his feet. "Pardon the language, ma'am."
"No offense taken. I have no regard for cheaters of any sort. See you tomorrow," she said with what she hoped was a friendly smile.
She walked away from the stable with her mind racing. The sheriff had killed her horse's owner? She'd eaten dinner last night and lunch today with a murderer? She'd never met anyone who had actually killed anyone—as far as she knew, anyway. Kenna understood he wasn't really a murderer as he was just doing his job; still, it was scary to know what he was capable of, even if it was to keep the people in his town safe.
Kenna had wanted to look for the base hidden in the mountains today but had slept in too late. She decided to have Pauline wake her in time for breakfast tomorrow so she wouldn't waste another day. Never, in her entire life, had she been able to get up early on her own without an alarm clock.
She wandered around town and stopped at the general store. No alarm clocks. She did find some riding boots and also bought some men's clothing and a hat that would hold her hair so she could pass for a man at a distance. She would wear her gun and holster to complete her disguise. Hopefully, dressing this way would draw less attention and keep her safe.
During her shopping trip, Kenna also looked for Barrett. She had never met him before but had seen a few pictures. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to find the engineer or not. She'd appreciate the bonus money, but she had no idea how to convince him to come back to the base. If he didn't want to be found, she didn't think he'd be foolish enough to stay in the closest town to the portal. If Barrett were still alive, she was sure he would be long gone by now. That was just fine with Kenna.
She walked back to the boarding house with her purchases, and her heart rate quickened when she saw the sheriff sitting comfortably on a bench beside the front door, smoking a cigarette.
"Good afternoon, Kenna." He tipped his hat at her. No smile.
A slow heat rose up her cheeks. She loved the way he said her name with his deep, growly voice. Damn, he was handsome!
"Good afternoon, Sheriff." She smiled and nodded slightly as she paused on the porch then looked down as she fidgeted with one of the strings that bound the packages she held in her arms. Her eyes were drawn to the front of his pants, which were bulging with his barely restrained manhood. She averted her eyes quickly, feeling a stirring between her legs as a flush of heat engulfed her. She'd never met a man who made her feel like this just by looking at him!
He saved her from further embarrassment by standing up and opening the door for her, his cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. She didn't like men who smoked, but the sheriff made it look very sexy. She also liked that he acted like a gentleman, even though she suspected he really wasn't. The thought sent shivers down her spine.
"Thank you," she said as she walked through the door, wondering if the cigarette ever fell from his lips when he talked. Probably not. He was way too cool. She smiled to herself as an image of Clint Eastwood in an old Western movie flashed through her mind.
"Looks like you've been shopping. What'd you buy?" he asked, chewing on the butt of his cigarette.
"Just some boots and clothes."
"And a little buckskin horse, I hear."
"Oh, yes. I have to come up with a name for her. Any suggestions?" She looked up at him with a teasing smile. He towered over her by at least a foot. His broad shoulders and thick, muscular chest captivated her.
"No. It's your horse; you should come up with a name."
"I'll think of something. How did you know I bought a horse?"
"News travels fast in this town." No smile.
He had a funny effect on her equilibrium when she stood close to him. He smelled faintly of leather, sweat and cigarette smoke. She wanted to drop her packages, put her hands on those lean hips, and pull him close to steady herself. Instead, she smiled up at him, turned around and walked up the stairs to her room, steadying herself with the railing.
She was annoyed that her body was betraying her. It was not in her best interest to feel so drawn to this man.
I have to focus on my reasons for being here and can't let him distract me. If I get too close, I'll never want to let him go! How would I stay away from those big, muscular arms? Stop! I have to stop thinking about him, especially since I can'
t read him. He didn't smile at me tonight and barely did earlier today. I have no idea how he feels about me. If anything at all!
Kenna laid out her new clothing on a chair in the corner of her room, ready for her ride to the mountains in the morning. After she freshened up, she went downstairs for dinner, where there were a few people in the dining room. She made her way over to her little table in the corner, then she sat down and looked around the room, trying to look calm and not stare at anyone in particular as she folded her hands neatly on her lap like a proper lady.
If she were at home, it wouldn't be nearly so uncomfortable. She could pull her cell phone out of her purse and catch up on what was happening online, giving her somewhere to focus her eyes and something to occupy her hyperactive mind. Sitting alone in this room with a group of strangers was awkward. She remembered hearing someone say that being anxious was active and being confident was calm. That meant no more fidgeting. She did her best.
Pauline finally came over to her table with a glass of water and a plate of food. Thank goodness, something to do! From now on, she might try to come down a bit later so she wouldn't have to sit by herself so long.
While eating dinner, Kenna noticed the sheriff walk in. She secretly hoped he'd sit with her again. But he got a plate from Pauline and ate his meal with a large group he seemed to know. Disappointment flooded over her as she finished her dinner and stacked her plate on top of a few other dirty dishes.
She didn't feel like going upstairs to bed, so she headed into the sitting room, where she remembered seeing some books on a shelf. She selected a slim volume called Surviving in the Wasteland.
Hmm, sounds like my love life!
She almost giggled out loud at the silly thought, but unfortunately, it was true. She wandered over to a large, overstuffed chair in the corner of the room, sat down and began to read.
Sheriff's Desire: Time-Travel (Escape To The Wild West Book 1) Page 2