Heated (7 page)

She slept and dreamt for about an hour before something disturbed her sleep. Bianca hated that she was such a light sleeper.

She sat up in bed and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place, but the room was uncomfortably warm. She stretched and yawned as she flung back the covers and made her way to the window. She caught a glimpse of a dark, shadow crossing the front of the yard and disappearing into the bushes.

Bianca immediately thought of the vandalism and wondered if it was the same criminal back to do more
harm. She flew across the room and out the door, knowing she was acting like one of those idiot women in the movies who went looking for the boogeyman. Yeah, well she didn’t know Kung Fu, but she knew plenty of crazy.

She paused at the top of the stairs at the sight of Trishon entering the house, still in her nightgown. “Trishon? What’s going on?”

The other woman turned slowly as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be outside at 10
P
.
M
. in her nightgown. She waved her hand, nonchalant. “My baby brother come to get some food again. You know how my people are.”

Bianca’s brows furrowed as Trishon continued up the stairs. “This time of the night?”

“I never wanted Hank to know I was sneaking them food, that’s all. So they always come when Hank’s not here or when they think he’s sleeping.”

Trishon reached the top of the stairs and she paused to stand beside Bianca, lightly patting her hand. “Why you up so late? Couldn’t sleep?”

Bianca felt an uneasiness fill her and she couldn’t explain it as she removed her hand from underneath Trishon’s cool grasp. “I was going down to get some water,” she lied.

“Well I’m beat. It’s been a long day and without Hank I know I’m gone toss and turn all night, girl.”

Bianca watched Trishon until she disappeared into her bedroom. She continued downstairs because she was up and made her way to the kitchen for that glass of water anyway. She dismissed her uneasiness to a case of the creeps.

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end again and she turned to f ind Trishon standing on the
stairs watching her. “Can I help you with something, Trishon?” Bianca asked.

She continued down the stairs. “I just thought we should have a girl chat about Kahron,” Trishon said, as she moved into the room and took a seat at the island.

“Haven’t we had this little chat already?” Bianca asked, as she took a deep sip of her water.

Trishon smiled. “But you’re not taking me seriously.”

“Why do you say that?” Bianca asked.

“I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Like Shauna, right?”

“Exactly.”

Bianca said nothing else.

“I even hear he has a child in Summerville he don’t claim.”

Bianca poured the rest of her water into the sink and quickly washed her glass before setting it into the dish rack.

“And I’ve heard he’s on powder.”

Bianca turned slowly and faced Trishon. “Anything else?” she asked, her annoyance evident.

“Nothing you wanna hear.”

“Well, that’s funny because I didn’t want to hear any of it, but I did.” Bianca dried her hands with a piece of paper towel as she walked past Trishon and out the kitchen. “If you’re finished with your version of
The National Enquirer
I’m going to bed.”

“But he’s—”

“Goodnight, Trishon,” Bianca sang as she climbed the stairs.

Bianca closed the door of her bedroom and climbed between the purple satin covers. Trishon’s admonitions about Kahron rolled off her back like water. She had already decided not to pursue anything with Kahron—no
matter how tempting—and thus small town gossip was of no importance of her.

The charming thing about a small town was that everybody knew everybody and the bad thing about a small town was that everybody like
talking
about everybody.

Bianca reached to turn off the lavender crystal lamp on the nightstand. One thing she knew for sure, if Trishon cornered her one more time about Kahron the woman was going to explain just why
she
was so concerned.

7

“Sign here, ma’am.”

Bianca accepted the clipboard from the delivery man, signing her name with flourish. “Thanks so much,” she said, her eyes bright with pleasure as she handed him a tip.

“No problem.”

Bianca watched as the man began to unload the crates of supplies from the rear of his truck. “You can just set them right here,” Bianca said, pointing to a spot by the site where the steel barn was currently being erected.

Things were moving pretty smoothly and Bianca was glad for that. Jamison Contractors, Inc., a local company, was erecting the steel barn, and she’d hired two hands so far who were busy repairing and painting the wooden fence surrounded the perimeter of the property. A gentleman from the light company was installing tall night poles around the property—she hoped to deter anymore late night pranks.

There was much more to be done. Her intention was to hire at least two additional hands. The barn should be complete within a week, but she had not lined up any horse boarders yet. She had purchased three one-year-olds from North Carolina and, once delivered next
month, they would be trained and, she hoped, sold locally. She was also in the process of contacting previous clients to woo their services back—and she thanked the heavens that the responses were more good than bad.

Bianca was surprised that so many people were well aware of her veterinary career in Atlanta. They were all proud of their hometown girl, and it touched Bianca that although she had left home so many people were glad for her return.

“You really got things moving.”

Bianca turned at the sound of Papa Doc’s voice, and she smiled in welcome as he left the cab of his bright red Dooley and walked toward her. “I mean business,” she told him playfully, as he hugged her warmly to his side.

“How’s your Daddy?” he asked.

“He’s enjoying his vacation,” Bianca said, shifting her eyes to the construction site.

“I know he’s in detox, Bianca,” he told her.

She looked up at him briefly.

“Trishon told me. I’m family. You don’t have to lie to me.”

Bianca nodded. “I know. Just trying to outrace that small town gossip. It can spread quicker than the clap in a whorehouse.”

Papa Doc chuckled as he stuck his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “Let me ask you though. You don’t think this might not be too much for your Daddy to handle while he’s trying to get sober.”

Bianca frowned as she shaded the sun from her eyes with her hand. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I think part of the reason your Daddy went to drinking was trying to run this business. Stress can turn a man to vices.”

Bianca remained quiet.

“I know you’re all revved up to see this place back up and running, but don’t forget your Daddy in all this.”

“You saying I’m selfish?” Bianca asked, not trying to hide the indignation from her voice.

“No, I’m saying your Daddy’s getting older and maybe he’s not as interested as you are in all this. Hell, look at me, I used to work right along side him with them horses. You know that. I’m getting older and wrangling with a wild steer ain’t in my blood like it used to be.”

“I hear what your saying Papa Doc, but my Daddy called me home to get the job done,” she told him, turning to look up into his broad face. “And that’s what I’m gonna do.”

“What about when you’re gone back to Atlanta? Huh, then what?”

“Don’t sound like you have a lot of faith in your friend?” Bianca said, not bothering to explain that she was seriously considering moving back to Holtsville.

Papa Doc put his hand on Bianca’s shoulder and squeezed it warmly. “Don’t take nothing I say the wrong way. I’m looking out for Hank is all.”

“So am I, Papa Doc,” she told him, warmth in her tones.

“Just listen to what I’m saying.”

“I will.”

He squeezed her shoulder one last reassuring time before he turned and got back into his truck. Bianca waved to him as he steered the truck up toward the main house.

She didn’t have time to ponder Papa Doc’s words as her cell phone rang from her back pocket. “Dr. Bianca King.”

“Hey, when are you coming home
off
the range, sweetie?”

Bianca smiled at the sound of Mimi’s voice. “Do you miss me, Mimi?” Bianca asked, dropping easily into her role as the straight man to Mimi’s humor.

“Yes. I need my daily fill of pet stories from hell, darling,” Mimi drawled.

Bianca climbed up onto the fence circling the daily turn out area. “I told you I was here for another two weeks or so,” Bianca said.

“Oh heavens, Sweetie, you were serious?”

“Yes, I may even move home for good.”

“Oh, Jesus, hold on a sec, ’kay?”

Bianca looked up and saw Hershey sitting on the hill above her. Her heart stopped. Seconds later it came back full force as Kahron came into view.

This was the first she’d seen of the handsome rascal in a week and she was honestly glad to see him. From the huge grin on his face, he was glad to see her as well.

“Yeah, Sweetie, I’m back, you’re little news was cause for a double.”

“Mimi, you ever been around a man who makes you forget rhyme and reason?” Bianca asked, her eyes absorbing everything about the man, the sun glinting from his hair, those aviators shading his eyes. His gait. His sexiness. His confidence.

“Yeah, seven times, remember?” Mimi asked, followed by a hysterical laugh.

Bianca released a low whistle of pure appreciation.

“He’s right there isn’t he? I can hear your noony-nack singing, Sweetie.”

“Yes, and I will call you back.”

“Keep your skirts down and your panties up, sweetie.”

“Are you serious?” Bianca asked in disbelief.

“Yes, and celibate.”

“Now, I
know
you lying.”

Bianca closed the phone.

Kahron smiled up at her as he came to stand between her open legs. “Hi, stranger.”

“Hi, Kahron. Where have you been keeping yourself?” she asked, and then hated when his eyes took on an all-too-knowing look.

“We had the cattle drive. Me and the men just got back today.”

Bianca felt relief that his interest had not waned like she thought. “Not tired?” she asked, knowing how much hard work went into moving an entire herd of cattle to a new area of land.

“Very. I wanted to see you.”

“I’m here working hard myself,” she said.

Kahron looked around at the activity. “I must admit it’s good to see the land not going to waste,” he admitted. “You’re really getting it done, huh?”

Bianca assessed him with her eyes, knowing how badly he wanted the land. “I’m determined to get it done. It
will
be done.”

Kahron met her eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something.

“Say it,” she urged.

“This is all well and good, but what’s gonna happen when you go back to Atlanta.”

“Who said I’m going back for good?” she admitted softly. He was the first person in Holtsville that she gave a hint of her plans. She hadn’t even told her father yet.

His face became bright with pleasure. “That’s something I don’t mind being wrong about.”

“Oh really?”

Kahron nodded. “Just admit you missed me.”

“How can I miss you when I don’t even know you?” she retorted, although that was a lie. She looked up every day hoping to see him. When she went to the store
she looked to see if he was around.

He reached up and placed one strong hand on each of her thighs. “Let’s get to know each other.”

His hands were warm—even through her jeans. Never had she been so acutely aware of a man, and to Bianca that meant something.

She tilted her head to the side and reached out to remove his shades. With a soft smile she looked into those eyes and saw twin reflections of herself looking at him adoringly. “Ask me again,” she said softly, knowing her request needed no further explanation.

Kahron moved his hands up to grasp her sides lightly as he stepped closer to her. He tilted his head up and licked his lips, seeming a bit nervous. “Bianca King, will you go to dinner with me?”

Bianca cut her eyes up to the sky and placed her finger to her mouth. “Let me see…”

“You little tease,” he said, easily picking her up by her waist.

Bianca squealed a little, bringing her hands down to rest on each of his broad shoulders.

Kahron let his hands circle around her until his arms were wrapped around her just under her buttocks. He began to spin with a huge and handsome grin on his face.

Hershey wanted to get in on their play and she rose to bark noisily and circle them.

“Okay, okay. Yes. Yes,” Bianca screamed.

Kahron stopped and loosened the grip of his arms so that her body slid down the length of his until her face was aligned with his. He felt their heart pounding in unison as he kissed her briefly, but with warm and enticing pleasure.

Bianca wrapped her arms around his strong neck as she felt happy for the first time in a long time. This man
brought her joy and she didn’t want to deny herself that feeling. “Dressy or casual?”

“Oh definitely dressy. I want to see you in something besides jeans.”

Hershey sat and watched them, her tongue wagging heavily and wetly from her open mouth.

“I think we have an audience,” Kahron whispered.

Bianca looked beyond Kahron’s head and saw that nearly every man on the property was openly staring at them.

Now men gossiped just as much as women—if not more—and Bianca knew that for a fact. So news of their spectacle would make it to the dinner tables and porches of every available home this very evening. The power of informal communication was legendary.

Kahron let Bianca down and she wiped the faint taste of him from her lips. “What time should I be ready?” she asked.

“Seven.”

“Okay.”

He reached up to squeeze the tip of her nose lightly before turning and walking away, Hershey quickly at his heels.

Bianca picked up her cell phone that she had dropped somewhere along the line. She was glad that the men had all gone back to their task. She had to fight to keep from smiling like a fool because she was excited—more so than she had been in along time—about the night ahead.

“You full of shit, Kahron Strong.”

He looked up to see Trishon walking down the porch of the house toward him. “Good afternoon to you too, Trishon.”

“Why you sniff ing around Bianca’s tail so much?”
she asked.

Kahron opened the tailgate so that Hershey could jump onto the back of the truck. He shot her a sidelong glance. “Mad because I never sniffed around yours?”

“I don’t go throwing myself at half-naked men, thank you very much.”

“No, you just marry old men for money,”

Trishon’s mouth tightened as her eyes flashed. “Hank King is more man than you’ll ever be, Kahron Strong.”

“Who you trying to convince, me or you?” He climbed into his truck, sliding his shades back into place before he drove away without another word.

Bzzzzz
.

He stepped away from the crowd of people surrounding him as his cell phone vibrated against his hip. He removed it from the clip and looked down at a number that he knew so well. Assured no one could here him, he answered. “Speak.”

“She’s ruining everything,” the voice chewed out in obvious anger. “If she had stayed her ass in Atlanta everything woulda worked out like we planned.”

“What do you want me to do?”

He listened to their instructions, pressing the phone closer to his ear with eagerness.

“Done deal,” he replied, closing the phone and slipping it back onto the clip on his hip.

“Wow, you look beautiful.”

Bianca smiled in pleasure as she spun on the center of the porch, causing the intricately beaded skirt she wore to flare up around her thighs like a parasol. She
had put a lot of time into her appearance and she wanted just this reaction from Kahron.

“You looking good yourself,” she told him as she slowly moved down the stairs toward where he stood next to a vintage-looking car in a beautiful shade of silver.

Kahron wore a crisp white shirt beneath a navy tailored blazer that f it loosely on his frame and fit him well. His vintage jeans and boots gave him the perfect look. “Just a little something, something I threw together,” he joked as he took her hand and led her around to the passenger side of the car with its classic long hood and scooped fenders.

“Wow, this is nice.” Bianca slid onto the leather seating after he shut the door.

Kahron came around to slide into the driver’s seat. “This is my baby,” he told her with eagerness as he turned the key in the ignition. The car purred to life with ease. “I restored her myself about three years ago.”

Bianca tilted her head and smiled over at him. “So you’re good with your hands?” she asked huskily.

A slow and satisfying grin spread across his face. “Damn good,” he answered with emphasis.

“I believe it.”

Kahron leaned forward and tasted her lips with a short moan of pleasure. The soft, fine hairs of his shadow lightly tickling her skin.

Bianca settled back against her seat, leaning a little toward Kahron as she enjoyed the comfortable intimacy of the car. “I used to have a playhouse in those woods,” she told him as they slowly crept up the dirt road leading from the ranch.

Kahron turned and smiled at her. “Life was simple when we were kids.”

“Nothing to do but play. We had it good and didn’t
even know it.”

Kahron settled in his seat as he turned the vehicle onto the main road and accelerated forward. He reached over and gathered Bianca’s hand into his own. “Growing up on a working cattle ranch we had chores as soon as we could walk and were potty trained.”

Bianca looked at him in disbelief.

“Okay, maybe not that soon, but I just remember always being busy.”

Bianca enjoyed the feel of Kahron’s thumb circling the back of her hand. “Does your family still ranch?”

“My father and oldest brother, Kade, still operate Strong Ranch in Walterboro. My brother, Kaleb, runs a dairy ranch. Now my younger brother, Kaeden, is everyone’s business manager—he’s an accountant. And Kaitlyn, well she’s busy being twenty and giving my mother more gray hairs.”