Texas Wide Open (25 page)
Authors: KC Klein
Chapter 26
Nikki’s lungs burned, and her legs felt stiff as she pushed herself up the hill. The
mornings were still cold, but the afternoons were warm enough that the back of her
neck prickled with sweat. Her new shoes felt good as she ran up the dusty dirt road.
She was surprised Cole had known her size, surprised that he had gotten them as a
gift for her.
mornings were still cold, but the afternoons were warm enough that the back of her
neck prickled with sweat. Her new shoes felt good as she ran up the dusty dirt road.
She was surprised Cole had known her size, surprised that he had gotten them as a
gift for her.
She’d never seen Cole so low. Not even after Katie had left the first time. But she
was proud of him. No matter how much pain he was in, and he was in a lot, he didn’t
seem to want to go back down into the black pit of despair. He’d gotten himself out
once; he wouldn’t fall that low again.
was proud of him. No matter how much pain he was in, and he was in a lot, he didn’t
seem to want to go back down into the black pit of despair. He’d gotten himself out
once; he wouldn’t fall that low again.
Cole had found her in her room late last night, his face drawn and tired, but there
was a smile when he had handed her a shopping bag. “I know I was supposed to be a
mother and father to you all rolled into one, but really, I’d never even gotten the
big brother thing down.”
was a smile when he had handed her a shopping bag. “I know I was supposed to be a
mother and father to you all rolled into one, but really, I’d never even gotten the
big brother thing down.”
She had tried to stop him. She had enough guilt of her own; in her eyes Cole had done
the best he could.
the best he could.
He shook his head. “No, let me say this. I’ve never been there for you. I provided
the best I could physically, but really fell short when you needed me emotionally.
And I know we’ve never been real good at the gift thing, but you need this.”
the best I could physically, but really fell short when you needed me emotionally.
And I know we’ve never been real good at the gift thing, but you need this.”
She opened the shopping bag and pulled out a large shoe box. She recognized the brand
name printed across the top. She hadn’t run since high school, since the days of being
on the track team, since the long nights of taking care of her mother. Looking back,
she realized running had kept her sane, had given her an outlet she needed. She’d
stopped running after her mother died, almost like a self-inflicted punishment. A
penance for not being the daughter her mother deserved.
name printed across the top. She hadn’t run since high school, since the days of being
on the track team, since the long nights of taking care of her mother. Looking back,
she realized running had kept her sane, had given her an outlet she needed. She’d
stopped running after her mother died, almost like a self-inflicted punishment. A
penance for not being the daughter her mother deserved.
But apparently, Cole thought she needed to take up her passion again. “I’m not sure
what I think about you and Jett, but I do know if you’re gonna dance with his family,
you’ll need to hit the ground running.”
what I think about you and Jett, but I do know if you’re gonna dance with his family,
you’ll need to hit the ground running.”
She knew he was right; she just didn’t know if she had what it would take. “You don’t
think I can hold my own, do you?”
think I can hold my own, do you?”
“Sunshine,” he said, using the childhood nickname he’d had for her. “That’s not what
I’m worried about. You’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever known. You’ve stared
down fears that would make a grown man quake in his boots. But we’re Logans, and I
guess our heritage has always been to sell ourselves short. Mom never thought she
was good enough, but you’re better than her. The Logans are a hard bunch to love,
but if someone is willing to try, you have to give it a shot.”
I’m worried about. You’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever known. You’ve stared
down fears that would make a grown man quake in his boots. But we’re Logans, and I
guess our heritage has always been to sell ourselves short. Mom never thought she
was good enough, but you’re better than her. The Logans are a hard bunch to love,
but if someone is willing to try, you have to give it a shot.”
“I want to try, Cole. Try and do better. Make something of myself that would’ve made
Mom proud. Make you proud.”
Mom proud. Make you proud.”
He had hugged her then, one of those rare brother-sister hugs, and at that moment
she hated Katie more than ever before. Her brother was a good man who loved Katie
to distraction, and if she couldn’t see that then Cole was better off without her.
she hated Katie more than ever before. Her brother was a good man who loved Katie
to distraction, and if she couldn’t see that then Cole was better off without her.
Cole had told her that he was selling the ranch; with the money he would have after
paying off his debts, he wanted to help get her on her feet. She couldn’t take his
money, though. The ranch had been his. Nikki had no stake in it. But the selling of
her childhood home was a different matter. She still wasn’t sure what she felt—part
sadness, part relief. Regardless, the ties that had bound her to this town were breaking
free.
paying off his debts, he wanted to help get her on her feet. She couldn’t take his
money, though. The ranch had been his. Nikki had no stake in it. But the selling of
her childhood home was a different matter. She still wasn’t sure what she felt—part
sadness, part relief. Regardless, the ties that had bound her to this town were breaking
free.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Nikki had options.
In her mind, running and freedom were forever linked, so it was natural for her to
try out her shoes, pound the dirt road. The sun shone down warm like a lover, making
sweat form between her breasts and trail down her stomach. She pulled the brim of
her baseball hat lower. There was pain—in her legs, in her lungs—but the good kind,
the kind she could handle. She had missed this—the solitude of running, the span of
time when she had the power to shush her demons, when the music pounding in her ears
gave wings to the thoughts in her head.
try out her shoes, pound the dirt road. The sun shone down warm like a lover, making
sweat form between her breasts and trail down her stomach. She pulled the brim of
her baseball hat lower. There was pain—in her legs, in her lungs—but the good kind,
the kind she could handle. She had missed this—the solitude of running, the span of
time when she had the power to shush her demons, when the music pounding in her ears
gave wings to the thoughts in her head.
The first mile was always the hardest, it took that long for her body to find its
rhythm. But she was in mile three now, and there was plenty of time and space to work
through the words that Jett had spoken to her. Could she be with Jett? Could she be
happy? She broke things, made good things go bad. That’s what she did. That’s what
the people in this town thought she did. Was she willing to hold her head high, let
people say what they wanted, and grab at her chance of a happily-ever-after?
rhythm. But she was in mile three now, and there was plenty of time and space to work
through the words that Jett had spoken to her. Could she be with Jett? Could she be
happy? She broke things, made good things go bad. That’s what she did. That’s what
the people in this town thought she did. Was she willing to hold her head high, let
people say what they wanted, and grab at her chance of a happily-ever-after?
She quickened her pace, her feet feeling lighter than she’d ever remembered. The endorphins
drugging her blood were a good thing, or maybe deciding to fight for what she wanted
brought its own euphoria with it.
drugging her blood were a good thing, or maybe deciding to fight for what she wanted
brought its own euphoria with it.
Nikki felt a presence at her back. Turning, she watched a sleek, white Mercedes pull
up alongside her. The gold chrome tires reflected the sun, and Nikki was glad she
had her darkest glasses on. There was an electric hum as the tinted driver’s-side
window lowered; her heart followed suit, making its way to the bottom of her stomach.
A middle-aged woman with dark glasses, platinum hair, and a forehead too unlined to
be natural gave Nikki a cool smile.
up alongside her. The gold chrome tires reflected the sun, and Nikki was glad she
had her darkest glasses on. There was an electric hum as the tinted driver’s-side
window lowered; her heart followed suit, making its way to the bottom of her stomach.
A middle-aged woman with dark glasses, platinum hair, and a forehead too unlined to
be natural gave Nikki a cool smile.
Nikki had never been deemed important enough to rate a visit from the Queen. Sure,
the Queen had shown up at her father’s funeral and her mother’s, along with the biggest
flower arrangement seen in two counties, but Nikki had never been the subject of her
undivided attention. Wasn’t sure she liked it now.
the Queen had shown up at her father’s funeral and her mother’s, along with the biggest
flower arrangement seen in two counties, but Nikki had never been the subject of her
undivided attention. Wasn’t sure she liked it now.
“Hello, Mrs. Avery.”
“Hello, Nikki.”
A gust of AC slipped out the window, ruffling Mrs. Avery’s perfect long pageboy cut.
Mrs. Avery was cool, calm, and sitting behind the wheel of a seventy thousand dollar
machine, while Nikki was hunched over and sweating in the sun. Mrs. Avery couldn’t
have done better if she’d planned this—maybe she had.
Mrs. Avery was cool, calm, and sitting behind the wheel of a seventy thousand dollar
machine, while Nikki was hunched over and sweating in the sun. Mrs. Avery couldn’t
have done better if she’d planned this—maybe she had.
“I got a call from Jett this morning.” Her voice had a crisp carrying quality to it,
perfect for charity luncheons and women’s issue panels. Nikki wondered which category
she fell into. “He called to tell me he had invited you over for Sunday dinner.”
perfect for charity luncheons and women’s issue panels. Nikki wondered which category
she fell into. “He called to tell me he had invited you over for Sunday dinner.”
Nikki was glad she always ran on an empty stomach; at least she wouldn’t be disgracing
herself by splattering her breakfast all over those shiny chrome rims.
herself by splattering her breakfast all over those shiny chrome rims.
“As you know, Jett is my only son, my baby. As a mother, I only want the best for
him. He has a bright future in front of him—the family business, social reforms, and
with the right woman, a seat in the Senate.”
him. He has a bright future in front of him—the family business, social reforms, and
with the right woman, a seat in the Senate.”
Nikki was glad her glasses were dark; her right eye had started to twitch.
“Jett has always been a generous soul, maybe too kind for his own good. And I’ll admit
I never did understand what he saw in Cole for all those years. But I suppose voters
are made up of common men, so it’s good to keep a pulse on issues close to their hearts.
But dating them, well . . .” She trailed off as if the thought had robbed her of her
voice.
I never did understand what he saw in Cole for all those years. But I suppose voters
are made up of common men, so it’s good to keep a pulse on issues close to their hearts.
But dating them, well . . .” She trailed off as if the thought had robbed her of her
voice.
Nikki understood completely. She wanted to say something, defend herself. There was
no way this conversation could go anywhere but brutal. But she was frozen, a hole
where her heart had been. This woman so outranked her, intimidated Nikki on levels
she hadn’t even known existed.
no way this conversation could go anywhere but brutal. But she was frozen, a hole
where her heart had been. This woman so outranked her, intimidated Nikki on levels
she hadn’t even known existed.
“I’ve known women like you all my life. I wasn’t born into money. I’ve made myself
into who I am today, so I know how women like you think. You think you’re going to
get your dirty, ragged nails into my son. You think he’s your meal ticket out of this
dusty two-bit town. But my son is smarter than that. He’ll see through you before
you get him to the altar. And when your little illicit affair is over, you’ll end
up with nothing—no wedding, no husband, no payday.”
into who I am today, so I know how women like you think. You think you’re going to
get your dirty, ragged nails into my son. You think he’s your meal ticket out of this
dusty two-bit town. But my son is smarter than that. He’ll see through you before
you get him to the altar. And when your little illicit affair is over, you’ll end
up with nothing—no wedding, no husband, no payday.”
Mrs. Avery pushed her glasses up on top of her head. Her brown eyes were a shock to
Nikki, being so close to the warm gaze of Jett’s. “I like you, Nikki. I feel for what
you’ve been through. And no one can help what they’re born into. So I’m here to give
you a hand.”
Nikki, being so close to the warm gaze of Jett’s. “I like you, Nikki. I feel for what
you’ve been through. And no one can help what they’re born into. So I’m here to give
you a hand.”
She reached over and picked up a white envelope on the passenger seat. She passed
it out through the window and thrust it into Nikki’s face. “Take it. No, don’t bother
with silly moral dilemmas. I’m not someone you need to impress. I’ve lived in the
real world and know exactly what it takes to get out.”
it out through the window and thrust it into Nikki’s face. “Take it. No, don’t bother
with silly moral dilemmas. I’m not someone you need to impress. I’ve lived in the
real world and know exactly what it takes to get out.”
Nikki just stood there—her shiny sugarcoated dream dissolving under the hot Texas
sun.
sun.
“Take it. This is your last chance. I won’t offer again.”
Nikki watched her hand reach over. Her fingers grasped the envelope. Funny how opportunity
could feel thick and heavy like a cream embossed envelope, and at the same time slick
and dirty like the apple given to Eve.
could feel thick and heavy like a cream embossed envelope, and at the same time slick
and dirty like the apple given to Eve.
Chapter 27
“I’ve been looking for you,” Thomas said as he walked up behind Katie where she stood,
looking out over the Logans’ ranch. “I went to your house, but you weren’t there.”
looking out over the Logans’ ranch. “I went to your house, but you weren’t there.”
Katie nodded. She hadn’t been surprised at Thomas’s approach. His footsteps could
be heard a whole ranch away.
be heard a whole ranch away.
“I like to walk here in the mornings. It’s so peaceful before the day starts. It reminds
me of why I love this place so much.” She didn’t feel much like talking. She’d brought
Pa home from the hospital yesterday and needed these few moments to herself before
the endless tasks of caretaking began.
me of why I love this place so much.” She didn’t feel much like talking. She’d brought
Pa home from the hospital yesterday and needed these few moments to herself before
the endless tasks of caretaking began.
“Well, it is quiet,” Thomas agreed, rubbing his bare hands together, slightly reddened
from the cold.
from the cold.
They were silent for a moment, taking in the flat expanse of the yellowing grass and
the twisted naked limbs of the cypress trees. In the distance, wooden posts stood
single file with barbed wire strung between like obedient soldiers heading into battle.
Katie remembered how Cole used to work at stringing fence line on other ranches just
to pay the bills. She wondered how much this fence had cost Cole, not only in money,
but in his own sweat and blood.
the twisted naked limbs of the cypress trees. In the distance, wooden posts stood
single file with barbed wire strung between like obedient soldiers heading into battle.
Katie remembered how Cole used to work at stringing fence line on other ranches just
to pay the bills. She wondered how much this fence had cost Cole, not only in money,
but in his own sweat and blood.
“You’re different here than in New York. Less anxious, more . . . sure,” Thomas said,
sounding a bit disappointed.
sounding a bit disappointed.
Katie nodded again, not knowing what Thomas wanted her to say. This had been her home
forever. The place where she’d learned to ride, to kiss, learned about sorrow and
joy. This was where she’d grown up. This ranch was part of her.
forever. The place where she’d learned to ride, to kiss, learned about sorrow and
joy. This was where she’d grown up. This ranch was part of her.
Out of nowhere, Thomas grinned. His smiles were so free and quick. She never had to
work hard to get him to laugh. But then, Thomas hadn’t had to work hard at anything
in his life.
work hard to get him to laugh. But then, Thomas hadn’t had to work hard at anything
in his life.
He looked down and shuffled his leather shoes in the fine dust. Irritation sparked
that he still wore such impractical shoes, but maybe that was unfair. He probably
hadn’t packed boots or maybe didn’t even own a pair.
that he still wore such impractical shoes, but maybe that was unfair. He probably
hadn’t packed boots or maybe didn’t even own a pair.
“I’ve been thinking, Katie, about us, about your father. I realize that you need to
stay here. He’s your only family. But you’re my family, too. I want to make you happy.”
stay here. He’s your only family. But you’re my family, too. I want to make you happy.”
Katie’s head ached. She longed for the quiet moments before his arrival. “Thomas,
I can’t right now.”
I can’t right now.”
He continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “I’m saying . . . what I want to do is . .
. what would you think if I bought this place? It could be me and you. You could take
care of the horses, and I would do the business side. I know this is your dream. Let’s
do it together, build a business, build a life.”
. what would you think if I bought this place? It could be me and you. You could take
care of the horses, and I would do the business side. I know this is your dream. Let’s
do it together, build a business, build a life.”
He stepped closer and took her hand, the gesture a bit awkward. The gray of his eyes
was a shade lighter with unshed tears. “I know I’ve made mistakes. Hell, we both have,
but I don’t want to lose you.”
was a shade lighter with unshed tears. “I know I’ve made mistakes. Hell, we both have,
but I don’t want to lose you.”
Katie shook her head and latched onto the only thing she could think of right now.
“Cole would never sell. This ranch was built on his father’s back. He’d never walk
away.”
“Cole would never sell. This ranch was built on his father’s back. He’d never walk
away.”
Thomas smiled. “It was Cole’s idea. He seemed grateful that I was willing to take
the ranch off his hands. I got the place for a steal.”
the ranch off his hands. I got the place for a steal.”
A pain cut to her bone, and she lost her breath. “He sold?”
She couldn’t think of the ranch without Cole. Would it still be the same place she’d
grown up on if Cole weren’t here?
grown up on if Cole weren’t here?
“Pretty easily.” Thomas nodded and stroked her fingers. “His only condition was that
the deed be put solely in your name. A bit unorthodox, but when we marry, it won’t
really matter.”
the deed be put solely in your name. A bit unorthodox, but when we marry, it won’t
really matter.”
And just like that, Cole was willing to give up his family’s legacy? After all he’d
done to make the ranch a success, he was going to walk away? Not even put up a fight?
done to make the ranch a success, he was going to walk away? Not even put up a fight?
Katie pulled her hands out of Thomas’s grip. She didn’t want to be touched. She rubbed
her arms, suddenly cold. Emotions stormed inside her, but she couldn’t justify any
of them. This was it then. Their sham of a marriage was finally over. What had she
expected?
her arms, suddenly cold. Emotions stormed inside her, but she couldn’t justify any
of them. This was it then. Their sham of a marriage was finally over. What had she
expected?
But something gnawed at her. Had the ranch meant as much to Cole as she’d thought,
or was she just seeing things from her own perspective? If his dad hadn’t died and
left the family business to him, what would Cole have chosen to do? It scared her
that she’d never thought to ask before.
or was she just seeing things from her own perspective? If his dad hadn’t died and
left the family business to him, what would Cole have chosen to do? It scared her
that she’d never thought to ask before.
As Katie’s mind raced, she turned and began to make her way to the fence line that
bordered the pasture.
bordered the pasture.
“I have so many ideas for the ranch, Katie.” Thomas fell in step beside her. “I figure
we really need to get the breeding program reorganized. Cole has done some, but I
know I can find a way to make things more productive. We’ll save a ton on vet bills
after you graduate, which we can use to buy a stud.”
we really need to get the breeding program reorganized. Cole has done some, but I
know I can find a way to make things more productive. We’ll save a ton on vet bills
after you graduate, which we can use to buy a stud.”
Katie nodded, more to keep him quiet than in agreement. Panic began to build in her
chest, and she used her hand to try to ease the tightness.
chest, and she used her hand to try to ease the tightness.
“Of course, we wouldn’t offer any riding lessons. There’s no money in that.”
“What about rehabilitation?” Katie couldn’t believe she’d said that. It wasn’t something
she’d been thinking about. Or had she? What exactly had she had in mind when she pictured
herself living and working here?
she’d been thinking about. Or had she? What exactly had she had in mind when she pictured
herself living and working here?
“For who? Horses? There’s no money in that either, Katie,” he chuckled softly. “Leave
the finances to me. You just do what you love and take care of the horses. We’ll make
a great team.”
the finances to me. You just do what you love and take care of the horses. We’ll make
a great team.”
Katie turned her back on him, not willing to listen any more. Out of habit she searched
the horizon for Sweet Thing.
the horizon for Sweet Thing.
In the distance she saw a red splotch against the cotton batting of the Texas sky.
The tension in her shoulders eased. She smiled, then puckered her lips for a low whistle.
Thomas kept chattering beside her, but she ignored him and leaned forward against
the fence. She whistled again. “Do you have an apple?”
The tension in her shoulders eased. She smiled, then puckered her lips for a low whistle.
Thomas kept chattering beside her, but she ignored him and leaned forward against
the fence. She whistled again. “Do you have an apple?”
“What? No. Why would I have an apple?”
Katie shrugged one shoulder in dismissal. In the distance the red smudge became clearer.
Katie held her breath and watched the roan mare and her foal come closer. Behind her
she heard Thomas stomping his feet as if chilled.
Katie held her breath and watched the roan mare and her foal come closer. Behind her
she heard Thomas stomping his feet as if chilled.
“Come on, Katie. We can talk this over inside. I forgot my jacket.”
“Shh—” she cut him off. “Don’t move.” Katie moistened her lips, then whistled low
and loud, her heart pounding in her chest.
and loud, her heart pounding in her chest.
It was Sweet Thing. And would wonders never cease, the horse was galloping toward
her
.
her
.
In a flash, Katie ducked under the fence and walked slowly forward, arms open and
down at her sides. About ten feet away Sweet Thing pulled to a stop, her nose in the
air, nostrils flared as she sensed for danger.
down at her sides. About ten feet away Sweet Thing pulled to a stop, her nose in the
air, nostrils flared as she sensed for danger.
“It’s okay, baby,” Katie said low and calm, glad her voice didn’t betray the tremors
that rippled through her body. “Hi, girl.”
that rippled through her body. “Hi, girl.”
Katie stepped closer, a foot more, an inch forward. Then, with shaking hands, she
reached out to touch the horse’s muzzle. Sweet Thing’s ears swiveled forward, nostrils
flared again, and slowly, slowly she lowered her head. With featherlight strokes,
Katie cupped Sweet Thing’s head.
reached out to touch the horse’s muzzle. Sweet Thing’s ears swiveled forward, nostrils
flared again, and slowly, slowly she lowered her head. With featherlight strokes,
Katie cupped Sweet Thing’s head.
Katie held her breath as she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of
the mare’s nose.
the mare’s nose.
Sweet Thing broke the hold by tossing her head. With an insistent neigh she called
to her baby and ran off deep into the pasture.
to her baby and ran off deep into the pasture.
Katie stood trembling, heart pounding. Awe swept through her at the grace of one of
God’s creatures, willing to forgive someone who should’ve known better, taken better
care.
God’s creatures, willing to forgive someone who should’ve known better, taken better
care.
Something wet rolled down her cheek, and she was surprised to find herself crying.
She wiped at her chin, and with joy blooming in her chest, spun around, ready to jump
into Cole’s arms.
She wiped at her chin, and with joy blooming in her chest, spun around, ready to jump
into Cole’s arms.
But it wasn’t Cole who stood on the opposite side of the fence, it was Thomas. It
would never be Cole she’d share her everyday triumphs and failures with. Would never
be Cole who’d rejoice with her or comfort her. Her children wouldn’t have Cole’s deep
dimple or his sky-blue eyes.
would never be Cole she’d share her everyday triumphs and failures with. Would never
be Cole who’d rejoice with her or comfort her. Her children wouldn’t have Cole’s deep
dimple or his sky-blue eyes.
Her hand fluttered to the base of her throat as realization upon realization flooded
through her.
through her.
Thomas’s face bled color, his eyes darkened with concern. “What? What is it?”
She spoke before she could even question the words. “I can’t marry you, Thomas.”
“That’s it? You can make a decision that easily?” Thomas sounded surprised.
Surprised herself, she let her palm lower to rest against her beating heart. “Yes.
That easy.”
That easy.”
How could she have been so blind? Cole’s love had been there the whole time. In the
way he’d taken care of her, taken care of Pa. The way he boarded and fed a horse that
was technically worthless, just because Katie loved her. How he’d taken Sweet Thing
in when she was nothing but an abused bag of bones because at seventeen Katie was
determined to save her.
way he’d taken care of her, taken care of Pa. The way he boarded and fed a horse that
was technically worthless, just because Katie loved her. How he’d taken Sweet Thing
in when she was nothing but an abused bag of bones because at seventeen Katie was
determined to save her.
She saw so clearly Cole’s resentment toward the ranch, the responsibilities he bore
on his young shoulders. And still he had simply said yes to her. He’d kept Sweet Thing
for her. In that gesture, she saw the legacy of his love, the years where all the
little things added up.
on his young shoulders. And still he had simply said yes to her. He’d kept Sweet Thing
for her. In that gesture, she saw the legacy of his love, the years where all the
little things added up.
And she knew why Cole was willing to sell the ranch.
The tears fell freely now, but she didn’t bother wiping them away. She ducked under
the fence and walked up to Thomas. She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “You are
a good man. And you deserve to love someone who loves you with as much passion and
devotion as you do me. And not right now, but soon, you’ll thank the heavens I turned
you down.”
the fence and walked up to Thomas. She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “You are
a good man. And you deserve to love someone who loves you with as much passion and
devotion as you do me. And not right now, but soon, you’ll thank the heavens I turned
you down.”
With that she pressed her lips against his smooth cheek, then walked . . . this time
not away, but toward her future.
not away, but toward her future.
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