Chapter 2
The plane ride had been a little turbulent, with the pilot and flight attendants reassuring them every few hours. The connecting flight on the tiny plane had her heart lodging in her throat. Now she was on the ground and entirely grateful to be there.
Instead of taking advantage of the car service that was part of the package, she had chosen to rent a vehicle. She wanted the freedom to come and go as she pleased. And she wanted to take in the scenery. Driving from the airport, she was treated to the dazzling bursts of color.
She was not a fan of small towns but had to admit that it was an enchanting view. On both sides, there were quaint cottage type buildings as the town center gave way to the rural. There were actual cows grazing and it seems like every fenced yard had a horse or two in some sort of corral.
She had read up on the place and knew that McCarthy Fields was owned almost entirely by one family. The McCarthys. The family had been here for hundreds of years and their hands in almost everything.
Touching the button to ease the top down, she relished the cooling summer breeze on her skin. Her hair was short so she did not have to worry about damage and split ends caused by the breeze.
A laugh escaped her, long and loud as she zipped along the narrow road. The houses gave way to quaint shops, department stores and tiny restaurants that had cute names flowing in cursive writings.
She slowed down to peek at the Lamb Chop, the Coffee Place, one called the Tasty Lemons and more like that. There was a small museum, an actual art gallery and a movie theater, which was more like a barn converted to house movie goers.
Touching the left turn signal, she traveled on an isolated dirt road that led to the cabin she had rented. She had specifically asked for somewhere private. Sliding to a stop, she just sat there as the scent, myriads of them assailed and enveloped her in warmth, colors, and scents.
Trees, flowers, and the sound – was that a brook? A lake? A river? Pushing the door open, she stepped onto the loose stones and decided she had to see for herself.
The brochure had caught her attention and even though it had given her glimpses of what to expect, just standing here surrounded by the incredible verdancy, it took her breath away.
Slamming the door shut, she first noticed the comforting silence as she made her way past the rustic cabin and round a winding path that… A gasp escaped her, and she stood there staring at the quaint iron bridge that was suspended in a kind of arch over a clear body of water trickling over stones.
The wind wafted through the leaves towering above her. Peeking through them was the cerulean blue of the sky with just a few puffy white clouds dotting the surface. And the scent summer was all around her.
Lifting her hands, she rubbed them over her bare arms and inhaled. She was from a big city and was accustomed to towering buildings and the fast pace of people almost trampling over each other to get to their destination.
She might become unnerved by the utter silence in a few days, but for now, she appreciated the solitude. Her pace had always been hectic, much too hectic and this was exactly what she needed.
She would set up her workstation outside. She had passed a padded bench under a thick and giant oak tree facing the east where the sun was prominent. She also spent a hell of a lot of time indoors, running from one appointment to the next.
She would enjoy the great outdoors and took in as much sun as she could manage. Clapping her hands in delight, she wondered what her friends would say if they could see her now.
Lauren would be horrified that she had chosen such a remote area for her work vacation and Salome would scoff and predict that she would not last a week. She was going to prove them both wrong. Turning around, she headed back to the vehicle, she started to haul out her cases.
*****
“You’re a food critic.” The woman wearing the soiled gingham apron, with the bleached blonde hair twisted on top of her head beamed as she came towards the table to take her order. “I hope you are not here in an official capacity. We are a tiny eatery and try our best to prepare something worth putting inside the stomach.”
“I am just here for the food.” Kamilah assured her with a smile. “What do you recommend? Pattie?” She added, looking at the woman’s name tag.
“Our pancakes and sausages of course. The orange juice is freshly squeezed, and the coffee is good and hot.”
“Then I bow to your expertise.” Kamilah did not normally eat such a big breakfast, but for some reason, she was feeling very hungry. Last night had been strange. A new place, the bed smaller than her king-sized one in her apartment and the kitchen with the old-fashioned range had her deciding that she would not be making use of it very often.
“Coming right up…” The woman left her to go and prepare the meal, leaving her to take a look around the small space. The place was clean, the tables scrubbed with cheerful gingham tablecloths. A few people were at the tables and all of them were giving her curious looks.
She had no doubt that by now, everyone in the small town knew she was here. Nodding to the couple in the corner and staring at her, she reached for her glass and took a sip of cold, clean water that tasted delicious. Taking several more sips, she finished the glass and moved slightly so that the steaming plate of food was placed in front of her.
“More water?”
“Thanks.”
“Everything is fresh here,” Pat announced proudly, “the oranges are organic and delivered fresh from McCarthy’s. Taste the juice.” The woman demanded. Amusement had her lifting the glass to her lips and her first taste of the juice had her raising her tapered brows. “Well? What do you think?”
“The best I ever had.”
“Good!” Pat beamed in approval and moved away.
She spent the time enjoying the delicious meal and learning to ignore the curious glances passing over her. She had a plan. A full meal here would tide her over until dinner and then, she was going to take advantage of another amenity offered. Horseback riding.
She was an excellent rider and aside from taking a break twice a month and going to a farm a few miles away from where she lived, she had no opportunity to just ride for pleasure.
To her surprise, she finished the entire meal, including the glass of water Pat had brought to the table. Taking out cash, she paid for the meal and added a generous tip.
“Be sure to come back. We have an excellent dinner menu, and we do delivery.”
“Good to know.” Kamilah told her with a smile as she threaded through the tables and made her way out to the car. Catching herself hesitating and waiting for a valet, she uttered a small laugh and made her way to where she had parked the car under a blossoming hibiscus bush.
*****
Dragging his hat off, Jon shoved impatient fingers through his sweat moistened hair as he hunkered down to look at the damage done to the tractor. It was an easy fix, but it would take time and time he did not have.
He could always call a mechanic to deal with the damage, but that would take even more time, and he had the knowledge to take care of the problem.
Jamming the hat back on, he took out a canteen and took a healthy swig of the cool water he carried around with him. Squinting against the mid-afternoon sun, he looked towards the group of men who were roping steers. To the east, another group were mending fences.
The end of summer meant deluges of rain that could turn into flooding. He never took chances when it comes to the weather, which was as unpredictable as a woman in her prime.
Rubbing a hand at the back of his neck, he sighed impatiently as he spied the bus carrying passengers on the regular tour of the orchards and ranch itself. It was a necessary part of the package, something he made sure to stay away from as much as possible.
Turning back to the tractor, he plucked out his tool and got to work.
*****
Curling her feet under her, she lifted her head to the clear blue of the sky and sniffed the flowers blooming next to her. A glass of wine was in her hand and her hunger was appeased by the delicious clam chowder and fruit salad she had ordered.
Her best friends were on the phone with her, plying her with questions. They were the only ones privy to where she had decided to take her trip.
“When you said you were going off the damn grid, we never expected you to follow through. Darling, that place is in the middle of blasted nowhere,” Salome complained out loud.
“And that’s exactly how I like it. I am going horseback riding tonight.”
“What about coyotes and I don’t know, other predators, like wolves and God! Things like snakes and bears?”
She chuckled at the shudder in Lauren’s voice. “You two are such townies.”
“Well excuse us! So are you. I understand that you just had to get away for a bit. And honey, your delightful mother has been burning up our phone lines, trying to find out where the hell you have disappeared to.”
“I have a feeling she does not believe it when we told her we don’t know,” Lauren added.
“Thanks for keeping it to yourselves.” Taking a sip of the wine, Kamilah stretched languidly and turned to watch the antics of a pair of squirrels as they scampered after each other up and down the tree.
“You’re completely welcome!” Salome snorted in disgust. “She started off with this speech of how she’s so concerned about you and wanted to make sure you were okay. But darling, I am concerned.”
“Why?”
“It’s not like you to just disappear. Are you taking that breakup with Brian harder than you said?”
It was her time to snort, and she did so with derision. “If you’re asking that, you don’t know me very well. I am over that jerk.”
“That’s what I told her,” Lauren declared, “we are hoping you find a nice country guy and bang his brains out.”
“I just might do that,” she told her friend with a laugh. She then proceeded to tell her friends about the place.
*****
The horse’s name was Belinda, and she was a beauty and had a glossy orange and red coloring that was very unusual.
She had requested one that was spirited, but not overly excitable. She had taken a nap and was feeling refreshed. She would not start working until tomorrow. Glancing at her watch, she saw to her surprise that it was almost 10.00 pm.
Donning the appropriate attire, she went around to the lean to and retrieved the horse who was waiting patiently.
She gave the horse its head and within minutes they were flying through wooded areas and open spaces. Hardly tugging on the reins, she enjoyed the feel of the breeze on her skin and the flash of images whizzing by.
She scaled fences with ease, laughing as the horse cleared the fences with relative ease.
She was so caught up in the ride that she did not realize she had wandered far from the path she had decided on. Tugging on the reins, she brought the animal to an abrupt stop at a lake that sounded loud in the stillness.
Sliding off the saddle, she dismounted and tied the reins around a sapling as she took in her surroundings. She had studied the map and instinct told her that she had wandered onto the private property of the huge McCarthy Ranch.
Fascinated, she walked towards the edge of the lake and just stood here watching the water flowed freely over the smooth stones.
She was so absorbed in the miracle, that she failed to hear or notice the man mounted on his horse a few feet away.
Jon sat astride his horse as he watched the woman standing at the water’s edge. He knew who she was of course, had heard the whispers from his men, the description of the stunning African American celebrity in their midst and had dismissed it immediately.
The moon was full and bright, the sun having disappeared only an hour ago. Pale moonlight glided over the tall, slender frame clad in tight jeans and ankle length boots.
Hands were tucked into smooth brown leather jacket and her head was tilted to one side, making her profile visible. He had an impression of smooth skin and a small face topped by short cropped dark brown curls threaded through with gold.
His grip tightened on the reins, causing his horse to shift slightly before settling. As if sensing that she was not alone, the woman turned around, one hand going to her throat. To her credit, she did not appear to be afraid but actually lifted her head to give him a frank stare.
The full effect of her hit him like a ton of bricks and had him stiffening. She was stunning! Flawless complexion and mahogany eyes that seemed to stare right into his very soul.
His eyes flew to lips that curved provocatively and had his body tightening in response. Ignoring the hammering of his overburdened heart, he vaulted from the saddle and looped the reins around his horse’s neck.
“You’re trespassing.”
Instead of being offended at his abruptness, she seemed amused by it. Eyes dancing, she took a step closer, studying him from the face down to the well-worn boots he was wearing and then back up to his face. “I take it I am face to face with the owner of this establishment?”
Her voice was husky and cultured and curled around him like smoke. Her sophistication made him feel like a country bumpkin and brought back memories, unpleasant ones of another out-of-towner who had thought she could wrap him around her little finger and lead him by the nose.
Anger poured through him, but did not quite manage to douse the heat that was taking place inside him.
“I am, yes.” His eyes turned to flint and his voice was clipped. “It’s late and for someone who’s not familiar with the area…“
“I was just admiring your land.” Tilting her head to one side, she studied him curiously. He was tall, perhaps over six feet, definitely over. And he was tanned, lean, and incredibly attractive.
She felt something stirred inside her as she continued to study him. His nose was slightly crooked, but aside from that, he was definitely a looker. “This is my first time meeting a cowboy and that’s what you are, right?”
Her voice had taken on a seductive note that had him shifting from one foot to the other. He was a goddamned adult who just turned thirty-five and he was used to beautiful women. There was absolutely no reason for him to be tongue-tied and nervous around one, but damn if his stomach was not tied into knots and his armpits sweating.
“I will escort you back.” Without responding to the question, he turned and vaulted into the saddle with an ease that had her almost gasping with admiration. Retrieving the reins from the sapling, she swung herself up and nudged her horse forward. Slowing his pace, he waited for her to come alongside him.
“I am Kamilah by the way. You must be Jonathan McCarthy.”
“Yes.” He clipped. He could smell her perfume – some sort of subtle scent that suited her. He stared straight ahead even though he was aware of her with every fiber of his being.
“Not very talkative, are you?”
He whipped his head around and the comment he had been about to make died on his lips as his eyes met hers. They were amused and sparking with humor as if she was laughing at him.
“You should not be wandering out on your own so late. It gets dark around this area and there are animals around that you would not want to come in contact with. And you were trespassing.”
“Then perhaps you should put a no trespassing sign where it’s easily seen,” she suggested.
“Perhaps I will,” he muttered.
“Why aren’t there fences?”
“Pardon?”
“Shouldn’t there be fences to ward off trespassers?”
“This area is where the horses are trained.”
“You train horses?” Her fascination had him turning his head to look at her.
“Yes.” Damn if he did not want to kiss her. The heat inside him was increasing with every mile. “I have some work to get back to.” Nudging his horse, he sent the animal cantering away, forcing her to try and keep up.
He had to admit that she was a fine horsewoman. He had deliberately increased the pace, and she was almost keeping up. In several minutes, they arrived at her cabin.
“You knew where I am staying.” They came to a halt in front of the lean to that housed Belinda and he stayed where he was as she dismounted.
“This is a small town, so nothing is kept secret.” He flicked a glance at the cabin. “Besides, the place is part and parcel of McCarthy’s Ranch.”
“Want to come in for a glass of wine?” She asked as she led the horse in.
He went rigid, his breath turning shallow.
“No!” He actually snapped it out.
Her husky laughter unnerved him and had him feeling like a jackass.
“Another time then. Thanks for the escort, cowboy.” Tilting her head, she gave him a sultry once over before turning towards the cabin. He stayed where he was and watched as she went inside and closed the door behind him.
His horse shifted and he realized that he had the reins in a death grip. Relaxing his hold, he continued to stare at the closed door with a frown, before jerking the reins to turn the animal around and heading back.
He put his horse through a fast pace, his mind in a turmoil. He had been herding the cattle back when he heard the sound of horse’s hooves. Deciding to check it out himself, he had handed over the task to his foreman. The sight of the woman had unnerved him. Pulling on the reins, he stopped in the exact spot and dismounted.
This was ridiculous, he thought impatiently. She was just a woman, a visitor from a big city. He knew she was some sort of food critic; had heard she was a celebrity in her own rights. One who had come here to write a book or some such nonsense.
He never got involved with the arrival of visitors, especially not after the disaster of being involved with one. Pushing off his hat, he dragged restless fingers through his hair.
After the affair that had ended badly, he had started seeing women just to find a release. Before he starts anything, he would make them understand that it was just physical and he had been able to leave without a backward look.
In order not to complicate things, he had started taking his ‘affairs’ out of town. If he felt the urge to unwind, he would make a trip of it – go away for a weekend and spend time with someone who would not complicate his life. He was married to the ranch and that’s the way it’s going to be.
Hunkering down, he cupped his hands and drank from the cool, clear water. His mind drifted back to the woman he had left at the cabin. Yes, she was sexy as hell and beautiful.
But there was no way he was going to be foolish enough to get involved with someone like her. She was ‘trouble’ with a capital ‘T’, and he could see that even after one meeting.
He would stay away from her and hope to God she had the good sense to stay off his property. Rising, he wiped his palms on his denims and started back to his horse. Perhaps it was time to take another trip. He would arrange that as soon as possible.