The Price (7 page)

“Get to the point, Jack,” she stated still with a cool, polished exterior.

“All right, I will.” He sat up straight in his chair and his eyes shape-shifted to a steel, dark green. “You pull another stunt like carting love letters to my wife behind my back, and I will throw you out so fast your head will spin. You got that? It’ll be the last time you see your daughter or grandson again.”

They squared off.

Kate returned with a fresh pot of coffee and felt like she just stumbled in to a war zone.

“Sorry I took so long,” she said as she watched the cool exchange between her mother and Jack. “Baby, you want a re-fill?”

“No,” said Jack curtly, and he pushed back from the table and stood. “I have work to do. I’m leading the next tour.”

“I thought Dustin did the tours on Saturday.” Her face sank. This would be the first Saturday they would not spend together since they became a couple.

“Not today.” He leaned over and gave her a hurried kiss on her cheek with two very, tight lips.

He needed to cool down, before he said something he might regret. Kate watched Jack leave the dining room, hearing the front door slam in his wake. She turned to her mother and gave her an awkward smile.

“I was thinking you might want to join me and Jesse for our morning stroll,” said Kate as she lifted her son from the bouncy chair. “I would love to show you the ranch.”

“Does showing me the ranch include horseback riding or tours?” her mother scowled.

“No, just a walk,” Kate smiled.

“Then yes, I’ll go.” Marnie rose from her chair, reached for her handbag and followed her daughter from the dining room. “That man of yours has a temper. Be careful, Kathryn.”

“Oh, Mother.” Kate rolled her eyes as she walked into the foyer and placed her son in the stroller.

“With all the commotion I forgot to give you this,” said Marnie, pulling out a small newspaper from her purse and handing it to Kate.

“
The Artistry Times
,” Kate stated happily, remembering how much she loved reading the art community’s local listings from Santa Cruz. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” she nodded. “Just a little piece of home to keep you going in this God-forsaken town.”

“It’s not so bad,” she laughed. “I like it here. Virginia City is my home now.”

“Oh, Kathryn.” It was Marnie’s turn to roll her eyes. “Where is that cultured girl I know and love?”

Had she changed that much
? Kate opened the front door and pushed the stroller on-to the porch. She maneuvered the steps like a pro, landing her feet and the stroller’s wheels on-to the dry, Nevada earth. She breathed in the fresh, clean air scented with sage.

The smell, she now recognized as home, had replaced the salty sea air and tanning oils from the days of her youth. The hot sun caressed her skin and absorbed the moisture from her pores, evaporating it into the dry climate.

“What I wouldn’t give to be lying by the pool on a day like today,” said Marnie as she fished through her purse and pulled out her designer sunglasses.

Kate looked over at her mother and saw her own reflection in the wide, darkened shade. Her simple grooming left her feeling bland and almost inferior as her eyes moved to the flashy diamond studs and rounded, tinted glass covering her mother’s eyes and cheekbones. They were a little over the top for her taste, but for Marnie St. Claire, they suited her. Glamour was her signature and she wore it with class and sophistication. For a fleeting moment, Kate wished she could match her mother’s refinement, and then the thought was gone.

She began her morning stroll, pushing the stroller in front of her with her mother walking alongside.

“This is where I used to live,” said Kate pointing to the carriage house.

“Charming.”

Kate wasn’t sure if she was being sarcastic or if she meant it. A smile formed on her face thinking back to when Jack first kissed her on that porch. She could still feel her insides flip just remembering his burning lips planted on hers. Her thoughts were interrupted when an older woman with jet-black hair and a rounded figure, exited the carriage house.

“Buenos Dias, Maria,” Kate called to her and stopped by the porch steps.

“Buenos Dias, Señora Kate,” Maria smiled showing two full rosy cheeks, as she walked down the porch stairs. “And how is our dulce bebée this morning?” The older women leaned over the stroller and placed a kiss to the sleeping infant’s forehead.

“As good as ever,” she said, seeing her son’s mouth curl into what looked like a smile, while he continued to sleep undisturbed.

Kate heard a strong feminine cough, and brought her attention back to the woman standing beside her. “Maria, this is my mother, Marnie St Clair.”

“Ah, I have heard much about you,” said Maria, taking the polished lady’s hand and squeezing it. “You must be proud of your daughter, giving you such a fine grandson.”

“I suppose I am,” said Marnie. “And who are you in this odd equation of rural living?”

“I am their housekeeper,” said the elder woman. “And I help Señora Kate with bebée Jesse.”

“Oh … you’re
the
help
,” said Marne.

Kate watched her mother expertly maneuver away from the woman’s touch.

“Maria is more than
the help
,” corrected Kate. “She is my friend and coach. She was wonderful, advising me all throughout my pregnancy.”

“I did nothing.” Maria giggled and hugged her. “You are a natural at making bebée’s and delivering them too. You will bear many niños, eh Señora?”

“I hope so.” Kate beamed as she slipped her arm over Maria’s shoulder.

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Marnie frowned. “I paid for eight years of schooling and
for
what
? To turn you into some kind of birthing machine? Really Kathryn, must you torment me with this kind of talk?”

Kate felt the pin again as a little more air left her joy balloon.

“Oh, Mother,” she sighed as her hands dropped to her side. “For once can’t you be happy for me?”

“I am happy for you darling,” said Marnie as she tapped Kate on her nose. “Just remember there is more to life than motherhood.”

“Yes, I am aware of that.” She glanced at Maria and saw the perplexed look on her face.

“You no want many grandchildren?” she asked, looking at Kate then at her mother.

“My daughter’s accomplishments are not measured by how many babies she can pop out,” stated Marnie. “She’s a teacher and an educator working on her Ph.D.

Kate looked down at the dusty ground. She didn’t have the heart or courage to tell her mother that since moving to Virginia City she put her studies on hold. It was not a subject she wanted to discuss, especially now in front of Maria.

“Mother, we should keep going if I am to show you the rest of the ranch,” stated Kate. “I will see you on Monday, Maria.”

“But Señor Jack asked me earlier this morning if I could stay with bebée Jesse while you take your momma to dinner and show her the town?”

“He did?” Kate gave her a queer look. “Oh, I guess we are going out tonight, Mother.”

“Oh boy, more fun.” Marnie planted a sarcastic smile on her face.

“We’ll see you later tonight then, Maria,” said Kate, as she continued to walk, pushing the stroller in front of her.

“Adiós,” called Maria, before she climbed the steps and returned to the carriage house.

“Now where to?” her mother asked, following her daughter along the edge of the canyon.

“I thought I’d show you the southern corral,” said Kate. “There’s a covered picnic pavilion where we can stop so I can feed Jesse.”

“Lead the way.” She motioned forward with the brush of her hand.

As they continued their morning stroll, Kate passed the entrance to the canyon and her heart yearned to see Black Thunder again. It always made her feel a little sentimental, seeing this is where she first laid eyes on the magnificent steed. But he was gone now and that was the price she had to pay, in order for him to roam free. At least she still had her dreams, when the black stallion came to visit in her sleep. It was a small consolation, but one that Kate kept close to her heart.

They walked in silence until reaching the southern portion of the ranch. The pavilion came into view and so did the corral. Several mares were parading around the circular wooden ring along with her favorite pair of ranch hands, Dustin and Luke.

“Hi boys.” Kate called out to them as she leaned against the fence.

“Howdy Kate!” Dustin returned. He wiped his hands on his wranglers, exited the corral’s gate and moseyed up to the fence along with Luke. “You and Jesse taking your morning stroll?” He bent down and observed the sleeping babe, wrapped loosely in a cotton, horsey blanket.

“It’s becoming our routine,” she said, eyes gleaming with utter infatuation at her son. She could have gazed at him, forever, getting lost in those sweet soft cheeks and long lashes hiding his baby blues, but then she remembered it was not just her that came for their morning stroll. “Boy’s, I’d like you to meet my mother.”

Kate turned and motioned for her mother to come closer. Instead, Marnie situated herself, taking a seat by the picnic table. She gave an apologetic look to the men.

“It’s all right,” Dustin exclaimed. “Jack warned us—she ain’t very friendly.” He took a quick glance in the matriarch’s direction and confirmed his employer’s opinion. “Said she got a poker a mile wide up her …”

Luke elbowed him in the gut.

“That ain’t a way to talk about Mrs. McBride’s mother,” said Luke. “Sorry, ma’am!” He nodded and tipped his hat, spilling locks of damp black hair that reminded Kate of Black Thunder’s mane.

“What are you scolding me for?” Dustin elbowed him back. “I was just repeating what Jack said.”

Kate refrained from giggling, though she wanted to.

“It’s okay, Luke,” she said. “Dustin’s right. My mother can be uptight and downright rude at times.”

She looked over her shoulder and saw her mother glaring at her. She returned her attention back to the ranch hands, ignoring her apparent displeasure. As she did, one of the mares approached the fence, stretching its neck over the top wooden plank, and nudged the blonde-haired woman with its big brown nose.

“You comforting me, Sadie Mae?” A laugh escaped her lips while she stroked the animal’s nose. “If I had time today, I would ride you.”

“Why don’t you?” Luke suggested, as he patted the mare on her muscular neck.

“I got the baby and my mother to contend with,” she sighed even though she was tempted to take him up on his offer.

“I’ll watch the baby while you ride her around the ring,” said Dustin, seeing Kate’s blue eyes longing to do just that.

“And I’ll watch your mother,” offered Luke.

“Watching Jesse is the easy part,” said Kate, smiling then the smile left. “My mother, on the other hand… well, she can be difficult.”

“If I can charm a horse, I bet I can do the same with your momma.” He winked at her.

If anyone could charm her, it would be Luke,
thought Kate and the smile returned
.
“All right,” she said, moving toward the gate relinquishing control of the stroller to Dustin. “Jesse should be waking up soon since it’s almost time for him to nurse. Just give me a holler when he does.”

Kate had no worries that she wouldn’t hear her son, for he screamed like a wild Indian, whenever he was ready to be fed.
He was a McBride through and through
, she chuckled to herself, as she strode up to the mare. She swung her leg into the stirrup and held on-to the horn then lifted herself up into the saddle. Taking the reins in hand, she led the horse around the ring.

Dustin stood, watching woman and horse while pushing the stroller back and forth in front of him.
She was a natural
. He chuckled a little, thinking about her original fear of touching a horse much less riding one, when she first came to the ranch. But after releasing Black Thunder, it all seemed to change.

Maybe there was something to all this talk about Kate McBride being a spirit talker, because once she set her fears aside, she took to the saddle in no time at all.

Marnie stood from the picnic table, seeing her daughter astride the horse. She shook her head and approached the ring, ignoring Luke’s greeting by the gate.

“What is my daughter doing?” she questioned, oozing the energy of her displeasure all over the ranch hand. “Her mind has gone to dust ever since coming to this God-forsaken town.”

“Kate’s fine,” Luke assured her. “She’s a good rider and she has a way with horses.”

“Kathryn has a way with horses?” She gave him a look like he had three heads. “Since when?”

“Since Black Thunder,” interjected Dustin.

Before he could continue, they heard Jesse release a small, whimpering cry, but it was Dustin who reached down with dirt-filled hands and cradled the babe in his arms.

“Who’s Black Thunder?” she questioned then paused, giving the ranch hand a once-over with grey-blue eyes. “You seem rather experienced holding my grandson.”

“I have six younger siblings,” he explained as he bounced Jesse across his shoulder and felt a wetness to his shirt from the infant’s sucking. “And Black Thunder is a wild mustang that Kate set free.”

“She’s a legend ‘round these parts,” added Luke with pride. “My Grandmother says your daughter is a
spirit talker
.”

“A spirit talker?” It was now Luke’s turn to be scrutinized as Marnie St. Claire raked cool eyes up and down the lad’s red, skinned frame.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Luke politely. “She knows how to communicate with a horse’s spirit. Not many folks around here know how to do that.”

“My Kathryn communicates with horses?” She tilted her head back and laughed. “And what makes your grandmother an expert on talking spirits?”

“It’s spirit talker, ma’am.” He corrected, as his back pricked with warning by this woman’s apparent lack of respect for the sacredness of their beliefs. “My grandmother is one of the oldest shamans of my tribe. If she says it’s so, then it is.”

“Well we wouldn’t want to go against your grandmother and all her wisdom,” she chuckled, as if amused by his little edict.