The Price (9 page)

“I swear to God. Kate, if I was married to that woman I would drink all the time. Thank God you’re nothing like her.”

“No, my mother and I are polar opposites,” she breathed, as if relieved.

“You do have a bit of her stubborn streak though,” he gave her another impetuous grin.

“I do not,” she protested.

“Oh you do,” he toyed with her. “But I kind of like it.”

“You do, huh?” Her mouth curled in a wry smile.

“Especially when I’m itching to bite that sweet ass of yours,” he said, maneuvering her back against the mattress.

“Jack, my mother is expecting me to join her downstairs,” giggled Kate.

“To hell with your mother,” he muttered, lifting her shirt over her belly. “Let her wait. Serve the old battle axe right!”

Just then, they heard a blood-curdling cry from the bassinet.

“I can’t catch a break,” Jack sighed and lowered his head against Kate’s.

He rolled over, releasing his wife, and watched her climb from the bed to retrieve their son.

“Did I at least take away your blues, baby?” Jack asked. Kate joined him on the bed with their son.

“For the moment.” She smiled then looked at her son, as a soft coo escaped his lips. “But this one here takes all the gray clouds away.”

“He does at that, Kate,” smiled Jack as he placed his finger in his son’s hand to grip. “He does at that.”

SIX

SHOWDOWN AT THE WILD HORSE SALOON

“Kate, hurry up! We’re going to be late!” Jack shouted up the stairs, arms leaning on the banister. He plastered a fake smile across his face and turned his attention back to Marnie who was sitting, back straight, on the sofa and looking not very pleased.

“You know how your daughter is.” He shrugged his shoulders, watching his mother-in-law’s scowl grow deeper.

It amazed him how two people could look so much alike yet be so different. Kate radiated light with her pretty smile and sparkling blue eyes, where-as Marnie seemed harder with her distinct frown lines and blue eyes, cold like steel. Jack almost shuddered at the difference.

It was bad enough he was going out to dinner with the old battle axe, but to sit alone with her in a room for more than five minutes, was grating on his nerves. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Kate descending the stairs.

“What took you so long?” He whispered to her through the plastered smile that was beginning to make his jaw hurt.

“I couldn’t decide what to wear,” she said, fastening the earring to her ear.

“You look smoking hot, baby,” said Jack, and he meant it.

He gazed with great admiration at his wife dressed in a lace top that was stuffed full with enlarged breasts, thanks to his son, and a cute little skirt to match, topping it off with the cowgirl boots he bought her earlier in the season.

“Where’s Maria?” Kate asked, making her way into the living room.

“I’m here,” said their babysitter, emerging from the kitchen and carrying Jesse.

“There’s plenty of milk in the fridge. I pumped earlier today. Jesse should be hungry in about an hour.” She swiped a strand of stray hair from the child’s face, plastering it down across his head. She sighed and gave Maria a sad look.

“I hate to leave him.” She felt her emotions rising. “Maybe it’s too soon.”

“He’ll be fine,” said Jack, placing his arm around his wife and moving her away from their infant son.

“If you need anything at all, call me,” said Kate over her shoulder. “I have my cell phone with me.”

“Do not worry, Señora Kate,” Maria re-assured her. “Me and bebée Jesse will be just fine.”

Jack placed a sweater over Kate’s shoulder and ushered her to the front door. Marnie fell in behind. Like the perfect gentlemen, Jack opened the door, as both mother and daughter, stepped outside.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” Marnie shook her head, looking at her daughter’s attire.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” asked Kate, finally noticing her mother boasting a sharp black dress with evening pearls about her neck.

She looked like she was going to a gala instead of a honky-tonk restaurant and bar.

“All you’re missing is your cowgirl hat and spurs,” replied Marnie. “Really Kathryn, haven’t I taught you how to dress at all?”

“I think Kate looks just fine,” interjected Jack as he carted his wife to her car and opened the door for her.

“You would,” said Marne, sliding into the back seat while Jack held the door open for her, too.

He slammed it shut, grumbling all the way to the driver’s seat. He slid in and started the car.

“I’m surprised we aren’t taking your truck,” Marnie added.

“I thought the car would give us more room,” said Kate, as she looked over at her husband and saw the vein in his neck pulsing. “Plus, we are picking up one more person.”

“And who might that be?” Marnie scowled.

“My manager is tagging along, tonight,” stated Jack, pulling out and heading toward the building that housed the ranch office.

He pulled up alongside as a large, burly man with a thick, handle bar mustache opened the back door and climbed in beside Marnie.

“Mother, this is Mark Sanders,” said Kate. “Mark this is my mother, Marnie St. Claire.”

“Howdy ma’am,” Mark gave her a friendly Nevada hello.

“Howdy yourself,” exclaimed Marnie then rolled her eyes, seeing the thick wax plastered to the man’s curled-up lip hair.

“Mark oversees the operations of the ranch,” said Kate.

“Well good for you,” she frowned. “Tell me, what does a small ranch like this need a manger for?”

“Beg your pardon, ma’am, but this ain’t no small operation,” stated Mark. “You should be right proud of your son-in-law cause’ Jack here is one shrewd businessman.”

“Oh, I am
right proud
,” exclaimed Marnie with sarcasm. “A Mother couldn’t be any prouder of her daughter who now dresses and acts like the cowboy she married. To think she gave up sophistication for all this!”

“Well aren’t you the spit fire!” Mark let out a full-blown whoop and patted Marnie on the back so hard; he practically knocked her off the seat.

Jack peered at his mother-in-law through the rear view mirror, and saw she nearly dropped her teeth. He repressed a chuckle, as the tension left his shoulders and his mood took a turn for the better. He whistled a happy tune while driving through Six Mile Canyon and turning on-to Highway Fifty, occasionally looking at Kate and giving her a cheerful smile.

He pulled into the small parking area of
The Wild Horse Saloon,
shut off the engine and climbed from the car then walked around to open the door for Kate while Mark did the same for her mother.

Marnie St. Claire stepped onto the gravel pavement and stared at the small building before her, with loud music seeping from its embers, and two cowboys emerging from its doors, happier than they had a right to be.

“Well what do you think?” asked Jack.

Marnie rolled her eyes.

“Charming,” she scowled and looked at her daughter.

Jack was banking on her exact reaction. By the end of the night, Marnie St Clair would be more than ready to go back home to her sophisticated lifestyle and leave them the hell alone. Maybe she wouldn’t even wait until morning. It was wishful thinking on his part,
but one could only hope
.

“Mother, across the way is the
Old Corner Bar
,” said Kate, pointing to the tiny building. “It’s where
The Misfits
was filmed. Do you want to take a look?”

“Not particularly.” Marnie surveyed her surroundings. “
Misfits
is right! Oh Kathryn,
what
have you gotten yourself into?”

Kate ignored her mother’s comment and took her husband’s hand. Jack led them in to the
Wild Horse Saloon
and another black look crossed her mother’s brow. Marnie groaned her disapproval, as she followed Kate and Jack to the bar.

Kyle, the bartender, spotted the two couples and planted a large smile on his long, narrow face.

“Well if it isn’t my two favorite people,” Kyle stated, as he leaned against the bar top. “I didn’t expect to see both of you out so soon after the baby.”

“My mother came to town so we decided to take her out for dinner and drinks.” Kate forced a smile.

“So you brought her
here
?” Kyle scratched his head. “Wouldn’t it be better to take her to Reno or at least Carson?”

“We were hoping to shorten her stay,” Jack interjected. “Heard the rodeo is back in town. Any chance of the fellas swinging by tonight?”

“I expect they’ll be here a little later once the fun begins,” said Kyle with an amused grin on his face.

“Good to hear it.” Jack winked at him. “We’re heading to the restaurant for dinner. Save us a table for later.”

“Will do, Jack.”

Jack ushered everyone to the small dining room. They were seated at a table for four and given their menus.

“Oh dear, God,” said Marnie, as she used her napkin to pick up her menu. “This is where you like to come to eat?”

“The food is rather good,” said Kate, ignoring her mother’s ridiculous idiosyncrasies. “Their salads are excellent.”

“I prefer their burger,” added Jack.

“Best burgers in town,” Mark informed her. “Next to
Bodine’s
that is.”

“I don’t
do
burgers,” Marnie glowered. “And neither should Kathryn.”

“I usually get the Chef’s salad,” Kate muttered, then buried her head in her own menu.

“Isn’t that loaded with lunch meat?” she questioned, and placed a forceful thumb on her daughter’s menu and lowered it till blue eyes poked out from above. “Kathryn, you’re going to get high blood pressure from all that sodium!”

“I’m young.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It won’t kill me right away.”

“Don’t be so sure of that.” Her mother continued to frown. “Your eating habits are atrocious. If you don’t do something about it now, you’ll never get rid of that baby fat.”

“I don’t see any fat on your bones,” stated Mark to Kate. “I think you’ve bounced back right fine, considering you just had a baby.”

“Thank you, Mark,” said Kate, with a satisfied smile.

“Nonsense,” said Marnie. “You should let me hire you a personal trainer. Anyone who is anyone in Hollywood, hires a trainer after they have a baby.”

“I’m not hiring a trainer.” Kate rolled her eyes.

“Suit yourself, but you may think twice once that
sweet ass of yours
, as your husband puts it, turns to jelly.”

“Kate’s ass has not turned to jelly,” informed Jack, as he slammed his menu down on the table.

“Can we stop talking about my ass?” gasped Kate, turning a rosy shade of reddish-pink.

“All right, it was merely a suggestion,” stated Marnie, and she returned her attention to the two-bit dining menu that was a far cry from the four-star she was accustom to.

Kate was grateful the waitress showed up when she did, as it took the conversation away from her body and back to ordering food. Jack and Mark ordered the burgers and Kate ordered her usual Chef’s salad. They listened to Marnie order the garden salad and give specific instruction of how she wanted her meal garnished. The waitress looked at Jack and frowned. He shrugged his shoulders and gave her an apologetic grin.

For the rest of the meal, the conversation stayed cordial. Kate was grateful that Mark came along, keeping her mother occupied with all his stories of the ranch. Marnie seemed semi-interested, if only in an effort not to be completely rude.

After dinner, they returned to the bar, taking a seat at one of the empty round tables.

“What is everyone drinking?” Jack asked, standing behind Kate’s chair.

“The usual,” said Mark, and he flopped himself down in the empty seat beside Marnie.

“Me too,” said Kate, eyes looking up and gave her husband a warming smile.

“What would you like Marnie?” Jack asked her.

“I doubt they have a decent bottle of Cabernet,” she stated, taking a handy wipe from her purse and wiping down the table.

“I’ll see what Kyle has in stock,” said Jack, trying to keep his cool.

He left the table and went to the bar to order drinks.

“What’ll you have, Jack?” Kyle asked.

“The usual for us and a glass of your best cabernet for Kate’s mom.” He leaned against the bar.

“Our best Cabernet?” Kyle laughed. “You’re kidding right?”

“Not really,” said Jack, as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Just give the battle axe anything that remotely resembles wine.”

“You and your mother-in-law not seeing eye to eye?” asked Kyle, as he went to fill several glasses of beer from the tap.

“No offense, but she’s a Californicator through and through,” stated Jack.

“No offense taken,” replied Kyle with a grin, having known a few in his own time, considering he was one himself.

“She has made me and Kate’s life miserable ever since she arrived.”

“When is she going home?” Kyle placed the beer on the counter and poured a round of whiskey into the shot glasses.

“Tomorrow,” said Jack, “and it can’t be soon enough for me.”

“Did she come to see her new grandson?”

“That was the pretense,” he said, and his back pricked just thinking about the letter. “Personally, I think she came to take her daughter back with her. She doesn’t approve of anything unless it has to do with education and Kate’s ex-husband.”

“Ouch!”

“Yeah,” he growled, and lifted one of the shot glasses and drank, only to have Kyle re-filled it. “Well I better get back before Kate comes looking for me,” said Jack, gathering the beer glasses in both hands.

“You need help with the shots and wine?” asked Kyle.

“Sure if you’re a glutton for punishment,” said Jack. “Me personally, I wouldn’t go ten feet near Marnie St. Claire if I didn’t have to.”

“She can’t be that bad,” he laughed.

“You have no idea,” Jack rolled his eyes and headed back to the table.

He plastered on the fake smile he’d been carting since his mother-in-law showed up and placed the glasses on the table then took a seat next to Kate. Kyle arrived with the remaining drinks. He took one look at the older version of Kate, dressed in a sophisticated black dress, and smiled.