Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)(20)
Author: Lorelei James

“I know. Which is why I’m tuckin’ you into bed, sweet darlin’.” Cal left her clothes on and slipped her between his sheets. He sat on the edge of the bed, his heart heavy. He murmured, “Glad you decided to stay tonight.”

“Me too.” Kimi rolled over, giving him her back.

Gigi immediately jumped up and snuggled in beside her.

“Good girl. Keep an eye on her.”

***

Cal slept on the couch.

He tried not to disturb Kimi early the next morning as he rummaged in his closet for work clothes.

The bed squeaked and he turned around just as Kimi sat up.

At some point during the night she’d whipped off her shirt, leaving her in a black bra that emphasized the fullness of her breasts.

“Cal?”

Look at her face. But goddamn, that wasn’t any better. She looked cute as hell, her hair sticking up all over the place. Her eyes slumberous.

“Hey.”

She stretched her arms over her head and released a satisfied-sounding groan. “How long was I out?”

So much for not looking at her tits. “Twelve hours.”

Kimi froze. “What? It’s…morning?”

“Yeah. I’ve gotta check cattle but I’ll be back around noon.”

She looked at the other side of the bed. “Where did you sleep last night?”

“On the couch. Gigi stayed with you.”

“So I took your bed and your dog.” Realizing she was half-naked, she pulled the sheet up. “I’m sorry to be such a pain in the ass, Cal.”

“You had a rough day. You obviously needed to sleep. I’m just glad you were here and not on a bus to god knows where.”

“Vancouver.”

“What?”

“You’ve said ‘on a bus to god knows where’ a couple of times. I’m goin’ to Vancouver and then I’ll get on a boat that’s takin’ workers to Juneau.”

Stunned, he said, “You’re movin’ to Alaska? Why?”

Kimi tossed her hair over her shoulder. “One of my classmates was from Alaska. She kept talkin’ about how beautiful it was, and how much better the wages were up there. She said she could get me a job workin’ in her uncle’s dry cleaning business. At first I thought she was just blowing smoke, but it turned out she was serious. Right before we graduated, I got an official letter from the business offering me the job. They’re paying my travel expenses to Juneau, but I have to sign a one-year contract.” She yawned. “It’s too great of a chance to pass up.”

“Did you tell your family?”

“I told Aunt Hulda because she had to find a seamstress to replace me, but I didn’t tell her too far ahead of time because she’d try and talk me out of it. I let Carolyn know in the letter I left her. And I don’t give a damn about the rest of my family.”

“When do you start?”

“Whenever I get there. I had to call them long distance to tell them my mother died and I’d be delayed.”

He wanted to be supportive, but Alaska? Christ. “Well, that’s…great they’re so understanding.”

“Cal. That wasn’t even close to sincere.”

“It just threw me, okay? That’s a long way from here, especially for someone—”

“Who’s never been south of Denver or north of Miles City?” She leaned forward. “That’s exactly why I have to go. I thought you, of all people, would understand.”

“My travel experiences are as limited as yours have been, so darlin’, I’d be lyin’ if I said I understood. But I’m damn proud of you for doin’ something adventurous. Few people have the guts to do it.” That’d sounded somewhat supportive.

“But?”

“But if you don’t have a set schedule to meet, and you need a few days to sort things out, you can stay here.”

That took her aback. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

“Make yourself at home and we’ll talk when I get back, okay?”

She nodded. “Can Gigi stay with me?”

“’Fraid not. I’m trainin’ her. Consistency is important.”

“I understand.” Kimi met his gaze head-on. “Please don’t let Carson know I’m still here.”

“I won’t.” He closed the door behind him.

For the next several hours, Cal kept his mind off Kimi. Luckily he was working with Charlie so he didn’t have to lie to his twin—not that it’d work since Carson could always tell when something was up and Cal rarely saw the need to lie.

He returned home a little after noon. He tracked Kimi down in the backyard, where she was tearing the far flower bed apart. Weeds were flying over her head. She looked like a blonde tornado.