Texas Stranger (19 page)

January had no choice but to say yes, but how on earth was she going to be able to spend that day with Carl as well. “I must be a glutton for punishment.” She said, out loud.

Thursday afternoon January slowly got out of her car in front of the Richards home. Her slender heeled shoes made a clicking sound as she walked across the stone walk way to the porch. She had dressed in a black floor length dinner skirt, and black long sleeve blouse with white beaded design. With a knee high split on one side of the skirt which reveled a long shapely leg. The skirt clung to her superb figure. The modest top fit
her perfectly. She wore long beaded earrings that matched the beads in her top. Her make- up was softly applied to perfection and her auburn hair laid in curls on top of her head with just a few soft curls free to frame her face.

“January, you look stunning.” Steve Carson, greeted her as she reached the top step of the porch.

Surprised by his presents, she thanked him as he leads her into the main house. January noticed Kathy at the fire place holding a drink talking to BJ and Mary. She was lead into the family room. Kathy’s blonde hair was piled on top of her head in soft shining curls, accented with a brilliant stone. She wore a slender cocktail dress of red. The V of her neckline was low enough to draw anyone’s attention. But January had to admit she could see why Carl would be attracted to her. After all she was beautiful and rich.

“January!” Mary greeted her, excusing herself from Kathy, as she strolled over to her. “You look lovely.” Mary said, taking her hand. “I’m glad you came.”

“Thanks, you’re a picture of perfection yourself.” January complemented her.

Dressed in a rose colored evening gown with a modestly low neck line that framed her toned curves. They joined Mr. and Mrs. Richards, who was standing near the bar. It wasn’t long before Carl entered the room.

January’s heart gave a leap at the sight of him. For he was also dressed in a perfectly tailored dinner jacket and European slacks that clung to his muscular thighs. The cologne he wore was a new pleasant fragrance she could smell as he walked up to her.

Kathy immediately put her arm possessively through Carl’s as she stepped up to him. The sight caused January stomach to sour slightly as she turned her attention to Steve.

Once everyone assembled in the dinning room she discovered although she was seated next to Steve. Carl was seated at the end of the table to her right. Kathy was directly seated to Carl’s right, straight across the table from January.

January was admiring the table settings and the decorations when her eyes were drawn to Carl’s. He lifted his glass to her and she blushed slightly, aware that Kathy caught the gesture between them.

“Is Kevin going to join us?” January asked.

“No, not for dinner, but he’ll be here later I think.” Carl answered.

Chapter 25

T
he dinner was very well prepared a and delicious. The conversation light and based around the ranch activities. She found out Steve owned several acres of prim land himself. Along with several thoroughbred horses. And that was the reason they were so close. Mr. Richards and Steve’s father started breeding Arabians together years ago before Mr. Carson moved his belongings to Dallas. Now the horse ranch was being kept up to standards by the son Steve.

Kathy seemed to be very impressed with Steve, but continued to hang onto Carl’s arm most of the time. January caught her several times, flirting with Steve. Carl did notice but didn’t seem to care.

The party retired to the family room again and Kathy dominated the conversation Mary had just came over to her standing at the fire place which had a low burning flame.

“Did you listen to the weather today?” She asked.

“No, why?” January questioned her.

“The weather man said it is really bad in the Colorado mountains. They had a lot of snow there the last few day’s and the temperature’s really dropping. I think you should change your plans about leaving on Friday.” Mary warned her.

“Leave where?” Carl asked walking up behind January.

“January is leaving for Colorado on Friday and I was telling her about the weather up there. It really is bad from what the weather man said.” Mary stated.

“Oh? Why are you leaving?” Carl asked frowning. He stepped up closer to her side. She could tell by the look on his face he wasn’t pleased with Mary’s statement.

“I’m taking a short vacation, I will be staying in my Uncles cabin, Mary here thinks I should reconsider.”

“Running away?” Carl grinned.

“Just don’t read too much into it, or you might be disappointed.” She snapped at him.

Mary was surprised by her out burst as she herself was.

“Well I feel you’re making a bad judgment if the weather is bad as Mary say’s it is.” He said curtly.

“Don’t concern yourself Mr. Richards. I’m a big girl now, I can take care of myself.” She said matter of fact.

“I was just concerned on how you are going to manage up there alone. You don’t look like the type to be able to handle that kind of adventure,” he challenged her.

“You’ll find, Mr. Richards that I am quite capable of a lot of things.” She snapped

“Really? I was under the impression you were in desperate need of someone to take care of you.” He said, to her with a devilish grin.

She was perfectly aware of the double meaning he was relaying to her. He looked at her with that dark, brooding, intense look of his, and January’s pulse started racing as she
couldn’t seem to avoid looking at his soft lips. Mary had been standing there quietly while they attacked each other. And January realized it. Looking over at Mary with still no come back to Carl.

“You’ll have to excuse us Mary, we have a tendency to get on each others nerves.” January apologized to her.

Carl’s mocking smile looked back at January. Kathy caught the reaction and strolled over to them with Steve on her arm. “What are you all so intense about over here?” She laughed in her sweet voice.

“January was telling us of her adventurous decision she made.” Carl grinned.

“Oh? And what might that be?” Kathy smiled back at him.

“January’s going to the Colorado mountains tomorrow, for a vacation,”

“Really? That sounds like fun, a little snow skiing and relaxation?” Steve asked.

“I plan to start writing another book, and I thought I would take a few days, and try to get that started.” She smiled. “I do plan on doing some skiing.”

“That really sounds like fun,” Kathy said, “Lets all go. We could rent a large chalet and split the cost. When are you leaving January?”

“Tomorrow. However I’ve already got a place to stay, my uncle owns a small cabin so I am going to be staying there.”

“That is no problem, we could rent the chalet and January can stay in her little cabin. Or we could go to some warm tropical island.” Kathy said, dismissing January.

“I would love to stay in one of those small cabin’s, with just a fire place or wood stove, being snow bound with just the perfect person and of course the perfect wine.” Steve laughed.

“Don’t forget the popcorn,” Mary teased. Grabbing BJ’s hand.

“Got to have that.” BJ laughed.

Mr. and Mrs. Richards interrupted the conversation, and they were all talking about something totally different. Hours had passed before she knew it. The drive back was a long one, and she needed to be getting started. Making her way toward the Richards to thank them for the dinner and pleasant evening she was stopped by Carl.

“January, could I speak to you for a moment?” Carl asked softly. She was surprised by the concern look on his face and the softness in his voice.

“Sure go ahead.” She said.

He took her arm and started to lead her toward the study. And she pulled back slightly.

“No need to leave this room,” she said. “Unless of course you want to bring Kathy with you? What is it you want to talk about?” She asked, turning around to look at him. He didn’t respond to her cold statement but took her arm gently.

She had never been in the study before, it was lined with large book shelves on two sides, a large over sized desk and chair in front of one of the book shelves. A architectural drawing board off to one side by the window. A sofa and matching chair with coffee table to accent the rustic decor.

“I’m really concerned for your safety up in those mountains. I think you should wait until the weather breaks or you need to take someone with you.”

“I appreciate your concern Carl, but I’ll be fine. I have people living not far from where I’ll be, a two way radio lots of food and heat. There shouldn’t be any problems, that I can’t handle.” She stated. She also realized he was not believing her as she tried not to look into his eyes.

“Look, maybe if your so determined to do this, I’ll take sometime and go up there with you.”

“No! I wouldn’t hear of it.” She said sharply.

“Do I disgust you that much January?” He asked, barely audible.

She had never knowingly hurt anyone’s feeling before and he seemed to be making her say and do things that was not of her character. “That’s not what I meant Carl.” She said, slightly turning away from him. She was very aware of the scent of his cologne and his over powering eyes. He slowly strolled toward her and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Look,” she said, backing away from him. “Before you start man handling me again, I think you should realize there are people in the other room. I have good lungs, and I would hate to ruin a good evening.”

Stopping, he stood looking at her for a moment. “I’m so sorry I ever made you scared of me, I’m so sorry you hate me so much. I wouldn’t hurt you January, I...I just feel the need to take care of you. I think you are making a big mistake. What if
something happened to you. What if you fell or was knocked out, who would be there to help you?” Carl moved closer.

“Why should you care, you’re in love with Kathy?” She said, barely able to hear herself speak.

“January, I’m not in love with Kathy, I know it looks that way to some people, but I assure you Kathy and I aren’t in love with each other. I’m in love with....”

“There you two are! Are you having your own private party?” Kathy slurred, coming through the door without knocking.

“Not exactly. If you’ll excuse me.” January said, unable to control her temper any longer. She shut the door behind her as she tried to gain some control of herself. January said her good byes and started for home.

The alarm clock shrilled loudly. January reached for it, groaning. Was it morning already. She forced open one eye to double check the time. Seven thirty. She opened the other and stretched her soft limps. She needed to be at the airport before eleven.

She had unplugged her phone the night before. Because she knew Carl would most likely try to call her. But she needed now to call a cab to pick her up, and she plugged the phone back in. She had no sooner done that when it rang loudly. She jumped back, stunned by the noise. Slowly she picked up the receiver. “Hello.”

“January, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you all night. I thought for sure I misunderstood, and you left on the plane last night. Look I know you’re upset with me but
don’t leave until I get there I must talk to you.” Carl sounded urgent.

“Carl, there is nothing to talk about. Every thing was said last night. Just leave me alone, I don’t want to see you.” January said, tears running down her cheek.

“January please don’t leave, I need to talk to you, I need to see you...”

“Carl!” January interrupted him. “I’m going to hang up, I’ve got a plane to catch. Please just leave me alone. Go back to Kathy, and just leave me alone.”

Chapter 26

T
he fresh cool clear air touched January’s face as she climbed the few yards to the old log cabin. It stood proudly among the tall pine trees. Although she had never been there in the winter time it was even more beautiful than in the summer months. The light blue sky, was filtered with white fluffy clouds that looked like a painted picture against the snow capped mountains. She could see the crystal clear water flow down the mountain side, into a valley pond.

Inside the old structure was hard wood floors covered with braided rugs to protect the fine wood finish. The furniture was made from the trees that once stood in the very spot the cabin now stands. Still holding their own rugged beautiful finish. She touched the rough wood that made the arm of her aunt’s favorite rocking chair. She remembered when she was a small child and her aunt would tell them stories of when she was a young girl. January smiled remembering back.

A big gust of wind caught her attention as she turned to gather her bags and take them into the bed room. She must get some wood for the old wood stove before the sun sets. It looked like it might get colder.

The couple at the general store was genuinely concerned with her stay in the old cabin. “That old furnace won’t last long if at all.” They warned her. “Now that old wood stove might be okay, but you be real careful if you use it. I don’t know how long it’s been since that old thing has been cleaned out.” But January was determined to make it work, she needed to get away from the big city and this was just the place.

The nights were cold, from the northern winds whipping through the mountains the old wood stove caused the cabin to settle into a cozy warmth. As she sat down to write on her book, she had a hard time concentrating, for the only thoughts she had were of Carl.

It had been almost three weeks since she had left Houston. And still nothing seemed to get any better. She still couldn’t get Carl out of her mind. The nights were cold and lonely, and the days were just walking from one room to the next.

Not really able to get outside for very long for the weather had turned into another blistery winter storm. Without a telephone or television the only thing she had, was the two way radio and even it was almost to static to understand anything anyone said. She was getting more and more restless as the days passed. The only thing she seemed to get done were the letters and cards to her friends and family. But getting them in the mail was something else. It was almost two weeks before she could get to the general store and send them.