The Taming (The Black Thunder Series) (40 page)

She felt around the floor of the trunk and realized she could lift the carpet. Underneath was the tire. She tried to pull it out but it wouldn’t budge. It was bolted tight to the floor. She tried to unscrew it with her fingers, but failed. She read the manual once more and learned she needed a tire iron to unscrew it.

“Where’s the blasted tire iron,” Kate called out as if someone was right by to answer.

Exasperated, she threw the manual in to the trunk. She tried her cell phone again hoping to find a signal. Again, nothing. The canyon was blocking all signals from reaching her phone.

Just then the wind picked up, howling through the air
. Kate scurried back to her car and closed the door. Maybe she should wait in her car and hope another vehicle would come along. After all, this road was used all the time by travelers going to and from Virginia City.

Kate closed her eyes
. In her mind she willed Jack to find her. She waited for ten minutes with still no sign of another vehicle and she was beginning to wonder if she should start walking. But it was spooky out there in the dark as her eyes darted across the blackness seeing nothing but shadows and eerie figures. She was being ridiculous, she told herself. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Kate took a deep breath and exited her car
. She started walking, heading along the narrow winding road toward Virginia City. She got as far as the lights of her headlights could take her. She walked around a sharp turn into pitch black and felt disoriented for a second. She turned on her phone and hit her flashlight app then held it out in front of her. To her relief it lit her path quite well.

She continued
walking, cautiously watching and listening for any harmful movement or sound. A coyote’s howl reverberated through the canyon and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She thought she saw movement along the hillside. She stopped and pointed her phone in that direction. There was nothing and she breathed a sigh of relief, forging on.

The road was longer than she remembered, thinking Virginia City was right around the bend
. But when she crossed the mark all she saw was another long stretch of road. Kate checked her cell phone again, but still no signal.

Once more she heard a distinct sound in the hills
. She froze, hearing the sound again and this time she saw movement. She shined her flashlight in to the hillside and saw two dark eyes glistening from its light. Kate stopped and so did her breath as she stayed deathly still. She heard a snorting sound and the scraping of animal feet along the ground. The creature stepped into the light and she saw the black stallion emerge from the canyon hills.

Black Thunder descended the hill and came to halt beside her
. He nudged her hand, beckoning her to stroke him

“Boy, am I glad to see you,” said Kate as she finally took a deep breath
. She kissed him on the nose then laid her head on his cheek as she stroked the side of his neck. “Are you going to keep me company?”

He
started walking along the road as if to say yes. She placed her hand on his mane and held on as she walked beside him. “You are one smart animal. Did anyone ever tell you that?”

He didn’t answer but kept
moving while she forged on alongside him, shining her flashlight forward. It didn’t seem so threatening holding onto Black Thunder as the steed protectively led her through the dark and scary place.

She
looked at her cell phone and saw it was after eleven. They’d been walking for almost a half an hour. Suddenly the animal stopped. His head lifted and his ears perked back. She moved closer to him, holding tighter to his mane when she heard a low rumble and felt a vibration beneath her feet.

Then
behind her, she saw a stream of bright white lights. Black Thunder stepped back and she released her hold. His nostrils flared and he bolted away, heading back into the hills.

Kate turned and watched the animal leave as the light behind her grew
stronger. She grew excited knowing a vehicle was approaching. She waved her hands in the air, flashing the light from her cell phone. The truck stopped and Kate recognized it immediately.

“Jack,” she called out as the door from the cab flung open.

Jack jumped from his truck and raced toward her. “Oh, thank God you’re all right,” he said, taking her in his arms and holding her tight. “I was so worried when you didn’t come home. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“I got a flat,”
she said, thinking he felt so good.

“I saw,” said Jack holding her tighter
. “I passed your car back a ways and you not in it. Why didn’t you call?”

“I tried, but I had no signal
.”

Jack stepped back and Kate could tell he was mad
. “What the hell are you doing out on this road at night?” he yelled at her. “And especially walking alone. Do you know how dangerous that was?”

“I’m fine,”
she said, trying to ease his fears. “I wasn’t alone. Black Thunder was with me.”

“I don’t want to talk about that damn blasted horse,” he shouted again
. “You should have stayed in your car and waited for me to find you.”

“I’m sorry
. I wasn’t thinking.”

“You’re damn right you weren’t thinking!”  He was furious
. “I come up alongside your car and see the trunk open, but no Kate. I almost lost my mind!”

“I was going to try to change the tire,”
she said, bracing herself for his reaction. “But I couldn’t figure out how to do it.”

“You mean to tell me you don’t know how to change a simple
tire?” he exploded. “Kate, I have half a mind to take you over my knee and blister your backside.”

“I’m sorry, Jack,” she groveled.

“I don’t want to hear that you’re sorry,” he growled. “Just get in the truck.”

Jack waited for Kate to climb in before he got in himself
. He turned the truck around and drove to her car. Kate sat quietly watching Jack change the flat. He made it look so effortless and in less than ten minutes the spare tire was on and her car was ready to go. Jack opened the door for Kate.

“You think you could manage to follow me home, without any more catastrophes?”

“You don’t have to be so damn condescending,” said an upset Kate. “I said I was sorry.”

“
I can’t for the life of me understand why someone who is so book smart doesn’t have a lick of common sense,” he growled. She went to reply but thought better when he put out his hand for her not to speak. “We’ll talk about it when we get home.”

Kate slid from the truck to her car
. Jack slammed her car door shut and she started the engine. Jack turned the truck around and drove slowly making sure Kate’s car was always in the rear view mirror. He drove out of the canyon as Virginia City came in to view. He crested the steep hill then turned right onto the main road away from the small mining town. Rounding the hill, he pulled onto the dirt road leading to the ranch.

Jack parked outside the house as Kate pulled up behind him
. He marched up the porch stairs and opened the front door, waiting for her to follow. She passed him and entered the house. Jack stepped inside and slammed the door closed. Kate didn’t utter a word seeing he was still too mad to discuss this rationally. She walked upstairs, hearing him follow behind her and made her way to their bedroom. Jack stood in the room and once more slammed the door closed.

“I called you half a dozen times,” he began his rant
. “Why didn’t you answer me?”

“I forgot I left my cell phone in the car,” she said as she sat on the bed and removed her heels.

“You didn’t forget. You deliberately left it there.”

“Yes, I did,”
said Kate temper rising though she tried to keep it bay. “I didn’t want you pestering me.” She stood up and removed her skirt then went to the closet and hung it up.

“You could have given me the courtesy to call me when you got to the car,” he fumed.

“I know,” she said feeling a bit convicted. “I should have called you, but I knew you were already mad because I was late.”

“Well it was downright inconsiderate of you,” said Jack as he sat on the bed and removed his boots
. He tossed them along the wall then he lifted his t-shirt over his head. He crumbled it into a ball and hook shot it into the laundry basket.

Kate finished undressing and walked into the bathroom
. She turned on the water to the tub. She grabbed a scrunchy and tied up her hair. Jack moved to the doorway and leaned against its frame.

“You aren’t going to say anything else?”

“No, I’m waiting for you to settle down, then we’ll talk.”

Kate poured a handful of bath salts into the water then climbed in
. She leaned back against the tub. Jack removed his remaining clothes. She couldn’t help observe his strong manly torso as a slow smile formed on her face.

“What are you smiling for?” he grumbled.

“You are one fine looking man, Jack McBride,” she said in a kittenish kind of way.

“Don’t try to sweet talk me, Kate,”
he said as he walked over to the tub. “I’m still mad at you.”

Kate sat up and Jack slid in behind her
. She leaned back against his chest. She lifted her arms in the air as he rested his hands on her belly then she lowered her hands resting them on his arms.

“Thank you for coming to find me,” she said in a soft voice as she stroked his arm with her fingers.

“You worried me half to death,” he said as he placed a kiss to her head.

“Thank you for worrying about me,” she said in a sweet voice.

“You’re welcome,” he said feeling her gentle tones calming him down.

They sat quiet for a moment resting together, connecting skin to skin
. Kate closed her eyes and basked in his touch.

“Tomorrow morning you are going to learn how to change a tire,”
he said as he bent his head back against the tub and closed his eyes.

“Whatever you want, Jack,” said Kate not wanting to break her dreamy state.

There was silence again as they soaked all their troubles away.

“Did you have a good time tonight?” His asking was genuine.

“I did,” she said. “I met one of your old teachers.”

“Which one?”

“Betty Grumbine.”

“Is that old cow still alive?” He lifted his head.

“You know she is,” she giggled and tapped his hand.

“I guess I do,” he chuckled and settled back again
. “Did Kyle make any moves on you?”

“No,” she smiled.

“Good,” he mumbled with his eyes closed.

“So what did you do tonight while I was gone?”
She looked over her shoulder at him.

“I kept busy,” he said as a grin formed on his face.

“You aren’t going to tell me?”

“Nope,” he continued to grin.

“Should I be jealous?” She teased as she laid her head back on his chest.

“Jealous of what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you got a woman on the side,” she teased again.

“Trust me, baby, the only woman I want is you
.” Jack slid his hands down her belly and settled them between her thighs, slowly stroking her. “I belong to you, Kate,” he whispered in her ear. “Remember that.”

Kate brought her hand to the back of his neck, seducing him to kiss her as she sweetly toyed with his mouth
. He kissed her slow, savoring the feel of her lips, her tongue, the heady aroma of lilac drifting up through the water. His fingers reached for the place of secret treasure as he slid inside her and caused her to moan in his mouth.

That was all Jack needed to hear
. He stood from the tub, lifting her with him. Kate wrapped her arms around his neck as he pressed her against his chest and raised her feet from the tiled floor. He carried her to their bed, easing her wet body onto the mattress, as he slid on top of her. Claiming her beneath him, he made love to her, finding his home inside her. It was heaven, and the closest thing he found to God, joining with her like a link to the only connection that made him feel whole.

They stayed connected, positioned together basking in the glow of making love
. It was a strange and glorious feeling to stay strong inside her without the need of passionate release. They drifted to sleep entwined together reaching a perfect slumber.

Thirty

Brazen Behavior

W
here do you want me to put these books?” Jack asked carrying a box filled with reading material for third graders.

The classroom was brimming with an assortment of colored poster boards bringing life to the bland grey walls
. It felt a little strange walking the halls and visiting classrooms he had attended in his youth, but Kate’s room looked so different than what he remembered. She filled it with all sorts of interesting things making it a perfect atmosphere for learning.

“Put them in the shelves by the reading nook,” said Kate with great excitement.

Jack knelt by the small L-shaped shelf he built for her and filled the shelves with the books from the box. Kate threw two large red pillows on the floor next to the nook.

“What are the pillows for?”
He asked.

“It’s always better to snuggle up when you want to read a good book,” Kate smiled at him and tapped him on his head
. “You should try it sometime.”

“Maybe I will,” he grinned up at her and followed her with his eyes as she went to the blackboard and wrote her first day lesson on its slate surface.

He thought she seemed magical bringing this room to life. He couldn’t keep his eyes from her understanding that she was meant to be teacher. The realization of her gift eased his fears about losing her. Jack was transfixed as Kate wrote her name high on the blackboard, her skirt hiking up over her thighs. He breathed a sigh of relief that her class were third graders and not older, otherwise they would all be crushing on her like he was doing now, and she wasn’t even his teacher. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock on the classroom door.

“If my eyes hadn’t seen it, I would have never believed it,” came a female voice by the door
. Betty Grumbine walked into the room with a huge smile on her face. “Your classroom puts us all to shame, Kate.”

“It’s not too much, is it?”
she asked hoping she didn’t overdo it.

“It’s perfect,” she smiled as her attention went to the man sitting in the corner of the room
. “Hello, Jack.”

“Hi
.” He stood and walked over to Kate. It felt a little weird being in a classroom with his old teacher. It brought back not such fond memories.

“Come Monday morning these halls are going to be filled with children,” said Betty
. “Are you ready?”

“I can’t wait,” said Kate with excitement in her voice
. “My syllabus was approved this morning by the principal, so I am raring to go.”

“Are you going to be able to part with this little lady, Jack?” Betty asked as she watched the couple together.

“Don’t think I have much choice in the matter,” he stated matter-of-factly as he placed his arm on Kate’s shoulder.

“
I heard through the grape vine that you hired Maria Gomez to take Kate’s place,” said the elder woman with salt and pepper hair as she tried to hide her grin.

“We did,” frowned Jack as he looked at Kate.

“Good choice, dear,” Betty leaned over and whispered in her ear. “She’s plump and old.”

“I told Jack we didn’t need to hire anyone,” said Kate seeing Betty giggle and Jack scowl
. “I could still do it when I get home.”

“You’re going to be too busy to clean, baby,” said Jack as he played with her hair
. “Besides, I don’t want you spending all your free time cleaning. You’ll never have time for me.” He tugged on her hair as he planted a frisky kiss to her lips, lingering a little so that the old cow would grow uncomfortable and leave.

“Oh my
.” Betty flushed hot pink across her chest and up to her neck and cheeks.

“Jack,” Kate nudged him to behave.

“So have you two made any plans?” Betty asked as her curiosity got the better of her, not to mention the juicy story she could tell at the teachers’ lounge about their new hire.

“Plans for what?” Jack asked.

“Well I assumed since you are both wearing rings that you were planning to make it official.”

“Oh, they’re not that kind of rings,” said Kate nervously
.

“They’re more like promise rings,” added Jack
. Kate looked over at him and smiled.

“Oh I see, promise rings, how very convenient,” said Betty as she looked at
him and frowned. “Well, it’s nice to see that a leopard never changes his spots.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed and he glared at the old cow thinking she hadn’t changed much from when he had her as a teacher.

“I must get back to my room,” said Betty knowing she got what she came for. “I just wanted to stop by and say welcome.”

“Thanks,” smiled Kate as she walked the elder teacher to the door and watched her disappear down the hall.

“It’s a good thing she left,” said Jack smarting from her remark. “I was just about ready to toss her out on her ear.”

“Don’t worry about her,”
she said, seeing the dangerous look in his eye. She took him by the hand, and led him back to the reading nook so they could finish putting away the remainder of books.

“She’s still an old cow,” he spouted as he slammed two books onto the shelf
. “What did she mean by a leopard doesn’t change his spots?”

“I don’t know.
” She fibbed and handed him another book. “Don’t let her get to you.”

“I know what she meant,” he continued to grumble as he parked Kate on top of the reading shelf and knelt before her
. “Well she’s wrong, dead wrong. I’m not using you, Kate. I love you.”

“I know that, baby,”
she said as she ran her hands through his sandy colored hair while he leaned his arms on her lap.

“I don’t like her filling your head with all her crazy-ass notions about me.”

“I don’t pay attention to what she says.” She brushed his worry aside.

“She’s poison, Kate,” he grew serious.

“She’s only poison if I believe her, which I don’t,” Kate folded her hands into his. “I know you would never be unfaithful to me.”

“Are you sure?” he looked worried.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Although somewhere in the recesses of her mind a tiny crack seeped through. She wasn’t sure if it was from her past but that was her demon to face. “Now can we drop this?”

“Not until I know for sure,” he said taking her chin in his hand
and stared into her baby blues. “I belong to only you, baby.” He searched her eyes to make sure she believed him.

“Jack, you’re being silly,”
she laughed her doubts away.

“I’m not so sure I am.”
His green eyes studied her non-engaging blue.

“I believe you,” she said clutching his face a
nd giving him a wide eyed grin.

“All right then,” he said not fully convinced.

Kate stood taking Jack with her as they finished putting away the books. She looked around her classroom to make certain everything was ready for the first day of class. “Perfect,” she smiled with satisfaction.

“Are we done here?” Jack asked growing impatient
. “Because I’m starved and it’s past my lunchtime.”

“Yes, I’m done
. Let’s go home and I’ll make you lunch.”

“I have a better idea,” said Jack
. “Let’s go into Carson City and grab lunch at Bodine’s. I could go for one of their burgers right about now.”

“I swear Jack, I don’t know what you like more, food or sex.”
She laughed.

“Both,” he grinned
. “First I’d like to fill my belly, and then I’d like to fill you.”

“You say the most romantic things
.” She rolled her eyes and walked away stepping into the hallway.

He
ran after her and pinched her on her sweet derriere. Kate let out a yelp and jumped. “You like it, baby,” he said, chasing after her down the hall.

“I do,” Kate giggled as he caught up to her and took her hand
. “I honestly do.”

Bodine’s
Steakhouse was crowded for a Friday afternoon. Situated on the south end of Carson City, the famous restaurant was a favorite for state workers and legislature alike. Jack and Kate waited in line, ready to add their names to the waiting list. She overheard the hostess tell the patrons in front of them that the wait was thirty minutes.

“Jack, can you wait thirty minutes?”

“I’ve waited this long. I guess another half hour won’t kill me.”

The line moved and Jack went to give his name
. The hostess looked up and a pretty little smile beamed on her face. “Well if it isn’t Jack McBride,” she said all soft and kitteny. “Where’ve you been stranger? Haven’t seen you all summer.”

“Hi, Cherry,” he mumbled.

She leaned over the counter flashing her pearly whites. “The wait’s thirty minutes, but I’ll sneak you through for old times’ sake. Follow me.” She picked up the menus and motioned for Jack to follow her.

Jack looked over at Kate and he could tell she was not pleased
. He took her hand and led her into the restaurant as they were seated in a booth.

“You look good ,Jack,” said Cherry as she placed the menus on the table then reached over and flipped a strand of his hair away from his face
. Jack’s head jerked back.

“Cherry, this is my girl, Kate
.” He pointed to the woman sitting across from him. “She’s moved in with me and we’re committed, see?”

He lifted his hand and showed her the ring
. Cherry looked surprised and glanced at Kate giving, her a not too subtle nod of disapproval.

“You’re hitched?” she said looking back at Jack.

“You could say that.” He reached across the table and took Kate’s hand.

“Well don’t that beat
all?” Cherry scratched her ear. “Congratulations and good luck.” She leaned over toward Kate. “And you’re going to need it if you were fool enough to hitch to him.” With that said she left.

Jack scowled and sat back in his chair, releasing Kate’s hand
. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite,” he growled. “Let’s get out of here.” He went to stand.

“No, Jack,” said Kate not believing what she was going to say next
. “We’re here. We might as well eat.”

“Are you sure?” he questioned, seeing she was still rather annoyed.

“Yes, now sit down.”

Jack returned to his seat and leaned back against the booth
. “Kate, I don’t want to get you upset.”

“I’m getting used to it.
” She rolled her eyes.

“Well, it’s beginning to annoy the hell out of me,” he grumbled.

“You have a lot of history in this town,” she sighed. “But like you said before, you can’t change the past.”

“I’m starting to wish I could,” he said with a frown
. “I don’t want you hurt, baby.”

“I’m not hurt
-” she stated. “Perturbed, but not hurt. You screwed a lot of women, and I don’t mean in bed.”

Jack felt humbled and a little ashamed by her observation
. “Let’s change the subject,” he stated in his I-don’t-want-to-talk-about-it tone.

“Fine, then let’s talk about why you snuck out of bed last night and didn’t come back ‘til two in the morning?” said Kate as she sat back in her seat and raised her eyebrow.

“I thought you were asleep,” he felt her scrutinizing blue eyes on him.

“I woke up when you weren’t beside me.”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I went downstairs to play on the computer,” he said not able to look at her as he tapped his fingers on the table.

“You’ve done that every Tuesday for the past three weeks,”
she said, seeing his shoulders tighten. “You want to tell me what you’re really doing?”

“Not particularly,” he looked up and grinned.

“Are you keeping secrets from me?” She frowned.

“Are you worried?” he teased.

“Should I be?” Her eyes opened wide as if to question.

“No Kate, it’s not what you think,” he chuckled
. If she only knew she would be kicking herself right now. “You have to trust me on this one.”

“I trust you,” said Kate, but it didn’t sound convincing.

“I promise a few more weeks, then all will be revealed.” He was talking in riddles and he was enjoying seeing her mind trying to figure it out.

“It better be good, baby,”
she said with a hint of warning.

“It will,” he smiled at her
. “You’ll be real happy.”

Jack couldn’t wait to see the expression on Kate’s face when he showed her his diploma
. He was already halfway through the course and Kate was not the wiser. Thursdays were working out beautifully. He would wait for Kate to leave for her poetry class then he would drive to the school at Virginia City for his own class.