Touch Me Gently (5 page)

“I was wondering about that list. For the supplies,” Charlie explained. “I wanted to head into town really soon because tonight’s my night off, and I have some plans.” A fine flush spread up the man’s neck and across his cheeks.

“Oh. Of course.” Kaden walked over to his nightstand and opened the drawer there to take out the list he’d made. He hesitated for a brief second before grabbing his pen and adding the notation about the composition book. He picked up his book to bring over to Charlie to show him what he wanted. “I… uh… was kind of hoping you could buy me another one of these books while you’re there.” He showed the little man the book. “I can give you money.” Charlie waved away his offer of money.

“Why don’t you come with me? That way you can pick out what you want,” Charlie said with a smile.

“Oh, I don’t know if I should. I have to be back to fix dinner and all.”

“We’ll be back in time. We’ll only be gone about an hour or so. Logan won’t mind. In fact, I’ll just let him know when we leave.” The little man turned without another word, clearly expecting Kaden to follow, which he did reluctantly after putting his notebook away and grabbing his wallet. He didn’t have much money in there, but he had enough to afford the book he wanted.

Charlie had already spoken to Logan by the time Kaden met him out front, and he climbed into the same truck from the other day with the man. “So what do you write in that little book of yours?” Charlie asked as they drove toward town.

Kaden wasn’t sure he wanted to share in case the man asked to see it or told someone else. “It’s… just… uh… stuff that wanders around in my head.”

“Oh, like a journal or something? That’s a good way to get stress out too. I used to have one of those when I was around your age. ’Course, it’s long gone by now. So how do you find the job so far? I have to tell you, the men love your cooking. And today’s lunch, I haven’t eaten something that good since I can remember.” The man let out a sound of appreciation.

“It’s really nice here. And the job is easy. I like it. I’m glad to know everyone likes the food,” he replied, nervously shifting around on the seat.

“And that Franklin. All he can do is talk about you. He says that if you were a woman, he’d kidnap you and force you to marry him just for your cooking.” Charlie had no way of knowing that Kaden detested that man and how much being told that would terrify him, but Kaden almost let out a small cry of fear at the thought. There was no way he would marry a slimy weasel like that one even if he were female.

A few moments later, they reached the nearby town. It wasn’t the same as the city his plane had landed in, and he looked around curiously. There were small stores of all kinds: a beauty salon, a hardware store, a feed store for ranchers and farmers, a grocery store, and several other side places, even an antique store. When Charlie pulled up in front of the grocery store, Kaden stepped out slowly, cautious about strangers. “Come on.” Charlie beckoned for him to follow him into the store.

It was a good-size grocery store, not a mom-and-pop joint like he’d expected, and he followed Charlie around as the man grabbed the groceries on the list, adding huge amounts of each item. “The school supply aisle is about four aisles that way. Why don’t you head on over and grab your notebook,” the older man said, glancing around nervously at him.

His brow furrowed, Kaden nodded and headed the way the man had pointed, finding the aisle with ease and wandering down it. The composition books were on the bottom rack, and not knowing if he’d get back to town again in the next few months, he grabbed two and moved off to find Charlie. The man stood at the deli counter, and Kaden could see an older woman about his age standing behind the counter. It appeared as though they were flirting with each other. That made him stop in his tracks, and he watched the way the little man shifted from foot to foot. It made Kaden smile to see such a display from a man that age. Deciding to give them time to themselves, he wandered around just studying the various types of foods and drinks in the store. It always amazed him to see how many types and styles of food there were in the world. He stopped at the meat area and looked over the selection, pausing when he came to something labeled calf fries. Calf fries? What the hell was that?

“Hey, Kaden! Did you find what you needed?” Charlie asked as he stepped up beside him with two heaping baskets of groceries.

Kaden nodded and then pointed at the item. “What are those?”

“Calf fries? Oh, those are the most delicious when you fry them up with butter, oil, and garlic. Or put them on the grill outside.” The man made a smacking sound with his lips. That still didn’t explain what they were specifically, so Kaden turned and looked at Charlie with a questioning look. That caused the man to stutter a little. “Well… uh… th-they’re uh….” He leaned forward and whispered into Kaden’s ear, causing the kid to rear back in horror.

“They’re what?” Kaden practically shouted, his voice high with disgust.

“You heard me,” Charlie mumbled, and he looked around to see a couple of neighbors looking at them curiously. He smiled tightly and nodded at them before turning back to the teenager. “You all right, Kaden? You look a little green around the gills, there.”

“That’s….” He stopped. People actually ate cow testicles? What the hell was wrong with them? A shudder of disgust and horror ran down his spine. “Did you get everything on the list?” He turned his back on the calf fries.

“Yeah. You ready to go?” Charlie asked.

The kid nodded and walked with the man back to the front after taking over one of the carts. They started putting everything on the counter for the cashier to ring up. The woman kept glancing at Kaden curiously, causing him to feel slightly uncomfortable. Her name tag said Doris. She had way too much makeup on too. She finally asked the question that had been burning on the tip of her tongue. “Are you the new cook up on Logan’s spread?”

Instead of responding verbally, he just tipped his head yes.

“Young one, ain’t ya? And a man, to boot. That’s a surprise. Usually he likes his cooks young, pretty, and female. He don’t get out much, if you know what I mean,” the woman drawled.

“Leave the kid alone, Doris,” Charlie snapped. “And get back to work. Don’t mind her, son. She’s just jealous because he won’t look at an old hag like her.”

She glared at the little man and popped her gum, finishing up the rest of the groceries angrily. Kaden almost dropped to the ground when he heard the amount she said. He hadn’t seen that much money spent on food in his entire lifetime. When Charlie saw the composition books still in his hand, he reached out and snatched them from him. “These too.”

Kaden tried to protest, but Charlie just gave him a look and watched as Doris rang them up. They loaded everything into the truck and were on their way back to the ranch in minutes. Charlie soothed him on the way home. “Don’t worry too much about it, Kaden. You deserve it after all the hard work you’ve put in. And besides, it’s not like they were a hundred dollars or anything. Fifty cents each. A dollar ain’t goin’ ta break the bank, if ya know what I mean.”

So he finally relented and breathed a sigh of relief when the ranch came back into view. Now he just had to get all the groceries put away and fix dinner. Trepidation filled him as the time inched closer and closer to seven and his date with Shea. He didn’t view her in any other way than sisterly, so he hoped she didn’t intend it to be a true date. Besides, he didn’t have a whole lot of money on him. Maybe he should explain that before going.

They quickly unloaded the truck, and Kaden started unpacking everything. He made several trips down to the basement to store the meats in the large chest freezer. Finally, all the food put away, he started dinner, and it was on the table steaming hot by the time the men arrived. Shea was moments behind them, and she came into the kitchen immediately. “Hey, Kaden. Ready for our date tonight?” She winked at him and sat at the small table in there to eat.

He wanted so badly to go back to his room, but she’d come in there to keep him company so he settled down to eat with her. “Shea… I, um… I don’t really have a whole lot of money… uh….”

She stopped him with a heated look. “I didn’t ask you to go dancing expecting you to pay for me, Kaden. I just wanted to go out and have fun. And I want you to go with me. So you can wipe that look off your face, because this isn’t a real date.” She shoved a forkful of food into her mouth and chewed angrily.

He flushed and looked down at his plate, his appetite gone. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just didn’t know if you were expecting that or not.”

The girl’s face softened, and she reached out to place her hand on his. “It’s all right. I understand. I didn’t exactly explain it as I should have. I’ll treat you to a drink tonight. Of course, since you’re not twenty-one, it’ll be non-alcoholic.”

“I wouldn’t drink alcohol anyway,” Kaden said tersely, standing up to empty his plate and wash it in the sink. He could feel the curiosity rolling off her in waves, but ignored it. He just hoped tonight wouldn’t be another mistake on his part. He wasn’t sure if he shouldn’t just back out of it, but Shea was humming happily as she ate, and he couldn’t disappoint her, especially after how nice she had been to him. So with a resigned mindset he went to get dressed in the only outfit he had that wasn’t torn, faded jeans and T-shirts.

The
outfit consisted of black leather pants and a black T-shirt that he kept for any reason he might need to look slightly less casual. But still, it went well with his pale skin, the black leather wrist band, and his violet eyes. Staring in the mirror, he wondered for the millionth time why he was doing this. Not only would he not fit in, he didn’t even know if he would be able to dance with Shea. After brushing his hair back from his face and making sure his boots were tied tightly, Kaden wandered back down to the kitchen and found Shea waiting for him. He stared at her. She’d let her hair loose from the braid, and it hung around her shoulders and back, a cascade of golden curls. She was wearing a blue-jean skirt with a red tank top and a white button-down shirt that she’d tied loosely into a knot at her waist. On her feet were black boots that ended mid-calf. He suddenly felt a little oddly dressed and looked from his clothes to hers and back again.

“You look great, Kaden,” she squealed, coming forward to grab his hand and tug him toward the front door. “Come on. Logan’s still upstairs getting ready for his own date. Let’s go.”

“But I need to tell him that I—” She cut him off with a look and kept a tight grip on his hand to drag him out the front door.

Kaden sighed, giving in to the insistent girl before him. She led him to her blue compact Toyota Corolla, unlocking his door before going around to the driver’s side. “This is going to be great,” Shea said excitedly as she started up the car. “I’ll teach you the moves. I think you’ll have a lot of fun, Kaden. I really do. I promise.”

“I still don’t know about this, Shea,” he said quietly, gazing out the window at the dark countryside whizzing by.

“Oh, will you please give it a chance? If you really aren’t comfortable, just tell me, and we’ll come back,” Shea said, compromising with him.

So he again gave in to her, and about fifteen minutes later they pulled up in front of a western saloon-style place. He stared at the wooden building before him with its neon signs advertising beers, and another one proclaiming the best honky-tonk in the country. He still didn’t know what that was. Shea leaped from the car, and he slowly climbed out, meeting her in front. She took his hand again and led him toward the door. He could hear country music blasting from the building before they even stepped inside, and when the door opened, he winced at the loud music beating at his eardrums. A smoky haze permeated the air of the bar, and a live band stood up on the stage, with a crowd of people milling around on the dance floor. Tables were occupied by various people: groups of men, couples, and even just groups of women. The barstools were mostly taken up by single men and women looking for a good time.

Kaden heard several loud voices calling out greetings to Shea, and even a catcall. She just grinned and waved or shouted back. One man stepped away from the bar and strode toward them. Kaden’s eyes widened as he watched the man approach, and he felt her hand squeeze his reassuringly. He forced himself to relax, his eyes warily trained on the newcomer.

“Shea Michaels?” The man’s voice was deep and held an incredulous tone. “Well, would you look at what the cat drug in? All grown up, ain’t ya? I thought you’d still be off at that fancy school o’ yours.” He was a good-looking guy by today’s standards: tall, muscular, and tanned, with a head of thick brown hair and light blue eyes.

“Ty Coolson, you back off of that young lady now!” a baritone voice shouted from behind the bar.

Ty glared at the man who’d shouted before turning back to Shea. Kaden saw the way his eyes traveled up and down Shea’s body, and the flare of desire for his friend. He glared up at the taller guy, tugging her around him and toward the dance floor. “Kaden!” she exclaimed in surprise at his rudeness.

“You wanted to dance so teach me,” he demanded.

Shea stared at him for a split second, thinking that maybe he was jealous, before shrugging it off. The next song started, and she began to show him the line-dancing steps to that song, following along with the crowd around them. Kaden picked it up easily and before long actually began laughing with her. Shea was amazed at the sound of his delightful, musical laughter. It made him seem so young, and it was the first time she had heard him laugh since he’d come to the ranch. His eyes lost the haunted look that she’d seen since she’d met him, and he seemed to shed his fears. When a slow song came on he wanted to go grab a drink and sit down, but she took his hand and placed it on her waist, then picked up his other hand. “Come on, Kaden. I like slow dancing. It’s the best part.” She winked at him and grinned broadly when he flushed.

Kaden felt the tiny waist beneath his fingers and knew that he had started to actually care for the girl. He would do whatever it took to protect her. He almost choked when she laid her head on his shoulder as they danced. He could feel his cheeks becoming flushed with embarrassment because he could see people watching them, including the man from earlier. But his expression showed annoyance and jealousy instead of indulgence or curiosity. Kaden smirked at the man and spun her around, causing her to laugh at his antics. Maybe taunting the stranger hadn’t been the best thing to do, because the man stood up and strode toward the floor. Kaden immediately shrank back, the smile fading.

Shea noticed his stiffening and turned her head to see Ty heading their way. With a roll of her eyes, she turned back to Kaden and caught the look of fear in his eyes. Dammit. And they had been having so much fun. Letting go of Kaden’s hand, she turned around to look at Ty. “Not now, Ty. Go away,” she demanded.

Ty stepped forward, his hands clenched at his sides. “Damn it, Shea. You go away and come back for the summer with some fruitcake boy from Harvard, and you expect me to just stand by to watch him steal you away from me?”

Shock came over Kaden, and he stared at them as though they’d suddenly started tap dancing. His gaze shifted between the two of them as they talked. “Ty, I did not come back from Harvard with some ‘fruitcake’ boy as you put it! He’s working for my brother, and I brought him out as a
friend.
” She stressed that word to make sure the man understood. “He hasn’t been off the ranch since he got here. Now back off!” She had started shouting by the time she finished, and Kaden could feel the anger rolling off of her.

“Shea,” he said hesitantly, trying to get her attention. He still felt uneasy, and it grew the longer they stood there. More people were staring at the spectacle they were making. “Maybe you should dance with him? I’ll just go sit at the bar and have a Coke.”

Shea looked at him and saw his exhaustion, giving in with a sigh and a nod. “All right. But don’t leave the bar, okay?”

Kaden nodded and headed that way, finding an empty stool to perch on. He ordered a Coke and watched Shea start dancing with the bigger man, still locked in a heated conversation. “Don’t worry none about Shea,” the bartender shouted over the music as he placed the soda in front of Kaden. “Everyone in this town knows her. No one could lay a hand on her without the entire town knowing. Ty was just jealous is all. I’m Vic.”

“Kaden,” he shouted back, his eyes still on Shea.

“You working up at the Michaels’s place?” the bartender asked curiously, studying the fragile boy before him.

He nodded while taking a sip of the soda. “I’m cooking for the roundup,” he explained.

“Where you from?”

“New York.”

“City? I bet you find this place completely different from what you’re used to.” The bartender became distracted for a second and looked up. “Oh, looks like it’s a family thing tonight!”

Kaden swiveled on the stool to find Logan stepping just inside the door with a pretty woman at his side. His heart twisted, and his stomach clenched. Sweat popped out on his forehead, and he swung back to face the bar, his fingers unconsciously tightening on the glass. He tried to ignore the fact that he knew Logan was there, but the man in question stepped up to the bar beside him to order a beer.

“Kaden? What are you doing here?” Logan stepped closer to be heard over the music, and Kaden tried to keep from pulling away.

“Shea brought me.” He pointed at the girl on the dance floor.

Logan shook his head when he saw who Shea was with, and a dark expression dominated his face. He swore beneath his breath and would have started over to the dance floor, but the woman stopped him. She said something to him, and he seemed to relax. Petite and soft, she had dark brown hair that hung in ringlets down to the middle of her back and sterling silver eyes that shone intelligently in the dim lights. He could see why Logan would like her. She was beautiful, with flawless porcelain skin, probably silky to the touch, and bright red lips that begged to be kissed. Kaden looked down into his soda, depression settling over him. Standing up, Kaden asked the bartender for the bathroom and headed that way. He needed a few moments away from everything.

Mostly empty, there were only two other guys going about their business in the restroom when he stepped up to the sink, staring at himself in the mirror. His eyes were dark with pain and dark smudges underlined them, making them seem an even deeper hue. To keep from drawing attention, he pretended to wash his hands while trying to get his mind back in order.

“Kaden James? Well I certainly didn’t expect to find you in a place like this.”

Kaden shuddered with fear and disgust as that voice caressed his skin. He lifted his head to meet those rat-like eyes in the mirror.

“I’m not staying long,” he replied warily, watching the way the man seemed to strip him bare with his gaze.

“You’re not leaving before I get a dance out of ya.” Franklin grabbed his hand, causing Kaden to try and pull away. Anger flared in those brown eyes, and Franklin wouldn’t let go, tightening his grip painfully. Kaden bit his lip to keep from whimpering as Franklin practically dragged him out of the bathroom and onto the dance floor. The man yanked him into his arms and up against his body.

Kaden struggled to get away. He felt sheer terror pounding inside him. His heart raced as he became paralyzed with fear. Helplessness invaded him, and his body went limp. Franklin noticed that the boy seemed to lose all the fight in his body and tugged him closer, grinding his stiffening erection against him. The man’s lips pressed against his ear and he whispered, “That’s it, baby. I can show you a good time. You just need to relax, is all. You are so hot. I almost can’t wait to be buried deep inside that body of yours.”

Tears flooded Kaden’s eyes. He didn’t understand why men treated him the way they did. Something seemed to snap inside him and, in a fit of rage, he brought his knee up and rammed it into Franklin’s groin, causing the man to groan in pain and drop to the floor, clutching his privates. Blindly tearing through the crowd of people, he didn’t hear the brother and sister call his name or notice when Logan headed toward the man lying on the floor. The only thing he knew was that he had to get away from there. The door banged against the wall as he sprinted through it. He rushed toward Shea’s car and frantically tugged on the handles to get inside. It was locked, and he pounded weakly on the window. He leaned his head against the cool metal as tears dripped on the smooth surface, running down the glass like raindrops.