ready. Ill sleep downstairs on the couch tonight. Tomorrow, she and Angela can pick out a room for her.
Everyone nodded, happy to share a plan. Newton held the door, Willis jingled over to light the fireplace and Luther watched from the doorway.
Jonathan laid her carefully in the middle of his own bed, then frowned. She wouldnt have to worry about him kissing her again. With the Old Guard around, there was little chance the two of them would ever be alone again anyway.
Jonathan removed her shoes and spread a quilt over her. Everyone else backed out of the room as if turning around might cause undue noise. He brushed his finger lightly along her cheek, wishing he had the nerve to kiss her there. Strange thing about this woman… she could drive him crazy with her questions, but damned if he didnt think the idea of kissing her again sounded good. And tonight he was stone-cold sober.
Thoughts of her drifted through his mind as he moved about the shadows of the barn an hour later. He saddled a horse and roped a mule, then carefully tied the tiny coffin and a shovel onto the mule. The moon would provide all the light he needed for what he had to do.
He rode out silently, but Jonathan couldnt shake the feeling that the guards were watching him and knew what he was about to do. Deep into Catlin Ranch the land turned rocky and veined with canyons. It would take him hours to find the right place for Quils son, but find it he would. A place high on a bluff where all four views were endless. A place where the wind would blow across the grave and the sun would shine without shadow from dawn until dusk.
A place where Quil would know his son would forever be free.
* * *
Dawn melted into the room between slats of huge oak shutters, awakening Kara slowly. A chill thickened the air, daring her to move from beneath the covers. She smiled at the whispered tick of a clock half a room away and the distant aroma of coffee.
Stretching, she looked about. Books were everywhere. Piled on tables, crammed into shelves, arranged like tiny foothills surrounding an armchair near the floor-to-ceiling windows. Big books, little books, old books with their covers falling off, new ones with oiled leather bindings. In her home in Pittsburgh, they had only borrowed books. From the time she could read, Kara would first borrow her teachers books and then go to the library. For an only child left alone, books were like friends.
Now, she saw hundreds, and all looked like theyd been here forever. She could think of no more welcoming sight. Suddenly, the year didnt seem so long if she could read.
Slipping from the bed, Kara felt along the nightstand for her glasses. She couldnt remember putting them there last night. For years, the last thing she did before going to bed was to place her glasses within easy reach. At dawn, when the light was poor, she needed them more.
But this morning, Kara couldnt remember arriving at the ranch. It mustve been late. She tiptoed around the room, letting her fingers glide lightly over everything. The thin-framed glasses would be hard to see against the dark wood in the shadowy light. Years ago, she learned to find them by touch each morning.
The furniture, simple in design, was well made. Kara didnt have to ask; she knew she was at the Catlin Ranch. The place where she would serve out her year before going home. That is, if there was a home to return to. Another few weeks and she could send the first telegram or letter. With luck, her father would respond.
Since she was still fully dressed, she knew someone must have carried her in here. Kara fought down the blush that threatened her cheeks. There was no real question of whom. Her bag sat next to Jonathans just inside the door.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. This had to be his room. It smelled of leather and wool. The books, though, were a surprise. He didnt seem the kind of man who could sit still long enough to read.
She pushed
Everyone nodded, happy to share a plan. Newton held the door, Willis jingled over to light the fireplace and Luther watched from the doorway.
Jonathan laid her carefully in the middle of his own bed, then frowned. She wouldnt have to worry about him kissing her again. With the Old Guard around, there was little chance the two of them would ever be alone again anyway.
Jonathan removed her shoes and spread a quilt over her. Everyone else backed out of the room as if turning around might cause undue noise. He brushed his finger lightly along her cheek, wishing he had the nerve to kiss her there. Strange thing about this woman… she could drive him crazy with her questions, but damned if he didnt think the idea of kissing her again sounded good. And tonight he was stone-cold sober.
Thoughts of her drifted through his mind as he moved about the shadows of the barn an hour later. He saddled a horse and roped a mule, then carefully tied the tiny coffin and a shovel onto the mule. The moon would provide all the light he needed for what he had to do.
He rode out silently, but Jonathan couldnt shake the feeling that the guards were watching him and knew what he was about to do. Deep into Catlin Ranch the land turned rocky and veined with canyons. It would take him hours to find the right place for Quils son, but find it he would. A place high on a bluff where all four views were endless. A place where the wind would blow across the grave and the sun would shine without shadow from dawn until dusk.
A place where Quil would know his son would forever be free.
* * *
Dawn melted into the room between slats of huge oak shutters, awakening Kara slowly. A chill thickened the air, daring her to move from beneath the covers. She smiled at the whispered tick of a clock half a room away and the distant aroma of coffee.
Stretching, she looked about. Books were everywhere. Piled on tables, crammed into shelves, arranged like tiny foothills surrounding an armchair near the floor-to-ceiling windows. Big books, little books, old books with their covers falling off, new ones with oiled leather bindings. In her home in Pittsburgh, they had only borrowed books. From the time she could read, Kara would first borrow her teachers books and then go to the library. For an only child left alone, books were like friends.
Now, she saw hundreds, and all looked like theyd been here forever. She could think of no more welcoming sight. Suddenly, the year didnt seem so long if she could read.
Slipping from the bed, Kara felt along the nightstand for her glasses. She couldnt remember putting them there last night. For years, the last thing she did before going to bed was to place her glasses within easy reach. At dawn, when the light was poor, she needed them more.
But this morning, Kara couldnt remember arriving at the ranch. It mustve been late. She tiptoed around the room, letting her fingers glide lightly over everything. The thin-framed glasses would be hard to see against the dark wood in the shadowy light. Years ago, she learned to find them by touch each morning.
The furniture, simple in design, was well made. Kara didnt have to ask; she knew she was at the Catlin Ranch. The place where she would serve out her year before going home. That is, if there was a home to return to. Another few weeks and she could send the first telegram or letter. With luck, her father would respond.
Since she was still fully dressed, she knew someone must have carried her in here. Kara fought down the blush that threatened her cheeks. There was no real question of whom. Her bag sat next to Jonathans just inside the door.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. This had to be his room. It smelled of leather and wool. The books, though, were a surprise. He didnt seem the kind of man who could sit still long enough to read.
She pushed
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