Chapter eight: Fullhouse
Thomas smiled as he surveyed Kate on the floor with the children. Her talent as a writer was evident as she managed to enthrall the children in her tale about her voyage across the ocean. To adult, it was dull, but she could spoke so eloquently and poetically that she drew everyone in. The girl had an unusual charm about her, like a fairy.
Polly shifted beside him, causing him to check the smile that had been on his lips for a few moments. Polly was being overprotective in regards to Kate. However, there wasn't really anything going on with them, especially since they now knew where their bond had formed. He still couldn't believe it. Kate had been the wild looking woman who'd saved Aspen all those years ago.
She'd been kind then towards him, he was glad to see that she'd gotten out of her deep depression. She let out a laugh, drawing him in towards her again as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He couldn't believe that she'd wanted to kill herself and he couldn't imagine not seeing her engaging in conversation with his children. She was a beautiful woman; she'd hidden it well with her dark clothes and hair scraped back atop of her head. Today however, the walk had caused her cheeks to become a fetching rosy hue and the color appealed to her skin, which had darkened during her travels. Her hair, while a striking reddish brown hue, looked so lovely when the ringlets hung in curls around her heart shaped face. That also served to draw attention to her piercing hazel-green eyes.
Loathe to admit it; he'd missed her while she was away. The life in the country seemed a little darker without her there. Even popping in just to collect the rent, had caused him to smile. She had a very soothing and calming presence about her that he enjoyed. It had been a long time since he'd felt such peace and relaxation. He couldn't believe how fortuitous he'd been in meeting her. Lizzie, all her speculations about him and her had been wrong until now. Her passing had enabled a curiosity between them to blossom, but Kate wasn't aware of it. He was and he wondered how long it would be until she was aware of this curiosity between them.
"Now," she opened her huge bag. "my grandfather is an American Indian." Thomas blinked in surprise. He couldn't imagine anyone actually admitting such a thing in public. Kate, however, seemed to have no squabbles. "I mean, was, he passed away two weeks ago. However, he was able to give me a few souvenirs before he passed."
"Kate," he inquired. "wouldn't you rather hang onto them?" Him addressing her by her first name, earned a glower from Polly, but he ignored it.
She shook her head. "He knew I was bringing them here. He even picked out a few of them." She reaches into the bag and pulls out two unusual, brightly woven objects. "These are called dream catchers." She hands one to each of them. "You hang them over your headboard and they keep the bad dreams away."
"Interesting theory." Polly states.
"It'll do no harm." She reaches into the bag and pulls out a smaller bag, which she hands it to Polly. "I got this for you."
Thomas almost grins in satisfaction at the look of surprise on Polly's face. "Why?"
Kate blinked in surprise. "I just, saw it and I thought of you. I thought you'd like it."
"Just a gift Poll." Thomas pointed out. Polly could be unsociable, but Kate was nice and he didn't need her scaring Kate out of his life.
"Thank you." She opens the bag to reveal a silver armband with bright blue stones. "It's…beautiful." She pulls out a matching necklace as well. "I'm not familiar with this stone."
"It's turquoise." She explains. "In the states, it's mostly found in Arizona, around the copper mines. You're a bold woman and I thought this would suit you." again, Kate's boldness made him smile. It took a bold woman to state such a thing to Polly and not blink in the process. She reaches into the bag and hands him a letter. "Now, I don't know what this is, because I promised my grandfather that I would not open it. He asks that you open the letter, next year on this date."
"That's a curious request." He frowns.
She nods. "Believe me, I am dying to know, but I always honor the wishes of the dead."
"Same. I'll put it somewhere safe." He assures her as he tucks the letter inside his coat pocket, being careful not to wrinkle it.
She pulled out several packets of seeds. "Now, Ruby, here are some flowers that grow traditionally in America, but come the spring, they should grow here." Polly held out her hand to see the packets. "I've been told they're easy to grow, so, I thought they'd be good for her."
She leaned forward and whispered something in Ruby's ear that caused her to give Kate a quick hug. Her actions surprised everyone in the room. Ruby had been so quiet and subdued since Lizzie died, but somehow, Kate had managed to pull her out of her shell. After Ruby broke the hug, Kate reached inside her bag and pulled out some beaded headbands, which the children promptly put on. She presented Charlie with a bag of various arrowheads and a real bow, which delighted the boy.
She handed Thomas the arrows. "I figured you'd have a safe place to keep these, until you or an adult can supervise." He nods and puts them to the side as she pulls out one last case and hands it to him. "And these, are for you."
He frowned at the case. "I thought you said my present would arrive in three months."
"Yes, it will, but I couldn't give everyone something and you nothing. Besides, when it arrives, you'll most likely share it with your with family." When he hesitated opening it, she prompted him. "Don't leave me suspense, just open it. I promise, it won't bite you."
He opened it to reveal a set of six tie clips. They were silver and had intricate details. Two had that turquoise stone set inside. "Well?" She inquired. "What do you think?"
"I think," he sat back. "that I should have done more than install a telephone and new water closet in your cottage."
Kate choked on her tea and wheezed for air. "What?" she hacked around the droplets of tea. "You didn't."
"No. Polly and I figured it couldn't hurt. You're far away from the house and should something happen, you can call us directly."
"No, I'm serious." She set her teacup aside and inhaled. "You really bought me a phone. Do you have any idea how expensive those things are?"
Thomas studied her before declaring. "I also repaired the roof." Kate shook her head. "It's brand new, so, there shouldn't be any leaking."
"Are you insane?" Kate almost shrieked. "You can't go spending that kind of money on me!"
"Really? I'm wagering," Polly said. "that you dropped a few hundred pounds on us."
"No, American money is less than pounds." She explained. "I also get a family discount, so I really didn't spend that much."
"I'll pretend to believe you." Tommy stated. "But yes, these are really nice." Polly peered at the tie clips and nodded her approval. "Very elegant."
"What was your grandfather's name?" Polly inquired. Tommy shot her a look, knowing she was fishing for information. "You didn't mention."
"My grandfather's name was Tahoma." Polly frowned slightly as she explained. "Tahoma in Navajo means water's edge."
"You're part Indian then?"
"I'm one quarter Navajo as my mother was half Navajo." Kate answered her questions with a smile. She seemed to know that Polly was grilling her for information, but she had nothing to hide, so, she really didn't care. "She had a white mother and Navajo father."
"Where'd you get the reddish hair from then?" Polly inquired. "Considering that you're part Indian."
"My grandmother, she was Irish." At his chuckle, she grinned. "I know, my family history is all over the place. I chose to identify as American, since it's a great melting pot and there are so many races running through my veins anyway."
"How'd you wind up here?"
"My father was prospecting for silver." She smiled. "Said he asked my mother to marry her the moment he saw her."
Polly laughed along with her. "And she said?"
"For some reason, she said yes." She smiled fondly. "But they loved each other, very much. I never saw a man more in love with a woman than my father. His heart broke when she passed away." Her voice was soft. "He's never been the same since."
" I apologize for your loss. What was your mother's name?"
"My mother's name was Kai, which means willow or hazel. She went by Willow when they moved to England." She covered her mouth and yawned. "Excuse me."
"You must be tired." He stood up. "I'll bring the car round for you."
"No." she shook her head as she stood up. "Thank you again, but, I really would like to stretch my legs. It's a quick walk."
"Can we go?" Ruby asked.
Kate hesitated for a moment and looked to him for an answer. He hesitated and stated. "Go get your coats, we're going to walk Kate to her cottage."
They squealed and ran out of the room. "Really," Kate stated. "I don't want to be any trouble."
"You're not." He grabbed her empty bag and headed to the entryway.
"Are you sure?" she inquired as she walked after him. "I really don't want to be any inconvenience."
"Kate," he stated with an exhale. The woman could never accept any help, which, while not an unattractive trait, didn't allow much space for him to be alone with her at times. "did you ever stop to think that maybe I want to walk with you?"
Kate stopped in place and stared at him, her deep hazel eyes wide in surprise. He looked at her for a moment, semi-surprised that he'd actually admitted such a thought aloud to her. Then…he realized, he actually did mean it. She swallowed as she whispered. "It…didn't."
"Well, now you know that I do." He cleared his throat. "Get your hat and coat." Charlie and Ruby came running down the stairs. "Let's go."
Kate mutely did what he asked. For a moment, he thought he'd offended her, but when she pulled on her hat, she flashed him a faint smile. Yes, she was different from most women he'd met, genuinely innocent, honest and yet, there was a bold side to her.
It'd had been a while since he'd chased a woman before, but he still remembered how it went. He'd have to be careful with this one though, if he came on too strong…she'd run clean for the hills.
