Chatterton Place: Secrets Unravel

CHATTERTON PLACE

BOOK TWO

Secrets Unravel

By Patricia Carol Garlitz

Copyright 2009 by Patricia Carol Garlitz

Smashwords Edition

The Chatterton Place Series,

Characters, names, and related

Indicia are trademarks ©

of Patricia Carol Garlitz

All rights Reserved.

CHAPTER ONE

NEW BEGINNINGS

The harmony that the holiday season had fostered lasted longer than even she herself would have imagined. She’d never gone three months at any point in her life, without disagreeing with her brothers. Then again, she hadn't even included them, in her New Year’s wish for peace. The week between the two great days had been so much fun, with everyone involved that she’d actually allowed herself to wish it would never end.

Mike had returned to his good old dry humored, logical self. When he didn't wish to become involved in differing affairs, he merely said so, instead of putting everyone else down for wanting to do it.

Even with all that she’d managed to fit back into her workday. The kids found time to pull her off and take a sleigh ride, or build a snowman in the lower fields. Once, they even talked her onto an inner tube, and down one of the steep hills by the lake. Sandwiched between reports, and beds to be made, the season was the most joyful she could remember.

It had been thoughts of peace that had filled her head the morning of February third. She was making up one of the five rooms she was responsible for each morning, when she caught sight of the sunrise through the first bedroom window off the back steps.

A new snow covered the ground, and made everything twinkle as if it were heavens dust. Silvery slivers of clouds filled the eastern sky, laced with hues of lavender and pink. It took her breath away, as she stepped around the bed to draw back the curtain. She’d heard Mike speaking to someone in the hall. However, when Jim's familiar touch caressed her shoulder, she turned to catch a quick glimpse of him and Mike standing behind her and she shuttered. The scene was complete.

Maybe we should turn away. She suggested.

Why Mike’s deep, voice rang in her ears.

It's to perfect, we're all here. I just—

Shhh Jim drew a bit closer You can tell him later. Watch, and enjoy.

What if it's the last? she asked, not turning her head.

Then as you said, the scene's complete. We're all here. Was Jim's reply, the second warm touch on her back, indicated that Mike was making his presence know as well. Clutching the pillow so close, it rose and fell with every breath. She continued to drink in the warmth of the knowledge, that they were all there and watched the splattering rays of the sun, burst over the mountain, in a fiery ball of orange. When the rays shot in every direction, including up, which she’d never seen it do before, she started to tremble, Jim wrapped his hand around her and caught her right hand on his. Seconds later, when no angels had appeared, she was left to explain her silly dream to Mike, who to her surprise, said it wasn't so silly.

If that's to be the way it looks, I'm sure you would know. And if it means the three of us will be here, then I'm sure this is where we'll be. his statement was brief but right to the point. In that statement, he’d erased all the wrongs he’d done over the last year of their marriage, and set up how life would be ran from that minute on. Jim didn't speak, but he didn't leave with Mike either. He stepped back off to the side, as she finished puffing the pillow, and folding the quilt up over it. Then as they were about to leave the room, he asked

Why this room? he’d been deep in thought, on the subject. I mean – just how often do you get in this room? he was right, it not one she normally cleaned.

I don't know. She whispered at the door as she stepped back, and allowed him to close it.

Life continued pretty much that way the rest spring she thought, shuffling the papers around on the kitchen table. St. Patty's day had just turned the page of the calendar, and she still didn't like working in the basement. Mr. Becksted was still in England, where he’d been researching her Grandmother's families, since the first of the year. Hoping to find a legal document, to take back to the court on May 4th, when the extension ran out. While he searched for answers, she avoided all thought of anything other then what was happening at this moment, although the questions remained in the back of her mind. The biggest that loomed unanswered, was why Mike had changed his mind, and moved there after proclaiming the lands total worthlessness.

She’d discovered that the rose lady had something to do with it. Or she was pretty sure it was the rose lady. The day of the round up after they got back to the big house, Jake had said he’d figured it out. Proclaiming that Mike was the light and Jim the dark.

It could mean Jim works during the day and Mike the night. she’d added her own thoughts on the matter. Either way, they'd both come up with the fact, that both Jim and Mike were part of the equation. However, what had happened to change Mike's fear of the place, and thoughts of losing her. That change had come on Christmas morning, when she thought him and Jim was going to kill each other, but instead she had discovered them, shaking hands. What had Jim told him, to bring back the lovable man she’d once known and loved?

Mike had not attempted to lure her into his bed since then, but neither had Jim for that matter. While there were those stolen kisses between she and Jim, there was no pressure for it to move any further. Even though she had declared, she was going to divorce Mike after the first of the year. Neither of them spoke of it, it was as if the events that lead to the declaration hadn't occurred.

Moving back to the balance sheet of the third quarter, she lifted her head to notice the snowbird sitting on her windowsill. His black head and brown tummy fluttered in the gentle wind, blowing up the canyon. Mike had just left, taking Jason to Salt Lake for a Jazz game, and wouldn't be back until Monday night. The older kid's had all gone to St. George, for a reunion of computer classmates.

She was left behind as usual. Mike had been spending a lot of time away from the place on weekends. If he wasn't off to Vegas, he drove one kid or the other to Salt Lake. Mainly she’d begin to think he was avoiding her. Of course, Jim made it a point to stop by, to make sure she was all right, before heading on home himself.

The pine-scented air the drifted through the partial open window, called for her to escape, but the tax papers had to be filed in only a week, so she stuck to the job at hand.

She’d become so engrossed in the fantastic figures coming up on the papers. She thought she had lost an entire day when Jim rapped at the back door, but it was only a little before two. She’d just completed the most perplexing forms she’d ever seen, in less time than it had taken her to do the daily audit, when she first started.

When he said he was headed up the canyon, to let Lightening run around and stretch his legs, she grabbed her jacket immediately and joined him. After rambling on about the reports she’d just finished, he looked at her and said.

So it sounds as if you'll be here for another year.

She’d been trying not to think of the upcoming court date, and his statement brought it all looming back to the forefront.

Only God knows how true, I hope that It. she uttered sliding from the truck. He’d caught the drift of her remark at once.

He'll see to it.

The winter snows still caped the high cliffs, and doted the lower valley, but only on the northern exposures. Wild flowers had started popping their head through the moist soil, everywhere else.

I don't think I could live without this place.

You've stopped cursing it. Does that mean you're acclimatizing? he’d kidded her all winter about freezing to death. Therefore, his acclimatizing comment made her chuckle.

I never really hated it, she paused wondering how she could state it without asking a question. I just had trouble handling all the little questions that came with the place.

Like what? he asked, opening the trailer door.

I don't like the way the answers come, so I've even stopped listing the questions. The wide smirk on his face, told of his understanding for her dilemma. You got some saddles in there too?

I didn't come up here to ride. He announced releasing Lightening from the rope, I just needed to get out of that house. But I always bring a saddle. He told her, while handing her a saddle. Remember how to put it on?

Like I'd forget how in only a few months Rosie was larger then she’d remembered, broader across the back and securing the belt around her belly more difficult than she remembered.

Watching the little colt was like looking at it namesake. The jagged white patch of hair down his nose looked just like a shuttering bolt sent down from the heavens. His long legs and flowing main reminded her of the show; black beauty. They followed along as he wondered about the different paths, never moving to far from Rosie, at any given time. Emma followed as Jim led the way, in silence. Her mind was working overtime, on all the things Jim had told her There'll be no one night stands for this man. When you come to my bed, it’s forever, or Never. Now she wondered if she could give all. Not right know – she shook off the thought.

She should’ve kept her mind on the task, instead of daydreaming. If she’d only seen the patch of ice, she could’ve avoided it, forgoing the pain and embarrassment of dropping Rosie to her knees.

The pain of landing on her right side, after hitting the horn with all her might, was her last thought. Rosie came first. If her leg was broken – she didn't even want to think of it.

Springing to her knees she, pushed back Jim's prying hand and declared, Rosie, make sure she's Ok. He didn't look to fond of her request, but he did as she told him. It didn't take long for him to assist Rosie to her feet, then turning to pull Emma up as well, he said, She's just bruised.

Thank God, she uttered, but refused to take his hand.

Your hurt. he declared dropping to his knees.

No, I’m fine she forced through clinched teeth. I—

Bull, you only bite your bottom lip, when you’re in pain of some kind. he pushed back her hair that had fallen around her face. Mike's going to kill me, I promised to not let anything happen to you.

I'm just bruised. she turned to climb up taking hold of the tree. Believe me.

Yeah, and I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. his sarcastic response, didn't ease her pain.

Standing, she looked about herself, in hopes that the truck wasn't too far away. No luck, she didn't even recognize the area. Some twenty feet away, lay the edge of the tallest cliff, behind the falls. She’d never seen the view from this point. It would’ve been breath taking, if the horn of the saddle hadn't already taken it.

It's beautiful she exclaimed through the pain that gripped her right side, and chest.

Why are you so damn stubborn, Girl? he demanded an answer, righting himself, next to her. Turning to look directly into his eye she asked.

Would you prefer I cry? she knew that left him helpless.

Where does it hurt? he wrapped his arm across her stomach and slide his other hand under the back of her jacket, to stroke her right side.

The moment his hand touched her silk blouse, those inner feeling she’d been trying to hide, came rushing to the top. Heightening all of her sense's to an aroused peek. His cologne filled her nostrils, and the added warmth of his body removed even the nip from the air as they stood in the shade of the large pine.

As he gently caressed her rib cage, she noted every breath he took. The way his chest rose and fell against her back, the tension in his thighs, as she lay back against him. She even noticed the way that his hand holding her close to him trembled.

Softly, he stroked the smooth fabric across her burning skin. His breath came at a rapid pace, causing the moist air to fall against her neck. Silently she cursed the spot where God had chosen to place her arousal spot.

Burying his nose in her hair, allowed the spot to be reached with greater ease, even if he didn't know it was there – he obviously couldn't miss the way her breathing had stepped up. Her aching breasts rose and fell in sequence with his movements towards them. Soon her own weight seemed too much for her shaky legs to hold.

Her free hand was trembling with an excitement she’d tried to teach the girls to overcome. Crazy hormone's, she’d referred to them as. She gripped the tree unrelentingly with the other. Feeling the rough surface beneath her hand, hoping it would add to the reality she was passing from, with each breath.

As the battle waged inside her, Jim appeared to be waging a battle of his own. Shifting from one foot to the other, he rearranged his weight to force his hips closer to her. The final straw of her undoing came when her own legs buckled under his hot breath on her neck. Allowing her body to slump, causing his hand, for the briefest of moments to encounter her breast.

Quickly he pulled back, but her hand was faster than his.. Pressing it back into place, she cringed, at her own forwardness. Timidly he removed it once more. Gently turning her and pressing her back to the tree, he scooped up her flushed face, to smother her trembling lips with his. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he lifted her enough to grind his hips into her. Releasing any resemblance of a last thought, she grew week under his roaming caress.

He nibbled at her top lip and sucked at the bottom. Smothered little kisses down one check and up the other, then returning to the chin, he slide his tongue down the gentle slope of her neck.

Lowering her long lashes to cover her blinded eyes, she longed for all she’d been deprived of by not seeing his feeble attempt to protect her twenty years earlier. How could she have forgotten this man, which now drew her to such heights of pleasure, far beyond any she’d ever known? His mere touch was like a hot iron on her skin.

Returning to her throbbing lips, he forced their separation and probed the depth of her soul, by pressing his hard thigh between her legs. What little resistance she might of had hidden up washed from her, leaving open wanting.

She’d clung tightly to his shoulders, supporting herself there, until that minute. Now her fingers, fumbled with his shirt buttons, parting the non-resistant fabric, to allow the tips of her fingers, to touch the hair that lay there.

She wanted to feel her skin against his, so she slid her hands in, too draw small circles on his skin. She pressed herself forward, tipping her hips – to create a small indention in her back. His hands immediately found the hollow area, snapping her tighter, to his hips.

The sharp pain that surfaced was soon forced to the bottom again. When she moved her lips down his firm chin and found the tawny colored skin of his chest, laying baby kisses everywhere she went. When his hands scooped up her face and drug her lips back to his, she was disappointed. A small moan, rolled from the back of her throat, in protest. Gripping her forearms, he gently squeezed, saying

Not here

She found I need you. slipping from her over excited mouth, staring up into his eyes, with an underlying plea.

I need – he paused, and drew a deep breath. Looking up at the blue sky I need to get you home he finished pulling back, leaving her exposed breasts to shutter in the cool air.

When he turned to locate the horses, she clutched her blouse closed. However, the little growl that sprung from his lips, as he glanced down at them said he wasn't finished.

Quickly he looped Rosie's rein to Thunder's saddle horn and mounted the large mare. Then as carefully as possible, she slipped her foot into his vacated stirrup and with his help, pulled herself to an English-style riding pose. Positioning her across his left thigh, wrapping her arms around his neck, he started down the trail, towards the truck.

Her concentration had been broken. She now could feel the pain surging around her rib cage, splitting the muscles, ripping at her lungs, with every quick movement Thunder made. Pressing her face to his chest, she attempted to brace herself, against the unwanted movement. With each sway, a small moan found its way up, from the pit of her stomach.

She’d been working so hard at driving the retched pain from her body. That she didn't notice the excitement mounting in his body, with each little moan.

If you don't stop that, I'll rip those cloths off you right here.

The unexpected added pressure on her side caused more than a moan to be pushed from her lips. With the whimpering cry, he pulled her face up to expose her silent tears, streaming down her cheeks.

You’re hurt worst then you said – Damn it Girl. Why didn't you say something? his tone was gentle, but the words bit at her inner peace.

Forcing her moist cheek back to his naked chest, she whispered. You must think me uncouth, I'm always whimpering about something, I’m clumsy and awkward. Fall on a fence brake a rib. Be towed into a helicopter. Break a rib. Allow the gentlest horse on the ranch to drop me on my butt and—

Break another rib. he finished her statement. He moved thunder at an increased rate of speed. Then stupid me, I drag you through a bunch of bull shit, before going for help, now I need to get you to the Doc.

No she tensed up at the mere word.

Okay he stroked her arm I'll just call him.

Removing the arch from her back, she leaned against his chest with greater comfort, and sighed Alright.

Once he had her comfortable in the truck and the horses loaded, he climbed in the driver’s door and started the rickety old thing. Pulling onto the main road, he suddenly asked her, Don’t you like Todd?

I think he's the best. I mean – well you know what I mean. she knew he’d been addressing her fear of doctors, but the story was too long and complicated to go into right then. Although she felt better not being juggled up and down, her side still pulsated with every breath she took.

He's good. You shouldn't fear him, I mean even if he did give you that shot – he didn't know.

I know she laid her head down on his thigh. It's not him. It's just a long story.

Realizing the difficulty she was having breathing, he merely responded

Don't talk. I'll call him when I get you back to the big house.

Suddenly remembering that she was to look after the house that night, while Beth and Rob, slipped away. She started to sit up, but found his warm hand holding her in place. Laying her head back down, she whispered through pinched lips.

I've got to watch the house, tonight.

You’re in no condition to watch that place.

But she had to pause to take another small breath Beth. I promised to let her have the night off.

Then I'll take care of it, but you’re going to bed, Girl. he drew his hand up to stroke her long hair Alone. His tone was final, so there was no need to bother trying to argue with him.

The minute he assisted her through the door, Beth snapped to attention. Offering to