Kiss Me, Chloe Page 4

Chloe removed the hat and leaned back. Kyle let her fall a little farther than expected, eliciting a surprised laugh. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs kicked out, sending her shoes flying across the room! The photographer laughed, snapped the photo, and said, “Perfect!”

  “Kyle! You almost dropped me!” she managed at last, dabbing at tears of laughter.

  Everyone in the store was laughing. Kyle hugged Chloe, his breath warm on her neck when he laughed, full and free. Feeling his arms around her, his hands on her back, made her breathless. She wished time would freeze so this brief happiness could last longer.

  “Never in a million years would I drop you. You’re safe and sound as long as I’m nearby.” He pecked her cheek in a brotherly way, raising another blush in her cheeks.

  He couldn’t believe how easily embarrassed she was. In this day and age, women tended to be bold and worldly, used to being held and kissed. Chloe, on the other hand, fit perfectly into the age captured by the photographs taken of them. Old-fashioned, shy, demure in a lovely way. If he kissed her for real, she might faint. He might just have to put some smelling salts in his pocket and test that theory in Ouray. If she’d release him from that promise to treat her like his sister, of course.

  When she came out of the dressing area, carrying the dress, her nervous smile told him something else entirely. He thought back to the restaurant, when he’d held her hand. You’d’ve thought he’d suggested living together from her reaction. And sitting in his lap, with their arms around each other, she’d hardly known what to do.

  Starved for affection. That sorry no-good cheating boyfriend of hers probably hadn’t held her hand or kissed her the way a woman deserved to be kissed in a month of Sundays. She’d forgotten what it was to be loved.

  The realization pierced his heart with sadness, and bolstered his resolve to see to it she was pampered the whole time she stayed at the Byrd’s Nest this weekend. If this lady needed affection, she’d stumbled onto the right man for it. But he’d take care not to frighten her with too much too soon. Mountains were good for healing, as she’d said. But genuine emotion could be even better to salve her wounds.

  Chloe hung the dress back on the hanger, wishing she could relive the last few minutes, over and over. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed being held and touched. She’d missed laughing, too. But right now, she felt embarrassed by her schoolgirl reaction to being hugged. How would she react if he tried to kiss her? She’d probably swoon, like a schoolgirl.

  The pictures were developed in record time, then slipped into cardboard frames. She had to admit they were all wonderful, especially the last one. The photographer had captured their laughter in the most flattering way possible. The picture would remind her of the exhilaration she’d felt, of the thrill of being carefree, if only for a few precious minutes.

  Kyle insisted on paying for all the pictures. She didn’t argue with him. Right now, he could suggest a rocket to the moon and she’d probably say, “When do we leave?”

  A piercing blast lured them outside. The Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway chuffed into town, then spilled a swarm of passengers into the streets.

  “The train will turn around while everyone shops,” Kyle explained, “then it’ll take everyone back to Durango this afternoon.”

  “How much farther is it to Ouray?” Chloe glanced at her watch. “I know I’m going to want to take pictures on the way. I don’t want to lose the light.”

  “We’d better head that way. Want to follow me?

  “Where is your rig?”

  “I left it in Durango and rented that red truck over there. I’d never take my big rig on this highway.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” He slipped his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. “Do you mind? If you’d rather I didn’t—”

  “I don’t mind,” she said quickly, chastising herself for being so quick to answer.

  “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

  He didn’t have to explain. She nodded, her throat suddenly tight, her eyes moist with tears.

  They reached the parking area. Kyle walked to her car—the blue Civic, as he’d suspected. That meant she’d been at the same hotel last night. Maybe in the room next to his.

  She looked through the pictures again. “I really love this one.” She held up the last picture. “I’m glad he made two copies. I might’ve had to arm wrestle Byrdie for it.”

  “She wouldn’t have put up too much of a fuss, but she’ll be glad to have another picture to add to her collection. She has enough pictures of me to start a gallery.”

  Kyle loved being responsible for that sweet smile, and for her laughter in the studio. He also loved the feel of her in the crook of his arm. She fit there perfectly, as though she’d been made to order.

  “We’ll take it easy on the Million Dollar Highway. Enjoy the scenery and stop whenever you want to take some pictures.”

  Back in the car, Chloe discovered she felt safe, knowing Kyle was just ahead of her, watching in the rear-view mirror. She glanced at the pictures lying next to her on the seat and smiled. Chalk up one more point for Kyle Stanton. She realized she hadn’t given him her cell phone number. She’d take care of that once they got to Ouray. She turned the phone on. Three more messages from Greg, and another missed call. She deleted them with a smile.

  Chapter 5

  Chloe fully understood the name, “Million Dollar Highway,” by the time they got to Ouray. The road had been literally scratched from the side of the mountain and, for a good bit of the way, there was barely enough room for one car in each lane. Passing was out of the question. Red rock cliffs shone in the afternoon sun. Their incredible age and constancy reminded her that time belonged to her now.

  Several times they pulled over and he waited patiently while she framed shot after shot. She’d known better than to take her camera when she’d gone somewhere with Greg. He considered amateur photography a waste of valuable time and could never understand why she couldn’t just “point and click,” instead of waiting for the right light, jockeying her position to capture the most effective angle or composition. Her digital camera would set the shot for her, but she wanted to be a part of the pictures she took. Most of all, Greg couldn’t fathom why Chloe would want to have any hobby. Hobbies took money and time. Time spent working produced money. And money had become the bottom line in Greg’s world.

  Near Ouray, the highway bent around the corner of the mountain and widened into an overlook area. Kyle pulled over and Chloe parked beside him. The village lay nestled in a narrow valley with mountains hovering protectively on every side. A sign proclaimed Ouray the “Switzerland of America.”

  Chloe let her gaze wander from mountain to mountain, surveying the scene as a whole, rather than focusing on the individual parts. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful,” she whispered.

  Kyle slipped one arm around her. “The first time I saw it, I felt as though I’d come home. It’s a special little corner of the world, all right.”

  A scraggly pine grew haphazardly from the rock ledge of the overhang. Chloe immediately saw the photo possibilities. Retrieving her camera from the car, she framed the picture with the pine tree on one side, Ouray in the center, mountains shoulder to shoulder, in the background.

  Perfect.

  Wildflowers clustered along the edge of the road. She knelt to get closer to a stalk of Indian paintbrush, thrusting

  hot pink spikes toward a clear azure sky. Chloe imagined the flower feeling thrilled to be alive, decorating this fairytale habitat, just as she felt thrilled to be able to capture it with her camera. She’d enjoy the flower for years to come, after it had gone to seed at the end of a brief, glorious life.

  Kyle pointed out the Uncompahgre River, rushing through the far side of the valley at a furious pace. The village lay between snow-capped, towering peaks. Houses painted pastel colors lined the streets, shaded by a dozen varieties of trees.

  “This looks like a perfect place
to bloom,” Chloe murmured. She’d found what she’d been searching for, a place to heal.

  The mountain village, seasoned with a thousand rainbow shades in the wildflowers, matched Chloe’s dream of paradise on earth. This was it! This is the place she’d been looking for. There was still hope and love in the world and she could have it all. All she had to do was hold fast and linger a while.

  She took one more picture, through the blur of happy tears, and whispered, “I’ve come home.”

  Kyle’s heart pounded at the sight of Chloe kneeling in front of the brilliant stalk of paintbrush. Sherry, if she’d noticed the flower at all, would’ve picked it for a few moments of enjoyment, then thrown it away to die. Chloe had immortalized its beauty on film and left it for others to enjoy.

  He wandered to where she stood gazing over the valley. When he heard her say, “I’ve come home,” a quickening in his chest brought a rush of pleasure—and desire.

  “I’m so glad you asked me to come, Kyle. Somehow, Ouray feels exactly right.” Impulsively, she slipped her arms around him, resting her head perfectly in the hollow of his shoulder.

  His heart raced. “My feelings exactly.” All his best intentions to go slowly evaporated when she turned her face up to his and parted her lips in a happy smile. He trailed his fingers down her cheek to the corner of her mouth, then touched his lips to hers.

  Her cheeks pinked in response, then her smile faded.

  Terrified he’d ruined everything, he breathed a relieved sigh when she smiled and hugged him tighter.

  This woman had been hurt so deeply. When a kiss could bring such happiness, there had to be more pain than she would admit. More than anything, he wanted to bring her joy and love.

  Time to lighten the mood.

  “By the time we get settled at Byrdie’s, it’ll be too late for a tour, but I’ll be glad to show you everything in the morning. How does that sound?”

  “Wonderful. I’d love it.”

  Following Kyle to Byrdie’s, Chloe struggled with new feelings, brought to the surface when he’d kissed her. She tried to remember the last time Greg had spontaneously kissed her—and couldn’t pinpoint the time or place. Had it been that long since she’d experienced that little sign of love and caring? How could she have lived without reminders of what they’d shared, of how they felt about each other? Yet she had, and the result was the barren, empty heart she’d brought from Houston.

  That same heart pounded in Kyle’s arms, especially when his lips touched hers. Yet he hadn’t tried to kiss her again. The truth dawned with a shiver. He knew. And, more important, he cared.

  She made herself think about Ouray for a moment. She’d stay for the weekend, then decide whether to stay longer, or explore further. As right as Ouray felt, she knew she probably ought to see more of the state before deciding where to settle.

  When they pulled up in front of “The Byrd’s Nest,” a new question surfaced, one she hadn’t thought of until now. Would it be a mistake to stay at Byrdie’s? It could be interpreted as a clear invitation to Kyle to move in and take possession of the heart Greg had abandoned. As attractive as Kyle was, she feared another close relationship so soon. It would be easy to rebound, with Kyle all syrupy over her, understanding her need to hold hands and exchange sweet kisses after being neglected for such a long time. Truly, a sweet man, but she knew practically nothing about him.

  One thing for sure, though. Kyle would be crushed if she didn’t stay with Aunt Byrdie for the weekend. She’d have to make it clear to him she couldn’t offer more than friendship right now. Having met him and having found Ouray was like drizzling hot fudge on the perfect sundae. But that didn’t mean she intended to have ice cream every day—or the Kyle Stanton flavor for the rest of her life. She’d have to be careful with those impulsive hugs and kisses in the future, no matter how wonderful they made her feel.

  “The Byrd’s Nest,” a lavender clapboard house trimmed in white, towered to a sharply peaked roof, like a fancy wedding cake, drizzled with trumpet vines, ivy, wisteria, and a dozen other creepers. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

  “Open your trunk then go on in,” Kyle called, stepping down from the pickup. “I’ll bring your luggage.”

  Chloe grabbed her overnight bag, admired the covered porch, complete with a swing at one end, then knocked on the front door. From inside, she heard a muffled, “Come on in!”

  The screen door, with its old-fashioned grillwork and a swirled design, bounced several times before settling into its familiar niche in the doorframe. The living room of the old house was full to the point of clutter with antique furniture, crocheted doilies, dresser scarves, porcelain knickknacks, and high backed chairs with faded needlepoint cushions, clustered around a huge couch on the wall adjacent to the fireplace. Old rose dominated the multitude of colors, with plenty of moss and cream highlights. Thoroughly charming.

  A woman bustled in from the kitchen. This had to be Byrdie. With three chins and a rounded belly, dressed in a blue checked dress and an apron from chin to knees, her broad smile blended perfectly with her lightly lined face. Chloe loved her on sight.

  “Come in, come in!” she boomed, laughing as though she were greeting a long lost granddaughter. “I’m Byrdie. Are you looking for a room for the weekend?”

  Kyle came up on the porch, loaded with luggage, hollering, “That’s her, Byrdie!”

  “Kyle! I didn’t recognize you in those fancy wheels.” She turned back to Chloe. “Your room is ready and waiting, Chloe. I’m so glad you’ve come to Ouray for the Fourth.”

  “Kyle was awfully persuasive. I had no idea he’d already called in a reservation for me.”

  Kyle grinned sheepishly. “I called her the morning after we met.”

  “How did you know I’d come?”

  “I didn’t. But I hoped you would.”

  Byrdie tweaked his cheek. “Cute, don’t you think? He’s my favorite nephew.”

  “I’m her only nephew.” He set the luggage by the staircase, then gathered Byrdie in a huge bear hug, whirling her around with little effort. “How’s my favorite girl?” He kissed her soundly on the cheek.

  “Wonderful, now that you’re here.”

  Chloe didn’t have to worry another minute about staying at the Nest. After meeting this precious woman, she wouldn’t think of staying anywhere else.

  “Come upstairs and let me show you to your room, Chloe. Kyle, you know where yours is.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye and a wink for Chloe.

  “I usually ask how long my guests are planning to stay, but for you, Chloe, it makes no difference. The room is yours for as long as you want it. Kyle’s told me so much about you, I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

  “What exactly did he tell you?” she asked carefully, feeling a bit ill at ease for the first time.

  “Just that you were tired of Houston and ready to breathe some mountain air. Oh, and he told me not to mention anything about your sorry, no good boyfriend. But I guess I just did, didn’t I? Well, excuse me for that. I’m getting senile, I guess. Course, I’ve always been this way, so I don’t suppose getting old has anything to do with my state of mind.”

  Kyle grinned at Chloe, embarrassed to have been found out. Chloe shook her head slightly, scolding him silently, yet she couldn’t hold back a smile. Byrdie continued her chatter without breaking stride.

  “Your room’s next door to Kyle’s, so if you need anything, just knock on the wall and I’m sure he’ll come running. I’m putting you in my favorite room, blue and white with buttercup accents. I made the curtains myself, and the quilt, too. I hope you like it. Kyle asked if it was available. The folks who were in there left early yesterday morning, so I had plenty of time to change the linen and get everything nice and fresh before you got here.”

  Chloe felt a bit overwhelmed with Byrdie’s non-stop commentary, and a bit railroaded, too, but decided it wasn’t a bad feeling. She couldn’t deny how
good it felt to have two affectionate people fuss over her. If only Greg had had the time to fuss over her a fourth as much, she’d probably still be in Houston now. The idea made her shudder.

  “Does Kyle visit often, Mrs. Byrd?”

  “If you don’t call me Byrdie, I may not answer! He stops by about once a month, real considerate when it comes to paying visits and helping me with chores around the house. He sometimes brings me something, too. You know, some little trinket he runs across when he’s traveling.” She patted Kyle’s cheek as though he were six years old.

  “How sweet of him.” Chloe picked up a marble egg, with blue swirls creating a lovely background for bluebonnets all the way around.

  “That’s one of the things he brought me from the Texas Hill Country.” Pride showed on her ruddy face like rouge.

  “He has good taste,” Chloe said, and Byrdie agreed. Kyle dug his toe into the worn, but clean blue carpeting. “Shucks, ma’am. ‘Twarn’t nothing.”

  “Well, I’d best be getting downstairs to tend to my cooking. Supper’s at six. Don’t be late. We have a full house and that includes three teenage boys who could put away every last bite by themselves. I’m also working on a stew for lunch tomorrow, so there are a dozen pots to watch.” She puffed a little going down the stairs.

  Chloe wondered how long Byrdie had lived in Ouray.

  “I’ve been here all my life,” she called back over her shoulder, as though she’d read Chloe’s mind. “I love it here. It’s a wonderful place to live, and the people—and my guests—I like to call them my ‘nesters’—are the salt of the earth.”

  Just like you, Chloe thought, and followed her downstairs to get the rest of her things from the car. Kyle caught up to her, having deposited his suitcase in the room next to hers.

  “After you get all your stuff, I’ll put the car in the garage for you. Town is two blocks away, so we won’t need it.”

  “Do you ever bring your big rig up here?”

  “Not too often. That highway is tough enough in a car or pickup. When I do, though, I park over at the 4J RV Park in their overflow area. I never bring it on a holiday weekend, though. No room.”