Page 32 of Freedom Mine
* * *
KAYO
She’d been acting strange from the moment he mentioned taking her up the mountain. The entire trek up, he could see her body tensing, her mind building walls around itself. She’d refused to accept his hand through the muddy terrain or to speak with him.
He’d seen that look of disbelief and shock in her eyes before when he’d first bought her. He was starting to give up hope that one day she’d see him as a person and not an owner. For some reason, he couldn’t let it go, though he needed to. She wasn’t his and never would be.
Even so, he couldn’t walk away from her, the need to watch over her, to help her, too great to ignore. Which is why his mind was racing, trying to understand why she’d become so emotionally withdrawn. Maybe she feared running into one of the men up here.
Rage poured through him as he remembered she’d come running down the mountain the one and only time she’d ventured this way. Hells, wild animals hadn’t scared her. One of his men had. . . Kayo’s hands clenched at his side. As soon as he found out which man had threatened or attacked her, he’d make the man a living example of what would happen to anyone who touched her.
“And if two come at once?” she asked.
Yet another strange question from her, though there was more to her odd behavior. She didn’t sound fearful as much as belligerent.
“I wish you’d trust me more.” It was wrong to say it, to push her at all, but if he said too much, or the wrong thing, he’d scare her away completely. He hated not being able to say what he wanted.
She laughed. . . not a joy-filled laugh, either. More like the type of laugh where the only alternative is to cry. What the hell was going on with her?
Kayo picked up a small datapad, the type that easily fit in a person’s hand. “Can you read?”
“Yes,” she said, her lips tight, eyes glaring.
“Good. Here’s the list of supplies you’ll find inside and outside the shack, with the corresponding box numbers to make your search easy. Whatever you use, make sure you mark it on the pad so I’ll know when to reorder and send items up here.
“The water you’ll have to carry the old fashioned way, by bucket, from the stream due east and up from here. The path’s clear enough. There’s a pole with two buckets, one at each end, if that’s easier for you. Do whatever works. It’s a ten-minute hike at best, but you’ll have to refill the barrel outside when it gets low. It should be full now from all the rain. The men bring food with them each day, so you’ll have to remember to do the same for yourself.”
“So I’m to be a water beast as well?” she asked, her tone biting.
“As well as what?”
“You said I would see to all their needs.”
Her beautiful blue eyes had dimmed. Her behavior and everything he’d said to her streamed through his head. His chest felt tight. His lovely Blue thought he wanted her toservicethe men.
“Drekk,” he cursed as he paced in front of the shack. She remained inside, watching him, clearly eager to escape the small space. Hells, he’d blocked her exit, trapping her.
He stepped aside. “Get out here, Blue,” he said, for once not caring if it sounded like an order. The time for talking gentle and avoiding topics was over.
She stepped outside, her hand in her pocket. He could see the outline of a folding knife. Yeah, there it was, that pig sticker she’d had in her room.
“Blue, I never thought I’d be mad at you, but I am. I don’t know what you heard or when, but you heard wrong. And unless you think I’m that heartless and would use you, then you’re being unfair to me by not asking me outright or at least speaking up to object if you think I’m mistreating you.
“I never had a woman here, never even seen one on this property before, so I’m figuring this out as we go. So, listen close, Blue.
“I’d like you to help keep the miners alive and in good condition, nothing more. That means bringing them water, cleaning and patching scrapes and cuts, even counting heads from time to time to make sure no one’s wandered off and gotten lost in that maze down there.
“But that’s where your job ends when it comes to the men. That cot that I see you eyeing is for anyone who gets injured, or simply needs a rest, including you, but nothing more.
“If anyone gets out of line and says your duties include servicing them in any manner, kick ‘em in the balls and let me know. Or better yet, use that pig sticker that’s in your pocket. Is that clear?”
She nodded.
“No, you won’t do that anymore either. No more nodding and no more looking down when I talk to you. I want to see you, whether you’re happy, mad, or anything in between. I want to hear whatever it is you have to say, including any questions or even if you think I’m being a drekking asshole about something. I can’t read your mind, though I’m not sure I’d want to right now.”
“Alli,” she said.
“What alley?”
“That’s my name. Alli.”
That nearly floored him. He’d never heard anything sweeter, probably never would again. He’d given up hope that she’d ever trust him enough to give him her real name. He was smiling from ear to ear.
“Nice to meet you, Alli. I’m Kayo Variz, a man who tends to put his foot in his mouth more often than not, but I promise I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I hope in time you get to know me well enough to believe that.”
Blue eyes shone as a smile surfaced on the woman he hoped he’d get a chance to know.
“Hi, Kayo,” she said walking up to him and laying a hand on his chest.
He’d die and go to heaven right there, except he wanted to hear what she’d say, or do. The world no longer seemed so dark, not with his Alli there.
