Free King's Ransom by Sharon Sala

Maggie looked worn to a frazzle. It had been a long day
for someone her age as well. "You know how stiff the faucets are on my
bathtub. I'll need someone to run my bath. Maybe in a day or two, when my hands
get stronger, I won't have to ask."
    "Sure I can,
Jesse." King had also noticed how exhausted Maggie seemed to be. They were
all so used to her coping with every aspect of ranch life that they hadn't
noticed she was growing older. It was good that Jesse was back. Maggie needed
company. "You go on to bed, too, Maggie. I'll lock up and see to Jesse's
needs. After all, I haven't done such a bad job for the last few days, have I, Jess?"
    Jesse smiled
shyly and turned away, suddenly afraid he would see more in her expression than
she wanted him to.
    Maggie didn't
argue. She just gave Jesse a weary hug before heading toward her own rooms off
the kitchen area. "Sleep tight," she called back, and then closed her
door.
    "Come on,
Jesse Rose," King teased. "You're next. By the time I get all my
women put to bed, it'll be time to get up."
    All his women
indeed! Jesse glared at his back as they walked down the hallway leading to the
bedroom wing and wrinkled her nose at him in teasing fashion, knowing full well
he couldn't see her actions.
    "Just
because you have no middle name," she muttered, "doesn't mean you
need to wear mine out."
    "Well,"
King answered, stating his point with unequivocal assurance. "After naming
a baby King, what in hell else could follow?"
    Jesse grinned and
followed him into her room. She watched him disappear into her bathroom, and
heard the sounds of water splashing full force into the depths of the
old-fashioned claw-foot tub. She loved it, and had refused offers of having a
new model installed years ago. It was long and deep, and was ideal for soaking.
But the fixtures were old and stiff and resisted all but the firmest of grips.
    "It's
running," King announced, as he entered the bedroom area. "Need any
help unpacking? I don't know what Sheila included, but if you don't have something
you need, just make a list. I'll take you to
Tulsa
anytime you want to go."
    "I'm sure I
can manage," Jesse said, and continued to search through the open bags
while King waited for the tub to fill. Her hands felt the familiar, well-worn
softness. She smiled, pulling a faded, black, oversized T-shirt from beneath
the neatly folded lingerie. Thank goodness for Sheila! She remembered.
    "It's my
favorite," Jesse said gleefully, holding it up under her chin and spinning
around to the mirror over her dresser.
    King watched the
look of glee on Jesse's face and then saw what had made it appear. He didn't
know whether to laugh or taste the smile on her face. The feeling that pulled
at him was unfamiliar and probably marked the beginning of a sleepless night.
He couldn't get past the image that flashed in his mind of taking that damn
"Bo Knows" T-shirt off her body and making sure he was the only one
who "knew" Jesse LeBeau.
    "The tub's
running over," Jesse cried, and dashed toward the bathroom, right behind
King.
    "Sorry,"
he mumbled, mopping at the floor with the fluffy white towels Maggie had
provided. She was going to kill him for using them on the floor, but he'd
grabbed them before he thought. "I'll get you fresh towels," he
offered, then grinned sheepishly at the look of merriment on Jesse's face.
"If you don't tell Maggie."
    They both burst
out laughing and the tenseness he'd felt moments earlier disappeared. He didn't
know what was getting into him. Jesse didn't deserve his betrayal at this
crucial time in her life, and he had no intention of frightening her with any
sort of out-of-character behavior. She'd suffered all the surprises she needed
for the time being.
    "I'll be
fine now," she said, pushing him out the door of her room. "And,
King," she called as he entered the door of his room across the hall,
"thanks for everything."
    She closed the
door without waiting for an answer and King felt oddly alone.
    Jesse had