Finding Home Again (Catalina Cove)

by Brenda Jackson

  Ray had purchased the two-bedroom, two-bath home a year after moving to the cove. It was a beautiful house and ideal for one person. There was a screened-in porch on the back that faced an apple grove. The grove was beautiful and the scent of apples filled the entire house.

  Over lunch Ashley told them the house that she and Ray were having built on the ocean was supposed to be finished before the twins were born. “Ray and I want to lease this place instead of selling it. When that time comes we’ll contact you to handle it for us,” she said to Bryce.

  Bryce smiled. “Thanks, and I’ll be glad to do that. It should be an easy rental.”

  “Since you were busy playing catch-up at your office last weekend, do you have big plans for this weekend to celebrate?” Vashti asked, taking a sip of her apple cider.

  Bryce shook her head. “No. I just plan to take it easy and chill. However, I am meeting with Kaegan on Saturday morning.”

  Vashti looked at her, surprised. “You are? Why?”

  Bryce smiled. “Kaegan is expanding his business and is presently eyeing Boston Harbor.” She figured she wasn’t telling them anything they probably didn’t already know since their husbands were Kaegan’s best friends. “He hired me to find potential properties for his business in Boston and handle all the arrangements, whether he decides to buy or lease.”

  “That’s a strong way to kick off this new phase of your career as a real-estate broker. It’s pretty nice of him to select you for the job,” Ashley said, smiling.

  “I think it was, too,” Bryce agreed.

  Vashti looked at her curiously over the rim of her glass. Bryce knew that look. “What?” she asked her best friend.

  “Nothing,” Vashti said, smiling.

  Bryce leaned in toward Vashti. “Oh, no, there is something, Vash. I know that look.”

  Smiling, Vashti propped her fists under her chin and rested her elbows on the table. “Does the job require any traveling?”

  Bryce knew what Vashti was getting at and leaned back in her chair. “Yes,” she said softly.

  Vashti’s smile widened. “What did you say? I can’t hear you,” she said, singing the last sentence.

  Bryce glared playfully at Vashti. “Yes, it requires traveling.”

  “You and Kaegan together?”

  Bryce rolled her eyes. “It’s not what you think.”

  “Okay,” Vashti said, straightening up and picking up her glass.

  Bryce knew that meant Vashti didn’t believe a word she said.

  “Am I missing something?” Ashley asked, looking from Vashti to Bryce.

  “Nothing other than Bryce and Kaegan might be traveling out of town together quite a bit.”

  “That’s interesting,” Ashley said, smiling.

  Not looking at Vashti, Bryce spoke to Ashley and said, “And those times when we do, he’ll have his hotel room and I’ll have mine.”

  Vashti grinned. “And probably with a connecting door in between.”

  Bryce rolled her eyes again and took a sip of her wine. “Like I said, it’s not what you think.”

  Vashti nodded. “That’s right. You and Kaegan are good friends and nothing more. I got it.”

  Bryce stared at Vashti, knowing her friend hadn’t gotten it at all. Deciding to change the subject, she turned to Ashley. “So what happened with your folks? I thought they would be hanging around for a while.”

  Ashley shook her head. “Ray asked them to leave. He would have let my father stay but he knew he wouldn’t do so without my mother, so he asked both of them to leave and not return until they are invited. Ray also told them when they say they’re coming to visit for two weeks, the welcome mat will only be out for two weeks and not three or more.”

  “Wow,” Bryce said, not believing the unflappable Ray had done that, and that Ashley didn’t seem bothered that he had. “You’re not mad at Ray? After all, they are your parents.”

  Ashley shook her head. “I know my parents better than anyone. Dad is great, but Mom is controlling. Devon Ryan knew how to handle her, which is the way Ray handled them three days ago. He had to remind my mother why they never got along. He knows how she operates, and he didn’t tolerate it as Devon and he’s not putting up with it as Ray. Dad had things under control for a while with Mom, but then he got lax and now she’s trying to call the shots again. This time she’s telling us what to name our kids.”

  Vashti sighed. “At least it sounds like there’s hope for your folks. I can’t say the same about mine. They have yet to apologize for what they did and the lies they told.”

  She paused thoughtfully, then continued, “Sawyer is a big proponent of forgiveness and heaven knows I tried. They came to our wedding and met the girls but it’s as if they’re ashamed of them because they were conceived out of wedlock. They act as if Kia and Jade aren’t good enough to be their grandkids for that reason.”

  “You honestly think that?” Ashley asked, as if she was finding it hard to believe parents could feel that way.

  “Yes,” Vashti said sadly. “They are happy about Cutter and consider him their legitimate grandchild. They call every week to see how he’s doing and said they would love to come see him for Christmas. They never ask about the girls. Just like Ray, Sawyer finally had enough, and last week he told them unless they can accept all our kids as equals then don’t bother accepting any because he would not tolerate them playing favorites between our children.”

  “Good for him,” Bryce said, loving the stance Sawyer had taken.

  “How do the girls feel about it?” Ashley asked.

  Vashti took another sip of her cider. “They both know the story about their births, and I think they’d reached the conclusion that my parents aren’t wrapped too tight. The girls have the attitude that if they don’t want to accept them as their granddaughters, then that’s fine. They won’t accept them as their grandparents. They aren’t little kids but eighteen-year-olds who can make up their own minds about things.”

  Her eyes brightened as she smiled. “Besides, they are perfectly happy with Reid as their lone grandfather. He had no problem claiming them from the start and they get more than enough love from him. And they give it back. They simply adore him. And now that he’s getting married to Gloria, Kia is happy to share her grandmother with Jade.”

  “I propose a toast,” Ashley said, holding out her glass. Vashti and Bryce did the same. “To Bryce, on expanding your career as a real-estate broker. May it bring you success in both your business and personal life.”

  Bryce smiled, shaking her head. Evidently Vashti had put ideas into Ashley’s head about her and Kaegan. Soon enough they would both see just how wrong they were about that.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  BRYCE OPENED HER car door and stared at the monstrosity of the house erected before her. Usually when she came here for a party or cookout it was always at night. Now she was seeing the place in all its splendor in the daylight. When the builders had completed this place, Kaegan hadn’t wasted any time tearing down what had been his parents’ home. She knew that house had held very few good memories for him.

  She wondered how he liked living in the huge house alone. The one thing she did know was that he loved the bayou. He said leaving here when he moved away had been hard. She was not surprised this house took full advantage of the view of the bayou.

  One of her favorite things about the house was the wraparound porch that faced the water. The chairs on the porch looked so inviting and she could see herself sitting in one for hours while reading her favorite novel. No sooner had the thought entered her mind than she shook her head. No, she couldn’t see herself sitting in one for hours. This was Kaegan’s home and not hers. A home until just last month she hadn’t been welcomed to.

  Walking up to the porch, she hoped he remembered she was coming today. When she’d seen him at the café for breakfast
yesterday, he hadn’t mentioned it. And it might have been that he hadn’t wanted anyone to know. She knew what a private person Kaegan was, but couldn’t see him not mentioning that he’d hired her as his real-estate broker to Sawyer and Ray. She had certainly mentioned it to their wives.

  Reaching the door, she knocked.

  “The door’s unlocked. Come on in.”

  The deep, rich huskiness of Kaegan’s voice reached out to her, and when she opened the door it all but lured her inside. She glanced around. Kaegan always had this thing for neatness and it seemed he still did. There were even fresh flowers on a table in a massive foyer that had to be at least ten feet wide with the prettiest wood floors she’d ever seen.

  “Kaegan?”

  “I’m in the kitchen. You know the way.”

  Yes, she knew the way and remembered what had happened the last time she’d been in his kitchen. When she reached the massive kitchen, which was any cook’s dream, she paused in the doorway. He was standing at the sink cleaning fish. She had heard from her parents he’d gone fishing with Sawyer yesterday, and from the looks of it, they’d had a good day.

  She drank in the sight of him, shirtless and in a pair of jeans. She shouldn’t have been surprised by the missing shirt. Kaegan never liked covering his chest. It wasn’t uncommon once they were out of the schoolyard for him to whip his shirt over his head and stuff it in his backpack.

  He glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled, and she suddenly felt weak in the knees. “You’re in time to join me for lunch,” he said.

  She glanced at her watch and then back at him. “It’s a little early for lunch, isn’t it?”

  “Nah. By the time I get these babies seasoned and fried and prepare the hush puppies and salad, it will be noon.”

  Bryce had expected something like this, for him to invite her to lunch or to go out on the bayou in his boat or something similar that would require them to spend unnecessary time together. She had rehearsed all morning what she would say. “Thanks for the invite but I need to decline.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “Why? Do you have plans for lunch?”

  “No, but I’m here to discuss that Boston opportunity with you.”

  “And we will. Over lunch. If you want to get started while I prepare everything, then check out the websites I’ve written down on the paper by my computer.”

  “I’ve done research,” she said, holding up the folder in her hand.

  “Good, then I’m curious to see what you got, and I want you to see what I came up with. We’ll compare.” He returned his attention to the fish in the sink.

  She sighed, deciding not to get in a tit for tat with him about anything. The one thing she did wish was that she wasn’t drawn to his male magnetism. It had been that way when he’d helped her study and then when they’d been together at Eagle Bend Inlet.

  Now, why was she remembering their time spent there? Especially their kiss. Had it been a week ago today? More than once on the drive here, she’d questioned whether she was making the right decision about taking him on as a client.

  “Fine. Where is your computer?” she asked him.

  He looked over at her again. “In my private office, which is connected to my bedroom upstairs. Once you reach the landing, it’s the room with the double doors. You have to go into my bedroom first to get to it.”

  She felt an intense throb at the base of her throat. He had to be kidding. “Your bedroom?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you bring your laptop down here so I sit at the kitchen table and use it?”

  “I can’t.”

  She frowned. “Why can’t you?”

  “Because it’s a desktop.” He turned around to face her, leaned against the sink, crossed his arms over his chest and did the same for his legs at the ankles. That was when she noticed he was in his bare feet. There was just something about a laid-back look on a man.

  “You aren’t afraid of going into my bedroom, are you?” he asked, staring at her. “I promise there’s not a thing in there to bite you.”

  She straightened her shoulders. “That’s not the point.”

  “And what is the point, Bryce?”

  “You knew I was coming here for business and you—”

  “Did nothing,” he interrupted. “Other than be nice enough to invite you to lunch and then suggest you get a head start with the business you came over here to do on my computer. Now you have a problem as to where I keep my computer?”

  “I don’t have a problem with it. It’s just that your bedroom is your bedroom.”

  “And?”

  Bryce huffed out a deep breath, and refusing to waste time with him any longer, she said, “And nothing. Tell me where your bedroom is again. I really wasn’t listening the last time you said it.” She refused to go wandering upstairs through his house looking for it.

  “Turn right upon reaching the landing and you will see the double doors.”

  Bryce left the kitchen and headed to the living room, where the stairs were located. She absolutely loved his spiral staircase and liked how you had a view of the bayou while climbing the stairs.

  She reached the landing and veered to the right and saw the double doors that opened to his bedroom. She pushed open the doors and slowly entered the room, and the first thing she saw was the massive bed. She couldn’t imagine anyone sleeping in the huge bed alone. An inner voice reminded her that for all she knew he didn’t sleep alone.

  Trying to ignore the bed, she couldn’t help noticing just how tidy the room was. Nothing was out of place. She saw the alcove and headed in that direction after seeing the computer sitting on an oak desk that faced a window. Now she understood why he’d claimed this particular spot as his private workplace. His bedroom was enormous, and the private alcove didn’t distract from the design of the room and was perfect for the size of the desk. And then there was the gorgeous view of the bayou. For her the view would be a negative since she wouldn’t ever get anything done for gazing out the window in front of the desk.

  She put aside her purse and sat down at the desk. Kaegan had jotted down several websites, which meant he’d done his homework. She wasn’t surprised about that. For someone who’d been two grades behind in school most of his life, with a father who hadn’t cared if he graduated at all, he had worked hard, done all his homework and any special assignments to get in his right grade by the time they’d reached high school.

  After perusing the sheet of paper, she noticed a few were the same ones on the comp list she’d compiled. Smart minds think alike, she thought, smiling. She’d worked for a good twenty minutes going down the list, marking off duplicates, before she leaned back in the chair and reached her arms over her head to stretch. Glancing around the room and admiring his furniture, she suddenly froze. There on his nightstand was a framed photograph of her. She remembered it as one she’d given him years ago, when they’d meant something to each other. Why would he still have it and why was it here in his bedroom?

  She stood and her gaze scanned the room, certain there was a photo of Vashti somewhere in the room, as well. Then her picture in here, of all places, would make sense. Or at least kind of make sense.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she tucked a thick curl of hair behind her ear, refusing to let that photo affect her. If his purpose for sending her in here was so she could see that photo, then fine. She saw it and would ignore it.

  She booted up his computer and in no time was checking out the various sites that showed warehouses at the Boston Harbor. The sale prices on all the places were enormous, but she could see why Kaegan would want to expand to this northeastern market. Her job was to help him find a place and then advise him on best practices and pricing strategies to get what he wanted.

  She heard a noise and glanced out the window to see Kaegan in the yard below setting up the cooker for the fish. And he still
wasn’t wearing a shirt. Muscled shoulders. Hard jeans-clad thighs. Long legs. A totally buff body... Did someone forget to remind him this was October? Although the temperature outside was fairly decent, no one walked around shirtless this time of the year. Doing so was pneumonia waiting to happen. She shook her head, wondering why was she even concerned. He was a grown man who should know how to take care of himself. Her days of caring about him that way were over.

  She took a deep breath and sighed loudly as she turned her attention back to the computer screen. At least she tried to, but seeing a sexy shirtless man, with his hair flying in the wind while standing there holding a cup of steaming hot coffee in his hand with the bayou as the backdrop, was one hot pose. One worthy of being on the cover of a romance novel.

  He knew where she’d be sitting at the window and had probably intentionally drawn her attention. Yet he hadn’t as much as looked up in her direction. He kept on doing what he was doing, as if cooking that fish was the most important thing for him to do. A part of her felt annoyed that although he was holding her attention, she undoubtedly wasn’t holding his. But wasn’t the latter what she wanted? He hadn’t acted unprofessional in any way since she’d arrived, although being shirtless and sending her to work in his bedroom was a little too much. With a house this big, you would think one of the rooms would have been a designated office.

  She fought to concentrate on the task she needed to do, and before long, a good hour had passed. Glancing out the window, she noticed Kaegan was no longer there.

  Suddenly, she heard the sound of his voice and realized he had an intercom system in his room. “Lunch is ready, Bryce. Come and get it.”

  The moment the invitation was issued her stomach growled. She was hungry. Standing, she stretched and was about to walk out of the room when something prompted her to move toward the photo of her. She remembered the day she had taken it on the college campus and buying this particular frame and mailing it off to him. It had been her senior year, just three months before they’d broken up. Why had he kept it for the past ten years? Given the way he’d felt about her, she would have thought he’d tossed out every single thing that reminded him of her. But then, didn’t she still have a lot of the things he’d given her? Yes, but they were stored in a trunk in her attic and not out in plain view.