Take Me Back

by Kathryn Shay

  She came in closer. “I have to be.”

  “Kate, sit down, we can we talk. I’ll explain about doing the DNA test and child custody request.”

  “I think both of those actions are self-explanatory. You don’t trust me. I get why.” She shoved something at him, said, “Now I don’t trust you,” and left the room.

  He looked down. They were the custody papers. Signed.

  He should be overjoyed. Instead, after seeing her, he was more upset than before.

  o0o

  Kate bumped into Olive Hennessey in the hall, literally.

  She asked, “Kate, are you all right? You look like somebody died.”

  She gripped the strap of her backpack. “I’ve had some bad news.”

  “What? Maybe I can help.”

  “I, um, it’s personal. Besides, no one can help.”

  “Come with me.” Olive led her to her office and took a seat next to her. “This is about Rafe, isn’t it?”

  Kate couldn’t hold it in. “Oh, yeah.”

  “What happened?”

  “Olive, I don’t want to burden you with my problems. I was hoping we could keep my personal life out of my training.”

  “You’re upset. What kind of training do you think you’ll do this afternoon?” Despite her authority, Olive’s eyes were soft and her query concerned.

  “He—he had a DNA test done on Tommy without telling me.”

  Olive cocked her head thoughtfully. Then said, in that even, practical way she had of addressing issues, “Having the test isn’t so bad. Any man would want that. Not telling you he was going to do it is bad.”

  “That’s not the worst of things. Today, he served me with custody papers.”

  Olive’s brows skyrocketed. “He wants to take Tommy away from you?”

  “No. He wants joint custody.”

  After a minute the battalion chief said, “Again, that’s reasonable, Kate. My ex has joint custody of my son.”

  She stared down. “I suppose that’s what mostly happens. But this came out of the blue.”

  “He should have told you before he went to a lawyer.”

  “A lawyer came to him. His brother Seth.”

  “That makes it less awful. His family is watching out for his best interests.”

  Kate had no one to look out for her. “For me, that made it worse. Seth and I used to be so close.”

  “Then, I’m sorry.”

  “Can we be done with this, please?”

  Olive stood. “All right. No more advice. The recruits are having lunch together. I want you to go into the gym where it’s set up and eat something.”

  Kate did as she was told. She left the office and walked to the gym. Greeted the recruits. Fixed herself a sandwich, and ate at a table with Lowden and Angeles, who bickered the whole time. Her turkey and swiss on rye tasted like cardboard. When she finished, she went back to the classroom for Tess Righetti’s lecture on the Hurst tools. Since she knew most of the information, she didn’t have to concentrate too hard.

  The day was long and exhausting, but Kate made it through and by the end, she wasn’t shaky anymore. She was anxious to get home, take a jacuzzi bath and lessen the muscle tension she felt seeping through her whole body.

  She was about a mile from home, and the light turned green. Kate started through the intersection.

  A truck came out of nowhere.

  Tires screeched as metal hit metal.

  Her car spun around.

  Kate’s head whirled, then it hit the windshield.

  The world went black.

  o0o

  The next day, Rafe headed out to Kate’s house. This would be the first of his own birthdays he’d spend with his son. He was happy about the afternoon in front of him. With a lucky shift schedule, today was his day off, along with two more and then he’d go to nights. Kyle would be there when he arrived. But he wouldn’t have to see Kate, as she’d be at the academy. He could still see her disappointed face when he served her with the papers.

  And hear her accusatory words:

  Is this why you’ve been so nice to me? You were kind, spent time at my house with the three of us so you could suck me in and then claim custody of Tommy?

  She’d gotten it all wrong, but he couldn’t convince her of that yesterday. Maybe she’d eventually understand he only wanted a legal claim to Tommy. Still, their relationship would probably be over.

  Rafe pulled into the driveway next to Kyle’s car and got out of his own. The rays of the late-April sun beamed down on him, elevating his mood even more. He’d brought along a bag with Tommy’s favorite cookies and headed to the front entrance, as the garage was closed up.

  The door flew open.

  “Hey, buddy, were you wait…” Hell, there were tears in Tommy’s eyes and he threw himself at Rafe. Squatting down, he held the boy as he cried into Rafe’s shoulder. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  Kyle came up behind Tom. “Kate was in a car accident yesterday. She hit her head and sprained her wrist.”

  Panic tried to work its way up in him, but he controlled his concern, like he did when entering a fire. “Tom, look at me.”

  Tommy eased away.

  “That doesn’t sound too bad.” Except for hitting her head, but he didn’t point out the concern.

  “Mommy cried last night. And this morning.”

  He raised his brows at Kyle.

  “She’s emotional. But she’s resting in her room now.”

  “See, buddy,” he said, picking Tommy up. “She’s resting.”

  “Is she gonna be all right, Dad?”

  He asked Kyle, “Did she go to emergency?”

  “Yeah, with the paramedics from the crash site. She didn’t have to stay the night. I took care of Tommy. Mitch picked Kate up and brought her home. The bump on her head is minor, and she has a brace on her wrist.”

  “You should have called me to come get Tommy.” Rafe was suddenly angry.

  “Kate told me not to. I bunked in with Tommy all night, though.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Sorry for my tone.”

  “No offense taken.” Kyle grabbed his backpack off the table. “I’m going, unless you want me to stay. Kate said she’d call my cell if she needed me.”

  “I got it from here.”

  When the door closed, Rafe put Tommy down. “Let’s go check on mommy.”

  Tommy grabbed his hand and solemnly led him down the hall. His son knocked briefly.

  They heard, “Come on in.”

  Tommy opened Kate’s door. She was sitting up in bed against pillows, the television on, holding the remote. She glanced over at them and her eyes widened, probably with surprise that Rafe was there. “I’m fine. There’s no need to take time away from your birthday party, Tommy.”

  Regardless of her message, they crossed to her. Her hair was tangled and her face pale. Tommy climbed on the bed with her. “You’re not sleeping, Mommy.”

  She cuddled him. “I woke up five minutes ago.” She looked directly at Rafe. “The accident wasn’t my fault. It had nothing to do with what you did.”

  He shook himself. “Tom, can you go into the living room for a bit? I want to talk to Mommy alone.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  When Tom left, Rafe dragged a chair over to her bedside. Reaching out, he tipped her chin. A multicolored goose egg covered her right temple. It was swollen. And reddish-blue.

  “Fuck.”

  “It’s not that bad. As I said, the accident had nothing to do with you.”

  “You don’t know that, Kate. You were upset yesterday.”

  “I was upset, but a talk with Olive calmed me down and I stayed until the end of the day.”

  “I’m so sorry to have sprung the whole thing on you. I should have explained what I wanted, what I was doing, before I did it.”

  “You know, I have a splitting headache and getting into all this with you is the last thing I want right now.” Disgust dripped from every word. He shoul
dn’t have brought up their problems while she was ill.

  “What do you want?”

  “For you to go on with your day. Tommy’s delirious about throwing you a party.”

  “All right. Do you need anything?”

  “No, I have plenty of water.”

  “What about food?”

  “I’ll get it when I’m hungry. Go Rafe, and leave me alone.”

  Rafe wanted to stay, take care of her, but he stood and walked out of the bedroom. Trying to push worry from his mind, he met Tommy in the kitchen and pasted on a smile. “What’s for lunch?”

  He pointed to the lopsided mound on the island. “Kyle helped me make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

  There was a hint of strawberry in the air.

  Grabbing Rafe’s hand, Tommy led them to a low cupboard and removed three presents. “Mommy took me shopping and I got these for you.”

  “Eat first or presents now?”

  “Presents!”

  He dropped down at the dining table and Tommy climbed up on a chair. The paper crinkled loudly as Rafe ripped it off the first gift—a big jar of M&Ms. “My favorites.”

  “I know. Mommy told me.”

  So she remembered.

  The next was a long-sleeved, green T-shirt. The material was soft. Cozy. “You liked the one Mommy saved, so I bought you another one.”

  When he shook it out, he saw the decal on the front. World’s Greatest Firefighter. “Thanks, buddy.”

  The last was a mug with Daddy printed across the front. Rafe’s throat clogged. Hell, that was enough to make him cry.

  o0o

  After another nap, Kate threw off the sheet, sat on the edge of the bed and groaned. She was so sore it almost obscured everything. Almost. Damn it, why did today have to be his birthday? Why did he have to see her weak and vulnerable? He’d gone behind her back and gotten the DNA test and the custody papers, and that hurt. Seth’s instigation of both things twisted the knife. He’d told her he was glad she was back.

  Gingerly, she stood, got her bearings and walked to the bathroom. She was grateful for the deep jacuzzi. She turned on the water, went back into the bedroom and sat in the chair to wait for it to fill. To distract herself, she studied the room. Decorated by a professional in blues and greens and peach accents, the space was big enough to hold this chair and a big-screen TV, as well as dressers and a bed. Thank God she didn’t have to furnish the place herself, given how busy she was.

  The windows on the far wall let in sunshine. She even had a wooded lot. Forever wild, she was told. She mused about her surroundings until she thought the tub would be high enough, then went back into the bathroom, stripped and took off her brace. She flicked a switch on a side wall, then eased into the tub, sighing audibly. Warm water soothed muscles still sore from the crash. The jets pounded out, hitting in all the right places. Kate closed her eyes and let her mind settle, too.

  Maybe things would be all right. When she woke up in the ambulance, she’d freaked that Tommy could lose his mother. Then she remembered that he had a father now, and a whole family to take care of him—something that didn’t pierce her irrationality in the past. It was probably a good thing that Rafe had gotten joint custody.

  A while later, she heard a knock on the bathroom door. “Mommy? Can I come in?”

  “Wait in the bedroom.” Careful not to fall, she climbed out of the tub, and wrapped a big towel around her which she knotted in the front. She put her brace back on because her wrist hurt without it and opened the door to the bedroom.

  “Hey, buddy. I need to get clean clothes—” She caught sight of Rafe in the chair when he gasped. “I-I didn’t know you came in with him.”

  His eyes burned. Then he stood and strode out.

  “Mommy, we brought you lunch.”

  Over on the nightstand sat a sandwich, a glass of milk and apple slices.

  “I see, baby.” She headed into her walk-in closet, pulled out clean pajamas and went back into the bathroom.

  The look in Rafe’s eyes accompanied her.

  Chapter 9

  Rafe’s feet slapped hard on the pavement as he tried to run from thoughts of Kate. The exercise didn’t blot out the sight of her standing in the bedroom. He could still see her in blue terry with a big knot. Still feel the lust that had shot through him.

  “Arrgh!”

  Circling around, he headed back home.

  Once in the shower, he let the hot spray ease his back muscles. Bracing his arm against the fiberglass, he tried not to resent the fact that he was due at Melanie’s at seven.

  He’d rather be spending the rest of his birthday with his family, like he usually did. They’d called, of course, and he’d stopped this morning to see his mother. She told him they understood that Melanie had made plans for him. He thought about telling her he’d seen Hayley but that should be up to Seth, since he was the one who had contact with her.

  He dressed in a brown shirt and jeans that he favored, threw on a taupe sportscoat and headed out. On the way over, thoughts of Kate returned. He hated abandoning her hurt and exhausted when he left at four. He wanted to hold her in bed and watch TV, like they used to do when one of them was sick or injured. Damn it, he couldn’t stop the memories from coming fast and furious tonight.

  Pulling into his fiancée’s driveway, he sighed. Why was he doing this? Because he owed her? But it was his goddamn birthday. Sick of the chaos in his life, he got out of the Blazer, took the path to her porch and rang the doorbell at 6:55. Then he walked inside.

  “Surprise!!!!” The word resounded from all corners of her oversize living room that spilled into a big dining room. A surprise party? Just what he needed.

  Melanie came up to him and sidled in. It didn’t feel right having her body pressed against him. “Happy fortieth, darling,” she whispered and kissed his cheek.

  “To say I’m shocked is an understatement.” His words were curt.

  “None of that grouchiness. I know you said you hated surprises, but I thought you’d like being with your family and friends.”

  Turned out not all of the invitees fell into those categories. Melanie introduced him to the people only she knew: two partners at the firm, a woman she did Pilates with, her sister, and a member of the city council. How odd that she’d invite guests he’d never even met before. He was polite, of course, but resentment seethed in him.

  Eventually, she was called away to see about the caterer. Why she ever thought he’d want his birthday party catered was beyond his grasp.

  His mother approached him with Alessia at her side. Thank God. “Happy Birthday, son.” Mama kissed his cheek. She wore a pretty sparkly top which Ali had bought for her last Christmas and a silky skirt.

  “You look beautiful, Mama.” He smiled at his sister. “You too, kid. Great dress.”

  “Thanks.” Ali also gave him a peck on the cheek. “Happy Birthday.”

  “I was feeling bad on the way over here because I didn’t get to be with you tonight.”

  His mother shook her head. “I tried to tell her you hated these kinds of things, and your siblings did, too, but she wouldn’t listen.”

  “I’ll enjoy myself.”

  “And it’s catered!” his mother added. “Family brings food to parties.”

  “Not hers, Mama.”

  His brothers joined them. “Hey, bro. Happy b-day.” This from Gideon. Spiffy in a navy sports coat and blue shirt, he seemed in a good mood tonight.

  Seth gestured to the room. “Sorry about all this.”

  They knew him so well.

  “Is Tommy here?”

  Seth said, “Um, no. Ali’s kids weren’t invited, either.”

  “But it’s Rafe’s birthday party.” Mama’s tone was outraged. “Not to invite his son is shameful.”

  He sighed. “Speaking of Tommy, there’s something I need to tell you. Kate was in a car accident.”

  His mother froze.

  “Is she all right?” Ali asked.

&n
bsp; “Yes.” He explained her injuries. “She’ll be home for a few days.”

  “Who’s with her now?” Mama wanted to know.

  “No one. She kicked me out at four after I spent the afternoon with Tommy.”

  “Should she be alone?” Seth asked.

  “I think she’ll be all right. But maybe I’ll drive by after the party.”

  Mama frowned, deeply. “I wasn’t kind to her. I feel bad about that. It’s time to make amends. I’ll go see her tomorrow and bring her my turkey noodle soup and some pasta for later meals.”

  “She’d love that.”

  Gideon sipped a beer and checked out the crowd. “Was she invited?”

  Seth answered. “No. I asked Melanie point blank.”

  Rafe sighed, thinking of how that must have gone over. Man, it was going to be a long night.

  He was glad to see his crew was here, mostly gathered in the far end of the living room. He wended his way through the crowd over to them. “Hey, you guys, you look terrific all gussied up.” He gave Eric, who wore a beautifully tailored suit, the onceover. “Nice threads.”

  Beth had on a pretty purple sparkly pantsuit and Lorelei wore a stunning red outfit. “Ladies.” He focused on Beth. “Where’s your husband?”

  “The, um, invitation was addressed to me. No plus one.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  Luke added, “And she had this catered. I never been to a catered party.”

  “You’ll like it, Luke.”

  Tim Murray wore a tie and tugged at the collar of his shirt. “I must’ve outgrown this, it’s tight.”

  Luke punched his arm. “You’re finally bulking up, buddy.” Rafe knew Luke was supervising the young man’s weight lifting.

  “And since when do you like harp music?” This from Beth. “I thought your favorite was jazz.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “Huh, who would have thought Brick was the lucky one and had an excuse not to come.” Ernst again.

  They razzed him until he finally walked away.