By Candlelight

by Janelle Taylor

  Then Jake was beside her on the couch. His fingers entwined with hers. No words were spoken. He kissed her, gently yet deeply, and before long Kate felt as if she were drowning beneath the sweet pressure of passion.

  He led her upstairs, stopping every few steps to kiss her again. By the time they reached the top landing, she was clinging to him in earnest. Later, she would remember every rose and dahlia in the heavy wallpaper that covered the slanted walls of the upstairs master bedroom. She would recall the bright brass lamps, thick tasseled carpets, and smoothly curved wood dresser and nightstand, all covered with intricately crocheted doilies. Her mind’s eye would remember the bedspread as a sheet of gold satin, the sheets a buttery cream color of the same material.

  But when Kate first entered his parents’ bedroom suite, it was within the shelter of Jake’s strong arms, and all she saw was him. He laid her on the spread and rained kisses over her face until her own hands were reaching upward, pulling anxiously at his clothes.

  He laughed, standing beside her, his jacket tossed haphazardly on the floor, his shirt untucked and askew from Kate’s tugging fingers. With a muscular twist he ripped off the rest of his clothes, lying down atop her while Kate wrestled with her own blouse and jeans.

  “Wait, wait,” she whispered.

  “No,” was his amused answer, and his hands helped divest her of her jeans and undergarments. Within minutes they were naked in each others’ arms. Jake’s hands caressed every square inch of her body; her own did likewise.

  “My God, Katie,” he whispered.

  “Jake…”

  No other words needed to be spoken. This time Jake’s lovemaking was tender and serious, different from the laughter and wildness of their earlier consummations. Kate felt his hands caress her, his body possess her, and the rhythm of his movements kindled a response inside her as old as time.

  “I love you!” she cried at the height of her passion.

  Jake’s answer was a groan of submission, and much later, when they had both descended back to earth, he answered, “I love you more.”

  Later yet, Kate would wonder about that hesitation. It had seemed so natural. He was, after all, in the midst of a climax. No woman could expect a man to keep his wits about him when worlds collide. Hadn’t she learned she couldn’t be responsible for her outbursts and behavior during that time?

  And yet…

  There was always a distance. As if he knew even then that he was destined to leave her. He made love to her with a passion and ardor that sent her senses spiraling, her blood pumping, thrills of submission tearing through her until she was lost and spent, totally a slave to sensation.

  And yet…

  Something had been missing. Or he would have never run away to Europe instead of marrying the girl he had left behind.

  “Would you care to order a bottle of wine?”

  Kate jumped, the waiter breaking into her reverie. Her cheeks flushed. “Ummm…yes…actually, no, just another glass of Chianti,” she amended, recovering herself.

  Twisting the stem of her now empty glass, Kate chewed on her lower lip. Jake had always planned to leave her; she knew it now. She just hadn’t known it then because he had swept her off her feet, bamboozled her with romance and a “secret wedding,” drowned her fears with kisses and sex of the sweetest kind. She had been young. Naive. Guileless. Ridiculously susceptible to his charm and wealth.

  Yes, she could say it now. She had been dazzled by the whole package that was Jake Talbot. Not that she had wanted to leech on to his fortune. More that it was so foreign to her, so out of reach, that it attained a mystery and glamour all its own. Oh, she had been dumb. Lord, it was enough to make her want to bury her head in her arms in embarrassment even now! Luckily Ben had come along and shown her what a real relationship was. It might not have been hearts and roses every day; her own heart couldn’t quite be won. But it had been full of respect and stability, and those were qualities Jake could have never given Kate. He would have always looked at her as the poor waif; she saw that with the benefit of hindsight. But Ben hadn’t cared about that. She had appealed to him, and he’d had the honor to make her his wife, pregnant or no.

  She owed him a lot. Her life, no less. And so their love had been imperfect. So what? They had been partners. He had left her this business as proof.

  So, what are you going to do about Talbot Industries, my girl?

  Kate muttered to herself as the waiter gathered up the unused glasses and brought her another full one of deep red Chianti. Hadn’t she just been wishing for that one big account to prove to all and sundry that Rose Talent Agency would keep right on without a hiccup?

  But Jake’s company? No! Never!

  Yet…

  She was just taking her first sip when April appeared at the edge of the patio, searching. Kate raised her hand, and April hurried over.

  “How can you stand that stuff?” she demanded, wrinkling her nose. “I’d rather have a screwdriver.”

  “Really.” Kate gave her a look. “And how are you so knowledgeable?”

  “I’m not saying anything more. You’ll get all worked up and you won’t like Ryan.”

  “The soon-to-be college student,” Kate said. “Ex-guitar player?”

  “The guitar is his passion,” April disabused, reading her mother too easily. “That bugs you, doesn’t it?”

  “No. If he can play the guitar, more power to him. I just like to think that my daughter’s boyfriend is planning some diversity. Portland Community College is good.”

  “It’s not like we’re getting married tomorrow.”

  “I know. Thank God. I mean, hey, you’re only seventeen.” Kate grinned.

  “Mom, what’s with you today?”

  “Nothing. Why?”

  “You’re just so—worked up.” April wrinkled her nose in an unconscious mimic of Kate. When she chewed on her lower lip, Kate really recognized her own habits.

  And what habits does she have of her father’s?

  “I hope your association with him isn’t turning you into a raving alcoholic,” Kate added mildly.

  “Mom!”

  “You are a little young.”

  “You’re teasing me.” April managed a laugh. “All right. I just tasted a screwdriver at Ryan’s dad’s birthday party.”

  “Last Saturday night,” Kate confirmed, feeling a little miffed. It bugged her when other parents were lax on issues she counted important.

  April read her mind. “I sneaked it, Mom! Good grief. Ryan’s dad’s even straighter than you! I keep telling you, you need to meet him.”

  “Oh, no. Not again,” Kate groaned.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Jillian’s been after me. Wants me to go on a date with Michael-somebody-or-other.”

  “Not until you date Ryan’s dad!” April decreed. “His name’s Tom.”

  “I’m not dating anyone.”

  “You should! Dad’s been gone over six months. C’mon, Mom!”

  Kate just shook her head. Though it had never bothered her before, hearing April call Ben “Dad” sent an uncomfortable stab through her now. She searched her feelings and realized it had to do with meeting Phillip Talbot, Jr. Any association with the Talbots bothered her.

  If they only knew!

  And what about April? Kate asked herself. When, when, if ever, was she going to tell her the truth?

  “I want veal,” April declared, staring at her menu. “But I’m not going to have it. Do you know what they do to those poor little baby cows? They kill ‘em while they’re just babies!”

  “You’ve always loved veal,” Kate pointed out.

  “That’s because I didn’t know what it was! It’s awful!”

  “Why don’t you have a steak?”

  “I don’t know.” April sighed hugely. “I might just become a vegetarian.”

  Kate nodded. April was always trying on new hats. It was partly because she really cared, partly because she was searching for her own identit
y. Even at seventeen she was still so impressionable.

  A lot like you, my girl. And look what happened…

  Kate closed her mind to that thinking.

  By the time they had finished their dessert, Kate was feeling a lot more ready to face the future. Whether owing to the excellent meal she had just consumed, or her second glass of Chianti, Kate set down her napkin in a happier state of mind. She had just opened her mouth to say as much to her daughter when movement in her peripheral vision arrested her.

  A man was standing at the edge of the tiled patio, scowling slightly as he searched the area. His familiarity turned Kate’s body to water, and she collapsed back in her chair like a rag doll.

  Oh, no! Jake!

  Seventeen years and suddenly there he was. Older, yet just the same. How could she have ever mistaken his brother for him? The similarities were striking, yet far, far removed.

  Could he…was he…looking for her?

  As if in answer to her unspoken question his gaze touched on her. My God, Kate thought, dry-mouthed.

  Shock waves reverberated; she saw him react with a slight start, his eyes widening a bit. Instantly she wondered how she had changed. Good Lord, seventeen years! Yet she could be back with him on the porch of the ramshackle church for the potency of her reaction.

  She felt as if she were in a vortex.

  “I…I…,” she murmured.

  “Mom?” April looked concerned.

  “Water. Could you—call the waiter?”

  April glanced around. She didn’t notice Jake. Why should she? Kate thought half-hysterically. With a maturity that still astounded Kate, April stood up and signaled to a passing waiter.

  “Water,” she ordered.

  In those few moments Jake suddenly got into motion, approaching them with ground-devouring strides that alarmed Kate through and through.

  April saw him coming and hesitated, frowning a bit. She sat slowly down in her chair.

  “Hello, Katie,” Jake said in a deep voice that was still too familiar. It ran over her skin in an almost physical sensation, goose bumps rising on her flesh.

  “Katie?” April asked, turning to her mom, brows lifting.

  Kate couldn’t find her voice.

  At some level April recognized her mother’s dilemma and took charge. “Are you a friend of Mom’s? You look kind of familiar.”

  Oh, no! Kate thought as she witnessed Jake turn to give April a long look.

  “You must be the daughter,” he said, which sent Kate’s heart into overdrive.

  “She’s…she’s Ben’s daughter. My husband’s. My…deceased husband,” she babbled.

  “What’s with you?” April asked with real concern now, leaning toward Kate.

  “I don’t know. I’m…I don’t know.”

  “Did you come here to see us?” April asked Jake, her eyes still searching Kate’s face.

  “My brother, Phillip, told me he’d asked Kate Rose’s daughter to audition for our company,” Jake explained. He seemed to be having a little difficulty getting the words out as well.

  “Oh,” April said. “That’s how you knew where we were.” She glanced a little sheepishly at Kate. “I guess I told Mr. Talbot about our dinner plans when he was in our office.”

  “You guess?” Kate choked out.

  “He said you were president of Talbot Industries,” April informed Jake. “I didn’t expect to meet you—so soon. I’m April Rose.” She came slightly out of her seat to shake Jake’s hand. Watching that contact between them made Kate’s head swim.

  “You—wanted to see us?” Kate managed to get past lips that felt slightly numb. They were all playing roles and acting with the emotion of mannequins. Jake was stiff and uncomfortable. April was confused. And she, well she was downright annihilated!

  “I, um…” Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, Jake took a deep breath. Kate slid him a surreptitious look beneath lowered lashes, wanting to examine him without being obvious. He didn’t notice. His jaw worked as if he were struggling to find words.

  Time had been kind to him. Apart from the merest silvering at this temple, his hair was as dark and thick as ever, a rich brown that bordered on black. His mouth was still sinfully enticing. Unfair! She remembered kissing it with a fervor that sent emotion flooding her face now, and she mentally kicked herself for her susceptibility.

  Lord, she was ridiculous!

  “I wasn’t sure you’d be right for the part,” he said to April a bit stiffly. “I came to see for myself.”

  “I thought I was just auditioning.” April turned to Kate for help.

  “That’s what—Mr. Talbot—said,” Kate confirmed.

  “Do you know each other?” April suddenly asked, as if the messages being sent along invisible lines between Jake and Kate had finally been picked up by her receptors.

  After all, he had made the mistake of calling her “Katie.” April was just catching up.

  “We’ve met.” Kate tried on a smile for her daughter. It felt awkward and quivering.

  “We went to high school together,” Jake added, his frown deepening. Clearly he had stepped into quicksand. Whatever he had expected to face with Kate and “the daughter,” this hadn’t been it.

  Her heart squeezed. Does he know? Looking at April, does he know she’s his daughter?

  No way! Kate’s galloping pulse was joined by a sudden rush of perspiration. If she didn’t watch it, she would pass out right here and now!

  “Really,” April said, gazing from Jake to her mother and back again. “You didn’t tell me that you knew Mr. Talbot,” she accused Kate. “You acted like you’d never seen him before.”

  “You mean—Phillip? I hadn’t met him until today.”

  Jake gave Kate a swift look. She read surprise in his blue-gray eyes. Had he thought she had set this up somehow? She didn’t understand.

  “Would you like a chair?” Kate asked, belatedly remembering her manners.

  “I don’t think so…”

  “Oh, sit down!” April invited eagerly. “Please. If you want someone else, I don’t have to audition,” she told him with a little shrug, as if it meant nothing to her. “But my mom’s agency really has some great people. Somebody will be perfect for you.”

  “That’s not it,” Jake demurred, and in another lifetime Kate would have been amused and even felt sorry for him. He had come here ready to slam dunk Kate and her daughter, thinking some nefarious plan was afoot, and instead he had been hit full force with April’s openness and lack of guile.

  Tough break, Kate thought with a bit of mean satisfaction. Oh, she could read him still. Funny how things came back so swiftly. He had probably heard what was up from Phillip and raced down to the restaurant, loaded for bear. No daughter of Katie Tindel’s would ever work for a Talbot. No, no. She wouldn’t have what it takes to play in the Talbots’ major leagues. Uh, uh. She was a minor leaguer, just like her mother.

  April actually pulled out his chair, and to be polite—manners were deeply ingrained in the Talbots—Jake reluctantly accepted.

  Both Kate and Jake looked at April. Kate was afraid to examine him this up close and personal. He, apparently, felt the same. April smiled at them both, her perfectly readable face registering confusion at the way they were both acting.

  The waiter spied Jake and cruised by quickly. “Something to drink?”

  “Scotch and soda.”

  “Chianti,” Kate said on the heels of Jake’s request. “I guess I do want another drink after all,” she said as an afterthought, though the waiter couldn’t have cared less.

  “Italian soda,” April ordered. “Raspberry.”

  He bowed and left, and as soon as he was gone, the tension escalated at the little table.

  “It isn’t that I didn’t want you to audition,” Jake said to April. Kindness touched his voice, and sap that she was, Kate felt her eyes suddenly sting with emotion. “I just, sometimes, follow up on what Phillip does.”

  “You don’t tru
st him,” April said soberly.

  Jake half laughed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t trust his judgment all the time.”

  Kate glanced to the side, focusing on the tile floor, listening to the clink of glassware and faint strains of violins coming from within the restaurant. She was melting inside. Disappearing. This feeling was terrible, like a tremendous hurt that was attacking her from the inside out.

  “But it looks like he made an excellent decision this time,” Jake answered April honestly, his voice slightly rough.

  “Really?” April was pleased. Boldly, she asked, “Why don’t you get along with your brother?”

  “Long story.”

  April waited, but Jake would say no more. Silence pooled amongst them. Kate remembered those long-ago references to Phillip, how he couldn’t seem to get his life together. Jake had been the Talbots’ shining star, and when they had thought she would tarnish his bright, gleaming future, they had pushed him toward a more suitable girl. And Jake, because he had wanted it just as much, had dropped the girl he had fancied in high school and married one of “his own kind.”

  “So how are your folks, Katie?” Jake asked, just as the silence was becoming awkward.

  “They died a few years after graduation,” she answered.

  She could have sworn she saw a flash of sympathy in his eyes. Of course, he’d known all about her relationship—or lack of a relationship—with her parents. The reminder of how well he’d known her shook her composure further.

  How’s your wife? Kate wanted to ask. Thanks for letting me know you were getting married.

  As if reading her thoughts, Jake suddenly asked, “The agency was originally your husband’s, wasn’t it? Are you running it by yourself now?”

  Kate swallowed. “Yes.”

  Mistaking her reluctance for grief, Jake said, “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, don’t be,” April answered before Kate could respond. “Really. It’s okay.”

  Kate attempted another smile, failed miserably, and buried her nose in her wineglass. This idle chitchat made her nerves scream.

  Jake downed his scotch and soda so quickly Kate wondered if he might have a problem. Probably not, she decided a moment later. After all, she was on her third glass of Chianti, and it wasn’t enough by a long shot.