Vashti didn’t say anything. “I remember in our senior year how you would occasionally take the bus on the weekends to visit your aunt. I can’t believe you never told me what you were doing and where you were going,” Vashti said in an accusing tone.
“I wanted to tell you, Vast, but you were in your own little world during that time. You were still in grieving after losing your baby. The last thing I wanted to do was overwhelm you with my happiness when you were so unhappy…”
That same night she’d also told Vashti the reason she and Kaegan had broken up. Instead of the sympathy Bryce had expected, Vashti claimed she could see both sides and felt they were letting their stubbornness get in the way of them sitting down and talking through their issues.
As far as Bryce was concerned there was nothing to talk about. His lack of trust in her was unforgivable. Had he believed in her and knew she could never betray him, none of this would have happened. A part of her wished the hurt he’d caused could somehow eradicate her attraction to him. It didn’t. Whenever she saw him she had to put up with seeing a man who turned feminine heads wherever he went. Including hers.
Kaegan was part of the Pointe-au-Chien Native American tribe. His features were ultra-handsome and the mass of silky black hair that flowed around his shoulders made him look wild, untamed and heart-stopping gorgeous. She recalled the times she would part his hair down the middle and braid it for him, making him look even more alluring.
Usually he wore it in a ponytail but not tonight. Bryce recalled telling him just what seeing all that hair flowing around his face did to her. How hot it made her feel. How so turned-on she would get. That had been years ago, but she of all people knew Kaegan never forgot a thing. That made her wonder if he’d worn it down purposely to make her remember.
Over the years his features had matured. He no longer had the look of the cute boy she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. His eyes appeared to have darkened somewhat but were perfect for his brown skin tone. His high cheekbones had always been his most captivating asset. They still were. Even with that dimple in his chin that couldn’t be ignored. The dimple became even more defined whenever she saw him smile, which was rare when he saw her. She had a tendency to elicit his frowns.
She would be the first to admit that a younger Kaegan Chambray had been a heart-throb, but the older version of that heart-throb was now just too breath-taking for words. Whether she liked him or not, she had to give him that. Deciding she’d both scowled and lusted at him long enough, she glanced around.
Two years ago, Kaegan had torn down the house he and his parents had lived in to build this one. She knew the painful memories within the walls of his childhood home. His father was an alcoholic. , Most of the time, he managed to stay sober during the week to run his business. On the weekend was when he would drink himself into a stupor.
It was during those times when Kaegan would use the small boat he kept hidden away in the underbrush of the bayou and escape through the swamps to a place he considered his hide-away, a deserted, uninhabitable island, Eagle Bend Inlet. It was during those times when Bryce feared for his safety, while going through the swamps that one of those huge alligators was going to eat him alive.
She continued to study his home. She’d never been given a grand tour like a number of others, but she liked the parts she’d seen. It was right on the bayou, on land that had been in the Chambray family for generations. She could imagine waking up here every morning to such a gorgeous view. According to Vashti, due to the risks of hurricanes, Kaegan had built a home that could withstand up to four-hundred mile an hour winds. And the tilt of the foundation, that wasn’t even noticeable, was a deterrence to flooding.
She thought the place was huge for just one man but he’d always said that one day he would grow up and build a mansion…for them. Well, he had certainly built a monstrosity of a house, but it hadn’t been with her in mind. When he’d return to town it had been quite obvious he hadn’t wanted her in his life any more than she wanted him in hers.
“Here you are.”
She turned to greet Vashti. “Yes, here I am on a Friday night. I could be somewhere else you know, and would be if I thought for one minute I wouldn’t hear your mouth about it tomorrow. One day you’re going to realize that no matter what you think, Vash, all Kaegan and I feel for each other now is contempt. Total dislike.”
Vashti rolled her eyes. “If you say so. By the way, did you see Ashley? She looks great pregnant. Ray wasn’t messing around. Who comes back from their honeymoon pregnant?”
Bryce took a sip of her wine knowing Vashti had deliberately changed the subject, but she was fine with her doing so. “A person who comes from their honeymoon pregnant is someone who’d intended to get pregnant. According to Ashley, they spent the entire time trying and it was all about a promise Ray made and intended to keep. They’ve been through a lot, and I’m happy for them.”
A friend of theirs, Ray Sullivan, had married Ashley Ryan six months ago. Last month the couple shared the news they were having twins. A boy and a girl. They’d even selected the names. The boy would be named Devon and the girl Ryan.
A smile touched Vashti’s lips. “I’m happy for them as well. I love happy endings.”
Bryce rolled her eyes. “You also love torturing your two best friends. Why do you put me and Kaegan through this every time he gives a party? I don’t have to be here and we both know that he doesn’t want me here. The only reason he invites me and the only reason I come is because neither of us want to hear you bitch about it.”
“Hey, it’s not my fault that my two best friends fell in love behind my back.”
Bryce rolled her eyes again. “That’s what you get for leaving us alone for those six months.”
“Like I had a choice.”
Bryce knew at the time her best friend hadn’t had a choice. Vashti had gotten pregnant at sixteen. Her parents had sent her away. While she was gone Bryce and Kaegan had grown closer, and all the love Bryce had secretly felt for Kaegan suddenly blossomed.
She tried to recall a time when Kaegan hadn’t been a part of her and Vashti’s lives and couldn’t. Neither could she recall a time she hadn’t loved him. K-Gee is what everyone called him. The descendants of the Pointe-au-Chien tribe mostly made their home on the west side of the bayou. Kaegan’s family’s ties to the cove and the bayou went back generations, even before the first American settlers. A few of the simpleminded townsfolk of Catalina Cove had never recognized the tribe, except when it was time to pay city taxes.
Although Kaegan was two years older than her and Vashti, the three of them had hung together while growing up since Kaegan hadn’t officially started school until he was almost nine. Dempsey Chambray felt his only son was more useful working in the family seafood shipping business and for years had claimed Kaegan was being home schooled. When the Catalina Cove school board discovered otherwise, they presented the Chambrays with a court order that stated Kaegan was to be put in public school immediately.
Kaegan was a super smart and intelligent kid, and it didn’t take him long to catch up with the rest of the class. However, he couldn’t be put in his right grade because he began missing a lot of days from school to help his father on the boat. It was Mr. Chambray’s way of showing the school board that although they may have required that his son attend school, Kaegan was entitled to sick days. Most people knew that the days Mr. Chambray claimed Kaegan couldn’t come to school because he was ill, Kaegan was out on the ocean working in the family business. It was only when the school board threatened to file a lawsuit against Mr. Chambray’s business that he allowed his son to attend school without any further interruptions.
When Vashti returned to town after her pregnancy, Kaegan had advanced enough in his studies to be placed in his right grade, leaving them two grades behind. But he didn’t forget them. Although his school day ended half an hour sooner than theirs, he would hang around just to walk Vashti and Bryce home from school every day.
“You’ve gotten quiet, Bryce. What are you thinking about?”
She glanced over at Vashti. Instead of answering her question she asked one of her own. “Where’s your husband? Shouldn’t you be with him instead of here pestering me?”
Vashti laughed. “I am not pestering you and you know it. But to answer your question, Sawyer got a call and had to leave, so I’m going to need a ride home.”
Vashti was married to the town’s sheriff. “No problem. Just let me know when you’re ready to go.”
“Hmm, there might be a problem.”
Bryce lifted a brow. “What?”
“After Kaegan’s parties, Sawyer and I usually stay behind and help him put stuff away and clean up. So that means…”
Bryce frowned, having an idea where this conversation was going. “It means nothing. Kaegan can tidy up his own place. Besides, I’m sure that woman over there in the white top and jeans would be glad to stay back and help him. She’s been keeping her eyes on him the entire night.’
“You noticed I see.”
“How could I not notice?” Bryce refused to consider the tinge of resentment she was feeling had anything to do with jealousy. She dated and so did Kaegan. They meant nothing to each other anymore.
“I noticed you’ve been keeping your eyes on him a lot tonight as well,” Vashti pointed out.
“Yes, but for different reasons. I see him as a reminder of the foolish times of my youth.” She took another sip of her wine and curiosity got the best of her. “Who is she anyway? At first I thought that maybe she was his girlfriend, but she’s been staying back at a distance.”
“Her name is Sasha Johnson. I understand she’s new to town and was hired a month ago to work for Kaegan as a book-keeper,” Vashti said, taking a sip of her drink. Then as if deciding to switch subjects again, she said. “With the three of us working together it won’t take long to get Kaegan’s place back in order. You and I can pack up the food while Kaegan breaks down all the patio tables and tents.”
“Why can’t he do it all by himself?”
“Because we’re his friends and should help him.”
“Speak for yourself, Vash.”
“No, I’m speaking for the both of us, Bryce. Stop being difficult.”
“I’m not being difficult.”
“Yes, you are.”
Okay, maybe she was, but when it came to Kagan she felt she had every right to be difficult. She’d told Vashti some of what had happened, but hadn’t told her all of it. Bryce frowned at Vashti. “Honestly, Vash. There are times when you really do push the bounds of our friendship.”
“I do not.”
“Yes, you do.”
“What’s the big deal since you claim you’re over Kaegan,” Vashti quipped.
“I am over him.”
“Then act like it and not like a woman still carrying a torch after ten years.”
Bryce didn’t say anything. Did she really act that way? That was the last impression she wanted to give anyone, especially Kaegan. “Fine, but I still plan to ignore him.”
Vashti shook her head smiling “You always do.”
* * *
Kaegan Chambray glanced around and saw all the people had left. It had been another great party. The food was good and there had been plenty of it. The September weather had cooperated. Tents had been set up outside where huge buckets of seafood—blue crabs, shrimp, crawfish and lobster—had been served, as well as ribs cooked on the grill.
When he gave a cookout, it was for his employees, although he always included his friends. He liked rewarding his workers whenever they broke sale records or if the company got a big business deal. He felt it was a good incentive. He also believed in giving his employees bonuses as well. That pretty much assured he kept workers who were dependable and loyal.
He turned to look out at the bayou which was practically in his back yard. As far as he was concerned there was no place better to live. Those who called the bayou their home had a culture all their own. The people were a mixture of influences such as Spanish, French, German, African and Irish and in his case, Native American. Those with predominantly French ancestry still spoke the language. Together all the various groups made up the foundation of the Cajun culture.
“If you need help with anything, Kaegan, I will be glad to stay behind and help.”
Kaegan turned to find his newest employee, Sasha Johnson. He thought she’d left. “Thanks for the offer, Sasha, but I can manage.”
“Alright. And it was a nice party.”
“Thanks. Landing that Chappell account gave me a reason to celebrate.” His representative had been courting the huge restaurant chain for years, wanting to get in as their seafood supplier. Then out of the clear blue sky he’d gotten a call this summer. The Chappell Group needed more fresh seafood than their present supplier could provide and wanted to know if Chambray Seafood Shipping Company could deliver. Kaegan had said that he could and he had.
It had taken a full week of long harvesting hours, but in the end he and his crew had delivered, and the Chappell Group had remembered. When their contract with the other supplier ended, they had come to him with an awesome deal.
“I have a feeling that pretty soon you’ll be expanding your business to other states,” Sasha said, smiling.
He had news for her. That move was already under consideration, but he hadn’t shared it with anyone but Sawyer and Ray. “Maybe I will, one day.”
A flash of pink moving around in his house made him frown when he recalled just who’d worn that particular color tonight. He glanced back at Sasha. “Safe travels home and I’ll see you at work Monday morning.” Without waiting for her response, he quickly walked off, heading inside his home.
He heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Moving quickly, he walked into to find Bryce Witherspoon on a ladder putting something in one of the cabinets. Anger, the degree he hadn’t felt in a long time, consumed him. Standing there in his kitchen on that ladder was the one and only woman he’d ever loved. The one woman he would risk his life for and recalled doing so once. She was the only woman who’d had his heart from the time they were in grade school. The only one he’d ever wanted to marry, have his babies. The only one who…
He realized he’d been standing recalling things he preferred not remembering. What he should be remembering is that she was the woman who’d broken his heart. “What the hell are you doing in here, Bryce?”
His loud, booming voice startled her, and she jerked around, losing her balance and came tumbling off the ladder. He rushed over and caught her in his arms before she could hit the floor. His chest tightened and his nerves, and a few other things, kicked in the moment his hands and arms touched the body he used to know as well as his own. A body he’d introduced to passion. A body he’d -
“Put me down, Kaegan!”
He started to drop her, just for the hell of it. She was such a damn ingrate. “Next time I’ll just let you fall on your ass,” he snapped, placing her on her feet and trying not to notice how beautiful she was. Her eyes were a cross of hazel and moss green, and were adored by long eyelashes. She had high cheekbones and shoulder-length brown, curly hair. Her skin was a gorgeous honey-brown and her lips, although at the moment curved in a frown, had always been one of her most noticeable traits. He’d always thought they were such an alluring pair.
“Let go of my hand, Kaegan!”
Her sharp tone made him realized he’d been standing there staring at her. He fought to regain his senses. “What are you doing, going through
my cabinets?”
She rounded on him, tossing all that beautiful hair from out of her face. “I was on that ladder putting your spices back in the cabinets.”
He crossed his arms over his chest? “Why?”
“Because I was helping you tidy up after the party by putting things away.”
She had to be kidding. “I don’t need your help.”
“Fine! I’ll leave then. You can take Vashti home.”
Take Vashti home? What the hell was she talking about? He was about to ask when Vashti burst into the kitchen. “What in the world is going on? I heard the two of you yelling and screaming all the way in the bathroom.”
Kaegan turned to Vashti. “What is she talking about me taking you home? Where’s Sawyer?”
“He got a call and had to leave. I asked Bryce to drop me off at home. I also asked her to assist me in helping you straighten up before we left.”
“I don’t need help.”
Bryce rounded on him. “Why don’t you tell her what you told me? Namely, that you don’t need my help.”
He had no problem doing that. Glancing back at Vashti, he said. “I don’t need Bryce’s help. Nor do I want it.”
Bryce looked at Vashti. “I’m leaving. You either come with me now or he can take you home.”
Vashti looked from one to the other and then threw up her hands in frustration. “I’m leaving with you, Bryce. I’ll be out to the car in a minute.”
When Bryce walked out the kitchen Kaegan turned to Vashti. “You had no right to ask her to stay here after the party to do anything, Vashti. I don’t want her here. The only reason I even invite her is because of you.”
Kaegan had seen fire in Vashti’s eyes before, but it had never been directed at him. Now it was. She crossed the room and he had a mind to take a step back but didn’t. “I’m sick and tired of you acting like an ass where Bryce is concerned, Kaegan. When will you wake up and realize what you accused her of all those years ago is not true?”
He glared at her. “Oh? Is that what she told you? Newsflash. You weren’t there, Vashti, and I know what I saw.”
A Walk in the Park Page 8
