Come Home To Love (Harlequin Signature Select)

by Joan Hohl

  Turning back into the bedroom Katherine saw Matt had his case open and was piling clothes onto his arm. He turned and giving her a brief smile walked to the door.

  "I'll grab a shower downstairs and have a drink ready for you when you get down. What would you like?"

  "White wine?"

  "Certainly. I'll put it in to chill. Take your time and, oh yeah, if you're going to hang your clothes, would you do mine, too?"

  She nodded and he was through the door, closing it quietly. She stared at the door a few minutes, sighing in relief at his leaving her alone to shower, then emptied the cases leaving out clean undies, a full lightweight caftan in purple and white and flat white sandals.

  A half hour later, freshly showered, face free of make-up except a pale pink lip gloss, she went down the stairs. As she reached the bottom he came around from behind the car carrying her wine glass and what looked like his usual Michters-sans-soda. He stood at an archway in the far wall looking relaxed and attractive in dark slacks and white pullover shirt.

  "Come along," he rasped softly, holding her glass out to her. "I'll show you the rest of the place."

  The house was larger than she'd thought. He led her through the archway into a hallway off which were three bedrooms and two small bathrooms. Then they went down a curving stairway to the ground level which consisted of a rec or family room, a small alcove which con-

  tained the heating and airconditioning units, and a small sauna room with its own tiny dip pool.

  From the rec room they went through a door and across a flagstone patio to the steps leading up to the deck of the living room.

  "It's a beautiful house, Matt. I don't see how you can ever bear to leave it." Not looking at him, Katherine sipped her wine, willing some of the warm peaceful evening to seep into her, soothe the steadily mounting tension.

  "Thank you, I designed it. As to leaving it, I don't very often for the simple reason I seldom get up here. Although I don't hunt, I have brought friends and business acquaintances up to hunt occasionally, also for the weekend during the hottest part of the summer." She glanced up at him and he lifted his eyebrows mockingly. "Yes, I also indulge in the business-mixed-with-pleas-ure weekend at times."

  He studied his empty glass then turned abruptly to the living room.

  "Can I top your drink off?"

  "No, thank you, I'm fine." She held her half-full glass up for proof.

  He was back in minutes his glass three-quarters full of what Katherine was sure was all whiskey over one small ice cube. Her nervousness increasing, she gulped down her wine. Lord, this night was going to be difficult enough, she hoped he wasn't going to get drunk in the bargain. Fingers cold, nerveless, she played with the stem of her glass.

  "I—I'm very tired," she murmured, wetting lips gone suddenly parched. "I think I'll go to bed."

  Eyes on her face, he sipped his drink, rasping softly as he lowered his glass. "All right, you go on up. I'll be

  up as soon as I've finished this." Lifting his glass he gave her a small salute before again putting it to his mouth.

  Katherine went into the kitchen, rinsed her glass and sat it on the draining rack, then went up the stairs to the bedroom. Fingers now like ice, she undressed quickly slipping into a lightweight batiste nightie, washed her face, brushed her teeth and slid into bed.

  She was shivering, her arms covered with goose-bumps and she drew the covers closely around herself wondering if the chill was caused by the low setting of the air conditioner or her own fear.

  Don't be ridiculous, she chided herself sharply. You're a mature woman, you've been to bed with a man before and it's probably the same with every man. But it had been so many years, almost twenty, and she was scared. Scared, hell, she was terrified.

  By the time Matt entered the room she lay stiff, unmoving, fingers curling into her hands, nails digging relentlessly into her palms. He didn't bother with the lights, walking unerringly through the room and into the bathroom. The room was dark, the only light being the pale stripes of moonlight cast on the rug through the louvered doors. Katherine's eyes had adjusted to the dark room enabling her to distinguish outline and shape and she watched him, heart thumping painfully, when he came back into the room. He undressed swiftly, with a minimum of movement, tossing his clothes on the chair next to the night stand.

  She watched him, unable to tear her eyes away, swallowing convulsively to ease the knot of rising panic in her throat. What was she doing here? Why had she agreed to this? This man was a stranger to her and she was more than a little afraid of him. She felt her body

  go even more rigid as he slid into the bed beside her. He turned to her, his head coming closer and without conscious thought she jerked her head away from him. She heard the breath catch in his throat and he became perfectly still.

  Feeling frozen, barely breathing, she waited for his reaction. When it came, it plunged her into shock. He took her. He didn't try to kiss her, touching her only when absolutely necessary, he took her, coldly, unemotionally, like an automaton, moving away immediately when it was over.

  Eyes wide, dry, she lay staring blankly into the darkness, incapable of coherent thought, her body shaking, cold with shock. She must have slept for when next her eyes blinked wide, the room was bright from the sun rays slanting through the louvered slats.

  With a sigh of relief, she saw Matt was gone and with a soft groan she left the bed. It seemed every one of her muscles ached from the contraction of tension and she felt tired to the bone.

  Like a sleepwalker she went to the shower, standing passively while the hot, stinging spray worked its magic on her body. Still not allowing herself to think just yet she dressed in white slacks and a hot pink pullover, grimacing wryly at the brazen color. Ignoring the makeup case on the dresser she brushed through her short black curls, then slipped her feet into the sandals she'd worn the night before.

  Still moving slowly she walked across the room, folded back the louvered doors, slid open the glass door and stepped onto the deck. The air was still morning sweet although the sun was hot and she stood still, eyes closed, breathing the fresh pine-scented air deeply into

  her lungs, willing the rays of heat to melt the lump of ice that had formed inside her.

  The view from the deck was breathtaking, the mountains close and distant seeming to overlap each other. The morning light drawing the many shades of green into brilliance was at once a delight to the eyes, an assault on the senses. Something tugged at Katherine's memory and then she suddenly realized the scene she was gazing at was the same as the painting in Matt's apartment living room.

  She didn't hear him until he stepped onto the wooden floor of the deck and she jumped when his hand touched her shoulder.

  Matt's voice was toneless, without inflection, although the rasp seemed more pronounced. "Mrs. Darcy has breakfast ready, Katherine. Will you come down now? I'd like you to meet her."

  She nodded turning, then, "Matt, I—"

  "Later, Katherine, we'll talk over breakfast." His tone brooked no argument and turning her led her through the room, down the stairs and into the kitchen where both Mr. and Mrs. Darcy waited for them.

  In their fifties, they were both small and wiry with open contented faces. After Matt made the introductions and they'd offered congratulations, Mr. Darcy departed. Mrs. Darcy served breakfast on the glass-topped white wrought-iron table on the deck. Placing covered serving dishes on the table, she glanced first at Katherine then Matt and, with a twinkle in her eyes, told them to help themselves and followed her husband within minutes.

  "They seem very nice," Katherine said softly.

  "They are. They've been with me since the house was built. They live here the year round, in the apartment over the garage."

  His tone indicated that was all he'd say on that subject and she sipped nervously at her hot coffee, burning her tongue in the process. Cradling her cup in icy fingers she said abruptly. "Matt, this arrangement isn't going to work."

  H
e was quiet long minutes, his eyes narrowed, staring out at the mountains. Then he turned his head. Cold icy gray eyes fastened on hers and held and he said slowly, deliberately, "Yes, it is, you made an agreement and you'll stick to it." The rasp ragged, his voice hardened, and Katherine's cheeks grew warm with his next words. "You're no blushing young virgin, you knew what to expect. If what happened last night is— distasteful to you, as I know it is to some women, I can only give you the consolation of assuring you it will only happen when it's absolutely necessary."

  He kept her moving during their brief stay, showing her some of the attractions the mountains offered. From the modestly priced to the very expensive luxury resorts with their lure of boating, fishing, golf and practically every other activity one could think of including big-name nightly entertainment.

  They visited Bushkill Farms, Buck Hill Falls and Winona Falls, where the age-old fascination of cascading water wove its spell around Katherine. Then on to Fred Waring's beloved Shawnee and finally ending their whirlwind tour at Camelback ski resort with its summertime lure of water slides and breathtaking Alpine slide.

  He had been true to his words and the shock, the humiliation Katherine had suffered, slowly wore off, leaving in its wake a feeling of numbness, emptiness that not even the lure of the peaceful mountains could touch. Though she felt the enchantment of the shaded green world, her only wish was to enjoy it; alone.

  of those words did to her emotionally. Voice husky, she murmured, "About seven."

  "And Janice and Carlos won't be here before ten-thirty; it's not yet five, why don't you try to get a few hours' sleep?"

  She shivered at the almost tender tone and fought back the urge to dissolve the tightness in her throat with tears.

  "You cold?" His own voice had grown husky, then sliding his arms around her, he pulled her against his hard, warm body and whispered, "Sleep, Kate."

  Even with her lack of sleep the day turned out to be a satisfying one for Katherine. Janice and Carlos arrived, the former glowing with good health and approaching motherhood, the latter with happiness and pride of achievement. Matt stayed home all day, his manner one of pleasant amiability and Katherine felt the tensions of the night ebb out of her. The mildly incongruous sight of Matt striding through the apartment with Jon in his arms, laughing and teasing the baby in turn, settled on her a contentment she had not felt in a long time.

  Dinner was a happy, companionable time as were the few hours they spent in the living room afterward. Plans were made for Carlos to call Katherine as soon as Janice went into labor. Matt surprised them all by suggesting Katherine, Jon and Mary fly to Washington when Carlos called and spend a week or two getting to know her first grandchild. He then added casually, "I'll have the Lear kept ready for you, that way you can be with Janice within an hour or so after Carlos calls. If I'm here I'll go with you, if not, I'll join as soon as possible. All right?"

  "Yes, thank you " The words seemed inadequate, but

  Katherine was so stunned by his thoughtfulness and consideration they were the only words she could manage. It didn't matter for she had barely finished speaking when Janice cried, "Oh Matt, how wonderful! I was hoping Mother could come to me then." She paused, then added, "I suppose no matter how sophisticated and independent she thinks she is, when a girl is about to have her first baby she wants her mother with her."

  "Of course," Matt replied, his tone intimating it was a foregone conclusion.

  That night Katherine slept deeply, with no side trips into the past.

  Saturday brought sunshine and, in the early afternoon, a smiling Tom. He laughingly suffered birthday hugs and kisses from Katherine and Janice and grinned his thank you to Carlos and Matt before asking, "Could I have a sandwich or something? I'm starving."

  Lunch was served to Tom and coffee to the rest, in the living room. Tom ate his lunch with Jon on his lap, talking non-stop around his sandwich. He'd finished eating and was drinking his coffee when he looked at Matt and grinned crookedly, saying, "I'd have been here sooner but the wreck's motor is acting up and I didn't want to push it, or my luck. I was even afraid to stop to eat, afraid it wouldn't start again. Do you think Jack could have a look at it while I'm here?"

  "I don't know why not. If anyone can fix it, Jack can." His voice held casual interest, and the others sat avoiding each other's eyes, Janice, Carlos and Mary having seen the birthday present that morning, as he added, "As a matter of fact your mother has a little surprise jaunt for you when you've finished there. I'll speak to Jack about it when we go down for the cars."

  Tom's eyes, full of delight, swung to Katherine. "A surprise trip? For my birthday? What's shakin', Mom?"

  Laughing, Katherine replied, "If I told you, it would hardly be a surprise."

  As soon as he'd finished they piled into the elevator, shifting about till Tom was in the very front. At the ground floor the doors slid apart. Tom took three steps and stopped dead, speechless. Then, with a mock groan, he cried, "Oh nurse, I'm worse!" With a leaping spring he was at the flame-colored sports car, around it and inside, touching it lovingly.

  While the others stood by smiling, Katherine walked slowly to the car, Matt, Jon in his arms, at her shoulder. As if on cue they spoke at the same time, "Happy birthday, Tom."

  Katherine felt her heart constrict and her eyes grow hot and prickly when Tom lifted his head to look at her. For the first time in many years her son had tears in his eyes and as he started to speak his voice broke. "Than-thank you, Mom." Swimming eyes shifted to Matt. "I don't deserve this, you know."

  Matt gave a brief shake of his head, then rasped quietly, "The fact that you've said that convinces me you do."

  Tom's grin flashed white and quickly brushing the back of his hand over his eyes, he said excitedly, "Can I take it for a run?"

  "Is the key in the ignition?" Matt questioned dryly.

  Again Tom's grin flashed as he turned back into the car calling, "Come on, Jack, let's go for a ride."

  Jack hesitated, glancing at Matt, then, on Matt's barely perceptible nod, slid in beside Tom and they were off.

  Matt smiled shaking his head, glanced at his watch,

  handed Jon to Mary and, looking at Katherine said, "I have an appointment, if I'm not back by the time you're ready to leave for the restaurant go on without me, I'll join you there."

  "But..."

  "I'll be there, Katherine," he snapped impatiently, striding towards the Lincoln.

  Matt hadn't returned and they left without him, Jon staying with the redoubtable Clyde. When they arrived at the restaurant they were met by James and three of Tom's friends Katherine had invited to the dinner. The girl Tom had been dating fairly regularly, a pretty blond girl aptly named Taffy, Tom's best friend, Mike, and Mike's current girl, Tina, a vaguely insolent, overly sophisticated young woman.

  They were seated at a large round table, and had been sipping pre-dinner drinks some twenty minutes when Katherine heard Mike whisper to Tom, "I thought your stepfather would be here."

  "He will be," Tom whispered back.

  "I hope so," Mike said softly. "I was looking forward to finally meeting the old boy. I've heard so much about him from my father I was beginning to think the great Matthew Martin was a myth my dad made up as an example for me."

  Katherine glanced down at her drink to hide the smile pulling at her mouth. The old boy! Matt should have heard that. She looked up at the sound of Tom's laughing voice. "Well, it looks like you're about to meet the myth." Following the direction of Tom's amusement filled eyes across the large room, her gaze encountered Matt.

  He had just entered the room and was speaking to the

  maitre d', then he glanced in their direction, nodded and started toward them. Heads, both male and female, turned to follow his progress. She understood why. Matt was an impressive sight at any time but fully decked out in evening dress he was something else altogether. His midnight-blue tux fit his big angular frame perfectly and his pale blue dress shirt banished the gray fr
om his eyes leaving them clear blue.

  As he started around the table, heading for the empty chair between Tom's and her own, Katherine studied the expression on the faces of the three young people. Mike's had changed quickly from curiosity to admiration. Taffy's face revealed bright expectancy. The look on Tina's face caused her to pause with a soft sigh. The only way to describe it was cool calculation. Well, Katherine thought resignedly, Tina certainly wasn't the first woman to take Matt's measure and consider her own chances, and it was doubtful she'd be the last.

  Matt paused behind Katherine's chair, touched her shoulder lightly murmuring, "Sorry I'm late," then turned to Tom saying, "I don't believe I've met your friends."

  Introductions were made, Matt arching one brow in speculation at the purring tone of Tina's voice. He nodded greetings around the table, said, "Evening James," then turned to take the drink from the waiter who had just walked up to him. Lifting his glass he glanced round the table then turned to Tom. "I propose a birthday toast. To our Tom, may the year be as happy, as satisfying and as fulfilling as the joy you bring to your family."

  "Hear, hear," Carlos and James chorused.

  The dinner was a huge success, the food excellent, the conversation pleasant, often funny, as the four young people kept the ball rolling with amusing quips.

  They had been served coffee and liqueurs when Tina purred suddenly, "Why don't we go on to a disco from here?" and a chorus of "aw right" came from Mike, Taffy and Tom.

  Katherine, sipping her Amaretto, lowered her glass saying firmly, "I don't think so, Tom, it's getting late and—" She stopped speaking for Tom had turned from her to look imploringly at Matt.

  The corner of Matt's mouth twitched and sliding his hand inside his jacket he removed his billfold, extracted three twenties, handed them to Tom and rasped. "This one's on me, now book."