Promise Made (The Callahan Series)

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  “From what she told me that’s what happened.”

  They turned back toward the cruiser. “Why did you come back, Kate?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You came back to Oaktree for a reason. I know you stayed because Grace broke her arm, but this is the first time you’ve been here for a visit when it wasn’t a holiday or Grace’s birthday. The first time you've stayed more than forty-eight hours.”

  “How did you know?”

  “How could I not?” He chuckled.

  Kate giggled. “You’re right. Oaktree has its own communication system.”

  “So why, Kate?”

  She took her arm from his and walked a few feet ahead. He caught up with her and turned her toward him. “I really want to know.”

  “I tried to tell you that day in the diner, but—”

  “I know. I wouldn’t let you. I wasn’t ready to hear it then. I’m willing to listen, now, though. Please?”

  She hesitated only a moment longer, then sighed heavily. “I had to talk to Gram. My boss, Erik Walton, asked me to marry him. I ran again, Dugan. Not quite like when I left you, but I ran.”

  Dugan’s heart stopped. Why was he surprised? Kate was an amazing woman. Any man would be proud to have her as his wife. Did she love this Walton guy? Dugan rubbed his chest, as if he could rub the hurt away. He had to ask. “Do you love him?”

  Kate looked in his eyes. “You and I had sex, Dugan. What does that tell you? I like Erik. I still do. We worked well together. He’s a nice man. But I didn’t love him. Ever.”

  The pain eased somewhat.

  “I’ve wanted to get this off my chest ever since I came back. Years ago, when you asked me to marry you, I said yes because I loved you. The closer the wedding date came the more I realized I wanted more than a husband and kids. I wanted a career. All I could think about was my goal. I wanted to be independent. Something I got from my mother, I guess. I had thoughts that you might run out on me like my dad did my mom and me. So I ran. It was easier that way. Now I know you would never run. But at the time I thought it was the right choice. You would have been able to talk me out of it if I had stayed.”

  Jeez! After all this time—the truth.

  Relief ballooned. Hope blossomed.

  “And now?”

  “After I was here a while, I began to wonder if I was like my dad. After all, I was the one running away. Was I the one afraid of commitment like my dad was?”

  “It isn’t true, Kate.”

  She stopped walking. “Why do you think that?”

  “Look at how you take care of Grace. Look at how, for years, you took care of stray animals. You didn’t change your mind. You were never wishy-washy. You would never leave Grace if she needed you. Nor would you abandon the man you love or your family.”

  She smiled gently and touched his face. “I’ve been afraid, Dugan. I didn’t want to hurt you again. I hurt you enough when I left you stranded at the altar. I’m so sorry about that.”

  The tenderness of her touch was nearly his undoing. He took her arm and continued their slow walk. “You can’t bear to see an animal hurt, much less someone you care for. Do you realize that the reason you didn’t want to hurt me was because you cared for me?”

  “I more than cared for you then, Dugan.”

  “We were crazy in love,” he admitted.

  “I know. I talked to Doc Pullman about my problem. He suggested one of the reasons I ran was because my mom and dad had a passionate relationship and it still didn’t last. That my mind grabbed onto that fact and deep down I wondered if passion was enough. You have to admit, Dugan, if nothing else, our relationship has been beyond passionate.”

  “I agree. So, what are you thinking? That because your parents’ marriage didn’t last beyond their emotional and sexual desire for each other that ours wouldn’t either?”

  “Something like that. For a few minutes I even considered saying yes to Erik. Maybe because I never had that passion with him. Crazy, huh?”

  “Yeah. Crazy. But you didn’t. You’re staying here and Walton is out of the picture.”

  “Absolutely.”

  ****

  In the distance, a mother with three children played on the swings. One of the children squealed with pleasure when her mother swung her high. That could be her with Dugan’s children. Kate’s heart beat faster.

  “You know, Kate, you’re nothing like your dad,” Dugan was saying. He took her hand. “And as far as not trusting the passion between us, forget it. Your dad had problems. He might be one of those men where nothing is enough. He loved your mother but at the same time had itchy feet. He couldn’t stay for long and he couldn’t stay away. He must have been miserable.”

  Kate’s heart did that trip-hammer thing again. Was it true? Could Dugan be right? “I can’t think with you touching me.” She pulled her hand free and walked over to the largest oak in the park, leaned against the wide trunk. Other than leaving Dugan, had she ever backed out on a commitment? School? Work? Gram? No she hadn’t. Nor would she. She wasn’t like her Dad. And she sure as hell didn’t have itchy feet. She’d been young and confused when she left Dugan at the altar. Just plain scared.

  Doc Pullman had tried to make her understand. Now she did.

  For a while she’d even thought it might be in her DNA to be like her father and that reasoning had clouded her judgment. It probably had something to do with all she’d learned while an ADA. There were more than a few occasions when she’d seen criminal genes handed down from one generation to the next. Why not her inability to commit?

  She loved Dugan with her heart and soul. Now that she knew herself better, she knew she could never leave him.

  It wasn’t just the sexual attraction. They had that in spades. It was everything about him—his honesty, his toughness, his fairness. She could go on and on. But the truth was, she loved the man—wanted to have his babies.

  She walked back to him and looked into his very green eyes.

  Though she’d loved Dugan dearly five years ago, she’d been too young to appreciate what he offered.

  For the first time in a long time, her head was clear. She loved him more than ever now.

  “Everything all right? he asked quietly.

  “I think so.”

  “Why don’t we try again?” he asked. “I loved you when we were kids, Kate. I still love you. And I still have the ring.”

  “Can you trust me again, Dugan?” Tears escaped. She couldn’t help it.

  “You had goals and ambitions when we were young. I should have seen it. We should have talked and worked it out. I was too blind and you were too frightened.”

  He tipped her face up, met her eyes. “I love you more than ever, Kate. ˮ He grinned. “Take this to the bank. If you run again, I’ll come after you and drag you back.”

  She touched his face, then those delicious lips. “Really?” Running from Dugan was the last thing she would do.

  His head dipped. Her eyes never left his. In them, she saw love waiting, hers for the taking.

  “I would,” he whispered into her mouth.

  His kiss left her breathless and shaky. “I love you, Dugan. I don’t think I ever stopped.”

  “I know I didn’t.”

  He kissed her again. She leaned into him as close as possible, put her arms around his neck and held on.

  “There is one thing that bothers me.”

  Her heart stilled. “What?”

  “Are you sure you’ll be happy here in Oaktree? You have a rare talent. There are any number of law firms in large cities from Dallas to Houston and beyond who would hire you, give you a big salary and a bigger office. If that’s what you want, it would be impossible to get that here.” He paused. “If you would be happier in Austin or San Antonio or a bigger city, I’ll go with you. Wherever you are is where I want to be.”

  She put her hands on each side of his face. “Dugan, I fell in love with Oaktree when I was a kid. That hasn’t changed. Besid
es, you know I want to be close to Gram.”

  They kissed again.

  A car passed. A horn blew a long whoop. Dugan laughed. “Everyone in town will know the sheriff is making out with Kate Maroney in Oaktree Park. How long do you give the grapevine to make its rounds?”

  “A few minutes.”

  “So what’s your answer, Kate? Will you be my wife? I don’t know where we’ll live, but we’ll find a place. That will be the least of our worries.”

  She touched his face again, but this time he felt comfort in her touch, not regret. “I want to build a life with you. I know I threw that chance away once, but I won’t again. Nothing is more important to me right now than you. I made a stupid mistake then. And I’m sorry.”

  “Your reasons were valid.”

  “I panicked. Now I want to love you, have a family with you. I promise to never leave you, Dugan. I would never do that to you again.”

  His deep, sensual kiss made her feel as if she'd finally come home.

  “We’d better leave before we attract a crowd,” Dugan said with a grin.

  “Let’s tell Grace and Ed.” They climbed into the cruiser. “If we don’t, they’ll hear we’ve been spooning in the park and wonder what’s going on. Then we’ll tell Mom. It won’t take five minutes for the whole family to know.”

  As they made their way to Grace’s, several of the townsfolk waved and smiled.

  “Word is out.”

  Kate chuckled. “Looks like. Did you know there’s a betting pool as to how this, me and you, will work out?”

  “Molly told me.”

  “Unbelievable. But I still love it here.”

  “I’m glad.” He grinned as they pulled into Grace’s drive and parked behind Ed’s pickup.

  He and Gram were in the den. “There you are, Katie-Girl. I hoped you’d get home soon.”

  “You look wonderful, Gram. Is that a new outfit?” She had on a blue pantsuit, a soft white blouse underneath. The blue matched her eyes. Her white hair was pushed back and waved as if she’d been to the beauty shop. Her nails were freshly painted with pale pink polish. “What have you been up to?”

  Yogi lay at Gram’s feet. Heidi, in her favorite chair, had looked up when they walked in, but already shut her eyes. Ed brought tall glasses of tea from the kitchen. “Just a minute, I’ll get a couple more.”

  “Sit down.” Gram waved to Kate and Dugan. “We have news.”

  “What, Gram?”

  “Just a minute.” Ed handed out the glasses, then sat next to Gram and took her hand.

  “We’re getting married.”

  Gram’s smile and Ed’s grin were contagious.

  “How wonderful!” Kate jumped up and ran to give them each a hug.

  Dugan shook Ed’s hand and gave Gram a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations. I know you’ll be happy.”

  “It was a hard decision,” Gram said.

  “I let her bribe me.” Ed laughed.

  Kate’s brows rose. “How did that come about?”

  “I told Ed that I had a condition. He had to show his paintings. For a minute there, I believe he had to think about it.”

  “About two seconds,” Ed teased. “At least she won’t nag me anymore. When she realizes they won’t sell, we’ll never hear another word about it.”

  Dugan looked confused. “What paintings?”

  “I’ll tell you later,” Kate whispered. It was time to tell Gram her own news, but Gram wasn’t finished.

  Gram took some papers from the table next to her. “This is for the two of you.”

  “What is it?” Dugan asked.

  Kate held her hand out for the papers, read the front page. “Gram!” she gasped. “You can’t do this.”

  “Of course I can.”

  Dugan looked over her shoulder. “Does it say what I think it does?”

  Kate’s hands trembled. The words turned blurry. All she could see was a black and white smear. But she’d read correctly. “You gave Dugan and me the deed to your house? Why would you do this?”

  Gram stood, took Kate in her arms. “Because I love you, Katie-Girl, and I love Dugan. What would I do with this place if I didn’t give it to the two of you? I plan to live in Ed’s house. If you decide to leave town, you’ll sell your half to Dugan. He’s told me more than once over the years if I ever decided to sell, he wanted first bid.”

  Kate laughed and threw her arms around Gram. “You’re wonderful, Gram. But you don’t have to worry. I love this house. If I have to marry Dugan to get it, then that’s just what I’ll do.”

  Gram gasped and put a hand to her mouth. “You wouldn’t!”

  Dugan laughed so hard it made Kate laugh with him. “I’m pulling your leg, Gram. I told Dugan yes a few minutes ago.”

  “I told her if she ran away again I would come after her,” Dugan said. He took Gram in his arms, held her tight. “You didn’t have to do this, you know. I would be happy to buy the house.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. “This is my pleasure. You’ve always been the grandson I never had.”

  He kissed her cheek again.

  “This is wonderful news. The two of you have made me very happy. We have a wedding to plan, Katie-Girl.”

  “Two weddings,” Kate reminded her. “You have one of your own to think about.”

  “No. Ours is already taken care of. We picked up our license today. Over the next couple of days, I’ll pack my things and get them to Ed’s. We’ve made arrangements with Father Mike. He’s agreed to do the honors at noon Saturday. We don’t want anyone there except the two of you. When the ceremony is over, we’ll make a short trip to San Antonio for a few days. When we get back, I’ll live with Ed.”

  “You really do have it all planned out, don’t you?”

  “It’s what we want, Katie-Girl. Now your wedding is a different story. We’re going all out.”

  Dugan cleared his throat. “As you know, we have a tradition in the Callahan family,” he broke in. “The wedding and reception will be at the ranch.” He dropped a kiss on Kate’s mouth. “If that’s all right with you two ladies.”

  “Sounds wonderful to me,” Kate said.

  “How soon?” he asked.

  Kate looked around at their smiling faces. “The sooner, the better.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Ten Weeks Later

  Dugan stood at the window of his old bedroom at the ranch. From here, he could see the lane that led to the house.

  “Is she here yet?” Donovan asked at his elbow.

  Dugan shook his head, paced the room one minute, then sat down, and bounced his knee the next.

  Where is she?

  Kate wouldn’t back out now. She promised.

  They’d spent the last two and a half months getting ready for today. He’d helped Ed haul what Grace wanted over to his place. Dugan and Kate stood up with them when they got married, watched as they happily drove off for their short trip. Since then, every spare moment had been spent on his and Kate’s house. Now didn’t that sound strange? His and Kate’s house.

  When they had re-painted, had the hardwood floors re-done, the area rugs cleaned, put new curtains at the windows, it looked like a different place. The kitchen looked new. They’d added an island, had the old Formica countertops replaced with black granite, and all the old appliances replaced with top-of-the-line stainless steel ones. They'd called in an artisan from San Antonio. He started by taking layers of paint off the cabinets. When Kate walked in their second day on the job she came close to firing them. “Do you know what you’re doing? The cabinets look as if they have warts. This isn’t what I wanted.” She’d screeched for ten minutes before the man in charge calmed her down. After that, the craftsmen spent several more days scraping off paint, then they sealed the beautiful wood with a clear varnish. New tile floors were added. The results were nothing short of amazing.

  Kate was so taken with her new kitchen, she’d bargained with Grace to give her cooking l
essons at least one day a week. Dugan didn’t know when she’d have the time, but knowing Kate, she’d manage.

  They’d stored a lot of stuff in the attic Grace didn’t want to take with her, hauled in Kate’s from the U-Haul and rearranged every room.

  She was amazing. Her practice was growing so fast, she spoke of hiring help and looking for an office. She wouldn’t have to. He’d purchased the run-down place next door, planned on razing it and building a small house there that Kate could use for just that purpose.

  When the renovations on the house were complete, they had their first dinner party. Grace and Ed were invited as well as Kate’s friend, Jenna.

  There was so much oohing and aahing Dugan had to laugh.

  When dinner was over, Ed had excused himself. He was back in less than ten minutes with a painting under his arm. “The house needs one more thing to make it perfect,” he’d said.

  Then he gave them a portrait of Grace, said it was their wedding gift. It was beautiful. After Kate put it in a place of honor in her office, she had cried off and on the rest of the evening.

  True to his promise, Ed had put a couple of paintings in the craft store on the square. They sold so fast, the owner asked for more. Kate talked Ed into raising the price, but it didn’t matter, they’d sold, too.

  An art dealer in San Antonio called, said he’d read an article in the Oaktree Gazette and wanted to see Ed’s work. After making the trip he’d offered him a show.

  Ed had two weeks to go and wanted a few more paintings finished by then.

  Everything else had worked out. Jerome Johnson’s trial was over. After being found guilty of attempted murder and blackmail, he was sent back to the pen.

  Life had never been better.

  Their best times were the times they had worked together on the house. When a chore was accomplished, Kate would throw her arms around him and they would celebrate.

  Lord have mercy, he loved the way they celebrated.

  She wouldn’t throw all of that away now.

  More and more cars rolled down the drive. There was Father Mike in his black clerical robes. This must be some kind of record: two weddings, grandmother and granddaughter, in less than three months. He’d bet that never happened before.