“Okay. Tell Dad that I’ll meet him there shortly.” Kate could hear the rumbling of her father’s voice in the background.
“Kate? Dad wants to know if you’ll stop in at the office and get the inventory sheets on your way over? He needs to get out there right away to meet Sam Danielson and his deputies.”
“Not a problem, Kel. Tell him I’ll try to be there within the hour.”
When Kate turned, Murphy was studying her worriedly, as he sat up in the bed. “Trouble?”
Kate immediately became distracted. Her eyes traveled over his face, before moving down appreciatively over his broad muscular shoulders. Her gaze lingered on the hair covering his chest, as she began to remember its softness from the night before, as it’d brushed gently across her nipples...
He grinned, obviously aware of her train of her thought. “Kate?”
She shook her head dazedly, before clearing her throat. “Uh – yeah, Michael?”
His gaze remained intense as his eyes held hers.
Kate sighed, drawing herself back into the present. “Remember all the trouble we had – with the missing materials – six-years ago?”
He nodded.
“Well, whoever was doing it actually stopped – for a little while, anyway. Who knows – maybe he discovered we were switching our inventory over to computers? Or, maybe, we never noticed what was stolen because it was just so minimal? Or heck, maybe Brian Lancaster was responsible for the materials thefts along with the reclaimed lumber. We never totally ruled him out as a suspect. But, all of sudden, over the past few years, the missing amounts of materials have grown larger. It’s like whoever’s been doing it isn’t even afraid he’ll get caught anymore.”
“Maybe he’s just becoming bolder because he’s been getting away with it for so long?”
Kate shrugged. “Maybe.”
“What about surveillance cameras, Kate? Wouldn’t that help?”
She shook her head. “Even though the cost of surveillance equipment has become a lot less expensive than it was five years ago, it’d just be too difficult. Do you realize, Michael – that we have over fifty jobs that we’re working on right now? We’ve nearly tripled in size over the last six years – we have over five-hundred employees on our payroll.”
Murphy blew out a long low whistle.
Wryly, she smiled. “Business has been good. Remodeling and reopening the Dragonfly Pointe Inn has been great for our economy. Even property away from the lake is in demand. Parceled lots – for building homes – are selling like crazy.”
Pulling herself out of the bed and reaching for her robe, she caught Murphy’s eyes running heatedly over her naked body. When she grinned, he offered her a sheepish smile.
“I need to go and get the inventory sheets from the office and meet Dad. Sam Danielson is out there already, I guess. One of his deputies was patrolling the area. He noticed that the front door of the house we’re remodeling was left wide open. The deputy called Sam, and Sam called Dad, who knew that the flooring was already stacked up inside and ready to be installed. Dan sent Luke out there to see if anything was missing.” Kate motioned with her hand. “Just make yourself at home while I’m gone.”
“Can I just come along with you? Maybe I can do something to help – and then we can stop and get breakfast when we’re finished.” He chuckled. “I’m kind of starving.”
Kate grinned. “Come to think of it, I don’t have much food in the house. I only moved in last week.”
Murphy grinned. “Really?” He slipped out of the bed. Last night, after he’d fallen asleep, Kate had gathered up his clothing and laid it neatly on a chair. Reaching down for his boxer briefs, he hurriedly slipped them on. Staring down at the rest of his clothing, he frowned. “I’d better go out and get my clothes from the car – these are a little ripe.”
Kate grinned. “It’ll be alright if you sneak out like that. At least you don’t have to worry about offending anyone’s sensibilities – since I don’t have any close neighbors.”
She hesitated – they seemed to be avoiding any talk about the night before.
Murphy tugged her into his arms. “Good morning, Kate.” Lowering his mouth to hers, he gave her a scorching kiss.
With a breathless sigh, she reluctantly pulled away. “Good morning to you, too, Michael,” she whispered softly.
She ran her hand lightly over the stubble on his chin before moving it down through the soft silky hair covering his chest. Touching him just wasn’t enough – she couldn’t seem to get enough of him. Kate couldn’t believe Michael was actually here. And what a kiss! She rested her head on his shoulder, loving the tang of his musky morning scent.
His voice was unsteady when he gently shoved her away. “You’d better get out of here Kate, or I’m not gonna be able to help myself.” His fiery green eyes held hers. “For sure, you’re gonna end up back in that bed.”
She giggled, as she reluctantly began gathering her clothes together. Running into the bathroom, she cranked on the water in the shower, quickly jumping in, washing off and getting out again. By the time Kate returned to the bedroom, Murphy was climbing up the stairs with his suitcase.
Peeking over his shoulder when he snapped open his suitcase, she chuckled, noticing the disarray inside. “Nice packing job.”
“I was in a hurry, Kate.” He grinned wryly at her, over his shoulder. “I had a wedding to stop.” Digging through the mishmash of clothes thrown inside, he finally pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “At least I brought lots of socks and underwear.”
Kate laughed, as she approached the stairs. Thinking about everything that’d happened since yesterday, she was becoming a little teary-eyed. “I’ll go downstairs and start the coffee while you’re taking your shower.”
Twenty minutes later, they were on the road in Kate’s truck. After a short stop at the newly-expanded offices of Callahan Construction, Kate steered on and around Crystal Rock Lake, heading towards the access road that ran alongside Pebble Lake.
“I don’t think we ever visited Pebble Lake when I was here before,” Murphy observed.
“The chain-of-lakes connected to Crystal Rock Lake supposedly covers almost a hundred miles. Dad used to take our entire family on boating trips when we were young. Mom would pack up a picnic lunch and we’d stop along the shore to swim and sometimes ski.”
“Sounds like fun,” Murphy said.
“It was. But eventually our boat broke down.” She turned to glance at Murphy. “Dad couldn’t afford to get the motor fixed, and the cost of a new one, even then, was ridiculous. Since Dad’s business was beginning to taper off back then, because of the economy, he ended up getting rid of the boat.” Kate smiled, sheepishly. “Poor Dad. I’m pretty sure that all of us kids cried that day and got upset with him, making him out to be a villain.”
When she pulled up into the driveway of the Clarkson property, Kate frowned. The scene appeared to be unusually active.
Jumping down from the truck, Murphy promptly made his way around to Kate’s door as she opened it up. Reaching for her hand, he made a quick grab for her clipboard before slamming the door and continued to hold her hand while they approached the house.
❋
A few hours later, after thoroughly investigating what was missing from the property, Kate and Murphy were eating breakfast, along with her father, at the Crystal Rock Tap.
“Yeah. The Clarkson place is really isolated, Kate,” Murphy was saying, in between bites of egg. “What else do all the robbery sites have in common?”
Cal became thoughtful. “I think we’ve pretty much agreed that someone has been loading up and hauling out materials by water.”
“Maybe you should look at this from a different angle, Cal?”
“What do you mean, Michael?” Murphy was working on his second helping from the breakfast buffet. Reaching over to Murphy’s plate, Kate snatched up a piece of his syrupy waffle.
Staring from Kate to Murphy, Cal frowned, rolling his eyes upward.
And Kate grinned.
Murphy paused, with his loaded up fork near his mouth. “Why do they only steal from properties near the water? Ease of access, sure. But maybe there’re other reasons, too?”
“Well,” Kate said, considering, “they’d have to have a place large enough to store that much lumber.”
Cal continued from where Kate left off. “Or, they’d have to make arrangements for transporting the materials beforehand. There might be a designated pick up spot somewhere along the lake.”
“But that’d be like searching for a needle in a haystack, Dad. The chain-of-lakes extends nearly one-hundred miles.”
“But there has to be a transport point, Kate. We’ve searched the entire state for those materials.”
“Dad – more than likely they’re breaking up the parcels and selling the lumber in smaller quantities.”
Cal sighed. “I have a feeling that someone is purchasing that lumber for cash under the table, Kate. I know of at least a half a dozen companies – even here up north – that could probably get away with it without anyone ever asking questions.”
“Well, what about that flooring and tile, Dad – wouldn’t it be easier to track – since it’s all special order?”
Cal shook his head. “I doubt it. Don’t forget, our tracking devices are deactivated once the materials reach their intended worksite.”
Kate nodded. “And, besides, this is the first time anything but lumber and roofing materials have been stolen. We just weren’t prepared.”
Shoving his plate aside, Murphy reached for his coffee cup. “Another thing I’ve been thinking about, with the lake – what if that’s how your thief surveys your worksites? I mean, if the robberies are preplanned, wouldn’t your thief have to be someone who wouldn’t seem out of place if he’s around the worksite a lot?”
“Yeah. I see what you’re saying, Murph. What if it isn’t even one of our employees?”
Murphy shrugged. “Or there could be more than one thief. Would he need to have help – loading up what he’s stealing?”
Cal nodded thoughtfully. “No, not necessarily.”
Julie’s father, Jeff Thompson appeared, pulling out a chair and dropping down to a seat at their table. “It’s all over town today, guys – what happened last night at the Clarkson place. And I know something that I thought you’d like to know – guess who I saw in town yesterday?
All eyes were inquisitive as they turned toward Jeff.
“Brian Lancaster.”
❋
Once Kate had learned Brian was staying with his family at their vacation home on Stone Lake, she’d talked her father into letting her be the one to go and talk with him. Of course, Murphy had insisted on accompanying her.
Now was just as good of a time as any, she’d decided, after they’d all finished up with their breakfast. And Murphy had agreed.
There was an array of vehicles parked together when Kate pulled her truck into the driveway belonging to the Lancaster cabin.
Jumping out of the truck, Murphy met up with Kate on the driver’s side to assist her down from the seat.
She grinned. “I’ve never really dated a guy who has manners.”
Murphy snorted, wrapping a protective arm over her shoulders.
When they reached the front door, she rang the bell. Kate heard voices beyond the door, and the sound of steps approaching.
Carrying a baby wrapped within his arms, a tall handsome man answered the door.
Kate gawked silently, until she was able to get over her initial shock. “Brian. Is that really you?”
When the little girl began squirming in his arms, Brian offered Kate a rueful smile. “Hi, Kate. How in the heck are ya? You haven’t changed a bit. It’s good to finally see you again.” His gaze was thoughtful as he stared at his other visitor. “Murphy? You, too, huh? I can’t say that I’m surprised.” Brian frowned down at the baby who was squeezing his nose. “Sammie,” Brian cooed, in a sing song voice. “What did I tell you? Daddy can’t breathe when you pinch me like that.”
Kate stared in disbelief.
“Come on in, you two, and meet my wife, Karen. And this, by the way, is my daughter, Samantha.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“I just couldn’t believe it, Julie. Somehow, I never imagined Brian being married, let alone with a baby. His little girl is absolutely adorable.”
Murphy grinned. “His wife is pretty down to earth, too. The guy definitely seems to be whipped.”
Kate laughed. “She really does appear to have Brian under her thumb, doesn’t she? He doesn’t even seem to mind it, either.”
Julie smiled. “It’s hard to believe that he’s married. He was always kind of a player, Kate. In fact, I heard rumors, that he might’ve been seeing someone else when he was dating you, too,” she added, and suddenly appeared uncomfortable. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you. But once I found out that you’d broken it off with him, I didn’t even bother.”
Kate was taken aback. “Oh, Julie. I’m sorry that I never, ever, told you – but, yeah, I think he was seeing someone else. I saw him out one night with Diane Montgomery after he and I had broken up. He had his arm wrapped around her shoulders. And with the way he was touching her, I could tell that they were a lot more than just friends. It didn’t really surprise me, because there was always something nagging at the back of mind while we were dating.”
Despite her own revelations, Julie seemed strangely amazed when Kate revealed this information. “Diane? But she’s almost old enough to be his mother.”
Murphy snickered.
“What?” Kate turned to Murphy.
He paused. “It’s just that – I’m not sure if you can remember – that night when Dan and I came back here to the cabin – that night I got so drunk?”
Rolling her eyes, Kate nodded.
Murphy smiled sheepishly. “Something was definitely going on between those two that night. They were sitting with each other at the bar.” He hesitated before adding, “She is a really beautiful woman.”
Kate agreed. “But it didn’t really bother me, you know? I didn’t have any trouble, breaking up with Brian – not at all.” She turned to Julie, carefully choosing her words. “What really got me upset was finding out that, behind my back, he was making passes at my very best friend.”
Julie gaped and brought her hands to her mouth. “Oh, Kate. You knew? Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Kate shrugged. “It just didn’t matter to me, Julie. He didn’t matter to me. If my feelings had been involved, I probably would’ve cared. Instead, I just broke it off. It was easier that way.” Kate reached for Julie’s hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “I’m sorry if he made you question your loyalties. I suspect you might’ve actually been attracted to him, Jules? He’s a pretty good looking guy.”
Hanging her head, Julie muttered, “You know me way too well, Kate. I’d just broken up with my boyfriend, remember? Brian caught me with my defenses down.”
Murphy gave Julie a smile of reassurance. “I never really thought Brian was that bad of a guy. Maybe a little spoiled, I guess? Obviously used to having his way with women. But I think he’s definitely in love now.”
“Yeah, me, too.” Kate smiled back at Murphy.
Julie stared back and forth from Kate to Murphy. “Well,” she cleared her throat, “you two haven’t had a whole lot of time to be alone. Maybe I should go now?”
Both Kate and Murphy shook their heads.
“I’m here for the next month, Julie,” Murphy reassured her. “Kate and I will manage to make time for each other. Our friends are important, too. How about we spend the afternoon on the lake? Maybe ski – and get some sun?”
“I think I’ll give Dylan a call, too, and ask him to come along. He’s off today,” Kate added.
Both Murphy and Julie stared at Kate, with matching frowns.
Kate raised a brow, her gaze shifting from Julie to Murphy. “What?”
“Nothing,” they both
responded simultaneously.
❋
For the next few weeks, Murphy just couldn’t help it – he knew he was walking around with a great big smile on his face. He’d never been this happy. Kate filled the void in his life that he’d never known was empty.
And his parents had been thrilled for them – especially his mother. Before they’d driven off to return to Chicago, Murphy had warned his parents that he was thinking about quitting his job at Ryland’s. Although his dad was somewhat concerned, his mom had completely understood his reasoning. She’d been worried about him for long time now, she’d admitted. And his engagement to a woman who thought about no one but herself had been the last straw. She certainly wouldn’t apologize for scheming with Jenny Callahan. After all, look how well it’d turned out. But he and Kate still needed to take the time to get to know each other better, she’d advised, before they took their relationship another step further.
And that’s just what they did – got to know one another better. Lazy August days were spent boating and skiing on the lake. Sometimes, Julie and Dylan hung out with Murphy and Kate; when they weren’t too busy fighting their attraction for one another. One night, Murphy and Kate even had dinner with Brian Lancaster and his family. Despite extra work piling up because of the robbery, after finally locating replacement materials for the Clarkson home, Kate had managed to take some time off from Callahan Construction. There wasn’t a whole lot more that she could actually do, she’d claimed, but reorder materials. Even when she didn’t go into the office, she was still working for at least a few hours every day costing out inventory and putting together proposals for additional jobs.
Murphy found Kate’s work to be rather fascinating. Kate put together a unique, distinctive proposal for every individual homeowner. Her clients filled out questionnaires listing their preferences for flooring and woodwork, along with their color choices. Since Murphy had been required to use discounted materials at Ryland’s, it was proving to be extremely educational. As well as offering a widely diverse choice of materials, Kate was always ready to experiment with her customer’s suggestions.
A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle) Page 53
