by Scott, Lisa
“Did you find about anything about your parents? Your biological parents?”
He shook his head. “I only found a record of us being given up for adoption at the same time. There’s no information about my mother or father.” He shrugged. Water under the bridge. “I’ve gotta get back in there for Jennifer’s appointment.”
“Sure, of course. I’ve got lots to do, too.”
Right, like the police chief. The thought made him wild.
“Take care, Teague.” Her smile was cheery as ever, although her eyes didn’t match the mood.
But he smiled and did the hardest thing he’d ever done. He walked away from the woman he loved. Guess she was right, after all—some people aren’t meant for love.
COULD SOMEONE BE more disinterested? Kate plopped her painting gear in the spare bedroom with a huff. Teague couldn’t get away from her fast enough. But he certainly had his own issues to deal with, just like she did. Their week in Hawaii had been pure fantasy for both of them, as it turned out.
Kate snapped open the newspaper, scanning the want ads before she laid it on the floor to and started painting the room a lovely, pale pink for the baby. But there wasn’t much work available that interested her. Not that she had the luxury of being interested in her work. She doubted she’d ever work in a school again. But she needed something to bring in money. She laughed to herself. It seemed like yesterday that summer had rolled around and she was looking for a temporary job. How her world had changed. Delores was coming over later to check out Mama’s Depression glass, but that certainly wouldn’t bring in much.
She rolled another stripe of paint on the wall and wished she were doing this for her own child. Dina was in bed, crying because Mitch hadn’t shown up for the ultrasound. He’d been the one wanting to marry Dina. Now the roles were reversed. She didn’t know much about astrology, but she figured the planets must have been all out of kilter. Nobody was getting what they wanted these days.
After covering the first wall with paint, she called Dina in to take a look. “Come see, it’s so pretty.”
Dina didn’t answer, so Kate wandered into her room. Dina was tucked into a little ball, sobbing quietly.
Kate squeezed her shoulder. “Honey, it’s going to be okay. This is a scary time for both of you.”
Dina reached for Kate’s hand. “I just don’t understand.”
“The two of you are going through a whirlwind of emotions. And let’s not forget you’re pregnant. I’ve heard those hormones and all those changes can turn you upside down.” Not to mention you had the diva thing going on before this anyway … “You’ve got so much to deal with. But you’ve got to be willing to fight for what you want.”
Dina sat up and blew her nose. “So, why aren’t you fighting for Teague?”
Well, that was one way to slow down a conversation. She turned up her hands in a helpless gesture. “There’s not really anything to fight for. There wasn’t much there to begin with.”
“Does this mean you’re getting back together with Tommy?”
“Uhhh …”
The doorbell rang and Kate patted Dina’s hand, wondering how much more drama she could stand in a day. It better not be Tommy looking for an answer to his crazy proposal. Did Dina know about that?
She opened the door. Hello, drama. She braced herself against the doorframe. “Mitch. I’m not sure if I’m glad to see you or not. Dina’s really angry you didn’t show up for the appointment.”
He shuffled his feet. “I know. I was scared to come. Scared to see a real live picture of the baby. Makes it kind of real, you know?”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “I can understand that. It all looked pretty real in the doctor’s office, but if you’re coming in to break that girl’s heart you’re going to have to do it another day. Dina’s really upset, and I’m worried about her.”
“Do you think she’d be upset if I gave her this?” He snapped open a white velvet box. A tiny solitaire diamond sat on top of a gold band.
Kate blew out a breath. “I don’t know. Let me see if she wants to talk to you.” What was it with the Larsen boys and this rash of proposals?
Kate knocked on Dina’s door. “Mitch is here to see you. Should I send him in?”
Dina sat up in her bed. “No!” She patted her hair and stripped off her ratty shorts. “Not yet. He can’t see me like this. Give me a few minutes. I’ll come down when I’m ready.”
Kate trotted back downstairs and let Mitch in. “Give Dina a minute. It might help if she catches you doing this.” She handed him the paint roller and directed him into the nursery. “I’ll give you two some privacy. I’ll have my phone on if you need me.”
Kate hopped in her Jeep and headed for the park. She’d take a walk around the jogging loop and blow off some steam. Seemed like a good plan. When she got there, she settled on a bench instead, too tired to do a few laps. She crossed her fingers that things were going well back home. She frowned. Her home for now. The taxes were paid off, but now she didn’t have a job. Was it just fantasy to think she could keep Mama’s house with no steady income?
A smart woman would accept Tommy’s proposal. It really was best for everyone. But Kate wasn’t a smart woman. She’d had the misfortune of feeling the intense burn of desire with Teague. He’d ruined her. Hell, she was imagining him walking across the park to her right then. She’d never be able to shake him.
Only, he really was walking toward her.
She looked up at him, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand. “Why are you still here?”
He sat on the other end of the bench. “I’m staying in Willowdale until Jennifer has her baby. Rented a room at the Be Wright Inn. I like this park. I wanted to come out here, think some things out.” He set his arm along the back of the bench, his hand just inches away from her. “I’m glad I did.”
Kate crossed her leg and bounced her foot. “So, you’re going to be here for a while.”
“Yep.” He looked over to the playground, mostly empty in the hot afternoon sun. “What are you doing out here?”
“Giving Dina and her boyfriend some space. They’re trying to work things out before the baby comes. What about Jennifer’s baby … and the father?”
He shook his head. “She won’t tell us who it is. But she said no one hurt her. I figure it was one of the other residents.”
“Is she going to give the baby up for adoption?”
“No. I won’t allow it. I’m still trying to figure it all out. Maybe I can hire someone to care for the baby full time at the facility. I’m just not sure.”
“Could you adopt the baby?”
He shook his head.
“What about an open adoption, where you and Jennifer could have contact with the child?” She placed her hand on his arm and it felt so good to touch him again. Such a strange mix of emotions mingled in her heart, being here with him like this.
Hesitating for a moment, he set his hand on hers. “How are you doing, Kate? Looks like things are working out with the police chief. I’m happy for you.”
She shook her head. Surely she hadn’t heard him right. “What are you talking about?” How could he have known about Tommy’s proposal?
Teague propped his elbows on his thighs and gazed out at the park. “I was coming over to talk with you the other night and I saw him at your door with a bunch of flowers.”
Kate froze, then she laughed.
“It really wasn’t amusing at all.”
She scooted closer to him and set her hand on his leg. “No. We were throwing a romantic dinner for Dina and Mitch, the baby’s father. That’s his little brother. We’re trying to get them together. Like I said, it’s been rocky. Tommy brought flowers for their dinner.”
She could feel him taking a deep breath. “So, you’re not back together?” His voice was so hopeful her chest tightened at the sound of it.
“No.” She wanted to rest her head against his shoulder, but held back. “Not that he’s given up tryi
ng yet, but I don’t love him.”
Silence settled between them.
“What were you coming over to talk to me about that night anyway?” Kate asked, her silly, silly heart doing a little dance.
He closed his eyes and let out a breath. “I wanted to know if you really meant what you told June, that I was no good for you. I was hoping I could change your mind. But then I saw the two of you … so I left.”
Kate held up a finger. “Wait one minute.” She hopped off the bench and clenched her fists. “I told June I was no good for you. She tried to pay me to leave, said I was ruining your chances for the big time. But she didn’t have to give me a dime, I left on my own. I didn’t want to ruin your career—I love you too much.” Kate gasped at what she’d said and turned away from him, cupping her elbows, wishing she could disappear. How had that slipped out?
Teague sat there, saying nothing. He reached for her hand and pulled her back onto the bench. “How could you think that? It was only a few days, but you were exactly what I needed. Kate, you’re …”
“You were in danger of losing a huge movie role because of me. How could it ever work between us?”
“I’m the one who ruined your life. You lost your job, you got hurt.”
Kate watched a squirrel scamper up a tree. “Aren’t we a sorry pair?”
“Perfect for each other, when you think about it.” He pulled her to him. Their kiss was cautious, as their lips remembered how this thing worked.
“Should we be …” Kate tried to protest, tried to fight what they were doing.
His lips spread into a grin as they pressed against hers. “Yes. Hell, yes.”
He led her to his car, never losing contact as they raced back to his room at the Be Wright Inn. He swung open the door of the dank, dark room and carried her in.
She slid out of her paint-stained jeans while Teague pulled off his shirt, backing them up to the bed. They were on top of each other without a word, their fast, heavy breaths the only thing between them. He ran his thumbs over her eyebrows and kissed her forehead.
Then his mouth found hers, and that same spark ignited between them. It was familiar, comfortable—and thrilling. Kate curled her legs around his, desperate to be one. But Teague was taking his time, enjoying every inch of her, exploring and touching, kissing and caressing.
“Teague …”
He mumbled something from behind her knee and rolled her over onto her stomach.
She groaned and grabbed the headboard. “You’re killing me here.”
“Hmph,” came a sound from the small of her back.
“Could you please make love to me now!” she finally wailed.
He grinned, his teeth slick on the skin of her neck. “I am, to every inch of you.”
He rolled her over and she collapsed in defeat, realizing she was his in every way.
And that’s when he plunged into her. Wicked, wicked man. She gasped and moved with him, shuddering. Her body reveled in the pleasure while her heart slipped away like a feather floating down a river. She wondered where it would end up.
HE COULD NOT LOSE her again. He held her long after they had tumbled into that wild place of ecstasy that came so easily for both of them. But there was something different going on here each and every time he was with this woman. It wasn’t a fluke; it wasn’t the novelty of being with this what-you-see-is- what-you-get southern beauty after so many Hollywood phonies. No, it was the thing he’d been afraid of the first time he thought, Hmm, what about a go-round with this gal? Something in his brain had been smart enough to say, Back off, buddy, she could be the one. But of course, he hadn’t listened.
Thank goodness.
Never had he made love to a woman and felt his heart respond as strongly as parts farther south. Damn the press, damn his handlers, damn it all, he wanted her for keeps. This is what he’d spent his entire life avoiding. Closeness, someone who cared about him. Someone he cared about. Someone who could share the love budding in his chest for this child who wasn’t even born, who wasn’t even his, who was the best chance to right all the wrongs in his life. And he wanted Kate to be part of that, too.
It was like he’d been searching for all of these puzzle pieces his entire life and they finally landed in his lap. It was love, honest-to-god-love, that’s what it was … as well as he could guess, because he certainly didn’t have much experience in that department.
He stared at her: cheeks glowing, skin damp, smile twitching as she rested. His. All his. That’s what he needed. He squeezed her tight. He could only hope to god she needed him, too.
“I forgot to tell you something back at the park,” he said.
She opened her eyes. “What?”
“I love you, too.”
She smiled. “Good.” And she drifted back to sleep and he watched over her with a heart that felt full and whole.
“MARRY ME, KATE.”
She sat up, pulling the sheet around her. Her words came out in a whisper. “You’re crazy.” Plus, I’ve already got an offer on the table. But one moment with Teague had erased any question of whether or not she could spend her life with Tommy. It would never work. Not after remembering what it felt like to be with someone she truly loved.
He got up and rummaged in his suitcase. He grabbed her left hand and slid on the antique pearl ring he’d bought that first day together. “This is just for now. I hadn’t exactly been planning to do this.” He laughed and dropped to his knee, totally naked. “Marry me, really.” He looked up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.
Kate’s hand fluttered over her throat, imagining how wonderful it would be to say yes, but she was too stunned to say anything.
He sat on the bed beside her and laced his fingers through hers. “This is perfect. We can adopt Jennifer’s baby. No one would have to know about my sister’s situation. We’d be a family.”
The bubble of happiness in her heart popped. Kate was too tired, too exasperated to cry. She sighed, letting out the regret that came with her next words. “I can’t. You just want us to pretend again. It’s no different than when I was posing as your girlfriend. It’s no different than when I pretended my stepfather wasn’t running around on my mother, pretending we were a happy, normal family. It’s not real.”
The noisy air conditioner blew stale, cold air across the room as she clutched her pillow to her chest. “I’ve lived lies my whole life and I won’t do that again. Not even for you, Teague. I’m sorry.” She handed the ring back and slid off the bed, searching for her clothes.
She watched him sitting there, saying nothing, not even fighting for her. He didn’t really want her. He just wanted a way to keep that baby and keep it all a secret.
“Good luck, Teague.” She meant it, too. She wanted the best for him, even though she wasn’t the one who could give it to him. She dressed, then slipped out of the room and started walking back to her Jeep at the park.
It was a long stretch of road for a broken-hearted woman to be walking alone with her thoughts.
DINA AND MITCH were painting the nursery when she got back to the house. Mitch reached up to dab the spots Dina missed and Kate thought, This might work out, at least. “Looks good, guys.”
Dina turned to her and beamed. “Thanks. Mitch is going to move his things in later today, if that’s okay.”
“Absolutely.” That was one problem smoothed over for now. Maybe someone would get their happily-ever-after in the end.
Later that night, Mitch and Tommy lugged in a dresser and bed for the basement rec room, while Kate cleared out boxes and bags of junk to make some space. The four of them collapsed on the deck afterward with a pizza and a chorus of cicadas providing the dinner music.
“So, I said yes to Mitch,” Dina said.
“Yes to what?” Kate asked.
“His proposal.” She clapped her hands together. “We’re going to get married.”
Tommy whopped Mitch on the back. “That’s great. I’m happy for you kids.”
“Whe
n exactly are you hoping to do this?” Kate asked.
“Soon. Before the baby comes.” Dina rubbed her tummy and looked happier than she had in a long time.
Kate nodded, imagining the work and the money it would take to pull this off. “We’ve got some planning to do.”
“We were thinking something small, of course. We thought maybe right here in the back yard?” The more Dina talked, the more excited she became. “We could have the reception here, too. Get a big tent and tables and all that.”
“We’ll have to take a look at our finances,” Kate said quietly, swatting away the tiny bugs gathering near the porch light. Dina didn’t know how dire the financial situation really was. She had promised her she’d be able to fix things, but she hadn’t.
“Did I tell you my brother Brad’s starting up a catering company with his friend, Jeanne?” Tommy asked.
Kate sat up. “My friend Jeanne?” Man, she’d fallen right out of the loop after her adventure with Teague. She winced just thinking of him.
“Your friend, his friend, whatever. I bet they’d be able to throw one hell of party. I think I could cover the cost for the kids,” Tommy offered. “This can work. And it might be the right opportunity for a double ceremony. Have you thought any more about my proposal?”
Well, isn’t this a hoot.
Dina’s head snapped in Kate’s direction. Mitch’s eyes went wide and Kate looked for a place to hide as she hissed at Tommy. “I thought this was a private matter.”
He shrugged. “We’re all family here, dealing with some big issues.” He settled his arm on her lawn chair.
She pushed his arm away. “I think we should talk about this later, alone.”
Dina clapped her hands and squealed. “Oh, Kate! It would be so perfect. Say yes. We could be brides together.”
Kate dropped her head back and looked up at the moon. It was full, no surprise. “Tommy, I don’t want to get married for all the wrong reasons. Maybe it’s never going to happen for me. But neither of us deserves less than true, wild crazy love.”
He rolled his eyes. “That’s just fairytale stuff. Nobody gets that.”
