This was bad. Brody didn’t like the look on her face as she tapped off the call. He crossed the living room into the kitchen as she dropped into a chair.
“Damn it.” Her fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes searing onto the screen. She seemed to have forgotten he was there. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began a slow massage, but she wasn’t having it. “Stop.” She brushed his hands off her shoulders and ejected from the chair.
“What happened?”
“You’ve got to go.” She charged past him and pulled open the door.
“But what happened?” he asked again, reaching out for her hand. She jerked it away and turned on him.
“What happened?” Her eyes bulged as if they were straining to pop from her head. “What happened? I’ll tell you what happened. I missed an important filing, that’s what happened.” She slammed the door, causing the house to rattle. “Thanks to you, I missed an email telling me the filing which I thought was due Friday had been moved up to today. Now Patrick is furious and thinks I’m incompetent.” Kate stalked toward him with a crazed look in her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry, that’s all you can say? This is my damned career we’re talking about. I can kiss the promotion goodbye thanks to you and your brilliant idea to go get ice cream on a freezing cold winter day. What the hell were you thinking?”
Brody’s chest was so tight he couldn’t take a deep breath. His emotions warred between anger and hurt, and he felt like he was right back in her grandmother’s backyard six weeks ago when she’d accused him of trespassing—only this time it was worse. He felt really bad that she’d missed the message, but even worse seeing her so upset.
“Look.” He captured her hand before she could pull it away. “I’m really sorry you missed this deadline. If there was something I could do, I’d do it. From what you’ve told me, it seems like you’ve done everything they’ve asked. One mistake surely wouldn’t affect their decision about the promotion.”
“Oh, what do you know? You just ride around dropping off wood, showing up whenever you feel like it to work on my grandmother’s ramp, only half attempting to write music. Where’s your sense of urgency? Your ambition? Your drive?” She wrenched her hand out of his and stormed toward the kitchen, but he caught her before she could get too far. Damned if she was going to throw this in his face.
“You know, I’m tired of you taking out your frustrations on me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Obviously, you’re miserable.”
“I’m not miserable.”
“Do you like living like this?”
“Like what?”
“Constantly working, constantly trying to prove yourself. For what? For some promotion, some bogus standard that says you’re worthy? It’s bullshit. You don’t need someone else’s confirmation.”
She took a step back and wrapped her arms around herself. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Don’t I?” He closed the gap and leveled a searing gaze at her. “I know that ever since you got here you’ve never stopped working, until today. Can’t you ever take a break? You don’t have to make partner by the age of thirty to be deemed a success.”
“You’ll never understand. The law is my career, my vocation, the thing I’ve worked toward since college—before college even. I don’t have the luxury to leave it all behind like you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You, the highly successful, multi-award-winning songwriter. What did you do? Make some quick cash and then give it up?”
“Winning awards isn’t everything. At least I’m not strung out on caffeine and biting the heads off of everyone around me. Have you ever thought to take a step back and realize you can be an attorney—a damned good one—without all the stress?”
“I’ve yet to meet an attorney at my age who isn’t working eighty hours a week. That’s just the nature of the business.” Snapping around, showing him a cold shoulder, Kate stomped into the kitchen. “You’ll never get it, I’m wasting my breath.” She reached for a glass out of the cabinet and filled it with tap water. Brody stepped directly behind her.
“What about right here in Highland Springs? There are people who could use your help, who wouldn’t make you feel two inches tall just because you missed a deadline. How can you let them treat you like that?”
“I guess when you have no agenda, no one to answer to, no real responsibilities—” she spun around and paralyzed him with her dark stare “—you can say things like that. But in the real world, where people actually work for a living, we have others to answer to.”
“Okay, sure, as always, do your best to put me down when in reality you’re the one who’s unhappy.”
“I’m happy. I’m working toward something, unlike you. You know, now that you mention it, are you happy? Are you satisfied chopping down trees and pounding nails? Obviously, there must be more to your story. I mean, who gives up a career like yours? I read about you.” She stalked toward him, fists clenched, eyes blazing. He stood his ground. “The biggest names in country music were clamoring to work with you. As soon as you and your partner pumped out a song, it was snatched up and made into a mega hit. What happened to that guy? Are you happy with your life now?”
He held her fiery stare as long as he could, before he looked at the floor, rubbed his forehead, and released a heavy sigh. “It was a partnership, remember? And I no longer have a writing partner.”
“So what? Why is that stopping you? I know a lot of your earlier hits were written by you alone.”
“You seem to know an awful lot about my career.” Now it was his turn to lean in. “When did you have time to do all that research? I thought you had so much work to do.”
“I do have work to do and you’re keeping me from it. Why don’t you do something more productive than criticizing my career and do something with your life?”
“I’ve spent the last two years coming to terms with who I am and what I’ve done.” He reached out and latched onto her arm. “Sure, maybe I’ve avoided writing, and understandably so, but I’m coming to terms with it. You need to get this career of yours under control.”
“I don’t know what happened with you, but I’ll tell you this. You’re too talented to be wasting time swinging a hammer and chopping trees. At least I’m using my brain and the degrees I earned.”
“Hey, I’m content with who I am.” He realized he was clutching her arm too tightly and immediately dropped it, then punched his fist against his thigh. He turned toward the window, contemplating a memory from the backyard, and then snapped around. “You’re the one who needs to take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself if this is who you want to be for the rest of your life. I can guarantee that right now, you’re not the woman your grandmother always brags about.” He lessened the gap and glared down at her, nose-to-nose.
“Maybe you need to take a look in the same mirror. Right now you’re not the catch Gram told me about either.”
Brody ended the stand off and stepped around her. “I’m out of here.”
“Fine. Don’t bother picking me up on Friday night,” Kate said.
“Oh, no, I’ll be here.” He swung around and pinned her with a dark stare. “I may be a lazy, hick lumberjack, but I follow through on my promises. Be ready at six.”
He slammed the door behind him and stomped down the porch steps. As much as he hated the idea right now, he’d honor his obligation and take her on the date his little sister had so connivingly arranged. Kate would get her “dream date,” but it wouldn’t be the one he originally planned. She’d get the one she deserved.
EIGHTEEN
“Hi, Dad. Sorry I haven’t come sooner.” Kate bent down and tugged a few blades of grass from the base of the tombstone, tossing them into the rushing wind as her jacket flapped open. She stood up, tugged the wool around her, and stared at the carved granite.
“It doesn’t look like I’ll
get the promotion.” She brushed her gloved hand across the top of the tombstone with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. I hope you’re not disappointed in me. I could say I did my best, but obviously I didn’t. I dropped the ball.”
There were hundreds of gravestones in varying shades of white and gray dotting the grassy knoll where her father lay next to her grandfather and where her grandmother would be buried someday. While visiting Highland Springs, she always made a point to visit her dad, but this trip it had taken several weeks before she had come.
“I wish you were here to tell me what to do. I’m frustrated. The promotion should’ve been was mine all along, but now I’m going to be passed up because I missed a deadline.” Rummaging deep in her coat pocket, she pulled out a tissue and pressed it to her dripping nose. “I feel like I should be doing something more meaningful, like working with Ashley and her kids. The thought of going back to DC after being here…” She dabbed at tears dropping from her cheeks. “I don’t know. Mom is going to be pissed if I don’t get the promotion. And, honestly, so will I. I’m so confused.” She blew her nose soundly and stuffed the tissues back in her pocket. “Right now, I could use a little sign or message from you.”
She released a heavy sigh and placed the colorful bouquet she’d been holding at the base of the tombstone. What a silly idea to think her dad could send her a message. Knowing she was expected at the rehab center soon, she returned to the Buick, scoffing at the notion of communiqués from beyond the grave.
Kate watched the busy bird activity at the feeder outside Gram’s room. Sometimes she felt like one of those birds, hurriedly flitting from the feeder to the tree branch, trying to beat the other birds to the best seed. As much as she hated to admit it, Brody was right. This isn’t the way she wanted to live: working twelve or more hours a day, stressing over deadlines, fighting for a promotion she should have already received. There had to be a simpler way to live. Spending time at her father’s gravestone earlier that morning had given her a sense of calm—something she hadn’t felt in years. Even though he hadn’t sent her a sign, she knew her next move was the right one.
“I’ve decided to ask Patrick for a leave of absence until after Christmas. It’s probably a big mistake, but I need a break. It’s so hard to keep up from here.”
“Honey, I think you’re making the right choice. You’ve looked terrible the last few times you’ve visited.” Gram walked to the window, unaided by her walker, and placed a hand on Kate’s shoulder.
“Gee, thanks, Gram.”
“I just mean you seem tired and the stress is showing on your face. You should be out having some fun, not working non-stop.”
She laid her hand over Gram’s with a contented sigh. Just the soft touch from her grandmother brought her comfort. “I did have fun yesterday with Brody. But I blew it. Patrick called to say I’d missed a filing deadline and I snapped. I took it out on Brody.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sure he understands.”
“No, Gram.” She turned around and faced her grandmother. “He said some cruel things to me and was furious when he left. But honestly, I deserved it.” Tears welled in her eyes and she was on the verge of sobbing as she looked at the sympathy on Gram’s face. She had already cried enough last night after Brody left and again this morning at the cemetery; surely she didn’t have any tears left to shed. “I said some terrible things to him, too.”
“What about your date tomorrow night?”
“Brody says we’re still going, but I won’t be surprised if he cancels.”
“Now, Katherine, if I know Brody, he’ll be there tomorrow night to pick you up and will understand once you explain what happened. And a sincere apology on your part won’t hurt.”
“I hope he gives me the chance. Keep your fingers crossed, Gram.”
The Beautiful Blooms van backed out of Gram’s driveway just as Kate came down the street. She tapped the horn twice when she saw Riley behind the wheel.
“Great, you’re home.” Riley shouted through the window as she pulled the van to the curb. “I was just about to call you.”
Kate pulled in the drive and then walked toward the florist van, meeting Riley in the middle of the street. She was holding an arrangement of red roses and pink star lilies with a bright smile on her face.
“For you,” Riley said, extending the colorful bouquet.
“Who would send me flowers?” She drew the bouquet to her nose, inhaling the spicy scent. “They’re beautiful.”
“You’ll just have to read the card.”
She tugged the small, white envelope from the plastic stick and handed the arrangement back to Riley for safe keeping. A floral embossed card was tucked inside and she nearly gasped with joy when she read the words.
Looking forward to tomorrow night. Brody
Brody pulled the old pickup into Virginia’s driveway and laid on the horn. No way was he walking to the door to get her. After the way she acted the other night, she was lucky he didn’t cancel. Kate swung open the front door and stepped onto the porch. A few inches of red fabric peeked below her wool coat, making it difficult for him to keep his eyes off her long, shapely legs.
“Hi.” Her velvet voice burned a hole in his chest as she climbed into the truck. He didn’t bother to answer. Before she could snap her seat belt into place, he backed out of the drive and pressed the gas pedal, making her lurch forward.
“How’ve you been?” she asked, but he kept his eyes forward, refusing to get sucked into those gorgeous green eyes. Her creamy white thighs invaded his periphery, only making him angrier. He may have committed to this date, but he didn’t have to enjoy it—and neither would she.
“I hope I’m not overdressed. You didn’t tell me where we’re going.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Still not giving anything away, huh? Want to surprise me?”
“Something like that.”
He rubbed his palm across his faded jeans and kept his eyes locked on the two-lane road ahead. The spice of her tantalizing perfume tickled his nose and he got mad all over again. She’d made it perfectly clear she thought he was a lazy redneck the other night and now she was trying to torture him. Her harsh words, so on target, had sparked him to spill all the thoughts he’d kept bottled up for so long onto paper, resulting in lyrics he didn’t know he could write. For the past forty-eight hours, he’d composed music to those lyrics, keeping his phone off and doors locked, as the notes and words tumbled out. It was the most he’d created in two years, but damned if he’d give her credit for it. They rode on in silence until they reached his destination.
“Brody…about the other night.” She bobbed off the seat as he drove the pickup across the gravel parking lot, jerking to a stop outside a tan metal building. He looked through the dust-covered windshield at the windowless warehouse, noticing the new sign on the black double doors that read “Tasting Room.” Tucker must have just installed it. Six cars were parked in front of Misty Mountain Brewery and several rows of cars were parked at the opposite end of the lot in front of an old silver diner. A red neon sign flashed “Sue’s Place.”
Brody opened his door and climbed out, never acknowledging her last few words. He pulled open the Tasting Room door and waited while Kate climbed out of the truck. She tugged down her skirt, flipped her silky hair over her shoulder, and slammed the heavy door shut. He couldn’t wait to see the shock on her face once she entered the brewery.
They stepped into the sparse, dimly-lit room where only a few tables and a long, rough-hewn wooden bar filled the space. Behind the bar was a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, behind which shiny copper vats stood in even rows. The ripe smell of freshly brewed beer hung in the air. He glanced at her, expecting to see anger flushing her cheeks, but instead was the one to receive a shock.
“You brought me to Misty Mountain? This is amazing.” She squeezed his arm and burned him with her heart-stopping smile. “I’ve wanted to come here.” Feeling off balance, he slowly guided her to a pair of stool
s at the center of the bar adjacent to a row of taps where a tall, burly man was pouring beer.
“Well, I’ll be damned if it isn’t my not-so-silent partner.” He reached across the bar and shook hands with Brody, pulling him in for a rugged hug. “And you’ve got to be Katherine.”
“Yes, I’m Kate.” She beamed at the gentle giant who picked up her hand and kissed it like she was a princess. “And you’re Tucker, I presume.”
“Nope, Tucker’s off this evening. I’m Prince Charming.” He thumped his open palm on the bar and let out a raucous laugh. “How the hell you been, man? Haven’t seen you in, oh, forty-eight hours.”
“I’m okay.” He looked past Tucker into the brewing room and shook his head.
“Damn, bro, she’s better looking than you described. No wonder you had to pay big bucks to take her out.”
“Just get us some beer, would you?” Brody said.
“Sure thing. You like beer, Kate?”
“Love it,” she said.
“What’s your preference?”
“I want to try them all.”
“Well, aren’t you just an angel from heaven? If I weren’t already spoken for—”
“Who the hell are you dating? Just pour her a flight and shut up,” Brody said.
Out the corner of his eye, he watched her lean back on her barstool and look around the tasting room. His elbows were perched on the edge of the bar and he greedily drank from the dark beer Tucker had poured for him. Kate shrugged her wool coat from her shoulders and, as she turned to drape it across the back of the chair, he stole a glance at her cranberry dress, hugging her curves in all the right places. How was he going to get through the night when she didn’t play fair?
“How ‘bout you show Kate the operation, Brody?”
“How about you?” he mumbled.
“Sure thing. Come with me, little lady.” Kate followed Tucker to the end of the bar and disappeared through a door marked “Employees Only.” Brody watched them through the glass wall as they took in the towering vats, sharing a laugh. He finally took a good long look at her and he felt a stirring where he didn’t want to be stirred. Her long, elegant body was draped in a deep red, clinging dress with just enough cleavage exposed to leave him wanting more. Her thick, dark hair cascaded down her back, making his fingers itch to touch it. He drained the pint glass and walked behind the bar for a refill.
Whatever You Say Page 15
