“What are you talking about?” Kara frowned.
“When he came to the house I told him he’d better treat you right or he’d have me to deal with.”
Kara’s eyes misted. “Thanks, sis, but the situation with Valerie is more complicated than the tabloids insinuated. You see…” She remembered they weren’t alone. “We’ll talk later.” She patted her sister’s arm, turned, and hugged Jim. “I don’t know what you two are doing here. I told you I was fine,” she scolded, glancing at Briana.
“You’re not,” Briana retorted. “Don’t think I can’t tell when you’re hurting. Your voice becomes brittle and high-pitched. You need me, for the first time ever. Of course I had to come.”
Kara stared at her sister and sighed. “You’re my sister, Briana. I’ve always needed you.”
Briana’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry for everything, sis. Stealing your boyfriends, Jim,” she waved toward her husband, who looked ready to bolt. “I convinced myself I was protecting you from them, that if they wanted me while dating you then they were wrong for you. Now I know why I did it. I was jealous. Men always want to take care of you, while me, they just wanted this.” She indicated her body with a sweep of her hand.
“Sweetheart,” Jim protested.
“Except you, baby,” Briana reassured him before adding, “It’s not easy being the dumb sister.”
“You’re not dumb,” Kara protested. “And stop with the waterworks. I’m sure all this is not good for my nephew.”
Fighting tears too, Kara wrapped an arm around Briana and led her toward the house. They needed to get inside before the neighbors recognized Jim and started taking pictures. She had enough of seeing people she loved in the tabloids. She unlocked the door and ushered her sister inside.
“We went to the gallery and missed you,” Briana said between sniffles. “I plan on going there until I catch up with Baron.”
“Don’t.” Kara stopped and glanced over her shoulder at Jim, who hovered in the doorway. “How long are you guys staying?”
“For as long as you need me.” Briana kicked off her sandals and plopped on the nearest couch with a determined look.
Kara’s gaze volleyed between them, a foreboding feeling washing over her. She had only one bedroom and a futon in her workroom. “Are you planning on staying with me?”
Briana chuckled. “No, silly. Jim is going to check us into a hotel a few blocks from here.” She glanced at her husband, who still stood by the door. “Go on, sweetheart. Pick me up in a couple of hours. Kara and I need to talk.”
CHAPTER 19
Kara’s grip tightened around her laptop as she studied the virtual designs of the store and studied the walls.
“You see how perfectly they fit when we shift this here,” the tall man touched the screen twice and two panels switched places. “What do you think?”
“A little lower. I don’t want customers craning their necks to study the frames.”
He chuckled. “No, we don’t want that. Are you going to be around this afternoon, Ms. Michaels?”
“Yes, I’ll be in and out. I have a few errands to run, but I’ll have my cell phone if you need to get in touch with me.” She’d insisted on being hands-on, and the contractor was very accommodating. She knew why—he hadn’t tried to hide the fact that he found her attractive. Too bad she wasn’t interested. He was cute in an earthy sort of way.
Kara carefully sidestepped planks on the floor and retreated back into her office. The drab carpet had been ripped off and replaced with durable and attractive hardwood flooring, the wall painted teal and textured to her specification. She’d insisted they start with her office, so she could furnish it herself, make it as comfortable as possible. It was where she’d confer with clients about their damaged pieces. The main floor, however, was the face of Michaels Fine Art Restoration and Framing. It had to be both welcoming and professional-looking. The contractors understood that. They’d work on her workroom last.
Sitting behind the old desk the previous owners had left behind along with a single office chair, Kara blew out air. Her gaze went to the manila envelope on the desk, and a feeling of déjà vu washing over her. A month ago, she’d dreaded tendering her resignation to Baron Fitzgerald. Once again, she was mentally steeling herself before going to see him.
Her chest hurt, as it often did whenever she thought about him, which was often. She thought the pain would lessen with time, and if she stayed busy, she’d numb her senses. It only got worse. At home, when she had no contractors to distract her except her ornery cat, the memories became unbearable.
Pain or no pain, there was no going around it. She had put off returning the thumb drive with his photographs long enough. There was no way she could use them now, which meant she had to budget for prints to display in her one-of-a-kind frames.
A brief knock on her door and Kara cleared her voice before saying, “Come in.”
The door opened to reveal a beaming Estelle Fitzgerald, a hefty paper bag in her arms. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Kara blinked. What was Baron’s mother doing here?
“I brought lunch.” Estelle entered the room.
Didn’t she get the memo? Kara and her son were history. Being friends with anyone from his family would only make that fact more unbearable.
“Where do I put this?” Estelle walked toward Kara, who seemed to have lost her voice.
Kara jumped to her feet, rushed around the desk to take the bag from the older woman. She placed it on the desk, and watched Estelle warily.
“So much space,” Estelle said, looking around. “I love it.”
“I plan to have a conference table and chairs by the window,” Kara said.
“Tell me more while we eat.” Estelle started removing sandwiches from the bag—turkey on rye and on croissant, iced tea, and bottled macchiato. “I wasn’t sure what you’d prefer, so I brought both.”
Kara cringed when the older woman sat on the table, shifted to get comfortable, and crossed her legs. “Take the chair, please.”
Estelle dismissed her words with a wave. “I’m fine. Baron’s father and I used to eat just like this in his office when we first got married. The best meals I ever had. Sit.” She patted the table.
Blowing out a breath, Kara moved the laptop so it was between them and sat. For a moment, they ate in silence. Then she tapped a key on the keyboard and started sharing her vision.
***
Baron was seated behind the desk in his office, the only place he found solace these days. In the last three weeks, his home had become his private hell. It didn’t matter that he only went there to sleep and change. Even though Valerie’s sister had agreed to stick around for a little while, cooked, and chauffeured Valerie to and from the hospital, Valerie often found a way to corner him and ask for money to buy things, ignoring the fact that her sister was the one Baron dealt with when it came to finances. The arrangement was far from ideal but it had suited him. Things were about to change now that Sandra was out of the coma.
A knock at the door interrupted him and his mother breezed in. “Hey, baby. I heard the wonderful news about Sandra.” She searched his face. “But I can see that hasn’t improved your disposition.”
Baron got to his feet. “What are you doing here, Mother?”
“Visiting you. I don’t see you these days except at the hospital. Is everything ready for the grand opening on Saturday?”
They had to push it back three weeks. “Yes. Rick has everything under control.”
“But you plan to attend?” She remained standing but waved at him to sit.
“Of course.” Baron sat but couldn’t relax. His mother was here for a reason.
“Good because we plan to be there too.”
He frowned. “We?”
“Your sisters and brothers, uncles and aunts…me. We’ll fly down Saturday morning for the evening event. In fact, I went by Kara’s store to see if she’s coming too. Have you seen what’s she’s doing with
the store? Impressive.”
His heart picked up tempo at the mention of Kara. Watching her leave his gallery three weeks ago had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. As for her store, he drove past it every chance he got, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. “Is she?”
“Is she what, dear?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Coming, Mother.”
“No need to be snippy. She can’t attend. She’s busy right now.”
The pounding in his chest intensified. He recalled how angry and hurt she’d sounded during their last telephone conversation, hardly the right state of mind to start a new business. Yet, she was doing it. He was proud of her. Humbled by her strength. He missed her. Her smile. Her scent. The way she liked to trace the scar on his chin. Every time he felt the urge to call her, he remembered his vow to go to her baggage-free, his most idiotic move to date.
Kara belonged with him, in his home, not Valerie. He needed her. Together, they would deal with Valerie. Kara with her kindness and capacity to love would make a wonderful mother to Sandra and a wife to him, if she forgave him after the way he let her go. Would she understand why he did it? He hoped so.
Estelle cleared her throat and drew his attention. In her hand was an envelope with his name, which she slid toward him. He picked it up. “What is this?”
“Your photographs. Before I go, I want you to know that this moping around of yours has gone far enough. I didn’t raise you to run and hide from things just because they’re difficult or complicated.”
Baron smiled. He’d wondered how soon it would be before she lost patience with him. Kara’s sister hadn’t wasted time tearing into him, calling him every name in the book. At least she’d calmed down long enough to listen to him and see things from his point of view. Would Kara?
“You’re not fooling me with that smile. You have a woman who loves you working herself to death in that little store of hers and the one who’s a known liar installed in your home. What’s wrong with you?”
Baron’s heart leaped. “Did Kara say she loves me?”
Estelle shook her head. “I’ve got eyes, don’t I? As for Valerie—”
“She’s my business.”
“Then take care of it and stop making everyone who loves you miserable. I refuse to see another child of mine go through an unhappy relationship to prove a point. Fix this, Baron, or I’ll do it for you.” Estelle turned and swept out of his office.
Shaking his head, Baron picked up the phone and dialed his cousin’s cell phone number. It went straight to her voicemail, which meant she was probably showing a house.
“Hey coz, find me a furnished apartment pronto…two bedrooms…three-month lease and make it happen yesterday.”
The next call was to his uncle. “Could you recommend a probate firm, Uncle Mo?”
“Who’s the plaintiff?”
“Stu Granger’s widow…Valerie. She needs to challenge the Granger family’s claim on his estate.”
“I know just the firm. Expect a call later today. And son?”
“Yes, Uncle Mo.”
“I know a lab that can expedite a paternity test.”
Baron grimaced. Was there no privacy in his family? His uncles must be discussing his situation over brandy and cigars. As for his aunts, he shuddered at what passed for gossip in their living rooms these days.
“Thanks, Uncle Mo, but I’ve taken care of it.” Baron hung up and reached for his coat. Whatever the outcome of the results, he was going to claim his woman.
***
Kara put her laptop and keys on the counter then reached inside the fridge for bottled water. She guzzled half of it and let out a deep sigh. How long was she going to push herself before she collapsed? Working herself to death wouldn’t bring Baron back into her life.
Part of her was ticked off at him for letting her go without a fight. The other part despaired that she might never see him again. In the three weeks since she came back, she thought she’d seen him once outside her store. By the time she made it past the workers to the front, his SUV was gone.
Kara put the water bottle on the counter and took inventory of the leftover foods in her refrigerator. Pizza from a few days ago that probably tasted like cardboard by now. Half-eaten chicken lo mein from last night wasn’t appealing either. She dumped the leftovers into the garbage and reached for the phone.
“I’d like to order oven-roasted chicken pasta,” she said to the voice on the other side of the line.
“Salad or bread, ma’am?”
Baron loved salad. Scenes from Idaho flashed in her head and Kara swallowed past a knot in her throat before saying, “I’ll take the bread, thanks.”
While she waited, she turned on the computer and opened the program the contractor had given her. For a moment, she studied the virtual display of what her store would look like when completed. She clicked on different lighting systems, color schemes, paneling, floor designs, display shelves, and cabinets. They all looked professional and wonderful yet she couldn’t muster enthusiasm to deal with them now.
Kara clicked the design she’d picked earlier in the day and studied it one more time. It was her favorite. Even Baron’s mother had liked it.
Kara shook her head. Estelle Fitzgerald could give CIA agents a run for their money. In between oohing and aahing over the designs, the woman had pumped her for information about their trip to Idaho.
Kara hadn’t realized what was going on until Estelle said, “Why aren’t you standing by my son when it’s obvious you love him? This hasn’t been easy for him.”
Kara had recovered long enough to say, “Why should I go where I’m not wanted?” But it never crossed her mind to deny she loved Baron.
“Hmm, just as well. You wouldn’t recognize him if you saw him.”
Kara had wanted to know what the woman meant but bit her tongue. Then Estelle had asked, “Are you coming to the grand opening of the gallery in San Francisco? It would be a wonderful opportunity to market your business.”
She’d said no. It would be pointless to go and torture herself by being in the same room with the man who belonged to another woman. Besides, Rick already had plenty of her business cards for the gift bags.
Eyes misty, Kara went to the bathroom, started a bath, and added bubble liquid. She sat on the toilet lid and waited as it filled, her glasses becoming foggy. The doorbell rang and snapped her out of her funk. Her takeout was here. She turned on the jets, grabbed her purse on her way to the door, and opened the door without looking through the peek hole.
The delivery boy stood before her with a wide grin but all she saw was the taller man behind him with a guitar slung on his back like a penniless musician searching for a gig.
Baron.
Her pulse kicked up a notch and her breath became suspended in her throat. She adjusted her glasses, hoping her sight wasn’t playing tricks on her. Her gaze roved over him, the black T-shirt, the jeans molding his powerful legs. His beautiful features were partially bathed by the security light, the hunger in his eyes so intense Kara gripped the door frame to support knees turned into noodles.
His mother was wrong, Baron looked wonderful.
Kara thrust a twenty dollar bill in the delivery boy’s hand and murmured, “Keep the change,” then put the takeout bags on the table inside her hallway, her eyes locked on Baron as though he was an apparition that might disappear if she looked away.
“Kara.”
Just one word, filled with so much longing and regret, and the anger and pain of the last three weeks disappeared. Kara wanted to run straight into his arms, but pride held her back. She dug in her heels and hugged herself.
He stopped in front of her, looking sinfully gorgeous, remorse shimmering in the depth of his blue eyes.
“What are you doing here, Baron?”
“I want you to give me a second chance.”
Her chin shot up. “Why?”
“Because I love you.”
She wanted to grab his shirt, swallow his declara
tion, and own it. He didn’t fight fair.
“And I think you love me,” he added.
He was arrogant too. “Sometimes love is not enough.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He stepped up to her, bringing with him heat, the scent of him clouding her senses. “When two people belong together, it is. I didn’t fight hard enough for us and went back to the way I did things before you. I made a mistake, baby, and hurt you. Give me a chance to love you again, to make it up to you.”
Kara’s defenses were pools around her feet. She searched his face and saw the truth, remorse, and love. “I didn’t mean the things I said during that last phone call. You were pushing me away, so I reacted.”
“It was my fault for thinking I needed to come to you a free man.”
Kara shook her head. “You can’t put a pause on love, Baron. Or shelve it and pick it up when it suits you.”
“I know that now. Will you give me another chance?”
She studied his face, so beloved, so dear. How could she say no to what her heart wanted? “I will on one condition.”
He released a breath. “Name it.”
“Don’t ever push me away. I may hate the baggage you carry, you may tick me off or I you, but don’t ever lock me out like you did these past weeks. It hurt, Baron. It hurt so much and I never ever want to feel that way again.”
“I promise.” He reached out and ran his knuckles down her cheek, then lowered his head and their mouths met. Heat against heat. Need meshing with need. All the love she felt for him went into that single kiss. When he pulled away, he touched her face with his fingertips, her hair, her face again. “I love you, Kara Michaels. I was a fool to let the mess with Valerie keep us apart. I thought I could shield you from my past mistakes, wait until some of it got resolved, but I was wrong. I want you by my side, always. Through good and bad times.” He buried his face on her neck.
Was that a proposal? Kara refused to read too much into it. She hugged him close. “We’d better get inside the house before the neighbors recognize you. I had enough of them when Jim and Briana were here.”
Kiss Me Crazy Page 27
