“I will brainstorm with Abby.” The youngest sister was the brains behind the product creativity. During frequent conversations about the shop, the sisters decided an all-natural body and face shop not only carrying a wide variety of soaps, but also creams, salts, body washes, face washes and more. Once they sat down and created a list of the exact products they were opening with, she would be able to create labels and advertising posters for throughout the shop. She could feel the creativity bubbling through her, anticipating the finished products.
Peyton continued. “Of course we have to run this by all the girls for a final decision. Hey, let’s look out back.” Peyton led her through a wide door-less opening which led to a hall of doors and small rooms. She explained they were built for tanning beds and the contractors would be tearing it all out and opening it up for their soap production area. Kate envisioned it all with her sister, and almost as excited. It was hard to compete with her dream. Her sister’s passion for her own business definitely outweighed Kate’s. But her sister had surprised her. She had gotten the loan, and hired a contractor plus researched equipment and product and she had done it all in the span of a few weeks. The excitement of starting this business with her family was amazing. Being home was amazing.
Her goal now was to maintain distance from Marc and all those deceitful Caliendos. The few hour drive from Peyton’s condo to Willow Valley had given Peyton time to bring her up to date on the recent events stirring in the Caliendo household. Paternity situations that, even though her heart hurt for Marc, she couldn’t allow it to control her. Plus Corbin was not actually dead...thanks to Abby’s gossip she was well informed. Seriously, that family had problems. She should almost be thankful Robert sent her away. He had saved her from a life continuously involving unbelievably outlandish situations. Almost.
Kate inhaled a deep breath for a new start, immediately regretting when the dust from the boards Peyton was digging through filled her lungs.
Peyton’s phone went off, likely one of the girls. She looked up at her. “Kate, go out to my Escape and grab a measuring tape.”
“Why?” She waved her hand in the air to settle the dust away from her.
She turned her eyes wide with excitement. “Look at these old boards.” She ran her hands up along a pile of boards strewn in the middle of the back room. “If Dad refinishes these, they would made amazing shelves. Can’t you envision it?”
Kate was still choking from the dust her sister was stirring up with her digging. She coughed. “Alright, I will go get it. Where is it?”
“Look for a red bag. It’s in the red bag.” She turned and was moving thin boards longer than her into separate piles. “Just bring the whole bag!” she called.
The mild day welcomed her and she quickly crossed the street and popped the back door up. A mountain of their combined luggage laughed at her. They’d flipped the seats down and packed it full, no wonder Peyton sent her out-there was no red bag in sight.
She bent her body far right, and then left, hoping a glimpse of the red bag would pop out. No such luck. A groan and sigh escaped her as she realized she was going to have to dig through the mass. She started yanking suitcases until she got sight of the red bag deep in the middle. Deciding not to unpack their entire lives on the road, she weaved her hands through the other luggage like a snake through long grass. She gripped the edge like the sharp teeth of the snake and let out a sigh of accomplishment. Now she just had to yank like she was pulling a snagged fishing line. As she jerked it free she felt the grip of a strong hand encircle her free arm and spin her around in one swift movement. An echo of surprise escaped her lips just as another’s dipped down and stole the sound. A warm hand caught the side her face, another arm trapped her arms as she was pulled tightly into a familiar embrace and she knew by the designer cologne it was Marc’s lips pressing ever so softly against hers. The softest kiss they had ever shared and he teased from one side to the next in a soft repetitive motion lacking desire and craving.
Without even dipping past her lips to capture her tongue...why did that leave her disappointed...he lifted his head and stared down at her with those amazing eyes that melted her soul. Stand your ground Kate! You are finished with all Caliendos.
“You’re not Peyton.” Those brown eye like chocolate drops of delicious heaven, held a glimpse of distress.
Her thoughts popped. Why the hell was he kissing Peyton like this?
“You cut your hair,” Marc said running his hands through her pinned up hair. “I like it.” Actually Peyton had insisted on styling it that morning, pinning the long locks underneath letting the short layers disguise the length. Rumour has it that movie stars were sporting this updo and she was dying to try her fingers at it. Kate didn’t argue as her sister started fussing with her locks, instead she enjoyed her strong black, wake me up coffee and breakfast only listening in and out about how experimenting with her own hair wasn’t possible because it was too short. Kate had been rather irritated the bobby pins had been digging into her scalp the entire ride here.
“I’ve been calling and texting you and you’re not responding to any of them.” She had seen them and every single one left her fingers lingering on the send button, but she had resisted. She was starting a life without him...again. Her heart broke at the thought, but there was so much unresolved history between them. And it was only a matter of time, with all the secrets evolving, that hers would be revealed, and then he wouldn’t want to kiss her. He wouldn’t even want to look at her. And yet she could stare into those dazzling eyes forever. Stop it!
Their lack of conversation didn’t hold her interest like the curiosity of why he thought he was kissing her sister! And why were his hands on her face were making her want to reach up and kiss those lips again? And why did his lips always taste so delicious? They were still pressed against one another like in the walkway at the Crystal Hotel. Why did this keep on happening? Why all these questions!
“I know.” She wasn’t ready to face him yet. Although her new plan sounded easy and sensible in her head, she wasn’t convinced she was prepared to pursue it thoroughly, especially when he approached her in an intimate hold chasing away Jack Frost with his warm embrace. “Marc, I wasn’t ready to talk to you.”
His face saddened. “I assumed.”
From the distance Kate heard voices calling them, her eyes glanced across the road in front of Mrs. Calvert’s bakery to where Eliza was practically running her tiny heels across the snowy ground. Violet was at her heels. They were running directly towards them.
“Marc,” she snarled. “Now your mother is going to think we are together. How are you going to explain this to her? You should have planned this kiss for weeks.” Panic arose inside of her. She was cutting him out of her life and now his family would think they were together!
She looked at Marc sending him a questioning look as to what they were going to do next. Why was he still holding onto her! He stared down at her looking as annoyed as she felt. That was good at least he could acknowledge he shouldn’t go around kissing random people on the street! I’m not random. Nor am I who he thought he was kissing...Peyton?
“This wasn’t how this was supposed to turn out.”
“What wasn’t?”
He cursed, that surprised her. “It’s too late to explain,” he said. “Play along and hold this out.” He squeezed her hand before turning with a smile and waving at his mother and sister.
Confused, she glanced down where his warm hand had abandoned hers only to find he hadn’t left it as bare as it felt−a white gold ring encircled her left ring finger. Not just any ring, a huge princess cushioned rock that screamed engagement. What was happening?
“Mother, we were going to wait until tonight over supper to make our announcement, but you caught us.”
Caught us? Kate was as curious as Mrs. Caliendo to hear Marc’s explanation.
“Kate and I are engaged,” he announced like the highlight at the end of a presentation.
&nbs
p; We are what now? She watched his mother’s face light up with joy and Violet’s shade a cast of questioning. Kate knew her face mirrored her apparent soon to be sister-in-law’s.
Eliza squealed a dozen questions in their direction then pulled Kate into an affectionate hug that lasted forever, her hair smacking the side of her face, and the smell of designer cologne masking Marc’s.
“I have so many questions. When did this begin? Oh I know when this began, in the sauna,” Eliza accused with a sly grin. “It must have developed in the cabin.” She clasped her hands together. “How romantic! How long have you been engaged for? When did he propose? How did he propose? Oh, let me see the ring!” At that moment, as her future mother-in-law grabbed her hand, she knew exactly where Izzy got her spunk. She frowned. “Oh, I thought you would have my great grandmother’s ring.” She smiled, embarrassed then. “But this one is beautiful. Did you pick it out? I know you young brides like to do that nowadays.”
“I have heard that.” Kate didn’t see any reason in pointing out the truth at this moment. It was a little late now, but poor Marc was going to have some explaining to do later.
Marc covered his mother’s small dainty hands with his own which meant his fingertips grazed Kate’s hand and she was stuck. “Mother, you’re overwhelming us and we are yet to tell her sisters, who are arriving any second.” Her sisters weren’t the only ones that were left in the dark.
“Dinner tonight,” his mother announced.
“Mother, we are already having dinner tonight,” Violet pointed out.
“Yes, I know Violet. But Katherine darling, invite all of your family and we can get all the wonderful details then.” Kate hoped Marc was ready to share all the wonderful details with her first because her version was a jumbled confused mess.
Marc promised leaning over and kissing his mother’s cheek. She hugged Kate again.
Violet congratulated them, skeptically, Kate noticed and waved as they left. Marc resumed position with his arm around her waist. When they had ducked back into a bakery, Kate looked up at him for an explanation.
He shook his head. “We should go inside and discuss this.” He helped her load the luggage back into the vehicle before placing his hand on the small of her back and leading her inside. Peyton was nowhere to be seen. Relieved she didn’t have to have this conversation in front of her, she considered her possibilities. Either Marc had become so arrogant that he assumed that was a marriage proposal or the family crisis he was having at home was taking a toll on him.
He was pacing back and forth, an unusual action which produced even more reason it was the latter.
“Marc,” she began softly. “I can’t accept this proposal.”
His eyes flew to hers full of confusion.
She felt bad for him. His uncle was his father and his brother wasn’t dead, but that didn’t change their past. “I can’t marry you,” she clarified.
He opened his mouth to reply, and then shut it.
“You called me a harlot,” she reminded him. “We decided it would be better off if we ended it then, remember?”
“Of course I remember.”
“Then why are you assuming I’m going to marry you?”
“I would never assume that of you. I don’t even consider you the marrying type.”
The insult irritated her. “You don’t know what type I am.”
“Your past speaks volumes.”
Her mouth dropped. “You weren’t the arrogant type but look how the tables have turned.”
“Arrogant? Look at you. This isn’t even about you and right away you’re assuming I’m some poor lost puppy.”
“Well then who is this about?”
“Your sister.”
“Peyton?”
He nodded. “Yes, she agreed to be engaged to me and in return I am financing this business.” He looked around the room.
Engaged? Financing the business? Huh? Peyton, what did you get us into? “You’re kidding right?”
He stepped in front of her. “No, I’m not kidding. How would this be comical?” It wouldn’t be. “I need her.”
“You need my sister?” When had this happened? Had it been longer than three weeks? How long had Peyton stayed here and how had they formed a relationship? Too many unanswered questions. Her head hurt. Wasn’t there some unwritten law stating you couldn’t date a sister’s ex? And all those phone calls and texting from him...they were to try and smooth this over? More questions, but only one came out. “You’re engaged to my sister?”
“No, I’m engaged to you.” She looked down at the ring on her finger.
“But you’re seeing my sister?”
“No.” He looked insulted. “I would never date one of your sisters. Didn’t Peyton talk to you?”
She leveled a look at him plainly stating she had no idea what was going on. “But you’re planning on being engaged to her?”
“It’s a business deal.”
“So you gave her money to be your fiancée? Like an escort?” That word was kinder than the ones that had come to mind: slut, tramp, whore.
“Well,” he said moving closer. “In those terms that would make you my escort.”
That’s twice in less than a month he had referred to her as such. “Peyton!” Marc jumped back startled by her outburst. “Peyton Grace McAdams where are you?”
She appeared at the top of the stairs. “What are you shouting about?” Then she saw Marc and her eyes lit up. “You’re here.”
“Yes, I’m here and you are in here and you were supposed to be out there and now our plan has gone to shambles.” Marc accused as she started down the stairs. Kate had never heard Marc talk so quickly, so loose.
Peyton sent them both questioning looks. “Why, what happened?” Kate stepped in front of her and held the ring at her eye level. Peyton gasped. “Why are you wearing that?” Then grabbed her hand. “Wow, this is gorgeous. This is the price of my condo for a whole year.”
“Because you insisted on styling my hair.” She said using air quotes for the word styling. “And now apparently I’m a paid escort.”
Marc chimed in at that point and explained the misunderstanding and being caught by his mother and sister. A smirk crossed Peyton’s face.
“This is not funny.” This was a disaster. How could her sister agree, let alone formulate this ludicrous idea.
“It’s a little funny,” her sister said.
“It’s really not.”
“It’s kinda perfect,” Peyton said. “I mean you are a way more realistic match than me. No one will question your engagement.”
“What engagement?” Kate practically screamed. She paused as a realization formed in her head. “Wait a second, did you plan this?”
“Yes, Marc just told you,” she innocently agreed.
Kate shook her head recognizing that not-so-innocent flicker in her sister’s eyes. She turned away. “Unbelievable.”
She walked away from her sister to keep from reaching out and strangling her. Everything was coming together. Her updo, the tape measure, the texting. Oh Peyton. When she felt there was enough distance between them, she turned back to Peyton and Marc, who were both watching her.
“You sent me out there on purpose,” Kate accused her sister. “You made some red bag story to throw me and Marc together.”
“I did not.” Liar.
She glanced at Marc. “Didn’t she text you minutes before you jumped me?”
He cleared his throat. “I did not jump you.” He looked at Peyton. “And, yes she did. She also knew my mother would be watching.” He sent her an accusing look.
Peyton threw her hands in the air in defeat. She shrugged her little plan off. “Marc did you actually think anyone would have believed we were a couple?” She waved her hand in the distance between them. “This would have created a mountain of more drama in your family to deal with. With Kate, they’re just going to accept her and not think twice because of your history. See, it’s perfect.”
&n
bsp; That was the dumbest plan Kate had ever heard.
Peyton continued as though she were reading an instruction manual. “But we have to mislead Abby and Syd. They can’t know you two aren’t actually engaged.” Did she really think this plan was going into action? “Abby is Izzy’s best friend and she would definitely let it slip and Syd’s been hard enough to get on board with this plan that we don’t want to give her a reason to back out now.”
“This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.” She looked at Marc. “How did you let her convince you that this was actually a good idea?” Kate was dumbfounded.
Peyton was quick to explain. “When we met up at his office to construct the set up cost and interest, his family was popping in and out of his office interrupting him the entire time and not for business reasons. So I teased and said he needed someone to distract them and he agreed and one thing led to the next and he said he would drop the interest and I said I would distract his family with wedding stuff.”
Kate crossed her arms. “Which you were never going to do?”
“Take one for the team.”
Kate glared at her sister. “Take one for the team?” She had no idea what she had taken for the team! And after Marc’s accusations she finally had a clear head on the direction of her life and this wasn’t it! “You take one for the team!” Kate’s feet overrode her good sense and she was crossing the room straight towards her sister. Marc caught her halfway around the waist and lifted her into the air and away from Peyton.
Peyton stuck her tongue out as the front door flew open and the rest of her family came waltzing in. “Kate and Marc are engaged!” she announced.
Marc looked down at her.
“I’m going to skin her,” she told him before her sister’s screaming excitement overruled and she was pulled away from Marc and into their arms. She should have stopped it right there. She should have told them their sister’s ridiculous plan instead of listening to Peyton go over the business plan and Marc explain the transaction and payment plan.
Lakeshore Secrets: The McAdams Sisters - Kate McAdams (By The Lake Series Book 1) Page 16
