"I'm not surprised," she inserted before Wade could say anything. "We were eating lunch when my chair suddenly toppled over and he tried to save me." She flashed John an ingenuous smile. "Sorry to have disturbed your sleep, but now that you're up, do you want some fajitas?"
"If they're the same kind you made us at the beach, lead me to them, woman!"
Kathryn laughed and felt some of the tension ease out of her. "Do you have any idea how much you sound like Clyde? Sit down and I'll serve you."
Now that Wade couldn't continue his probe into her personal life, she assumed he'd find something else to do. But he surprised her by handing John a root beer from the cooler and making himself comfortable in one of the camp chairs placed around the table.
"Thanks," John said, squinting at his brother. "Have you tasted her fajitas already?"
"I had three, and now I'm thinking of hiring her to be my cook at the ranch.” She could feel the exact moment Wade's gaze shifted to her. "How about it, Kathryn? You can consider this a bona fide job offer. It'll help me out, and your unemployment problem will be solved."
Uncaring of the fragile ground they walked on, she said, "Sorry, Wade. Flattered though I am by your confidence in my culinary abilities, I'm not interested." Wearing her brightest smile, she continued, "In the first place, you couldn't afford me."
She regretted her words even before she noticed how Wade's features had hardened. He suspected she'd married Philip for his money, and her comments only reinforced that idea.
"And the second?'' His voice sounded like the lash of a whip.
"Since I won't be in Afton much longer, this discussion is pointless.''
John frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm applying for a permanent teaching position in Colorado. I plan to see about it next week." Though she hadn't made the decision until that very moment, she knew it was the right one.
"But you can't! You'll spoil the surprise!"
"She already knows about the apartment," Wade told him without any inflection in his voice. "Obviously it makes no difference."
John shook his head. "Mom'll be so disappointed. One of the reasons we came on the trip now rather than later was to keep you from the store so the carpet could be laid and the furniture delivered before we got back. She and Dad wanted you to have your own place as soon as possible."
"You're kidding!" She didn't need to feign shock. Wade hadn't hinted that the apartment was ready to move into.
"No. And that's not all. Because you used to help out in the store, Dad hoped he could talk you into working for him this summer, or at least until you have concrete plans for the future."
Kathryn averted her eyes from Wade, who continued to gaze at her with an enigmatic expression while John did all the talking.
"You might as well hear the rest. Mom misses you a lot more than you realize. She and Dad have been hoping and praying you'd return to Afton for good. They've talked of nothing else ever since they heard you were getting a divorce and leaving California. Their plan is for you to live over the store rent-free and they'll pay you a salary. But naturally they're not going to try to talk you into anything you don't want."
These revelations, coming so hard and fast, made everything that much more painful. The love Alice and Clyde had always shown Kathryn was never more evident than now. And if it weren't for Wade, she'd gladly take what they were offering and even look into obtaining a math position at the local high school for the next academic year. But the way she felt about Wade made it impossible for her to consider their plan.
As if talking about Clyde and Alice had conjured them up, there they were, walking along the beach, looking ridiculously relaxed and happy. Clyde was crooning one of his favorite old songs, and his broad smile was so reminiscent of Wade's, Kathryn wanted to cry. "We're back, we're hungry," called Clyde, "and something smells too good to be true."
She couldn't believe she hadn't heard the boat, because the motor made enough noise to wake the dead. Now that John had told her the truth, just looking at their smiling faces made her feel worse than ever. Feigning lightheartedness, she waved her arm over her head and called back, "Then by all means, come and get it!"
Within five minutes Laurel had arrived back at camp, as well. For the next half hour Kathryn avoided Wade's scrutiny while she made more fajitas for the rest of the family.
Eventually Clyde got up from the table and stretched. "That was the best food I've ever tasted."
"You say that after every meal." Kathryn smiled. "That's because you and Alice outcook anyone in Star Valley." His comment came too close on the heels of the conversation she, Wade and John had just had.
Afraid to look at Wade, she mumbled her thanks, then quickly started clearing the table.
"Since you made lunch, I'll do the dishes," Alice stated matter-of-factly, reaching for the plastic tub, but Clyde forestalled her.
"It's time the men did the cleanup. You wanted to take a nap, so why don't you go to the tent? I'll join you as soon as I'm through here."
To everyone's surprise John said decisively, "Since I slept in till noon, I'll do the dishes."
Clyde staggered backward in an exaggerated gesture. "Do my ears deceive me? Did my son actually say he'd let his old dad off the hook?"
"Yeah." He flashed his father a begrudging smile. "Go have a nap. But don't expect this to become a habit."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Clyde chuckled and tossed the keys on the table. "If anyone wants the boat, it's available."
"I don't." Laurel looped her beach towel around her neck. "My friends are coming by a little later, so I'm going to sunbathe till they get here."
As the three of them went on their way, Wade picked up the keys. "So, Kathryn, that leaves you and me."
Her heart lurched, because she knew what was coming. Out of self-preservation she would fabricate any lie to avoid being alone with him. She didn't think she could hide her feelings for him much longer. "I need to make a few calls from the marina," he said. "Do you want to come with me? On the way back we'll run by the point."
She shook her head. "Thanks for the invitation, but right now I feel like a little physical exercise. I'm going to take a walk around the island. Maybe we can all go for a boat ride this evening."
A taunting smile lifted the comer of his mouth.
"Until later, then." Wade's response might have sounded innocent to John, but she heard his implicit threat―that he wouldn't be satisfied until he'd learned the name of the man who had contributed to the breakup of her marriage.
Even though she was thankful he hadn't pressed her to accompany him, she was shocked by the sense of desolation that swept over her as she watched him stride swiftly toward the shore. Soon the boat was speeding out of the bay toward open water, taking him farther and farther away from her. More than any thing in the world she wanted to go with him, be with him, have the right to live with him and love him for the rest of their lives.
"I imagine he's going to call Amy," John murmured, jerking Kathryn from her thoughts. She'd forgotten she wasn't alone, and right now she didn't want or need John's assessment of the situation, even if he, too, was suffering.
Purposely ignoring his comment, she said, "After the dishes are done, what are you going to do with the rest of this gorgeous day?"
''Get my tackle together and do a little fishing in the kayak.''
"Be sure and catch a German brown for me. In return, I'll search for huckleberries―I know bow much you love them on your pancakes."
Without waiting for a reply she grabbed an empty plastic bag from the camping supplies and struck out on her own. Her body cried for release from the frantic energy that had been building ever since she'd seen Wade walking toward her outside the airport terminal in Salt Lake City.
Determined to stay away from camp until she could be certain of not finding herself alone with Wade, Kathryn spent the rest of the day gathering the purplish-black berries. Her hunt took her all over the island, which teem
ed with squirrels, hedgehogs, woodpeckers and beavers. But she found little peace in the beauty and harmony of nature. What cruel trick of fate had decreed she live an unfulfilled life because of a forbidden love?
Her thoughts kept returning to the incident in the boat the day before, when Wade had caught her around the waist to prevent her from falling. For a breathless moment his hands had dropped to her hips, creating a heat that had nothing to do with with the temperature of the air.
Nor could she forget the intensity in his eyes while he was tying her life preserver. Her mouth could almost taste his, because for that brief instant, she knew he had wanted to kiss her. And God forgive her, more than anything else in the world she wanted to feel his lips caressing her own.
The sun was setting when she returned, sunburned and tired, to the campsite. Dazedly she lifted her eyes to John and Laurel, who were out in the kayaks, but nothing really registered, because thoughts of Wade were all that filled her mind and heart. She searched avidly for him and saw his crouched figure farther down the shore. He was cleaning fish, his dark blond head bent in concentration. To Kathryn, everything about his body was perfect. Desire for him welled up in her till she could have cried out for his touch.
As if he sensed her need, he unexpectedly raised his eyes. They stared at each other, unsmiling, until she found the strength of will to turn her back on him. Nothing in his unswerving regard revealed what he was thinking, but she was very much afraid he had read too much in hers. She could have wept at her lack of control.
Clyde exclaimed over the huckleberries, then told her to relax because dinner wouldn't be ready for a while. Since he didn't require help, Kathryn started through the pines toward her tent and bumped into Alice.
"Oh, good. You're back! I was just about ready to send out a search party for you. My heavens, but you're sunburned. Why didn't you put on some screen?''
"Would you believe I forgot?"
Alice sighed. "Oh, Kathryn. Well, come over to our tent. I've got some medicated spray that should help." After Alice's ministrations, Kathryn sat down opposite her sister in one of the camp chairs placed out side the tent. She could see the Grand Teton clearly through the pines, it's snow-capped summit tinted pink and crimson by the sunset. The sight never failed to thrill her.
"Finally I've got my little sister to myself for a few minutes. There's been so much going on we haven't had time for one of our good old heart-to-hearts."
"I know. All of us being together has meant the world to me,” Kathryn admitted emotionally.
"Clyde is happier than I've seen him in years. Did I tell you he's sold a couple of articles to some fishing and wildlife magazines?"
"No! When did that happen?"
"About a month ago. And they pay well for accompanying photos. He's such a natural in the outdoors, his expertise shines through despite his inexperience in writing. Luckily Wade's been able to help him polish his manuscripts before they were sent off.”
"Wade was always good in English."
Alice smiled. "Let's face it. Wade can do anything. Maybe I'm prejudiced, but I know that one day his ranch is going to be famous. He's always had the right instincts about things. Haven't you noticed?"
Kathryn made a sound of assent, too wrapped up in her own thoughts of Wade to express anything concrete.
"He was born confident," Alice went on. "I'm convinced that with the right woman, there isn't any dream Wade can't achieve, and Clyde agrees."
Struggling for breath, Kathryn said, "Do you like Amy? Will she make Wade a good wife?”
Alice stared intently at Kathryn. "Honestly? Do you really want to know?"
CHAPTER SIX
THE FACT THAT Alice answered her question with an other made Kathryn uneasy. "When have we ever been anything other than honest with each other?"
"Since you left the house five years ago without saying goodbye. Since the time you ran off to Mexico to be married without sharing one of the most important moments of your life with your family. Since you remained in an unfulfilling marriage for more than four years without confiding your pain to a living soul. And―" Alice paused, her blue eyes staring boldly into Kathryn's ''―since you insist you want to go to some strange town as a university professor when I know in my heart you'd be happier teaching math here, married to a wonderful man and raising a family. How's that for starters?"
No one could see through Kathryn like her sister. "I thought we were talking about Amy.''
"If you want to discuss her first, we can do that. She seems to have everything a man could want in a woman. Ask John and he'll tell you. Interestingly enough, the more time passes, the more I'm convinced Wade's not in love with her. As for Amy, I think she's young enough to be in love with love and is somewhat confused by John's attention."
Kathryn's heart leapt with unholy joy, but she had to hide her feelings from Alice. "Spoken like a true mother."
"And what about you? Wade's happiness is obviously important to you, or you wouldn't be so anxious to know what kind of wife Amy's going to make."
"Naturally I want things to work out for him, and I understand your concerns about Amy because I wasn't in love with the man I married and I wouldn't wish that on Wade of all people,” she said in a tremulous voice. "Even so, Amy must be quite exceptional to have captured his interest in the first place." There was a brief pause. "He admires her horsemanship and the fact that she doesn't take herself too seriously." Alice heaved a sigh. "Maybe I'm crazy, but I had this idea that when Wade fell in love, he'd be like Clyde. You know how his eyes light up sometimes when we're looking at each other?"
"I should imagine the whole world knows," Kathryn teased, causing her sister to grin.
"The fact is, I've never seen Wade look that way at Amy. I think if I ever did, I wouldn't have a worry in the world."
Kathryn knew exactly what Alice was talking about, because Wade's eyes had once blazed for her with that special light. She felt her body grow feverishly hot as she recalled that look of his-the look that said he wanted to be alone with her all night long, wanted to make love to her until they forgot everything and everyone else in the wonder of being together.
What was really incredible was that even now, knowing Wade was engaged, the selfish part of her didn't want him to be involved with Amy, let alone make love to her.
"Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I saw your eyes sparkle," Alice went on. "It must have been before you left for San Diego. Which brings me to the reason I wanted to talk to you alone. Please consider what I'm about to say very carefully."
Kathryn closed her eyes, knowing exactly what her sister was leading up to.
"I think you need me as much as I need you. We're family, and the older I get, the more sentimental I seem to become. When you wrote and told me you and Philip were breaking up, I asked Clyde if we could convert the storage area above the store to an apartment for you, so you could come home to a permanent place of your own."
"I-I know," Kathryn cut in before Alice could say more. "Between John and Wade, I was told everything. Promise me you won't be angry with them." Alice's pretty face broke out in a smile. "If they chose to reveal our little surprise ahead of time, then you must know how much it means to the family to have you back here to stay."
"Alice ..." Kathryn found herself getting choked up. "I've always loved you, looked up to you. And I love Clyde. You're two of the kindest, most unselfish people I've ever known. I don't deserve all the sacrifice and expense you've gone to for me. I―hardly know what to say." Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was humbled, moved by their generous loving offer, but her feelings for Wade were in the way.
"Just say yes." Alice leaned forward and covered Kathryn's hand with her own. "After what you've been through, you need a complete change of pace and a more relaxed life-style. We want to help. That's what families are for.''
''But―"
"I know what you're going to say," she interrupted. "You have a career to think about. I understan
d that. And I've already talked to the superintendent of the school district here about getting you a teaching position. When he heard your credentials, he said he could guarantee you a job in the fall, because good math teachers are hard to come by. If it doesn't work out, you could always apply for a university position next summer. What harm would there be in living close to us and teaching high school for a year?"
What harm would there be? Kathryn cried inwardly. Being around Wade was a torture she couldn't endure much longer.
"Look," Alice continued. "Will you do me one favor before you make a final decision?" Kathryn nodded reluctantly. "Next week is our twentieth wedding anniversary. Because we went to Banff on our honeymoon, Clyde wants to take me up there for a week."
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on Kathryn, who had to stifle a groan. The mere mention of the Canadian town triggered a flood of guilty memories, all having to do with that disastrous time five summers earlier when the rest of the family had gone to Banff on vacation, leaving her alone in the house with Wade.
Alice, however, seemed totally unaware of the emotions surfacing in Kathryn and said, "Would you consider staying in the apartment and working at the store with Laurel and John until we get back? They both adore you, and frankly, knowing you'd be around for them to talk to would be a big relief to Clyde and me. And the apartment would give you the privacy you need.
"If, after we get back, you still feel you have to pursue a career in Colorado, then we'll support you. But please remember the apartment is legally yours and will always be here for you."
Kathryn sprang from the chair and threw her arms around Alice. "No one ever had a sister like you. I love you and Clyde so much. Thank you, thank you for everything." After another round of tears and hugs, Kathryn stood up and wiped her eyes.
She couldn't possibly refuse her sister's request. If she did, it would only raise more questions in Alice's mind. But Kathryn knew she'd be risking further grief and heartache. Her only consolation was that working in the store meant she wouldn't have to see Wade very often. And she had to assume Amy would monopolize his free time.
Meant for Each Other Page 7
