Then He Showed Up
Page 3
Maggie laughed. “You’ve made that pretty clear.”
“I don’t know what happened. I was so embarrassed. I just wanted to get below deck, but then he took off his shirt, and I couldn’t look away. I kept staring like some voyeur.” She shook her head in disgust. “What’s wrong with me? I’m a grown woman. I should be able to control my baser instincts.”
“It’s your libido. It’s a miracle. It’s alive!”
“Ha ha.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. Peter’s the sexiest man I know, but I even took a second look at that chest.” Maggie moved back to the counter to mix the drinks.
Kate joined her, slicing a lemon. “It must be nice to be one of the beautiful people.” She dropped the lemon wedges into the drinks.
“Would you stop?” Maggie set down the rum and turned to Kate. “You are a beautiful woman.”
“Oh God,” Kate moaned. “No lectures about beauty within, mother.”
“I’m not talking about within, you are gorg—”
“Stop. Enough. No more talking.”
“Fine.” Maggie hesitated, and then rushed on, “But I hope one day you’ll recognize what everyone else sees.” She headed to the companionway with her drink. “Now, come on. Let’s go have some fun.”
“I’ll be up in a minute. I need to call the kids.”
Maggie shook her head. “You don’t need to call the kids. You want an excuse to stay down here and hide from your lust-a-thon up on deck.” She poured another shot of rum in Kate’s cup. “Drink this, chickenshit. You’ll be fine. If you’re not on deck in fifteen minutes, I’ll have Peter drag your ass up there.”
“So why the surprise visit?” Peter asked, stretching out his legs.
Jack studied the horizon, trying to put together an explanation Peter would buy. “Spur-of-the-moment decision. I have a lull before the next storm hits at work. Thought I’d head here for some R and R.”
“You should’ve called earlier and let us know. First time you’ve been back in ten years, and Maggie and I are heading out.”
“That’s why I didn’t call. I didn’t want you changing your plans.”
“So how long are you going to be here?”
Jack shifted on the bench. He hated lying to his friend, but if Peter had even a hint he was here on business, let alone what the business was, he’d never hear the end of it.
If Jack had his way, he’d be out of here tomorrow. However, he needed to stay a week if he wanted to prove he’d given Austin a fair chance for the Gridion plant. During that time, it’d be easy enough to find a fatal flaw that would take the city off the table.
The whole farce was a waste of time. There was no way in hell Jack would bring the project to Austin. As Vice President of Development, he made all domestic location decisions. Technically, the Board of Directors had final approval, but the vote had always gone with Jack’s recommendation. Unfortunately, Gridion’s Chairman of the Board, Richard Lumley, had a personal interest in Austin and had made it clear he wanted Gridion’s newest facility in the Lone Star capital.
That wasn’t going to happen. Jack had his own personal reason. A reason that had kept him out of the city for a decade. If it meant Jack had to play this game, he would. In the end, the project would go to either Huntsville, Alabama, or Phoenix. From what he’d seen and the consultant’s reports, both cities were top candidates for the Gridion project. Hell, all three cities were a good fit. It’d come down to finding the right site and best incentives.
Peter snapped his fingers. “Hey. Did you hear me? How long are you going to be in town?”
“I’ve got about a week before I need to get back.”
“You going to see your dad while you’re here?”
Jack could hear the judgement in his friend’s voice. “Maybe.”
“You should,” Peter pressed. “I ran into him at Pete’s Café a couple of weeks ago. He looks good. He wanted to know what you were up to. At least call him.”
“Okay, okay, I will.” He stretched his arms out, breaking the tension in his shoulders. “You guys still coming out in September?”
“The boss has it on her calendar. Might as well be carved in stone.”
Jack laughed and shook his head. “God, you’re so whipped.”
At that point, Maggie emerged from the companionway and handed them drinks. She sat next to Peter, and he wrapped his arm around her. He winked at Jack. “Damn right.”
Maggie was a free spirit. Exactly what Peter needed. What Jack hadn’t expected was the way Peter had fallen for her. Until Maggie, Peter had been consumed with his career. First completing his medical degree, and then establishing his practice. Every other moment he’d dedicated to sailing. They’d always agreed upon the principle: work hard, play hard.
When Maggie had come along, Peter’s sense of priorities had flown out the window. He still managed a successful practice, but his world revolved around the woman. If it had been anyone but his best friend, Jack would’ve called him a schmuck. He couldn’t understand why a man would ever let a woman have so much control over his life, why he would tie his happiness to another person. His dad was a walking reminder of how that could burn you. Fortunately, Maggie seemed to be just as crazy about Peter.
Eventually, Kate emerged from the cabin. She’d been down there for at least an hour. He knew because Maggie had repeatedly called down to her. “Kate, it’s been fifteen minutes . . . Kate, it’s been forty minutes.” Each time Kate had had some excuse to stay below.
He suspected she was embarrassed. The woman had done everything in her power to resist his help in the water. But after surviving the supposed fish attack, her entire countenance had changed. She’d laughed with abandon, making her appear ten years younger. Her blue eyes had glowed with life. Regrettably, when the boat had returned, the young, vivacious girl had rushed back into hiding. He wanted to see her again.
He crossed over to sit beside her, despite her unease. “I was starting to think you’d passed out below.”
“Why would you think that?” Damn, the woman was stiff.
He pointed to her full glass. “Maggie makes a stiff drink.”
“Oh.” She took a drink, then winced. “Yes, she does.”
Jack tapped the pocket on her little, green dress. “Like the flamingo.”
Kate studied him, as if to see if he was serious.
Relax. “I do. It’s fun.” It’d never be considered sexy, but he liked it on her. Matched the curls that framed her face.
“My kids got it for me.” She smiled. “A Mother’s Day gift. They were so proud.”
Jack saw that sparkle in her eyes. The love for her kids was apparent. He remembered that look in his mother’s eyes. On the good days, it was always present. On the bad ones . . .
“How often do you get back to Austin?”
“Not very often.” Not this again. “Work keeps me on the road.”
Kate immediately turned and looked over the water, shutting him down.
Okay. That subject’s a bust. “Do you sail with Maggie and Pete often?”
She looked back, fixing some of those soft curls behind her ear. “Actually, this is the first time—”
“Oh my God, Kate!” Maggie shot over to Kate’s side. “What happened to your leg?”
Jack spotted the large, purple mark on her outer thigh. Damn. That was some bruise. She must have been in a lot of pain when he’d pulled her through the water. The woman was a trouper.
“It’s nothing. I hit my leg when I fell. It’ll be fine.” Kate pulled down her cover-up, but he could still see the mark.
Maggie apparently didn’t believe her. “Peter, come look at this.”
“I’m fine,” Kate argued.
Despite her protests, Peter knelt down and inspected her thigh. “You’ll live, but you’re going to have one hell of a bruise for a while. Let’s get some ice on it.”
Kate sighed. If possible, she appeared even more embarrassed. The woman couldn’t get a break.
Definitely back in uptight mode. Her back was ramrod straight, and she turned so he couldn’t see the bruise. When Peter returned with a bag of ice and placed it on her leg, she hissed but quickly recovered and took the bag from him. She looked around the cockpit, took a deep breath, and then a deep drink. She choked but tried another. Settling back into her seat, she returned her sights to the horizon. Maybe after a few more sips, she’d relax.
Kate sat at the bottom of the stairs leading to the parking lot. She watched the others trek up the rocky path and decided drinking must help her coordination. She’d beat everyone, skipping over, instead of tripping on the rocks. Maybe she wasn’t a clumsy person after all, just too sober. Everything felt light and easy. Yes, easy. Easy is so nice. I need to buy some rum.
“This has been so much fun! Why don’t we do this all the time?” she called out to the group.
“Tell me you got that on tape,” Peter said, winking at his wife.
“What?” Kate asked. They had had fun. The rum had made for a wonderful evening. She watched the others in their ascent, wishing they’d hurry. She was ready to keep the fun going, and they were just plodding along, not even talking. Maggie reached her first and started up the stairs. As she passed Kate, she tripped.
“Ooow!” She sank to a step, grabbing her ankle.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked, moving up to sit beside her.
“Damn, that hurts!” Maggie pulled away her hands, and Kate noticed the area was already swelling.
Before Kate could call him, Peter was at Maggie’s side, gingerly examining her ankle. “I don’t think it’s broken, but we need to get some ice on it.” He lifted her in his arms and headed up the stairs.
By the time they got Maggie in the SUV, her ankle had become a cankle. She wasn’t crying or complaining, but the pain was evident in her drawn features.
“Hang in there, babe. I got you,” Peter said, wiping her brow. He looked over at Maggie’s car, hesitated, and then turned to Jack. “Can you take Kate home?”
“Sure.”
“Great. She lives in Chester Oaks. It’s north of Millwood. Once you get there, she can get you the rest of the way. After you drop her off, I’ll talk you back to our place.”
Kate leaned in and hugged Maggie. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I’ll be fine. I sleep with a doctor, remember?” She smiled weakly, then turned to Jack. “Take care of my little sister.”
“Will do. You stay off that foot.” Jack looked over at Peter. “Get her home. I’ll handle everything else.”
Kate smiled. Jack Graham was a good guy, and rum was a very good drink.
Chapter 3
“What the hell?” Jack was halfway up the stairs leading to the parking lot, but he could already hear The Temptations singing “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.”
He knew the deejay was Kate. After the others had gone, she’d slipped right back into good-time mode. When he’d told her to stay in the car, she’d obliged but had turned it into her own party palace, putting the top down and cranking up the music. The volume had been louder each time he’d returned with another load. He missed the uptight woman from four drinks ago.
Jack put the last cooler in the trunk, got into the car, and immediately turned down the music. He was beat. Leaning into the back seat, he grabbed a bottle of water, then took a long swig.
“I’ve never understood this song,” Kate said. “Does it mean that after his dad died, the son had to pay off his mortgage? Or is it that the son had no one to take care of him?”
Jack started the car, and then turned to her. He was shocked to see she was serious and waiting for an answer.
“I’ve never thought about it. Either way, his dad messed him up.” He took another sip to clear the lump in his throat. Reaching into the back, he grabbed another water bottle. “Here,” he said, handing it to her. “Drink this, and finish it before we get you home. Do you have your keys and everything?”
She leaned down and grabbed something under the seat. When she sat up, she jangled a set of keys. “Good to go.”
“Super. Now drink.”
She took a sip. “Oh, this is refreshing.” She took another. “You know, those drinks Maggie made were wonderful.”
“Yeah.” Jack pulled out of the parking lot. “I noticed you liked those.”
He glanced at her. Could this be Kate Livingston, the woman working on Gridion’s new project? It was possible. Earlier, while the ladies had partied on deck, Peter had pointed out that his sister-in-law was actually a “consummate professional” who worked for the Texas Department of Economic Development. Jack hadn’t pushed for details. He didn’t want to make Peter suspicious.
But how many Kates could there be in such a large organization? His consultant had passed on several state reports prepared by a Kate Livingston. Thorough reports, including data he hadn’t even thought to ask for. Could the woman questioning the meaning of a Temptations song be the same one who compiled such detailed statistics?
“I love rum,” Kate shared. “I think it’s one of man’s greatest inventions.”
Not likely. He sure as hell hoped not. It was bad enough putting Texas through the hoops when there was no chance for a location. The thought of deceiving Maggie’s sister made it worse.
Jack drove slowly on the winding road leading to the highway. Kate would probably experience the spins tonight, and he didn’t want them starting in the car. The next song started—David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”
“Oh, this is an excellent song.” Kate sat up abruptly and turned up the volume. “Listen how it starts. It’s so quiet.”
“Speaking of which, let’s turn it—”
“No, wait.” Kate held up her hand. “Listen to them counting down, getting ready for takeoff . . . Hear how the music’s growing and growing? Now get ready . . . here we go . . . blast off!” She cranked the volume and started singing about Major Tom and ground control.
Jack slammed on the brakes and killed the music. When he turned to her, she looked like a child who’d just dropped her ice cream.
“Kate, we’re driving by multi-million-dollar homes, it’s after eleven, and these people couldn’t care less about Dave Bowie’s simulation of a space launch. Now keep the volume down or we’re turning the music off, understand?”
Kate’s eyes were large. She swallowed hard, then finally spoke, “Okay . . . Dad.” She fell over laughing.
No way in hell was this Kate Livingston.
Jack shook his head and pulled back onto the road. He glanced at Kate. He could tell she tried to settle herself, but then she broke out in giggles. She must have noticed his irritation because she finally stopped.
“Jack, I’m sorry. I won’t turn it up so loud.”
“Okay.”
“It’s just such an amazing night, and I feel so good, and I don’t have to drive. I mean, look at the moon. This calls for great music, and great music really must be heard or what’s the point?”
He thought about it. This woman was definitely having fun, and from what he’d seen earlier in the day, she needed more of it. “What the hell?” He pushed the power button, and the music blared. He yelled over the noise, “An amazing night is worth a ticket, right?”
“Right!” Kate’s face radiated joy. She plopped back in her seat, propped her feet on the dash, and sang with a volume that would easily match the Bose speakers.
By the time they reached the highway, Major Tom had lost communication with ground control and a new song had started. It was a symphony orchestra. He looked over at Kate. Her eyes were closed, and she moved her hands as if conducting the piece.
“Maggie likes to mix up her music, huh?”
Continuing to blindly conduct, Kate explained, “I made this CD for her. Our parents were into a lot of different music. It rubbed off.” When a rich voice began to sing, Kate opened her eyes and swung her head toward Jack. “This is Pavarotti singing ‘Caruso.’ Listen to the passion in his voice. Beautiful.”
“You know, I couldn’t even tell you the names of the other tenors because they can’t hold a candle to Luciano Pavarotti. Listen to that.” She held her finger up, as if she could point to the music. “He hits the notes for sure, but listen. Can you hear the intensity of his feelings? The obsession?”
“So what’s he saying?”
“I don’t know. I don’t speak Italian, but I’m guessing it’s something like that song, ‘If Loving You is Wrong, I Don’t Want to be Right.’ I mean, listen to that. There’s hunger, torture . . . desire.” Kate returned to her lounging position, eyes closed, moving her hands to the music.
“So you think Pavarotti is, I mean was, pretty hot?”
“I’d do him.”
Jack choked on the water he’d just drunk. It took him a minute to recover. Who is this woman? He knew he shouldn’t continue this conversation with a woman so buzzed, but he couldn’t resist. Unable to keep the laughter out of his voice, he asked, “So you’re into dark, heavy men?”
Kate sat straight up. “What do looks have to do with it? The man had passion and talent, a combination I’ve never heard since. And he was handsome. Sure, he had a belly, but he was still sexy. Just because someone doesn’t have a gorgeous chest . . . I mean body, doesn’t mean they’re not attractive.”
Taken aback by her condescending tone, Jack argued, “Hey, I never said looks are what make someone attractive.”
“Right.” Kate looked at him with doubt. “And I guess your friend in Bora Bora was on Weight Watchers.”
Whoa!
As soon as the words left her mouth, Kate gasped. “Oh crap. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m way too honest sometimes.”
Jack shook his head. Did she realize she was digging herself deeper? He didn’t want to get into this argument with an intoxicated woman.
“What else do you have on here?” He pressed the forward button.
Tom Jones belted out “What’s New Pussy Cat?”, and Jack was knocked back in time. They were in the kitchen. He could smell pork chops frying. His mom danced with Libby on her hip, twirling in a fervent waltz. Libby squealed with delight. His mom’s face was luminous as she reached for him. Dance with us, Sugar.