Vance rubbed his fingers across his forehead as if in pain. “For the love of Pete, the shit that comes out of your mouth—Katie, you have to talk to me.”
He was asking too much. She looked up and away from his exasperated face, feeling raw and exposed.
“Earlier today, you made some pretty telling comments about appearances and how criticism affects you…and girls. I want to know what’s going on. I want to know why you dress like you’re hiding something.” Vance put both hands on the wall near her head, caging her in, his voice low and urgent. “Katie, my love, I want to know who has done a number on you.”
Katie’s insides shriveled. She hated her story. It painted her in a really bad light. A take-charge, strong, smart guy like Vance would have difficulty understanding her hang-ups and neuroses. He lived on his own terms and answered only to himself. In typical guy fashion, he’d want to fix her, and that wasn’t possible. Because only Katie could fix Katie. Even she knew that much.
She searched his intense face and drew strength from his compelling gaze. Within that strength, she made a snap decision. She’d give him what he wanted and take what she needed. She’d be with him for the next few weeks if he’d have her. She deserved that much. And then she’d leave. A much stronger, more independent person than when she came. More complete. A better Katie. She could do this. This would be her test.
Before she lost her nerve and changed her mind, Katie looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. Desire lit his dark eyes. His breath accelerated, and she could feel the thudding of his heart against her chest. And then she kissed him. Surrounded by his warmth and strength and delicious woodsy scent. Vance had gone still, but not for long. He crushed her to his chest, swooping in and taking over. He aligned his body with hers, letting her feel every inch of his hard frame. He settled in for a nice long, lust-filled kiss, and Katie reveled in every weak-kneed minute. In him, his taste, and the ripening sensations throughout her body.
He slid his hands up her waist until his thumbs touched her breasts and drifted across her pebbled nipples. A whimper escaped her lips. A buzzing noise hummed around her head when Vance stopped and dropped his arms. Katie stumbled back; the buzzing continued.
Blam…hit with what she’d done, she wondered if her first bold move had been maybe…a little too bold.
“Shit.” Vance pulled his cell from his jeans pocket, staring at his phone, and an odd look crossed his features. What? Katie tried reading the lit screen, but he thumbed it off.
She fumbled for something to say. “Sorry…that got a little out of hand—” And then, maybe not. Katie swallowed hard at his signs of arousal: glittering eyes, heightened color in his cheekbones, rigid stance—speaking of rigid, her gaze slid down the length of his body and settled on the impressive bulge beneath his fly. Knees wobbled. “Um, wow.”
“Staring only makes it grow,” he said with a wry smile.
Vance’s sexy grin turned into a laugh at her mortified expression. “Come here.” He cupped his hand behind her neck and kissed her hard and way too fast. “Need to return that call. Gotta get back to work,” he said.
“Right. Work. Gotcha.”
Katie stopped breathing at his possessive gaze. His finger left a light trail down her neck as he stepped back. “Good night, oh Kat of mine. See you in the morning.” He flashed a hungry grin and then vanished behind the back door. Katie’s knees gave out as she slid down the wall and landed on her butt. The victim had fallen for her captor.
Chapter 12
The next morning, after dropping the kids at school, Katie grabbed a cup of coffee at the Daily Grind. Instead of returning to the house for another day of talent show auditions, she looked forward to exploring the area. Vance had not come down for breakfast, and she felt nothing but relief. In the light of day, her POA—plan of action…Inslee’s term, not hers—looked like a thin piece of Swiss cheese: full of holes. In other words, chicken-wing Katie had an attack of second thoughts. All last night as she’d tossed and turned and relived her moment of boldness, she’d convinced herself this new daring Katie would never survive in a pirate’s world. She lacked the guts and that damn backbone.
After passing the shops on Main Street, Katie drove through the neighborhood streets and stopped to take pictures of blooming azalea gardens, bungalow-style houses with stone and wood columns, and pretty, refurbished Victorians. People waved as she cruised by in Vance’s truck. This fanciful place could easily play a quaint small town on television or in the movies. The farther she drove, the more the land became farm-like. She shot pictures of weathered wood fences, grazing horses, and even a rare, old, abandoned tobacco barn sitting in a field of wildflowers. Winding her way back, she drove toward the entrance of a huge lake with homes nestled along the shoreline and various-sized boats quietly floating at their docks. Katie jumped out and strolled toward the clearing. The damp smell of lake water and pine trees all meshed together and formed a fresh, outdoor balance. Pine straw cushioned her sneakers as she followed the trail leading to the lake.
At the entrance of the clearing, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and built-in barbecue grills dotted the straw-covered sand. Katie stopped and breathed. Birds singing and small animals rustling enhanced the quiet. The lake water lapped the shore, and the sound of a slapping screen door could be heard in the distance. Allowing the peace of the outdoors to wash over her, she closed her eyes and soaked it all in.
“Going for a swim?”
Katie jumped and whirled around. She clutched at her heart to keep it from pounding out of her chest. “You scared me!” she said to a smiling, shirtless, sweaty but kinda gorgeous Brogan Reese.
“Sorry.” But his sneaky grin said he wasn’t. “You been exercising? Or are you joining the Harmony Huggers?” He gave a nod to her outfit. Katie looked down at her faded, stretchy pants and tattered Nikes. She wasn’t wearing a Hawaiian shirt, so how could he ask that? Because you dress like you hate your body, Inslee’s voice said in her head.
Tugging on her T-shirt, she said, “No. I have no excuse except these clothes are kid-proof, and since two outfits have been ruined already…” She shrugged her shoulders.
Brogan cupped her elbow and turned her back to the lake as he pulled her along next to him. Katie would have been blind not to notice his incredible six-pack abs and muscled arms. Hollywood really should broaden its horizons. The men of Harmony could sell lots of tickets.
“I get it, because there’s no way you’d be wearing this disguise to put Vance off the scent. Hmm?”
“That’s right.” Katie’s new wardrobe couldn’t arrive soon enough. Her sagging image could use a huge boost among these all-too-knowing, blunt-speaking Southerners. “Vance is busy writing his book. He doesn’t notice what the babysitter is wearing.” She performed her lines like a three-time Oscar-winning actress.
They’d stopped by the lake’s edge, and Brogan gave a bark of laughter that carried across the water into the next state. Katie folded her arms and pretended to be bored. Being around movie stars paid off after all. “California Katie, you don’t know Vance like I do. You could wear army fatigues, smear mud on your face, and blend in with the trees, and he’d notice you.” Brogan bent down and unlaced his jogging shoes. “But I applaud your effort. Make him work for it. It would be a first.” And didn’t that make Katie want to run to the nearest trophy store for her reward. The scourge of Harmony never worked for a woman. Shocking.
Brogan rolled his broad shoulders. “Wanna join me for a swim?”
Katie gave him the universal get-real look. “Um, hell no.”
“You and Lucy must’ve spoken. She said the exact same thing, wearing that same expression.”
“Lucy struck me as a very smart woman.”
Brogan shot her a disbelieving glance. “She said that too about you…verbatim. Are you two secretly texting?”
Katie chuckled. “No. Not since t
he other night when we met. But I could tell right off the bat that she was a kindred spirit.”
Brogan backed up a step. “Okay, now you’re freaking me out.”
“What?”
“Same thing, about kindred spirits.”
Katie’s grin grew broader. She was delighted that Lucy felt that way about her. Between Bertie and Lucy, she could claim strong reinforcements. She never knew when they might come in handy.
Brogan pointed at her camera. “Taking pictures for your TV show?”
“No. For me. It’s kind of a hobby of mine. And your town is very picturesque.”
He held out his hand. “Mind if I take a look?”
Katie hesitated only a moment before handing over her camera. Brogan clicked the button as he scanned through her pictures. “That’s the Whipshaws’ farm with the horses. And you got a nice shot of Bertie’s house.” Katie leaned in to see which one he was referring to. The beautiful old Victorian with the wraparound porch. “Bertie renovated that house from top to bottom before she and Keith were married. If those walls could talk, you’d hear some pretty colorful stories…no pun intended.” Brogan gave her a sly look. “Keith was a newcomer like you, and it took a long time before Harmony felt like home to him. Bertie helped in a big way.” Brogan continued to scroll through her shots, chuckling at pictures of the kids. He stopped on one she’d taken of Vance without his knowledge, leaning against his porch column with arms crossed, slight smile tugging his lips as he stared into the distance at something the kids were doing. “Vance will do the same for you,” he murmured.
“What?”
Brogan leveled a steady gaze at her. Gone were the laughing green eyes and teasing smirk. “Home. Vance will make Harmony feel like home to you. You only have to provide an open mind…and heart.”
Katie licked her suddenly dry lips, going for a casualness she didn’t feel. “All you Southerners know how to make a girl feel at home. You’re born with the ability.”
Brogan appeared as if he wanted to say more but turned his attention back to her photos. “Wait. That’s General Kerner’s place. Where’d you get that picture?” His tone was accusing.
When she’d been snooping around his property before he almost scared her into an early grave. “The other day when I walked around the grounds.”
“Did you meet him?”
Katie gave a hesitant nod, knowing he’d find out anyhow. “We met. He was very nice.” Once he was no longer aiming his rifle at her head. “And he had breakfast with Bertie and me yesterday morning at the Dog.”
Brogan lowered the camera and raised his brows in disbelief. “You trespassed on the general’s property? I’m surprised he didn’t eat you for breakfast.”
“Well, he scared me at first, but then when he found out I was babysitting his grandkids, he seemed to relax after that.”
“Shee-it. This is unbelievable. Does Vance know about this?”
“Maybe. I didn’t tell him, but he might’ve heard about the breakfast. The Dog was packed.”
Brogan studied her as if she were a superpower figure. “California Katie, do you believe in fate? Karma? Destiny?”
“No.” She believed in doubt, weakness, and fear.
“I believe in fate, and I believe in you.” Brogan’s eyes glowed. “There’s been bad blood between Vance and his dad for…well, a really long time. But I get this feeling a California girl might bring those two stubborn, hard-headed lug nuts together.”
Yeah, right. Katie laughed. “I like you, Brogan. You’re a funny guy. But don’t get your hopes up too high. I’m leaving in less than four weeks—”
“A lot can happen in four weeks.”
“Look, I have more than I can say grace over.” Like quitting her job and finding a new life. Yeah, that thought alone kept her up nights. Katie reached for the camera and threw the strap over her shoulder. “What exactly happened between the two of them?”
Something flashed across Brogan’s face before he scrubbed his hand over it. “Angry words. Spoken in the heat of the moment. And after all these years, neither one of them has taken them back.”
The spoken word could damage more than a piercing sword to the heart or a bullet to the abdomen or a tire iron to the skull. The spoken word stayed with you, killing you slowly. A tightness squeezed her chest. “I’m sorry. I sincerely hope they work it out.” But from what she could tell, both men were stubborn and proud. Dangerous combination.
“Yeah, me too.” Brogan moved toward the dock in his athletic shorts and bare feet.
“You need a ride home? I can wait,” she offered.
“Nah. I’m good. My house is just beyond those trees.” He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “Listen, we’re all getting together on Friday night for a cookout right here at the lake. Why don’t you come with Vance?”
“Uh, you’re forgetting…I’m only the babysitter.” Besides, Vance had never said anything about a cookout. He hadn’t mentioned anything, including taking the kids to see their mom this weekend. All they had managed to do was lunge at each other and fog up the appliances and defrost the freezer in the kitchen. Their steamy encounters floated through her mind, causing a heat wave to flame her cheeks.
Brogan laughed. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that. We’ll be setting up around six thirty.” He waved and then dove off the end of the dock. Katie watched until he emerged eight feet farther out and started stroking the frigid lake water. F-schizzle. She shivered at the thought of a cold lake swim. With determination, she marched from the lake. Her new clothes had better arrive soon, because she wasn’t wearing The Kitchen Sink’s bib overalls on Friday night. Even if it was an old, countrified cookout. Oh, hell no.
* * *
Back at the house, Katie escaped inside without having to judge the tryouts taking place on the front lawn. Vance still hadn’t made an appearance, and Katie hoped he’d left for the meeting he’d mentioned with his attorneys to go over the contract.
Using the antique table desk in the master bedroom, Katie downloaded her pictures onto her computer and played around with the images in Photoshop. She tagged ones of the kids to be printed, and emailed Inslee her album. Inslee immediately zeroed in on the photo of Vance, which Katie had tweaked and cropped. Hot chipotle beefy burrito, Inslee aptly described Vance. And then Inslee emailed pictures back of the kids in puzzle form, including the program that made it happen, suggesting the kids play with their pictures online as a jigsaw puzzle. Katie clapped her hands, loving the idea. A great project where the kids could have fun and learn at the same time.
At the sound of her chirping phone, Katie rolled her eyes. “What now?”
R u avoiding me? Tad texted.
Been busy with kids & trying 2 nail down location. Aren’t we on a break? Katie didn’t want thoughts of Tad clouding her newfound decisions. She didn’t want thoughts of Tad at all. Once she quit her job, he wouldn’t want her anyhow. Her chest ached. The disappointed looks, coupled with lectures and recriminations, would be unending, and the seed of doubt that lived inside her would take root and start to grow.
What kids???
Long story.
I’m calling. We need 2 talk.
NO! Don’t. Can’t talk now. Later. Katie placed her phone down in disgust. Maybe if Tad had worried less about his job and more about her before the “break,” they wouldn’t be in this mess. Katie folded her arms and grumbled to herself. Her left eyebrow picked up a new tempo.
“Stop it.” She rubbed her fingers over her brow. She still had an hour to kill before picking up Danny. She glanced out her bedroom window at the entertainers unwrapping sandwiches and passing canned drinks. Her stomach rumbled in protest. Did she dare join the crazies on the front lawn for lunch? Her phone chirped again.
“Dammit, Tad. Stop bothering me,” she said, snatching it up. “Oh!”
Lunch at my h
ouse? Sweet tea & barbecue.
Luv 2! B there in 5. Katie threw on clean jeans and a long-sleeve purple T-shirt, snatched her iPad, camera, and handbag, and snuck out the back door, heading straight for the general’s home.
* * *
Barbecue? Katie chewed and tried swallowing the shredded meat swelling like a fuzzy ball in her mouth. What kind of barbecue looked stringy and gray and tasted like vinegar? She gulped more tea.
“You ever tried Eastern Carolina barbecue before?” Chuck asked as he heaped some on a bun and made a mountain of a sandwich for himself.
“No sir,” she said, swallowing, dreading her next bite.
“It’s not for everyone. Here we shred the pork and then season it with vinegar and spices. Western barbecue is probably what you’re more familiar with. Meat on the bone and slathered in red sauce. Beef or pork.”
Katie nodded, remembering a tasty Texas-style barbecue restaurant outside of Santa Monica. A rack of ribs with sweet barbecue sauce. Not stringy, rubbery meat that tasted bitter. “It’s…very different,” she said, reaching for her glass of tea again.
The general smiled as he chewed. He got up from the table and opened the refrigerator. Katie pushed the barbecue around on her plate to make it appear as if she’d eaten more. She forked some coleslaw into her mouth and swallowed. Maybe if she ate all the coleslaw, he wouldn’t notice. A small plate appeared by her place with a pimento cheese sandwich sliced on the diagonal. Katie looked up, lips twitching.
“Told you it’s not for everyone. Eat the sandwich instead.” Chuck smiled and took his seat.
“Thank you. I guess it’s an acquired taste.”
He grunted, making headway with his own sandwich. They ate in silence, and Katie admired his cozy interiors. Her gaze traveled over his family room, with the matching red-plaid sofa and chairs, to the stone fireplace, and up to the open loft with the rustic bannister and knotty pine spindles. She could imagine how excited his grandkids would be to sleep high up in the loft. Like camping out.
Sweet Southern Bad Boy Page 15
