Sweet Southern Bad Boy

by Michele Summers

  “Harmony is not a hillbilly town.” Katie hoped her parents never met the Perry brothers, because she’d be eating her words. “It’s quaint and charming, and the people are sweet and helpful.” Along with nosy and opinionated. “I’ve found a home here, where I’m not only welcome, but appreciated.”

  Her dad gave a huge snort. “Does Kerner have anything to do with this? One good-looking guy pays you some attention, and you’re ready to abandon your family.” Katie jerked as if her dad had managed to slap her through the phone. Pulling the phone away from her ear, she stared at it in shock. How could her dad believe she made a habit of chasing after good-looking guys, like some wannabe starlet looking to get noticed? Like she’d been loose with her relationships in the past, with no concern for her family? He had no clue how truly repressed she’d been all these years.

  “Vance loves me, and that’s good enough for me.” Okay, that sounded lame.

  “Vance? What about Tad? I thought you sent Tad to keep an eye on her,” Katie heard her mom say to her dad in the background.

  “Really? I’m a grown woman, and you sent my ex-boyfriend out here to spy on me. And to do my job. Which you’d already fired me from but neglected to tell me. All while cooking up a deal with Vance to keep me busy so I wouldn’t find out.”

  “Is that what Kerner told you?”

  “No. Tad did. Who I’m no longer dating, by the way.”

  “Good. Because I fired the incompetent jackass,” Dad muttered.

  Well, at least they agreed on one thing: Tad was a jackass. “Look, I don’t care about Tad. He’s nothing but a tool. But Vance—”

  “Kerner’s a ticking time bomb. Don’t be swayed by his cocky charm and—”

  Katie cut her dad off before he said anything disparaging about Vance. “Vance came clean about the movie deal he made with you. You put him in a really tough position. After all that, you better approve the screenplays like you promised,” Katie warned.

  “I don’t like your tone of voice. It’s disrespectful,” Mom said into the phone. “Where did she learn to speak to us like that?” Ha! Crystal McKnight better get used to the new and improved Katie.

  “Katie, are you there?”

  “Yes, Dad.”

  “There is no movie deal. Kerner backed out of the project.”

  She stopped midpace; her head snapped up. “What are you talking about?”

  “He called me today. Said the deal was off. Told me he never wanted to hurt you again. I figured something was going on between you two, but I didn’t know how serious it was until Vance bailed on the movie deal. Didn’t give any details, but I don’t trust the guy. Steer clear of him, you hear? He’s an unreliable writer and doesn’t have your best interests at heart. He’s not family. Your mom and I will make sure…” Katie had stopped listening. Shaking her head, she blinked several times against the burning tears…not caused by her dad’s concern but by what she’d learned of Vance. Her pirate had dumped a multimillion-dollar movie deal because he’d hurt her, and sworn he’d never do it again.

  “…do you understand what I’m saying?” Dad finished speaking. Katie understood perfectly. The one person who truly believed in her and had her back was not on the other end of this phone line. No, he was probably sitting bleary-eyed in front of his computer, trying to finish a book so they could be together again. And she needed to get busy and hold up her end of the bargain.

  “Dad, Mom, as a courtesy, because you’re my parents and I love you, I want you to know I’m starting my own business. In Harmony.” Deafening silence filled her ear.

  Finally, her dad spoke. “What kind of business?” She detected the edge in his voice.

  “An active-learning center for kids, where they can explore inventive computer applications and incorporate physical activity in fun, innovative ways.”

  “Fifty percent of all new businesses fail within the first year,” Dad said, clearly not impressed with her business idea.

  “I know. Which is why I’ve got the best lawyers in the country working on my business plan.”

  “Where’d you get the money to hire lawyers?”

  “Seems I’m related to them. Sam and Doug are helping me.”

  “Your brothers know about this?”

  “I know what I’m doing, Dad. I have a solid business plan, a budget, and a team of talented people backing me,” Katie said with a burst of confidence. Failing was no longer an option.

  Katie had found a place to call home. Not the shabby-chic bungalow she presently stood in, but Harmony. Back at the farmhouse. In Vance’s loving arms. Her transformation may never happen, but at least in Harmony, she stood a chance.

  “This is another disaster in the making. You’re wasting your time and money.” The disapproval in her dad’s voice rang loud and clear. Katie swallowed her frustration, along with her fear. Sink-or-swim time.

  Ignoring the familiar feeling of guilt over disappointing her family, she said, “Mom, Dad, I love you both, and I know you care for me. But it’s time for me to stand on my own. It’s time I discovered what I’m made of. If I fail…it’s nobody’s fault but my own. I have to do this with or without your blessing.” Katie closed her eyes and pictured Vance and his sexy grin he saved only for her. “And just so we’re clear, I love Vance Kerner, and we’re getting married.” Katie held the phone away from her ear at her mother’s earsplitting shriek and her dad’s sputtering. Before they could catch their breaths and go another round, she hastily added, “Oh, and Dad, you’d be smart to sweeten that movie deal before another studio snatches him up. Um…okay. I guess that’s all. Love you. Bye.”

  Katie shut her phone off, knowing her parents may never recover from the bomb she’d just dropped. In a restless state, she flung open the front door, welcoming the cool night air as it hit her heated skin. She pushed the screen door wide and stepped onto the front stoop.

  Not to panic or anything, but, oh God. Did she really just tell her parents she was marrying Vance Kerner? Yes. She did indeed. The mere thought scared her senseless, but she didn’t regret saying it. She’d handled her parents. Spineless Katie had stood up to her parents without caving. The rustling of leaves in the trees caught her attention as it began to rain. Katie stepped onto the sidewalk and lifted her face to the dark, cloudy sky. Raindrops pelted her face, and she laughed out loud. Sweet relief washed over her, and Katie stood there getting soaked, relishing her newfound freedom and sense of pride.

  * * *

  Katie had tried to sleep in this morning, but her body refused to relax. She had spent the last three weeks working nonstop on Imagination Station in order to be ready for its grand opening. The empty storefront on the town commons had proven to be the perfect spot. Chuck, Bertie, and Lucy had been real troopers, working right alongside her. And with the loan she’d been able to secure with her brothers’ help, this crazy idea of hers was taking shape.

  But as hard as she worked on Imagination Station, it was not what kept her awake at night. What kept her from sleeping was Vance.

  True to his word, he had kept his distance these last three weeks. Katie had seen him twice picking up food at BetterBites, and three more times when she’d stopped by the house to visit the kids. It took everything in her power not to bury herself in his warm embrace, but Chuck kept her informed, and from the sound of things, Vance would be making his deadline…today.

  Katie jumped at the sound of her phone. A combination of too much caffeine and lack of sleep. “Hello?”

  “Did I wake you?” Bertie asked in a cheery voice.

  “No. I’ve been up.”

  “Couldn’t sleep, huh? Understandable. I don’t know how you’ve lasted this long.”

  Katie chuckled. “I had some growing up to do, remember? Besides, I wanted him to finish his book. It’s too important.”

  “And now it’s time to celebrate. Need any help getti
ng ready?” And by celebrate, Bertie was referring to the horizontal version in Vance’s bed.

  “Nope. I’m good,” Katie said, glancing down at her tan legs and white linen shorts. “I think you’d approve of my outfit.” Along with the shorts, she wore a form-fitting blue tank top and matching blue espadrilles. Rolling walls and laying new carpet at Imagination Station was hard, physical labor, but it had gotten Katie in shape. And she liked the results.

  “Okay. Well…goodness, what does one say on an occasion such as this? Good luck? Congratulations?”

  “All of the above.” Katie smiled.

  “You go, girl. And give Vance a big kiss for me.” Katie planned to do that and a whole lot more.

  No sooner had she hung up from Bertie when Lucy called with all the same questions.

  Katie said good-bye to Lucy, thinking if she didn’t get out of there soon, she’d be fielding calls all morning from the Harmony busybodies. Scooping up her handbag and the gifts she had for the kids, Katie raced from the house. Her packed bags were already in the trunk of her car. In the past few weeks, Katie had grown a lot from living on her own. She’d enjoyed the time to herself, working on her photography and creating lesson plans for her new business. She’d read and caught up on recent movies, texting and joking with Inslee as they both watched from different coastlines. And she’d continued to remain calm and not back down with each call her parents made, stating new reasons for her to return home. The gravel beneath her feet crunched with each step as she crossed the tight driveway next to her rental home. She opened her car door when her phone chimed again. “Good Lord and call me Sally.” Katie giggled at her adopted country saying. “Morning, Dottie.”

  “Where in tarnation are you? It’s almost nine o’clock on Saturday morning.”

  “Are the kids okay? Is something wrong?” The alarm in Dottie’s voice made Katie freeze.

  “Those rambunctious rascals are as wild as ever. Nothing wrong with them. It’s their uncle I’m worried about.” Vance? Her pounding heart dipped to her knees.

  “Wh-what’s wrong with Vance?” she whispered as her hand began to shake.

  “He’s as mean as a wet panther. Growling and snapping at anything that moves. If you don’t get on over there and calm him down, I’m afraid his daddy’s gonna do something awful, like enlist him in the Army for good.”

  “I’m on my way. What brought all this on?” Katie said, fumbling with her car key.

  “Lack of nookie, I imagine. And pushing himself to make that darn deadline. I’ll be so glad when this book is put to bed and we can all go back to normal living. Those kids have worn me out, and I’m gonna snatch their uncle bald if he doesn’t watch his temper around me.”

  Katie drove as fast as she could without drawing the attention of Harmony’s finest out strolling Main Street, sipping from Daily Grind coffee cups. Dottie had to be exaggerating about Vance’s behavior, like she did about almost everything in this town. Katie turned down the rough road that made up Vance’s driveway. Hard to believe it had been a little over a month when she’d first spied this perfect, picturesque location and wondered if the owner would agree to her terms. Now she wondered if the owner would agree to different terms altogether.

  Winding her way down the driveway, she came to a complete stop in front of Vance’s house. Off to the side, she spied Dottie’s SUV, already packed for the kids’ final trip home to be with their mom. Everything appeared still. No children running around and no homegrown talent cluttering up the front lawn. Birds chirped noisily, and Katie picked up the sweet scent of honeysuckle carried by the spring breeze. She reached for her packages on the passenger seat, when her head jerked up at the sound of the front door blowing open. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped at Vance storming toward her, wearing threadbare jeans, wrinkled white button-down with most of its buttons missing, and carrying a thick packet of papers in his hand. At the sight of him intent on reaching her, Katie’s remaining fears faded away into nothingness. The debilitating need to please her parents disappeared, replaced by the freedom to live her life and the burning love for this gorgeous, scowling man. Her heart filled until it nearly burst from aching.

  Katie bolted from the car at a full run, desire clogging her throat. She didn’t think. She simply hurled herself at Vance and hoped to God he’d catch her. She slammed against his hard chest, and Vance wrapped her in his tight embrace. Choking back a sob, she buried her head in the crook of his neck. No one loved her the way he did. He expressed his love from the depths of his dark eyes and the strength of his arms binding her to him.

  “Don’t. Don’t ever leave me again,” he rasped against the tears burning a path down her cheek, sounding as desperate as she felt. Vance plowed his hand through her hair, pulling back her head until she stared into his bloodshot, tired eyes. “I won’t survive it. Promise me,” he practically begged.

  Shaking from her own emotions, she whispered, “I’m here.”

  “Promise me,” he urged, tightening his hold.

  “I promise.”

  He made a noise of raw male hunger and covered her mouth with his. Katie whimpered at how much she’d missed this. No one kissed like her Pirate Man. No one. All her fears and problems floated away, until there was only Vance. He kissed her with bone-melting determination. Kissing her deeper than ever before, Vance lifted her off her feet, and Katie started to wrap her legs around his waist, when the front door banged open again, and three screaming children tumbled out.

  “Kay-tee!”

  “Hey!”

  “Ignore them,” Vance growled against her lips. “Maybe they’ll go away.” Katie gave a low chuckle and reluctantly moved back, adjusting her top, which had ridden halfway up her back. She poured all her love into the smile she gave Vance’s exasperated face.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she reassured him, pushing his wild hair from his forehead.

  Vance snorted. “Thank God they are. And not a minute too soon.”

  Katie gave him a playful smack on the arm and turned to the kids. “Good morning! You guys ready for your big trip?”

  “Granddaddy and Miz Dottie are taking us home today. Our mom is all better now,” Dover informed her.

  “Kay-tee, you wanna play Barbie?” Danny held out a Barbie who’d seen better days, judging by the condition of her torn pink tutu and whacked-off hair.

  “Oh, honey, maybe another time. Hey, I’ve got something for you guys.”

  Squealing ensued as Katie pulled three kid computer tablets from her car, loaded with new puzzles and games for the long ride home.

  “Cool!” Donald’s eyes bugged out.

  “Thanks. Can we play with it right now?”

  “Yeah, whatever. Go back inside. All of you. Tell Granddad you’re set to go.” Vance made a shooing motion with his hands, still holding the thick packet of papers, when Donald, not looking, bumped Vance’s arm and sent the papers flying just as the wind picked up. Katie gasped. Hundreds of papers flitted through the air, dipping and swaying and skipping over the ground.

  Donald’s mouth popped open, and he turned frightened eyes to Vance. Danny shrieked and started chasing the loose white sheets.

  “Sorry, Uncle Vance,” Donald said in a small voice.

  The corner of Vance’s lips lifted in a slow smile, and then he burst out laughing. “Don’t worry about it. Go. Run. Pick up as much as you can.” Both boys scrambled after Danny. Vance turned his laughing eyes to her.

  “W-was that your book?” Katie asked, gesturing to the scattered sheets.

  “Doesn’t matter. It’s been saved and backed up. Besides, I still have the most important page.” He held up his hand, still holding one piece of paper. He gripped her by the elbow and dragged her behind her car, away from spying eyes.

  “What?” She blinked in confusion.

  Vance planted a swift kiss on her lips. “I love yo
u, Kat. These last three weeks have been pure hell, but my love for you never wavered. And it was the only thing that kept me sane.” He lifted her hand and pressed soft kisses to her fingertips. “I love you so much I want the whole world to know.” Katie’s brain went fuzzy from his tingling kisses. It took a minute to comprehend his declaration. She looked down at the piece of paper he held out for her. “Take it.” His raspy voice sent chills down her spine. His strong throat worked as he swallowed.

  With shaky hands, Katie stared at the paper until the typed words came into focus:

  To Katie, the bravest woman I know. You gave me the gift of everlasting love at first sight. With you, anything is possible. Will you marry me?

  Katie blinked and blinked again. Tears clouded her vision. When she looked up, Vance had slid down on one knee and held open a black velvet box with a stunning diamond ring cushioned inside.

  “It was my mom’s. We can have it changed, if you don’t like it.”

  She shook her head as tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. “It’s perfect,” she whispered, gazing at the diamond nestled in its platinum filigree setting.

  “Is that a yes?”

  She nodded. “Yes. A definite yes.”

  In one fluid motion, he stood and placed the perfect ring on her finger and wrapped Katie in his perfect arms. “Just so we’re clear…I love you and will love you forever. And we’re getting married.”

  Katie laughed at the quiet but firm demand in his voice. “That’s what an engagement ring usually implies.”

  “Yeah, they’re good that way. So, how about next week? What do you say?”

  Katie looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Her toes curled inside her shoes, and her body sang with excitement.

  “Is that a yes?” her impatient pirate growled against her lips.

  She smiled. “I think I’m going to need longer than that—”

  “How much longer? Don’t say a year. I’ll never survive a year,” he groaned.

  “But a girl needs to plan. These things take time.”