“I need to go in there alone,” she said.
“We have to watch over you.”
“Send the other guys in, and you wait in the car.”
Cameron let out a growl of frustration, but he nodded. “Fine.” He pulled out his phone and spoke some commands into it. He would stay in the vehicle, but the other men would quietly and unobtrusively enter the lodge before she did, and they’d monitor everything until she was back in the vehicle. She appreciated him for listening, as she could guess that he really didn’t want to see her with Trey.
He swung out of the door, hurried around, and helped her out of the car. Stepping back respectfully, he kept his eyes on her. “Be careful,” he murmured.
Kaytlyn stepped right up to him, went on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. She heard his breath catch, and then he released the door, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her in tight. Kaytlyn wanted to kiss him on the lips, but she forced herself to enjoy just being close and not yearn for more. The timing was not right for them. Would it ever be?
He finally released her and stepped back again. Kaytlyn forced a smile and strode inside. She probably looked worn out and rumpled from driving so long and how sick she’d been the past three months. She was grateful she was finally feeling better. Now she just needed to get through this meeting with Trey. She didn’t want to be engaged to anyone but Cameron, even if it was fake, but she would do what she had to do to protect her baby.
Cameron watched Kaytlyn go. His stomach was rolling, his head hurt, and his neck was hot. Was this how morning sickness felt? His sympathy for Kaytlyn doubled. She was so brave, amazing, and impressive, dealing with this for six weeks. He hated letting her go meet with some old boyfriend to propose a fake engagement. He could barely sit here. He wanted to stride into that lodge, push that guy out of the way, kiss her senseless, and then demand she marry him. They could deal with Jessica’s slander together.
He banged his head back against the headrest, waited as long as he could stand, and pulled out his phone to call Tyler. “Report,” he barked.
“She’s gone into a private office with the guy.”
No, no, no. He didn’t want her alone with some guy. Maybe she trusted the man, but Cameron didn’t. How could he trust any man alone with Kaytlyn? What was he doing sitting here? He burst out of the car, ready to go snatch her from that private office.
“Sir?” he heard through the phone he was still clinging to. “How do you want us to proceed?”
Cameron gritted his teeth and stopped in his tracks. He trusted Kaytlyn. He had to. She’d asked him to stay in the car for a reason—probably because she knew he’d rip the guy apart if he saw him.
“Stand down,” he forced out. “Kaytlyn knows what she’s doing.”
“Okay, sir. The guy seemed like he really cared about her.”
Cameron felt like his jaw was going to break from clamping it so hard. He hung up instead of responding. Forcing himself back into the vehicle, he clenched the steering wheel with his hands, bowed his head, and prayed like he hadn’t prayed in years—not since he’d been trapped in a cave in Afghanistan wondering who would come through the opening next.
Please protect her right now while I can’t. Please help me trust Kaytlyn, trust in thee, and trust in thy plan. Tell Jacob this “being patient” nonsense is killing me. He could almost hear his friend and boss laughing. Jacob would tell him it would all work out and encourage him to give it time.
Cameron released his grip on the steering wheel and leaned his head back. While he was nowhere near calm, he did his best to trust in Kaytlyn and the good Lord. He’d rather take five well-trained men on his own than sit immobile while the woman he loved was with another man, but he kept praying and hoping he could get through this. He didn’t know what else to do.
Chapter Ten
Kaytlyn made it inside the lodge and collapsed on a couch. She wasn’t sure where to start looking for Trey. Would he be at the Strongs’ house in the nearby canyon, staying here at the lodge, at church, out on a bike ride?
She saw the security guys take up unobtrusive positions, but the open main level of the lodge wasn’t that busy. Someone would notice them if they were observant. She pulled her phone out of her purse and sent Trey a text. I really need to talk to you.
The door to the lodge opened. Trey walked in, along with his friend Gavin, a beautiful girl she thought might be Gavin’s little sister, and a young boy.
“Trey!” She didn’t mean for it to be a cry, but she was so relieved that he was here. She could get this over with and get back to Cameron. Would Cameron hold her and maybe kiss her for real if she was pretend engaged to Trey? She was afraid the answer would be no. His sense of honor was strong and they needed to play their parts well to beat Peter and Jessica, especially if they had moles in the household staff.
She stood and apprehensively made her way toward the group. She did not want to do this with Trey, but what other option did she have? She had to protect her baby.
“Kaytlyn.” Trey started toward her, his eyes full of concern, but then he stopped and turned back to the beautiful lady that had to be Gavin’s sister. “Are you okay if I see what I can do to help her?”
“Of course.” The young lady’s dark eyes were kind, but there was a spark of jealousy there.
Oh, shoot. Was Kaytlyn going to mess up something for Trey? She’d been focused on her messed-up life, but Trey had a life as well and she wanted him to have every happiness.
“We’ll just head in,” the girl said. “Do you want me to order for you?”
“Sure. Whatever the special is will be great. Thanks.” He bent down and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be right there.”
She smiled shakily and raised a hand to Kaytlyn. Kaytlyn waved back at her and the group, wishing she had time to talk to Gavin and his mother, who had always been kind to her. They all walked into the restaurant, but Trey hurried her direction.
“Trey,” she breathed out when he reached her, grateful for a friend. She gave him a quick hug and then grabbed his arm. Her eyes darted to the picture windows and the man who was waiting for her in that car. Why couldn’t she run to him? “Is there somewhere private we can talk?” she heard herself say.
Trey nodded. He directed her toward an office, typed a code on a keypad, swung open the door, and gestured Kaytlyn inside. She turned to him as soon as the door shut.
“Oh, Trey, I’m in a mess.” The words just rushed out. Trey was a good man and she could trust him.
“What’s going on?”
Trey’s concern was comforting, but she wanted to be with Cameron and only Cameron, hang the stupid lawsuits. But what if Jessica could really take all the money that was being used to help people and, even more terrifying, take her child? Doing a fake fiancé for a short time was no big deal, yet emotion and the fear of losing her baby overwhelmed her. She sank down into a chair, buried her face in her hands, and started sobbing. She couldn’t believe how weepy she’d felt since the day Jacob left them. She’d tried valiantly to bottle in too much emotion, and it all poured out at once.
Trey squatted next to her chair and touched her shoulder, probably wondering what had happened to his friend. “Kayt?”
She peered up at him through gritty eyes. Embarrassment rushed in. Poor Trey had no idea what hailstorm she was getting him into. “I’m sorry. I’m such a mess, and we drove to get here. Probably should’ve taken the plane, but I didn’t want to wait on the pilot.” She waved a hand. “I’m sure it’s just pregnancy hormones.”
Trey reared back. He pushed to his feet and then sank into the chair next to hers. “So you are … pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“Did you really suggest to Gavin that I might be the father?”
Now that she thought back on it, she realized it probably did sound that way. Oh, my. “Oh, Trey, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to involve you in any of this—I honestly want you to run away from me and never look back—but I don’
t know who to turn to.” That wasn’t true. She knew exactly who to turn to, but it was a bad idea. Jessica had all of those photos of her and Cameron during her marriage, making claims about them scheming to betray Jacob together. She lied and pretended she’d ever turn to her parents, “My parents can hardly handle the ranch, and Kandy’s gone off the deep end, drugs, living on the street. You’ve always been such a good friend to me.” Her lower lip trembled, and she concentrated on not breaking down into sobs again.
“Kayt … I’ll help you however I can, but I don’t understand. Who is the father?”
She shook her head, fighting more tears. Trey was such a good person, but she didn’t want to be with him, and his question brought back all the pain of Jessica’s betrayal and now losing Jacob. “He’s dead,” she forced out. The actual father wasn’t dead, but Jacob was, and it was easier than explaining the other nightmare with Peter.
A surge of all of her worries threatened to overwhelm her, but then—as if Jacob was watching out for her from above—the pain was washed away by resolve. She could handle all of it: Jessica’s betrayal, the pregnancy, the sickness, hopefully becoming a single mom, running the businesses … even staying away from Cameron.
“But I’m going to protect my baby, and I’m going to protect Jacob’s legacy.” It was her legacy too, really. Jacob had supported every idea she’d brought up, and together they’d done so much good for so many people. She couldn’t lose sight of that now, and she couldn’t allow Jessica and Peter to steal her child or ruin the future of her charitable foundation.
“What can I do to help you?”
Kaytlyn bit at her lip and stared at him, but then she shook her head. “Who were you with?” She tilted her head toward the lobby.
“Ella Strong.” Trey smiled.
His happiness was contagious enough to make Kaytlyn smile too, and she thought of Cameron. “Do you … care for her?”
“I love her.”
Kaytlyn stood quickly. This was done. Thank heavens. “That’s great, Trey. I’m so happy for you.” She rushed to the door, flung it open, and hurried from the office. All she wanted was to get back to Cameron. But if they couldn’t be fake engaged, how could they make this work and still protect the baby and everything she and Jacob had worked so hard for? She didn’t know, but she wanted Cameron, right now.
Kaytlyn heard Trey’s footsteps pursuing her, but she didn’t stop. She ran to the Porsche and stopped next to the passenger door. As she looked in the driver’s side window, she met Cameron’s gaze. His blue eyes were so full of love and devotion that she wanted to jump in, tell him to drive until they were alone, and then kiss him until everything somehow worked itself out.
“Kayt?” Trey called.
Her shoulders were trembling as she whirled to face him. She backed toward the vehicle, pressing against it for support and willing Cameron to jump out and come hold her. “I’m fine, Trey. I’m not burdening you with this.”
She heard Cameron’s door open, and then he was there. He stood between them with a fierce expression in his bright eyes, going chest to chest with Trey. She needed to tell him Trey wasn’t the problem, but she loved that he’d come for her, as he always did.
“Mrs. Tarbet?” Cameron said. He was asking her how he should proceed, which she appreciated, but calling her Mrs. Tarbet? How weird was that? Was he trying to remind her of Jacob, or trying to keep his distance from her? Either way, she hated it.
“I’m fine, Cameron,” she snapped. She wanted him to hold her and kiss her. “You don’t call me Mrs. Tarbet.”
“You’re married?” Trey asked. “Wasn’t Tarbet your boss’s name?”
She nodded shortly. “Please wait in the car for me,” she said to Cameron, knowing he’d obey. She really just wanted to end this conversation with Trey and get Cameron alone.
Cameron looked like he wanted to argue, but he simply said to Trey, “Hurt her and I’ll cut your hands off.”
Kaytlyn almost smiled at the threat. Cameron would always protect her, even if he didn’t like his role in the situation.
Trey arched his eyebrows. “Thanks for the warning.”
Cameron sent him a threatening look before meeting her gaze and instantly softening. The tenderness and love from this ultra-tough man stole her breath away. He quickly averted his gaze as if he knew he’d revealed too much, then stalked around to the driver’s side and climbed in.
“Sorry.” Kaytlyn folded her arms across her chest. “Cameron is my … protection.” The love of her life, the man she wanted to pledge everything to. She guessed protection would have to do as a descriptor for now.
“From who?” Trey’s brow furrowed.
“I can’t talk about it.”
Trey stepped in closer. “Kayt. Let me help you. You’re in a mess.”
She shook her head but wrapped her arms around him, hugging him goodbye. They could never go back to the easy friendship they’d known for so many years. Trey held her close, relaying his strength to her. She wished it was Cameron holding her; this hug felt nothing like Cameron’s touch. She stood on tiptoes and kissed Trey on the cheek, a bit closer to his lips than she’d intended. She fell back onto her heels, gave him one more fierce hug and said, “Thanks for being there for me.”
“You won’t even let me help you.”
“It’s okay.” She was filled with determination. “I’ve got Cameron, and I’m not backing down to them. I’ll be all right.”
“You don’t seem all right.”
Kaytlyn sniffled and touched the back of her dripping nose with her fingertip. “I probably don’t. It’s just all so recent. Jacob passed a few days ago, and at the funeral, his daughter found out we were married and I was expecting his baby.” She blew out a breath, deciding not to explain that she’d been the one to share the truth with Jessica and Peter and that it wasn’t truly Jacob’s baby. “It was an explosion. Our lawyer said if I’m engaged to someone great, it will help with the legal battle.” If only she could be engaged to Cameron.
She didn’t dare look in the car and forced a smile at Trey. “So I thought if you and I could do a fake fiancé to …” She put a hand over her abdomen. “Protect my little man and my foundation from that evil, it would be good. But I can see you need to be with Ella.” She pushed at his arm. “Go. Be with her.”
“You wanted me to pretend to be engaged to you? For legal reasons?”
She nodded. “It’s a big mess, Trey, and I’m not pulling you into it, especially if you are with Ella. Whatever you hear about me, please don’t believe it.” She smiled. “It was great to see you. I hope you’ll be very happy.” With that she opened the car door, slid in, and shut it firmly.
Looking over at Cameron, she saw his jaw was clenched so tightly that she could see a muscle twitching.
“Let’s go,” she muttered.
“Gladly.” He started the car and sped away. His hands were clenching the steering wheel so harshly, that his knuckles were turning white.
Kaytlyn wished she knew what to say to him, but her life just seemed to keep getting harder and messier. She couldn’t even express how grateful she was to Cameron, but even upset like he was, he was her rock and she’d be lost without him. She had to concentrate on getting thorugh this fake fiancé ploy and the legal battle. Some day it would be her and Cameron’s turn. Sadly not today.
Chapter Eleven
The other sport utility caught up with them after a couple of miles and fell in behind them as they drove through the valley. It was gorgeous today. Labor Day weekend. The Sabbath Day. How long had it been since Kaytlyn gone to church? Time had lost meaning with the pregnancy, sickness, and then losing Jacob. Her father would say she was going straight to Lucifer, but she was certain the Lord was a whole lot more merciful and understanding than that.
Silent minutes ticked by, and before she knew it, they were in the mountain pass headed out of the valley. She hadn’t even enjoyed being home. Not that Colorado was really home anymore, but she’d
always loved a lot of the people in her hometown.
“So …” Cameron finally muttered.
“Trey’s not going to work. He’s in love.”
“Good for him.” Cameron sounded more relieved than if she’d just told him Jessica and Peter had driven off a cliff.
Kaytlyn laughed shortly. “It is good for him, but not good for proving that I’m ‘stable.’” She didn’t let herself look at Cameron. Here she was, figuring out how to make a stupid fake engagement work to prove she was in a stable relationship. She only wanted a relationship with the man next to her, but Larry had been more than adamant that it wouldn’t in their favor. She could seek other legal counsel, but that would require trusting someone she didn’t know with all of this mess, and she wasn’t ready to do that. Jacob had trusted Larry implicitly, and she knew that Larry was doing everything he could for her. If it was only about the money, she’d walk away from it all for Cameron, but it was about more than that. She had to look out for the little one growing within her, along with her foundation and so many small businesses that Jessica and Peter would happily destroy, and she had a chance to prevent the evil Peter could accomplish in public office.
Pushing out a small breath, she muttered, mostly to herself, “There has to be someone else that would work.” Dating wise, she’d been pretty reclusive for the past ten years, mostly working hard with Jacob. “Maybe we should turn around and I could talk to Gavin Strong. He’s an awesome guy—smart, good-looking, trustworthy, and really stable.”
“No,” Cameron barked out.
She didn’t look at him. If she did, she’d fold and tell him how much she loved him and how she could never be with someone else, no matter how fake it was. Instead, she kept chattering about the stupid fake fiancé idea to fill the stony silence in the car. “I don’t know who else, Cam. Maybe one of the security guys? Or Richard Honeymiller? You know, the guy who helps me with the foundation? He’s a great guy, and that would be a good fit. More believable because we have spent a lot of time togeth—”
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