Authors: KC Klein
Texas Wide Open (24 page)
But then everything about Katie scared him. Especially, when he heard himself whisper,
“I love you, wife.”
“I love you, wife.”
Chapter 24
Cole woke as he had every day of his life, a bit tired, a bit resentful of the insistent
sunlight, and a damn bit older. Oh . . . and his eye hurt. Then he turned his head.
And his breath caught.
sunlight, and a damn bit older. Oh . . . and his eye hurt. Then he turned his head.
And his breath caught.
He didn’t move, afraid he was dreaming, and the vision next to him would dissipate
under the harsh break of dawn. Another breath, a swallow, a few blinks, and Katie
was still there—next to him, in his bed. Her brown hair curled and fanned out across
both pillows. She’d taken up more than her share of the bed. His flannel sheets were
twisted around her long legs, revealing a glimpse of smooth hip, an eyeful of one
bared breast.
under the harsh break of dawn. Another breath, a swallow, a few blinks, and Katie
was still there—next to him, in his bed. Her brown hair curled and fanned out across
both pillows. She’d taken up more than her share of the bed. His flannel sheets were
twisted around her long legs, revealing a glimpse of smooth hip, an eyeful of one
bared breast.
Moving slowly so as not to wake her, he brushed his finger along her cheek to remove
a curl caught on her lower lip. Eyes still closed, she licked her lips and moaned
softly. He grew painfully hard in seconds.
a curl caught on her lower lip. Eyes still closed, she licked her lips and moaned
softly. He grew painfully hard in seconds.
He lay back down and softly exhaled as he stared up at the ceiling. If Katie ever
found out what all her little noises did to him, this wouldn’t be a marriage, but
enslavement. As it was, he couldn’t look at her and not kiss the hollow of her shoulder,
the rosy tip of her breast. But he wouldn’t wake her up. No, not after making love,
like what, twice . . . three times? She was a virgin. He should’ve restrained himself,
but God, Katie made love like she lived life—with no shame. The image of her naked
above him, her hair taunting him with glimpses of her breasts, white teeth gnawing
on the pink fullness of her lips . . . but that was nothing compared to the husky
words she spoke. He should’ve been better prepared. He knew Katie never kept quiet,
but the sexy things she had said heated his blood. He’d had a fleeting worry about
waking Nikki as the lamp beside his bed shattered, but then quickly forgot as he took
Katie’s naughty words and growled them right back.
found out what all her little noises did to him, this wouldn’t be a marriage, but
enslavement. As it was, he couldn’t look at her and not kiss the hollow of her shoulder,
the rosy tip of her breast. But he wouldn’t wake her up. No, not after making love,
like what, twice . . . three times? She was a virgin. He should’ve restrained himself,
but God, Katie made love like she lived life—with no shame. The image of her naked
above him, her hair taunting him with glimpses of her breasts, white teeth gnawing
on the pink fullness of her lips . . . but that was nothing compared to the husky
words she spoke. He should’ve been better prepared. He knew Katie never kept quiet,
but the sexy things she had said heated his blood. He’d had a fleeting worry about
waking Nikki as the lamp beside his bed shattered, but then quickly forgot as he took
Katie’s naughty words and growled them right back.
Cole fingered the scratches along the back of his neck. His words seemed to have had
the same effect on her as hers had on him. There was a bite on his inner thigh he
was sure had broken skin. He scrubbed his hands over his rough jaw to hide the embarrassing
grin he couldn’t hold back. Katie was his, after all this time; she was finally his,
and no one could take her away.
the same effect on her as hers had on him. There was a bite on his inner thigh he
was sure had broken skin. He scrubbed his hands over his rough jaw to hide the embarrassing
grin he couldn’t hold back. Katie was his, after all this time; she was finally his,
and no one could take her away.
He glanced over at her again. No. Regardless of his desire to wake his newly emerging
sex kitten, Katie would be sore and deserved her rest.
sex kitten, Katie would be sore and deserved her rest.
But there was a little voice, a distant wail of a train that whispered in the back
of his mind. He knew its name, had met and shaken hands with it, had spent sleepless
nights lying beside it—doubt, always doubt.
of his mind. He knew its name, had met and shaken hands with it, had spent sleepless
nights lying beside it—doubt, always doubt.
Katie had never told him she loved him. He knew he’d spoken the words, was more than
a bit nervous at his admission, but she hadn’t. Not in all her moans, screams, and
pleadings during last night had there been one mention of love. He wasn’t that much
of a wuss to need those words, but he couldn’t help noticing that Thomas’s ring was
still on her finger. Not her left hand; of course, his ring claimed that spot, but
her right. He assumed she’d put it there during their wedding with the intention of
giving it back to Thomas. He wasn’t crazy, he knew things between them had gone super-fast,
but he would’ve felt better if that ring was safely on her dresser. Or better yet,
back with the dick who’d proposed to her in the first place.
a bit nervous at his admission, but she hadn’t. Not in all her moans, screams, and
pleadings during last night had there been one mention of love. He wasn’t that much
of a wuss to need those words, but he couldn’t help noticing that Thomas’s ring was
still on her finger. Not her left hand; of course, his ring claimed that spot, but
her right. He assumed she’d put it there during their wedding with the intention of
giving it back to Thomas. He wasn’t crazy, he knew things between them had gone super-fast,
but he would’ve felt better if that ring was safely on her dresser. Or better yet,
back with the dick who’d proposed to her in the first place.
Katie twitched in her sleep, and Thomas’s ring picked up a brightening ray of light.
Christ.
Had Thomas wanted to signal airplanes with that thing? What was he trying to compensate
for? But deep down Cole knew his bitterness had nothing to do with Thomas’s bank account
and everything to do with his own. Katie should’ve had champagne and a trip to the
tropics to celebrate her wedding, not a brawl, and a night in his rumpled sheets.
Christ.
Had Thomas wanted to signal airplanes with that thing? What was he trying to compensate
for? But deep down Cole knew his bitterness had nothing to do with Thomas’s bank account
and everything to do with his own. Katie should’ve had champagne and a trip to the
tropics to celebrate her wedding, not a brawl, and a night in his rumpled sheets.
Katie sighed and wiggled her delicious backside against his thigh, and Cole groaned,
but didn’t recognize it as one of his own. Yeah, Katie deserved more, and he could
give it to her. Maybe not a Learjet like Thomas, but a proper honeymoon on a sandy
white beach where she could wear a red bikini or . . . nothing if the nights were
hot enough. But he’d better do it soon before he filled her belly with his babies.
The thought, like a slap in the face, brought on a quick inhale. Kids to him had never
been a real want, but the image of Katie round with his child warmed him like nothing
could.
but didn’t recognize it as one of his own. Yeah, Katie deserved more, and he could
give it to her. Maybe not a Learjet like Thomas, but a proper honeymoon on a sandy
white beach where she could wear a red bikini or . . . nothing if the nights were
hot enough. But he’d better do it soon before he filled her belly with his babies.
The thought, like a slap in the face, brought on a quick inhale. Kids to him had never
been a real want, but the image of Katie round with his child warmed him like nothing
could.
No, he wouldn’t wake her. He’d just place one kiss at the spot where her waist curved
in before rounding out to her hip. He leaned over and brought his mouth to the softest
of skin. Okay, maybe two, and one taste, just one.
in before rounding out to her hip. He leaned over and brought his mouth to the softest
of skin. Okay, maybe two, and one taste, just one.
“Katie!” A man’s voice shouted.
Cole’s head popped up. His heart raced as if Katie was still a teenager, and he’d
just broken Texas law. It took a few seconds to remember they were both adults, and
Katie was his wife. The shout came from outside his bedroom window, but who else would
know she was here? Her father was still at the hospital, and that wasn’t Jett’s voice.
just broken Texas law. It took a few seconds to remember they were both adults, and
Katie was his wife. The shout came from outside his bedroom window, but who else would
know she was here? Her father was still at the hospital, and that wasn’t Jett’s voice.
“Katie! I know you’re in there.”
Cole flung the sheets off, ready to confront whoever was screaming for his wife, at
the crack of dawn, in the middle of his front yard. Then Katie shifted, and her eyelids
fluttered open. “Thomas?”
the crack of dawn, in the middle of his front yard. Then Katie shifted, and her eyelids
fluttered open. “Thomas?”
Cole’s gut tightened, literally cramped like he’d been socked in the stomach, because
on her lips when she whispered Thomas was the sweetest of all smiles.
on her lips when she whispered Thomas was the sweetest of all smiles.
But he hadn’t been a boy for a very long time, and years of hard living had taught
him to school his features. There was a knock at his bedroom door. Cole was up and
half dressed in boxer shorts from the dirty hamper as he cracked the door. His sister
stood on the far side of the hallway, trying to respect his privacy. She was dressed
in her standard uniform of low-slung sweats and a tight tank top. And with her new
black hair that he still couldn’t get used to.
him to school his features. There was a knock at his bedroom door. Cole was up and
half dressed in boxer shorts from the dirty hamper as he cracked the door. His sister
stood on the far side of the hallway, trying to respect his privacy. She was dressed
in her standard uniform of low-slung sweats and a tight tank top. And with her new
black hair that he still couldn’t get used to.
“He says his name is Thomas Stillwater. He’s looking for Katie. He says she’s his
fiancée. I told him Katie wasn’t here, but apparently he didn’t believe me.”
fiancée. I told him Katie wasn’t here, but apparently he didn’t believe me.”
Cole nodded and went to close the door. Nikki’s hand reached over to stop him.
“What?” He looked back at her.
“It’s just that . . .” Nikki pulled on her short hair, twisting the longer pieces
around her finger.
around her finger.
“Nikki,” he snapped. He wasn’t in the mood for this.
Nikki let her hand fall to her side and tilted her head. She had inherited the Logan
blue eyes, but hers seemed darker than usual as she fidgeted. “Are you sure, Cole?
I know you love her, have forever, but Katie is, well, she’s nothing but trouble.
I was here, remember? I saw you after she left, and saw how you clawed yourself out
of a hole to be sober again. Now she’s back. And I don’t think there could be anything
worse.”
blue eyes, but hers seemed darker than usual as she fidgeted. “Are you sure, Cole?
I know you love her, have forever, but Katie is, well, she’s nothing but trouble.
I was here, remember? I saw you after she left, and saw how you clawed yourself out
of a hole to be sober again. Now she’s back. And I don’t think there could be anything
worse.”
If the demons in his head could’ve been given a voice, they couldn’t have done a better
job than Nikki. He wanted to say something, a rebuttal. He wished he could’ve told
Nikki that Katie loved him, but he just didn’t know for sure.
job than Nikki. He wanted to say something, a rebuttal. He wished he could’ve told
Nikki that Katie loved him, but he just didn’t know for sure.
So instead he closed the bedroom door and faced his new wife. A part of him would’ve
liked to be surprised to find Katie dressed and scrambling into her boots. But another
part, the larger part, mocked him with a laugh instead.
liked to be surprised to find Katie dressed and scrambling into her boots. But another
part, the larger part, mocked him with a laugh instead.
Katie flipped back her hair and looked him in the eye. “Cole?”
With more leisure than he felt, he grabbed his jeans off the floor, found a semi-clean
shirt on the back of a chair, and pulled them both on. He leaned against the wall
and stared back at her. Her face told him everything he needed to know. “Why’s he
here, Katie?”
shirt on the back of a chair, and pulled them both on. He leaned against the wall
and stared back at her. Her face told him everything he needed to know. “Why’s he
here, Katie?”
At least she had the decency to look abashed, even if it only lasted for a moment.
“I tried to call him. But I couldn’t get a hold of him.”
“I tried to call him. But I couldn’t get a hold of him.”
She shoved her hair past her ear, and for some reason the gesture was less endearing
than in the past.
than in the past.
“You didn’t leave a voice mail? A text?” He knew he was being a jerk, but he couldn’t
seem to help himself.
seem to help himself.
Katie sighed. “Come on, Cole, this is something I need to tell him in person or at
least speak to him on the phone.”
least speak to him on the phone.”
“Good.” He shrugged and was almost positive it came across as nonchalant. “He’s waiting
outside my house. The timing couldn’t be better. I’ll go and introduce myself as your
new husband.”
outside my house. The timing couldn’t be better. I’ll go and introduce myself as your
new husband.”
“No, Cole, let me handle this.” She stomped her foot into her boot. The front of her
dress swooped dangerously low. Her hair was so wild he wondered how she ever got a
comb through it. “And . . . and I’m not ready to go announcing our . . . our new arrangement.”
dress swooped dangerously low. Her hair was so wild he wondered how she ever got a
comb through it. “And . . . and I’m not ready to go announcing our . . . our new arrangement.”
He stared her down, didn’t speak, didn’t need to. Her comment didn’t deserve a response.
Katie shot daggers of her own. Her face was flushed, and he could see the scratches
from the roughness of his beard. Her lips were swollen and red. “Don’t you dare judge
me. Everything has happened so fast. You can’t even be sure that marriage was legal.”
from the roughness of his beard. Her lips were swollen and red. “Don’t you dare judge
me. Everything has happened so fast. You can’t even be sure that marriage was legal.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Do you
not
want it to be?”
not
want it to be?”
“No!” She ran both hands through her hair. “That’s not what I’m saying. You’re putting
words in my mouth.”
words in my mouth.”
“Then why are you acting like a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs?”
She pulled on the neckline of her dress and threw him one of her “special looks.”
The look that called in question every intelligent thought he had in his head. It
seemed impossible those same eyes, just a few hours ago, were smoldering like whiskey,
the kind that burned all the way down. And for one incredible, weak moment he was
thirsty.
The look that called in question every intelligent thought he had in his head. It
seemed impossible those same eyes, just a few hours ago, were smoldering like whiskey,
the kind that burned all the way down. And for one incredible, weak moment he was
thirsty.
“Don’t stand there and pretend that this is easy for me. I have feelings for him.
I loved him enough to want to marry him at one time.”
I loved him enough to want to marry him at one time.”
He wouldn’t ask it. Nope, he’d rather bite his tongue in half before asking the one
question he longed to know.
But do you still?
question he longed to know.
But do you still?
Instead, he gestured toward the hallway and watched her red boots walk out his door.
Chapter 25
Katie buttoned up her winter coat and crossed her arms in front of her. Cole’s living
room wasn’t even cold, but that didn’t stop a chill from making her shiver. She wiped
her sweaty palm on her knee and reached for the knob of the front door. Stalling,
she peeked out the small window in the door and watched Thomas pace across the yard
in front of the porch.
room wasn’t even cold, but that didn’t stop a chill from making her shiver. She wiped
her sweaty palm on her knee and reached for the knob of the front door. Stalling,
she peeked out the small window in the door and watched Thomas pace across the yard
in front of the porch.
He looked the same, possibly a bit more haggard. His cotton-blend pants still held
the same precise crease, but his soft leather shoes were coated with the fine dust
that blew constantly over the Logan ranch, layering everything like ash from a fire.
His shirt was a bit rumpled, and his sport jacket rolled at the sleeves, but otherwise
typical Thomas.
the same precise crease, but his soft leather shoes were coated with the fine dust
that blew constantly over the Logan ranch, layering everything like ash from a fire.
His shirt was a bit rumpled, and his sport jacket rolled at the sleeves, but otherwise
typical Thomas.
Katie’s gaze shifted behind him to a car she didn’t recognize. Back in New York, Thomas
drove a black Lexus, the one his daddy had given him upon high school graduation.
The red sports car must’ve been a rental, considering it was a tad flashy, especially
for a conservative Stillwater. Thomas wore his family’s wealth like some would an
undershirt, close to the skin, and most times hidden underneath clothes. Not that
Thomas was a prig. He just came from money. It was a part of him, and to his credit,
he’d been able to maintain a veneer of humility, though it was a bit thin.
drove a black Lexus, the one his daddy had given him upon high school graduation.
The red sports car must’ve been a rental, considering it was a tad flashy, especially
for a conservative Stillwater. Thomas wore his family’s wealth like some would an
undershirt, close to the skin, and most times hidden underneath clothes. Not that
Thomas was a prig. He just came from money. It was a part of him, and to his credit,
he’d been able to maintain a veneer of humility, though it was a bit thin.
Katie groped in her pocket for her lip balm and came back with lint and a ticket stub.
She couldn’t remember where she’d left her purse, must’ve lost it somewhere between
swinging the bat and kissing Cole.
She couldn’t remember where she’d left her purse, must’ve lost it somewhere between
swinging the bat and kissing Cole.
Which ended up being a hell of a lot more than just kissing.
Katie pressed her flushed cheek to the cool pane of glass and took a shuddering breath.
The things she’d done, the things she’d let Cole do. And for one moment, she’d been
happy. They had shut the bedroom door and shut out the world. All the doubts and anger
had slept in the shadows, only to come to life in the glaring light of the sun.
The things she’d done, the things she’d let Cole do. And for one moment, she’d been
happy. They had shut the bedroom door and shut out the world. All the doubts and anger
had slept in the shadows, only to come to life in the glaring light of the sun.
Her gaze found Thomas again as he scrubbed his hand through his hair, then punched
his fists into his coat pockets and continued to pace. Guilt twisted her stomach.
She’d never meant to hurt him, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say that wouldn’t
cut him to the heart. Yeah, the world wouldn’t stay shut out forever.
his fists into his coat pockets and continued to pace. Guilt twisted her stomach.
She’d never meant to hurt him, but couldn’t think of a single thing to say that wouldn’t
cut him to the heart. Yeah, the world wouldn’t stay shut out forever.
It was time to wake up and be a big girl. Time to take responsibility for all that
had happened. Ending things with Thomas was just the first hurdle among many.
had happened. Ending things with Thomas was just the first hurdle among many.
But what should she tell him exactly? That she was married? Was she that callous?
She could start with the truth. She could tell Thomas she was in love with someone
else, and that someone else loved her. Of that she had no doubt. Cole wouldn’t have
married her unless he loved her. He’d had said as much last night.
She could start with the truth. She could tell Thomas she was in love with someone
else, and that someone else loved her. Of that she had no doubt. Cole wouldn’t have
married her unless he loved her. He’d had said as much last night.
But Katie had heard Nikki talking to Cole this morning. And what she heard louder
than any words was Cole’s silence. He hadn’t defended her. Was Nikki right? Cole had
told her he hadn’t touched alcohol for over two years. Then he fell off the wagon
after she’d been home for only, what, forty-eight hours? He had told her, but at the
time she hadn’t processed exactly what that meant. During the years she’d been at
school trying hard to forget everything back in Texas, he’d been struggling to stay
sober. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the common denominator
was—their relationship.
than any words was Cole’s silence. He hadn’t defended her. Was Nikki right? Cole had
told her he hadn’t touched alcohol for over two years. Then he fell off the wagon
after she’d been home for only, what, forty-eight hours? He had told her, but at the
time she hadn’t processed exactly what that meant. During the years she’d been at
school trying hard to forget everything back in Texas, he’d been struggling to stay
sober. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the common denominator
was—their relationship.
Things between Cole and her had always been volatile. And maybe Nikki was right. Did
she bring out the worst in Cole? Was it time to leave childish fantasies behind and
start to see love, no longer in terms of fire, but as something that grew instead
of destroyed?
she bring out the worst in Cole? Was it time to leave childish fantasies behind and
start to see love, no longer in terms of fire, but as something that grew instead
of destroyed?
Thomas walked back toward the porch. Katie walked out to meet him.
The sun was a bit blinding after the shade-drawn indoors, and she shielded her eyes
so she could look him in the eye. Then remembering her rings, she quickly shoved her
hands in her pockets.
so she could look him in the eye. Then remembering her rings, she quickly shoved her
hands in her pockets.
Thomas slowed to a stop and met her gaze.
Words weren’t needed as Katie watched Thomas’s face shift from shock to deep hurt.
She lost courage, broke first, and began to count the planks of wood that led to the
steps.
She lost courage, broke first, and began to count the planks of wood that led to the
steps.
“I’m too late, then?” Thomas whispered.
Not ready to verbalize her failings, she let her silence be her admission. Silence
and her actions, considering she’d just walked out of a man’s house in early morning,
still dressed in last night’s clothes. Being pantyless just added to her walk of shame.
and her actions, considering she’d just walked out of a man’s house in early morning,
still dressed in last night’s clothes. Being pantyless just added to her walk of shame.
“So Amy told you? I knew she would,” he said.
Katie glanced up. Amy? She hadn’t spoken to her college roommate since she’d come
home.
home.
“I want you to know,” Thomas said, rushing forward. “It didn’t mean anything. I was
at a stupid frat party, and you know how crazy those things get. And well, to tell
you the truth, I was angry.”
at a stupid frat party, and you know how crazy those things get. And well, to tell
you the truth, I was angry.”
Katie shook her head. He’d slept with someone else? She needed to stop him, didn’t
want the details. “I don’t need to hear this.”
want the details. “I don’t need to hear this.”
Thomas climbed the steps of the front porch and took her hand out of her pocket. “No,
listen. You deserve an explanation. It’s not an excuse, but maybe . . .”
listen. You deserve an explanation. It’s not an excuse, but maybe . . .”
He broke off as he realized his ring was on the wrong hand. He ran his thumb across
the diamond he’d given her on the park bench in front of her dorm. He had been sweet,
not going down on one knee, but saying something along the lines of them bumping along
well together. And why not try it for a lifetime.
the diamond he’d given her on the park bench in front of her dorm. He had been sweet,
not going down on one knee, but saying something along the lines of them bumping along
well together. And why not try it for a lifetime.
“I deserve this, I know—” Thomas’s voice cracked. Katie could see the pale pink of
his scalp through his short hair. She wondered how far his hairline would recede by
the time he was forty. “I came down here to grovel, do whatever I could to win you
back, but damn, seeing you is more painful than I thought it would be.”
his scalp through his short hair. She wondered how far his hairline would recede by
the time he was forty. “I came down here to grovel, do whatever I could to win you
back, but damn, seeing you is more painful than I thought it would be.”
Katie tugged at his hold, but he wouldn’t let go. She wanted to dry her eyes, but
sure wasn’t going to pull out her left hand to do so. The tears fell, making tiny
starlike splashes on the wool of her coat. “Thomas, please.”
sure wasn’t going to pull out her left hand to do so. The tears fell, making tiny
starlike splashes on the wool of her coat. “Thomas, please.”
There should’ve been anger, on both of their parts, but Katie was too honest with
herself to play games. Thomas’s fling had freed her, and the guilt of lying to him
by omission was gone.
herself to play games. Thomas’s fling had freed her, and the guilt of lying to him
by omission was gone.
Yet here was Thomas, who’d flown over fifteen hundred miles to hold her hand and ask
for forgiveness. And then there was a part, another part, a big part, which screamed
Cole had never chased her down, never flown to New York. And she had waited. Waited
for him to come, or at least call, but there’d been no word, and Katie had slowly
fallen to pieces. It had been Thomas, with his easy manner and dry humor, who’d painstakingly
pulled her out of the worst depression she’d ever been in. It was Thomas, who had
given her the strength to get out of bed in the morning.
for forgiveness. And then there was a part, another part, a big part, which screamed
Cole had never chased her down, never flown to New York. And she had waited. Waited
for him to come, or at least call, but there’d been no word, and Katie had slowly
fallen to pieces. It had been Thomas, with his easy manner and dry humor, who’d painstakingly
pulled her out of the worst depression she’d ever been in. It was Thomas, who had
given her the strength to get out of bed in the morning.
“I have a proposition,” Thomas said, with a slight uplift of his mouth, a hint of
his boyish smile. “No, wait, don’t say anything, just hear me out.” He laced her fingers
with his and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.
his boyish smile. “No, wait, don’t say anything, just hear me out.” He laced her fingers
with his and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.
Katie pulled away. Guilt sickened her. She had no pillar of virtue to stand upon.
She’d betrayed their promise first when she’d slipped off her ring at the airport,
keeping her engagement a secret.
She’d betrayed their promise first when she’d slipped off her ring at the airport,
keeping her engagement a secret.
“I was upset. No, I’m not using that as an excuse, but I knew he was here,” Thomas
said, jerking his head toward the house. “I remembered how you were when you first
got to school and, well . . . I was terrified. Then you wouldn’t let me come down
here, and there were a few days I couldn’t get a hold of you. I went a little crazy,
imagining all sorts of things.”
said, jerking his head toward the house. “I remembered how you were when you first
got to school and, well . . . I was terrified. Then you wouldn’t let me come down
here, and there were a few days I couldn’t get a hold of you. I went a little crazy,
imagining all sorts of things.”
He lowered his head and laughed bitterly, the blond highlights in his short hair picking
up the early morning light. “I know now I should’ve trusted you.”
up the early morning light. “I know now I should’ve trusted you.”
Shame ran through her blood, and she threw up her hand to cover her face. Not able
to face him any longer, she turned and walked down the steps. What had she done? Her
father had raised her to be a person of honor. What would he say if he knew the way
she’d behaved?
to face him any longer, she turned and walked down the steps. What had she done? Her
father had raised her to be a person of honor. What would he say if he knew the way
she’d behaved?
Thomas chased after her. “Wait, Katie, what I’m trying to say is this. I know it’s
my fault. I pushed you to him, but I think we can start again. Start fresh. The whole
thing with your father and coming home after all this time, I know that’s tough.”
my fault. I pushed you to him, but I think we can start again. Start fresh. The whole
thing with your father and coming home after all this time, I know that’s tough.”
Keep walking. Put one foot in front of the other. Just walk. Don’t look back.
Katie slowed to a stop and closed her eyes, searching for answers against the black
of her lids. Thomas came up behind her, his hand gentle on her shoulder. “What I’m
trying to say is we can forget this weekend ever happened. We were happy together.
Don’t throw three years away over one three-day weekend.”
of her lids. Thomas came up behind her, his hand gentle on her shoulder. “What I’m
trying to say is we can forget this weekend ever happened. We were happy together.
Don’t throw three years away over one three-day weekend.”
“Thomas, this is all just too much right now.” Her head was spinning. Her heart told
her one thing, but her mind another. Everything Thomas said was true. They had been
good together. No, there wasn’t the passion she and Cole had, but there wasn’t the
fighting either—the insanity. And Katie knew for a fact she’d never take a bat to
Thomas’s car. Did she want to spend her life walking that fine line between love and
hate? With Thomas it was so much simpler.
her one thing, but her mind another. Everything Thomas said was true. They had been
good together. No, there wasn’t the passion she and Cole had, but there wasn’t the
fighting either—the insanity. And Katie knew for a fact she’d never take a bat to
Thomas’s car. Did she want to spend her life walking that fine line between love and
hate? With Thomas it was so much simpler.
The front screen door banged opened, and they both swung their heads toward the porch.
There stood Cole, his hair messed, a dark shadow lining his clenched jaw. And that
was it. Katie was going to buy him some regular shirts, because again he hadn’t bothered
with the buttons. His old, threadbare plaid hung open, bare feet poking out from under
frayed jeans. He had the look of a man who’d spent the majority of the previous day
in bed, and not alone. But his face told a different story. The swelling around his
eye had faded, and so had the twinkle as he kissed her mouth and murmured words of
endearment against her skin. “Open your eyes, Katie,” he had whispered to her. “Let
me see you.” And she had. She had completely surrendered to him. So sure, so convinced
this was their forever.
There stood Cole, his hair messed, a dark shadow lining his clenched jaw. And that
was it. Katie was going to buy him some regular shirts, because again he hadn’t bothered
with the buttons. His old, threadbare plaid hung open, bare feet poking out from under
frayed jeans. He had the look of a man who’d spent the majority of the previous day
in bed, and not alone. But his face told a different story. The swelling around his
eye had faded, and so had the twinkle as he kissed her mouth and murmured words of
endearment against her skin. “Open your eyes, Katie,” he had whispered to her. “Let
me see you.” And she had. She had completely surrendered to him. So sure, so convinced
this was their forever.
Now the ice in his eyes hardened his features, and she wondered if the warmth had
ever been real.
ever been real.
The three of them stood, in silence, waiting.
It was Thomas, raised in a world of old money and even older traditions, who finally
stepped up.
stepped up.
He walked over to Cole and extended his hand.
For one long, awkward moment Katie thought Cole would refuse the handshake. Then,
to her relief, he grasped it.
to her relief, he grasped it.
“I’m Thomas. Katie’s told me a lot about you.”
Cole narrowed his eyes. And she saw him take in Thomas’s expensive watch, quality
clothes, and the smell of old money. He almost sneered at Thomas’s leather loafers,
already covered with horse crap.
clothes, and the smell of old money. He almost sneered at Thomas’s leather loafers,
already covered with horse crap.
Then Cole looked across the yard to where Katie was standing. Like two people frozen
in a photograph, their gazes held. Cole didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. Katie knew
what he was waiting for. He was giving her the opportunity to come clean, to tell
Thomas. Acknowledge their marriage. And yet, she couldn’t form the words.
in a photograph, their gazes held. Cole didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. Katie knew
what he was waiting for. He was giving her the opportunity to come clean, to tell
Thomas. Acknowledge their marriage. And yet, she couldn’t form the words.
Instead, she cut her glance to Cole’s truck, and in the light of day the truth was
unkind.
unkind.
Large brown leaves rustled along the driveway, and one was pinned flat against the
windshield, smack in the middle of a distinct impression of bat to glass. The plastic
pieces from the headlights showed up yellow and white among the rocks and dirt.
windshield, smack in the middle of a distinct impression of bat to glass. The plastic
pieces from the headlights showed up yellow and white among the rocks and dirt.
“Yeah, I noticed your truck,” Thomas said, a hint of smile in his voice. He walked
over to take a closer look, but stopped and leaned against the shiny red hood of the
sports car. “Looks like someone took a bat to it.”
over to take a closer look, but stopped and leaned against the shiny red hood of the
sports car. “Looks like someone took a bat to it.”
Well, thanks, Thomas. Way to state the obvious. But maybe the obvious was what she
needed to hear. She looked back to Cole. His gaze had never left her face. What had
he always told her? Look before you leap, Katie. Don’t lead with your heart. Use your
head. Quit rushing headlong into the fire. Maybe Cole was right, things burned. And
she was tired of getting hurt.
needed to hear. She looked back to Cole. His gaze had never left her face. What had
he always told her? Look before you leap, Katie. Don’t lead with your heart. Use your
head. Quit rushing headlong into the fire. Maybe Cole was right, things burned. And
she was tired of getting hurt.
Cole stood in silence a long time after Katie and her lapdog of a fiancé left. The
sun hadn’t been up long enough to warm the wood beneath his bare feet, but he wasn’t
cold—inside an inferno raged.
sun hadn’t been up long enough to warm the wood beneath his bare feet, but he wasn’t
cold—inside an inferno raged.
Raw heat pumped through his veins. The muscles in his shoulders ached. His jaw hurt
from constant clenching. He tried to relax, but found his body unwilling.
from constant clenching. He tried to relax, but found his body unwilling.
Move. Pack up your crap. Leave.
He wanted to. Wanted to jump in his truck and leave the ranch, his house, everything
behind. And yet, when he looked at his truck, he realized even that choice had been
taken from him.
behind. And yet, when he looked at his truck, he realized even that choice had been
taken from him.
So he didn’t move, just stood there. Took in the hardness of the lemon sky, sucked
bitter air through clenched teeth, and watched a bird crap on his truck.
bitter air through clenched teeth, and watched a bird crap on his truck.
Nikki came out, and for a while stood beside him. She didn’t speak, just added her
presence in a show of support.
presence in a show of support.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Let your heart beat. Uncurl your fists.
Sometime later he stood alone again. Alone was better. Everything was better. He just
needed to be still a bit longer. Be still and figure out how to keep from setting
everything around him on fire.
needed to be still a bit longer. Be still and figure out how to keep from setting
everything around him on fire.
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