The Winding Road Home (10 page)

Kate covertly watched Will and saw what she hoped she wouldn't see…a subtle lifting of a brow. He recovered quickly, though, and rose with a smile.

Still…it had been there. A shadow of disappointment in the way Adele had dressed, as if it were not quite up to his standards. Her friend would have accurately predicted his reaction, and yet she hadn't changed clothes. She'd remained true to herself.

Good for you, Adele. You did it.

As they sped down the dark highway toward Rockville, Adele glanced over at Will. Embarrassment scarcely began to describe her emotional state. Not only had she completely forgotten the concert date for which she had purchased the tickets, she now reeked of hot oil and fried tortillas. The scent rivaled those of leather and masculine cologne.

“Will, I am so,
so
sorry,” Adele apologized for the third time, her voice still breathless. “This week has been horrendous.”

He reached over and patted her gloved hand, the hand Graham had gently held during the prayer. “Don't worry about it. I should have called you when I got back in town this afternoon. But I was swamped and thought for sure you'd remember, especially since this concert was your idea.”

“You'd think so, wouldn't you? I haven't even looked at the calendar since Monday. It's just been one thing after another.”

“I hope I didn't interrupt anything.”

“Interrupt?”

“You had guests.”

“Guests? Oh. No, not really.” Her tone sounded as false as it should in telling such a lie. “I mean, it was just sort of a last-minute thing. Tara and Kate are part of the family, of course. Kate had plans with Tanner, so he joined us for dinner. I just happened to see Graham at Swensen's this afternoon. I told you about him, right?”

“No.”

“Oh. Well, a friend who's been like a father to him moved into Fox Meadow recently. Graham is alone in town, keeping Mr. Jennings company while doing some research, and there's no other family around. You know me. Bring home any stray hungry dog I come across.”

“I hope you didn't call him that to his face.”

She joined in his chuckle.

“Tell me about your week, Adele.”

Will was gracious and sweet as he steered them onto safer topics as smoothly as he steered the car along the highway's curves. But she knew that the only topic she could think about wasn't safe…and that sooner or later she was going to have to deal with it.

Tanner leaned against his car, watching Kate park Helen nearby in the lot outside the Rockville movie theater. They had driven separately from Valley Oaks because Kate insisted upon it. She wouldn't hear of him making the back and forth trip again in one evening. That would have smacked of Sir Galahad, thereby causing great discomfort to her practical mind.

She approached him, laughing, her breath frosting the air. “Was that awkward or was that awkward?”

“That was awkward.”

They hurried into the lobby, still chuckling about Will's surprise appearance and Adele's abrupt departure from the dinner table.

“Hey, Tanner, you didn't mind me inviting Graham along, did you?” Adele's friend had declined.

“No. I was going to ask him myself. I felt sorry for the guy. Of course, I felt sorry for Will too.”

“At least he had plans!” They stood in line to buy tickets and Kate smiled up at him. “Isn't it strange how you and I seem to occupy the same wavelength? How we both thought of inviting him?”

It wasn't the first time their thoughts meshed. “It is strange considering you're such a redhead.” He liked teasing her about her hair.

“Ha ha.” She wrinkled her nose. “For that remark, I should have invited the girls. I'm sure they would have changed their plans.”

“Thank you for
not
inviting the girls.”

“You're welcome. I think you squelched Chelsea's infatuation with your Bob Marley comment. Her arty side noticed a flaw, Mr. Dreamboat. That was brilliant.”

“I really don't know Mozart from a hole in the wall.”

She laughed.

He joined in. Kate had an infectious laugh. He suspected the red hair compounded the effect. Silky and smooth as it was, its usual style could only be described as messy. He imagined her mind an overflowing, chaotic place with no room left over for mundane thoughts such as, “hairdresser, style, hair dryer, curling iron.”

She pulled money from her coat pocket and shoved it into his hand. “I'm going to get popcorn while you buy the tickets. Want anything?”

He shook his head and watched her scamper off, pocketing her money until he could find a way to give it back. He could afford to treat her, the nonpaid intern. However, that too smacked of Sir Galahad in her mind.

A short while later they entered the theater and found seats. Tanner grinned at her as she dug into a large bag of buttered popcorn on her lap.

She caught his expression. “What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” He chuckled.

“You are such a crummy liar.”

“I know. I'm trying to figure out where you put the food. Didn't we finish a huge dinner of tacos approximately,” he glanced at his watch, “forty-three minutes ago?”

“Mm-hmm.” She finished chewing her mouthful and swallowed. “Getting back to Adele and Graham…I think they're in love.”

“They just met.”

“I know, but it's so obvious. And there is such a thing as love at first sight. That's how my parents got together, thirtyfive years ago. What I can't figure out is why Adele and Graham don't admit it.”

“Kate Kilpatrick, I never would have imagined you had a romantic bone in your body.”

“Of course I do. I agreed to come to this romantic comedy tonight, didn't I?”

He didn't remind her that her yes involved her interest in the screenwriter's work. Nor did he mention that she balked at anything he did or said if it resembled an impractical, Sir Galahad gesture, like driving her tonight in a vehicle that was far more roadworthy than hers. It was almost as if she felt she didn't deserve to be on the receiving end of such things.

Instead he went on to explain why he held the opinion of her. “But romance is such an airy, frivolous thing. Not like you at all.”

“Oh?”

“No. You're quirky.”

She grinned. “Really? As in offbeat? Unconventional?”

“Yep.”

“That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.”

“Well, don't let it go to your head.”

“Things don't go to the heads of quirky people.”

“I suppose not.” He reached over and into the popcorn bag. “May I?”

“I'll go get you some.”

Someone bumped into his leg and said, “Excuse me— Tanner! Hi!”

He recognized the woman as he stood to let her and a companion pass. “Hi.”
What was her name?
“Sondra.”

“How
are
you?” She clutched him in a hug, babbling about how long it had been, introducing her fiancé. At last she spied Kate, who had risen beside him. “You must be Tanner's little sister.”

“No.” Kate's tone was unsteady, disguising a chuckle.

“Cousin then.”

He intervened. “Kate Kilpatrick.
Date.
”

Sondra's eyebrows rose perceptibly and a smirk twisted what he had once considered a lovely mouth. “Oh.” It came out as a two-syllable word.

Kate held up her left hand dripping with butter and wiggled it. “But no ring yet!” she whined, elbowing him in the ribs. “He keeps promising though.”

Sondra gave an arrogant half laugh before they moved on down the row.

Seething, Tanner sat again as the lights dimmed.
What a snob! And to think I was actually attracted to that.
He should march over there and tell her off. He owed that much to Kate. She didn't deserve that kind of treatment. Man, she had even smiled at Sondra. Not the least bit flustered, she had joined in his charade that they were dating.

He felt Kate's eyes on him and turned. The previews had begun, making conversation difficult. “What?”

She leaned sideways, and he lowered his ear toward her mouth. She said, “You look like you're about to explode. Don't worry about it. Quirks are often mistaken for sisters and cousins.”

He laughed so loudly the guy in front of him turned around and frowned.

“Sorry.” Tanner called out. He swung his arm across the back of Kate's seat and gave her a friendly hug. She was so easy to be with. She even knew how to defuse his anger. He felt the tenseness go out of his muscles.

She stretched toward him again and said, “You're going to have to do better than that, Galahad. I think she's watching.”

“No way. I refuse to hold your hand until you wash off that butter.”

Now Kate laughed, prompting another frown.

Same wavelength.
Amazing how he could have spent 30 years of his life so blind.

Adele picked at her dinner and only halfheartedly listened to the orchestra play all of her favorite Mozart selections. By the time they got into the car, she was drained of chipper conversation. Evidently so was Will. The ride home was a silent one.

As they neared her house, she noticed there were no extra cars parked in front or in the driveway. Tanner and Kate were gone, as was Tara. Graham Logan was also gone. Not that she had expected him to wait for her. Still, the disappointment pierced somewhere deep inside.

She had to try explaining it to Will.

“Adele.” He pulled into the driveway, but left the engine running. The car was warm and comfortable under a starry sky. “I need to say something.” He turned in his seat to face her.

“Do you want to come inside?” She settled back against the door.

“No. This won't take long. Listen, something has shifted between us this week.”

She nodded. The dear man knew. “I'm sorry.”

“No, don't be sorry.”

“I didn't mean for—”

“Adele.” He pulled her into his arms. “Shh. It's all right. Don't cry.”

“I don't know what's happening.”

“Yes, you do. You're falling in love.”

“But I don't even know him!”

“I guess you know enough. He seemed like a nice enough guy. At least in the three minutes I spent with him.”

She sniffled against the fuzzy grain of his coat, half laughing.

“I don't want to interfere. I'll always be there for you, but I probably won't invite you out again. I think that's for the best. All right?”

“I'm sorry.”

“You're a beautiful woman, Adele, and I loved having you beside me at functions, having dinner with me now and then, keeping me company. But we both know it was only a friendship for the time being. I'm not ready for another wife. You aren't ready to be a stepmom.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her softly. “I will miss you, but there is nothing to be sorry about.”

Swallowing her tears, she nodded. “I can't keep the ring.”

“Yes, you can.” He smiled.

“No, Will. Wait, I'll run up and get it.” That had been another source of embarrassment. She had forgotten to wear the amethyst tonight.

“Another time. I need to get home. I'm exhausted.” He opened his door and she climbed from hers. At the front door he kissed her cheek. “Thank you for the concert.”

“Thank you for dinner.”

“Take care, Adele. And if you need anything, call me. Okay?”

She nodded and watched him return to his car. He waited until she unlocked the door and waved to him, and then he drove away. Reluctant to go in, she ran her hand along the inside wall and flipped off the porch light switch. Closing the door, she remained outside in the cold, looking up at the black velvet sky studded with stars.

Will was a good friend, a masculine presence that she clung to not only because he was a man but because he was the only decent, successful man who had accepted her for who she was.

Nearly
. Nearly accepted her for who she was.

She let the thought develop. It had been there all along. She had simply chosen to ignore it every time she scrambled for something to wear that would pass his inspection…every time she spoke her mind in a group setting and caught the subtle raising of his brow.

She had been forever trying to please him in exactly the same way she had always tried to please her father. But Will had been so gentle about it, nothing at all like the tyrant who had raised her. Silly how she behaved as though by winning Will's approval she was somehow winning R.J. Chandler's.