What it Takes (31 page)

“Don’t think I don’t know about your reputation.” Mary turned her icy blue scowl on him.

Patrick pushed his pie away and clasped his hands together on the table.

“If you think you’re going to add my Kelsey to your list of conquests, think again,” Mary hissed.

“Mother!” Janelle and Kelsey exclaimed at the same time.

“That’s enough,” Kelsey added, jaw clenched, eyes wide with anger.

Patrick slowly filled his lungs and calmly said, “I’m sorry if that’s why you think I’m here. I just came to visit my friend.”

Kelsey admired his calm demeanor. Her insides were boiling with anger and she was almost ready to throttle her mother.

“Don’t lie to me. Your triumphs are all over the news. See?” she asked as she slid a copy of a recent tabloid across the table to Patrick. Kelsey walked over to his side and looked at the tabloid over his shoulder. “She’s already in there.”

“What?” Kelsey asked, feeling her color drain before she opened the magazine.

Kelsey’s heart sank when they saw the headline,
“Who’s Patrick Lyons’s
someone special?”
He closed his eyes as she scanned the pictures. A picture of him with his sister, Sarah, at last week’s premiere was centered on the page. Down either side were smaller pictures of him with former co-stars and friends, including Veronica. When she saw one with the two of them dancing at the bar, she collapsed into the seat beside him and took a few steadying breaths.

Kelsey studied the photograph, trying to collect her thoughts. How should she react? She wasn’t happy with this invasion of privacy, but in all fairness, they
had
been in a public place. And it was just a dance. If she got too upset about it, what would Patrick think? If she didn’t, what would her mother think?

“Why else would you travel all the way across the country, if not to bed my daughter? You should just keep your whoring to the West Coast and leave my family alone.”

The snide comment cut through Kelsey’s thoughts, clearing them tremendously. “Enough!” she exclaimed, slapping open palms on the table. Janelle put her finger up to her lips and pointed to the ceiling. “You
will
show my guest a little more respect.”

“Surely you don’t believe him?” Mary asked with a laugh.

“Yes, I do. And what’s more, I believe me. I’ve told you and Dad that we’re friends. Since you obviously need it spelled out for you, we’re not sleeping together,” Kelsey said and smiled slyly at her mother’s sharp intake of air and withdrawal. “If you’re going to continue to treat him like this, then don’t come back while Patrick’s here.” Kelsey forcefully slid the tabloid back toward her mother. “I’m actually surprised this bothers you, Mother. I thought you’d be happy to finally have something to brag about to your friends.” Abruptly, Kelsey stood, grabbed the closest plates, and carried them into the kitchen.

What Kelsey wanted to do was throw the plates against the wall for the satisfaction of seeing them break into a thousand little pieces. Instead she dropped them in the sink and walked to the fridge. She opened it and grabbed a drink, purposely ignoring the desire to look into the dining room. She could only imagine what Patrick thought of that little episode. She’d tried to warn him, but she now wondered whether there could have been enough preparation for that embarrassment.

Kelsey walked back to the sink, her back to the dining room, and took several long gulps of hard cider. She set the bottle on the counter and rested her hands on either side of the sink as she peered out the window at the cheery lights around the porch. Although her hands were braced firmly on the counter, they still shook with anger.

How dare she!

Patrick had been nothing but polite to Mary since she’d set foot in the house that night, which was more than she deserved. She had no right, or reason, to be so rude and confrontational. Kelsey was certainly old enough to handle a relationship with Patrick. She didn’t need her mother’s interference or approval.

“Kelsey,” Mary spoke quietly behind her.

Kelsey finished her drink, burped quietly, and turned to face her. Mary focused on the bottle in her hand and Kelsey could hear her mother’s nagging in her head.
“Young women don’t indulge in alcohol for any reason. You should be
ashamed.”

“What?” Kelsey snapped as she tucked the bottle behind her and let it slide into the sink.

“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to look out for you,” Mary stated, feigning an innocent expression.

“Since when? You haven’t given a flyin’ fu—” Kelsey swallowed her curse, “fig about anything I’ve done in the last five years. Don’t pretend you care now,” she growled.

Mary looked surprised and hurt for a second before her face changed to the stone façade Kelsey was used to. “I just don’t want to see you in the paper.”

“It’s not a paper, Mom. It’s a
tabloid
. A rag that only cares about gossip and doesn’t even care enough to make sure it’s true,” Kelsey argued. “I promised you when I left that I’d try my best not to be in those things, but sometimes that can’t be helped.”

“You’re in there now.”

“We were dancing. We were out with two of our co-stars. I danced with Grayson, too, but you don’t see that in there.” Kelsey closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Calmly, she opened them. “Mom, please, just trust me.”

“I haven’t trusted you for almost six years, dear.”

Patrick watched Mary walk away from Kelsey as George and Janelle left the dining room through the door into the living room. Patrick walked to the pony wall between the kitchen and dining room and observed Kelsey, who was watching her family gather in the living room. As she stood there, biting her upper lip, everything about her was pleading for her mother’s acceptance and approval. When George walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, she began to shake.

George held his daughter, comforting her while she cried, and Patrick ached to take his place. Patrick couldn’t hear what was being said, but could tell by Kelsey’s expression that her father was whispering something. When he stepped back, she quickly wiped her cheeks and gave him a small nod. In a matter of seconds, George and Mary were gone.

Kelsey turned around and, in the reflection in the window, Patrick could clearly see the tears fall. His heart ached to comfort her, but he wasn’t sure how. When Janelle joined her and rested her chin on Kelsey’s shoulder, Kelsey and Patrick made eye contact through the reflection. Neither of them could muster a smile.

“I’m sorry,” Kelsey whispered to Janelle. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper with her.”

Janelle shook her head. “You did the best you could. She was wrong and she had no right to say what she said about him.” Janelle turned Kelsey around to face her and wiped the tears away with the palm of her hand. She leaned closer and whispered, “If she’d pay attention, she’d realize he’s here for a much different reason.” Janelle signed the letters L-O-V-E.

Kelsey shook her head in protest. “I’m not so sure,” she said quietly.

“Well, maybe his time here will help you figure that out.” Janelle grinned widely as she backed away. “I’m gonna go grab a shower and then help you clean up.”

Once they were alone, Patrick stood his ground and regarded her. When the silence stretched beyond her comfort level, Kelsey turned to the plates in the sink. She dumped the remaining pieces of pie into the trash and put the plates in the dishwasher. She saw him approaching in the window reflection.

“I’m sorry. My mother tends to jump to the wrong conclusions,” she said, her voice quivering. “I tried to warn you.”

“Kelsey.” He gently put a hand on each of her arms. “You believe me, right?”

“I said I do.” She shook loose of his grip and turned to face him.

“I just want to make sure. I didn’t mean to cause friction between you and your parents.” His sad eyes scanned her face.

“There’s always friction between my mother and me. You didn’t cause that,” Kelsey said softly.

“But what about your father?”

She placed a hand on his cheek and felt soft whiskers under her palm. “Dad’s just worried. He wants what’s best for me.”

“But earlier, he seemed fine . . .”

“He enjoys movies, but he doesn’t pay any attention to the gossip or celebrity news or anything like that. That’s Mom’s department.” The corner of her lips lifted ruefully as he took her hand off his face and held it. “He didn’t know the reputation you have with women, earlier. I’m sure Mom remedied that the minute he got home.”

Patrick sighed deeply. “Maybe I should just find a hotel. I’m not here to make things hard on you.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Kelsey replied as she stepped toward him. “I know my dad. He’ll take the time to get to know you.”

Patrick pulled her into his arms. “I hope so,” he said as she relaxed into his embrace.

Eighteen

T
he following afternoon, Janelle had to tutor so Kelsey and Patrick took the kids to the movies. They’d spent the day watching television, playing with Zoe, and simply going through the normal tasks Kelsey did while she was home. Now, as she pointed out the sites of her hometown, she was reminded why she loved the simple, quiet life she had here so much.

They brought dinner home after the movie and, as they ate, the kids excitedly described every detail of every scene. Janelle had to remind them several times to eat before their food got cold. She laughed and had to ask very few questions as Zach and Zoe talked over each other throughout the meal. They were still talking about the movie they’d seen when she took them upstairs to bathe, leaving Patrick and Kelsey alone in the dining room.

“Did you enjoy the movie?” he asked.

She stood to pick up the dinner things and he helped. “It was cute,” Kelsey replied with a smile. “I’m glad the kids enjoyed it.”

“Me too,” he agreed. “Why didn’t you sit next to me?”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Zoe claimed that seat first.” She took the trash from him and threw it away.

He took a step closer to her. “She sat in my lap the whole time.”

“Yes, but . . .” Kelsey turned her back to the sink so she was facing him completely. “The minute I took her seat, she’d have wanted it back.”

He chuckled. “How do you know that?”

“It’s one of the rules.” She smirked, holding back her laughter.

“Rules?”

“Children have their own sets of rules, didn’t you know that?” Kelsey teased and he shook his head. “Well, one of those rules is: ‘It’s mine even if I’m not using it. And the moment you try to take it is when I’ll want it back.’” He laughed loudly. “So you see, if I’d taken her seat, she would’ve wanted it back and would not have asked politely.”

“Ah, I see. I guess I’ve got a little to learn about kids.”

“Well, then you’re in the right place. Zach and Zoe are excellent teachers,” she said.

“Would you be my study partner?” He took another step.

“Do you think you need one?” Despite her quickening heart rate, she kept her voice calm.

“I might.” He nodded as he put an arm around her and pulled her closer.

“Well, here’s the thing.” She put her hand on his chest and could feel his heart racing. She quickly glanced at his upturned lips, then back into his bright eyes. “I’ve already had most of these lessons.”

“Then you can be my tutor,” he whispered across her ear as his other arm snaked around her.

“I could do that,” she agreed breathlessly.

“Oh,” Janelle said behind Patrick. “Sorry.”

Kelsey glanced at her over Patrick’s shoulder and narrowed her eyes slightly. He lightly kissed her forehead before he backed away. Kelsey shivered as his arms left her.

“No, please,” Janelle stated. “Don’t let me stop you.”

Kelsey turned back to the trash bag, filled it, and tied it off.

“I’ll take it,” Patrick offered. “The cool air will do me some good.”

Kelsey gave him a sympathetic smile and pointed him in the right direction. She watched him leave then glared at Janelle, who looked at her with puppy dog eyes, begging for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry,” Janelle repeated over and over until Kelsey held up a hand to silence her. “Did I just interrupt something?”