Whisper's Edge (26 page)

“What’s come over you?” He took a couple of steps into the room but then stopped as if uncertain if he should come any closer. “Did I do something…say something
wrong
? If I did, I am so sorry. I can be a bonehead sometimes and not even know it.”

Kate gave him a jerky negative shake of her head but couldn’t find her voice.

“What then?” He appeared so upset but how could she begin to explain?

“It’s just that I’m…I’m not…not ready to…be…serious.”

“Oh.” Hurt flickered in his eyes. “I thought we already were.”

His quiet statement clawed at her heart but Kate shook her head. “No.” Her voice sounded as sad as she felt.” I’m sorry…”

“My mistake.” If his tone had been harsh Kate could have handled it, but he simply sounded forlorn. Defeated. He stood there silently and Kate knew he was waiting for her to explain or even retract what she’d said but she didn’t. Couldn’t. He finally shoved his fingers through his hair and then said, “I guess I should go.” Again, he looked at her with hope lingering in his eyes and she swallowed hard but remained silent. “Okay…guess that answers that.” This time his disappointment held an edge of frustration. “Good night, Kate.”

No! The single word screamed in her head but would not get past her lips. A moment later he was gone.

Kate’s legs gave out and she all but fell onto her bed. She knew that she and Ben were being given the second chance at something wonderful. She knew that she was blowing it.

In the distance she heard the ping of the timer telling her that the mac and cheese was done. Tears welled up in her eyes as she walked on wooden legs into the kitchen and took the dish from the oven. She had ruined what could have been a perfect night. “You dumbass,” she whispered fiercely. Kate balled her fingers into fists and tried to will her sorry-ass
self into going after him. But cold, hard fear knotted in her stomach and kept her rooted to the spot.

Kate knew that happiness was within reach. All she had to do was grab it. But she knew the deep heartache of having joy snatched away. The logical side of her brain jumped in and reminded her that although she didn’t say it, she was already in love with Ben, so what was the point? A sad smile trembled on her lips. Ah, because Ben was the type of man that she would fall more deeply in love with each and every day. Tonight was a glaring example.

Kate inhaled a shaky breath. Love was such risky business…like walking across a high wire without a safety net. And she just couldn’t do it.

The aroma of the mac and cheese went from being enticing to cloying, and Kate’s stomach rebelled. With a sigh, she poured a glass of sweet tea and took it out to the front porch so she could get some much-needed fresh air. But after she sat down in a rocker and sipped her drink, the cheerful sounds of the warm summer night reminded her of what she had just chased out of her life. Laughter and music drifted her way, making her mood even more melancholy. After a little while, Kate decided it was time to go in and watch television or maybe read. She knew she was in for a sleepless night and hoped that she didn’t order anything too crazy from HSN. But just as she stood up, Kate heard a yell of distress.

“Stop! Get your ornery butt back here right this minute!”

Kate hurried to the edge of the porch and looked down the street. She shook her head when she saw Willie running down the sidewalk as fast as his short legs would allow.

“I mean it, Willie!”

Kate almost smiled, but when she saw Miss Patty running faster than a woman her age should go, she decided she needed to cut Willie off at the pass. She jogged across the yard and intercepted Willie just as he reached her front gate. “Gotcha!” Kate held on to Willie’s collar and waited for Miss Patty to catch up.

“Thank you…kindly…Kate,” Miss Patty managed to say in between breaths. ‘W-Willie went chasing after a bee…of all things and he got a…a head start on me.” She pointed a finger at her dog. “Now, just what were you going to do with a bee anyway? The danged thing would have stung your tongue.”

Willie looked up and did that confused doggy thing with his eyebrows.

“Silly dog,” Miss Patty muttered, still breathing hard.

Even though Kate didn’t feel like small talk, Miss Patty looked as if she needed a cold drink. “Would you like to sit a spell and sip some tea?”

Miss Patty swiped at a droplet of sweat at her temple. “Oh, bless your heart. Yes, I would.” She fell in step with Kate. “And he doesn’t deserve it but would you get Willie a dish of water?”

“Sure thing.” Kate gestured toward the rockers. “Have a seat and I’ll be right back.” A moment later she returned with water for Willie and a tall glass for Miss Patty.

“Thank you.” While Willie happily lapped away, Miss Patty took a drink of her tea and then said, “Some good smells are coming from your house.”

Kate lifted one shoulder. “Just some mac and cheese.”

“Am I keeping you from dinner?” Miss Patty asked casually but her gaze was keen.

“No.”

“Oh well. I saw Ben walking past my house a little while ago.”

Kate nodded, knowing this was going to lead somewhere she didn’t want to go.

“His hands were shoved in his pockets and his head was down. Didn’t appear too happy. And since you seem down in the mouth I’m guessing something went wrong with you two?”

“We’re just friends.”

“Bull feathers. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

Kate swallowed hard.

Miss Patty set her glass down on the small wicker table. “I would say that this is none of my business but I make everything in Whisper’s Edge my business. And I care about you.”

The lump in Kate’s throat swelled.

“I’m not going to pry or ask for details, but I’m going to give you some sage advice.”

“Okay,” Kate managed gruffly.

“Don’t let fear get in the way.”

“Of what?”

“Of living your life the way you want to.”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Kate scoffed, even though Miss Patty had hit the nail smack dab on the head of her problem.

“I can see fear in your eyes.” Miss Patty arched one eyebrow. “And besides, why else would you let that handsome hunk of man walk away?” Miss Patty slapped her leg. “What’s wrong with you, girl?”

Rather than deny anything, Kate merely sighed. What indeed?

“I’m just sayin’.” Miss Patty fell silent and then drank the last of her tea. She rocked for a few more minutes and then stood up. “It’s getting late. I’d better head for home.” She reached over and patted Kate’s shoulder. “Thanks for snagging Willie for me. Don’t tell, but he was actually making a beeline for Etta Mae’s petunias.”

Miss Patty’s admission managed to drag a chuckle from Kate. “No problem.” She made a show of locking her mouth and throwing away the key.

“You take care now. If you need to bend my ear just give me a holler.”

Kate smiled. “Thanks, I’ll keep your offer in mind.” After Miss Patty left she sat there for a few more minutes and then went to the backyard to retrieve the gift. She brought it inside and put it on the coffee table and looked at it for a long time.

Miss Patty was right. She had lived in fear since the end
of a marriage to a man she had loved and believed in with all her heart. It was about damned time that she took that power away from Craig. With trembling fingers she slowly and carefully removed the wrapping paper. After inhaling a deep breath she lifted the lid.

“Oh my…”

For a moment she simply admired the beauty of the turquoise and coral. But the silver heart-shaped charm beckoned her and she reached into the box and gently lifted the bracelet from the strip of cotton. When she saw the word
strength
etched in the center of the heart, Kate’s breath caught in her throat. She pressed her fingers to the heart, until the cool silver turned warm beneath her skin. Letting go of fear took courage. “I have it in me,” Kate said softly, and then smiled as she slipped the gift of strength onto her wrist.

S
AVANNAH LOOKED ACROSS THE OFFICE AT KATE AND
frowned. She had been uncharacteristically quiet all morning. “I’m filling up the calendar of events for next month.” When Kate didn’t mention adding Savannah’s upcoming birthday, she was surprised but hoped Kate was honoring her wish not to make a big deal out of her thirtieth. “The dates are filling up quickly.”

“Good.” Kate didn’t even look up from whatever she was reading.

“I think I’ll ask Jeff to perform on a Thursday since he’s going to be singing at Sully’s on Saturdays. Gives him a day in between.”

“Mmmmhmmm.”

“At first I thought I’d call it Whisper’s Edge Hoedown, but I realized the Camden brothers would have a field day with that.” Savannah tried for humor, but Kate didn’t even crack a smile.

“I imagine so.”

“I’m trying to figure out when to schedule the wine- and
beer-tasting event. I think the fall would be perfect. Have you and Ben already bought the wine for it?”

“No.” Kate finally looked over at Savannah. “Maybe you and Tristan could work on that.”

Savannah angled her head to the side. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Did you and Ben have a falling-out?”

Kate hesitated for a second and then said, “Savannah, he bought me a present. And it’s not my birthday or anything.”

“And
that
put you in a bad mood?”

“Sure did.” She lifted her chin as if daring Savannah to question her strange logic.

“Color me confused. Was the present crappy or something?”

“No.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

Kate blew out a ragged sigh. “Damned if I don’t know it.”

“You want to bend my ear?” Savannah asked gently.

“Not especially.” Kate’s tone remained firm, but she swallowed hard and glanced away.

“Well, do it anyway.”

Kate put her pen down but remained silent. Savannah had to wonder if this had anything to do with Ben’s late wife. It was no secret how much he’d loved her. Finally, Kate said, “Ben wanted to get…serious.”

Savannah frowned in confusion. “And you don’t want to?”

“Hell no!”

“Why not?”

“At my age, Savannah?” Kate scoffed. “I’m too set in my ways to go that route.” She shook her spiky head hard. “Besides, I enjoy my independence. Ben and I need to just, you know, have fun.” She swung her arm in an arc. “Why be
serious
for heaven’s sake?” Her tone was hard and firm, but Savannah wasn’t buying it. For all of her bravado Kate was scared out of her wits; Savannah just knew it. Ben was a wonderful man, and Savannah was afraid that Kate was
making a huge mistake, but didn’t have a clue as to what to do about it.

“So, did you talk to Ben about how you feel?”

“Yeah, I explained to him that I wasn’t ready to be in a committed relationship. I like things the way they are. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

“And how did he take your suggestion?”

“Ben was under the impression that we already were serious, but I set him straight. What’s wrong with just having fun? Like I said, why throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing?”

“Did he buy into that idea?”

Kate chewed on the inside of her lip for a second. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh, meaning a great big fat
no
. So what are you going to do? Break it off with him?”

Kate nodded slowly. “It’s best.”

“Oh, Kate…”

“So what’s going on with you and Tristan?”

“No fair changing the subject,” Savannah protested.

“So, in other words, you’re as scared as me.” Kate gave her a knowing look.

“Well at least you finally admit it.”

“And you’re in denial?” Kate folded her arms across her chest and waited.

Savannah finally shrugged.

“Look, Savannah, your situation is much different from mine.”

“How so?”

“Well, for starters, you’re young. You have a lifetime ahead of you.”

“Are you going to tell me that your ship has already sailed again?”

“No. More like my ship just sank.”

Savannah didn’t laugh. “Kate, you’re hardly ancient and besides, age
shouldn’t
matter when it comes to loving someone,” Savannah said with more emotion than she intended,
but she remembered being a lonely ten-year-old hoping to be adopted when all that everyone wanted was cute babies and toddlers.

“I thought we were talking about you and Tristan?” Kate deftly changed the subject once more, meaning that Savannah had hit a nerve.

“You seemed to have some reservations about him,” Savannah reminded her.

“I’ve been known to be wrong, and like I said, I’m overly cautious where you’re concerned. I can tell you that Tristan has approved every expense that I’ve asked for, and we’re finally getting a much-deserved raise!”

“What?” Savannah sat up straighter. “Really?” Savannah had to wonder if his generosity had anything to do with Tristan being sweet on her.

Kate nodded. “I’ll admit that I had my doubts about his motives for buying Whisper’s Edge but his heart seems to be in the right place.”

Savannah felt hope blossom in her chest and couldn’t hold back a smile. “I fully admit that I had my doubts too. He gave up a lot for a struggling retirement community.”

“Well, so far Tristan has come through for us.”

Savannah frowned. “But Whisper’s Edge is still struggling. Where is the extra money going to come from to pay for all of this?”

Kate tapped her pen onto a pile of papers. “Well, I was reading through all of that information. Tristan proposes that we do some creative thinking and rent the community center out for local meetings or events. Things like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts meetings, local craft shows, those kinds of things. He’s been talking to the county about leasing the back five acres for sports fields. The county would put up the cost of keeping it maintained. There’s a real need for soccer fields for practice and weekend games and we currently don’t use the area for anything.”

“How do you feel about all of that?”

Kate tapped her pen on the stack of papers. “Well, I
don’t want our quiet little community to become inundated with outsiders and traffic, but if we keep it under control I can see how these suggestions could work. We could generate much-needed cash flow without a whole lot of effort on our part. Going this route would eliminate raising the HOA fees and upping the rent for those who don’t own their lots.”