Somebody's Daughter

by Rebecca Winters

  Kit closed her eyes for a moment. “We’re getting way ahead of things here. When this situation unravels to its full extent, Cord may not be so interested anymore.”

  “Give me one reason why not.”

  “I lied to get into Renaissance House.”

  “For the worthiest of reasons! You think he won’t understand that? If he doesn’t, then he’s not the terrific guy you say he is. Now, promise you’ll call me tonight after I’m home from work, and tell me what’s going on. If you don’t, I’ll go nuts.”

  “I promise.”

  After hanging up, Kit headed straight for Mr. Cosgriff’s home. Once she’d told him her story, she would show him everything she kept hidden in her handbag—the DNA results, the pictures she’d brought from California, the printout of Reed and Ellen McFarland’s photo, the research she’d done on her parents’ names at the library yesterday.

  Mr. Cosgriff had been in the newspaper business all his life and would ask to see any evidence she could offer. With his backing, she’d be able to get into those old personnel files at the hospital. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered if it hadn’t been her destiny to meet him at that bus stop.

  CORD ENTERED THE GROUNDS from First Avenue and drove his Land Rover around to the cottage. It seemed an eternity since he’d last been with Kit.

  Unfortunately, eternity had given him too much time to think negative thoughts. When she’d asked Brock if Katy was his sister, had she really been interested, or was she methodically gathering research on the McFarland family?

  Today he would get answers.

  Kit had to wait until Wednesday to find out if she got the camp counselor job, and in the meantime he had big plans for them. When they were finally alone, he would confront her.

  To his relief Julie hadn’t experienced any more breathing difficulties and would be all right on her own. Cord’s mother had made arrangements to tend Katy for the day. That left Brock, who’d slept over at his best friend’s last night. Once Cord picked up Kit, he would swing by Ryan’s to get the boys for the outing he’d planned.

  He checked his watch. It was eight o’clock—time enough for her to have had breakfast and come back to the cottage. With his pulse racing in spite of his suspicions, he levered himself from the car and bounded up to the door to ring the bell.

  When she didn’t respond, he rang again.

  “Kit?” he called, and began knocking.

  Still no answer.

  He drew the cell phone from his pocket and rang the cottage. Nothing.

  Was she still in the dining room talking to one of the tenants?

  Cord darted to the back entrance of the mansion and let himself inside. It took a couple of minutes to ascertain Kit wasn’t in any of the common rooms.

  He slipped into his office and buzzed reception. “Gwen?”

  “Good morning! I didn’t know you’d come in. Did I just imagine you left a message on my voice mail saying that you were going to be out all day?”

  “No, but something came up and I had to stop by here for a minute first. Is Kit Burke with you by any chance?”

  “No, but she came to my office earlier to ask if she could speak to Mr. McFarland. She obviously hasn’t figured out who you are yet. Maybe we misjudged her, after all.”

  “Maybe,” he muttered. But she could be pretending with Gwen. Cord had been waiting for her to make a slip of some kind. “Did she say why she wanted to talk to me?”

  “No. I told her you wouldn’t be in until tomorrow. She left and I haven’t seen her since. Between you and me, she looked disappointed, if that’s any help.

  “Oh—one more thing. I’ve been worried about Sherry, one of the tenants. I thought she could use some cheering up. Kit has a sunny outlook, so I suggested Sherry get acquainted with her. But she came in a little while ago rather dejected because Kit’s always so busy coming and going, visiting the library, that she doesn’t seem to have time for anyone. I thought I’d pass that along, for what it’s worth.”

  Library?

  Cord closed his eyes tightly. Did it mean Kit was some kind of journalist, after all?

  “Thanks for telling me, Gwen.” On top of this troubling new development, Cord felt profound disappointment when he realized his plans for the day might have just been ruined. “Any emergencies I need to deal with before I go?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait.”

  “That’s good. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Maybe Kit had decided to explore the gardens and Cord hadn’t noticed. He phoned Dwayne, who told him he’d seen her leave the mansion on foot right after breakfast, heading toward downtown.

  Relieved to hear that much, he thanked the gardener and hung up. On their minitour Cord had told Kit she needed to visit Temple Square at the first opportunity. Possibly that’s where she’d gone. It wouldn’t be that hard to find her.

  If she wasn’t there, he’d go to the library.

  But before he did that, he checked to see if Brent had faxed any information. There were several faxes waiting for him, but nothing from his friend. Out of habit, he listened to his office phone voice mail messages. The last one came from Brent.

  Hey, Cord. It’s me. Sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. After exhausting every possibility, my resources have come up with zero. Kit Burke never bought a home in the state of California. Her tax records indicate she’s living on a very modest income. There’s been no foreclosure. Hope the information helps. Let’s get in some handball this week. I’ll call you.

  The news flattened Cord as if he’d been run over by one of those huge boulders near Catherine Pass—the kind that rolled down from a mountain peak, crushing everything in its path.

  He stood in the room struggling with an ugly fact. Even if everything else Kit had told Gwen was the truth, she’d lied about owning a home and losing it.

  His suspicions were bearing fruit. Kit wasn’t penniless. Worse, she’d come to Utah, to Renaissance House, with an agenda. All Cord needed to do now was deduce what it was.

  The background check proved her to be a hardworking woman. Six years of full-time cleaning said a lot. The hours involved there, plus her tax report, seemed to exclude the possibility that she was a journalist on the payroll of a newspaper.

  Maybe she’d grown tired of scraping by and had decided that if other people could sell sensational stories to the tabloids to make good money, so could she. Yet why would she have picked on the McFarland family living two states away when she’d grown up in the backyard of Hollywood?

  Surely through her various jobs she could have found opportunities to glean inside information on some of the rich and famous stars—exploit their secrets, if that was her goal.

  The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced she hadn’t come to Renaissance House looking for a story. Nor was he persuaded by Gwen’s other theory, that Kit was a fortune hunter who’d targeted him specifically.

  It didn’t make sense for her to come all the way to Salt Lake to find a rich man. Not when she lived in Southern California, the land of eligible, wealthy bachelors. Hollywood overflowed with beautiful people, renowned celebrities of the jet set. She could have her pick.

  He frowned thoughtfully. From the first, he’d wanted to believe she was a homeless person honestly trying to rebuild her life. He’d liked the idea that she thought he was a security guard and accepted him as such.

  If anything, it had started to bother him that Kit didn’t want to know more about his life. Because of the strong attraction between them, he’d expected that by now she would have started asking questions about the women he’d known before. Surely she wanted to know certain personal things about him because she couldn’t help herself. That was the way he felt about her…. He wanted to know everything there was to know.

  Brent’s phone call has just given you your wish, McFarland.

  Cord’s hands formed fists. He didn’t want to believe the trap he’d set to catch her in a lie had trap
ped him! The knowledge that she’d used him hurt like hell. Yet in spite of what he knew, he ached to hold her in his arms.

  In a few long strides he left the mansion and drove to the side entrance before turning toward South Temple. While he waited for the car in front of him to make a left turn, he happened to look across the street. That’s when his heart gave a kick.

  There she was, the picture of curvy femininity in jeans and a yellow top. She’d rounded the corner, on her way to somewhere in a big hurry. But it was obvious that neither the mansion nor the cottage were her destination since they were on the opposite side of the street.

  As soon as the other car turned, Cord was on its tail. He swung to the outside lane and pulled alongside her. When she didn’t notice him in the Land Rover, he honked. She jerked her head in his direction.

  He lowered the passenger window. “Where’s the fire?”

  She came to an abrupt standstill. “Cord—how’s your sister-in-law?”

  Was it a friendly question, or…? Oh hell. She had him tied up in knots. She’d been looking for “Richard McFarland” this morning, apparently. That he couldn’t tell if she was pleased to see Cord or not felt like a blow to the gut and raised more questions.

  “She’s much improved since Saturday night.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  Everything she said always sounded heartfelt. “Where have you been already?”

  “The convenience store.”

  Had she gone there to meet someone? A boyfriend? The thought of her being interested in another man made Cord see black.

  “I could have driven you. Need a lift to where you’re headed now?”

  “No. I’m…on my way to the university. Then I’m going out on those job interviews Gwen arranged the other day.”

  She was lying.

  “I’ll take you.”

  “It’s not that far. I thought I’d better find out if any of my college credits can be transferred. But thank you, anyway.”

  Though what she’d said sounded perfectly logical, he could swear she was trying to avoid him.

  Cord refused to be put off until he had answers. “Remember when I told you I’d think of a way for you to repay me?”

  Ten seconds must have passed before he heard a tentative, “Yes?”

  “Hop in, and I’ll tell you what it is.”

  She eventually did his bidding and shut the door. When she was seated next to him, he could hardly take his eyes off her gleaming brunette curls and creamy skin.

  “Want to tell me what’s wrong?” he asked, because she wouldn’t look at him.

  “Nothing, except that I don’t like taking you away from your duties,” she replied—too quickly.

  She was hiding something.

  “I only have one duty today. Do you need anything from the cottage? I’m asking now because we’re going to be gone until your curfew.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Lake Catherine. After we pick up Brock and his friend, Ryan, we’ll drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton and hike the rest of the way. This is their first day of summer vacation, the perfect time for the boys to work on their outdoor badges for Webelos.

  “We’ll have to eat whatever they cook over the campfire this evening. Think you can handle that?”

  After a period of silence she answered, “It sounds like a lot of fun. But I should go on those job interviews later.”

  “There’s always tomorrow.” He was curious to see how much of a fight she would put up before he told her she had no choice but to come with him.

  “You make it impossible to turn you down, but there’s still one problem, Cord. I really do need to stop at the transcript office at the university first. It’s ten after eight, so they should be open. Perhaps you could drop me off while you pick up the boys, then come back for me? Or would it be more convenient to get them first and then wait for me while I run in?”

  Cord felt in his gut she was a good person. That impression was strengthened by the fact that she’d given him a choice of what to do. If she were hungry for a story on his family she would have jumped at the chance to see where his nephew lived.

  Then again, maybe this was part of a well-thought-out plan by a top-notch actress who could improvise with the best of them.

  “I’ll run you by the student services center first. It’s on the way.”

  After another stretch of silence, she murmured, “All right. If my sneakers will do, then I’m ready.”

  Good. By the end of the day he would know the truth. The whole truth.

  “What you’re wearing is fine. I brought everything else you might need.”

  “Thank you. I was planning to walk to the university to get in some exercise, but since we’re going on a hike, I’ll avail myself of your services.” She lifted her softly rounded chin. “To the university, James.”

  Her directive came out in an authentic-sounding British accent. In spite of all his misgivings, Cord laughed as he pulled into the stream of traffic.

  KIT FELT TORN UP with guilt.

  Once she’d started to lie, it seemed to compound. She’d had no intention of going to the university. But Cord’s unexpected appearance had forced her to give some semblance of putting survival before pleasure.

  Here she was, supposed to be a homeless person trying to get started in a new life. Gwen had given her the benefit of the doubt, and had gone to special trouble to let her stay in the cottage.

  So what was she doing with Cord, who had no clue what was really going on?

  You know the answer to that, Kit. The temptation to spend a whole day with him is too much to resist.

  He acted as if it didn’t matter that she put off those interviews for another day. But that was because he was attracted to her. Deep down he probably didn’t respect her very much for treating her situation in such a cavalier manner. Little did he know she despised herself for her weakness where he was concerned.

  She was wrong to get involved with him when her own life was in such turmoil. With her mom so recently passed away, and the seriousness of the situation where her true parentage was concerned staring her in the face, her relationship with Cord wasn’t only inappropriate, it had to end.

  Today had to be the last day they were together until the whole heart-wrenching ordeal was over. Thank goodness Brock and his friend would be along to provide a buffer.

  “I’ll try not to be a long time,” she said as he dropped her off in the parking area.

  “Don’t worry about it. While you talk to the registrar, I’ll pick up the boys.”

  She shut the door and hurried inside the building. In case he decided to come in and find her, she realized she had to follow through on what she’d told him she would do.

  To her relief there were no long lines. Within ten minutes she’d learned that the university would accept all but one of her classes at USC. Though the possibility of her ever attending the University of Utah at a future date was remote, the information pleased her.

  Kit hurried back out to the parking lot, where Cord was waiting with Brock and his friend, Ryan Wentworth. When she imparted her good news, Cord acted excited for her, thus setting the mood for their outing.

  She’d been forced to wait until tomorrow to meet with Mr. McFarland. If for some reason he still wasn’t available, she would contact Mr. Cosgriff. Then everything would be different, including her relationship with Cord. Once he learned the truth about her reasons for lying to get in the shelter, his feelings for her could change. He might not want to go on seeing her. She had no way of knowing what his reaction would be.

  Until then, all she had was the pleasure of his company for one more day. Intoxicated by his nearness, she intended to enjoy every precious moment with him.

  “Guess what, Kit? My ants have dug tunnels all over. I can’t believe it! One of them has already died. I watched another one drag it into a tunnel over on the side. Mom got out the camcorder and filmed it.”

  Kit was tickled tha
t the ant farm had turned out to be such a hit with him. “Isn’t it amazing they have cemeteries just like humans?”

  “It’s cool!” Ryan interjected. “They even have a food storage tunnel. My mom’s going to buy me an ant farm tomorrow.”

  Cord shot her an approving glance that warmed her to her toes. “Kit’s an exciting person to know. I’m sure she’ll be able to give you boys great tips on outdoor cooking.”

  Brock leaned forward. “Can you light a fire without matches?”

  “Yes, but I don’t have the necessary items with me.”

  “Never fear, Ranger Cord is here,” said the man at the wheel in a Smoky the Bear voice.

  Everyone laughed, including Kit, who couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Come to think of it, he would look fantastic in a ranger’s outfit, she’d decided. In fact, it wouldn’t matter what he wore, what he did. He was sensational. So sensational, she knew without a doubt she’d fallen in love with him.

  The knowledge almost swept her away. She averted her eyes, hoping he couldn’t see the adoration in them.

  Throughout the rest of the drive to Brighton, a famous ski resort in winter, according to the brochure, the boys chatted with Cord about their favorite video games. There were tame ones they’d grown bored with, and violent ones their moms wouldn’t let them buy. Kit sat there, amused by the conversation, while she took in the fabulous canyon scenery.

  When they reached the top of the mountain, Cord suggested they check out a couple of designated campsites before they started their hike. Part of their Outdoorsman badge requirement was to set up an evening camp, cook a meal, clean up after and observe fire safety.

  “This looks like a good one.” He pulled off the loop road and parked the car under some trees. After he and the boys put on their backpacks, the four of them set off up the trail.

  Kit considered herself in good shape, but found she was puffing by the time they reached a pass, where Cord pointed out three small mountain lakes, Mary, Martha and Catherine. Snow still clung in patches among the crevices.