Second Chance Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 2)

by Agnes Alexander

  “There’s no stopping a man like that, Red. Just continue to be thankful, as you are now and as your mother was, that he left Kay alone. In his twisted mind, he must have thought he was in love with his daughter. Molesters don’t usually stick to one child. In my practice, I’ve seen it happen, and mostly by family members. Little girls no more than three or four have been brought in for treatment. The cruelty breaks your heart sometimes.”

  “Oh, Cole, I never thought of you having to do that. I always thought of your job as making women like me happy by delivering their babies.”

  “That’s the good part of the job, Darlene. It’s a privilege to be there and see those little miracles come into this world, but there’s a darker side.”

  “I can attest to that. There are nights when Cole has come home and looked at our children and cried because some little one has been hurt or even killed at the hands of a monster. Makes me want to lock our babies in their room until they’re twenty.”

  “I worry about our boys sometimes,” Darlene said.

  “It happens to boys, too.” Cole shook his head. “Of course, in my line of work, I don’t see it often. Only when I’m called in or if I happen to be in the emergency room when a little fellow is brought in.”

  “I guess…”

  Alisa was interrupted by the telephone. She turned and picked it up from the counter. She smiled when she heard the voice on the other end. “Hello, Jude. Have you found Kay yet?”

  They all came to attention.

  “Not yet. I’ve been trying to call Red to let him know what I’ve found out. Can’t get him on his cell or at his home, but I left a message.”

  “Red’s right here. I’ll let you talk to him.” She handed the phone toward Red. “He hasn’t found Kay, but has made some progress.”

  Red took the phone and walked from the dining room.

  “Oh, I hope he does find her.” Darlene’s eyes brightened.

  “So do I.” Alisa smiled. “Both our families have a stake in this.”

  “Yes, we do, and I know if she can be found, Dad will find her.” Cole laughed. “I think my dad is in love for the first time in his life.”

  “I’m sure he loved your mother, honey.”

  “I’m not positive about that. I think they may have just been used to each other and didn’t consider things could be any better. They fought and fussed all the time. The only time it was quiet at the house was when they were asleep.”

  “But he was hurt when she left him.”

  “So was I, but it wasn’t long until we both realized it was for the best. It wasn’t until then that they both had a chance to be happy. It was the council woman who really messed him up. I think he might have loved her a little, or at least he was in deep lust. It did mess him up when she took off with that preacher.”

  “So-called preacher,” Darlene put in. “No really godly man would do a thing like that. Especially when he had a wife and three children at home.”

  “I think that was bad, but I’m one to talk. Look at the family I’m from.”

  “Your family isn’t so bad, Alisa.” Cole took her hand. “They produced a wonderful daughter.”

  “Humph. You’re being kind, dear husband, and to people who don’t even like you. Dad still calls my six-foot-two man ‘that little country doctor’ and Mom thinks Jude is a bumbling farmer. Money is so important to them. One of these days, I’m going to burst their bubble and tell them Jude could buy them out twenty times over and still have money to play with.”

  “Well, folks,” Red said, coming back into the room. “Jude knows where she lives now. He’s been there twice tonight.”

  “What did she say?” Darlene butted in.

  “She wasn’t there either time. He did talk to a couple of her neighbors, but they didn’t know if she was in town or not. Her housekeeper is gone, too, so there’s a possibility she did go out west. Jude said he’s still going to be at her office in the morning. He’ll call me sometime tomorrow.”

  “Sounds promising.” Darlene reached for his hand. “Keep the faith, baby.”

  “Will you call and let me know how it’s going, Red? I’ll be in my office all day unless I have an emergency delivery and I don’t expect that.”

  “Sure, and I’m sorry, Cole. I should have let you talk to your dad.”

  “No problem. He’ll call back if he wants to talk to me.”

  Darlene was still holding Red’s hand. “Honey, I think we’d better head home if we’re going to pick up the children tonight. Mom and Dad may want to go to bed.”

  “Thank goodness our boys are at a sleepover. The twins are sound asleep, but it’s close to feeding time. I expect to hear from them at any moment.” Alisa had barely finished speaking when a soft cry came from the bedroom.

  “I see what you mean. Let’s go, Red. They’re going to have their hands full in a very few minutes.”

  •♥ •

  Gilbert dressed in his flannel pajamas and crawled into his bed in his third-story room. When the Littletons bought the condo in Alexandria, Kay told him he could have one of the bedrooms on the second floor because they were larger than the one on the third, but he preferred to be up here. When Senator James was alive, Gilbert didn’t like to hear him criticize Ms. Kay, and he definitely didn’t like hearing Ms. Kay sobbing when her husband dressed up and went out late at night. He knew where the senator was headed, but he didn’t think Ms. Kay did. Not at first, anyway. Later she learned, but there was nothing she could do about it.

  Things weren’t so bad between them when they were in the house out west, because the Littletons had separate bedrooms. But here, the couple shared one. The other room on the second floor was reserved for Mr. Jimmy when he came home, or for the frequent guests Senator James had visit.

  The fighting became more infrequent as time went on. Ms. Kay came to terms with her husband’s indiscretions and managed to keep herself busy with the charities she supported and the causes she fought for.

  For some reason, which he eventually grew to understand, his bosses were happier in separate locations. Before Senator James died, Ms. Kay seemed most content to be out west and leave him to the young women he favored here. Now that she was the senator, she spent most of her time in Washington. He knew it was because without Jimmy, the west would never be the same for her.

  Of course, wherever Ms. Kay went, Gilbert went. He wasn’t about to let her travel across country alone. Besides, he liked her better than he did her husband. Mr. Littleton was good to him, but he didn’t understand a man like James Littleton. A man who had a woman like Ms. Kay should count his blessings daily and keep, as the traditional wedding vows say, ‘only unto her’. Senator James never seemed to understand this. In Gilbert’s eyes, he was not the brilliant senator everyone thought he was, he was a stupid and ungrateful man.

  Gilbert pulled the covers up under his chin and smiled to himself. He knew he hadn’t made all of Ms. Kay’s pain go away, but at least he’d helped a little. She enjoyed the ballet. He knew she had, because she watched it intently. Occasionally, when she didn’t know, he’d sneak a peek at her and see her smile. There was still sadness in her face, but for a short time she forgot her troubles.

  He wished she’d tell him what terrible thing had happened to her in North Carolina, but he knew she wouldn’t do it until she was ready. That is, if that time ever arose. Thought she shared many things with him, there were still some things in her life she shared with no one. He figured this might be one of those things, and as much as he loved her, he could accept that.

  Gilbert turned over, and as he always did before he went to sleep, he said his prayers, which he ended with blessing everyone he knew, especially Ms. Kay. Tonight was different. Tonight, he said aloud, “And Lord, when You bless Ms. Kay, please do something to take her sadness away. She’s had enough of that in her life and You and I both know it. Tomorrow is the special day and I can only try to help her in whatever her problem is, but You can fix it. Please do so. A
men.”

  •♥ •

  In her second-floor bedroom, Kay sat at her dressing table and looked into the mirror. She wasn’t looking at herself. She was contemplating the next day. She wished she hadn’t forgotten the item she always carried with her when she visited. That meant she had to go to the office in the morning. Usually, she didn’t when she planned to visit, but tomorrow, she had to. She couldn’t make the visit without it.

  Idly, she picked up her brush and began pulling it through her hair. She didn’t care that she’d already brushed it. It wouldn’t hurt to do it a second time.

  “Oh, Jude,” she muttered. “How I wish I could be with you tonight. It would make tomorrow so much easier.”

  She slammed down the brush and stared into her own eyes. “Get it through you head. You’ll never be with Jude Winslow again. He told you that, remember? Don’t be such a fool. You’ve got to take your own life in your hands. Day after tomorrow, you might as well call and tell the committee you’ve changed your mind. Tell them yes, you’ll run again for your senate seat. Forget retiring. Forget about moving back to North Carolina. There’s plenty of places you can go to get away from here. Forget Red. Forget Coverton Mills. Most of all, forget Jude Winslow.”

  She got up from the table, snapped off the light and got into bed. Strangely, she fell asleep quickly, but it wasn’t a peaceful sleep. She dreamed about babies, and horses and children with red hair. She dreamed about James and Gilbert and Mavis and Billy. She dreamed about snow and rain and airplanes. She dreamed about Jude and Jimmy. At five o’clock, she woke up crying.

  CHAPTER 18

  “Good morning, Senator. I’m surprised to see you here this morning,” Michelle, Kay’s always cheery secretary said.

  “Good morning, Michelle. I won’t be here long. I have to pick up something.”

  Michelle nodded. Kay stepped into her inner office. She knew Michelle was aware of what she had to have before going inside, but the girl was discreet enough not to say anything.

  •♥ •

  The outer door opened and Michelle looked up and swallowed her surprise. “May I help you, sir?” Her eyes showed she was immediately impressed by the handsome middle-aged man wearing a Stetson, well fitted jeans, western boots, and an expensive suede coat. There was no doubt that under the jacket was a nice western shirt and a belt with some kind of ornamental buckle. He was the picture of the cowboy a lot of women dreamed about, including her.

  “I hope you can help me, ma’am. My name’s Jude Winslow, and I’m here to see Senator Kay Littleton.”

  The drawl and the word ma’am weren’t lost on Michelle. “Did you have an appointment, sir?” She smiled seductively at him.

  “No, I’m sorry I didn’t, but I’m sure she’ll see me if you’ll just let her know I’m here.” Jude returned her smile.

  Michelle hesitated. “The senator is getting ready to leave, but have a seat and I’ll see if she can give you a few minutes.” Knowing Kay well, she knew the senator was always open to seeing her constituents, and by his dress, Michelle didn’t question the fact he might not be from Kay’s state.

  •♥ •

  As Jude moved to the side of the room where the chairs were located, he wanted to shout because she was actually here. He was glad the secretary couldn’t see how his hands were shaking. He removed his hat and sat down, twirling it in his hands to hide the shaking. He hoped he wouldn’t drop it.

  •♥ •

  Kay answered the buzz. “You know I’m not here, Michelle.”

  “Yes, I know you’re not.” Michelle was whispering. “But this cowboy just popped in. I’m sure he’s one of your constituents and I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Does he know I’m here?”

  “I’m afraid I told him you were here before I realized what I’d said.”

  Kay took a deep breath. “Okay. What’s his name?”

  “I’m sorry, Kay. I don’t remember. He’s so handsome it threw me, and I forgot what he said it was. Maybe Jake.”

  “Michelle, Michelle. When are you going to get it together, girl? Handsome men often throw you.”

  “I know, but wait until you see this one. I bet he’ll throw you too, Kay.”

  “I doubt that.” She took another breath. “Tell him I’ll give him five minutes, but wait two minutes to send him in.”

  “Okay.”

  Michelle turned to Jude. “Senator Littleton said she’d give you five minutes…”

  Jude got up. “That’s all I’ll need.”

  “But she said…”

  •♥ •

  He didn’t wait to hear her. He opened Kay’s door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her. She had her back to him and was taking something from the bookcase on the far wall beside a window. She hadn’t heard him come in.

  He devoured her with his eyes. She was wearing a wool beige pants suit with the fine Italian leather boots he’d seen before. There was a fur hat on top of her pretty blond hair and on the chair beside her was a long, beige cashmere coat, brown leather gloves, and a brown briefcase.

  Finally, he had the courage to say, “Hello, Kay.”

  •♥ •

  She froze. She recognized the voice immediately, but she didn’t turn around. She could see his reflection in the window. Her heart flip-flopped, but she kept her voice steady. “What are you doing here, Jude?”

  “I’ve come to get my woman.” His voice was flat, but firm.

  She didn’t move or turn around. She just stood there and watched his reflection.

  He came closer.

  “Why?” She almost couldn’t breathe.

  He tossed his hat in the chair with her briefcase and moved still closer to her. Close enough to reach out and touch her. As he folded his arms around her from behind, he said, “Because we love each other.”

  Kay knew if he’d only professed his love, she could have held her dignity and sent him away. Or if he’d even asked her to forgive him, she could have said no and he’d have to leave. But he hadn’t done either. He’d simply stated a true fact when he said, ‘we love each other.’ Her shoulders dropped, and he pulled her against him.

  She laid the item from the bookcase on her desk, face down. She then tilted her head back against his chest because he towered over her. She put her hands on top of his. “God help me, I guess we do,” she whispered.

  •♥ •

  Jude knew he was in a precarious position. The wrong move or the wrong words could send him out the door. He decided to fight the inclination to whirl her around and cover her with passionate kisses. He was going to take the cues from her. After all, she was the one who’d been spurned this time. Gently, he bent over her and put soft kisses on the side of her cheek, then her neck. She submitted, but didn’t turn around.

  “Kay…”

  She shook her head. “Please, don’t talk, Jude.”

  He grew quiet and held her. Again, he was silently praying. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. He decided to do nothing and let her make the first move.

  It seemed like a long time before she spoke. When she did, her words surprised him. “Will you go someplace with me, Jude?”

  “I’ll go anywhere with you, Kay.”

  She nodded and wiggled out of his arms. She picked up the item from the desk and slipped it into her brief case. She gave him a small smile as she handed him her coat. The smile had been so fast it disappeared from her face almost before he saw it, but he knew it was there for a second.

  He had the urge to grab her and show her with passion how much he cared, but it still didn’t seem to be the right time. He held her coat and she slipped it on. She put a fur scarf, which he hadn’t noticed before, around her neck and slipped her hands into her gloves. She looked at him with those aqua eyes and said in a soft voice, “I’m ready.”

  He picked up his hat and followed her out the door. Michelle looked puzzled and started to speak as they came into the outer o
ffice, but a look from Kay stopped her. She didn’t say anything, though Jude knew she’d wonder all day who this cowboy was and why her boss was leaving with him.

  When they went down the long outside steps, Jude was surprised to see a limo waiting. He didn’t have to wonder if it was for them when the driver jumped out and opened the back door. “Hello, Ms. Kay. Sir.”

  “Hello, Alvin.”

  Jude nodded.

  She climbed inside and he followed. The driver shut the door. Jude noticed the glass was up and wondered if Kay was going to give the driver instructions. She must have read his mind because she whispered, “He knows where to go.”

  Jude sat straight, almost stiffly on the back seat of the long car. He wasn’t sure what to do. He still had the feeling Kay should call the shots. She must’ve realized how unsure he was because she reached over and touched his hand.

  He smiled and she returned it, but again only for a second. As if in slow motion, he moved his arm across the back of the seat and let it slip around her shoulders. He didn’t have to wonder long if she was going to reject it because she moved close to him and leaned her head on his shoulder, without speaking.

  Even in the silence, he breathed easier. It felt good to have her close, and he wasn’t going to question her. He knew this time was fragile and he couldn’t afford to blow it. It was enough to be here with her and to feel her close and smell her distinct smell. A smell he wanted to bury himself in for the rest of his life. Thank goodness he’d remembered to put his cell phone on vibrate. He felt it tickle his hip, but he wasn’t about to answer it and break the spell. In a while, it quit ringing.

  When they crossed the bridge and he saw the Iwo Jima Memorial with the World War Two Soldiers raising the flag, he realized they were going to Arlington. He had no idea why.

  A little later, they entered the huge Memorial Cemetery. The driver seemed to know exactly where to go. He was waved on when he made each turn. Jude was awed by the vastness of the place. It was hard to comprehend the number of men and women who’d died in service to their country.