Daughter's Return

by Rebecca Winters

  He eyed her curiously. “That’s right. At the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Albion Basin, the most beautiful spot in the world. Our great-great-great-grandfather must have thought so, too, because he bought the land the second he saw it.”

  An anxious look crossed over her mother’s face. “Darling—what’s wrong? I felt you shiver just now.”

  Suddenly the whole family was staring at Kathryn with concern.

  “You’re not going to believe me when I tell you.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “KAMILA?” JAKE CALLED OUT quietly in case the baby was asleep. “I’m home.”

  She walked in the kitchen to greet him. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

  He gave her a hug. “Me, too. Where’s my little brother?”

  “I put him down about twenty minutes ago. I thought you’d bring Maggie in with you.”

  “I would have, but the whole family will be arriving on the company plane any minute now. Her mother asked her to hurry to the house and get the bedroom on the main floor ready for Kathryn.”

  “Why didn’t you go with her and help?”

  He grimaced. “She didn’t ask me.”

  “Did you offer?”

  “No. Their family just got Kathryn back. Maggie’s in as much of a daze as the rest of them.”

  Kamila shook her head. “You’re the one who’s in the daze, Jake. Why are you being so stubborn? What are you afraid of?”

  His jaw hardened. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “That was a Robert Halsey remark if I ever heard one, and I’m not going to let you get away with it.”

  He couldn’t handle the kind of conversation Kamila had in mind right now. Picking up his suitcase, he walked through the house to his bedroom. En route he passed the study.

  She’d left on the TV. There was a picture of Maggie’s parents on the screen.

  “Good grief—it’s made the news already. No doubt the hospital couldn’t resist leaking it to the press.”

  “It’s huge news, Jake. Since five o’clock, Kathryn’s story has been on every channel. They’ve shown footage from twenty-six years ago. It would have broken your heart to watch.”

  “The media can’t leave it alone.”

  “That’s the kind of world we live in. You sound exhausted. Why don’t you take a shower while I fix you something to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  By the time he reached his room, he realized he’d taken out his foul mood on Kamila. Dumping his suitcase on the bed, he retraced his steps to the study.

  “Kamila? Forgive me for being rude just now. There’s no excuse.”

  She eyed him from the couch. “A Halsey in a state of undeclared love is worse than a woman scorned.”

  He shut off the TV with the remote and sank down in the chair next to the coffee table. “The McFarland family is an exclusive club.”

  “You think you’re not welcome?”

  “No. That’s not the problem. It’s Maggie. Her instinct to sacrifice herself for them puts distance between us, a distance she doesn’t see.”

  “In other words you’re hurt that you’re not the whole focus of her life.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to. If you weren’t in so much pain, you’d see the irony here and laugh.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “In the past you’ve always run a mile from women who needed you to validate their existence. Don’t you know you’re a man who comes across as bigger than life? It’s possible Maggie is afraid she doesn’t measure up.”

  “Maggie?” he cried out. “You have to be joking.”

  “Not at all. Does she know you were married to Barb for two years?”

  “Yes. What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Possibly everything.”

  “You’ve lost me.”

  “In Maggie’s eyes, a bigger-than-life guy had to be married to a bigger-than-life woman, right? That’s what I thought after I met your father.”

  “You did?”

  “Oh, Jake. Let me explain this from a woman’s point of view. My point of view at least. I assumed that any man as attractive as he was, who’d remained a widower all those years, had to still be in love with his wife’s memory.”

  Kamila had just grabbed his attention.

  “But unlike aggressive me, who has never known loss of any kind until your father died,” she continued, “Maggie’s family history has made her emotionally cautious to the extreme. She needs help. What have you done for her in that department?”

  He stared at Kamila. Her insight into human nature staggered him.

  His mind flashed back to a certain conversation that night in the Uintas when Maggie had asked him if he’d loved his wife terribly. When he remembered his honest answer to her, he shot to his feet and smacked his palm with his fist.

  Instead of reassuring her that he was eager to know that kind of love again and build a new life with someone else, he’d rolled away from her so he wouldn’t be tempted to get physical with her before she was ready.

  “Your father played hot and cold with me until I almost began to believe he was the kind who would always enjoy the chase, but not the kill.”

  “How did you bring him to his knees?”

  “I called him at Steiner’s to say goodbye. He didn’t know it was from Mrs. Strom’s apartment across the hall. I told him I’d decided to go back to Warsaw with Rayna, and we were getting ready to call for a taxi.

  “She’d already left for the airport of course, but I didn’t tell him that. Without giving him a chance to say anything, I hung up. That began the waiting game from the crack in Mrs. Strom’s door. If he didn’t come to the apartment to stop me, then I’d determined to leave Prague with Rayna.”

  Jake began to chuckle.

  “My heart almost failed me when he suddenly came running down the hall and beat on our door. When no one answered, I heard some amazing new words come out of him. Finally I took pity on him and said, ‘Just kidding.’

  “When he turned around and saw me, he was angry. But his eyes said something else. That’s when I knew I had him.”

  “You had him all right. When I got home from class that day he was whistling like crazy.”

  She smiled. “That was the day we worked everything out. So what I’m trying to say is, why don’t you let this be the night you work everything out with Maggie.”

  “This is their family’s night, Kamila.”

  “So? Go barge in. Why do you think the notion of the knight on the white horse coming to rescue the fair damsel has persisted through the ages? Beneath all those layers that make Maggie McFarland such a fascinating woman, lives a very vulnerable female who needs reassurance.

  “Let her know she’s the bigger-than-life woman in your life now. Don’t leave her in any doubt. A woman likes to know a man will walk through fire for her.”

  “Like breaching the walls of the McFarland battlements,” he murmured.

  Her eyes lit up. “Exactly.”

  Jake liked the idea of that picture a lot.

  “Thanks for helping me get my head on straight, Kamila. I’m going to take a shower.”

  “And then?”

  She must have driven his father nuts. “And then I’m going to do what I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.”

  MAGGIE DASHED UPSTAIRS for the floor lamp in her childhood bedroom. It would be the perfect height for Kathryn when she wanted to sit in a chair to read.

  She pulled the plug from the socket, then picked up the lamp and started across the room with it. But to her surprise she was met by both brothers before she reached the door. Even more puzzling was the fact that they’d closed it behind them.

  “What are you guys doing up here?”

  “We thought this would be the best place to talk in private.” Ben took the lamp from her and set it by the wall.

  “But Kathryn—”

  “Kathryn’s busy loo
king at her baby book with Mom and Dad,” Cord informed her. “And once she’s finished with that, they’ve got a ton of scrapbooks to pore over. They’re in heaven and don’t know anyone else exists right now. Everyone else is in the pool.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Plenty,” Ben muttered, “and you know it. Sit down, Maggie. You’re like a squirrel running up and down a tree, always in motion.”

  She chose to remain standing. “I seem to recall a time not too long ago when you were guilty of the same thing.”

  “You’re right, and it almost cost me my family. But I wised up before it was too late.”

  “Too late? What are you talking about?”

  “Jake,” Cord stated baldly. “Where is he?”

  “At his apartment.”

  “Whose idea was that?”

  “It wasn’t an idea. I dropped him off on the way home from the airport.”

  Ben folded his arms. “Why didn’t you bring him to the house?”

  “I didn’t think he wanted to come. On the flight home he talked a lot about Kamila and his little brother. I knew he was anxious to see them and make certain everything was all right while he’d been gone.”

  “You could have waited for him to touch base, and then brought him over here.”

  “He didn’t try to make plans with me, so I assumed he was glad to be back with his family.”

  “The man’s got it bad for you.”

  “Not that bad, Cord. I’ve given him chances to make his move.”

  “When?” Ben demanded.

  “When we slept over in the mountains, and when we were in the hotel room in Milwaukee.”

  “Both times you were on a mission,” came his shrewd observation. “A man wants to know he’s not going to be disturbed. Now that there’s no more mission, what are you going to do about it?”

  She stiffened. “I’m not going to do anything. He’s leaving in January.”

  Cord frowned. “So you can’t go with him?”

  Maggie averted her eyes. “No.”

  “Why not? Mom’s got her baby back. You’re free.”

  “But Jake isn’t.”

  “Bull,” Ben blurted. “His wife’s been gone too long for him to still be grieving.”

  “I wasn’t talking about his wife.”

  “His career then,” Cord suggested. “You’re afraid he’ll get killed in the line of duty.”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s bull, too. Ben and I figured out a long time ago he’s no police detective from San Diego. The guy’s a lethal weapon with contacts only a few elite people have access to.”

  Maggie’s heart started to race.

  “Be assured his secret is safe with us.”

  She stuck out her McFarland chin. “In that case you’ll understand why there’s no point to this conversation.”

  “Tell him you want him to give it up. Maybe all he’s waiting for is to hear the words.”

  “Don’t you think I want to beg him to stay in Salt Lake?” she cried.

  “Why don’t you then?”

  “I’m afraid.”

  “Where’s the faith that kept you believing our sister was alive?”

  “That was different.”

  “The hell it is,” Ben protested. “You didn’t know what the outcome would be, but you never gave up.”

  “Ben’s right,” Cord declared. “You’ve got to fight for your love the same way you fought to find Kathryn.”

  “But—”

  “Now you’re sounding like Mom used to sound. No buts, Maggie.” Ben had never been so fierce. “Get on the phone and ask Jake to come over for a swim.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “We know.” Cord smiled before pulling out his cell phone. “What’s his number?”

  Her brothers weren’t about to let her get out of this. “Oh, all right. I’ll do it.”

  “Good.” He handed it to her.

  Taking a shaky breath, she punched the digits. Her heart was beating so fast, she would probably expire before he answered. When all she got was his voice mail, her disappointment was too great to leave a message.

  “He’s not answering.”

  “Maybe he’s in the shower. He’ll get back to me when he sees my caller ID. You keep the phone. Want to bet he’ll be calling within the next five minutes?”

  “Cord and I will rustle up some swim trunks for Jake while you change. Meet you at the pool.” Ben grabbed the lamp and the two of them disappeared out the door.

  Convinced Jake had gone to bed or was watching TV and didn’t want to be disturbed, she had no other choice but to join the rest of the family. This was Kathryn’s homecoming. Maggie had no desire to spoil it for her.

  Quickly she changed into her suit and slipped on a beach robe. Before long, she walked out to the pool where everyone had congregated. Even Steve was here, and he waved to her from the pool. Kit must have called him to come over and meet Kathryn. Though it was only ten-fifteen, the night was still balmy, a perfect time to swim.

  Her parents had helped Kathryn onto a lounge chair to support her cast. She could watch the family, and go through picture albums at the same time.

  Ten minutes had passed and no phone call. Maggie put Cord’s cell phone on the patio table heaped with sandwiches, chips and drinks. He’d lost the bet.

  “Come on in, Aunt Maggie!” the children shouted with excitement.

  Her brothers had already joined Julie and Kit.

  She removed her robe and dove in the deep end. When she surfaced, Brock said, “I’ll race you five laps.”

  “You’re on.” Her nephew didn’t know it but she needed some physical activity to channel the feelings rioting inside her body. Everyone moved to the sides to make room for them.

  As Maggie kicked off for the last lap, someone with a steel-like grip caught her by the ankles. It was probably Ben, who’d wanted to give his son the advantage.

  She twisted around determined to dunk him. But that wasn’t possible because the man holding her fast had hunkered down at the edge of the pool. Since their flight, he’d changed into light gray trousers and a black silk shirt.

  “Jake—”

  His slow white smile turned her heart over. He still held on to her legs, forcing her to tread water with her arms.

  “Hope you don’t mind me crashing the party.”

  “I used Cord’s phone to call you to come over, but you didn’t answer.”

  “I saw his caller ID. Since I was on my way here, I figured I’d catch up to him.”

  Jake had come to the house of his own volition.

  “My brothers will lend you a suit.”

  “They already handed me one. I’ll change and be right back.”

  She watched his powerful frame until he disappeared inside the cabana. When she became cognizant of her surroundings, her brothers shot her a glance that said “We told you so.”

  “How come you’re wearing a T-shirt?”

  Trust Katy to ask that question the second Jake reappeared wearing plaid trunks. He had a spectacular physique.

  “I had some surgery a while ago, Katy. The scars are still healing.”

  “Ooh. Do they hurt?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Who’s up for a game of water polo?” Cord shouted.

  Everyone responded in the affirmative.

  “I wish I could play with you,” Kathryn called out.

  “Don’t worry. Your day will come, little sister. Okay, Jake? Why don’t you, Steve, Maggie and Brock stand the rest of us.”

  For the next twenty minutes it was a battle. Maggie had never had so much fun in her life. Jake went at it like a naval destroyer, blowing away the competition. Her brothers put up a mighty struggle, but in the end they were solidly beaten.

  When they laughingly called it quits, Maggie swam over to him. “I’m afraid your shoulder’s going to be in pain.”

  His black hair, slicked back by the water, made him look dangerous. And gorgeous.
“Actually it was good for me. The more exercise I get, the better it feels. I needed this after the flight.”

  “So did I.” She was winded, but not because of the polo game. “How are Kamila and the baby?”

  His dark blue eyes wandered over her facial features. “They’re fine.”

  Maggie clung to the side of the pool. “That’s good. If she hadn’t been waiting for you, I would have asked you to come home with me.”

  “They’ve gone to bed. You can ask me now.”

  He’d deliberately misconstrued what she’d meant. The old Maggie would have let it pass, but tonight she needed an answer to a certain question. Before she lost her nerve, she said, “Why don’t we both change and leave.”

  “Your family won’t mind?”

  She looked beyond him to the patio. “Mom and Dad have already taken Kathryn inside. Things are winding down.”

  “Then I’ll follow you home.” He levered himself to the deck and headed for the cabana. Maggie couldn’t take her eyes off of him. In a little while they were going to be alone with no possibility of anything or -one disturbing them.

  A voluptuous shiver enveloped her body. She swam to the steps and got out of the pool. Everyone had clustered around the table to eat. As she slipped on her beach robe, her eyes met her brothers’ questioning glances.

  They loved her. She knew that. It was the reason why she flashed them a mysterious smile on her way into the house.

  THE CABANA HAD A SHOWER ROOM with every kind of toiletry. Jake took advantage of what was offered. When he’d dressed and emerged minutes later, he felt totally alive and eager to join Maggie. For the first time in their relationship, she’d provided an opening inside that tight circle she’d drawn around herself.

  He nodded good-night to the family and strode through the breezeway to his car at the bottom of the drive. Soon her car was backing down to the street. Their eyes met in passing.

  Within five minutes they’d reached the plaza and he’d followed her inside her condo. As far as he was concerned, the click of the lock closing out the world had symbolic significance.

  One lamp lit her study. She didn’t bother to add more light. Her hair was still damp from her shower. She smelled sweet and feminine. In fact, she looked like a bride in her lacy white dress that flounced around her knees. It was the kind bought by tourists in Mexico. Only a tall woman like Maggie should wear one.