“You thought about what I said the other night?” he asked.
“I did. Clark killed my friend. He has to pay for that. If the only way to catch him is to let him come after me, then we come up with a plan that ensures he’s brought to justice. Cash worries. That’s why Jake and Rush are here. You catch Clark. They keep me safe. It’s as simple as that. Here’s what I have in mind…”
Two hours later, the men shook hands, and Cash latched on to her elbow. He’d finally accepted the wisdom of Kate’s plan.
“You’re a smart cookie, know that?” he asked, not altogether happy.
“I’m glad you think so. If everything goes as we expect, Clark should be in custody by the end of the week.”
“Then I’ll check us out while you pack. Do you think everyone will buy a male assistant at Stars of Hope?”
“There may be a few skeptics, but Rush will put them all at ease. He has the skill set and the personality to carry it off. Having him as a trainee is a good cover, so he can maneuver in and out of the office without raising suspicion and at the same time put your mind at ease that a capable bodyguard is looking out for me.”
“Rush McAlvoy, white collar executive assistant. Blows my mind.” Cash laughed.
“The concert is next Saturday night. This afternoon, he and I will go to the office together. I’ll introduce him as a new hire, someone highly recommended. The girls will eat him up. Who knows? He might actually like the job and decide to stay.”
“Great—but not until after the arrest. I want him thinking with the head on top of his shoulders until then.”
She hit him playfully on the arm, and he pretended injury. “I know you have a million things to do at the VA. They’ve been extremely understanding about you taking so much time off.”
“I’m covered, the work hasn’t suffered, and as far as they are concerned, I’m taking care of business until after next weekend. You have Allison’s schedule? Her flights booked and all that?”
She nodded. “I’ve reserved a room for her at the hotel. She can rest, have a lunch, nap, whatever she likes. A limo will take her to River Stadium two hours before the performance. If she’s amenable, we’ll have a champagne reception with the VIP guests, and then we’ll sit back and be entertained by the magic that is Allison.”
“I hope she decides to stay the night. I’d love a chance to catch up with her and Brodie. I’ll keep hands off until after the dinner—I want the big spenders to get their money’s worth.”
She tucked her arms through his and gazed into his face. “You’re so good to me.”
“I want to be good to you for the rest of our lives.” The light kiss he brushed against her lips deepened as she opened to him. “Maybe we could check out in an hour…” He keyed the door, kicked it shut, and walked her to the edge of the bed. “Or two.”
Three hours later, he walked her to the lobby of her offices. Rush waited patiently, laughing with the security guards and glancing at his watch.
Faking introductions all around, Cash and Rush shook hands, and Cash left for the VA.
Rush accompanied Kate to the elevators, eyes wide, lips twitching in ill-concealed humor. “I expected you an hour ago. You’ll have to do better than this, or I’ll think you’re a bad girl.”
Kate puckered her lips, as heat rose to her cheeks. “Yes, well…something came up.”
Rush roared.
Just as she expected, the entire office was thoroughly charmed by her new assistant. The girls checked out his muscles from under their lashes, and the guys shared fist bumps while he cracked jokes and made friends. Before an hour passed, he knew everyone’s name, their spouse’s names, their children’s names, and probably the names of their dogs and cats.
He fit right in.
His first order of business was to move his desk directly in front of her door from the side where it normally sat. If anyone wanted to get to Kate, they would have to go through him first—literally. After what happened to Sarah, most of the office appreciated he had her back.
Kate set appointments the following day to meet the scholarship finalists, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The last visit of the day would be the Turner family. James had another six weeks before finishing his senior year. He’d been accepted at Vanderbilt in Nashville and at Alabama’s Tuscaloosa campus. Both schools offered a partial basketball scholarship. Kate wanted to make sure Stars of Hope paid the balance of tuition and expenses. All James had to do was study hard and keep his GPA where it needed to be.
Ragusa checked in and assured her Clark had not been anywhere near her office. Breathing a sigh of relief, she wondered how long it would be before he made contact.
Rush smoothed the way through her appointments the next day, and the day after that. As far as she was concerned, the four students they’d chosen were a good fit. Two full rides—four years at thirty thousand per year, per student. Approximately two hundred and forty thousand. A partial for Todd Burnham—around eighteen per year at Purdue. That put them about two thousand in the hole. James Turner? She was waiting on feedback from Vandy and Bama before putting a dollar amount on what he would need.
The most difficult part of the entire process for Kate had been the meeting with James’ mom, Lou. It was apparent from her appearance she was in the last stages of her disease, and knew it. The love and concern for her oldest child was in every gesture she made, every word she spoke. Her own future decided, her main concern was for James and her daughters. Four girls in high school and a son who felt his responsibility was to his family while feeling the pressure to get an education so he could take care of that family. There was no way he could support his sisters and himself on the small stipend from the church where he served as youth pastor.
His father had served with distinction and lost his life as a result. Kate was determined to find a way to keep the family together.
In two days, she’d ask the population of her city to underwrite a cause that was dear to her heart. Perhaps they could be persuaded to be more generous than usual. It wasn’t in the charter of the foundation, but she could certainly make a personal appeal.
As it turned out, Allison Chandler Miller had an idea. And Kate was sure it would work.
Chapter Twenty
Clark Burgess sat in full view, at a front table, in a sidewalk café across from the office building that housed Stars of Hope. Kate had returned to working at her office, and he had been watching her the entire time.
At first, it surprised him she didn’t have her lap dog hanging off her skirts. The blind man was pathetic the way he sniffed after her and wouldn’t let her out of his sight. Not that he was surprised. Katherine was a beautiful woman—with or without her diseased breast. He’d have to learn to disguise his disgust at the appearance of the thing. All the scars, the shape, the travesty of her reconstruction would be appalling. Still, the rest of her was…well, was Katherine. Unique. Beautiful. And once she became used to the idea of their being together again, she’d be as loving and giving as she’d always been. She was the only woman who quelled the demons. He never heard the voices when he was with her. Those ugly voices urging him, driving him, to cut, to get rid of imperfections, purify her body in preparation for a life with him.
Never with her.
He’d thought himself cured, that he would never need or want another woman. The demons had been dormant, giving him hope that, with her, they would be vanquished forever. Then…cancer. Operations, chemo, radiation, the fetid odor of sickness, watching her pale and waste away. He couldn’t take it. He foolishly left her, and the demons returned. Demanded another Katherine, then another and another, until they told him only she would do.
And it wouldn’t be long now.
With dyed hair, now grown long and pulled back in a short ponytail, a padded suit that gave him an extra twenty pounds, and lifts adding inches to his height, he’d strolled into the stupid cop’s station to report a rabid dog roaming the neighborhood, and waited, giving th
em a chance to recognize him.
Idiots.
They took the report, half-heartedly taking down his description, false name, and address. He may as well have been invisible. Even stared into the conspicuous camera in the corner of the room, nodded, and smiled. Gave them every opportunity… Nothing.
The last two days, he’d weaved in and out of the area around her office. Again, nothing.
His confidence confirmed, he could make his move whenever he chose. But a taste for the dramatic demanded a supreme gesture when he took her. She’d realize how much he cared, be grateful he’d taken her back. She’d do anything he required of her, and that lap dog would do nothing about it. He’d be dead.
Clark watched and waited and listened. She’d planned a gala party to raise donations for Stars of Hope. With his new appearance, it should be easy to get close enough to lift a press pass. Reporters would be all over Ms. Chandler after the performance; Kate would be by her side. The confusion surrounding them should provide a good cover while he snatched her. A short walk to the car and, voilà, he had his baby with him again. And the voices would stop.
He enjoyed piano music, and, after all, Allison Chandler was one of the world’s best, but the grand finale would be the reunion with his lady love. His body reacted, swelling as he remembered the fine texture of her skin beneath the caress of his fingers. The only woman he’d enjoyed, the only one who stopped the others from invading his mind. He needed her; had to have her.
Yes, they whispered in his ear. Saturday after the gala. Take her, and when she’s yours, bring her to us.
Had he been alone, not sharing the sidewalk with afternoon patrons intent on gorging their bellies and quenching their thirsts, he would have shouted to the sky. Soon his Kate would be in his arms once again. She would belong only to him, as it was always meant to be.
All that was left to do was get rid of Montgomery. He narrowed his gaze at the double-door entrance of the building under surveillance. Clear to the left, but…there…behind the iron gates, below the basement steps, pretending to be loitering, a man hiding behind dark glasses. Far too interested in sidewalk pedestrians near Kate’s offices. She was being watched—beyond the more obvious police presence. He figured as much. A complication, nothing more. If the idiots hadn’t spotted him by now, they wouldn’t notice him at all.
Come on, baby. Come out and let me see you. Just one look to hold me until Saturday night. Then I’ll have my arms around you, and we’ll be together again. Forever. Nothing to come between us; nothing to stop us.
There.
Kate paused at the top of the three steps to pull out a folder and pass it to the tall blond man who kept his hand on her elbow. She glanced up and laughed at something he said. Maybe Montgomery wasn’t as much a part of her life as he wanted to think. One man he could handle. Two? If he had to.
Clark left twenty dollars on the table and gathered his umbrella and briefcase. Deliberately pushing between two undercover cops loitering by the streetlight to his left, he murmured apologies and edged his way toward a waiting cab. They hadn’t a clue, even as he leered at them through the window as the car drove past.
The plan was a good one. He couldn’t fail.
****
Rush walked Kate to her door, inserted her key, and did a thorough walk-through.
“All clear. Looks like you’re good. Any idea when Cash will be home?”
She shook her head. “He was picking up his new glasses at the doctor’s office this afternoon. I hope they’ll help—meet his expectations.”
He touched her forearm with his finger. “Hey, no worries. Cash can handle it, whatever the outcome.”
“You’re right.” She sighed. “I just want the best for him. The war, the injury, and all those surgeries…”
“Yeah, that’s Cash,” Rush said. “He’s always put everyone else first. Oh, he hit a rough patch when he came home, after Ray died and all. He was going through rehab and trying to take care of a little girl at the same time. He’s a good man, Kate. He deserves to be happy.”
“Yes, he does,” she agreed softly.
“Lucy, I’m home,” Cash joked as he walked through the door.
Those compelling, magnetic eyes framed by new dark rims sought her out. The brilliant blue clung to hers, analyzing her reaction. He winked. “Well, what do you think?”
Rush stepped back as Kate made her way to stand in front of him. On tiptoe, she brushed her lips against his, then grinned and mussed his hair. “You look good enough to eat, that’s what I think. The question is, how do you see?”
“Not twenty-twenty, but much better than before. Enough to see how gorgeous you are.”
Clearing the thickness from his throat, Rush mumbled something ending in “later” and closed the door firmly behind him.
Kate and Cash didn’t spare a glance. Their eyes probed deeply, searching, absorbing, tenderly sharing the moment.
“What do you see?” she whispered.
His gaze melted into hers. “I see an angel. With an irresistible smile, the mouth of a temptress, and sunlight shining on her face. You’re so beautiful, so damn beautiful.”
His arms enveloped her, and she hugged him, face to his chest, tears escaping though she tried not to cry. He can see.
His mouth covered hers, compelling, potent. Her pulse quickened. The erratic thumping of her heart answering the strong beat of his against her breast.
Her breast.
A cold knot formed in her chest. He could see. See her body with each imperfection. Every scar, every raw, red line, every hideous disfigurement.
He could see.
Everything.
An unwelcome thought flashed in her brain. What would it mean? For her? For him?
Cash was not Clark. Of course he wasn’t. Cash had traced each incision with sensitive fingers. Banished her self-consciousness, renewed her confidence, accepted and even appreciated her flaws. Knew her body as well as his own. Brought her warmth, love, rapture. She was happy for him—beyond happy.
But that was before. The butterflies in her belly became boulders, and she struggled to disguise the stiffening of her body.
Mixed feelings surged through her. It wasn’t fair. She wouldn’t spoil this for him. His joy in being able to see again was monumental, as was hers. She’d deal with her own doubts and inhibitions later. Right now, she wanted to celebrate the final step in his recovery, and the joy at what this would mean for him and Suzanna.
She’d never been able to fool him. Cash’s blue eyes darkened as he held her gaze. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.
“Absolutely nothing.” she lied. Not very well.
Cash frowned, his lips thinning. “Tell me you aren’t thinking what I think you’re thinking.”
Kate bit her lip, then attempted a feeble giggle. “Right now, the only thing I’m thinking is how wonderful it is that you can see and that we should call Suzanna immediately.”
Cash pulled out his phone, dialed, and put her on speaker phone.
“Daddy!” She could hear Suzanna’s squeal. “I miss you. When can I come home? I mean, Gram is great and all, it’s just I miss you and Kate so much. How is she? Are you staying safe? Have they caught that awful Mr. Burgess yet?”
“Questions, munchkin, questions. Yes, I hope you can come home soon. We’re fine, safe. Kate’s here with me right now, and we’re calling with some good news.”
Quick on the draw, Suzanna guessed. “You got your glasses, didn’t you? I’m so excited. Can you see? How much can you see?” Kate could hear her passing on the information to her grandmother in the background, and the tapping of her feet on the floor as she jumped up and down in excitement.
“I can see more than I anticipated. Better than we hoped, munchkin.”
“And Kate?” Suzanna prodded.
“She’s as beautiful as you said.” He laughed.
“Told you. So have you asked her yet?”
“She…ah…sends her love. We have the co
ncert this weekend. I’ll be sure and tell Ms. Allison you said hello.”
“I wish I could see her. I’m so excited. You’re as good as new. I love you. So, so, so much. You and Kate.”
“I love you, too, munchkin. Can’t wait to see you. I’ll be sure to give Ms. Allison your love. Be good for Gram.”
“Love you, too, Daddy. This is the best news ever. Give Kate a kiss, and tell her I want some of those oatmeal cookies when I get home.”
“Will do, baby. Bye.” He rang off.
Kate hadn’t moved. He came up behind her, one arm around her waist, his hand warm on her abdomen. The other circled in front, caging her in.
“Tell me what’s wrong. You hate the way I look in my glasses? Too nerdy for you?”
Leaning back against his chest, she shook her head. “More like too awesome for me.”
Cash was no dummy. She was happy for him. Ecstatic. But she was scared, too. It was fine to drop her defenses when his vision was clouded and he couldn’t see the exact condition of her breast. But now, he would be able to see everything—shape, texture, her areola, nipple, the scars, everything.
“Hey,” he gently began. “You’re worrying for nothing. I love you, Kate. I love everything about you. Nothing will change that. You see your scars as repulsive. I see your scars as a badge of courage. You fought. You survived. You won. Because of those scars, I have you in my life. Suzanna has you, and we need you, sweetheart. Don’t make this bigger than it has to be. It’s nothing. Your life is everything.”
Kate nodded as a few hot tears escaped the corners of her eyes.
“You’re stressed and tired. How does a hot shower and a rest sound? We can have a glass of wine, I’ll put on my midnight music, and we can relax, maybe even share a dance or two?”
“A little night music would be nice,” she agreed, and squeezed his arm. “And you are a really good dancer.”
“Your wish, lady, is my command.” Cash grinned and bowed from the waist. “Hit the shower, and I’ll set us up out here. Red? Or white?”
A Little Night Music Page 19