A Touch of Passion (boxed set romance bundle)

by Uvi Poznansky

  “Yeah. If Michael really wanted to marry that woman, why hasn’t he done it before now?”

  “What’s been holding him back? You don’t suppose that it’s always been Kate?”

  “We need a plan. I know I shouldn’t interfere. But Amanda Ryland will never make my Michael happy.”

  “When are they supposed to get married?”

  “Supposedly, not until next June. Amanda wants a huge wedding with all the trimmings, of course. With her, I have no doubt, everything will have to be absolutely perfect.”

  Jenny giggled. “Oh, Meg. I wish I had some advice for you.” She sighed. “By the way – that’s actually why I called. Are you and Sean still planning on driving up to Crystal Rock for our family celebration this weekend? Of course we want the two of you to stay with us. I just wanted to double-check.”

  “Of course, we’re coming. Thirty years of marriage – and another wedding to renew your vows? We wouldn’t miss it for the world. I never knew your husband had it in him to be so romantic.”

  Jenny chuckled. “To tell you the truth, he kind of surprised me too. I think our friends, Jake and Danielle Loughlin, might’ve put the idea in his head.”

  Meg began to squeal excitedly, “Jenny...that’s it! I’ve got the perfect plan. Of course, I’m not exactly sure that it’ll work. But it’s worth a try. I really want my son to be happy, and marrying Amanda isn’t gonna do it for him. I know it in my heart. Here’s what you’re gonna have to do. God, I hope this works. Listen up...”

  ❋

  “It’ll happen with one, single kiss.”

  “What?”

  “That you’ll fall in love.”

  Christina was solemn. “You’ll fight it. And it’ll be several years before you’re willing to accept it. But you’re never gonna be able to forget that kiss.”

  Kate awoke suddenly. She just couldn’t believe it – she was having that same, stupid, dream again. Growling out her frustration, she tossed and turned, punching the pillow. Ever since she’d heard the news that Michael Murphy and his girlfriend had become engaged and were finally getting married, she’d been restless and unsettled.

  Coming to a realization, she hastily sat up in the bed.

  She just couldn’t let it happen.

  She finally knew what she wanted.

  What she needed.

  And it was time to make her move.

  Before it was too late.

  ❋

  “You’re sure, Kate?” Close friend, and former boyfriend, Dylan Nash sat next to Kate at the end of the dock, their bare feet dangling over the water.

  “Yeah.” Kate dipped her toes into the water absentmindedly. “I’ve been a coward, Dylan, hiding behind you these last few years.”

  He chuckled. “It’s been my pleasure, Kate.” Dylan sighed, hanging his head. “And it’s given me a reprieve from my mother’s continuous attempts at marrying me off. She’s gonna be really disappointed, though. I’m pretty sure she thought we were headed to the altar.”

  Kate turned to study Dylan. He was incredibly attractive, with intense silvery-blue eyes and thick dark-brown hair. And he had a body to die for. His strong broad shoulders and lean narrow hips had always drawn envious stares from other women. “Somehow, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble replacing me. Every single girl, who’s living here in town, will be relieved to hear you’re back on the market,” she announced dryly.

  He grinned. “Ehh...I don’t know about that. There’s never been a woman who’s ever really struck me right where it counts.” He pounded a fist against his heart exaggeratedly.

  She grinned. “You came along at a pretty rough time in my life.” Kate gazed up towards the clear blue sky. “Julie was offered that job in Colorado, and Dad was giving me a lot more responsibility once I was finished with school.”

  Dylan Nash had arrived in Crystal Rock only few years earlier, when tourism began picking up in the community. He’d become the assistant to the head game warden, Jim Dupree, who hadn’t been able to keep up with the demands of his job. Kate and Dylan had instantly clicked. Once they’d begun dating, they’d discovered there just hadn’t been enough of a physical connection between them to continue as anything more than friends.

  “Are you still having problems with Jim?”

  “Yeah.” He sighed. “He’s what my dad would’ve called – an old stick-in-the-mud. It’s either his way, or no way.” Dylan grimaced. “He won’t even let me rearrange the filing system in the office – and it’s a mess. He sends me out to deal with complaints in the community and around the lake, while supposedly, he’s doing the patrolling. But no one ever really sees him. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t even issued any recent tickets for violations. It seems like I’m issuing them all the time. It’s amazing how many out-of-state tourists don’t even bother to purchase a fishing license.”

  “So what does Jim do?”

  Apparently puzzled, Dylan shook his head. “I don’t know. Drinks, maybe? Sometimes, I swear, I smell alcohol on his breath.”

  Kate nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me. Even though Jim’s been a fixture in the community for years, I’ve never really liked him.” She frowned. “It’s strange he’s never been married – Dad says Jim used to have a steady girlfriend back in high school. Truthfully, he’s always kind of given me the creeps.” She grimaced. “He has this weird way of looking at me. And I sure run into him a lot.”

  “Hmm. Really?” Dylan frowned. “That does seem really odd. Sometimes I think that you see him more than I do – and I work with the guy.” Dylan inhaled sharply and shook his head. “I’ve decided I’d better keep an eye on him, Kate. I don’t want his negligence falling back on me – just in case something does go down in the future.”

  Kate nodded her agreement.

  Dylan glanced at the cabin behind them. “We’ve got just about everything moved out of there, now – don’t we?”

  “Yeah,” she said, turning to stare at the dilapidated cabin. “Lots of good memories, but time to move on. Everything that hasn’t been sold, I’ve placed in storage. This property’s sure gonna look different three months from now.”

  “Have you finished revising the plans?” Dylan asked quietly.

  “Yeah. I’ve rearranged the placement of the kitchen and flipped the positioning of the bedrooms upstairs. I moved the master-suite to the upper level. And I’ve also added a small greenhouse to my workshop. But, basically, I’ve kept the plans as Murphy drew them.

  “I’m glad you’re finally moving forward, Kate,” Dylan said quietly.

  “Yeah.” She sighed heavily. “So – do you actually think that this scheme will work?”

  Dylan snorted. “Of course it will.”

  “I don’t know why it took me so long to finally see it, Dylan. I’ve never let Michael go – I just couldn’t. Working with his mother, I’ve kept track of every single thing that’s happened in his life since he left.” Kate hesitated. “I don’t know. Do you really think that he’s still interested? It’s been over six years – almost seven.”

  He smiled wryly. “Trust me Kate. He’s been dating this woman for, what – about five years, now? What’s been holding him back from getting married before now? Especially since he’s apparently been successful enough to be promoted to partner? Trust me – he’s still thinking about you. He hasn’t had closure. He’s just waiting for a reason to come back here.”

  ❋

  “Of course I don’t mind if you move home for a while. In fact, I’d love it.” Jenny hesitated, “Honey, about your relationship with Dylan...”

  They’d had this argument a million times before. And, instantly, Kate went on the defensive. “Mom – I’m not promiscuous, I’m selective. There is a difference, you know.”

  It’d always been a barrier, this continuous squabbling with her daughter. Ever since Kate had been a teenager, Jenny had constantly worried about her, as well as her casual view towards sex. Now, Kate finally needed to know that Jenny understo
od. Having put work above everything else, Kate had always been too unemotionally involved with the men she’d dated.

  But, coincidentally, her detachment had occurred immediately after her sister had been kidnapped and raped.

  Jenny hesitated, and held up her hand. “Sweetheart...stop. I just wanted to let you in on something – something that I think you really need to know.”

  Kate stilled.

  “I’ve always been aware of the pills that you’ve had – ever since you were a teenager. You know – for birth control? I’ve also known that Lucy helped you get them.”

  Kate seemed stunned.

  Jenny turned away sheepishly. “Lucy and I discussed it. I found them in your vanity. And – well, I had a talk with her – once I realized that she was the one you must’ve turned to.”

  Kate remained speechless.

  “I was shocked, of course – even though you and Lucy have always been as different as night and day. But she made me realize why – why you’ve treated sex so casually. She claimed it was all about control – since Lucy had no control over what happened to her. Each of us, in our own way, was traumatized by her rape. And that was your way of dealing with it – by taking control over who you had sex with, as well as when it would happen.

  Kate nodded imperceptibly, blinking back tears.

  Jenny reached out, squeezing her daughter’s hand. This was the first time she and Kate had connected in a very long time. “So. Why are you moving out from the cabin?”

  Kate cleared her throat, meeting her mother’s steady gaze. “I—I’ve finally decided to rebuild.” Wryly, she smiled. “And I’m using Murphy’s plans.”

  Jenny had tears in her eyes when she smiled. “Oh, Kate.” Pulling Kate into her arms, she whispered, “That’s wonderful.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  It’d been three months, now, since he’d actually done it. After five long years of dating, Murphy had finally asked Amanda to marry him. Once he’d been promoted to partner, it was expected of him, after all. But Murphy just couldn’t help thinking he was being manipulated by Amanda and her father.

  Shifting restlessly in his seat, he turned his eyes downward, studying the plans spread out across his drafting table. He’d yet again been commissioned to design another condo. No new ideas, no added features – just the same old, same old – stipulations he was required to draft into his plans.

  Sure, he could try incorporating unique and original concepts into his designs once again. But why bother? Mark Ryland would only axe the innovations.

  Murphy sighed, sketching in the standard number of kitchen cabinets into each set of plans.

  And then, the next step – he’d choose from a boring selection of cabinets, limited to various shades of oak. Occasionally, he was allowed to suggest maple. He had three types of granite to select from, because Ryland’s had a huge discount provided from the company selling them materials. Working his way through each design, Murphy added his usual recommendations for porcelain tiles laid out in a pattern from neutral taupe on the backsplash and in the bathrooms.

  Suddenly, he stood up from his drafting table and threw his pencil. Ryland’s didn’t need to hire an architect to draw up these types of plans. Any intern could draw them up. After all, every single condo plan was just like the other – with an occasional switch in the location of a master suite or kitchen. Occasionally, Murphy was offered a challenge with the positioning of a staircase.

  He was so frickin’ bored with his life. He needed to get out of here. He wouldn’t have a problem finishing up with these plans by his deadline on Friday, anyway. He was supposed to eat dinner at his parent’s house tonight. Why not just go early and spend the night? Amanda was already irritated with him, anyway, for deciding not to accompany her to some big fundraising event tonight.

  If he didn’t go home, he’d be able to avoid her guilt trip.

  Systematically snapping off the lights in his office, he stepped through the door and paused at his secretary’s desk immediately outside. “Marcie?”

  She looked up from her computer.

  “I’m leaving early. Feel free to take off too, if you’d like.”

  “That’s okay, Murph. I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on – since I’m taking off early on Friday.”

  “That’s right. I forgot. Are you and Darnell heading up to your cabin with the kids?”

  “Yeah. We sure do enjoy our family weekends. Thanks a lot for giving me the time off, by the way.”

  “Never a problem, Marc. We’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

  Already typing rapidly on her keyboard, Marcie nodded distractedly. “See ya, Murph.”

  He checked his watch. Two o’clock. Maybe he’d drop by his mom’s shop before heading out to the house. She’d probably be there for at least a few more hours, anyway. He might as well take a walk – it was a lovely day today.

  Walking definitely hadn’t helped to ease his restlessness, he realized, as he strolled into his mother’s shop fifteen minutes later.

  Looking up at him from her desk, Meg Murphy blinked. “Michael! I was just thinking about you. What are you doing here at this time of the day?”

  He shrugged. “Oh, I just needed to get out of the office for a while.”

  Her eyes filled with concern. “Is everything okay?”

  He sighed. “Eh. Same old, same old.”

  His mother continued to watch him and he shifted his eyes uncomfortably. Surveying his surroundings, Murphy searched for a reason to change the subject. His mother still had a unique way of reading him like no one else could.

  His gaze locked onto an accent table that his mother had apparently just unpacked. Antique ironwork served as the base of the table, while an intricate pattern of mosaics shaped an exquisitely detailed tabletop, inset with a colorful dragonfly.

  Murphy was in awe. “Wow.”

  Meg turned her attention to the table. “She just keeps getting better and better, Michael. Doesn’t she?”

  He met his mother’s steady gaze. “How much, Mom?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Michael...but it’s already spoken for.”

  He continued to hold her gaze determinedly.

  “Oh, you.” She rolled her eyes, shaking her head with pretended annoyance. “Just take it, Michael. I’ll make an excuse. I’m sure the woman who consigned it will be willing to wait a little longer. I haven’t even called her to tell her it’s arrived, yet. I’ll see if I can get Kate to put a rush on another one. Knowing how efficient Kate is, she’s probably already designed something similar, anyway.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” But he purposely cut her off, when she appeared ready to ask him an uncomfortable question. “I left my car parked at the office. I’ll come back to collect it over the weekend. I’m gonna look around a little bit. I wish I could get Amanda to come in here and pick out a few things that I like. Everything in our apartment apparently has to be perfect.” He grimaced, shivering with revulsion. “But then she always comes home with some incredibly ugly and expensive antique that her decorator has recommended.” Stepping away from his mother’s desk, he began strolling through the shop.

  He could feel his mother’s troubled gaze following him as he moved throughout the store. Frankly, he couldn’t blame her for being worried about him – especially since he was feeling a little worried himself. He’d never been as restless as he was right now.

  ❋

  Just like Murphy, Kyle and Ethan had both moved away from home once they’d gone off to college. The house seemed way too quiet without his brothers, Murphy couldn’t help thinking. He was the only son living close to home, now. But his parents were obviously enjoying their time alone together.

  “Great dinner, Mom.” Easing back in his seat, Murphy patted his stomach in satisfaction.

  Meg smiled. “It’s not so difficult cooking steaks on the grill outside, Michael.” Standing up, she began collecting the dinner dishes.

  He couldn’t resist a joke. “If it’s really that easy
, why doesn’t Dad get to do the cooking, anymore?”

  Sean Murphy laughed. “Do I always have to be reminded of my one single lapse in attentiveness?”

  “One?” Meg stood with her hands on her hips. “I learned, long ago, never to trust you alone with the grill, Sean Murphy – especially when there’s a baseball game on TV. I still get mad when I think about the cost of those steaks that you burnt. You just don’t have the capability to concentrate on more than one thing at a time.”

  Sean pretended to glare at his wife. “Now, if that was the case, then I’d never win in court.” Sean Murphy was an assistant DA for the city of Chicago. Sean sighed. “Speaking of which – I’d better take a look through the newspaper.”

  Meg grinned. Reaching to the buffet for the paper and unopened mail, she handed everything over to Sean before turning back to look at her son.

  Uh, oh. Murphy understood that look.

  “I set aside that table that you wanted, before I left the shop today.”

  Murphy squirmed uncomfortably. “Okay. I’ll be sure to pick it up on Saturday.”

  Meg nodded. “Speaking of Kate Callahan...”

  Looking up from his paper, Sean eyed his wife strangely. “Were we?” He raised his brow. “Speaking of Kate, that is?”

  Meg nodded. “Michael fell in love with one of the latest tables that she’d designed.” She appeared to be slightly uncomfortable for a moment, before she cleared her throat and continued, “I forgot to mention to Michael – Kate’s getting married – to her boyfriend, Dylan.”

  Suddenly feeling his heart drop down with a long, hard thud, Murphy kept staring at his mother in disbelief.

  He failed to notice his father was frowning at her.

  “Don’t forget, Sean – the wedding is at two o’clock on Saturday, at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn.”