Tommy nodded. “We were fools, we’ve sure as hell learned our lesson. I just hope Gwen will be all right.”
Katie wondered if there was something she could do. She left the three of them, Gwen was at peace with her brothers and now that they were sober, they almost seemed like nice guys. It was too bad they had made the choices they had.
Chase drove home in a fog, his mind whirled non-stop, trying to find a way out of the mess he’d just put himself into. He couldn’t bear to lose Katie. He needed someone to talk to. Cade was out with Tanya, so it wouldn’t be him. Maybe his dad or mom, or even better, Grandpa K, they were all older and wiser and that’s exactly what he needed. His older brothers would do in a pinch, or their women.
He found his grandfather in the kitchen and sighed with relief. “Thank God you’re here, Grandpa K, I need some advice.”
Grandpa K lifted his coffee cup. “I might have some of that on me.”
“Good, because I really screwed the pooch this time.” Chase ran his fingers through his hair and tugged, he didn’t know where to start. He didn’t know if his grandfather knew he was dating Katie let alone how far it had progressed. He paced around the kitchen trying to decide what to say.
His grandfather sat patiently and waited while he waged an internal war. When Chase finally decided how to start he turned toward his grandpa.
But before he could say anything, Grandpa K said, “Nothing upsets a man’s equilibrium more than messing up a good relationship with his woman. Sit down and tell me what you did to upset Katie.”
Thank God, he didn’t have to go into all the basics. How his grandpa knew everything, he didn’t know, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. “She thinks I betrayed her, and in a way, I guess I did.”
His grandfather raised his eyebrows and motioned Chase to go on. He started talking and got every bit of it off his chest. He talked until he ran out of breath and then kept talking. He’d never talked so much in his life.
While he spewed all over the room, Grandpa K listened.
When he finally ran out of words he got a glass of water and drank the whole thing down to ease the dryness and ache in his throat.
“Yep, you surely did dive headfirst into a pile of manure, son.”
Chase barked out a laugh. “That’s a very apt way to put it. So, what should I do?”
“You know the girl better than anyone. Start up a campaign to convince her you understand. Are sorry. And won’t do anything like it again.”
“So, send her flowers or something?” Chase asked.
“Flowers never hurt, but I don’t think any one thing is going to magically make everything better. Don’t be a cliché. Think about who Katie is, what she loves, what you like to do together, and appeal to that knowledge of her. I assume you’re in this with her for the long haul?”
Chase nodded as his heart clenched. “Yes, I didn’t realize until she was so mad at me, but I love her.”
“You’ve loved her for a long time.”
“Yes, as a best friend. But I discovered I’m also in love with her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her as my best friend, and my wife.”
“In that case make sure she knows that. Show her how a life with you will be. It’s almost always about communication. Talk to her Chase… after you soften her up some.”
“Thanks Grandpa, I think I’ll take my horse out for a ride, so I can plot and plan.”
“You do that. And check on the southern fences as you ride.”
Chase chuckled. “Will do. Might as well be productive at the same time.”
“Sometimes a man thinks best when his hands are busy.”
Grandpa K stood up from the table and Chase wrapped him in a fierce hug. “Thanks.”
“It’ll work out, son. Katie’s a fine woman and she’ll forgive you eventually.”
Chase grabbed some tools, saddled his horse and went out to ride, his thoughts on Katie, and how much he’d hurt her and what he could do to fix it. He had to fix it, she was too important to him. As he rode he thought back over their lives together and came up with a plan of attack. When he ventured upon a section of fence with some barbed wire that had broken and curled back on itself it gave him an idea. The fence would hold up, but it would need some new wire strung so he marked the location for later.
When he got back to the house he went straight to his room, to start on his campaign to win Katie back. A couple of hours later his brother walked in.
“You missed dinner. Mom sent you a plate,” Cade said as he kicked the door closed behind him and looked around for a clear surface to set the tray.
Chase groaned as he straightened up from his hunched position. Every joint cracked and popped and his muscles strained as they stretched. He gathered up his drawings that were scattered across the desk, his stomach growling at the scent of food, Cade had brought in with him.
“What is all this?” Cade asked.
“My campaign to win Katie back.”
His brother set the tray down on the newly cleared surface and put his hands on his hips. “What did you do to Katie? It’s only been a couple of days. How could you fuck it up so quickly?”
“Have a seat and I’ll explain while I eat.” As he dug into the Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes, he told his brother about the last twenty-four hours.
Cade listened and nodded with an occasional grimace thrown in. “I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing, because I probably would have, but I can see why Katie would be pissed. She never did like us railroading her into something.”
All the food Chase had just eaten turned to lead at his brother’s words.
“So, what is your plan to convince the woman you aren’t as big of an idiot as she now thinks you are?”
As Chase explained his plan, his brother offered suggestions and refinements on the campaign. When Chase took his plate down to the kitchen, several hours later, he finally felt he had a slim chance at winning her back. His heart didn’t hurt quite so much and there was a glimmer of hope peeking through the gloom.
Chapter 26
Katie found a large manila envelope taped to her front door the next morning, when she went down to open her store. It had Chase’s handwriting on it and she was tempted to tear it up and throw it away without even looking at it. But her curiosity was too great, she always marveled at people that had the strength to toss something without looking at it first.
She laid the envelope on the counter and went through her morning opening routine before she went back and opened the envelope. She pulled out the sheaf of papers that were stapled together to form a book. It was a story about a Superman that looked a lot like Chase.
It was a chronicle of their lives together and every time he came to her rescue. Starting when they were little kids and he and Cade had stood up for her, when the class bully had picked on her in the first grade. Some of the pages showed her as Wonder Woman helping one of them.
It was an amusing book, and she felt herself smiling as she came to the end. Then her smile faded when they got to Gwen. He’d drawn himself thinking of Gwen as a fire breathing dragon, but in the reality of the situation she was drawn as a frightened rabbit and he was standing with a sword at her throat.
When Katie turned the page, Chase was on his knees begging both her and Gwen for forgiveness, with his superman cape locked in a chest. He looked so sad she wanted to cry.
She slipped the book under the counter when she heard the door chime, signaling a customer.
Chase was exhausted, he’d spent the whole day in town, and making calls. The first thing he’d done was gone to the Sheriff’s office to talk to Drake. Then he’d talked to Gwen’s brothers. After that he’d spent the rest of the day on the phone.
When he finally finished with all the calls, he decided that ranching was a whole hell of a lot easier than what he’d spent the day doing. But all of this was for Katie and he couldn’t think of a worthier cause, and if it was uncomfortable and awkward, well, it w
as no less than he deserved.
He still didn’t feel like what he did was wrong, and even more so after talking to her brothers. He shuddered to think of them going to jail and leaving their sister to fend for herself. Living on the streets might be safe in their town, but once the temperatures dropped here that would be a whole other story.
This way she was getting the help she needed. Her brothers had been on the way to Nebraska to take her to their Aunt Mary. They’d not told Gwen that, because they weren’t sure how she would react, and they hadn’t decided if they wanted to live there. They’d only met their aunt a few times, her and her husband were cattle ranchers and they didn’t leave their home very often. The will that was read after their parents’ death had very clearly left custody of Gwen to Aunt Mary. So, they were taking her there, just not very quickly.
Next on his win back Katie campaign was a trip into Denver. He needed to visit a jewelry store and not just any store but one that carried the jewelry from her favorite designer. He’d called the designer earlier today and she’d told him where to find what he wanted. Then he’d called the store and asked them to hold it for him.
When he got a text from Drew, he decided he might as well do that drive today. So, he’d be out of the house tonight. He wasn’t giving up however, he would win her back, he just hoped it was sooner rather than later.
Katie was itching to go to the Sheriff’s office, she wanted to find out what was happening with Gwen. She’d thought she could slip out at lunch time and leave the store in the hands of her pharmacist Steven, but a whole family of tourists had swarmed her store and wanted help with everything. From first aid cream to what souvenirs would be best for the hundreds of friends and family they were taking things back for. She’d barely squeezed in a couple bites of her lunch. Then Steven had taken his lunch, and she’d been busy all the rest of the afternoon. This was the strangest Wednesday on record, with so many people coming in.
Summer rushed in her door in the late afternoon. “I heard through the grapevine that Chase was an idiot.”
“Yes, he brought Drake and CPS.” Even saying it out loud to Summer hurt. How could he do something like that? She just didn’t understand how he could betray her like he did, with no thought to her feelings.
“Not exactly what we planned. I wanted to get here earlier, but the tourists today….”
“You too? I’ve been wanting to go talk to Drake for hours to check on Gwen, but have been swamped every second of the day.”
“Yeah it was crazy. I mean I sell hardware and dog food, what were they doing in my place? At least you have things people on vacation might want.”
“You have some handy items, too. But can I ask you a huge favor? Could you stand right here behind the counter while I run down the street to find out about Gwen?”
“Sure, I can do that.” Summer nodded.
“Steven can help you if needed.”
Summer waved toward the door. “No problem. Go. I can stall them if they need your expertise.”
Katie rushed down the street and slammed in the door of the Sheriff’s office.
Drew looked up from some paperwork he was doing. “Katie, what’s wrong?”
She bent over to catch her breath, she lived at this altitude, but it could still take a toll. “Nothing is wrong.” She puffed out, “I’ve just been too busy. I wanted to check on Gwen.”
“Oh, she was here earlier and is now in emergency foster care—”
Katie interrupted him, her temper exploding. “What! She’s gone already? She can’t be gone. I need to know she’s okay. Dammit, Drew. Where is Drake? I need to give him a piece of my mind.”
“Katie now calm down—”
“Calm down?” she screeched. “Are you kidding me, it’s only been twenty-four hours and now I won’t ever see her again.”
“Katie.” Drew said firmly, much harsher than he’d ever spoken to her.
She frowned, but let him speak.
“You can see her any time you like. She’s in emergency foster care at the Rockin’ K.”
Katie shook her head, sure she was hearing things. “The Rockin’ K?”
Drew nodded. “Yes. Mom and dad got emergency foster creds when we were little, and they never allowed them to expire. So, when Drew and Mrs. Armstrong wanted to keep Gwen close to her brothers, mom and dad fit the bill.”
Katie just stared at him trying to get her brain to compute what he’d just told her. She did remember a time or two when there had been a strange child staying with the Kipling’s for a couple of weeks, but she’d never put two and two together.
“Gwen’s Aunt Mary is on her way from Nebraska to take custody of Gwen full time.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Her brothers will stand trial, but Chase arranged for them to have a lawyer. And a counselor to help them with their grief and their alcohol addiction.”
“Chase?”
“Yes, he came in and talked to them this morning. The lawyer was in earlier, looking through the info Drake got from the other states and talking to them. It seems like the biggest and worse thing they did was take their sister across state lines. It was reported as kidnapping, since they didn’t get custody of her in the will.”
“But…”
“Yeah, the lawyer says he can make a case against that, since they were headed on a more or less straight line from Bakersfield, California to North Platt, Nebraska. Most of their other crimes were petty and they might get off with restitution and a short jail sentence. While they were out bent on their own destruction, their family almond orchard and home sold. They have a very nice chunk of change waiting for them to collect, which would easily pay all the restitution.”
Katie laughed. “So, if they hadn’t been idiots….”
“Yeah, they’d have been fine, all three of them. Still probably will be. With some counseling and a good lawyer. The counselor is in there now with them.”
Katie sighed. “I’m so relieved. I want to see Gwen, but I’d rather not see your brother quite yet. I’m not ready to forgive him for deceiving me.”
“Yeah, but it did work out for the best.” He shrugged.
“It does seem that way, but that still doesn’t excuse the lying.”
“I suppose not. I can work something out to let you see Gwen without Chase around. I’ll text you.”
“Thanks. I need to get back to work now. I left Summer manning the fort.” She hurried out the door, her mind filled with all Chase had done today. It did seem like he had Gwen and her brothers’ best interest at heart.
When she got back to her store, the entire counter was filled with a huge bouquet of tulips in every color. Katie could barely see Summer behind them.
Summer grinned at her as she peeked around the flowers. “They’re from Chase I assume. He didn’t go with the standard roses either, but your favorite flower. Where do you suppose he got tulips in the fall?”
Katie shook her head feeling overwhelmed by Chase’s actions. “He seems very determined. I’m guessing they cost him a fortune since they’re off season. Wait until I tell you what else he’s been up to today.”
Katie reiterated for Summer all she’d learned in her few minutes out of the store, and then showed her the book Chase had left for her this morning. When she finished talking, she got a text from Drew saying Chase would be out of the house until at least eight that evening. And for her to come out any time.
Summer sighed after she saw the text. “He really is trying.”
Katie nodded and felt herself weakening. “He is but this is a major thing and it can’t be swept aside with some flowers and helpfulness.”
“No, you definitely need to make him suffer a few more days at least. And even then, he better come up with some pretty powerful promises.”
Katie raised a brow. “Like to never lie to me again?”
Summer pointed at her. “That would be a good start.”
Chapter 27
As Katie parked her car at the Rockin’ K she realized her ha
nds were shaking, and her stomach was in knots. It was a strange sensation to feel nervous about arriving at a place that was her second home, but she was. It wasn’t about seeing Chase, because she knew he would honor her request of being gone when she came to see Gwen.
No, the fear came from how everyone else would treat her. Should she knock on the door? Or just walk in like she’d done for years? She’d brought candy like she always did, but then second guessed herself on that too. Would they want it? Should she leave it in the car? No, it was still daylight and would melt in the heat.
She opened the door, stood, and wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans before opening the back door to retrieve the bags of candy. When Tony slammed out of the house yelling her name in joyful exuberance she nearly cried in relief. Emma followed her son out the door and gave Katie a big hug, once Tony was finished.
Emma whispered, “You, with or without your candy, are always welcome. We’re all on your side. Chase needs to learn a few things. I love him, but he’s not always correct in his actions.”
Katie choked back the tears that threatened. “Thanks, I was a little nervous.”
Gwen came out of the house next, and walked right into Katie’s arms for a hug, too. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. Chase explained all about how you had asked him to help, and he’d lied to you about his plans. Plus, I got to see my brothers, so I’m kinda glad he lied to you.”
Emma took the candy and her son into the house.
Katie smiled at the girl. “Things do seem to be working out better than I could have predicted. Are you happy here with the Kipling’s?”
Gwen nodded. “They are so nice, they got all my stuff from the hotel and gave me a pretty room to sleep in. Chase is helping my brothers, too. He really is a nice guy, I suppose.”
“Most of the time he is.” Katie had to admit it, but then she remembered his actions from yesterday and frowned. “But lying to me is where I draw the line.”
Tempting Chase_Burlap and Barbed Wire Page 14