“Not yet. I’ve got a few more questions regarding Texas. Shouldn’t take too long.” He looked at his watch. “Unfortunately, right now I’ve got an appointment. I’ll be back later.”
Chapter 19
Kat fiddled with the cushions, uncomfortable with the silence that fell over the room once Frank had left. “I might have over-reacted about Munson.”
“You don’t know that. I would have been suspicious if I’d seen Munson pulling out a weapon for no apparent reason.”
“Jude’s right, Kat,” Cody added. “You did the smart thing.” Cody walked around the living area of the condo. “Nice place you’ve got here, Callahan, but I’m feeling claustrophobic. You two mind if I skip out for the night? I’ve got some friends here in D.C. I want to look up.”
Jude gestured towards the door. “Go ahead. Knock yourself out.”
Kat didn’t want to be alone with Jude, but was embarrassed to say so. “Sure, Cody. Have fun. Don’t forget to come back and get me before you leave tomorrow.”
Cody made a hasty exit, and Kat wandered around the living room, stopping to pick up a framed picture on the mantel of the gas fireplace. Two smiling faces looked back at her. Both in their mid twenties. “Your brother and sister?”
He sat on the arm of couch with his arms crossed, watching her. “Yeah. Taken a few months ago.”
“You mentioned your brother worked for the FBI. I’m surprised he hasn’t shown up.”
Jude chuckled. “Believe me, he would be right here in the thick of it, but he’s on assignment in another part of the country. Hey, are you hungry?”
“Do you have anything decadent? Like chocolate?”
“Make yourself at home. I’ll see what I can find.”
*****
Jude checked his cupboards for chocolate. What was wrong with her? She’d never given any indication she liked sweets. He pulled out a box of brownie mix and spied a can of fudge sauce. Thank God for microwaves. Soon he had a hot brownie, dripping with hot fudge sauce ready to take to her.
“Mmnnn. I smelled it in the other room.”
He turned at the sound of her voice. She leaned against the kitchen doorway, looking beautiful. Funny, his sister wasn’t overweight. But seeing Kat in her clothes made him realize how tiny she was. The love he felt for her nearly choked him. “I was about to bring it to you.”
“I’d better eat at the table. Otherwise, you’ll be cleaning fudge sauce off your carpet or your couch.” She lowered herself into a chair and then pulled her legs up and sat yoga style.
Jude sat at the opposite side of the table and watched her dig into the oozing chocolate brownie with gusto. His eyes followed the spoon as it disappeared inside her mouth.
“It’s delicious. Aren’t you going to have one?” Her tongue licked some fudge sauce from corner of her mouth.
“Ah, no, I’m not hungry right now.” At least not for food. “Want something to drink?”
“Nope.” She raised another gooey spoonful to her mouth, lapping off the hot fudge before tackling the brownie.
Mesmerized, Jude continued to stare at her. He wasn’t sure how long his mouth had been open before he realized it, but he bounded out of his chair in embarrassment. He kept his back to her and wiped the counter so she wouldn’t see his erection.
“Are you ready to go to bed?”
“What?”
He groaned. “I mean, you told Frank you were tired. Do you want to rest for a while?”
“Yes. Thank you. But I’d like another brownie.”
Grabbing the Teflon pan of brownies, he put them on the table, along with the container of hot fudge sauce. “Help yourself. I’ll go change the sheets.” He hurried from the kitchen without looking back.
*****
Kat slumped at the table and pushed the second brownie around the plate with her spoon. As soon as Jude left the kitchen, her voracious appetite had gone south, and her resolve to resist him was headed in the same direction. The sooner she got out of here, the better. She had no self-control where he was concerned. Even if she could forgive him for his lapse in judgment about her, something else would happen. Their relationship had been doomed from day one.
She scraped the brownie down the garbage disposal, and then put the plate on the floor for Red. “You could do with a little spoiling.” Red slurped the crumbs in record time, thumping his tail with appreciation. Kat patted the dog’s head. She rinsed the plate and tucked it in the dishwasher.
Resigned to facing Jude, she straightened her shoulders and headed to the living room to wait for him.
*****
Jude’s face softened at the sight of Kat curled up on the couch sound asleep. Red was stretched out on the floor, snoring. The temptation to get a Chessie was strong. He’d never experienced the bond between dog and man before. Like being whacked with a two-by-four, reality hit him in the head. He didn’t want just any Chesapeake, he wanted Red. Actually, he wanted the package deal, Red and Kat.
He lowered his body into an overstuffed chair, taking advantage of this opportunity to love Kat with his eyes. Every once in a while her fingers or arm would twitch, as if bad dreams plagued her sleep. Probably nightmares. The last few days had been hell for her. She’d had to accept her parents’ deaths, had been deceived by a life-long friend, and had been forced to kill others, not to mention the emotional roller coaster ride he’d taken her on. No wonder the woman was exhausted.
After watching her for thirty minutes, he knew she wasn’t going to wake up any time soon. He gathered her in his arms, holding his breath as she snuggled close to him. He took a deep breath. This may be the last time he would be able to enjoy the smell of her. He’d never forget her scent, a combination of the chamomile shampoo she’d last used, and her own distinct feminine scent for which he had no description. He only knew that it made him hot for her.
Her lashes fluttered when he put her down on the cotton sheet and pulled the puffy down comforter to her shoulders.
Red followed him in the room and looked up at the bed, a wistful look in his eyes. He gave Jude his best Chessie smile. “No. Down. On the floor.” Red groaned, but curled up on the rug next to the bed.
“Smart dog,” Jude whispered.
On his way to his bedroom the phone started ringing. He ran to his room, leaped across the bed and grabbed it before Kat woke up. “Hello—are you sure? All right. We’ll be ready up here.”
Chapter 20
Jude hunkered in the closet in Kat’s room. Red sat next to him. The closet door was slightly ajar, allowing him visual access to whoever entered the room. Adrenaline surged through his veins, pumping the blood to his heart.
A phone call from Cody alerted him that Munson had entered the garage. Seems Kat hadn’t been paranoid after all. Cody’s friends hadn’t been around, he’d returned early, arriving right behind Munson. At least that had been Cody’s story, and he was sticking to it. Jude guessed that he’d never had any intention of meeting his friends. He’d planned to hang out in the garage to guard Kat.
The bedroom squeaked open. A thick shaft of light spread across the carpeted floor. He readied his Beretta. A growl rumbled low in Red’s throat. Jude touched the dog’s head, and he quieted.
Agent Munson stepped into the room, keeping his back to the wall. He held his weapon with two hands, the barrel pointed towards the ceiling. His foot closed the door. The window provided the only light. Jude’s eyes were fully accustomed to the darkness, so he saw Munson clearly.
Munson pushed away from the wall and inched his way toward the bed. A few feet from the end of the bed, he lowered his gun and pointed at the body sleeping beneath the covers.
“Freeze!” The overhead lights came on flooding the room with light. Munson squinted. Red charged and sank his teeth into his thigh.
Munson snarled and tried to point the barrel at Red’s head.
Jude’s heart jumped into his throat. “Red, heel.” He rushed the man and used his good leg to deliver a roundhouse kick to
the kidney. The man dropped to the floor. The pistol flew from Munson’s hand, hit the carpet and skittered toward the bed. Munson crawled across the floor, his fingertips reaching for it.
The bedroom door opened and Kat stepped in. “Looking for me?”
Munson looked over his shoulder.
Jude moved in and placed his knee onto Munson’s back, pressing the Beretta’s barrel to the back of his neck. “Face down!”
Kat walked over and caught the pair of handcuffs Jude tossed to her.
Once he was cuffed, Jude kicked Munson’s weapon toward Kat and frisked the man. “Who do you work for Munson? How many more rotten pieces of fruit are in the Agency?
“Asshole. Wouldn’t you like to know?” Munson spat the words.
“My guess? You’re the top dog. You’re the mastermind behind the entire terrorist importation operation. You used poor Dave and offed him when he decided to plea bargain.”
“Guess all you want.”
“I’m sure people in the Rockville area will remember seeing you around. You got Brian Richardson to help by lying to him. The fool believed he was working for the FBI. I’m curious,” Jude pressed. “Did Winter approach you, or was it the other way around?”
Munsen’s mouth tightened.
“Are you the one who ordered my parents killed?”
Jude glanced up as Kat asked the question. He recognized the ‘take no prisoners’ look in her eye. Jude felt her pain, knew from experience that she’d like to justify her parents’ death by ending Munson’s pathetic life right here, right now.
The doorbell rang. “Saved by the bell,” Jude muttered. “Kat, let Frank in.”
*****
Kat opened the door and stepped aside as Frank and several other beefy men rushed in. Cody came in behind them.
“Where is he?” Frank demanded.
Kat gestured toward the bedroom and walked to the couch.
“You okay?” Cody asked, sitting next to her.
No, damn it, she wasn’t okay. She was tired of people trying to kill her. Finding her parents’ killers hadn’t given her the satisfaction she’d thought she’d find. Outside of Jude’s arms, she felt lost and alone. It hurt like hell to admit their love affair was over. She wanted to go home.
But she when looked at Cody, she put a smile on her face. “I’m okay.”
Cody placed his hand on her knee. “Want to leave tonight?”
“Can we?”
“I’ll talk to Frank. We can be at FortDrum by morning if we leave within the hour.”
Munson was taken out in handcuffs, while being read his rights.
Frank shook his head. “I can’t believe it. Makes me wonder what else I don’t know about in my own damn department. Maybe it’s time for me to retire.”
“Don’t be hard on yourself, Frank.” Jude slapped the older man on the back.
“Hey, Frank,” Cody interrupted. “Can you ask Kat your questions now? We’re going to take off.”
Kat watched Jude’s brows draw together in an angry frown before a look of withdrawal came over his face. What did he expect? He knew she wanted to go home.
Frank looked confused. “You’re leaving now? Tonight?”
“Yes. The sooner I begin processing out of the military, the sooner I can go home and put my life back together.”
He shrugged. “Okay. Let’s go in the kitchen. This shouldn’t take long.”
*****
Jude went to his bedroom, not wanting to be around when Kat walked out the door.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. He’d apologized for not trusting her. She knew he loved her. Face the facts, Callahan. None of that matters. She’s made her decision.
He lay on the bed and listened to the hum of the ceiling fan, and thought about walking in the other room, throwing her over his shoulder, and bringing her in here. He’d show her they belonged together.
The door opened, jolting him out of his fantasy. Light flooded the darkness. “Turn the light off,” he growled.
“Sorry,” Kat murmured, flipping the switch. “I came to say goodbye.” She sat on the edge of the bed beside him.
The gloom in the room matched his mood. “You’re leaving now?” He struggled to keep his voice even.
“Yeah. Frank’s already gone.”
Did she seem sad or was it wishful thinking? “Will you keep in touch?”
“To what end?”
In the dim light, his eyes drank in the perfection of her face, her silky hair falling around her shoulders. He turned his head on the pillow and stared at the wall. “I don’t know. Perhaps I’m a masochist.”
Her soft sigh reminded him of the wind whispering through the pines at LoonLake. The mattress shifted as she moved closer to him on the bed. He held his breath as she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. A kiss from one friend to another.
Something snapped. He grasped her arms, flipped her on the bed, and rolled over. He saw pain flickering in her eyes.
“I love you, Kat.”
“I know.”
“Then why leave? Why deny us a chance at happiness?”
“Sometimes love’s not enough.” She raised her hands to cup his face. “Trust me, Jude. It’s best to let go. There’ll be more heartache if you don’t.”
“Do you love me, Kat?” He needed to know.
“As much as I could ever love anyone.”
“You’re hedging. Tell me yes or no.”
“I’ve got to go.”
Before she could roll off the bed, he lowered his body onto hers and lowered his mouth. His lips hovered over hers, waiting for rejection. Finding none, he kissed her. The tentative touch of her tongue killed his intentions of a simple sweet kiss.
He rolled to his side, bringing her with him. His hands roamed, wanting to touch her everywhere at once. If only he could put her inside his shirt and keep her there. He wanted to be inside of her. No matter how tight he hugged her, she wasn’t close enough. He breathed in the heady clean herbal scent of her hair. Tonight it is was rosemary.
“Jude, Cody’s waiting for me. I’ve got to go.”
In his frenzy to get close to her, he’d failed to notice her lack of response. His breathing was ragged. He tried to regain his composure.
“Go, then,” he barked, rolling away. It seemed like forever before he felt her move…until the bedroom door closed. Jude ignored the tears running down his face.
*****
Kat leaned against the closed door, her body trembling. God she loved him, but love didn’t conquer all. She’d known that her entire life. But she’d met Jude and anything had seemed possible. Nothing had mattered except being with him.
And now she knew the truth. She’d opened herself to him, trusted him with her love, and it hadn’t been enough. Love opened the door to hurt and pain. She could never survive being hurt again.
“Ready, Half-Pint?
She swallowed her despair, nodded at Cody and walked out of Jude Callahan’s life without a backward glance.
Chapter 21
Cicadas sang in the late summer heat, their song accompanied by a pounding hammer. Leaves of the red maples had turned a burnished wine shade, being only one hint of the autumn’s imminent arrival. Strong winds blew from the northwest almost daily. Large flocks of honking geese passed overhead, heading south. At the heels of autumn, cold weather would arrive. Kat stood on the porch and counted her blessings, grateful Cody had stayed to help her make needed repairs to the lodge for the upcoming winter.
“Every building has a lock now, Half-Pint.” Cody came around the side of the porch, wiping his hands on his jeans. “And I’ve installed a wooden bar on the inside door of the lodge.”
“Thanks.” Kat smiled. “For everything. You’ve been a great friend.”
“Not a problem. I’ve enjoyed being here, but all good things must come to an end. I’m headed out tomorrow.”
She swallowed a lump of disappointment in her throat and nodded.
&
nbsp; “You sure you want to spend the winter here alone?”
Kat pulled herself together at the worry she heard in Cody’s voice. “Absolutely. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
“It’s a long winter. You’ll get lonely.”
She shook her head. “No way. I’ve got Red, my snowshoes and cross-country skis. What more could a girl ask for?”
“How about Jude Callahan?”
Her smile slipped away. “Why bring him up? We’ve been here almost two months. You haven’t mentioned him before.”
Cody leaned against the rail. “Level with me, Kat. You’re pining for him. Not a day passes that I don’t see that look on your face.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right. You stand here on the porch or down by the water and stare at the lake with a faraway look in your eyes. Being home helps you camouflage your loneliness, but I still see it. Not to mention you look like hell. How much weight have you lost?”
He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to argue. “Deny it all you want, but you love Jude, and you miss him. Be honest with yourself. Are you better off without him in your life?”
She shifted from foot to foot. “I know I am. Why set myself up to be hurt again?”
“Why indeed?”
Kat stiffened at the pity in his eyes.
“No sense in letting Jude back in your life. You might get hurt again. It’s more fun to wallow in hurt of your own making.” Cody walked away and left her standing alone, thinking about what he’d said.
*****
“Do you know where you’re going?” Kat knelt on the wharf, hanging onto the canoe, reluctant to let Cody leave. She’d miss his company.
“South America. Another drug bust.”
“Be careful, my friend. I won’t be there to watch your back.”
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