by Brenda Joyce
“Theresa found this in the trash.”
“That’s mine,” Kait managed breathlessly. She forced a smile as she sauntered over, her heart pounding in excitement. She knew there was a message there for her. She took the phone quite calmly, silently applauding herself for her theatrical skills, and glanced at the LCD screen. Her heart sank like a rock.
No message icon was there.
“You seem to have been expecting an important call, Lana,” Elizabeth said.
Her hands began to shake. Quickly, Kait turned away from Elizabeth, in real disbelief. This was not fair! Why the hell hadn’t Lana called? She was supposed to be back at Fox Hollow now, or at any moment! Where was she? What was going on?
Kait told herself that she was running late. People ran late all the time.
Still, Kait had been desperate to learn what was really going on, ever since she had realized how hugely Lana had lied to her about the reason for their switch. She forced herself to think. Surely she would now hear from her sister at any moment.
Then she realized that Elizabeth was staring at her back again.
Kait turned. “I can feel your disapproval. What crime am I committing now?” Her tone was sharp, but she could not moderate it.
“I just do not understand. You don’t eat sandwiches and you don’t eat at noon; you cut your hair which you were extremely vain about, you never seem to wear makeup and you used to sleep in it, and now you’re going to pick Marni up at school? I do not like this one bit.”
Kait didn’t know what to say. But she would remain in her role as Lana until Lana gave her the go-ahead to come clean. “I’m still shaken from the fall yesterday,” she said slowly. “And I did a lot of soul searching these past few weeks, especially in New York, when I was cooped up with the flu. I got tired of all that hair, of that boring matronly look. Is that so odd? And I had a makeover at the salon. I was strongly told that less is more at my age. What is so unusual? A grown woman can’t decide to change a bit? And I am starving, Elizabeth. I hardly ate yesterday!”
“No.” Elizabeth stepped forward, her square face rigid with tension.
“You think to con Trev yet again, don’t you? The sexy seductress failed—he got tired of her—so now you are playing the devoted mother, the innocent ingénue, the sweet girl next door.”
“I’ve always loved my daughter,” Kait said, turning back to the counter, where she began slapping together a sandwich. She did not want to become angry now. And especially not with Elizabeth—but it was hard not to be angry—and she was becoming angry with her sister, too. But why couldn’t Elizabeth mind her own business? The answer was simple—because she genuinely loved Trev and Marni.
“He won’t fall for it. He’s too smart now,” Elizabeth said. “Even if that haircut was very clever, indeed, the most clever thing you have ever done, really, other than to pick him up the way that you did when the two of you met.”
Kait stiffened. She faced her adversary now. She certainly understood what she meant about her hair, because when she had cut her own hair several years ago, everyone had told her how it played up her eyes and made her look a decade younger. But what did that comment about picking Trev up mean? “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said harshly.
“Really? He was grieving for his wife, Lana. His heart was broken! He had a Friday business meeting and you showed up, took one look at his Rolex, his custom-made suit, his Italian shoes, and you knew a good thing when you saw it. The next thing I know he is calling me from New York and telling me he is staying for the weekend. And on Monday he returns—with you. Now that was fast work, indeed.”
Kait had to look away, gripping the kitchen counter. So that was how they had met—at a restaurant or bar, and it had been a whirlwind love affair.
Were Elizabeth’s accusations inherently possible?
Who met someone on a Friday afternoon, spent an entire weekend, then brought that person home?
Someone being conned ...
Kait hadn’t heard her sister’s side of the story yet. She managed to smile grimly at Elizabeth. “Did it ever occur to you that we fell in love, madly?” But even as she defended Lana, that notion dismayed her, too.
“No, it did not, as Trev is a rational and deliberate man. But he was very vulnerable then. And you took complete advantage of him.” She turned away, grabbing a a paper towel and disinfectant and wiping down the counters angrily.
Kait went to the center island and sat on a stool. She sighed. She did not want to fight with anyone, not even Elizabeth, and just then she had a terrible sinking sensation—like she was in over her head. Too many people believed that her sister was malicious. Kait refused to accept their point of view. But where was she?
She was coming back to Fox Hollow, wasn’t she?
Kait knew that she was. She didn’t know why she had even had a moment’s confusion or doubt. She cradled her temple in her hands, composed herself, and looked up. “What would it take for you to give me a second chance?” she asked, meaning it.
Elizabeth did not turn around, now disinfecting the sink. She snorted.
“People change.” As Kait spoke, she thought about Mitch. He was a sweetheart. “Things happen. People realize their mistakes and reverse their entire lives.”
Elizabeth said, “I was making you a salad for lunch. I’ll set it aside for supper, instead.”
Kait got up, suddenly weary, and placed her sandwich on a plate, and said, “Thank you.” Then she walked out, wondering what it would take to win Elizabeth over.
For even though Lana was returning in a matter of minutes or hours, even if she and Trev did not work things out—and Kait wasn’t as optimistic on that point now—Kait intended to remain an aunt to Marni, her plans to stay in Three Falls hadn’t changed. She would be the aunt next door, so to speak. She was going to win Elizabeth, Sam, and Trev over—even if Lana and Trev did divorce, even if they remained hostile to one another. Elizabeth’s animosity did matter. It mattered greatly, because in every way she was a member of the Coleman family.
Why had her sister run roughshod over everyone at Fox Hollow?
Her head hurt her now. Kait returned to the kitchen for a Motrin, then plopped down in the living room in the chair she had eyed her first day at Fox Hollow. It was as comfortable as it looked. She put her feet up on an ottoman and looked out the huge windows facing her. The view of the rolling fields and distant hills was spectacular. It was also vastly comforting. God seemed to be everywhere at Fox Hollow, so close she could almost feel Him. Hadn’t Lana felt any of this?
“I heard you took a spill! Are you all right?” a woman said, approaching from behind.
Kait’s feet came down and she turned and saw a very pretty, slightly plump redhead in tan slacks, a pin-striped shirt, and a red cardigan. Her diamond ring was large. A gold Cartier watch glinted on one wrist. A diamond hung on a gold thread in the vee of her crisp shirt. She was smiling, but anxiously, as she hurried into the room. Of course this was Alicia—Lana’s best friend. Trev had had dinner with her and her husband the first night Kait had been at Fox Hollow. “Hi.” Kait managed a smile, unsure of what to expect.
Alicia stopped, staring at Kait’s hair, her eyes wide with surprise. Kait smiled. “I got a chop job.”
Seeming stunned, the redhead now took in Kait’s paddock boots, which, while gleaming with polish, were, nevertheless, a distinct stable statement. Then she looked at the sandwich on the plate. “Are you all right?” she managed, her coral-stained lips barely moving. “I heard you fell off your horse over a fence, Lana.”
“I’m fine.” Kait smiled again. “I mean, we did have a bit of an accident, and I did hit my head, but I’m fine.”
Alicia sat down on the ottoman beside Kait’s chair, reaching for her hands. “No one told me until this morning! Why didn’t you call me yesterday when it happened? I would have come right over,” she cried.
Kait looked into her hazel eyes and thought that Lana seemed to have a f
riend here. “I’m fine. It was scary....” She stopped. Alicia was Lana’s best friend. Maybe she knew what the hell was going on.
Alicia still held her hands. “You’re a superb rider. I can’t imagine you having a fall! And whatever possessed you to cut your hair? I mean, it’s cute and all, but...it’s so not you!” She finally released Kait’s hands, seeming bewildered.
It wasn’t Lana at all. Temptresses did not have short, wispy hair. Temptresses had long sultry locks. “I was temporarily insane.” Kait was wry. Did she dare pump Alicia for information?
Alicia blinked, then smiled. “Well, I like it.” She grinned. “I like it a lot! But you didn’t clue me in!”
“It was spur of the moment,” Kait murmured.
Alicia touched her own, heavy, shoulder-length mane. “Should I cut mine?”
Kait started, regarding the redhead’s pretty face. Being as she was a bit overweight, and she had round, plump cheeks, she knew that her own hairstyle would never suit Alicia. Besides, the blunt cut was extremely conservative—Alicia, while probably thirty or so, was a bit matronly for her age. “Honey, you have gorgeous hair. Do not cut it.”
“I really don’t want to,” Alicia said, with relief. “But it looks so cute on you!” She hesitated. “Does Trev like it?”
Kait also hesitated. “I have no idea.”
Alicia reached for her hand. “Is everything okay?”
Here, at last, was a friend and confidante. “He’s handed me my walking papers,” Kait said.
“What?”
“He gave me divorce papers about one second after I walked through the door,” Kait explained.
Alicia stared, dismayed. She stood and paced, then said, “How can I help?”
“Can I win him back?” Kait asked.
She was startled. “I thought you wanted out! You said you were sick and tired of marriage. That you needed to move on.”
So that was how Lana felt.
Alicia lowered her voice. “I even got the feeling that you might not bother to come back from New York.”
Kait shot to her feet. “You did?”
“Well, it was just an idea. I mean, you never suggested anything. But I know how much the two of you have been fighting. I know how mad Trev is at you. I know you hate it when people are mad at you.” She shrugged. “It’s been awful in this house. I couldn’t blame you if you moved out.”
Kait stared at Lana’s friend. Lana was going to return at any moment. Of course she was. Alicia was a bit of a bimbo, Kait thought. She shouldn’t really trust her judgment. On the other hand, out of the mouths of babes often came the wisdom of the gods....
“I’m not sure what to do,” Kait finally said softly. And why was she somewhat relieved that Lana was finished with her marriage? Kait knew she had to get a grip on her attraction for Trev Coleman. Otherwise, how could she help Lana salvage a life that she should never give up?
Alicia put her arm around her. “You’re so beautiful. In the end, it will all work out. And there’s always Farrell.”
“Farrell?” Kait echoed, with unease and before she could stop herself.
Alicia gave her a knowing look. “He’ll love you forever,” she said.
God, who was Farrell? Kait shuddered inwardly, because she wasn’t ready for another player, oh no. And especially one who might be in love with her sister. She tried to decide what tack to take with Alicia. “Why does Trev hate me? Does he hate me?”
Alicia started—and then she flushed. “Why are you asking me that?’
“Because you’re my friend—because if anyone will tell me what I don’t want to hear, it’s you.”
Alicia blinked. “You’re acting oddly. It’s frightening me.” Kait smiled quickly. “I’m under a lot of stress.” That was a terrible understatement!
“I mean, it’s not just your hair. Where’s your lipstick?”
“I switched to gloss,” Kait said patiently. “I also had a makeover at the salon.”
Alicia came over to her and put her arm around her. “At our age, we need a bit of help with what Mother Nature gave us.”
Kait looked at her heavily made-up eyes. “I guess you’re right. So? Does Trev hate me?”
Alicia let her arm fall away from Kait’s waist. She hesitated.
“You can tell me the truth.”
“I don’t know. No one can run him around like you. Oh! I didn’t mean that the way it sounded!” she cried.
“That’s all right,” Kait said solemnly, dismayed. When Lana returned, would she be able to turn Trev around, seduce him into falling for her all over again?
It was what Kait wanted. But now, suddenly, the whole concept felt horrible, unbearable.
“What I meant was, he’s no different from any other man, and you are so beautiful and they all flock to you without your hardly doing anything! I mean, all you have to do is smile to make a man fall in love with you,” Alicia said earnestly.
“That’s hardly true,” Kait said stiffly. She had a burning question, but how to ask, and did she dare? “Does he know about...my love affairs?”
“Uh... well, you sort of threw every one in his face,” Alicia muttered. “Why are you asking me these questions?’
Kait couldn’t answer. She just stood there, horrified.
Alicia smiled quickly. “Will you be going to Parker’s gala on Saturday?”
Kait knew that the answer was no—by Saturday, she would be Kait London again, and the entire family would be in a terrible showdown. “I’ll ask Trev what he wants to do,” she finally said.
“Ask Trev? He always goes to Parker’s gala. He told me he’s going. He told me the other night when we had dinner.” She hesitated. “John was disappointed that you didn’t join us. So was I.”
Kait couldn’t really tell her that she hadn’t been invited. “It didn’t seem right, not after he handed me those divorce papers.”
“What are you going to do?”
Kait froze. “Do?”
Alicia sat down and crossed her legs. “Well, you said you wanted a divorce. Now you sound like you’ve changed your mind.”
Kait responded in the only possible way, truthfully. “I have no idea what I’m going to do or what is going to happen next.”
Alicia stared. Then she said, “Please don’t jerk Trev around. You two were happy once, but...so much has happened since then. He’s a good man. He deserves some happiness, Lana.”
Kait stared. “How long have you known him?”
“What?!”
Kait wished she had thought before speaking. She stared at Alicia, aghast, not knowing how to get out of her terrible slip.
“We grew up together,” Alicia said. “But you know that. Trev is the brother I never had.”
“I know,” Kait said in a rush. “I meant, how long have you known he wants a divorce?”
“Oh.” Alicia’s expression lost its puzzled look. “A few months, I guess. The same as you.”
Kait went to the sofa and sat down beside her. “There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“I had that fall yesterday because someone shot at me.”
Alicia turned white. “I beg your pardon?” “Someone shot at me. Alicia, I think someone is trying to kill me,” Kait said.
CHAPTER 8
Alicia covered her heart with her hand and sat down, wide-eyed. Then she said, “Maybe you should have been more discreet, all of these years.”
Now they were getting somewhere, Kait thought. “More discreet? How?”
Alicia regarded her closely. “You have been so open about your affairs. I don’t know, maybe one of your lovers or one of their wives has decided to pay you back.”
Kait had somehow sensed that it was coming to this. Her sister, clearly, had been terribly unfaithful to Trev Coleman, and hadn’t bothered to even try to hide her affairs. How could Lana have behaved in such a miserable and hurtful way?
Kait turned away from Alicia so she could no
t see her face. She was more than upset; she was angry. Now she understood why Trev was angry, and why, perhaps, he even hated his own wife.
Why would anyone cheat on Trev Coleman?
Kait believed in fidelity and commitment. Still, she knew that life could take unusual twists and turns, and while she wanted to blame Lana now for being an adultress and disloyal, she did not yet know her side of the story. She had to have one.
“Are you all right?” Alicia asked softly. “I’m not trying to pass judgment, Lana. You know I’d never do that. You know I’d hoped you and Trev would work things out, until you told me it wasn’t ever going to happen. Now I just want you both to be happy. I hate seeing you hurt each other this way.”
Kait turned. “Who do you think shot at me?”
Alicia was taken aback. “I don’t know. I really don’t have any idea who would be so crazy to do something like that.”
“Mrs. Coleman! Isn’t this a surprise!”
Kait smiled at a pretty, young woman with pulled-back blond hair, but she was looking past her at the kids crowding the lobby of the school. Some very young children were present, and clearly the school had programs for twos and threes as well as fours. Then she saw Marni, who saw her at the exact same time.
“Mommy!” she cried, her smile brilliant with surprise and happiness.
Kait smiled at the teacher, whose name she had not bothered to discover and hurried past her. She knelt and hugged her niece. “Hi, sweetie. How was school today?”
Marni beamed at her. “It was great,” she said, “I made a Halloween picture for you.”
“That’s wonderful,” Kait cried. “When can I see it?”
“It’s not finished.”
Kait stood, stroking Marni’s hair, which was pulled back into one big fat neat braid. “I’m sorry about yesterday, honey. I fell off my horse and hit my head. The medicine Dr. Mitch gave me put me right to sleep.”
“I know.” Marni smiled up at her, taking her hand. “Daddy told me.”
“Were you angry with me for not picking you up yesterday?’
“A little. But Daddy let me sleep with you for a while. I saw you were really sick,” Marni said very seriously.