by Debra Holt
Chapter Five
Much to Kaitlyn’s surprise, once she collapsed on the bed, exhausted and emotionally spent, she slept deeply. It was only the bright streak of sunlight filtering through the wooden slats of the blinds that woke her the next morning. Kaitlyn stretched first one arm and then the other above her head, wiggled her toes under the light covers, her mind slowly coming from sleep to wakefulness. Then her eyes caught sight of the roses on the table next to the window and the events of the prior day came back into sharp focus… all of them. A soft moan escaped her and her hands covered her face in embarrassment and more remnants of self-recrimination.
She was a guest in Clay’s home, sleeping and eating under his roof. This was something that she had never thought possible in a million lifetimes. All the memories of the painful events at dinner came crowding back, as well. Kaitlyn tossed the covers back and sat up in the bed, trying to push the thoughts away with the covers. She had to come to terms with many things from last night. There would be no going back—no do-overs. The words were out there, and she couldn’t take them back. No matter how much she wished she could.
Hopefully, today she would visit with her gran, all would be well with her health outlook and then Kaitlyn and Angie could make plans to be quickly on their way. She would be well rid of Clay Morgan once and for all, along with all the feelings that had been dredged up from the past. Kaitlyn refused to even acknowledge the feeling that arose at that thought—seeing him once more and then leaving again. Stop it. No more. Yesterday was full of pain and broken dreams. Today was a new day. Moving into the bathroom, she turned the shower on as hot as she could stand it.
*
“Well, there you are, sleepyhead.” Angie grinned as Kaitlyn entered the kitchen, just after seven thirty already heading in the direction of the pot of fresh coffee, its aromatic smell having directed her steps downstairs.
Kaitlyn hadn’t bothered with her hair; she simply ran the brush through the reddish-gold strands and let it fall loose around her shoulders. She had applied more than a dab of concealer under her eyes, though, as the emotional evening had taken its toll. To lift spirits as much as possible, she had chosen a lavender-colored camisole top over white jeans and soft leather flats. Tiny gold studs were her only simple jewelry. She tucked a few strands of hair behind an ear, while pouring a cup of coffee for herself. Taking a page from one of Angie’s fashion books, she might as well look good on the outside—go down with guns blazing and all that stuff. She had no idea what to expect when seeing Clay in the morning light after the fool she had made of herself the previous evening. Truthfully, she wouldn’t blame him if he tossed her out to find other lodging. Except, he wouldn’t do that. He would do his “duty,” no matter what he felt personally. He evidently had a promise to keep to her grandmother.
Kaitlyn moved to perch on the vacant stool next to Angie at the counter. She took a sip of the strong liquid before she spoke, her eyes taking in the fact it was just the two of them in the kitchen.
“Is that a blueberry muffin?”
“Yes, it is, and don’t get any ideas.” Angie moved her plate farther away. “If you had bothered to get up earlier, you might have had one, too. But Edie gave out all she had to Clay and me.”
Kaitlyn didn’t know what displeased her more—the loss of a muffin or the fact that her friend and Clay had shared a cozy breakfast together. At least he was out of the house, doing whatever kept him busy on his ranch or his lawman’s work.
“Since when have you become an early riser? I recall you and the rising of the sun have never been on speaking terms.”
“It must be the fresh country air. Or the scenery one finds on a ranch. It can be positively inspiring.” Angie’s voice was full of saucy innuendo and she finished it off with a wickedly gleeful smile. For some reason, Kaitlyn didn’t smile in return.
Angie took another sip of her coffee. “Of course, it’s a bit of a downer when the only gorgeous, available male around here is already taken. Only the lady in question is a bit hardheaded and has blinders on at the moment.”
Kaitlyn was mulling Angie’s statement over in her brain when Edie breezed through the outside door.
“There you are. My, you look as pretty as a picture today. Doesn’t she, Clay?” She tossed that last bit toward the door behind the woman.
Kaitlyn didn’t have to turn to know he’d come into the room. The air had become charged around them. Okay. New day. Calmly, she took another sip of coffee, without bothering to acknowledge his arrival, but her mind was on alert for a clue as to how to approach him today with the apology.
Crossing to the counter, his tall back came into her line of sight. Clay opened a cabinet door and took down a glass, filling it with water from the tap. He still didn’t respond until after he’d taken a few sips and placed the glass into the sink. Then he slowly turned, resting his hips against the cabinet behind him, arms folded across his chest, one boot hooked behind the other. His eyes made a long, slow perusal… something that totally unnerved her.
Her wardrobe choice might not be the best one. Her arms felt too bare, the neckline a bit too revealing and jeans too tight. Could she ever win?
“Perfect.”
Kaitlyn choked on the sip of coffee she had just taken. She grabbed the napkin beside her and quickly dabbed her mouth at a loss to stop the reaction the one word had caused.
One word. The same word he’d used once before on a very special evening. But she would absolutely not go back there again. She grasped at anything to keep her mind focused on the here and now.
“I trust we can be on our way to the hospital soon? We certainly aren’t here on vacation. We don’t want to be underfoot any longer than we need to be.”
The tawny eyes immediately left their assessment of her and became shuttered. Pushing away from the cabinet, Clay headed for the back door, reaching for his hat on the peg next to it.
Pausing on the threshold, pulling the brim down on his forehead, he tossed to no one in particular. “Your grandmother wants you there for afternoon visiting hours, which begin at three. Make yourselves at home. I’ll be outside with Seth in the horse stables if anyone needs me.” The door closed behind him.
The room seemed emptier without his larger-than-life presence. But Kaitlyn wasn’t complaining. Clay was a bit much to take early in the day—the way his freshly starched jeans fit his long legs like gloves and a blue chambray shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to just above his elbows, stretched nicely across a solid chest. Kaitlyn noted the top three buttons were undone too, and the tanned column of throat… stop right there. The fact that he was one hundred percent virile male wasn’t in doubt. Unfortunately, he had aged like a fine wine. He had only gotten sexier over the last dozen years. What was in doubt was her ability to think in a coherent manner whenever he was within her sight.
“Here’s your plate. I kept it warm for you and made a couple of fresh muffins just for you also.” Edie brought her back to reality with heavenly smells of a ranch breakfast. The plate she sat before her was filled with delectable food.
“Edie, you didn’t need to do this. I’m really not used to having breakfast most days.”
“You don’t have breakfast?” The woman looked appalled.
“I’m usually up early for my gym time and then a rehearsal and I get home very late after a regular performance. I try to grab an energy drink then a salad for lunch and something like chicken and veggies for dinner. Although, I have to agree with Angie, if we stay here much longer, I will certainly have to double my gym time.”
“Nonsense. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s what the experts say and, for once, they know what they’re talking about. You’re not too much of a city girl that you forgot that country truth, have you? Now, eat up.”
Kaitlyn attempted to busy herself with the food on the plate before her. Only sparingly did she join in the light conversation between Angie and Edie. She did manage a smile, even though she still felt the
uneasiness—more of a “waiting for the other shoe to drop” feeling. Don’t borrow trouble. She admitted it was nice to sit and enjoy the beginning of a day in such an unhurried way, semi-relaxing for the first time in quite a while—at least in the last forty-eight hours.
Edie wouldn’t hear of either of them helping her clean up. She shooed them both out of the kitchen a few minutes later. The pair moved into the living room. Having so much idle time was a novelty to both females.
“Okay, it’s time to get down and dirty with a fast game of twenty-one!” Angie had found some cards on a shelf and held them up. Perching on the low stool in front of the coffee table, she began to shuffle the deck. “I better warn you, I’m a real card shark.”
Kaitlyn arched an eyebrow, taking the seat across from her. “Since when? I seem to recall you always ending up owing me a bundle of matchsticks.”
“My luck has changed. Plus, the fact that one of my assistants has a twelve-year-old card shark for a niece. She’s taught me a lot, so get ready to lose… big time.”
Kaitlyn grinned. “And then I suppose we can follow up this with a hot game of go fish.”
“Right before we pencil in some time in our busy schedules to drag ourselves out to the porch to a pair of those rocking chairs. We have to get our strength back for our afternoon nap.”
Both women laughed. Angie could always coax that out of Kaitlyn. She envied her friend that ability. Angie kept things light, most of the time, when she wasn’t interrogating Kaitlyn about Clay. Angie’s sense of humor was often quick-witted and right on target. “Light” was what Kaitlyn needed from her friend these days.
Angie brought Kaitlyn back to reality, kept her grounded, kept her from being so serious all the time. Plus, she was a good sounding board about the growing number of career decisions facing Kaitlyn every day. Kaitlyn’s career had taken off and never slowed down. She couldn’t complain. She was smart enough to realize she had a remarkable streak of good luck. Still, to be able to have the time to sit on a porch or have a cup of coffee in a kitchen in the morning with the man she loves—loved—whatever! There she went again. She give an inch and the man took a mile and intruded into every thought. He even made her lose the card hand—at least she blamed it on him.
Clay didn’t come in for the early lunch, and she was both relieved and disappointed? No way. Leave it at relieved. Perhaps he was avoiding her? She really couldn’t blame him. She was a real witch last night. Then she’d sounded petty this morning in the kitchen with her comment about leaving.
After lunch, she and Angie watched a classic black and white television show on the comedy station. At its conclusion, Angie announced it was time for her to go upstairs and “check out the insides of my eyelids,” as she put it. She claimed her “tiredness” was another result of the fresh country air.
Kaitlyn smiled. “What would a city girl like you know about country air?”
“I know it doesn’t smell of car exhaust, polluted rivers, rotting garbage, and who knows what else. Besides, I’m sure you can find something—or someone—to keep you company while I get my beauty rest. If you get my drift.” Angie tossed a sly smile Kaitlyn’s way.
“To risk repeating myself for the umpteenth time, do not go there.” Kaitlyn lost her own smile. “I’m sure he wants to stay as far from me as possible after last night.”
Angie paused then crossed back to place an arm around her friend, giving her a brief squeeze. “Look, I did some thinking on all of this.” She threw up a hand when Kaitlyn went to interrupt. “Now hear me out,” she began. “He lost his wife. That had to have been an awful time that we can’t begin to imagine. However, it was a long time ago, eleven years, according to Edie. It’s well past time that he moved on and found another woman to love and add to his family with. That is where I think you can come in. Just don’t slam the door on the idea, is all I’m saying. You guys have ‘history,’ so build on that.”
Angie gave Kaitlyn another quick hug and off she went, without waiting for Kaitlyn to make a reply. Kaitlyn knew her friend meant well, but Angie had no idea of the history between Clay and herself, at least not the unedited version. A door had been closed a long time ago between them, and it wasn’t Kaitlyn who had closed it.
*
In the barn, Clay was taking out his frustrations on the set of stall doors he and Seth were installing. The first set of doors had gone up fairly fast, but the second set was taking a bit more work, and Clay was already frustrated enough from the events of the last twenty-four hours in his household. Always at the corner of his mind was the redheaded female that had proved she hadn’t lost her ability to get under his skin faster than any other human being could ever manage.
“Maybe I should go into town and buy a couple more hammers on our lunch break.” Seth kept his eyes on his own work placing the latches on said doors.
Clay kept hammering on the new planking in front of him. “Why do you say we need more hammers? We each have one in our hands.”
Seth’s eyebrow raised a notch, but he kept working. “Yep, we do. But we’ve had one break on us so far today and these are the last two. If I was a gamblin’ man, I’d wager that the one you have in your hand will be useless soon, too.”
Halting his next swing in midair, Clay’s gaze went to where the other man worked a few feet away. Clay narrowed his regard of the man. “Are you saying I don’t know what I’m doing?”
Seth slowly shook his head but kept on working. “Didn’t say that at all. You know what you’re doing when it comes to that gate. Maybe it’s just the hammers are old and worn out and can’t take the force anymore.”
“Point taken. You know, you might have a career in politics or as a diplomat after you leave ranching.” Clay straightened from his task, a slight grin creasing his face.
He got the other man’s message loud and clear. He’d been in a foul mood since leaving the kitchen earlier that morning, and he had taken it out on the nailing—effectively sending the head of his first hammer flying off after a particularly hard repetition of blows. In fact, the board had split about the same time, causing his temper to really heat up. That wasn’t like him. Things had deteriorated even more when a second board had bit the dust not too long after the first.
“I don’t plan to do nothing after I leave this ranch,” Seth smiled in reply. “Except, of course, what my wife wants me to do.” He clarified with a grin. “But I think it’s about lunchtime, and you know Edie don’t like people late to the table.”
“You go ahead,” Clay replied. “I’ll put up these last few boards. I’ll grab something in town. Plus some extra hammers and a few more boards at the lumber yard.”
The older man didn’t argue with him.
*
The drive into McKenna Springs was usually a short one simply because Clay often had only a certain amount of time and too many things to accomplish in his day. But he had taken a few days from the office and, for reasons which he tried to ignore, he felt compelled to draw out the round trip. Stalling even more, he stopped in at Ken’s Burger Joint to grab a quick bite. He was asked to join a couple of tables of people as he entered but he made the excuse he was on a short break. Seating himself in a corner next to the window overlooking the town square, he could keep his attention on other things. The owner of the café came over for his order.
“Haven’t seen you around for a couple of weeks now. You been out of town on assignment?” Ken Foster had been born and raised in McKenna Springs and inherited the business from his family some forty years before. In his late sixties, he still kept going with no plans of retirement. The café was little more than a burger joint but he did have the best burgers in town and was a perpetual hit with the noonday crowd from the law enforcement center just across the street and the school district offices on the opposite corner. The café was only open five days of the work week but it stayed hopping.
“Yes, been a bit busy. Looks like things are the same for you.” Clay nodded to another group of
men that had just seated themselves a couple tables over. “But that’s good. Keeps you out of trouble I guess.”
Ken laughed at the words. “That it does and interferes a bit with a man’s fishing time, too. You should take some time off to fish now and then. You came in looking like a man with a load on his mind. You’re too young for that stuff. Take it from an old guy like me… don’t sweat the small stuff. Your family and those you love are all that really matter. Take that son of yours fishing and you’ll see what I mean.”
After the man left with his food order, his words lingered in Clay’s mind. His gaze might be focused outside the window beside him; the chatter of the room blocked out, but his mind was in a jumble of thoughts. His son. Josh hadn’t met Kaitlyn yet… and vice versa. What would that meeting be like? At first, he thought he could prolong it and perhaps it wouldn’t even take place. But something didn’t feel right in that and Kaitlyn could be staying longer than any of them might think. It all depended on the outcome of what the doctor had to say this afternoon about Georgia. That brought a whole other range of emotions and concerns. Her grandmother was all Kaitlyn had in the world as far as real family. It would devastate her if anything were to happen to the woman.
Kaitlyn. How tangled people’s lives could become even when a person had only the best intentions at heart. Heart. Well, there was another surprise. His heart had certainly dealt him a blow yesterday when he stepped from the helicopter and laid eyes on the girl… correction… woman he had loved for so long. He had told himself he was past all that and he could keep things compartmentalized in regards to Kaitlyn and their past and the present. But he had been wrong. She turned her blue-green gaze on him and stared right into his soul. And made it very clear what she thought of him and the fact she wanted nothing to do with him. She couldn’t wait to get away. He supposed he couldn’t blame her. The fact she had so much anger directed at him was somewhat of a shock but not totally without merit. She had one side of the story and he had been okay with that. It was easier for everyone concerned… or so he had told himself.