Twist of Fate

by Witek, Barbara

  “Where you going, beautiful?” he said in a deep whisper.

  Something flashed in her eyes as she stared down at him, and he felt proud knowing he put it there. Mischief or lust, he couldn’t figure it out. It didn’t matter. He wanted her. Gently he pulled her closer. Her eyes grew wide then sultry with passion. He wanted so much to kiss her but he wasn’t sure how she’d feel about that in front of Rusty and Jill. He certainly didn’t want to spook her since they’d been getting along so well.

  “What are you thinking about?” He hoped like hell he’d been able to hide the anxiousness in his voice. The blush that spread across her cheeks only aided his want for her.

  Her breath tickled his skin like a feather, “Oh...I’ll fill you in later.”

  “That good, huh?” He quirked a brow, enjoying the look on her face with every passing moment. She tipped her head, and he noticed how the light brought out the amber highlights in her hair.

  “Better than good.” She formed a sexy smile, revving his pulse like a jackhammer.

  Was she playing with him? He liked it. Sam thought he’d explode when her tongue slipped out to wet her lips. How much longer did she think he could hold out? Yeah, it was lust. She wanted him, too.

  “Looks like somebody’s gonna get lucky tonight,” Rusty chimed in from behind Kate.

  “Russ!” She turned and swatted him in the shoulder.

  Everyone broke out in laughter. That is, everyone except Jill. Sam locked eyes with her and had a sinking feeling the party was over. He didn’t have a chance to figure Jill out before Kate pulled him to his feet.

  “I said, what are we going to do with him.” Kate had one hand on Rusty’s shoulder preventing him from escaping. Her cheeks were rosy, and she glowed like an angel. Sam’s angel.

  “We’re not going to do anything with him. It’s what I’d like to do with you...” Sam’s voice trailed off and they exchanged a heated stare. She placed a finger under his chin and he nipped at it as she traced a pattern on his bottom lip.

  “Hold that thought, cowboy. I’ve got to hit the powder room.”

  Sam watched her hips sway down the hall. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on that body. He shifted his stance to accommodate his own body’s reaction.

  Tonight was the night.

  “I hate to interrupt your testosterone surge, but we need to talk.”

  Sam whipped around to find Jill directly behind him. “Yeah, I figured. What’s up?”

  “Not here.” She grabbed his elbow. “In the kitchen.”

  Sam had no time to speak as Jill pulled him through the dining room and into the small, urban kitchen. Copper pots hung from a stainless steel rack over the island, complimenting the stainless steel appliances and deep, espresso cabinetry. Rusty leaned against the black granite counter and handed Sam another beer.

  “What’s going on?” Sam snapped. Here he was, on the perfect high of the night, and they were about to take him down. He could feel it coming.

  “Kate kind of filled me in on your shopping trip.” Jill cornered him against the counter.

  “So?”

  “So what’s this about a leather dress?”

  “Oh that. She wanted to buy it for Jennie.”

  “She told me. Why didn’t you let her?”

  “I couldn’t let her go in that store period. Not for that dress or any other thing in there.” Sam leaned forward and spun out of Jill’s reach.

  “And why is that?” She stalked him like a lioness around the island.

  “Because, that particular dress was one of her designs.”

  “Hers?” Jill and Rusty said in unison.

  “Yeah, don’t you see? That one little thing could have been the spark in her memory. I certainly couldn’t let her see a dress she designed herself, up close.”

  “That would be a little too risky, wouldn’t it buddy?” Rusty stated matter-of-factly while Sam’s gaze dropped to the floor, and he frowned. He knew where Rusty’s mind was.

  “It’s like I told you, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “Sam, she’s going to find out.” Jill’s words forced him to look up.

  “Eventually, but I’ve already told Russ I’ll tell her when I feel she can handle it.”

  “Which may end up being more sooner than later, my dear.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “She asked me if I knew what you were up to, and I didn’t know what to say. She started asking me all kinds of questions as to why you would have hurried her away from the store. I’ve semi-convinced her you’re thinking of buying her the dress. That dress is just the beginning, Sam. She’s even mentioned a dark man.”

  Sam’s chest tightened and his wince didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Uh-huh. We all know who she’s talking about. You haven’t forgotten who she was really married to, have you? I think she’s seriously trying to put two and two together. Something isn’t sitting right with her, and God help you if she figures it out before you decide to tell.”

  Sam plopped onto a chrome stool at the island, placing his head in his hands. “She can’t do that.”

  “Oh yes she can, and she’s going to. You need to keep things in perspective.”

  “What can I do?” Sam made an attempt at rubbing the tension away from his head then took a sip of beer.

  “Tell her. Be honest,” Jill pleaded.

  “It’s too soon,” he spoke to the glistening countertop, not wanting to face his friends. Why didn’t they understand? Hell, he didn’t know what to do any more than they did, but the thought of telling Kate everything right now tossed a dark shadow over his jubilant mood.

  “She’s stronger than you think. You’re not going to lose her,” Rusty added.

  Jill took the stool next to Sam and placed a hand on his forearm. “It’s going to get worse the longer you wait. Aren’t you afraid she’ll go back to ‘what’s-his-name’ and hate your guts for all eternity?”

  Sam didn’t like where this conversation was going. Filled with anger, he launched himself off the stool to face them both.

  “Look, you guys are way off base. She’s not mine to lose. I can’t make her fall back in love with me, nor do I want to. Not now, not ever. Do you understand?”

  “In love with you? What are you talking about?” Jill’s eyes were like saucers.

  “That’d be my idea, hon,” Rusty grinned sheepishly.

  “And it has to be the stupidest idea you’ve ever had.”

  “Hey, you didn’t seem to think so when we were at the house waiting for them to come home.” Rusty rubbed his arm after Jill’s painful smack.

  “And you know I can’t think straight when you’re kissing my neck like that.” Jill raised a finger to further silence him.

  Sam held up his palm, and his friends stopped to listen. “Six years ago she didn’t think I was worth sticking around for, so what would be her reason for doing so now? She has no ties to me. She has a life to get back to. As soon as the coast is clear, I’ll tell her.”

  “Tell me what?” Kate popped through the entryway, giving them a very curious look. “You three look like a bunch of cats that got caught with their paws in the fishbowl. What’s going on?” She crossed the room and stood next to Sam, hooking his arm.

  “Nothing.” He faked a smile. Thankfully she’d missed the glare he’d given Jill.

  “Well it sure sounded like something the way you guys were arguing. I could hear you from down the hall. What’s up?”

  “Oh, you know me, Kate. I couldn’t get that ‘dress-thing’ out of my head. I was prying your darling husband for clues, you know, to see if my assumption was right.” Jill returned Sam’s intense glare and continued, “Of which, he didn’t give me any.” She stuck her tongue out for emphasis. “So anyway, I was trying to convince him to tell you what dress he did get. But he won’t do it.” Jill’s eyes softened as she gave him a knowing look.

  He understood what she was saying, and over the top of Kate’s head
he mouthed ‘don’t worry.’ He then walked past Kate to put an arm around Jill’s shoulders. “And it doesn’t matter what you say, I’m not going to tell her.”

  “That’s all right. I’d rather be surprised. Besides, I was sketching the other day and thought maybe I’d design my own clothes. Remember how I used to? I just couldn’t find anything in the closet I liked or that fit well.” She seemed unaffected by their stunned expressions and continued, “I can’t imagine why I didn’t think to do this sooner. Anyhow, I came up with a wonderful idea. The finished product will knock your socks off. Maybe Jill and I can go shopping for fabric soon.”

  Sam wagged his finger like a reprimanding parent. “Only if that means you’ll forget about the dress shop.”

  “I guess.” She gave him a pout which had his pulse surging once again.

  Rusty interrupted with a grin. “Hey, now that we’ve solved that ‘crisis’, can we have dessert?”

  Sam gave him a fake punch to the gut. “There you go again, always thinking of your stomach.”

  “More for me if you’re not eating.”

  “No way. I remember Jill’s famous apple crumb cake and I’ll fight you for a piece.” The two men turned into boys again as they punched, jabbed and got each other in a headlock.

  “You guys are too much. C’mon Kate, let’s take the dessert to the table.”

  ***

  Kate didn’t know how she’d made it through dinner, but there was no way she could eat dessert. She was too excited. Over and over she’d played out how she wanted to start. Now that they were all together, she was a mass of jumbled nerves. The wine she’d drunk with dinner had done nothing to soothe her anxiety. She stopped mutilating her poor crumb cake and placed the fork on the plate.

  “I know what the three of you are up to.” She saw forks stop mid-air as all eyes locked on her. “It took me a while, but I figured it out.” She pushed away from the table. “How did you think I wouldn’t know?”

  “Oh honey.” Jill put her fork down, ready to stand.

  Kate’s hand went up. “No, stop. You see, ever since I came home something hasn’t felt right. I didn’t know exactly what it was, and it’s been eating me up inside.”

  Rusty coughed as he choked on a crumb and then took a large drink of ice water. Kate walked to the other side of the room and turned to face the trio. “I’ve seen flashes from the past that I couldn’t put together. I still don’t know how it all fits in with the present, but I’m working on it.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I found out something and I’m shocked by it.” Focusing her eyes on Sam, she added, “You lied to me.”

  Kate saw him grow pale but continued, “I wanted to be mad at you. I couldn’t understand why you would do something like this.”

  “Kate, it’s not like you think. You have to let me explain. I’ve tried to--”

  “Let me finish. I wanted to be mad at you, but I couldn’t.”

  “Huh?” the trio echoed.

  “The minute I walked into that room, I knew there was more than what you were telling me.”

  “Room? What room?”

  Did she hear fear in Sam’s voice?

  “The room you told me was storage,” she said flatly.

  “What were you doing in there after I told you not to?”

  She gave him a stern look. “I’m a big girl, Sam. I don’t need to be ‘told’ what to do, especially in my own house.” She walked to the other side of the table, fingering the fringe on Jill’s Asian-style table runner. “It started out as a lesson to face my fear of furry little rodents, but I had this feeling there was something in that room to help me solve this puzzle. And I was right.” She couldn’t understand why they all looked so glum…and scared.

  Then it hit her. “Listen, I’m okay. I had myself a good long cry and I’ve come to terms with everything. I have the perfect solution.”

  Rusty was the first to find his voice. “Everything? Solution? What exactly are you talking about, because I don’t think we’re all on the same page of this story?”

  They all stared at her as if she were about to give them bad news and she almost lost her nerve. One look at Sam reminded her that her news was good, and they needed to hear it. If she were ever going to work past the accident, they all needed to move forward. Taking a deep breath, she couldn’t hold out any longer.

  “The nursery. I was in the nursery.” She rushed to Sam and knelt by his side. “Oh, Sam, I know our baby died and it scared me at first that you didn’t tell me. Then I realized you’re still grieving and you can’t talk about it yet. After retelling me about my dad, you didn’t want to upset me more by telling me about our baby.”

  “Kate.” Sam cleared his throat, and his eyes glassed over. “It’s not, I--”

  “Don’t say another word. We don’t have to talk about it now.”

  “But I, you--”

  “I know I’ve had a bit to drink tonight. However, I haven’t had so much as I don’t know what I’m talking about. All I want you to do is say yes.” She stared into those deep blue eyes and her heart felt true. This was right. Everything felt right. She took his hands. “Let’s have another baby.”

  “What?” He stood, pulling her with him.

  Kate looked from Jill to Rusty and back to Sam. “I know it seems crazy, but that’s what’s been missing. This void, the emptiness I couldn’t put my finger on has been our missing baby.”

  “Kate, honey, are you sure you’re ready for this?” Jill took a tentative step toward her.

  “Jill’s right. Maybe you should slow down a little,” Rusty said and joined Jill.

  Sam stood motionless, a blank stare on his ever paling face. Kate squeezed his hand, covering it with both of hers. She couldn’t speak until his eyes met hers.

  “Sam, this is the right thing to do. We need to move on with our lives. I want to do this. We need to do this. Please tell me you’ll say yes. Please...” She held her breath while she waited for what seemed like an eternity.

  “Kate, I...I don’t know. This is a big decision. I’ll have to think on it. That’s all I can promise.”

  “That’s enough, for now.” She threw her arms around him and held on tighter than was necessary as she tried to squelch the nagging voice in the back of her brain telling her something still wasn’t right.

  Chapter Seven

  Sam drummed the steering wheel with his thumbs. What on earth was he doing? This whole charade had become far more than he’d bargained for. Keeping her safe was one thing, but now? This was beyond out of control.

  He thought for sure they’d all died at least three times over dessert. There was no way he could agree to having a baby until she knew the truth. He barely heard a word Kate said as she bubbled over about babies, families, and the nursery. He kicked himself for not cleaning out that room years ago.

  Look where it’d gotten him.

  He’d been on top of the world, and in a few short moments it had all gone to hell. Damn, he should still be on top of the world. Maybe Rusty wasn’t that far off? What she was asking seemed a simple enough request. He and Kate had always dreamed of a family, someday. She had been “late” a couple of times when they were younger, and although he’d prayed for the negative, he would have been thrilled with a positive. Then why, now, did the thought fill him with such dread?

  He knew the answer to that question. He’d lived through it once. If it ever came down to losing Kate, he could deal. But he wouldn’t lose his child, not his real child. Memories crashed around him like debris from a wrecking crane.

  When Robin told him about the baby, of course he’d been shocked. They’d been together and the timing was right for the child to be his. Sam had never questioned it. He did what any respectable man would do. Only three years later, he’d found out Ben wasn’t his son after all. Some biker-dude had come to the door claiming to be the boy’s father and telling Robin he loved her. Robin had cried her apologies to Sam and in the end had taken their son to live with C
huck. Sam knew he should’ve been relieved, but when all was said and done he missed his son. He’d never had the heart to take everything out of the room. He’d even left all of Robin’s stuff, thinking maybe they’d be back if things didn’t work out with the dude. Apparently that was Robin’s style: when in trouble turn to Sam.

  That was three years ago. He hadn’t heard from her since.

  Sam took a sideward glance at Kate, who was the woman of his dreams. The one he’d regretted losing six years ago. The one he’d regret if he lost again. The one who wanted to give him the one thing he couldn’t take the risk of losing.

  He looked again as she absently twirled a strand of hair. How could he deny her? Hell, he’d basically said he’d do anything to protect her. He quickly reminded himself protecting her and opening his heart up for this kind of commitment were two totally different things. Especially when she’d made it perfectly clear she didn’t feel anything. Of course, that was before she’d lost her memory. Lately, she’d been acting like the old Kate, his Kate.

  Maybe he was looking at things the wrong way? Maybe this was the one thing to hold her to him should the truth ever come out. Just as soon as the thought entered his mind, he knew it was wrong. A twinkle of lights brought his gaze to the rear view mirror.

  “Damn,” he muttered under his breath.

  “Is something wrong?” Kate stirred in the seat.

  “No, nothing to worry about. Caught myself going a little too fast on these back roads. Don’t want to get pulled over by a cop.”

  “Oh.” Kate stifled a yawn then leaned back against the headrest.

  Sam glanced in the mirror again. He’d noticed the van pull out about the same time they’d left Jill and Rusty’s house. They were doing a hell of a job tailing him, staying back just far enough as not to arouse suspicion.

  Only Sam didn’t need to be suspicious. He already knew who they worked for. Why they hadn’t forced him off the road by now, he didn’t know. Well, they’d have to kill him if they wanted to take her. She didn’t remember anything yet, and he wasn’t ready to give her up.