“Jared. Are you guys okay?” He reached the area where a five tier Venetian chandelier had crashed to the floor, sending shards of glass in every direction. Now that the dust was settling he could see Jared holding his arm, blood seeping between his fingers. After verifying no one else was seriously injured, Ty checked the damage.
“What the hell happened?” He started in his friend’s direction, only to be shoved aside as Katy pushed by, disregarding both his stay back edict, and the precarious walkway.
“Let me see,” she said, and peeled Jared’s fingers back. He winced and she patted his shoulder. “Come on, tough guy. You can handle a little blood, can’t you?”
“Depends on what you call little, Nurse Nightingale,” Jared teased. “Where’s your bedside manner?”
Ty wanted to make him bleed harder.
Disgusted, he turned away from the little tableau and stomped over to his other men. “You two all right?” At their nods, he frowned and gazed up at the hole in his ceiling. “What the hell happened? That light’s been hanging there fine for fifty some-odd years, and suddenly it falls today?”
“I don’t know, boss. We were working on the stairs going up to the stage and heard this big crack. Next thing you know the whole thing let go, and we dove for cover.” Larry slapped his gloves against his thigh, dislodging a puff of dust from when he’d lunged out of the way. “We checked it just last week like you asked us. It was fine then—at least it seemed solid.” He glanced over at Brent. “There’s been some weird shit going on around here, lately.”
Ty raked frustrated fingers through his hair. “What kind of weird shit? And why haven’t you mentioned it before now?” He sighed, “I can’t very well fix it if I don’t know about it.”
“Sorry, boss. We just figured it was kids playing pranks, is all.” Brent dabbed at a cut across the bridge of his nose. “It started out pretty harmless. We’d go for a break and our lunches would be gone, or we’d head for the can and get locked in. That kind of stuff. Then a couple of days ago, Larry left to grab some parts and you stepped out to check on another job. I started on that molding you wanted lifted and was making good headway when the lights suddenly went out. It’s some kind of fricken… beggin’ your pardon.” He nodded at Katy who’d come up beside Ty with Jared in tow. “Dark in here when those lights go out.”
“It wasn’t just a breaker?” Ty frowned, conscious of Katy’s interest.
“First thing I checked. We wired all the sidelights into one panel box like you said, and put this chandelier in the other. They were both tripped. Now how do you suppose that happened?”
“Could it have been the same kids?” Katy asked.
“No ma’am, I don’t see how. We have those panels in a locked room.”
“We’ll start keeping the entry doors secured at all times, see if that’ll help,” Ty said. “For now I’d better get Jared to the hospital. He’s looking a little peaked.” Then wished he’d kept quiet as everyone’s attention, including Katy’s, turned to Jared who looked anything but weak. More like badass, with his shirt wrapped around his forearm, and his sleeve of tats.
Jared raised his brow in a “seriously bro?” kind of way. In retaliation he looked at Katy and kind of wobbled. She, of course, raced over and tucked herself under his arm to hold him up, one hand resting on his flat stomach.
Then she sent Ty a disgusted glance, “Well if you noticed that he was weak, why didn’t you come and help him? He’s your friend.”
She shepherded her patient up the aisle. “Let’s go, Jared. My car is right outside, I’ll take you to the hospital. You’re going to need a few stitches for that cut.”
About halfway up, Jared glanced back—and winked.
The prick.
CHAPTER THREE
Katy rolled down the windows of the car and let in the fresh autumn air filled with the scent of ripe apples and late blooming roses. Contrary to what they had hinted, the cut on Jared’s arm wasn’t serious, just a bit too deep to go without stitches. But she’d been happy to have the excuse to leave. To regroup.
“How are you holding up?” She kept one eye on the road while searching her favorite handbag—Prada— for sunglasses.
“Fine, until you did that,” Jared grumbled. “Has no one ever taught you about the dangers of distracted driving?”
Her right hand found the hard-shell case and levered it out of her bag, while her left hand guided the car around a corner.
“I can also pat my head and rub my belly at the same time.” She slid the frames up her nose and cast him a saucy sideways smile. “I’m multi-talented that way.”
Her gaze skated over his well-defined abs bared by the T-shirt wrapped around his arm. “I see you’ve been working out since I saw you last.”
“Gotta stay in shape to keep the ladies happy,” he murmured, his focus on the houses zipping past. “You know the speed limit is thirty, right?”
Katy laughed, stress-free for the first time since she’d arrived. “I thought that was only a guideline.”
Jeff’s choice was for them to get married in California, surrounded by their friends and his family. But ever since Katy was young, she’d pictured herself getting married in her family’s theatre. Something about the old place called to her.
Styled after the famous Loew’s Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the hall was festooned with elegant maroon velvet curtains and an embossed dome ceiling showcasing a crystal chandelier glittering overhead like a Victorian lady in a fancy ball gown.
Katy had it all planned. She’d made up a scrapbook over the years filled with pictures. Dresses in a rainbow of colors. Flower arrangements of every make and description. Oh, and the cakes. The cakes were amazing, everything from chocolate ganache to lemony delight. Katy had a serious sweet tooth, and vowed her wedding would have as many of the decadent treats as possible.
Then there was the ceremony. The ancient beat of the wedding march and the bridesmaids leading the way to the stage. The best man in his black tuxedo would be her handsome brother, Kyle. Then Katy would follow, her father at her side. She could see herself gliding down an aisle covered with scattered rose petals, bouquet in hand. Her groom would accept her hand, his blue eyes moist…
Wait—Jeff had brown eyes.
She snapped back to the present, her fingers tightening on the wheel. She was over Ty Garrett, had been for a long time now. It must be a reaction to seeing him again, that’s all. She didn’t harbor any dreams they would suddenly realize all the time they’d wasted, declare their love, and ride off into the sunset together like some dumb romance novel.
Uncomfortable with her thoughts, Katy glanced over and caught Jared eyeing her speculatively.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just wondering what you’ve been doing the last few years.” His hand patted the dash of her BMW. “You know, besides becoming a surgeon and planning a ritzy wedding, that is.”
Katy’s hackles rose.
She had fought this same reverse snobbery her whole life. Why did people always assume rich parents meant equally well-off children? She and Kyle worked for everything they’d achieved. Their parents had firmly believed in the “learn the hard way” rule.
For the most part Katy agreed with the edict, except when her brother really needed the help—and they’d refused. He quit school after that and disappeared. It was a couple of years before she heard from him again. He’d joined the Army Airborne jump school and became a freaking paratrooper, of all things. So yeah, it tended to tick her off when people thought they had it easy.
“You mean other than four years of undergraduate study, then four more years of med school, and now a five year residency to get my surgeon’s ticket?” Sarcasm laced her voice. “I’ve been hobnobbing with California’s rich and famous, of course.”
Jared stretched across the console with his uninjured arm and awkwardly patted her shoulder. “Hey, whoa down tiger. I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m proud of you. You’re working t
oward accomplishing your dreams.” His hand dropped into his lap and he turned to gaze out his side window. “That’s more than a lot of us can say.”
Katy drove a couple of blocks in silence. The neighborhoods they passed seemed the same as when she’d lived here, yet different somehow. The old hospital had been handy for everyone, situated in the center of town. Jared told her the new building was located on the west end, almost at the outskirts. As it came into view, Katy had to admit it was an impressive sight, easily twice as large as the old one. Modern in design, all rugged angles and glass with the roof covered in solar panels in an effort to save on energy consumption. A carport off to the side housed two ambulances and an emergency response truck.
She pulled into the visitor parking, found a space, and shut down the car’s engine. Turning sideways, Katy waved her hand between them. “Okay, Martin. Spill the beans. What’s going on with you?”
He fiddled with the makeshift bandage on his arm for a few moments before meeting her narrowed stare. “Nothing, it’s just taking a bit to get my bearings after leaving the teams. You know how it is.”
Yeah, she did. Her brother, still enlisted, showed many of the same symptoms. PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a soldier’s worst enemy. How do you fight against something that’s invisible? Katy wished she had an answer. Thanks to Kyle she’d read up on the symptoms, one of which was the patient often felt alone, even surrounded by loved ones.
She reached over and punched his good arm.
“Ouch.” His head reared back, and his eyebrows climbed for the ceiling. “What did you do that for?”
Katy smirked, “Just because. It’s been a long time and I missed you, you big dork.”
Jared’s shoulders relaxed and his lips tipped upwards in a wry smile. “I can see why Ty was so hooked on you. You’re kinda cute when you want to be.”
Her pulse betrayed her, jumping at Ty’s name. What was the matter with her? She wasn’t some impressionable teenager to swoon at the mere mention of an old heartthrob. Those days were long past. And besides, she had a fiancé now and had no interest in talking about her non-relationship with Ty Garrett.
She shifted the conversation back to Jared. “When did you start working for Ty? Manual labor doesn’t seem like your kind of thing. From what I remember, I expected to hear of you making it big in Silicon Valley with some great new invention.”
Jared shrugged. “Your inner snob is showing. There’s nothing wrong with making a living with your hands. Michelangelo did a damn fine job of it. Give Ty a break.”
Katy snorted, she couldn’t help it. “Are you comparing Ty’s work with probably one of the most famous artists ever born?”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you see it. He’s pouring everything he’s got into this project. I think you and your family are going to be pleasantly surprised when it’s finished.” He reached across and lightly flipped her hair.
Katy clicked her tongue. “You mean if it gets finished. There’s not much time left before the wedding. Jeff will be here in another couple of weeks, and he’s going to want to see some results.” She straightened in her seat, pulled her keys, and stuffed them in her purse, then opened the door and climbed out.
Jared followed suit, and stared at her over the glistening black roof of the car. His eyes glinted with curiosity behind the lenses of his glasses. “When are you going to tell us something about this character, anyway?” His injured arm rested on the doorjamb. “Gotta admit I never pictured you with anyone but Ty. You guys always seemed perfect for each other.”
She’d thought so too. Guess they were both wrong.
Katy shoved her door closed, and winced when it slammed shut. At Jared’s raised brow, she lifted her chin in reply. “It’s because your door is still open. And I have no issues with Ty. None at all.”
He smirked, and closed his door—gently—before joining her on the sidewalk. He gave her a little shoulder bump and almost knocked her over.
“What? I don’t have a problem, Ty is a friend, that’s all. Now do you want to hear about Jeff, or don’t you?”
She sidestepped a couple of giggling interns ogling Jared’s admittedly fine physique. He barely noticed, his attention on her. That wasn’t the Jared she remembered. He’d always been the ladies’ man. Katy and her friend, Annie Campbell, were the only consistent women in his life besides his family.
“I’ve heard a little from Mom and Jack. They say he’s a big-time property developer. That must make your pops happy,” he said.
Yes, it had. Sometimes Katy wasn’t sure if Jeff was dating her or her dad. “Aren’t you a little chilly like that? I’m sure Ty could’ve lent you a jacket.”
“Hey now, you hustled me out of the theatre before I had a chance to say boo. It’s not my fault women find me irresistible,” he smirked.
“In your dreams, buddy boy. In your dreams.” They ambled toward the entrance. The cool breeze sent a chill up Katy’s spine. “Jeff has a good business mind. His company seems to do very well for itself. He’s a decent man, I’m sure you’ll like him.”
She glanced sideways and met Jared’s dubious stare. “He cares about me.” Unlike Ty, hung in the air between them.
“Katy…” Jared grasped her arm to slow her down.
Just then Doctor Johnson stepped out the front entry doors. Katy laughed and raced into his welcoming arms. She held on for a few seconds, inhaling the familiar scents of Old Spice and spearmint. He’d delivered her and Kyle into the world and in some ways, was more of a father to them than their own had ever been. Doc had often told the two youngsters they could be whatever they wanted, if only they dared to dream. Katy accredited her current career to the family doctor. He’d taught her the true value of becoming a physician, and it wasn’t about the almighty dollar, no matter what her parents thought.
She gave his grizzled cheek a smooch, then stepped back to have a better look. He seemed just the same as she remembered. With a tall spare frame, dark twinkling eyes and thick salt and pepper hair, his friendly smile warmed the heart and instilled confidence in his patients.
He squeezed her fingers, and took note of Jared’s arm. “Well, Katelyn Jane, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?. I’ve missed you, my girl.”
“Oh, Doc, I’ve missed you, too. I should’ve visited more often.” Quick tears rose to the surface.
“Hey now, let’s have none of that.” He tugged her in for another hug. “I know you and that brother of yours have a lot on your plate. I’m here whenever you need me, always will be. And besides…” He let her go and motioned Jared over, “you call me every month to check up on me. So it’s not like you disappeared off the face of the planet—like this one did.”
Katy smirked when six foot tall Jared cringed like a chastised child. “Sorry, Doc.”
“And so you should be, young man. Your mother worried herself sick while you were gone.” Doc Johnson’s tone was firm with disapproval, while at the same time his hands gently unwrapped Jared’s arm for a look. “Hmm, you’ll need a few stitches for sure. Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?”
Kyle had mentioned that a few years earlier something had happened between Jared and his mother. Katy had discredited the info as gossip, but now she had to wonder if there was more to the story. She would try to talk to him after they left the hospital. Maybe that was the basis for his discontent. He’d always been a good friend, she wanted to help if she could.
“C’mon, let’s get you inside before I have to carry you. I know how you SEAL boys are when it’s proven you’re human after all,” she teased. “I like your new hospital, Doc. What made the town decide to shell out for new digs?”
“Hmm?” Doc Johnson looked rather bemused. “It wasn’t the town, my dear. It was your fiancé.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Frustrated, Ty swept up the broken glass with a corn broom and dumped the glittering pieces into a cardboard box. The old chandelier had hung in this theatre ever since he could remember. More than one kid
had stared into its shining beauty and imagined himself a hero of fabled lands. Maybe a dragon-slayer, a spy, or even a covert agent. Ty had been all those at one time or another. Now all that history lay shattered at his feet.
He sighed. This job was becoming more problematic by the moment. He should probably call his brother and give him a heads up, but as sheriff, Jack already had enough on his plate. Besides, the two of them weren’t getting along all that well lately. Jack couldn’t understand why Ty had agreed to restore the theatre, considering his past with Katy. Hell, he didn’t understand it himself.
Setting the broom aside, he strode up the ramp to the back of the room, pushed aside the tarp and made his way to the steel door marked, Electrical. He twisted the knob. Locked, just as it should be. He pulled a heavy set of keys from his pocket and searched for the one that fit. It was hard to see with the dim bulb above his head throwing his shadow up the walls. He needed a replacement for here also. He fed the key into the lock and had just started to turn the knob when a thud sounded somewhere behind him.
Startled, he swung around and stared at the two doors across the hall. The washrooms. He pushed open the women’s first, not sure where the noise had come from. The room was pitch-black and oppressive. His heart gave a warning thump.
Tensed for anything, Ty felt along the wall for the switch. The light clicked on and he carefully made his way into the narrow rectangular room. Three sinks and a large mirror reflected the closed stalls across the way. He hesitated and then chose door number two first. He stood off to the side and slammed it back on its hinges, ready for anyone who might jump out at him.
Nothing.
Exhaling, he moved to the next stall.
Nothing again.
Ready to leave and check the men’s restroom, Ty pushed the last door on his way by and jumped half out of his skin when a small brown body raced out between his legs.
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