Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls

by Sara Jane Stone

  “Yes, I can,” she said, looking first at Brody, then Chad. Josh had moved off, heading for the sliding glass door. “I’m not a little girl. You can trust me to take care of myself. And I did send a text letting you know when I’d be home.”

  She looked from one stern, pissed-off brother to the next, refusing to give an inch. “Now, if the three of you are here, who fed the horses this morning?”

  “Georgia offered when I called to see if she’d seen you,” Chad said.

  “Is that your boat stuck out there?” Josh asked, his tone more curious than angry. “Looks like you would have needed help sooner or later.”

  “Someone is coming,” she said.

  “Marvin?” Chad said. “We ran into him last night in town. At close to three in the morning when you didn’t respond to my calls. Marvin said he’d lent his boat to a friend who wanted to visit this side of the lake. Drunken old fool wouldn’t say who.”

  She heard the bedroom door open and wondered if Liam had been waiting for the right moment to make his entrance. She didn’t turn around, instead watching her brothers’ expressions turn dark and foreboding.

  Chad’s hands formed tight fists, his eyes widening. “Shit, is that—”

  Liam stepped into the open area and moved to her side, placing a hand in the small of her back. His touch proclaimed, She’s mine, loud and clear. And left her wondering if he’d meant what he’d said, if he would follow her lead.

  “Hey guys,” Liam said. “Were you out hiking this morning?”

  Chad stepped forward, his eyes darting to the discarded jeans, the two plates of eggs, then back to Liam. “I’ll give you five seconds to explain what the hell you’re doing out here with my sister.”

  “And if your reasons have anything to do with Moore Timber’s offer,” Brody added, his voice low. “You’re going to have a hard time swimming back to dry land.”

  LIAM ADJUSTED HIS stance, bracing for a punch while forcing a smile. Brody was right. Liam deserved to take a hit. He’d come here for Katie, but the fact that he hadn’t told her about Eric’s proposed offer made him a bastard.

  Katie quickly stepped in front of him. It took all his self-restraint not to pick her up and move her out of the path of flying fists. Not that her brothers would take a swing at Katie, but still, he wanted to fight this battle for her.

  “Back off, Chad,” she ordered. “And Brody, not another threat. This has nothing to do with Moore Timber.”

  “Katie,” Liam said. But this wasn’t the place to tell her. Not with her brothers looking as if they wanted to take him out.

  She glanced back at him. “I’ve got this.”

  Liam wanted to eat his words. He should never have promised to let her handle Brody, Chad, and Josh. Winning her trust now, in this moment, wouldn’t matter when it broke into pieces at Monday’s meeting.

  “Please,” she added before turning back to her angry siblings. “I invited Liam. We’re planning Georgia’s bachelorette party.”

  Liam pressed his lips together and nodded. Her brothers stared back at him with a trio of slack-jawed expressions.

  “Georgia had a list of ideas and Liam volunteered to help me scout locations,” Katie continued. “I thought it might be fun to include Eric and his friends. You know, a Jack and Jill party.”

  “Would you have his and her strippers?” Chad asked.

  “No strippers,” Liam and Katie said at the same time.

  “Just hiking out to the cabin,” Katie added. “Maybe spend some time on the water.”

  Brody eyed him, before focusing on Katie. “I wish you’d said something. We were worried. More so when we heard about the boating accident.”

  “We hit a stump,” Katie said. “And I know how to swim, Brody. You taught me.”

  “Did you stay in separate rooms?” Chad demanded.

  Liam glanced at Katie, ready and willing to let her handle that one. Chad was a big boy and he’d probably already guessed the answer. Or maybe he thought they’d run through the cabin tossing their dirty laundry around for fun.

  Katie put her hands on her hips. “You really want the details of my sex life?”

  “Ah, hell,” Josh muttered from his corner by the window.

  All three brothers glared at him.

  “No.” Brody looked away first, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll wade out to the boat and see if we can get it off the stump while you pack up. Liam, you’re coming with us.”

  “I should give Katie a hand with the dishes first,” Liam said. He needed to talk to her alone.

  Katie turned, smiling at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll clean up in here. My brothers will probably need your help with the boat. They’re not as big and bad as they look.”

  “Christ, Katie, if taking that job in Montana means you’ll move out,” Chad muttered, “I’m starting to think it’s a good idea.”

  As far as confrontations with Katie’s brothers, this one was a helluva lot better than the last. But whether the Summers brothers took a shot at him or not didn’t matter, he realized. Katie trumped them. Gaining her trust and winning her heart came above everything else—because he was pretty damn sure he’d handed over his.

  Chapter 16

  WITH A STATION wagon filled with three sulking men, Katie turned onto the main road and headed for the other side of the lake, where her brothers had parked their truck. They’d been furious to find her at the cabin with Liam. And spending hours waist-deep in the lake freeing the boat hadn’t elevated their moods.

  “I wish you’d let me drive,” Brody said from the passenger seat.

  “From the sounds of it, I got more sleep than the three of you,” she said.

  “I doubt that,” Chad muttered from the backseat. “I still can’t believe you spent the night with Liam Trulane. Again. You were a mess after the last time. What makes you think this time will be any different?”

  “I’m older and wiser.” And because she would be the one walking away. “You don’t have to worry about me falling apart when it ends. In fact, it is already over. Last night was a one-time thing.”

  “Did he tell you that?” Brody asked, his voice low and intent.

  “No. That was my choice.”

  “Katie,” Josh said. “I hate to be the one to ask, but are you sure this thing between you two wasn’t about the sale?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “Yes. He has more to lose than I do. For all he knows you’re so pissed you’ll refuse to take the meeting tomorrow.”

  “Sis, I’m angry,” Chad said. “But I’m not walking away from millions of dollars because you’re messing around with a guy who broke your heart once. Like you said, your choice.”

  As if her so-called revenge plot needed another hole.

  “He did start coming around right after Moore Timber made an offer,” Brody said. “He’s the friend who took you barhopping the other night, right?”

  She nodded. “I wasn’t lying when I said he’s helping with the bachelorette party.”

  Pulling up beside Brody’s truck, she put her wagon in park and turned to her brothers. “This isn’t about the deal. I swear. Georgia told him about the potential job in Montana. And I guess he wanted to see if there was something between us before I left.”

  “Is there?” Brody demanded.

  Yes. Something hot that spoke to her desires and awakened her fantasies. One night with him had left her feeling wanted, worthy, and oh so special.

  “No,” she lied. “But he makes great eggs.”

  “Both plates were full when we arrived,” Josh pointed out.

  “That’s not his only talent,” she said, turning her attention to the backseat.

  “Katie.” Chad ran his hand over his face, while Josh stared out the window. “Please, no more.”

  Brody opened his door and placed one foot on
the ground outside before turning to her. “If anything changes, come to us, Katie. We’re your family and we’re here for you. Got that?”

  “Yes. And even though I hope you guys don’t spend another night looking for me—you were fools to do it this time—thank you. But I’m fine. I’ve got this. And I want you to promise me you won’t do something stupid, like start a fight with Liam because of last night.”

  She paused, but they didn’t say a word. “I need to hear you say it. My life, my choices. You don’t get to throw punches because of them.”

  “Promise,” Brody grumbled. The others nodded their agreement.

  “But I still don’t trust him,” Chad said, opening his door.

  “You don’t have to, Chad. I do,” she said softly. “I trust him.”

  KATIE POUNDED ON Georgia’s front door as the setting sun turned the sky three shades of pink. Her long, twisted day—waking up to Liam, the confrontation with her brothers, the trip back to shore once Marvin arrived to tow the damaged boat—was behind her. But Liam’s words, the way he’d let her handle her brothers, had left her feeling as if she’d stumbled onto a cliff, uncertain if the ground beneath her would hold. She’d put on a strong front for her brothers, but after she’d dropped them off, the brave façade had crumbled.

  Right now, she didn’t want or need more uncertainty in her life. She couldn’t allow the ground to fall away, leaving her hurt at the bottom. She had too many questions in her life right now. Should she accept the job in Montana? And what about Summers Family Trucking? Would she be able to keep the company for Brody?

  Liam Trulane was just one more question mark in her life.

  “Georgia?” she called, knocking a second time. “Are you home? We need to talk.”

  Katie needed help sorting out her L-words. After everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, she feared that she couldn’t be trusted to think clearly. And there was the small issue of the bachelorette party that was now a coed event.

  The door opened and the largest golden retriever Katie had ever laid eyes on greeted her. Behind the dog, whose body blocked the entry to Georgia and Eric’s home, stood a thin blonde with waist-long, wavy hair, wide blue eyes, and a heart-shaped face. In her long, flowing sundress, the stranger looked as if she’d walked out of the pages of a magazine.

  “Hi,” she said softly, carefully positioning her body behind the dog. Her free hand brushed the retriever’s soft coat. “Georgia’s upstairs putting Nate to bed. She’ll be right down. Please, come in.”

  The woman stepped back, holding the door wide open, and the dog moved with her, staying close by her side. Katie walked past her, turning when she reached the open foyer to offer her hand. “I’m Katie.”

  “Lena. It’s nice to meet you,” the other woman said, silently refusing the handshake.

  Letting her hand drop to her side, Katie felt the retriever pressing against her legs as if trying to physically move her away.

  “And that’s Hero,” Lena added. “He doesn’t let anyone get too close.”

  Katie nodded, piecing the information together. Lena was the friend from Georgia’s PTSD support group. And Hero was the dog who would attend the bachelorette party at his owner’s side.

  Georgia appeared at the top of the stairs and quickly made her way down. “Perfect timing! Nate’s asleep. Now we can enjoy a drink on the patio and talk about your wild adventures last night. Your brothers nearly hauled Eric out of bed at three in the morning to hunt for you.”

  Katie shook her head, following Georgia into the kitchen. Lena and Hero trailed behind them. “You know, this is your fault.”

  “I don’t take responsibility for Liam’s actions.” Georgia opened the fridge. “Beer or wine?”

  “Wine,” Katie said, moving to the cabinet that held the glasses.

  “Lena?” Georgia asked.

  “If you’re sure I can spend the night, I’ll have a glass,” the quiet blonde said, her fingers once again trailing over Hero’s coat. “I can always drive back to Portland. Find a hotel. One that accepts dogs this time.”

  “No. You can stay here as long as you like.” Georgia pulled out a bottle, twisted off the cap, and began pouring. “As long as you promise to help with the wedding planning.”

  Lena smiled. “Thank you.”

  “At this rate, you might need to help Katie with the bachelorette.” Georgia handed Katie a glass. “I got an earful from my brother about stupid party ideas.”

  Katie took a sip as they headed for the sliding door that led to the expansive blue stone patio, pausing for Georgia to pick up Nate’s monitor. “Your brother wasn’t a fan of the photographer.”

  “Photographer?” Lena asked, settling into a chair. The golden retriever sat at Lena’s feet, his gaze fixed on her as if he wasn’t sure yet if he could trust her to steer clear of his mistress.

  Georgia explained her idea for the boudoir photo shoot.

  “I can’t imagine letting a stranger take pictures like that,” Lena murmured, her eyes widening. “Not that I have anyone to share them with anymore.”

  “It doesn’t matter now.” Katie sipped her wine as she stared at the setting sun. It had slipped lower behind the mountains, leaving the sky a rich orange. “Liam vetoed the idea.”

  “You weren’t supposed to tell my brother,” Georgia said. “But don’t worry, I have a few new ideas.”

  Katie groaned and closed her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t Google bachelorette parties again.”

  “No. I think you’re right. The top ten lists don’t fit me. But I still want a party. I’m getting married and I don’t want to miss a chance to celebrate. So I was thinking, what if we invite the people who have been there for me since I returned home? Just enough to make it feel like a party. We could have it here. Fire up the grill.”

  Katie opened her eyes, turning to her friend. “I love it. Now, how would you feel about making it a coed event? Included Eric, Liam, their crew from the company, my brothers—”

  “If they promise not to kill Liam,” Georgia said.

  “They won’t,” Katie said firmly. “I won’t let them.”

  “But it sounds like they have a good reason to take a swing at him.” Georgia waggled her eyebrows. “After what happened at the cabin?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell,” Katie said, borrowing the line Georgia had used when she’d fallen for Eric.

  “Please, I don’t want details.” Georgia raised her hands, palms out. “He’s my brother. But you like him, don’t you?”

  Katie stared at the pond separated from the back patio by a slope of well-maintained lawn. The smooth surface shimmered in the fading light. They were back to L-words. And when it came to Liam, she had a list.

  Like? Check.

  Lust? Check.

  Love?

  Katie took a long drink, draining the rest of her wine. This time around he’d given her every reason to believe in him. He’d said all the right things, making it so hard not to fall madly and deeply in love.

  “I do,” she said softly. “But what I feel for him doesn’t matter.”

  “Montana is not that far away,” Georgia said. “Maybe you don’t need to end whatever it is you’ve started.”

  “You could ask Liam to go with you.” Lena’s soft voice startled Katie. She’d almost forgotten about Georgia’s new friend and her dog. But now Katie turned to her.

  “There is nothing written in stone stating his dreams come before yours,” Lena added, her tone growing stronger with each word.

  Katie shook her head. “His home is here. It’s a lot to ask—”

  “Giving up on what you believe in, on your hopes and dreams, that is a lot to ask too.” The golden retriever stirred at her feet, resting his head in his owner’s lap.

  “Sorry,” Lena said. “I don’t know your situation. And I�
�m hardly one to talk about relationships. Hero is the only male who had gotten close to me in the past six months.”

  Georgia sighed. “You’re going to steal my brother away, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe,” Katie said. “After tomorrow’s meeting, once the deal is out of the way, then maybe I’ll ask him.”

  And see if Liam would stand behind his words and risk everything to be with her.

  “I think he’ll say yes,” Georgia said. “I know my brother and he doesn’t go after anything he doesn’t want.”

  Katie’s smiled as she stared out into the darkness. The last traces of daylight had disappeared behind the mountains.

  “Then bring on the L-words.”

  Chapter 17

  KATIE SECURED SUGAR’S stall door. When she’d returned home, she’d gone straight to the barn to check on the animals. They’d been fed and watered. Now, the shower was calling her name.

  Walking down the barn’s center aisle, she stole one last glance at the pair of horses the sheriff had dropped off. They’d confirmed that the smaller of the two half-starved mares was blind. But still the mare had adjusted to her new home, happily eating her way through buckets of grain and bales of hay.

  Katie paused in front of the blind animal’s stall. “I should have brought you a treat.”

  “I have a carrot I don’t mind sharing.”

  She jumped at the sound of his voice, startling the mare. The skittish horse quickly moved away. Glancing over her shoulder, Katie spotted Liam, one shoulder resting against the opening to the barn, his left ankle crossed over his right. He’d changed into a clean pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing his forearms. His hands were shoved into his pockets.

  “Liam.” She smiled, wishing she’d stopped by the house to clean up before checking the animals. “Hi.”

  “I saw the light on in the barn and thought I’d find you here.” He abandoned his position in the entry and headed for the mare’s stall.

  “Didn’t bother checking at the main house? I’m sure my brothers would love to see you again,” she teased.