“I had to see you, Katie.” He withdrew a carrot from his back pocket and handed it to her. The nervous mare came forward to accept the treat, then quickly disappeared into the far corner of her stall.
“I’m done here. And while I’d love to sneak you into the house, there’s an apartment over the barn that is empty right now,” she said. Liam didn’t need to see her pink and purple wallpaper.
“I came here to talk. There’s something I should have told you at the cabin. But I was too damn selfish. And then your brothers showed up . . .”
And just like that, the cliff she’d been standing on started to crumble. She took a step back, crossing her arms in front of her chest, her chin held high. “Tell me.”
“One of the guys at Black Hills called and told us about your deal with them.”
“So this is about Moore Timber’s offer,” she said. Her brothers’ warning raced through her mind. Had she been a fool to trust this man a second time?
He nodded. “Eric and I agree that Summers Family Trucking is worth more than one million—”
“Eric said yes to the counteroffer?” Surprise mingled with unease. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“Katie,” he said. “Listen to me. Eric is willing to increase the offer. A lot. But he has one condition.”
“You mean you have one condition,” she said. “You’re part of Moore Timber now. Eric’s partner, not just his spokesman.”
“You’re right. We want you to come work with us and help Moore Timber gain a foothold in the biomass space. The way you’ve negotiated that deal—you did a great job, Katie.”
“I know.” Her brothers hadn’t believed her at the time, but she’d been right to take the risk. “You’re one of Summers Family Trucking’s biggest assets,” Liam said. “We want your fleet of trucks, don’t get me wrong. But we also want you.”
It was like watching a series of dominos fall. Her heart, her plans for the future were tumbling one by one. And the man who’d shattered her trust years ago was pushing them over.
WHEN KATIE HAD first looked at him, Liam had nearly turned and walked back to his truck. The expression on her face—he’d seen it before, in a clearing under a pair of fir trees. Love bound tightly with hope shone in her bright green eyes. Only this time she wasn’t an eighteen-year-old who’d just lost her virginity to a man who didn’t deserve her. She was a strong woman who knew her own mind—and this time, he was asking for so much more.
“Is this your way of trying to keep me in Independence Falls?” she asked, her open, loving expression now covered with a mask of suspicion. He had a feeling that hurt lay beneath, but she refused to let him see it.
“No,” he said, his voice firm. He needed her to understand that last night at the cabin, their trip to the nightclub—it wasn’t about closing a deal. He’d wanted to return to that moment when she trusted him with her heart. He’d wanted to prove that this time he wouldn’t run away.
“If this, us, was all about the deal, I wouldn’t be here now. I would have let you walk into that meeting tomorrow without a heads-up about Eric’s counteroffer. Hell, from the standpoint of a guy who wants to keep his job and his best friend, I shouldn’t be here, telling you. But I couldn’t let you walk in there not knowing.”
“Thank you,” she said evenly.
“I went to the cabin with you because I wanted to give you a reason to stay that had nothing to do with contracts,” he said. “I know you have bad memories of this town. I know you’re tired of living under your brothers’ watchful gaze. And believe me, honey, I get that. But would it be so bad to stay? You’d have a great job and you could afford to keep your horses. I’ll build you a new barn, more fields on the land next to yours. Think about it, Katie, your family is here. I know they’re annoying, but believe me when I tell you that you’re going to miss them, headaches and all, when you go.”
“Liam, you can’t just walk back into my life, offer me a job and a place to keep my animals, and expect me to say yes.” Her surprise had given way to anger and he could hear it mounting with every word. “It’s not that simple.”
“I know Katie. I know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Whatever you decide Katie, it’s your call. You can say no to the offer. I’m not trying to make this choice for you. This is up to you and your brothers.”
He turned around, heading for the door. Eric would be pissed when he found out that Liam had talked to her before tomorrow’s meeting. But he didn’t care. For years, he’d chased success, but now he’d toss it aside for her.
Liam paused in the door, looking over his shoulder at Katie. He’d always thought of her as his, but he’d been wrong. Katie Summers had a hold on his heart. He belonged to her. And he’d realized it too late.
LONGING, SADNESS, REGRET—IT was all there in his brown eyes. She stared back, replaying the conversation in her head. She’d mistakenly assumed that if he asked her to stay, it would be for him. But no, he wanted her to remain in Independence Falls because she was smart and a valuable piece of Summers Family Trucking.
She hated the thought of setting aside her plans for a man who’d broken her trust once. But there was so much more to consider here. Her brothers, their future, and millions of dollars.
It was too much for tonight. Tomorrow, she would make a decision. Her choice. By coming to her tonight, Liam had made that possible.
“Liam,” she called. The one thing she knew for certain right now? She couldn’t let him walk away. “Wait.”
Liam turned in the entryway and she went to him, taking his hand in hers. “Thank you for telling me. I would have felt ambushed, walking into that meeting tomorrow, if you hadn’t come here.”
He nodded.
“I’m not making any decisions tonight,” she said. “Except for one. I’d like you to stay.”
“Katie,” he murmured, running the pad of his thumb over her cheek. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. No matter what happens, I want to spend tonight with you.” She led him out of the barn, switching off the lights, and headed for the side door leading up to the apartment.
Bending over, she found the key under the rock beside the door. Then she moved the rock to the other side of the entryway.
“Is that your signal that someone’s here?” he asked, his voice lit with humor.
“Yes, but they can’t get in without the key.” She unlocked the door, turned on the stairwell light, and led the way up. “Brody has the master, but he rarely if ever uses this place.”
At the top of the stairs, she opened the door that led to the small, clean studio apartment. A double bed stood on one side opposite a small kitchenette, which held a mini-fridge, toaster, and coffeemaker. They’d talked about renting the place for extra cash at one point, but Chad and Josh had voiced strong objections.
Setting the key beside the toaster, she faced Liam. “We started something this morning before we were so rudely interrupted.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You want another spanking?”
“No.” She shook her head. “But I’m guessing that’s not your only fantasy.”
He chuckled, crossing the small space, and gathering her in his arms. “Honey, when it comes to you, I have a long list.”
Her fingers toyed with buttons on his flannel shirt. “What’s on the top?”
“Look at me, Katie.”
She obeyed, freeing the first button and moving to the second. But watching his smile fade, her hands stilled. The weight of the emotion in his deep brown eyes nearly stole her breath away.
“I want to make love to you,” he said, his large, strong hands cupping her jaw. “Let me love you tonight, Katie. That’s all I ask.”
She nodded, no longer trusting her voice. He stared down at her for another heartbeat before lowering his lips to hers. Through a whirlwind of needy kisses, their clothes fell away. His hands were e
verywhere, touching, caressing, and driving her wild as he guided her to the bed.
“Lie down, Katie.”
Again she obeyed, willing to give him anything here, tonight. His gaze swept over her and he let out a low growl, followed by a curse.
“I wasn’t planning to stay,” he said. “I didn’t bring anything.”
She blinked as he joined her on the bed. His body covered hers, hovering above her, his weight on his elbows as his kissed her collarbone.
“I don’t have a condom, Katie.” His lips moved to her breasts, heading south. “I still want to make love to you, but I can’t—”
“In the nightstand,” she gasped, as he shifted off her and fumbled with the drawer. Turning her head, she watched as he withdrew an unopened box and tore into it. He quickly covered himself and returned to her.
Katie smiled, welcoming him back into her arms. “You don’t need to rush. We have all night, Liam. All night.”
But beyond that? Katie closed her eyes, pushing the question away, choosing to focus on the man loving her as if this night meant everything—as if it was all they had.
Chapter 18
LIAM WOKE TO the smell of coffee and a beautiful naked woman standing beside him. “Hey.”
“Morning.” She smiled down at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You phone has been ringing on and off for a while. I think you overslept.”
“Shit. What time is it?”
“Eight.”
“Yeah, I need to get going.” Liam pushed back the covers and retrieved his cell from his pants pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw half a dozen messages from Craig, one of Moore Timber’s crew chiefs.
“There’s a problem at one of the harvest sites,” he said, pulling on his pants. Buttoning his shirt, he looked up at her. She’d dressed and stood sipping a cup of coffee. “I hate to run, but this is important. The mechanical harvester isn’t working and if that’s not running, we’ll fall behind.”
“And time is money in timber,” she said. “I know. Go. I’ll see you later. At the meeting. You’ll be there?”
“I’ll try,” he said. He walked over and gave her a quick kiss. “This isn’t good-bye.”
She nodded, but didn’t say anything. Part of him wanted to stay and draw a promise out of her that whatever happened, this wasn’t the end. But his phone buzzed with another text and he knew he needed to leave.
In his truck, Liam pulled out his cell and dialed as he buckled his seat belt. A minute later, he steered his truck down the Summers driveway with his phone pressed to his ear. He sped past Chad’s truck, pulling up the drive, and offered a wave.
“Hello?” his best friend said after three rings.
“You can’t make this deal contingent on Katie.” Liam turned onto the main road headed out of town. “I won’t be at the meeting this morning. There’s a problem at the harvest. But I’m telling you, restructure the offer. I told Katie about it last night. I couldn’t keep it from her.”
“When I heard you two had run off to a remote cabin for the weekend, I had a feeling that might happen,” Eric said. In the background, Liam heard his friend’s nephew trying to trade a toy dinosaur for a second serving of maple syrup. “She didn’t go for it.”
Eric sighed. “I can’t just give them millions of dollars without some promise that Katie will stay and help us at least transition her relationships. I can give her options. But Liam, she might not like them.”
“She’s not going to agree to stay, man, I’m telling you.” Liam said, slowing down, knowing he would lose cell service soon.
“I thought you were going to work your magic,” Eric said. “Convince her to be your girl.”
“It didn’t work that way.” Liam tightened his grip on the wheel. “I swear, man, Katie fucking owns me, body, heart, and soul—the whole deal.”
“Ah, hell,” Eric said. In the background, Georgia admonished him for swearing.
“At least I have another reason to hire her,” Eric added. “She can boss you around.”
KATIE SMOOTHED HER knee-length black pencil skirt as she followed Brody and Chad into the Moore Timber conference room. She’d paired it with a white button-down shirt and a low heel that felt foreign on her feet. She stumbled, but regained her balance before falling onto the carpeted floor.
Chad smirked at her. “Tired from another late night?”
“Not at all.” She pulled out a chair at the large oval table and sat.
Chad selected the seat beside her and leaned close. “Liam was pulling out of the drive when I got home.”
“You’re not the only one who can use the apartment over the barn,” she said, turning away from her brother to face her friend’s fiancé. Seeing Eric at the head of the table in a three-piece suit left her fidgeting in her seat.
“Josh won’t be joining us today,” Brody said from his position at the opposite end of the oval table. “One of our drivers called in sick, and he agreed to fill in for him.”
Eric nodded. “Then let’s get started.”
Katie drew a deep breath, interlacing her fingers in her lap. She’d debated telling her brothers what Liam had shared with her last night, but they’d both been away from the house this morning. Brody had been out fixing a truck and Chad was just returning from his latest fling.
And part of her wasn’t sure what to say. She still hadn’t decided what to do.
“Liam was called away too, but I spoke with him this morning. We would like to offer you three million for Summers Family Trucking.”
Beside her, Chad let out a low whistle.
Eric smiled. “As part of the deal, we’ll keep your drivers at their current rates.”
“Thank you,” Brody said gruffly.
“Brody—” Katie said.
“I’d like to hear him out, Katie,” Brody said.
“We’d like you all to become part of the Moore Timber family. Brody, we’d like you to manage the day-to-day,” Eric said, and her oldest brother nodded. Eric turned his attention to her and Chad. Katie tensed, but Georgia’s fiancé wasn’t looking at her. Yet.
“Chad, Liam told me about your interest in helicopter logging,” Eric continued. “Moore Timber has been looking to invest in a chopper. We’d be willing to work out a deal on the start-up cost and hire you.”
“Wow,” Chad said. “That would be . . . thanks. That would be great.”
One look at her brothers’ expressions—even Brody was lit up as if proud of the number Eric had assigned to the business he’d worked so hard to build and maintain—and Katie knew she couldn’t walk away from this deal. Life had not handed the Summers family much. But Eric Moore was offering to unlock the doors to her brothers’ dreams.
“Josh has already been picking up shifts with us,” Eric said, turning his attention back to Brody. “We’re happy to hire him on full-time.”
“We appreciate your generous offer,” her oldest brother said, and she could tell by his tone that Brody was waiting for the catch.
Eric’s smile faded. “For the three-million-dollar price tag, we would need to include a contract for your biggest asset.”
“Sure,” Chad volunteered.
“We would need Katie to commit to two years, with the potential to extend,” Eric said.
Katie released the breath she’d been holding while Eric explained why her relationships and the contract she’d negotiated—the one her brothers had dismissed—made Summers Family Trucking worth millions.
“And if she says no?” Chad asked, his smile slipping away.
“If Katie is not interested, well, I’m afraid our offer drops.” He turned to her. “I strongly feel that without Katie the Black Hills contract will disappear and the relationships will deteriorate. I’m not exactly the go-to guy in the biomass arena.”
“I’m surprised you’re interested in it no
w,” Brody said, the brief hint of excitement that fate might finally rule in their favor erased from his expression.
“I still believe it is best for the forest floor to let the branches decompose. It keeps the soil healthy for the next crop of trees,” Eric said. “But I also think it pays to be forward thinking. Biomass has the potential to replace coal as a form of energy to a certain extent. Overseas we’re already starting to see this happen. I think it could be good for the timber industry at home too.”
“And you need Katie for this?” Brody asked.
“Those relationships are in their infancy,” Eric said. “You purchased the trucks to haul the wood product a month ago based on your financials. So yes, we do.”
“We’ll take the deal,” she said.
Her brothers had given up a lot for her. It was her turn now. She couldn’t walk away from three million dollars just because it was not part of her dreams. If this is what they wanted, what Brody felt was the right next step . . . Her family came first.
“Wait a minute, Katie,” Brody said. “You were planning to leave. Move to Montana. Start a new job. Run your own sanctuary.”
“I can still go,” she said, forcing a smile, telling herself this was her choice. “In two years.”
Brody frowned. They both knew barns filled with needy animals wouldn’t wait. Carol Lewis would hire someone else to replace her as the head of the Montana Safe Haven.
“We’ll talk it over.” Brody pushed back from the table and everyone else followed his lead. “And have an answer to you in the morning. I’d also like to review those contracts.”
Eric walked around the table and handed her brother a stack of papers. Then he turned to her and held out his hand. “Welcome to the team. I hope.”
The door opened and Liam stepped in. She felt his gaze taking in her fitted skirt and button-down shirt. He stared at her hand clasped in Eric’s and his expression darkened. She bit her lip, wishing they could return to the moments last night when the outside world hadn’t mattered.
“What did I miss?” Liam demanded.
“I said yes,” she said. “It’s done.”
Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls Page 14