• • •
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this before?” Maggie asked after she heard the entire story of what had happened between Kate and Luke.
“I’m sorry I didn’t. I didn’t want you to worry more than I know you already worry.” Kate wiped her eyes and shook her head. I sound like Blake, she thought.
“Well, now you have a chance to keep me involved.” Maggie looked at Sally. “You, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sally nodded.
“Are you really mad, Mama?”
“No. Not really. I’m sad that I thought I had a friend who was just a friend, but isn’t. And I’m scared for you.”
“Maggie, I am your friend.” Sally sat on the couch beside Maggie. “It isn’t just my job that makes me care for you. I truly do.”
“That’s good to know.” Maggie reached for Sally’s hand. “Now you get to tell me what you’re doing to keep my little girl safe.”
Relieved, Sally complied immediately. “For one, I talk to Blake every day to let him know how Kate is doing.”
“What?” Kate asked.
“He said you’d say that.” Sally smiled. “He also said to tell you that he would have called you himself every day to check on you, but that you needed time to be mad at him.”
“Oh.” Kate couldn’t help smiling. Maybe, I’m not so mad anymore, she thought.
“Second,” Sally continued. “I have surveillance equipment here and in Kate’s yard and around her house. I’d like to get something inside her house, too, but thought I should ask permission.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Maggie said.
Sally nodded. “I also keep in touch with the police in Colorado in case they learn anything before Blake does.”
Kate looked up and glared at Sally. “Did you know about Ranae before Blake called me?”
“No. If I had, I would’ve told you.”
“Good. Now tell me how we can catch Luke,” Kate demanded.
“I don’t know, Kate.” Sally shook her head. “I wish I did. He’s been on the run so long that he’s really good at hiding and disguising himself. It’ll take time.”
“Or maybe somebody I love dying?” Kate eyes filled with tears again.
“I hope not,” Sally said.
“Oh, Dolly. Me, too.” Maggie wrapped her arms around Kate. “Me, too.”
• • •
“If you two don’t stop fussing, I’m walking the rest of the way,” Ranae grouched. Erin had tried to hand her a pillow for the last ten miles. Blake was just as bad with all the food he wanted to cram down her throat.
“What the hell’s the matter with you? We’re just trying to make you comfortable. But if you don’t want our help, fine. I’ll ignore your ass.”
“Now listen, you two. We’re almost there. Only about an hour more, if my directions are right. If you can hold off spitting at each other till then, that’d be great,” Blake said for the hundredth time in the last day and a half. The only thing that changed was the length of time they had to wait to see Kate.
“Where do we pick up Nichole?” Ranae asked.
“He already told us. But I guess your highness was sleeping,” Erin sassed.
Blake closed his eyes and asked for strength. “I’m supposed to call her when we’re outside Cottage Grove. She’s staying at a friend’s condo in Eugene and will meet us at Kate’s house. We’re going to try to time it so we arrive at the same moment.”
“That’s really nice.” Ranae said, dabbing at her eyes. Must be the pain medication they gave me, she thought. All of it was just so gosh darn nice. That included the big fluffy pillows Blake had bought for her to relax against. The whole new wardrobe of clothes he and Erin had picked out when nothing from her house was salvageable. Erin had picked out all new make-up for her, too. They had done everything for her so that all she had to do when it was time to go was step out of the wheelchair and into the car. “I’m sorry I am so cranky, you guys,” she apologized now.
“Don’t worry about it. We know it’s just your broken appendage talking.” Erin laughed.
Blake gave her a no-big-deal wink in the rear view mirror.
“We’ll stop at the next gas station so you ladies can use the restroom, and I’ll call Nichole to let her know we’re close.” Blake turned on his signal to take the next exit.
“Sounds good,” Erin said as she watched Blake maneuver Leona’s big Cadillac along the winding curves.
• • •
“Yes, Mama, I’m excited about tomorrow,” Kate said into her phone.
“Do you want to come over for dinner? I think I’ve got some steaks in the fridge. We can celebrate your first day tonight.”
“I think I just want to stay home. I’ll have to get to bed early and if I’m here, I’m more likely to do that than if I’m over there with you and Sally.”
“Yeah, I know we talk too much.” Sally’s voice carried through the receiver.
“Stop being a private investigator and get your own phone.” Kate laughed and waved at the camera hidden in the hanging plant in her kitchen. She knew Sally was using an earpiece to listen to their conversation and could see her. Sally took a little security monitor everywhere with her. She decided doing that was easier than calling Kate all of the time. Being able to know what Kate was doing through Sally gave Maggie peace of mind because she could just ask, “Is Kate okay?” It also gave Kate a sense of privacy, even if it was pseudo-privacy.
“Well, maybe tomorrow night then. And you can bring your friends,” Maggie said.
“What friends?” Kate asked.
“The ones pulling into your driveway right now.” Maggie giggled. Sally had just told her that Blake was driving a long black Cadillac and Nichole was in her sporty red rented car.
“What?” Kate looked out her window and saw the cars pulling down the drive. When she heard her mother’s laugh and Sally’s good-bye she hung up the phone and raced to the door.
“Aaaah! O-My-Gosh!” cried Kate, laughter pouring from her lips. “Hi! Ooooh! I’m so glad you came!” Kate moved to grab the girls one by one, but as always they moved into hold her and each other. “I’ve missed you so much.” Kate stood and held them.
“We made it,” Nichole said.
“Yeah. It took forever,” Erin said.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Kate looked at Ranae. “I’m so sorry, Nae … I don’t … ”
“Don’t even talk about it. I’m fine,” Ranae said patting her cast. “A broken arm never hurt anybody. And besides, now you get to sign it.”
“Okay.” Kate searched Ranae’s eyes. “How did you guys manage this?” She turned back to Nichole and Erin.
“We have been planning it for days. Actually, not we — Blake’s been planning it,” said Erin.
“Oh.” Kate looked at Blake.
He was leaning on the fender of Leona’s Cadillac, looking as handsome as ever, with his hat in his hand. She knew she had some apologizing to do. Especially now. So she walked to him, smiling.
Blake smiled back. He wasn’t sure how this was going to go, but the smile was good. It was better than good. It was perfect.
“Hi, darlin’.” Blake stepped forward and took her hand.
“Blake. I’m sorry for the way I — ”
“Don’t you dare apologize for a stupid thing I did. I should have told you. And before you say anything else, I want you to know that I don’t think you’re stupid or weak or helpless. In fact I think you’re just the opposite of all of those. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d spend all your time taking care of us instead of taking care of yourself. And … ” Blake paused. “I wanted to take care of you, for a change.”
“I’m glad.” Kate kept smiling and asked, “Are you hung
ry? I think I might have some food.
“Hell, yes. I’m starving,” Erin hollered.
“Thanks, Blake,” Kate said as she turned toward the house.
“For what, darlin’?” Blake smiled and linked his fingers with hers as they walked.
“For bringing them.”
Blake brought her hand up to his lips. “You’re welcome.” He winked.
Kate felt his breath on her skin and caught her breath. She hadn’t noticed that the warmth she felt inside when she was with Blake had been missing. She’d been too busy being mad at him. But now she felt it.
After dinner and more of their good natured arguments over where everyone was going to sleep, they settled down so Kate could rest. Blake sure thought of everything, Kate thought as she double checked her alarm clock beside her bed. He’d brought blankets, sleeping bags and a few extra pillows. The girls were lined up in her living room, probably still whispering and driving Blake crazy while he tried to sleep on the couch. At least that’s what they were doing when she told them good night. The small living room was cluttered and filled in every corner. Extra blankets were piled along one edge. Suit cases lined the wall in various states of neatness. Smiling, Kate closed her eyes. She couldn’t say for sure when she finally drifted off.
Blake couldn’t sleep. He knew he should be able to. The girls had stopped chattering and he could hear their sleeping breathing, but his mind wouldn’t relax. It kept replaying the afternoon. It was good to see Kate with her friends. Time or miles or even new kitchens couldn’t keep them from laughing and teasing and working in the pace and flow of easy friendship. They finished each other’s sentences and laughed before the joke was even told.
But that wasn’t what was keeping Blake awake. It wasn’t the small glances Kate threw his direction; those were certainly something to lose sleep over. Though the soft smile she’d sent him as she sliced cucumbers for the salad and the shining glint in her green eyes as she turned the grilling chicken was part of it.
No, what had him tossing on Kate’s couch was something different. He had always known that Kate was the most important person in his life, apart from his grandparents. He loved her, always had. She’d been the constant in his life. But to find that he’d truly fallen in love with her today over barbequed chicken was a little bit of a surprise.
CHAPTER 19
Kate awakened with a start. She shook her head, clearing it from the night’s haze and looked at the clock that blinked four A.M.
“Might as well get up,” she murmured and turned her thoughts to the day ahead of her. Today was her first day of school. She ate a quick breakfast, left a note for Blake and the girls and spent several minutes fussing with her hair and make-up. As she drove to the school in the still dark and misty world, Kate tried to push the dream she’d had from her mind.
It was a replay of the one she’d had since the explosion at Ranae’s house. It was very simple. She was running along a wooded path and Luke was chasing her. In his hand he held a knife and screamed her name. But she never finished the dream. When she tripped over a branch in the path and fell with Luke looming above her, she woke up. That’s what had pulled her from her sleep this morning.
As Kate sat at her desk, small rays of sunlight drifted through the mist and into the classroom. The dream was a distant thought as she went over her plans for the day.
“Good morning, Miss White,” her principal’s voice said.
“Good morning.” Kate smiled and looked at Mr. Vincent standing in her doorway. He was wearing a gray suit and had a leather briefcase clutched in one hand.
“You’re here really early.”
“I wanted to make sure I had everything ready.” Kate’s voice rose with anticipation.
“Did your mother get to come up here and help you get settled into your room?”
“Oh, yes.” Kate had mentioned Maggie in the interview. “She had a great time. Thank you for asking.”
“You’re welcome. I’m pleased that she had a nice time. Mrs. O’Konel should be in soon so you can finally meet her since she was ill on the day of the interview. Two of her four children go to school in the elementary here. They’re a wonderful family. I’m sure you’ll get along fine.” He smiled.
“I hope so. I’m sorry the room doesn’t look exactly the way I’d like it to. I put together the bulletin boards and straightened as much as I could,” Kate replied. “I’ll work more this weekend.”
Mr. Vincent stepped in for a better view. By his glance, he was pleasantly surprised to see what Kate had done with his old room. The bulletin boards were bright and neatly arranged with boarders and eye-catching phrases. The books that had been strewn about, were now shelved by size.
“It looks very tidy and professional.” He nodded to the framed Oregon teaching license and college diploma hanging in the deep red-cherry frame behind her on the wall.
“Thanks.” Relief visibly washed over her face.
“I’ll check in at about ten.”
“Okay,” Kate whispered as she watched him walk away.
It was now almost seven. I have some time, Kate thought. She stood and walked around the room. She stopped at each bulletin board to double check them. The The 8 Parts of Speech and the Poets of the World boards did look nice. The gray-black burnt edges of the poetry pieces made the display seem interesting and mysterious. The bright red, white and yellow pieces made the nouns and verbs seem exciting and enticing. Just the way Kate wanted.
Continuing her final look through, Kate saw her name, “Miss White,” written in her best handwriting on the chalkboard waiting to greet the students. The beanbags in the corner by the bookshelves were ready for the seventh graders’ open minds. Excitement and fear filled Kate until she thought she couldn’t take the waiting much longer.
“You look like you’re either about to laugh or cry.” A lilting voice with just a touch of Irish came through her open classroom door.
Startled, Kate looked toward the owner of the voice who stood in the doorway. Her arms were loaded with books. In one hand she held a set of keys, in the other a baby rattle and a water bottle.
“Hi, I’m Kate — White.”
“I’m Coleen O’Konel.” She smiled as she shuffled the keys to her other hand so she could shake hands with Kate. “Very nice to meet you. Mr. Vincent spoke very highly of you and I can see why by the looks of your room. You’re a worker of magic.”
“I’m glad to meet you. You’re beautiful,” Kate blurted. “I mean Mr. Vincent said you were Irish. Your name sort of gives it away.”
Coleen laughed. “I am Irish, right you are, but so are you, my red haired lass. Thank you for the compliment. With the morning I’ve had, I sure needed it. How are things going?”
“Everything’s fine. I worked pretty hard this weekend to arrange the room, put up posters and plan for the first couple of days, but I don’t really know what the kids know. So I’ll have to — ” replied Kate.
“You’ll do fine. I know I’m excited you’re here. And I am right across the way if you need me.”
“Thanks,” chirped Kate. “Have a good day.”
“You too. Oh, and by the way, you’re beautiful too,” Coleen added with a motherly pat to Kate’s hand.
Smiling, Kate watched Coleen depart.
Time passed and the bell rang. Kate quickly hoped for the success of the day, gathered her papers and met her students at the door.
• • •
“It’s so fun. The neatest thing is when I write something on the board, they write it in their notebooks,” Kate said to everyone sitting at her mother’s dinner table.
“Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?” asked Erin as she filled her fork with mashed potatoes.
“Yes, but it’s different when you’re the teacher.” Kate laughed.
“Well, I for one am glad you like it,” Nichole said. “When Ranae said you were teaching English to seventh graders this summer, I thought you’d be miserable. I know I would.”
“That’s why I’m the teacher and you work in Hollywood. I would be miserable dealing with actors and writers and directors.”
Nichole laughed at the thought of Kate working with all those people. She’d probably turn Hollywood on its ear though, just like Nichole hoped to.
“Is your principal nice?” Ranae asked.
“Yes. In fact he used to teach in the room that’s mine now.”
“So, Nichole, are we going to tell Kate our surprise?” Erin asked. “Because even though I really enjoyed listening to Ranae snore all night, I don’t want to do it again.”
“What,” Ranae laughed. “I don’t snore. It was Blake.”
“Now, hang on a minute.” Blake held up his hands. He’d been waiting for this to come up. He wanted to know what Kate thought about the idea. He, of course, was all for it.
“What’s the surprise?” Maggie asked.
“I have a producer friend who lives in Eugene. I stayed at her condo when I was waiting for you guys to get here from Colorado. She only uses it every so often and she’s not in town now. I asked her if Ranae and Erin could stay with me. That way we don’t take up all the room in Kate’s house.”
“But — I don’t mind,” Kate said. “I like having you there.”
“And we will be there, every evening. We just won’t sleep there,” Ranae said.
“Anyway, we think it would be good for someone to sleep there, so we nominated Blake. And it’s not because he’s a man. I’m not that damn sexist. It’s because he likes your couch.” Erin laughed.
Kate laughed, too, as did the others, but she still wasn’t too sure about the arrangement. “Well — ”
“Not to put a damper on the mood or anything, but I think for safety purposes, it’s a great idea.” Sally leaned forward and took a drink of her coffee. “I think we need to think about everyone being safe. I have a buddy who lives in Eugene who can set up some surveillance at the condo, so you girls will be taken care of. I can still be here with Maggie, and I know I would feel better if Blake was with Kate. He can be with her way more than I can.”
The Wanting Heart Page 14