Luke scratched his head, looking at her as if she were a child asking for the moon. “That’s not possible, Katie.”
“How can you say that? We haven’t even tried. Look, I wasn’t myself last night and you know it. How long have we known each other? Ten years?”
“Twelve and a half.” She stared at him and he shrugged. “I have a good memory for dates. We met at the first anniversary of the Red Barrel Rescue.”
Katie remembered that day. She’d chosen the rescue to be the subject of her high school term paper and had gone there not knowing what to expect. She’d taken one look at the beleaguered and maimed horses being cared for and had fallen in love. Luke had been a mentor of sorts, and through her, he’d met her sister, Shelly.
“And in all those twelve and a half years, have you ever known me to be impetuous or wild or, as you put it today, the kind of girl who could drink you under the table?”
“No.” He scratched his head. “But then, I’ve never been with you in Vegas.”
She rolled her eyes. “This is serious, Luke. I don’t recall all that happened last night, but I do know we have to undo the problem as soon as possible.”
“I...agree.”
“You do? Good, because for a second there, I was starting to believe you didn’t think this was a big problem.”
“I can’t get a divorce until I speak with my attorney. I’m sorry, Katie, but this isn’t going to happen today.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s more complicated than that. I’m a Boone, and that means divorce proceedings can get pretty nasty. My attorney isn’t going to let me sign my name to anything until he sees it.”
“Goodness, Luke, I don’t want anything from you or your family. If that’s what you’re getting at, you can go straight to—”
“It’s not me, Katie. It’s just the way things are when you’re...”
“Rich?”
“A Boone.”
“How horrible it must be for you not knowing who you can trust. I suppose you had those very same issues with Shelly?”
“Let’s leave your sister out of this.”
“Easy for you to say.” Katie’s stomach burned now, the acid churning violently. This was not going well. He was being obtuse and the implication that she was somehow out for Boone money only ticked her off. “There’s nothing we can do? Maybe if you give your attorney a call—”
Luke frowned. “I can’t. He’s out of the country on a personal matter.”
“Personal matter? You could say this is your personal matter.”
He sighed. “His mother is extremely ill and he’s there to help get her affairs in order. That is, if the worst happens.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. Can’t you use someone else?”
Luke shook his head. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. At least not for me.”
She jammed her hands on her hips and his attention immediately was drawn there. Gosh, how much of last night did he remember? He was looking at her differently than he ever had before. As if he was taking their marriage seriously, as if she was...his wife. “I can’t go back to Boone Springs married to you, Luke.”
“Looks like you’re going to have to. Our flight leaves in a few hours.”
Katie sighed and tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t believe this.”
He kept silent.
She had no choice but to relent. She saw no other way out. If she prolonged her stay here in Las Vegas, the entire wedding party would get suspicious. She didn’t need that. She had to keep what happened between her and Luke quiet. She’d think of something before the Boone company plane took off.
“Fine. I’m not happy about this. If the truth comes out, I’m doomed. It’ll ruin my relationship with my family. And who knows how this would affect my mama’s health. Promise me that no one will know about this, promise me you’ll keep our secret.”
Luke touched her hand, his slight caress sweet, comforting and confusing as hell. “I promise, Katie. No one will know.”
* * *
Luke waited until everyone boarded the Boone company plane, keeping his eyes trained on Katie. She took a seat by the bridesmaids in the back, all the girls huddling around the bride-to-be.
He couldn’t keep from admiring Katie’s beautiful blond hair tied up in a ponytail, the strands framing her face making her look wholesome and sweet. She was all those things, but last night at the club, he’d seen her flirty, passionate side. Mischief had glowed in her soft green eyes, especially while she’d been dancing in her sexy black dress. Now, in a denim jacket and jeans, she contrasted beautifully with the creamy leather seats and ambience of the custom designed plane.
She was his wife now. He could hardly believe it. He was actually married to Katie Rodgers. While Mason was engaged to Drea and his other brother, Risk, was engaged to April, Luke had inadvertently beaten his brothers down the aisle.
Katie glanced his way and their eyes met. He could look at her forever and never tire of it. But as soon as she caught him eyeing her, she turned away.
He smiled inside but didn’t dare appear content around a quiet, sullen Katie. She was just cordial enough to her friends to ward off questions. She’d told everyone she’d gotten sick last night, barfing up her brains and Luke had taken her to urgent care in the wee hours of the morning to make sure she wasn’t dehydrated. It was a feasible fib, one everyone seemed to believe, with the exception of his brothers. While Drea had thanked him for taking care of her best friend, both Risk and Mason had given him the stink eye.
Hell, he certainly hadn’t planned any of this, but hearing Katie’s softly spoken desire about wanting love in her life, wanting to be married, had reached down deep inside him and wrung out his lonely heart. He’d been drunk, too, and his willpower around her had been at an all-time low. She’d flirted with him, practically asked him to make love to her, and well...he didn’t have much defense against that. Not with her.
The pilot, a navy veteran, came by to say hello to the passengers and make sure everyone was ready for takeoff.
Luke shook his hand. “Hey, Bill. Hope you didn’t lose too much at the tables while you were here.”
“Nah, my big gambling days are behind me. The penny slots are just my speed.”
“I hear you,” Luke said. He’d never been a gambler. He didn’t like to play games he couldn’t control. And he didn’t like the odds in Las Vegas, with the exception of his recent marriage.
The odds of him marrying Katie had been slim to none. Yet he’d beat them and no one was more surprised than he was. Except Katie. He’d won the jackpot and now he had to convince his new bride being married to him wasn’t a big fat mistake.
“Any time you want to come up and copilot, you know where the cockpit is,” Bill said.
“Maybe later. Right now I’m still feeling the effects of last night’s party.” Luke grinned. “I’m afraid you’re the designated driver today.” He was in no shape to navigate anything, much less fly the friendly skies. He’d become a helicopter pilot while living on Rising Springs Ranch and had gotten his pilot’s license in flight school during his stint in the service. Yet Mason had insisted he not pilot the plane so Luke could let loose and not have to worry about his alcohol consumption. His brother wanted everyone to have a good time.
“Sure thing. I’ll see that you all have a good flight.”
“Thanks, Bill.”
Luke buckled up and glanced back at Katie. She was all set, looking like she’d just lost her best friend, even though Drea was sitting right next to her.
He sighed and as he turned his head around, he came eye to eye with Risk in the seat beside him. “Something going on between you two?” he asked.
He’d promised Katie he wouldn’t give away their secret and he wouldn’t betray that vow. “Who?”
“Don’t be
obtuse. You and Katie.”
“No, nothing.”
“I’m not judging,” Risk said. “And if you do have something going with her, it’d be a good thing. I can read you like a book. You’re hot for her.”
Luke shot him a warning look.
Risk’s hands went up. “I’m just saying, if you get together with her, you have my approval.”
“Like I’d need it.”
“Hey, just want to see you happy for once.”
“You do know who she is, right?”
Risk smirked. “The best pastry chef in all of Texas. She’d keep us silly in gourmet cupcakes.”
“She’s Shelly’s younger sister. And she barely tolerates me.”
Years ago, Katie had dragged Shelly to a Red Barrel charity function and had introduced them. There’d been instant attraction between them and Luke had begun dating Katie’s big sister. The engagement had seemed to fall right into place. Until the day Luke had woken up and realized he was making a big mistake.
“You two took off together last night,” Risk said, “and today, you can’t take your eyes off her.”
“Leave it alone. Okay?”
Risk seemed to read the emotion on his face. “Okay, I’ll back off.” He slapped Luke on the shoulder. “But if you run into a problem, I’m here for you.”
“Appreciate that. Why aren’t you hanging with your fiancée?”
“Seems the girls won’t call it quits on their bachelorette party until the plane touches down in Boone Springs.”
Risk eyed April, giving Luke a chance to seek out Katie again. And there she was, trying her best not to spoil everyone’s fun, trying to smile and conceal the pain she must be going through. The thought that he was the cause of her pain ate away at him. It was the last thing he wanted. But he couldn’t let her go. Not now.
She was the girl who shared a love of horses with him, the girl he’d danced with most of the night, the impossible girl who’d been in his dreams for the past five years.
He needed a chance with her, and this was the best he was going to get.
One chance.
Was that too much to ask?
Two
A Boone limo picked up the entire wedding party at the airport, taking everyone directly to their homes on the outskirts of town. Katie was among the last to be dropped off since she lived in the heart of Boone Springs, her apartment just above the bakery. It was a modest place, with one bedroom, one bath, but the rooms were spacious enough and her large home kitchen served as a backup when orders in the bakery exceeded their limit. That didn’t happen often. Katie ran an efficient place and there was nothing like rolling out of bed at 4:00 a.m. and working in her jammies downstairs until the bakery opened at seven o’clock.
As the limo pulled up in front of the bakery, she was struck with a pang of relief. “This is my stop,” she said to her friends remaining in the limo. “I hope you all had a great time.”
Drea gave her a big hug. “It was wonderful. Amazing girl-bonding, my friend. Thanks for all you’ve done. Love you for it.”
“Love you, too.”
Katie glanced at everyone and waved a farewell. “All of you made the party for our dear friends something to remember.”
“After last night, I’ve forgotten more than I remember,” Mason said, smiling.
“You had the best time with your friends and family, especially with your fiancée.” Drea gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Just ask me, I’ll fill in the blanks.”
Katie had some blanks she’d like to have filled in, too.
“One thing I do know, Luke and Katie worked hard on organizing this. Thank you,” Mason said. “You two make a good team.”
A rush of heat crawled up her neck. “Thank you. It wasn’t that hard, really, and it was fun.” The only difficult part had been working with Luke. Her husband. Oh God.
The limo driver grabbed Katie’s bags and opened the door for her.
“I’ll get off here, too,” Luke told the driver.
Katie glared at him.
“It’s a short walk to the office,” he explained. “And I need to check up on something. Benny, if you could drop off my bags at the ranch I’d appreciate it.”
The limo driver nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Katie climbed out, Luke right behind her.
“I’ll take those.” He grabbed her bags from the driver’s hand.
Katie noticed some raised eyebrows in the limo and wanted to melt right into the cement. What on earth was Luke doing? She didn’t want to arouse suspicion. It was bad enough she’d had to lie to her best friend about where she’d been last night. But Luke was oblivious as to how his behavior appeared to everyone.
“Bye,” Drea said. “Thanks again, hon. We’ll talk soon.”
“Okay,” Katie said, giving her friend a smile.
When the limo drove off, she turned to Luke. “Give me my bags, Luke.”
“I’ll carry them up for you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I know, but I’d like to.”
“Why?”
“Your hangover is hanging on. You’re pale and looking a little weak.”
“The only reason I look ill is because of what happened between us. Makes me sick to my stomach.”
His mouth twitched, but she wasn’t at all sorry she’d been so crude. Well, maybe she was a little bit sorry. This was just as much her fault as it was his.
“All the more reason for me to help you. I feel responsible.”
“Don’t.”
“I can’t help it, Katie. C’mon, you need to rest.”
She didn’t like him telling her what she needed, but his jaw was set stubbornly and they couldn’t stand here all day arguing. “Okay, fine.”
He had the good sense not to gloat at winning the point. He nodded and walked over to the front door with her bags.
She opened up her shop and walked in first. The bakery had been closed for three days, yet the scent of vanilla, cinnamon and sugar flavored the air. The smell of home. She sighed and her body relaxed.
“Smells like you in here,” Luke remarked, as if reading her thoughts.
“How’s that?” she asked.
“Sweet.”
She let his comment hang in the air for a moment. She didn’t feel sweet right now. She felt horrible and guilty. She kept wishing she could escape from this horrible dream. Waking up wed to her sister’s ex was truly a nightmare. And the sooner they rectified it, the better.
“The stairs are in the back, through the kitchen.” She led the way and he followed.
He stopped to take a look at her baking area. “So this is where the cupcake magic happens. I’ve always wondered what this place looked like.”
“Yep, this is it. This is where I spend a good deal of my life.” She couldn’t keep the pleasure out of her voice. She was proud of her shop, proud of what she’d accomplished. And she loved her work.
Luke took in the huge mixer, bowls and cupcake tins, the bins of flour and sugar and the industrial-size refrigerator. Yes, this was home to her.
“I see you here,” Luke said, as if he was picturing her at work.
“It’s not glamourous.”
“I would imagine it’s darn hard work. But work that you enjoy.”
“True.”
“Your bakery is the best in the county, everyone knows that. But I’ve only known you as a horse lover. You spend a lot of time at Red Barrel. How do you find time for both?”
“You run a multimillion-dollar company, how do you find the time?”
He grinned. “You’re quick, I’ll give you that.”
“Apparently, not quick enough,” she mumbled. Or else she wouldn’t have gone to bed with him.
Luke ran a hand down his face. “I wasn’t lying w
hen I said it was mutual, Katie. I know that for a fact. Don’t blame yourself too much.”
She squeezed her eyes shut briefly and nodded. The man she knew at the horse rescue was gentle and caring and kind. He’d been her friend at one time and that was where it all got confusing. Because he had hurt her sister and maybe what Katie thought she’d known about him was all wrong. “Okay, can we just not talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” He played along. “You were going to tell me how you find time to work at the rescue.”
“My workday ends early. And I think the work we do at the rescue is important. Those animals need help.” She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t date. Or at least I haven’t for a while and so I have all kinds of—”
“You won’t be dating, Katie.”
She didn’t like his tone, or the implied command. “Luke, for heaven’s sake. You think I want to complicate my life even more?” She fisted her hands. “And you don’t get to tell me what I can or cannot do.”
“It may have been a hasty wedding, but you’re my wife.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t say that.”
“I’m your husband.”
“For a nanosecond. Remember, you promised that you’ll look into a divorce as soon as possible.”
“I said it and I will. But until that time...” Luke came closer, his incredible eyes soft on her. He took her hand and squeezed. “If you ever need anything, call me.”
“You know what I want.”
He smiled and his blue eyes darkened. “I know what you think you want.”
“What does that mean?”
His hand gently wrapped around her neck, his fingertips urging her forward. Then he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. It was tender and sweet, not at all demanding, and the pleasure made it hard to pull away.
“I think you should leave,” she murmured, pushing at his chest.
“I was just going.”
When he backed away, she stared at him. There was a moment, one tiny second, when she saw something in him that made her happy, made her wish he didn’t have to go.
“When you hear from your attorney, give me a call.”
Vegas Vows, Texas Nights Page 2