Luke, the guy who’d proclaimed his love for her last week. Luke, the guy who’d made sure her bakery wouldn’t fail, regardless of her talent. Luke, the guy who’d caused her family undue heartache.
She fought the guilt that was eating away at her. What would Shelly think? What would she say?
Katie searched her mind, struggling with her memory, trying to recall her interactions with Luke back when he and Shelly were dating. Had Katie somehow given him the wrong idea? Had she done anything to encourage him? She wasn’t a flirt. She’d never been good in that department. No incidents came to mind, except her times working with him at the Red Barrel and sharing their love of horses.
It was hard to believe any of this, but now reality was staring her in the face on that stick.
Trembling, she touched a hand to her belly. Where could she turn? Who could she confide in? Drea was going to be married into the Boone family in a few weeks. Katie couldn’t tell her best friend, could she? She certainly couldn’t tell her sister or her mother, that was for sure. The news could very well send her mama back into the hospital.
“Oh, Katie, what are you going to do now? You’re pregnant.” Saying those words out loud, no matter how quietly, had impact. It made it real and there was no going back, no way to fix this.
She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. How much longer could she hide her fatigue and nausea? And soon, she’d have a baby bump to hide as well. She had always wanted children, she wanted this one. It wasn’t the baby’s fault she’d gotten into this complicated mess. The child would be loved. Always loved.
A knock on her door made her jump. She tossed the box into the trash and straightened up her appearance.
“It’s me, Drea,” her friend called out.
Katie squeezed her eyes closed. Was it that time already? She was supposed to be dressed and ready to go with Drea for the final fitting on her wedding gown, but she was moving slowly this afternoon. “Coming,” she said.
She opened the door and Drea took in her appearance. Oversize sweats weren’t what she usually wore to go out. And well, Katie’s face probably blended in with the shabby chic color on her walls. Only the paint was in style, and Katie was anything but.
Drea’s big smile faded. “Katie, are you okay? You look a little...under the weather.”
Of course her friend would think that. Perky Katie was always ready for anything. She worked ten hours a day and ran around town like a spark was lit under her butt. She could juggle her career and her volunteer work and still have energy to spare.
“Nope, I’m fine,” she said. “Come in.”
“Okay, but we don’t have to rush. We don’t need to be at Clara’s Bridal for an hour.”
That sounded good to her. She still needed to get dressed and rushing around wasn’t in the plan. “I’ve made a pot of jasmine tea. Would you like some?”
“Yes, sounds wonderful.”
“Want anything to go with it?”
“No cupcakes for me. Remember, I have to get into my wedding gown today.” Drea made herself comfortable at the kitchen table and Katie brought over her rose-patterned teapot. She sat down, too and poured the tea. “You have such a sweet expression on your face right now. I think love has gone to your head.”
“I have to keep pinching myself that I’m getting such a great guy. Say, when we’re through at Clara’s, would you like to have dinner at the ranch with all of us?”
It was the last thing she wanted to do. She hadn’t seen Luke in a week, and she’d rather it stay that way. After their last encounter, she’d contacted an attorney about the divorce, but that was just in the early stages. At least she was doing something about it. “Uh, I don’t think so, but thanks anyway.”
Drea pierced her with a curious look. “You look about as glum as Luke does. What’s with the sour puss, my friend? Is something going on between the two of you? Because if it is, I’m here to listen.”
Luke was in a bad mood lately? Why? Because she’d tossed him out of her apartment when he’d shocked her with his declaration of love? How on earth did he expect her to absorb that news? And now her best friend was asking probing questions.
“Oh, would you look at the time? I’d better change my clothes and get ready. Don’t want to be late. I’ll just be a few minutes.”
Katie escaped Drea’s questioning stare and walked into her bedroom. Her shoulders slumped and all the energy seemed to drain from her body. What in the world was she going to do?
“One thing at a time,” she whispered. And right now, she had to put on a happy face and be the best maid of honor she could possibly be.
She took some time to gather her thoughts and then put on a floral sundress. She tossed her arms through a cropped sunny yellow sweater and slipped into a pair of pumps. Next, she rimmed her lips with rosy gloss and colored her lids with eye shadow, hoping to hide her pale complexion. Then she scooped her hair up in a twisty bun and was good to go.
On a deep sigh, she walked out of the bedroom. “I’m ready,” she called out and found Drea just coming out of the bathroom.
“Apparently that’s not all you are,” she said, sympathy touching her eyes. She lifted the empty pregnancy test box. “I wasn’t snooping, honest. But I saw this in your trash can, honey. Are you?”
Katie squeezed her eyes closed. She hadn’t wanted to tell anyone, not yet. But now she was trapped and maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. She needed a friend, someone to confide in. “I am. I mean, I think so. Three pregnancy tests wouldn’t lie, would they?”
“Do you have other symptoms?”
Katie nodded.
Drea walked over to her and gave her a big hug. “Oh, Katie.” The embrace lasted a long time and then Drea broke away. “Can you tell me about it?”
“We have to go to your fitting. It’s important.”
“You’re more important. I’ll change the appointment for tomorrow, not to worry.” She pulled out her phone and called the bridal shop. They seemed to be accommodating her, and Katie felt terrible letting her friend down this way.
After she ended the call, Drea took her by the hand. “Now, come sit down on the sofa and talk to me.” They sat facing each other. “I have a feeling Luke is the father. Am I right?”
“Yes, you’re right,” Katie said. “It’s a long story.”
“I’m here to listen. You can trust me.”
“Luke doesn’t know. And he can’t know. Not until I can divorce him.”
Drea blinked several times, shock stealing over her face. “Divorce him? Katie, you married Luke?”
She nodded, her emotions a wreck. Tears built up behind her eyes. “It’s not what you think. It’s worse. And I have to swear you to secrecy, Drea. Nobody else can know right now.”
“Not even Mason?”
Several tears spilled down her cheeks. “You see, that’s why I couldn’t tell you. I don’t want to put you in a compromising position. You shouldn’t have to keep secrets from your fiancé.”
“I, uh, I promise I won’t say anything...until you tell me I can. Right now, you need my help and I need to be here for you.” Drea took her hands and gave a gentle squeeze. “I want to help.”
Katie nodded. “T-thank you. I know this isn’t e-easy for you.”
“I’m going to be fine, it’s you I’m worried about. Now start from the beginning and tell me everything.”
Katie started talking, the words spilling out of her mouth easily now that she was finally able to unburden herself and share her innermost secrets with her best friend.
* * *
Luke sat as his desk at Boone Inc. staring at the computer screen, too absorbed in what he was about to do to concentrate on work. He glanced at his watch. It was almost time for him to end his marriage to Katie. However short-lived, he’d loved thinking of her as his wife. But that would be over soon. His at
torney was due any second now.
Luke rose from his desk and walked over to the stocked bar in the corner of his office. He picked out the finest bourbon on the shelf and poured himself a drink. He needed fortification today to go through with this. It was what Katie wanted and the last thing she’d said to him as he’d walked out her door. She didn’t want his love. She wanted a divorce.
And now he was about to grant her wish.
He took a large gulp. The alcohol burned this throat going down, but it also helped soothe his wrecked heart. He couldn’t hold on to Katie if she didn’t want him. Didn’t love him.
Only, he believed she did. She was just too frightened to admit it.
Katie wasn’t easy. She wouldn’t have made love to him if she wasn’t emotionally involved. He knew by the way she sizzled from his touch, the way she’d kissed him back so passionately she’d nearly bowled him over. The way she’d granted him her body so generously when he’d worshipped her. It wasn’t just sex between them but if she refused to admit her feelings, what else could he do?
Every bone in his body rebelled at what was about to happen, but he cared about her enough to let her go. To free her from their secret marriage so she wouldn’t lose the love of her sister, her mother.
The knock on the door came too quickly. He swallowed another swig of his drink. “Come in,” he said, setting the tumbler down on his desk. He stared at the door as if it’d bite him and was relieved to find his brother Risk walking in instead of Carmine Valencia, his attorney.
“Hey,” Risk said.
“Hey back at ya. What’s up?”
“Nothing much. April’s out with the rest of the bridesmaids, going for fittings or something. Want to have lunch at the Farmhouse Grill? My treat. I have a few hours to kill and I’m craving their pulled pork sliders.”
Luke shook his head. He’d deliberately set his appointment with Carmine in the Boone Inc. offices rather than at Rising Springs. It wouldn’t do to parade his lawyer in front of his relatives. “Sorry, no can do. I have an appointment in a little while.”
“Someone more important than your brother?” Risk chuckled and then glanced at the near empty bourbon tumbler on his desk. “You’re drinking this early? Whenever I used to drink before four, it had something to do with a woman.”
“Those days are over for you. Lucky you.”
Risk moved farther into the room and pinned him with a sober look. “Hey, why the bitterness? What’s going on?”
Luke sighed. “Nothin’.”
“Something. Who is she?”
“Mind your beeswax, Risker.”
“Using my childhood name that always got on my nerves? Okay, now I know there’s something wrong.”
“Listen, Carmine will be here any second. So, I can’t have lunch with you. Sorry, bro.”
“Carmine, as in your personal attorney?”
“Yep.”
“Are you okay? You’ve been quiet and, well, grumpy this past week or so.”
Luke put on a smile. “I’m fine. Just let it be, Risk. Will you?”
His brother eyed him, concern in his expression. It was hard to fool his brothers. “Yeah, but...”
“I know. If I need your help, I’ll ask. But trust me, this isn’t anything you can fix.”
Nobody could.
Luke’s mood was about to go from gray to black. As soon as Valencia walked into the office and started the divorce proceedings.
* * *
Two days later, Luke drove to Red Barrel Rescue. In many ways the rescue had rescued him, giving him an outlet for his loneliness. Giving him a chance to think without anyone asking questions or judging him. Helping heal the neglected and sickly horses put life in perspective. It gave him balance and helped him recover from the hard times he’d had in Afghanistan, the soldiers who’d been left behind. While he was in the Marines, he’d longed for home, for Katie, and the hardest part of it all was not being able to tell another soul what he was going through. He’d kept his secret love for her locked away.
And now after making arrangements with his attorney, the divorce was in motion.
Even though Katie didn’t want anything from him, he’d made a few stipulations that he believed to be fair. He wasn’t going to leave Katie in the lurch. If she wanted a divorce, she’d have to agree to his terms.
Luke parked his truck and waved at Wes, who was in one of the corrals trying to calm a horse. The horse snorted and paced back and forth, a frightened look in her eyes. Wes wasn’t making too much progress with her.
Luke walked over to the fence and Wes approached. “Hello, Luke.”
He gave Wes a nod. “Looks like you’ve got a new guest.”
“We do. She’s a feisty one. Mustang. Probably lost her way coming down from the hills. Either that or someone figured she was too wild to deal with and left her stranded. She was brought in two days ago.”
“Does she have a name?”
He laughed. “Katie stopped by yesterday for a bit. She named her Cinnamon.”
Luke smiled as he watched the mare huff and stomp around the far side of the corral. “That sounds about right.”
“Katie tried to work with her a bit, but it was no use. The mare wouldn’t let her get close. I don’t know which of the two females was more stubborn. Anyway, Katie didn’t look so good, so I sent her home.”
Luke swiveled his head toward Wes. “How so?”
“She looked worn out, sort of drained. Never seen her look that way before. That girl does too much.”
“She loves coming here.” Luke always liked watching her work with the animals, whether it was to exercise them around the corrals, or bathe and groom them, or give them the loving caresses they needed. He enjoyed working beside her, seeing her energy and compassion. But it worried him a bit that she was fatigued. He wondered if she’d feel better once she received his divorce papers. It hurt to think it, but being rid of him might just be good for her health.
“We love having her here. Hell, she once told me this place was like her second home.”
“I believe that.” He sighed. He hadn’t laid eyes on Katie in nine days and he missed her like crazy. “Well, I’m here and have a few hours. Put me to work.”
Wes gave it some thought. “Pepper’s up next. She could stand to take a dozen turns around the corral with the lead rope. After that, all the horses are due for their feed.”
“You got it. No mucking for me today?”
“You feel like mucking?”
“Nobody feels like mucking.” Except he wouldn’t mind yielding a hoe and working up a sweat in the stables. Anything to take his mind off Katie.
After several hours of hard work at Red Barrel, Luke arrived home after eight and headed straight for the shower. He’d mucked after all, needing the hard work, needing to blow off steam, and now his whole body ached. He walked into the shower and lingered, the hot spray raining down his shoulders and chest.
But every time he closed his eyes, he saw Katie. He wanted her here, with him now, giving both their bodies a good washing and afterward...
Luke shook his head, trying to clear his mind of her. He had to get a grip.
The shower door latched behind him as he got out and dried off. He put on his jeans and a T-shirt and wandered downstairs. The house was unusually quiet for this time of night. No lights were on anywhere, which was how he liked it. Quiet and dark, like his mood. His stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner today and he needed sustenance.
As he headed toward the kitchen, he heard Drea conversing with someone and stopped just short of the doorway, not wanting to interrupt.
“I’m sneaking a bite of lemon chiffon pie,” he heard her say quietly.
He realized Drea was speaking on the phone. He turned around to leave, and then Drea said, “Whoops. Sorry, Katie. I shouldn’t mention foo
d when you’re nauseous. I heard the nausea and fatigue will pass after your first trimester. It’s still so hard for me to wrap my head around. You’re going to have a baby.”
Luke’s eyes opened wide. He slumped silently against the wall, shocked at what he was hearing.
“No, I promised you, I won’t tell a soul,” Drea whispered so quietly he could barely hear. “Not until you’re ready.”
Luke backed away from the kitchen doorway, his mind racing. Katie was pregnant? She was going to have his baby. Climbing the stairs, he tried not to make a sound. Once he reached his bedroom, he lowered himself down on the bed. After the shock wore off, pure joy filled him up.
It was what he’d dreamed about for so many nights. To have a family with Katie. To be a family. Luke closed his eyes, absorbing the news.
But his joy only lasted an instant. Why hadn’t she told him? How long had she known? She’d pressed for a divorce over and over again. Did she hate him that much to deny him their baby? Or was it fear that kept her from revealing the truth to him?
No wonder Katie had been tired lately. No wonder she’d been emotional. He’d seen a subtle change in her lately, but he’d always thought it was their secret marriage causing her stress. Well, stress or no stress, Luke wasn’t giving her a divorce. Not now. Not when there was a baby to consider.
His baby. His child. A Boone.
Thoughts ran rampant in his head. Should he confront her? Make her fess up? Prod her into a confession?
He was no bully. He wanted Katie to tell him on her own. He wanted to be a part of the pregnancy, a part of the birth of his child. Did he have it in him to wait it out? Hell, he didn’t know. He needed advice and he needed it quick. There was only one person who would know what to do.
Aunt Lottie.
* * *
The next morning, Luke put on his walking shoes and caught Aunt Lottie just as she was about to take her morning walk. “Mind if I join you today?”
Vegas Vows, Texas Nights Page 10