“Ah, Katie. You feel so good.”
Minutes later, he found his release, and the joy and peace that went along with it.
Katie had to be his.
There was no other way.
Seven
Katie woke with a blissful humming in her heart. The first image that came to mind was being with Luke last night. Having him inside her, and how he’d thrilled her with his masterful thrusts until they both came apart.
She sighed deeply. Then her alarm chimed, giving her notice it was time to rise and shine. Well, she didn’t know about the shine part, but she rose from her bed. Luke had warned her last night she’d be sore today from the fall she took and he’d been right. Her shoulders and arms ached, but nothing hurt more than her rear end.
She readied a bath, throwing in a bath bomb scented with lavender. When she’d undressed and was just about to put her toes in to check the water, her phone pinged.
It was a text from Luke.
How are you feeling this morning? Are you sore?
Yes, a little bit. I’ll live. Why are you up at this hour?
It was just after four. Luckily, so far she wasn’t nauseous, but the day was young.
Thinking of you. I can come by and rub the soreness away.
Katie smiled. Wouldn’t you just love that.
So much.
Sorry, have to go. Just getting in the tub.
Want company?
No thanks. Go back to sleep.
I’ll dream of you. In the tub.
Katie signed off and set the phone down, the sweet humming in her heart speeding up. Last night, Luke had charmed her and she wasn’t sure it was deliberate on his part, but rather an organic charm, like the way his blue eyes often set on her, as if he treasured her. She also felt it in the way he protected and cared for her.
Yet, he’d gone against her wishes for a simple divorce. She’d said she wanted nothing from him. And she didn’t. She’d have to fight him on that. She wouldn’t take a dime of Boone money. When they divorced, it should be as if they’d never married. A clean slate. She’d never be his wife in the real sense.
Yet, he was relentless in his pursuit, making her forget all the valid reasons she had to push him away. Her sister, her mother’s health, the bakery deception.
After last night, they hadn’t spoken of divorce again. Luke had simply walked her back to her car and given her a quick kiss on the lips, making her promise to get to sleep as soon as possible. He’d followed her home, just to make sure she’d arrived safely.
Of all the men in the world, why did it have to be Luke?
She stepped into the tub and slid down, luxuriating in the sweetly scented water, letting the heat soak away her soreness.
She thought about the baby she carried, just a tiny speck of life that would change her whole world. And she also thought about her carelessness in the corral. She couldn’t afford another mistake like that and she was grateful Luke had been there. Grateful nothing worse had happened. She’d never take a chance like that again.
* * *
Hours later, Katie stood behind the bakery case and greeted one of her first customers of the day. “Hello again,” she said.
“Hi, Katie. Remember me? Davis Moore.”
Katie sure did remember him. He’d come into the bakery with Shelly one day. “I do, Dr. Moore.”
“Call me Davis.”
“All right. What can I do for you today?”
“I’m here for a dozen of your best cupcakes. Give me a variety of them, please.”
“Okay, sure. That’s easy enough.”
“And throw in a few of Shelly’s favorites. I think she said lemon raspberry.”
“Yes, that’s right. She loves them.”
“Well, good.”
She studied the good doctor. He was tall and nice looking and seemed pleasant enough. “So how is Boone Springs treating you so far?” she asked.
“I like it just fine. The people are friendly. And the work is satisfying.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She packed up the box and he paid for the cupcakes. And then he stood there, hesitating.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked.
“Uh, well.” He glanced around the shop. Other than a few customers sitting at the café tables, it was just the two of them. “Shelly’s been so kind to me, making me feel welcome and all, I want to do something nice for her. Do you know her favorite flowers?”
“Not roses,” she blurted. Shelly had had a fascination with roses and they’d ordered hundreds of snowy white roses for her wedding to Luke. Ever since then, she abhorred every kind of rose. “But I know she likes lilies.”
“Lilies. Okay. Thanks for the tip. I might’ve blundered with the roses otherwise.”
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate the thought.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, Davis?” She stopped him as he was scooping up the box, about to leave. “I just want to tell you Shelly really admires you. The flowers will make her happy.”
A big smile graced his face, and his eyes were twinkling. “Good to know.”
Well, wasn’t that interesting? Katie didn’t mind nudging the good doctor in Shelly’s direction. She hadn’t told Davis Moore anything that wasn’t true and if only her stubborn sister would open herself up to let someone in, Shelly might find some happiness one day.
* * *
Three days later, Katie sat in her mother’s kitchen trying to disguise her queasiness. “Mama, you didn’t have to cook for us.” Her stomach turned just at the smell of the spaghetti and meatballs. She wasn’t eating heavy meals lately, but she couldn’t talk her mother out of it. It was Katie’s favorite dish and her mom worked so hard at preparing it.
“I want to cook for my daughters for a change. You girls are always cooking for me. You’re on your feet all day long. And goodness, Katie, you’ve been looking tired lately.”
“I’ve noticed it, too,” Shelly said, putting out pasta bowls. “You’re looking pale. Not getting enough sleep? Or are you doing too much for Drea’s wedding? There’s always something happening. Can’t miss it in the headlines. Whenever a Boone sneezes, the local papers feel the need to report it. They’re holding the rehearsal dinner at The Baron.”
“Yes, that’s on Friday night.”
“Soon it will be all over,” Shelly said, “and you won’t have any reason to deal with Luke. It must be so awkward for you.”
“It...is. But we’ve—”
“You’ve what?” her mother asked, sitting up straighter in her chair. Her mother appeared healthier today, which also meant she was more engaged in the conversation.
“We’ve, uh, found a way to deal with each other. He’s...not a bad person, Mama.”
“Says who? Any man who breaks my daughter’s heart isn’t getting nominated for sainthood, I can assure you. We all embraced him and he turned his back on us.”
“Mama, he didn’t turn his back on you,” Shelly said. “He turned away from me. He didn’t love me enough.”
Katie’s chest tightened. She felt guiltier than ever, because she’d been actually entertaining thoughts of a life with Luke. But once again, her family brought her back to reality. If they ever found out the true reason Luke left Shelly—because he was in love with her—and that she was now carrying his child, all hell would break loose.
Funny, when she was around all this negativity, her situation looked grim, but when she was with Luke, she could envision a happy life together.
It was all so very confusing.
“That man doesn’t know what he’s lost,” her mother said.
“I don’t think he cares,” Shelly said.
“He cares,” Katie blurted.
Both heads turned to her. “What?” her sister asked.
“I mean, Luke isn’t a horrible person. He knows he hurt you, hurt us all, and he’s sorry about it.”
“And you know this how?”
“I’ve spent time with him, remember? At the rescue and in preparing for Drea’s wedding. But he didn’t want to... Oh, never mind.”
Katie could tell by their narrow-eyed expressions they weren’t buying any of this. And they were looking at her like she was being a traitor to the Hate Lucas Boone Club.
“You’re right. There’s no need to spend another second speaking of him,” her mother said.
Katie wanted to skulk in the corner but she wouldn’t because she was too darn curious about Davis Moore. She took a pasta plate to the stove and dished up a generous amount for her mother. “Here you go, Mama. The least I can do is serve you.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” Her mom smiled and it brightened her face. Katie remembered a time when her mom smiled a lot. That was a long time ago.
Once they were all sitting and Katie was pushing her pasta around the plate, she casually mentioned Shelly’s new friend. “Davis Moore came into the shop the other day, Shel. Seems he does have quite a sweet tooth.”
Shelly stopped eating, the fork halfway to her mouth. “I suppose he does.”
“Did you get the lemon raspberry cupcakes he bought specifically for you?”
“Yes, I did.”
“He seems like a nice guy. He’s settling into Boone Springs well, or so he says. I guess you’ve been showing him around town?”
“Yes, some. He’s quite remarkable, actually. Has a long list of accomplishments in—”
“He’s handsome,” Katie said.
“Katie, are you interested in him?” her mother asked.
Shelly squared her a look and Katie tortured her for a few seconds. “Me? No, Mama. I think you’re asking the wrong daughter.”
“Shelly?”
“Mama, it’s nothing. I mean, I like him and he did send me a beautiful bouquet of lilies the other day as a thank-you. But we’re just friends.”
“I think he wants to be more than friends, Shel.”
“Why, what did he say?”
“All good things,” Katie answered.
Shelly blushed and her mother gave her an approving look.
It was progress, albeit very little.
But both of them still had no use for Lucas Boone and nothing Katie could say would change that.
* * *
Luke knew the exact moment Katie entered the rehearsal dinner at The Baron Hotel’s Steak House because the entire dining room seemed to light up. Or maybe it was just him. Everything seemed brighter when Katie was around. She stole his breath wearing a one-shoulder black dress and tall heels, her blond hair up in a messy bun with wisps of hair framing her face.
He sighed. She still hadn’t told him about the baby and his patience was coming to an end. He couldn’t see any physical evidence of her pregnancy yet, but he knew their child was growing in her belly.
Didn’t she know how much he’d want to be a part of it? How much he would cherish their time together until the baby came? He thought for sure they’d gotten closer after the night in the barn, but after that one text, she’d never returned any of his other calls or texts.
She was avoiding him.
Risk stood beside him as the bridesmaids entered the restaurant. They were all giggles and laughter, and right in the middle of it all was the happy bride-to-be, Drea. Soft music played in the background as the rest of the wedding party filed in.
“Guess everyone’s here,” Risk said. “What happens now?”
“Now we have drinks and food and Drew makes a speech.”
“Isn’t he doing one tomorrow?”
“Nope, that’s my job,” Luke said.
“I suppose Katie’s giving one, too?”
“I suppose.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t know every little thing about her, bro. She’s on your radar twenty-four-seven.”
“I’m in love with her, Risk. So yeah, she’s on my radar. And that’s just between you and me.”
“Okay. Wow. Want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to say. You know the situation with her family.”
“Yeah... I do. Man, oh man. Does she feel the same way about you?”
Luke shrugged. “She’s trying her best not to but yeah, I think she does.”
Risk gave him a sharp slap on the back. “Hang in there, and try not to look like you’re going to your own execution. For Mason and Drea.”
Luke nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
He wandered over to Aunt Lottie. She looked brilliant tonight in a sleek sapphire pantsuit. She always wore the most exotic jewelry from her many adventures around the globe. Today her necklace made of gold and Asian sculpted jade caught his eye. “Aunt Lottie, you’re looking mighty pretty tonight.”
“Thank you, Luke. That’s nice to hear.”
“Would you like a drink?” he asked.
“I would love one.”
He guided her over to the bar. “What would you like?”
“Wine sounds wonderful. A hearty pinot,” she told the bartender.
“I’ll have your best rye,” Luke said.
“Yes, sir.”
Once the drinks were in their hands, Luke walked with Aunt Lottie over to a corner of the room. “How’s your...situation, Luke?” she asked quietly, sipping her wine.
“She still hasn’t told me. I have to admit, it angers me. She’s denying me my rights.”
“But you don’t blame her, do you?”
“I’m trying not to. She’s the one, Aunt Lottie. I can’t stand just waiting around for her to come to her senses.” Luke took a swig of his drink, the whiskey going down smoothly.
“Being patient isn’t easy, especially when you know the truth. I’m excited for you as well. I almost can’t wait myself. You’ll be the first one in the family to become... Well, you know.”
He nodded, searching the room and finding Katie in conversation with both of his brothers. She would talk to them but not him. A surge of jealousy had him gulping down his drink.
“She’s a pretty one, isn’t she?” Aunt Lottie remarked.
“Beautiful.”
His aunt touched his arm. “Be patient. It hasn’t been that long. And I’m sure Katie is mixed up right now, trying to work things out in her head.”
“I hear you,” he said. “I just wish she would trust what she feels. Trust me.”
Drew walked up then, and Aunt Lottie gave him a warm smile. “Hello, Drew. Are you ready for the big day tomorrow?”
“I am. How about you?”
“Yes, of course. You know how I feel about Drea. She’s like the daughter I never had. I’ll be very happy seeing Mason and Drea say their vows.”
“It’ll be a good day. Well, I’ll talk to you later. Didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.”
“It’s okay, Drew.” Luke kissed his aunt’s cheek. “You stay and talk to Aunt Lottie. I’m about ready for another drink. Excuse me.”
* * *
Lottie watched Luke walk off, wondering if she’d given him the right advice. She’d certainly botched her own love life, so who was she to give him guidance on his?
She turned to Drew. “You look nice this evening.”
In his dark suit and string tie held with a sterling silver and turquoise clasp, Drew had never looked more appealing to her. His snowy hair and slight beard were groomed perfectly, giving him an air of sophistication.
“Thank you. Same goes for you,” he said. “I like that color blue on you.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Are you nervous about your speech?”
“I’m not much for public speaking.”
“I think you’ll do fine. After all, you’ll
be talking about Drea.”
“And what a lousy father I’ve been.”
“That’s past history. Drea adores you.”
“She didn’t always.”
“She does now and that’s what you have to focus on.”
“I guess so. I appreciate the pep talk. Well, just wanted to say hello. I’ll be getting to my seat. Looks like dinner’s about to be served.”
“Sure, okay,” she said, deflated. Why didn’t she tell him she adored him, too? Why didn’t she apologize for believing he’d been interested in another woman? The man had been nothing but true blue and honest with her, and yet she’d managed to alienate him. After the way he’d kissed her the other day, she had no doubt about his feelings for her or her feelings for him.
She just wished she had the nerve to tell him.
Before it was too late.
* * *
Katie sat next to Luke at the rehearsal dinner. There was no escaping it. Mason was paired up with Drea, Risk with April, and she didn’t want to make a big deal of changing seats.
The truth was, she was falling for Luke, and the more time she spent with him the harder it would be to say goodbye. They couldn’t be a couple. They couldn’t stay married.
But when the baby came, she wouldn’t deny Luke his rights. Her child needed both a father and mother. She’d been deprived of that in her own childhood, and sure, she’d faired okay, but it was hardly ideal. Her child deserved better than having come from a broken home, even before he or she was born.
Unfortunately, right now it was the only way forward. After the wedding, she’d have no reason to see Luke. She’d tell him in her own way and in her own time and...she’d have to confess to her family, too. She wasn’t looking forward to that. She kept praying a solution would miraculously present itself.
The impossibility of it all hit her and tears moistened her eyes.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Luke whispered ever so closely in her ear.
She shook her head, summoning strength. “Nothing,” she whispered, making sure no one was observing their exchange. She faked a smile. “I’m fine.”
Vegas Vows, Texas Nights Page 12