Double Take (14 page)

Kait froze.

Trev stared, then scooped her up into his arms. “Of course your mommy isn’t bad,” he said gently. “Your mommy has never been bad. Mommies aren’t bad, honey.”

“No,” Marni protested with a serious shake of her head.

Kait’s mind came to life. She knew she had to stop her now. But when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came out. She now knew how it felt to have one’s neck on an executioner’s block.

“Mommy is a new, nice mommy now,” Marni said very plainly.

Kait thought she might faint.

Trev stared at his daughter.

Kait stared at Trev, speechless, sweating.

“Yes, she is a new, nice mommy,” Trev said. He stood. “Elizabeth?” he called. “Why don’t you give Marni some supper?” He smiled down at his daughter. “I need to talk to Mommy. Go into the kitchen, honey.”

Marni shot Kait a grin, as if to say, See? It’s all right now; I told him you’re new and nice.

Kait somehow smiled back, and then she and Trev Coleman were alone.

“I can’t take it anymore,” Kait whispered earnestly. “It was only a movie. I stupidly didn’t let anyone know what we are doing, and it will never happen again. I’m sorry!”

He strode to her, and she flinched as he loomed over her.
“Stay away from my daughter.”

Kait gasped.

He was trembling. “Did you hear me? I know what you’re doing— I’ve known it the moment you got back from New York with your new sainted mother act! I won’t have it,” he said tightly.

It was hard to stand straight and tall before him, because he was frightening. She had never seen anyone so angry and even desperate, and she wondered if he even had control of his temper now.

“It’s not an act. I’m not...I’m not who you think I am. I love... our...I love Marni. With all of my heart. I really do.”

“Not an act? You love Marni?” He was incredulous. “You’re using Marni for your own selfish ends, that’s what you’re doing.”

“No,” she tried.

“I’m divorcing you,” he continued harshly, his green gaze on hers. “And it will be good riddance! Marni stays with me. Full custody. I will pay you off and you know it! But if you keep this up, it will be war, Lana, and I promise, I will win—or die trying.”

Kait stared into his furious eyes, reeling. “Calm down,” she finally said. “Your anger won’t solve anything.”

“Calm down?” He was incredulous. “My anger won’t solve anything? Have you just come down from the moon? You are trying to make her love you at the eleventh hour—and it’s working! Then we’ll split, and her heart will be broken—and you expect me to calm down?” He began shaking again. “Or do you expect a judge to let her choose who she lives with! Are you hoping she’ll choose
you?
You haven’t done enough? Is this your way of hurting me one last time? What about how Marni feels? You’re going to hurt her too!”

Kait met his eyes. She agreed with everything he was saying, except she wasn’t Lana. She had an overwhelming urge to rush forward and hold him and soothe him and somehow heal his wounds. Of course, that was not to be. How could Lana have used and hurt this man so? How? And where was she? Now was the perfect time for her to walk through the door so Trev could learn the truth—a truth he was entitled to!

Kait even looked at the doorway, but her sister wasn’t standing there.

She closed her eyes. How much more of this deception could she take? Could the police protect Marni from an enemy that no one except Lana even knew the identity of? Should she tell him everything now?

Lana, where are you?!

“Well?” Trev was shouting now. “Answer me, damn it!” She looked into his eyes and could not speak. She loved Marni with her every breath and more, and until she knew who she was up against, she was not going to take the chance that coming forward might jeopardize the little girl. Her decision had been made.

If Lana did not return, if she did not contact her, Kait was going to begin her own investigation. She would find her sister, find out what was happening, and then do whatever had to be done to protect Marni, Lana, and even herself. But Marni came first.

Kait shuddered with relief. Making a solid decision for the first time in days felt right and it felt good.

“Jesus Christ! You never quit!” Trev shouted at her.

Kait realized a tear had trickled down her cheek. She wiped it away, looked up and met his hostile gaze. “I’m sorry. I said it before and I meant it.”

“That’s it?” Trev asked in disbelief.

“I’m sorry for everything,” she said firmly. Her strength seemed to be returning now. “I regret everything I have ever done to hurt you and Marni. I’d like for us to have a truce.”

He snorted. “Have your lawyer call mine, and soon, Lana. I want this farce over with yesterday! And stay the hell away from my daughter,” he added warningly.

She stood. “That isn’t fair and you know it.”

“I don’t think life is fair, do you?”

“Marni had a good time today.”

“And what about tomorrow—when you’re gone—or when you have returned to your usual cold and uncaring self?”

“Talking to you is like talking to a wall,” Kait snapped. Because he was undoubtedly right. She had to assume her sister was alive, and when she did return, Marni would have her real mother back in her life again. But she would also have her aunt, no matter what Trev had to say about that. “And what about
your
selfish behavior?”

His eyes widened. “My selfish behavior?” “Yes! You told her that we are divorcing. That was uncalled for!” Her hands found her hips.

He stared. “My, my. Have we become the epitome of moral indignation? Please!”

“You had no right,” Kait flared, meaning it.

“I gently explained it to her, in terms a child can understand.”

“Really? And what terms are those?” Kait demanded, trying to get a grip on her rising temper.

“We’re going to live in different houses,” Trev said vehemently. “That sometimes people grow up just like children, and when they do, they change. And when they change, they need to move away from each other. That is what I said.”

“I’m sure she understood that,” Kait said sarcastically.

“She is upset. She’ll get over it. She’ll get over it a lot faster if you move out of the house and stay away from her.”

Kait stared at him with dread prickling along her nape. There was also a surge of panic. “You want me to move out?”

“I think it would be best. Don’t you?”

She was not moving out. The thought of leaving Fox Hollow was more than painful. God, it was a thought she could not bear! “We should reconcile, for Marni’s sake,” she said slowly. Could he force her out? “You can’t make me leave.”

His eyes widened and then he laughed. “Like hell I can’t!” He started toward the closed door.

His words terrified her. Vaguely, Kait saw Sam standing there, a look of savage satisfaction on her face, and as vaguely, she saw Trev pause and exchange words with his teenaged daughter.
Oh, dear God.

Her reaction to the mere idea of leaving Fox Hollow told her what she did not want to know, what she had avoided admitting, even to herself.

Something had changed terribly, somehow.

Kait did not want leave Fox Hollow, not ever—and she was afraid it wasn’t just because of Marni.

Kait watched Sam and her father walking away from the study, refusing to analyze her wayward emotions now. Instead, she thought about Sam. Had she been eavesdropping? Kait thought so. Unfortunately, there had been no mistaking the look of ugly pleasure on her face just a moment ago. She knew about the impending divorce and she had heard that Trev wished to boot Lana out of the house. She seemed to want Lana to suffer.

Then Sam turned and glanced over her shoulder at her. Her face was expressionless now.

Kait did a double take. Sam was wearing a beautiful lipstick-red cashmere sweater, one with wide deep ribs, a very high turtleneck, and cuffed sleeves. Hadn’t she almost worn that sweater last night? Hadn’t that sweater been in Lana’s closet?

Kait was certain that Sam was wearing one of her stepmother’s sweaters. And she hadn’t asked permission, either.

An image of Sam in the kitchen that morning came to mind. She had been wearing a very nice black V-neck beneath a leather vest, one that had looked far too expensive for a young girl.

Was Sam stealing from the stepmother she despised?

Kait wished the notion had never occurred to her, but unfortunately it had. Almost reluctantly—but resolved now not to leave a single stone unturned in her sister’s life—she went up the stairs as Sam and Trev disappeared into the kitchen. It crossed her determined mind that she should ask Sam about the sweater; she pushed open her bedroom door instead.

Sam’s room was a mess. Her desk was covered with books and CDs, two empty cans of Diet Coke, a bag of pretzels, and, of course, her PC. She had a set of shelves containing horse models on the adjacent wall, which gave Kait pause. At some point, Sam had been following in Trev’s footsteps. A few framed photos were on the lowest shelf, including one of a handsome boy about Sam’s age, with black hair and an infectious grin. A guitar and scattered music sheets lay in the corner between the desk and wall. Her backpack lay on the floor, alongside a fringed suede handbag. The backpack was open, and half of its contents—makeup and schoolwork—were on the floor. Magazines, an old and tattered stuffed animal, and an empty Fritos bag covered the unmade bed.

Kait went to the antique pine bureau in the corner of the otherwise pleasant blue-and-white room and opened the top drawer. She started at the sight of red and black lace bras and thongs. A tag screamed
VICTORIA’S SECRET
at her.

Was this appropriate for a sixteen-year-old girl? Kait didn’t have a clue. She started to shut the drawer, when the set of sexy ivory underwear caught her attention. It was not the inexpensive cookie-cutter version bought from a catalogue. She lifted it out. It was La Perla, and she recognized it immediately—it was Lana’s.

Sam was stealing from her stepmother
. Dismay filled her.

Surely it was not serious. Kait hoped it was Sam’s way of acting out her confusion and anger. She tucked the ivory lace ensemble back in the drawer when her fingers brushed something cold and hard, something metallic. Kait’s grasp closed over something that felt like steel, with an odd little spike jamming her finger. What was this?

She lifted up the object.

It was a gun.

Kait left Sam’s room filled with trepidation. Her first instinct was to rush downstairs and tell Trev what she had found. However, he was furious with her. This might not be the best time to point out that his daughter was stealing from her, or that she had a gun.

Kait hung on to the railing, looking down from the second-floor landing into the foyer and an edge of the living room. Her heart lurched with dread. One question simply could not be avoided: Did Sam hate her enough to want her dead?

Had Sam been the one to shoot at her?

She was tall—Kait thought her to be five foot nine or ten. The shadow she had seen in the woods had been an adult—or someone as tall as an adult. She had merely assumed the shooter to be a man.

She was ill.

Was Sam the one?

How could she ever voice her fears and suspicions to Trev? She heard his footsteps below her before she saw him, and she tensed. He came into her line of vision and she watched him with anguish. She didn’t want to fight with him—she wasn’t Lana, damn it, and she did not want him hurt now, any more than he already was. What should she do?

He swung around the edge of the banister and began hurrying up the stairs. The moment he saw her, his naturally exuberant stride slowed. Their gazes collided.

She didn’t move.

He reached the landing where she stood. “What are you doing?”

She wet her lips. “Nothing.”

One brow lifted and he went past her. She hesitated, and followed.

This might be a good time for a private and difficult discussion after all—he seemed much calmer than he had been when he had been shouting at her about the divorce.

She realized he was going into the master bedroom, which had become her bedroom, as he was sleeping elsewhere. Suddenly an inkling began, one that caused real dismay. “What are
you
doing?” she asked, following him into the room.

“Changing my clothes,” he said, disappearing into the walk-in closet.

She glanced at her watch—at Lana’s beautiful Chopard—and flinched. It was close to six. Was he going out for the evening again? And if so, with whom?

He had his back to her, but he had nothing on but tight white jockeys. He reached for a pair of dark gray trousers. “What is it?” he asked, turning.

She stared at his beautifully sculpted chest, dusted with a touch of dark hair, and then at his flat, rock hard abs, and finally at the way his briefs molded his groin.
Oh, my.
And his legs were long, hard, and muscular; his thighs and calves belonged on a soccer player, not an equestrian.

She swallowed, mesmerized.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

Her gaze flew up and clashed with his. He seemed angry now, while her mouth was so dry that she could not speak.

An endless moment ensued. The silence was thick, but Kait could hear her pulse drumming. This man was so beautiful. Had Lana been insane?

“If you keep staring, maybe I’ll change my plans and get that goodbye I’m owed,” he said harshly.

She blinked. He wanted to make love. In fact, it had become rather obvious. She felt her cheeks heating.

“Like you’ve never seen a man aroused before?” His laughter had a rough edge now. He dropped his trousers right on the floor. “Take off your clothes, Lana,” he said.

She was so dazed that her first response was a wild, internal longing! And he knew it, because he smiled and started for her.

But there was a reason why she could not do this, even if she was shaking with urgency, even if her blood was running hot and primitive inside her. And that reason was simple—her sister.

He belonged to Lana.

While, she, Kaitlin London, was a temporary substitute and a complete fraud.

He was smiling, seeming amused. His hands closed on her shoulders. “You know what?” he said in a rough whisper. “I like this act. I like the virginal thing, the cute wispy hair, the big astonished eyes. I like it a lot. It’s a helluva switch.”

A switch.
Oh, yeah, this was a helluva switch. She had to get a grip. It was almost impossible, considering his hands were making her pulse race more rapidly as he was drawing her forward. Her sweater brushed his chest, making her nipples harden. “You’re going out,” she managed.

“I’m meeting Mitch and Sara. We have time. No, I’ll cancel,” he said, his mouth close to hers. “So we can enjoy,” he added in a very sexy murmur.

Lana’s cell phone began to ring.

It was in her back pocket, and she was so startled that she flinched. In doing so, her body brushed against his erection.

“Ignore it,” he muttered, sliding his hands up beneath her sweater, his palms hard and callused on her bare, tingling back.

Kait leapt away, reaching for the phone. She didn’t have to look at the LCD to know that the caller was Lana, finally. Kait ran for the door, glancing back at Trev Coleman as she did so.

He looked shocked.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and then she dashed through the bedroom and into the hall. She pressed talk. “Don’t hang up,” she cried.

Once safely outside, where the sky was now turning to dusk, Kait said, “Thank God you’re all right! I’ve been so afraid!”

“Are
you
all right?” Lana asked. Her tone seemed wry.

Kait began walking away from the house. She felt eyes on her back, but did not care. Not now. “Where are you! When are you coming back? Someone shot at me, Lana! And Trev has handed me divorce papers!”

“Slow down,” Lana said calmly. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to tell you that a divorce was imminent. You had enough on your plate already.”

“You knew? Just how the hell did you think I could manage this— him—when he hates you so?” Kait demanded furiously.

“How could I not know that my marriage is over?” Lana asked dryly. Kait envisioned her sister then. She would be composed, even amused, as that was her outlook on life. “I don’t think this is funny. You have a wonderful husband and a gorgeous daughter and you’re not upset!” She almost added that Trev Coleman wanted full custody, and that she thought he intended to slowly but surely cut Lana out of her daughter’s life. But that was not a subject to go into now.

“I think you’re the one who is upset. But, then, you were always the truly romantic one.” There was a nostalgic smile now in Lana’s tone. “Remember when I caught you reading that trash, what was it, something like
Sweet Eternal Love
?” Lana actually laughed. And then she said, “Have you fallen for Trev, Kait?”

“What?” she whispered.

“I knew you’d like him,” Lana said, seriously now. “It’s why I never wanted you to meet him before. I knew he’d like you, too. In fact, he married the wrong twin, now, didn’t he? If you’ve been wondering why I never told you about my marriage, well, there’s your answer.”

Kait was so stunned she could hardly think.

“But it’s over now. It was a mistake. You can even have the husband, if you like.” Lana said with a laugh. “As for Marni, well...” She trailed off.

Kait had halted. She stood fairly close to Trev’s spanking-new Dodge Ram. She felt perspiration gathering on her brow. “What?”

Lana sighed. “It’s over with Trev, Kait. It’s been over for a long time. I’m sick and tired of him and his morality—I am tired of always being judged. I was expecting the divorce papers, and as soon as I get back, I am taking them to the best lawyer I can find,” Lana said harshly.

Kait began to tremble. “He loved you. I think, maybe, he still does.”

Lana did laugh. “He hates me now, but he does like sex.”

She flinched. Somehow, she had already gotten that very impression.

“Are you still there?” Lana asked after a pause.

Kait felt as if the ground beneath her feet were tilting wildly. She must not think about what had almost happened a few minutes ago. “Yes. Are you on your way back? And what is going on?! I know you lied to me about the foreclosure, Lana. Trev owns Fox Hollow free and clear.”

“He inherited it from his father. Actually, he’s partners with his brother, but Rafe has a hands-off policy.”

“You lied to me. But someone shot at me—thinking I’m you. What is going on?” Kait demanded tersely.

“I was afraid to tell you the truth. I still need a few more days,” Lana said. “Please, Kait, on this one, you have to trust me.”

“A few more days?” Kait gasped. “No! No way! Trev needs to know the truth, and I suspect we need to go to the police.” And she wasn’t going to trust her sister without an explanation.

“I didn’t lie when I said I was in terrible trouble. Someone is after me! But I have no idea who shot at you at Fox Hollow. That can’t have anything to do with my situation. I do owe someone a lot of money, Kait, but I can’t say why, and he won’t hurt me yet, because he wants to get paid back. Nobody shot at you. I mean, I do have a lot of enemies in the county, but I don’t think any of them would have the guts to attempt murder. Not even someone’s angry wife.” She was amused.

Kait gripped the phone. “So it’s true? You’ve had... affairs?”

“I told you, I don’t love Trev. Of course I’ve had affairs. And it’s not like there are any single guys around in Skerrit County, not our age, so do not go judging me, either.”

“Lana—you’re putting me in danger,” Kait said slowly.

“I would never do that!” Lana cried. “Nobody shot at you! And if someone did, why, it was an amateur. Just hang in through the weekend, Kait, and then I’ll return and we’ll tell Trev everything. By then, we won’t have to go to the police. I am sure of it.”

“Trev already hates you. He will hate me, too, when he knows what I’ve done.”

“He’ll forgive you...in time. When he realizes the kind of person you are—when he realizes you are nothing like me. Kait, I am desperate.” She was pleading now.

“I realize that. But you have to tell me exactly why you are desperate! Otherwise I am telling Trev everything—not to mention the police!”

“Rafe Coleman hates me. If you go the police, they will throw the book at you. You can do time for this little switch of ours, Kait. I wouldn’t want to see that happen.”

Kait stared into the night.

“Are you still there?”

Kait nodded.

“It’s only for a few more days,” Lana said urgently. “And you don’t have a choice, Kait, because the one thing I know you would never do is put my daughter—your niece—in danger.”

Her words were a terrible blow. “So you didn’t lie when you said she’d been threatened, too?”

“I’d never use Marni that way. Why do you think I’m doing this? I may not be the best mother in the world, but I would do anything,
anything,
to protect her from harm. I cannot let her pay for my stupid mistake. They know she’s my Achilles’ heel. God, what if they kidnap her? What if I never see her again?” Lana cried.

Kait leaned heavily on the side of the truck. “All right! I’m staying put! But I don’t understand any of this!”

“The only thing you have to understand,” Lana said softly, “is that I am a fool, and now I am paying a terrible price for my past—and my daughter very well could, too.”

“No,” Kait said through numb lips. “I’d give up my life for her. We can’t let anything happen to her.” Tears were betraying her now.

“I know. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” Lana said softly, with a smile Kait could feel.

Kait pulled herself together. “How should I handle Trev?”

“Calmly, kindly—be yourself,” Lana said.

An image of him standing facing her in his underwear assailed her. “And if he becomes amorous?” she asked tersely.

There was a pause. “Has he hit on you, Kait?”

“He thinks I’m you!” Kait cried grimly.

Lana was amused. “I think you can handle it. Do what you think is right. But, then, that is always what you do—isn’t it?”

“This I not the time to be cryptic!” Kait nearly shouted. She remained stunned, but the fact that they were continuing the deception was truly starting to sink in. And she still did not know anything other than that two lives were in danger, her sister’s and Marni’s.

Kait felt more moisture gathering in her eyes. She sat down. There was nothing to sit on except the ground, so that is where she sat. If she had to pretend to be Lana for the next month—the next year—she’d do it—if it meant protecting Marni.

“Kait, I am counting on you.”

Kait nodded, her hands clammy now, then realized her sister couldn’t see her. “You can count on me,” she whispered hoarsely. “You know that.”

“Yes, I do. Because we’re twins, and if I can’t count on you, who can I count on when the chips are down? And you can trust me, Kait.”

Kait knew their call was coming to an end. Her heart seemed to have been misplaced—it seemed to be in her throat, choking her. “When will we speak again?”

“I’ll call you as we decided, when I’m coming back, right after the weekend.”

Kait was breathing hard. “Lana—I’m scared. This is so hard. It’s hard lying to Trev and...”

“And what?”

“And loving Marni so much,” Kait whispered finally.

“I know. I can’t thank you enough. Kait, when this is over, everything will be the way it should be. I swear. We’ll be a family again, even after the divorce. That’s a promise.”

Kait couldn’t speak, so she nodded.

Lana understood, because the phone line went dead.

Kait sat very still.
We’ll be a family again after the divorce
. Her breathing was tight. There was nothing, she realized, she wanted more than for this horrid deception to be over, for everyone to be safe, and for her to be a part of Fox Hollow. She knew she must not think about Marni’s life being in danger now. She didn’t dare. She might unravel. Kait closed her eyes and prayed for everyone’s safety, even her own.

Now, she wished she’d had a chance to ask Lana about who might have shot at her. Lana hadn’t taken it very seriously, just as Rafe Coleman hadn’t. Maybe they were right, Kait thought, and she was wrong.

Her head ached now. It was time for bed.

Then she thought about who was upstairs in the master bedroom and her heart lurched, but not with dread.
I don’t love Trev...I haven’t in a long time.
Her sister had every intention of getting a divorce, and Kait no longer intended to meddle. Besides, it had become pretty clear that Trev Coleman deserved better than Lana.