Double Take (26 page)

“You know, in a way, Sam is right. She’s old enough to make most of her own decisions, even the bad ones.”

“She had a gun!”

Kait winced. “One she took from me, not him.”

That gave him a moment’s pause. “He’s a bad kid, and he hangs with bad kids—which is why she felt she wanted a gun in the first place.”

“I don’t think he’s all bad,” Kait said softly. Seeing his expression, she added, “I met him at the mall the other day, purely by chance. I’m not saying I approve of Sam’s choice, either. I think it’s too soon to deliver a verdict. But I have an idea.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “And that is?”

“Why don’t we invite him and his mother over for dinner tomorrow night? Sam would be thrilled, and it would give us—and you—a chance to really get to know him.”

He stared at her for a long moment. And finally, he smiled, with a small shake of his head. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

She smiled, looping her arm in his and tugging it off his chest. “Because you are too emotionally involved. Because she’s your daughter. Because you love her so much.”

He studied her. “You are really a different person, Lana,” he finally said. “It’s as if you
are
a different person, actually.”

Kait had no response.

“You seem awfully quiet.”

Kait glanced at Trev as a valet approached the Jaguar they were seated in. Kait had managed to keep a straight face when Trev had driven it out of the garage, as if she’d known he had another vehicle other than his truck. “Am I?”

He stared at her for a heartbeat. Only the dashboard lights illuminated the Jag’s squeaky clean interior. “I can be a good listener,” he said.

The valet was at the driver’s side door. The big colonial home at the head of the drive was brilliantly lit from inside and the grounds were also illuminated; Kait could hear the strains of a band, and the din of conversation and laughter. “I’m really fine,” Kait lied with a smile.

Trev seemed to accept that. They stepped out of the car, Trev coming round the Jag’s front end to take her arm. The smile he gave her was an uncertain one. “Careful.” he said. “Those heels were not made for walking.”

Kait sent him a grateful smile as they crossed the drive and started up the brick walk to the big, stately manor. Azaleas lined the walk and rosebushes the veranda. A couple was entering through the front door ahead of them, the older woman in a long red evening gown, the man in a tuxedo like Trev. As the front door opened, the sounds of the party in progress intensified. Trev said, low, “You’re not having second thoughts about last night, are you?”

Kait stumbled but he caught her. “No,” she said fervently. “Absolutely not.”

His expression softened. “Good,” he said.

Kait felt as if she were drowning. What should she do now? Now that Trev had feelings for her, her charade was unfair, and somehow, more terrible, more immoral. And the repercussions would be even worse. God, she was deceiving the man she loved with her every single breath.

The treacherous thought she’d had earlier returned—if only Lana would not come back. Kait was furious with herself for entertaining it yet again. Not only was Lana returning, what did Kait hope to gain if she did not? To engage in a permanent lie for the rest of her life?

As they entered the house, Kait felt as if the place she was stuck in—between a rock and a hard place—had become even worse. Now her back was to a spiked wall, her front to an inescapable vise.

The front hall, which was large, was crowded with guests, and Kait suddenly blinked and realized that she had stepped into another world—a world of old money, Thoroughbred horses, and Southern charm. This mansion made Fox Hollow seem casual and cozy. The room might have been a showroom for Ralph Lauren. Understated elegance was in every architectural detail. The woman all wore conservative but elegant and expensive designer gowns and equally conservative but equally expensive jewels; the men were resplendent in tuxedos, some even wore tails. Soft slurred consonants and dropped vowels washed over Kait like warm honey. She felt as if she were standing in a photo gallery for
Town & Country
magazine.

How had Lana ever fit into this life to begin with?

A pleasant-looking man in his fifties approached, beaming. “Trev! Can’t believe it’s that time of year again, can you?” He clasped Trev’s hands.

Trev seemed to genuinely like their host. “No, Parker, but unfortunately, the older one gets, the faster time does fly,” he said. “Big crowd tonight. Guess no one thought to miss the county’s biggest fall ball.”

“Not a single nay on our RSVPs.” Parker nodded happily. Then, finally, he looked at Kait, his smile slipping. “Lana. As always, you are stunning and sans pareil tonight. What a sweet hairdo.”

Kait was in no mood for games—or for picking up after her sister. “Thank you. The house is so lovely tonight. Everything is lovely.” She meant her every word.

He started. “Thank you,” he said. Then, “The only person I am not sure I may see tonight is Rafe.”

Trev’s expression became strangely blank. “Is that so?”

“He never responded to my invitation.” Parker’s expression had become oddly twisted—it was almost a grimace.

“He gets somewhat preoccupied with county affairs,” Trev said.

Parker made a sound, nodded at Lana, then slapped Trev’s back. “He should be more like you.” He left.

Kait snatched a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. As she did, she realized that a tall elegant man with dark hair was staring at her. He smiled—she looked away, giving him her back. “What was that about?”

Trev hesitated. “Parker and his wife—his third wife—split up for a while. Rafe had an affair with her. Now Georgina’s back.”

“I see,” Kait said, not surprised. She could imagine Rafe a ladies’ man, unlike his brother.

“Let’s mingle,” Trev said, taking her arm. But he looked over her shoulder before they moved off.

Kait automatically did the same. The tall gentlemen with gray eyes the color of his silver cummerbund continued to stare. When he saw them both regarding him, he lifted his flute in a sardonic salute, turned, and walked away. “Who is that?” Kait asked without thinking.

“Like you don’t know?” Trev demanded harshly.

Kait jerked and saw that he was flushed with anger. Alarm bells went off.

“Let’s go,” he said firmly, and taking her arm, he guided her into the next room.

Kait dared to look back, but the gentleman in the black tuxedo with the silver cummerbund was gone.

An hour later, Kait made her way to a powder room, only to find it occupied. She’d had enough of Parker’s party, although Trev seemed to be enjoying himself. He knew everybody and was extremely well liked. Maybe too well liked. Kait hadn’t been imagining the fact that quite a few wives found him far too attractive for her taste. But she supposed they were drooling over him in their dreams. The county was too old-fashioned for the kind of affairs her sister was infamous for. Had they been single like Marni’s schoolteacher, she would have been certain they were lining up to snag him after his divorce.

And everyone did stare, at them, at her. So Kait had clung to Trev’s arm possessively, smiling eagerly at his every word.

Kait paused outside the powder room, no longer smiling. She was not having a good time. No one liked Lana and pretending to be her in this milieu was difficult and awkward, not to mention stressful. The women hated her, and Kait felt certain most were very jealous of her, although she could not fathom why. Most of the men eyed her with far too much appreciation and speculation. How had her sister lived this way?

Kait hated to think it, but she guessed that Lana had enjoyed the women’s jealousy and the lust and admiration of the men.

“My, you are so happy tonight!”

Kait flinched and came face-to-face with Alicia and a tall, extremely beautiful willowy blonde. The pretty redhead wore a long, rather boring black evening gown, and even though it screamed designer, it made her look as matronly as Nancy Reagan. Now she hugged Kait hard. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Trev this happy,” Alicia whispered, her eyes wide. “Not even on his wedding day!”

Kait managed to smile, thinking of her sister being lovers with John and feeling sick about it. “Actually, I’m a bit tired. How are you?” she asked, refusing to get personal now.

“Just fine,” Alicia beamed. “That dress is fantastic! You look like a gypsy! Where did you find it?” she asked eagerly.

“Neiman Marcus,” Kait said.

The young blonde smiled at her. Her brilliant blue eyes were rather vacuous, and she wore the most dazzling emerald-and-diamond necklace that Kait had ever seen. It had to be worth a fortune. She said, “Are you and Trev back together? Alicia seems to think so. Wouldn’t it be odd if the two of you reconciled—just like me and Parker?”

Kait realized she was Parker’s third wife, Georgina. Kait wondered what her relationship with Lana had been. She smiled at Georgina. “Life is full of odder things,” she said lightly. And she quickly changed the subject. “That is the most amazing necklace I have ever seen. The color matches your gown perfectly.”

Georgina beamed. “Parker gave it to me, out of the blue, right after we got back together. Isn’t it awesome? It’s Bulgari. I found this dress in Neiman Marcus yesterday. Isn’t that funny? We could have gone shopping together. Thank God they had a size four! It’s Marie St John. Doesn’t it go with my necklace perfectly?”

Kait wondered if Georgina had any intelligence whatsoever. “Perfectly,” she assured her. “Is there a bathroom upstairs? The one downstairs is occupied.”

“Straight up and first door on your left,” Georgina smiled. “I love your haircut, Lana. When I was a model, I almost cut all my hair off—can you believe it?”

“Thank God you didn’t,” Kait said. The woman had long blond hair that had obviously spent hours being colored and styled in a salon. Besides, clearly Kait’s response was the one Georgina was looking for.

As Kait turned, Alicia touched her wrist. “The two of you have been acting like newlyweds. I’m so happy for you—if this is what you really want now.”

Kait knew a question when she heard one. She turned. As Georgina hardly seemed interested in their conversation, she said, “What I don’t want is for Trev to hate me. We share a child, Alicia. Don’t you think it’s long overdue that I started behaving with some dignity and respect?”

Alicia blinked. She began to flush. “Actually, I do. So will you stay together now?”

Kait hesitated. “I don’t know.” Then, “I really have to use the ladies’ room.” She smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry about the past, Alicia, I really am.”

Alicia looked utterly confused. “Okay,” she finally said. And as she spoke, Kait saw John drifting over to them.

“Hello, Lana,” he said with a polite smile, taking his wife’s arm.

“How are you?” Kait managed, flushing and wondering if she were beet red. She reminded herself that she had not slept with this man. Lana had been the one leading him on beneath her friend’s very nose.

“What a wonderful dress,” he said.

“Isn’t it fantastic?” Alicia smiled. “She found it at Neiman Marcus.”

“What a wonderful party,” Kait returned.

“Need a rescue, Mrs. Coleman?” Suddenly an urbane Australian accent drifted whisper-soft over her, as a man paused to stand behind her.

John was saying something, his arm still around Alicia. Kait turned and collided with the man who had spoken, as he stood that close behind her. She tensed as he grabbed her arms, steadying her, and met a pair of startling gray eyes. The gentleman with the dark hair and silver cumberbund grinned at her. A dangerous and amused twinkle was in his eyes.

“Are you all right... Mrs. Coleman?” he asked as softly.

“Hello, Farrell,” John growled, clearly dismayed.

“Colin,” Alicia murmured.

Kait began to perspire. She didn’t turn, mesmerized, not liking the way he continued to hold her or the way he looked so deeply into her eyes—as if he knew her very well—too well. Hadn’t Alicia said something about a man named Farrell? Something that implied he was in love with Lana? “I’m fine. You can let me go now.”

That seemed to amuse him even more, as he chuckled but obeyed. “Lovely gown,” he said.

“I need a glass of champagne,” Alicia said. “John?”

But John didn’t move. “Lana? Would you like one as well?”

“No, thank you,” Kait said uneasily.

John was clearly grim. And Alicia was looking from her husband to Kait to Farrell and back again.

Suddenly Kait had had enough. She shifted to look at Farrell. “I’ll take that rescue effort now,” she said firmly.

Colin Farrell laughed and took her arm in his, guiding her up the wide, sweeping staircase. Kait had to look back, and found Alicia leaving, while John stood in the hall, gazing up at her. Farrell murmured, “You’ve been home for an entire week. What have you been waiting for?”

Alarmed, Kait met his sparkling gaze and tried to pull free of him. “What?” she gasped. But she already sensed that this man was involved with her sister. He seemed exactly Lana’s type—suave, confident, handsome.

“And you cut your hair,” he said. He shook his head. “I know you must have had a good reason—it’s cute—but it’s not you. Not at all. What
could
have possessed you?”

She stared at him and he continued, in the same sexy murmur, “Did you
see
that necklace Parker bought for Georgina? I imagine he’d hit the roof if he knew she was still shagging our county sheriff.”

Kait tugged on her arm. Speaking very firmly, she said, “Please let me go.”

They paused on the landing. He looked closely at her, the laughter disappearing from his eyes. “Are you all right, love? You don’t look like yourself at all. You are acting oddly.”

“I’m fine! I just need a powder room,” she said. And as she spoke, a door opened near them and an older woman stepped out. As the woman went downstairs, Kait didn’t wait. She pulled free of Farrell and darted into the marble bathroom. She closed the door and breathed hard, overcome with relief.

But the door opened immediately and he stepped inside with her, closing the door behind them—and locking it.

For one moment, Kait was so stunned, she could only gape.

He grinned and pulled her into his embrace. “What new game is this? I’ve missed you.”

Kait pushed at his chest. “What are you doing? Let me go! My God, are you insane! Get out of here!”

He stopped trying to kiss her and stared at her in real surprise. And this time, his gaze penetrated her eyes.

Kait was frantic. If Trev saw her like this, it was over. “Get out!” she said.

His regard remained deeply searching. “What is going on, Lana?” His tone had completely changed.

Clearly Lana had had another lover, but Kait had simply had enough. Still she fought for restraint. “I really do have to use the bathroom.”

He simply stared at her, as if her words were incomprehensible. Then he said, slowly, “This is very odd, indeed. By now, you should be in my arms and I should have you up against the wall. It has been a week.”

Kait said, “Please get out.”

But he stared, and as if he had not heard her, he said, “I mean, in the ten years we have been together, you have never behaved this way. And you did not call me when you got back from New York. What is going on, Lana?”

She was sweating now. “Nothing is going on!” Lana and this man had been together for ten years? The concept was nearly incomprehensible. She swallowed. “Ten years is a long time. People change.”