Homeward Bound (23 page)

"Thanks. That's just the sort of support I was looking for."

"And his daughter? Where does she fit in?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you trying to . . ." Nikki cut off the thought, but Kate knew what she was getting at.

"I'm not trying to replace Kelly. I care a great deal about Chloe."

Nikki smiled sympathetically and covered Kate's hand. "I'm sure you do. But does the fact that Jake has a child affect the way you feel about him?"

She had to admit that Chloe had been a big part of her developing feelings for Jake. The patience and love he devoted to his daughter revealed more of his personality than a conventional dating situation ever could. Would she love Jake if he didn't have Chloe? She couldn't answer because she didn't know if he would be the same person. She only knew that she did love him.

"I don't know what it is, Nikki. He makes me feel special without treating me differently. I feel like part of a family. And I guess I'm afraid to tell him the truth because everything will change. I couldn't stand it he looked at me like I'm somehow different."

"He's going to find out, Kate, unless you plan on giving up your work for good. You can't keep your secret forever in a place like this."

Kate knew her sister was right. In New York she could remain invisible. Like music on the breeze Leather could be heard but never seen. She didn't know the names of three people who lived in her apartment building back in the city. In the two weeks she'd been in Tannersville, half the town knew her. And she liked that.

“I’ll find a way to tell him."

"Make sure you're the one who tells him, Kate. And do it before he hears it from someone else. The truth has a way of catching up to us all."

The underlying warning held a ghostly prophecy that sent a chill of dread down Kate's spine. Very few people knew her as Leather, and the ones who did would never intentionally hurt her. They had too much to lose, but no one more than she.

Nikki pleaded exhaustion and lay down for a nap. Kate's unsettling talk with her sister left her feeling worried. She needed to speak with Jake to be sure that things were still right between them.

* * * *

Kate watched from behind as he repeatedly brought the ax down in strong, fluid strokes. The noonday sun reflected off his golden hair. The muscles in his arms stretched the fabric of the sleeves, and only the double stitching kept the shirt from bursting apart when he landed each blow.

And then there was his magnificent south end!

"Are you picturing my face there every time you land that ax with such deadly accuracy?"

Jake glanced over his shoulder to find Kate leaning against a tree. "What happened to your sister?"

"She's sleeping. I got bored sitting inside by myself."

"So you came out here to stare at my backside?"

"It beats TV." He turned to deny her the viewing pleasure, but she just focused her attention elsewhere. "That's not a bad side of you either." She walked towards him, stopping just out of arm's reach. "For someone who harps on his daughter about her manners, you were kind of rude yourself this morning."

"Me? What did I do?"

She mimicked his deep voice. “‘Let’s go, Trevor. We have work.' You didn't even say hello to her. Did it ever occur to you that I might have wanted the two most important people in my life to get to know each other?"

"No. I figured you wanted to catch up on things at home."

"Of course. Because you're just waiting for me to go back there so you can prove yourself right. Well, I've got news for you, Callahan." She put her hands on her hips and met his puzzled stare. "This is my home and I'm not leaving, even if you tell me to. I have a lease. So what do you think about that?"

Jake attempted a look of annoyance but ended up with a silly smirk on his face. "I think that's great."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I do." He hooked his finger into her belt loop and pulled her in. "Do you think I could make it up to your sister by cooking dinner for you both?"

She pretended to give the matter serious thought. "It might work. You'd have to try to be charming. I know it's difficult."

"Don't you think I'm up for it?"

She brushed against him and let out a soft giggle. "You're up for something, but that isn't the kind of charm I want you using on my sister. I'm very possessive."

"You probably didn't notice, but I am, too."

She laughed in his face. "No kidding?"

"Okay. So maybe I'm just a bit insecure when it comes to you."

A bit!
Jake had a flair for understatement. Maybe her actions weren't speaking loud enough for him. She took his face in her hands and stared straight into his deep blue eyes. "Listen to me. I'm only going to say this once, so make sure you get every word. And don't say or do anything after I'm finished. Just think about it. Okay?"

"What?"

"And you promise you're not going to say anything, right? Not until I say you can."

"I promise. I won't say anything until you bring it up again."

"Good. I'm in love with you." By the stunned look on his face, Kate would guess that he hadn't expected to hear those words from her. She dropped her hands from his face and turned to leave.

"Kate? You can't walk away after something like that."

"Not a word, Jake. You promised," she called over her shoulder. "And stay right where you are."

She darted into the house. Having never uttered those words before, Kate hadn't imagined how much courage it took to say them. She didn't want him to repeat them back before he had time to digest how he felt about her. She wanted him to surprise her the same way she'd shocked him. God help her if she was wrong about his feelings.

* * * *

Jake sat on the front steps staring at Kate's house. He kept expecting her to come out and discuss the matter. She didn't seriously think he could say nothing after her open declaration.

Perhaps he needed the time she gave him. Hot flashes and cold chills washed over him. A gamut of emotions ran through him, ranging from pure euphoria to scared shitless.

He didn't question her state of mind. She had known exactly what she was saying. There was no indecision in her voice, her face, or her heart.

He felt the same for her, so why did that scare him so much? The easy explanation would be to blame it on one failed marriage. No! Kate loved him; Libby never had. He racked his brain to find an excuse rather than face the truth. Kate's work would take her away from him for weeks at a time. Even that didn't bother him so long as he knew she would always return.

Deal with it, Callahan. It's the money. That damn money that Kate didn't care a thing about and he couldn't seem to get beyond.

The front door opened and Trevor stepped outside. Jake didn't need his brother's satire right then. Trevor's knack for mimicking his facial expressions always made Jake feel as if he were looking in a grotesque warped mirror at an amusement park.

"What do you want?" Jake asked.

"Nothing. Can't I sit down for a chat with someone I once shared an egg with?"

"Trevor, you never chat with me. You mock me, you torment me, and sometimes you even say something profound. But you never chat. So spit it out and put me out of my misery."

"Am I that bad?"

"No," Jake said.

Trevor had made a huge effort to change himself in the past year. The legacy of their father had affected Trevor more than it had Jake. Everyone expected them to be bad, so Trevor merely lived up to their expectations.

"Then why do you look like you just got kicked by one of the bulls?"

"If it ain't you, it must be a woman, huh?"

"If it isn't," Trevor humorously corrected Jake for once. "I don't know why that little half-pint turns you into such a jerk. Did you ever consider marrying her so you could end all worry about her leaving?"

"Only about ten times a day, then I dismiss it. It would be unfair to her."

Trevor nodded. "Right. It would be cruel to marry her when she loves you so much. You would be a heartless bastard to make her happy for the rest of her life. Yep, that makes sense. The world according to Jake."

"Why couldn't she be broke?"

Trevor erupted into laughter. "So then she would need you more?"

"Something like that."

"You wouldn't want her if she was the clinging type. You have no idea how damn lucky you are. You will always know she's here because she wants to be, not because she has to be."

"It's not just that. It would change my life, Chloe's life, too."

“How, Jake? The only thing that would change is that should there ever be another drought, your cows could afford to feast on French mineral water until it passes. I doubt Kate would ever expect you to give up the farm. She loves it almost as much as you do."

Jake swore under his breath. "I like you better when you're an idiot."

Trevor grinned. "Because you know I'm right."

"It's too early to decide something like that. I made one mistake by taking things too fast."

"Don't analyze it to death. It's simpler than you think. You have a tendency to turn an anthill into Mount Everest."

What an analogy! "Did you ever consider becoming a philosopher?"

“'No."

"Good." Jake would actually miss Trevor when he left this time. He used to feel such relief when Trevor's visits ended, but this new, and dare he add, sensitive, brother of his had made the past few months less lonely for him.

Jake guessed that Trevor had chosen Kate to take on that job when he left, and he wouldn't let up until he had happily married them off. "I have to start dinner. Kate wants me to impress her sister with my charm and skill."

"Leave the charm to me. I'm so much better at it than you."

Jake rose. He arrogantly folded his arms across his chest and stared down his nose at Trevor. "You think so? Then why am I the one Kate is in love with?"

Trevor leaned back and turned his face up to the sun. "I never tried. Since that first day, when you stood by the kitchen door watching Kate move in, I never thought of her as anyone but my future sister-in-law. By the way, what time is dinner?"

Jake kicked Trevor’s leg.
 
"You're so full of yourself, I doubt you have room for food."

* * * *

Kate stood by the car door while Nikki adjusted her seat belt. Their visit had been so short. "Are you sure you can't stay a few days?"

Nikki's face mirrored Kate's disappointment. "I wish. I have an appointment in Los Angeles at ten in the morning. My flight leaves in three hours, and it might take me until then to find my way out of here."

"Next time call and I'll pick you up at the airport."

"Only if you promise Jake will cook again. He's got you beat, hands down. And he keeps a better house than you, too."

"Thanks. You're so good for my ego."

Nikki waved to Jake and Chloe standing on the front porch. "I don't think that man cares how you keep house, Kate."

"That's because he doesn't live with me."

"Yet," Nikki added. She turned over the engine, and Kate felt the tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh, for goodness' sake, don't cry. You look so ugly when you cry."

Kate wiped her hand across her face. She didn't take offense. Nikki had spent too many years hiding her emotions, but Kate knew her sister loved her more than any other person. "I love you, too, Nicole."

Nikki blew her a kiss. "Happy Easter."

"Ditto."

Kate watched with a heavy heart as the car started down the road. After five years of traveling on tour, she still hadn't gotten used to saying good-bye. Trevor stepped off the curb and put out his thumb to hitch a ride into town, and it lifted her spirits. At least Nikki would have company for part of the trip to the airport.

She slipped her hands into her pockets and walked slowly towards the big house. Both Jake and Chloe wore apprehensive expressions as they watched her approach. When would they get over their ridiculous notion that she might be homesick? Who could feel homesick for a place that never felt like home?