The Playboy (34 page)

“Kendall, did you hear me? I said it’s wonderful news that you aren’t selling! Your aunt would be so pleased,” Raina said, her exuberance and honest emotion traveling through the phone lines.

“Thank you.” Kendall exhaled, grateful for the older woman’s warmth and compassion. “But can you please let me be the one to tell Rick?”

“Of course. And now that I know, my information seems more important than ever.”

Raina’s words piqued Kendall’s interest, as the older woman no doubt intended. “What do you know, Raina?”

“I know who switched the photos at the slide show the other night. Who set you up. Hang on. I’m in the hallway at Norman’s and I don’t want anyone to overhear.”

As Raina paused, Kendall’s anticipation grew. Now that she planned to build a life for herself, beginning with the decision to remain here, she had decisions to make about how to move forward. Confronting the person who so obviously wanted to run her out of town would be a tremendous start. Then she’d face Rick.

“It was Lisa,” Raina whispered.

Kendall shook her head. Rick had hinted at the same thing but Kendall still had a hard time imagining a school-teacher resorting to such extremes over any man. Then again, it would make more sense and give Kendall more comfort if it was Lisa, someone who didn’t hide her contempt, than someone in the shadows with no reason to hate her. Lisa’s jealousy had been apparent from the start.

“That seems absurd though,” Kendall said, voicing her uncertainty to Raina. “I’m not doubting you mean well, but I can’t confront someone without proof.”

“Well, how’s this for evidence? Mildred down at the post office has been putting—how can I say it delicately? She’s been putting eclectic lingerie catalogues in Lisa’s box for years.”

Kendall inhaled deeply. “Did Mildred mention any one in particular?”

Raina laughed. “I knew you’d ask me that, so of course I questioned Mildred further. It seems Lisa gets everything from
Victoria’s Secret
to
Feminine and Flirty
to
Risqué Business
. Any of those ring a bell?”

“Yes.” The photo at the show had come straight from
Risqué Business
. Kendall cleared her throat, acceptance settling in. At least the enemy had a face and a reason. “Thanks, Raina. You’re so sweet to tell me about this.”

The other woman sighed. “Well, I wasn’t sure whether you’d be better off not knowing but when I walked into Norman’s and saw Lisa acting all haughty, like she was so perfect . . . well, I decided she didn’t deserve to get away with it. And I’m embarrassed that I encouraged her to go after my son at all. I needed to make amends. Now I have to go join Eric’s family.”

“Thanks again, Raina.”

“You’re welcome, Kendall. You know your aunt was like family to me. So are you. Bye, bye.”

Seconds later the connection severed, Kendall lowered the phone from her ear. She glanced down and realized she was shaking, not in fear but in anger. Anger at herself and at Lisa.

Kendall had caused the rift with Rick on her own. She couldn’t blame anyone else. Lisa Burton couldn’t have come between them if Kendall hadn’t been running scared and she had a hunch that if Lisa hadn’t plastered Kendall’s half-naked body on a screen for the town to see, Kendall would have found another excuse to run. That had been her M.O., after all. But no more, Kendall thought, proud of herself at last.

Still, Lisa ought to be held responsible for her actions and she’d had no right to sabotage the town’s annual slide show any more than she had the right to publicly humiliate or harass Kendall in the name of jealousy. Kendall might not have current rights over Rick Chandler’s body but he’d made himself clear to Lisa. She had none either. And she never would.

If Kendall was going to stay in town, it was time she asserted herself as a person with rights, feelings, and personal goals—one of which included Rick Chandler.

Which meant she had to tell Lisa Burton to back off.

Rick walked into Norman’s. When his mother called him at the station a few minutes ago and asked him to come and join her and Eric’s family after work, he couldn’t refuse despite the fact that he was still damned angry she’d faked a heart condition.

But knowing she had his best interest at heart, no matter her warped way of showing it, he wasn’t about to turn around and hurt her in return. She was his mother and he loved her.

No sooner had he stepped inside the restaurant and met up with his mother than she grabbed him in a huge hug, her gratitude and relief evident. “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.”

He hugged her back, silently thanking God her body was healthy even if he wished her mind wasn’t quite so conniving. Then he stepped back. “So where’s Chase?” Rick assumed Raina had also invited him to dinner with Eric’s family. Roman’s turn would probably come next time he and Charlotte returned from D.C.

“Your brother will be here,” she said without meeting Rick’s gaze.

Rick hadn’t yet told Chase about Raina’s charade. Amazing since he’d chastized Roman for holding out on him, but Chase had been busy on deadline and in meetings and there’d been no time for Rick to break the news. Now he had his mother to deal with again and she was back to exhibiting signs of mischief.

This dinner suddenly reeked of a setup. “So where’s Eric’s family?” Rick asked, wondering if they were even here.

“They’re sitting at the round table right there.” She gestured over her shoulder to the large group of people in the corner. “But I think you should know that when Kendall walked in—”

Rick groaned. His mother had just confirmed his hunch. She’d conned him into coming to Norman’s. Oh, she wanted him to have dinner with Eric’s family, all right, but the idea probably hadn’t come up until she’d walked in and seen Kendall. At heart, his mother was a match-maker extraordinaire.

Kendall. His stomach had plummeted at the mention of her name, a feeling he knew he’d have to deal with for a few more weeks. Or at least until she packed up and left town. He placed a firm hand on his mother’s shoulder, wanting her to back off. He’d given up on Kendall meeting him halfway or any way for that matter. He needed to move on with his life without his mother trying to interfere.

He squeezed her shoulder lightly, wanting to make sure he had her attention. “Where Kendall goes and what she does is her own business. We’re through, she’s leaving town and she doesn’t want me butting into her life. Let’s leave things at that.”

Raina frowned. “Okay, but if you don’t want to make sure Kendall’s confrontation with Lisa doesn’t turn into a catfight in Norman’s back hall, that’s your business.” And with that declaration, she turned and started for the round table where Eric’s family sat.

Rick exhaled a groan. Would he ever not fall into his mother’s trap? She’d baited him and he knew it. But she had a point. If Kendall was in the back hall with Lisa, someone needed to referee. And that someone had better be him.

As he turned the corner in the back, Kendall’s voice traveled loud and clear. “If you ever harass me again, I’ll sue you.”

“For what?” Lisa asked, sounding bored.

“Oh, I’ll start with something simple like intentional infliction of emotional distress and then I’ll move on to filing charges with the police. Harassment would be a nice start. I’m not sure it really matters since Yorkshire Falls is such a small town and the people have long memories.”

Rick didn’t want to risk stepping into plain sight by taking a peek, but he heard the joy in Kendall’s voice as she laid down the law with Lisa, who merely let out a long-suffering sigh.

“I’ve lived here longer, have a sterling reputation, and besides you can’t prove I did anything,” Lisa said in reply.

“Are you so sure? I have a friend at the post office.” Rick narrowed his gaze.

“And you know how the magazine companies put the name and an address label on the front cover? Anyway, this friend wouldn’t mind ripping off the front cover of your next monthly delivery of
Risqué Business
. You know, the cover that proves you get a subscription to the same magazine I modeled for?” The glee in Kendall’s voice was clear. “I’m not a lawyer but that should be enough to prove opportunity. Everyone in town knows you have a thing for Rick, so motive’s no problem. Trust me, Lisa. You do not want to mess with me on this. Back off.” She said the last, her voice deepening.

Rick blinked in shock. He’d never heard Kendall take such a strict, don’t-screw-with-me tone, not even with her sister. Pride welled in his chest along with the acknowledgment that something inside Kendall had changed. She’d obviously faced some of the demons instilled since childhood and come out stronger for the experience.

He wished he could draw hope from the thought but Kendall had wanderlust in her veins. Even if fear motivated her running and some of that fear seemed to be gone, he’d been burned too many times to let himself believe she might change her mind and stay. With him.

But he took pleasure in knowing that when she left town, it would be with her head held high. “That’s my girl,” he said under his breath, then realized that she was no such thing, and never would be.

“Once you’re gone you do realize that Rick will forget all about you,” Lisa said, as her parting shot.

Rick took a step forward, instinct compelling him to correct Lisa and protect Kendall. But Kendall replied first, proving she didn’t need him to look out for her. She’d always gotten along fine on her own.

“Let’s get a couple of things straight,” Kendall said. “One, I’m unforgettable, two, I’m not going anywhere, and three, keep your hands off Rick. He’s mine.”

Rick chuckled at the same time Kendall’s words registered, and that elusive ray of hope found its way inside him after all. Kendall’s use of words like
not going anywhere
and
he’s mine
provided a jumpstart to his adrenaline and his doubts. Not that he’d take those words of hers at face value.

Turning, he walked into the hall so he could confront Kendall himself. Lisa stormed past him and he let her go. Kendall had said everything that needed to be said— and more. But the question remained, would she say it again, this time to his face, or would she turn and run?

He glanced over. She’d leaned against the back wall and shut her eyes. Rick knew confrontation wasn’t her favorite form of recreation but she’d done well. He was proud of her. He didn’t know if Lisa had pulled her last prank, but at least Kendall had put the other woman on notice. There would be consequences next time.

Kendall breathed deeply, then exhaled. Her breasts rose and fell beneath the lemon-colored tank top she wore. One delicate strap dipped off her shoulder, revealing her smooth skin, and the urge to kiss every inch of her exposed flesh grew strong inside him.

“Easy,” Rick said under his breath. They had a long way to go before he’d indulge in kissing of any kind with this woman who held his heart in her hands. He’d do best starting with the basics. “Congratulations.”

Her eyelids flew open wide. “Rick.” She blinked, obviously startled but not unhappy to see him if the hesitant smile on her face was any indication. “Congratulations about what?”

“You tamed the witch,” he said, speaking of Lisa. A smile tugged at his mouth. “That deserves a round of applause.” He clapped to prove his point as well as to break the tension between them.

“I don’t know if I tamed her.” Kendall laughed, her eyes sparkling. It had only been a few days but God he missed the light in her eyes and her easy laughter. “But I did set her straight.”

He nodded. “So I heard.”

“You were eavesdropping?” she asked, obviously surprised.

“Listening in a public place.”

She rolled her eyes. “Same difference. So . . . how much did you hear?” she asked as she bit down on her glossed lips.

He wanted to take a nibble too. “How much do you want me to know?” he asked instead.

She sighed, shifting from foot to foot, her discomfort obvious. “Rick, I don’t want to get into a game of twenty questions.”

“Neither do I.” He also didn’t want to stand here pining for a woman who’d just reject him again. “So how about you just answer my question. Tell me whatever it is you want me to know.” He stepped closer, taking the biggest risk of his life. But if he’d heard her correctly, she’d finally taken a risk too. If not, this was Rick Chandler’s last stand. “Talk to me.”

Kendall stared at Rick, taking in his beloved face, serious expression, and gorgeous mouth. Now that he stood before her, she didn’t know what to say so she opted for the truth. “I’m scared,” she admitted.

He reached out a hand and stroked her cheek. His roughened skin sent awareness shimmering throughout her body, reminding her not just of their physical connection but the emotional one as well. Obviously their bond remained despite her attempts to shut him out and the relief sweeping through her veins eased her mind a little bit. This was Rick and she could tell him anything.

As she looked into his eyes, she realized how much hinged on her reply. Though she feared he’d reject her, ironically she also feared he’d accept her. The life she’d always wanted and feared at the same time hung just within reach and she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t admit to being petrified.

Drawing a deep breath, she took a huge leap of faith, hoping Rick would be there to catch her. “I’m not leaving Yorkshire Falls after all.”

“Really.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

An adorable smile tipped the corner of his mouth and Kendall knew he’d heard her entire conversation with Lisa. But he still deserved to be told firsthand and in a much different tone and manner than she’d taken with the witch, as Rick had aptly called Lisa.

“I . . .” Kendall paused and cleared her throat, nerves nearly paralyzing her. What if he turned away? What if he didn’t?

As if sensing her distress, he reached forward and clasped her hand in his, squeezing tight. For courage. For comfort. “Go on.”

She forced a smile that became easier and more real as she spoke. “I decided to stop running.”

“Because?”

He squeezed her hand harder and she appreciated his show of support, gaining hope. “I don’t know why. One minute I was looking at that blown-up photo and convinced myself the time had come to leave. That you and your family deserved better.”