Twist of Fate (12 page)

“That’s enough, for now.” She threw her arms around him and held on tighter than was necessary as she tried to squelch the nagging voice in the back of her brain telling her something still wasn’t right.

Chapter Seven

Sam drummed the steering wheel with his thumbs. What on earth was he doing? This whole charade had become far more than he’d bargained for. Keeping her safe was one thing, but now? This was beyond out of control.

He thought for sure they’d all died at least three times over dessert. There was no way he could agree to having a baby until she knew the truth. He barely heard a word Kate said as she bubbled over about babies, families, and the nursery. He kicked himself for not cleaning out that room years ago.

Look where it’d gotten him.

He’d been on top of the world, and in a few short moments it had all gone to hell. Damn, he should still be on top of the world. Maybe Rusty wasn’t that far off? What she was asking seemed a simple enough request. He and Kate had always dreamed of a family, someday. She had been “late” a couple of times when they were younger, and although he’d prayed for the negative, he would have been thrilled with a positive. Then why, now, did the thought fill him with such dread?

He knew the answer to that question. He’d lived through it once. If it ever came down to losing Kate, he could deal. But he wouldn’t lose his child, not his real child. Memories crashed around him like debris from a wrecking crane.

When Robin told him about the baby, of course he’d been shocked. They’d been together and the timing was right for the child to be his. Sam had never questioned it. He did what any respectable man would do. Only three years later, he’d found out Ben wasn’t his son after all. Some biker-dude had come to the door claiming to be the boy’s father and telling Robin he loved her. Robin had cried her apologies to Sam and in the end had taken their son to live with Chuck. Sam knew he should’ve been relieved, but when all was said and done he missed his son. He’d never had the heart to take everything out of the room. He’d even left all of Robin’s stuff, thinking maybe they’d be back if things didn’t work out with the dude. Apparently that was Robin’s style: when in trouble turn to Sam.

That was three years ago. He hadn’t heard from her since.

Sam took a sideward glance at Kate, who was the woman of his dreams. The one he’d regretted losing six years ago. The one he’d regret if he lost again. The one who wanted to give him the one thing he couldn’t take the risk of losing.

He looked again as she absently twirled a strand of hair. How could he deny her? Hell, he’d basically said he’d do anything to protect her. He quickly reminded himself protecting her and opening his heart up for this kind of commitment were two totally different things. Especially when she’d made it perfectly clear she didn’t feel anything. Of course, that was before she’d lost her memory. Lately, she’d been acting like the old Kate, his Kate.

Maybe he was looking at things the wrong way? Maybe this was the one thing to hold her to him should the truth ever come out. Just as soon as the thought entered his mind, he knew it was wrong. A twinkle of lights brought his gaze to the rear view mirror.

“Damn,” he muttered under his breath.

“Is something wrong?” Kate stirred in the seat.

“No, nothing to worry about. Caught myself going a little too fast on these back roads. Don’t want to get pulled over by a cop.”

“Oh.” Kate stifled a yawn then leaned back against the headrest.

Sam glanced in the mirror again. He’d noticed the van pull out about the same time they’d left Jill and Rusty’s house. They were doing a hell of a job tailing him, staying back just far enough as not to arouse suspicion.

Only Sam didn’t need to be suspicious. He already knew who they worked for. Why they hadn’t forced him off the road by now, he didn’t know. Well, they’d have to kill him if they wanted to take her. She didn’t remember anything yet, and he wasn’t ready to give her up.

He turned into a corner gas station. They wouldn’t be dumb enough to do something out in the open. Or would they? Sam parked at the pump and swallowed the nervousness he felt as the van pulled in shortly after them. He didn’t really need the gas but got out of the truck to make it look good. He didn’t want Kate getting scared, either.

“I’ll just be a sec.”

“Okay.” She yawned again.

He slipped the tire-iron out from behind his seat. Bracing it against his leg, he stood beside the truck as the van pulled forward toward the next set of pumps. Sam knew they were eyeing him from behind the tinted glass. They were trying to make a statement, intimidate him, but it wasn’t going to work. He was making a statement of his own.

He’d protect his family at any cost.

He stood glaring at the faceless monsters. They paused momentarily across from him and his fist tightened around the iron. A young attendant left his booth, crossing the small lot. “Is everything all right, sir? Do you need any help?”

Sam’s attention briefly shifted to the boy, and he turned to keep the iron out of eyeshot. “I’m all set. Just wanted to check the oil, thanks.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the van pull away. Apparently he’d won the challenge with a little help from the kid. He hung around to make sure they didn’t come back. When he felt the coast was clear, he got back inside the truck. This was not a good sign.

**
*

Sam rolled out of bed to the mouthwatering aroma of fresh coffee. Growling through a stretch, he stepped into the early morning sunlight. Rubbing his chest, then his head, he made his way to the bathroom.

What a night. Not only did he have a pretend wife who wanted a baby, but the people she’d been running from were getting too close for comfort. Bracing both hands on the edge of the porcelain sink, he scrutinized his unkempt reflection.

“What the hell are you going to do now?”

He’d given truth to Rusty’s words and let himself believe last night would be the new beginning of his life with Kate. She’d acted like she’d wanted him, too. Yeah, he’d set himself up, all right. What a joke. She’d fallen right to sleep.

He’d barely slept all night. His ears had been alert to every sound the house made in case his friends in the van decided to cause trouble. It was only a matter of time.

Then there was the whole ‘baby-thing.’ How could he? Even though it had been three years, the ring of that tiny little voice saying ‘bye-bye Daddy’ cut through him like a knife. What if a baby didn’t bind Kate to him in the end? Sam would be up against powerful people. Thinking of the life she led, baby or no, she was not about to leave that kind of life for him.

A chill ran across his naked torso, and her old man’s words rang in his head like a fire alarm. In spite of everything, he still doubted George Thompson would find him suitable. No one had ever been good enough for George’s little princess. Well, no one except ‘Mr. Suave.’

What if this all blew up before the baby was even born? What if he never got to see his flesh and blood child? He shook it off. That would never happen. Even if she hated him, Kate would never keep his child from him.

Sam may not be ready to give Kate up, but Jill made a valid point. He may not have a choice anymore. He’d been wrestling with himself for weeks. Being followed last night only confirmed what he needed to do.

He absolutely had to come clean. He couldn’t build a future on lies. Right now, this morning, it all had to come out. He couldn’t risk something happening to her before she knew the entire truth. This wasn’t the way he’d seen it, but it had to be done just the same. Sickened by the lies, the stories, and the sidestepping, he needed to face facts.

Sam rubbed his whisker-roughened chin while eyeing the man in the mirror. “You’re on borrowed time, my friend. There is no future here.” Hell, if she was going to be shocked and hurt, she might as well hear it all from him. His only hope was if he started from the beginning, the very beginning, she might understand and forgive him. He’d have to take that chance.

He turned the faucet on, wondering if she would stay or go. Six years ago they’d had something incredible. He’d never gotten over it. Then she’d walked away without thinking twice. He’d never gotten over that, either.

So why had he bothered to rescue her?

The cool water felt refreshing on his face, and he sighed. Checking himself in the mirror one last time, he smoothed wet hands through his tousled hair to tame it. He plodded barefoot down each stair, sinking deeper into his already dismal mood. He didn’t really want to get into this with her, but he needed to clear the air. As he reached the last step, he shoved his hands into the soft cotton pockets of his pajama bottoms. Sam had every word at the ready, prepared for the showdown of his life.

Then he reached the threshold of the kitchen and saw Kate.

She was cracking eggs over the stove wearing nothing but his pajama shirt. Her dark curls were clipped atop her head in a loose knot. He watched silently as she brushed a stray hair away with the back of her hand. He licked suddenly dry lips at the sight of her delicate wrist peeking from under the sleeve. Her soft curse chimed in his ear as an eggshell hit the floor.

He smiled.

To his delight she bent from the waist to retrieve it, exposing a slight glimpse of her red satin panties, soft round buttocks, and long, lean legs. Sam couldn’t control himself. He was aroused instantly and had to adjust his position in the doorway to accommodate his increasing erection. She didn’t have to do much to turn him on. Watching her, he couldn’t remember one damn thing he was going to say. Whatever happened last night, they’d talk about it later.

Much later.

He could think of one thing and one thing only. Now he had to live for this moment and see where it would take them.

***

Kate bent to pick up the shell and was startled by a shadow she saw out of the corner of her eye. Her hands flew in the air, dropping the shell again. “Oh! You scared me.” Her eyes fixed on his bare chest as if she were seeing it for the first time.

“Sorry.” His voice sounded scratchy from sleep.

She couldn’t move. She could barely breathe. Scanning the length of him, her tongue moistened her lips as she lingered at the waistband which hung low on his hips.

Wouldn’t I love to have you for breakfast.

“You alright?” The touch of Sam’s hand startled her and she wondered if she’d spoken aloud.

“Who, me?” She clamped her mouth shut and blinked seve
ral times to focus. “I’m fine.”

“You were staring.”

She saw the fire smoldering in his eyes. They hadn’t made love last night like she thought they would, then again she’d had so much to drink the ride home had made her extra sleepy. The hungry look in his eyes told her how much he wanted to now.

“You look yummy this morning.” The words popped out. Apparently she’d taken him off guard, because he let go of her arm.

“What?”

“Um, I mean good morning.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before spinning back around to the stove, hoping the heat from the flame would cover the heat of her embarrassment. Sam came up behind her.

“What’s all this?” His question was innocent enough, and she was thankful for the distraction. She didn’t want him to see her like this. Maybe she’d read him wrong, and he wasn’t feeling the same things? Maybe he’d just put up a good front with their friends and after all that had happened between them, he wasn’t ready to take that step and start their family again. She needed to consider what he was going through. This wasn’t all about her.

“I wanted to make up for last night.” She continued fussing around the stove.

“Yeah...Kate, about last night...” He tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but she flicked the flame down on the stove and moved away.

“You don’t have to say it.” She put both hands in the air. “I know exactly how you must be feeling.”

“You do?”

“I let you down.”

“Aw, Kate, wait a minute--”

“I kind of put you on the spot last night. Then I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. I had plans for a romantic night together to celebrate. Can you forgive me?” She looked up from under her lashes as she poured his coffee.

He seemed a little confused before he raised his mug to take a sip. “Romantic night, huh?  Not that we need a reason, but what exactly were we celebrating?” That frisky spark returned to his eyes. Her insides melted at the thought of making love. She gave him a playful tap on the shoulder while she turned to grab the platter of bacon.

“Our decision to have another baby, silly.”

“Oh, that.”

“I know this seems premature, but I want to redecorate the nursery. There’s just bad karma in that room, and I want the new baby to have a fresh start.” Oblivious to Sam’s blank stare, she continued to ramble while putting the rest of breakfast on the table. “Jill and I were talking about going shopping for dress material, anyway. If you don’t mind, maybe she could help me pick out new things for the baby’s room.”

“Whoa, whoa.” He stood up from the table, abandoning his steaming mug. “Where is this coming from?”

“What do you mean?” Her insecurities came flooding back. “I thought you’d be happy. You said yes last night.” She should have broached the subject with Sam alone, not in front of Rusty and Jill. She kicked herself over her lack of patience.

“I said I’d have to think on it.”