Worth the Trouble (St. James #2) (21 page)

“My publicist helped me get an interview with someone from
Town & Country
magazine tomorrow at eight, so I won’t be here when you arrive. If we can get in front of its audience, we’ll reach over half a million wealthy, middle-aged home owners. Just the type who can afford handcrafted furniture.”

“That’s great, Cat. But I guess I might miss you altogether then, because once I hang the doors and add the hardware, I’ll be coming back to Connecticut to work with Jackson’s new hire.” Hank refrained from mentioning his lingering regret about how they’d handled things with Jackson, or his concerns about whether or not Jackson’s present emotional state would cause problems with his new crew.

“Training your replacement must be weird. Is Jackson treating you okay?”

“Pretty much. Our friendship will survive my leaving. At least, I hope so. Right now he’s focused on making sure he and I get the new guy up to speed. He makes wisecracks about my new job, but it’s mostly good-natured.”

“Don’t let him make you feel bad about leaving, Hank. It’s business, not personal.”

“I don’t know that he can separate the two like you can.” Shit, did he say that out loud?

A beat of hesitation passed before Cat spoke, her voice subdued. “I warned you that I’m not good at relationships. If you’re not happy, then you should move on. But you did promise we could take it slow, and that we’d concentrate on the company in the short term.”

“You’re right.” He was about to reassure her that he didn’t want to move on, but he heard a noise coming from his mother’s room. “Hey, my mom’s stirring. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He jogged to his mother’s room and found her on her knees reaching under the nightstand for her sippy cup.

“I got it, Mom.”

He settled her back in bed before refilling the cup with fresh water. “Here you go. What else do you need?”

Out of nowhere, she touched his face, eyes alert. “Good boy.” For a millisecond, she appeared to recognize him.

“Right here, Mom,” he answered, with tears in his eyes. He felt foolish crying in a dark room, but the rare moment of recall overwhelmed him.

Then, like fog in sunlight, the moment vanished and a glaze engulfed her eyes. He tucked her under the covers and closed the door behind him when he left.

The once-in-a-blue-moon memory made it impossible to seriously consider Meg’s warnings or Jenny’s concerns. For more than a dozen years, he’d taken care of his work and his family. There’d be some readjustment thanks to his new schedule, but he’d handle it without dropping any balls.

Mom,

I’ve been thinking about my discussion with Jackson and the way Hank adores his nephew. Hank promised I could tell my secrets only when I was ready. But will I ever be ready for him to look at me as anything less than a whole woman? Maybe that sounds silly, but that’s how I feel. Did you feel that way, too?

Should I tell him everything and see what happens?

Please send me a sign. I want to believe he could accept me—the real, unvarnished me.

But I don’t want his pity.

C
HAPTER
S
EVENTEEN

C
at turned the corner and continued walking toward her building, frowning. The woman who interviewed her must’ve seen Hank’s photo on their website, because she’d asked a lot of questions about Hank’s personal life that seemed wholly unrelated to the business or the furniture. Cat replayed the interview in her head as she strode up the block, thinking about what she could or should have said.

“Catalina.”

That stringent voice had haunted her nightmares since last fall. She froze, eyes glued to the pavement, mind blank. Chills rushed through her limbs, tightening her muscles.

“These are for you.” Justin thrust a bouquet of flowers under her nose.

Her peripheral vision blurred; passing cars drove by in slow motion. Her arms stiffened at her sides, unmoving, as if caught in a hunter’s gun sight.

“Catalina, take the flowers.” He wiggled them again.

“Justin.” She briefly closed her eyes before raising her gaze to meet his. “What are you doing here?”

“The restraining order terminated yesterday. I’ve paid for my mistake, learned from it. Now I want a second chance. You know I never meant to hurt you or Vivi.” He reached for her hand to force them around the flowers, but she withdrew. “Come on, Cat. Please take the flowers.”

Cat straightened her shoulders and cast a furtive glance toward her building. The thirty yards between her and the front door may as well have been a mile. Alone with Justin—the very last place she wanted to be. The memory of Vivi lying in a pool of her own blood flashed through Cat’s mind.

Stay calm. Be smart. You’re safe in public, but you are
in public!
Don’t draw unwanted attention.

“Thank you, Justin.” She offered a weak smile. “Unfortunately, I’m not interested in a reunion. I’m sorry.”

He blocked her when she tried stepping to his left, then he grasped her arm.

“Why not?” His grip tightened in concert with the muscles in his jaw. “You and I have something special.”

“Whatever we shared is in the past, Justin.”
Fighting only makes him worse.
“Please let me go.”

“How can I when I’m always thinking of you?” A flicker of agony dimmed his eyes. “You were the best thing in my life. Please, Cat. Give me another chance. I love you. I swear I’ll never hurt you. Come on, you know I’m the only one for you.”

I’m the only one for you
. Cat’s eyes widened in recognition of the phrase she’d read in big block print. “You sent those anonymous love notes, didn’t you?”

He hesitated before confessing. “Yes. Being cut off from you was killing me. I had to remind you of what we have.” He still held her arm, tugging her closer, eyes pleading yet determined. “I know you feel it, too, even if you’re still afraid. I promise I’ve changed. Forgive me so we can start over.”

“I’m sorry, Justin. I don’t feel anything.” Cat shrugged her arm, but couldn’t break free. The memory of the media frenzy surrounding their breakup flashed through her mind, urging her not to cause a scene. The last thing she needed was ugly new headlines surfacing days before the trade show. She had to diffuse him carefully. “It’s over. If you really care about me, please let me go.”

Her heart jumped as he yanked her against his body. The flicker of anger hardening his eyes, the tight grip on her arm, the sound of his heavy breath near her ear, all caused her to go limp. Justin rested his cheek against her head to inhale the scent of her hair. When he shivered, she nearly threw up.

“It’s not over, Cat.” His voice quaked with repressed fury, and then he whispered in her ear like a lover, “It’ll never be over.”

Unable to find her voice, which was as paralyzed by fear as her body, Cat closed her eyes.

“Hey!” Hank’s voice cut through Cat’s panic. Out of nowhere he’d arrived and now glared at Justin. “Is everything all right here?”

“Just a lovers’ spat. Nothing to worry about.” Justin didn’t spare Hank a glance. “Cat, tell him.”

“Justin, no—” she began, but Hank interrupted.

“I think it’s time you let her go.” Hank didn’t reach for Justin, but rather appeared to be assessing the situation to determine the safest way to save her, just as he’d done at David’s reception.

“Oh, do you?” Justin smirked, now turning his attention to Hank. “And why should I care what you think?”

“I’m not as easy to bully as a woman half your size, you son of a bitch.” The vein in Hank’s temple pulsed and Cat notice a streak of red traveling up his neck. “Step away now so no one gets hurt.”

Justin’s expression turned incredulous and mocking. “Who the hell is this clown, Cat?”

She met his gaze. “My partner.”

Wrong move.

Justin snapped his head toward Hank. His eyes narrowed as he studied Hank’s clothes and face. In her peripheral vision Cat noticed a few passersby slowing their pace, taking notice of them. She ducked her head, hoping to avoid recognition.

“You’re the guy on the website. The carpenter?” Justin turned from Hank and looked at Cat. She winced as Justin gripped her bicep harder. “And you? Getting your kicks with the blue-collar class these days?”

Jealousy had caused him to lower his guard and turn his back on Hank for a moment. In a rush of movement, Hank twisted Justin’s arm behind his back. The roses fell, lying splayed on the sidewalk, as Hank brought Justin to his knees.

Justin released Cat in order to break his fall. He shoved his elbow back toward Hank’s torso, but Hank twisted to miss the blow. In the midst of the struggle, Hank’s fist connected with Justin’s right eye.

Hank leaned over Justin, waiting.

Justin rolled onto his back and spat at Hank, missing him by an inch. “I’m going to sue you for assault, you bastard. Nobody sucker punches me and gets away with it.”

Oh perfect, her ex and Hank sharing a jail cell. She could see the headlines now. All she wanted was to get the hell off the street without involving cops or lawsuits.

“If you sue Hank, I’ll notify the police about the letters you sent, Justin.” Cat kept her eyes on Justin. “Breaching the restraining order
and
assaulting me in broad daylight will land you in jail this time. Or you could finally move on and let this, and me, go. Your choice.”

Hank bent over Justin, reaching under his arm and lifting him to his feet. “Time to apologize and say good-bye.”

Justin shrugged free of Hank’s grasp, straightened himself, and swiped his hand over his hair to push it from his forehead. Hatred seethed from his eyes when he turned on Cat. His voice dripped with sarcasm. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me, my love.”

“Stay the hell away from her!” Hank barked.

“With pleasure,” Justin rejoined. Before he strode away, he crushed
the roses under his heel and sneered at Cat. “You’ll look back on this one day and realize what a mistake you made.”

“Is that a threat?” Hank stepped in front of Cat.

“No, it’s just the truth. She’s out of your league, and she’ll realize it sooner or later. Then she’ll be back at my door.” Justin leaned to his left to catch Cat’s eye. “Don’t wait too long, love, or that door might not be open.”

Cat’s adrenaline spike ebbed as Justin stormed off, causing her body to shudder. Hank snatched her into his arms and held her until the tremors subsided. “Let’s get inside,” he said, then slid an arm around her waist and walked her to the apartment.

Her mind replayed the past several minutes, so she didn’t speak.

As the elevator doors closed, Cat finally said, “I didn’t expect you to still be here. You said you’d be gone . . .” her voice broke at the thought of wondering what she would’ve done had Hank not arrived.

Hank encircled her with his arms. “I’d just taken the last of my equipment to my truck. I came back to drop off your key and leave a note.”

“I’m glad you did.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I hope no one recognized me and snapped a photo. I want the focus to stay on our furniture, not my love life.”

“Isn’t any publicity good publicity?” When she didn’t laugh, Hank used his key to unlock her door. Once inside, he asked, “Cat, where’s your phone?”

“In my purse. Why?”

“You should call the cops, and call David about getting another restraining order.”

“No cops.” Cat searched for her phone. “I’ll call David, though.”

She pulled up her favorites list and selected David’s cell phone number.

“Hey, Cat!” Vivi’s voice chirped.

“Hey, V,” she paused, surprised that Vivi had David’s cell on a work day. “Is David around?”

“He’s in the shower. Headed to the airport soon for a quick business trip. What’s wrong? You sound funny.”

“I need his help. Justin showed up today. He was the one sending those letters.”

“I knew it. Oh, I
knew
it, Cat.” Cat heard a jostling sound as if Vivi were in motion. “Did he hurt you? Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. But I need to talk to David.”

Cat heard Vivi pulling her brother out of the shower and giving him the quick rundown.

“I’ll be over in five minutes,” came David’s blunt response once he took his phone from Vivi.

“No need. Hank’s here. Besides, Vivi said you’ve got to catch a flight. I only called so you could get the process started. Justin came by, admitted to sending me the anonymous notes I’d been receiving, and then ended up getting into a fight with Hank.”

“What anonymous notes?” She heard David curse on the other end of the line.

“Please don’t snap at me,” Cat said in a tiny voice before explaining the notes to David. “Justin admitted to sending them.”

“He broke the terms of the restraining order. It prohibited
any
contact.”

“I know. That’s why I’m telling you.”

“What happened today?” he asked.

Her voice cracked as she recounted the skirmish with Justin. “But listen, David. I don’t want him arrested, I just want him kept away.
Another arrest will bring publicity I can’t afford right now, and it could
cause him to sue Hank for assault. If Hank ends up in jail, that will kill
our business before it gets off the ground. Not to mention that we don’t
want Hank to be spending time and money on defense attorneys.”

David fell silent for several seconds. “Okay. I think you can go through family c
ourt to get an order of protection without involving the cops. I’ll pull the old file and ask someone to get things started. You probably have to appear, but maybe you and Hank can just provide an affidavit, given the past history with Justin. I can’t promise no publicity, but we can avoid an arrest.”

“Do whatever you can. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you weren’t hurt. Can I speak with
Hank for a minute?”

Another shudder passed through her from thinking about the high
wire she’d just walked with Justin. She’d felt trapped by fear of him,
of
being hurt, of bad publicity. Every choice could’ve been a misstep.

While Hank spoke with David, Cat stumbled into the kitchen to get a drink and calm herself. The cool water soothed her throat. After setting the empty glass in the sink, she bent over and drew several deep breaths.

Two years.

She’d wasted two years—two potentially fertile years—on that maniac. How many other foolish choices had brought her to this point . . . twenty-eight, damaged goods, lost, afraid?

“Are you okay?” Hank stepped behind her and rubbed her shoulders. He then embraced her from behind and kissed the side of her head. “I think I’ll stay for a while, until you’re settled.”

She turned in his arms. Squeezing her eyes shut, she burrowed into his chest, clinging to him. Wonderful Hank, who rode to her rescue despite the way she held him at arm’s length. “I’m sorry you got sucked into Justin’s BS. I wish I’d been smarter when you and I first met. So many things would be different now.”

“Don’t apologize.” He cupped her face.

“I know I frustrate you. I probably even hurt you sometimes, although that’s the last thing I want. See! I’m a mess, Hank. You deserve so much better. God, you must regret the day Vivi tricked you into looking at my closets.”

“Regret it? I treasure it.” His warm gaze melted the anxiety from her body, easing the tightness in her muscles. “Don’t you get it? When we’re together, I see a future that isn’t only about taking care of everyone else. It’s exciting and irresistible, just like you. And seeing you smile is well worth whatever trouble you or Justin stir up.”

Cat’s heart welled up with the unspoken promise in Hank’s words. Would he still be there once the luster wore off? Once he learned the truth?

She’d started with a good plan: casual lovers, maybe good friends, and a new career. The reasons for that plan hadn’t changed, but now her heart begged for more. So much more. She’d been fighting its
demands, for his sake and hers. Yet, in Hank’s arms, her willpower fled.

She lifted her head and kissed him.

The brief appearance of his little dimple warmed her soul. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve got something to show you.”

“I’ll bet you do.” Cat tugged at the waistband of his shorts.

“I’m talking about your closets.”

“All done?”

“Uh-huh.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her down the hallway. “And I’ve got a surprise.”

“I love surprises.”

Although she’d been marking his progress for weeks, she gasped at the beautiful end product. Thin mirrors were inset within the polished bird’s-eye maple doors. Crystal hardware provided a touch of elegance to the cabinetry.

“It’s perfect, Hank.” She noticed he’d tossed her decorative bed pillows in the window seat to make it look pretty. “I love everything about it except for the fact that I now have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do.”

“Open them up and look inside.” He stood back with his arms folded across his chest. “That’s the surprise.”

She opened one of the doors. “Oh my God!”

Her clothes hung in the closet. Within seconds, she’d opened the other doors and drawers, each time shrieking. He’d organized her wardrobe. She spun on her heel and ran to the old closet. When she flung open the bifold doors, she found all of her shoes and handbags neatly aligned on the various shelves. Clapping her hands, she twisted around. “You’re amazing!”