About the Boy (19 page)

Drained, and fearing the last of his control was slipping, Lucas rubbed his tearing eyes before turning back to her. “That’s why I told you I don’t have anything to offer you or Rusty, Katie. Because I don’t. My heart is empty,” he admitted. “Frozen over. And there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Lucas—”

“No, listen to me!” He held up his hand to stop her words. “I will never again put anyone else’s life at risk by loving them. Not ever again. Do you understand me? Do you understand what I’m saying? If anything ever happened, I simply couldn’t handle it. Not again. Not ever again. The loss almost killed me the first time, I won’t survive it a second time.”

“Lucas.” Katie got to her feet and went to him, wrapping her arms around his stiff body, refusing to let him push her away. Love overflowed in her heart, and she wasn’t certain how he couldn’t see it, feel it. “Lucas, please don’t,” she whispered, laying her head on his chest. “Please don’t say you can’t love again. You’ll be cheating yourself as well as us. We love you, Lucas.” Her voice broke as the tears came harder. “Rusty and I both love you.” And she knew as she spoke it, it was the truth.

“No, Katie, don’t—please. Don’t love me because I can’t return that love. I can’t risk it.” His voice shuddered out. Her scent, her touch was unraveling him, and he wrapped his arms around her and simply held on, savoring this last embrace, knowing he could never have what he wanted and needed most. “I’m sorry, Katie,” he whispered against her hair. “I’m truly sorry.” Afraid the dam of control was going to break, Lucas dropped his arms, and turned, fleeing through the house and out the door.

Stunned and shaken, Katie curled up on the couch and wept for herself, for Rusty and more importantly, for Lucas.

On Friday, Lucas didn’t bother to come to the door, he merely beeped his horn and Rusty, who’d been ready and waiting since he’d come home from school, raced out the door to meet him.

Katie had no idea how to handle this situation with Lucas. None at all, so for now, she was going to do what she had to—her edits. It was the only thing she could do if she wanted to keep her sanity.

This whole situation with Lucas was such a mess, she had no idea how they’d ever make things right again. Or if they even could. She could probably accept that he didn’t love her—wouldn’t let himself love her. Eventually, she rationalized.

But her heart was so heavy, her spirits so low, she couldn’t wait to get done with her work so she could just have some time to settle down and try to think her way out of this mess.

On Saturday, she worked at home until the edits were finished, then drove them over to the printer.

Exhausted, but relieved that the enormous Halloween issue had finally been put to bed, Katie decided that since she had a free evening, with no chores, no responsibilities, and no child to tend to, she was going to simply relax for one night. She simply didn’t have the energy for anything else.

On the way home from the printer she stopped at the video store and rented a couple of old movies, then headed home with plans to do nothing more strenuous than taking a hot bubble bath.

She hadn’t eaten much in the past week. She’d been too upset. About the only thing she could stomach right now was the idea of popcorn, so she planned to make some and have it for dinner.

By the time she finally got home and took her bath, it was dark out. It was so eerily quiet in the house, she hadn’t counted on the loneliness that set in, only making her heart ache more. Funny, all the years she and Rusty were alone she’d been far too busy to be lonely, and in fact, had never really thought about it.

But now, with Rusty away and Lucas out of her life—probably forever—she found that the unbearable ache of loneliness crept up on her, settling in and spoiling her mood.

After her bath, she pulled on warm pajamas and a robe, lit a fire in the fireplace, then headed to the kitchen to pop some popcorn. She’d just pulled the pot off the stove when the doorbell rang.

Frowning at the clock, Katie tightened the sash on her robe and went to the door, wondering who on earth was paying a visit at almost eight on a Saturday night.

She pulled open the door, surprised to see her mother and her aunt huddled together against the night’s chill.

“Katherine, dear,” her mother began worriedly as the chilly night wind swirled around her. “We saw the signs posted in town—”

“Yes, dear, the note from Lucas reminding everyone to lock their doors,” her aunt injected.

“And we knew we had to come talk to you,” her mother finished in a rush.

“Well, come in out of the cold,” Katie said, pulling them both in. “I was just making some popcorn, and I lit a fire in the fireplace, so come on back to the family room and warm up, and then we’ll talk.” Katie made her way to the back of the house where the smell of fresh popcorn filled the air.

“Oh, it smells so good in here,” Louella said, unwrapping her scarf and slipping off her coat.

“And the fire’s nice,” Gracie said with a smile, taking her coat off as well.

“Can I get you something to drink? Some coffee?”

“No, dear,” her mother said, sinking down on the couch and waving Katie’s offer away. “I just need to sit a moment.” She pressed a hand to her heart, immediately alarming Katie.

“Mama, what’s wrong? What’s got you so upset?” She sat next to her mother and took her hand. Her mother smiled and patted Katie’s hand in return.

“Maybe I’d better let Gracie explain,” Louella said vaguely. Katie turned to her aunt, who was sitting in the old recliner next to the fireplace.

“Katie, dear, you know sometimes things aren’t exactly as they seem,” her aunt began mysteriously, and Katie nodded.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “I understand that.” What she didn’t understand was what they were both so upset about. “Sometimes things aren’t as they seem. Got it.”

“Especially with the males in our life,” Gracie went on, only confusing Katie more.

“The big and little…males, dear,” her mother added, exchanging a glance with her sister. “And dear, we don’t want you worrying unnecessarily,” she added, and Katie laughed.

“Too late for that, Mama. I started worrying the minute I had Rusty.” She looked at her mother carefully. “Does this have something to do with Rusty?”

“In a way, dear, yes.” Her mother sighed. “I don’t know how to explain exactly what’s in your astrological charts, dear, or in Rusty’s, but remember when I told you that you were going to face some trying times this month?”

“Of yeah, I remember,” Katie said, considering what had happened with Lucas, how could she forget.

“Well, dear, those trying times aren’t quite over yet, and we didn’t want you to be unduly upset.”

“About what?” Katie asked, and her mom and aunt exchanged glances again.

“About everything that’s going on, dear. With Rusty and Lucas,” Gracie added knowingly. “And of course, you’ll want to buy a wedding present.”

Katie merely blinked at her aunt, then she sighed and held up her hand. “Okay, let’s take this one thing at a time, Aunt Gracie. Why do I want to buy a wedding present? And for who?”

“Why, for Lindsey,” her aunt said as if it was perfectly clear.

“Lindsey?” Katie repeated, shocked. “Are you telling me that Lindsey’s getting married?” Katie looked at her mother, then back at her aunt. “How come I’m the last one to know?”

“Well, dear,” Gracie went on, patting her pearls, “normally when you elope you don’t tell anyone, I mean, isn’t that the point? You keep it a secret.” She looked at her sister for confirmation and Louella nodded in total agreement.

“Aunt Gracie,
when
is Lindsey getting married?” Katie was having a very hard time taking in all of this.

“
Got
married, dear,” her aunt corrected with a smile. “Today. She and Mr. Hensen eloped. But don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be back in the office bright and early on Monday morning.” Gracie’s smile widened and her eyes glazed a bit. “In fact, I know it.”

Katie pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to digest this. The headache that had been plaguing her was getting stronger. “And you’re sure you’re talking about my Lindsey?” she asked, wanting to be absolutely clear. “The one who’s worked at the paper for…forever?”

“Yes, dear, that Lindsey. There isn’t another one in town, is there?” Gracie asked with a slight frown and Katie shook her head.

“Not that I know of.”

Suddenly Gracie beamed and clapped her hands together. “And she made a beautiful bride, Katie, just beautiful.” Her aunt sighed dreamily. “It’s a shame she kept the ceremony such a secret. Why, neither of them told a soul, not a soul.”

Katie blew out a breath. “If it was a secret, Aunt Gracie, and neither of them told a soul, how on earth did you find—” Katie broke off when her aunt merely lifted a brow and smiled serenely. “Okay, scratch that, I don’t think I want to know how you knew.” Katie blew out another breath. “Okay, so Lindsey and Mr. Hensen eloped this weekend. I’ll make a note to buy them a wedding present.” She turned to her mother again. “Now, Mama, please tell me what all this has to do with Rusty? And why you’re so upset.”

“Well, dear, your aunt believes—”

“Katie dear, after we saw the signs in town, we knew we had to come talk to you. There’s not really a crime wave going on in town—”

“Aunt Gracie, how…how did you know?” She simply stared at her aunt in shock. “No one but Lucas, the mayor, me and Lucas’s deputies know about what happened in town. And the signs merely reminded people to lock their doors and windows. They didn’t say anything about what’s already happened.”

“Yes, dear, I know, and normally I wouldn’t say something like this, but because it might involve…Rusty…now don’t get upset, Katie, it’s not what you think.”

“Wait a minute.” Katie got up to pace, her nerves jangling in alarm. “Are you saying these mysterious break-ins in town have something to do with Rusty?”

“Well, yes and no, dear,” Gracie said.

“Remember, things aren’t always as they seem, dear,” her mother reminded her.

“Okay, enough,” Katie said, raising her hands in the air. “Someone please tell me what’s going on before I scream.”

“Now dear, please don’t get upset,” her mother admonished.

“Too late, Mama. Now someone spill it,” she demanded, glancing from her mom to her aunt. “If this involves Rusty, then I need to know.”

“Well, dear, Rusty’s not alone in this,” Gracie said.

“Sean?” Katie asked with a lift of her brow, knowing Rusty never did anything without Sean.

Her aunt nodded. “I’m afraid so, dear. Apparently the boys thought if…well…if there were some mysterious goings-on in town, that would force you and Lucas together—”

“Because you write the ‘Police Beat’ column, dear,” her mother interjected with a weak smile.

“And that maybe then you and Lucas would become more than friends, and you could be a family.”

Stunned, Katie dragged a hand through her hair and continued pacing, much as Lucas had just a couple of nights before. “Oh, God, I can’t believe that kid thought that by breaking into houses, committing a criminal act, it would draw Lucas and I together.”

“He wants a father, dear,” her mother said softly. “Like the other boys.” Her mother shrugged. “I don’t imagine this comes as much of a surprise.”

“Surprise?” Katie laughed but the sound held no humor. “Mama, I’m shocked. What on earth was he thinking?”

“He wasn’t thinking, dear,” Gracie said calmly. “And Katie, he technically didn’t break in anywhere. He only went into houses that weren’t locked.”

“How on earth did you—” Katie shook her head. “Never mind, Aunt Gracie, I don’t want to know. And you’re sure about this? All of it?”

“Well, certainly dear,” Gracie said. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

“Okay, I’ll take care of this tomorrow as soon as Rusty gets home.”

“Now, dear, we don’t want you to be upset,” her mother said.

“Well, Mama, it’s too late because I’m really upset.”

“You didn’t fail, Katie dear,” Gracie said gently. “And there’s no point in thinking that way. Rusty is just a typical boy who wants what he’s never had. That’s not such a bad thing. He just went about getting it the wrong way.” Gracie smiled. “But like I said, everything’s going to work out in the end. Truly, dear, so don’t worry.” Her aunt stood up, smoothed down her caftan, then smiled. “We’d better go, your mother has a date with the mayor.”

Katie turned to her mother. “Mama, did you and Mayor Hannity…make up?”

Her mother smiled. “Let’s just say Harry saw the error of his ways.”

“Is that why you decided not to run for mayor?” Katie asked suspiciously. Her mother had called her earlier in the week and told her not to bother holding out two pages for her in the newspaper since she wasn’t going to run for mayor after all.

“Yes, I guess you could say so,” her mother commented vaguely, standing and reaching for her coat. Katie went over and helped her with it. “Sometimes the men in our lives just need a gentle jolt, something to make them appreciate us.” Her mother’s smile was serene. “I don’t think Harry will take me for granted or put his job ahead of me again, do you, Gracie?”

Gracie chuckled as she slipped her coat on. “No, Louella, I honestly don’t.”

“And are you happy about this, Mama?” Katie asked, wanting at least someone in her family to be happy.

“Oh, dear, yes,” Louella said. “I was merely trying to prove a point to the hardheaded man. I never intended to really become mayor, dear. I merely let it be known that I was going to run for mayor.” Her mother winked. “They are definitely two distinctly separate things. I knew that would put the fear of God into the man, and it did.” Her mother nodded. “Proved my point, too.”

“Yes, you did,” Gracie said, slipping her own coat on. “Now, Katie, dear, we’re sorry we just barged in on you. Try to relax and let us know what happens with Rusty.”

“Oh, I will,” Katie promised as she followed her mom and aunt to the door and pulled it open. “Stay warm,” she said, giving them both a kiss good night.

Gracie stopped on the stoop and turned back to Katie. “Dear, you’ll have plenty of time to get the Fourth of July issue out, so don’t fret about it. And Savannah’s a beautiful name for a little girl, don’t you think?” With a serene smile and no further explanation, her aunt waved at her. “Good night, dear.”