Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls (12 page)

“Ah, hell,” Josh muttered from his corner by the window.

All three brothers glared at him.

“No.” Brody looked away first, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll wade out to the boat and see if we can get it off the stump while you pack up. Liam, you’re coming with us.”

“I should give Katie a hand with the dishes first,” Liam said. He needed to talk to her alone.

Katie turned, smiling at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll clean up in here. My brothers will probably need your help with the boat. They’re not as big and bad as they look.”

“Christ, Katie, if taking that job in Montana means you’ll move out,” Chad muttered, “I’m starting to think it’s a good idea.”

As far as confrontations with Katie’s brothers, this one was a helluva lot better than the last. But whether the Summers brothers took a shot at him or not didn’t matter, he realized. Katie trumped them. Gaining her trust and winning her heart came above everything else—because he was pretty damn sure he’d handed over his.

Chapter 16

W
ITH A STATION
wagon filled with three sulking men, Katie turned onto the main road and headed for the other side of the lake, where her brothers had parked their truck. They’d been furious to find her at the cabin with Liam. And spending hours waist-deep in the lake freeing the boat hadn’t elevated their moods.

“I wish you’d let me drive,” Brody said from the passenger seat.

“From the sounds of it, I got more sleep than the three of you,” she said.

“I doubt that,” Chad muttered from the backseat. “I still can’t believe you spent the night with Liam Trulane. Again. You were a mess after the last time. What makes you think this time will be any different?”

“I’m older and wiser.”
And because she would be the one walking away.
“You don’t have to worry about me falling apart when it ends. In fact, it is already over. Last night was a one-time thing.”

“Did he tell you that?” Brody asked, his voice low and intent.

“No. That was my choice.”

“Katie,” Josh said. “I hate to be the one to ask, but are you sure this thing between you two wasn’t about the sale?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “Yes. He has more to lose than I do. For all he knows you’re so pissed you’ll refuse to take the meeting tomorrow.”

“Sis, I’m angry,” Chad said. “But I’m not walking away from millions of dollars because you’re messing around with a guy who broke your heart once. Like you said, your choice.”

As if her so-called revenge plot needed another hole.

“He did start coming around right after Moore Timber made an offer,” Brody said. “He’s the friend who took you barhopping the other night, right?”

She nodded. “I wasn’t lying when I said he’s helping with the bachelorette party.”

Pulling up beside Brody’s truck, she put her wagon in park and turned to her brothers. “This isn’t about the deal. I swear. Georgia told him about the potential job in Montana. And I guess he wanted to see if there was something between us before I left.”

“Is there?” Brody demanded.

Yes.
Something hot that spoke to her desires and awakened her fantasies. One night with him had left her feeling wanted, worthy, and oh so special.

“No,” she lied. “But he makes great eggs.”

“Both plates were full when we arrived,” Josh pointed out.

“That’s not his only talent,” she said, turning her attention to the backseat.

“Katie.” Chad ran his hand over his face, while Josh stared out the window. “Please, no more.”

Brody opened his door and placed one foot on the ground outside before turning to her. “If anything changes, come to us, Katie. We’re your family and we’re here for you. Got that?”

“Yes. And even though I hope you guys don’t spend another night looking for me—you were fools to do it this time—thank you. But I’m fine. I’ve got this. And I want you to promise me you won’t do something stupid, like start a fight with Liam because of last night.”

She paused, but they didn’t say a word. “I need to hear you say it. My life, my choices. You don’t get to throw punches because of them.”

“Promise,” Brody grumbled. The others nodded their agreement.

“But I still don’t trust him,” Chad said, opening his door.

“You don’t have to, Chad. I do,” she said softly. “I trust him.”

K
ATIE POUNDED ON
Georgia’s front door as the setting sun turned the sky three shades of pink. Her long, twisted day—waking up to Liam, the confrontation with her brothers, the trip back to shore once Marvin arrived to tow the damaged boat—was behind her. But Liam’s words, the way he’d let her handle her brothers, had left her feeling as if she’d stumbled onto a cliff, uncertain if the ground beneath her would hold. She’d put on a strong front for her brothers, but after she’d dropped them off, the brave façade had crumbled.

Right now, she didn’t want or need more uncertainty in her life. She couldn’t allow the ground to fall away, leaving her hurt at the bottom. She had too many questions in her life right now. Should she accept the job in Montana? And what about Summers Family Trucking? Would she be able to keep the company for Brody?

Liam Trulane was just one more question mark in her life.

“Georgia?” she called, knocking a second time. “Are you home? We need to talk.”

Katie needed help sorting out her L-words. After everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, she feared that she couldn’t be trusted to think clearly. And there was the small issue of the bachelorette party that was now a coed event.

The door opened and the largest golden retriever Katie had ever laid eyes on greeted her. Behind the dog, whose body blocked the entry to Georgia and Eric’s home, stood a thin blonde with waist-long, wavy hair, wide blue eyes, and a heart-shaped face. In her long, flowing sundress, the stranger looked as if she’d walked out of the pages of a magazine.

“Hi,” she said softly, carefully positioning her body behind the dog. Her free hand brushed the retriever’s soft coat. “Georgia’s upstairs putting Nate to bed. She’ll be right down. Please, come in.”

The woman stepped back, holding the door wide open, and the dog moved with her, staying close by her side. Katie walked past her, turning when she reached the open foyer to offer her hand. “I’m Katie.”

“Lena. It’s nice to meet you,” the other woman said, silently refusing the handshake.

Letting her hand drop to her side, Katie felt the retriever pressing against her legs as if trying to physically move her away.

“And that’s Hero,” Lena added. “He doesn’t let anyone get too close.”

Katie nodded, piecing the information together. Lena was the friend from Georgia’s PTSD support group. And Hero was the dog who would attend the bachelorette party at his owner’s side.

Georgia appeared at the top of the stairs and quickly made her way down. “Perfect timing! Nate’s asleep. Now we can enjoy a drink on the patio and talk about your wild adventures last night. Your brothers nearly hauled Eric out of bed at three in the morning to hunt for you.”

Katie shook her head, following Georgia into the kitchen. Lena and Hero trailed behind them. “You know, this is your fault.”

“I don’t take responsibility for Liam’s actions.” Georgia opened the fridge. “Beer or wine?”

“Wine,” Katie said, moving to the cabinet that held the glasses.

“Lena?” Georgia asked.

“If you’re sure I can spend the night, I’ll have a glass,” the quiet blonde said, her fingers once again trailing over Hero’s coat. “I can always drive back to Portland. Find a hotel. One that accepts dogs this time.”

“No. You can stay here as long as you like.” Georgia pulled out a bottle, twisted off the cap, and began pouring. “As long as you promise to help with the wedding planning.”

Lena smiled. “Thank you.”

“At this rate, you might need to help Katie with the bachelorette.” Georgia handed Katie a glass. “I got an earful from my brother about stupid party ideas.”

Katie took a sip as they headed for the sliding door that led to the expansive blue stone patio, pausing for Georgia to pick up Nate’s monitor. “Your brother wasn’t a fan of the photographer.”

“Photographer?” Lena asked, settling into a chair. The golden retriever sat at Lena’s feet, his gaze fixed on her as if he wasn’t sure yet if he could trust her to steer clear of his mistress.

Georgia explained her idea for the boudoir photo shoot.

“I can’t imagine letting a stranger take pictures like that,” Lena murmured, her eyes widening. “Not that I have anyone to share them with anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter now.” Katie sipped her wine as she stared at the setting sun. It had slipped lower behind the mountains, leaving the sky a rich orange. “Liam vetoed the idea.”

“You weren’t supposed to tell my brother,” Georgia said. “But don’t worry, I have a few new ideas.”

Katie groaned and closed her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t Google bachelorette parties again.”

“No. I think you’re right. The top ten lists don’t fit me. But I still want a party. I’m getting married and I don’t want to miss a chance to celebrate. So I was thinking, what if we invite the people who have been there for me since I returned home? Just enough to make it feel like a party. We could have it here. Fire up the grill.”

Katie opened her eyes, turning to her friend. “I love it. Now, how would you feel about making it a coed event? Included Eric, Liam, their crew from the company, my brothers—”

“If they promise not to kill Liam,” Georgia said.

“They won’t,” Katie said firmly. “I won’t let them.”

“But it sounds like they have a good reason to take a swing at him.” Georgia waggled her eyebrows. “After what happened at the cabin?”

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Katie said, borrowing the line Georgia had used when she’d fallen for Eric.

“Please, I don’t want details.” Georgia raised her hands, palms out. “He’s my brother. But you like him, don’t you?”

Katie stared at the pond separated from the back patio by a slope of well-maintained lawn. The smooth surface shimmered in the fading light. They were back to L-words. And when it came to Liam, she had a list.

Like? Check.

Lust? Check.

Love?

Katie took a long drink, draining the rest of her wine. This time around he’d given her every reason to believe in him. He’d said all the right things, making it so hard not to fall madly and deeply in love.

“I do,” she said softly. “But what I feel for him doesn’t matter.”

“Montana is not that far away,” Georgia said. “Maybe you don’t need to end whatever it is you’ve started.”

“You could ask Liam to go with you.” Lena’s soft voice startled Katie. She’d almost forgotten about Georgia’s new friend and her dog. But now Katie turned to her.

“There is nothing written in stone stating his dreams come before yours,” Lena added, her tone growing stronger with each word.

Katie shook her head. “His home is here. It’s a lot to ask—”

“Giving up on what you believe in, on your hopes and dreams, that is a lot to ask too.” The golden retriever stirred at her feet, resting his head in his owner’s lap.

“Sorry,” Lena said. “I don’t know your situation. And I’m hardly one to talk about relationships. Hero is the only male who had gotten close to me in the past six months.”

Georgia sighed. “You’re going to steal my brother away, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Katie said. “After tomorrow’s meeting, once the deal is out of the way, then maybe I’ll ask him.”

And see if Liam would stand behind his words and risk everything to be with her.

“I think he’ll say yes,” Georgia said. “I know my brother and he doesn’t go after anything he doesn’t want.”

Katie’s smiled as she stared out into the darkness. The last traces of daylight had disappeared behind the mountains.

“Then bring on the L-words.”

Chapter 17

K
ATIE SECURED
S
UGAR’S
stall door. When she’d returned home, she’d gone straight to the barn to check on the animals. They’d been fed and watered. Now, the shower was calling her name.

Walking down the barn’s center aisle, she stole one last glance at the pair of horses the sheriff had dropped off. They’d confirmed that the smaller of the two half-starved mares was blind. But still the mare had adjusted to her new home, happily eating her way through buckets of grain and bales of hay.

Katie paused in front of the blind animal’s stall. “I should have brought you a treat.”

“I have a carrot I don’t mind sharing.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice, startling the mare. The skittish horse quickly moved away. Glancing over her shoulder, Katie spotted Liam, one shoulder resting against the opening to the barn, his left ankle crossed over his right. He’d changed into a clean pair of jeans and a flannel shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing his forearms. His hands were shoved into his pockets.

“Liam.” She smiled, wishing she’d stopped by the house to clean up before checking the animals. “Hi.”

“I saw the light on in the barn and thought I’d find you here.” He abandoned his position in the entry and headed for the mare’s stall.

“Didn’t bother checking at the main house? I’m sure my brothers would love to see you again,” she teased.

“I had to see you, Katie.” He withdrew a carrot from his back pocket and handed it to her. The nervous mare came forward to accept the treat, then quickly disappeared into the far corner of her stall.

“I’m done here. And while I’d love to sneak you into the house, there’s an apartment over the barn that is empty right now,” she said. Liam didn’t need to see her pink and purple wallpaper.

“I came here to talk. There’s something I should have told you at the cabin. But I was too damn selfish. And then your brothers showed up . . .”

And just like that, the cliff she’d been standing on started to crumble. She took a step back, crossing her arms in front of her chest, her chin held high. “Tell me.”

“One of the guys at Black Hills called and told us about your deal with them.”

“So this is about Moore Timber’s offer,” she said. Her brothers’ warning raced through her mind. Had she been a fool to trust this man a second time?

He nodded. “Eric and I agree that Summers Family Trucking is worth more than one million—”

“Eric said yes to the counteroffer?” Surprise mingled with unease. “And you didn’t tell me?”

“Katie,” he said. “Listen to me. Eric is willing to increase the offer. A lot. But he has one condition.”

“You mean you have one condition,” she said. “You’re part of Moore Timber now. Eric’s partner, not just his spokesman.”

“You’re right. We want you to come work with us and help Moore Timber gain a foothold in the biomass space. The way you’ve negotiated that deal—you did a great job, Katie.”

“I know.” Her brothers hadn’t believed her at the time, but she’d been right to take the risk. “You’re one of Summers Family Trucking’s biggest assets,” Liam said. “We want your fleet of trucks, don’t get me wrong. But we also want you.”

It was like watching a series of dominos fall. Her heart, her plans for the future were tumbling one by one. And the man who’d shattered her trust years ago was pushing them over.

W
HEN
K
ATIE HA
D
first looked at him, Liam had nearly turned and walked back to his truck. The expression on her face—he’d seen it before, in a clearing under a pair of fir trees. Love bound tightly with hope shone in her bright green eyes. Only this time she wasn’t an eighteen-year-old who’d just lost her virginity to a man who didn’t deserve her. She was a strong woman who knew her own mind—and this time, he was asking for so much more.

“Is this your way of trying to keep me in Independence Falls?” she asked, her open, loving expression now covered with a mask of suspicion. He had a feeling that hurt lay beneath, but she refused to let him see it.

“No,” he said, his voice firm. He needed her to understand that last night at the cabin, their trip to the nightclub—it wasn’t about closing a deal. He’d wanted to return to that moment when she trusted him with her heart. He’d wanted to prove that this time he wouldn’t run away.

“If this, us, was all about the deal, I wouldn’t be here now. I would have let you walk into that meeting tomorrow without a heads-up about Eric’s counteroffer. Hell, from the standpoint of a guy who wants to keep his job and his best friend, I shouldn’t be here, telling you. But I couldn’t let you walk in there not knowing.”

“Thank you,” she said evenly.

“I went to the cabin with you because I wanted to give you a reason to stay that had nothing to do with contracts,” he said. “I know you have bad memories of this town. I know you’re tired of living under your brothers’ watchful gaze. And believe me, honey, I get that. But would it be so bad to stay? You’d have a great job and you could afford to keep your horses. I’ll build you a new barn, more fields on the land next to yours. Think about it, Katie, your family is here. I know they’re annoying, but believe me when I tell you that you’re going to miss them, headaches and all, when you go.”

“Liam, you can’t just walk back into my life, offer me a job and a place to keep my animals, and expect me to say yes.” Her surprise had given way to anger and he could hear it mounting with every word. “It’s not that simple.”

“I know Katie. I know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “Whatever you decide Katie, it’s your call. You can say no to the offer. I’m not trying to make this choice for you. This is up to you and your brothers.”

He turned around, heading for the door. Eric would be pissed when he found out that Liam had talked to her before tomorrow’s meeting. But he didn’t care. For years, he’d chased success, but now he’d toss it aside for her.

Liam paused in the door, looking over his shoulder at Katie. He’d always thought of her as his, but he’d been wrong. Katie Summers had a hold on his heart. He belonged to her. And he’d realized it too late.

L
ONGING, SADNESS, REGRET—IT
was all there in his brown eyes. She stared back, replaying the conversation in her head. She’d mistakenly assumed that if he asked her to stay, it would be for him. But no, he wanted her to remain in Independence Falls because she was smart and a valuable piece of Summers Family Trucking.

She hated the thought of setting aside her plans for a man who’d broken her trust once. But there was so much more to consider here. Her brothers, their future, and
millions of dollars
.

It was too much for tonight. Tomorrow, she would make a decision. Her choice. By coming to her tonight, Liam had made that possible.

“Liam,” she called. The one thing she knew for certain right now? She couldn’t let him walk away. “Wait.”

Liam turned in the entryway and she went to him, taking his hand in hers. “Thank you for telling me. I would have felt ambushed, walking into that meeting tomorrow, if you hadn’t come here.”

He nodded.

“I’m not making any decisions tonight,” she said. “Except for one. I’d like you to stay.”

“Katie,” he murmured, running the pad of his thumb over her cheek. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. No matter what happens, I want to spend tonight with you.” She led him out of the barn, switching off the lights, and headed for the side door leading up to the apartment.

Bending over, she found the key under the rock beside the door. Then she moved the rock to the other side of the entryway.

“Is that your signal that someone’s here?” he asked, his voice lit with humor.

“Yes, but they can’t get in without the key.” She unlocked the door, turned on the stairwell light, and led the way up. “Brody has the master, but he rarely if ever uses this place.”

At the top of the stairs, she opened the door that led to the small, clean studio apartment. A double bed stood on one side opposite a small kitchenette, which held a mini-fridge, toaster, and coffeemaker. They’d talked about renting the place for extra cash at one point, but Chad and Josh had voiced strong objections.

Setting the key beside the toaster, she faced Liam. “We started something this morning before we were so rudely interrupted.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You want another spanking?”

“No.” She shook her head. “But I’m guessing that’s not your only fantasy.”

He chuckled, crossing the small space, and gathering her in his arms. “Honey, when it comes to you, I have a long list.”

Her fingers toyed with buttons on his flannel shirt. “What’s on the top?”

“Look at me, Katie.”

She obeyed, freeing the first button and moving to the second. But watching his smile fade, her hands stilled. The weight of the emotion in his deep brown eyes nearly stole her breath away.

“I want to make love to you,” he said, his large, strong hands cupping her jaw. “Let me love you tonight, Katie. That’s all I ask.”

She nodded, no longer trusting her voice. He stared down at her for another heartbeat before lowering his lips to hers. Through a whirlwind of needy kisses, their clothes fell away. His hands were everywhere, touching, caressing, and driving her wild as he guided her to the bed.

“Lie down, Katie.”

Again she obeyed, willing to give him anything here, tonight. His gaze swept over her and he let out a low growl, followed by a curse.

“I wasn’t planning to stay,” he said. “I didn’t bring anything.”

She blinked as he joined her on the bed. His body covered hers, hovering above her, his weight on his elbows as his kissed her collarbone.

“I don’t have a condom, Katie.” His lips moved to her breasts, heading south. “I still want to make love to you, but I can’t—”

“In the nightstand,” she gasped, as he shifted off her and fumbled with the drawer. Turning her head, she watched as he withdrew an unopened box and tore into it. He quickly covered himself and returned to her.

Katie smiled, welcoming him back into her arms. “You don’t need to rush. We have all night, Liam. All night.”

But beyond that? Katie closed her eyes, pushing the question away, choosing to focus on the man loving her as if this night meant everything—as if it was all they had.