Caught in the Act: Book Two: Independence Falls (14 page)

“Katie?” Brody’s voice echoed in the hall. A second later, the door to Liam’s office swung opened.

“Let her go,” Brody demanded.

Liam stepped away, releasing Katie’s wrists as her brothers filled the cramped office space, confirming two things. Liam’s office walls were way too thin.

And those contracts? In a few minutes, they’d be history.

Chapter 19

K
ATIE FELL BACK
against the desk. She’d been so lost in Liam’s kiss, in the way he’d held her as if he never wanted to let go, that she’d forgotten for one brief moment that her brothers were nearby. She steadied herself just in time to see Chad grab a fistful of Liam’s shirt with one hand, drawing his other back to take a swing.

Scrambling, and nearly falling over thanks to her stupid heels, she grabbed on to her brother’s arm. “You promised, Chad.”

Katie turned her attention to Brody. “You too.”

“We did.” Her oldest brother nodded to Chad. “Let him go.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” But Chad did as he was told, releasing Liam. Katie exhaled, feeling a rush of relief.

“You have every right to take a swing,” Liam said.

“Don’t goad them,” she hissed, looking at him.

“Oh, I want to,” Brody said, his tone leaving no room for debate—he meant what he said. “Still, we did promise Katie. If she wants to do whatever you two were doing, we won’t stop her.”

“It won’t happen again,” Liam said. “You have my word. It’s over.”

“What?” Panic rose as she turned to Liam. He didn’t mean those words. He wouldn’t walk away from her. Not again.

“Good-bye, Katie,” Liam said.

She placed her palms flat against his chest. “You’re not walking out of my life. Not this time.”

Liam shrugged. “The deal’s done, Katie.”

“Liam,” she gasped. Those words felt like a slap to the face. He couldn’t mean them. He’d said he loved her. He’d made promises—

“No.” Brody stepped forward. Raising the contracts, he tore them in half. Opening his hands, the pieces fell to the floor. “No way in hell am I giving my blessing for my little sister to work for you. What you do behind closed doors is your business, Katie. But I’m not signing a document that requires you to work for him.”

“Katie, I’m with Brody on this,” Chad said. “You shouldn’t be bound by some contract to work for this guy.”

“They’re right,” Liam added.

Katie stared at the pile of papers on the floor and then up at Liam, the motivation behind his words crystalizing in her mind. “Chad and Brody, wait in the hall.”

Chad shook his head. “Not this time.”

“Yes. Leave the door open if you insist.” Her brothers relented, moving just outside the doorway, never once looking away from Liam.

“You did this on purpose.” Katie stared into his deep brown eyes, which still shone with the love he’d professed before setting her up. “You wanted to give them a reason to walk away. Are you crazy? This deal—it was in Moore Timber’s best interest, your best interest!”

“Honey, when are you going to get it?” Liam smiled ruefully. “I want what is best for
you
. Always. I have from the beginning. Now you’re free to take that job in Montana.”

The way he’d faced her brothers all those years ago, knowing it would end in a fight, how he’d brought them to this moment when she tried to sacrifice her hopes and plans for the future  . . .

“Oh Liam, when are you going to understand, you can’t decide that for me.” She glanced at the two imposing men hovering in the hall and raised her voice. “None of you can.”

Chapter 20

K
ATIE STEPPED ONTO
Georgia’s blue stone patio and slowly approached Lena, who was reading a book with the ever-present dog, Hero, at her feet. Katie was tempted to rush over, ranting like a crazy person. After the meeting and the scene in Liam’s office, she felt as if she wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer. But she didn’t want to send Lena into flight mode, not when she desperately needed to talk to Georgia’s new friend.

“Lena?” she called when she was ten feet away.

Both dog and owner looked up.

“Marie said I would find you out here,” Katie said, referencing Eric’s longtime housekeeper. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Sure.” Lena offered a tentative smile. “But Georgia’s not here. She has an event at Nate’s preschool, followed by a playdate at the playground in town. I don’t expect her back until dinnertime.”

“I was hoping we could chat. I could really use a friend today who doesn’t know Liam, Georgia’s brother, very well. Are you planning to stay in Independence Falls?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Lena said, her fingers playing with the cover of the paperback she’d been reading. “I don’t have anywhere else to be at the moment. Portland—it doesn’t feel like home anymore. I gave my ex the house in our divorce. He has friends nearby and a job. It made sense.”

Katie drew her legs up under her, settling into the cushioned lounge chair. “Do you have family? Siblings? Brothers?”

“I do. But they’re not exactly in my life right now.”

“Good for you. Brothers are a pain. Trust me.” Quickly, before it sank in that she was pouring out the intimate details of her life to a virtual stranger and her dog, Katie told Lena the history of her relationship with Liam up to and including this morning’s incident at the Moore Timber offices. Marie interrupted briefly to bring out a tray of lemonade. But by the end Lena was staring wide-eyed into her cup.

“I’m sorry,” Katie said at the end of her saga. “You don’t know me. Or Liam. But, well, what do you think? I mean, he told me he loved me and walked out of my life. Again. And he had the gall to tell me he was doing it for me! I always dismissed the guys who just wanted to hang out and have a beer with my brothers. But after today? They’re probably a safer bet.”

Lena nodded, reaching down to pet Hero. “But you don’t love the other guys.”

“I didn’t say I love Liam,” Katie clarified.

“I know.” Lena stood and Hero rose with her. “Wait right here. I’ll be back.”

A minute later, the woman and her dog reappeared with a bottle of tequila and a bag of chocolate chips.

“A long time ago, before, well, everything,” Lena said with a soft smile, “my girlfriends and I would get together for tequila whenever one of us needed relationship advice.”

Katie cocked her head, studying the bottle. “Did it work?”

“Sometimes.” Lena held out her hand for Katie’s lemonade glass. “May I?”

Katie handed it over and watched as Lena poured the lemonade into the grass. Dog at her side, she filled the glass with two, maybe three shots. Then she set the bottle on the ground and reclaimed her chair.

“You’re not having any?” Katie asked.

“No.” Lena shook her head. “The chocolate chips are for me. I’m not much of a drinker anymore.”

Katie took a long, deep sip, feeling the burn in her throat. “I like your friends,” she said as the liquor spread through her. “Where are they now?”

“They’re with my ex. In Portland. He got them in the divorce too.”

“Some friends,” Katie muttered, taking another sip.

“I think it was easier to understand his side of things.” Lena reached for Hero, petting his coat. “He spent six months trying to make it work with a woman who didn’t want to be touched. And until I got Hero, I never left the house. It made for a difficult marriage. And hurt a lot of friendships.”

“I’m sorry.”

Lena shrugged, opening the bag of chips. “I’m moving on.”

“Maybe that’s what I need to do,” Katie said. “Move on. From Independence Falls. From Liam. I should probably call the owner of the Montana Safe Haven right now and accept the job.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I . . . I’m not sure.” Katie turned, looking out at the lake. “But I think I need to do it. Leave. Just when I was starting to trust him, Liam goes and pulls a stunt like today in his office.”

“I don’t think it is your ability to trust Liam that is the problem.” Lena poured chocolate chips into her hand. “I think you don’t trust yourself to stay true to your goals when you’re with him.”

Katie raised the tequila to her lips, tilted her head back, and drank—every last drop. The liquor scorched her throat, but she didn’t care. “You’re right. But I’ve been burned before.”

“I can’t help you there,” Lena said. “The only male I allow to get close to me has four legs and, right now, some very bad doggie breath.”

Katie laughed as Hero looked up at his owner. “I think you might be on to something. At least he’s devoted to you.”

“True,” Lena said, popping a few chocolate chips into her mouth. “But after what you’ve told me, I think Liam’s devoted to you. I think it is up to you to determine what you want. And if your dreams include Liam, go after him.”

“He’s betrayed me twice,” Katie said softly.

“Betrayed? That’s a strong word. I believe he’s tried do what he thinks is best for you even if it breaks his heart.”

Katie stared at the mountains. “He broke mine too.”

The door leading to the kitchen opened and Katie turned, expecting to see Eric’s housekeeper.

“I thought you might be here,” her big brother said. He shoved his hands in his pockets as he crossed the blue stones to the sitting area. Brody nodded to Lena and Hero. “Hello. Brody Summers.”

Hero and Lena stood, the dog moving in front of his owner, his gaze fixed on Brody. “Lena. Nice to meet you,” Lena said, clutching the bag of chocolate. “I should go in and let you two talk.”

Lena and the golden retriever disappeared into the house. Brody claimed her seat. Resting his forearms on his thighs, her brother leaned forward.

“I’m sorry, Katie,” Brody said. “I don’t have the right to make decisions for you. I just wanted what’s best for you. Always have. This time, well, I thought that was the job in Montana.”

“Have you stopped to consider what is best for you?” Katie demanded. “You gave up so much to keep our business running after Dad died. Maybe it is our turn to sacrifice for you.”

Brody shook his head. “I didn’t give up a thing.”

“You could have moved away. Instead, you worked so hard to pay my college bills. You—”

“Enough, Katie. I’d planned to take over the trucking company long before Dad’s heart attack.” Brody stood and started pacing back and forth in front of her. “Taking care of you and Chad and Josh was not a burden. You’re my family. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t owe me a damn thing.”

“Yes, I do,” she said softly, her gaze fixed on the empty glass in her hands. “I want you to keep the business you worked so hard to build.”

Brody stopped in front of her. “Katie, look at me. You accused me of making decisions for you. But walking away from this deal because you think it is what I want—you’re doing the same damn thing.”

Her eyes widened as she stared up at her brother. Turning the words over in her tequila-addled mind, she realized he had a point. They’d both been so damn concerned with making sure the other got what they wanted out of life.

“I want to sell to Moore Timber,” Brody continued. “The deal Eric offered today . . . I’ll get to stay on and the company will be stronger.”

“You tore up the contracts.”

Brody looked away, running his hand through his hair. “In the heat of the moment, seeing you with Liam, knowing that bastard hurt you once, yeah, I did. I would have preferred to slam my fist into his face.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” she said.

Brody nodded. “He was trying to do the right thing. But you’re correct, we don’t have the right to decide that for you. Whether you take the job with Moore Timber or move to Montana—that’s your call. But whatever you decide, promise me that it will be what you want.”

“I promise.” She stood and wrapped her arms around her big brother, hugging him tight. “But first, I need some time to think.”

“And more tequila?”

Katie looked up at her brother. “Maybe. But it probably won’t help me make life-changing decisions.”

“Probably not.” Brody released her and picked up the bottle. “But you don’t have to decide anything today. Take your time. Figure out what is in your heart.”

Liam.

His name felt as if it had been tattooed on her soul. But how many times could she choose him knowing that when she offered her love, he might hand her back heartbreak?

Chapter 21

L
IAM REACHED INTO
the bed of his truck for his chainsaw and safety gear. Tossing the chaps over his shoulder, he turned to his Saturday afternoon project—limbing Marvin’s trees. After all that happened in the past week, it felt a helluva lot like penance.

“There you are!”

Liam turned and spotted his sister marching toward him.

“I didn’t realize you were looking for me.” He set the chainsaw down. “Everything OK?”

“Josh Summers was working with Craig’s crew today,” Georgia began, struggling to catch her breath. It sounded as if she’d run down from the main house on the property to the wooded area.

“That’s right. I saw him on the list I handed off to Craig yesterday.” Without the three-million-dollar payday, the Summers brothers still needed extra work. Liam felt guilty about that, running the deal into the ground. But he’d talked to Eric about getting the brothers back to the negotiating table—this time without Liam involved.

Knowing he’d failed—that stung. But handing his freaking heart over to Katie, and let her walk away with it, hurt a helluva lot worse.

“Josh had an accident,” Georgia said, ripping him from his thoughts.

“What kind?” Liam picked up his equipment and headed for his truck. “Shit, I knew the kid was pushing hard, driving trucks five days a week and working with our crews on weekends.”

Georgia rushed to keep up. “It wasn’t his fault. They were helicopter logging on the site. The pilot got sloppy and that big metal hook, the one that hangs down to carry the trees?”

“Yeah, I know the hook,” he said, tossing his gear in the back. “Get in and I’ll drive you back to your car.”

“That hook hit Josh in the head.” His sister opened the passenger door and slipped inside. “He’s at the hospital now in critical condition. Eric went over to meet Brody and Chad there. But no one has seen Katie.”

Liam had witnessed his share of logging accidents. But a large metal hook to the head sounded pretty damn serious. He turned the truck around and drove as fast as he dared over the dirt path to the house. “Have you tried her barn? The horse trails?”

“Her car was parked at the house and I checked the barn. Sugar was missing, but I didn’t have time to search the trails. I came looking for you, figuring I’d reach Katie on her cell. But she’s not picking up. Have you heard from her?”

“I haven’t spoken to her in days. Last I heard of her, Eric said she was passed out drunk at your place following Monday’s meeting. She hasn’t returned my calls. And her brothers sure as hell won’t let me near her.”

He pulled up to a stop beside her truck and Georgia hopped out. “I have to go pick up Nate, but then I’ll keep looking.”

“I’ll find her,” he said. “Keep calling her cell. I have an idea where she might have gone if she was on horseback.”

Liam hightailed it down the driveway. If her brother was in critical condition, Katie needed to get to Josh’s side. She already beat herself up over not being there for her father. If she didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to Josh—if it came to that—she’d never forgive herself. And she’d probably run as fast as she could away from Independence Falls. As much as he wanted her to follow her dreams, he didn’t want her to leave for the wrong reasons. Heartbreak held tight—and it was a lot easier to face surrounded by friends and family.

“K
ATIE!”

She heard his voice and opened her eyes, staring up at the tree branches. Sugar, who’d been tied to the tree happily grazing, glanced over at her.

“Katie!”

This time, she sat up, reaching behind her and brushing the leaves out of her long, straight ponytail. About twenty feet away, she spotted Liam racing toward her. He’d called every day since she’d walked out of his office. But she hadn’t called him back yet. Her big brother had been right, she needed time to think.

She’d taken a long, hard look at her goals, setting aside her stubborn determination and focusing on what was in her heart. Saving animals, but also this place, this town, her family—and Liam.

Katie ran through her checklist of L-words every day while staring up at the twin fir trees.

Like? Check.

Lust? Check.

Love—

“Katie, you need to come with me.
Now
,” Liam said, bursting into her quiet bubble under the trees.

She frowned, crossing her arms in front of her chest. This man might be the love of her life, but that did not give him the right to make demands after he’d walked out on her.

“Josh was in an accident,” he continued. And just like that her frustration slipped away. Liam offered more details, but all she heard were the words “Josh” and “accident” over and over. “He’s in critical condition. We’ll know more when we get to the hospital.”

“Critical condition,” she repeated. Those words tied to her brother . . . no, this couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t lose him.

“Ride Sugar back to the barn,” Liam ordered. “Fast as you can safely go. I’ll drive my truck around and meet you there.”

She nodded, numbly mounting Sugar. Liam placed a hand on her calf before she steered the mare to the path.

“Are you OK to ride?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Just get Sugar into her stall. Georgia will stop by with Nate later and take care of the animals.”

He’d made arrangements, thought ahead when all she could think was
Josh
and
accident
. “Thank you.”

“I’ll get you there,” he said. “I promise. Focus on riding.”

Katie followed his instructions, racing off toward her property, pushing Sugar as fast as she dared. How long had Josh been at the hospital? When did the accident happen?

The questions she’d forgotten to ask swirled in her mind as she steered the mare home. When the barn came into view, she spotted Liam jumping down from his truck. He rushed to meet her, helping her remove the tack and close Sugar in her stall.

Liam took her hand, leading her to the truck. “Georgia will be here soon. I spoke to her on my way over. Do you have your phone? She has been trying to reach you.”

“I left it in my room.” She’d been worried she would be tempted to make a call before she’d thought things through. She turned away from the truck, but Liam caught her hand, pulling her back.

“If anyone needs to reach you, they can call me,” he said, helping her into the truck and fastening her seat belt. “I’m not leaving you, Katie.”

D
AYS LATER AS
fall started to take hold, Josh had still not opened his eyes. He was breathing on his own. They ran tests that showed signs of brain activity. The doctors debated how to classify his vegetative state. Sometimes he responded to stimulus, but most of the time he didn’t move. By day seven, it became clear that the doctors here did not have all the answers. And there was nothing to do but wait.

Staring out the window of the cafeteria, Katie realized she’d spent twelve to sixteen hours a day at the hospital since Liam rushed her over. He cared for her all week, managing her animals and her life so that she could be here with Josh. He’d stepped up and helped her brothers, finding drivers to cover shifts and speaking with the mills regarding deliveries.

For the last week, Liam had put her family first. She’d never needed someone so much. And he’d been there, every step of the way.

“Katie? Can we join you?”

She turned away from the window at the sound of her oldest brother’s voice. Brody and Chad carried a tray with three cups of coffee and a selection of cellophane-wrapped muffins.

“Here.” Chad set a muffin in front of her. “You need to eat.”

Katie reached for a cup of coffee. “Have the doctors finished their rounds yet? Liam dropped me off this morning, but when I went to Josh’s room, they kicked me out for rounds.”

“Yeah, they’re done. I spoke with them. There is no change,” Brody said. “But they are talking about bringing in a specialist from either New York City or Dallas. Someone more experienced with traumatic brain injuries. They said that could take weeks.”

“Weeks. But won’t he be awake by then?”

“Maybe,” Chad said. “They don’t know. The doctors are labeling Josh’s condition a persistent vegetative state. There is no timeline. Trust me, I’ve asked every nurse for more information. No one seems to know a damn thing.”

“What do we do?” she asked. “Just go back to our lives and wait?”

“Yes.” Chad said. “We can take shifts here, but staying at his bedside 24/7 is not helping anyone. You look like you haven’t eaten a real meal since the accident, sis.”

“We also need to discuss the deal with Moore Timber.” Brody sipped his coffee and nodded to the pile of papers to her right. “Eric is pushing for an answer. Frankly, I think it is because he knows we need money to cover Josh’s expenses. Insurance doesn’t cover everything. Not even close.”

“Sign the contracts,” Katie said firmly. She pushed the pile of papers across the table and offered her brothers a pen. “I want to work for Moore Timber. I’ve already called Carol at Montana’s Safe Haven and let her know I can’t take the job. I’m not leaving Independence Falls.”

Her goals had shifted and changed. Josh’s accident was part of it, but she’d made the choice before that, while lying under the fir trees. She’d chosen to rewrite her future. Sitting here, staring out the hospital window, she’d realized that Liam had been right. She couldn’t escape her memories by moving to another state. Her life was here. Her family was here. Life was too short to waste chasing dreams somewhere else when happiness and love were right in front of her.

“And Liam?” Brody asked.

“I’m not leaving him either.” She stood, taking the cellophane-wrapped muffin with her. “Call me if anything changes?”

Brody nodded. “Go get him.”

“We’ll stay away,” Chad added. “Promise.”

Katie drove to the Moore Timber offices and marched past reception down to Liam’s undecorated office, clutching the signed papers. She found him staring at his computer.

“Hey,” she said.

He looked up. “Hi. Everything OK? How’s Josh?”

“No changes.” She stepped into the office and closed the door. “But I brought you these.”

“The contracts?” he said, pushing back from his desk and taking the documents.

Katie nodded as he rose from his chair, tossing the papers on his mostly cleared desk.

“You’re staying?”

“I am,” she said. “But not because we need the money or for my brothers. I’m not giving up on us. Not this time.”

“Honey, that doesn’t mean we need to stay here. If you want to move and take your dream job, we’ll go.”

She shook her head. “My dream is right here. My animals, my family, and you. I love you, Liam. I’ve loved you for a long time. Even when you ran from it, even when I was too stubborn to admit that maybe handing over my heart wasn’t such a bad thing. And I have faith that you’re not going to walk away from this.”

“Never going to happen again. I was a fool to go the first time, thinking that success meant land and a fancy office job. None of that matters without you. My parents did it right, Katie. Love comes first. I’m in this forever. You’re mine, Katie.”

“Yes.” She brushed her lips over his in a sweet, gentle kiss.

“And I’m yours, honey.”