Chapter1 (21 page)

Cody recovered first.
 
“Hey, man, congratulations.”
 
He came over to shake Jude’s hand.
 
“You, too, Half-Pint.”
 
He gave Kat a big bear hug.
 
“You two belong together.”

“This is crazy,” Liz spoke up, her voice harsh.
 
“How long have you known each other?”

“Long enough.”
 
Kat answered sharply.

“But, Kat, men don’t…..I mean…you aren’t…”
 
Liz shut up, as if realizing the inappropriateness of what she was about to say.

Cody jumped to Kat’s defense.
 
“Kat’s a fine woman.
 
Any man should consider himself lucky to have her.”
 
His dark eyes bore into Liz as if daring her to say another word.

Kat poured herself more whiskey.
 
Jude arms came around her from behind.
 
He whispered in her ear.
 
“Trust me.
 
It’s important that Winter knows you’re protected.
 
I’m afraid he might harm you.”
 
At her nod, he released her.

“Winter,” Jude walked toward the other man. “Since I’ll soon be Kat’s husband, all business dealings should come through me.
 
I suggest we shelve your offer for a while.
 
Perhaps we’ll talk again at a later date.”

Carl frowned, but agreed with a slight nod of his head.

“Liz?
 
Carl?
 
Are you staying for dinner?”
 
Jude asked.

Liz glanced at Carl.
 

The man shrugged.
 
“Actually, we brought a nice roast and some wine.
 
I thought we’d be celebrating a real estate deal.
 
It’s in a cooler in the plane.
 
I’ll go get it.”

As soon as Carl left, Jude gave a heads up to Cody who went out the door soon after Carl.

*****

Carl Winter stood on the dock near his plane, pulled a phone from his pocket and punched in some numbers.
 
After a short conversation, he climbed in the plane.

Cody slipped back in the lodge before the other man emerged.
  

“Well?”
 
Jude’s eyebrows rose in inquiry.

“He went straight to the dock.
 
Pulled out a phone and made a call.
 
Has to be a satellite phone.
 
Why didn’t you bring one with you?
 
Sure would make life a lot easier.”

“Believe me.
 
I’ve asked myself the same question a number of times.
 
Did you hear any of the conversation?”

“Not much.
 
Something about producing goods.
 
Then he turned his back.”
 
Cody reached in the refrigerator and grabbed another beer.

“Here’s the roast and wine,” Carl came through the door, smiling.
 
“Who’s cooking?”

“I am,” Cody answered.

Liz snickered from the table.
 
“Figures.”

“Something wrong with a man cooking?”
 
Cody challenged her.

Liz tossed her head and looked away.

*****

Kat sipped her whiskey, appalled that her sister was so insensitive to other’s feelings.
 
Jude’s announcement ran through her mind like a recording.
 
Her stomach continued to somersault.
 
Her gaze moved through the room, coming to rest on Jude.
 
Heat flooded her face.
 
He gave her a smile that sent her pulse racing, and then winked at her.

A devil lurking deep in Kat’s mind jumped to attention.
 
Two could play this game.
 
She blew him a kiss.
 
He frowned and started toward her.
 

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked softly, as he nibbled on her ear lobe.
 
His look swept over her, bringing a shiver to her body.

Kat’s heart filled with longing for this man.
 
An intense wanting flared between them.
 
Her body ached for his touch.
 
Jude’s previous withdrawal was forgotten.

“Hello?”
 
Liz waved her hand in front of their faces.
 
“I asked you what type of wedding you two are planning.”

Kat felt disoriented.
 
The driving need she felt for Jude shocked her.
 
“What?”

Liz heaved a sigh.
 
“I said…”

“We haven’t made any plans yet, Liz.”
 
Jude answered the question.
 
“When we do, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Where did you two meet?”
 

“Hey Lizzie,” Cody hollered from the kitchen.
 
“I need some help.
 
Come lend a hand and leave the lovebirds alone.”

Liz looked as if she were about to choke on her fury.
 
“Don’t you ever call me that.”
 
She marched into the kitchen.
 
“I hate that name.”

“Okay, Princess.”
 
Cody bowed in eloquent fashion.
 
“Would you please assist me in the preparation of this meal?”

Kat giggled, watching her sister and friend spar.
 
Carl Winter appeared oblivious, looking out the window toward the lake, drinking his whiskey.
 

“Cody’s infatuated with your sister.”
 
Kat’s head snapped up at Jude’s comment.
 

“You’re not serious?”
 
Her eyes pleaded for him to say no.
 
Liz would shatter Cody’s heart into pieces.

“Sorry.”
 
Jude sounded sympathetic.
 
“I’m surprised you haven’t noticed.
 
I told him he was crazy.”

“That’s putting it mildly.
 
My sister is not only a bitch, she’s prejudiced.”

Jude’s eyebrows shot up.
 
“Prejudiced?
 
She’s part Indian, and she’s prejudiced?”

“She never admits to her Native American genes.
 
Look at her.
 
Would you know if I hadn’t told you?”

Jude considered the question.
 
“I suppose not.
 
Is her hair natural?”

“Yep.
 
I ended up with my mother’s black hair.
 
She got my Dad’s honey blonde.”

Jude’s hand slid into her hair.
 
“I prefer yours.”
 
His voice was deep and husky.

Kat reached up and held his face in her hands.
 
“Callahan, don’t play games with me.
 
If you’re not planning to take this flirting to a natural end, then stop it now.”

“I have no intention of stopping.”
 

Goosebumps spread like wildfire down her arms.

Chapter 10

Cody’s voice dragged Kat from her sensual thoughts.
 
“Let’s eat.
 
Military style.
 
Plates at the end of the counter.
 
Work your way on down the line.”
 

No one spoke as they helped themselves to the juicy prime rib, scalloped potatoes and green beans topped with slivered almonds.
 

“Wow, Cody, this is delicious.”
 
Kat spoke with her mouth full.
 
“Best prime rib I’ve ever eaten.
 
If I get the lodge up and running, I’ll hire you.
 
Guests would flock here for the meals.”

“Thanks, Half Pint.”
 

Kat noticed Liz picked at her food, a sullen look on her face.
 

Carl Winter drank his wine, ignoring everybody.

“Carl, tell me about your business ventures.”
 
Jude’s knee bumped Kat’s leg under the table as soon as she asked the question.
 
He scowled at her when she paid no attention.

“What do you want to know?”
 
His voice carried an edge, and his eyes grew suspicious.

Kat shrugged and glued a relaxed smile on her face.
 
“I’m wondering what plans you had for the lodge if I changed my mind and decided to sell.”

“I don’t have immediate plans.
 
I buy properties for investment reasons.”
 
He poured more wine in his glass.

“If I decided to consider your offer, I’d want it in writing that the property would never be subdivided and sold for cottage lots.”

Carl’s bored eyes sparked with interest.
 
“I assure you that would never happen.
 
I’ve acquired several similar pieces in various parts of the country and have never subdivided any of them.”

“Oh.
 
That’s good to know.”
 
Kat returned to her meal, disappointed he hadn’t been forthcoming about his intentions.

The meal dragged on.
 
Her heart went out to Cody, who kept sneaking glances at Liz.
 
Her sister had slipped into her regal mode, speaking to no one.
 
Carl continued drinking until the bottle was empty.
 
Jude appeared to be deep in thought, and she hoped his thoughts were about going upstairs with her.

At last, the meal ended.
 
“Liz, help me clean off the table and do the dishes.”
 
She braced herself for a tantrum when Cody spoke and breathed a sigh of relief when her sister got up and gathered the plates.

“We need to leave soon,
Elizabeth
.”

The cold command in Carl’s voice irked Kat, and she waited for her sister’s feisty comeback.
 
When Liz nodded, Kat knew something was wrong.
 
The Liz she grew up with would never let a man order her around.

“Relax, Carl.”
 
Kat poured a hot cup of coffee and put it in front of him.
 
“You drank a lot of wine.
 
Why don’t you and Liz spend the night?”

“Staying all night is out of the question.
 
I’ll have a cup of coffee, then we’re leaving.”
 
His eyes dared her to challenge him.

Jude’s arm slid around her shoulder, tempering her desire to throttle Carl.
 
Jude Callahan was good for her, and that knowledge scared her to death.
 

“I’ll wash, you wipe.”
 

Her sister surprised her when she took the dishtowel Cody handed her.

*****

“Well, what an uneventful visit.
 
Didn’t find out a damn thing we didn’t already know.”
 
Kat set the candles on the table with a bang.
 
“Except that Carl Winter is a surly character who likes to drink.”

“I disagree.”
 
Jude walked over and put his hand on table, trapping her with his body.
 
“We found out he’s determined to have this property.
 
There’s not a doubt in my mind that he’d go to any length to get it.”

Cody turned back from the window where he’d been watching the plane take off.
 
“He’s a damn fool flying that plane after four glasses of wine.
 
Think he’s behind the border activity?”

Jude nodded.
 
“My suspicions lean that way.”
 
He ran his hand through his hair, and Kat took the opportunity to slip away from the table.
 
“But I don’t think he knows about the gems, and even if he does, he doesn’t seem to be interested.”

“What about Liz?”
 
Cody’s deep voice asked.
 
“Think she’s involved?”

Kat quickly looked at Jude and waited for his answer.

“She might know that something isn’t quite right, but I see no indication that she’s directly involved in any covert activities.”
 
Jude faced Kat.
 
“What do you think?”

Kat took a deep breath and released it slowly.
 
“Liz’s main concern is herself.
 
She’s apt to take a wrong path, if she thinks it’ll benefit her.”
 
She looked from Jude to Cody.
 
“As far as her involvement with Carl Winter, I don’t know what to think.
 
He’s rude to her, but she doesn’t complain.
 
I have a feeling she’s afraid of him.”

Cody scowled and Kat cast a sympathetic look in his direction.

“My opinion is Carl pretended to care for her to get what he wanted.
 
When he discovered she had no ownership rights to the lodge, he decided to use her to get to you, Kat.”

Kat frowned at Cody.
 
“But Liz wouldn’t let herself be used without compensation in some fashion.”

“You’re wrong, Kat.”
 
Cody spoke up, his expression serious.
 
“Liz would never get involved in a scheme to harm you.
 
Underneath all the glitter and glamour, she’s an insecure little girl.”

Kat’s mouth dropped open.
 
“Are we talking about the same person?”

“No one’s ever understood her or even tried.”
 
Cody pointed his finger at Kat.
 
“You, of all people, should realize what that’s like.
 
She needs someone to care about her.
 
Someone with enough determination and courage to break through the brick barricade she’s built around herself.”

Kat opened her mouth to straighten out Cody’s misconceptions about her sister, but Jude jumped into the conversation, giving her a warning look.