Dreaming Of You (21 page)

Suddenly, she heard Shane’s name being spoken from some lady behind her on the next rack. Brushing off the excitement drumming in her chest, she moved to another rack. But this lady’s voice was familiar somehow, and Katelyn strongly resisted the urge to peek over her shoulder to see who it was. When the names Cori and Casey were vocalized, Katelyn knew she had to look.

But just a small one.

Cautiously, she turned until she could get a glimpse of the woman. Standing on the other side of the clothing rack with her back to Katelyn was none other than Tori. And right beside her was Shane’s secretary, Mags.

Katelyn sucked in a quick breath and spun around. She doubted they had seen her enter the store, or for certain Tori would be in her face making Katelyn feel worse than she already feels.

She wanted to slowly move away and pretend they weren’t even here. But the excitement in Tori’s voice kept Katelyn’s feet planted. She shouldn’t be able to hear, but she could.

“Shane will eventually return to Montana or some other state, I’m sure of it.” Tori giggled. “I know he hates me, but I have always known how to push his buttons to make him feel worthless. I’ve got him almost where I want him, and soon those kids will come live with me just like Amber always wanted.”

Katelyn tightened her fingers around the clothes she was pretending to look at. Did Shane really know what Tori had planned?

“And soon, he’ll be paying us back—just as it should be.” Mag’s voice was a little softer.

“So how much money have you pilfered from his account already?” Tori asked.

“About five grand this month. But next month…he won’t know what hit him.”

Tori giggled again. “Oh, he’ll be one depressed man, that’s for sure. I love it!”

“Not only that,” Mags said, “he’ll think the vendor taking his money is located in Montana.”

“Oh, good thinking. He’ll leave California sooner than expected.”

“Well, he’s getting everything he deserves and more,” Mags snipped with distain. “Who does he think he is rejecting my advances like he did? Why, if it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have been able to run the company after he took it over from Ted Walker. I was the one who stood by his side through it all, and yet this is how he treats me!” She grumbled. “Well, he won’t know what hit him this time, and I’ll make him pay.”

Katelyn hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until her chest started hurting. Slowly, she eased out the air as not to draw any attention to herself.
I need to tell Shane!
She knew Tori was so cold-hearted, but she couldn’t believe his own secretary was stealing from his company. He would definitely want to know this information whether he wanted to see Katelyn or not. She must tell him. Today!

Slowly—hoping Tori and Mags didn’t suddenly turn and see her—Katelyn made her way back to Stacey who was searching for some jeans for her husband.

“Hey sis,” Katelyn whispered. “I have to leave. Now!”

Stacey looked at her and rolled her eyes. “Stop trying to get out of Christmas shopping.”

“I’m not trying to get out of it, but I just overheard a conversation that Shane needs to know about.”

Stacey’s gaze shifted behind Katelyn, and she quickly clutched her sister’s shoulders. “Don’t look.”

“What am I supposed to be looking at?”

“Shane’s sister-in-law and his secretary are over there.”

Stacey tilted her head and gave Katelyn a pitiful stare. “And I’m supposed to know who they are?”

Katelyn flipped her hand in the air. “Never mind. Just don’t be mad at me for leaving. I promise we can go shopping again tonight—or tomorrow. Whenever you want. But I need to find Shane now and tell him what I heard,” she said softly.

“Fine.” Stacey shrugged. “Call me later.”

“Thanks so much.” She hugged her sister, then hurried out of the store, only slowing down to look back and make sure Tori and Mags were still there. They were.

Katelyn zig-zagged through the crowds, heading toward the outside doors. The man wearing a Santa suit stood ringing his bell, and she nearly knocked him down on her way to the parking lot. She didn’t stop for cars, but knew she was in their way when she received several honks. After reaching her vehicle, she breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been hit.

She slid her keys into the ignition, put the car in reverse, and hurried out of there. All the way to Shane’s house, she prayed that he would listen to her…and believe her. She also prayed that he’d be home when she got there. Because it was a Saturday, he shouldn’t be at work and his kids shouldn’t be at the daycare. Hopefully, today was her lucky day.

As she drove up his street, she saw his truck parked outside his condo.
Thank you, Lord.
She shoved her Pathfinder in park and jumped out. Her feet practically flew up the stairs to his door. Thankfully, she didn’t trip or sprain her ankle as fast as she was going.

She rang the doorbell twice…then waited. From the other side of the door, she didn’t hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet running to get the door like she always heard when she visited her brother. But soon, the knob rattled and the door opened.

Shane stood on the other side of the screen door, handsome as ever. His hair was slightly mussed, but that made him look even more adorable. She wanted to sigh with happiness, but refrained for now.

A spark of interest twinkled in his eyes even though he didn’t smile. “Katelyn.”

“Shane, I know you don’t want to see me, but I overheard something not too long ago that affects you and the twins. I know you’ll want to hear this.”

He nodded and opened the door, inviting her inside. Once she stood in his living room and he closed the door, he turned toward her.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“No, I’m fine.” She smiled.

He motioned to the couch. “Do you want to sit down?”

“Thank you.” She sat on the edge of the couch with her white gloved hands resting in her lap.

His gaze took a slow sweep over her from her snow knit cap down her sweater and further down her legs to her boots. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile.

“You’re dressed for a snowball fight. But there hasn’t been snow in San Diego for several years.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, well I get cold quickly in the winter months, and this year seems to be colder than normal.”

“True, it is.” He sat on the brown leather recliner across from her. “So, what did you overhear that was so important?”

Swallowing hard, she tried to prepare her thoughts. “I was at the mall not too long ago, and I saw Tori in one of the stores. She was with your secretary.”

Confusion creased his forehead. “Who?”

“Tori.”

“No, who was she with?”

“Your secretary.”

“Katelyn, I don’t have a secretary.”

Surprise washed over her. “Mags isn’t your secretary?”

“No, she used to be, but I never hired her back.”

A slight pound began in Katelyn’s temple and she rubbed the irritation. “If Mags isn’t your secretary, why was she at your office on your computer?”

“What?” His voice rose. “When was this?”

“The day Tori told you about me. That morning she came to see me to confront me with her accusations. After she left, I went to your office because I didn’t know where you lived. Mags was there. She gave me the directions to your house. That’s how I knew where you lived.”

He stood, his face reddening as anger darkened his eyes. “Katelyn, Mags is not my secretary. She shouldn’t have been in my office at all. Was anyone else there?”

Katelyn remembered that awful day well…couldn’t stop thinking about it, in fact. “Nobody else was there. I remember wondering why she was the only one there.”

“What was she doing?”

Katelyn shrugged. “She was on your computer. She jumped when I walked in.”

Growling, he raked his hands through his hair, messing it even more as he paced the floor. After a few silent moments, he stopped and faced Katelyn. “And you said she was with Tori at the mall?”

“Yes.”

“And you overheard them talking?”

“Yes.” She took another deep breath. “Shane, it sounds like Mags has set herself up as a vendor and is stealing from you.”

Quickly, he sat down beside Katelyn. “Tell me what you heard.”

She repeated what she remembered, even what Tori had said about having the children come to live with her. Shane’s lips thinned as his face turned a darker red. When she was finished, she hesitantly laid her hand on his arm. Thankfully, he didn’t remove it.

“Shane, when I heard them talking like that, it made me sick to my stomach and like I was dying inside. I knew I had to come warn you.”

“I’m glad you did. Earlier today I was going over my reports and noticed money missing, but I couldn’t figure out where. Did Mags or Tori happen to say what vendor name she’s using?”

“No. I wish she had, but after I heard them, I quickly left so I could come tell you.”

“Thank you.” He squeezed her fingers tenderly. “This will give me enough to look deeper into my reports. I will find her and put a stop to her.”

“And Tori? I don’t want her taking your children.”

“Tori won’t take them. I’ve been seriously thinking about filing a restraining order against her. I don’t want her near my kids.”

“Let me know if I can help in anyway. I can tell a judge or counselor what Cori said to me that time at the daycare. Whatever will help.”

“I’ll let you know.”

“I’d appreciate it.” She gave him another smile.

“Just think, after all of this is over with, and I have Mags in jail and Tori out of my life, you’ll have enough information for your next story.”

Sadness crept over her and nearly crushed her chest. Liquid filled her eyes. “No, Shane. I won’t be writing any more stories about people I know. From now on, everything will be fiction.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. “Writing about people I know only hurts them and me. I realized these past few weeks that having a best seller isn’t worth all the pain in my heart. If I could take everything back, I would.”

He glanced down at the carpet and said nothing.

Silence grew like a bull in a China closet, threatening to break any second. She wished he’d say something, but she supposed there really wasn’t much to say regarding the book she’d written about him.

Sniffling, she wiped a few more tears that had fallen down her face. “Shane? Will you ever forgive me?”

He exhaled deeply. “Katelyn, I have mixed emotions right now that I need to sort through.” He lifted his head and looked at her. “I know you’re nothing like Amber, but not telling me the truth really hurt. I want to learn to trust women again, and what you did to me…” He shook his head. “It’s just hard.”

“I know, and I’m deeply sorry I hurt you. That was not my intent.” She stood, and he followed. “I suppose I should be going now.”

“Thank you again,” he said as he walked her to the door.

“Will you do something for me?”

“What?”

“Will you give your kids a big hug from me? I really miss them.”

“Sure.” A small smile touched his face before he opened the door for her.

Just as she stepped outside his door, she turned and called out, “Shane? Will…will I ever see you again?”

“Yeah, probably. You forget, I run on the same track, and shop at the same store as you.”

She chuckled. “True.”

“Bye. See ya later.”

He didn’t look angry this time as he closed the door. At least they talked. That was a good thing. She just prayed he would soon forgive her because he still held her heart.

* * * *

Tomorrow was Christmas.

Katelyn’s sister invited her to spend the holiday with them this year, since she spent it with her brother the previous year. But this year Katelyn didn’t want to be around anyone.

Not even herself.

She couldn’t write. She couldn’t read. She couldn’t watch TV. Yet sitting and staring out the window all day made her more depressed. She slept a lot, but that only made her more tired.

This mood was so not good for her muse.

At least she talked herself into buying a Christmas tree and decorating it. Christmas music played on her stereo as she hung the garland around the tree. The scent of pine was strong, and brought back memories with her parents. How she missed them. They had left this world only three years ago, but sometimes it seemed like yesterday. She still remembered her father’s smile and could still hear the way her mother had laughed.

They both had cancer and died within a few months of each other. They loved each other so much. They didn’t want to be separated for very long.

Sighing, she wiped away a tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. They were the perfect couple. Always smiling. Always doing something for the other. And always giving of their time and love. Katelyn wanted to find a love like the one they had shared.

From outside, carolers walked by her house, their voices blending together beautifully. She smiled. A few years ago she had tagged along with her friends as they walked door-to-door singing Christmas carols. Maybe next year she’d take her nephews caroling.

Maybe next year she wouldn’t be so depressed, either.

Today she managed to shower and dress. She even combed her hair. She hadn’t done all three in so long.

A small knock rattled the door. She grinned. The carolers must know she needed a bit of their magic tonight. She set down the garland, moved to the door and opened it. But she didn’t see carolers.

Two bright eyed, rosy cheeked children stood at her doorstep. When she met the twins’ gaze, their smiles stretched across their face—almost too wide. Behind them stood the man of her dreams, smiling just as wide and a twinkle lighting his eyes.

Katelyn’s heart jumped to her throat, and energy rushed through her limbs. She quickly opened the door. Breathless, she greeted them.

“Hi, Katelyn!” the twins chimed in together.

“Please, come in,” she said, motioning her hand for them to enter. Once they were all inside, she closed the door. All three were bundled in coats and scarves, with gloves on their hands. “What a surprise!” she finally managed to say.