The Girl Most Likely To... (25 page)

I'm so sorry, she said in a flat voice. I guess I got carried away.

Riley nearly laughed at the inadequacy of that statement but then noticed something near pitiful in Carrie's expression. His anger began to cool. Carrie was manipulative and self-centered, but Riley guessed that at her core she was just another person too scared to face reality.

He leaned forward. Do you have somebody you can go see? Somebody to talk to?

Carrie didn't seem the least bit offended by his question and calmly folded her hands in front of her on the desktop. I've already made an appointment with Mark Gulledgeremember him from med school? He's got a private practice in town. I've heard a lot of good things about him.

Riley nodded. He's a smart guy. I'm sure he can help you figure this out.

It's pretty simple, really, she said with a shrug. Erotomania, delusional disorder, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, maybe even borderline stalker typology.

Riley pursed his lips and nodded, thinking that was one scary-sounding laundry list of /DSM-IV/ diagnostic criteria she'd just spat out, but it was probably spot-on. Carrie was always good with diagnoses. When's your appointment?

Friday.

You need to cancel everything related to the wedding. Immediately. How many people have you told?

Carrie stiffened. Just Alice and Madeline. Even my mother doesn't know about it. It was going to be an intimate affair, only about seventy-five guests. I was going to tell everyone it was a last-minute thing. But I've already canceled it all.

Riley couldn't help but think of the news stories about women who faked their pregnancy and, to keep their ruse intact, went out and stole a newborn when their alleged due date arrived. He shuddered to think what would have happened if, come Christmas Eve, the wedding had been a go, but there was no groom to be had.

It's time you move on with your life.

She sucked in a trembling breath. I am trying.

And you won't interfere with my life or Kat's life ever again.

All right, Carrie whispered.

Sheriff's deputies are outside your door right now with a restraining order.

Her eyes flashed in alarm. Please! That won't be necessary.

You gave me no choice.

She stared at him, worried and embarrassed.

Riley didn't know what else to say. He hadn't expected her to be so malleable. She sat quietly, continuing to look at him.

Did you put yourself on meds?

Of course not. She waved her hand to dismiss the accusation.

Riley wasn't convinced. He frowned at her.

OK, maybe just a little Paxil to take the edge off, but that's it, she said. I've been tossing around the idea of quitting my job, did I tell you? I'd like to give myself a chance to rethink things, see what I really want out of life. I don't even know anymore, because all I thought I wanted was you.

Riley stood up from his chair. It was time to go. This is the end for you and meyou understand that, right?

I do. After a few seconds, Carrie smiled, then laughed. Hey! I got to say those two little words after all!

Riley studied her, thinking that inside this very normal-looking woman lurked a churning chaos no one would suspect. It was sad, but he supposed that made her no different from everyone else.

So why the sudden change of heart, Carrie? Riley hadn't meant to ask that aloud, but his brain was practically screaming the question. What made you decide to stop this bullshit now, after all this time?

Carrie walked him toward the door, obviously weighing her response. I was becoming such a self-righteous she-devil that I'd started to scare myself.

She opened the door. The deputies were waiting.

Since when do you own a waffle iron? Nola stood on a chair in front of the tall bank of kitchen cabinets, staring at the appliance in wide-eyed wonder.

I've had it forever. I make waffles for Aidan nearly every Sunday. Kat straightened up, removing her head from inside the large packing carton, and corrected herself. OK, I /used/ to make him waffles, back when he could actually stand to have a meal with me.

He'll snap out of it. Nola placed the gadget toward the back of the top shelf, next to the mixing bowls. You're his mother. He loves you.

Kat let out a giant sigh. She'd been telling herself the same thing now for about a month, every time she called Aidan and got his voice mail, but the truth was, she was no longer her son's only parent. Aidan had Riley now, too, and from everything she'd heard, their relationship was growing more solid every day. Maybe Aidan didn't need her now that he had a father.

Reassuring herself that such thinking was total crap, Kat unwrapped the wooden salad tongs, placing them on the mound of utensils she'd have to run through the dishwasher before she organized the kitchen drawers.

This was only the second time in her life she'd moved, if she didn't count running away, which she didn't. Her first move was from the row house to the apartment, which took two trips in Phyllis' little red hatchback to get Kat settled. This move was mind-numbing in comparison, and she'd had the movers pack up only her kitchen things, a few favorite framed posters and photos, clothes, books, CDs, linens, her TV, sound system, and computer. She left most of her furniture at the apartment and she'd shoved her beloved houseplants into the back of the Jag.

Everything else would be brand-new and arriving that afternoon from an upscale mailorder companytwo bedroom sets, a couch, chairs, ottomans, tables and cabinets, rugs, a dining set, and lamps. This little bungalow was going to look like a showplace.

She heard the front door creak open without a knock and a man's voice called out, Hello? I'm looking for the hottest babe in West Virginia. Is she here?

In the kitchen, hon, Nola answered, giggling.

Matt poked his head into the archway, his face plastered with the kind of mischievous smile Kat had seen on Aidan's face a thousand times. God, how she missed her boy.

Matt took a quick peek at Nola's jeans-clad backside, then looked at Kat. Need a hand? I'm on my lunch break and thought I'd check on you.

Kat tried not to laugh because Matt had already been kind enough to check on them first thing that morning, then check in with Nola three times on her cell, and had arranged to have them over to the Bohland House for dinner that night. It was like he couldn't bear to be away from Nola for ten minutes. Fortunately for everyone in Persuasion, the day had been light on crime.

Absolutely I can use a hand, Matt. Kat pointed to the half-unloaded cardboard box. You can finish this one for me if you don't mind, and I'll take a quick break.

No problem.

Kat winked at Nola as she left the kitchen, knowing full well that whatever happened in that room would be completely unrelated to unpacking. Almost immediately, Nola let out a playful scream of surprise and Matt was already murmuring under his breath.

Kat smiled as she headed toward the living room, once again appreciating her good fortune. Even stripped bare, the renovated house was inviting and warm. It had French doors, natural woodwork, and gleaming oak floors, not to mention high ceilings and two totally refurbished baths.

But her favorite feature of the house was the stained-glass windows flanking the fireplace, now radiant with midday light and spreading a cheerful glow through the room. It was the second house Kat had looked at when she arrived in Persuasion last week, and she'd signed a year-long lease on the spot. She would use whatever she needed of the year to reacquaint herself with Riley and her own life story. If things didn't work out, she could leave and start over back in Baltimore, or anywhere else she chose.

She said a silent, /Thank you,/ to Phyllisup in heaven claiming the ultimate jackpotfor her generosity. What she'd bequeathed to Kat was no less than freedom itself.

She breathed deeply, her feet solid beneath her. She was now a resident of Persuasion by her own free will, and she planned to get to the bottom of the girl she was and the woman she'd become. The only heaviness in her heart was the knowledge that she'd have to go through Virgil Cavanaugh to get there.

A howl jarred Kat from her thoughts, and she looked out the picture window to see Riley and Loretta coming up the walk, the dog in the lead.

Kat raced to the door to greet them. Riley displayed a large paper sack and an even larger grin.

Brought us something for lunch. He stepped through the threshold as Kat held the door open. Loretta barked, sniffed the floor, then trotted toward the kitchen. Riley placed a sweet kiss on Kat's lips as she accepted the bag.

Matt just brought Nola a little something for lunch, too, and he's in there giving it to her as we speak.

Riley closed his eyes and shook his head. Looks like we're dining al fresco today.

After Kat grabbed a sweater, they opened the door and plopped down on a sunny spot on the porch steps, Riley immediately wrapping his arm around her shoulders. I think Matt's got it bad, he said, whispering in her ear. He's usually such a cool customer when it comes to women.

Kat snuggled into Riley's side, contentment settling in her bones.

Nola's pretty gaga, too. I'm trying not to get involved one way or the other. I can't stand the thought of either one of them getting hurt.

Riley kissed the top of her head. I guess we're the last people on earth who should be advising anyone about how to run a relationship.

Hmm, Kat said, pulling open the paper bag. Maybe someday that will be different. She opened the top of the sack and was hit with the smell of grease and breading, and her eyes widened in glee. Fried chicken and apple fritters? From the Sunset Diner? Holy hell, RileyI hope you like plump girls.

I like /you,/ so eat up. He gave her rear end a proprietary pat and then fished out paper plates and napkins. He served her a big piece of chicken. You look really pretty today, Kat.

She'd just ripped a chunk of white meat from the bone, caught off-guard by his compliment and aware she looked like the subject of a documentary on carnivorous jackals.

He laughed. You're going to have to bear with me, because I'll probably be a real goof for a while, spending most of my free time sitting around staring at you until I'm convinced you're real.

How long do you figure that will take? Kat asked, trying not to talk with her mouth full.

Decades, most likely.

She wiped her smiling mouth with a napkin, and then reached up to wipe his. She planted a playful kiss on his lips and pulled away, grinning at him. When their eyes met, time halted or it turned back or it never mattered at allit was impossible to graspbut for that suspended moment, Kat understood that their love was as ancient as it was brand-new. She understood that the fun-loving boy was still right there inside of Riley, alongside the lustful man, and she was destined to be the safe haven for both of them.

Riley smiled at her, and the smile was filled with so much tenderness and desire that she was overcome with longing for him. She wanted to comfort his soul, soothe the places of loss inside him, especially the ones she was responsible for. She wanted to get her hands all over his perfect tush and his silky chest.

Riley's eyelids grew heavy and his nostrils flared. Your beds get delivered yet?

Kat chuckled. I can't believe you can think of sex when we haven't even touched the apple fritters.

You were thinking the same thing and don't try to lie to me.

Another day, another round of brutal honesty. Kat took a bite of chicken. The beds should be here in the next couple hours, actually.

Just planning ahead. No pressure.

They talked while they ate, Riley sharing with her the latest delays with the clinic, conversations he'd had with Aidan, and the fact that Matt had spent much of the morning preparing that evening's dinner for the four of them.

Obviously, the man doesn't punch a clock, Kat said.

He /is/ the clock. It's the perfect career for Mattlots of unstructured time to think about women and food.

Kat licked her fingers. Would've been fun to be a fly on the wall during that job interview.

What interview? Riley laughed under his breath. He got his criminal justice degree from Mountain Laurel and his last name is Bohland. He had his choice of being director of campus security or the town's chief of police, and one day he'll probably be mayor.

Hmph. Kat rummaged around for an apple fritter. Speaking of the college, I was looking at their catalog earlier, checking out classes I could audit.

Riley stopped chewing and his eyebrows went up. Anything interesting?

Don't laugh. She looked out over the small front lawn, onto Laurel Lane.

Psychology. Maybe child psychology. It was just a thought.

Riley grabbed her hand. Don't ever sell yourself short. You have a brilliant mind and you could do whatever you wanted to do. You've got the money and the time nowwhy audit classes? Have you considered working toward your bachelor's degree?

I think about it all the time.

Then do it, Scout. Riley put a finger under her chin and raised her eyes to meet his. I'll cheer you on in whatever you decide to do.

A loud crash came from the back of the house, followed by Loretta's howl. We're good! Matt called out, as if to prevent any sudden inspections of the kitchen. Within seconds, Loretta was using her snout to push at the front door, ready to retreat to a calmer location.

Riley got up to let her out. As he returned to his perch, he said, You'll never guess who I ran into at the diner.

Carrie?

Riley shot Kat a sideways glance as he rooted around inside the bag for his fritter. Don't even joke. Nobody's heard a peep from her since the protective order was issued, and I'm praying it'll stay that way.

Who then?