Twilight's Encore (2 page)

CHAPTER THREE

Katy rolled down the windows of the car and let in the fresh autumn air filled with the scent of ripe apples and late blooming roses. Contrary to what they had hinted, the cut on Jared’s arm wasn’t serious, just a bit too deep to go without stitches. But she’d been happy to have the excuse to leave. To regroup.

“How are you holding up?” She kept one eye on the road while searching her favorite handbag—Prada— for sunglasses.

“Fine, until you did that,” Jared grumbled. “Has no one ever taught you about the dangers of distracted driving?”

Her right hand found the hard-shell case and levered it out of her bag, while her left hand guided the car around a corner.

“I can also pat my head and rub my belly at the same time.” She slid the frames up her nose and cast him a saucy sideways smile. “I’m multi-talented that way.”

Her gaze skated over his well-defined abs bared by the T-shirt wrapped around his arm. “I see you’ve been working out since I saw you last.”

“Gotta stay in shape to keep the ladies happy,” he murmured, his focus on the houses zipping past. “You know the speed limit is thirty, right?”

Katy laughed, stress-free for the first time since she’d arrived. “I thought that was only a guideline.”

Jeff’s choice was for them to get married in California, surrounded by their friends and his family. But ever since Katy was young, she’d pictured herself getting married in her family’s theatre. Something about the old place called to her.

Styled after the famous Loew’s Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the hall was festooned with elegant maroon velvet curtains and an embossed dome ceiling showcasing a crystal chandelier glittering overhead like a Victorian lady in a fancy ball gown.

Katy had it all planned. She’d made up a scrapbook over the years filled with pictures. Dresses in a rainbow of colors. Flower arrangements of every make and description. Oh, and the cakes. The cakes were amazing, everything from chocolate ganache to lemony delight. Katy had a serious sweet tooth, and vowed her wedding would have as many of the decadent treats as possible.

Then there was the ceremony. The ancient beat of the wedding march and the bridesmaids leading the way to the stage. The best man in his black tuxedo would be her handsome brother, Kyle. Then Katy would follow, her father at her side. She could see herself gliding down an aisle covered with scattered rose petals, bouquet in hand. Her groom would accept her hand, his blue eyes moist…

Wait—Jeff had brown eyes.

She snapped back to the present, her fingers tightening on the wheel. She was over Ty Garrett, had been for a long time now. It must be a reaction to seeing him again, that’s all. She didn’t harbor any dreams they would suddenly realize all the time they’d wasted, declare their love, and ride off into the sunset together like some dumb romance novel.

Uncomfortable with her thoughts, Katy glanced over and caught Jared eyeing her speculatively.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just wondering what you’ve been doing the last few years.” His hand patted the dash of her BMW. “You know, besides becoming a surgeon and planning a ritzy wedding, that is.”

Katy’s hackles rose.

She had fought this same reverse snobbery her whole life. Why did people always assume rich parents meant equally well-off children? She and Kyle worked for everything they’d achieved. Their parents had firmly believed in the
“learn the hard way”
rule.

For the most part Katy agreed with the edict, except when her brother really needed the help—and they’d refused. He quit school after that and disappeared. It was a couple of years before she heard from him again. He’d joined the Army Airborne jump school and became a freaking paratrooper, of all things. So yeah, it tended to tick her off when people thought they had it easy.

“You mean other than four years of undergraduate study, then four more years of med school, and now a five year residency to get my surgeon’s ticket?” Sarcasm laced her voice. “I’ve been hobnobbing with California’s rich and famous, of course.”

Jared stretched across the console with his uninjured arm and awkwardly patted her shoulder. “Hey, whoa down tiger. I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m proud of you. You’re working toward accomplishing your dreams.” His hand dropped into his lap and he turned to gaze out his side window. “That’s more than a lot of us can say.”

Katy drove a couple of blocks in silence. The neighborhoods they passed seemed the same as when she’d lived here, yet different somehow. The old hospital had been handy for everyone, situated in the center of town. Jared told her the new building was located on the west end, almost at the outskirts. As it came into view, Katy had to admit it was an impressive sight, easily twice as large as the old one. Modern in design, all rugged angles and glass with the roof covered in solar panels in an effort to save on energy consumption. A carport off to the side housed two ambulances and an emergency response truck.

She pulled into the visitor parking, found a space, and shut down the car’s engine. Turning sideways, Katy waved her hand between them. “Okay, Martin. Spill the beans. What’s going on with you?”

He fiddled with the makeshift bandage on his arm for a few moments before meeting her narrowed stare. “Nothing, it’s just taking a bit to get my bearings after leaving the teams. You know how it is.”

Yeah, she did. Her brother, still enlisted, showed many of the same symptoms. PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a soldier’s worst enemy. How do you fight against something that’s invisible? Katy wished she had an answer. Thanks to Kyle she’d read up on the symptoms, one of which was the patient often felt alone, even surrounded by loved ones.

She reached over and punched his good arm.

“Ouch.” His head reared back, and his eyebrows climbed for the ceiling. “What did you do that for?”

Katy smirked, “Just because. It’s been a long time and I missed you, you big dork.”

Jared’s shoulders relaxed and his lips tipped upwards in a wry smile. “I can see why Ty was so hooked on you. You’re kinda cute when you want to be.”

Her pulse betrayed her, jumping at Ty’s name. What was the matter with her? She wasn’t some impressionable teenager to swoon at the mere mention of an old heartthrob. Those days were long past. And besides, she had a fiancé now and had no interest in talking about her non-relationship with Ty Garrett.

She shifted the conversation back to Jared. “When did you start working for Ty? Manual labor doesn’t seem like your kind of thing. From what I remember, I expected to hear of you making it big in Silicon Valley with some great new invention.”

Jared shrugged. “Your inner snob is showing. There’s nothing wrong with making a living with your hands. Michelangelo did a damn fine job of it. Give Ty a break.”

Katy snorted, she couldn’t help it. “Are you comparing Ty’s work with probably one of the most famous artists ever born?”

“Hey, don’t knock it until you see it. He’s pouring everything he’s got into this project. I think you and your family are going to be pleasantly surprised when it’s finished.” He reached across and lightly flipped her hair.

Katy clicked her tongue. “You mean
if
it gets finished. There’s not much time left before the wedding. Jeff will be here in another couple of weeks, and he’s going to want to see some results.” She straightened in her seat, pulled her keys, and stuffed them in her purse, then opened the door and climbed out.

Jared followed suit, and stared at her over the glistening black roof of the car. His eyes glinted with curiosity behind the lenses of his glasses. “When are you going to tell us something about this character, anyway?” His injured arm rested on the doorjamb. “Gotta admit I never pictured you with anyone but Ty. You guys always seemed perfect for each other.”

She’d thought so too. Guess they were both wrong.

Katy shoved her door closed, and winced when it slammed shut. At Jared’s raised brow, she lifted her chin in reply. “It’s because your door is still open. And I have no issues with Ty. None at all.”

He smirked, and closed his door—gently—before joining her on the sidewalk. He gave her a little shoulder bump and almost knocked her over.

“What? I don’t have a problem, Ty is a friend, that’s all. Now do you want to hear about Jeff, or don’t you?”

She sidestepped a couple of giggling interns ogling Jared’s admittedly fine physique. He barely noticed, his attention on her. That wasn’t the Jared she remembered. He’d always been the ladies’ man. Katy and her friend, Annie Campbell, were the only consistent women in his life besides his family.

“I’ve heard a little from Mom and Jack. They say he’s a big-time property developer. That must make your pops happy,” he said.

Yes, it had. Sometimes Katy wasn’t sure if Jeff was dating her or her dad. “Aren’t you a little chilly like that? I’m sure Ty could’ve lent you a jacket.”

“Hey now, you hustled me out of the theatre before I had a chance to say boo. It’s not my fault women find me irresistible,” he smirked.

“In your dreams, buddy boy. In your dreams.” They ambled toward the entrance. The cool breeze sent a chill up Katy’s spine. “Jeff has a good business mind. His company seems to do very well for itself. He’s a decent man, I’m sure you’ll like him.”

She glanced sideways and met Jared’s dubious stare. “He cares about me.”
Unlike Ty
, hung in the air between them.

“Katy…” Jared grasped her arm to slow her down.

Just then Doctor Johnson stepped out the front entry doors. Katy laughed and raced into his welcoming arms. She held on for a few seconds, inhaling the familiar scents of Old Spice and spearmint. He’d delivered her and Kyle into the world and in some ways, was more of a father to them than their own had ever been. Doc had often told the two youngsters they could be whatever they wanted, if only they dared to dream. Katy accredited her current career to the family doctor. He’d taught her the true value of becoming a physician, and it wasn’t about the almighty dollar, no matter what her parents thought.

She gave his grizzled cheek a smooch, then stepped back to have a better look. He seemed just the same as she remembered. With a tall spare frame, dark twinkling eyes and thick salt and pepper hair, his friendly smile warmed the heart and instilled confidence in his patients.

He squeezed her fingers, and took note of Jared’s arm. “Well, Katelyn Jane, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?. I’ve missed you, my girl.”

“Oh, Doc, I’ve missed you, too. I should’ve visited more often.” Quick tears rose to the surface.

“Hey now, let’s have none of that.” He tugged her in for another hug. “I know you and that brother of yours have a lot on your plate. I’m here whenever you need me, always will be. And besides…” He let her go and motioned Jared over, “you call me every month to check up on me. So it’s not like you disappeared off the face of the planet—like this one did.”

Katy smirked when six foot tall Jared cringed like a chastised child. “Sorry, Doc.”

“And so you should be, young man. Your mother worried herself sick while you were gone.” Doc Johnson’s tone was firm with disapproval, while at the same time his hands gently unwrapped Jared’s arm for a look. “Hmm, you’ll need a few stitches for sure. Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?”

Kyle had mentioned that a few years earlier something had happened between Jared and his mother. Katy had discredited the info as gossip, but now she had to wonder if there was more to the story. She would try to talk to him after they left the hospital. Maybe that was the basis for his discontent. He’d always been a good friend, she wanted to help if she could.

“C’mon, let’s get you inside before I have to carry you. I know how you SEAL boys are when it’s proven you’re human after all,” she teased. “I like your new hospital, Doc. What made the town decide to shell out for new digs?”

“Hmm?” Doc Johnson looked rather bemused. “It wasn’t the town, my dear. It was your fiancé.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Frustrated, Ty swept up the broken glass with a corn broom and dumped the glittering pieces into a cardboard box. The old chandelier had hung in this theatre ever since he could remember. More than one kid had stared into its shining beauty and imagined himself a hero of fabled lands. Maybe a dragon-slayer, a spy, or even a covert agent. Ty had been all those at one time or another. Now all that history lay shattered at his feet.

He sighed. This job was becoming more problematic by the moment. He should probably call his brother and give him a heads up, but as sheriff, Jack already had enough on his plate. Besides, the two of them weren’t getting along all that well lately. Jack couldn’t understand why Ty had agreed to restore the theatre, considering his past with Katy. Hell, he didn’t understand it himself.

Setting the broom aside, he strode up the ramp to the back of the room, pushed aside the tarp and made his way to the steel door marked,
Electrical
. He twisted the knob. Locked, just as it should be. He pulled a heavy set of keys from his pocket and searched for the one that fit. It was hard to see with the dim bulb above his head throwing his shadow up the walls. He needed a replacement for here also. He fed the key into the lock and had just started to turn the knob when a thud sounded somewhere behind him.

Startled, he swung around and stared at the two doors across the hall. The washrooms. He pushed open the women’s first, not sure where the noise had come from. The room was pitch-black and oppressive. His heart gave a warning thump.

Tensed for anything, Ty felt along the wall for the switch. The light clicked on and he carefully made his way into the narrow rectangular room. Three sinks and a large mirror reflected the closed stalls across the way. He hesitated and then chose door number two first. He stood off to the side and slammed it back on its hinges, ready for anyone who might jump out at him.

Nothing.

Exhaling, he moved to the next stall.

Nothing again.

Ready to leave and check the men’s restroom, Ty pushed the last door on his way by and jumped half out of his skin when a small brown body raced out between his legs.

What the…?

He searched for the critter, hoping like hell it wasn’t a rat, and found two bright little eyes glaring at him from under the counter, partially hidden by the garbage can. Ty wrapped his fingers around the top and bottom of the container, ready to dump it over whatever was cowering in the corner.

Ty lifted the can.

The animal hissed and made a bid to escape, jumping over his boot and onto the counter where it slid into one of the sinks. He was left staring down at a shivering kitten, and his lips tilted wryly at his own fears. The poor thing couldn’t be more than six weeks old and obviously scared silly. Topaz eyes tracked his every move from a mottled tortoiseshell colored body.

He tried to lift her out of the sink and cursed when razor sharp nails and teeth bit into his hand.

“Ouch, you little monster.”

He yanked his hand back and frowned at the twin red tracks seeping blood down his finger. “What did you do that for?” His voice lowered to a soft lulling croon as he tried once more to pick the pint-sized runt up, with success this time. “I just want to check you out, little one.”

Tiny paws rested on his index finger as Ty rubbed under the velvety chin. The kitten watched him warily for a few moments, then as if all the excitement had worn it out, her eyelids slid closed and her head tipped forward to rest on Ty’s hand.

“How did you manage to land in here?” he murmured as he brushed gentle fingers down her bony back. Scrawny little thing. Her whole body easily fit in one hand. Good thing he’d planned on stopping at the store today anyway; looks like milk just got added to the shopping list.

Ty tucked her up against his chest then left the bathroom. He remembered to snatch his keys off the floor. They must have fallen out of the lock when he rushed for the source of the noise. The kitten opened sleepy eyes and let out the saddest little cry he’d ever heard, then promptly fell back to sleep.

“Where’s your momma, hmm?” Ty stopped at the front counter where Brent was taking measurements for the new snack bar. “Look who I found hiding in the back room.” Feeling like a proud papa, he held the kitten out to be admired.

Brent shoved the carpenter’s pencil behind his ear and came around for a closer look. “Aw, looks like you’ve made a conquest there, boss.” He grinned and tapped the creamy paw. “That’s one homely cat.”

Ty pulled the kitten back to the safety of his chest. He frowned, already oddly protective of his charge. “She’s a lot cuter than your ugly mug, Hansen. I’m going out for a bit. Lock up behind me.”

There was a click of heels smacking together as he headed for the door.
Smartass.
No doubt he was getting the two-finger salute too. He never got any respect.

~~~*~~~

Those idiots didn’t have a clue. From his spot hidden in the ductwork, he listened to them coo over that stupid kitten like a couple of pussies. He’d been a bit worried when he dropped the fur-ball from the ceiling in the bathroom that the fall would kill it. He could just imagine the scream if the boss’s girl had gone in there and found a dead cat on the floor. This job was turning into the most fun he’d had in a while.

He pulled the impression he’d made out of his pocket. Perfect. It took a little longer than he expected for that chandelier to fall, but everything worked out in the end.

Just as he expected someone had come along to double check the electrical room, and he was there waiting. He’d dropped that kitten and grinned as it shook itself off, then scrambled across the room in a blind panic. Then he’d crawled the couple of feet on the rubber matting he’d laid out as a sound muffler and watched Garrett go all ninja on the bathroom door. Hilarious. Wish he’d taped it for later.

Knowing he only had a few moments, he’d dropped from the low ceiling, seized the keys from the lock, made his impressions, and swung back into place with time to spare. Now the games could really begin.

~~~*~~~

It felt good entering the hospital. Katy liked the cleanliness of the interior as much as she’d admired the architecture outside the building. She’d been surprised when Doc told her Jeff was the driving force behind the new hospital. Katy didn’t think he’d listened when she talked about her hometown. Maybe he meant it as a gift to her. Their relationship had been a bit rocky lately. They were both very busy people and sometimes it was hard to find time for each other. She hoped that would change after the wedding.

They followed Doc Johnson, their shoes squeaking on the waxed floors, through the foyer and down one of the long hallways to the day-patient wing. She smiled at the attention Jared’s lean body was getting from staff and patients alike, not that he seemed to notice.

Doc led them into a cubicle and pointed at a narrow steel bed along one wall. “Hop up there, and I’ll be right back with the sutures.”

Jared gave the bed a look between lowered brows and opted for leaning his bulk against the wall instead, his arms crossed over his chest.

Doc shook his head and patted Katy’s arm on his way out the door. “Always did have attitude, that one.”

Katy had to agree. Jared’s emotions always ran close to the surface. If he was mad, you knew it. Unlike Ty. Every time they’d ever argued it’d been like trying to pour cold molasses out of a can to get him to talk. No go. Maybe that’s why those two had managed to maintain their friendship all these years. It worked for them. It just hadn’t for her and Ty.

“What’s the matter, big guy? You scared of a little ol’ needle?” she teased, as she wandered around the tiny room, built for functionality instead of comfort. Katy could easily have done the stitching herself, she’d certainly had more than enough practice during her internship, but it was better at the hospital where there would be a record of his visit in case of infection. Always better to be safe when it came to Worker’s Compensation.

She could feel Jared’s gaze follow her meandering path and wondered what was on her friend’s mind. Katy moved to the detested steel examining table and hoisted herself up, swinging her legs like a child. “Talk to me, Jared. What’s going on?”

Instead of a direct answer he turned the question back on her. “I could ask you the same. Any girl I’ve ever known who thought herself
in
love
, couldn’t quit gushing about it, but you, you haven’t said a word.” He straightened from the wall and ambled across to stand in front of her. “Shouldn’t you be just a tad more excited, considering you’re about to get married?” Jared picked up the hand wearing Jeff’s weighty diamond ring and twisted it around to her palm. “Are you sure this is what you want, Katy Jane?”

Before she’d taken this trip into her past, the answer would have been a resounding yes. Jeff was handsome, smart, and dynamic. Everything she thought she wanted in a man. He wasn’t grumpy, annoying, or aggravating, like a certain restoration man she knew. But Katy also couldn’t discount her heart. The moment she’d seen Ty standing in a shaft of sunlight beside Jared’s truck, she’d known she was in trouble. All the old feelings, long ago buried if not quite forgotten, had risen to the top like a shaken soda-pop. It took everything she had not to rush from Jared’s arms into his. The only thing that stopped her was the dark frown on his too-handsome face the moment he caught sight of her.

“Of course I’m sure. I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise.” More than ready to change the subject, she glanced up through her lashes at Jared. “Other than Ty, have you run into any of the old gang yet? Like say, Annie Campbell?”

Jared froze for a split second, then let her hand fall back to her lap before swinging away. “Why do you ask about her?”

Hmm, that was interesting. Maybe the rumor mill was right this time. Katy had heard from her friend, Rebecca Sorenson, that Annie had been to see her and apparently when Jared’s name came up in the conversation she’d blushed seven shades of red. The women planned to get together next week for Annie’s birthday bash, so maybe she could pump her for info then.

“No reason, it’s just nice to catch up, that’s all. I hear Annie’s been dating Ty’s brother for a while now. Wonder if it’s serious?”

That got the sparks flying. Jared spun around, glared at her, then turned for the door, all pent-up energy and no place to go. “What’s taking so fricken long? I’m going to be healed up before they ever get around to sticking me.”

Just then a nurse stepped into the room. She could have been a quarterback in another lifetime. Hands on broad hips, she stared them down with a bulldog expression. “I’m Nurse Spencer, which one’s the patient?”

Katy smirked.