“I’m so sorry,” Kit said softly. “I shouldn’t have—your loss is so much more personal than—”
“No, we’re both putting it out there and we’ve both lost. We’ve both suffered, are suffering. You understand what that is. You’ve suffered personal loss, too. We both know life can be hard, sometimes a whole hell of a lot. But I can honestly say, nothing about having Lilly in my life, except the reason for it happening in the first place, is bad. I am terrified, pretty much daily, that I’ll screw it up, but I feel . . . honored and grateful, to have a hand in raising her.”
“You love her. So much. You won’t screw up.”
Morgan smiled and pressed the gas pedal as the traffic flowed forward again. “Yeah, well, I’ll believe that as soon as you believe you shouldn’t feel guilty for being pissed off.”
She laughed and so did he.
“God, this is all so . . . odd. You’re nothing like your family, or those I’ve met anyway. I think I see what you’re saying about them. I’ve never met your mother—the court proceedings were well underway when the accident happened. It was all over the news, of course, but I was so swamped with the court battle, I really didn’t pay attention to it, except I knew it was the son of the woman who owned the firm currently fighting me in court. I wondered if . . . it would stall anything, or change anything, or . . . I don’t know . . . cause the lawyers to be less—”
“Vicious?”
She shrugged. “Maybe. That’s a horrible thing to say, but they were relentless. The accident was so tragic and I couldn’t help wondering—because I lost both my parents the very same, very sudden way—how they could attack at the same time they were suffering such a loss. But there was never even a blip, not in court. Not so much as a time extension for them to handle things. Nothing. I realize it’s a big firm, but there were lawyers at that table with the same last name as yours, so I assumed . . .” She shook her head. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have said anything. I understand now, at least a little. That’s all I was trying to say.”
“Just as I understand why hearing my name made you take such a big mental step backward.”
She slid a glance his way, but his attention was on the road. “Teddy is a lot like your family. So, I guess, is my sister. Do you know she was furious with me, utterly furious, when she heard I was going to fight the sale? She said I was betraying family, taking Teddy and the snack company to court.” Kit laughed, albeit with no humor. “I felt like I’d stepped into an alternate universe where everyone else was suddenly speaking an entirely different language.”
Morgan surprised her by chuckling. “You just described pretty much every day of my childhood.”
Smiling with him, she glanced his way. “Maybe it’s just us, and we’re the weirdos.”
“If we’re the weirdos, I’ll take that over normal every day and twice on Sundays.” He looked over at her just then, and though he held her gaze for only a moment, the connection between them was as palpable as if he’d reached out and caressed her. “Thanks for keeping me company in Weirdo World.”
She laughed, but her body was having a far more . . . involved reaction. He was just so . . . wonderful, really. She wanted him. Wanted the real touch to go with that palpable, imagined one.
“And to think, I’m still single, with lines like that,” he said dryly. “Shocker, really.”
“And to think I took it as a compliment,” she replied, laughing. “We really are in Weirdo World.”
“Well, I’m off to rescue mutant-sized turtles, and I’ve left my only niece in the care of a Mohawked, multiple-pierced young woman who has a fairy wing tattoo that my five-year-old niece seriously covets, so, I suppose Weirdo World really is somewhat applicable.” He laughed. “It’s a good thing my family can’t see what’s going on or they’d sue to get her back.”
Kit raised her eyebrows as her libido took an instant dive. “You’ve seen Dre’s tattoos?”
“Tattoo,” he replied. “As in one. Singular. She showed it to Lilly the day we stopped by the shop when Lilly had on her fairy costume.” He glanced over at Kit and his eyes widened. He chuckled as he turned his attention back to the road. “You didn’t seriously think that I’d—I mean, she’s at least ten years younger than—” He shook his head. “Now who’s the weirdo?”
Kit shrugged, but she was fighting a laugh. “She’s an amazing young woman, and, as she says, age is just a number.”
“You know, she said something like that earlier, back at the center, only I don’t think it was supposed to be a compliment.” He slowed the truck and made the turn toward Jekyll. He was silent for a moment; then, as if he’d been debating saying it, he kind of blurted, “She also said they’re rooting for me, whoever ‘they’ are. I wasn’t sure what that meant. It was when she made the age crack.”
Kit had to smile or be mortified. She couldn’t believe Dre had told him the Cupcake Club was trying to play matchmaker. Well, she could believe it, but never considered they’d actually take a hands-on approach. Okay, Alva maybe. And Franco. She sighed, then laughed. Or all of them. “What does it say about us when we’re the weird ones and Dre is the one who gets it?”
Morgan chuckled. “I don’t think I want an answer to that.”
Kit glanced over at him and smiled. “She calls you Uncle Hunk.” Fair was fair, after all.
Kit thought Morgan might have choked.
“What?”
“Oh, come on. Surely it’s not a surprise that women find you appealing.” She grinned. “Alva calls you that, too.”
“Birdie’s friend, Alva? She’s like, what—”
“Eighty-four. See, your appeal knows no age boundaries.” Kit laughed again when she saw a bit of color bloom in his cheeks. God, he was sexy, charming, and ridiculously adorable. She was in so much trouble. “She and Dre are both Cupcake Club members.”
She realized her mistake when he turned his very knowing grin on her. “Ah. So that would be who is rooting for me, I’m guessing. Hmm. Rooting for me in what manner, I wonder?” He slowed at another red light. “I don’t suppose you’d care to . . . illuminate?”
“I don’t suppose I would.” She strove to sound prim and proper, which was totally ruined when he snickered and she joined in, helpless against it.
They were still laughing when the light turned green. “Weirdo World, indeed,” she said, when she could find air.
He grinned at her. “We’re quite the pair.”
“So you keep telling me,” she said dryly. Their gazes caught, held for a moment, as he slowed to take a turn.
They bumped into the parking lot of the research center. “Maybe if I tell you often enough, you’ll believe me.”
Chapter 13
“
O
h, my goodness. Morgan, look how small they are.”
Kit walked around the holding tank for two of the little Hawksbills they were taking back to Sugarberry, a look of delight and wonder on her face. She crouched down to watch them through the glass. “Oh, no, look. That one has only three flippers.”
Morgan came around her side and bent down to watch with her. “Seems to be doing pretty well with them, though.”
“Yeah, he does. Still . . .” She turned her gaze to his. “Lilly is going to totally fall in love with him, you know.”
That was the moment it hit him. Truly, for sure, it hit him. Right next to a turtle holding tank on Jekyll Island.
He’d lost count of the number of times he’d heard the “when the right person comes along, you’ll just know” advice. He’d never really believed it. He’d dated, often, in fact, during his years in Colorado, and could recall, quite fondly, the women he’d spent time with. They’d had lively, deep, stimulating conversations about politics, the environment, world peace, and philosophy. Wasn’t that what connecting and chemistry was all about? He’d always thought something would slowly evolve from there. But . . . it never had.
Not until that moment by the turtle tanks. Staring into green eyes and an open, honest smile, it finally had evolved.
In the short time they’d known each other, he’d opened up to Kit, talked about himself, his family, his goals . . . something he’d never done before. She had, too, and he doubted that was the norm for her, either. Maybe it was the unusual connection they’d had to one another that had allowed it to happen so swiftly; he didn’t know.
He used to think it was about time spent together, that a relationship eventually would grow if given the right amount of attention . . . but this road trip was the longest they’d spent in the company of one another. Over the past two hours—hell, every time they’d had even a brief conversation—it had been meaningful in ways that had nothing to do with deep thoughts about current world events, and everything to do with connecting to each other on an intimate, personal level.
The karmic joke was on him. He finally understood, finally
knew
. . . and he was the last man on earth she wanted to get involved with.
But that sense of rightness, of connection was there. It wasn’t just him, and it wasn’t going to go away just because she wished it would.
Just be there, involve yourself . . . and see where that takes you,
he thought. Worst case . . . she stuck to her friends-only edict and he ended up with someone in his life who was important to him, special, and who cared about Lilly.
Best case? Well, he didn’t want to think that far ahead. One step at a time.
“Morgan?”
He snapped from his reverie . . . and curled his fingers into his palms to keep from cupping her face in his hands and lowering his mouth to hers. The urge to . . . what, claim? Yes. Claim. That was the only way to describe the primal feeling coursing through him. It was crazy. He’d never been the stake-his-claim kind of guy. And yet . . . with her . . .
“I was just imagining Lilly’s face when she sees this little guy.”
That wasn’t entirely true. At that moment, he’d been wondering what she’d do if he leaned in and kissed her. If he started by claiming her mouth . . . and went from there.
Her eyes softened. “I know. Can’t say as I’ll blame her, either. Do you think . . . have you thought about her getting attached to these guys?”
He fought to get his thoughts—and needs—back on track. “Yeah, it worries me, a little. She doesn’t need more loss in her life right now. I’ve talked to Gabe, and he’s suggested that we let her be part of the releases, when the time comes. So she can see the turtles going back to their homes. I figure—as unfortunate as it is—there are always going to be new temporary residents for her to get involved with. If she sticks with it, stays interested, then she’ll just have to learn that her role in their lives is to help them get back home, and see that as a good thing.”
“That’s a great idea.” Kit’s smile spread, warmed, as she continued to hold his gaze.
Such a change from where they were the last time they’d spent time in each other’s company. He couldn’t squelch the leap of hope, didn’t want to. He wanted to slide his hand in hers, tuck her next to his side, and share the moment with her. Such a simple desire, and yet nothing about it was simple. It was complex and richly layered, and felt oh-so-good.
Our . . . um . . . .indeed.
“I know you’re worried,” she said, mistaking his silence for concern. “About taking care of her, raising her. God knows, I’d be terrified half the time, too, maybe all the time. It’s a huge responsibility. You clearly love her, but what will get you through is that you are looking out for her.”
“Thank you. I’m just doing the best I can.”
She laid her hand on his arm. “That’s all anyone can do.” She squeezed, then let go, turning her attention back to the tank.
As swiftly as his grand ideas of slowly romancing Kit had come to mind, the reality of where that would inevitably lead crashed his fanciful dreams right back down to earth. Even if she could get past the fact that he was a Westlake and decide she was ready to take on the emotional challenges of a relationship, the fact was, he didn’t come solo. He was part of a package deal. With everything she’d been through, the new challenges she’d taken on, and starting her life over, he sincerely doubted she was looking for a ready-made family to top things off. No matter how much she cared about Lilly. And he couldn’t blame her.
It made his desire to turn her face back to his, then lean in and take her mouth in a slow, deep, claiming kiss all the more difficult to deal with.
“Morgan? Kit? We’re ready for you in the back.”
They rose and turned as the research center tech guided them to the rear of the facility to help load the mature turtle onto the truck. As they started to go through the swinging doors, the tech turned back to them. “Fair warning. Our newest residents are back here and they’re not in the best shape.”
“Okay,” Morgan said. “Thanks.”
Kit was in front of him and he could feel her hesitation. He leaned down and quietly said, “I can take care of this part if you want me to. You can use the regular exit, meet us back there by the truck.”
He wasn’t sure how the offer would be received; she was a pretty independent sort.
She glanced up at him with sadness and concern in her gaze. “If I want to deal with these turtles and be a volunteer, then I need to see this, too.”
“Are you sure? Because—”
She nodded. “Yeah, I am. But . . . thank you.”
It has hard not to comfort her, the inclination was so natural, so normal. He tucked his hands in the lab coat they’d given him to protect his clothes while they moved the turtles. It was that or tuck her next to his side.
Evidently, the Westlake training had stuck with him, since he’d never thought of himself as a nurturing type. He’d never had the chance to show it or a reason to feel it. Then Lilly had come into his life and brought out his nurturing side. Reflecting on that, he realized his whole career was indicative of that quality. So . . . maybe that’s what this desire to reach out for Kit was all about. She needed. And he needed. Maybe that’s all it was.
And yet . . . he felt that he
knew
her. And she knew him—possibly better than anyone ever had.
The tech pushed through the heavy swinging doors and Kit followed, with Morgan just behind her.
He’d seen plenty of photos of turtles in all stages of distress. None of them had prepared him for the reality of what the folks at the research center were dealing with, firsthand.
Kit gasped when she saw the condition of the huge leatherback. The side of his powerful jaw was mangled, his shell had been badly damaged, and one flipper had been torn completely off. Her hand flew up to her mouth and her step faltered.
As naturally as he did with Lilly, Morgan took her by the shoulders and turned her around, into the shelter of his body. She didn’t fight him. He could feel her trembling, and bent his head, pressing his lips against her hair.
“Morgan,” she said shakily, and he could hear the tears threatening.
“I know, I know.” he said quietly.
“My God.” She shuddered, and he drew her fully into his arms and held her.
He caught the eye of the tech, who’d turned back to see where they were. The young man nodded and mouthed
sorry.
Morgan nodded back. “Just give us a minute, okay?”
“Sure. Meet you out back.”
“I-I should be able to handle it.” Kit’s voice was barely above a whisper. “They need us. I mean, I knew that, but now . . .”
“Now you’ll just work harder,” he murmured. “They need help through all the stages of recovery. Anything you do, any step you involve yourself in, helps them.” He felt her nod against his chest and gently eased her head back, tipping her face up to his. “We don’t have to do it all. We just have to do what we can, what we’re able to do. Lilly, me, you.”
Her eyes were full of unshed tears. “Right. You’re right.” She took a steadying breath and started to turn her head toward the techs who were working, but Morgan shifted her face back to his.
“Let’s go out back, help the ones we can, and get back on the road to Sugarberry.” When he thought she might resist, might force herself to look again, he cupped her cheek with his palm. “We’re helping them, Kit. And by getting these other guys out of here, we’re helping that guy, too. Okay?”
She nodded, and he shifted next to her, providing a screen between the work going on and the path to the door. He kept a soothing hand on her back, guiding her toward the tech motioning them through another door.
“Thank you,” she told the young man, as they followed him to the holding area. “For what you’re doing.”
He smiled with understanding. “Thank you for what you’re doing.”
Kit sniffled one last time before wiping her eyes, then shook it off as best she could and forced a smile. “Okay. So . . . what do we do?”
The tech smiled at her. “Right this way.”
She glanced up at Morgan, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her. “Thank you, too.”
“Anytime,” he replied, feeling his heart begin that long, steep slide.
He was in serious trouble.