Duchess (5 page)

“She’s my daughter.”

He looked surprised, but only said, “Oh.”

“The real question, is how do you know my mother?” Katie crossed her arms again and clenched her teeth.

“Relax, Katie,” her mother answered. “He volunteers at Veterans’ Aid, like me.”

“Speaking of which, I didn’t see you yesterday. How am I supposed to get through a whole day without seeing your beautiful smile?” Chase said.

“Oh, you know how to make me blush.” Her mother’s cheeks actually pinked. “I haven’t been feeling well, but I’m much better now.” She beamed up at him, and he barked out a laugh.

Katie couldn’t believe it. Her mother was flirting with this man.

“Carter, what do you think about the benefit concert?” Shirley asked, changing topics like a light switch.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the music community to show how much they care about wounded veterans. It would show solidarity with each other and with the people who risk their lives for our country,” he answered.

It was a nice speech. Like he’d been practicing it.

“Yes, but Duchess doesn’t care about American soldiers, remember? What’s in it for a heartless, brainless person like her?” Katie couldn’t resist butting in.

“A chance to find a heart, and maybe a brain, too. Hey, maybe while we’re at it, she could find some courage.”

“What are you? The Wizard of Oz?”

“I’m definitely not the one with the flying monkeys.” His smug look gave her the sudden urge to drop a house on him.

Shirley cut in before Katie could respond. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable, Carter.”

“Fine,” Katie huffed, slamming the front door and turning toward the white living room. The walls and carpet glowed in the sunlight filtering in through the glass wall on the opposite side. The modern red couch and love seat stood out like blood on a vampire’s face. It was the type of room people expected when they went to a famous person’s house.

As she entered the room, she realized no one had followed her. Turning back, she heard her mother’s tinkling laugh coming from the entertainment room, which was furnished with their beat-up couch and scarred coffee table from the old apartment. With the exception of the new flat screen TV, she could almost imagine they were back at the apartment before her mother had been diagnosed with cancer, before Duchess had taken over her life.

Chase and Shirley were already sitting on the couch when she walked in, exchanging friendly banter and smiles. She tried to think about the last time she’d sat down with a friend and just relaxed and laughed. Of course, it was easy to figure it out—it had been at least two years. A longing in her chest tried to take hold, but Katie crushed it before she had a chance to think about it. Having friends meant sharing secrets. She couldn’t have that.

Katie decided it was time to find out what this guy wanted and send him on his way. “Mr. Chase, I thought our earlier conversation was clear. We both agreed that Duchess probably isn’t the best act for your concert.” Jutting out her chin, she sent him a stern look.

Chase stood up and returned her gaze with an easy smile. “Yes, Ms. Murphy, I thought about that, and I realized my opinion isn’t as important as what Veterans’ Aid is doing for the people who need their help. Look, ma’am, I know I was a real jerk, but please don’t take it out on the charity. I’m sure you can deal directly with Amber from now on. You won’t ever have to see me again. Please just ask Duchess if she could possibly do this concert.”

Katie tried to keep her face emotionless, though her eyes did want to stray to his biceps. Seriously, how much time did he have to work out? “I’m not sure this is the right opportunity for Duchess.”

“Come on, Katie Bug. You were just telling me that part of a great marketing plan includes kissing puppies and donating to charities.” Even Katie’s mother turned against her.

“Yes, donating. Not becoming the poster girl. Like Chase said, this is too important for the likes of m… of Duchess to taint it.” Katie couldn’t believe she’d almost slipped again. She’d never done that before, and now in less than thirty minutes, she’d done it twice.

“Normally, I would agree with you.” Chase put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “But unless Amber knows anyone else who’s the manager of a major pop star, I’m afraid you’re our only hope.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” She snorted.

“Look, I apologize for my behavior. I’ll get down on my knees and beg, if it would help. Please ask Duchess to play for the benefit concert.” His eyes went big and droopy, and Katie’s legs suddenly trembled.

“Begging on your knees, huh?” Katie watched as he paled slightly. He definitely didn’t think she would call him on his bluff.

“Well, I mean metaphorically, of course.”

“Of course,” Katie said with a smile. She couldn’t help but hold his gaze. Something in his eyes triggered something deep inside. Something told her she could trust him. Something kept her from wanting to look away, but she fought the feeling and looked down at her feet. Putting on her best smile, she looked up, careful not to engage his eyes again. “Okay. I’ll talk to Duchess about it, but no promises.”

“Really?” Why did he sound shocked? He must not have any faith in his dimple power. “Wow. I’ll let Amber know to call you, and you can deal with her from now on. I’ll get out of your hair, and you’ll never see me again.”

His last statement froze her smile in place. The thought of never seeing him again suddenly left her cold. She pushed the feeling away and focused on how happy he suddenly seemed.

“I know what you’re trying to do, Mr. Chase,” Katie said as she narrowed her eyes. “You’re trying to get me to plan the whole thing by making me angry.”

The smile slid off his face, and Katie knew she’d guessed correctly.

“What do you mean?” He tried for an innocent look, but she wasn’t buying it.

“You thought you could get me mad enough to say I didn’t want to work with you so you could tell Amber you tried your best. Then you wouldn’t have to do any of the work.” The look on his face added to Katie’s triumph. “That’s not going to work with me. In fact, you’ll be expected to do half of the planning, or I will not so much as mention the concert to Duchess. Deal?”

He blanched at her ultimatum. She nodded in satisfaction as she held out her hand.

Why did her mother look so smug?

“Fine.” Chase reached out and shook her hand briskly. Apparently, he’d decided not to argue for once. “But we get started right away. I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning.”

That wouldn’t work—Shirley had a new therapy to start. “I’m a very busy person. How does next Friday sound?”

“What’s the matter? Does Duchess have a nail appointment?” Katie opened her mouth, but her mother cut her off.

“I’m afraid it’s my fault. I have a spa treatment tomorrow. I’m not getting any younger, you know? I have to fight the good fight.” Shirley always called her chemo and radiation treatments her “spa appointments.” Katie couldn’t help but admire her mother’s ability to tell the truth without it actually being the truth.

His face softened as Shirley spoke. Katie couldn’t believe he was being charmed by her mother.

“Well, I think four o’clock next Friday will work.” Chase actually winked at her mom. Katie wasn’t sure she could take anymore.

“Good. Your first homework assignment is to find people to help with the concert. Remember, we’ll need a marketing team, set designers, and a backstage manager.”

“How am I supposed to find these people?” He looked to Shirley right as her face lit up.

“You can ask everyone at Veterans’ Aid to pitch in! Amber’s great at marketing—just look at how far Veterans’ Aid has come with her at the helm. And it would be good for Tommy to help with designing the sets. He needs to lose himself in work and feel useful again. You know everyone will jump at the chance to raise money for the new building.” Shirley sounded like she had it all figured out. Katie furrowed her brow at her mother’s sudden help.

“I guess so,” Chase answered slowly.

“Great. It’s settled!” Katie began to walk toward the door, then looked back expectantly. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Chase.”

For a moment, Katie didn’t think he’d gotten the hint. But then he took Shirley’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I hope to see you at Veterans’ Aid soon, Shirley.”

“Like I said, I’m feeling better already.” She smiled up at him.

Katie rolled her eyes. This was going to take forever.

“Yes, yes, we are all charmed, I’m sure.” Katie pointed down the hall toward the door. “We can all be charmed next Friday.”

He finally started toward the hallway, but instead of walking past her, he picked up her hand too and lightly brushed his lips across the back. “Don’t be jealous.” He winked, and Katie knew he was teasing her.

Heat rushed to her face, and his gaze sent an electric current through her body.

“Well, I’m sure Duchess will be happy to know that chivalry isn’t dead, Mr. Chase.” Her voice came out in a squeak as she pulled her hand out of his grasp.

He walked closer, and Katie gulped as he leaned in.

“You can call me Chase.” His husky voice struck a chord inside. Who was she kidding? He was conducting a whole orchestra with her senses.

She cleared her throat. “Um, yes. It was nice to meet you, Chase.”

“It was nice to meet you, Katie. I’ll show myself out.”

With that, he was gone. Katie let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. What had just happened? How could a person be such a jerk one second and leave her breathless the next?

“He’s a looker.”

Katie jumped. Her mother had walked up behind her.

“He’s all right,” Katie lied.

“Uh-huh.”

Katie refused to look at her mom. She knew she would see that smug look again.

“Oh, and Mom? You may want to keep your flirting to a minimum. He might think you’re a cougar.”

“A cougar?”

Only her mother could live in L.A. and not know what that meant.

“A …” She was going to say “older,” but changed her mind. “A mature woman who likes younger men. Like twenty-five-year-olds.”

“That’s ridiculous! Besides, Carter is twenty-eight. I already asked him.”

“I’m just saying.” Katie paused for a moment. “And that’s another thing. Why does he let you call him Carter and not Chase?”

“Oh, he tried to get me to call him by his last name when we first met. They all do at the center, but I refuse to call them by anything but their first names. I want to remind them that they weren’t always soldiers, that once, someone loved them enough to give them a first name.”

Katie knew her mother was thinking of David and quickly changed the subject.

“Come on, Mom. Let’s go get some dinner.”

Her mother swiped away the tears gathering in her eyes and put a smile on her face. “As long as it’s not fish ’n chips.”

Chapter Six

Chase walked up the long, winding driveway to Duchess’s mansion. His first meeting with Katie had left him confused. On one hand, he really didn’t want to plan a benefit concert—especially with Duchess as the main act. But he found himself intrigued by her manager. Remembering how her skin had felt against his lips as he’d kissed the back of her hand caused his pulse to race.

He wondered if part of his attraction to her had to do with the fact that she didn’t know about his leg. Their interaction had been the first time in a while that someone had actually looked at him with contempt and not pity. He smiled at how frustrated she’d been with him. The cracks in her professional demeanor gave him a glimpse into a personality she probably hid from most of the world. The question was, why did she hide? There was more to Katie Murphy than met the eye, and for some reason, he wanted to uncover the truth.

Ringing the doorbell, he wondered how this meeting would go. Katie answered the door. She looked quite different than she had at their first meeting. Instead of a professional business skirt, shirt, and a bun, she wore snug jeans and a bright blue blouse with flowing sleeves. Her hair was curled in big waves around her face, softening her features. For a moment, her beauty took his breath away. She gave him a pointed look, and he knew he should say something.

“Wow.” He couldn’t stop the appreciative reaction from coming out. This couldn’t possibly be the uptight woman he’d met before. “I didn’t know we were dressing up for this. I would have cleaned up.”

Katie rolled her eyes. “I have somewhere else to go tonight, so let’s get this over with.” She began walking toward the office again and he followed, but not without appreciating the sway of her hips.

“A hot date, huh?” He wasn’t sure why that thought bothered him.

“You could say that.” Her coy answer didn’t satisfy him in the least. “Did you do your homework?” She shot him a doubtful look.

“Yep. It was like Shirley said—everyone wanted to help. Here’s a list of what they each volunteered to do.”

Katie slid behind the desk, took the page out of his hand, and looked it over. The desk was littered with pictures of different musicians and venues. “Good. I’ve been putting together some thoughts and made a few phone calls. Nobody has gotten back to me yet, but I’m hoping to hear from some of them soon.” She was back to the emotionless, professional Katie he’d met first, though it didn’t fool him today. Especially not in that outfit.

“What about Duchess?” he asked.

“Duchess?” She looked worried for some reason.

“Yes. Did she agree to the concert?”

“Oh, yes. Though it was a tough sell, I managed to present it to her in the best light.” She hesitated a little before continuing. “How many artists were you hoping to have?”

“Um, I don’t know. How many do benefit concerts usually have?”

“There can be anywhere from one artist to eighteen, though I wouldn’t recommend going over nine. The concert gets really long at that point.”

“Okay. So, seven?” He wasn’t sure why he was here. She definitely knew what she was doing.

“That will work. Now, let’s see. We want to have some famous performers, but you want to intermix newer artists as well. They’re the ones who are hungry to get their names out there. They’ll do the concert for free, while some of the other artists will charge a slight fee.”