Her Accidental Boyfriend: A Secret Wishes Novel (Entangled Bliss) (15 page)

“It’s my pleasure.” She lifted the small glass enclosure so she could meet Patrick eye-to-eye. “You’ve got his food with you too?”

Bobby pulled out a tiny container from his pocket.

“I’ll take that, buddy,” Shane said.

“He only needs a little bit every day. If you feed him too much he could die.”

Kagan lowered the fish bowl and met Bobby’s blue eyes. “I promise to feed him the perfect amount once a day, then.”

Bobby smiled and Kagan’s heart melted. “Thanks.” He turned, skipped down the walkway, and called over his shoulder, “See you in four days.”

Shane shut the door while Kagan put her new friend on the entryway table. Her first pet-sitting job. Warmth filled her chest.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” Shane said, putting the food beside Patrick the Fish.

“What what means?”

“It means I get to do the babysitter.”

Kagan laughed, tilted her head to the side. “I guess it does.” She leaned in to

reconnect, but the doorbell sounded again. “Bobby must have forgotten to tell me something.” She swung the door wide only to be greeted by Sela.

“Shane,” she said, her voice cracking.

He immediately stepped through the door and took his sister in his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Dad. He’s in the hospital. He and mom were driving home from dinner when a car in front of them flipped off the side of the road. Dad pulled over to help rescue the driver.” She paused to clear her throat. “The car was on fire. He got the woman out, but was burned in the process. He’s at Cascade General.”

Shane stepped back. “He going to be okay?” Worry sounded in his voice.

Sela nodded. “I think so, but—”

“Thanks for stopping here on the way. Let’s go.”

Kagan took his hand and squeezed. “Why don’t I follow you and Sela there?”

Shane gave her an appreciative smile. “That’d be great.”

She grabbed her purse and keys, flipped the switch for the porch light, and trailed after them down the walkway. “Your dad’s a tough guy. He’ll be all right.”

“I hope so. It’s weird. He’s been a firefighter my whole life, and this is the first time he’s been injured. And he wasn’t even on duty.”

“I feel like firemen are always on duty.”

“You’re right,” Sela said. “Nothing stops my dad from helping someone in need.” She moved around the hood of her car and got in.

Shane leaned against the passenger door for a moment, like he needed to catch his breath.

Kagan put her arms around his waist, her chin on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.”

“You know I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.”

He didn’t really. He didn’t know that she thought she might always want to be there for him. That despite her best efforts, she’d started to fall in love with him.

…

From his chair in the corner, Shane glanced around the standing room only hospital waiting area. He’d picked the isolated seat on purpose. He didn’t want to talk to the firemen that had come to check on his dad or Mrs. Witt or Milt or Luke’s parents or Mrs. Finnegan or the mayor or anyone else.

The doctor had said his dad would be fine, that the second and third degree burns to his torso and left arm weren’t life threatening, but Shane still needed to go over it all in his head. Put the pieces together in a way that made sense to him, that helped him get over the fact his father could have been injured far worse tonight.

He thought best on his own and always had. That’s what made him a good project manager. His single-minded focus ensured that his team stayed centered on the end goal. Right now his solitude guaranteed he didn’t lose his cool in front of a crowd.

His heart, though, was long gone, and hell if that didn’t blow his best-laid plans right out of the water.

Kagan Owens Donaldson owned him heart and soul.

She sat on his mom’s left. Sela sat on his mom’s right. And damn if that picture didn’t dropkick his reservations on love into the next orbit. When he’d gotten to the hospital his mom had looked as though she’d aged ten years. Now she wore a look that said,
with my girls here I’ll be okay.

My girl
, Shane thought, not for the first time.

More than once he’d watched his mom touch Kagan’s arm, smile at something Kagan said, squeeze her hand in motherly fashion.

And Kagan soaked it all up with equal admiration and consolation. Shane hadn’t believed in heartstrings, but he did now, because he’d felt a tugging in his chest unlike anything he’d experienced before.

Cut them, dude. She’s not staying in Cascade.

Luke slid a chair over, crashing into Shane’s invisible barrier and sitting his ass down. “You okay?” Luke said.

“When am I not?”

“Exactly.”

Shane frowned. “What does that mean?”

“If you weren’t okay, would you tell anyone? You keep your shit to yourself.”

“Because I don’t have any.”

“Not true. We all have shit.”

“You trying to be a pain in my ass?” Shane crossed his arms. His gaze landed on Kagan for the hundredth time. She smiled at him, and his heart stopped
for the hundredth time
. She had a direct link to the damn thing.

Even in a sterile, ugly, yellow-tinted, sickly environment, she got to him.

“I’m trying to tell you it won’t kill you to let someone in.”

“Sela sent you, didn’t she? She wants to know about my
feelings.
”

Luke chuckled. “Pretty close. Talk to your sister, would you? She told me you clammed up on the ride over and she’s worried about—”

“Send her over.”

“Seriously?” Luke stood, probably knowing he’d better act quickly or Shane might change his mind.

“Why not? With everyone as my witness this will buy me years of exemption from future discussions when she says I never talk to her.”

Shane’s best friend shook his head with a grin. “Take it easy on her. She might be more used to this hospital routine than the rest of us, but it’s her dad this time and she’s pretty worked up about it.”

“I know.”

He watched Sela wrap her arms around Luke and then turn her attention on him. Yeah, she worked in the hospital as an RN, but Luke was right—weariness had crept into her usually cheerful eyes. She plopped down and picked up his hand.

“When Dad gets out of here I’m going to kill him.”

Shane laughed. “Yeah?”

“He can’t just go playing Superman whenever he feels like it. He’s not getting any younger, and one day he’s going to have grandchildren he needs to be around for.”

“Luke know about this?”

She elbowed him. “Shut up.”

“Dad isn’t going to change. And I don’t think we’d want him to. Sure, this scared the crap out of us, but hell if I don’t admire him for it too. He’s a good role model for everyone in this town.”

She sighed and leaned back against her seat. “The woman trapped in the car is out of surgery and going to be fine.”

“That’s great news. I heard Mrs. Witt say she’s baking pies for everyone to celebrate.”

“Dad’s going to have scars,” Sela said, her voice cracking.

“They won’t bother him.” Nothing bothered his dad. The older Sullivan knew how to let things he couldn’t change roll off his shoulders.

“So you, big brother”—Sela nudged his shoulder—“you need to talk and help get my mind off this stuff.”

“What about?”

“Your love life.”

Shit. He had a love life.

Shane ran a hand along his jaw. “I don’t know what you want me to say.” He really didn’t. He had no clue how to describe the emotions Kagan built inside him. Because that’s what she’d done. She’d found the blueprints to bring him to his knees and want for things he’d convinced himself he didn’t deserve.

“Are you falling in love with her?”

“Get right to it, why don’t you?” It was fine for him to interfere in his little sister’s life, but he didn’t like her interrogation one bit.

“I just wish you’d talk to me more.”

“I talk to you.”

She turned to face him. “Not about the things I really want to know.”

Shane smirked. He couldn’t help it. When they were young, Sela had followed him around hoping to “catch his dust,” she’d say. When they got to be teenagers she didn’t follow as close, but he always knew she was on the periphery, hoping he’d let her inside his world. And now as adults, she didn’t need him anymore, but wanted to know him anyway.

“I’m afraid I’ll hurt her,” Shane admitted.

“I can see why you’d think that.” She nodded in annoying agreement. Wasn’t she supposed to make him feel better?

“What?”

“But don’t let your ego get in the way of seeing where things might lead.”

“Huh?” This was worse than when Luke tried to pull his psychology crap.

Sela chuckled. If nothing else, he was happy he could amuse her and relax some of the worry lines creasing her forehead.

“Girls have always thrown themselves at you, and you’ve left a trail of broken hearts.” She narrowed her eyes. “Except that one time in grad school that you refuse to talk about.”

“Your point?”

“My point is I’ve never seen you happier, and I don’t want you to blow it by running away. You can spend your life running or you can take a risk and stay. I think Kagan’s worth staying for.”

He kept quiet, absorbing those words.

“Not that you asked for my opinion,” Sela added. “But there hasn’t been any other girl from your past who would be sitting in a hospital waiting room next to our mom and looking like she belonged.”

Shane lifted his gaze from the industrial carpet, and when his eyes met Kagan’s, the warmth and affection he found confirmed everything his sister had said. Did Kagan realize how much she did belong?

He stayed in those deep green springs for he didn’t know how long. She seemed as mesmerized as he did, caught in something neither wanted to break. His skin heated as waves of affection and so much more crashed over him.

Sela cleared her throat. “Erin was so right. You should go get her, buy her a coffee, and tell her you love her.”

“I never said—”

“You didn’t have to.” She leaned over to knock her shoulder against his arm. “And don’t worry. I’m pretty sure she loves you back.”

Kagan loved him? He knew she liked him. But love seemed like a stretch given she’d made it plain that this boyfriend thing was only temporary, and she had plans to move back to New York. Would she stay if he asked her to, though? Could he convince her to give them a try? A real try? Would he still get the promotion if she did?

Shane looked at his watch. They’d been in the waiting room for three hours. Coffee and time alone with Kagan sounded great.

“Thanks, sis. I’ll bring coffee back for everyone.” He started to stand but paused when Jeremy walked into the room and his gaze landed right on his mom.

The
Cascade Gazette
’s newest and brightest reporter no doubt had been sent to get the scoop on the accident. Jeremy covered all the human-interest stories for the
Life
section of the paper, but there wasn’t a chance Shane was letting him talk to his mom tonight.

Before he’d taken a step, though, Kagan popped to her feet. She smiled in Jeremy’s direction and wove around Mrs. Witt and Mrs. Finnegan until she stood eye to eye with Jeremy and they shook hands.

Jeremy took in Kagan with way more appreciation than necessary, and Shane saw red. He clenched his jaw and fisted his hands as he made his way over.

“I’d be happy to—” Kagan was saying before pausing as Shane approached.

“Happy to what?” Shane asked, putting his arm around her. “Hey, Jeremy. They’ve got you working late tonight.”

“Hi, Shane. Yeah, I told my boss it should wait until tomorrow, but he didn’t agree. I’m sorry about your dad.”

“Thanks.”

“I was just about to tell Jeremy I’d be happy to give him that interview now,” Kagan said. She put her palm on Shane’s chest and leaned into him. “The last thing your mom wants to do is talk about what happened, but Jeremy can’t go back without a story.” She looked over her shoulder, and Shane followed her line of vision. His mom was smiling at something Luke’s mom had said. Their fingers were intertwined like young girls and a sense of calm seemed to have settled over them.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow,” Kagan said. She kissed his cheek. “You ready, Jeremy? How about we do this over a burger and fries?”

“Kagan.” His heart was breaking and swelling at the same time. It killed him that she was walking away to do something she didn’t want to do, and that she was doing it for his family.

She ran the pad of her thumb across his cheek. “No worries. I’ve got this.”

“Kagan Donaldson,” Jeremy said. “You’ve got yourself a deal.” He lifted his elbow and put out his arm. Kagan took it and Shane watched them leave.

What she’d just done went beyond what he could comprehend at the moment. Something balmy filled his chest so fully he thought he might burst from the feel of it.

They rounded the corner and Shane
knew
. He knew his sister was right and he was in love with Kagan.

Chapter Twelve

What’s black and white and red all over?

The newspaper.

Oh my God, if that dumb joke ran through Kagan’s head one more time, she was going to get drunk so she’d pass out and forget it.

It really ticked her off that something so lightweight and made out of paper could have such a huge effect on her. She stared at the folded
Cascade Gazette
sitting on her dining table like it was a two-headed snake ready to strike.

Maybe no one even noticed the article about her.

Maybe Jeremy had written something nice and not twisted her words or let what he thought he knew about her cloud his opinions.

Pick up the paper and read it already!

And what an awful person she was to be so worried about a stupid newspaper article when Shane’s dad lay in a hospital bed recovering from serious burns.

Henry was going to be fine, but still. She’d visited him yesterday at the hospital and by all accounts he’d looked good. Shane, Sela, and Meg had barely left his side and once he’d been moved out of the burn unit, he’d had dozens of visitors. The second-degree burns on his torso were healing nicely. The third-degree wounds on his arm would take longer.

Shane’s rough and groggy voice when he’d called her late last night had tied her stomach in knots. She admired the love and devotion he had for both his parents. But jealousy reared its head a bit and she didn’t like that about herself. For the millionth time, she wished her mom were still here.

She wished for things to be different with her dad.

She wondered what it would be like to be included in Shane’s family for real.

She picked up the newspaper and flipped to the
Life
section. A picture of her and Shane from way back at the Fourth of July carnival accompanied the article. They were smiling—no, grinning like they’d just misbehaved—and without warning Kagan’s legs almost gave out. She sat at the table and remembered.

They’d run into each other at the strawberry shortcake stand, and for those few minutes in line she’d been happy. Really happy. Later that night when they’d bumped into each other again for the fireworks, sparks had ignited from the top of her head to the tips of her toes whenever he’d brushed her arm or focused his attention on her, paying no mind to the other women eyeing him like they wanted to gobble him up.

A lovesick sigh brought her back to the present. She shook her head, moved her gaze to the article, and started to read. She fully expected to stop after the first paragraph when Jeremy painted her just like all the other reporters—this time with ammunition in regards to her love life. Thank you Brett and Candace.

But Jeremy didn’t do that. He mentioned Brett, her father’s famous days as an actor before he gave up Hollywood for a career in business, Shane, but then focused solely on her, painting her in a totally different light. He credited her with living life on her own terms and settling in Cascade because it reminded her of happy times in her youth. Jeremy had listened, not judged, and emphasized her new jewelry venture and dedication to the Crown & Anchor. Her happy face and friendly disposition, Milt had been quoted as saying, had increased his business and pushed his
Best of the Best
ranking in the local restaurant newsletter back into the top three. Several other townspeople gave quotes too.

She wiped away the tears streaming down her face. The town knew who she was and they didn’t care.

Thoughts of her dad skittered through her mind. She wanted him to understand, to
know
her. It didn’t matter what Brett reported back anymore. The months away spent with people who valued family and community above all else had softened her heart toward her father, and she wanted to make him
see
. See that things could be different between them if he’d just show some self-restraint and trust she knew what was best.

Was this life she’d created in Cascade what was best for her? She’d spent time yesterday making bracelets, working on a website for Victoria’s Bloom, ordering more supplies and filing the paperwork for her business license…and she’d loved it all. For the first time ever she was in control of her own life, and the feelings of accomplishment and hope and pride had edged out the feelings of despair and unease and misery.

Her cell phone rang, startling her, and she blinked away her thoughts. She glanced at the screen.
Brett.
Her voice full of caution, she said, “Hello?” It unnerved her that he’d phoned just as she’d thought of him and her dad.

“Meet me in half an hour at Crem’s?” he said.

“Perfect.” She’d tell him to go home. That she’d follow when she was ready. She dropped one flake of food into Patrick’s bowl and left.

When she walked into the bakery, the smell of chocolate filled her senses and the tension in her neck calmed down. “Hi.” She took a seat across from Brett at a small round table.

He put a straw in what looked like an iced blended coffee. She’d never seen him drink one before. He slid it over to her. “For you. Mine should be up next.”

Her eyes widened, then narrowed.

“You can stop looking at me like I’m a foreign object,” he said. “I do have a few nice bones in my body.”

“Really?” She didn’t trust a word out of his mouth, or a gesture that included him putting a straw in her drink. What in the world?

A coffee order was called out and he rose to get it. After sitting back down he lifted his drink and said, “Truce.”

“What do you want?” She rubbed her thumb across the condensation on her cup. That’s as close as she was getting to it. And a truce? Yeah, right.

“I just told you.”

“After what you did, you think I’d meet you halfway on anything?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Good.”

“Your dad needs me for a meeting in the morning.” He leaned back. “He’s hoping you’ll be with me.”

Ah, there was his angle. Kagan gripped the seat of her chair. “You know that’s not happening.”

“Your father misses you, Kay. I’ve never heard him sound so…so sad before.”

“Don’t try to make me feel guilty. This is all on his shoulders, and he never should have sent you here knowing how I felt. My father should have flown here himself to see me.” She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth, and it landed in her stomach with a painful squeeze. He’d sent a letter. He’d given what she’d given. Responded in kind. And she’d been afraid to read what he thought about her actions.

Brett rubbed his jaw. “I’m not so sure he won’t. He’s distraught, Kay.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “I’m not going back yet.”
Maybe not ever
.

He narrowed his eyes. “How about just for the weekend? Say your piece and then fly back? Your father does deserve further explanation.”

“I thought that’s why you were here.”

“I’m not going to speak for you, just about you.”

Kagan squirmed. “What are you going to tell him?”

“The truth.” Brett waited a beat and Kagan’s heart stopped. “That you’re happy here.” He took a sip of his drink. “For now.”

Air whooshed back into her lungs. “Why are you being nice all of a sudden?”

Brett shrugged. “Don’t think I’m doing you any favors here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saw the article in the
Gazette
. You can bet the Associated Press is going to get wind of it, and it’s going to be national news by tomorrow. You don’t give interviews, Kagan. And now everyone knows you left New York. Left your father.” He leaned forward. “Your freedom just went bye-bye.”

She gulped. She hadn’t even thought of that. All at once, the room seemed to shrink and the heat shot up a notch. She wiped her sweaty palms down her skirt. “What do I do?” she muttered.

“Not much you can do.” He glanced at his silver watch. “I should get going. If you change your mind you know where to find me.”

Her body shook. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. Would more journalists seek her out? And if that happened, what would it mean for Shane? His family? She’d wanted to help Shane’s parents by giving Jeremy an interview, but instead she needed to warn them. Now there was a good chance they’d have outside press asking them questions.

Erin scooted into Brett’s vacated chair. “Why do you look like your dog just died?”

Kagan blinked back tears.

“Hey.” Erin put her hand on Kagan’s arm. “What’s up? If it’s Shane, I’m going to kick his ass.”

She gave Erin a weak smile. “It’s not Shane. It’s… it’s not something…” Staring into Erin’s sympathetic eyes, Kagan realized she had a friend. “It’s my father.”

“Oh, you mean,
famous Hollywood actor who starred in my favorite movie of all time
?” she said super fast, then slowing down added, “Yeah. I’ve read some things about him lately.” Erin smiled. “Nice interview in the paper this morning. You rocked the whole billionaire’s daughter to small town girl angle. And,” she let go of Kagan’s arm. “You are excellent at keeping a secret. But don’t worry. I still love you.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Who’s gonna be mad? You didn’t hurt anybody, and this town loves a good story. I could totally do something crazy right now and no one would notice.”

Kagan laughed. “Make it really crazy, would you? I hate being in the limelight.”

“There’s more to the story, though, isn’t there?”

“There always is, right?” She couldn’t bring herself to spill the truth about her and Shane.

“I won’t tell anyone.” Erin settled into her seat like she was ready for a long, juicy story.

“Maybe sometime, but not today, okay? I’m worried about the attention Cascade might get now. Not to mention Shane and his family.”

“Has Shane always known who you are?”

“Since… Since we’ve been together, yes.” Her stomach did a little backflip at that. Shane knew everything, and he’d stuck by her. If the media pursued him and his family, though, would he still? Would the truth come out about their relationship?

Erin’s gaze moved somewhere across the bakery. Kagan turned. Troy and another paramedic were sitting at a table. Troy noticed them and got up. “Hey, Erin. Kagan. I’m glad I ran into you.”

“You are?” Erin asked, a little hitch in her voice.

“I am. How’s your hand?”

Erin lifted her arm and showed Troy her palm. “Almost good as new.”

Troy held her wrist and ran his thumb over the scar. Kagan could swear she saw Erin shiver. “You’re right. You heal nicely.” He let go.

“Thanks.” Erin slid her gaze down Troy’s tall, uniformed body, then back up.

“I was at the hospital earlier and stopped in to say hello to Captain Sullivan. He’s in good spirits,” Troy said.

Kagan looked up into Troy’s caring eyes. “Yeah. I think he’s going home tomorrow.”

“He mentioned stopping by the station on Saturday, and he seemed pretty anxious to get out of there, so I’m sure it will happen.” He turned his attention to Erin. “Will you ladies be at the Crown & Anchor later?”

“I won’t. Shane and I are headed into Portland for a concert. I’ll be back on shift tomorrow, though. I’m sorry I’m going to miss the soft opening tonight. The place looks really good.”

“I’ll be there,” Erin said. “My baby sister Teague’s dragging me out with her.”

“Dragging?” Troy said.

“I’ve got a group of zip-liners at the crack of dawn tomorrow, which means I need to get my ass out of bed at four-thirty, which means no drinking and staying out past my bedtime. So yeah, I’m going reluctantly.”

“How about I buy you a pineapple juice then?”

“How about you buy a drink for Teague? She’s all over guys in uniforms.”

“And you’re not?” Troy teased.

“Troy,” the other paramedic shouted from across the room. “We’ve got a call.”

“I need to go. Catch you later.” He had a dazzling smile, and it was directed solely at Erin.

“I think he likes you,” Kagan said after he’d left.

Erin watched his retreat and if Kagan had to guess, her friend liked him back. “Not even, but I’ve sworn off men. They’re all just big jerks hoping to score before they move on to the next girl.”

“Troy doesn’t strike me as that kind of guy.”

“That makes him even worse.” Erin moved to the edge of her chair. “I’m going to get a muffin. Want anything?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

Kagan swiped at some more condensation on her cup. Something must have happened to Erin to make her so weary of guys, and she wished she knew the right words to say. But the truth was, she was involved with exactly the type Erin had described.

She and Shane could stop pretending now that Brett was leaving town. Only she didn’t want to—at least for tonight. She wanted one more day with him before he moved on to the next girl.

Because she loved him.

…

Half-naked women filled The Wind Jammer, but Shane only had eyes for Kagan. Her short white skirt showed off her mile-long tanned legs and her loose, multi-colored blouse kept sliding off one shoulder. Shane wanted to lick the smooth curve every damn time. And her shoes? Holy crap. He couldn’t remember the fancy name of the designer, but she was keeping those heels on when he had his way with her later tonight.

They’d danced during the concert with the standing room only crowd and now music from the house band poured through the speakers. Standing near the bar, Shane watched the zigzagging light bouncing off antique chandeliers and casting Kagan in an angelic glow that made him want to do very dirty things to her.