“Believe me, I intend to.” And this time she would force herself to listen with her head instead of her heart.
Hokey, silly, stupid, corny, old-fashioned. Tyler could think of a hundred adjectives to describe the auction taking place in Castleton’s town square. But none of those adjectives would adequately describe the excitement of the crowd. There were more than thirty picnic baskets up for auction and at least a hundred people milling about, preparing to make their bids.
“Mr. Jamison, are you bidding on a basket tonight?” a woman named Margaret asked him. Margaret was in her mid-fifties and worked the front desk of the hotel where he was staying.
“I’m not sure yet. They look good, though. I’m starting to get hungry.”
“Mine has a big pink bow,” she said with a wink. “If you like crab sandwiches, check it out.”
Tyler smiled as she disappeared into the crowd. Crab sandwiches didn’t sound bad, but he was more interested in finding a McKenna sister, one in particular, to share a picnic supper with. He hadn’t seen Kate all day, and he very much wanted to.
His cell phone rang, and he dug it out of his pocket with irritation. Mark was probably calling him for another update, another reminder that time was running out, that if he didn’t get an answer soon, he would disappear with Amelia. He did not want Amelia to live the life he had led. There had to be another solution. He would simply have to find it.
He was relieved to see a different number on his screen, that of one of the editors he frequently worked for, Kenny Weinman.
“Hi, Kenny,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Where the hell are you, Ty?” Kenny asked. “I’ve been calling your apartment for days and get nothing but your damn machine. Finally dug up your cell phone number from that cute blonde in the lifestyle section that you dated last year.”
“Jenny?”
“Julie,” Kenny said with a laugh. “Jesus, you haven’t changed. Love ‘em and leave ‘em Jamison.”
“Why are you calling me, exactly?” Tyler asked, somewhat annoyed with the analysis.
“I’ve got an article that only you can write,” Kenny said. “But you have to get to Paris by Friday.”
“I can’t do it,” Tyler said automatically.
“I haven’t even told you what it is yet.”
“I’m taking some time off. Family business.”
“You have a family?” Kenny asked in surprise. “I didn’t know that.”
“Yes, I have a family,” Tyler snapped. “And I’m taking care of them at the moment. I’ll be in touch when I’m free.”
“I’ll pay you triple your usual fee. This is Paris, Ty. You’ll love it.”
“Send someone else.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You never turn down jobs.”
“I’m turning this one down,” Tyler said and hung up the phone. He could hardly believe he’d actually done it. Maybe Kenny was right. Maybe he had changed. When had that happened? When Mark had gotten hurt? Or when he’d met a woman he wanted to get to know a lot better? Shit! That was a frightening thought.
The microphone on the stage crackled as the auctioneer made the last call for baskets. Tyler looked around, hoping to see Kate. Sure enough, there she was, setting a dark brown basket on the table. He noted the silver ribbon hanging from the handle. Reaching into his pocket for his wallet this time, he checked his cash. He might have to hit an
ATM
machine before the auction started. There was no way anyone would outbid him for Kate’s basket.
“Tyler is over there,” Caroline said to Kate as they put their baskets down.
“Where?” Kate couldn’t help asking as she took a quick look around.
“At the back of the crowd. Oh, he’s gone now.”
“He’ll be back,” Kate said with certainty. “He’s like a bad penny; he keeps showing up.”
“And you like him,” Caroline said with a knowing smile.
“It’s not like that.”
“It’s exactly like that. And it’s not a crime, you know. He’s a hot guy. And you’re a normal red-blooded female with --“
“Please, don’t say urges.”
“Feelings and desires. It’s been a long time since you’ve looked at a man the way you look at Tyler. It’s long over due.”
“It’s crazy. And I’m going to ignore those feelings and especially those desires from here on out.”
“Good luck,” Caroline said with a laugh. “Tyler seems to be a man who gets what he wants.”
Kate decided to change the subject. “Before I forget, I meant to tell you that I had a chat with both Dad and K.C. earlier. Dad bet our portrait against the Moon Dancer.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow in surprise. “No way. He wouldn’t do that. He knows you love it.”
“He would, and he did,” she said flatly. “So much for me being the favorite child. Although, I have to admit, it made me think twice about racing with him, not to help him, but to protect that portrait from K.C.”
Caroline stared at her. “Would you do it, Kate? Could you race again?”
“I’m not sure. But I realize now that there was more between Dad and K.C. than we ever knew.”
“Like what?”
“It’s a long story. The auction is starting. I’ll tell you later.”
The auction began and grew more lively with each competitive bid.
“Look, there’s Ashley’s basket,” Caroline said a few minutes later. They watched in amazement as the bidding flew around the crowd fast and furiously, until only one bidder was left.
“Sean,” Kate murmured, not really surprised. “I think I liked it better when Ashley was afraid of her own shadow.”
“I didn’t. I missed the old Ashley,” Caroline said. “The one who would jump into the water with fearless abandon.”
Kate nodded, remembering all the times they’d sunbathed on the boat then jumped into the water to cool off. Ashley had always loved to swim and snorkel. She’d even taken a deep-sea diving class the year before they’d started racing. “You’re right,” she said slowly. “I’ve missed her, too. And I think she might be back.” For there was Ashley, greeting Sean with an exuberant hug and an ear-to-ear grin. They walked off, arms linked, as if they were daring anyone to part them ever again. “I hope she doesn’t tell him anything she shouldn’t.”
“If she doesn’t, I don’t think it will be to protect our secret, but to protect her heart,” Caroline said wisely. “Ashley knows deep down that telling Sean will be the end of it all. She won’t risk it. She loves him too much.”
“Love makes you do crazy things.”
“That’s true,” Caroline said with a laugh. “Your basket is next, Kate.”
Kate couldn’t help stiffening as her basket was handed to the auctioneer. She hadn’t seen Tyler all day, nor had she even hinted to him the night before that she’d be participating in the auction. There was no way in this crowd, even if he was here, that he would know which basket to bid on. She should be happy about that. No long evening of avoiding tense questions. No heart-stopping, spine-tingling moments that would make her consider acting in a reckless manner. Thank heavens.
The bidding began slowly, gathering steam as new parties entered into the auction. She had almost relaxed when she heard Tyler’s voice. She couldn’t see him, but she knew it was him. Her heart stopped and her spine tingled, just as she’d anticipated. How had he known? Did he know? Maybe it was a coincidence.
But when the bidding stopped and she walked forward to meet her date, she knew without a doubt that, like everything else in their relationship, this was no coincidence.
“We were supposed to have a picnic on the beach or in the park,” Kate said as she led Tyler into her house.
“We already did that. And, since I paid for this date, I get to choose the location.”
She turned on the hall light and set her purse down on the table. She felt tense and nervous and couldn’t quite believe she’d agreed to bring him home. It would have been much safer to picnic someplace where the crowds would have prevented them from talking seriously or acting foolishly.
“You lied to me,” she said abruptly, wanting to let him know from the start that she was on to him. “You told me you were dropping the story, but then you went to Ashley and asked her for pictures.”
His smile faded and his expression turned somber. “Yes, I did do that.”
“Why?” She silently pleaded with him to tell her the truth.
“I went to Ashley to get some photos of the Castleton from last year, but when I got there I started thinking about your family again, and Ashley didn’t seem to realize that I’d dropped the story, so I asked some questions.”
“To see what she would tell you.”
“Something happened to you during that race, Kate. Something that you and your sisters can’t tell anyone. I have an instinct for a story, and I know there’s one you could tell me if only you would. I can see in your eyes that I’m right.”
“What you see is anger that you’re invading my privacy.”
“That’s not what I see at all.” He took a step closer, and she took a step back.
“Don’t,” she said, putting up a hand.
He didn’t say anything for a moment. “Why don’t we just have our picnic and save this discussion until later?”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“Then you won’t,” he said simply.
She hesitated. “All right, fine. We’ll eat. Then you’ll go.” She started to head toward the kitchen, but he caught her by the arm.
“Let’s eat in the living room.”
“There’s only a coffee table in there.”
“We’ll eat on the floor. You’ll spread out a blanket, and we’ll pretend this is a grassy park.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is this part of your seduction strategy? I just told you -- “
“I heard you, believe me. But I paid for a picnic supper, and you owe me one.”
“You’re a very annoying man.”
“So I’ve been told.”
She led him into the living room and he set the basket down on the coffee table. “I’ll get the blanket,” she said, but he followed her down the hall. “This isn’t exactly a two-person job, you know.”
“I want to check out your house.”
She opened the linen closet and waved her hand toward the neatly stacked piles of towels and bedding. “This is where I keep the sheets. Excited?”
“Actually, sometimes sheets do get me excited.”
She reluctantly smiled. He was a hard man to dislike. “That’s a very bad line. And you, a writer, should be ashamed.” She tossed him a blanket. “Everything else we need is in the basket.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything in your bedroom that we need?” he asked, stopping to peer through a half open door.
Kate grabbed his arm and pulled him along. “Bedroom tours are not part of the picnic auction.”
“They should be, for the price I paid.”
She ignored that, returning to the living room where Tyler spread the blanket out on the floor.
“How about a fire?” he asked.
“It’s not that cold.”
“I heard there might be a storm coming in this weekend. The racers will not be happy.”
“Actually, most sailors love a good storm. It’s the calm that makes them crazy.”
“So they’ll race even if it’s raining.”
“If there’s a good brisk wind, you bet. The boats will run even faster.” She paused. “Are you still going out with my father tomorrow?”
“That’s what he said.”
“I hope it’s before he gets drunk.”
“So do I,” he said.
“Tell me again why you’re sailing with him?”
“To get some firsthand experience on a boat. It will make my story more realistic.”
“Yeah, whatever story that is -- if there even is a story.” She paused. Had Tyler just flinched? Maybe there wasn’t a story. But he was a reporter. She’d already checked that out.
“Of course there’s a story,” he said quickly. “There’s always a story.”
“You can probably find one anywhere, can’t you?”
“Yes. It’s just a matter of simple curiosity and a sharp eye.”
“What about your story, Tyler? What if I said I was going to write an article and tell the world about your father stealing you away from your mother? Would you want that revealed to the world? Or would you be protective of your family, maybe even of your father, who you probably have a lot of mixed feelings about?”
Tyler met her questioning gaze with a small smile. “You’re very good, Kate. Very perceptive. Smart. Beautiful. Sexy. A deadly combination.”
Beautiful? Sexy? Smart? Did he really think she was all those things? Kate shook her head and cleared her throat, realizing he’d successfully sidetracked her once again with his unending charm. She sat down on the blanket. “Let’s eat. You can serve me. I did all the cooking.”
“Is that part of the date? I thought you would serve me. In fact, I thought you would feed me.”
“Not likely.” She slid across the blanket, resting her back against the coffee table. Tyler made the same move a second later, his shoulder touching hers, their legs stretched out in front of them.
“I’m not that hungry yet, are you?” he asked.
“Not really,” she admitted. Although, if they didn’t eat, they’d probably have to talk or, worse yet, they’d find something even better to do.
For a moment they just sat. Then Tyler said, “Is everything okay, Kate? With your sisters?”
“Why would you ask that?” She turned her head so she could look at him.
“You seem preoccupied. A little down, not your normally cheery self.”
“Is that the way you see me? An overly perky woman?”
“I think you try to be cheerful, even when you don’t feel like it. You’re big on putting up a front. A don’t-let-anyone-see-you-sweat kind of girl.”
“You’re the same. You hide what you’re thinking behind those unreadable eyes.”
“You mean you can’t read my mind right now?” His eyes had darkened, and his gaze focused on her mouth. Her lips tingled. She felt as if he was kissing her, yet he hadn’t even touched her.
Tyler put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close until her head was resting against his chest. She should have pulled away, but it felt too good.
“This is better,” he said
“I can hear your heart beating.”
“Thank God for that.”
Kate slipped her hand inside the neck of his polo shirt. “It’s beating faster new.”
“Want to see how fast it can go?”
“Tyler -- “
“Shh.” He pressed her head back against his chest. “Did I tell you what I did today?”