Chapter 2
When Katie drove up to Jackson Kane’s house and parked, she spat out, “Shit.” She hadn’t known Will Kirkland would be invited. But his sporty Lexus was parked on the lawn across from the house. She sighed at how Annie had gotten her here…
“Do you have to work on Saturday?”
“No.”
“Are you going to your family’s?”
She still had a bandage on her hand. “No.”
“Then you’re coming to us.”
“Annie…”
“I won’t let you be alone on such a momentous occasion.”
Hmm. Is the total eclipse of the sun momentous? She supposed so. It happened only every 100 years and Westwood was in its path.
Annie and Kate had been friends in high school, but they’d gone in different directions in their lives. However, they’d gotten close again after Annie was kidnapped.
“All right. I’ll be there.”
Before she exited the car, her phone rang. The caller was Mary, Hank’s wife and her best friend. She took a breath and answered it. “Hey, there.”
“Hey yourself. Where’ve you been?”
“Excuse me?”
“I haven’t seen you since I had Henry Jr. You called and canceled that second weekend you said you’d visit.”
Katie took in a breath. “I’m on nights a lot now.”
“Because of what happened with Annie?”
“Yeah.”
“Punishment?”
“Of a sort. Patrol cops don’t get much say in their schedule.”
“I think it’s awful they blamed you.”
“I was wrong and Annie got kidnapped.”
“Which wasn’t one person’s fault.”
She needed to change the subject. “How are you?”
“Sleep deprived. Weepy. Hormones.” She hesitated. “I could really use my best friend’s company.”
Katie had failed again. “I’m so sorry, Mar. Let me check my schedule and I’ll get back to you.”
“Okay. I love you, girl.”
Choked up, she finally got out, “Love you, too.”
Taking a deep breath, she exited the car and straightened the white blouse that she wore with jeans and sandals. She shaded her eyes from the bright, warm sun with her hand.
For a billionaire, Jackson’s house was small. A ranch, built on the outskirts of town, she could see most of the rooms faced the back.
Annie came out to the porch. “Don’t just stand there,” she called out, “come on in.”
Kate retrieved her sunglasses from the car, then crossed to the front. The day was comfortably warm. She hadn’t noticed the chairs and a table set out on the lawn. “We’ll watch the eclipse from out here, but we’re inside now.”
“You got a beautiful day.”
“You don’t say that with much enthusiasm, Katie. Aren’t you glad to be here?”
Annie couldn’t break the habit of the nickname. “I am. I didn’t know Kirkland would be.”
“Why would that bother you?”
“I didn’t warm up to him during the kidnapping.”
She’d gotten warm with him lately, though. Hot actually, in the sack. She had a clear vision of him, sweaty and sexy, as he made his way up her body.
“Come inside.”
Squelching the memory, she walked into a beautifully decorated living space with a wall of windows. The kitchen was adjacent to it. Across the room, she caught sight of Will. His eyes widened. He didn’t know she’d be here, either. Also present were Annie’s mom and dad, her sister Bianca and Diego’s family.
And of course, the homeowners stood among them. Now there was a mismatch if Kate had ever seen one. But somehow, they got together, had a small, quiet wedding and Maisy moved in here with her foster son Freddie.
“Hey, everybody. This is Katie Donovan.”
“Kate, please.”
“What happened to your hand?” Diego asked, coming close and kissing her on the cheek.
“I got hurt at work.”
“Sorry to hear that. Come get a drink.”
“I’ll have beer.” Which was what most people were drinking.
Will stayed where he was while she talked with the others. Sipped her beer. She overheard that Maisy’s son was with her brother, Caleb, who shared custody with her. That Diego and Annie were living in his home. That Joe Romano, a friend of Diego and Jackson, brought a woman with him, which was apparently rare.
She sighed and checked the clock. The eclipse was at 3:23. She could excuse herself after that. She’d think of a reason.
Finally, they went out to the porch then down to the lawn. Annie and Diego helped Jackson and Maisy bring out snacks. The group stood in the sun. When Jackson said, “Okay, it’s gonna happen,” they put on the eclipse glasses Jackson had provided.
Will came to stand next to her.
She frowned at him, but he faced forward.
They watched as the bright sun was whole until the moon closed over it, little by little. Then darkness descended and a white corona appeared. The atmosphere was eerie. And colder. A few dogs barked in the distance. Suddenly she felt Will’s fingers link with hers. For some odd and stupid reason, she held on.
When the sun returned to the front of the moon, daylight broke again. Will leaned over. “Tonight?”
“No, I’m mad at you for two nights ago.”
“No, you’re not. Not really. See you at ten.” Then he went to talk to Annie and Diego.
The man was impossible. She should go out tonight so he’d learn his lesson. Yep, that’s what she’d do.
* * *
Once again, Will reached her apartment at ten. He exited the car and walked around to the far side of her building. All the lights were off. First he knocked. Then, he tried the door. It was locked up tight. No car was parked in the back, either.
He couldn’t believe she stood him up. But she didn’t, really. She was mad at him and told him not to come. Hmm. Striding back to the vehicle, he got in. The engine roared to life. He backed out.
And was walking into Al’s bar by 10:15. No sign of her in the front. He ambled to the back and there she was, in a corner. With another guy! Well, hell.
He stalked over. “Hey, honey, I’m sorry I’m late. I had to get the kids settled.”
“You got kids?” the guy asked.
“I—”
“Would you mind?” he said, gesturing to the chair. “Me and the little woman don’t get out much.”
Shaking his head, the guy stood. “Sorry, I didn’t know she was married.”
The man left and Will sat down. Stared at her. Her face was a mask of indifference when she looked up. “I told you no, Kirkland.”
“I realize that. But I want to know if it’s no for tonight, or forever?”
He could see the struggle on her face. She mumbled something. “What was that?”
“I said tonight.”
“How about tomorrow?”
“I’m on nights.”
“The next morning?”
“Yeah. Okay.”
He stood abruptly. Then leaned over and got in her face. “And don’t even think about sleeping with the guy who was here or any of these jerks. I don’t like to share.”
It wasn’t till he got outside that he realized she might do just that because he told her not to.
* * *
The next night, the minutes ticked by slowly on the big round clock behind the desk. Kate would rather be out on patrol than enduring this mind-numbing boredom. She was comparing two documents to see if they were exactly the same and the work was tedious.
Thinking about tomorrow morning, aren’t you?
No.
You want to see him.
Not necessarily.
Don’t lie to me. I’m you.
Oh, all right, she wanted to see him. But that was precisely why she shouldn’t. It was dangerous to want something or someone. There were too many pitfalls. It was better to be cold and unaffected. She could be cold, easily. But she’d forgotten she had vulnerabilities, deeply buried inside.
Grateful when the night shift ended, she got her stuff and walked out of the precinct. She tugged the tie from her hair and a warm June breeze ruffled it. She left it down.
When she reached her car, she thought about going to the lake, but she needed sleep. Maybe she’d go up there after…she opened her car door.
A big dead bird laid on the front seat.
* * *
Will pushed Katie’s doorbell. Would she be here this time? Why was he here? Because this was just sex. A way to pass the time until he heard the results of the Secret Service’s investigation. And to feel better physically. He was in a constant pitch of emotion these days, so different from his legendary cool.
He rang the doorbell twice more and was swearing like a sailor when it opened. Dressed in pajama bottoms and a T-shirt, hair a mess, she said, “Sorry, I was asleep. I got home late.”
Hmm. “Where did you go after work?”
“I drove out to the dump.”
“Why?”
“Are you coming in or not?”
He walked inside. “Make me some coffee.”
Her brow furrowed.
“Please, Katie. I want some and it’ll help you wake up, too.”
“All right.” She set the pot up and when it started to drip, she sat across from him. He shocked himself when he took her hands. “Why the dump?”
“I found a dead bird on the front seat of my car. It was mangled and messy. But it was bigger than most birds I’ve ever seen.”
“I heard there’s some suspicion of cock fighting going on in Westwood.”
Her eyes widened. “I’ll bet it was a rooster.”
“Not sure the kind of bird matters.” His gaze narrowed. “Maybe it was Landry or Lawrence who put it there.”
“Of the two of them, I’d bet Landry would get involved with something like cock fighting.”
“Report it.”
Her gaze narrowed on him. “I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of making a fuss.”
His fingers touched the now smaller bandage on her hand. “Have you forgotten his role in this?”
“No. But he couldn’t have planned for a knife fight in the reception area.”
“So you’re going to ignore the bird?”
“I said I was.”
Fuck. He bolted up. “Come on, let’s go upstairs.”
“What about the coffee?”
“Forget it. I wanna fuck.”
She stood. “Fine by me.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen. Upstairs. Once there, it got very wild very fast.
* * *
After Will left, Katie went for a run. She used to belong to a gym but had to give it up, like she had to trade in her car and sell her little house. The latter made her throat close. But she didn’t make enough money now to keep it either. She’d been demoted from detective to officer status.
At least running was free.
She started off by walking and increased her speed. Once she got to the path around Westwood, she went faster. And faster. And forgot about everything. How satisfied Annie and Maisy seemed at the eclipse party. How Will had gotten so angry he’d stalked upstairs. She didn’t mind rough sex and so she went with him, but by the time he got to her bedroom, his passion turned…gentle. Now that she didn’t like. But she couldn’t stop him.
She cooled down and walked to the end of the path and out onto the street. A man and woman wheeling a stroller came toward her. Up close, she recognized Jeff Lawrence. They stopped. “Hi, Kate.”
“Jeff.”
“This is my wife Joanna and my daughter Ellie.”
Are you kidding me? He went along with everything Landry did to her and he had a good life? What to do? Confront him about the bird. Embarrass him in front of his wife. But what came out was, “Nice to meet you, Joanna. What a lovely baby.”
“Thanks.” Joanna leaned into Jeff. “We’re very happy.”
She caught Jeff’s gaze. He looked away. At least he had some shame. “See you around, Jeff.” And she hurried off.
Back in her apartment, she was still at loose ends. She didn’t have to work today or tomorrow. What should she do? She turned on the television. A baseball game. Some movies she’d wanted to see. Nothing appealed to her. She’d ghosted all her friends. She could go to her family. But then she couldn’t drink beer all day.
Without showering or changing, she got a Coors and dropped down on the couch she kept from her former house. She found the remote and turned on the game.
Soon, the beer mellowed her. And she was able to stop thinking about how awful her life was.
* * *
Still upset with Katie for not taking action on the two assholes’ prank, Will opened the door to a well-dressed, pretty woman. He said, “You must be Ms. Jacobs.” The realtor he’d contacted to sell his father’s house.
“Yes, hello, Mr. Kirkland. Please, call me Taylor.”
“I’m Will. Where do we start?”
“Show me your house first?”
“Of course, come in.”
He caught the scent of some expensive and sexy perfume as he drew her to the first living room off to the left. The wallpaper and wood moldings and trim were from the sixties and worn. “I told you there was a lot of updating to do.”
“Let me see it all.”
Another living room, then a huge kitchen. Very old appliances that were green. At least it had hardwood floors. Then a big television room. A den. “Upstairs are five bedrooms.” They climbed the steps.
“Wow,” she said after she saw the second floor. “And you said you have complete ownership? No siblings?”
“No.”
“It’s a big house.”
“I’m afraid my parents expected to have a big family. But it never happened. I was born later in their lives. They were good people.”
She smiled. Kept eye contact a little too long. They walked back downstairs. The woodwork, railing on the steps were all real wood and stained, also not chic today.
They took seats at the table in the kitchen. “It’s got solid bones. If you updated it before you sell, the house would probably double in price.”
“I have no interest in that. I’m not staying in town.”
“Oh, what a shame.” Her blue eyes twinkled at him and her face softened. A fleeting image of Katie after they had wild sex came to him. Her expression had been unguarded and she stared at him with warmth.
Nope, nope, nope. “But I’ll be here until the house sells.”
“That may take a long time. What’s the size of the property?”
“Two acres.”
She turned to him. “I find myself in a dilemma. I’m trying to be professional,” she put her hand on his chest “but I’m attracted to you.”
He knew a come on when he saw one. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
“It would be, Will.”
“Hmm.” He grasped her arms. They were thin. “Would you like to go out on a date with me?”
“Very much so. I’m free tonight.”
“How interesting. So am I.”
“What do you have in mind?”
He hadn’t forgotten how to treat a woman. “Dinner, dancing, champagne.”
When they headed back to the house, he frowned. He’d never treated Katie this way. He wondered if she felt bad about that.
* * *
Kate was hungry so she went into the kitchen to get some cereal. Why was it on the top shelf, up so high? She didn’t remember putting it there.
She slid a stool over and climbed on it. She yanked at the cereal and…oh, hell. She tumbled to the floor. And landed on her butt.
Gingerly, she got to her feet. She was sore but she didn’t think she broke anything. She was probably loose enough from the beer to tumble off and not get hurt.
Going to the closet she retrieved the broom, then swung at the cereal. She got it on the first try. “What the—"
Cheerios rained down on her, bounced off the counter, and rolled onto the floor. The cardboard stuck in the stove burners.
And Katie burst into tears. Something she hadn’t done in a very long time. Sinking onto a chair, she buried her face in her hands and cried. Her life stunk. Her job, this hole she lived in…and a guy who only wanted to fuck her.
* * *
Will woke up early the next morning. Depression filled him. Instead of getting out of bed, he linked his hands behind his neck and looked up at the fan circling overhead. The place wasn’t air conditioned, but at least the bedroom was cool because of the fan and the open windows.
He thought back to his date last night. Had he ever been more awkward? Usually, he was a cool character with women. He knew what they wanted and he made them happy. But last night, he was distracted…
“ Will, where did you go?” Taylor’s pretty brow was furrowed. She’d dressed to kill in a red dress with stilettos.
“Sorry?”
“You were in the middle of a sentence and you stopped talking and stared off somewhere.”
“Oh, hell. My mind did wander to all I have to do after my dad’s death.”
“It must be hard shouldering everything.”
“Yes it is…”
When they left the restaurant, she walked beside him to the car…
He headed to the driver’s side but she just stood by the passenger door. Then he remembered. Women liked their doors opened. “Here I go again, being distracted. Let me get that for you…”
Huh. He couldn’t imagine Katie waiting for him to open the door.
When they got to her house, a beautiful three story in a rich neighborhood, he escorted her to the front porch.
She moved in close and whispered, “I’d like you to come in.”
“You would?”
Closer. “Hmm, I want to make love with you.”
The memory came roiling back to him. And don’t even think of sleeping with that guy…I don’t like to share .
Why the hell did one statement he made to Katie cause him to give up a night of sex with a beautiful, sophisticated woman? He was crazy!!