Cutter Mountain Rendezvous (13 page)

“It will work out. You’ll see.”

“You sound like my cousin. Right before he drove off and left me swinging in the breeze with an unfinished inn.”

“He sent me.” Colton slanted his head her way with a dimpled grin.

“Ha, ha.”

“Actually,” Colton stuck his hand into the bag and pulled out a baggie with four oatmeal raisin cookies. “I’m hoping you’ll forgive me enough to let me store Bessie in your barn until I can go back to Chicago and work things out. The Bullets are expecting me soon. If you don’t want Bessie here, I’ll tow her with the new Chevy but it would be a slow go.”

“Let Bessie stay.” Kate took the cookie he held out to her. How could she refuse him with a beloved truck named Bessie? “I shouldn’t have flown off the handle.”

“It was hot. Tempers flare. Like the ball field.”

“Maybe.”

After thinking about it, Kate realized she wanted Bessie there. It would mean seeing Colton again. Maybe they would even talk on the phone. He was so weird about the truck, she was sure he’d call to see how Bessie was doing.

“Why are you here, Colton, and why do you want to stay? A wealthy injured sports celebrity taking off in a beater and breaking down in Tennessee has a story.”

“The Bullets are threatening to sue me. Negligence due to injuries from a dirt bike accident last November. That’s what these scars are about.” He pointed to his shoulder and knee. “It was a short ride I didn’t see any harm in until I dumped the bike. I started spring training and the season was going fine when the shoulder was re-injured. Another freak accident when a batter drove a hit into my shoulder. I’m not sure what caused more damage—me twisting to avoid the hit or the actual contact the ball made to my shoulder blade. That’s what caused the bruising.”

Kate nodded.

“I’m on what they call a sixty-day disabled list. There’s lots of money involved if I don’t make it back to the mound this year. I’m not sure how things will turn out, but that dirt bike accident may have been the beginning of the end.”

“Let me guess.” Kate tried to make light of what she knew was a serious situation. “The cowboy in you made you jump a ravine sure you could land on the other side.”

“Close. It was a hill. The bike flipped on top of me.”

“You’re an idiot. Why would you risk such a thing?”

“Mason had just made it up the hill so I thought, no big deal.”

“And not to be outdone by your brother, you gave it a try.”

“Something like that.”

“Any other siblings besides, Mason?”

“Just Mason the Terrible.”

“He’s terrible?”

“No, actually he’s great.”

“I don’t get it.” Kate shook her head.

“Any sisters? Brothers?”

“Just me. Although my cousin Jeff became the son my dad never had.” Boy, did that sound like whiny jealousy and the thorn she could never quite remove. Add in Jeff’s brotherly love for her, and it was a lost cause of guilt. Jeff had lost his father in Iraq as a kid. More guilt.

“I doubt that, but if you don’t have any siblings you won’t understand. A brother is a guy’s worst nightmare and his best friend. He can be miles away yet I know he’s there for me if I need him. Bound by blood.”

Kate had to admit that sounded a whole lot like Cousin Jeff. She gave him a wary look. “Bound by blood. You heard that somewhere. I doubt a jock could come up with such a profound thought.”

“My mom. When Mason and I would get into a fight, she’d break us apart and make us sit on the couch. Listen to her speech about family. She’d get up in our faces and wag her finger saying ‘when no one else comes to your rescue, your family will always be there. Bound by blood.’ Mom’s a little, how do I say this in a good way—weirdly thoughtful. She’s the best. I really do love my mom so don’t think I’m bashing her.”

“Being an only child isn’t a picnic either. All your parents’ expectations fall square on your shoulders. At least if you have a sister or brother, they can help share the burden.”

“You mean the
blame.
” He grinned.

“Is your brother in sports?”

“Nah. He owns a commercial construction business in northwest Chicago. He would have been the perfect person to help you get the inn in shape. He sent Germaine instead. Want this?” Colton held up the last cookie. He had already eaten two of the four.

She shook her head. Better the cookie land on his hips—thin blades that became a major distraction when his shorts fell low as he worked bare-chested in the barn. Two bites later the cookie was gone. Kate tidied up, putting their garbage into the bag. “I should get back.”

“Hold up.” His tanned hand sizzled hot over her wrist. When he curled his fingers into a hold, their gazes locked. His eyes were dark and intense. She wondered if this was how he looked when he was staring down a batter right before he let the ball fly. “I’ve something to say. Don’t bolt. You’re not going to like it.” He removed his hand.

“Wow, this must be bad. You need me seated to hear it,” she joked to cover the flutter of butterflies his touch produced. “Hit me direct. I don’t like sugarcoating.”

“I had my lawyer look into this Bennett guy and—”

“You obstinate, interfering jerk.”

“Hear me out.”

“You told me not to worry about it unless he called back. He didn’t call so I didn’t worry. Now you tell me you snooped behind my
back
? Geez, you’re irritating—”

“Bennett Field is real. He’s a distant descendant of Tom, who had five sisters and two brothers in North Carolina. Near as anyone can verify, Tom’s father was a drunkard with too many kids. He sold Tom to a trapper. Probably used the boy to cook and do his laundry. Dirty work. Setting traps. Skinning the bears. Who knows. Possibly to work off whatever sum of money was paid for him to earn his freedom. Tom was only fourteen.”

Colton shook his head in disgust. “Hard to believe, but slavery was an accepted way of life back then and solved the problem of a poor white family with too many kids. Anyway, that’s how my lawyer explained Tom’s servitude. He eventually wound up at the cabin north of your place. Built with his own hands.”

“What’s any of this to do with my land?”

“Field has unearthed a few letters that went back and forth between Tom and his sister. They were given him by a relative because he’s the family historian. A restoration nut.”

“What’s in the letters?”

“No idea. Bennett Field’s assistant gave my lawyer this information. Seems Field was tied up in a personal family matter and would return my lawyer’s call as soon as possible.”

“Was the assistant’s name Andrea Roesch?”

“Sounds right.”

“Thanks. I guess. Let me know what your lawyer charged and I’ll pay the bill.”

“Forget it. I interfered.”

She huffed. “I’ll say. Going forward, keep your nose out of it, could you? Maybe he won’t act on it. You ever think about that? He’s not calling anyone back and it’s been two weeks.” She stood up and brushed off the seat of her pants. “Colton. Sometimes what you don’t know doesn’t hurt you. Now I’ll be worried sick.”

They stilled at the sound of a creak. The dock listed.

Colton stood. “Let’s get off this thing.”

A sharp crack was the only warning when the edge of the dock gave way and dumped them into the cold water.

Kate gasped. Her arms flailed every direction.

Colton found her arm in the cascade of water around her and hauled her tight against him. Sputtering, she flung her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.

“You’re safe,” he said as water sloshed over his shoulders. “I’m standing on the bottom.”

There was a proclamation she didn’t care to hear with her arms around his neck; her body tight against his. And no way did she intend to test the slimy lake bed with her bare feet. Fully supported by his firm grasp, she slicked the wet hair from her face. “What the heck just happened?”

“The dock’s not safe.”

Colton was surprised she didn’t protest at where his hand landed. Cupping her butt, he held her secure against his groin, doubting she would allow another such move any time soon. He paddled his other hand back and forth in a small wave to keep them balanced.

The lunch bag floated near his fingers tips. He made a grab for it and flung the bag between the first and second rung of the steps. “No sense adding pollution to a clean lake. You want to swim?”

“No. I want to go back to the house.”

“You sure you can swim? You did a hell of a lot of arm windmills just then.”

Possibly the dunking stunned her more than he thought. She didn’t seem to be making any real indication she was in a hurry to leave his grasp. Until her leg drifted between his and pressed into his family jewels. Her eyes became as large as Tinkerbelle’s. “Feels good, doesn’t it? The water, I mean.” He gave her a mischievous smile.

“I
know
what you meant.”

“That wasn’t a complaint,” he said, but appreciated her care in maneuvering her leg away.

“Let go. I can swim.”

The request lacked conviction, but he knew this wouldn’t last much longer. Not one to let an opportunity pass when a woman’s mouth was inches from his own, Colton pressed his lips into her slightly parted lips.

When she didn’t push away, he gazed into her alert green eyes, brilliant in full sun, and kissed her again. She kissed back and returned her arms to around his neck. He ran his tongue along the crease of her lips and she closed her eyes to open to the slid of his tongue. He deepened the kiss. The sweet warmth of her mouth caused his groin to tighten. He appreciated she wasn’t a moaner-groaner like so many women he had kissed, leaving him suspect to fake adoration.

In fact, he thought Kate’s kissing abilities ranked right up there with a well-swung bat—all business with the promise of a home run.

Feathery tickles brushed between their legs. Their lips disengaged. Colton let loose his hold.

Kate gasped and shrieked, “Something bit me.” She began a furious splash toward the listing dock.

He laughed. “It’s a fish not a piranha.”
Shit!
His agent hadn’t called him back. “Grab the bottom step of the stairs, and I’ll boost you up.” Colton cupped the butt he’d enjoyed getting his hands around and lifted her onto the stairs.

The dislodged dock bobbed below the surface to his left. “Careful. Watch out for the dock. Grab hold of the stair rail. That a girl.”

One more good push and Kate was secure on the stairs. Colton grabbed hold of the deck piling with his good arm. He lunged for the first step with a kick at the water. “Ouch, damn little sucker bit me.”

“See. I told you there was a biting fish in there.”

Once hoisted out of the water, he gripped the stair rail and prayed it would hold his weight. No time to think about the shoulder he’d carefully worked into shape. He joined Kate on the worn decking and moved the shoulder around in a careful circle.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. The fall from the rollaway hurt more.”

“You
fell
off the rollaway?”

“That day you found me in your kitchen searching for Tylenol. Look.” He twisted his leg for her to see. “He nailed me on the scar where they put the pins in my knee. Probably thought it was a worm.”

He followed Kate’s movement to bend over and squint at the two-inch scar on the outside of his right knee. Her wet tank top clung to her chest and outlined the white lace of her bra. The gentle swell of her breasts made him stop breathing. Small and firm, he didn’t dare let himself think how she might feel or he would be reaching out for her. Those were stirrings he swore not to act upon with Kate.

She placed her hand across the top of her tank as if feeling his eyes upon her chest and straightened. “It’s fine, you big baby. And do not kiss me again or you’ll force me to wear my side arm. Friends do not kiss like that,” she reminded him of his own words.

“Yes ma’am.” He gave her a two-finger salute. “Lost my head and my sandals.” Mud oozed around his wiggling toes.

“You can get another pair at the dollar store in Bear Creek.”

“You said that just to pull my chain, didn’t you?” Kate left the question unanswered and began to trudge up the path. “I really think you should give me another chance at kissing you. I’m much better on land.”

“I doubt that.”

“That’s not what the ladies say.”

She snorted. “Dream on. A woman will say anything when a man flatters her by dropping a ton of money on her.”

“Is that what your ex did?”

Colton watched her scurry up the path. He’d hit a nerve. It didn’t keep him from smiling from ear to ear. That was one sweet kiss no matter what Kate said. And judging by the passion he saw in her eyes, she was as surprised as he to enjoy it so much.

As they neared the cabin, he groaned when the bumper of a black limo came into view.

Colton tugged at the hem of her tank top, bringing her to a halt. “What?”

He pointed his chin at the front yard. The limo driver leaned against the driver’s side door while a tall, well-dressed figure paced with his back to them. One arm waved in the air as he talked on a cell phone.