Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [111]
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