Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [115]
Coffee, she decided, maybe some breakfast, then off to work like it was any other day, like all the days that would come next. She didn't miss him. And she wouldn't miss him. Not today, not tomorrow ... Well, maybe for just a few days. Then she'd move on.
They had no future together. Tyler didn't belong here. And she couldn't be anywhere else.
Kate shivered. The house seemed colder this morning. Was this the way it would feel from now on, as if someone or something was missing, some heat, some magic? She should never have brought Tyler home. It wasn't smart to have a casual affair at home. She should have kept it separate, gone to a neutral location, a place she wouldn't have to visit every day. She was sure those rules were in a book somewhere, a book on how to have a love affair without breaking your heart.
Like Tyler, she'd thought she didn't have a heart left to break, but there was a distinct ache in her chest. Had her heart somehow reawakened when she wasn't looking? Maybe when Tyler had arrived in town? Tyler, who had all the things she wanted in a man: strength, humor, compassion, and a body to die for. She smiled at that thought -- a silly little smile that she would make sure never crossed her face when anyone was looking. She'd keep her feelings for Tyler a secret, just like she kept all the other secrets.
That thought immediately sent her smile packing. No matter what she felt for Tyler, there were still secrets between them. They'd both acknowledged that fact, made no pretense of believing that they were being totally honest with each other, but it had felt honest last night. It had felt like love. But how could there be love without trust?
She was doing exactly what she'd promised herself she wouldn't do: rethinking and regretting. It had to stop right now. Whatever happened from here on out, she'd have last night. She'd know that somewhere out in the world was a man who could touch her heart even if she couldn't touch his.
The phone rang and Kate reached for it, feeling a surge of ridiculous hope.
"Katie?"
The line crackled with static, but she could still make out her father's voice. "Where are you?" she asked. "I can barely hear you."
"I'm at the pay phone on the dock. I'm about to take that reporter friend of yours out for a sail. I need to know if you've changed your mind about racing on Saturday. Rick is pressuring me. If you don't race, then I can't race."
"I already told you --"
"K.C. is spreading rumors, talking trash about us, smearing our name."
Rumors or memories? Kate hoped it was the former.
"Your mother is probably turning over in her grave," Duncan continued. "You have to change your mind. We need to pull together as a family. I need you, Katie. Don't let me down. Say yes."
Kate closed her eyes as her hand gripped the phone. How many times had he said those words to her? How many times had she gone along with him? She'd always supported him, always run interference if she could, always been his backup, but he was asking for too much.
"I can't," she said finally. "I can't race with you." There was nothing but static now, his silence as potent as any argument.
"Good-bye, Katie," he said with a finality that alarmed her.
"Wait, Dad." Her only answer was a dial tone. She stared at the phone for a moment, then dialed the number of the hotel where Tyler was staying. Maybe he'd stopped there to change before going down to the docks. She wanted to tell him ...
What did she want to tell him? Don't go. Don't talk to my father. Or, take care of my dad. He's depressed. He's not getting what he wants, and he's dangerous when that happens.
There was no answer in Tyler's room. He must already be with Duncan. Damn. He'd probably been standing right next to her father. Kate hung up the phone feeling angry and worried. Even if she threw on her clothes