Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [97]
"I find that hard to believe." She hated the thought of her mother with K.C., with anyone besides her father.
"Nora and I had been dating, but we'd had an argument, a misunderstanding. A few days later Duncan returned from one of his trips. My good friend was back," K.C. said with bitterness. "I was happy to see him. So was Nora. She'd met him a few months earlier. I didn't realize what an impression he'd made on her until he came back. They started seeing each other. The next thing I knew, they were married. I didn't know she was pregnant at the time, but then you were born six weeks too early." He paused for a long moment. "When she told me I wasn't your father, I didn't believe her. I thought she was protecting her marriage, protecting Duncan. I couldn't fight her on it, not without hurting her. So I stayed close, figuring if I couldn't have you, I'd at least see you, spend time with you."
"Give me presents that made your own son jealous," Kate interjected.
K.C. looked at her in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"You didn't realize what effect your actions had on your son? David still believes that you're my father, and that I'm your favorite."
"That's not true. I love him very much. And I never told him there was any possibility I was your father."
"Then he guessed. Whatever happened back then, you need to let go of this old hatred of yours. What's it going to accomplish to beat my father? Will you be happy then?"
K.C. didn't answer right away, then said, "I think I might be. Duncan didn't just cheat me out of the woman I loved. He cheated me in many other ways, including our race around the world."
Kate stiffened and silently begged, Please don't remember. Please don't remember.
K.C. watched her closely. "Can you deny that he didn't?"
It was a risky question, one she didn't quite know how to answer, especially since she didn't know what he knew. "That race was over a long time ago."
"I was leading -- going into that storm. I should have won that race."
"It's not our fault your boat went down."
He didn't look like he believed her.
"We all need to move on with our lives," she added quickly. "Don't you think it's time to put this thing with my father behind you? How long will you try to make him pay for winning my mother's love?"
"As long as it takes," K.C. said coldly. "You've heard about our bet, Katie?"
"Yes. My father is racing you for the Moon Dancer." She paused, unable to stop herself from throwing gasoline on the fire. "And he'll probably win."
K.C. bristled at her words. "I guess that would depend on his crew. You were always a better sailor than your father. Another reason why I thought you were mine. But, no matter. When your father loses, I'll get something else I want."
Kate knew she would regret asking, but she couldn't stop the words from coming to her lips. "What's that?"
"The portrait of your mother with you and your sisters."
"That's mine," she said tightly, unable to believe what he was saying.
"Technically it belongs to your father, does it not?"
Kate couldn't believe Duncan would have bet the portrait. Or maybe she could. His ego knew no bounds. He probably didn't consider it a risky bet.
Kate turned her head, hearing a commotion behind her. Caroline jumped onto the dock. She scowled when she saw them. "Waiting for me, Kate?"
"K.C. stopped to talk to me," she said, taking advantage of his presence. He might as well be good for something.
"I'm going home," Caroline muttered. "Don't follow me. I'm not in the mood for you or one of your lectures."
Kate let Caroline go, because it was obvious this wasn't the time or the place. At least Caroline was going alone. That was worth something. She turned back to K.C. "You will never get my portrait."
"Who's going to stop me?"
Kate wanted to slap the sneering smile off his face and say she would stop him. But she couldn't quite get the words out of her mouth. That would mean agreeing to join forces with her father