Adversaries and Lovers (8 page)

 “So when’s he coming?”

Completely lost in thought, Kate stared at Grandma, as images of entwined bodies and heated kisses began to fade.

“There you go giving me that blank-eyed look again," Grandma said. "I asked you when Henry’s grandson was coming.”

Kate blinked several times and started gathering drawings. “His name is Ben, and I was sort of expecting him... any minute." As she said the words, a vehicle ground to a halt outside. Kate glanced toward the front door.
Please, just let it be a normal car
... But when she looked out the window she was totally unprepared for what she found parked out front—a Jeep pulling a boat with the words
Misty Gayle
scrawled along its bow.

Grandma peered over her shoulder. “And this is supposed to be some kind of business meeting? I’d like to know what kind of business he’s conducting. Seems the only thing he has time for is playing with oversized toys and throwing old folks out on the streets. Well, he’s not welcome in this house." She untied her apron, slapped it on the table and stalked out of the room.

Kate studied the sleek boat with its overhead canopy. At least it was entirely open. Having hedonistic fantasies about being with Ben was one thing. Finding herself in a cozy little stateroom below deck with him was quite another.

Ben climbed out of the Jeep, and Kate backed away from the window to where she could watch him walking toward the house without being seen. Dressed in a black tank top and denims cut off at the knees, and wearing blue flip-flops, it was obvious he intended to conduct business on the boat. However, with Grandma in such a surly mood, Kate had no intention of letting Ben in the house. Without waiting for him to knock, she opened the front door slightly, poked her head out, and said, “I’ll be right there,” then shut the door.

As she was packing her drawings into her portfolio, light streamed across the room. She looked up to find Ben standing in the doorway, eyes fixed on her. Miffed that he'd let himself in, and uncertain how she should act towards him after his less-than-friendly dismissal of her the week before, she said, “I see you’ve come with another oversized toy." She glanced at the closed door to Grandma’s bedroom, realizing she was beginning to sound like her. But this time Grandma was right.

“Life’s too short to take seriously,” he said. He wasn’t smiling, nor had his words been said in jest, and she sensed that there was some deeper meaning to them.

But she refused to dwell on it now. “Well, I hope you’ll take my ideas for the swim fin promotion seriously,” she said.

“I will," Ben replied. "And bring your Sealskin."

Kate looked at him with a start. Surely he didn’t intend a repeat of their session in the pool. “I won't need it," she said, "because I have no intention of swimming with you again.”

“Suit yourself." Ben scanned the length of her. "But you might want to change into something cool like shorts and a tank top. It's already hot as hell out, and it's pretty casual where we're going.”

Kate eyed him with curiosity. “Where,
exactly
, are we going?”

“A place called Coopers Landing.”

”What’s at Cooper’s Landing?” she asked.

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

After packing a duffle bag with a small towel, a hair brush, and some cosmetics, she changed into a pair of cut-off jeans and grabbed the only top she could find that was both cool and clean, which coincidentally was black, like Ben's, but a very snug fit. Eyeing it critically, she started to toss it aside and find something more modest, then deciding there was nothing immodest about a top that covered her completely, she tugged it over her head and started down the hallway. On a whim, she snatched the Sealskin suit off the hook on the door of the bathroom and stuffed it into her bag. Later, she’d worry about the ramification of her impulsive act.

During the drive to Cooper’s Landing, Ben was in good spirits, whistling along with the radio as they drove, which puzzled Kate. She didn’t know what to make of the man. During the short time she’d known him he’d ranged from being a cocky, hot-shot, motorcycle buff in black leather, to a brawny tennis jock, to an Olympic-quality swimmer, to a skilled craftsman who cared nothing about the home or works of art he’d created. Then there were those fleeting moments when his mask would slip away, revealing a troubled man she couldn't reach.

The man he was today seemed to delight in withholding information about the town of Cooper’s Landing. All she could get from him was that because a bridge was being repaired, the town was only accessible by boat, which served to arouse her curiosity even more. “Should I have packed a lunch or will we eat there?” she asked, wondering if the town was large enough to support a restaurant. Cooper’s Landing couldn’t be very big. She’d never heard of it.

Ben ceased his whistling to reply, “We’ll eat there--lobster tails dipped in truffle butter, sautéed mushrooms, rice pilaf. You do like lobster, don’t you?”

Kate nodded. “I think I’ll like Cooper’s Landing,” she mused, imagining them eating at a cozy little pub where they served fine wines and lobster tails drenched in truffle butter...

...and this is supposed to be some kind of business meeting? I’d like to know what kind of business he’s conducting...
Grandma’s words seemed uncomfortably on target.

She looked at Ben, who continued whistling while tapping his fingers in rhythm on the steering wheel. He’d said nothing about the swim fin promotion, and she wondered when he planned to review her mock-ups, if, in fact, he intended to do so at all. She had not anticipated this to be a date, only a time to pitch her swim fin ideas, while also using the occasion to soften him up so he might consider building the corporate office somewhere other than Sellwood. But it was becoming increasing clear that business was not on his mind.

Of the various facets of Ben Stassen, there was yet one she hadn't dwelled at length on: the rake with the cozy hideaway. Knowing her vulnerability where Ben was concerned, that was the facet that disturbed her most at the moment.

Looking over at him, she said, with irony, “Between boating down the river, eating lobster, and who knows what else you have planned for this little
business
excursion, will you find time to review my swim fin ideas? Somehow I get the feeling it’s not on the agenda for today.”

Ben gave her a one-sided smile. “We’ll get to it later. Right now I want to know all about Katherine O’Connor.”

“Why?" His jargon smacked of a male come-on.

Ben glanced at her, a tomcat-on-the-prowl look in his eyes, and said, “So I can decide whether it will be safe to jump her beautiful body when the time's right.”

Kate looked at him, miffed. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about his intentions. He’d clearly misrepresented his reason for their meeting, and she’d been incredibly naive to go along with him without asking questions. “I’ve changed my mind about all of this,” she said. “I want you to take me home.”

“What happened to the plucky, gutsy woman who crashed the reception?”

“That was a mistake. I’m not like that. Now, please take me home.”

Ben patted her hand, and said in a sober voice, “Relax, Katie. I have no intention of seducing you. I just want to know a little more about you, that’s all. And we will get to your swim fin ideas. I give you my word.”

...if he’s anything like his grandfather, you’d better not hold him to his word because a Stassen’s word means nothing...

Grandma was back, and there could be something to what she’d said. But Ben was not his grandfather, and his words sounded so sincere she wanted to believe him. So she’d give him the benefit of doubt, for now. “What do you want to know about me?” she asked.

“Everything you omitted on your resume.”

“I didn’t give you a resume.”

“I know. So I guess you’ll have to start from the beginning.”

“It’s pretty boring.”

“I’ll be the judge.”

Kate drew in a long sigh, and said, “I hope you don't fall asleep at the wheel, but here goes. Well, Katherine O’Connor was born on…"

She rambled on about her carefree childhood, happy years in grade school, loving parents—touching briefly on the accident that killed them—and life with Grandma, using that as an opening to broach the subject of the zoning change...

“...and after Grandpa died five years ago, Grandma’s just been trying to keep her little house up and her memories intact.” She rolled her head against the headrest to look at Ben. “It’s hard for old people to hold onto memories if they’re taken away from familiar surroundings. But, of course, Grandma’s surrounded by all of her lifelong friends. They’re back and fourth between each other’s houses every day so she’s happy... for now.” She paused to let that sink in.

He smiled. “Nice try.”

She sat up straight, glared at him, and said in an agitated voice, “Is there nothing I can say or do to get through to you?”

Eyes fixed on the road ahead, he replied, “Your grandmother shouldn’t stay trapped in the past. She needs to get on with her life.”

“The past is her life," Kate said. "And living in a house she loves while surrounded by friends who care about her is hardly being trapped.” She looked out the side window and mumbled, “But, I don’t suppose you could possibly relate to that concept, being the logical, reasoning, unemotional man you are.”

Ignoring her rebuke, Ben said, “After my grandmother died, my grandfather sold the old place, bought himself a little farm and started a small winery. He is getting on with his life, not living in the past.”

 Kate folded her arms, stared straight ahead, and said, “And I see that you’re just a chip off the old block. No attachments, no regrets, no... nothing.”

For several miles neither spoke. Ben’s eyes remained fixed on the road, and Kate stared blankly out the side window. It wasn’t until they turned off the paved road, slowed to a crawl, and the jeep began to rock over the uneven road that Kate realized they were on the lane leading to Ben’s house, although they’d approached it from the opposite direction. The fact that they were at his place again made her edgy. She couldn’t shake images of their passionate kiss, or their intimate physical contact as they’d glided around the pool. Nor had she given him reason to believe his advances were unwanted. In fact, he had every reason to believe she was ready for an afternoon of rolling around with him on the futon. Unless she set things straight. “Let me guess," she said. "The spider has prepared his futon with plump little pillows for an afternoon of lovemaking, and his victim, naive little fly that she is, has willingly come with him to his parlor. Again." She glared at him. “You really are too much.”

Ben covered her hand with his and gave it a little squeeze. “There you go, acting on emotion again, jumping to the wrong conclusion.”

“Have I? I thought we were going to Cooper’s Landing?” Kate said, pulling her hand out from under his.

 “We are,” Ben said, bemused. “This is where we launch the boat.”

Kate looked at him, miffed. “You came all the way from here pulling a boat, just to pick me up so we could come back here to launch it? That sounds a little specious.”

“The boat needed some engine work. I’m just bringing her home. Satisfied?” As Ben said the words, they drove past his house and continued down the lane toward the river.

Kate gave him a sheepish grin. “I am now.” After a few moments she commented, offhandedly, “The name, Misty Gayle... it sounds kind of sad, like tears. Did you come up with it, or was the boat already named?”

When Ben didn’t reply, Kate looked at him and realized he’d lapsed into brooding silence, eyes staring off, and she wondered what had so completely captured his attention. One moment he’d been teasing, the next his face looked cheerless. And it happened when she'd asked about the Misty Gayle. He also hadn't answered her question, and from the look on his face, she suspected the subject would be closed, even if she pressed him for an answer.

...he spends his time at that place of his when he should be getting on with his life...

Henry Stassen's words seemed to hover in her mind of late. Odd that he'd used the word
hiding
to describe Ben. And what should Ben be getting on with? His business was a success. He had property on the river and a beautiful house. Yet he was a man she couldn't reach...

...he’s easy to talk to and hard to know... tends to keep the world at arm's length

Too true. She knew little about him other than the obvious.

But one thing was becoming evident. Ben Stassen might be hiding from something, but he was also guarding something, and she suspected the thing he was guarding was his heart. And that was the one chink in his armor she wouldn't tamper with because she suspected someone had already done that. Perhaps in time he'd talk about it.

CHAPTER FIVE

Before Kate could probe Ben's lightening change of moods, they arrived at a clearing at the edge of the river. A glint of light came into his eyes and he gave her a furtive smile. “Do you think you can handle being alone with me on the boat?”

Kate shrugged, and replied, with a little hesitation, “Well yes, I suppose so."

“Katie, Katie, Katie,” Ben said, pulling the Jeep in a wide circle, “have you always been burdened with such a suspicious nature, or has it been only since you met me?”

“Definitely, since I met you.” She looked at his jovial smile and mirthful eyes and wondered if the dark mood she’d seen moments before had existed only in her mind.

Confirming that notion, Ben said, “Then I’ll have to prove to you that my intentions are honorable." He backed the boat trailer and positioned it at the top of a concrete boat ramp. “Meanwhile, enjoy yourself while I transfer everything into the boat and launch it."

Kate climbed out of the jeep, slung her duffle bag over her shoulder and grabbed her portfolio, then wandered over to the water's edge. Propping her portfolio against a tree, she turned and stood watching Ben. In fact she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him. It came to her then that maybe it wasn’t Ben’s intentions that set her on edge, but her own. The fact that she’d stuffed the Sealskin into her duffel bag underscored her impulsive nature. And to make sure she didn't act on that and swim with him in a secluded place with only the thickness of a couple of scanty suits separating them, she’d leave the suit behind.