Finding Kylie (25 page)

             
He leaned forward to wrap this up. “What I
did come to tell you is that I found the file on the Wayne’s.” 

             
Jesse watched his brother’s smug face turn to stone. 

             
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  John lied.

             
“Yes, you do.” Jesse crossed his arms.  “Now I know why you were shipped off to military school, and I know what you did to Kylie.  Did you know she passed away recently?”

             
“Kylie?”  John’s jaw dropped. 

             
He could see the shock in his brother’s eyes.
Okay, so he didn’t know. 

             
Jesse could always tell when his brother was lying.  His left eyebrow always went up.   In seeing his brother’s reaction, he knew he had almost accomplished what he had came here for.  His goal was to pull the rug out from underneath him, and then leave as quickly as he came. 

             
To show he was in control, Jesse stood just as the waitress approached. 

             
“Drinks gentleman?”  She slid cocktail napkins on the table, and waited with an expectant stare. 

             
Jesse sent her a brilliant smile.  “No thanks.  I’m leaving, but he’ll need a big one.”  He nodded toward John and threw a hundred dollar bill on the table.   “This one’s on me little brother.”

             
He started to leave, but for effect paused and leaned down to whisper gruffly into his ear. 

             
“Oh, and I know who and where you daughter is.  Only you’re to stay away from her.  Do you understand?  You’ve done enough.”

             
John watched his brother’s back as he exited the patio lounge.  Shell-shocked couldn’t come close to describing how he felt.  He’d waited his entire adult life to find her.

             
He knows where she is!  He knows where my daughter is!
 

             
Everything in him told him to run after Jesse and shake the information out of him, but thought better of it after remembering his brother’s ice-cold eyes.

             
I need to wait.
 
She must have contacted him.  If I wait, maybe I’ll have my chance to contact her too. 

             
John ordered a stiff drink and contemplated his next move.  There was no way that his big brother would keep him from his daughter. He’d waited too long to miss this.

Chapter 3
3

             
Timothy pulled into his parent’s driveway in Oklahoma City, and turned off the engine.  He sat for a few minutes before opening the car door, dreading the conversation to come.  He hadn’t been home in a couple years, and knew his mom’s radar would be up. 

             
She’s going to suspect something and I’m never going to hear the end of it.
  He grasped the door handle, and told himself, “It’s now or never Banks.”

             
After swinging his duffle bag over his shoulder, he rounded the garage to his parent’s front door.             

             
“Hey guys.  I’m home!  What’s for dinner?  It smells good,” Timothy yelled, and dropped his bag inside the doorway.

             
“Timothy Matthew Banks.  Get in here and give me a hug!” His mom rushed in and wrapped her arms around his waist, before yelling through the kitchen, “James, your son is here.” 

             
Timothy’s father came into the foyer, and pulled his son into a warm embrace. 

             
“Hi dad.” Timothy sank into his father’s large frame; similar to his own, and then grabbed his mom to wrap his arms around her once more. 

             
As Janie Banks felt her son’s ribs, she backed away to look into his eyes.

             
“I bet you’re starved.  They don’t feed you on those flights anymore.  I have dinner in the oven.  Get in here.” She motioned her husband to take Tim’s bag, and pulled her son to the kitchen to eat.  “So tell me.  What on earth is going on?”  She put her hands on her hips and gave him her no-nonsense stare. 

             
“Nothing like being direct mom!”  He laughed and sat down at the kitchen island.  “Can’t a guy just miss his parents and want to visit?” 

             
His mother stared him down and leaned in.  “I know this is bigger than missing your parents.  You’ve been too busy with your practice to take any trips home for over two years.” 

             
She shook her head and continued, “Now don’t get me wrong ... I am glad to see you, but before you leave you’ll tell me why you’re really here.”

             
“Janie, leave the poor boy alone and let him eat.  I’m starving too.  Please, fix our plates and let us catch up.” 

             
James smiled and sat down next to his son.  He knew the best way to ease his wife’s curiosity was to bring up law or politics.  It was two of the things he liked discussing most with his son … not only because they could have an engaging conversation, but also because he knew his wife would bore with it.  She would soon tune them out, which meant they could have their time without any unnecessary interruptions.

             
“So, how’s your practice going?”  The Colonel asked while pulling his chair up.

             
“Pretty good.  I actually got a case that has ties here locally, so I am in town to finish up the final paperwork and legalities.” 

             
“So that’s why the quick trip home?  Well, good … whatever it takes to get you here for a few days.”  James placated him, knowing something else going on than just routine paperwork.

             
His son was his own man, who was driven hard to succeed at whatever he put his mind to. He also knew that Timothy didn’t waste time with paperwork when he had staff to finalize that for him.  If he were in town to see someone about a case, than James would bet that it was to see a woman.  He also would lay money on it being more than professional interests he had in her.

             
I am interested to see what will come from this weekend,
James thought and started talking about the local current events to pass the time with his son.   

             
Timothy was glad his dad decided to run interference, but all he really wanted to do was to go upstairs and get settled.  It would give him the opportunity he needed to call Chastity and surprise her. 

             
I can’t wait to see her.

             
He had to focus to keep up with his dad’s conversation.  It took everything he had to answer his questions, when all he could think about were Chastity Wayne’s eyes … and the way he got lost in them.

Chapter 3
4

             
Timothy rounded the car to open Chastity’s door. He could hardly sleep last night in anticipation of seeing her today.  He called her as soon as he could slip away from his parents, claiming to be jet lagged. 

             
Dialing her cell was the hardest thing he could remember doing in years.  Not knowing how she would respond to his arrival in town, his fingers were a little jittery.  It was all for nothing though.  He could hear the warmth in her voice when she answered, and when he told her where he was she showed genuine excitement. 

             
They talked until midnight and made plans to see each other first thing the next afternoon.  Chastity had asked him to bring her down town to visit the Murrah Bombing Memorial.  Although not your typical first date, he was more than happy to be her tour guide for the afternoon.

             
From Chastity’s viewpoint, she could see straight down Fifth Street through the park’s entrance.  The entryway was engraved with the time of 9:01, which represented the minute before the bombing.  She knew she should have chosen somewhere more light-hearted for their first date, but was still thoroughly looking forward to paying her respects. 

             
I can’t travel to Oklahoma and not come here,
she reminded herself. 
And to be honest, I couldn’t see myself coming here with anyone other than him.  

             
She watched Timothy approaching, and couldn’t help but notice how ruggedly handsome he was.  His strong features would have been enough to get her attention, but that smile of his sent her over the edge.

             
Since she never opened up to men, it was eye opening to find herself wanting more time with him. He gave her the sense that she could trust him, which was completely different than what she was used to.  She looked through the windshield with complete adoration, knowing he could never understand how comforting it was to be near him. 

             
Chastity knew it was because he was key in helping her cope with her mother’s secrets.  By helping her through the news of her inheritance, he had won a small piece of her over, which wasn’t something she took lightly. 

             
Staring down the street to the entrance of the park, she felt peace.             

             
Being here with him feels right. 

             
She smiled, as he offered a hand to help her out of the car.  His grip was firm but gentle, and as he pulled her toward him all she could think about was how his hands would feel on her skin.   Her stomach dropped, as if she’d jumped out of a plane. She shook her head, pushing any desire from her mind.  It was too soon.

             
She waited until he closed her car door, to drop his hand, wishing she could have held it longer.

             
It’s a good thing we only planned the afternoon together.  It’s less pressure than dinner and drinks
. 

             
She inwardly groaned as her mind wandered back to the idea of his hands exploring her body. 

             
It will be less tempting too,
she reminded herself.
 

             
Timothy slid his bankcard into the electric parking meter, and led her toward the entrance.

             
“I’m a cheap date, huh?” She bit her lip.  

         “
Nothing about you is cheap, Ms. Wayne.” He looked at her from under his eyelids.

         His
slight drawl shook her to the core.
Man, what is he doing to me? 

         “
Is that a hint of an accent I hear?” She grinned and spun around to walk backwards in front of him, flirting with a few more ideas in her head. 

         He liked where this was going.  “
Yeah, I’m back for two days and it comes out like I’ve been here all my life."

         “
I kind of like it.  It’s cute.” She nodded and turned back to walk beside him. 

             
“Great … cute!  That’s just what I was going for.”  He rolled his eyes and laughed. 

             
As quickly as they fell into each other’s company, they fell into solace just as fast.  Silence overtook them, as they walked through the double archway of the memorial.