Just Between Friends (O'Rourke Family 4) (13 page)

“Damn.”

Dylan rooted around in Kate’s desk. There were plans to the Douglas Hill House spread out everywhere, so he pushed them out of the way and kept searching until he found an address book. It was late, but he didn’t care. It was more important to find his wife.

Picking up the phone, he flipped to A and started dialing.

“Kate?”

Kate woke up reluctantly, vaguely aware of her name being called. She felt grubby and hungry, yet calmer than she’d felt in weeks. With nothing to do all night but think, she’d come to a difficult decision—no more deception, no more hiding the way she felt about Dylan. It might mean the end of their friendship, but he deserved the truth.

Maybe she should have told him from the beginning. Dylan kept everything bottled up inside, and if he saw her putting her heart and pride on the line, it could make a difference. If he loved her, he loved her.

“Katydid, are you here?”

“Dylan?”

Dust motes stirred in the air as she scrambled from the bed and ran to the door.

“Dylan, I’m in here. The latch is broken.”

A moment later the knob spun as he attempted to open it, with no more success than she’d found. Some creative cursing sounded, though it was muffled by the heavy wood door, and a weary smile crossed her face.

“You’ll have to get some tools,” she said. “I didn’t have anything to use except my fingernails.”

“Just get back, I’m going to kick it in.”

Kate was too tired to argue. “Okay, I’m back,” she called, waiting near the bed.

Dylan’s kick was so powerful the door hit the wall and bounced back in his face.

“Are you all right?” he demanded, striding inside and grabbing her shoulders. “I’ve been going crazy trying to find you. I finally realized the floor plans of the mansion in your room might mean that you’d come over here. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out.”

“I’m fine.”

His concern warmed her heart, but it couldn’t change her decision. She had to tell him before she lost her nerve or before she could be tempted to let things go any further.

“We have to talk,” she blurted out.

His forehead crinkled in a frown. “Yes, I know. But not now. I’m going to get you back to the house so you can get something to eat and some decent rest.”

“No, Dylan, we have to talk now. It can’t wait.”

“Honey, this is crazy. You’re obviously exhausted.”

A choked sob came out of her throat. “Please, this isn’t easy for me.”

Something in Kate’s expression caught Dylan’s attention and he went cold. “Yes?” he asked cautiously.

“The thing is, I wasn’t being fair, asking you to marry me. I think we should file for a divorce right away so you can get back to your life.”

“You…
what
?” Dylan couldn’t believe his ears. Of all the things he’d expected to hear once he found her, being asked for a divorce wasn’t one of them.

“You heard me,” Kate whispered.

“Uh, if this is about us making love, I feel bad
enough about abusing your trust. It won’t happen again.” It was a promise Dylan hoped he could keep, because he’d never had so much trouble keeping his hands to himself.

“It’s not about that.”

“Then what
is
it about?” His emotions, already charged by a sleepless night and frantic worry, exploded in anger. “If you want a divorce, you’re going to have to file for it yourself, Katydid. I may not be the sort of husband you want, but if we separate before the year is up, you’re going to lose the house.”

“The house doesn’t matter,” she said miserably. “I don’t care about it. I never did.”

Dylan stared. “You…don’t?”

“No. I don’t need an inheritance or a husband to support me. I make a good living writing children’s books. As for making love, I’m very capable of saying no, so you aren’t any more responsible for what happened than I am.”

He shook his head. “I don’t get it.”

Kate wrapped her arms around her stomach. She felt cold, but it was mostly fear, not the chill of the old house and early morning air.

“There’s nothing to get. It’s very simple. I tricked you into marrying me. You see, I’ve been in love with you for so very long, but you refused to see that I’d grown up. So when Grandmamma died and put that ridiculous codicil in her will, I used it as an excuse.”

Dylan listened, shock and wonder struggling in his chest.

Kate loved him?

Once upon a time he might have doubted her feelings, but he’d learned too much about her passionate,
loving nature. She wouldn’t say that she loved him if she didn’t mean it with all her heart.

“I love you, too,” he said quietly.

“You’re just saying that because you’re so used to taking care of me. Didn’t you hear me? I tricked you.”

He sighed, wishing he’d been smarter and faster figuring things out. His mother was right. He
had
forgotten to listen to his heart, but he was listening now. And one of the things he heard, like a warm, healing tide, was his father’s wisdom. He didn’t know if Keenan had really spoken to him weeks ago in the garden, but somehow he thought it was true.

“The codicil is real. You had to get married or lose the house.”

“I told you I don’t care about the house,” she exclaimed. “The historical society is going to run it as a nonprofit foundation.”

Dylan grinned.

That was more like Kate. He should have known she wouldn’t want Douglas Hill House for herself. It was too pretentious and stuffy. Anybody who’d drive that former rust bucket of a car wouldn’t give two figs for a brooding old mansion.

As for her deception, he
was
a little annoyed about it, but things had turned out well, so it seemed ungrateful to complain. He could forgive her, if that’s what she wanted.

“Honey, it’s all right, it doesn’t matter how it happened.”

“It doesn’t?”

“No. I knew something was up, but I went along, anyway. I do, however, have to point out that the house
isn’t yours for a year. And won’t
ever
be yours if we get divorced. Which would be a shame—Seattle could use another museum showpiece like the Pittock Mansion down in Portland. It’ll take some work, but my company will help with the restoration.”

Kate slapped her forehead. “I wish you’d listen to me.”

“I am, honey, I’m finally listening. People have said things about us for years that didn’t make sense to me. I guess they recognized the truth I was too stubborn to see, or maybe I just didn’t have enough courage to risk losing what we did have for something that might not come true.”

Kate trembled. Dylan was probably just saying what he knew she wanted to hear, but she knew how to scare him.

“I’m pregnant, Dylan. You didn’t use anything that first night, and I was in my fertile period. I knew it, but I thought you’d used something, and then things got…out of control.”

Instead of the panicked, trapped expression she expected, a brilliant smile filled his face. The last time she’d seen him that happy was before his father died.

“You’re having our baby?” He touched her tummy with a look of reverence.

“Yes, a baby. Crying in the middle of the night, teething, dirty diapers…the whole thing.”

“It’s wonderful. I hope it’s a girl just like her mother.”

She leaned against one of the high bedposts and moaned, wanting to believe him.

“I love you so much it scares me,” Dylan murmured, his large hand caressing her abdomen. “I know it’s not going to be easy. I have to start talking and listening, especially to you, but you’re willing to help, aren’t you?”

“Of course, but—”

He put a finger over her mouth. “Listen, Kate. Deep down I’ve always loved you, but I couldn’t accept that a woman like you would ever look at such an ordinary guy. That’s why I wanted you to stay a kid…because then you wouldn’t really see me.”

“I’ve always seen you,” Kate whispered, her throat aching with regret for the lost years. But at least Dylan had acknowledged his feelings and the lingering insecurities of his boyhood, and it gave her hope for the future. “I’ve seen you better than anyone. You’re wonderful. All I’ve ever wanted is to be with you.”

Dylan saw the love and faith in Kate’s eyes and pulled her close. “I love you,” he whispered. “Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t.” But all at once she drew back and raised her eyebrows. “Now tell me where you spent all those nights.”

He threw back his head and laughed. She’d finally asked. “On my office couch. I thought it would cool things down between us.”

Kate tugged on his belt buckle. “You thought wrong. I have years of sleeping alone to make up for, and I don’t plan on wasting any time.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

He eyed the bed. “That’s interesting. I’ve always wanted to make love in a dark, forbidding mansion, in a four-poster bed, after rescuing a sexy woman who miraculously happens to be my wife.”

“It was very lonely in that bed last night.”

Dylan smiled and gathered her close, finally under
standing that was all he’d ever needed to do; his beautiful butterfly would always make sure she was within reach.

“It won’t ever be lonely again,” he promised against her lips. “You can count on it.”

K
ate held her baby daughter and smiled proudly as Dylan stood at the podium. The mayor and governor had already given their speeches, then she’d spoken briefly. Now it was his turn.

“Ladies and gentleman, it has been a great privilege to work with my wife in restoring this house to its original condition.”

“Hi, Poppa,” exclaimed eighteen-month-old Keenan, bouncing up and down in the chair next to Kate. The assembled guests and dignitaries and assorted O’Rourkes laughed.

Dylan grinned. “Hi, son.”

Pegeen shushed her grandson and lifted him onto her lap. She was a marvelous grandmother, loving and indulgent, particularly with her hugs and kisses. Her grandkids would never have to wonder if she loved
them, and Kate’s eyes misted, knowing she’d never have to wonder about that again, either.

“Anybody who knows my lovely wife knows her dedication to the betterment of people’s lives, and her passion to preserve the history of our town…” Dylan continued, only to be interrupted by a burst of applause.

Heat flooded Kate’s cheeks and she ducked her face over Caitlin’s receiving blanket. Honestly, Dylan had promised he wouldn’t embarrass her.

“…and today a dream of hers has come true—to offer her family’s historic home as a museum and cultural center to the emerald city of Seattle.”

More applause broke out, and Kate’s gaze locked with Dylan’s as he waited. The past three years had been filled with love and laughter and hard work…and the arrival of two very special little people. First Keenan, named for the grandfather he would know only in spirit, and then Caitlin, the daughter who’d already enslaved her poppa with her bright smiles.

Dylan loved being a daddy.

He was already hinting around that in another year or two they could expand their family.

And why not?

The carriage house had plenty of room. Dylan had transformed the entire second floor into a lovely, spacious home. He’d planned everything, including a master bedroom and bath, complete with a whirlpool tub, big enough for two. A tall, wrought iron fence would keep visitors to the mansion away from the house without being too obvious.

“So without further ado, the Douglas Hill House is declared officially open for visitors,” Dylan announced.

More cheers and clapping followed, and Kate was immediately surrounded by well-wishers. She looked at her husband through the sea of people and blew him a kiss.

“It’s a fine thing you’ve done here,” said Richard Carter, finding her in a more quiet moment.

“I doubt it’s what Grandmamma expected me to do with the house.”

He sighed. “Your grandmother had many ideas, Katrina, and many expectations. It is questionable that any of them made her happy.”

“Darling.” Dylan put his arms around both her and Caitlin and kissed her cheek. “Hey, Richard. Glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t have missed the grand opening, Dylan. I toured Hill House a few days ago with the historical society. It’s remarkable what you’ve done in there.”

“Yeah, it came out all right.”

Dylan kept an arm around Kate as he looked back at the mansion. It no longer brooded, alone and neglected. The formal gardens were carefully restored, with sweeping green lawns and a profusion of fall plantings. Sparkling windows and the restored stone exterior had only been the beginning; they’d stripped and stained and painted, doing much of the work themselves, revealing the enduring spirit of a grand old lady.

He’d grown fond of the mansion, largely because it had helped bring Kate to him. They’d also managed to make love in nearly every room, forever imprinting it
with sexy laughter and happy memories. Kate believed houses reflected the lives of their owners. Dylan didn’t know if that was true, but in case she was right, they’d done their best to give the Douglas Hill House a good new beginning.

“Poppa.”

Dylan laughed as Keenan barreled into his legs. “Hey, buddy.” He lifted his son high in the air and settled him on his shoulders.

Keenan chortled and patted his daddy’s head.

God, it was great to be alive.

They were eating refreshments in the garden when Kate looked up and stiffened. “It’s my father.”

Terrific.

Kate still didn’t have much of a relationship with Isabelle and Chad Douglas, though Chad had made some effort. He truly seemed to regret missing their wedding and had stopped to visit a few times.

“Hello, Katrina.”

“Father. I’m glad you could come. I hope…I hope this is all right with you. We never really talked about it.”

Chad looked around the gardens, then back at his childhood home. A strange, almost contorted expression went across his face. “Katrina, do you know why my mother left you the Hill House, instead of me?”

“Not really.” Kate moved closer to Dylan and he clasped her hand. It was something she’d wondered about, and she worried her father would object to his family home going on public display.

“It’s because I hated it so much. Ever since I was a child.”

Kate’s eyes widened. “You did?”

“Yes. But somehow it feels different now. By the way, I saw the dedication to Rycroft in the foyer.” A smile broke out on Chad’s mouth. “I’m glad you made it his again. I just wish he’d hung around long enough to take me with him—I think I would have enjoyed Alaska.”

Dylan suddenly found himself liking his father-in-law. “It’s never too late, sir.”

“No.” Chad looked at Kate, then at the baby in her arms, and his grandson playing hide-and-seek beneath a bench. “While it does sound like fun, I’d rather get to know my own family. It turns out I’ve got a really special daughter.”

Kate gulped back tears.

Chad gave her an awkward hug, then kissed her forehead. “Let’s go out to lunch soon.”

She nodded agreement.

It was a start. That was all anyone could ask for.

Much later, with everything quiet and the children in bed, Kate put her head on Dylan’s shoulder and gazed into the fire crackling on the hearth.

“You did a nice job restoring the old cars,” she murmured.

He laughed. “They didn’t need restoring, just a good coat of wax. But they look good in the garage your great-grandfather built.”

“Mmm, yes.”

The carriage house had only been used to house the family’s old cars, once newer ones had been acquired. In keeping with the historic theme of Hill House, her grandmother’s limousine had been relegated to a storage shed, and the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and Daimler
now gleamed in its place. A sophisticated security system guarded the priceless vehicles, much to the relief of the foundation charged with protecting them.

Kate kissed her husband’s jaw. “By my calculations, we have just over two hours before Caitlin will demand her next feeding. Do you have any ideas on how we could use that time?”

“I might.” His fingers slipped under her blouse and caressed her breasts.

Shimmering warmth spun through her veins. She’d never get tired of it, the loving and holding and passion.

“I love a man who knows how to use his hands,” she purred.

Dylan grinned and tossed her blouse and nursing bra over his shoulders. “And the foundation loves having a free handyman, conveniently living on the property.”

Kate looked at him seriously. “You don’t have to keep doing so much. We’ve got a resident caretaker and a security staff, and the endowment is more than enough to cover costs. Besides, they know you have O’Rourke Construction to run.”

“Hey, if I didn’t like it, I’d say so. You’re the one who has trouble saying no.”

She blushed and put her face on his chest. There were times Kate still reminded Dylan of the little girl she’d once been, and she probably always would, but her body definitely belonged to a woman.

“I love you,” he whispered, lifting her chin and looking into her sea green eyes. “I couldn’t live without you.”

“You never have to.”

Their lips met in a sweet kiss, filled with forerunners of desire and a future of hope and love.

Life just didn’t get any better.