One Night (15 page)

“This is Kyle’s two-week notice,” she said, in a voice that was reed thin. She felt as if she’d had the wind knocked out of her and was unable to get her breath back.

“So this is as much of a surprise to you as it is to me?”

“Yes. I had no idea,” she said when she could. “Did he tell you where he’s headed?”

“No. I got the impression he didn’t know himself. My feeling is that it isn’t anywhere near here.”

“I see.”

“You don’t know what this is all about, then?”

She shook her head. “I don’t have a clue.”

Kyle was turning his back and walking out on her. After all the times he’d said he cared for her and wanted to marry her and give their baby his name.

Now she knew the truth.

Despite his words to the contrary, Kyle was doing exactly what his father had done to his mother: walking out.

Then again, she might be leaping to conclusions.
She’d been guilty of that in the past. “I’ll talk to him,” she announced, knowing without Clyde’s having to say it that this was what he wanted her to do.

“KUTE doesn’t want to lose Kyle.”

“You were willing enough to let us both go not so long ago,” she reminded him.

“Naw,” Clyde said with a cocky grin. “That was just a ploy to smooth the waters between you two—and it worked. Far better than anyone ever imagined, I might add. What you young people failed to recognize is that there’s often a thin line between love and hate.”

“In other words, you set us up.”

“Something like that. I figured you’d end up either passionately in love or murdering each other. My best guess was that you’d fall in love, and I was right.”

So he’d thrown them together and then stood back to watch the fireworks, like a display on the Fourth of July.

“Talk to him, Carrie. See if you can find out what’s bugging him. If anyone can convince Kyle to stay on at the station, it’s you.”

Carrie wasn’t convinced this was true. She had every reason to believe he’d given notice in an effort to get away from her. What hurt her so terribly was that he’d gone behind her back, leaving her to learn what he’d done from Clyde.

She left Clyde’s office, and moved down the hallway past the control room to the enclosed cubicle that served as the newsroom. Kyle was reading the news wire. He took stories that came from the Associated Press and rewrote them
according to the amount of interest there would be for each specific story in their area.

“You busy?” she asked.

“Not particularly,” he said absently.

Carrie stepped inside and closed the door. When it clicked into place, Kyle glanced up, seemingly surprised. She offered him a shaky smile that cost her a good deal, in light of what she’d just learned.

“I’m sorry about the scene with my parents.”

“No problem.” He turned back to the news wire. “I see what you mean about your father.”

“He didn’t mean to come off like such a jerk. He’s worried about me, is all.”

“So he said.”

“You did everything right. He thinks you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re great, exactly the type of son-in-law he’s wished for all these years. He thinks you’re just the kind of man I need to whip me into shape.” She made a fist and punched the air with it. “By golly, you’ve already proved yourself. One look at you, and Daddy knew you’d keep me barefoot and pregnant for years to come.”

Kyle glanced her way as if he wasn’t sure he should be amused or angry. “I sincerely doubt that.”

“But you are,” she said sarcastically, then regretted the childish display of emotion. “I just finished talking to Clyde.”

She had his full attention now. The news wire might be typing out the late-breaking story of World War III and he wouldn’t notice. His eyes all but drilled holes into her.

“He showed me your letter,” she said.

His attention returned to the news wire. “So you know?”

“Yeah, I know. When did you plan to break the news? Or did you intend to tell me at all?”

“I doubt that I could have kept it a secret.”

“Probably not,” she agreed with a certain lack of graciousness. “When did you decide to leave the station?” Despite his proposal, she guessed it had happened when he’d had time to consider the consequences of their one fateful night.

He didn’t have any reason to feel responsible. She’d absolved him from that in the beginning. As he’d so eloquently put it, she’d been the one to come to his room.

She guessed he was testing her now to see if she was serious or not. She’d meant every word earlier, when she’d said it. Now it felt wrong. She bit back the words that would force him to face up to his obligation to her and their baby.

“I made my decision this morning,” Kyle answered her.

“Before or after meeting my father?” she asked with a shaky laugh.

The hint of a smile touched his lips. “Before.”

“Do…you have another job waiting for you?”

“Not yet.”

“I hear KAKY radio has need of a newsman.” She knew nothing of the sort but was looking for his reaction.

“Thanks.”

“Will you apply?” she pressed.

“Probably not.”

“Why? You’d be a shoo-in, especially with a letter of recommendation from Clyde.”

Kyle walked around her and returned to his desk. “I was planning to look for work out of state. If you must know, I’ve been considering heading for the South Pacific. I’ve always had a yen to visit Australia and New Zealand.”

“Oh.” Carrie felt as if a giant football player had tackled her. It sounded as if Kyle wanted to be as far away from her as he could get.

“In other words, you’re walking out on me,” she said, struggling not to come off as accusatory.

“Not really.”

“Not really,” she echoed, with a soft hysterical laugh. “It seems to me you’re following in your father’s footsteps. From what you told me, he walked out on your mother. Now you’re doing the same thing to me.”

“No, Carrie, I’m not.” Just the way he spoke told her how angry he was. “I’m giving you exactly what you asked for. Space and time.”

“Fifteen thousand miles is a bit more space than I need.”

“I was planning to visit once the baby’s born.” He made a few notations on an article he’d pulled off the wire.

“Isn’t this all rather sudden?” She thought about their conversation that morning. He’d seemed more relaxed, and now she understood the reason. He was abandoning her, something she would have sworn he’d never do. She noticed that he hadn’t mentioned his plans to her father. Not that she particularly blamed him.

“I must say you put on a wonderful performance for my parents. I guess I should thank you for that.”

He tossed her a surly look. “Did it ever occur to you to inquire why I’m uprooting my life and moving myself bodily as far as I can from you and our child?”

“No,” she said in a tight, small voice.

“Because I’ve lost the ability to think clearly any longer.”

His reason hit Carrie hard. “I don’t want you to leave Kansas City. I need you…more now than ever.” Her pride came crashing at her feet. Her voice trembled, but she managed to sound confident and secure by the time she finished.

“You want to make a lapdog out of me.”

“That’s not true.”

“I’m not willing to follow you around while you decide if you’ll deign to marry me or not. I’m a man, Carrie, and although I don’t have much pride anymore when it comes to you and our baby, I have enough to protect what little ego I have left.”

“But—”

“You’ve already given me a valid list of reasons why you won’t marry me,” he said, cutting her off. “I respect those reasons. I respect your freedom of choice. That’s all fine and dandy, but I have needs too. It all boils down to one thing.”

“What’s that?” she asked in an incredibly fragile voice.

“I couldn’t bear to watch my child grow in your womb week by week and feel helpless. It’s bad enough having you push me out of your life this way.”

“I’m not pushing you out of my life,” she insisted,
ready to become involved in a lengthy battle of words, but apparently he didn’t want that because he ignored her comment.

“I’m respecting your wishes. All I ask is that you respect mine.”

“But—” She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything more.

“I’m trying the best I can to do what’s right for you, for me, and for our baby. If you change your mind about marrying me, let me know.”

“So that’s what this is all about,” she said incredulously. It was all beginning to make sense. Kyle was blackmailing her into caving in to his wishes. Since he hadn’t been able to convince her to marry him, this must be Plan B.

It was as she’d always suspected. Kyle was just like her father, only far more subtle.

“I’m going to miss you” she said, as if his leaving were of little concern to her. “I hope you’ll keep in touch.”

“I will.”

“A postcard now and again from the outback would certainly be interesting.”

Kyle walked over to the news desk and Carrie slipped out of the office. She was shaky and uncertain. Returning to her own office, she sat in the chair and pressed her forehead against the heel of her hands.

“How’d it go?” Clyde asked, sticking his head in the door.

She didn’t look up. “Not good. He’s thinking about traveling to the South Pacific.”

“That’s a bit drastic, isn’t it?”

Carrie smiled sadly. “My thoughts exactly.”

“Did he give you any indication why?”

“Yes,” she whispered, turning to face her employer. “He says it’s because he can’t think clearly any longer.”

The phone was ringing
when Kyle walked into the house that night. He stared at it for four rings before answering. “Hello.”

“Kyle, something’s wrong. My crystals have been hot all day. Tell me what’s happening with you so I can help.”

He should have known it would be his mother. She had a knack for sensing when he was at a low point and then going all motherly on him. He’d practically raised Lillian, and to have her suddenly decide to be the parent was seldom any comfort.

“Tell me,” Lillian insisted.

“Have you ever considered that your crystals could be wrong?” Kyle asked, not wanting to get into a long-drawn-out discussion. Not tonight. He had far more important matters on his mind.

“I can always tell when something isn’t right. My crystals haven’t led me wrong yet.”

“If you must know, I quit my job today.” It would be simpler just to admit it and be done with it.

“You quit your job? But why? Kyle, you’re beginning to make a name for yourself at KUTE. You and Carrie are the two most popular morning personalities in Kansas City.”

“Mother, if you don’t mind, I have to get off the phone.”

“You’ll call me?” She used the low voice that let him know he’d hurt her feelings.

“Of course, I’ll phone you soon,” he promised. He glanced at his watch to gauge how much time he had before he had to meet Richards. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Don’t forget to call me.”

“I won’t.” By this time he would have willingly agreed to just about anything. “I’ve really got to go now.”

“Okay, okay,” Lillian agreed reluctantly. “I want you to know you can come to me for anything. You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

Kyle replaced the receiver with a sigh of relief. Once more he checked his watch. His rendezvous with the Secret Service agent was scheduled for a movie theater. The location had been Richards’s choice, not his. Kyle had agreed, although he didn’t understand why they couldn’t meet at his house the way they had before.

The sooner he got rid of the key, the better he’d feel. He wasn’t much for these cops-and-robbers games, especially now when his personal life was a mess. Although Carrie and he had been warned
about being in danger, Kyle hadn’t sensed that it was anything immediate. Perhaps he should be more concerned, but he hadn’t seen any real evidence of trouble. At any rate, it would soon be over, and frankly he was just as glad.

Kyle reached for the telephone and punched out Carrie’s number. She answered on the third ring.

“Hello.” It sounded as if she had a bad cold.

“It’s Kyle,” he said stiffly. “Would you like to go to the movies with me?”

His request was followed by an intense silence. “You’re asking me to the movies?” she asked, as if she wasn’t convinced she’d heard him correctly.

“Yes.” His first inclination had been to explain what they’d be doing at the theater and state that it was her duty to see this fiasco through. He’d really invited her as an excuse to be with her. Such times would be precious few in less than two weeks.

“You handed in your notice this morning,” Carrie said in a clear, crisp voice, as if she were a professional reporting the news. “You came right out and told me you’re walking out on me and the baby, and now you’re asking me to go to the movies?” The last few words came out high and mildly hysterical.

“Basically, you’re right. I’m meeting Richards there to give him the key I found. Do you want to come or not?” He took exception to the way she suggested he was abandoning her and the baby but let it pass.

“I’ll come.”

“Fine. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

She was ready when he arrived, and he was struck by how radiantly beautiful she looked in her pale
blue cotton dress. An oversized bag was draped over her shoulder. She wore her hair down and tied at the neck with a silk scarf.

He tore his gaze away because he couldn’t look at her and remain unaffected. It had been that way from the moment the pregnancy was confirmed. Even before. He couldn’t look at her without having to fight down the desire to hold her and make love to her.

They drove in silence to the theater complex, which was adjacent to a nearby shopping mall.

“Richards suggested we meet him here?” she asked after they’d parked and were in line for tickets.

“Yes. I was surprised too, but he must know what he’s doing,” Kyle said. The stupid key felt as if it were burning a hole in his pocket.

“I’ll be glad when this whole thing is over.”

Kyle shared her feelings. The movie was some ridiculous good-guys and bad-guys thriller he never would have paid to see otherwise. Apparently Richards had an ironic sense of humor.

“Do you want popcorn?” Kyle asked as they passed the snack bar.

“I brought my own,” Carrie whispered, looking from side to side to be sure no one overheard her. “Drinks too.”

Kyle couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You can’t do that,” he said, cupping her elbow and directing her to a corner of the lobby where they could speak privately. “Didn’t you read the sign on your way in the door? It says no one is allowed to bring food into the theater.”

“Sure, they want you to spend three bucks for a soda and twice that for a bag of popcorn. It’s highway robbery. I refuse to pay such outlandish prices.”

“Then don’t eat.” Kyle was fast losing his patience.

“I like popcorn with my movie.”

“Carrie, they could kick you out of the theater.”

“Let them,” she said with a defiant tilt of her chin. “Don’t worry, I promise not to implicate you.” She regarded him in a way that suggested she’d gladly stand before a firing squad before she so much as hinted he was involved in her hideous crime.

“Fine,” he muttered, but it wasn’t. Perhaps he should count his blessings that Carrie had refused to marry him. Heaven knew she could find the most unique ways of irritating him.

A teenager with a bronze tan that Kyle suspected came from a tanning both took their tickets and directed them to the appropriate theater.

“I suppose you’re one of those people who like to sit way in the back,” Carrie said as they entered the theater, which was fast filling up.

“Generally I do sit in the back.” It went without saying that little Carrie would prefer a front-row seat. “This evening we don’t have any choice. Richards told me exactly where to meet him.”

“What if someone is already seated there?” Carrie asked.

“No one is, so we don’t need to worry about it. I’m to take the aisle seat.” Kyle stepped aside at the third row and allowed her to go in first.

At least the seats in the first few rows were wider and more comfortable, Kyle noted gratefully.

“When’s Richards planning to arrive?” she asked, knifing into his thoughts.

“I don’t know.”

“I was just thinking,” Carrie said, in that easygoing way of hers that was indicative of anything but nonchalance. Kyle had been taken in far too often not to know how serious she was.

“Thinking about what?” he asked, making sure he sounded interested. A teenage couple claimed the two seats directly in front of them. They had both dyed their hair jet black and then let someone with a Weed Eater style it for them. The girl wore hoop earrings that were so big a seal could have leaped through them.

“I was thinking about doing some traveling myself,” Carrie continued. “I’ve always wanted to visit the South Pacific. The baby and I could come visit you, and you could show us around.”

“If that’s what you want,” he said, noncommittally.

“Would you like it if I came?” she asked, with the same nonchalance.

“I’d like it very much.”

That seemed to appease her, but it did little to ease Kyle’s mind. He wanted to take her by the shoulder and shake some sense into her. The words to suggest she marry him were on the tip of his tongue, but he’d vowed he wouldn’t ask her again. When and if they married, the proposal had to come from her.

“Cough,” she said under her breath.

“Excuse me?”

“Cough,” she repeated, taking a soda can from the bottom of her purse.

He coughed once politely and she used that as a diversion to open her soda can. Unfortunately his faked malady did little to disguise the popping and fizzing sounds. Nervously, Kyle turned around to see how much attention they’d generated. He was relieved to notice that no one seemed to care.

After taking a deep swallow of soda, Carrie looked at him. “Want some popcorn?” She opened her purse, and he saw that the inside was stuffed full of popcorn, carefully packaged in a plastic bag.

“No, thanks,” he said, worried Carrie was going to get them kicked out of the theater. He wished he had thought to ask her to wait until after meeting Richards.

“Suit yourself.”

The minute the lights lowered, she began to munch happily on her snack. Kyle’s stomach grumbled. He hadn’t had dinner, and he hadn’t realized how hungry he was. He hated to admit how good the popcorn looked and smelled.

Previews were being shown when he reached over. “Are you still willing to share?”

“Of course,” she said, working a handful of kernels toward her mouth.

Kyle took his first sample, surprised how weak his principles were when it came to his stomach.

“Do you want a soda too?” she asked.

He might as well hang for a sheep as a lamb. “Sure.”

She dug around in that bag of hers and came up with a root beer, his favorite. “Thanks,” he said and when he went to open it, she coughed as if she were having some kind of seizure. Unfortunately his soda
can wasn’t any less noisy than hers had been. The sound seemed to reverberate around the theater like the gun of a warship.

When he’d finished, their eyes met in the dimly lit theater and she smiled. Kyle didn’t know what it was about this woman’s smile that affected him so profoundly. He felt the power of it go through him like an electric shock. He tried to think of what his life would be like without her. Pride had demanded that he make his trek to the South Pacific sound like a lifelong ambition, but in reality he would give it up in a heartbeat if Carrie agreed to marry him. Half a heartbeat.

But even without factoring in her pregnancy, Kyle wasn’t sure he was keen on a long-term relationship. There was too much pain involved, especially when the other party might not return his feelings. There was nothing left to do but to cut his losses and remove himself from more potential misery.

“Excuse me.” A flashlight was aimed at the purse that rested in Carrie’s lap. The butter on the contraband glistened like diamonds under the glow. “Could I speak to both of you in the lobby?”

It was the same tanned teenager who’d taken their tickets earlier.

“What’s this about?” Carrie asked in a loud whisper.

“Shh.” The teenage girl with the hula hoops for earrings turned around and pressed her finger over her lips.

“Please, we prefer to talk to you in the lobby,” the usher insisted.

“They’re kicking us out of the theater,” Kyle mut
tered under his breath, blaming her. He could feel the stares of those around him, including the teenage boy with the weird haircut. Kyle glared back, although he felt like a first-class fool.

“They won’t actually kick us out, will they?” Carrie asked in a whisper as they followed the usher into the lobby.

“You’ll need to discuss that with the manager,” the usher explained.

Kyle reached for Carrie’s hand. For all he knew this could have something to do with Richards, although if it did, he certainly intended on making his opinions known. There must be ways of obtaining the key without publicly humiliating them.

They were directed into the manager’s office and told to sit down and wait.

“I knew this was going to get us into trouble,” Kyle said uncharitably as he paced the small office.

The manager, a middle-aged, overweight man, appeared in the doorway and hesitated when he saw them. “This generally happens with kids,” he said, frowning at Kyle as if to say he should know better. “This is the first time I’ve had to ask two adults to leave the premises.”

“Exactly what have we done that’s so terrible?” Carrie demanded, the picture of innocence.

“You smuggled soda and popcorn into our theater,” the manager said, as if this was a well-rehearsed speech. “Our parent company has a strict policy against such behavior. It’s posted throughout the theater complex, so don’t try to say you didn’t see the signs.”

“But…” Her indignation died a fast death, Kyle
noted, as the manager held up her soda can and removed the plastic bag of popcorn from her purse.

“You’re welcome to come back to the theater with a written permission slip from your parents that states—”

“My parents? I beg your pardon,” Kyle said.

“Sorry.” The manager’s smile was apologetic. “As I explained, this generally happens with youngsters. You’re welcome to patronize our theater again as long as you understand that any food you consume must be purchased from our snack facilities.”

“Now that you have the contraband we’d like to return to the movie,” Kyle said sternly. He was an adult and refused to be treated like a juvenile.

“Then you shouldn’t have smuggled in goodies.” The manager’s voice rang with righteousness. “If you care to watch the movie, you’ll need to purchase another ticket.”

Kyle was not appeased. “I’ll see my attorney about this.”

“You do what you feel is necessary,” the manager said, without revealing the least bit of concern over a lawsuit. With that he escorted them to the front door and held it open. Once they were on the other side, he all but brushed his hands as if he were pleased to be rid of them.

Kyle was outraged at the way in which they’d been made to feel like criminals. The fact that they’d been forced off the premises and instructed to purchase a second set of tickets didn’t sit any better.

“Come on,” he said to Carrie, ushering her back to the box office.

“I’m sorry, Kyle,” she said.

“Don’t worry about it.” Hell would be sponsoring ice skating competitions before he’d ever visit
this
theater again.

“Everything I do backfires,” she murmured, her eyes avoiding his.