“You and I are going to be housemates for the night.”

“What? But I couldn’t—”

“Yes, you can. Have you looked outside lately? It’s pouring. And it’s late at night.”

Her lips pressed into a firm line as she got to her feet and pushed in the chair. “I don’t need your charity.”

“Who says it’s charity? You’d be saving me from a load of trouble with my aunt if she found out I kicked you to the curb on a night like this.”

She didn’t have any idea what it was costing him to ask her to stay, even for one night. This place was a tomb of memories. He didn’t want anyone inside here, witnessing his utter failure to keep his family together.

But there was something about Kate—more than the dark smudges beneath her eyes—more than how he found himself attracted to her. There was a vulnerability in her gaze—something he’d guess she’d gone to great pains to hide from everyone—but he’d noticed. Maybe because he’d been vulnerable before too.

“You don’t look too sure about this.”

He was usually much better with his poker face, but the dismal events of the day combined with the lateness of the hour were his undoing.

“I’m not. Let’s just go to bed.”

Her drooping eyelids lifted and he immediately realized how his words could be misconstrued.

“Alone.”

Safe in the

Tycoon’s Arms

Jennifer Faye

www.millsandboon.co.uk

In another life, JENNIFER FAYE was a statistician. She still has a love for numbers, formulas and spread-sheets, but when she was presented with the opportunity to follow her lifelong passion and spend her days writing and pursuing her dream of becoming a Mills & Boon® author, she couldn’t pass it up. These days, when she’s not writing, Jennifer enjoys reading, fine needlework, quilting, tweeting and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. She lives in Pennsylvania with her amazingly patient husband, two remarkably talented daughters and their two very spoiled fur babies otherwise known as cats—but shh … don’t tell them they’re not human!

Jennifer loves to hear from readers—you can contact her via her website: www.JenniferFaye.com.

For Viv.

Thank you for being such a good friend over the years. Your helpful advice and unending support are deeply appreciated. Here’s to the future of possibilities.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

EXCERPT

CHAPTER ONE

A DEAFENING CRACK of thunder rumbled through the darkened house. Kate Whitley pressed a hand to her pounding chest. She’d hated storms since she was a little kid. A brilliant flash of lightning sent shards of light slashing across the hallway while rain pelted the window.

Mother Nature certainly had a wicked sense of humor. Actually, it seemed as though life as a whole was mocking Kate. Absolutely nothing was going according to plan, no matter how hard she fought to put things right.

Her fingers pushed against the cold metallic plate on the swinging hall door. Inside the kitchen, the glare from the overhead light caused her to squint. What in the world was going on? She could have sworn she’d turned everything off before going upstairs. Hadn’t she?

She sighed and shook her head. Her mind must be playing tricks on her. The long nights of tossing and turning instead of sleeping were finally catching up to her. And it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. In a few more hours, she had to be fully alert. There were decisions only she could make—lifesaving decisions.

If only she could get a little shut-eye, she’d be able to think clearly. But first, Mother Nature had to quiet down. No one could rest with all this ruckus.

It didn’t ease her nerves being away from home, even if she was staying in a New York City mansion. This place was nothing like her two-bedroom, ranch-style house in Pennsylvania. Though this oversize house contained some of the most breathtaking architecture, there was something missing—the warmth that made a building more than just a place to hang your coat, the coziness that made it home.

In a big city where she barely knew anyone, she and this house had a couple of things in common—being lonely and forgotten. Somehow it seemed like fate that she’d ended up in this deserted mansion. A warm, loving home had somehow always eluded her, and just when she thought she’d made one of her own, it too was about to be snatched out from under her.

Sadness weighed heavily on her as her bare feet moved silently across the kitchen tiles. The coldness raced up through her pink painted toes to her bare legs and sent goose bumps cascading down her arms. Spring may have brought warmer days, but the nights were still chilly. She rubbed her palms up and down her arms, willing away her discomfort. Perhaps her long T-shirt wasn’t the warmest choice for this soggy night, but with her living out of a suitcase, her choices were quite limited.

She yawned and opened the door of the stainless-steel refrigerator. She hadn’t had any appetite until now. With so much riding on this upcoming meeting, she’d ended up with a stress headache for most of the day. But back here ensconced between these quiet, peaceful walls, the pain had loosened its vicelike grip.

Now she needed something to ease her hunger pangs. Other than a few meager groceries she’d placed in there earlier, the glass shelves were bare. The friend who’d let her stay here free of charge said the owner was out of town and wouldn’t be back anytime soon. From the empty cabinets to the dust-covered bedrooms, Kate deduced no one had lived here in quite a while.

With an apple in hand, she filled a glass of water. She’d just turned off the faucet when she heard faint but distinct footsteps. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Either this place had some mighty big rats...or she wasn’t alone.

“Stop right there!” boomed a male voice.

So much for the rat theory.

Her heart lodged in her throat, blocking a terrified scream. Who was this man? And what did he want with her? Her lungs started to burn. Was he a thief, a desperate junkie...or worse?

She struggled to suck air past the enormous lump in her throat. A nervous tremor in her hand caused droplets of water to spill over the rim of the glass. Why had she put herself in such peril by making the rash decision to stay in this deserted house alone? After all, what did she know about her newfound friend? Not much. They’d only met a week ago. The older woman had seemed so nice—so understanding in Kate’s time of need.

She wondered if a scream would carry to any of the neighboring houses on the block. Probably not. This house came from an era when structures were built with thick, sturdy walls. She was on her own.

“You shouldn’t be here.” She fought to keep her voice steady. “This place has a burglar alarm. It won’t be long until the police show up. I haven’t seen your face. You can escape out the back and I won’t tell anyone.”

“I don’t think so. Turn around.”

Not about to let this stranger know how much he frightened her, she placed the glass on the counter, leveled her shoulders and took an unsteady breath. When she went to turn, her feet wouldn’t move. They were stuck to the floor as though weighted down in concrete.

A crescendo of thunder reverberated through her body. The house plunged into darkness. Kate bit down on her bottom lip to keep a frightened gasp bottled up.

Don’t panic. Stay calm.

Could this really be happening? What had she done to piss off Fate and have it turn on her? Hysterical laughter swelled in her throat. With effort, she choked it down. It wouldn’t help anything for this man to think she was losing it.

Drawing on every bit of courage she could muster, she forced her feet to move. Once fully turned around, she squinted into the dark shadows but could only make out the man’s vague outline. Who was he? What did he want with her?

Then, as though in answer to her prayer, the power blinked back on. When her vision adjusted, she found herself staring at a bare male chest. What in the world? Her wide-eyed gaze dropped farther past his trim waist but screeched to a halt upon the discovery of this stranger’s only article of clothing—navy boxer shorts.

This night was definitely getting stranger by the second.

She couldn’t resist a second glance at her sexy intruder. He definitely wasn’t a kid, having filled out in all the right places. She’d only ever seen defined muscles like his in the glossy pages of magazines, and this guy would qualify with his washboard abs. He must be around her age, maybe a little older.

When her gaze rose up over his six feet plus of sexiness, she met a hard glint in his blue-gray eyes. He obviously wasn’t any happier about discovering her than she was of stumbling across him.

“What are you doing here?” The stranger’s deep voice held a note of authority as though he were used to commanding people’s attention.

“Wondering why you’re standing in my kitchen.”

The frown lines on his face etched even deeper. “This is your place?”

Technically no, but she wasn’t about to explain her unusual circumstances to Mr. Oh-So-Sexy. She merely nodded, affirming her right to be there.

His brow arched in disbelief.

Who was he to pass judgment? When she pressed her hands to her hips, she realized he wasn’t the only one scantily dressed. With the hem of her worn but comfy shirt pinched between her fingers, she pulled it down as far as the material would allow. Instinct told her to run and put on something more modest. But in order to do that, she’d have to cross his path. Not a great idea.

Her gaze strayed back to the doorway. Sooner or later she’d have to make her move. She wanted to believe he wasn’t there to hurt her—wanted to accept the notion that there was some crazy explanation for the nearly naked man standing in front of her, but her mind drew a blank. She glanced back at him, taking in his blondish-brown wavy hair tousled as though he’d just woken up. And his lack of apparel left no room for doubt that he was unarmed.

“Don’t look so panicked. I have no intention of hurting you.” His deep voice was as smooth and rich as hot fudge. “I just want some answers.”

She stuck out her chin. “That makes two of us.”

“I guess you should start explaining.” He looked at her expectantly.

Kate crossed her arms. He wasn’t going to boss her around. She had every right to be here. Then an ominous thought came to her: Who was to say Connie hadn’t made a similar offer to this man? But wouldn’t it have crossed her friend’s mind that this would create an awkward situation to have two strangers—a man and a woman—alone in the house?

As she kept a wary eye on him, she noticed something familiar about him. The thought niggled at her. She couldn’t put her finger on where she’d seen him before, probably because the only thing keeping her on her feet right now was adrenaline. She needed sleep. Desperately. But how would she get this man to put on some clothes and go away?

* * *

“No more stalling.” Lucas Carrington’s patience was worn razor thin. Tired of talking in circles, he cut to the chase. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

Her lush lips pursed as her eyes narrowed. “My name is Kate Whitley and I have every right to be here—”

“Impossible. More likely you’re homeless and broke in here seeking shelter from the storm.”

Kate’s chin tilted up and her unwavering brown gaze met his. “I’m not homeless. In fact, I’m an interior designer and a darned good one, too.”

She did have an innocent girl-next-door look about her, but he knew all too well that things were never quite what they seemed. “Are you trying to tell me you broke in here because you had this overwhelming desire to redecorate the place?”

Her thin shoulders drew back into a firm line. Her threadbare cartoon T-shirt pulled snugly across her pert breasts. He swallowed hard. Okay, so maybe his first assessment of her hadn’t been quite right. Gorgeous. Sexy. Curvaceous. Those were much more fitting descriptions.

She continued to glare at him, seemingly oblivious to the fact her demeanor was more alluring than intimidating. And like some hormone-fueled teenager, he found himself unable to turn away from her tempting curves.

“There’s no need to sound so condescending.” Her voice filled with exasperation.

With effort, his gaze lifted to meet hers. “I’m calling the police. They can deal with you.” But there was a wrinkle in his plan—his cell phone was in the other room and the landline in the kitchen had been disconnected ages ago.

“Go right ahead.”

Her confident tone surprised him. Did she expect her beauty to get her out of this mess? Or was she attempting to pull a con job on him? Not that any of it mattered. He didn’t have a problem calling her bluff.

“You seem fairly certain you won’t get in trouble—”

“I won’t.”

Lucas was having a hard time focusing on the conversation given that his unexpected visitor was standing in his kitchen with nothing on but a T-shirt, which clung to her shapely curves and exposed her long, long legs. He was definitely beginning to understand why she might rely on her looks. And if he kept staring, this could get embarrassing for both of them.

He forced his gaze to her face, not that it was any less distracting. Was she wearing makeup? Or was her skin naturally that smooth and creamy?

Even more troubling than how beautiful he found her was the way she reminded him too much of the past—a past that had nearly destroyed him. Not so long ago another beautiful woman had stood in that spot. She’d made him promises but ended up breaking each and every one of them. His jaw tightened. The last thing he needed was this stranger’s presence to dredge up memories he’d fought so hard to seal inside. He refused to let it happen.

Refocused and clear about his priorities, his gaze returned to her warm brown eyes. She stared directly at him. Pink stained her cheeks, but she didn’t glance away. She stepped forward, using the kitchen island as a shield. It was far too late for modesty. Her sexy form was already emblazoned upon his memory.

Stay focused. Soon she’ll be gone. One way...or the other.

He cleared his throat. “Okay, you’ve got my attention. Why won’t you get in trouble?”

“I have permission to be here. Temporarily, that is. You know, while the owner is out of town.” Kate’s eyes narrowed, challenging him. She certainly was confident. He’d give her that. “And now it’s your turn to do some explaining. Who are you?”

“My name’s Lucas.”

“Well, Lucas, I assume you must know Connie, too.”

His gaze sought out hers and held it. “Connie? Is that who let you in here?”

Kate nodded as hope sparked in her eyes. “Connie Carrington.”

He had liked it better when he thought Kate was a squatter looking for a warm place to sleep. “To be sure, describe Connie.”

“Short. Brunette. Sixtyish. Very sweet and generous. She has a friendly smile and volunteers at East Riverview Hospital.”

“That’s her.” It still didn’t prove Kate was telling the whole truth, but it was sure looking that way.

“Here’s the thing, Connie obviously offered me this place first. And I don’t think us sharing the house is going to work.”

How dare this woman—this stranger—kick him out of his own house? He opened his mouth to give her a piece of his mind but then closed it. Obviously she didn’t recognize him, a small wonder after that ridiculous magazine article earlier in the month had named him Bachelor of the Year. His quiet life hadn’t been the same since then.

Kate was a refreshing change from the headline seekers and the husband hunters. Maybe if this were a different time under different circumstances, he’d welcome this beautiful intrusion. But right now all he wanted was to be left alone.

A clap of thunder rattled the windows. Kate jumped. She obviously wasn’t as calm as she’d like him to believe. Perhaps they both needed a moment to gather their thoughts. He certainly could use a minute or two to tamp down his unwanted attraction.

“This conversation would be a little less awkward with some more clothes on. I’ll be right back.” He started out of the room, then as an afterthought he called over his shoulder, “Don’t go anywhere.”

Lucas strode from the room. His teeth ground together. He didn’t want this woman here. He never had company and he preferred it that way. In fact, the less time he spent here, the better he liked it. When he’d asked his aunt to look after the place, he’d never expected her to turn it into a B and B. What in the world had she been thinking?

Maybe his aunt had planned for him to never find out about Kate. After all, he wasn’t even supposed to be home for another week. But one untimely setback after another at the future site of Carrington Gems’ expansion in San Francisco had ground construction to a halt.

Still, it was more than losing money hand over fist due to bureaucratic red tape that had him cutting his trip short. He put a stop to his thoughts. He wasn’t ready to contemplate the devastating situation he’d faced before catching his cross-country flight home.

And the last thing he needed was to return home to find a half-dressed woman making herself comfortable in his house. The image of her bare legs teased his mind, clouding his thoughts.

He cursed under his breath and pulled on the first pair of jeans he laid his hands on. But if he was going to stay focused, his beautiful interloper needed to cover up. He grabbed a heavy robe that should modestly cover her and give him some peace of mind. With a T-shirt in hand for himself, he rushed back to the kitchen clutching both articles of clothing.

“Here.” He held out the robe to her. “Put this on.”

Her wary gaze moved to his outstretched hand and back. It was then that he got a close-up view of her heart-shaped face and button nose. His thoughts screeched to a halt when he spied the dark shadows beneath her eyes. Sympathy welled up inside his chest. Not so long ago, he’d worn a similar look. It hadn’t happened by missing a night or two of sleep. In fact, it’d been the worst time of his life. His gut told him that Kate had a devastating story of her own.

He’d always been good at reading people. It was what helped him run Carrington Gems and hire a reliable staff. So why had he immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion about Kate?

Had his experience with his ex-wife jaded him so badly that he wasn’t even willing to give this woman the benefit of the doubt? Or was it the fact she was standing in this house—a place so filled with pain and loss?

Kate’s cold fingertips brushed over the back of his hand as she accepted the robe. His instinct was to take her hands in his and rub them until they were warm. But he resisted the temptation. She wasn’t his guest...his responsibility.

While she slipped on the robe, he stepped back, giving her some space. He pulled the shirt over his head. Now they could have a reasonable conversation.

Fully clothed, he glanced up, finding Kate’s brows furrowed as she stared at him. He followed her line of vision to a large hole in his jeans above his knee as well as the army of white smudges marking up both legs. He really should consider tossing them, but they were just so comfortable. Wait. Why should he care what this woman thought of him or his clothes? After tonight he’d never see her again.

Kate shoved up the sleeves on the robe and crossed her arms. “What do you propose we do?”

In any other situation, he’d show her to the door and wish her well. After all, she wasn’t his problem. And being drawn in by her very kissable lips and the memory of how that threadbare shirt hugged her curves was a complication in his life that he just didn’t need.

But her pale face with those dark smudges beneath her eyes dug at his resolve.

And he couldn’t dismiss the fact his aunt had sent Kate to stay here. Not that his aunt didn’t help people on a daily basis, but she knew this house was off-limits to everyone. That meant Kate was someone special. Now he really needed to speak to his aunt, but first he had to make things clear to Kate.

“There’s something you should know. This is my house.”

CHAPTER TWO

KATE EYED UP Mr. Oh-So-Sexy’s faded T-shirt and threadbare denim. Even her ratty old jeans were in better condition. Did she look gullible enough to swallow his story that he was the owner of this mansion? That would make him wealthy. Very wealthy. And he sure didn’t look the part.

“Why should I believe you own this house?”

He frowned. “Because I’m Lucas Carrington. Connie’s nephew.”

His unwavering tone gave her pause. She studied his aristocratic nose, piercing blue eyes and sensual lips. The wheels in her mind began to spin. No wonder he seemed so familiar. During her many hours at the hospital, she’d ended up thumbing through one magazine after the other. It was within one of those stylish periodicals that she’d skimmed over an article listing this year’s most eligible bachelors.

Lucas Carrington had been named Bachelor of the Year. And he had been by far the steamiest candidate on the list. And that had been before she’d garnered a glimpse of his ripped abs. Her mouth grew dry at the memory. She instantly squashed the thought.

The reality of the situation at last sunk in. That man—the hunk from the popular magazine—was standing in front of her in his bare feet. And she was accusing him of being an intruder. This had to be some sort of crazy, mixed-up dream.

“I see my name has rung a bell.” Smugness reflected in his captivating eyes. “Perhaps my aunt mentioned me.”

The fact he’d been holding that ace up his sleeve the whole time instead of introducing himself up front annoyed her. She wasn’t about to fold her hand so quickly—even if she had been beaten already.

She conjured up her best poker face. “Actually, Connie went to great pains not to mention you. She merely said the owner was out of town for an extended period. In fact, when I saw the condition of this place, I didn’t think anyone had lived here in years.”

A muscle twitched in his cheek as his gaze moved away. “I only need a couple of the rooms. Even when I’m in town, I’m not here much.”

“I see.” What else could she say? That it was a bit strange to live in a mansion filled with cobwebs and covered in a blanket of dust? But who was she to judge? She was living out of a suitcase, and by the end of the month, she would be technically homeless. The thought of being adrift with no place to call home sent her stomach plummeting. But she could only deal with one problem at a time.

Lucas shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you keep looking at me strangely?”

“I’m trying to decide whether I should believe you. I mean, I wouldn’t expect such a wealthy man to wear...umm, that.” She pointed at his tattered jeans.

Even though she knew that he was in fact Lucas Carrington, she didn’t want to let on just yet. After all, he hadn’t readily taken her word that she wasn’t a squatter. Why not let him see what it was like not to be believed?

He shrugged. “So they’re old jeans. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“I don’t know. This could all be an act. How am I to know that you aren’t pretending to be the owner? Maybe I should call the police and let them sort this out.”

Instead of the angry response she’d been anticipating, the corners of his mouth lifted. Was that a smile? Her stomach somersaulted.

“I guess I deserve that. Wait here.” He set off in the same direction he’d gone to grab his clothes and the robe he’d loaned her.

The scorching hot image of him in those boxer shorts flashed in her mind. Her pulse kicked up a notch or two. If Lucas wasn’t already wealthy, he could make a fortune as an underwear model. She’d be first in line to buy the magazine.

Still a bit chilled, she snuggled up in the robe, noticing the fresh scent of aftershave. She lifted the plush material to her nose, unable to resist inhaling even deeper. Mmm...

“Is the robe okay?” His smooth, deep voice filled the room.

“Umm...yes.” She smoothed the lapel. “I was just admiring its...its softness.”

He nodded, but she wondered if he’d caught her getting high off his very masculine scent. No man had a right to smell that good or look that hot with his clothes on...or off.

He skirted around the kitchen island and headed for her. Kate held her ground, all the while wondering what he was up to.

“Here.” He flipped open a black wallet. “This should clear things up.”

Her fingers slid across the worn smooth leather. She really didn’t need to see his driver’s license, but she had started this, so she might as well follow through.

She glanced at the photo of a neatly groomed man in a suit and tie. Definitely Lucas, but the spiffed-up version. The funny thing was she liked him in his worn-out jeans and sloppy T-shirt as much if not more than his business persona.

“So now do you believe me?” he asked with a tone of smug satisfaction, as if he’d just one-upped her.

She didn’t like him thinking that he’d gotten the best of her.

“I don’t know.” She held the ID up beside his face, hmm-ing and hah-ing, as though trying to make up her mind. “There’s definitely a resemblance, but I’m not sure.”

He yanked the card from her hand and stared at it. “Of course it’s me! And that’s my address...this address.”

At last he’d fallen off his cool, confident edge. A smile pulled at her lips. The action felt so foreign to her after the past few stressful months, but the lightness grew, erupting into laughter. The more she laughed, the deeper Lucas frowned. It had been so long since she’d had an occasion to laugh that she didn’t want it to end. It felt so good. So liberating. So freeing.

His brow arched. “Have I amused you enough?”

Her cheeks started to ache and she forced herself to calm down. After dabbing both eyes, she gazed up at him. “Sorry about that. But you don’t know how much I needed that laugh.”

His brows rose higher, but he didn’t ask why and it was just as well. She wasn’t about to spill her sorrowful tale to this stranger. In fact, she suddenly felt guilty for her outburst. Not because it was at Lucas’s expense. He was a big boy who could take a little ribbing. It was the thought of her little girl in the hospital that sobered her mood. Under the circumstances, Kate had no right to smile, much less laugh.

If the hospital staff hadn’t invoked their stupid policy, she’d still be there—sitting by Molly’s bed or haunting the halls. But the nurses had insisted she needed some rest so she didn’t wear herself out.

“Hey, what’s the matter?” Lucas stepped closer. His hand reached out as though to touch Kate’s shoulder, but then he hesitated.

She blinked back the rush of emotions. “I’m fine. I’ll just get my things and get out of your way.”

His hand lowered to his side as he glanced around the room. “Where exactly are your things?”

“Upstairs.”

“But those rooms aren’t fit for anyone. I dismissed the maid service as soon as... It doesn’t matter. The only important thing is keeping you out of that mess.”

“It isn’t so dirty now.” At the shocked look on Lucas’s face, she continued. “Or at least the room that I’m staying in is mostly clean.”

“What room?” His face creased with worry lines.

A crack of thunder sounded, followed by the lights flickering. Kate wrapped her arms around herself. “The one at the end of the hall.”

His shoulders drew back in a rigid line as his brows gathered in a dark, intimidating line. “Which end?”

Kate pointed straight overhead.

His shoulders drooped as he let out a sigh. “What in the world was my aunt thinking to send you here?”

Kate had wondered the exact same thing, but she’d come to the conclusion that Connie had only the best intentions...even if they were a little misguided. Now it was time to move on.

* * *

Lucas watched as Kate snuggled deeper in his robe. A resigned look etched across her weary features as the dark circles made her eyes appear much too large for her face. She reminded him of a puppy who’d been kicked to the curb and forgotten.

His thoughts rolled back in time to the day when he’d found a stray pup and brought it home. Everyone but his aunt had told him to get rid of the filthy beast. Aunt Connie had been different. She could see what the others couldn’t be bothered to look at—the puppy’s need to be loved and cared for. More than that she recognized Lucas’s need for something calming in the upheaval that was his life.

Lucas brought his thoughts up short. Kate wasn’t a stray puppy. She was a grown woman who could care for herself. He had enough problems. He didn’t need to be embroiled in someone else’s. He should wish her well and be done with it.

A loud boom of thunder shook the very floor they stood on. Kate wrapped her arms around herself as her wide eyes turned toward the window. This storm was showing no signs of letting up. Definitely not a night to be out and about.

If only he knew why his aunt had sent her here....

Kate turned and started down the hall.

“Wait.” Unease mounted within him as he realized what he was about to do.

“For what?” Kate asked, stepping back into the kitchen.

He noticed how the rest of her short dark brown hair was tucked behind each ear as though she’d been too busy to worry about what she looked like. The concept of a woman going out in public without taking great pains with her appearance was new to him. This mystery woman intrigued him and that was not good—not good at all.

But more than that, he’d witnessed how every time it thundered, she jumped and the fear reflected in her eyes. He couldn’t turn her out into the stormy night—especially when he suspected she had nowhere else to go.

Going against his better judgment, he said, “You don’t have to leave tonight.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Would you quit being so difficult?”

She glowered at him. “But you just got done telling me that you wanted me out of here right away. You’re the one being difficult.”

He inwardly groaned with frustration. “That was before. Give me a moment to speak with my aunt.”

“I don’t see how that will change anything. Unless you’re still worried that I’m a liar and a thief.”

“That isn’t what I meant.” He jerked his fingers through his hair. “Just wait here for a minute, okay? In fact, sit down. You look dead on your feet.”

Her eyes narrowed. Her pale lips drooped into a frown. He’d obviously said the wrong thing...again, but darned if he knew what had upset her. Maybe it was mentioning how tired she looked. In his limited experience with women, they never wanted to look anything less than amazing, no matter the circumstances.

When Kate didn’t move, he walked over and pulled out a chair at the table. “Please sit down. I won’t be long.”

He stepped inside the small bedroom just off the kitchen, which at one point in the house’s history had been the domestic help’s quarters. Lucas now claimed it as his bedroom—not that he spent much time there. His cell phone was sitting on the nightstand next to the twin bed.

He selected his aunt’s name from his frequently called list. His fingers tightened around the phone as he held it to his ear. After only one ring, it switched to voice mail.

“Call me as soon as you get this.” His voice was short and clipped.

He couldn’t help but wonder where she might be and why she wasn’t taking his call. Would she still be at the hospital doing her volunteer work? He glanced at the alarm clock. At this late hour, he highly doubted it.

With his aunt unaccounted for, he’d have to follow his gut. He’d already determined Kate wasn’t a criminal. But what would he do with her? Sit and hash out what was bothering her to see if he could help? Certainly not.

He rubbed his hand over his stubbled jaw. He didn’t want to get pulled any further into her problems. No matter what her circumstances were, it had nothing to do with him. Come tomorrow, she’d have to find other accommodations.

Still uncomfortable with his decision, he stepped back into the kitchen. Kate was seated at the table. Her arms were crossed on the glass tabletop, cradling her head. He must have made a sound, because she jerked upright in her seat.

Kate blinked before stretching. “Did Connie confirm what I told you?”

“Actually she didn’t—”

“What? But I’m not lying.”

“No one said you were. But my aunt isn’t available. So how about we make a deal?”

A yawn escaped her lips. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, if you’ll do the same for me.”

Kate was quiet for a moment as though weighing his words. “I suppose. But what does it matter now?”

“Because you and I are going to be housemates for the night.”

“What? But I couldn’t—”

“Yes, you can. Have you looked outside lately? It’s pouring. And it’s late at night.”

Her lips pressed into a firm line as she got to her feet and pushed in the chair. “I don’t need your charity.”

“Who says it’s charity? You’d be saving me from a load of trouble with my aunt if she found out I kicked you to the curb on a night like this.”

Kate’s hand pressed to her hip, which was hidden beneath the folds of the oversize robe. “Are you being on the level?”

She didn’t have any idea what it was costing him to ask her to stay, even for one night. This place was a tomb of memories. He didn’t want anyone inside here, witnessing his utter failure to keep his family together.

But there was something special about her—more than the way that he was thoroughly drawn to her. There was a vulnerability in her gaze. Something he’d guess she’d gone to great pains to hide from everyone, but he’d noticed. Maybe because he’d been vulnerable before, too.

“You don’t look too sure about this.”

He was usually much better at hiding his thoughts, but the dismal events of the day combined with the lateness of the hour were his undoing.

“I’m not. Let’s just go to bed.” Her drooping eyelids lifted and he immediately realized how his words could be misconstrued. “Alone.”

CHAPTER THREE

THE SUN HAD yet to flirt with the horizon when Kate awoke to the alarm on her cell phone. Though she’d only snuck in a few hours of sleep, she felt refreshed. Her heart was full of hope that today her most fervent prayer would be answered.

It will all work out. It has to.

As she rushed through the shower, the what-ifs and maybes started to crowd into her mind. Finding a cure to her daughter’s brain tumor had been rife with negative diagnoses. That was why they were here in New York City—to see a surgeon who was willing to do the seemingly impossible. But what if—

Don’t go there. Not today.

With her resolve to think only positive thoughts, she pulled on a red skirt and a white top from her suitcase. The light tap of the continued rain on the window reminded her of the night before and meeting Lucas Carrington. He definitely presented a distraction from her attack of nerves. She wondered if he’d be just as devastatingly handsome in the daylight. She tried to convince herself that it’d been the exhaustion talking, that no man could look that good. But she’d seen the magazine spread with him shaved and spruced up in a tux. He really was that good-looking. Which raised the question: What was he doing living here in this unkempt, mausoleumlike house?

Kate proceeded down the grand staircase, with her suitcase in one hand and her purse in the other. She hated the fact that she would never learn the history or secrets of this mansion. This would be her last trip down the cinematic steps. She paused to take one last look around.

She was in awe of the house’s old-world grandeur. Her gaze skimmed over the cream paint and paused to inspect the various paintings adorning the walls. Her nose curled up. She knew a bit about art from her work as an interior designer and these modern pieces, though not to her liking, would still fetch a hefty chunk of change at auction.

Even though the current decor didn’t match the home’s old-world elegance, she still saw the beauty lurking in the background. In her experience, she’d never found such charm and detailed work in any of the newer structures. Sure, they were all beautiful in their own unique ways, but this mansion was brimming with personality that only time could provide. She’d be willing to bet that if the walls could talk they’d spin quite a tale. She was certain that given the opportunity to rejuvenate this place, she could learn a considerable amount about its history. But she’d never have that chance.

With a resigned sigh, she set her suitcase by the front door before heading back the hall to the kitchen. She couldn’t shake the dismal thought of Lucas turning a blind eye to the house’s disintegrating state and letting the place fall into utter disrepair. Who could do such a thing? Was it possible he didn’t realize the real damage being done by his neglect?

If the man took the time to walk upstairs once in a while, he’d notice the work that needed to be done. Some of the repairs were blatantly obvious. It was a little hard to miss the drip-drip-drip last night as the rain leaked through the ceiling of her bedroom. She’d used a waste basket to collect the water. Maybe she should say something...

No. Don’t go there. This house and Lucas are absolutely none of your business.

She paused outside the kitchen door and listened. No sounds came from within. She wasn’t so sure she was up to facing him in the light of day after getting caught last night in her nightshirt. Still she refused to just slip away without thanking him for his generosity.

She pushed the door open and tiptoed into the room, hoping not to disturb him since his bedroom was just off the kitchen. Now if only she knew where to find a pen and some paper to write a note.

“You’re up early.”

Kate jumped. It took a second for her heart to sink back into her chest. She turned to find Mr. Oh-So-Sexy sitting off to the side in the breakfast nook with the morning paper and a cup of coffee. Yep, he looked just as delicious in the morning. Now she’d never get him off her mind.

She moved to a bar stool and draped his robe across it. “I didn’t expect you to be up so early.”

“I’m a morning person.”

His intense stare followed her. What was up with him? She nervously fidgeted with the Lucky Ducky keychain she kept around as a good luck charm.

When she couldn’t stand to be the focal point of Lucas’s attention any longer, she faced him. “Why do you keep staring?”

“It’s just you don’t look like the same woman I met last night.”

“Is that your attempt at a compliment?”

“Actually it is. You see, my brain doesn’t work very well this early in the morning until I finish my first cup of coffee.” He held up a large blue mug. “But if you’d like me to spell it out, you look radiant.”

Had she heard him correctly? Had a man, a drop-dead gorgeous hunk, just said she was radiant? Radiant. The word sounded as sweet as honey and she was eating it all up. Heat swirled in her chest and rushed up to her cheeks, but for that one blissful moment she didn’t care.

“Umm, thanks.” Her hand tightened around the keychain. “I’m all packed up.”

“What’s that in your hand?”

She glanced down, realizing she was squeezing the rubber duck to the point of smashing it. “It’s just a keychain. No big deal.”

He nodded in understanding.

“Do you have any more coffee?”

“I’ll get you a cup.”

He moved at the same time she did and they nearly collided. Kate froze, but not before she caught a whiff of his intoxicating male scent. He had on a light blue button-up with the sleeves rolled up and the collar unbuttoned. His hair was combed but still slightly damp. And his face was clean-shaven. He looked like a man ready to conquer the world.

Her heart tripped in her chest as she pictured them chatting over a morning cup of coffee and bagel. He’d tell her what he had on tap for the day and she’d tell him about her plans.

Lucas cleared his throat and pointed. “The cups are in the cabinet behind you.”

She had to get a grip and quit acting like a high school student with a crush on the star quarterback. The best way to do that was to make a fast exit before she made a complete fool of herself. “On second thought, I don’t have time for coffee.”

“It’s awfully early to be in such a rush. Is something the matter?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” She crossed her fingers behind her back like she used to do when she was a kid and her father asked her if she’d cleaned her room before allowing her go outside to play with her friends.

Lucas nodded, but his eyes said that he didn’t believe her. She never had been good at telling fibs. That’s why her father had caught her every time.

A sense of loss settled over her. What had made her think about that man after all this time? She grew angry at herself. As far as she was concerned her father was dead to her. She certainly didn’t miss him.

Maybe being alone in a new city had gotten to her more than she thought. It didn’t help that she’d witnessed the supportive clusters of families at the hospital while having no one by her side. That must be it.

Stifling the rush of unwanted emotions, she made a point of checking her wristwatch. “If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”

“But you haven’t even eaten. Don’t let me scare you off.”

“You haven’t. I just have things I must do.” She walked over to the doorway and paused. “By the way, did you ever speak to your aunt?”

“No. I think it was too late last night and she had her phone switched off. I’m sure she’ll call soon.”

“I understand.” But Kate still wanted that little bit of vindication. The chance to flash him an I-told-you-so look. “Thank you for letting me spend the night. By the way, there’s some food in the fridge. Help yourself to it.”

And with that she started down the hallway headed for the front door. She had no idea where she’d find a cheap place to stay tonight. All but one of her credit cards was maxed out since she’d been forced to give up her job to travel with Molly to the long list of specialists. She dismissed the troubling thought. There were other matters that required her attention first.

“Hey, wait!”

Kate sighed and turned. She didn’t know what else they had to say to each other. And she didn’t have time to waste. “Surely you aren’t going to insist on searching my luggage, are you?”

“Are you always so feisty in the morning? Or are you just grumpy because you skipped your caffeine fix? I know that first cup does wonders for me. See, I’m smiling.” His lips bowed into a ridiculous grin.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She honestly didn’t know what to make of the man. His personal hygiene was impressive, but other than the kitchen his house was a disgrace. And last night he was crankier than an old bear, yet this morning he was smiling. He was one walking contradiction.

Lucas held out his hand. “Let me have your keys and I’ll pull your car up to the door so you don’t get soaked.”

“I don’t have one.” She’d left her car in Pennsylvania, figuring city driving was not something she wanted to attempt.

“Did you call a taxi?”

“I don’t need one.” She pulled a red umbrella from her tote. “I’m armed and ready.”

“Have you looked outside? It’s still pouring. That umbrella isn’t going to help much.”

“Thanks for caring. But I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now. I’ll be fine.”

When she started to move toward the front door, he reached out and grabbed her upper arm. His touch was firm but gentle. Goose bumps raced down to her wrists, lifting the fine hair on her arms. She glanced down at where his fingers were wrapped around her and immediately his hand pulled away.

“Sorry. I just wanted a chance to offer you a lift. I’ll go grab my wallet and keys.” He dashed down the hallway without waiting for her to say a word.

This was ridiculous. She couldn’t let herself start going soft. There was only her and Molly and right now, her daughter needed her to be strong for both of them. She would walk to the hospital as planned. It wasn’t that many blocks and she’d already done it a number of times.

She quietly let herself out the front door, feeling bad about skipping out on Lucas. For some reason, he was really trying to be a good sport about finding a stranger living in his house. She wondered if she would have been so understanding if the roles had been reversed.

* * *

“Kate, I’ve got them.” Lucas called out from the kitchen. “We can go now.”

Lucas had never met a woman quite like her. Her tenacity combined with a hint of vulnerability got to him on some level. He sensed she wasn’t the type to ask for help and would only take it if it was pressed upon her. Maybe that was why he was going out of his way to be kind to her—because she appeared to be in need of a friend and would never ask for one.

He strode to the foyer with his jacket on and keys in hand. But Kate was gone. He called out to her, but there was no sound. Surely she hadn’t skipped out on him.

He stepped outside to look for her. The rain was picking up and so was the wind. But there was no sign of Kate in either direction. This was not a day where an umbrella would do a person much good.

Without taking time to question his next move, he was in his car and driving around the block. She couldn’t have gotten far. And then he spotted a perky red umbrella. In the windy weather, Kate struggled to keep a grip on the umbrella with one hand while clutching her suitcase with the other.

He slowed next to her and lowered the window. “Get in.”

She ignored him and kept walking. A gust of wind blew hard and practically pulled the umbrella free from her hold. In the end, she’d held on to it, but the wire skeleton now bowed in the wrong direction, rendering the contraption totally useless.

“Get in the car before you’re soaked to the skin.”

She stood there for a second as though ready to burst into tears. Then pressing her lips into a firm line, she straightened her shoulders and stepped up to the car. He jumped out to take her things from her.

Once they were stowed away, he climbed back in the driver’s seat. “Where are we off to?”

“East Riverview Hospital.”

Her face was devoid of any expression, leaving him to wonder about the reason for her visit. She’d mentioned meeting his aunt there, but she hadn’t added any details. Was she visiting a sick relative? Or was there something wrong with her? Was that the reason for her drawn cheeks and dark circles under her eyes?

He wanted to know what was going on, but he kept quiet and eased back into traffic. If she wanted him to know, she’d tell him. Otherwise it was none of his business. He assured himself it was best to keep a cordial distance.

* * *

Kate settled back against the leather seat. She hated to admit it, but she was thankful for the ride. She hadn’t any idea that there would be so much ponding on the sidewalks. Her feet were wet and cold.

As though reading her thoughts, Lucas adjusted the temperature controls and soon warm air was swirling around her. It’d been a long time since someone had worried about her. For just a second, she mused about what it’d be like to date the Bachelor of the Year—he certainly was easy on the eyes and very kind. More than likely, he had his pick of women. The thought left her feeling a bit unsettled.

She couldn’t let herself get swept away by Lucas’s charms. She had a notorious record with unreliable men. Why would Lucas be any different? After all, she knew next to nothing about him—other than he was a lousy housekeeper. He’d dismissed his desperately needed maid service. And he went out of his way for strangers he found squatting in his house. Wait. She was supposed to be listing his negative qualities.

She needed to make an important point not only to him but also to herself. “You know, I would have been fine on my own. You didn’t have to ride to my rescue.”

“I had to go out anyway.”

“And you just happened to be going in the same direction.”

“Something like that.”

The car rolled to a stop at an intersection. Lucas glanced at her. His probing eyes were full of questions. Like what was a small-town girl doing in the Big Apple? And how had she befriended his aunt? And the number one question that was dancing around in his mind: Why was she going to the hospital?

He didn’t push or prod. Instead he exuded a quiet strength. And that only made it all the more tempting to open up to him—to dump the details of the most tragic event in her life into his lap. No, she couldn’t do that. No matter how nice he was to her, letting him in was just asking for trouble.

Afraid he’d voice his inevitable questions, she decided to ask him a few of her own. “What’s the story with the house? Why does it look frozen in time?”

Lucas’s facial features visibly hardened. “I haven’t had time to deal with it.”

“Have you owned the place long?”

“My family has lived there for generations.”

Wow. She couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to have family roots that went that deep. Her relatives were the here-today-gone-tomorrow type. And they never bothered to leave a forwarding address. Once in a while a postcard would show up from her mother. Her father... Well, he’d been out of the picture since she was young.

She tried not to think about her lack of family or her not-so-happy childhood. It didn’t do any good to dwell on things that couldn’t be changed. The only thing that mattered now was the future. But there was one thing she could do to help Lucas hold on to a piece of his past.

“You know the house is in desperate need of repairs, especially the upstairs,” she said, longing to one day have an opportunity to work on an impressive job such as his historic mansion. “I’m an interior designer and I have some contacts that could help—”

“I’m not interested.”

The thought of that stunning architecture disintegrating for no apparent reason spurred her on. “But houses need to be cared for or they start to look and act their age. And it’d be such a travesty to let the place fall down—”

“It’s fine as is. End of discussion.”

She wanted to warn him about the leaking roof, but he’d cut her off. She doubted anything she said now would even register in his mind.

With a huff, she turned away. Frustration warmed her veins. Here was a problem that could so easily be resolved and yet this man was too stubborn to lift up the phone and ask for help. If only her problems could be fixed as readily.

Her thoughts filled with the possible scenarios for today’s meeting with Molly’s specialist. This surgeon was their last hope. Kate prayed he wouldn’t dismiss the case as quickly as Lucas had dismissed the problem with his house.

She tilted her head against the cool glass. It soothed her heated skin. She stared blindly ahead, noticing how even at this early hour, the city was coming to life. An army of people with umbrellas moved up and down the walks while traffic buzzed by at a steady pace. Her world might be teetering on the edge, but for everyone else, it was business as usual.

Now was not the time for self-pity. As the towering hospital came into view, she straightened her shoulders and inhaled a deep breath, willing away all of her doubts and insecurities.

“Which entrance should I drop you at? Emergency?”

“No. I told you I’m fine. Fit as a fiddle.” She forced a smile to her lips before gathering her things.

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. The main entrance will do.”

“You know hospitals aren’t a great place to be alone. Is there someone I can call for you?”

He surprised her with his thoughtful offer. How could a man be so frustrating in one breath and sweet in the next?

“No, thanks. I have some people waiting for me.”

He pulled the car over to the curb. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. What she failed to tell him was that the people waiting for her consisted of the medical staff. No family. Except for Molly. She was all the family Kate needed.

“Thank you for everything.” She jumped out into the rain. “I just have to grab my suitcase.”

Lucas swiveled around. “Leave it.”

“But I—”

“Obviously you have enough to deal with already. Besides, I’m planning to work from home today. Call me when things are wrapped up here and I’ll give you a lift to your hotel.”

She had to think fast. Without an umbrella, the rain was soaking her. She really should end this here and now, but she’d feel more confident for the meeting if she wasn’t lugging around an old suitcase. Lucas was only offering to keep her possessions for a few hours, not asking her to run off and have a steamy affair or anything. The errant thought warmed her cheeks.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not sure how long I’m going to be.”

“No problem. Let me give you my number.”

In seconds, she had his number saved on her cell phone and was jogging up the steps to the glass doors. Thoughts of Lucas slid to the back of her mind. She was about to have the most important meeting of her life.

She refused to leave until she heard: “Yes. We will help your daughter.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“I THINK WE can help your daughter but—”

Kate’s heart soared. She’d been waiting so long to hear those words. It took all her self-restraint not to jump for joy. She wasn’t sure what the surgeon said after that as the excitement clouded her mind.

For months now, they’d traveled to one hospital after the other. Every time she located a place that offered a possibility of hope, they were there. Now at long last they had come to the right place. The weight of anxiety slipped from her shoulders and left her lighter than she’d been in recent memory.

When a stack of papers was shoved in front of her, she glanced down, spotting her name and a very large dollar figure. Her excitement stuttered.

“What is this?” She couldn’t move her gaze from the staggering dollar figure.

“That is the amount you’ll need to pay up front if we are to perform the operation.”

This couldn’t be right. She had health coverage and it wasn’t cheap. “But my insurance—”

“Won’t cover this procedure.” Dr. Hawthorne steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair. “It doesn’t cover experimental procedures. I’m willing to donate my time, but in order for the hospital to book the O.R. and the necessary staff, you’ll need to settle this bill with Accounts Receivable.” He paused and eyed her up as though checking to see if she fully understood. “You also need to be aware that this is an estimate. A conservative one at that. If there are complications, the bill will escalate quickly.”

Kate nodded, but inside her stomach was churning and her head was pounding. Her gaze skimmed over the long list of charges from the anesthesiologist to medications. How in the world was she going to raise this staggering amount of money?

Her daughter’s smiling face came to mind. She couldn’t...no, she wouldn’t let her down. There had to be an answer, because this operation was going to happen no matter what she had to do to make it a reality.

“You should also know that we normally like to treat children on an outpatient basis until surgery but with this tumor’s aggressive growth rate and with it already affecting her mobility, I feel it’s best to keep her admitted under close observation.”

Kate nodded in understanding even though her head was spinning with information. “I understand.”

Dr. Hawthorne cleared his throat. “Will you be able to come up with the funding?”

Without hesitation, Kate spoke in a determined voice. “Yes, I will.”

The surgeon with graying temples gave her a long, serious stare. She didn’t glance away, blink or so much as breathe. She sat there ready to do battle to get her daughter the necessary surgery.

“I believe you will,” Dr. Hawthorne said. “I need you to sign these forms and then my team will start working to reduce the tumor’s size before surgery.”

Kate’s lungs burned as she blew out a pent-up breath. She accepted the papers and started to read. Her stomach quivered as she realized the overwhelming challenge set before her.

A half an hour later, with her life signed away to East Riverview Hospital, Kate took comfort in knowing she’d done the right thing. This surgeon had performed miracles before. He could do it again. Kate was spurred on by the thought of Molly healthy once again. She could do this—somehow. She just needed time to think.

The elevator pinged and the doors opened. Kate stepped inside. A man stood in front of the control panel.

“Five, please.” She moved to the other side of the elevator and stared down at the paperwork in her hand, wondering how she’d pull off this miracle.

“Kate?” a male voice spoke.

The door slid shut as Kate lifted her head. When her gaze latched on to the man, her breath caught. This couldn’t be happening. Not here. Not now.

“Chad, what are you doing here?”

His dark brows scrunched together beneath the brim of a blue baseball cap. “Now, is that the way to greet your husband?”

“Ex-husband.” She pressed her hands to her hips. “I tried to reach you months ago. You didn’t have time for us then. Why have you suddenly shown up now?”

“My daughter’s sick. My family needs me—”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” There was no way she was letting him walk in here and act as if he was their saving grace. “We don’t need you. We’ve been fine all of this time without you.”

His gaze hardened. “I’ve been busy.”

After he’d refused to settle down in one place and create a nurturing environment for their daughter, he’d left Kate on her own to have their baby. He’d succeeded in confirming her mistrust of men.

The elevator dinged and the door slipped open. Kate stepped out first and left Chad to follow. They stopped outside Molly’s door. Kate didn’t want anything to upset her little girl, not after everything she’d been through in the past several months. And certainly not now that she was scheduled for a very delicate procedure.

“How is she?”

“The tumor is causing her some mobility problems.”

“Is she in pain?”

Kate shook her head. “Thankfully she feels fine...for now. If they don’t do the surgery soon that will change. But...”

“But what?”

“Money has to be raised to cover the surgery. Lots of money.” Kate stood between Chad and the doorway to Molly’s room. “You should go before she sees you.”

He crossed his arms. “I’m not going anywhere.” His voice rose. “My Molly girl will be excited to see her daddy.”

Before she could utter a word, Molly called out. “Daddy, is that you?”

“Yes, sweetie. I’m here.” He leaned over and whispered, “I always was her favorite.”

Kate bit back a few unkind words as she followed her ex into the room. She hated how he dropped into their lives whenever it suited him and disappeared just as quickly.

Maybe that was why she’d been initially drawn to him—he was so much like her family, always chasing happiness in the next town. Having a child had been too much for her father, who’d split when she was ten. But her mother had stuck it out until Kate’s eighteenth birthday, before skipping town with the current flavor of the month.

But when Kate became pregnant, her priorities changed. She wanted her child to have a real home. She promised herself that her little one would have something she never had—stability.

The same town.

The same house.

The same bed.

She wondered what it’d be like to live in a home like Lucas’s, rich with family history. The man didn’t know how good he had it. The errant thought brought her up short. Why should she think of him now? And why did just the mere thought of him have her heart going pitty-pat? Maybe because she hadn’t anticipated his kindness after finding her, a total stranger, in his house.

“Yay! Daddy’s here.” Molly’s smile filled the room with an undeniable glow.

Chad gave their daughter a kiss and a hug. Kate watched the happy reunion and wondered whether she should be furious at her unreliable ex or grateful he’d made Molly’s face light up like Christmas morning. A child’s ability to forgive was truly impressive. And right now Molly’s happiness was all that mattered.

“How long are you sticking around?” Kate asked, wondering if she had time to grab some much needed coffee and gather her thoughts.

“For a while. Molly and I have some catching up to do.”

“Daddy, wanna watch this with me?” Molly pointed to a cartoon on the television anchored to the wall.

All three of them in the same room for an extended period would only lead to problems. Chad had a way of finding her tender spots and poking them. And having Molly witness her parents arguing was certainly not something her little girl needed right now. Kate struggled to come to terms with the fact Chad was suddenly back in their lives.

“I’m just going to step out and get some coffee. I’ll be right back.” Kate couldn’t help thinking that she was a third wheel here, an unfamiliar feeling. “You should know she sleeps a lot.”

“No need to rush.” Chad used his take-charge tone, which caused every muscle in Kate’s body to tense. “How about I stay until this afternoon and then you can spend the evening with our girl. No need for both of us to be here. After all, you have money to raise.”

Just the way he said the last part let her know that coming up with the money for the surgery would be solely her responsibility. Her blood pressure rose. What else was new?

She was about to inform him of his responsibilities toward their daughter when common sense dowsed her angry words. An argument between her and Chad was the last thing Molly needed. Still, with all three of them crowded in this small room all day, an argument was inevitable.

“You can leave,” Chad said dismissively.

“Yeah, Mommy. Daddy and me are gonna watch TV.”

Maybe it was the best way to keep Molly happy. She caught Chad’s gaze. “Are you sure you want to stay that long?”

“Absolutely. Molly and I have lots of catching up to do. Is that a stack of board games over there?” He pointed to the corner of the room.

Before Kate could speak, Molly piped up. “Yeah. Wanna play?”

While Chad wasn’t reliable for the long haul, when he was with Molly, he was a good father. Kate smiled at her daughter’s exuberance. “What time should I be back?”

“Three. I have some things to do then.”

“Okay. I’ll see you both at three.” And to be certain of Chad’s intentions, she added, “You will still be here, won’t you? Because I can come back earlier.”

“I’ll be here.”

Kate kissed her daughter goodbye and hesitantly walked away. She assured herself Molly would be fine with Chad. In the meantime, she had planning to do. Four weeks wasn’t much time to come up with enough cash to cover the bill.

The thought made her chest tighten. She didn’t have access to that kind of money. As it was, her house in Pennsylvania was being sold to pay some prior medical bills. What in the world was she going to do?

* * *

“Elaina, you have to be reasonable.” Lucas struggled to maintain a calm tone with his ex-wife. “All I’m asking is for you to let me see Carrie when I fly back out to San Francisco.”

“And I told you it’s too confusing for her. She has a dad now—one who doesn’t spend his life at the office. Don’t come around again. All you’ll do is upset her.”

“That’s not true.” His grip on the phone tightened. “You know you could make this easier for her by not yelling at me in front of her.”

Elaina sighed. “When you show up without invitation, what do you expect? And I’m only doing what’s best for my daughter—”

“Our daughter. And if I waited for an invitation, I’d be an old man. Don’t you think her knowing her father is important?”

“No. Don’t keep pushing this. Carrie is happy without you.”

A loud click resonated through the phone. His teeth ground together at the nerve of his ex-wife hanging up the phone while he was trying to reason with her.

The kitchen chair scraped over the smooth black-and-white tiles as Lucas swore under his breath and jumped to his feet. He paced the length of the kitchen. The sad thing was Elaina meant her threat. She would make his life hell if he didn’t play by her rules. She’d done it once by skipping town with their daughter and leaving no forwarding address. This time he didn’t even want to think of the lies she’d tell Carrie about him.

This was the reason he’d decided to let his daughter live in peace without the constant shuffle between two warring parents. He wanted a better childhood for Carrie than he’d had.

His thoughts drifted back to his childhood. He’d hated being a pawn between his parents and being forced to play the part of an unwilling spy. Those two were so wrapped up in knowing each other’s business and with outdoing the other that, in some twisted way, he figured they never really got over each other.

But if that was love, then he wanted no part of it. That’s why he’d decided to marry Elaina. They had a relationship based on friendship and mutual goals, not love. A nice, simple relationship. Boy, had he made a huge miscalculation. Even without love things got complicated quickly. Now he couldn’t let his daughter pay the price for his poor decisions.

Lucas stopped next to the table and stared down at the unfinished email. The cursor blinked, prompting him for the next words, but he couldn’t even recall what he’d written.

Nothing was going right at the moment. First, his ex-wife declared war if he pursued his right to spend time with his little girl. Then there was the San Francisco expansion, which was hemorrhaging money. His only hope was the launch of his newest line: Fiery Hearts—brilliant rubies set in the most stunning handcrafted settings.

The launch of this line had to be bigger and better than any other he’d done. Fiery Hearts had to start a buzz that would send women flocking to Carrington’s, infusing it with income to offset the cost of getting the West Coast showroom up and running. He raked his fingers through his hair, struggling for some innovative, headline-making launch for the line. But he drew a blank.

He closed the laptop and strode over to the counter. He went to refill his coffee cup only to find the pot empty. The thought of brewing more crossed his mind, but he had a better idea—getting away from the house by going to a coffee shop. Between the hum of conversation and his laptop, it’d keep him occupied. And if Kate needed her suitcase, she had his number.

Satisfied with his plan of action, he grabbed his keys and wallet when his cell phone buzzed. A quick glance at the illuminated screen revealed it was his aunt.

“Aunt Connie, I’ve been trying since last night to get you. Are you okay?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I’m not used to you being out so late and not taking my calls.”

“Sorry. I was at the hospital, sitting with a woman whose husband underwent emergency surgery.”

“Did everything go well?” he asked, already having a pretty good guess at the answer. His aunt was too upbeat for things to have gone poorly.

“Yes, the man has a good prognosis. So, dear, how are things going in San Francisco?”

This was his opening to find out what exactly was going on here. “I got back late last night.”

There was a quick intake of breath followed by silence. He wasn’t going to help his aunt out of this mess. She owed him an explanation of why a stranger was living here in his home without his permission. He might love his aunt dearly, but this time she’d overstepped.

“Oh, dear. Umm...I meant to call you—”

“So you’re admitting you invited Kate to stay here without consulting me?”

“Well, yes. But I knew you’d understand.” Uncertainty threaded through her voice.

If Connie were an employee, he’d let her have an earful and then some. But this was his aunt, the only family member who’d ever worried more about his happiness than the company’s bottom line...or having the Carrington name appear on the society page with some splashy headline. He couldn’t stay angry with her, even if he tried.

“It might be best if you ask in the future, instead of assuming.” He made sure to use his I’m-not-messing-around voice.

“I’m sorry. She doesn’t have any family for support or anywhere to go. And I would have sent her to my place, but you know after the last person I took in, my roommate insisted I never bring home anyone else. How was I to know that woman liked to borrow things?”

“Without permission and without any intention of returning them.”

He was so grateful that his aunt had Pauline to look after her. If it weren’t for Pauline, he’d never feel comfortable enough to leave town on business. His aunt was too nice, too unassuming. As a result, people tried repeatedly to take advantage of her to get to the Carrington fortune.

“Kate isn’t like the others,” Connie insisted. “She has a good heart.”

“Still, you shouldn’t have sent her here. This house...it’s off-limits.”

“I thought after all of this time you’d have let go of the past.”

He’d never let go. How could he? It’d mean letting go of his little girl. A spot inside his chest ached like an open, festering wound every time he thought of how much he missed seeing Carrie’s sweet smile or hearing her contagious laughter. But he didn’t want to discuss Carrie with his aunt...with anyone.

Hoping to redirect the conversation, he asked, “What do you know about Kate?”

“Didn’t she tell you?”

A knock at the back door caught him off guard. He wasn’t expecting anyone as he never had visitors. And if it was some sort of salesperson, they’d go to the front door.

“I’ve got to go. Someone’s at the door. I’ll call you back later.”

“Lucas, be nice to Kate. She has more than enough on her plate. She can use all of the friends she can get.”

And with that the line went dead. What in the world had that cryptic message meant? He didn’t have time to contemplate it as the knock sounded again.

He let out a frustrated sigh as he set his phone on the center island. So much for getting any answers about Kate. Now all he had were more questions.

The knocking became one long string of beats.

“Okay! I’m coming.”

Lucas strode over and yanked open the door. A cold breeze rushed past him. His mouth moved, but words failed him.

There standing in the rain, completely soaked, was Kate. Her teeth chattered and her eyes were red and puffy. This certainly wasn’t the same determined woman he’d dropped off at the hospital. Where her hair had once been styled, the wet strands clung to her face. What in the world was going on?

Without thinking he reached out, grabbed her arms and pulled her inside. His mind continued to flood with questions, so many that he didn’t know where to start. But finally he drew his thoughts into some semblance of order and decided to start at the beginning.

“Why didn’t you call?” He slipped her purse off her shoulder and set it on a kitchen stool. “I’d have picked you up.”

Were those tears flowing down her cheeks? Or raindrops? He couldn’t be sure. Obviously he’d have to hold off getting to the bottom of this. His first priority was getting Kate warmed up.

“We need to get you in a hot shower.” She started to shake her head when he added, “No arguments. You’ll be lucky if you don’t catch pneumonia. If you hadn’t noticed, it’s awfully cold to be walking around in the rain.”

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