The Mistletoe Affair Page 18

  She had no choice. Time was running out.

  Tomorrow, she'd sell another piece of her heart.

  * * * *

  Jared owed Carl a bonus. The detective had traced every transaction Paul and Katherine made and had them tailed.

  “I'm telling you, Mr. Randall, those coins Katherine Cahill brought in for appraisal are worth fifty thousand dollars tops,” the coin collector whispered into the phone.

  “Give the lady what she's asking,” Jared said tersely. He was about one heartbeat away from losing his temper. Katherine was in the other room waiting on an appraisal and probably worried sick.

  Today was December twentieth. Jared knew she was running out of time to raise the money.

  “You want me to give her one hundred thirty thousand dollars for something worth fifty?” he croaked. “Are you loony?"

  “Probably."

  He thought about the marriage license Paul and Katherine had obtained from the courthouse. Paul had bragged to the clerk that they were getting married December twenty-first. Tomorrow.

  “Put Carl on the line,” Jared told the coin collector.

  “I'm here,” Carl said into the telephone. “Your lady friend's a real looker. No wonder you can't sleep."

  “She didn't catch you following her, did she?"

  “Hell, no. She's in the office waiting for Lester to give her an estimate of the value on them coins. I've been stuck in this storage room most of the time. What kind of a detective would I be if I let her catch me? I peeked through some wire. What do you want me to do?"

  “Reimburse Lester for whatever amount he gives Katherine. If you don't, the check he gives her will bounce higher than the Washington Monument.” He paused. “Give Lester the reward we promised him for helping us out. Oh, and don't forget to bring the coin collection to me."

  “Got it covered,” Carl said.

  * * * *

  Half an hour later, Jared couldn't believe his eyes. Katherine was standing in his office, not two feet away from him. She must have left the coin collector's office and came directly to Jared's.

  Jeez! Carl's on his way here, too.

  His pen clattered onto the desk.

  She placed her briefcase on a chair and pulled her coat tighter. “I can't stay long. Don't say anything, just listen, please. I couldn't get in touch with you until now. I lied about Paul and me making up and our happy marriage plans."

  She spun around and paced the room. “I was afraid you'd do something stupid, Jared Randall. You know how I hate that. I had to think of my family. I didn't mean to hurt you.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Can you forgive me?"

  Forgive her?

  He wanted to drag her into his arms and kiss her. And he intended to do precisely that, after they solved their mutual problem-Paul.

  “There's nothing to forgive. I got your message loud and clear when we talked on the phone."

  Her jade eyes stared, and she seemed bewildered.

  He repeated the words she'd used to tip him off. “'Trust me. Don't come over here like Superman.'” He stood and moved to face her. “I understood what you implied, sweetheart. If I'd tried to contact you, Paul might suspect I didn't believe you. I'd jeopardize you and your family.” His hand grazed her shoulder.

  “What do you know about Paul and the jeopardy he's placed my family in?” she asked.

  “I'm not going into details, but I found out that Paul had bought up your father's loans.” He put his hands up to stop her objections. “I haven't done one single thing that would jeopardize your raising the money."

  When she looked up at him, tears shimmered on her lashes. “I know that. Do you really think about me the way I think about Matt and my mother?"

  He smiled faintly. “And then some."

  Her eyes were puffy from crying, but to him she looked beautiful. She shifted from one booted foot to the other and checked her watch.

  Her shoulders slumped.

  “Everything's falling apart. I promised Dad I'd look after Mom after he died. Look at this mess. I'm juggling so many balls already and another one is tossed into the air.” She shook her head and exhaled.

  Was she in some other danger he didn't know about?

  He frowned. “What other ball are you talking about?"

  “Mother and Thomas.” She shrugged. “I can only solve one problem at a time and right now that's Paul."

  “It'll all work out, Katherine. You've got me on your side. You said you couldn't stay long when you walked into my office,” he reminded her.

  She checked her watch again. “Paul visits Ann every morning. I have to get back before he realizes I'm gone. I don't want him to get suspicious."

  Paul had become their common enemy. “Anything I can do to help?"

  Unlatching her brief case, she withdrew a file and handed it to him. “I've typed instructions for you to follow. I'll arrive at your office at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. At ten o'clock, Paul will arrive. When you read the file, you'll understand why he'll be coming and the paperwork you need to have ready before Paul arrives."

  Jared wrinkled his brow. Why was Paul coming? How in the hell was Katherine going to pull that off?

  “I don't have time to explain, so don't ask. Trust me again. That's one of the balls I'm juggling. I'll get him here. Do exactly what I say in the notes."

  “What do you plan on doing to Paul?” Jared asked

  “Surprising the hell out of him. And giving him a bit of crow to eat. Care to help me, Superman?"

  He grinned at her. “I love your style,” he teased.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Twenty-four hours didn't sound like much, but Katherine was amazed at how much she had accomplished when her mother's welfare depended on it. She glanced down at Jared's desk calendar and smiled. It was clear except for ringed coffee stains and the day's date, December twenty-first. Jared had written ‘Katherine's Wedding Day', slashed across it with a big X and ‘Hell No'.

  Her sentiments exactly.

  She leaned back in the chair and glanced at the clock. Only five minutes till the ten o'clock showdown with Paul.

  Jared sat behind his desk, wearing a dress-for-power red tie, and repeatedly clicked the pen in his hand. His warm blue eyes studied her. “Paul should be here any minute.” He threw the pen down. “You're a miracle worker, Katherine."

  She shook her head. “You're giving me more credit than I deserve for getting Paul here today. I simply appealed to his greed. Before we married, he made me sign a prenuptial agreement, which he had prepared. This time, I told him to meet us and sign one for me. Just as I figured, he accused me of trying to pull a fast one. He'll probably enter your office swinging."

  He raised a brow. “You want to tell me why you have a dump truck and a wrecker ready and waiting behind the parking lot?"

  She grinned. “No, I don't."

  The intercom buzzed twice, Jared's secretary signaled Paul's arrival. Katherine quickly glanced at her briefcase and the folders on Jared's desk.

  Let the show begin.

  Jared winked. “You look very professional in that French braid and suit.” He smiled faintly. They both turned to stare at the door. “Ready, set, go get him, tiger,” he whispered as it moved.

  “What the hell are you two pulling?” Paul burst into the room and slammed the door shut. “I have no intention of agreeing to Katherine's prenup, so forget it.” Whipping out a document, he threw it at Jared. “She'll sign this one."

  Jared whisked it aside and pulled out papers of his own. “Katherine has asked me to represent her best interest and prepare some legal documents."

  Katherine bit her lip to keep from smiling. His retainer fee of one dollar had almost broken her.

  Paul dropped into the chair next to her. “Back off, or you'll regret it, Katherine."

  She pushed her shoulders back and sat perfectly straight in the chair. Her eyes shifted back to Jared. The tight muscles in his jaw rippled like the restless tide.

  �
�As I was about to explain,” Jared continued, laying a document in front of Paul, “I need you to sign an acknowledgment that you have received payment in full from Katherine for her father's debts."

  Paul narrowed his eyes as he read the document. When he finished, he crossed his arms. “I'm not signing this."

  “Yes, you will. Katherine owes you nothing after this transaction.” Jared handed him a cashier's check for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

  Paul's mouth gaped as he stared at the check. He turned and gave her a murderous look. “I underestimated you.” His dark brow lifted. “Is this what it took to get you into Jared's bed?"

  She gasped and her gaze flew to Jared.

  His hands fisted and every muscle tensed, ready to pulverize Paul. “Katherine can't be bought, you piece of slime."

  She lifted her hand to stop Jared from lashing out. Paul deserved everything Jared could throw at him, but she didn't want Jared to dirty his hands on the jerk. “I sold everything I owned."

  Paul looked at her for a moment. He snorted and shook his head.

  Katherine was incensed. He had obviously dismissed her statement as a lie. She would never get him to understand loving someone so much you'd sacrifice everything for his or her safety and happiness.

  Jared handed him a pen, but he knocked it aside. Paul withdrew one from his jacket, signed his name to the document and threw the pen into the trash. He stood.

  “You aren't leaving until Katherine gives you permission."

  “Like hell.” Paul stomped toward the door.

  “Leave now, and I'll personally break your scrawny neck,” Jared promised.

  Katherine jumped to her feet.

  Paul stood at the door, hands on his hips, staring at her. His lips thinned into an angry line. “What the hell do you want?"

  “Why don't you sit down, so we can both find out what Katherine wants?” Jared suggested levelly.

  After Paul dropped back into the chair, Jared turned his head toward Katherine and, offering a sly wink, said, “You've got his attention."

  She remained standing, too nervous to sit down. Her mind became more alert to every detail. Her heart beat faster. Two pairs of eyes watched her. For the first time in her life, she was doing something for herself. It felt incredible.

  She fisted her hands. “Damn you, Paul. How could you do this to me and my family?” She expelled a deep breath and shook her head. “I don't understand you. I never have.” Her mind tore to the past. “You purposely seduced me, made me think you loved me and married me-not for love, but for your family's approval."

  She looked down at Paul and couldn't believe her eyes.

  Without looking her way, Paul reached forward, extracted another paperclip from the box on the desk, and added it to a chain he was idly constructing as she spoke.

  She clenched her teeth.

  Dear God, didn't he care about anything or anybody? She'd never told anyone what she was about to expose of her relationship with Paul, but she had a right to know the truth. The pain still hurt as she continued, “Why haven't you ever tried to be close to Matt? Was it because I didn't go through with the abortion you wanted me to have?"

  He dropped the chain and glanced up. “Don't play the innocent,” he sneered. “You ingratiated yourself with my parents for one reason-to get your hooks into me. I knew it, but couldn't stop it. You forced me to marry you."

  He slammed his fist on the desk. “When we got married, I told you I didn't want kids. I took precautions, but you managed to get pregnant.” He threw her a knowing look. “Don't blame me if I ran around. You deserved it, in spades."

  It wouldn't do her any good to argue with Paul's twisted logic. Her mind returned to the night he had ordered her to get an abortion. His hateful words echoed around the room and she listened to them repeat themselves inside her mind. As the facts gelled, a dim, disgusted understanding took their place. She covered her mouth and stared at him in horror as a chill scraped up her spine. “You took precautions and I managed to get pregnant? You don't think Matt is your child, do you?"

  “Hell, I know he isn't."

  Her hands shook. Blood rushed from her head leaving her dizzy and disoriented. The room spun.

  “Who do you believe is the father?"

  Pure hatred filled his eyes. “William. He's my brother's stinking kid."

  Her vision blurred, and she cleared her throat.

  “William?” She shook her head, trying to integrate this insanity. She and William! How could he possibly believe that? “Your brother's happily married and has three children of his own. He showed Matt love because that's William's nature. He tried to make up for your neglect."

  Paul snorted. “I saw the way you two looked at each other. You didn't fool me."

  “The way we looked at each other?” She tried to remember any time that she and William might have given Paul the wrong impression, but drew a blank. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? We were friends, relatives. You've lost me."

  “Lust. I saw it.” He pointed an accusing finger at her.

  “You're disgusting.” She pursed her lips and pointed an accusing finger right back at him. “So you came here and hoped to punish William, me and Matt some more. And you'd take over the reins from your father."

  Paul shook his head. “You'd get what you deserved."

  And so will you.

  Katherine removed a folder from her briefcase. She pulled out a copy of a note she had typed and hand-delivered to Ann Young earlier today.

  “What's this?” Paul scanned the contents and his mouth rounded. “I didn't write this shit. What gift are you hoping she'll accept with my love? I never gave that slut anything."

  “No, you didn't write it. I did. I sent her the emerald pendant you forced me to accept."

  His teeth gnashed. “What have you done, you bitch?"

  She smiled grimly and held up her hand. “Oh, there's more. I called your father. Malcolm was surprised anyone knew about his retiring soon. He was particularly interested in your blackmail scheme to take control, the amount of money you exhorted out of me."

  Paul shot out of his chair, sending it hurling across the room and clanking into a potted palm. “You did what?! What the hell made you do that?" he bellowed.

  “Your father made me promise I'd let him know if you didn't treat me right this time. I kept my promise."

  “I'm leaving.” He spun on his heels.

  “Not yet,” she yelled after him. “I have one last parting gift for you."

  She stomped to the closet and opened the door. Stashed in the corner was a brand new, shiny shovel. The wooden handle was adorned with a bright red bow. Smiling, she presented it to Paul.

  “Have at it,” she said.

  He stared at the shovel before glaring at her.

  Jared stood and moved toward him. “Don't go thinking any nasty thoughts, Paul. Just take the gift from the lady and leave."

  He aimed one furious, impotent look at her, but when Jared continued to move across the room he snatched the shovel from her and raced out.

  The moment the door shut, strong, caring hands reached for her. “Jared,” she whispered as his arms enfolded her. “What he said was a lie. William-"

  He placed a finger to her lips. “Shhh. Don't dignify Paul's ravings. That ex of yours makes me want to apologize for the whole male species. My tongue's almost bit clear through from holding it."

  He lifted her chin and his warm blue eyes gazed into hers. “You should be proud of yourself. The way you stood up to him."

  Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes and streaked down her face. She hiccupped. “You're proud of me?"

  “Very much so.” His hands ghosted like a healing balm across her cheeks and wiped at the tears. “Don't cry, Katherine. He isn't worth it. He won't be back. You're free. Matt's free. Let's celebrate you letting go of the past forever."

  She cuddled in his arms, feeling warm and safe. “Only if you feed me dinner at your ranch in K
aty, and you do the cooking."

  He rubbed her back, kneading the knots in her shoulders.

  “Oh, that feels soooo good,” she murmured, squeezing him around the waist.

  His hands stilled. “You want to go to the ranch again? Just you and me?” He shook his head. “Uh, Katherine, I don't think that's such a good idea."

  She glanced up at him. “What's the matter, friend? Can't you cook?” she teased.

  He tweaked her nose. “Okay, smarty pants, I'll show you. It's a deal.” He kissed the top of her head.

  His hands squeezed her back and began kneading her muscles again. “I'm curious. What was all that business with the shovel?"

  She laughed wickedly and glanced at him. “Let's just say, he may have to fight flies off his Porsche."

  Jared's eyes lit with mischief. He chuckled. “Woman, remind me never to make you mad."

  * * * *

  She glanced at Jared, who stood by the stereo selecting CDs. The muscles in his chest flexed against the cording in his blue shirt, reminding her of the awesome power this gentle man held at his disposal. An old, unnecessary flicker of fear shot through her, reminding her how dangerous it was to be at a man's mercy. Frowning, she pushed it aside, determined not to let anything interfere with her plans for the night. Jared is not Paul, she chanted inwardly. Jared is-good.

  The fear disappeared, and she smiled. So, it was that easy? Find a good man and learn a new life? She shook her head ruefully. It was going to be a wonderful night.

  The rattle of CD cases drew her mind back to the present. Still smiling, she glanced over. “How long does it take to put a few CDs on to play?"

  “Don't rush me, woman. I'm trying to select good ones,” he teased, glancing down at the titles.

  “If you hear me snoring, you know you took too long."

  “All right, I'm hurrying.” The clatter got faster and a few hit the floor, followed by a, “Blast it."

  She smiled.

  They had just finished their meal. She kicked off her heels, smoothed her dress, and leaned back, enjoying the smell of wood burning in the fireplace. She felt as if she had returned to heaven as she sank deeper into the leather couch in his den.