Marking Time Read online

  “That can’t be good for your voice.”

  “It’s not. Even if I don’t get the gig with the Rafters, I might quit Mabel’s. The smoke sucks, and the people there are kind of shitty.”

  He stopped walking and turned to her. “Shitty?”

  “Mean.”

  “They’re mean? To you?”

  He looked so mad on her behalf that she smiled. “Butch says it’s because I sing better than they do.”

  “Butch is probably right. He’s pretty smart about these things.”

  “I’m not used to people not liking me because of my music, but I suppose it’s to be expected here.”

  “I’m sorry, darlin’. I hate hearing that.”

  His dismay was so genuine that Kate slipped a hand into the crook of his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Are you gonna beat ’em all up for me?” she asked, mocking his accent.

  “I just might have to.”

  “They’re not worth it. Besides, I plan to get my revenge the old-fashioned way.”

  Amused, he looked down at her. “Oh yeah? How’s that?”

  “I’m going to be famous.”

  He laughed. “I have no doubt,” he said as they reached the stairs to her townhouse. “Everything okay with the apartment?”

  “Yeah, except for the slumlord. He’s a major pain.”

  “You’re a real brat, aren’t you?”

  “Sometimes. The apartment is great, thank you. I love having my own place.”

  “Just call the slumlord if you ever need anything.”

  “I’ll do that. Are we still on for Sunday?”

  “We sure are. You remember how to get there, right?”

  “Yep. I’ll be out around noon. Is that good?”

  “That’s perfect. Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” He kissed her cheek.

  “Who’s going to walk you back to your car?”

  “I think I’ll be able to find it.”

  “This is a city you know,” she said, imitating his stern lecture from earlier.

  He laughed. “You really are a brat.”

  “Yeah, yeah, put it in your report. Call me from the car. I won’t sleep if I have to worry about you getting mugged in the big city.”

  “All right. Get inside before I go.”

  At the top of the stairs, she unlocked her door and once inside, waved through the glass door.

  He made a twisting motion with his hand.

  She rolled her eyes and set the dead bolt. Running upstairs to her living room, she grabbed the portable phone and dialed his cell number.

  “Didn’t I just leave you?” he asked when he answered.

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “I was very concerned about you getting mugged on the way to your car.”

  “Yet you have no fear of walking home alone on this same street late at night. Ironic, no?”

  “You sound so prissy when you use that tone.”

  “What tone?”

  “That tone. Was that a yawn?”

  “You’re hearing things.”

  “I told you not to wait for me. Now you’ll have to talk to me all the way home so I won’t worry about you falling asleep on the road.” She heard the double beep of him unlocking his car.

  “I’m not going to fall asleep. I’m in the car, so you can go to bed now.”

  “Talk to me some more, will you?” she asked softly.

  “What’s the matter, darlin’?”

  “Nothing. Just kind of homesick today.”

  “Did you call home?”

  “Yeah, but the babies were crazy so my dad and Andi couldn’t talk. Maggie was at her friend’s house. I couldn’t reach my mom, and Jill was in class.”

  “I’m sorry. You’ll be going home for a couple of days at Christmas, right?”

  “Yeah, but that’s almost a month away.”

  “Well, think of it this way—at least you’re making some progress here. You’ve gotten to sing a few times in public, and now there’s this possibility with the band.”

  “That’s true.”

  “I haven’t said too much about this, but I know people who could help you get where you want to be—”

  “No! I don’t want that, Reid. Do you hear me? Don’t pull any strings for me.”

  “Hey, hey. Settle down. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”

  “Do you promise? You have to promise me. I don’t want it that way.”

  “I promise. But if I didn’t think you had the talent, I wouldn’t have offered. You’re head and shoulders above the rest. You deserve a break.”

  “If that’s true, then I’ll get one. Please, Reid. Don’t do it.”

  “I said I wouldn’t.”

  “Okay.”

  “Since you’re determined to keep me company, will you sing for me?”

  “What do you want to hear?”

  “Surprise me.”

  She sang “Time to Fly,” one of the songs she had written since she arrived in Nashville. When she was done he didn’t say anything. “Uh-oh. I put you to sleep, didn’t I?”

  “No,” he said gruffly. “Definitely not. That was beautiful, Kate. You really have no idea how very talented you are, do you?”

  “I don’t think about it all that much. It’s just something I do. It’s so much a part of me.”

  “You aren’t going to need help from me or anyone else.”

  She let out a nervous laugh as something in his voice stirred feelings she had never experienced quite so acutely before. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

  “That we will. Well, I’m just about home. Time for lights out.”

  “Thanks for the company.”

  “Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Good night.” She hung up but lay awake for a long time thinking about him and counting the hours until she could see him again.

  Sunday dawned sunny and unseasonably warm. After the intense conversation they’d had the other night, Kate had gone from being excited to see Reid to being nervous, especially since Ashton wouldn’t be joining them. He was in Florida for a weekend fishing trip with his law school friends but had called to check on her before he left. She had swallowed her guilt when she assured him she was fine. He promised to call when he got home, but she told him he didn’t have to. In light of what Butch had told her, she was concerned about leading Ashton on. He had just laughed and said of course he would call. Ugh, she thought as she drove to Reid’s house with the window down. What kind of mess is this shaping up to be?

  Her nerves over seeing Reid shifted into high gear when she reached the entrance to the long driveway. Don’t be ridiculous, Kate. He’s old enough to be your father. She shuddered when she imagined her father’s reaction to the crazy crush she had on his friend. She’d only had one serious boyfriend, and that was last year. Ryan was adorable, and she’d imagined herself in love with him. But when her father flipped out after catching them making out, Ryan ran for the hills and never came back. Just as well. Who wants a boy when you can have a man?

  The man in question appeared when she parked her car next to his black Mercedes SUV. Her heart skipped a crazy beat at the sight of him in worn jeans, cowboy boots, and an oatmeal-colored cotton sweater that had seen better days. For the first time in her life, her mouth watered with lust. Cool it, Kate, she said to herself when he reached out to open her door. Just ride the damned horse and keep it cool.

  His smile sent a flutter through her.

  “Hey, you found me.”

  “With no problem at all,” Kate said with more lightness than she felt. She wondered if he would die of shock if she reached up and dragged that beautiful mouth of his down to hers. It was all she could do to resist the urge as he stood close enough to touch, smelling like fresh air and citrus. Her every sense was on full alert, which was also new to her.

  Reid walked her to the stables with two bags tossed over his shoulder. “We got a great day to ride. It’s never this warm in November.�
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  “I talked to my sister this morning. It’s snowing in Providence.”

  “Jill, right?”

  Kate was busy watching him walk. “Uh-huh.” He startled her when he suddenly turned around to face her.

  “Everything okay, Kate?” Studying her with those soft brown eyes, he seemed to see everything she was trying so hard to keep hidden from him.

  A keen burst of longing shot through her, and she was certain he could see it. How could he not? “Why do you ask?”

  “You seem jittery. Are you nervous or something?”

  Her first impulse was to deny it, but she couldn’t. “Sort of.”

  “Why?”

  She met his gaze. “I’m not sure.”

  Neither of them looked away for a long moment during which it became clear to Kate that he had feelings for her, too. Her heart gave a happy lift at what she saw on his face. Desire. Pure and simple.

  He held out a hand to her. “Let’s ride.”

  She took his hand as if she’d done it a hundred times before and followed him into the stable where more than a dozen horses peeked out from their stalls to inspect the visitors.

  “Oh, they’re beautiful!” Kate cried. “Are they all yours?”

  “Half of them. The rest belong to friends of Ashton’s who board them here.”

  “That’s nice of you.”

  He shrugged. “It was a good way to keep all the kids coming around when they were in high school and college. They come out most weekends to ride.”

  “Afternoon, Mr. M,” an elderly groom said when he came out of the tack room.

  “Hi there, Derek. This is Kate Harrington, a new friend. She might be out to ride now and then when we’re not home.”

  “That’d be fine. We’ll make her feel right at home.”

  “Thank you,” Kate said.

  “I’ve saddled up Thunder for you, Mr. M, and Sugar for Miss Kate like you asked.” Derek handed Kate a carrot he pulled from his jacket pocket so she could get acquainted with Sugar.

  “Thanks, Derek,” Reid said a few minutes later when he gave Kate a leg up on the gentle snow-white mare.

  While Kate got comfortable in Sugar’s saddle, she watched Reid stash two saddlebags on Thunder’s back. “He’s beautiful,” she said. The compliment was rewarded with a loud whicker that made her laugh.

  “He must like you,” Reid said. “He only talks to people he likes.”

  They walked the horses out of the gated training area.

  “Is Sugar one of yours?”

  “No, she belongs to a friend of Ashton’s who’s away for a few weeks. She asked me to make sure Sugar gets some exercise. Come on, let’s give them a workout.” He touched his heels to Thunder’s side, and the horse bounded into a canter.

  Kate followed his lead, urging Sugar into an all-out gallop across the rolling green hills. After they’d gone a good distance, Reid slowed Thunder to a trot and directed him to a creek.

  Kate was laughing when she caught up to him. “That was fabulous. I haven’t ridden like that in ages.”

  “Thunder gets ornery if we don’t get in a good run every few days.”

  Thunder snickered, and Kate chuckled with delight. “He’s human!”

  “I’ve been convinced of that since he was just a foal.” Reid helped Kate down from Sugar, and they walked the horses to the creek for a drink.

  “What a beautiful place you have.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I hope you’ll make yourself right at home here any time you need to escape the city.”

  “Thank you,” she said, feeling shy again. Just standing close to him made her light-headed.

  He reached up to retrieve the saddlebags from Thunder’s back. “Martha packed us some sandwiches. Are you hungry?”

  “Sure.” Kate followed him to a spot under a large oak tree where he spread a plaid blanket on the grass. He seemed so comfortable in his own skin as he stretched out on the blanket. Kate appreciated being with a man who exuded that kind of easy confidence. She’d grown tired of boys pretending to be men. This was a real man, and it was shocking to acknowledge that she wanted him in a way she had never wanted any of the boys who’d pursued her at home.

  “Are you going to sit?” he asked with a grin.

  Startled out of her thoughts, Kate kneeled on the far edge of the blanket.

  He chewed on a blade of grass and watched her with those eyes that saw everything, even the secrets she was trying desperately to keep from him. “What’s with you today, darlin’? You’re like a cat on a hot tin roof.”

  Her cheeks heated. “Nothing.”

  He watched her for another long moment before he shrugged and opened the second bag. “I hope turkey’s okay,” he said, handing her one of the thick sandwiches and a diet soda.

  “That’s fine. Thanks.”

  Kate stole glances at him while they ate in silence. The more she looked, the harder it became to swallow. She’d never had feelings like these before and had no idea how to handle them. The tension soon became unbearable. She had to get away from him before she embarrassed herself, so she put her sandwich down, got up, and walked back to the creek where she rested her head against Sugar’s soft neck. She startled when Reid came up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders.

  “I wish you’d tell me what’s bothering you.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered.

  He turned her to face him. “Now you’re worrying me.”

  Looking up at him, she couldn’t resist the urge to caress his face.

  His eyes flashed with awareness as he took her hand from his face and kissed the palm. “Kate, honey, you’re so beautiful, but you’re too young for me. I’m an old man.”

  “You’re not.” She rested her head against his chest. “You’re perfect.” Encircling his neck with her arms, she tilted her face, daring him to kiss her.

  He reached up to take her hands and gently extricated himself from her embrace. “Sweetheart, please. Your daddy asked me to keep an eye out for you, but I don’t think this is what he had in mind.”

  She tightened her grip on his hands. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

  “This isn’t going to happen, Kate.”

  “It already is.”

  “It can’t.”

  “Why not? We’re both adults.”

  “You could be my daughter.”

  “But I’m not,” she said, running her finger along his jaw.

  “I’m flattered, honey, I really am.”

  She pulled her hand free of his. “But you’re not interested.”

  “Of course I’m interested, but I’m not going to take advantage of a young girl. That’s just not who I am.”

  “You know what?” she said, suddenly furious. “You can save your whole ‘little girl’ speech. I stopped being a little girl the day my mother was hit by a car right in front of me, so spare me the bullshit.” She swung herself up onto Sugar’s back and was gone before he could reply. Back at the stable, she turned Sugar over to a startled Derek. She was on her way to her car when Reid stormed into the yard on Thunder.

  He was off the horse before it came to a stop. “Kate! Damn it! Kate!”

  She reached for the car door, but his hand on hers stopped her.

  “Don’t go,” he said. “Talk to me. Please.”

  “There’s nothing left to say.”

  His eyes implored her. “Stay.”

  Over Reid’s shoulder, she saw Derek come out to collect Thunder from the yard and discreetly disappear back into the stables.

  She looked into Reid’s eyes. “If you treat me like a child, you’ll break my heart.”

  His jaw tight with tension, he nodded and took her hand to lead her into the house. “Can I get you anything?”

  She shook her head and followed him into the drawing room.

  He tugged her down next to him on the sofa. “I’m sorry,” he said, cupping her face with his hand. “I don’t think of you as a little girl, Kate, a
nd that’s the problem. You look like a grown woman, and you act like one. I just can’t get past the fact that you’re only eighteen. People would call me a dirty old man.”

  “No one would have to know.”

  Resting his forehead against hers, he smiled. “Sweetheart, after that scene in the yard, I think Derek’s already on to us, and nothing’s even happened yet.”

  His use of the word “yet” stirred hope within her. He was coming around.

  “What you said back at the creek, about your mother. Tell me about it.” He put an arm around her to draw her to him. When she tensed, he looked down at her. “What is it?”

  “What about Martha?”

  “She visits her family on Sunday afternoons.”

  Knowing they were alone, Kate relaxed against him. “I was fourteen,” she said, letting her mind wander back to her darkest day. “We had the best life. My parents were awesome—not like a lot of my friends’ parents. They were still so in love, and we always knew it. I had my sisters, my friends, school, my music. I was happy, you know?”

  He ran a hand over her blonde hair and nodded.

  “Then one day my sisters and I went shopping with my mom. As we were leaving the mall, this car came barreling at us. It was totally out of control.” Tears rolled down her face.

  Reid wiped them away.

  “My sisters and I jumped out of the way, but my mom just stood there frozen. We screamed and screamed at her to move, but she didn’t. The car hit her, and she went over the top of it. There was blood everywhere.” Kate shuddered at the memory. “We heard later that the driver had had a fatal heart attack, which is why the car was going so fast. I can still remember the way my dad looked when he came running into the emergency room. He had this wild look in his eyes that stayed there for a long time afterward. In some ways, it was like we lost them both that day.”

  Reid tightened his arms around her and rested his cheek against her hair. “I’m sorry, baby,” he said in the lilting Southern accent she already loved.

  “Nothing was ever the same. She never came out of the coma they induced after the accident. Time went by, and he seemed to get better when he realized sitting by her bed around the clock wasn’t going to bring her back. Then he met Andi.”