Until There Was You Read online

  “He had grown up with just his mother, who had little time for him. She liked to socialize, play bingo, go clubbing. He told me he didn’t matter to her. As a child he promised himself that he’d be the center of someone’s life. In a rage, he told me that’s why he had picked me . . . because I was quiet and he thought I’d be grateful. After Kayla was born, he couldn’t understand that she needed my time and attention, too. It became a case of ‘You love her more than me.’ Then the verbal abuse began. He’d yell at her for the smallest thing.

  “I left. He begged me to come back, said that he just loved us. I went back, but it was the same. I got a divorce and full custody six months ago after we had been separated for two years. He didn’t fight it. It might have ended there, but his mother started talking to him about what people thought. He didn’t want us, he was trying to please her. When I wouldn’t go back, he threatened to take Kayla away from me. My lawyer assured me that wouldn’t happen. The day after I told Gordon, my apartment was broken into and stripped while I was at work.

  “I moved and it happened again three weeks later. All the new furniture, Kayla’s clothes and toys, gone. I had used my one credit card to purchase them, and only had a little money stashed away for an emergency. I wasn’t sure what to do next, but I knew I wasn’t going back to Gordon. The day after my apartment was broken into, I went to pick Kayla up from preschool and met Gordon signing her out. Although the school had strict orders not to release her to anyone, they were letting him take her.” Her hands started to tremble.

  “If I had been a few minutes later, he might have taken her. I realized I had to run. I had already planned ahead and took the money hidden beneath a piece of carpet. I drove to the shopping mall, caught a bus to a used car lot and used almost all of the money I had to buy the car. We stayed in Dallas for six weeks, living in a motel. I was afraid to use my real name and I couldn’t find a job. The car broke down, and I had to have it repaired. I thought if I could get to California he wouldn’t come after me and I could use my real name and get a job. We never made it.”

  “Santa Fe is a good place to live,” Richard said carefully. “I’d hate to lose you, but I’m sure you could get a job teaching here.”

  “I’ve been thinking the same thing.” She drew a deep breath and stuck out her hand. “My name is Naomi June Reese.”

  Richard gently took her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Naomi June Reese.”

  A shy smile on her face, she pulled her hand free, then moistened her lips. “I’d like to ask another favor of you.”

  “Name it,” Richard said softly.

  “Could you take me to the court house? I’d like to file for a restraining order against Gordon.”

  Richard’s hand closed over hers again. “All you ever have to do is ask.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “WHERE IS SHE?” LUKE ASKED BRANDON AS SOON AS HE entered the Red Cactus and saw his brother by the bar.

  “In my office, but—” Brandon was left talking to Luke’s broad back.

  Hurrying down the hallway, Luke opened the door. Catherine stood a few feet away, her arms wrapped around her, her beautiful face a mixture of hope and anxiety. “Is it really over?”

  “It’s over.” He’d called her after Dakota led Sam Morris off in handcuffs.

  “Oh, Luke. Thank God. Thank you.”

  They moved at the same time. He caught her in his arms, his lips coming down on hers, reveling in the kiss and in her. After the briefest of hesitation, she met him the same way. It was a long, satisfying time before he lifted his head, glad to see shadows no longer lingered in her deep brown eyes. “I left a message at the hotel for your department chair so he can start spreading the word.”

  “I told you Luke would take care of everything.”

  Glancing up sharply, Luke saw his mother, felt Catherine go rigid in his arms. So that was the reason for her hesitation in returning his kiss. Of all the people to catch them, his mother was the worst. It didn’t help that her close friend, Amanda Poole, was there also.

  Both smiled indulgently at them. The best way to get out of this sticky situation was to release Catherine and step away from her. Somehow he couldn’t make himself do either. “What are you doing here?”

  “Supporting Catherine, of course,” his mother answered. “We came by for lunch and we knew something was wrong when we saw her. Although she wouldn’t tell us until after you called.”

  Luke lifted a heavy brow. “Then how could you support her?”

  “By being with her, of course,” his mother stated as if that was obvious.

  “We were horrified when she finally told us,” Amanda added. “But we assured Dr. Stew . . . Catherine that her reputation would remain unblemished.”

  “They were wonderful,” Catherine said, trying and failing to move away from Luke. His hold was inflexible.

  “I’m proud of you, but then, I always have been,” his mother said, her voice warm with approval.

  “Thanks for staying with her,” Luke said, appreciative they had helped Catherine, but definitely not liking the ecstatic grin on his mother’s face.

  “I tried to tell you she wasn’t alone, but you were in too big of a hurry,” Brandon said from behind him, then looked at Catherine and added, “Can’t say that I blame you though.”

  Flushing, Catherine finally managed to step away from Luke. He very much wanted to pull her back into his arms, better yet, take her to the cabin, where they could be alone.

  “Was it Dr. Tolliver or Dr. Perkins?” she asked, her voice not quite steady.

  Despite his mother looking, his knuckles brushed across her cheek. “Neither. You were right about them. Rena Bailey was behind the whole sordid plot to discredit you.”

  Catherine shut her eyes briefly, then opened them. “I’m glad it wasn’t either of them.”

  A betrayal by her associates would have cut deeply. “I know.”

  Her hand lifted to touch the strong line of his jaw, then paused. Snatching her hand down, she clenched it into a fist instead, then glanced sideways at his mother.

  Ruth Grayson beamed happily back at her.

  Luke had enough. “Would you mind giving us some privacy so I can discuss the case with my client?”

  “Certainly,” Ruth said. “Amanda and I have to be going anyway. See you in the morning.”

  Brandon closed the door behind them, leaving Luke and Catherine alone.

  “Your mother saw us kissing,” Catherine said, a note of worry in her voice.

  Luke pulled her into his arms. “She’s lucky that’s all she saw me doing.”

  She stared up into his strong face. “Such as?”

  The invitation in her eyes was unmistakable and undeniable. They both needed this. Hungrily his mouth closed over hers again, his tongue greedily seeking the hot, dark sweetness of her mouth. Incredibly sure hands swept down the gentle slope of her back to her soft hips, cupping them, holding them against the growing heaviness of his arousal. Her arms curved around his neck, her hands tangled in his hair. Instinctively she moved against him in a rhythm as old as the land around them.

  Feeling the point of no return quickly approaching, Luke called upon all his willpower to release her sweet mouth and slide his hands up to her waist. But he wasn’t strong enough to move away completely. He kissed her jaw, nibbled on her ear lobe.

  Her breath caught, tangled. Restlessly she moved against him.

  “I was crazy to start this,” he said.

  She kissed his chin, then laid her head on his chest, was comforted by the erratic beating of his heart that matched her own. “I’m glad you did. It was good to forget for a little while.”

  He pulled her closer with a fierce protectiveness he was unaware of. “The man she hired confessed to everything. Sergeant Rodriquez has probably already called the police in Los Angeles. Rena Bailey will be in jail by nightfall, and this time the federal government is involved because of the wiretapping. She won’t find it so easy to go free.”<
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  “How much more will her children have to endure?”

  One of the reasons he cared about Catherine was that despite her own problems, she always thought of others. “It will be tough for them, but they’re better off with their grandparents. If her scheme to discredit you had worked, she had planned on working it so her parents paid her for keeping them,” he said harshly. “Some women don’t deserve children.”

  Catherine flinched.

  Luke’s expression and voice gentled. “Don’t worry about the children, they’re safe now.”

  “By saving me, you saved them. Thank you.” Her smile was unsteady. She had to enjoy their time together with no regrets. “You’re a fantastic man, Luke Grayson. I’m glad I met you.” No matter what happened, she’d never be sorry for loving him.

  “You want to go back to the hotel and find your department chair or do you want to go home?”

  “Home.”

  THEY NEVER MADE IT. SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE WANTED TO see her department chair, but Dr. Thomas Watts very much wanted to see her. So did several of her other colleagues. Obviously pleased and touched by their seeking her out to show their outrage and support, Catherine sent Luke an apologetic glance and asked Brandon if a table was available.

  “Number seven,” Luke said.

  Catherine didn’t realize number seven was the family table until Brandon removed the RESERVED sign. The smile she bestowed on Luke was tremulous. “Thank you,” she said, sitting down.

  He nodded, then noted with rising irritation that Lee Perkins sat next to Catherine. The man didn’t miss a trick. But Luke had a few of his own.

  In a very short time, Lee had to leave to answer the phone. On returning, his annoyance was obvious—there was no one on the phone and his seat was taken. Grumbling, he took one of the chairs drawn up to the booth.

  Crossing his arms, Luke leaned against the wall. He planned to stay close in case Catherine needed him.

  The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. Instinctively he knew whom he’d see before he lifted his head. Ruth Grayson, a strange expression on her face, stared back at him.

  Straightened, he frowned. He started toward her, but she shook her head, then smiled unsteadily at him. Turning, she and Amanda followed the waitresses to a table on the patio.

  Hands on his hips, Luke tried to figure out what had put that strange look on her face and came up blank. He loved her despite her driving him crazy with all the irritating women she had thrown at him.

  Laughter erupted from the group Catherine was with. He glanced around and looked straight into her eyes. He felt the jolt all the way to his toes. Dr. Watts said something to her and she turned to answer him.

  Luke felt her reluctance as surely as he felt his own. He quickly amended his earlier thought. Catherine might be headstrong, but never irritating. Her propensity toward being strong-willed came from her family background, her independence, her tender heart. He admired her as much as he found himself worrying about her.

  “Excuse me, Luke,” Nacona said, a tray of drinks in her hands.

  Luke glanced around to see Nacona staring at him, laughter dancing in her black eyes. “Sorry.”

  “No more than some of my friends will be.” Stepping past him, she began serving the drinks.

  Luke went to find his mother. So it would be all over the restaurant in less than thirty minutes that he was staring at Catherine like a love-struck kid. So what? He could handle it.

  Five minutes later, Luke wasn’t sure how any sane, honest man said he understood women. He’d come out on the patio to see his mother laughing and chattering with Amanda and two other women they’d joined. Whatever had been bothering his mother was obviously short-lived. Wanting to be certain he had asked to speak to her in private.

  She’d come, then after he’d asked her why she had looked so sad, she had almost teared up, told him it was because she loved him, kissed him on the cheek, and went back to her friends.

  Since his mother could evade a question with the best of them, but had never lied to him, he believed her. Women.

  Leaving the patio, he went back inside intending to get one particular woman and go home. Seeing the threesome that entered the restaurant, he resigned himself to disappointment.

  “Hello, Richard, Naomi, Kayla. Having a late lunch?” Luke asked.

  “Hello, Mr. Grayson, but you forgot Teddy,” Kayla told him, holding up her teddy bear.

  Luke smiled down at the pretty child. She was a cute little thing. “My apologies to both of you. Hello, Teddy.”

  “Hi, Luke,” Richard said, one hand clasping Naomi’s elbow, the other Kayla’s free hand. “We saw your truck outside. Naomi wanted to talk to Catherine.”

  “Hello,” Naomi said, scanning the restaurant. “Is she here with you?”

  “Yes, she’s in the back with some of her colleagues,” Luke answered, steering them out of the entryway to a wooden bench on the side wall away from the crowd.

  Naomi’s gaze came back to Luke. “Do you think I could see her for a minute or call her later if she’s busy?”

  It was the first time Luke remembered Naomi looking him directly in the eye or her asking for anything. “It might be hard for her to break away, but she’ll be at the cabin later on. Richard has the number.”

  Naomi nodded. Her grip on the canvas bag tightened, then she faced Richard. “Could you please take Kayla and wait for me in the Jeep?”

  Richard regarded Luke with a frown. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I need to talk with Luke alone,” she said, momentarily gazing down at her wide-eyed daughter. “I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important. Kayla will be safe with you.”

  The uncertainty left Richard’s strong features. “By the time you join us, we’ll have decided what to eat for lunch.” Catching Kayla’s hand, he stood.

  “Thank you.” She didn’t take her eyes off them until the double wooden doors closed behind them.

  “That wasn’t easy, was it?” Luke asked.

  She stared at him as if she hadn’t expected him to understand, then said, “I wanted to dislike you.”

  “Does that mean you don’t?”

  “You’re the reason my ex-husband found me this morning and tried to force me to go back to him,” she said, amazed that the words came out so calmly.

  Luke tensed. His gaze going beyond her. “Where is he now?”

  “Richard and the police sent him on his way,” she told him. “My ex-husband said someone ran the registration of my car. That had to be you. You never trusted me, did you?”

  Now that she was looking at him, Luke felt uncomfortable. “Not at first.”

  “Yet you helped me?”

  “Because of Catherine at first, then because of your little girl, then because you weren’t standing there with your hand open,” Luke told her honestly. “I’m sorry about your ex finding you, but it was important that I check you out.”

  She bit her lip. “So you know Jones isn’t my last name.”

  “From the start. It took another day to get your real name.”

  “Then you learned about Gordon?” she asked in a whisper, experiencing shame all over again that she had let him dupe her.

  “Yes.”

  “You didn’t tell Catherine?”

  He leaned back against the bench. “She worries too much as it is.”

  A man being protective of a woman had been an oddity until she came to Santa Fe. “Catherine said you were working on something for her and that’s the reason you looked so serious all the time. She said you were a good man.” Naomi glanced down, then up again. “I want you to know I don’t blame you. You were only trying to help Catherine. I hope you can.”

  Remnants of rage flashed briefly across his dark face. “That matter was cleared up this morning. That’s the reason she’s with her colleagues, they’re celebrating.”

  “Then you were able to help both of us.” Naomi stood. “I realize you did what you felt you had to, but I don’t like the
idea of personal information on me in your possession.”

  “Already shredded,” Luke said. “I don’t know what went down with your ex, but another protective order might be advisable. Neither you nor Kayla need to live in fear.”

  She patted her canvas bag. “We just came from court, where I obtained a temporary protective order. Because Catherine and Richard care about you, and because you helped me regardless of the reason, I’ll always be thankful. Goodbye, Luke.”

  “Goodbye, Naomi. Stay at the hotel as long as you like.”

  Her shoulders straightened, a smile touched her thin face. “Thank you. I’ll pay you back. It shouldn’t be too much longer. Richard is helping me look for a place.”

  “Richard is a good man.”

  Her face brightened. “I know. Kayla adores him.”

  Luke lifted an eyebrow. It seemed Kayla wasn’t the only one who adored Richard. He stuck his hand out. “Friends?”

  “Friends.”

  “I’ll tell Catherine to expect your call.”

  Smiling, she left. Luke gazed out the window to see Richard get out of the back seat of the Jeep and open the front passenger door for her. Besides Catherine, Naomi had Richard in her corner. A good man to have.

  CATHERINE TOOK GREAT PRIDE AND A LOT OF PLEASURE in finally being alone with Luke. She was sorry she had missed Naomi and Kayla, and was more than ready to leave the Red Cactus when everyone finally departed. “Did we bore you again?” she asked as they crossed the parking lot to Luke’s truck.

  “Looking at you is never boring.”

  She stopped and stared up at him, touched, very pleased. “Luke.”

  His hand palmed her cheek. “Don’t look at me like that. We still have twenty minutes before we reach the cabin.”

  She shivered in anticipation. “Is your house closer?”

  Luke’s black eyes narrowed. “Yes, but so are prying eyes and wagging tongues.”