Riverbend Gap, page 15
“That’s the last thing I want.”
“I saw the look on your face, Katie. And the way Cooper was touching you. And in case I haven’t warned you, he has commitment issues.”
Katie resisted the urge to defend him. Maybe he did date around, but he was as authentic as any man she’d ever known. “I won’t deny that there’s a connection between Cooper and me. We’ve been through a couple of emotional events together.”
“Okay . . . That’s true enough. I can see where that might engender some kind of bond.”
“Exactly. But nothing’s going to happen between us.”
“So . . . are you saying you feel close to him but just as a brother?”
Katie opened her mouth to respond. But nothing came out. She didn’t think of him that way at all. But she couldn’t find the words to articulate it in a way that would reassure Avery.
The silence drew out between them, tension growing as it lengthened.
Avery’s face fell. “Oh boy.”
“No, there’s no ‘oh boy.’ Everything is fine. I care for Gavin, I really do. I would never betray him.” She meant that with everything in her. His expression tonight when he’d almost brought up Jesse had a powerful impact on her.
She’d deal with her feelings for Cooper. She’d avoid family gatherings awhile. Suffocate these futile feelings simmering for Cooper until there was nothing left but cold ash.
“It’s just that—he’s been through so much, Katie.”
“I know that. You don’t have to worry about this. Really.”
Avery held her gaze steadily for a long moment, then let out a breath. “Okay. I’m so relieved. Ever since I walked into that kitchen tonight, I’ve been worried sick our family was about to implode.”
“I would never do that. I love your family. And you have plenty on your plate right now without dreaming up concerns.”
“You’re right. Sorry. I should’ve trusted you more. I know you’d never cheat on Gavin or anyone else for that matter.”
Katie smiled but guilt pinched hard. Because even though she hadn’t actually cheated on Gavin, her mind had already gone places that made her unfaithful.
24
The Trailhead Bar and Grill buzzed with conversation and excitement tonight. Silverware clinked and clattered against plates, and the scent of grilling burgers made Katie’s stomach growl. Music pumped through the speakers, but a local band was almost finished setting up. They were playing to a packed house tonight.
Gavin leaned over the four-top. “Know what you want yet?”
“It’s definitely the campfire burger for me.”
Gavin glanced around for their server, but she was scurrying back to the kitchen as fast as her legs would carry her.
“They’re understaffed tonight,” Gavin said. “But that’s okay. We’ll be here awhile. Let’s get an appetizer. I’m starving.”
“Sounds good.”
Gavin waved at someone across the room. The Robinsons seemed to know everyone. Since she’d started dating Gavin she met so many people, and she loved feeling like part of the community. It seemed when you were accepted by the Robinsons, everyone else accepted you too.
More people flooded into the restaurant’s foyer. It was already standing room only, and the band hadn’t even started yet.
“Seems like half the town turned out tonight,” she called across the table.
“Silver Spurs is a favorite. They always draw a crowd. What’s Avery doing tonight?”
“I don’t know. Probably getting some paperwork done.”
“She never goes out anymore. She used to love this band.”
“She’s busy with the clinic and campaign,” Katie said even though she had the same concerns about her friend. Especially now that she knew more of Avery’s struggles.
“We should set her up with someone. I’m worried about her. When she’s not working or campaigning she holes up in her apartment. And as far as I know she hasn’t had a boyfriend since college.”
Katie gave him a pointed look. “Not that she needs a boyfriend to be happy.”
“Of course not.” He winked at her. “But having someone you care about sure doesn’t hurt.”
“Fair enough. But Avery doesn’t seem interested in dating right now. She’s busy building her business.”
“She could do both at once.”
“You know your sister . . . She’s focused and driven.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Gavin glanced around the room. “I don’t see our server anywhere. I’m going to run up to the bar and grab us some drinks.”
Katie watched him weave through the tables, then glanced around the packed restaurant, the busy bar, and the teeming lobby. Her eyes doubled back to a familiar face in the crowd.
Cooper. And right at his side—because the universe just couldn’t resist sending happy little surprises her way—was Amber Clarke.
* * *
This night was not going his way. Cooper frowned at the crowd in the lobby. It would be at least an hour before he and Amber got a table—if that, since everyone would hang around for the band. He couldn’t even locate the hostess to put their name in.
And something was going on with his date tonight. Amber had seemed distant since he picked her up fifteen minutes ago. He asked if she was okay, and she said she was “fine.” On the way over he tried to make small talk, tried to draw her out. But all he knew so far was that she wasn’t “fine” and that he had no clue what the problem was.
“Coop!” a voice called out.
He spotted his brother several feet away in the queue at the bar and inched closer, Amber in tow.
Gavin greeted them and turned back to Cooper, all but shouting over the music. “You guys staying?”
“We were hoping to but . . .” Cooper looked pointedly around the crowded lobby.
“We’ve got room at our table. Come sit with us.”
Us. Cooper scanned the restaurant and his gaze homed in on Kate. He opened his mouth, a refusal on his lips.
But Amber spoke first. “That’d be so great. My feet are killing me.”
“Perfect. We haven’t even ordered yet.”
Gavin took their drink orders, then Cooper and Amber headed toward the maze of tables. On the way they passed groups of people he knew, and he paused briefly by each table to chat a minute, introducing Amber, who actually did seem “fine” when she was talking to other people.
By the time they reached their table, Gavin was already seated. When Kate spotted him, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Hey.” Cooper glanced between the couple. “Sure you guys don’t mind the company?”
“Glad you showed up. Right, Katie?”
“The more the merrier.” The words were more welcoming than her tone.
This would be fun. Fortunately, the band was about ready to play and would serve as a nice distraction.
The server showed up a few minutes later, harried and distracted. They gave their orders as the band kicked into their first rousing country song, and the noise level went up several decibels. He was all kinds of grateful that conversation would be almost impossible.
Gavin and Kate pulled their chairs together and turned them to better see the stage. He slipped an arm around her, cupping her bare shoulder, and his thumb stroked her neck.
Cooper clenched his teeth.
They listened to the band awhile, Cooper attempting to keep a tight rein on his attention. Otherwise, it drifted automatically to Katelyn. He cursed his excellent peripheral vision because he could still see every touch, every glimpse. Sitting at their table had been a mistake. He should’ve taken Amber someplace else. But then he’d be suffering through this cold-shoulder business without any distractions.
When the band segued into a slow song, Gavin pulled Kate to her feet. They headed toward the dance floor where he drew her close. Gavin slid his arm around her waist, settled his hand low on her back, and positioned his foot between hers. As the lead singer crooned about a broken heart, Kate rested her head on Gavin’s shoulder.
Cooper forced his gaze away from the couple, but he couldn’t unsee that cozy picture. Couldn’t stop the jealousy twisting his gut. For about two seconds he entertained the idea of asking Amber to dance, but given her current mood he didn’t think she’d consent. He did, however, need to get to the bottom of this.
He scooted his chair closer and leaned in. “Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”
She ignored him for several long seconds.
Was she just going to pretend she hadn’t heard him? If so, this would be their last date. He didn’t care for the silent treatment much less outright disregard.
But a few beats later she spoke, her eyes still fixed on the band. “Megan Taylor came into the salon this afternoon.” Her tone was conversational.
Okay . . . He’d gone out with Megan a couple times in April, and as he’d told Gavin, it had ended badly. “I thought she moved to Mars Hill.”
“She did.”
He wasn’t sure where Amber was going with this. She couldn’t be jealous, could she? When he’d gone out with Megan he didn’t even know Amber. Maybe Megan knew he and Amber were talking now and had baited her somehow. It was possible she was that spiteful.
Finally Amber turned to him, but her sunny smile was nowhere to be seen. “When were you going to tell me, Cooper?”
“Tell you what?”
She gave him a withering look. “I know about the baby. For heaven’s sake—she’s showing.”
Cooper blinked. “What?”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Save the innocent act. I know we only just barely started dating, but this isn’t a small thing. I don’t even know why I came out with you tonight.” She started to get up.
He grabbed her. “Wait.”
She sank back onto the chair and stared pointedly at his hand.
He loosened his grip. “First of all, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. If Megan’s pregnant I didn’t know anything about it. I haven’t spoken to her since she moved away. And why would you just assume the baby’s mine? We went out two times. We sure didn’t sleep together.”
She leaned forward, pinning him with an accusatory glare. “I know the baby’s yours, Cooper. She said so. Everyone in the salon heard her.”
Cooper fell back in his chair. Coldness swept through him even as sweat broke out on the back of his neck. “What?”
Her eyes glittered. “You’re seriously going to sit here and deny it?”
“Because it’s not true!”
“Wow. I thought you’d at least man up. I knew you had a problem with committing, but I thought deep down you were a good guy.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“I was willing to hang in there. I mean, mistakes happen, and I really thought we might have something here.”
Anger blazed inside him. He leaned toward her. “I did not sleep with Megan.”
“I never took you for a liar, Cooper.” Amber jerked her arm from his grip and stood. “I can find my own way home.”
He watched Amber storm off, his head spinning. Had Megan really told Amber he’d gotten her pregnant? Could she be that dishonest? That spiteful? Or was it possible Amber had misunderstood somehow?
“Everyone in the salon heard her.”
Cooper’s gut clenched at the ramifications. He ran a hand over his face. If Amber was telling the truth—and he had no reason to disbelieve her—the rumor would be all over town in days.
His reputation would suffer. Not that it was a crime to get a woman pregnant out of wedlock, but folks around here were a little old-fashioned. Shoot, he was old-fashioned. He couldn’t imagine getting a woman pregnant out of wedlock—but if he did he’d sure enough own up to it.
But he hadn’t done anything!
Heat swamped him from the inside out. Sweat trickled down his spine.
The server appeared and began unloading her tray. But when she set his rib platter in front of him, the tangy scent of barbeque sauce only made his stomach turn.
25
As the last strains of the ballad drew out, Gavin pressed a kiss to the top of Katie’s head. Beyond his shoulder she had a clear view of Cooper. He hunched over the table, brow furrowed, jaw clenched. His date had just stormed off. What had upset Amber so much?
“Food’s at the table.” Gavin led her through the throng of people on the dance floor.
Once they reached the table Katie paused. “I have to use the restroom. Don’t wait for me.”
“Hurry back,” Gavin said.
Cooper frowned at his plate, seemingly unaware they’d even returned.
She skirted the people and tables, heading toward the short hall on the other side of the room. Where had Amber gone and why? Had she and Cooper broken things off? And why was Katie so buoyed by the other woman’s departure?
Inside the restroom the bass guitar thumped through the wood walls, and the cloying scent of sweet perfume hung in the air. She couldn’t get her mind off Cooper. He’d been so distracted when they returned to the table. Maybe he had real feelings for Amber despite the newness of their relationship. Otherwise, why would he be so upset by her departure?
The thought rankled.
As she washed her hands she found herself wishing Gavin wasn’t there so she could talk to Cooper. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, noting her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
Stop thinking about him. He’d probably had the server box up his food so he could leave. He was probably on his way out the door right this minute.
She dried her hands and left the restroom, the music reverberating in her ears. She stopped short at the sight of Cooper standing in the hall a few feet away, frowning at his phone.
“What’s wrong?”
He startled. An instant later the crease in his brows smoothed as he pocketed his phone. “Nothing. You ready to eat?”
“You don’t have to pretend with me.” She repeated his words from yesterday, holding his gaze.
His facial muscles slowly relaxed. He glanced down the hall, the dim light from the adjoining room glowing on his features. “Amber just told me something that—Never mind. It’s absurd.”
“What is it?”
A shadow flickered in his jaw. “A woman I went out with back in the spring, Megan Taylor, came into the Beauty Barn today where Amber works. She’s pregnant—and she’s apparently telling people the baby’s mine.”
Katie’s stomach bottomed out. Someone else was pregnant with Cooper’s child. That was a game changer. Not for her, of course, but for him. But if that were true, why did she feel as if he’d just punched her in the heart? “I see.”
He pinned her with an intense look. “No, you don’t see. It can’t be mine. I never even slept with her.”
A wave of relief washed through her—big red flag. But there was no time to pick apart her feelings. “Have you talked to Megan? Maybe it’s some kind of . . . misunderstanding?”
“I was just about to call her. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Are you sure there’s no possibility that you could’ve . . .”
“Not unless it’s another immaculate conception.”
“Right.” Katie’s cheeks went hot. “Well, then you have nothing to worry about.”
A group of women passed by, talking loudly.
Once they were inside the restroom, Cooper leaned closer, the furrows back in place. “She’s telling people I’m the father. Everyone at the Beauty Barn heard her say it.”
Katie frowned. “Why would she do that?”
He withdrew his phone again, scowling. “That’s what I’m about to find out.”
This had to be hard for him. She knew he cared about his reputation more than most because of the way his father had embarrassed him. She placed a hand on his arm, noting the delicious feel of hard muscle beneath flesh. You’re a terrible person, Katie Loveland. “Maybe you should call her from someplace more private.”
As if to underscore her point, a man pushed past on his way to the restroom.
“You’re right. I’d go to her house if I knew her new address. I guess it’s a good thing I forgot to delete her from my phone. I can’t believe she’s doing this.”
“Maybe there’s some kind of reasonable explanation.”
“I can’t think what it would be.” He stared at Katie, his expression shifting subtly before he stared at the floor.
“What?”
His gaze returned to hers, his expression adorably uncertain. “Do you believe me?”
“Yes, of course I do.” She’d never known him to be anything but honest. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Funny you should ask. Amber took off like a bat out of hell when I denied it.”
Her heart squeezed tight. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry this is happening to you.”
“Thanks. I knew there was something about Megan . . . I don’t think this is a mistake.”
“Well, you’ll know more after you make that phone call. Did you tell Gavin?”
“Not yet. I want to find out what’s going on first.”
“Okay, I won’t say anything.”
“Thanks.” He tried for a smile and came up a little short. “And thanks for talking it out with me.”
“I’ll be praying it all works out.”
* * *
As Cooper drove home anger churned in his stomach. He took several deep breaths. He had to calm down, keep his head when he talked to Megan.
He tried to give Megan the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Amber had misheard Megan. Maybe she was desperate for a baby daddy. Maybe she was mentally ill and actually believed he was the father. Maybe Amber was mentally ill and made the whole thing up. Maybe it hadn’t been Megan at the salon at all but her long-lost twin sister out for revenge. He gave his head a shake. He’d wandered into soap opera territory with that one.
He recalled the moment Katelyn had found him in the hallway. He almost didn’t tell her. He only now realized why that was: he was terrified she wouldn’t believe him. Amber’s disbelief had made him angry, but Kate’s disbelief . . . That would gut him.
