The Best Man (10 page)

Seeing Kate, alive and standing in his door, filled him with a sense of wonder. All week-end he’d caught himself staring at her when she wouldn’t notice. The new hairstyle emphasized her eyes, exposing cheek bones a model would drool over. How much weight had she lost? Twenty or thirty pounds, maybe more. Kate had never been heavy, but now she looked…too thin. But he’d never seen her look more beautiful.

“Have a seat.” Luke waved toward a chair in front of his desk. Her father had given him a start in his legal career. He owed the firm his allegiance. He owed Kate... he hadn’t revealed Joel’s interest in Laurel.

But his reactions now had nothing to do with his ties to the firm, and everything to do with how he felt about Kate.

She settled in the chair, crossed her legs in the pale blue Capri's and glanced around his office. He could see the wheels turning in her head as she checked off the items she remembered.

“You haven’t changed anything.”

Luke gave a start, surprised at how close their thoughts were. But it wasn’t a major discovery.  From the day they first met, they formed a common bond. While Kate didn’t know details of his past, he knew. They were both trying to win approval of their fathers. Kate’s father had died, but the fact that she consented to help save the firm proved she was still striving for her father’s endorsement.

“I’m not much for decorating.”

“You changed apartments. And sold all your paintings.”

Luke shrugged and tried to keep any reaction from his face. Not and easy task. He could feel heat building in his neck. The last thing he wanted was for Kate to learn the reason he’d sold his paintings. “That’s different.”

Kate studied him for long seconds. Long enough that he worried she saw through his attempts to hide his secret, and had worked out the reason he had moved. But her first words, when she changed the subject, allowed his tension to ease.

“I wonder if I should reconsider staying with the firm.” She looked past his head, stared at the row of legal textbooks lining the bookshelf. “Things would be easier for everyone if I left.”

“Not really.” Luke ran a hand through his hair and struggled to control his emotions. Now was not the time. He had to wait. “Look, I know why you’re making that suggestion. That confrontation with Joel was awkward. But this firm was your father’s dream. He built his client base with hard work and dedication. If Joel is uncomfortable, let him be the one to relocate.”

Maybe he should he feel remorse for laying a guilt trip on her, but he was thinking of her best interests. Protecting her inheritance...and keeping her safe. Watching her expressions, seeing the rigid tilt of her chin, he almost retracted his statement.

Doubt clouded her eyes. Wrinkles creased her brow. She’d had enough stress over the past few months. If he could ease her load, he would. Tossing caution to the wind, he played his last card. “You owe it to your father’s memory to stay, to save the firm.”

“Excuse me!” Kate’s brows rose almost to her hair, an amazing feat considering her short haircut. The sound erupting from her bow shaped lips seemed more snarl than laugh. “Owe my father?” Contempt dripped from her words. “I learned one thing from this disaster. And that’s how to think clearly.”

She braced her hands on the arms of the chair, ready to escape. He wanted to help, not chase her away.

“Kate, I—”

“Why do you think I owe my father anything?” Her eyes burned like hot coals. He sensed the emotions churning inside her and wished he hadn’t caused her pain. “He deserted my mother when I was a baby.” Her breath shuddered. “He donated sperm. Started this firm. Well, guess what. I tripped over myself trying to please him. I bent backwards, tried to forget the past, all because I wanted to earn his love, and his respect.”

“Kate—”

Two large tears rolled down her cheeks. “I-I thought things would be okay…if he would just love me. T-that’s all I wanted from him. My father’s love.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“But you know what I discovered after all those months of going with little food, and not knowing if I would ever find my way home?”

Luke shook his head. “I know you changed.” Her brows arched, reminding him of how he’d missed her. During those months while she was gone, he would have given his life’s savings for a chance to see her familiar expression again.

“Disaster and near death brings change.” Kate cleared her voice. “I learned to see things clearly.” She looked down at the hand clenched in her lap. “That’s how I worked out my feelings for Joel.” She sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I worked out a lot of things. I finally realized it wasn’t my fault my father didn’t love me. It was his loss. He wasn’t capable of love.”

“He was a hard man.”

“You should know. Look at how he treated you.”

Luke frowned. “What do you mean? He gave me my first job, and made me a partner in the firm.”

Kate’s snorted impatiently. “Then Joel comes along and snaps up an equal partnership in no time. That had to sting.”

Luke leaned back in his chair. He had under estimated her insight. She really had grown in the months since she had been away. His admiration for her grew. “I didn’t think it showed.”

“It didn’t. If I hadn’t been stranded in the top of that tree for three days, I might not have figured it out.” She shook her head. Shorts wisps of hair clung to her face. “We were all pawns. My father didn’t care about anyone but himself. He never intended to make me a partner. Even if Joel hadn’t shown up, and courted the boss’s daughter, I wouldn’t have been made partner.”

“Don’t be so hard—”

“I’m facing facts. My father left us because he didn’t care about us. He only cared about himself.” She sucked in a noisy breath. “Once I realized that, I was determined to change. I want the people I care about to know they’re important to me.” She pulled in a deep breath. “That’s why I need to get away from Joel.”

“He’s not important to you, now?”

Kate met his gaze as her head moved slowly from side to side. “It took me long enough, but I know my feelings now.”

“That doesn’t mean you need to leave and give up what belongs to you.” Luke struggled to keep his tone even and fought back the question on the tip of his tongue. He was desperate to ask if he was important to her. But all that had happened held him back. “Despite your feelings for your father, this firm is your heritage.”

Kate sighed. “I guess. At least this is better than what he left us the last time. But I think starting over is best.”

“I don’t want you to go. Stay and claim your rightful place in the firm.”

“That’s just it, Luke. I don’t know my place. Everything has changed.”

“You have changed.” Luke watched her brows lift in surprise. “You’re stronger, now, more determined.”

“I’m not afraid to stand up for myself, if that’s what you mean. But…I’m not so sure I’m stronger in other ways.”

“You wouldn’t have stood up to Joel, before.”

Kate gave a lopsided grin and nodded. “It felt good.”

Luke laughed. “It sounded good, too. I’m proud of you.”

“I don’t know, Luke.” Kate held up a hand that trembled. “I’m not sure I’m ready to face a courtroom.”

Luke fought the urge to rush to her side and wrap her in his arms. “That’s understandable. But there’s always piles of work that don’t require an appearance in court.”

Kate studied the square lift of his chin and nodded. He meant his offer, she knew. Would Joel agree to her lack of time in court? Then it hit her. She was a partner in the firm. Luke backed her up. Two partners to one. “You’re right. I’m just being a coward. One confrontation and I cave like a marshmallow. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“You didn’t cave. You threw Joel out of your father’s office. I’d call that a win.”

Kate blinked blurred eyes. His support wrapped around her like a warm blanket. She could do this. She had to if she really wanted to start her life over. “After I get settled in my new office, you’ll give me some casework to do?”

“Count on it.” A knock sounded at the door. Luke called, “Come in”

Laurel peeped around the edge of the door. Darted a quick glance from Luke to Kate, and then walked to the desk to hand Luke an envelope. “The bank sent this over.” Her glance slid back to Kate. Face the deep color of a rose, she said, “And reporters keep ringing.”

“Thanks, Laurel. Keep putting them off.” Luke ripped open the envelope, then glanced at Kate and grinned. “That was fast.”

Laurel slinked toward the door, but she stopped when she was beside Kate’s chair. Her blue eyes filled with tears as she looked down at Kate. Her chin quivered. “Kate, I’m so glad you’re alive.”

Kate swallowed. Her nose twitched. Tears trickled down the back of her throat at hearing the kind words from her former friend. Maybe they could patch things up when things calmed down. She couldn’t really blame Laurel for falling for Joel’s charm. She’d made the same mistake.

“Thanks, Laurel. That means a lot…” Kate’s voice trailed off as the door banged shut on a sob. She looked at Luke. “I didn’t mean to ruin her wedding.”

“She knows that, and considering how close the two of you were, I think she’s sincere.”

Kate sighed. “It didn’t take long for her to hook up with Joel.”

Luke studied the documents in his hands and frowned. “After the...disaster...we all went out of our way to offer him comfort.” He didn’t admit he thought she was right. Something inside him rebelled at being that blunt so soon after her return from the trauma of the tsunami. Kate’s emotions were on edge. “Give her time.”

Give her time
.

Luke considered how hard it was to take his own advice, but he had no choice. Kate wasn’t ready for more than friendship right now. So he would be a friend.

“I arranged for these,” he passed a credit card and checkbook to her, to get you through until things are straightened out.”

“You can’t do that.”

“How will you manage otherwise? Ask Joel?” Luke shook his head. “I expect he’s too tied up with his personal life to think straight right now. Take these. You can repay me in billable hours.”

Kate managed a weak laugh. The sound trembled in the silence of the room. But it was a laugh. “That sounds just like my father.”

Luke clenched his fists, regretting his words and her suffering. But she needed to know she could count on him. He had to stay strong. “He set a standard we try to keep.”

Kate’s snort was both surprising and amusing. “Oh, he was a guide to follow, all right.” She shoved to her feet and turned toward the door. Glancing back over her shoulder, she sent him a strange look. “Its guys like him that have so many wives ending up in women’s shelters.”

Luke swiped his hand over his face as the door clicked behind her. Kate’s issues with her father ran deep. Maybe family law wasn’t such a good idea for her to concentrate on, after all.

His door popped open. Kate eased inside. Sparks spewed from her eyes. “Thanks for the credit card. Tomorrow, I’ll dress more professionally.”

Luke grinned at the challenging note in her voice. “No hurry. You’re playing catch-up in the office for a while. The old files and records won’t mind.” His glance roamed over her trim figure in the casual outfit. “Besides, I don’t think they make business suits in a size small enough to fit you.”

Humor danced in her eyes. “Gee, thanks, I think. Seriously, I’ll get back to normal as soon as I can.”

“We’re so happy you’re home. Dress any way you want.”

“Any chance you would consider representing me?”

Luke studied her lopsided grin, but paid special noted to the serious glint in her eyes. He gave a slow shake of his head. “That wouldn’t be wise.” He almost choked on the refusal though he knew they were both treading a thin line. “Conflict of interest, you know.”

Kate made a face. “I knew that. Just thought I would ask.”

“I can recommend someone. Dan Alford, for one.”

“Thanks, I’ll give him a call.”

“Kate…” Her eyes opened wide at the emotion in that one word. Luke sucked in a breath. Struggled to keep his voice neutral. “Welcome home.”

***

“Kate, I can’t spare that kind of money.” Joel sent her a wounded look from the opposite side of the conference room table two days later.

“All my client is asking for is half the joint assets.” Dan Alford sat beside Kate on the other side of the table.

She had liked him instantly. His no nonsense approach reminded her of Luke. Not that she needing any reminding. For a woman claiming she wanted to make her own way in life, she spent an amazing amount of time thinking about Luke.

“Given the circumstances, I assure you she can take you to the cleaners if this goes to court.”

“Now, wait a minute—”

“He’s right, Joel.” Luke spoke up from the end of the table. “That commitment ceremony made your intentions public.” Luke shrugged. “You have shown you have an emotional interest in another woman.”

Laurel’s moan mingled with Joel’s spewing words. “I’m not a monster. You make me sound like I don’t care.”

Kate darted a look at her attorney, then said in a quiet voice. “I know you aren’t a monster, Joel. But I need funds to get back on my feet.”