Meant for Each Other Read online

  Kathryn took a fortifying breath. "I have to admit I was surprised when he came back to the house later that day."

  "Did you fight over it?"

  "No." Anything but.

  After a pause Alice said, "Were you glad when he showed up?"

  "What?" Kathryn was on her feet in an instant, almost knocking over the chair.

  Instead of the dreaded anger she'd feared, Kathryn saw only warmth and compassion shining from Alice's blue eyes. "You know what I'm asking," her sister answered patiently.

  Kathryn turned away. "I'm very fond of Wade. You know that."

  "That's an interesting word," Alice observed dryly. "However, two people don't undergo drastic changes in behaviour and personality because they're fond of each other. Kathryn," she said in a calm, sweet voice, "are you embarrassed to admit you're attracted to Wade? Is that what this is all about?''

  Kathryn's defences crumbled. First her shoulders shook and then she broke down sobbing. The minute Alice's arms went around her, she cried harder, needing release from the storm raging inside her.

  "Do you think I'm terrible, Alice? Do you hate me? Please don't hate me," she begged her sister. "I never meant for it to happen. Neither of us did."

  "Kathryn Barker Lawson," Alice said sternly, shaking her gently by the shoulders. "Where on earth did you get the idea I could ever hate you for anything? Let alone for falling in love with Wade?"

  Hearing those words, Kathryn felt herself go weak.

  "How long have you known?" The words were a jerky whisper.

  Alice cocked one delicate eyebrow. "I think when you asked me if Amy would make Wade a good wife. There was a longing, a wistfulness, in your voice that gave you away.''

  She shook her head. "All this time you've known."

  Her heart hammered painfully. "Does Clyde suspect?" she asked, her eyes shimmering with tears.

  "Yes. He saw it in a dozen different ways while we were in the Tetons. But it was John and Laurel who guessed before either of us. They both said that Wade's always been so crazy about you no other woman had a prayer. And whenever you're with Wade, no one else exists for you."

  "I can't believe what I'm hearing," Kathryn moaned.

  "Why? It's perfectly understandable. You and Wade have no blood tie and you were thrown together from the beginning. That created a real closeness, a bond of understanding between you. Besides, I have eyes in my head and I can see Wade's a heart-breaker just like his father."

  "But I'm five years older than he is." Kathryn was still having difficulty taking it all in.

  "Age doesn't mean anything when you get older.

  You know that. And Wade was always more mature than his friends. Probably because he and Clyde had to go through so much together. What amazes me is that Wade's the only person in this family who doesn't know you're in love with him. That's why your marriage didn't work, isn't it?"

  "Yes," Kathryn admitted quietly.

  "Were you and Wade...intimate before you left for San Diego? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

  "No, I mean yes. I mean―no, we weren't, but yes, we came close. I was so frightened, so appalled at my own behaviour, I couldn't leave Afton fast enough."

  Alice let out a heavy sigh. "Finally it all fits. When I read the letter telling us about your marriage aloud, Wade went white as a sheet. He didn't say a word to anybody. The next thing we knew he'd packed his camping gear and taken off for the Tetons. He was gone a week. When he did come back, he'd turned into a stranger and couldn't seem to get along with anybody. The next thing we knew, he announced he was leaving to attend Colorado State."

  "I had no idea."

  "That was not the best year for the Matheson family. You cheated me out of a big wedding, and Clyde went around here as grouchy as a bear. And that's not like my husband."

  "No." Kathryn began crying again. "I'm so sorry for all the pain I...we caused everybody."

  "Stop apologising for something that happened naturally and was probably inevitable from the beginning."

  "All right," Kathryn murmured, wiping her eyes. "Now, answer me one final question. Why did Wade take off for California?"

  "I-I'm not sure."

  "Oh, I think you are. Might as well tell me everything, since I'm going to find out, anyway."

  Rubbing her palms against her knees, Kathryn said, "When Wade picked me up at the airport, I realised the desire I felt for him was stronger than ever. But I also knew he was engaged. To fight the attraction, I purposely led him to believe I'm in love with another man, to explain why my marriage to Philip didn't work. It's been safer that way. The other night when he came to the apartment and told me he'd broken off with Amy, I'm afraid I made matters worse."

  "How much worse?" Alice prodded.

  Kathryn hesitated only a moment before revealing everything that had happened.

  Alice was slow to respond. "I'd say you've broken his heart a second time.'' "His heart?"

  "Now that I know the truth, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. It's something I withheld from you that evening we were sitting in front of our tent at the lake.''

  "What?"

  Alice's mouth curved into her warm lovely smile. "When I first told Wade you were coming to Afton for a vacation, he didn't say a word. But I saw the light explode in his eyes like...like hot green sparks. It told me everything. That was the look missing with Amy. That's the look I want to see in his eyes permanently. And apparently you're the only woman who can put it there."

  "Alice? Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

  Her sister's eyes narrowed provocatively. "If I were you, I'd be at that ranch waiting for Wade when he gets back. You've hurt him, honey. You've hurt him so badly it's going to take a lot of convincing to bring him around. But you have the most important thing of all in your favour."

  Kathryn's throat was so choked with emotion, she could hardly speak. "What's that?"

  "He's in love with you, too. I think he always has been. Do I need to add that Clyde and I couldn't be happier?"

  Kathryn grabbed Alice's hands, squeezing them convulsively. "Are you being honest with me? Clyde doesn't hate me?"

  "Honey―" she leaned forward and smoothed the hair from Kathryn's brow "―Clyde loves you, and now that he knows his son loves you, he can hardly wait for the two of you to get things resolved, so we can go back to being a contented family again."

  Kathryn shook her head. "I still can't believe it. All this time I've been so terrified of him finding out and ... and disapproving."

  Alice chuckled. "I guess I'm going to have to let you in on one more secret." At Kathryn's puzzled expression she said, "It's the last, I promise. You know whose idea it was to go to Banff this time, don't you?'' "Yes. It was Clyde's, because he wanted to take you on a second honeymoon."

  "Not exactly. Yes, it was Clyde's idea. But didn't you find it odd he would want to take a trip like this when you'd barely arrived from California and hadn't been with us for more than a few days?"

  "To be honest, I never thought about it."

  "That's because your love for Wade has made you oblivious to a lot of things. I'm going to tell you something that'll put you at peace about Clyde's feelings. He had this idea that if we left and went on vacation, like we did five years ago, it would give you and Wade, and ultimately John and Amy, a chance to work out your problems. He figured if he said it was a second honeymoon, you wouldn't turn us down when we asked you to work at the store and be around for John and Laurel."

  "You're kidding, aren't you? That's why you left?"

  Alice nodded. "The only reason. And his plan worked!" She leaned over again and hugged her younger sister. "We have a second honeymoon every time we travel. And though we loved Banff, it wasn't our best trip, considering we decided not to phone home. Instead, we had to worry and speculate and wonder how things were going-and pray for a miracle. Kathryn, when we read Wade's message, Clyde let out a whoop of delight you could hear from Afton to the Tetons
. Does that answer your question?"

  ON THE THIRD NIGHT of her vigil at the ranch, Kathryn finally saw the headlights of a car approaching the house. From where she stood at the kitchen window, she couldn't distinguish the make. But it had to be either a family member or Wade, since no one else could get past the main gate.

  Though she'd gone over this moment in her mind a hundred times or more, she still didn't know exactly what she was going to say. Everything depended on Wade's reaction.

  She had taken pains to make herself look as attractive as possible, wearing her shiny brown hair loose and flowing from a side part. The black-on-white cotton print dress with its dropped waist and cap sleeves was one Wade had never seen before, and it flattered her slender figure. To complete her outfit, she wore white sandals and gold hoop earrings.

  The sound of the engine grew louder. She could finally see the white truck, revealed by the lights from the front porch. Hectic colour filled her cheeks, and her heart began to jump erratically from sheer nervousness. She hurried to the front foyer and stood waiting.

  The slam of the truck door made her start. Then she heard footsteps on the porch and the sound of a key being inserted into the lock.

  Kathryn held her breath, amazed at her own temerity in coming to Wade like this. Always in the past he had come to her.

  Would he tell her to get out? Would he give her a chance to explain anything? She bad no idea, but she was growing more frightened by the second and felt nervous perspiration bead her brow.

  He stormed into the house as if pursued and closed the door so hard the house shook. Because his head was bent, he didn't immediately see her standing off to the side. At the sight of him, her mouth went dry, and it became difficult to form any sound at all.

  When he headed directly for the living-room area, she softly called his name. He wheeled around in surprise, then sucked in his breath when be saw her. She noted the lines around his mouth. His shirt was limp and creased, his face gaunt with exhaustion.

  For the longest time he didn't say anything. His lids drooped as he appraised her coldly, and she couldn't imagine his eyes alive with light, the way Alice had described.

  "You're supposed to be in Colorado. What are you doing here?" he said at last.

  "I couldn't leave-because of what you wrote in the note to Clyde and Alice."

  His bitter smile devastated her. "That must have been an interesting experience. I wonder what lies you told them this time."

  She lifted her head and spoke quietly. "For once I told the truth. The whole truth." "Which truth is that?"

  "Wade―” She started to answer but he cut her off.

  "I had an interesting chat with an old friend of yours this morning. When I couldn't find your ex-husband at the university, I drove to your famous beach house. Your friendly neighbour, Judy, informed me he was out of the country. But she was willing to fill me in on a few facts when she found out we're family. Namely, that your marriage failed because you were in love with someone here in Wyoming.''

  "That's true." She didn't blink an eyelash. Obviously he hadn't been expecting her capitulation; his head flew back in obvious shock. "You purposely led me to believe it was someone you met in California.''

  "No, I didn't. You assumed as much, and I decided to let you think what you wanted because...because it seemed the best way to handle things at the time."

  "Who's the man, Kathryn? I know every man you ever knew or had a relationship with."

  Swallowing hard, she said, "Actually, you're better acquainted with him than anyone else in the world."

  A minute passed without a word from him, but his face had gone a sickly gray color and she saw him stagger under the weight of some terrible burden. "Dear Lord, you're in love with Dad. How have I been so blind?''

  Something between a laugh and a cry burst from her throat. "No, Wade, darling!" She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, but he pushed her away with so much force she almost fell.

  "Everything's beginning to make sense. All this time you've been in love with your sister's husband. At the lake, you were gone so long bringing him back to camp, everyone wondered why." He groaned with a pain she could feel in her heart. "Did you tolerate my kisses because I look like him?" He breathed heavily, painfully. "I suppose I have to give you credit for putting me off..."

  He bolted for the front door, but Kathryn had anticipated his movements and blocked his exit. "You're not leaving this house until we get something straight. I'm in love with you, Wade Matheson. It's always been you, from the very beginning.''

  "Get out of my way!"

  Horrified that he wouldn't believe her, she reacted instinctively and grasped his face with both hands. "I love you. Why else do you think I'd be here waiting for you?" she cried.

  When she pressed her warm ardent mouth to his, he didn't respond. His body remained hard and unyielding, but she refused to let him go. She melted against him, trying with her whole being and with every movement of her body to show him that he was her life.

  Kathryn had never taken the initiative in lovemaking. Not with Philip, because she'd never felt enough desire. And not with Wade, because she'd always been afraid it would flare out of control. But everything was different now. She was free to express her love. She slid her hands inside his shirt to caress his chest while her mouth covered his face with kisses.

  Slowly, inexorably, she felt his tension give way, and that tiny bit of success made her bolder. She kissed his ear, his neck, then moved the collar of his shirt aside so she could taste the skin of his shoulder. "I love you, Wade. So much you can't possibly imagine. Don't go away now, not when I've been waiting three days," she begged feverishly. "I've been waiting for you, wanting you, until I thought I'd lose my mind."

  A hoarse cry escaped his throat. Suddenly he began kissing her, savagely at first, as if he couldn't quite believe she was real. Then he seemed to finally understand that her own kisses were given without reservation. The pressure of his mouth changed, became so exquisite, so loving, she almost reeled from the pleasure.

  "Wade," she gasped, "hold me. Don't ever let me go." She kissed his mouth passionately. "I've wanted this for five long miserable years."

  "I've wanted it longer," he confessed. On a low groan, he picked her up in his arms. Dizzy with sensation, she clung to him, continuing their kiss as he carried her through the house to his bedroom. When the phone rang, she broke away to whisper, "I'm sure that's Alice. She's been calling periodically to find out if you were home yet. If I don't answer, she'll probably come over."

  "Then answer it." Still holding her against his heart, he lowered himself to the bed.

  With an unsteady hand she reached for the phone propped on the bedside table. "H-hello?" she said shakily.

  "Kathryn?” It was Clyde. "You sound upset. Do you want us to come over?”

  "No. Clyde? Wade's back,” was all she could get out before Wade said into the phone, "Hi, Dad. You can relax now." As he spoke, his eyes travelled over her face. They were alive with color, just as Alice had said, filling Kathryn with the greatest happiness she'd ever experienced.

  "Kathryn and I have wedding plans to make. We'll tell you about them in the morning. Right now we have five years of catching up to do."

  Suddenly Kathryn could hear Alice's voice. ''Since you two have waited this long, why not come home and spend the night with us?"

  Wade's chuckle grew into full-blown laughter. Still smiling, he lowered his mouth to give Kathryn a deep hard kiss. "Obviously," he said to her, "they don't like the idea of us spending the night alone at the ranch.''

  Kathryn's expression must have revealed her disappointment, because Wade murmured in her ear, sending a delicious thrill through her body. "I don't want to go to their house, either. I'm leaving this decision entirely up to you." He tugged playfully on her earlobe for emphasis.

  She traced his mouth with her index finger. "I'm so thankful they're on our side. I don't want to do anything to upset them now," she s
aid softly, kissing the places she had touched. They gazed into each other's eyes, a gaze of perfect understanding, before Wade spoke into the phone again.

  "You drive a hard bargain, Allie. Where am I supposed to sleep? I'm warning you right now, I'm not letting Kathryn out of my sight."

  "On the couch, of course.''

  Wade's bark of laughter made Kathryn smile.

  "All right," he finally agreed. "We'll be over in a while. But don't hold your breath.” Then he handed the phone to Kathryn. "Dad wants to speak to you," he whispered.

  "Clyde?"

  "Honey, in case you two don't make it over here tonight, I just wanted to tell you how happy we are about this.''

  Everything she needed to hear was in his voice-his love, his approval, his acceptance. "Oh, Clyde," she barely managed to say before the tears began.

  "Hang up the phone, Kathryn," Wade ordered loudly enough for his parents to hear, his face transformed by a deep frown. When she did, he demanded, "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing's wrong," she hastened to assure him. "Just the apposite. Your father gave me his blessing and now everything's so right!"

  With those words she was once again lost in the wonder of his kiss. Time and place were forgotten as the passion that had been smouldering in both of them burst into uncontrollable flame.

  "It's no use," Wade whispered in a husky voice. He reluctantly let her go, forcing himself off the bed. "I can't touch you without wanting to keep you in bed all night. Let's go to the house and get it over with. But I want you to know that I'm not waiting any longer than necessary to get married."

  "I don't want to wait, either." Trembling with desire, she got to her feet and had to brace herself against the bed to stand.

  "I know they'd like us to have a big church wedding and invite everyone in Star Valley. But that'll take several weeks to organise."

  ''You're right."

  "So tonight let's talk to them while you pack. My cases are already in the truck. We can drive to Salt Lake and catch a plane for Reno. We'll be married as soon as we get there, then honeymoon in Tahoe. Nobody will have to know except the family. While we're gone, they can make wedding plans to their hearts' content."