Читать книгу New Year's Wife - Linda Varner - Страница 9

Eight years later

“Happy birthday, Sis.”

“Thanks,” Julie Newman McCrae replied, setting down a warm pitcher of spiced apple cider so she could accept the hug that Kit Porter, her older sister by four years, offered to her.

“So tell me, how does it feel to be twenty-five?” Kit might as well have been asking how it felt to be a leper. She looked that horrified.

Julie shrugged. “So far it’s not a bit different than twenty-four…or twenty-three…for that matter.”

“Oh, but it is,” Kit teased, brown eyes twinkling. “And I’ll tell you why.” She glanced around as if to make sure no one eavesdropped, then leaned close, whispering, “The big three-oh is just five years away now.”

“Only one for you,” Julie retorted.

The redhead groaned and sagged against her sister. “Oh God, don’t remind me.”

Laughing, they shared a sympathetic hug.

“Donnie boy is finally here.” Kit ran a hand through her short, copper-colored hair, a genetic throwback from an Irish great-great. “And he’s brought someone with him.”

“So what else is new?” Julie questioned. One of her older brothers worked public relations for New-Ware, their father’s cookware business, and had more friends than an Idaho winter had snowflakes. He was forever bringing one or another of them to Clear Falls, where the six-bedroom, three-story home owned by Julie’s dad, widower John Newman, was located. Luckily she had planned her birthday party refreshments with that in mind. “I have plenty to eat tonight.”

“Yeah, well they both have suitcases,” Kit advised. “Not to mention skis. So you may have more than tonight to worry about.”

Julie sighed at that news, though she didn’t really mind it. Of all the household tasks she’d taken on in exchange for rent-free accommodations, cooking was the one she liked most and did best. She got plenty of practice, too. In the five months since her dad had suggested the trade-off and she’d agreed to it, they’d been alone together in the house for maybe a week.

Julie’s dad blamed that on their proximity to the ski slopes. Julie blamed it on his big heart. After all, who had talked her oldest brother, Sid, into leaving his two stepchildren and his baby in Idaho while he and his wife explored European markets for New-Ware? Who had demanded Kit move back home, when her sailor husband was stationed on an aircraft carrier? And who always insisted that Don stay at the house whenever he was in town, whether or not he had girlfriends, co-workers or buddies in tow?

John Newman, that’s who.

“Well, I hope they have an appetite for cold cuts, dips and leftover birthday cake,” Julie murmured, picking up the pitcher again and slipping out the door of the kitchen so she could hug that rascal of a brother she hadn’t seen for a month. “Because that’s what we’re going to have for days to come.”

A second later she deposited the pitcher on the buffet table. Ever the perfect hostess—at home and at the New-Ware cooking demonstrations that were her source of income—Julie assessed the table to see if it lacked anything else.

It didn’t, and gratefully she wound her way through the crush of friends and relatives to where her brother and his companion stood talking.

Don, a handsome young man by even a stranger’s standards, looked especially wonderful to his little sister tonight. Though six years separated their ages, Julie bad always been particularly close to him.

“Don!” she exclaimed when still several feet away. He turned, all smiles, and engulfed her in a bear hug that threatened her rib cage. “You just missed the countdown.”

“Sorry about that,” he said with a shrug of apology, adding, “Happy New Year.”

“Same to you,” she replied.

“And happy birthday.” Don set her back on her feet. “How does it feel to be twenty-five?”

Julie smiled at his unwitting echo of Kit’s earlier question. “You should know. You were there six years ago.”

“Low blow,” Don scolded, but he laughed. “I brought someone with me,” he said. “I ran into him at the gas station on the corner, and since he didn’t have motel reservations anywhere, I talked him into staying here a night or two. Dad seemed pleased. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Hey, I’m just a guest, myself,” Julie replied with a laugh, for the first time shifting her full attention to Don’s companion.

“Hi, I’m Julie McCrae,” she said, automatically extending her hand to him as she raised her gaze to meet his—dark, intense and too, too familiar. At once Julie was hurled back in time eight years to a birthday party just like this one.

She forgot her name. She forgot her manners. She forgot how to breathe—astonishing reactions that floored her.

“Actually, I think you two have already met,” Don commented, apparently oblivious to her life-threatening discomfiture. “This is—”

“Tyrone, right?” she blurted, desperate that this man now holding her hand so tightly would never guess what he’d done to her fragile, teenaged ego at that party so long ago.

“Tyler,” he solemnly corrected. “Tyler Jordan.”

“Oops,” Julie said, adding a who-cares-anyway laugh. She tugged her fingers free of his and swiped them down her black wool pants. “Sorry. I’m terrible with names, but I never forget a face. How long has it been since we last, um, spoke? Six years, seven?”

“Eight years, eleven minutes and—” he glanced at his watch “—thirty seconds. At a party just like this one.”

Julie nearly choked and glanced quickly at Don. She’d never told anyone about the intimacies shared with Tyler just before midnight so long ago out on the porch.

Did this mean Tyler had?

But Don just laughed and slapped his old friend on the back—an act of affection that meant he didn’t know the truth. Julie, of course, should’ve guessed that. Don had bored her with more than one tale of Tyler’s dangerous—no, foolhardy—exploits through the years, things Don would never have told her if he’d been aware of what had happened between them. “No wonder you didn’t argue when I invited you to come home with me. You remember what great parties my little sis throws.”

“Yeah,” Tyler agreed with a half smile. “What great parties she throws.” His gaze dropped to Julie’s mouth and lingered there. Immediately she wondered if it were her parties he remembered or her kisses. But no, it couldn’t be her kisses. He’d long since proved that they—and everything else about her—were totally forgettable.

Unfortunately such wasn’t the case for Julie, who suddenly remembered not only the kisses they’d shared but the caresses that had accompanied them. And then there had been that awful moment later when she’d been forced to face the fact that Tyler had only been playing with her out on the porch…

A little surprised by the vividness of her memories, Julie gave herself a get-it-together shake. Surely she wasn’t still mourning a relationship that had never existed anywhere except in her fanciful, teenage head.

“And speaking of birthdays,” Don continued, bringing her back to the here and now, “I’ve brought you a present from Uncle Sy.” He looked at Tyler and winked. “It’s special. Really special.”

Julie looked at her brother’s empty hands, then all around. “Where is it?”

“In the garage.” Don grinned.

“The garage?” She turned toward the back of the house, fully intending to step out the kitchen door and see whatever her eccentric uncle, Silas Newman, had sent. Don stopped her with an outflung arm.

“Not yet. I want Dad to get the camera, and I want all your guests to come watch.”

Though avidly curious now, Julie obeyed. She eyed Don rather suspiciously as he ushered their dad, Kit and the guests in the direction of the garage, knowing he wasn’t above playing a good practical joke on her. And while she usually didn’t mind them, she wasn’t at all sure she could handle another surprise this night.

On that thought, Julie shifted her gaze to her first surprise, still standing next to her, his gaze on Don. Discreetly she assessed him—the man who’d broken her teenage heart so long ago. He looked older than his age, which she’d always assumed to be the same as Don’s. In fact, she could have sworn she saw a silver strand or two gleaming in his otherwise brown hair. And there were wrinkles around his eyes, too—little crow’s feet that the sun had most likely furrowed into his skin.

Or had hard living engraved them there? After all, it must be tough to seduce a woman at every port, or in his case, on every mountain.

Woman? Julie almost laughed. Not by a long shot. Just a teen with raging hormones, too easily flattered by big brother’s dashing college friend. She should have known that Tyler hadn’t meant a word he said.

And she should’ve gotten over it long ago.

At that moment, Tyler’s gaze found and locked with Julie’s. She jumped as if he’d reached out and touched her. Then, acutely embarrassed, she brushed past him to hurry up Don. Julie managed one step away before Tyler caught her by the arm.

“I’d really like to speak with you,” he said. “To explain…and apologize.”

“Whatever for?” Julie responded, easing her arm free. God, but he was still gorgeous. And at Tyler’s touch, every hormone in her body—hormones surely older and wiser—sprang to life and waved for attention just the way they had the first time she met him. Rattled, sweating, Julie could barely fake a smile.

Tyler laughed—a humorless sound. “I know damn good and well you remember what happened at your birthday party eight years ago. In fact…if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re still pretty steamed.” He sounded as if he couldn’t believe it, either.

“About something that happened that long ago? Trust me, Tyler, I’ve had much better things to do than carry a grudge against you. Besides, if anyone should apologize, it’s me for trailing after you like some little lost pup that first evening we met. As for that midnight fooling around—”

“Stop it!” Tyler hissed, stepping so close she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze.

But meet it she did. “You don’t owe me an explanation or an apology. That’s water way under the bridge. Now please excuse me. I have guests and a party to attend to.”

“Fine,” he coolly replied. “We’ll talk later. When everyone is gone.”

“Everyone will never be gone,” she said, stepping back to put precious inches between them. “In case you hadn’t noticed, this house is a lot like Grand Central Station…or maybe the Grand Hotel would be more appropriate?”

He winced, clearly picking up on the jibe. “I won’t hang around here long. Hell, I won’t hang around at all—if you’ll talk with me tonight.”

“Stay as long as you like,” she said. “It’s nothing to me.” With that, Julie whirled and hurried to Don and her dad, who had his video camera in hand.

At the sight of her grinning parent, Julie instantly regretted her rudeness to Tyler. Her father had seemed so lost since the death of Julie’s mother almost nine months ago. Knowing how devastating it was to lose a spouse, she suspected that loneliness was the main reason he’d begged her to come live with him again and not any desire to help her save rent money.

“Are you ready?” Don asked. His bright eyes and flushed cheeks bespoke his excitement, and Julie made a special effort to push her disturbing encounter with Tyler out of her head.

“Past ready,” she replied, trying to muster enthusiasm for Uncle Sy’s gift.

“Good. Now stay put until everyone is set, okay?”

“Okay,” Julie promised, biting back a smile. She felt a stirring of excitement. Never had she seen Don so worked up. What on earth awaited her out in the garage?

“Come on, Dad.” Don led the way to the back door, through which Tyler had just vanished. His dad grinned mysteriously at Julie, then followed. Don did the same.

Julie, blessedly alone for the moment, sucked in a couple of deep breaths to compose herself before she trailed her brother out the door. At first she saw nothing but her guests, standing all in a bunch. Then they stepped aside, en masse, to reveal…a car.

And not just any car—a wickedly red 1956 Corvette convertible in mint condition.

Julie knew this because she’d pointed out this very machine countless times at Uncle Sy’s Seattle automobile museum where she had worked so many summers. It was the most popular exhibit there.

Was.

Now, for some reason, it sat in her dad’s garage.

“Voilà!” Don exclaimed, flinging out his hand, palm upward, in the direction of the Corvette.

The car? Uncle Sy wanted her to have the car? Julie caught her breath. “You can’t mean…?”

“I do.”

“Oh my God.” At once Julie’s knees threatened to buckle. She clutched Kit’s arm for support, took several fortifying breaths, then moved, trancelike, toward the sleek roadster. Slowly she walked around it, touching first a fender, next a headlight and last the wind-shield.

“Well?” Don prompted when she’d completed her inspection.

“It’s real,” Julie announced. Her guests exploded into laughter…and congratulations.

“Get in,” John Newman prompted over the din, his eye to the camera.

Julie nodded rather numbly and obeyed. Once behind the wheel, she touched the dash, the radio, the white leather seat next to her…fully expecting everything to vanish. When they didn’t, she grasped the wheel, tossed her head back and closed her eyes, already imagining herself speeding down some scenic highway—mountains all around, blue sky and sunshine overhead, hair blowing in the wind.

“What a car. What a car.“ It was Kit, now sitting in the passenger seat. Julie looked at her in surprise—she hadn’t even heard the other door open. “Do you know what this baby’s worth?”

“Yes,” Julie said. At once she felt guilty. Though Uncle Sy had always been generous with his many nephews and nieces, he’d never given any of them something so expensive.

“Now don’t you worry about it,” Kit whispered as though reading her mind. “Apparently all the Newman cousins will get one when Uncle Sy dies. He just wanted you to have yours now. Dad’s supposed to send him the videotape so he can see your reaction.”

“But what did I ever do to deserve a gift like this?” Julie asked.

“You lived and worked with that old man for—” Kit frowned “—how many summers?”

“Six.”

“Well that’s six more than anyone else could’ve. Believe me, honey, you earned this car.”

Suddenly car keys dangled before Julie’s eyes. “Why don’t you take her for a spin?” Don suggested. “The roads are dry.”

“But my guests…”

“Dad’s taking care of them.”

Julie looked up to find that only three people remained in the garage besides herself—Don, Kit and…Tyler.

Tyler. She’d almost forgotten him in the excitement. But there he stood, not three feet away, as classically American as her little red sports car and every bit as dashing…damn him. His eyes never left her, and not sure how much more her poor old heart could take this night, Julie snatched the keys from Don.

“Yes!” Kit fairly bounced with excitement in the seat.

Don stepped away from the car. Julie inserted the key into the ignition. She paused before starting the engine, taking a moment to familiarize herself with the car. She saw the gear selector, the accelerator, the brake pedal and the…clutch. At once her soaring spirits took a nosedive.

“Oh, no.”

“What’s wrong?” Don demanded, instantly by her side again.

“It has a standard transmission,” Julie moaned.

“But of course it does…” His jaw dropped. “You mean you still can’t drive a standard?”

“No.”

“You’re kidding!” Kit exclaimed.

Julie glared at her. “You mean you can?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact.” Kit looked very smug. “Monty taught me.” Monty was Kit’s absent husband.

“Then you can teach me.”

“Okay…but not this week. I’m working split shifts at Clearwater Regional so I’ll be out more than in.”

Julie just shook her head. How Kit, who worked as a relief nurse all over town, ever kept her complicated schedule straight Julie just didn’t know.

“I can teach you,” Don said.

“When?” Julie demanded.

“Whenever you want,” he replied. Then he frowned. “Except…It’s officially Saturday, isn’t it? I’ve got top salesmen arriving around nine a.m. I have to pick them up and get them settled at their hotels. Actually, I guess I’ll pretty much have to entertain them during the day until next Sunday.”

“You mean neither of you can help me before next weekend?” Julie heaved a heartfelt sigh of disappointment.

“Maybe Dad would show you how,” Kit suggested.

“I’m sure he would,” Julie replied. “I’m also sure neither of us would survive the experience.” She well remembered another driving lesson—back when she was a teenager yearning for a license. Apparently Kit remembered it, too, for she winced.

“Why don’t we go inside and ask for a volunteer?” Don asked. “Surely one of our guests would be willing to take you on.”

“No!” Julie replied, so loudly that her brother jumped. “If you so much as hint to those people I can’t drive this car you are a dead man, understand?”

Eyes twinkling, Don nodded.

“I have some time on my hands,” Tyler said. “I’ll teach you.”

Julie’s heart somersaulted at the unexpected suggestion. “No thanks—”

“But that’s a great idea,” Don argued, cutting off her refusal.

“Yeah, great,” Kit echoed with enthusiasm. Clearly both of them thought Tyler’s idea the perfect solution.

Unfortunately, Julie didn’t. Her gaze locked with Tyler’s. She noted that a hint of a smile—no doubt of triumph—now turned up the corners of his mouth.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” she murmured, vastly irritated. She opened the car door and stepped out on the pavement.

“You don’t have to ask,” Tyler replied. “I’ve already volunteered.”

“That’s very generous, but I—” Julie broke off, suddenly aware of Don’s and Kit’s puzzled frowns. They didn’t understand her dilemma—never would, unless she told them everything. Julie had no intention of admitting she’d never gotten over that two seconds’ worth of foreplay eight years ago.

So why not keep things simple and accept his offer? Julie asked herself. A possible argument sprang to mind immediately: she didn’t want to spend a single moment alone with Tyler. Didn’t want to hear the explanation or the apology that would justify what he’d done back then and eliminate all excuses not to fall for him again.

Not that she really would…

Although deadly attractive with those chiseled features and that rugged jawline, Tyler Jordan was undoubtedly as much of a daredevil as ever and, therefore, totally incompatible to her current goals of marriage to a rock-solid man and lots of babies. Ignorance of what she really wanted had contributed to her devastation when he left so abruptly all those years ago. Inexperience then exaggerated the impact of the encounter, etching it so indelibly on her brain.

Or perhaps the problem was the nature of their parting. He was unfinished business for sure. As for her physical reaction to him now…a momentary lapse, nothing more.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Julie therefore asked, adding a sweet smile. “I mean…you did come to the mountains to ski.”

“I’ll still have time for that.” He returned her smile, revealing teeth that flashed gypsy white against his naturally bronze-toned skin.

Julie gulped at the sight and wondered briefly if she hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of her life. Then she gave herself a mental kick in the backside. They would only be together an hour, maybe two at the most. She could keep her hands to herself for that long— would have to if she intended to shift gears and steer. “All right then. How about later this morning, after we sleep off the party?”

“Fine with me,” he replied, cheerfully adding, “And don’t you worry. After a week or so of lessons, you’ll be a pro. I guarantee it.”