Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

“Georgia had a list of ideas and Liam volunteered to help me scout locations,” Katie continued. “I thought it might be fun to include Eric and his friends. You know, a Jack and Jill party.”

“Would you have his and her strippers?” Chad asked.

“No strippers,” Liam and Katie said at the same time.

“Just hiking out to the cabin,” Katie added. “Maybe spend some time on the water.”

Brody eyed him, before focusing on Katie. “I wish you’d said something. We were worried. More so when we heard about the boating accident.”

“We hit a stump,” Katie said. “And I know how to swim, Brody. You taught me.”

“Did you stay in separate rooms?” Chad demanded.

Liam glanced at Katie, ready and willing to let her handle that one. Chad was a big boy and he’d probably already guessed the answer. Or maybe he thought they’d run through the cabin tossing their dirty laundry around for fun.

Katie put her hands on her hips. “You really want the details of my sex life?”

“Ah, hell,” Josh muttered from his corner by the window.

All three brothers glared at him.

“No.” Brody looked away first, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll wade out to the boat and see if we can get it off the stump while you pack up. Liam, you’re coming with us.”

“I should give Katie a hand with the dishes first,” Liam said. He needed to talk to her alone.

Katie turned, smiling at him. “Don’t worry. I’ll clean up in here. My brothers will probably need your help with the boat. They’re not as big and bad as they look.”

“Christ, Katie, if taking that job in Montana means you’ll move out,” Chad muttered, “I’m starting to think it’s a good idea.”

As far as confrontations with Katie’s brothers, this one was a helluva lot better than the last. But whether the Summers brothers took a shot at him or not didn’t matter, he realized. Katie trumped them. Gaining her trust and winning her heart came above everything else—because he was pretty damn sure he’d handed over his.

Chapter 16

WITH A STATION wagon filled with three sulking men, Katie turned onto the main road and headed for the other side of the lake, where her brothers had parked their truck. They’d been furious to find her at the cabin with Liam. And spending hours waist-deep in the lake freeing the boat hadn’t elevated their moods.

“I wish you’d let me drive,” Brody said from the passenger seat.

“From the sounds of it, I got more sleep than the three of you,” she said.

“I doubt that,” Chad muttered from the backseat. “I still can’t believe you spent the night with Liam Trulane. Again. You were a mess after the last time. What makes you think this time will be any different?”

“I’m older and wiser.” And because she would be the one walking away. “You don’t have to worry about me falling apart when it ends. In fact, it is already over. Last night was a one-time thing.”

“Did he tell you that?” Brody asked, his voice low and intent.

“No. That was my choice.”

“Katie,” Josh said. “I hate to be the one to ask, but are you sure this thing between you two wasn’t about the sale?”

“Yes.” She smiled. “Yes. He has more to lose than I do. For all he knows you’re so pissed you’ll refuse to take the meeting tomorrow.”

“Sis, I’m angry,” Chad said. “But I’m not walking away from millions of dollars because you’re messing around with a guy who broke your heart once. Like you said, your choice.”

As if her so-called revenge plot needed another hole.

“He did start coming around right after Moore Timber made an offer,” Brody said. “He’s the friend who took you barhopping the other night, right?”

She nodded. “I wasn’t lying when I said he’s helping with the bachelorette party.”