Caught in the Act (Independence Falls 2)

“Good-bye, Katie,” Liam said.

She placed her palms flat against his chest. “You’re not walking out of my life. Not this time.”

Liam shrugged. “The deal’s done, Katie.”

“Liam,” she gasped. Those words felt like a slap to the face. He couldn’t mean them. He’d said he loved her. He’d made promises—

“No.” Brody stepped forward. Raising the contracts, he tore them in half. Opening his hands, the pieces fell to the floor. “No way in hell am I giving my blessing for my little sister

to work for you. What you do behind closed doors is your business, Katie. But I’m not signing a document that requires you to work for him.”

“Katie, I’m with Brody on this,” Chad said. “You shouldn’t be bound by some contract to work for this guy.”

“They’re right,” Liam added.

Katie stared at the pile of papers on the floor and then up at Liam, the motivation behind his words crystalizing in her mind. “Chad and Brody, wait in the hall.”

Chad shook his head. “Not this time.”

“Yes. Leave the door open if you insist.” Her brothers relented, moving just outside the doorway, never once looking away from Liam.

“You did this on purpose.” Katie stared into his deep brown eyes, which still shone with the love he’d professed before setting her up. “You wanted to give them a reason to walk away. Are you crazy? This deal—it was in Moore Timber’s best interest, your best interest!”

“Honey, when are you going to get it?” Liam smiled ruefully. “I want what is best for you. Always. I have from the beginning. Now you’re free to take that job in Montana.”

The way he’d faced her brothers all those years ago, knowing it would end in a fight, how he’d brought them to this moment when she tried to sacrifice her hopes and plans for the future . . .

“Oh Liam, when are you going to understand, you can’t decide that for me.” She glanced at the two imposing men hovering in the hall and raised her voice. “None of you can.”

Chapter 20

KATIE STEPPED ONTO Georgia’s blue stone patio and slowly approached Lena, who was reading a book with the ever-present dog, Hero, at her feet. Katie was tempted to rush over, ranting like a crazy person. After the meeting and the scene in Liam’s office, she felt as if she wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer. But she didn’t want to send Lena into flight mode, not when she desperately needed to talk to Georgia’s new friend.

“Lena?” she called when she was ten feet away.

Both dog and owner looked up.

“Marie said I would find you out here,” Katie said, referencing Eric’s longtime housekeeper. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Sure.” Lena offered a tentative smile. “But Georgia’s not here. She has an event at Nate’s preschool, followed by a playdate at the playground in town. I don’t expect her back until dinnertime.”

“I was hoping we could chat. I could really use a friend today who doesn’t know Liam, Georgia’s brother, very well. Are you planning to stay in Independence Falls?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Lena said, her fingers playing with the cover of the paperback she’d been reading. “I don’t have anywhere else to be at the moment. Portland—it doesn’t feel like home anymore. I gave my ex the house in our divorce. He has friends nearby and a job. It made sense.”

Katie drew her legs up under her, settling into the cushioned lounge chair. “Do you have family? Siblings? Brothers?”

“I do. But they’re not exactly in my life right now.”

“Good for you. Brothers are a pain. Trust me.” Quickly, before it sank in that she was pouring out the intimate details of her life to a virtual stranger and her dog, Katie told Lena the history of her relationship with Liam up to and including this morning’s incident at the Moore Timber offices. Marie interrupted briefly to bring out a tray of lemonade. But by the end Lena was staring wide-eyed into her cup.

“I’m sorry,” Katie said at the end of her saga. “You don’t know me. Or Liam. But, well, what do you think? I mean, he told me he loved me and walked out of my life. Again. And he had the gall to tell me he was doing it for me! I always dismissed the guys who just wanted to hang out and have a beer with my brothers. But after today? They’re probably a safer bet.”

Lena nodded, reaching down to pet Hero. “But you don’t love the other guys.”

“I didn’t say I love Liam,” Katie clarified.

“I know.” Lena stood and Hero rose with her. “Wait right here. I’ll be back.”