Embracing the Wolf (Ritter Werewolves #2)(25)
Author: Catherine Bybee

“So you ran,” he argued, not about to give up the point.

“Yes, I did. And you never looked for me.” Jack shook his head. “That’s not true. I knew you went to that house in Arizona. Your mother spoke with the staff nearly every day while you were there.”

Kate felt a tingle race down her arms. She had no idea. But a simple admission to knowing where she was wasn’t going to erase her pain.

“Liz sent checks.”

Everything ended with that… money. Jack Davis solved everything with money. The sorrow within her turn to anger. Eyes flaring, she hissed out in blind fury, “Money,” she spat. “What I needed was loving and supportive parents, Daddy.” Her finger poked toward her chest. “To stand by me! In case you didn’t know, money doesn’t comfort the soul.”

Jack lifted his chin. His voice cold, “We did what we thought we should do. Maybe it wasn’t right, maybe we could have done more. It isn’t like there is a manual on what to do when your teenage daughter gets pregnant.”

Kate felt Richard’s arm tighten when her father’s voice started to rise.

“Then you disappeared. Once the baby was born, the staff refused to talk with us. They said you were

emancipated, or some such nonsense and we were no longer responsible for you. I know we had no right to interfere in your life. We traced you to Nevada, but lost track after that. It wasn’t until Phyllis tossed a newspaper in my face and asked if the article was talking about you that I learned you were back in California.”

She remembered Phyllis, her father’s secretary, a crotchety old woman who had no qualms about telling her father what to do. Kate would have liked to have seen Phyllis lay into her dad. No doubt she did when a reporter could locate her when he could not. “I’m sorry I disappointed you, Katie.” His apology took her back to the little girl who once crawled up on to the big lap of her father and snuggled.

“Your mother and I want you back in our lives.” Kate hated the tears that sprung to her eyes.

She didn’t know how to feel. Part of her wanted to rush into his arms and make the years apart disappear. But the other part, the lonely part that needed a family during the difficult years wasn’t sure if the man sitting in front of her deserved her forgiveness.

“I don’t know,” she murmured.

Around the corner Joey’s voice called her out.

“Mommy? Moooommy!”

“In here.”

Kate wiped away a fallen tear and watched her father when her son ran into the room.

Jack went perfectly still. He watched every move his grandson made before piling into her lap.

“Are we leaving?”

“In a few minutes.”

“Hey, are you crying? What’s wrong?” She smiled, shook her head, and said, “No, something got in my eye.”

Good with that, Joey bounced up and regarded

the stranger in the room. “Who are you?” Jack glanced up at her, unsure of how to answer.

“This is Mr. Davis, Joey.” She wasn’t ready to introduce her son to a long lost grandfather. Perhaps the time for that would come, but not today.

Joey walked up and extended his hand to her dad. New tears swelled when she saw her father’s eyes gloss over.

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Davis. My name is Joey.”

Jack took his hand and covered it with the second. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hey, my last name is Davis, too. Isn’t that strange?”

Jack nodded and sent him a brief smile.

“Strange.”

Joey stood back and looked him up and down.

He then turned to her and Richard. “So, are we going?”

“Why don’t you finish packing?” Richard stood.

“And we’ll say goodbye to Mr. Davis.”

“Okay.” Joey ran to the stairs.

“Walk young man.” Kate yelled out.

Joey slid to a halt, smiled, and moved as if he were a cat stalking a mouse.

Jack chuckled. “Looks like you have your hands full.”

“Joey’s a great kid,” she told him as she stood.

“It seems you’re doing a fine job with him.” It was the closest thing to a compliment as any from her father.

They walked Jack to the door. Kate held Richard’s hand with a vice grip.

“Can I visit you again? Elizabeth would love to meet Joey.”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. She didn’t know anything right now. Having her father pop back into her life wasn’t expected. She needed time

to think, to absorb his presence.

Jack pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I know the number.”

Richard took the card from his hand and tucked it in his shirt pocket. “She’ll call when she’s ready, Mr. Davis.”

Both men sized each other up.

“I understand the man who shot you is still a threat,” Jack said.

“It’s one of the reasons why I’m staying here.” Jack stared at Richard and said, “Keep her safe.

If there is anything I can do, let me know.”

“Nothing will happen to your daughter or grandson,” Richard spoke with absolute conviction.

With that, Jack turned and left.

Chapter Eleven

Kate walked back through the two-story, beachfront home after tucking Joey into bed. His poor little six-year-old eyes simply couldn’t stay open for a minute longer. He even forgot the ritualistic bedtime story in the rush to fall asleep.

The morning marine layer had burned off long before they made it to Richard’s house. The sun poured over the beach with a mild intensity, heating the air to a nice comfortable 79 degrees.

Richard now sat on the back balcony overlooking the vast ocean vista. Beautiful hues of orange and red streaked the sky with the setting sun, the sliding screen door ground along the track bringing her presence to his attention. His thoughtful expression swiftly morphed into an endearing smile. Kate felt her insides warm. How did he do that? With only a glance, her body turned into a big pile of goo.

In reality, she knew why he had that affect on her. She was falling in love.

Every day by his side ate away at her independence. Oh, she knew she could make it on her own, but did she want to anymore?

“I took the liberty of pouring you a glass.” Richard held up a stemmed glass of white wine.

“After today, I thought you could use it.” He referred to the visit from her father. They hadn’t spoken of it… Until now.