CHAPTER 17
Something was wrong. And Cash had a damned good idea what it was. He swung his hammer, narrowly avoiding his finger, revisiting his interactions with Kate since the first night they’d spent together.
They were in a dance of avoidance, and it was clear he was going to have to be the one to break it. And that scared the shit out of him. He could understand Kate wanting to protect herself. He’d read the stories online. The paparazzi were relentless where she was concerned. But they were both living half-truths, and he wanted more.
Come hell or high water, tonight he was coming clean. About everything. The tiny cabins he and the day crew from town had been working on were nearly complete, and he wanted a fresh start when they moved in. If she bolted, so be it. His heart stuttered at the thought. She won’t want a failure, the voice of doubt chided. Someone who can’t keep her safe. Someone who washed out.
Cash shook his head, quelling the voice. He and Kate had a connection that transcended both their histories. He felt it when he lost himself in her beautiful green eyes. Knew it when they kissed. He had to trust that.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He put a final nail in the door frame, then checked his phone. Travis.
I need you and Kate at the house asap.
A sick feeling developed in the pit of his stomach. Kate would be in the barn, she’d beat him to the house. “Travis needs something at the house. I’ll be back,” he called to Mike McAllister, one of the guys helping with the build.
He jogged the distance, arriving at the porch sweaty and out of breath. Kate sat on the steps, waiting, eyes wide with fear. Danger warnings prickled at the back of his neck. He held his hand out to Kate. “Don’t worry, babe, whatever it is, we’ll meet it together.”
She nodded, and they stepped into the house. Four pairs of eyes turned their direction. Travis looked fit to be tied. His wife, Elaine, stood uncomfortably by his side. Sterling stood by the mantle, a determined expression on his face. What the fuck? Was this an ambush? Beside him, Kate gasped, body going tense. “What’s going on?” he asked more roughly than he should.
Emma Sinclaire, in charge of the ranch’s publicity and fundraising efforts shot an apologetic look at Kate, who shook her head, eyes filled with panic. In that second, everything became crystal clear. Emma must have discovered Kate’s identity. But how? She hardly had any interaction with Emma. Emma cleared her throat. “Kate. I know I’m betraying your confidence, and I’m so very sorry, but there are some new developments with the ranch that concern you.”
“Will someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Travis bit out.
Goddammit. It wasn’t supposed to go this way. In all the scenarios Cash had imagined when it came to letting Kate know he knew who she was, this one hadn’t crossed his mind. Which meant he needed to step the fuck up right now or lose his chance. Do or die time. Pulse hammering in his ears, he stepped forward, arms folded across his chest. “I should have told you sooner, Trav, but your ranch hand Kate, is actually Kaycee Starr.”
Kate’s face went white, and she spun to him. “What? How did you know? No one knows.” She glanced across to Emma, mouth pinched with worry. “Well, except Emma.”
“I’ve known since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Her eyes grew wide. “How?” she whispered.
Cash cleared his throat and shot a stern glance over to Travis. “We can discuss that later.” Then, he turned to Sterling. Fuck. It was obvious he knew too. What in the hell was going on? Had Emma let the cat out of the bag? His veins turned to ice. If either of them were trying to capitalize on Kate’s stardom, he would personally take them out back and knock sense into them. “I want to know what’s so important that you’ve found it necessary to blow her cover,” he said tightly.
“Trace McBride,” Sterling answered.
“Trace McBride? The actor?” Travis repeated incredulously.
Sterling nodded once. “He’s coming to play for Army at the exhibition game next weekend.”
Great. The place would be crawling with little cockroaches and their damned cameras.
“I see,” answered Travis. “That’s great news. But it does present some problems. We need to alert Weston. We’ll have to bump up security. Does he have a place to stay?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sure he can stay at the hunting lodge,” Emma piped up. “I’ll check with Jamey and Brodie.”
Travis nodded once, then cocked his head, studying Kate. “I wouldn’t have known you from Adam. But having you here does present some issues.” He furrowed his brows. “Can I still call you Kate?”
She nodded, looking utterly defeated. “Please. It’s my given name.”
Cash’s heart went out to her. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and let her know everything would be okay. That if it was within his power, he’d make it okay. Whatever it took.
Travis looked at the group. “For Kate’s sake, and ours, it will be better if the press is camped out on the other side of town.”
“But this will impact the activities we’re planning at the ranch,” Emma pointed out. “What do we do for the poker tournament and the concert in May?” Emma turned to Kate, looking positively mercenary. “I still think Kaycee, Kate, should make a surprise appearance. The audience would be thrilled.”
Cash didn’t like it one bit. How dare she expose Kate, then put her on the spot to do a concert?
Kate’s mouth flattened, and she shook her head. “I’ve already said no. As long as no one knows I’m here, I don’t see that activity on the ranch would invade my privacy. But if you’re worried…” Her shoulders drooped in defeat. “Maybe it’s time for me to go home.” She spoke quietly, her despair permeating the room.
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Kate,” Travis said, softening. “You have a real gift with the horses. I’d hate to lose you.”
Kate nodded, and gave him a small smile. The crushed look in her eyes pierced Cash to the core. “I appreciate that. But I can’t hide out here forever.”
She turned to him, and the rest of the room fell away. Her eyes, her face, contained all the words that hung unspoken between them. He longed to reach for her. “Please don’t tell anyone I’m here,” she pleaded. “I…” she took a ragged breath, eyes falling to the floor. “It would mean a lot to me to have these final weeks of privacy before I have to, have to… face the music.” She smiled weakly at her joke.
Travis answered first. “Of course. We keep this under wraps.” His voice brooked no argument, not that any of them would betray her trust. Travis eyed each of them. “Kaycee’s part of our ranch family now. We do for her as we’d do for any of us.”
Emma dug in her bag. “Kate, if it will make you more comfortable, I have additional copies of Royal Fountain’s non-disclosures. They’re the same form that I signed for you, and I can modify them for the ranch. We can sign them right now.” She looked to Travis for confirmation. He nodded.
“I’d appreciate that,” Kate answered after a moment. Then she glanced his direction looking guilty. “I hope you understand.”
Cash nodded.
“It’s hard to know who to trust,” she murmured, face turning pink.
More than anything he wanted to tell her she could trust him. But could she? When she’d put her trust in him once before and he’d failed her? The words turned to dust in his mouth.
Cash was the last to sign, not that it mattered, he’d never betray her secret. He touched her elbow. “I’ll walk you back.”
Not meeting his eyes, she nodded.
Cash glanced over to Sterling. “Can you see to the day help? I’m going to look after Kate.”
Sterling nodded.
Cash held the door for Kate, then followed her off the porch and across the yard to the path they used to reach their trailers. They walked in silence, his hand at the small of her back. But the turmoil in Cash’s head was anything but silent.
It was time to tell her everything.