"Hansen, Maxine Joy - The Letter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hansen Maxine Joy)
Colt dried the large frying pan and poured more oil into it. He waited patiently to spoon in the remaining batter and, as he watched the gas range fire flicker, he thought about Jesse. She was a jewel, the queen of his world. He cherished her, worked hard to protect her in every way, and tried to give her everything she needed and more. In turn, she was protective of him. To be honest, in some ways they had shut Pam out. But maybe that was the way she had wanted it. Although she loved Jesse, Pam had never been too keen on having children. As she had pointed out in the first few years of their marriage, their lifestyle was not the best one in which to raise a child. Colt had been a professional baseball player. Born and raised in Georgia, he attended school there and then moved to Texas where, after paying his dues in the minors, he was drafted by a major league team. That's when he met and married Pam. After two years of relatively unspectacular success, albeit holding his own, he was traded to California where he really hit his stride and made his mark in the Majors.
He was proud of his success and, granted, he enjoyed the perks it afforded him. What he loved most, however, was the thrill of each game, the challenge, the dedicated determination of his team versus the opposition, the passion of the crowds, and the sheer joy of winning. On the flip side, from spring training to away games, half of each month of the season he was on the move. Traveling from city to city, state to state, the impersonal hotel rooms, and the unfamiliarity of not coming home each and every night made him somewhat uncomfortable. He enjoyed stability in a profession where the only stability guaranteed was that the game would go on with or without you. Pam, on the other hand, thrived in this kind of environment. His wife usually came to every game to root him on. She never flinched or complained at the constant traveling schedule, upheavals, or long days and nights. Accompanying him to dinners or charity functions she outshone and outdid everyone else. She gave him everything and he let her down.
In truth, they had never really talked about what was important before they were married. She was beautiful, dazzling, and he had fallen head over heels in love. She loved him too and it seemed natural, after a whirlwind courtship to marry. Four years into their marriage and after a second successful season with the popular California club, Pam agreed that maybe they could bring a child into their lives. But wanting wasn't enough and, after awhile it became apparent their alternative was adoption. A year later Jesse became part of their family. The very best part. Colt smiled with satisfaction at the memory. He turned on the flame for the bacon, wisely double checking the directions on the package, and spooned the batter into the now sizzling oil. This time everything seemed to gel. Just like the first time he saw his little girl.
Colt and some of the other players had offered to spend an afternoon coaching kids at a center for troubled youth. Mostly these kids ranged in age from ten to fourteen and came from a wide variety of problem backgrounds. This was a place for them to get together to gain some confidence and some footing in an otherwise tenuous environment. Both girls and boys intermingled, getting a chance to enjoy themselves relatively free of stress for a few hours, learning new skills, making some dreams come true in the bargain.
Over the excited chatter of two youngsters vying for a chance to bat, Colt heard the sound of a child crying.
Momentarily leaving the group in the capable hands of his teammates, he rounded the corner of the grassy yard and encountered a woman holding a little girl about a year old. Her tear-streaked face turned towards him, two exquisite brown eyes partially hidden by a balled, tiny fist, her attention was diverted by his presence. Even in the capable woman's arms she looked lost, frightened, and terribly alone. Tentatively Colt approached the quivering figure, holding his breath, afraid the intimidating size of his body would only serve to scare her more. Miraculously it didn't and, when he softly whispered a few comforting words, she hesitantly reached out her small hand and touched his strong, hard-muscled arm. Even before he spoke to the now somewhat startled woman, even before he had all the facts, he knew this child would become the most important part of his life.
The table was set, and the pancakes miraculously looked like pancakes. Even the bacon cooperated. Rubbing his hands together, a satisfied smile on his face, he was about to call Jesse for breakfast when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it dad," he heard his daughter shout above the television. He shook his head and rolled his eyes somewhat expressively. Probably another friendly offering from one of their neighbors. Jesse was pretty good at fielding these things and, maybe if he stayed out of sight, he and his daughter would be able to share a quiet breakfast for two instead of three. He winced at himself for being uncharacteristically impolite, but he wanted some quality time with Jesse. They had both earned it.
He heard her exuberant footfalls on the carpet and turned when she flew into the kitchen.
"Dad, there's a lady at the door," she began.
"Don't tell me, she has an entire breakfast for two with lunch thrown in."
The pert eleven year old giggled, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief.
"No, dad. Not this time. I haven't seen this lady before. She asked me about a man named James Hazlett. She thought this was his address." Jesse eyed her father and as an afterthought added, "She's kind of pretty."
"Okay, Miss Matchmaker, you sit down to that delicious plate of bacon and pancakes which your old dad just whipped up, and I'll see what I can do to help this kind of pretty lady."
Colt dried his hands and headed to the front door. When he opened it his first thought was that "pretty" seemed too mild an adjective for the woman who stood in front of him. ["#TOC"]
Chapter Two
With every mile she covered, Kathryn's courage and resolve faltered. Nearly three thousand miles away it had seemed adventurous, romantic, and positively right to fly across the span of States to Florida, throwing caution to the wind and possibly reuniting two lovers. Last night and this morning, however, her enthusiasm had been somewhat tempered, but she put that down to jet lag. Yet as the car made its way across the bay and into downtown Clearwater, the muscles in the back of her neck had tensed, her nerves had crackled, and more than a little fraction of doubt had eaten at her. Still, nothing had prepared her for the knot in her stomach and the breathless feeling that rushed upon her when the most devastatingly handsome man she had ever seen opened the door to her and fixed her with his warm sherry-brown eyes.
"Can I help you?" he offered, his deep Southern drawl bathing over her like triple grade A golden honey.
It wasn't that he was handsome in the classic sense; his features weren't perfect. He wore a comfortably lived-in face with tiny lines etching the corners of his eyes; lines that spoke of laughter and enjoyment of life, mingled with creases put there by moments of stress and concern. His left temple sheltered a small scar. His skin was somewhat weathered and bespoke of time spent outdoors. But the Roman slant of his nose and strong, purposeful jaw, blended together just right with his generously sensual mouth. He was a large man somewhere in his late-thirties, over six feet, rugged with well defined muscles and a tight stomach that only someone who worked out diligently could lay claim to.
When her heart fluttered momentarily, Kathryn realized she'd been staring and quickly brought her eyes past the powerful column of his neck and back to his face. For a fraction of a second brown eyes connected with brown eyes. Miraculously, a shred of common sense and her inbred manners returned. Her tongue darted out to wet her parched lips before she spoke. She regretted the action instantly, and covered it with her hurried words.
"I'm so sorry to bother you on a Monday morning. This is highly unusual I know, but I'm looking for Mr. James Hazlett. He used to live here and I thought. . . I thought this might still be his address."
The man considered her for a moment.
"Are you a relative?"
"No, and I'm not a friend either," she admitted. What would he think. At best he'd probably peg her as a pesky salesperson who was getting an early start on the day with some crazy ploy. Or would he think she was just crazy period. Frankly, she was beginning to think that of herself.
She saw a flicker of something in his face, she wasn't sure what, and decided any credibility she'd started with had just flown out the window. Sure the door would be slammed in her face any second, flustered at her clumsy approach, silently and unfairly blaming him for the loss of her poise, she reached out her small hand and touched his arm. "Please, I'm not as crazy as I sound. My name is Kathryn Cartwright."
Colt was just about to respond when his eye caught the flair of a pink skirt. Kathryn saw his attention stray to the walkway and turned to look. A delicate blonde woman carefully traveled the short distance from the sidewalk, up the walkway to the front door. Nestled in her arms was a large, deep-dish pan generously covered with tin foil. Her features resembled the pretty sketches Kathryn had recently seen of some angels, and the dainty pink confection she wore added to the effect. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and something else, perhaps determination. Her perfect mouth was curved in pleasure. As she reached Kathryn and Colt, a slim, elegant foot, clad in a strappy pink sandal connected with the first of two steps leading to the verandah. Kathryn turned back to the man in front of her.
"I've obviously come at a very bad time," she stammered. "I. . ."
"Well, Colt Riverton, don't tell me someone else has beaten me to the punch yet again. And I thought the early bird catches the prize, or so they say. I was up hours ago making you and Jesse a special breakfast." The soft Southern tones matched the woman exactly.
Kathryn noticed a dull red stain flushed the face of the man she now knew as Colt Riverton. The name suited him perfectly she mused.
"Sue Ann, I'm much obliged to you for thinking of me and Jesse. Actually. . ."
"It's always a pleasure, Colt. You know you can count on me any time," the woman beamed.
Anytime I'll bet. An irrational feeling of annoyance shot through Kathryn, a sure bet she was going to say something that would land her in trouble.
"Actually, Mr. Riverton and I have some business."
Her smile perfectly in place, the leggy Southern beauty diverted her gaze to the unfamiliar brunette. Kathryn could feel herself being sized up.
"That's right," Colt quickly offered. "Miss Cartwright is from the. . .Post Office."
"The Post Office?" the frothy pink and blonde delicacy eyed the pretty lilac summer dress Kathryn wore. Simple pearl earrings, together with matching white sandals and handbag complimented the breezy easy-traveling outfit.
"Well, I'm actually trying to deliver a very urgent letter which we have had some trouble in getting through the system. And you know the U.S. Post Office; neither wind, rain nor snow can stop us so the saying goes." At least that's how Kathryn hoped it went.
"Tell you what, Sue Ann, why don't I take that casserole dish into Jesse. I know she'll love it. Then I'll come over later and return it to you." Colt smiled and Sue Ann melted, carefully placing the pan in his hands. "Why Colt, that would be fine. I'll certainly let you get back to your business. But don't take too long. I want to make sure you enjoy those special rolls I made. Now if the food gets cold you can always warm it up in the oven for a few minutes. And call me if you need anything; you have my number." This last comment was stated pointedly for Kathryn's benefit. Then, with one last look in Kathryn's direction and the flawless crescent of her pink laced mouth offered up invitingly to Colt, she turned and headed back down the walk.
Kathryn watched her go, then brought her attention back to the man standing in front of her. She couldn't help noticing the relief evident on his face and it brought a guilty measure of satisfaction. Still, she may have misinterpreted the situation and felt an apology was due.
"I'm certainly sorry I came at an inopportune time. I . . ."
"No, not at all. Look, why don't you come in and I'll see if I can help you." Balancing the pan in one hand, Colt opened the front door wide enough to usher Kathryn into the attractive cream colored hallway. The entrance immediately opened off into a spacious living room. Both areas were carpeted in a lush, earthy toned material. A comfortable beige couch sat facing a television set. Two matching beige chairs flanked each side. Various knickknacks stood haphazardly on the shelves of a built-in bookcase and piled in the corner of the room were a number of sealed cartons waiting to be opened.
"We just moved and haven't quite unpacked everything yet." Colt gave her a sheepish grin.
"Please, I'm the one who's intruding. I'll just take a minute of your time."
"No problem," Colt assured her. "Let me just check on my daughter and I'll be right back. Listen, can I get you a cup of coffee?"
"Oh, no. Really, I'm fine."
"Okay, I'll be back in a second."
Kathryn watched his strong, muscular back as he strode out of the room. She had never felt so affected by a man, and it shook her on top of her already nervous state.
"Calm down, Kate, or any minute you'll run screaming from the room and he'll really wonder about you," she tried to relax her tightly wound up nerves.
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