Page 40 of Fight or Flight
Bigfan216: Sure, I can do that, I’ll TTYL.
Katherine logged off the site, flushing the toilet in case Tyler was listening. She looked at her image in the mirror, barely recognizing this version of herself. Her long hair was loose, and she saw fear in her eyes. Yet it wasn’t the same fear she’d become accustomed to. “Come on, you two,” she said to the dogs and then turned the light off. Returning to the kitchen, she avoided looking at the French door, where the glass was shattered in pieces all over the floor, inside and out.
“You feeling okay? I can give you something for your nerves if you want,” Tyler said.
She must’ve looked as bad as she’d thought. “No thanks, I’m managing.” She wasn’t really, but he probably knew that already, given his profession. “I hate that this happened while you were here. Not the best evening you’ve had, huh?”
“I’ve had much worse, Katherine. I’m just glad I was here with you.”
She took two clean mugs from the cupboard, poured coffee into each, and handed one to Tyler. “So am I. Who knows how I would’ve reacted on my own?”
“My guess is pretty damn well.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling.
Katherine realized again that she could fall for Tyler, big time. The question was—could he fall for her?
Chapter Twelve
Sam and Sophie heard Doc’s old Ford truck pulling up the long drive, the rattle of the engine coughing up its familiar putter before its final sigh. Both hurried toward the door, but Katherine held back. Glass was everywhere.
“Sit,” Katherine ordered the dogs, as Doc Baker and his companion approached. Katherine was instantly struck by the exotic woman at his side. This must be Ilene Silva. “Watch the glass,” Katherine warned. “Thanks for getting here so fast.” Katherine found it hard to tear her gaze away from the woman. “Please, come in.” Katherine stepped aside, then closed the shattered doors. “I have coffee or a drink if you’d like.” Her social graces dictated she offer them something, even though this wasn’t a social visit.
“This is K,” Doc said to Ilene.
Ilene Silva was tall, at least five-ten. Her black skin-hugging dress showed off her slender curves, yet she wore practical black low-heeled pumps with sheer stockings. Her dark brown hair was cut razor straight, then sharply angled toward her chin. Her hair shined as if she’d come straight from a stylist. Diamonds flashed on her hands and around her neck. Her eyes were an unusual aqua color.Regalcame to Katherine’s mind—if you didn’t look at her shoes.
Ilene stared back at Katherine like she was a specimen in a petri dish. “I can’t say I’m pleased to meet you, so good evening will have to do,” Ilene said, holding a well-manicured hand out to Katherine. “Are those your dogs? I’m terrible around animals.”
Put off by her rudeness, Katherine ignored Ilene’s outstretched hand. This woman didn’t like animals. That was an immediate strike against her. Katherine shooed Sam and Sophie upstairs. She then turned abruptly away from Doc and his brusque sidekick. With a newfound boldness, Katherine refused to be intimidated by the woman’s commanding presence, probably a remnant of her time in the CIA.
Tyler stood when they entered the kitchen. “Doc, Ilene,” he said, and shook both of their hands.
How does he know this woman?Katherine wondered. A dozen questions soared through her mind, but she didn’t dare ask them.
“Tyler, you get more handsome every time I see you. How’s your mother doing these days?” Ilene asked. Her knowledge of Tyler’s mother helped put Katherine more at ease. Possibly Tyler’s mother and Ilene were friends?
“You know her—ornery as ever,” Tyler said, a grin on his face.
“She’s a good girl. I’ve always admired Cecilia. She’s practically a saint, putting up with your father all these years,” Ilene added.
Katherine observed their banter and thought it inappropriate, given the circumstances. “Would either of you like a coffee? Something stronger?” she asked again.
“I’m fine. Thank you, Katherine. That’s such a pretty name,” Ilene said. “Who were you named after?”
“Thanks. I wasn’t named after anyone that I know of. Maybe a stray nurse in pediatrics.” Katherine was telling the truth; she had no clue who she was named after. Probably one of her father’s employees or a name scratched on the wall of a dirty restroom. That was her mother’s style. Spiteful and demeaning.
Ilene turned to Doc. “You’re right. She’s a gutsy little thing, even if she doesn’t acknowledge it herself.”
Katherine had to respond. “What are you talking about?”
Ilene took charge. “You. Doc told me about you, your situation, and what’s happened tonight. Given all this, I’ll stick with my initial impression. You’re gutsy.”
Katherine was unsure how to further respond. So she said what came naturally. “Thank you, I do appreciate the compliment, though it’s not true.” She offered up a wan smile. They were not off to a good start, Katherine thought. She hated bossy women.
“Never underestimate yourself. Right, Franklin?” Ilene winked at Doc Baker.
Franklin?Katherine realized that before this, she had no clue what Doc’s first name was.
“Come on, Ilene. You’ve messed with K enough for now,” Doc said. “You two want to tell us what happened tonight? Why the hell didn’t you call the police? You better have a damned good reason, kiddo.”
