COULD IT BE YOU?

Chapter Two: In Pursuit of Kate (“It’s Gonna BeMe”)

Kate knew something was up when both Lake and Lansten insisted she go out with them on her birthday. Since every one had so studiously avoided mention of her birthday, she suspected they were all in on it.

“Wear something you can dance in,” Lake had told her.

At seven o’clock, the two came to her door to collect her.

“Wow!” Lansten took in her short blue-jean skirt and the length of leg it revealed.

Kate laughed. “Down, boy!” Then she asked, “Is this outfit, okay?” A pale pink western shirt and cowboy boots completed her attire.

“Yee-ha!” Lake crowed appreciatively.

She rumpled his curly blonde hair affectionately. “That needs some work, Tex.”

Retrieving her small purse, she announced, “I’m ready.”

Lansten held out an arm to her. “That’s what I like. A woman who is no muss, no fuss.”

She took his arm. “That’s me all right.”

On her other side, Lake linked his arm with hers.

“So, where are you two fine gentlemen taking me?”

“You’ll find out,” they said in unison.

Winding their way to one of the banquet rooms, Lake and Lansten lead her into one of the darkened rooms. Lake flipped a light switch, illuminating a room decorated to look like a western bar.

“Surprise!” many of the road crew shouted.

“Gosh!...Oh, wow!...” Kate left her escorts to look more closely at the decor. A wooden dance floor dominated floor space. It was surrounded by small tables made to sit for or so people. There was an elevated stage area, complete with a country band. A bar, complete with stools, stood against one wall.

“For me?” she questioned no one in particular.

“For you.” Josh separated from the well-wishers and came up behind her. With his hands on her shoulders, he murmured, “Happy Birthday, Katie Beth.”

“Do you like it?” Joe asked. “Mama Maggie gave me the idea.”

“It’s fantastic! A little out of your guys league though.”

“Just don’t ask me to wear chaps,” Chris stated. “That’s where I’m drawing the line.”

The band started up.

Lansten grabbed Kate’s hand. “Let’s show ‘em how it’s done.” He and Kate were the country music fans of the bunch.

As Kate was pulled onto the dance floor, she caught Josh’s gaze. She thought she saw something hungry and possessive in the blue depths of his eyes. Surely, she was seeing things! She didn’t have time to dwell on what she thought she saw. Every couple of songs, Kate changed partners. Joe, who had appointed himself her chief date and main partner, was constantly be replaced. He made a great show of disappointment every time someone cut in.

“Thank you for the party,” Kate said to Joe when he reclaimed her.

“It wasn’t just me. Everyone had a hand in it. Even JC.”

Why? she wondered.

“I had hoped the day would pass without notice.”

“Birthdays are for celebrating.”

“Not thirtieth birthdays.”

“Especially those.”

“Oh, yeah, my right of passage into true spinsterhood,” she snorted.

“You are so ancient.”

Josh watched Kate with Joe. She had always been close to Joe and for some reason it really irritated Josh. Tonight he wanted to be the one Kate sought in the crowd, the one she wanted to be with. She had always been able to laugh with Joe. She shared with Joe.

Suddenly, Josh realized it was jealousy he felt. He had been seeing Kate in a new light that went beyond the friendship she had so readily offered. He wanted her as a woman - and he wanted her to want him back. This was not some temporary condition he was going to get over as the others had. He had been falling in love with Kate - and she needed to know.

“I believe it’s my turn,” Josh said as he went up to the couple.

Kate looked up to see Josh at Joe’s elbow.

“Man, I just got her back!” Joe protested.

“You gotta learn to share,” Josh told him.

Josh held out his hand to Kate. “May I have this dance?”

Placing her hand in his, she murmured to Joe, “Later.”

As if on cue, the band started to play a slow song.

“I know why I avoided you for so long,” Josh told Kate as he moved close for the slow dance. He bent his head to brush his lips against her brow. She looked up, those honey-brown eyes questioning him. “I think somehow I knew I’d end up feeling things for you I wasn’t ready for.”

“Such as?”

“You know. The minute you saw me tonight, you knew.”

“Don’t ask me to guess. I’m notorious for being wrong about men.”

“Not this man.” He lowered his lips to her ear, his breath causing shivers down her spine. “I’m falling in love.”

Kate closed her eyes. Those words had the makings of heaven or hell. There was so much that could go wrong with such a relationship. “Don’t.”

“I don’t think it’s something I have control over, Katie Beth.”

Her gaze jerked up to meet his at his use of her childhood nickname. It made his words even more intimate. His brilliant blue eyes were soft and kind.

“It could be a large mistake,” she said.

“Or it could be the beginning of something fantastic.” Josh brought her closer, nudging her head against his shoulder. She fit just right against him, made to fit safe in his arms. “We never know until we try.”

“I could mean my job.”

“I don’t see how.” He nuzzled her ear. “Let’s give it a chance.”

“But---”

Kate was totally unprepared for the feel of his lips on hers, firm and warm. It was the nicest kiss she’d ever known. She hadn’t known a kiss could be so telling: affection with a hint of passion.

“Happy Birthday, Katie Beth.”

Not long after, Lansten claimed her for a dance. This one was a rollicking country-line dance. The kind of music Kate had been raised on. Kate managed to go along as if a life-altering event hadn’t occurred. She was still reeling! She couldn’t possibly entertain the notion a handsome, talented man five and a half years her junior was falling in love with her. It didn’t bear thinking. Josh was one of the boys -- all but Chris and Josh had fallen half-in love with her when she had started. Josh was merely a little slower going through that phase. She was sorry he had voiced it. When he recanted, she didn’t want him to feel embarrassed around her. She’s simply have to find a way to let him ignore his folly when he realized she was merely a sister figure.

“One more?” Lansten urged.

Kate shrugged. “Sure.”

Josh had moved to the side line. He didn’t want to dance with anyone but Kate -- and it seemed as if everyone intended to dance with the birthday girl. Man, could she move. She was effortless and energetic. At least, no one was slow dancing with her. Remembering the feel of her against him, he fought down the need to hold her again. She had soft yielding curves, still she was firm and strong. He watched as each of the guys took a turn with Kate, then he moved towards her again.

“I believe the next dance is mine,” Josh told Joe, tapping him on the shoulder.

“Do you guys realize I’m the old lady here?” Kate reminded them. Josh was being nothing if not obvious.

“That’ll be the day,” Joe snorted.

A slow dance began as if on cue once more an Josh took her hand. “Kate?”

Once out of ear shot of Joe, Kate murmured. “You could try to be a little more subtle.”

“Why? I don’t care who knows.”

“You will.”

“Why?” he demanded.

“When infatuation blows over, I don’t want you to feel silly.”

“It’s not infatuation. And it won’t ‘blow over’.”

“In that event, the management group will want to pull me out.”

“Then I’ll hire you as my personal assistant.”

“You are assuming I would go along with that,” she reminded him. “That’s tantamount to being paid for service rendered.”

“Are you saying you feel nothing for me?”

“You treat me like furniture for more than a year, then all of the sudden you feel this great love for me?”

“I explained that. You didn’t answer my question. What do you feel for me?”

“The truth? I’m not sure. I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. I don’t trust myself to much with men. I tend to get led.”

“The King of Bad Pants did a number on you,” Josh concluded.

“As a matter of fact, yes, he did.”

“I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.”

“Maybe not intentionally...”

Where did that leave them, if he had to fight Kate to let him love her?

Part of Kate’s birthday present was to be lead singer for the band during one set. It was even better than karaoke! With the microphone, she moved among the guests. She sang playful tunes, sad songs, and romantic ballads. It was a little bit of fantasy. She would never want to do it for a living, but it was fun to pretend. All, the while she felt Josh’s earnest eyes on her. His look seemed to say, “I’m not joking. I’m not demented. I’m in love.”

When she relinquished her microphone, she went to the table where the five guys sat. With no extra chair handy, she found herself hauled onto Josh’s lap. Eyebrows went up around the table but no one said a thing.

“I’ll sign you up tonight,” Lansten said, owing a talent management group.

“No thanks. If I did it day in and day out like you fellas, I don’t think I’d like it.”

“You do have a wonderful voice,” Josh told her.

“You should hear me in the shower,” she mused. “I’m down-right operatic.”

“Maybe we can use you in more than just videos,” Joe commented.

“Guys, this is all very flattering, but I’ll keep my day job, thank you very much.”

“It’s a shame to waste such talent,” Lake stated.

“I am very talented in my real work, too.”

“Amen to that!” Chris agreed.

“Well, thank you all for this wonderful party. It’s the nicest birthday I’ve ever had.”

“We wanted to do something special for you this year,” Joe said. “I had to do a little research.”

“I was in charge of the music,” Lansten volunteered.

“I kinda figured you had to be.”

Lake handed her a slender, long jeweler’s box. “From all of us.”

“But---”

“Open it,” Lake urged.

“You’ve already done enough,” Kate protested.

“Open,” Chris commanded.

Inside, she found a double strand of pearls, perfect creamy white globes. “Oh! They are gorgeous!”

“Mama Maggie said you can’t go wrong when you give a girl pearls,” Joe remarked.

She lifted them from the box and handed them to Josh. “Do the honors?”

“With pleasure.” Josh put the pearls around her neck. His fingers, brushing against a particularly sensitive spot, caused her to shiver when he fastened the clasp.

“Not exactly right for this outfit, but they are so lovely,” Kate cooed.

Lansten handed her a smaller square box. Inside, a pair of matching pearl earrings. She immediately removed her earstuds she wore and replaced them with the pearls.

“How do I look?” She preened.

“Beautiful, baby,” Josh whispered for her ears only.

Rising from Josh’s lap, Kate hugged everyone, saying, “Thank you!” as she went along.

When she got to Josh, he was on his feet. He readily accepted her embrace and thanks. Seeking to pull away, she stepped back only to find her hand captured by his.

“Dance with me.” He wasn’t asking. It was a quiet command.

“You know, people will talk. You only commandeer me for slow dances,” she commented as he brought her against him.

“There’s a reason for that.”

“Obviously.”

“Think I want some other guy holding you close?”

“Josh---”

“Kate.”

She sighed, deciding against any further argument. “You’re gonna regret this,” she warned.

“Then let me worry about it.”

When no other protest came from her, Josh smiled against her hair. Kate was vulnerable and prickly at the same time, a prize worth winning. She simply hadn’t realized it yet. “Reach into my pocket.”

“Wha?...”

“My shirt pocket.”

Slim fingers felt a thin chain and extracted it.

“Happy Birthday, Katie.”

Holding the silver chain up to the light, she took note of the medal attached to it. “Saint Perpetua.”

“Your patron saint.”

“How did you know?”

“Joe’s not the only one who can call Mama Maggie.”

But Joe knew her mother, Josh did not. Kate could well imagine what conclusion her mother had drawn from this unknown male caller. She made a mental note to call her mother in the morning.

“She said you were a good Catholic girl -- whatever than means.”

“In Italian mother speak it’s equivalent to ‘keep your filthy hands off my daughter’,” Kate laughed. “Both of my parents tended to be old world. If my father was alive you would have been grilled within an inch of your life about your intentions.”

“My intentions are honorable.”

“You think?”

“For the time being.”

“When do they become dishonorable?”

“When we know each other better and you decide you want something more from me.”

“Then it’s up to me?”

“Mostly.”

“You are certifiable.”

Kate was treated to another one of his wonderful kisses. “Love is a kind of madness,” he whispered against her mouth as he sipped her again.

“If I fall for this, I deserve to be put away,” she murmured as his mouth closed firmly over hers once more.

Kate bade each one of her escorts a goodnight and kissed each one’s cheek -- until she reached the last one, Josh. The others wandered away, leaving Kate alone with him.

“Thank you for the Perpetua medal.”

“Will you wear it?” Unlike the pearls, she had pockets the medal. He’d been a little hurt by the action.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I gave it to you.”

“I’ll wear it,” she promised. She touched the lion medallion at his throat. “Just like you wear this and I wear my cross.”

“They never come off.”

“Exactly.”

“Kate, I know this seems awful sudden---”

“It is awful sudden,” she corrected.

“No. The realization was sudden.”

“Well, I had no epiphany. You sprung this on me out of nowhere. I need time to think.”

“How much time?” he demanded.

“You on a time table?”

Josh laughed at himself. “I guess not.”

He leaned forward, his mouth a fraction of an inch from hers. “While I’m waiting for you to catch up, can I still kiss you?” he asked.

“Uh...maybe you should---”

Josh didn’t wait for her to finish. His lips settled over hers. So far, all Kate wanted to do was analyze the reasons they shouldn’t be together. When he took action, her brain shut off and her heart and body took over. And when that happened, she was all his.

Josh certainly knew how to kiss. Kate managed to get the thought through the sensual fog her created in her brain. It was almost criminal how he scaled her defenses -- as if they never existed at all. He didn’t rush or dominate, more coaxing, a gentle coercion. When his tongue stroked hers, she readily opened to him. Kate crowded against him to receive more -- and he gave generously.

Finally, he eased his head back. “I take that as a ‘yes’ I can kiss you,” he stated huskily.

“We really shouldn’t.”

“Katie Beth, I don’t think I can do without the taste of you now that I’ve had it.”

Kate opened the door to her room. “Good night, Josh.” Staying would invite more sensuous kisses. She was afraid she’d burst into flame and turn into ashes if he kissed her anymore!

“Good night, baby. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

Kate woke to the sound of her sitting room being invaded. She heard male voices. Tossing on her robe, she peeked out to see who had descended. Josh and Joe stood in the middle of the room, looking for all the world like they were having an intense disagreement.

“Excuse me, fellas. This is my room, “ she announced.

Both men looked at her.

“Tell him, Katie,” Josh demanded.

She frowned. She had just been pulled from the deep, blissful oblivion of sleep. What was she supposed to be telling Joe? “Huh?”

“Tell him that I’m not bugging you.”

“Bugging me? It’s not even seven in the morning -- and since you guys kept me up until the wee-hours, you are both bugging me. Hell, you’re pissing me off!” she snapped irritably.

Neither men had ever heard that sort of language from sweet Kate. They seemed shocked.

“Kate, is JC bothering you? ‘Cuz if he is---” Joe began but Kate cut him off.

“Thank you for your concern, Joe.” Kate’s voice was gentle as she spoke to her friend. “You have always been a dear and wonderful friend to me -- but whatever exists or does not exist between Josh and me is just that, between us.” She reached to kiss Joe’s cheek. “You’re the brother I never had. But I can take care of myself. I promise.

“Now...Both of you...Out!”

Joe seemed satisfied and headed for the door.

Josh reached for Kate. “I’m sorry, baby---”

“Get out,” she grumbled.

“Want me to tuck you back in?” he offered.

“What I want is for you to leave, so I can go back to sleep.”

When he leaned toward her, the intent to kiss her plain in his eyes, Kate stepped away. “I promise to bite you if you even try it, “ she warned.

“Katie---”

“Joshua Scott, get out of my room.” She grabbed him by the arm and escorted him out the door. The door closed in his face with a definite slam.

“Wow, you really pissed her off,” Joe remarked.

“No kidding? I’ll have to remember she requires more than four hours of sleep.”

“You really feel like banging your head against that wall?”

“Kate’s worth it. The second her lips touch mine, I forget what a pain in the butt she’ll be.”

“You are gone.”

Josh sighed wistfully. “Yeah, totally and completely.”

Kate leaned heavily against the door. It seemed Josh was determined to be in love with her, not giving up as easily as the others had. She didn’t need this, she decided sulkily. It was a complication she wasn’t prepared to deal with now -- if ever.

If she were truthful with herself, she’d have to say she was flattered. More than flattered. If she wasn’t careful, she could fall in love herself! Josh was an easy enough man to care for. Since she had gotten to know him, she had found him to be a sensitive, intelligent man. He didn’t mind letting his vulnerabilities show. In the same instance, he had a strength of character she found admirable. She doubted very much he would ever back down from what he believed to be right...

Pushing away from the door, she reminded herself she had no business even thinking such thoughts -- especially when it mean her job was in jeopardy!

Kate usually ate breakfast with the group. Josh was disappointed when she never showed that morning. He wondered if she was planning to avoid him.

“Anybody seen Kate?” he asked those who gathered.

Joe shook his head. “She told me she was sleeping in to recover from the party. She also has a ten o’clock meeting.”

Which meant Josh wouldn’t see her until their scheduled interview late that afternoon -- if then. Sometimes, she didn’t go on those. Was she evading him? Or did it just feel like it?

Josh felt a flash of jealousy. Joe was the one Kate seemed to turn to, the one she communicated with. Had he really expected that to change overnight? Just because he had declared himself? Well, yes, if he were honest with himself. He did want to be the one to receive early morning telephone calls from Kate, not Joe. He couldn’t fault Joe. Joe didn’t know how much the status quo had changed since yesterday. And maybe it had only changed for Josh.

“Where’s Kate?” Josh asked as they were climbing into the limousine that would take them to their talk-show appearance.

Lansten seated himself next to Josh. “She said to go without her.”

“Since when?”

“She said we were big boys.” Lansten laughed. “She said she had some calls to make to straighten out a reservation mix-up. Man, I’d hate to be the one who screwed up.”

“Yeah, he’ll have to crawl off and lick his wounds,” Chris added.

“Kate nearly always does these with us,” Josh protested.

“Maybe it means she trusts us to tell time,” Lake hinted.

Chris leaned forward, towards Josh. “What’s this sudden fascination with Kate?” he questioned his friend. “A couple of weeks ago, you acted like she didn’t even exist. All of the sudden you are doing a pretty go imitation of a possessive lover.”

“It’s not an imitation. For me it’s the real thing,” Josh announced softly.

“You and Kate?” Lake was amazed.

“How’s she taking it?” Chris asked.

“I don’t know. By her disappearing act of today, I’d say not well. She thinks I’ll change my mind.”

“Will you?”

“About Kate? No. Have I ever entered into any relationship lightly?” Josh had always been very careful and respectful, basically a shy man. Joe was the flirt.

“Wow!” was all Lansten could say.

Joe stated softly, “You got your work cut out for you. That King of Bad Pants did a number on her ego. She hasn’t even dated since him.”

This was information Josh needed -- and Joe had it. “Long time relationship?”

“If you can call it that. They dated off and on about five years. According to Mama Maggie, Kate did all the work while Bad Pants strung her along.”

“Does this guy have a name?” Lake asked.

Joe shook his head. “The King of Bad Pants or Mister Bad Pants was all he’s ever been called in front of me.”

“What a claim to fame,” Lake mused.

“Yeah, Kate once said that Joe and I were the worst when it came to bad pants,” Josh remembered.

“Bad pants really offend her. I guess, ‘cuz of this guy. Joe added thoughtfully, “Maybe we should let her decide what we wear to that awards gig coming up.”

Josh didn’t mind toning down what Kate obviously thought was bad taste for her sake, but the idea of her dressing the rest of them didn’t set well. “She has enough to do without us adding clothes consultant to her duties.”

Joe looked at his friend strangely, as though he was still trying to comprehend Josh’s sudden interest in Kate. “She’s never been exactly shy about giving me her opinion on anything.” Joe shrugged. “She’s been like another sister to me.”

That was a relief to Josh. He had been half-afraid he would have to fight Joe for Kate’s affection.

“I’m pretty sure she thinks of us that way -- as brothers,” Lansten announced.

“I hope I can change her mind about me,” Josh stated. “I don’t think I’d like being Kate’s brother.”

“Just don’t hurt her, man,” Joe warned, only half-teasing. “Or I may have to rearrange your pretty face.”

“Noted. It isn’t my intention to hurt Kate. I want to love her.”

Kate sighed when she hear a knock on her door. Judging by the time, the guys were back from their appearance. Joe had said the older ones were going out. Lansten and Lake were probably feeling left out. After a day of avoiding Josh, she wasn’t in any mood for company. Maybe she could plead a headache this once.

“Hey, pretty lady,” Josh said when Kate opened the door.

“What’re you doing here? You’re supposed to be out with the guys.

He shrugged. “I didn’t go.”

“Let’s state the obvious,” she muttered.

“Okay. You made yourself scarce today.”

She bristled. “I do have things to do.”

“Since when do you not go to appearance with us?”

Would a headache ploy work with Josh? No, he’d probably want to take care of her -- and she was feeling too vulnerable for that to happen. “Look...I’m not in the mood for this. This has not been one of my better days...”

“I’m sorry, baby.” He reached up to stroke her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

‘You’, she wanted to say. “I really just want to go to bed.”

Reaching around her door, he located the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign and placed it on the outside doorknob. “Then I’ll see you in the morning, Katie Beth.” He brushed a soft kiss on her lips, then walked away to his door, just two down from hers.

Kate watched as he let himself in and closed the door. Damn, him for being so nice!

“Kate, would you go to the awards with me?” Josh tried to slip in the request in casually as they all sat around the table, eating lunch one day.

Looking up from her sandwich, Kate met sincere, blue eyes. Without a thought, she said, “Sure.”

“I mean I know...” Josh had prepared a litany of arguments -- but she’d said yes! Without a fight!

When her brain realized what her mouth had agreed to, Kate knew she was stuck. What reason could she possibly give to recant in front of all of them? There was no mistaking her answer.

“Great!” Josh grinned.

“It’ll be fun.” Lansten gave Kate his sunniest smile. “We’ll all have dates then.”

“Just remember my other conditions for agreeing to such a thing,” Kate reminded Josh.

He laughed and help up his hand in pledge. “Scouts honor. I will not dress like road-kill. And she wants to sit next to you,” he said to Lansten,” because you never dress like road-kill.”

“What!” Lake demanded in mock indignation.

“She said Joe and I wear bad pants and that Lansten usually looks pretty good and the rest of us look like road-kill.”

“Oh, gee, thanks.” Kate punched Josh’s jaw playfully. “I do love you guys but your clothes...” She shuddered delicately.

Lansten took her hand and made a great deal out of kissing it. “Then be my date, fair Kate.”

Josh plucked Kate’s hand from his friend. “You got a date. Kate’s mine.”

“But---” Lansten protested.

“No but’s. Kate is my date. What’s-her-name is yours.”

“Gentlemen, don’t fight over little ole me.” Kate fluttered her eyelashes in the manner of a Southern belle of old.

“Knock it off, Scarlet O’Hara,” Josh muttered. He entwined his fingers with hers. “You’re my date -- and you aren’t getting out of it.”