“Actually…” Katie was about to admit that she and Booker were seeing each other again. The excitement she’d felt before she started thinking about her family had returned, making her miss Booker already, even though she’d only been away from him for an hour. But the bell rang over the door and, when she looked up, she saw her mother walk in. Travis was with Tami and, to Katie’s complete amazement, so was her father.
“Katie, we’d like a word with you, if you don’t mind.” Her mother settled her purse more firmly at her elbow and folded her arms. “We tried to reach you at your cabin early this morning, but you weren’t home.”
Tami’s formal tone didn’t bode well. She’d said, “You weren’t home,” as if there was something innately wrong with her being gone.
Katie felt her pulse kick up as she looked from Rebecca to Ashleigh. “Can you…can you watch Troy for me?”
As far as Katie knew, her father had never seen Troy before. She noticed the way his eyes kept moving to the baby, but he seemed intent on whatever purpose had brought him and didn’t come any closer.
“Should we go in back?” Katie asked.
Tami nodded. “If you think that’s best.”
Katie had no idea what was best. She had no idea what had precipitated this little family gathering, especially after her father had gone so long without even speaking to her. “This way,” she said, and led them to the stock room.
“Is something wrong?” she asked as soon as they were alone.
“Your mother told me what you said about Booker yesterday, Katie,” her father began.
Katie noticed that Travis was wearing a dark scowl. When their eyes met, he raised his hands and shook his head. “I’m not really part of this. I’m only here because they made me come.”
Katie returned her attention to her father. “What did you say?”
“That your mother told me you think you’re in love with Booker.”
“I am in love with Booker.”
A muscle jumped in her father’s cheek. “Katie, after everything you’ve been through, I’d expect you to use some caution. Surely you don’t want—”
“Katie?” Rebecca called from the front.
Katie stuck her head out of the stockroom. “Yes?”
“Booker’s here. He’s brought you something to eat.”
Leaning farther into the hallway, Katie could see Booker standing at the desk, holding a take-out bag. Oh God, they were all here together….
She hesitated, wondering what to do. She wanted to tell Booker to take the food to the garage, that she’d meet him there later. But if her family was ever going to accept him, she’d better start including him. “Booker? Could you come back here?”
“Katie, this is a family meeting,” her mother said, clearly not pleased.
“Booker’s part of my family,” Katie insisted.
A moment later, Booker strode into the stockroom wearing the faded jeans and Lionel & Sons T-shirt that served as his warm-weather apparel. He must have set the food he’d brought her someplace else because his hands were now free. He spread his legs and crossed his arms as he eyed Don and Tami, his expression shuttered. But he nodded a hello to Travis.
“I’m not part of this,” Travis reiterated.
“Maybe it’s better that Booker’s here,” Don said to Tami. “I think it’s time we got this out in the open.”
“What out in the open?” Booker asked.
Katie stepped closer to him and felt the reassuring weight of his arm as he slid it around her shoulders.
“We’ve heard about your recent troubles with the law,” Don said. “First the fighting, then the robbery. And now we hear you’ve stolen another car.”
“He hasn’t stolen anything.” Katie’s voice had risen enough that she knew everyone in the salon could probably hear, but she didn’t care.
“You don’t have to defend me,” Booker muttered.
“I don’t see how anyone can defend you.” Tami had picked up on his words, even though they were only intended for Katie. “Katie has a baby to think about now. And we’re that baby’s grandparents. We have a responsibility to look out for Troy, too. She doesn’t need to be getting involved with the likes of you—again.”
Katie could tell by the hard line of Booker’s jaw that he was angry, but she knew she could rely on him to hold his temper. She’d grown to trust him a great deal since she’d come back.
“I’ll take responsibility for the fight,” he said, “But—”
Katie whirled to face him. “You will not take responsibility for that fight!”
He ignored her. “—but I didn’t rob the Smalls or anyone else, and I didn’t steal another car.”
“Then how do you explain the car they found hidden in that gully at your place?” her father asked. “We just saw Orton at church. It’s like he said. No one hides a working car beneath a bunch of brush and lets it sit there for months without having some reason. We knew Hatty well enough to know that she took care of her land and property. She never would’ve left a car in a gully to rust. Which means it must’ve gotten there after she died.”
“Maybe it did,” Booker said. “But I didn’t steal it.”
“You expect us to take your word for it?”
“Check with Chief Clanahan, if you want.”
Katie could hear Troy crying out front. She didn’t want to leave Booker on his own with her family, but she needed to comfort her baby. She was just about to get him when his cries grew louder and Rebecca appeared. “Troy wants you,” she said, passing her the baby.
“Thanks.” Katie kissed and held Troy close, and he quieted almost instantly.
But Rebecca didn’t leave. “I know this is none of my business,” she said. “But I can’t stand what’s happening.” She glared at Katie’s parents. “Why don’t you two come out here and let me call my father? He’ll tell you what he told me this morning. The car they found in that gully on Booker’s property belonged to Katie.”
“To me?” Katie echoed. “What are you talking about, Rebecca?”
Rebecca’s confidence seemed to falter. “You don’t know about it?” She looked to Booker. “Booker?”
He shook his head. “None of that matters. That car is nobody’s business but mine.”