Ties That Bind
Ties That Bind
Title Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
About the author:
Ties That Bind
by: Heather Huffman
Smashwords Edition
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Ties That Bind
Copyright © 2010 Heather Bodendieck
Cover Image Copyright © 2010 Emily Stoltz
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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To my parents, Dwayne & Carol. There are no words to express how much I love you. Thank you for surrounding me with love and for molding me into the person I am today. You should be proud of the family you’ve created. We love you!
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Chapter One
In the thirty-two years Kate Yager had been on this planet, she had never once met another person with quite the same shade eyes as hers. Until now. Her tongue suddenly thick, she struggled to make a good first impression on her new boss. Somehow she managed to tell him she was pleased to meet him. Somehow she exchanged pleasantries about her move, her apartment, the weather, the office décor. Somehow she managed to do all this without telling him he was her father.
“Have you met your team yet?” A deep voice with a perpetual smile asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. She’d met a dozen people this morning, but couldn’t remember any of the names now. “I am, however, well aware of the dangers of climbing file cabinets.”
“Are we still showing those?” the smile in his voice moved to his face, faltering for the briefest of moments when Kate smiled back. He abruptly dismissed whatever caused his features to cloud. “HR says the safety videos are necessary, although I’m not sure I believe them. Sorry about being tied up in meetings all morning.”
“That’s okay,” Kate looked closely at him, trying to learn the secrets not divulged by the pictures she’d seen. She saw a strong man, obviously charismatic and confident. There was nothing in his sandy hair or muscular build that seemed to enlighten her, nothing familiar about his smile or voice.
“Let’s take you around to meet the girls and drop your things at your desk, then we’ll grab some lunch to talk about the launch party.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Kate was relieved to not be eating lunch alone with Jack. She didn’t want to mention her suspicions until she was sure what to say and couldn’t trust herself not to blurt out the wrong thing if they were alone.
“Well, the whole team isn’t here yet. We still have one member missing. Gavin Nichols is our new photographer. He’s flying in from London next week. We’re really excited to have him.”
“Is that so?” she wondered what was special about Gavin.
“He’s an amazing talent,” Jack answered her unspoken question. “Absolutely the best. I’ve been trying to convince him to join us since we decided to launch this division. Just look at this portfolio.” Jack picked a packet up from the desk he was passing and tossed it at Kate.
“Then I can’t wait to meet him,” Kate agreed before opening the envelope’s clasp. Once she did, she was immediately taken. Gavin Nichols was an artist.
In picture after picture, vibrant color danced with light and shadow. Each picture told a story, captured the essence of the moment perfectly. Kate came to a stop at a black and white of a little girl with her nose in a gerbera daisy. Long, sooty eyelashes brushed cherubim cheeks and Kate’s heart tripped an awkward beat. No matter how many years passed, it seemed little girls of a certain age always made a “what if” flit through her mind. Kate quickly replaced it with “what is” and handed the photos back with a smile.
“If this is the new photographer, I’m even more excited about this opportunity than I was before.”
“Wonderful,” Jack beamed his approval and motioned for Kate to follow him into a large office with a computer in each corner. “This is your new home.”
“Kate!” A young woman with honey hair and a bright smile approached – welcoming Kate as if the two were already the best of friends. “I’m Jessica, this is Liz. We’re so happy you’re here.”
A dark-haired beauty with an equally kind smile and the hint of a dimple joined the honey-haired angel, her own welcome equally friendly, if less emphatic. Kate felt like hiding behind Jack in the face of these two young beauties, keenly aware of her plain wardrobe and her hair pulled back into a practical but boring ponytail. She withstood the temptation and instead returned their smiles.
“How long have you been with the San Franciscan?” she asked politely.
“Since our internships,” Jessica answered for both of them.
“We just love Jack too much to leave,” Liz shrugged prettily.
“Flatterer,” he accused.
“I started as a fact-checker,” Jessica added.
“And quickly moved up to features writer. She’s the best we have.” Jack’s voice practically radiated with pride. “And Liz here is the best creative designer in all of San Francisco.”
“Just San Francisco?” her blush belied the words.
“And now we have the best event planner on the west coast,” Jessica announced. “Aren’t we quite the formidable team?”
“Yes, quite…” Kate wasn’t so sure she believed her own words, but Liz and Jessica so quickly swept her into the welcoming arms of friendship, she didn’t have time to wallow in her faltering confidence. Kate didn’t bother to analyze the twinge she felt watching Jessica and Liz interact with Jack, but it felt a bit like jealousy.
Together, the four of them ambled down the street to a little coffee house to grab a sandwich before claiming a table on the sidewalk. It was a sunny afternoon and they wanted to soak up every minute possible. Plans for the upcoming division flowed freely and Kate’s tension slowly gave way to the encroaching excitement.
“And that’s where events come in,�
� Jack motioned to Kate as the conversation came back around to her. “At least once a quarter, we’ll be the absolute very best San Francisco has to offer.”
Once a quarter? Had she really been paying that little attention in her interview? Granted, it had been over the phone, but she thought she’d paid attention. How was she going to pull off a major event four times a year with no real staff? Kate smiled back at him, hoping her sheer terror didn’t show.
“Any thoughts on the venue for the launch party in September?”
“We can help you brainstorm when we get back to the office,” Liz offered helpfully, sensing the panic she was trying to hide.
“Definitely,” Jessica assured Kate.
“Pressure forces creativity,” she nodded with more confidence than she felt.
Jack nodded with another charming smile and Kate could easily see how her mother had fallen for him. What had happened between the two? Why had she never mentioned him? Had he beat her, cheated on her, left her at the altar?
Somehow Kate couldn’t picture any of those scenarios. Or did she just want to like him? Should she even tell him her suspicions until she knew more about him? Did he know he had a daughter? Had he wanted her? What if announcing who she was cost her this job? Suddenly the thrill of the upcoming challenge outweighed her desire for answers, so she shoved the questions aside for later.
The rest of the day was a blur. Kate drifted home almost grudgingly, consoled by the knowledge that Liz and Jessica had promised to spend the next day helping her find a venue for the first event. In September. Yikes.
Kate deliberated stopping in a salon on her way home to get her hair cut, but decided against it. She’d spent most of the money from the sale of the house on the move. It could be months before any life insurance came in. Things would be a bit tight for a while.
But she would need to update her wardrobe just a bit…. Kate chewed her lower lip in thought and let herself in the door. As she looked around her empty loft, loneliness descended. It seemed oddly silent without the steady beeps and hums of hospital equipment. Her home now smelled of citrus, not antiseptic. For some reason, that made her incredibly sad. With no one to tend to, her night stretched out before her unendingly. Just a few outfits wouldn’t hurt.
Her mind made up, she turned right back around and headed to Union Square. Several hours later, she found herself at a restaurant on the marina. Her bag-laden arms had made hopping cable cars a bit tedious, but there was a thrill in it all the same. She sat alone at a table for two, her treasures taking up the spare seat. Her fingers itched to take out her prize of the day—a pair of violet high heels that were far and away the most expensive shoes she’d ever owned. But the purple pumps with the pretty little curves had beckoned her.
She ate fresh seafood because she could and treated herself to a glass of a fruity white wine. The waiter sniffed when she ordered, and she knew he didn’t approve of her choice of beverage. Maybe one of these days she’d get around to developing a classier palate. For the moment, she was pretty content sticking with whatever tasted good. All in all, it was a good night and by the time she made her way back to the silent loft, she collapsed into her bed too tired to do anything besides sleep.
When the next day came, she bounded out of bed anxious for a day exploring the city with newfound friends. After making her bed and running through her yoga routine, Kate stood in front of her closet, debating which outfit to debut first. On the one hand, there were the purple heels—on the other, the Elie Tahari black stretch jacket with the incredibly adorable silk sash tie at the waist. Kate stood staring at the two for several minutes before throwing her hands up in disgust.
“This is ridiculous,” she grabbed the jacket and turned to the shoes. “Mommy is going to wear the black pumps today, but that doesn’t mean I love you any less.”
Crisis averted, it wasn’t long before she was headed out the door. It wouldn’t hurt to grab a pastry and coffee on the corner before work just this once. Besides, she was ready to show off the outfit. It was tailored and stylish and she felt ready to conquer the world in it.
Surrounded by truly trendy twenty-somethings diminished her confidence just a bit, but not enough to dampen her mood. The warm smiles of her little team banished the haze of loneliness immediately. After morning chatter to catch up on each others’ evenings, the three settled in at their computers in amicable silence.
“Jack, I can’t calm down. The wedding is so close–how could he just walk out on us like that?” A shrill voice cut through Kate’s morning. Jack’s reply was muffled in comparison. Despite her intention to not be nosey, her head popped up to look for the source of the commotion. For some reason, the sight of the leggy blonde cliché bickering with Jack set her teeth on edge.
“That’s Tara,” Liz whispered knowingly. “She’s Jack’s fiancée. I think their wedding planner walked out on them with two months to go.”
“I don’t understand how anyone could do that,” Jessica frowned. Kate got the impression Jessica would have trouble understanding any selfish act. “What are they going to do?”
“I don’t know. If it’s left up to Tara, the whole thing will be a disaster. She’s an artist, definitely not a planner.”
“She’s an artist?” Kate wondered aloud.
“She has a little gallery down off Geary,” Jessica answered before continuing. “And they have the Ritz Carlton on Nob Hill, too. It was going to be so pretty. We wanted the Ritz for ours, but the price tag was just too hefty.”
“How long have they been engaged?” Kate couldn’t quite shake her irritation.
“Two years,” Liz answered that one. “Jack can’t help, not with the launch coming. I’d offer to help, but I’m trying not to panic over my own wedding. That reminds me, is anyone interested in assembling invitations?”
“When are you picking them up from the printer?” Jessica leaned forward excitedly.
“Two weeks.”
“Count me in.”
“Sure, sounds fun…. How old is she?” Kate’s frown deepened. Jack had to be 50. This pretty blonde was definitely not 50.
“Thirty-five, I think.”
“I thought she was thirty-six,” Liz shook her head.
“Isn’t that a little young for him?” Kate shifted uncomfortably. That was only four years her senior.
“They are so in love, I’d forgotten the age difference, honestly,” Jessica shrugged.
“Huh,” Kate practically snorted, earning her surprised glances from her officemates.
“Kate,” Jack barked her name and she jumped guiltily.
“Yes sir?” She hopped up and headed to his office.
“Don’t call me sir,” his face softened to a smile as he gestured for her to have a seat. “This is my fiancée, Tara.”
“Pleased to meet you,” the lie nearly burned her lips.
“I’ve heard so much about you, I’m sorry we’re meeting with me in such a foul mood,” Tara clasped Kate’s hand warmly.
“No worries,” Kate shrugged self-consciously.
“Kate, I know I’ve really put you in a bind with the launch party being so close,” Jack began, to which Kate waved him off dismissively. “But I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you.”
“A favor?” Her throat went dry. Surely he wouldn’t.
“Do you think you could help Tara wrap up our wedding plans? It seems our planner has taken a job in Paris.”
He would. He did. Panic clawed at Kate. She couldn’t possibly. Thoughts of her mom, living and dying with no one but Kate to care swirled through her mind. Why hadn’t Danielle Yager deserved a wedding at the Ritz? She couldn’t possibly plan this viper’s perfect day. There would be no justice in the world.
“Kate?” Jack’s brow furrowed just a bit, confused by her hesitation.
“I’d love to,” Kate lied yet again, realizing this man’s charm could very well be the reason for her own existence.
Chapter Two
Somehow Kate h
ad managed to leave the office without being struck down by a lightning bolt for the lies she’d told. Somehow she’d answered the curiosity that met her in her office. She’d even managed to lighten her mood once she’d escaped the office to search for open venues with Jessica and Liz.
Their first stop was the Julia Morgan Ballroom in the Financial District. Kate had instantly fallen in love with the dark, old-San Francisco cigar club feel. Being on the fifteenth floor of the Merchant Exchange building meant it had an amazing view. Its perfection also meant it was booked solid for months. Kate used her shiny new company credit card to put a deposit on it for the Christmas party she was sure she’d be asked to throw, and they headed out in search of other alternatives for the event they were supposed to be booking.
They visited four more places that weren’t quite right. Either the lighting was off, or the acoustics weren’t great, or she just plain old didn’t like the manager. Jessica and Liz kept up their enthusiasm and emphatically assured her that they didn’t mind another stop. The last place on the list for the day was the Bubble Lounge. Kate knew the second she crossed the threshold that this place was what she wanted. With its lush red couches and floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookshelves, it was the perfect blend of sexy and chic. She knew Jack would love it.
“I don’t suppose you could take a peek at your schedule to be sure you don’t have an opening?” She pleaded with the event manager.
“We really do fill up quickly,” the woman shrugged helplessly, her face displaying more sympathy than she felt.
“But couldn’t you just check? Maybe there was a cancellation.”
“I would know if there was a cancellation…” the woman hesitated.
“Come on, Leila, please?” Kate wheedled. She really didn’t want to take no for an answer.
“Huh. I don’t believe it,” Leila nearly stuttered. “We do have a cancellation. The company went belly-up. I have an opening that Monday.”