Fee scowled. “What’d you do?”
“Well, it’s complicated. But I’d like to apologize.” He knelt down and ruffled Fee’s hair. “Would you run inside and ask her to come out here?”
Fee wrinkled her nose, appearing to consider the pros and cons of helping him. “Okay, but I’m taking Cowboy with me.”
“Good idea.” Trip stood up and watched Fee scamper up the porch stairs and into the house, carrying the kitten in both hands.
His stomach burned a little, so he started pacing in front of the gate while he waited for Kelsey. He noticed movement on the porch and turned to face her with a smile, only to be confronted by her angry sister instead.
Maura was a pretty woman, although not a bombshell like Kelsey. She looked a little wiped out, which made sense given the fact she was pregnant and caring for two small kids, and now an angry sister, too. Why was Kelsey in such a rush to be like her sister when her own life—free and financially independent—seemed like so much more fun?
Maura marched down the walkway with her arms crossed. “If you think a few flowers are going to make a difference, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“I take it Kelsey sent you to shoo me away.” Trip aimed for a contrite yet jovial tone, hoping to loosen up Maura’s scowl.
No dice.
“Yep.” Maura stopped a few feet before the gate, which she did not open.
Trip straightened his hat and rubbed the back of his neck. “I get that everyone’s upset, but I’d really like to speak with her. What are my chances of getting you to convince her to come out here?”
“Oh, um, about zero.” Maura’s face wore the same fierce expression he’d seen on Kelsey from time to time. “After last night, I’m not sure she’s safe around you.”
Trip briefly closed his eyes. “I’ve never started a fight in my life before last night. I was drunk and my brother has just pushed me one too many times, I guess. That aside, I promise I’m no threat to you or your sister, or anyone else, for that matter.”
“Maybe not physically.” She shook her head. “I warned her not to get tangled up in your stupid sex plan. I told her she’d end up hurt or worse. But no, she had it all figured out. Had you all figured out. Now she’s humiliated and hurt thanks to you, your partner, and your idiot brother.”
“And I feel awful about that.” Really awful. Couldn’t she see it? “It’s why I’m here. I need to explain everything, so please get her to come talk to me.”
“No. You might be able to smooth-talk all the other women in town, but I don’t want you and your silver tongue within ten miles of my sister.” Then Maura pointed her finger at him, like some old schoolmarm. “She’s too good for you. You don’t deserve her forgiveness, especially after creating a public spectacle that people will talk about for weeks.”
Trip could take his lumps, but he was reaching his limit as to how much dressing-down he could endure in one day.
“This is silly, Maura. She can’t avoid me forever. Please. I just want to apologize.” When Maura hesitated, Trip started to open the gate. Maura grasped it, eyes flashing hot with disbelief.
“I said no. You’re not welcome here.”
Trip saw a curtain move in one of the upstairs windows. Kelsey was barely fifty feet away, watching him tap-dance with her sister on the sidewalk. Well, if either of these two women thought they were going to stop him from making sure Kelsey knew he didn’t think of her as some kind of joke, they were the ones sadly mistaken.
“Do you want another public ‘spectacle’? Because I’m about five seconds away from calling her name over and over until she talks to me. So will you help me or not?”
“Even you wouldn’t be that big of an ass.” Maura scoffed.
“Oh, Maura. You underestimate me.” Trip winked and then put one hand at the side of his mouth and bellowed, “Kelsey Callihan! I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”
“Ohmigod, you’ve got no shame. Shush!” Maura whipped her head left and right to see if any of the neighbors had taken an interest in the scene at her house. She opened the gate and waved Trip into the yard. “Wait here on the porch. I’ll see if she’ll speak with you, but you have to promise you’ll leave as soon as you finish whatever you have to say.”
Trip noticed Fee’s face pressed against the storm door, smiling. Apparently she appreciated his dramatic flair. He knew he liked that kid.