Kemp summed it up perfectly when he muttered, “Oh, crap.”
Summer turned and looked up at Ace in confusion.
“I’ll explain in a few minutes, kitten. Why don’t you go on upstairs and let me deal with this.”
She was about to say something else when the doorbell rang again, and then a knock was heard at the door. Making this moment seem even worse, he cringed when he saw the redhead bob a little as though in excitement or nervousness. A painful, confusing lurch went through him at Summer’s befuddled look before she turned and mounted the stairs.
He reached for the door and opened it.
“Kathleen.”
She stood on his front doorstep, dressed to the nines, in all her sophisticated glory. Her red hair sparkled in the sunlight, and he could recall a time when looking in her green eyes was like looking at his future. He’d loved this woman in a way that had almost scared him. She’d left in a mysterious rush, breaking his heart in the process, and now he wanted answers, but not if gaining the answers hurt Summer.
“Hello, Ace.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Summer watched from the landing, wondering if Ace knew she could see his profile clearly in the mirror by the door as he answered it.
Do the mature thing and go upstairs. This has nothing to do with you. Despite knowing that was the right thing to do, Summer paused on the landing, watching Ace’s obviously conflicted expression.
“The house looks beautiful. Even better than I remember. I’ve missed you. Could we talk?” Her voice sounded sorrowful and sincere. The sound, directed at the man Summer loved, tore at her heart.
Summer heard Kemp shift and move across the room. He came to a stop and looked up at the stairs, a sad expression in his eyes when he made eye contact with her in the mirror.
Kathleen continued, “Oh, hello, Kemp.” She sounded genuinely happy to see him and added, “I wanted to talk to you, too. I know it must be a shock to find me on your doorstep after so long, but I swear I had a good reason for leaving like I did. I’m—I’m really sorry about that. I had hoped—”
Still gazing at Summer, Kemp interrupted. “Why don’t we take this conversation on the back porch, Ace. Kathleen, we have company.” Summer turned on her heel and trudged up the stairs.
“Oh.”
Summer frowned at his announcement as she took the steps silently. She was a little angry at Kemp for revealing her presence. It was none of Kathleen’s business if they had company. She resisted the immature urge to slam the bedroom door to punctuate Kemp’s statement so they’d all know how she felt about it.
She sat on the bed, which she’d made before going downstairs. Her emotions started churning, and she fidgeted. She moved to the divan and lay down, looking out at the beautiful view of the Hill Country.
Ace had bought this house two years ago and renovated it himself. Kemp had mentioned Kathleen the first night they’d shared and the possibility that they might have formed a threesome with this woman. Chances were good that as Ace had worked on this house he had envisioned her luxuriating in the gigantic bathtub and swimming in the pool. Perhaps Ace had imagined sharing the enormous bed, the reclining divan, and the two decadent outdoor beds with Kathleen when he had ordered them.
Suddenly she felt like a usurper in this house. If the woman speaking to Ace and Kemp on the back deck was the one this house had been designed and renovated for, what right did she have to be there? Why would she want to be somewhere originally intended for another? She didn’t need anyone’s hand-me-downs.
She showered quickly and dressed. Her heart pounded the whole time as she did her makeup and her hair. Just as she was slipping into her shoes, she stepped to the window and glimpsed the interior of the garden room below. Ace was holding Kathleen and gently rocking her within the circle of his strong arms.
Her heart felt as though it had been ripped from her chest as she watched him tenderly stroke a lock of her hair from her cheek. From her flushed cheeks it was easy to tell the beautiful, sophisticated woman had been crying. He spoke to her, and she shook her head and smiled at him. He wrapped his arms around her again and kissed the top of her head. Fresh pain raked over Summer’s heart, and she stepped away from the window dry-eyed. She couldn’t watch this, and she’d be damned if she’d cry right now.
She checked her purse for her car keys and turned off the bathroom light. As she slipped from the master bedroom, her eye was caught by movement outside the windows that looked out on the upstairs deck. Kemp leaned against the railing, looking pensive. She could tell in the set of his shoulders and the way he gripped the railing.