the work clothes she’d worn to Renaissance House.
Colt had only seen her in pants, so she donned a three-piece Pendleton wool suit in rich plum and slipped on her black dolly-pointed kidskin pumps. She put gold studs in her ears, then ran a brush through her hair. It had a natural wave and hung loose from a side part. A light spray of Fleurs d’Elle mist and she was ready. For what exactly she didn’t know.
Maybe he’d brought the twins with him. Her pulse raced all the way to the plaza foyer. At the moment the only thing that mattered to her was that he’d either flown or driven to Salt Lake and had sought her out.
Slow down, Kathryn. Walk, don’t run to him.
Reflecting back to her mid-teens, she’d always been the one to run from men who wanted a relationship with her. Yet a relationship was the last thing Colton Brenner had on his mind. He hadn’t come here to pursue her. Far from it.
Your fantasizing days are over. Remember?
By the time she entered her workplace, she’d come to her senses and could handle the sight of him standing at the counter, being chatted up by her staff. In his Stetson and black bomber jacket, every eye in the room, male or female, was riveted on him.
Gorgeous in the extreme, Melanie had said because there were no words, in any language, that came close to truly defining him.
She knew the moment he saw her. His head reared back like a Thoroughbred stallion’s. He stepped away from the counter and started his long-legged stride toward her. As she saw him in the flesh once more, an unbidden thrill of excitement went through her.
“Hello, Colt.” She rejoiced that her voice sounded so steady.
“Kathryn,” he murmured. Not Katy. That meant he’d read her full name in the brochure and had chosen to use it.
Taking the initiative, she extended her hand. It got lost in his strong one.
“I hoped we might meet again one day, but didn’t expect it to be this soon.” She searched the green gaze focused on her. “Is Allie all right? Matt?”
“That depends on your definition of all right.” His deep voice rumbled through her before he let go. “If you’re talking about her physical condition, she’s quite well thanks to you. So far, Matt hasn’t come down with the flu.” His eyes unexpectedly glinted in amusement, making him irresistible.
Her mouth went dry. “Did you come to Salt Lake alone?”
He nodded. “I flew in a little while ago and took a taxi here hoping to catch you before you left for the football game with your family.”
“I—I’m not going,” she stammered.
“Why not?”
“I’ll show you.” She walked over to the screen with Whitney’s picture. “This little girl has been missing for a week. Early this morning, a body was found up one of the canyons. My parents have gone to be with the girl’s family while they await word from the police.”
She tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat made it close to impossible. “This is a very hard time for everyone associated with the foundation.”
“I think it must be hardest on you.”
The compassion in his eyes drove her to avert her head. He’d managed to zero in on the troubling thoughts she’d been entertaining earlier. “How long are you planning to be here, Colt?”
“As long as it takes to talk to you, but obviously this isn’t a good time.”
To leave his children, she had to assume he wanted something specific from her.
“While we’re in waiting mode, this is probably the best time. Have you eaten yet?”
“I had breakfast with the kids before I left.”
“That was several hours ago. Come to my condo and I’ll feed you while you tell me what’s on your mind. It’s just across the lobby in the tower. If I’m needed, one of the girls at the desk will phone me.”
He studied her for a moment. “I don’t believe you have a selfish bone in your body.”
“That’s because you don’t know me.”
They dodged a crowd of people shopping for Christmas and took the elevator to the penthouse. During the short ride, the warmth from his powerful body seeped into hers. She could smell the scent of the soap he’d used in the shower. Her awareness of him was so potent, it unnerved her.
When the door opened and she stepped into the foyer, she breathed more easily. “If you’ll give me your coat, I’ll hang it in the closet.”
Colt shrugged out of his jacket, then removed his hat and put it on the hall table.
She walked him through the elegant living room with its more traditional décor. “I’m sure you’d like to freshen up. Go down that hall. The guest bathroom is the first door on your left. When you want to find me, I’ll be in the kitchen. It’s beyond the dining room you can see from here.”
“Thank you. I’ll try not to get lost,” he said in a wry tone.
Kathryn had cooked for Steve several times, but early on she’d realized her feelings for him tended to be sisterly. She’d never known the kind of excitement Colt engendered simply by being in the same room with him.
After washing her hands, she got busy frying bacon for the club sandwiches. He’d probably like soup and a salad, too. When he walked in and lounged against the wall looking fantastic in a white polo and jeans, she almost cut her finger while she was slicing the tomatoes.
“What can I do to help?”
She finished tossing the salad. “If you’ll take the plates into the dining room, I’ll bring the coffee.” Kathryn discovered she had an appetite after all.
“The view’s incredible from up here,” he said once they’d sat down at the table to eat. “Quite a change from Skwars Farm, Wisconsin.” On that note, he devoured three quarters of his sandwich in one go while she ate her soup.
“Allie must have an excellent memory to recall that detail.”
He eyed her over the rim of his coffee cup. “After being mesmerized by your extraordinary story, she wasn’t bound to forget such an unusual name. The food’s delicious, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
“I remember when you were found.”
Reminding her of that day changed the tone of their conversation. “Even up on your mountain?”
Colt finished off the last of his sandwich. “News like that has long legs.”
“I remember that day, too,” she teased in order not to break down. There were two kinds of found. Whitney’s unknown fate haunted her.
“It was a stunning development, the kind no one could believe. I’ll be honest and tell
