An Independent Love Affair

By Natalie Peck

When Cate Bradlay set aside her job search and flew to Salt Lake to help her pregnant sister Tina with her twins, she hadn’t counted on losing them – twice – and breaking her ankle within three hours of her arrival. She was mortified when the security guard, Logan, had to find the children – twice – and carry her to her car. Every time he touched her, the fireworks that went off made the Independence Day celebration going on overhead pale by comparison. Too bad he was married.

Determined not to be a homewrecker, can Cate beat her heart into submission and find a job far, far away from Logan? Or will she find that love truly does conquer all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Electric Scroll
• Release date: May 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781940311432

Natalie Peck

Natalie Peck lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her family and a thousand romance novels. She enjoys dining from her good china by candle-light, especially when the special guests are her husband and children. She loves to hear from her readers, and promises to answer every email.

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An Independent Love Affair

Natalie Peck

Copyright 2016, The Electric Scroll

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by The Electric Scroll. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. For information contact The Electric Scroll, 745 N. Gilbert Rd. Ste 124 PMB 197, Gilbert, Arizona, 85234.

The characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and entirely in the imagination of the reader.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter One

About the Author

Books by Natalie Peck

Connect with me online

Chapter One

Cate Bradlay was frightened. Her twin sister was eight months pregnant with twins and bedbound because of her precarious medical situation.

Tina's voice had been so weak when she'd called, Cate wasn't sure Tina would last through the end of the day. Tina had nearly died during the pregnancy and birth of her only other children, also twins, now seven years old; Cate was afraid this pregnancy would be fatal.

Having lost their parents within a couple of months of each other a few years ago, Tina and her little family were all the kinfolk Cate had left.

Everything had been planned for Edward, Tina's husband, to be with Tina beginning the day before yesterday, but an emergency had happened at work and he'd been called back in. It was going to take about a week to get things back to normal so he could come home.

Tina had begged her to come for the week to help her with the twins through the Independence Day holiday. Since marrying Edward and moving to Salt Lake City, watching the live fireworks at the baseball park on the 4th of July had become one of their big family traditions. The way they planned and carried out the holiday made it nearly as important as Christmas.

With Edward being at work and Tina on total bed rest receiving IV therapy, neither parent could take the children to the ball park, so she'd called Cate in extreme anxiety and begged her to come.

The light turned green at the parking lot exit and the taxi crawled forward in the heavy traffic. Cate bit her lip. Yelling at the cab driver wouldn't help. It wasn't as though he could turn left at the next corner and go down any side streets. There was only one road out of the airport, and they were on it.

Trying to go from six lanes of traffic down to two in less than a quarter of a mile meant fender-to-bumper vehicles inching along. She could understand extra heavy traffic for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this was the Fourth of July, for crying out loud. Was this normal holiday traffic in Salt Lake City?

The driver was so intent on grabbing every extra inch of space to move forward she didn't dare distract him by asking.

Tonight would be an exercise in how much Cate loved her sister. Cate wasn't a person who liked crowds; she did her Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving to avoid the pre-Christmas throngs and the post-Christmas gift exchange frenzy. She usually watched fireworks on television where she could control the volume – both of the fireworks and the people watching them.

Now she was going to have to take her niece and nephew to see the fireworks in person, before she'd even had time to recover from the trauma of the airport crowds. She wasn't thrilled, but she'd promised Tina she'd be here to help. She'd walk on hot coals for her twin, and this situation just about equaled hot coals.

The twins, Beth and Billy, were children with strong wills who disliked giving in – to each other, or anyone else. On Cate's last visit two years ago, she'd taken them to the zoo. They'd wanted to see different animals at the same time and Cate was caught in the middle of the tug of war of wills. Now that they were seven and had been to school to broaden their world, maybe they'd be more amenable.

A horn honked behind the taxi, bringing Cate back to the moment. The prospect of the next four or five hours was daunting; it was the only word to describe this evening's activities for her.

When they finally reached Tina's home, the taxi driver deposited her and her things at the curb. Cate handed over the correct number of bills, with a nice tip included. Despite the Independence Day traffic, he'd gotten her here in time and she appreciated it. Judging from the number of texts on her phone, Cate knew her sister was finding it hard to deal with the close timing of her arrival.

Tina didn't easily accept interruptions to her plans even at the best of times; they were something she couldn't control. She liked to orchestrate all aspects of her life. Being bed-ridden was contrary to her symphony of life and definitely registered as 'not the best of times' for Tina.

Cate was glad to be older than Tina by the few minutes which separated their births. It gave her a slight edge over Tina; a condition she valued. She'd watched Tina control most of the people in their sphere as they grew up. Tina ruled in such a pleasing manner people usually didn't mind going along with her plans. Some people never did realize what a control freak Tina was.

Cate now slung her purse over her shoulder, followed by the laptop in its back pack. She knew the straps would tangle, but she'd sort it out later. Her briefcase in one hand and the pull handle to the suitcase in the other, she headed up the walk grappling with her gear.

The front door banged open when she was half-way to the porch and two small streaks of humanity squealed her name and bolted in her direction. The cries of 'you made it; you made it' barely registered before she also was being hugged tightly and danced around by the twins.

Whoa; hey, hold on a bit, you two, or you'll knock me over!

One more tremendous squeeze from one of them and they let her go, but didn't move away from her. She looked down into two freckled faces and found them grinning widely. Billy spoke first.

Boy, oh boy, Cate, you're so late we thought we were gonna miss the fireworks tonight, but you made it! His grin was so wide he hardly had cheeks on either side of it.

You shouldn't call her 'Cate', Beth said to her twin, she's Aunt Cate!

Momma calls her Cate, Billy protested, so I can too! His bottom lip came out in a little pout.

Cate laughed. That's because she's my sister, not my niece or nephew, Willy Billy Boy, Cate teased, and if you keep that bottom lip stuck out in that pout, a bird will come along and build a nest on it!

Will not, 'acause I'd knock it off first! Then he grinned to show he knew she was teasing, and Cate saw Billy was missing his front two bottom teeth. He looked more engaging because of the hole.

You would not, Billy, said Beth. You wouldn't really hit a bird! You like birds.

Always the practical one, Beth definitely took after her mother in wanting to have the last word and be the most knowledgeable person in the group. If you'll go open the door for Aunt Cate, we can leave faster.

Billy looked like he was going to protest, but seemed to think the better of it. He must have realized Beth was right and ran ahead of them to do as his sister had all but ordered him to do.

Boys! Honestly! Beth huffed as she flipped her auburn bangs out of her eyes which made her two ponytails swing wildly. She moved out of the way so Cate could continue up the walk.

Now, Beth continued to her aunt, I have everything ready to go. Momma and I talked about what we'd need, and I've gotten it all together in a box in the living room. We're going to have fun tonight, because we're all prepared. She smiled widely at Cate, the missing top front tooth making a gap in her grin.

Cate silently laughed as she recognized every inch of her twin sister in this smaller version. Fortunately, she'd learned most of her sister's ploys and methods and knew how to remain autonomous.

They entered the front door and Billy closed it behind them.

Beth pointed to the box on a chair near the door. There's everything we'll need tonight, she said. Billy and I have your bedroom all prepared just as Momma instructed, but there are still three wrinkles in the bedspread on Billy's side of the bed. Momma said not to worry too much, because as soon as you set your suitcase on the bed, there would be other wrinkles to join his. I hope you'll be okay with that. She glanced over her shoulder at Cate, one eyebrow cocked just as Tina had done so many times throughout their lives.

I can see by the way you've taken charge you've been a big help and support to your mother while she's been in bed, she said to her niece. And I can tell, Cate said quickly to Beth while looking at Billy, that while he hasn't mastered bed-making without wrinkles yet, Billy's also been very helpful. Thanks to both of you for getting my room ready for me. I really appreciate it. She grinned and winked at Billy. He grinned back at her and made a wild attempt at a return wink, but just screwed up his face and blinked at her.

Tell you what; because it's so late, when we get to my room, I'll put my suitcase on the bed and you can take me in to see your mom. I want to check a couple of things with her and then we'll see how much time we have left. How's that?

Great! yelled Billy.

That's acceptable unless you talk with Momma for too long, Beth said. Cate laughed.

Suiting word to action, Cate left her laptop, briefcase, and suitcase on the bed, and straightened her blouse where it had bunched under her belt. She slung her purse back over her shoulder and stuck out her hands. They each grabbed a hand and all but pulled her from her bedroom, down the hall to their mother's room.

It amazed her Beth had such a grown-up vocabulary and manner even though she was just seven. Billy didn't act in the same reserved way, but he was every bit as sharp as his sister. Granted, Cate didn't have children, but the seven-year olds she taught in her Sunday school class seemed a lot younger than these two.

They reached the door of their parent's bedroom, and Beth knocked gently.

Come in, my dears, their mother called.

Billy softly opened the door and led the way into the cool, slightly dimmed room. Cate caught her breath as she saw all the medical equipment bunched together on one side of the bed. Her sister was pale, and looked very small lying so still among the tubing and hanging bags of fluid. Cate swallowed hard and pasted a smile to her face.

Tina was smiling and gesturing her forward.

Come and let's have a look at you, Tina said. You're a sight for sore eyes, I'll tell you that!

Are your eyes sore too, Momma? Beth asked, full of concern.

No, Sweetie, it's just an expression that means it has been way too long since I've seen my sister, that's all. Not to worry, my darling! She turned her eyes back to Cate.

How are you, really? Cate asked, holding her hand out to grasp her sister's.

Cate watched tears fill Tina's eyes. Things went a little blurry and she knew answering tears were in her own. She blinked, clearing her vision.

I'm fine. I was just worried you wouldn't be here in time! Tina sniffed.

It was nearly impossible to get out of Phoenix; few flights had any open seats. Most of them were fully booked.

Well, I'm glad you made it.

Cate held her sister's frail hand and bent low over the bed to kiss her cheek. She couldn't speak for a moment. She was very afraid this pregnancy was too much for her beloved twin and Cate would lose Tina. Cate's chest felt tight with the weight of her worry.

Something of that worry must have communicated itself to her twin, and Tina whispered, It isn't nearly as dire as it seems, Cate, so breathe! and then squeezed Cate's hand firmly to show she really did have some strength.

Okay, Tina Marie, Cate said quietly back, using an old joke between them to show she'd be all right.

"Tina Mary, Cate the Headless, Tina Mary!" It was a long-standing game, and one they could tease each other with.

"She can't be Cate the