By Request Collection April-June 2016. Оливия Гейтс
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about him had seemed vaguely familiar. She made her way back to Tenley.
“Did you know that young man?” she asked.
Tenley turned to her with a look of surprise, and then quickly seemed to compose herself. “No, of course not,” she said quickly.
“Okay,” Kate said. “I just thought … well, never mind.”
Tenley shrugged and spun away, but Kate didn’t miss how she chewed her finger, a sure sign that she was distressed. It was the same thing that Kate did when she was upset. “These guys all look exactly the same,” Tenley said. “Same haircut, same uniform, same conformist mentality. He looked familiar to you because he looks like every other soldier.”
Chase returned at that moment and approached Tenley. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Tenley said, clearly exasperated. “What’s going to happen to that soldier?”
“He’ll be reprimanded, and probably banned from attending the rest of the Independence Day festivities.”
Tenley frowned. “Please don’t ban him on my account. I don’t want him to get in trouble. I mean, it’s not like he did anything really wrong. He just surprised me, that’s all.”
“We should put more security personnel around the stage,” Kate said to Chase. “This is exactly why I asked that the troops be kept at least fifteen feet back from the stage. I don’t want Tenley to have to go through this again.”
“I agree,” Chase said smoothly. “Why don’t I escort you both back to your housing unit? I’m sure you’re tired and it’s probably a good idea to call it a night.”
“No!” Tenley said quickly, then seeing Kate’s surprised expression, she lowered her voice. “I mean, I’m not tired, and I don’t want to go back to the housing unit. I’d like to hear the other performers.”
Kate studied her sister. “Okay, if you’re sure. Why don’t I get you something to drink. Maybe a lemonade?”
Tenley gave her a grateful smile and sank into a nearby chair. “Thanks, that sounds great.”
Chase fell into step beside her as she made her way to the food table. “Well, I understand why you feel so protective toward her. She does seem rather fragile and young.”
Kate laughed. “Oh, no. Another country conquered by the fair Tenley. Russell says she’s dumb like a fox.”
“Who the hell is Russell?”
“Russell Wilson is Tenley’s agent. He’s the one who arranged for her to participate in this tour. He handles her concert tours, and I handle the rest. We’re a good team, but sometimes he just doesn’t understand Tenley.”
“And I suppose he understands you?” Chase’s voice was a low rumble.
Kate ordered a glass of lemonade and looked at Chase in surprise. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”
“Damn straight,” he said. “I’m jealous of any man who gets to spend time with you.”
“Trust me, he has no interest in me,” Kate said drily. “He’s all about Tenley and the money she brings in.”
She turned to take the lemonade to Tenley, but Chase stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. Kate looked at him expectantly, but his eyes were on Tenley. She had removed her white boots and was lounging back in her chair, laughing with one of the other performers.
“She’s a great kid,” Chase commented. “But I think she has you fooled, too.”
Kate frowned. “What do you mean?”
He gestured to Tenley, who was now belting out an impromptu tune to the accompaniment of a guitar. “I think Tenley Miles can take care of herself. She’s what … eighteen? She doesn’t seem to have any trouble putting herself out there.”
“Age is just a number,” Kate said archly. “Tenley is a very young eighteen, and I’m in no hurry to push her out of the nest.”
He raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t miss the dimple that appeared briefly in one cheek. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Kate, but she’s already out and flying on her own. She’s not a child anymore.”
Kate frowned. No matter how successful Tenley might be, she couldn’t stop thinking of her younger sister as a child. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she wouldn’t fully come into her inheritance until she was twenty-one. Both of her parents had been successful stars in their own right, and had left Tenley the bulk of their impressive estates, but she could not claim control of her fortune until her twenty-first birthday.
Chase was right. Legally, at least, she was an adult. But Kate cringed to think of Tenley trying to negotiate her way through life. She wouldn’t be able to find her own way home from the corner coffee shop if Kate weren’t there to guide her, and her soft heart left her vulnerable to those who would take unfair advantage of her.
Tenley chose that moment to set her guitar aside and walk toward them. “Hey, I hate to be a wet blanket, but I’m pretty beat. Must be the time difference.”
“Are you ready to call it a night?” Kate asked in surprise, handing the lemonade to her sister. “I thought you wanted to stay and hear the remaining groups play.”
Tenley yawned hugely. “I do, but I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for another minute. But I don’t want to ruin your night. If you don’t mind walking me to the trailer, I’ll be fine on my own and you two can come back and enjoy the rest of the festivities.”
Chase gave Kate a meaningful look and she knew he was thinking about Captain Larson’s empty CHU.
“Okay,” she said, too quickly. “I mean, if you’re sure …”
“Oh, I am,” Tenley said. “I am completely exhausted.”
“I’ll drive you back,” Chase offered.
“Where is the rest of my band staying?” Tenley asked.
“They have a large tent not far from here,” Kate told her.
“A tent?” Tenley squeaked as she followed them to the Humvee. “Are you serious?”
“Well, it’s more like a big fest tent,” Kate explained. “Don’t worry, they’ll be very comfortable.”
“If you’re sure,” Tenley replied. “I hate to think of them roughing it.”
“Once they’re asleep, it won’t matter where they are,” Kate assured her. “C’mon.”
Twenty minutes later, Kate slipped out of the housing unit and Chase materialized from the nearby shadows. “How is she?” he asked.
Kate smiled. “Exhausted, but too keyed up to relax. I gave her a mild sleeping tablet, so she should be out until morning.”
“Did you give her the beeper?”
“Yes. I showed her how to use it and left it on the bedside table.”
“We’ll be less than five minutes away if she needs us. But she won’t.”
They walked along the street without touching, although Kate was acutely aware of every movement he made. She could hardly believe she was going to do this—sneak away in the night to be with Chase. She felt as young as Tenley.
“Having second thoughts?” he asked quietly.
“Absolutely not,” she said, flashing him a quick smile. “Just a little nervous. How about you?”
He laughed softly. “Nervous? Not on your life. It’s been the single thing on my mind all day.”
“Well then,” Kate said, grabbing his hand and breaking into a light jog. “We should