Dreaming 0f You (Christian Romance) Read online

  No, he didn’t know. He could never know what she’d done.

  Her feet remained rooted to the floor and her voice refused to work. The distant clatter of dishes and the overhead speakers playing the radio station’s newest country song had faded, leaving only violins and harps performing in her ears. At least it’s not the theme to Indiana Jones, Katelyn thought.

  “Um... Miss, are you okay?” he asked.

  Blinking to reality, Katelyn gasped. She had been staring at him like a wide-mouth bass and could probably catch horseflies with her open trap. She snapped her mouth closed, hoping she hadn’t drooled down her chin—too afraid to touch her lips to make sure.

  Concern laced his wide, big brown eyes as he nodded. “Do you need something, lady?”

  He doesn’t remember me!

  Disappointment set in her chest, crushing her ego. Then again, why would he remember her at all? They were part of two different crowds in college.

  She managed to mumble a few disjointed syllables and forced her legs to move. Two booths away, she plopped into the seat and buried her overly-heated face in her hands.

  After a few awkward seconds, she cautiously lifted her head and peeked above the seat. His confused gaze—one eyebrow raised higher than the other—zeroed in on her. Mortification washed clean through to her soul. With a degrading moan, she slid lower until Shane disappeared from view.

  “Hey, Katie,” Sally said.

  Katelyn lifted weary eyes to the waitress. “Hi, Sal.”

  Her friend scrunched her forehead and frowned. “When I saw you come in, I figured you were celebrating another release, but now you look like you’re ready to cry.”

  Brushing a dismissal wave through the air, Katelyn shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I just had a moment of uncertainty, but I’m fine now.” To prove it, she presented her friend a happy grin.

  Sally chuckled. “If you say so.” She held up her order pad. “So what can I get you for breakfast today?”

  “The usual. A Western omelet, multi-grain toast, and orange juice.”

  Sally winked then left up the aisle.

  Katelyn covered her face again, her fingers gently massaging her temple. She seriously hoped seeing Shane Hunter was not a bad omen and that her best-sellers would suddenly fall from the charts. Her life was in her books. Writing was her very soul. Doubtful she would function in the real world if she couldn’t write.

  If Shane discovered he was the very reason her books were at the top of the charts, he would certainly despise her. He’d never understand! She hadn’t meant to use his name and identity in her first published novel. It just happened that way. The crush she’d had on him in college had been fresh in her heart, and when she wrote, she poured out her feelings on the computer keyboard and produced a great romance. The first of many. Then the awards started pouring in, and her readers gushed over Katelyn’s heroes. Her fans loved how Katelyn could create such wonderful men.

  The diner’s front door opened and she peeked around the seat to watch as another person hurried through, fighting the wind on his way. After shaking the leaves from his suit coat, he walked to Shane’s table and scooted in the booth across from Shane, and set his briefcase on the table.

  “Hey, Hunter, welcome home. Didn’t think I’d see your face around these parts again.”

  Shane chuckled. “Me either.”

  Thankfully the semi-empty diner and the low radio let Katelyn hear their conversation.

  “I’m surprised you picked this place. Do you remember in college when we came here to flirt with the waitresses?”

  Laughter came from Shane. “Sure do, Justin.” Shane turned his head toward the long counter and the women working behind it. “Unfortunately, the waitresses are a lot older now.”

  Katelyn bit back a laugh, but Shane’s friend didn’t. His chuckles echoed through the nearly empty diner.

  “True. Time has changed a lot of things. So, what’s the urgency?” Justin asked.

  “Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Shane said. “I really appreciate your help.”

  Justin linked his fingers together and placed them in front of him. “I don’t usually wake up this early on Saturdays, so consider yourself lucky I’m even here.”

  Shane motioned to the waitress and ordered his friend a large orange juice. After she left, Shane flattened his palms on the table. “I know you’ll always be a good friend, but now I need your professional help.”

  “Sure. I can be an off-duty lawyer this morning. What’s up?”

  “You heard my ex-wife died, right?”

  “Yeah, man. Sorry about that.”

  Katelyn sucked in a quick breath. She hadn’t heard that.

  “Well, her sister, Tori, is trying to cause problems again.”

  Justin groaned. “You’re kidding?”

  “I’m completely serious.”

  “What is she whining about this time?”

  “Apparently, she thinks I had an affair on her sister while we were married.”

  “Are you serious? You would have never cheated on Amber.”

  “Oh, and Tori says she has the proof. If you can believe this—”

  The doors to the diner opened as more people rushed in. Katelyn scowled because she couldn’t hear what Shane and his friend were saying. The new patrons stomped their feet and chatted nosily as they debated on where to sit. Finally, they headed back to the corner of the diner.

  Katelyn focused her attention to Shane, listening closely until she could hear his voice again.

  “Take a look at this.” He reached on the seat next to him and picked up a paperback, and then tossed it to his friend.

  Katelyn held her breath and lowered her shaky hands to her lap as she clutched her fingers. That was her first book—the book in which she used Shane’s real name and identity.

  The other man laughed and reached for the book. “When did you start reading sappy girlie books like this?”

  Katelyn scowled. Men read romances. Not only was this story very complex, but it had mystery and intrigue—what most guys liked. She’d received many awards for that book. The urge to march to their table and set those men straight overwhelmed her. Instead of going with her first impulse, she held back and listened closer, wondering why they weren’t talking about his kids or his sister-in-law now.

  Shane tilted his head. “I started reading this when I noticed the man’s likeness to me was gracing the cover, along with the exact name as mine inside.” He pointed to the picture of the man holding hands with a woman as they strolled along the beach. The sunset was the perfect romantic backdrop.

  Justin narrowed his gaze, his mouth pinched together. “What?” He took the book and examined it closer. “He does resemble you quite a bit, doesn’t he?”

  Katelyn’s heart sank. Oh, no!

  Shane sighed. “That’s what I thought, too. What I’d like to do is find the woman who used my identity without my permission. Some of these scenes came from my life...like she was a fly on my wall. What I’d like to do is—”

  “Here is your orange juice, toast, and omelet.” Sally’s voice jerked Katelyn away from the conversation at Shane’s table.

  Katelyn gave her friend a nod, but kept her focus over her shoulder on the two men discussing her book. She hoped Sally left soon so Katelyn would be able to hear what they were saying.

  “Is there anything else you need?” Sally asked.

  “No, I’m fine.” Katelyn lifted the drink to her mouth and sipped.

  “All right. Have a good breakfast, and I’ll see you later.” She smiled and walked away.

  Quickly, Katelyn zoned back to the conversation again as she took another drink.

  “This is amazing,” the man beside Shane said as he scratched his head. “I’ve been a lawyer for eight years and never had a case like this one.”

  Shane turned over the book and pointed to Katelyn’s professional picture. “Deep down in my gut, I know this Chelsea Mitchell violated some privacy iss
ues. She could have been stalking me for all I know.” He leaned forward on the table, meeting Justin’s eyes again. “But what I need to know is if you think I can sue the pants off her and win.”

  Sucking in a quick breath, the drink caught in Katelyn’s throat. She gasped, choked, and pounded on her chest for air. At Shane’s booth, he turned and looked at her with concern in his eyes. When she kept choking, he flew out of his seat and ran to her side, taking hold of her arm.

  “Let me help you.”

  She shook her head and pushed him away. Breathing slower, her choking subsided.

  “Are you okay now?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Her voice squeaked.

  He stared at her for a few moments with a creased forehead, then turned and walked back to his table. She sighed and sank to where she couldn’t see him. I’m an idiot...one that’s going to be sued. Oh why was I so naïve in not thinking this would eventually blow up in my face?

  Muffled voices came from the other table now, and she grumbled to herself. She really needed to hear the rest of their conversation! It was useless now.

  If Shane ever found out that she’d dreamed about him in college—that she’d secretly watched him with his friends, and on rare occasions dared to follow him around town—he would certainly hate her, or at the very least, be worried she’d pick up the same patterns she had from all those years ago.

  Remembering those days was not good for her now. So she’d had a little crush on him almost to the point of stalking him just to see what he did all day. The fact was, her feelings for him had faded once he moved away. They were two completely different people now from what they had been. At least she was. And she didn’t even want to think of her behavior back then. Too embarrassing.

  If the truth behind her first romance book came out, the media would definitely ruin her reputation. Not only that, the stress of it all would certainly affect her writing. She couldn’t allow that to happen!

  Katelyn groaned and rubbed her eyes. What had she gotten herself into? And more importantly, could she dig herself out before it became worse?

  Chapter Two

  Shane Hunter slid back into his booth after trying to help the choking woman, even as her terrified expression remained in his mind. When she’d first walked in the diner, she’d looked at him as if she knew him. Now, he was positive he recognized her from somewhere.

  Then again, San Diego was his hometown. He’d probably gone to school with her.

  “Is the woman all right?” Justin asked.

  Shane met his friend’s stare. “I guess. She wouldn’t let me help.” Shane folded his arms. “Anyway, where was I?”

  “You were talking about bringing charges against the author,” Justin reminded.

  “That’s right.” Shane paused when the face of the woman in the booth flashed through his mind again. His memory opened briefly and he could see her laughing. She was younger then, and...was her hair wrapped in a bun? Couldn’t be. Most women didn’t wear their hair like that. He definitely knew her, but he couldn’t think of that now. Unfortunately, the mystery woman would nag at his subconscious until he found the connection.

  Trying to dismiss her from his thoughts, he leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “As I was saying, I would like you to find out if I have a case against her—as long as I can find out who this author really is and where she lives.”

  Justin stared down at the book cover and chuckled. “This man definitely looks like you.”

  “I know. It’s scary, I tell you. The events she wrote about really happened in my college days.”

  Justin finished his orange juice in one gulp. “I’ll check into it. It’s too coincidental.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Shane relaxed against the seat.

  Justin slid out of the booth. “Ready to leave?”

  “Not yet. I still have a lot of thinking to do and I can’t do it at home. My parents want me to stay with them while my condo is being prepared for me to move into. I love them dearly, but I can’t concentrate with them around.”

  “When will your place be ready?”

  “Another week. Hopefully, the next seven days will pass quickly or I’ll go insane. My parents know I’m upset with Tori, yet because of the kids, Mom and Dad think I need to keep my temper hidden.” He shook his head. “I should have stayed at a hotel, but my mother would have been crushed. See what I do because of love?”

  Justin laughed then placed money on the table for his juice. “That’s true.”

  Sighing, Shane massaged his forehead. “It’s bad enough I have two very depressed four-year-old children to deal with. I hadn’t been around much right before Amber and I divorced because I was busy expanding my business. And after the divorce, Amber lived with her sister and the kids rarely even talked with me then. Now I have to build my relationship with them again, and I don’t want to have to worry about a crazy romance writer. Do you know what I mean?”

  “You’re a good father, Hunter. I’ll call you Monday. We’ll talk over racquetball or something. Just like old times.”

  “Good idea.”

  Justin nodded and left. As Shane rested against the booth, he sighed. The death of his ex-wife had been a shock. She’d loved her children no matter how much she despised Shane and his dedication to his businesses. Her life shouldn’t have ended so tragically. It was hard enough for Cori and Casey, his four-year-old twins, but now Tori was in the picture. The selfish woman was a thorn in his side.

  A cough from the woman two booths away, pulled him from his thoughts. Shane took another sip from his juice, wondering why the choking woman looked so familiar.

  He dropped his gaze to the back of the book to study the author. Chelsea Mitchell had pretty blue eyes, and long, light sandy-color wavy hair with a touch of red. He squeezed his eyes closed and massaged his forehead. Had he dated her? Why else would she know some of the things he did? As he searched through the cobwebs of his life, he entered a place he never thought he’d visit again.

  His past.

  The past he couldn’t wait to leave behind when he began making money. Coming from a poor home taught him to work and invest in everything he wanted out of life. Unfortunately, as he grew, most of the pampered kids looked down on him for getting his hands dirty and sweating his way through school.

  The demure woman in the other booth called to the waitress, causing him to glance at her booth again. Their gazes met for a brief moment. Her cheeks flamed and she looked away.

  Chuckling, he turned back to the book. As soon as he laid eyes on the author’s picture, something sparked inside his head. There was an uncanny resemblance between the author and the woman not more than twelve feet away. They had the same color hair, although the woman sitting not far from him hadn’t styled hers this morning, only pulling it back into a ponytail. They both had the same heart-shaped face. Same chin and nose...and mouth.

  Could he have found his stalker? Was this the reason she’d acted so strangely since spying him when she first walked into the diner?

  Wrapping his fingers around the paperback, he scooted to the end of his seat and stood. One way or another, he was going to discover the truth.

  WHAT AM I GOING TO do? Katelyn closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. How could she write herself out of this mess?

  Footsteps thudded on the floor near her table, but she didn’t look up. She didn’t have time to watch the other occupants. It had been one of her pastimes to study people and try to figure out their life just by their expressions and actions. That wouldn’t happen today. Finding a way to fix the mess she’d dug for herself was more important.

  “Excuse me, but can I have your autograph?” the deep masculine voice rang out.

  She jumped and looked at him with wide eyes. “Wh-what?”

  Shane stood in front of her, his finger pointing to her picture. “Is this you?”

  Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as panic consumed her. Obviously, he’d put two and two together, so she had
to confess without telling him the whole truth. Lying didn’t come easy for her, and she worried she wouldn’t be able to do it now. Yet, she must. Her lifestyle depended on it. Perhaps she didn’t have to outright lie...just skirt around the subject enough to make him think differently.

  “Um...yes, I’m the author.”

  “Then can I have your autograph?”

  Her autograph? Why would he want that after what she’d just heard? She must follow his lead and go along with him. She must not act like an idiot, either. Although right now she was painting a perfect picture of one. “Well...a...sure.”

  He slid in the seat across from her. “Along with your autograph, can you do something else for me?”

  She swallowed hard as she searched through her purse, looking for the pen she knew was in there but somehow couldn’t find. “What’s that?”

  Leaning forward on the table, he linked his fingers. “I’d like you to tell me how you knew me and why you used my identity without my permission?”

  Where was the hole she could stick her head in? Maybe if she closed her eyes and put herself somewhere in her daydreams—anywhere but here—she would vanish. Being with the scallywag pirates was better than sitting across the table from Shane Hunter.

  “Uh, lady?”

  She snapped her attention back to him. “I’m sorry. What...um...what was your question?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Will you just tell me how you know me?”

  Taking a deep breath, she ran her fingers through her hair, wishing she’d taken a few minutes to actually make herself look presentable before she left her house this morning. Gads, of all the days to look un-pretty.

  “Ma’am?”

  “Um...yes. I mean, I’m sorry. I mean...” Shoot, I’m blabbering like a fool.

  She continued to look through her purse for her favorite purple pen while her mind scrambled for a decent thought. What could she tell him?

  Shane reached into the pocket inside his jacket, pulled out a pen and handed it to her.