Loving Kate

by Lara Van Hulzen

  “Are we playing more mud football? I don’t think I can handle that. It took me days to get mud out of my hair.”

  Jack laughed. “But it was so worth it, right? Your touchdown at the end will go down in the history books of Harden Easter mud football. Not to mention your touchdown dance.” His grin was downright irresistible.

  Heat rose in her cheeks. “Yeah, well. That was a unique situation. I was caught up in the moment.”

  “Really?” Jack closed the door behind them and led her into the kitchen. He motioned for her to take a seat on one of the barstools at the center island. She set her purse down on the stool beside her. Jack sat across from her. “I got the impression we were getting a glimpse of the real Kate in that moment. The one who wants to show herself more but isn’t too sure.”

  Oh, he’d hit the nail on the head. Their eyes met. He always saw right through her. How did he do that?

  “It’s not all that hard.”

  “I said out loud what I was thinking again, didn’t I?” She sighed and looked down at her hands folded on the granite in front of her.

  “Yep. And I love it. You’re an intriguing puzzle, princess. I’ll give you that. But no, it isn’t hard to see that Barry hurt you. A lot. And you’ve buried down deep the true Kate, putting on a façade so the world won’t see the real you.” He leaned across the island and tilted her chin up so she’d look him in the eye. “It’s a damn shame, too. Because the Kate that danced that touchdown dance, the Kate who giggled in the mud and rain, the Kate I’ve been privileged enough to get a glimpse of, is pretty amazing.”

  She blinked back tears. He said the most beautiful things. Things she hadn’t heard in years about herself. Maybe ever. Her parents, sure, but not a boyfriend, and certainly not Barry. No. Jack was...different. Special. He saw her in ways no one ever had before. And she liked it. A lot.

  “Thank you.” Her chin escaped his hand as she looked out towards the living room.

  “For what?”

  She met his eyes again. “For being you.” She laughed and shook her head. “Why me though?”

  “Why not you?”

  “I mean it.”

  “So do I.” He leaned towards her again. “I get your need to control things. I do. But I see the real you you’ve buried deep down, and I like her. Your feisty side keeps things interesting, too.”

  “Man, you’re easy on me.”

  “I have a feeling begin tough on you is what caused you to protect yourself in the first place. I won’t do that to you, Kate. Ever.”

  Every fiber in her being believed him.

  “Okay. Enough heavy stuff.” He clapped then rubbed his hands together. “Let’s eat then have some fun.”

  Kate laughed and swiped a stray tear that had snuck its way off her eyelash and down her cheek.

  Jack hopped off his barstool and spun around to the counter by the sink. Only then did Kate take in her surroundings. Having been mesmerized by the man now taking things from containers and putting them on plates, she hadn’t noticed the kitchen they sat in.

  “This place is fantastic!”

  Jack turned his head for a second and said, “I know, right?” before continuing his task.

  Kate looked around. Because Josh loved to cook, he’d designed the kitchen with all high-end equipment. State of the art cutlery that sat in ornate wood blocks on the counter and the pots and pans that hung from an Old Dutch bronze ceiling rack were the real deal. Kate wasn’t a master chef, but even she could see they weren’t a boxed set from a discount store.

  “I’m grateful Josh lets me crash here. It’s perfect for me, for now, but I’m looking for a place that’s more...me.”

  “I’m sure he misses this kitchen.”

  “Yeah, but he and Maggie will renovate the one in their house to his liking and he still comes over and uses this one.” He turned and placed a plate in front of Kate as well as one across from her for himself. “And that is a definite perk to living here.”

  She looked from the plate to Jack. “Josh made this?”

  “Yep. I realize this is date number two of ours that he’s cooked for, but like I said, I’m confident. And not stupid. If my brother wants to come over and make me Food Network level meals, who am I to say no?”

  “You have a point.”

  He handed her a fork and napkin then took his place across from her. “Dig in.”

  The meal was pasta with a marinara sauce and meatballs. All fresh. Homemade. Italian was one of Kate’s favorites. She let the flavors dance on her tongue, savoring every bite. A simple meal on some levels, but so diverse in all the specific touches Josh put into it. The red wine Jack had opened and served them was the perfect complement to the meal as well.

  “What kind of place are you looking for?”

  Jack blinked. “What’s that?”

  She wasn’t the only one enjoying a few moments of food euphoria.

  She smiled. “You said you were looking for a place that’s more you. What kind of place are you looking for?”

  “Ah. Well, I do like this house. It has a garage out back that’s perfect as an art studio, but I want to find something that needs work. Something I can dive into and build up some myself.” He spun noodles around his fork as he talked. “I don’t want start from scratch, but something with personality that just needs a little TLC, ya know?”

  “I do know! I can’t believe you said that. That’s exactly what I’m looking for as well.”

  Kate laid her fork down and took a sip of wine. “And you said art studio. What kind of art do you do?”

  “Painting, mostly. But I do like to play with clay and sculpture from time to time. That can take lots of space and timing though, based on the materials you’re working with. I like the diversity of paints, but I can work with it at my own pace and the canvases aren’t too hard to store. I like to give away most of what I do.”

  “I hear ya. I paint from time to time, but nothing more than a way to relax, come down from a day.”

  “You said you were looking for a place, too. I thought you were happy renting.

  “I am. My landlords are so sweet and they’ve let me change wall colors and decorate how I want, which is rare for a rental, so I’m grateful.” She laid her chin in one hand and looked out the window that sat over the sink. “But I love the idea of having a place with charm and history. One I can add to with my own special touch.”

  Jack sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. One corner of his mouth tipped up and his eyes twinkled. “Do you already have a place in mind?”

  Kate took a deep breath and let it out. She picked up her fork again and cut into a meatball with it. “Well, I thought I had, but...”

  “But what?” Jack unfolded his arms and leaned towards her on the island.

  “Well, with the fire and all, my finances have been set back. I’ve had to dip into my savings... I don’t know. It’s just not in the cards right now.”

  Jack nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “It’s really okay. I’m glad no one was hurt in the fire and it truly could have been so much worse. But...” She rolled the meatball around her plate, her appetite fading with the topic of conversation.

  “But now you have to put that plan on hold.” He shook his head. “All because of some stupid fire.”

  Kate continued to move her food around the plate with her fork. She thought to tell Jack about what Baylee had said before she came over, but that would kill the evening for sure, and the last thing she needed, or wanted, was to talk about the fact that someone started that fire. And telling Jack her gut suspected her ex-husband would for sure cause a storm she wasn’t ready for. Jack already got a fierce look in his eye every time Barry’s name was mentioned. Telling him she had a vague thought he might want to see her hurt would send Jack over the edge.

  She had no evidence whatsoever to prove Barry would do such a thing. Yet. Keeping it to herself for now was the best for everyone. Besides, the fire department was inve
stigating. Baylee said they’d keep her updated so Kate would find out as soon as Baylee did if they found something.

  “I’m honestly okay. I don’t mind waiting. I do love my cottage now and my life here in Silver Bay. I almost lost my store, but didn’t, so I’m focusing on what I have, not what I might want.”

  She took her plate to the sink, if anything to avoid eye contact with Jack. One look in those chocolaty brown depths and she’d be a goner, crying all over the place. No. Tonight was going to be fun. It always was with Jack.

  They moved around the kitchen together, putting leftovers in containers and loading the dishwasher. Their conversation flowed smoothly as if they’d been friends for years. Kate saw a small building out the kitchen window. It matched the house in design and color but was much smaller.

  “What is that?”

  “That’s my art studio I told you about.”

  “I would love to see it.”

  Jack poured detergent in the dishwasher, closed it, and turned it on. “I’m glad you said so. Let’s go get those clothes out of your car and I will show you.”

  “What does me changing into ratty clothes have to do with seeing your art studio?”

  Jack took a step towards her so they were toe-to-toe. Her head tilted back to look into his eyes. Her heart fluttered for multiple reasons, one being that it did so every time Jack got close and two, she wasn’t too sure about what the art studio visit entailed.

  “You’re just gonna have to trust me now, princess. You think you can do that?”

  She nodded, words failing her. He leaned forward and kissed her, soft and slow.

  He pulled back with a mischievous look in his eye, one that Kate had noticed happened often. “Let’s go have some fun.”

  With that, he took her hand and pulled her outside to get her bag from her car.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kate came out of the guest bathroom in an outfit not unlike the one she’d had on earlier. The black yoga pants hugged her curves in a way that made his mind go dumb and the long, gray sweatshirt that would look frumpy on anyone else looked chic and sassy. The silver hair tie holding up her signature ponytail along with dangle earrings completed the ensemble. She was Kate. Always his Kate. Dressed impeccably from head to toe.

  Hmmm. His Kate. He liked the sound of that.

  He raised an eyebrow at her as she came down the hall.

  “What?” She stopped and looked down then back at him. “You said bring grubby clothes for Lord knows what we’re going to be doing.”

  “You’re beautiful when flustered, you know that?”

  She stuck out a hip and put a hand on it. Damn, she was even more irresistible when sassy.

  “You have something to say about my outfit? Go ahead and say it.”

  “Alright. I believe you are most likely the only person on the planet that thinks what you are wearing right now is ‘grubby’.”

  “I’ll have you know, these are my oldest pair of black pants and this sweatshirt is one of my brother Drew’s. It’s soft and yummy so I stole it from him and he’s never asked for it back.”

  “In other words, you had trouble even finding grubby clothes in your closet.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

  She breezed past him and into the kitchen but stopped, recognizing she didn’t know where to go or what to do next.

  He came in behind her and took her hand. “Follow me, princess.” He led her through the back door off the kitchen and down the steps into the backyard. They followed the path to the garage where Jack unlocked the door and led them inside. With a few flicks of some light switches just inside the door, the room came to life.

  Jack smiled. It never got old, coming in here.

  The mixture of chemicals and solvents filled his nose, the scent of paint like perfume to the artist in him. Kate’s steps were reverent as she moved into the room. Her hand brushed against one of the easels in the corner as she looked around, taking it all in.

  “Jack, this is...”

  “I know. It’s my own haven from the world. The space is small, but works perfect for me. The garage door is great as well.” He moved around her and pulled up the door. Fresh air flowed in as well as extra light. The sun was beginning its descent in the sky but cast a glow through the room still.

  Kate had stopped in front of the sidewall. She stared with hands on her hips. “What is this?”

  Curiosity mixed with childlike wonder threaded through the tone in her voice. He liked it. It meant things were going according to plan. Less stressed-out, uptight Kate. More full of life, adventurous Kate.

  Jack came and stood beside her. He’d found a canvas almost the same size as the wall and had leaned it back, the wall its easel. At various spots he’d tacked balloons. Each one drooped from the weight of what was inside.

  “This is our art project for the evening.”

  She looked up at him, her eyes full of questions. He could live with that. It was the fear he wanted to erase from those hazel depths of hers. Always so afraid to take a leap of faith. Her past had taught her to hesitate. He wanted to teach her how to fly again. She’d done it before. Everything in him could see that. The real Kate did touchdown dances and laughed hard until tears spilled from her eyes. He had no intention of changing her, rather ridding her of the protective layer she wore that she didn’t need. It didn’t match her outfits. He smiled at the thought.

  “Come on.” He waved her back a few steps over the plastic tarp he’d laid down under the canvas as well as the flooring all around. Atop a wooden table sat a handful of darts. He stood behind her and put his hand on her shoulders, positioning her in front of the canvas. “Stand here. Grab a dart. Aim for a balloon.”

  He walked over to a counter that lined the wall opposite of the canvas. He hit play on the iPod dock. Keith Urban started singing about John Cougar, John Deere and John 3:16.

  Kate just stared down at them on the table. He came up behind her and placed one in her hand.

  “Have you ever played darts before?”

  She shot him a look over her shoulder. “I have brothers, remember? Our entire basement was a rec room, complete with pool table, foosball, and”—she eyed the dart in her hand—“a dartboard.”

  “Great. Well, that canvas against the wall is your dartboard. And the balloons are your target.”

  She eyed him again but then shrugged and took a shot. The dart missed its mark, but not by much.

  He handed her another, then stepped away, giving her more space to throw. She narrowed her eyes towards the canvas, sizing up her opponent. Her teeth scraped along her bottom lip in thought, but Jack’s mind went straight to what it was like to kiss her mouth and how much he’d like to do so at that moment. He held back, if only because he’d waited all day like a giddy, school kid to see how she’d react when she hit her first balloon.

  She pulled back then let the dart fly. It hit a red balloon with a Splat! Red paint sprayed the canvas as well as the tarp on the floor. A few specks hit Kate’s sweatshirt but she didn’t notice. She was too busy jumping up and down saying, “I hit it! I hit it!” while clapping her hands.

  Jack laughed and joined in, giving her the applause she deserved. “Nice shot, princess.”

  “Oh, my gosh! That’s so fun. I have painted most of my life and I’ve never done this.” She went for another dart and sent it flying before Jack had time to register what she was doing. It hit a blue balloon this time with the same outcome. She cheered again.

  And laughed.

  The sound floated through the room like a song.

  Mission accomplished.

  Jack wanted nothing more from that moment on to make sure Kate’s world was full of moments like these. He dared anyone to try and get in his way.

  Kate let another dart fly. This time it missed but got super close to a green balloon. Jack threw one and it hit yellow. Kate grinned from ear to ear. The paint was now running down the canvas, mixing together, making a rainbow tha
t looked like rain streaming down. It was beautiful.

  She tossed another dart and it hit its mark on the green balloon.

  “You are a good shot,” Jack said.

  “Don’t sound so surprised.” She teased.

  “I’m not, actually.” He threw another dart. His clothes were getting splattered with color. “You are a woman of many talents. Beautiful. Intelligent.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss. “And fun.”

  He moved to the canvas and began pulling the darts from it.

  Kate shook her head. “You say the nicest things to me.”

  Jack turned. The darts in his hand looked like a bouquet, their feather tips sticking out the top. “Is that a problem?”

  She sighed and sat back on a tall stool near the table that had held the darts. Various paint brushes sat atop the table as well. She grabbed one and fiddled with it with her fingers. “No. But I’m just not sure how to receive it.”

  He tilted his head, his unspoken question easy to read in his eyes.

  “I grew up in a great family. My parents were madly in love from day one until the day my dad passed away. We were encouraged to follow our dreams. Be bold. Adventurous. David and Drew and I are all different in personality but we clicked. And our parents only inspired us to be ourselves.”

  Jack grabbed another stool and set it near her. He set the darts down on the table and leaned in towards her but didn’t say anything.

  For whatever reason, she continued. She’d never dumped her life on anyone before. Well, not anyone other than Maggie, but she was her sister and tended to drag things out of her so that didn’t really count.

  “I went away to school and met Barry.”

  Jack’s jaw twitched. Or maybe she imagined it. He didn’t stop her though.

  She toyed with the paintbrush in her hands, unable to meet his eyes. She might be able to talk to him about Barry. Maybe. But not if she got lost in those depths of his that sucked her in and never let go.