by T. L. Haddix
“No. I usually don’t sneak, and I usually don’t try to get home before anyone else is awake. I’m an adult, Jackson, if you will recall. And it isn’t like I’m a virgin or something. There’s no virtue for me to protect.”
He glared at her and covered Michelle’s ear with one hand. “Little ears!”
Kathy lost it, nearly falling out of her chair with a fit of the giggles brought on no doubt by stress and fatigue. “Oh, Jack! She doesn’t understand a single word we say. She’s not even three months old!”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t hurt to start practicing early.” He shook his head. “And maybe you weren’t a… but damn it, Kathy, that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a man’s respect. I thought Southern gentlemen were supposed to be reserved and proper. What’s he doing fooling around with you like that without you two being married anyhow?” He propped Michelle on his shoulder, patting her back gently as he watched Kathy with a wary gaze.
“He’s not like Randall. Or Clay, for that matter,” she said quietly. “He’s a good man, as good as they come. I hope you’ll see that when you meet him. As far as his respect for me goes… what did Sarah tell you about him?” She knew her siblings had discussed the romance because Sarah had called her to warn her that Jack was heading to Georgia to interrogate Charles.
“She’s sleep deprived from having three babies to take care of. What does she know?” he grumbled.
Kathy shook her head, grinning around a yawn. She stood and planted a kiss on the crown of his head. “I’m going to go catch a couple of hours of sleep, Jackson. You’re sweet for worrying about me, and I love you dearly for it.”
She felt the weight of his stunned gaze as she got the pitcher of water from the fridge and poured herself a glass to take with her. Kathy’d never been overly demonstrative with him, and her declaration kept him quiet long enough for her to make it to her bedroom. She closed the door with a sigh and kicked off her shoes.
She knew better than to expect that to be the end of things. They were supposed to go to Charles’s that evening for a quiet barbecue, and Jack would get his chance then to see the truth.
“I just hope he doesn’t let his fears from the past cloud his impression of Charles.”
For the time being, she couldn’t do a single thing about Jack or Charles or any of it. All she could do was get some rest and leave the men to sort themselves out later.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Given his lack of skills in the kitchen, Charles did the smartest thing a man in his position could—he went to his sister.
“I need to make sure that whatever I serve, it’s not too fancy, not too plain. And it has to make a good impression. I need to show him I’m a good provider. But not too good—I don’t want him to think Kathy’s just a plaything to me and I’m trying to throw money around.”
Daphne was laughing so hard she couldn’t answer. The more Charles stared at her with aggravation, the harder she laughed, going until she snorted.
Throwing his hands up, Charles paced to the window. “I am seriously going to put you up for adoption one of these days.”
“You are not,” she chided, wiping her eyes. “What time are they supposed to be there?”
“Six or so. What should I do?”
She tapped her finger against her chin, studying him. “You know that good rib place on the way out to Tybee Island? I’d probably swing by there and pick up some things. Best I recall, they do a mean potato salad.”
“They do. Baked beans and collards too. I could get some rolls and a couple of pies from the diner. How much food do I need to get?”
“I’ll write you out a list. You can go ahead and get what you need now then heat it up this evening.” She went to the small desk in the corner of the living room and got a tablet and pen. “You’re nervous. You shouldn’t be. It’ll be fine.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ve had the hardest time not going down on one knee… you don’t know how badly I want to marry her, Daph. I’d feel a lot more confident about my permanent role in her life if I were meeting him knowing my ring was on her finger.”
Daphne smiled at him with sympathy. “You have to be patient. She’s worth it.”
Charles smiled as he rubbed the side of his jaw. “I know she is. It’s funny, you know? I spent most of the last ten or so years balking at the idea of being tied down. Not because I didn’t want to be married but because I was busy, and I told myself I didn’t have time to fall for someone. I guess I was afraid Mother would find me a debutante who wasn’t too objectionable and she’d wear me down. But now that I’ve met Kathy? Time doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough, at least as far as getting her to the altar goes.”
She handed him the list. “That’s what you should get. And as for the wedding fever you’ve developed, I’d say you’ll be able to take care of that sooner rather than later. Kathy adores you. It’s plain to see. Have you told her you’re in love with her yet?”
Charles felt his cheeks heat. The idea of discussing something so intimate with his sister was a bit disconcerting. “No. I’ve almost let it slip a few times, but I’ve managed not to yet. I’m not sure she’s ready.”
Daphne stood and laid her hands on his face. “You’ll get it right. I have faith.” She pinched his cheek then walked him to the door. “Let me know how it goes?”
“I will. Thanks, Daph.”
As he headed to the barbecue joint, he held on to that faith she’d expressed. Last night, after he and Kathy had made love, they’d spent a couple of hours just holding each other and talking before falling asleep. Being with her felt so natural and right, he could hardly stand letting her go home.
“Maybe if you’re very lucky, you won’t have to let her go much longer,” he told himself as he parked outside the restaurant. He’d always thought the phrase “happiest man alive” was an exaggeration, but as he imagined what it might feel like to go home to Kathy every day, to be able to love her openly and without reservation, he understood that it was instead the perfect description of what he wanted most in the world.
Chapter Forty
The last thing Kathy expected to see when they pulled up in Charles’s driveway was him standing on the porch, waving a cookie sheet as clouds of smoke billowed out of the windows. As soon as the car stopped, she was out. “Charles?”
“It’s okay. Just a little… mishap. I think it’s mostly cleared out,” he said around a cough as she hurried up the steps.
She touched his cheek. “You’re okay?”
He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m fine. I’m not sure dinner can be salvaged though. I’m sorry.”
“Let’s see what we have.” She glanced over her shoulder at the car. “Do you mind greeting them while I see what I can save?”
“Of course not.” He groaned. “What a way to say hello. Thank you.”
Once in the kitchen, the scale of the disaster had her gasping. Several blackened rectangles were on the stovetop, a couple of them still smoking, and the stench emanating from the mess was a strange mix of appetizing and painful.
“Holy mother of pearl… what in the world happened?” She picked up a pair of tongs from the counter and carefully lifted the foil that covered one of the boxes.
“It’s probably best if Gilly and the baby stay outside until the air clears. Those were the baked beans,” Charles said apologetically as he and Eliza came into the kitchen.
Jack wasn’t far behind, peering into the room with curiosity.
Kathy stood there, tongs still in hand, and stared at him. “Um. How in the world did you manage this?”
“I didn’t do anything I don’t usually do. I put them in the oven to heat up the same way as always. I’ve gotten food from this place a dozen times at least. I’ve never had this happen.” He shrugged, his face so endearingly dejected that she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
&
nbsp; Eliza came over to look at the ruined food. She used the tongs to completely remove the foil. “You say you’ve gotten food there in the past?”
“Yeah. It’s really good grub when it’s not torched beyond recognition.”
Eliza grimaced as she removed the foil from one of the other boxes. “It looks like they used a paper-lined tray to put this stuff in. How high did you have the oven?”
“Four-fifty. Paper? Are you kidding? They’ve always used foil before.”
She held up a thin piece of charred cardboard. “Paper. Foil lined, maybe, but definitely paper. I’m so sorry.”
With a heartfelt groan, Charles covered his face and leaned against the counter. “That’s just lovely.”
Eliza chuckled as she looked over the mess. “Well, it certainly makes for a memorable evening. Charles, you need a wife.”
“Mama!” Kathy choked back horrified laughter, her cheeks heating with embarrassment even as her stomach leapt.
“Am I wrong?” Eliza asked pertly, winking at her. “Unless you have a second dinner up your sleeve, young man, I believe we need to find another way to feed ourselves.”
Charles sighed. “I’m so sorry.”
Jack was grinning, and he laughed softly. “Mom’s right. We won’t forget this one any time soon. I’ll check on Gilly, let her know what’s going on.”
“It is practically family tradition these days to have a disaster when introducing someone special,” Eliza said as she washed her hands. “Now, do you have any box fans? We can set them up in these windows to help get the smell of smoke out of here.”
“Sure, I’ll grab them.” Charles looked down at himself and grimaced. “I hate to ask, but do you think I could jump in the shower and change clothes? I feel like I’ve been in a smokehouse.”
Kathy’s laughter bubbled up. “I’m sorry. I held it in as long as I could.” The more exasperated his look, the harder she laughed until she was doubled over, holding onto the counter.
Charles shook his finger in her direction. “I’ll remember this, Ms. Browning.”
She grinned cheekily and walked straight up to him, hands on her hips. “I’m counting on it, Mr. Kelly. You know, you’re really going to have to learn to cook.”
He winked and tapped the end of her nose. “Not if I marry someone who can. I think your mother is right. I’m starting to get ideas.” Taking advantage of her surprise, he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Let me get those fans, and I’ll get cleaned up.”
Kathy stared down the hall after him, her hand at her throat. “Mama?”
Eliza squeezed her shoulders. “Help me find some vinegar, and we’ll boil that in some water while he’s getting showered. That will help with the smell. So will fresh coffee grounds.”
Shaking off her bemusement, Kathy got the coffee down, poured some into small bowls, and placed them around the kitchen. Charles returned with the fans, and she took one to the living room while Eliza took care of the kitchen.
Jack stepped back inside. “Need help?”
“Thanks, but no. I have it. I’m sorry about this.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around. “No worries. This is a nice house. Not what I was expecting from a stuffy, blue-blooded lawyer.”
Kathy crossed her arms and glared at him. “A what?”
Her brother grinned and slung his arm around her shoulders for a loose hug. “Relax. He seems perfectly nice. He’s sure taking that mess in there better than I would have expected. Better than you would have.”
She sighed. “He is nice.”
Jack tugged on her hair gently. “I remember a time when you thought nice was boring.”
As he was right, she could hardly argue. “There’s nothing boring about Charles Kelly, nice guy or not. I’m very thankful I met him when I did and not before.”
A glance at Jack told her that he understood what she was saying. To her surprise, his eyes were full of approval.
“Then I’m glad too.”
She knew then things would be okay, at least between her and Jack. Given Charles’s reaction to her mother’s comment, Kathy figured she was right about the impending proposal.
For the rest of the evening, as she watched Charles with her family—as he wooed Gilly, made goo-goo eyes at the baby, and won Jack over—she was faced with the growing realization that she was utterly head over heels in love with him. This time, however, the knowledge didn’t scare her or make her feel guilty. Instead, she felt steady and solid, sure of her choices and wants for the first time perhaps in her entire life.
By the time dinner at the diner was over and they were walking to the car, she’d made a decision. She pulled her brother aside. “Are you going to be upset if I stay with him tonight?”
Jack studied her closely then sighed and looked across the lot at where Charles was holding the baby for Gilly as she got in the car. “I like him. I’d prefer things be done in the proper order… but I also realize that’s a rather simplistic view to take of things. I won’t make a fuss. Are you planning to accept his proposal, assuming he asks? Which I think he will, by the way. He’s as besotted with you as Owen is with Sarah.”
Kathy smiled. “And you with Gilly?”
Jack grinned. “Yeah.”
She let out a breath. “Maybe… maybe I’ll ask him. It is a leap year after all.”
The sound of Jack’s laughter followed her to his car.
“What’s funny?” Eliza asked.
“Life is, Mama. Don’t you think?”
Eliza gave her a puzzled smile. “It can be.”
Kathy patted her hand. “Yes, it certainly can.”
Chapter Forty-One
For an evening that had started off with a disaster, Charles couldn’t complain about how things ended. To his surprise, Kathy had gotten out of the car with him at his house.
“Do you mind having a house guest tonight?” she asked in a low voice.
He tipped his head to the side. “Really? No, not at all.” His eyes searched hers, and he could hardly wait to get inside and find out what she was thinking. “So I guess… we’ll see you all tomorrow for dinner at my mother’s.”
Jack saluted him with two fingers. “I guess so. Night.”
With Kathy’s hand in his, they watched Jack back the car out and drive away, then they climbed the steps to the porch.
“How do you think that went?” he asked as he unlocked the door. The stench of burnt food hit his nose when he walked into the hall, but it wasn’t as bad as he’d feared.
“Pretty well,” Kathy said. “What do you think about him?”
Charles wrapped her in a hug. “I liked him. Gilly too. They’re something else with that baby.”
“Hmmm, yes. They’re utterly besotted, I think, and that’s as it should be.” Kathy tipped her face up for a kiss. “We need to talk.”
“Uh-oh.”
She shook her head and smiled. “It’s not bad. We just need to have a discussion about certain things.” But as she spoke, she’d started undoing his shirt.
“Not that I’m not eager to get your hands all over me and vice versa, but maybe we should talk first. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on what you’re saying.”
Kathy rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Or maybe we should strip each other down first and talk later.”
Charles pulled back, staring at her. “You’re very cheerful this evening.”
“I am. I’m happy.”
He touched her cheek, traced her hairline with his fingertips, and smiled. “Yeah? What are you so happy about?”
She sighed deeply and shrugged. “I happen to be in love, and from what I understand, that’s supposed to make a person happy.”
Charles’s hands tightened on her shoulders. The words were so unexpected he couldn’t respond right away. “What?” he final
ly asked, his voice barely a whisper.
“I love you, Mr. Kelly.”
Though she came across as confident, he saw a bit of uncertainty in her eyes, her posture.
“You… Kathy.” His heart felt as if it had exploded as he framed her face with his hands. “Say it again?”
She touched his wrists. “I love you.”
He kissed her. There was no way he could form words at that moment, but he needed to demonstrate his feelings somehow, so he kissed her. And he didn’t stop kissing her until she pulled back, laughing and crying. When she touched his cheeks, he realized he was crying too.
“Why are you crying?” she whispered.
Charles smiled against her mouth. “Why are you?” With a loud whoop, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her. “You love me. You love me. I didn’t imagine you saying that.”
Kathy laughed at him. “No, you decidedly odd man. Dare I take this reaction to mean you’re pleased?”
He secured her legs around his waist and carried her to the bedroom, where he let her down on the bed. “What do you think?” He followed her down, bracing himself above her. “I think I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you, Ms. Browning. Something in me recognized something in you, and I knew you were for me. At least I hoped you were. God, Kathy… I love you so much I can’t begin to tell you.”
She pulled him down and kissed him again. “Does that mean you aren’t going to try?”
“Oh, no. I’m going to try and try and try again.”
As he sank into her arms, he could hardly believe he wasn’t dreaming. All the yearning and longing and need… those emotions were still there. But she was in his arms, and the fulfillment of all of his dreams was within his grasp. Right now, that was all that mattered.
Chapter Forty-Two
The first time Kathy had become engaged, well, she’d basically found herself in front of a preacher with her irate father and Randall’s father standing behind them. She’d had no choice in the matter, no real say, because as she’d repeatedly been told, she’d already made her choice.
