“Two of the three private schools have the same policy.”
“I see.” She took a bite, thinking as she chewed. “They reminded me again when I picked him up that the suspension was for the rest of the year if it was determined that the sandwich was a gun.”
“Did you ask Bobby about it?” Nate looked out the window.
Bobby was riding his pedal tractor on the driveway.
“He said it was supposed to be a truck.”
“Ah. So he was doing artwork with his sandwich.”
Kaitlyn gave him a look. “Whose side are you on?”
“I have a choice about that?” Nate grinned.
“I’m glad you can joke. It’s still making me so angry. When did things become so crazy that a little boy gets treated this way?” Kaitlyn sighed, dropping her head into her hand. “The only school that will take him now is Catholic.”
“Yes. And the school district is required by law to provide transportation to and from the school. However, when I talked to the administration, they said that his ride was likely to be an hour and a half.”
“But they’re only twenty-five minutes away!”
“They’re required to provide transportation. It doesn’t have to be timely.”
“What is this charter school stuff?”
“Online school. Basically, someone here oversees that he does work assigned over the computer. Kind of a hybrid between homeschool and real school.” Nate paused with his sandwich in the air. “Of course, there’s always homeschooling.”
“No way. I don’t want my brother to be a freak.” She dipped her sandwich and took a bite.
Nate hadn’t moved. He stared down into his soup holding his sandwich halfway to his mouth.
“Is there a fly in that?” Kaitlyn asked, looking across the table into his bowl.
“Nah.” He seemed to shake himself. “My biggest concern with homeschooling was someone having the time to do it. Sooo,” he said, drawing the word out. “You know freaky homeschoolers?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Kaitlyn scrunched her brows, tempted to roll her eyes.
“Yeah, I guess I see what you’re saying. Somehow they don’t look like normal kids when they’re winning the spelling bee on TV.”
“Are you defending homeschooling?” Rhetorical question. “You know normal homeschoolers?’
“Define normal.” He quirked a brow and smirked at her, lightening the mood. Somewhat.
“So, if you hadn’t already told me you’d never had a girl, I’d almost say an old girlfriend was homeschooled. So you had a good friend?”
“Me.”
Kaitlyn’s sandwich dropped into her soup, sloshing red liquid over the edges. She stared at him, feeling the seconds tick by, but she just couldn’t make her mouth move. He seemed so normal. But then again, he wasn’t normal. How many times had she thought that he was different from any other man she knew? How many times had she admired that difference? She looked at the sandwich that floated in her soup. How many other men she knew would have had a list, the baby taken care of, and lunch made while she picked Bobby up at school?
“Is this what homeschooling did to you?” She indicated the table with the list and the food and Gary sleeping in his car seat in the corner.
“It’s not normal, is it?” He tilted his head to the side, as though she’d not just greatly offended him, and instead he was contemplating how not normal he was.
“I’m so sorry, Nate.”
He snorted. “I think, considering how we’d been talking about how crazy the world has become—that’s become the new normal. I think I’m happy with not normal.”
“Humph.” But Kaitlyn had switched gears completely in her thinking. “How hard is it? To homeschool? Could we do it with Bobby? At least until things calm down with the family?”
A little smile hovered around Nate’s lips. “I’ve got the feeling you can do anything you set your mind to.”
~*~
Thursday night Nate jogged along the river. He’d already done two hours of workouts after coming home from Kaitlyn’s. The running was to increase his stamina, although most fights, because of their brutal nature, did not last long. He jumped over a rock in the path, his mind on trying to figure out his latest problem. How would he keep her from seeing the bruising that was sure to be on his face next week? How would he explain it? He couldn’t recall ever being more tempted to lie in his life. He couldn’t lie. Not to Kaitlyn. They might be completely wrong for each other, but he had way too much respect for her to lie to her. But after everything that had gone down with Bobby, he could hardly tell her the truth.
Swinging around, he turned back toward the house. His phone buzzed against his side. Without breaking stride, he unhooked it and looked at the ID. Linda. He slowed to a walk before he answered. “Hello?”
“Hey, Nate. How are you?”
“Doing good.” He’d barely given Linda a thought since the fair. She’d said she felt the same. Why was she calling?
“Eve told me about your fight this weekend, and I just wanted to wish you luck.”
“Thanks.” Sweat trickled down the side of his face. He swiped at it with his sleeve.
“I’d heard that you and Kaitlyn were getting kind of close.”
“Hmm.” He wondered where she’d heard it but figured it didn’t matter.
Sounding uncertain, Linda said, “I wanted to offer to watch the boys so she can go with you.”
Nate almost choked. He coughed. “Um. No. No, thanks. Um, I mean, I’ll think about it. Thanks.”
“Oh,” Linda said, confused. “OK. I’m sorry. Maybe I have everything all wrong.”
“Well, I don’t know what you mean by close but she’s been given a pretty rough go, and she’s handled things with grace.” Nate stopped walking and laid his head back, looking at the stars as he pictured Kaitlyn working to keep the business afloat and learning to deal with her brothers.
“Sounds like the Kaitlyn who used to be friends with me.”
“I think there’s more to Kaitlyn than the town of Transmission gives her credit for.”
“I hope so,” Linda said. “Sounds as if you two really are getting along.”
“Hmm.” Nate acknowledged. “Did the gossip also get around that Clint doctored those pictures and that there was nothing going on with Tank and Kaitlyn?”
“Yeah. It made me think that maybe I’d judged a little too fast and a little too harshly. It wasn’t a good thought, and maybe this was my roundabout way of trying to make it right.” Linda’s tone was full of regret.
“Call Kaitlyn.”
Linda was quiet for a minute, then as though she was trying to convince herself, she said, “She’s the one who needs to apologize to me.”
“You’re the one who wanted to make it right. I think she could use a friend.” He knew she could. And he knew she was different than the Kaitlyn Linda remembered. The time was perfect for their friendship to be restored.
“She’s not the only one.”
“I don’t think it would occur to her that you might forgive her. If you want to make it right, you’ll have to call her.”
“You make a lot of sense, Nate,” Linda said thoughtfully.
“You’re a good woman, Linda. I hope the Lord sends you a fellow who’s worthy of you.”
“I think I’ve got enough on my plate right now. A man would only complicate things. You can pray that God’ll send me enough money to pay the taxes. And that he’ll give me the nerve to call Kaitlyn. You’re right, but that doesn’t make it any easier to do.”
He laughed. “Thanks for calling.”
“Good night.”
Nate pushed the ‘end’ button. Before he could tuck his phone away and start jogging again, it buzzed with a text. From Kaitlyn.
Found a sitter for Gary. Are you coming to my pull tomorrow?
You know I wouldn’t miss it.
There was a long hesitation. Nate thought that was probably all she wanted. He started j
ogging again before his phone buzzed back.
Are you taking Linda?
He couldn’t help feeling a little offended over that question.
The only woman I can think about is you.
Was that a yes?
Nate wished he had weights in his hand—an outlet for his frustration.
What more do you want from me?
I want everything. It’s the way I am.
Nate stared at his phone. He wanted to give her everything. But he wanted everything from her in return. Could he tell her that?
Before he could respond, his phone lit up again.
How did we get on this subject? I just wanted to know if you were going to ride to the pull with me tomorrow. You can’t, if you’re going with Linda.
No Linda. No girl but you.
I can’t believe you were homeschooled.
And that’s relevant how?
…I think I’m falling for you Nate. Don’t make me chase you.
I’m ready to be caught. I just don’t want to hurt you.
This is the conversation I want to have Saturday on our date.
Nate’s eyes got big as his heart lurched. He’d forgotten. How would he go with Kaitlyn and make it to his fight, too? Wow. What had he been thinking? He couldn’t back out of either one. Not without lying. Unless he just told her. His stomach rolled at the thought, and he dismissed that idea immediately. He wasn’t telling her. It wasn’t who he would be in the future and he didn’t want her to see that side of him. Closing his eyes, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. He could do both. The date and the fight. He’d just have to figure out an excuse to have her back early. His phone buzzed.
Nate?
Yeah. We’ll talk Saturday. Tomorrow it’s about your truck.
Do you mind if Bobby comes with us? The sitter will watch both boys if I want her to.
Bring Bobby. You know I don’t mind.
That’s one of the things that make you different. In a good way. Uh, Gary’s crying. Gotta go.
Sleep tight.
You too.
Nate breathed deep against the longing that burned in his heart. He stared at his phone for a full minute after he sent his last text. He wanted to go over to Kaitlyn’s and help her with the baby. It felt unfair that he got to go in, shower leisurely, and go to bed, having uninterrupted sleep.
He still hadn’t figured out how he would keep her from seeing his face after the fight. Now he also had to figure out how to get her home by eight on Saturday night. Without her suspecting anything. Neither goal seemed possible. But there had to be some way. Telling her wasn’t an option.
18
“I’m taking Bobby and Gary up to the house to get a little food in Bobby and get Gary’s stuff ready for the sitter. You OK here?”
Kaitlyn looked up between the rears of the truck where she lay on the creeper. Now that she knew, sort of, what Nate looked like under his white collared shirt, she wasn’t as fooled by his businessman garb. He looked good. She could lay here and watch him all day. If only these rears would fix themselves. “Grab me a three-fourths wrench before you go, please?”
“Sure.” He turned and grabbed it out of the toolbox, handing it through the wires next to the frame.
Her fingers brushed his and she almost dropped the wrench. How did he do that to her? “Thanks,” she mumbled. She liked him, admired him, and yes, was even attracted to him, but she wasn’t sure she liked the control he had over her. Over her thoughts and emotions, and her physical reactions.
He walked out, Bobby bouncing along side, holding his hand. Nate’s walk was confident and sure. Gary’s car seat swung from his hand.
For a while there was no sound other than the occasional clanking of metal on metal as Kaitlyn worked under the truck. She’d been going over tonight’s pull in her head, thinking about whether to pull out from the line in a higher gear now that Nate had revamped her ECM.
A pair of legs came into view. Women’s legs.
She hesitated for a minute. Who could it be and what did they want? Mentally she shrugged and pushed herself out from under the truck.
Linda.
Kaitlyn eyed her warily for a moment, then, feeling at a distinct disadvantage, she stood up beside the creeper. “Hello.”
Years of friendship ran through her head. Then, the last time she’d seen Linda—at the fair with Nate and her brothers. A flash of hot jealousy hit her backbone and her jaw tightened before she mindfully relaxed it. Linda hadn’t done anything wrong; Kaitlyn had been the only one at fault.
“Hello, Kaitlyn.” Linda gave a half-smile and a questioning look.
Kaitlyn, as per her nature, dove right in. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve what I did to you all those years ago. Although I did you a favor, because the guy we both liked turned out to be a real jerk. He’d have done the same thing to you he did to me.”
“I know.” Linda smiled. “I suppose I should thank you.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. But I should have apologized a long time ago.”
“I allowed it to go on, too.” Fiddling with the strap on her purse, Linda shrugged. “It’s long over, and I was really hoping we could be friends. I’m thinking we could both use one.”
Kaitlyn reached into her back pocket and pulled out a blue rag, wiping her hands. “Thanks. It has been kind of rough lately.”
“Yeah.” Linda’s lips twisted slightly.
Kaitlyn felt a pinch of guilt. Linda had been doing the work of three people on the farm for a long time, and she probably could use a hand.
“But I’ve heard that Nate Gordon has been around. People say you two are doing everything together.”
Maybe it was a dig or an attempt for gossip, but the Linda that Kaitlyn knew wasn’t like that. So she answered honestly. “I like him. But it scares me. He’s not like the guys I’m used to. And I feel like I’m not good enough for him.”
“We spent that evening together—there were no sparks for us—but he loves your brothers.” She lifted a brow. “And he’s feeling quite a bit for you, too.”
Kaitlyn couldn’t admit that Linda knew more about Nate’s feelings than she did.
“He’s a keeper, Kaitlyn.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“No.” Linda put one finger on the rubber door insulator. “I told you. With all you’re going through right now, I thought you might need a friend. Plus, I knew it was past time to put the old stuff behind us. If we could.”
“I’m the one who did it to you, Linda. If you can forgive me—that’s the question.” When Kaitlyn thought of someone doing to her—a best friend dating the guy she knew she liked—she wasn’t sure that she’d ever be able to forgive.
But Linda didn’t hesitate. “Forgiven.”
Kaitlyn held out her hand.
Linda ignored it and reached to pull Kaitlyn, greasy clothes and all, into a hug. “I do have a lot going on with the farm, and my parents and teaching and everything, but if I can do anything…” Linda pulled back and looked Kaitlyn in the eye.
Kaitlyn felt her eyes prick with tears. She’d missed her friend and hadn’t even realized it until now. “Thanks.”
“Now, I’m pretty sure you have a pull tonight?”
“Yeah.”
“So I won’t keep you.” She walked toward her car, but grinned over her shoulder. “I hope you win. With the pull, and with Nate.”
“Thanks, Linda.”
“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Kaitlyn. I think you went a little crazy after Kyle died. And that’s totally understandable. I could have been a better friend.”
Kaitlyn wanted to assure her that she didn’t have to worry about Kaitlyn doing that again—if she could go back and redo, she would. But the best she could offer was just that—that it wouldn’t happen again.
~*~
“Thanks for coming tonight.” Kaitlyn checked the temperature gauge before shutting the truck off in front of the garage.
“Thanks for the l
ift.” Nate glanced at her with a smile before lifting a sleeping Bobby, worn out from the night’s activities, and arranging him so he could get him out of the truck without waking him.
“Need help?”
He descended the steps with an expertise as though he’d been handling children all his life. Nate would be a great dad.
“I’m good.”
Kaitlyn had to agree with that. She gathered their stuff and exited the truck, falling into step with Nate toward the house. “People kept asking me if we were together.”
Nate snorted. “And here I thought you’d still be on cloud nine from your big win. You beat everyone by at least 40 feet.”
Kaitlyn wasn’t sure exactly why, but winning had become something that was nice, but no longer necessary. Maybe it was because of the life and death situation of Karen. Maybe because of spending so much time with, and finally getting to know, her little brothers. But she figured it had as much, if not more, to do with Nate. It was getting hard to think of anything else. “Already focused on the next win.” It wasn’t technically true, but he seemed to expect her to care. And she did. Just not as much as she used to.
“Hmm.” He waited while she opened the door to the house.
The babysitter, Scarlett, stood with her purse slung over her shoulder and her phone out. “I heard you guys pull in.” She snapped her gum.
Nate continued through the kitchen, disappearing up the stairs with Bobby.
“How was he tonight?” she asked as she dug into her purse for money to pay Scarlett.
Scarlett’s bright pink nails flashed as she texted on her phone. “Fine. I gave him a bottle at eight, and he went right down after I changed his diaper.” Double snap.
“Good.” Kaitlyn found her wallet.
“Your dad called, and I told him to call your cell phone.”
“He did.”
Scarlett’s phone buzzed, and she paused as her fingers flew over the buttons. She looked up. “How’s Karen?”
“Not good.” Kaitlyn gave a quick rundown of the latest—Karen was not good, the doctors were trying their best, but she wasn’t responding well. She left out the fact that her dad had never sounded worse.
“So,” Scarlett tossed her bleached blond hair over her shoulder. “Was that your boyfriend?”
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