Waiting for You

by Heather Huffman

  “Oh, yeah. I was just working through some family stuff with my brother. I’m totally good. I mean, I did break it off with William, but that’s a good thing.”

  “You ended your engagement?”

  Karise thought she detected hope in Kate’s voice. It was best to nip that in the bud right away. “Yes, but not because of Aidan. He was just a catalyst who helped me see some red flags in my relationship. I think it’s definitely best that I be alone for a while.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Karise didn’t believe Kate for a minute.

  “Didn’t you mention last night that the two of you work together?”

  “I left my job, too.”

  “Decided to go for a whole-life makeover? I’ve been there. Best choice I ever made,” Kate said.

  “Well, his dad owns the company, so there wasn’t much choice there. But yeah, a life makeover is probably in order.”

  Kate didn’t miss a beat. “You should come to San Francisco. Well, Napa really. I need an architect.”

  “That’s very sweet of you…”

  “No really. I’m not just saying that. Gavin can vouch for me; I’ve been interviewing architects for weeks. Remember the house we’re building? You should come help us. That’ll give you time to find a permanent job. Or start your own business. Please say you’ll think about it.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Karise caved in under the weight of Kate’s enthusiasm. “I promised my brother I’d go back to Ecuador with him for a week or two, though.”

  “You could start after that. We’ve bounced back and forth between Napa and the city this long. Two more weeks won’t hurt,” Kate rushed to assure her. “You brother lives in Ecuador?”

  “He’s my half-brother, actually. He moved there to start a rose plantation.”

  “That sounds incredibly cool. I’ve never seen a rose plantation.”

  “A lot of them are pretty horrible places, but his is different. It’s paradise.”

  “It’s not often one is offered two weeks in paradise. You should enjoy it. Enjoy it and then come work for me. You can even stay in our guest house, rent free.”

  “Why are you doing all of this for me?”

  Kate hesitated. “I guess it’s because I see a kindred spirit. I think you’re standing right where I was not too many years ago.”

  “I appreciate it…”

  “Great, then we’ll see you in two weeks. I’ll text you the address and you just let me know the exact day so we have the guest house ready.”

  “I didn’t agree, Kate. You interrupted.”

  “Nope. I’m pretty sure you agreed.” Kate’s tone was light, but Karise still had the distinct impression that resistance was futile.

  Karise could feel a smile tugging at her mouth. Why was she so adamantly refusing? At least this gave her somewhere to go when she left Ecuador. Maybe the next step on the path would reveal itself when she got there. “Alright, fine. You win. I’ll see you in two weeks. Thank you.”

  “Yay!” Kate celebrated. “Gavin will be so excited to hear I’ve found an architect. He’s gotten really tired of hearing me talk about this.”

  Devon looked up at her when she re-entered the room. “Was that William?”

  “No, it was a job offer. In Napa.”

  “Well that’s timely. Did you accept it?”

  “She wasn’t taking no for an answer.” Karise sank back onto the couch, a skosh shell-shocked by how quickly her life was changing. “It’s temporary, but it comes with housing and I think it’ll lead me to my next step.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I have no idea,” Karise admitted.

  “Fair enough.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  KARISE LOUNGED ON Devon’s patio, idly twirling a flower between her fingers, fascinated by the way the bright, happy colors blended together as she did so. When she’d left for college, the white, Spanish- style home with blue trim had been completed, but the gardens had not. Now, flowers were everywhere, trailing down the sides of the house and around the concrete pillars of the patio. The effect was breathtaking; the heady aroma of roses all around them intoxicated her. She was glad she’d come and didn’t remember the last time she’d felt so relaxed; the cheerful gurgle of the fountain nearly lulled her to sleep.

  Jane lounged in the seat next to Karise’s. It didn’t surprise her in the least that Devon had wound up with such a pretty blonde wife. What had surprised her was the woman’s sweet nature. It was impossible to resist being friends with Jane McAlister, and Karise was really tired of resisting anyway.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” Jane murmured. “I have a million things I should be doing right now, but you’ve given me a lovely excuse to enjoy this sunny day.”

  “Glad to be of service.” Karise smiled.

  “In all seriousness,” Jane continued, “you’ve made Devon so happy by coming home with him. And Pablo, I’ve never seen him so excited.”

  “It’s been too long, I know.” There really was no excuse for Karise’s absence other than selfishness. In her eagerness to forget her own pain, she’d inflicted pain on others. All she could do now was set about correcting that.

  Jane peeked over at Karise and hesitated. “I never had a sister.”

  “I never gave Alex a chance to be a sister, so I really haven’t, either.”

  “If you need someone to talk to, about anything, I’m here.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. I’m being selfish – a little girl talk would make me feel like I had that sister.”

  A smile tipped the corner of Karise’s mouth. “I’m not sure what there is to tell. William, well, William was a mistake I made because I was trying really hard to do the right thing.”

  “I had one of those.”

  “That surprises me. You seem above mistakes.”

  “I’m not sure how to take that.” A crease marred Jane’s smooth brow.

  “As a compliment. I really can’t wrap my brain around you making a bad choice.”

  “I was engaged before Devon. Back in Arkansas. He was a youth pastor, so that meant he had to be Mr. Right, right?”

  “Absolutely.” Karise didn’t follow but wasn’t about to say so.

  “He left when he found out I couldn’t have children. I was devastated. In a roundabout way, that devastation is what led me here. It took a lot of convincing for me to let Devon in.”

  “What an ass.” Karise had never felt so strong an urge to smack a total stranger as she did this youth pastor from Arkansas. It was probably a good thing he wasn’t around. “I’m glad you and Devon found each other, though. He’s so crazy about you.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but Devon told me the whole story.”

  “I kind of figured he would.”

  “So this guy Aidan…” Jane fished.

  “… was a really yummy dream.” Karise finished. “And now it’s time to wake up and figure out what I’m going to do with my life.”

  “Ah.” Jane let the subject drop. “I like having a sister.”

  “Me too.” Karise settled back into the lounger again and resumed twirling the flower.

  The rest of the trip passed in a happy daze. After his initial joy at seeing Karise, Pablo had been concerned to hear her engagement ended. Once he was appropriately convinced she wasn’t upset, his concern turned back to joy at spending time with his only daughter. His wife, Lucia, used the time to put what she declared was some much-needed meat on Karise’s bones.

  Not sure what the protocol was for defunct engagements, Karise debated calling William to be sure he was okay. Then she decided that was an idiotic idea; it really wasn’t her business if he was okay. She settled on sending him a letter apologizing for any hurt she caused and providing him with her forwarding address in California. After that was finished, she tried really hard to put that chapter of her life behind her.

  Curious as she was about her new home and life, Karise was still sorry when the
day rolled around to board the plane to her new world. She would miss her family in Ecuador, more than she ever realized was possible. So much so that she even toyed with the idea of staying. Even with Jane taking on responsibilities for the family corporation, McAlister Industries, Devon could still use the help. The business was ever-expanding. If Karise wanted, Devon would find her a home within it. Something deep within told her she had to take this step to California, though. Not to run from being a McAlister as she had her entire life, but to find out what it was to live out of the shadow of a giant. Her existence had been filled with giants to this point: her mother, the McAlister name, William – they were all larger than life.

  It was with a mixture of a heavy heart and a sense of anticipation that Karise watched the earth grow smaller and smaller under her feet as the McAlister private plane carried her towards her new home. Devon had already shipped her meager belongings to the address Kate had provided, leaving Karise with only her carryon to pull through the small Napa airport. Devon had offered to arrange for a car to meet his sister in California, but Kate had insisted on picking Karise up. She was there with infant in tow by the time Karise emerged from the building.

  “I can’t believe you’re really here!” Kate greeted her enthusiastically. “I half expected you to change your mind.”

  Karise was almost offended until she remembered that she had almost changed her mind. “Nope. I’m here.”

  “And just in time for Jonathan’s birthday party,” Kate added. “It’s tomorrow night. I hope you’ll come.”

  “I don’t want to intrude. That sounds like a family thing.”

  “Nonsense. I’m an event planner; nothing is just family. Besides, it’ll be a great way for you to make some new contacts in the area.”

  “People don’t argue with you often, do they?” Karise eyed her new friend.

  “They try. Gavin views it as a bit of a sport, really.”

  That amused Karise. Despite having known the couple for such a short time, she could see that. Kate was a meticulously put together person who seemed to thrive on order. Gavin, on the other hand, seemed to thrive on disrupting Kate’s sense of order – in a mischievous kind of way. Before she could stop it, Karise’s mind wandered to Aidan. He seemed to take the same great pleasure in keeping Karise off-kilter. No wonder the two were friends.

  “Can I take your silence as a yes?” Kate persisted.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “Fantastic! And that’s a definite yes?”

  “I think so.” Karise was suddenly afraid.

  “Then I should probably warn you that Aidan will be there. He’s Jonathan’s godfather.”

  “Seriously, Kate? I haven’t even gotten in your car yet and you’re already trying to set me up with him. Is this why you brought me to California?”

  “No? I mean, sure, I hope the two of you will end up together, but I really did think you’d be amazing for this job. I promise I’m not trying to set you up.”

  “Okay.” Karise suddenly felt like an immense ass for overreacting. “Sorry. I’m blaming jetlag for my rudeness.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  The conversation ended as Kate set about buckling her squirming son into his car seat. Karise waited in the passenger seat, willing her stomach to stop fluttering and wondering if she’d made a colossal mistake.

  Once they were rolling down the highway, Kate glanced over at Karise. “Would it be the worst thing in the world if I was trying to set you up, just a little?”

  Karise sighed heavily and closed her eyes. She wondered if there was a way to make Kate understand her resistance. “Aidan is, well, delectable. I know this. Trust me. I can’t be in the same room with him without wanting to do really bad things. A lot.”

  Kate giggled. “I knew it.”

  “But that’s exactly the reason I’m trying so hard to steer clear of him. I don’t want to jump out of William’s arms and into Aidan’s. I really want – no, I need – to have some time that’s just mine.”

  “I get it.” Kate tried to look sober.

  “Thank you.”

  “But if you should decide to take a little nibble of him, I don’t think he’d complain.”

  Karise just shook her head and leaned back in her seat, suddenly feeling every moment of her eight-hour flight.

  The looming party somewhat dampened Karise’s excitement over seeing her new home. That is, until she crossed the threshold of the immaculate stucco cottage. She instantly adored the gentle curves of the structure, and the cheerful interior reminded her of everything she’d loved about her apartment in Boston – without the entanglements. Nestled into a corner of the property overlooking a pond, the cottage had its own set of gardens, with a bistro table situated in their midst.

  “This is amazing,” Karise admired.

  “Thank you.” Kate smiled in acknowledgement. “It was a little overwhelming when I first found out I’d inherited half a winery. It was a lot to take in.”

  “You didn’t grow up here?”

  “Albuquerque. I came here after one of those life-altering moments. Actually, I went to San Francisco to track down my father. In the process, I found my aunt on my mother’s side. Long story.”

  “One I would love to hear sometime.”

  “Definitely,” Kate agreed. “After you’ve showered, though.”

  “Are you saying I stink?”

  Kate smiled. “I promise you smell fine. But if I were you, I’d be exhausted.”

  “It would be nice to freshen up.”

  “And then you’ll come to the main house for dinner? My aunt and uncle are looking forward to meeting you, and Gavin wants to say hi. He pouted when he got held up in meetings and couldn’t make it to the airport.”

  “Will there be any surprises at dinner?” Karise eyed her warily.

  “None. Scout’s honor.” Kate was solemn.

  “Were you ever even a scout?”

  “No, but I think it still counts.”

  Karise gave what she hoped was a face that said she meant business and agreed to dinner. Kate had been right – a shower felt divine. So did fresh clothes. Since she was meeting Kate’s family for the first time, she opted for a coral dress that she hoped was casual enough to look like she wasn’t trying too hard yet nice enough to impress them. It was comfortable and had a flirty twirl to the skirt that made her feel distinctly feminine. The more she thought about it, the more she worried about being overdressed, so she went with cute boots instead of heels. She stepped out the door and then circled around to head right back in, grabbing a jacket from her bag before setting off again.

  Karise followed the path back to the main house, pausing long enough to appreciate the spectacular sunset and the way the light played with the rolling hills of grapes. She hadn’t thought any place on earth could be as beautiful as Devon’s home. She’d been wrong. Her temporary home was every bit as breathtaking, if in its own way.

  Dinner had been set up on the veranda, its aroma extending down the pathway to greet Karise. Candles flickered merrily, reminding her of meals at Devon’s. She realized with a start that the similarity pleased her. She really had grown fond of her brother and his home now that she’d chosen to let him in.

  “Karise!” Gavin, the only family member outside, was the first to greet her, although his greeting was quickly followed by a hello from their massive yellow and white mutt, Ty. Kate had warned her of the dog’s tendency toward exuberant greetings, so she braced herself. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “Thanks. You too… Oh my, hello puppy.” When the dog stuck his massive, wet nose in the most embarrassing place possible, Karise realized she wasn’t as prepared as she’d thought.

  Without missing a beat, Gavin hauled the dog off her. “You look lovely, my dear.”

  “And you look quite handsome.” She brushed her skirt out, eyeing the beast warily when Gavin let go of his collar.

  “Can I get you a glass of wine? I’d offer you something els
e, but I think that’s a form of sacrilege here.”

  “Wine is perfect,” she said.

  “Which do you prefer?” He motioned to the bottles.

  “I’m afraid to choose. I’ll only show my ignorance.”

  “Don’t be silly. If it tastes good to you, how can it be wrong?”

  “Chardonnay?”

  “Terrible choice,” he tsked and then winked at her. “Kidding.”

  “Kate’s right – you are incorrigible.”

  “Yeah, speaking of that…” Gavin took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I kind of invited Aidan to dinner tonight.”

  Karise took a deep breath in preparation for a response when Gavin rushed ahead.

  “It was before I talked to Kate. She didn’t know, I promise. Please don’t be mad at her.”

  That took the wind out of Karise’s reply. She sighed and narrowed her eyes at him. “Just remember, I’m not smitten with you, so that rakish charm won’t get you as far with me as it does with Kate.”

  “But you do acknowledge the charm.”

  Karise sipped her wine and gave Gavin the evil eye.

  “Appetizer?” He gestured to the table.

  “You mean that’s not dinner?” She took in the immense spread.

  “They pulled out all the stops for you.”

  “Why?” Karise couldn’t help asking.

  “We like you.”

  She had the distinct impression he wasn’t telling her something but let it drop. The headlights bouncing down the driveway had placed her heart firmly in her throat anyway. She was surprised to note that Aidan drove a rather beat-up old truck. It wasn’t quite the bad-boy- mobile she would have pictured.

  Panic flared when the truck stopped. “Do you think Kate needs help with anything inside?”

  Gavin’s grin was positively evil. “I think she’s got it covered.”

  “I need to use the ladies’ room.” Let him dispute that one.

  The grin erupted into a chuckle, but he relented and motioned to the French doors behind her. “Through there, take the hall to the right, it’s the first door on the right.”

  She nodded, set her wine glass down on the table, and bolted. Karise couldn’t be sure, but it sounded a lot like Gavin’s laughter followed her down the hallway. Alone in the bathroom, she rested her forehead against the cool marble of the sink and tried to calm herself down. You’re being ludicrous. She was angry with herself for being afraid of one silly man. Or rather, of her reaction to the aforementioned silly man. It was that ire that helped her pull it together so she looked almost regal by the time she reappeared on the veranda, which had filled since her departure.