by JoAnn Durgin
Rebekah laughed. “No wonder I like you so much. You’re a multi-tasker like me.”
“Anything else you ladies need before I go back to my post?”
“I’m sure Beck will think of something.” Trina winked as she departed, calling to her daughter to stop pestering her younger brother.
“Kevin, did you bring your guitar?”
“It’s in the back of my truck. You know my motto: have guitar, will travel.” Leaning toward her, he planted a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. “Play your cards right, and you might get a private performance later. I wrote a new song a couple of days ago.”
“Oh?” She closed her eyes when he leaned close. Her eyes fluttered, her lids heavy. “I was thinking maybe you could play and sing some of your songs for the whole group.”
“I’d rather play just for you.” Another sweet, loopy grin surfaced. “You’re getting that look again,” he added in a low voice.
“Hmm? What look is that?” She couldn’t help it. Kevin was like a drug—addictive and heady.
He chuckled. “The look that makes me want to take you in my arms and never let you go.”
“You must feel pretty comfortable around me to say something like that.” She grinned and nudged his foot with hers. “After all, it took you years to work up the nerve to even tell me you liked me.”
“I do feel comfortable with you. Surely you must know that by now.”
“You make me very happy. You should know that, too.”
“I know something else,” he said, standing and holding out one hand.
“What’s that?” She put her hand in his and he pulled her up beside him.
“I want to share a kabob with the prettiest teacher on the planet.”
She laughed. “Thanks, but is that your way of issuing a new challenge?”
He raised a brow. “Guess so, although I was focusing more on the compliment. You start on one end and I’ll start on the other, and the twain shall meet somewhere in the middle. Or something like that.” Kevin’s smile was infectious.
“Sounds real romantic.”
“I’m certainly willing to find out. You might be surprised.”
He’s getting pretty good at this flirting thing. “Don’t forget these.” She handed him a stack of napkins.
They talked together as they walked to where some of the parents, staff and students congregated. Soon after, she moved over to help serve the smaller children as Kevin positioned himself behind the grill. Shy as he was, he was so good with people and always had a ready smile and a kind word. She loved how he was willing to pitch in at her school function. He didn’t have to help, didn’t have to leave the lumberyard early to come. A few times, she felt his eyes on her. When she looked his way, he winked. Kevin had come a long way in the last few months alone. Maybe there’s hope for him yet.
“So, has he said it?” Hannah Kendrick, her student teacher, asked as they worked alongside one another.
Rebekah dished out some beans and corn for one of her students.
“Thank you, Miss Grant.”
“You’re very welcome, Kendra.” She dished up the same for the next child in line. “Who said what?” She didn’t like playing coy, but perhaps she should avoid large gatherings with Kevin where people would ask questions. Well-intentioned or not, it was getting plenty annoying. Thank the Lord Josh wasn’t here but at least he’d be ecstatic she was with Kevin and not the Brit. Good grief, now I’m calling him that, too.
Hannah nodded to where Kevin talked with some of the guys. “It’s written all over the man’s face. He’s irresistible, you know. If you decide you don’t want him, I have a few willing friends waiting in the wings. On the other hand, the same applies to Adam.”
“It’s not like they’re the prize in a cereal box.” What’s with everyone today? Couldn’t a girl enjoy a nice picnic without getting asked at every single turn about her love life?
Hannah put the bowl of macaroni salad on the table and turned to face her when they had a momentary lull in the food line. “I’m sorry, Beck. I know this situation is driving you crazy, and I don’t mean to make light of it.”
“You can’t tell me anything I don’t already know. Trust me, I’ve gone over everything in my head until I’m sick of myself. I’ve never strung along two guys at the same time, and I’ve always detested women who did. Tell me something. Does everyone on the school staff know about my juggling act?”
“Not everyone, and most of us would love to feel your pain. I’m sure you’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
I hope you’re right, Hannah.
Chapter 8
As they ate side by side, Kevin periodically applied light pressure to Rebekah’s fingers beneath the picnic table. It might be part excuse to hold her hand but she’d almost lost several fingers—two on her left hand and three on her right—to hypothermia and frostbite during the TeamWork mission in Montana. The lingering numbness and sensitivity was sporadic, with no rhyme or reason. The tiny line that formed between her brows and the tension around her mouth always clued him in.
He eyed her as he finished, releasing her hand. “Okay now?”
She nodded, giving him a sweet smile. “Yes, thanks.”
He held up a kabob with a wry grin. “Are you ready for our latest challenge?”
Wiping her hands on a napkin, she took her position on one end as he took the other. “Meet you in the middle.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Kevin spied her blonde head moving along the kabob. He grinned when she tugged, making him work harder. It really wasn’t a fair race, and not as easy as sharing an ear of corn like they did at her church picnic last summer. He slowed as they neared the middle at the same time.
“Hi,” he said. With his nose pressed against hers, her kissable mouth so close, he watched her take the last bite of red bell pepper. What the woman could do with a simple smile was incredible.
Turning away a moment, he reached for his cup. Hearing a choking, sputtering sound behind him, Kevin turned, his eyes widening as Rebekah clutched his arm, motioning with one hand. She grabbed at her throat, her eyes bright with unshed tears. Moving her hand to her chest, she beat on it with her fist.
Slamming his cup on the table, he jumped up and hauled her off the bench. Wrapping his arms around her, he performed a perfect Heimlich and dislodged the pesky piece of pepper on the first thrust. It must have landed on the little girl the next table over when she yelled “Gross!” and gyrated like she had a big red bug in her shirt.
After sputtering and coughing some more, Rebekah gulped down a cup of cold water Hannah handed her. Slumping back down on the bench, looking almost as red as the pepper, she mumbled her thanks. Gasping for air, she avoided looking him in the eye as she deep-breathed a few times. “I feel like my throat is on fire.”
Kevin watched her closely for the next few minutes, sitting beside her, not touching her. He hoped his presence was a comfort in some small way. At length, she leaned her head on his shoulder and released a long sigh. “Are you okay?” he asked. She nodded but didn’t look so well. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the nearby playground swings, deserted for the moment since everyone was still eating.
Rebekah stretched out her long legs and took a couple more deep breaths as he dropped onto the swing beside her. “I’m fine,” she said with a shaky smile. “Just embarrassed. I can’t believe I choked on that silly piece of pepper. I’ve never choked on anything in my life.” Noticing stares directed their way, she settled her gaze on him, ignoring the others. “Seems I always need a hero. Thank you, Kevin. The TeamWork lifesaving training comes in handy yet again.” She leaned forward and he met her halfway. This time, she stopped. “Sorry,” she said, pulling back, “I momentarily forgot your rule against public displays of affection.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I might just change my rule for a gorgeous woman who choked on a piece of red pepper. A kiss might even be therapeutic for you.”
She looked at him sid
eways. “You’re developing into quite the flirt. Tell me, should I be worried?”
“I only flirt like that with you, Rebekah. Feel like going back to the picnic or do you want me to take you home? Whatever you want.”
“Oh, no, I’m not letting you off that easy,” she said. “Besides, there’s a brownie over there with your name on it. Let’s go, but let’s not race this time.”
He smiled and took hold of her hand. “Fine by me.” He kept watch over her for the next hour until she assured him she was fine and wasn’t suffering any aftereffects. When Rebekah asked him to join her in the potato sack races, it sounded like the best idea of the day. An hour later, they laughed so hard they almost couldn’t stop. Both with one leg in a potato sack, they hopped over the finish line ahead of the others before collapsing on the ground. Raising their clasped hands in the air, victorious, Kevin struggled to sit upright and pulled her up with him so they could accept their “trophy” of a fresh-baked peach pie from where they still sat on the ground.
“Where’s Sam Lewis when you need him?” Rebekah laughed, showing the pie to him.
“If it’s not made by Lexa, it’s not the same. But I’ll take it and enjoy every bite. Be good, and I might even be persuaded to share it with you.” He winked and struggled to stand before his foot got tangled in the potato sack again, and he fell back to the ground. Hard. “Ouch.”
Dropping to her knees beside him, out of breath, Rebekah murmured her sympathies. With her so close, he wanted to kiss her so badly he ached. Although he hadn’t kissed many women, Kevin knew it didn’t get any better than a kiss from this woman. His lips formed a slow, lazy grin. She called it his loopy grin and seemed to like it. Maybe it was loopy, but he didn’t care. She made him dizzy.
“I think it’s best if we take our legs out of this sack before we try to stand up again,” she said, retracting one leg and lowering the bag for him to do the same.
He watched as she ran it over to the group of waiting competitors.
“What’s next?” she asked a few minutes later when they added the pie to their other belongings.
Kevin surveyed their options. Anything to steal a private kiss sounds good. “Well, there’s ring toss or horseshoes. Either of those tempt you?”
Rebekah shook her head. “A bike ride sounds much better. Hey, Trina?” she called, waving to get the other woman’s attention where she walked nearby. “Are those bikes over there free for a spin around the trails?” Trina nodded and motioned for them to help themselves.
“Looks like we’re taking a bike ride,” he said. Sounds promising. Kevin walked alongside her to retrieve two bikes that rested against the base of a huge tree. “I like a decisive woman. Saves a lot of time.” That comment might have been misguided. Considering he was moving slow in this relationship, she must be thinking of the irony. He figured she might be wondering if he’d make the move to take their relationship to the next level sometime soon. His brothers teased him about it on a regular basis. He didn’t pay any attention to them but prayed Rebekah understood he wasn’t being indecisive. Rather, he was building the foundation, preparing for the future. A future that definitely included her. Something along the lines of “To have and to hold, from this day forward. . .” He handed her the water bottle he’d brought along, and encouraged her to take a drink before they started on the trail.
Taking the bottle from him, she swallowed a few gulps. “Thanks. At least a bike ride should be safe enough.” She handed back the bottle with a grin and a cute shrug. “Good to know I have a hero if I need one. With me, I guess anything’s possible.”
Lost in thought, he was vaguely aware when she took off on her bike.
“Kevin, you’re dawdling! Catch up!” She stopped and waved to him from at least fifty yards ahead. “First one to the lake wins!”
Snapping to attention, he pedaled in her direction. One thing about Rebekah Grant—she was always up for a competition.
Chapter 9
Tuesday Evening
Josh worked the room like the smoothest political candidate. Who knew a corporate lawyer could be such a natural at this catering thing? Winnie watched in awe as he served, poured, offered assistance and did everything they could expect of a paid employee, and then some, all the while wearing a Doyle-Clarke Catering smock over his white, button-down shirt with red silk tie and dark suit pants. Had the man brought half his professional wardrobe to Houston? More likely, he’d borrowed some things from Sam, judging by the slightly long pants. Weaving his way through the room of a hundred or so women in red hats of all sizes and shapes—pretty much a reflection of their owners—Josh was a wonder to behold.
After giving direction to a couple of the hired servers, Winnie stood by the coffee table, tapping her fingers on her hips, observing as the men delivered desserts. Sam had an amused glint in his eye and obeyed without question whenever Lexa had a request. Same with Josh. The Red Hat ladies adored them in an astonishing display as close to swooning as anything she’d ever seen. A number of the women looked at the guys as if they were dessert, but they smiled and laughed as they went about their jobs, ignoring the middle-aged hormones in overdrive. Based on all the fanning going on, there were enough hot flashes in the room to bake a cake.
It was too easy to tease and banter with Josh like old times—scary almost. He’d stayed out of the kitchen most of the day but that didn’t mean Winnie hadn’t thought about him. A lot. Okay, most of the day. She knew Sam took him out for a few hours, and the ladies only saw them in passing. Watching him now, she could tell how effortless that Grant charm was. Josh was the kind of guy others admired and wanted to emulate. The kind of person no one could stay mad at for long, no matter how egregious the offense. Not that Josh’s sins were all that horrible but best not to dwell on that. The man had done his time, so to speak, and she certainly couldn’t cast any stones. Enough of this. How many men would humble themselves to don an apron and pitch in to help, not expecting anything in return? Well, other than the dinner date. But that’s not why Josh offered. Was it?
Winnie shook her head and started in the direction of the kitchen. Dwelling on the questions swirling in her mind served no purpose. She had to give Lexa credit for not pushing the issue as they’d worked together earlier in the day, although she must be dying to know the details of her talk with Josh. Preparing the food and all the advance work kept them occupied and busy, and their conversations thankfully centered on their cooking. Lexa also knew her well enough to leave it alone.
Plucking a leftover stuffed mushroom from a tray, Winnie nibbled on it, sinking into a chair with a deep sigh. Even though she’d been in her flats most of the day, her feet hurt, and the briefest of respites was welcome. As evidenced by the increased volume in party noise, she knew someone had come into the kitchen. She could tell it was Josh without looking. The man had a presence. This is getting ridiculous.
“Mind if I join you?” Following her lead, he picked up a quiche appetizer and sat in the chair next to hers. He popped it in his mouth, smiling as he chewed. “This is great. My compliments to the chef but ever think about adding a little Cajun spice?”
Winnie slanted him an amused glance and finished her bite. “Not if I don’t want EMTs on standby.” She giggled at his smirk. “The tastes here in Houston are more. . .”
“Boring?” He grabbed a stuffed mushroom.
“I was going to say refined or normal, but you seem to be enjoying it all the same, Cajun-free or not. The food choices depend on the client and the event, of course. Besides, having you and Sam here tonight, we have all the spice we need.”
“I’m having more fun than I could have imagined.”
She shook her head. “I hope you realize you’re setting a dangerous precedent.” Walking over to the counter, she picked up a wet cloth and wiped down an empty serving tray. “Word gets around we have two handsome—two male waiters—every female group in the city will want to book our catering services.”
Josh settled back
in the chair, arms crossed. “Maybe you’re onto something. Would that be such a bad thing?”
She stopped wiping the tray, lowering her eyes. “It is when you’re only filling in because we were desperate.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
She couldn’t stop her smile. “What I know is you need to get back out there. Ladies in red hats await, and I’m sure at least one of them needs her water glass refilled.”
Josh saluted and headed back to the other room but not before giving her a wink that put her right back in that chair again.
~~**~~
Tuesday Night
Josh worked beside Winnie in Sam and Lexa’s kitchen as she washed the last few pans and utensils. “That was nice of you to send my hosts upstairs, give them some private time,” he said, handing her the next pan.
“It’s Joe’s feeding time, and I could tell she needed it as much as the baby.” Winnie scrubbed the dried, caked-on food rimming the top of the pan. “It’s hard for Lexa and Sam to both be away from the little guy for such a long stretch. But tonight,” she said, rinsing the pan and handing it to him, “they didn’t have much of a choice since their usual babysitter—the six-foot-five, ordained one—was otherwise engaged.” A comfortable silence settled between them for a few minutes as she washed and he dried.
“You’ll make a wonderful mother someday,” Josh said, his voice quiet and thoughtful. “After all, Mother Hen should have a whole houseful of kids.”
At that comment, Winnie dropped the last pan, its loud clanging against the edge of the sink making her cringe. She winced and slanted him a sheepish grin. “Sorry, my fingers slipped.” She concentrated on her task, scrubbing furiously. Lord, I know that’s an opening to tell him, but I’m tired and no good could come of it tonight.
After a couple of minutes, he nudged her arm. “I think you’ve scrubbed that pan enough. It’s plenty clean now.”
