Kiss Me Crazy

by Ednah Walters

  “L.A. is the place for me, Mom.”

  “But San Diego is your home. Our entire family is here. When you’re ready to move back permanently, we’ll be here.” She glanced toward the house and sighed. “Your sister is resting so I’ll head back to work. I’m happy you came to see her. She misses you too, you know.”

  Lay it on thick. Make me sweat with guilt. “I’m happy I could come. I’ll borrow Briana’s car and come over to the house to see Daddy later today.”

  “He’d love that. Don’t forget what we discussed earlier.”

  Discussed? She’d given the orders and expected Kara to follow them? “I need to think about it a little longer.”

  “Think about what? Sweetheart, your sister—”

  “Needs me, I know.” She shoved her hands in the pockets of the robe and squinted at her mother. She and Penney were about the same height, except her mother had added extra pounds in the last several years. She carried the weight well for a fifty-year-old and her skin was still smooth except for the laughter lines at the corners of her eyes. Her pale, ash blonde hair, like Kara’s, was cut short and styled. The pixie cut suited her rounder face. I hope I age like her.

  “Then you understand it’s our duty to be here for her,” her mother continued. “You can at least stay for a few weeks.”

  But Kara would cut off her arm before she favored one of her children over the other. It still hurt that Kara’s needs were always secondary to Briana’s. However, she was twenty-nine and past adolescent insecurities and jealousies. She had a life and was about to launch a business.

  Kara steeled herself for her next move.

  “I can’t, Mom. I have duties too, to my boss and my clients. I’m going back to L.A. on Thursday.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened. “What about Briana?”

  “She can stay with you. When Jim’s home, she can come home.”

  Penny’s mouth pinched with disapproval. “I’m too old to take care of your father and Briana.”

  “And I’m too busy to babysit her,” Kara said, keeping her voice neutral.

  Her mother threw up her arms in exasperation. “Why are you being so difficult? I expect your sister to behave like this. She’s a child. You, on the other hand, should know better.”

  “Twenty-four is a hardly a child. Briana’s a grown woman and we must start treating her like one.” She sat on a deck chair and hoped her mother would take the other one. This was something they needed to discuss rationally and come up with a solution, not hurl criticisms.

  Instead of sitting, her mother crossed her arms and squinted. “Do you know how much I sacrificed to take care of my own brothers and sister?”

  Oh, here she goes again with the famous speech she pulled whenever she needs me to tow the line.

  “Everything.” She said it in syllables to drive her point home. “I could have continued with my education, started a career, but I put them first. Then I met your father and had you. Once again, the two of you came first. I brought you up to understand the importance of family and…”

  Kara blew out a breath and tuned the rest of the speech out. Her mother always talked about becoming a registered nurse, but never bothered to pursue that dream. Instead she’d spent the last twenty-odd years moving up the ranks as a nurses’ aid and now enjoyed a supervisory position. Kara was proud of her pulling triple duty as a loving wife, mother, and valued employee at the hospital. But this time Kara resisted the urge to give in to her demands and be the dutiful daughter. Yes, she was concerned about Briana, but she couldn’t stay in San Diego, not even for a few weeks.

  “I know how much you sacrificed, Mom,” Kara said when her mother stopped talking. “No one appreciates that more than me. I promise to discuss things with Briana and come up with a better solution.”

  From the dismissive look on Penny’s face, she didn’t put much credence in Kara’s assertion. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you. Instead of coming to the house, we’ll stop by later tonight. Maybe your father will talk some sense into you.”

  Her mother left in a huff and Kara released a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. Please let Daddy be on my side. She could never refuse her father anything.

  Kara massaged her temples and listened to Penny’s car start and pull away from the driveway. A migraine was brewing in her head and she was helpless to stop it. Mrs. Marten distracted her briefly when she came to talk about lunch. Kara joined her in the kitchen and helped her prepare soup and turkey sandwiches. The simple chore kept her chaotic thoughts at bay.

  Later, after popping a pain pill, she carried the tray with their lunch upstairs and ate with her sister. Kara decided not to spoil the mood with talk of leaving. They watched a DVD of the T.V. series Sex and the City and guffawed at some of the antics of the characters, for once acting like sisters.

  When Kara left for downstairs an hour later, Briana was asleep. Once again, Kara found herself alone. Reading the romance novel she’d picked earlier crossed her mind but the book held no interest to her. The thought of going for another swim had no appeal either. She spent most of the afternoon on the pool deck, half dosing, half thinking about her life, Baron, and work. When she finally went inside, she found a note from Mrs. Marten. The housekeeper had gone grocery shopping. It was almost four in the afternoon when she returned.

  Kara was catching news in the media room with a euphoric Briana who’d just gotten off the phone with her husband. Her sister stayed upbeat through dinner and later when their parents arrived.

  “I’ve missed you, Daddy,” Kara said as she gave Cliff Michaels a hug. His scent, Old Spice mixed with wood polish from the furniture company he worked for, brought back wonderful childhood memories—reading together, teaching her how to ride a bike and later drive, the beautiful wooden toys he’d whittle for her. Her father was deft at creating intricate designs on wood, the reason his company kept him and a handful few after computerized machines replaced manual labor, and why he was the person she chose to design frames for her store.

  “You’re looking good,” she added, happy to see the twinkle back in his eyes and his cheeks rosy.

  “You really think so?” He kissed her forehead and cocked an eyebrow.

  “Absolutely.” It was the truth. A year ago he’d given them quite a scare when he had a minor stroke. It was a topic he hated to discuss, but he had to change his diet, exercise, and take medication to control his cholesterol. He lost a few pounds since then but her father was still the lumberjack type: tall, big, and hearty. Nothing could ever bring him down. Even though Kara got her coloring from her mother, she often wished she looked more like him. He had abundant chestnut hair, now graying at the temples, and was always optimistic and full of life.

  “Staying active is the key, pumpkin.”

  “Whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” She’d begged him to stop working for his company, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He was only fifty-four and lots of juice left in him, he often said. She couldn’t wait until her business took off, so he could retire and work exclusively on her frames.

  Kara gave her mother a hug, again.

  She looked ticked off, more so than when she’d left earlier, and the hug she gave Kara was mechanical. The reason didn’t become clear until later after Kara and her dad finished catching up and talking shop.

  “I spoke with your mother, pumpkin,” Cliff said when there was a lull in the conversation.

  Kara swallowed, not sure what to expect. She glanced toward the media room where Penny and Briana were watching T.V.

  “When are you going back to L.A.?” he asked.

  “Thursday. Jim’s mother will be here by then.”

  “Then you must go. You have a life and no one, not your mother or sister, have a right to interfere with it.”

  Her throat closed and tears burned the back of her eyes. When it came to supporting her, he never missed the mark. She should never have doubted that now would be any different.

  Kara gave him anot
her hug, feeling his love.

  “Thanks, Daddy.” She sounded tearful.

  Cliff patted her arm. “Now, now, none of that. A little warning,” he added in a whisper.

  Kara sat on the arm of the sofa adjacent to him and peered into hazel eyes identical to hers. “What is it?”

  “Your mother wants you and your sister to come to dinner tomorrow night. She’s invited a friend over.”

  ‘A friend’ usually meant an eligible bachelor for Kara. “Do I know him?”

  “I think you went to high school together.” Her father patted her arm, again. “But you can do much better, pumpkin. A whole lot better.”

  “What’s wrong with him?”

  He chuckled. “Nothing. Now find your mother and tell her it’s time to go home.”

  Kara laughed as she walked toward the media room. Her father often had something negative to say about the men her mother paraded before Kara. Either her daddy was biased or no man would ever be good enough for Kara. No, that wasn’t true. Baron made a good impression on her father from their first meeting and her father had never said anything negative about him.

  Kara stood by the door in the foyer, once more hugging her father then her mother. “You guys drive carefully.”

  “Oh, your father will drive as he always does, hell bent on getting us home within the shortest possible time.”

  “I’ve never wrecked us yet, dear.” He winked at Kara, a twinkle in his eyes.

  “That’s because I pray,” Penny retorted.

  “And navigate,” he added and kissed her forehead. She nudged him with her elbow, a pleased expression on her face.

  Kara fought hard not to hide her smile. Penny loved the reckless streak in her father and often narrated his escapades with glee when he wasn’t around. Thirty years together and they still adored each other. It was amazing.

  Watching them, Kara felt guilty intruding on their tender moment. “What time should we come over, Mom?”

  “Dinner is at seven, so early enough to help set the table. I’m fixing herb chicken and baked potatoes, Briana’s favorite. Poor thing hasn’t been able to keep much down.”

  “What? No baby ribs or pork chop?” their father teased.

  “Cliff, you know that stuff is not good for…,” Kara was sure she meant to say ‘you’ but substituted, “anyone. Briana is eating for two but must eat only healthy foods. I plan on making coleslaw too. For dessert, I’ll make—”

  “Something sweet and unhealthy, I insist.” Their father grabbed Penny by the elbow and pulled her through the open doorway then added over his shoulder, “We’ll see you tomorrow, pumpkin.”

  They volleyed comments all the way to the car and waved one last time before her father pulled away.

  Kara closed the door, and since Mrs. Marten was already in bed, locked up. It was almost ten o’clock when she finally went into her bedroom, brushed her teeth and changed. Getting comfortable under the covers, she dialed Baron’s number.

  “Hey, sweetheart. I was wondering when you’d call. How’s your sister doing?”

  The endearment sent a gentle whoosh of warmth through her, but his dreamy voice hurled an illicit thrill straight to that sensitive spot between her legs. She leaned back against the pillows with a grin.

  “Eating, but still driving me crazy. I would’ve called earlier but my parents were here. I need all my faculties to deal with my mother.”

  “Is that so? I’ve always found her to be very charming.”

  He would. Penny adored him. “She is most of the time, but when she wants me to fall into line, all gloves are off.”

  “What happened?” His voice deepened with concern.

  Should she burden him with the drama? From what she knew about the Fitzgeralds, they were close, loyal, and very loving, and she’d hate to have him think her family was dysfunctional.

  “Talk to me, Kara.”

  Okay, a little sharing never hurt anybody. Besides, she couldn’t resist that coaxing tone of his. “My mother wants me to stay in San Diego for a little while. In fact, she prefers I start my business here.”

  A long silence followed.

  “Baron?”

  “Are you going to do it?” he asked.

  “No, I’ve grown comfortable in L.A. You could say I’m now an Angelenos.” His husky laugh filtered down the line and Kara could swear she heard relief in the sound. “Although some of the quirks of L.A. people can drive me nuts.”

  He chuckled. “Like always chasing the latest software and hottest gadgets?”

  “Or latest fashions. No wonder they say we shop at trendy-R-us,” she added.

  Another chuckle teased her ear. “And gridlock on the freeway?”

  “Don’t you just hate when that happens. You’d be cruising, and then the next moment it’s bumper to bumper for miles. Whoever came up with car DVD players must have researched consumers in L.A. Ever notice how many people watch movies while in traffic?”

  “Or play video games. Still, you have to admit we have the best…weather.”

  “Weather,” Kara said at the same time and joined him when he laughed.

  Their conversation stayed on life in and around L.A., restaurants, night life and beaches. Baron even promised to introduce her to his favorite snorkeling alcove in Newport Beach. Kara wondered why he’d suggest such a thing since their plan was to see each other while in Idaho only. Not wanting to spoil the flow of conversation, she let it slide.

  The discussion shifted to childhood and Kara found herself talking about growing up in San Diego, her favorite places and moments. When it was his turn, she was surprised at the trouble he and Chase got into as kids. Apparently, having an identical twin hadn’t been easy on him, especially when friends and relatives expected them to act alike.

  “Are you still heading back to L.A. tomorrow?” Baron finally asked.

  The one topic she’d been dreading. Kara exhaled gently. “No, I’ll be going back on Thursday morning.” When there was silence on the line again, she added, “I’m sorry this messes up your plans for Idaho.”

  “I like to think of the trip to Idaho as our plan, Kara. What made you decide to stay longer?” he asked in a toneless voice.

  She explained about Jim’s mother’s flight woes.

  “I see.”

  Kara frowned. His response baffled her. She’d expected him to suggest a new date for their trip or maybe even show a little regret that she wouldn’t be back to accompany him. Didn’t he want to go anymore? Earlier, she’d told Briana about her plans to leave on Thursday and surprisingly her sister hadn’t complained either. But then again, that was Briana’s way of dealing with things. Once she got her way, she usually became very agreeable.

  Kara added, “I’ll finish the Hallè piece by Friday. The owner’s supposed to pick it then but I’ll explain to him what happened.”

  “Good. I should be back by Friday too.”

  Kara frowned. “Back from where? I thought you were headed home when you left here?”

  “I was but had to take a detour. What are you doing Friday night?”

  “I’ll probably work late.”

  “Can I stop by for dessert?”

  Doing things together before or after going to Idaho wasn’t part of their agreement. Kara searched her brain for a plausible reason to say no but drew a blank. The man had disrupted his day and messed up his brother’s schedule to fly her to San Diego. The least she could do was to be a little accommodating.

  “Sure,” she said.

  “Do you have plans for Saturday?”

  Kara blinked, taken back. “I have Rick’s nephew’s bar mitzvah to attend in the morning.”

  “Afternoon?”

  She hesitated, not sure if spending so much time with him was the right thing to do. “I could be free. Why do you ask?”

  “I’d like you to meet some people.”

  Kara frowned. “Who?”

  “It’s a surprise,” he said mysteriously.

  “Seriou
sly, who are they?”

  “Don’t be impatient. Don’t you know wonderful things happen to those who wait?” He sounded like he was smiling.

  “I hate waiting.”

  He chuckled. “It’s a date then?”

  “All right.” Her tone came out resigned.

  He laughed out loud. “Sweetheart, you’re good for my ego.” Then what sounded like a doorbell filtered through the line. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Goodnight.”

  She hung up and stared into the darkened room, barely seeing the striped wall paper or the Monte Carlo fan in the ceiling. What would she wear for their date? She mentally went through her entire wardrobe and couldn’t think of anything suitable.

  Stop acting like a high school senior planning her prom night. It wasn’t a date, just a bunch of people he wanted her to meet, probably business contacts. She had four days to find something suitable to wear.

  ***

  Doubts about the Idaho trip, Friday ‘dessert’, and Saturday date kept Kara on edge the next day. She was getting in too deep with Baron. The gorgeous man never did things halfheartedly. He was a go-getter, and resisting potent charm was pointless.

  Part of the reason she’d liked his two-week Idaho proposal was because it would be a casual tryst at a location far away from prying friends and colleagues. Something to be tucked away for future reference, or retrieval when she was alone in the dark. But the change in her relationship with Baron was quickly mushrooming into something bigger, and she was helpless to stop it. Her sister knew about them. Baron’s brother probably did too if the two shared such personal information. Of course, her meddlesome, tactless mother would definitely get the details from Briana once her sister stopped being self-absorbed.

  Should she go to Idaho, authenticate the collection, but say a firm no to an affair with Baron? Could they work together after she rejected his proposal? What did the dessert on Friday entail? Who were these people he wanted her to meet? Were they business associates or personal friends?