by Carol Henry
****
Katelyn pulled her small car into the Logans’ driveway. The home was a simple New England style cottage, small but cozy. She took a deep breath, put the car in park, turned the ignition off, and stepped out into the cold afternoon. She shivered and drew her scarf around her neck, glad she’d worn her heavier wrap. The damp air could chill to the bone, despite the sun overhead. One needed to be hearty in order to live so close to the East Coast.
Before she could knock on the door, Mrs. Logan had it open, welcoming her with a warm, but hesitant hug. She returned the sincere gesture.
“It’s so nice to have you visit again, Katelyn. It’s been a long time. Come on in.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Logan.”
“Please, call me Lois. Let me take your wrap. We’re almost ready to sit down. The men are in the sitting room.”
Both Mark and his father stood as she joined them. Kurtis, standing next to his father, appeared ready to run to her, but held back. Her heart thumped—what would it be like to have a child—her child—run to her arms the minute she entered a room?
“So,” Mark interrupted her musings, “shall we eat? I think Kurtis isn’t going to last much longer.”
“I’m sorry if I held things up.”
“No, no, my dear.” Lois gripped her hands in front of her chest. “You’re right on time.”
The dining room was no bigger than an eight by ten square foot room, accommodating only a handful of people—a glass china closet and a dry sink filled the corners. An assortment of framed family photographs covered the walls. Mark had no brothers or sisters, so the pictures were mostly of him at various stages of his life. Katelyn noticed that there were none of Kurtis, and figured that would be taken care of before long, now that he was home.
Concerned she’d be uncomfortable visiting the Logans, Todd and Lois made her feel welcome and kept the conversation flowing with general topics. If anything, it was Mark who made her uncomfortable as his piercing eyes and sexy grin kept watch—her knees went weak and shook under the table. She put her hands over her knees in an effort to control the spasms, but it was no use. Kurtis, bless his heart, inched his chair closer to hers so he could sit next to her while he sat quietly and ate. The boy had superb table manners for a two-year-old.
“So, Katelyn, I understand you’re about to finish your degree next spring. You must be very pleased.” Lois wiped her lips with the pink linen napkin, and laid it back in her lap.
“Thank you, yes. I’m looking forward to finishing in May. I’m hoping to obtain a teaching position. It would be nice if something became available at the elementary school here in Lobster Cove. I plan to put in an application just in case.”
“That’s wonderful. But what will the daycare do without you?” Todd asked.
“Honestly, it will be hard to leave. But it was a work study project for credit—not a permanent position. I’ll need to find something with a decent salary and benefits.”
“Once you and your fiancé are married, you might not want a fulltime position.” Mark scooped a fork full of chicken and biscuits into his mouth. His eyes focused on hers.
“I’ve been looking forward to teaching since I graduated from high school. Still am. What about you, Mark? You haven’t said what you plan to do now that you’re home? Or are you only here for a visit?”
Silence circled the table. Todd and Lois exchanged looks with Mark—his look guarded. Mrs. Logan concentrated on her half-empty plate. Mr. Logan cleared his throat. Had she said something wrong? Had she unknowingly stepped into a family issue?
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Mark finally answered. “My main focus right now is to settle Kurtis in the community. Make sure it’s a pleasant and safe fit for him before I decide on something permanent. As you probably know, I’m planning to register him at Hearts and Hands Daycare. What can you tell me about it?”
A safe topic for sure. Linda Claussen had mentioned he was thinking about registering Kurtis.
“It’s an excellent facility. The people who run it are very caring. Each child is not only dealt with on an individual basis, but they are encouraged to work together in groups. Some of the children come from single parent homes. Most of them don’t have brothers or sisters, so it’s an opportunity for them to interact with others their age. I think it would be a perfect fit for Kurtis. It’s a good option. Have you talked to anyone there yet?” As if she didn’t know he had.
“Yes. But seeing as you work there, I thought I’d get your opinion.”
“Did you know Mark has looked at the McClintock estate? Seems it’s for sale.” Todd laid his napkin next to his plate, then drank heartily from his water glass.
Lois wiped her mouth with her napkin, again. It appeared to be a nervous habit. “Now Todd, you know the estate is too large and way too fancy for the likes of us. I’m sure Mark wants something more suitable for a small family. Isn’t that right, son?”
“Yes.” Mark appeased his mother. He had forgotten how protective and a bit manipulative she was when it came to her family. While her smothering him used to irk him as a child, and especially in his teens, he appreciated her ability to provide and protect her grandson now. “The house is much too ostentatious for the two of us. I’d rather find a fixer-upper—make it ours. I’ve contacted Jessica Martin’s real estate for help.”
He turned to his father, wanting to get away from the subject of him and his son and house hunting. He wasn’t ready to share details of his job, or his son’s safety with anyone at the moment. Even Katie. It had been six years. Could he trust her as he had before? Or had she lost that quality over the years?
“This was delightful, dear,” Todd Logan said. “I’m ready for coffee.”
“Oh, my, yes. Give me a minute.” His mother gushed, wiped her mouth on her napkin, pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “Sorry. I’ll get things ready and bring them right in.”
“Can I help, Mrs. Logan—Lois?”
“No, no, my dear. You’re our guest.”
“Not a problem. It’s what I do at Mariner’s.”
Mark took a deep breath as Katie followed his mother into the kitchen. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her the entire time they were seated at the dining room table. His body, not to mention specific male parts, had been doing a dance the entire time. She was one sexy lady who didn’t have a clue as to her beauty—her attraction. How in hell had he fallen out of love with her? Had he? The kiss they’d exchanged at her doorstep yesterday packed a powerful punch. The spark was still there. Had she felt it, too? Still, he needed to squelch those feelings. She was engaged.
His main objective was to provide a safe and consistent life for Kurtis. Registering him for daycare where his son could spend quality time with other children was important for Kurtis’ social well-being. Leaving him with strangers was going to be difficult. Knowing Katie would be there would calm some of Kurtis’ fears, as well as his own. Not that the kidnappers had a clue he’d returned to the States, or where to find him. But it never hurt to cover his tracks in order to protect his son.
Katelyn followed his mother from the kitchen, both carrying trays of coffee and dessert. Kurtis perked up when he saw the blueberry pie and ice cream.
“Ice cream,” he shouted and clapped his hands.
“Do you want pie with that?” his mother asked.
“Ice cream,” Kurtis repeated.
Katie scooped the vanilla ice cream while his mother cut the pie and put large pieces on their plates. The scent of wild blueberries bursting out of the crust circled the table, as did the aroma of freshly ground and brewed coffee. The room became quiet as everyone tucked into their dessert. Mark kept track of Katie from the corner of his eyes. She was nervous, her expression thoughtful. What was she thinking? If he had to guess, it was more than likely how to extricate herself from the situation she found herself in with his family. A family she hadn’t had contact with in several years. He almost felt sorry for her being roped
into having dinner with them. If he was honest, he was glad she hadn’t backed down. And, as long as he was being honest with himself—he had missed her, more than he thought possible—just seeing her again…A sigh escaped. He couldn’t get past the surge of warmth that filled his insides whenever she was near.
He’d lost track of the conversation and concentrated on his dessert. He hadn’t had blueberry pie this good since he’d left Lobster Cove. Recognizing the sudden awkward silence, he searched for a safe topic.
“So, I was thinking of enrolling Kurtis at the daycare tomorrow. Will you be there?”
“I’m afraid not. I have my last exam of the semester. Linda Claussen will be there. She can help you. It’s a perfect time to enroll Kurtis. We’re planning a Christmas party soon. It will give him the opportunity to socially interact with the other children, and get to know them outside a more controlled atmosphere.”
“How secure is the facility?”
“I’m not sure what you mean. I’m not aware of any problems.”
“Son, I think someone is ready for his afternoon nap.” His father nodded in Kurtis’ direction.
Kurtis’ head bobbed over his empty ice cream dish.
“I think you’re right. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll only be a moment.” Mark circled the table and lifted Kurtis from his chair and then carried him from the room. His son wasn’t frail by any means, but the past few weeks had been life-changing, and no doubt tiring on his little body. It had been life-altering for him, as well. And even though he was up to the challenge of starting a new job—a new life—it didn’t come without stress. Coming from a secure and loving family, Mark hadn’t experienced the upheavals that his son was going through. He wanted that security and love for his son, as well. And it was up to him to provide it.
When he returned to the dining room, Katie stood next to the coffee table, her hands full of plates.
“Let me help you with the dishes before I leave,” she offered.
“You will not lift a finger, young lady,” his mother scolded. “Put those down. It was our pleasure to have your company today. Leave them. Todd will help me, won’t you, dear?”
His father looked shell-shocked. Mark hid a smile. He couldn’t remember a time when his father helped clear the table—apparently things hadn’t changed in his absence if the comical look on his father’s face was any indication.
“Go. You’ll be busing a lot more dishes at Mariner’s when you leave here.”
“Thank you. Dinner was delicious. I enjoyed myself.”
Mark followed her to the door and helped her on with her coat. She didn’t look at him the entire time. Not able to resist, he spun her into his arms, put a finger under her chin, lifted her face up to meet his, and kissed her. He had only intended a light kiss goodbye, but once his lips met her tempting mouth, he was lost. He pressed his advantage and inserted his tongue in her mouth, pleased he hadn’t met with the resistance he’d anticipated. Her arms raised, then froze in mid-air before they had a chance to wrap around his neck. Damn! He wasn’t sorry about the kiss, only that she was having second thoughts—again—and rightfully so. She stepped away, leaving a gaping chasm between their overheated bodies.
“I’m not going to apologize, Katie. Seeing you again made me realize how much I’ve missed you.”
“Don’t, Mark. You’ve moved on. So have I. You can’t keep kissing me like this. It’s going to backfire, and I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Have dinner with me one night this week. We can celebrate you finishing your exams.”
“It’s not a good idea. Really. You know I’m engaged.”
“For old time’s sake.”
“What do you call this? We just had dinner with your parents.”
“You know what I mean. This was uncomfortable as hell. We need to meet—alone. Talk without anyone else around. Will you at least think about it?”
He gazed into her eyes, quietly pleading with her to accept his invitation. He was an ass to force her hand, but there were things he wanted to tell her. Explain. Get off his chest. He wanted to know what she’d been doing the last six years besides going to college. Had she missed him?
“I’ll think about it.”
“Great. Good. I’ll give you a call. How about tomorrow night? You can choose where you want to go.”
“I can’t tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Goodbye, Mark.”
Hell. He didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to pull her in his arms, again, and kiss her senseless. Before he had a chance to claim those enticing lips, she opened the door and stepped outside into the sunny, but cold late afternoon air.
“I’ll call Tuesday. We’ll arrange something.”
“We’ll see.”
She slipped inside her car and was down the road. He waved, but she didn’t wave back. He ran his hand over his hair, his fingers meeting the short bristles of his military style haircut. He didn’t know why watching Katie walk away made him feel as if he was losing her all over again.
But it did.
Shit. His world was spiraling out of control.
Chapter Six
She’d aced it! Katelyn walked out of the class room into the brisk winter air Monday morning and smiled. Her last exam for the semester was over. She could relax and enjoy Christmas and all the community festivities the town could throw her way. Looking forward to the kids’ Christmas party and caroling at the town square gazebo, she started quietly singing “Sleigh Bells” as she walked across the crowded campus and headed toward her car.
“Hey, Katelyn, how’d your exam go?” Shelly from her psych class waved from across the quad.
Katelyn met her halfway. “A slam-dunk. How about you? What exam were you sitting for this morning?”
She’d met Shelly her first semester. They’d sat next to each other during orientation and had become college buddies ever since.
“Just turning in a paper. You and Sven set a date yet? I’m betting on a June wedding—right after graduation.” Shelly hefted her backpack over her shoulder, and wrapped her purple and green scarf around her neck a bit tighter. A slight breeze carried a nip in the air, lifting her friend’s short tresses around her face. Katelyn had tied her own long hair back, as usual, to keep it in place.
Shelly was in the midst of planning her own nuptials, so the topic of her setting a date wasn’t something she wanted to discuss at the moment. There was no date to reveal. She’d been trying to pin Sven down with a date for a whole year—to no avail. Seeing Shelly and knowing she was about to get married, made her anxious to set that date with Sven so she could visit Wedded Bliss and try on wedding gowns. The only reason she hadn’t tried on gowns yet was not wanting to get ahead of herself and jinx the whole wedding planning thing. She was holding back, waiting for an official date to send out those “save the date” notices.
“Nope. No date yet,” she admitted, tightening her own scarf. “Sven is in Norway visiting family. I’m sure when he returns we’ll settle on something over Christmas break. But a June wedding would be lovely. Are you sticking around during winter break?”
“I’m going home. Ben and I have plans, mostly skiing. I’m about to head over to the snack bar before I head out. Want to join me?”
She didn’t want to sit and discuss Shelly and Ben’s romantic plans for winter break, and she certainly didn’t want to listen to her classmate discuss their wedding plans. It was going to be a New Year’s blowout. She and Sven were invited to attend. She hoped Sven would be back in plenty of time so she wouldn’t have to go alone.
“Gosh, Shelly, I’d love to, but I promised my mom I’d stop in at Mariners before I went to the daycare for the afternoon. I’ll catch up with you at the wedding. Tell Ben I said hi.”
“It’s a date. I’ll see you in January at our wedding. Isn’t it exciting? I can hardly wait.”
Shelly gave her a hug, waved goodbye, and set off back across campus. Katelyn tightened her own scarf against the cold as she scurried down the
sidewalk toward her car. Her thoughts about the wedding and no date swirled around in her mind.
She made a quick stop at Mariners for a lobster roll and cola, and then headed over to Hearts and Hands. The minute she walked in the room, Kurtis spotted her and attacked her legs.
“Katie!” His excitement was bittersweet. She was growing much too fond of Mark’s son already. She had to guard her heart—and his.
“Hi, Kurtis.” She patted his head, his hair fine and flighty, then leaned over and gave him a brief hug. “I’m glad you’re here. Have you met the other children?”
“I made sure he did.” Linda joined them, putting her hand on Kurtis’ shoulder. “He’s a bit shy—not unusual for the first day, and having to meet so many new faces.”
“I’m sure he’ll join in with the others by the end of the week. He’s a very personable boy.”
As if to prove her right, Kurtis cut loose and ran to where Connie Blye’s son, Jason, was constructing a tall structure in the building block corner.
“He and Jason hit it off right away,” Linda said. “Unusual for Jason. It could be just what the two of them need.”
“That would be a good thing.”
Connie Blye had been two or three years behind her in high school—she didn’t know her very well. But Linda had mentioned that Connie had married Jason Blye right out of high school. After their son Jason was born, Connie’s husband died of an incurable cancer. Jason was a quiet, reserved child, but it was obvious Connie loved her son and was doing the best she could to raise him on her own. It was good to see Jason and Kurtis hitting it off so fast.
“I’ve got to say, Mark was full of questions about the security at Hearts and Hands when he dropped Kurtis off this morning.” Linda locked the door and made sure the “ring the bell” sign was in place. “He wanted to make sure the doors were locked during session, and that the kids were thoroughly chaperoned at all times. He even wanted to know what the ratio of kids was to adults. I told him we followed state regulations to a T. Is something wrong? Something we should know about?”
