The Country Gentleman

by Amberlee Day

  Peter: Prefer hazel eyes, light brown hair, nice tan, great legs.

  Flutters migrated so rapidly through Kenzie, she was sure the other person in the lounge could see them. She stifled another giggle.

  Kenzie: Yeah? I know a guy that matches that description. I’ll see if he’s interested.

  Peter: You’re a nut. Would you be my hiking buddy, Nut?

  This time she did laugh out loud. The stranger in the room was focused on his own phone and didn’t appear to appreciate it.

  Kenzie: I’d love to be your hiking buddy.

  Peter: I’m glad. Do I have to wait until Saturday to see you?

  Kenzie looked out at the skyline. She could see the Space Needle, and Friday’s fundraiser was being held right below it in the Chihuly Garden. It would be wonderful to have Peter there with her. Would it freak him out, though, to see her in that element? Her attention would be divided with her responsibilities, too. And maybe he didn’t have clothes for a formal event.

  The sudden image of Peter in formal attire made up her mind for her.

  Kenzie: Are you busy Friday night?

  Chapter Nine

  Kenzie slept until nine Thursday morning, an unusual occurrence even when she worked at home. A summer windstorm had blown in overnight and continued to gust through the morning. She enjoyed it and smiled, wondering if it had kept Peter awake. Kenzie had slept peacefully; her only worry was losing power and not being able to get her work done.

  By eleven she’d polished her speech key points for the fundraiser and assembled her favorite tender-tummy dinner: chicken-and-rice casserole. She wrapped it up in a carrier, ventured into the wind and past the branches littering her yard, and pointed the Cherokee toward Paige’s house.

  She didn’t get very far before rounding a bend in the road and slamming on her brakes to keep from ramming into a slow-going logging truck. She scowled.

  Who around here is logging?

  The road curved sharply back and forth uphill, forcing the truck to crawl up at tortoise-like speed. Kenzie kept her distance. If something went wrong with the load, she didn’t want to be in the way. The trees were an assortment of thick and thin, their freshly cut ends poking out the end toward Kenzie like amputated limbs. It made her sick.

  Where were these trees from? While her neighbor owned hundreds of acres of land on the peninsula, the local Native American tribal lands covered a vast deal more. She knew they sometimes logged portions of their land. Hopefully this would only be a partial cut instead of a harsh, ugly clear-cut. Shawna the Second’s words echoed in her head, and Kenzie wondered if Nathan Turner would really decide to harvest at some time in the future. She hoped Shawna was wrong, and that such a harvest wouldn’t be done for decades to come.

  At the top of the hill, the logging truck went one direction and Kenzie sped away in the other. She wasn’t sad to be away from it. Before long, she arrived at Paige’s and greeted her with a smile when the exhausted young woman opened her cottage door.

  “Kenzie? Come on in.” Paige managed a smile, but dark circles under her eyes accentuated her pale face. Kenzie’s heart went out to her, and she gave her a hug, as she would anyone feeling crummy. At least Paige had a happy reason to feel sick.

  “Congratulations! Peter told me the wonderful news. How are you doing?” Kenzie asked.

  Paige hiccupped a laugh, and Kenzie sensed emotions were close to the surface. “How do I look?” Paige asked. “Never mind, don’t answer that.”

  Kenzie carried the casserole dish to the kitchen. “I brought you a little something.”

  “Thank you. I’m not sure I can eat it, though. All I’ve done today is nibble on some crackers.”

  Kenzie didn’t know much about pregnancy, but she knew sometimes a little food settled a sick tummy. “How about if I heat a little up, see if it looks good?”

  Paige shrugged. “It’s worth a try. Thanks.” She slouched into a kitchen chair while Kenzie worked.

  “Have you had a chance to tell Josh the good news?” Kenzie asked.

  “Yes. No cute little announcement, though. I don’t have the energy. I just told him over FaceTime.”

  Kenzie scooped a small amount of casserole into a bowl. “I bet he was over the moon.”

  “He was. He’s going to be a great dad.”

  “He sounds like a great guy. When does he get home?”

  Tears formed in Paige’s eyes, and Kenzie wondered if she shouldn’t have asked. “With the boat Josh is on,” Paige said, swiping at a tear, “we never know for sure when he’ll be back. It might be the next time we see each other I’ll be the size of an elephant. Or it could be longer.”

  “Wouldn’t they find a way to send him home early if you had the baby?”

  Paige shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way. We were hoping to wait and start a family when his enlistment is up. Then he’d be home for all the important things. This wasn’t the plan.”

  Kenzie pushed the microwave start button and pulled up a chair close to Paige. She put an arm around her. “And everything’s worse when you’re not feeling well. I’m so sorry, Paige. This is a time for celebration, and you’re sick and worried and Josh doesn’t even get to be here to help. That stinks.”

  She stayed close while Paige’s tears quietly spilled, and handed her a tissue just as the microwave dinged. At first she thought Paige was going to turn down even the small serving, but her manners overruled her stomach and she took a bite that Kenzie guessed Paige didn’t think she could swallow. Miraculously, she did, and getting a little food in her was the right call. It took her some time, but Paige managed to eat all Kenzie had given her.

  “Thank you again, so much,” Paige said, stifling a yawn. “I do feel better.”

  “Your color’s better, too. You look like you need a nap, though.”

  Paige laughed, but her eyes were already partially closed. “I think I do. I hope the whole nine months won’t be like this.”

  “I wish I could tell you, but that’s one thing I’m definitely not an expert on.”

  “Please don’t leave yet,” Paige said.

  Kenzie followed Paige into the living room, happy to see that Paige at least looked content when she lay down on the couch. Kenzie took the armchair. “What do you want to talk about?” she asked, giving the room a subtle look to see if there was any housework she could help with while she was there, but Paige seemed to be on top of that. No wonder she was tired.

  “I don’t know. How about the windstorm? Round two’s supposed to come tonight.”

  Kenzie smiled, remembering talking about weather with Peter on Saturday’s drive. “Good,” Kenzie said. “I saw a logging truck today, coming from somewhere around Settler’s Point. Maybe the wind will scare them off for a few days. I hate logging.”

  Paige frowned. Her words came slowly. “I know what you mean. It’s awful when trees come down.”

  “I know, right? I can’t imagine choosing to make money by destroying something beautiful. I mean, I know people have to do it, but it’s worse than being a mortician.” When Paige didn’t reply, Kenzie decided maybe her new friend really did need some rest. “But I don’t want to wear you out, Paige. Why don’t you go ahead and close your eyes for a few minutes while I go put the rest of that casserole away.”

  Paige didn’t argue. Kenzie went to the kitchen, tidying the dishes and wiping countertops. As hard as it was for Paige to have Josh gone, at least she knew he’d be back to share their cozy home together. Kenzie’s own heart ached at the thought. She kept too busy to notice her loneliness most of the time, but although her life was blessed with many wonderful people, she tended to keep them all at arm’s length. Standing in Paige’s kitchen brought up new feelings. Maybe it was time to really let someone in.

  Kenzie folded a stray dish towel and draped it over the oven handle. What would it be like to be married and expecting a baby? She pictured Peter’s face again when he realized Paige might be pregnant, and a smile spread across her f
ace. Yeah, it might be amazing.

  When the kitchen was clean, she tiptoed out to the living room, where Paige was once again sleeping soundly. Not wanting to wake her, Kenzie picked up her things and slipped out into the breezy day, carrying her own happy little secret inside her: While Kenzie had only been around Peter a handful of times, she was already starting to have feelings for that handsome, kind man.

  Peter’s workdays typically ended by early afternoon. After he’d gone home and showered, he stopped by to check on Paige. On opening the door, her color looked better than he’d seen in several days, and she confirmed that she did feel better.

  “I’m even getting some work done,” she said, pointing to her open laptop. “Not a lot, but it’s more than yesterday.”

  “That’s a good sign.”

  “Mmhm. You just missed Mom. She brought some scones, if you want one.”

  Peter’s stomach growled at the thought. “I do.” He got up to help himself. “You want one?”

  “No, I just had one. Thanks. There’s honey butter in the fridge to go with them.”

  Next to the honey butter in the refrigerator was a foil-covered dish. He peeked to see what was inside. Rice, chicken, celery … even cold, it smelled good. “Did Mom bring the casserole, too?” he called from the kitchen.

  “No.”

  He buttered his scone and looked around the kitchen, doubtful that Paige made a casserole just for herself, and the way her energy had been, he’d probably still see dirty dishes from making it. He took a bite and returned to the living room.

  “Who made it?” he asked, plopping down onto the couch. Paige’s I-know-something-you-don’t-know look confused him.

  “Kenzie.”

  Peter gulped down his bite. “Kenzie? My Kenzie?”

  Paige laughed aloud. “Oh, she’s your Kenzie now? Things are progressing, I see.”

  “Just tell me what happened. Was she here?”

  Paige nodded. “This morning. Well, late in the morning, but I was still dragging. She heated some up for me and made sure I ate. She was very sweet and kind. And …” She crossed her legs and bounced the top foot. “She looked great.”

  Peter smirked. “Did she?”

  “Yep. She must have hoped to see you here, because she had the day off and I doubt she did her hair and makeup for me.”

  Peter pictured Kenzie as he saw her last, waving goodbye as she pulled away in the Cherokee. Her hair dripped with rain and she definitely didn’t wear makeup that day, but he couldn’t imagine her looking any more beautiful.

  He took another bite of scone but couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. “Did she tell you we have a date tomorrow?”

  “No, she didn’t. Where are you taking her?”

  “She’s taking me, actually.”

  “Ah! I see how it is.”

  “It’s a work thing. A fundraising dinner. Formal dress.”

  “What, like black tie?”

  “She said casual formal, so I’m thinking what I wore to the wedding will work.”

  Paige nodded. “She’ll love you in that.”

  Warmth flooded Peter’s veins at the thought of Kenzie Vega loving him in any way. “Hopefully it will be good enough.”

  “Where does Kenzie work?”

  Peter scratched behind one ear. “I’m not really sure. It keeps her busy, but she doesn’t talk about it a lot. Something to do with event planning.”

  “Anyway, you’ll find out tomorrow. Speaking of occupations … Kenzie said something today.”

  “What’s that?”

  “She mentioned that she saw a logging truck coming up out of Settler’s Point this morning.”

  Peter’s eyes shot at his sister. “She did?”

  “Mmhm.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “Nothing. She said something about hating loggers, and why would anyone want to make a living doing that, and it’s worse than being a mortician.”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “She did.”

  Peter shook his head to wrap his thoughts around that. “Worse than a mortician? What does that mean?”

  “I think it means making a living based on something dying, someone else’s loss.”

  Peter rested his elbows on his knees and rubbed his eyelids. “Wow.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Clearly, you haven’t told her what you do for a living.”

  “No, I haven’t.” He gestured his palm upward. “And you can see why. People who love the outdoors typically hate logging.”

  “And you knew that about Kenzie, so you didn’t tell her you run a logging company?”

  “I was going to. I just hadn’t gotten there yet.” He stood up and stalked to the kitchen to wash his hands, frustration increasing with every step.

  Paige joined him. She leaned on the countertop and made him look into her eyes. “You’re going to have to tell her sometime.”

  “I know.”

  She handed him a towel. “The longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be.”

  “I know. I just don’t want to blow it. I really like her, Paige.”

  “Then tell her.”

  “I will. I just want to make sure we get a chance to know each other first.”

  “Like, maybe if she likes you as much as you like her, she won’t be as upset when she finds out?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. And if I tell her too soon, she might just say forget it.”

  “Well, I guess the good news is that it’s not near her house, right?”

  “Right. Well, I haven’t actually been to her house, but she said it’s in Settler’s Point. I’m assuming she’s in that development. So at least she won’t be personally affected by it.”

  “Okay. But the sooner you—”

  Peter lightly tossed the towel at Paige’s head, but she caught it before impact. “I know,” he said, frustrated because Paige was right. “I’ll tell her. I promise.”

  After Peter left, Paige couldn’t stop thinking about Kenzie.

  “Kenzie Vega. Kenzie Vega. Why does that ring such a bell?”

  She’d thought from the first time she met Kenzie that her name was familiar. Paige sat down at her laptop and downsized her work screen. It hadn’t occurred to her to Google her new friend—and Peter’s new love interest—but that’s what she did now.

  Half a second later she had over four million results, but only needed the first one to remind her who Kenzie Vega was. Paige’s hand slowly went up and covered her mouth.

  “Oh. My. Word. That’s a hoot. Now the question is, do I tell Peter, or let him find out on his own?”

  Chapter Ten

  Kenzie needed to be at the fundraiser early Friday, so she and Peter agreed to meet in Seattle at the Chihuly Garden. When Peter arrived, he relaxed, seeing that other male attendees came in a variety of formal wear ranging from tuxes to sports jackets. He’d been nervous he’d stick out like a sore thumb, but he fit comfortably in the middle with his black suit, slate-colored silk shirt, and black tie, which he adjusted while looking around for Kenzie.

  She had said she’d meet him at the door, but he’d been so worried he would miss his ferry that he accidentally caught an earlier one than he meant to. And since Kenzie probably had a lot to do, he decided not to text her. He could wait patiently for her to find him.

  And it wasn’t as if there wasn’t a lot to keep him occupied. The Chihuly Garden and Glass showcased the world-famous art of Tacoma native Dale Chihuly. Peter already knew that about the gardens, but he’d never seen them in person. Bright yellow and red flowers made of glass hung from the ceilings and decorated everywhere he looked. With the June sun still lighting the sky, the Space Needle towered almost straight above them, beautifully visible through the atrium portion of the building.

  The only improvement he could think of was how wonderful it would be when Kenzie was by his side, sharing her smiles with him. With that thought, he kept one eye on the décor, and one scanning the crowd for a fi
rst glimpse of her.

  A lady passing by dropped her shawl, and Peter stooped to pick it up for her.

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling brightly at him. She had silver hair and her clothing and jewelry professed wealth.

  “You’re welcome.” He nodded and returned her smile. When she’d passed from view, the crowd thinned enough that Peter noticed a poster across the lobby. When he realized what was on it, he made his way through the pedestrian traffic for a closer look.

  The poster announced a cure-for-cancer foundation whose name he recognized; informed him that tonight’s event was an annual dinner; and named the evening’s guest band. But it was the keynote speaker, advertised with a professional picture, that captured Peter’s attention like a bee to honey: Kenzie Vega.

  Why would Kenzie be the keynote?

  He couldn’t guess. But boy, while her girl-next-door beauty still shone through, Kenzie rocked the glamorous movie star look, too. The girl in the photo looked out with a determination and sincerity that Peter had already come to know and …

  He blinked.

  Love? Surely it was too soon to call what he felt for Kenzie love. That didn’t fit with his take-it-slow philosophy, but then he’d never met someone like her before. No, it was too soon. He had his history with Samantha to teach him caution. But one thing he would admit, and it pulsated through his veins: Peter could definitely see himself falling for this surprising woman. He could see it very easily.

  “Whoops,” came a welcome voice from behind him. He spun around to a sight that took his breath away.

  Kenzie knew how to dress for an occasion. She wore a turquoise dress that showed off her deep tan and drew the blue from her hazel eyes. Her makeup was more than he’d seen on her before, but it fit the occasion, and her hair piled beautifully on her head in some sort of bun/ponytail with loopy curls. Her only jewelry was the necklace she always wore, a pink ribbon pinned to her dress, and the sparkles in her eyes.

  And she smelled delicious. He wondered if he kissed her if she’d taste delicious, too. He cleared his throat, worried she’d read his thoughts.