Corey crinkled up his forehead. “What’s that?”
“Laws that tell you what animals you can or can’t have where you live.”
This clearly made no sense whatsoever to Corey, who frowned deeply.
“You’re pretty excited about moving, aren’t you?”
Corey nodded. “When are we going to move?”
“I’m not sure. There are a lot of things to do first. I’ve already filled out most of the paperwork to get a loan, but we still need to sell our house. Then, we’ll have to take care of a lot more stuff—finalize the loan, work with the title company—then we can move.”
His son was horrified. “That’ll take forever!”
“Nah, we’ll be in the house before you know it.” Still, Jared understood his son’s feelings. He’d put off getting a new home, wanting to wait until his business was stable enough to provide a secure living. Starting a new business had been a big risk—so many failed the first year—but he’d survived that hurdle. Jared had taken Corey house hunting a number of times, and his son loved every house he saw. It had been hard to explain to his nine-year-old that this home or that one didn’t have certain features Jared wanted. But now, he’d found the perfect house.
“You like it here in Lake Forest, don’t you?” Jared wanted to make sure. Corey nodded. “I’m glad. I’ve always wanted to live here. It’s a special place.”
“If you like it so much, why didn’t you and Mom live here?”
“Because your mom wanted to live in Rockford. Her family was all there. But I have a lot of good memories about this town.”
“I wish Grandma and Grandpa lived here. And Uncle Lee and Aunt Karen and—”
“Okay, I get the picture,” Jared said, cutting him off. “But we’ll be with all of them for Christmas. So, did you have fun tonight?”
“Yeah. But next year I want to be a Wise Man.” Corey pulled an arm out from under the comforter and scratched his neck. “Dad, who were those people you were talking to tonight?”
“I thought you knew Tom and Mandy and their kids.”
“I mean the old people, and the lady with the long hair. And that girl.”
Jared chuckled. “They were Tom’s parents, Allen and Elaine Dalquist. And the lady is Tom’s sister, Kenzie. The girl is her daughter, Sara. I think she’s about a year younger than you.”
“Do they live here?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Dalquist do. Don’t you remember going to their house last year after we put on a program at the rest home?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Jared went on. “Kenzie is their daughter. She and Sara are visiting from Chicago.”
“That lady was pretty.”
That was a fact. And nice too. It had been a long time since someone had caught Jared’s attention the way Kenzie had. He’d enjoyed talking with her. Usually he was shy and a bit tongue-tied around people he didn’t know, but he’d had no problem at all talking with Kenzie Forsberg. She made it so easy; it was like Jared had known her all his life. And it had been nice of her to talk to Corey.
Then Corey asked, “Dad, when we move, can we get a dog?”
Was there an animal his son didn’t want? Jared stood and stretched. “We’ll see. Now, time to close those peepers. Good night.” He bent, kissed Corey’s forehead, then slipped out.
After turning on the TV and checking the latest football and basketball scores, Jared locked the doors. He peeked in once more on Corey. His son’s arm was sticking out, so Jared tucked it under the blanket. Gently, Jared ran his hand over the boy’s fine hair, then turning, studied the picture on the dresser. The glass frame reflected the moonlight coming through the window, so it was too dark to make out his wife’s features. Still, Jared knew it from memory. Hard to believe Robin had been gone four years.
Well-meaning people assured him at the funeral that the pain would eventually go away. Jared hadn’t believed them. But time had proven a great healer. Gradually the pain had diminished although it happened so slowly that Jared was not aware of it until he looked back after six months, then a year, then two. Having an active boy to care for helped distract him, but it took a long time to realize—and accept—that he wasn’t being disloyal to his wife’s memory if he went on with his life.
It wasn’t until after moving to Lake Forest that he began to date. But he felt so awkward and uncomfortable that it was easier not to. To his surprise, a number of women approached him. He’d accepted their invitations, mostly because he realized it took a lot of courage to ask and he didn’t want to make anyone feel bad—but the only dates that had gone really well were with Pam. Many times he thought how blessed he’d been to have found an employee so bright and personable. Since they worked together, it was easy to plan and go to concerts or movies. Pam was a valuable employee—and a good friend as well.
Jared left his son’s door open a foot so he could hear if Corey called to him in the night. In his own bedroom, Jared dropped his keys in a small wooden bowl on the dresser. The bowl was one he’d made himself. Jared loved working with wood and was eager to get back to it now the café was doing well and he no longer had to work all hours of the day and night. His love of woodworking was another reason Jared wanted to get into a bigger home. He had a lathe, band saw, drill press, chop saw, router, and a few other pieces of equipment but no room to use them. His current home didn’t have a garage, only a carport, so he’d packed his equipment away in an old storage shed.
And it wouldn’t hurt to have more room in the house. When he sat on the edge of his bed to take off his shoes and socks, Jared’s knees were only three feet from the dresser. With a swish, Jared threw his rolled-up shirt into the hamper in the corner. He looked forward to having a bedroom that was bigger than a postage stamp.
He recalled his son’s comments about Kenzie being pretty. She most definitely was, but there was something more about her. Kenzie had a friendly, lively air and a kind of wholesomeness that showed on her face. You could tell just by talking with her that she was a nice person. And those big brown eyes and long honey-blonde hair didn’t hurt either. Kenzie Forsberg was someone he’d like to get to know a little better. What luck she was Tom’s sister—that would make it easier to make an excuse to see her once in a while. And he meant to do just that.
Chapter Five
The next morning Kenzie had a hard time finding a spot in the large parking lot west of Main Street. People were out in force doing their Christmas shopping. Crossing the lot, Kenzie pressed the lock button on her key fob, and her car honked. She liked to think it was her car’s way of saying, “I’m good now—all locked up—don’t worry about me.”
When Kenzie pushed open the door to Dahlquist Realtors, the chimes at the top jangled raucously, announcing her arrival. The reception area was small but neat. Chairs lined two sides, a low coffee table was spread with colorful magazines, and a wooden coat tree stood in the corner. Two large windows gave plenty of light, and at the far end a long counter usually housed one of the realtors who worked there. Tom insisted everyone take a turn staffing it, but today it was empty.
Tom’s office was to the right and, befitting his status as broker and owner, was large and nicely appointed. Its large window allowed him to keep an eye on the reception area. When Tom looked up from his computer and saw Kenzie, he waved her in. Bookshelves lined one wall, and the window by the filing cabinets had its blinds half closed against the morning sun.
“The last two weeks before Christmas is the worst time in the world for realtors, so I’m not having anyone man the front desk,” he explained. As Kenzie slid into a chair near his L-shaped oak desk, he remarked, “You’re up bright and early. I thought you’d take advantage of your vacation and sleep in a bit.”
“I stopped sleeping in when I started working at Midwest Computers.”
“I hear you.” Tom shifted in his chair, making it creak under his weight. “It was nice of you to take time off and come out early so you could see Brian in the play. He was so excit
ed when you called and said you were coming early especially to see him.”
Kenzie had initially planned a ten-day trip—not two and a half weeks—but when Brian called to ask if she could come, she couldn’t disappoint him.
“The play was great. And it’s fun to be back in Lake Forest. There’s just something about a small town—it’s comfortable, you know? Like an old pair of slippers.”
“A pair of slippers you don’t wear very often,” Tom lowered his brow and said sardonically. “I thought maybe you’d become allergic to small towns after living in the big city.”
“Not at all. Chicago’s great, but it doesn’t have the same ambiance as a little town.”
“From what I’ve been able to gather, your staying away was because of some argument with Dad. You never have told me what happened.”
Kenzie eyed Tom. “That’s because it’s private.” Even as she spoke, the hurt quivered there in her heart—simmering just below the surface. Would she never overcome it?
“I’m your big brother. I have rights.” He grinned boyishly.
It was tempting to tell him all. Tom was the big brother she’d always looked up to and confided in about almost everything. But not this.
He persisted. “That is why you haven’t been back for Christmas the last few years, isn’t it?”
“Partly, but I was also busy with work.”
“No one’s buying that.” Tom shook his head. “Work is a convenient excuse you pull out whenever I suggest you drive out and spend a couple of days. You know what you’re doing, don’t you?” He went on without waiting for a response. “You’re shoving the problem with Dad down into the bottom of your briefcase and hoping it’ll stay there, but it’s just moldering away, like a forgotten ham sandwich.”
Kenzie made a face. “Ugh. That’s a terrible metaphor.”
“Come on and tell your big brother. I’ve got a shoulder to cry on.”
But crying was the last thing Kenzie intended on doing. She’d been there, done that, and vowed no more. But she knew Tom—now that he’d taken the lid off the subject, he’d never let it go unless she gave him something. Maybe he’d be satisfied with the Cliffs Notes version.
“If you must know, Dad made some hurtful insinuations.”
He stared at Kenzie as if she’d turned into a zombie. “That’s it? You’re letting what Dad says get to you? Dad, who once told Mom when she dyed her hair blonde that it looked like she was wearing a pile of straw on her head?” Tom chuckled. “You know how tactful Dad is—talk first, think second is his motto. Whatever he said, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
Kenzie held so still she might have been a wax-work. When she spoke, her voice was deadly flat. “You don’t know what he said.”
Their eyes locked—fire shooting from hers. Tom backed off. “You’re right. I don’t. And it’s not like you to be offended easily; after all, you grew up with him the same as I did, so it must have been something pretty bad. Have you talked to him about it?”
Logical first step, but one she hadn’t taken. At first, anger had stopped her. It had been the deep, bottomless kind of rage that hardened her insides and made her wary of speaking lest terrible things come out. Later, hurt rose and mixed with the anger. It was beyond belief how he had never learned to bridle his tongue. Didn’t he know her at all? Obviously not. After, she’d been left with a wound the size of Texas, which she stuffed down in a corner to lessen the hurt. But Tom was right. Kenzie had let it go on way too long.
“I know I’ve been acting like a two-year-old, and I am going to talk with him, but I came to see you because I wanted to talk about something else.”
Tom leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk, crossing them at the ankles. “Talk away.”
“Last night, I noticed there was a sold sticker on your For Sale sign.”
Tom’s face split into a wide grin. “Yeah. Mandy’s pretty excited. She’s had her eye on the Steadman home ever since they told us they were going to put it up for sale. We made an offer on it yesterday morning, and they accepted.”
The tinkle of chimes came from the outer room. Jared Rawlins, wearing jeans and a blue shirt, walked toward the reception counter.
“I’m in here,” Tom called, waving when Jared saw them through the window.
What a time for an interruption! But then again, since it was Jared . . .
Jared’s eyes, which were as dark and warm as she remembered from last night, widened with pleasure when he saw her. “Good to see you, Kenzie.” It sounded like he really meant it too, although she detected a little boyish shyness.
“You too. That was a great play last night.”
“I’d say Corey stole the show,” Jared said proudly. “He’s a character actor, you know—really got into the part. In fact, after we got home, he stayed in character for a while, would only speak to me in ‘baaas.’”
They laughed, then Kenzie said, “Maybe he’ll be an actor when he grows up.”
“He’ll have to expand his repertoire. Not many movies cast a sheep as the lead character. Even in Babe, they were only supporting characters.” Jared grinned and took a chair close to Kenzie, his eyes on her face. “It’s nice you could come and visit your family for Christmas.”
“It’ll be a nice break. It’s been a few years since I’ve been home for the holidays—as Tom keeps reminding me.” She shot a look at her brother.
“Kenzie’s a bigwig with Midwest Computers in Chicago,” Tom explained. “She’s always saying it’s hard to break away.”
“A lot of our sales come at Christmastime,” Kenzie reminded him.
Jared was sympathetic. “I’m a firm believer in the old saying, ‘Strike when the iron is hot.’”
“Exactly.” She arched an eyebrow at her brother then said, “But it is good to be back. I have a lot of wonderful memories growing up here. I’d forgotten how relaxing a small town can be.”
“If you’d come back a little more often, you wouldn’t forget,” Tom bantered.
Kenzie rolled her eyes then turned to Jared. “So how do you like it in Lake Forest?”
“It’s been great.” Jared was enthusiastic. “Of course I’ve always loved this area, so I jumped at the chance to come here.”
“Mandy told me you opened a restaurant in town.”
“Jared’s Café. Best place in town to get a bite to eat. You’ll have to stop in. I’m kitty-corner across the street.”
“I’ll stop by.” Kenzie was rewarded by Jared’s genuine look of pleasure. It was amazing how drawn she was to this personable man.
“I can personally vouch for the club sandwich on twelve-grain bread,” Tom said. “Goes great with the broccoli-cheese soup. Jared bakes his own bread on the premises. When you walk in, the smell lifts you off your feet.”
Kenzie turned to Jared. “You bake bread? I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be,” Jared replied shyly. “It’s my recipe, but I have a baker who does all the work. I’m just the manager, janitor, and sandwich-maker all rolled into one.”
“I’ll have to check it out.”
“Come by for lunch sometime. Bring Sara. It’ll be on the house.”
Over the years Kenzie had learned to guard her heart, never letting herself become attached to people or places despite her dream of having both. But she felt a swoop of joy that seemed to have its origin in nothing at all except the presence of this man. And the way he looked at her—like she was someone worth a second look. That was a boost to her ego. And the feeling was mutual. It had been some time since she’d been so attracted to a man.
Taking his feet off his desk, Tom asked, “What can I do for you, Jared?”
“I was wondering how things are going on my house—if you’d had any interest since I dropped the price. I’m a little anxious about selling.”
“Understandable,” Tom assured him. “I’m glad you let me set up a lockbox so anyone can show it anytime. I’ve got several people lined up to see it. Do you know Car
los and Tracy Perez? They run the travel agency just down the road. I’m trying to arrange for them to see it next week.”
“That’s great.”
“So you’re selling your home too?” Kenzie spoke up, interested. “Small world. Did you know Tom had his home up for sale?”
Jared winked at Tom. “Well, it’s not for sale anymore. I bought it.”
The smile that had been on Kenzie’s face froze, cracked, and fell right off. Her eyes darted to Tom, then back to Jared. Maybe she hadn’t heard right. “Um, say that again.”
“I’m buying Tom’s home—I put an offer on it a few days ago.”
Kenzie’s chest tightened just as it had last night when she’d seen the sold sticker. She stared at Tom. “I didn’t know until last night that you’d even had an offer. You’d been telling me for months that no one was interested. In fact, the last thing you told me before I came was that you weren’t even showing it.”
“I wasn’t—until Jared came by,” Tom said mildly.
There was a fluttering of anxiety as she turned to Jared and said the first thing that came into her mind. “But, but you can’t buy Tom’s house.” Kenzie was aware she sounded panicky, but she didn’t care.
Tom looked bewildered. “And why not?” Kenzie groped for words, but he went on, “Maybe no one has ever explained the process of selling a house to you, but if a person puts their home up for sale, it’s because they want someone else to buy it.”
“But we’re talking about your home!”
His brow furrowed. “Yes, and soon it will be Jared’s home.” Tom spoke slowly as if dealing with someone of limited intelligence.
Kenzie cried out, “But I wanted to buy your house!”
Tom’s broad face looked even more puzzled now. “Why would you want to buy my house?”
“I’m moving back to Lake Forest.”
Astonished, Tom asked, “Well, that’s news. When did you decide to do that? You haven’t said a word.” Then he frowned. “And just when were you planning on sharing this little bit of news with the family?”
For Sale By Owner Page 3
