“Fried ice cream it is, then. Sounds like the perfect adventure.”
The huge dessert came out in a giant glass chalice and she enjoyed sharing one more dish with Nick. He was an enthusiastic eater and it was fun to enjoy a good meal with him. She didn’t know where he put it in his fit body, but he packed away three times the food she did.
“So, tell me about your family.” He looked at her while spooning in another mouthful of the decadent dessert.
“There’s not much to tell. We were all big sports nuts, so I grew up around basketball, football, and softball. I have to admit though, my real love is baseball. I think it might be the peanuts that hooked me, though. Games with my dad were fun.”
He stopped chewing and just stared at her. She wiped her mouth and looked down at her dress. “What? Did I drip ice cream?”
Nick slowly shook his head with a smile. “Nope, just taking it all in. It’s like I found the perfect woman. Pretty and a sports fan, too. I love baseball. I’ve been playing since I was in Little League. Still play softball.”
A huge smile grew over her face. “That’s awesome! I wish I had enough skill to play, but I’m better off as a spectator.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’m sure you’d make a great cheerleader.”
“Well, I did try playing softball in junior high in my church league. I was terrible.” She giggled at the memory and shook her head. “I also tried volleyball. At least I had an excuse for not being so great at that. I’m not tall enough. At least that’s what my dad said to make me feel better.”
“Oh, come on, now. I’m sure it wasn’t all that bad. Was it?” He tilted his head to the side and made a face.
“Oh, I’m afraid it was. But enough about me and my failures as the sporty type. Where do you play softball now?”
“We have a team at work. We play other precincts and also fire squads, too. I also play for my church in a slow pitch league. That one’s a lot less competitive than the other one.”
She nodded with a smile. “I can see how that would be. What church?”
“Community Church over on River Road. Do you know it?”
“I’ve seen it.”
“Have you found a church since you’ve been here? It’s hard to find a new one, I guess.”
She was getting a good feeling about their conversation. She was relieved that he was a church goer and from there they could see if they had the same values. That was further down the road, but at least the door for that conversation was open now.
“I’ve been going to Parkside. I haven’t joined, though. It has been a little difficult. I think I’ve been looking for a carbon copy of my church in Alabama. It’s not likely I’ll find that here, or anywhere, I guess. But it’ll work out.”
“It will.” He looked around them and then down at his watch. “Wow, I can’t believe how late it is. I’m sorry I kept you so long. I promise next time I won’t hold you hostage like this.”
She laughed, taking it as a good sign he was talking about a next time. “It’s okay. I could’ve left at any point. I’m good at making polite excuses, but I didn’t want to. It was fun. I loved hearing about your friends and family. It’s refreshing to hear someone so passionate about what they do and who they love.”
He nodded. “I know. I have to admit, I’m not usually such a huge talker. I tend to be the quieter one between Jack and I, but something about you makes it easy to open up.”
She warmed, knowing that they felt the same way. He paid the check, and they walked out to the parking lot. She wasn’t ready to leave him, but knew it was time.
7
On their way out to their cars, Nick couldn’t stop his mind from racing. He couldn’t believe how well the evening had gone. Sharing food had been fun and it felt very intimate. She was adventurous and open to trying new things, and he loved that about her.
He wanted to make sure that whoever he went out with spurred him into new experiences and new adventures. His parents were always saying that’s what had kept their marriage alive after so many years of being together.
He thought back on her eating that third taco, the way he couldn’t help chuckling at her enthusiasm over the deep-fried shell. It was refreshing that she’d enjoyed her food. He thought back on some women he’d dated who hardly ate anything, and he could never get over that. Food was something to enjoy and share. He didn’t want to think about spending two hours listening to someone talk about dieting or how fat they were. Karin was confident in herself and it was refreshing to see that. It made her even more attractive.
“Where’s your car?” He looked around the lot and saw only a few cars left. She pointed at the black sedan that looked recently washed. He added that fact to his list of other things that he liked about her. He was careful with his things, too, and he liked that she clearly took care of hers. “Let me walk you to your door, madam.”
She giggled but grabbed the elbow that he offered her. “Why thank you, kind sir.”
His mother would be proud at how easily his manners came when he was around Karin. He found himself wanting to do those gentlemanly things. She shouldn’t have to open her own doors, pay for dinner, or walk unattended. He was glad to do those things for her. “So how many other police dogs do you do checkups for?”
“Actually, Buzz was my first. And now, he’s kinda my only. That dog is something special, Nick. I hope you know that. Truth is, I think I fell in love with him.” She tugged on his arm, stopping them from walking, and looked into his eyes earnestly.
“I know,” he admitted. “I’m lucky to have him. He’s like a partner and a best friend wrapped up into one furry package. But it wasn’t always this nice. When I first got him, the mischief that dog would get into was unbelievable. I wasn’t sure it was going to work out.”
He had her in tears, laughing hard at all the stories of Buzz’s antics when Nick and he had been getting to know each other, still learning each other’s quirks. Finally, she placed the palms of her hands on her red cheeks. She begged for mercy. “Nick, stop! I can’t laugh anymore tonight. My cheeks hurt and my stomach’s so full. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard.”
He smiled broadly. “Well, I’m glad. Imagine Buzz’s face when I try to put the bows on his ears too, like you have on Babs.”
She swatted his arm. “They’re cute and you know it.”
“I didn’t say they weren’t,” he responded quickly, in self-preservation.
She shook her head at him but kept smiling, her red lips curving enticingly. He stepped forward and when she didn’t retreat, he took that as a sign. He leaned forward slowly, giving her ample time to change her mind. But she didn’t move.
His lips touched hers gently, sweetly. He didn’t want to scare her or make her uncomfortable. But he just had to show her how much he was drawn to her, to her spirit. He inhaled the sweet, fruity smell of her perfume, the floral shampoo she must use for her hair. His lips pressed against hers once, twice, three times. He heard her quick intake of breath each time, tasted the sweetness of their dessert on her lips.
It had been a soft kiss, nothing heavy. But Nick felt something just the same. Something he didn’t think he ever remembered feeling. And judging by the flushed cheeks and glazed eyes, he thought she was feeling it too.
Satisfied, he opened her car door and let her climb inside. “Goodnight, Dr. Boling.”
“Night, Officer Cardwell.”
Whistling, he strolled to his car, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.
8
You have to tell me everything,” Dana insisted, twirling her red hair between her fingertips. “And I mean everything.”
Karin smiled coyly. “I couldn’t possibly kiss and tell.”
Dana squealed. “Oh, I knew it. The man has charm.”
Karin sighed. “Am I making a mistake? Am I getting too attached already? Tell me the truth, Dana.”
“Babe, you need to calm down. Nick is a good guy. Even I can tell that. Un
like that Jack guy he insists on hanging out with. I cannot understand what he sees in a guy like Jack.” Dana shook her head and chewed on a French fry.
Karin laughed. “You’re too hard on Jack. I thought he was nice and funny. And so cute.”
Dana rolled her eyes at Karin’s wink. “Then maybe you should go for Jack instead if you like him so much and I can have Officer Hottie.”
Karin couldn’t help thinking about the two men and comparing them. But in her heart, she knew there was no contest. There was something about Nick. His stoic silence, his goofy sense of humor, and his amazing eyes.
“Nah, I think I’m good.” Karin winked and took a sip of her tea.
“Yup, you’re very good. You bagged an officer and a gentleman. And he’s a younger man. Not too shabby, Dr. Boling.”
Karin swallowed. “I never even thought of that. I was more focused on him being a nice God-fearing guy.”
“Well, cops are amazing, you know. All saving-the-world and whatnot. Plus, he has Buzz, who’s pretty adorable.” Dana squeezed a huge glob of ketchup on her plate. Karin knew from experience that she was addicted to the stuff.
Karin shook her head. “I know all that, but think about what their families have to go through every day. Not knowing if he is coming home or coming home safely. Thinking about them rushing into buildings that might blow up or walking straight into a place where someone has pulled a gun. Every day is something new and terrifying that could take him from you.”
“Yeah, those wives must have spines of steel,” Dana admitted, thinking and frowning.
Karin’s face dropped. “Whoa, who said anything about wife? We’ve only had one date.”
Dana shrugged. “Karin, in the time I’ve known you, you’ve never been this serious about any guy. You might not be tied down, but you’re invested in Nick now, if you’ll admit it. You care about him. You’d care if he died.”
Karin was quick to try to fight that logic. “I’d care if anyone died, so that’s not really saying anything.”
“Well, I can think of one person I wouldn’t attempt CPR on…” Dana muttered.
Karin laughed. “Oh really? Who’s that? The IT guy at your work again? Dana, I keep telling you it’s their job to monitor your computer. He’s not an awful guy.”
Dana shook her head. “Nope. Worse than the IT guy. Jack Sondham.”
Karin burst out laughing. “Dana, what is with you? Normally you like cute guys, especially ones with muscles like Jack.”
“Um, I can firmly say that I have zero interest in that man.” Dana speared an errant fry with her fork.
“Are you sure? You seem pretty well suited, actually. I’m surprised you don’t want to get to know him better.”
Dana glared at her. “I’m pretty positive. He’s too confident. Like he knows he’s the best at absolutely everything that he does. Or he thinks’ he’s the best, anyway. And he’s too handsome. He has that look. A player. Like he knows he can get any girl. Any time, any place. Women aren’t even a challenge to a guy that looks like that and I guarantee he has a thicker black book than even I have.”
Karin laughed at that, but let it go. Clearly Dana had already made up her mind on poor Jack and as much as she thought it was unfair to judge him purely on looks, she knew nothing she could say right now would change Dana’s mind until she just got to know Jack a little better.
“Besides, on top of everything, he’s a cop and a military man. That’s a double problem. And I don’t need double problems in my life.”
Karin’s mind drifted back to Nick and she couldn’t stop smiling.
9
Nick heard the ringtone in his ear as he waited for Karin to pick up. He got a goofy grin on his face just waiting to hear her husky voice. He missed her. And that was crazy since he’d already called her twice this week just to check in. He was just glad she didn’t call him out on the fact he didn’t really have a reason to call.
“Hello?”
Her voice was music to his ears and his grin grew. “Hi there.”
He could almost hear the smile in her voice. “Can I help you, sir?”
“Well, I sure hope so,” he said teasingly. “I’ve missed the sound of your voice and was hoping you could help me out with that.”
“I suppose I could read out the Chinese menu over the phone. I’ve wanted to practice my Mandarin.”
He laughed out loud, imagining her with a Chinese menu and a pair of black glasses perched on her nose. “Busy day at work?”
She sighed. “Yeah, my feet are killing me and I have fur all over my new shoes from Toto, the monster of a Siberian Husky.”
He loved to hear about her work, apparently as much as she liked to hear about his. She was always quick to make him tell her what had happened on the job, and seemed to enjoy making fun of him when he did something embarrassing at work. He thought of anything and everything to tell her about his day, or the men he worked with, or Buzz’s newest quirk.
They both had busy jobs, but Nick was determined to make time for her. She seemed happy to hear from him when he called, and he was always thrilled when she answered. She was exactly the kind of woman he’d been looking for—smart, career-focused, and very beautiful. And she was a Christian which she’d offered easily without him having to ask.
Before picking up the phone this time he’d had an important conversation with Buzz, who’d been happily lounging in his oversized bed while Nick had been doing chin-ups on the bar hanging in the frame of his doorway.
“Buzz, I think I might be crazy about her. I know, I know… I know what you’re going to say. I barely know her. I have a dangerous job. She has a prissy little girl dog that you’re not sure you like. But Buzz, I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Buzz had looked up, cocked his head, then walked over to Nick and sat next to him. That was all the encouragement Nick had needed before calling Karin.
Now that she was on the phone, he hoped he was reading her signals right. She seemed to like hearing from him and they’d had a great time at The Taco Bar. He knew that they both had reservations about jumping into something right away, but he didn’t know how he was supposed to let her go when it seemed like she was perfect for him in every way. And perfect for Buzz, who adored her.
Nick had dated around a bit in the past, but he was starting to get the feeling that he’d never feel about someone else the way he felt for Karin right now. She might be the one.
Without regret, he blurted out what he’d been thinking about all day. “Can we get together again. Maybe for another dinner?”
There was silence on the other end. He started to panic. “Hello? Did the phone cut out?”
He heard her soft chuckle on the other end. “No, it didn’t cut out. I heard you.”
“Well?” he asked, holding his breath for the answer.
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I’ll go to dinner with you. I’d love to.”
“Saturday night?”
She seemed to think about it for a second. “Saturday night works perfectly. I can’t wait.”
Nick’s heart filled with joy. She’d said yes. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Karin wasn’t the sort to trifle with his emotions. She wouldn’t have said yes unless she was feeling what he was feeling, and he was glad to know it was mutual.
10
They decided on Napoli’s, a fun and casual Italian place boasting a huge menu of pasta, grilled meats, and pizza.
“What’ll you have, Dr. Boling?” He looked at her over the red bound menu he was holding.
She batted her eyes at him teasingly. “Whatever you want.”
He laughed. “I’ll just take the anchovies then.”
He laughed again at her expression of horror. She shook her head, her blond hair curving against her face prettily. She pursed her lips together. “No anchovies. Suddenly I’m craving pasta.”
“Pasta it is,” he agreed, ordering two full dinners and a sampler platter of appetizers. He enjoyed watching Karin d
ig into it, filling herself up with the rich and flavorful Italian dishes. She tried a few pieces of fried calamari, one of Nick’s favorite dishes, and he tried her pasta Primavera that she insisted was made in Italy itself.
He enjoyed watching her eat. Her eyes closed in perfect bliss, licking her lips to get all the sauce. Watching her eat was part of the perfect dinner experience. He was happy to spend time with a woman who’d actually eat and let him see her pleasure and appreciation of ta good meal.
Conversation was light and flirty. Again she was quick to laugh, and he found himself with a big grin throughout most of the dinner. It was amazing how easy it was to talk to her and how much he enjoyed listening to her even if it was about something as simple as her errands. He was surprised to feel that, every time she talked about a place or an errand she had to go to, he wanted to offer to join her. He’d never felt that before. Any time spent with her was enjoyable, no matter what the scene was.
“You’re going to make me order dessert, aren’t you?” she asked, her eyes squinting at him in fake displeasure.
He smiled. “There is no way we’re leaving Napoli’s until you choose something sweet to end with.”
“But I’m stuffed. I honestly don’t think I could eat another bite. Gosh, I think I’m going to explode,” she whined, grinning.
“I don’t see any way around it, my dear.” He picked up the menu but put it back down when she didn’t respond with a quip like he was expecting.
“What if we order dessert to go? You could come back to my place. Maybe some coffee and…” She scanned the dessert menu. “And dark chocolate cake?”
He was excited, and a little surprised. She’d been clear about wanting to take it slow, but he wanted the opportunity to make this official. He wanted to see her place and wanted her to see his. He wanted to start sharing things with her that progressed past surface level.
“Chocolate cake it is,” he agreed, having the server box it up for them as he handed him his card to pay the bill.
All About Trust: K-9 Unit (Hero Hearts: Contemporary) Page 3