Crushing on Kate

by Theresa Paolo

  By the time he returned to where he’d started, he felt like a new man—refreshed and ready to tackle the day. He needed the energy to deal with his gorgeous, but impossible neighbor.

  He understood her frustrations to an extent. She had a routine that she was used to, and any disturbance in a routine could agitate the most level-headed person. But what she didn’t understand was the simple fact that things change. Mae, her old neighbor, might have allowed Kate to do her little demonstrations in the parking lot, but he wasn’t Mae. He had a business to run, and her demonstrations were blocking his shop.

  He had chosen that location because it was at the heart of Main Street. It was set back a little off the road since Kate’s studio held that sweet spot, but you could still see it from the street or sidewalk. When she had those crowds outside, taking up half the damn parking lot that was barely a parking lot to begin with, she was jeopardizing his curb appeal, making it impossible for someone to spot his shop if they weren’t actively looking for it.

  From what he learned, Mae’s Toy store was an institution, a staple to the community. People still wandered in his shop expecting to see shelves of toys instead of a variety of bikes. She made a name for herself and didn’t need to be seen. He wasn’t quite there yet, so he didn’t see why Kate was pitching such a fit. She was the one who claimed she wanted to be civil, but only if it fit into her plans and she didn’t have to accommodate anyone else.

  She was a piece of work who got under his skin in a way no girl ever had before. She was gorgeous and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind which was exactly why, for the most part, he avoided her. That combination in a woman was dangerous. But it didn’t change the fact that they had a problem and needed to find a resolution. She was quick to call him a jerk, but he was willing to work to figure something out that would appease them both.

  After a shower, he headed back out, stopping at the Happy Apple for breakfast since he’d been avoiding the grocery store. The last time he went it took him twenty-minutes just to get through the damn door. Everyone wanted to stop and welcome him to the town. Introductions from one person spurred another introduction from someone else, and he didn’t have three hours to waste on grocery shopping.

  As soon as he walked in the door he wondered what the hell he’d gotten himself into. It was like he was surrounded by an apple orgy. There were apples everywhere—in every nook and cranny. Apple wallpaper, apple curtains, apple dishes, and salt and pepper shakers. And oh god, there’s an apple telephone.

  He was stunned into submission as his eyes took in the hundreds of possibly thousands of apple knick-knacks.

  “Be right with you, sweetie,” a woman’s voice full of power yet kindness said from the kitchen area.

  He was still too busy taking in the apple overload to notice the woman approach.

  “Well, aren’t you a tall drink of water.”

  He forced his eyes away from the décor and focused on the buxom redhead in front of him. She was older, at least in her sixties, but her leopard print shirt and big hair told him she thought otherwise.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked.

  “Hoping to get some food.”

  “Of course you are. This is a restaurant after all.” She grabbed a menu then looked him up and down. “You visiting?”

  “I actually own The Chain and Spoke a few doors down.”

  “Why didn’t you say that from the get go?” She spun toward the kitchen. “Walt get out here!”

  “I just wanted to eat and…” Before he could finish, she waved her hand at him and teetered away on what had to be five-inch heels.

  “Walt, I said get out here.”

  “What are you yammering about?” An old man with white hair and big red, round cheeks appeared from the back. He was a large man, with hands that looked like a catcher’s mitt and a gut that protruded well past his belt.

  “This is Caleb James.”

  “Caleb who?”

  She swatted her hand at him and rolled her eyes. “He owns the Chain and Spoke. That bike shop where Mae’s used to be”

  Walt turned to him, a little scary and very intimidating until he smiled. His features softened, his face lighting up and revealing an infectious grin. “Well, why didn’t you say so, Terry?” He held his hand out. “Nice to meet you, son.”

  Caleb took Walt’s offered hand and now understood the full strength behind those mitts.

  “I’m going to whip you up some of my apple pancakes,” Terry said with a wink.

  “That’s not necessary. I just want some eggs to go if at all possible.” Protein was very important after a big ride, and the protein bar he had before leaving his place wasn’t nearly enough.

  “Why in the heck would you want eggs when you can have my famous pancakes?”

  “The boy said he wants eggs. Let him have his damn eggs.”

  “Oh you hush.” She ignored both Caleb and Walt and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Women,” Walt said “Can’t live with them and probably could live without them.”

  “I heard that!” Terry yelled from the kitchen, and Caleb quickly covered his laugh.

  “She could hear a pin drop that one.”

  Caleb wasn’t exactly sure what to make of the duo—they were batty, but in a good way that was almost refreshing. He imagined there was never a dull moment for them.

  A few people came in, and Caleb stepped aside while Walt greeted them all by name then escorted them to an empty table in the dining area.

  Caleb could smell the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon filling the air, causing his stomach to growl. Apple pancakes did sound really good, and as long as he didn’t make a habit of it, then why the hell not?

  The door opened again, and a man in a sheriff uniform walked in. The tag on his shirt said M. Hayes, and Caleb instantly knew it was Kate’s brother.

  “Be right there, pumpkin,” Terry called from the kitchen.

  Caleb thought about introducing himself, but god only knew what Kate had said about him; it was probably better to lay low.

  “New in these parts?” the Sheriff asked him. So much for laying low.

  “I am. It’s a great town you got here.”

  “The best.”

  Terry came out, wiping her hands on a rag. “Matthew, how are you this morning?”

  “Can’t complain,” he said with a smile that reinforced his words.

  “That’s what I like to hear.” Terry turned to Caleb. “Just waiting on your home fries.”

  “I didn’t… I only wanted—”

  “Don’t argue with her,” Matt said. “You’ll only wind up with more food.”

  “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “No problem.”

  “You two have met then?” Terry asked, waving a bright red nail between them.

  “Not officially,” the Sheriff said, holding out his hand. “Matt Hayes.”

  Caleb accepted his hand. “Caleb.” He hoped keeping it simple would avoid any awkward conversation in case Kate blabbed about their few encounters.

  “Caleb James, that is. He owns the Chain and Spoke next to Kate’s place,” Terry announced, and any hope Caleb had about steering clear of an awkward conversation was gone. Thank you, Terry.

  Matt’s grip tightened on Caleb’s, and even though Caleb had a good couple of inches on him, it didn’t matter. He was after all the Sheriff and could make Caleb’s life a living hell.

  “So, you’re the jerk giving my sister a hard time.” His grip tightened even more before dropping it. His green eyes narrowed on Caleb like a predator stalking its prey.

  Caleb ran a hand over the stubble on his face. “In my defense, she’s not the easiest person to reason with.” Not that he really tried, but he figured even if he did she wouldn’t cut him any slack. She wanted what she wanted, and she wasn’t about to cave to the likes of him.

  Caleb stood there debating if he should just leave when Matt laughed. The tension that started to inch its way up his ne
ck eased, and Terry excused herself to go back to the home fries before they burned.

  “I’ve lived with her. Trust me, I know. She can be impossible when things don’t go her way. She also can be very opinionated and isn’t shy to let you know those opinions.”

  “That sounds like her.”

  “She’s also kind-hearted and a hard worker. She put her heart and soul into that studio and maybe became a little too set in her ways.”

  “A little?” Caleb said with a hint of a laugh.

  “I’m sure you two will figure something out that will work for the both of you.”

  “I sure as hell hope so.”

  “Here we go,” Terry said, coming out of the kitchen holding two bags. “Two orders of my famous pancakes with a side of home fries and bacon.”

  “I think she’s trying to kill me,” Matt said to Caleb. “A slow death, where my arteries harden, and I drop dead of a heart attack.”

  “Walt has eaten my cooking every day for forty years, and he’s still kicking.”

  “Barely,” Walt said from the spot where he was currently refilling someone’s water glass.

  “How much do I owe you?” Caleb asked.

  Terry waved her hand at him like he was speaking nonsense. “On the house.”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “You can and you will. Now get out of here before you insult me.”

  “I…”

  “Listen to the lady,” Matt said with a smile, and since Caleb assumed Matt knew Terry well enough that he should heed his advice.

  “Thank you,” he said. “It’s very nice of you.”

  “We take care of our own,” Terry said with a wink. “I put a little extra in there, too. Maybe you want to go share some with Kate. She sure does love my pancakes.”

  Caleb laughed at her lack of subtlety. “I’m probably the last person Kate wants to see this early in the morning.”

  “With a face like yours?” Terry fanned herself with her hands. “You’d be crazy to think that. Now off you go. You too, Matthew. Out.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Matt gave Terry a kiss on the cheek and followed Caleb out.

  “Tell Shay to call me, I have something I want to discuss with her,” Terry said from the door, and Matt gave her a nod.

  When Terry disappeared, Matt let out a sigh. “That can only mean trouble for me. And that can only mean trouble for you.” Matt tilted his head toward the Chain and Spoke. Kate stood outside her studio, arms crossed over her chest, eyebrow lifted.

  She was in a pair of jeans that hugged every sinful curve and a tank top that cut just above two perfect mounds. Her long hair was out of its usual ponytail and rested in waves on her shoulders.

  He might be the last person she’d want to see so early, but he was happy as hell to get a glimpse of her in the early morning sun.

  “Good luck,” Matt said before giving a wave to his sister and continuing on down the road to the bakery.

  Caleb turned toward the building, trying to fight back the irritation at seeing her halfway setup in the parking lot already.

  “Why were you talking to my brother?” she asked as he got closer. Her head was held high in defiance, and he wanted to laugh at how territorial she was being.

  “Can’t talk to the local Sheriff?”

  “You can talk to whoever the heck you want.”

  “Then why you asking?”

  She let out an annoyed breath. “Never mind. I’ll talk to him later.”

  “I’m sure you will. You can fill him in on how much of a jerk I am today since he already seems to know about the other times.”

  “Not my fault you have an attitude problem.”

  “Because it’s all me.”

  She crossed her arms under her chest, pushing her breasts up higher. He had to concentrate on not staring at them, but he failed miserably.

  “Eyes up here, pretty boy,” she said, pointing two of her fingers to her own eyes.

  He stifled a laugh at her directness. “Sorry just taking in the view.”

  She looked away in annoyance, and he sneaked another glimpse before she could catch him. She filled out that tank top rather nicely, and he’d have to be dead or blind not to notice.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I have to finish setting up.” She headed toward the door, but he couldn’t let her walk away. They needed to come to an agreement.

  “About that,” he said, and she turned, staring daggers at him. “Can we at least talk about it?”

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  She tilted her chin toward the to-go order in his hands. “What you have in the bag.”

  “Apple pancakes. I’m told they’re famous.”

  “They are.” She stared at him for a long moment before pushing the door open. “If you’re sharing then we can talk.”

  With a laugh, he followed Kate inside, thankful to Terry and her famous pancakes.

  ***

  Maybe she was being unreasonable, but the schedule had already been posted on the Red Maple Falls visitor site, and she didn’t want to disappoint any tourist who planned to catch her demonstration. She couldn’t figure out why Caleb couldn’t get that through his thick head.

  “I’m willing to work with you, but my schedule is already set for this season.” She needed to stay strong even if those sexy lips and intense eyes were making it hard for her to concentrate. She met his gaze in an attempt to show her defiance, but it was a mistake. Those eyes of his were like orbs of desire, making it hard for her to breathe.

  “Schedules can be changed… Unless you carved it in stone.”

  There he went again, ruining his appeal with his condescending tone.

  “Can you say anything without being sarcastic?”

  “Can you agree to anything that isn’t your way?”

  “Do you always answer a question with another question? Because it’s annoying.” She let out a frustrated breath and stabbed the remains of the pancake he was nice enough to share with her.

  “Do you always take your aggression out on your food?”

  Finishing off the last bite of pancake, she stood. Neither one of them was willing to budge, and Kate had a feeling they could sit there all day long and still wouldn’t come to an agreement. Growing up with five siblings, she knew when it was time to throw in the towel. “We’re clearly not getting anywhere, and I have a demonstration I need to prepare for.”

  She moved toward the door before he could get another word in, but before she could make it out, his hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her back toward him. Taken by surprise, she stumbled and landed smack against his chest.

  His delicious scent surrounded her as the warmth of his body seeped into her skin. His chest was rock solid, and she couldn’t help but imagine what it looked like beneath his shirt. How his bare chest would feel against her hand.

  She finally managed to take her eyes away from her hand and looked into his eyes. The mesmerizing shade of brown that had been branded into her mind, darkened to almost black.

  They stared at each other for what was probably only a few seconds, but felt like an eternity. She parted her lips, but no words came out. It was like an unbreakable force holding them together, if only one of them would step away.

  She swallowed hard and found the strength to break free of whatever it was that possessed them. “Did you need something else?” she managed even though her words were lust-filled and raspy.

  He straightened, letting his hold on her go. She missed it almost immediately and cursed herself for being so easily wooed by such an insufferable man. Then again, if she pushed aside the animosity on the one subject they couldn’t agree on, he wasn’t all that bad. Beneath the attitude and his unwavering resolve, she detected a kinder soul.

  “This conversation, isn’t over,” he finally said.

  “No, but for today it is.” She spun away and headed toward the door, secretly hoping he would stop her again. When he didn’t, she walked out, realizing she
now had two battles to fight: the right to perform her demonstrations in their shared parking lot and the attraction that was only growing between them.

  Chapter 4

  Caleb grabbed the fish food off of the table and went to feed Milton, a big-eyed goldfish that belonged to his brother, only to realize there was no food left.

  “Shit.” He had gotten completely sidetracked after his encounter with Kate that he’d totally forgotten to pick some up from the store.

  Waiting till the morning wasn’t an option. Milton was the only thing he had left of his brother and as pathetic as it may have been he felt a strong connection to the little guy. When Milo’s roommate had called Caleb to tell him he was moving out of the country and couldn’t take the fish with him, Caleb didn’t hesitate in offering to take Milton in.

  Milton didn’t talk—obviously—but having him around was comforting in the most bizarre way that Caleb couldn’t even begin to describe.

  He couldn’t protect his brother from death, and there was no way of protecting the fish from that same fate, but he was going to damn well try. He had too. Milton was all he had left in the world.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said to the fish as if Milton could understand him.

  He got in his car and drove to the only store he knew that stayed open until at least eight. Main Street was empty as he made his way to the grocery store, praying the entire way that they carried fish food. If he had to drive to the next town over, he would though he hoped he wouldn’t have to.

  He pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. As he made his way to the door he saw an older woman struggling with an armful of bags. Usually the type to mind his own business, he couldn’t just stand there and do nothing. He jogged over to the woman just as one of the bags went airborne. He quickly reached for it, taking hold of it before it hit the ground.

  “Nice save,” she said with a laugh.

  “Let me help you,” he said and took a few more bags from her. Now without the bags obscuring his view he could see her bright blue eyes and warm smile. Her short white hair was styled in a way that made him think she was defying age while also embracing it.