by Debra Kayn
He was the one person who knew everything about her. He'd been there through everything and was the only person she trusted
Race probably knew—no, he knew how she was feeling. It was torturing her being with him and having him act like they were old friends catching up. They were so much more.
He was...life, to her.
"The sky is clear." He turned on his blinker and changed direction.
"Mm-hm." She clasped her hands to keep from rubbing the goosebumps off her arms. "Indian summer. It's great for the real estate market."
"You enjoy your job," he said.
"More now than when I started. It's an adrenaline rush when I can find someone their dream home."
"Is that what your house is to you?" He glanced at her while he pulled into the public parking lot near the dune. "Your dream home?"
Her muscles tensed. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about why she'd bought her childhood home.
"It works for us." She opened the door as soon as the car came to a stop.
The roar of the ocean deafened her to his reply—if he'd made one. The wind blew her bangs off her forehead. She tilted her head up and inhaled deeply. The briny sea air filled her nostrils. She licked her lips, almost tasting the salt.
Kicking off her flipflops, she bent over and picked them up, throwing them back in the car. Her toes dug into the warm sand.
"Ready?"
She walked beside him, sneaking looks. He'd taken off his shoes and rolled his jeans.
Her sex throbbed with an aching pleasure. There was something so sensual about him baring his feet. Such a natural thing for a person to do in the sand but for a prestigious man like Race, who seldom let himself enjoy the beach if he wasn't jogging or asking a million questions, it was sexy.
It also reminded her of pouring her heart out to him, and for one short time, she had everything she wanted.
Sliding backward and losing ground on the dune, she reached out for Race's hand without even thinking about it. He pulled her up beside him, and together they climbed. At the top, she panted for breath. It wasn't the steep climb winding her.
"Let's sit on the hill. It'll keep some of the wind off us." He guided her past the outcrop of grass, being careful not to let her step on any short blades and cut her feet.
He lowered himself to the sand, stretching his legs out in front of him. She sat beside him and bent her knees, hugging her legs. Wearing a pair of chinos, already rolled, she tried to keep most of the sand off her work clothes.
"I played water polo in college." He picked up a handful of sand and let it spill out of his hand. "I was the defensive specialist on the team."
She stared at his broad hand, glancing at his face. "That must be where Callie gets her love of swimming."
He raised his brows and nodded. She hadn't known that about Race, and she wondered what else she hadn't learned during the years they were together.
"There are swimming lessons offered at the aquatic center," he said.
Since moving, she'd been too busy with the house and work to think about letting Callie start taking swimming lessons again. She seemed to get her quota of time in the water when she went to Race's house.
"I'll check into it. She'd like to be around other kids her age, and I'd like her to continue learning more about how to be safe in the water." She laid her cheek on her knee, looking at him. "If I do, would you want to go and watch her, too?"
"I'd love to go." He harrumphed. "You know what she said the other day?"
"I couldn't even guess." She smiled. "She comes up with some crazy things, sometimes."
"She was talking about the deer that hang around the path behind our houses." He shook his head in amusement. "Callie was insistent that one of them came into your house while she was sleeping and woke her up. I told her she must've been dreaming. That deer don't go inside houses."
"Then, she asked me what dreams were." He leaned back, planting his elbows in the sand. "In all my years of counseling others, I don't think I have ever had to explain what dreams were or where they come from. To try and explain it to a four-year-old had me wanting to call you and ask what I should tell her. I felt like I was saying and doing everything wrong."
"Nothing you say would've been wrong. She's probably already forgotten about the conversation," she said.
He chuckled and then grew serious. "As I dug myself deeper into a hole with her, she finally planted her little hands on her waist and said, 'That not true.' I swear, at that moment, I felt like I should stop seeing patients and go back to school."
Katie laughed. "It's tough being a parent. She's constantly asking why this and why that? She's naturally curious about everything. There's nothing like a child to make you feel like you don't know enough answers."
His gaze softened and explored her. She grew warm and looked out at the ocean. Bonding over their child made her feel good, but having Race talk with her and give her his time left a growing need inside of her for more.
"I should go. Callie will need dinner soon, and I've been gone most of the day." She looked at him. "Thank you for inviting me here."
He pushed to his feet in one steady movement and held his hands out. She placed her hands in his, letting him pull her to her feet. Losing her balance in the sand, she swayed toward him. Her body shook. He was so close, so strong, so familiar.
"Let's get you home." He dropped one of her hands, holding the other one as he navigated over the dune.
She held on tightly, knowing as soon as they reached the car, she'd need to let him go.
Once by the car, she rubbed her bare feet together, knocking off most of the sand. Then, she slid into the passenger seat. When they were together, the time went too fast.
Before she knew it, he'd dropped her off at her car and waited for her to drive home. She looked in the rearview mirror, spotting him behind her. She smiled to herself. He'd surprised her by showing up at her work and asking her to the beach.
She'd hoped..., stopping herself from hoping him asking her out meant something more than two parents sharing information about their child. He'd talked about her job, his swimming experience, and his time with Callie.
Not once had he asked her any questions.
Chapter 37
"Doorbell, mommy," yelled Callie.
"Don't open it." Katie rushed down the stairs, slowing when she found her daughter standing with her nose pressed against the window alongside the door.
She was trying to teach Callie safety, which was hard to do with a child who never met a stranger in her short life.
Katie peeked out and found a guy holding flowers and a package. She grabbed Callie's hand and opened the door, prepared to tell him he had the wrong address.
"Miss Meihoff?" he asked.
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"Delivery." He held out a large vase of flowers.
"Oh." She let go of Callie and held the bouquet. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." The man smiled. "I also have a delivery for Miss Callie."
"That's me." Callie jumped up and down, holding out her hands.
She rearranged the bundle, holding her arm around the vase, and helped Callie with the much smaller one. "Don't drop them."
"I won't," said Callie.
She smiled at the delivery man. "If you'll wait. I'll get you—"
"Already taken care of." He held out a box. "This is for you, too."
"Oh, goodness." With her arms full, she looked at him in astonishment. "Thank you."
"Have a good day." He waved over his shoulder on the pathway, already leaving.
Using her foot, she shut the door and looked down at the gifts. "This is the craziest thing. I wonder who sent them."
"Smell them, mommy." Callie put her nose in the petals and sniffed. "They smell yummy."
"Let's take them to the kitchen." She spotted a white envelope stuck in her arrangement. "Maybe we can see who gave us such beautiful flowers."
Often, her clients wou
ld send her flowers after closing on their new home, but the thank you was always sent to the office. Maybe Donna had given her private address out without thinking.
In the kitchen, she set the vase on the counter and then unloaded the box. Helping Callie put her delivery up, she grabbed the envelope and pulled out the card.
I would like nothing more than to spend Saturday evening with you ~ Race
She gasped, holding the card to her chest. He wanted to...what? Go on a date? Watch a movie? Come over?
"Mommy, who sent me flowers?" asked Callie.
Unable to shake off the glow Race caused in her, she retrieved the card out of Callie's bouquet and read the card.
"It says, 'Dear Callie, pretty flowers for the most beautiful daughter ~ Daddy.'"
She melted and looked down at Callie. "Wow. What a nice surprise, huh?"
"Can I go to Daddy's house?" Callie jumped up and down. "Please?"
"Not yet." She leaned over and smelled the flowers, wanting to enjoy the moment.
The only time she'd received flowers before was when Race sent them on her sixteenth birthday. He'd done it while she was in class, and all the other girls made a huge production of her having a boyfriend. She never told the girls who sent the delivery but had pressed the flowers in her books to save each one. In one of the boxes in the spare room upstairs, those dried flowers were still packed away.
"What's in the box?" asked Callie.
Startled out of her memory, she turned. "I don't know. Let's see."
Pulling the red ribbon off the white box, she lifted the lid and gasped. She held up a dress and noticed a purple, smaller dress, underneath. She hummed in approval.
"It looks like your daddy bought both of us a new dress." She picked up Callie's and handed it to her.
It was fancy with lace and a billowing skirt. Like what a princess would wear.
Callie pulled off her shirt, already stripping down to try on her new dress. Katie held up the black number and shook her head in awe. The slim cut would hug her curves. The scooped neck turned into a plunging backless number.
Her stomach fluttered. She wanted nothing more than to try on the gift and look in the mirror.
"Help me," said Callie.
Putting her beautiful dress down, she helped Callie slip her gift over her head. "Now, be careful with it."
"I want to see it."
She laughed. "Go ahead and run upstairs. You can use my big mirror in my bedroom."
When Callie was out of the kitchen, Katie turned back and looked at her dress. Her adrenaline spiked. Race wanted to take her out Saturday. Was that a good idea or a bad one?
She looked over at the empty box, noticing another envelope. Heart thudding, she pulled out the card.
Don't say no ~ Race
She let her head fall back and closed her eyes. Her mind made up, all she could think about was what they were going to do? What would he say when he saw the dress on her?
"Mommy, your phone is ringing," yelled Callie from upstairs.
Dropping the envelope, she ran through the house, up the stairs, and dived onto her bed, snatching her phone off her pillow. Out of breath, she answered, "Yes."
"Yes?"
She rolled onto her back, laughing softly. "Definitely, yes."
Race said, "Get a babysitter. I'll pick you up at seven o'clock."
He disconnected the call, making it impossible for her to say no or ask any questions about what they were going to do on Saturday. The total surprise and invite left her buzzing. She couldn't think about the reasons why he'd bought her and Callie flowers and dresses.
Stretching her arms above her head, she was hit with excitement. She squealed, kicking her legs in the air.
Race asked her out on a date. It was the most normal thing he'd ever done for her.
The way he went about sending her gifts, sending Callie gifts, beat everything he'd done in the past—which were monumental.
As a psychologist, he came into her life paid to help her. He'd continued because he cared about her. Eventually, he took on the job of raising, supporting, and financially seeing her through life.
Her love for him was complex, layered, and encompassing.
She was desperate for his love. Always had been, always would be.
Chapter 38
Race walked to the front door of Katie's house, pushing a bicycle with training wheels. The stroll brought back memories that seemed like a lifetime ago when he would come over and spend an hour with Katie as a child. During one of those visits, he'd also purchased a bike and brought it to the house in hopes of enticing a neglected child out of the physical and mental place that kept her prisoner.
His reasons for bringing a bike today were much different than the first time. Callie deserved a gift from her dad, and he hoped to distract his daughter with a shiny new bicycle while he took Katie out alone.
He rang the doorbell.
The door opened. An unfamiliar woman answered.
"Hi. Come on in." The woman stepped back, glancing down at the bicycle before meeting his eyes again. "I'm Darla, the babysitter. Katie will be down in a minute."
"Thanks." He left his gift outside and straightened before going into the entry.
Darla whispered, "If that is for the little one, she's going to be stoked."
"I hope so," he whispered back.
Above him, out of sight, Callie urged her mom to hurry. His whole body flashed warm, overhearing the conversation, and he slipped his hands into the front pockets of his trousers. His family was upstairs.
"Daddy, we're coming. Mommy's nervous," shouted Callie. Then she said, "What's nervous?"
He gazed at the upstairs landing, wishing for sight of Katie in her dress. He'd called himself all kinds of a fool all week, thinking he could soften her with flowers and a dress. But he'd do it all again, a thousand times over if it made her feel half as excited as he was at the moment.
"I go first, remember," said Callie.
Several minutes went by. Race continued to watch the upstairs landing. Finally, a vision in purple appeared. Callie looked through the banister, spotted him, and waved. There was no hesitation, she ran down the stairs as fast as she could, Race stepped forward to halt her downward momentum.
"Wow, look at you." He squatted down, taking in the way she stood on the heels of her black patent shoes and twisted her body. "You're beautiful, Princess Callie."
"Darla brought over a new movie, and we're going to make cookies." Callie played with his tie. "What's this?"
"A necktie."
"Can I wear it?"
He picked her small hand up in his and kissed her palm. "I need to wear this one, but next time you come over; I'll find you an old one to play with."
Motion on the stairs caught his attention. He straightened, his body hardening.
Katie floated down the steps in the black dress he'd purchased for her. It was better on her than on the hanger. The material showed all her curves, landing mid-thigh.
He swallowed hard, meeting her gorgeous blue eyes. Stepping forward, he held out his hand and helped her down the last few steps. She trembled, and he felt each little shudder throughout him.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned toward him. Within inches of her, he caught the faint aroma of her perfume. A perfume he recognized as one he'd bought her years ago. Inhaling deeply, it took him back, then pitched him forward.
"You look beautiful," he said, his voice rough to his ears.
"Thank you." She caught her lower lip between her teeth, her gaze softening. "You look..." She inhaled swiftly. "So good, Race."
"We should probably get going." He put his hand at her lower back, momentarily forgetting the perks of the backless dress until he touched bare skin.
Aroused, he kept his hand there while she bent over to give Callie a kiss and whisper last-minute instructions to their daughter.
Callie stepped over and grabbed his free hand. "Can I go, too?"
Katie ans
wered, explaining it was only for grownups before he had to break his daughter's heart. Tonight was for him and Katie. Just a few hours. He selfishly wanted her to himself.
"I bought her something," he whispered to Katie.
She raised her brows. "You'll spoil her."
"I have a lot of time to make up for."
Katie nodded.
He reluctantly stepped away and opened the door. Picking up the bike, he set it in the entryway. Callie instantly came to check it out.
"For me?" Callie twirled the bike pedal.
"Yes. But you can only ride it outside when your mom says it's okay." He looked at Katie.
She picked up on the instructions. "You can try it out tomorrow morning, okay? For tonight..." Katie looked at Darla and winked before looking at Callie. "Maybe after you change your dress, you can ride it in the garage with Darla."
Now that his daughter was distracted and he had Katie to himself, he left Callie in the care of her babysitter and took his date to the car.
The moon glowed to the west, promising a clear night. He opened the passenger door and tucked Katie into the seat. He'd love to take her home and spend a quiet evening with her, but he was due at the Pier Hotel down on the water.
He walked around the car and got behind the steering wheel. He'd waited to ask her out until he had a positive forecast for the weather. Because of the hotel's location underneath the bridge and with a view of the sandbar, he wanted to make sure no storms were eminent before bringing her.
Katie trailed her fingers down her arm. "Where are we going?"
"There's a dinner to raise money for the mental health wing at the hospital at the Pier Hotel. I need to make an appearance and thought you might enjoy going with me. We'll only be there for an hour or so." He kept looking at where she touched her body while he drove out of the gate of their neighborhood.
She had no idea what she was doing to him. He'd be lucky if he could walk into the hotel without having a limp.
"Sometimes, I forget that you have other patients and a well-established career." She leaned her head back on the headrest, looking at him. "I forget how we met."
"I haven't forgotten a second of knowing you," he said.