White-Hot Hack

by Tracey Garvis Graves

  To: winealittle@firedrive.com

  From: hsadowski@mainstreetfoodpantry.org

  Dear Kate,

  It’s simply beautiful here in St. Anthony Main. The only thing that would make it better is if you were sitting at your desk across from mine. I miss your smiling face. Congratulations on your new job. I just know things are going to work out for you.

  Samantha and the kids are doing so well. She told me her situation has improved enough that she’s been able to hire a babysitter a few nights a week so she could take a night class at the community college. Eventually she wants to get a degree in restaurant and hotel management. She’s so determined, Kate. You should be proud of all you’ve done for her and the kids.

  I pulled Zach Nielsen’s paperwork, but it doesn’t look like he’s been in since the last time you marked his file. See all the good we’ve done, Kate? Helping people to get back on their feet means we may not see them again, and in this line of work, that’s a great thing.

  Well, time to get back to work. I’m so happy to hear from you. Please write again when you can.

  xoxo,

  Helena

  Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Phillip and Ian had anticipated that Zach Nielsen would return to the food pantry in an attempt to find out where she’d gone. The trick was to check in with Helena in such a way that it would not arouse her suspicion, because if Zach were to come in and question her, they wanted her response to be natural. If she acted strange, Zach would surely pick up on it. The update on Samantha made her smile. Ian was still giving her money anonymously, and she was obviously putting it to good use.

  Kate curled up in one of the new chairs Jade had placed in front of the fireplace. She couldn’t wait until it got a little colder and she could light her first fire. In an attempt to stay out of the workmen’s way, Kate had been spending most of her time in the kitchen, and it had quickly become one of her favorite rooms in the house. The windows let in an abundance of natural light and gave her a nice view of the pool and patio area. Linda had been right about the changing leaves, and the trees dotting the property and surrounding hills were on fire with the blazing colors of autumn.

  As she looked around the room, she admired the shiny stainless steel appliances and the gleaming cherrywood cabinetry, wondering if it was odd to spend so much time in a room she never actually used for its intended purpose. The granite countertops were empty save for a giant silver fruit bowl Jade had brought three days ago that was still empty because she and Ian had fallen into their usual pattern of subsisting on takeout and it had been almost a week since they’d gone to the grocery store.

  She found Ian in his office. “I’m going shopping.” She came around his desk to give him a kiss. “Back in a couple of hours.”

  “Buy everything,” he said as she walked out the door.

  Kate drove down Washington Street and parked near a small home goods store. In the appliance section she selected a panini press, food processor, stand mixer, and Crock-Pot. She bought a set of pots and pans, spatulas and whisks and mixing bowls, and measuring cups. At the specialty market, she bought a crusty loaf of Cuban bread and a pound of roast pork. Before heading for home, she stopped at Safeway and filled a cart to the top with pantry and freezer staples, meat, fresh produce, and dairy items.

  She put the groceries away, and after scrubbing the apples, she piled them high in the silver fruit bowl. Then she took the panini maker out of its box and followed the instructions for use. While she waited for it to heat up, she glanced at the recipe on her laptop and laid out the ingredients on the counter: ham, roast pork, butter, mustard, thinly sliced provolone, and dill pickle slices.

  I passed the bar exam on the first try, she thought. I can make a stupid sandwich.

  But it took her three tries to get it right. The first sandwich came out soggy. She burned the second. But the third had the exact firmness she was going for and looked just like the picture. Ian was on the phone when she came in, so she set the sandwich down in front of him and waved. He smiled and blew her a kiss in response.

  Five minutes later, the sound of his groaning reached her before he did. He came around the corner, the plate in one hand and the half-eaten sandwich in the other, a look of absolute bliss on his face. He took another bite and groaned again. “Where did this come from?”

  “I made it.”

  “You made me a Cuban?”

  “I made you a Cuban.”

  “Have you always known how to cook?” He set the plate and sandwich down on the counter and tickled her. “Were you hiding this amazing talent for sandwich making, Katie?”

  She squirmed out of his grasp, laughing. “No. I’ve honestly never had much interest in cooking. I know how to make a few things, and I’m good at helping my mom when she cooks, but since we have this gorgeous kitchen, I thought I could teach myself how to cook. You know, the way I honed my skills in other ways by clicking on those handy links.”

  “That did work out rather well for me.” He picked up the sandwich and took another bite. “You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. I don’t mind takeout.”

  “I think it might be time I learned. Grown-ups should not eat cereal for dinner like we did the other night.” It had been pouring rain, and neither of them had felt like getting in the car and going in search of food.

  “This is the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten.”

  Kate smiled. “You’re just saying that because I’m your wife.”

  “No, I’m not,” he said, taking the last bite.

  “It wasn’t that hard,” Kate said. “I might tackle something a bit more involved. I like the thought of cooking for you.”

  “Good, because I would not say no if you wanted to make me another sandwich.”

  “You got it.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Ian buried his face in Kate’s hair. He knew by the sound of her breathing and her lack of movement that she was still deeply asleep. Slowly he removed his arms from around her and eased himself from the bed. In the kitchen he made coffee, and on his way back to the bedroom, he retrieved the ring from the desk drawer where he’d stashed it the night before. He set the coffee down on the nightstand and opened the curtains, sending sunlight streaming into the room.

  She was still sleeping, but she’d rolled onto her back, which he appreciated because the sheet had pooled at her hips and she was naked from the waist up. He slipped back under the covers and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Happy birthday, sweetness.”

  She opened her eyes and smiled at him, her eyes half-lidded in that way that drove him wild. “Is that today?”

  “I believe so.”

  She stretched like a cat and turned toward him, tucking her head under his chin. He held her tight and ran his hands up and down the soft, smooth skin of her back.

  “I smell coffee.”

  He picked up one of the mugs from the nightstand and handed it to her when she sat up. After she took a sip, he said, “Give me your right hand.” She let out a small gasp when he slipped the sapphire ring onto her finger.

  “Do you like it?” He hadn’t gone overboard on the size of the stone, and it suited Kate’s slim, delicate finger perfectly.

  “I love it. It’s beautiful.”

  “It goes with another gift I have for you. That one should be here later this afternoon.”

  “I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder and extended her arm so she could continue admiring the ring.

  “I think you’re really going to be surprised.”

  At breakfast, Ian handed her a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper and tied with a blue ribbon.

  “Another present?” Inside, she found a gift certificate for a Loudoun County limo wine tour. “You didn’t.”

  He grinned. “I did.”

  “Someone to drive me around in style after I’ve done nothing but sample wine all day? It’s like I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
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br />   “There’s more. Your mother is going with you. She arrives tomorrow and is staying through the weekend.”

  Kate’s face lit up. “She’s coming?”

  “Yes, and she’s pretty much beside herself.”

  “I knew she’d never be able to hold out until November.”

  Though Jade had worked wonders in a short period of time, there were several rooms that still needed fresh paint and carpeting. Not all the furniture was in yet, and the workers hadn’t even started on the walkout lower level. Kate had wanted Diane to wait to visit until it was finished, so they’d invited Kate’s parents, and Chad and Kristin, to join them for Thanksgiving.

  “Thank you,” Kate said, leaning across the table to kiss him. “I don’t know why people complain about milestone birthdays. So far turning thirty has been absolutely painless.”

  Late that afternoon, Ian informed Kate that her gift had arrived. “Keep your eyes closed. No cheating.” He led her out the front door, holding tightly on to her hand to make sure she didn’t run into anything. When they reached the driveway he said, “Okay. You can look now.”

  Kate opened her eyes. “Oh my God.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Oh my God.”

  “Does that mean, ‘Yes, Ian. I totally love it’?”

  “It’s amazing. What kind of car is that?”

  “A Porsche Spyder 918. Gorgeous, isn’t it?” The only thing that would enhance its appearance was his beautiful wife sitting in the driver’s seat.

  “But I already have a car.”

  He’d bought her a Tahoe to replace the TrailBlazer he’d asked her to sell. “That’s your everyday car. This is your fun car.”

  She walked around the outside of the vehicle. “Nothing says keeping it on the down low like a Porsche.”

  Loudoun County was no stranger to luxury vehicles, and Kate’s Tahoe probably stood out more than a Porsche would. “It’s not registered in either of our names.”

  She grinned. “Of course it isn’t.”

  The bright blue car sparkled in the late-afternoon sun. “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t consult you on the color.”

  “I love the color. It’s just like the Shelby.”

  “The Shelby was Guardsman Blue. This is sapphire-blue metallic.”

  Kate laughed and held up the hand with the sapphire ring. “Ah, I see the connection now. Where did it come from?”

  “I bought it online and had it shipped to a local dealer.”

  “Don’t tell me how much it cost. I might not be able to handle it.”

  He’d paid just under a million for the car. It was six million less than he’d paid for the Shelby, but somehow he didn’t think Kate would consider it the bargain he did. “All right. I won’t tell you.”

  He’d always known it would take Kate a while to get used to his money, but he wanted her to think of it as their money. A week ago he’d handed her their credit card bill. “Look at this.”

  She’d scanned the bill and handed it back. “I don’t understand. Did we get overcharged for something?”

  “You’re not using the card.”

  “Yes I am. I’m using it at the grocery store, and I bought a bunch of cooking stuff online. And I’ve spent a lot on the house. I don’t think Jade is sticking to my budget as well as she could.”

  “But you’ve bought nothing for yourself. Would you rather I shopped for you? I do enjoy it.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I cannot wear pajamas and lingerie to the grocery store. Silly.”

  He never took his wealth for granted, and he appreciated the freedom it allowed him and the safety it provided. Now that he had a wife, those things were more important than ever. Kate had handled the price of the house better than he’d expected, but that was more than likely because she knew how important the security and privacy were to him. He’d discovered the hard way what access to unlimited funds could do to a woman, and it wasn’t pretty. The fact that Kate had never been interested in his money and didn’t want expensive things only made him want to buy them for her.

  She rested her hand on the hood of the car. “This is a very extravagant gift.”

  His expression grew serious. “I’ve never had a wife to spoil before. Let me spoil you a little. It makes me happy.”

  “Okay,” she said. “But this car is ours to share, and you have to promise me one thing.”

  “Anything.”

  “Promise me that it will never end up in the Potomac, no matter what. My heart couldn’t take it.”

  He could see the apprehension on her face, and it bothered him that he’d been the one to put it there. She needed to know that whatever happened, he would never let her go it alone. Never put her through something like that ever again. He looked into her eyes. “I promise, Kate.”

  She peered in the window. “I’ve never seen a gearshift like that.”

  He smiled.

  She opened the driver’s side door and slid behind the wheel to get a better look. He walked around and sat down in the passenger seat.

  “How many speeds?” she asked.

  “Seven. And it’s a hybrid.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. This car is spectacular. It’s no Shelby, but I think you’re going to love it.”

  “You miss the Shelby, don’t you?”

  “I would like to have driven it one more time.” Unfortunately, his beloved car hadn’t survived the dip in the Mississippi. She’d run again, but the water hadn’t been kind to the electrical systems, and she’d never be the same. He’d donated the car to an auto museum in Nashville.

  She started the car, and he could tell by the way she listened intently as he explained the dual-clutch and shift paddles that she was itching to drive it. She leaned over the gearshift and kissed him. “Prepare yourself for an amazing ride.”

  “Okay, but I think the only way we can do this with any finesse whatsoever is if you’re the one riding me, because I’m too tall to be on top. You’ll have to straddle me, and even then it’s gonna be tricky, but if I recline this seat all the way back, I think we can make it work. No one can see us, so I want all your clothes off. From my vantage point, the view will be absolutely incredible.”

  “You kill me. You really do.” She laughed and shook her head. “I hate to break it to you, but that’s not the kind of ride I meant.”

  “No? Damn. How about later?”

  “Absolutely. But maybe not in the car. This leather is pristine.”

  For over an hour they traveled the winding roads of the northern Virginia countryside. He turned on the stereo and cranked it to an earsplitting decibel level as they got lost in their own little world. The smile never left her face, and he felt an immeasurable amount of love for the beautiful, carefree woman he’d had the good sense to marry.

  When they got home, Kate dug her phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. “Take a picture of me. I want to send it to my brother.”

  He snapped a picture of her leaning against the car, and when he handed the phone back, she fired off a message to Chad.

  She laughed when he responded. “Check it out,” she said, handing the phone to Ian.

  Chad: Of course it’s a Porsche. If you weren’t my sister, I’d hate you a little.

  He’d used his own phone to take several pictures of her while she was driving, and she’d been so engrossed she hadn’t even noticed. He scrolled through them until he found his favorite. He’d caught her smile at just the right moment, and the sunlight had been streaming through the window, lighting her up as if she glowed.

  He made it his lock-screen photo.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  When class ended, Kate rolled up her mat and tucked it under her arm. She’d found the Pilates studio one day shortly after their move when she’d been exploring the downtown area, and she’d started attending the late-morning class. A few of the regulars stood chatting in the back of the room. The first time Kate said hello to them, they must not have heard
her because they didn’t say anything. Today, on her way to the locker room, she received a cool hello in response to her cheerful greeting, but that was as far as it had gone. She didn’t really mind, but it would have been nice to have someone she could meet for lunch or coffee.

  After showering and changing back into her clothes, she stopped at the supermarket and then drove home, the Tahoe loaded down with grocery bags.

  Ian smiled, took off his glasses, and pushed his chair back when he spotted her in the office doorway. He always kept the door open, and he never minded when she interrupted his work. “Hey, sweetness. C’mere and give me some sugar.”

  She walked to his desk and he pulled her onto his lap. She gave him several number four kisses, soft and gentle. He kicked it up a notch by reciprocating with a number six, holding her face tenderly as he gave her a deep, openmouthed kiss with tongue. A logical progression considering she was already sitting on his lap.

  When the kiss ended, she looked into his green eyes and covered his face with her hands, pretending she couldn’t stand to look at it. “Put your face away. I can’t handle this much handsome.”

  “It’s blinding, isn’t it?” He grabbed her wrists and removed her hands from his face, smiling wide.

  She laughed. “Humility. You should look into it.”

  “That’s probably the only thing I wouldn’t be good at. How was Pilates?”

  “Still tough. That’s what I get for taking the summer off.”

  “Made any friends?”

  “The women don’t seem very open to outsiders. It’s quite cliquey.”

  “What do you mean, they’re not open?” The pained expression on his face, as if he couldn’t handle someone being unkind to her, warmed her heart.

  “I mean that sometimes grown women act as if they’re still in high school, and I’m the new girl. Don’t worry about it. Maybe I don’t want to be in their club.”

  He laughed. “What are you up to for the rest of the day?” He ran his hands up and down Kate’s arms as if he couldn’t stand not to be touching her in some way.