by JoAnn Durgin
“I’m so scared. Ohhh.” With wide eyes, Caty pretended to shudder. And then aimed again and pulled the nozzle trigger.
“You!” Laughing, Caleb grabbed a dishtowel from the drawer and held it up in front of his face. “Truce, okay? Just stop the assault.”
“You totally deserved that.” As he lowered the dishtowel, Caty’s eyes met his. Her smile faded, her laughter gone. She licked her lips, moistening them, and her eyes dropped to his mouth. Age-old clues that she wanted his kiss. He suspected she wasn’t even aware. He’d been ready from the moment he’d first spied her coming through the door in her cute outfit and those terrific red cowgirl boots. In his imagination, he’d actually been ready long before she showed up on his front doorstep.
The air between them was charged with energy. Dipping his head, Caleb pressed his lips to hers, keeping the kiss light and playful. He pulled back slightly, and Caty’s eyes searched his for a long moment before he lowered his mouth to hers a second time. Hungry for her, he caressed her lips with his, threading his fingers through her soft, silky hair.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured, moving one hand to cup her cheek. “My shirt’s a little damp.”
“I don’t care.” Sliding her hands around his neck, Caty returned his kiss. His groan escaped his throat, and he deepened the kiss, making sure to keep his hands anchored on her waist. Kissing Caty made him feel alive again in more than in the physical sense. He needed to be careful and keep himself in check. He was in love with this woman.
Skimming his thumb over her cheek, Caleb leaned his forehead on hers. He felt the rise and fall of her irregular breathing. His lips brushed her temple, and as he dipped his head, their gazes locked. He’d always thought talk about losing oneself in the eyes of another was silly romanticism, but now…he understood. He’d never expected to feel this way again about another woman, but Caty was a woman who commanded his attention. He could only pray she’d consider him worthy of her affections. Her love.
“Caty,” he whispered. “I’ve fallen—”
“What are you doing?”
Chapter 37
Dazed, Caty’s lashes fluttered as she pulled out of their embrace. Caleb withdrew his hands from her waist with obvious reluctance, and they both turned. Lauren stood in the doorway. She didn’t appear so much upset as surprised. Judging from the expression on Caleb’s face, he wished his daughter’s timing had been better. So did she, but they should address her concerns.
“I thought you were giving us time alone.” Caleb scratched his head, mussing his hair.
Caty smoothed a hand over her blouse and tried to slow her breathing. Lost cause. Nothing like being caught in a close embrace. She’d never been kissed like that before. Never kissed a man with such…passion. She felt dizzy and overheated. Maybe Lauren’s timing was better than she’d thought.
“I came down to get a cold water bottle. For me and Max.”
A cold water bottle to press against her own cheeks sounded like an excellent idea, but Caty said nothing.
Caleb walked to the refrigerator. After retrieving a bottle, he handed it to Lauren. “Do we need to talk or are you okay?”
Lauren darted a glance at Caty without answering.
Caleb squeezed her hand. “Caty, would you mind waiting for me in the garden?”
“Not at all. Take as long as you need.”
“Dad, can I maybe talk to Caty instead?” Lauren shifted from one foot to the other. “I’ll be gentle. Promise.”
Caleb appeared surprised, but he nodded. “Sure, as long as it’s okay with Caty.”
“Of course.” Releasing his hand, Caty crossed the room. She put one arm around Lauren’s shoulders and gave Caleb a reassuring glance over her shoulder.
Caty followed Lauren up the staircase off the kitchen that led to the upper level. At the top of the stairs, Lauren turned to the right and headed into a yellow and white bedroom. From what Caty could tell, there were a few guestrooms, and the master bedroom was on the opposite end of the house.
Plopping onto the bed, Lauren opened her arms. “This is my room.”
“It’s lovely, Lauren. Cheerful.”
She snorted. “That what Dad says. I wanted to paint it gray, but we compromised, and he talked me into mixing purple with it. So, it’ll be lavender. We were supposed to talk about repainting my bedroom this week, but with Lettie’s accident, we couldn’t. We’re flying to Dallas tomorrow to see her, so now we’ll have to wait until next week.” Stopping, Lauren took a deep breath.
“Your dad’s a busy man. I’m sure he’ll make time soon.” Caty sat on the bed beside her.
“He told me he used to work construction where he painted houses and everything,” Lauren said. “Did you know that?” The way Lauren’s eyes lit, she seemed more impressed by the idea of her dad doing manual labor than being an oil man. Something about that struck Caty as very sweet.
“He mentioned it to me after our lunch last Friday.” Caty shifted on the bed. “Lauren, I hope you weren’t upset by what you saw tonight.”
“What’s it like?”
Caty hadn’t expected that particular question, but Lauren was unpredictable. That much she knew. “What’s what like, exactly?”
“Kissing.”
Caty suppressed her smile. “When you care about the other person, like I care about your dad, it makes kissing them all that much more special.”
“Do you see fireworks?”
She nodded. “Yes, I do, as a matter of fact.”
Lauren drew her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them. “Justin Connors wants to kiss me. I can’t tell Dad or he’ll freak.”
“Is that a boy in your school?”
“Greenbriar-Browne is only for girls. I met him through my friend, Britt.”
“You said you don’t get to go anywhere. How did you…where did you…?”
“I met him online, okay?”
Caty knew kids spent a lot of time online, but Lauren was right. Caleb wouldn’t be happy to hear this news. “So, you’ve never met Justin in person?”
“Right. I mean, no, I haven’t. Here’s the thing. He wants to meet me. We have a dance at school in a few weeks, on May 12th. It’s a boy-girl thing. Britt thinks I should ask Justin.”
“Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I thought you hated boys. If I’m remembering correctly, you never wanted to kiss a boy, or words to that effect, when we were at the Japanese restaurant.”
Lauren rolled her eyes and moved into a cross-legged position. “Do you have to remember everything?”
Caty laughed. “I remember saying I hated boys, too. And then Grant Sims moved to town.”
“Yeah? How old were you?”
“A little older than you. Maybe fifteen.”
“Tell me about Grant,” Lauren said. “What was he like?”
“He was taller than me, which was saying a lot. I was one of those awkward girls because I was taller than most of the boys until I was in high school.”
“Tragic,” Lauren murmured.
“I thought so. My petite friends hated being short, but there were times I would have willingly traded places with them. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages either way. Grant moved with his family from Los Angeles to Houston. His dad had been in a few movies. He was very handsome, and Grant looked a lot like him. All the girls fell in love with him immediately. He had dark brown hair with one strand that never stayed in place, and all the girls wanted to be the one to push it away from his forehead. Gorgeous, deep brown eyes, and a little dimple but only on the right side. He walked me to my locker after English class one day and asked me to the Fall Festival Dance.”
“Did you go?”
Caty nodded. “I did. It was my first boy-girl dance.”
“Did he kiss you?”
“No,” she said. “I found out he mainly asked me to go with him so he could get my help with English.”
“That’s just wrong.” Lauren shook her head. “I’m sorry, but you kn
ow what?”
“What?”
“If he had kissed you, and if it weren’t for his being dumb, you might have married Grant Sims. Then you wouldn’t have met my dad.”
They shared a smile. “What’s Justin look like?”
“He’s just a boy.” When Lauren caught Caty’s sidelong glance, she smiled again. “Okay. He’s not real tall, kind of medium height. He has blond hair, and it kind of sticks up weird sometimes. I like his blue eyes, though. And he has a nice smile.”
“You have a great smile, too,” Caty told her.
Lauren blushed. “I got my retainer off last year.”
“So, how do you know Justin wants to kiss you?”
“He told me.”
“He did?”
Lauren laughed. “Yeah, but I think he’s kind of scared.”
“Maybe he wants to get to know you first. You’re a pretty special person and worth getting to know.”
“Thanks.” Lauren shrugged. “How did you know you wanted to kiss my dad?”
“It’s something you feel inside. It’s rather hard to describe, but I’ll try. Your dad is very kind and caring. He takes good care of you and is a terrific father. He’s a gentleman. He opens doors for me, and he listens to what I say. He looks to the Lord for guidance in his business and personal life. He puts my needs before his, he puts your needs before his, and he looks awfully cute in his tuxedo tonight. Lauren, you know you need to ask your dad about the dance, right?”
“I know. With these stupid threats, he doesn’t let me out of his sight.”
“Does the school need parent chaperones for the dance?”
Lauren shrugged. “I guess.” She propped an elbow on her leg and rested her chin on it, studying her. “Will you come, too? Then you can dance with my dad.”
“Let’s start by asking your dad’s permission first.”
“You can mention it to him if you want.”
Caty rose from the bed. “Did you bring Max in yet?”
“I put him in Dad’s room. He’s a good dog, but I didn’t want him jumping on you again. Once is enough for one night.”
Caty smiled. “Thanks. Good night, Lauren. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”
Jumping off the bed, Lauren threw her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. “I meant what I said. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I know I love you.”
Caty’s eyes welled and she hugged her back. “I love you, too, sweet girl.”
As Caty descended the staircase to the kitchen, she wondered where she’d find Caleb. The kitchen was quiet and dark. She moved into the living room, and her heart caught in her throat. Caleb was sprawled on the sofa, fast asleep. He’d changed out of the tuxedo and now wore jeans and a red polo. Still barefoot. His arms where crossed over his chest, emphasizing some very nice muscles in his upper arms.
Caty watched him for a long moment. Walking over to the picture window, she rubbed her hands over her arms. Then she strolled across the large room, focused on a bookcase full of family photos. A woman who must be Caleb’s mother smiled at her in a black and white photo. Blonde and regal-looking, she had a lovely smile. Several photos of Lauren through the years. What a sweet little girl she’d been—there were photos of her a ballet costume, riding a horse, swimming, and in a gymnastics outfit.
Caty’s breath caught when she spied a photo of a beautiful blonde woman.
This must be Helena.
She heard Caleb stir and turned. His eyelids fluttered open and a long, slow, lazy grin surfaced on his face. “Hi there.” He sat up and patted the place next to him. “I kept it warm for you. “Is Lauren okay?”
“She’s fine. There’s a dance coming up at her school in May, and she wants to ask a boy.”
“A date?” He shook his head slowly, his smile gone. “You can’t be serious. What happened to my little girl who said she hated boys and was never getting married? That last part was only this past Sunday morning.”
“Calm down, papa. She has a lot of questions, and she’s naturally curious. As much as you might not want to face it, she’s wondering about things like kissing. Don’t worry,” Caty added when she glimpsed his deepening frown. “You’ve raised a smart girl. She’ll be fine.”
“She hates it when I point out she’s only twelve, but she should be talking about games and TV shows, school, clothes…anything but boys.” Taking a throw pillow, Caleb collapsed back on the sofa and put it over his face, muffling his groan. Then he lowered the pillow. “How does she know any boys?”
“The Internet.”
“That does it. The computer goes. I need her to keep the phone, but that goes to show nothing good can come from a girl her age having a computer.”
“Do you have parental controls?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t matter now, does it?”
“Well, I hate to tell you, Caleb, but she could probably make the contacts she wanted on her phone. Short of keeping her prisoner, you can’t watch everything she does.”
He was silent for a moment and then seemed to relax a bit. “You’re right. I know you are. I guess I need to get a grip and realize she’s getting older and is eventually going to grow up.”
“I think she already is.”
Caleb’s gaze settled on her. “This is why I need you in my life, Caty. You keep me sane. You’re very wise for a woman who’s…”
“Never had children?”
Reaching for her hand, he caressed the side of her hand like he’d done at the Japanese restaurant. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it might have come across. I meant it as a compliment.
“No offense taken,” she assured him. “I’ve worked with a lot of children, but mainly in a church or mission trip setting. At heart, kids are all the same. They see things at face value with a beautiful honesty.”
He seemed to relax a bit, and Caty’s heart melted a bit more. “I admire that you want to be such an involved parent, Caleb. I know it’s not just because of…what’s happening. You’d be a hands-on dad no matter the circumstances.”
Tossing aside the pillow, he rose to his feet.
Caty lifted his left hand, staring at it. “Your wedding ring is gone.” She looked at him. “You took it off?”
He nodded. “Last night. It was long past time. Let’s take a walk outside. I’d like to show you the garden.” Offering his hand, Caleb helped her from the sofa and they walked into the kitchen.
“Won’t you need shoes?”
He grinned. “I have a pair of loafers parked by the back door.”
The expansive backyard was private with tall shade trees and an abundance of fragrant flowering bushes. As Caty walked beside him on a narrow brick walkway, she heard the trickle of water nearby.
“This is beautiful. So serene and peaceful,” Caty said.
“Thanks. The first time I saw the house, I knew it was the one I wanted. A large part of the reason was this garden and the pool.”
That would explain the sounds of water. Caty breathed in deeply, smiling at the headiness of the fragrant roses and other flowers planted in abundance on either side of the walkway.
“The former owner of the house found solace in tending this garden after her husband died,” he told her. “I picked the roses on the table tonight from this garden. Ollie does a terrific job of maintaining it for me.” Caleb moved over to a rose bush and plucked a red rose. He removed the thorns while she watched. Returning to her, he bowed. “For you.”
“Thank you.” Caty inhaled the sweet scent of the fragrant bloom, touched by his romantic gesture. “Caleb, tell me if this is too personal, but what was your solace after Helena died?”
“Work. I poured myself into the corporation. As you know, I closeted myself behind closed doors. Some days, I worked almost twenty-four hours straight. Time, day and night, lost continuity. It’s what I knew more than anything else, so it was comfortable, familiar. And safe.”
Caty resumed walking, and he fell into place beside her. “Did you le
an on your faith during that time?”
“Not like I should have. Frankly, I felt lost, and I floundered. Caty, my marriage wasn’t what you might expect.”
She glanced up at him sharply. “I don’t hold any assumptions.”
“Helena and I were young when we married. I loved her, but she was a pampered wild child who liked being social and going to parties whereas I was more quiet and focused. She never could understand the long hours I put into building the business. I regret the times I should have put everything aside and taken her off for a weekend or even to a romantic dinner. I did those things fairly regularly, but it never seemed to be enough. We were both to blame when the marriage started falling apart at the seams. I never felt like I was enough for her. In some ways, I failed her.”
“No one person can be everything for someone else. And the higher our expectations, I think the harder it is to accept when they crumble,” Caty said quietly.
“I’d hoped having Lauren might strengthen the bond between us. I wanted more children, but Helena never did,” he said. “She was content with one child, and although she was a good mother, my wife was a kid herself in many ways. I’m thankful Lauren has a few happy memories of her mother. At one point, Helena ran off to Paris. I’m not sure if she was alone, and I’ll probably never know. I chose to forgive her. Divorce wasn’t an option for me. When I pledged to honor her, I meant those vows.”
“How did she die?” Caty assumed cancer, but she couldn’t be sure.
“Breast cancer. She was first diagnosed at twenty-eight. Then she went into remission, but the cancer returned in full force four years later. She fought a brave fight, but in the end, the doctors couldn’t save her. Only a miracle from God could have cured her of the cancer. She wrote a beautiful letter to Lauren that she asked me to give to her when I felt she was ready. I’m beginning to wonder if she’s reached that point.” When he glanced up at her, the dampness on his lashes tugged on her heart. “My question is, how will I know when the time is right?”