Dim light from the kitchen ceiling showed the darkening water in her cup. She stirred and pulled the teabag out. Threw it in the garbage. "Well, I’m relieved you’re out of there. The kids are much more relaxed now. Has Steve tried to contact you?"
Sharon didn’t meet Katrina’s eyes, sending an alarm zinging through her. "Once or twice. He says he’ll press charges for kidnapping, but Alec said he took care of things."
"That’s Alec," Katrina muttered. One glance into her friend’s watery eyes froze her next words. "It’ll be okay. There’s no way Steve could get the kids."
"He’s been talking crazy lately. I had to change my number."
"How did he get the number to the phone Alec bought you?"
Sharon winced. "I called him." At Katrina’s frown she rushed on. "Just to let him know the kids were okay. That if he gets help we’ll come home. But he sounds worse. Not even like he’s drunk, but like he’s insane." Sharon’s arms circled her ribs and Katrina forced herself to sip her tea slowly instead of gathering her friend into a hug. Sharon reserved hugs for laughter, not sadness. It was her way.
"Make sure before I leave I get your new number."
"I’ll add it in right now." Sharon reached for Katrina’s cell on the counter and quickly punched in the numbers.
The phone rang, shrill in the sudden silence, right as Sharon set it down. Hastily Katrina swiped it off the counter and pressed the ring volume down. It would be horrible if Timmy woke up. Sharon needed to rest.
With her left hand, Katrina placed the tea on the counter and then peered at the number on the screen.
"Who’s calling you this late?" Sharon looked over Katrina’s shoulder at the phone.
"I don’t recognize the number."
"Alec’s condo," said Sharon.
Katrina's pulse skipped as she flipped the phone open. "Hello?"
Sharon grinned and Katrina frowned at her friend.
"Come over." Alec's voice sounded strained.
"Now?"
"We need to talk."
"I don’t think so." She pushed the end button and snapped the phone closed. Silence filled the kitchen.
"Did you just hang up on him?" Sharon’s eyes rounded.
Katrina nodded. Her stomach roiled and she wondered how he’d react. The way he tried to command her made her fingers itch to throw something, but that was no excuse to hang up on him. Now she should probably apologize for losing her temper. Oh God, I need some help here.
Maybe for once He’d answer.
"Mommy, mommy." Timmy’s voice floated into the kitchen and Sharon threw her hands up. "I might as well go to bed now," she said, grimacing. "Good luck with Alec."
Sharon left the kitchen and Katrina slumped against the sink, still holding the silent phone in her hand. She hoped he wasn’t angry. What on earth had possessed her to do such a rude thing? She straightened. Fear. That’s what. The man scared her and because of that she was reacting with anger. And maybe it had been a bid for control, a way to show him she didn’t have to talk to him if she didn’t want to. That she wasn’t his dog, ready to jump when he snapped his fingers.
Her faded blue pajama bottoms bunched around her feet as she ambled into the living room. She slouched onto the leather recliner. No matter her reasons, she would apologize for hanging up on him. But first she needed to calm down.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Things would be okay.
Brisk rapping sounded at the door. For a moment she thought about ignoring the sound, but when it came again, she pushed herself up, set the tea on a side table, and grumbled her way to the door. The last thing Sharon needed was someone waking up the other kids. There was no peephole so she made sure the chain engaged before cracking the door.
Alec stood on the stoop, hands shoved deep into his pockets, his eyes focused on her.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed the words out, unwilling to open the door farther.
"Let’s talk."
"I’m not going to your condo in the middle of the night." Even though he lived right next door.
He moved so his nose was inches from hers. "Come out and talk to me, Kitty."
"There’s nothing to talk about."
"Don’t be childish. If you won’t come to my place, then I’ll come in."
"The kids are sleeping."
"If you’re afraid . . ." His voice trailed off and he moved backwards, as if planning to leave. She knew he was baiting her but anger clogged her throat anyway. Unlocking the chain, she swung the door open and stepped onto the stoop. She inched the door closed so the kids wouldn’t wake up.
Sirens filled the air, and then faded, replaced by the heavy whoosh of cars passing on the interstate nearby. A small breeze tugged at her hair. She pushed a curl out of her eyes.
Beneath the harsh fluorescent glare of the street light, she saw the banked fire in Alec’s eyes, the tightly controlled anger. It made her want to scamper right back into the little condo and huddle beneath her blankets. She squared her shoulders.
Maybe she would’ve backed down at one time, but not now. It was her store. She had sweat and begged and poured herself into it, especially after Joey and mother died. She needed Kat’s Korner.
Period.
She pinned him with a glare. "What’s so important you couldn’t wait until tomorrow to discuss it?"
"You hung up on me."
"You rushed over here because of that?"
"Why’d you do it?"
"I don’t want to argue. It’s my business and I’m not selling. Listening to you nag me on the phone only makes things worse." She drew a deep breath. "Involving you was a mistake, a moment of weakness. I don’t want someone else telling me what to do and how to do it."
Alec stepped forward and took her hands before she could react. He drew her closer to him, down the front step, off the sidewalk and onto the lawn. Soft blades of grass tickled her toes as she allowed herself to be enveloped in the night air. Alec’s face was only inches away, studying her while his thumbs traced velvety loops against the tops of her hands. Her breath caught in her throat.
Even now, the rough planes of his face captured her, the vulnerability in the curve of his lips entranced her.
Was it possible God had a purpose for him in her life again? That maybe He hadn’t abandoned her and had sent Alec to prove it? Her anger faded beneath the onslaught of newer, more tender emotions.
She couldn’t read his feelings, he kept them carefully masked, but his actions told her so much more than an expression ever could.
Looking up, she waited while the sounds of the freeway buzzed in her ears. A gentle breeze brushed past them, encircling them in the scent of cool grass and moonlight.
Very softly, he pressed his lips against her forehead, then bent his head near her ear.
"Marry me, Kitty."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Alec watched Katrina’s eyes widen with shock and could’ve kicked himself for letting the words slip out so soon. This wasn’t part of the plan, not yet at least. He needed time for her to learn to trust him. And he needed time to get over the secret of Joey. But the proposal escaped and that was a mistake.
She was going to say no.
He could feel her withdrawal before she actually slipped her hands out of his.
The dumpy blue pajama top swallowed her frame but somehow she seemed to shrink even more. A guarded look tightened her features. "Did you just propose to me?"
"It’s a good idea. You’ll be able to keep your store." Desperation prompted him to say that. He could tell by her face the fact wouldn’t do any good.
Katrina’s head tilted to the side as she studied him. His heart thumped hard against his chest.
"Alec," her voice faltered and his pulse skipped a beat. She was definitely going to say no. "Don’t you think we have bigger issues to consider?"
"No." He didn’t want to consider anything but her back in his life for good. He’d had his own reasons for coming home, but maybe G
od was turning them into something better than he'd expected.
Her hands fluttered by her side. "I’m not marrying someone because of a store. Furthermore, we’re almost strangers to each other."
Cotton sleeves billowed as her arms moved up to hug her body and he could almost hear her wishing for her glasses.
"It’s been ten years but we’re far from strangers." He schooled his features into an impassive mask, pushing down his disappointment, ignoring the hurt that never seemed far away.
"We don’t have anything in common. I really can’t worry about this right now."
"Why worry? Say yes."
"No." Katrina looked up at him and without her glasses, her eyes appeared larger, more silver in the night. "I won’t marry you."
"We’ll finish this in the morning." He studied her and waited for some kind of denial. It didn’t come. Sad lines marked her face as she backed up to the door. She gave him a single nod before turning and going back into the condo.
Alec stood for a moment and willed his heartbeat to slow down. She didn’t want to be married to him. But she would. He wasn’t going to let her escape so easily this time. Maybe she didn’t love him but she still needed him. He could hear it in her voice. See it in her eyes. Whatever her reasons for saying no, he’d change them into reasons to say yes.
God had blessed him with tenacity, and he’d use it for the biggest investment of his life. His feet slicked through the grass as he strode home, his mind already working out the details.
*****
The next morning, Alec phoned his secretary to let her know he’d be late to the office. Then he headed next door.
When Sharon answered his knock, the thick aroma of frying bacon that drifted out sent his senses reeling. When he smelled bacon, he thought of his grandma and wished for the home he’d never had. She’d died two days after his tenth birthday.
"Are you coming in?"
Alec mentally shook himself and stepped into Sharon’s condo. He could hear the laughter coming from the kitchen and it dried his throat. He followed her down the short, narrow hallway, noting the lack of pictures on the walls, and then stepped into the bright kitchen. Bacon and eggs sizzled on the stove while Sharon’s three children clustered in a circle around someone sitting on the floor. He knew it was Katrina. Her low, husky chuckle gave her away.
Timmy saw him first. "Awec." His little body barreled into Alec and, grinning, Alec scooped him up.
"Hey buddy. What’re you guys up to?"
"Auntie Kat’s teachin’ us how to make bacon."
"On the floor, huh?" He let amusement drift into his voice, enjoying Katrina’s flushed features as she rose.
"The bacon’s sending out missiles aimed right at our heads," Paul announced, while seven year old Julie’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
"She told us about the invisible shield God gives his followers." Julie beamed, exposing a gap where her front teeth used to be, and Alec jolted as he remembered the photo of Joey sitting in Katrina’s kitchen.
"Psalm 39." Katrina swiped at her jeans and then turned to the stove and scooped bacon onto a paper towel-covered plate.
"Right." He swallowed tightly, unwilling to take his eyes off her.
"Okay, guys." Sharon clapped her hands briskly and three little heads whipped to attention. "To the table and then we need to get dressed for the day."
"Mom, do we have to?" Julie plopped into a chair and pulled away from her mother’s hands. "After school, can Alec take us to the park again?"
Sharon glanced at him, a question in her gaze. With great gravity, he leaned down and said into Julie’s ear, "Meet me at the front door, 1600 sharp, and bring supplies."
"We’ll be there, sir," Julie said between a mouthful of bacon and eggs.
"Good." He straightened, smiled at Sharon and then flicked Katrina a look. "Do you mind coming with me to my condo?"
Before he spun around and strode out of the kitchen, he caught the thinning of her lips in his peripheral vision. Last night she’d indicated she would continue their talk. He had another chance to change her mind and he wouldn’t mess it up.
*****
Katrina gave the kids a hug and then went next door to Alec’s. She’d spent the night tossing and turning, wondering what God was doing with her life, asking for answers but not hearing any. She was pretty sure she loved Alec, but that didn’t mean she could marry him. Marriage meant trust. Commitment. Something she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
She stepped up to Alec’s door and knocked. The sun hadn’t yet risen fully into the sky but the nearby freeway sounded ripe with cars. The door swung open and, with a tilt of his head, Alec beckoned her inside.
The atmosphere of his condo hit her like a splash of cold water to the face. The hall opened into a spacious living room he’d done nothing with. The walls glowed stark and white. One couch, a recliner, and a big screen TV. That was it. Alec must have seen her surprise because he said, "I don’t stay here often," and then gestured for her to sit. She chose the recliner since it put distance between them. After his startling and abrupt proposal yesterday, space was needed.
"Tea?"
She nodded and waited for him as he went into the kitchen.
Bare. The room was bare of any kind of personal touch. She shivered.
"This should warm you up," Alec said as he handed her a small cup, mistaking the tremor for a physical chill. "No milk, right?"
She accepted it with a grateful smile. "You paid attention at the office?"
"I notice everything about you, Katrina."
She sipped too quickly and coughed when the tea went down wrong. "What do you want?"
His brow arched. "You sound like you want to fight."
"I don’t." At his skeptical look, she winced. "Not really. I just don’t appreciate being treated like your secretary."
She thought she saw a hint of a smile tugging at Alec’s lips, but couldn’t be sure. He probably thought ordering her around was funny. She drank a little more tea to hide her scowl.
"We didn’t finish our conversation last night," he said.
"I beg to differ. We did. I’m not marrying you."
"Why?"
Her eyes narrowed. "I have my reasons."
Alec shifted forward on the couch so that his elbows rested on black-slacked knees and the gleam in his eye was decidedly predatory. "Name them."
What was this, Interrogation 101? "How about love?"
"Ahhh." He leaned back against the back of the couch, more relaxed now, and Katrina fought the nervousness making her stomach ache. "It always comes back to love, doesn’t it?"
"Marriage proposals tend to do that." Katrina tightened her grip on the coffee mug. It wasn’t a question of her love, but of his. But she was too chicken to ask him. Or maybe too prideful. She wondered if he could feel the tension building between them like a brick wall. His face was a mask again, albeit a calm one. He lifted his own cup to his lips and for a moment there was only silence. It made her want to scream. She cleared her throat. "So you’ve been taking the kids to the park?"
"Only when I first brought them here."
"It must’ve meant a lot to them. That was thoughtful."
He made a noncommittal sound.
"Really. You make a wonderful male role model." And he kept proving he’d become a good man. But would he make a good husband? She took another sip of tea, wishing the caffeine would clear her heart of worry the way it smoothed away her fatigue.
"Is that so?"
She nodded, conscious of his hawk-like perusal and not liking it one bit. She knew what she looked like. A big gray sweat-shirt, old Levi’s, and disheveled hair. And not a speck of make-up on.
"Katrina," he leaned forward. "I want to court you."
She squeezed her lips together so her jaw wouldn’t drop open at the archaic word. "Court?" she finally managed without choking.
"I’m absolutely serious. We’ll get to know each other again."
"Alec, are
you okay?"
"I want to take you to Broadway tonight."
Katrina felt faint. "I don’t understand."
"What’s not to understand? Be ready at six and we’ll grab something to eat."
She stared as he whisked the empty cup from her limp fingers and took it to the kitchen.
Well, why not? It couldn’t hurt anything. There certainly was nothing wrong with going on a few dates. So why did she feel so afraid? She pressed her hand against her stomach and let out a deep sigh.
Broadway. She couldn’t resist that anymore than she could resist Alec.
*****
"Mr. Munroe?" Marta’s brisk voice drifted from the office door to where Alec sat immersed in numbers and contracts.
"What," he snapped. Business had picked up suddenly. After three nights of candlelight dinners, Broadway shows, and wooing a nervous female, Alec had been forced to stay behind at the office while Katrina traveled home alone, much to his irritation.
"I have those papers you requested." She bustled over, steel gray hair pulled tight against her scalp, and set a folder filled with paperwork on his overcrowded desk. Stepping back, she placed her hands on ample hips and cut him a razor-like glare. "You look horrible."
"I’m busy."
"You’re thinking about that woman, aren’t you?"
"Marta, I don’t have time for a lecture." He waved toward his desktop.
"I told you not to go back to that town. Eight years I’ve known you, and not once have I seen you less than competent."
He raised his brow. Her tone edged on inappropriate.
"Don’t give me that look, young man. Now here." She moved forward and slid a sheet of paper to him. "I’ve scheduled you a vacation of sorts. These are staff who can take over all but your most important accounts."
Alec took the paper and without looking at it, set it to the side. "Thank you, Marta, but that was unnecessary."
"I insist, Mr. Munroe. What you need is a vacation, perhaps somewhere tropical, where you’ll forget this whole situation. And remember, you’re a Christian now. You’re expected to be forgiving."
"What would a self-professed atheist know about that?" Despite himself, Alec smiled. Marta, all righteous indignation, figured he’d react like any other man in his position.
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