Head Over Heels

by Crystal B. Bright

  “One guidance counselor. She can’t handle them either. No, no. I’m on the phone.”

  Kari heard giggling on the other end and couldn’t help but laugh herself. She’d been the sole adult during a field trip and sleepover. For someone who hadn’t been around a lot of small children, Thane did show some patience.

  “I can’t stay very long.” She heard Thane sighing.

  “Hopefully, it won’t take very long. I know this is not a young boy’s dream. I appreciate you coming by to help. Trust me. I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Kari couldn’t hide the beaming smile that split her face. “An hour. That’s all.”

  “Thank you.”

  The screaming in the background got louder.

  “Um, can you hurry?” Thane asked.

  This time Kari couldn’t help but laugh. “Let me corral the team. We’ll be right there.” She disconnected the call before she could say anything else. As she put her phone back into her purse, she looked at Reagan and Michael. “We have to go.”

  “Aw, Mom. Back to the hotel already? It’s not even night yet.” Michael stomped his way over to Kari.

  “Oh, no. Walk correctly and take that attitude out of your voice right now or we will go back to the hotel.” Kari glared at her child, who quickly adjusted his gait to something lighter.

  “Sorry, Mom.”

  “Don’t say that you’re sorry. Say you apologize.” She bit the inside of her cheek when she realized she had quoted Thane.

  “Yes, ma’am. I apologize.” He stood in front of Kari with his head down.

  “Thank you.” Kari kissed the top of Michael’s head. “Mr. Wells called.”

  Michael snapped his head up and beamed. Kari glanced at Reagan, who winked at Kari.

  Kari continued. “He needs some help and asked that we come by his boutique.”

  “Boutique? What’s that?” Michael asked.

  “Probably somewhere you don’t want to be. But we won’t stay very long. I promise.” Kari would play it cool with Thane. Even though she knew that all bets would be off as soon as she looked into his eyes.

  * * * *

  With all the newspapers removed from the glass and door, Thane split his attention between the front door and the line of quiet, but excited, girls standing in front of him. Each time he glanced at any of them, a wave of chirpy giggles followed.

  He had to thank his mother for his ease in dealing with children. Each time she’d had an event where she had to be around a lot of kids, she brought him and his brothers along. He learned not only patience from her, but also control that commanded respect.

  In the past few years, he’d gotten used to being around little boys when he mentored students at baseball camp. When Mrs. Sortoberg had brought the girls to his shop, they had all squealed like little piglets as they hopped around him. Thane had stopped that quickly.

  “I need you all to act like the beautiful young ladies you are,” he told them.

  That statement had halted their excited behavior. However, he did use those first chaotic moments to call Kari, thinking if she heard the ruckus, she would offer to come over and help him. At least he’d hoped she would. She hadn’t disappointed him. Now he hoped that when she saw the girls behaving, she wouldn’t be too shocked.

  Thane didn’t subscribe to the antiquated idea that a man should wait a certain number of days to contact a woman. He hoped Kari appreciated him being a man that stood on his own two feet. He certainly liked the fact that she worked hard and made time for her child and friends.

  “Isn’t this fun?” Arlene, wearing all red this time, smiled as she waddled around the showroom.

  “A blast.” Thane tried keeping his attention on Arlene while watching the girls and the door. “I’m glad to be able to continue this tradition my mother started.”

  Until he saw the looks on the children’s faces, he hadn’t realized how important this moment meant to them.

  “You have to admit that this is something special. They get a pretty dress for a dance tomorrow.” Arlene patted Thane’s cheek.

  “Mr. Wells, why do you keep looking at the door? Do you want us to leave?” A blond girl with the biggest brown eyes kept her head down while still casting her eyes up to look at him.

  A chill crept up the back of his neck as he regarded her. In his quest to spot Kari as soon as she arrived, he had neglected his guests. Queen Elizabeth would be so disappointed in his behavior.

  Thane crouched down in front of the child. “What’s your name?”

  She glanced at Arlene before answering. “Gayle.”

  He held up his hand to her. “Nice to meet you, Gayle.”

  Again, she paused before accepting his well-intentioned handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

  He pulled his hand back. “You are absolutely right. I’m being a rude host by not giving you all my full attention. Thank you for calling me on my bad behavior.”

  Gayle turned her head up to look at Arlene, who simply smiled.

  “For that reason, you can be the first one to look at the dresses.” He waited until she acknowledged his statement before he moved.

  The girl beamed and jumped around before Thane stood.

  “I don’t think it was right how you were treating us either. Can I go to the front of the line?” A chubby African-American girl said from the back of the line.

  “Sometimes you get what you get because of how you act. Come at me respectfully, and you’ll get my attention.” He approached the girl and put his hand on her shoulder. “Think about that from your current spot in the line.”

  He felt her shoulders slump down. “Don’t worry. There will be plenty of great dresses to choose from.” He patted her shoulder, which she firmed up.

  He peered up when he saw sunlight reflecting off a windshield and gleaming through the door. His heart pounded when he noticed that Kari had pulled into the lot.

  Thank God.

  “Excuse me.” Thane strolled by Arlene and went to the door.

  Before Kari exited the car, he had the door open, ready for her to come inside. As soon as he saw her in her tight jeans, he forgot about the girls and the dresses and even his name. Her clingy T-shirt had him jealous of the fabric that got to cover her soft skin.

  Kari opened the back door and helped Michael. He bolted by her to run up to Thane.

  “Hey, Thane. I mean, Mr. Wells.” Michael hugged him and then peered in the store. “You have a lot of girls in there.”

  “I know.” Thane patted Michael on his back. He glanced at Reagan first. “Hi, Reagan. Thanks for helping.”

  “Hey, kids are my thing. I’m like a child whisperer.” Reagan smiled.

  “You yell a lot though.” Michael scratched his head.

  “You are such a joy to watch.” Reagan peered down at him and stroked his head.

  “I know sarcasm when I hear it.” Michael screwed up his little mouth.

  The banter between the two had Thane laughing until he looked at Kari again. “Hi.”

  Kari smiled. “Hi.”

  Silence lingered between the two of them. Thane didn’t break his stare from Kari until he got hit from behind. He turned and found Gayle holding up a light blue dress.

  “Can I have this one? Ms. Sortoberg said I have to ask you first.” She looked like a million dynamite fuses had been lit in her tiny body and would detonate soon if he didn’t answer her.

  “Have Ms. Sortoberg help you in the dressing room to see if it works for you.” Thane nudged the child toward the guidance counselor.

  “Wow. I was kind of expecting a train wreck in here.” Reagan walked into the store. She turned to Thane. “You seem to have everything under control.”

  “Yes, they do seem to be falling in line.” Kari screwed up her lips, but not out of anger. She looked like she was trying not to smile.

  “It was selfish of me to demand so much of your time, especially now with your family here.�
�� He moved closer to Kari. “I wanted to see you again no matter the situation. Is that okay?”

  Kari’s mouth opened but she didn’t say anything. Thane didn’t want to render the woman speechless. He liked hearing her talk.

  Michael shrank back against Kari. “So many girls.” He looked up at Kari. “May I wait in the car, please?”

  Before Kari could answer, Thane spoke. “Hey, I have a quiet office in the back. There’s even a computer in there.” He looked at Kari. “That is if your mother doesn’t mind.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Wells.” Kari’s light voice floated to his ears and caressed them.

  “You call me Thane.” He put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Come on. I’ll get you to the office. Then your mother and I will get these girls out of here. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great.”

  Once Thane got Michael situated in his office and closed the door just enough to block the girls but still let Kari see inside to keep an eye on her son, Kari took Thane’s arm and pulled him into the corner.

  “Before you get ahead of yourself, I want to tell you that I don’t like being manipulated into doing things.” Kari crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t use me.”

  Thane had hoped she wanted to steal a kiss when she pulled him to the side. Her speech brought him back down to earth. Knowing what he knew about her, he understood her stance.

  “I would never use you, well, except for one thing.” He held up his index finger. “You are still a sports agent, right?”

  Her hard countenance cracked and she laughed. “You think you’re cute, don’t you?”

  “No. You do.” He traced his index finger over her heart. He felt it pounding through her thin shirt. “We can stand here and talk more about my appeal, but I have a whole room full of young girls looking for dresses. Will you help me?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I will. But I have to ask you a question first.”

  Thane stared at her.

  Kari asked, “What’s the surprise you have for me?”

  “Oh, yes. I want to invite you to a dance at the Oceanfront Community Center.” He saw Kari’s eyebrows knit over her eyes.

  “Is this the same dance you’re outfitting the girls for?”

  He nodded. “Besides donating dresses, my mother also chaperoned the event. I would love it if you would come with me.”

  “As your date?” Kari lowered her arms to her side.

  “Yes.” No games. He liked this woman. He wanted her to know his serious intent.

  “Hmm, me at a middle-school party.”

  “You and Michael and Reagan, although I’m sure Michael won’t like it. Girls and all.” Thane ushered her to the main showroom where the students stood obediently in line until he returned. “I remember being his age and my mother dragging me to these events.” He shook his head.

  “You don’t sound like you enjoyed it. Why would I subject my child to this?” Kari asked.

  “Because going there taught me how to appreciate the opposite sex.” He leaned down. “I also learned how to kiss, but that happened years later.” He winked. “You ready?”

  * * * *

  Kari worked alongside Thane, helping the girls find dresses that fit their bodies and personalities. After learning that Thane had gotten her there under false pretenses, she wanted to be angry with him. He did something that no other man ever had: He came clean with her even though he did it without apology.

  He didn’t need to feel sorry. She wanted to see him as much as he said he wanted to see her. Each time she walked by him, she brushed her arm against his or touched his back or hand.

  He responded by giving her knowing looks and occasional winks. With each expression, her pulse raced. Damn. She shouldn’t have started something she couldn’t finish.

  As expected, Reagan handled the children like an expert. She corralled them to try on dresses and made sure they settled down in seats when finished. Michael remained quiet in Thane’s office. Kari poked her head in every once in a while to make sure he didn’t feel slighted or ignored. Each time, he broke his concentration from the computer to smile at her.

  Kari really did have a great child. She owed him an awesome vacation.

  She turned to Thane. “Is that everyone?”

  “I think so, although I hope you don’t have to run.” Thane rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I have another surprise for you and your family this time. The Norfolk Tides is a minor league baseball team. They heard about me being in town and invited me and my guests to see them play tonight. I would love for you all to go with me.”

  Michael bolted from the office. “Oh, wow, Mom! Can we go? Can we?” He grabbed Kari’s arm and tugged on it.

  “Excuse me.” Kari pried her child’s fingers from her arm. “Were you listening in on our conversation?”

  Michael’s flushed to a dark crimson, and chewed on his lower lip before he answered. “I heard a little bit, but not on purpose. I’m sorry. I mean I apologize.”

  Kari caught Thane’s surprised expression before she regarded her child again. “You shouldn’t have done that. Adult conversations are private.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He lowered his head. “It would be great to see an actual baseball game with the Thane Wells.”

  “Are you saying you wouldn’t enjoy the game if you didn’t go with a famous baseball player?” Kari crossed her arms over her chest as she looked down at Michael.

  Michael volleyed his attention between Kari and Thane. “No. He’s a nice man. I would enjoy watching the game even if he was my math teacher.”

  That got Thane to burst into laughter. “Too bad I don’t teach algebra. As long as it’s okay with your mother, I’d be more than happy to have you all as my guests.”

  “Even if Kari says no, I would like to go.” Reagan stood next to Kari. Her wide eyes held excitement. “I haven’t heard a real crack of a bat against a ball or had bad stadium hot dogs in a long time.”

  Kari sighed as she gazed at Michael’s expectant face. “How can I deny them a game and greasy meats? Okay, let’s go.” She looked at Thane. “Take me out to the ballgame.”

  “No, Mom, sing the other song about baseball. You know. Our song.”

  Kari felt heat creeping up her neck. Singing that song usually meant Michael felt hurt or sad. She couldn’t equate it to mean something good or joyous. Before she could sing a note or explain her silence, she saw Arlene walking toward them.

  Arlene came up behind the group and tapped Thane on his shoulder. As soon as Thane turned around, the plump woman wrung her hands.

  “There’s a problem.” Arlene wiped her forehead.

  “What’s wrong? Did one of the girls rip a dress or something?” Thane scanned the group of children.

  His stare stopped on a girl the same time Kari’s did. The girl sat in a chair with nothing in her hands.

  “She couldn’t find anything that fit her.” Arlene fanned her face. “Now she says she doesn’t want to go.”

  Thane headed toward the child without a word. As soon as he got to her, he sat in a chair next to her. Kari went to the duo in case Thane needed help, but she stood far enough back to give the child some privacy.

  “Did you enjoy your day here?” Thane kept his voice low.

  The girl shrugged and kept her chin resting on her fist.

  “Hey, I didn’t get your name earlier.”

  “Leona,” she mumbled.

  “Leona. That’s a pretty name. I heard you might not be going to the dance tomorrow. Is that right?”

  A single tear rolled down from the child’s eye and over her nose. The young girl wiped her face with the back of her hand. Seeing that broke Kari’s heart. She wanted to envelope her in a hug.

  “I couldn’t find a dress that fit my—” She glanced at Thane before she continued speaking. “My style.”

  Thane nodded. “I understand.” He sat back and studied her. “I bet
your style is more the Beyoncé or Jennifer Lopez. Am I right?”

  Her eyes lit up as she sat up straighter. “More like my girl RiRi.”

  “Hmm, you don’t think her style is a bit much for you? She shows a little too much skin.”

  As though he had a pin and had popped her balloon, Leona melted back down to her same defeated stance she’d had before. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going. My mother can’t afford a dress for me, and I’m not going there looking busted.” She shook her head.

  Kari started to move toward the duo to offer to buy the girl a dress when Thane surprised her.

  “Tell me what kind of dress you would like.” He sat up taller. “I’ll have it made before the dance tomorrow.”

  Kari and Leona blinked as they stared at him.

  “Are you serious? You’re going to have someone make me a dress?” Leona put her hand to her chest.

  “Yes, and not just anyone. I’ll make your dress.” He stood and marched to his office. He came back with a pad of paper and a pencil. As soon as he sat down, he looked at the girl for a moment before he started drawing something over the paper. “What’s your favorite color?”

  “Purple. No, red.” Leona clasped her hands together and watched Thane work.

  Kari did the same. She wondered if Thane could pull off what he’d proposed.

  “How about a combination of the two?” He turned the pad over to reveal his creation.

  Kari couldn’t see it, but from the girl’s excited expression, she suspected he’d created something pretty spectacular. Now could he deliver?

  “If you can make that, I would be the best-looking girl there.” She bounced in her chair.

  “Consider it made. I’ll get your measurements and get started tonight.” He turned to Kari. “Unfortunately, that means that I won’t be able to go to the game with you tonight.”

  Damn.

  Chapter 18

  Thane didn’t want to back out of going to the game with Kari and Michael, but as soon as he’d seen Leona looking so disappointed, he knew he had to do something. He hoped Kari understood. From her saddened expression, he guessed she didn’t.