by T. L. Haddix
For the next two weeks, Charles was kept running with no room to slow down and breathe. He ended up having to fly back to New York to rework the same trust he’d just spent months setting up all because his eighty-three-years-young client had married his fourth wife. That his new bride was only twenty-seven had set off alarm bells throughout the man’s family, and thanks to pressure from them, the old man had gotten up in arms over his estate.
So back to New York Charles went, spending days on end cloistered away with his now bitterly angry client. It had taken every bit of the levelheaded patience Charles had to keep from strangling his client’s heirs.
By the time he made it back to Savannah some ten days later, so much other business had piled up he ended up working from daylight to dark to catch up. He got into the office before dawn most days, and he didn’t leave until well after nightfall.
His mother had tried several times to get in to see him—no doubt to lecture him until his ears bled about having skipped brunch with Evelyn—but he’d not had time to do more than check on her well-being. As long as she was all right—and she was—he would stay busy for the foreseeable future. Maybe it was cowardly, but he hoped she’d give up out of pure frustration.
Then there was Kathy. Before he knew it, nearly two weeks had passed since he’d last seen or spoken to her, and guilt and longing were eating him alive. He’d sent her a quick note thanking her for the cake before he left for New York and a couple of postcards with funny little snippets to let her know he was thinking of her while he was there. He’d have loved nothing more than to reach out to her in a more meaningful way, but fate worked against him at every turn it seemed.
He thought of her a lot, during almost every minute that wasn’t taken up by work and some time that was. She’d sneak into his mind when he least expected it—a flash of her smile or her droll responses to his outrageous teasing. He hadn’t heard anything back from her though, and that lack of response had dented his ego pretty hard, he reluctantly admitted to himself.
As he sat in his office late Friday afternoon, tired to his bones, he sighed. He laid his glasses on his desk and rubbed his gritty eyes. He had at least three more hours’ worth of files to go through, and he didn’t think he had it in him to look at a single paper more.
A tap sounded on the door. “Why don’t you go home, call it quits for the weekend?” Herman came in and took a seat across the desk from Charles. “You’re running on fumes, Kelly, and you’re going to burn out if you keep this up.”
“I’m already there,” Charles admitted. He studied the stacks of papers. “How in the world did I get this far behind?”
“Life. It happens. From what Sally’s told me, you’re almost caught up, enough that you can afford to breathe now.” Herman pulled a silver case out of his pocket and took out a cigarette, but he didn’t light it. “How are things with Kathy?”
Charles snorted. “What things? I’ve not had time to do more than dash off a note to her here and there. Not that she’s responded. She probably thinks I’ve blown her off.”
“I don’t think so. And Kathy might not have responded, but her sister did. Brought this in a little while ago while you were in a meeting.” Herman took a small envelope from his pocket and handed it across the desk.
“What? Why the hell didn’t you tell me sooner?” Snapping to attention, Charles put his glasses back on and opened the letter then scanned the note quickly.
Charles,
I have it on good authority that there might be a certain unattached lady at a little jazz club this evening, someone who is reluctantly accompanying her sister and brother-in-law out for a night on the town. If you find this information useful—and I hope you do—you know what to do with it.
Regards,
Sarah Campbell
P.S. There’s no pressure on you either way. I just hoped you might find this interesting.
The address of the club, along with a time, was written below the postscript. He glanced at his watch. It was just before five o’clock now, and if he hurried home, he had time to get cleaned up and make it to the club.
“Good news?” Herman asked.
Charles stood and reached for his jacket then shrugged into it. “I think so. I’m being set up on a blind date of sorts.” He grinned. “I don’t feel so guilty about cutting out of here now.”
Herman laughed as he followed Charles to the door. “Good for you. And you shouldn’t feel guilty. You work too hard. Go have some fun.”
Sarah’s note had energized him more than a double shot of espresso would have, and with something more to look forward to than sterile pages and an empty house, Charles found the night suddenly felt a whole lot brighter.
“I’m still not sure about this,” Owen said. “Are you sure she won’t be angry about you having invited him? You know how much she’s worried the last couple of weeks.”
Sarah sent her husband a level look as she moved his hands out of the way so she could straighten his collar. They were getting ready to leave, and he’d had to change after an unfortunate accident involving John, Ben, a baby bottle, and a jar of mustard. “I’m fairly sure she’ll thank me. Eventually. If he shows up. I really thought we’d see him before now. It worries me that we haven’t.” She smoothed the fabric of his shirt over his shoulders, admiring their breadth and strength.
“You said his partner told you he’d been extraordinarily busy, right?”
Sarah nodded. “He did. He also jumped on board with the plan as soon as I explained it.”
Owen pulled her close for a kiss. “I hope it works. Charles seemed like a nice guy, and you can tell she likes him. They tease each other, and he makes her laugh. She needs someone who can make her laugh.”
Sarah sagged against him for a moment. “I love you to the tips of my toes, Owen Campbell. Did you know that? I’m so glad you’re in my life. So grateful you’re the kind of man you are.”
He ran his hands over her backside possessively. “I think you’ve mentioned that a time or two, yes. I love you too.” After another kiss that was much too short, he pulled back and held out his hand. “Let’s see if we can get out the door this time.”
As they joined Kathy and Eliza in the living room of the cottage they’d rented for the trip, Sarah gave his hand an extra squeeze. Owen didn’t like to socialize much outside of visiting family, usually only when they were on vacation or if they had to go out of town for some reason, but he understood that she needed to get out on occasion. He went out of his way to indulge her on these trips, making the outings all the more precious. It was a balance they’d learned to strike early on in their relationship, and that he made the effort at all made her love him that much more.
I just hope Kathy can find that kind of love, Sarah thought as they got their sweaters. Maybe it made her an optimist or a romantic, but she firmly believed her sister deserved a fair shot at happily ever after, and if there was anything she could do to help Kathy achieve that goal, by God, she’d try it. She smiled as Owen held the door to the backseat open for Kathy. After much cajoling, Sarah’d managed to convince her to join them at the jazz club she and Owen liked to visit when they came to town, and she hoped that endeavor would pay off in more ways than one.
“Ball’s in your court, Charles Kelly. Let’s hope you know how to shoot.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kathy felt as though every eye in the club was on her, judging her, when she walked in the door. She knew she was being ridiculous, but this was the first time she’d been out socially in years. Well, except for family gatherings or work-related functions. If Sarah hadn’t been so excited about the evening, Kathy would have begged off and stayed home with her mother and the babies.
But Sarah was excited and had made an event out of the whole thing, starting with getting new dresses that morning and getting their hair done, manicures, and pedicures that afternoon. She�
��d even planned the day around Kathy’s late-afternoon appointment with Dr. Milton, who’d been encouraging.
“This is exactly what you need right now, I believe that,” the older woman had said. “If for no other reason than for you to get out of the house and see what you think. You may not like the club, or you may have a blast, but you won’t know until you try.”
So there Kathy was, tagging along on what felt like her sister’s date, hoping she could pretend she was having enough fun that Sarah didn’t feel bad.
“You know, we were supposed to do this sort of thing before you get married, not after,” Kathy said as they were seated. Their small table was off to one side of the club, private but not too far away from the activity. “You’re not a teenager anymore. You don’t need a chaperone.”
“Says who?” Sarah smiled as she looked around the smoke-filled club. “This is better because we can enjoy it more now that we’re all adults. We won’t get in trouble if we miss curfew.”
In the face of Sarah’s good cheer, Kathy found it impossible not to smile. Telling herself to chill out and have fun, she tried to let go of her discomfort.
They’d just placed their drink orders when Owen waved, raising his chin in a hello to someone behind Kathy. “Look who’s here,” he said with a grin.
Before she even turned around, she knew. Kathy didn’t have to look to see that it was Charles. She shot a dirty look at an unrepentant Sarah and whispered, “You didn’t.”
Sarah winked. “Of course I did. Someone had to. Charles, hello! Fancy meeting you here.”
It was all Kathy could do not to strangle Sarah or to get up and leave. Not because she wasn’t glad to see Charles but because she was suddenly more scared than she’d been in a long time. She wasn’t just a third wheel on a date. She was half of a couple on a double date.
“I heard there was a good trio playing tonight, thought I’d stop by.”
“Join us,” Owen said, scooting out the fourth chair. “We haven’t heard from you in a little while.”
“It’s been a long couple of weeks. I’ve been working nonstop.” Charles sat with a sigh. “How’s the vacation going?”
For the first time, Kathy looked at him fully. He did look tired. He also looked approachable in a way she’d not seen before, dressed in casual clothes, including a dark green sweater that molded itself to his chest and shoulders.
Their waitress came back with their drinks. She smiled at Charles as she set down the glasses. “Hey, there. We’ve not seen you in here in a while. Tony’s playing tonight, you know.”
Charles smiled. “Then we are in for a treat. Tony’s great.”
“So do you come here often?” Sarah asked once the waitress was gone. When Owen sputtered and coughed, laughing at her, she groaned. “Don’t even. Just don’t even, or you’ll find yourself on Mama’s couch tonight.”
The knowing look he sent her was so full of heat Sarah blushed. Kathy had to look away to keep from howling with laughter. There was no way he’d be sleeping anywhere except beside Sarah, and everyone knew it. Kathy met Charles’s eyes for a brief moment.
He winked then answered Sarah’s question. “I get in now and then. It’s something to do to pass the time when I’m not tied up with work. Plus, the gumbo and the ribs here? Out of this world.”
By the time they’d eaten, Kathy was enjoying herself. The band had started a short time earlier, and they were just as good as Charles had said. When they opened up the dance floor, Owen stood and held out his hand.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Sarah said.
Kathy watched Owen fold Sarah into his arms with a reverence that made Kathy ache. She turned back to the table to find Charles studying her.
“How’ve you been?” he asked, folding his arms on the table.
“Well enough. What about you? You don’t look like you’ve had a lot of rest lately.”
He shrugged and gave a small laugh. “I’m all right. I might catch up this weekend. Herman’s about ready to lock me out of the office. He frets since he and Sally had their daughter.”
“Herman’s your partner?” She leaned in, mirroring his pose.
“Mm-hmm. Sally’s my secretary. You’d like them, I think. They’re both fans of your cake, I can tell you that.” He glanced over his shoulder then back at her. “Dance with me?”
Kathy bit her lip. “I’ve not danced in a long time.”
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to. I’m just as happy to sit here and talk.” He sipped his drink. “I’ve missed talking to you, Ms. Browning, even though you don’t like me.”
Her smile was wide and spontaneous and impossible to contain. “I guess you’re okay, Mr. Kelly. And I might like to dance with you someday. But not here.” She looked at the dance floor. “Not someplace so public. I feel too conspicuous as it is. That’s the word of the day from yesterday’s word calendar, in case you didn’t know.”
Charles ran a finger along the back of her hand, tracing a pattern on the delicate skin. “It’s a good word.” He held her gaze for several heartbeats. “When I didn’t hear from you, I thought you might have written me off.”
“No. I didn’t know what to say. The last thing I want is to come across as too forward.” She looked down. “I made some mistakes in the past, and I don’t want my future to reflect that.”
He slid his hand fully over hers, lacing their fingers together. “I’m aware. After New Year’s, I needed to know why you were so upset. I asked your mother, and she told me.”
Kathy was surprised, and she couldn’t hide it. “You know? Everything?”
He nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
She pressed her lips together and swallowed hard. “You—you know about the affair? All of it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why in the world are you here?”
His smile was sad. “Because I like you.”
She was flabbergasted. “But… you know what I am.”
“I do. You’re a very strong, sweet, funny, attractive woman. A good person inside and out and someone I want to get to know a lot better. Hopefully someone who feels the same way about me.”
Kathy didn’t know whether she wanted to laugh or cry or do a little of both. She’d heard similar lines in the past—from Randall and Clay and even a few others who’d approached her inappropriately—but for the first time, she truly believed the man who’d spoken.
She looked at Owen and Sarah on the dance floor. “Do you think… is there someplace we can go? I need some air, but I don’t want to ruin their date.”
Charles squeezed her hand. “Sure. I’ll let them know we’re going to head out. Do you want to meet back up with them later? If not, I can see you home.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to let them go alone.”
“Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”
She watched him walk out and tap Owen’s shoulder. Sarah looked at her with concern, but Kathy gave her a thumbs-up and even forced a smile, trying to look relaxed though she was anything but. When Sarah started in her direction, the men following, Kathy groaned with dismay.
“I didn’t want to interrupt you,” she said when Sarah reached the table.
Sarah grabbed her hand. “I needed a break, I promise. Come on. Let’s visit the ladies’ room while they pay.”
As she studied Kathy a couple of minutes later as they stood side by side at the sink, washing up, Kathy felt her cheeks heat. “Am I being stupid?”
Sarah smiled. “No. Not at all. And there’s no need to be nervous. Maybe you’ll just go for ice cream or someplace to chat. Maybe more. Do you feel safe going with him?”
“Yes. I feel a little guilty about cutting out on you though.”
To her amazement, Sarah blushed. “Actually, we, um, we were getting ready to come ask if Charles could take you home. We were hoping to
sneak away to a little motel down the road, the Flamingo…” When Kathy laughed, Sarah swatted her lightly with her purse. “Hush! We usually try to go to the hotel for a little while when we’re down here. It’s the only truly alone time we get these days.”
“I won’t hush. We’ve waited too long to be able to tease each other like this.” Kathy hugged her, a spontaneous move that surprised them both. “Let’s get out there before they think we’ve stood them up or something. Um, if you don’t mind, if Mama’s still awake when you get to the cottage, could you let her know that I might be late and not to wait up for me?”
“Late or early?” Sarah asked as they walked to the club’s entrance.
Kathy shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. Wish me luck?”
“Tons of it. You’ll be fine. And if you aren’t, don’t hesitate to call the hotel or the cottage. We’ll come if you need us.”
With a mock sigh, Kathy slid her arm through her sister’s and squeezed. “You know, I’ve heard they rent rooms there by the hour. Your reputation as a good girl is now officially blown out of the water, missy.”
“Of course it is. I’m a wicked married woman now.” Sarah squeezed back. “Have fun tonight. That’s an order.”
“I’ll do my level best,” Kathy promised as they reached the men. Her discussion with Sarah from a couple of weeks back was racing through her mind, the possibilities tantalizingly vast. It had occurred to her as she and Charles talked that tonight was the perfect opportunity for a new experience.
For the first time in her life, Kathy had been drawn to a man for his mind, his kindness, and his sense of humor well before she realized, in a sort of awakening, that a very attractive body was attached to that soul. It wasn’t that she’d not seen Charles as a man so much as he wasn’t the type of man she was usually drawn to. He wasn’t loud and bold and brash or felt it necessary to hold a pissing contest in order to prove his manliness.
Now that she had fully “seen” him, she couldn’t go back to looking at him any other way. With every passing minute, her yearning for him grew. Maybe they’d go for a walk on the beach. Maybe they’d kiss finally. Maybe more. Or maybe nothing at all would happen. They’d talk, and he’d take her home, and that would be the end of that. Whatever the end result, Kathy felt as though she was finally ready to embrace it, and she could hardly wait to get started.