by Cindy Kirk
“Did you really have no idea Oaklee was arriving today?”
Hearing his sister’s name was like a splash of cold water. The tension that had eased from Dan’s shoulders returned with a vengeance. He took another sip of the coffee he no longer wanted. “Her appearance on my doorstep was a total surprise.”
As he spoke, he scanned the room. He thought he spotted his sister’s pink hair near the pancake station. He wondered if she was troubling the volunteers, then reminded himself—again—that Oaklee wasn’t a child he had to supervise.
“Do you have a minute to talk?”
She smiled. “For you, I have lots of minutes.”
Dan pulled out a metal chair and motioned for Katie Ruth to take a seat. When she did, he dropped into the chair beside her. “Oaklee might be turning twenty-one soon, but she still has a lot of growing up to do. She doesn’t seem to have a clue what she wants to do with her life.”
Something that looked like empathy filled Katie Ruth’s eyes. “Lots of kids don’t at that age.”
“Since starting college, she’s changed her major four times.” Dan set down his cup and raked a hand through his hair. “Now, with only three semesters left, she’s refusing to go back and finish.”
Instead of automatically condemning the decision as a stupid move, the way his father had, Katie Ruth hesitated for several heartbeats before responding.
“Since I work a lot with kids, I’ve done some reading on this particular age group. The time between ages eighteen and twenty-two is when young people start to build a sense of self. Oaklee is searching for her identity. She’s discovering who she is, deep down.” Katie Ruth’s voice held no judgment. “She may act out, may even go down a wrong path or two, until she figures out the right road for her. All completely normal.”
Dan admired Katie Ruth’s generosity of spirit. He knew she was trying to be supportive of his sister’s struggles, and he appreciated her giving Oaklee a pass for her bad behavior earlier.
Katie Ruth cocked her head and studied him for several seconds. “Did you always know you wanted to be a minister?”
“Hardly.” Dan chuckled. “I was a chemical engineering major through my junior year.”
It suddenly struck him that he’d been the same age as Oaklee when he’d stepped back and taken a good look at what was really important to him. Not to his parents. But to him.
A smile tugged at the corners of Katie Ruth’s lips.
“What?”
She lifted a shoulder, let it drop, as the smile blossomed. “I’m having difficulty picturing you as an engineer.”
“I enjoy math and science.”
“I’m sure you’re good at any number of things, but you’re too much of a people person for engineering.” She patted his arm. “You made the right choice. I truly believe the ministry is where you were meant to be.”
Emotion squeezed his heart. It took Dan several seconds to find his voice. His parents tolerated what they called his “career choice,” but he knew they thought he could do so much better. “Thank you.”
“It may take time, but I believe your sister will also find her rightful place in the world.”
“I hope so.”
Katie Ruth gazed over his shoulder and offered an apologetic smile. “You’ll have to excuse me. Gladys assigned me trash duty. By the way she’s pointing at the garbage cans then at me, it’s clear she wants me to do my job.”
He frowned. “Who’s helping you?”
“It’s really a one-person job.”
A one-man job, Dan thought, but didn’t say.
He couldn’t believe Gladys expected Katie Ruth to carry bulging sacks of refuse outside to the dumpsters at night. By herself. “I’ll take care of it.”
Katie Ruth shook her head, her chin lifting in a stubborn tilt. “It’s my responsibility.”
She held up a hand when he opened his mouth. “That isn’t to say I wouldn’t accept help if a kind gentleman offered.”
Gladys smiled brightly when Katie Ruth and Dan approached. Her pale eyes gleamed when Dan grabbed two sacks of trash, leaving only one for Katie Ruth. “I see you picked up a partner.”
“Dan insisted on helping.” Katie Ruth shot him a wink and impulsively gave him a hip bump.
He grinned. “You’re going to make me drop one of these sacks.
“Just as I thought,” the older woman murmured before she turned to Cory White, a local teacher who was manning the griddle. “Keep those pancakes coming.”
“Just as you thought?” Katie Ruth asked, not sure if the older woman had been speaking to her or Cory.
Gladys ignored the question and draped an arm around Katie Ruth’s shoulders. “There is absolutely no need to rush back. Take all the time you need. I’ve got things under control here.”
By the time they reached the stairs, Dan swore he heard Oaklee’s laughter mingle with Gladys’s unmistakable cackle.
He and Katie Ruth took their time, talking about pancakes and orange versus grapefruit juice as they lugged sacks to the main floor. Once outside, they made quick work of disposing of the trash, with Dan insisting on hefting the bags into the dumpster.
The cold breeze had them heading back inside. As they made their way down the hall, Dan slowed his steps, wanting to prolong his time with Katie Ruth. And to be completely honest, he wasn’t in any hurry to return to his sister. While he understood what Katie Ruth had said about Oaklee just needing time to find herself, her attitude continued to gnaw at him.
Katie Ruth was halfway to the steps leading downstairs when she appeared to realize he was no longer beside her. She turned back, puzzlement blanketing her face.
Dan motioned to her. He valued Katie Ruth’s opinion. If he was off base, she’d tell him. “If you have a minute, I’d like to ask you something.”
She offered a cautious smile as she approached him. “Sure. What is it?”
Dan jammed his hands into his pockets and blew out a breath. “I know Oaklee’s behavior is natural, but I’m so frustrated with her. I know she’s a smart girl and a thoughtful person. I just wish she could see how her actions can affect others, often hurtfully.
“It’s a weakness we all share to some degree.” Katie Ruth’s lips lifted in a rueful smile. “My parents are very astute, but I don’t think they ever fully realized how much their scandal impacted me.”
“This is different. You were a child and not responsible for your parents’ bad decisions.” Fearing he’d been too blunt, Dan gentled his tone. “To be fair, it sounded like your parents did think about you, which is why they didn’t have parties with people from Good Hope.”
“Perhaps.”
“Oaklee is making, has made, reckless decisions without considering how those decisions impact her future.” Dan tried, but failed, to keep the disappointment from his voice. “As a minister and her big brother, I won’t turn her away, but I can’t just ignore her bad behavior.”
“Remember, she may look like an adult, but she’s still growing, still learning.” Katie Ruth expelled a breath. “Most of us make mistakes on our journey to adulthood.”
“I can’t imagine you ever doing any of the crazy things Oaklee has done.” He shook his head. “She took off all her clothes for a PETA protest against wool and ran naked through Grant Park. Who does that?”
“Apparently, your sister.” Katie Ruth’s light tone belied the serious look in her eyes. “Like I said, we all make mistakes and do things we regret. I have regrets. Lots of them.”
She took a breath. “When I was her age, I—”
Dan stopped her attempt to make him feel better about her sister by closing his hands around hers. “I admire you, Katie Ruth. Not just for all the good work you do in the community and for the church, but for the person you are. You’re kind and honest. And you’re incredibly beautiful.”
“I like being with you, Dan. I think we’re good for each other.” Her husky voice, or maybe it was the admission, stirred something in him.
&nb
sp; Dan let his gaze drop to her generous mouth, to the lips shiny with gloss.
Still, he jolted when he felt her arms slide around his neck.
She gazed up at him, her eyes dark and swirling with emotion. “Last night on my porch, I wanted you to kiss me. I was disappointed when you didn’t.”
He’d wanted to, but had held back. Concerned he was moving too fast. Concerned about propriety. Concerned about so many things that, at the moment, no longer seemed important.
Katie Ruth was right. Everyone made mistakes. He wouldn’t make the mistake of overthinking again.
When Katie Ruth had talked about it with Izzie, she’d nearly convinced herself she’d blown the connection she shared with Dan out of proportion.
Seeing him tonight confirmed that the flame of attraction that flickered the night of the Valentine’s party burned as hot as ever. She tried to not think about the disapproval in his eyes when he’d talked about his sister’s reckless behavior.
Katie Ruth reminded herself that her own crazy behavior was in the past. Back then, she’d been desperately searching for who she was and what she wanted out of life. It hadn’t taken her long to realize being a party girl wasn’t for her. She knew now that—
Dan’s mouth closed over hers, stilling the regrets and fanning the flames.
In seconds, the smoldering fire burned out of control. Katie Ruth grasped his shirt in her fingers. She wanted to be closer, wanted to feel his skin against hers, to—
Dan turned his head from her mouth, his breath coming in harsh pants. “We have to stop.” He took her shoulders and stepped back. “There’s this crazy electricity between us.” The finger that he trailed down her cheek wasn’t quite steady. “A powerful magnetic pull. Do you feel it?”
“I do.” Katie Ruth suddenly recalled Oaklee’s words to Lindsay.
Though she knew one could have lust without love or caring, she had to side with Dan’s sister on this one. To make a relationship work long term, there had to be sizzle.
Dan had never spoken in any detail about what went wrong with him and Lindsay, but Katie Ruth had never seen any visible spark between the two. Still, he had cared enough about the woman to ask her to marry him.
He held out a hand to her. “We should get back.”
Katie Ruth ignored it. She didn’t want to ask, but she needed to know.
“What’s this,” she gestured from herself to him, “about?”
Katie Ruth was reassured when he took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles.
“I’d like to date you.” Dan cleared his throat. “If you’re interested, we could start slowly. Maybe catch a movie or go out for dinner?”
Katie Ruth found his hesitant smile endearing.
“You could come to my house one night. I’ll make dinner.” Katie Ruth loved spending time in the kitchen, but cooking for one wasn’t much fun.
Dan blew out a breath. “Ah, that probably isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because of the perception.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “As a minister, I’m held to a higher standard. Being alone with you in your home might lead to speculation of impropriety.”
She resisted the urge to laugh. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “Except…”
He tapped two fingers against one thigh, his expression turning thoughtful.
“Except…” she prompted.
“Oaklee living with me, being in my home, may give us some leeway.” His gaze met hers. “If you don’t mind making that meal at my house, I’ll gladly provide the ingredients.”
Katie Ruth connected the dots. “If I’m at your house, we’ll have a chaperone.”
“Yes.” Dan spoke without apology.
“She’ll be there to make sure we keep our clothes on.” The words popped out. Katie Ruth wondered if Oaklee’s bluntness was catching.
Dan chuckled and squeezed her hand. “You surprise me, Katie Ruth.”
While Dan’s laughter eased her embarrassment, Katie Ruth told herself she needed to remember that Dan was a minister.
One with high standards. When despair threatened, she shoved it down. He was also a reasonable man. Hadn’t he been understanding when she’d told him about her parents’ lifestyle? Then again, their sexual proclivities weren’t hers.
“Is something wrong?” The concern in Dan’s voice broke through her thoughts.
Katie Ruth found reassurance in his warm brown eyes. He liked her. He wanted to date her. He’d made that clear.
A perfect match. Izzie’s words filled her with hope.
Yet, Katie Ruth couldn’t help but wonder if Dan would still like her, still want to date her, if he knew all her secrets.
Chapter Seven
Katie Ruth banged her knuckles against Dan’s front door. She let out a breath as anticipation flooded her. Tonight, she’d be alone with Dan for the first time since last Saturday. Alone, that was, if you didn’t count Oaklee the Chaperone.
Five days had passed since the pancake supper, and their first official date had yet to happen. It wasn’t from lack of trying. Dan had had church obligations four out of those five nights. The one night he’d been free, she’d had Ami’s baby shower.
Katie Ruth was here now only because this meeting had been set two weeks ago. She and Dan would discuss the changes she hoped to make to the youth program at First Christian.
While here, she would also interview Oaklee for an upcoming feature in the Open Door newsletter.
Katie Ruth rapped again on the door and rang the bell. While she waited, she shoved her hands into her coat pockets. Too late she realized she should have brought gloves.
She considered punching the bell again when the door flew open.
“Sorry. I was in the kitchen.” The cold air that slapped Oaklee in the face had her eyes going wide. “OMG, talk about a blast of arctic chill. Get inside before we both turn to ice.”
It might not be arctic weather, but Katie Ruth slipped past Oaklee, grateful to be out of the wind. The pleasant scent of applewood assailed her nostrils and drew her gaze to the great room. “You’ve got a fire going.”
“I told Dan that bad boy is blazing anytime the temp slips below forty.” Oaklee held out a hand for Katie Ruth’s parka, then hung it on the coat tree. “I love your top. So bright and colorful.”
“Thanks. It’s new.” After her workday at the Y had ended, Katie Ruth had stopped home to freshen up and change. She didn’t want to look overly dressy, but jeans seemed too casual for a business meeting.
Oh, who was she kidding? She wanted to look her best for Dan. She’d settled on the tunic top in a geometric pattern, leggings and boots.
“You curled your hair.” Oaklee touched one of the gentle waves that fell around Katie Ruth’s shoulders. “You look adorable.”
“Thanks, Oaklee. You’re looking pretty cute yourself.”
Oaklee glanced down. “I dressed up for our interview.”
“You didn’t have to—”
“Just kidding.” The laugh Oaklee emitted came deep from the belly.
Katie Ruth chuckled. The girl was a mini-Gladys, from the top of her sequined mermaid headband to the tips of her purple Chucks. “You got me.”
“You’re an easy target.” Oaklee softened the words with a wink, then gestured toward the sofa. “Let’s hunker down in front of the fire. Trust me, you’ll want the extra warmth. My brother insists on keeping the heat at sixty-five.”
Katie Ruth didn’t comment as she took a seat. What would Oaklee think if she confessed that her thermostat at home was set even lower? “I take it Dan isn’t home yet.”
“Not yet.” Oaklee dropped down on the other end of the overstuffed sofa and heaved a sigh. “My brother is a workaholic. We can do my interview first, if you want. Get it out of the way.”
“Works for me.” Katie Ruth retrieved a notepad and pencil from her bag and set them on her lap. “How are you liking life in Good Hop
e?”
Oaklee placed a dramatic hand against her forehead. “This question is obviously a blatant attempt to get me to lower my guard and reveal something you can sensationalize for your newspaper exposé.”
The comment was so ridiculous, Katie Ruth choked out a laugh. “I don’t sensationalize, and this article won’t be in any newspaper. It’s set to run in the Open Door.”
Oaklee propped her high-tops on a leather hassock. “What’s the difference?”
“The Gazette is the weekly newspaper. Open Door is an e-newsletter I put out every day.”
The girl tapped a finger against cherry-red lips. “You’re both editor and reporter?”
“Jane of all trades, that’s me.”
“I thought you worked at the Y.”
“That job pays the bills. The newsletter is a labor of love.”
Oaklee grabbed a handful of grapes from a bowl on the coffee table. She jiggled them in one hand and motioned for Katie Ruth to help herself. “Dan says you volunteer at the church. A lot.”
“Working with the youth, watching them grow in their faith, is a privilege.” Katie Ruth took a couple of grapes, then sank back into the sofa cushions.
“When you were my age, is this what you thought your future would look like?” Oaklee’s intense blue eyes bore into her. “A job at the Y, a newsletter editor and a church volunteer?”
“I’m happy with my life.”
Oaklee wagged a finger. “Not what I asked.”
Because her response seemed important to the girl, Katie Ruth took a second to think back. “When I started college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I majored in journalism because I liked to write. I participated in a lot of intramural sports because, well, I like sports. Back then, I wasn’t sure if any of it would translate into a career.” Katie Ruth shrugged. “But God had a plan for my life. I believe I’m right where I was meant to be.”
It struck Katie Ruth that this interview had gone off the rails. Oaklee should be answering these types of questions, not her.