by Cindy Kirk
“Your turn.” Katie Ruth lifted her notepad. “Before I begin, let me assure you that you’ll be given a draft of the article to approve. Nothing will go out without your approval.”
“Cool.” Oaklee grabbed more grapes. “Fire away.”
“Let’s keep it general for now. Why don’t you start by telling me a bit about yourself?”
“I come from a family that values high achievement. Youngest child. Biggest disappointment.” Shadows played in Oaklee’s eyes, making them unreadable. “I’m the one they use as an example of what not to do.”
Katie Ruth offered a sympathetic smile. “What were you studying in college?”
“The most recent was communications with a minor in theater.” Oaklee popped another grape into her mouth, chewed.
That’s right, Katie Ruth thought. Dan had mentioned his sister had changed majors several times. “I can see those studies being an excellent fit for someone with your outgoing personality.”
“My parents didn’t think so, but then, my dad wants me to be a doctor, a lawyer or a CPA.” Oaklee gave a humorless chuckle. “Can you see me being happy in any of those professions?”
“Not really.”
Oaklee blew out a breath. “Not following their prescribed path means I’m a disappointment with a capital D. According to him, I lack focus and make one wrong decision after another.”
“Ouch.”
“My parents and I don’t see eye to eye on anything.” Oaklee’s eyes blazed. “They think my protests on behalf of PETA are stupid. They told me that to my face. I don’t expect them to protest at my side, but why can’t they accept that righting wrongs being done to animals is important to me?”
“Perhaps—”
“I’ve made mistakes. I admit that. Who doesn’t? My parents judge me because I’ve made mistakes.” Despair laced Oaklee’s words. “Why can’t they judge me on how honest and kind I am?”
“It’d certainly be a better world.” Thanks to Oaklee’s openness, Katie Ruth was getting a good picture of an idealistic young woman still searching for her place in the world. Only one part of the story puzzled her. “What I don’t understand is, if communications and theater were such a good fit, why did you drop out?”
“It’s…complicated.”
The pain that flashed in Oaklee’s eyes had Katie Ruth raising her hands. “We don’t need to go there. We can—”
“I want to tell you.” Oaklee’s voice faltered. “But it has to be off the record.”
Katie Ruth nodded. “You have my word.”
“You won’t tell my brother.”
“I won’t tell anyone.”
Oaklee grabbed a few more grapes, but made no effort to eat them. Just when Katie Ruth was starting to think Oaklee had changed her mind, she squared her shoulders.
“A year ago, I became involved with one of my professors. Julian is smart, funny and really hot. He made me feel really special and…loved.” A bleakness filled Oaklee’s eyes. In that moment, she looked much younger than her twenty years. “He taught most of the courses in my minor and directed all the stage productions. When I broke up with him last September, he didn’t take it well.”
Oaklee had dated a professor? Katie Ruth was pretty sure that was unethical, even at the university level, but kept her tone conversational. “What did he do when you told him it was over?”
“First, he sent flowers. When that didn’t achieve the desired result, he got pissed.” Oaklee expelled a shuddering breath. “He started screwing with my grades, and I didn’t get a part in the fall musical that should have been mine.”
For several heartbeats, neither of them said a word.
Oaklee’s gaze remained focused on the flickering flames. “With it being such a small school, I couldn’t avoid him. Especially if I continued in theater. Halfway through the semester, I dropped the courses he taught and changed my minor.”
“I’m sorry you had to go to such extremes.”
“He wasn’t finished with me.” Oaklee rubbed her forehead as if a headache threatened. “Rumors about me began circulating. Nothing I could pin on originating from him, but I knew he was behind the lies. By the time the semester ended, my reputation was toast.”
Oaklee didn’t give details, and Katie Ruth didn’t ask. The misery on the girl’s face told Katie Ruth that whatever Julian had done, whatever lies he’d spread, had hurt her deeply.
“Do you have any idea why he’d go to such lengths to get back at you?”
“I honestly don’t know. I didn’t think he was that kind of guy.” Oaklee appeared genuinely perplexed. “I assumed once I told him it was over, that would be it.”
Once again, Katie Ruth thought back to her own youthful indiscretions. Vegas. The bachelorette party. Judd. At least she’d been lucky he was a nice guy. When she ended it, he just accepted it was for the best and moved on.
“When I thought about going back to campus second semester, I had a panic attack.” Oaklee attempted a spooky shudder, but just looked miserable. “It was scary.”
“Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry.”
“He was married. Julian told me he and his wife were separated, and I believed him. When I found out in September they were still together, I broke it off. I loved him, but I couldn’t be with him.” Oaklee’s gaze dropped to her hands.
“Don’t blame yourself. You were a student. The man preyed on you.”
Oaklee shook her head. “He flirted with me, sure. I flirted right back. I wanted to date him, and sleeping with him was my choice.”
“He was older and in a position of power,” Katie Ruth insisted. “The man is a predator and should be reported.”
“I can’t do it, Katie Ruth. I won’t do it. Julian is popular and well-respected by students and faculty.” Oaklee shifted her gaze to the fire for several seconds. “When I was home over holiday break, I mentioned to my parents that a professor had it out for me. They didn’t believe me. If your own parents won’t believe you, no one else will.”
“I believe you, Oaklee.”
Oaklee reached over and grasped Katie Ruth’s hand, gave it a squeeze. “Gladys is right. You are a sweetheart.”
The odd compliment had Katie Ruth blinking for a second. She refocused. “Maybe if you told your parents why—”
“Tell them I slept with a married professor?” Oaklee snorted. “They’d see it as another major screw-up. This time, they’d be right.”
Katie Ruth thought of her own major screw-up. She’d never told her parents what had occurred during that Vegas weekend. For a second, she considered sharing the story with Oaklee. At the very least, it would show the girl that you didn’t have to let a past mistake define you.
But remembering that Oaklee was Dan’s sister and a woman with no filter had Katie Ruth swallowing the impulse.
“My dad made it clear that unless I returned to finish my degree, I wasn’t welcome in his house. But I can’t go back.” Oaklee’s voice broke, then steadied. “I probably shouldn’t have come here either. Dad is angry with Dan for taking me in.”
“I believe you being here will be good for both you and Dan.” Katie Ruth offered a reassuring smile. “Your brother doesn’t take enough time out for fun. You can show him there’s more to life than work.”
“I can try, but Dan is a tough nut to crack.” Oaklee sighed. “You know he’ll pressure me to go back.”
Katie Ruth hesitated. “He wouldn’t if he knew the full story. He—”
“You can’t tell him, Katie Ruth.” Oaklee’s tone took on an urgency.
“Tell me what?”
For a second, Katie Ruth froze. She turned, and her heart flip-flopped. Dan stood in the foyer, still wearing his coat.
She wondered how much he’d heard, then decided it couldn’t be much or he wouldn’t have asked the question.
“I was thinking of making an excuse to leave once you got here, but Katie Ruth made it clear I’m your chaperone.” Oaklee stood and stretched. “Did you pick up the
pizzas?”
Dan gestured to where two boxes sat on a side table. “I set them down so I could take off my coat.”
“Pizza?” Katie Ruth slowly pulled to her feet. She hadn’t considered she’d be interrupting their dinner.
“You don’t think I’d schedule a meeting at this time of day and not feed you.” Dan’s smile slipped slightly. “Unless you already have supper plans?”
“Nope. No plans.”
Relief washed across Dan’s face. Removing his jacket, he hung it next to Katie Ruth’s on the coat tree. “That’s good news.”
Oaklee punched her brother’s arm on her way to the pizza boxes. “I’ll take these to the kitchen. You entertain Katie Ruth.”
Dan’s eyes danced with amusement. He lowered his voice in a conspiratorial whisper, though Oaklee had already disappeared from sight. “I suspect this is my sister’s way of giving us a few minutes of alone time.”
Katie Ruth smiled and crossed to him. “I like Oaklee.”
Dan reached out to touch one of her curls. “I like these.”
“Oaklee said you would. She knows everything.”
He closed the small distance between them. “Then she knows how much I’ve missed you this week.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” The admission came out in a rush as the enticing scent of his cologne wrapped around her like a lover’s caress.
With a gentleness that had her heart swelling, Dan enfolded her in his arms. When she laid her cheek against his chest, he tightened his hold and rested his chin against the top of her head. “We’ll find a time for a real date. Soon. I promise.”
“I’m holding you to that promise.” She lifted her head, and when their eyes locked, Katie Ruth saw her own desire reflected in his warm brown depths.
Giving in to need, she brushed her lips against his mouth.
Dan’s lips curved before he kissed her back with a slow thoroughness that left her weak and trembling.
Katie Ruth’s voice wasn’t quite steady when she spoke. “I guess it’s time to get down to business.”
“Not yet.” He took her hand and gently locked their fingers together. “Food first.”
“I know pizza is the main course.” Katie Ruth gazed up at Dan through lowered lashes. “What’s for dessert?”
His gaze dropped to her still-tingling mouth. When his eyes darkened, she resisted the urge to do a happy dance.
She settled for squeezing his fingers. “Excellent choice.”
Chapter Eight
“I’m amazed you made it home before six.” Oaklee glanced up from the pizza boxes she was opening as Dan strode into the room with Katie Ruth. “Anyone tell you that you work too much?”
Dan ignored the remark, but the jab hit its mark.
Lindsay had once told him he didn’t need a wife. He was already married…to his ministry.
He’d apologized for neglecting her, admitted he’d been distracted and promised to do better. But until he’d tried to find a night free this week to take Katie Ruth on a date, he hadn’t realized just how little time he had available.
This week, his nights had been filled with everything from a weekly men’s Bible study to visiting Dexter’s mother and other hospitalized members of the congregation. Even tonight’s meeting, arranged weeks ago, revolved around the youth ministry.
Katie Ruth studied the kitchen table, then stepped to pick up a quilted place mat shaped like a flower. “These are so bright and cheerful. The raised tulip reminds me spring is just around the corner.”
Dan gestured to his sister. “Oaklee made them.”
“You did?” The admiration in Katie Ruth’s voice had a smile blooming on his sister’s face.
“There’s a sewing machine at the Living Center. I whipped these up after work yesterday.” Oaklee’s tone remained nonchalant, even as her fingers stroked the stem of the red flower.
“I have no talent in this area.” Katie Ruth offered a self-deprecating smile. “I can barely sew on a button, while you—”
“Save the gushing.” Oaklee pointed to a chair. “I already decided to give you a couple slices of pizza.”
Katie Ruth laughed. “What can I do to help?”
“Sit down.” Oaklee shifted her gaze to Dan. “You, too, Daniel.”
Katie Ruth’s brows lifted. “Daniel?”
Dan winced.
“That’s what Dad calls him.” Oaklee shot her brother a smug look. “Dan is too ordinary a name for his precious son.”
“What does your dad call you?” Katie Ruth asked, curious.
“Trouble.” Oaklee chuckled when Katie Ruth groaned. “You walked right into that one.”
The pizza was barely on the table when Oaklee asked Dan about his day. She seemed genuinely interested, so it didn’t hit him immediately that the conversation was focused on him.
Once the realization hit, Dan cut his answer short and smiled at Oaklee. “How’s your job at the Living Center going? Remind me again what it is that you do there.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Katie Ruth’s smile of approval.
“Well…” Oaklee set down her slice of cheese pizza. No animal protein for his little sister. “I’m really a glorified gofer. Though most of the residents are independent, they still like having someone available to run errands or drive them to appointments. Yesterday, a couple of ladies who didn’t want to brave the cold gave me a list, and I went to the market for them. I also do some phone and computer troubleshooting.”
Several times this week, Oaklee had mentioned the residents of the Good Hope Living Center were “a hoot,” but she hadn’t gone into detail. Dan had been so focused on his own concerns he hadn’t asked any questions.
“They appreciate what I do for them.” Oaklee touched a pink strand of hair. “I thought they might be turned off by my appearance, but I was wrong. I’ve even got Gladys and her friends thinking about getting matching tats.”
“You know Gladys has had quite an illustrious career on the community theater stage.” Katie Ruth bit into a slice of pizza covered in pepperoni.
“She told me all about being a celebrated actress and now a director.” Oaklee appeared suitably impressed. “This fall, she’ll be directing a production of Pump Boys and Dinettes. When I mentioned I played Prudie in a high school production, she had me sing for her. She wants me to try out. She thinks I have a good shot at getting the role.”
“Oaklee, that’s wonderful.” Katie Ruth gave his sister a high five.
Not so wonderful, Dan thought. If his sister stayed in Good Hope for the production, she wouldn’t be returning to college in the fall.
“I hope you try out.” Katie Ruth’s voice turned persuasive. “If you get the part, I’ll be in the front row for every performance.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Despite his reservations, he was touched by the generosity of Katie Ruth’s offer.
While they ate, both he and Katie Ruth kept Oaklee talking by asking questions. The young woman responding with enthusiasm and passion was a stranger to Dan.
He saw Katie Ruth watching him. Most women would have been upset that tonight’s dinner conversation revolved around his sister’s new job.
Katie Ruth didn’t appear upset. She seemed happy to see him reconnecting with his sister.
He would not take such generosity for granted.
Dan thought again of all the mistakes he’d made with Lindsay. He hadn’t even known she was dissatisfied with her position as a floral designer at the Enchanted Florist. Yet, she’d been unhappy enough to quit, without having another job in the wings, shortly after their engagement ended.
As he relocated to the living room with Oaklee and Katie Ruth, Dan vowed it would be different with Katie Ruth.
He would be different.
This time, it wouldn’t be all about him.
“You don’t need me here,” Oaklee protested when Katie Ruth motioned for her to take a seat.
“We
do. We’re reviewing the game Katie Ruth is proposing to have middle schoolers play during youth group.” Dan pointed to his sister. “You bring a fresh, young perspective.”
“If any part of this involves memorizing Bible verses, I’m warning you now, I’m outta here.” Oaklee swiped a thumb through the air.
Dan grinned. “Understood.”
“The lack of anything biblical is actually what concerns your brother about what I’m proposing.” Katie Ruth kept her tone matter-of-fact.
Katie Ruth glanced at Dan, who only took a sip of the soda he’d brought with him to the living room.
“What did you say when he voiced those concerns?” Oaklee leaned forward, clearly intrigued by the controversy.
“I asked that he reserve judgment until we could discuss it in more detail. Being a fair and reasonable man, he agreed, and we set this meeting.” Katie Ruth’s fingers shook slightly as she pulled out the cards. “A little background might help you understand why this project means so much to me. I had some difficult high school years.”
Oaklee’s brows pulled together. “Why?”
“It doesn’t matter why,” Dan began, obviously hoping to spare her the need to explain. “It—”
“It’s okay, Dan. Oaklee and I are friends.” Katie Ruth met Oaklee’s gaze, and an understanding passed between the two women. “My parents were swingers. They had a group they met with once a month in another city and…”
Katie Ruth kept the explanation simple and factual. There were plenty of opportunities for Oaklee to crack a joke, but the girl’s expression remained solemn. By the time Katie Ruth finished, sympathy darkened Oaklee’s blue eyes.
“I felt all alone.” Katie Ruth’s breath caught, then she began again. “My brother, Nick, was away at college. Other than my parents, there were no relatives to turn to in Good Hope.”
“What about your pastor?” Oaklee asked.
“Pastor Schmidt condemned my parents from the pulpit.”
Oaklee gasped. “No way.”
“Way.” A lump formed in Katie Ruth’s throat. She cleared it. “His actions served to alienate me from God at a time I needed Him most.”