by Cindy Kirk
He would be there for her. She’d be there for him. He could trust her. The fact that she’d confided the party details told him she wasn’t a woman who kept secrets.
“I’m heading over to Katie Ruth’s.”
Dan looked up. “For a visit?”
“She’s going to help me make the salads, er, salad.”
“What kind are we having?”
“I, ah, haven’t decided yet.” Oaklee’s gaze narrowed on him. “You’re still planning to make shut-in calls this afternoon?”
He thought about teasing her, telling her he was spending the entire day at home. Instead, he nodded. “I’ll be leaving around noon. Don’t expect me back before five.”
“Fab-u-licious.”
At his raised brow, she flushed. “I want to get everything perfect for you and Katie Ruth this evening.”
Dan’s heart went out to his sister. He was suddenly ashamed of teasing her. She was going to all this work for him. “Thank you, Oaklee, for everything.”
A wary look filled her gaze.
“I mean it. You’ve been so helpful around here, and I’m enjoying getting to know you better.”
“This sounds like one of those speeches before you give someone the old heave-ho.”
Dan laughed. “No heave-ho. I meant what I said when you arrived. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
Tears sprang to Oaklee’s eyes, appearing to surprise her as much as they did him. She hurriedly swiped them away. “Good to know.”
Dan crossed the kitchen and placed his hands on her shoulders. He met her gaze. “You’re a wonderful woman and an amazing sister. I love you, Oaklee.”
She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tight for several seconds, then stepped back. “Happy birthday, bro.”
When he heard the front door shut, Dan smiled, his heart filled with love for this intelligent and caring young woman.
He fully admitted he hadn’t known how he felt when Oaklee had shown up on his doorstep. Relief, certainly. But also some trepidation. Only now did he see that her being here had given them a chance to become a real family with a closeness they’d never before experienced.
Dan whistled as he once again picked up his tablet. The Lord sure did work in mysterious ways.
“Come in,” Katie Ruth called out at the knock on the door.
When Oaklee had told her that she was making salads for Dan’s party, but didn’t know how to begin, Katie Ruth had invited her over.
Gladys and her cohorts were bringing the entrées—fried chicken, sloppy joes and baked ziti. Ami was baking Dan’s favorite cake—double chocolate with sour cream frosting. Oaklee and Katie Ruth were in charge of salads.
“Your postal carrier is super friendly.” Oaklee set several Tupperware bowls on the table. “Ours in Lincolnshire never stops to chat.”
“She’s very nice.” Katie Ruth studied the bowls and nodded approvingly. “I made a list of—”
“I don’t think Dan suspects.”
Katie Ruth stilled. “Suspects?”
“About the party.” Oaklee plunked herself down in a chair. “When he started asking me about the food, I thought he might.”
Katie Ruth took her time taking the lids off the bowls. “What did he say?”
Oaklee waved a dismissive hand. “Something about not making too much food. I’m thinking it was just my overactive imagination.”
When Oaklee’s gaze settled on her, Katie Ruth realized the conversational ball had been passed. “I found out the entrées Gladys is making and came up with three salads that go well with those food types.”
“Whatever you want to make is fine with me.”
“He’s your brother.” Katie Ruth pulled out a chair and sat beside Oaklee. The last thing she wanted was to barge in and take over. “These are what I had in mind. If you don’t like these, or if you think Dan wouldn’t be a fan, let me know, and we’ll move on to something else.”
Oaklee studied the first page.
“Blue cheese potato salad.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think Dan likes blue cheese in his potato salad.”
“I wondered about that.” Katie Ruth pushed the alternate recipe in front of the girl. “What about this?”
“Yes.” Oaklee nodded. “Deviled egg potato salad, for sure.”
“We’ve got a winner.” Katie Ruth set the recipe aside. “What about a fruit salad to go with the sloppy joes?”
“Pineapple, cherry pie filling, whipped topping…” Oaklee’s smile widened with each ingredient. “Dan will love this. My mouth is watering just reading the recipe.”
“Good.” This recipe went on top of the other keeper.
“Tell me you’re having chips. Dan loves chips.”
Katie Ruth gestured to several large bags on the counter. “Covered.”
She started to pull out the last side recipe when she felt Oaklee’s hand on her arm. “Thank you.”
“I love cooking and—”
“I don’t mean about making the salads, although I am eternally grateful for the help.” Oaklee’s gaze remained riveted on hers. “What I meant was thank you for caring for my brother. He acts big and tough, like he’s got everything under control. But he needs someone like you. He lights up when you walk into a room. I can’t be the only one who notices that big, goofy grin.”
“Dan is an amazing man.”
“Don’t break his heart.”
“You mean like Lindsay—”
“No. Dan never loved Lindsay. If he did, he’d still be sad. When my brother loves, it’s with his whole heart.” Oaklee paused for a moment. “I can tell that’s how he feels about you.”
Katie Ruth’s heart swelled. “He means a lot to me, too.”
“I thought so.” The sass was back in Oaklee’s voice. “I can’t wait to see the surprise on Dan’s face when he walks in. You’re clear about how this is going down?”
“Dan comes to pick me up. I suggest a short walk before driving to the restaurant. I make sure we’re in the car at six.” Katie Ruth could recite the scenario in her sleep. “A few minutes later, you call and tell him the dishwasher has sprung a leak and you need him at home. When we get there and he opens the door, everyone yells, ‘Surprise!’”
Oaklee nodded her approval. When she bent to move her purse out of the way, she straightened with something in her hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t already give this to you.”
Katie Ruth saw she held a letter.
“I signed for it when I was talking to your mail carrier. It’s for you.”
“It’s a certified letter.” Katie Ruth noticed the name in the return field, and her heart froze. It took everything she had to keep her fingers from trembling as she lifted the envelope from Oaklee’s hand.
Opening a drawer, Katie Ruth shoved it inside.
“Don’t you want to open it?” The puzzlement in Oaklee’s expression put Katie Ruth on alert.
Play it cool.
“It isn’t anything important. What’s important is getting the salads made.” Katie Ruth smiled at Oaklee. “Which one do you want to tackle first?”
By the time Oaklee left to take the salads to the Living Center where they would be eventually transferred to Dan’s home, Katie Ruth was tired of pretending that hearing from Judd again wasn’t a big deal.
What was it with Judd? Why, oh, why, when her life was going so well, did the past have to rear its ugly head? What could he possibly want with her after all these years?
Katie Ruth pulled out the envelope and collapsed in one of the kitchen chairs. It had been eight years since she’d last seen him. Even then, they’d known each other for only a weekend.
She stared at the envelope. She could open it. See what he had to say. As tempted as she was, it felt as if she’d be bringing the past into the present by reading whatever words he’d written.
Like releasing a genie from a bottle…
Katie Ruth couldn’t do it. She would not bring even a sliver of Judd Steve
ns into her life with Dan.
Ripping the envelope in half, she tossed it in the trash.
Chapter Eighteen
“Happy birthday.” A dozen voices shouted out the words.
Katie Ruth had to give Dan credit. He did an amazing job of acting surprised. She’d been worrying on the way over that she had ruined the party for him. He’d reassured her, reminding her again that he didn’t like surprises.
Dan glanced around, a broad smile on his face.
Oaklee stepped forward. “We wanted to celebrate your birthday in a big way.”
Dan turned to Katie Ruth and inclined his head. “Did you know about this?”
“I did.” She rose on her tiptoes and brushed his lips with hers. “Happy birthday.”
Heat flashed in his eyes, but when he slung an arm around her shoulders and turned to face the crowd, he was in total control.
“Thank you for this.” His hand encompassed all his friends as well as the table containing more food than a group twice this size could eat. “It reminds me how much I love Good Hope and all of you.”
“Happy birthday to you…” Gladys began to sing, and everyone joined in, ending the song with applause.
“We’ve got plenty of food.” Oaklee’s voice was loud enough to reach the back row of any theater. “Birthday boy, will you start the food train?”
Dan chuckled, but when they reached the table, he gestured for Katie Ruth to go before him.
As she filled her plate, going sparse with the food in order to allow room for the cake to follow, she forgave herself for telling Dan about the party.
His relaxed posture told her that, because he’d been ready, he would fully enjoy this evening with friends.
Katie Ruth hadn’t been sure about the high tables that Oaklee had brought in, but it had been a good call. The tables gave everyone a place to set their plates while socializing.
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” Katie Ruth gave Lindsay a quick hug. “Who’s watching the baby?”
“Anita and Len are watching her,” Owen said, referring to Lindsay’s mother and her boyfriend.
“My mom has been begging for a chance to watch Olivia.” Lindsay rested her head against her husband’s shoulder. “We didn’t really want to leave, but decided this one hour away would give my mom her baby time and allow us to celebrate with Dan.”
“We can’t stay long, but,” Owen slanted a glance at Dan, who was engrossed in a conversation with David and Hadley Chapin, “Dan was so good during Mindy’s illness. He means a lot to both of us.”
“I know your friendship means a lot to him.”
Dan strolled up, the smile he offered Lindsay and Owen warm and friendly.
“I didn’t expect to see you today.” Dan chuckled. “Then again, I never thought I’d see all these people today.”
“Happy birthday, Dan.” Lindsay met his gaze. “I think of birthdays as a time to reassess where we’re at in our lives. I believe you and I are just where we’re meant to be.”
Dan’s gaze stole to Katie Ruth before returning to Lindsay. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The rest of the party flew by with people coming and going.
Katie Ruth nodded approvingly. “It was smart of Oaklee to make this party more of an open house. Less people in your home at one time.”
“My sister has done a lot of growing up in the short time she’s been in Good Hope.” Dan finished off his piece of cake.
“She feels your love and support.” Katie Ruth sighed. “That makes the difference when you’re young and trying to figure out where you belong.”
“My parents haven’t been the most supportive. For me, but not for her.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Katie Ruth didn’t say more. These were, after all, his parents they were discussing.
“Your parents were supportive.”
He said it as a statement, but Katie Ruth heard the question. Katie Ruth thought of the struggles she’d had in college. She remembered the long conversation she’d had with her mom from that hotel room in Vegas.
“My parents are amazing. Warm, accepting and supportive.” Katie Ruth forked off another bite of cake. “Despite the issues when their extracurricular activities came to light, I feel blessed.”
Dan studied her for a long moment, for so long she felt her face heat.
“Do I have frosting on my face?”
He shook his head. “You’re amazing. You talk about your parents being accepting and supportive. You possess those same wonderful qualities.”
“I don’t know about that,” she demurred.
His hand closed over hers, and he brought it to his lips. “Trust me on this.”
Katie Ruth’s breath caught. She was fighting for composure when she spotted Gladys munching on a carrot stick, studying the two of them with her pale blue eyes.
When their gazes locked, Katie Ruth didn’t know what to think when Gladys gave her the thumbs-up.
It must be the older woman’s way of saying Katie Ruth had done well at keeping Dan away from home while they readied the house for his party.
By the end of the evening, Katie Ruth had nothing but admiration for Gladys and her friends. The three stayed until the end, then spent the next thirty minutes cleaning up and putting away the leftovers.
Once they left, Oaklee retired to her room. Katie Ruth and Dan were finally alone.
“You have a lot of birthday cards to read.” Katie Ruth let her gaze linger on the basket placed on a barstool near the front door.
The wicker basket overflowed with envelopes much like the one she’d received earlier today. Katie Ruth shoved the memory aside. She refused to let anything ruin this evening.
“You and I could go through them tomorrow after church.”
Katie Ruth saw the question in his eyes. “I’d like that.”
“Good.”
She took a step closer. “Did you have a nice birthday?”
“I did.” His fingers played with the ends of her hair. “Thanks to you.”
“Don’t you mean thanks to Gladys and Oaklee?” Credit where credit was due. “They did most of the work. And all of the planning.”
“You were the one who gave me the heads-up.” His voice lowered. “I was prepared. I mean, I can roll with the punches, but I prefer not to be blindsided.”
He tugged her to the sofa. They sat next to each other, his arm around her shoulders. Katie Ruth decided this was her favorite part of the day. “I love this.”
He inclined his head.
“Sitting with you. Relaxing.” She snuggled against him and expelled a happy sigh.
“I love this, too.” His lips brushed against her cheek. “I love you.”
Katie Ruth’s lips paused midsmile. She turned to him.
Dan angled toward her. He took her hands, his gaze never leaving her face. “I love you, Katie Ruth. I know we’ve only been dating a short time, but I know how I feel. I’m in love with you.”
Katie Ruth had never said the words to any man. But, like Dan, she knew her heart. Knew that what she felt for this wonderful man was honest and true. She moistened her lips, swallowed against the lump of emotion clogging her throat.
“I love you.” Katie Ruth’s voice shook. She raised a hand and cupped his cheek. “So very much.”
The emotion in his eyes took her breath away, and when his mouth closed over hers, she was ready.
Ready to love this man for the rest of her life.
Katie Ruth had seen Dan every day since his birthday. The fact that they’d declared their love added a new ease to their relationship.
Dan still hadn’t heard about the Lincolnshire position. He mentioned his father had called him several times this week, asking for an update.
Katie Ruth knew they would both have decisions to make when the offer came through. For now, she was enjoying spending time with the man she loved. With the man who loved her.
Tonight, she and Dan would be supervising a group of teens at t
he church for something new, a Friday Night Coffee Shop. There would be games, and Ryder had offered his coffee cart and his services as a barista.
While Katie Ruth had always been active in the church, she’d been there every day this week. It felt right. Maybe she should consider a career in youth ministry. She enjoyed her work at the Y, but she loved working side by side with Dan.
Today, she’d taken the afternoon off, using the time to get her hair trimmed. She showered again when she got home, then reapplied her makeup. She was spritzing on perfume when she heard a knock at the door.
Oaklee had mentioned she might drop over, but Katie Ruth expected that would have been several hours ago.
Casting one last look in the mirror, Katie Ruth smiled at her reflection. Her hair was curled and hung loose to her shoulders. She liked herself in blue, and the sparkly superhero headband would likely be a hit with the teenagers.
She didn’t bother to look through the peep, just opened the door. “You could have just come in—”
Katie Ruth froze as the man she hadn’t seen in eight years brushed past her and stepped into her living room.
He turned, studying her for a long moment. “You haven’t changed. You’re as beautiful as ever.”
Tall with short-cropped blond hair and bright blue eyes, Judd had classically handsome features that were enough to make any woman lose her head.
Which was what she’d done for forty-eight hours all those years ago.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
He dropped down on her sofa. “Thanks. I will have a seat. I suggest you do as well.”
Katie Ruth sat in the chair, keeping her gaze fixed on him. “I repeat, what are you doing here?”
“I had to come.” Judd’s tone was matter-of-fact. “I tried to message and text. You never responded. I sent a certified letter in which I asked you to call. You never did.”
“When we left Las Vegas, it was with the understanding—on both of our parts—that that crazy episode was over.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “If only that were true.”
A chill traveled up Katie Ruth’s spine. What she saw in Judd’s eyes had alarm bells ringing. “Just say it.”