Uncovering Love

by Kacey Shea

  “Looks like teacher’s hot for uncle.”

  Tate’s eyes widened with alarm and he almost missed the funnel with his cup of rice. He snuck a glance over to Miss Brown and she gave him a sultry smile. She slowly ran her tongue over her top and bottom lips, wetting them in an almost explicit way.

  I coughed into my shoulder allowing my hair to cover the smile tugging at my face. Tate leaned over close, bumping my hip with his own, before he murmured in my ear.

  “I think you are right. Don’t you dare leave me alone with that woman. She scares me.”

  I bit back my smile as we focused back on the task at hand. Tate sent me his soft smiles for the remainder of our volunteer shift and a cloud of joy settled around me. Good. I was glad the temptress hadn’t gained his attention with her bag of tricks. Cheap tricks, at that. She was supposed to be working, not hitting on relatives of students. I rationalized that was my reason for feeling happiness in Tate’s continued attention.

  We said our goodbyes as teachers loaded students back onto the bus to return to school. Ezra stuck his face against one of the windows and waved furiously until I acknowledged him with a wave of my own. A warm, fuzzy feeling encircled me from this boy’s sweet gesture.

  When we were back in the Charger and headed towards the freeway, Tate’s gaze shifted away from the road to mine. “Okay, Evie, you don’t seem like you had a horrible time, but I have to make sure that’s the case.”

  “Yeah, that was actually a lot of fun. I liked getting to meet your nephew; he’s a good kid.”

  “That he is, and I want you to meet Eli too. We’ll pick him up from daycare in a few hours. That is, if it’s okay with you?”

  “Yeah, I’d really like that. Thanks for trusting me enough to meet your family. They are obviously really important to you.”

  He gazed at the road ahead. “Yeah. My sister Carly, she’s only been divorced for a year now. She’s a great mom and an even better nurse. She’s the reason I moved here. I’m the only family she has besides our parents, but they live up in Oregon and have no desire to leave their life there.

  “I liked living in California, but nothing was really holding me there. When it became clear that Carly’s ex wasn’t going to provide any help either raising the boys or financially, I decided to move here and help her. I found the job at Lift Me Up, bought the house, and the rest is history.

  “We’ve found a really good rhythm sharing responsibilities. She was struggling trying to balance work, daycare, and making rent on a really shitty apartment. I honestly don’t know how single moms do it. I have the utmost respect for my sister.”

  He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Anyway, that’s enough about me and my family. I don’t want to completely bore you today, Are you ready for our next surprise?”

  “I’m hoping it has something to do with the food you packed! It’s going to sound horrible after we just packed meals for starving children, but I’m so hungry right now.” On cue, my stomach growled loudly. Nice. Real attractive Evie.

  “That’s my girl!” Tate laughed and my heart warmed.

  Tate pulled the car off the freeway and towards a desert park reserve. We entered through the gated drive and followed the winding switchback road to the top of a mountain. He parked next to the trailhead, shutting off the engine and coming around to open my door. “Now, I know you said no exercise, but I swear it’s a really short hike, and the view is completely worth it.” He opened the trunk and retrieved the ice chest and a folded blanket. I looked warily at the trailhead. I did feel better than yesterday but my muscles weren’t up for anything too strenuous.

  “Come on. I’ve got the food. It’s your prize for coming with me.” Tate grinned and started walking up the trail. I was standing at the trailhead with what was surely a dumbfounded look on my face, stunned that he would use food as the motivation to make me follow him. Tate turned around, started walking backwards and shouted to me, “Come on, Evie! Trust me, it’ll be fun. I promise!” and gave me one of his giant smiles with the dimples. Damn, this man with the sexy dimples and the constant need to challenge me.

  I jogged to catch up with him and we hiked in companionable silence. After a short climb we reached the top of the mountain ridge and the view was breathtaking. I could see the entire city, and this beautiful spring weather had a multitude of desert flowers in bloom.

  Tate found a small clearing and laid out the blanket. He sat and patted the open space next to him, signaling for me to join him. He unloaded a spread of plastic containers filled with chicken, salad, fruit, cheese, and veggies, and handed me a bottle of water.

  “Cheers!” He tapped his water bottle to mine and handed me a fork. “Dig in. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I packed a little of everything.” I grabbed a container and opened it.

  “Everything looks great. Thanks, Tate. This spot is breathtaking. Do you come here often?” He nodded between bites.

  “Yeah, I stumbled upon it once when I came up here to run sprints. It’s a great little thinking spot. Although, I have to warn you, it’s also a known make out spot for teenagers.” I raised my eyebrows and he laughed. “A couple of times I’ve run into teens trying to get lucky up here. I don’t think they appreciated my intrusion.” I laughed back.

  “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  The sun shone brightly and a cool breeze wafted through the air. It was really a lovely day, and I felt so comfortable sitting there with Tate. We had shared many smiles and laughs throughout the day and as I gazed down at the city I began to ponder how far removed I felt from my life in that moment.

  I was supposed to be focused on investigating Tate, yet besides discovering he lived with his sister and her children, I hadn’t done any real work today. I had been too caught up in simply enjoying my time with him. When I was with Tate I didn’t think about anything else and that troubled me. I had always been such a career-minded person. Give me a task and I didn’t stop until it was complete. With this case I found myself hoping the investigation would take longer so I had more time with Tate, which was insane. I needed to get my head and heart aligned before I did anything stupid. Tate stood after packing up the remains of our lunch.

  “A penny for your thoughts? You seem to be thinking pretty hard there, Evie.”

  Irritated that he read me so well, I shot back a little too harshly, “What? I can’t have deep thoughts? Is that because you think I’m stupid or because I’m a woman?” He held up his hands in surrender.

  “Whoa! Neither. Don’t put words in my mouth. I just couldn’t help but ask what thoughts are causing that wrinkle on your forehead to appear. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” He reached a hand down to help me stand. It was a peace offering and I accepted. I helped him fold the blanket before answering.

  “Sorry to snap at you, I was just thinking about things I don’t want to think about.”

  “I can understand that. Come on, let’s head back down and go pick up Eli from preschool. He has a way of making you forget all your troubles, and he will love you.” Tate reached a hand out to me and although I shouldn’t have, I took it. We walked hand in hand down the trail in silence with just the quiet sounds of the desert to be heard.

  “ . . . eight, nine, ten. Ready or not, here I come!” Tate shouted from the kitchen. I giggled and Eli faced me with a serious expression and held his pointer finger over his lips, shushing me to be silent. I returned his solemn look and got my act together.

  We were both crouched low behind the living room couch, a throw blanket covering us in a most inconspicuous way. Eli was a ball of energy. We had picked him up from daycare, and after feeding him a healthy snack back at the house he insisted we all play hide and seek together. He befriended me right away, taking my hand and dictating that it was Uncle Tate’s turn to count and we would hide together.

  Tate muttered, “Stealing my girl already,” under his breath and dutifully went into the kitchen to count.

  “Hmm . . . where did they
go? I can’t find them anywhere. Eli? Evie?” Tate’s voice echoed from down the hallway and Eli’s face lighted with elation.

  He whispered to me, “Uncle Tate is really bad at this game. We have to go easy on him, okay?”

  “Okay, sounds good, little man.” He leaned a little closer.

  “You’re really pretty. Are you Tate’s girlfriend? Are you going to marry him?” I had to smile at that and answered, “No, silly, we’re just friends.” Eli’s eyes twinkled in delight, “Will you be my girlfriend, then?” I laughed.

  “Rawr!” Tate surprised us both by yelling and flinging the blanket from our heads. Eli jumped and screamed in delight and I fell over in laughter. I had been so focused on Eli’s conversation that I hadn’t heard Tate come around the corner. I was a grown adult, but he totally scared me in a game of hide and seek!

  We played games a little while longer until Tate’s phone alarm alerted us it was time to meet Ezra at the bus stop. We walked outside and waited on the lawn for a few minutes before a big yellow school bus pulled onto the street. Ezra came running down the street and when he saw us, shouted, “Evie! You’re still here!” His eyes brimmed with excitement as he ran to give me a big hug before greeting Tate and his little brother the same way. I turned my attention to Tate, who was just shaking his head in laughter.

  “What?” I asked him curiously.

  He leaned in to mutter, “Typical boys. You’re here one day and you already bump me from my number one spot with Ezra! That, and Eli’s locking you in for his future wife.” He chuckled and shook his head again, “I’m gonna have to keep a close eye on those boys. They don’t waste any time trying to move in on my women.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m not really yours, so I guess you don’t have to worry for now,” I teased and Tate grinned back.

  “No, you’re not mine.” Tate called the boys who were currently wrestling in the front lawn and we followed them back into the house.

  “Let me know when you need to get back home. I know this isn’t the most exciting life. Up next we have homework and dinner prep. Titillating stuff, I know.” Although he said this to me as a joke, there was an underlying question behind his comment. He obviously took his responsibility in raising his nephews seriously. They were important to him, and this was the life he had chosen. I respected him even more. I was having a great time today. Being around his nephews was really entertaining, and our time had been more relaxing and satisfying than I expected.

  “I think you have a great life, Tate, and I’ve had a blast. Actually, more fun than I expected. Must be Ezra and Eli; they are definitely stealing the show. You may need to up your game in the future, FYI.” I laughed as he pretended to be hurt by my comments.

  “You’re really bad for the ego, Evie. I must be a glutton for punishment for trying to be friends with you.”

  Ezra sat at the round kitchen table with his homework laid out around him, organized and ready to work. “Uncle Tate, can Evie help me with my homework today?” I looked to Tate and he nodded.

  “Only if she wants to. Evie may need to head home soon.” Both boys joined in a chorus of oh no’s, Eli begging me to please stay for dinner. I had to laugh at their persistence. They really were charming little boys. “I think I can stay a little longer, if that’s okay with your uncle.”

  “Oh yeah, turn them against me now! Of course, Evie can stay.” Tate busied himself in the kitchen with Eli, letting the young boy help with cleaning vegetables and even chopping a few things with his uncle’s close supervision. I helped Ezra with his homework, which basically consisted of sitting next to him while he chatted in between worksheets, proudly showing off his knowledge in each subject.

  The sounds of a vehicle pulling into the driveway had both boys up and racing out the front door. Tate reached out a hand, pulling me up from my seat at the table and we made our way to the front of the house. He hadn’t let go of my hand yet. It felt really good, and even though my mind screamed at me to pull away—because this was most definitely crossing a line—something inside me wasn’t ready to let go yet. I felt special and cared for and I savored the moment.

  Carly came through the front door with one boy holding tightly to each of her arms, pulling her inside eagerly. “See, Mama. Uncle Tate did bring a girl over!” Ezra shouted.

  Eli’s expression turned serious. “That’s Evie, but she’s not his girlfriend,” he added.

  Carly cast me a wide-eyed look and then smiled widely. “Hi! I’m Carly, Tate’s sister.” She moved to stretch a hand out to me, but the boys hung from her limbs like monkeys. She laughed, a soft, tinkling sound. “I’d shake your hand but my boys here don’t seem to be willing to let go.” She noticed Tate hands still locked with mine. She gave her brother a raised eyebrow but didn’t mention it.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Evie. I hope my boys haven’t been too much trouble today.” My lips spread in a warm smile.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Carly, and no, your boys are delightful and have been nothing but sweet all day.” Carly’s long brown curls were pulled back from her face, but fell forward as she bent to set the boys on their feet. Her chocolate eyes warmed as they followed the boys’ movements. Their family resemblance was apparent in the shape of their eyes and nose, but not as strong as between Tate and his nephews.

  “Mama, can Evie stay for dinner? I want her to sit by me!” Eli bounced up and down and we all smiled at his enthusiasm.

  “Yes of course. Evie, will you please stay for dinner? I would love to get to know you better.” Her sincere invitation had me accepting.

  Not to be outdone, Ezra added, “I want to sit by her too!”

  “Okay, why don’t you and your brother start setting the table? I’m going to change out of these ugly things real quick.” She swiped a hand down her scrubs before disappearing down the hallway.

  Tate grinned at me and led us back into the kitchen, where he finally released my hand. I was taken aback by the feeling of loss as he let me go. I must be losing my mind. I don’t fall for men easily, and I don’t let people inside my bubble without knowing them for a long period of time, both physically and emotionally. Somehow, Tate had managed to poke through my protective shield in record time. I couldn’t help but crush a little as I watched him put the finishing touches on our meal.

  He dumped a package of spaghetti noodles into the boiling pot on the stove, and yelled over his shoulder, “Dinner in ten minutes, everyone!” I suddenly felt out of place in this domestic setting. The boys were busy setting the table and Tate was cooking. This seemed to be a daily family routine in their home and I didn’t know how to fit into that.

  Carly came into the kitchen in a pair of black leggings and an oversized gray T-shirt, her hair loosened. “Evie, please make yourself at home here. We aren’t very formal so if you need something, please help yourself.”

  She walked over to the stove and took a big inhale over the simmering pot of sauce, “Oh, heck yeah, you really outdid yourself today, little bro. This smells phenomenal!” She then whispered loudly enough that I could hear, “Really pulling out all the stops with this one, huh?”

  This one? My brain tried to make sense of her comment. Oh my god, how many others were there? I excused myself to use the restroom, finding it easily down the short hallway.

  I locked the door and studied my disappointed expression in the mirror. Why did that bother me so much, knowing that Tate had brought others here before me? Because I had started to think what we shared was special. Stupid, stupid, Evie. I knew better than to get involved on this level with Tate. Why had I dropped my armor and let him get to me that way?

  I recounted the day’s activities and realized he never even made a move to hit on me or kiss me. The intimacy I had started to feel towards him was all one sided—on my side. He was just being friendly. I wasn’t anything special to him, even though he made me feel that way all day. I washed my hands and gave myself a quick pep talk. It was clear Tate and his family were good-hearted p
eople and I enjoyed their company, but my reason for being here was to investigate, nothing more. I needed to keep my mind clear and focused until this case was closed.

  I made my way back to the kitchen table to find Eli and Ezra grinning at me from their seats at the table, one open chair between them. “Evie! Come sit down in your spot!” Eli shouted and I made my way to them. Tate reached out, touching my arm with his hand.

  “What can I get you to drink, Evie? We have water, juice boxes and beer. Sorry we don’t have many choices.” My body shivered at his touch. “I’m good with water. Thanks, Tate.” He moved to get me a glass. The boys were still calling me from the table.

  Carly laughed as she brought the salad over and set it down. “They are just a little excited to have company. And it’s safe to say you’ve won my boys over,” she added with a wink. Tate brought over two glasses of water, one for him and one for me, before going back to the stovetop to retrieve the big bowl of pasta and sauce.

  The rest of dinner passed in a blur of laughter and chatter. I discovered Carly was a nurse for the oncology unit at the children’s hospital, and had worked there for over ten years. It was apparent from the way she spoke about her job that she loved the patients she worked with.

  The love Tate, Carly, and the boys held for each other was infectious and I found myself warmed just by being included in their family time. I found myself missing my own sister and her little family. I was glad I had plans to see them soon.

  Tate and I cleaned up from dinner while Carly gave the boys their baths. Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye. I said goodnight to Eli and Ezra, crouching down to give them each a kiss on the cheek and big hug before heading out. Eli whined that he wanted me to stay and read him his stories, but Tate shook his head no.

  “Sorry, little man, you have had enough of Evie’s time today. Don’t worry, you’ll see her again soon. Say goodnight.”

  As I followed Tate out to his car, I felt sadness at that promise. What if I didn’t see him again? Once we were done with this case I would have no reason to spend time with Tate or with the boys. Honestly, as far as I could tell Tate was the perfect catch for Stacey—volunteering regularly in the community, solid career, kind and responsible, no kids of his own but great with children, funny, intelligent, and a great cook. Add to that the unforgettable fact he was gorgeous with his green eyes, dimple-ridden smile, strong muscles, washboard abs, and sexy tattoos. Yeah, he was the perfect package. I was just disappointed I couldn’t keep him for myself.