It had been a long time since a man had kissed Sarah. Heaven. His lips were soft, curious, and gently stroking hers, coaxing her. Sarah and Bob had been estranged for a year before he died. Even before then there had been no affection between them for a long time, only an atmosphere charged with fear and hostility.
An affectionate woman, Sarah hugged and kissed her children often. As her relationship with Bob disintegrated, she missed sharing affection with him, but he had become too dangerous for her to get close to.
Sarah pulled back a little allowing him to lower his lips to her neck. He tightened his hold on her a little while he continued to kiss her. Need tugged at her body as well as her heart, Sarah bent her head back, making her neck more accessible. She enjoyed the feel of his touch, which sent a little shiver down her spine. Abruptly she remembered the children were in the other room.
She broke from him, as heat colored her neck.
“The children,” she whispered.
“They’re busy,” he whispered back.
Sarah looked away, embarrassed. Jim grinned at her, his eyes glistening with desire his smile almost smug. Regardless of how embarrassed she thought she should be, she admitted to herself her body had responded to him. His expression told her he knew, too. He pushed a lock of hair back from her face, his fingertips lightly brushing her forehead.
He traced her jaw with his finger before he moved away. Sarah couldn’t take her eyes from his. He had hypnotized her. Hunger surfaced. A hunger that had been buried deep in her soul, created by crushing loneliness, threatened to overwhelm her, to defeat her every day.
She saw need mixed with desire in his eyes, sensing by the way he touched her, he wanted to make love to her. Though she wanted him, too, she was afraid. Sarah needed to be sure it wasn’t just sexual attraction, but something deeper. She wanted to touch his heart—wanted him to hold her, tell her everything would be all right, to reassure her such a tight grip on her life, her kids, or her heart, wasn’t necessary. But she was scared.
He stepped away from her, retreating to the front door.
“Hey, Scottie. I’m going to pick you up at four-thirty tomorrow, right?”
The boy nodded.
“Thanks for dinner. The next dinner is on me. Can I take you out Saturday?”
“Sure, if I can get a babysitter,” Sarah said, fumbling with the ties to the apron she wore, casting her gaze to the floor. An unexpected invitation.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said, leaning over to give Sarah a kiss on the cheek.
She nodded, smiled and closed the door behind him.
Chapter Three
The Willow Falls Motel
At six o’clock, Kit stepped out of the motel, dressed in a new ruffled, white cotton blouse with a low-cut neckline, a new turquoise cotton skirt, sporting new high-heeled sandals. She looked around. Nothing looked familiar; she was a stranger in town.
With no job to anchor herself, to make her confident, like she fit somewhere, Kit felt she didn’t belong anywhere. All her hard work to build a good life in New York had been erased, leaving only an empty slate, scaring her to the marrow of her bones.
She had always been a devoted wife and mother, enjoying the role, putting Johnny and Zoe before herself. Kit had tried to talk Johnny into having another child but he refused. Now with no one to care for, to cook for, or plan for…no one to miss her, she was lost.
Kit shivered, not due to a cold breeze, it was August, but because gut-wrenching loneliness gripped her, chilling her blood. Like a flower seed taken far and wide by the wind, she had no idea where she’d land or what kind of life she’d lead. The silence hanging in the air deafened her. Kit had no place to go, no one to turn to, except her friend, Sarah. Hunger gripped her belly. Is this the street? Let’s see. She turned right, noticing the sign for Bon Appetit, the only familiar restaurant. A smile lit up her face. I’m not totally helpless.
* * * *
Don Rosen, the co-owner of Bon Appetit with his wife, Sunny, was tending bar when Kit arrived.
“Good evening. Looking for a table?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“Just one,” she said, cringing inside, unable to look him in the eye.
“We have a big group here tonight, so we’re packed. How about sitting at the bar? We serve dinner here, too. I can seat you right away,” he said, motioning to one of two empty chairs. She nodded at him, sat down and pulled out a small pad and pen. Time to make a what-to-do-with-my-life list.
“What are you drinking?”
“A Cosmopolitan?”
“Coming right up.”
Kit sat with her pen poised, but she couldn’t think of anything. How do you make a list for putting your life back together? There were so many things she had to do. Kit stared at the empty page, unable to organize the mess now called her life into a neat to-do list. She felt paralyzed. She took a sip of her Cosmo and put the pen down on the bar.
“Writer’s block?”
She looked to her left, directly into a pair of warm brown eyes looking at her with an amused air. A man sat in the previously empty seat. She didn’t even notice him sit down. Kit looked at him but couldn’t find her voice. He was gorgeous with dark brown hair to match his dark eyes, shoulders as wide as a city block. His face wore a wry grin turning up one corner of his sensuous mouth. His white long sleeve shirt open at the neck emphasized the darkness of his hair and eyes. A blue striped tie, loosened to indicate the end of his work day, hung below the opened shirt button.
“Is he annoying you?” Don asked, his eyes twinkling, “Because if he is, I can have him thrown out of here in two seconds. He comes in here every day hitting on pretty, single women. I have to shoo him out all the time.”
She gave Don a quizzical look, as if she didn’t understand he was kidding.
The thought of a man hitting on her filled her with dread. She felt terrified, vulnerable. It had been so long since she had been single, she didn’t know how to handle herself. The last thing she needed was some predatory male looking to take her to bed then dump her.
“I’m married,” she lied.
“Don’s kidding. I don’t do that,” the man said, embarrassment staining his cheeks.
“This is Tunney Nichols, miss…”
“Missus. Kit Alexander. Mrs. Kit Alexander,” she said, stiffly.
Tunney put out his big, strong, warm, calloused one hand. She took it. She tried to smile at him but could only manage a small lifting of the corners of her mouth. His eyes looked her over from head to toe, making her more uncomfortable, then retreated behind a polite mask. He dialed down his thousand-watt grin.
“You from Willow Falls?”
“New York City,” she replied. Am I? Am I still from New York City? I’m not from anywhere anymore. Kit took a deep, steadying breath to force down tears forming at the back of her eyes.
Tunney raised his eyebrows as he stared at her. She turned her head away, blinking rapidly and took another deep breath. When she turned back, his questioning look had disappeared.
“I don’t usually try to pick up married woman…let me rephrase that. I never try to pick up married women,” he chuckled. “But having a companion to talk to during dinner is far preferable to eating alone…especially such an attractive one.”
Kit blushed as a small smile curved her lips up.
“I agree. I hate to eat alone.”
Tunney grinned at her as the lines in his face and the muscles in his jaw relaxed.
“Kit is an unusual name.”
“My full name is Katherine, but my maiden name is Carson, so in school, the kids nicknamed me Kit,” she replied, “Tunney isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill name either.”
“It isn’t,” he said, taking a sip of his beer. “My dad was a big fan of prize fighting. He named me after Jack Tunney, the fighter.”
“Were you a fighter as a child?” She drained the rest of her Cosmo.
“I lik
ed to build things. But my dad taught me to fight so I could defend myself against schoolyard bullies.”
“Did you?”
“When necessary.”
She finished her Cosmo and not yet feeling any effect, ordered another. Tunney went back to his beer.
“Did having that nickname spark any interest in the Wild West?”
“When I was younger, I resented the nickname. But when I got older I appreciated its uniqueness, plus, I never had to spell it for anyone. But I did not become a Wild West buff. ”
“Tell me about it! No one can spell Tunney right. I went by ‘Nick’ when I was in school. Much easier.”
“What made you change to Tunney?”
“My college fraternity had three ‘Nicks’, so I became Tunney. Then I got used to it.”
“I think Tunney’s distinctive.” She took a sip of the fresh Cosmo.
“So is Kit.”
“What’s good here?” Kit asked, opening the menu.
“I like their chicken cordon bleu, which I ordered yesterday.”
“Come here often?”
“I do. Love their food, sometimes Don gives me a free beer.”
“Is he getting fresh again? Free beer did he say? Don’t believe him. I charge him double.”
They laughed.
"Sole Meniere is usually good, too,” Tunney confided.
“The food here is great. I oughta know, my wife’s the cook,” Don joked.
They smiled at him and ordered dinner.
“Where’s your husband?”
“He’s on tour. He’s a rock musician, playing with the band Blue Waters.”
“Wow. Blue Waters, huh? Which one is he?”
“His band name is Staid. Which of course he isn’t.”
“Where are they touring?”
“Around the world, London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, exotic places…” she said, with a wistful note in her voice.
“I guess you won’t see him for a while.” Tunney finished his beer.
“I won’t,” she said. Not for a long while, like never.
“Must be tough.”
“You’ve no idea,” she said, sighing. “You’re not married?”
“Nope. Never took the plunge,” he said, looking in her eyes.
“Maybe you’ll meet someone, one of these days.” Kit turned away as the heat from his gaze made her uncomfortable. Out of your marriage for five minutes and you’re flirting with this guy? Get a grip.
“I won’t if old Don keeps scaring women out of here,” he said, smiling at Don.
Dinner arrived. They ate in silence for a while.
“You have any kids?” Tunney asked. He put a forkful of sole into his mouth.
“A daughter. She’s eleven. She attends The Willow Falls Academy.”
“Good school, I hear.”
“Seems to be. She’s happy there,” Kit said, remembering how Zoe was before she dropped the bomb about the divorce on her. Kit looked down at her plate, her appetite failing.
She raised her eyes to the mirror behind the bar and caught Tunney stealing a peek at her cleavage, a long peek. Her face flushed at the attention but she kept her eyes on the mirror. When Don returned to mix a drink for another patron, Tunney jumped, removing his gaze from her chest. “A guy must be crazy to go on tour, leaving a beautiful wife like you behind,” he muttered.
Kit felt tears sting at the backs of her eyes again but didn’t reply. She tried to eat but swallowing became difficult. She washed the fish down with a long drink of water, then found her voice.
“Are you from Willow Falls?” she turned toward him.
“Born and raised here, but I moved to Seattle. I have an Internet business there,” he said.
“Then what are you doing here?” she asked, looking into his sexy brown eyes and feeling a small shiver run up her spine.
“I came back here five years ago when my dad died. I took over his business for my mother.” He put another forkful of fish in his mouth.
“How sweet of you. Must have been a big sacrifice.”
“My parents have done a lot for me.”
“Do you live with your mom?” She rested her fork on her plate, turning her attention to Tunney.
Tunney burst into a hearty laugh.
“What single man over thirty lives with his mother? Would certainly cramp my…uh…social life.”
“Well, I just thought…I mean you said you take care of her…” she said, embarrassed.
“I ran the business so she would have the money she needed. She passed away three months ago.” He finished his fish and turned his attention to the rice pilaf on his plate.
“I’m so sorry…a shame. Are you going to stay here or go back to Seattle?”
“I haven’t made up my mind. What about you? Do you work?”
Now it became Kit’s turn to laugh.
“Of course, I work. Actually I did work. I’ve quit. The job, not working. I was a small-investment manager at a bank in New York City. I quit my job at the bank to…to write.” Unwanted tears returned making her eyes bright. Her breath stuck in her throat as she thought about what she’d lost—the plum job plus her book idea.
She turned away from the inquiry in his eyes until she could control her breathing and paste a semblance of a smile back on her face. Obviously he’s too much of a gentleman to pry. Thank God.
When they finished dinner, Tunney offered to buy Kit a brandy. She accepted. Anything beats returning to the motel alone…is what she told herself, avoiding the fact she hungered for Tunney’s warm brown eyes and rapt attention, making her feel attractive again.
When Kit stood, she found herself unsteady and knew Tunney could see she’d had too much to drink.
“Can I walk you back to your motel? It’s dark and the streets around here are deserted at this hour. It isn’t safe for you to be out walking alone.”
She didn’t feel safe making her way home alone, but then again, didn’t know if she’d be safe with Tunney, in a completely different way.
“Thank you. I rarely drink this much…I overdid just a weensy bit tonight.” She giggled behind her hand.
He offered her his arm. She put her hand on his forearm, instantly aware of the strength of the rock-hard muscle beneath his shirt. A small shiver rocketed up her spine.
They set out slowly, the full moon shining above lighting their way. The warm breeze caressed Kit’s face like a lover. In her half-inebriated state, the fingers of soft air reminded her of Johnny’s touch. A wave of loneliness swept over her heart. Tunney placed his hand over hers to keep her steady. His was warm, dry and strong, like his forearm. His presence comforted her. A wisp of her new perfume wafted up to tease her nostrils. I wonder if he likes my new scent. She gave her head a slight shake to rid herself of the idea. He’s a stranger, I shouldn’t care if he likes my perfume or not. His arm brushed the side of her breast, making her tingle, as she clung to him for support.
“What a beautiful night,” she looked up at the moon.
“Should be illegal to be so attractive and out of reach on a night like this.”
She smiled at his compliment. Desire shone in his eyes, reflecting the moonlight mixed with the soft glow of a street lamp.
When they got to the motel, Tunney hesitated as if he’d kiss her goodnight. Instead, he stood back to open the door to the motel lobby for her. Kit looked at him while goose bumps broke out on her skin. The moonlight shone down on Tunney making the planes of his face angular and gorgeous, his dark hair reflected the moon’s glow, his dark eyes were partially hidden in shadow. She felt his gaze on her body. His mouth curved into a warm grin as his hands fell away from her.
“Are you thinking of settling here in Willow Falls while your husband travels?”
“I am.”
“New York’s loss is our gain.”
Kit smiled at him.
“I hope to see you again at Bon Appetit,” she said, extending her hand to shake his.
“I hope so, too
.”
“Thank you for walking me home.”
“My pleasure.”
As she went in the door, she could hear him mumble to himself.
“The good ones are always taken.”
Back in her room, she moved to the window and parted the curtain to watch Tunney walk back toward the restaurant. Again she looked up at the moon. Memories of making love in the moonlight with Johnny deep in the woods on a two week camping trip filled her thoughts. She shook her head as if she could shake the memory out of her brain. Remember Johnny walked out on you, dumped you, deserted you as soon as he got his big break. The thought stoked her anger. Maybe anger boiling up in her chest would propel her to a new life.
She turned away from the window, letting the curtain fall back, restoring her privacy. Love was over for her. Zoe was her top priority now. She had to rebuild her life…life without a man. Kit began to hate Johnny, yet she yearned to be a family again. Fury and longing fought for her heart.
* * * *
Saturday night at 29 James Street
Sarah hired Rebecca Simpson, Callie’s babysitter, to stay with Laura and Scottie while she went out with Jim. She dressed with care, selecting a turquoise sundress with lavender trim, low cut with a snug bodice over a full skirt. Laura watched her mother apply her make-up.
“Mom, when can I wear makeup?”
“Not for a while. You don’t need makeup, you’re naturally beautiful,” Sarah said, cupping her daughter’s chin.
“Mom!” Laura pulled away from her mother’s grip.
“Can’t I still kiss my little girl?”
“I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m going to be twelve in a month.”
“Practically a teenager! Growing up too fast, Laura.”
Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart Page 3