Now he just had to make sure that he didn’t mess it up.
“Kurt, you okay?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He took a sip of his beer. “I was just thinking about my parents.”
She sat up straighter. “I know your mom is gone. Is your dad going to come into town soon?”
“I kind of doubt it. He’s old school. It’s my job to go see him, not the other way around.” Of course, there was more to their separation than that. Dad had accepted Sam’s decision to go with him to Bridgeport. But that acceptance didn’t necessarily mean he’d embraced it. Kurt had a feeling that his father was secretly waiting for him to call home and admit that he’d made a terrible mistake.
“There’s a holiday in October. Maybe you and Sam can go see him then. I mean, if you want to.”
“Yeah. I might do that.” He hesitated, then added, “I need to look out for Sam, you know?”
Her brown eyes full of sympathy, she shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t. But you don’t have to tell me. I know it’s hard to talk about family.”
She’d given him a reprieve. Part of him wanted to take it. Keep his insecurities close to the chest. But something told him that if he wanted this relationship between them to grow stronger, he was going to have to do something more than just flirt and give her a burger.
He leaned forward. “My brother is finally settling in. I know he’s been having a hard time adjusting to a new school and is missing all his friends.”
“That’s to be expected, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. But I’m afraid that if we see our father too soon, he could sabotage everything we’ve accomplished. Dad’s not in a real good place right now. There’s a good chance he could needle Sam with doubts.”
“Do you think he would really do that?”
“I think he would say what was on his mind and not realize the damage he was doing.” He fingered the edge of his Budweiser. “And if he does, I think there’s a real good chance I’d tell him exactly what I thought about that.” Just imagining the conversation made him grimace. “So, even though I’m a grown man and Sam’s already lost his mother, I’m attempting to keep up the distance. Do you think that makes me a bad person?”
She reached out and covered her hand with his. “I think it makes you human, Kurt. You want the best for Sam.”
“Even if it means limiting his time with our dad?”
She sipped her wine. “Let me ask you this. If your father got in the car and told you he was on his way, would you ask him to turn around?”
“Of course not.”
“If Sam came to you and said that he wanted to go see him would you refuse to let him leave?”
“I couldn’t do that even if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.”
She squeezed his hand before she released it with a smile. “There’s your answer, then. You’re doing what you think best—and your brother and father are doing the same. If they really wanted to do something different they would.”
“I never thought about it that way. Thanks.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
He was charmed. Completely charmed. “You this good with your students?”
“What? Speaking my mind?”
“Asking questions and getting me to speak my mind.”
She smiled. “I wish getting my students to listen to me was as easy.”
“It’s not?”
“You’re forgetting that my students are in high school. They know everything right about now,” she said, humor bright in her voice.
“It’s their loss, then.”
Their server had long since picked up their plates. “Do you want another glass of wine?”
She shook her head. “I’m good. What about you?”
“I’m good, too. How about we get on out of here?”
“I think that sounds like a fine idea.”
Remembering how she’d felt in his arms, remembering the way she’d kissed him in his truck, he was anxious to get her alone again. He held up a hand and signaled the server over and asked for the check.
He figured he would let her decide what to do next. He could take her home and drop her off at the door … or maybe she would want to invite him in.
And once she did that, he could finally pull her close and show her what he thought about her.
When she shifted, staring right behind him, he reached for his old wallet in the back pocket of his Levi’s. Turned to look for their server.
And came up short by the way the couple was glaring at Emily.
“Now I understand a whole lot better why you sided with Sam Holland and against Garrett,” a man said.
It took a sec, but Kurt remembered that the couple were Garrett’s parents. He’d seen them scuttle out of the principal’s office the day he and Sam had gotten in that fight.
The couple looked much the same as they had in the office. Buttoned-up and button-downed tight. Khakis, cotton oxford, conservative navy knit dress paired with flats. Far different than his jeans, boots, and white oxford.
But what mattered the most was the way they were acting as if they’d run into some loser. Like he didn’t belong in Bridgeport and never would.
As far as he was concerned, he didn’t have a thing to talk to them about. This was Sam’s battle and he’d handled it and had faced the consequences too.
But by the way Emily had jumped to her feet, she was of a different mind-set. “Mr. Condon. Julie,” she said nervously. “Hello.”
Garrett’s dad sidled in front of his wife and eyed Emily with disdain. “You know I wasn’t going to say a word right now, but since both of you are here, I might as well have my say.”
“We should discuss this at school.”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m never stepping foot inside that building again if I can help it. You’ve ruined Garrett’s reputation. He almost got kicked off the football team because of you.”
Emily stiffened. “I think we both know that isn’t fair.”
Kurt didn’t care for the way they were speaking to her, what they were saying, or how they’d chosen to attack her in the middle of Paxton’s.
He got to his feet and walked to her side.
“This isn’t the time or the place to do this,” he said quietly. “Y’all need to get on your way.”
“You think so? You think we should move on so that the two y’all can finish your meal—or whatever you’re up to?”
Kurt didn’t like anything the guy was saying. He was also inclined not to start fighting Emily’s fights until she would welcome his interference.
But he really had a problem with people making fun of his accent like he had a character flaw.
He stepped forward and didn’t hesitate to use either his taller height or his greater weight to his advantage. “If you’ve got a problem with me, you probably ought to come right out and say it. Seeing as I’m not real skilled on social niceties.”
Emily pressed a hand to his bare forearm. “Kurt, it’s okay.”
Well, there was his answer. He wasn’t going to win any points with her by making a scene in the restaurant. Or more of a scene, anyway.
He didn’t like it, but he liked her enough to abide by her wishes. “All right, babe,” he murmured. He turned to her, intending to help her back to her seat when the guy grabbed his arm.
“No wonder that kid of yours got off with barely a hand slap. Now I know how it works. Kids whose parents are sleeping with their teacher get special treatment.”
That was that.
Not caring that the restaurant was filled, that it wasn’t what Emily wanted, or that it wasn’t even a fair fight, Kurt allowed generations of habits to roll into his body.
Next thing he knew, he’d slammed his fist into the guy’s jaw and was standing over him.
T
he man’s wife gasped. Two women at another table squealed.
Emily was probably pissed as hell, too.
But as he was standing over the guy, none of that registered. All that did was clearing this creep’s misunderstanding. “She’s not that kind of woman. You’d best start treating her with respect. And while you’re at it, you should get one thing clear: Sam Holland ain’t my son, he’s my little brother.”
The guy was dazed but awake and coherent.
“Now I see how your brother acted the way he did. He simply didn’t know any better.”
Most of the time he would’ve let a comment like that roll off his shoulders. He didn’t have anything to prove to anyone and he’d long since stopped trying.
But everything that the man was saying hit a nerve. “He knows how to get along just fine. Including the fact that it’s not okay to talk crap about decent women.”
Emily pulled on his arm. “Kurt. Let’s go.”
Her voice was urgent and it brought him up short. Pulling himself together, he stepped back. Emily’s needs had to come first. She worked with these kids. Had made a life here in Bridgeport. She didn’t need him interfering with her life. Nodding, he threw down a trio of twenties on the table and reached for her hand.
Looking relieved, Emily placed it in his. Even from that small touch, he could feel the tension emanating from her.
He ran his thumb along the back of her hand.
Diners and waitstaff eyed him as he led them through the maze of tables.
“Sir!” the manager called out. “I need to speak to you about what just happened.”
He stopped and pivoted to face him. The manager’s face looked set, like he was gearing himself up to do something distasteful.
Realizing that he was most likely going to get thrown out of the restaurant in front of Emily, Kurt stood straight, intending to simply take it.
With a deep breath, the manager started talking. “We’re going to need your contact information in case there’s a further problem.”
“There won’t be. I’m leaving right now.”
“I’m afraid I’m still going to need it. If I may have your cell phone number …”
“Why? No damage was done.” Well, beyond the fact that Garrett’s parents had just ruined his date. And no way was he going to be responsible for something that happened in the restaurant that he hadn’t even been aware of.
“Even so …”
“Ken, don’t be too hard on Kurt here,” Emily interjected. “He was defending me. Mr. Condon was saying a lot of really bad things about me. Both Kurt and I tried to turn the other cheek, but sometimes you don’t have a choice, you know?”
Ken’s whole demeanor changed. Whereas before he looked ready to call the police, now he was acting like Emily was relaying an amusing antidote. “Is that right?”
Emily nodded. Smiling slightly, she added, “I would have hit him myself if I thought I could.”
Everything about this situation was rubbing him wrong. “You don’t need to fight my battles, Em.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I think maybe I do. I mean, you’re fighting mine.”
Kurt felt something shift inside of him. He couldn’t remember the last time that he thought someone actually did have his back, no matter what.
Fearing that he was about to embarrass Em again by leaning down to kiss her, he said, “I think we should probably be taking off now, Ken.” Holding out his hand, he decided to compromise. “My name is Kurt Holland. Let me know if you need me to pay for any problems I caused tonight.”
“That’ll do.” Ken shook his hand. “You’re new here, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“Well, just so you know, Bridgeport isn’t perfect but it’s all right. Welcome.”
“Thanks.”
Grinning, he reached out for Emily’s hand again. “You ready?”
Raising her chin, she cast him a soft look that made him feel like he’d finally done something to be proud of. “Yeah,” she said softly.
Funny how that one word combined with her sweet smile told him everything he needed to know.
CHAPTER 16
FROM LES LARKE’S
TIPS FOR BEGINNING POKER PLAYERS:
Don’t show if you don’t have to. Having a bit of mystery about your game is always a good thing.
Emily kept sneaking glances at Kurt as he drove. She couldn’t help it. So much about their date had felt momentous, starting with his kiss.
Oh, that kiss! It had certainly taken her off guard. Not because it had been so perfect but more because of her reaction to it. Ever since Danny, she’d kept her guard up. She didn’t act impulsively, and she really didn’t trust men easily.
But instead of making sure to keep up some kind of reserve in order to guard her heart, she’d reacted to that kiss with complete enthusiasm. She also hadn’t regretted it.
She’d also been just as drawn to Kurt because of the way he’d shared so much about his father. She’d known he didn’t usually lay his emotions or his worries out easily, but he’d trusted her enough to do that. It had felt really special.
Then after dinner, when the only thing on her mind had been to enjoy his attentions again, Garrett Condon’s father had lashed out at them.
Kurt hadn’t missed a beat. He’d come to both his brother’s and her defense. It hadn’t been overbearing, though. He’d stood back at first, allowing her to stand up for herself. She’d appreciated that so much.
So much so that she’d been actually kind of gratified when he’d hit Ryan Condon. She knew she shouldn’t have been glad that the man had gotten his comeuppance, but she actually kind of was. He was a bully, just like his son.
Emily realized then that she might as well face the truth. She was smitten. Flat-out gone.
She’d always imagined she’d end up with a man who was a whole lot more like her. Maybe a teacher or a principal. Someone from the suburbs like herself. Who shared a lot of the same experiences she did growing up.
But Kurt Holland, with his sexy West Virginia accent, form-fitting jeans, T-shirts, and boots and drop-dead good looks? She kind of hadn’t stood a chance.
Now, as he drove with one hand laid on top of the steering wheel while he lazily guided his truck down the dark winding streets of Bridgeport, it was all she could do to not stare at him.
Or worse, say something revealing that he might find uncomfortable.
She settled for relaxing against the tan leather and reliving their night together.
When he pulled onto her street, he coughed. “Have I ruined everything?”
She sat up. “What? You mean with our date? No.”
“You sure?” With his free hand, he raked his fingers through his hair. “Tell you the truth, I’m currently at a loss as to how to make things right. I know I’m supposed to tell you I’m sorry, but I’m really not.”
She was thankful that all her years teaching school had given her some practice keeping her expression neutral. Otherwise she’d be grinning like a little girl on Christmas morning. He sounded that dejected. “Kurt, I’m not mad at you.”
As if she hadn’t spoken a word, he continued on. “Here’s the thing. I couldn’t really get mad at Sam for when he hit that kid because I would’ve done the same thing. Shoot. My dad would’ve done it, too.” His voice thickened. “We don’t hold with men shooting remarks like that toward our women.”
Our women. She couldn’t help it. She started smiling. “Is that what I am?”
“Damn. I messed up again, didn’t I?”
As he parked on her driveway and turned off his engine, Emily looked at him in the dim light made by the sconces by the front door. “Kurt, it’s okay. Ryan Condon is a jerk. He’s had that reputation for a while. And I’ve been teaching for several years now. I don’t expect everyone to always see
eye to eye with me.”
“He was being out of line.”
“He was.”
“I don’t know how you women here in Bridgeport settle things either. You pissed I didn’t continue to stand back and let you handle it?”
Though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer, she wanted to hear what he would say. “Would you have been able to do that?”
“Hell, no.”
Unable to help herself, she started laughing. “Well, there’s my answer.”
Peeking at her, he smiled sheepishly. “Sam hadn’t been kidding when he said that I wouldn’t have sat by and let some kid talk trash about my girl. If I had been in Sam’s situation, I would’ve done the same exact thing.”
“I’ve kind of figured that out, Kurt.” Hoping to inject some humor into the conversation, she said, “Seems you do have a better right hook than your little brother, though. Sam didn’t draw blood.”
“Sam is way better behaved than I’ve ever been.” He stopped himself with a groan. “Well, I’ve now officially dug myself into a very deep hole.”
She held up her thumb and index finger a few inches apart. “Maybe. Or maybe not.”
“I don’t know what else to say now.”
“How about you just answer this, then. Do you want to come in?”
His head snapped around. When his gaze met hers, there wasn’t a shred of remorse lingering there. In its place was something a whole lot more heated. “Yeah.”
She felt chill bumps raise on her skin. One word and bam. She was toast. She reached for her car door.
“Hold on, babe.”
“What?”
Looking at her steadily, the expression in his eyes illuminated by the street light a block away. “I do want to come inside, but I don’t think I’d better.”
“Why? Was I being too forward?”
“Not at all. It has more to do with the way you make me feel.”
There went those chill bumps again. “I don’t understand how that could be a bad thing then.”
Like he couldn’t help himself, he ran a finger down her forearm. “Let me put it this way. If I went inside, I’m not real sure I could keep things to just a couple of kisses.”
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