Kell held out his hand.“Care to dance?”
She raised an eyebrow and beamed up at him.“I thought you’d never ask.”
On the dance floor, she stood abnormally close to him and he could feel her chest rise and fall with every breath she took. He tried to pull back, but she kept a tight grip on him. They swayed with the music.“She doesn’t like you, you know.” Amanda said next to his ear.“She told me.”
The heat rushed into his face. He cleared his throat.“I know.”
Amanda pulled him in even closer and rested her head on his shoulder.“You want to come back to my place tonight? I could make you forget that redhead.”
“Thank you for, um thinking of me, but I, um, I need to get Jake home. Besides, I’m driving everyone tonight.”
Amanda put her hand on Kell’s cheek and whispered.“Stop fighting love, Dr. Kellen. I could make you happy. I promise.”
Kell pulled himself back and cleared his throat, whispering into her ear, trying not to be cruel.“I’m flattered Amanda. I really am. You’re great, you really are. But, I’m not relationship material right now. You don’t want me.” He stiffened against her soft body even more and, thankfully, it forced her to raise her head and look at him. Her face showed her disappointment and he could see she wasn’t entirely convinced.
He twirled her around, hoping to get her to snap out of her mood.“How is life at the cafe?” he asked. What a ridiculous question. He saw her everyday at The Gypsy Cat. His face heated up. Amanda might have had too much to drink, she might be easy going with her words, but she wasn’t a fool, and Kell knew he was hurting her feelings.“I’m sorry. Don’t answer that. It’s not you, Amanda. It’s me. I’m not ready for a relationship, yet. I don’t know if I ever will be.”
She gave him half a smile and patted him on the shoulder.“I’ll be here. I’ve been here for many years. I’ll still be here when that red-headed innkeeper has come and gone.” She put her hand on his cheek. Her silver bracelets jangled and danced down her arm.“I’m born and bred on this island. It’s in my blood. We could make a go of it, you and me.”
The song was ending. Kell wanted to escape.“I know you’re right, Amanda. I wish it were that easy. I’m so sorry to disappoint you.”
She unlocked her arms from around him and took a step back as the music faded into the background.“Like I said. I’ll still be here.”
Kell thanked her and quietly excused himself.
~
After his dance with Amanda,he found his seat again. Her perfume was all over him. He wanted to crawl under the table and wipe that conversation from his mind forever. He should get some dessert. His father sat down next to him, right before he could stand up. Matt put his hand on his shoulder. He pointed over to Sidney and Henry talking at the dessert table. Jake was off to the side eating more pie.“Is Henry Jacobs, the plumber, asking her out?”
“I think so, why?”
“Oh, I was just thinking, if she’s willing to go out with a guy who puts his face in a toilet, she’d probably be willing to go out with a man who puts his foot in his mouth all the time.” He slapped his leg and laughed.
“That’s not funny.”
Matt’s face turned serious.“Who’s laughing?” He shrugged and leaned into Kell a bit more.
“She’s not going to say yes to him. He’s hardly her type.”
“I don’t think you have any idea what Sidney’s type of guy is. Don’t make assumptions and don’t walk away from a chance at happiness, Kell, because you’re scared of being hurt.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. You like Sidney. You like her a lot. And you’re not the only one. But you’ve got the advantage.”
“Dad, Sidney’s too young for me. She’d never be interested in someone like me. Besides, I’m done with relationships. I’ve got Jake to think about. I need to focus on him right now.”
“Men aren’t done with women till they’re in the grave.”
“If you like her so much, why don’t you ask her out?” Kell got up from his chair.
“I might just do that,” Matt said, taking a bite of his pie.“I was trying to give you first dibs.”
“She’s not a piece of meat.”
“I’m glad you noticed. She’s a woman and a fine one at that. Don’t be stubborn, Kell.”
The conversation came to a halt when Sidney and Jake came back over to the table. Jake had a sour expression and Sidney had her arm on his shoulder. Kell couldn’t tell but it seemed like she was trying to comfort him.
“What’s going on Jake?” Kell asked.
“Oh,nothing,” Jake said.“Can we go home soon? I’m tired.”
“Sure, kiddo.”
He looked at Sidney, whose face was red. She had a funny guilt-like expression on it. It irritated him. What had she done to his son? This was supposed to be a fun night, not end with Jake being upset? He pulled her off to the side.“Why is Jake upset? And why do you have a guilty expression on your face?”
Sidney took a deep breath.“He’s mad Henry Jacobs asked for my number is all. You don’t have to look at me like I tried to cut your son’s heart out. He’s just disappointed. I think he was secretly hoping I’d wait around for him.”
Kell’s face changed.“You gave your number to Henry Jacobs, the plumber?”
Sidney inhaled and exhaled slowly and put one hand on her hip. He could feel her tension. He knew he was taking his irritation out on her, but he couldn’t help it.
“No, I told him I was on a date with Jake, but that I own a bed and breakfast in town. If he wants to call, he’ll find it.”
“I didn’t have you pegged as a woman who would go out with a guy like Henry.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” She took a step forward and got closer to his face.“Just because you don’t like me doesn’t mean everyone else is supposed to feel the same way. I like nice men. Remember? I told you.”
He couldn’t think straight.“I do. I remember. I’m sorry. I forgot myself for a moment. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go find Betty. I think it’s time to take Jake back home.”
“I’ll go find Betty. You calm your son down. Remind him that he just asked for my phone number. It’s not like I’m going to marry the guy or anything.”
That didn’t make Kell feel much better.“You think that’ll make him happy? He has a crush on you, Sidney. The thought of you with anyone makes his head dizzy.” He couldn’t tell if he was talking about himself or Jake.
She held out her hands and shrugged.“Well, you’re his father. Figure it out.” She left him standing there.
Why couldn’t he figure out a way to talk to her that wasn’t so ridiculous? He couldn’t believe she was willing to going out with Henry. He wasn’t ugly. He was big and worked hard. He didn’t smell or anything. He just couldn’t picture the two together. He couldn’t picture her with anyone, for that matter. Besides, maybe that meant she wasn’t going to go back with her ex-husband? But maybe going back to her ex-husband was the best thing for her.
~
A half an hour later, Betty and Kell were standing on Sidney’s porch. Sidney had said goodnight to Jake with a gentle kiss on the cheek, which made his face go three shades of red. And now, she was going to bed. Betty pulled Kell by the arm.“Come over to the kitchen tonight! It’s too early to go to bed and we can stay up late and drink some hot cocoa.”
Sidney eyed Kell. She wasn’t in the mood for Dr. Kellen tonight. She’d enjoyed being with Jake, loved that some man asked for her phone number, but couldn’t stop thinking about the dance she shared with Kell. It made her more confused about Jeff. She wasn’t sure she’d ever felt butterflies in her stomach like that with Jeff.
Sidney nodded.“Sure. Come on in. You guys should hang out and talk,” she said.“I think I’ll just go to bed. I’m exhausted.”
Betty smiled and then frowned.“Are you sure? It won’t be the same without you.”
“Positive. I
’m exhausted, but have fun.
She turned to Dr. Kellen.“Good night. Sorry I upset Jake tonight. I’ll call him in the morning.”
“No problem. He’ll be fine.”
She hugged Betty and then listened to her heels clicking the wood floor as she walked to her bedroom. She shut the door. She paced for a few minutes. She was ramped up. Nothing was normal when Dr. Kellen was around. Goodness that man looked fine in a suit. He danced so elegantly. None of it mattered. He didn’t like her and she sure didn’t like him. She wondered if he’d end up with the waitress, Amanda. Maybe Amanda was just the kind of woman to help him. She seemed a bold woman. She kept forgetting. Kell didn’t seem interested in women. Whatever had happened to him, he wasn’t going to date anyone anytime soon.
She pulled the pins out of her hair and let it fall down her shoulders piece by piece. She pulled off her stockings. She unzipped her dress and stepped out of it. She hung it in her closet and slipped on one of her satin nightgowns. It hardly seemed appropriate to go to bed in cotton shorts after being dressed in such an elegant dress. She looked at herself in the mirror. For the most part she was happy with her view. She wasn’t the type of woman who’d ever end up on the cover of a magazine, but she was attractive. She certainly noticed her body was changing. It wasn’t nearly as tight as it used to be, but that was okay. As a little girl she hated how she looked. She hated her red hair, her pale freckled skin, her straight figure, but over time she’d come to accept herself and grown to appreciate her better qualities.
She wondered about Jeff. If she said no to him, would she be alone forever? Alone wasn’t a bad way to be, but she had always liked being married. She never felt she deserved Jeff. He was so charismatic, full of life and love for God. He was always the first person to offer to pray. He helped out at Christian sports camps. He hadn’t been amazingly good-looking, she’d married him because she’d thought he was good. The truth of it, she was realizing, is that there was no rhyme or reason to goodness. One wasn’t good because their family was strong and wealthy or because they’d been born with exceptional gifts, or because they had great charisma. Goodness dwelled in the heart and one could only discover another’s goodness by being in relationship with them long enough to see the outward workings of their heart. Had she seen the outward workings of Jeff’s heart? Was it too late?
Jeff may not be the perfect man, but she had always been a woman who believed in second chances. She believed people could change. Shouldn’t she consider going back with Jeff? But where would that leave the bed and breakfast? What would that mean for her life here on Perez Island?
She walked to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and crawled into bed. In the distance she could hear Betty’s voice reverberating through the hall. Dr. Kellen’s voice was low, she couldn’t make out any of his words. The dance they’d shared tonight flashed before her eyes. She could still feel his hands on the small of her back.
He could certainly be grumpy and cold. He could also be quite kind. He cared a great deal for Betty and also treated Candace with respect, despite her situation, appearance, and personality. He was aloof, but not mean. He was probably the most gorgeous man she’d seen in real life. Amanda loved him like she had a chance with him.
Well, it didn’t matter; he certainly wasn’t interested in her. That was fine. She didn’t want an aloof, grumpy old man. So, why couldn’t she stop thinking about him? She fell asleep forcing herself to focus her thoughts on Jeff instead of Kell.
Chapter Eleven
A Violent Jealousy
Sidney bolted upright in bed at the sound of a crash coming from outside her house, like the smashing of a window. She could hear her heart beating out of her chest. She grabbed her phone and dialed 911.
“I’m calling to report an intruder,” she said.“I’d like someone to come to my house right away.” She gave them her address and the dispatcher promised someone would be over to her house as soon as possible. They suggested she stay in her room and lock her bedroom door.
She hung up the phone with trembling hands. She gripped her phone tighter and wished she’d bought mace when she moved into the house. She looked at the clock. It was 2:00 a.m. in the morning. A woman’s voice cried out in the distance. She tiptoed out of bed and cracked open the door. She heard another bash and then the sound of a woman screaming. It wasn’t coming from the kitchen, though. It sounded like it was coming from just outside the house.
She tiptoed down the hallway into the kitchen and looked through the window. Betty was standing on the porch shrieking while Big Dan was throwing punches at Dr. Kellen. Oh dear. She grabbed the biggest frying pan she could find. She almost grabbed a kitchen knife,but then thought she’d probably end up cutting herself on accident. She opened the kitchen door and rushed outside.
“What in the world is going on?” she cried.“Stop it! This instant.”
Betty raised her arms up in the air. She still wore her black dress. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks were pink.“I walked Kell out the door and this lying,cheating man attacked him!”
Big Dan looked at Betty.“The lying cheating man you are referring to is your husband.”
Betty glared at him.“Yes, I know who you are. You are my no-good husband who got himself a younger woman. Listen, Dan, I can do what I want with my life. You have no right to interfere.”
Dan grabbed Dr. Kellen by the collar,but Kell ducked out of the way.“I know you can. It’s Kell I intend to kill.” He swung at Dr. Kellen, who had his hand on his jaw and was trying to see through a badly hit eye.
Sidney held up her frying pan and spoke in a loud clear voice.“I called the cops. Someone will be here in just a few minutes. I’ll gladly hit anyone over the head if the fighting doesn’t stop this instant.”
Dr. Kellen held up his hands.“Dan, I’m not in love with your wife. I promise.”
Sidney laughed.“Is that what this is all about? Dr. Kellen taking Betty to the banquet?”
Betty stumbled about in her dress.“Yes. I walked Kell to the front door after we drank some cocoa together and talked about old times. He opened the door, I kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for such a wonderful night, and then BAM. Dan sideswiped him and jumped him.”
Sidney frowned at Big Dan.“Dr. Kellen in surely not a threat. He doesn’t even notice women like that.”
Dr. Kellen turned to her with such a surprised look on his face she wondered what she’d said.“What’s that supposed to mean?”
While he was staring at her, Big Dan took the opportunity to take another swing. He hit Dr. Kellen right in the side of the face. The doctor fell, stumbling to the ground. Big Dan reached over to pick him up. Sidney leapt down the stairs and hit Dan with the frying pan right in the back of the head.“Who do you think you are, attacking a man in the middle of the night?”
He yelped in pain, reaching for the back of his head. Betty jumped down and took hold of her husband before he could swing at Sidney on accident. Betty glanced over at Sidney with mischievous eyes.“Now, who’s the one with the household weapons?”
“This isn’t funny, Betty.” She leaned over Dr. Kellen. He moaned.
Just then the police car pulled into Sidney’s driveway. Dr. Kellen lay on the ground, holding his face. Betty crouched over Dan, who’d been immobilized.
The sheriff stepped out of the car.“What do we have here?” he asked. Betty was the first to speak.“Lawrence? What are you doing here?”
“I got a call that there’d been an intruder.”
Sidney looked up from Dr. Kellen and realized she was wearing a silk nightgown. Her hair was a fright of tangles and large billowing curls. She was chilled and desperately needed to get a bathrobe.“I called you,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.“I heard a noise and wasn’t sure where it came from.” She grabbed Dr. Kellen by the arms.“Can you walk into my house?”
He moaned, but moved just enough that she figured he could get up. She reached for his arm and began pulling on him. He staggered b
ut managed, leaning on her arm. Dan was still on the ground. Betty put her hand on his chest and rubbed his head with her other hand.
The sheriff’s eyes scoured the scene as if he were trying to decide what to do first.“How about if I help you get Kell inside?” He glanced back at Betty.“What do you want me to do with Dan?”
“I’ll drive him home,” she said.
Sidney looked at Betty.“You sure you’re okay with that?”
Betty snorted.“Maybe we should just leave him in the front yard. Let the coyotes get him.”
The sheriff leaned over Dan.“I’ll drive him home.”
Betty nodded.“No, that’s okay. I need to make sure he doesn’t fall too deeply into a coma. I’ll come back as soon as I get him situated.”
Sidney gave a quick nod.“You sure we shouldn’t call the paramedics?”
“Naw, I’ll take him home. He’ll be fine.”
“Sounds good. You take care of yourself, Betty.”
The sheriff spoke up as Sidney was leading Dr. Kellen into the house.“Kell may want to press charges.” He looked at Sidney.“Do you want to press charges for breaking and entering?”
“No. I would like you to give him a stern warning, though. If he wants to come and see Betty, he needs to knock and act like a regular human being.”
Betty gripped Dan by the arms and said to Sidney,“I’m going to get him home and threaten to kill him if he ever does anything like this again. Are you going to be okay with your favorite neighbor?”
“I think I’ll manage.” Sidney turned to go inside, but remembered Dan’s diabetes.“Don’t forget to check his blood sugar.”
“I maybe be mad as heck at him, but I don’t want to kill him. I’ll check his sugar.” She hauled Big Dan over to the Tahoe. He moaned as she shoved him into the passenger side. For a split second Sidney felt guilty, but then decided he deserved to be hit in the head with a frying pan. He had acted like a crazy man and now she’d be up dealing with Dr. Kellen for half the night. And she had the sheriff to deal with too. Calling the police here meant that the whole police station was about to know her business.
An Ordinary Love (A Christian Contemporary Romance) (Sidney's Sanctuary Book 1) Page 13