Blueprint for Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  “Now, Kat,” Dylan said, “shouldn’t you two be setting a good example for the children?”

  “I suppose.” She squeezed Dylan’s hand and didn’t have time to react when another wad hit Dylan in the side of the face. Kat held in her laugh.

  “On second thought. Kick her butt.”

  Kat snickered, then the warmth and love in Dylan’s eyes snared her. She lost herself in their depths. This amazing woman wanted her. It all felt like a dream. A dream she didn’t want to ever wake up from.

  “Kat,” Dylan said softly, and cupped her chin.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  She pecked Dylan on the lips, then stood abruptly and turned to Briley. Briley audibly gulped and clung to Leah for protection. When Leah pried Briley’s hands from around her, Briley scrambled up and over the back of the chair. Kat gave her a few seconds head start, then took chase.

  Today was another turning point in her relationship with the Lake women. Kat was both excited and terrified to be spending the afternoon alone with Emma. Thankfully, when Dylan had agreed to today, Kat hadn’t seen any hesitation that she didn’t want it to happen. She would never allow Dylan’s trust in her to be diminished and would make sure nothing happened to Emma. They’d both decided today would be a good day to pick out things for the camper, which was a slow-going process.

  She, Kyle, Reeva, Brandon, and Briley had fixed the exterior of the camper during a few late nights the previous month. With the five of them working, it had gone quickly. They’d put in new doors and windows, a new set of steps, and painted the exterior teal and grey per Dylan and Emma’s instructions. It looked brand new from the outside. The interior was another story. It had been gutted, rewired, and new plumbing installed. Now the time had come to customize the camper to Dylan and Emma’s needs.

  Dylan had already given the okay for Emma to pick out any flooring she wanted for the living area and the bathroom, along with the light fixtures. Kat had to reassure her countless times that all the materials Emma would pick from would be left over from various jobs. What she hadn’t told Dylan was that the stove and refrigerator weren’t salvageable, and Kat had bought them new ones. If Dylan made a fuss, Kat was going to chalk it up to an early Christmas present. Since Kyle had become friends with the seller, they’d gotten a good price on both pieces. There was no way Kat was going to cut any corners when it came to her girls’ lives.

  The night before on the phone, Dylan had told her how excited Emma was about the planned day. Dylan quickly went over everything that needed to be done for Emma to have a fun day out. Kat would make sure Emma was always safe. It would make it easier since Briley and Griffin would also be joining them. Briley was working on a cedar chest at Kat’s warehouse for a Christmas present to Leah, and was almost finished with it. It relieved a little bit of Kat’s nerves knowing Briley would be there to help her, if needed.

  She felt a bit better that Dylan wouldn’t be alone today and, instead, was having lunch with her mom, Leah, and Deborah. Kat didn’t foresee any issues arising from the lunch, since everyone seemed to get along. She knew Iris would fit right in.

  Briley and Griffin would be joining them at the warehouse, so Kat headed out to pick up Emma.

  When she pulled into the drive, the front door opened, and Emma walked out, followed by Dylan and Iris. Kat hopped out and approached them, readily accepting the hug Emma gave her, then she drew Dylan into her arms. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Dylan slipped her hand behind Kat’s neck and brought her down for a kiss. “You look good enough to eat,” she whispered, then slipped her hands underneath Kat’s shirt and ran her fingernails down her back.

  Kat cast a furtive glance at Iris and Emma, seeing that Iris was straightening the collar of Emma’s shirt, the two paying them no mind. “Now who’s starting something they can’t finish,” Kat whispered back, but enjoyed the attention.

  “You’re mine tonight.” Dylan kissed her lightly then pulled away. “Emma’s really excited.”

  “Me too. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “I know.”

  “Good. Good.” Kat took her ballcap off and slicked a hand over her hair. “If you want, we can swing by before dinner and you can check out our progress.”

  “I would like that. Now go.”

  Kat held her hands up. “I’m going.” She turned to walk away then pivoted back and kissed Dylan on the cheek. “You have a good day too.”

  “I will. Now go.”

  “Iris, you have a good day as well.”

  “I will, dear.”

  Emma was waiting by the truck and Kat hurried to her. “Ready for today?”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Good.” Kat opened the truck door. “It’s a little high. Would it be okay if I lifted you up?”

  “I trust you.”

  The warm fuzzy feeling she’d had since pulling into the driveway engulfed her. “Good, because I would never let anything bad happen to you.” Kat placed her hands on Emma’s sides, lifted her into the truck, then shut the door, raced around to the driver’s side, climbed in, and started the truck. “Are you hungry?”

  “Not really.”

  “Cool.” Kat rubbed her hands, then stilled when a small hand touched hers.

  “Are you okay?” Emma asked. “It’s just me.”

  “I know. It’s our first time being alone. I’m a little nervous.”

  “You’ll be fine. I have faith in you.”

  Kat almost laughed at how serious Emma was being. “Thanks.”

  Twenty minutes later, Kat pulled into her spot in front of the warehouse and killed the engine.

  “We should have our own handshake,” Emma said.

  “That’s a great idea. How do you want to start?” Kat pulled the key out, unbuckled her seatbelt, then turned to Emma.

  “Let’s bump fists, then you shake my right hand and I’ll shake your left, then we can air kiss and maybe add to it in the future.”

  Kat grinned at the enthusiasm that flowed off Emma in waves. It made her feel good that Emma had taken the time to think about this.

  “Let’s hop out and try it.” Kat climbed out then rounded the truck and helped Emma down. She waved at Briley, who had a firm grip on Griffin. “Ready?” Kat couldn’t keep the smile off her face as they went through the motions. “That was awesome.”

  “So cool.” Emma clapped her hands. “Let’s try again.”

  After two more times, they had it down pat. Kat grabbed Emma’s backpack and her bag before they joined Briley.

  “Hi Briley, Griff.”

  “Hey, Emma, what were you two doing?” Briley asked.

  Kat slipped her arm around Emma’s shoulders and pulled her into her side. “It was our secret handshake.”

  Briley nodded. “It is a rite of passage.” She knelt in front of Griffin. “Ready?” At Griff’s nod, they started in on a series of motions that Kat couldn’t follow.

  Kat looked down at Emma, who smiled up at her. “I like ours.”

  “Me too.”

  “All right.” Briley stood. “I already unloaded the supplies I brought and set them with the rest of your stuff.

  “Let’s get started.”

  Once inside, Briley and Griffin went in one direction and Kat and Emma in the other. The last time they’d worked on the camper, Kat had Kyle help her set all their flooring samples by it. From the looks of the piles, Briley had brought all her extras with her.

  “Let’s see what we got.”

  Emma’s eyes were huge, her mouth open in surprise. “There’s so many.”

  “There is, but it gives us lots of options.” Kat took a piece from each pile and divided them by wood and stone. She was partial to the grey or the bamboo, but this was Emma’s choice. “What do you think?”

  Emma walked from one to the other, then gestured to a grey granite stone. “I like these for the bathroom.”

  “Me too.” Kat set her choic
e aside. “Now the living slash kitchen area.”

  “I can pick whatever I want?”

  Emma’s hopeful look was almost Kat’s undoing. “You bet.”

  “I like them all.”

  “I know it’s hard to pick, but is there one you like more?” Kat knelt next to her.

  “No.” She shook her head. “I like them all. Can we mix them?”

  “Not all of them. Let’s see.” Kat took out the same brand flooring and set them side by side. Dark grey, walnut, cherry, and bamboo.

  “No, switch those two.” Emma indicated which two with her finger.

  Kat did, then stood. They really looked good together. “All right. It looks great. You sure?”

  Emma gave an enthusiastic nod. “Yep. I like them.”

  “All right.” Kat picked up her choices then set them on a bench beside the camper.

  “Are we putting the floor down?” Emma asked, walking up to her.

  “Nope.”

  “What are we doing?”

  “Well.” Kat turned and leaned back against the bench, then smiled when Emma did the same. “First we’re going to pick out the light fixtures, then we’re going to paint the inside.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep, and I know how much you like to paint so I left a spare space on the wall about this big.” Kat held out her hands to mimic a fourteen-inch square, “So, you can paint anything you want on it.” She lifted Emma’s backpack. “I had your mom pack your paints.”

  Emma turned and wrapped her arms around Kat’s waist. “Thank you. Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me.” Kat got down on her knees and pulled Emma into a hug. “I love you and your mom. This camper is for you two, so you two need to be the ones that decorate it.”

  Emma cupped her cheeks. “You’re going camping with us, aren’t you?”

  “Wild bears couldn’t keep me away.”

  Emma giggled. “I love you.”

  Kat choked back her tears then pulled Emma into a hug. “I love you and you can come to me for anything. I’ll always be here for you. I promise.”

  “Pinky promise?”

  “Pinky promise.” Kat held out her pinky and Emma hooked it with hers. “Ready to get this party started?”

  “What happens after painting?”

  “Pizza.”

  Emma pumped her fist and grinned. “Yes! With mushrooms?”

  “With mushrooms.” Kat stood and, for the first time, realized she had an audience. Briley gave her a thumbs up then went back to Griffin, who was climbing on Kyle’s back. She hoped Dylan’s day was going as well as hers.

  For the third time since they’d left home, Iris stilled Dylan’s fingers tapping on the dashboard. “I don’t know why you’re so nervous.”

  “It’s the first time I’ll spend with them without Kat present.” She was trying not to have a mini freak out but was failing. From the selfie Kat had sent of her and Emma, she knew they were having a good time.

  It wasn’t as hard as she thought it would be to let Emma go with Kat, but it still left her anxious. She knew it was the next step in their relationship, and she trusted Kat, but Emma was her baby.

  “She’s as safe with Kat as with either one of us, or Macy and Harold.”

  “Are you a psychic? Because you always know the right thing to say.”

  Iris barked out a short laugh. “I’m a mother, remember? They’re fine and we will be too. Kat loves Emma and she’s going to be a wonderful mother.”

  “She will.”

  Iris hummed. “Is having more children something you’ve talked with Kat about?”

  “It’s not something we’ve specifically talked about, but I have a feeling she will want more.”

  “And you? I know, at one point, you mentioned having more children, but you haven’t said anything in a while.”

  Dylan looked out the window. “With Ian, I thought Emma was enough. I couldn’t see myself having more with him, but with Kat—”

  “You want more?”

  “I would be happy with only Emma for the rest of my life, but I wouldn’t be opposed to having more with Kat.”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re finally starting to think long term with her.” She sighed. “I do believe Kat may be your Harold.”

  Dylan turned from the window to look at her mom when she slowed down at the stoplight. “What?”

  “I think she’s your Harold. I may not have liked him at the beginning, but I see how he treats Macy. He worships the ground she walks on. His love for her is evident as is Kat’s for you.”

  “Wow.”

  “Don’t tell your cousin I said that.”

  “I won’t.” Dylan grew quiet as Iris pulled into the parking lot. “You didn’t think Ian was my Harold?”

  “Look at me.” Iris stroked her cheek. “As much as I liked, even loved Ian, and yes, he did treat you amazing, I never felt like he was the one for you. Do I believe he would have been faithful and treated you like a queen had he lived, yes, but I also think you would have been missing out on something life shattering. I’m glad you met, fell in love, and married him. You were happy together and those are wonderful memories, so don’t take what I’m saying the wrong way. You light up whenever Kat is even mentioned. I can see by the look on your face if you’re thinking about her. It’s more than evident how much you love her.” She shook her head. “I’m saying this all wrong.”

  “No.” Dylan drew her into a hug. “You’re not. I love you and I understand. Some people in our lives are leading us to where we’re supposed to be. My love for Ian eventually led me here.”

  “Yes. Take your love for Ian and tie it in a neat box and set it aside. It’s time to take hold of your future with Kat. You both want a future together; now it’s time for you both to take it.”

  Dylan kissed her mom on the cheek then stepped out and waited for her mom while she gave the keys to the valet.

  “Fancy place,” Iris whispered.

  “It is.” Dylan slipped her arm through her mom’s and led her in. They were quickly taken to their table, where Deborah and Leah were already seated.

  “I’m so glad you both could make it,” Deborah said after they were seated and had given their drink order.

  “We were happy to come,” Iris said and turned to Leah. “I’m Iris, Dylan’s mom.”

  “Leah, Briley’s fiancée. It’s nice to meet you.” She turned to Dylan. “I’m not sure about you but I’ve already received several photos from my troublemakers that were suspicious.”

  Dylan swirled the wine in her glass. “I have a feeling by the time they get home that I’m going to have two paint speckled troublemakers as well.”

  At that moment both of their cell phones went off, alerting them that a text message had come through. Dylan couldn’t hold back her laugh when she looked at the photo. Kat and Briley knelt behind Griffin and Emma and they all had paint moustaches.

  “See,” Leah said. “Troublemakers.”

  Dylan passed the phone to her mom. “But, would we have it any other way?”

  “Never.” Leah held up her glass and Dylan tapped it. “To our girls.”

  “To our girls.” It might not have been what she expected, but it’s exactly what she wanted.

  Kat ran around her living room picking up and putting away all of Stripes’ toys. It seemed that while she was with Emma today, Stripes had decided to pull out and even destroy some of his toys. It was at that moment, Kat knew, she hadn’t been spending enough time with him lately. She would change that in the future. He was important to her. After a quick cuddle and extra diced beef, Kat had enough time to shower and dress.

  A glance at the kitchen clock let her know that Dylan would be there any minute. It was date night and Kat couldn’t wait to get Dylan into her arms. Loving her was one of the easiest things Kat had ever done.

  “I know, Stripes. I promise tomorrow you will get ample cuddles plus I’ll even walk you around the block and stop by Mrs. Hanlin’s
house. I know how much you like her.” Kat believed the only reason he enjoyed her neighbor’s house so much was because Mrs. Hanlin kept a bag of ferret treats on hand and would give him a few pieces.

  When the doorbell rang, she stopped at the foyer mirror and, satisfied with what she saw, pulled open the door and all her thoughts fled from mind. “Wow.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” Dylan ran her hand down Kat’s chest.

  “Sorry.” Kat shook her head. Stop being a creep. “You look amazing.” And she did in a fitted skirt and damn near sheer top.

  “You can look. That’s why I wore it.” Dylan sat on the couch.

  Kat was still in awe of Dylan even after she shut the door. Dylan patted the spot beside her on the couch. Kat hurried over, greeted Stripes, who perched on a couch arm and turned his back, jumped down, then ran upstairs.

  “Now that he’s gone, come here,” Dylan said. Kat readily sat beside Dylan.

  “He’s being pissy.” Kat let herself be pulled into the warmth of Dylan’s lips that had her melting. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and she poured every ounce of love for Dylan into the kiss. She slid her hands along Dylan’s thighs and squeezed when Dylan pulled back. Kat kept her eyes closed and enjoyed the way Dylan ran her fingers along her neck. Her eyes popped open when Dylan kissed the tip of her nose.

  When Kat moved forward to capture her lips once more, Dylan placed her hand on Kat’s chest.

  “There’s something I wanted to talk with you about. It’s what I wanted to start with, but you always look delicious.”

  Kat kissed the palm of Dylan’s hand, then sandwiched it between hers. “What’s on your mind?” From the relaxed state Dylan was in, Kat knew it wasn’t anything bad. At least she hoped it wasn’t. Sometimes, Dylan had a really good poker face.

  “Okay.” Dylan nodded. “I know this isn’t anything we’ve ever talked about, but I see us continuing to move forward and I think it’s important to talk about it now before things get any more serious.”

  “Hey, I’m right here. Go on.” Now she was starting to get a little worried, but would do what was necessary to make sure Dylan stayed relaxed. If what Dylan wanted to talk about was so serious that it could derail their relationship, Kat had to be one hundred percent focused on this moment. In her mind, there wasn’t anything that would do that, but she would keep an open mind for both of their sakes and the sake of their future.