“Butch needed walking, and he wanted to do it. I said okay. I hope that’s all right with you.”
“That’s fine.”
She swept around to go back into the kitchen, but Gideon grasped her hand and stopped her. “Is something wrong?”
Yes. His warm touch only reinforced his rejection. “No, everything is fine.”
“I’ll go get Kip. I shouldn’t have let him do it.” He released her hand and started to open the door.
“Leave Kip. I said it was fine. I know how much my children love animals.”
“Then this must be about last night. You’ve hardly said two words to me today. I know I shouldn’t have kissed you. I was presuming something between us that’s not there.”
Being punched in the stomach would be better than what she was feeling right now. She backed away. She gritted her teeth and tried to think of something elegant to say. Nothing came to mind except all the hurt his words produced.
“I’m not explaining myself well. I mean—”
“Please, you’ve made yourself quite clear. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to help Mom get dinner on the table.”
This time he didn’t stop her from leaving. Thankful he hadn’t, she fought the tears jamming her throat. All she wanted to do was get through this evening without saying or doing something she would regret.
In the kitchen, her mother studied her for a few seconds then went back to setting out the paper goods they were using so they didn’t have as much to wash. “Dinner is ready.” She looked behind Kathleen. “Where’s Kip?”
In the doorway Gideon replied, “I’ll go see what’s keeping him.” Then he disappeared down the hallway before anyone could say anything.
The sound of the front door opening and closing filled the quiet.
Miss Alice swung her attention from Kathleen to her mom, then rose and asked Jared, “Will you help this old lady to the restroom to wash her hands?”
Jared jumped up and held Miss Alice’s arm.
“We’ll be gone for a few minutes,” she announced as she and Jared left the kitchen.
Her mom leaned back against the counter. “Okay. What’s going on? I noticed all day you didn’t say anything to Gideon. Are you two having a fight?”
“That would imply there was something between us.”
One of her mother’s eyebrows rose. “And there isn’t?”
“No, we’re barely friends.”
“Oh, I see. So you two did have a fight.”
“No, we didn’t and I don’t care to talk about this anymore. I’m starved. I worked up quite an appetite today.”
“Ignoring your feelings will not make them go away. Since you and Gideon were getting along so well yesterday, I guess something happened after I went to bed last night. Today you wouldn’t even think y’all knew each other. What happened?”
The tears fought to be released. Kathleen swallowed again and again. “On second thought, I’m not very hungry. I have to be at work at seven tomorrow. I’m turning in early tonight.” Biting her lower lip to keep from crying, she headed for the hallway.
“But, honey, it’s only six.”
She ignored her mother’s words and rushed up the stairs before Gideon returned with Kip. She didn’t want to run into him. She didn’t understand what she was going through, but she was determined to get a handle on it before she saw him again.
In the safety of her bedroom, she closed the world out and sank onto her bed. What happened last night was a good thing. It reconfirmed that she didn’t need to get involved with anyone. Maybe after her children were grown up, when what occurred between her and a man would only affect her. Her sons didn’t need to be subjected to a volatile situation as they were the past few years no matter how much she tried to protect them. Jared and Kip needed stability. That needed to be her focus.
A rap at her door startled her. “Who is it?”
“Gideon. May I talk to you?”
No, she wanted to shout, but instead she closed her eyes, fortified herself with a lungful of air and rose. Her pace slowed as she neared the door, and when she opened it, she still wasn’t prepared to see him. Nor the angry expression on his face.
“Can I come in?” Steel accompanied each word.
She backed away and let him into her bedroom.
She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. “I asked you if there was anything wrong and you kept telling me everything was fine. Friends don’t do that to each other.”
“Friends. Is that what we are?”
“Yes.” He paused and averted his gaze for a moment. “At least that was what I thought.”
“And so friends kiss each other like we did last night?”
“I knew it. I knew I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’ve ruined everything, and I didn’t want to do that.”
“Wow. That certainly makes me feel better. You regret kissing me.”
“I never said that. I shouldn’t have kissed you because it led to complications, and I don’t want to lose your friendship.”
“That’s nice to know.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t become you.”
She closed the space between them, her own anger surging to the surface. “Tell me why you kissed me last night. What were you trying to prove?”
“All day I’d been thinking about kissing you, and I thought if I did, that would be it.”
She sucked in a ragged breath. “I guess I should appreciate your honesty.” But her self-confidence had taken a beating the past couple of years. She hadn’t realized how much until he’d pulled away and left so quickly the night before.
“You want honesty?” He got in her face.
She stood her ground. “Yes.”
“After you said that you weren’t interested in getting involved with anyone, I had decided that was fine. I could respect your wishes. Then before I realized it I was kissing you, telling myself that at least I could satisfy my curiosity then let it go.”
“I’m so glad I could accommodate you. Now you won’t lose any sleep over that.”
A humorless laugh escaped his lips. “I wish that were the case.”
“What do you mean? You pulled away and left in such a hurry I wasn’t even sure what had happened. I figured you regretted—” She stopped, realizing what she was revealing.
“If you were going to say I regretted kissing you, you’re right.”
Her anger dissolved into hurt with his declaration.
“And you are wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that kiss was amazing, but after what you said I shouldn’t have done it. I should have respected your wishes and not complicated our relationship. I’m sorry I didn’t communicate that well to you last night or earlier this evening.”
“The kiss was amazing?”
He looked at her for a long moment then grinned. “Most definitely. Everything I anticipated and more.”
The words washed away the hurt and lifted her spirits. “I thought—”
He held up his hand. “No more speculation. If something is wrong, we need to talk it out. That is what friends do. You and your family have made my medical leave bearable, and I appreciate that more than you can know.”
“I guess this isn’t the time to point out I was the reason for the medical leave.”
A stern look descended. “This is the last time I am going to speak of this.” He rapped his knuckles against his hard cast. “I forgive you. Totally. One hundred percent.”
Kathleen chuckled. “Okay. I believe you. I promise.”
“It’s about time. Because I didn’t know what else I could do or say to convince you. I guess I could have had my friend write it in the sky for the whole town to see.”
“Don’t you dare.” Laughter overtook her as she pictured the words. Kathleen, you are forgiven. Gideon. “That would set the tongues wagging in Hope. I probably wouldn’t be able to show my face. Of course, it would take everyone’s mind off the hurricane.”
“Well, then I’ll do that.”
She punched him playfully in the arm. “You’d better not.”
“I won’t. I don’t want to get on your bad side again.”
A shriek and barking reverberated through the house. Kathleen started for the door. “Kip brought Butch back here?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“I’m not sure I want to hear what you mean by that.”
“That will depend.”
Kathleen opened the door and stepped out into the hallway at the same time a small brown wiry-haired dog ran down it with Cottonballs on its tail. Kip raced after the pair toward the living room.
“That is what it depends on?” Kathleen gestured toward the dirty dog.
“Yep. How do you feel about adopting a homeless dog?”
Kip skidded to a stop at the end of the corridor and swept around toward her. “I found him hiding under a bush. He was scared, shaking and whining. He’s lost. I had to bring him home.” Then before she could reply, he hurried down the stairs after the fighting animals, drawn no doubt by the racket the mutt and Cottonballs were causing in the living room.
“I’m not sure this is the best time. I never got to have a dog when I was younger. Mom didn’t want any pets.” Kathleen entered the living room to the picture of Kip kneeling by the couch and trying to coax the dog out from under it while Cottonballs stood next to him, tail puffed out, teeth bared and giving off a banshee cry that made her hair stand up.
Miss Alice, Jared and her mom came into the room from the kitchen.
Kip lifted his head, looked at Kathleen and said, “Mom, he is so scared. Do something,” then went back to trying to soothe the animal.
“Jared, can you get Cottonballs and take him to the laundry room for me?” Miss Alice moved slowly toward the sofa while Jared darted around her and scooped up the cat that continued to hiss and scream as he took him away. Miss Alice trailed after Jared.
Her mom stepped over to the sofa. “What’s going on here? What is under there? Another cat?”
Gideon inched closer to Kathleen and whispered, “Kip brought the dog in through the front door and was taking him upstairs when Cottonballs sensed his territory had been invaded and went on the defensive. I didn’t have a chance to say anything to your mom.”
Kathleen stooped next to Kip and leaned down until she saw the mutt cowering in the back. On closer inspection the dog appeared underfed. His ribs showed, and that sight squeezed her heart. “Maybe if we moved the couch, he’ll come to you, Kip.”
“What’s going on?” Ruth asked again. “What’s under there?”
Kip peered up at his grandmother. “I found a dog that needs a home. Can I keep him? Please.”
“I don’t know if that is such a good idea. I’m not a pet person.”
“But, Nana, he’s homeless. We can’t turn him away. We’ve got Cottonballs here. He’s a pet, and Gideon had Butch here during the hurricane. Pretty please.”
“But that’s the reason why. We do have Cottonballs here. One pet is enough. Look what nearly happened with Bubbles.”
“No one will know he’s here. I’ll keep him in my room. Feed him. Bathe him. Walk him. Besides, Miss Alice will be leaving soon when her house is fixed up.”
Her mother sent Kathleen a beseeching look.
“Honey, let’s get him out from under the couch first. Gideon, will you help me move it?”
“Sure. Kip, be ready to snatch him if he makes a run for it.”
Kathleen stood on one end of the sofa while Gideon took the other. “One, two, three. Lift.”
Positioned to grab the mutt when the couch was moved, Kip lunged forward and scooped up the medium-size dog, skinny with his ribs showing. “See. He’s been homeless for a while and he has no collar.”
“It’s dirty.” Her mother wrinkled her nose and backed away. “He needs to be outside. We don’t have enough water yet to bathe him.”
“I can’t keep him?”
“Certainly not in this house until he is clean. No telling what he’s brought in here. Fleas. Ticks.” Her mother folded her arms over her chest.
“I don’t have to drink any water. He can have my share.”
Kathleen’s gaze fastened onto the dog’s sad face as he laid his head on Kip’s shoulder. The animal’s brown eyes latched on to hers. “Mom, why don’t we keep him in the garage for right now? At least for the time being while we decide what to do with him.”
“Please, Nana. I promise he won’t be a problem.”
“Fine, for now. But you have to do everything for it. And you have to keep it away from Cottonballs. I thought an animal was dying in here.”
“Thanks. I will. You’ll see.”
Gideon scratched the animal behind his ears. “C’mon. I’ll help you set up a bed for him. We’ll make him feel right at home in the garage.”
Kip rushed past his grandmother as though he was afraid she would change her mind.
Which given a chance, she might. Kathleen closed the gap between her and her mother. “Thanks. This means a lot to Kip.”
“It stays only as long as it isn’t any problem. We don’t know what kind of diseases it carries. It’s so mangy looking.”
“I think some food will help with that, and I’ll have a vet look him over. The dog must have been on his own for some time. Probably before the hurricane. He looks like he hasn’t eaten much lately.”
“So what do we feed him? I don’t have any dog food here.”
“I’ll talk with Gideon. Don’t worry.” She hugged her mother then headed toward the garage.
Kip found an old comforter in the Goodwill bag her mother kept and put it down near the door into the house. When he set the dog on it, he stroked the dirty fur on the animal’s back and murmured, “You’re all right now. I’m gonna take care of you.”
“How about food?” Kathleen asked as the dog curled into a ball, laying his head on Kip’s leg.
“I can get some of Butch’s dog food. I stocked up when the hurricane was coming. He’ll need a bowl of water, too.”
Kip grinned up at Gideon. “Thanks. He needs a lot of it.”
“I’ll find a bowl and fill it with water.” Kathleen snagged Gideon’s attention. “May I have a word with you?”
He nodded and backed toward the door into the house.
“Mom, tell Nana it’s my share of the water.”
“We’ll find a way for everyone to have water, even your dog. I think the water will be restored soon anyway, so we’ll be fine.”
“See, I told you everything would be okay.” Kip put his arm around the mutt and rubbed his face against the matted, dirty fur.
Kathleen hurried inside before she threw herself between the dog and her son. Boys like to get dirty. Boys like to get dirty.
In the kitchen she shifted toward Gideon. “Which vet do you take Butch to? I hope he can see Kip’s dog tomorrow.”
“Dr. Anderson. Let me see if his clinic is set up to receive patients. The area of town it’s in didn’t get hit as hard as some. When are you off work tomorrow?”
“I should be home by four.”
“We can do that, then stop by the beach afterwards.”
“Why?”
“It’s not the most ideal bathtub to bathe an animal in, but it’s better than nothing.”
“Good thinking.”
“I’ll have everything set up tomorrow for the dog. You can go to work and not worry about it.”
As he left the kitchen, Kathleen began searching for a bowl for the water. When pulling down a plastic dish to use, she stopped in midmotion. In a short time she was beginning to depend on Gideon, to turn to him for help with certain problems. She had to put a halt to that or she would fall right back into the role she had in her marriage where she’d let Derek run everything. She really had only herself to blame for the situation she’d found herself in. She’d never insisted to be informed about their finances. Their marriage had never been a partnership, and she just now
realized she was partially the reason it hadn’t been.
Chapter Nine
Kathleen surveyed the live oak that remained standing guard near the old white lighthouse on the Point. From what she understood, the historical tree, more than two hundred fifty years old, would live in spite of the fact the hurricane had stripped off all its leaves. Seeing it gave her hope that the town would revive and be better than ever. The Peace Oak, as it had been known through history, had been where a treaty had been signed between the French and the Indians in the area.
Gideon came up behind her and stopped next to her, staring at the lighthouse. “It makes me feel good to see these two landmarks here after the surge of water covered most of the Point.”
The past two weeks she and Gideon had seen each other in passing and a couple of times had stopped to talk but that had been all. With the power and water back on, most of the neighbors had retreated to their own houses to repair what they could. She missed the camaraderie of working on a team. “The lighthouse definitely needs a fresh coat of white.” Four feet up the structure all the paint was gone and above that band the rest was dull from years of wind and weather.
“That’s one of the projects we are tackling today. If we can get the park back into some kind of order, then we’ll be able to decorate it for Christmas.”
“So they’ll still turn the holiday lights on Thanksgiving evening?”
“Yep, twelve days away. That’s why we’re here. The powers-that-be want the holidays to be like every other year.”
“Actually, that’s a smart move.” Kathleen pointed toward the Peace Oak. “Now if we could glue the leaves back on it, it would be like every other year.”
“Gotta find those leaves first.”
“They’re probably somewhere around Jackson.” She turned away from the tree and lighthouse and scanned the beehive of activity all around Broussard Park that was one of the favorite spots for the townspeople. “So what are you doing here today?”
“Helping rebuild the playground. Zane Davidson is donating the new equipment along with some help setting it up.” He nodded toward a large truck pulling into the parking lot. “In fact, he’s here with it now. What are you doing?”
His Holiday Family Page 11