“I’ll start making low-fat cakes and pies,” she offered, a teasing smile on her lips.
“I think I prefer fat-free kisses.” He moved toward her again.
Kate beat a rapid retreat, escaping into the diner as he followed.
“Okay, folks, the show’s over. Let’s get to work,” the foreman hollered and the men obeyed, but their gazes lingered momentarily on the door where the romantic duo had disappeared.
Will slid onto the stool he’d previously occupied and Paula immediately filled another cup of coffee for him.
“You found her?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah, I found her. She’s showering right now.”
“I’m glad you stopped her working out there. I was afraid she’d hurt herself, but she’s so stubborn, I couldn’t convince her.”
Will grinned at the waitress. “I know what you mean, but I had help. My mother arrived on the scene.”
Paula kept up a steady stream of chatter both with him and other patrons, and Will felt himself relax. When Kate appeared, however, his body revved up again, and he couldn’t resist reaching out to touch her as she sat beside him.
“No pie?”
“Nope. I’m saving my appetite for something else.”
Her heated cheeks only increased his hunger.
“I think I’d better feed you.” She slipped off the stool before he realized it and headed for the kitchen.
“Wait. I’ll take you out to lunch.”
“Are you saying my cooking isn’t good enough for you?” she challenged from the swinging door.
“No, of course not. In fact, if that’s roast beef that I smell, I suspect it will be the best I’ve ever had. But I didn’t want you to have to work.” In fact, he wanted to keep her close to him.
“It’s already cooked. I put it on earlier. Two roast beef specials, coming up.” She disappeared from view.
Again Will was reminded of the difference between Kate and the women he’d known in the past. They all expected to be waited on, seldom rose before noon and always had to be the center of attention.
Kate never stopped moving. She wanted to do everything for herself, and she resisted his help unless she found a way to pay him back.
In almost no time, Kate slipped from the kitchen and led Will to the back booth. Paula followed with two heaping plates of pot roast and vegetables, accompanied by a plate of flaky biscuits that melted in the mouth.
After the first bite, Will forgot about everything but satisfying his hunger. When he put the last bite into his mouth, he looked up to discover Kate smiling at him.
“I gather you liked it?”
“Liked? That’s a mild term for the best meal I’ve ever eaten. You’re an incredible cook.”
“Thank you, kind sir. Now do you feel better about my chances to make a go of the diner and the catering firm?”
Her hopeful expression melted any reserve he might have had. “You’ve certainly got the cooking skills. How about the business sense to make a profit?”
She grimaced. “I don’t know. Practicality is Maggie’s talent, not mine. But I’m going to get her to help me.”
“Maggie’s your sister? What does she do?”
“She’s an accountant with a big firm downtown.”
“An accountant?” He couldn’t imagine anyone related to Kate being staid and practical.
She grinned. “We’re not at all alike. Maggie’s quiet, conservative. Has no temper. Pop always said she was a changeling.”
“Didn’t you say you had a second sister?”
He didn’t understand the almost confused look on Kate’s face.
“Yes, but we didn’t know about her until Pop’s death.”
“Are you sure she’s your sister? Maybe she just hoped to cash in on an inheritance.”
Kate laughed, a full, rich sound that entranced him all the more. “This is the inheritance, Will,” she said, gesturing to the diner. “Would you go to all that trouble for this?”
His lips twitched with humor. “Probably not.”
Kate smiled back at him and then sobered. “I remember Susan’s mother, because I was four when Pop married her. But the marriage ended after about six months. Pop didn’t know Sally was pregnant when she left. He never heard from her again.”
“Then how—”
“He read about her death apparently, about a year ago. It was a small notice in the paper, but when he saw that she was survived by three children, he decided to check up on them.” Kate paused to sip her tea. “He hired a private detective.”
Will raised his eyebrows in surprise. Most men wouldn’t have bothered.
“Pop worried about her for a long time after she left,” Kate said, as if in explanation. “Anyway, shortly before his death, the detective brought him proof that Susan was his child. He changed his will, but he never contacted her.”
Will reached out to clasp Kate’s hand, hoping to ease the worry on her face. He recognized a sudden urge to make everything smooth for her.
“Maybe he was concerned about how she would react.”
“I guess so. Pop—Pop was special. He tried to take care of the world. I suspect he felt guilty that he hadn’t known about Susan. But it wasn’t his fault!”
“Of course not,” Will assured her. He was discovering Kate was fiercely loyal as well as generous. “What’s Susan like?”
That bright smile he was coming to love spread across Kate’s face. “A lot like Pop. She’s determined, loyal, loving. When her mother died, Susan’s half sister was seventeen, and her half brother was seven. Susan has taken on the responsibility of raising them.”
“That’s quite a load.”
Kate leaned forward. “That’s one reason it’s so important that I succeed. Susan and Maggie both own a third of the diner. If we make money, it will help Susan.”
“Not Maggie?”
Smiling again, Kate said, “Maggie has a big savings account. She tried to give it to me for the diner, but she’s not really enthusiastic about the place, and I couldn’t take her savings. She sacrificed a lot for it. Even Susan wouldn’t take any money from her. Maggie’s really frustrated,” she finished with a big grin.
Paula arrived at their table with two big pieces of apple pie.
“Pie, after all that dinner?” Will protested, but he was studying the dessert with a lot of interest. “Maybe just a bite.”
Kate chuckled. “If you stop after the first bite, I’ll have my feelings hurt.”
“I knew you were going to be dangerous to my health,” he teased in return. But, in truth, he was growing more and more fearful each day. Because his intense interest in everything that concerned Kate was growing out of control.
As Will finished the apple pie with a satisfied sigh that pleased her, Kate offered an apology. “I didn’t mean to talk your ear off. You probably need to get back to the office. Oh! I didn’t ask why you came.”
Will laid down his fork and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. “I almost forgot. I found you a ring this morning.”
Kate’s breath caught in her throat. It’s only pretend, she reminded herself. “A cubic zirconia?”
Instead of answering, he popped open the box.
Kate couldn’t breathe. An incredibly large marquise diamond, flanked by two smaller matching stones, set at an angle to the larger one, shone up at her.
“Do you like it?”
“Of—of course, it’s beautiful. But isn’t it too large? I mean, no one will believe it’s real.”
“It’s not that big,” he returned, setting the box down and lifting out the ring. “Let me have your left hand.”
Kate couldn’t keep her fingers from shaking as the cool metal slid down her finger. “Is that silver?”
“No, white gold,” he said in an absent manner, his gaze fixed on her finger, noting the perfect fit.
“But that’s expensive. Why would they use white gold with a fake stone?”
“Do you like it?” he asked,
ignoring her question.
“I told you I love it. If I make the business a success, maybe I can buy it when—when we’re through.” She stared at the beautiful ring, turning her hand first one way and then another.
He ignored that comment, too. “I have to go back to the office, though I feel more like a nap after that delicious lunch. You start packing. I’ll meet you here at about six-thirty and we’ ll take your things back to my house.”
“Is anything wrong?” There was something in his tone, rather than his words, that made her think he was disturbed.
“No.” Instead of any explanation, he slid from the booth, pulled her up beside him and wrapped her in his arms. As his lips met hers, Kate thought dazedly that this kissing thing was becoming a habit.
Then she didn’t think at all.
With whirlwind activity, enough to keep her from thinking, Kate was all packed by the time she left to meet Miriam at Hall’s, the prestigious store on the Plaza.
She didn’t want to think about moving into Will’s house. And she didn’t want to think about choosing a wedding gown, either. Even the ring on her finger made concentration difficult. Though the stones weren’t real, the ring still must have cost more than normal costume jewelry.
She hurried into the Bridal Shop of Hall’s and discovered Miriam already in consultation with a saleslady.
“There you are, my dear. What size are you? I guessed an eight,” Miriam said in greeting.
“Yes, I wear an eight.”
“That’s perfect,” the saleslady enthused. “We buy our models in an eight. I’m sure we’ll be able to find something for you to wear soon.”
Kate nodded, finding their concern bothersome. Of course she could find something to wear in four weeks. She moved toward the racks of white gowns, but the saleslady stopped her.
“Just sit down here, and we’ll show you what we have.” She gestured to several sofas.
“Wouldn’t it be faster if I select those I’m interested in?”
Miriam stepped forward. “Child, Agnes knows her job. Come sit with me and she’ll ask about your tastes.”
With a resigned sigh, Kate sat down.
The saleslady sat near them with a pad and pen and asked about the kind of dress Kate wanted.
“Simple.”
The saleslady blinked several times, as if Kate had said something shocking.
“She means in elegant taste, of course. With her figure, she can wear almost any style, but she prefers the simplicity of the top designers,” Miriam translated with perfect ease.
“I don’t think a designer gown will be necessary,” Kate said urgently to Miriam. After all, she didn’t want the price of a designer gown.
Both women ignored her. “I think I know just the gown. You’ll love it!” Without waiting for their approval, Agnes hurried over to the rack of dresses. She pulled down a hanger and quickly whisked away the plastic bag, then came back to them.
“Do you remember the Kennedy wedding? This gown is by the same designer. The current star in designing wedding gowns.”
Kate was prepared to dismiss the gown at once, knowing it would be utterly out of her price range, but she couldn’t. The lustrous satin seemed to cling to her fingers as she touched it. Simply cut with a low rounded neckline, a slender outline that flared below the hips and small cap sleeves, it was exactly the type of dress she might have dreamed of.
“You’re right as always, Agnes,” Miriam agreed. “Try it on, dear. You will look exquisite.”
Before Kate could pull herself together enough to refuse, she found herself in a large dressing room. Oh, well, she might as well try the gown on. What could be the harm?
Except that she never wanted to take it off. Staring at herself in the mirror, Kate realized she had a very romantic streak in her. She loved the gown. Though simple in style, its cut was by a master and was flawless.
“Are you ready yet? We’re quite anxious to see how it fits,” Agnes called through the door.
Kate opened it and stepped back into the showroom. Both women stared at her, saying nothing.
She bit her bottom lip. Did they hate it?
“Oh, my, I guess I understand my son’s fascination with you, Kathryn. I may call you Kathryn?”
“Most people call me Kate.”
“But I shall call you Kathryn. So much more elegant. It matches the gown. Do you like it?”
Kathryn swallowed. She considered lying, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. The gown was too beautiful. “It’s wonderful. Of course, I don’t think—”
“Wonderful. We’ll take it, Agnes. Just put it on my bill. Now, do we need any altering?”
“No, wait, we don’t even know how expensive it is,” said Kate, trying to halt the purchase. She might as well have tried to stop lava flowing from a volcano. The other two put their heads together, pushing and pulling on the gown to be sure it fit properly, ignoring her gauche comment.
As Kate reached forward to smooth down the skirt, after Agnes had twitched it, Miriam shrieked.
“What? What’s wrong?” Kate asked, turning in alarm.
“William gave you a ring and you haven’t told me? How could you be so cruel?” Though she clutched Kate’s hand, she glared at her, as if she’d intentionally hurt her.
The saleslady stepped forward to admire the engagement ring. “Oh, my, you are a fortunate young lady. I know that ring.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“My husband works at Plaza Jewelers. He’s shown me that ring a dozen times. He says it’s the finest diamond they’ve ever received. When I talked to him at noon, he was so excited because he’d just sold it. The commission was fabulous.”
“I think there must be some mistake,” Kate said faintly, feeling sick to her stomach.
“Oh, no, there isn’t. There aren’t that many twenty-five-thousand-dollar rings in the store. Besides, my husband said it was my favorite ring that he sold. And that’s it. You are lucky.”
“My son has exquisite taste,” Miriam said proudly. “At least in rings.”
Kate didn’t bother to respond to the slight. She was too busy planning ways to kill William Hardison.
Chapter Nine
By the time Kate arrived back at the diner, Will had already loaded the boxes into his car. Madge had shown him where everything was.
In fact, he was feeling quite satisfied. True, this plan was taking a lot of time away from work, something he hadn’t counted on. Surprisingly he didn’t mind that much. At least his mother wasn’t constantly exasperating him with her nagging.
Tonight, he planned a special dinner to celebrate their engagement. If it had been a normal engagement, he would have had the meal at home, candlelight for two. However, he’d made reservations for them at another restaurant on the Plaza. It wasn’t that he needed to be seen with Kate. Already, he was receiving calls of congratulations. Word was spreading.
No, the problem was that he couldn’t trust himself to be alone with Kate, with a bedroom just down the hall. He’d promised a platonic marriage. He hadn’t even gotten to the ceremony yet, and he was already struggling with that aspect.
It scared him. He wasn’t willing to trust a woman to be honest and reasonable. To love him in return. Even Kate, as loyal as she was to her father, as generous as she appeared to be, as selfless, could turn on him.
His heart protested, but his head insisted.
So they would dine in public.
Still, as he sipped a cup of coffee at the counter, he was silently patting himself on the back.
Until a redheaded whirlwind blew through the door. And continued right past him, blistering him with a glare.
“Kate?” He slid from the stool and followed her through the kitchen. Until he reached her bedroom, or what was left of it, and had the door slammed in his face.
“Kate?” he repeated, rapping softly on the door.
To his surprise, the door sprang open at once. He’d figured it would take a lot of cajol
ing before he faced her again.
“Where are my things?” she demanded.
“I’ve already loaded them.”
“Bring them back.”
“Kate, what’s wrong?”
Without answering, she slid the ring that he’d given her at lunch off her finger, handed it to him and slammed the door again.
After staring at the ring, trying to figure out what was going on, Will couldn’t hold back a smile. Life with Kathryn O’Connor was certainly interesting. He didn’t have to worry about her complying with his every word.
“Kate?” he called again.
No answer.
“Kate, I’m not going away until I find out what’s wrong. If my mother tried your patience, I’m sorry, but I warned you about her.”
The door whipped open. “Don’t you dare blame your mother!” she raged. And slammed the door again.
Well, he was narrowing down the identity of the guilty party. Namely him. He rapped on the door again. “Kate, if you’d explain, I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Go away.”
“I can be as stubborn as you, Kathryn O’Connor. And I have all your belongings in my possession.”
The door opened a third time, much to his surprise, but he figured it would be slammed shut immediately. His most optimistic thought was that it would soon fall off its hinges at the rate Kate was going.
However, this time, the diva of the diner didn’t spew venom at him and then slam the door. She charged past him and was through the kitchen before he even moved.
“Wait, Kate!” Running after her, he reached her as she was trying to lift one of the boxes out of his back seat. Instead of grabbing the box and enjoining a tug-of-war, Will seized a more enticing hold. He slid his arms around Kate’s small waist and pulled her back against him.
“Kate, if you don’t explain what’s going on, we’re going to put on a whale of a show for all the diner patrons. They’re staring out the window at us now.”
She froze, and he suspected she was staring at the rows of windows filled with the customers.
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