Forcibly clearing his throat and mind, he studied the heavy piece of jewelry. “It almost matches, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t know how you found something so close to the design, Kade, but it is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to use it in my restaurant. It will keep those evil little topos out of my spices.”
“Mice, right?” Kade grinned, pleased he remembered the Italian word for the nasty rodents.
“You’re a fast learner.” Caterina surveyed the way Kade bent his strong, broad shoulders forward as he studied the family heirloom he held in his hands.
“Most of the time.” Fiddling with the filigree on the piece, it suddenly made a popping noise and the top flipped up.
“What did you do?” Panic filled her voice. The necklace wasn’t set with fancy jewels, but to her it was a priceless tie to her family. She grabbed at Kade’s hands and tried to take it back but he wouldn’t let her. She huffed in irritation.
“Did you know it was a locket?” He held open his palm to show her the inside of the necklace where a tiny key resided.
“I had no idea.” Caterina picked up the key and held it up to the light. She wondered if her mother knew about the key, and if so, why she didn’t say anything to her about it. “What do you suppose a key like this could go to?”
“A very small lock.” Kade gave her a teasing smile. “Do you have anything you haven’t been able to open?”
“No.” Caterina was fascinated the key had been inside the pendant all this time.
Kade looked up as Aundy walked inside with Li. “If you ever need help trying to figure it out, just let me know.”
Caterina nodded as she returned the key to the locket, snapped the lid closed, and dropped it back inside her dress.
“Li can help us until it’s time to make supper for the guys. I think we can get most of this done by then.” Aundy opened the door of the oven and pulled out two pies, setting them on the counter to cool.
She spied the spice box on the table and hurried over to examine it. “Kade, this is beautiful. Where did you find it?”
“I can’t give away all my secrets.” Kade grinned at Aundy as he rose to his feet. “I better get going or I’ll be late for my shift.”
Aundy used the piece of brown paper off the spice box to wrap one of the cherry pies. She tied it with the string on the table, set it in a basket, and handed it to Kade.
“If you ride carefully, you should make it back to town with that.” Aundy smiled as Kade took the pie and kissed her cheek.
“I keep telling Garrett he married an angel. You keep proving it’s true.”
“Go on with you,” Aundy said, playfully pushing him toward the door. “Thanks for helping pick cherries.”
“You’re welcome.” Kade opened the screen door and stepped out to the porch. “Thanks for the pie.”
“Of course,” he heard Aundy say as he began to pull the door closed behind him but it jerked out of his hand. Caterina followed him outside then shut the door.
“It was sure nice of Aundy to make me a pie,” he commented as they walked around the house toward the front yard where he’d left Pete. “I suppose I’ll have to share when I get to work because there is no possibility they’ll let me keep this to myself.”
“If you don’t get your fill, let us know. We can make you another.” Caterina slowed her step as they neared Kade’s horse. Despite her resolve to stay angry and never forgive him, she had.
Discovering he was jealous of Grant helped her better understand his conduct. Should he ever behave in such a manner again, she’d cut him off at the knees, but as long as he behaved acceptably, she was willing to give him another chance.
“I’m sure I won’t come close to having all the pie I want, especially when it’s warm from the oven. Maybe you’d be willing to make me another when you get back from your trip.”
“Only if you promise to be on your best behavior while I’m gone.”
Holding up his hand, Kade gave his solemn promise to behave to his best ability until Caterina returned. “Then I can get back to normal.”
When he flashed one of his charming smiles, her knees turned to jelly.
She studied him from the top of his fawn colored Stetson to the tips of his dusty boots and noticed cherry stains on his shirt in several places.
Reaching out, she ran her hand over a particularly large splotch on his chest. The contact made her fingers tingle and swirls of sensation filled her midsection. “I’m sorry about your shirt. I could wash it for you if you want to wear one of Garrett’s.”
Kade chuckled, although it was forced. The feel of her fingers against his chest, even through the fabric of his shirt, made his heart pound at a galloping speed. “I’ll have it laundered in town. Besides, Garrett’s shirts wouldn’t exactly fit.”
Nearly the same height, Garrett was much leaner than Kade’s brawny frame that spoke of strength and virility. With wider shoulders, a thicker chest, and more visibly muscled arms, Kade wouldn’t be able to get an arm into one of Garrett’s shirts.
Suddenly recalling what he’d looked like without his shirt, Caterina felt her cheeks flame with heat and took a step back. Although she should return to the kitchen and help Li and Aundy with the cherries, she didn’t seem to be able to make her feet move that direction.
Aware of the sudden blush turning Caterina’s cheeks bright pink, Kade wondered what she’d been thinking that put the blooms of color there. Vainly, he hoped it was something to do with him.
“I better get going,” he said, not knowing how he could survive without a kiss. He’d gone nearly a week without one and the thought of tasting those luscious lips was about to drive him crazy.
“I’ll see you when I get back.” She turned and began walking back toward the house.
Before she’d taken two steps, his hand snaked out, pulling her back against him. He inhaled the fragrance of her hair while his fingers splayed across her middle, holding her to him.
Since she’d forbidden him from kissing her, she was going to have to be the one to make the first move.
Kade fervently hoped she would. Otherwise, it was likely he’d fall to his knees right there in front of her, regardless of who might see them, and beg her for one.
Held against Kade’s solid body, Caterina was sure she’d collapse in a heap when he spread his hand against her middle. Each one of his fingers branded her through the fabric of her clothes.
Never in her life had she wanted a man to kiss her with the intensity she currently desired a kiss from Kade.
“Kade?”
“Yeah, darlin’?” His voice sounded husky and low by her ear. A delectable quiver glided down the length of her spine.
Kade glanced down and noticed Caterina’s eyelashes rested against her cheeks like tiny, dark fans. Her lips, stained red from the cherries she’d eaten, called to him so insistently he thought the fiery Italian girl would be the cause of his complete downfall.
“Don’t you want to kiss me?” In agony, she wondered why he tormented them both. Some part of her knew he wanted to kiss her as badly as she wanted to be kissed.
She heard a groan as his fingers tightened slightly where they rested against her.
“In the worst way.” He spoke each word with great effort and control.
“Then why don’t you?”
“You told me not to.”
Vaguely, she recalled yelling at him to never again kiss her. In retrospect, she might have been unreasonably hasty with that order.
She never would have imagined the feelings - the raw, wild desire - that erupted in her when Kade pressed his lips to hers. It was unsettling, mysterious, terrifying, and fantastic all at the same time.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Caterina spun to face him, threw her arms around Kade’s neck, and pulled his head down to hers.
His hand encircled her waist and he lifted her higher, holding her against him with one very strong arm.
Filled with intens
ity and wanting, the kiss they shared was better than Caterina remembered, more than she dreamed.
Lost in the insistent movement of his demanding lips against hers, she could think of nothing except losing herself in how good it felt to be the object of Kade’s desire.
As he struggled to hold Caterina and the pie, Kade finally came back to his senses when she pressed herself more tightly against him. His entire body felt like it was about to go up in flames as he lifted his head and gave her a provocative, private smile.
Slowly easing her back to her feet, he released his hold on her. Bright color crept up her neck and highlighted her cheeks.
“That might have made up for a week without any of your kisses,” he said in a lazy drawl. His eyes remained half closed as the sensations she’d stirred in him lingered a moment before he chased them away.
“Oh, gracious.” Caterina placed her hands to her hot cheeks and stepped away from Kade. She hadn’t intended to get so caught up in his kisses, planning to give him a simple one to satisfy her longing.
From past experience, though, she should have known there was nothing simple about what happened when their lips connected. “I think I better… you should… it’s past time…”
Kade laughed and took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I agree. If you’ll hold my pie while I climb on Pete, I’ll be on my way.”
Caterina took the basket from Kade and watched him mount, noticing the muscles in his thighs as he swung into the saddle. Her face felt so fevered, she thought she might have to stand with it inside the open refrigerator door for a moment before she’d be fit to help Aundy and Li with the cherries.
She handed Kade the basket and drank in the sight of him. He looked larger than life on the back of the horse.
“Remember, you behave or no more pie,” she admonished as she took another step back.
“Yes, ma’am. And you mind what J.B. says on your trip and be careful. I’ll see you when you get back.”
Caterina lifted her fingers in a quick wave then scurried up the walk and into the house, letting the screen door slap shut behind her.
Kade watched her go, admiring the swish of her skirts as she raced up the steps. When the door closed, he urged Pete down the lane. Caterina’s lips tasted even riper and sweeter than the cherries they’d eaten.
“I’m definitely in trouble, Pete, old boy. Big trouble.”
Chapter Eleven
Kade stood in the kitchen of Caterina’s future restaurant and watched a mouse skitter along the edge of the wall then disappear through a crack in the floor.
With a resigned sigh, he set down the box he carried on the counter and rolled up his sleeves.
After working until well past midnight at the sheriff’s office, he went home and caught a few hours of sleep before returning to town. His first stop had been the mercantile where he purchased several mousetraps, some sealant, and a broom.
He smiled as he thought about the eviction notice he was about to give the topos, as Caterina called the mice. After setting traps both upstairs and downstairs, he walked to the lumberyard where he purchased a few boards and carried them back to the restaurant.
One of the back steps was broken and the floorboards near the back door were weak. As he cut the boards and nailed them into place, he speculated why he labored over repairs to a restaurant he really didn’t like the idea of opening.
Although he wanted Caterina to be happy and successful, he wished it didn’t involve her sharing her amazing cooking with the population of Umatilla County. Once word got out about her food, not to mention her beauty and feisty personality, she’d have to beat away the men with a stick.
As he thought about men ogling the frustrating female who had captured his interest, Kade smacked his thumb with the hammer.
Biting back a few choice words that would shock Pastor Whitting, he shook his hand to relieve the throbbing and returned his thoughts and efforts to his task.
He could hear kids playing down the street. From the intermittent thuds of something bouncing against the boardwalk, he assumed they played with a ball. Voices blended as conversations drifted around him from people going about their business. The smell of meat roasting from one of the restaurants made his stomach growl. A glance at the sun confirmed he had a few hours before lunch so he returned to his work.
When he finished with the porch and back step, he went next door and borrowed a ladder. Using a rope, he pulled it up to a small balcony outside the bedroom. He stomped on the boards beneath his feet to make sure they were solid. With a satisfied grunt, he set the ladder in place and climbed onto the roof.
After thoroughly inspecting the shingles, he found a few that needed to be replaced and set about the task.
Kade nailed the last one in place and wiped the sweat from his brow before it dripped into his eyes. He climbed down from the roof and lowered the ladder back to the ground.
Carefully climbing back in the window, he stood inside what would most likely be Caterina’s bedroom. He could almost smell her alluring fragrance that put him in mind of something exotic and forbidden.
Before his thoughts went too far in a direction they shouldn’t, he left the room. He used the sink in the kitchen to wash his face and hands then walked down the street and over a few blocks to his favorite restaurant.
After a hearty lunch, he strolled back to Caterina’s place when Grant Hill stepped out of the bank and waved.
Kade had avoided the man since Caterina made him dinner. It was past time to get over his unreasonable jealousy and talk to his friend.
He strode over to Grant and stuck out his hand. The banker returned his handshake and gave him a questioning look.
“Aren’t you off today? I thought I heard you rounded up a few rowdies last night and hauled them to jail.” Grant was grateful he didn’t have Kade’s job. The man always seemed to be working. When he wasn’t doing that, he often helped anyone who needed a hand. Although he tried to maintain a formidable appearance and a reputation for being harsh, the lawman was known to chop wood for widows, buy candy for the kids who always seemed to play in the streets, and give money to those who were destitute.
“It was an eventful night.” Kade swiped a hand over his face, realizing he was tired. Scheduled to work the evening shift later, he had the following day off and promised to help Garrett with the haying.
Caterina would be back the day after that, and he wanted to give her a head start on having a clean building. After how badly he’d behaved the previous week, he felt like he owed her at least that much.
Frankly, he was surprised she’d even spoken to him yesterday. He knew she was still angry with him, as his cherry stained shirt would prove, but she gave him an opportunity to apologize and attempt to redeem himself.
When he noticed the spice box in a store window, he knew she had to have it. The cost of the thing was beyond ridiculous, but he would have paid far more to see the smile it brought to Caterina’s face. It would also help keep the mice out of her spices.
Trapping the rodents and sealing the cracks should rid the building of their presence. In case it didn't, he thought it would be a good idea for her to take precautions.
What she really needed was a cat. Kade cringed at the thought of a clawing ball of mewling fur. He’d never warmed up to the notion of a cat, much preferring dogs, like his overgrown canine.
He turned his attention back to Grant and nodded his head. “I’m working tonight, but I thought I’d try and chase the mice out of Caterina’s future restaurant.”
“Does it have an infestation?” Grant grimaced at the idea of rodents and the particular stench that came with their presence.
“Not bad, but you sure wouldn’t want them in a restaurant.” Kade noticed Grant glancing down the street in the direction of the building with a wary look. “I set traps this morning. Thought I’d seal all the cracks and holes. That should keep any new ones from coming in.”
“She purchased the building?�
� Grant knew the owners weren’t interested in renting. It would have been easier for Caterina if they’d been open to the idea. Since they’d relocated to Portland, they were adamant they wanted to sell and remove all their business interest in Pendleton. If they’d been willing to rent, Grant wouldn’t have needed to give Caterina such a substantial loan.
The woman was a shrewd negotiator. He still wasn't sure how she talked him into loaning her the large sum that was now in her name.
Despite that, he wasn’t worried about her paying it back. Her business sense, combined with her talents in the kitchen, beauty, and engaging personality would help make her restaurant successful.
“She and Aundy are heading to Portland today to sign the papers and order her supplies. J.B. and Nora are tagging along to make sure the girls make it there and back again in one piece. They should be home the day after tomorrow.”
Grant chuckled, picturing J.B. riding herd over the three women. He was certainly going to have his hands full. “That should be a lot of fun for J.B.”
Kade laughed and slapped Grant on the shoulder good-naturedly. “I think that’s why Garrett decided the hay had to be cut this week. He would have done just about anything to get out of going.”
“I suppose we’ll keep that amongst ourselves, though.” Grant took a step back. “It was good to see you, Kade. Good luck with your rodents.”
“Thanks, I think.” Kade grinned as he continued down the street.
Glad he stopped to talk to Grant, Kade felt lighter in step and spirit now that he was no longer fuming at the banker.
After entering the kitchen of the restaurant, Kade emptied the traps and reset them. Next, he set about the task of sealing cracks and holes, starting with the one he’d seen the mouse squeeze through earlier.
Kade stood up and stretched his back. He emptied the traps one last time before locking up for the night, keeping the key he’d retrieved from Mr. King next door.
Caterina (Pendleton Petticoats Book 2) Page 14