I guess it’s that anticipation that leads me to pull my phone out and dial Kate. There’s no hemming and hawing, no time to get nervous.
“Garrett?” she asks, her voice so smooth and sweet that I’ll be glad I made the call even if she says no to the question I’m about to ask her.
“Hey, Kate. I was, uh… calling on the off chance you might be free, that you might let me take you to Spokane for lunch?” That’s all I’ve got, and I wait for an answer.
The silence on the other end is thankfully brief. “Are we celebrating something?”
I can feel the shoulders I’d been holding stiff relax. “If you’re agreeing to go with me, then how about I tell you when we get there?”
She offers a small laugh. “Okay. Fair enough, Garrett.”
And damn if her saying yes doesn’t make me even more excited than I am about the farm. It’s a quick drive to her house where she’s waiting outside. She looks incredible in a dress covered in tiny flowers and cinched up at the waist with some kind of belt that she makes look good. Instead of the biker boots I’d first seen her in at Pamela’s, she got on some cowgirl boots that I can tell are probably vintage but well cared for by Kate. Her blonde hair is down, going past her shoulders and lying on top of a light sweater she wears over her dress.
She’s so damn beautiful that I don’t notice at first how standoffish she is.
The drive to Spokane takes close to an hour, and while the few words we’d spoken over the phone had been easy, there’s something keeping us from that kind of comfortable dialogue in person. It makes me nervous, makes me worry that Kate doesn’t like me or that maybe we don’t have anything in common when it comes down to it. We’ve got the radio to fill the silence, country music that Paige used to detest but that Kate at least doesn’t complain about, maybe even likes.
I’m relieved when we make it to our destination, The Davenport, an old hotel in downtown Spokane that’s been around forever. It’s one of those places that had enjoyed days of glory before falling into disrepair and neglect several decades ago. Then someone saw all of that lost potential and brought it back while preserving the history, the story of its past told in pictures inside the huge lobby.
“I figured we could eat here,” I tell her, making sure to park in front of one of the restaurants below the hotel on street level, not wanting her to think even for a minute I’d brought her here for another purpose.
“I haven’t been here in a really long time,” Kate says as we walk through the first floor, glittering chandeliers and art all around us. She’s such a gorgeous girl, and I’m proud to be walking alongside her.
“Been a long while for me too.” I can’t remember the last time I’d been here, but it was probably during my jeans, work boots and flannel phase where that was about all I wore. Today, I’m wearing fitted trousers and a dress shirt, knowing how to dress properly being one of the good things I’d learned during my time in the NFL. “I wasn’t sure you’d come along today, but I’m glad you did,” I tell her, guiding her into the restaurant I’d picked and hoping she’ll like it.
“Well, you sounded pretty excited,” she says, looking around at the traditional décor of the restaurant and smiling. “I didn’t want to be the one to dampen that.”
“I appreciate it.” I just hope her agreeing wasn’t out of pity.
We’re led to a nice table by the window, and I wait for Kate to slide into her side of the booth before I sit. The hostess provides menus and promises our server will be right over.
Kate takes a quick, cursory glance at the menu before lifting her eyes back to mine. “And now that we’re here, you have to tell me what your surprise is—did you get the farm?”
Easing back into the booth, I laugh. “I guess it wasn’t much of a surprise after all, then?”
“So, you did get it?” Her eyes light up.
“Yeah, as long as everything goes through. The offer was accepted, so we just need to get through an inspection and me submitting a plan to the bank about how I’ll earn an income off the farm.”
“You mean you aren’t paying cash for the entire thing?”
I laugh again. “I’m not that loaded Kate, so if you only want me for my money, you might be out of luck.” I’m teasing, but her eyes widen like I’d just made a major faux pas.
“I was just curious,” she says, turning back to the menu.
Apologizing for something that was meant to be a joke would probably just complicate things, so I remain quiet. And thankfully, once we’ve gotten through ordering, she doesn’t show any sign of holding a grudge.
“I’m actually really proud of you, Garrett.” She leans in. “I mean, a lot of guys in your position wouldn’t want to come back to a small town and put down roots, but I get it. I guess I’m like you—I never really saw a need to escape a place like Basin Lake.”
“Except you did.” I take a sip from the beer that had just been delivered to me, curious as to why. “Not saying you needed to escape or anything, but you did still leave for two years.”
She sits back and folds her hands on the table. “You’re right. I had my reasons, but I’m glad to be back. And I got that babysitting job for the Foresters and the cashier position at the store too.”
“Hey, that’s great. Another reason to celebrate!” I lift my beer to her, and she scoops up her Coke, and we clink glasses.
“I’m not sure working at a grocery store will lead to much,” she says, setting her drink down, “but I can always take some classes at the community college like Beth does if I feel like more of a challenge.”
“Or you could help me out at my new farm.” Now that I’m about to have a place of my own, I can make the offer, but I still pick up my beer and take another long drink, hiding my nerves behind the glass and hopeful she doesn’t think I’m pushing too hard.
She slides a finger down her cheek. “What in the world would you need me to do at your new farm?”
“I’m sure I could think of a lot of stuff. I mean, you basically built houses for two years, and if you’d seen Murphy’s house and some of the outbuildings, you’d know how much work they need.”
She laughs. “I guess you’re right, but I’m used to working on a bigger team, being supervised. So, if you need new plumbing or the place rewired, I’m not really the girl for the job.”
“Okay, well, maybe it’s just something we can keep talking about, and you’ll let me know if you have any interest?”
Our food comes before she can give me an answer. And then she slides right into a different subject, talking about Beth and Ben’s sons before drifting toward talking about our old high school and comparing teachers with me, most of whom we both had, even though we are years apart. The only thing Kate doesn’t seem to want to talk about is herself.
But I’m feeling bold today, and so I push. “I felt a little ignored at the brunch on Sunday by you. Not sure if that was on purpose or not, but made me think I must have done something to upset you—did I?”
She’s mid-bite on the salad she ordered, but she sets her fork down, swallows and takes a sip of her Coke. After biting at her bottom lip, she says, “No… you didn’t do anything, Garrett. I guess I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea about us.”
“The wrong idea?” I swallow hard, not liking where this is going.
She flushes pink and flusters a bit. “Oh, I don’t know. I was probably reading things all wrong.” She lifts her hand and hides her face for a good thirty seconds. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Wait… what do you have to be embarrassed about?” I sit forward, allowing some faith back in. “If you thought I was interested in you, then you were right. I haven’t been around a girl like you in… well, basically in forever.”
Her shoulders relax, but then they stiffen right back up. “But you did feel that way about Paige.”
“You should know that’s ancient history at this point.” It’s not a lie.
She nods, relaxing again. “I know… a
nd I’m glad you’re interested. I just don’t think it’s a good time for us to be anything more than friends. You just have to trust me on that.”
My heart sinks again at being friend-zoned, but I focus on the fact she mentions now isn’t a good time, and I sense maybe that won’t last forever. But I’d still like to know all of what I’m up against.
“Is there another guy?” Presuming probably means I’m thinking a little too highly of myself, but I just don’t see a girl as beautiful as Kate not having a guy hopelessly in love with her.
She takes another drink of her Coke and shifts in her seat. “If I told you there was, would that convince you we’re better off as friends?”
It could, since the last thing I need is to get involved with another girl who has feelings for someone else. “Do you love this guy?” I press onward, moving out of my comfort zone, a sudden sick feeling in the pit of my stomach at what her answer might be.
She pauses way too long. “I… maybe.” She slides a finger behind her ear and looks down before raising her chin back up and barely meeting my gaze. “Look, can we talk about something else?”
I grumble out a sigh. I’m pushing her way too hard and way too fast. It’s a weakness, one I’m going to have to get a grip on if I don’t want to jeopardize this thing we have, even if it’s just a friendship, so I pull back. “We can talk about whatever you want. How’s your food?”
Then she looks at me, eyes wide, as if she’s trying to catch up with the change in topic she’d asked for. “Umm… it’s fine,” she says, picking her fork up and taking another bite.
* * *
In what I think is a good sign for our friendship at least, Kate and I are able to move past that brief and maybe even uncomfortable disruption in our conversation. I force myself to get over my expectations for her and instead focus on answering a few of her questions about Minneapolis—yes, it’s really, really cold there during the winter, and yes, it kind of sucked living in an apartment instead of a house, but it’s not like I was home much anyway. She doesn’t ask me about the NFL or any of the women I might have dated, and I’m grateful for that. Instead, she talks about Clark, her stepdad, and says he’s the only guy she thinks she could ever approve of being married to her mom, then talks about some of the small towns she’d worked in over the last couple years and finally mentions the bonfires that were a part of growing up in Basin Lake. We’re both in agreement that we miss them sometimes.
Then, once we’re finished eating and everything has been cleared away, I go out on a limb and asked Kate if she’d hang out with me a while longer. I expect some hesitation, but she doesn’t offer any.
“We should head to Manitou Park up on South Hill,” she offers. “The leaves will be starting to turn color, and I think it might be beautiful.”
“That sounds great.” Even going to Home Depot with her would be great, anything to spend more time with her.
It’s a short drive up the hill to Manitou Park, a place we’d all gone to visit as kids on daylong field trips. While it’s a park, it’s also got a greenhouse full of exotic plants and grounds full of every kind of flower, shrub and bush you could imagine, most of them with little name plates to tell you what they’re called. I’d actually found it kind of interesting as a kid, considering my family grew wheat, alfalfa, potatoes and corn on our farm. While we weren’t so much into the ornamental varieties, I was still more fascinated by it than maybe Evan, Ben or our old friend, Mike, were.
“I love this place so much,” Kate says, locking her hands in front of her as we walk side-by-side down a grassy slope leading away from the greenhouse, a current crop of school kids running around with what are probably a mix of teachers and parental volunteers. “Paige and Evan’s house is maybe half a mile away.” She looks over her shoulder, as if the house could be seen from here. “If they weren’t still in Montana, we could surprise them with a visit.”
“Not sure they’re ready for any surprise visits from me.” We’re rounding a corner and heading toward the small lake in the park. I have an urge to hold her hand, but I keep to myself.
“That hug Evan gave you was genuine,” she says like an impassioned plea. “They’re really ready to put the past behind them and have their friendship with you back.”
I’d hoped for that, but I was having a tough time completely believing it was actually true. But when Kate says it, it does feel more real.
“I’ll trust you on that. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up the phone wanting to talk to one or the other of them. Well, not at first… not right after the breakup… because I was pretty pissed for a while.”
“As you should have been.” Kate nods across the narrow road we’re walking on, and we cross over, moving toward the lake that is now in view. “I wanted to murder my sister when I found out she dumped you,” she continues. “But then Claire reminded me it meant you’d be single again.”
There’s a light-hearted feeling in my chest as I stop and raise my brows at her. “Oh, yeah?”
She stops too, close to quacking ducks that float near the shore.
Her face flushes pink. “I was twelve, Garrett.”
“Sure, but I’m still single,” I remind her. That urge to hold her hand is stronger now, but I continue to keep it at bay.
She blinks a few times, then turns to the ducks. There are several pairs of them, swimming and dunking their heads into the glassy, reflective water for food, paired off just like so many of their human counterparts.
More than a few minutes of silence pass between us before she turns back to me. “They’d like me to do at least one more year at Houses for Us.”
“What? I thought you were planning to stay in Basin Lake?” I’m thrown off. Even if Kate has been giving me the friend vibe, knowing she’d gotten work with Beth and Ben and would be staying in Basin Lake allowed me the room to think I’d have more time with her.
“It’s still up in the air, more like an open invite to work in any part of the country I choose. I mean, I like taking care of Nathan and Cord, and working at Forester’s will be cool, but if I stick with HFU—that’s the abbreviation we use—then I’d have an opportunity to move up if I wanted to, maybe even into management.”
I don’t fully understand where this is coming from considering how much Kate had been talking up our hometown, how she was thinking about taking some community college classes if she got too bored and the fact that she’s finally close to her family again after being gone for so long. But I’m not going to get any extra points for questioning her, so I just close with the best thing I can think of.
“If you feel like HFU is your future, then you’ve got to go with that.” I draw in a breath, then make sure she’s looking at me before I add, “But I’d sure be bummed to see you leave town.”
Her eyes brighten and then fade… and then she’s quiet.
If I could only know what she’s thinking.
CHAPTER NINE
KATE
“How was your date yesterday, dear?”
I throw my hand to my chest and nearly spill the bowl of cereal I’d just set down on the dining room table at the unexpected voice. “You scared me, Grandma!”
She’s sitting in one of the recliners in the living room, and sometimes it still takes a little getting used to seeing her up and around the house considering she’d always stuck to her own room when we were growing up here.
“A good startle keeps the heart healthy.” She’s petting Lucille II on her lap, and she’s got Dr. Phil on TV with the sound muted.
“If you say so.” I pick up my cereal and carry it into the living room, sitting down on the couch and plunking my spoon into my bowl. “Why don’t you have the sound on?”
“Oh… lately I’ve been getting annoyed with that man. He had some girl on there who was being so disrespectful to everyone, her mother most of all, and then she spewed out some catch phrase that’s been going around like wildfire.” Grandma shakes her head and seems to be steel
ing herself from getting too annoyed. “Now that girl is all over the news, and Dr. Phil is the one that made her famous. Can you believe that?”
I’ve seen the meme of the girl she’s talking about, and I can’t help but get a laugh out of Grandma being upset. “But how is it Dr. Phil’s fault exactly?” I’m guessing he wasn’t all that impressed with his guest’s behavior.
“He gave her the platform, dear, and I’m starting to wonder about that man. I just don’t trust him like I used to. And I’m not happy with Dr. Oz either. I think I’m just going to start watching Netflix.”
I try not to laugh again because Grandma is being so serious about this stuff, but I can’t help it, especially when Lucille II is sprawled out over her lap and looking like she owns the place.
“I’m sure it will be fine,” I say before eating a spoonful of cereal.
“I certainly hope so.” Grandma takes the remote and turns the TV off, Dr. Phil’s face disappearing from the screen. “What I’d like to hear about now is your date with Garrett Hevener. How did it go, dear?”
I’ve just shoveled a second mouthful of cereal, so chewing and swallowing gives me a little time to think on how to answer a question I’d hoped she’d just forget about. It’s part of why I’d waited outside for him when he came to pick me up, but of course Grandma has eyes just like the rest of us. “It wasn’t a date, Grandma. He was just happy about his offer being accepted on some property. You ever heard of the Murphy farm?”
“Really? Well, yes I’ve heard of it. Garrett bought the place?”
“Yeah, in the process.”
“Oh… well, he’ll certainly be an improvement over Cylus Murphy. That man was a straight-up bastard.”
Unbroken by Love (The Basin Lake Series Book 4) Page 6