First K.I.S.S.: Krystal's Intuitive Soulmate Service (K.I.S.S. Series Book 1)

by V. A. Dold

  “Hey, boss. What brings you by?”

  “I just thought I’d see what you were up to.”

  Joe gave him a skeptical look. “Sure you did. Now, why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”

  Lucas took a seat and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”

  Joe took a seat across from him and waited for Lucas to tell him what was on his mind.

  “I’m not sure if you heard, but Kensie’s friend from Minnesota arrived today.”

  “No, I hadn’t heard that, but I’ve been pretty busy.”

  Lucas raked his fingers through his hair. “I know you don’t want me to interfere in your life, but hear me out.”

  Joe narrowed his eyes. “Tell me you’re not trying to set me up again.”

  “Me? No. But Krystal is another matter.” When Joe started to sputter, he held up his hand to silence him. “Please, just listen to what I have to say.”

  Joe sat back and crossed his arms. “It doesn’t look like I have a choice. Just spit it out so I can make myself dinner.”

  “I haven’t told anyone because it hasn’t been my secret to tell, but Krystal has gifts. I guess you could call her a psychic. Regardless, she told Kensie and I that she knows a lady who will be important to you.”

  Joe gaped at him, dropped his arms to his knees, and leaned forward. “Have you gone loco?”

  Lucas chuckled. “Not even close.”

  “Why on earth would a complete stranger be important to me?”

  “Krystal is a matchmaker of sorts. She was the one who matched Kensie and me together. Anyway, before you get hot under the collar, I just wanted to suggest that you loosen up a little and think about dating again. I mean, take a look at how well it worked for me.”

  Joe huffed out a breath and sat back. “I can’t deny that. You and Kensie were made for each other. That doesn’t mean it will work for me. I already had my shot.”

  Lucas shook his head. “That’s another thing Krystal told us. You see, people can have more than one love in their lifetime. She went as far as to say, they might even have more than one soulmate.”

  Joe rubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t know, Lucas. I’m not sure it would be fair to the woman to get her hopes up. I gave my heart away a long time ago.”

  “All I’m asking is that you think about it.”

  “Fine. I’ll give it some thought. But don’t tell Krystal that or she’ll have the woman on my doorstep.”

  “That’s all I’m asking. I’ll leave you to your dinner.”

  Joe closed the door behind Lucas and leaned back on it. A matchmaker sniffing around, what was he supposed to do about that? It’s not like he could yell at Krystal for messing with his life. She was basically his second boss. Ah, hell. Maybe if he waited her out she would forget about the harebrained idea.

  Sure, Lucas and Kensie had a match made in heaven. But wasn’t it too much to expect lightning to strike twice? Suddenly, Janice’s words echoed in his mind. Joe, I love you, baby, but you need to move on. I want you to find love again. I will always be with you, always watch over you. But you need to find another to love.

  *****

  Carol couldn’t remember eating as much as she had at dinner. Everything looked and smelled so good she’d overdone it, and now she was paying for it.

  She settled into a rocking chair on her porch next to Kensie and moaned. “I think you’re going to be the death of me. Death by overeating, that’s what my tombstone will read.”

  Kensie laughed. “You’ll be fine. After a few days, you’ll get in the groove of things.”

  “That’s what you say now. You just wait until I weigh four hundred pounds and can’t ride a horse because I can’t get in the saddle.”

  Kensie laughed harder. “You’re such a nut. I’ve missed your humor.”

  Carol rubbed her belly and snorted. “I wasn’t joking. Enough about food, what’s happening with the clinic?”

  “Lucas helped me find a location, and I closed on the mortgage a couple of days ago. If you’re up to it, I’d like to take you through the space and get your opinion on a few things.”

  “Sure, when do you want to do that?”

  “Why don’t you take a few days to settle in before we worry about that?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I only have a couple of suitcases to unpack, and I’m settled. Give me a few cups of coffee, and I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”

  “Duly noted. The first thing we’ll purchase for the office is a coffee maker.”

  “By the way, within two days of mailing out announcements that you were starting a private practice, my phone lit up like a Christmas tree. Many of your patients prefer to travel to Texas than lose you as their doctor. So I made copies of all of your patient files and shipped them. Did they arrive?”

  “Yep. The day after you hit the road they showed up. We can take one of the ranch trucks tomorrow and pick up filing cabinets on our way to the office. That way, while I set up an exam room, you can put the files in order. I’ve already had calls from two of our clients who are willing to travel in order to keep me as their doctor.”

  “Okay. Have you ordered medical equipment and supplies?”

  “All done. Some are at the main house, and the rest are due any day now. We should be operational within a few days.”

  “Do you have phone service and internet yet? I can take care of that tomorrow if you haven’t set up accounts.”

  “I took care of that. Everything is there except the files. I even have the medical hazardous waste disposal arranged and sharps boxes installed in the two exam rooms.”

  “Wow. You have been busy. What about our surgical needs? There are going to be patients requiring major surgery. I can’t see doing that at the clinic.”

  “I made a deal with a Hospital in Austin. I can use their surgery in exchange for occasional consulting.”

  “Wow, that’s a great set up.”

  Kensie reached over and covered Carol’s hand with her own. “I’m so glad you agreed to move to Texas and start the clinic with me.”

  “Well, with you gone from the hospital, the joint was downright boring. Where else would I be?”

  “You’re sweet. Speaking of sweet, what did you think of the ranch hands who helped with your luggage?”

  “Kensie, you know I’m not interested in men anymore. After I caught Terry in bed with my sister and he tried to blame me for not fulfilling his needs, I decided I’m finished with men. Forever. I’m done with the entire male segment of the population. No matter how hot your cowboys are.”

  “Are you telling me you never want to date again? Don’t you think that’s a bit drastic? Not every guy is a dog like Terry. Just look at Lucas. He’s an incredible man and as faithful as the day is long.”

  Sweat gathered between her shoulder blades as visions of Terry balls deep in Chloe played through her mind. She could still hear his grunts and Chloe’s moans echoing in her ears. Carol felt sick to her stomach and swallowed hard to prevent vomiting in front of Kensie.

  She shook her head to dispel the images. There are just some things a person can’t unsee or forget. If eye bleach was a thing she would have used a gallon of the stuff to erase that image so she never had to see it again.

  “I’m happy for you, really I am. But the truth is there are more bad relationships than there are good. At least from what I’ve seen and experienced. Terry’s cheating was the straw the broke the camel’s back of our relationship. His incessant lying had already eroded my trust long before I caught them together. I’m not sure I can ever trust a man again. I know you mean well, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about hot steamy nights between the sheets. I’m just not sure I’ll ever find a man as good as your Lucas.”

  “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, but don’t call it quits on men completely. We all have a soul mate out there. Thankfully, Terry wasn’t yours. Give it a little time, I
have a feeling your true love will appear and sweep you off your feet.”

  “We all want our fairytale happy ending. Maybe it’s just me, and I suck at dating. After all, I’m the only common denominator in all of my failed relationships.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. It’s not you, but it might be the men you are choosing. There are a lot of good guys out there. I have an idea, why don’t you let me pick one for you?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know.”

  “Oh, come on. If I can come up with someone I think will be a good match for you, will you at least consider it?”

  Carol smiled. She could always count on Kensie to cheer her up. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Good. You deserve better than a man like Terry. I’m going to find someone who will cherish you. He’s out there, I just need to take a good look around.”

  “You do that. But I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for Prince Charming to ride up to my porch on his white horse, wearing a white hat.”

  The notion of dating gave her the shivers. She pictured herself on a date with a scrawny, balding man who combed his hair over from one ear to the other. Yuck! No, she was better off alone. Dating wasn’t something she looked forward to. Besides, by her ripe old age of thirty-five, all the good men were either gay or already taken. That and there was her other problem. Even Kensie didn’t know what happened when she was a teenager.

  “Stop that. I know what you’re thinking, and it’s hogwash. Give me a chance to find the right man for you. I don’t want you to give up before you let me take a shot at finding your mister right.”

  She gave her friend a good long look. Kensie had managed to find a keeper. Maybe she would let her have a go at picking out a man. Obviously, Kensie had better taste in men than she did. “Fine, I admit it, you’re right. I would love to have an honest man in my life who thought I hung the moon. To tell the truth, over the past couple of weeks, hearing you gush about Lucas and now meeting him, I wish I had what you have.

  “What I wouldn’t give for a truly old-fashioned man who tipped his hat and held doors for me. If the guy throws a few Darlin’s in the mix, I’m game. But let me make myself clear, I’m only interested in a date, maybe two. I don’t do relationships well.”

  *****

  Joe stared out his front window, the one that had a direct view of the vacant cabin across the road. The cabin that currently had Kensie and a strange woman sitting on its porch. He gave the cabin a hard look. The door was open, allowing the cool night breeze to air the unit out, and a light was on in the kitchenette. Was the lady with Kensie his new neighbor?

  His gaze returned to the woman, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

  Jacob quietly whispered in his mind, you should take a closer look.

  Against his better judgment, he grabbed for his well-worn hat.

  You should wear the going to town hat, Jacob suggested.

  He changed his mind, grabbed his dress hat, and stepped outside. His intention was to sit in his rocking chair and enjoy the evening.

  You don’t want to sit around and watch from the porch, go on over there.

  To his surprise, he found himself crossing the road. What the heck was wrong with him?

  At the same moment that he stepped from his house, the women went into the cabin. He paused and stared. He’d looked past that cabin for over five years as if it were a part of the landscape. When had the trim been painted white? Were there planters with flowers along the porch before? How had he missed the changes?

  He was fixin’ to turn around and go home.

  Jacob quickly whispered, Don’t leave. Stay and introduce yourself.

  Joe frowned at his feet that seemed to have a mind of their own. About half way across the road, voices drifted from the open window, which, if he recalled correctly was next to the bed. Damn, he didn’t need to be imagining that gorgeous woman between the sheets.

  Her soft, melodious tones caressed his ears. He couldn't hear what was said, but her voice seemed to soak into his soul and wrap around his heart. A heart that had no business getting involved with any woman. He no longer had a heart to give. Janice claimed it years ago. Besides, he had his kids to think about. Contradicting himself, he moved closer. Feeling like a peeping tom, he strained to hear what was being said.

  Hearing only murmurs, Joe took another step. Just as he was able to catch the word “stay,” the women fell silent. The only sounds were the ruffling of leaves on the bushes he stood near and the soft swish of the cotton curtain obstructing his view as it moved gently on the evening breeze. He waited. Not daring to breathe for fear they would hear him and catch him eavesdropping.

  The door opened, and Joe panicked. He quickly backed several paces until he was at the edge of the road. Kensie and the woman stepped onto the porch, but were still too shadowed for him to get a good look at the intriguing female.

  “Thank you, Kensie. I really appreciate the use of this cabin.”

  “You’re welcome. And I mean it. I want you to stay here. There’s no need for you to go house hunting when I have a perfectly good cabin sitting empty.”

  “You say that now, but give it a few weeks, and you will be praying I find a new place to live.”

  Kensie laughed. “That’s never going to happen.”

  “Are you sure you can’t stay for a cup of tea?”

  “I better not. You know how I am, I’ll want to stay and chat for hours.”

  He watched as they moved to the top of the stairs. The light cast through the open door softly backlit the women. The sight was magical, creating an ethereal glow around them.

  Joe stared at the dark haired woman for a heartbeat.

  “Joe?” Kensie asked.

  Joe removed his hat, twisting the brim nervously. “Evening, Kensie.”

  “Good evening, Joe. This is my best friend, Carol Duffy. Carol this is Joe Christian. He lives in the cabin with the picket fence.”

  Carol gave him a little smile. “Hello, Joe.”

  Joe’s feet remained firmly planted, so instead of shaking her hand he gave her a nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Carol.”

  Kensie leaned toward Carol and whispered, “You know that prince charming I was going to find for you? I just found him. We made a deal, and now you have to give him a chance.”

  Carol’s eyes went wide.

  Grinning, Kensie cleared her throat and announced. “I better get going. Lucas will be wondering where I got off too.” She hugged her friend and walked toward Joe. Quietly, she whispered, “Make her feel welcome and perhaps have a cup of tea. She’s feeling a little out of sorts with the move.”

  Joe glanced at Carol, who remained on the porch, then back to Kensie and gave her a nod.

  Kensie looked over her shoulder at her friend as she turned to go. “If you brought any of your sleepy time tea, you might want to have a cup. It’ll help you sleep tonight. Good Night!” Then she walked away.

  Joe stared up at Carol. Stuck in place, he felt like he was under some kind of spell. With a last name like Duffy, he wondered if she was black Irish. He had a friend on a neighboring ranch who was of that segment of the Irish lineage. He once explained that black Irish was a term for Irish people with black or dark hair, who normally had dark eyes but could also have lighter colors. They tended to be stoutly built with naturally tan complexions.

  With her rounded, curvy figure, straight dark hair to the middle of her back, and unfreckled skin, she was most definitely of black Irish descent. Unlike the Irish who freckle and burn in the sun, dark Irish tend to tan. He shook his head to dispel his thoughts when he began to imagine tan lines. He had no business visualizing her in a skimpy bathing suit. But damn, he was positive she could rock a string bikini.

  Stacy, Carol’s spirit guide, whispered, you should invite him in for a cup of tea.

  Carol tilted her head and smiled a curious smile. “I was about to have tea, and as you heard, Kensie couldn’t stay. Would you care for a cup?” She turned awa
y from him before he could respond and walked into her cabin leaving the door open in invitation.

  Joe could hear the sound of china clattering. He found her in the tiny kitchenette busily gathering two cups.

  “Yes, thank you. I would love a cup.” Which he hoped wasn’t a blatant lie. He’d never tried tea in his life. Not a single cup. Roy told him tea tasted like dried leaves someone picked up in their yard and boiled. He prayed he didn’t hate the stuff because there was no way he could spit it out in front of Carol if it was awful.

  He was raised to seat a lady before himself. So, instead of taking a chair at the table, he leaned against the wall next to the door.

  When she had been backlit by the cabin’s light, Joe hadn’t been able to see her well enough to guess her age.

  Now, with the benefit of interior lighting he could see she was in her mid-thirties. Her face was attractive and her eyes were captivating. He’d never seen such a soft shade of gray. They were keen, intelligent eyes, but there was innate sadness in her gaze. He wondered what happened to cause her such grief. He was embarrassed when he realized she’d caught him staring. She simply stood there quietly, her incredible eyes fixed on him, letting him look his fill.

  Carol glanced at him over her shoulder. A faint frown creased her brow, but quickly transformed into a slight smile. “Please, take a seat and make yourself at home. The tea is steeping, and I’ll only be a minute.”

  He twisted the brim of his hat again. “I can wait until you’re finished.”

  She raised a brow and studied him for a long minute. He felt like he was under a microscope. The woman had an unswerving gaze that seemed to see all the way to his soul. It reminded him of the way Janice would look at him when she didn’t approve of something. And that thought made him uncomfortable. Simply standing in another woman’s cabin felt like a betrayal.

  Jacob shook his head. You’re not betraying Janice. She wants you to be happy.

  Suddenly his guilt faded, and he wanted to stay. He had been behaving strangely ever since he’d laid eyes on the woman. He couldn’t understand what had gotten into him.