“Me too.”
I texted Emily that we were going to drop by. I wasn’t one of those bosses that enjoyed surprising my employees. I helped Katie off the chair in the bathroom, and we walked slowly down the stairs. I unlatched the lock at the bottom, and she went for the two waiting dogs, who were still confounded by all the new contraptions around their house.
I bundled Katie up and grabbed a few toys in case making cookies wasn’t as fascinating as I thought and off we went. The busy time had already passed at the bakery so it would be a good time to stop in. I managed to get Katie buckled into the car seat rather seamlessly and took another snapshot to send to Jason with the message, “Off to the bakery.”
By the time we arrived at the bakery and got out of the car, Emily was already coming over to us.
“Who’s that?” Katie asked.
“That’s Emily. She helps run the bakery.”
“This is Katie,” I said, introducing the two. “I thought we might want to make some cookies. Katie’s never made any before.”
We walked into the bakery and the delicious aroma swirled around us. Katie wandered around to the different tables and then spied the bakery case and beelined toward it.
“You can help make some,” Emily said. “I still need to put out the snickerdoodles.”
“I can do that.”
I really wasn’t sure how long Katie’s attention span would last, but it would be fun while it lasted. I could get caught up on some of the business I needed to attend to, while Emily and Katie mixed cookie dough. I picked out an apron that was far too big for Katie and folded it in half, winding the sash around her waist several times before tying it.
None of what they made would make it into the case, but it would certainly be fun to watch. Now Jason’s shop was a completely different thing. They’d gladly take whatever we came up with. I hoisted a large container of flour onto one of the roller carts and pushed it forward.
I followed Emily and Katie to the entrance of the backroom, but Katie stopped and held up her hand.
“A present.” She smiled.
“I can’t come?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Okay,” I sighed. “But you two are going to have all the fun.”
She beamed and continued into the back. I picked up a pile of envelopes from the back counter and began sorting, tossing most away. There were a couple of vendor bills, but that was about it. I took a seat at the table and began opening up the remaining mail.
The front door swung open and Jason walked in. My heart skipped a beat when our eyes locked. I hadn’t expected him to stop by, which was why I looked the way I did, hair in a tight bun, black jersey skirt, and an oversized turquoise sweatshirt. I’d planned on getting home before him and changing into a pair of jeans, at least.
I heard Emily and Katie deciding on a batch of sugar cookies that she could decorate back at the house.
“What are you doing here?” I smiled.
“Thought I might surprise you. It seemed like you two were having all the fun.” He walked over and my heart caught in my throat. I could see something more behind his gaze.
Standing up, I gave him a quick hug, but he didn’t let go. Instead he slowly walked me backward. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all morning.”
He pressed his body against mine, and I felt his firmness dig into me.
“Seriously?” I teased. “This is how you greet me in the middle of my bakery?”
“Evil, isn’t it?” he laughed, his mouth next to my ear.
“Very.” I looked up at him through my lashes. “There’s a sheet of snickerdoodles that I still need to put in the rack and Emily and Katie could come out any second.”
I took a step back and winked.
“Now that’s evil,” he laughed. He swiped my cheek with his thumb. “Flour.”
“Of course,” I laughed and somehow my body found its way right back into his embrace.
He used his finger to tip my chin as his eyes stayed secured on mine.
“This is so fun.”
“I feel like we’ve got so much ahead of us to look forward to,” Jason said.
“We do,” I whispered, feeling the electricity between us overpower my common sense. I’d be mortified if Emily and Katie came out, but I didn’t care, not while he had me in his arms.
A text came over my phone that was in my sweatshirt pocket. The vibration surprised us both and Jason flashed me a wicked grin.
“Not what you’re hoping,” I laughed.
Jason’s hands ran through my hair, and I knew I was completely at his mercy. Jason wrapped his arms around my waist, and his eyes fell to my lips. I closed my eyes, feeling his mouth touch down to mine. He brought his hands up, cradling my face as his kisses deepened, and my world melted into his. The phone vibrated again, and Jason slowly released me.
“That’s really rotten of you,” I said, narrowing my eyes as he took a step back.
“I thought you’d appreciate my thank you.”
“It was okay,” I teased, looking at my texts.
“Looks like some people we know can’t wait until Saturday to meet Katie. They’re on the ferry and want to meet us at the diner for lunch.”
“Who?” Jason asked.
“Aaron, Lily, Ayden, and Brandy.”
Jason’s laughter filled the room, and I heard Katie’s voice go up an octave. She came out of the backroom with Emily hot on her trail. She waved at Jason, completely unconcerned with the cookie dough that coated her hands.
“We’re going to head off to lunch soon. Once the cookies are done baking,” I told Katie, who was now licking the dough off her fingers. “Don’t ruin your appetite.”
Katie giggled, and I linked my arm through Jason’s. Katie and Emily trundled to the back.
“It’s pretty close to lunch time. Maybe one of us should head over to the diner and reserve a booth,” he said, taking a step closer, his mouth less than an inch from mine.
My gaze fell to his mouth, which he did nothing about. He only smiled.
“That’s not nice to tease someone like that,” I said.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he said, making his voice even sexier than usual.
“Fine. I’ll go over to the diner, but don’t count on sitting anywhere near me,” I teased. “I can’t handle you right now.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a tiny pouch and handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked, examining it.
It smelled wonderful, like oranges and vanilla.
“I thought with everything you’ve gone through, you might enjoy a nice bubble bath tonight. One of the guys at work was selling them. His wife makes them. They’re bath salts or something.”
“They smell amazing.”
“Too bad you’ll be in the bath all by yourself,” he whispered, his mouth barely grazing my ear.
“You’re on a roll,” I said, slapping his shoulder. “It’s bordering on harassment.”
He shrugged and took a step back.
“I’ll see you at the diner,” I laughed. I handed him my keys and grabbed his and marched out of the bakery. Two could play hard to get.
I got into his car and slammed the door. Putting the car in drive, I pressed on the accelerator a little too hard and churned up the gravel behind me before hitting the main road. My cell rang, and I pushed the button on the steering wheel to answer.
“Hello?” I answered.
“You shut the door on your dress, and it’s flapping in the breeze,” Jason chuckled.
“Is that all?” I asked.
“That’d be it,” he continued to laugh. “Oh, and I love you.”
The phone disconnected. I found a turnout up ahead that I pulled onto where I opened the door and freed my skirt.
Onward.
The diner was pretty busy by the time I got there, but thankfully, the large booth was free.
The hostess sat me down at the table and said she’d send
my friends over. It wasn’t five minutes before they arrived. I stood up and waved them over before the hostess had a chance to direct them.
“Where’s she at?” Lily asked caring a present.
“Jason’s bringing her. They’re waiting for cookies to be done.”
“So how’s everything going?” Brandy asked, giving me a big hug.
“Amazingly well,” I confessed. “I keep waiting for something to happen, but she’s so sweet. Granted it’s only been a couple days.” I dug out my phone and showed Lily the outfit. “This is what she’s wearing today. She picked it out on her own this morning.”
“Kid’s got good taste,” Lily laughed.
I glanced toward the door and saw Jason making his way along with Katie. They were holding hands, walking through the crowd that had now gathered for lunch hour. This place was known for their homemade fries, and always had a line to prove it around lunch and dinner time.
“Oh, my god. She looks exactly like Jason. Even more so than the pictures,” Brandy whispered.
Katie got to the booth, and Jason lifted her up and put her in the booster chair, buckling her in.
Katie looked around at everyone, her eyes wide. Maybe we overdid it. Maybe there were too many people all at once.
“I’m Aaron, Gabby’s brother,” Aaron said. He was sitting two seats down from me, across from Katie. She smiled and that began the introductions around the table, and when we got to Lily she passed her present over to Jason, who helped Katie begin to unwrap it.
“Anything you want to say to Lily?” I asked.
“Thank you.” She smiled and tore into the package of crayons while Jason began sorting the coloring books on the table.
Jason’s phone rang, and he bolted from the table as if his butt was on fire. He signaled he’d be right back and took off.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I laughed.
The chatter from our table came and went several times when I realized that Jason still wasn’t back. I had to laugh at the ridiculousness of it.
Aaron caught my glance. “Thought it was all taken care of.”
“Me too,” I said. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go find him. If the server comes back, I’ll have the macaroni and cheese and so will Jason.”
I worked my way out of the booth and felt the awkward gazes from my friends and brother. I think they were as perplexed as I was about Jason’s disappearance. Moving my way through the busy restaurant, I kept canvassing all the males until my eyes landed on the one I wanted. He was near the entrance talking on his phone. His gaze caught mine, and I gave a slight wave and smile as I walked over to him.
He ended his call and smiled. “You okay?” he asked.
“As long as I stop getting paranoid, I’ll be fine.” My apprehension escalated.
The suspense in the air was thick, and his expression did little to calm my fears. He leaned against the wall. His strong body stretched under the fabric of his clothes. He held out his hands, and I intertwined mine with his.
“Now what?” I asked.
His expression softened as he pulled me into him. “Nothing but good things. Promise.”
“Not sure I like that answer.”
He let out a deep breath, and I felt his body stiffen slightly.
“I feel like it’s Groundhog’s Day or something.”
“Not even close.”
“You can’t blame me for being a little paranoid…”
“No. I really can’t.”
Jason gave a slight chuckle. “You deserve as many answers as I have. Unfortunately, there are a lot I still don’t have, and you’re going to have to wait until later. It’s a surprise for your parents, and I don’t want Aaron or Brandy to say anything.”
A couple who were waiting for a table bumped into me, pushing me deeper into Jason’s embrace.
“No more secrets,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
“No more secrets.”
The noise in the diner escalated as we walked to our table. “I had them order us mac and cheese.” I told Jason.
“Awesome.”
Everyone’s eyes were on us as we approached the booth. “Everything sorted out?” Lily asked, shooting a disapproving look toward Jason.
“It is,” I said, sliding onto the seat with Jason following.
I watched Aaron scrutinize Jason and I had to laugh. At least I knew that blood was thicker than water.
Katie had broken two of the crayons already and was definitely into coloring outside of the lines.
“Wow. That is beautiful,” Brandy said, noticing the bracelet on my arm.
My cheeks warmed. I forgot I was wearing it, and I knew Lily and Brandy would notice it.
“Thank you. Jason got it for me.”
“Way to make us all look bad,” Ayden teased.
The meal extended into dessert as we enjoyed one another’s company. Katie was so well behaved, but she looked like she was fading fast. I caught Jason’s attention and nodded toward her so we decided to say our goodbyes until Saturday.
We walked out to the parking lot, our friends still gushing over Katie while Aaron carried her out. I glanced at Jason and he pulled me in tighter.
“This isn’t the end of us. This is only the beginning of what we’re meant to be,” Jason whispered, sending a wave of happiness through my body.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I said, watching my brother bounce Katie around.
Jason ran to the grocery store, so Katie and I kept ourselves busy in the family room watching the Little Mermaid. We’d decided on a dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup. We were still pretty full from the impromptu lunch earlier today, but come evening, we’d probably be starved. Katie was sprawled on the floor below with several of her new friends laid out next to her. Sunny and Tomato were resting on the couch above her, keeping watch through their eyelids.
I was still amazed at how well Katie was assimilating. I knew we’d face challenges ahead, but I was grateful for how few we’d had. I was really looking forward to our get together on Saturday. Jason had arranged for my parents to be whisked away after our dinner for a long weekend in the San Juan Islands as a thank you for everything they had helped with. Those kinds of secrets were okay.
One thing I was amazed and grateful for was Katie’s precociousness. It was charming to see, and I loved how I could talk to her almost like she was a little adult. Granted, we had some hiccups here and there on meanings, but how else would she learn? I didn’t want to talk down to her.
Before we’d started the Little Mermaid, we saw an advertisement on television for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and she absolutely lit up. I saw a spark in her eyes and asked if she’d like to go sometime. I got a nod and from a four-year old, that was enough for me. I immediately called and bought tickets for the Nutcracker in December. She’d be five by then, and maybe we would even find her some lessons on the island to take. I could just imagine how cute she’d in a leotard and tights, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. Jason already had images of her on the back of his dirt bike.
I watched her bob her head up and down to the music and held in a chuckle. I took a picture and texted it to Jason. That would probably make his grocery trip a little more fun. I also sent it to Carla and my dad. They were both so shocked at how cute she was, and how much she looked like Jason. I agreed on both points.
Katie continued dancing to the beat of the music, occasionally clapping her hands.
“Do you want a cookie or anything?”
“Yes, please,” she answered, too mesmerized by Ariel to worry about what arrived in front of her.
“Okay, then I’ll bring over some broccoli.”
That got her attention. She whipped around and shook her head, and I laughed.
“Not a fan?” I asked.
She shook her head and twisted her blanket around her, settling back to watch the Little Mermaid.
“Who’s your favorite character?” I asked.
“Ariel. No… Flounder,” she responded.
I got up and had a sudden head rush. The room began to spin, and I steadied myself while taking quiet, deep breaths. Everything settled back in place, but it scared me enough to tell Jason when he returned. Maybe I’d run up to the urgent care facility tonight after dinner. I took my time walking to the kitchen—afraid of getting another head rush—and stopped to rest at the breakfast bar. Something was definitely wrong. My breathing didn’t feel regular. It felt shallow.
I glanced at Katie as I opened the fridge and pulled out the carton of milk. Reaching in the cupboard for the glasses, my foot slipped and I fell against the counter. The newspapers fell to the tile floor, and Katie looked toward the kitchen to see what the ruckus was. I leaned against the counter, rubbing my hands together. They started tingling when my foot slipped. Come to think of it, both of my feet felt very prickly, like I’d cut off the circulation. Maybe that was what had happened. That could account for the head rush too.
Katie looked really concerned. “Trip?”
“Just me being clumsy,” I said, picking the newspaper up off of the floor. I steadied myself against the counter and shook my head.
I didn’t have time for this. I straightened my shoulders, like that would do something, and grabbed the glasses out of the cupboard. I filled both up with milk and placed a few different kinds of cookies on a platter. Since I only had two hands, I took the milk over first. Setting Katie’s on a coaster on the end table, I put mine on a magazine and headed back to the kitchen. I heard Katie humming to Kiss the Girl and my heart warmed.
I slowly made my way to the kitchen, my pulse pounding by the time I arrived. I decided to give Jason a quick text to let him know what was up. It was definitely time to make a trip to the urgent care. I was completely out of breath and my skin was clammy. It felt like I was burning up. I attempted to take a breath in, but it felt like my lungs were already full; even though my body was aching for air. I looked around the kitchen, fear sneaking its way deep into my soul. All I wanted was to breath easy until Jason arrived. Whatever was happening to my body had to wait.
If I could make it to the couch, I could crash until Jason got back. I reached for the platter of cookies, and the ceramic slipped from my fingers as my world collapsed in that one second.
Beyond Intent Page 17