Twist Of Faith

by Darlene Fredette

  “I already knew something big had happened before you told me. I saw the shock on your face.”

  “Nick didn’t kiss me, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Katrina prayed her disappointment didn’t reveal itself over her face.

  Frankie giggled. “That’s not exactly where I was going, but too bad about Nick not kissing you.”

  “I thought so, too.” Damn thoughts need to stay in my head. Katrina closed her eyes.

  “Whaaat?”

  “There was a moment before he left. We were standing in the doorway, and I thought he wanted to kiss me.”

  Frankie wiggled to sit on the edge of the chair. “And?”

  “I told you, he left.”

  “Did he say anything?”

  “Nothing.” Katrina pulled the clip from her hair and used her fingers as a comb. “I’m sure I read more into the moment.”

  “What if you didn’t? What if Nick does want to date, and wants to kiss you?”

  Frankie’s statement caused goose bumps to travel the length of Katrina’s arm. Her stomach knotted. “And what if he doesn’t?”

  “You’re both single and an attraction exists. Let fate take its course.”

  “You know I don’t believe in fate. Nick and I are not meant to be.” She allowed her gaze to wander to the front window, staring at the blue sky.

  Frankie rested a hand on her belly and the other under her chin. “Dare I ask why?”

  “I’m leaving as soon as the house is done and the For Sale sign goes up.”

  “A summer fling has the potential to develop into more.”

  Katrina shook her head. “Can we talk about something else, please?”

  Frankie hoisted herself out of the chair, as quickly as a woman eight months pregnant could, and headed to the bedroom. “Come, my friend.”

  Katrina followed.

  “Just in case Nick does ask you out, for real this time, you’ll need to be prepared.” Frankie opened the closet door. “You don’t want to dress too sexy and give him the wrong idea. Unless that’s the direction you want to go?” She wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

  “No, of course not.” Katrina’s cheeks warmed.

  “So, we’ll choose friendly and flirty.” Frankie flipped her fingers over the hangers, pushing them along the metal rod. “Is this all you have?” She didn’t wait for Katrina to answer. “Everything here screams ‘let’s sit around the boardroom table and talk year-end profit margins’.”

  Katrina joined in her friend’s laughter. She couldn’t deny the past several years of her life had been mainly business.

  Frankie continued to go through Katrina’s wardrobe, mixing and matching her outfits until the closet was empty and clothes covered the bed. She pointed to the mess, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “We obviously have to go shopping.”

  “I think you may be right.” Katrina grabbed her purse and keys and headed to the front door, stopping on the porch when her cell phone buzzed. “Hello.” She paused, recognizing Dean’s placid voice. “No, I don’t have anything planned.”

  Frankie grimaced.

  “Sure, I can meet you there. See you then. Bye.” Katrina wobbled the phone in her hand. “We’ll have to go shopping some other time. Dean wants to meet at the house in thirty minutes to go over a few changes to the kitchen design.”

  Frankie’s belly nudged Katrina’s hip as she waddled to the doorway. “I’ll search the Internet to find the right dress for your date.”

  “There isn’t a date,” Katrina reminded her friend. Her pulse fluttered. She hadn’t been on a real date in so long, she wouldn’t know what to say or do.

  Frankie waved a finger. “Not yet, but there will be.”

  While waiting for Dean to arrive, Katrina hung up the clothes Frankie had strewn across the bed. Men’s voices called out to each other, and tires rolled over the cracked driveway. She went to the kitchen and moved the curtain to the side. Dean hadn’t returned yet, but most of the crew was wrapping up, loading their toolboxes in the trunks of their vehicles. Since today was Friday, their early departure didn’t come as a surprise.

  Precisely thirty minutes later, Dean’s truck rolled up to a stop in front of the main house. The man had to be the most punctual person she knew.

  Katrina sent a brush through her hair and slipped her feet into her running shoes. After almost dropping a hammer on her toes the day before, she’d decided wearing open-toe flats in a construction zone was a no-no from that point forward.

  “Dean.” She stepped in the doorway of the house. The ceiling creaked above her, but instead of heading upstairs to join him, she went to the kitchen, anxious to investigate the crew’s progress.

  “Wow.” Katrina admired the new ceramic tile flooring. The light marbled design made the kitchen appear larger. A woody scent filled the room from the cedar cabinet installed in the dining room. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned. “Dean, the floor looks great—”

  To her surprise and pleasure, Katrina spotted a beefy frame leaning on the doorway. Nick looked as handsome as ever in casual brown pants and a beige T-shirt, and his well-developed biceps protruded through the short sleeves. Yet, there was something very different about him today. His face held a sexy shadow of a beard and his hair had been trimmed. Her heart fluttered.

  “Hey, Katrina.”

  She hoped Nick’s wide smile was just for her and not the kitchen renovation. “I saw Dean’s truck outside. Is he upstairs?”

  “He picked me up at the airport. My truck is in the shop, so he lent me his gas-guzzling beast.” Nick gazed down the length of her V-neck T-shirt to her form-fitting jeans. “You look really nice.”

  Goosebumps traveled the length of her arms. “Someone once told me short skirts and high heels weren’t suitable for a construction site.” She tipped onto the toes of her running shoes.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I have no objection to short skirts and sexy heels, especially on you, but they tend to slow productivity.”

  Is Nick flirting? Her pulse skipped a beat. “Dean called and wanted to meet.”

  “He called on my behalf. I had to go out of town for a few days. My brother’s wife gave birth to their fourth child.”

  “Congratulations.” Katrina assumed this was the family her grandmother had helped.

  “Thank you.”

  Nick smiled like a proud uncle. She admired his connection to his extended family, and commiserated over her lack of one.

  “I thought you and I could catch up on the progress together. The crew left early, so we have the house to ourselves.”

  Alone with Nick? Her breath caught in her throat. Katrina couldn’t remove her gaze from his handsome face. “You cut your hair.”

  “I thought it was time for a trim.” He ran a hand through the now-short locks. “You like?”

  Oh, yes, very much! She wanted her hand to be where his just left. “I do. The shorter style makes you look very professional.” Better to say those words than what she was really thinking.

  “So, do you have a few minutes to review the progress?”

  His red stained cheeks gave her much pleasure. “Sure.” She silently ordered her weak knees to remain strong.

  “I see they have the roof and siding done.” His tone lowered and his back straightened, going into professional contractor mode. “What do you think?”

  The urges to stroke his faint-bearded chin with her finger tips and to lean over and kiss him were becoming difficult to ignore. “I love the color of the siding and the way the shade changes the appearance. Looks like a new house.”

  “Cosmetic changes sometimes make the biggest difference.” Nick stepped past her.

  His musky scent teased her senses.

  “I hear you’re happy about the flooring.”

  “Love it.” She followed him into the dining room and stumbled on a tool someone had left behind on the floor. Nick caught her arm, steadying her stance. His touch sent an electric charge through her body.

&n
bsp; “Wait here.” He left the room, stepped out to Dean’s truck, and leaned inside. When he returned, he held a hand behind his back.

  “Dean mentioned you’ve been pretty much hands-on during the daily construction.”

  “Oh, no.” Katrina rested a hand against her cheek. “I hope I haven’t been pestering him or the guys too much.”

  “On the contrary, I believe they enjoy your presence quite a bit.” He gazed over the length of her, and then shook his head. “You care about what’s going on, but from here on out if you’re hanging around the construction zone, you have to wear this.” He moved his arms out from behind his back to present her with a bright pink hard hat.

  Katrina laughed, loving his thoughtful gift. “For me? You shouldn’t have.”

  “My job is to make sure everyone stays protected on-site. The hat may mess your hair a little, but at least you’ll be safe, and we’ll pick you out from the crew.” He shifted from foot to foot. “Not that you don’t already stand out.”

  Her breath paused. She gratefully accepted his gift and placed it on her head. “Thank you.”

  Nick tucked a strand of her hair under the hat, his brown eyes gazing into hers.

  She swallowed hard when he trailed his finger across her cheek and stroked his thumb along her neck. A wave of warmth rushed from her head to toes. Her legs wobbled and her heart pounded loud in her chest.

  If she were to lean ever-so-slightly forward, her lips would be close enough to touch his. Katrina abruptly stepped back and her head connected hard to the wall. She adjusted the hardhat and giggled. “Well, we know the hat works.”

  Nick laughed.

  The enticing sound was deep and seductive, and made a thrill run over her skin.

  “Shall we continue our inspection?”

  “Yes, of course.” Katrina followed him into the next room, only too happy to spend more time with Nick.

  Chapter Seven

  Nick and Katrina completed a quick tour of the outside renovation. He held onto her elbow, not as an attempt to be close—even if the action did give him a viable excuse—but to prevent her from tripping over the debris scattered about the yard.

  A bundle of unused roof shingles were stacked by the back porch steps, a few pieces of siding littered the ground, and cement bags were set in piles throughout the yard, ready for the crew to begin the walkways. Several overgrown and wilted bushes, pulled from their beds, were thrown in mounds, waiting for the compost truck.

  Nick reached for Katrina’s hand and led her to the lake, turning her to view the entire back of the house. “Did you notice when you were in the kitchen that the crew didn’t tile where the old counter used to be?”

  She nodded.

  “I asked them to stop until I had a chance to discuss the design with you.” He walked to the kitchen window. “What are your thoughts on extending the kitchen?” When he didn’t receive her answer, he continued. “The kitchen is quite small by today’s standards, so I thought an addition from the left side of this window, several feet over and out, would be a great spot for a kitchen nook.” Nick gathered a few twigs and used them to outline the area, giving Katrina a better idea of the size. “You wouldn’t lose much yard and the deck can be moved to the right. I think it’s definitely worth considering.”

  Katrina stared at the house, tilted her head to one side, and pressed her lips together.

  Her silence prodded him to believe her response was negative. Nick returned to her side. “The addition was only a thought. Forget I said anything.”

  “No.” She grabbed his arm, holding onto the sleeve of his T-shirt. “I love the idea.” Katrina smiled. “My mother used to complain the kitchen was too dark. She and Dad had talked about doing something similar to open the space, but then they were gone.” Tears crowded the corners of her eyes.

  Nick placed his hand over hers, which still rested on his arm. Her weak smile broke his heart. “We could install windows on the sides as well, which would allow in more daylight.”

  “An addition would really open the room. We could trim a few of the trees for a panoramic view of the lake from the windows.” Her shoulders straightened. “In the early mornings, I could have breakfast in the nook and watch the ducks and geese swim by. If we move the deck to the right, I could relax, have a glass of wine in the evenings, and watch the sunset.”

  Nick’s gazed turned from the back of the house to Katrina’s face, wondering if he had heard her correctly. Was she envisioning herself living here? His breath hitched.

  Katrina shook her head and laughed. “What I meant was…I can see the new owners enjoying the space and sunsets.”

  He didn’t believe her, but let the subject drop, fearing his desire to have her permanently move here would be crushed. “Shall we return inside?” He waved a hand toward the house.

  Once in the kitchen, Katrina stood in the center of the room. “The extra space will allow the new appliances to go here and here.” She pointed out their positions under the new mini cabinets installed for storage. “A double sink here, and an island right here would be perfect. I—the new owners could prepare dinner and take in the breathtaking view of the lake.” She stepped into the next room, arms stretched out from her sides. “I also think we should open this area of the dining room. The space would be ideal for entertaining.”

  Nick chuckled, amused by her chatter.

  She turned and held her hands out to her sides, palms up. “What?”

  “You get an A.” He opened a set of blueprints over the crew’s portable worktable.

  Katrina gasped, glancing at Nick and then stepping closer to study the blueprints. His sketches were almost identical to the description she talked about. Her ideas of the cleared trees, the island in the kitchen, and the open concept to the dining room were all part of his drawings.

  “I drew these new designs last night.” He rolled the blueprints, laughing. “Great minds think alike.”

  “Unbelievable.” Her eyebrows rose.

  “Let’s go upstairs to the bedroom.”

  Katrina slowed her stride. “I beg your pardon?”

  “That sounded quite forward.” Had he actually meant the words to imply what they did, Nick doubted she’d take him up on his offer. Katrina wasn’t a one-night-stand type of woman, and he kept reminding himself that his interest in her was strictly on a professional level. If this renovation went well, his company would be out of the red, and a possible new adventure with her business could provide a prosperous future. Now, if he could only resist her silky brown hair, kissable lips, and mesmerizing brown eyes. His plan to avoid emotional involvement was crumbling inside.

  “Nick?” Katrina touched his arm. “You wanted to go upstairs?”

  Flustered from his private thoughts, he chuckled. “Right. Do you want to continue, or have you had enough for today?”

  “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

  Her smile warmed his heart. Nick shrugged his shoulders and stepped ahead of her, leading the way up the stairs and to the top floor landing. The wooden floor creaked beneath his feet. He stopped, making a mental note to have the crew check the boards. A push against his back and fingers clutching his arms had him turning in lightning speed. He slipped his arm around Katrina’s waist as her foot slipped from the step. Nick gathered her in his arms, his forehead resting on hers. “Damn, that was close. I’m so sorry.”

  “No…the stumble was my fault. I shouldn’t have been following so closely.”

  He released the breath he had been holding. “If anything happened to you…”

  Katrina wiggled free of his embrace, moving farther onto the landing. She straightened her hardhat. “Nick, I’m fine. I should have been paying better attention.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. Sane judgment fought against his instinct to pull her into his arms, to keep her safe. Ignoring his heart’s desire and getting to the task at-hand, Nick pointed to the steps. “I’ll have the crew tear down the staircase and rebuild. The slope is too steep
and obviously very dangerous. A larger landing area with a skylight above would provide more space and lighting.”

  After glancing around, she nodded. “I agree.”

  As they entered one of the smaller bedrooms, Nick’s cell phone buzzed. He checked the number display before answering. “Hey, Dean, what’s up?”

  “I forgot to remind you earlier about the deadline. The papers are due for the audit in a few days,” Dean said.

  Nick cursed under his breath. He glanced up, finding Katrina’s fixed stare. The last thing he wanted was for her to find out about another problem in his business. “I’ll be just a moment.” He held up his finger and then stepped into the hallway.

  ****

  If Nick’s furrowed brows were any indication, Dean’s call couldn’t be good news. Katrina hoped this distraction wouldn’t dampen Nick’s mood. She was having fun touring the house. Their similar ideas on the kitchen expansion not only surprised her, but excited her, as well. To be given the opportunity to provide input on the additions gave her the chance to make her parents’ dream kitchen come to be. Katrina’s wild imagination went as far as envisioning herself living in the renovated house. Maybe if circumstances were different or her life not as messed-up, the vision could be reality. She sighed.

  Goosebumps still lingered over her skin from being held in Nick’s arms. The near-tragedy of falling down the stairs was worth the scare because the end result had been heaven. She wanted to rest her head against his muscled chest, roam her hands over his back, and breathe in his musky scent. Thankfully, her cumbersome hardhat prevented her from giving in to the fantasy.

  When she heard the floorboards squeak behind her, she turned.

  Nick reentered the room, slipping his phone into his back pocket. He ran a hand roughly across his chin.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Just fine.” His tone boiled in sarcasm and his hands were clenched at his sides.

  Whatever the two men spoke about had displeased Nick. “You’re clearly upset.”

  He waved a hand, dismissing the conversation. “Let’s go through the remaining rooms.”