Then He Showed Up

by Chris Campillo

  Kate relaxed a little. “That wasn’t bad. Is it still bleeding?”

  Jack pulled back the throw. “Barely. Hold the blanket against it, and I’ll find a Band-Aid. Where do you keep them?”

  “They’re in the kitchen, in the cabinet above the telephone. Just be careful.”

  Jack returned with a bottle of antiseptic and a large Band-Aid. He cautiously pulled back the blanket. “Bleeding’s stopped. That’s good.” After pouring a little of the antiseptic over the cut, he began to blow on her foot.

  “Whoa!” Kate jerked it back, electrified. “Don’t do that . . . I mean, it’s not necessary. That kind’s numbing.”

  “Okay.” He looked surprised by her extreme reaction. “Let me put on the Band-Aid.”

  Kate extended her leg so he could reach it. He put on the bandage, barely touching her in the process, thank God.

  “Keep it elevated for a bit so it won’t start bleeding again.” He sat down across from her on the coffee table. “How’s the pain?”

  “Much better.” She glanced at him. “Thanks for taking care of my foot.” This is so freaking awkward. She looked down at her legs that were covered with red and brown splatters. “I’m a mess.”

  “Hang on.” Jack went back to the kitchen and returned with a wet dish towel. Leaning over her, he began to wipe the sticky substance off her legs. Kate gasped and jumped, but he held her leg in place while he continued to clean it.

  She reached for the rag. “I can do—”

  “Sshh.” He focused on the task, taking his time. He was careful as he rubbed the towel up her leg, moving extra light over the bruise on her thigh.

  Kate bit her tongue, holding in a moan of pleasure. Could you orgasm from a leg bath? She watched him, his focus intent on his care.

  After several go-arounds, he finished. Kate was thrilled she’d held it together. Granted, her heart was racing and her nipples were fully erect, but she’d held in her cries of ecstasy.

  When he finally faced her, he looked a little flustered himself. His eyes were dark, and she could definitely hear him breathing faster. Was he turned on, too? Probably just embarrassed for her.

  Jack jumped up and headed to the kitchen. She heard the water running and took the break to gather her wits and sit up. When he returned, he remained standing.

  “I found your purse in Maggie’s car. I figured you’d want it sooner than later, so I brought it here.”

  “Thank you.” She still didn’t make eye contact. “Why’d you come to the back door?”

  “I tried ringing the bell a couple of times, but no one answered. Then I saw movement through the window, so I thought I’d check out the back.”

  “I didn’t hear anything . . . Ooooh. I was using the blender to make a milkshake.”

  Jack tilted his head. “Hmm. After last night, I figured you’d be sticking to ginger ale and crackers.”

  Her face turned bright red. “About last night.” She looked up. “I don’t—”

  “Don’t worry about it. You were having fun.” He sat back down on the coffee table, looking laid-back. “And you’re obviously feeling okay today.”

  “I’m getting there. I’m trying out the theory that junk food can cure a headache. I’m also sticking with sweet tea and Tylenol.”

  He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Sweet tea, huh? It’s an amazing tonic. I miss it in California.”

  “Oh, I bet. How can people expect you to add sugar to cold tea?” She shook her head and her heart settled some. “I made a big pitcher this morning. Let me get you a glass.”

  Jack stood up to stop her. “You don’t want to go back in there barefoot.”

  “I’ve got some shoes in the hall closet.” She headed to the hall, keeping her injured heel off the ground.

  “Tell you what,” he said. “Let me clean up the glass, and then you can get me the tea.”

  “I told you, you don’t have—”

  “Just get the mop and broom. Please.”

  When she returned with the cleaning supplies, she found him studying the pictures on her fridge door. “These your kids?”

  “Yes.” She gazed at their school shots from last year. “Madeline and Charlie. She’s twelve, he’s seven.”

  “She looks just like you. He’s got your curly hair.” He turned to her. “Good-looking kids.”

  Her smile burst with pride. “Thank you. I think so, but I’m a little biased.”

  Jack started sweeping up the glass. “Peter mentioned they were out of town.”

  “They’re visiting their Aunt Grace in California. Huntington Beach.”

  “Beautiful place.”

  “Yes, it is. And you can’t beat the weather—”

  The phone rang, and Kate grabbed it, checking the caller ID.

  “Grace? Is everything okay? Are the kids all right?”

  “They’re great. We’re having so much fun.” Grace’s voice sounded sincere. They hadn’t worn her out yet.

  “Good.” Kate exhaled and leaned against the kitchen counter while Jack continued to sweep.

  “I hope you’re making the most of this time to yourself.” Her sister-in-law had a little too much cheer in her voice, as if she knew what Kate had been up to.

  “I’m fine. Just sitting around, taking it easy.” She turned her back to Jack. “So what are you all doing today?”

  “We’re hanging loose. Probably watch a movie.”

  “Sounds like fun, but nothing violent, no matter how much Madeline argues. And Lord, whatever you do, don’t let Charlie watch any movies with that Chucky Doll in it. I mean it. No dolls, dummies, or puppets, and no marionettes.”

  “What’s with the puppet phobia?”

  Kate shook her head, hearing Grace’s confusion. “I don’t know, but trust me, they freak him out. We watched The Sound of Music last month, and he had nightmares for two weeks about the lonely goat herd.”

  “Got it. I’ll find the perfect movie with nothing that could possibly be scary. Even to Charlie.”

  “Thanks, Grace.”

  “Now stop worrying about the kids. I want you to relax and have fun. Do something crazy.”

  Kate thought about the erotic leg bath that had her all out of sorts. “I’m good. No need for crazy.” She glanced over at Jack. “Give them a hug for me and tell them I love them. I’ll call later.”

  “Will do. Love you, Kate.”

  “Love you, too. Bye.”

  Jack emptied the last of the glass in the trashcan, and then started filling a bucket with water. “Did your son really have nightmares about The Sound of Music?”

  Kate nodded.

  “I’ve never thought of that movie as scary.”

  “Same here. But something about those marionettes freaked him out. My favorite movie of all time, and now I have to watch it alone, late at night, like it’s porn.”

  Jack laughed.

  She shot straight up. “I don’t watch porn . . . seriously, I don’t. I just meant—”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m not here to judge.” Jack turned off the water. He grinned, and she knew he was laughing on the inside.

  She looked down at her hands. “I don’t want you to think that I—”

  He lifted her chin so she had to face him. His intimate touch stunned her. “Kate. It’s okay.”

  She glanced at him, then at his lips. Then grew up and walked over to the counter with the tea pitcher. “I’ll get you the tea to go. I’ve kept you here way too long. You’ve done more than enough.” She fixed him a large plastic cup and refilled her own, keeping her back to him the entire time. “I know you want to spend more time with Peter, and they’re leaving first thing in the morning.”

  When she turned around, Jack took the offered tea but ignored her none-too-subtle hint. “When I left the house today, there was enough luggage set out for a world tour. I thought the cruise was two weeks.”

  “It is,” Kate said, rolling her eyes. “But Maggie always over packs.” />
  Jack took a sip of the tea. “Perfect.”

  “Thanks. The secret’s to add the sugar while it’s still hot.”

  Jack paused. “Yeah.”

  Kate glanced around the kitchen, feeling awkward in her own house. She took a sip of tea, then asked, “So when are you flying out?”

  He started to speak, then hesitated. He drank quite a bit of tea before he finally answered. “I’m staying in town for a while. In fact, Maggie has insisted I stay at their place.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “Really? She didn’t mention that.”

  “She called right before I got here.”

  “Oh.” She nodded, looked at her feet, her hands, then finally back at him. God, she was floundering. This man had seen her make a fool of herself on several occasions now, and he had some kind of sexual voodoo over her body, eliciting all kinds of ideas and sensations. Too much.

  She set her glass down. “Thank you, Jack, for bringing my purse and cleaning up the floor.” She led him to the front door. No more subtle hints.

  “I wish you’d let me mop.”

  Kate actually laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man say that.”

  “Never give up on us guys. There’s always hope.” With that, he left, but Kate wasn’t relieved. It was more like disappointed.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, Kate entered the Texas Department of Economic Development with pep in her step. Getting ready for work in a quiet, peaceful home had made for a great start to the day. Unlike most mornings when she was rushing the kids out the door, there was none of the usual yelling:

  You didn’t tell me you needed your choir dress hemmed, dam—darn it. Go get the stapler.

  No, you can’t have Ho Hos for breakfast. You need something healthy. Get a Pop-Tart.

  She missed her kids, but this rare treat of caring for no one but herself was nirvana. Solo life was underappreciated by the single.

  The week ahead would be challenging. Allen Ramirez was in town to gather more information for his undisclosed client. Kate didn’t need the company name at this point. The fact that they were using Ramirez Consulting spoke volumes. Ramirez represented the big dogs. His preliminary data requests pointed to a manufacturing plant with an employee count in the thousands. This project would make or break her career. Of course, with the budget cuts, that meant save or take her job.

  It was perfect timing, as Kate could give him two hundred percent of her attention. There was no need to worry about cutting meetings short in order to pick up the kids from camp. She could sleep at the office and eat Cheese Nips for every meal if she had to.

  Not a bad notion, really. She didn’t have to worry about setting a good nutritional example for the kids. She could select all her meals from the chip aisle. Visions of Funyuns danced through her head, but then she remembered last week’s doctor visit in which he told her she’d gained three pounds. So maybe she’d just eat them for dinner. Get something healthy for breakfast, with lots of protein . . . like a bacon and egg biscuit.

  “So did you get any this weekend?”

  Kate turned in horror to find her best friend, Sue Brinkley, strutting toward her. The crude words echoed in the cavernous lobby.

  “Shut up!” Kate demanded as best she could while trying to whisper.

  “Oh hush,” Sue said, flipping her hand in the air as if her words were innocuous. “It’s just you, me, and Dorothy. You’re not offended, are you, Dorothy?”

  The middle-aged security guard shook her head. “I’m praying for you, Ms. Brinkley.”

  “Pray for me, too,” Kate said as Sue grabbed her arm and pushed her into the office.

  Even though she was a tall, striking blonde who couldn’t care less what people thought of her blunt words or outlandish actions, Sue was best known for her business savvy. At the age of thirty-five, she had a reputation throughout the state for closing a deal and leaving no hostages.

  Once they entered Kate’s cubicle, Sue took a seat facing Kate’s desk.

  “So what’d you do with your solo weekend?” Sue leaned across the desk, a sparkle in her eyes. “I hope it was wild and dirty.”

  “That’s what I love about you, Sue. So fresh and innocent.” Kate started unloading her briefcase. “I went sailing on Saturday, and yesterday, I was a big, lazy bum.” Kate wasn’t ready to tell her about the hangover or Jack’s visit. She knew her friend would blow the events out of proportion, and she’d never hear the end of it.

  Kate pulled out her iPhone. Tapping the screen, she pulled up a video of her kids and handed it to Sue. “Grace sent this last night.” The kids were jumping on a huge bed, in the midst of a pillow fight, and loving every minute of it.

  Sue chuckled. “No wonder they like going to Aunt Grace’s house. She lets them have fun.”

  “Just pray they don’t fall off the bed and end up with brain damage or a glass eye. I called Grace and told her to stop that. She said she would, but she didn’t sound very convincing.”

  Sue handed the phone back to Kate. “Have you talked to your doctor about Xanax?”

  Kate sighed and plopped down in her chair. Why was everyone so consumed with that drug?

  “So what’s on your plate this week?” Sue asked.

  “I’m working with Ramirez, getting out the last of his requests.”

  “Have you figured out what company he’s representing?”

  “Not specifically, but based on the electrical and labor data, it has to be high-tech manufacturing, and it’s going to be big.” Kate leaned across the desk to whisper. “This one would keep me off the cutting block.”

  “Oh please. They’d never cut you. If anyone’s let go, it’d better be Ted. I can’t believe that incompetent ass hasn’t already been fired. He must have some dirt on the Governor.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Kate said as Ted Evanston walked into her cubicle.

  Sue turned to face him. “What are you doing? No fresh meat downstairs?”

  “Oh, Sue. It’s not even eight, and you’re already showing your fangs. Bad weekend? Were you dumped again?”

  “Enough you two,” Kate interrupted. “Go to your rooms.”

  “I was here first,” Sue said.

  “Fine,” Ted said. “Some of us have work to do.” He turned his full attention to Kate and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I just came by to offer help on the Ramirez project. I can pull a few strings if you can’t get what he needs.”

  Kate shrugged off his hand. “I’ve got it covered. But thanks for the offer.”

  “Well, I’m here if you need me. Next week, while you’re on vacation, I’ll take care of him. Don’t you worry.”

  “Oh, I won’t.” Kate watched him walk away. She leaned into Sue. “That’s why I’m taking vacation next week. Ramirez will be in Bermuda with his family. I don’t have to worry about Ted getting his tentacles on my project.”

  “Oh, little grasshopper.” Sue grabbed her hands. “I’ve taught you so well.”

  Kate patted her hand before pulling away. “You’ve taught me many things, oh wise one, and it’s by the grace of God that I’m not blind or deaf.”

  “Cute,” Sue said, standing up. “Let’s get some caffeine.”

  As they headed toward the coffee station, Sue asked, “So, what are we going to do this week?”

  “Did you hear anything I said? I’m working with Ramirez.”

  “I heard you, but everyone knows the man always wraps the workday at five. I’m talking after-hours. We’re getting your ass out on the town.”

  She was always trying to get Kate out. Sue’s son, Wes, was studying abroad for the summer and fall, and she was living single for the first time in seventeen years. It still amazed Kate that her friend had a kid in high school. Then again, she’d started motherhood very early.

  Kate sighed. “Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to just hanging out in a quiet house. But we can go out to dinner. Maybe try that Greek place, Zakiah’s. I’ve heard it’s fantastic
.”

  “Oh Lord, woman. You’re killing me.” Sue lifted up on her tiptoes and looked across the tops of the cubicles. “Dean! Get over here.”

  Dean Adams strolled into the hallway. “Hey, sistas. How’s it shakin’?”

  “It’s not. At least if we leave it up to Sister Kate of the Boring.”

  “That’s right.” Dean’s eyes lit up. “Lil’ Momma’s chicks are gone. We need to play.” Dean was twenty-eight, the youngest in the department. His youth, however, was never a hindrance. He was in marketing, working tradeshows and sales calls. He could handle clients, any gender, any age, any personality, and make friends out of them in less than an hour. Despite the differences in their years, Dean had adopted Kate and Sue as his buddies. “So what’s the plan?”

  Sue snorted in disgust. “Well, Kate here wants to live it up and go out to dinner one night this week. And get this, we’re really going to rock the boat and try out a new restaurant.”

  “Oh, Kate. Sweet, Kate,” Dean said, shaking his head. “We’ve got to get you a life.” He checked his watch. “I’ve got a meeting, but I’ll handle the plans. Sue, you find her something to wear. Something sassy. I’ll call you later with the details.”

  “Hello,” Kate called out as he walked away. “I’m working this week . . . And by the way, I know how to dress sassy.” She just never chose to.

  When they reached the small kitchenette, Sue looked around, then lowered her voice. “You know what your problem is?”

  “Nosy friends?”

  “No, smart ass. You’re scared. You’re scared to even think about going out and meeting a man. I bet you have a whole bag of excuses to stay home these next two weeks. Well, guess what? They ain’t gonna fly.”

  Kate was unnerved that Sue knew her so well, but she’d never admit it. Instead, she sighed and rolled her eyes.

  “You pretend everything’s fine, but we know that’s not true. You need a man, Kate. You’ve been living like some frigid virgin since Ian died. It’s time you ditched the shroud and got on with life.”

  “Sue, I’m—”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit that you’re fine on your own. Romance novels and a vibrator don’t count.”