by Mary Manners
“Caleb!”
“No worries…my tetanus shot is up-to-date. But rabies, on the other hand, could very well present a problem…” He simply shrugged.
“Caleb Kendrick, you come down here this instant.” Katy stomped her boot-clad foot…very nice boots, he noted. Not the dowdy type meant to trudge through snowdrifts, but the sassy kind meant for dancing. She’d coupled them with a skirt that hugged her curves in all the right places and some sort of cream-colored, lacy top that looked as if it might wilt against a stiff breeze. “I will not have your broken neck or frothing mouth on my conscience.”
“You care, don’t you?” He laughed, enjoying the flash of disbelief in her pretty green eyes. “I knew it, and the very thought warms my heart.”
“You are impossible, Caleb Kendrick. Incorrigible.” She stomped that shapely boot again. “I ought to…”
“What?” Caleb descended the ladder to face her once more. “Agree to have dinner with me?”
“I am not joining you for dinner.”
“Even if it’s at the farmhouse with Mariah along…and Billy? Completely innocuous and totally safe? And I’ll grill my famous ribeyes.”
“In this weather? It’s freezing out. You’ll catch your death of cold.”
“A fall from the ladder, or my death of pneumonia in exchange for dinner and an evening with you. It’s an even trade.” He closed the distance between them, aware now of the lightly floral scent of her perfume. “Or you could simply kiss me.”
Katy dropped what was left of the macadamia, scattering crumbs across the hardwood floor. “What? No!”
“There you go again with that two-letter word. You’re wearing it out, Kat.” Caleb placed one palm along the countertop and leaned in as if he meant business, then thought better of it and pulled back. He lowered his voice as he shook his head ever-so-slightly. “Come to think of it, you’re right. The timing is off.”
“Off?” Katy’s gaze narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that when I finally decide to kiss you you’ll want it, too…just as much—maybe even more—than I do.”
“That will never happen.” She jabbed his chest with a pointed finger to drive the point home.
“Never is a long time, Kat.” Caleb caught her hand, held tight. “We both know that.”
The words silenced her, because she did know the length of never. Never again seeing her dad, who’d been killed in a boating accident when she was barely old enough to remember him, or her mom, who’d passed away from cancer just last year. Caleb had returned to Holly Haven for the funeral, but had watched Katy from a distance. He didn’t even know if she realized he’d been there.
Katy backed away from him, straight into the counter. She snatched her coat with her free hand and stuffed it like a buffer between them. “If I ever kiss you again—”
“When you kiss me.” He emphasized the word, because he believed in his heart it would come to pass…eventually. Reluctantly, he released her hand.
“It will be on my terms, Caleb Kendrick.” She reached for her purse and scarf, exasperated, and slipped around him before she started down the hall toward her office. “And I’ll come to the farmhouse for dinner if it will stop all this crazy talk about kissing. But if you break your neck fixing my air duct I’ll…well, I’ll…” Rendered speechless, she turned on her heel with a huff and continued down the hall.
“Uh huh, you do that. But not until we’ve finished our dinner—tonight. I’m not giving you a chance to change that pretty mind of yours.” Caleb started up the ladder once more with a chuckle. “By the way, there’s a thermos of hot coffee waiting for you on your desk that I made fresh this morning…two creams and a packet of sugar—the real stuff, not that fake pink substitute.”
6
A cool winter breeze sang through the driver’s side window later that afternoon, tousling Katy’s hair as she turned into the long, winding blacktopped drive that led to the Kendrick farmhouse.
She still thought of the place that way…not Mariah’s house or Caleb’s house, but the Kendrick family’s home. If she closed her eyes and imagined hard enough, she might still see the elder Mr. Kendrick, his hair thick and dark and just beginning to show signs of graying, shoveling the entrance walk or affable Mrs. Kendrick in her apron at the front bay window, her head a halo of ashen curls as she watered a Christmas cactus. Katy could almost smell the hearty aroma of one of Mrs. Kendrick’s tender roasts that baked to perfection in the oven.
But one glance down the winding drive told Katy the vision wasn’t real…at least not anymore. But the majestic weeping willow still stood proudly, gracefully and the creek beyond danced like shimmering jewels beneath late afternoon sunshine.
The SUV’s dashboard clock registered a few minutes ’til five…she was right on time.
Katy smoothed a hand along her neck, feeling the warmth that radiated. Though the temperature dipped to thirty-five, she felt as if it were eighty. A quick look in the rear-view mirror announced that her cheeks were flushed, her neck a deep shade of scarlet. The coloring, like a chameleon changing shades, crept in whenever she felt nervous.
And, for reasons she couldn’t fathom, her nerves had kicked into high gear as she’d crested the drive and closed in on the stately farmhouse and Caleb’s gleaming black pickup that sat parked to the side. The juicy aroma of grilling steaks drifted through the window and Katy knew Caleb had kept his word. She spotted him along the side porch, paying no mind to the winter chill as he tended the steaks in nothing more than a flannel shirt and jeans. Billy, on the other hand, was bundled in a coat and mittens at his side.
Caleb…he’d done something to her…twisted her up inside like a ragdoll tossed into the high-heat cycle of a dryer.
“Hi, Katy,” Mariah called from where she’d hobbled onto the porch. Clearly, the drugs Dr. Pemberton had prescribed still had some work cut out for them. Katy’s heart hitched at the thought that this flare-up had left Mariah slow to recover. She’d always been proud and independent, and now she had to lean on others to help with even the simplest everyday tasks. But not for long, Katy hoped. “Go on and park beside Caleb’s truck and come on in. We’ve been waiting for you.”
We…
Katy swung into a spot next to the pickup and then slipped from the SUV and headed up the walk. The path stood clear and the sun refused to budge from the horizon, but forecasters predicted the clear skies wouldn’t hold for long; snow was in the weekend forecast.
“Caleb’s out on the side deck with Billy, grilling,” Mariah said as Katy climbed the stairs to the porch.
“Yes, I spotted them.” The sunlight had cast Caleb in a shimmery halo. Was it a sign of his asserted change?
“I told them they’re both nuts,” Mariah waggled her fingers. “But you know how Caleb is when he gets determined to do something…there’s no stopping him.”
“Yes, I know that all too well.” Katy hadn’t been able to stop him from leaving all those years ago. Would things be different now?
“And I’m afraid Billy’s inherited the Kendrick stubborn streak.”
“There could be worse traits to inherit.”
“True. Come on inside. It’s been way too long.” Mariah grinned. “I was beginning to think you were going to hide out forever.”
“I’m sorry…I’ve been selfish.”
“It’s OK. We’re all entitled to a little selfish time every now and then, and you and Caleb didn’t exactly part ways on good terms way back when.” Mariah took Katy’s coat and scarf, and hung them on the coat tree beside Caleb’s jacket in the entrance hall. Katy smelled the slight scent of his aftershave in the fabric as she passed, and memories flourished.
That Christmas we made cookies together…our first kiss…it was the happiest time of my life. Katy gathered the memory, shelved it carefully along the recesses of her mind as she followed Mariah to the warmth inside the sprawling living room. Miniature white lights twinkled merrily from the expansiv
e stone hearth, and a manger scene stood front and center along the hand-hewn mantel. Off to one corner, just as she remembered from the times she’d shared here during her high school years, stood a towering Douglas fir decorated with an assortment of colorful handmade ornaments honed from decades of memories. A lighted angel sat atop, as if holding sentinel.
“It’s beautiful.” Katy wondered if any of the ornaments she and Caleb made together had withstood the test of time, and found her answer as she spotted the cinnamon salt dough gingerbread couple—one figure for her and another for Caleb—perched side-by-side along a bough. She couldn’t believe they’d survived.
“How…?” Katy murmured as she fingered one tiny checkered scarf.
“I found them on Caleb’s dresser after he left.” Mariah seemed to read her mind. “I wrapped them up, and stored them with the other decorations. Caleb found them while Billy was filling the tree, and hung them on that branch himself.”
“We had so much fun making them. It was your mom’s idea, and Caleb balked when she made the suggestion. But I think in the end he had more fun with the decorating than I did.”
“I remember.”
“And I also remember this day very well.” Katy murmured, stepping close enough to gently touch a dangling brass frame that held a photograph of her and Mariah dressed in their cheer gear and smiling as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
Back then they didn’t.
“Yes…I remember it, too.” Mariah sighed wistfully. “I guess I won’t be doing cartwheels off the porch stairs anymore.”
“Neither of us will be doing that. Our cheerleading days have run their course.” Katy turned to Mariah with a lopsided grin. “But how are you feeling?”
“Stronger each day. Caleb’s been a big help. I couldn’t do it…” Tears shimmered in her eyes, threatening to spill, and her lower lip trembled ever so slightly. “Anyway, Billy’s glad he’s come home. How about you, Katy? Are you glad, too?”
“I’m—”
Footsteps sounded over the polished wood as Billy came bounding into the room. “Hi, Miss Katy. We saw your car in the driveway and Uncle Caleb sent me to fetch you. You’ve gotta come see the steaks we’re grillin’. They’re bigger than Texas.”
Katy laughed. “Is that so?”
“Uh huh.” Billy crossed to her, snatched her hand and gave it a little tug as he headed back toward the doorway. “Come on.”
“Hold up,” Mariah admonished, laying a hand on Billy’s shoulder to still him. “I see Caleb headed this way now.”
Katy turned toward the doorway as Caleb stepped through, proudly sporting a platter of grilled meat piled high enough to feed a football team. The juicy aroma made her mouth water and her stomach yelp like a puppy.
“Hey, Kat,” he murmured as his gaze found hers. “It’s good to see you.”
Her heart did a little two-step as the answer to Mariah’s earlier question came. Yes, I’m glad he’s back…I’m glad Caleb’s finally come home.
“You, too.” Katy said, and meant it. She took a single step toward him. “What can I do to help?”
“Come on into the kitchen and we’ll take a look.” Caleb nodded, reaching for her with his free hand. “I’ve got potatoes baking in the oven and Mariah made a salad—”
“I helped,” Billy chimed in. “Uncle Caleb let me sprinkle the croutons on top.”
“Yes, you did.” Caleb tousled Billy’s hair.
“And I wanted to chop the tomato, but he said I have to be at least six to hold the big knife.”
“That’s right.” Caleb nodded, the corners of his mouth fighting a grin as he slipped a look Katy’s way.
“So I have to wait another ninety-seven days ’til my birthday.” Breathless now, Billy plowed on. “Uncle Caleb helped me count them on the calendar.”
“Did he now?” Katy’s heart melted as she envisioned Billy huddled in Caleb’s lap, mulling over the calendar, counting together and dreaming of the next birthday.
“Yep. I did most of the counting…I can count way past a hundred, you know.”
“I’m sure you can.”
“You wanna hear?” Billy began. “One, two, three—”
“After dinner, buddy,” Caleb nudged. “We don’t want the steaks to get cold.”
“Oh, yeah…right.” Billy took off toward the kitchen, peeling the mittens from his fingers as he went. “Let’s go.”
Mariah took the platter from Caleb’s hand as she started after Billy, her limp less pronounced than before. Perhaps the laughter was even better medicine that the drugs Dr. Pemberton had prescribed.
Alone now with the twinkling Christmas lights and the scent of pine mingling with grilled-to-perfection beef, Caleb closed the distance between them.
“I’m so glad you came, Kat.”
“Me, too.” She allowed him to lace his fingers with hers. “I saw the salt dough ornaments we made…you kept them. Why?”
“Because they’re us, Kat…and deep down, through every misguided detour along the way, that’s what I’ve always wanted; you, me…us.”
“Why now? Why, Caleb?”
He lifted his hand to her cheek, skimmed the length of her jaw with callused fingertips as he gently murmured, “Because I’m done being a fool and an idiot.”
“You said it…not me.” Katy felt the tears well. “You hurt me, Caleb.”
“I know, and I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” He caught a tear with the pad of his thumb, and brushed it away ever so gently. “I wish I could take it back.”
“I do, too.”
“About the time we’re finished eating, the stars should be out. I think it’ll be a perfect night for stargazing. What do you think, Kat?”
“Yes.” She said simply, because suddenly no other words would come.
7
“Do you still have the music box I saw displayed on that curio the other day when I was working on your first window design?” Katy asked as she strung a set of chaser lights along with a thin strand of pine garland along the base of the window platform. She was deep into her second design for Caleb, the first having been dismantled when Mrs. Jacobson stopped by to purchase not only the roll top desk, but the writing instruments and the hat tree, as well. The sweet, elderly neighbor had declared her Christmas shopping officially finished, and Caleb had delivered all the items just before lunch.
“The one that played ‘Edelweiss’?” Caleb handed her a second strand of lights.
“Yes. And it had a little dancer atop a mirror.”
“Right, I know the one.” He plugged in the lights, and they paraded along in a merry little shimmer. “You mentioned you might like it for Janie’s Christmas gift, so I took it from the display. It’s back in my office, just waiting for you to take it home.”
“But we haven’t even bartered over the price.”
“Oh, yes we have. Consider it a less-than-fair trade for your help here. I’ll make up the difference later.” He winked saucily.
“OK, then, it’s settled. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What do you think of this?” Katy asked, highlighting the window display with a flourish of her hand. “Do you think it will stay put until Christmas?”
“I don’t know…Doc Pemberton was eying that doll for his great niece and Mrs. Cartwright mentioned those tools for her husband.” Caleb nodded slightly. “But from here, the display looks fantastic…every bit of it.”
Katy knew he referred to her, nestled smartly between the vintage hat boxes and turn-of-the-century augers. She slid to the edge of the platform and Caleb reached for her, lifting her gently to the ground. For a moment, his gaze captured hers, and he stood close enough that she felt his breath warm along her cheek.
She thought he might finally kiss her, even leaned slightly with anticipation and a tiny tremor of hope.
“Caleb—” The single word was all she managed before the moment was shattered by the sound of a little voice.
“Ca
n we go to the tree lighting tomorrow, Uncle Caleb?” Billy chimed in from across the room where Caleb, true to his word about penning the child onto the payroll, had set him to dusting items along the lower shelves as soon as school dismissed for Christmas vacation that afternoon. “Janie said Santa’s gonna be there, and there’ll be hot chocolate and loads of yummy cookies—like Miss Katy’s—and Christmas carols and even sleigh rides with real horses!”
Katy took a step back and smoothed a hand over her pounding heart, wondering if Caleb was aware of the methodic drumbeat. She turned from him to focus on the child, and instantly her heart tugged at Billy’s enthusiasm and the starlight in his eyes.
“I like horses,” she offered. “And my cookies are in the bake-off contest.”
“You might even win a blue ribbon!” Billy tossed the dust rag onto the shelf and scampered over, pausing just short of the window platform. “Uncle Caleb says you’re a shoe-in for first place.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh huh. He told me so.” Billy nodded with all the gusto of an over-excited five-year-old. “Maybe Janie could come, too. We’ll ask her if she wants to, right, Uncle Caleb?”
Katy had to admit, bringing Janie along wasn’t a bad idea. Curt was due in from a weeklong flight schedule away, and she knew he and Liz could use a little alone-time. Liz still seemed kind of off when Katy spoke to her earlier, though she hadn’t had the opportunity to delve deeper into the matter. “I could give my sister a call and check with her…see what she has on the docket for tomorrow. If Janie’s free…”
“Yay!” Billy did a little tap dance before climbing into the window to hug Katy’s jean-clad leg. “Thank you, Miss Katy.”