by Laura Scott
“Kate.” He mimicked her tone, then brought her close for a quick hug. “Hey, cut me some slack, I’m new at this.” The teasing note vanished from his tone as he added, “I don’t want to mess this up with you, Kate. I really don’t.”
Her resistance melted into a tiny puddle at her feet. “You haven’t messed up, Ethan. You mentioned getting together for dinner. Would you like to come over to my house tomorrow night? I’ll cook.”
A slow smile tugged at his lips. “Yes, Kate. If I can find a babysitter, I’d love to come over for dinner.”
“Good.” Kate had no idea what she’d make for him, but at the moment she didn’t care. “Around six?”
“I’ll be there.” He gave her another quick kiss. “Thanks for inviting me.”
Rational thought fled from her mind, and it took every ounce of her willpower to pull herself out of his arms. “You’re welcome. Seriously, Ethan, I need to go.”
“Of course.” He stood and offered a hand. She allowed him to draw her upright. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”
Kate firmed her willpower as he walked her toward the door. Somehow, she managed to make it out to her car without falling flat on her face.
She drove home, wondering how she’d manage to make dinner for Ethan when she didn’t really know how to cook.
The next morning, Kate was up at the crack of dawn, poring through every cookbook she owned. Granddad had bought a half dozen of them for her over the years.
She could use Granddad’s advice now. He was the one who reveled in entertaining the ladies. Surely, he’d have an opinion on what recipe would be a good one for her to tackle.
She waited at least until nine in the morning before calling. Anxiously, she paced the living room with her cell phone at her ear while she waited for him to answer.
When he did finally pick up, he sounded breathless. “Hello?”
“Granddad, it’s Kate. I didn’t wake you up, did I?”
“Eh? What? No, of course not. I’m awake.” Although he’d denied she’d woken him, he didn’t sound like his usual jovial self.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Granddad?” Kate couldn’t put her finger on it, but something seemed off. “Is something wrong?”
There was a slight hesitation before he answered. “No, there’s nothing wrong. Don’t you think I’d know to call you if there was?”
“I guess so.” He sounded cranky, which only made her think something really was going on. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if Miranda was there, but sanity overruled her impulse. She did not want to know. “By the way, does your lady friend Miranda have a sister named Lucille?”
“No, she is a brother named Henry.” Granddad’s tone was tart. “Why do you ask?”
“Never mind.” Kate shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts. Miranda wasn’t some woman who’d changed her name from Lucille looking for a rich man to get her hooks into. Even if she was, her granddad was too smart to fall for something like that. And seriously, she had to stop watching so much television. No more Dateline. “Listen, Granddad, I need a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“I need an easy recipe for dinner. I sort of invited a friend over for dinner. A man.”
“A man, huh? Well, there’s always takeout.”
“I’m serious.” Kate scowled and continued to pace. “Please? There must be something easy for me to make.”
“Hmmm. How about grilling a couple of steaks? Can’t go wrong with serving a guy meat. And if it makes you feel better, you can throw in a salad.”
He wasn’t helping her in the least. “It’s freezing outside, despite being early April. I’m not grilling steaks. Will you please think about it and call me if you come up with any ideas?”
“Sure. What time is dinner?”
“Six o’clock.”
“All right, I’ll think about it and call you back,” he promised.
“Thanks. And, Granddad?” Kate headed back toward the kitchen. “When are we going to get together? How about tomorrow night? I would be happy to drive over to visit you after work.”
“Um, sure. Tomorrow night will work out fine. See you later.” He disconnected from the call. She stared at her cell phone for a moment before setting it aside. Granddad was acting stranger and stranger. Since when was steak his dinner of choice? He loved pottering around in the kitchen and usually always had a wealth of ideas.
If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was trying to get rid of her. Because of Miranda? Because his woman friend was over there this very moment?
Kate groaned and buried her face in her hands. She did not want to think about her granddad’s love life, not when his was so much better than her own.
She sighed and lifted her head, staring at the clock over her microwave. Nine-oh-five. Only eight hours and fifty-five minutes until Ethan would arrive, expecting a home-cooked meal.
Maybe Granddad’s idea of takeout wasn’t such a bad one after all.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan ran a finger along the inside collar of his shirt, trying to loosen his tie. Maybe wearing a dress shirt and a tie had been going a little overboard, but what did he know? This was his first date in nine years, and he was way out of practice.
Yet he was also full of anticipation. He didn’t want to take one moment for granted.
He stepped onto Kate’s porch. He rang the bell, then shifted the large bouquet of flowers into his other hand, lifting the other to adjust his tie. The stop at the florist had also reinforced how out of touch he was. Had there always been so many kinds of flowers to choose from? Shying away from traditional roses, he agonized for several long moments, then settled on a bouquet of yellow and pink tulips. They were bright and sunny and soft, instantly reminding him of Kate.
She opened the door, greeting him with a wide, welcoming smile. “Hi, Ethan.”
She wore sleek chocolate brown slacks and a soft gold sweater that hugged her curves. A lump formed in his throat, and he thanked his lucky stars she’d invited him over. He crossed the threshold, handing her the flowers. “Hello, Kate.”
“Oh, they’re beautiful.” She immediately buried her face in the blooms. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He sniffed the air appreciatively, the scent of basil, oregano, and other Italian spices making his stomach growl. He glanced with interest at his surroundings. He hadn’t been surprised to find that Kate lived in a quaint side-by-side townhouse. When he first met her, he’d gotten the impression she was seeking a good time, but he soon realized her openly friendly behavior was really a result of her cheerful attitude toward life in general and not because she was into the party scene.
His ears burned with embarrassment when he remembered how he’d accused her of coming on to him. At least she’d forgiven his rude behavior.
Kate’s living space was homey and bright, filled with family pictures and comfortable furniture. Splashes of bold colors, blue, green, and purple, somehow managed not to clash. A scrawny tabby wove around his legs.
“Hello there.” He reached down to scratch the feline behind its ears.
“Monty will hound you all night for attention if you keep that up,” she warned, heading toward the kitchen. “I’m putting these in water.”
The cat meowed when he followed her into the kitchen.
“Would you like something to drink?” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I have root beer and diet cola.”
“Root beer is fine.”
“Great.” Her cheeks were flushed, and she set the flowers on the counter, then opened the cupboard overhead. She pulled out two tall glasses, then filled them with ice cubes. After filling the glasses with root beer, she handed him one. “Thanks again for coming.”
“Thanks for inviting me.”
“These are gorgeous, Ethan.” Kate set her soft drink aside and fussed with the flowers for a few minutes before setting them prominently on the counter. “How did you know tulips are my favorite?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t, but they reminded me of you.”
“Oh.” She blushed, and he found himself smiling at her nervousness. At least he wasn’t alone.
“Something smells great.”
“I made chicken marsala.” She took another sip of her soft drink before pulling on a pair of oven mitts. “Dinner should be ready any minute.”
He watched as she drew a glass baking dish from the depths of the oven, along with a loaf of fresh Italian bread. The oak kitchen table was set for two, complete with tall candles in the center of the table. Ethan was suddenly glad he brought the flowers and had worn a tie. Clearly, Kate had gone out of her way for him.
“Something I can do to help?” He leaned his hips against the counter, content to watch her.
“Slice the bread, if you don’t mind.” Kate set a serrated knife and the warm bread on the cutting board next to him.
He did as she asked. It was nice to spend time with her in the kitchen. By the time he’d finished, she had filled two plates with food and set them on the table. She scooped the slices of bread into a basket, then gestured to the table. “Please, sit down.”
“Do you mind if I light the candles first?” He’d found a lighter in the drawer next to the silverware.
“That would be nice. I hope you like Italian,” she murmured as he pulled out the chair across from her.
“Everything looks great.” He wished she would relax. Tension was radiating from her in waves.
“I have a confession to make.” Kate lifted wide, anxious hazel eyes to his. “I’m not exactly an experienced cook. This whole meal”—she gestured to the table—“is a complete experiment.”
“Really?” He raised a brow and eyed the table warily. “It doesn’t look like an experiment.”
“Eat at your own risk,” was her solemn response.
He laughed and took a bite. The chicken may have been a little on the dry side, but he’d cut his tongue out before mentioning it. The marsala sauce was tangy, and the bread was wonderful. “Everything is excellent,” he declared.
“I hope so.” Kate tentatively took a couple of bites, tasting her own meal. “Hey, it’s not too bad,” she said in surprise.
“Maybe you should cook more often,” he teased.
“Are you kidding?” She flashed a horrified glare. “Do you know how much work this is?”
Ethan leaned over to capture her hand in his. “Yes, and I want you to know I appreciate your efforts. You didn’t have to cook, I would’ve taken you out.”
“I know.” She held his hand and gazed at him. “I just wanted to do something special for you.”
His heart stuttered in his chest, and he suddenly found it difficult to swallow. His voice dropped. “You have. Thank you.”
He couldn’t remember what else they talked about as they ate. Kate’s words tumbled through his mind, and he was humbled by her desire to impress him. He wanted to do the same for her, and when she stood and began to clear the table, he stopped her.
“Don’t worry about this now.” He took the dirty dishes from her hands. “Why don’t you sit and relax while I clean up? If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s how to wash dishes. I’m a pro.”
“Absolutely not.” She gently pushed him aside, then covered the leftovers with foil. Before he could start running water in the sink, she steered him away. “Neither of us are going to waste time with dishes. Come on, let’s go for a walk.”
“A walk?” He glanced around in surprise. “Outside?”
“Of course, outside.” She laughed. “Where else did you expect we’d walk? On a treadmill? Together?”
The image was ridiculous, but still. “It’s cold out,” he warned as she fetched her coat.
“I know. We don’t have to go far. Come on, the fresh air will be great.”
He tried to maintain some enthusiasm as his vision of sitting beside her on the sofa, picking up where they left off the other night at his house, faded from his mind. With a sigh, he put on his jacket. She’d slaved over a meal for him. If Kate wanted to walk, they’d walk.
Their breath fogged the air in front of their faces as they headed down her driveway. Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, protecting her from the worst of the wind. “Are we walking any place in particular?”
“Down the street to the park. There’s a swing set and a little merry-go-round.”
“Kate, I’d like to point out that we’re finally alone without a little kid in sight—why on earth are we going to the park?”
“Because it will be fun,” she insisted. “You’re too serious, Ethan. Come on, just for a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Scary, but in that moment, he realized he’d do anything to make her happy.
True to her word, the park wasn’t far from her place. She broke away from his grasp and ran toward the swing set.
“Give me a push,” she commanded.
He came up behind her and lightly grasped her hips. Obligingly, he gave her a push, and she giggled as she swung in the air. Shaking his head at her enthusiasm, he gave her another push. The only female he’d pushed on a swing had been Carly. Susan was not the type of woman to play like a kid.
It was sobering to realize just how different Kate was from his deceased wife. He’d loved Susan, she was a great wife and mother, but Kate was like a breath of fresh air.
And it struck him how much he needed her to breathe.
“This is great. You should give it a try.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” He intended to give her another push, then changed his mind. Instead, he caught her swing and held it, slowing her momentum. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he pulled her close and lowered his mouth, seeking the softness of her neck.
“No fair.” She caught her breath when he kissed her.
“Did I ever promise to play fair?” He continued to hold her as he explored the delicate curve of her jaw with his mouth. Her skin tasted better than any dessert.
“Ethan.” His name was little more than a whisper.
He wanted her with a fierceness that caught him off guard. They were in a public park. She was on a swing. What was he thinking?
“Kate.” He drew in a lungful of cold air, hoping to clear the desire from his brain. He walked around until he stood in front of the swing. He took her hand in his and drew her to her feet. “You’re driving me crazy.”
“I am?” She leaned toward him, and he couldn’t prevent himself from stealing another kiss. “In a crazy good way or in a crazy bad way?”
He groaned. “Both. Good crazy and bad.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her icy nose. “We’d better walk before we freeze to death.”
She gestured toward the merry-go-round. “One more quick ride and we can go back.”
He shouldn’t have been surprised. Kate jumped onto the merry-go-round and laughed when he spun her in a circle. Despite his thinking this a foolish way to spend their time, he found himself jumping on the merry-go-round to join her. Oddly enough, he found himself having a wonderful time being with her like this, outside on the merry-go-round.
When Kate grew tired of the merry-go-round, they wandered back to her townhouse. He reminded himself that this was their first date. And even though he wanted to spend more time with her, he needed to find the strength to restrain himself.
Hopefully, there would be other dates. He needed to take things slow and easy.
Outside her front door, he hesitated. Temptation would be easier to resist if he didn’t go inside.
“Ethan, I had a fabulous time tonight.”
“Me, too.” Even though he knew it was tempting fate, he found himself asking, “Do you mind if I come in? Just for a few minutes?”
“Oh, um, sure.” She looked surprised but held the door open so he could follow her inside. “I thought you’d have to get back to Carly.”
“I do, but it’s not quite eight o’clock yet.” He’d told the babysitter he’d be home
by ten at the latest.
After removing their coats, Kate took a seat on the sofa, leaving him little choice but to sit beside her. He struggled to think of something to say, some topic that would distract him from his desire to kiss her again.
“How did the dream catcher work?”
“Great.” He didn’t want to talk about Carly or the dream catcher. He wanted to talk about them. Where this bubbling attraction between them was headed. But he couldn’t find a way to put his thoughts into words.
And if he were honest, he’d admit that teetering on the brink of a relationship with Kate was downright scary.
He’d been married for a long time. Was it fair for him to rush into this?
It wasn’t. But he hadn’t felt like this before with any other woman. He’d loved Susan, but this was different.
Exciting.
Oh boy, he’d made a mistake coming inside like this. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her senseless again, and it took every ounce of his restraint to keep from reaching for her.
“Listen, Ethan, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea here . . .” her voice trailed off.
He sensed she was warning him off and knew it was the right thing to do. The chemistry between them was impossible to ignore.
He cleared his throat. “I’m not getting any ideas, Kate, I promise. I enjoyed your dinner very much, but you’re right. I should head home to Carly.”
Her wide eyes were a deep purple, a color he hadn’t seen yet. “I understand that you need to leave.”
He didn’t want to, but he absolutely had to. Before he lost all semblance of control. He was a man, not a machine with an on-off switch. Yet, at the same time, he was incapable of hurting her.
Lifting his hands, he cradled her face. “I want to thank you again for cooking for me.” He kissed her, trying to let her know without words what he was feeling.
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad the meal turned out okay.”