Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
KATIE
My stomach churned as I walked down the hallway toward the front door. Grace was hopping excitedly from foot to foot, looking like she was about to pee herself.
“It’s Jake!” she shouted before a deep laugh floated through the door.
Grace leaned forward, grabbed the handle, and opened the door. “Hi!” she squealed. “Welcome to our home.” Her eyes widened when she saw he was carrying a big shopping bag. “Oh my God, you brought presents.”
“Grace Rose,” I scolded. “We don’t say oh my God in this house.”
She scrambled down and immediately grabbed hold of Jake’s leg. “But I heard Auntie Ellie say it when she came over last week.”
“Auntie Ellie’s older than you,” I muttered, but my daughter was too busy beaming up at Jake to notice.
I couldn’t blame her. He was a sight to behold.
He wore blue jeans, a button-down, and a massive smile as he took Grace and me in. “Are you sure this is okay?” he asked.
“It’s more than okay. It’s the best day ever!” Grace yelled. She punched her arms in the air and sprinted into her bedroom.
I looked up at the heavens, asking God for strength, before my eyes lowered, and I ushered Jake inside. “Sorry about that. She gets very excitable.”
“No problem,” he rumbled in his deep voice, stepping over the threshold. “She’s exactly how a kid should be. Full of life.”
My stomach fluttered. “That’s a great way to look at it.” I led him into the kitchen and gestured for him to sit at the table. “I hope my mom didn’t force you into saying yes. She can be very persuasive when she puts her mind to it.”
His hand rested on my waist, and he slowly turned me around. “Thanks for making dinner.” He handed me a bouquet of lilies. “Leanne from the florists said they were your favorite.”
My breath hitched and held just for a minute as a big smile spread across my face. “Thank you. They’re lovely.”
He handed me a box of expensive chocolates, and I looked up at him, smiling. “These are amazing. Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said, grinning down at me.
For a moment, we just stared at each other.
“I’ll buy you flowers and chocolate every day to see that smile,” he whispered.
“Jake!” a little voice called from the hall.
I whirled around, opening the cupboard where I kept the glasses. Footsteps clattered, and Grace came speeding in. “This is Barbie,” she announced. “She wanted to meet you.”
I smiled down at Grace’s excited face and shook my head. “I think she likes you,” I murmured.
Jake laughed. “Hope her mama does too.”
Watching Jake interact with Grace gave me a little snapshot of what life would’ve been like if Theo had lived. It gutted me that he’d never meet her. He’d never get to do the everyday things like tuck her into bed or read her a story. He’d never see her graduate or walk her down the aisle.
“It’s bedtime, Grace,” I announced, glancing at my watch.
“But, Mom,” she whined. “What about Jake?”
He chuckled. “I only live next door, little Tink. How about tomorrow afternoon you and your mom come over for a barbecue? I’ll ask some of the guys from the station. Your mom can ask Ellie, too.”
Her eyes widened. “I love parties.”
Jake nodded conspiratorially. “I may have a surprise there for you too.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “I love surprises.”
“But,” Jake continued, “you gotta do what your momma says and go to bed.”
She clambered down from her chair. “Thank you for coming to our house.” Her little legs carried her to Jake, and she dived onto his lap, throwing her little arms around his neck. “Nite,” she said, clambering down and running from the room.
Jake’s face went slack with shock.
“She’s very affectionate,” I explained. “You invited her to a party, so you’ve earned hugs.”
He got to his feet and stalked toward me. “Will inviting you to a party work in my favor, too?”
Nerves fluttered in the pit of my stomach as he reached out and stroked a finger down my cheek while he stared at me. “You’re so beautiful, Katie. Knew you were special the instant I saw you standing under my porch light.”
I got it because I felt it too, and I didn’t know what to do with it, but since then, I’d had time to get used to the idea.
“Pack me up some leftovers, babe?” he asked cheekily. “Haven’t been fed like that for years.”
I laughed, stepping back. “Typical. Mom said that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I went into a cupboard and grabbed some plastic containers.
“Not the only way to a man’s heart, babe.”
“That’s what Ellie said,” I muttered, spooning the casserole into some Tupperware.
The pitter-patter of tiny feet sounded from the hallway. “Mama. I got my PJs on.” Grace ran into the room, going straight to Jake.
He bent down on his haunches and chucked her cheek. “Nice PJs. I can honestly say I’ve never seen Taylor’s face blown up to that size.”
Grace preened. “Isn’t it amazing?”
“Mind-blowing.” He opened his arms. “Hug before I go?”
My girl threw her arms around his neck and squeezed hard.
“See ya later, Tink.” Jake stood, then throwing me a heated glance, he took the containers of food and made his way to the hallway. “No need to see me out,” he called before the front door banged behind him.
Grace beamed. “He’s nice.”
I barked out a laugh. “You think?”
“Mama,” she cocked a hip, “I think he wants to be your boyfriend.”
“It’s a bit soon for that, Grace. How about we get to know Jake better and see how we all get on?”
“Yay!” She punched her arms in the air. “I need to go tell Barbie,” she said, grinning excitedly. She jumped down and ran for her bedroom.
My eyes followed her, my brain ticking over our conversation.
I’d been living in the past, but it was time to look to the future, and I couldn’t think of a better person to explore that with than Jake.
Except that one thing niggled at me.
He was a single man. He liked going out and having fun. Nothing was wrong with that, but I couldn’t help but wonder.
Was he ready for us?