Chapter 14
“So, how exactly do you define ‘walking distance’?” Kurt asked after they’d been walking for about thirty minutes.
Kelsey was pointing out interesting shops and popular taverns he might enjoy while staying at the Raven estate.
The while part was a bit of a downer for her.
He and the dogs and the house had become such a sudden but immense part of her life that it would be strange to swing by the quiet, empty house to feed a cat who’d probably be crankier than ever when Kurt was gone.
And strange wasn’t the right word for it. It would be downright sad.
“Without the detours we’re taking, it’s about a mile and a half,” she answered. “I’m guessing with them, it’ll be about double that. You aren’t getting tired, are you? When you go to Hodak’s, it’s important you’re sufficiently hungry.”
“Trust me. I’ll be sufficiently hungry.”
She brushed her fingers over his triceps before thinking about it. “One more detour, but trust me, it’s worth it. This one is the best of all. I’m hoping it won’t be too dark to see it.”
He followed her down a side street without comment.
It had taken him less than three minutes, but he’d jogged upstairs before leaving and come down in a black V-neck long-sleeved shirt, perfectly molded blue jeans, and a pair of understated cowboy boots.
Considering the short time he was upstairs, he couldn’t have done more than finger comb his thick, brown hair.
It was just messy enough without being unkempt, and Kelsey could easily imagine slipping her hands into it.
She was super thankful she’d still had a basic faux-cashmere sweater in her trunk from a planned family dinner she opted out of the other night when things took longer than expected at the Raven estate.
Not only was it considerably cooler now that the short storm had blown through, but she’d been told more than once the snug-fitting lilac sweater looked great on her.
She’d also ditched her tennis shoes for the pair of comfortable, tall leather boots she’d had in the trunk.
“Here,” she said a few minutes later.
Kurt seemed skeptical as he took in the narrow but deep empty lot they’d stopped in front of.
It was sandwiched between an antebellum home in the process of being renovated and a single-room brick house with the windows boarded up.
Dusk was setting in heavily, making the edges of the lot hard to distinguish.
The streetlights were kicking on, but none were close enough to really light up the area.
“Let me guess,” he said. “You’re hoping to turn it into a dog park for dogs who don’t play well with others?”
Kelsey giggled. “I don’t think I could get a permit for that if I tried. I thought you’d like to know that we’re standing in front of what’s believed to be an Underground Railroad site.”
Kurt raised an eyebrow. “Really? Cool.”
“Like about everything around here, this story ties to the caves that spiderweb through this part of the city. The house that used to be here had a tunnel hidden under the back porch that connected to caves leading to the Mississippi River. The river’s less than half a mile that way as the crow flies.
If you believe the old stories, escaped slaves would hide in a now-demolished graveyard down the street until one of the German abolitionists who owned the home came and got them under the cover of darkness.
After feeding them a good meal, they’d send the escaped slaves on their way through the caves to the river.
From there, they headed north. Unfortunately, the house was torn down by the city before it was officially registered, but there’ve been a few archeological digs here since.
Several archeologists believe the artifacts they found here prove it was part of the Underground Railroad. ”
Kurt rocked back on the heels of his boots as he surveyed the area. “That’s freaking awesome.”
“I think so too. Unfortunately, the construction of Interstate 55 tore up miles of caves, as have a lot of the demolishing and new construction around here, which makes the claim all but impossible to prove.”
“That’s a shame, but sometimes the mystery of a place is what keeps it famous. Think of all the old ghost tales that are told.”
“True. That’s the other thing about this area you’ve probably heard about. These last five or six square blocks make up what is considered one of the most haunted spots in America.”
“I remember watching the America’s Most Haunted episode that was filmed here awhile back, but I didn’t realize the Raven estate was so close to here. And I thought you didn’t believe in hauntings.”
“I don’t believe in hauntings. That doesn’t mean spirits don’t linger, does it?”
He grinned. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”
She waggled her eyebrows at him. “I hope this little tour tidbit doesn’t make sleeping in that big house all alone a problem for you.”
He chuckled the soft, rolling laugh that made her chest turn to pudding. Or at least thick molasses. “I suspect I won’t miss any more winks than I already do. But this is great, Kelsey. All that you’ve shown me tonight. Consider me a bona fide fan of South City.”
“You can’t say that before you’ve tried the chicken. It was supposed to be the tipping point.”
“Speaking of chicken…” he said, placing the flat of his hand over his wonderfully carved abs and reminding Kelsey how it had felt to touch them. “If we don’t get there soon, I think my stomach is going to start eating itself.”
“We don’t want that, do we?” At her lead, they took off in the direction of the restaurant, their arms accidentally brushing against each other. Kelsey knew she should be hungry too, but the whirlwind of sensations in her stomach had nothing to do with hunger.
* * *
Kurt sat back in the booth and stretched. He’d have to give serious consideration before eating a single additional bite.
“That was pretty much an entire chicken you just ate,” Kelsey said. “I thought you were messing with me when you ordered two entrées. I figured you were going to take one home.”
Home. It’d been a figure of speech, he was sure, easier to say in conversation than the Sabrina Raven estate, but the word lingered, reverberating through his mind.
Aloud, as he examined his plate, he rebutted, “I only doubled the chicken, not the sides. A breast, thigh, wing, and drummy didn’t sound like enough.
” He pointed to his two untouched pieces.
“And the second wing and drummy are still ripe for devouring, if you’re hungry. ”
Kelsey shook her head, laughing, sending her thick, blond hair tumbling over her shoulders. “No, I feel like I won’t be able to eat for a week as it is.”
“Nice place,” Kurt said. “You chose well.” He looked around, once again taking in the impressive collection of chicken and rooster decorations covering every wall.
Vegans, beware. He finished his beer and pulled his credit card from his wallet.
When she popped off the back of her phone case to pull out a credit card, he added, “No, I’ve got this. You bought the pretzels earlier.”
She looked about to protest, then shrugged it off. “Thanks. I’ll get coffees on the walk home. My weight-lifting brothers would be curious to know how you stay so fit and eat like you do.”
“If you want the truth, I don’t pay much attention to it.
I’ll admit I worked out a lot in the service.
It was a good way to release tension. Lately, I haven’t had time to do anything aside from a couple dozen push-ups and a few rounds of pull-ups in the attic using the support beams. I feel better when I’m not lazing around. ”
“Of course,” Kelsey said, giggling. “The man who never stops moving ‘lazing around.’ Now I have this image of the ceiling rafters giving way and you being trapped under a pile of rubble. When I have time, I’ll swing by my parents’ and see what weights I can find deserted in their basement.
My brothers moved out over a decade ago, and my parents have long since claimed the right to donate whatever they didn’t take to Goodwill.
My mom just hasn’t gotten around to it. You’re welcome to come along and have a look.
I’m sure my dad would love another chance to talk to you.
He served in the National Guard to help pay for college.
If my mom hadn’t gotten pregnant with my brother Brian and they got married, I think he’d have ended up joining the marines when he finished. ”
“That’s a nice offer. Thanks. Your parents are cool, by the way. And very supportive of you.”
“I think they finally gave up hope I’d find a better job with benefits and whatnot. It took a few years, but they seem to get it now.”
“I think it’d be impossible not to. It’s easy to see how much you love your job. Which reminds me… I talked to Rob earlier, new cell phone and all,” he added, winking at her. “Were you serious about that pit you saw when you toured the warehouse? The one with those facial injuries?”
Kelsey sat straighter, her face revealing her sudden rapt attention. “Please tell me he’s doing okay.”
“He’s fine. He’s healing well and has no sign of infection.
Most of his wounds were superficial, though he’s probably not going to be a pretty boy.
Rob’s happy to bring him over when he finds a spare minute.
That is, if you haven’t changed your mind.
You’re going to have your hands more than full in a few weeks when those Rott pups are born.
Keep Devil in the mix, and things will start to look like a zoo, not a rehab. ”
“Are you kidding? Of course I want him.” She closed her hand over Kurt’s wrist automatically. “I keep dreaming about him. We’re going to find him the best home in St. Louis. The absolute best, I tell you.”