Chapter Seven
CHAPTER SEVEN
As Doug and Katy walked to the house she tried to appear calm and composed, but it wasn’t easy. She wanted to jump for joy! Her plan had worked brilliantly! She couldn’t ride Mindy to Annie’s in the dark, so Doug would have to take her.
“I have some hot chocolate already made. I just have to put it on the stove for a few minutes,” he declared as they walked into the kitchen. “But Butch gets his rawhide first, right Butch?”
Barking, the dog ran to the cupboard, sat down, and looked at him expectantly.
“He’s just adorable,” she exclaimed. “I wish I could get a dog but the people who own the place I rent won’t allow it.”
“That’s a shame. By the way, how did you end up at the pastry shop? Do you like to bake?” Doug asked as he gave Butch his treat.
“No, not really. I wanted to be a nurse. I thought I’d get used to all the grisly stuff, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. One day I just couldn’t stomach it anymore. But I don’t regret the year I spent in training. I learned so much. I ended up at the pastry shop because they needed someone and I was at loose ends. I actually really like it there. Anyway, if you ever cut your hand I can stitch it up for you—assuming you have the supplies.”
“Good to know,” he said as he removed a pot from the refrigerator. “This will only take a minute. Could you hand me that wooden spoon on the counter.”
As he placed the pot on the stovetop and turned on the element, she picked up the spoon and carried it over to him.
“Are you a quick learner?” he asked, taking it from her.
“Yes, and I have an excellent memory.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he began, grabbing her elbow with his left hand and jerking her forward, “you need to remember not to manipulate me,” he exclaimed, landing a swat in the center of her backside.
“How dare you!” she shrieked, trying to wrestle her arm from his tight grip. “What have I—?”
“Stop actin’ like you don’t know what I’m talkin’ about,” he scolded, interrupting her and sitting her into a chair at the table. “Ridin’ up here at dusk was no accident. You knew exactly what you were doin’. You figured when it got too dark to ride back I’d offer to trailer Mindy to Annie Baker’s and drop you off at the campground. Were you plannin’ to ask me to join you for a drink? Or maybe even dinner?”
“Why are you being so mean?” she managed, though she was completely mortified and barely able to speak.
“Why did you lie to me and treat me like I’m some dumbass?”
“No, no, it wasn’t like that,” she bleated.
“Did you forget I just lost a year of my life battlin’ the odds to clear my name.”
“Of course not. I just—uh—”
“You’d better stop before you make things worse. You’re lucky you’re not over my knee with your jeans around your knees.”
As he turned his back to her and began stirring the pot she felt her face blaze red. A part of her was furious. She wanted to yell at him and demand an apology. But another part of her was completely flummoxed, and the butterflies in her stomach were fluttering in a frantic dance. Taking a deep breath, she told herself all she could do was apologize. But would it be enough for Doug to forgive her?
* * *
Though Doug was flattered Katy had gone to such lengths to be around him, her duplicity was disturbing. Reaching into a cabinet and lifting out two mugs, he placed them on the table, then lifted the pot off the stove.
“Sorry, Doug.”
She’d spoken so softly he thought he’d been hearing things, but when he glanced down at her, he could see the remorse in her eyes.
“I don’t usually do things like that,” she continued. “I guess I was just…a bit…”
“A bit what?” he asked, as he poured the hot chocolate into the mugs.
“I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“About?”
“Seeing you again…spending some time with you.”
“Is it so hard just to be honest?”
“Um…kind of,” she mumbled. “So…what now?”
“Drink your hot chocolate. Mindy can stay here for the night and Billy can drop you off at the campground on his way home.”
“She’ll need a blanket. It’s cold.”
“I can show you where we keep our extras. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something suitable. You can bring your trailer over tomorrow.”
“What time?”
“Any time.”
“Would it be possible to take another ride up the trail?”
“I’ll have to see. It will depend on how many people are here.”
“That’s okay. I can always take her up by myself. I’m used to riding on my own. I do it all the time.”
“No way will you venture up there alone. Not from this ranch, not while I’m here.”
She was about to argue but thought better of it. Lifting the mug she took a drink—then stared across the table at him.
“This is absolutely amazing” she exclaimed, her eyes wide. “How do you make it?”
“That’s a secret.”
“I had hot chocolate at the campground restaurant last night and it wasn’t anywhere near as good as this.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it. My mother would call it moreish.”
“Moreish?” he repeated, the hint of a smile curling his lips.
“You know, like you want more and more.”
“Oh, I see. Yes, I admit to be addicted.”
“I think I am now,” she said earnestly.
“Consider yourself lucky. You don’t deserve it,” he said with a sigh, his frown suddenly returning.
“We all make mistakes.”
“That wasn’t a mistake,” he grunted, but before he could continue he was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in.”
“Hi, I’m about to go,” Billy said, poking his in. “Do you need anything else?”
“Yep. Come in and have some hot chocolate.”
“I’d love to. Thanks, Doug.”
“Can you drop Katy off at the Moonshine Campground on your way home?”
“Sure, no problem,” he replied sitting at the table. “By the way, I forgot to tell you, an unopened packet of cookies has disappeared from the kitchen in the tack room.”
“Dammit. That’s the second time since Blake and Heather left,” Doug remarked, pouring another mug of the hot chocolate.
“Why are some people so dishonest?” Billy said, shaking his head. “I don’t understand.”
“That’s a good question,” Doug replied, catching Katy’s eye. “I was asking myself that very same thing just a couple of minutes ago.”