Chapter 43 Kat
KAT
My house doesn’t feel anything like it did when I left it. Instead, a tangled mix of emotions hits me the second we pull into the driveway. Tom is quick to get us into the garage and close the door, the only light coming from the dim bulb I’ve never changed the entire time I’ve lived here.
“Remember when we get inside, things between us are platonic. They swept the house earlier, and Jace has been doing surveillance since, but we can’t be too careful right now, okay?”
“Okay.”
Tom said earlier that he didn’t want to give my stalker any reason to think we’re involved—to try to get to me through him when the team already has a plan in place for the gala.
Fewer variables.
Fewer chances for surprises.
Or at least that’s the hope.
“Samson will be over here soon to relieve Jace and—”
“Samson? The cop from the fire?”
“Yeah, we’re seeing how he does on a trial basis right now.”
The smile that crosses my lips is instant, the memory of him with his daughters and mother at the signing so sweet it settles the uneasiness of being back here. His presence had been unexpected that day, and I’d momentarily given in to the paranoia that he could be the one after me.
But all of that disappeared as soon as I saw him with his daughters, a loving, albeit tired father just trying his best to do it all.
“That makes me happy.”
“Why’s that?”
“You’re going to change his life—his family’s life. It’s going to be amazing for them.”
“We’re just providing the opportunity.”
“You’re incredibly sexy when you’re trying to be modest.”
“Keep your hands to yourself, Kitten.”
“Or what?” I tease, needing the distraction as my eyes drop to the bulge in his jeans.
“Or you’re going to have a heck of a time sitting down after I spank the hell out of you.”
Oh, yes, please.
Blushing furiously, I watch as Tom pushes out of the SUV and rounds the front, his dark brown eyes gleaming as he opens my door and offers me his hand.
“That’s not the threat you think it is.”
“Don’t push it. I have work to do and you,”—he points to the phone in my hand I haven’t touched—“have some catching up to do.”
Wrinkling my nose, I follow him inside because the last thing I really want to do is connect with anyone right now.
Back at the cabin, I’d been dying for any kind of social interaction, but now, it seems too real, like engaging with my brother or Bailey will erase the last remnants of the happiness I found with Tom.
He’s not going away. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.
Sighing, I drop onto one of the stools at the island as he clears each room before going back into the garage to get our bags.
The kitchen seems cold, lacking both color and personality.
When I picked everything out, I’d been happy with the clean lines and aesthetic, but looking at it now, it hurts my heart.
Just another part of my life I wiped any trace of myself from.
Annoyed with the realization, I swipe open the phone and find Bailey’s number.
KAT: Hey it’s Kat. I have a new phone and I’m fine
BAILEY: THANK THE GOOD LORD ABOVE
BAILEY: Wait—if it’s really you tell me where I took you on the last night you were in town here visiting
KAT: The Hoot & Holler
BAILEY: It IS you!
BAILEY: (heart emoji)
BAILEY: How’s Tom?
KAT: Still my bodyguard
BAILEY: Oh! While you were MIA I checked him out and I know him…
KAT: You know Tom?
BAILEY: Well, I don’t but my cousin Ella in Blackstone Falls does. She recognized his name right away.
BAILEY: He helped her fiancé with something a while back—he gets my stamp of approval
KAT: Wow, what a small world.
BAILEY: The smallest
BAILEY: Don’t think you’re getting off the hook—you ghosted me for an entire week, Kat—I was worried sick
BAILEY: So was Colt
KAT: I know and I will. I just can’t yet.
KAT: You talked to my brother?
BAILEY: When I couldn’t find you and some random guy I’ve never heard of messaged me to say you were fine but unavailable? Yeah, I texted your brother
KAT: Huh…I didn’t know you had his number
BAILEY: Girlfriend, it was either that or send out a search party
KAT: Well can you tell him I’m okay and I’ll talk to him after the gala? I don’t have the energy for him right now.
BAILEY: I will but I’m not making any promises he won’t still call
KAT: He can leave a voicemail
BAILEY: Yeah I’m sure that will go over well…
I chuckle as Tom comes back into the kitchen and drops an armful of stuff on the table.
“Everything okay?” he asks, putting everything into neat piles as he looks at me over his shoulder.
“Bailey was going to send out a search party.”
“Royce said he contacted her.”
“She didn’t believe him, thought it might have been a hoax.”
His lips twitch as he shakes his head and returns to whatever is in front of him, but my heart is a little lighter at the thought of Bailey kicking in doors to find me. I guess it’s not always the hero that will go to the end of the earth for the heroine.
Sometimes it’s her friends too.
“Well, I hope she never meets Emerson because she was pissed no one told her either.” He cringes and I can only imagine the earful she gave everyone for that oversight.
“I’ll text her now.”
“She made you guys appointments for tomorrow.”
“She did?” I ask, surprised and confused because as far as I know, she has no connection to the Chicago Children’s Outreach program.
“She’s Emerson Andrews,” he says as if that answers everything. “She made a donation and they graciously offered her seats at a table.” Smirking, he adds, “She’s also bringing Jace as her date so I can have him mingling instead of on the periphery.”
“I’m going to have to hunt through my closet for a dress,” I announce, my shoulders slumping because things had been so different the day the award was announced.
Maybe Emerson has something that could fit me.
Or maybe she can work a miracle.
Because apparently that’s not out of the realm of possibilities.
KAT: Hey, it’s Kat
EMERSON: Hey! I have everything set for tomorrow—How are you feeling?
KAT: Nervous and I need a dress
EMERSON: It’s all taken care of
KAT: What does that mean?
EMERSON: I already have your dress
KAT: How? I didn’t order anything?
EMERSON: Well…