Chapter 12 #2
Nick remained silent, but he couldn’t help wondering if she’d really given up.
The fact that she continued to mention her mother’s opposition and attitude told a different story.
He could tell it hurt that she didn’t have her mother’s approval or at least respect.
Some things went deep. And no matter how deep they were buried, the subconscious wouldn’t let go.
“Here we are,” Kat said. “We’ve got the whole basement area.”
Nick opened the door then followed Kat down the stairs to a large open room with low ceilings and small windows at the top of three sides. Looked like black chalkboard paint on two long walls.
Mia peeked around a cabinet when they walked in. “Hey, guys!”
“Hi,” Nick and Kat both responded.
Nick listened while the women discussed their plans for the session then gave Kat a soft nudge. “What can I do to help?”
“If you could set up a few tables, that’d be great.” She pointed toward a cluster of folding tables in the front corner.
The kids began arriving a few minutes later, and before he knew it, the room was practically vibrating with chatter and bodies bouncing around.
For an hour and a half, Nick pitched in, handing kids scissors and chalk—and observing Kat while he was at it.
He watched the way she interacted with the kids.
She was patient and enthusiastic. Got her hands dirty.
He could see chalk on her clothes as well as hands.
But she didn’t seem to mind at all. She kept a smile on her face the whole time.
Answered the same question dozens of times.
When she glanced his way and their eyes met, Nick gave her a thumbs up while acknowledging the spike in his heart rate.
Pride rushed through him. As a girlfriend, companion, significant other, whatever, Katlyn Andrews was someone he could be proud of.
He’d never made a checklist of that sort of thing, but he knew now that it was important to him.
It struck him how compatible and in sync he and Kat were.
From ice-skating to volunteering, they could enjoy doing things together.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced out the window.
When they were together. He couldn’t help wondering if they’d someday reach a stalemate .
Nick worked his way around the tables, assisting the kids and admiring their handiwork.
A couple of times he felt Mia’s eyes on him.
While he watched Kat, Mia was watching him.
She didn’t have the soft, pretty vibe that Kat did, but Mia was striking in her own way.
Perhaps some Asian ancestry. And a fun personality.
Though she seemed perfectly comfortable with him, he couldn’t help wondering if Mia considered him an outsider who was spoiling their little friend group.
Either way, he knew he’d be the hot topic of conversation tomorrow.
He expected his ears to catch fire as soon as he boarded his plane.
* * *
“What do you think about staying in and watching a movie tonight?” Kat perched on the arm of the sofa in her apartment next to Nick late Saturday afternoon.
He swiveled and rested a hand on her back. “That’s fine with me. No skating?”
“I’m kind of a fair-weather skater. It’s awfully cold tonight.”
“Okay. Carry-out for dinner? What’s close?”
“Oh, there are tons of places, but we could cook here, too. Pasta? Chili? Baked chicken?”
“Pasta sounds great, and it’s easy.”
Kat pulled all the necessary ingredients and pots from the cupboards, then they worked together in the kitchen.
“Thanks for your help today,” Kat said.
“It was a good time. And fun to see you in action. You’re good with the kids.”
“As were you.”
He shrugged. “I’ve picked up a thing or two from my mom over the years.”
Kat stopped stirring the sauce and smiled at him. “Sounds like she’s a great mom.”
“She was also a great teacher. Recently retired from a thirty-year teaching career. Grade school.”
Kat’s face flamed as she remembered their earlier conversation—and her words about teaching. “Oh, Nick, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–”
He held up a hand. “It’s okay. I understand what you meant. I know it’s a fallback career for some people. But you should know it’s not that way for everyone.”
Ugh , she really put her foot in that one. “I feel like I should go stand in the corner. Or write an essay?”
Nick laughed. “You’re good. My mom majored in elementary education because she had a passion,” he continued. “It was what she always wanted to do, and she was exceptional. Still gets invited to graduations and weddings. Gets cards and notes from former students. It’s pretty cool.”
“It is.” He’d obviously been raised by a loving, nurturing woman. She reached for Nick’s hand. “Imagine how many lives she’s touched.”
“Hundreds. We can’t go out to eat without someone recognizing her and stopping to say hi.”
“She sounds amazing. Tell me about your dad.”
“Dad is the opposite of Mom. Great guy, but he’s painfully shy. Doesn’t like crowds.”
“Any particular reason for that?”
Nick let go of her hand and dumped the spaghetti into the pot of boiling water and began stirring. “He stuttered as a young kid. Though speech therapy eventually cured it, he never got over the fear of talking to people, especially anything public.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s an engineer. Perfect for him, but I remember one year his team won an industry award, and he refused to go to the dinner. He was afraid he’d have to go on stage to get the damn thing.”
“That’s too bad. What does he think about your HomeBuilder’s spot?”
“You know, I think he’s relieved. It’s the ultimate proof that I didn’t inherit that stuff from him.
I think he’s always been afraid of that.
It’s one reason I took debate in high school and played team sports, forced myself to speak in front of people.
Guess that’s one reason I decided to go for the HomeBuilder’s gig.
Sure, it’s going to be great for business, but I wanted to prove I could do it, too.
If it gives Dad some peace of mind, that’s even better. ”
Kat touched his arm and tried to ignore the wave of envy that rolled through her. Nick obviously had a great relationship with his parents. “That’s wonderful,” she told him. “I hope I get to meet them someday.”
Nick placed a kiss on the side of her head. “Let’s make that happen.”
Kat thought of everything she had going on and wondered when things would settle down. Would the show bring more gallery appearances? More clients? More work? Even if it did, she should probably make the effort to go to Colorado and not expect Nick to do all the traveling.
“Maybe this summer?” Nick suggested. “You could meet my parents, see my place, and look at the shop.”
She sucked in her breath. Summer was only a few months away, but still, that sounded like long-term planning.
They hadn’t planned beyond her show. Until now, long-term hadn’t been part of their vocabulary.
Still, it seemed natural, and she’d love to see his place.
She nodded. “Yeah. That might work. It’d be a good opportunity to see Nana, too, and I’d love to see the remodeling at my parents’ house. ”
He put one hand on her shoulder and tipped her chin with the other. “You wouldn’t have to stay at their house, you know.”
Kat looked into his deep green eyes, and the familiar flutter returned.
By then, her parents would know she was in a relationship with Nick.
At least he already knew what he was getting into.
Eyes wide open . He knew her mother, and that hadn’t scared him off.
She swallowed hard as she considered the things he’d let slide.
He’d been gracious about her earlier faux pas in reference to teaching.
He was without a doubt one of the nicest guys she’d ever met.
After dinner, they settled into the living room and Nick turned on the television. “This room could use a fireplace.” he said.
“It sure could. I think I’m going to paint one.”
His brows drew together. “You’re what?”
Kat gave a little laugh. “Non-functioning, of course, but it could be a fun focal point. And I can hang stockings on the canvas.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah. Maybe the flames will give the illusion of heat. Too bad I can’t attach a mantel.”
“We could paint one of those, too.”
“Do you paint?” She sat straighter. Was there anything he couldn’t do?
“I was an art major, I had to draw, paint, make clay pots and even tried my hand at glass blowing. I don’t have your talent, but if you art direct, I think I can manage a brush all right.” He gestured toward her easel. “Do you have materials here?”
Kat jumped into action and headed for the closet. “Not sure I have a canvas here that’s big enough. I have watercolor paper, but that wouldn’t work for structure.” She rummaged in the depths and came up empty-handed. Too bad. It’d be fun to do a painting project together.
She peeked back out and shook her head. “Darn. No canvas, and most of my acrylics are at my studio.” But now that the idea had taken root, she wasn’t ready to give up on it.
She ran a hand over the new wildflower and mountain scene she’d sketched out on a large piece of watercolor paper. That seemed fitting, too.
Nick met her at the closet door. “You get lost in there?”
“What do you think about mountains?”
“I like mountains.”
She swung around the heavy paper clipped to a thin board.
Nick stepped back with a wide smile on his face. “Really? You want to do a mountain picture together?”
“Why not?”
“I’d love it.”
“Okay, put this on the easel while I get set up.” She paused to turn off the television and plug her phone into its dock for some music. Then, with a lighthearted step, she gathered water and paints.
When she gave Nick a handful of brushes, he caught her arm and pulled her closer for a kiss. “I’m pumped about this.”