Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
“You might not be living in a big city anymore, but you still need to be careful.” Kate’s dad’s voice sounded like a drill sergeant’s, and his wrinkled caramel-colored forehead told of past worries as his wizened face filled her computer screen from her parents’ condo in south Florida.
“I know, Dad.” Kate suppressed an eye roll because she knew her dad meant well. He’d seen the worst of the worst during his time with the Chicago PD. “I promise I’ll be careful.”
Her parents were diligent about FaceTiming every Tuesday evening at seven.
She had rushed home from the lodge because the kitchen wasn’t the ideal place to video chat with her parents.
The last thing she wanted was her personal life broadcasted to the staff at the lodge.
Her parents had been known to embarrass her a time or two when others were in the room.
Her mom appeared onscreen, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
Kate had gotten her dad’s brown eyes and black hair, and instead of her mother’s pale Norwegian skin, she was blessed with a pretty pecan skin tone.
“Honey, how are the renovations coming along?”
“Great, actually. Pete is confident the hardwood floors will be salvageable after they pull the church pews out.”
“That’s great news. Tell me about Pete. Is he handsome? Single?”
“He works for Alexis, my contractor, who’s currently working on a large lake estate. She’s starring in a new DIY show that will air by the end of the year.”
Kate’s dad looked over his shoulder at his wife. “Jill, leave Kate alone. She doesn’t need to date right now. She has more important things to focus on.”
And that, right there, was why she’d only take her parents’ calls when she was home. Alone.
“Dad’s right. I have a lot to do before spring and have no plans to get seriously involved with anyone. To answer your questions, yes, Pete is handsome, but I don’t know what his relationship status is. Pete is working on Sacred Grounds, nothing more.”
“You can’t plan on falling in love, Katelyn. I never planned to fall head over heels for your father either. Promise me you won’t let your experience with Jacques sour your view on relationships.”
Kate listened to her mother recount, for the umpteenth time, how her dad “swept her off her feet” and what a “fairy tale” it had been. There was no use arguing with her mother when it came to her love life. The terms hopeless romantic, reader of romance, and notorious matchmaker summed up her mom.
“I actually met someone.” As soon as the words left Kate’s mouth, she chastised herself. But in the spirit of wanting to please her mother and not cause any more undue worry, what could a little exaggeration hurt?
“Really? Why didn’t you say so? Tell me about him. I want all the details.”
“And that’s my cue to leave. Love you, sweetheart.” Kate’s dad stood and motioned for his wife to sit.
“Love you too, Dad.”
Her mom squealed with excitement. “Okay, your dad is in the other room. Tell me all about your new man. Don’t leave out any details.”
“Well—he’s handsome.”
Her mom’s smile grew wider as she sat on the edge of her chair, her face filling the screen. “That’s always a plus. What else?”
“We had dinner together. Leftovers.”
“Katelyn,” her mom admonished. “You can’t feed your new man leftovers.”
“To be fair, I had already dished out a plate of Aunt Helen’s Thanksgiving leftovers for myself when he stopped by to apologize.”
“Apologize? Already? What did he do?”
“Not important. I promise to tell you all about it when you visit.” She knew her mom was like a dog with a bone when it came to details, but she wasn’t quick enough to come up with a plausible lie.
Was it untrue, technically, to say there was a new man in her life?
She didn’t actually say they were dating, just that she had met someone.
If her mom wanted to assume they were dating, well .
. . Nope. She inwardly cringed as she outwardly fibbed.
At least her parents wouldn’t be visiting until spring, giving her time to “break up” with her lie.
“Kate?”
“What?” She had zoned out, dwelling on her deception.
“What’s his name?”
“Oh. Umm . . . Nick.” Now she’d done it.
She needed to change the subject fast. “I almost forgot. I sent you the latest L.C. Brooks book. She signed it for you.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite daughter!”
Kate chuckled. “I’m your only daughter.”
“Tomato-tomahto. I can’t believe you live in the same town as L.C. Brooks. That settles it. We’re coming for Christmas. I can’t wait to meet her!”
Kate had just taken a sip of her hot chocolate, and she coughed, the hot liquid burning her throat.
“What?” She needed to think fast. “I thought you were coming for my grand opening. You hate winter, and you hate traveling during the holidays.”
“True, but we love you more, and we’re excited to meet your new man.”
Kate hoped her mom didn’t notice the panic on her face.
“You don’t want to spend the money to visit me twice in six months,” she pleaded.
Her mom ran a tight budget since they’d retired.
She hoped the emphasis on money and the busy traveling season would persuade her to rethink the spur-of-the-moment decision, something her mom was known for.
“Besides, Paige, or as you know her, L.C. Brooks, will be on her honeymoon. Maybe it’s best to wait until my grand opening.” She almost tacked on “and not make any rash decisions,” but she knew that would make her mom dig her heels in, and she’d book a flight to Minnesota before she hung up.
“Let me talk to your father, and I’ll let you know.”
A knock sounded on Kate’s door. “Mom, there’s someone here. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you next week. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She shut her laptop. What had she done? She never should have mentioned Nick to her parents, but he’d been on her mind lately. Her excitement over their budding friendship had overruled any common sense.
Kate opened the door to Nick—how ironic. Hopefully, his ears weren’t on fire.
“I brought dinner.” Nick stood on the back steps, holding up a bag of food. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” Kate stepped away from the door. “What’s the occasion?”
“I stopped at the lodge, and Cole mentioned the long hours you’ve been putting in lately. I heard you’ve taken on more of the baking duties than just Santa Days.”
Nick had been stopping by on his breaks and after work almost daily. They’d been enjoying each other’s company. He made her laugh. Her spirits lifted with the unexpected food delivery.
“I have, but I really don’t mind. Pete has everything handled here for now, and I love baking.” When Nick’s brow rose in question, she added, “I’m happy to help. Really.”
Nick placed the food on the island. “I hope it’s not too late. I got off work, and I hadn’t had time to stop at the grocery store, so I headed to the lodge. Cole didn’t think you’d eaten.”
“I haven’t, and it’s not too late. Thank you. My late start this morning had me rushing around, and I forgot to eat. I hurried home to video chat with my parents. We try to talk every Tuesday night.”
Nick set the containers on the counter. “I hope I didn’t interrupt.”
Kate pulled plates and silverware from the cupboard. “Not at all. You have perfect timing. My mom is determined I date, and Dad is always hounding me about being safe.”
One corner of Nick’s mouth tilted up.
Kate chuckled when she realized how it sounded. “Safe as in my dad buying me mace and other trinkets to stay safe from nefarious people hiding in the shadows. He’s always warning me I can’t be too careful—even small towns aren’t always safe.” Kate shrugged. “And my mom wants grandbabies.”
“It must be a mom thing. I’m reminded almost daily that I’m single. As if I didn’t know. And she, too, wants grandbabies.”
Kate opened one of the Styrofoam containers. “So, what have we got here?”
“Well, I noticed you eat mostly meat and vegetables, so I ordered two burgers. A bacon and barbeque with cheddar, and one with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and fried onions. You choose.”
Kate reached for the one with the lettuce. “Thanks, it smells delicious.”
He’d noticed her food choices? Wow. She’d eliminated almost all processed sugar and carbohydrates from her diet for over a month before Jacques asked why she hadn’t ordered a potato with her steak.
“What can I get you to drink? I picked up a six-pack of Loon Lager and a bottle of pinot grigio. I also have iced tea or water with lemon slices, or I can make hot chocolate or coffee if you prefer.”
“Water’s fine. I can grab it. What would you like?” Nick asked.
“I’ll have water too. With ice.” She removed two glasses from the shelf. “The pitcher is in the refrigerator. Do you mind if I change?”
“Why? I like you the way you are.” He smiled.
“Funny.”
“No, go ahead. Mind if we eat in the living room? There’s a game on.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be right out.”
It was crazy how easy it was being friends with Nick.
With the fun banter and the thoughtfulness, she wanted to hug the author of “Ten Ways to Keep a Guy in the Friend Zone.” There wasn’t any reason to tell Nick about her conversation with her mom; it would only ruin their budding friendship.
Positive her parents wouldn’t come to visit at Christmas, she figured she had plenty of time to “break up” with him before the grand opening.
* * *
Kate walked into the living room wearing her navy CPD hoodie and leggings as Nick finished arranging their food on the coffee table.
He needed to stop staring at Kate in her cute and comfortable clothing.
He’d always been attracted to petite figures.
Her silky black locks were pulled high into a ponytail, making her look younger than her thirty-two years.
He had noted her age before handing back her driver’s license when they met.
It was hard to believe they’d only known each other a short time.
Good thing they were only friends. She probably wouldn’t want to date someone pushing forty.