Chapter 20 #2
Chloe came bounding over. She had bejeweled her U2 T-shirt, adding sparkly ornaments to the Joshua tree. She wore her favorite combat boots and had fashioned a red-and-green streak in her hair. “Hey, Kate. Or should I start to call you sis? I’ve always wanted a sister.”
“Not you too.”
“What? A girl can dream.”
“So, I see you have some new shirts,” Kate said.
“Yes, and I’ll let you change the subject for now, but .
. .” Chloe pulled her to the opposite side of the store and said in a whisper, “I feel I need to say one thing. I know you’re only fake dating, but seriously, my brother is a good guy, and I don’t want him hurt.
I don’t think he’s faking. So be gentle with his heart. It’s been broken before.”
“I know, Chloe. We have an understanding.”
“Okay, good. I trust you. Your mom just came out of the dressing room, looking for you.”
Kate felt like the worst of the worst. Pond scum. Bubble gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe. Worse—dog poo kind of horrible. This town loved Sheriff Nicholas Reid, and she was playing with his emotions.
She followed Chloe, zigzagging through numerous displays of shirts, jeans, purses, and fun Christmas items like a pooping reindeer candy dispenser.
“What do you think?” Jill stood in front of the three-way mirror, wearing an ice-blue gown with silver chains looping across the open back. A slit ran up the side to just above her knee.
“Gorgeous. You look fantastic, Mom. I hope I look like you when I’m your age.”
“You will. It’s in the genes. Besides, you take after your father’s family, who don’t seem to age. I swear, you have the best traits from both of us.”
“Should I wrap it up for you?” Chloe asked.
“Definitely,” mother and daughter said in unison.
Jill sashayed in front of the mirror. “I’m still looking for something to wear to Christmas dinner at your parents’.”
“We’re pretty casual. I’ll bring a few outfits for you to try on.”
“Great. Thanks, Chloe.”
Jill went into the dressing room to change out of the dress.
“Come on,” Chloe said to Kate. “Help me find a few blouses for your mom.”
After spending over an hour in Rural Chic Boutique, their arms were weighted down with shopping bags. Kate should have known better and driven the two blocks instead of walking.
She wrestled with the bags, relieving her mom of the heavier items. “Let’s head home.”
Jill shifted the shopping bags. “I still have to buy something for Nick. Plus, I’d like to stop at Fran’s floral shop for a hostess gift. What does Nick like? What did you buy him?” A grin formed on her red lips. “Unless you don’t want to share. I’ll understand.”
OMG. No, mom. I don’t want to share, because I didn’t buy him anything. “I’d rather not share, but I do have an idea for a stocking stuffer.” She was getting better at lying. But she had an idea. Just a small gift she’d give a friend. “I’ll need my car to get it.”
“Sounds like an adventure. We’ll drop off our bags, pick up your car, and have lunch. Then we can run more errands.”
“It’s a plan.” Surprisingly, even after a substantial breakfast, her stomach growled, and she craved a large Cobb salad.
* * *
After lunch, Kate drove her mom out to the gun range. “I can run in quick if you don’t want to come in,” she said.
“No, I’d like to come in. Maybe I can find something for Nick.”
“Who are you texting?”
“Your father. I told him where we were. He wants me to pick something up for your boyfriend. Wait a sec, he’s sending another message.”
They waited in the warm vehicle while Kordell texted. Kate kept the vehicle running because her dad, a one-finger texter, took forever to send messages.
“Okay, he says to buy a new rifle case,” Jill said. “Your father is visiting with Nick’s dad. Jim says the owner will know which one.”
Kate leaned over to read the message. Her mom sent back a heart and thumbs-up emoji, then they got out of the car and headed inside.
Maybe she needed to come clean before her mom bought an expensive case, Kate thought, but she couldn’t yet. She’d pay her mom and dad back. She picked up the shoelaces she’d been thinking about and paid Mark.
“Nice to see you again, Kate,” Mark said. “Who’s this young lady with you?”
“Mark, this is my mom, Jill Davis.”
“Nice to meet you, Jill.”
“You too.” Jill glanced around the small shop. “I love your place.”
“Thanks.” Mark handed them their purchases. “You ladies have a nice Christmas, and say hi to Nick for me.”
“I will.”
* * *
Dropping the bags on the living room floor, Jill plopped down on the couch. “Shopping is exhausting!”
“The way you shop is.” Kate chuckled.
“Since your dad isn’t home yet, I’m going to take a nap. Wake me in time to get ready.” She eased herself off the couch and headed for her bedroom.
Kate unpacked the few items she’d bought before she set her alarm and lay down on the couch for a quick nap. Her mom had the right idea.
When she woke to her alarm, she noticed her dad was in the kitchen. He had gone to the grocery store. She shook her head. It figured he couldn’t live without bread.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, honey. Did you have fun shopping?”
“We did. I need to wake Mom.”
“She’s already awake.” Her dad wiggled his brows.
Great. Her lovesick parents were getting it on in her new bed before she had.
“Okay . . . umm, I’m going to find something to wear for dinner.”
She so didn’t want to go into her bedroom. The thought of her parents having sex in her bed made her queasy. She peered into the bathroom, where her mom was refreshing her makeup.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” Jill singsonged.
“Take your time.”
“Honey, I’ll wash the bedding before we leave, we—”
Kate stuck her fingers in her ears. “La la la . . . stop talking; it’s fine.”
Her mom turned, pulled her hands down, and smiled. “The bathroom is all yours. You should wear something sexy.”
“We’re going to a tavern.”
“So?”
Kate slowly closed the door on her mother, set her phone by the sink, and turned on the shower.
Her phone vibrated with a text from Nick: Just got off and heading home. What time is dinner?
Meet us at 6? she typed back.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Seeing Nick tonight was going to be awkward. She touched her lips, thinking about the kiss they shared after the party. She sent a reply: Me too.
* * *
Nick opened the heavy wooden door to the Eagle’s Nest. A light-jazzy Christmas tune played over the speakers. He waved to several patrons and tipped his chin to the bartender.
He spotted Kate at the same time she spotted him. Her soft lips broke into a smile. The thought of her mouth on his made him smile back. He approached the table and Kordell stood.
“Good to see you, sir,” Nick said.
“You too, Nick. Sit.”
“Jill, you look lovely tonight.”
“Thank you. Aren’t you sweet?”
Nick bent and kissed Kate on the cheek. Even if he wanted to tuck her in close, he refrained while with her parents. Especially her dad. He didn’t know where he stood with him yet. “You look nice,” he whispered into Kate’s ear.
She looked up at him. “You do too.”
He pulled out the chair next to her and sat. Hannah, their waitress, set down four water glasses. “I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu. Nick, what can I get you to drink?”
“Club soda with lime.”
“You got it. Be right back.”
He didn’t want to give Kate’s parents the wrong impression, even if a beer would calm his nerves.
After ordering their food, Kordell started in with the questions. “How did you meet my daughter?”
Nick clutched Kate’s hand under the table, and she glanced at him, sipping her wine. A smile formed on his face.
“She didn’t tell you?” he asked.
Kate shook her head. “I haven’t. I met Nick my first day in town.”
“Yep. Your daughter surprised me with her handcuff skills.”
“Excuse me?” Kordell said. He focused his attention on Kate. “Start at the beginning, young lady.”
While Kate told the story, Nick observed her parents. Jill continued smiling at her daughter. Either she had heard it before, or her mom had a thing for handcuffs too.
By the time Kate finished, everyone was laughing.
“That’s my girl,” Kordell said. “Although I wouldn’t advise removing your restraints while in police custody,” he admonished with a wink.
“What a perfect meet-cute,” Jill said.
The confusion on Nick’s face must have been telling because she explained, “In the best romance stories, there’s always a meet-cute, a memorable first encounter between the couple-to-be.”
Kordell winked at his wife.
Jill squeezed her husband’s hand.
Kate’s parents were the real deal. “How long have you two been married?” Nick asked.
“Thirty-three years.” Jill beamed. “Mark my words, Nick, romance is the key to a happy and long marriage.”
“Respect and understanding of career choices helps too,” Kordell said, and kissed his wife.
Nick had a great time visiting with Kate’s parents. On the way out of the restaurant at the end of the evening, he said, “Kordell, if you’d like, come by the station tomorrow and I’ll show you around.”
“Yeah. I’d like that. I wouldn’t mind a ride along, either.”
“You got it. Meet me at the station by eight.” They shook hands.
“We’ll warm up the car, honey. Take your time,” Jill said, and she and Kordell headed across the street, where their vehicle was parked.
Nick pulled Kate close. He tipped her chin so she would look him in the eyes. “I love your parents.”
“Really?”
“Really. I’ve missed you.”
She tried to step back, but he held on to her waist. “What’s going on?” he asked.
She looked down at her boots. “This feels too real. We’re supposed to be just friends.”
“I was hoping we were more.”
“I know.”
“Your parents are watching.”
She tipped her head up and kissed him. A quick kiss, but he’d take it.
“I have to go,” she said.
She stepped from his embrace and ran across the road. He watched to make sure she made it to the car safely and waited for them to pull away. He wanted to head back inside for a beer, but he didn’t. Instead, he headed home.