“Let’s have dinner and I’ll tell you all about it. I know it’s last minute, but does tonight work?”
She hesitated. “All right.”
Jack followed the directions Katherine had gave him to an older, well-developed neighborhood. Large oak trees lined the sheets and towered over manicured lawns. He pulled up to a little yellow house with white him.
“The perfect neighborhood,” Jack mumbled to himself, walking to the door and ringing the bell.
Jack’s breath caught when she answered. Her curly auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders.
And her luminescent green eyes left him speechless.
She stepped back from the door. “Come in.”
He struggled to recover.
At his hesitation, she continued “I’m not sure this is such a good idea. I mean with our history and all, maybe it would be best if we just left things as they are.”
Jack stepped over the threshold, realizing that she’d misunderstood his reaction. “No, no, it’s just… you look beautiful.”
She blushed and turned to get her coat.
They walked to an old-world Italian restaurant not far from her house. Katherine looked up at the sky. “What an incredible night. I’ll bet I could count a thousand stars if I tried.”
“I’m sure you could, but that’d take awhile and I’m too hungry to wait.”
“Obviously a romantic, through and through.” She punched his arm, and he faked pain.
Puffs of breath appeared in the air as they talked. Jack jogged ahead and held the door of the restaurant open.
Handsome, Katherine thought, in a rugged sort of way. He wore a fine, navy wool sweater over a white turtleneck, jeans, and a leather bomber jacket that was well worn and stylish. She remembered his jacket, a faithful garment he’d relied on for years. It suited his personality, warm and durable.
As Katherine stepped through the entryway, she skidded across a spot of ice. Jack reached out and pulled her to him. She looked up to say thank-you, but instead met his lips in a tender kiss.
The cold air whipped around them and gusted into the restaurant.
“I’m sorry, it just happened.” he started to apologize. “I didn’t mean to catch you off guard like that.” His eyes searched hers.
Katherine smiled at him and touched his cheek. “It’s okay.”
“Please, please come in,” the maitre d‘ said, grasping the door and struggling to close it against the wind.
Realizing that the other patrons were staring at them. Katherine felt her face ripen to a warm pink for the second time that night. She stole a glance at Jack, who appeared completely unfazed.
“Table for two?” the maitre d‘ asked.
“Yes, please.” Jack said, then waited for Katherine to step in front of him to follow the maitre d‘ to their table.
Throughout dinner they talked nonstop about where their lives had taken them over the years, both careful not to broach the incident which had caused Katherine to change careers.
“So, tell me. Jack, what brings you back to Missouri? Do you still have family here?” Katherine asked, then took a sip of her decaffeinated coffee.
Glowing pensive, Jack skipped her first question. “No, my dad was the last of my family.” The mention of his father brought to mind his real reasons for being in Missouri. reasons he didn’t believe he could share with her just yet.
“You miss him, don’t you?”
He met her gaze, then said. “Terribly.”
She reached across the table and placed her hand over the top of his. “I’m sorry.”
Jack smiled and turned his palm upward in order to clasp her hand. “It’s okay. He’s been gone awhile now. I just haven’t gotten used to the idea.”
Katherine nodded in understanding.
The waiter arrived with the check. Jack quickly paid, thankful for the interruption.
An undercurrent of attraction flowed between them as they started back out into the night. The temperature had dropped, so they alternated between a brisk walk and a light jog as they hurried toward her home. They linked arms, trying to keep warm. The trip took fifteen minutes, and their teeth were chattering when they finally entered her front door.
After shedding their jackets, Jack started a fire while Katherine went to make hot chocolate.
Five minutes later, she returned to the cozy living room with two steaming mugs of cocoa. He watched her as she pulled out two coasters and set the cups down.
Jack sat on the couch, took her hands in his, and pulled her down next to him. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.” Katherine stared at the floor, her hair falling fond around her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you explain about the news story when it happened. I assumed the worst, and destroyed our relationship in the process.”
He lifted her chin. “You couldn’t have known. It wasn’t your fault.” His eyes searched hers. He loved her, had always loved her, but the words stuck in his throat.
With her fingertips, she straightened an unruly lock of hair that fell across his forehead. “Can we start over?”
He answered by pulling her into his embrace, meeting her lips in a kiss.
The fire burned low and flickered warm shadows against the walls. He continued to kiss her, and she began to unbutton his shirt.
He lifted his mouth from hers and gazed into her eyes. “I don’t want to rush you. We don’t have to do this.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” she said softly.
“I know.” His voice was husky with desire.
She raised her lips to his, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her. Tenderly and slowly, they explored each other, making love in front of the fire and then moving to her bed when the hour grew late.
The next morning Jack woke to the smell of coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls.
“I hope you’re hungry, because this batch of rolls just kept growing. I must have fifteen here.” She walked into the bedroom carrying a platter. “Hey, you never did tell me what brought you back to Missouri.” She sat on the bed, set the tray aside, and kissed him.
Jack rose up on one elbow. “Well, I came to look into some matters.”
“What type of matters?”
Jack took her hand. He could hear his own heart beating. “I believe my father was murdered.”
“My God, Jack, that’s horrible. I’m so sorry. Why would anyone want to kill your father?”
“I believe it was politically motivated.”
“How awful.” Katherine shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense. Your father was one of the most well-liked and respected men in the state.”
“It appears that someone didn’t like him.”
“Do you have any ideas who?”
He looked into her eyes. “The Lanes.”
“What?” Katherine pulled her hand from his, as if his touch scorched her. “The Lanes? So, that’s why you’re here. How stupid could I have been? I trusted you. My God. I slept with you! And you’re here to get information out of me. Again!” She tried to jump off the bed, but he restrained her.
“No, no. I’m not. Damn it, listen to me.” He tried to hang onto her, but she pulled free. The rolls scattered across the floor.
She darted away from him, her eyes snapping with anger. “You must have thought you’d hit the jackpot, at the convention, when you found out I worked for Carolyn.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence. You fooled me once, so you figured I was good for another go. I want you to get out”- she pointed toward the door-“this could cost me my career. Another career.”
In one fluid motion, he stood before her. “Kate, please.” He placed one hand under her chin, trying to make her look at him. “I don’t want anything like that from you. That’s not why I’m here with you. Please, believe me.”
“Just leave, Jack.” Katherine turned and walked out of the room as the tears spilled down her cheeks.
She wiped at her tears, went to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, then carried it to the living room. Don’t get emotional, she told herself as she sat down on the couch. Be rational.