Chapter 17
Katie couldn’t keep the smile from her face after her Halloween adventure with Mike. They’d gone up one of her favorite trails and watched the sunset while enjoying a delicious picnic, complete with Mike’s wonderful cake. Long conversations, and more than a few stolen kisses, rounded out the evening with Katie feeling more hopeful than she had in a long while. Maybe Uncle Earl was right and it was past time for her to set aside her fears.
The days passed pleasantly with frequent visits from Mike as he and Earl worked on the bookcases and Mike asked Katie questions about furniture and accessories. The office slowly came together and Katie helped get the living room refurbished with inexpensive pieces that would at least last long enough for Mike to decide what he really wanted to do with the room. She even made him a few small vases for his end tables so he could have flowers ready before his mother came at Thanksgiving.
It was nearly closing time the day before Katie’s birthday when Brooke came through the shop door carrying a large box. “Good evening, Katie,” she said with a bright smile. “How are you today?”
“Busy,” Katie replied, returning her smile.
“Isn’t that just the best way to be?” Brooke asked as she set the box on top of the desk. “I’ve got the snowflakes your aunt ordered. All forty, in three sizes and two colors.”
“Goodness, that must have kept you busy!”
Brooke shrugged. “I don’t mind being busy one bit.”
Katie peeked into the box and peeled back a piece of paper. “Oh, they’re beautiful! These will make things nice and festive here after Thanksgiving. Thanks so much, Brooke.”
“My pleasure.” The bell rang and Katie looked up. The color drained from her face and Brooke frowned. “Are you all right?”
For a moment, Katie couldn’t respond. She just stared at the middle-aged man who’d walked into the shop. “I’ll be fine,” Katie said quietly. She turned her attention back to Brooke. “Did Aunt Viv already pay for these?”
“Yes she did.” Brooke glanced at the man by the door and back at Katie. “Do you need someone out here? I can call the police if you need,” she whispered.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Katie replied, trying to smile. “My father just surprised me is all.”
Brooke didn’t look totally convinced but said, “All right. Well, if you need anything at all, just holler.”
“Will do. Thanks again, Brooke. Here,” Katie added, handing her a small bottle of Kissed by Mistletoe lotion. “It’s not the kind of tip you can spend, but it smells pretty.”
“Thank you.” Brooke glanced again at the man now standing by the refrigerated display. “You’re sure…”
“I’ll be fine, but thanks.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, “I’ll see you later.”
As soon as Brooke left the shop Katie crossed her arms. “What are you doing here, Collin?”
He gave her a curious look. “One of those progressive types who call their parents by their first name, huh?”
“No, but you haven’t earned a parental title,” she retorted, ignoring the pain that flashed in his gray eyes. “Now answer my question. Why are you here?”
“I heard about Sarah and came to offer my condolences.”
“You’re a little late, don’t you think?” Katie spat.
Collin looked at the floor. “Yeah, I know I am, Katie. And I know I haven’t been much of a father to you, but I thought given the circumstances we could try building a relationship.”
“So you can deplete my savings like you did Mom’s?” Tears sprang in Katie’s eyes. “How often did she give you money when you swore you were a changed man, only to find you gambled all of it away again? How often did she have to pay for the gifts you sent me because you didn’t actually have the money for them? When did I suddenly become important to you?”
“Things are different now. I really have changed,” he insisted. “Katie, please. I’m not asking for any money. I’m not even asking you to follow me anywhere. I just want to try to know you. To be a father. To fix the wrongs I’ve made.”
Katie wanted to tell him it was too late. She wanted to throw him out of the shop, call the police and have them haul him off for anything they could pin him with. But at that moment, Mike walked into the shop and she knew what she had to do. “I’m not saying no, but you’re going to have to prove yourself, Collin. You can’t just up and decide to be a father because it’s somehow convenient for you.” She handed him a business card. “My email address is at the bottom. If you try anything at all, I’ll cut you off faster than you can blink.”
Collin gave her a small smile. “You won’t regret this, Katie. I’ll prove to you things are different. I promise.”
She looked away from him as Mike put a protective arm around her. “I need to close shop.”
“Right. I’ll go,” Collin said. He walked to the door and before stepping out, he turned. “You probably hear this a lot, but you look just like your mother. Sound like her too.”
Katie waited until the door closed behind him before dissolving into tears. “Why now?” she sobbed.
“Shhh, zorrita. You knew he would come eventually. It’ll be okay. You were brave,” Mike said quietly, stroking the silky strands of Katie’s auburn hair. “I’ve never been prouder of you.”
Reveling in the strength of Mike’s embrace, Katie took several deep breaths to regain her composure. The steady beating of his heart calmed her. “Thanks, Mike.”
“Anytime, Katie.” He looked at her for a moment. “I know your birthday isn’t until tomorrow, but how about I give you your present early? I think you could use it.”
She glanced up at him. “Is it a box of tissues?”
Mike laughed. “No, not a box of tissues. Come on. I’ll follow you home and if you’ve got a horse I can borrow, we’ll go for a ride.”
“I’m sure one of my horses will tolerate you,” Katie said with a teasing smile.
~*~
As the sun set, Mike and Katie rode out into one of the pastures. Loverboy and Roxette loped through the field while the horses went at a slow walk. They’d been told by Earl and Viv to be back in thirty minutes for dinner. Katie had decided it was time to test Chance with a male rider and invited Mike to ride him. To Mike’s surprise, the horse hadn’t objected. He stroked Chance’s neck as they rode quietly. Nerves twisted his stomach in knots while Katie looked serene and peaceful. He pulled his horse to a stop and Katie followed suit on the mare she called Jasmine. “We dismounting for a bit?” she asked.
“Um, yeah. Yeah, that would be a good idea.” Mike said. He gave himself a mental kick. Get it together, Mike. He dismounted and was just quick enough to help Katie down from her horse. His heart pounded loudly in his ears and he wondered if Katie could hear it too. The glow of sunset created a halo around her and his pulse quickened at her beauty. “So, I, um, I said I had a present for you.”
“Yes you did. And it’s not a box of tissues,” Katie added, winking.
Mike laughed, some of the nerves dissipating with Katie’s teasing. “Right. Katie, the last couple weeks with you have been perfect. Just like things were before I left.” A frown started to tug at Katie’s lips and he rushed, “And that’s a very good thing. I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I came back to Romance. I think I felt a little like Chance over there. Lost, scared, and uncertain. You changed that. Sometimes in the wrong direction, to be honest,” he teased.
Katie smiled. “It’s what I’m best at.”
“What would be even better is if you would do that forever.” He dropped to one knee and pulled the ring box from his pocket. His heart beat faster and louder as Katie’s hand went to her mouth. “Kathryn Jean Mackall, would you do me the great honor of being my wife? I could never find anyone who teases me as mercilessly, confuses me as deeply, or infatuates me so completely. You are just the chance I’ve always wanted.”
For an eternity, Katie didn’t answer. Then slowly she began to nod. “Yes, yes!” Mike slid the ruby and diamond ring onto her finger. She fell to her knees and threw her arms around him. “Mike, I love you so much! I never stopped loving you, but I was so afraid you wouldn’t want to keep trying.”
He settled her on his knee and kissed her thoroughly. When they came up for air he said, “Good thing I’m too stubborn and stupid to give up, zorrita. I love you, Katie.”
“I love you too.”
~*~
“What is taking them so long?” Viv worried. “They should have been back by now.”
“It’s only been thirty-five minutes. I’m sure they’re just fine,” Earl replied. “Why don’t you finish getting dinner on the table and I’ll watch for them on the patio?”
“All right. Oh, and by the way,” she added, “tomorrow being Veteran’s Day, you’ve lost the bet.”
“It seems that way, doesn’t it?” Earl walked outside and watched. He took a deep breath and let it out. Mike had already come to ask his permission, so he’d been sure the proposal would have happened by now. “Well, it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve lost.” He heard Loverboy and Roxette barking and looked out into the meadow. He could see Mike and Katie riding back towards the house. He waved back as he saw Mike raise a hand. “Don’t disappoint me, Katie Jean,” he whispered. As the couple dismounted, he could have sworn he saw the light glint off something on Katie’s hand. “Is that?” He squinted and as Katie walked closer he was certain. A wide smile split his face. Katie and Mike came to the house, and Katie showed off the ring. “Ha ha ha! Vivian Raleigh, you’ve lost this time!” he crowed.
“What are you talking about, Earl?” Viv demanded, coming to the door. She gaped at the lovely ring on Katie’s outstretched hand.
“I hope you remember how to cook a turkey because woman, you are making Thanksgiving dinner! I called it! I called it!” Earl yelled.