Chapter Three

 

“Auntie Taylor, you look pretty.”

Taylor looked over at Reese standing in the bedroom doorway. “Thanks. How’d the game go?” Reese had made the town’s travel soccer team this year. She loved it, even though her best friend Hazel wasn’t playing with her. Instead, Hazel had decided to play softball like her older sister, a sport Reese found boring.

“We won. I scored the only goal. I wish you’d been there.” Reese came into the room, and made herself comfortable on the bed where Stripes was already curled up in a patch of sunlight.

Taylor tried to make it to as many of Reese’s games as possible. She had planned on going to this one, too, but a last-minute development in one of her cases had kept her from getting home until three o’clock this morning. Getting up in time to get Reese to the soccer field in New Ipswich for her nine o’clock game had been out of the question, so Mom drove her.

“I should be there next week. Did you and Mimi stop to eat after the game?”

“Reese wanted to wait and see if you wanted to come with us,” Mom said from the doorway.

Taylor leaned over and ruffled her niece’s hair. “Thanks for thinking of me, but I have to pass this time. I’m having coffee with Curt in a little while.”

Reese bounced up and down on the bed. “I like him. He’s cute. Can I come with you?”

She’d expected a different response from Reese. Frequently, the three of them would stop for pizza or burgers after a soccer game. Sometimes they’d grab ice cream, too, before coming home.

“You can’t leave me all alone. Besides, we’ll have more fun than Aunt Taylor. Maybe we’ll even stop for ice cream after lunch.” Mom walked into the room.

“Can I get a waffle cone?” Reese asked, forgetting all about going with Taylor at the possibility of getting ice cream, one of her favorite treats.

Mom took her time before answering. “I think we can arrange that. But first go wash up and change your clothes.” Reese still wore her soccer uniform, minus her cleats. “Don’t forget to get your face, too. Not just your hands and arms.”

No one had to tell her twice. Reese jumped off the bed, waking Stripes up in the process. After the cat verified nothing was wrong, though, he twitched his tail and again closed his eyes. “’Bye, Auntie Taylor. Love you.”

With Reese gone, Taylor waited for Mom’s questions. She didn’t need to wait long.

“Having coffee with Curt? When did this come about?” Mom took the spot Reese had vacated on the bed, a clear indication she planned to ask several questions.

To avoid having Mom bring it up countless times over the past few days, Taylor had decided not to tell her she’d asked Curt to have coffee with her. While she loved Mom, Taylor didn’t think she needed to know every single aspect of her life. Unfortunately, living in the same house made it next to impossible to keep many things private. “The night he had dinner here. You’d gone upstairs to check on Reese.”

Taylor could practically see the already-spinning wheels in Mom’s head go into overdrive.

“Did he ask you?” Both Mom’s expression and tone became suspicious.

“Nope.” Taylor put her earring in and waited for the next question. Mom wouldn’t let her get away with a one-word answer.

Mom crossed her arms and glared at her. “You didn’t ask just so you can interrogate him, did you?”

“Of course not. Do you really think I’d stoop so low?” Of course she would, if it meant protecting her family. And while she might have considered doing that before dinner, it wasn’t why she’d asked him.

Mom nodded. “Under certain circumstances you wouldn’t think twice before doing exactly that, Taylor Walker. But if not so you can give him the third degree, what prompted you to ask him?”

Good question. She hadn’t planned on it when he walked in, that’s for sure. And while he was very handsome—okay, handsome didn’t do the man justice—she didn’t ask out every attractive guy she met.

His reaction to Mom’s not-so-subtle attempts to leave them alone, and his treatment of Reese made the decision for her. He hadn’t shrugged off Reese’s personal questions. Instead, he’d answered them. He hadn’t seemed annoyed when Reese dominated much of the conversation, either. In her experience, both men and women without children of their own often didn’t understand that kids liked to talk and share their day with others. Even when the day’s events were uneventful.

Dennis, the last man she dated, was a perfect example of that. After they’d been together for about two months, Mom suggested she invite him over for dinner so she and Reese could get to know him better. Much like she had the night Curt was over, Reese spent a good ten minutes telling them about her day, starting with morning work and ending with Ryan, a boy in her class, tripping and cutting his knee on the way to the bus.

The next time they went out, Dennis let her know what he thought about Reese and children in general. He’d gone on to remind her that Reese was her niece, not her daughter, and not her responsibility. She hadn’t bothered to fill him in on the specifics of the situation. Instead, she left his apartment without looking back. They never spoke again after that night.

This afternoon, she might discover Curt was as big a jerk as Dennis. She hoped not.

Rather than go into great detail, she said, “He seemed nice, so I asked him.”

Mom started petting Stripes, who let her know he appreciated it by purring. “He’s nice to look at, too. And his eyes. I could sit and look at them all day. It’s too bad he wears glasses. I wonder if he’s ever considered getting contacts. Or maybe laser eye surgery. Lots of people have it done these days.”

“Mom, you’ve got a serious problem,” Taylor said, laughing. Her mom had a thing for blue eyes. In fact, Dad used to joke and say Mom only agreed to go out with him because he had blue eyes.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”

Oh, she’d noticed. And his eyes weren’t the only physical characteristic to capture her attention.

***

Curt had spent the last few days filling the dumpster out front with parts from the outdated kitchen. When he wasn’t doing demo work he sat in his office, working on his novel. He’d made a lot of progress on both fronts. In another few days he’d have nothing but the old appliances left in the kitchen. Demolishing a room was so much quicker and easier than putting it back together. In terms of the book, he’d added another eight thousand words. If he maintained the same pace, he’d have a first draft completed by the beginning of June, giving him plenty of time for revisions before he sent it off to the editor for her thoughts. She’d have thoughts, too, if her edits and comments on his last book were any indication.

For the next few hours, though, he didn’t plan on thinking about either project. They’d both be there when he came home.

A white Chevy Malibu stopped alongside his car before he could do anything more than back out of his driveway. Immediately, Priscilla waved and put down her window. At the same time the back window went down, too, and a small hand waved at him.

“Hi. Mimi and I are going for pizza,” Reese said before either adult could exchange a proper greeting.

“Pizza is one of my favorite foods,” Curt said.

“You have to go to Luigi’s. Their pizza is way better than Dino’s. Mimi says Luigi’s makes it in a special oven. We’re going to Luigi’s now.”

“Hello, Curt. Trust her, when it comes to either pizza or tacos she knows what she’s taking about. Luigi’s uses a brick oven for their pizza. They have decent pasta and subs as well. They have a menu on the Internet if you ever want to call for take-out or delivery.”

“We’re getting ice cream after. I asked Auntie Taylor to come, but she said she was seeing you. Do you want to come? We can go back and get Auntie and all go together.”

In the front seat, it looked like Priscilla was trying not to laugh.

“Sounds like a lot of fun. Can I get a rain check?” He didn’t want to hurt the girl’s feelings.

“What’s a rain check?” Reese asked.

“It means can I go with you, your grandmother, and aunt another time.” He couldn’t recall ever needing to really consider his word choice. Of course, he didn’t have many conversations with first-graders either.

“You can have a rain check. But why do they call it a rain check if there’s no rain?” Reese asked, sounding confused.

“No idea.” He’d never considered it before, but the kid had a good point.

“Mimi, do you know?”

“I’m not sure either. Maybe we can look it up on the computer when we come back.”

Since Reese let the matter go, Curt guessed Priscilla’s suggestion appeased her curiosity for the moment.

“Enjoy the afternoon,” Priscilla said. “We’ll see you later.”

From the back seat, Reese waved at him again. “Bye,” she called before the window went up and they drove away.

When he walked up the steps, he heard a popular country song through the screen door. He didn’t recall the name of it, but he’d heard it the last time he visited his cousin and his family. Trent’s wife was a big country fan, and she was slowly converting Trent. Before he could ring the bell, Taylor appeared in the hallway, suggesting she’d been watching for him.

“Let me turn off the music, and we can go.” She pushed the door open so he could enter. The sunlight streaming through the front windows bounced off the golden highlights in her hair that he’d failed to notice the night he ate dinner with the Walkers.

“I’m in no rush. I spent the morning working.”

He followed her with his eyes as she walked away, liking what he saw. When he’d come for dinner, she had on capris and a tank top. Even dressed like that he could tell she took excellent care of herself. Today’s outfit revealed even more. The sundress ended several inches above the knee in the front, exposing her long, lean legs. Unfortunately, the back of it hit midcalf. He never understood why women insisted on wearing long dresses, especially when they had great legs. She’d tied her hair up again, but at least her choice of hairstyles meant he got a perfect view of her sun-kissed shoulders and upper back. Considering it was only spring, Taylor had a great tan, suggesting she spent a lot of time outside.

The music stopped and Taylor reappeared, a small purse hanging from her shoulder. “All set.”

He hadn’t left the house much since moving in. The only places he’d visited had been the grocery store and the hardware store. Except for the day he looked at the house and his GPS took him on a little tour, he hadn’t driven around town. He’d seen no real reason to at this point. It wasn’t like he planned on becoming a permanent member of the community. So when Taylor suggested they go to the Java Bean, she had to give him directions.

Curt looked at the small café located on Mammoth Road. A handful of cars were parked out front, and a large sign with the words The Java Bean hung over a window, the B in the word Bean actually in the shape of a giant coffee bean. A line of cars waited for their turn at the drive-thru window.

“Looks like a popular place.” He pulled into an empty spot away from the other vehicles.

“It is, especially when there are games at either the soccer or the baseball fields. Both are just down the street.” Taylor opened the door before he managed to get the keys from the ignition, making it impossible for him get it for her, something he normally did for any woman he took out, including his mom.

The scent of apple pie and coffee greeted him the moment he opened the café door. If the smells were anything to go on, he’d be visiting this place a lot while he lived in town. “It all looks delicious. What do you suggest?”

Two long glass cases stood full of every tasty dessert imaginable. Behind the counter on the wall, a long list of coffee blends and specialty drinks was mounted, along with a listing of all the sandwiches available.

“Their pies are unbelievable. I’ve never had better anywhere, not even in the city. The cookies taste like homemade, and the sandwiches are huge. I can never finish even a small one. During the week, they also serve soup. You should try it sometime.” She stepped closer to him. Right away he noticed that a heavy cloud of perfume didn’t overwhelm him. His last girlfriend had often smelled as if she took baths in perfume. The smell would linger in his car or apartment for days.

“The only things I don’t love are their cakes. They tend to be a little dry,” she whispered. “When we need to order one, we go to a bakery in Hudson instead.”

He wasn’t a big cake person anyway. “What are you having?”

“The mixed berry pie and a coffee.” She pointed to a golden-brown pie in the case. “They make it with blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, and blackberries. There’s nothing better than a slice of it warm, with vanilla ice cream on top, and a hot coffee.”

“Then we’ll make it two slices. If you want to find us a table, I’ll order. How do you like your coffee?” Curt asked.

“How about the other way around? I asked you out, which means this is on me.”

Two firsts in one week. Although a woman had never asked him out before, when Taylor had his response had been a no-brainer. This was different. “I don’t mind getting it.” He didn’t want to cause a scene, but he didn’t want her picking up the tab even if it was only for some pie and coffee.

Two women got in line behind them, but their presence didn’t stop Taylor from shaking her head. “I appreciate the offer, but not today.” She stepped forward, handed the teenager at the counter a twenty, and then placed their order.

He considered demanding the teen hand the money back and accept his instead. Doing so would cause a scene and draw attention to them. Avoiding unnecessary attention remained number one on his priority list. It would also piss Taylor off. They hadn’t spent much time together, but everything he’d seen suggested she was one stubborn woman. Curt was related to enough stubborn people to know, if he kept pushing the matter, she’d only dig in further. He’d prefer to avoid a standoff this afternoon.

“Next time it’s on me,” he said, picking up the tray the teenager set down. And he planned on there being a next time soon.

“Fair enough,” she said, in the silky voice he found so at odds with the little he knew about her.

She selected a table near a tall bookcase packed with books, some of which looked like they’d seen better days. A framed sign on one shelf said: Take A Book, Leave A Book, or Do Both.

“Do you mind if I sit on this side?” She went toward the chair against the wall. Unlike the car door outside, he managed to pull the chair out before she did it herself. Her bluish-gray eyes widened with surprise, telling him no man had ever pulled a chair out for her before. “Thank you.” Her voice echoed the emotion. “I don’t like my back to the door,” she explained after sitting down.

Curt handed over her pie and coffee before taking his off the tray. Already his mouth watered at the sweet smell wafting up from the plate. “Mind if I ask why?” Personally, he didn’t care if his back was to a door or not, as long as he had a seat under his ass.

“It’s a security thing. I like to know who comes in and goes out. If I can monitor that, it’s easier to respond in case of an emergency.”

He’d never thought much about it; now that she mentioned it, though, he saw how facing the door could be beneficial. “Makes sense.”

“Drives my mom crazy when we go out to a restaurant, but she’s used to it. Reese finds it funny, and usually wants to sit next to me.”

“Your niece invited me for pizza and ice cream today, right before I picked you up.”

Taylor smiled at the mention of Reese. “She loves people. You could’ve been with someone she’d never met and she would’ve invited you both along. Her teachers always tell us she’s the most caring student in class.”

Us? Did she mean Priscilla and her, or was Reese’s mother included in the statement, too? Priscilla had mentioned having another daughter, and he guessed she was Reese’s mother. During dinner, though, Reese never mentioned her mom, and it was evident Reese lived with Taylor and Priscilla. Did her mom live there, too? He didn’t think so. While it wasn’t any of his business, he wondered about their family dynamic.

“We need more people in the world like her,” he said before he tasted the pie. Or maybe he should say, tasted something fit for the gods. When Taylor said their pies were unbelievable, she hadn’t been kidding. He dug his fork in for more.

“Told you it was incredible.”

“I’m going to get a whole pie to take home with me.”

Taylor leaned her chin on her hand. “That might not be safe. You might find me climbing through a window in the middle of the night to steal it.”

Curt pictured her shimmying her way through a window. In his mind, though, it wasn’t the kitchen she found herself in, but his bedroom, and it wasn’t pie she was looking for. “No need to sneak in. Just ring the bell and I’ll share with you.”

He reached for his coffee and forced the erotic images from his head. He’d never been a player like his cousin Trent, but he dated. He’d even been in a few long-term relationships. His last relationship, though, had ended five months ago, and he hadn’t been with a woman since.

She snapped her fingers. “Darn it. I should’ve recorded you saying that in case I show up at ten o’clock tonight, and you’ve changed your mind. Maybe I’ll play it safe and buy one, too.” Finally Taylor reached for her fork. “Of course, if I do, I’ll need to get at least a slice of chocolate chip pie or some cookies for Reese. She’d never forgive me if I came home with pie for Mom and me but nothing for her.”

Her statement confirmed his previous suspicion. Reese’s mom didn’t live with them.

“She was getting ice cream and pizza today,” he reminded her.

Taylor smiled, and a dimple appeared in her right cheek. “You don’t spend much time around kids, do you?”

Curt thought about his answer before he spoke. “The only children I’ve been around are my cousins’ kids, and they’re still young. The oldest will be two in the fall.”

“Well, trust me, Reese could’ve stopped here and had chocolate chip pie after eating ice cream, and she’d still be disappointed if I brought home pie for myself and nothing for her.”

They ate in silence for a few seconds before Taylor put down her fork and reached for her coffee. “You mentioned your cousins. Do you have a big family?”

He’d been the one to open his mouth and bring up his family. If he hoped to keep everyone from learning who he really was, he needed to watch his words more carefully. “Oh, yeah. My dad is one of four and my mom is one of seven. I have more first cousins then I can count, and now they’re starting to have children.”

“One of seven? I hope your mom had more than one bathroom growing up.” Taylor laughed, the sound rippling across the table, and he laughed, too. “My sister and I were always fighting over ours. There’s only one full bathroom in the house, so we had to share it with our parents, too. Mom had to make a schedule when we were in middle school and high school so we both got ready on time.”

Curt thought of the estate his mom grew up on and where his grandparents still lived. “They had more than one.” Truthful and to the point. “What about you? Do you have a big family?”

“Average. My mom has a sister and brother. Both live nearby. My dad had two sisters. One lives in town, and the other moved to Arizona a few years ago. My cousins are spread throughout New England.”

“Do you only have one sister?”

Taylor’s eyes grew sad, and she reached for her fork again. “Yes. Eliza is a year older than me. You’d think since we’re so close in age we would’ve had a lot in common, but we’ve always been complete opposites.”

He knew all about that. “I’ve never had a lot in common with my brother, either. I’d do anything for him and he’s the same way, but it’s hard to believe we have the same parents. I have more in common with my sister.”

“Family can be complicated.” She shook her head ever so slightly. “Let’s talk about something other than family.”

Curt had no complaints there.

They discussed her work with the DEA while they finished their pie and first cups of coffee. Then, he answered her questions about why he’d become a writer and where he got his ideas. Unwilling to end their time together, he bought them another round of coffee. He also purchased a whole mixed berry pie to take home with him.

“I noticed the dumpster outside the house when I went running this week.”

“Started tearing apart the kitchen this week. It seemed like the best place to remodel first,” Curt answered. “I can’t grill outside forever.”

She nodded in agreement. “Are you really going to do it all yourself? It’s been a while since I’ve been inside the house, but it seems like a lot of work for one person.”

“I’m going to try. I have friend I can call if I need some help.” He’d met Ed in the first carpentry class he’d taken. At the time the older man had been approaching retirement, and his wife wanted him to have a hobby so he didn’t sit at home all day driving her crazy. Despite the age gap, they’d hit it off. Ed had helped him more than once on projects. “And I can always call you, right? Priscilla said you worked alongside your father.”

“My dad did teach me a thing or two about hammering a nail. I guess I could help if you get into a jam. But it’ll cost you.”

“Name your price.”

“Mmm.” She tapped her fingers against the tabletop. Today her nails were painted a dark purple. “I’ll need to think about it and get back to you.”

“How about we start with dinner some night this week?” He would’ve said tomorrow, but he’d already made plans with his cousin.

The corner of Taylor’s mouth inched upward. “Weeknights can be tricky. Things come up sometimes. Like last night, I didn’t get home until well after midnight. I even ended up having to skip Reese’s soccer game today.”

Her job might be essential, but it sounded terrible. “How about next Saturday night, then?” A week would give him plenty of time to scout out a nice place to take her. He knew plenty of five-star restaurants in and around Boston, but he’d prefer to avoid them all, for numerous reasons.

“I’ll pencil you in for next weekend.”