Chapter Five

He’d done his research. According to the Internet, Pellegrino in Windham was the perfect restaurant for tonight. It offered a diverse Italian menu, was several notches above the average chain restaurant, but at the same time it wasn’t so expensive the prices would raise any questions in Taylor’s mind. Questions that might kick her into investigator mode. Thanks to his cousins and their comments, he kept remembering what she did for a living. If she went there, it wouldn’t be too difficult for her to learn the truth. His full legal name was on record as the owner of the house. It would be easy enough to visit the town hall and obtain the information.

Wednesday night, he considered coming clean with Taylor and her mom. They’d invited him over for dinner again and he’d accepted. After spending three days alone in his house, he’d appreciated the chance for human contact. Much like on his first visit, Reese gave them the 411 on her day at school. Once she stopped talking long enough to put some food in her mouth, Priscilla told him about some of the upcoming events in town. Apparently, starting in the spring, a farmers’ market was set up every Wednesday on the village green, and one could find everything from local honey to unique cheeses for sale there. The town also held several free concerts on the village green in the summer. In July the town sponsored a fireworks display, although Priscilla did say a lot of residents did their own. She’d made a point to remind him of the town’s Old Home Day celebration at the end of the summer. He had no idea what it was, but he got the impression it was a big deal in Pelham. Once she filled him on everything the town offered, she asked about his progress on the house. That had taken them through the rest of dinner. Afterward, he returned home and again told himself it didn’t matter at this point. If somehow things between him and Taylor developed past a casual relationship, he’d come clean. No need to rush anything.

Since then, he’d only seen Taylor once. Unable to sleep, he’d started work early Friday morning. He’d been carrying scraps from the kitchen out to the rented dumpster when Taylor jogged past. She’d mentioned often running in the morning, but this had been the first time he’d seen her. She’d been dressed in running shorts and a sports bra. Like he’d already guessed, she had knockout body. Lean and toned, she had great muscle definition, but didn’t look like she spent every waking hour either in the gym or counting each calorie she put in her mouth. His last girlfriend had lived on lettuce and water. She’d spent crazy hours on a treadmill or in either a Pilates or yoga class. He’d hated taking Miranda out to eat. She’d order something small off the menu, then sit there and look at it while he enjoyed whatever meal he got. Standing next to her, he’d felt like he was with a paper doll who might fly away if the wind blew.

Curt didn’t need to worry about Taylor flying away. He’d also seen her eat. While not an overeater, at least the times he’d been around, she had a healthy appetite. She even indulged in dessert, if their coffee date was anything to go by. She’d not only polished off a large slice of pie, but had brought an entire one home with her to share with Priscilla. He’d taken one home, too. It had lasted one day. He’d considered going back for another several times since then. Depending on how things progressed tonight, they could meet up tomorrow and grab some pie for breakfast.

What happens if you decide you want more than one dinner out, dude? Women don’t like secrets. Curt pictured Gray and Trent saying the words as he grabbed his car keys off his nightstand.

“Go with it for now.” He put on the glasses he’d adopted since moving.

He reached the end of the hall before he caught his reflection in the huge antique mirror hanging on the wall. He hadn’t decided yet if he wanted to keep it or not, and since it wasn’t in his way he’d asked the cleaning crew to leave it. Tonight, he almost didn’t recognize the person in the glass. He should’ve anticipated his cousins’ reactions over the weekend. He’d always been anal about getting his hair cut. His hair grew like a weed on steroids, so he had a standing appointment once a month with his stylist in Boston. If the stylist saw his hair now, the poor man would keel over in his salon chair. The beard, though, was what really made the difference. He’d started shaving at fourteen, and had never gone for more than a few days without doing so since. Honestly, he’d had his cousin Scott in mind when he started letting his grow in. Scott had favored a well-trimmed beard for a few years. It looked good on Scott. On him, the jury was still out.

Stripes was stretched out on the top step, soaking up all the early evening sun he could. When Curt approached, the cat looked up, swished his tail back and forth, and then went back to enjoying the sun, dismissing Curt entirely. Taking the feline’s cue, he ignored the cat and rang the Walkers’ doorbell.

A stampede of unseen elephants ran toward the door. At least it sounded like a whole herd of them coming, but an elephant didn’t open the door. Instead, a petite almost-seven-year-old wearing a soccer T-shirt and shorts and with dirt on her face did.

“Hi, you’re here to get Auntie Taylor.” Reese pushed the screen door open, a bright welcoming smile on her face. The sound of the door got Stripes’s attention, and he jumped to his feet, slipping inside while he could. “Auntie Taylor, Curt’s here!” Reese shouted up the stairs once Curt came inside. “Auntie’s upstairs fixing her hair. And Mimi is in the kitchen. C’mon.” She took him by the wrist, leaving him no option but to follow her down the short hallway. “Mimi, Curt’s here,” she announced, as if Priscilla hadn’t already heard the girl shout upstairs.

“So I heard.” She handed her granddaughter a colorful cup with cats on it as Reese passed by. “Can I get you anything? Taylor should be down in a minute. We got stuck in traffic on the way home from Reese’s soccer game.”

“Have some of Mimi’s sweet tea, it’s the best. Way better than the stuff at Peggy Sue’s.”

He’d passed a restaurant named Peggy Sue’s when he’d gone shopping for kitchen flooring yesterday. He hadn’t stopped inside, but from the exterior it looked like a well-preserved 1950s diner. “Well, if Reese says it’s the best, I’d better try some,” Curt answered.

Priscilla poured him a glass before pouring one for herself. “My mom grew up in Tennessee, and moved north after she got married. People up here don’t know the proper way of making sweet tea. They think all you need to do is add some sugar.”

Both Priscilla and Reese watched him as he took his first sip. It turned into several more before he put the glass down. “I have to agree with Reese.”

Reese gave him another full-mouth grin.

“Did you win you game today?” he asked.

She nodded, her long ponytail moving back and forth. “Yup. We’ve only lost one game all spring. I played in the winter, too, but my team wasn’t as good.”

“That happens. When I played lacrosse, sometimes we had a great team and sometimes we didn’t.”

“I want to try lacrosse, but Auntie Taylor and Mimi said I can’t do both because the games are both on the weekends. Did you ever play soccer?”

For a girl who wasn’t even seven, Reese seemed able to carry on good conversations. Or maybe all kids her age could. “No, I played football and lacrosse. My older brother tried soccer, but liked hockey better.”

Reese considered his answer while she enjoyed her tea. “If you want, I can teach you. I’m really good.”

Priscilla came up behind Reese’s chair. She gave him a look that said “I’m sorry.” “Curt’s probably too busy right now, sweetie. He’s got that whole house to work on.”

“Oh.” The girl’s smile vanished.

“Maybe one weekend you can give me a lesson.” He hated the disappointment on the kid’s face, and what was an hour or so?

Reese’s smile returned immediately.

Make sure you let us know when it blows up in your face. He remembered Gray’s final comment before they’d changed the subject entirely Sunday night.

Taylor picked what she considered the nicest dress in her closet. Not much of a shopper, her choices for the night were limited to a handful of sundresses, and this outfit, which she’d bought a while ago. Even if the dress was a year old, it’d be fine for their destination tonight. The previous spring she’d attended a friend’s bridal shower at Pellegrino wearing this very outfit. She paired it with the open-toed heels that matched, shoes she hadn’t worn since the last time she put on the dress. Actually, she hadn’t worn heels in months. Generally, the only time she dug them out was when she had to make an appearance in court for a case. Tonight, before heading down, she walked across her bedroom a few times, getting the hang of walking in them again.

Taylor stopped at the kitchen doorway in time to hear Curt say, “Maybe one weekend you can give me a lesson.”

He had his back to her, but she saw the big smile spread across her niece’s face. He might not have spent time around kids Reese’s age, but he was damn good with her. She’d noticed that on both occasions he’d had dinner with them. What she heard now was further proof.

“And if you want, and it’s okay with your grandmother, I’ll give you a lesson or two in lacrosse.”

Reese had bugged them about trying lacrosse this spring. They hadn’t told her no, but rather made her decide between it and soccer because the two conflicted. As expected, Reese stayed with soccer. She’d started playing in preschool and loved it.

Excitement filled her niece’s face. “Please, Mimi? Can he?”

“If Curt wants to give you a few lessons, it’s fine with me. But no bugging him about it. He’ll let you know when he has the time,” Mom answered.

Taylor wouldn’t put it past Reese to ask him about it every time she saw him. “Mimi’s right. You can’t nag him about it.”

Hearing Taylor’s voice, Reese switched her attention from her grandmother to her aunt. “Auntie Taylor, you look so beautiful.”

Beautiful might be stretching it, but she appreciated Reese’s compliment.

Curt stood and turned when Reese spoke. “She’s right.” His voice sent a ripple of sensual excitement up her spine. A sensation she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“Thank you.” She couldn’t recall the last guy to tell her something like that. Should she return the compliment? It wouldn’t be a lie if she did, although perhaps beautiful was the wrong adjective. Dressed in khaki-colored pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, he personified sexy.

“Auntie Taylor, I’m goin’ to teach Curt how to play soccer, and he’s goin’ to teach me lacrosse,” Reese explained excitedly.

“So I heard. Sounds like a fair trade to me.”

“Auntie Taylor taught me how to play. Maybe she can help me and then you can teach her lacrosse, too.”

Taylor wouldn’t mind getting some one-on-one lessons from Curt, but not in lacrosse.

“If she’s interested, I’ll give her some lessons too.” Curt’s already-sensual voice took on an undertone, one that said his thoughts ran in the same direction as Taylor’s, and she met his gaze. The interest reflected in his incredible blue eyes confirmed her suspicion.

“When can we start?” Reese asked. “Tomorrow?” Reese, like most kids her age, wasn’t one for patience.

“Maybe,” Curt answered before either Taylor or Mom could say a word. “If not tomorrow, soon. Promise.”

No doubt about it, the guy sure knew how to handle her niece. “I’m ready to leave when you are.” She didn’t know where the night would end up, but she was eager to get it started.

“Can I come?” Reese asked.

Taylor didn’t date often, but men had picked her up at home before. Reese had never before asked to come along. It looked like her niece shared her interest in Curt. And interest put it mildly. He’d captured her attention and refused to give it back. Countless times since their last outing, he’d popped into her thoughts, sometimes at the most inconvenient times.

“Not tonight. Besides, you and Mimi have plans, remember? You’re going shopping for Hazel’s birthday present.”

Reese pouted, but didn’t beg to come along. “Will you come check on me when you come home?”

“Always do.”

Outside, Curt opened the passenger door before she could touch the handle. He waited until she sat down before closing the door and walking around the front of SUV. Yup, he’s definitely classy.

He started the vehicle and backed down the long driveway.

“Do you need directions?” she asked. He hadn’t lived in the area long, and he’d admitted he hadn’t explored much since moving.

“No need. I got it.”

Looked like even classy guys didn’t like to get directions when they drove. If he got lost it wouldn’t be her fault.

She’d never visited Italy, so she had no firsthand knowledge to go on, but the inside of Pellegrino made her feel as if she’d stepped inside a Tuscan restaurant. Everything from the wall color to the furniture and fireplace had been well thought out to transport customers away for a short while.

The hostess led them to a table for two. A single candle burned, and a small dish filled with olive oil for dipping bread sat in the center.

Like he had at the Java Bean, Curt pulled the chair out for her. In either a coincidence or because he remembered her preference, he gave her the seat facing the main entrance.

“These are our dinner menus.” The hostess handed them each a large leather menu. “And this is our wine menu.” She placed the third menu near the table’s edge. “Your server will be right over.”

“I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for tonight.” Curt opened the menu, but his attention remained on her. “What about you? Any thoughts?”

Maybe you. Taylor opened her own menu, glad that mind reading was impossible, considering her current thoughts. “Maybe a pasta dish. The last time I ate here, they served beef brasato. It was delicious, but I’d like to try something else.”

They both spent several minutes looking over the menu. Pellegrino offered traditional Italian dishes from each region of the country, so there was no shortage of options. Only after they’d ordered wine, something Curt picked out, and their entrees, did she start a conversation.

“For someone who doesn’t spend time around children, you’re great with them. You made Reese’s day. She’ll probably plan out a whole soccer training program for you tonight when she gets home.”

“She makes it easy.”

“Easy and Reese are not words I always associate with each other,” she said with a smile. “When we told her someone bought the Cranston house, she hoped some children her age would move in. She gets lonely sometimes, and we can’t always drive her over to a friend’s house.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint her.”

“After your promise tonight to let her teach you soccer, I think she’s glad you moved in next door.” Her niece wasn’t the only one pleased he’d moved in, either.

Some emotion passed across his eyes, and he shifted in his seat. “I’ll make sure she gets her first lesson in soon.”

***

No matter how many five-star reviews a restaurant received, there was always a chance the food wouldn’t live up. Tonight, though, the reviews he’d read about Pellegrino proved accurate. The tagliata had been authentic and the service superb. The desserts and after-dinner drinks set in front of them now looked just as fabulous.

He watched Taylor’s lips close around her fork, the sight oddly erotic. He had no plans for them after dinner, but he liked the idea of taking her back to his house. Usually Curt could read the women he took out and know if they expected an invite back to his place. Some even made it easy and did the inviting themselves. Taylor wasn’t as easy to read. Sometimes she looked at him as if she wanted to tear his clothes off and have sex on the table. Other times her expression said she was enjoying herself, but not looking for anything extra tonight.

“Mmm, this is so good. Wait until you try it,” Taylor said, and he forced his eyes away from her mouth.

They’d both ordered tiramisu for dessert, but while he’d gone for an espresso, she’d chosen a latte. “Better than the mixed berry pie last weekend?” He hadn’t touched his yet.

“Not better, just different.”

He picked up his fork and her eyes followed his movements as he took a taste.

“Well?” Taylor asked.

“It’s good, but I think I’ll need to try the pie again before I give you a definitive answer on which is better.”

“How about I bring one over tomorrow after I drop Reese off at her friend’s birthday party?”

They’d spent a fair part of dinner discussing his plans for his kitchen. She’d shared some personal information about herself, too, but she hadn’t mentioned the how and why of Reese living with her and Priscilla. He’d kept his mouth closed on the matter. The more personal questions he asked, the more likely she’d do the same. Vague answers like he came from a big family and had two siblings would only fly for so long, especially with Taylor. Eventually she’d expect more specifics. If and when he did share his full identity, he didn’t want to do it in a crowded restaurant.

She didn’t give him a chance to answer her question about bringing over pie. “What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, setting down her fork.

He parted his lips, an answer prepared, but she spoke again.

“And please do not say nothing. I read people’s facial expressions all the time, so I’m pretty good at it. If you don’t want me to come by, you can say it. I won’t be offended.”

So much for his intended response. “You can come by anytime. Pie or no pie.” He reached over and entwined his fingers with hers. “When you mentioned Reese, I wondered if asking why she lived with you and not her parents would be appropriate or not.”

She pressed her lips together. “You can ask me anything.” She sounded weary. “And the reason Reese lives with me and Mom is no big secret.”