Kitabı oku: «The Christmas Date», sayfa 2

Chapter Two

As she entered her kitchen, Kate tossed her keys on the table and set the pint-size carton of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in the freezer. She’d eat the chocolate, caramel and fish-shaped-candy ice cream later. Because of a last-minute request from the boss, she’d left work a little later than normal, which was okay, she’d rationalized, since she’d arrived late.

Still, she hadn’t factored the horrible traffic an accident had produced, which had left her with the task of getting dinner, freshening up and finding something to wear in a little less than the two hours she had before Wendy arrived.

Kate had the start of a headache, as well, and something seemed out of place, though she couldn’t pinpoint what. Maybe she was just tense from the day, and the fact she’d agreed to go to a party she really didn’t want to attend.

She took two acetaminophen tablets out of her purse, poured a glass of water and shrugged off the melancholy as her cat, Jeckyll, hopped onto the kitchen table with a meow. Tonight Kate didn’t scold him, for Wendy’s prophetic words popped into Kate’s head: you’ll end up an old maid with just your cat. Kate swallowed the tablets, set the water glass down and absently scratched Jeckyll behind the ears.

The huge yellow tomcat arched his back and purred. Then he rose on his hind legs and planted his two huge front feet on Kate’s blouse. Dirty paw prints instantly marred the white fabric above her breasts. Figured. Her headache grew worse as she grabbed a paper towel and attempted to wipe the dirt off the material. Because she’d watered the plants late last night, brushing the dirt off was hopeless. She needed to toss the garment into the washing machine immediately.

“Bad cat! I told you to stay out of the corn plant,” she chastised. She began unbuttoning the blouse as Jeckyll jumped off the table and nonchalantly strode into the living room, tail held high. Kate glared after him, fingers freezing on undoing the fourth button as she heard a knock on the side door.

Probably Nora. Kate closed her eyes for a moment. She loved Nora—the woman was practically her second mother. But at this moment Kate was simply too uptight to deal with anyone.

The rapping continued and Kate went to the door. She flipped on the porch light and slowly pushed the curtain aside so that Nora, head of the Neighborhood Watch patrol, wouldn’t scold her—again—for not being careful enough. “Yes?”

The rest of her sentence died on her tongue. Outside on her doorstep was the guy from the gas station. She dropped the curtain. What was he doing here? Every one of Nora’s safety lectures flitted through Kate’s head. Had he followed her all day? Should she call 911?

The knocking restarted, this time accompanied by his voice, which called, “Hello.” She pushed the curtain aside again, and he gave her a disarming grin and held up his driver’s license. “Hi. I’m your new neighbor. I bought the house next door. From the Dorhacks?”

Kate’s hand trembled as she let the curtain drop into place. She chided herself for letting Nora’s paranoia rub off. She opened the door and immediately noticed the massive black Hummer directly on the other side of her carport. Okay, maybe she was as clueless as Nora maintained if she’d missed that. Somehow, she regained her voice and poise. “Hello.”

“Hi. I’m Tyler Nichols.”

She blushed. “Kate Merrill.”

He smiled and something inside her jumped to attention. “I’ve been in Iraq for the past few months,” he said. “Just got home today. Pity we didn’t know each other this morning.”

“Oh.” She gripped the door handle. Even though he stood lower than her, his height put him eye-to-eye, providing her a clear view of brown orbs that were flecked with gold. She swallowed. “Well, welcome to Dogwood Lane.”

The smile didn’t fade as he studied her. “Thanks. What a coincidence.”

Kate sidestepped the comment. “Uh, so you were working overseas?” she managed to say.

He nodded, and the dimple in his cheek creased more. “I’m a photojournalist with a wire service.”

Gorgeous man, glamorous job. And not only had she made an idiot of herself this morning, but now she was leaving him standing on her doorstep. “Uh, please come in. Besides, if you remain out here, Nora’ll be here any second.”

He frowned. “Nora?”

“Nora,” Kate confirmed as another strand of her hair escaped its bun when she stepped back into the kitchen. She resisted the urge to replace the wayward lock. “You’ll meet her soon enough. She lives across the street and keeps a pair of binoculars by each window. Everyone in the neighborhood calls her Nosy Nora. Not to her face, of course,” Kate added hastily, blushing again. “Some twenty years ago she foiled a crime on this street, so everyone’s very grateful she’s observant.”

He was observant, too, she noticed as his gaze flicked around her kitchen, which sorely needed updating. The green metal cabinets had gone out of style decades ago. He returned his attention to her face.

“I’m sure you’re busy, especially since it’s a Friday night. I just came over to say hello. I’ve got to get back over there and clean.”

“You’re not going out?” Kate stared at him. Didn’t men like him always have somewhere exciting to be? Jack had always had somewhere to go, someone to impress.

But Tyler was shaking his head. “No. I’ve got hours of work to do, starting with finding the closest place to buy cleaning supplies.”

“We’re pretty residential here. You’ll have to drive at least two miles before you get to the nearest superstore,” Kate told him.

He grinned wryly. “That’s what I figured. Well, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around. I better get to it. I recognized you and like I said, I just wanted to say hello.”

He could charm without even trying. His proximity rattled her brain, scattering her priorities and overriding her to-do list. Maybe she should have taken Wendy’s advice and gotten on the dating circuit sooner. That might have helped with her reaction to this man.

“I saw the inside of the house right after Myra’s kids put her in a nursing home. They were so happy to unload the place that I’m not surprised they didn’t clean it before they sold it.”

“Well, my stuff sitting there collecting dust didn’t help. I’ve been traveling with a marine unit for the past two months. Although, as dirty as it is, it’s better than the front line.”

Raised by Sandra always to be charitable and volunteer, Kate made an instinctive decision. “Do you need some help?”

His eyebrows shot up. “You’d do that?”

“Of course,” she said. “It’s what neighbors do, especially on this street. I’ve got tons of cleaning stuff I can lend you. Give me a few minutes to get changed and I’ll come over. I’d suggest you find some grubbier clothes.”

He still seemed a little surprised. “Okay, if you’re sure. I’ll see you in a few then. Be sure to knock loud. I’ve discovered that the doorbell’s broken. I guess I’ll have to fix that at some point.”

And then he walked away, affording Kate a great view of his backside.

SO THAT WAS his next-door neighbor.

Tyler whistled to himself as he crossed the short distance to his house. The spontaneous way she’d offered to help, without hitting on him, had impressed him. Perhaps he’d misjudged her this morning. Then, he’d found her a bit amusing.

Oh, she still had that naiveté to her, as real as it was refreshing. But her eyes reflected intelligence. He’d read determination on her face. She’d never play poker, but she’d covered her shock well.

He’d also found it intriguing that he’d wanted to pull her hair out of that infernal bun she wore. Yeah, maybe he’d been without a woman for too long, because his male interest had roared to life the moment she’d opened the door. He chuckled. Those sexy paw prints on her chest had been pretty impressive. Lucky cat. He wondered if she realized the top part of her blouse had been unbuttoned, giving him a nice peek at the white satin bra she wore beneath. Since his mother had raised him a gentleman, Tyler had kept his gaze on her face, but it hadn’t been easy.

Fate had to have a sense of humor. The first flare of life his libido had felt in a long time was for his next-door neighbor, a slip of a girl who, from her wary expression, wasn’t too impressed with him in the slightest, especially if this morning was an indication.

Not that it mattered. He’d always maintained that one should not seduce one’s neighbor. That rule was part of Tyler’s personal set of commandments for his life. Getting involved in a relationship with your neighbor made life awkward afterward, even if one neighbor—him—would never be in town. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

Which was too bad. Because Kate Merrill had potential.

KATE CLOSED the door, picked up Jeckyll and shook her head. Darn it all. What in the world had gotten into her? She’d just offered to clean the man’s house. Had her celibacy caused her to lose brain cells? She definitely ought to have listened to Wendy more. Wendy! Kate glanced at the clock. Well, she’d just go next door, lend Tyler Nichols her stuff, make some excuse to leave. After all, she’d been expecting an elderly neighbor with a potbelly, the standard on Dogwood Lane. Would she have offered to clean for him? Not by a long shot. So why should she do it because Tyler Nichols was sexy? He probably had a harem to do his bidding.

The reality was that Tyler wouldn’t pay much attention to her after she helped him. He’d probably be out of the country somewhere, or with a woman who was more sophisticated than Kate was.

Which was good, Kate reminded herself. She didn’t need or want to become involved with anyone at this point in her life, especially someone who lived right next door.

Kate focused. While she might have sensed a flicker of interest on his part, she’d misread signals in the past. Still, she could look, right? Looking was harmless. And Tyler Nichols was definitely eye-catching. Maybe she needed to borrow one of Nora’s many pairs of binoculars. Maybe she should partake in a night of unbridled lust the way Wendy had suggested.

Tyler Nichols was probably phenomenal in bed.

Kate closed her eyes for a moment, letting her imagination take her away. He would lave her breasts, kiss her lower and lower, bring her to heights never imagined. He’d never call her a cold fish as Jack had—Jeckyll shifted in her arms and Kate’s eyes flew open.

She couldn’t do it. Just going to bed with someone you only lusted for seemed cold-blooded, if not plain dumb.

Deep down, Kate wanted commitment, not a quick roll in the hay—her mother’s norm. Despite his good looks, which tingled her toes, she determined to steer clear of Tyler after she gave him her cleaning supplies.

As Kate put down Jeckyll, she noticed her gaping blouse and the paw prints. Embarrassment heated her face. She’d already exposed and rattled herself enough, she decided.

Sighing, she went and changed clothes, then grabbed her cleaning supplies. A knock sounded, and Kate placed the container with the supplies on the counter and threw open the door.

“Haven’t I told you never to do that?” a familiar voice chided.

Not waiting for an invitation, the four-foot, ten-inch presence who dominated Dogwood Lane ushered herself in. Her snow-white hair still styled as it had been for the past twenty years, Nora waved some envelopes under Kate’s nose. “You really need to check the window first. I could have been anyone. A mugger. A rapist. A murderer.”

Kate sighed once more. She knew the entire spiel by heart. Hadn’t she just thought it earlier, when she’d first seen Tyler at her door? “Nora, there hasn’t been any crime in this neighborhood in decades, as you like to brag. You foiled the last one.”

“Well, I’d hate for another crime spree to start with you. I noticed you didn’t get your mail, so I grabbed it as I came over. You shouldn’t leave it in your box. Might get stolen. I told you that Forrest hates to put mail in a full box, which yours would have been tomorrow. And don’t forget, as of tomorrow, everyone on the block needs to have his or her Christmas lights up. It’s tradition.”

Kate clenched a hand behind her back and mentally counted to ten. “The new neighbor’s name is Tyler Nichols.”

“Who, dear?” Nora acted as if she hadn’t heard, but Kate knew better.

“Tyler Nichols. The man who moved in next door. The man over here earlier. His name is Tyler Nichols.”

“Oh.” Nora paused so she didn’t appear too curious behind her cat-eye frames. “I wondered who was at your door. Didn’t think it was a service call. Service people don’t drive gas-guzzling Hummers or work this late. Did he tell you what he does for a living, dear? Is he a photojournalist as the rumormongers say?”

Patience was a virtue, Kate reminded herself and she counted to ten again. Having grown up around Nora, Kate had long ago learned to handle her, especially now that Kate was an adult. “As a matter of fact he did and he is.”

Nora’s gaze landed on the bucket of supplies. “I thought you cleaned on Saturdays.”

Busted. Kate’s shoulders slumped. Nora never missed anything. “I volunteered to help him out for a few minutes. The Dorhacks didn’t do any cleaning and the place is a mess.”

“Those Dorhack kids always were good-for-nothings. Poor Myra to have raised a brood like that. Not like you. You are always such a dear, especially volunteering the way you are. Sandra would be so proud.”

“Thank you,” Kate said as she somehow ushered Nora to the side door. But the maven wasn’t to be moved outside yet.

“Since he’s finally here, why I don’t go home and see what I’ve got in the freezer? I bet the poor man hasn’t had a home-cooked meal in ages. I believe I have a beef stew I can thaw out and feed him. Tell him I’ll be over after I get it heated.”

Kate admitted she was impressed. Nora had found a way to satisfy her curiosity and act as chaperone. She grabbed the cleaning supplies. “I’ll tell him. He’ll love a home-cooked meal, I’m sure.” Even if he didn’t, there would be no stopping it from arriving now.

“Don’t forget to lock up, even though you’re just going next door,” Nora advised as she moved out from under Kate’s carport. “Can’t be too safe, you know.”

“Yes, I know.” Kate put her bucket on the ground and turned the key in the lock as Nora bustled across the street.

“I take it that was Nora.”

Kate jumped and took a step backward. The key fell to the ground with a clink. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” Tyler’s grin was easy and charming, and Kate swallowed. Could his T-shirt be any tighter? The faded black CNN T-shirt molded to his chest and his blue jeans emphasized—Kate jolted. She did not need to be eyeing him there. “Let me just grab the supplies and retrieve my key.”

“I’ll carry them.” Tyler was already beside her, bending over into her space.

“Really, it’s okay.” As Kate leaned to grab the supplies, her fingers collided with Tyler’s. She wobbled as she straightened, clutching the bucket like a shield.

Tyler winked at her. “Let me be a chauvinist for a bit.” He reached forward, and Kate simply let him pry her fingers from the carryall. She grabbed her key as Tyler started toward his place.

Having been in the house before, Kate knew that the layout mirrored hers, with a living room, eat-in kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Tyler’s house also had a small addition off the kitchen—a ten-by-twelve room that could serve as a den.

“I’ve decided that I like it.” Tyler answered Kate’s unspoken question as he gave her a quick tour so she could assess the extent of the cleaning. The house wasn’t in as terrible shape as he’d depicted, but as nothing had been vacuumed or scrubbed down, there was a lot of cleaning required before it met habitable standards.

They returned to the kitchen. She noticed his cabinets had been replaced with a basic oak version. Still, they and the linoleum appeared at least five years old. “So you bought this place without seeing it?” she asked.

“My twin sister picked it out after my accountant told me I needed more tax deductions and a long-term investment. I guess I could have bought something bigger, but there’s no point. I’m always gone. I’ve heard this street has excellent resale value.”

“It does,” Kate said.

He opened the ancient refrigerator and pulled out a beer. “Want one?”

“No.” Kate watched as Tyler removed the metal cap, tipped up the brown bottle and took a long swallow. He licked his lips. “Haven’t had cold beer from my own fridge in a while. That’s good. Sure you don’t want one?”

“Yes.” Beer might muddle her head. Already, like a sense of déjà vu that she couldn’t place, she knew she’d now forgotten something important related to the beverage. Tyler moved closer and set the half-empty bottle on the counter. For some reason the man disturbed her equilibrium, and she rummaged through the cleaning supplies to maintain her composure.

“So you’re always traveling,” she said to keep awkward silence at bay.

“Always. I love it,” he said.

“Really? All of it?”

He shook his head. “No, of course not. It’s rough-and-tumble. For instance, showers are a luxury, and even having cold water is a blessing after you’ve been bathing with wet wipes for a few weeks. My job makes me appreciate long, hot showers, the kind you stand under until the hot water runs out.”

An image of Tyler in the shower popped into Kate’s head and she inhaled to clear her mind.

“But it’s worth it,” he continued as she tried to focus. “Ever since I took a photography class in high school, I’ve been hooked on telling stories through visuals. My parents bought me my first 35-millimeter camera, I went to college, interned with the local paper one summer and, to make a long story short, I got lucky and found my dream job, one that involves traveling just about everywhere. What do you do?”

Kate unloaded the cleaning supplies, deciding to stay only until Nora arrived. After all, it wasn’t as though she’d be needed. As she observed him standing in his kitchen, beer bottle loose between his fingers, tight jeans and all, one fact was crystal clear. Tyler’s life goals had literally fallen in his lap.

None of hers had, and her job paled in comparison. “I work for an attorney. I’m going to be a lawyer. Night school. I’ll graduate in the spring. Let’s get you started cleaning, because if you overheard Nora, then you know she’s bringing dinner over. And, if I know Nora, you’ll have a houseful of other neighbors following hard on her heels to give you the big once-over.”

“Then I hope I pass their inspection.” Tyler’s gaze held hers for a moment, and Kate felt a tiny unrest run through her. She glanced away. There was no doubt about it. He would definitely pass. Everything about this man was sexy, strong and powerful. He even smelled good, and his voice had that deep, husky quality that sent shivers down women’s spines. Like hers.

The matrons of Dogwood Lane were going to love him.

“They’ll be parading their granddaughters in front of your nose in no time,” Kate said as she attempted to shake off the effect he was having on her. “Be forewarned. They’re all hopelessly romantic matchmakers. Nora considers herself an expert. She and Frieda are legendary.”

Tyler’s chuckle washed over Kate. “You sound like they’ve been on your case.”

“All the time. They’re a regular love connection,” Kate admitted before adding hastily, “but I’m too busy with law school to date anyone.”

“Well, I’m too busy with work,” Tyler replied, grabbing the foaming spray cleaner she held out. Kate tossed a pair of yellow gloves at him and he caught them easily. “It’s all-consuming and my number-one priority. Not many women want to camp out in a war zone, and there’s no way I plan to settle down any time soon. Owning a house is almost too domestic for me. Especially cleaning it. You don’t know of a reliable housekeeping service around here, do you?”

“No,” Kate said. To her, a service would be a luxury, not a necessity.

“I’ll ask around tonight.” Tyler placed the gloves on the counter before shaking the aerosol can. He pressed the nozzle and foam sprayed all over the laminate countertop, the bubbles flowing over the edge onto the floor. “Darn. That didn’t work.”

“Haven’t you ever cleaned?” Kate asked, watching as he stopped the steady stream with a rag.

He appeared sheepish. “No. I’m never around. Ever since I graduated college, I’ve used a service. It’s a priority in my budget. If not, my place would never get clean. I like to arrive home and find everything pristine.”

Just another difference between them. Kate mopped her own floors and scrubbed her own toilet every Saturday morning.

“Here, let me do that.” Kate handed him a dust cloth and furniture polish. Their fingertips touched again and she pulled her hand to safety and pointed. “Why don’t you go dust off the furniture? That’s a no-brainer.”

His eyebrow arched. “Are you saying I have no brains?”

“In this area, yes,” Kate said. “You’re pretty pathetic.”

“You’re probably right,” Tyler said, laughing at her accurate assessment. “So from here on out, I’ll take my orders from you.”

The cheeky expression accompanying his words could thaw an iceberg, and his flirtatiousness did more than melt Kate. Longing, tingling, the sudden need for raw passion hit her. Men like Tyler Nichols were dangerous. They stole your heart and gave you nothing but lingering memories. That is, if you even got to that point at all. She had to get away from him. Kate gestured toward the living room. “Dust!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tyler said and disappeared through the archway, leaving Kate alone to deal with her yearnings and wipe up the mess.