Love on Ice (Cannon City Series Book 2) (20 page)

As she finished the shakers, she thought about Jay. Not knowing what to say to him made her feel like an idiot. When she saw him it made the sorrow she’d felt since the meeting with the judge come back full force. She put her hands on the table where she’d just placed the refilled shakers. Her head sank down and she closed her eyes. She willed herself not to cry. She’d done enough of that. She needed to pull up her socks and stop thinking about him. She needed to get on with her life, just like Frank told her to do.

“Yeah, right.” She shook her head and straightened up. “Where do I start?” She put more shakers out on the tables. “I’m going to have to get a self-help book,” she mumbled. “Oh wait, I have a therapist now at the women’s center.” She walked back to her locker and got her jacket.

At the counter, she tied up the garbage sack and took it out the back door to put into the big dumpster. She looked down the alley and felt the cold down to her bones. She went back into the diner and locked the door behind her. She grabbed her purse and on her way out, turned off the coffee warmer. At the front door she hit the light switch and turned off the Open sign. She went out the door and locked the deadbolt, then pulled the iron-gate shut and locked it. She put the keys into her pocket and walked to the end of the building.

Turning left, Kate started to cut across the gravel lot, but stopped. Jay’s Jeep sat parked about fifty feet from where she stood. He sat under a tall, bright lamp and looked out at her. When her heart started to pound, she couldn’t figure out what she should do.

The door to the Jeep opened and Jay got out. He moved to the front and leaned against the bumper.

Kate’s first instinct was to run, but she knew the time for fight or flight was now and she decided she needed to fight.

“I know you lied to me because you thought it would protect me from your mom,” Jay said and ran his hand over his jaw. “I told you, but you don’t seem to remember that people who are close in small towns tend to protect one another. Even if we hadn’t told the team’s parents, your mom’s lies wouldn’t have done any good. I grew up and went to school with most of those folks. They never would have believed it.”

“First lesson,” Kate mumbled and didn’t move, but she wanted to run to him and feel the warmth she’d felt so many weeks ago. “I was going to apologize for the lie that night when I woke up in the hospital, but you left. So, I’ll say it now. I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t mean much anymore, but I am very sorry. It killed me to hurt you.”

Jay took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and opened it. He held it up. “This is the letter you left. I’ve looked at it every day since my mom found it in the kitchen at my house. You wrote that you love me. I’d rather hear it from your lips than read it.”

Kate bit her bottom lip. She felt her throat tighten and knew the flood gates were going to open. “Jay, I...” her voice cracked and she cleared her throat. “I did...I do love you, very much. I...”

“Is that another lie?” he asked with very little emotion.

“No, it’s the truth.” Kate felt anger start up the back of her neck. “Jay, I...”

“Truth, yeah right,” he said. He put the paper back into his pocket. “Why didn’t you run? You were all packed. I saw your bag on your bed and it was all ready. What stopped you from going after you were saved from your mother?”

“I felt tired. That night, in the hospital, Frank said relationships are a two-way street and I was worth fighting for.” Tears started to roll down her cheeks. “He said I needed to be willing to fight, too.” She pulled a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose. “I started going to a psychologist a couple of weeks ago at the women’s center, because I don’t know how to fight for what I want. She’s helped me with my running issues, too, and other things. Jay, you’re being mean and I am very sorry I hurt you, but if that’s all you want to do, then believe me when I say I’ve kicked myself around the block enough times in the last few weeks and I don’t need you to do it to me, too.”

“Yeah, I’ve been angry,” he said and frowned. His voice softened. “So, you’re working on it? Your issues?”

“Three times a week.” She dried her eyes. She tried to figure out what he wanted, but couldn’t read the look on his face. It wasn’t the anger she’d seen before. He looked tired.

“You haven’t been to the rink.”

“No, I’ve stayed away.”

“Why?”

“I knew you were angry and I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable in your place of business. It wouldn’t have been fair to you.”

He nodded again and continued to stare at her. A silence fell between them and Kate began to shiver as the cold air worked its way into her bones. She waited, desperate for him to ask another question, but he just watched her.

“Well, I’m frozen, so, I guess I should head home,” she said. She didn’t know what to say or do to make it right with him. They were at a standoff.

Jay pushed himself away from the Jeep and walked right up to her. Kate felt his hand on her cheek and he moved her face up to look at him. He leaned down, put his lips on hers and his other hand moved around her waist.

Kate’s lips parted and she let him devour her. His tongue forced hers back and traced the roof of her mouth and around her teeth. He nibbled her lips and tongue and then sucked on her ear lobe.

When he pulled back, he appeared to be out of breath and put his forehead on hers. Kate felt stunned and grabbed the front of his jacket. She never wanted to let him go.

“My mom said if I didn’t learn how to forgive, I’d never find the right woman to share my life with.” He opened his eyes and looked into hers. “She hit me on the back of the head and told me I acted like an idiot and needed to think about what all this meant to you. She said I should remember everything you’d been through and how you’d tried to protect me. My dad, on the other hand, said I’d found the right woman and I would lose her forever if I didn’t shape up.”

“Oh,” was all Kate could think to say.

“Some moms and dads can be pretty smart, you know?” He put his hands over hers on the front of his jacket. “Kate, I won’t beg you to not run anymore. It sounds good to me that you’ve gotten some help. I’ve missed you so much.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close.

Kate moved her hands around his waist and felt the warmth she remembered. He kissed her neck and actually bit her.

“Would you want to do a skate around tonight?” he asked, quietly and put his hands into her hair.

“No, not tonight. I got a small Christmas tree and some decorations, but I haven’t done anything with it yet.” She leaned back and looked up at him. “It’s still early. Would you want to help me get it decorated? It’s small and shouldn’t take very long. I could make a pot of coffee and we could talk. I have a coffee maker now.” She pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling.

“I’d like that,” he said and turned them toward the Jeep. “New pants, new shoes, a coffee pot and a Christmas tree? You must be rich.”

“No, I have a slush fund.”

He looked down at her and his eyebrows came together.

“I save all of my tips for a rainy day, which used to be catching a bus or train. Since I’ve decided not to leave Canon City right now, I’ve splurged a little. I even got a kitten.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m very serious. He’s a little orange tabby. I call him Ozzie, because he’s all mysterious like the wizard.”

“What’s the dress for?” They stopped at the Jeep.

“Oh, when your mom asked me to help her at the Festival tomorrow night, she informed me that I needed to be dressed nice. All I had were jeans and sweaters.”

Jay opened the door of the Jeep. “She did, huh?”

Kate felt something hit her forehead and looked up. “Hey, it’s snowing.” She held out her hand and caught a flake on her palm.

She watched it start to come down for a minute and then Kate got into the Jeep. Jay leaned in and kissed her again. This time he touched her with less force and more tenderness.

“You know, sweetheart.” He kissed the corner of her mouth and sucked on her bottom lip, lightly. “I just may have to dance with you tomorrow night. My mom will have to go it alone for a few minutes. I’ve only seen you in your work uniform and sneakers. It’s a real dress, right?”

They sat on Kate’s couch and talked until four o’clock in the morning. The kitten had no fear of Jay and snuggled for a while on his lap, before it retired for the night on her pillow.

Kate told him about the things she and her counselor discussed. Most of it had to do with her fears and her need to run and hide. She explained that there were some things she would have a difficult time getting out of her system, but now that she’d become more aware of the triggers, she would be able to control it better.

Jay told her about what he’d done to the kitchen the day she was in the hospital. Now, he couldn’t remember if he’d been that angry with her or if he was pissed at himself for deserting her when she needed him most. He apologized for leaving her that day and hoped she could forgive him.

At four, Jay got off the couch and said he should head home. They both had a lot to think about and should probably get a good night’s sleep to do the thinking. Before he opened the door, he turned and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on to him. It was so good to know that Jay still felt something for her. They’d both steered clear of saying the three simple words and she wanted to, but thought a better time might come down the road, when he trusted her more and wasn’t afraid she’d leave without a word.

Jay kissed her and told her to sleep easy and left. She locked the door and stood with her back to it for several minutes. She didn’t know if she felt happy or sad that he’d left. She’d wanted him to stay, but felt something swim inside her that she wasn’t sure of. It was a thing she’d never felt before and didn’t know how to identify it. She hit the light switch and started toward her bedroom and thought she may have just come up with a new topic for her therapist.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lark Stone showed up at Kate’s door at three o’clock the afternoon of the festival. She carried with her a sack full of hair products. Kate had just gotten out of the shower and was about to start doing her make-up when she heard the knock.

“Hey there,” Lark said. “Libby asked me to come over and help you get ready for the party tonight.”

Kate opened the door all the way and felt a little stunned. Lark wore jeans and a sweatshirt, but her hair was done up and her make-up looked impeccable. “I just started to get ready. Mr. and Mrs. Hager are picking me up at five o’clock so we can start getting the table ready.”

“Two hours is perfect. We’ll have plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time for what?” Kate asked.

“To get you gorgeous, so Jay will stumble all over himself to impress you.” Lark took her hand and led her into the bathroom. “Actually, I’ll help with your hair and make-up. You’ll have to dress yourself. I have to get home, change into my party dress and help my grandmother load up her pies. I also need to corral my husband, who, if I know him, will be in his office, studying his brains out. Charlie is going to veterinary school and is very dedicated.” Lark pointed at the toilet. “Sit.”

Kate laughed and sat down. She still wore her towel wrapped around her and her hair continued to drip. She saw Lark look around the bathroom. “Lord, this is small. Where do you keep your towels?”

“I have one and only one and I’m wearing it at the moment.” She saw Lark frown. “I have paper towels in the kitchen.”

“Those will work. No stay seated. I can get them.”

The first thing Lark did was start up Kate’s hairdryer and got the drips under control. It still felt a little damp when she stopped, but she said for right now it would be good enough and they could start her make-up.

Lark looked at the few items Kate used and said, “It’s a good thing I brought some things with me.” She applied foundation and blush, pulled some really pretty eye shadows out of her bag and painted on some eye-liner. Then she very gently applied mascara. “I always do this part very slowly, because I once poked myself in the eye with the brush and was sure I’d been blinded for life. I’ve never put it on someone else and I’d kill myself if I poked you in the eye. Look up.”

Lark fussed and did this and that and finally tilted her head and nodded. “I think I have created a masterpiece.”

“Can I look now?” Kate asked. She wanted to see what real make-up looked like on her face. Lark nodded and Kate stood up and looked in the mirror. She barely recognized herself. Her eyelids wore a dark grey-blue shadow that made the blue in her eyes really pop out.

“I didn’t realize your eyes were so blue. There’s also a little purple in there which is really unusual. For a second I thought you were wearing contacts.”

“Jay thought that when we first started to date. I don’t see purple, but this make-up color really does make the blue stand out.” She continued to look at herself.

“Okay, back down and let’s get your hair into a French braid. I think it will look really soft and not as edgy as your pony tail makes you look.”

“I’m in your hands, Lark. Thank you so much for doing this.”

Lark finished with her hair and took off. As she went out the door she told Kate she expected to hear good news at the party.

Kate looked at the clock and realized she only had half an hour to get dressed. She raced into her bedroom and pulled the thigh-high stockings out of her drawer and managed to get them on without a run. She put on her black lacy panties and the new bra she’d bought, and then slipped her new dress on and zipped it up. She realized her arms were already cold and took the blue sweater out and slipped it on. She looked at herself in the mirror and couldn’t believe how good and feminine she felt. Everything came together perfectly and she knew she needed to repay Lark for years to come. She spun around and laughed.

At five o’clock sharp there was a knock on her door and she jumped up from the bed where she’d been putting on her shoes. She grabbed her coat and found Mrs. Hager waiting.

“Oh my god. Kate, you look incredible. I knew Lark would be helpful,” Libby said.

Kate saw tears well in her eyes. “No, don’t cry. I’m not wearing water proof mascara and I’ll only mess everything up.”

Libby stood straight and cleared her throat. “Okay, no crying. Let’s get moving.”

****

The community center was closer to downtown Canon City and cars already started to park in the lot. Kate and Mrs. Hager carried a bag each in and Mr. Hager ferried the rest of the foods in for them. They set up the table and after a few minutes, Kate got a minute to look around. She saw a few people she recognized from the diner and the rink, and then saw Lark over at the beer table. Kate saw the dress Lark wore and was wowed. It was a beautiful form-fitting red dress that came up to her thighs and she moved gracefully in her high heels. Kate thought about it for a minute and then took her sweater off.  Her dress wasn’t anywhere near as sexy as Lark’s, but it would look a damn sight better without the granny sweater.

All of the salads were out and Mrs. Hager put out the cakes, but left them covered. She didn’t want them to dry out. A few people started in and made the rounds and the evening began.

Mrs. Hager introduced her to Mrs. Metcalfe and Mrs. Bickens who bickered over their mutual desserts. Mrs. Metcalfe turned out to be Lark’s grandmother and seemed like a really sweet lady.

About fifteen minutes after the party started, Charlie Stone walked up to Kate’s side of the table and smiled at her and Mrs. Hager. “Good evening, ladies. You both look wonderful this evening.”

“Thank you, Charlie. Why are you looking so sneaky?” Mrs. Hager asked.

“Well, I’ve been hired by your son for a while...or at least until Lark finishes with the beer table. I’m his messenger,” he said and took a paper out of his pocket and handed it to Kate.

She opened it and it read -
Hi.
She looked at Charlie. “Okay, what am I supposed to do?”

“You write a reply on the back and I deliver it to my master, blah, blah, blah.” Charlie grinned and held out a pen.

“Oh, okay.” She took the pen and wrote
hi
back to Jay. She handed the note over to Charlie who walked away. She looked at Mrs. Hager. “That was weird.” She laughed.

“My son can be very imaginative when he puts his mind to it.”

They were busy for a little while and a line formed from the table as more people began to arrive and the need for food picked up. She’d just served a customer, who picked up their plate and left and Charlie stepped back up to the table. He handed her another slip of paper.