Precious Blessings (Love Inspired) (15 page)

“No, it's not bad, so don't worry. It's that Hayden's volunteering here was your idea. I was willing to see how it went, but she surprised us. She's a hard worker.”

“And her attitude?”

Katherine wisely skipped that one. “This will be her last week, and Spence and I are so pleased with her work ethic, that we'd like to pay her minimum wage for the hours she's worked.”

“That's generous, but it would defeat the purpose.”

“It's still something Spence and I would like to do. Even Ava said so. It's one thing to have a teenager
work off a debt of sorts. It's another when she works harder than Ava.”

He was in serious trouble. He couldn't say no to her. He was hands-down, one-hundred-percent, all the way in love with this woman. The kind of abiding love that did not end, that did not diminish, that gave a man purpose and hope.

“All right,” he agreed. What else could he do? “It'll be a reward for working hard.”

“Good justification.” Katherine flashed a dazzling smile.

Yep, he'd do just about anything for her. Move mountains. Ensure happiness. Provide eternal devotion. “I've got to go. Mrs. Garcia will be picking Hayden up in a few hours. But I'll see you tomorrow afternoon?”

“Unless I change my mind.” She took a step back, smiling up at him. “That's unlikely.”

“Good to know.” Jack's dimples cut deep into his cheeks as he stepped off the curb, a big bear of a man, outlined by the bright spring sunshine.

His gaze held hers a second longer, and for that instant in time she could see the future. Her dream for the future. Maybe his. She didn't know which. Only the long solid closeness of an intimate marriage, where they were best friends, partners, confidantes, best everything.

“My luck with second dates is much better,” he said as he opened his car door. “You wait and see.”

Katherine didn't know if it was a promise or a threat. It felt like both. Maybe Marin was right in calling it the doom phase because she was hooked, not just by the
heart, but deeper. As if her spirit was linked to his irrevocably.

She squinted in the sun, watching Jack's cruiser cross the lot, whip out onto the street and disappear in traffic. She shivered in the crisp wind, feeling, just
feeling.
No defenses, no buffer, just pure hope.

“Katherine?”

She startled, surprised to realize Kelly was standing beside her.

Kelly was smiling knowingly, as if she understood all too well. Her engagement ring, a flawless dazzling diamond, sparkled. “I hate to cut into your daydreaming time, but Spence wants to see you. Another tenant in the corner office is pulling out. Plus, Ava and Aubrey are really going at it. You might want to referee.”

“My destiny in life.” She didn't mind; she felt the pull of work and her responsibilities, but she couldn't seem to make her feet work. She was rooted in place, as if trying to hold on to a moment that had already passed. How could it be possible she missed Jack already? “I'll be right in.”

Kelly didn't budge either. “Hayden seems pretty unhappy about this. Her glare factor has turned toxic. She's been staring poison at you.”

Katherine nodded. She didn't know what to say. Jack had to know how his daughter felt. “And I was just starting to feel…” as if this was a dream in the making. “When I'm with him, it's as if I'm standing in the brightest sunshine. When he's gone, I'm alone in the dark.”

“Sounds like the real thing to me.” Kelly made her
engagement ring sparkle again, just to admire it. “Sometimes I still can't believe this is real. It's like I'm waiting to wake up and realize falling in love with Mitch was just a dream.”

“He's a good man, and you deserve to be cherished by him forever.” Katherine's heart filled with sympathy and caring for her cousin. Kelly's road had once been difficult, too.

Kelly sighed, an utterly contented sound of happiness. “Do you know what someone said to me a while back? Good things happen to good people. Now I'm saying it to you. This will work out for your greatest good. I
know
it.”

“I pray that's true.” Katherine fell silent, keeping her fears inside.

T
he image of Katherine standing in front of the store, washed in sunshine, stayed with him like a beacon, guiding him and growing more radiant every time he thought of her.

“Dad, this is so bogus.” Hayden slumped in her seat looking as sour as ever. “Thought I was done with this youth-group junk.”

“What's with the attitude about the youth group?” Jack didn't get it. He eased the SUV through the icy lot, looking for parking. The place was packed. “You liked the youth group at our old church.”

“That was before I had nothing in common with them.”

Whatever lay behind that sounded like a long discussion to him, and they were running late as it was. He pulled into the fire lane alongside the curb. “We'll unload you, so you can meet Marin on time. Then we'll talk on the way home.”

“More joy to look forward to.” She rolled her eyes, released her seat belt and bolted out of the vehicle.

She was particularly sour today, as overcast and angry as the sky. Black clouds shoved at the mountain peaks, obscuring them. The wind had a vicious bite as he climbed out to fetch Hayden's skis from the roof rack.

She didn't seem thrilled when she took possession of them and leaned them against her shoulder. “You're going to meet
her
again.”

He nodded. “I'm giving you time to get used to the idea. So it would be good for both of us if you did that before we head home tonight.”

“The joy never ends.” With that she stomped away.

He loved his little girl; not that she was so little anymore, but she would always be his little Hayden. Nothing could ever tarnish his commitment to her. He'd prayed hard and he was sure of his path. He wanted the best possible outcome for his daughter. And for himself.

He loved Katherine with such devotion for a reason. She couldn't have captured his heart unless she had a heart big enough to love Hayden, too. He knew she did. And that only made him love Katherine more. This would be the best thing for all of them, he was positive. As he drove around impatiently, looking for an available spot, he had plenty of time to think. To prepare.

While he and Katherine were only officially on date number two, they'd already been through a lot together. Enough for their initial affection to turn into something substantial. No, correct that. Into something rare.
Such a strong stirring of love, soul-deep, could only be heaven sent. Meant to be.

Finally someone backed out of a spot and he slipped into it. Cut the engine. Pulled the brake. He was hardly aware of the vicious bite of the freezing air when he opened the door, or the slight slip of his boot on the ice when he stood. What he
did
feel was Katherine's presence like the air on his face. She was an awakening in his spirit that was pure destiny.

He didn't have to look around the crammed acre-wide parking lot to search for her. He turned toward her, finding her by feel. The brightness within his soul intensified when their gazes locked. She was waiting just beyond the entrance to the lodge, at the edge of the skiing area, looking amazing. When she smiled, it moved through him like grace.

His heartbeat thundered to a stop and he reached for her hand. Through layers of fabric, he could feel the weight of her hand, the shape, the warmth and the connection. Maybe it was more than physical touch, he realized. More like spirit touching spirit.

Words lost their meaning. He couldn't find a single way to say what he felt, and anything as mundane as “Hi,” or “It's good to see you,” fell far short of the experience of holding her hand, gazing into her eyes and seeing forever. Their forever.

Like a dream, he leaned forward, inexorably, moved by feeling and not thought. He watched Katherine's eyes grow wider, as if in surprise, and then she dipped her chin, shy, and gazed up at him through her lashes.

He knew that she felt this, too. Closer still he leaned, towering over her, slanting his mouth over hers. A hush filled him, soul-deep, and he brushed his lips to hers in a first, tentative kiss.

Time stood still, the world stopped turning, and it felt as if heaven watched, waiting. Jack was aware of Katherine's fingers tightening around his, and he felt the tides of her heart, her hope for his honest love, her dreams that were exactly his.

Perfection. He straightened slightly, breaking their kiss just enough so he could look at her. Feel her smile. See her love for him in her eyes. Know that she felt this monumental change, too.

It was all there on her face, in her heart and soul. He cradled her chin in his free hand, thinking how precious she was, and wanting nothing more than to cherish her the way a husband cherished a wife. With all he was and all he had and all he would ever be.

She was blushing slightly, shy and demure, but she looked happy. “I was going to ask you where your skis are, but, wow, my mind is a complete blank.”

But not your heart. He kissed her again.

No, not my heart, she thought, letting her eyelids drift shut, giving herself up to the sweetness of his kiss. More confident this time, she curled her fingers into his coat, holding on. Like sunlight warming all the shadows and hurt places, his kiss filled her with hope, with a perfect peace, with a love so bright she was blind to everything else but this man.

When he lifted his lips from hers, the bond of their hearts remained. This was definitely a sign, she
thought as she let him gather her in his iron-strong arms and fold her against his chest. She sighed, resting against him, her heart full, and her soul brimming, no longer afraid to believe. She felt his kiss through the knit yarn of her ski cap.

“It's cold out here,” he said.

“Is it cold? I hadn't noticed.”

His chuckle rumbled through his chest and into her. “I was hoping to get you inside where it's warm. And where I can order some lunch before we hit the slopes. I didn't get a chance to eat.”

“Sure.” What she wanted was to stay like this forever, in his arms, against his heart and never let him go. As if he could sense her wish, he slid one arm around her shoulder, keeping her close, and took her hand in his free one, holding her as they walked side by side.

This is more than a dream, it's a prayer answered, Katherine thought as she practically floated down the sidewalk and into the lodge. She hadn't been this happy in forever.

“It's packed.” Jack's words tickled her ear. “Let me go see if I can persuade the waitress to serve us in the extra dining room. Stay here where it's warm.”

Only then did she realize she was standing in the radiant heat of the enormous fireplace, with skiers all around her. They were chattering over cups of tea or hot chocolate, warming up before going back out and making the most of the fresh powder.

Her happiness lifted a notch when she spotted Jack at the hostess's stand, talking with the manager. He
looked good, solid, and he was hers. This all feels too good to be true, she thought, pulling off her gloves. But it is true. This is really happening.

Please, Lord, don't let this end.

“Katherine!” It was Lori Brisbane, a member of their church and a longtime bookstore customer, coming out of the gift shop. “It's wonderful to see you out of the store enjoying yourself. Did you know that Ava did my sister's wedding cake? Kristy was in tears she was so happy with it.”

Katherine nodded, although she hadn't heard that bit of news. That Ava and her secrets. “Have you heard from Kristy?”

“Are you kidding? She's in Hawaii. She doesn't have time for her sister.” Her smile was bright and joyful. “Although I'll be having a honeymoon of my own soon. I just got engaged.”

“Congratulations. I thought I recognized that smile. The look of a happy woman.”

“I notice you have that look, too.” Lori winked as she backed away. “I've got to get back to Wade. Bye.”

Jack.
Katherine could feel his approach. She knew the way the air changed when he was near. The way her spirit turned toward him like the moon to the earth. The sight of him eclipsed all else.

His hand found hers and made her joy double. “Hi, beautiful. I see you're popular.”

“Oh, that was Lori. Practically everyone from town seems to be here.”

“It's supposed to rain up here by week's end. That'll be the end of skiing. I guess everyone's here for one
last day. Good news. I secured a fairly quiet table for two.”

“Romantic.”

“That's the idea.” Jack guided her through the crowded lobby and into the dining room. On the other side of another fireplace wall was a dining room the same as the one they'd been in before, except the tables were set and ready for customers.

One table, beside the fireplace and facing the windows, held menus, a steeping pot of tea and water glasses. He pulled out the chair that had the best view for Katherine. She brushed past him, sweet floral and vanilla fragrance, and the memory of their kiss heartened him. She poured the tea, his cup first.

He pushed the sugar jar in her direction. “See how well this second date is going? I'm luckier on second dates. Usually there are fewer disasters.”

“Wow. This means no meteorites will suddenly burn through the roof and strike our table?”

“Nope. There won't be a kitchen fire, an avalanche that wipes out the lodge, nothing on a personal level of disaster either. Like an old girlfriend walking into the dining room or someone I arrested accosting me while my back is turned. Those are all first-date disasters.”

“I'm glad we're well past that. You never did finish telling me about the rest of your top worst. I suppose you just did?”

“Yep, but I'm all past that now. For good, I'm thinking.” He laid his hand over hers.

His loving touch could erase any hurt. Make her forget the past.

That's when she saw the past walk into the dining room, in the wake of a busy, fast-walking waitress, and a pleasant-looking woman. Kevin, with his infant son in a baby carrier, tucked in beneath a blue blanket. Kevin, unaware of her yet, held the chair for his wife, much the same way Jack had held her chair moments ago. The woman smiled up at him adoringly as she settled into the chair. The moment Kevin set the little baby on the table, she checked on him. They were the picture of a perfect family.

I'm glad for him, she thought. Kevin wasn't the right man for her, but seeing him now felt like a slap to the face. A wake-up call. A sign.

No, it isn't a sign, she thought stubbornly. That was past. His rejection didn't hurt anymore. But Jack's would devastate her.

“Is something wrong?” Jack was studying her with concern. “You look as pale as a ghost.”

“I'm all right. You know how you mentioned an old girlfriend showing up? Well, I almost married that man.”

“Who, him?” Another waitress had bounded into the room, leading another couple to one of the tables.

“The other guy.” She watched Jack twist to study the small family at the other side of the dining room. Kevin's back was to him, which was good. That meant he was looking in the opposite direction. “It's okay, I was over it long ago.”

“He's the one who changed his mind, right?” Jack turned back around.

The waitress hurrying toward them to take their order saved her from having to answer. She swallowed hard,
trying to tuck her emotions inside. The happiness she felt dimmed a little, and she could feel her shadows and fears.

Don't think about those, Katherine. She studied the menu and randomly picked something. Her pulse thudded in her head. Her palms were damp. She felt the shadows and fears deepen.

Jack isn't like Kevin, she reminded herself while Jack ordered and handed over his menu. The waitress hurried off. Katherine had no idea what Jack had ordered.

“I've given some thought to what you said.”

She blinked. What had she said? Her mind was spinning. She couldn't remember, couldn't focus. There was Kevin in the background, sitting ramrod-straight, shoulders perfectly parallel to the floor, just like Jack. Every hair in place, just like Jack. Wearing a ski sweater and jeans ironed into wrinkle-free perfection. Just like Jack.

Jack took a swallow of tea. “I appreciate what you want to do for Hayden. I'll leave it up to you. If you want to hire her, then offer her a job. See what she says.”

That surprised her. “That's okay? I guess I thought—” She let the sentence drift and added more sugar to her tea.

“You thought when I said I wanted Hayden to work for free, that nothing would change my mind, right?”

“It did occur to me.”

“I get why you think that. I come on strong. It's a fault, and I try not to, but it happens. Like the afternoon
we first met. I come across as it's my way or the highway, but I always listen to reason, eventually.” He leaned closer, intimately, his voice dipping low, full of promise. “I'll always listen to you.”

He cradled her hand, as if he thought her the most treasured woman in the world. But it was the way he was looking at her that made both terror and joy rip through the core of her spirit, with admiration, with respect, with all-out adoring love. This is what she saw in his heart, the kind of affection he held for her. More than anything she'd ever known before.

It was also terrifying because she'd passed the fail-safe point in this relationship and there was no turning back. Her heart was wide open, her love for him soul-deep. He'd peeled back every layer of defense she had simply by being in love with her, and she was helpless. Defenseless. That was the only way to love someone, but love was a risk. It came with no guarantees.

How had it happened? She'd fallen so hard in love with him she felt a piece of her deepest self crack in fear. Danielle's words kept burdening her, when they should have been reassuring.
If this guy isn't the kind of man to accept what happened to you, then he isn't good enough for you.