Jace wanted to kick himself.
He finished repairing the attic vents, a simple task once Kitty was safely out of sight. Then he removed the bird nests, relieved to discover that no eggs had been laid in any of them, including the one that had caused Kitty’s fall.
He lowered himself into the soap-scented laundry room where the essence of Kitty surrounded him.
She hadn’t been hurt, but touching her was reflex. He shouldn’t have because now the memory of her velvety skin and rose scent tortured him.
She’d probably thought he was weird the way he’d jerked away like a man on fire.
He rubbed both hands over his face and groaned. For years, he’d worked for Kitty Wainright and been a distant friend. And he’d handled the situation well. Suddenly this spring, keeping his feelings under wraps seemed impossible.
But he had to. Even if Kitty was interested, which she wasn’t, he couldn’t be.
With a vicious yank of his tool belt, he went in search of Donny.
His boots crunched on the gravel path leading between the motel’s cabins where Jace spotted his pickup truck near the target unit. Donny was nowhere in sight.
“Figures,” he muttered. He turned to stare at the pretty cottage he knew to be Kitty’s home. A fierce protectiveness surged through him. Maybe Donny wasn’t over there, but he probably was. Donny always had an eye for ladies and a line a mile long.
Oblivious to the vibrant red and white tulips basking in the sunlight, Jace stalked down the path. Outside Kitty’s front entrance, he lifted a whimsical knocker—patriotic, of course, and another reminder of why he had to take care of Kitty but keep his distance, too. He’d set a hard task for himself, but he was determined to see it through. Penance came in many forms, and if his was blond and beautiful with the soul of a saint, he would simply have to cope.
She appeared, still wearing the smudged blouse, though the cobwebs were gone from her silken hair. With her easy smile, she pushed open the door. “Is my attic safe from feathered invaders?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jace removed his cap, held it in both hands like a shield between them. To discourage conversation, he didn’t smile. The warm feelings in the attic could not be repeated.
“Is Donny over here?”
Kitty gave him a long, curious look before saying, “He is. Come on in.”
Jace followed her slim form into the sunny living area.
The room was small and tidy like its owner, filled with soft, feminine color and dotted with spring flower arrangements. Whimsical figurines of kittens had been set here and there. One brown kitten lay on its back, smiling with abandon. It reminded him of Milo.
“Come on in the kitchen and have some iced tea with us. You must be thirsty after being up in that dirty attic.”
He was, but thirst was the least of his problems. He followed her anyway. “I’m sure you have better things to do.”
Kitty paused in the kitchen’s entry, her expression sweet as honey. “I always have time for friends.”
Stab him in the heart and let him bleed. “How’s your hand?”
“Oh, that.” She raised the palm to display a wide Band-Aid. “I had a splinter. Now that it’s gone, I’m good as new.”
“Sorry that happened.”
“My fault. You warned me.” She widened her eyes and curled her lips in a silly gesture that made him smile in spite of his intent to the contrary.
“No traction, though.”
She laughed. “There’s always a next time.”
He hoped not. Neither his heart, nor his resolve, could take it.
Donny Babcock appeared behind Kitty, interrupting the pleasant exchange. Jace didn’t know whether to thank him or hit him.
“We have work to do,” he said to his supposed helper.
“Why don’t you start without me?” Donny flashed his expensive teeth at Kitty. “Kitty and I were getting better acquainted. She invited me to her Bible study.”
Something dark and fierce twisted in Jace’s belly. “I need your help.”
“All right. All right.” He gave Kitty a put-upon look and followed Jace out the door.
When he and Donny reached the work area, Jace was still stewing. Part of him worried about Donny’s intentions, but mixed up in there somewhere was a heavy dose of old-fashioned jealousy. He shouldn’t be jealous, had no right to be, but he was. If Kitty ever decided to let go of her dead husband, she deserved a good man, a man better than either him or Donny Babcock.
He handed Donny a nail puller. “Kitty’s a nice woman.”
Donny studied the puller as though the tool was an alien spacecraft. “You interested in her?”
“We’re friends.” He emphasized the word to make a point.
“Good to know. Wouldn’t want to nuzzle in on a friend’s sweet spot.” He winked. “So you shouldn’t mind if I get to know her a little better.”
Jace’s grip on the hammer tightened. “I do mind.”
“But you just said the two of you are only friends.”
Teeth tight, Jace pivoted on his toes. “Look, Donny, she’s too good for either of us and you know it. Leave her alone.”
Donny laughed and propped one hip on a windowsill, the nail puller forgotten. “Just because you want to punish yourself forever doesn’t mean I do, Jacey boy. A second chance is a second chance at everything.”
Jace tried another direction. Appealing to Donny’s conscience wasn’t working. As if it ever had. “She’s a grieving widow. Didn’t you see the motel office?”
“Yeah, a bunch of old junk that needs tossing out if you ask me. A stinkin’ shrine to a dead guy. Come on. Get over it.”
The callous remark burned Jace. He slammed the hammer into a nail. “Dave Wainright was a hero. He died in service of this country so creeps like us can keep breathing.”
Donny pushed off the windowsill, hands spread wide. “Whoa, Jace, you are taking this way too seriously. The dude is dead.”
“Kitty is committed to keeping his memory alive.”
Donny made a noise halfway between a snort and a guffaw. “A dead man can’t keep her warm on cold nights.”
Jace counted to three, took a breath, blew it out. Donny was pushing all the right buttons to bring out the worst in him—a side Jace had hoped was long gone. “I’ll say it again. Kitty’s a good woman.” He leveled Donny with a glare. “Show some respect.”
Donny lifted both hands, a gesture he used too often, like some wise guy teenager.
“No disrespect meant, compadre. None at all. Kitty’s a free agent. An extremely beautiful one, too, in case you’re too hung up on work to notice. And I’m a free man with an eye for beauty.”
“She’s not interested. You’re wasting your time.”
“The fun is in the chase, my man. Or have you been a hermit so long you’ve forgotten?” Donny slapped Jace’s shoulder. “Since you got no designs on her, I think I’ll take my chances.”
After stopping at the plant farm for a flat of geraniums and then at Zinnia’s clothing store to look at spring shoes, Kitty walked down the street to the Municipal Building to pay the motel’s utility bill. Her operating costs went up while the revenue continued to decline.
She climbed the steep buff-colored steps and entered the dim all-purpose building that housed city hall and other components of the town’s government, including the court clerk, city utilities and the jail.
Inside the office marked, “Pay utilities here,” Kitty discovered Cheyenne Rhodes Bowman had arrived first. The pair had become friends when Cheyenne first came to Redemption and stayed at Kitty’s motel but they had really bonded in their fight against violence toward women. Since Cheyenne’s marriage to the local vet, Trace Bowman, Kitty didn’t see her as often as she would have liked. But she was thrilled to see her friend, a victim of unspeakable violence, find fulfillment and joy with Trace and his daughter, Zoey.
“Hey, girl. Fancy meeting you here.”
“The utility company gets all of us this time of month.” Cheyenne waved the postcardlike bill. “I’m not complaining, though. This is the first bill on the new women’s shelter.”
Cheyenne had worked tirelessly to buy an older home to turn into a shelter for battered women. Redemption had embraced the project but raising that kind of money had taken a long time. Now the shelter was up and running but with limited space and resources. Most of the services, such as counseling, education and job training came from grants or volunteers. Cheyenne was a whirlwind at securing help for victims, but more money was always needed.
“How’s the fundraising going?”
“Slow, but steady. Pray we get the federal grant we applied for. If we do, we’ll be able to furnish the other rooms and take in more than one family at a time.”
“It’s such a great cause. I wish I had more money to in vest.”
“Things are tight for everyone now. Don’t worry. The Lord will supply all our needs according to His riches.” Cheyenne grinned, both of them aware that Kitty had led Cheyenne to Christ and taught her some of those key verses as weapons of survival against fear and anxiety. “Speaking of investments, have you talked to that friend of Jace Carter’s?”
Kitty blinked. “Donny?”
Black hair swished against Cheyenne’s jacket as she nodded. “He came by the clinic the other day and mentioned a real estate investment opportunity that sounded pretty good. Apparently, that’s what he does for a living and he’s good at it. He made seven figures last year.”
“He said that?” Donny dressed well and drove a new car, but seven figures sounded huge, especially to a widow with an old motel falling down around her ears. Every unit needed renovation.
“We were doubters, too, but he showed us the paperwork.”
“Really? Interesting. Are you going to invest?”
“Trace and I are discussing it…and praying about it.” She handed her check and bill to the clerk across the counter. “Hi Kirsten. This is for the women’s shelter.”
“Got it. Thanks, Cheyenne.”
Kitty took her place at the counter, handing over her payment.
“Gotta run.” Cheyenne snapped her wallet shut and slid the slender black leather into her jacket pocket. “Why don’t you come to dinner one night this week?”
“I’d like that.”
“How’s Wednesday? Then we can all go to church together.”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll be there.” She lifted a hand as Cheyenne exited the office, her boot heels tapping lightly on the beige tile flooring.
Kitty took her receipt from the clerk, stuffed it in her handbag and left, too, thinking about investments. Not that she knew too much about them. She had a small savings account from Dave’s insurance but the sum didn’t draw much interest. Maybe she should talk to Donny.
She stepped out into the bright spring day, her eye drawn to the town square across the street. The pretty parklike area was lush and green and loaded with budding plants. A soft breeze fluttered the American flag waving in the center just beyond the old-fashioned water well that had been hand-dug by the town’s founder, Jonas Case, a reformed gunslinger.
Lured by the gorgeous spring day and the little park’s peaceful beauty, Kitty crossed to the square. Tiny violets had begun to bloom and their sweet scent drifted on the breeze.
A mother pushing a stroller passed by and Kitty stopped to coo over the baby, a chubby, cherub-faced boy in blue overalls with dark eyes and an easy grin. After the woman rolled on, Kitty turned to watch them go, some hidden portion of her heart opening up to reveal a deep yearning. The what-might-have-beens came to visit. She would have been a good mother if God had seen fit to bless her with a child. Inexplicably, her widowhood weighed on her good mood like a wet, woolen coat.
As she’d learned to do, she allowed herself a minute or two of sadness. Then Kitty closed her eyes and inhaled, letting the park’s warmth and fragrances wash away any vestiges of regret. The day was too lovely, and life was too good to spend time looking backward at what could never be. After a cold winter, spring was a gift from God to be embraced.
Cars rumbled past, circling the cul-de-sac that surrounded the town square. She caught the scents of exhaust and from somewhere the smell of hamburgers. Her stomach rumbled a hunger warning. She’d skipped breakfast to run errands and noon was fast approaching.
When she opened her eyes, a white pickup truck turned a corner down the street. She saw a flash of blue on the white door emblazoned with Jace Carter, Restoration and Remodeling. A puzzling emotion leaped in her chest. She stood for a moment longer, staring after the truck in contemplation. She liked Jace a lot, always had. He was easy to be with and she leaned on him quite a bit because of her old motel. He didn’t seem to mind. He was simply there when she needed him.
Annie’s suggestions had her wondering why.
The memory of their attic adventure surfaced and she found herself smiling.
“Penny for a pretty lady’s thoughts.”
The voice of Donny Babcock jerked her to awareness. Where had he come from?
“Oh, hello, Donny. I didn’t see you come into the square.”
“I was passing by and saw you out here, looking lonely. Thought to myself, ‘Donny, a beautiful woman like Kitty shouldn’t be alone on such a fine day.’”
Kitty wasn’t sure what to say. She’d been enjoying her solitary walk.
“I thought you were working with Jace.”
Donny frowned and made a dismissing gesture with one hand. “Lunchtime. We’ll meet later at the job site. I had business of my own to take care of. Real estate is a demanding venture, you see. People calling all hours of the day wanting to invest. But I’m very particular about who I let in. Shysters are everywhere, looking to make a lot of money off the innocent and inexperienced. Me? I’m a man who protects my investors.” He threw his hands up and smiled. “My investors are my friends. People I care about. People I want to prosper along with me. Nothing is too good for them.”
Kitty’s head spun. Donny was certainly chatty today.
“Have you been to lunch?” He switched gears so fast Kitty’s head spun.
“Not yet. I usually eat at home.”
“A beautiful woman like you eating alone? On a fine day like this?” He arched back, aghast as though she’d admitted to high treason. Kitty didn’t want to be negative, but Donny could be a little over-the-top at times. “No way. You deserve an outing with an admiring man. Have lunch with me. My car is parked in front of the bank.” He reached for her arm.
Kitty hesitated. “I really shouldn’t.”
He pulled a long face. “We need to talk more about Psalm 91. Last evening’s Bible study was inspiring but I still have questions. I’m sure a woman of your spiritual depth could help me with them, me being a new believer and all.”
She realized she was being railroaded and that Donny’s sugarcoated compliments were too much to be sincere, but what harm was lunch? He was new in town. Maybe he was lonely or eager to make friends, and she loved sharing her faith. Maybe she would ask him about her investments.
She relaxed her shoulders. “Lunch would be lovely.”
Thirty minutes later, over lunch at Bob’s Café, Kitty poked a fork at a chicken salad. Donny, it turned out, was a pleasant if somewhat talkative lunch companion. Kitty’s mind occasionally wandered to the quiet presence of Jace Carter.
The two men were so different. Kitty could hardly imagine they were close friends. Jace was solid, calm and quiet. Donny seemed almost hyperactive by comparison, and his gift of gab could get tiring pretty fast.
Kitty felt guilty about the last. Donny had asked a dozen questions about the Bible. She should be thankful, not bored.
Several people in the café apparently had already made his acquaintance and stopped by their table to say hello. Donny remembered every name. When Zak Ashford brought up the subject of real estate, Donny offered the firefighter a glossy business card and a wink. “Never mix business and a luncheon date with a beautiful woman.”
Kitty stiffened. As soon as Zak left she said, “I don’t date.”
“What?” Head tilted in bewilderment, Donny slid the gold card holder back into his jacket.
“You called this a lunch date. I’m a widow. I don’t date.”
“No offense intended. It was just an expression, but really, Kitty, you should rethink this lifetime of widowhood. It isn’t healthy.” He reached across the table, squeezed and released her fingertips before she could snatch them away. “Your husband loved you madly, I’m sure. He would not want you to be alone forever.”
Kitty put her hands in her lap, away from his. “Keeping Dave’s memory alive is important to me.”
“Of course it is. And you do that very well. You always will.” His face twisted with sympathy. “Moving forward with your life, your love life, would be further testament to the depth of your devotion to each other.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“I’ve always heard that people with happy marriages want to recreate that experience. Only those whose relationships were less than ideal avoid romance.”
That was the silliest thing she’d ever heard. And if Donny said anything else negative about Dave or their marriage, she would be tempted to rudeness.
“We were very happy,” she said, stiffly. “I’m simply not interested in dating again.”
Eyes shifting left to right and back again, Donny adjusted his jacket lapel and fidgeted. Apparently, the starch in her spine was showing. “Please forgive me if I overstepped our friendship. We are friends, aren’t we?” He offered her a worried smile. “I wouldn’t want to be banned from Bible study.”
Kitty relented. The mention of Bible study reminded her of why she’d agreed to this luncheon in the first place. “Friends sounds perfect. I’m sorry if I overreacted.”
She really was sorry. She normally wasn’t this defensive. But she didn’t put her hands back on the table.
“I’m the one who has to apologize. I would never purposely do anything to upset you. If I’m disappointed because you won’t date, I hope you’ll understand. You are a beautiful woman. Any man, me in particular, would find you attractive.”
Kitty fought off a blush. Even if he had said the word too many times to be sincere, a woman liked being told she was beautiful.
Inexplicably, Jace flashed through her head. Her stomach fluttered. Jace wouldn’t throw compliments around like confetti but if he said something he meant it. And it would matter.
The unexpected thought gave her pause. Why was Jace in her head every moment lately?
She patted her mouth with a paper napkin and reached for her purse. It was time to go dig in the flowerpots or paint one of the new ceramic kitten figurines, and get her mind on something else.
“Thank you for lunch. I really need to go. One of my boarders is keeping an eye on the office but I don’t want to take advantage.”
Donny pushed back from the table and rose, taking the lunch ticket with him. He patted his hip pocket, frowned, then reached inside his jacket. “Oh, no.”
“What is it? Did you lose something?”
“My wallet.”
“You lost your wallet?” She dipped to search beneath the table.
“I must have left it on the sink this morning.” He made a small sound of distress. “This is embarrassing.”
Kitty plucked the ticket from his hand. “Don’t be silly. I don’t mind paying for our lunch.”
“Are you sure? I feel like a mooch allowing a beautiful woman to pay for a lunch I invited her to.”
Kitty waved him off. “It could happen to anyone.”
“Well…” He hesitated only a second before a big smile flashed. “In that case, thank you.”