Kitty smoothed the corner of the red tablecloth for the third time.
“Might as well give up. The wind will win.”
Jace sat across from her, a soda can dangled over one raised knee. The wind ruffled the top of his hair and the sunlight shot golden highlights through the brown. He was such good company, easy to be with, easy to talk to. All through their picnic lunch of roast beef sandwiches they’d talked, moving easily from topic to topic. She’d enjoyed this outing every bit as much as she’d anticipated.
“I am a tenacious soul.” She plopped the wicker basket onto the corner, opened the container and dug inside. “Want another cookie?”
He accepted the offered treat just as he’d eaten every other thing she’d pulled from the basket. His appetite was gratifying to a woman with no one to cook for. “I don’t get home baked cookies very often.”
“I bake them more than I should.” He knew that. He’d even brought her a kitty cat cookie jar after the third or fourth time she’d plied him with a zippered bag of snicker doodles and chocolate macaroons. She’d never thought the gift unusual until lately.
“It doesn’t show.” He took a man-size bite of the fat chocolate chip cookie.
“I pawn most of them off on my tenants and anyone else who comes around.”
“Like me.” His hazel eyes twinkled.
She raised one shoulder. “I like to bake. I like to eat. And I like to give them away. You and Donny are both willing victims of my cookie baking mania.”
“Donny, too, huh?” Jace shifted position. “Is he bothering you?”
“Who? Donny? No, no. He’s very…nice.” He was nice. Too obvious maybe, but nice enough.
“Good.” He didn’t seem convinced.
“Is there some reason you’re asking?”
He shook his head but his eyes didn’t meet hers. “Just wondering.”
“He really has been nice to me, Jace, if you’re worrying that he hasn’t. A few days ago, he helped clean the flower bed around the vacancy sign. Before that he offered to change the oil in my car. Tooney does that so I said no, but he was thoughtful to offer.”
“You like him then?”
“Well, sure. I guess so. He is your friend. That’s pretty high recommendation.”
“Look, Kitty, I—” He started to say something more then shook his head. “Never mind.”
“What? Is there something I should know? You’re starting to worry me.” Kitty thought back to the moment in the attic when she’d wondered if she’d upset Jace. He’d spun away and left so quickly. But once out of the turret, he was himself again. He had that same look again, as though he held something back. As Annie said, still waters run deep and Jace was about the deepest man she knew.
“Donny and I knew each other a long time ago, Kitty. I hadn’t seen him in years until he showed up here. I don’t really know him that well anymore.”
Oh, that was all. “Do you think he’s changed?”
The question seemed to trouble him. “I don’t know.”
“I’ve only seen and heard good things, Jace. I’m sure you don’t have to worry. A lot of people like him, even my mother-in-law who is suspicious of every single man under the age of sixty.” She laughed softly.
“Can’t blame her.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Men are suspicious creatures. Even that one.”
He nodded toward Milo. The dog sprawled next to him, belly up to the sun, pink tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth in total relaxation. She’d never seen a puppy so confident in humans. Jace must be a kind and gentle master.
He also had a gentle sense of humor she really liked. There was a playfulness in Jace Carter that he kept under wraps most of the time. In fact, there was a lot to this man that he seemed to keep under tight control. She wondered if he’d always been this way or if something had happened that forced him inside. And if someone had wounded him, was that person a woman?
Funny that she’d wonder such a thing.
“Why aren’t you married?” As soon as Kitty blurted the half-formed question, heat flooded her neck and face. “I’m sorry. That was rude. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He reached into the basket for another cookie. “These are great.”
So he didn’t want to answer. Which probably meant there had been a woman. Now her curiosity was fully aroused. Was he pining for a woman who had jilted him? Was that why he didn’t date? She knew for a fact he didn’t, because Annie and Cheyenne had mentioned it over and over again.
Oh, this was ridiculous. She couldn’t believe she was even thinking such things. Jace’s love life, or lack thereof, was no business of hers.
She dusted the crumbs from her skirt. “Let’s walk down to the pond.”
Though the original plan had been a picnic by the river, once here, Kitty hadn’t wanted to leave Jace’s property. It was that beautiful. They’d opted for a spot in the vast green backyard beneath a pair of giant oaks.
Holding the cookie between his teeth, Jace pushed to a stand and reached out a hand. “You’ll like it.”
Kitty slid her fingers into his and was not surprised when the calloused grip was strong and firm. She was surprised at the ripple of warm pleasure that ran through her at his touch. When was the last time she’d held a man’s hand even for something as mundane as this? When he started to let go, she tightened her hold.
He stilled and shot her a questioning look. Feeling playful and happy, Kitty tugged and unbalanced him. He stumbled two steps before catching himself.
He laughed. “Strong woman.”
“Don’t ever forget it either, mister.” She flexed the other arm, winning a wide-eyed look of mock fear for the effort.
Happiness bubbled up and flowed out as laughter.
Later, she’d beat herself up, but right now, she was enjoying the company of a man she liked and respected. And she refused to feel guilty about it.
Trina would have a fit.
Guilt tried to push in and spoil her day. She didn’t want to hurt her in-laws but they would not understand her friendship with Jace.
Her stomach tightened, tamping down the glow of giddiness. Was she starting to feel something more for Jace than simple friendship?
Jace figured he should drown himself in the pond and get it over with because right now, holding Kitty’s small hand in his was about the nicest thing he’d done in a long time. Try as he might, he couldn’t make himself let go.
They strolled, hands swinging playfully between them like little kids, across the big backyard and past the carriage house. Kitty’s pretty white skirt swirled around her legs in the spring breeze and Milo darted in circles, startling at butterflies and wind-ruffled grass. Kitty giggled.
“He’s so funny.”
“Yeah. Milo’s a trip. I like him.”
She turned a happy face toward him. “Me, too.”
He was powerfully tempted to pull her close to his side, to slide an arm around her waist.
“Any progress on finding a carousel?” He didn’t give a five-cent nail about the carousel at the moment. He just wanted to stand in the sunlight and look at Kitty’s heart-shaped face and marvel at her bluer than blue eyes.
She shook her head. The wind captured the long locks of hair and set them dancing. “Not yet. But the committee is thrilled with the idea, too. And,” she said dramatically, “I have some leads.”
“Yeah?”
“I asked Ida June. She’s one of the oldest people in Redemption but her memory is razor sharp, especially about things that happened years ago.”
“What did she say?”
“The original carousel was removed when she was a little girl. She thinks it was stored somewhere. Oh, Jace, if we could find the original. Wouldn’t that be something?” Her face lit up with excitement.
“Sure would be, considering that new ones are out of budget and the antique carousels are unbelievably expensive. Like vintage cars.”
“Any responses to your internet search?”
“Nothing solid, but I have hope.” Not a lot but he wasn’t going to rain on her parade.
“Same here. If we can just make contact with someone who knows exactly where the Redemption carousel was taken…”
“Maybe we should talk to Popbottle Jones and GI Jack. Not much slips past those two.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Don’t know why I didn’t think of them before. I’ll stop by tomorrow after work.”
“Where are you working now?”
“Samuel Case’s antique store, the Markovas’ Victorian up the river a ways and the old bank building on Main.”
“Not busy, are we?” she teased. “Donny should help you more.”
“I don’t think he’s much into building.”
“Really? I thought he was an expert.”
Jace bit his tongue to keep it still. The only thing Donny was expert at was lying. He’d never helped Jace build or renovate anything until he arrived in Redemption. And the work he’d accomplished so far could have been done in a half day. “I guess he got tired of it.”
“You should hire an assistant. With the economy like it is, I’m sure there are plenty of men who could use the work.”
“I’m giving the idea some thought.” And a lot of prayer. “I need someone with training but there’s this kid. Chief Rainmaker and the preacher think I should hire him.”
“Who is it?”
“Ned Veech. You know him?”
“Ned? Yes. Anyway, I used to. He was a cute little boy, shaggy reddish hair and big brown eyes. He rode the church van to Sunday school when I taught the junior class.”
Jace screwed up his forehead. “I don’t remember him.”
“He didn’t attend very long. His family never came either. I prayed a lot for that child. He said some things in class that made me wonder if the home was troubled.”
“From what Jessie said, the kid is starting to get into trouble now. The chief thought working with me would help. Seems Ned likes shop class. Had some crazy idea that I would be a good example. A mentor, or some such.” He rolled his eyes and snorted. The idea was ridiculous.
Kitty squeezed his fingers. “Don’t laugh. You would be. Maybe the Lord sent Jessie to talk to you because you are exactly what Ned needs.”
“I doubt that.” The Lord would know better. Jace wasn’t what anyone needed. Yet, he hadn’t been able to get the kid off his mind. Was that the Lord giving him a push?
“You could use an assistant, even someone to do your gofer work. Think about it, Jace. Ned was a sweet child and if he’s leaning toward trouble, he needs a Christian man’s influence. What could it hurt to try?”
What if he failed? What if the kid got worse? What if Ned did damage to one of the work projects? Didn’t Jace have enough to worry about with Donny hanging over his head like a noose?
His conscience poked at him. What if Gary had never offered Jace a hand up? Where would he be now?
All right, Lord, I’m hearing you loud and clear. I don’t like it, but I hear. “I’ll talk to Jessie.”
Kitty’s beam of approval made the decision easier to swallow.
They neared the pond, a silvery-topped body of water, shaded on one side by native pecan trees and sunny on the other. An aluminum boat lay on its belly on the shore.
A huge white bird flapped to a landing on the far side. Tall, skinny legs waded silently into the shallow water. Jace tugged Kitty to a stop and whispered, “Shh. Look.”
A small, pleased gasp escaped her. She pulled her hand away and clasped it against her mouth. Jace figured the break in contact was for the best, though the cool air rushing in against his hand was not nearly as pleasant as the feel of Kitty’s warm skin. He’d had no business touching Kitty in the first place but when she’d clung to him, he’d not had the good sense to resist.
He didn’t know why she’d held on to him that way. His insides had gone a little crazy. She hadn’t known, of course. And she’d meant nothing by it, he was certain. She had no idea how he felt about her. If she knew, she’d run away so fast, the tailwind would cause a tornado.
Kitty had spent seven years mourning a husband. She wasn’t about to stop now. Jace had always felt safe in her company because of that dedication to Dave’s memory. There was no chance of her getting the wrong idea about his intentions. He was her handyman. End of story.
This afternoon had rattled that assumption.
“Is he fishing?” Kitty whispered, rapt focus on the great white heron.
“Yes. He’s good at it, too. I’ve watched him before.”
While they whispered, the heron’s black bill shot below the water and emerged with a shiny, wiggling fish.
Kitty squeaked. “That was fast!”
Milo let out a yip and bolted toward the pond. The startled heron lifted off with a great flap of wings.
A laugh spread inside Jace’s chest. “Milo has a way with the birds.”
“Squirrels, too?”
“How’d you guess?”
Milo reached the water’s edge and slammed on his brakes, skidding on the wet bank. He teetered for a moment, then backed away and stood gazing at his reflection with a worried expression.
Kitty laughed. “That was close. Can he swim?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t been brave enough to try.”
About that time, Milo lunged awkwardly into the shallows. Water splashed as short legs began a frantic dog paddle. Milo’s little head bobbed up, ears flopping back, his eyes wide with panic.
Kitty gripped Jace’s shirt sleeve. “Jace, he’s going to drown. Do something.”
Though he seriously doubted the dog would drown, Kitty’s distress was as real as Milo’s. Jace broke into a jog and reached the bank in seconds. As he stretched toward the flailing animal, he had a quick flash of the day at the river when his reach had not been enough to save a drowning man.
He snagged the pup and lifted him out of the water. Milo burrowed into Jace’s neck, trembling. He clasped the dog to his chest, affection welling for his little buddy.
“Dumb pup.”
“Poor Milo.” Kitty had reached the pond’s edge and her fingers stroked the pup’s soggy fur. “Is he okay?”
“He would have been fine if I’d left him alone. Dogs can swim.” He lifted Milo from his soaked shoulder and set him on the ground. The pup shook himself hard, slinging drops everywhere. “Sorry.”
Kitty waved the apology away. “As long as he’s all right.”
“He is. Embarrassed maybe but not hurt.”
Milo flopped over on his back and wagged his body back and forth on the grass. Jace grinned, amused. He reached down and picked up a pebble. “Ever skip rocks?”
“I’m a small-town girl. Of course I have.” She rubbed both hands together. “Show me what you got.”
He let fly with a nice sidearm and watched the stone bounce five times before going under.
“Pretty good. Now, let me try. Friends and I used to do this out on the river.” She reached for her own rock and sent it sailing. It hit the water with a glunk and disappeared. Kitty made a cute face. “I was bad at it then, too.”
Though he tried to hold back, a snort burst from Jace’s throat.
Kitty spun toward him, face merry. “Stop! You’re laughing at me.”
“No, I’m not. I’m laughing with you.”
The ridiculous statement tickled her, too. She thumped him on the shoulder. “Meanie.”
“Here, let me show you how it’s done. Skipping rocks is like riding a bike. It’ll come back to you.” Holding a flat stone sideways between his thumb and finger, he showed her the technique. “The trick is in the wrist. Flick your wrist like you would a Frisbee.”
He handed her the stone.
“Like this?” she asked.
“Looks good. Feet apart, side turned toward the water, hunker down a little and let ’er rip.”
Kitty’s face was a study of concentration as she followed his direction and tossed the rock out over the gently rippling water. Again, the stone dived straight under.
Jace bit his lip to hide the grin.
Kitty turned toward him, hands spread wide, eyes daring him to laugh.
“I never could ride a bike, either,” she groused.
Laughter burst from Jace’s throat. Kitty was so much fun to be with.
“Blame the instructor.”
“But I can ride in a boat. Are you going to row me around or not?”
“You want to?”
“Well, yes. Wouldn’t Maudie Underwood expect it?”
“I suppose she would.” He knew he was getting in over his head. A boat ride on a private pond was personal, romantic even, but he could no more refuse her wish than Milo could hoist an oar.
Against his better judgment, Jace righted the small craft and was amused when Kitty added her diminutive weight to push the boat into the pond.
Jace held the bow close to the bank while she stepped inside, then tossed the oars in and started to join her.
“What about Milo?”
The pup, having rolled in the grass and shaken himself numerous times, rushed toward them but put on the brakes when he saw the water.
“I’m not sure he’s seaworthy,” Jace said, amused. “He looks nervous.”
Milo responded with a pitiful whine.
“How can you resist that? I’ll take care of him.”
Jace scooped up the dog and handed him in, then climbed in, too.
“No more swims for you,” Kitty crooned as she stroked the puppy’s damp head. Milo, the schmoozer, gazed at her with adoration. Jace knew exactly how he felt.
With an oar against the bank, he pushed off, and slowly circled the craft toward open water. With Kitty sitting next to him on the bench, his moving arms grazed her. She didn’t complain. Neither did he.
“Did the boat come with the house?”
“No. I bought it.”
“To fish in?”
“Mostly I row around and relax. Ever looked at the moon and stars from a boat?”
“No, but I’d like to sometime.”
He shouldn’t have asked. The image of gliding these peaceful waters in the darkness with Kitty was too vivid. He could picture her lying back, face rapt in the moonlight as they counted stars together. He would touch her face, listen to her soft breathing and her sweet voice. And he would kiss her.
A deep yearning nearly pulled him in two. He had no business thinking that way, no business dreaming the impossible. He was a marked man, a broken vessel that God had somehow glued back together. He tried hard to be a decent Christian, but nothing he could do would ever erase three years in Lexington Prison.
“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
The scripture was carved into his spirit like the scars on his body. He’d heard and read them often during his years in the pen and he knew them to be true. He’d sown bad seed and now he had to reap the consequences. As long as Kitty didn’t know the truth, at least he could be her friend. And he could watch out for her. Even though she’d been married and now ran a business, she was sweet and innocent and believed the best in people.
There were always sharks in the waters looking for the vulnerable.
Donny’s face came to mind and Jace prayed that he hadn’t been responsible for bringing a shark into Kitty’s life.
He took up the oars and stroked the water easily, letting the work burn away the stress gathering in his shoulders like a dark enemy.
Kitty trailed her fingertips in the water. Once, she flicked him with droplets and he growled in playful response. She talked, about the white flowers growing along the pond dam and the tiny tadpoles darting through the shallows.
Jace listened, relishing the sound of her voice and the soft splash of oar against water. She asked questions about his work and he told her about the Markovas’ theater room and a secret passage he’d once found in a house.
“How fascinating. I wonder what it was for?”
“Bootlegging probably.”
“Couldn’t the house have been on the Underground Railroad?”
He paused in rowing. “Did they have that here?”
She shrugged. “Probably not. Oklahoma wasn’t even a state during the Civil War.”
“I still vote for bootleggers.”
“Or outlaws. Like the house in Kansas where the Dalton Gang had a secret tunnel in and out. Redemption is known for attracting outlaws.”
Jace’s blood chilled. He kept his voice light and his face averted. “Plenty of those in the 1890s.”
“True. Plenty here, too, I’m sure. Men who came to outrun their pasts but the past wasn’t far behind. They’d have to have a hiding place or an escape route.”
Jace didn’t know what to answer so he kept quiet, something he hadn’t been able to do all day. With her easy acceptance and sweet spirit, Kitty drew him out of his usual reserve.
They floated along, content to say nothing for a while. Soon the sun began to fade and long shadows fell across the water. The spring air cooled. Kitty shivered.
“Cold?”
“A little.” She rubbed her arms. “I really should go home.”
She didn’t sound enthusiastic. Jace didn’t want to be happy about that but he was.
“It will be dark soon.”
“I’ve really enjoyed today.”
So had he, but he kept the enthusiasm to himself.
He rowed to the bank and leaped out to secure the boat, then pulled the nose onto land. Milo hopped to the ground with a quick shake. Kitty stood, wobbling, and Jace reached out to steady her. One hand on his forearm, she placed the other on his shoulder. Without thinking, he grasped her narrow waist and lifted her easily to shore. His arms were strong from constant work and she was light as air.
“There you go.” He didn’t release her and she didn’t step away.
Like frog song, the evening air pulsated around them. Blood rushed in Jace’s ears like a windstorm. He held on, though common sense said to release her. She was ashore now and steady on her feet. She wouldn’t fall.
“This has been…wonderful,” she said, her voice barely a murmur.
“For me, too.” Maybe the best day of his life. Certainly one of them.
He wanted to ask her to come back again. He wanted to tug her close and hold her, maybe even kiss her. Instead he gazed into trusting blue eyes and knew he didn’t deserve her trust. He was a lie she didn’t know about.
“Jace?”
He swallowed, throat thick. “Yeah?”
Her small fingers dug gently into his shoulder. If she moved them an inch, she would feel the ridges of his scars.
“I never expected to want to spend time with a man other than Dave.”
God help him.
“You should go.” Unable to trust himself another minute, he dropped his hands from her waist and started off toward the house. “I’ll walk you to your car.”