Chapter Eight

Engines rumbled in the driveway. Katrina peeked through the sheer curtains. The remaining workers were leaving, climbing into their trucks and backing out of the driveway as the wipers swished the down-pour of rain from the windshield at high speed.

Katrina tilted her head from shoulder to shoulder. She sat tall in her chair and stacked the last file on the corner of her desk. She smiled, pleased at a job well done, not to mention in record time. After Katrina completed Nick’s bookkeeping, she organized his paperwork in file folders and labeled each one. She had even purchased a legal-sized box, hoping he would approve of a new filing system.

The microwave buzzed—another purchase from yesterday’s shopping spree with Frankie. Katrina lifted the lid of the casserole dish. Steam escaped, filling the room with the aroma of tomatoes and cheese. She set the table for one and poured a glass of wine.

As she went to sit, she heard a sharp rap on the door that made her jump. She glanced through the kitchen window. Nick stood on the porch, his hair and jacket dripping in the rain. She ran to the door. “Get inside before you blow away in the wind.”

“Thank you.” Nick shook the rain from his jacket. A waterfall of drops rippled onto the doormat. “You mentioned this morning that you might have my paperwork done?” He glanced toward the table and his mouth tightened. “I’m sorry. I’m interrupting your supper. I won’t keep you.” He turned toward the door.

No, don’t leave. Katrina tugged the sleeve of his wet jacket. “I haven’t started eating yet. Would you like to join me?” Please say, yes.

“No, I don’t want to intrude.” Nick inhaled and glanced around. “Although something smells delicious.”

“Lasagna, compliments of Frankie. There’s more than enough, and I’d love the company.” Butterflies danced in her belly.

“If you’re sure?” His brow rose.

Spend the evening alone, or with Nick? Hmm, decisions, decisions. She walked to the table and pulled out a second chair. “I’m afraid I don’t have any beer. Will a glass of wine do?” Without waiting for an answer, Katrina retrieved another glass from the cupboard.

“Sounds good.” He shrugged out of his jacket, hung it on the hook by the door, and joined her at the table. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Everything is ready. I bought a microwave yesterday, and Frankie supplied me with enough food to last a week.” Katrina set another plate on the table and scooped a large spoonful of lasagna on Nick’s plate. “I only have a small fridge and now the door barely closes.”

He laughed. “When I first moved here, I spent most evenings dining on fast food until I met Thomas and Frankie. She spoiled me rotten by supplying me with home-cooked meals.” Nick chewed a mouthful of noodles and then wiped his mouth with the napkin. “Speaking of spoiling, what’s up with your tea and coffee? My men are hooked. They refused to drink the coffee I bought this morning.”

“Tea and coffee are my company’s specialty. I brought along a full box of samples, and I’ve been sharing them. My preference is the herbal and white teas, while Frankie enjoys the hot tea with lemon juice and sugar.” She smiled as she always did when bragging about her company’s product. “Dean and the guys like the Masala lemon in roasted cumin powder, lemon juice, black salt, and sugar, which gives a tangy, spicy taste. You can also add honey, mint, whisky, or brandy.” Why was she listing ingredients? Gram always said I babble when I’m nervous.

“Brandy? Now you’ve captured my attention.”

Katrina’s cheeks warmed as Nick’s lips swept up in a devilish grin.

During the meal, they chatted about the renovation and then Nick insisted on drying the dishes. They retired to the living room with another glass of wine.

He peered out the window before sitting on the sofa. “The rain is still coming down pretty hard out there.”

Katrina flicked the switch on the table lamp and the one on her desk, filling the small room in light. She picked up the new filing box and placed it on Nick’s lap.

His eyes went wide. “Wow, you didn’t have to go to so much trouble. But thank you.” He opened the lid and flipped through the folders. “This is great.”

She was delighted to see his big smile. “Everything you’ll need for your audit is in there. I don’t foresee any issues, but if there are, give the auditor my number.”

Nick placed the box on the floor. “You helped me out of a tight spot. I really appreciate the time and work you put into this.” He reached in his back pocket and grabbed his wallet, slipping out a few bills. “How much do I owe you?”

She flinched. Ouch, that hurt. Her help was out of friendship. She pushed the money into his hand. “Nothing. I was happy to help and if there’s anything else I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.” She gazed into his brown eyes. “A long-lasting business relationship must be based on trust. Please know I would never do anything to jeopardize you or your company.”

Below furrowed brows, he narrowed his stare. “Damn! Frankie told you.” He stood and walked to the door, grabbing his jacket off the hook.

Katrina followed and yanked the jacket from his hands, throwing it over the back of the nearest chair. “Please, don’t blame Frankie. She didn’t want to tell me. I gave her no choice.”

After a hard stare, he strode to the sofa and downed the remaining wine in his glass. “So, you know all about my mess, thanks to my own stupidity.” Nick placed the empty glass on the table and then ruffled a hand through his hair.

She loved the way his hair fell effortlessly back into place. “You’re not to blame for something you had no control over.”

“But I should have known or sensed something.”

Katrina sat and tapped the spot beside her. “Do you want to talk?”

“There’s not much to tell.” He joined her on the sofa. “I’ve always wanted to run my own business, so after university I started an architecture firm. A few months later, a good friend of mine contacted me and suggested I merge my business with his construction company. His business wasn’t doing great, but he convinced me that together our companies would be successful.” He shook his head. “We were doing well, until he robbed me of my money, my business, and my woman.” After scrubbing a hand over his face, Nick leaned against the pillow. “I was left with several outstanding contracts, overdue suppliers, and a crew looking for their paychecks. A few of the guys stuck around and helped complete the jobs. The humiliation was overwhelming. I emptied my entire savings account to pay the crew.”

Katrina’s heart sank. She laid a hand on his arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I think you’re an amazing man. You went through a difficult misfortune, and where many would have given up, you moved forward.”

He chuckled. “That’s kind of you to say, but I don’t deserve the compliment. I walked away from everything, hoping I could start over. But the debt caught up and now I’m struggling to stay ahead.”

She wanted to wrap her arms around his shoulders. Would comforting him be so wrong? She held back, sparing her already erratic pulse. “You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Starting over isn’t easy, yet here you are.”

He lifted his head from the pillow and stared straight into her soul.

Heart racing, she bit hard on her bottom lip to control her spiraling insides.

“You’re an angel sent from heaven.” His gaze floated from her eyes to her lips. “Your renovation project will save my business and clear my financial trouble. I can start fresh. I don’t know why you were so insistent to hire my company, but I’m glad you did.” One of his hands caressed her cheek while the other slipped into her hair. Nick leaned forward.

His breath warmed her face and his spicy cologne teased her nostrils. A breath escaped her lips. He’s going to kiss me. Katrina anticipated Nick’s kiss, willing the contact to happen. She closed her eyes as his lips gently touched hers.

A violent noise crashed overhead, vibrating the walls.

Katrina jumped off the sofa. The cabin went dark. A flash of light was followed by another loud boom of thunder. The lights in the cabin flickered on.

Nick glanced around the room. “Do you have any candles?”

“I bought a few yesterday.” She pointed to a box of candles sitting on her desk.

“Better get them ready.”

A flapping noise echoed in the wind. He rushed to the window and pushed aside the curtain. “Damn, the tarp has come loose.” He shrugged his jacket over his shoulders.

Katrina grabbed his arm. “You’re not thinking of going out there?”

“I have to. The wood will get soaked and take days to dry.” Nick left the cabin and ran across the yard.

She raced to the kitchen window. The sky lit up and another boom filled the air. Rain poured down, creating large water puddles in the driveway.

Nick managed to secure one side of the tarp just as the wind blew off another corner.

Without a second thought, Katrina grabbed her coat and opened the cabin door. Rain slapped her face. She flipped the hood over her head and slammed the door behind her. A quick flash of lightning illuminated a path toward Nick.

****

“What are you doing out here?” Nick held a rope in one hand and the tarp in the other. The opposite corner of the tarp snapped loose and flapped wildly in the wind. “Go back inside.”

“You can’t do this by yourself. You need my help.”

Stubborn woman! He clenched his jaw and pressed his lips in a tight line. No point arguing. Determination flashed in her eyes with each burst of light from the sky.

“Your ‘I’m-a-man-and-can-do-everything-myself act’ is getting tired.”

The wind flipped her jacket hood off her head. The heavy rain poured over her hair and down her face.

She fastened a hook and ran to the other end of the woodpile. “I’ll hold this end, while you secure yours.” In her fist, she grabbed the end of the tarp.

Nick laughed, blinking the water droplets from his eyes. “You’re one crazy woman!” The dark night sky exploded in light and angry outbursts of thunder. He secured his end of the tarp and ran to the other side, winding the rope around the tarp and fastening the hook. Nick checked Katrina’s corners, which were both tightly fastened. “Good job.” He was genuinely impressed.

Water soaked through his jacket, chilling him to the bone. He grabbed her wet hand in his and ran toward the cabin. Each footstep landed into a gulley of water, splashing his pants. Once inside, Nick joined in Katrina’s laughter. They dripped from head to toe. He ran a hand over his soaked face.

She wiggled out of her wet coat, hanging it on a hook, and then held out her hand.

“I should get going. Thank you for dinner and for the work you did on my bookkeeping.”

Katrina tucked a strand of hair, clinging to her cheek, behind her ear. “You’re not going anywhere tonight. You’ve had a few glasses of wine.” She pointed to the empty wine bottle on the kitchen table. “And the roads will be treacherous.” She disappeared into her bedroom and returned with a plush white robe. “This one is a little big and might fit you better. Get out of those wet clothes, and I’ll hang them over a kitchen chair. You can sleep on the sofa tonight.”

At the thought of spending the night in the tiny cabin—so close to Katrina—he couldn’t fight how his breath caught in his throat. “I appreciate the offer, but I should go.”

“Be as stubborn as you want. You’re not going anywhere.” In a flash, she flicked her gaze to his truck keys on the kitchen table. Jumping forward, she grabbed them and slipped them into the pocket of her jeans.

Nick’s stare wandered to the damp, V-neck T-shirt she wore. Could he remain a gentleman and resist the temptation standing in front of him? A fluffy robe hit his face.

She pointed a pink polished fingertip. “The bathroom is that way.”

“Yes, boss.” Nick chuckled and stepped into the bathroom. He removed his wet shirt and pants before slipping his arms into the robe, which ended above his knees and just below his elbows. Shaking his head, Nick secured the belt ties tight at his waist. He fluffed a towel over his head and then ran a hand through his hair.

Nick walked into the kitchen and flicked the switch on the hotplate, placing the kettle on the burner. He reached for a box of hot chocolate on the counter and grabbed two mugs from the cupboard. The kettle whistled just as Katrina emerged from her bedroom.

At the sight, Nick gasped. She wore a silky pink robe—short and body fitting. He couldn’t draw his gaze from her long, tanned legs. Did she sense the magnetic charge in the air, too? He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I thought you said this robe would fit me?”

“Would you rather this one?” Her eyebrow rose.

The thought of her disrobing and swapping for his white robe made his pulse stutter. “I don’t think your robe would do me justice as it clearly does on you.”

Katrina blushed.

“I boiled some water. I thought a mug of hot chocolate would warm our chilled bones.” Not that Nick required any warming. His body temperature rose several degrees just watching Katrina step past him. The silky material brushed his hand. He held a breath, forcing his feet to remain where they were and to not walk toward her and pull her into his arms.

She placed two heaping spoonfuls of hot chocolate in the mugs, added a few marshmallows, and poured the steaming water. “I prepared the sofa while you were in the bathroom.” Katrina extended a mug.

“Thank you, for both.” He spied the fresh linens she had already laid out, including a pillow. As he sat on the sofa, Nick pulled at the hem of his robe. He glanced down at the gap between his thighs and placed the pillow over his lap.

Katrina snickered and then sat on the chair across from him. “If only my parents were around to witness my first guy sleepover in the cabin.”

“I’m honored to be your first.” Her cheeks reddened, and he realized the implication of his statement. He’d like nothing more than to be her first, but a mature woman like Katrina would have had several suitors already. The thought of another man holding her in his arms made Nick’s stomach knot. He lifted the mug to his lips and swallowed a mouthful. The hot liquid burned as it travelled downward. “This is good.” He coughed and cleared his throat.

“French Vanilla. Not everyone who comes into the cafés likes coffee and tea, so we offer alternatives. Fruit smoothies are very popular, too.”

Nick loved the way her eyes lit up whenever she spoke about her company. “You enjoy your job.”

“Guilty as charged.” She smiled. “I can’t wait to return home to begin the expansion. I’ve chosen a few possible locations here in Montreal for a With-Her-Spoon Café. Gram would be pleased.” Her smile faded, and she pressed her lips tight.

She mourned her grandmother’s passing, but Nick mourned Katrina’s pending departure. But if she was planning an expansion in Montreal, would she return to oversee the work? He knew better than to hope for what was out of reach.

The only sound in the quiet room was the echo of the rain hammering the roof.

Katrina stretched forward to peer out the window. “The thunder and lightning have moved off, but the rain is still coming down out there.”

“The storm is supposed to continue all night and then clear early morning.”

“Good, I won’t miss my jog.” She took a sip from her mug and swiped a finger across her top lip.

Nick’s gaze followed her fingertip, remembering the kiss they almost shared before the storm began.

“So…” She placed a hand over her mouth.

“So…” He reached for the blanket beside him, faking his yawn. “What a long day. We should call it a night.” A good idea, before he acted on the impulse to continue that missed kiss.

Katrina picked up the empty mugs and rinsed them in the sink. She turned off the kitchen light and the lamp on her desk. “Is there anything else you need?”

Just you. “I’m good.” Nick stretched his legs on the sofa and tossed the blanket over them. He fluffed the pillow behind his head.

“Goodnight, Nick.”

“Sweet dreams, Katrina.” He closed his eyes, thinking about the woman who had just left the room. Getting close to Katrina was a bad idea. He’d been burned in the past and wouldn’t place his heart on the line again. They’d be friends…just friends.

****

Katrina tossed and turned throughout the night. The rain continued to drum on the roof and eventually lulled her to sleep. Visions of Nick’s wet hair, damp T-shirt, and jeans clinging to his muscular legs disrupted her slumber, as did the image of the thin hair on his exposed chest when he sat on the sofa wearing her robe. Then her imagination drifted to an alternate course the night could have taken. In this dream, Nick took Katrina out on a date and insisted on driving home. The wipers slapped across the windshield, allowing only a brief view of the road. Ahead in the distance was the blur of a large truck. The vehicle lost control and crossed the road, veering straight for Nick’s truck.

Heaviness slammed Katrina’s chest. The rain poured as emergency vehicles arrived, requesting the jaws-of-life. The driver died upon the arrival of the emergency team, but the passenger, holding tightly to the driver’s lifeless hand, was still conscious. The passenger mumbled to the paramedic something about her daughter.

He scanned the backseat, finding the area unoccupied. “There’s no one there,” he said. “Was someone else with you?”

The passenger shook her head. “Tell her we love her, and we’ll always be with her.”

The emergency team snapped the door free, but the passenger closed her eyes.

“No!” Katrina flung her arms outside the blankets. “Don’t leave me!” She waved her hands in the air until they connected with something hard. She grasped the object and held tight. “Please, don’t leave.”

“Katrina.”

At the sound of a deep voice, she opened her eyes, her breaths rapid and heavy.

Nick pulled his arm free from her grip and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “It’s Nick. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

She gripped his robe, sobbing in his arms as the pain in her heart streamed through as tears. That nightmare hadn’t surfaced in years, but was now as fresh as the night the paramedic came to deliver the message from Katrina’s dying mother.

Nick smoothed a gentle hand across her back. “You’re okay. You had a bad dream.”

“I had a nightmare about the night of my parents’ car accident.” Katrina propped the pillow behind her back and leaned against the headboard. With the back of her hand, she dried her eyes.

“Do you want to talk?” He wiped a tear from her chin.

She didn’t want to remember, but the words tumbled from her lips. “Twelve years ago, my parents went out on a stormy night like tonight. They were on their way home from celebrating their anniversary.” Katrina swallowed hard, choking back tears. “The police officer said a transfer truck lost control and veered, hitting my parents’ car. My father died upon impact…and my mother soon afterward.”

“Katrina, I’m sorry for your loss.” He held her hands and squeezed. “Where were you?”

“Spending the night at Frankie’s house. We had been planning a sleepover for days. Music and a makeover, then snacks and our favorite movie.”

“What movie did you watch?”

She found his question odd, but forced a smiled, grateful for his effort to comfort her. “Grease. I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve watched that movie. We absolutely adore John Travolta. One of my bedroom walls was covered in posters of him.”

“Olivia Newton-John sure was a beauty in that movie.” Nick’s brow rose.

Katrina’s thoughts drifted. “My mother was excited to go out for dinner, because they rarely did. I helped her get dressed that evening. She had bought a new dress and shoes. I did her hair and makeup. We had so much fun.” Katrina smiled, remembering her mother’s laughter when Katrina applied eye shadow on her mother’s blinking eyelids. “They had gone to the opening of a new restaurant downtown, owned by one of Dad’s friends. Mom called me from the restaurant before they left. I could tell by the sound of her voice that they were having a good time.” At the memory, she swallowed hard.

“The storm wasn’t meant to hit this area until the weekend, but arrived early.” She stared down at her hands, enjoying the warmth of Nick’s fingers between hers. “My mother said they were getting ready to leave before the storm worsened. She then said she loved me…and that was the last time I talked to my mother.” Tears clouded her vision.

Nick gathered Katrina in his arms.

She closed her eyes and leaned against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart and breathing in his musky scent. “I knew something had happened before the police came. I sensed the grief. Frankie’s parents insisted I stay with them until Gram arrived. The day Gram brought me home to pack my things, a paramedic, who was on the scene of the accident, stopped by the house. He said he had a message from my mother.” Katrina inhaled a breath. “The paramedic said my parents were holding hands.” Their love was strong to the very end. A tear ran down her cheek and onto Nick’s chest.

Silent, he stroked her hair.

“The service was held a few days later and directly after, Gram and I left for Paris.”

“You haven’t been back until now?”

“No.” She sniffed. “And I’ve never talked about my parents’ death, not even to Frankie.” To remember was always too painful.

“We’ve both been hiding from the real world for so long. Maybe we were destined to meet in order to help each other heal.”

If only that were true. “My situation is different, Nick. You locked yourself away, but you were strong and started over. Almost overnight, I went from a carefree teenager to an adult.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. “I moved on from the outside, but on the inside, I still hide the pain, just as you do. We need to stop holding back. Act first—think later.” His stare held hers. He opened his mouth to speak and then stopped.

Her stomach fluttered in anticipation.

Nick bent his forehead to rest on hers. “Don’t think, just enjoy the moment.”

Katrina wet her lips with her tongue and then met Nick’s advancing lips. His kiss was light at first, soft and exploring. She leaned on the pillow, and he tilted his head, taking the kiss deeper. Her fingers gripped his robe. He threaded his fingers through her hair.

Don’t be a coward, tell him the truth! Katrina struggled with the nagging voice in her head. He deserves to know, but I’m afraid of losing him, too. She dismissed the gnawing apprehension. Enjoying the moment, she relinquished control, sighing in surrender, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She descended into a depth of fever she’d never known before.

Nick moved, opening the space between them.

Missing the warmth of his body, she snuggled close, fighting the shivers running down her arms.

He nibbled her bottom lip. His head drooped forward.

Strands of his hair tickled her cheeks.

“I should return to the sofa,” he whispered, sliding a finger along her jaw.

“I think you’re right.” She didn’t want to stop kissing Nick, but she couldn’t take advantage of his kindness. She awoke from a nightmare and he comforted her. That’s all she would allow herself to believe. Even if something sparked inside.

He leaned in for one last lingering kiss. “Goodnight, Katrina.” Nick straightened and walked to the door. He winked and then flicked the light switch.

“Goodnight, Nick.” Katrina pulled the blankets to her neck. She breathed in the lingering musky scent of Nick. The corners of her lips curved into a smile as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.