Chapter Four

As Kat surveyed the contents of the letter, she felt a flood of what could only be described as acute disappointment. It was pathetic really. How silly to be disappointed that Jake had dropped his estimate off early this morning, when he must have known she wouldn’t be there. Even more stupid to be disappointed that he hadn’t enclosed a letter or note along with the estimate. Nothing personal. Nothing addressed to her, specifically, except the envelope. Even that he’d written out to Miss Kingsway. Inside she’d found a neat sketch of the suggested climbing frame, an overall cost, and a comprehensive breakdown of how he’d arrived at that cost. Without doubt the quote was very professional, which should have impressed her. How sad then that she’d foolishly hoped for something a little more personal.

Looking at the cost, she saw it fell within the ball park of her budget. A little over, but very reasonable when she considered what it included, which was beyond anything she’d been expecting. He’d even managed to figure in a mini zip wire. She would bet a month’s salary on who had given him that idea. Her daughter would be delighted. Reaching for the phone, she started to dial his number to let him know she wanted to go ahead, but something stopped her. Perhaps she was being as childish as the schoolgirls under her care. No perhaps about it. She was. But she didn’t want to appear too keen. It might be business. Certainly he’d made that aspect very clear, but still she decided she should wait. After all, she was a busy head teacher. Ordering a climbing frame for the school wasn’t on her list of priorities. At least it shouldn’t be. She’d call him at the end of the day. At least wait until after lunch.

****

Jake didn’t think of himself as a coward. Cautious, guarded, careful, unwilling to take risks. All those he would hold his hand up to, but not cowardly. He had justified dropping the estimate off first thing this morning, before the school opened, as being sensible. Getting his chores over and done with early so he could focus on the creative side of his business for the rest of the day. If he was honest with himself, however, his act had little to do with common sense. Kat Kingsway scared him. Hell, he even thought of her as Kat now, which just went to show him how badly he was being sucked in.

Of course, to be accurate, it wasn’t Kat herself that scared him, but rather her effect on him. Last night he’d dreamt of making love to her. Peeling off her slim-fitting skirt, ripping open her silky blouse. He’d woken up in a hot sweat, enormously aroused. That was when he’d decided to drop the estimate off early. The very last thing he’d needed was to see her again, dressed in those very same clothes.

And now, as if all that wasn’t bad enough, he’d spent most of the morning hovering by the phone, hoping she would ring. Of course he was working, sanding down wood, carving out designs, but he knew it was with half an ear on the phone. It irked that she made him feel like this. He’d thought those days were over. The thrill of attraction, the fog of lust. Not being able to think about anything other than when he would see the lady again. Planning what to say, how to make his first move. He’d been there and done that with his wife and had no expectation of ever going through it again. No expectation of ever feeling that way for another woman ever again. Yet here he was, almost foaming at the mouth, wondering how he could lure the pretty headmistress over to his house, and into his bed. Christ.

The phone rang, jolting him out of his fantasy. He took a deep, calming breath before answering it.

“Holroyd.”

“Jake, it’s Kat, from the school.”

As if he needed the clarification. The soft voice had caught him by the balls at the first use of his name.

“Did you get the estimate?” he asked, then slapped his forehead. Where had his social skills fled to? Even he could usually manage a how are you?

“Yes, I did, thank you.”

As if she’d be ringing about anything else. “Is it in line with your expectations?”

“Yes, it is, so I’d like to go ahead, please. When do you think you can start work on it?”

Jake mentally flicked through the other projects he had ongoing, though he knew full well that whatever they were, he would work on them in the evening rather than delay this one. “As soon as I can get my hands on the wood, I can start. Have you thought what timber you’d like?”

“Timber? Oh, my goodness, no.” There was a pause, and he could almost see her laughing at herself. “To be honest, I haven’t got a clue what one piece of wood is from another. Perhaps you could decide.”

All at once Jake the man with the raging libido took over from Jake the quiet carpenter. “If you’d like to come over to my workshop today, after school, you could look at the options.”

The silence at the other end was deafening. He ran the words through his head again. Come to my workshop to see my wood. Shit, it sounded like the euphemism want to come up and see my etchings. Or worse, now he thought about it. “Bring Molly too,” he added hastily. “She seemed to have a lot to say about the climbing frame. Maybe she’d like to choose.” He hoped to God he sounded like a considerate workman, and not a desperate Lothario.

“I’m sure she would. I’ll try and get over. When do you close up?”

“Whenever I feel like it. The workshop is next to my house, so I’ll be in one or the other when you drop by.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later then.”

He put down the phone, surprised to find his pulse racing. There was no pretending otherwise. He was that teenage boy all over again, trembling with anticipation at the thought of seeing the girl he fancied. However, unlike when he’d been a boy, all keen and eager, now he wasn’t quite sure what to do about the crush. There was no doubting what he wanted to do. Equally there was no doubting what he should do—leave well alone. But could he?

****

Kat didn’t know what she’d expected, but it wasn’t the impressive looking place she drove toward. She’d have to have a word with Jake about the pothole-ridden road that led to it, however. It might be all right for his truck, but her little sports car wasn’t happy.

Parking outside what she presumed was a converted barn, she took her time getting out of the car, partly to settle herself because she was feeling embarrassingly jittery about seeing him again, and partly to take in the surroundings. Near to the barn were some stables, and something that looked to be his workshop. Slowly she stood, smoothing down her skirt, and wondered where she might find him. Then the door of the workshop opened, and the man in question strode out. Wearing dusty old denim jeans and a snug dark grey T-shirt, he brushed at the wood chips in his hair as he made his way toward them. In a flash Molly left her side and rushed up to him, chatting away ten to the dozen.

Kat found herself grateful for the distraction. It gave her some time to settle her hormones. God, but he made a sexy picture. The hot little romances she loved to read often described the hunky hero appearing sweaty from his work, toned muscles rippling under a tight T-shirt, causing the heroine to swoon with lust. Now she knew exactly how they felt.

“It’s beautiful,” she managed to croak, nodding over to his barn and the lush green fields that lay beyond. She could have said the same about him, too.

“Thank you.”

He wiped a hand down his jeans, and without thinking her gaze travelled to watch. The way the material spread tautly across his thigh caused another ripple of awareness. “I’ve always wondered what it must be like to live on a farm,” she garbled on, cringing inwardly. She was about to do what she always did when she was nervous—talk too much. However, short of putting a fist in her mouth, she couldn’t find a way to stop. “Of course I wouldn’t want the responsibility of any livestock. Molly will tell you, I find it hard enough to look after her, never mind a herd of cows or sheep. But still, it must be so peaceful living right out in the middle of nowhere. Being able to look out of your window onto luscious green fields...” Finally she drew breath. At least long enough to see that he was looking at her quizzically, as if he’d never seen a woman prattle on quite so much. Probably he hadn’t.

“It has its moments.”

She let the breath out on a sigh, and wondered if her incessant chatter wasn’t at least in part her way of making up for his lack of conversation. “Shall we look at the wood?” she asked finally.

It was going to be better all round to keep the visit brief. Focus on the reason she was here and keep her interest in the rest of his life well under wraps. Admittedly that was going to be hard because, frankly, the last thing she wanted to do was look at a few planks of timber. His home and its contents, now that would be far more interesting. Even better, a peek at what lay under his T-shirt…

As Jake and Molly led the way back to the work shed, she allowed herself to wonder about him. Was he a man of simple tastes, as she suspected, or did he cram his home with artefacts and sumptuous furnishings? Had he done the work himself? Was the barn all floor-to-ceiling wood? Her gaze drifted unconsciously to his tight denim-clad behind. Was his bed made of wood?

“The different types of timber you can have the frame made from are over here.”

Mentally she slapped herself. Focus, Kat, focus. Thank God for Molly, who followed after him in earnest, showing all the interest she so clearly lacked. Interest in the timber that is. She didn’t appear to lack interest in the man himself. Quickly she caught up with them.

“Should we choose simply on appearance, or do we have to consider other things?” she asked, keen to get in a sensible question so it didn’t look like she’d only come here to nosy at his home. Or ogle his backside.

“All timber has slightly different properties, but what I’m showing you here is high-quality wood suitable for a climbing frame such as yours.” He handled the various planks as he spoke. “There is the Scandinavian redwood, the spruce, and the more traditional pine. All of them are strong and durable timbers, so the frame will be built to last. I only use the best grade timber. It’s more expensive, but it’s less prone to splitting and can be sanded smoother so the children won’t go home with splinters.” He stopped suddenly and gave an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. I doubt wood is on your top-ten list of fascinating topics.”

It wasn’t, but as his eyes warmed, Kat acknowledged that if Jake was talking about wood, it might just sneak in there. The guarded, cool expression he usually wore had vanished. He seemed friendlier. So much so that she found herself smiling back at him. “How do they grade timber?”

Momentarily his eyes twinkled, as if he knew she was only asking to be polite. “Much of it is down to the knot count. The higher the count, the lower the grade of wood.”

She nodded, as if this was something she talked about regularly. “And when it’s finished, will we need to treat it? You know, to preserve it.”

“I’ll make sure I treat the wood before I build it. I use a non-toxic preservative that is made especially for children’s equipment.” He paused and put a thumb through the belt hole of his jeans. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I didn’t think otherwise.” She let out a short breath and turned away, thinking what a shame it was that his alter ego, Mr. Cool and Touchy, was back once again. “Well then, Molly, which wood do you think would look best?”

Molly ran her eyes over the planks. “I like that one.”

Jake followed the direction of her finger and went to lift up the chosen wood, his biceps flexing as he drew it down onto the workbench in front of them. “Pine. A good choice, and by far the most popular wood for climbing frames. Is that what you’re going to go with then?”

Molly grinned in agreement and turned to look at her mother.

“It looks like it,” Kat replied, bending down to kiss Molly’s head.

“How long will it take to make?” Molly asked breathlessly, her eyes dancing. Kat wondered if Molly was starting to see this whole project as hers.

“Well, it will take a few days to order in the wood and the other various bits and pieces. I should be able to start toward the end of next week, and have it finished a few weeks after that.”

Though he’d been addressing his reply to Molly, he looked up when he’d finished to check with her.

She found herself drawn to his smoky grey gaze. “Great.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own. It was deeper, huskier. “We’ll get the old one removed in the meantime.”

As they walked out of the workshop, Molly pointed toward the field. “Mr. Holroyd, are those your horses?”

Jake looked toward the grazing animals. “Three of them are, yes.” He smiled down at her. “Are you a horse fan, then? I guess most girls are.”

For a fleeting moment a shadow seemed to pass across his face. Kat glanced at Molly to see if she’d noticed, but her daughter was far too intent on the animals in the field.

“Could I see them? Please?”

“Molly, I’m sure Mr. Holroyd has better things to do than show you his horses.” The haunted look was still in his eyes, and Kat was desperate not to outstay their welcome. “Perhaps another time.”

As Molly’s face crumpled in disappointment, Jake seemed to pull himself together. “Now is as good a time as any. I was thinking of finishing up and the horses need to be brought in.”

“Really?” Molly’s eyes were like saucers. Kat knew there was no way she could drag her away now.

Jake looked down at her daughter and flashed a rare smile. “Yes, really. Come with me. And you’d better call me Jake. Mr. Holroyd makes me sound very old.” He nodded over at Kat. “We won’t be long. Do you want to come with us? If not, you’re welcome to let yourself into the house. Make us all a drink.”

Though his words were delivered with his usual straight deadpan expression, Kat was sure there was a hint of humor in his eyes. Even if there wasn’t, she wasn’t about to turn down his offer. Her daughter was being given the chance to indulge her passion for horses. Kat figured it was only fair she took the opportunity to peek into his barn and indulge her passion for nosiness. No, that sounded terrible. She preferred to think of it as having a healthy inquisitive nature. “I’ll wait inside and make the drinks. What will it be?”

“Tea. Strong enough to stand a spoon in it.” He waited a moment, caught her stare, and rather sheepishly added, “Please.”

“Come on, Jake.” Molly pulled at his arm. “Show me which horses are yours. Is one of them the big black one?”

Kat watched as her daughter took hold of Jake’s hand and walked with him toward the field. She’d have to have a word with her about that. Molly was far too trusting. She didn’t want to think of her daughter holding hands with any man who drifted temporarily into their lives. Funnily enough though, when she thought it over, she couldn’t actually recall Molly ever being so forward with someone who wasn’t family. It looked like she’d taken a shine to Jake. Like mother, like daughter. With a despairing laugh, she left herself into his house.

****

From the road at the bottom of Jake’s drive, Wade sat in a borrowed black car. Hunched over the steering wheel, he dragged out a pair of binoculars and focused in on the barn. A little to the right and yes, there was his man. Frowning, he let the binoculars fall on the other two figures. A woman with a smiling face who made her way into the barn as if she owned the place. A pretty little girl who looked up at Jake with something that looked like adoration.

Anger, hot and painful, flashed through him, and he gripped at the binoculars. He’d hoped to find the bastard in some dive, washed up and living a shriveled existence. Yet here he was, Lord of the bloody manor and with another woman and another flaming kid.

Slowly he lowered the binoculars and fought for calm. This wasn’t so bad. In fact, this could be perfect. He’d bide his time. Keep watching. Didn’t all things come to those who waited?