CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Friday hadn’t come too soon. Didi left work late again and hurried home on yet another gray day. Jake was due at her house in a scant half hour. There was no time to take care of all of those extra touches she’d wanted to make before he came. He’d have to take her as she was, a mite scratched and dented but nothing that couldn’t be smoothed out and patched up.

She raced into the house and headed for the kitchen. Next, she plopped a large pot of water down on the burner to boil, careful not to slosh water over the sides. She flipped on the oven to preheat it for the French bread, transferred the frozen chocolate pie from the freezer to the refrigerator, and fed her mewing kitty cat. Dashing to her bedroom, she changed into jeans and a lacy blouse, fluffed her hair, and applied some rosy pink lip-gloss. At six fifty-five, the doorbell rang. Jake already? “Drat.”

Shoeless and breathless, she forced herself to tread slowly to the door. With blood racing, she willed her pulse to slow and opened the door to the man she was becoming quite fond of.

He stood in her doorway with a happy smile on his face. She loved the way he smiled. He grinned at her as if she were something special. She was going to have to guard her heart, but it was nice to feel special.

“Hi, lovely lady.”

So much for that guarded heart thing. “Hi, Jake. I just got home myself, and I’ve barely thought about dinner.” As she pivoted toward the kitchen, he caught her hand.

“Slow down, Ms. O’Brien. I come bearing popcorn, chocolate-covered raisins, and two of Hollywood’s finest movies, and we have all night to watch them. What’s the hurry?”

“Good point. Why don’t we leisurely mosey on into the kitchen, and you can watch me make spaghetti? What movies did you bring?”

Jake stayed close behind her, resting both hands lightly on her shoulders. “I tried to think of something we’d both like, and I came up with two possibilities. First up, I brought a real classic. Have you ever seen Key Largo?”

“Oh, I love Bogart, and I’ve always wanted to see that one. Good choice. What’s the other one?” Didi motioned him to a barstool, grabbed a package of pasta from the pantry, and checked the temperature of the water on the stove.

“The second movie is one of my all-time favorites. Do you like Hitchcock?”

“I’m not sure. I saw Vertigo a long time ago and liked it, but Psycho was kinda unnerving.” Didi added a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt to the pot, then pulled the pre-made salad out of the fridge.

“I think you’ll like North by Northwest. It’s a masterpiece extraordinaire, Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint at their best.” Jake spun around the counter and into the kitchen. “Can I help?”

“Would you mind setting the table? Both movies sound good. I was just hoping you wouldn’t bring something like Beavis and Butthead.”

Jake shook his head and pursed his lips. “Ah. Now I see what you were up to. Asking me to bring the movies was a test.”

Didi winked at him, turned, and added the pasta to the boiling water. “Yup, and you passed with flying colors. What? Don’t teachers like tests?” She stooped to unearth a saucepan from a lower cabinet, then rummaged in the pantry for a jar of pasta sauce. “Would you rather have meatballs or meat sauce?”

“Meat sauce please, if it’s not extra work for you. Where are the napkins?”

They worked on dinner together, and Maisie watched with wide eyes and pricked ears from a barstool. The cares of the day vanished. Jake knew his way around a kitchen, and they worked with a certain playful synchronicity.

Before they sat down to the informal dinner, Didi carried Maisie to the bedroom and shut the door.

Jake lifted his eyebrows in question. “You don’t need to send her away on my account.”

She handed Jake a box of matches and two tapers for the candlestick holders on the dining room table. “Fire, longhaired cats, and meat sauce don’t mix. But thank you for saying Maisie could stay. I’ll let her out after we eat.”

Jake lit the candles, and they brought dinner to the table. Sitting down, they smiled at each other a trifle awkwardly, and the room grew silent. She wasn’t sure if Jake said grace before he ate.

Before she could say a word, Jake grabbed her hand, closed his eyes, and offered up a short prayer. “Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings, for this delicious food, and for this chance to be together. Please be with Didi and me as we get to know each other, and help us to be more like you. In your name, Amen.”

When the prayer was over, Didi sat there stunned. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined Kevin saying a blessing. She stared at Jake, but she couldn’t help it.

“What?” Jake gripped her hand tighter and grinned at her. “I can’t possibly have tomato sauce on my chin. We haven’t started eating yet.” Letting go, he picked up a piece of garlic bread and passed the platter to her.

“I’m sorry. I’m totally blown away by a man who prays.” She helped herself to some pasta and covered it with sauce. “Salad?” This man intrigued her.

“Yes, thanks. I guess we should address that subject, huh? God, I mean. He and I weren’t on speaking terms for quite a while, but we’re working it out.”

Didi eyed him again, this time with respect. “You’re awfully honest, aren’t you? I’ve known more than one person who got angry at God but few people who’d say it out loud.”

Jake blinked at her. “Well, since you complimented me on being truthful, I’ll confess I only recently started going back to church. After Victoria died, there didn’t seem to be much point. I couldn’t get anything out of the sermons, and nobody seemed to understand. I was angry…furious, really.” Jake waved his bread in the air. “How dare God take away something so precious to me? How could He let that happen? I didn’t want anything to do with a God like that, so I quit going. And I stopped praying.”

Didi chewed on a lettuce leaf. How to answer that? “You prayed just now. Are you still mad?”

“I’m still a bit confused, and I certainly don’t understand anything concerning why it happened. But life is better. I’ve been talking to Him again for a couple of weeks. He listens. It seems to help now.”

“It’s good to hear your life’s back on track.” Was she at least a small part of what was going right in Jake’s life? “It’s been over a year since your fiancée’s been gone. It must have been awful. Do you want to tell me about it?”

Jake twirled his spaghetti around his fork and crammed the healthy bite into his mouth. Was he carefully weighing his answer? The last thing she wanted to do was push him to discuss a time so painful to him. She poured some more dressing on her salad and waited while he thought.

After a bit, his gaze turned back to her. “I want to talk about it. Really, I do. But not now. Tonight’s supposed to be fun. Just you and me. Besides, I’m not the only person who’s been through the wringer. From what you’ve said, Kevin doesn’t sound like much of a prize. I’m sorry for your sake, but happy for mine.”

Didi slid the bowl of pasta back toward Jake. He’d already inhaled his first helping of spaghetti. “You’re happy for your sake that Kevin’s a jerk?”

“Yep. Less competition for me.”

Didi grinned and patted his hand. “For a quiet man, you can be very funny. You’re spot-on when it comes to having no competition. Believe me, you’re already miles ahead. Just so you know, I’ll tell you everything you want to know on Kevin and me, but I agree not tonight. We’re going to sit on that sofa, watch a good movie, and shut out the rest of the world.”

Jake picked up the pasta bowl and moved the tomato sauce closer to his plate. “Check, check, and check. You make terrific spaghetti, by the way. May I have seconds, please?”

Didi snickered. “Be my guest. Apparently, I made enough to feed an entire platoon. More bread?”

The conversation turned toward movies and lighter subjects, and after their hearty supper, Jake helped her gather the plates and clear the table. With leftovers stored in the fridge and the dishwasher loaded, they adjourned to the living room.

Jake parked himself on the couch and handed her the movies he’d brought.

After reading the synopsis, Didi handed him North by Northwest. “Why don’t we watch your favorite? I like compelling mysteries. If you could get our evening’s entertainment set up, I’ll go let Maisie out.”

When she returned, Jake had the movie in the player and the chocolate-covered raisins in a bowl. “Candy? I’m assuming that, unlike Percy, Maisie’s not interested in chocolate.”

“If it were chocolate-covered chicken, she might give it a try, but I think we’re safe.” Didi eased down on the sofa, snuggled up close, and marveled as Maisie lay down on his feet. “I think we’re both ready now. Start the show.”

* * *

A couple of hours later, the riveting movie drew to a close. With credits rolling, Jake left his arm around Didi while she tucked her feet up under her. Somehow during the movie, he’d inched nearer, and so had she. Maisie lay stretched out on the back of the couch snoozing blissfully, her nose next to Jake’s ear. As Didi rested her head on his shoulder, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d experienced that delicious sense of warmth and contentment.

Unlike Kevin, Jake was easy to be with, undemanding, unpretentious, and uncomplicated—not to mention fun. There was something about her handsome date’s caring, attentive nature that made her feel…treasured. With surprise, she realized in all the time she’d been with Kevin, he’d never shown her such love.

Jake squeezed her shoulder, yawned, and stretched his arms up over his head. “I guess I’d better go. If I get any more comfortable, I’m going to fall asleep on your sofa.”

Didi crinkled her nose and lowered her lashes. “Yeah, I guess you’d better go, then.”

“Plus, wise men should know when to flee from temptation.” Jake flashed her a goofy grin.

“Well, if it helps any, you’re a pretty big temptation yourself.” Now, where had that come from? She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Jake groaned and kissed the top of her head. “You smell like freshly buttered popcorn—an alluring fragrance if ever there was one. It’s funny. Women seem to be captivated with French perfume, when all a guy wants is a good whiff of popcorn, pizza sauce, or chocolate. Sounds strange, but I heard that interesting fact on the radio recently, so it’s got to be true, right?”

“Well, in that case, the next time I see you, I’ll dab a touch of marinara behind each ear.” Didi squeezed her ear lobes.

Jake stood and drew Didi up after him. “I’m going to take off now, before this talk gets any racier. Did you notice there were no wine spills, no emergency phone calls, and no sick puppies tonight?”

“Yep. Our first uninterrupted evening. I’ve had a lovely night.” Didi stooped to tidy up the coffee table and traipsed into the kitchen with the empty bowls. “Did I tell you I’m meeting your sister on Tuesday for dinner? I’m going to interview her on her exciting love life.”

“No, you didn’t mention it, but she did when I talked to her this morning. She’s started writing up notes on all of the slimeballs she’s had the privilege to date in the past ten years. You’re going to have a lot of material for your article.”

Didi sauntered to the hallway and grabbed Jake’s jacket out of the closet. “I’m looking forward to meeting her. She was amusing on the phone.”

“She is that. Smart too, for a sister, but don’t tell her I told you so.” Jake shrugged into his coat and pulled her toward him. “Umm…I meant to bring this up earlier, and you can say no since it’s short notice yet again, but are you busy tomorrow night? My friend Drew and his wife, Donna, invited me over for dinner, and I’m sure they’d be thrilled if I brought along a date. Knowing them, I’m betting they’d want to check you out.”

“Two nights in a row? I suppose I should say I have plans or something so you’ll think I’m hard to get, but it sounds like fun. I’d love to meet your friends.” She’d done it again. She was supposed to be taking things slower, not moving faster.

“Great. And, personally, I’d rather have a repeat of tonight, but Drew and Donna can be quite entertaining. I think you’ll like them, and I’m sure they’ll love you. Pick you up at six?” Jake tucked a few strands of hair behind Didi’s ear. She shivered at the silky stroke of his finger on tender skin.

“Sure. Uh, can I bring anything?” Didi found it hard to think clearly when he touched her.

“No, that’s okay. I thought we’d pick up a dessert on the way.”

“You were pretty sure I’d say yes, huh?” Standing this close, the spicy scent of his cologne wafted, further skewing her concentration.

“Not entirely sure, but hoping. Maybe we can see the other movie sometime next week if you’re free. Would you like to come over to my place and meet my cat?”

“Whoa, now you’re making my head spin. You’re asking me for three dates in one week?” She enjoyed teasing him. “Now you’re really going to think I’m a pushover. Well, okay then, but only because I want to meet Lucy.”

Jake bent down and kissed her gently. Twice. He groaned again. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re hard to leave?”

Not in a long time. Her mouth quivered as she hung her head. Not in a very long time.

Jake cradled her face in his hands, tipped up her chin, and gazed into her eyes. “I’m not Kevin, Didi. I won’t hurt you.” He kissed her again, soft as a whisper, warm lips pressing against hers.

As he walked out the door, he smiled at her and closed the door behind him. He trotted down the steps toward his car. She missed him already, and he hadn’t even left the yard.

She floated back into the living room. He’d left both movies on the coffee table. Didi grinned at the sight. She’d take them back to him tomorrow night. After she finished cleaning up the kitchen, she drifted to her bedroom to get ready for bed. As she reached to close the blinds, a sports car glided down the alley. Not many people in the small town of Airy Ridge had a fancy car like that—a shiny black Italian number.

Chills crept up her spine, and her scalp tingled.