CHAPTER FIVE

Dan adjusted his tie for the hundredth time and ran his hand through his hair. He wasn’t used to wearing a tux, but Anna had insisted he rent one for tonight’s fashion show. The thought of watching models parade around in the latest designs for two hours didn’t inspire him at all.

He could have kissed Emily when she’d given him a job, and would have if her fiancé hadn't been standing a few feet away. It didn't pay to mess with a three-time World Bull Riding Champion, and Emily's fiancé just happened to be one.

A low wolf whistle filled the hospital corridor. “Don’t you look nice?”

Dan felt a blush hit his face. He’d known Julie Gilbert for years. They’d gone to school together, dated a few times, then went their separate ways. She’d ended up marrying the captain of their high school football team, raising four kids and working as a nurse in pediatrics.

“You know I hate it when you make me go red,” he grumbled.

“And you know how much I enjoy it.” Julie laughed.

He kept walking, worried that someone would poke their head out of a room to see what all the fuss was about. He’d promised Kaylee he’d stop by after he’d changed into his tux. As long as he stayed clear of Julie, he’d be able to make a quick getaway before anyone else saw him.

He frowned at the half-closed curtains around Kaylee’s bed. Usually at this time of the afternoon she liked everything wide open. That way she could talk to the people visiting other kids in the ward.

A shriek of laughter from her bed had him moving quickly. He grabbed hold of the edge of the curtain and would have yanked it back if he hadn’t heard Kate’s voice.

“Don’t eat it. You’ll get me in trouble with Doctor T.”

Two different giggles drifted beyond the curtains. He took a step sideways and kept listening.

“It smells kind of salty,” a little boy said.

“That’s because it’s from the beach,” Kaylee said with awe. “Real sand, Toby. I bet your mom and dad would like to see it.”

“Can I take some back to my room?” Toby asked. “I promise I’ll be careful.”

“That’s why I brought two containers. One for you and one for Kaylee.”

Dan quietly pulled the curtain back. Kaylee was sitting in the middle of her bed with Kate on one side and Toby on the other. The two kids had been inseparable since they’d met. They’d found a friendship that went beyond their years and Dan could only be grateful for the distraction they made in each other’s lives. Especially when things got bad.

“Uncle Dan,” Kaylee shrieked. “Look what Kate brought. It’s sand. Real sand from her beach.”

A big bowl of sand had been placed in front of Kaylee and someone had made a small sandcastle. He glanced at both kids’ catheters and tubes, hoping like hell nothing made it into their lines.

“It’s okay,” Kate said. “Nurse Julie gave us the all clear before we started.”

“She taped us up good,” Toby said.

“And we’ve got an extra blanket on the bed to stop any spills from giving me a rash,” Kaylee said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Nurse Julie said it would be worse than bed bugs.”

“It’s good you listened to Nurse Julie.” Dan nearly smiled at the two solemn faces nodding back at him. He felt Kate’s gaze wander over his suit and settle on the bow tie at his neck.

“I like your tuxedo.”

Her softly spoken words heated him from the inside out. He pulled at his tie as three pairs of eyes cruised over his body. “It’s for the fashion show. Kaylee and Anna chose everything from the store’s website.”

“We got a red bow tie because mom said Uncle Dan wouldn’t wear pink.” Kaylee leaned across to Toby. “Pink is my favorite color.”

Toby squinted at Dan. “Where’s your badge.”

Dan liked the way Toby thought. He pulled his wallet out of his jacket and flipped the front cover open. “Here it is. I brought you both something.”

He stuck his wallet in his pocket and passed Kaylee one of the plastic bags he’d been carrying.

She squealed with delight. “They’re beautiful. Look, Toby.” She held the two dolls outfits up for Toby to see.

One dress was pale pink, with a frilly skirt and lots of gold stitching. The other was blue with sparkles. The lady in the toy store said they’d fit Kaylee’s Cinderella doll, so he’d taken her word and bought both.

“I thought you could have your own fashion show in the hospital with your dolls.”

Kaylee smiled at him and Dan knew it had been the right thing to buy. He was looking forward to seeing what Toby thought of his present.

“Here you go, Toby.” Dan handed him his bag.

Toby didn’t rush like Kaylee had. He opened the bag slowly, glancing up at Dan before looking inside. Excitement and something more shone from his eyes. “A police wallet and handcuffs. Wait till I show dad.”

Dan watched Toby’s face as he opened the wallet.

“It’s a badge, just like yours.” Toby’s mouth dropped open. “And it’s got my name on it.”

The smile on the little guy’s face left a lump in Dan’s throat. Both kids had been through so much that it was a wonder either of them could smile about anything.

He looked across at Kate. It wasn’t the wisest thing he’d ever done. She had tears in her eyes and a smile on her lips. Spending time with Kaylee and Toby could do that to you. Some days he came away from pediatrics so full of emotion that he didn’t know what to do with himself.

Kate kissed the side of Kaylee’s face and stood up. “I’ve got to go now. All of the models will be arriving soon to get their hair and makeup done.”

“Thank you for the sand,” Toby said.

“That’s okay. Just be sure and tell the nurse when you want to play with it.”

Toby nodded and went back to admiring his badge.

Kate stood up and walked around the bed. “You did good, Uncle Dan. I’ll see you at the fashion show.”

Then she kissed him. On the cheek, in front of Kaylee and Toby. His heart rate hammered and his blood pressure went berserk. The slow smile on her face burned through to his soul and he knew he was in trouble.

He watched her leave the ward and wondered if he’d gone crazy.

“Uncle Dan…” Kaylee’s voice snuck through the fog clouding his brain. “Can you take a photo of Toby and me?”

Dan nodded and reached for his phone. Right now he needed any distraction he could find. Nothing was going to happen between him and Kate. And as long as he remembered that, everything would be fine.

 

***

Kate dipped her brush into a container of bright blue glitter and quickly applied it to a model’s face. She glanced at the photo on her laptop and gave the butterfly design one last inspection before flicking to the next image on her screen.

Kate knew how fickle some fashion designers could be, so she’d asked Molly to photograph each model’s face at the dress rehearsal. Last night she’d put together a folder of each model’s makeup, in the order they’d appear on stage, and given a copy to each of the stylists.

“You’re done, Celeste.” With her fantasy makeup complete, Celeste rushed off to the side of the stage. Ten girls stood in line, waiting for the music that would cue their arrival onto the runway.

Another teenage girl sat in the empty chair. “I’m Casey. Number fourteen.”

“Hello, Casey. Number fourteen.” Kate smiled at the young girl and found her photo on the laptop. Without wasting any time, she picked up a tub of white powder and began another transformation. The teenager quickly turned into a Marie Antoinette lookalike, complete with a dark beauty spot and bright red lips.

Kate darted across to a table and grabbed a big white beehive wig. With more speed than finesse she jammed it on the model’s head and smiled. “You look amazing. You’re all ready.”

As the teenager hurried across the room, Kate took a moment to enjoy the billowing peach skirts and ribboned corset of her dress. The fantasy section was her favorite part of the show. With woodland nymphs, Egyptian goddesses, and hobbits standing alongside butterflies and eighteenth-century noblewomen, it was a beautician’s dream come true. Especially for Kate.

She turned to the woman sitting in the chair in front of her and smiled. “Are you ready to become a fairy princess?”

Tess rolled her eyes. “I’m six foot tall in stockings. I should have been a tree trunk, not a fairy.”

“A very pretty tree trunk.” Kate laughed as she added extra color to Tess’ face. “I saw you in the rehearsal. If you ever want to change careers, you could be a professional model.”

Tess’ cheeks turned pink. “Chief cookie cutter and waitress turned model? I don’t think so.”

“Try successful business woman and entrepreneur. Anna told me Angel Wings Café is a big success.” Kate added black eyeliner and a dusting of glitter to Tess’ face. With her high cheekbones, porcelain skin, and beautiful almond shaped eyes, she was stunning.

Kate took another look at the picture on her laptop. She grinned at the seriously embarrassed fairy princess sitting in front of her. “You’re going to glow when you hit the runway. The organza skirt on your dress is beautiful.”

“As long as I’m not glowing from embarrassment, I’ll be fine. Wait until you see my wings. Emily didn’t have them ready for the rehearsal, so cross your fingers I don’t crash into someone.”

Tess held still while Kate brushed fuchsia pink lipstick on her mouth. After watching Tess saunter down the runway at the rehearsal, Kate seriously doubted she’d bang into anyone. Even with twice as many models crowding the platform, Tess had an elegance and grace that drew every eye in the room.

“Go get your wings, Ms. Princess. Just watch out in case there’s a handsome prince sitting in the audience.”

Tess shook her head. “Not going to happen. I’m all kissed out after the frogs I’ve been dating.” She looked toward the front of the stage when the music changed. “Gotta go. See you after the show.”

Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Tess was her last model. She could pack away the makeup, grab a coffee and relax until the end of the show.

She turned back to her makeup station and nearly leaped out of her skin. “Where did you come from?”

“We haven’t got time for questions.” Dan grabbed her hand and pulled her toward a set of stairs at the back of the stage. “You need to see the show before it finishes.”

“But I’m supposed to be looking after the makeup. What if someone decides to walk off with Loretta’s cases?”

Dan didn’t stop. He opened a door at the bottom of the stairs and shoved her into a narrow corridor. “I’m the Deputy Chief of Police. I’ll track them down and arrest them.”

Kate’s high heels clicked against the wooden floor. “Where are we?”

“Service corridor. All of the food from the kitchen goes along here to the main ballroom.”

“You’re wasted in the Police Force. You should be looking after the President.”

“Too much pressure,” Dan muttered as they walked through another doorway and into the ballroom.

Everything looked more polished, more professional than it had at yesterday’s rehearsal. Over two hundred and fifty people had bought tickets for the fashion show. They sat in their seats, looking spellbound by the magic Emily and Flavio had created. The lights dimmed and the last of the models wearing the maternity range left the stage.

“I can’t believe it looks so good,” Kate whispered to Dan.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he whispered back. They stood at the back of the room, waiting for the next group of models.

The sound of a harp filled the room, then music as soft and soothing as a lullaby drifted over the sound system. Kate had seen the dry ice machine pump clouds of white mist into the room at the rehearsal, but it hadn’t looked as spectacular as it did tonight. Spotlights softened, dimmed to an ethereal glow.

A horn sounded in the distance and the first of the fantasy models stepped onto the stage. A collective sigh rippled through the audience. Kate couldn’t take her eyes off Celeste as she opened her butterfly wings and drifted down the runway. Her purple and orange wings glittered under the lights. It created the perfect backdrop for the short satin gown with silk flowers sewn along the neckline and waist.

“Whoever did her makeup should get an Academy Award.”

Kate smiled. “You’re biased.” Dan moved closer and Kate felt his body heat through her cotton dress.

“Why do you say that?”

“You want me to stay in Bozeman. You think flattery will get you everywhere.”

“Is it working?”

“Could be.” She laughed at the smile in Dan’s eyes. “Why are you standing here with me? I thought you were supposed to be on crowd control.”

“I got promoted to ticket collector when someone called in sick. Everyone’s seated, so I’m off the hook for the rest of the night.”

The gleam in Dan’s eyes sent warm tingles through Kate’s body. She glanced back at the stage and tried to ignore the man standing beside her.

“Is that Tess?” he asked.

Kate looked at the model on the runway. Tess looked beautiful. The chiffon and silk dress she wore was almost transparent. The long skirt flowed behind her, rippling along the runway. But it was her wings that caught at Kate’s imagination. They were only slightly wider than Tess’ body and moved backward and forward in time with her unhurried steps. She looked as though she was walking on air.

“Tess’ a fairy princess,” Kate whispered. “Emily designed her costume.”

Dan didn’t take his eyes off the runway.

Kate frowned. “It’s a pretty dress.”

“Huh?”

“I thought police officers were supposed to be cool, calm, and collected?”

Dan looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Tess. You know she’s single, right? You could ask her out on a date.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. It could have something to do with the fact that you’re drooling.”

“I am not.”

Kate looked around the room and saw other men with the same stunned expressions on their faces. “I’m surrounded by hormonal males,” she muttered.

“And you’re not?”

“I’ve never been a man and I’m not hormonal,” Kate said proudly. “I’ve got a career to think about. I don’t have time for men in my life.”

Dan looked horrified. “Not even one?”

Kate wasn’t going to answer him. She thought she might have had time for one man, until he started drooling over Tess. “I’ve got things I want to do with my life. Places I want to see.”

“Name two cities better than anything you’ll find in Montana.”

“We’re supposed to be watching the fashion show.”

“I told you I was right.”

The smug note in Dan’s voice annoyed her. She had to think fast. Her mom kept talking about Australia, so she had a safe bet with a city there. “Brisbane. Lots of sun, clear blue ocean, and white sand.”

“Sounds like California.”

“Paris. Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and…snails.”

“Shh.” A lady sitting in a back row seat turned and glared at them.

Dan leaned in close. “Snails…is that the best you can do?” His voice whispered in her ear and left goose bumps on her neck.

“It’s better than cowboys and cattle.”

Dan took up position by her ear again. “Depends on who you’re looking at.”

He had a point. A very good point if you included men with more muscles than were good for them and a way of moving that made a woman look twice.

She took half a step sideways. “You’ve traveled around the world three times and never managed to settle anywhere. What do you want to do with your life?”

“You’ve been talking to Anna, haven’t you?”

The finale music started. All of the models walked onto the runway with their designers. The shapes, the colors, and the spectacle made Kate smile.

Dan glared at the runway. “I moved back to Bozeman three years ago. I bought an apartment and found a great job. I’ve already figured out what I want to do with my life.”

Emily, Anna, and Tom walked onto the stage. Tom was wearing the same bright green tie he’d worn on the first day Kate had seen him. Something about his tie stirred memories she’d long since forgotten. Something about leprechauns and pots of gold.

Tom held Anna firmly against his side and Emily started thanking everyone for coming.

“There’s more to life than your job.” Kate had learned that lesson the hard way. The trick was finding the right balance between paying your utility bills and living the life you wanted.

The lady in the back row seat turned around again.

“I don’t know what her problem is,” Dan muttered. “There’s no way she can hear what we’re saying.”

Kate looked between the annoyed lady and Dan. “We’d better behave ourselves or the crowd control person will ask us to leave.”

“I heard he’s a great guy.”

“Only on good days.” Kate watched Emily hand Anna an envelope. Everyone on the stage had tears in their eyes.

After a quick glance at the woman in the back seat, Kate leaned in close to Dan. She inhaled the smell of his aftershave and went weak at the knees. “What did I miss?”

“Eight thousand dollars.”

Kate moved out of harm’s way and tried to figure out what he meant. “Did Emily raise eight thousand dollars from the fashion show?”

Dan nodded.

Holy cow, Kate thought. Emily had worked hard to make tonight a success and she knew how grateful Anna and Tom were. Kaylee’s medical insurance only paid for some of her treatment, so the money raised tonight would make a huge difference.

Dan wrapped his hand around hers and started moving toward the door they’d come through. “We’d better get out of here before everyone decides to leave.”

“What about Anna? Do you want to make sure she’s okay?”

“Tom’s with her. I’ll take you backstage and then I’m heading to their place for dessert. I’m working tomorrow, so Anna suggested I stay the night.”

Kate stumbled.

“You okay?” Dan asked.

“I’m fine.” Sharing the same house with Dan didn’t seem like a good idea, even for one night. He had a habit of getting under her skin, confusing all the logical reasons why she should leave after Kaylee’s transplant.

On the brighter side, maybe seeing him first thing in the morning would be just what she needed. He was probably grumpy and irritable when he woke up, everything that would make her forget how sexy he looked in a tuxedo.

Kate decided to focus on the brighter side and hope like crazy he wasn’t a morning person.

 

***

Kate curled her feet under her, snuggling down in one of the big comfy sofas in Anna and her dad’s living room.

Anna smiled over the rim of her mug at Kate. “The models looked amazing. Did you get to see much of the fashion show?”

“Dan came and got me near the end. I saw the fantasy section.”

“I couldn’t believe we were sitting in the Emerson Center,” Tom said. “Everything looked so professional.”

Dan came in from the kitchen holding a mug of coffee in one hand and a plate of cake in the other. Without looking at any of the other empty seats in the room, he sat beside Kate.

He held the plate out to her. “Cake?”

She shook her head. She’d have enough trouble getting to sleep with Dan down the hallway. She didn’t need a body full of sugar to add to her problems.

He passed the cake to his sister before settling back in the sofa. “How was Kaylee tonight?”

Tom put down his coffee before replying. “She was disappointed she couldn’t be at the show, but the clothes you bought for her doll helped. And she loved Anna’s photos. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow. She’ll need all her strength to get through her last round of chemo.”

“What did Doctor T say about her blood tests?” Anna asked.

“They looked all right. Her blood proteins were higher than normal, but he wasn’t too concerned.”

Dan turned to Kate. “How’s the big sister feeling?”

“I’m happy it’s nearly time for the transplant.” She didn’t know what she’d said wrong, but the smile on Dan’s face disappeared.

“I suppose you’re looking forward to going back to San Diego?” he asked.

Kate shrugged her shoulders. “I love the ocean and miss my friends. I’ve applied for a couple of jobs back home, so I’ll see how that goes.”

“When will you know if you’ve got an interview?” Anna asked.

“I should hear something in the next few days.”

“Do you have enough money to pay your rent?” Tom asked.

Kate felt Dan stiffen beside her. “My roommate’s boyfriend moved in, so they’re sharing the rent while I’m here. I’m fine with everything else.”

Anna looked between Kate and Dan. “Have you given any thought to staying in Bozeman? Your dad and I would enjoy having you here and I know Kaylee would be over the moon.”

Kate shook her head. “I need to go back to San Diego. It’s where I’ve made my home.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Dan asked.

Anna choked on her cake and spilled half her coffee on the floor.

Tom was off his feet heading toward the kitchen before Kate could uncurl her legs.

“I’ll get a dishcloth,” her dad yelled over his shoulder.

Kate took the mug out of Anna’s hands before the rest of the coffee landed on her lap.

By the time Anna had stopped coughing, Tom was back, wiping the floor. Dan hadn’t moved from the sofa. He looked so uncomfortable that Kate almost felt sorry for him.

He loosened his tie and left it hanging around his neck. “I didn’t mean…I just wanted…oh, hell. Forget I said anything.” He stood up and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll see everyone in the morning.”

Kate blinked once and he was gone.

Tom looked at Anna, then down at the soggy dishcloth in his hands. “I’d better get rid of this before it starts dripping over everything.”

Then her dad was gone and Kate was left with a slightly puzzled looking Anna.

“What’s going on with Dan?” Anna asked.

Kate didn’t know what to say. He’d been acting weird all night. Sexy weird, but weird all the same. “I don’t know. It might have something to do with Tess.”

“Tess?”

“He couldn’t take his eyes off her.” Kate could have kicked herself. The green-eyed monster had reared its ugly little head. Tess was beautiful. She had a great personality. She was intelligent, funny, and a great cook.

The more Kate thought about it, the more depressed she felt. Tess would make a wonderful girlfriend, especially if the boyfriend in question was looking for the perfect woman.

“Most of the men in the room couldn’t take their eyes off her.” Anna smiled. “She looked incredible, especially in her last dress. Tess isn’t Dan’s problem. I think you are.”

Kate took a minute to think about what Anna had said. “But he doesn’t like me. He thinks I’m going to leave before the transplant.”

“My brother has trust issues. When he went to Iraq, he was engaged to a girl he’d known since high school. It didn’t work out and he hasn’t dated much since then.”

Dan wasn’t quite as rusty at the boy-meets-girl thing as Anna thought. He’d managed to leave Kate in a tangle of tingles and she didn’t know what to do about it.

“I won’t be here for much longer.” Kate pushed her hair behind her ears and picked up her coffee mug. “I’d like to stay in contact, maybe visit again in a few months time, but I can’t live here.”

“Just remember our invitation. Our home is your home.”

And that, thought Kate, was what family was all about.