Page 14 of Worth the Vow

“I’m definitely not scared of your Daddy,” Kate says, still giving me the evil eye.

“Can you teach me how to glare like that?” Sienna asks.

“Sure! It’s super easy. All you need to do is —” Kate starts, but I throw up a hand to stop her.

“That’s enough rebellion at seven in the morning, I think.”

“Afraid I’ll teach them to rise up in an insurrection against the nasty dictator?” Kate asks mischievously.

“I wanna insurrection!” Carter shouts.

“You don’t even know what that means,” Sienna says snottily.

“What’s a dictator?” Aspen asks.

“Your daddy,” Kate says at the same time as I reply, “not me.”

I sigh, rubbing my eyes in irritation. Grabbing my keys and wallet, I kiss all three kids goodbye, before stopping behind Kate. It’s minuscule, but I see a shiver dance up her spine as I lean in to whisper in her ear. “I better not come home to a coup.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they stage the coup for midnight,” she responds breathlessly.

As I walk out to my car, I set a mental note to lock my bedroom door tonight, and put a chair under the doorknob as a good measure. With Kate, all things are possible, and I should probably expect some kind of drama at midnight.

After an incredibly long day, I send the kids to play in their rooms while I enjoy a beer in my back yard. One of the reasons I bought this house was for the yard. Colorado isn’t known for having spacious lots with tons of trees, but this lot has a canopy along the property lines. It was a lovely spring day today, and the trees are only beginning to bud. April is a smorgasbord of weather, and I give thanks for warm days instead of blizzards whenever I can.

Along the side of my house, I have a hidden area that is surrounded by blue spruce trees. I’ve installed paving stones and set up a small table and two chairs. I escape here when I need a moment to unwind. Resting my head against the back of the chair, I close my eyes and breathe.

Five minutes after I sit down, I hear footsteps coming toward me, and I grind my teeth in exasperation. My kids know not to come out here unless something is really important, so this better be good.

“What?” I snap.

“Oh!” Kate shrieks. My eyes pop open to find Kate wrapped in a blanket, holding a mug, and looking delightfully disheveled. No makeup, hair haphazardly thrown into a bun, and I have to remind myself she’s my employee.

“Shit, I’m sorry, Katharine. I assumed you were one of the kids,” I confess.

“That’s how you talk to them when I’m not around?” she asks, frowning.

“No, not at all. It’s been a very long day, and I told them to give me thirty minutes out here. It’s only been about five, and I assumed someone was coming to tattle on someone else.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize you used this spot. I’ll come back when you’re done,” she says hastily, turning to walk back around the house.

“No, it’s fine. I don’t get out here as much as I’d like. This is my little sanctuary away from the chaos,” I say, motioning for her to sit in the chair next to mine. Kate carefully sits, and a waft of floral notes hits my senses. God, she smells good. Clearing my throat, I attempt to speak professionally. “Katharine, I apologize how I handled our conversation this morning. I’m glad Sienna has you to talk to.”

Kate looks momentarily blindsided before she shakes herself out of it and sits up straight. “I appreciate the apology, but you were mostly right. I shouldn’t have left you out of the loop. I’m trying to walk the line with her knowing she can come to me, but also not stepping on your toes in the process. But she’s going to have things she’ll want to speak to a woman about, Dominic. If not me, then figure out who you’d like to handle those situations.”

“I’m sure my mom can pinch hit when I need her.”

Kate looks chagrined as she shakes her head. “You know I love your mom, and I love her heart. She is an amazing grandmother to your kids. But children today are dealing with issues that her generation didn’t. Social media, cyber bullying, everyone having phones. Sexting, pictures, and videos. I don’t think your mom will know how to take on those topics. Would you be comfortable if Arianna or Hannah helped out?”

“Jesus Christ, I never thought about that,” I mutter, sitting forward and placing my head in my hands. As my elbows rest on my knees, I close my eyes and think about Kate’s concerns. She’s absolutely right. I hate that my children will have to worry about these things. I can feel my anxiety making my heart rate quicken, and suddenly a warm hand gently touches my bicep.

“You’re a wonderful father, Dominic. They’re lucky to have you. You know that, right?” Her voice is soft and genuine, and I’m taken aback at this new version of Kate. Lifting my head slightly, I peer up at Kate through my lashes, and find her gaze zeroed in on my mouth. Before my traitorous dick can join in with a reaction, I sit back, forcing Kate to remove her hand.

“I know I come off as controlling and argumentative, especially about them. But they’re the most important part of me, Katharine. If something happened to one of them, I’d …” I let my voice trail off, refusing to finish that sentence. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare to think about that.

Kate’s hand covers mine, her fingers fitting perfectly against my palm. Electricity zings up my arm as I stare at the connection. I should pull away, but I can’t. Instead, I find my hand curling around hers and gripping tightly.

“Nothing is going to happen to them, Dominic,” she whispers, scooting to sit back against her chair. I don’t respond, but bask in her presence for as long as she’ll let me.

---