Page 13 of Hers to Hold
An innocent kiss.
Well, not so innocent from where Kady stood. Her motives weren’t entirely pure, although she couldn’t take credit for the kiss. After all, Wes was the one who initiated.
She severed their connection took a step toward the door. “Well, um…I hope you enjoy the goodies. They’re amazing, by the way.”
Drew’s mouth opened wide and nearly consumed half the blueberry muffin in his hand. “Mmm. Mm-hmm.”
Laughter erupted from Kady. She’d done that very thing this morning, only over an elderberry and cheese danish. She could’ve passed out in the kitchen.
“You’re new, right?” Drew asked after an exaggerated swallow.
“That’s right.”
“Have you met my wife? The baker? I know she’s really busy juggling the show and other projects.”
Kady’s heart rate ticked up a bit, and she took a step forward. She shook her head no. “I haven’t, but I’ve been hoping to thank her in person for letting me work at the bakery.”
“You should come over for dinner. Tonight? It’s only a few of us.” He angled his head in Wes’s direction. “Wes will be there.”
Wes put a cell to his ear and turned away. “Say that again,” he said into the device.
Kady returned her gaze to Drew and smiled politely. “I wouldn’t want to impose—”
“It’s not an imposition. The more the merrier. If you really want to experience Kat’s cooking, come to dinner.”
Kat’s grin deepened. This meeting couldn’t have gone better if she had orchestrated it herself. Her boss wanted her close to the Callaghans. If she asked the right questions at dinner, all her suspicions about his campaign contributions could be confirmed. Or, at least, she’d have more to investigate; enough information to placate Yates for the time being.
“I’ll be right there,” Wes said a little louder. Deep lines etched into his forehead and around his thinned lips. “I’m sorry, Drew. That was my daughter’s school.”
Kat’s lower jaw dropped.He has a daughter?
“She sick?”
Wes shook his head. “Didn’t show up.”
Drew groaned. “You gotta be kidding me. Again?”
Wes’s shoulders dropped. “I’ve got to get her and take her to school.” His eyes flitted up to Kady’s before quickly looking away. “Thanks, again, for this. He gestured toward the boxes of treats. “Excuse me.”
Without meeting her gaze, Wes rounded her and exited the trailer. Kady’s eyes helplessly followed his form. Her spine lost some of its stiffness. Wes was going to be a dinner guest. The man had a daughter. How could she deceive him now?Well, I won’t have to use him anymore. I can just go right to the source.
Tension eased from her chest. She straightened and faced Drew with a bright smile. “Dinner sounds lovely.”
Chapter 6
Loose paint chips rained onto the ground as Wes banged on the townhome door belonging to his ex. He lifted his chin and shouted, “Caroline!”
His eyes scanned the faded yellow door and he shook his head.She said she was going to have this painted!She’d even suggested the color: teal. To stand out in the neighborhood and up the resale value of the home. As it stood, the three bedroom, two bath townhome still had a drooping gutter, a missing shutter off one of the second story windows, holey screens on the front-facing windows, and the door…
Wes had offered to paint the home himself, for the sake of his daughter, Chastity. He hated that she had to get off the bus everyday and walk into this rundown home. Wes fisted his hands as self-loathing bubbled to the surface. If he could only get better, then she could stay with him. What could he do to prove to Caroline that he could handle more than overnights and weekends?
With a huff, Wes looked at his watch. He’d been standing on her doorstep for at least three minutes. Where was she? And where was his daughter? The school noted she wasn’t on the bus and neither had her teacher received any notice that she wouldn’t be in class that day. Calls to the home went unanswered.This school is expensive. She can’t miss these classes.
He wrinkled his nose and searched for the source of the pungent smell that irritated him further. He found it; a white bag off to his right, in front of the garage door. Flies circled furiously, some already milling about on the bag. Were they searching for a way in? It stunk like feces.
Wes hadn’t been successful at convincing Caroline to get rid of both the cat and dog she only barely managed to support. Wes bought all the food and took them to the groomers when their hair became too long or matted—if he saw the pets. Caroline had a habit of keeping them outdoors. Out of sight, out of mind. Were they even still living in the home?
At the sound of the sliding deadbolt, Wes let out a heavy breath.Finally.The door cracked open and a familiar pair of brown eyes greeted him.
