As soon as Grey stepped away, Kit realized why he had backed off. One of these times that they started with a kiss, they wouldn't end with a kiss. And with his sister waiting in the back yard...
She asked, "How do you feel about parties?"
He shrugged. "I haven't been to any in a while. Why? Are you planning one?"
"Yes. My living room furniture is supposed to arrive on Friday and I'm throwing a bash to celebrate on Saturday. It's casual. Eric and Maggie will be here and co-workers from Sunrise. You met some of them when
you came to The Music Box.
Are you interested?"
His green gaze darkened with desire. "I'm very interested. A party sounds like fun."
The idea of Grey meeting her friends pleased Kit. Trent had always backed off. The more people in her life, the more questions they'd ask about him and his business dealings. Unfortunately, she hadn't asked enough questions or analyzed his answers closely enough. Hence, her caution with Grey. Yet the voice of caution was getting softer and softer and she realized trust was beginning to grow.
***
Late Friday afternoon, Kit stood in her living room and closed her cell phone, angry with the distributor who hadn't gotten her furniture to the store, angry with the store because they hadn't informed her about the delay before today. Now she had a party planned and no furniture. Lovely.
Suddenly she thought of Grey. She'd been thinking of him a lot, day and night, even in her dreams. Particularly in her dreams. Deedee had kept her distance Monday evening but her sullenness had lessened. Grey had dropped over Tuesday and Thursday and they'd played bocci in Kit's backyard, exchanging kisses for every point scored. That had been his suggestion. She had to smile thinking about it...the temptation...the anticipation.
But now she was thinking of Grey for practical reasons as she dialed the store.
Grey himself answered. "Are you calling to ask for a rematch?" he teased. "I think you still owe me for a few points."
"I paid in full, Corey. In fact, I think I'm paid up through the next three games."
He laughed. "Then we'll have to switch to another game. Are you free tonight?"
"I have to get ready for the party and that's why I'm calling. My living room furniture never arrived. The store's telling me it's delayed until next week. But everything else is set for tomorrow night. I wondered if you might have a display table and some folding chairs. They won't look as good..."
"I have tables and chairs. But they might look better outside. What if we put up a canopy or two and had an outside bash? I have strings of lanterns we can hang around the edges."
"I was planning to let everyone spill outside because of the hot weather, but your idea sounds terrific. I'll be glad to pay you for the lights, renting the tables and the canopies..."
There was silence for a moment. "No payment, Kit."
"But..."
"Can't I do you a favor? After all you've done for the store?"
"I get paid for the work I do at your store."
"I think we've gone past public relations expert and client, haven't we?"
He was right. She always did her best for her clients. But in the case of Corey's Hardware she wanted the store to succeed as much as he did. "Yes, we have. I'll accept your favor."
"I'll be over tomorrow morning to put up the canopies and the lights. Is eight too early?"
"Eight is fine."
***
Saturday morning, Grey set up the canopies while Kit washed and cut vegetables, made dozens of small sandwiches, and mixed dips. It was ten thirty, when he came into the kitchen, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That sun's getting hot."
Kit took a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator and poured him a glass. "Here you go."
He lifted the tumbler and drank. Kit watched his neck muscles, admired his tan, and remembered the strength of his body, the curling chest hair, his flat stomach. He'd look great in anything. Or nothing? a little devil inside her asked.
She put the tea in the refrigerator. "Would you like to stay for lunch?"
He set the empty glass on the counter. "I'd like to, but I can't. I have to get back to the store. I'm short-handed this morning. Larry isn't coming in until three and I told Gus I'd be back by eleven. Do you want me to come early this evening to help you set up?"
"Eric and Maggie are coming around seven thirty. You can come whenever you'd like."
Grey stepped closer to her, lifting her chin with his knuckle. "I'd stay here all day if I could, but thanks to you, one person in the store on Saturday isn't enough. You could give me something to get me through the day, though, and something I'll remember until tonight."
"And what would that be?" she asked breathlessly as his arms came around her.
"This," he murmured as his lips found hers.
Kissing Grey was becoming as natural as breathing. She fit against him so perfectly, his hand felt so right as it urged her closer. Welcoming his tongue, she tasted lemon from the tea, felt the damp heat from his morning's work, and inhaled his scent that could intoxicate her if she let it. For a few moments, she let herself be swept away.
But she could still hear that soft little voice in her head that whispered, You don't know him very well. Be careful. Bracing her hands on his chest, she gently pushed back.
Grey accepted her nonverbal signal. Backing away, he gently stroked her cheek. She could see the pulse at his throat beating as rapidly as hers.
"I'll see you tonight," he said, his voice husky.
She nodded, knowing her words would be shaky if she tried to speak. When he left her kitchen, she knew her feelings for him were getting serious. Very serious.
Was she ready for that?
***
Saturday evening around nine, with the party in full swing, Kit refilled the pretzel basket and checked the potato chips. She noticed Grey standing by the porch with Bruce, deep in conversation.
"Greyson Corey is much sexier than Trent Higgins."
Kit knew the voice before her gaze swept over the svelte red-head who worked in the office next to hers. Natalie Richards could make honey drip from her mouth if she wanted to woo a client. But her tongue could cut mortally if that same client or a co-worker displeased her. Kit stayed away from the woman as much as she could, but because of propriety, she'd invited her along with everyone else at Sunrise.
"He's more than a client, isn't he?" Natalie asked with a knowing smile.
Kit shrugged. "Grey's become a friend."
"I saw that kiss in the kitchen when you went in for more soda. It looked like more than friendship to me. Do you think that's wise when you're handling his account?"
"My wisdom or lack of it is really none of your concern." From experience, Kit knew exchanging barbs with Natalie would serve no earthly purpose.
Natalie took another more exacting look at Grey then offered, "I'd be careful if I were you. He could be attentive because he's interested, or because you'll do a better job for him if he is. You wouldn't want to get used again."
"Natalie, I'd suggest you try a sandwich and give your mouth something to do. It might keep you out of trouble."
As Natalie narrowed her eyes for a comeback, Kit moved away and plucked a can of soda from the cooler on the ground. Straightening, she popped the top but looked deep into the night rather than sipping it.
"Don't let her put doubts in your head about Grey."
Kit's hand went to her chest. "Eric, you startled me."
Her brother-in-law casually leaned against the end of one table, crossing one foot over the other. "That's because you were too deep in thought. Anyone who listens to that woman for a minute can tells she's a
—
"
"I know what she is. I have to work with her."
Eric pushed his hands into his pockets. "Grey is what he seems."
"I had the wool pulled over my eyes before."
"Kit, you have got to stop comparing every man you meet to Trent Higgins. You look for a hidden agenda. Grey doesn't have one."
Kit swirled the soda can around in her hand. "I'd like to believe that."
"Would you? Or are you more interested in protecting yourself from getting hurt again?"
Despite the run-in with Natalie and wrestling with her own doubts, Kit smiled. "I can always count on you to ask the tough questions."
"What else is a brother-in-law for?" Eric pushed up from the table and slung his arm around Kit's shoulders. "I understand there's a CD player on the porch. Let's put on some music and get this party jumping."
Grey spotted Eric and Kit as they approached the steps. He'd watched Kit with all types of men tonight
—
friends, co-workers. He'd recognized the appreciation and admiration as their gazes passed over her turquoise knit top and shorts. Rob showed lots of appreciation. It was obvious he was interested in more than looking.
Grey had been gripped by an entirely new feeling
—
jealousy. He couldn't remember ever feeling that with Susan. It made him realize his interest in Kit was going far beyond friendship, maybe even far beyond hormones.
Was he ready for that? Was Deedee? There was only one way to find out. He needed to get Kit and Deedee together again.
***
Sunday afternoon, Grey's hand brushed Kit's as he handed her the napkins. His fingers held hers for a long moment and he smiled.
To remember they were on a picnic so she and Deedee could become friends, Kit focused on the food in the picnic basket. But as she looked up into Deedee's wary and interested gaze, she knew she had a ways to go in gaining Grey's sister's confidence. Although Deedee had enjoyed Kit's butterfly garden and made friends with Byron and Keats, it was clear she was uncertain about Kit's relationship with Grey.
Today she'd stuck to him like the proverbial glue, insisting on sitting next to him in the truck while managing to keep at least an inch between herself and Kit in the close quarters of the cab. Kit wasn't the only one afraid to trust.
Yet she was hopeful. She and Deedee had connected on their love for animals, and Deedeeb s had promised to go with Kit on her next visit to the pediatrics unit at the hospital. Common ground. They could start with that.
"Deedee, would you like a turkey sandwich or fried chicken?"
"Both," the young woman answered with certainty.
Grey chuckled. "I don't know, Dee. We have potato salad and pickled eggs, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Can you manage all that?"
"We have fresh strawberries for dessert, too." Kit winked at Deedee. "They're healthier than cookies."
Deedee looked from her brother to Kit. "Grey likes cookies."
Kit smiled. "Yes, he does. That's why we bought them. Do you like fruit?"
"I like bananas on my cereal."
"What about strawberries?"
"They're okay."
Kit shrugged. "You can have whatever you want. That's why we brought so much so we'd be sure to have something you like."
Deedee cocked her head and stared at Kit for a few moments, considering what she'd said. Then she decided, "I want a chicken leg first."
Grey put a plate on the blanket in front of her. "A leg it is."
Deedee didn't look at Kit while she ate but directed all of her comments to her brother. Kit understood what the young woman was doing. She believed that if she shut Kit out, Kit would get mad and walk away. What she didn't know was that Kit never backed down from a challenge.
She spoke to Deedee in the same tone in which she spoke to Grey with no trace of annoyance. "Deedee, has Grey told you I'm helping him bring more business into his store?"
"He said you were a friend."
"I am. But I'm helping him with the store, too."
Deedee looked to Grey for confirmation, and he nodded.
Kit crossed her legs under her and balanced a plate on her lap. "We're going to have a special day soon to let everyone know what a great store Corey's Hardware is. Would you like to come and help us?"
Her interest piqued, Deedee brought her gaze to Kit's. "Help do what?"
"I need someone reliable to serve punch to all the customers. You'd
have
to fill the cups and hand them out. Would you like to do that?"
Deedee glanced at the cup by her plate which held lemonade. "I like to help Grey."
"We'll have to find out what your schedule is at work," Grey remarked and Kit couldn't tell if he was pleased with her suggestion or not.
After a few moments when everybody concentrated on their food, Deedee set her piece of chicken on her plate and said to her brother, "Tanya says I have to ask you something."
He plucked an egg from the plastic container. "What?"
"Can I go camping?"
Lowering the egg slowly to his plate, he asked, "With Tanya?"
Deedee shook her head vigorously. "No. With the guys at work
—
Jenny, Winston, Monica and Mark."
After a long pause, he responded, "I don't know, Dee."
"Where are they going camping?" Kit asked, as she watched Grey's expression become concerned.
"Gettysburg. Jenny says we can cook our supper over the fire, and toast marshmallows, and go hiking. I want to go, Grey. Can I?"
"I don't think it's a good idea, Dee."
Deedee's eyes widened and her mouth trembled. "Why? I can sleep in a tent with Jenny and Monica. In a sleeping bag. I never did that. Please let me go."
Kit could see Grey's struggle though she didn't understand it. "It sounds like fun. When are they going?"
"Friday. After work. But Tanya said Grey has to say yes."
He pushed his plate aside. "I can't say yes, honey."
Kit watched tears well up in Deedee's eyes. "Grey, maybe..."
"Stay out of this, Kit. You have no idea what's involved."
Stay out of it? Stay out of what, his life? The food on her plate suddenly lost its appeal and her appetite vanished. She couldn't challenge him in front of Deedee because she didn't want to make the situation worse. Yet... She felt very much as she had when she was a child and her father gave her mother an order. Kit hadn't kept quiet then, either.
"So why don't you tell me what is involved," she returned, not letting him close her out that easily.
His brow arched and the nerve in his jaw worked. "We'll discuss it later."
Kit looked at Deedee and her woebegone expression and felt she had to go to bat for her. "I think Grey needs to find out more about the trip."
Deedee's face brightened. "You can talk to Jenny."
Grey gave Kit a dark look. "All right. I'll talk to Jenny. But I'm not making any promises, Dee. A camping trip can be dangerous. I don't want you going somewhere where you might get hurt."
"I like going different places," Deedee said with a pout.
"I know you do. But I'm not sure a campground is a good 'different' place. Maybe I can take you camping sometime."
"I want to go with Jenny," she pronounced stubbornly.
Grey almost looked hurt and Kit realized he hadn't let go of his sister. He was afraid to let her live her own life if he wasn't there to protect her.
The mood of their picnic took a decided downturn after that. Grey tried to get Deedee excited about playing a game of catch, but it was obvious she had one concern on her mind. When he dropped her off at the group home, she asked, "Are you going to talk to Jenny?"
He sighed. "I'll talk to her tomorrow. Okay?"
"Call me after."
"I will."
Kit slid out of the cab so Deedee could climb out. Grey's sister was half way up the walk when she turned around and said, "Bye, Kit."
Kit smiled. "Good-bye, Deedee." She wanted to say she'd see her again soon, but she didn't know what would happen once she and Grey were alone.
It didn't take long to find out.
Grey's jaw was set, his focus directed straight ahead as he drove to Kit's apartment. The silence would have lasted longer but as soon as he switched off the ignition, Kit said patiently, "Say what you're thinking."
"It's better if I don't."
"Afraid you'll hurt my feelings?" She was determined to have him speak his mind instead of brooding or treating her like a stranger.
He turned toward her, his expression more pained than angry. "That's exactly what I'm concerned about."
"I'd like to know what's bothering you rather than guessing about
it.
"
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You don't realize what's involved in Deedee's life, what she can and can't do, the type of supervision she needs."
Kit sat deep in the seat, wanting to touch him, but realizing he might not like what she was going to say. "I realize that you're probably as protective now as when she lived with you. Maybe more so. You said yourself you let her move into the group home so she could become more independent. Independent means making decisions, choosing activities, going places without you."
Frowning, he stared out the windshield. "She can choose activities and make decisions within limits. And when she goes somewhere she needs looking after."
"She doesn't want to go camping alone, Grey," Kit reminded him reasonably.
He whizzed his hand in front of the steering wheel. "None of the people she works with are over twenty-five. They don't realize she acts before she thinks. They don't know her
—
"
"They work with her. Of course, they know her."
Turning toward Kit again, he placed one hand between them on the seat, the other on the dashboard. "Working with her in a confined place where she has definite duties is not the same thing as a camping trip. And I wish you'd kept your thoughts to yourself."
Kit stared at his hand so close to her, yet felt the distance of his attitude even more poignantly. "You said as much."
He raked his hand through his hair. "I've been dealing with Deedee most of my life. You just met her."
Her gaze locked to his and for a moment she wanted to agree with him, to dissipate the tension. But she wouldn't. "You're right. But maybe because I just met her, I can be more objective than you. Maybe I can see the situation from Deedee's point of view."
"And what's that?" he asked gruffly.
"What did you tell her when she went to live at the group home?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering. "I told her I wouldn't think about her any less now that she wasn't living with me, that I loved her, that in the group home she could learn to do things that other adults did by taking more responsibility for herself, by making friends, by trying things she'd never tried before."
"So a year later she takes turns making meals, she has a job, she's made friends, and now she wants to go camping with those friends. It seems to me she's doing exactly what you wanted her to do," Kit pointed out.
His green glare bored into her. "The people who take care of Deedee at the home understand her capabilities, her fears, her strengths and her weaknesses. I never would have trusted them with her care otherwise."
"And now maybe it's time to trust her and what she's learned."
He was silent a moment, then said firmly, "You don't understand."
"Oh, I think I do. You don't want to let go."
"That's your opinion," he snapped, shifting away, removing his hand from the seat, removing himself from her.
"Yes, it is," she returned softly. Grey's posture was rigid, his hands gripping the top of the steering wheel. She knew they wouldn't enjoy any more of the day together, not with this between them. But her heart pushed her to ask, "Do you want to come in?"
He looked at her then, his eyes hard, shuttering his thoughts from her. "I have yard work to do. The grass is getting high."
"Sure." She sighed and slid toward the door. He made no move to stop her.
Kit walked to her front door, wondering who would make the next move, which of them would have the courage to try.