Keeping Guard, page 13
“I’m going to go talk to them in a minute, see if there are any updates.” He stepped away, his heart thumping uncontrollably. He liked being near Kylie. Probably too much. Which meant he needed some space before his heart got him into trouble. “Do you need anything?”
“Nope. Not a thing.”
Nate walked into the dining area and opened the front door. Water, probably a foot high, still stood on the street. Thankfully it stopped right before it reached the stoop of his restaurant and remained outside. The last thing he needed was the inside of his restaurant flooded.
At least the gushing from underground had stopped, he reasoned. That had to mean some progress was being made. The city crew had a machine drilling into the asphalt. The supervisor walked toward Nate when he stepped outside.
“So, what’s the update?” Nate had to shout to be heard over the machinery.
“Water should be back on in a few hours. This street will be closed at least until Monday, though. Those pipes down there are old. It’s gonna take some time to get them replaced properly. Probably should have been replaced years ago. We’re working as fast as we can to resolve the situation, sir.”
Nate nodded, then made his way back inside. Kylie whipped up something in a metal bowl as he passed. He tried to pinpoint the mouthwatering scents swirling around him…garlic, parsley, Kylie’s sweet perfume?
He shook the thought away and went to his office. He had to look at his books one more time. At his desk, he pulled them out and settled them on top of his desk calendar. The numbers blurred together. He rubbed his eyes. Focus, Nate. Focus.
He did a few calculations and ran some numbers before sighing again. He wasn’t seeing things. A weight that felt heavier than rescuing a wet, three-hundred pound man from the ocean pressed on him.
At this rate, he’d be bankrupt by next year.
He put his hand on his throbbing forehead. Why had this situation turned into such a nightmare? He’d hoped being in the restaurant would make him fall in love with it. Instead, the opposite had happened. He only disliked it here more and more every day.
His only hope seemed to be the man who’d called him today, interested in potentially buying the place. But was Nate really ready to sell?
A picture of his father on the shelf above his desk stared down at him. He kept the photo there to remind him of how much his dad had loved this place. Seeing it reminded him of the sacrifices his father had made in order to give him a good life.
Wasn’t that what love was about? Sacrifice? Isn’t that why he kept this place open, even though working here made him miserable?
Kylie drifted into his mind. What she would say if she knew he was talking to a buyer? She seemed so loyal to her family and to her values. She’d probably never understand why he was tempted to sell.
Little did she realize that Nate had no desire for wealth or status or even a trophy wife, for that matter.
That was probably why Deanna had left him. She’d wanted Nate to be someone he wasn’t. Why hadn’t he seen that earlier?
He knew one thing—he’d never fall into that trap again. Her whining, her constant mini-emergencies that were anything but emergencies, her insecurity. Sometimes it took a bad relationship to make you realize what you wanted in a good relationship.
He needed someone strong and independent, who didn’t care about worldly things as much as she cared about the heart.
Kylie stuck her head into the doorway, the worry from earlier today gone from her eyes and replaced with lightness. “Hey, Boss Man, it’s time for lunch.”
He stood, closing the books before Kylie caught a glimpse of what a mess the restaurant was really in. “It smells great.” He stretched. “And you don’t have to call me Boss Man. In fact, please don’t.”
She smiled. “Got it. And I’m glad it smells good. I made one of my favorite dishes. All my viewers seemed to really like it also, which makes it even more satisfying to me.”
He followed her to a table in the dining area that was elegantly set for two. He pulled a chair out for her, feeling a bit as if they were on a date. She gingerly sat and he lowered himself across from her. Before him was a large bowl of pasta and a colorful salad.
He looked at the artfully arranged food. “Now, what exactly is this?”
“I call it Salmon in a Net.” She smiled. “It’s just some blackened salmon with linguine in a lemon butter sauce. The salad is called Florida Fields. It has cranberries, walnuts and a few other secret ingredients.”
Everything smelled delicious. After praying, he dug in. The food truly was good. Really good. Everything tasted fresh and hit different parts of his taste buds. Kylie watched him a moment.
“You like it?” Kylie chewed on her lip in what appeared to be anxious anticipation. Did she really care what he thought of her dish? Delight rushed through him at the possibility.
“Like it? I love it.”
She smiled—beamed, actually—and then picked up her fork to eat. A moment later she cleared her throat. A serious expression stretched across her face, one that it appeared she tried to conceal but did a poor job of. “So Nate, have you ever considered trying out a few new recipes here? Your menu has been the same for quite some time, from what I hear.”
Nate swallowed his food and wiped his mouth as he absorbed her question. “New recipes? What’s wrong with the ones we have?” People—his regulars—came into the restaurant because they had favorite dishes they liked to order time and time again.
Kylie tilted her head. “What’s wrong with them? Nothing, I suppose, but—”
“Why fix what’s not broken, then?”
She paused a moment, as if in thought. “May I speak openly for a moment, Nate?”
“Please do.”
“I think you could do so much more with this restaurant, Nate,” she said.
He offered a slight nod. “Go on.”
“The crab cakes you serve, for instance—they’re frozen. Do you realize how much better they would taste if they were fresh? It wouldn’t be that much more work and it could make a huge difference. And you get your fish from a wholesale club. You should buy them fresh, utilize some of the local fishermen who get their catfish from the river right here in front of the restaurant.” She pointed toward the windows. “Or how about the outside of the place? I bet patrons would love it if you set up some café tables with little umbrellas. They would eat here just so they could sit outside and enjoy the view.”
Just listening to her suggestions somehow made Nate feel weary. “All of those ideas might work in an ideal situation, but this is not an ideal situation. There are other things at play with running this restaurant that you don’t understand, Kylie. I’m barely hanging on here. You have no idea.”
Her hopeful expression fell slightly and she drew in a deep breath. “I just think you could go from barely hanging on to being a great success. I’m not an expert, but I am passionate about food and about restaurants. And this place could be so much more. You need more staff. You need staff that care. You need to give up some of your responsibility—”
He shook his head trying in vain to hide his frustration. “I can barely afford the staff I have. I don’t think you have any idea what’s it’s like when I have to do payroll every week and I go in the red, or when I have to pay the bills for the restaurant out of my savings.” He paused, his gaze set on her. “I like the restaurant. I really do. But it just isn’t working. This just isn’t working. And it never will.”
Kylie dropped her hands. Was he talking about the restaurant or her? Either way, it was clear that she had no place here. She had to keep her distance—from the restaurant and Nate.
She stood from the table and placed her napkin beside her plate. “I’ll be out of your hair soon. I’m sorry my being here has been a headache to you.” She hurried toward the kitchen, grabbed a dish towel and began wiping down the counter.
“That’s not what I meant, Kylie.”
She whirled around. “That’s exactly what you meant, Nate. And that’s okay. I don’t like having people do favors for me. I prefer to get by on my own two feet. So it seems we’re both out of our comfort zone.”
She started to turn and continue cleaning, but Nate grabbed her arm.
“I’m sorry, Kylie. Sometimes being out of your comfort zone is a good thing. And you do have a lot of good ideas. I’ve just…” He shook his head and looked around the kitchen, feeling like a foreigner in the very place he owned.
“Given up?”
His eyes met her soft, compassionate ones. “Yeah, I guess that’s right. I’m tired of trying, yet I’m too stubborn to give up.”
Kylie stepped closer, putting her hurt feelings to the side. “Nate, this isn’t your passion. You never wanted to be a restaurant owner or cook or businessman, even. You should sell. I think that’s what your dad would want you to do.”
“You didn’t even know my father, Kylie.”
She touched his arm. “But Harvey and Darlene have told me that he was just like you. And I know you. I know if you had a son, you’d want him to be happy. I can’t imagine your father would want you to be miserable just to keep his dream alive.”
At her proclamation, the tension drained from his shoulders. His head dropped toward the floor and his hands went to his hips. When he pulled his head up, Kylie’s eyes met his. She tried to read the emotion there. Relief? Gratitude?
“You really believe that?”
She reached up and touched the stubble on his chin. “I do.” She lowered her hand until it rested on his chest.
Nate’s fingers trailed across her cheek, his touch sending electricity through her. Kylie’s heart seemed to simultaneously speed up and freeze at the same time. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Nate’s.
He looked at her lips. Then back up to her eyes. His thumb caressed her cheek.
Kylie sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. The next instant, his lips covered hers. Soft, gentle but firm. His arms circled her waist, pulling her closer. Kylie melted into the moment, enjoying the feeling of being held and protected and safe.
As soon as the kiss began, it ended.
Nate pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers, as if his emotions tortured him. Kylie could feel his heart racing underneath her hand, which still rested on his chest.
“I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he mumbled.
Kylie’s head was spinning around equally as fast as Nate’s heart raced. “Me, neither.”
Despite her words, she couldn’t seem to step back from him. Something unseen kept her grounded where she was—in his arms. Her brain told her this was a bad idea. That Nate would tell her what to do, have too much say so in her life. Hadn’t she been there before? Her relationship with Colin had turned out to be a disaster. So why was she standing here now?
“We’re a bad idea, aren’t we?” she whispered.
He pulled his head back just far enough to stare into her eyes. “Probably. But there’s just something about you, Kylie Summers…you capture my heart whenever you’re with me.”
“I’m going to be going back to Kentucky soon…” She wanted to say that she would give up her life there to be here with him. But she didn’t. She had to keep her independence. She couldn’t fall into the same traps she had before.
Nate closed his eyes again. “I know.” He kissed her forehead and then pulled her into a hug. “I’m as anxious as you are for this stalker to be caught, but…”
He didn’t have to finish. Kylie knew that he didn’t want her to go back to Kentucky, either. She’d never dreamed when she came here that she’d develop these feelings for Nate so quickly.
She stepped back and swiped her hair behind her shoulders, keeping her eyes on Nate’s chest. “We should pretend that never happened.”
She looked up in time to see confusion flash in Nate’s eyes until finally he stepped back also. “You’re probably right. It would be the best thing to do.”
Why did she feel disappointed that Nate agreed with her? Sometimes she didn’t make sense to herself. “I think I will take the rest of the day off, if that’s okay with you. I’m feeling exhausted.”
He nodded stiffly. “Of course. You deserve the time off. I’ll meet you downstairs for church tomorrow, if you’d like a ride.”
“Thanks.” She hurried upstairs and closed the door to her apartment, wishing those locks would make her heart feel equally as safe as her person.
SEVENTEEN
Nate walked back to his office, leaving lunch on the table to be cleaned up later.
What had he been thinking? One minute Kylie had infuriated him and the next moment he was kissing her.
He rubbed his temples. He couldn’t deny that he was attracted to Kylie. He’d been attracted to her from the moment he set eyes on her delicate figure and seen those beautiful brown eyes.
But was she just like Deanna? Would she waltz in, using him until another opportunity came along, and then waltz out when he was no longer useful? Kylie wasn’t like Deanna, he told himself for the millionth time. Kylie had her own cooking show back in Kentucky. She had opinions on how to make his restaurant better, knowing that she had nothing to gain from the restaurant either changing or remaining as it was. She simply offered her suggestions as a way of trying to help Nate.
He had to admit she had some good ideas. If he had the energy, he might try to make some improvements. But Kylie was right—Nate had simply given up on the place. He needed to remedy that.
When Kylie told him he should sell…it felt like a burden had been lifted from him. He wasn’t sure why he wanted her approval or why it meant so much to him. But it did.
Her words, for him, had sealed the attraction between them.
Still, she was a woman on the run. Vulnerable. In a precarious situation. He needed to give her space.
He rubbed his eyes again. Yes, it was best that they weren’t spending time together right now. But if he were honest with himself, he’d admit that he’d rather be with Kylie right now than doing anything else.
Kylie heart raced a few extra beats the next morning when she saw Nate standing at the bottom of the stairs wearing khaki pants and a crisp striped button-down shirt. He was so handsome. His hair naturally seemed to spike up before flopping in a haphazard manner. He always sported the slight shadow of a beard, and his physique was lean and trim.
She looked away before he spotted her admiring him.
She’d spent a miserable evening trying to not think about him or their kiss. But she’d been unsuccessful as the moment replayed in her head over and over again. As she approached, she glanced up long enough to acknowledge him.
Nate offered a small smile when he spotted her. He stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and averted his gaze also. He obviously regretted what had happened yesterday, too. They’d both simply given in to the moment. A big mistake.
“Hey, you,” Nate mumbled.
Kylie sucked in a breath, not prepared for the fact that hearing his voice would cause her heart to race. “Morning.”
“I’m glad you’re joining me again at church this morning. Darlene and Harvey will be happy to see you.”
At least someone will be happy to have me there.
As Nate opened the door, Kylie wanted to slip her hand into the crook of his arm, but she stopped herself. She needed to take some steps back. It didn’t help that every part of her seemed to be pulled to Nate like a magnet. They stepped outside, and sunlight greeted them. Even the wind seemed to be cooperating today, feeling balmy instead of chilly.
After a silent ride to church, they finally found a seat in the sanctuary. When Nate slipped his arm around the back of the pew, Kylie reasoned that it was out of comfort. And when she scooted closer to him, she told herself it was only because a family had slid into the pew beside them. Deep inside, she had to admit that she felt safe and protected next to Nate. The feeling was one she wanted to cling to, especially with everything that had happened over the past several months. Feeling safe was something that was hard to come by.
How would she feel when she went back to Kentucky? Her stalker would be behind bars by then. But still, she couldn’t imagine feeling protected anywhere without Nate by her side. What did their future hold, though?
Nate had probably concluded that a relationship between the two could never work, just as Kylie had. Soon Kylie would be going back to Kentucky. She’d resume life there and Nate would resume life here.
The thought was heavy on her mind for the rest of the church service.
With Kylie securely in his truck after church, he turned to her. “Listen, it’s a nice day outside. I need to do something to relieve some stress. What do you think about taking a bike ride down the Colonial Parkway?”
“I’d love it.” Anything beat staying in her apartment with only her thoughts for company.
Nate borrowed the bikes from Darlene and Harvey. They were old-style beach cruisers, but Kylie welcomed the larger seats and more relaxed ride. While Nate got the bikes, Kylie made them a lunch and packed it into a backpack.
Outside, dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, Kyle felt the sun warm her shoulders and a balmy breeze ruffle her hair. Spring was right around the corner, and Kylie welcomed the change of weather—not only physically, but emotionally also. Her heart had been in winter mode for way too long now.
Nate pointed out various landmarks as they pedaled. Their steady rhythm almost made it seem as if nothing had transpired between them yesterday. Almost.
A good number of other people had the same idea as Nate and Kylie. Large groups of teens rode together. A few people who seemed to be training for a race bolted past them, doggedly focused. Families with children on bike seats or on tricycles leisurely pedaled beside the river.
Kylie could get used to weekends like this, she thought.
They biked for an hour and a half before they found a grassy embankment to pull over at and have their picnic. Kylie welcomed the change of pace as she stretched her legs and shook out a blanket. Soon they settled on the quilt with sandwiches, fruit and bottled water between them. Kylie almost dreaded this time, because it meant conversation. Throughout the day, other things or people had distracted them from discussing anything other than church, the weather and the water main break. Even the restaurant seemed to be a taboo subject right now. So just what would they talk about?
