Matching her stride, he fell into step with her. “Hey there.”
Her eyes flashed a genuine greeting. “Hi yourself.”
“Successful day?” He gestured to the briefcase.
“Amazing. I sold much of what we had out and took special orders for dozens of others.”
She shook her head in awe. “It’s just been great.”
“I know how to make it even better.”
She paused and turned toward him. “Oh, yeah?” A smile pulled at her lips.
After their serious conversation the night before, he’d deliberately kept things light between them and judging by her welcome now, his tactics were working. Instead of running scared, she was moving closer.
He wanted her closer still. “Did you ever make out at a drive-in movie?” he asked her.
Her lips pulled up in a smile. “Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure, why?”
“Tonight’s the annual slide show. It coincides with the sidewalk sale every year. They turn the football field into a makeshift amphitheater and recount town history. It’s not the most exciting thing to see but everyone shows up anyway. And I just happen to know a secluded place with the best view. Want to be my date?”
“You’re not working?”
“I’m officially off duty and all yours,” he said, leaning closer.
“I like the sound of that.”
Her voice dropped a husky octave and he liked that even more. But before he could concentrate on tonight, he had something he needed to discuss with Kendall. “I stopped by my mother’s this morning on the way to work.”
“All cleaned up from the party?”
He nodded. “Except the stack of gifts left over. I had no idea that everyone who showed up last night brought presents.” He felt ridiculous accepting gifts for his birthday and he wished he could return all of them.
All except one. He pulled the collar of his shirt down slightly to reveal the thin black piece Kendall and Hannah had made for him. He wasn’t a jewelry kind of guy, but this wasn’t a typical piece of jewelry. It was masculine and unobtrusive enough to make him comfortable wearing it. But most importantly, the necklace was a gift from the heart, Kendall’s heart.
“You like it?”
The hesitancy in her voice surprised him. When it came to her work, she was confident or so she’d seemed as he’d observed her from afar all afternoon. He hadn’t wanted to interrupt or cause her to lose a sale. The more successful she became in Yorkshire Falls, the better for him.
“I like it and you.” He stepped closer, bracketing her between him and the brick wall of the nearest building. His body reacted, something she obviously didn’t miss because a low moan escaped her throat, turning him on even more. “I need to thank you properly.”
He treated her to a wicked grin. “After all, my mother raised me to be a gentleman.”
“She also raised you to take this sort of thing behind a closed door.” Raina’s distinctive voice and chuckle broke the seductive spell he’d begun to weave.
“Oh, God.” Kendall ducked beneath his arm.
Dammit. He’d wanted Kendall excited and anticipating the evening to come, not distressed and mortified. “Hello, Mother,” he said through gritted teeth and stepped aside to let Kendall gather her composure.
“Hello, Rick.” Raina smiled. “Kendall.”
“I thought you were home resting,” Rick said.
“I was. Then Chase wanted to snap a few last-minute photos and I begged him to take me along for a quick trip to see the sale. I haven’t missed one yet and didn’t intend to this year either.”
“And now that you’ve seen and been seen?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll go home and rest up for this evening of course.”
Rick shot her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. She was going out again this evening?
“There’s nothing unhealthy about sitting on a blanket with a doctor by my side.” Raina blushed but squared her shoulders as if daring him to argue that point. “Will you and Hannah be going to the show?” she asked Kendall, obviously turning attention away from herself.
It worked. Instead of his mother’s health, he focused in on Kendall. In his desire to be alone with her, Rick realized he’d forgotten about Hannah.
“Actually Hannah’s going to dinner and a movie with a friend.” Kendall stepped up beside Rick. “I don’t expect them back until around eleven and then they’re having a sleep-over,” Kendall said, obviously recovered from her embarrassment at being caught like two teenagers by his mother.
“Anyone I know?” Raina asked.
“Jeannie McKeever.”
Rick breathed a sigh of relief. Grace McKeever was known for having an open house for all her kids’ friends. With the girls sleeping there he’d have another night to let Kendall get used to having him around—in her life and hopefully in her heart.
“I’m having both girls sleep over in the guest house tonight. I’ve never had a sleep-over myself as a child so I thought I’d give Hannah the experience in a place that feels like home to her, you know?” Kendall asked of Raina.
“I most certainly do.” Raina touched Kendall’s cheek with her hand. “You’re such a sweet girl.”
He should have known better than to jump to conclusions about anything, especially when his love life was involved. He shook his head and laughed.
“Something funny?” his mother asked.
“Not a thing,” he said wryly. He’d just have to enjoy Kendall’s company before her duties as a parent resumed later on. Duties she’d obviously taken to with more ease than either of them had anticipated.
Though she and Hannah had rough patches, Kendall had an innate understanding of her sister’s needs. She had the ability to give the young girl a special life, if only she’d step back, realize and accept it. She’d make a great sister. She’d make an amazing mom. The thought stopped him cold, like a shot upside the head.
He glanced to his side where Kendall and Raina were in deep discussion about video rentals and the possibility of Kendall’s borrowing a VCR for the night in order to entertain the girls. From his mother’s wide smile, she approved of Kendall, of that Rick was certain. Although he’d never in his life let his mother’s input dictate his choice in a date or relationship, it eased his mind knowing that he’d made her happy and hadn’t added to her stress or weak heart. In fact, he made her happy. By choosing Kendall.