Ties That Bind Page 14
“Have a safe trip,” Gavin opened the door for her.
“You just want her all to yourself,” Tara accused as she rushed passed him.
“True.” Gavin admitted with a smile. The second the door was closed he turned to Kate. “Do you want children?”
“Excuse me?” She choked on her coffee.
“Just then, when you were talking to Tara, I got the impression it was the furthest thing from your mind.” He seemed concerned by that fact.
“Well, at the moment, it kind of is. I would imagine I’ll want children someday. I haven’t really thought about it. Why, do you?”
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation.
“How many?” She asked warily.
“I don’t know. A couple I guess.” He shrugged.
“I can live with that.” It occurred to Kate that they were discussing this as if the other person’s opinion on the subject would have a definite impact on their own future. Kate wondered if that should frighten her at all.
“I’m glad,” he smiled crookedly at her as he pulled her into his arms for a lingering kiss. Any fears scattered.
“We’d better go before I find another way to spend the day,” she finally pulled away when Ty wedged himself between them with a plaintive whine. As Ty’s excitement grew, Kate’s apprehension did. Her relationship with Joan was just blooming. It was suddenly very important that Joan and Gavin like each other.
As Kate tried to share a seat with Ty in Gavin’s Audi TT, she wished she’d rented a car like she normally did. Ty’s breath was hot and smelly in her face, a fact Gavin seemed to find incredibly amusing. Stinky breath and all, Kate couldn’t help basking in the playful banter that passed the time. The warmth of it bathed her like a sunny day and she laughed until her face hurt.
His eyes danced merrily and she knew he was enjoying himself as much as she. There wasn’t much room left for nerves by the time he walked around the car to open the door for her. He took her hand to help her out of the car and then held it, allowing their clasped hands to swing between them as they walked the short distance from the parking lot to the wine tasting room, where Kate knew she’d find her Aunt Joan.
Any fears she might have had about the two not getting along were quickly put to rest. It was obvious they clicked instantly. Watching Joan with Gavin, Kate realized how similar her aunt was to her mother. A little more daring maybe, a little less reserved, but definitely cut from the same cloth. It felt a little like having her mother back. Still, there was a piece of Kate that couldn’t help wishing her mother could have been standing here, laughing with the man she loved.
They had dinner with Joan and Mason that evening on the veranda with Ty lying at Kate’s feet, his tongue lolling and a doggie-smile on his face. It was pleasant, peaceful. This was easily Kate’s new favorite place to be. Well, not counting curled up in Gavin’s arms with the first sunbeams of the day playing across his skin.
“Why didn’t I get to see you more as a child?” Kate wondered aloud. “Did my mom hold a grudge that long?”
“Your mother was afraid if you spent too much time with me, you might find out more than she’d intended about Jack and our parents.” Joan’s smile faded.
“Why was that so important to her? Was she that afraid for me to find out she’d been human once upon a time? For the record, it was difficult growing up in the shadow of someone so… perfect.”
“No, she wasn’t afraid of you finding out she wasn’t perfect,” Joan chuckled at the thought. “She actually assumed you thought she was a moron for most of your teen years. She didn’t want you to ever feel like you were anything other than wanted.”
Kate sat silent and thought about that. “She gave up a lot for me, didn’t she?”
“And never regretted it for a second,” Joan assured her.
Chapter Fourteen
Joan was an infinitely more insistent chaperone than Ty. Kate’s room was on the opposite side of the house from Gavin’s, with Joan’s situated in between. That didn’t stop Gavin from slipping through her window to give her a heart-stopping goodnight kiss. But either fear or respect kept him from staying. They even went with Joan to the Sunday service at the little country church she attended. After a picnic lunch, Gavin and Kate ambled around the grounds, holding hands and exploring.
“Want to?” Gavin got a gleam in his eye when they came upon a lake with boats for two lined up along the dock.
“Do you remember the last boat ride we took?” She looked at him like he was crazy.
“Just don’t lunge at me this time and we’ll be fine.”
“Don’t call me grandma and I’ll try to restrain myself.”
“Come on, please?” he gave her a look he knew she couldn’t resist.
“I never should have told you my weakness.”
He was headed for the boats before she’d finished her sentence.
“You know, you’re going to wind up owing me quite a bit,” she cautioned.
“How’s that?” He held his hand out to help her into the boat before settling in his own seat.
“Well, I’m being much more reckless than you are responsible.”
“You think so?”
“I flew to London on a moment’s notice. I crashed a wedding. I’m in a boat with you again.”
“Hey, I’m respecting your virtue during the whole courting thing,” he countered proudly.
“But that’s your idea.”
“Two of the last three things you mentioned were your idea.”
“I’m still ahead of you.”
“I went to church with your family today,” he informed her.
“Still ahead of you.”
“You’re not getting out of what I have planned for you since I hired a housekeeper.”
“Why are you making me wait so long for that?”
“Because I can’t take you before September,” he shrugged lightly.
“The plot thickens. I have to say I am curious.”
The only response she got was a mischievous smile. Thunder rumbled low in the distance and Kate realized just how far from the shore they had gone. Gavin’s mischievous smile turned absolutely wicked.
“You might get a two-for-one today,” he said with a wink. “I think we’re going to play in the rain. That’s not very responsible at all.”
She just shook her head and leaned back, content to let him row them back to shore. She liked watching the muscles in his shoulders and arms while he worked.
“What did I ever do to deserve you? You’re amazing.”
“You do know you’re completely adorable, right?” He paused rowing as if to emphasize his point.
“Never mind,” she waved him off with a furious blush, surveying their surroundings rather than meeting his eye. “You know, this place is incredible. I wonder what my grandparents would have thought about me inheriting half of it. All those people whose opinions they worried about, they know about me now. I’m out there, sullying the Williams name.”
He resumed rowing as lightening streaked across the sky, his jaw set furiously. “Men like Jack or your grandfather—boys like Peter—they don’t determine your worth Kate. You have got to stop letting other people tell you whether you matter or not.”
“If you don’t matter to anyone but yourself, does it count?” She teased, trying to poke holes in his logic.
“First of all, you matter to more people than you realize. Second, you have to know that by virtue of being you, your life has worth, my darling. It happens to mean the world to me.”
Kate just shook her head. “I don’t know; I certainly seem to cause enough problems by existing.”
“Stop it.” He growled softly. “Ten years ago, when I was awkward and gangly and shy and no one noticed me, do you honestly believe I was somehow worth less than I am now? I was the weird, quiet guy who took pictures just so I’d have something to do with my hands, a reason for being a part of things. Then one day my pictures got picked up by a local maga
zine. Suddenly I was booked for a show and people were interviewing me and women were chasing me because I was mysterious. The only reason no one knew anything about me was because, until about three years ago, no one cared to ask. Am I somehow worth more because the women who had ignored me now think I’m the answer to their problems?”
“Of course not,” Kate folded her arms across her chest and pouted. He was taking the fun out of watching him row.
“Then why do you act like you are worth less because Jack’s a fool?”
“It’s not just Jack,” she scowled at him and climbed onto the dock.
“Fine. Peter was an idiot, too!” He was beginning to shout in his frustration.
“Says who? Maybe it was me who was the idiot!”
“By not wanting to get married until you were sure? That’s called not compounding the issue, Kate. Peter was a moron!”
“Why are you shouting at me?” she glared at him.
“Why are you shouting at me?” he glared right back at her.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to acknowledge that none of this is your fault. Jack and Danielle made their choices. Your grandparents were stubborn old fools. You had a right to the choice you made. Stop wondering why I love you—or at least listen to me when I tell you.”
The first fat raindrop landed on Kate’s face and she knew they’d spent too much time arguing to not get soaked. They stood there staring each other down, their breath coming in great heaves. Kate wasn’t sure when that stopped being out of anger and turned into desire. She just knew the moment they stepped forward and into each others’ arms.
She couldn’t remember why they’d started fighting anymore and it all seemed silly anyway. The heat caused by his proximity collided with the chill of the rain, creating a delicious paradox. Kate would have gladly stood there in the downpour with him all day in an unending kiss, but she could hear Ty’s bark and her aunt’s call somewhere in the distance.
“Should we make a run for it, then?” He finally pulled away from her.
“Are you afraid you’ll get wet?” She teased; they were well past wet.
“So your aunt doesn’t worry.”
“Alright, come on.” After the initial slipping and sliding, Kate took off in a sprint towards the house. It actually felt wonderful to race through the driving rain. She could feel each drop that splashed her face. She burst onto the veranda, skidding to a halt just before she hit the door; Gavin was right behind her. She was pretty sure, given the seven inch difference in height, he’d let her win that one. Her suspicion was confirmed when he wrapped his soggy arms around her and pulled her back into him, nuzzling her neck.
“It’s pouring out here,” she reminded him.
“And we’re already wet.”
“But my aunt….”
“Can see through the window that we’re fine. Just close your eyes, stand still, enjoy the moment.”
She obediently closed her eyes, allowing her other senses to take over, allowing them to experience the moment. He was right. It was inexplicably pleasurable standing in the pouring rain with his arms wrapped around her, her back to his chest. She didn’t even care that she knew her uncle was looking at them like they were insane. It was Ty’s incessant whine and increasing insistence he be included that finally caused her to reluctantly end the moment.
They dried off in the mudroom before changing for dinner. They’d decided to stay for one more meal to see if they could wait out the storm. Kate wasn’t looking forward to the prospect of riding home with a wet 80-pound dog in her lap. She really was insisting on a larger car next time.
For the next twenty-four hours, Kate and Gavin were each others’ shadow. Gavin called to check on his mother. Kate called to check in at work. Otherwise, they soaked up every possible second of being together. Every smile, every laugh, each look and touch, they were all to be treasured. Kate was trying to store up enough sweet memories to carry her through the next three weeks—especially knowing two of them would entail Jack scowling at her at every possible opportunity.
Kate couldn’t help the fact that the closer Gavin’s departure was, the more she feared she wouldn’t see him again. On some level, she knew that clinging to that fear meant she was taking away from the joy to be had in the moment. But she couldn’t seem to help herself. And he knew it.
“Alright, go get dressed.” Gavin finally demanded.
“Why?” She was instantly wary. She could tell by the look on his face, he was about to owe her another act of responsibility.
“Because we’re going out.”
“Where?” She didn’t budge.
“It’s a surprise. Now go get dressed. I’ll call Jessica and Liz to see if they want to meet us,” he promised.
That allayed her fears enough to get her moving. He refused to tell her what to wear, so she went with a cute little ruffled dress with a bow that tied above the waist. She chose strappy high-heeled sandals to show off her pink toe nails. All in all, she felt pretty good about herself. And in five-inch heels, she and Gavin made a striking couple. By the time she declared herself ready, he had walked Ty and changed into jeans and a gray button up. When she slid into his sleek, black roadster she was feeling downright powerful; it was a heady experience. He was parking the car so quickly Kate wondered why they’d taken it. Of course, he could have been taking pity on her in the heels.
“What is The Mint?” Kate wondered, reading the sign on the building.
“Can’t even wait two more minutes to find out?” His eyes danced merrily. “One would think you would have developed patience by this stage in life.”
“Are you calling me old?” She demanded. “Do you want me to start obsessing about our age difference all over again?”
“Kate! You look great,” Liz greeted her with a quick hug.
“So do you,” Kate meant it. She couldn’t help being just a little jealous of Liz. She had that perfect mix of pretty and sultry down pat.
“Derrick, how is life treating you?” Gavin extended his hand to greet the other man.
“My fiancée has my mother not speaking to us. Other than that, things are great.”
“Ouch, that’s rough. What did you do, Liz?” Gavin turned to her.
“Why do you assume it’s Liz’s fault?” Kate slapped him on the arm and turned to Liz. “What did she do now?”
“She didn’t listen when I told her to cut back on the invites, so we went with Gerard’s edits.” Liz shrugged daintily.
“As long as no one like Derrick’s grandparents were victims to Gerard’s edits, I see nothing wrong with that,” Kate declared.
“We should probably elope, shouldn’t we?” Gavin winced, picturing his own mother’s reactions if Kate had done that.
Kate just stood there, trying to process what he’d just said. Did it terrify her, or was her heart tripping that strange little beat out of joy at the thought of spending forever with him?
“Hey guys!” Like the ray of sunshine she was, Jessica interrupted what could have turned into a bickering match. A new cycle of hugs and handshakes went around.
“Whose idea was karaoke? I haven’t done this in forever,” Ryan opened the door for everyone.
“You dork,” Kate laughed at Gavin’s amused expression.
“They did have this back in your day, didn’t they?”
“Stop it,” she slapped him on the arm again. Right then and there, she decided that if he was going to make her sing in front of strangers, she knew exactly what song she’d choose. She’d just need a beer or two before she’d have the courage to sing Abba in front of anything besides the mirror.
“I’m not singing,” Liz announced firmly as she stepped into the bar.
“Okay,” Gavin smiled at her.
“I mean it,” she reiterated.
“That’s like throwing the gauntlet down, Liz,” Kate warned.
“Hey, I’m all for a certain amount of cheesy in life. But I do not sing.”
They spent the first round of drinks alternating between making fun of the people who were singing and cheering raucously for them. Gavin was the first from their group to hit the stage, but everyone agreed he was kind of cheating since he was the only actual singer. Jessica and Ryan sang a duet and won the cutest couple ever award. Derrick pulled Liz up on stage, who spent the entire song giving Derrick a look that very clearly stated “I hate you.”
And then there was no avoiding it, Kate’s turn had come. Gavin didn’t strike her as the type to listen to Abba, so it took him a few lines of the song “Does Your Mama Know” to get the joke. The song had originally been sung by one of the men in the group, so Kate had to remember to change the gender references, but it was worth the work.
About the time it dawned on Gavin that the song was about an older woman trying to warn off the young innocent, a bark of laughter escaped. Kate batted her eyelashes prettily and sang that sure, she’d dance with him if he wanted… but did his mama know he was out? She smirked a little and sang that he seemed kind of young to be searching for that kind of fun.
By the time she’d reached the middle of the song, he was laughing so hard there were tears rolling down his cheeks and the rest of the table wasn’t too far behind him. That—and the beer—gave Kate the courage to really ham it up. The enthusiastic applause took her completely by surprise and she flushed with a mixture of pride and embarrassment. Gavin couldn’t seem to stop laughing as he stood to wrap his arms around her.
“I love you, crazy girl.” He kissed her temple, his lips still curled into a smile.
Kate had to admit that it was an all-around fun evening. She wasn’t even going to charge him a responsible act for that one. The night came to an end all-too-soon, and their time together came to an end just as quickly. Gavin insisted she keep his Audi with her after she drove back from the airport rather than rent a car each weekend. Kate was a little giddy at the thought of driving it. If driving that car didn’t make you feel young and alive, nothing would. Besides, it smelled like Gavin and it would be like having a piece of him there to keep her company.