Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart (4 page)

“What are you drinking?”

“A Cosmopolitan?”

“Coming right up.”

Kit sat with her pen poised, but she
couldn’t think of anything.
How do you make a list for putting
your life back together?
There were so many things she had to
do. Kit stared at the empty page, unable to organize the mess now
called her life into a neat to-do list. She felt paralyzed. She
took a sip of her Cosmo and put the pen down on the bar.

“Writer’s block?”

She looked to her left, directly into a pair
of warm brown eyes looking at her with an amused air. A man sat in
the previously empty seat. She didn’t even notice him sit down. Kit
looked at him but couldn’t find her voice. He was gorgeous with
dark brown hair to match his dark eyes, shoulders as wide as a city
block. His face wore a wry grin turning up one corner of his
sensuous mouth. His white long sleeve shirt open at the neck
emphasized the darkness of his hair and eyes. A blue striped tie,
loosened to indicate the end of his work day, hung below the opened
shirt button.

“Is he annoying you?” Don asked, his eyes
twinkling, “Because if he is, I can have him thrown out of here in
two seconds. He comes in here every day hitting on pretty, single
women. I have to shoo him out all the time.”

She gave Don a quizzical look, as if she
didn’t understand he was kidding.

The thought of a man hitting on her filled
her with dread. She felt terrified, vulnerable. It had been so long
since she had been single, she didn’t know how to handle herself.
The last thing she needed was some predatory male looking to take
her to bed then dump her.

“I’m married,” she lied.

“Don’s kidding. I don’t do that,” the man
said, embarrassment staining his cheeks.

“This is Tunney Nichols, miss…”

“Missus. Kit Alexander. Mrs. Kit Alexander,”
she said, stiffly.

Tunney put out his big, strong, warm,
calloused one hand. She took it. She tried to smile at him but
could only manage a small lifting of the corners of her mouth. His
eyes looked her over from head to toe, making her more
uncomfortable, then retreated behind a polite mask. He dialed down
his thousand-watt grin.

“You from Willow Falls?”

“New York City,” she replied.
Am I? Am I
still from New York City? I’m not from anywhere anymore.
Kit
took a deep, steadying breath to force down tears forming at the
back of her eyes.

Tunney raised his eyebrows as he stared at
her. She turned her head away, blinking rapidly and took another
deep breath. When she turned back, his questioning look had
disappeared.

“I don’t usually try to pick up married
woman…let me rephrase that. I never try to pick up married women,”
he chuckled. “But having a companion to talk to during dinner is
far preferable to eating alone…especially such an attractive
one.”

Kit blushed as a small smile curved her lips
up.

“I agree. I hate to eat alone.”

Tunney grinned at her as the lines in his
face and the muscles in his jaw relaxed.

“Kit is an unusual name.”

“My full name is Katherine, but my maiden
name is Carson, so in school, the kids nicknamed me Kit,” she
replied, “Tunney isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill name either.”

“It isn’t,” he said, taking a sip of his
beer. “My dad was a big fan of prize fighting. He named me after
Jack Tunney, the fighter.”

“Were you a fighter as a child?” She drained
the rest of her Cosmo.

“I liked to build things. But my dad taught
me to fight so I could defend myself against schoolyard
bullies.”

“Did you?”

“When necessary.”

She finished her Cosmo and not yet feeling
any effect, ordered another. Tunney went back to his beer.

“Did having that nickname spark any interest
in the Wild West?”

“When I was younger, I resented the
nickname. But when I got older I appreciated its uniqueness, plus,
I never had to spell it for anyone. But I did not become a Wild
West buff. ”

“Tell me about it! No one can spell Tunney
right. I went by ‘Nick’ when I was in school. Much easier.”

“What made you change to Tunney?”

“My college fraternity had three ‘Nicks’, so
I became Tunney. Then I got used to it.”

“I think Tunney’s distinctive.” She took a
sip of the fresh Cosmo.

“So is Kit.”

“What’s good here?” Kit asked, opening the
menu.

“I like their chicken cordon bleu, which I
ordered yesterday.”

“Come here often?”

“I do. Love their food, sometimes Don gives
me a free beer.”

“Is he getting fresh again? Free beer did he
say? Don’t believe him. I charge him double.”

They laughed.

"Sole Meniere is usually good, too,” Tunney
confided.

“The food here is great. I oughta know, my
wife’s the cook,” Don joked.

They smiled at him and ordered dinner.

“Where’s your husband?”

“He’s on tour. He’s a rock musician, playing
with the band Blue Waters.”

“Wow. Blue Waters, huh? Which one is
he?”

“His band name is Staid. Which of course he
isn’t.”

“Where are they touring?”

“Around the world, London, Paris, Rome,
Istanbul, exotic places…” she said, with a wistful note in her
voice.

“I guess you won’t see him for a while.”
Tunney finished his beer.

“I won’t,” she said.
Not for a long
while, like never.

“Must be tough.”

“You’ve no idea,” she said, sighing. “You’re
not married?”

“Nope. Never took the plunge,” he said,
looking in her eyes.

“Maybe you’ll meet someone, one of these
days.” Kit turned away as the heat from his gaze made her
uncomfortable.
Out of your marriage for five minutes and you’re
flirting with this guy? Get a grip.

“I won’t if old Don keeps scaring women out
of here,” he said, smiling at Don.

Dinner arrived. They ate in silence for a
while.

“You have any kids?” Tunney asked. He put a
forkful of sole into his mouth.

“A daughter. She’s eleven. She attends The
Willow Falls Academy.”

“Good school, I hear.”

“Seems to be. She’s happy there,” Kit said,
remembering how Zoe was before she dropped the bomb about the
divorce on her. Kit looked down at her plate, her appetite
failing.

She raised her eyes to the mirror behind the
bar and caught Tunney stealing a peek at her cleavage, a long peek.
Her face flushed at the attention but she kept her eyes on the
mirror. When Don returned to mix a drink for another patron, Tunney
jumped, removing his gaze from her chest. “A guy must be crazy to
go on tour, leaving a beautiful wife like you behind,” he
muttered.

Kit felt tears sting at the backs of her
eyes again but didn’t reply. She tried to eat but swallowing became
difficult. She washed the fish down with a long drink of water,
then found her voice.

“Are you from Willow Falls?” she turned
toward him.

“Born and raised here, but I moved to
Seattle. I have an Internet business there,” he said.

“Then what are you doing here?” she asked,
looking into his sexy brown eyes and feeling a small shiver run up
her spine.

“I came back here five years ago when my dad
died. I took over his business for my mother.” He put another
forkful of fish in his mouth.

“How sweet of you. Must have been a big
sacrifice.”

“My parents have done a lot for me.”

“Do you live with your mom?” She rested her
fork on her plate, turning her attention to Tunney.

Tunney burst into a hearty laugh.

“What single man over thirty lives with his
mother? Would certainly cramp my…uh…social life.”

“Well, I just thought…I mean you said you
take care of her…” she said, embarrassed.

“I ran the business so she would have the
money she needed. She passed away three months ago.” He finished
his fish and turned his attention to the rice pilaf on his
plate.

“I’m so sorry…a shame. Are you going to stay
here or go back to Seattle?”

“I haven’t made up my mind. What about you?
Do you work?”

Now it became Kit’s turn to laugh.

“Of course, I work. Actually I did work.
I’ve quit. The job, not working. I was a small-investment manager
at a bank in New York City. I quit my job at the bank to…to write.”
Unwanted tears returned making her eyes bright. Her breath stuck in
her throat as she thought about what she’d lost—the plum job plus
her book idea.

She turned away from the inquiry in his eyes
until she could control her breathing and paste a semblance of a
smile back on her face.
Obviously he’s too much of a gentleman
to pry. Thank God.

When they finished dinner, Tunney offered to
buy Kit a brandy. She accepted.
Anything beats returning to the
motel alone
…is what she told herself, avoiding the fact she
hungered for Tunney’s warm brown eyes and rapt attention, making
her feel attractive again.

When Kit stood, she found herself unsteady
and knew Tunney could see she’d had too much to drink.

“Can I walk you back to your motel? It’s
dark and the streets around here are deserted at this hour. It
isn’t safe for you to be out walking alone.”

She didn’t feel safe making her way home
alone, but then again, didn’t know if she’d be safe with Tunney, in
a completely different way.

“Thank you. I rarely drink this much…I
overdid just a weensy bit tonight.” She giggled behind her
hand.

He offered her his arm. She put her hand on
his forearm, instantly aware of the strength of the rock-hard
muscle beneath his shirt. A small shiver rocketed up her spine.

They set out slowly, the full moon shining
above lighting their way. The warm breeze caressed Kit’s face like
a lover. In her half-inebriated state, the fingers of soft air
reminded her of Johnny’s touch. A wave of loneliness swept over her
heart. Tunney placed his hand over hers to keep her steady. His was
warm, dry and strong, like his forearm. His presence comforted her.
A wisp of her new perfume wafted up to tease her nostrils.
I
wonder if he likes my new scent.
She gave her head a slight
shake to rid herself of the idea.
He’s a stranger, I shouldn’t
care if he likes my perfume or not.
His arm brushed the side of
her breast, making her tingle, as she clung to him for support.

“What a beautiful night,” she looked up at
the moon.

“Should be illegal to be so attractive and
out of reach on a night like this.”

She smiled at his compliment. Desire shone
in his eyes, reflecting the moonlight mixed with the soft glow of a
street lamp.

When they got to the motel, Tunney hesitated
as if he’d kiss her goodnight. Instead, he stood back to open the
door to the motel lobby for her. Kit looked at him while goose
bumps broke out on her skin. The moonlight shone down on Tunney
making the planes of his face angular and gorgeous, his dark hair
reflected the moon’s glow, his dark eyes were partially hidden in
shadow. She felt his gaze on her body. His mouth curved into a warm
grin as his hands fell away from her.

“Are you thinking of settling here in Willow
Falls while your husband travels?”

“I am.”

“New York’s loss is our gain.”

Kit smiled at him.

“I hope to see you again at Bon Appetit,”
she said, extending her hand to shake his.

“I hope so, too.”

“Thank you for walking me home.”

“My pleasure.”

As she went in the door, she could hear him
mumble to himself.

“The good ones are always taken.”

Back in her room, she moved to the window
and parted the curtain to watch Tunney walk back toward the
restaurant. Again she looked up at the moon. Memories of making
love in the moonlight with Johnny deep in the woods on a two week
camping trip filled her thoughts. She shook her head as if she
could shake the memory out of her brain.
Remember Johnny walked
out on you, dumped you, deserted you as soon as he got his big
break
. The thought stoked her anger. Maybe anger boiling up in
her chest would propel her to a new life.

She turned away from the window, letting the
curtain fall back, restoring her privacy. Love was over for her.
Zoe was her top priority now. She had to rebuild her life…life
without a man. Kit began to hate Johnny, yet she yearned to be a
family again. Fury and longing fought for her heart.

* * * *

Saturday night at 29 James Street

Sarah hired Rebecca Simpson, Callie’s
babysitter, to stay with Laura and Scottie while she went out with
Jim. She dressed with care, selecting a turquoise sundress with
lavender trim, low cut with a snug bodice over a full skirt. Laura
watched her mother apply her make-up.

“Mom, when can I wear makeup?”

“Not for a while. You don’t need makeup,
you’re naturally beautiful,” Sarah said, cupping her daughter’s
chin.

“Mom!” Laura pulled away from her mother’s
grip.

“Can’t I still kiss my little girl?”

“I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m going to
be twelve in a month.”

“Practically a teenager! Growing up too
fast, Laura.”

“So when can I wear makeup?”

“How about a little light lipstick when
you’re thirteen?” Sarah said, applying mascara.

“Thirteen! Everybody else will be wearing
makeup next year,” she wailed.

“They will look ridiculous. But you won’t.
Sorry, Laura, I’m not budging on this one,” she said, looking at
Laura, who had her mother’s eyes.

Laura stomped out of her mother’s room,
returning to her room, and slamming the door. Becky was reading a
book to Scottie in the living room when Sarah came out.

“I didn’t know teenage years began at
eleven…” Sarah sighed.

“You look amazing, Mrs. Morgan,” Becky
said.