Ready for Love (11 page)

LJ gave her a perplexed look. “I don’t think so.”

“God, I sound pathetic,” she mumbled.

“What was that?”

Kylie shook her head, shocked that she’d actually said that out loud. “Nothing.” She bit on her lip as LJ nodded before returning to what she’d been doing.

†

Weeks passed, and LJ worked long into the nights, pouring over volume after volume, trying to decipher the meaning of the find. She’d contacted overseas colleagues and discussed the photos she’d sent them, hoping they might be able to shed some light on the puzzle. Often she would stay until midnight before going home to shower and sleep for a few hours before arriving back in her office four in the morning.

She was exhausted. Her brain was beginning to shut down from all the data she was trying to comprehend. Holly’s voice echoed in her ears telling her to “Walk away from the problem.” She smiled as she recalled how her lover always seemed to be able to make the most complicated situation simple.

LJ closed her eyes, and her mind drifted back to happier times when life didn’t demand so much of her.
To be there again
was her whimsical thought before a familiar voice brought her back to reality.

“Good morning. Hey, are you okay?”

She turned and actually smiled. It was as if Kylie had been reading her mind. “It’s nothing a week’s sleep won’t cure.” LJ closed her eyes and stretched her body exaggeratedly, suddenly realizing exactly how tired it and her mind were.

“Why don’t you give yourself permission to take a night off and come home with me and have a good home-cooked meal? Bet it’s been a while since you had one of those.”

Leaning back in her chair, LJ sighed before closing her eyes once again in disbelief. The woman, whom she had been rude, nasty, and cold toward, only ever spoke to her with kindness and compassion. It was time for her to reciprocate. “I would like that very much. Thank you.” After swiveling around in her chair, she looked straight at Kylie. “Want me to bring anything?”

Her reward for her question was a goofy grin. “Nope. You aren’t a picky eater, are you?” Kylie’s tone was playful.

LJ smirked at the notion. “I’ve sat in the jungle and eaten bugs, so I don’t think there’s anything you could serve that I won’t eat.”

“Good, is six okay with you?”

“I’ll be there.” LJ turned back to her desk and the volumes waiting for her before she added, “Um, Kylie, will I need a map to get there?”

Kylie laughed. “Hey, you’ve hacked your way through dense jungle undergrowth. I bet you can find your way to my home.”

LJ could hear her laughing all the way to the workroom. She looked at the space that just moments before had held the blonde. How could Kylie be nice to her after the horrible way she’d treated her?
No one ever cared about me like that, except….

†

With each day that passed, Kylie couldn’t help but notice how haggard LJ was looking. Every time LJ came into the workroom, the dark circles around her eyes seemed to grow more pronounced. LJ had finally accepted a dinner invitation, and Kylie’s mind began to whirl over what to make. She’d have to stop by the market after picking up Ryan from school and buy some fresh vegetables.
I bet she doesn’t eat many of those.

She knew LJ’s penchant for getting involved in what she was doing and forgetting the time and wasn’t foolish enough to think LJ would actually show up. That thought stabbed at her heart. But on the off chance that she did, Kylie would have a decent meal prepared.

Back in the workroom, she mulled over the last few months, during which they’d developed a companionable routine of working together. Yet the kiss they’d shared that night at the Rusty Nail was always in the forefront of Kylie’s mind. She often wondered if LJ thought about it too.

Kylie’s attraction grew every time she was near LJ. Her mind once again focused, as it had many times, on the day Maxine Dylan came breezing into the workroom with her arm entwined in LJ’s.

“Well hello there.” The woman’s voice was low and smoky. She was smiling.

“Kylie, this is Dr. Maxine Dylan. She’s dean of the anthropology department at the university.” LJ turned to the woman. “Max, this is my assistant, Kylie Wilcox.”

Kylie took the offered hand and shook it with her eyes fixed on the possessive way the woman held on to LJ’s arm. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Dylan.”

“You can call me Max.” She turned to LJ and said in a loud whisper, “You didn’t tell me you had such a
hottie
working for you.”

Heat rose to Kylie’s cheeks. The way Max was hanging on LJ sent a wave of jealousy through her. She involuntarily ran her fingers through her hair, feeling uncomfortable and wishing they would leave. From the look on LJ’s face, Kylie suspected that she too was embarrassed. “Is there something you need me to do?”

Pulling her arm free, LJ shook her head. “No. Max was on the dig and wanted to see the progress we’re making.”

“We had a spectacular time digging and not digging.” Max lifted her eyebrows and winked. “Didn’t we, darling?” She trailed a finger down LJ’s arm.

Kylie wanted to rip the woman’s hand off.
At least this one is a step up from that skanky singer.
Her heart sank. Clearly Max and LJ had a history “Well, I’ll get back to work, then.” Kylie turned back to the table, refusing to let either woman see the tears of disappointment stinging the backs of her eyes.

“Let’s go to your office and lock the door. I want to have my way with you,” Max whispered loud enough for Kylie to hear.

“No. Not today. I have work to do.”

Max laughed. “You’re far too tense to do any work just yet. You need to relax, and I know just how to get you there.”

LJ sighed before Kylie heard them walking away.

†

The market was crowded, and the checkout lines were long.
Why is it that every time I’m in a hurry, there’s a lack of cashiers?
She stood clutching the basket and listening to Ryan chatter about her day at school while mentally preparing the meal she hoped LJ would like.

Once home, Kylie scurried around the kitchen making a quick and easy, last minute dinner of four ingredients—baked pesto chicken, couscous, fresh green beans, and a salad. Kylie looked at what she’d created, noting that it only needed finishing touches before glancing at the clock on the stove. It was inching toward six o’clock, and she wondered again if LJ would show up. If she didn’t, she’d have leftovers that would be good the next day. Disappointment surged through her when the red numbers on the microwave turned to 6:05.

“Mommy, when are we going to eat?” Ryan asked. “I’m starving.”

“I doubt you are starving, and we’ll eat in a little bit, baby. I’m waiting for a friend to arrive to have dinner with us.”

“Who?”

Kylie smiled. “A woman I work with. Now go wash your hands. Everything is ready, so we can eat as soon as she gets here.”

“Okay, but I really am starving.”

†

LJ went to her small apartment to take a shower before going to Kylie’s home for dinner. She’d gotten Kylie’s address from her employment application and punched it into the GPS app on her phone. On her way there, she considered stopping for wine but decided against it. In her current state, one glass and she would be a goner and she still had a long night of phone calls planned. After pulling her truck into the driveway, she looked at the house. Although the brick Garrison colonial looked big, it appeared welcoming. She paused, trying to convince herself that accepting the invitation was craziness and she should leave while she still could.
I don’t want to leave.
She wanted to go into the warm home and, for a brief moment, hoped she’d find some sort of peace.

LJ sucked in a deep breath, got out of the truck, and headed for the door. Happiness filled her for the first time in longer than she could remember as she pressed the doorbell. A small voice behind it said, “I’ll get it, Mommy,” before the door swung open. To her surprise, a miniature version of Kylie stood behind it. “Hi, my name is, Ryan. Who are you?” she asked.

Not able to help herself, LJ smiled broadly before squatting to the child’s level and holding out her hand. “Hi, Ryan, my name is LJ.” She lifted her head and saw Kylie standing behind her daughter, looking more beautiful than she had ever seen her. LJ’s heart did a flip and her stomach filled with knots.
My God, she’s stunning.

Kylie smiled. “Hi, glad you could make it. I see you have already met my daughter. Ryan, did you introduce yourself?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

A smile crossed Kylie’s face. “Come on in, dinner is almost ready. Are you hungry?”

LJ moved inside, and Ryan quickly grabbed her hand. “Want to come see my Barbie doll?”

Fear coursed through LJ. Of all the dangers she had faced in her life, nothing for some reason she didn’t understand, the thought of talking to this child scared her. “Hmm, why don’t I help your mom first, then we can take a look.”

“Ryan, did you wash your hands like I told you to?” Kylie gently touched her daughter’s shoulder and gave her an I-mean-business
look.

“Yes, Mommy. Can I go get my doll now?”

“After dinner you can bring your doll down to show our guest.”

Ryan pulled a face. “Okay, Mommy.”

“Sorry about that. She usually doesn’t let just anyone play with her Barbie. I think she must like you. Do you want anything to drink?” Kylie gave her a thin smile. “Come on in and have a seat. Dinner will be ready as soon as I put it on the table.” Her face reddened. “Sorry, I seem to be babbling.” She shrugged. “Guess I’m nervous. You’re the first person I’ve had for dinner since Ted died.”

LJ’s eyes widened, and she took a deep breath to calm the anxiety that was bubbling up. The last thing she wanted to do was discuss anything personal with Kylie, and her dead husband was about as personal as it got. Unless, of course,
they discussed the kiss that hung between them like an icy curtain of denial.
She pursed her lips and took a deep breath. “Would you like some help?”

“Sure. Come on, I can always use help.”

Mostly LJ just stood observing Kylie maneuver around the kitchen as she put the final touches on the meal. As she surreptitiously watched the woman, the warm, tender feelings she had been squelching for many months screamed to come alive.

“Can you put these bowls on the table?”

Lost in her thoughts, LJ didn’t response.

“LJ, will you please put these on the table?” Kylie held two bowls out to her.

“Sure.” As she took them, a chill of excitement ran through body when their fingers brushed.

The food was wonderful. LJ couldn’t remember when she’d last had a decent meal. She listened to Ryan’s endless chatter and was surprised when she found it rather amusing instead of irritating. From time to time, she would glance in Kylie’s direction and was pleased when Kylie looked back at her.

“Kylie, thank you. That was excellent. I can’t recall when I’ve had a better meal.” She knew her smile was as genuine as her words. For a long moment, she stared at Kylie until Ryan jumped out of her chair and grabbed her hand.

“Come on,” the young girl squealed. “My Barbie is in my room.

“Ryan, I don’t think LJ wants—”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.” LJ winked at Kylie, then headed up the stairs, wondering
what the hell she was getting herself into.

Little kids and puppies always thaw the coldest of hearts.
Kylie stood shaking her head as she watched Ryan lead LJ out of the room. “I do believe behind that icy exterior is a heart of mush. Wonders never cease,” she whispered while clearing the table. As the meal had progressed, she’d noticed that LJ began to relax and the tired tension that had seeped onto her face lately began to disappear. Her stomach summersaulted whenever LJ laughed, and a contented smile curved her lips.
Maybe once I get Ryan in bed we can sit and talk.
I’d like that.

She hurried to put the dishes into the dishwasher, desperate to go upstairs and watch as LJ and Ryan played with Barbie. Knowing she’d look too obvious and intrusive, she nixed the idea. Yet, the attraction and need remained, and she walked toward the staircase only to stop and go back to what she was doing in the kitchen. LJ had made it perfectly clear she had no interest in her, and Kylie had no choice but to go along with that.
For now.

†

Barbie, LJ found out, was a skinny, busty, blonde clothes hog who always stood on her toes. An animated Ryan put on a fashion show of the latest Barbie fashions, and LJ watched, amazed by the young girl’s creativity and joy. She surprised herself by actually laughing a few times.

“Ryan, what do you say we go down and keep your mom company?” she finally asked.

The child’s face lit up. “Mommy needs me to be with her. She likes hugging me, and sometimes Mommy gets lonely and cries. Will you carry me?”

“Sure I will.” Completely out of character, LJ picked Ryan up and carried her down the stairs. All the while, her head was spinning with the disturbing feelings the thought of Kylie crying brought to her.

†

Sitting in the living room, Kylie could hear Ryan’s laughter and LJ’s low tones. They had been upstairs for twenty minutes, and she had been debating again whether it would be wise to go up and see what was happening when they came down the stairs. Her eyes widened when she saw Ryan in LJ’s arms.