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  “But maybe you’re right. I didn’t think you’d care this much.”

  “Mom, I just miss him so much,” he whispered. He couldn’t let himself cry. Not in front of his mother. It had always broken her when he or Lance had cried when they were little. She always wanted to fix it with something—a toy, a hug, a cookie. But some things were not fixable. His father’s absence was one of them.

  “Sweet Brody,” she said. “So tough on the outside and sensitive on the inside.”

  “Mom, stop.”

  “I had a dream last night that he and I were walking on the beach. He looked over at me and said, ‘Janet, you can walk this beach alone. You can look for the best seashells and take them home.’ ”

  He stared at her. “And you think that’s him telling you to date Doctor Waller?”

  She brushed his hair back from his forehead. “He’s telling me it’s time to move on, yes. I thought a dinner date with Jon Waller certainly couldn’t hurt anything. Or anyone.”

  It would hurt me.

  “But you’re right to bring up concerns about Jackson. I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt your relationship.” She settled back into the pillows. “I need to get my hair done.”

  He sighed. Women and their hair. Surely a mirror into their souls.

  After he left his mother, he walked back upstairs to grab his phone. Kara’s door was ajar, and a black and white face peeked out from the crack. Minnie, the cat. He’d almost forgotten about her. He crouched on the floor. “Here kitty, kitty.”

  A little more of Minnie appeared. She blinked at him. What a cute cat, although her eyes were strange, half-closed like she was stoned.

  He called to her again. “Come here, kitty, kitty.”

  She made a giant leap, and then another. He reached out to pet her, and she plopped on the ground and rolled over onto her back with her legs in the air. “Minnie, have a little dignity,” he said, laughing.

  When he got up to head to his room, he heard paws behind him. When he turned to look, she stopped and stared at him with her stoner eyes. He started toward his bedroom once more. More footsteps. He turned back. There she was again. “You coming with me then or what?”

  She meowed and sat back on her hind legs, then washed her face with her white mitten paw. “You’re way too cute.”

  When he started down the hallway, the faint footsteps followed. He had a new friend, apparently.

  IN THE KITCHEN, HE cleaned up the breakfast pans. If he left them, Flora would do them when she got up, and he wanted her to rest today. He’d just started the dishwasher when he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. His heart thumped faster. It was Kara with her brown eyes and husky laugh. In his house. Staying down the hall from him. Stay strong. That was all he had to do. Anything else was insanity.

  Kara stopped in the doorway when she saw him. “Good morning. Sleep well?” she asked.

  She’d fixed her hair into a long braid and wore jeans and a t-shirt.

  “Reasonably well. You?” She was adorable with her hair in a braid. Who looked that sexy in boxy boyfriend jeans? The thought of what was underneath the denim made him dizzy. He held onto the counter.

  “The bed in my room is wonderful. It’s the best night’s sleep I’ve had in months,” she said.

  “Good.” It wasn’t like he manufactured the bed himself, but man, it pleased him that it was his house that had provided her comfort. He gestured toward the stove. “I tried to make eggs and bacon to tempt Mom to eat something, but it was a disaster.”

  “I wondered what that smell was.” Her gaze lingered on the burned pan.

  “Do you think the pan’s toast?” he asked.

  “Probably.”

  “I don’t know what happened, but there were flames.”

  “Really?” She laughed.

  “Yep.” He ran both hands through his hair. “I guess I should leave breakfast to the experts.”

  “It was a good effort.” She stuck her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and smiled at him.

  That smile might be the end of him.

  “You said maybe I should learn to feed myself, but we now know that Flora’s right.”

  She laughed. “I’m here now, so your self-reliance can be put off for another month or so, at least.”

  Self-reliance? Who did she think paid for everything around here, including the bed she just praised? Get a grip. She’s only teasing. Then why had it stung?

  Just then, Minnie came out from behind the counter where she’d been enjoying a small dish of tuna. He couldn’t help it. She was so cute.

  “Minnie? Where did you come from?” Kara asked.

  “She followed me.”

  “No way. She hates men.”

  “Not me, apparently. She followed me to my bedroom and then all the way down the stairs.”

  Kara put her hands on her hips and sniffed the air. “Did you give her tuna?”

  “Maybe a little.” He grimaced. “Am I in trouble?”

  “No. It’s just that I’m shocked she’s down here. I figured she was hiding under my bed. It must be the tuna.”

  “She followed me before the tuna. I swear.”

  “Well, since you’ve taken care of Minnie, would you like me to make something else for your mother? Muffins?”

  “Sure. Mom likes sweet things.”

  She stepped closer and peered into the sink where the burned pan laid in waste. “In some studies, avoiding sugar appears to make a difference for cancer patients. I found a recipe for bran muffins made with carrots and wheat germ.”

  “That sounds terrible.”

  She laughed. “Raisins will sweeten it.”

  “I hate raisins,” he said.

  “You don’t really hate raisins.”

  “I do.”

  “You think you do because you tried them once or twice as a kid and thought they were squishy.” She stepped over to the island and picked up the scorched pan.

  He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “No, that’s not it. They’re tough and weird, like eating something left in the back of the pantry too long.”

  “Really?” She covered her mouth with her fingers. Was she laughing at him? “How about dates? Or figs?” She snapped her fingers. “I know. Prunes.”

  “What’s wrong with you? You’re in California now. There’s fresh fruit. No need for old lady food.”

  She drew closer and matched his stance. “You will try at least one bite of everything I make. There’s a new sheriff in town.”

  “This is my houses. My rules.” He continued to grin, despite his best intentions. This woman was a witch. Soon, she’d have him eating kale.

  She raised one eyebrow. “We’ll see.”

  “I miss Flora already.”

  She laughed and moved over to the sink. “I know you don’t mean that.”

  He sobered in a second. Flora. The oncologist had called that morning to tell Flora that they wanted to put off surgery until she was completely recovered from pneumonia. That might be weeks. Flora was not happy. However, a part of him was relieved.

  His father had gone in for heart surgery and not come out.

  Kara stilled, watching him. “Everything all right?” Her teasing expression had transformed into one of concern.

  “Yeah, sure. It’s just that you may be here a little longer than expected.” He filled her in on the postponed surgery.

  “It’s no problem. It’ll give me more time to study for the boards.” She tossed her braid behind her back. “I’m thrilled to stay as long as you want me.” Her face clouded before she appeared to dismiss whatever thought had come to her.

  “You just thought of something that worries you.” I sound like a girl.

  “Was it that obvious?”

  “Out with it,” he said.

  “I’m a planner. Have been all my life. I knew from the time I was in junior high I wanted to be a nurse. And now, I don’t know what’s coming from one day to the next. I wish I k
new what was coming after this.”

  “I get it,” he said.

  “I’m in love with this little town already. It’ll be rough to leave.”

  “Maybe you won’t have to,” Brody said. “You never know. A last-minute upset late in the fourth quarter has been known to happen.”

  “I always tell friends that football is just like life.”

  “Do you? Really?”

  “It really is,” she said.

  “Would you care for coffee? I do know how to make an espresso or a latte. Whatever you like.” Was he looking for an excuse to stay in her presence a little longer? Yes. Yes, he was.

  Her face lit up. “I would love a latte. You really know how to make one?”

  He opened a cupboard and pulled out his Nespresso machine. “Lance got me this for Christmas. It’s idiot proof.”

  While he busied himself with the coffee, she pulled various items out of the refrigerator. In the next few minutes, she scrubbed and peeled carrots while he made their coffees. “Whoa, girl, how many carrots does one batch of muffins need?” he asked.

  “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, Mr. Quarterback. You can thank me next season when you’re stronger than ever.”

  The kitchen filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Kara stuffed carrots into the food processor. The roar of the blade drowned out all other sounds as he steamed the milk.

  She dumped the finely shredded carrots into a bowl, just as he presented his masterpiece. “Latte, skim milk.”

  She thanked him and took a sip. “It’s delicious. Reminds me of the place I used to stop at on the way into work.”

  “I told you I had some practical skills.”

  “I take back everything I thought about you,” she said.

  “The relief. You can’t imagine.” He sat at the counter with his double espresso. “I’m going to read a little. Don’t mind me.”

  “Sit there as long as you want, but I’m still adding wheat germ to these muffins.”

  “I love wheat germ. And raisins.” He grinned at her and opened his tablet to read a new thriller by his favorite author.

  “Meow!” He looked down at his feet. Minnie cocked her head to the side and then leapt up to his lap.

  “Well, hello, kitty,” he said. She purred and made a circle with her body before closing her eyes.

  “Minnie, you’re such a traitor,” Kara said. “I can’t believe her. We’ve been here less than a day.”

  “What can I say? No one can resist my charms.”

  “It was the tuna. Had to be.”

  “Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he said.

  “If I find her on your bed, she’s grounded.” She went back to her mixing bowl. “Serious traitor.”

  He put his finger to his mouth. “Shush, Minnie’s sleeping.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kara

  Kara breathed a sigh of relief as she stuck the muffins into the oven. Brody’s presence had distracted her so she had no idea if they would be edible. At every turn, she was aware of him: his scent, his powerful body, his soulful eyes.

  This kitchen. That was the problem. It was this magnificent kitchen with the white cabinetry and the high ceiling and the view of the ocean. It was the scent of coffee and cinnamon, and the sunlight on the hardwood floor. And, Brody sitting there reading. It all combined into a sense of domesticity. Home. A happy couple at home. I need to get out of this room. Now.

  Brody. What a great name. She loved how it felt on her tongue when she said it out loud. If she were twelve, she’d write Brody Mullen a hundred times in her notebook and dream of being Mrs. Brody Mullen. For heaven’s sake—had she completely lost her mind?

  “Kara, can I talk to you about something?”

  All thoughts of departure flew from her mind. “Anything. Is there something I need to do?”

  “No, it’s just that”—he took in a deep breath—“I can’t stop thinking about the surgery.”

  “The postponement?” she asked.

  “No, not that. I’m relieved that it’s put off for a few weeks.”

  “Are you nervous about it?” she asked.

  “My father went in for surgery for a heart condition. He died on the table.”

  “Oh, I see. You poor thing. That must have been awful.”

  “It was,” he said. “And I’ve been thinking—maybe we should vet this surgical team before she has the surgery.”

  “I see.” Kara did see. He was worried the same thing would happen with Flora, and he wanted to try and control the situation. As if he could. “First, this is an entirely different situation. Second, Doctor Waller wouldn’t have recommended anyone but the best, isn’t that right?”

  “True.”

  “But I can poke around. See if I can find any reason we would want to find someone else,” she said.

  “I’d appreciate that. I wasn’t even that worried when my dad went in. The doctors assured us open heart surgeries were performed every day. It never occurred to me that he might die on the table.”

  She didn’t know what to say. If she were at work, she would be obliged to discuss the risks and tell him worst-case scenarios. But that wasn’t her job here. “It’s going to be all right.” That was lame. She had no idea if it would be all right. None at all.

  “Doc Waller did say the surgeon is one of the best in the country,” he said.

  “Well then, that’s as good as we can hope for,” she said.

  “I suppose.” He glanced back at his tablet before looking back up at her. “Mom wants her hair done, so I called the salon in town. They said they could send someone out around eleven. She hasn’t expressed an interest in her hair for a long time.”

  “She must be feeling better.”

  “She also said she’d love a shower if possible,” he said.

  “I’ll go tend to your mother, but you have to watch the muffins.”

  “Watch?” he asked.

  “As in, when the timer goes off, take them out, please.”

  He raised one eyebrow and grimaced. “I guess I can handle that.”

  “If I come back to burned muffins, I’ll know it’s because you wanted to sabotage the wheat germ,” she said.

  “I love wheat germ.”

  “And raisins.”

  BY ELEVEN, KARA HAD helped Janet shower and now straightened her room while Janet applied makeup.

  Janet sighed as she gazed at herself in the mirror. “Maybe a haircut and color will help.” She ran her hands through her short, straight hair. “I was in denial about the gray until I stopped coloring it.”

  “After the stylist comes, you’ll feel like a new woman,” Kara said.

  “I doubt that, but it’s worth trying,” Janet said. “How are you doing, Kara? Is Brody being good to you?”

  “Yes, he’s great.” She felt a smile cross her face at the thought of him. “I’m homesick, though. Not for the city, but my friends.”

  She realized Janet was watching her closely in the mirror. “Was it that bad that you had to move across the country?” Janet asked.

  “It was.”

  “But you don’t want to talk about it?” Janet asked.

  “That’s right,” Kara said. The advice of the agent went through her head. Change the subject if people get too personal. If they start to ask too many questions, turn it back to them. Ask them questions. People love to talk about themselves. This was the easiest part of living a lie. She could always think of a question to ask. “Would it cheer you up to have a friend over for lunch or dinner? We could arrange for the world to come to you while you recover.”

  “I don’t have friends here,” Janet said. “I need some.”

  Kara smiled as gently as she could. “Me too.”

  “You won’t believe what motivated me to get out of bed today.” Janet stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I have a crush on the doctor, and suddenly I care about my hair. Ridiculous.”

  Kara put the last of t
he throw pillows on the bed, pretending this was new information. “You have a crush on Doctor Waller?”

  “I believe that’s what one would call it, yes,” said Janet. “I’m not entirely certain. I haven’t dated since I was twenty years old. Do you think it’s possible to fall in love twice in a lifetime?”

  “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in love even once.”

  “Really?”

  That was a mistake. Stick with the biography. Bad breakup. “I mean, I thought I was, but now I know it wasn’t love, but infatuation.”

  “When you’re young, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference.”

  “Do you think so?” Kara asked.

  “I know so. Before Simon I had one of those. Once I fell in love with him, I realized how wrong the earlier relationship had been. That will happen to you too.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Jon’s been a widower for over a decade. His wife died of lung cancer. She wasn’t even a smoker.”

  “It happens,” Kara said. “Sadly.”

  “Last month, Jon asked me out, and I panicked and said no. I wish I’d said yes. Because now I’m afraid he won’t ask again.” Janet leaned closer to the mirror as she swiped her lashes with mascara.

  “You could ask him.”

  “Women do that now,” Janet said. “I know. But, I’m not sure I could.”

  “He’s almost certain to say yes since he asked you before.”

  “I have a history of saying no the first time someone asks me out. Maybe that’s a clue that this is right.” Janet spoke with a faraway look in her eyes. “I met Simon during college. He was the quarterback of our football team. Full of self-confidence, but not arrogant. I told myself I was not interested. Dumb jocks were not my type. I told him that when he asked me out the first time. Can you imagine?”