Kara got to her feet, giving up on her attempts to befriend the cat, for now. Still chilled, she grabbed the red-white-and-blue patriotic quilt from the back of the couch and draped it over her shoulders. She made her way to the scarred oak table, where her now lukewarm tea waited. A smile pulled at her lips as she thought of Jason preparing her tea.
She pulled out one of the ladder-back chairs and made herself comfortable. The table was strategically placed in the room, giving the occupants somewhere to dine while admiring the landscape, which at this moment was hidden beneath a fluffy white blanket of snow. Coldness radiated through the windowpanes, sending goose bumps cascading down her arms. She clutched the quilt tighter.
Some hot tea would help warm her up. She dug a teaspoon into the five-pound sack of sugar and ladled out three even spoonfuls. All the while, her mind replayed the moment when Jason thought she’d been calling out to him and not the cat. She couldn’t help but notice the flame of desire that had burned in his eyes. Knowing he was still interested in her unfurled a ribbon of excitement within her. Long-ignored needs swept over her, making her weak in the knees.
The spoon clanked against the mug a little too hard, jarring her attention back to stirring the tea without making a mess. They weren’t meant to be, she reminded herself. She’d learned that unforgettable lesson the hard way. She didn’t need a repeat. Someday she’d find the right man. He was out there somewhere.
Still, she was intrigued to know that beneath Jason’s grouchy, war-hardened veneer was a kind, caring heart—one capable of opening up his home to a stray cat and an old love. She thought of mentioning her observation to him—but what was she thinking? She needed to stop dwelling on her sexy host. But being stuck with him in this cozy log home, she had no way to avoid him.
What she needed to do was keep herself busy. But doing what? She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been faced with having to find something to occupy her time. Usually there weren’t enough hours in the day, to help Samantha with her homework, do the laundry, cook dinner...the list went on and on. But here in Jason’s home, Kara felt out of sorts.
She had just lifted the warm mug to her lips to savor that first sip of tea, which was always infinitely better than the rest, when Jason entered the room with his hair still damp from the shower. His scowl was firmly in place. In fact, the only time he’d appeared the slightest bit at ease was when he’d thought she was flirting with him. Not going there, she reminded herself.
“When did you get a cat?”
“I didn’t.”
She glanced across the room, finding the aforementioned feline sitting on the coffee table. Kara couldn’t help but smile as the sleek feline let out a big yawn, showing off its pink tongue. “Are you going to try to tell me there isn’t a black cat sitting across the room, staring at us?”
His forehead creased. “Of course there’s a cat. But I didn’t get her. She just made herself at home.”
“So it’s a girl. And let me guess, she was hungry and you started feeding her.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Something like that.”
So the curmudgeon wasn’t as hard-hearted as he wanted to let on. “What’s her name?”
“Sly.”
A kitty with a name was a kitty with a permanent home. “Sly? Hmm...what kind of a name is that for a girl cat?”
“For a person with a stuffed bear named Bubbles, I wouldn’t be casting any stones.”
Kara, feeling childish, stuck her tongue out at him. His blue eyes grew round and his pupils dilated. All the blood swirled in her chest and rushed up her neck. Obviously, that wasn’t the right move to make around a man who’d just moments ago thought she was flirting with him. She inwardly groaned, wondering if she’d ever figure out how to act around him.
“Do you think Sly will ever let me pet her?”
“The way to make nice with that cat is through her stomach. If you feed her, you’ll be friends for life.”
Kara paused at the mention of friends for life. She wouldn’t be around after tonight. In fact, she had no idea where she’d be this time next year, after Jason replaced her at the resort. Not that she intended to give him any reason to fire her. When she left she wanted it to be on her terms—with a stable job waiting, to support her and her daughter.
“How about I fix us some food?” she asked, anxious to do something—anything.
“Dinner’s already taken care of,” he said, getting to his feet while keeping his gaze averted. “You’ll have to make do with leftover stew.”
If he was anticipating an argument, he wouldn’t get one. “Sounds good. Anything I can do to help?”
“No, it only needs to be warmed. Shouldn’t be long. Then you can feed Sly. She eats when I eat. Keeps her occupied so she isn’t stealing my food.”
Kara laughed, trying to imagine such an innocent-looking thief. “Just call if you need me.”
Of course he wouldn’t need her. He’d made that abundantly
clear seven years ago.
* * *
His plan was working. He’d made it through that conversation like a true host. No errant thoughts or overtly awkward moments. He just had to keep his cool a bit longer.