Kissing Kendall (4 page)

She was about to do just that but snatched the paper out of his reach at the last second, clutching it to her chest. “Uh-uh. Not so fast,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Are you really going to start dating or are you just
saying
you’re going to start dating to get me off your back?”

“Georgie…,” he warned.

“Okay, okay. Fine, here.” She tossed him the list. “Now I want you to keep in mind that I was very selective about whom I added to that list. I didn’t add just
any
woman with a pulse.”

“Good to know.”

“And just for the record, all these women willingly gave me their phone numbers. Apparently, you’re considered quite the catch in this them parts,
pardner
,” she said with a grin, pretending to tip a fake cowboy hat.

Brad ignored the comic cowgirl routine and looked over the list with an incredulous eye. “Good lord, Georgie, there are more than forty women’s names here!”

She beamed. “You’re welcome.”

Hell
, he thought grimly as he tucked the note in his pocket. If his sister ever wanted to give up pharmaceuticals, she’d do well opening her own dating service. “Don’t pat yourself on the back yet. I’ll reserve the thanks until after I look over this list a little closer.”

Brad was about to leave when a trail of vanilla and cinnamon wafted through the air. He could identify whose scent that was with a wad of tissues up his nose, which meant he needed to get out of there fast. His insides clenched, but before he could turn away, Kendall appeared at his side, looking better rested and even more beautiful than the last time he’d seen her. Crap. With that kind of thinking he knew he was in trouble. But when Georgie took one look at Kendall, Brad saw the lightbulb go off over his sister’s head.

That’s when he knew his real trouble was just beginning.

Georgie’s grin widened. “Hey, Kendall. I’m so glad you stopped by now of all times. Well, well, look who’s here, Brad,” she said pointedly.
“Kendall.”

“Yeah, I’ve got eyes,” Brad ground out between clenched teeth.

What a mistake he’d made confiding in Georgie. He had told his sister years ago—in a weak and unguarded moment—that he once had
minor
feelings for Kendall. Something he should have told Kendall himself, but she was engaged at the time and he didn’t want to interfere with her and Jake’s relationship, so he kept silent about it. But now that he mentioned wanting to date again, he had a sneaking suspicion that his sister was trying her hand at matchmaking. He sighed, reining in the embarrassment brewing in his belly over his sister’s interference.

Kendall chuckled, then looked up at him with lips parted in a dazzling display of perfect white teeth. “Nice to see you again, Brad.”

“Again?” Georgie asked, her features becoming even more animated at that extra tidbit of information. “Oh? Did you two see each other recently?”

Brad kept his mouth shut. He preferred to just shoot daggers at his sister with his gaze.

Unfortunately, Georgie was still alive and well and, worse, didn’t seem to be getting his subtle hint to back off.

Let it alone
, he silently conveyed to her. There was no use in wasting energy where it was of no use. His sister of all people should know Kendall was not in the market for a relationship.

Kendall brushed her long brown bangs to the side of her forehead and smiled at Georgie. “Yeah, your brother was nice enough to check up on me the other night on his way home from work.”

Georgie’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “Yes, that
was
kind,” she remarked, shooting him a knowing look.

Brad’s face grew hot. Good grief. He was going to strangle his sister.

He cleared his throat instead. “So what brings you by, Kendall?” he asked, changing the subject before Georgie could read any more into his encounter at Kendall’s house.

“I was dropping off some of my baked goods to a few of the coffeehouses in town. I thought maybe they could sell my muffins. I left some business cards, too.”

Georgie clucked her tongue. “I still think you’re wasting your time. You have real talent; you should be looking for a nice storefront to rent and open up your own bakery. Don’t you think so, Brad?”

“Kendall knows what I think.” He turned to her then, giving her a reassuring wink. “I always was a fan of your blueberry pie, so you’d definitely have my support. But you know enough people in town who’d support you in whatever you decide.”

Kendall bit her lip. “Actually, I haven’t officially made the big announcement yet, but…I
have
decided to open my own business. I’ve only had a chance to check out a few places to rent so far, though, and nothing is just right or in my price range. So I thought in the meantime I would try to drum up some interest in my baked goods.”

“Oh, I’m so proud of you, Kendall!” Georgie gushed.

“There’s that small diner on Atlantic Avenue that just closed because of some kind of tax evasion problem the renters had,” Brad told her. “The owners don’t have it up on the market yet. I was in there a few times to grab coffee. It’s pretty nice, but definitely needs some work inside to get it to where you’d need it to be. I’m sure the owners would like to have a renter before summer. I bet you could get a reasonable rate.”

Kendall’s brown eyes widened. “Really? I’ll definitely take a look at it. But I’d need to find someone to help me with the repairs, and that’s where things could get costly.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Brad can help you with that,” Georgie offered.

He stared at his sister, tongue-tied.

What the hell was Georgie thinking? The last thing he wanted to do was insinuate himself into Kendall’s life. He wasn’t sure he could handle spending so much time with her—him wanting to be more than friends and her wanting…well, her husband back. It was a recipe for disaster.

He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze unable to meet hers. “Uh, I don’t know, Kendall. I wouldn’t set your hopes on me. It could be a bigger job than what I can handle.”

Georgie took out one of his business cards and handed it to Kendall. “Don’t listen to him; he’s being modest. My brother can do anything. He helped Walt put in an absolutely stunning deck in our backyard for free.”

“Really?” Kendall asked, casting him a sidelong glance. “Well, you wouldn’t be working for free. I’d definitely pay you. Are you sure you wouldn’t mind the extra work?”

“I—”

“Of course he wouldn’t mind,” Georgie said.

Brad glared at his sister. She smiled back innocently, but he knew that smile well. What kind of crap was she trying to pull?

Kendall’s gaze bounced between Georgie and Brad, looking hesitant. “Um, only if you’re sure you have the time…”

Brad leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Actually—”

“Brad’s got plenty of time,” his sister happily supplied. “Just before you showed up, he was mentioning how busy he wanted to keep himself.”

Brad scowled. Dammit. He
had
just said that, but the point of keeping busy was so he wouldn’t think of Kendall. How the hell was that supposed to work if he was helping her?

Georgie reached out and squeezed Kendall’s hand around his business card. “You should call him.” Then she let out a fake giggle. “Oops, I mean, you should call him if you need any handiwork done, of course.”

Brad gritted his teeth so hard he thought his jawbone was going to disintegrate. Georgie was going to get an earful the next time they were alone. Thankfully, Kendall seemed oblivious to Georgie’s matchmaking.

Kendall placed a hand on his arm, diverting his thoughts from the many ways he was planning to get even with his sister. “Thanks, Brad, you’re a real lifesaver.”

“What are friends for?” Georgie said, folding her arms with a satisfied grin. “Right, Brad?”

He swallowed, then looked at Kendall again. She was gazing up at him with those big, grateful brown eyes and…that was that. He melted—like the complete lovesick stick of butter that he was. Damn. He was
so
doomed.

“Sure, what are friends for?” he repeated.

Friends. Man, he was really starting to hate that word. His sister probably thought she was being cute—helpful, even. She didn’t know how torn he was over his feelings for Kendall, and his sister clearly was oblivious to Kendall’s residual feelings for Jake. Brad hated to leave her high and dry, so he’d make sure she would have the help she needed before he begged off the project. He’d ask around the station tonight.

Brad reached into his pocket to finger Georgie’s dating list for added support and knew right then and there exactly what he had to do. Tonight, he’d make use of that list and take the first step in finding himself a woman.

Chapter Three

“What do you think?”

Dee took her time glancing around the diner. Her gaze traveled from the water-stained floors to the cracks in the trim, then all the way up to the clouded mirrored walls. She finally turned to Kendall. “Well, I think this should keep you busy for a good long while.”

Kendall looked around the beaten-down dining room herself and her heart gave a little squeeze. Oh, gosh, what had she been thinking? The building was more of a mess than she remembered. Maybe she had rushed into signing the lease for this place.

Her face must have given away her torn thoughts, because Dee immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Breathe, kiddo. In and out. There you go. It’s not really
that
bad.” Dee looked around again and flinched. “Okay…it is. But Brad will have this place in shape in no time. Plus, if you need anyone to help paint or anything, you can always count on me.”

Kendall blew her bangs out of her eyes and managed a shaky smile. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew right now.”

She looked again and was grateful Dee still held an arm around her, because she felt as if her legs were about to give out. This was such a huge risk, trying to open up a business. Was this really what she had said she wanted? Her mouth dried up and she was starting to get an airy butterfly feeling in the pit of her stomach. If she didn’t do something soon, she was going to wind up a puddle on the floor. She closed her eyes and slowly took in a deep breath through her nose.

“Sweet Mother of Mercy!” a familiar voice cried.

Cold hands suddenly clamped down on her cheeks. Kendall’s eyes sprang open and she was greeted by her grandmother’s horrified expression.

“Are you all right?” Maeve asked, giving Kendall’s head a little shake. “Speak to me, dear!”

To Kendall’s chagrin, Maeve’s frantic shaking actually managed to make her feel better. Kendall pulled back slightly and sent Dee and her grandmother a sheepish smile. “I’m fine. Really. I think I just need some air.”
And a life. And about $20,000 worth of repairs done at half the cost.

Grammy’s eyes narrowed. “Have you eaten anything yet today?”

Kendall blinked.
Eaten?

She mentally added breakfast to her running list of needs. “Um, well, I had some coffee this morning.”

Maeve gasped, dramatically clutching a hand to her heart.

Maybe she shouldn’t have been so honest. Even Dee seemed to know the mistake Kendall had made and winced. Now she was in for a lecture on taking better care of her health. But her appetite still wasn’t what it had been before Jake passed away, and the nervousness she felt at starting up her own business was really getting to her.

“Coffee is
not
a meal, nor is it in a major food group,” her grandmother said sternly. “Just what kind of baker are you going to be if you don’t even taste your own product?”

Dee raised a guilty hand. “Um, I think that’s my fault. I’ve got about eight extra pounds on me that say I’ve been doing way too many taste tests.”

Maeve’s lips twitched, but she kept her expression stern. “Shame on you, Kendall. You have to take better care of yourself with all the things that need to be done around here. And Dee, I expect you and Georgie to make sure my granddaughter eats while I’m away in New York.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Dee mumbled, looking as if she desperately wanted a way out from the conversation. Not that Kendall didn’t want to go and hide somewhere too. When Grammy was in rare form—as she obviously was today—she could be pretty darn scary.

“And another thing,” Maeve continued, waving a finger, “I think you both—”

“Oh, wow, look at the time!” Dee exclaimed, pointing to her wrist even though she wasn’t wearing a watch. “I better get back to work or Georgie’s going to have my butt on a plate. Mondays are always extra busy at the pharmacy and she’s going to need the extra tech help, so…I should really be there.
Now
. Bye, Kendall. Um, so nice seeing you again, Mrs. Lennox.”

“Chicken,” Kendall mouthed, but Dee just shrugged and made a beeline for the door.

As soon as Dee made her quick escape, Maeve’s gaze swept the area of the diner and her already deep frown somehow managed to sag even farther.

“I know it doesn’t look ideal in here,” Kendall rushed to explain, “but I think with a little elbow grease and Brad’s help—”

“Brad?” Maeve interrupted. Her grandmother’s features suddenly softened. “You mean Georgie’s brother?”

“Well, yeah, he’s been really great about helping me. I don’t think I would have been able to lease this place if it wasn’t for him. He’s cutting me a break on repair costs.”

“I always did like that young man,” Maeve said, tapping a red-colored fingernail against her matching lips. “Polite. Very protective of his sister, if I remember correctly. Good-looking fellow too, wouldn’t you say?” she said, shooting her an inquisitive glance.

The question took Kendall off guard for a moment. In all the years she had known Brad, her grandmother had never spoken of him in that way before. “Uh, Brad is… Yes, I guess he is very handsome.”

Of course Brad was handsome! Duh. Not that she happened to notice something like that because she was interested in him. She only noticed because it was one of those far-removed observations any woman with a pair of working eyes could make.

And speaking of eyes…

Brad really did have the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen on a man. They were a lovely shade of cornflower blue surrounded by thick, dark lashes that made them look all the more compelling. A woman could get lost staring into those eyes. And apparently, Brad had left quite a trail of broken hearts back in high school, from what Georgie had mentioned. Kendall’s heart might have become one of them if she’d allowed it. Brad had a way of smiling at her that made her feel as if she were the only woman in the room. But next to her grandmother, Georgie was the closest thing to family Kendall had, and she had come to value Brad in the same way. She’d never jeopardize that relationship over the little crush she’d first had.

Brad had so much more going for him than just looks. He was kind and honorable and protective of those he loved, too; the perfect man for any woman.

Well, any woman but her, that is.

Her grandmother’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Brad will be working here a lot, I imagine.”

“Yes, on his days off. But he’s a police officer, Grammy. I can’t expect him to be helping me twenty-four-seven. And I’m sure he has other projects he might be working on for his handyman business.”

“Mm-hmm, I
do
remember he’s an officer—and I approve. It’ll be good for you to spend time with such a nice young man as that.”

“Spend time with— What? Oh, it’s not like that at all. Our relationship is strictly professional. Well, we are friends, but we’re not—”

Maeve’s chuckle had Kendall snapping her mouth shut. What was so amusing?

Her grandmother closed the distance between them and stroked the side of Kendall’s face with her fingers. “Jake would approve, too, and would want you to move on with your life,” she said in a gentle tone.

Kendall stiffened then turned away. “I don’t want to talk about Jake or what he would want right now.” She snuck a glance back at her grandmother’s hurt face and immediately regretted her gruff response. “I’m sorry,” she said with a sigh. “I know what you’re saying and I completely get it. But I’m…I’m just not interested in Brad that way.” Although as soon as she said the words, her stomach clenched and she knew what she had spoken was a lie—or that she needed something to eat. She prayed it was the latter.

It had to be the latter because no matter how attractive Brad was, they were only friends. Brad had never given her any clue of having any interest beyond that. Besides, she was done hanging her hopes on any kind of relationship with a man who had a dangerous job. There was no way she would make that mistake again. And Brad deserved to find a stronger woman, someone who could support him in his line of work. And she, well—when she was ready, that is, she needed to find a man who was…
safe
.

Someone physically fit with no preexisting health conditions would be a plus too.

Her grandmother heaved a disappointed sigh. “If you say so, dear. I just hate seeing my beautiful young granddaughter waste her life.”

Kendall’s eyes widened. “Grammy, how can you say that?” She spread her arms out wide, gesturing around the diner. “Look at what I’ve decided to take on. Does this look like someone who is wasting her life? I’m going to be a small-business owner soon. This is good. Really good. What I’ve always wanted.”
One
of the things she always wanted, anyway.

She just hoped it was enough.

Kendall carried her laundry basket into the living room. “What do you want to watch tonight, Deucey?” she asked, turning on the TV.

Deuce wagged his tail in response. No big surprise there. This had been their routine as of late; she randomly picked out a mindless television program and Deuce sat on her lap, watching it with her. However, tonight she felt like shaking things up a bit, so she decided to add folding laundry into their weekend repertoire.

Ooh, if only my friends could see how I spend my Friday nights. Then they’d really be impressed.

She sighed as she picked up a pillowcase and began folding. Deuce plopped down by her feet, chewing relentlessly on something. She assumed it was the new bone her grandmother gave him, but when she glanced down, she noticed the bone untouched on the other side of her feet.

Curious, she tilted her head. “Hey, boy, what are you sinking your teeth into now?” she asked, bending down and reaching for whatever he had lodged in his mouth.

Not wanting to give it up, Deuce turned his head and took off for the kitchen. Her worst fear was that it was her new Victoria’s Secret bra, so she ran after him. Her puppy had already ruined two pairs of pantyhose and one of her favorite slippers.

When she caught up with him, Deuce hid under the table, but she was able to snatch some of the material and began pulling it from his jaw. Deuce finally let go and she held up the damp item in victory. But what her puppy had in his mouth wasn’t her bra. It was a simple sock. A man’s sock.

Jake’s
sock.

Grief instantly pooled in her heart. She choked back a cry, letting the sock fall from her fingertips.

Of all the stupid things to cry over
. She thought she had gotten rid of all of Jake’s things from the house. Perhaps she had overlooked something like that on purpose. It was probably good to have those reminders of her husband every now and again, otherwise she might forget.

And she feared she was already beginning to.

She and Jake hadn’t been together long, but memories were all she had—they were the only things keeping Jake alive in her heart. She couldn’t forget. Otherwise, it’d be like losing him all over again. She’d lost far too many people in her life as it was.

Her dad was the first. He had gotten sick when she was fourteen and passed away suddenly. Her mother couldn’t seem to handle her grief and raising a teenager to boot, and coped with alcohol and tranquilizers. They had taken their toll on her mother’s body a few years later. Then Grammy stepped in to take care of her. But once Kendall graduated, her grandmother was hardly around, always off traveling somewhere. Kendall never quite had a normal family life.

When she finally met Jake, she thought that would change. Maybe that’s why she had rushed into marriage. But she was in love and wanted stability so badly, had such hope of finally creating a lasting family of her own. But then her husband passed away only a few months into their marriage, proving once again that she lost whatever she loved. Well, she didn’t need to tempt fate any more. With that kind of track record, she was completely done with giving her heart away to anyone else.

A knock at the door startled her. Deuce let out a happy bark and ran to the front of the house, Kendall quickly swiping at her eyes and following him. Looking in the hallway mirror, she studied herself and cringed. Oh well. No magic tricks up her sleeve at the moment. Whoever was at the door would have to suck it up and deal with her appearance. It’s not like she was expecting a hot date tonight—or any other night for that matter.

She squinted through the peephole and saw Brad grinning on the other side. He stood so handsome and neatly groomed that she could feel her face flush and perspiration build under her Phillies T-shirt.

Whoa. She stepped back. That kind of reaction to Brad was new. Another knock sounded. She quickly shrugged off her response and did her best to compose herself before opening the door.

Brad took one look at her and his expression went grim. “What happened?” he asked gently, his eyes sweeping over her face with concern. “Are you all right?”

“Nothing,” she said, brushing any remaining wetness from her face and averting her eyes. “I—I’m fine.”

Mercifully, the bulb in one of her porch lights was out and the dim lighting could hide the heat growing in her cheeks. The last thing she wanted to do was show Brad that she had been crying. Especially over a sock! There were people in town—namely Georgie and Dee—who worried enough about her already. If the two of them got wind of how she was acting tonight, she’d be in for something a lot stronger than a day at a spa.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, still unable to meet his penetrating gaze. Deuce began to whimper and scratch at the screen door. She cooed at him lightly and tried to settle him down.

“I wanted to stop by and drop off these flooring samples,” Brad said, watching her with a careful eye. “The earlier you decide what kind you want, the earlier I can put the order in. Who knows how long they’ll take to come. I was going to leave the samples here by the door but since I saw your car in the driveway and the porch lights on”—he glanced up and squinted—“or at least
one
porch light on, I thought I’d say hi.” He shrugged, giving her a disarming half smile. “So…hi.”