Sweet Chemistry (20 page)

The students groaned, but pulled out their notes and gave him their attention.

He spent the afternoon with Michael again, and because he had finished grading, they worked together. They got done earlier than James anticipated, and the sun was just setting on his ride home.

A trace of cinnamon wafted out from James’ apartment. When he opened the door, the fragrance of freshly baked pies assaulted his senses and made him salivate. The counter in his kitchen was covered with mixing bowls, a blender, and ingredients as far as he could see. Kate was working on the table.

“Hi,” Kate called out to him as she rolled out a piecrust.

“I could definitely get used to this. My apartment has never smelled so good.”

Kate grinned. “That’s the pumpkin pies. They’re almost done.”

“
They
? As in more than one?”

Kate nodded and lifted the piecrust into a pan.

“What are those for?” James pointed to the two pie pans in front of her.

Kate turned the pan in her hands, crimping the crust as it moved. “This one will be pecan, and this one will be apple.”

“You’re making apple too?” His stomach growled.

“You mentioned you liked apple—”

“When we were making a fake menu, I didn’t mean for you to make one for tomorrow.”

Kate cleared her throat. “As I was saying, you mentioned you liked apple pie, so I decided to make one too.”

“Kate, it’s too much work for you.”

“If that’s how you feel, you can help.” She turned to face him and it was the first time he noticed her apron. It was hot pink and with SWEET CHEMISTRY printed across the front with the formula for sucrose under it.

James grinned. “I love your apron. Where did you get it?”

Kate blushed. “I had it made. I’m glad you like it, because I have one for you too.” She washed her hands and reached into her bag and pulled out a black apron.

James smiled as he read it. “C12H22O11. It’s perfect, and almost as sweet as you.” He locked his lips on hers, which were sweeter than usual. Her eyes were closed when he pulled away from her. She had a dusting of sugar on her cheek. Resisting every temptation to kiss it off of her, he slipped the apron over his head. “All right, tell me what I need to do.”

“You are going to make the pecan pie filling. I toasted the nuts earlier, so now all you need to do is combine those ingredients,” she pointed to them on the counter, “and pour them into this shell.”

“Sounds easy enough.” He looked into the mixing bowl and inhaled. “Can I have a piece of apple before I start?”

Kate scrunched up her nose. “It’s got flour in it, so it’ll taste sort of starchy, but if you really want to try it, go right ahead.”

“Mm, cinnamon and…what is that?”

“Nutmeg, freshly grated.” She nodded to the brown lump sitting next to the grater.

“It’s delicious. Now I’m ready to work.”

Kate gave him directions, which he followed step by step, and as he was filling the pie shell with gooey pecans, he smiled. “This is the first pie I’ve ever made.”

“Congratulations. Now, before we can bake it, I need to check on the pumpkin pies.” Kate poked the surface of the pies with a paring knife and then announced they were done. She turned the oven temperature knob up a little. “Okay, put your pie in and set a timer for forty minutes.”

“Now what?”

“Now we make a lattice top for the apple pie.”

By the time he got the crust cut into strips and put in place, the timer went off. “Seriously? It took me forty minutes to roll out and cut crust?”

Kate giggled. “You’re learning. It’s bound to take you longer.”

“Go on, make fun of me.”

She gasped. “I would
never
.” She kissed his cheek and helped him finish making the pie.

When the last pie came out of the oven, Kate took off her apron and put it inside her bag. “I hate to bake and run, but I’ve got a date with the Laundromat I can’t miss.”

James’ shoulders fell. He was hoping she would stay the night again, but consoled himself with the thought that she would be spending the next three nights with him.

“What time should I be here tomorrow?”

“I like to be there by noon, so if you get here at ten, that would leave us plenty of time to pack the car and get there. We’ll probably run into traffic. They live in Thousand Oaks, so we’ll already be part of the way to Santa Barbara.”

“I’m so excited, and nervous. What if your brother and his wife don’t like me?”

“What’s not to like?” James pulled her into a hug.

Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just anxious. I know how much he means to you, so if I don’t get his approval, I worry about what that means for me.”

He squeezed her again. “Stop worrying. Be here at ten.”

Kate sighed. “Okay. See you in the morning.” She kissed him one last time before she left.

As James packed the next morning, he called Jeff. “Do you need us to pick up anything on the way?”

“It’s so weird to hear you say
us
.” Jeff cleared his throat. “You’re bringing pie still, right?”

James grinned. “Yep, I even helped make them.”

Jeff chuckled into the phone. “I can’t wait to meet the woman who has persuaded you to cook.”

“She gave me an apron. It’s really awesome. It has the chemical formula for sucrose on it.” James could practically hear his brother rolling his eyes.

“Nerd.”

James shrugged. “What of it? I’ve been a nerd my whole life, and I’ve finally found someone who can appreciate it. She’s amazing. You’ll see.” Jeff was going to like her, that’s all there was to it. Kate had nothing to worry about.

“Oh, Heather says to bring cream for the pies.”

“I’m on it. Anything else?”

The receiver squeaked as Jeff covered it with his hand to ask Heather. “Nope. Just pie and cream. See you soon.”

A few minutes later, Kate knocked on his door. She was wearing a dress that hugged her breasts and took his breath away. Her backpack was over her shoulder and was bulging at the seams.

She put it down on the floor and said, “I don’t have luggage.”

“Me either.” James nodded to his backpack, which had clothes spilling out of the top. “How are we supposed to transport the pies?”

Kate pointed to the counter. “I left pie boxes here last night.”

James laughed. “I’m so observant.”

Kate showed him how to fold the cardboard.

“These look store bought, except for my lattice on the apple pie.”

“You have to start somewhere. I’m sure it’ll taste delicious. Are you ready?”

James nodded and picked up their backpacks and the two pumpkin pies, but Kate stopped him.

“One of them is for you. I don’t think we need four pies tonight.”

James only hesitated for a second, and then put the pie back in his fridge. “You’re right. Three pies will be plenty for the four of us.” Once they got to the door, one of the pies nearly slid out of his hands as he tried to lock the door.

“I’ll lock it.” Kate pulled her keys out and shook them, balancing a pie in her other hand.

Kate was quiet for most of the time it took them to get to Thousand Oaks, and when he pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store, she frowned at him.

“We need to get a can of whip cream.”

“I can’t believe they’re open. That’s something I haven’t gotten used to yet. Back home, nothing would be open on Thanksgiving.”

Once they were inside the store, Kate took his hand and wrapped her fingers through his. James grinned. “We should come shopping here more often.”

* * * *

As they sat in the car outside Jeff and Heather’s house, James noticed Kate’s hands fidgeting in her lap. “Don’t worry. It’s going to be great.”

She bit her lip. “I hope so.”

Kate stifled a gasp when Jeff opened the door. She had seen pictures of him with James, but nothing could’ve prepared her for how similar they were in person. The only noticeable difference was that Jeff’s face was clean-shaven.

Jeff was holding a baby. “Please come in. You can put the food down before we are properly introduced.” He led them inside where the scents of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes welcomed them.

The front room was joined to the dining room, making one large open area, connected by a beautiful arch. A swinging door led to the kitchen on the right while a hall led to the bedrooms on the left. The closer they got to the kitchen, the stronger the aromas became.

Once they were in the kitchen, James smiled. “Jeff and Heather, this is Kate, and that little man my brother is holding is Miles.” James grabbed Miles’ chubby little arm and nibbled it, making him squeal.

Kate put the pies down and put her hand out. “Nice to meet you both, I’ve heard so much about you. James didn’t tell me how beautiful Miles is.” She smiled at him, and Miles smiled back. “Heather, he looks just like you.”

“You think? Everyone always tell me he looks like Jeff.” Heather smiled.

Kate looked between the three of them. “He’s got your eyes.”

“Yes, but he got my devastating good looks,” Jeff added, making them all laugh.

“Heather, can I help you with anything?” Kate looked at the stove, which was covered with pots.

Heather nodded. “Sure, there are a few things to take care of before dinner is ready. Boys, will you set the table?”

James and Jeff turned and left them alone in the kitchen.

Kate looked around her. “I really love your house. It’s so warm and inviting.”

Heather beamed at her. “Thanks. It’s an old house, so we had to do a lot of work when we bought it, but I really love it too. It’s nice to have a husband in construction.” Heather was staring at her. “I’m so glad you could come. James has been talking about you for months now. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”

“Months?”

“I’ve known about you since August.” Heather’s eyes sparkled. “We heard all about James’ dark-haired girl.”

“Is that what he called me?” He must’ve been watching her, just like she had been watching him. Heather didn’t need to know she had a name for him too.

“Until he learned your name.” Heather laughed. “And then when he found out you’re his student, it nearly killed him. Not to mention the whole Tim misunderstanding. I’ve never seen him so depressed.” Heather shook her head. “For the record, I told him to ask you about Tim, and he wouldn’t listen to me.”

Kate’s heart started pounding. James had told them everything. “I wish he had.”

Heather gave her a warm smile. “I’m glad you worked it all out. He’s been much more pleasant to be around.”

“Believe me, that was rough for both of us.” Kate sighed and changed the subject. “How long have you lived here?”

“A couple of years. Jeff and I had been living in an apartment for years before we got married, but I didn’t want to raise a baby in an apartment. I wanted him to have a home and a yard to play in.” Heather looked out the window over the kitchen sink, overlooking the back yard.

Kate came up next to her. “It’s perfect.”

“The best part about living here is the business is only a few miles away.”

“Baker Construction, right?”

Heather nodded. “Their dad retired last year, and now Jeff runs it, which is nice, because he makes enough that I get to stay home with Miles.”

“That must be nice. My mom stayed home with me, until I went to kindergarten, and then she went to work with my dad.”

Heather smiled. “Why don’t we get the food on the table?”

When they pushed through the swinging door into the dining room with bowls of food, the table still had not been set. Heather put the mashed potatoes down and scowled at Jeff and James who were sitting on the floor with Miles.

“I thought I asked you to set the table.” She pointed to the relatively empty rectangular table.

Jeff jumped up. “Sorry babe, I’m on it.” He tapped James in the leg with his foot. “Come on bro.”

They moved in a flurry and had the table set before Heather and Kate brought out the next round of food.

Jeff carved the turkey while Heather got Miles in his highchair. Kate sat next to James, across from Heather and Jeff.

Kate filled her mouth and smiled. It had been a while since someone had cooked for her. “Heather, this is all so delicious.”

“Thank you, Kate. I had help.” She nodded toward her husband.

Jeff grinned. “I opened the bag of green beans.”

Kate covered her spoon with gravy and licked it and then nodded. “Definitely the best gravy I’ve ever had.”

Heather blushed. “That’s kind of you to say, especially after how much James has raved about your cooking. James, feel free to bring Kate to dinner as often as you like.”

James laughed. “I like that idea.”

“No wonder Miles is such a good eater.” Kate grinned at him just as he smeared a handful of mashed potatoes across his face and into his hair.

Jeff snorted. “Is that what you call it?”

Kate laughed as Heather wiped Miles off.

“So, Kate, have you always lived in California?” Jeff took a bite of turkey and leaned toward her.

“No, only for the last four years. I got a scholarship to Bowman State through the chemistry department, which is why I’m here and not in Wyoming.”

“Must’ve been a big change,” Heather added.

Kate laughed. “You could say that. I was shocked the first winter I spent here. Back home, it seems like it’s always snowing because the wind blows so much. I had also never seen so many flowers in spring. I love it here.”

Heather furrowed her eyebrows. “You must miss your family.”

“The first year was the hardest. Luckily, I have a great friend who shares her family with me.”

“Meg?” James asked.

Kate nodded. “Whenever I can’t make it home, Meg always offers to take me with her. Her mom and dad are awesome, and I absolutely love her little sister.”

“Were you supposed to go there today?” James touched her hand.

Kate’s face burned. “She invited me, so I had to explain I had other plans. I hope that’s okay. She promised not to say anything.” Technically, Tim knew about them too, but she hadn’t told him. He guessed.

“Hey, don’t worry. If you trust her, that’s good enough for me.” James smiled.