Читать книгу For You I Will - Donna Hill - Страница 9

Chapter 4

“You still haven’t explained to me why you won’t get serious with Andrew. You said the date went fine,” Tiffany said as the two friends walked up the winding path leading to Melanie Harte’s house on the hill. The house and the front lawn sparkled with pinpoints of light, and music could be heard floating in the air.

Kai gave a light toss of her head. “Don’t get me wrong. He’s a great guy. Handsome. Funny. Smart.” She paused, blew out a breath of frustrated confusion. “He’s just not right for me. This may sound like a fairy tale or something out of a romance novel, but I want a man that makes my heart pound. Makes my skin get hot with just a look, gets my stomach to flutter when I think about him and has my vajayjay talking in tongues when I know I’m going to see him.” She sighed with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Damn, girl, well, when you find him please ask if he has a friend, a brother or a cousin just like him.”

They laughed in unison and stepped into the party that was in full swing.

“Mel sure knows how to throw ‘a little get-together,’” Tiffany said, raising her voice slightly above the hum of conversation and the live band.

Kai gazed around at the crowd, recognizing some faces from town, a few from television and the rest she wasn’t familiar with. “What I need to do is take Melanie up on her offer to find me the perfect man,” she said in a pseudo whisper.

A waiter approached with crab and shrimp appetizers balanced on a tray. They helped themselves to the delicate treats and snagged the next waiter for two glasses of champagne.

“There’s Lincoln and Desiree.” Kai waved and started to walk over when she heard her name being called. She turned. “Andrew...”

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he said, giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

“Kind of a last-minute thing,” she managed while wishing that the floor would open.

He studied her for a moment then turned to Tiffany. “Good to see you again.”

“You, too.”

“I would ask if I could get you ladies a drink but you have that covered. Looks like I’ll have to catch up.”

“I’m going to say hello to Lincoln and Desi. Oh, Maurice and Layla just came in. Be right back. Good to see you, Andrew.” Tiffany darted off before the ice daggers from Kai’s eyes could land in her back.

An awkward moment of silence dropped like a final curtain between them. Kai sipped her drink and stole a glance at Andrew from beneath her lashes. This is so bad.

“Drew...I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I—”

He held up his hand. “You don’t have to explain. Really. I’m a big boy and I can take a hint.”

“That doesn’t excuse me being rude and for that I’m sorry.”

He gave her a half smile. “True.” He paused, as if relishing her wide-eyed look. “But...apology accepted.”

She released a soft sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“And now that we have all that out of the way...I hope that we can still be friends.”

“Of course. I’d like that.”

“Good, let’s go mingle.”

* * *

He really isn’t a bad guy, Kai thought as she watched him chat and charm everyone around him. He had a great sense of humor, was good to look at, had a solid career...but that spark wasn’t there for her no matter how hard she tried, and to lead him on would be plain wrong. Andrew was deserving of someone who gave as much as he did and wanted him as much as he wanted her. She wasn’t the one.

Kai wandered out back while Andrew regaled a small group on the antics in the E.R. when it was filled with kids and crazed parents.

“There you are! Are you enjoying yourself?” Melanie slid an arm around Kai’s waist.

“Yes, very much. You’ve outdone yourself as usual.”

“I feel it’s my duty to put a little sparkle into this sleepy little town.” She chuckled.

“Where’s Claude? I was hoping to see him.”

“Congressional hearings. He had to stay in D.C. with Senator Lawson. I hope he can get back next weekend or I may pay him a surprise visit, stir things up a little.” She flashed a mischievous smile.

“Just make sure you don’t wind up on the front page of the Washington Post with a coat over your face.”

They laughed at the image.

“It’s good to see Maurice doing so well,” Kai said, watching Maurice dance with his bride.

“Layla definitely has that special touch in more ways than one. It wasn’t Maurice’s war injury that needed the healing, it was inside.” She tapped the center of her chest. “I wish I could take credit for that arrangement,” Melanie said, “but they did it all on their own. Mostly.” She winked.

“I’m happy for them.”

“Actually—” She lowered her voice. “There was someone that I especially wanted you to meet.”

“Oh?”

“Unfortunately he couldn’t make it. Didn’t say why.” Her brow creased. “Another time. He’ll be in town for a few weeks.”

“Mel...”

“Listen, everyone needs someone. And that goes for you, too. I think he would be perfect for you. In fact, I know he would.”

Kai lowered her head for a moment. There was no debating Melanie when she decided that you were her “special project.” She wouldn’t rest until she found Mr. Right or, at least, Mr. Right Now. As CEO of the Platinum Society, Melanie Harte and her team were renowned for their matchmaking skills that found that special someone for everyone from corporate executives, actors, athletes, and politicians to the average girl and guy next door. Before there was eHarmony there was the Platinum Society.

Kai laughed lightly. “I’m sure he is.” She checked her watch. “Listen, I’m going to find Tiffany and head home.” She kissed Melanie’s cheek. “Thanks for a great evening as usual.”

Although the gathering was pegged as a simple get-together with friends, Mel never got people together for a reason as benign as that. She firmly believed that if you put the right people in the room together they would find each other. She was usually right. As Kai wound her way around the guests and through the rooms of the sprawling house in search of Tiffany, she could already see the results of Melanie’s plan at work as many of the guests who’d walked around unattached earlier in the evening were now a twosome.

Kai stepped out into the backyard and spotted Tiffany leaning casually against a towering maple tree in deep conversation with a really good-looking guy. She waved to get Tiffany’s attention and when she did, she mouthed that she was going home and that she’d call tomorrow.

The waning evening was absolutely exquisite, Kai mused, as she drew her oversize teal-colored silk scarf around her bare shoulders. The sky was a lush blanket of deep blue with brilliant splashes of light that flickered and danced against it. The most gentle of breezes blew in off the ocean, capturing the scents of the sand, sea and budding jasmine bushes and other flora. The sounds of light laughter and music hovered around her then grew more distant as she descended the winding walkway leading to the main road. A perfect night for a walk...with someone you care about, a distant voice mocked.

She glanced briefly over her shoulder as the house grew smaller in the distance. Andrew really wasn’t a bad guy. Actually, he was a great catch. There was no doubt about it. Maybe if she allowed herself she could care about him as more than a colleague.

She turned down the street that led to her house. The truth...she didn’t want to care about him as more than a colleague.

* * *

The one great thing about being self-employed was that you could call your own shots and make your own hours, which was precisely what Kai planned for her Saturday. Unfortunately, she couldn’t turn off her internal clock. She woke at precisely 6:00 a.m. just as she did when she had her shift in the E.R. Some habits die hard, but one habit that she was glad she’d never broken was turning on the timer for the coffee machine at night. The heady aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through her home would give Starbucks a run for their money. After showering quickly and donning her supercomfy sweatpants and hooded sweatshirt, she made a beeline for her kitchen, where she was eagerly greeted by Jasper, her Yorkshire terrier, who was frantically scratching at the door and yipping around the kitchen.

“Take it easy. Take it easy.” She bent down and scratched him behind his ears. “I’m glad to see you, too. I’ll let you out in one minute.” She went to the kitchen window and pulled the curtain aside. Sometime during the night, it had rained and the air felt and smelled crisp and clean like freshly washed laundry. The grass and tree leaves still glistened with beads of water and morning dew. A great day to take some pictures. After she let Jasper out back and had her coffee, she would get her equipment.

“Jasper, what is wrong with you today?” He was jumping up and down on the door again and yapping like crazy. “All right, all right.” Kai opened the side door and Jasper raced out like a shot. She stood in the doorway for a moment, shook her head at her eccentric pooch, then went to the counter to finally pour her first cup of coffee. Just as she lifted the carafe and was ready to pour, Jasper went completely crazy outside. He was barking and whining in that high-pitched squeak that only little dogs can make.

Kai went to the door and opened it. She stepped out onto the porch. “What in the world is wrong with you? You’re going to wake up the entire neighborhood.”

Jasper continued to bark and whine and run in and out from under the house.

“Jasper! Come in here right now.”

Jasper planted himself in front of the porch with his tail banging rapidly against the wet grass.

“So what are you now, a television dog? You trying to tell me something? It better not be a raccoon. I’m warning you, Jasper,” she said as she climbed down the three porch steps. “What is it, boy?” That’s when she heard whimpering and the hairs on her arms rose.

She bent down from the waist and caught a glimpse of pink fabric and a little slippered foot. “Oh my God.” She scrambled down on her hands and knees and peered under the stairs. Tucked under her house was a little girl, curled into a tight ball. The full realization that a child was huddled under her stairs knocked her back on her haunches as if she’d been pushed. For a full minute, she couldn’t think. A million crazy thoughts raced through her head, none of which stayed put long enough for her to make any sense out of it.

Jasper ran under the house and tugged at the pink slipper. The little girl began to cry in earnest.

“What in the...” She lay flat on her stomach so that she could get a better look. “Sweetie, you need to come out, okay?”

The little girl briskly shook her head. Her thick ponytails, covered in leaves and twigs, flapped back and forth.

“Can you tell me your name?”

Silence.

“My name is Kai. And this is Jasper. Say hello, Jasper.”

Jasper barked uproariously and ran in a circle before settling down.

“I think you must be really cold...and wet. Do you want a blanket? Would that help?”

The little girl nodded her head.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get you a blanket so you can warm up.”

Kai scrambled to her feet and ran inside, doing a pretty bad imitation of Jasper as she spun around in circles trying to think—she’d suddenly forgotten where she kept the extra blankets. Her heart kicked against her chest. Maybe she should call the police. No. Not yet. Her medical instincts kicked in. The first thing she needed to do was to make sure that the little girl wasn’t injured. Right. Blanket. She darted down the hall to the linen closet. She pulled out a light quilt, bunched it up in her arms and hurried back outside.

Jasper was standing guard. Kai got back down on her hands and knees and peered beneath the house. Bright, frightened brown eyes stared back at her.

“Here you go, sweetie.” Kai extended the blanket toward her and wished that she was small enough to crawl under to get a better look at the girl. A little hand pulled the blanket and she was quickly hidden beneath it with only the top of her head and her pony tails visible.

“I bet you’re pretty hungry,” Kai said softly. She thought she saw the child bob her head. “If you come out I can fix you something to eat and get you warmed up. How does that sound?”

No response.

Kai tried again. “My name is Kai. Would you tell me your name so I know what to call you? This is Jasper. Say hi, Jasper.” Japer yip-yipped and ran in circles. “Your turn.”

There was the barest murmur of a response. Kai’s pulse raced. “Jessie? Is your name Jessie?”

“Yes.”

Kai momentarily gave in to a moment of relief. “I bet that’s short for Jessica. Is it short for Jessica?”

“Yes.”

“My name is not short for anything. It’s just short.”

A soft giggle rose from under the blanket and Jessie pulled the blanket down below her nose.

“I was named after my great-great-grandmother. She was a Native American...an Indian. My name means ‘willow tree.’”

“My daddy named me,” came the tiny voice. “That’s what my mommy said.”

“He did a good job. Did your daddy and mommy bring you here?”

“Daddy did.” She sneezed.

“Bless you.” Kai had no idea how long Jessie had been hidden beneath her damp house, but she knew that the longer she stayed the more risk she had of getting sick or catching something. “Jessie, sweetie, now that we’re friends, why don’t you come on out before you catch a cold. I can fix you something to eat and then we can call your dad. Okay?”

Jessie sniffed, sneezed again but didn’t budge.

Jasper ran under the house and began tugging on the blanket, trying to pull it out and Jessie along with it.

This was crazy! She stood up, paced, ran her hand across her hair. Her gaze roamed up and down the soft rolling hills and across the tops of the fewer than half-dozen homes in the area as if seeking answers in the gray clouds that moved across the sky. What in the world was she going to do? She needed to call someone. The child couldn’t stay under her house indefinitely. She’d been trying to coax her out for nearly forty-five minutes. What kind of parent would let their child wander off like this? Her temper flared.

“I’m cold.”

Kai spun around and Jessie was standing in front of her. Her breath caught for an instant at the sight of Jessie’s tiny body that shuddered beneath the blanket, which was more on the ground than around her. Her wide, almond-shaped eyes were slightly swollen from crying. Leaves and twigs stuck to her hair, which was wet with dew and rain.

“Oh, Jessie, thank you so much for coming out.” Kai knelt down in front of her. The moist grass squished around her knees. “Let’s get you warm and fed, okay?”

Jessie nodded her head and didn’t make a peep of protest when Kai scooped her up along with the blanket and hurried inside just as the rain began to fall.