A Dream to be Loved Kandi Jaynes Read online

  "Hey man, how's it goin'?" The owner said when he saw Kate.

  "Great. We came in for dessert."

  "Let me know what you decide on. I'll serve it up for ya."

  They made their selection and found a table. Mick brought the dessert laden plates and drinks out. He stayed and chatted a few minutes, then wandered over to visit at another table. Kate took a bite of the pastry loaded with feather light mousse and shaved white chocolate. Drake's mouth went dry as she closed her eyes and rolled the delicacy around on her tongue.

  "This is fantastic." She picked up a chunk of white chocolate from her plate and smiled. "Mick knows I love white chocolate so he always puts an extra piece on my plate. It pays to be a good customer."

  Drake took a bite of his raspberry cheesecake and was impressed at how good it really was.

  "Now," Kate said. "What do you want to know about the tool crib?"

  They talked about work and he watched as she relaxed and obviously felt more at ease. Work was where she was in her element. Drake was impressed with her knowledge not only of the tools and fixtures, but the over all production process.

  *****

  An hour later, against her better judgment, she let him talk her into ordering a second dessert when he did. From there they went into stories of on the job goofs and mishaps they had seen or experienced. She laughed harder than she had in a long time. Catching her breath, she took a bite of white chocolate cheesecake and moaned. She stabbed another bite and held her fork out to him. "Here, you have to try this, it's incredible."

  Drake leaned forward staring into her eyes as his lips closed around the cheesecake. Kate's breath caught in her throat. She had no idea what had possessed her to do such a thing. She and her friends often sampled each other's food or shared desserts when they ate out, but they didn't feed it to each other.

  Drake slid his fingers over hers as he guided the fork from his mouth. "You're right, it is incredible."

  "I'm terribly sorry. I... I can't believe I just did that. That was definitely not a very business-like thing to do."

  His eyes were still locked with hers as he replied, "I don't mind if you're not all business."

  She looked away. Trying to cover her embarrassment she forced a grin and picked up a small piece of white chocolate. "It must be this. Some people have alcohol, others have drugs, I have white chocolate. It causes me to do uncharacteristic things."

  Drake leaned toward her sliding his hand over hers once again, "I'll have to remember that."

  She carefully extracted her hand and looked at her watch. She was amazed to discover it was almost midnight. "I had no idea it was so late. I really should be getting home."

  Drake paid the bill and Kate said goodbye to Mick as they left. Once in the car, Kate became quiet. This was not a date, but the thought of that awkward end of the evening moment still made her uneasy.

  It had sure seemed more like a date than a business dinner. Except for those few tense moments right before they left the restaurant, and again before leaving the coffeehouse, she had actually relaxed and enjoyed herself. He was a brilliant conversationalist, discussing a wide variety of topics. He had a fantastic sense of humor and was not afraid to laugh at himself. If she wasn't careful she could develop some pretty strong feelings for him. That, of course, could only lead to trouble. He was a Vice President. He might enjoy a business dinner with her, even flirt with her a little, but they weren't on the same playing field. Even if they were, a relationship wasn't in the cards for her, she needed to remember that.

  Kate was listening to the low volume of the radio when one of her favorite love songs began to softly play. She leaned her head back and let her eyes drift shut for a moment. She heard Drake start to quietly hum, then softly sing the words. The sound wrapped around her like a cocoon. She would never be able to listen to the song again without hearing his voice.

  When they reached her drive Drake got out and, much to Kate's relief, left the engine running. She didn't think he would want to come in, but nothing about this evening had gone the way she thought it would. He walked her to the door and waited while she unlocked it. He took her hand and murmured, "Now it's my turn to do something that's definitely not very business-like." He leaned toward her, softly brushing his lips against hers, and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Kate" then was gone. She let herself into the house as he strolled back to his car.

  Kate stumbled into the kitchen a few minutes past ten the next morning. She normally didn't sleep so late, but she had been awake until the wee hours of the morning. She'd tossed and turned most of the night not being able to get Drake off her mind. Sue's voice startled her. "Good morning, sleepy head."

  Sue, Missy, and Kelsie were all sitting at the kitchen table. "Don't you people have homes of your own?" Kate grumbled.

  "Sure we do," Sue answered. "But we had to come over and get the scoop."

  "What scoop?" Kate asked, dropping bread into the toaster.

  "What do you mean what scoop?" Sue stood up exasperated. "How did it go with the VP last night?"

  "Fine." She retrieved apple butter and milk from the refrigerator.

  All three of them glared at her. "Look," Missy said. "I would love to tell you we don't want to pry and it's none of our business, but we all know that would be a lie. You know as well as we do none of us are going to leave you alone until we have every detail of what happened last night, so why don't you make it easy on yourself and just tell us now."

  Kate took a long drink of milk and sighed. "It was just a business dinner. He had some questions about the tool crib and I answered them. That was pretty much it."

  "If that was it, why were you still not home at midnight when I came by on my way back from John's?" Missy asked. "That's an awfully long business dinner."

  Kelsie stepped in. "Where was the dinner at?"

  Kate knew she was had now. If she told them where they had gone she would never hear the end of it. She also knew Missy had spoken the truth when she said they wouldn't leave her alone. Either way they would make her life miserable for a while. She took a deep breath. "It was at the Lakeside Chalet."

  "You went there for a business dinner?" Sue asked suspiciously. "How many people were there?"

  "There were two of us."

  "Two of you, as in, two of you meeting with Drake, or two of you, as in, just you and Drake?"

  Kate bit into her toast, giving herself a moment of delay before answering. "It was just me and Drake."

  "Well, that must have been cozy." Sue smiled.

  "John and I go to the Lakeside Chalet sometimes. It closes at eleven. So where were you until after midnight?"

  Kate finished her milk before letting out a long exasperated breath. She walked her dishes over to the sink. Eventually she turned and looked at her friends. They were all watching her intently. Too tired to argue she finally gave in.

  "Drake is new in town and doesn't really know the area yet. Someone told him the Lakeside Chalet was quiet and had good food so he figured it would be a good place to talk. After dinner he asked me if I would mind going to the Mocha and Mousse. He heard they had great desserts, but he wasn't sure where it was and asked if I'd show him." She omitted the part about her being the one to tell him about the coffeehouse. "We had dessert and talked awhile, then he dropped me off here." She looked at Missy. "We must have just missed you because I got home about ten minutes after midnight. End of story." They all eyed her suspiciously.

  Missy was the first one to speak. "So do you think he'll ask you out again?"

  "He didn't ask me out this time. It was a business meeting Mr. Denison set up, not a date." She let out a long sigh. "I'm not going to pretend I had a lousy time because I didn't. I really enjoyed last night. He's intelligent and funny and, yes, even I noticed how good-looking he is. But I enjoy spending time with lots of guys from work without any intentions of dating them." She shrugged her shoulders. "This is no different."

  Except none of the guys from work ever made he
r skin tingle, or caused her to stop breathing just by touching her hand. She had never gone to a romantic restaurant with one of them alone, and not one of them had ever kissed her. Other than that, it really was no different, she assured herself.

  Although still skeptical, her friends let the subject drop for the moment.

  Kate spent a quiet weekend at home reading and watching old movies. She was glad when Monday morning came and she could get back to work and keep busy. It started as a hectic morning, but after a couple of hours, slowed to a manageable pace. Just before lunch she heard dramatic high-pitched 'oohs' and 'ahhs' coming from the shop along with howls and wolf whistles. She smiled knowing exactly what was causing it. Now and then a wife or girlfriend would send one of the men balloons or flowers for a special occasion. The poor guy on the receiving end would be teased relentlessly for the rest of the day. The bell rang and she was not surprised to see Cindy, the lobby receptionist standing at the window. Other than the occasional delivery, she didn't come out to the shop floor. Since Production people came and went through an employee entrance at the back of the building Cindy really didn't know many of the men. She usually stopped and asked Kate where she could find the recipient.

  Kate gave a low whistle. "Wow, someone must have had a great weekend," she said looking at the huge arrangement of two dozen dark red roses and a box wrapped in satiny white paper with delicately embossed roses. "Who's the lucky guy?"

  "Actually they're not for a guy. They're for you."

  Kate laughed. "Nice try. Who are they really for?"

  Cindy turned the flowers so Kate could see the card. There in bold script was her name. Kate stood dumbfounded staring at the card.

  "Would you take these please? They're getting heavy."

  Kate closed her mouth and opened the small door knowing she couldn't get the tall vase and flowers through the window without breaking the stems or dumping the water. Cindy handed her the roses and the box, and smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

  Kate closed the door and walked back to her desk. She set the flowers and package down and opened the small envelope. Thanks for a lovely evening, Drake was written on the card. She stared at the box afraid to open it. Finally she took a deep breath and untied the ribbon. Slowly tipping back the lid she saw another card lying on tissue paper. Her hand shook slightly as she opened it. For our next dinner was written on this one. She pulled back the tissue paper to reveal a pound of white chocolate. Her face immediately flushed at the implication. She slammed the lid back down on the box.

  "That good? Or that bad?" The voice startled her. Kate spun around to find eight sets of eyes looking at her.

  "Wh... What?" She stammered, holding the cards against her chest.

  "You blushed when you opened it, then slammed the lid shut. It was either something really good, or really bad." The man wriggled his eyebrows. "So which is it?" Terry appeared to have taken on the role of spokesman for the group.

  "It's um, I ah...Don't you guys have work to do?" she asked, sliding the box back against the wall and out of their sight.

  "Sure we do, but you know flowers are always big news around here. So who sent them? Anyone we know?"

  "Like it's any of your business." She slid both cards into her pocket, making sure nobody could sneak in and find them. Kate knew there were a few men out there who were not past doing just that.

  "Come on, you can tell us. We won't tell anybody, honest." The guys all raised their right hands and crossed their hearts with the left. That was her undoing and she burst out laughing.

  "You guys gossip worse than a bunch of old ladies. There's no way I'm telling you anything."

  Terry looked stricken. "I can't believe you don't trust us. I'd tell you who it was if I got flowers."

  Kate laughed again. "No kidding," she said sarcastically. "If a woman ever sent you flowers you'd have it announced in sky writing above the shop." All the other guys agreed laughingly.

  "That was low," Terry feigned anguish. "I'll have you know I have to fight the women off."

  One of the other men laughed. "Yeah, he has to fight 'em off alright. He has to fight to get away from them when they try to slap him senseless."

  "I'm going back to by machine," announced Terry amongst the laughter, throwing his nose in the air, trying his best to look offended. "I don't have to stand here and take this abuse." He turned around and marched to his machine.

  When the others disbursed, Kate stood staring at the roses. Nobody had ever sent her flowers before, let alone roses. She wasn't sure what to think about the gesture. Maybe it was simply meant to be a thank you for taking the time to answer his questions. Although she hadn't noticed him sending roses and chocolate to anyone else he had talked to. Before she had time to come to any conclusions the lunch bell rang. She opened the bottom desk drawer to get her purse when the phone rang. Two short rings meant it was a call from inside the building. Kate considered not answering it. There were those in the building who considered their needs much more important than her lunch break. On the third ring, however, she gave in and answered it.

  "Tool crib."

  "Hello, Kate." The now familiar voice vibrated through her.

  "Hello, Mr. Hampton."

  She heard his soft chuckle. "I thought we were past formal names."

  "Is there something I can help you with?"

  "I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the other night."

  "You already did that." Her voice softened. "Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."

  "I'm glad you like them. I am also glad you're being so gracious about them. I was afraid you either wouldn't accept them or you'd give me one of those you really shouldn't have speeches."

  "I figure we both already know you shouldn't have so I decided not waste my breath. And despite the reputation I have around here, not even I could refuse such gorgeous roses. So I decided to simply enjoy them for their natural beauty and not ruin it by making a scene."

  "Did you get the chocolate as well?"

  She slid into her chair and drew her knees up propping her feet on the open drawer. "Yes I did, but I'm not going to thank you for it. That was just plain mean," she said, grinning. It was strange, but somehow talking to him on the phone was easier than face to face.

  "Mean? Why was it mean?"

  "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to give that much chocolate to a woman who lives alone? With no one to hold me accountable for how much I eat, don't be surprised when I call in sick tomorrow with a chocolate hangover."

  She closed her eyes and listened to the deep throaty laugh. His voice became soft and sensual. "I would hate to think I was responsible for making you sick. Maybe I should come over and spend the evening with you so I can make sure you're safe."

  Kate felt color flood her cheeks. She hadn't meant for that to be an invitation. "I'd be safer alone with the chocolate." She also hadn't meant for that to be out loud.

  "Why do you say that?"

  She swiveled slightly in her chair twirling the phone cord around her finger when a movement caught her eye. A group of men stood by the window leaning on the fence, eating popcorn, and watching her. "Oh no," she groaned.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I've just become the floor show."

  "What?"

  "I really have to go."

  "I'll call you this evening."

  "There's no need for that."

  "Yes there is. I'll talk to you later, Kate."

  She hung up the phone glad her desk was too far from the window for anyone to have heard her end of the conversation. Looking at her watch she noted there was still enough time to grab lunch. She pulled her purse out of the drawer and walked toward the group. "Is there something you need?" She opened the door.

  "Not really," one of the men replied. "We were just enjoying the show. I take it from the smiles and giggles you were talking to the person who sent the flowers."

  "I'm hungry, if you'll excuse me I'm going to get something to
eat."

  "Oh, come on, Kate, tell us who they're from. Are you serious about him? Is he from around here? Give us something."

  "What I'll give you is dull tooling from now on if you don't leave me alone. Did you ever think maybe they're from my grandmother to thank me for helping her move last month?"

  "Yeah, right. Women don't blush and get all doe eyed and giggly over a grandmother."

  "Doe eyed and giggly?" Kate's stomach knotted as she heard Drake's voice.

  "Hi, Drake. We were just trying to find out who sent Kate flowers and the box that made her blush," Smitty offered, "But she won't tell us. She was just feeding us some line about them being from her grandmother."

  Kate gave Smitty a look that would have withered most people, but he had known her too long to be afraid of her. "I'm going to lunch." she grated as she pushed past the crowd.

  Watching her leave, another member of the group spoke. "Wow, maybe it finally happened."

  "What?" Drake inquired.

  "Maybe she's finally met someone that broke through. In all the years we've known her, she has never had a boyfriend that we know of. When she started here some of the guys asked her out, but she always turned them down, telling them she didn't want the complication of dating someone from work. Later we got to know some of her friends and found out she just doesn't date at all. If she has found someone, I hope for his sake he deserves her."

  Drake's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?" he asked carefully.

  The man laughed. "Kate is very well liked around here. She has always fit right in. More times than we can count she has gone out of her way to help any number of us. Professionally and personally. She doesn't get offended when one of us is in a bad mood and says something we shouldn't. She's definitely not some floozy a guy could just mistreat and get away with it. You might say if word got out some guy hurt her there would be a very long line of men wanting to know his name."

  "I'd be first in line," Smitty said.

  Drake looked up at the man he'd seen Kate yell at that first day. He had never considered himself a wimp, but he wouldn't leap in front of a moving train to try and stop it either. He glanced at Smitty again and considered himself duly warned.