“I like it and you.” He stepped closer, bracketing her between him and the brick wall of the nearest building. His body reacted, something she obviously didn’t miss because a low moan escaped her throat, turning him on even more. “I need to thank you properly.” He treated her to a wicked grin. “After all, my mother raised me to be a gentleman.”
“She also raised you to take this sort of thing behind a closed door.” Raina’s distinctive voice and chuckle broke the seductive spell he’d begun to weave.
“Oh, God.” Kendall ducked beneath his arm.
Dammit. He’d wanted Kendall excited and anticipating the evening to come, not distressed and mortified. “Hello, Mother,” he said through gritted teeth and stepped aside to let Kendall gather her composure.
“Hello, Rick.” Raina smiled. “Kendall.”
“I thought you were home resting,” Rick said.
“I was. Then Chase wanted to snap a few last-minute photos and I begged him to take me along for a quick trip to see the sale. I haven’t missed one yet and didn’t intend to this year either.”
“And now that you’ve seen and been seen?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll go home and rest up for this evening of course.”
Rick shot her a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding look. She was going out again this evening?
“There’s nothing unhealthy about sitting on a blanket with a doctor by my side.” Raina blushed but squared her shoulders as if daring him to argue that point. “Will you and Hannah be going to the show?” she asked Kendall, obviously turning attention away from herself.
It worked. Instead of his mother’s health, he focused in on Kendall. In his desire to be alone with her, Rick realized he’d forgotten about Hannah.
“Actually Hannah’s going to dinner and a movie with a friend.” Kendall stepped up beside Rick. “I don’t expect them back until around eleven and then they’re having a sleep-over,” Kendall said, obviously recovered from her embarrassment at being caught like two teenagers by his mother.
“Anyone I know?” Raina asked.
“Jeannie McKeever.”
Rick breathed a sigh of relief. Grace McKeever was known for having an open house for all her kids’ friends. With the girls sleeping there he’d have another night to let Kendall get used to having him around—in her life and hopefully in her heart.
“I’m having both girls sleep over in the guest house tonight. I’ve never had a sleep-over myself as a child so I thought I’d give Hannah the experience in a place that feels like home to her, you know?” Kendall asked of Raina.
“I most certainly do.” Raina touched Kendall’s cheek with her hand. “You’re such a sweet girl.”
He should have known better than to jump to conclusions about anything, especially when his love life was involved. He shook his head and laughed.
“Something funny?” his mother asked.
“Not a thing,” he said wryly. He’d just have to enjoy Kendall’s company before her duties as a parent resumed later on. Duties she’d obviously taken to with more ease than either of them had anticipated.
Though she and Hannah had rough patches, Kendall had an innate understanding of her sister’s needs. She had the ability to give the young girl a special life, if only she’d step back, realize and accept it. She’d make a great sister. She’d make an amazing mom. The thought stopped him cold, like a shot upside the head.
He glanced to his side where Kendall and Raina were in deep discussion about what movie the girls could stream tonight. From his mother’s wide smile, she approved of Kendall, of that Rick was certain. Although he’d never in his life let his mother’s input dictate his choice in a date or relationship, it eased his mind knowing that he’d made her happy and hadn’t added to her stress or weak heart. In fact, he made her happy. By choosing Kendall.
What unbelievable irony. He’d begun his relationship with Kendall to deter his mother and the women she’d encouraged in order to marry him off and get herself grandchildren. And he’d ended up wanting those very things for himself with the woman who he’d used to foil his mother’s plan. Now if only Kendall wanted those same things.
If only.
* * *
Kendall parked her car in the spot behind the guest house and walked to the front door. The day had been more fun than she’d had in a while. Successful too, she thought and smiled. As she unzipped her bag, a low whining sound reached her ears. She glanced around, but didn’t see anyone or anything. She shrugged and put her briefcase down so she could search her purse for her keys, which she’d stupidly tossed back in her bag so she could get her things out of the car.
The first thing she came up with was the real estate card given to her by Tina Roberts. The young woman had ordered an ID bracelet and then gone on to solicit business, asking Kendall what she planned to do with her aunt’s house and without waiting for a reply had offered to come by to give her an estimate should she decide to sell. She’d also boasted her many accomplishments and the reasons why she’d make the perfect listing broker. No hesitancy, no shame. No wonder she’d made Realtor of the Month, Kendall thought wryly.
But she couldn’t sell a house for above market value if it wasn’t worth the money and the broker’s card brought home an important point. Kendall hadn’t bothered to do any more work on the house in days. And she hadn’t given another thought to putting the place on the market.
The only thing she had decided was to put Pearl and Eldin in the guest house and make their living there rent-free a condition of sale. She didn’t know who would accept such terms, but there was no way Kendall would displace the older couple completely. She just hoped they’d be happy in the smaller residence, but with Eldin’s bad back,
