Heart-Shaped Hack(28)
Her dad had started calling her “Katydid” when she was two because he said she was cute as a bug, but over the years he told her the nickname had come to mean something more. Kate did things. While Chad had always needed outside validation, whether it was in his schoolwork or sports or career, Kate’s drive had come from within, and she needed very little support. She’d once overheard her dad say that his money was on Kate if he had to choose which of his children had what it took to follow him all the way to the Supreme Court. Telling her dad she was giving up her law career to open a small food pantry was one of the hardest conversations she’d ever had with him. Unlike Diane, Steve could easily handle the loss of Stuart. But watching Kate give up everything she’d worked so hard for, even for something she was fiercely passionate about, had been a tougher pill to swallow. All things considered, he’d taken the news as well as any father could.
“How are things going with the food pantry?” her dad asked.
“They’re going okay. It’s been more difficult than I thought it would be, especially at this time of year,” Kate admitted. If Ian hadn’t intervened, she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to remain open through the winter. She couldn’t rely on Ian to bail her out every time things got tight, so she told herself she’d have to work even harder.
“Times are tough for a lot of people. What you’re doing is commendable, so you keep getting it done, okay?”
“I will.” Kate’s eyes filled with tears, and she pretended to be very interested in her pie. It was the first time she and her dad had ever really discussed the food pantry. Maybe he thought if he didn’t mention it she’d eventually come to her senses, but now she wondered if he’d finally accepted it. When they were done eating, Kate took their empty plates into the kitchen.
“More?” Diane asked. She looked exhausted.
“I’ll do them,” Kate said. “You go sit down.”
“I opened a bottle of wine. Why don’t you pour a glass and join me?”
Kate nodded. “Be out in a bit.”
Her phone pinged while she was drying the plates.
Ian: Happy Thanksgiving.
Kate: Happy Thanksgiving to you too. She went into her bedroom, closed the door, and stretched out on her childhood bed.
Kate: What are you doing?
Ian: Eating dinner.
Kate: Turkey?
Ian: Thai carryout.
Kate: : (
Ian: I’m a rebel. And I like Thai.
Kate: Are you at least having pie for dessert?
Ian: I’m having bourbon, which is way better than pie.
Kate: What have you been doing today?
Ian: Hack, hack, hack, hack, hack, hack.
Kate: All work and no play…
Ian: There are no holidays in cyberspace.
Kate: I bet they can’t hear you scream there, either.
Ian: You are such a clever girl.
Kate: Did that make you LOL?
Ian: I will admit to a chuckle. Nothing more.
Kate: Tough crowd. : )
Ian: What are your plans for the rest of the evening?
Kate: My mom and I are going to do a little mother-daughter bonding over a glass or two of wine.
Ian: The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, did it?
Kate: Clearly it did not.
Ian: I’m ready for you to come home. I haven’t kissed anyone in days.
Kate: I’ll be sure to give you lots of extra kisses to make up for it.
Ian: Now there’s something to be thankful for.
Kate: I’ll text you my flight information on Saturday morning.
Ian: Seriously?
Kate: You’re not supposed to be in my computer!
Ian: I’m not. I hacked American Airlines. Their site is not at all secure.
Kate: Oh. SORRY.
Ian: I’m no longer tempted by the thought of accessing your personal information. If there’s something I want to know, I’ll ask you.
Kate: WHO IS THIS IMPOSTER? IF YOU HAVE IAN LOCKED UP SOMEWHERE, LET HIM OUT RIGHT NOW!
Ian: You’re adorable. I’m working on my SHORTCOMINGS.
Kate: You’ve made real progress.
Ian: I’m still going to access your Victoria’s Secret account, but I can just hack into the website.
Kate: Yes!
Kate: I mean, if you must.
Ian: Maybe I’ll drink my bourbon and put some things in your shopping cart later.
Kate: You’re the best.
Ian: Go drink your wine. I will be waiting for you inside the airport on Saturday.
Kate: Can’t wait.
Ian: : )
Kate: OMG, an emoticon! I bet LOL will be next.
Ian: Look what you’ve done to me.
Kate: Malleable.
Ian: NEVER.
Ian: Maybe occasionally, but only because I like you so much. Saturday I will have you.
Kate read the text twice. The message aroused her. If he could do that to her with his words, she couldn’t wait to see what would happen when they were in the same room together.
Kate: We’ll see. : )
Ian: That only encourages me. I do love a good challenge.
Kate: Then I’ll make sure you have your work cut out for you.
Ian: I can hardly wait. Good night, sweetness.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kate thumbed through a magazine while she waited for her connecting flight from Chicago to Minneapolis.