Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(71)

“Once they’re in their natural element, they aren’t the ugly ducklings they appear to be?” he suggested.

She nodded. “Maybe that’s it. I’m fascinated with them.”

And he was fascinated with her. He wanted to find out the reason for every smile, and he wished to be the one who brought out the dimple in her cheek and the light in her eyes. Her courage humbled him. She’d faced so much adversity but still had the energy to help others and keep on trying to overcome what life had dished out to her. He doubted he’d ever find her with the covers pulled over her head wailing for help. She liked standing on her own and solving problems. She’d been quick to want to fix his lack of discipline with the girls.

He swiveled his gaze to the girls. Her firm but loving hand with them had made a huge difference. He couldn’t remember when he’d last broken up a fight between them, and just this morning he’d found Emma combing Phoebe’s hair. She was taking her role of big sister seriously. And it was all due to Kate’s influence. She’d been good for all of them.

Kate pushed the hood off her hair and leaned against him. “You’ve got a strange expression. What are you thinking?”

“About how alive I feel here. When I look back at my normal life, it feels like a dream and I’ve just woken up. I actually have time to feel something other than the next responsibility. I’m not working every night.”

“You’ll be going back soon. Another couple of weeks, and the girls will be starting school.”

“Maybe I’ll enroll them in Folly Shoals.” The words were out before he’d realized the idea had formed in his head.

Her eyes widened, and she caught her breath. “What do you mean?”

“What if I bought a house big enough for everyone, and you kept the girls during the week? I could fly up every weekend to be with all of you.” Her smile faltered and he realized how it sounded. “I’m not saying we live together. I would never suggest something like that. I care too much about you. But it would give us time to explore where this relationship is going. The girls are thriving here. I don’t want to yank them out of this special place and put them in a fast-paced Boston school. I think we all belong here.”

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “But how could that work, Drake? You’d be living one life and we’d be living another. You’d have a foot in both worlds, and I think that’s an impossible way to exist. You’ll never be able to fully live in the now.”

Maybe she was right, but the thought of going back to Boston wasn’t tenable.

But the thought of not working on a new drone, not following the passion he’d pursued for so many years, made him swallow hard.

He pulled her closer until her cheek rested against his chest and he could rest his chin on her head. “This is the now I am interested in exploring. It will work out, Kate. I don’t know yet just how, but we’ll figure it out together.”

She pulled away and tipped her head back to look into his face. “And just for the record, I love the girls. If you really need me to keep them while you figure out what you want to do, I’m here for them. And for you.”

Warmth settled into his abdomen at the assurance in her face. He cupped her cheek with one hand. “You’re one of a kind. It’s going to be okay.”





THIRTY-THREE


Kate had never had anyone actually flirt with her before, not with the intensity Drake was beginning to show. She couldn’t decide if she liked it or if it terrified her. And his suggestion about her caring for the girls had given her pause. Could that even work out?

She took the empty hot chocolate mugs to the kitchen while Drake carried the girls into bed after their movie. Jackson followed her. She looked down at her dog. “He keeps my head spinning, boy.” The dog woofed as if he understood.

She heard his footsteps behind her as she stood at the sink and rinsed the cups out. “Did either one of them wake up?”

“Nope.” His arms slipped around her waist, and he nuzzled her neck. “You smell good.”

Her pulse did a slow roll, then sped up to keep time with her breathing. What did she say? How did she handle this attraction? A deep ache built in her belly and spread up to her chest.

Oh, to be able to have the assurance to turn and embrace him.

She forced a light tone to her voice. “I was thinking about that notebook again. What if it’s a code, and we can crack it?”

“What brought up that idea?” When his embrace dropped away, she felt cold and bereft. She curled her fingers into fists to keep her hands from reaching up around his neck as she turned to face him. “It was such a busy time the other night that I wondered if we didn’t check it out well enough.”

He gave her a crooked smile. “Moving too fast, huh?”

“Like a bullet train. Give me a chance to catch my breath.”

His grin widened. “I’ll try.”

She moved past him to the counter where the notebook still lay in the bag. “Let’s just take another peek.”

“I’ve played with codes in high school. It was a great brain exercise.”

“I’ve seen the ones you make the girls.”

He pulled out the notebook, then carried it to the table. “Do we have a lined pad anywhere?”