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“Sound,” Kate muttered and shifted forward in her seat, but didn’t say another word.
Craig had no idea how this was going to straighten out. All he could do was start praying that owl was on his way to Mexico. Despite his telling Kate that things in this biz moved slowly, he had every intention of fast-tracking every aspect of this studio as much as he could. He could only hope the bird was not going to throw a wrench into his schedule.
The remainder of the ride to her house was made in awkward silence with minimal conversation. He’d tried circling back to the bowling game. That had at least brought a smile to Kate’s lips, but the gleam in her eyes from earlier had yet to make another appearance. Sticking to neutral topics like yesterday’s fundraiser, the petting zoo, and slew of adults making fools of themselves in the bounce house was helpful, but that blasted bird and its potential nest hung over them like a dark cloud. Knots deep in his gut were twisting about like wet rope and it had nothing to do with the scope of the studio project and everything to do with the prospect of losing the attention of one Miss Kate Donovan. The feeling wasn’t much different than how he’d felt back in college every day watching her come and go with that smiling macho man.
Pulling into her driveway he was torn between being thankful for a few hours to figure out his next move, and forlorn at having to say goodnight. He certainly hoped not goodbye.
“Thank you for a fun day.” Her smile was sincere, but lacking the brilliance from earlier in the day.
“Thank you for being a good sport. I had a really great time too.” He hated to bring it up, but there was no way to avoid the elephant in the car with them. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I’ll text you when I know what time Ted will be there.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Once again she nodded. Her smile had grown weaker and seemed more forced than sincere. He wouldn’t have been surprised if her face hurt from the effort. Her hand on the door handle, he hurried around but by the time he reached the passenger side she’d already climbed out of the car.
The stiff smile still plastered on her pretty face, she tightened her grip on her purse and took a short step in retreat. “Tomorrow.”
This time, he nodded in silence. Leaning against the car, he kept his gaze on her as she made her way up the walkway, placed the key in the lock, and with a final wave, slid into her home and closed the door.
Pushing away from the fender and slowly walking around to the driver side, he blew out a deep sigh. Somehow, he couldn’t help but think he’d stand a better chance winning Kate over if his only competition had been Mr. College Hunk. Cute and endangered owls might just best him, and he didn’t like that thought one bit.
Chapter Nine
“You’re up awfully early.” Twirling the wayward strands of long blonde hair and tying it into a sloppy bun on the top of her head, Joan stifled a yawn.
Kate didn’t dare tell her roommate it was more a matter of being up really late. She had tried to crawl into bed and get some sleep, but after tossing and turning for close to an hour, she sat up with a bad book in hopes it would put her to sleep. No such luck. Another hour and she opted to clean out the junk drawer she’d been promising to straighten for the better part of the last year. Or was it two? Whatever, the drawer was incredibly neat and organized, she’d swallowed a gallon or two of coffee, and now she had to face Ted and Craig, and most likely kiss a blooming relationship goodbye.
“Coffee?” Joan held up the half-empty pot.
“No thanks. If I have any more I’m going to be twitching all the way to the barn.”
“That’s right.” Joan poured herself a cup. “The owl.”
At least today she wasn’t going to need an hour to figure out her wardrobe. It was a work day. Jeans, boots, and layers, thanks to the ever-changing Texas weather; cold as an Alaskan morning one minute and roasting like a Thanksgiving turkey the next.
“For someone who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat yesterday, you don’t look very happy this morning. Maybe you should go back to bed for a couple of hours.”
The idea sounded wonderful—if she could sleep. Glancing at her wristwatch, even if she could, there wasn’t enough time. Ted had texted her last night that he planned to be at the barn between nine and ten this morning. “Not enough sleep, too much coffee, and the most interesting and exciting man I’ve met in years is starting to look less and less like Prince Charming and more and more like an ordinary toad.”
“Ouch.” Joan popped an English muffin into the toaster and turned to face Kate. “That bad, huh?”
Kate shrugged. “The almighty dollar for the win.”
“I’m sorry.” Joan blinked. “Translation please?”
“What am I always up against?”
“Corporate America.” The toaster popped and Joan turned away. “Or stupid people.”
“Craig isn’t stupid, but typical big business, he’s putting profits ahead of the owl.”
“And that’s a surprise why? The Barons are not only a social, corporate and political powerhouse, they are the closest thing to royalty in the state of Texas. You have to know their bank accounts are blossoming for a reason.”
That was not what she wanted to hear.
“Maybe,” Joan reached out and patted Kate’s shoulder, “you should wait and see how this show plays out before you lose any more sleep.”
