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Waking up in the guest room of her sister’s house was a bit embarrassing. Who knew that Duncan’s Irish cocoa would be even stronger than her dad’s? Perhaps the lack of eating anything this morning and the stress of finding out about Donovan’s disturbing habit of keeping tabs on her also had something to do with it.
Kate heard the faucet being turned off in the kitchen. A pan clanged on the gas burner, and Duncan and Kayla spoke softly. Every now and then, one of them would laugh, but the steady rumble of cooking would continue as the oven door opened and closed and a knife chopped food against the wooden chopping block. She smiled at the thought of the bickering couple standing in the kitchen, teasing each other while exchanging looks full of love.
She stared up at the ceiling, not in a hurry to get up. Donovan’s words came back to her in full force, and she shook her head. He’d told her he loved her. Just like that. She groaned and turned on her side to grab her phone from the dresser.
Her sister must have placed it there before Kate passed out. She read on her phone that it was just around six in the evening, and there were no new messages. Hmm, did he already give up on his stalking ways? Maybe he figured she wasn’t worth his time anymore.
You make everything right in my world. Please don’t throw us away.
His eyes had spoken volumes when he’d said those words to her that morning. She was convinced he’d truly meant them, so he probably was doing as she’d wanted—giving her space. Were his words going to haunt her forever? Could she live her life without knowing if she did the right thing by walking away from him?
Her mind was racing with questions. If she let him back into her life, could she trust him? Could she live with someone who seemed so intense? Who loved so fiercely he felt the need to watch over her at all times and in that need would disregard all rules of society?
Something inside of her whispered into her ear that his intentions weren’t malicious. What he did was wrong, yes, but he was so far from Tom, the stalker who’d hurt her sister. Tom had stalked Kayla and wanted to get close to her so he eventually could, in his eyes, be with her.
But it was Donovan who’d created the distance between himself and Kate all those months ago. In hindsight, he probably struggled with his feelings for her, not knowing what to do with them or how to stop tracking her. Donovan must have realized how wrong that was of him. Never in these past months did he do anything that scared her in any kind of way.
What was she to do now? Ever since they’d met, she was besotted. Kate was first drawn to his icy gray eyes that stood out from his tanned complexion and dark, wavy hair. The black strands fell a bit over his eyes, and he often blinked his long lashes to get rid of the strands bothering his eyes. And let’s not forget about his tall, strong, and muscular build and lean waist.
When they first met last April, he stared at her as if he wondered how she got there, like he wanted to know how he could keep her there. And now, over six months later, she knew she’d fallen in love with him. He even told her this weekend he was in love with her. Wasn’t that all the information she needed? Could that fact be enough to disregard all the questions in the back of her mind?
A soft knock brought Kate back from her thoughts. “Come in.”
“Hey, Kate. How you doing?” Duncan stood in the doorway but made no effort to enter the guest room.
“Hey. I’m fine thanks. So, look, sorry for—”
“No, please, Kate. I’m sorry for giving you such strong Irish cocoa.” The look in his eyes told her he really meant it.
“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have taken it on an empty stomach. So let’s forget about it. I’m sure my sister gave you enough grief for the both of us.” Kate chuckled softly.
Duncan guffawed. “You can say that again. My wildflower sure likes to give me grief.” He winked at Kate. “She made me make something especially for you, so I could make it up to you. So when you’re ready, come out and join us. It should take another fifteen minutes before we set the table.”
Kate thanked him and upon entering the hallway, the aroma of her favorite dish welcomed her. Her stomach growled at the idea of being fed. Rounding the corner, she joined Kayla behind the kitchen counter.
Kayla squealed surprised, when Kate kissed her sister on her cheek. She immediately let go of the pan in the sink and took Kate into her arms. They hugged while the suds from Kayla’s sponge trickled down over Kate’s arm.
“Oops, sorry, sis.” Kayla handed her a towel to clean up.
“No worry. Something smells amazing in here.”
“Hmm, can you guess what Dunc has made?”
Kate laughed wholeheartedly at the pride that shone in her sister’s eyes. “Ha, I can take a guess… real Irish Sunday carvery?”
“Yes! I told him to make it for you to say he’s sorry for being an idiot. Ugh, putting so much whiskey in your cocoa, pff, men. So I figured out a way how we could make the most of his apology.” Her sister smiled like the cat that ate the canary.
“And he told me that he made it especially for me,” Kate faked a grumble and raised her brow.
“Semantics, sis,” Kayla smirked.
“So, can I help with anything?”
“Nah, we got it covered, Kate. The rosemary roasted potatoes are done, so is the honey roasted parsnip. The ham only needs ten more minutes in the oven, and then we’re ready.” Duncan entered the kitchen and grabbed the wine cooler before opening the refrigerator. He chose a white wine and slammed the door shut with his hip. He walked past Kayla but not before giving her temple a quick, sweet kiss.
Kate stood stock-still.
“What?” Kayla asked while towel drying the pan.
