“Because you’ve never had one.”
“It’s been on my bucket list. Now I can cross it off.”
He left. She looked around the small bungalow, noting some of the cobwebs she hadn’t gotten to clean yet, and decided it would be a good time to restructure. There were a bunch of repairs to make, and already her neighbor Mrs. Blackfire, aka the Wicked Witch of Verily, had begun leaving more nasty notes telling her to cut down her favorite tree. The large, old pine was beautiful, overgrown, and leaned slightly to the right of the front yard. The Witch insisted it was dead and would fall on her roof. Gen disagreed. One lawyer, insurance inspection, and town hall meeting later, she’d won. Kind of. Moving out finally silenced the feud, but now that she was back, Gen realized round two was coming.
Still, she loved her place, and refused to let David steal her sense of safety.
Or the Witch steal her right to have a healthy tree in her yard.
Gen pulled her hair into a ponytail and got out the buckets, sponges, and cleaners. Later she’d hit the store for pillows and bedding. At least he’d be comfortable. She needed some groceries, too, so she could cook a nice dinner. Maybe pork chops with an apricot glaze.
Gen hit the music on her iPod and set to work.
“YOU’RE MOVING IN TOGETHER?”
Kate squeaked out the words and fell down onto the purple chair. They were in the counseling room, going over some of the most important characteristics in order to match up a couple. After cleaning and shopping, she’d gone in for her shift, needing work as a distraction. Funny, she’d gone from endless hours on her feet at the hospital to trying to fill her time so she didn’t implode. But she was determined to look at the change as an opportunity. Work had become her crutch and a distraction from the real truth.
“Not together like a couple,” she quickly corrected. “As friends. Just until I convince him I’m safe from David.”
Her friend studied her, blue eyes thoughtful. “Do you think he’ll try and hurt you again?”
Gen shrugged. “No, but Wolfe isn’t convinced. It was easier to let him do the ‘I am man, let me protect the little woman’ thing rather than fight him. Besides, I was a little freaked out. It’ll only be a short time.”
“Actually, I think it’s a great idea. You know you could’ve moved in with me, Slade, and Robert though, right?”
Gen laughed. Robert was a paraplegic pit bull Kate had rescued from death, and the sweetest dog on earth. Slade had fallen in love with both Kate and Robert in a two-for-one deal. “Two doors down? Thanks, but I’ll pass. Besides still being stuck next to our nightmare neighbor, I’d rather be living with someone not having sex.”
“Is she bothering you again? I swear that woman has a telescope to spy. Do you know what she did to me last week? Left a paper bag of doggie doo on my porch. The note said, ‘If you leave it on my lawn, I give it back.’ As if Robert would ever stoop to poop on her property!”
A strangled laugh rose to her lips. “Poor Robert. Verily would be so much better without her. Think she’ll ever move?”
“Who knows? The senior citizen center wouldn’t take her. Not after the Jell-O incident. Does she still want your tree cut down?”
Gen nodded. “I now term it the Tree of Spite.”
Kate laughed. “I love it. At least it blocks her view. She’s gonna freak when she gets a look at Wolfe.”
“It’ll be so worth it.”
“Back to the sex.” Kate pointed to the files on her desk. “The faster you fill out the questionnaire and sign on as a client, the faster we’ll get you hooked up.”
Gen hesitated. “Wolfe said I’m not ready. Suggested I lie low for a while.”
“Is he jealous?”
“No! He’s just a worrywart. Kind of an older brother thing. But not.”
Kate seemed to analyze her words but remained silent. “You’ve been in an abusive relationship for two years. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to experiment with the dating world. It’s been over a month since the wedding, and I think dating will be good for you.”
“That’s what Arilyn said. As long as it’s safe and I take it slow, I’m willing to try.” Gen examined her nails, bitten short again, and gathered the courage to ask the question haunting her. “Did you ever feel the touch with me and David?”
Gen knew she crossed a line. They had all made a pact no one would ever use Kate to test a connection with the men they chose. Kate expressed fear in giving her opinion and not allowing them free will. She’d broken the rule only once, confessing to Kennedy that she was meant to be with Nate. Of course, the circumstances were different. Kennedy had believed she wasn’t meant for love, and almost lost Nate forever. But Gen knew her question was different.
Kate sighed. Sadness glowed in her eyes. “No. But I only had one opportunity to touch both of you at the twins’ birthday party. That was when I realized I had lost the touch. I never tried again, so I really don’t know.”
Her shoulders slumped with relief. She was glad. If Kate had experienced the touch between them, it would’ve made her even more confused about why they couldn’t work. “I remember that day,” Gen murmured. “He took me by surprise when he asked me to marry him. I never expected him to do it in front of my family.”
“I think it was another control move. To make sure you didn’t say no.” Kate shifted in the chair, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “In fact, I noticed you glanced at Wolfe before you said yes.”