A Valentine for Kayla (16 page)

“Just let me lock up.” Her stomach growled. “Where are we eating?”

“It's a surprise.”

“Oh no. The last time someone said that to me, I found out I was getting a stepdad. May I at least have a hint?”

He chuckled, took her hand and tucked it around his arm. “Nope.” A silly grin covered his face as he pulled his pickup door open and helped her inside.

What did Derek have planned? She hopped inside and clasped her hands, willing her pulse to slow.

K
ayla's eyes widened as Derek pulled into his mother's driveway. “We're eating dinner at your mom's house?” Hadn't he suggested a nice restaurant?

“Not exactly. Have patience. I don't want to slip up and spoil the surprise.”

Kayla nodded and tried to keep an open mind. Not that she minded Helen or even Estelle at this point, but she'd hoped for a romantic meal alone with Derek. He parked near the barn. She jumped out. “Are we eating in the barn?”

“Shh.” He touched a gentle finger to her lips, then guided her along a path that meandered between the house and barn. They looped around toward the back of the house and stopped on a footbridge.

Twinkle lights lit the backyard, and a darling cottage stood at the edge. Kayla caught her breath. “This is beautiful. I had no idea this was back here.”

“No? Remember me telling you I was staying in the guest cottage?”

“Now that you mention it, I guess I do.” She grinned. “But I had no idea what a paradise your mother's backyard is.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I'm glad you're here.” He kissed her lightly, then stepped back and took her hand. “Come on. Dinner is waiting.”

He pushed the door open with a flourish. “Welcome to Casa Derek. After you.”

Kayla stepped inside the quaint home. It was essentially a studio, with a curtained-off sleeping area, a small dining table, a kitchenette, a cozy living room and a door she presumed led to the bathroom. The table was set with silver-trimmed white plates, simple goblets and two red taper candles. “It's beautiful.” She breathed in deeply. “Rosemary?”

He nodded and guided her to the table.

“How did you have time to pull this off?”

“A friend helped, and the food is catered.”

“You found a caterer on such short notice?”

He shook his head. “I actually set this up last night with the hope you'd say yes.”

She raised her eyebrows. “What if I'd said no?”

“Then I would have had the most amazing prime rib, roasted vegetables, homemade rolls and apple pie à la mode to myself.” He gently guided her to the table and pulled out her chair.

“I'm glad I said yes.” She sat and looked up at him.

His eyes danced. “Me, too.”

He stepped into the kitchenette, opened the small oven, then pulled out a platter.

“Oh my goodness. It's beautiful. Who cooked this? I had no idea Oak Knoll had a caterer.”

“A friend. She's technically not a caterer, just passionate about cooking.” He placed the platter on the table, then offered a blessing for the food.

After serving herself, Kayla took a bite of the melt-in-your-mouth meat. “Whoever your friend is, she could make a killing if she did this full-time.”

“I'll let her know you said so. She mentioned she's considering opening a restaurant.”

“With food like this, she'd be a hit.” Kayla tasted the vegetables and almost sighed with contentment but caught herself. “Wow. Please give your friend my compliments.”

Derek grinned. “Will do.” He forked a bite of beef into his mouth and chewed.

Kayla looked around the cottage admiring the little touches. Lace curtains covered the windows and a simple white couch faced a natural-gas fireplace—not exactly a bachelor pad, but it had touches of homeyness that made her want to stay awhile. She liked her own house, but this place was the next best thing. “Your mom has done an incredible job.”

He looked around the room. “It's cozy.” He placed his napkin aside. “Dessert?”

“Not yet. I need to digest.”

He pushed back from the table and moved to the wall beside the fireplace. “I'll light the fire and we can visit on the couch.”

“I'd like that.” She stood and walked the few steps to the couch as he flicked the switch on the wall. “That's definitely easier than lighting a fire the old-fashioned way.” She settled into one corner of the couch.

“For sure.” He dropped into the other corner and sat facing her. “I'm really glad you came tonight because there's something I need to tell you, and I want you to hear it from me.”

Kayla's throat tightened. From the look on his face, this had to be bad news. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay.”

“I'm leaving for Los Angeles on Sunday, after church.”

Kayla gasped. The dinner she'd just devoured turned sour. She fought to control her emotions.
He's leaving.
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
Especially before I made a fool out of myself and declared my undying love!

“I should only be gone a week at the most.”

The tension flowing through her eased. Too bad he hadn't opened with he'd be gone only a week. She'd about lost her meal at the thought of him walking out of her life for good.

“You wouldn't believe what my manager is trying to pull. I actually had to call the FBI for help. It's the kind of thing you'd see in the movies.”

“Huh?” She shook her head, as if the motion would clear up everything. “What are you talking about?”

“Estelle is being blackmailed by our manager. As it turns out, the FBI was already investigating him. They want Estelle to return to Los Angeles and give a statement.”

“Oh, wow.” Her stomach tensed. “Why are
you
going? Is he blackmailing you, too?”

“No. But it's because of me he's doing this. Jerry is a desperate man, and he's angry because I left. I've made him millions.”

For the first time Kayla had a hint of exactly how wealthy Derek was and what he was giving up. He acted like such a regular guy. But she didn't care that he was rich. She was proud of him for doing the right thing but was concerned about the timing. “What if you aren't back in time for the festival?”

He scooted closer to her on the couch and reached for her hand. “I promise no matter what happens, I will be here.” His eyes spoke sincerity, but sincerity didn't change the legal system should he be required to stay longer than he anticipated.

The growing knot in her stomach tightened. “What about our duet?”

“We already sound great, so there's nothing to worry about. Any practice we get is a bonus.”

“What about your worship position at the church?”

He frowned. “I hope to be back by Sunday, but Pastor Miller knows what's going on.”

“Okay.” It seemed as though he had thought of everything. She would miss him, but he was doing the right thing. A lone tear escaped and she quickly swiped it away.

“Hey,” he said softly, and tipped her chin up with a finger. “You're taking this way too hard. What's up?”

She shrugged. “It's nothing.” She offered him a quivery smile. “I'll miss you. You've turned into my knight in shining armor.”

“Ah, Kayla, you're killing me.” He pulled her close.

She nestled into his embrace and relished the comfort of his arms. A few tears slipped out and were soaked up by his soft shirt. She pushed back. “I don't know why I'm being such a baby. I'm sorry. It's not fair to you that I behave like this. I get emotional when I'm overly tired. I didn't sleep well last night and cleaning the shop today wore me out.”

* * *

Derek's heart melted at Kayla's words. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “It's okay.” Now that Kayla had pointed out how tired she was, her tears made sense. His mom did the same thing when she was wiped out. Maybe asking Kayla to dinner after all she'd been through in the past twenty-four hours had been selfish, but he didn't want to leave town without telling her what was going on. He placed a kiss on the top of her head.

With a shuddering breath, she pulled from his embrace. “Thanks for the meal and for everything you did today.”

“You're welcome.”

Three quick taps sounded on the door. Who could that be? “Excuse me.” He marched the short distance to the door and swung it open. “Estelle. What are you doing here?”

“I came for the dishes. Your mom went to bed early, and I'm bored.”

“Oh.” He stepped aside, allowing her to enter. His gaze landed on Kayla's shocked face. “Estelle was our caterer. She's here for cleanup.”

Kayla hopped up. “You cook, Estelle? I had no idea.” The pitch of her voice rose. She moved around the couch and into the dining area, where she helped Estelle clear the table. Weariness covered her face and her movements were slower than normal, but he had to give her credit for helping out in spite of being worn out.

“I read that you have a private chef who cooks for you.”

“I did for a short while, and she was amazing. I was so fascinated by her culinary creations I convinced her to teach me some dishes so I could impress my guests from time to time.” She grinned. “Cooking is therapeutic, and I've missed it since I've been here. But that will all change soon.”

“Yeah, I heard about your manager.”

Estelle's brow furrowed. “I hope you keep that to yourself.” She shot an annoyed look at Derek.

“What? I had to tell her. I couldn't leave town without an explanation.”

“Didn't stop you before,” she snapped. Her shoulders drooped. “Sorry. That wasn't nice.” She offered an apologetic smile to Kayla. “I'm working on being kind even when I'm stressed. Which I am.”

“Because of the statement you're going to give the FBI?”

She nodded. “If the press gets hold of this…ugh. I don't even want to go there.”

Derek pitched in and soon the dishes and leftovers were neatly stacked in the box he'd used to carry everything over. “I'll be right back, Kayla.”

Estelle reached for the door, then stopped and turned to Kayla. “I'm sorry for being such a difficult person. I went out of my way to be unpleasant to you, and I hope you'll forgive me.”

“Of course.” Kayla's eyes widened. “I hope everything works out for you.”

“Thanks.” She stepped into the backyard and tromped ahead of Derek.

“You okay, Estelle?” Derek asked as he followed her inside his mom's house.

“Just nervous, but I'll be fine.”

“There's a Bible on the bookshelf in the study. Maybe you'll find comfort in reading it. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”

“What does that mean?” In the kitchen she pushed the faucet to hot, then squirted soap into the sink.

“It means God loves you so much that He has a plan for your life and He's going to take care of you. So don't worry. He's got everything under control even when things seem out of control.”

A smile stretched her lips. “Thanks.” She nudged his shoulder. “Now go back to your woman.”

He grinned. “Good night, Estelle. See you at church?”

She scrunched her nose. “Do you think that's a good idea? I heard you talking with your friends about your fans in the service, and I don't want to create a scene.”

“They promised the pastor that they'd be on their best behavior from now on. Come or don't. Either way, we'll head out right after service.” He hustled to the door and across the yard to the cottage, where he found Kayla asleep on the couch, her head tipped to the side, and her lips parted slightly. He knelt in front of her. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

Her eyelids fluttered open. “I guess I'm even more tired than I realized.”

He chuckled. “I'll take you home.” He stood and held out a hand. “Let's go.” They walked hand in hand to his pickup. Crickets chirped, filling the otherwise quiet night air. Pulling the door open, he waited for Kayla to slip in. Then he jogged to the driver's side and hopped in. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“I'm not sure. What's the question?”

“I heard that you have a
list
, and that you were once Miss Teen Oregon.” He put the truck in gear and pulled out.

She gasped. “How?”

“The church janitor.”

She crossed her arms and stared straight ahead. “Figures.”

He would have laughed but feared she might bite his head off. “I take it you're not happy he told me.”

“More like I'm mortified. For the record, that pageant was
not
my idea. When I was sixteen, I won the title of runner-up in the Miss Oregon Teen pageant. I'm proud about what I accomplished, but you have no clue what I went through because of that thing.”

“Then maybe you should tell me.”

She buried her head in her hands for a second and groaned before pulling them away. “This is embarrassing. However, it happened a long time ago, so I'll try to muddle through it. When I took runner-up in the pageant, I became Miss Popular at school. The guys… Well, I had no shortage of dates. The problem was none of those guys cared about me. They only wanted to go out with me because of the pageant.

“At first all the attention went to my head. I was even dumb enough to fall for one of the guys. It turned out he was only with me to stroke his ego. He didn't care about me, other than what I did for his social status.”

Her story sounded so much like his own. “What happened?” He almost didn't want to know, but his insides burned with anger for the way this punk had treated her.

“I can't… Let's just say he was the reason I created ‘the list.'” She made air quotes with her fingers.