Head Over Heels (28 page)

“You don’t sound like you enjoyed it. Why would I subject my child to this?” Kari asked.

“Because going there taught me how to appreciate the opposite sex.” He leaned down. “I also learned how to kiss, but that happened years later.” He winked. “You ready?”

* * * *

Kari worked alongside Thane, helping the girls find dresses that fit their bodies and personalities. After learning that Thane had gotten her there under false pretenses, she wanted to be angry with him. He did something that no other man ever had: He came clean with her even though he did it without apology.

He didn’t need to feel sorry. She wanted to see him as much as he said he wanted to see her. Each time she walked by him, she brushed her arm against his or touched his back or hand.

He responded by giving her knowing looks and occasional winks. With each expression, her pulse raced. Damn. She shouldn’t have started something she couldn’t finish.

As expected, Reagan handled the children like an expert. She corralled them to try on dresses and made sure they settled down in seats when finished. Michael remained quiet in Thane’s office. Kari poked her head in every once in a while to make sure he didn’t feel slighted or ignored. Each time, he broke his concentration from the computer to smile at her.

Kari really did have a great child. She owed him an awesome vacation.

She turned to Thane. “Is that everyone?”

“I think so, although I hope you don’t have to run.” Thane rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “I have another surprise for you and your family this time. The Norfolk Tides is a minor league baseball team. They heard about me being in town and invited me and my guests to see them play tonight. I would love for you all to go with me.”

Michael bolted from the office. “Oh, wow, Mom! Can we go? Can we?” He grabbed Kari’s arm and tugged on it.

“Excuse me.” Kari pried her child’s fingers from her arm. “Were you listening in on our conversation?”

Michael’s flushed to a dark crimson, and chewed on his lower lip before he answered. “I heard a little bit, but not on purpose. I’m sorry. I mean I apologize.”

Kari caught Thane’s surprised expression before she regarded her child again. “You shouldn’t have done that. Adult conversations are private.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He lowered his head. “It would be great to see an actual baseball game with
the
Thane Wells.”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t enjoy the game if you didn’t go with a famous baseball player?” Kari crossed her arms over her chest as she looked down at Michael.

Michael volleyed his attention between Kari and Thane. “No. He’s a nice man. I would enjoy watching the game even if he was my math teacher.”

That got Thane to burst into laughter. “Too bad I don’t teach algebra. As long as it’s okay with your mother, I’d be more than happy to have you all as my guests.”

“Even if Kari says no, I would like to go.” Reagan stood next to Kari. Her wide eyes held excitement. “I haven’t heard a real crack of a bat against a ball or had bad stadium hot dogs in a long time.”

Kari sighed as she gazed at Michael’s expectant face. “How can I deny them a game and greasy meats? Okay, let’s go.” She looked at Thane. “Take me out to the ballgame.”

“No, Mom, sing the other song about baseball. You know. Our song.”

Kari felt heat creeping up her neck. Singing that song usually meant Michael felt hurt or sad. She couldn’t equate it to mean something good or joyous. Before she could sing a note or explain her silence, she saw Arlene walking toward them.

Arlene came up behind the group and tapped Thane on his shoulder. As soon as Thane turned around, the plump woman wrung her hands.

“There’s a problem.” Arlene wiped her forehead.

“What’s wrong? Did one of the girls rip a dress or something?” Thane scanned the group of children.

His stare stopped on a girl the same time Kari’s did. The girl sat in a chair with nothing in her hands.

“She couldn’t find anything that fit her.” Arlene fanned her face. “Now she says she doesn’t want to go.”

Thane headed toward the child without a word. As soon as he got to her, he sat in a chair next to her. Kari went to the duo in case Thane needed help, but she stood far enough back to give the child some privacy.

“Did you enjoy your day here?” Thane kept his voice low.

The girl shrugged and kept her chin resting on her fist.

“Hey, I didn’t get your name earlier.”

“Leona,” she mumbled.

“Leona. That’s a pretty name. I heard you might not be going to the dance tomorrow. Is that right?”

A single tear rolled down from the child’s eye and over her nose. The young girl wiped her face with the back of her hand. Seeing that broke Kari’s heart. She wanted to envelope her in a hug.

“I couldn’t find a dress that fit my—” She glanced at Thane before she continued speaking. “My style.”

Thane nodded. “I understand.” He sat back and studied her. “I bet your style is more the Beyoncé or Jennifer Lopez. Am I right?”

Her eyes lit up as she sat up straighter. “More like my girl RiRi.”

“Hmm, you don’t think her style is a bit much for you? She shows a little too much skin.”

As though he had a pin and had popped her balloon, Leona melted back down to her same defeated stance she’d had before. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going. My mother can’t afford a dress for me, and I’m not going there looking busted.” She shook her head.

Kari started to move toward the duo to offer to buy the girl a dress when Thane surprised her.

“Tell me what kind of dress you would like.” He sat up taller. “I’ll have it made before the dance tomorrow.”

Kari and Leona blinked as they stared at him.

“Are you serious? You’re going to have someone make me a dress?” Leona put her hand to her chest.

“Yes, and not just anyone. I’ll make your dress.” He stood and marched to his office. He came back with a pad of paper and a pencil. As soon as he sat down, he looked at the girl for a moment before he started drawing something over the paper. “What’s your favorite color?”

“Purple. No, red.” Leona clasped her hands together and watched Thane work.

Kari did the same. She wondered if Thane could pull off what he’d proposed.

“How about a combination of the two?” He turned the pad over to reveal his creation.

Kari couldn’t see it, but from the girl’s excited expression, she suspected he’d created something pretty spectacular. Now could he deliver?

“If you can make that, I would be the best-looking girl there.” She bounced in her chair.

“Consider it made. I’ll get your measurements and get started tonight.” He turned to Kari. “Unfortunately, that means that I won’t be able to go to the game with you tonight.”

Damn.

Thane didn’t want to back out of going to the game with Kari and Michael, but as soon as he’d seen Leona looking so disappointed, he knew he had to do something. He hoped Kari understood. From her saddened expression, he guessed she didn’t.

He wanted nothing more than to spend time with her outside of business and sex, which he still couldn’t get out of his mind. She stimulated him like no woman had before.

With the shop empty and closed, he turned to Kari and her group. “I hate to back out of the game, but I need to do something important that requires a lot of time.”

“For the girl that was crying?” Michael asked.

Thane nodded. “I’m like Superman. I have powers and I have to use them for good.” He glanced at Kari and smiled.

“I understand.” Michael nodded. “Can I stay and help you? Maybe if I help, we can all go to the game together.”

Kari stroked her son’s head. “You’re such a good boy.”

Michael rolled his eyes. “Mom.”

“Your mom is right. Good kids deserve great rewards. You three go to the game. If I get out of here early enough, I’ll join you. If not, I hope to see you all tomorrow.” He stared at Kari to see how she’d answer.

“Thank you so much for the tickets. I hope you can make it.” She put her arm around Michael’s shoulders and grabbed Reagan’s hand.

Thane nodded. “I’m a little rusty in the dress-making department, but I should be okay.” He walked them to the door.

“Thanks for the awesome day. I actually had fun.” Reagan got on her tiptoes and kissed Thane on his cheek.

“Sorry you’re going to miss the game.” Michael screwed up his lips.

“It’s okay. I’m sure I’ll catch the next one.” Thane winked at him before Reagan pulled Michael out to the car.

Kari stood in the doorway staring at Thane, not saying a word.

“It’s okay to go. I appreciate you all coming here to help me. Enjoy the night on me.” He reached for his back pocket. “You need money?” Then he winced. “I need to stop saying that to you, don’t I?”

Kari smiled. She glanced at her family, then back to Thane. “Will you wait here a second?”

“Sure.” He assumed she had to go to the bathroom before they drove to Norfolk to enjoy the game.

She spoke to Reagan, who looked at Thane over Kari’s shoulder. The last time she glanced at Thane, a strange smile hitched up the side of her mouth. Then Reagan nodded and hugged Kari.

Kari ducked her head into the car to speak to Michael. Before Thane knew it, he saw Reagan getting in the driver side and pulling away without Kari.

Kari ran back up to the door and stood in front of Thane. “Let me help you. We could go to the game together.”

Thane stepped aside as he ushered her inside. “You don’t have to do this. I know spending time with your family is important.”

“It is. Michael was okay with me staying. I think he likes you.” Kari stood behind him while he locked the door again.

“Good. I’m glad. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of me.” Thane walked by her to go to the wall of fabric bolts.

“How’s that?”

“He’s smart. He’s handsome.”

Kari laughed.

“And he loves his mother.” Thane pulled out a roll of lavender tulle and set it next to him. “It’s been a hard trip coming back home. Hanging around you and your family has made it tolerable.” He shook his head. “No, that’s not the right word.” He stared at her. “You’ve made me happy.”

He watched her breath hitch at his admission. Thane meant every word. In a world where everyone wanted something from him, she’d managed to break down his defenses and be that rock.

“Really, you don’t have to stay.” Thane grabbed a purple satin fabric and some bejeweled trim.

When he didn’t hear anything from Kari, he turned to see her approaching him. She framed his face in her hands and kissed him hard enough to make him forget his manners. He released the fabric and wrapped his arm around her waist.

As soon as he slid his tongue into her mouth, Thane pulled back. “If we keep this up, I won’t make that dress. You are addicting and distracting.” He held her tighter.

“I promise not to get in your way. I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me and Michael.”

“You really want to show your appreciation?” Thane pulled out a roll of red satin fabric. “Carry this for me and follow me to the work room.”

She accepted the roll and trailed behind him to a room next to the showroom. He used his elbow to turn on the light and placed the fabrics on a table.

Kari put her roll next to his. “So you were serious about making this dress?”

Thane felt his eyebrows draw together. “Why would I lie about that?”

“I know. I should have known better.” She went over to his sketchpad and picked it up. “Not bad. How long have you been making clothes?”

Thane kept his concentration on his work, afraid if he looked at Kari again he would do more than kiss her. “Making clothes? Since I was about Michael’s age.”

“Get out.”

“True. When I was little, I used to draw clothes because I saw my mother doing the same thing. As I got older, she would show me more and more about how to make clothing. First is the pattern. Then you put it all together like a puzzle until you get your design. Once I learned the ins and outs of making clothing, I started making them for myself. That leather jacket I wore that you said you liked was actually one of my creations.”

“Wow. You’re really talented.”

Thane smiled. “Thanks, but I haven’t made a dress for a little girl, not even when I was her age. Mom always made the girls’ dresses. I helped.”

“Now I’ll be your helper.” She stood next to him. “It’ll be the one and only time I’ll let you use me.”

He measured out the pattern on muslin first. With each move, he caught Kari’s heavenly scent. When he looked at her, he saw her staring at him. He wondered if she regarded him in awe or lust…or both. He glanced up and saw the dress he’d made for her covered under a sheet. He hoped she wouldn’t go snooping. When he saw her starting to turn around to look behind herself, he distracted her.

“So Michael likes baseball?” Thane started to cut the thin, gauzy fabric as he awaited Kari’s answer.

“He loves all sports, even golf. I think he likes the athletes more than the sport itself. He sees them as superheroes almost. It’s cute.” She smiled and sidled up next to him.

When her arm touched his, Thane’s body immediately reacted. Every hair stood on end and his pulse pounded hard enough that it sounded in his ears.

“Here. You cut out more of these patterns for me.” He showed her what he wanted and then moved over to his mother’s sewing machine.

“Not a problem.” She started to cut while he threaded the machine.

It felt good to handle the same equipment his mother had used to teach him how to make clothes. The classic piece of equipment didn’t have all the digital bells and whistles like new machines. That didn’t matter. He knew what to do on this one.

“Will you tell me something?” Kari began as she cut ever so slowly.

“Depends.” Thane had always been honest, even as a kid. That didn’t mean he didn’t have a guarded side.

“Why don’t you get along with your brothers?”

He started to open his mouth and spout the same story he used to tell his mother whenever she brought up the topic. When he looked into Kari’s eyes, he couldn’t hold back.

He concentrated on the work in front of him as he spoke, too apprehensive to look at her now. “Gunnar was a bad kid when Queen Elizabeth first adopted us. He used to steal and lie and do drugs.”