Prejudice Meets Pride (18 page)

The afternoon was a little on the warm side, with clear blue skies that promised even higher temperatures as the day wore on. Kevin pulled his baseball cap lower on his forehead to shade his eyes and squinted at Kajsa and Adelynn as they rushed ahead, obviously ecstatic to have a picnic at the park. Earlier, when he’d gone outside to grab the newspaper and saw the girls playing in the front yard, he couldn’t resist seeing what they were up to.

Turned out they were waiting for their aunt to fix them a picnic, then they were off to the park.

“Want to come with us?” Kajsa had asked at the same time Emma stepped out of the house, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

“Pretty please with a cherry on top?” Adelynn had begged.

“Oh, I don’t—”

“Can Uncle Kevin come with us, Aunt Emma?” Kajsa had asked.

The smile that had touched Emma’s lips when she saw him made the day feel even warmer. Kevin couldn’t say no, even if he’d wanted to, which he hadn’t. “If it’s okay with your aunt, I’d love to come.”

Both girls had glanced at Emma, who nodded. “I’ll go make another sandwich.” She walked back inside before Kevin had a chance to argue.

“Yay!” The girls had jumped up and down, making Kevin feel like he’d finally legitimately earned the title of Uncle Kevin.

But now that they were on their way, Kevin was having second thoughts. What was he doing? Why had he asked Emma out yesterday, and why had he buckled to the temptation to kiss her? His actions would undoubtedly complicate his life and make their work environment more than a little awkward. But there was something about her that sucked him in. He felt as if he were under the influence of a powerful love potion that he couldn’t resist even if he wanted to, which he didn’t. And yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were headed down a road that would only lead to problems and pain.

Even though she wasn’t the woman he’d initially thought she was, they were still so different. She was into art; he was into science. She’d grown up with poverty; he’d grown up with wealth. She was close to her family; he wasn’t. It didn’t bother her to leave towels in the yard or chalk on the driveway; he liked everything neat. And then there was the fact that she was an entire head shorter than him. The list could go on and on, and every time Kevin weighed it out in his mind like that, things didn’t add up. He’d always known what he wanted, and she wasn’t it. And yet he still wanted her.

Kevin adjusted the strap of the backpack he carried, containing the lunch Emma had packed for them, and watched her as she increased her pace to catch up to the girls. She looked like a country girl in her knee-length denim skirt and fitted plaid shirt, with her hair drawn back in a loose and flattering French braid. The only thing she was missing was cowboy boots and a hat, which was yet another difference. Kevin had always preferred sophistication, not country.

Then why did Emma seem to get more beautiful every time he saw her?

She caught up to the girls and captured both of their hands in hers, pulling them to a stop. “Slow down, you two,” she said. “You know the rule. You need a buddy when you cross the street.”

Kajsa pulled free, saying, “I want Uncle Kevin to be my buddy.”

Hear that?
He wanted to gloat.
She wants me.
A smile appeared on Kevin’s face as Kajsa headed his way. When she latched on to his hand and Emma muttered, “Traitor,” it widened even further.

They caught up, and Kevin took the opportunity to take Emma’s hand in his. “You can never have too many buddies,” he murmured, liking the way her lips pulled up into a slight smile. He resisted the impulse to pull her to a stop and kiss her again. Would she taste the same? Would she rise on her tiptoes and cling to him when he started to pull back? Would she get mad at him for ruining some imaginary painting?

A smile touched his lips at the memory. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

Once they’d crossed the road, both Kajsa and Adelynn yanked free and raced to see who could get to the playground first. Kevin retained Emma’s hand and squeezed. “That couldn’t have worked out better if I’d planned it myself. I’m kind of liking this buddy system thing you’ve got going.”

Emma laughed.

They found the perfect spot for a picnic at the park, and Kevin left Emma to get things ready while he went to check on Kajsa and Adelynn. He found them fighting over a swing. Why, he wasn’t sure, since there were three others just like it.

“I got it first, Adi,” Kajsa said, refusing to relinquish her hold on the swing, even though the jerking chain was about to knock her little brown cowgirl hat off.

“But I want that swing!” Adelynn cried. “It’s by the pretty flowers, and I
love
flowers.” Her little fist held on fast to the chain, refusing to let Kajsa win.

Ah. So the four swings weren’t all created equal, Kevin thought. He moved forward and jiggled the chain of the next swing over. “Personally, I think this one looks like it can go higher than all the rest.” He paused when Kajsa glanced his way. “I wish someone would sit here so I could give her a really big push and see.”

In no time at all, Kajsa was out of the “flower” swing and sitting on the high and fast one. Kevin gave himself a mental pat on the back. He had learned that Kajsa was the adventurous tomboy while Adelynn was more of a princess. If he played to their interests, he could end their little tug-of-wars. Kajsa giggled as Kevin gave her an underdog, then giggled again when he tickled her calves. He loved that sound.

When Adelynn’s expression turned downward with a sad frown, Kevin side-stepped over. “Would you like a push as well, princess?” he asked.

She shook her little head. “I don’t like to go high.”

“Of course not,” Kevin said as he moved behind her. “I’m only talking about a little one.”

“Okay,” she said, nodding solemnly. Kevin gave her a small push, and her smile reappeared.

As Kevin stood there, switching from one girl to the other, swinging them high and low, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be a father. Would this be what everyday life felt like if he married someone like Emma? Kevin couldn’t recall his parents ever taking him to the park like this. It was such a normal thing to do, and yet so foreign at the same time.

“Lunch is ready!” Emma’s voice sounded.

Kevin slowed both of the swings down, and Kajsa ran ahead, while Adelynn grabbed Kevin’s hand, walking at a slower pace. “If I’m your princess, are you my prince?” she asked, peeking up at him with eyes he could melt in.

“I think your daddy will always want to be your prince, but what if I fill in as sort of a temporary prince until he comes back?”

She giggled and nodded, then relinquished his hand to skip ahead. “Guess what, Aunt Emma? Uncle Kevin’s my tempry prince ’til Daddy comes home.”

“Oh yeah?” Emma said, casting a warm look Kevin’s way.

“Uh-huh.” She nodded, holding her head high as she sat carefully down on the blanket and arranged her skirt around her.

Kevin had to bite back a smile. How different she and Kajsa were from each other, but still both adorable in their own ways. Kevin’s heart went out to their dad. How would it feel to be forced to live apart from them? It would be downright miserable.

After they’d eaten, the girls ran off to play once more. Kevin leaned back on his elbows under the shade of a large willow and patted the spot next to him, inviting Emma to join him. “Tell me about your brother.”

Emma sank down beside him and tucked her legs under her. A wistful expression appeared on her face. “Noah is… well, he’s awesome. He calls nearly every night, even after the long days he pulls, because he misses his girls and can’t stand the thought of going one day without seeing or talking to them. I think he’s petrified that they’ll forget him. He’s seriously the world’s greatest father.” She paused. “But he’s also in a tight spot.”

Emma uprooted a few blades of grass and twisted them idly between her fingers as she watched Kajsa and Adelynn. “He was only a year into college when he met Angie—a girl who was smart and driven and wanted, more than anything, to be a successful lawyer one day. So Noah quit school and went to work full-time doing some construction. When Kajsa came along, she was a huge surprise, but Angie didn’t let the pregnancy slow her down at all. They both agreed they didn’t want their daughter in daycare, so Noah quit his job to stay home with her and took on side projects here and there to help them get by.

“Most people would call it a sacrifice on his part, but he was born to play the role of Mr. Mom. And when Adi came along, only eighteen months later, he was thrilled. They had to take out some student loans, but they continued to plug along, and Angie eventually graduated with her law degree and landed a great job working for some big law firm in Columbus. She worked there two years, managed to pay off some of their debt, then fell asleep at the wheel one night after pulling a late night at the office.”

The blades of grass had turned limp between her fingers, and Emma tossed them on the ground. “Angie was a wonderful, hard-working person, and my brother adored her. But I don’t think she was around that much because her death didn’t seem to faze the girls like I thought it would, and they never talk about her. Whereas when Noah left, they were devastated. They miss their daddy so much.”

Emma tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I can’t wait for him to come back, but at the same time, it scares me. Initially, I figured he’d find a decent day job in Colorado, stay in the house, and I’d be free to go back to Providence. But now… I don’t know if I can live that far away from them. They’ve become like daughters to me, and it’s going to break my heart to have to give them back. But at the same time, I can’t live in limbo the rest of my life either. I just… don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The thought of Emma leaving settled like food poisoning in his stomach. Kevin wanted to blurt out that she shouldn’t worry. He’d find her a job teaching art somewhere, if only she promised to stay. But he swallowed the words. Did he really want her to stay? Yes and no.

Argh.

“Aunt Emma, Aunt Emma! Kajsa is playing in the mud and getting all dirty!” Adelynn came bounding toward them, her face a mixture of worry and disgust. “She’s making mud pies, but I don’t want to eat a muddy pie!”

Kevin looked beyond her to where Kajsa crouched at the base of a tree. Sure enough, she was elbow-deep in mud and having the time of her life. Kevin bit back a smile, wondering how they’d be able to get her cleaned up before they left. This park didn’t have any restrooms or even a drinking fountain.

“I don’t think she really expects you to eat it, Adi,” said Emma. “She’s just making them for fun.”

Tears formed in Adelynn’s eyes. “But she’s wearing my shirt, and it’s getting all dirty!”

Emma pulled her niece to her lap and brushed some long, blond hair away from her eyes. “Don’t worry. I promise to get all the dirt out before you wear it again.”

Kevin rolled to his side and smiled at Adelynn. “Want to know a secret?” he said.

“What?”

“I love mud pies.”

Her eyes widened, and she inched closer to Emma, as though Kevin now had cooties. Emma laughed, hugging her close. “I don’t think he’s talking about the kind of pies Kajsa is making.”

“Nope,” agreed Kevin. “I’m talking about the kind with chocolate mousse and whipped cream. That’s what real mud pie is, and it’s the best dessert ever.”

Adelynn didn’t look convinced.

“I agree,” said Emma, stroking Adelynn’s hair with her fingers. “I’ll have to make it for you sometime. You haven’t had real mud pie until you’ve had mine.”

Kevin exchanged a skeptical look with Adelynn. “Do you think that’s true?” he asked.

She shook her head, and Emma poked her in the ribs, making her giggle.

“I bet she uses real mud in her pies,” Kevin whispered, making Adelynn giggle harder.

“And worms too,” Adelynn added between more giggles.

Emma shrugged, playing along. “Well, I do have a few secret ingredients.”

Adelynn stopped laughing and stared at her aunt with wide eyes. “You really put worms in your pie?”

“Maybe,” said Emma. “Do you think we should make some for Kevin since he likes worms so much?”

Her smile returned, and Adelynn nodded. Apparently, as long as
she
didn’t have to eat the wormy mud pie, she was okay with that.

“Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there,” said Kevin, only half serious.

“What about tomorrow night?” suggested Emma. “In fact, if you want to come a little earlier, I’ll also prove that I can cook dinner without smoking up the house.”

Yesterday, today, and now tomorrow. A little warning bell sounded in Kevin’s mind, telling him to say no, that it was too much too soon and they needed to slow things down or stop them all together. But the truth was, he wanted to spend tomorrow evening with them. He wanted to taste Emma’s cooking, try her mud pie, hang out with Kajsa and Adelynn, and coerce Emma into showing him some of her artwork.

He wanted to uncover more of her layers.

“Wow, dinner
and
mud pie,” he finally said. “How can I say no to that?”

Adelynn twisted around and grabbed Emma around the neck, pulling her close so she could whisper in her ear. “Are we really going to put dirt and worms in it?”

“You bet.”

Grinning, Adelynn leapt off Emma’s lap and ran toward her sister. “Kajsa, guess what? Uncle Kevin eats worms!”

Kevin exchanged an amused glance with Emma, then rolled onto his back, closed his eyes and let the sun heat his body as he tried to figure out why he couldn’t say no to Emma.