Sparing the Heart (Pastime Pursuits #3) (7 page)

“Kellan Valentine. It’s a beautiful day. How can I help?”

Okay … I roll my eyes. Pretty corny, if you ask me, but cute all the same. I picture his adoring smile while he says this. “Hi, Kellan. It’s Kate Hayes. From bowling.”
Duh. He knows that.

“Thank you for calling back so fast! Care to show me around some properties?”

He’s happy to hear from me and wants to see me. “Today?”
 

“Yeah. Today.”

“I need a little bit of notice to set up viewings.” People don’t want to drop what they’re doing to bring strangers into their house. They want time to tidy up and make the place presentable. Unless they’re like me and everything is meticulous at any given time. But I’m the exception, not the norm.

“Shoot. I really want to see some places today if you can make it happen. I have off, and the next few days are filled with other commitments. Are there any properties that meet my criteria?”

He lists what he’s looking for — a three bedroom house in an upscale neighborhood, or a high-rise condo overlooking a lake. Pretty snazzy. Sure, let me just wave my magic wand and the houses will appear, ready to show. Nothing comes to mind as I run through my file in my brain. I suppose I can review the database, though I’m not confident in what I’ll find. “Can I call you back in a few minutes? I want to check my records for what’s available first. Is that okay?”

“Sure. Call me as soon as you can. I’m anxious to start the day. It’s almost half over!”

I glance at my clock. Nine-fifteen. Half over? What time does he wake up in the morning? The only reason I’m up is because of work. Otherwise, I’d still be in bed. No doubt.

I hang up the phone and immediately begin searching through my database. He didn’t give me too many specifics, but his price range is high — all the way up to almost eight hundred thousand. I can find a pretty nice place for that amount.
 

A couple results come up as empty houses, so I can show them at any moment. The pictures inside are respectable, but I’m not positive they will suit his needs. Still, they’re great contenders if not only for the convenience. I enter their information into my phone, call Kellan back, and agree to meet him.

••••••••••

Kellan meets me at my office. Normally we don’t drive with clients. These days you can’t be too careful. However, since he’s now a friend, I’m comfortable with it. Plus, this gives me more of a chance to spend time with him.

I’m surprised he’s in the lobby a few minutes before he said he would be considering he missed bowling practice. I don’t equate him with punctuality. I’m never late. Never. I realize you should “never say never,” but it’s true. Being on time is simply a sign of respect.

He’s standing at the window watching the traffic pass by when I approach him. He’s in jeans and a shirt that fits nicely on his body.

“Kellan?”

He turns and I’m immediately drawn into this dark eyes. His mouth curves at every angle, the middle of his lips forming a “V” like his last name. He’s perfection.

“Look at you all dressed up!”

I glance down at myself. When he first met me I wore my flashy bowling shirt and a pair of tacky khaki slacks. Now I’m in a knee-length skirt, a button down blouse, and high heels. “I can’t really wear a T-shirt and jeans to work.”

“Are we taking your car or mine?”

“I’ll drive.” I know where we’re going, and I’m a horrible backseat driver. Kellan doesn’t need to see that side of me.

“Do you need anything from me? A copy of my driver’s license, a blood sample, or a hair follicle?”

“No. I trust you.” I laugh and rearrange my keys in my hand. “Let’s head out then.”

He follows me to my car and as I fumble to balance my phone, file folders, and tea, he opens the door for me. “Thank you.” I set my items down on the front seat so I can put my tea in the cup holder and then toss the rest in the back.

Kellan walks around to the other side and joins me in the car. “Where are we starting?”

I buckle my seatbelt and his cologne drifts over to my side of the car. I can’t place all the scents, but I sense grapefruit, mandarin orange, and sage. My nose is infused with the aroma, and I hope it lingers long after the house search is over. “Well, you said you want something in an upscale neighborhood. I picked a few of those to show you, and a condo if you’re interested.”

We pull out of the lot and begin our drive. We’re both silent for a few moments, awkwardness filling the air like we’re on a date. I think my talk with Gretchen is getting to me. I’m thinking about Kellan as though a spell has been cast on me and I’m falling for the first man I see. Straight out of
Teen Witch
. Kellan is
very
attractive, but he’s also way out of my league
and
taken.

“A condo? That depends, I guess.” He breaks my romantic thoughts about him. I’m partially upset and mostly grateful. The less I picture him with his shirt off, the better. “Is there a lake view?”

“No, but the listing boasts a private pond. I think that’s much more appealing than a lake. The pond is on your property and belongs to you. With a larger body of water, everyone with a boat will be on it.”

“But all the tenants in the complex technically own it, not just me, right? And do I need to maintain it?”

Excellent questions. I prefer these over “Are their granite countertops?” and “What if I don’t like the color?” Those things are cosmetic. “Right. The entire complex has access, but you’re still gaining more privacy than with a lake. The association fees help pay for maintenance.” We stop at a red light and Kellan is thinking over the condo.

When we begin moving again, he says, “I’m not sure Macy will like a pond.”

The mention of Macy slices through me. I keep forgetting about her. I’m used to showing couples properties, not only one half of one. “Will she be joining us on any of our house tours?” I might as well prepare myself now.

“She travels a lot for her job, so I’m hoping she can join us via Skype.”

Touring a house through a phone or a computer? That will prove … interesting. “If you want her to do that, let me know in advance. I’m required to check with the owners before we do any type of recording.”

“Okay. Will do.”

“So what does she like?” I sense she’s calling the shots when it comes to the house decision making. I might as well get the list of must haves for her.

“Class. Anything expensive. Move-in ready. Hell, if we can find a furnished place, it’d make her day.”

“So basically nothing requiring to lift a finger.” Macy not only sounds controlling from the things Gretchen has said, but lazy. I guess if that’s what he likes, though, I shouldn’t say anything.

“Definitely.”

“Besides, if she lifts something too heavy, like a dust rag, she may sprain her other wrist, right?” I start laughing at my quip, but Kellan isn’t following my lead. Crap. I misjudged where we are on jokes in our friendship.

“That’s not funny.” He holds his face still and looks over at me. What the hell did I just do? Of course I tried to make a joke and it backfired. Leave it to me.

A slow clap ensues. “I’m kidding! That
was
pretty hilarious.” My breathing resumes and my heart starts beating again. “She’s not lazy, she just prefers a maid. Her parents always hired cleaning people and she wants the same. She wants us to be able to enjoy the house right away without having to spend a lot of time on renovations.”

When I moved to Madison, I chose a brand new build. I’m the only person who has lived in my unit, and I like that. The carpeting is spotless, the countertops are shiny, and the drywall is seamless. I like things tidy, so I rarely have to do more than the basic cleaning. I understand Macy’s viewpoint. After moving everything who wants to spend time fixing things?
 

“When did you move here?” Kellan grips his knee for a second and lets go. I’m trying not to take note of every motion he makes, but I can’t help myself.

“About six months ago. I like living here. I’m not used to a big city, though.” The conveniences are awesome, but I miss the rural drives and small town relationships. People enjoyed the bed and breakfast set in the middle of town and overlooking the mom and pop shops. Little towns like that exist in this area. I’ll be sure to search for some soon. I’m starting to feel a little homesick.

“No? Did you grow up in a hick town?”

“I wouldn’t call it that.” Others would, but I don’t. “I think the city I lived in before had like 11,000 people or something. That’s tiny, though, compared to other places.” I wish I didn’t have to move. I suppose I made the choice, but I couldn’t build a life for myself surrounded by my past.

“Still keeping a box back there?” He thumbs to the backseat. “Not fully moved in? Or is it too heavy? I can help you if you need.”

“No. I’m moved in.” Who cares about that box? He doesn’t need to know the history what’s inside. “I didn’t bring it in yet. It can wait.” The items aren’t going anywhere.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize a square piece of cardboard is a rough subject.”

I’m staring at the road in front of me, unfolding with every inch of pavement, wondering when it stops. “Don’t worry about it.” I pull onto the long, winding road leading up to the first house. “Let’s find you and your fiancée a home.”

My iPad is open on the table queued to the properties I saved for Kellan we were unable to view today. I dropped him back at the office to pick up his car and we’re meeting for coffee to discuss the others. I'm not much of a coffee drinker but I suppose I'll give the beans a try. He suggested the place and I don’t want to make a fuss. I can order tea.
 

Ten minutes have passed since I arrived at the cafe and I expected him to be walking in right after me. First he doesn’t show for practice, then he’s almost late to the first game, and now he can’t even follow me here in a timely manner? I’m a tad irked. What can be keeping him? Is he lost? No, he’s more familiar with the area than I am. A car accident? Doubtful since we’re less than a mile from the Double West Realty offices. None of the houses I showed him fit the bill so what if he ditched me and, therefore, fired me?

Right as I’m about to let out a silent roar, he strolls through the door. A few people point and smile at him, and he smiles back. I’m sure he gets that a lot when he goes out. He’s a local celebrity. I forgot to catch him on the news this morning. I put a quick reminder in my calendar. I want to admire him in action.

I try to be upset with him for almost standing me up, but his dark eyes and soft scruff on his face distract me. I almost forget why I’m irritated as I gaze at him in his forest green polo and blue jeans that sag enough to come just short of showing me some skin.

“Sorry I’m late.”

I push the button on my phone to check the time, even though I’m well aware of the time. “Late? I didn’t even notice.”

“Good. Then I’m right on time.” He slides onto the chair as though it were created right for his butt. “I got a call right after you left. I didn’t want to drive while on the phone.”

He’s conscientious and smart. A great combination, and, honestly, quite a match for my Goody Two-Shoes reputation.

“Did you order anything?” He flips through a small menu that outlines all the specialty coffees.

“Not yet. What do you want? I’ll go grab it.” I can claim this as a business expense.

Kellan puts his hands on the table and stands back up. His fingers are long, his nails in top notch shape. I can tell he doesn’t bite on them and takes care of them. I suppose he’s pointing at a map on live TV. Every part of him needs to be perfect. And it is. “I’ll order us something. Be right back.” This time, as he walks away, I check out his backside.

I cross and uncross my legs about a hundred times before he returns. Why do I feel like I’m on a date whenever I’m with him?
This is a business meeting. This is a business meeting.
I remind myself while he’s gone so I don’t forget again. He sits back down and hands me a large mug.

“Cinnamon flavored coffee. I hope that’s okay.”

“Definitely.” Since I don’t care for coffee, hopefully this masks some of the flavor. I take a sip. No. No, it doesn’t. That’s fine, though. I’ll force it down. Had his delicious smile not been distracting me, I would have spoken up and asked for tea. My fault.

“Okay.” I scoot my chair over but not too close. Mmm, he smells amazing. I curse my cup of joe when the scent overtakes his. “I found a couple properties that may match what you want.”

Kellan leans in and his breath practically hits my neck. “Let’s take a peek.”

I need to breathe first. I sip the bitter drink before I swipe through the pictures. “This house has four bedrooms, which I realize is a lot for two people, but you can use two as an office for each of you. There are granite countertops in the kitchen and an amazing curved stairway leads the way upstairs. The basement is finished with a second full kitchen.”

He reaches over and the hair on his arm grazes over mine. “I like it. I’m not sure I require that much space, though.”

“Well, in the price range you’re looking, you probably will find mostly four bedrooms. Look at this one.” I pull up one slightly lower priced. “This also has four, but they’re smaller. The square footage is a couple hundred less.” I swipe photo after photo until he stops me.

“The dining room is awkward.” The room is offset from the living room and hallway separated by pillars.
 

“It is, but you could probably decorate those pillars in a way that wouldn’t give the area such an odd ambiance.”

“Next, please.” He taps the screen to exit out of the house.

“Come on! You’re not going to give any of these a try?” I spent a lot of time searching for these and I can’t believe he’s shooting them down without so much as a thought.

He picks up his coffee mug and leans back slightly. The twinkle in his eyes causes goosebumps to cover my body. “Nope. Not for me.”

“Okay, but they fit what your .. . “ I struggle with the word, “fiancée wants.”

“Yes, they do.” He pauses to drink and sets the cup back down. “I’m looking for something in between. I want a classy house, but not too big and too extravagant. That’s not my style.”