Making things work. She wanted to make things work more than anything and she knew that both of them needed a little time to get used to the idea of doing that. ‘Slow is good. I’d like to take things slowly too.’
‘Slow it is, then.’ His lips curved into the same smile that he’d had on his lips last night, when taking it slowly had been an exercise in everything that was delicious. He rose from his seat, bending to kiss her cheek before Sam scooted back into the room, dropping Ethan’s car keys into his hand.
The afternoon was turning into the kind of sunny Sunday afternoon that seemed to have been lost irretrievably in Kate’s childhood, when she’d felt that she could run barefoot in the grass, her dress swishing around her legs, without any danger of cutting her feet. When the sun couldn’t burn her and she couldn’t get wet in a sudden shower of rain. Where the only thing that could touch her was the look on Sam’s face as he hugged his new puppy, the blue of Ethan’s eyes and the sure feeling that whatever happened next couldn’t disappoint her.
Sam seemed to know instinctively that Arthur was small and frightened. He coaxed him gently from the animal carrier, helping him to explore his new world. After an afternoon of exploring, the two of them wore each other out at much the same time, curling up in one of the wicker chairs in the conservatory together and falling asleep.
Ethan had turned the chair slightly, so that its high back obscured Sam’s view of the conserv
atory steps where he and Kate sat.
‘No regrets?’ Kate knew that he must have mixed feelings about this. Sam was growing up and beginning to be independent of him. And Ethan must still think about Jeff.
‘None. Sam wanted this.’
‘And you?’
‘I’m...ready to move on too.’ His tone was soft, but there was a finality about it. As if he’d thought about this and come to a conclusion. ‘Did you see Sam’s face when Arthur started playing with his dog toys?’
‘It would have been difficult to miss.’ Kate laughed quietly. ‘Thank you for letting me be a part of it all.’
His arm was behind her. Not quite around her, but a tentative signal that it might be if she wanted it. Kate moved a little closer to him, and Ethan put his arm properly around her shoulders. That was better.
‘Thank you for being here. And for making this afternoon happen.’ He brushed a kiss against her hair. ‘And for talking him out of calling the puppy Ambigulon.’
‘That wasn’t so difficult.’
‘Sam can be very stubborn when he wants to be.’ Ethan grinned.
‘And you’re not stubborn at all.’ Kate smirked at him.
‘Not even slightly. I’m always open to reason.’
‘Of course you are.’ Kate turned and kissed him. He responded, pulling her tight against him. He was definitely open to that.
But even if Sam was sleeping, and wouldn’t have been able to see them even if he woke, he was still there. Maybe that was a good thing. The loud voice which told her that everything was all right had got the upper hand this afternoon. But the doubts, the fear of losing herself and finding that he would let her down, were all still there.
‘I’m sorry that...’ He shrugged. ‘Sam.’
‘I know. It’s okay. You have to put him first, always. I wouldn’t like you very much if you didn’t.’
He nodded. ‘I wouldn’t like myself very much. But there are times when I wish I could take the rest of the evening off. Right now, I do.’
‘Another time.’
‘Yes. I’d love that.’
He leaned over and kissed her. Warmly but with an echo of all that Ethan could do to her. It was enough, for now.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
YOU WERE SUPPOSED to look forward to Saturday night, weren’t you? Kate couldn’t remember having looked forward to one with such trembling anticipation before. Ethan called, saying that Sam would be staying with his grandparents again on Saturday. This time there was no pretence about happening to be alone and wanting some company. He asked her whether she might like to come out with him on a date.
Ethan took nothing for granted, his tone a little halting and formal. Kate accepted his invitation and she heard him laugh quietly.
‘I’m glad you said yes.’
‘I’m glad you called to ask.’ She was grinning at the phone, wondering if he felt sixteen as well—that nervous thrill that accompanied a first date.