Going Under (Wildfire Lake 2)

I sigh, pulling two wineglasses from one cabinet and a bottle of red wine from another. I knew Isabel was a borderline babysitter, but not quite how borderline.

“They shouldn’t have been watching TV at all. Isabel must turn it off when she hears the garage door open.” I drag a wine opener from the drawer, and I’m half finished opening the wine, worried and annoyed by this news, before I realize I haven’t asked KT her preference. “Is this okay? I have chilled white or beer or juice boxes.”

That makes her laugh. I love seeing her laugh. All the seriousness and caution vanish from her expression, exposing an amazing smile that lights up her face. “Red’s fine. I’m not picky.”

Yeah, I’m getting that from her, and it’s a breath of fresh air.

“I just thought you should know.” KT says. “You might want to invest in a nanny cam, because I heard all her exuberant concern before she left, and that’s not the same person who was watching the girls when I walked in.”

I brace my hands against the counter. “I’ll call the nanny service again in the morning and see if they have any possibilities for me.”

“You work so hard to do your best by them,” she says. “It bugs the shit out of me that you have someone undoing all that hard work behind the scenes, you know?”

I move up behind her again and slide my hands over her shoulders and down her arms before wrapping her in a hug. At her ear, I whisper, “Thank you. It means a lot to me, having their best interest at heart.”

She turns her head, seems to consider me a moment, like she’s going to say something, then just kisses me.

I could too easily get used to this, having someone here when I get home, someone to talk to, cook with, love. I’ve been lonely, sure. Horny, absolutely. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, completely. But I didn’t realize just how empty I’d been feeling until KT came into my life.

She’s a bittersweet surprise, though. Someone who finally makes me want more, but also someone who can’t and won’t fill that need in a committed way. I have to remind myself that I can’t let her drag me under.

I force myself to return to work, setting the table while KT finishes the salad.

“What’s your real name?” I ask. “Katie? Kate?”

She smirks and shakes her head. “Why can’t you accept that my name is KT?”

“It doesn’t make sense. As a nickname, sure, but not as a real name.”

“Daddy.” It’s Jazz, and from her voice, I know she’s sitting about halfway down the stairs. “I’m hungry.”

I sigh. My respite is over. “Girls, you can come down.”

They rumble down the stairs and slide into the kitchen on stocking feet. Jazz and Poppy come to the counter, Violet stands beside KT, smiling up at her with so much admiration, it makes my stomach twist. It’s a good thing, I remind myself. Things between me and KT don’t have to go anywhere to keep the relationship between Violet and KT going. Someday, they’ll have to say goodbye, but Violet will be older, her life more secure with friends and school.

“Violet,” I say. “What do you have to say?”

She curls her hand into KT’s. “I’m sorry I made up the story about the toilet.”

“It was a lie, Violet,” I make sure to point out. “That’s different from a story.”

“I’m sorry I lied. And I’m sorry about the water.”

I turn to Jazz. “And what about you?”

“I’m sorry I lied,” Jazz parrots her sister. “And I’m sorry about the water. Dinner smells so good.”

I smirk at the instant change of subject. “It’ll be done soon. Wash your hands.”

The younger girls scurry off to different bathrooms. Violet is tall enough to use the kitchen sink.

Dinner feels more festive than usual. The girls have someone new to talk to, someone who’s asking all kinds of questions and who loves their answers. Someone who’s really interested. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much, and the girls are glowing in the spotlight of KT’s attention.

“Kay Tee.” Jazz is trying to figure out her name, and I wonder if KT will fess up to my daughter, if not me. Jazz makes the K sound, then the T sound, while she moves a noodle around on her plate, her brow furrowed in concentration. “Cah-tuh. Cahtuh.” Her face lights up and she looks at KT. “Cat.”

KT’s brows rise. “Aren’t you clever?”

When she looks my way, I smile. “Kat. It suits you.”