Romance Me: A Collection Of Standalone & First In Series Books Page 14

  THEY ATE AND TALKED a little more than they had the previous night over their first meal together. Alex was thrilled to see how fast Kimberly took to Ariel. He thought about the feelings he had before going to sleep. “I don’t want to be too forward, but can I ask you a favor?”

  Kimberly swallowed her coffee and nodded her head. “Sure,” she replied.

  “I was wondering if you could spend the morning with Ariel. I have work to do out in the field, and I usually just put her in front of the television.” Alex said.

  "Television? But I thought-"

  “The colors of cartoons; she likes that.”

  Kimberly started to understand. "Oh, I see," she said. "Sure, it wouldn't be a problem at all."

  "Thank you," he paused for a second. “I hate leaving her in here alone, and I come to check on her often, but I could get a lot more done without that distraction."

  Kimberly took a long sip of her coffee while she watched Ariel gobble her breakfast. "It must be hard to be a single parent."

  "Yes, and a child with special needs makes it that much more difficult." Alex reached over and messed Ariel's hair. The little girl laughed and looked back and forth at the two of them.

  KIMBERLY HAD NO PROBLEMS helping. After they ate, she offered to clean up the kitchen so that he could get to work. “Thank you,” he said as he filled a travel mug of coffee. “I’ll come back at lunch time, and we’ll go into town if you’d like.”

  After he left, she did what she told him she’d do and cleaned. She looked at the clock, and it was just turning 8:00. Kimberly glanced at Ariel who was coloring at the table. If she was back home, she'd just be getting out of bed. She wanted to say that but knew Ariel wouldn’t hear her. She kept quiet.

  The two moved into the living room. Ariel went into her toy box and pulled out a puzzle. She handed it to Kimberly; her way of asking for help. Kimberly agreed and cleared off enough space on the coffee table. It didn’t take them long to put the puzzle together, and Ariel beamed when they finished. “Again?” Kimberly spoke out loud but took a piece of the puzzle off and replaced it to try to indicate what she was saying. Ariel began pulling it apart and mixing up the pieces. Kimberly wondered if she could figure out a way to communicate with the little girl.

  After playing with Ariel for a while, Kimberly turned the television on and found cartoons playing. Ariel took her doll and sat on the floor looking up at the screen. Kimberly went and showered while the little girl was amused with the colors. When she got back, Ariel was brushing her dolls hair and smiling. Kimberly sat on the couch and watched how Ariel interacted with the television. The character was counting to five and Ariel held a finger up for each number called out. Kimberly knew the girl was smarter than her father gave her credit for. The feeling made her warm inside, and Kimberly realized that she was growing attached to Ariel already.

  ALEX RETURNED AT NOON like he said he would. The house was quiet when he walked in; something he wasn’t used to. The television was off, and the toys were picked up off the floor. Ariel? For a quick moment, he panicked and thought something happened to his little one. Then he remembered Kimberly being there. She must have been somewhere with Ariel but where? He placed his keys on the coffee table and began walking towards the kitchen. When he passed the couch, Alex did a double take. Kimberly was on her hands and knees with a finger covering her mouth. He didn’t say anything, but it didn’t matter. His presence brought Ariel running out from the kitchen. He bent down to scoop her up but discovered she wasn’t running to him. She found Kimberly. The sight of those two hugging each other melted his heart.

  Kimberly stood up and greeted Alex. He noticed her eyeing his dirty jeans, but her face didn't look displeased. She smiled at him instead.

  “I need to take a quick shower,” he said as he started to walk down the hall. “When I’m done, we’ll go get some lunch.”

  He was finished a few minutes later, and they headed to town. As they drove, he looked back at Ariel and then to Kimberly. “I didn’t know she knew how to play hide-and-go-seek.” Kimberly didn’t say anything but looked back and forth between father and daughter. “I feel bad. It's just that I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I’d like.”

  “She knows how to count; to ten at least.”

  Alex felt an overwhelming amount of guilt creep up on him. How was it that a strange woman, who has known his daughter for less than 24 hours, knew things about her that he didn’t? What else could Kimberly learn about Ariel? “How?” he gulped. “How did you know that?”

  Kimberly looked down as she spoke. “She was watching television. I looked at her, and she was sticking her fingers up when the characters on the show were counting.”

  “Did they count on their fingers too?”

  “No, they were counting out loud. For each number they counted, they placed an apple on the table.” She looked over at Alex who was trying to take it all in. “They must have used fingers before for her to know that they were counting.”

  “And what about hide-and-go-seek?”

  “I went to the kitchen and, when I came back, she was hiding behind the curtains.” Kimberly looked back at Ariel as she told Alex the story. “When I found her there, she got excited. So we started playing. She must have seen that on the television too.”

  “Maybe it’s teaching her a thing or two?” Alex parked his truck but paused before getting out. “Thank you for spending time with her. You’re not obligated, but it’s appreciated.” Kimberly didn’t reply to him but gave him a warm smile instead. He was liking her more and more.

  THE DINER WAS EVERYTHING Kimberly expected from a town in the middle of nowhere. It looked like all the diners that were on television and movies. Booths were along the walls and about eight round tables sat in the middle of the room. The place was quiet. Country music played softly in the background. Kimberly looked around as Alex led her and Ariel to a booth. The patrons ate their lunches, and nobody seemed to pay them any attention. Two coolers stood along the back wall, near the kitchen entrance, full of soft drinks. Another cooler stood by the cash register full of baked goods.

  She looked down at Ariel as they walked across the room. The little girl had spotted the same cooler and grinned. Kimberly pointed at the cakes and said, “If you eat your lunch, and if Daddy says it’s alright, I’ll buy you a piece of cake.” Ariel looked up at her and smiled again. Kimberly was starting to wonder if the girl could hear more than she let on.

  AFTER EATING THEIR lunch at the diner, the three of them went to the park. Alex sat on a bench and watched Kimberly playing with Ariel. "She's really taking to you."

  Whenever he tried to push her on the swing, or catch her coming down the slide, Ariel would point to Kimberly. Alex laughed it off and sat down instead. Kimberly didn’t seem to mind either.

  "I'm having fun," Kimberly said. "She's such a sweetheart."

  He wondered if she had kids of her own. Alex knew she wasn’t married to anyone other than his brother. That didn’t mean that she didn’t have a child out of wedlock though. “Do you have kids?” he called out when she looked up from pushing Ariel on the swing.

  Kimberly stopped the swing and knelt in front of Ariel. “I’m going over by Daddy for a little bit.” She used gestures to indicate what she was saying to the child. Ariel nodded. As Kimberly took a step towards Alex, Ariel began kicking her legs on the swing. Sitting beside him, she answered. “No, I don’t.”

  “You’re so good with her.” Alex turned and looked at her while they talked. He had many times since her arrival. He couldn’t help but notice how the sun was shining through her long hair. Locks piled softly up on her shoulder acting like a net to catch the sun rays. Her skin was pale in comparison to his, but he worked outside. By now, he figured out where she came from and realized his first impression of her about not being an outdoors kind of girl was correct.

  Alex watched her lips form the words as she spoke to him and thought about how she placed lip balm on them after th
ey ate. He wondered what they tasted like. The thought sparked more than he bargained for and made his whole body heat up. Alex sat up straight and decided he better pay attention to Ariel to take his mind off Kimberly.

  “I guess I just remember what it was like to be a little girl,” she answered. They chatted for a few minutes before Kimberly decided to get back up and join his daughter once again.

  Alex was ecstatic.

  Chapter 7

  KIMBERLY SAT ON THE bed and picked up her cell phone. She hadn’t contacted any of her friends all day. She knew they would start a search party for her if she didn’t contact them soon. After dialing Janie's number, Kimberly leaned back onto the pillows.

  “It’s about time,” Janie snickered into the phone. “I’ve been worried sick.”

  Kimberly thought it was silly for her friends to worry. Alex and Ariel weren't strangers anymore. Alex had gone out of his way to make her feel comfortable staying there. Her bond with Ariel was growing stronger by the minute. They were family. Family for now, she reminded herself. Soon, she’d have the signature she wanted and would return to the life she had back in the city. “I told you I’d contact you every day; not every hour. I’m in good hands here. You’ll just have to believe me on that.”

  They talked for about a half-hour before Janie started asking questions. “What’s he like?”

  “Who? Alex?” She beamed just thinking about him. She told her friend that he was a gentleman, very polite, and a good father. She was thankful to have such a sweet host. “I think I couldn’t handle all of this if it weren’t for him.”

  “I think you have a crush.” Janie stated her opinion.

  “Janie!” Kimberly blushed. It amazed her that Janie could read her mind from such a long distance without even seeing the expressions on her face. Alex was handsome, but she'd been around plenty of good looking men before. She wasn't used to the butterflies in her stomach; the warmth that rose in her body whenever he was around. “He’s my brother-in-law.”

  “You’re blushing.”

  Kimberly put her hand on her cheeks; she was. “How did you know that?”

  “I’m your best friend. I know everything about you,” Janie stated.

  “It doesn’t matter anyway,” Kimberly thought out loud. “In two days, Ryan will be here, and then I’ll be on my way back home. No time for what you’re suggesting.” Even if there was time, Kimberly reminded herself, she shied away from romance.

  ALEX DIDN’T MEAN TO eavesdrop but, when he passed Kimberly's room and heard her on the phone, he paused to listen. The conversation was about him. That much, he knew. He wondered what her friend suggested and wished he heard both ends of the conversation. Alex didn’t have time to think about what his guest was saying because he heard her say goodbye. He quietly slipped into the living room and acted like he’d been there all night. “Hey, there you are,” he welcomed her when she walked into the room. “I was just thinking about watching a movie. Care to join me?”

  “Do you have popcorn?” Kimberly teased as she sat on the other end of the couch.

  "Only if you help me," Alex joked. He didn't need her help in the kitchen, but the thought of them working side by side, in the small space, excited him. She poured a couple drinks while he worked his magic on the stove. As the corn popped, he turned to her and asked, “Why do you want a divorce?”

  Kimberly gave him a confused look and then shrugged her shoulders. “Because we were drunk and young. I have no idea who Ryan is. How can I stay married to a stranger?”

  Alex didn't say anything for a while. He put the popcorn in the bowl and seasoned it while Kimberly took the drinks into the living room. When he joined her, he continued the conversation. “I didn’t mean it like that. Are you engaged or something?”

  “What?” Kimberly's laugh sounded like she was nervous. “No, what makes you think that?”

  “I don’t know,” Alex began smiling. “Isn’t that what they do in movies? Girl gets engaged, finds out she’s still married, and sets out to end it.” She was looking at him but not saying a word. “Romantic comedies.”

  Kimberly couldn’t keep a straight face any longer. He was being serious; thinking she was there for those reasons. She started laughing which caused him to laugh. “Nothing like that.” She assured him.

  “I don’t believe in divorce,” he told her.

  “Neither do I," she said, but Alex smirked. “Under normal circumstances,” she added. “Ryan and I don’t know each other. It should have been annulled years ago. This is different.” He reached over and tapped her knee, and nodded, letting her know that he understood.

  “So, you’re single?” He noticed her rosy cheeks and the way she took a deep breath. Alex felt flushed himself but had the advantage of a five o'clock shadow to hide it. When she didn’t answer right away, Alex cleared his throat and said, “So what would you like to watch?”

  “Sweet Home Alabama.”

  They laughed. Alex knew she was joking and picked something else out instead. He flipped through the options and noticed her inching her way closer to him. The thought of putting his arm around her crossed his mind, but he held back. Getting close to Kimberly would only cause trouble.

  When the movie was over, Alex put the television on mute and turned towards Kimberly. “What do you do for a living?”

  “Social media consultant and online management,” she answered.

  “What is that?” Alex knew what that was. He only wanted to listen to her sweet voice speak to him.

  Kimberly started to explain what she did but hesitated. “Wait, do you have the internet out here?”

  “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, ma’am.” Alex laughed and continued in a hick voice, “Around here, we rely on nosey neighbors to keep us informed of all the gossip.” Then he pointed to a desktop computer and he threw a kernel of corn at her to make her laugh again.

  Kimberly's face turned red once more. “What about you?” She questioned in return. “You run this farm by yourself?”

  “It’s a family farm,” he reminded her. “When Ryan isn’t here, I’m usually running it alone. Sometimes, I hire local guys to work for a few weeks at a time; usually around harvest.”

  Kimberly looked like she forgot about Ryan. He watched her adjust her legs as she sat on one. If he didn't know any better, Alex would think she was intrigued. "Do you have a big family?" She questioned him.

  Alex frowned. "No, not anymore."

  Kimberly cocked her head signaling for him to explain that.

  "Have an aunt and uncle on my father's side of the family, but they moved to Florida years ago. I rarely hear from them." He paused, figuring out what she'd like to hear. "My dad died when I was twelve. Mom, uh, just a few years ago. Remember?"

  Kimberly nodded. He mentioned it the night before. "It's just you and Ariel," she said out loud without thinking.

  “And Ryan,” Alex reminded her with a devilish grin. His face neared her as they wrapped up the conversation. Her lips were close. It took all his strength not to lean in and kiss them.

  “And Ryan,” she whispered with a sense of regret in her voice.

  Chapter 8

  ALEX WAS OUT IN THE barn when Kimberly laid Ariel down for a nap. She texted her friends to let them know she was still fine but then put her phone back on the night stand. In the little time she'd spent there, Kimberly experienced what it was like to walk away from the cell. It was refreshing; a freedom. Before it had the chance to beep with a reply from someone, she left the room

  She’d never been inside a barn before, but the smell of hay welcomed her nose when she entered. A mother cat fed her kittens in the far corner. A cow stood waving her tail back and forth to swat away a fly. Alex had his back turned towards her but jerked around when he heard her footsteps. “I’m sorry,” he told her. “I’m not used to anyone being around.”

  “I’m sorry if I scared you,” she answered. “Ariel is taking a nap. I thought I’d come see if you need
any help.”

  Alex dusted his hands off on his jeans and approached her. "I don't do much on Sundays," he told her. "Everything in here is done. How about a tour?”

  They spent the next hour walking around his property, and he explained everything to her. Kimberly was interested and found herself asking so many questions. His farm wasn’t large, but it was enough for him to live off. She found that fascinating and wondered if she could ever live such a simple life. “How do you make money?” she asked. His garden supplied fresh vegetables, and chickens laid eggs, but she wondered about everything else.

  He pointed to a field to the west. Kimberly saw rows and rows of corn stalks that went on as far as the eyes could see. Alex told her how many acres the field was and explained approximately how many loads of corn would be produced when it came to harvesting time. “About 171 bushels per acre, multiplied by 200 acres that I own. Last year, corn sold for $4 a bushel.”

  Kimberly looked amazed. She thought about it for a moment but then admitted, "I can't figure that out in my head."

  Alex laughed, "Neither can I." They kept walking as Alex finished answering her question. “Plus, I was in the army when I was younger. I was injured and got an honorable discharge on medical grounds. They don’t give me much, but I do receive a check from the VA every month; that helps.”

  She abandoned us for some military guy, Jennifer's words echoed in Kimberly's head. "Was Ryan in the military too?"

  "Yup," Alex stated. "Family tradition." She stood still and watched the corn sway in the breeze. "Bet you never thought you'd be a farmer's wife."