Seasons of the Heart Read online

  “Lucky you said that. I’ll let you eat now.” Katie chanced a glance at him while she flipped an egg over. “How do you like the coffee? It’s chocolate cream.”

  “I’m not accustomed to chocolate in my coffee.”

  Katie frowned. “You don’t like it?”

  His heart melted at her pout. How he’d love to kiss those puckered lips and make them turn up with a smile. Katie was a bit sensitive about her cooking. She wasn’t the greatest, but she had definitely improved over the last year with his help. It was hard to withhold a chuckle as he thought of the saying Love endures all things.

  “I guess that means you don’t.”

  “It’s not that. It’s just different. Different isn’t necessarily bad. Just different.” Wade took the plate of food she held out for him and took a seat at the small wooden table.

  “You’re going to have to learn to back-pedal better than that when you get married or you’d better build a really big dog house because you may end up spending a lot of time there.” Katie sat across from him.

  The round table was cozy with the exception of the vase of Chrysanthemums that sat in the middle, which he promptly pushed aside to soak in every detail of Katie’s face. The forest green dress she wore brought out the gold flecks in her brown eyes. Her raven curls cascaded over her shoulder. If only he could reach out and touch one. He was sure if he gently pulled a wavy tendril it would bounce back into place.

  “Don’t tell me you don’t like my flowers now, too.”

  “Your flowers are fine. I’d rather look at you while we talk though.” Canned biscuits, Wade thought as he sampled his morning feast. Katie had other more redeeming qualities than her baking. “I won’t have to worry about sleeping in the dog house.”

  Katie raised her eyebrows. Wade continued, “We won’t have a dog, so I won’t need a dog house. No dog house, no sleeping outside.”

  “We? Does that mean you’re thinking of asking someone out?” Katie’s eyes widened. He had her full attention now, whether or not he wanted it.

  Wade’s hesitation forced Katie to press on. “So, are you going to let me fix you up with Margaret then? Oh, Wade, you’ll love her. She’s so sweet and pretty. I know you’ll just love her.”

  “Why in the world would I want to go out with Margaret?” Agitation laced his voice, but he couldn’t help it. Why wouldn’t Katie get it into her head that he didn’t want to be fixed up with one of her friends?

  “Because you never go out with anyone, that’s why.”

  “Neither do you,” he countered.

  “I’m still in college. It’s not like I have time to go out with anyone with school and work. And besides that, I’m not going to get serious about anyone until I’m out of school. If I don’t get my education now I never will." Katie leaned her arms against the table. "Very few people make it back to school once they end up married and have kids and stuff. You’re stable and secure. Surely you’ve thought about marriage by now. I mean, most guys your age are already married.”

  Angry, Wade pushed his plate aside. “I think it's time we headed to church.”

  “Why do you disappear or abruptly change the subject every time we talk about this? Did you break up with someone that you haven’t gotten over yet?” Katie stared at him.

  Wade’s resolve faded. Maybe if he gave in she’d leave it alone when she realized it wasn’t any use goading him any longer. Why did she have to keep pushing him away? “I tell you what, I’ll go out with Margaret if it will get you off my back. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Katie extended her hand for him to shake.

  Katie might have gotten her way this time, but at least he could tell her he tried, but it was for the best, he should wait on God's timing. She'd feel bad that it didn't work out and then he wouldn't have to worry about her playing matchmaker again.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Two days later, while Wade looked at his menu, he wondered why he had allowed Katie to talk him into going out with Margaret. It wasn’t that Margaret wasn’t pretty, she was. Her red, satin dress hugged her body comfortably. Blonde hair flowed past her shoulders. Bright red lipstick covered a full set of lips. It even matched her nail polish. Wade sighed. Lots of men would be happy to be on a date with her. He wasn’t one of them. “Have you decided on what you would like, yet?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. How many calories does the Calamari have?” Margaret looked from her menu to the waiter dressed in black pants and matching jacket and bow tie.

  Wade sensed she wasn’t happy with the waiter’s reply because she closed her menu briskly. “I’ll just have a salad.”

  Wade couldn’t help himself; he ordered the Calamari and a salad. “Thank you, Frederick.”

  “My pleasure, sir,” the waiter replied, took the menus and left their table.

  Wade nodded to him as he left, then turned to Margaret, who had pulled a compact out of her purse to check her makeup. This date was beginning to reek before their appetizer had even been served. With hopes of salvaging an ill-fated evening, he decided he would engage her in conversation. “Tell me about yourself, Margaret.”

  That seemed to delight her, since she finally put her compact down and made eye contact with him. “You can call me Diamond.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Diamond. I’m getting used to it now. It’s the name I’m going to use when I model." She smiled sweetly. "My parents insisted I go to college to have a career to fall back on, but if I married a doctor I wouldn’t need to. My parents would be happy then. You’re a doctor aren’t you?”

  Wade could almost feel her claws digging into him. “I don’t think I’m the kind of doctor your parents had in mind. I’m a vet.”

  “Oh, that’s still a doctor. I mean, you can afford to come to nice restaurants like this one and your suit is an Armani. You must be doing well.”

  Katie was going to pay for this and dearly. If he ever got away from this lioness, he’d give her an earful. Lord, why did I let her talk me into this?

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Glancing at the clock didn’t spin the hands any quicker to pass the time away, nor did Katie’s pacing create enough friction to cause the phone to ring, even for the slightest of seconds. Surely he was up by now, Katie thought as she glanced at her watch for the umpteenth time. Maybe he'd stayed out late on his date with Margaret. Satisfied that had to be the reason Wade hadn’t called her yet, she decided to go into work and check on Maybel Peterson’s dog, Fritz.

  All the way to the clinic, she smiled inwardly. The thought of Wade finally finding someone who could make him happy, filled her with joy. And to think she helped bring the two of them together.

  When she walked into the reception area Alice wasn’t behind her desk. The boisterous laugh from the back caught her attention. She followed the sound until she discovered its source.

  “Alice, was that you laughing in here?” Katie looked at the middle-aged woman in disbelief. Rarely had she known Alice to laugh hysterically. She turned to follow Alice’s gaze. “Oh, Wade. What are you doing here?”

  Alice shook her head, laughed, and walked past Katie. “Oh, you’re too funny.”

  Bewildered, Katie turned to Wade, who raised his brows and scowled. “What was Alice talking about?”

  Wade leaned against a file cabinet and watched her for a moment. A myriad of emotions from glee to anxiety transformed across her face as she awaited his response. Nervously she licked her lips. Finally, he decided to let her off the hook and let her know why Alice was so amused. Even he had to admit his date had been entertaining to say the least. “She found my date rather interesting. Actually, so did I.”

  “You did?” Katie squinted at him, her lips pursed.

  “Oh, yes, quite interesting. Margaret, or shall I say Diamond, was thoroughly entertaining. She should consider acting instead of modeling.” Taking a seat in the black leather office chair, Wade leaned back and folded his arms across his chest.

  “Diamond?” Katie looked at him as
if he’d grown another head.

  “That’s a pseudonym she plans to use in her career. Do you know why she chose that name?

  Katie wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “Why?”

  “Because she loves diamonds. She held her hand out for me to see right where a nice big fat one would look good, too." He held his hand out momentarily in a feminine gesture, as if he was showing off his left hand. Then folded his arms back across his chest. "To top it off, she mentioned how she wouldn’t have to worry about college if she married a doctor.”

  “Oh?”

  Wade repressed a chuckle at the look of shock on her face. “I tried to tell her I’m not a regular doctor but that didn’t seem to matter since I dress properly.”

  “You’re kidding?”

  Shaking his head, he continued, “I think she’s in love.”

  “She can’t be. I mean…you two just met.”

  “Oh, not me. Herself. I don’t think she could stand to be away from herself. She must have pulled out her compact ten times at least, just to check her make-up, or whatever she was looking at. You know, come to think of it, when she got the hint that I wasn’t interested in marriage, she might have been checking out the lawyer that was seated at the table behind her.” Wade knew Margaret wasn’t checking out the lawyer, but he couldn’t help himself. He laughed when he thought of how she kept checking her teeth to see if there was any lettuce stuck between them.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think she was so self-centered.” Katie joined in his laughter until her side ached. She took a seat next to his desk, her mood becoming somber. “I am sorry.”

  “I know you are. It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it.” Leaning forward, he took her hands in his, and gently stroked her knuckles with his thumbs.

  Time ticked by slowly, as if at a standstill, while he gazed into her brown eyes. The glistening gold flecks of tranquility mesmerized him. If he drowned, he’d die a happy man.

  Wade watched as Katie’s eyes flickered and he realized he was staring. Straightening in his seat, he released her hands and composed himself. “So, what brings you down here this morning?”

  “I came to check on Fritz. How’s he doing today?”

  “Why don’t you go take a look?" Wade stood and motioned for Katie to precede him. "I called Maybel and told her she could come and pick him up. She should be here anytime now.”

  “Is he okay, then?”

  He could see the concern in her eyes. They fascinated him. It was as if he could get lost in their depths for an eternity. Realizing he was staring again, he nodded towards the holding room where they kept their overnight visitors. “I gave him something for the pain. He should be good as new in a couple weeks.”

  Katie hurried over to where Fritz lay motionless. She stroked the dog tenderly, careful not to touch his bandaged hip. “Oh, poor baby. Did Dr. Wade take care of you?”

  Fritz lay still and barely moved his head to acknowledge her presence. The tenderness Katie showed the dog was heartwarming. Deep inside, he knew she’d make a fantastic vet and a wonderful mother. Last week, he stood in awe as he watched her hold Mrs. Nelson’s baby while she restrained her dog that had become a tad bit excited when another customer entered the shop with a cat. Katie had cuddled the baby close to her breast and gently stroked the side of the baby’s face. Instantly his heart had melted.

  There was a wealth of love in the depths of Katie’s inner being, waiting to be given. If only she would allow herself to love freely in all areas of her life, but her heart remained guarded toward intimate relationships. At least until she completed her goals. Wade didn’t want to stand in her way of obtaining her dreams for fear if he did…she’d regret it and it would always be something that came between them, spoken or unspoken. If anything were to ever come of their relationship, Katie would have to make her feelings known. The only signals she sent him now were of friendship. He could live with it, even if he didn’t like it.

  “Maybel Peterson is here. Do you want me to bring her back?” Alice poked her head in the doorway and waited for a response.

  With a sigh of regret, Wade turned to his receptionist. “Yes, please bring her back.”

  “Did you hear that? Mommy’s here to get you,” Katie cooed to Fritz in a voice that sounded almost sensual to Wade’s ears.

  If it wouldn’t draw too much attention to him, he’d stand next to the wall and hit his head against it repeatedly. Didn’t she know what effect she had on him? He supposed it was her age. Perhaps she was just naïve.

  “Where’s my baby?” Maybel asked. “Oh, there you are.”

  Katie moved aside, giving Maybel access to her pet. “He’s still a bit out of it. The doctor gave him something for the pain.”

  “Bless your heart. Thank you," Maybel said in a tearful voice. "I’d hate for my poor baby to be in pain.”

  Wade explained what to watch for, how Fritz would act for the next twenty-four hours, and that he may be a bit nauseated. Then he carried Fritz out to Maybel’s car for her.

  Katie made her way back to the reception area to talk with Alice. “Good morning.”

  Alice shook her head. Katie wasn’t sure why the older woman gave her a peculiar look. “What?”

  “I can’t believe you fixed Dr. McAlester up on a date. What were you thinking?” Alice asked and shook her head again while she shuffled paperwork.

  Normally, Alice wasn’t one to pry into other people’s affairs. Frowning, Katie assumed Alice didn’t approve of her efforts at matchmaking. “Well, I admit it didn’t turn out well.”

  “You can say that again,” Alice mumbled.

  Katie ignored her comment. “It’ll turn out better next time.”

  Alice raised her brows and stared at Katie in disbelief. “You just don’t get it do you? Are you really that blind?”

  Katie didn’t have a chance to respond before Wade came back into the building.

  Their stunned looks puzzled him. “Is there something on my shirt or was it something I did?”

  “Neither,” both women said in unison before shuffling papers, rearranging brochures, and acting preoccupied with work.

  Chapter Three

  During the worship service Sunday morning, Wade casually draped his arm along the pew behind Katie. Soft black wisps of her hair tickled his arm when she turned her head. He forced himself to focus on the pastor’s sermon, yet couldn’t help wondering who Katie was looking for among the congregation, and obviously couldn’t find if the frown on her face was anything to go by.

  No, no, no, Katie thought to herself as she looked from one familiar single woman in the congregation to another. She’s too plain. She’s not right either. No, someone else already has their eye on her. That was the last three Katie crossed off her mental list. It was no wonder Wade didn’t date any of the women from church. The pickings were slim. Surely there had to be someone who was right for him. Determined not to lose hope, she resolved herself to evaluate the girls from her school. There had to be someone who would make a good match for Wade.

  After the altar call, they all stood to sing the closing hymn. Wade held the hymnal between them so they could share. In the small pews, they were crunched together. During the summer, there was always more room to sit comfortably. Katie didn’t mind giving up a little of that comfort for the college students who frequented their small church during the school year.

  Wade closed the book and placed it back in its slot on the pew in front of them. Reverend Johnson dismissed them with prayer and Wade turned his attention instantly to her. “Who were you looking for?”

  “No one you know,” Katie replied. Obviously, if he knew her, he would have asked her out by now. The problem was apparent. He just hadn’t met the right woman. And she knew exactly how she could help remedy that problem.

  “A friend from school?”

  Katie’s cheeks turned pink. “There’s Mrs. Peterson. I’m going to go see how Fritz is doing today.”

  Wade watched the skirt
of her dress swish back and forth as she made a hasty exit. He frowned. Who had Katie been looking for? Another man? As much as doubt nudged his curiosity, he knew it couldn’t be possible. After all, when Katie wasn’t at school, she was usually with him working, studying, or going to church.

  No, she didn’t have time to see anyone else. A smile erased any traces of concern he previously felt.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Monday morning, chatter filled the cafeteria as students sat huddled with groups of friends who either consulted each other over textbooks, between bites of food or idly gossiped amongst themselves. Normally Katie sat in the midst of one of these groups, but today she had a mission.

  On the south side of the school cafeteria, she spotted her objective. Scooting an empty chair in here or there as she passed through the room, she moved towards her destination. So absorbed in her quest, she barely heard someone holler her name. She looked over her shoulder, waved to a couple of guys from her anatomy class who beckoned her to join them. A smile and a wave were the only attention she afforded them.

  “Hi,” Katie said as she pulled out the end chair and sat down at a table with some classmates. Three brunettes and a blonde greeted her cheerfully. “So what are we discussing?”

  Kelly leaned her arm on the table and rested her chin against her knuckles, long brunette hair cascaded over her shoulders. She looked at Katie with raised brows and sighed. “Men.”

  “Oh? What about them?” Katie was glad to have this opportunity to launch her plan into action. Her friends were already on the topic she wanted to bring up—casually.

  “For one, how about the way we primp for hours and they show up in a pair of jeans.” Martha shook her head, the movement barely stirred her shoulder-length, light, brown hair.

  “Maybe you should try dating a slightly older man,” Katie suggested. “I know just the guy for you.”

  Kelly frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “Nothing,” Katie assured her.

  “Then why aren’t you going out with him?” Tonya asked.

  Katie turned her attention to Tonya, who casually flipped her long hair back over her shoulder while she waited for Katie's reply. “You know I don’t have time to date with work and school. Besides, he’s my boss.”