Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
She stayed for a moment to watch, then she made her way into the kitchen.
“I know you’re upset, but hear me out,” Ana said. “You’ve gotten into a rut. You stopped dating.”
“Mom, please.”
“There is no rule to say you can’t date a guy you like. Hawk is available, as are you.” Ana moved toward her. “I know at times you feel guilty. Adam was a big part of your life, but trust me on this, he asked us to take care of you.”
Katie looked to her mother. “He did?”
“Yes, Adam told us you would be stubborn and would probably try not to date, or you’d hold another person at arm’s length because you felt guilty. That man loved and adored you, and he knew you better than you knew yourself. He asked us to help you move on. I’ve never seen you so happy as I have in the past few weeks, with Hawk stopping by and working with you at the shop. That means something.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “Give it time.”
Hawk was sending her body into a whirlwind. From the kiss she couldn’t stop obsessing about, to being able to talk to him about anything. She couldn’t help but glance across the room at the small table out in the hallway, which had her and Adam’s wedding photo. Adam looked back at her with a smile.
“You’re going to have to meet someone.”
“Adam, stop it.”
“You’re too damn young to not. I refuse to let you ... not fall in love. Katie, there is another man out there who needs to know how great you are. A man who will fall madly in love with that damn smile. Who will just ... they will want you, and you are going to want them, and that is exactly what I want you to do. Fall in love with someone else. Not forget about me, because I’m unforgettable. But love, have kids. Be with someone who has no fear like I do. I didn’t want to leave you alone. I love you, Katie.”
She pulled out of the memory and took a deep breath.
Katie never for a second thought she could ever feel anything for anyone else. All her life, it had all been Adam. He’d made her heart race, got the butterflies dancing in her stomach, and now she was feeling that way about Hawk, it was crazy.
But she couldn’t deny that she liked those feelings.
Chapter Five
“Your parents are so cool,” Hawk said.
Katie laughed and he glanced toward her.
His sister had dropped him off in town, because his truck had finally decided to cause him a few troubles. He and his dad were going to check it out when he got back into town. Until then, he needed to buy a freaking car. Of course, nowhere in Hope was open on a Sunday. Asking his sister for a ride had been low for him. Growing up, he’d been the one to take her places, not the other way around. Sarah loved it. She was more than happy to do the little sister routine, where he’d done the big brother routine.
“They like you,” Katie said.
“That’s good. Your mom is one hell of a cook,” Hawk said, holding up his foil-wrapped package. Ana refused to let him leave without leftovers. There were meat and vegetables wrapped up together. In a separate little baggie he had a nice, large slice of chocolate cake with fudgy frosting. It had been a good dinner, one he thoroughly enjoyed.
At first, he had been a little terrified about what was to come. Katie hadn’t exactly looked all that welcoming, but he didn’t have to worry. There had been a smile on her lips as they sat through dinner. Even now, walking side by side.
The sun was still up, and it was just a little after five. He wanted to walk her home. Katie offered to drive him home, but he had refused. He had a sneaking suspicion Sarah was waiting with bated breath for him to call. He was not going to spoil that for his sister.
They arrived at Katie’s and walked up to the door.
“Do you want to come in for some coffee?” she asked.
“I’d love to.”
He was more than happy to phone his sister, but if he didn’t have to, he wouldn’t. Besides, he had a feeling his sister would like the fact that he was getting along so well with Katie.
Katie opened the door and they stepped inside. Hawk felt instant warmth as he walked into her house and remembered this was not the place she had shared with Adam.
There were a lot of pictures around, but he also noticed there were not many of Adam. He saw a single wedding photo, the same one at her parents’ place. It showed her and Adam, and someone must have said something funny as they were both laughing. They were snuggled up together and looking so damn happy with one another. There were pictures of her parents and the shop. A lot of artwork as well.