Page 95 of Catching the Coach
Kara leans across the console of the car and gives me a hug, squeezing me tight. I wrap her in my arms and squeeze back. When we pull back, our eyes are both wet. She reaches out and swipes her thumbs under my eyes. “No crying, you’ll ruin your makeup.”
I give her a small laugh and take a deep breath. “Ok, I’m doing this.”
“You’re doing this,” she repeats back to me.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of the car, closing the door behind me. Kara pulls away, leaving Kessler and I standing there, staring at each other. Butterflies take flight in my stomach as he moves slowly down the stairs, never breaking eye contact with me. My heart rate increases every inch he gets closer, until I think it’s going to jump right out of my chest. He stops in front of me, the air between us crackling with built up energy begging to be released.
I inhale a sharp breath and his spice and leather scent hits my nose. I feel myself lean forward, taking another breath. Breathing him in.
He reaches out and gently brushes my cheek with his fingers, making my skin tingle in their path. Neither of us says a word. We just stand there, taking each other in.
A crow caws from one of the maple trees, causing me to jump, breaking our trance. I let out a little chuckle and look around.
“Who’s house is this?” I ask, my eyes wandering around the space.
While the house looks brand new, the property around it is worn down, and in need of some love. Flower beds are overgrown with weeds and grass. A door to what looks like a small tools shed hangs crooked on its frame off to the side. After my small tour of the yard, I look back at Kessler, who’s watching me intently.
“Do you like it?” he asks with a whisper.
“I love it,” I tell him, his shoulders visibly dropping, like a weight has been lifted. “I told Kara when we drove in that it looks like one of the houses off my Pinterest boards.” His face splits into a smile and I narrow my eyes at him. “Kessler… Why does this house look like my Pinterest board?” I ask, realization hitting me. I think I know what’s going on, but I need him to say it.
His smile grows wider and he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. Jingling them in the air he asks, “Want to take a look inside.”
Shaking my head, I take a step back. “Answer my question first, Kessler.”
With his free hand he reaches up and rubs the back of his neck, looking off to the side. “I uh, may have bought it,” he mumbles. His gaze comes back to mine, gauging my reaction.
“You bought it? This house.” I point to my dream house behind him. “It’s yours?”
Kessler drops his hand from his neck and tips his head to the side. “Well, not just mine.”
My mouth drops open, while my brain catches up with what’s going on.
“You, you bought me a house?” I squeak out. The back of my eyes burn with the threat of tears.
Kessler comes forward, placing both of his hands on my arms. I tilt my head up to look into his eyes. “I boughtusa house,” he says, his voice soft.
“When? Why? How?” I ask in succession, needing answers and needing them now.
He takes a step back and jingles the key again. “Come look inside and I’ll answer your questions.” Kessler turns and jogs up the four steps that lead up the porch, going to the door he inserts the key and it turns with ease. He looks back at me over his shoulder. “Coming?” he asks before stepping through the threshold.
Needing answers, I follow his path up the steps and through the door. A gasp escapes me as I step through. The open floor plan of my dreams is in front of me. The kitchen and living area are separated by a huge island, big enough to fit half my baseball team. The counter top gleaming under rustic pennant lights. Rich hickory floors run throughout the house, giving it a warm feeling. My eyes bounce everywhere and I'm overwhelmed with all the perfect details.
“It’s not done,” Kessler says, pulling my attention from the house to where he’s leaning up against the stone fireplace. Yes, a freakingstonefireplace. The picture above catches my attention. It’s a blown up copy of Hudson, Kessler and I. “I left the other three bedrooms blank so Hudson can pick out which one he wants and decorate it the way he wants.” He walks over to me and takes my hand, leading me to rich wooden barn doors to my left. “Open them,” he whispers.
With a shaking hand, I push one side open. Beyond the doors is an office painted in a darker version of the house. A pristine white desk and chair sit off to the left facing a set of double doors that I assume lead to the porch. I turn around to look at Kessler, searching in his face for answers. He gives me a sheepish look. “I left it pretty bare so you can decorate it how you want. If you don’t like the desk, we can get you a different one. I-”
I rush forward and silence him with a kiss. Sighing in relief that after too many days, I’m finally kissing his warm lips again. Kessler groans into my mouth. One hand grips the back of my neck, while the other grabs my hip. Running my hands up his chest, I circle my hand around his neck and link them at the back. I open my mouth wider and Kessler takes the silent invitation and deepens his kiss. I cling to him, like he’s the breath I’ve been fighting to take and all my thoughts that have been running through my brain the last week, finally come to a halt.
Kessler pulls back, gazing into my eyes. “I want to show you one more room,” he whispers, taking my hand and leading me across the entryway to a door beside the kitchen.
Turning the handle he pushes open the door and leads me inside. A massive king sized bed with a gray tufted headboard sits on the far side of the room. Fluffy emerald green bedding decorates the bed, contrasting with the shiplap accent wall. It’s straight out of a picture on my board.
“How?” I ask him.
He confirms my suspicion with one word, “Kara.”
I breathe out a laugh. “Of course.” Everything from the beginning of this has been thanks to Kara’s gentle pushes. The sneaky bitch. I love her.
