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  “I had a great night.”

  “So did I.” She started to the house—disappointed, but hopeful. They were making progress. He was more relaxed around her, more affectionate. She knew better than to push him. Instead, she stood at the door and waved him away.

  It was so easy spending time with him. She could talk to him about anything. Would she ever get bored of looking across a table and seeing Keagan? She didn’t think so.

  Chapter 29

  The TV was on when she walked in the house. Axel and Kurt must be watching something. She hung her coat on a hook in the foyer and Dusty streaked toward her. He wound around her ankles, then started toward the kitchen.

  “Oh, I get it. You’re hungry.” She followed him and filled his cat food bowl. The cat crouched and ate greedily. Karli decided the woman at the grain store was right. Dusty had been an indoor cat until he grew past the kitten stage, then the person who was supposed to love him had loaded him in a car and booted him out on the side of the road. How could people do that?

  She bent to pet him, and his purrs filled the kitchen. It was a good thing she’d never know who owned him before, or she’d be tempted to whack the bastard over the head and dump him in the middle of nowhere to see how he liked it.

  She glanced at the clock while she yawned. It had been a long day—a nice one, but long. She took a roll of sausage out of the freezer to thaw and headed to the bathroom. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, then turned off lights as she went to her room to change into her pajamas. She had a new Julia Donner Regency on her Kindle that she couldn’t wait to read. She’d settled in and tugged her blankets around her when Dusty jumped on the air mattress and curled next to her. How cute was this cat?

  She wasn’t sure when she fell asleep. She only knew it was almost nine when she woke, and Dusty was pressed against her chest. The parlor was chilly, so she pulled on her robe to go to the kitchen. Dusty hurried to sit at his food bowl.

  She sighed. “I feel like all I do is feed people.”

  “Good, you’re awake, because I’m hungry. Soup makes a lousy supper,” Axel called.

  “Give me a minute.” She fed the cat first, then made a pan of scrambled eggs to split between herself and Axel.

  “Will you sit out here and eat with me?”

  She’d have to sit in Kurt’s chair. It wasn’t contaminated, and Axel would like some company. She shrugged. “Why not?”

  “Keagan used to sit out here with me once in a while, but he doesn’t like Kurt, so he doesn’t stop in as much.”

  Karli grunted. “No one likes Kurt. It’s your own fault he’s here.”

  Axel grew serious. “When Sylvie comes, I’ll know what I need to do. If she’s as awful as Kurt, a nursing home will look good.”

  Karli smiled. Music to her ears. “I’ll get my plate.” While they ate, she asked, “Do you remember who put linoleum floors in the kitchen? Are they original?”

  Axel shook his head. “Nah, my mom would only have wood floors. Eloise is the one who wanted linoleum. She said it was too hard keeping the wood clean, told me I could refinish the kitchen floors or install something she could mop.”

  “And you got the linoleum for her?”

  “That woman could be damn stubborn when she dug in. It was easier to give her what she wanted.”

  Karli was silent a moment. “You two weren’t right for each other, were you?”

  “She wanted to be married, but it wasn’t because she liked me. She wanted someone to keep a roof over her head. I was too stupid to know that.” He finished his food and pushed his plate toward her. “She liked being pregnant and having babies, too, but she didn’t much care about them once they could walk and talk.”

  “They’d only be one or two then.”

  He glanced at Dusty, sitting at the door watching them. “Sort of like whoever had that cat. Only liked it when it was little. Once Eloise couldn’t hold them and coo over them, she lost interest.”

  Karli had trouble picturing a mother who got bored with her own kids. The moms she knew had signed up for life.

  Axel looked out the windows at a tire that had fallen from a frayed rope tossed over a tree limb. “I put up that swing for the kids. Should have done more, but every time I walked inside this damn house and Eloise opened her mouth, I just about choked on my bile. Still, it wasn’t the kids’ fault. I should have done more.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Axel’s version of his life was so different from everything her mom had told her.

  He didn’t seem to expect an answer. He went on. “I worked morning to night to just keep food on the table, but it wasn’t enough.” He looked at her. “What about you? Do you ever want to tie the knot? Have kids?”

  He sure didn’t make it sound appealing. “Nope, I don’t want to be tied down. I like moving from place to place.”

  “Seems like it would get old to me.”

  She put his empty plate on top of hers. “Really? Marriage and kids didn’t make you happy.”

  “I chose wrong. You wouldn’t.”

  She snorted. “I’m not choosing.”

  “Even if the right one was right in front of you?”

  She gave him a hard look. “And who would that be?”

  Kurt walked into the room and slumped in his chair. “Did I miss breakfast?”

  Axel growled. “Do you see our dirty plates? You should have gotten up earlier.”

  “I’m all right with coffee for now.” Kurt started to the kitchen.

  When he was out of earshot, Axel pointed at her. “Girlie, there are all kinds of mistakes people can make. Being alone gets old, too. Remember that.”

  Kurt returned and Karli pushed to her feet. “I’d better get started on the kitchen. If I pull up that linoleum, will I find wood under it?”

  Axel gave a long sigh. “You just keep busy, girl. That’s what I did, too, but it didn’t make things any better.”

  His problems were bigger than hers. All she wanted was to sleep with Keagan a few more times before she left. But as she rinsed the plates to put in soapy water, she knew that wasn’t true. She wanted to keep Keagan in her life, but how would she do that? He wasn’t the type to wait for her each time she came to town. She glowered at the floor. This was the perfect day to take out her frustrations on the sad, sorry linoleum.

  She decided to cook supper first, though. The floor was going to be a big project, and she might not want to stop to cook before she finished it. She found a large, deep skillet and put the bulk sausage in it to brown. She added a chopped onion to the cooked meat, then cannellini beans and diced tomatoes to start building her ragout. When it was finished, she put a lid on it and set it on a back burner. Then she changed into worn work clothes.

  She was on her knees, ripping up old linoleum that stuck to the floor boards when someone knocked at the front door. “It’s open!”

  Keagan came to see what she was doing. He carried a bakery box and put it on the dining room table. “An apple cake from Grams,” he told her.

  It’s a good thing she loved apples. But it was November. It’s not like there was lots of fresh fruit to choose from. She stopped working and sat up, balancing on her knees. “That’s perfect. It’ll go great with our supper.”

  Keagan sniffed. “Something smells good.”

  “A ragout. Want a bite?”

  “Just a taste. I have lots more mail to deliver.”

  She handed him a big spoon and he took a scoop. He moaned when he ate it. “That’s delicious.”

  “If I’d have made more, I’d send you home with some.”

  He looked regretful. “That’s okay. Brad’s cooking tonight.”

  “Is he a good cook?”

  “Hell, no, but don’t tell him that.”

  Karli laughed. “You’re still alive. I guess that’s a good thing.”
<
br />   He came closer to look at the wooden floor she’d exposed. “You’ve bitten off a big project. Do you have a sander?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “You can rent one for floors in town. It’ll save you a lot of time.”

  She showed him her plans for the kitchen cupboards. He glanced at the sandpaper in the foyer. “It’ll take you forever with that. I have an electric sander. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.” He frowned. “You’ll have a mess, though. You’d be better off if you let me take the cupboard doors down so you can sand them in the barn, or else you’ll have dust everywhere.”

  The man was a blessing. She grinned at him. “If you lend me your sander, I’ll make you a big pot of something.”

  His eyes lit up. “Stew?”

  She laughed. “It’s one of your favorites, isn’t it? Sounds like a fair trade to me.”

  Keagan might be tall and lean, but he loved to eat. She could use that. She decided she’d make a little extra when she cooked from now on and put some in a plastic container to send home with him. She caught him looking at her and glanced down at her ratty jeans and holey T-shirt. “Sorry I’m such a mess. These are my work clothes.” She touched her hair. She’d pulled it up in a ponytail, but strands had escaped and curled everywhere.

  “You look wonderful.”

  She did? He was the type of guy who loved girls with no makeup, who didn’t dress up. She could use that, too.

  By the time Keagan walked out the door, Karli had a game plan to win him. Then she laughed at herself. What did she intend to do with him? But she already knew. She wanted him for keeps. She just didn’t know how she was going to make that work. If he fell for her enough, would he travel with her?

  Chapter 30

  When Karli walked into the kitchen the next morning, she glared at the patches of linoleum that had stuck to the wood floor and didn’t want to leave. She’d tried sliding a butcher knife under them, a flat bladed shovel, and screwdrivers. No luck. She’d gone to bed last night irritated and frustrated. She turned her face, didn’t even want to look at them, and got busy in the kitchen.

  The floor felt bumpy underfoot. She fussed while she cooked.

  “Settle down, girl,” Axel called. “Ask Keagan for some advice. The boy’s handy.”

  He sure was, but she’d wanted the floor finished by now, even though she knew she’d gotten lucky on her projects so far. She hadn’t hit any major snags, and one was bound to happen.

  Just as promised, when Keagan brought the mail, he brought an electric sander, too. Karli was still struggling with the kitchen floor, but she was ready for their trade. She’d already made two pots of stew—one for him and one for them. Dusty loved it when she cooked, waiting for her to throw him small morsels. Axel had asked for a second helping, and Kurt kept dipping into the kitchen for more, so she knew they both liked it. Hopefully, Keagan would, too.

  Keagan frowned at the floor. “Giving you troubles, huh?”

  “Pulling up Formica isn’t as easy as they made it look on TV.”

  “Have you tried a crowbar? The tip’s narrow enough, it’s easier to pry with.”

  Now he told her. But she wasn’t being fair. She hadn’t asked his advice, had she?

  He studied it closer. “I sure don’t miss the swirl pattern in the linoleum. The wood’s in great shape. It just needs sanding and refinishing. Be sure to tape plastic over all the doors before you start. Seal this room tight, or you’ll have dust everywhere, but you’ve done a great job.”

  His praise went straight to her head. She felt like she could float around the house for the rest of the day. He went to their pot of stew on the stove and asked, “Mind if I take a taste; see what you’re sending me for supper?” When she handed him a spoon, he took a bite and closed his eyes with a smile. “This is damn good.”

  She might have to pinch herself. It sure made her happy to make Keagan happy. They spent another few minutes talking about the kitchen project, and Keagan told her that she’d be better off finishing the floor before she tackled the cupboards. “You have a hell of a lot of cupboards in here. I’ll come to help you when you take off the doors, or you’ll be at it all day.”

  “That’s awfully nice of you.”

  He shrugged. “I have an electric screwdriver. The right tools make everything go faster. I’ve worked on lots of projects with my dad on the farm. I like tinkering around the house.”

  And she liked having him underfoot. She’d have to finish the wooden floor as fast as possible. The crowbar worked, and soon all of the linoleum was pulled up. She hummed as she drove into town to rent a sander that looked a little like an upright vacuum. She hummed while she sanded the floor and returned the machine to town. She bought a maple stain at Meg’s, then beat it for home. She’d stain the wood before she shut out the lights for the night, so that the floor would have plenty of time to dry.

  Her good mood vanished when a woman knocked on the door. Karli opened it and saw someone with Axel’s steel-gray eyes and wide nose. It had to be Sylvie, and by her downturned lips and glacial expression, Karli knew she hadn’t come to spread joy.

  The woman was taller than she was and looked her slowly up and down. “You must be Donna’s kid.”

  Karli wouldn’t let her know how intimidating she looked. She was a nurse, after all. Plenty of belligerent patients and grumpy doctors growled at her, and she took them in her stride. She smiled. “Yup, Donna’s my mom. Axel and Kurt are in the back room. I’ll show you to them.”

  “I know the way.”

  “Then be my guest.”

  The woman stalked past her. “I ain’t no guest. This is my home.”

  It used to be. Karli followed behind. She didn’t give a crap about Sylvie, but she did want to see Axel’s reaction to her.

  Sylvie walked to the middle of the three-season room and propped her hands on her hips. “You’re a freakin’ mess, both of you, and so is this room. It’s a good thing I came to take care of you.”

  Axel’s eyes narrowed. “I’m doing just fine. Karli cooks for us and Keagan wheels me in for plenty of showers.”

  Sylvie was unimpressed. “I can get you in and out of the tub, and I’ll cut your hair and beard, too.”

  “To hell with that.” Axel crossed his arms. “You’re my daughter. I’m not undressing for you.”

  “You’re too old to worry about that, nothin’ much to see.”

  “Doesn’t matter. No woman’s washing me.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Sylvie turned on Kurt. “Why ain’t you givin’ him showers?”

  “I have a bad back.”

  She barked a laugh. “Sure you do, but at least you’ve been fixin’ the place up.”

  Axel shook his head. “Kurt hasn’t lifted a finger. Karli’s done all the painting and cleaning around here.”

  “Nice of her. She’s done a good job. She and Kurt can leave now.”

  “I invited them to stay.” Axel glared at her.

  “And I’m tellin’ ’em to go.” Sylvie glared back.

  Axel gave a thin smile. “As far as I know, this is still my house, so if I say they stay, they stay.”

  Sylvie nodded at Karli. “That girl ain’t gonna hang around till you croak. I will, so you’d better start doin’ what I tell you.”

  “You’d better start listening to me,” Axel said, “or I’ll sign Karli up for power of attorney.”

  Like she wanted that responsibility. Karli shook her head, but Axel ignored her.

  Sylvie straightened her back. “Okay, we’ll play it your way and see where it goes.”

  Axel turned his attention back to the TV. “There are plenty of bedrooms upstairs. Pick one.”

  Kurt was on his feet, hurrying ahead of her. “I got Mom and Dad’s old room. It’s mine.”

  When they left, Axel reached for his cell ph
one.

  “Are you calling the sheriff to have them evicted?” Karli asked.

  Axel shot her a dirty look. “Nope, I’m calling the rest of the kids. Charlie was a good boy. He’ll come to help me.”

  “Good luck with that.” She started to turn away.

  “One of them will.”

  “I’m not holding my breath.” And when she heard him rant, After I kept a roof over your head and food in your belly, she assumed it wasn’t going well. When he called for a glass of water later and she took it to him, he sat hunched against his pillow, pouting. He glared at her. “Damn ingrates, they owe me.”

  She shook her head at him. “They think they owe you, too, but they’re too nice to give you what they think you deserve.”

  He grunted. “Full of snappy answers, aren’t you?”

  “I’m just waiting for the truth to sink in. You’d better come up with a game plan. I can still get in-home care for you and Meals on Wheels, or you can hope Kurt and Sylvie take good care of you.”

  He sighed. “Give me one more week and I’ll give you an answer.”

  “Promise?”

  “Boy Scout’s honor.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Were you ever a Scout?”

  He smiled.

  Damn old man! “One week, but that’s it. I have a life, and it’s a lot more fun than spending time with you.”

  “Is that so?” He leaned forward. “Does Keagan live wherever that life takes you?”

  “No, but Keagan won’t leave Mill Pond. You know that.”

  He sniggered. “That boy’s worth some bother.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “He’s one person you’re actually nice to.”

  “Have to be. The boy’s nice, but he won’t take no crap off anyone. Not even me.”

  “I noticed.”

  “You don’t either.” Axel studied her. “You two have some things in common.”

  She liked that thought.

  Axel pulled on his grizzled beard. “Are you still going to cook for me now that Sylvie’s come?”

  Karli hadn’t thought about that. “Maybe we can take turns. I didn’t come here to run a bed and breakfast.”