Katherine sighed long and hard as she heard a knock at the door. She let the towel fall and threw on a terrycloth robe, another little perk from the motel. She looked through the peep hole and couldn’t see anyone.
Daniel had dumped the wrapped packages in one of the bags on the floor and had to hurry and pick them all up before she opened the door. But she didn’t open it, and Daniel became instantly worried. He knocked a little harder. Maybe she’s sleeping. I should let her get some rest.
He turned to leave when he heard the door unlock from the other side.
“I picked up a couple of things for you. May I come in?”
“What kind of things?” Katherine didn’t know what she should do. Looking at his wind-tossed hair, his red cheeks from the cold, and his dark eyes, was making her feel things she knew would do nothing but get her into trouble. Just like last time.
“I can stand by the door if you’d like and we can leave it open.”
“No, that’s okay. Just give me a few minutes to put some clothes on.”
Daniel watched the door close and heard the familiar lock clink. He sat all the bags on the floor beside of him, as his arms were feeling the strain from carrying them so far. He couldn’t believe how far away he had to park. He tried to keep his mind on his mission to help her, but seeing Katherine with wet curls and the white guest robe on made him stir.
“Okay, come on in. Do you need help?”
“That’s okay, I can get them. Have a seat, Katherine, I have a couple of surprises for you.” Daniel gave her a big smile.
Katherine raised her eyebrows and suddenly felt like a little girl on Christmas morning. Daniel handed her the first wrapped present. He had waited for twenty minutes for someone to come and help him at the gift wrapping area, and no one showed. Frustrated, he stopped at a local store on the way to the motel, and wrapped everything himself in the back of the Jeep. They looked like he wrapped them too.
Katherine smiled as she looked at the stack of packages. Her heart rose with warmth. “Did you wrap these?”
“Yes, I’m sorry they look so bad. I’m not very good at it. It was cold and the wind was blowing. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!” He laughed even though his embarrassment was evident.
“They’re beautiful.” She didn’t know what was making her feel more wonderful. The fact that he wrapped all of these things himself or that he was embarrassed because he didn’t think they looked good enough for her.
She carefully opened up the first box. It was a full-length, very soft, baby blue wool jacket. She had never seen a more beautiful coat. Standing up she tried it on. “Daniel, this is gorgeous! You picked this out?”
“I found a sales clerk about your height and size, so she tried them on. But I picked everything out. Do you like it? Does it fit okay?”
“Daniel, it’s perfect! I needed a warm coat, I didn’t have one. Look!” Katherine slowly turned around. It fit perfectly. Her strawberry blonde hair on the baby blue coat, her green eyes…Daniel’s breath caught in his throat.
“Katherine, you look incredible! Here open these, I’m so excited!” He left the luggage he purchased in the Jeep so Katherine would be less inclined to run. Daniel wasn’t sure who was having more fun. The boots fit perfectly, and the hat, scarf, and gloves matched her coat. He was sure the warm, yellow pajamas would fit her. He also found a soft pale yellow robe. He purchased jeans, socks, and sweaters, and could have shopped all day but he didn’t want to risk the time and have Katherine slip out of the motel.
She was so excited that, without forethought, she ran to Daniel and threw her arms around him. His smell. Quickly, Katherine backed up. “Thank so much for everything, Daniel. It was very kind of you.”
Daniel wished more than anything that she hadn’t let go of him. The warmth of her body, the way she felt in his arms, took him back to the first night he got to hold her.
“Do you think we could talk for a few minutes? There’s a couple of things I want to say to you. I promise I won’t stay long.”
“Sure, I don’t mind.” Katherine slipped off her new coat and stepped out of her boots, then sat on a chair.
“Don’t be mad at me for this okay?”
Oh God, here it comes. Katherine braced herself for the incoming seduction line.
“I want you to finish school, Katherine. I’ve made some phone calls to the best fashion design school in New York. It won’t cost you anything and you’ll have a very nice place to stay. You’ll get all the privacy you want, and you don’t ever have to see me.”
“Daniel, are you serious?” Katherine was shocked. She totally didn’t expect this kind of offer. “I don’t have money, Daniel. You’ve been very generous but I can’t let you do all of this.”
“You have to go. I already paid for your tuition. You can start in the spring, and if it would make you feel more comfortable, I can get you your own house or apartment. Seriously, you only have to see me one other time once we’re in New York.”
“And why would that be?” Here it comes…
“To sing for me. One song per gift that I wrapped today.” Daniel was very serious.
Katherine looked around and counted. “Wait, I have to sing you thirteen songs?”
“Yes.”
“Just sing, nothing else?”
“Nope, that’s all I want, and I even rented a recording studio in Manhattan. I don’t like odd numbers so if you want to throw in another song, I won’t complain.” Now he was smiling.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything you want to know, I’m an open book with you.”
“If you saw Emily again, would you—“
“No, never. And as a matter of fact…” Daniel pulled out his phone, put it on speaker, and dialed the bar. The person who answered was definitely Emily.
“Emily, I don’t know if you remember me, my name’s Da—John Williams. I danced with you that one day.”
“Yeah, I remember. You were all over me, then dropped me like a hot biscuit!”
“I’m calling to tell you how sorry I am. I was upset and immature and used you to hurt someone that I care very much about. I was a pompous ass, and I’m sorry I was so mean to you.”
“That’s okay, sugar, you going to stop by?” Emily tried to use her most seductive voice.
“Good luck, Emily. I don’t think I’ll be stopping by, and if I do I hope to have Katherine with me.” Daniel hung up the phone.