Chapter 5

            One month later . . .

            Caitlin was hauling six grocery bags, three in each hand, through the front door of the house.

            “Let me help you,” A.J. said as he rushed to her.

            Caitlin had thought he was going to just take three of the bags. He took all six. Caitlin had moved into the house yesterday afternoon. A.J. had started to work on one of the guest rooms.

            A.J. had done a tremendous job so far. In one month, he was able to lay down new wood floors in the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The house was an open floor plan. Once that was done, Caitlin was able to start looking for furniture for downstairs. She had also ordered new stainless steel appliances for the kitchen. A.J. had built a small kitchen island that matched the gray granite counter tops he had put in. The kitchen cabinets were painted a light gray – a nice contrast to the counter tops.  Caitlin wanted the living room to be a comfortable lounge area. So, she picked out dark brown sofa, loveseat, and two reclining chairs. She had ordered a wood coffee and end tables with glass centers. She had placed three lamp stands around the living space for additional light when needed.

            Caitlin blew out. “Thank you.” She walked to the kitchen.

            “You’re welcome,” he said as he sat the bags on the kitchen island. “Looks like you’re planning a big meal.”

            “I’m hoping to. I’m hoping that . . . you’ll let me cook for you this evening.”

            A.J.’s eyes widened to the size of nickels as his lips parted. The man was so shocked it was a wonder he didn’t rock back on his heels, too. “You are?”

            “Yes. You’ve done such an excellent job in such a short amount of time on your own I thought the least I could do was feed you.”

            “The last time I checked I was charging you.”

            Caitlin always paid him at the end of the week. “Yes. Consider it a bonus. And . . . the times you asked me to have a meal with you I usually can’t. This is my way of making up for that.”

She wouldn’t eat with him when he had invited her because she was too afraid to. She didn’t trust herself with such a hot, sexy man. It was no different now, but her curiosity was getting the best of her. She just had to know a little more about him. He was very intriguing. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was a drifter or that he might be more than meets the eye. During the past month, they had discussed the house. There wasn’t much time to talk while he was working and she didn’t want to seem obvious about her curiosity concerning him. After all, he might think she was interested in him. She was in a way but nothing could come of it. She was in a relationship and soon, if that’s what she wanted, engaged.

            “That’s kind of you. I accept.”

            “Wonderful,” she said with a smile. She didn’t mean to appear so joyful about it but there it was.

            “Just one thing. Do you know how to cook?” he asked timidly.

            “I just learned,” she answered proudly.

            “Oh?” he said with one eyebrow up.

            “Yes. I signed up for a two week cooking class. I’ve gone every day for two weeks.” Caitlin had known nothing about cooking or grocery shopping until recently. That was because there was always a chef to do it for her and her family. When A.J. had first started working on the house, she had figured she better learn how. She didn’t want to eat at a restaurant every night.

            “How did you do?” he asked hesitantly.

            “Excellent. Passed with flying colors,” she said proudly.

            It looked like he wanted to exhale with relief. “That’s good to hear. What are we having?”

            “Cucumber soup, Sous Vide Chicken Confit on a bed of asparagus, and a soufflé for dessert. How does that sound?” she asked with enthusiasm.

            “It sounds fancy but I’ll eat,” he said with a grin.

            She laughed.

            “You should do that more often.”

            “Cook? I just learned how.”

            “No. I mean laugh. I think that’s the first time I really heard you laugh.”

            “Oh . . . I laugh. You just aren’t around when I do.”

            Right? She asked herself.

            “I see. Well, hopefully, I’ll get to hear you laugh some more at dinner. Now, I better get upstairs and start laying that carpet.”

                                                                                ****

            A.J. had left to shower and change for dinner. Caitlin had changed her outfit three times. The first two dresses she thought she looked like she was trying to catch his eye. The third outfit was too casual like she didn’t care how she looked. The fourth one might be right. It was a dress with large white and blue patterns. It tied in the back of her neck, hugged her bosom, and flowed around her frame. The hem came below her knees. She brushed her short, blonde hair down over her ears and over her forehead. She wore white high-heeled sandals.

            Downstairs smelled divine. Hopefully, the meal tasted as good as it smelled. Then again, it tasted fine in class when she had made it a week ago.

            She went into the dining room to set the table. There was a white tablecloth on the table, white with burgundy stripe around the rim of the china, a wine glass, and a water glass. Then she wondered if should just have one fork and spoon for the place settings. A.J. was a regular guy who had a regular upbringing.

            The doorbell rang.

            Damn. Too late now. He’s here.

            Caitlin cleared her throat as she walked to the door. She smoothed out her dress and opened the door.

            A.J. stood wearing a short-sleeved, buttoned down, ivory shirt and blue jeans that hugged everything he had below the waist – as usual.

            “Come in,” she said, trying not to sound breathless.

            The man looks good no matter what.

            Caitlin led the way to the dining room. She had placed a vase of wild flowers in the center of the table.

            “Have a seat. I’m going to get the first course.”

            “All right.”

            When Caitlin returned with the cucumber soup, A.J. was sitting to the right of the head of the table.

            That’s when Caitlin realized she had never sat at the head of the table before. Yet, she should now. It’s her house. She was still getting used to having a place that was hers and only hers. She placed the saucer and plate in front of him and the other at her spot. She sat down.

            They quietly dug in. After a minute or two Caitlin spoke. “How do you like it?”

            “It’s great,” he said with a little smile.

            “Really?”

            “Yes, really. I don’t lie when it comes to food, duchess.”

            A.J. was still calling her duchess because Caitlin wouldn’t give him her name unless he would give her his last name. Yet, Caitlin hoped A.J. would fill in some other blanks for her. She went to get the main course. Chicken confit and asparagus.

            Caitlin let out a little moan. She didn’t know what he thought, but she thought she did a damn fine job on it.

            “I agree. This is fantastic,” he said with his mouth full.

            Normally, eating habits like that would annoy her, but for some reason she let him have a pass. Hopefully, it will not be in vain. “Thank you. May I ask you a question?”

            “Sure, but you might not get an answer,” he said with a sly grin.

            Caitlin let out a breathy, ha. “When you’re not in the Florida Keys in the summer, where do you usually reside?”

            His brows rose a bit. “Well, I like moving around a lot. One fall, I was in Texas. One winter I was in Alaska – and spent the month of August there, too, once. Another winter, I had spent in California. You know . . . moving around.”

            She nodded.

            “Do you like to travel?”

            “I do but mostly abroad and the Caribbean. I’ve been to New Jersey and Philadelphia hundreds of times. Washington D.C. a few times. Virginia once and California three times.”

            “I’ve been abroad.”

            “You have?” she blurted out.

            His dark brow cocked up.

            “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like . . .”

            “Like you don’t believe it?” he guessed with croaked lips. “Don’t let my blue-collar lifestyle fool you. I’ve been to London, Scotland, Ireland, Madrid, and Paris.”

            “Well,” she said, impressed. “You are well traveled.”

            “I’m about to prove how well traveled I am.” Then he began speaking in French.

            Caitlin blinked rapidly. Not only was she impressed but floored. How could a common handyman sound so educated?

            A.J. grinned at her shocked expression. “I’m more than meets the eye, duchess.”

            “I can see that,” she said barely above a whisper. “What did you say?”

            “You don’t know?

            “My French is pretty weak. I studied Spanish in high school and I don’t remember much of that,” she admitted.

            “I said the food is wonderful, the night is lovely, and so are you.”

            “Oh, thank you.” she said as she gushed a little. She was too old to gush and blush like a teenager but here she was doing it. “Are you always a charmer with ladies?”

            “Um,” he mused thoughtfully as he looked up to the ceiling. “Yes,” he said as he looked back at her.

            Caitlin chuckled. “It’s a shame such a charmer is single.”

            Wait. Did I just flirt with him?

            “It is,” he agreed with a smile. “But that’s how it is.”

            “You never got married?”

            “I did – once. And as far as I’m concerned it will only be that one time as long as I live.”

            “Oh, dear. That bad?”

            “Yes. That bad. Then again, my father had tried to warn me. But at least he didn’t say I told you so when I filed for divorce.” He shook his head violently. “Let’s not talk about my former marriage anymore. I’m in a good mood, and I don’t want to spoil it.”

            “I don’t want to spoil it either. We’ll talk about something else. Do you have any siblings?”

            He nodded a little as he ate a piece of asparagus. “One brother and one sister.”

            “Oh, how nice. You don’t miss them when you’re traveling?”

            “Sometimes. But I call them once a week. What about you? Do you have any siblings?”

            “Four sisters.”

            He let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of women for a father to handle.”

            Caitlin laughed. “It is but he did and still does great.”

            “Your mother still around, too?”

            “Oh, yes. The only thing wrong with my father is high blood pressure. My mother has a sweet tooth. The doctor and the dentist keep nagging her about that. But other than that, they’re in good shape for their ages. Is your father still alive?”

            “He is, and he’s got a lot of life left in him. He’s a good man.”

            “And you mother?”

            “She . . . died about ten years ago. Breast cancer.”

            “Oh, I’m so sorry. My boyfriend’s late wife died of breast cancer. Dreadful disease.”

            His eyebrows lifted halfway up his head. “You have a boyfriend?”

            She didn’t mean to let that slip but no matter. It’s not like she was trying to date the man. “Yes,” she answered without shame. She adored Hector.

            “Why isn’t he here with you?” A.J. asked with bewilderment. “You’re going to be here all summer.”

            “Well, he would have come but he knew I needed time alone for a while.”

            “Why, if I may ask?” he asked with concern. He seemed truly worried.

            “I’m thirty-two years old and . . . I don’t have any direction. I don’t have any talents. My sisters – even my youngest ones know how to do something. My eldest sister was a wiz at marketing before she had quit when she had gotten married and had children. My second oldest sister is the best trial lawyer in the world. My two little sisters . . . one can sing like a bird and the other is so good with numbers she put the accountants at my father’s company to shame. I don’t know how to do anything other than shop, and I don’t have any natural talents.”

            “That’s not true,” he said seriously. “When you had first started decorating the living room, I thought you were a professional interior designer.”

            “Really?” Caitlin said in a high-pitched tone as her nose scrunched up.

            “Yes. You have excellent taste. Surely, I’m not the only person who has told you that,” he said with confusion.

            “Ye – well, no, actually. One of my younger sisters, the one who can sing, she had asked me to help her decorate her new house. And my boyfriend had asked me to redecorate his office a couple of months ago. He had said I had good taste. That I knew what a person liked by nature.”

“Well, there you go,” he said as he gestured toward her with his fork.

“Yes,” she whispered slowly. “And I like to decorate.”

“Good. Now that we got that mystery solved, what else did you come down here for to get perspective on?”

“My future with my boyfriend.” A.J. was so easy and understanding to talk to that she may as well come out with the rest. “Before I came here, he had asked me to marry him.”

“Wow,” he said in a low tone. “And you actually told him you had to think about it? Why?”

“For one thing, we’re both in different stages in our lives. He knows who he is and what he likes to do for a living. I don’t – Well, I’m starting to get an idea thanks to you. And he . . . he might not want children. I might want to have them one day.”

“Do you know why he doesn’t want children?” A.J. picked up his wine glass. He took a sip.

“He has three already. He’s not sure if he wants another at his age.”

“At his age? How old is he?” A.J. asked as he put the wine glass down.

“He just turned seventy.”

A.J.’s eyes widened and quickly went back to normal. “I . . . see. Yes, I can see why a man of his age would think twice about having children – more children.”

Caitlin looked at him while he swallowed the rest of his words. “Go ahead. Say it. Everyone else has.”

“Say what?”

“That he’s old enough to be my father,” she said flatly.

“Well, duchess, I would but I think everyone who has already said it to you had made their point. What I will ask is why are you considering marrying a seventy-year-old man at thirty-two years of age?”

“He’s a good, fun, despite his age, and sweet man,” she answered amiably. “I haven’t had so much fun with a man before.”

“That’s great since that’s the case, but you didn’t mention love.”

“I love him. That goes without question.”

“So, what’s the problem?” he asked with confusion.

“He . . . might not want any more children.”

“And what else?”

He’s impotent.

Thank, god, Caitlin didn’t say that out loud. It hadn’t been a problem before, but for some reason that popped in her mind.

No. It’s not a problem now.

She looked at her dinner guest. “Nothing, I guess, other than marriage being a big step.”

“Liar. Something came in your mind and you ignored it. What was it?”

“Nothing. Truly. It’s not even worth mentioning.” Caitlin said and stood. She began clearing the dishes.

                                                                            ****

It was something, A.J. thought. But the duchess didn’t want to say. He wasn’t going to force it out of her. She was just starting to trust him and let her guard down. He was enjoying getting to know her. And A.J. wasn’t blowing smoke up her dress. He really did enjoy dinner.

Hmm. Talking about what’s under her dress.

He shook his head violently. She was taken.

That doesn’t mean you can’t fantasize about what’s under that dress, his alter ego said.

He cleared his throat. Perhaps I should change the subject for the sake of her and my cock.

She walked back in with dessert. A soufflé. She placed a dessert plate in front of him and at her place setting. She sat down.

“So, where are you originally from?” he asked.

A good neutral question.

“New York City. You?”

He paused for a moment. “No kidding. I am, too.”

Her blonde brows rose. “Well, looks like we have one thing in common.”

We could have more if you give me a chance and forget about that old geezer, his alter ego said.

A.J. pushed his ego to the background as he cleared his throat.

“Do you need some more water?” she asked reaching for the glass pitcher filled with water and ice.

“Yes, please,” he answered, hoping it would give him time to collect himself.

After dinner they went for a walk in the neighborhood.

“The houses in this neighborhood are so cute and quant. I hope you can make the outside look this good once you’re finish the inside of the house,” she said.

“Most definitely. Matter of fact, I can probably make it the crown jewel of the Meadows. We haven’t talked about landscaping. What sort of flowers are you thinking about for the front and back yard?”

They continued to stroll along on the sidewalk in the Meadows neighborhood. Some of the homes in the neighborhood have been there since the 1800s. It was a tranquil neighborhood yet still close to some shops and restaurants on White Street.

“Oh, I don’t know. I love pink and white roses, but they require a lot of care. I won’t be here all the time to look after them.”

“You garden?”

She let out a light, ha. “Not really, but I would like to try one day.”

“When you’re not in Key West, you can hire a landscaper to take care of the yard. Put him on retainer sort of speak. I know a few good ones around here I can recommend.”

“That sounds lovely,” she said softly.

They walked about two blocks and began heading back to the house. They continued to talk about ideas for the landscaping.

A.J. walked her to the door, noting the front porch was in desperate need of new boards along with new paint.

The duchess opened the front door slightly. “Thank you for a lovely evening,” she said sweetly.

“And thank you for a lovely evening. Dinner was great and . . . I hope you’ll invite me for a meal again.”

The duchess smiled wide. She had perfectly straight teeth and the smile itself lit up the street more than the street lamps.

A.J. licked his lips as he looked down at his feet. He was trying to keep himself from kissing her.

Damn it, man, she’s taken.

“Well, goodnight,” she said softly.

“Goodnight,” he said with a nod.

She went into the house and gently closed the door.

A.J. couldn’t help but notice that she looked back at him as she did with a grin.

No. Don’t even think about it. She just looked back because she is polite. It doesn’t mean she’s attracted to you. She has a man. An older than dirt man, but she’s in a relationship.

When did that stop you from trying? his alter ego asked.

A.J. stepped off the porch and quickly walked to his Harley before his alter ego took over, making him go back to bang on the door and take her in his arms.