Katherine got a glimpse of John out of the corner of her eye. She walked to his table and pulled out her order pad and a pen from her apron.
“Nice to see you again, John. Can I get you something to drink?” Katherine could already feel her palms getting sweaty.
“I’d love a cold beer, and I’ll let you pick.”
“Okay, I hope I don’t disappoint you!”
“I doubt that you ever could.” Daniel thought he whispered this but apparently it wasn’t quiet enough.
Katherine turned around and stared at him, then headed back to the bar. She spilled the first beer. Her hands were shaking, and the gorgeous man staring at her wasn’t helping at all. Finally she got the cold mug on the tray and carried it over.
“Here you go. Do you want to just start a tab?”
“That sounds good. Can you sit for a bit or do you need to get back to work?”
“Actually I’m working until midnight. I’m just here to do the karaoke and help out a little. My uncle is closing up.”
“Are you singing?”
“Well, I wish I wasn’t, because now that I know you’re here I’ll be nervous.” Katherine laughed, but she couldn’t have been more serious.
“Well, I won’t keep you.”
Katherine gave his order to the bartender, then walked over to the end of the dance floor and picked up the microphone. After a few words about the specials she flipped on the music. The guys in the crowd went crazy. Daniel glared at each of them, wondering if she was seeing one of them. His jealousy didn’t last too long, though. When the beautiful music left Katherine’s sweet mouth, he felt the goose bumps form on his arms. Wow, how does a voice like that—Daniel’s thoughts were cut off when Katherine turned her body to face him. She was singing the most beautiful love song he’d ever heard with so much warmth and passion on her face and in her eyes. Daniel didn’t even realize he’d been holding his breath until she turned to face the crowd again.
The crowd persuaded Katherine to sing four more songs. Each time she filled the room with her angelic voice, she had the crowd's attention.
At midnight, she thanked everyone and said goodnight. She went behind the bar and grabbed her purse and keys and headed for the door. Daniel ran to the bar and threw a twenty dollar bill at the bartender, then went out after her as fast as he could.
“Katherine!” Daniel yelled as he spotted her walking down the path that led to the back of the bar.
“Hey, John.”
“You seem exhausted,” Daniel said as he looked down at what he thought was a tired face.
Katherine looked at the ground. The last thing she wanted was to get involved with someone who would probably leave town as quickly as he showed up. If she could leave, she’d do the same thing. There was no hope for her to reach her dreams, go back to college, and start a life she could be proud of. She was sure she wanted a husband, a family. But this guy was someone she’d have to worry about. She needed to stop listening to her body and her desires. Katherine knew it couldn’t be her heart, she’d just met him. But then again, she had a bad habit of attaching to men, quickly.
“Yeah, I guess I’m pretty tired.” The sad, sinking feeling was overtaking her.
“Well, I was kind of hoping to go for a nice drive with you and show you my room out at the farm. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. Maybe we could just go for a quiet walk.”
“John, I don’t think this is a good idea.” He wants to get me to his bed, then dump me. Another notch for his bedpost.
“Why not?” Daniel definitely was not used to a woman turning him down. His irritation and shock was evident.
“Don’t get me wrong, you seem like a nice guy, but I have plans. I want out of this town. I want to go back to college and get a career that can give me a start to a better life.” Like my own place and a damn car that runs more than once a week. “I want to have nice things, John. There is nothing in Prairie that can give that to me.”
“So in other words, I don’t make enough money for you. Are you ashamed because I’m just a ranch hand? Or maybe I don’t dress good enough for you? Or perhaps I don’t live in a mansion and my clothes don’t come from a world famous designer? Maybe I don’t have enough money to pay for your college?! Is that it?” Daniel was seeing red. She had no idea who the hell he was. Obviously, who I am as a person doesn’t mean a thing. I wouldn’t have thought this woman was so materialistic.
“John, I was hoping you wouldn’t take offense to what I said.”
“What you’re saying is that I’m not good enough for you.” Daniel was breathing hard.
“No, that isn’t it at all. I just don’t want to be stuck here for the rest of my life. There’s definitely a reason you came to Prairie. I doubt you dislike it as much as I do. I spent many years in this town. Finally I got to leave and go make something of myself. Then, out of the blue, I had to come back. Do you know what it feels like to be suddenly out of place without your say-so?” Of course you don’t, John. You have no wife, no responsibility, and…His eyes were looking down into hers. He had moved closer and she didn’t even notice; it just seemed to have happened. She gasped when he bent down and whispered in her ear.
“Katherine…I’m not the guy you think I am. I won’t even take you near my room. We can go for a walk. If I get out of bounds you won’t ever see me again. Just think about it…”
Katherine’s eyes closed while he spoke to her. Her body felt the ripples of something she’d never experienced so quickly. How could she say no? It was just a walk, and she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to.
“Okay, I’ll come with you. Just the walk part though. I don’t think I’m comfortable going to your room.” Katherine refused to go through another hopeful situation with a guy that ended with lies, a one night stand, and never being called again. That’s what she got for succumbing to her desires. No passion, no love, nothing that was important to her.
Daniel smiled so wide. He took her by the hand and led her to his old pickup. He was getting used to the rickety beast. He opened the rusty door and Katherine climbed in.
“I meant what I said, Katherine, about your voice.”
“Thanks, but I really don’t believe it’s anything special. I can keep a tune but so can many others.” Katherine’s cheeks flushed, making her grateful for the darkness.
“No, that was only part of it. You sing like something I’ve never heard before.”
“I’m sure you sing pretty good yourself, John.”
“You so don’t want to hear me sing.”
“I will get you to sing.” Katherine allowed herself to laugh.
Daniel could feel her relaxing. He would normally have pursued and pushed the issue of bringing her to his room, using every trick in his seduction book to lure her to his bed. He was good at it and had done it all of his adult life. Most women required very little encouragement. But Katherine, on the other hand, wasn’t someone to be persuaded. Any attempts at luring this woman would make her run. That’s the last thing he wanted.
The stars were so bright across the sky. There was a gentle breeze, and the air was so clean. Daniel parked his pickup, walked around to her door, and opened it for her. Katherine let him take her by the hand to support her as she climbed down from the seat. Her soft curls blew away from her face, and when she had both feet on the ground she looked up at him. He smelled of clean and goodness, and if there was one thing that could weaken Katherine, it was a man who smelled good. She went to pull her hand away. She was fearful of the feelings that were soaring through her.