studied the truffle he was holding. Professional as it appeared, it was just chocolate. How good could it be?
He bit into it—and as the creamy confection dissolved in his mouth, the cause of his aunt’s rapture became apparent. The rich chocolate was infused with the essence of sun-warmed blackberries, both tastes bold but perfectly balanced and complementary.
“Wow.”
“I agree.” Stephanie reached for another piece. “I’ve had truffles from the finest purveyors in the world, and this tops them all.”
Zach picked up another one too. “I’m not a chocolate connoisseur like you are, but this merits a ten in my book.”
“Do you think Kat could be a chocolatier by profession?”
“Why wouldn’t she tell us that?”
“True.” Stephanie bit into her second piece. “But she should be.”
“I won’t argue with that. These put my blackberry cobbler to shame.” Zach helped himself to another truffle. “At this rate, we’ll polish these off by tomorrow.”
“You could ask about her candy-making expertise when you return the plate. Most people are more than willing to talk about a hobby they enjoy—and that could open the door to a deeper discussion.”
“I was thinking along the same lines. Great minds and all that.” He motioned toward the truffle plate. “Finished?”
“For tonight.” She checked her watch and attempted to restrain a yawn. “I know it’s early here, but I’m still on East Coast time. Would you mind if I call it a night?”
“Not at all.”
“I’ll help you clean up first.” She began stacking plates.
He stopped her with a touch on the hand. “I’ll take care of this. Go ahead and turn in.”
“Thank you. After tonight, I intend to pitch in with these sorts of chores—but I have to admit, the long day and the travel is catching up with me.” She stood.
He rose too. “Sleep well.”
“I intend to.” She rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I think I’ll dream of blackberry truffles.”
He watched her until she disappeared inside, then dropped back in his chair and gazed toward the trees that separated his property from the house next door. No light penetrated the sweeping boughs, but Kat was there. From everything she’d said, aside from her supply runs and beach walks, she was always there.
Doing what—other than crafting exceptional truffles?
Why did she keep to herself?
What did she have to hide?
Was someone, somewhere, missing her?
Zach raked his fingers through his hair.
None of those questions would be answered tonight.
But Stephanie was right. Returning the plate gave him an excuse to see her again.
And the fact that she’d ventured over here tonight was encouraging. It suggested she was beginning to find the wall she’d built confining.
If he kept seeking opportunities to interact with her, it was possible that one of these days she’d realize she could trust him with whatever secrets she was guarding.
He didn’t have forever, though. While she hadn’t confided the length of her stay, it was finite. One day, she’d leave—unless, as Stephanie had said, he gave her a reason to extend her stay.
But was that wise?
Sighing, he stood again and wandered over to the edge of the deck, hands in his pockets.
Any sort of ongoing relationship would likely involve compromises on both sides . . . and he’d compromised too much already in his life.
Which left him nowhere unless Kat was willing to make the lion’s share of concessions. Like uprooting herself from whatever life she’d temporarily left behind and moving to Hope Harbor.
The odds of that happening were about as high as the odds of Charley’s taco stand ever going under due to lack of customers.
A faint light flickered through the trees. Disappeared.
Like Kat would do in the not-too-distant future, barring a change in the status quo.
And that left him with one more question to contemplate on this peaceful, quiet evening.
Should he continue trying to break through her wall—or would that only create more chaos for her and further disrupt his hard-won placid existence?
8
Was that a knock on her front door?
Katherine yanked the bow tight on her sport shoe, grabbed her sunglasses, and vaulted to her feet.
Who could have come calling?
Was Zach paying her another visit? Perhaps to return the truffle plate from last night?
But why would he bother to circle around to her front door? The back entry was much closer to the path.
Another knock echoed through the house, this one louder.
Her pulse accelerated.
Calm down, Katherine. It’s probably another FedEx delivery.
True.
She took a deep breath.
With all her chocolate-making equipment back in LA, ordering more had been her only option now that her appetite had been whetted for her