Ch. 27

Wade slowly drove by Katelyn's shop for the millionth time since the fire hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He couldn't understand why she hadn't called seeking comfort from him. All he could think was she wasn't calling because Chris was in town taking care of her. He had trying making a few calls after finding out Chris had taken a leave hoping he would hear when Chris was returning to the road but he had no luck. Wade pulled his car into a spot across from her shop deciding to just try to see her. He had seen her assistants leave earlier knowing she was working alone. He took a deep breathe pushing the door open.

"You're going to make me mess this dress up if you don't stop," Katelyn's voice and laughter caught his attention the moment he stepped in and the door jingled. "I'll be right there," she called out. He listened trying to hear who she was talking to all he heard was rustling and the sound of her heels tapping as she made her way to the front.

"Wade, what are you doing here?" she stopped in her tracks the moment she saw him.

"I stopped by your place. The moment I saw it was gone I came here to check on you," he said keeping his distance surprised to see the rosiness in her cheeks and how well rested she looked.

"Thank you I'm fine. Please don't stop by again. I'm not your concern anymore," she cautiously went behind the front counter making sure to stay away from him.

"I will always care about you. Are you sure you don't need anything? I can help you find a new place or take you out to a movie to help you forget," he stared at her not liking she wouldn't even look up at him.

"I'm fine. Chris has been helping me out. Everything is under control. My work is the only distraction I need," she wrapped her arms around herself finally looking up into his eyes thankfully to not see the evil she saw last time.

"Glad to hear. If you do need anything, you know my number use it anytime. I'm sorry for scaring you the other day. I wasn't myself," he took a few steps towards her stopping when she backed away hitting into a wall.

"Wade, please leave. You need to let me go and move on with your life," she softly said motioning towards the door.

"Is there already someone else?" he asked taking her by surprise as she wondered if he heard Randy and her when he walked in.

"What I do isn't your business. Good bye Wade," she hurried to her office shutting the door before Wade saw Randy. Randy's smile turned into a frown when he saw how shaken up she was.

"What's wrong?" he came towards her wrapping his arms around her.

"Wade is here," she whispered. Randy's face filled with anger as he went to open the door and Katelyn gently pushed him back stopping him. "Randy, please don't just let him leave."

"I'm not …," Randy raised his voice making Katelyn panic covering his mouth.

Wade deeply sighed feeling his anger start to boil. He took a few steps towards her office then stopped knowing that was the wrong move to find out who was with her in the office. He swallowed hard knowing he had to be patient and keep control, he stormed out of her shop slamming the door. He stomped out to his car speeding away determined to find out who Katelyn was with and get them out of Katelyn's life immediately.

Randy didn't know how to react. He gently removed her hand giving her a disappointed look.

"Sorry I didn't want Wade to hear or see you. I don't want you getting in an argument or worse with him," she whispered making Randy shake his head.

"Why are whispering?" he asked.

"What if he is still here?"

"Let's find out," Randy quickly maneuvered around her throwing the door open making a beeline to the front of the store. He was disappointed when he saw it was empty. "Next time he shows up you come get me. You don't deal with him alone. Understood?"

"I handled him. I knew if anything happened all I had to do is yell."

"You got lucky this time. I'm serious Katy, do not make the same mistake next time," he went towards her staring down into her eyes. "Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes Randy," she softly said looking away from him. He gently grabbed her chin making her look at him again.

"Please don't get upset with me, I know you're tough and probably can handle Barrett. I would just feel better if you let me deal with him," his tone softened again as he wrapped his arm around her pulling her close kissing her forehead. "I won't be able to forgive myself if something happens to you especially with me close by."

"I'll let you handle him from now on. He is going to find out about us eventually and he will come after you," she rested her head against his chest dreading when that happened.

"Oh well, won't be first time someone had an issue with me and it won't be the last," he whispered into her hair. "Come on finish up so we can get out of here," Randy gently nudged her back to her office. She didn't protest anxious to get out of the shop and away of any chances of Wade stopping by again.

Time moved quickly over the next few days as Katelyn caught up on all her work and started her search for a new place to live. Randy was dreading leaving her to go back on the road but he was cautious about pushing the issue. As they sat waiting for dinner, Randy decided he had to test the waters with her about going with him.

"You seemed to have gotten a lot of orders done today," he said taking her hand.

"I did I'm ahead of schedule for a change. All the dresses I did today are for next week. It helped that all my staff have been in as scheduled. You have also been a big help. Thank you," she smiled squeezing his hand.

"Anytime I can help I will. I never thought I would be helping at a bridal shop not exactly my style. It took me awhile to get comfortable there. The weird looks from your staff have stopped bothering me," he smirked.

"They are just curious about you. I'm not one to share my personal life at work."

"Wade never helped you out?"

"He would stop by but it was normally after hours when I was only one or if my staff was there he would hide out in my office watching movies till I was ready to call it a day," she lightly caressed Randy hand.

"I much rather watch you work than watch a movie," he smiled. "Would you be interested in watching me work for a few days?" he asked lightly kissing her hand.

"I could be tempted to do that. You do look sexy in your ring attire," she stared into his eyes.

"Thank you Katy. So how do I tempt you to come with me?" he lightly kissed her wrist making tingling sensations pulse through her.

"You're off to a good start," she winked at him. "Where are the shows?"

"The weekend shows are in Louisiana. Weekday shows are in Mississippi," he said running his fingers along her arm.

"That isn't too far if something happened could even drive back."

"Nothing is going to happen, I'll be your good luck charm and keep all the bad luck away," he moved his chair closer to her putting his arm around her. "Please come with me so I don't go crazy worrying."

"Hmmm, you crazy from worry could be a bad thing," she smiled caressing his face.

"Very bad so you should come along keep an eye on me," his eyes locked on hers. "If you like my ring attire that much I'll wear it to bed if you come," he whispered kissing her fingers.

"Very tempting but …," she said feeling him start to tense up and let go of her hand.

"But you're not coming," he softly said looking away from her wishing he had never brought up the issue.

"You need to let me finish before you jump to conclusions and get all moody," she gently made him look into her eyes again. "I was going to say it's very tempting but I rather you wear nothing to bed," she said watching the sexy smirk return to his handsome face.

"I can handle losing my clothing on way to bed. Are you coming on the road with me?" he asked leaning close running his lips against hers. She smiled nodding yes. Randy felt relief and happiness course through his body as he kissed her deeply.