After forty minutes of soaking, she got out and put the lotion, also complimentary, all over her body, then combed out her freshly washed curls. Katherine sat beside the large windows and looked out over the city. He hasn’t tried anything with me. Maybe he’s really not a creep. He’s had plenty of opportunities to try and get me in bed, or worse. But he’s been nothing but a gentleman. I can’t let myself fall for him though. I can just see his rich behind jetting all over the world and sleeping with women. He probably has kids he doesn’t even know about. And all he wants in return is a song? He probably doesn’t even like my singing.
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.