Kayli Unknown

Chapter 7 - Changing Plans

Jim was waiting for them when they got back to the lodge. He had let himself in and was sitting in front of the fireplace. Lisa had seen his truck in the driveway and decided to leave her clothes in her trunk. She followed Kat into the lodge, but stood just inside the door, not sure what to do. Kat faced Lisa, her fingers reaching into Lisa's hair.

"Why don't you bring your things in while I talk with Jim."

"Where should I put them?"

"There's room in my closet."

"Jim?" Lisa's expression was part question, part plea, part misery. Kat gave her a quick kiss.

"He and I will talk." Quick smile, and Kat stepped out of her boots, hung her coat, and went to Jim.

"Lisa?" Jim stood as Kat approached. He studied Kat, but also looked past her to Lisa who stood motionless for a moment, then went back outside.

"She arrived right after you left, and has been helping me."

"How are you doing?" He held his arms out, then wrapped them around Kat. He touched her very gently, but his arms pulled her to him. He leaned forward for a kiss. She kissed him, but left her arms at her side.

"It hurts me to raise my arms, and my back hurts, but I haven't run out of Tylenol yet."

They spent the next several minutes standing face to face, examining each other. Each had a set of questions they weren't ready yet to voice. Her? Where have you been? I was injured in your bar, and while you were with me the first night, you just left me. Him? What has been going on with Lisa? Why did you kiss her? Why is she carrying bags into your bedroom?

It was Kat who finally said something out loud.

"Mind if we sit by the fire? My back hurts if I stand too long."

"Of course." Jim was suddenly solicitous. He put an arm around Kat's waist and led her to the couch. He seated her, asked if he could get her an extra cushion, then sat close.

"I saw the bar today. Not much left." Kat leaned into him when he put an arm around her shoulders, but also said, "Not too tight."

"Insurance is sending up a second adjustor, but they say it is a total loss. There's some question about how much a century old building in an empty town is worth, and they claim the building was structurally defective before the accident, but after enough noises and complaints, they will sign over a check."

"Will you rebuild?" Kat was watching the fire, but she turned to look at Jim as she asked the question.

"I can't imagine why. Dad is selling off other businesses. Why would he keep this one? I don't want to bartend every weekend for the rest of my life. The place barely turns a profit. You only bartend as a favor to me, and Lisa, well, she's like all the others I've had. Some days she works, some days she doesn't."

"Most days she works."

"Yes, most days. But I am never sure which days."

There was a tone in both their voices that indicated building stress. Both noticed. Both stopped. They stared into the fire. Jim ran his fingers up and down Kat's shoulder. He leaned close and kissed her cheek.

"I was in her apartment today." Kat ignored his kiss, her face fixed on the fire.

"Oh?" His fingers stopped moving along her shoulder.

"Have you been there?"

"Kat..."

"It's a reasonable question. You and I stopped dating for a while. You fucked the hell out of your last bartender..."