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K atherine took one last glance in the bathroom mirror before heading downstairs. She’d washed and dried her long hair, deciding to wear it loose. She didn’t want to appear as though she were trying too hard. The makeup enhanced her features but didn’t exactly change them. Her red sweater was stylish, but not too overdone, even though it was cashmere. The black jeans and shoes she’d selected completed the outfit. Most women planning an evening alone with a handsome doctor would ensure they looked their best. That’s what she’d done when she’d first met Adam, and she didn’t think that aspect of dating had changed.

Returning to the kitchen, she checked the chicken in the oven and saw it was browning nicely. The potatoes were simmering on the stove. Saving the peas for last, as they only took a few minutes to prepare, she took a loaf of French bread from the pantry and wrapped it in foil so it would be ready to put in the oven when Tyler arrived. She took the disposable cell phone out of her pocket and checked the time. There were no new calls, so she left it on the center island.

Katherine left the French doors open for Sam and Sophie so they could run outside when they heard Tyler’s vehicle. It was chilly inside. Rarely did she light a fire in the kitchen’s fireplace, but she thought it would be appropriate. She checked for a draft to ensure the damper was open and placed a Dura-flame log on the grate. She closed the damper, added several newspapers she saved just for this purpose, then piled the kindling horizontally in a small stack. When she finished, she lit the newspaper, waited for the kindling to emit an orange-red glow, then added a large log that should burn throughout the evening.

Next to the fireplace, she cleared off a small round table she used as a catch-all for everything from junk mail to reusable shopping bags from Apple Blossom. The table was old and had come with the house, along with two matching chairs. The real estate agent had told her it was real mahogany and walnut and should be cared for with a special polish, which she didn’t have. She had never used the table for a meal, so tonight would be her first time.

Because her office was in the dining room, and the dining table was so long, she wouldn’t even consider inviting a guest to share a meal there. She’d wanted to get rid of the ridiculous dining table and chairs for years but had no motivation. Katherine decided that she would finally donate the flamboyant furniture to a local church. Doc could advise her how to do it, as he had with most things lately.

Katherine used Lemon Pledge to buff the antique table to a high shine, since she didn’t have a tablecloth to cover the fine wood. She took a step back, admiring the shimmer of the different wood grains, enhanced by the flames from the fireplace. She then polished the chairs and pushed each beneath the table. To set the table, she used dinner plates made by a North Carolinian artisan. The dishes were all a deep forest green, mottled with many lighter shades of green. Each piece was handcrafted and unique. Katherine had found them rustic when she’d ordered them years ago, though she rarely used them anymore. Having no cloth napkins, she used her everyday paper napkins. She wished she had the guts to add candles, though she knew that was too much. This was only a first date. It may not lead to a second date. She was getting way ahead of herself. They could hate each other, for all she knew. They’d barely spent any real time together. It could be that those few minutes together yesterday were nothing more than a fleeting physical attraction. Katherine felt sure they had nothing in common other than the obvious—he was a doctor, and she needed his expertise.

The oven timer buzzed, the temperature automatically lowering for the bread she would add as soon as Tyler arrived. She thought modern technology was awesome, even though it’d taken her a while to learn the oven’s many features. She took the chicken out, spooned the drippings into a small saucepan for a gravy, then covered the chicken with foil, allowing the natural juices to permeate. If the smell was any indicator of the taste, tonight’s meal would be scrumptious.

Katherine checked the time. If Tyler were punctual, he’d be here in twenty minutes. Enough time for her to make the chicken gravy. She took the saucepan with the drippings and added flour, salt, and a dash of white pepper. She whisked the ingredients together until they thickened, then set the burner to simmer. Taking the peas from the sink, she emptied them into another small pot and added a smidgen of butter and a dash of salt.

She had two bottles of the Biltmore Estate’s best Chardonnay chilling in the refrigerator. She seriously doubted they’d drink both, but she wanted to be prepared. Should she offer him a glass of wine before dinner? Or something stronger? If he wanted anything else, all she had on hand was a bottle of Grey Goose vodka, given to her last Christmas by her UPS carrier. She found it on a bottom shelf in her pantry and put it in the freezer to chill. A sudden thought occurred to her: she hadn’t made an appetizer. Rolling her eyes, she took out a block of Monterey Jack cheese and cut it into cubes. She found a jar of her favorite Greek kalamata olives and a box of wheat crackers in the pantry. Arranging it all on a dinner plate, she placed it in the center of the island.

She washed and dried her hands and sat on a barstool, suddenly feeling anxious now that it was time for Tyler to arrive. She took deep breaths, in and out, and closed her eyes, knowing she had the power to stop the flow of anxiety. A couple of minutes later, she felt calm as she released the built-up anxiety.

Shrill barking from both dogs out on the deck told her Tyler was indeed prompt. She glanced at the time. 6:59. Katherine appreciated it, as she’d always been very punctual herself. Taking one more deep breath, she smoothed her hair away from her face and smiled.

There came the sound of a car door closing, and then a few seconds later, she heard footsteps. A light tap sounded on the open door. “Anybody home?”

Katherine went to greet Tyler at the door. “Hi, please come on inside. It’s a bit cold out this evening,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt.

“Thanks,” he said, handing her a small bouquet.

Surprised, she accepted the bouquet of cream-colored flowers. “These are beautiful,” she said, and meant it. They were blush-colored dahlias and creamy white mums, wrapped with a thick, dark green ribbon. “Thank you.” She closed the door behind him to keep the chilly air out.

“My pleasure. I wasn’t sure what to bring.”

She smiled. “You didn’t have to do this, but I do love dahlias.”

“Good. I’m glad you like them.” A smile lit up Tyler’s already sparkling blue eyes.

They stood there silently for a few seconds before Katherine found her social manners. “Would you like something to drink? I have Chardonnay, vodka, and a variety of sodas.” She headed to the kitchen. “Hope you don’t mind hanging out in the kitchen while I finish dinner.” Katherine filled a large drinking glass with water, placing the small bouquet inside. Arranging the flowers, she placed them on the windowsill.

“Not at all. Isn’t the kitchen the heart of a home? And a glass of Chardonnay sounds perfect.”

Katherine removed two wineglasses from the cupboard, her Rabbit corkscrew, and the chilled bottle of wine from the refrigerator.

He was about to sit down when she took the wine from the refrigerator. “Do you mind?” he asked, taking the corkscrew.

Grinning, she shook her head. “It’s all yours.”

He made fast work of opening the wine and filling their glasses. She watched him, admiring how at ease he was in her kitchen. His movements were graceful for a man of his size, though Katherine thought that might have something to do with the fact he was a doctor. Wasn’t gentleness in his field to be expected? It was probably her imagination, but his movements were positively exquisite, very self-assured. As she watched him, something about his easy motions soothed her. It had been so long since she’d been close to a man her age that she felt like a teenager, a little too giddy and excited. Her heart raced—in a good way, for once. Tyler held out the glass of wine, and she took it, their hands briefly touching, sending a shiver of warmth throughout her body. Tyler lifted his glass. Katherine watched his hands move succinctly, precisely.

He held his glass, lightly clinking it against hers. “Cheers.”

She raised her own glass. “Cheers.” Taking a sip of wine, she felt totally out of her depth but remembered that if she felt overwhelmed, she could do the breathing exercises that seemed to relieve her anxiety.

Katherine removed the paper towel she’d placed over the appetizer plate. “Please, help yourself,” she offered. She had two small plates and napkins beside the plate of cheese and crackers. “It should hold you over,” she added, a grin on her face.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

The ear-piercing sound of Katherine’s disposable cell phone halted her response. She grabbed the phone, looked at the caller ID, then ended the call. She didn’t recognize the number; it wasn’t Karrie’s. But who else had the number? Karrie was the only person she’d called using the phone.

“You okay?” Tyler asked.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “I’m fine. Just a wrong number.” She felt his gaze on her. “It’s nothing, really,” she continued. “Probably a prank call.”

She knew she was digging deeper into unnecessary lies. She stuck the phone in her front pocket, leaving her personal cell phone in her back pocket. She went over to the stove and turned the burner on for the peas. “This won’t take long,” she babbled, as she tried to gather her thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for Karrie to call her—or whoever it was. Maybe it was the father? Possibly he’d taken Karrie’s phone away from her, then used his own to make the call. A million possibilities filtered through Katherine’s head as she tried to get control of herself before she had a full-blown panic attack.

Tyler sat back down, munching on a piece of cheese. “I can wait however long it takes.”

Katherine dropped the spoon into the pot. In a hushed voice, she asked, “What do you mean?”

Tyler nodded at the stove. “The peas.”

Shaking her head, she said, “Oh, yes, of course.”

“Were you thinking of something else?” he asked, his azure eyes lighting up his handsome face.

Katherine felt a knot of heat in the pit of her stomach. “No. I’m sorry. It’s a work thing,” she explained, hoping he didn’t ask her to expand, because she wasn’t sure if he knew she was an author. Had Doc told him? If he had, surely he would have mentioned it to her. Or maybe he had, and she’d completely forgotten. Either way, she didn’t see any harm in telling Tyler her occupation if the topic came up again.

“Are you okay?” Tyler asked, his voice changing to that of Dr. Newlon. At least, that’s how she perceived it to be.

She took a deep breath, then slowly released it. She turned her back to him while she tended to the peas. She scooped the spoon out, tossed it in the sink, then took another spoon from the drawer next to the stovetop. “That’s a very loaded question.”

“How so?”

She gave a wry laugh. “It would take forever to explain.” She turned away from the stove to face him once more.

Reaching for another chunk of cheese, he said, “I’ve got all the time in the world.”

“Is that what you tell your patients?” She had to ask, because she didn’t want to have dinner with Dr. Newlon. Katherine needed him to be Tyler tonight, just for a while.

“No, most of my patients have appointments and come to my office,” he reminded her. “Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you? Ever since your phone rang, you seem disturbed.”

He was very spot-on. “I’ll make a deal with you,” she said.

Tyler chuckled, the sound music to her ears. Though cliché, it was true.

“I’m game. What are you offering?”

Determined to reserve her problems for later, she spoke confidently, even though she felt rattled. “After dinner, we can talk about my . . . issues.”

“I agree, but only if you’re comfortable. I’m not here as a doctor, Katherine. I want to be honest with you. You’re a very attractive woman and, I’ll admit, I’m more than a bit smitten with you.”

Once again, he grinned, causing her stomach to tighten with long pent-up frustrations that had lain dormant far too long. She wondered how it was possible to be “smitten” when they barely knew each other. If she were being honest, she would say the feelings were mutual, and in the scheme of life, it didn’t really matter how long they’d known each other.

“That’s a relief,” she told him. It was all she could come up with. Her emotions were dancing like jumping beans.

“That I’m not here as a doctor, or that I’m smitten with you?” he asked in a teasing tone.

She turned back to the stove so he couldn’t see her smiling. “Both.”

“And would I be jumping the gun if I asked if being smitten is mutual?”

Oh boy, he was not one for being subtle. “I think you’re very nice. Doc Baker said you’re an excellent doctor, so I guess I am a little smitten, too. Now I need to finish this.” She motioned to the pots on the stove. “Otherwise, that cheese is all we’ll have for dinner,” she teased in a humorous tone, hoping it would take focus off the fact she’d acknowledged she was just as smitten with him.

“Then what can I do to help speed up the process?” he asked, standing up and walking across the kitchen to where she stood. Having him this close made her dizzy, though also in a good way. “I love the fire and the table. I didn’t notice them at first,” he said when he saw her handiwork around the corner. He’d been unable to see that area earlier, since the large room was L-shaped and the fireplace area was more of a small sitting room. She’d use it as her new dining room now. It would be cozy in the winter. She could bring her laptop with her and work.

“I don’t come in here very often. I’m ashamed to say tonight is the first time I’ve used this room for a meal.”

“It looks inviting.”

“I can take you on a house tour after dinner if you like,” she offered. “I don’t use all the rooms. It’s a bit of a waste, but I like my privacy.”

“So I hear,” Tyler said.

She wanted to ask who he’d heard that from but didn’t. If he wanted her to know, he would have said their name. It didn’t matter anyway. She wasn’t going to allow gossip to ruin the first dinner party she was having in the privacy of her own home. “I use the formal dining room as my home office. The view is amazing, especially this time of year.”

“When I was coming up the drive, I saw the wall of windows. I hope that’s your office, because the mountain view must be stunning. In another month or so, the trees will be at their peak. One of the reasons I love this place. It’s easy on the eyes.”

“You’re referring to North Carolina?” she asked, placing the loaf of French bread in the oven. She then increased the burners to heat the potatoes and peas and stirred the gravy.

“Of course. I was born and raised here. It’s home,” Tyler said, as he trailed behind her. “What about yourself?”

Katherine stopped stirring the potatoes. She took a deep breath in, another out. “What about me?” she asked, seeming to have more confidence when she had her back turned to him.

“Where are you from?” Tyler asked. “I can’t place your accent.”

Did she want to go into this now, before dinner? She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to tell him her home state. “I was born in Texas.”

“The Lone Star State. I’ve been there a few times for conferences. Big state, friendly people.”

Katherine thought if he only knew her parents, he might not be so quick to categorize Texans as friendly. Though she had to admit, most were good folks.

“I left when I was younger and just never lost the accent,” she explained, as she put the chicken on a serving platter. She then spooned out the potatoes, peas, and gravy into small serving dishes. She took the bread out of the oven, wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel before placing it in a basket. “I think we’re ready. You want to grab the salt and pepper?” She nodded toward the stove.

“Absolutely.”

The oak log she’d added to the fireplace gave off a woodsy scent. Fiery sparks snapped, and the orange-yellow flames cast the small room in cozy shadows. She felt the setting was much more intimate now, with the fire ablaze and no other lights on in the room.

Katherine placed the platter and bowls on the table. There wasn’t much room, but she managed to arrange the dishes. “Would you like something besides wine with dinner?” she asked.

“No, this is perfect,” he said.

She felt blood rush to her face and was glad for the dim light. “Have a seat, and I’ll get more wine.” Before he could help, she went to the kitchen, needing a few seconds alone to get her act together. She needed to stop assuming every word Tyler said was a come-on. Once again, she attributed it to the fact that she’d been alone for too long.

The dogs were lying on their favorite rugs, and she spoke to them. “You both are getting an extra . . .” She didn’t say treat , or they’d go bonkers, so she finished with, “dose of love tonight.” They watched her and then plopped their heads down, as if they understood exactly what she was referring to.

When she returned, Tyler stood beside the table. “Allow me.” He took the bottle of wine from her, refilled their glasses, then pulled her chair out before taking the seat opposite her.

“Thanks.”

“Would you like me to carve this? I’ve had a bit of training,” he teased.

“Sure.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “But I thought you were a psychiatrist.”

He took the knife she’d placed on the platter, cutting into the meat with precision. “I had some surgical training in med school.”

“I can see that.”

Tyler served the chicken, and then she added the potatoes, peas, and a spoonful of gravy to their plates. “Hope you like peas,” she added.

“I will eat anything in sight. This smells divine; I haven’t had a real home-cooked meal in a while. And to answer your question, I like peas.”

They chatted aimlessly between bites about the weather, her dogs, and the upcoming holidays, but nothing terribly personal. When they finished, she returned their plates to the kitchen and then came back with the apple pie, dessert plates, and clean forks. “Apple pie I made this morning.” Katherine set the dish in the center of the small table. “No ice cream, though.”

“Ice cream can be overrated,” Tyler informed her. “But I’m not saying I don’t like a scoop now and then.”

Katherine didn’t explain to him why she didn’t have ice cream. The few times she’d ordered it from the gourmet market, it had arrived mushy. Refreezing it hadn’t helped. So she’d given up ice cream and didn’t miss it, either.

She sliced the pie, giving Tyler an extra-large piece, since he hadn’t had anything home-cooked in a while.

“This looks fantastic. I appreciate all this.” He gestured to the fire, the pie, the wine.

“I’m glad I had the courage to accept your invitation to dinner.” Again, she was glad for the dim lighting so Tyler couldn’t see her blush.

“So am I.” He took a bite of pie and then winked at her.

He watched her intently. She was tingling in all the right places. A ripple of excitement coursed through her. The possibilities were endless tonight, and she would make the most of them. Fearful of this intense attraction, yet thrilled, she decided she would not discourage him if he insinuated he wanted this evening to end in her bedroom.

“You don’t like the pie?” he asked.

She hadn’t taken a first bite. “I do. I was just thinking.”

He finished his pie, then pushed his dessert plate aside, reaching across the table and taking her hand. Goosebumps traveled the length of her body.

“You can share your thoughts if you like,” he told her.

She shook her head. “No, they’re not important right now.”

“If you say so. Though I believe every thought running through your head is important.”

She gave him a slight grin. “I’m not sure I’d go that far.”

“Don’t underestimate the powers you possess.” His tone was serious now. “I mean this in a positive way. The human brain is the most magnificent machine; nothing else compares.”

“That’s doctor-speak,” she said, though she wasn’t the least bit offended that he hadn’t waited until after dinner to bridge the topic, even though, technically, they were finished.

“No, this is me still. Just common sense.”

Unsure how to take this comment, she didn’t say anything.

“Doc calls you K. Why is that?”

Talk about a complete change of subject. It occurred to her that she hadn’t told him her full name. “K is short for Katherine.”

“Katherine.” He repeated her name. “Beautiful.”

“Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.

An uneasy silence filled the small space between them. Katherine recognized the sudden bonelike dryness in her throat, her inability to swallow. She feared she would choke. Suddenly her hands were like those of a ninety-year-old, trembling with age. She hid them beneath the table, tearing her paper napkin into shreds. Her breath came in short bursts, but her throat was too tight, closed. No air.

“Katherine, you’re having a panic attack. It’s all right. I’m here.” Tyler reached below the table, taking her hands in his. Keenly aware of the warmth of his hands, Katherine found his touch jarring yet comforting.

“Focus on me.” Tyler spoke softly. “Look at my shirt. See the buttons, my pocket.”

She followed his directions, noticing each pearl button, the threads in the blue chambray shirt’s fabric, and the double stitching on his pocket. Nodding, she continued to focus on the details of the shirt. His sleeves were folded halfway, the cuffs even, revealing tanned, muscular forearms. His collar was unbuttoned. Her eyes stopped on the patch of dark chest hair at the V of his collar. Quickly, she focused her gaze back on the buttons, unable—yet wanting—to make eye contact with him.

“You’re good. Keep concentrating on my shirt,” Tyler continued to coax.

Able to take a deep breath as the tightness in her throat eased, she pulled one of her hands from Tyler’s. She took her wineglass and downed what was left in her glass. Embarrassed beyond her wildest imaginings, she removed her other hand from his. She licked her still-dry lips, lowering her eyes to the shredded napkin in her lap. After she took a deep breath and slowly released it, her symptoms eased to a tolerable level.

“Better?” Tyler asked.

“Yes.”

“I’ll get some water.” He went to the main area of kitchen, returning with a large glass of tap water.

She guzzled the water like she was dehydrated after weeks in the desert. When she finished, she put the glass down on the table. Searching for the right words, she decided there weren’t any, so she went with her truth. “I’m embarrassed you had to see me this way. I don’t know why the attack hit me.”

“There isn’t always an explanation. Accept that.”

She shook her head but said, “I know.”

“Do you want to talk about this with me now, as a doctor, or would you rather I come over another time?”

“I’ve ruined the evening for you. I’m so sorry,” she said, her dark eyes pooling with tears.

“No, you didn’t. Stop thinking that way. This is the best evening I’ve had in a very long time.”

She offered him a droll smile. “I won’t question that.”

He laughed. “Another time. Let’s clean these dishes, and then you can take me on the tour of your house. Unless you’d rather wait.”

“You don’t have to clean up. You’re my guest. You can let Sam and Sophie out for me. I’ll only be a few minutes, and then I’ll take you on the tour I promised. I’m fine. Really,” she added.

“I accept your offer. Should I go out with the dogs?”

“No, just let them out and leave the doors open. They usually have a good half-hour romp before calling it a day.”

“Sam and Sophie, right?”

When they heard their names, both dogs jumped off their rugs and ran to the door.

“Come on, you two,” Tyler said. “Time for me to get to know you beauties.” He spoke to the dogs as though they were human. He opened the door, and the dogs flew outside. “I’m going to watch them, see where they’re going,” he told Katherine.

“Thanks,” she called from the kitchen. Had Doc Baker told Tyler to watch where the dogs went on their nightly jaunts, or was Tyler just curious?

Katherine packed the leftovers in plastic containers to send home with Tyler. She loaded the dishwasher and scrubbed the pots before she realized she’d hardly touched her food. She wasn’t hungry. The attacks always stopped her from eating, since one of her irrational fears was choking. Tyler talking her through this attack had shortened it and its severity. Katherine wiped down the counters and the stovetop and checked on the fire. She’d let it burn down until Tyler left and then put it out before she went to bed.

Satisfied, she made a pot of coffee, remembering Tyler drank his black. She took two mugs from the cupboard, waiting until he brought the dogs back in before pouring a cup for herself. Glancing at the clock on the stove, she saw they’d been outside for almost half an hour. Wondering what was keeping them, she went to the open doors to see if they were in sight. She heard the whinnying horses and figured Tyler was checking on them for his friend Carson. Wishing she had the courage to stroll to the stables, she returned to the kitchen and filled her mug with coffee.

Taking her coffee, she returned to the table to wait for Tyler and the dogs. She watched the orange and yellow flames of the fire, the fiery red sparks darting up the chimney. Thinking back to the phone call earlier, she took the burner phone out of her pocket. The call definitely hadn’t come from the number Karrie had used. Before changing her mind, Katherine returned to the main kitchen, took a small notepad and pen from her junk drawer, and wrote the number down. She put the paper in her pocket and then deleted the call history from the phone. Later she’d search the phone number to see if she could locate the city and state or maybe do a reverse number check. It also could’ve been a wrong number. She put the phone back in her pocket after she deleted the number.

Just as she was ready to call Tyler’s cell, she heard the dogs barking in the distance. When they trotted through the door, they went straight to the kitchen. They’d had dinner earlier this evening, but she’d probably confused them, as she normally fed them at the same time every day. The dogs must have thought it was treat time.

“Sorry I was gone so long,” Tyler said. “I checked the horses.”

“I figured as much. Everything okay?”

“Perfect. They seem to be doing just fine. Your dogs seem to like them. They did everything I asked them to.” He closed the door, following the dogs to the kitchen.

Both dogs were standing by the counter, knowing their treats were in the canister Katherine kept stocked for them. She took a beef stick out, breaking it in half. They’d had way too many extra treats today. “Sit.” They both did as instructed, and she gave them the treat. “They’re well-behaved, though it took some training. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

“You’ve done a remarkable job.”

“Thanks. I have to admit that they made it pretty easy.”

She remembered the day the dogs were delivered to her doorstep by a courier from the Asheville airport. They were just a few months old, their fur matted, their deep brown eyes filled with fear. It hadn’t taken her long to make them feel right at home. She’d found Doc Baker then and made what she hoped was a lifelong friend.

“I have a couple of cats, courtesy of Doc Baker,” Tyler said. “Part of an abandoned litter he took in. I believe he kept a couple for himself. Mom and Dad have the only female in the bunch. They’re quite entertaining.”

“I never figured you or Doc for the feline type,” she said, with a newfound admiration for both men.

“I like all animals—dogs, cats, horses,” Tyler said with a grin.

“I was never allowed to have an animal as a child. My parents thought they were messy and useless.”

She poured him coffee without first asking if he wanted any. He took the cup from her with a “Thanks.” He took a sip, shaking his head from left to right. “That’s wrong. Your parents, I mean. I’m sorry. All kids need an animal to love, to care for. I think it’s good for kids. It gives them a sense of responsibility. I suggest to some of my younger patients that they would do well with an animal. The ones that followed the advice are fine now and don’t need to see me anymore.”

“You think the animals helped with their treatment?” Katherine asked, now more than just a little curious about his life as a doctor.

“I do.”

“These two keep me on track most of the time,” Katherine told him. “I need to be able to go outside with them, see where they go when I can’t hear them from the house.” She explained what had occurred the night before.

“It could have been a wild animal,” Tyler agreed when she was done. “It’s certainly not unheard of in this area, though I agree it’s a good idea for you to learn their stomping grounds.”

She nodded. “Can you really help me with this . . . disorder?” she asked.

“Of course I can. I’ve had many patients with agoraphobia. Maybe not as severe as yours, but to answer your question—yes, it’s treatable. If you were my patient, I would suggest you try to recall when or if you suffered a traumatic event right before your behavior changed.”

Unsure if she should tell him what drove her to lock herself inside, she decided she couldn’t. It was too soon, and tonight wasn’t the time. Later, when she knew him a bit better, she would tell him. “I see.”

“I assume you aren’t ready to talk about your experiences?”

She finished her coffee, got up, and refilled her cup. “You need another cup?”

“No, I’m good,” he said. “Am I right? You’re not ready to talk about the event that caused your change in behavior?”

Katherine thought he was very, very good at his profession. “No, not yet. Maybe in the future.”

“I’m going to put my doctor hat on and tell you the longer you put this off, the worse it will get. You don’t want to spend the rest of your life inside.”

He was right. But his comment put her on the defensive. “I went outside earlier. I brought my groceries inside,” she told him. “That’s the first time since I moved in here. Pathetic, I know.”

“No, that’s remarkable, especially since you tried it alone. It’s more progress than you realize.”

“I hope so.” She wanted to talk about something other than her mental illness. “Why don’t I give you a tour of the house before it gets too late?” She didn’t really care about the time, but it was all she could come up with for now. The idea that she would let him “medically treat” her after dinner had been ludicrous, but then again, she thought—why not? She couldn’t decide. Not wanting to disappoint him or Doc, she had an instant change of heart. “Then we can talk about me,” she said, before she could change her mind again, “and my issues.” She would keep her word to Doc.

“If you’re sure?” Tyler reiterated.

“As you said, putting it off isn’t in my best interest.”

“You’re already making progress acknowledging this and going out alone. You might not think it’s a big deal, but it is.” Tyler stood, putting his empty cup in the sink.

“I appreciate those words. I’m so used to living this way, and it’s become very comfortable. But it’s not normal, and I know that. I’ve always known it,” she added.

“I have no doubt. Now, why don’t you show me around this massive place? Ever since this house was built, I’ve always been curious about the inside.”

She nodded. “Then let’s get started.”

Katherine walked Tyler through the rooms on the first floor. He admired several of the paintings in her living room. She told him most of the art in her house was from local artists. She wanted to give back to her community, even though she’d never really been a part of the day-to-day life in Blowing Rock.

She led him upstairs to the top of the landing, where the windows were floor-to-ceiling like those in the dining room.

“Stunning,” Tyler remarked. “You’re lucky to have these views.”

There wasn’t much to show upstairs except all the empty bedrooms and bathrooms. She quickly opened each door, letting him peer into the empty rooms. Two of the bedrooms still had beds left over from the previous owner, but otherwise, there wasn’t much to see. After debating whether or not to open the door to her bedroom, she did. Her earlier thoughts of them together in her room for the night were just that. Thoughts. Tyler had given no indication he expected anything more than dinner.

As soon as she opened her bedroom door, she could feel a sense of foreboding, as if something bad was about to happen.