Everything had been going smoothly, it was a welcome change to the turmoil of the past few years. Perhaps Kat knew that it couldn't last, but she had always loved to dream. Paul had made himself a regular fixture at her house over the past month. When she would slip outside to start the morning chores she would find them already complete. She found herself adjusting to the constant attention of her long absent husband. Reality struck when Kat took a trip to the grocery store. Strip had headed off to school and Hud was off with Smokey to tow a car.

Kat had never been an overly sensitive woman, most people would consider her an iron lady. She was a survivor. Despite her tough exterior she was very much human. Thankfully, through the years people had been wise enough to hold their tongues when she was around. The redhead slipped into the store and headed towards the baking goods, Strip had requested a chocolate cake and she'd found herself fresh out of flour.

"That Paul Hudson is bad news."

"I agree Jenny. He's crashed back into Katherine's life. If you want my opinion dear, he'll leave her high and dry a second time."

"Clara!"

"You know the racing type. Undependable, and we all know he left the poor girl pregnant the first time. He's the reckless sort. I tried to tell her when they first began running together!"

"He's washed up anyway. I can't understand why she's giving him a second chance."

"Well. Beggars can't be choosers. She never was like the other girls. I think she always preferred grease and wrenches to perfume and dresses." Clara sniffed.

Kat's heart lurched. Would Paul really leave her a second time? Things had been going so well the past few weeks. She knew it was too good to be true. Her hand tightened on her basket, her feet were glued in place.

"No one else would marry a single woman with a nine year old."

"I heard that she didn't sign the papers, just so she could keep him tied down."

"Some women don't know when it's time to let things go. I heard that Paul himself said that Kat was the reason he left town!"

"Really!? I hadn't heard that."

"Something about her pushing him too far. Personally I think she didn't let the poor man breathe enough. It's all her fault that my Esther didn't snag him. If he'd have married Esther he'd have settled down. He wouldn't have even been in that awful wreck."

Kat's throat tightened and she shoved two bags of flour and a canister of cocoa into her basket. Heart racing she hurried to grab a few other items. Hands shaking she hurried to check out, she needed to get outside. In a daze she paid and rushed out to her car.

Deep down she knew it wasn't her fault that Paul had left, she knew… but her gut churned. They had clawed up some of her old insecurities and fears. She tugged at a stray piece of red hair as the car roared to life. Taking a deep breath she settled herself, Paul promised that he was back for good… Strip had his father wrapped around his finger. There was no way she would be abandoned again. She just had to find a way to convince herself it was true.

As the evening wore on Kat found herself replaying the hateful commentary from the store. Try as she might the words were ingrained in her mind. She glanced out the kitchen window as Strip snuck up behind an unsuspecting Paul. The little blonde lurched forwards and entwined his arms around his father's legs sending the pair sprawling to the ground. She let out a nervous laugh, then a sigh.

Why couldn't things just go back to normal? She missed the times when Paul would come back from a race and tug her close. Those were the times without hurt...without worry. Shakily she turned from the window and opened the oven. Her mind drifted to thoughts of the future as she extracted the layers to the desired chocolate cake. What exactly did the future hold for her little family?

Wiping her hands on her apron she turned to set the table for supper. This would be the first time Paul ate with them as a family. There were so many firsts that he had missed. Strip's first words, his first steps, his first day of school...so many firsts. Would he vanish again, before they could share anymore firsts?

"Mamma help!" Strip burst into the kitchen through the back door and raced to hide behind her.

"What on earth?" A smile crept across her face as Paul stepped into the doorway.

Her husband was covered in water and grass from head to toe. In his hand was a suspicious looking bucket.

"Someone decided to have a water fight…" Paul's voice quivered with laughter.

"Did they?" Kat bit her lip and tugged Strip from behind her.

"That's my attacker."

"Before you step foot in my kitchen, I suggest you march yourself over to Smokey's and wash up."

"But Mamma...we were playing. It's not fair."

"Strip, since when have I let you talk back to me."

"Mamma!"

"You go wash up too. You're filthy."

"Strip… Something you have to remember. Your mamma is a queen and everyone has to listen to the queen."

"Even the king, Daddy?"

"Even the king. Especially if he knows what's good for him." Paul shot Kat a subtle wink.

"Sorry, for sassing you Mamma." The dirty child beamed, hugged her legs and dashed off to clean up.

"What am I going to do with you two?" Kat stomped over to glare up at her soaked husband.

"Give me a kiss?" An arm shot out and snaked around her waist.

"Paul!"

"Come on! Supper will wait!" He grinned and leaned in to kiss her senseless.

Her mind went blank, she was sure she made an embarrassing sound as he took her lips by surprise. She wasn't expecting a surprise kiss, she squirmed in his embrace as old insecurities pestered the back of her mind.

The sound of a bucket clattering to the floor caused Kat to jerk, reflexively she shoved at Paul. His arms flailed and he tumbled down the back steps. Kat's face flushed red in mortification and she slammed the door shut as he staggered to his feet.

"Supper is in thirty minutes, don't be late!" She bolted the door shut and lifted trembling fingers to her lips. Her head spun. What was Paul trying to do, kissing her like that?

Paul walked back to Smokey's in a daze with a starry look to his eyes. He didn't care how love sick he looked, there was no denying how Kat made him feel. The doctor practically floated around the house as he cleaned up for supper. Being with his family was the best feeling on earth. He paused as he combed his hair in place, he was tired of moving so slow.

"Better not."

"Better not, what?" Paul jerked and spun to stare at his old friend.

"Don't be movin' so fast." Smokey leaned against the doorframe.

"I love her."

"You love her...but you left her. Give her time."

"It's been months."

"You've both changed Hud. You ain't kids anymore."

"I want to spend as much time with her as I can."

"If you ain't careful, this will blow up in your face."

"But!"

"Ain't no ands ifs or buts. Give her time. She's a tough one, but you can't just go in with all cylinders blazin'. You got to let her know you ain't goin anywhere."

"So don't go asking to move in again?"

"Finally, you're seeing common sense. I know you love her." Smokey clapped him on his shoulder.

"I've got to show her that though."

"Exactly. Take it one turn at a time."

"Thanks Smoke."

"You're welcome, now you better hustle, Kat don't like anyone to be late to a meal."