by Barbara Lohr
A bad memory in a lot of ways.
Those were her better days.
Still early and not many cars at the main stoplight on Whittaker. What was he doing in a one-stoplight town? And now he’d never leave. Someone had to watch out for Marie, and she’d never leave Gull Harbor. Besides, this was the only home Natalie had ever known.
The light changed, and Cole hit the gas so hard, coffee slopped over. Prissy reared up. “Easy, girl. Easy.” She circled the seat twice, bopping Cole with her rear end and making shifting impossible. “Down, girl. Everything’s fine.”
Prissy settled. Raised her brows. Cole, let’s remember. You’re the one who tried to burn me with coffee.
“Sorry, Prissy.” He fit the mug securely into the console and rubbed her neck.
Ignacio's shiny red truck was already there when Cole pulled into the deserted gas station. His boots crunched on the gravel as he got out, Prissy bounding down behind him. Suited him just fine. At least the Great Dane listened to him sometimes, which was more than he could say about Natalie. Lately, everything he did was either “stupid” or “lame.”
Rocking back, Prissy put her head down and gave herself a good backward stretch.
“Those yoga nuts don't have anything on you,” he told her.
You’re telling me. One sniff and his dog danced off into the tall grass along the parking lot.
Ignacio would have to cut those weeds back. Place had to look trim, businesslike.
Morning sun warm on his shoulders, he surveyed the empty structure while traffic rumbled past on Red Arrow. If anyone could make a go of it here, Ignacio could. The summer would tell the tale. The tourist trade was always a testing point for Gull Harbor.
“Priscilla, get out of those weeds!” The last thing he needed was for Natalie to catch poison ivy from the dog again.
Head down, Prissy came trotting toward him.
“Hey, Cole.” Ignacio banged open the front door, hand extended with Chili right behind him.
“Sorry I'm a little late. Natalie decided she wanted braids this morning. I was the wrong man for the job.”
“You are the right man,” Chili told him. “Such a good dad.”
Shrugging, Cole felt pleased. Not many awards being given out for fatherhood these days. “So what are we going to do here?”
“Come on inside.” Ignacio crooked a thumb toward the door.
Leaving the sunshine, they entered the damp interior. White paint was peeling from the gray cinderblock walls. Floor only had a couple cracks, but the oil spots had to be sanded out or painted over. A fuel smell hung in the air.
“Can you get some fans in here?”
Ignacio nodded. “We’re going to hose it down, dry the place out, and start painting, one end to the other.”
“When you open, I’d leave the big doors up. Let people see what you have.”
“Of course. One has a broken pulley, but I’m repairing it.”
“Can't you just see it, Cole?” Chili's hands flew as she talked. “Fruits and vegetables in the middle. A little counter on the side for baked goods. Maybe a cheese cooler.”
Ignacio gave his wife a little hug. “Chili, por favor. This is a vegetable stand not a deli.”
“But so much room. No?” She gave her husband that little smile that had socked it to Ignacio in high school. Time hadn’t changed that.
Some day, Cole wanted a woman to look at him like that. But now, about that ceiling. No stains but some damp spots for sure. “What about the roof, Nacho? Got a ladder?”
“Follow me.” Ignacio led him out the back door to where a ladder leaned against the building.
The wooden ladder was about as old as the building, but Cole clambered up, boots scraping the worn rungs. He liked working with the guys he’d grown up with. They understood each other.
Up on the roof, he tested the gritty shingles before giving them his full weight. Seemed solid, but some of the patches had worn through.
“I think we’re good,” he hollered down. “Just a few spots need attention. I’ll drop off some shingles.” Up here, the air smelled clean, and moist from the lake. When he turned north, he could see Gull Harbor and the yacht basin.
“You're in a good traffic pattern here,” he told Ignacio, making his way down the ladder.
Priscilla nosed his leg. Thought you got murdered up there, Cole. Thought you were never coming back. Phew!
He couldn’t be out of the dog’s sight for a second without her going nuts.
“So what do you think, Cole? Good place for a business, right?” Chili narrowed her eyes, sun bouncing off her dark curls. She hadn’t changed a bit since high school, except now she was a wife and mother. Three kids. He should be happy for them.
“Let me sketch out some ideas. Meet you back inside.” Prissy on his heels, Cole zipped back to the truck to grab a yellow pad. As he slammed the door closed, a blue SUV pulled up. He was getting used to seeing Kate’s bright vehicle around town. What did she call it? Bonita? But he wasn’t used to the strange feeling in his chest every time he ran into her.
Kate jumped out in snug jeans and green hoodie the color of spring leaves. Her hair bounced over her shoulders as she approached with her long-legged stride that tightened his throat. She'd always been a knockout, even when she was a pesty sophomore who never bothered with much makeup, if he remembered right.
Same girl but different. And it was more than the blonde hair. Seeing him, she shrugged in that restless way she had now, almost like she was shaking him off.
“Had to stop and say good morning to our mothers.” She fell into step next to him, the breeze having a field day with that blonde hair.
“Were they playing nice? Sharing their oatmeal?” He loved his mother-in-law, but she could be a real handful.
“I just hope they get along.” Her wry expression told him they were on the same page—holding their breaths and hoping for the best.
“Here to see Chili?” He held the door open and bathed in the citrusy smell of her hair as she whirled past.
“I’m here on business.” Her green eyes flicked up, suddenly reserved. He felt a chill that didn’t come from the cinderblocks.
“Kate!” Pivoting toward them, Chili threw her arms open and Ignacio smiled.
“Sorry I'm late.” Kate gave each of them a hug. “Got hung up on research about diabetic neuropathy for an article I’m doing, and then I stopped to see my mom.”
“You work too hard.” Chili clucked.
Kate did look tired. The lines at her eyes and mouth—exhaustion or stress?
While Chili and Kate were doing their girl thing, Cole slapped his yellow pad onto an old table. “Let me show you what I’m talking about.” Taking out a pen, he began to sketch out some rough ideas to change the empty structure into a vegetable venue. He liked working on this type of project. Repurposing buildings would be the future of Gull Harbor.
After he gave Ignacio some estimated numbers, he felt Chili at his elbow. “Cole? We have one other favor to ask, por favor?”
Behind Chili’s shoulder, Kate’s cheeks got red. She was really pretty when she blushed.
“Favor?” The color faded, and Kate frowned. “I'm not really asking for any handouts, Chili.”
“No, no. Kate's right, of course.” Chili's hands fluttered again, like she was erasing those words. “Kate is going to help our business… with her own flower stall.”
“But I’m doing this myself.” Kate’s pointed chin came up. “Sort of, I mean.”
Cole looked from Chili to Kate. He’d never understand women.
~~
Kate hated how Cole studied her—like she was a charity case. He looked like he’d just tumbled out of bed— another strike against him in her mind. The dusting of a five o'clock shadow accented his square jaw. Dark hair tied back in that ponytail. Smoking. Hot.
But time to focus. “The flowers would be an add-on to Ignacio's vegetable stand. An additional point of purchase.” Did that sound bu
sinesslike enough? Not just some flighty idea from her book group.
Cole’s blue eyes darkened. “You’re going to operate a flower stand?”
Her skin flushed warm. “Anything wrong with that?”
“Just surprised, that’s all. Boston College and everything.”
“Summer work.” Did she have to explain herself? Cole’s eyes stayed murky.
Chili’s head pivoted between them, like she was watching a tennis match.
With a shake of his head, Cole shoved his sunglasses back in place and walked out, his long-legged stride outpacing her.
Was that a muffled giggle behind her? Kate threw a frown over her shoulder at Chili. Another choked laugh was the answer. Great. Maybe high school friends always acted like teenagers together. Kate and Cole had gone head to head in high school – well, most of the time—and now they were at it again.
Beginning with the door, Cole paced off lengths, setting the flower stall far enough from Ignacio’s store to give Kate “growing room,” but close enough so customers had to walk right past her stand.
His comments still rankled. “So you think I’m just doing this on impulse?”
A grin tweaked Cole’s lips. “Kate, when did you ever do anything impulsively?”
Heat flooded her face. She could think of one time. With him.
“Oh. Right.” His lips rounded. A muscle moved in his throat, right near the pulse throbbing at the base of his neck.
So he remembered too?
Chili and Ignacio had followed them outside and they exchanged a glance.
“Where you going to get your stock?” Serious again, Cole forged ahead.
“A farm up on Red Arrow Highway.” But Kate heard her own hesitation. She still had to talk to the people.
“Kalamazoo has some growers,” Ignacio piped up. “In the beginning, I was thinking of doing the flower part myself, but I’ve got my hands full, especially if Chili wants to make this a delicatessen, eh, mi amor?” He pulled his wife closer, a cuddle that made Kate look away.
Cole turned toward her. “Sounds like you might be in Gull Harbor for awhile?”
Chili and Ignacio did their visual telepathy again.
“For summer, at least. Until my mom’s on her feet.”
“Terrific. I mean, ah, good for the community.”
“Maybe. I hope so.” The flower stall might be frivolous and fun. Right now, she needed fun.
As the three of them continued planning, Kate enjoyed the excitement bubbling in her chest. Gave her something else to think about besides divorce and her mother.
Cole’s dog had been lying in the tall grass, eyes closed and drinking in the sunshine. Now she got to her feet and came over to snuffle his hands.
“Lie down, Prissy,” he told her, giving the Great Dane a stern look.
The huge black and white dog settled at his feet with an aggrieved sigh. Kate fought a laugh and wondered if Natalie obeyed Cole like this. Somehow, she doubted it.
“Your dog’s pretty well trained. Well, sometimes,” she added.
“Actually she is. That day at your house? An exception.”
“If you say so.” She couldn’t help smiling. Cole just had that effect on her. Then she remembered the rumors about the changes he’d bring to Gull Harbor, and her smile froze. Things were different now. They were different. She had to remember that.
Ignacio excused himself and went back inside. Dragging her feet, Chili followed her husband, throwing Kate a questioning glance.
“Business,” Kate mouthed to her while Cole sketched.
Chili mouthed back, “No way.”
Chapter 10
With a toss of her head, Kate snapped her attention back to the yellow pad.
“Looks good. Nice touch.” She pointed to a sign he'd added that read “Kate’s Blooms.”
“That’s just a place holder.”
“I like it. You always were good with words.”
Cole’s eyebrows lifted. “Are you kidding me? You could argue points around me in Debate Club.”
When Cole raised a brow, he could have just stepped off a pirate ship.
Kate shook off a rogue shiver. “That’s not how I remember it. Wasn’t that why you were elected president of the club?”
“For that year. You were only a sophomore. Heard you followed in my footsteps.”
“Big shoes to fill.”
“Not for you, Katydid. You’d take on anything. Anyone.” Cole’s playful grin faded. “Thanks for helping Natalie pick out some books. I'm no good with that stuff.”
“I enjoyed it. She's a special little girl.”
“She’s a lot like her mother.” Cole’s tone sounded matter of fact, not nostalgic.
“Natalie has some of Samantha’s features. But her expressions? Strictly Cole Campbell.”
He looked downright pleased. “You think so?”
“It’s the truth.” She stabbed one toe into the gravel.
Grinning, he ripped his sketch from the yellow pad and handed it to Kate. “Let me know if you need anything else.” He paused, like he wanted to say more.
She studied her beat-up tennis shoes. “Sure. Thanks.” Why was it so hard to accept anything from Cole?
“Priscilla.” Cole snapped his fingers. When he opened the passenger door of his truck, the dog leapt inside, a graceful streak of black and white. Cole closed the door and Prissy rested her head in the open window, giving Kate a sad look, like I really wanted to stay for some girl time. You know that, right?
Kate walked to her car, digging in her bag for her keys. Sometimes Cole could take her right back to high school, wondering why the guy she'd made out with one night had invited another girl to prom. Now that painful memory had started to dissolve, like invisible stitches. After all, it had been so long ago. What did it matter?
Cole threw his pickup into reverse, hesitated at the highway, and then hung a right.
Chili had wandered back outside. “Nice guy.”
Kate slipped her sunglasses back in place. “Yeah, I guess. Why is he still single?”
“Maybe he’s just busy with his daughter… and his mother-in-law.”
What did Kate care? Closing her eyes, she drank in the warmth, imagining sand warm against her back. Come on, summer.
“Cole's different now.” The sadness in Chili’s voice made Kate open her eyes.
She stared down the empty highway. “Can't imagine how that would feel—losing your wife when you have a little girl to raise.”
“I guess Samantha’s living in California.”
“Yes, but people talk about her as if she were dead.”
“Might as well be.” Chili pulled her head into her orange sweatshirt like a turtle.
“Okay, Chili. What are you not telling me?”
“It’s more than Samantha eating away at Cole,” Chili finally said. “He wanted to go to Afghanistan, like Jamie, but he couldn’t because of Natalie and Marie. So he took on the renovation of Gull Harbor. Sometimes I think all that energy is, well, frustration.”
“He always did want to be in the thick of things.” Kate’s phone rang. Pulling it out of her pocket, she checked the screen. Mercedes. She tucked the phone away. Her sister could wait. Mercedes never picked up when Kate called.
“We’ve got folks lined up for this weekend. What do you think of these colors for inside?” Chili pulled some paint swatches from her pocket.
The two of them began planning. What fun to be involved in paint and flowers, instead of interviewing a doctor about a new cardiac unit. At times Kate’s writing for health care blogs drained her. Working around the complexities of physician and hospital schedules was never easy. Selling flowers felt simple.
This summer, Kate was all for simple. “Chili, thanks for including me.”
“We're the lucky ones. Your flowers could be the eye candy making people stop. In fact, maybe you’ll be the eye candy.” Her infectious chuckle made Kate smile.
“Cole suggested I call it K
ate's Blooms.” Felt funny, him suggesting a name. Bold, invasive, exciting.
Enough. She was sick.
“I love it.” Chili walked Kate to her car. “So Cole came up with that, huh? For you?”
“It’s not a marriage proposal, Chili.”
Tossing her head, Chili kept that silly look on her face.
When Kate opened her car door, a welcoming wave of heat greeted her. “Thank God summer’s coming.”
Frowning, Chili glanced around. “So much to do. Memorial Day is only two weeks away.”
“I’ll be here tomorrow. Help in any way I can.”
“I can always count on you.” One more hug from Chili, who always smelled like patchouli, and Kate jumped into the SUV.
Today she was volunteering at the library. Only one other car in the parking lot when Kate pulled in. After turning off the engine, she sat staring at the tidy stone building. Did it need to be replaced? Maybe Cole was right. How she wished she could stop thinking about his broad shoulders, deep-set eyes, and the fresh smell of spicy aftershave. Maybe she should turn on the air conditioning.
Then she remembered her sister’s call. Gritting her teeth, she hit a button on her phone.
“Just wanted you to know I'm coming in the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.” Mercedes came right to the point. That flirty cheerleader giggle she sometimes used? Her sister kept it for special occasions. This wasn’t one of them.
“Need a ride from the airport?” Kate was equally short.
For a second, they talked details.
“Mom’s doing fine,” she finally offered, although Mercedes hadn’t asked.
“Well, I'll be there soon.” As if that would solve everything. As if Mercedes would just walk in and like magic their mother would be making spaghetti in the kitchen.
Still, their mom would be thrilled to have Mercedes visit. Truth was, her older daughter had always been her favorite. An old bruise ached in the vicinity of Kate’s heart.
She was wrapping up the call when Mercedes added, “I was hoping we could talk about the property when I come home.”
The property? Not Breezy Point. Not their home but “the property.” Like Breezy Point was already listed.