Coming Home To You (Man From Yesterday 1)

by Barbara Lohr

  “What did you think of Ramona in the library book?” Kate asked Natalie.

  “She was great. Finished the book.” Natalie’s eyes sparkled. “Ready for another one.”

  “Come on Wednesday about four o'clock if you want some help.”

  “What about your flowers?” Cole asked Kate around bites of his potato salad.

  Kate hitched up her shoulders. “The flowers are sold by that time.”

  “Who did you say is working with you?” her mom asked.

  “Ignacio and Chili. Remember them, Mom? They dated in high school and stopped by the house. They’re married now. Three kids.”

  “Yes, of course.” Her mother almost looked indignant. “Of course I remember the names of your friends. Why, you were all friends in high school.” Alice Kennedy always had every mother's phone number handy so she could call if Kate and Mercedes weren’t home on time.

  “But not in the same class,” she reminded her mother gently.

  “You and Cole were in Debate Club together, seems to me.” Mercedes’ innocent smile didn’t fool Kate one bit.

  “One of the highlights of my senior year.” Cole actually looked sincere, blue eyes warm with intelligence and charm.

  Time to put a lid on the warmth spiraling through her body. Kate would think of the lake. The cool lake. Didn’t work. One glance at Cole and she was an ice cube melting under a relentless sun.

  Kate turned back to her mother. “Ignacio and Chili are doing me a favor by letting me have the space for the flower stand.”

  “Can I help at the flower stand?” Natalie piped up.

  “Of course not.” Irritation sharpened Marie’s voice. “A roadside stand is no place for a young girl.”

  Roadside stand? Kate’s new venture had just been redefined.

  Cole and Marie locked eyes. Kate and Mercedes exchanged a look. How common were these battles between Cole and his mother-in-law?

  “Besides, Cole, I'll be babysitting for Natalie. I’ll be home by then.” Marie was not giving ground.

  Meanwhile, Kate’s mother calmly ate her hamburger, seeming to relish every bite.

  “We can talk about this later.” Cole looked uncertain, a guy backed into the corner. Would he even entertain the thought of having Natalie stay with her mother? Gosh, Kate sure hoped so.

  “I am not a baby. I do not need a baby sitter.” Natalie slumped back and crossed her arms over her chest.

  Whoa. Kate resisted the urge to hug the girl. Natalie sure needed somebody in her court. “Want to go get some cake with me?”

  Eyes brimming, Natalie pushed back her chair. Together, they went back to the buffet table. Prissy trotted along behind. Cole didn’t seem to notice the dog had gone. Playing with his fork, he looked like a man with a lot on his mind.

  “Now you be a good girl, Prissy,” Natalie warned the dog, extending a hand. Prissy shoved her damp nose into her palm.

  “Chocolate or yellow cake?” Kate asked. Cut into generous squares, the two sheet cakes had enormous American flags as a decoration.

  “Chocolate.”

  Kate began to shovel pieces onto plastic plates. “There are laws about working at your age. Trust me, you’ll be working soon enough. Maybe something else will come up for you this summer.”

  Her father used to call a moment like that “chumming the waters.”

  “Natalie, can you grab that tray?”

  While Natalie held the tray, Kate grabbed enough cake for everybody. When Prissy tried to press her nose onto the tray, Kate whisked it away.

  “None for you, Prissy. We’re not forgetting those oatmeal cookies.” Kate was relieved when Natalie hitched a finger through the dog’s collar.

  When they returned to the table, Cole was talking to Mercedes about her flight. Mercedes looked totally enthralled, like departure times and seat assignments were fascinating. Kate stumbled, surprised by a sudden shimmer of jealousy.

  Her sister was home, and nothing had changed. Better get used to it.

  “Coming back soon, Mercedes?” Cole asked.

  Her mom’s head reared up at the question she probably wanted to ask.

  “Have to see how things shake out.” Her sister was a master of evasion. Glancing up, she held up one hand as Kate slid the tray of cake onto the table. “None for me, thanks.”

  Disappointment creased their mother’s face. “I just hate to have you go.”

  Kate tried to breathe through the tight feeling in her chest. She set a slice of cake in front of her mother.

  “Oh, I'll be back, Mom.” But Mercedes said it so quickly.

  Mom just stared at her cake. She probably knew Mercedes’ visits were only prompted by emergencies.

  “Red velvet’s your favorite, Mom,” Kate prodded, handing her mother a fork.

  “My favorite.” Teary-eyed, she began to eat.

  Kate wanted to stab Mercedes with a fork.

  “Everyone having a good time?” Without his chef's hat and apron, Will looked surprisingly hip in jeans and pale blue shirt. The suits he usually wore didn't do him justice.

  Will Applegate was probably the type of guy a girl should fall for. Dependable. Compassionate. But was that enough? Not one spark in Kate’s body. No heady flush, no tingling in any part of her body. Her hot-man meter wasn’t registering. She pressed one hand against the lips that weren’t pulsating and glanced up to find Cole studying them. A faint smile lifted the corners of his lips. When she caught his glance, he looked away. But his teasing smile stayed. Heat sparked through her body like it was the Fourth of July.

  But it was too early for the Fourth and silly to feel like this.

  Marie pushed her cake away. “Too much frosting for me.”

  “Great job, Will.” Cole motioned to the happy groups around them.

  “We like to think of ourselves as one big happy family at Gull Harbor Care Center.” On Will’s lips, that comment didn't sound sticky sweet or staged. He was a nice guy. Just not a man that, well, left a girl wondering.

  “Prissy!” Natalie’s yelp cut the air as the dog chomped down on the plate and whirled it to the ground. One bite, two licks and the cake was gone.

  Face reddening, Cole jumped up and snapped his fingers. “You renegade.”

  Prissy dropped her head but not before Kate saw the frosting on her wide maw.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sakes.” But Marie was smiling.

  “We’ve got to clean you up, Prissy.” Natalie grabbed a paper napkin. “You’re going to be sick again tonight. Good thing there wasn’t much left on my plate.”

  Prissy stood obediently while the little girl patted at her quivering jowls. Wish I could be better, Natalie, really I do. Just born to be bad, I guess. They made quite a pair. The Great Dane regarded Natalie with adoration.

  When Natalie finished, Cole pointed to a grassy spot close to the table. “Sit. Over there.”

  Prissy heaved herself onto the grass and laid her head on her paws. Clearly, she knew she’d been banished.

  Cole began to clear the table. Kind of cute, really.

  Cute and hot.

  Kate’s body just had to settle down. Cool off and listen to her head. He was the man working hard to ruin a lot of what she loved about Gull Harbor.

  “I’d like to go back to my room now.” Marie fussed with the buttons on her bulky navy sweater.

  “But you’ll miss the performance. Let’s just stay for a second.”

  “Your call,” Marie said in a miffed voice that Cole ignored. So he drew some boundaries with his mother-in-law.

  Will hopped onto a small stage. A trio of seniors had stepped up, wearing wigs and carrying guitars. “And now I'd like to introduce you to our very own Beatles.”

  Vintage Beatles music blasted, and three older men strummed guitars and mimed, wigs flopping.

  “Bunch of fools,” Marie mumbled.

  “What are they doing?” Mom asked.

  “Pretending they’re singing,” Kate explained. “Lip syncing. They’
re having a good time.” The crowd sang along and clapped.

  “Lip singing?” Marie shouted out. “Don’t you always use your lips when you sing?”

  “Why don't we sit and listen just a little while?” Cole settled back.

  Kate marveled at his patience.

  When the number ended, Will took the microphone again. “And now I think we should all remember what Memorial Day is all about. In particular, we honor the men who’ve served our country. Active duty or National Guard, if you would please rise.”

  As the national anthem played, a smattering of older men at the various tables stood, hands over their hearts. Those who could stand got up and sang, even Natalie. Her mother’s voice quavered on the high notes, and Kate was surprised by the tears filling her eyes. Maybe she was just overly emotional. But that day, she felt grateful and oh, so glad she'd come back to Gull Harbor. Sure, at times the place irritated the heck out of her, but these were her people. Maybe Boston had just been a stop in her life’s journey, and it was time to change trains. The thought startled her into all sorts of new possibilities.

  When the anthem ended, Marie patted the arms of her wheel chair. “Can I go back now?”

  “Sure can. See you all later.” Handling his mother-in-law’s wheelchair, Cole was all lean muscle and grace.

  And nice. Kate hated to admit it, but he was being so darn nice.

  Trailing behind her father, Natalie gave Kate a small wave.

  “See you next week,” Kate called out.

  “I should get going, Mom. Have to get back to the house to pack.” Mercedes shouldered her Coach bag. Packing might take all of ten minutes, but Mom didn’t know that.

  “Did you say that you’d seen Cole earlier?” her mother asked as Kate wrangled the walker.

  Mercedes exchanged a look with Kate. “Cole stopped over at the house.”

  “Oh, really.” Mom's attention swiveled to Kate.

  Not easy but Kate pressed her lips together. Mercedes could explain the plans she had for Breezy Point, but she busied herself rearranging things in her purse.

  Oh, well. “Mercedes, want to explain your suggestions?” Kate sure as heck wasn’t taking responsibility.

  In short, jerky sentences, Mercedes laid out her plan, prefacing it with, “Just an idea, Mom.”

  Their mother's face pinched with anger. Her eyes swiveled between Mercedes and Kate, whose heart ached. What on earth had her sister been thinking? They were lucky Mom didn’t have another stroke.

  Mercedes stumbled to a halt with, “I just thought this might be a good option for you.”

  “For me?” Disgust curled her mother’s lip.

  This was so rare that she got angry with her oldest daughter. The whole incident reminded Kate of the day Mercedes had told them she sold over one hundred boxes of Girl Scout cookies. Her mother had been so proud until they discovered their father had taken them to every bar within thirty miles of Gull Harbor. He’d pedaled cookies to men who could barely find their wallets and forgot to eat every day. Mom had been furious.

  “Sounds like it's more for your convenience, Mercedes Frances.”

  Mercedes’ face paled. Not a good sign when middle names were used.

  Reaching for her walker, Alice tilted her head up to Kate. “I’d like to go back to my room now. Please.” Tears swam in their mother's eyes.

  Kate wanted to shake her sister until every cap in her head rattled. Seething, she guided her mom over the bumpy grass and then onto the concrete path that led to the side door.

  “You leaving this pretty day so soon?” Will quipped, holding the door open.

  “Mom’s getting cold.”

  The angry clump, clump of Mom’s walker resounded down the hallway. Kate had to hustle to keep up. Mercedes fell back, fishing her phone from her bag. When they reached her mother’s room, Kate settled her in front of the TV after checking with Marie about a program they both might like. Kate was relieved to see that Cole was gone. Some kisses and hugs and they were out the door. Her mom didn’t cling to Mercedes like she usually did, and she didn’t pester her about when she’d be back. Kate should have felt pleased, but a heavy sadness had fallen over her.

  “I can't believe you weren't even going to mention this to her. Are you kidding me?” Kate turned to Mercedes after they were in the car.

  Lips pouty, her sister stared out the window. She had their mother’s delicate features. Kate had her father’s full lips and his crazy brows. “You have the best of him,” her mother had told her once. Somehow, that was sore comfort. Her handsome dad preferred the Roadhouse to their cozy dining room, where they’d had dinner without him too many times to count.

  Driving back to Breezy Point, Kate said nothing more. She could hardly wait to take her sister to the airport.

  “It was just an idea.” Mercedes’ voice made her turn. “I'm in trouble, Kate. Some major clients cut back. Thought I'd snag some new accounts so I didn't cut my overhead. Just dug myself into a deeper hole.”

  Had Kate ever seen Mercedes look so defeated?

  “I took a second mortgage on my townhouse, had to terminate some of my people.” Mercedes had always been so proud, the star while Kate was the plodder. Now her lips quivered. Kate didn’t know what to say.

  When they reached Breezy Point, Mercedes quickly packed her carryon and took one last look around before they got back in the car. Sure didn’t seem like she intended to return any time soon. During the forty-minute ride to the South Bend airport, they hardly said a word. Kate snapped on the radio. What could she say? Would she have felt more sympathetic if Mercedes had told her all this earlier?

  Hugging goodbye at the airport, Mercedes whispered, “Try to get Mom to see reason, okay?”

  “Mercedes.” Kate pushed her away. “What part of this don't you understand? Mom said no.”

  “But it's too big for her. Too much work.”

  “That’s not for us to decide.”

  Mercedes didn’t say another word. Kate watched her sister walk toward the security check with her brisk gait. Was the house issue settled, or was it just beginning? Mercedes didn’t give up easy. Kate was getting used to digging in her heels and taking a stand.

  Chapter 15

  When Cole pulled into the vegetable stand that Tuesday morning, he wasn’t stopping to see Ignacio, not really. The sight of Kate Kennedy bent over buckets of flowers made him hit the brakes. Hot coffee slopped onto his jeans. “Damn.”

  All legs, Prissy scurried to stand and gave him the look. You really had to do that, Cole?

  “Settle down now. I’m just being stupid.” Popping the mug back in the cup holder, Cole swiped at the stain. Bad placement.

  Prissy settled down with another side glance. And you think some of my spots are in embarrassing places.

  While he was messing around, Kate looked up and waved. Sunlight did something glittery to her hair. Cole still couldn’t get used to her as a blonde. Kate’s honey brown hair had been such a part of her. Sturdy and strong, like her. Reminded him of his old baseball mitt, so soft and comfortable to your hands but holding up really well.

  Glancing down, he gave up on the spot and grabbed the bag from the seat. He swung out of his pickup. Prissy leapt down behind him and began snuffling the grass. “Good morning, Kate. Don't eat anything or you’ll throw up,” he warned.

  The dog waited patiently for him to turn away. Am I not a paragon of virtue?

  Straightening, Kate laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Always a smart ass. “I’m talking to Prissy.”

  She grinned. “I know.” A lot of women used tanning beds or those creams that turned them orange. Not Kate. Light freckles sprinkled across her pale cheeks, turning his legs to mush. Trying to look casual, he shook them out.

  “Brought you a present.” He held out the bag of cheese curls, pleased when her cheeks colored.

  “Thank you. Guess I should keep these sealed until you leave, right?”

  His cheeks burned. �
�Guess so.”

  They stood there for two beats.

  She squinted up at him, nipping at that full lower lip that made him crazy. “I wasn’t sure you knew who I was that day. You know, when you stopped to help me on the road.”

  “Are you kidding? Like I’d ever forget.”

  “Hmm.” She sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth. Suddenly the coffee stain on his jeans wasn’t the only embarrassment in that area.

  “Looks like you're in business.” His eyes swept the area.

  Nodding, she kept working the lip. Full. Wet. He shifted.

  “As long as the Kalamazoo guys keep delivering, I’ll keep selling. One day at a time.” She lifted her delicate shoulders in a blue knit top that hugged her figure.

  Cole pulled his eyes away. Kate Kennedy's body had always been a minefield. That much hadn’t changed. “Nice sign you’ve got there.” Julio had laughed when Cole told him how he wanted Kate’s Blooms to look, kind of feminine. “A chick sign,” he’d told Julio.

  Kate’s blush softened the stubborn tilt of her chin. “Thanks for asking one of your guys to do this for me.”

  “One of the perks of being the boss.” He watched a cloud pass over her face and wondered what he’d said.

  Turning, she set the bag on the counter. Kate's eyes settled on Priscilla, nibbling on the green grass.

  “Prissy. Didn’t I warn you?” Cole snapped his fingers.

  Prissy sat back on her haunches and tried to look innocent. Just enjoying the late spring color, Cole.

  “My mother might be coming home pretty soon.” The teasing light in Kate’s eyes dimmed.

  “Must be doing better. Glad to hear it.”

  “She’s far from fully recovered. We don't have a restroom on the first floor, which makes it tricky. But I've been thinking…”

  Cole knew that look. He'd seen it plenty in high school. Kate’s ideas got feet pretty darn fast.

  “You mentioned you're looking for someone to stay with Natalie.” She licked her lips, and he dropped his gaze to the toes of his new boots. “What would you think of Mom keeping an eye on her this summer? Natalie could help Mom reach everything, stuff like that.”