by Barbara Lohr
“I’m sorry, Mercedes.”
Her sister sighed. “I know. Have to run. I’m on deadline.”
Usually Mercedes’ staff was on deadline, not her. Kate rubbed her thumb over the face of the phone.
Sometime around midnight she fell into bed, muscles sore and hands chapped. The smell of cleaning products followed her into her dreams. One good thing about Brian—he'd always insisted they have a cleaning lady. But she didn’t dream about buckets, mops or dust rags that night. Instead, Cole Campbell and his gentle hands filled her dreams. And what he did with those hands jerked her from sleep, heart thudding like crazy. Staggering out of bed, she threw the windows open wider. The cool fresh air cleared her head, but she couldn’t get back to sleep. Finally, she dressed and drove to the vegetable stand early when the sky was still pearly grey. She would pick her mom up right before noon.
Of course, that worked out to be the first day the supplier delivered a huge load of evergreen bushes and perennials. Pots of hydrangeas, forsythia and phlox joined the marigolds and geraniums. Kate needed it, all of it. That was the good part. People were snapping up the shrubs like the popcorn Chili provided free inside.
“I wish I could stay out here and help you,” Chili told her, eyes wide and anxious. When she saw the truck, she had rushed out, thinking it might be another delivery for Ignacio. “But it's crazy inside.”
“Don't worry. I can manage.” Kate pulled her new wide-brimmed straw hat over her face. Sun and Sail had a midseason special on hats, and Kate bought one to protect her skin when she worked at the flower stall. She was already sweating buckets. Mostly nerves, she figured. Ignacio suggested that Kate post a sign directing customers inside to pay when she wasn’t there.
Cars prowled the crowded parking lot that had seemed huge a month ago. Some shoppers ended up lining Red Arrow Highway. Downright amazing.
“Guess I better get back.” With a wave of her hand, Chili rushed back inside, her ruffled orange top fluttering in the breeze.
The air felt thick with flower pollen and greenery, a reminder of how much Kate had to do this morning. Bending, she began to shove the pots into some sort of order. One day at a time, one hour at a time. Kate just couldn't let herself get crazy. That's how that incident in the bathroom had happened. She’d been rushed that day, mindless when she’d ended up in close quarters with Cole. After months of preparing for her divorce, checking each box, suddenly she felt like a kite bobbing high in the spring gusts.
The day before, she’d arrived home at five thirty to find Cole still at Breezy Point. He’d stopped in to install the knobs on the cabinets and drawers, or so he said. What? Josh couldn’t do this? But she said nothing, nodding as he leaned against the counter and talked about the aluminum wiring that needed replacing throughout the house. She offered coffee and had been alarmed when he accepted. In the living room, Natalie watched cartoons with Prissy sprawled next to her on the couch. Cole and Kate sipped from their mugs, making small talk.
Did she really know who Cole was? Sure, they’d gone to high school together. Sort of had a history. But that was years ago. Who was he now and what had happened to his marriage that sent Samantha to California, far from her family and friends?
Common sense questions chattered in her head while she battled wild urges every time she got near him. Scared the heck out of her. Gull Harbor was a small town. She couldn't ignore him forever so she’d have to set limits. Get comfortable with him. Comfortable but not cozy. Definitely not as cozy as they’d gotten that night in high school, which she’d apparently blown way out of proportion.
Maybe men didn't have the same kind of memory as women. But could she ever forget? After their heated session on the beach following their victory over La Porte, she could still feel the shocked disappointment when she heard he was going to the prom with Samantha McGraw. Sure, Kate was only a sophomore but she had expectations after that night.
To make matters worse, Kate learned Samantha looked gorgeous at the dance. The white satin band along the neckline of her long black gown accented her cleavage. Samantha had a lot of that. “Like she pointed a flashlight.” Mercedes had sounded ticked off. Kate’s sister didn’t like to be upstaged, even by a sister cheerleader. The yearbook later confirmed Mercedes’ description. Beaming, Samantha clung to Cole’s arm, looking as if she’d stepped from a magazine. They made quite the couple.
Never had Kate felt so much like the ugly duckling. Dependable on the debate team, overlooked as a possible date.
When Cole graduated and left Gull Harbor, Kate set out to forget the boy she’d adored as long as she could remember. By the time she left for college in Boston, Cole was just an embarrassing memory she was glad to leave behind. College got busy, and eventually she moved on to Brian Bankoff, the man who was “perfect for her.”
Lost in her daydreams, Kate didn't notice Cole pull up to the flower stand in his truck. Before she knew it, Prissy was nuzzling her hand and Cole was helping arrange the heavier bushes. Didn't the man have his own work to do?
“Good stock here,” he commented with a brief nod.
“The resource Ignacio gave me turned out pretty well.”
“Powder room drawers working okay?”
“Perfect.” She hadn’t even tried them.
“Good choice of color, that apple green.” His gaze landed on her face.
“Thank you.” She shifted, but his blue eyes didn’t lose hold of her lips.
“Ah, couldn’t help but notice that your kitchen needs some paint.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that.”
“I did?” His forehead wrinkled.
First he wanted to buy the place. Now he wanted to paint it?
“I can do that myself,” she was quick to offer. Her shoulders still ached from her housework the night before.
“Josh is over there right now.”
“Why?” Was she tired of this invasion of her privacy or just nervous about having Cole around?
“Thought the medicine chest needed another adjustment.”
She couldn’t be rude to him. She just could not. “That's really kind of you, Cole.” He'd always been that way, good with details. The kind of boy who cut his parents’ lawn and then trimmed the edges. “But I think that’ll be enough for now.”
Cole tapped his keys against one palm.
“Well, I don't want to keep you.” She turned to the flats of purple and white alyssum Prissy was sniffing with appreciation. A couple was headed toward the booth.
“Come on, Prissy. Time to go.” Cole’s eyes went to her hat. “Like the look.”
“Thanks.” She tried to ignore the crazy spiraling of her stomach.
Cole backed away, tripping on a flat of geraniums. A flush burned his cheeks, and she chuckled while he stopped to push the geraniums aside.
“You have these hydrangeas in purple?” a woman asked, a designer bag slung over one shoulder.
“Sure do. The soil is pretty acidic here so they usually do stay blue. More blue denim than blue sky.”
The customer crooked her head to one side, and Kate’s cheeks turned hot. Was she talking about the flowers or Cole’s eyes?
“I mean, you don’t need any aluminum sulphate to keep them blue.” She had to concentrate. As Kate rang up the purchase, she wondered when she’d gotten so crazy.
Late morning, Kate propped a sign in front of the stand, directing customers inside to pay. Chili had promised to keep an eye peeled. Climbing into Bonita, she headed to the care center. When her phone went off, Kate checked it but didn't answer. She’d call Mercedes back later.
As she drove up Red Arrow Highway, Kate blocked out thoughts of Cole and concentrated on the day ahead. Yesterday she'd spent time with Marianne, the discharge planner, so the paperwork should be ready. Her mother would continue physical therapy at home, if needed. “I can handle my own therapy in the kitchen,” her mom had grumbled.
When she reached her mother's room, the beat-up navy suitcase sat at the door.
“About time,” her mother said, pushing back a wave of blonde hair and trying to rise from the bed.
Kate stopped in the doorway. “Mom, when did you change your hair color?”
“Yesterday. You made the appointment for me, remember? Phoebe comes once a week.” Her mother’s smile turned mysterious. “She told me blondes have more fun.”
Kate’s yelp of laughter made Marie turn from her game show. “Sorry, Marie. Mom just took me by surprise.” Leave it to Phoebe. The color made her mother look ten years younger.
“Doesn’t she look pretty? I think I’ll change my color too.” Mari studied her old friend’s new look.
Obviously pleased, Kate’s mom fluffed her hair. “I wanted to look good when I came home.”
Marie sighed. “Glad somebody’s leaving this place.”
“Looks like somebody's going home today.” Will stood in the doorway in a trim gray suit with a bright blue tie.
“Yep. Just have to sign the discharge paperwork. I think we’re all set.”
“We’re always here, Kate, if you have any questions or need anything.” What a super guy.
The paperwork didn’t take long. Kate scanned the list of safety points and noted that scatter rugs were a hazard. Good grief. Of course. Those rugs would all be tucked into a closet when they reached home.
“Thank you for all your help, Will,” Kate said when they finally got Alice into the car.
Smile widening, Will shook her hand, both palms warm on her skin. “Again, if you ever need anything, just give me a call.”
“Sure will.”
Will Applegate was probably the kind of guy a girl could count on, the kind she could take home to her parents. In high school, he was no doubt head of the math club. As she got into the car and started the engine, she smiled at the very idea.
On the way home, her mom didn't say much, but her eyes brightened as they continued down Red Arrow Highway through Harbert, a town just north of Gull Harbor. “Will you just look at those beautiful umbrellas?”
Huge hand-painted table umbrellas were displayed in front of shops, just as they were every summer until the August auction.
“The Harbert umbrellas? Mom, they’re for the annual fundraiser.”
“Fundraiser? Tell me about it.”
The vacant look on her mom’s face reduced Kate’s heart to a pebble. “Local artists paint the umbrellas every summer. Then Harbert auctions them off. Benefits a local charity. We’ve gone to the auctions, trying to figure out how to buy one but we’ve always been outbid.” Hard to keep her voice steady.
“Well, of course. Kind of nice to have everything be new.” Her mother’s chuckle coaxed Kate into a giggle. They laughed together. If attitude were everything, her mother sure had it. She’d recover just fine at home.
Colorful flags fluttered from the shops as they passed. “Looks like summer’s here.” Her mom gave Kate a crooked smile.
“Fourth of July just around the corner.”
“Now you're talking like one of the shopkeepers.”
“I kind of am now that I work at the flower stand.”
“Oh. Right. Good for you, Kate. I think it’s great that you’re trying something new.”
“Thanks, Mom.” In the past, compliments had been rare around their house, at least for Kate. Expectations ran high.
Lowering her window, Alice took a deep breath. “Will you just look at those pink geraniums?”
“Haven't gotten around to painting the window boxes yet.” Kate pulled in behind a shock of orange tiger lilies. “But I will.”
Her mother waved her left hand. “Who cares? The flowers are what count. Thank you, honey.”
Kate wrapped the endearment around her like a warm towel. Cardinals twittered in the pine trees while Kate helped her mom from the car.
The beige sedan sat over to one side in the shade. “Can’t wait to drive again.” Her mom cast a wistful glance in the car’s direction.
“I’m sure that won’t be long.” No way was Kate setting limits on her mom’s recovery.
But getting her mom out of the car wasn’t easy. The steps loomed ahead, with no railing. Just when Kate was wondering if she’d ever be able to handle all this, Cole roared up. Sun glistened on his dark hair as he jumped out, Prissy right behind him. “Hold it! Let me help you.” Relief pulsed through Kate.
“Goodness me. Don't let that dog knock me over!” Her mother cowered at Kate’s side.
Cole grabbed Prissy’s collar. “Sit.” A miracle but the giant dog sat, a surprised look on her face. “Stay.” Another miracle. The Great Dane didn’t move, looking almost as amazed as Kate felt.
“Prissy’s gentle, Mrs. Kennedy. No need to get nervous.” Cole’s muscled arms bracketed her mother’s frailty. “Kate, could you hold the door?”
The screen door squeaked as she pulled it wide, unlocked the kitchen door, and pushed it open. In two shakes, he had her mother through the door and onto the sofa in the living room. Prissy bounded in after them, abandoning obedience to give the place a good sniff. The cottage was filled with the scent of fresh paint, and Kate opened the windows that led to the front screen porch.
“What is that smell?” Her mother’s nose wrinkled.
Kate exchanged a look with Cole. “Cole’s converted the old pantry into a powder room. We talked about it a while back.”
“Well, I wasn't aware the pantry was old.” Her mom’s lips tweaked upward. “I thought I was the one who was old.”
“Oh, Mom.” Kate plumped the pillows behind her mom’s back.
“It’s an exchange,” Cole explained. “I’m relieved Natalie can stay with you this summer.”
“Is she coming today?” Her mother sat up straighter.
Cole shook his head. “One of the teenagers in the neighborhood offered to babysit, but just for today. Thought you’d have your hands full.”
“I’ll be just fine,” her mother murmured, eyes flagging.
The warm summer breeze filled the cottage, and her head bobbed. Would take a while for Kate to get used to that sassy blonde hair. Whisking the blue afghan from the back of the couch, she draped it over her mother. Then she crooked a finger and led Cole back into the kitchen.
“I just came to check on the paint job. Hope you don't mind.” Cole dropped his voice until it was gentle as the sunshine spilling through the curtains. She wanted to bathe in that light.
“I might have to hide that key in a different place,” Kate quipped. Wouldn’t be a bad idea. “But thank you for helping us.”
“Maybe we should put a railing in on those back stairs. They’re dangerous.”
We. By that time, they’d wandered toward the powder room. The apple green walls with white trim still surprised and pleased her. But the plain rectangular mirror had been replaced by a beautiful oval edged in shells. Yes, she would have to change the hiding place for the key, but she sure loved this mirror. “Where did you ever find this, Cole?”
“I have my sources.” Cole could be a sphinx.
A handsome, hot sphinx.
“Oh, my gosh. So beautiful.” The edges of the shells pricked her fingers when she skimmed them.
“Gorgeous.” Cole’s gaze was pinned to her in the mirror.
Kate’s hand fell, and her breath tightened. Cole could do this to her. Just like high school, only it wasn’t.
She closed her eyes. “Oh, lordy. We’re in the powder room again. But we shouldn’t let this happen again.” Not until I have you figured out.
“We shouldn’t?”
“Absolutely.” But she melted into his arms like soft serve ice cream.
“Well, maybe we can let this happen.” Cole brushed a kiss across the tender spot behind her left ear.
She moaned and sagged into him, clutching his shirt.
“Or this?” Nudging her T-shirt aside, he kissed the pulse beating crazily below her chin.
“I’m so sensitive there.”
“I sure hope so.” His tongue darted out. Tickled.
Teased.
The room started to spin. Groaning, Kate twisted free. Every pore in her body protested when she escaped into the kitchen. Did she hear a dry chuckle behind her?
Turning at the back door, she groped for the knob and yanked it open. Prissy shot up from the floor. “You and Jason did a great job. We can never thank you enough.”
Cole got the message, and he didn’t look pleased. Was she being ungrateful, not even offering coffee? Without Cole’s work, her mother might be confined to the second floor. She would have hated it.
Feelings playing tug-of-war inside her, Kate studied the linoleum.
Cole’s boots came into view. “Guess I'll let you girls get settled.”
“Girls? Really.” Suddenly she felt ornery, like the worst PMS ever.
“Katie, I'll always think of you as a girl.”
Oh. Wow. She swayed. Maybe this was heat stroke. His arms fell open, and she wanted to step into them, not the girl from high school but the woman of today.
But Cole was reaching inside a pocket. “Kate, now that you’re home, you probably have an interest in seeing the town’s future ensured.” He spread some papers out on the counter.
She blinked. “What is this, Cole? Looks like a list.”
“Wonder if you’d mind signing this petition allowing tearing down Michiana Thyme.” Her gasp brought his head up sharp. “Now, hear me out.”
When he held up one hand, she reached behind her for the door knob.
“Please leave.” So that’s what this had all been about? He wanted her support?
Embarrassment flooded her cheeks with heat. She stepped outside, where she felt safer. Rays of sunlight sifted through the tall birches. Laughter floated up from the beach, and someone somewhere was grilling. Kate anchored herself in summer, not back in raging passions she didn’t totally understand.
“Things change, Kate.” Cole had come outside, papers rolled tight in his hand.
“Some things but Gull Harbor isn’t one of them.”
“If we don’t change, we don’t move forward,” he whispered.
Was he talking about the town or them? “Do things have to move forward?”
With a disgusted shake of his head, Cole whistled for Prissy and climbed into the truck. After he’d roared down the driveway, she dead-headed the geraniums, snapping off the blooms that were past their peak.