by Barbara Lohr
“My dad would probably do that for you.” The words came fast, Natalie’s eyes bright.
What was this? “Your dad has his own work to do.”
Cole got all hot and sweaty when he worked, perspiration beading his forehead, glistening on those muscular arms.
Dangerous thoughts.
Natalie began to gnaw on a thumbnail. “Sure, I'll help you.”
But even talking about painting on a day like this seemed like an act against nature. Laughter filtered up from the beach below. A boat roared past in the distance, throttle open.
A knock on the back door was followed by the squeal of the screen door and her mother’s voice saying a sleepy hello to someone, probably Cole.
Kate swung her body into a sitting position.
“What are you two doing out here?” Cole’s shoulders dwarfed the doorway frame. He looked rugged, tired and hot in a way that had nothing to do with the weather.
Kate fought the heat that sizzled through her. The sleeves of his gray henley shirt were pushed up on muscular forearms, jeans low on his hips. Her mouth turned desert dry.
“Daddy!” Natalie flung herself into Cole’s arms.
His face brightened. “So how’d your day go?”
“Okay, I guess.” Natalie’s grip tightened around her father's waist, face tipped up like she couldn’t get enough of him. “But I'm glad it’s time to go home.”
Hands gripping her walker, Kate’s mom thumped up behind Cole. “Girl gets bored on a day like this.”
“I never got bored, Mom.” But Kate had to remember that she tucked in visits to the beach in between her chores like rich frosting between layers of cake. “Cole, I thought I’d come early some days. Natalie and I can go to the beach together. It gets so hot.” She brushed back her hair, and Cole’s eyes followed.
“Kate said you could come too,” Natalie piped up.
Behind her, Kate’s mother chuckled.
Cole ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
“‘We’ll’ see’ usually means no.” Crossing her arms, Natalie pulled away from her father.
Cole looked totally confused and raised one hand to scratch his head. The rich smell of working man rolled over Kate. Fixed her to the spot. Brian had usually arrived home still spiffy in his suit, not even loosening his tie on the way home.
“Why don’t you get your things so the nice ladies eat their dinner, okay?”
Natalie and Kate’s mom disappeared inside, and Kate was left with Cole. Goosebumps rose on her skin when his eyes brushed over her legs. Her aqua t-shirt was tucked into khaki shorts. That day, she’d noticed more than one male customer checking out her legs. “I was just asking Natalie if she wanted to help us paint the window boxes. But she doesn't have to do this, Cole.”
“Won't hurt her to do some painting.”
Kate shifted on the swing and recrossed her legs. Cole’s eyes followed her movements. Inside, she could hear her mother tell Natalie that of course she could take the book home.
The swing bobbled when Cole sat down beside her. Her chest tightened.
“So, you still doing your writing?”
“Yep, but I’m taking a break for the summer.”
When Cole gave her that teenage grin, Kate felt like the years were on fast rewind. “Would you consider writing some articles about Gull Harbor and the efforts we’re making to revive it?”
She let the idea sink in, feeling guilty for not thinking of it herself. She’d been too busy posting those flyers. “Maybe. Sounds like a good idea.”
“We don’t have our own PR person here, you know. Maybe we could go out Friday night. Throw some ideas around?”
Was this a date? Conflicted feelings twisted in her chest.
He licked his lips. She should have offered him a drink, but what she really wanted was to feel Cole’s lips melt against hers again, coaxing her, teasing her.
Her thoughts made Kate squirm. Such a slippery slope. “I'm, ah, busy Friday. How about sometime during the week? Maybe when you come for Natalie?”
“Sure. Fine, I guess.” He spoke each word slowly, like a brick he was laying down.
Behind his shoulder, she noticed Prissy nosing around in the tall grass.
Cole followed her gaze. “Prissy! Don't you dare.”
Shamefaced, the poor dog halted mid-crouch, like she didn't know quite what to do.
Why interfere with nature? Kate waved a hand. “Go ahead, Prissy.”
The dog settled back to business with a relieved sigh.
Swinging his attention back to her, Cole grinned. “Why, Kate Kennedy, you getting soft around the edges?”
Heat surged into her cheeks “Not all at. Just have more empathy for the female gender and our needs.” Speaking of needs, Kate leapt up and stretched. Too late she felt her shirt lift. His eyes seared her bare skin and she darted inside, escaping, but the heat caused by his attention followed.
Five minutes later, Cole and Natalie climbed into the truck with Prissy. Kate and her Mom watched them disappear down the driveway. “That man's got a thing for you,” her mother murmured.
“Don’t be silly, Mom.” Her stomach clenched and then grumbled. The smell of pot roast filled the kitchen. “Why don't I set the table?”
Her mother thumped over to the crock pot. “Like always, you're just ignoring the point. We should have asked them to stay. With Marie in the care center, those two probably never get a square meal.”
“Oh, we can’t do that.”
Hanging onto the walker, her mother turned. “Why not, Katie? Seems like the neighborly thing to do.”
“I just, ah, don’t want to interfere. They probably need time together.”
Chuckling, her mom turned back to dinner.
Kate began to peel the carrots. How long would it be before Cole found out about the yellow flyers?
“Ouch!” She’d nicked her thumb.
“Better watch what you’re doing Katie.” Her mom still sounded amused.
“Don’t I always?” Kate wrapped a napkin around her thumb and pressed. It still throbbed.
Chapter 21
The band passing by in the Fourth of July parade was playing so damn loud. Prissy was having fits. Still, if Cole left her at home, it would be worse. She’d chew up every doorway in the house trying to find them and he hated to confine her in the kennel.
“Can I pick up some of the candy people are throwing?” Natalie tugged at his hand.
Cole wished the parade would ban tossing candy into the crowd. “All right, but stay on the curb, okay?” Note to self: make sure she brushes tonight.
Natalie whipped out a ziplock bag. She’d come prepared and her secretive smile reminded him of her mother, and not in a good way.
Prissy bumped against his leg. Don’t you think it’s time to go home?
“Take it easy, Prissy. Sit down right here next to me.”
Are you kidding me, Cole? We’re in a war zone here. People are throwing stuff. And the hands? How would you like to have people feeling you up?
Everybody wanted to pet the big, beautiful black-and-white dog. After all, Prissy was a Harlequin Great Dane. He’d driven all the way to Canada to get her from the breeder after Samantha left. Anything to bring a smile back to his little girl’s face. Not many Harlequins in Michigan. People meant well, but Prissy hated to be touched by strangers. Still, she’d never nip or growl. Poor thing was dancing from one foot to the other while Natalie grabbed for the candy thrown from the cars.
The Corvettes passed slowly in front of him, one sweet model after another. Was enough to make a grown man cry. Maybe someday.
“Look!” Natalie was back, the stars on her red headband catching the sun. She shook her bag of tootsie rolls and hard candy. “Want some?”
“Thanks, but no. And remember to brush your teeth tonight.”
She looked so darn pretty today in her red shorts and white top with stars on it. He’d sprayed her with sunblock before they left the
house.
“I will.” Natalie popped a tootsie roll in her mouth.
“I’m going to check.”
She was growing up so fast. Too fast.
The high school band swung past, another horn section blaring. Prissy jerked, and Cole was glad he’d brought the leash. The musicians wore high hats topped with feathers that blew in the breeze. Their red, white, and blue uniforms looked sharp, the red vests glittering in the sun. In back of the musicians came all the local politicians, walking over to the crowd to shake hands.
This was one of those days when he was glad he’d come back to Gull Harbor after college. Not that he had much choice.
“Look, right across the street. Alice and Kate.” Natalie pointed.
“Mrs. Kennedy,” he corrected her. “It's not respectful to call Mrs. Kennedy Alice.”
Natalie glowered up at him. “She told me to. Said it made her feel old as the hills when I call her Mrs. Kennedy.” His daughter heaved a dramatic sigh.
Could puberty be any worse than this? Probably yes, from what he could recall.
“Okay, then. Let's go say hi.”
The tail of the parade, a pack of Girl Scouts, had just straggled past, handing out cookies. After that, the crowd began to disperse. Keeping Prissy close to his side and one hand on Natalie’s shoulder, they crossed Whittaker.
“Enjoy the parade?” he asked as they drew closer to Kate and her mother. Kate’s red knit top emphasized her generous figure, although she’d never made a big deal of her body. In fact, she almost seemed to hide it under those sweatshirts in high school, unlike Samantha, who tended to wear her tops a size too small.
Kate's mother leaned heavily on her cane. No walker for her, not when the whole town could see. Like her daughter, she was proud and just looked glad to be there. “Wasn’t it wonderful? But your dog sure doesn’t look happy.”
Reaching out, Alice patted Prissy's neck. Rolling her head, the dog slurped her palm. Thank goodness you’re here, Alice. You don’t know what I’ve been through today. The two were developing a real thing for each other.
“She hates the noise, but at least she can be with us.” He didn’t want to go into Prissy’s separation anxiety.
“Nice shirt.” Kate's eyes swept his shirt that said “World's Greatest Dad,” white on navy blue.
“Thank you. Natalie gave it to me.” Shirts with silly sayings weren’t his thing, but he’d wear a black garbage bag if Natalie asked him.
“You've got good taste,” Kate told Natalie, whose broad smile just got wider.
Strolling up Whittaker, the four of them wound up in front of the Swirly Top.
“Want a cone, Mom?” Kate edged toward the screen door that led inside.
“Is a bluebird blue?” Alice laughed. “Guess I'll take a load off.” A family left one of the picnic tables, and Alice hobbled toward it.
Grabbing her elbow, Cole guided her. Last thing he wanted was for her to fall. “Why don't you ladies sit down and I'll get the ice cream. How about that?”
“You don't have to do that.” Shading her eyes with one hand, Kate stared up at him from beneath her broad-brimmed hat. Color brightened her pretty cheeks.
Leaning toward her, he muttered, “But I want to. Now go sit down. What flavor?”
“Twirls?” Kate glanced at the other two. Natalie was nodding.
“Chocolate and vanilla it is.”
Kate could be bossy. If you gave her an inch, she’d take a mile. He remembered that from high school, and she’d only been a sophomore. Red lips pouting, she joined Alice and Natalie at the picnic table. Prissy settled in the protected shade below, head on her front paws. Cole had handed the leash to Natalie.
Inside, the line wasn't too long. Mostly kids and it seemed like forever since he’d been one of them. Ten minutes later, he was back with four ice cream cones tucked into the cardboard holder.
“How yummy.” Natalie licked her cone with gusto.
Alice and Kate started in on theirs. Cole stretched out his legs in the sun. A few people stopped to say hi. Sarah Wilkins had her kids with her, along with her mother. Nice folks.
“Aren't they just as cute as the dickens,” Alice said after Sarah had walked away. “Good thing her mother helps out.”
Natalie had wandered off to talk to some of her classmates at the next table.
“Any word on when Marie will come home, Cole?” Kate asked in a lower tone. When she leaned toward him, he got downright distracted by the scoop neck of that top.
“I… Well, I…”
Alice had her eye on them, looking like she just might giggle.
Cole gave himself a small shake. “Don't think that's been decided yet. Is Natalie giving you any trouble?”
“He held what was left of his cone out to Prissy. She took it with one chomp. About time you remembered that I’m down here.
“Natalie couldn't be better,” Alice chirped.
“No complaints.” Kate's eyes slid to her mother. “Of course, Mom thinks Natalie should be able to go down to the beach and we’ll take care of that. Hope you’re okay with Natalie going swimming with me sometimes.”
“That would be so cool, Kate!” Natalie’s whole face lit up.
“We hit the beach on the weekends.” He didn’t want Kate and her mother to think he didn’t make time for his daughter. The weight of single fatherhood pressed on him.
“Da-ad.” Okay, Natalie was giving him that look. “The weeks are long, and it’s getting so hot.”
Being a single parent sucked.
Kate did that leaning thing again, hands tucked down between her thighs. “I’ll let you know ahead of time.”
Took a lot of self control to keep his eyes on, well, her eyes. She’d swept off her hat, and her long fingers combed through hair that fell past her shoulders. Kate’s hair would probably be soft in his hands. Sure smelled pretty whenever he got close enough, but she’d been stiff-arming him lately.
Almost like those kisses never happened. His body wouldn’t let him forget.
Her mother snuffled and whipped out a tissue. “Pardon me,” she said to no one in particular. “Allergies,” she added with a sly smile.
“Mom, you’ve never had allergies.”
“Maybe I have them now.” Her eyes flitted across the street to where Michiana Thyme sat in the sun, a huge Sold sign on the side of the building. “Makes me sad to see that place empty.”
“I always went with you when you shopped for a dress.” Good God, Kate’s eyes turned misty.
Her mom snorted. “Not many of those times, that’s for sure. But we enjoyed them.” They were gazing at that old building like it was the White House.
“Loretta used to keep a bowl of chocolate kisses on the counter.”
“Oh, yum. I’d be there every day.” Natalie swung her legs with excitement.
“Yes, you would if it were still open.” Kate turned toward him, accusation in her eyes. The other two followed suit. Condemned without trial. Wasn’t it enough that those yellow flyers had started appearing all over town?
Damn it all. “Gull Harbor hasn’t been able to find another shopkeeper willing to take on Michiana Thyme. The place was for sale for two years. You can’t blame Loretta for selling.”
But they didn’t blame her. They blamed him for buying it.
The Downtown Development committee would give their report at the town meeting next week. He sure hoped they’d give him the green light. “We don’t want Gull Harbor turning into a Crystal Lake.”
“What’s happened with Crystal Lake?” Kate turned to her mother.
Cole doubted that Alice knew the facts. Time to explain. “The gambling casino set up shop just down the road from the town, fully enclosed community. Guests didn’t need the town anymore. Said the shops were outdated, offered stuff no one wanted. Businesses closed. Lots of empty buildings. So now the casino is plenty busy, but the town? Not so much.” Frustration weighed his words, and he stopped.
How many times di
d he have to explain this?
“Guess I’ll have to drive over and see for myself.” Kate’s eyes had turned thoughtful.
“I might come with you.” Alice looked troubled. After all, she’d grown up in Gull Harbor, married here, and raised her kids. She had a lot at stake and Cole hated to worry her, but if someone didn’t stop the uncontrolled development from outside investors who could just pull up stakes and leave, the small communities along the lake could become ghost towns, bypassed by Highway 94 and the rest of the world. Gull Harbor had to hold its own and that took planning.
With a distracting stretch, Kate got to her feet. “Time to go home.”
If Cole didn’t leave now, it would be a while before he could stand up and not give the town a show. He jumped up so fast Prissy’s head jerked. She scrambled from beneath the table and gave him the look. Real nice, Cole. Choke your dog on the Fourth of July.
Helping Alice maneuver, he guided the group across the street. The summer sun beat down as they strolled toward the parking lot behind the bank.
“Going to the street dance tonight?” he asked before leaving them at Kate’s blue SUV.
“Oh, no.” Was Kate hiding beneath the brim of that hat?
Alive gave her shoulders a little shake. “Of course she’s going. The whole town will be here. Even I might come.”
“Mom, really?” Kate helped her mother into the vehicle.
“Well, I suppose I’ll be asleep by then.” Alice wore a sheepish grin.
Slamming the passenger door, Kate turned toward him. “Thanks for the ice cream. Maybe I’ll see you tonight.” Smile tilting her lips, she started backing away.
Kate loved teasing him. A lot more fun than when she shut him out completely. Her divorce was so recent. He knew how that felt.
“Bye, Alice and Kate. See you next week.” Natalie waved as they started back across the street.
Prissy yanked on her leash, bringing him up short. Cole pulled Natalie back just as a car zoomed past. “Thanks, Prissy.” If he didn’t watch it, they’d get hit by one of the summer people.
His dog threw him a disgusted look. Trying to get us killed, Cole? Let’s keep it together.