Reunited in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 8)

by Cindy Kirk

  “I was five and it was summer. Mom was pregnant with K.T., and it was scorching in our apartment.” Dakota slanted a glance in her mother’s direction. “The window air conditioner had conked out. Remember?”

  Cassie nodded, not sure where this was headed.

  Braxton frowned. “I don’t remember.”

  Dakota rolled her eyes. “You were, like, only two years old.”

  “But I was very advanced for my age.”

  “Hardly,” Dakota teased. “You used to fart in our blow-up baby pool just to make bubbles. You’d say you were a motorboat.”

  Braxton grinned. “Told you I was advanced.”

  “So what’s your memory?” K.T. prodded.

  “Mom, Brax and I were walking to the park to cool off and so we could play. Someone had their oscillating sprinkler on, and the spray went over the sidewalk. I begged Mom to let us run through it.” Dakota glanced at Cassie, and her expression softened. “The three of us ran through it holding hands. Because it was so much fun, we did it again. We were soaked and laughing so hard…”

  Tears filled Dakota’s eyes as she met her mother’s gaze. “It was magical.”

  Cassie cleared her throat and nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  “You’re up, Brax,” Dakota said. “K.T., you’re on deck.”

  “I got a rat for my birthday when I was ten.” Braxton grinned at Krew’s look of surprise. “His name was Nicodemus, and he was a good boy. Except for the one time he got loose in the house.”

  Dakota chuckled. “I saw him running down the hall and screamed.”

  “Anyway, Nicodemus must have been hiding under the sofa,” Braxton continued, “because when Grandma came over, he decided to make a grand entrance. He poked his head out, then ran across her foot. She jumped up and screamed—”

  “It wasn’t funny,” Anita called from the other room.

  “It was very funny,” Braxton called back.

  “Good one, bro.” Dakota shifted her gaze to K.T. and lifted a brow.

  “Mine isn’t funny. Mom took me to an art class at the Y when I was four.” K.T.’s gaze sought hers, and she smiled, remembering. “It was one of those parent-kid classes. Moms and kids were asked to draw a horse. The instructor looked at Mom’s and then at mine and accused us of switching. He was convinced she drew the one that I did.”

  All eyes turned to Cassie. She lifted a shoulder, let it drop. “Mine was pretty bad, while K.T.’s was amazing.”

  “I told the man he was wrong, that was my picture. He called us liars. Mom took my hand, and we walked out of the class.” K.T. smiled. “And he never taught at the Y again.”

  “I don’t get it.” Krew’s brows pulled together. “Why would that be a favorite memory?”

  “Mom got a full refund on the class and used the money to buy me art supplies.”

  “You’re right, K.T. It isn’t funny, but it’s a good memory. Let’s do one more question.” Dakota reached for the deck and looked at her mother. “This time, you and Krew have to answer.”

  Dakota slipped a card out from the middle of the deck. Red began climbing up her neck as soon as she scanned the card.

  Braxton leaned forward. “What’s the question?”

  Dakota placed the card on the top of the deck and stood. “It’s a boring one. Besides, you guys promised me a rematch at foosball. If we don’t do it now, we won’t have time.”

  The boys sprinted toward the stairs, Dakota close behind.

  Krew turned to Cassie. “Why do you think she lost interest in playing?”

  “No idea.” Cassie scooped up the deck and flipped over the top card. Her eyes widened. “Oh my.”

  “What’s the question?” Krew leaned close, trying to read the card.

  She handed the card to him. “Take a look.”

  Cassie watched his eyes as he scanned the question. She knew he’d finished reading when he grinned. “Yes. I’d definitely be up for this. How about you?”

  Even as fire scorched her veins at the suggestive image the words conjured up, Cassie laughed and waved away his question. Still, for the rest of the evening, every time her gaze locked with Krew’s, the image of them together had heat surging.

  As she gathered her purse at the end of the evening and saw the deck nestled inside, Cassie knew exactly what she’d dream about tonight.

  From the look in Krew’s eyes, she wouldn’t be the only one.

  “This has been one of the best Thanksgivings ever,” Dakota declared, grabbing her oversized bag. “You know what would be the maraschino cherry on top of today’s sundae?”

  “You’re a big nerd, Dakota,” K.T. asserted. “Maraschino cherry, ha.”

  Dakota ignored her brother’s teasing and focused on her father. “Will you come to my basketball game on Saturday? It’s at one o’clock at the Y.”

  Krew’s brow lifted. “I didn’t realize you played basketball.”

  “It’s just the Y,” she clarified.

  “Her team is currently at the top of the Y’s intramural league,” Braxton told Krew. “Dakota is their star player.”

  “Will you come? Please?”

  Cassie didn’t add her plea, knowing this was between Krew and his daughter. She only held her breath, knowing it would mean everything to Dakota to have him there.

  It would indeed be the maraschino cherry on top of an exceptionally fine day.

  Krew looked into Dakota’s eyes and smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The bells over the door jingled, and Cassie turned.

  Her breath caught, and her heart pounded an erratic rhythm against her ribs.

  “I didn’t think I’d see you until Dakota’s game tomorrow.” She cursed the breathless lilt in her voice that made her sound like some NFL groupie or lovestruck teen.

  Krew wore a forest-green parka today, and his dark hair was dusted with snow. “There’s been a change in plans.”

  Something in his tone had her smile disappearing.

  He gestured to a table near the front. “Can you sit for a few minutes?”

  Cassie surveyed the room. It was midafternoon, and other than a group of women playing cards in the far back, the only other customers had earbuds in and laptops open. “Sure. I’m due for a break. I can sit for ten.”

  She sat across from Krew, hoping he’d explain his mysterious change in plans remark. When he remained silent, she took a moment to search his face. Lines of fatigue edged his eyes, and the spark that had been in them yesterday was gone. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just spoke with Dakota.” He leaned back and expelled a breath. “She isn’t happy with me.”

  That explained the look in his eyes. Cassie knew Krew would do anything to avoid disappointing his daughter. She reached across the table and placed her hand over his, not caring if anyone saw, wanting only to comfort.

  His fingers closed around hers. “I told her I won’t be able to attend her game tomorrow.”

  “Oh.” Cassie stilled. “Did you explain why?”

  “I told her I got a call from the front office.” Krew met her gaze. “They want me to travel with the team for the game this weekend.”

  “You’re going to play?” Cassie couldn’t keep the shock from her voice. It was way too soon after his injury for him to be on the field. He could get hurt. Seriously hurt. “The doctors—”

  “No, not to play.” His eyes had softened at the distress in her voice. “I’ll be on the sidelines, with the coaches.”

  Cassie let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Oh, that’s good.”

  “Not according to Dakota.” Krew gazed out the window. “She’s right. I promised to be at her game. It’s the one thing she asked of me.”

  “She was disappointed and caught off guard.” Cassie offered a reassuring smile. “Trust me, once Dakota thinks it over, she’ll understand and be happy for you. In terms of your future, this is a positive sign. They wouldn’t want you there if
they weren’t serious about having you coach for them.”

  “That’s what I thought, too.” He rubbed his chin. “I couldn’t tell them no.”

  “You could, but that would be stupid.” Thinking of Axl, she amended, “Silly.”

  He smiled. The first genuine smile she’d seen since he’d walked through the door.

  “I’m worried, Cassie.”

  “About?”

  “What if I’m not cut out to be a father?” Krew’s gaze met hers. “It hasn’t even been two months, and I’ve already gone back on my word and disappointed our daughter.”

  “Sometimes, things come up and we have to disappoint our children. We don’t like it when that happens, but usually if we explain why it’s necessary, they understand.”

  He didn’t appear convinced. “I suppose.”

  Cassie searched his face, memorizing every feature, knowing this trip with the team was the first step in him leaving Good Hope and returning to his other life. “I’ll talk with her.”

  “Thank you. I—” His phone buzzed just then, and he glanced at the readout. “It’s my agent. I need to take this.”

  “Get going.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Safe travels.”

  “You’re the best.” Krew answered the phone and was out the door in seconds.

  Cassie watched him through the window until he disappeared from sight.

  Krew was right about one thing. She was the best…at saying good-bye.

  She should be.

  She’d had a lot of practice.

  Although Krew hadn’t said where Dakota was when he’d spoken with her, Cassie knew it had to have been at Muddy Boots. Unless her daughter’s schedule had changed, Dakota was working until eight.

  Cassie planned on stopping by the café after she got off work, but when she saw the crowd, it was clear the day after Thanksgiving wasn’t the best time for a mother-daughter chat. She texted Dakota, asking her to call after she got off work, but received a text back that her daughter was now working until close.

  Perhaps that had been for the best, Cassie thought the next day as she sat in the stands of the gym. Time, and a good night’s sleep, often had a way of putting everything in perspective.

  She cheered loudly as Dakota stole the ball and moved it down the court. The game moved quickly, the teams evenly matched. Cassie wished Krew could be here. He’d be so proud.

  Cassie jumped to her feet and cheered when Dakota sank another three-pointer.

  Beside her, Axl abandoned his cars to clap along with the rest of the crowd.

  Braxton and K.T. sat farther down in the stands with friends, but she heard one of them yell, “Way to go, Dakota.”

  Her field goal—with five seconds left—proved to be the winning shot.

  “C’mon, Axl.” Cassie opened her bag. “Put your cars in here. Let’s go congratulate your sister.”

  When they reached the bottom of the bleachers, she lifted Axl in her arms so she could move more easily through the crowd. Cassie wanted to be there when Dakota exited the locker room.

  She needn’t have rushed. It felt like forever before Dakota stepped out, the strap of her gym bag slung over her shoulder.

  “Kota.” Axl ran to his sister, arms outstretched.

  Dakota smiled and hefted her little brother into her arms, carrying him across the shiny linoleum to where Cassie stood. “I thought you’d be home by now.”

  “An incredible game, Dakota.” Cassie patted her daughter on the shoulder. “You sure didn’t get those mad athletic skills from me. Your dad would be proud.”

  Dakota’s smile slipped. “I wish he’d been here.”

  Cassie knew Dakota was helping her grandmother at Crumb and Cake today, so there would be little chance for them to talk later. She gestured to a bench against a far wall. “Let’s sit for five.”

  Dakota glanced at the door. “I promised Grandma I’d head to the shop right after the game.”

  “Take five minutes. Please?”

  “Okay.” Dakota crossed to the bench and dropped her bag to the floor with a thud.

  Before sitting, Cassie pulled out a coloring book and crayons for Axl. “It would have been fantastic if your dad had been here to witness your stellar performance.”

  “He promised.” Dakota’s voice broke, and she looked away.

  “Krew stopped by the Grind yesterday on his way out of town.”

  That got her daughter’s attention.

  “It was right after he spoke with you. He felt horrible about missing your game and disappointing you.” Cassie sighed. “I have to admit, this whole thing made me wonder if letting him into our lives was a mistake.”

  A startled look crossed Dakota’s face.

  “Look how it’s hurting you.”

  “He had to leave.” Dakota rose to Krew’s defense. “His future career is at stake.”

  “I know, but he broke his promise to you.”

  “I admit I was upset.” Pink colored Dakota’s cheeks. “I’m over it. You and I both understand how work can put you in hard situations. Krew is doing the best he can.”

  “Maybe.”

  “He is, Mom.” Dakota’s voice grew insistent. “Letting him back into your life—and mine—wasn’t a mistake. It’s funny, but I thought I was getting along just great without a father. But now that he’s here, I can’t imagine not having him around.”

  “He’ll be leaving after the first of the year.” Cassie voiced the thought that kept circling in her head.

  “I know. I’ll be gone then, too.” Dakota reached out and gave Cassie’s hand a squeeze. “We’ll make time to connect.”

  Dakota’s reminder that both she and Krew would soon be gone did little to buoy Cassie’s spirits.

  “You’ll be starting your new career, too,” Dakota reminded her. “Fresh starts all around.”

  Several days later, Cassie received a text from Krew informing her he was back in town and taking Dakota out to dinner. He didn’t extend an invitation for her to join them, but that was okay. It wasn’t as if they always had to do things together.

  The next day, Cassie left work at four. She returned home to find Krew anchoring the sagging shutter. He stepped down from the ladder when she pulled up.

  “You replaced the screen. And the shutter.” For a long moment, she surveyed his work, her heart a sweet mass in her chest. “Thank you. It makes such a difference.”

  “I wanted to help.” He gestured. “The driveway and sidewalks look good.”

  She smiled. “The boys are doing a good job keeping up with the snow.”

  “They’re great kids.” His gaze never left her face. “How’ve you been?”

  “Good. How about you?”

  “Busy.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about your coaching adventures.”

  “I can’t wait to tell you.” He glanced at the dark house. “Where is everyone?”

  “My mom and Len took Axl with them to do some Christmas shopping in Sturgeon Bay. K.T. is helping Lindsay at her shop, and Brax is at a friend’s house.”

  “What do you say we go somewhere and grab a bite?” He offered a persuasive smile. “I’ve been wanting to check out that Mexican place in Egg Harbor. If that doesn’t sound good to you, we can go somewhere else.”

  “Are you asking me to have dinner with you?”

  “I am.”

  Krew knew simply having a meal with a woman didn’t qualify as a date. Still, tonight felt like a date. Which was ridiculous.

  Or maybe not so ridiculous, considering how Cassie made him feel. The entire time he’d been gone, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking of her.

  Cassie took a sip of her margarita. “Did you enjoy your trip to Cincinnati with the team?”

  “It was good to see everyone again.” He washed a chip down with the rest of his soda, then grinned. “It was especially good because we won.”

  Being around the guys and other coaches had reminded Krew— not that he needed any reminders—jus
t how much he loved the game.

  After the win, he’d spent hours talking with the coaching staff. Not as a player this time, but as someone seriously considering joining their ranks.

  “You understand why I had to go?”

  “Your life isn’t here, Krew. We all know and accept that.”

  “I wish I could have been at Dakota’s game. She told me she hit the winning shot.”

  “It was very exciting. But there will be other games,” she assured him. “Did you make any decisions about coaching?”

  “I’m still considering.” Krew realized they’d been talking about him since they’d left her house. “What about you? Did you take the licensing test?”

  “Not yet.”

  “You said you were going to take it after Thanksgiving.” He forced teasing into his tone. “In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s after Thanksgiving.”

  “I know.” She glanced down at her plate.

  “If you need someone to quiz you or—”

  “Thank you, but I think I’m ready.” Her gaze lifted to meet his. “It’s just, well, what happens if I fail?”

  “You told me you’d take it again.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Not everyone scores a winning touchdown the first time out, Cass.” He took her hand in his, locking his gaze on hers. “If you don’t, you pick yourself up and try again.”

  She gave a little laugh. “You make it sound simple.”

  “It’s not rocket science.”

  “Thank God.” This time, her laugh was real and full-bodied.

  “Think how good you’ll feel when you pass and start your new career.”

  Her fingers tightened around his. “It’s scary. I mean, I want to be a real estate agent, but—”

  “But what?” he prompted when she didn’t continue.

  “What if nobody will list their home with me?” Cassie blew out a breath. “I don’t have the best reputation.”

  Several heartbeats of silence settled over the table.

  “I’m not going to sit here and say it’ll be easy. I can tell you that anything worth striving for takes effort.” Everything he was telling Cassie was true, but Krew could still see the fear and uncertainty in her eyes.