Falling for Kate: An Angel’s Lake Novella

by Jody Holford

  Without asking, Elliot took her coffee and swallowed down the rest of it. She eyed him as he set the mug down, clearing her lust-filled vision.

  “You always wake up with a death wish?”

  He tugged a lock of her hair and grinned. Her stomach bounced at the sight of that smile—it went all the way up to his eyes.

  “I’ll buy you another,” he said, winking.

  The waitress came by and asked if he’d like a coffee and some food. Without even looking at the menu, he ordered eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, and coffee. Kate grinned as their server walked away.

  “Wow. Sleeping sure gives you an appetite,” she said.

  Elliot’s eyes locked on hers. Kate’s breath caught. One beat. Two. Then she remembered to breathe.

  “Daddy, we’re writing letters to Santa,” Grace said.

  “Hey, that’s a pretty good idea. We can mail them when we get back to Angel’s Lake. What’d you ask him for? Wait. Have you been good?”

  The girls giggled. “I have,” Beth said.

  “Hey! I have too,” Grace said.

  Elliot smiled then looked at Kate again. “How about you, Kate?”

  Feelings tumbled in her chest and clogged her throat. Nope, not really. I’ve messed up a fair amount and really want to mess up worse. With you. “Of course,” she said.

  Elliot’s food arrived quickly and he dug in. The girls asked to go to the bathroom, insisting they couldn’t wait until they were back in the room and that they had to go together. Since the bathrooms were directly across the restaurant in his eyesight, Elliot told them they could go on their own. He’d probably be protective even if he weren’t a cop or a dad. Some things were just part of a person’s make-up.

  “They’re just so sweet,” Kate said, watching the girls link hands.

  “They really are.” Elliot looked down at his food, pushing some hash browns around on the plate.

  “You okay?”

  “I've gotten used to Gina making me scramble, but I can usually hide it from the girls. She was supposed to keep them through Christmas. She begged me to let her have the holiday. So I agreed to work Christmas Day to keep my mind off missing them. Next thing I know, she’s quit another job and taken them across state lines. Then she calls me because her sister doesn’t want them there. My girls shouldn’t be at the mercy of whatever whim she dreams up. I just want to make Christmas great for them.”

  Kate hated the jaded tone of his voice. It didn’t suit his temperament. Covering his hand with her own, she squeezed.

  “They will have a great Christmas. You’re a fantastic dad, and you’ll deal with the rest after the holidays. One step at a time. And you’re not alone. Being currently unemployed, I have ample time on my hands to help you out.”

  Elliot turned his hand so their fingers linked. “Thanks, Kate. I was happy for you when you got to go to New York, but I’m glad you’re coming home. It’s not the same there without you. And I actually have some ideas for how you could help me out.”

  Wondering what he meant by that, Kate nodded, biting her lip to block the unexpected rush of emotion clogging her throat. The girls returned before she could say anything else. Once Elliot finished eating and Kate downed a third cup of coffee, he paid for the meal—ignoring Kate’s protests—and they returned to the room to grab their things. They loaded up Elliot’s truck and got the girls settled before Kate grabbed his iPhone to make a playlist.

  Traveling with the girls required turning around frequently to answer questions, pass them something, or open snacks for them. After about the fifth time, Kate’s stomach rolled uncomfortably.

  She rested her head back against the seat, closed her eyes and sighed heavily. When Elliot’s hand touched her thigh, her eyes popped open.

  “You okay?”

  He put his hand back on the steering wheel and she found her voice. “Hmm. Just too much turning around, I think.”

  He gave her a quick frown before returning his attention to the road. Kate must have nodded off with the girls because when she opened her eyes again, they were just outside Angel’s Lake. Checking the back, she saw the girls were out.

  “Sleeping Beauty awakes,” Elliot said quietly.

  Kate yawned, covering her mouth. “Sorry about that. Not the best wingman, am I, Maverick?”

  He laughed. “Um…are you still asleep?”

  Shaking her head, she stared at him. “What?”

  He switched on his signal and took a right onto the main road into Angel’s Lake. “What are you talking about?”

  Firming her lips, she tried to clear her sleep-fogged brain. “Maverick? Goose?”

  Elliot’s laughed. “Aarons, did you hit your head on the window?”

  “You should be ashamed.”

  Shaking his head, his eyes crinkled at the corners and his lips turned up in a small smirk. “And maybe you ought to go back to sleep.”

  “Top Gun. Tell me you’ve seen it.”

  He smacked the steering wheel. “Right. Yes. Saw it. Don’t remember that part.”

  She groaned. “Stop talking.”

  Elliot laughed. “Don’t give up on me. Hey, if you’re the wingman, does that make me Tom Cruise?”

  “Yes. But if you jump on a couch, I’m spreading it through town that you don’t know your Top Gun trivia.”

  His laughter fueled hers. He nodded. “Noted.” Then he poked her in the shoulder and added, “I’m terribly sorry I’ve disappointed you in my knowledge of movies. I’ll make it up to you.”

  That sounded far too tempting. Kate considered. “I’ll accept your apology but you’ll need to watch the movie with me to really make up for it.”

  “Sounds fair.”

  Kate laughed and watched the familiar sights come into view. An ache settled just under her chest. She’d been home last Christmas and thought her homesickness was just from the long stretch of time she’d been away. Missing her family was normal; they were close. Even when her sister Lucy had traveled, they’d stayed in touch.

  But New York had kept her so busy. She’d tried to absorb everything she could about fashion and design and the industry in general. In the moments she had to herself, she’d made it to some of the more touristy sights, but usually, a day to herself meant running errands and catching up on sleep. But in the back of her mind, in the corner of her heart, she’d never felt truly at home in the city. Because there was only one of those and this was it. Sure, she wanted things Angel’s Lake didn’t offer right now. But if her plans worked out, she’d have everything she ever dreamed of, right in the small town where she’d grown up.

  “You know, if you’d referenced Fast and Furious, I’d have impressed you.” Elliot pulled up to her parents’ house and put the car in park.

  “What?” The pressure in her chest increased and Kate rubbed the heel of her hand between her breasts.

  “Paul Walker? Vin Diesel?”

  Elliot’s easy humor diverted the ache in her chest and made her laugh again. He was good at that. “You’re making it worse. Stop it.”

  He undid his seatbelt and turned toward her, taking her hand from where she was pressing it. His hand dwarfed hers and she felt the calluses brush over her soft skin.

  “Joking. You okay?”

  She nodded and bit her lip. She would be. Right after she told her whole family she was home to stay and some days she wished she’d never left. It looked like she’d get that over in one shot, as Luke and Char’s cars were parked on the road.

  “Nervous. Stupid right?”

  His hand on hers was reassuring. He squeezed and her eyes moved up to his. “Not stupid. Normal. Everything happens for a reason, right?” He glanced out the window and frowned.

  “You think?”

  Elliot looked down at their hands and Kate’s stomach danced. “I do. I have to remind myself of that repeatedly. I can remind you when you forget.”

  “I might take you up on that.”

  “Daddy, where are we?”

  Ka
te and Elliot turned to see Beth was waking up, rubbing her eyes.

  “We’re home, sweet pea. Well, we’re at Kate’s home. But we’ll be at ours in ten minutes.”

  “You gotta go, Kate?”

  “I do. But I’ll see you guys…” she started then turned to Elliot. “When do you want to do the tree and decorations?”

  “Tomorrow work? I want to talk to you about something anyway.”

  Kate scrunched her nose up, pursing her lips as she stared at him. Why is he being so cryptic? She couldn’t think about it right now with the girls waking up and her nerves battering her insides.

  Kate gave both girls a smile. “I’ll see you both tomorrow. We’ll put up a tree and I’ll tell you about all of the fun things my family does at Christmas. Then we’ll make your daddy do them, okay?”

  “Okay,” Beth said, her toothy smile widening.

  Elliot shook his head, getting out of the truck.

  “See you girls tomorrow,” Kate said.

  They spoke in unison. “Bye, Kate.”

  Elliot had her bag out of the back by the time she came around the truck. She’d forgotten what noiseless city streets were like.

  “Thank you for driving me.”

  He passed the bag. “My pleasure. Thanks for the company. You sure about tomorrow?”

  Her gaze had caught on the fullness of his lips. When she glanced up, she saw he was watching her with an amused expression.

  “Kate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Tree. Christmas. Top Gun and mystery conversation.”

  His laugh cut through the quiet as he pulled her into a one-armed hug. “Sounds perfect. Say hi to everyone for me.”

  She watched his truck pull away from the curb and then she turned and stared at the house where she’d grown up. Kate had been so scared to leave and take off on a grand adventure. She’d earned a degree in social work and then said goodbye to her hometown and her family to follow a dream she’d kept hidden from everyone.

  And now she was home. Nerves pulsated like a heartbeat, making her feel weighted and empty at the same time.

  “How long are you going to stand there?”

  Kate turned, her heart singing at the sound of her sister’s voice. Lucy stood, covered in a ridiculous parka, the hood pulled up around her gorgeous face. Lucy’s smile could light up all of Angel’s Lake and seeing it, knowing she was home, flipped a switch inside of Kate. She burst into tears.

  Chapter 6

  Kate squeezed her sister so hard she was probably cutting off Lucy’s air. She didn’t seem to mind though, and returned Kate’s embrace with just as much strength.

  She couldn’t stop the tears that fell onto Lucy’s sweater.

  Lucy leaned back, keeping her hands on Kate’s shoulders. “You okay?”

  Nodding was the best Kate could do. Lucy tugged her close again.

  “You look good. New York City good. I’m so glad you’re home.”

  Tell her now. Then you can start working on getting her to forgive you. Against Lucy’s shoulder, Kate mumbled her words.

  “I’m not going back.”

  Lucy released her, but stayed close. “Okay.” Her eyebrows drew down, like she was confused, or waiting for more.

  She’d missed Lucy’s face. She’d missed all of them. Kate chatted with them on FaceTime and Skype. She talked to her mom or one of her sisters every few days. But it wasn’t the same as being in front of them. With them. God, was she ever going to grow up and stop needing her family?

  “Kate?”

  The words rushed out, eager to escape. “I can’t go back, Luce. It was awesome and wonderful, but I want to be home. Even at my happiest there, I felt lonely. Like something was missing. Whatever I do with fashion and design, I need to do it here where you guys are. I need to be home. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

  Lucy nodded. She didn’t look mad and that sent a spark of hope into Kate’s heart. Lucy spoke before she could. “You obviously need to get this off your chest before we go in, but I’m freezing here, so hurry up and tell me the part that is supposed to surprise or shock me. And why are you sorry?”

  Kate stared at her sister. Could it be this easy? “You got me the internship and connected me with Kael. I never would have had that without you. He was doing you a favor and then I just up and leave. I let both of you down.” There. She’d said it. The pain of the words still sliced through her chest. She was the responsible one, the focused go-getter. Yet in the last two years, she’d wasted her parents’ hard-earned money on a social work degree, only to take off to New York because she dreamed of being the next Kate Spade. When she realized she’d only ever be Kate Aarons, small town girl personified, it had been a harrowing blow. But Lucy didn’t seem troubled by it at all.

  In fact, she laughed. The sound floated through the air like the snowflakes falling. Lucy hugged her again fiercely, and it soothed some of the ache in Kate’s chest.

  “Welcome home, honey. Who am I to question where you think you need to be?”

  A lump lodged in Kate’s throat. She swallowed around it but it wouldn’t budge. “You’re not mad?”

  She felt Lucy shake her head. “No. And you hardly fled the city. You finished everything you were working on. Kael was sorry to see you go but he isn’t upset. I’m happy you’re home. It took me ten years to realize it was the only place to be for the rest of my life. Sometimes you need to go away to find out where you should end up. I’m glad it didn’t take you as long.”

  Kate gripped her sister’s sweater, inhaling the scent of cinnamon and cold air. “I always was quicker than you.”

  Lucy pulled back and put her arm through Kate’s, tugging her toward their parents’ back porch steps. “Maybe. But now that you’re home, Mom can try out her latest tricks and tips on you.”

  Kate groaned. “I won’t be staying here long. It feels like…falling backwards. If I have to stay in my old room more than a few nights, I’ll regress.”

  Lucy nudged her with her shoulder. “I understand, trust me. But about your room, have you talked to Mom and Dad?”

  Kate was thinking about how Lucy had done her own soul-searching-find-your-dream whirlwind. And it had landed her right back in Angel’s Lake. So, maybe I’m not so far from where I’m meant to be. Lucy was staring at her and Kate realized she’d asked a question.

  “No, why?”

  “Uh, you haven’t heard about Char and Luke’s house?”

  “No. What’s wrong?”

  Lucy put her arm through Kate’s. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s just focus on you being home and go inside.”

  Like a camera zooming in, everything was pushed to the background when she and Lucy stepped into the noise and chaos of a family brunch. Motion stopped, reminding Kate of the game she played in high school drama class—Freeze Frame. Like a comedic tableau, her family stared at her from their varying spots around the table and kitchen.

  Her mother was wiping something off Emma’s adorable cheeks. Her father was passing Alex a can of cola. Carmen, Charlotte’s older daughter, was looking at a book with Luke. Mia, also two and adorable, was banging blocks on Emma’s high chair tray. All eyes were on Kate. Breathing and talking were suspended, making the pounding of Kate’s heart sound like fireworks in her ears. And then everyone moved at once.

  Julie Aarons reached her first. “You’re here! All three of my girls in one place again. Finally.”

  Something about her mother’s hugs made everything inside of Kate regress. She clung to her mom’s shoulders and let herself be rocked, coddled, and soothed. Julie didn’t know she was settling the turbulence in Kate’s heart; that’s just the way her mother was. Kate had forgotten how grateful she was for Julie’s exuberant style of hugging.

  She choked out a laugh. “Mom,” she said. “I can’t breathe.”

  “That’s your problem, not mine,” Julie answered.

  Like she was on an assembly line, she was shif
ted and shuttled right into her dad’s arms. Mark Aarons pulled her close. If Julie was the calm for her storm, Mark was the shield that tried to protect her from it. Her dad’s hug pushed everything else away.

  “There’s my baby. God, I didn’t even realize how much I missed you.”

  Kate nodded against his shoulder. Not even a whisper could fit through the lump stuck in her throat.

  Charlotte’s eyes were already rimmed with tears by her turn. “Did you bring me pretty clothes?”

  Kate laughed but before she could respond, Carmen looked up from her book. “Mommy, we’re not supposed to ask people for gifts.”

  Luke chuckled and rubbed Carmen’s shoulder. “Auntie Kate is different, honey. Say hi.”

  Carmen hesitated, then almost smiled before looking back at her book. “Hi.”

  Luke tugged Char’s sleeve and gave Kate a noisy kiss before squeezing her tight.

  Finally, Alex stood in front of her, grinning quietly, his eyes watchful. “You good?”

  Kate nodded. “I will be after I get hugging you guys out of the way so I can pick up those babies.”

  He made it quick and Kate plopped herself between Emma and Mia. They’d grown so much since she’d last seen and held them.

  Carmen was engrossed in a very colorful book on penguins, probably absorbing every detail and ounce of knowledge the book had to offer.

  Kate touched her shoulder gently then turned back to Mia, who grabbed at her hair. Emma, not to be outdone, pointed at Mia and squealed.

  “Baby,” Emma said. Then kept saying it.

  The laughter and happiness in the room pushed all of Kate’s worries out of her mind and out of her heart like she’d placed them on a conveyer belt and shipped them to the next stop. She knew they’d catch up with her again, but for now, she was with her family. She was home.

  Chapter 7

  Elliot fisted both hands on his hips and dipped his chin to his chest. He counted to ten in his head and listened to his breathing. In. Out. In. Out. They were still fighting. He broke up domestic disputes and goddamn bar fights and his twins were going to get the better of him.