by Ev Bishop
When they reached the cabin steps, Brian and Steve’s bizarre long-lost best friend conversation wound down, but Brian surprised her by not saying good-bye. Instead, looking all shamefaced and embarrassed, he shuffled his feet and asked, “Is it okay if I still come in, like we talked about? I can’t believe I locked myself out of the house. What an idiot!”
Brian was inviting himself into the cabin to keep her and Steve company! She could hardly believe it.
“You’ve got a lot on your mind, buddy,” Steve said kindly. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, but if you don’t mind, I need to talk with Katelyn alone for a bit.”
“We can talk in the kitchen. He won’t disturb us. If anything, he’ll distract the kids—and what if it rains? He’ll get soaked if he stays out here.” Katelyn could’ve kicked herself. Brian had sounded so casual, so perfect, so just right—and she was a babbling mess of nerves. Steve would see through the ruse in a red hot second.
Except he didn’t. He came in and firmed up the plans for his weekend with the kids—which could’ve been done over the phone. This was just a power play, a way of him proving yet again that he could have access to her, via the children, pretty much anytime he wanted.
He finally left, though not before giving Brian a solid cuff to the shoulder and saying, “Thanks again for helping out my family, buddy. Takes a village and all that. I hate the idea of Kiki being all alone in the middle of the night with our two kids. She’s just a little woman, you know? Anything could happen.”
Katelyn bit her bottom lip, hard. Brian rubbed his shoulder and shrugged as if to say his “help” was nothing. His expression was friendly but blank, and if he’d heard the threat in Steve’s words that Katelyn did, she couldn’t read it on his face. “Good to meet you too,” he said.
When Steve’s truck engine rumbled to life outside, Brian finally looked at her. “Kiki?”
Katelyn glanced past the kitchen’s breakfast bar to the tiny living room; the kids were absorbed in a cartoon. She forced a small grin and hoped she didn’t look as close to vomiting as she felt. “I know. Awful, right?”
“Well, not for a kitten or a bird or a very small child, maybe.”
Their eyes locked and somehow she didn’t feel like she had to joke or brush the comment away. “Yep, pretty much,” she said.
“Who’s your lawyer?” he asked.
Why on earth was he asking that? Katelyn wondered. “Marilee Weston.”
He nodded slowly. “Good,” he said at last. “She’s good.”
A beat later, still neither of them had moved.
“Okay, right . . . ” Brian clapped his hands together like he’d come to some decision. “I should split too. I have a ton of stuff to do.”
“Yes, of course. Me too.”
Katelyn trailed after him to the door, then stopped as he opened it. The bright sun framed his broad shoulders and lit the ends of his hair with gold. Damn. All he needed was a white horse and he was a stinking knight. A sigh of mingled desire and sadness quaked through her. The desire part was obvious, look at him! As for the sadness . . . well, what good did it do to entertain stupid romantic fantasies? She had no time—and no heart—for any potential risk.
He turned back to her, like she’d spoken aloud. “What?”
“I . . .” She shook her head. “Nothing.” But she couldn’t refrain from asking the question gnawing at her. Brian had seemed to buy Steve’s act, so—
“Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Volunteer to witness a potentially super awkward confrontation?”
Brian winked and for a second Katelyn felt like the girl she used to be, like she was answering the door at Janet’s house and should be calling her to come downstairs, but instead was standing there jelly-legged and totally enthralled. “What do mean? You were doing me a favor. I locked myself out of Jo and Callum’s, remember?”
He jogged down the steps and headed along the trail toward the big house. All Katelyn could do was shake her head, a sudden realization leaving her stunned. She’d endured an encounter with Steve, and in its aftermath, only minutes later, she was hardly thinking about him at all. Instead she was smiling like a fool at the departing—very attractive—back of a totally different man altogether.
Chapter 9
On one hand, Katelyn couldn’t believe she’d been at River’s Sigh with the kids for a week already. On the other hand, they’d settled into the little cabin so quickly and completely, she couldn’t believe they hadn’t been there for months. Smiling at the thought, and grateful that the deluge of spring rain had let up for a bit, she removed the final heavy plastic tote from the backseat of the new-to-her Honda, a steal of a deal that she still couldn’t quite believe she’d been lucky enough to get, and settled it on the ground beside the others.
She wasn’t winded when she finished hefting the seven containers into the big dining hall, but she could feel the workout she’d given her biceps.
When she pulled the lid off the first container, the sound grabbed Lacey and Sawyer’s attention. They sprang up from the tower of blocks they’d been building and ran over.
“Can we see too?”
“Absolutely, but no touching unless you go and wash your hands.”
Jo and a young platinum blonde carrying a toddler on her hip came through the big swinging door from the kitchen just as Katelyn was unrolling the first bolt of vibrant cotton.
“This is going to be like Christmas,” Jo exclaimed, taking in the print’s mermaids, anchors, sailing ships and other antique marine things.
Katelyn grinned. That’s how she always felt when she hauled out her fabric collection too.
“It reminds me of vintage tattoo art. I love it.” The blonde leaned in to look more closely, and Katelyn was struck by how much she resembled Jo. She even had the same wild curls, though Jo’s were much darker—a coppery honey to the girl’s white gold.
The toddler seemed equally enthused and reached toward a ship.
“No touching, sweetie. Just looking,” the young mom said and stepped back from the table.
“It is pretty cool, hey?” Katelyn agreed and stuck out her hand. “I’m Katelyn, by the way.”
The toddler grabbed her hand before anyone else could, making all three adult women laugh.
“I’m Jo’s niece, Aisha,” the blonde said, “And my quick with the greeting daughter is Mo.”
Mo was still holding Katelyn’s hand and shaking it energetically. “Hi, Mo. Nice to meet you.” This seemed to satisfy Mo’s apparent need for acknowledgement and she dropped Katelyn’s hand and squirmed in Aisha’s arms to be let down. Aisha obliged and Mo wobble-sprinted toward the block tower, which captured both Lacey and Sawyer’s attention. They galloped after her.
There was a loud crash and a chortle of manic toddler glee.
Oh no, please don’t freak out, Katelyn begged her kids in her head. It could go either way.
Aisha was at the trio’s side in a heartbeat. “I’m so sorry,” she was saying. “It’s Mo’s favorite game. She doesn’t play with a lot of other kids yet.”
Lacey shrugged. “It’s okay. Sawyer always used to do that too.”
Sawyer was equally philosophical. “Yes, because I was also a baby before.”
Mo looked around, as if trying to find the baby of which he spoke.
“We can build another tower for her to knock down, if you want,” Lacey offered.
“Mo would love that. She adores big kids,” Aisha said. “Thank you.”
Lacey and Sawyer smiled with pride, then Lacey took charge and proceeded to issue commands regarding how the tower was to be rebuilt.
“Lacey reminds me of me,” Aisha said, rejoining Katelyn and Jo.
Katelyn withdrew a second bolt of cotton: ivory like the first, but this time adorned only with swirling navy waves and sea foam.
“Okay, this one is awesome too,” Aisha enthused.
“I knew the second she asked if she could use the d
ining hall, and said what for, that you wouldn’t want to miss it,” Jo said.
Aisha agreed heartily. “And not that I’m stalking you, but your suitcase collection is fantastic.”
Katelyn cocked her head, and Jo was quick to explain. “Aisha does all the housekeeping for our cabins. She tidied up the morning after you arrived—before we knew you were extending your stay and would take care of your own cleaning.”
Katelyn grinned. “That was you? Well, thanks. I thought it was a cleaning fairy or something.”
“And Jo says you’re a seamstress, that you make most of your own clothes?”
Before Katelyn could answer, Aisha continued in a rush. “Sorry, sorry, I’m probably being overwhelming. Also, Jo doesn’t talk about you incessantly or anything, I promise. It’s just that I want to run my own shop, an upcycling place, someday. I’m insanely curious whenever I meet people who do bespoke work or a lot of crafting or refurbishing or refinishing or whatever.”
Jo shook her head at Aisha, but her fondness for her niece was obvious. Katelyn burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it. “Wow, you actually remind me of Lacey, too.”
A crash of blocks and three thrilled screams punctuated Katelyn’s comment.
“Do you want to help me lay everything out?” Katelyn asked.
Jo and Aisha both squealed, so Katelyn assumed they shared her idea of fun. “I sure appreciate you letting me use the dining room table, Jo.”
“No problem. Do you have everything out of your storage unit now?”
Yet again, Katelyn didn’t get a chance to answer. The main door bumped open and Brian entered, a large box in his arms.
“Oh, hey, if it isn’t my scrumptious sister-in-law,” he said cheerily, then nodded at Aisha and Katelyn. “And her equally scrumptious cohorts.”
Even knowing he was just joking around, Katelyn was tongue-tied.
“I’m more like a minion,” Aisha replied.
“Hello, silliest brother-in-law,” Jo said. “What do you have there?”
Brian raised an eyebrow and purred in an exaggeratedly seductive voice. “Sexiest brother-in-law, hey? Jo, Jo, Jo, I honestly never knew you felt that way.”
“Idiot,” she said, smiling.
Brian grinned. “Now there’s a description I’m more familiar with.” He hooked a chair leg with his foot, pulled it away from the table, and lowered the box onto it.
“Books and DVDs” he said, suddenly serious. “About the only thing that’s looking up. I happened across a Buy and Sell post meant for me. Some guy’s moving overseas and we have similar tastes, apparently. This,” he motioned at the box, “doesn’t remotely replace what I’ve lost, but at least I have some of my favorites back.”
Jo couldn’t be much more than a couple years older than Brian, but she reached up and ruffled his hair like he was Lacey’s age. “Well, that’s something, right?”
“Yeah.” Brian looked around, then plunked down in a seat beside his books. “What’s all this? Have you finally found the solution to your bedding dilemma?”
Jo slapped a hand over her mouth and stared at Katelyn. “Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself. I’ve been boring Callum and Brian with my complaining all week!”
Katelyn lifted a questioning eyebrow.
“Oh, totally. Of course,” Aisha agreed.
Katelyn’s brow arched higher.
“Will you sew the bedding and curtains I need for our newest cabins? Callum and Brian’s oldest brother, Cade, renovated them last summer, but I’m just doing the final touches now. Coho has three bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed, one with a double and one with three sets of bunk beds. Sockeye’s smaller, just one bedroom with a king.”
“I, well—”
Brian commenced sorting through his new finds, tuning out of the conversation.
Jo looked stricken. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be pushy. You don’t have to, of course. It’s just I can tell I’ll adore anything you come up with. I want each cabin to be unique, not feel like a hotel, you know?”
Katelyn recalled the glimpses she’d had of various cabins so far: Tiny, picturesque Minnow with its equally tiny deck, housing a huge black rocking chair that called for you to sit and dream a while. Rainbow with its whimsical twisted-wood porch and tinkling wind chime made from copper wire, colored glass and antique silver spoons. Super posh Silver and roomy Chinook with its private park of a yard. And the one she called her own: fairy tale worthy Spring with its three small floors and spiral staircase. Each place almost defied the label “cabin”—at least to her.
“I totally know what you mean, Jo,” she said. “Each one’s a special little home.”
Jo beamed. “Thank you. That’s exactly what I aim for.”
“And you nail it,” Aisha affirmed.
Katelyn pressed her clenched fist to her mouth. What must it be like to get to be part of a family, a place, like this? To never have to leave? “I’d be honored to make coordinating bedding and linens for your new cabins, if you’re serious.”
“Hooray! I’ll pay you, of course, or we can take it off your rent so we’ll both save.”
“Won’t Sam have a cow about you decorating without her?” Aisha asked.
Jo laughed. “Normally, I’d say yes, but I think we’re safe. She’s a lot more mellow now that she’s married, with Charlie keeping her so happy in—”
“Gross,” Aisha interrupted. “Whatever you were about to add, just remember, he’s my dad. And it doesn’t matter that she’s my birth mom. It still feels like she’s the other woman.”
Jo laughed again. “A fact she no doubt loves. I was going to say keeping her so happy in warm tropical places and gallivanting off to writers’ conferences.”
Katelyn took in Jo and Aisha’s banter with amused curiosity. Sam was Aisha’s birth mom, but she’d just married Aisha’s dad? There was definitely a story there. She didn’t get a chance to ask about it though; Jo’s face was transformed by another “I just had an idea” expression.
“What?” she asked.
Jo looked startled. “I’m that easy to read?”
Katelyn nodded.
“I don’t want you to feel any pressure.”
“Don’t believe her. She wants you to feel at least some pressure,” Aisha said.
Jo shrugged and grinned.
“What?” Katelyn said again.
“Greenridge’s annual Spring Fling Business Fair is coming up. Its theme is A Blast From the Past.”
“Uh huh?” Katelyn asked at the same moment Aisha said, “Oh, I see where you’re going with this. I approve, I approve.”
“And I was wondering,” Jo continued, “if I paid for the fabric and for your time, if you’d mind making us all matching fifties dresses, like you, me, Aisha, Lacey and Mo. Just for fun. I mean, I’ll run the booth, but maybe the dresses could have our logo? Callum’s building a mini cabin for a display too.”
Katelyn didn’t reply. Instead she tore through the box in front of her at a quicker pace.
“So is that a . . . ” Jo’s voice petered out hopefully.
Katelyn looked up, but continued her frantic rummaging. “Oh, sorry—yes. A huge yes!” Her eyes lit on the subject of her search and she whooped in victory. “In fact, I have just the material.”
She pulled out four bundles, each featuring bright red cherries with little brown stems, but on different solid backgrounds: turquoise, black, sunshine yellow and a soft pink.
“Oh, those are perfect!” Jo said. “This is so exciting.”
Aisha chattered on too, and another wave of wistfulness washed over Katelyn. This must be sort of what it felt like to have sisters.
Across the room, Lacey yelled in a horrified tone, “Baby Mo fell asleep, just like that!”
They all looked over. Sure enough, Mo had zonked out, somehow managing to look comfortable and peaceful, despite the fact she was practically lying on top of a pile of wooden blocks.
“Oops, I guess it�
��s naptime,” Aisha said wryly, going to fetch Mo. “Can I pop by Spring for a visit?” she asked Katelyn on her way back across the room.
“Oh, please do!” Katelyn said, then felt a little embarrassed by her exuberance and added shyly, “I’d really enjoy that, and so would the kids.”
“Is there a specific time that works better than another, like does Lacey have school or anything?”
Katelyn stammered, “No, er, well, she would normally, but I thought we were going on an . . . extended holiday. She’s bright and we worked ahead. Her teacher said she’ll be fine to enroll in grade three next September.”
“Nice! I would’ve done anything to skip school when I was her age.”
Jo shook her head, but Katelyn could tell Aisha was just being nice, trying to normalize the unusual circumstances.
“Okay then. We’ll have coffee,” Aisha promised and inched toward the door, Mo slumped and snoring in her arms.
A phone rang loudly from the office, next door to the dining room. Jo nodded toward it. “Well, that’s my cue. Feel free to use this room as long as you want. We can chat about the sewing projects in detail another time.”
Katelyn thought she might burst with gratitude as Jo, Aisha and Mo left the room. How kind they were.
“Now we can build a tower and not knock it down,” Sawyer announced.
“You said it,” Lacey agreed.
Brian had been so quiet for the sewing conversation that Katelyn would’ve forgotten his presence altogether—except that every so often she caught the lightest whiff of some yummy cologne that made her temperature rise. Now he laughed out loud and turned to Katelyn. “You probably already know this, but your kids are hilarious.”