A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  * * *

  Blake looked out his back sliding-glass door toward the field and spotted a couple of deer grazing on the grass. He’d been in Leavenworth a week and had accomplished nothing. He’d come with a purpose—to fix up his house and write the Christmas book he’d pitched for their Pepper’s Adventures series. But he hadn’t started either project.

  Maybe Katie was right about going back to Maine. This place was filled with too many memories. In Maine he had a life, or at least Katie did. He’d stopped living his own life the day he took that phone call about the accident. Now everything revolved around Katie.

  “Why can’t I come, too?” Katie stood wide-eyed in the doorway of her bedroom.

  He turned toward her. “I need to do this alone.” He rubbed the back of his neck. Katie had always been a little clingy, but since they’d arrived in Leavenworth she’d taken it to a new level.

  She crossed her arms and stomped her foot. “It’s not fair.”

  “You’re eleven. You can stay home alone for an hour.” At her age he had begged his parents to let him stay home alone, but clearly Katie hadn’t inherited the independent gene. He moved to the couch and sat. “Come here.”

  Katie dragged her feet and plopped down beside him. “I hate this place.”

  He tugged her to his side. “I know, but it’s only been a week, and it’s just for the summer. How about we go to the pool this afternoon? Maybe you’ll meet some kids.” The girl seriously needed friends her own age, even if they were temporary. She spent way too much time around adults.

  “I guess.”

  He grinned and gently squeezed her shoulder. “There could be some cute boys there, too.”

  Her face pinked, and she shrugged his hand off her shoulder. “There might be some pretty girls there, too. It’s about time for you to find a wife. I need a woman in my life.” She stretched her painted toes and grinned. “Yep. Some ‘girl talk’ would do me good.”

  Blake worked his jaw until he saw the teasing glint in her eyes. “Sometimes I can’t believe we’re related.” At times his little sister acted older than her years and other times her youth and vulnerability slipped out. He was never quite sure which Katie would appear. Especially now that she was a preteen.

  She giggled and pushed at his shoulder. “Will you leave already? You’ve been moping around here all week.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “You’re never going to make things right with that Susan woman if you’re sitting here with me.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You said you hurt her. The candy lady said not to hurt her again, and I figure you want to fix things with her.” She shrugged. “I could tell she’s someone you really liked.” Her eyes dulled. “I’m sorry you had to leave this place because of me.”

  He pulled her into a hug and rested his chin on her head. “Don’t be. Love you, kiddo. I’d better go.” He stood up. He couldn’t imagine when Katie had grown up so much. It wasn’t too long ago he’d been correcting her grammar. Were all eleven-year-olds this precocious? He tapped her nose then grabbed his sunglasses off the kitchen bar and strode for the door. “You have my cell number if there’s an emergency.”

  “Yes. Bye.”

  “I won’t be long. You could dig out your swimsuit while I’m gone.” He hadn’t been completely honest about his reasons for returning to town. Yes, he needed to fix up the house, and the change of pace appealed to him, but things needed to be resolved with Susan. He would have talked with her when he saw her in the village, but the timing wasn’t right. Katie didn’t need to hear that conversation. He’d handled things horribly six years ago, and to this day he felt guilty. Susan didn’t deserve the way he had treated her. He needed to apologize before he could completely move on with his life guilt free, and this conversation needed to be done in person.

  He had tried to forget Susan, to begin fresh in Maine, but no matter how successful or how good life seemed, he couldn’t. He never should’ve called off their wedding. Susan might have ultimately rejected him because of Katie back then, but at least she could have made the choice, and he wouldn’t be filled with so many regrets. He might not be able to undo the past, but he could at least try to take charge of his future. Starting today.

  He bypassed his Jeep in favor of his Triumph America motorcycle that he’d towed across the country behind the Jeep. He needed the freedom his Triumph offered, and right now he craved the wind in his face.

  * * *

  Susan slammed her car door and stepped around the motorcycle she had parked beside. Her heels clicked a rapid beat as she trotted across the parking lot. She had a ten-o’clock appointment this morning and still needed to crunch a few numbers.

  Panting, she rounded the corner. A man stood waiting in front of her office, his back toward the parking lot. Great! Her ten o’clock was early. Taking a few deep breaths to slow her pulse, she checked to make sure the scarf Betty had given her was still in place, and casually approached her office.

  The closer she got the more it became clear the man was Blake. Her heart skidded. Her steps slowed, uncertainty coursing through her. Why would he be here, and why did she have this ridiculous response to him every time she saw him? She couldn’t be attracted to him—she refused to be disappointed and hurt again.

  Blake held his hands to the glass and peered into her office.

  She had half a mind to turn around and leave, but she wasn’t a coward. Whatever brought him here today she’d deal with and then send him on his way. After all, there was no reason to be uncivil. She was a professional and could carry herself as one. “Looking for a CPA?”

  Blake turned and a lazy grin spread across his face. “Hey, Suze.”

  Her stomach flip-flopped, and her mouth stretched into a straight line. “It’s Susan.” She stepped past him and unlocked the door.

  He followed her inside. Cool air washed over her, and the smell of stale coffee assaulted her nose. She should’ve cleaned the pot last night.

  “You didn’t used to mind that name.”

  “That was before. No one calls me Suze anymore.” She strode to the coffeemaker and willing her hands steady, poured the leftover brew down the drain. “I’m busy, Blake. Unless you have business to send my way...” Her words faded as she raised a brow.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I have an accountant, but are you still a notary? I have a document I need to get notarized and mailed out.”

  “Um, yes. I am. Do you have it with you?”

  “I can bring it by later, if that’s all right.”

  Susan bit her lip and washed out the pot then started a fresh brew. She slid behind her desk, shoulders tense and spine stiff. She rested her forearms on the wood in front of her. “Fine.”

  “Sounds good.” He leaned forward. “You changed your hair.”

  She ran her fingers through the long chocolate-colored strands. It had lightened some over the past week, but she had to admit she liked the color. “Yes. I was due for something different.”

  He didn’t say anything.

  Good. At least now she wouldn’t have to change it again if he liked it. She giggled.

  Blake raised a brow. “Something funny, or do you still have a nervous laugh?”

  The man knew her way too well for her comfort. “I am expecting a client.” She looked pointedly at the exit.

  He plodded toward the door. “I’ll stop by tomorrow.” His shoulders slumped slightly as he walked out.

  Susan relaxed her balled fists. Maybe she’d been a little harsh. She stood to follow him, but before she even moved from behind her desk he opened the door again.

  “About Katie, she’s smart and very sensitive. Unfortunately, she picked up on your negative vibes. I can tell I’m not your favorite person, but maybe when Katie is around you can smile more or something.�
� He left without waiting for a response.

  Guilt pricked at her. She’d never meant to let Blake or his daughter see her pain. Had she come across as angry? Probably, since she was. She’d have to work on controlling her resentment. But what did he expect? That she’d welcome him back with a big smile and forget their past? Not a chance. He had burned her and no way would she allow him to get that close again. She should have known better than to count on him. Hadn’t her alcoholic parents proven that people couldn’t be depended on?

  * * *

  Blake sat on the edge of the pool and stared at the rippling surface. He’d blown his planned apology to Susan. Things had gone bad before he realized what was happening. Instead he’d provoked her and now felt guiltier than ever. What was his problem? All he wanted to do was apologize. He’d not only failed at that, but he’d ended up making things worse. As if that were possible.

  Cold water dripped onto his shoulder. He looked up, blocking the sun with his hand. “Hey, Katie. Who’s your friend?”

  “Emily. Her mom’s going to pick her up soon, and I want you to meet her.”

  Blake nodded and offered her new friend a grin. “Sure. Just let me know.” At least one of them was having a good day. He stifled a groan. Maybe he should cut out now before he made an even bigger mess of things. But no, he wouldn’t run this time.

  Katie sat on the pool edge next to him and pulled Emily down beside her. “Emily is going into the same grade as me.”

  “Cool.” Had he made a mistake encouraging her to make friends if they were only going to leave in a couple of months? Then again he couldn’t have her moping around all summer, either. That wouldn’t be good for either of them. Why did parenting have to be so complicated?

  Her friend leaned forward and pointed. “There’s my mom!” She grabbed Katie’s hand and stood. “Come on.”

  Blake snagged his shirt and slipped it over his head before following after the excited girls. He held his hand out to Emily’s mother. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Blake, Katie’s brother.”

  The thirtyish-looking woman smiled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Julia.” She turned to his sister. “Are you visiting your brother for the summer?”

  “No. I live with him.”

  Blake’s pulse increased. “Our parents are deceased.” He hated this part of meeting people, but everyone always wanted to know why his sister lived with him.

  Julia’s lips formed a surprised O. “I’m sorry.” She gave them an apologetic smile. “I haven’t seen you around. Are you new in town?”

  “We’re here for the summer.”

  “Welcome. We’re barbecuing tonight. Would you and your sister like to join us?”

  Katie and Emily wore huge grins. By the look on all their faces he had a sinking feeling his little sister had just set him up. He looked at Julia’s left hand. Sure enough, no ring. “That’s nice of you to offer, but—”

  “We’d love to come,” Katie piped up.

  Julia laughed and glanced at Blake.

  Katie’s huge smile pulled at him, and he nodded, unable to disappoint his sister.

  “Great! We’ll see you tonight. Be sure to come hungry. I’m planning a feast.” She gave them the address and left.

  Blake ran his fingers through his hair. “I wish you hadn’t done that.”

  Katie raised her shoulders and extended her arms toward him. “Why? You only let me go to a friend’s house if you know their parents. What better way to meet Emily’s family than having dinner with them?”

  “So this wasn’t a setup?”

  Katie scrunched her nose at him. “Eww. No. I don’t think Emily’s dad would appreciate that. Plus her mom is old.”

  Ouch. He wasn’t much younger than Emily’s mom, and he didn’t consider himself old by a long shot. Kids. “Her mom is married?”

  “Of course, silly.” Katie dragged him toward his Jeep. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

  “She wasn’t wearing a ring.”

  “Not everyone does. Maybe she doesn’t wear her rings to the pool.”

  In spite of Katie’s response he wasn’t convinced this wasn’t a setup. She could be trying to throw him off. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d tried to set him up. He’d never forget when she’d attempted to get him to date one of the moms from her gymnastics club back in Maine. The memory still made his neck heat.

  Blake unlocked the Jeep doors and slid behind the wheel. Then again, Katie’s reasoning made sense. He was probably being overly suspicious. Returning to Leavenworth brought up a lot of old feelings and memories—including his first date with Susan. A smile tugged at his lips.

  Chapter 3

  Susan sat across from Keira in the asphalt patio area at Starbucks holding her Grande iced coffee. “I still can’t believe Blake is in town or that he wants me to notarize something for him. What’s up with that, anyway?”

  Keira worried her bottom lip. “Yeah.”

  “There’s no reason for me to get involved. He could simply take it down to the bank. I’m sure someone there could notarize whatever it is.”

  “Maybe he wants an excuse to see you again.”

  Susan’s stomach flipped. Could Keira be right? Not likely.

  “I’ve been thinking about Katie. Are you sure she’s his daughter?”

  Susan nodded. “She called him Dad.” Her stomach knotted at the mention of the girl—the betrayal and hurt still fresh.

  Keira frowned. “I sometimes teasingly call you Mother. I thought he had a much younger sister.”

  “He did. But she was killed in the plane crash along with his parents.”

  “Oh.” Keira took a sip of her iced mocha.

  Susan shook her head. “I’m sorry to say it, but Blake is not who I thought he was. I’m glad we didn’t get married.” She needed a man she could depend on, one who would be there no matter what. As the child of two alcoholic parents, she craved stability. Blake clearly didn’t know the meaning of that word.

  “Hold on a minute.” Though gentle, Keira’s voice held an authority that made Susan sit up and listen. “This is the man you loved, and if I’m not mistaken, still holds a little part of your heart. That’s why you’re so upset. I think you should ask him who the girl is. You may have jumped to a conclusion about her being his daughter. For all we know, she could be his cousin. I have a hard time believing he cheated on you, because he obviously loved you. Michael thought a lot of Blake, and I don’t think he would’ve been friends with a man of bad character.”

  Susan’s thoughts churned. What Keira said was true. Blake had strong morals, but the similarities between Blake and Katie were uncanny. A cousin would never look that much like Blake. She gripped the cup tightly. She wanted to believe the best of Blake, but the girl had called him Dad. What else could she think?

  Keira swirled the straw around. “Did you ever meet his family?”

  She shook her head. “No. He severed all ties to his family when his parents kicked him out after he graduated from high school. He was mortified by how he’d behaved and couldn’t bring himself to contact them after he straightened his life out.”

  “How awful. I can’t imagine kicking my own child out.” Keira took a long draw of her mocha.

  “That’s because you’re a great mom.” Susan, however, knew a thing or two about less-than-perfect parents. “According to Blake he deserved it. He contacted an aunt a few months before our wedding date. She was trying to convince him to invite his parents to the wedding.”

  “Why didn’t I know any of this?”

  Susan shrugged. “I know it was only six years ago, but it feels like a lifetime. Maybe we’ve all forgotten the details.”

  Having Blake back brought unresolved feelings to the surface. Feelings and hurt she’d thought she’d dealt with, but clearly hadn’t. Oh, why
had he come back?

  “What are you going to do now?”

  Susan’s stomach tightened. “Try to forget him—again.” Except that would be hard when he was supposed to stop by her office tomorrow, and she’d probably see him around the village. It wasn’t as if Leavenworth was huge. Elbows propped on the table, she rested her chin in her hands.

  Keira absently flicked at a bee. “There’s definitely something different about Blake. He’s more grounded now. Less of a free spirit. I noticed that the day he brought Katie into the candy shop.”

  “Guess he’s done some growing up like the rest of us.” Susan sat back. A warm breeze lifted her hair and cooled her neck.

  “Do you think he wants to get back together with you?”

  Susan blinked. “Why would he? He broke up with me. Remember?” Susan swallowed the last of her coffee and pushed away from the table. “I need to return to work. Thanks for meeting me.”

  Keira stood and gave her a hug. “I’m always here for you.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it.” They dumped their trash. “Sure is a pretty day.” A bird perched on the table they’d just vacated and chirped. “Sorry, fella. I don’t have any scraps.”

  “This is my favorite time of year,” Keira said. “No rain or snow. Plus all the festivals that bring in the tourists make summer a profitable season for me.”

  “Yeah, it’s nice, I guess. A little too crowded for me, though. See you later.” Susan waved goodbye, then strode to the crosswalk and waited for traffic to stop before she jogged across the highway and back to work.

  * * *

  Blake stood to the side of the door while Katie rang the bell at Emily’s house. He ran his finger around the inside of his collar. He should’ve worn a T-shirt instead of this button-up. Even with one button undone he felt strangled.

  The door swung wide and Emily dragged Katie inside. “We’re out back.” She motioned for Blake to follow. “Come on.”