A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  She made a face at him in the mirror then giggled. Ah—back to normal. A minute later they went out the door to his Jeep. He started it and headed toward the village. “I think you’ll like what I have in mind.” He explained the premise he’d come up with for the story.

  “Okay, but why do we have to do this so early on a Saturday?”

  “I want the trail to ourselves. You know I think better without distractions.” He parked on Commercial Street near where they’d be starting their hike.

  Voice recorder in hand, he got out and waited for Katie. She trudged beside him to the trailhead. His tennis shoes squished softly on the chipped wood path, and the silence of the morning was in sharp contrast to the normal festive atmosphere of the village.

  Beside him Katie snapped pictures of white pines and shrubbery. Unwilling to disturb the morning quiet, he stuffed the voice recorder into his pocket and soaked in the experience. At the same time he visualized Pepper’s new adventure as they walked.

  Katie stopped to take pictures of the slow-moving Wenatchee River on the left. “This place is really neat, Blake. How’d you know about it?”

  “Susan and I used to walk down here in the early mornings during the summer.”

  “I can see why.”

  “Yeah.” They’d walk hand in hand stealing kisses along the way without a care in the world. Things were so different back then.

  Katie stopped again and studied the soft dirt near the river. “Look.” She pointed to a track.

  “Bear track.”

  “There are bears here?” Panic punctuated her words. “I only like bears at the zoo.”

  He chuckled. “Relax, Katie. The track isn’t fresh, and I always carry bear spray when I hike. Stay with me and you’ll be fine.” He believed his words, but he kept an extraclose eye out and decided to keep the conversation flowing. No sense in accidentally surprising the bear if it was in the vicinity.

  “We can cut our walk short and end at the park.”

  She slipped her free hand into his and pulled him along the path. “Hurry. I’m hungry.”

  He chuckled. “Seriously, kiddo, relax. People are down here all the time. I’m sure we’re fine.”

  “Just the same—move!”

  He shook his head and increased his stride as Katie jogged beside him. “What do you think about adding a black bear to Pepper’s adventure?”

  “Whatever you want, but don’t expect me to take a picture of a live bear. I’ve seen enough at the zoo to do a good drawing.”

  His sister was too much. They rounded a bend and took the trail to the right that ended in the park instead of continuing along the river. The path lined by tall trees changed to a fine cinder rock beneath their feet. Park benches sat along the right with wrought-iron light posts to their left on the wide, sweeping path.

  “Civilization!” Katie dramatically hugged a light post. “Don’t ever take me where bears are again.” She glared at him.

  He didn’t bother to tell her that they weren’t out of the woods yet. “I thought you were hungry. Keep moving. We still have a hike ahead of us.”

  She sighed and let go of the light post. “Blake?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Thanks for the adventure.” She kept her eyes forward and slid her small hand into his.

  He squeezed it gently. “The day is just getting started. I thought we could picnic along the river today. Maybe Emily could join us.”

  “Yay!”

  Blake’s stomach rumbled, and he checked his watch—eight-twenty. Good. Café Verona’s open. “Let’s eat.” He led his sister to the house-turned-café, and they went inside. He and Susan had always eaten here after their morning hikes. Memories flooded his mind as fresh smells of breakfast flooded his senses. He couldn’t wait to bite into a Belgian waffle complete with strawberries and whipped cream.

  A familiar laugh stopped him cold. Susan? That had to be her seated with her back to them in their old spot. Did she still come here every Saturday just like the old days?

  * * *

  Susan bit into the strawberry-preserve-covered toast and closed her eyes. She never tired of the flavor even though she’d been ordering it almost every Saturday for the past seven years.

  “I see what you mean,” Meghan stage-whispered to Laura. “She is a little weird about her toast.”

  “I can hear you.” Susan opened her eyes and made a face at her sister-in-law, Laura, and her cousin Meghan. “It really is delicious.”

  “It’s just toast.” Laura shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “Now this—” she raised her cup “—is worth savoring.”

  Meghan shook her head. “You are both nuts.”

  “Maybe, but we don’t care.” Susan took another bite of toast.

  “Good morning.”

  Her eyes flew open, and she nearly choked. “Blake! What are you doing here?” She furrowed her brows. It was one thing to run into him last night, but for him to be in her special Saturday-morning breakfast spot was too much. Would he invade every area of her life?

  He glanced at his daughter who stood beside him wearing denim shorts, a white top with flounce sleeves, and Converse shoes. “I promised Katie breakfast out.”

  She smiled at the girl, then glanced across the table at Laura whose eyes had widened as big as donut rings. Oblivious to Susan’s relationship with Blake, Meghan took a bite of her eggs.

  Susan reached for her coffee. “Well, enjoy your breakfast.”

  “Thanks, you, too.” He nodded to Laura and Meghan, and then he and the child sat in a booth on the other side and closer to the exit. At least they hadn’t sat directly across from them, but her breakfast had been spoiled nonetheless. Would she have to find a new favorite breakfast spot because of him?

  Laura kept her voice low. “Hey, stop that. I see that look. Don’t let him ruin our fun.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t expect to see him here.”

  “Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. The two of you came here all the time back in the day. You know it’s a favorite of his.”

  Meghan looked from Laura to Susan. “What am I missing?”

  Laura whispered in her ear, and Meghan’s eyes widened the same way Laura’s had earlier.

  Meghan leaned in close. “Don’t you worry about him. If you want, I’ll try and find someone to set you up with. I’m an amateur matchmaker in case you didn’t know.”

  “No!” Susan and Laura exclaimed at the exact same moment.

  Susan had heard stories of Meghan’s love of romance, and she had no intention of getting caught in that web.

  “Give a girl a break. You’d think I was offering to cut your hair or something,” Meghan’s shoulders sagged and her lips turned down.

  “Sorry, Meghan, but I’d rather find a man on my own.”

  Laura patted her hand. “That’s right. There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

  Susan and Meghan groaned at the cliché.

  “What?” Laura shrugged her shoulders.

  Susan pushed her plate back. “I’m finished. Mind if I hang out with you, Josh and the kids today? I could use a little family time.” Not to mention a safe haven where she was sure not to run into Blake.

  “Of course. Want to hang out with us, too, Meghan?”

  “No, thanks. My roommate and I are going to the lake.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “I hope so.”

  Susan listened with half an ear. Blake had ruined her Saturday-morning ritual. What else would he ruin?

  * * *

  Katie and Emily splashed in the slow-moving river. They both wore life vests per Julia’s demand, which was fine with him. The girls only minded a little and didn’t let it affect their fun. Good thing, too, since Emily couldn’t stay long. Her m
other would be by to pick her up soon.

  A little boy jumped into the water near the girls. Blake did a double take. It was Cody, Keira’s son. He looked around and spotted Keira and another woman nearby. “Hi, Keira.”

  She waved and walked over to him with her friend. “Hey there, Blake. This is my friend and sometimes employee, Holly. Holly, this is Blake.”

  He stood and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.” The petite young woman looked to be around twenty-five or so. Her auburn hair shone in the sunshine and her green eyes sparkled.

  “You, too.”

  Keira and Holly set up chairs facing the river.

  He spotted Julia walking toward them. “Emily, your mom is here.”

  The girls groaned and trudged out of the water.

  A frown covered his sister’s face. “We were having fun.”

  Julia’s laugh tinkled. “You were both warned Emily could only stay for a short time.”

  Shoulders slouched, Emily gave Katie a hug. “Maybe we can play tomorrow after church.”

  Katie caught his eye and he nodded. “Okay. Ask your mom and let me know.”

  Emily and her mom left in a rush, and Katie joined him on the blanket he’d laid out. “You hungry yet?”

  “I guess.”

  “You could go and play with Cody.”

  She looked to the boy splashing on the shoreline.

  “Naw.”

  “I hear you have a book series,” Keira said. “How is that going?”

  “We went exploring this morning and saw a bear track.” Katie shivered in spite of the heat.

  Blake explained their books were adventures, and their hike was research.

  Holly leaned forward as he told her about the series. “Have you done any books set in Seattle? Your character could have lots of adventures there.”

  Blake rubbed his chin. “I suppose it would be a good idea to take a day trip over there since we’re only a couple hours away.”

  Katie gave a noncommittal shrug. “Sure, I guess that could be fun. I’ve never been and would like to visit the Space Needle.”

  “There are tons of things to do and see in Seattle. You could probably set several of your books there.”

  “Thanks, Holly. I’ll check into that with our editor. It’s a promising idea.” Blake leaned over and nudged Katie’s shoulder with his. “If you want, we can head home.”

  “I want to play in the water again.” She hopped up.

  Holly followed. “I’ll join you.”

  Blake watched his sister for a moment then glanced toward Keira. “You talk with Susan today?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Just curious.” He had the distinct impression at breakfast that she wasn’t happy to see him. He wished there were some way to get her to lower her defenses around him. He sighed.

  “What’s bothering you, Blake?”

  “Susan. I thought after running into her in the village last night that we were okay, but then I ran into her having breakfast this morning. Talk about an icy reception. I’ve apologized, but nothing I say seems to make a difference to her. Any tips or advice regarding her would be appreciated. I hate that I hurt her.”

  Keira pursed her lips and watched her son splash around with Katie and Holly. “I’m sorry, Blake, I don’t know what to tell you. You know how hard it is for her to trust people and she trusted you. I’m afraid you may have to just accept that it will never be comfortable between the two of you.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was afraid that’s what you’d say.” If it wasn’t for Katie, he’d hire someone to fix up his house and head back to Maine, but he couldn’t leave now. His sister was truly happy and that was a first. Then again, the feelings of guilt resurfaced every time he saw Susan. If he didn’t make things right between them soon, he’d have no choice but to head to Maine because he couldn’t live like this.

  Chapter 7

  Friday evening after work Susan stepped into her house and flipped on the light. Cool air smacked her in the face. Had she left the air conditioner on?

  “Surprise!”

  She screamed and leaped back, stumbling and almost falling into the coat rack at the sight of her friends. A rainbow of streamers and balloons decorated her living and dining rooms, and a dozen people jumped out from behind the furniture.

  “Happy birthday!” Her friends shouted.

  Susan’s heart rate gradually slowed, but her hands still shook. “Whoa! Talk about a shock.” She looked around her family room at all the smiling faces. “How did you pull this off? I didn’t even see your cars.”

  “Nothing to it.” Keira grinned. “I had everyone park on another block and walk.” She strolled toward Susan holding a sheet cake dotted with lit candles while everyone burst into the birthday song. “Make a wish,” Keira said softly.

  Susan froze. She hated this part. What should she wish for? She held her breath a moment, thinking. Satisfied, she took a deep breath and blew, extinguishing all twenty-eight candles. Blake might have a daughter, but she couldn’t help wishing things were different.

  “Whew. Any more and I don’t think I’d have been able to get them out in one breath.” She took Keira’s arm and gently, so as to not upset the cake, guided her back to the dining table. “Why did you do this in here? I have a perfect space in the backyard.” She kept her voice low.

  “It’s eighty degrees outside. You have air in here.” Keira grinned, cut several slices and plated them.

  Well, the logic made sense—sort of. Keira didn’t like anything over seventy-five degrees and Susan thought the temp outside was ideal. She glanced around the room and hoped no one spilled on her white furniture. She almost laughed out loud at what they were all probably thinking. The woman who usually dresses in black has a house decked out in modern white décor. Susan stepped back into the living room.

  A dull roar of voices and scattered laughs sounded around the full-to-capacity room. Even Betty, her hairdresser, was there. Cody clambered over to Susan with Pete hot on his heels. “Happy birthday, Aunt Susan! What did you wish for?”

  “I can’t tell or it won’t come true.” She tapped his nose.

  Cody’s bottom lip protruded.

  “Aww, come on, Cody. Give a girl a break. You want my wish to come true, don’t you?” No way would she share her secret desire.

  He nodded.

  “Thanks.” She squatted down to his level. “How about you and I get some of that delicious-looking cake your mom brought?”

  Cody smiled and grabbed her hand dragging her toward the dining room table and his mother. Pete, Keira’s hunky fiancé, grabbed a scoop and dished ice cream onto several plates.

  “Would you like to deliver this to the guests, Cody?” Pete held out a plate to the boy.

  Cody’s eyes rounded, and he reached out. “Sure!”

  Pete chuckled. “That ought to keep him occupied for a while.”

  Susan held her breath and prayed the child didn’t spill, but if any kid could deliver it safely, Cody could. A few people wished Susan a happy birthday as they grabbed a dessert and went to find a seat in the living room.

  Susan rested a hand on Keira’s fiancé’s shoulder. “Thanks for this.”

  Pete winked. “It was all Keira’s doing. I’m just the help. But you’re welcome.”

  Keira handed her a plate. “Enjoy.”

  “I still don’t understand how you managed to pull this off.”

  “I have my ways. Plus, Holly agreed to step in for me at the candy store for a few hours so I could set everything up.”

  “Be sure to give her a hug for me.”

  “Hug her yourself. Last I saw she had Betty cornered.”

  Susan raised at brow at her friend’s choice of words. “You mean she’s here? I
didn’t see her.” She craned her neck and spotted the duo sitting on the sofa in the living room. What could Holly possibly have in common with her hairdresser? The girl was sugar and spice and Betty was...not. Funny how two people so different could get along. Betty’s rough-around-the-edges exterior and Holly’s no-nonsense-yet-spunky personality didn’t strike her as a good match, but then again, who would’ve thought Keira would be her best friend? They couldn’t be more different.

  Susan made her way across the room to her guests. “Hey there, Holly. I see you’ve met my hairdresser.”

  Holly grinned. “I was picking Betty’s brain. She suggested I highlight my hair. What do you think?”

  “Betty is a master at that kind of thing. I’d listen to anything she says.”

  Betty’s face glowed. “Thanks! Don’t you think bringing out the red in her hair would look fabulous?”

  “Sure.” She nodded to Holly. “How’s nursing school going?” Susan took a bite of the white cake with custard filling and whipped-cream frosting.

  “I’m almost finished. I can’t wait!”

  “Congratulations. We’re going to have to get together for coffee or something when you have free time. I hear you worked a few hours at the candy shop recently.”

  “Yeah. It’s a nice break from the books every now and then. Plus I can always use the money—poor college student that I am.”

  Susan nodded. “I know Keira appreciates you.” She tugged at her scarf and turned to Betty. “Am I wearing it right?”

  Betty nodded. “It’s perfect, but maybe you should try a different one every now and then.”

  “But this goes with everything.”

  The women laughed.

  “What?”

  “I’m convinced the only reason you dress in black is so you don’t have to think about coordinating your outfits.” Betty grabbed her bag from the floor and pulled out a small wrapped package topped with a purple and white frilly bow.

  “Ha. Shows how much you know,” Susan said.

  Betty winked. “Methinks I know what I’m talking about.”

  “You’re right. I’m horribly lazy about dressing.” Susan sighed dramatically and plopped down on the floor in front of the women. “I was walking through the village the other day and spotted a flowing red top in the window of a clothing shop. You think it would work with the scarf?”