by Cindy Kirk
But he tamped down his concerns, not wanting to start the evening off on a negative note. And, heck, maybe he was the one who needed to get with the program. What he knew about kids that age, especially girls that age, could fit into a carpenter’s pouch.
Lolo slung her backpack strap over one shoulder as they left the house. On the drive to the town hall, he heard her telling Eliza it contained her drawing pads and supplies.
“I don’t know if they want me to show the kids some of my work, but I brought examples just in case.”
“Smart move.” Kyle tossed the words over his shoulder.
“I wonder who will be there tonight.” The excitement of a moment before had waned, and Lolo’s voice now quivered.
“As they’re the troop leaders, Cade and Marigold will be there.” Sitting in the passenger seat, Eliza spoke in a straightforward, yet somehow reassuring, manner. “There will be somewhere between six and ten eight-year-olds. Some of their parents may stick around, others will run errands.”
“Is that all?” Hope filled Lolo’s voice.
As he had no more idea than Lolo, Kyle left it to Eliza to answer. He was glad it had been too cold to walk. If they had been outside, he might not have been treated to the enticing scent of Eliza’s perfume.
As always, she looked amazing. Every strand of her dark hair was in place, and her red lips were like a siren’s call. She’d changed for the meeting from one black outfit into another, more casual one.
Black pants hugged her long, slender legs like a glove, and a black sweater, this one a cardigan, draped stylishly over a white shirt. Eliza tapped a finger against those luscious lips, drawing his attention from the road while she considered Lolo’s question.
“I think, although I can’t be absolutely positive, there may be another student or two there,” Eliza said finally.
“Do you think Izzie Deshler will show up?” Kyle asked.
“Who’s that?” Lolo leaned forward in the backseat.
“She’s an artist,” Eliza explained. “She did the murals in Muddy Boots and Marigold’s salon.”
“She’s also in charge of the alley art project,” Kyle added.
“I think I’ve seen some of the art.” The excitement was back in Lolo’s voice.
“The project was Izzie’s baby.” Eliza’s tone held a grudging respect. “She brought in local, regional and national talent. I sometimes wonder if that’s how Door County got on the Wedding Channel’s radar. One of the big television affiliates came here and spotlighted the art.”
Kyle wheeled the truck into one of the slanted parking spots in front of the town hall. After unfastening his seat belt, he turned to Lolo. “The meeting is in Room 101. Want me to come in with you?”
Lolo chewed on her bottom lip, effectively removing the tinted gloss she’d applied before leaving home. So much the better, to his way of thinking. His baby sister was much too young for makeup of any kind.
Eliza flipped down the vanity mirror and checked her lipstick. Apparently satisfied, she closed the mirror.
Lolo shifted her gaze. “What do you think, Eliza?”
“It might be fun for Kyle and me to see what’s going on.” Eliza lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug and let it drop. “It’s not as if we have to stay the whole time. Or, we could.”
“Yes, why don’t you come in with me and check it out?” Though Lolo tried to hide her relief, Kyle heard it in her voice, saw it on her face. “You can decide how long you want to stay.”
Eliza snapped the visor up. “Works for me.”
Kyle noticed that once they entered the cavernous halls of the building, Lolo hung back and let Eliza take the lead. The dark-haired beauty started down the hall without even looking to see if they were behind her.
Kyle kept a slower pace, his sister at his side. Not rushing gave him a chance to inspect the building he’d been in only a handful of times since arriving in Good Hope.
The two-story red-brick building may have been older, but it had been scrupulously maintained. Constructed in the Georgian style of architecture, it had a square symmetrical shape. The embellished front cornice contained the words A Public Office is a Public Trust.
Inside, the plastered walls were intact and appeared to have been recently painted. The tile floors beneath their feet gleamed, their footsteps echoing in the silence of the near-empty building.
“Are we late?” Lolo picked up the pace.
“Right on time.” Eliza stopped beside an open door and gestured.
Lolo came to an abrupt halt. Though her expression remained carefully controlled, her breath came in short puffs as if she’d run a long race.
Kyle reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. His sister had to be more rattled than she was letting on, because not only didn’t she push him away, she took a step closer.
A protective urge he hadn’t known he possessed rose up inside him. Once again, he cursed the kids back in Kentucky who’d brought out this insecurity in his sister. What had happened to the child who’d once been so happy and full of confidence?
Eliza motioned Lolo forward. “Wait until you see what Marigold has done to the room.”
Clearly curious, Lolo followed Eliza into the room. Kyle brought up the rear.
Room 101 was a typical meeting room with metal folding chairs and a rotating whiteboard. Seven young children, five girls and two boys, sat in a semicircle on a rug in the middle of the floor.
Nothing too exciting there, Kyle thought. He let his gaze wander and found what had caught Eliza’s attention. The center third of one wall was completely covered in white paper taped to the wall.
Kyle smiled. Cade and Marigold had put up their own “alley” wall for the children to paint or draw on. In addition, they’d set up two long tables, one containing drawing pads and the other with clay.
Other than the Seedling leaders, the only other adult in the room was Izzie. Short, with a mass of brown curls, she could have passed for Lolo’s older sister.
There was another child, a boy who appeared to be a couple years older than Lolo. He was skinny with shaggy dark hair streaked with purple. He wore old jeans and a faded gray tee emblazoned with the words Will Paint for Food.
The boy studied them through hooded eyes.
While her husband stayed with the children, Marigold hurried over, a smile lighting her face. “I’m so happy you could join us.”
The pretty blonde directed the sentiment to Lolo.
Kyle expelled a breath when his sister smiled back.
Marigold motioned to the boy, who was now unpacking his supplies on a back table. “K.T., come and meet our other artist.”
The boy ambled across the room, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his baggy jeans. His blue eyes swept over the group, his expression impassive.
To Kyle’s surprise, Marigold looped her arm through the boy’s and gave it a squeeze. “Having you with us tonight is such a treat.”
Marigold turned back to them. “K.T., ah, Kaiden, was the youngest artist selected for Good Hope’s alley art project.”
“Your mother must be very proud.” Eliza glanced at Kyle. “K.T. is Lindsay’s nephew.”
Kyle let his shoulders relax…just a little.
“He’s only fourteen,” Izzie hurried on. “And already a master.”
A dull flush of red crawled over the boy’s face. His gaze settled on Lolo. “Do you paint?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Marigold smiled brightly. “K.T., this is Lolo Kendrick. You know Eliza. And this is Lolo’s brother, Kyle.”
K.T. gave a short nod of acknowledgment.
“I don’t do much painting.” Lolo spoke up, meeting the boy’s gaze head on. “Right now, I’m into charcoal.”
“That’s cool.” K.T. gestured with his head toward her sweater. “You wearing that tonight?”
The smile blossoming on Lolo’s face disappeared.
“I mean, it’s really pretty.” The words tumbled out of K.T.’s mouth. “But it’s gonna get d
irty.”
Before she could respond, the boy hurried off, calling over his shoulder, “I’ve got something for you.”
Kyle exchanged a glance with Eliza.
K.T. returned with a wadded-up long-sleeved men’s shirt in his hands. Although it appeared clean, Kyle couldn’t be certain because of the paint spatters.
“One of my mom’s boyfriends left it behind.” K.T. shoved it into Lolo’s hands. “You can wear it tonight.”
Kyle waited for Lolo to shove it back. Considering all the time she’d spent dressing for tonight’s event, he couldn’t see her tossing the shirt over her pretty sweater.
“Thanks.” Lolo smiled shyly and hugged it to her chest. “I saw you at school.”
“I saw you, too.” K.T. shrugged carelessly, but a hint of a smile ghosted his lips before he shifted his gaze to Marigold. “Okay if I show her where to put her stuff?”
“That’d be great.” Marigold clapped a hand on his shoulder, her voice warm with approval. “Thanks, K.T.”
“You don’t need to stay.” Lolo glanced at Kyle and Eliza, then strolled off with the shaggy-haired boy with the loping gait.
Izzie, who’d remained silent, winked. “I’ll supervise.”
Kyle rocked back on his heels. He’d planned to stick around in case his sister needed his support.
“It’s okay if you run out for coffee or something.” Marigold smiled reassuringly. “The meeting should last about an hour. Or you’re welcome to stay.”
When Kyle hesitated, Eliza touched his arm. “We could step out for a few minutes, then come back early.”
Kyle paused, then gave a brisk nod. “Let’s do that.”
“Oh, wait. Before you go.” Marigold stopped Eliza when they turned toward the door. “I have something for you.”
A frown marred Eliza’s brow. Suspicion filled her gaze. “What is it?”
“You’ll see.” Marigold crossed the room. She bent over and rummaged through a pink-and-black-striped bag the size of Texas. Kyle heard her cry of victory before she hurried back to them.
Marigold came to a halt in front of Eliza and held out a hand containing a deck of cards.
With obvious reluctance, Eliza lifted the deck from her hands. “Why are you giving these to me?”
“They’re relationship cards.”
“I repeat, why are you giving them to me?”
“Well, for starters, you’re in a relationship.” Marigold shot Kyle a saucy smile. “Max’s mother originally gave them to him, then Prim passed them on to me. I gave them to Fin. Fin tried to return them, but Prim insisted she wanted the cards to go to another couple. She knew I’d see you this evening, so she told me to give them to you and Kyle.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think—” Eliza was attempting to push the cards back into Marigold’s hands when Cade strolled up.
“We need to get started—” The sheriff stopped when he noticed the cards.
Kyle swore he saw the man wince.
“Have fun with those.” Cade took Marigold’s arm.
“Was that a chuckle I heard coming from Marigold’s lips?” Kyle asked Eliza as the troop leaders rushed off.
Eliza held up the deck. “What am I supposed to do with these?”
The exasperation in her voice made him grin. “For now, drop them in your bag.”
Something in his tone must have alerted her, because she inclined her head. “And later?”
“Pass them on to Dan and Lindsay.” He shot Eliza a wink. “They seem like a couple who’d enjoy a game of cards.”
Kyle stopped when they reached the exterior door of the building and slanted a glance at Eliza. “Any preference on where to go?”
Though her home—or rather, his home—was nearby, Katherine would be hosting her card party. They were in the center of the business district, but it was off-season. Which meant most of the businesses were closed on a Wednesday evening.
Eliza thought for a moment. “The Daily Grind.”
The small coffee shop with the glossy red wood exterior and large window facing the street had opened last year. As chains weren’t allowed in Good Hope, it was a mom-and-pop operation started by her former classmate.
From what she’d heard, Ryder didn’t work many nights, so it was unlikely their paths would cross tonight.
Despite the chill, they opted to walk to the far end of the business district.
“I’ve met Ryder, the owner.” Kyle spoke in a conversational tone. “He seems like a good guy.”
“We went to high school together.”
Kyle shook his head, gave a little laugh. “That confirms the boomerang rumor is true.”
Eliza gave him a curious look.
“You know what I mean.” He flung his wrist as if tossing a boomerang into the air. “People might leave Good Hope, but they always come back.”
“True. For the most part, anyway.” Eliza could have left it at that, probably should have, but let the words tumble out. “There are exceptions. Once my parents left Good Hope for Palm Springs, they never looked back. They rarely visit.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Eliza hadn’t given the matter much thought recently, but when her parents first announced they were leaving, she’d arrived at a few conclusions. “My mother wasn’t from here. She never really fit in.”
“What about your dad?”
“He grew up here, came back after college, but never put down roots. I believe the only reason he stayed so long was because of my grandmother. Once she passed, he began planning his departure.”
“It sounds as if he and your grandmother enjoyed a close relationship.” Kyle paused outside the Daily Grind but made no move to go inside.
With temperatures hovering in the upper thirties, the night air held a bite. Still, Eliza found herself lingering. Like Kyle, she was in no hurry to rush inside.
“They were close.” Eliza’s lips tightened. “But going against her wishes regarding the disposition of the house was a blatant show of disrespect.”
Kyle’s brow furrowed. “Did he tell you why he didn’t follow her wishes?”
Eliza tried to summon up the exact words her father had tossed out when she’d called him on his actions. “Something about my getting the house wasn’t fair to Ethan. Then he reiterated the part about me having a better life away from Good Hope.”
As if Kyle could think of nothing to say to that—and really, what was there to say?—he reached around her and opened the door.
“Oh, and he doesn’t want me to end up like Katherine.” Eliza gave a humorless laugh. “You don’t even want to know what he thinks of how she’s managed her life...”
“Eliza.” The greeting stopped Kyle before he could respond. “I wondered how long it’d be before you’d come to me.”
Eliza stifled a groan. This would definitely not be a day for her to buy a lottery ticket. She’d expected to see Cassie behind the counter. Lindsay had mentioned in passing that her older sister worked part time at the Daily Grind, mostly evenings.
She hadn’t expected to see Ryder. Not that it mattered. It was simply she didn’t know how long she could remain pleasant. Or, really, how long she wanted to try.
“It’s amusing just how out of touch with reality you are, Ryder.” Eliza glanced at Kyle, who appeared totally relaxed at her side.
“I remember you.” Ryder studied Kyle as if trying to place him. “You’re one of the workers on the community theater renovation. We ran into each other at Muddy Boots.”
“Kyle Kendrick.” Kyle extended his hand, and the two men shook.
Kyle made no attempt to correct Ryder and let him know he ran the crew doing the theater renovation. It appeared the man at her side had no desire to get into a pissing match with the coffee shop owner. Still, when she moved to the bake case, she felt the palm of Kyle’s hand settle against her back.
Staking out his territory. Eliza hid a smile. To her surprise, she didn’t mind at all.
Kyle glanced
at the pastries in the glass-fronted case then back at her. “Do you want something for yourself, or are you in the mood to share?”
“Let’s share.” Impulsively, Eliza slipped her arm through his as she leaned forward again to study the pastries. “I’m up for splitting either the kouign amann or a cherry Danish.”
Kyle smiled. “I’ve never had one, but I’ve heard lots of good things about the kouign amann.”
“You need to try one.” Without knowing quite how it happened, Eliza turned teasing. “Be warned. Your taste buds will never be the same.”
“Looks like we’ll have one kouign amann and…” Kyle raised a brow. “Hot chocolate?”
Eliza laughed. “I’ll be on sugar overload.”
“C’mon, E. Live dangerously.”
The sparkle in Kyle’s blue eyes had her nodding.
“Two hot chocolates with lots of whipped cream,” Kyle told Ryder.
“Coming right up.”
Eliza sensed Ryder watching them, but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Kyle. The tension that had gripped her shoulders earlier when she’d recounted her father’s duplicity had disappeared. Blood slid through her veins like honey, spreading warmth throughout her body.
When Ryder rang up the purchase, Eliza reached for her wallet.
Kyle’s hand on her arm stopped her. “My treat.”
She considered, then decided it was only fair. After all, her only reason for coming out this evening had been to support his sister.
Ryder stared at them, a puzzled look on his face. “You didn’t mention you were dating anyone the other night at the Flying Crane.”
Eliza shrugged. “It didn’t come up.”
“We’re not just dating,” Kyle offered the man a cheerful smile. “We’re living together.”
Chapter 12
Kyle waited until they were nearly back at the town hall to bring up something that troubled him. “You and Ryder were together at the Flying Crane?”
“Lindsay was late and I ran into him. I was forced to make small talk until she arrived.”
A muscle in Kyle’s jaw jumped. “Forced?”
“Poor choice of words.” Eliza stepped into the warmth of the municipal building. “He was there. I was there. We spoke briefly. I’ve never cared for Ryder.”