Daydream Retriever (An Alpine Grove Romantic Comedy Book 10)

by Susan C. Daffron

  Quincy sat on the middle of the bed looking quite pleased with himself for creating such a fine hairy prize. Kat reached for him, but the cat leaped over her arms and shot out of the bedroom. Kat gazed at the gooey wad of gray hair and stomach contents lying on the bedspread. The cat was probably off to terrorize Tripod now. He was having quite a busy day.

  Kat jumped when Joel put his hand on her shoulder. She whirled around. “I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”

  “You probably couldn’t hear me over the sound of barfing.”

  “Long-haired cats have a few disadvantages.”

  “I’d really, really like it if you can get Maria to take Quincy off our hands. This isn’t working out. I think we’ve reached our critter limit.”

  “I know. I’ll talk to Brigid too. Maybe one of her dog-foster folks would like a cat to round out their family. Anywhere would have to be better than here. I’ve never seen two cats hate each other like Tripod and Quincy do. It’s like a war zone.”

  “Except with hairballs.” He pointed at the bedspread. “That’s quite a spectacular Technicolor one you’ve got right there.”

  Kat laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a hug. “Extra-credit points to the guy who puts up with cat barf on his bed.”

  “Well, you’re cleaning it up, and if that hairy creature hurls on my pillow, all bets are off.”

  “I know. No cats on the pillows, ever. That’s the rule.”

  He bent his head to kiss her. “It is if you want to continue sleeping with me.”

  “I definitely do.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Have you returned your mother’s call yet?”

  “No. Are you going to talk to your sister?”

  “No.”

  Joel gave her another kiss and left the room. Kat got some paper towels from the kitchen and cleaned up the bed. It was not the first time Quincy had decided to lose the contents of his stomach there. Why the cat had to wait to vomit precisely in the center of the mattress was anyone’s guess. Once she’d removed the mass of hair, she scooped the bedspread up into her arms and carried it to the laundry room, making sure to close the bedroom door behind her.

  After starting the laundry, she went downstairs to her office. At last the nightmare book project was finally over and she was back to writing articles again. Not having book deadlines hanging over her head felt like a miracle after months of late nights. The downside was that now she needed to find more writing work. The life of a freelance writer was an endless flip-flop between being overwhelmed with deadlines and scrabbling for new projects.

  Kat stared at the telephone. At some point, she was going to have to call her mother back. Kat knew it was about the wedding. Every time they spoke, her mother asked what church Kat and Joel were going to get married in. It still had not registered with her that the couple had no intention of getting married in a church.

  Kat had never gotten along with her mother. They operated from completely different world views, had no shared interests, and had virtually nothing in common beyond the fact that they’d lived in the same house for eighteen tumultuous years.

  Although her mother had finally conceded that Joel was in fact a decent person and not a con man trying to part Kat from her money, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways she’d made it clear that she disapproved of Joel living in the house Kat had inherited from her aunt. Since Kat’s father died, her mother had rediscovered religion, so when Kat told her mother that she was getting married, the first thing she’d said was, “I need to make arrangements at the church.”

  Kat had repeatedly pointed out that she didn’t want to get married in the city or at her mother’s church and that because she and Joel lived in Alpine Grove, they planned to get married there. Then her mother started asking about ministers and churches in town. It was like talking to a wall, and Kat was tired of fighting about it. But time was running out, so she had to try again.

  With a heavy sigh, she picked up the receiver and dialed the number to the house where she’d grown up. Kat’s sister Kim answered and then shouted for their mother. Kim was younger than Kat and had moved back home until her fledgling acting career took off. After more than a decade, her elusive big break remained elusive.

  Mary Stevens’s voice came on the line. “Katherine, is everything all right? I’m vacuuming.”

  Kat wanted to roll her eyes. Her mother was always vacuuming. No stray micron of dust was permitted to get past her daily morning vacuuming ritual. Kat cleared her throat and said carefully, “I wanted to, ah, talk to you about the wedding again. It’s coming up before too long.”

  “I got the invitation about the reception, dear, but it did not say where you plan to hold the ceremony or who will be officiating.”

  “I’ve told you before, but I’m not sure you understand. Before the reception, we’re planning to get married at the courthouse with a few family members as witnesses. If you’d like to come, I’d be happy to have you there.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “I told you. It’s what we’ve decided, Mother.” Kat put her palm over her eyes. This was not going well.

  “You have to get married in a church. Although you may have rejected the idea of getting married here at our church, I am quite sure they have churches in Alpine Grove.”

  “It’s not my church and it’s perfectly legal for us to be married in a civil ceremony.”

  “So you’re saying that there’s not going to be a priest or a minister involved at all? That’s completely unacceptable.”

  “But that’s the way it’s going to be. It’s our choice.” Kat gripped the handset more firmly. “I know you like your pastor and your church, but it’s not what I want.”

  “You have to get married in the church. I’ve talked to everyone already!”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen. You can’t force your religion on me.”

  “You will regret this, Katherine. Your marriage will fail without the blessings of the Lord!”

  “I’m know you’re upset, but…”

  “I absolutely cannot let you do this, Katherine! You’re going to burn in the flames of hell. This sin will result in eternal pain, damnation, and suffering. I simply can’t allow you to do it.”

  Kat said through a clenched jaw. “Mother, you’re really…”

  “I want to talk to…what’s his name?”

  “Joel.”

  “Put him on the line.”

  Kat paused for a moment. “I don’t think…”

  “I demand that you put him on the phone right this instant!”

  “All right…fine.” Kat set the receiver on the desk, stepped over Linus, and walked across the hall to Joel’s office.

  He looked away from his monitor at her. “What happened to you?”

  “My mother wants to talk to you.” She pointed at the phone. “She’s all yours.”

  “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

  Kat shook her head. “I seriously doubt it.”

  Joel picked up the line and greeted Kat’s mother. He raised a single eyebrow at Kat in response to whatever her mother was saying. Fortunately, Kat couldn’t hear the specific words, but the timbre of the rant was familiar. Mom had moved into power-lecture mode.

  Joel sat silently, periodically glancing at Kat, who leaned in the doorway watching a variety of emotions reflect in his eyes as he patiently waited for a pause in the diatribe. Finally, he said, “I’m sorry you don’t approve, but Kat and I have decided on these plans together, and that is what are going to do.”

  There was more ranting and Joel made a face at Kat, who grinned at him in sympathy. He said, “Well, I hope you decide to come to the reception.”

  There was final outburst from the other end of the line and then Joel held the receiver out toward Kat. “Your mother hung up on me.”

  Kat walked to the chair, took the receiver from his hand, and put it back on the cradle. She sat in his lap and put her arms around h
is neck. “You were remarkably polite. I’m impressed.”

  “I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.” He gave her a kiss. “By the way, we’re going to hell.”

  “So I was told. At least we’ll be all toasty warm together. Did you talk to Cindy?”

  “No, and I don’t want to.”

  Kat sighed. “After this, talking to your sister doesn’t have appeal for me either. New plan. Forget family. Let’s elope the day before everyone thinks we’re getting married. The first day of spring is on a Thursday this year.”

  “So sneak off to the courthouse, get married, then deal with the fallout at the reception on Friday?”

  “I’d prefer not to deal with tons of people on the same day we get married because I’ll probably cry at the ceremony. I’ll ask Maria to be a witness. We worked together, so she’s already seen me cry a lot.”

  Joel smiled. “Only if she takes the cat.”

  “All right. I’ll try to negotiate that as part of the deal. Jack isn’t religious. Do you think he’d be willing to be a witness?”

  “I’ll ask him. He and Becca would probably get a kick out of it.”

  “I can’t believe how complicated family stuff always ends up being.” Kat leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re my family now.”

  “Me too.”

  Chapter 10

  Excursions

  Early Saturday morning, Lisa was rushing to get ready to go up to Snow Grove with Pete. At least she didn’t have to drag around ski gear. Pete obviously wasn’t skiing and she was going to rent equipment. The phone rang and even before she picked it up, she knew it was Bev.

  “You’re going, right?” Bev said.

  “Why are you calling? I said I would. I’m almost ready. I’ll meet you at the rental shop in the village like I said.”

  “Okay, I was checking in to make sure you’re not going to flake, and now I’m outta here. See you there. We’re going to have a great time!”

  Yeah, right. Lisa hung up the phone and scowled at it. Everyone was a critic. To be fair, it was a reasonable concern on Bev’s part, given that Lisa had been avoiding this day for so many years. So far, not thinking about what she was about to do and going through the motions of packing on autopilot was helping. If she didn’t think about the reality of getting on a ski lift and ascending the mountain again, everything was fine.

  Pete came into the kitchen and sat down. “Was that Bev?”

  “Yes, and it annoys me that she thinks I’m going to stand her up.”

  “Well, you want to, don’t you?”

  “That’s not the point.”

  He smiled as he stood up again. “I see your mood hasn’t improved. I’ll limp my way out to the truck. Could you get my stuff for me? It’s on the bed.”

  “Yes, I’ll get it in a minute.” Lisa threw their coffee mugs and cereal bowls into the dishwasher. “I just need to get my suitcase.”

  She turned around and realized Pete was still in the kitchen leaning in the doorway. He put his crutches aside and opened his arms toward her. “It’s going to be okay.”

  Lisa walked into his embrace and hugged him hard, resting her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m really scared.”

  “You skied the last time you went up to Snow Grove. On only one ski with a boot that didn’t fit.”

  “I know. But I wasn’t thinking. All I was worried about was you dying before I could get help.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t want me to die.” He gave her a final squeeze, released her, and looked into her eyes. “This time it will be a lot more fun. I promise.”

  “Well, for you anyway.”

  He laughed. “I sure hope so.”

  They loaded everything into the truck and headed south. The weather steadily improved as they got closer to the turnoff to the resort and it looked like Bev’s enthusiasm about the fantastic ski weather was warranted. Although it had been gray in Alpine Grove, it was going to be a beautiful sunny day at Snow Grove.

  Lisa turned on the road to go up the mountain and was again flooded with memories as the walls of snow alongside the road grew higher. She clutched the steering wheel to try to still her shaking hands. Fortunately, the old truck had so much play in the steering that her movements had little impact.

  Pete put his hand on her leg. “You were here a few weeks ago. It’s no big deal.”

  “I came to drop off papers, not ski. That was it.”

  He didn’t say anything, but left his hand resting on her leg. Maybe he knew the contact was soothing. Lisa took a deep breath. She was being such a baby about this whole thing. It was only one day and she’d get through it.

  Lisa had called to find out about access and parking and learned that there was an elevator at the bottom of the lodge near handicap parking spaces, so Pete wouldn’t have to go up the thousands of stairs she and Harley had ascended to get to the village.

  Although they’d rarely used it in Alpine Grove, Pete had gotten a handicapped placard for the truck and she hung it off the mirror. She carried the suitcases, they checked into the lodge, and went up to the room.

  She dropped the luggage on the bed and walked to the windows that overlooked the view down over the valley and the lake. “Wow.”

  Pete came up alongside her, moved his crutches, and rested his hands on the windowsill. “This is almost as cool as the view from the ski lift. Which is where you need to be. It’s getting late. You need to go and meet Bev.”

  She turned to him. “I don’t want to.”

  “You’ll be glad you did.”

  “Why are you so sure of that? I don’t understand why you think putting me on skis is so important.”

  He smiled. “I’ll tell you when you get back.”

  “You promise?”

  “Promise.” He leaned to kiss her. “Have fun. I’m going to hobble down to the spa and get a massage.”

  “This isn’t fair.”

  “Have fun.”

  Resigned to her fate, Lisa gathered her gloves, goggles, and other ski accoutrements and left the room. She went downstairs out to the village and crossed the courtyard to the rental shop. As she entered the building, Bev jumped up from her chair waving at her. “You made it!”

  “I’m here.” She’d far rather be getting a massage with Pete, but she was there.

  Bev pointed at a rack of skis. “You have to check these out. They’re the new ones that are shaped so it’s easier to turn. I’m telling you, they’re the best thing to happen to my old flabby leg muscles in years.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.”

  A young man came over to take her information. “We’ve got a special on them to encourage people to try them out.”

  “Fine, whatever you think is best.” Lisa filled in her height, weight, and shoe size on a note card. Why did they have to ask about weight? That was more than she wanted to share, even though it had to do with binding release during a crash. Lisa gave herself a mental slap across the face. Don’t think about crashing. Do not.

  Finally, Lisa was fitted with her skis and she and Bev went outside. Bev collected her skis from the rack and put them on. Lisa dropped the skis onto the ground with a thump and snapped her boots into the bindings.

  Bev patted her on the back with her gloved hand. “See! It’s just like old times. We’re going to have the best bluebird day. It’s absolutely perfect. Look at that sky!”

  Lisa nodded and carefully moved her skis forward, pushing herself with the poles as she followed Bev over to the line for the quad chair lift that would take them up the mountain. She felt old, out of shape, and awkward. Why was she doing this? Bev had been right when she’d pointed out that if Lisa never stood up for herself, she’d end up being roped into doing things she didn’t want to do. Remodeling a house, skiing, fostering a dog, taking on an injured roommate. Well, okay, to be fair, not all of it had been completely terrible.

  Lisa ruminated and worried as Bev chattered on about the weather while they stood in line. Suddenly it
was their turn and they hustled to move into place in front of the chair. Then Lisa was whisked up off the snow. She clutched at her ski poles, worried she’d drop them on the liftie’s head. It was undoubtedly not the most graceful chair access he’d ever witnessed. How humiliating.

  Bev turned to Lisa and pointed behind them. “Look! How could you forget that view? I love this so much.”

  Lisa nodded at her friend, worried that if she spoke she might burst into tears. There was no turning back now. When they reached the top, she managed to get off the lift without causing an incident and slid to the bottom of the little hill that led down from the lift to the ski run. Bev waved, indicating they should go down Midway.

  Lisa moved over next to Bev, who grinned at her and pulled her goggles down over her eyes. “You ready?”

  Lisa shook her head. “I don’t want to.”

  “You can do this, Lisa. I know you can. Relax! You’ve skied Midway a million times and your muscles know what to do. Just follow me.” Bev pushed off and Lisa wished she could reach out and pull her friend back.

  It was now or never. She put her ski goggles over her eyes, then closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath, letting the cold air fill her lungs. When she opened her eyes, she pushed off and the wind hit her face. A moment of complete terror was replaced with a thrilling rush of adrenaline as she leaned into her first turn.

  By the next turn, she was grinning like an idiot and catching up to Bev. As she whooshed by her friend, she raised her ski pole and yelled, “Hey slow poke, I’ll race ya!”

  By the time Lisa and Bev stopped skiing for the day, Lisa was tired but exultant. After their last run, they took off their skis and Lisa returned her equipment to the rental shop. When they hugged goodbye in the courtyard, Lisa felt like crying because she was so happy. “I don’t know how to thank you. This was the best ski day ever.”

  “I think you just did, sweetie.” Bev smiled weakly and wiped a tear away with her glove. “I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. I wish I didn’t have to go, but I need to get home to the family. You go thank Pete. I never would have convinced you if it weren’t for him.”