Cole was pretty sure God had nothing to do with it—at least not a God he wanted anything to do with. So he let her words hang in the air with a noncommittal nod. Pressed away the lingering thought.
She finished drying the last dish. “Thanks for your help. Let me show you to your room so you can get settled.”
He followed her back toward the front of the house to the guest bedroom, the exhaustion of the day pressing in on him. The sooner he put Deep Haven in his rearview mirror, the better. He wasn’t sure how he’d accomplish that task, but maybe, just maybe, things would be clearer in the morning.
Megan had been chewing on uncertainty for hours, and it hadn’t been very satisfying. Ever since returning from the Anderson wedding, she’d been thumbing through her account statements on the dining room table again. No matter how she crunched the numbers, they didn’t improve. She was still short four thousand dollars for the Black Spruce.
Snowflakes blew against the window with a light tapping. She slid out of her chair and looked across the snowy yard. Darkness filled the Barrett house, like any other night since she’d moved in. She tried to shove down the niggling curiosity of where Cole might have gone. Because she really didn’t care. Wouldn’t care. Couldn’t care.
She closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cold pane of glass. How was it that the one time she met a guy who came to her rescue, who showed up like a real-life hero, he turned out to be the worst thing that could possibly happen to her?
Still, maybe she hadn’t been fair to him. Cole hadn’t seemed to know she lived next door, based on the way he stared at her. But he didn’t bother coming after her when she’d practically fled to the Art Colony either. Just stood there on the sidewalk like the specter of doom.
Her pale orange tabby pressed against her legs, talking to her with soft meows until she scooped him up, snuggled his fur against her face.
“Puck, you are the silliest cat.”
In the light of the street lamp, she spotted Ivy’s Tahoe pull up. Josh climbed out, waving goodbye before he tromped through the fresh snow to the downstairs entry. His footsteps bounded up the interior steps, echoing in the garage’s open first floor until he burst through the second-story apartment door, red-cheeked, grinning.
“Mom. You wouldn’t believe what I did at Tiger’s house after practice.” He began shrugging out of his coat and kicking off his shoes.
She smiled, his enthusiasm filling her heart. “What?”
“We went up to the lodge and I got to ride on one of the snowmobiles!”
“You did?” She tamped down the burgeoning panic. It was one thing to snow tube. But snowmobiling? She took a deep breath. Lots of kids went snowmobiling, right? She snagged him into a hug, pressing her nose into his soft, short hair. “I sure hope you wore a helmet. And a seat belt.”
He wrinkled his nose. “They don’t have seat belts, Safety Mom.”
She laughed at the nickname. “I know. I was kidding. Mostly.” She forced herself to release him. “It’s my job to worry about you and keep you safe.”
“But, yes, Tiger’s grandpa wouldn’t let us ride without a helmet. Tiger and I got to follow him to check on one of their cabins.”
“Excellent.”
“And I sold twelve tickets when Ivy let me run into the Java Cup.”
“Marie bought that many? That’s fantastic.”
“No, some guy did.” He grabbed the jug of orange juice from the refrigerator and poured a tall glass. “He told me he used to play hockey. And then, it was weird, because I thought I saw him at Mr. Barrett’s house when Tiger’s mom brought me by to grab my gear bag.”
“The guy who bought your tickets was at Mr. Barrett’s house today?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure it was him.”
“Was he tall, with brown hair? Wearing a black leather jacket?”
“Yeah. Why?” He downed the entire glass of juice.
Cole had bought half of Josh’s tickets. Huh. That sounded more like the boy she’d known. The one looking out for others. Like the man who helped her out of the ditch. Not the one evicting her.
“His name is Cole. He’s Mr. Barrett’s grandson.” She’d leave out the part about him wanting to force them from their apartment. “I actually knew him when we were kids.”
“You did?”
“You know how our old house, well, Grandma and Grandpa’s, is behind us?” She pointed in the direction of the back fence line.
“Yeah.”
“When I was your age, he used to come visit his grandpa here every summer.” She paused, letting the memories warm her. Like when she talked about someday being a wedding planner and Cole had teased her about happily-ever-afters. He’d stood there, in his T-shirt and shorts, while she extolled the virtues of holy matrimony.
How would you pick who you’d marry? Her question, and maybe she’d been probing a little.
He’d smiled, lain down under her makeshift arbor in the grass, and looked up at her with those crazy-blue eyes. Well, if you’re someone who wants to get married. He’d wrinkled his nose. You know, it’s for old people. But my dad said he just knew. Knew my mom was the one. He shrugged, tossed a daisy in the air. So, I guess you know.
And in that moment, under the summer sky with the heart of an eleven-year-old girl, she’d wondered what that would be like. To be the one.
Some things hadn’t changed that much.
Cole had shown up four months later with his belongings jammed into a small suitcase to live with his grandpa. She’d felt a little ashamed because she’d been so happy to have him come to stay. He’d lost both his parents and the life he’d known and she was excited to have him there.
Megan blinked away tears and took a deep breath, tried not to let her own family heartache seep in. Her sister, Lillian, had needed her parents’ attention and, really, Megan understood that. Even if their absence in her own life stung.
Pediatric heart conditions were tough to navigate. For parents. For siblings.
How Megan had needed a friend.
She looked at her son. “Anyway, since we were the same age and lived so close, we’d hang out together.”
“That’s cool.” Josh sat down with Puck on the couch. The cat promptly began kneading his leg.
“It was.”
“How come I’ve never seen him before?”
Yeah. Good question. Where had he been all these years?
“I don’t know.” But she’d find out. And maybe if she could just make Cole understand how important the Black Spruce B&B purchase was, find a way to stay long enough to make it all happen, everything would be okay. “How about a game of cards tonight?”
“I don’t know. I beat you pretty good last night.” Josh shot her a wicked grin, a gap where his right canine would be.
“I’m up for a rematch.” She snagged the cards from the bookshelf and grabbed two mugs of hot cocoa from the kitchen.
“See if you can beat me this time.” Puck jumped down from Josh’s lap and wandered to the food dish.
“You didn’t tell me how practice went today.”
“Good. Coach says I’ve improved my speed coming across the ice. He thinks I’m good enough to start in the tournament.”
“Wow—that’s excellent!” See, she knew using the money from her bed and breakfast savings for the hockey camp had been worthwhile. It wasn’t every day a kid got to skate with Jace Jacobsen and Blue Ox players.
“I hope you’re ready to be beat at both UNO and War.”
She began dealing the cards. “You think you’re a match for me?”
“Mom, you’re always too nice. You never want to play your Draw Four cards. Or change the color.” He grew serious. “I think you should really try to play to win.”
Laughter bubbled inside her and she sat down next to him, drew him close, squeezing him into another hug.
“Mom.” He tried to brace against her and push her away, even though a smile curled the corners of his lips.
&n
bsp; “You’re not too old for hugs from your mom. I promise not to do it at the rink.”
“Or at school.”
“Or at school.” She released him.
He slid to the opposite end of the couch to face her and set to work organizing his cards. The two-bedroom apartment didn’t leave room for extras, but Megan found on a dark winter night that cards and hot cocoa were all they needed.
An hour later, Josh looked at her, his blue eyes more sleepy than bright. “One more round?”
“Buddy, I think it’s time for you to get ready for bed. I have another wedding tomorrow and I’ll need your help. Especially if it keeps snowing. Pray the snow stops.”
“Just one more game?”
“How about instead I make pancakes before you head out to shovel snow tomorrow? I think I can even pay you for your time.” She gave him a wink.
“Yes, please.” He smiled.
“Deal. Time for you to get ready for bed.”
Fifteen minutes later, she took one last look out the window. The main house remained dark. Over the last hour with Josh, the knot in her stomach had unfurled. She probably could have handled her encounter with Cole better. Maybe not gone quite so much on the defense. Not actually accused him of ruining her life.
Ugh. Did she really say that? She wasn’t usually one for the dramatic.
It only made sense that, at some point, the house would need to be sold. With Edgar Barrett in memory care, it would stand vacant. Forgotten.
A little like her. Maybe even a reminder of everything she’d never have because of broken promises.
But she had Josh. And though being a single mom was difficult, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. Like building her own wedding planning business here in Deep Haven. And going above and beyond for her brides. Maybe sometimes too far beyond—like driving to Lutsen right before a snowstorm.
She groaned, slipping into her own bed. That train of thought took her right back to the would-be stranger on the highway, whose regrettable good looks had occupied a few too many thoughts until she’d realized who he was and, worse, why he was here.
Apparently, not to tell her that she was the one, but to kick her out onto the street.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand and she read Ivy’s message. Let the full force of it wheedle into her.
Who is the landlord on the lease? Lorraine Barrett didn’t have POA.
Oh. No.
Megan buried her face under her covers and tried not to cry. She didn’t even bother to take another look at the crumpled document she’d dug out of the kitchen drawer with Lorraine’s signature. Because without a proper Power of Attorney, her lease was a useless piece of paper. Cole could challenge it. And she would lose.
Everything.
Chapter 3
Of course they were buried.
Snow fell, deep and white and unwelcome in the dim light of Saturday morning.
It was usually sixty degrees in January at Fort Benning. Cole grimaced. He was afraid to look at what the thermometer hanging outside said.
He sat down on Casper’s couch and took a long drink of coffee, plotting the day ahead. Megan would understand why she had to move out, once he explained it to her. He’d convince her that moving now was the best thing for everyone. It didn’t need to ruin her life—whatever that meant for her.
“Hey. You’re up early.” Casper came down the stairs dressed more for dog sledding than a Saturday by the fire.
“Good morning. Army habit.” The clock said seven. Usually he’d be done with a three-mile run and his workout by now. “I need to do a full inventory of repairs for my grandfather’s place.”
“I’m heading over to Deep Haven Community Church to clear snow.” Casper disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a cup of coffee. “If you’re up for it, I could use some help clearing the lot and a few other places around town. The guy who usually helps me is down with the flu. The church lot will need it for a wedding today and there are a few other driveways I like to make sure are clear for elderly residents.”
“Sure. I’d be glad to help.” He kneaded his hand against his chest. He also had to speak to Megan.
“You’ll need to suit up better than that.” Casper gave a nod to Cole’s jeans and T-shirt. “My guess is you don’t have a real coat in that duffel of yours?”
Cole laughed. “Probably not by Arctic standards. In Georgia, we consider forty degrees absolutely frigid.”
Casper shook his head. “Yeah. That’s practically summer. Let me grab you some warmer gear.”
Deep Haven had changed little during Cole’s absence. Based on the snow-dusted letterboard, the VFW still hosted local bands. Wild Harbor Trading Post had a sale on outdoor gear, and donuts remained the delight of anyone walking into World’s Best, despite the new cupcake offerings on the board.
By nine-thirty, they’d plowed the church lot and several streets. Casper had sent Cole to shovel out Edith Draper’s driveway before they reconvened at the truck parked near the Art Colony. The elderly woman had been so grateful, she’d tried to drag Cole inside for homemade soup.
“You live this way?” Cole leaned against the truck. The work had heated his body but the chill still nipped at his cheeks.
“Come on, you grew up a Minnesota boy. You had to have participated in at least one polar plunge.”
Cole laughed, his breath crystallizing in the air. “I think my only polar plunge was thanks to a dare from Owen.”
“That sounds about right.”
The smell of wood stoves permeated the crisp air, and bright morning light glistened like thousands of diamonds across the snowy yards. Down the street, a large, shapeless mass sat in the driveway where Megan’s car should be. The least he could do was dig her out before explaining to her why she needed to let go of the lease and move out. Cole grabbed the shovel. “Mind if I hold on to this for a bit?”
Casper looked at the house, then the car, a twitch of a smile at the corner of his lips. “Not at all. I can pick you up later. If not, Darek could when he swings through after practice. Thanks for your help.”
“Sure. Thanks for letting me crash at your place.”
Casper gave him a nod. “Stay as long as you need.” He opened his truck door.
Every muscle in Cole’s body would be screaming at him in another couple hours, but the work felt good. Far better than sitting around, waiting. He started digging out the walkway, sweat leaving cool streaks down his back, and mentally rehearsed his next conversation with Megan. Her last words still gnawed at his mind. Ruin her life?
She’d have to understand, right? He couldn’t stay. The house needed to be sold. It was just a tiny rental above a garage. Certainly there were other rentals in town.
He’d finished the walkway and half the driveway when he heard boots tromping toward him. A boy rounded the corner of the garage, carrying a snow shovel. He wore a familiar oversized blue jacket and knit cap with a lock of dark hair sticking out from under it.
The boy’s eyes widened. “Hey—what are you doing here?”
The kid from the Java Cup. Jake? James? Oh, yeah. Josh.
The boy set his shovel blade into the snow and snugged his gloves down over his wrists.
Cole blinked, let the realization settle in his mind. Josh, coming to shovel his driveway. Josh, Megan’s…son?
“Thought I’d be helpful and shovel the driveway.”
Josh surveyed the completed work. “My mom sent me out to do it.”
“Your mom—Megan?” he asked, somehow driven to clarify what he already knew.
“Yeah.” Josh eyed him with not a little suspicion and dug his shovel into the snow. “Is Mr. Barrett your grandpa?” He flicked a scoopful of powder into the yard.
Oh. Well. “He is.” He studied the boy with fresh eyes. He could see her in the curve of Josh’s nose, the fierce determination in the set of his jaw, the intensity of his gaze.
“I heard my mom tell someone you’re going to sell the house and
we’d have to move.”
It was hard not to like a kid who was willing to be direct. Maybe even a little ruthless.
“I do have plans to sell the house.”
The boy nodded. Taking it like a man more than twice his age, and suddenly Cole felt uncomfortable.
“I won’t have to get rid of Puck, will I? He’s my cat. Actually, he’s still a kitten, sorta. I rescued him from down by the ice rink and no one ever claimed him. So, he’s mine now.”
“I see.” Cole had nothing except for the memory of leaving his dog with a new family when he deployed the first time. And as he drove away, realizing he’d never be able to have him back.
Josh kept working, shoveling the mounds of snow without complaint.
Cole paused between scoops. “How long have you lived in Deep Haven?”
“Pretty much my whole life.” Josh dropped his shovel, tugged his hat over his ears. “We lived with my grandparents until they moved away a few months ago.”
“And you like hockey?”
“I love hockey.” He dug his shovel back in and tossed another load. “We have a tournament coming up. And I’m going to attend a camp with members of the Blue Ox. Even Jace Jacobsen.” Pride swelled in his voice.
“J-Hammer? Wow.” Cole smiled at his enthusiasm. “Lots going on for you. Sounds like you have a lot of support for your hockey.”
“My mom never misses a game.”
Cole glanced over as he dug in his shovel, looked for any sign of disappointment. But Josh kept digging, with no mention of his dad. Like the fact that his dad maybe had nothing to do with him didn’t hurt. Didn’t leave a vacancy. But Cole knew that couldn’t be entirely true. He’d been that boy, looking to his dad, the hero. Knew how it had defined the man he would become. And the void when he was gone.
“I lost my parents when I was twelve.”
Josh nodded, kept working.
“It was hard, sometimes, not having them around.” Cole finished another section and began the next. “It sounds like your mom is pretty amazing.” Which didn’t surprise him in the least because she’d always been the person who put everyone else first.
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