Perfect Summer: Mason Creek, book 7

by Lopez, Bethany

  “Good news like this travels fast.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us you were meeting him for lunch? We could have set your hair for you, not that the ponytail doesn’t look cute,” Cheryl said, watching me through the mirror.

  “It wasn’t a date,” I insisted, raising my hand to feel my hair. Shoot, I’d forgotten I was wearing it up. I’d been in a rush this morning and hadn’t had time to fix it yet.

  “What was the dessert special?” Stacey asked.

  I blinked at the quick change in topic and said, “Um, I think I saw a chocolate cake on the counter with cherries, maybe a black forest cake.”

  “Guess I know where I’m going after my shift,” she said, humming a bit in anticipation. “You know, if you have some milk with your cake, the calories are cut in half. As long as it’s fat-free milk.”

  Cheryl rolled her eyes and shot me a grin.

  “Oh, Faith, I left a flyer on your desk for you,” Bethany said. “Word on the street is that sweet baby girl of yours is in the market for a kitten, so when I saw the notice on the bulletin board, I knew I had to grab it for you.”

  Hope had been asking for a kitten since we’d moved to Mason Creek. I’d tried to sell her on a goldfish, but she wasn’t budging. I didn’t mind the thought of getting a cat, at least they were self-sufficient and easy to care for … now if she’d asked for a puppy, I would have been adamant that it wasn’t the right time. But a kitten actually sounded nice.

  “Thanks, Bethany, that was really sweet of you. I’ve been meaning to look into getting one, but just haven’t found the time yet.”

  “Well, I think you’ll find time to go see this one,” Cheryl said, a suspicious gleam in her eye.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked, although I was afraid I was beginning to figure out what they were playing at.

  Cheryl shrugged and repeated, “The flyer is on your desk.”

  I glanced at them all warily and said, “Okay,” before turning on my heel and heading into the back.

  I found the flyer on my desk as promised and picked it up.

  Free to a Good Home. A litter of kittens found under my house and fully weaned and vaccinated. For more information, call Mitch Collins.

  Of course, I thought, but couldn’t stop my lips from quirking up as I pulled my cell from my back pocket.

  10

  Mitch

  I moved through the cabin, making sure everything was in its place and the rooms looked clean. There was a good chance Faith, and her daughter, wouldn’t even come inside, but I didn’t want to get caught with dishes in the sink or my dirty socks on the floor.

  I don’t know why it mattered to me what Faith thought of my home, or of me, but it did. And I’d be a liar if I said otherwise.

  I’d been surprised to answer my phone and hear Faith’s voice on the other end. I guess it wasn’t all that surprising she’d gotten my number, she could literally ask anyone on the street, and they’d have it. I’d simply been shocked she called at all.

  I’d felt a little let down upon realizing she was calling about the kittens I’d posted about, and not because she wanted to talk to me, but I was willing to take anything at this point. And, yes, I realized how that made me sound.

  I finished sweetening the sun tea I’d made with sugar and placed it in the refrigerator to chill when I heard a knock on my door.

  With one last glance around the space, I walked to the door using wide strides, then paused and took a deep breath in order to brace myself for what waited on the other side. Or should I say, who.

  I opened the door, and my gaze automatically went down.

  A smiling face looked back up at me, with eyes exactly like Faith’s, and the same golden hair pulled up in pigtails. She wore a pink jumpsuit over a white shirt and had on two different sandals.

  My breath caught in my throat as a million different thoughts crashed through my mind.

  “My mommy said you have kittens,” Faith’s doppelganger said in the sweetest voice I’d ever heard.

  I finally tore my eyes away from her and brought my gaze up to Faith. “She looks just like you,” I managed.

  Faith smiled proudly and placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Hope, say hi to Mitch before you start in on him about the kittens,” she said with a laugh.

  “Hi, Mr. Mitch.”

  I crouched down so we could be on eye level, held out my hand, and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Hope.”

  She giggled and shook my hand.

  “Can I see the kittens now?” she asked, tilting her head back to look at her mom.

  “We sure can,” I answered, shutting the door behind me, and starting down the steps. “Follow me.”

  I heard Hope’s tiny steps chasing after me as I rounded the corner and stopped next to the large box on the side of the house I’d set up with an old blanket when I’d found the kittens.

  We could hear the kittens mewing as we neared, and I heard Hope gasp in anticipation.

  “Here they are,” I said, pointing to the box.

  We looked down to see the mom laid out across the blanket with three of the five kittens laying near her, while the other two played.

  “Oh, Hope, aren’t they adorable,” Faith cooed as they both got closer.

  Hope’s eyes were wide, and she looked completely mesmerized by what she was seeing.

  Faith looked up at me with a grin. “I think she’s speechless. That doesn’t happen often.”

  Hope stood there frozen for so long I was about to ask if she was okay, when I heard her whisper, “Can I hold one?”

  “Yeah, of course,” I replied, moving to the box. “Which one would you like to hold?”

  I noticed her tiny fingernails were painted a soft pink as she pointed at the gray kitten who was attacking his mother’s tail.

  “Great choice,” I told her as I reached in to pick him up and placed him in her outstretched hands.

  “Ohhhh,” she squealed softly as she cradled him close. “She’s so soft.”

  “Actually, that one’s a boy,” I told her.

  Hope looked between me and her mom and said, “I was going to name it Princess Alice. Do you think he’d mind if I call him Prince Alice?”

  My heart melted a bit as I watched her snuggle him.

  “I think he’ll be happy with whatever you name him, as long as you love him and keep him safe,” Faith said gently.

  “I will. Promise!”

  “I think it’s a love match,” I told Faith.

  She laughed and nodded in response.

  “You can say that again. I’m so happy you found them and put up that flyer. You’ve made Hope’s day.” And when she reached out to pet Prince Alice’s head with her lips turned up, I knew she was just as enamored with the kitten as her daughter was.

  “Would you like to come inside? I have some sweet sun tea.” I asked.

  “Really? It’s been forever since I had sun tea. I haven’t even thought about it in ages. I’d love some. What do you think, Hope?”

  “I also have milk and orange juice, if you don’t like tea,” I told her.

  “Can Prince Alice come inside, too?” she asked, unwilling to give him up for a second.

  “Of course,” I assured her.

  “Then I’d like some orange juice, please.”

  “You got it,” I replied, then led them back around the house and up to the door.

  “I heard Wilder rented cabins up here, but I’d never seen one … I love it. Have you lived here long?” Faith asked as we went inside.

  “A couple years,” I replied as I moved to the kitchen to get the drinks.

  Hope sat on my chair and laid the kitten in her lap, who immediately found a comfy position and started to doze off.

  “It’s not forever, but I needed to give my mom her own space and have mine. I started out in an apartment, but hated it, so when Wilder built the cabins and said he was going to rent them out, I asked if I could move in. I’m much happier being
surrounded with peace and quiet than I was in that cramped one-bedroom. Eventually I’ll build something…”

  “That sounds nice. Do you have an idea of where you want to build?” she asked, then said, “Thanks,” when I handed her a glass of tea.

  I put Hope’s juice on the table next to her and then sat on the sofa next to Faith, giving her a few inches of space.

  “Yeah, actually, there’s a piece of land down Tucker Lane past the church, about five acres. I’ve put an offer on it, I’m just waiting to hear back.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  I shrugged and said, “Yeah, it’ll take a while to build a house, but I’m excited over the prospect of owning something of my own.”

  “Well, I hope they accept your offer,” Faith replied, taking a sip of tea. “Oh my gosh, I forgot how good this is. I don’t know why I haven’t started making this myself. Looks like when we stop at the store to get supplies for Prince Alice, I’m going to have to get a sun tea jar as well.”

  “I can’t believe you don’t still drink it. It was always your favorite.”

  “I guess once I got to Chicago, it was so cold for so long that once summer finally rolled around, I just didn’t think of it.”

  A million questions were on the tip of my tongue at her mention of Chicago, but I knew it wasn’t the time to get into it, not with Hope there.

  After they finished their drinks, Faith said they should get going so they could stop at the store on their way home, so I walked them out to Faith’s car and waited as she secured Hope in her car seat.

  “Thanks again for letting us come by to see the kittens.”

  “I’m just glad Hope and the Prince found each other,” I joked, then said more seriously, “But you are both welcome anytime.”

  “Bye, Mr. Mitch,” Hope called from the back seat.

  I leaned into the window and said, “Bye, Ms. Hope. I hope you and Prince Alice are very happy together.”

  “We will be,” she said, stroking his fur lovingly. “You can come visit him if you want.”

  “I’d like that,” I said, then straightened and glanced at Faith. “If it’s all right with you, of course.”

  Faith lifted one shoulder and said, “Call me.”

  I stood there and watched her car drive down the lane, really hoping she’d meant it.

  11

  Faith

  One of the things I’d missed about Mason Creek were the festivals.

  In Mason Creek we celebrated everything. If there was a holiday, we’d have a festival for it in the middle of Town Square and everything would close down so the whole town could get involved.

  It was Memorial Day and Hope was over-the-moon excited about attending another festival in the square.

  She loved everything about it … the ice cream tasting, the pie-eating contest, and especially the live music. My girl loved to dance, so whenever we attended anything with music, she was centerstage, dancing until she couldn’t breathe.

  The forecast said we had a beautiful day ahead of us, and since the salon was closed along with everything else, we planned to spend the whole day in the square.

  My parents were meeting us for lunch, and I was sure throughout the day I’d see everyone I knew at least once. Including Mitch … and I could admit to myself that, although the thought made me a little nervous, the feeling that won out was excitement.

  Hope had been singing Mr. Mitch’s praises all week to anyone who would listen. She was completely in love with Prince Alice and saw Mitch as the person who made getting him possible. So right now, he was her favorite person on the planet.

  “Little bear, are you ready?” I called as I gathered everything together.

  “Almost. I gotta make sure Prince Alice has food and water … and his stuffed bunny. He’s going to be lonely,” she called back.

  I smiled, thinking of how great she’d been caring for the cat. She was too little to worry about kitty litter, but she’d been diligent about his food and water, and she loved having him in her bed at night.

  A few moments later she came bounding down the hall.

  “Ready?”

  Hope nodded enthusiastically and kicked out her foot. “I’ve got my dancing shoes on.”

  She had on matching sneakers. When she knew she was going to be dancing, Hope dressed for comfort, not style.

  “Let’s shake a tail feather then,” I said, loving it when Hope laughed in response.

  We walked to the square, since parking would be impossible, with a cloth bag filled with water, a blanket, and snacks for Hope, and a picnic basket filled with goodies for the auction.

  Since I didn’t want to lug it around all day, we went to the auction table first.

  “Good morning, Faith. Hope, how are you on this gorgeous morning?” Mrs. Wright asked with a welcoming smile.

  “Wonderful, how are you?” I asked.

  “Couldn’t be better,” she replied easily.

  “I just wanted to drop off my basket for the auction. I can’t believe my mom talked me into making one,” I said, a little embarrassed.

  I could almost guarantee I was going to be the oldest woman auctioning off her basket today. It was a Mason Creek tradition and a staple at our festivals. The single women in town would make up elaborate picnic baskets and auction them off to the single men in town. Whichever man won, would get to share the picnic with the woman. Some may say it was archaic, but it was all in good fun, and the proceeds went to the children’s hospital, so it was for a good cause.

  Still, I’d never participated in one, so I was a little nervous and embarrassed at the thought.

  I mean, what if no one bids on my basket? How humiliating would that be?

  “Mommy, where’s Mr. Tucker? I don’t see him on the stage.”

  I glanced over to the empty stage and said, “They just haven’t started yet, sweetheart. I’m sure they will soon.”

  Hope tapped her foot impatiently and said, “Then can we go see Ms. Hattie and Ms. Hazel?”

  “It’s a little early for ice cream. Why don’t we go over to the games?” I suggested, not wanting Hope to have a meltdown already. She looked so forward to these events that sometimes the anticipation of everything could overwhelm her.

  “Okay, Mommy. Bye, Mrs. Wright,” Hope said, grabbing my hand with hers and tugging me away so I wouldn’t start talking again and get waylaid.

  We said hi to everyone as we moved across the grass and closer to the fountain, where the games were set up.

  Once we got there, Hope saw a couple of her friends and they all started playing the fishing game. Knowing Hope could play and talk to her friends forever if I’d let her, I moved to a free bench and sat down so I could watch her.

  I was enjoying the sun on my face and the sound of Hope and her friends laughing together, when a shadow fell over me.

  I looked up to see Mitch standing there with two cups of coffee in his hands.

  When he held one out to me with a grin, I asked, “What’s this?”

  “Dirty Chai, right?”

  “Yeah,” I said, accepting it with surprise. “How did you remember that?”

  He shrugged and gestured to the bench. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all,” I said, scooting over to make room.

  Mitch sat next to me and looked over at Hope. “She’s having a good time.”

  “Always,” I agreed with a grin. “She loves festivals.”

  “Who doesn’t,” Mitch quipped. He leaned close and bumped my shoulder with his. “A little birdy told me you’re in the picnic auction.”

  I felt my cheeks heat and mumbled, “My mom made me do it.”

  Mitch’s laugh was loud and from the belly, which had me smiling along with him, and got Hope’s attention.

  She came running over calling, “Mr. Mitch, Mr. Mitch…”

  “Why, hello, Ms. Hope. How are you? And how’s Prince Alice?” he asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees when she stopped right in front
of him.

  “He sleeps with me every night and I give him food and water. He loves it at our house,” she said, speaking fast and bouncing on her feet. “He’s got a pet bunny and he purrs really loud. Don’t you love the festival? I’m going to eat ice cream and dance all day. Do you like to dance?”

  “I love to dance,” Mitch said with a laugh.

  “Okay. We’ll dance once Mr. Tucker gets on the stage. Do you know when he’s going to start?”

  Mitch looked over at the still-empty stage and said, “I think the sign said at one o’clock. So, after lunch I reckon.”

  Hope nodded seriously and said, “I hope he’s not late,” before she spun around and went running back to her friends.

  Mitch chuckled and said, “You’ve got a great girl there.”

  “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing,” I agreed.

  Mitch stood up and said, “Well, I told the Jackson twins I’d help them set up for the ice cream tasting, and if I’m late they’ll send out a search party.”

  “I’m sure I’ll see you around,” I replied.

  “Oh, you will. I’ll be in the front row for the auction,” he said, shooting me a devilish grin before walking away.

  Oh boy!

  12

  Mitch

  I whistled as I walked through the festival.

  Dang, but that Hope was a sweetheart.

  I couldn’t help but laugh as I thought of her rapid-fire way of talking or how much she reminded me of Faith when she was younger.

  I’d honestly been really afraid of meeting Faith’s daughter. I thought there’d be resentment over Faith having been married and having a child with another man. That I’d see her and imagine what a child of ours would have looked like. But now that I knew Hope, there was no way I could wish her out of existence, or even imagine Faith without her.

  Sure, I sometimes felt a pang in my heart when I looked at her, but that was all about my own regrets and had nothing to do with an innocent child.

  “Mitch, you gonna be in the ax-throwing contest?” Grayson, the fire chief, called as I walked by their tent.