Coming Home To You (Man From Yesterday 1)

by Barbara Lohr

  “You are going to go, aren’t you?” he heard Alice ask Kate.

  Smiling to himself, he grabbed Natalie’s hand and gave it a little swing. Oh, yes he was coming to the dance. And he just bet she’d be there.

  Chapter 22

  Fireworks had been crackling on the beach all day. Kate felt jumpy as she dashed out to Bonita in her lime wedge sandals and the lilac sundress she’d found in her closet. Mixed feelings churned in her stomach. Going to the parade with her mother had been fun, like one of those old Norman Rockwell paintings. The Fourth of July should be a day of parades and ice cream and doing something special. At least, that’s what the Fourth had been like when she was little, when her dad still lived with them.

  The street dance might be a chance to make new memories in Gull Harbor. She had to get used to going out again. Meeting new people instead of the friends she’d left behind after high school.

  Who was she kidding? Kate was going into town because Cole might be there and that defied all reason.

  Slipping into the SUV, she rolled down the windows. The sun was sinking into the lake and cool pine-scented air rolled over her. Crickets chirped in the tall grass. Starting the car, she cracked open the moon roof. How she loved driving down Red Arrow Highway with air rushing through the car. Felt like her life right now. Which direction was she headed? She had no idea.

  Gravel spun under her tires when she gunned it in the driveway. If she stayed home, her mother would keep dropping comments about Cole. Her mom’s health issues seemed to have loosened her tongue. Before, she’d done tight-lipped battle with the vacuum, pounding Swiss steak into submission with a plate or cleaning windows with squeaky precision. Not many words but a lot of work.

  Now her mom gave voice to every thought. Absolutely no filter. And she definitely had some foolish ideas about Cole. The playful teasing set Kate’s teeth on edge. Why, her mother had practically pushed Kate into going into town that night.

  As if she didn’t want to go. As if she wasn’t hopeful that Cole would be there.

  Kate passed Greta’s Gifts, the Local Color art gallery, and Tuscany restaurant. At least those three businesses were still in operation. Cole’s comment about Crystal Lake scooped a hole in her heart. Sure, she didn’t want that, but was his race to tear down buildings the answer? One by one, she pressed damp palms against her skirt. Every time she thought of those yellow flyers jammed in people’s mailboxes, her stomach got all jittery.

  Music floated on the night air as she parked the car. After applying another coat of Summer Blush lipstick, she walked toward the side street where the dance was held. The tiny white lights strung across the street pricked the darkness. During the summer, it didn’t get dark in Michigan until almost ten o'clock. Mercedes and Kate got to stay up later. How they’d loved the extended daylight. Tonight she passed homes with flags stuck in flower boxes. A large bunting hung from the second story of a new bed and breakfast.

  Kate’s hair was caught up in a ponytail, and the soft summer air brushed the back of her neck. She yanked on one of the spaghetti straps and wondered if she should have worn cut-offs and a T-shirt instead, but she loved this sundress that she left behind when she moved to Boston. Strangely, it suited her more now than when she bought it in high school.

  One beer, that was all. Maybe she'd see some kids from high school. Maybe Cole wouldn’t be able to get a babysitter for Natalie.

  The music throbbed, blurred lyrics spraying into the darkening sky. An electric guitar struck funky chords that reverberated in her stomach. Watching her step on the uneven sidewalk, she hurried along. Drawing closer, she recognized “Surfing Safari,” an old Beach Boys tune. During the summer, someone would always bring a boom box to the deserted beach where they partied. The guys would build a fire for s'mores while they popped the tops of beer cans and dug their toes into the cooling sand.

  Such a long time ago.

  Whittaker Street had been closed for three blocks for the Fourth of July Celebration earlier in the day. By now, the grilles were cooling off and vendors had packed away any leftover food.

  The guitar riffs got louder as she approached the crowd. Scanning clusters of strangers, she stumbled and grabbed a light pole. Her confidence wavered. Maybe coming had been foolish. She’d never been great at socializing. Not alone anyway. Suddenly she missed Brian. Missed the certainty of being half of a couple.

  But that was all she missed and it wasn’t enough. Pushing off from the metal pole, she wove her way through strangers who had probably come from the yachts. Their casually expensive designer clothing wasn’t from the Michigan City mall, only twenty minutes away. Absolutely no one that she knew in the crowd and she backtracked to The Full Cup. Just as she got there, Sarah swirled out of the front door, keys in her hand and her boys smacking at each other.

  “Cut it out,” Sarah scolded the two as she locked up. “Hang onto each other like brothers. Don’t want you getting lost.”

  “You promised we could see the fireworks!” Justin grumbled.

  “We will if you’re good. Take your big brother’s hand,” she warned, glancing up. “Kate!”

  “Can I help?” What would it be like to have children? She’d never be alone… but then she’d risk having the problems that tore her family apart.

  “Think I got it covered, but thanks.” Sarah blew frizzy bangs out of her eyes. “The holidays are always so crazy busy. We were just talking to Jamie.”

  “How’s he doing?” Together, they walked back toward the music and the beach, where the fireworks would be set off.

  “He’s fine, I guess. He never talks about, you know, what he’s doing there.” Sarah dropped her voice, eyes circling toward the boys. “We still have to schedule that shopping trip.”

  “I’m ready when you are.” Kate wished she were more excited about the Firemen’s Ball.

  “I’ll mention it to the girls.”

  “Girls?”

  “Sure. Chili might want to come. Maybe Phoebe.”

  “Mom, my shoe.” Nathan patted one of his unlaced tennis shoes against the pavement.

  Stooping, Kate tied them.

  “I'm tired,” Justin whined, digging his fists into his eyes.

  Kate picked him up. At first he pushed away, looking as surprised as Kate felt.

  “You’d make a good mother,” Sarah murmured.

  “Someday. Maybe.” Justin felt warm and solid in her arms.

  “Of course you’ll have a family.” Sarah squeezed her shoulder.

  As they walked down Whittaker, everyone greeted Sarah by name. Once upon a time, Kate had enjoyed that same familiarity. Right now, she felt out of place.

  “Want a beer?” Kate asked when they came to a stand without a line of customers.

  “Do I ever.” She took Justin from Kate's arms. “You get the beer while I buy these little guys a snow cone. Sugar them up so we'll never sleep tonight.”

  Turning, Kate saw Cole right away. No mistaking the broad shoulders and his long, lean body. Cole was standing in a circle of guys. Voices loud and laughing, they'd probably had a few beers. But Cole was in his listening mode. He'd been just like this in debate club, teasing out the opinions for every issue.

  When he looked over and saw her, he waved. Her steps faltered, but she pushed on.

  Over to the side, people were dancing to “Heat Wave.” Some of the children had even joined in, jumping up and down and clapping.

  “Two beers, please,” she told the guy behind the counter. “Corona light, with limes.”

  Cole was moving toward her. “So you came.”

  “Yep.” She smiled up at him. “Where's your red shirt?” But he was looking mighty fine in a blue oxford cloth shirt with sleeves rolled up.

  His relaxed chortle shivered deep into her stomach. “I could ask you the same thing. Not that I’m complaining about that pretty little dress.” Cole tipped his beer bottle as if saluting her sundress.

  If Kate glanced down, she’d probably see goose
bumps rising across her chest. “I decided I didn't want to look like a flag.” Cold beers in hands, she turned to find Sarah at her elbow.

  “Hi, Cole. How you been? You haven't stopped by lately. Those sticky pecan buns are calling your name.” Clutching their mom’s legs, Justin and Nathan worked on their cherry snow cones.

  “I've been so darn busy, Sarah. It's been crazy. Not that I'm complaining.”

  “And he's been helping me… Well, us, really. Cole made a bathroom out of the old pantry on the first floor.”

  “What a good idea.” Sarah sounded more delighted than warranted. Then she waved. “Oh, look, there's Uncle Ryan.”

  A man with short curly hair was walking toward them, arms wide. “Where are my two curmudgeons?”

  The two little boys giggled as their uncle swept them into his arms. Ryan didn’t seem to care about the sticky cherry snow cones dripping all over him. Kate remembered Jamie’s brother from high school. He was three years older, a hulkish guy who now had a distinct limp, not that it detracted from his looks.

  Sarah smiled up at Ryan. “See? I told you your uncle wouldn't forget.” She pivoted toward Kate and Cole. “Maybe we'll see you guys later. We're meeting my in-laws and Mom down on the beach.”

  With a wave, she followed Ryan but not before mouthing the words, “Dance with him” to Kate.

  The thought of being in Cole Campbell’s arms sent invisible spiders skittering up Kate’s arms. “I don’t remember Ryan having a limp.”

  “Motorcycle accident out on Red Arrow. He’s lucky it wasn’t worse. Kept him from joining the Reserves. Like a lot of us, he wanted to be in the action.” Cole’s mouth had set.

  “Did you want to go to the Middle East too?”

  They’d stopped under a street lamp that cast deep shadows and she couldn’t see Cole’s eyes. “Damn straight. But I have responsibilities here.”

  “Sure. After all, you have Natalie…”

  “And Marie,” he added.

  “Right, Marie.” How well Kate knew how it felt to parent your parent.

  “I’m not complaining.”

  “Didn’t say you were.” Cole had always been the type who shouldered responsibility and asked for more. That much hadn’t changed.

  They sauntered back toward the music. No rogue breezes here and she pushed her hair back from her overheated cheeks.

  “Glad you came.” Cole's eyes roved over her as if she were a sticky pecan bun.

  “Me too.” Why did Kate turn inside out whenever Cole even looked at her? Will Applegate was such a nice guy. A “catch,” as her mother would say, not that Kate was thinking of marriage any time soon. Sometimes life didn't make sense.

  The band eased into “Wonderful, Wonderful,” an old Johnny Mathis tune. The lead guitarist crooned into the mic, and he wasn’t half bad.

  “Want to dance?” Cole’s dark hair looked damp, like he’d just showered. Kate fought a sudden urge to run her fingers through it. Her throat swelled in the most annoying way. She swallowed hard and nodded. Taking her beer, Cole set the cups on a planter. The air still felt so warm. Or was the heat coming from Cole?

  She moved into his arms, trying to keep some space between them, but he wasn't having any of that. One tug and she was flat against his chest, breasts sending her signals she tried to ignore. His pale blue shirt felt rough on her arms. She was still ticked at him about the darn petition, but her annoyance was steamrolled by a relentless attraction.

  Near them, younger couples swayed, arms wrapped around each other. A few gray-haired couples were doing the two-step. One even managed to twirl his wife, and her girlish giggle floated on the night air.

  Kate wanted to be them one day. No divorce for her.

  “I thought maybe you wouldn't come,” Cole said against her hair.

  “Why not? It’s the Fourth of July.”

  “Sometimes I think you’re avoiding me, Katydid.” His jeans were soft against her thighs, not a constant pressure but a brush. Maybe more a stroke. She wanted to close her eyes and enjoy every subtle movement of Cole’s body.

  He gave her a shake.

  “Sorry, what were you saying?” She blinked up at him.

  “Nothing. I think it’s great what you're doing, Kate.”

  “Like what? Coming home?”

  “To take care of your mom.”

  “Aren’t you doing the same with your mother-in-law?”

  “Yeah, but I live here. You came from Boston, right?”

  “Boston’s pretty warm right now. Ever been there?”

  He nodded. “Samantha had an aunt out there. Gone now, but she was great.”

  The name had kicked the conversation back to serious. “I'm sorry, Cole. About Samantha and everything. Must be hard.”

  His shoulders shifted. “I try not to think about it.” The hitch in his gruff voice indicated he wasn't quite there. Not yet. And damn, the mood had been broken.

  “I know that feeling.” Her mind flicked back to Brian, but she didn't want to go there.

  Cole did. “So I hear you're divorced?” They hadn't talked about personal stuff. Conversations about flowers shipments and Natalie were a lot easier.

  “Yep. Signed, sealed, and delivered.”

  “Didn't mean to pry.” Taking her right hand, he cupped it over his heart. Under her palm, she could feel the steady beating, and her own heart joined the rhythm.

  “Actually, it's a relief.” When had she stopped loving Brian? When had she realized that although he seemed perfect for her, he wasn’t? Both goal-oriented, serious students, they quickly settled in with each other. Brian wasn’t a heavy drinker, and that scored high with her. Took some time for her to realize that it took more than common interests to keep a couple together. The marriage had seemed sensible and right. But over the years, Kate began to feel boxed into a relationship that felt more like a business partnership gone wrong, not a loving marriage. His surprise announcement about no babies had been the final straw.

  “Sometimes it can be like that, I guess.”

  But he had no idea. How could he? He’d known Samantha forever. They’d all grown up together. She’d know Brian for months and began to hear wedding bells.

  Sand gritted under their shoes. In Gull Harbor, everything held a light coat of the pale crystals that invaded the town on windy days.

  “Natalie's really enjoying the books.” Cole broke into her thoughts. “I've never been much of a reader. Can’t help her there.”

  “She's a great little kid. Kind of like her mother, I guess.”

  “Only time will tell.” His voice flattened with what sounded like resignation.

  The band shifted into “Surfing Safari.” Like a lot of guys, Cole backed off from the faster rhythm, but he seemed to drop her hands reluctantly.

  “I'm thirsty,” she announced.

  He gave her a relieved smile. Grabbing her beer cup, she sat down on the edge of the planter and he sat beside her.

  When she crossed one leg over the other, his eyes dropped and hovered. “Such pretty little shoes.”

  Now when a man calls size ten feet “little,” that’s saying something. Skin tingling, Kate tossed back another gulp of beer. “Think I’ll take off early next week to take Natalie down to the beach. You could come too, if you want to.” Now why had she suggested that? He had his own beach. “I'll give you a call.”

  Cole’s smile was slow in coming. She'd never realized how long and thick his lashes were. Natalie had them too, lucky girl. “Look, Kate, I’m sorry about the petition. I didn’t realize you felt so strongly.”

  “Oh, you’ll never know.” Misgivings did a slow swirl in her stomach.

  “Why do you have an objection to a hotel in that space?” He looked genuinely puzzled.

  “Because we ate French toast there as kids? Because Michiana Thyme is, well, a part of our history here in Gull Harbor.” She didn’t add that Mildred was working on having the building declared a historical site.

  People were bru
shing past, headed toward the harbor. A broad band of stars winked in the darkness overhead. Only in Michigan did you see this many stars.

  “Want to go down and watch the fireworks?” She was just about leaping out of her skin, thinking about those yellow flyers. Had she acted on emotion instead of gathering more information? Wouldn’t be the first time.

  “Isn’t that why we came?” His eyes twinkled wickedly.

  “Sure. Let’s go.”

  She was off like a shot and Cole’s laugh followed her. When he grabbed her hand, she didn’t pull away. At the beach, they found a flat spot up in the dune grass, away from the crowd. She kicked off her sandals, and he took off his loafers. They rested back on their elbows, sand still warm underneath her.

  “This is fun, being back for this.” The heartache of the past year loosened its grip.

  “I’m glad you came home too.”

  Ridiculous excitement blossomed in her chest.

  Gull Harbor didn’t skimp on the fireworks display. Colors burst in the skies overhead, big, bright and outrageously noisy. Bright orange chrysanthemums, red rockets, white waterfalls transformed the velvety darkness. The fireworks came with machine gun ferocity, so fast Kate had to catch her breath while the crowd voiced appreciation. Cole kept her hand in his, one thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

  “Remember the night we went to Waco Beach after winning the debate with La Porte?” Sitting next to him felt so familiar.

  His brow furrowed. “I guess. We came down here a lot back then, right?”

  “That time was different. Just you and me.”

  Cole’s lips slowly curled into a reminiscent smile. “We got kind of crazy, didn’t we?”

  “You could say that.” After all, he’d been a senior, probably had a lot more experience with crazy kisses than she did.

  “You surprised me that day.” Reaching over, Cole brushed back a curl that had escaped from her ponytail. “I’d never seen you like that.”

  “You mean you’d never thought of me like that.” A girl who’d climb onto his lap, cupping his cheeks with both hands while she kissed him breathless.

  They all clapped at the American Flag unfurling across the night sky in red, white, and blue. “You’d always been so serious, Katydid. I figured I’d let you have too much beer that night. We had that cooler.”