Windy City Romance: Boxed Set: Prequel - Book III

by Barbara Lohr

  “Thought I did. It was dark when I loaded it.”

  “Try doing it in the daytime. You could kill somebody.”

  “I left at midnight.”

  “Midnight?” He lowered the glasses and his eyes darkened.

  Her chin came up. “Highway’s quiet at night. Just the truckers.”

  “Exactly. Truckers. You think that’s safe?”

  None of his business. “I’ve, ah, probably got some rope in the back.” She seriously doubted it.

  “I’ll be glad to help.” Cole’s attention shifted to her jeans. The corners of his lips lifted. “You saving that for something?”

  Kate looked down. A cheese curl was caught in her crotch and she batted it away. No time for games. Especially not with him.

  His eyes flitted from her to Gator and back. A stern mask slipped into place. Cole’s teenage acne had left faint pockmarks that definitely didn’t detract from his macho appeal.

  Was he going to help her or not? Her chest throbbed. Could this day get any worse? The boy she’d lusted for in high school didn’t even recognize her. Kate’s throat closed. Nothing like feeling forgettable.

  In two thrusts of his muscular arms, Cole had Gator back in the rack on top of her SUV. Disgusting how easy he made it look, but it gave her time to enjoy the view. Cole Campbell had definitely left “gawky” behind.

  “Thank you.”

  Wheeling around, he caught her staring and grinned. “Got that rope?”

  Her face burned. “Sure. I’ll get it. Let me just check Bonita.”

  “Bonita?” He tilted his head.

  “My car.” One glimpse of the pretty blue SUV on the lot and she knew it was Bonita.

  “Sure. Right.”

  Popping open the back gate, Kate launched herself into the tightly packed boxes and bulging trash bags. Her rear end felt big as a helium balloon.

  “Finding anything? I might have something in the truck.”

  Feeling him hovering, she tried to squeeze her butt tighter.

  When she heard the scratch of his boots, Kate thought maybe he was leaving. Her disappointment surprised her. After all, she wasn’t at her best. If you’re going to run into an old flame… well, a man you wanted to be your old flame… a girl should look hot, not sweaty.

  Kate was sweaty. And not in a good way.

  Finally, she climbed out empty-handed. Cole was ambling toward her with a roll of heavy gauge rope.

  “That looks serious.” Her mother wouldn’t even be able to get a clothespin around this sturdy stuff, although she’d probably try.

  “Want to stand on the other side and catch this?”

  “Sure.” I’d hold anything for you. Like my breath.

  While Cole tossed a length of rope over the kayak, his dog watched from the pickup with mild interest. Grabbing the rope, Kate threaded it back and he knotted it securely. “First, I like to tighten the bow and then the stern.”

  “You kayak?”

  Whipping out a Swiss army knife, he cut the rope. “Way too much work. I sail.”

  Of course. She pictured an elegant yacht skimming Lake Michigan. Samantha McGraw would be rubbing her tan body against his. Kate didn’t need the instant replay. Had enough of that in high school.

  Cole worked with calm efficiency, the way he’d handled Student Council or Debate Club.

  Oh, yeah. He’d handled their debate group just fine.

  When he turned back, his eyes went to her hair. Smiling, Cole whisked something from the mess. Her breath left her body.

  Maybe she was just tired.

  Or maybe she was desperate for a man’s touch.

  He handed her a cheese curl. “You missed this.”

  “Great. Thanks.” She jammed it in her jean pocket and then felt stupid. Was she going to press it in her high school scrapbook? Kate slammed her back gate shut.

  Cole’s eyes rested on the Massachusetts license plate. “Passing through or coming for the summer?”

  “That depends.” He still didn’t know her? She edged toward the driver’s door. “Thanks for your help.”

  Cole cocked his head to one side, like he was listening to her voice. “Sure. No problem.”

  “Got to get to an appointment.” Maybe a shrink. She opened the driver’s door so fast she almost cracked herself in the mouth.

  “Ah, huh. Well, good luck.”

  “Right. Thanks.” Kate needed more than luck this trip. Without looking back, she peeled out and did a U-turn on Red Arrow. In bad need of a friendly face, she headed into town.

  Driving toward Gull Harbor, Kate passed the ice cream parlors, restaurants, galleries, and gift shops that lured tourists. Some looked closed, and she hoped that was just seasonal. Winters could be hard on businesses, and this economy didn’t help any.

  Clancy’s grocery store sat at the main intersection of Whittaker and Red Arrow, just next to Dressel’s drugstore. Kate ducked into the grocery, grabbed a cart, and zipped through the aisles, snapping up basic necessities like OJ, milk, bread and cheese curls. Stopping at the deli counter, she picked up some sliced turkey and cole slaw. Should hold her for a while.

  After stowing the bags in her trunk, Kate glanced across the street. The Full Cup sign swung above the frosted glass door. A cheese crown called to her from Sarah’s shiny clean case. Hardly any traffic on Whittaker in early May and she sprinted across the two lanes. Kate pushed open the door of the bakery and breathed in the scent of warm, fresh pastries. No need to begin sensible eating now. Sour cream donuts, almond braids, cheese crowns and frosted brownies were neatly arranged behind the glass.

  Freshly perked coffee perfumed the air with a hint of hazelnut. Definitely not the roadside stuff. Everything about the place looked the same, just the way Kate liked it. Her irritation eased. Would it be a cheese crown or a brownie? Kate was still deciding when Sarah whirled through the swinging door to the back, patting her brown curls. “Why, Katie Kennedy. Back so soon?”

  “Couldn’t stay away from your cheese crowns.”

  “I know. Me too.” Laughing, Sarah wiped her hands on the apron around her ample waist. Miss Congeniality, hands down.

  “Everything good? Boys and Jamie doing all right?”

  Sarah had married Jamie Pickard, her high school sweetheart now serving overseas. They had two little boys.

  “Yep, as far as I know. One cheese crown coming right up.” Sarah handed over the largest pastry on the tray. She nodded toward the tables at the window. “Got time to chat? Coffee’s free.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” That run-in with Cole after all these years had left Kate’s head fuzzy. She just wasn’t ready to see her mom yet. After pouring a cup of hazelnut coffee, she slid onto one of the wire-backed chairs.

  Sarah settled across the table with a sigh. “Your mother will be glad to see you.”

  “So you know about the second stroke?” No secrets in this town. Today that felt good.

  “How’s she doing?”

  “The therapists say she’s improving.”

  “She’ll be tickled to see you.” Supportive to the bone, Sarah always had your back.

  “Picked up groceries and thought I’d stop here.” Kate’s grin felt shaky. “Kinda tired. I started out late last night.”

  “A woman on the highway alone at night?”

  “Cole Campbell already told me that was stupid.”

  “You’re in touch with Cole?” Sarah’s eyebrows lifted into her curly mop.

  Kate brushed the crumbs from her jeans. “My kayak came loose, and he stopped to help.”

  “Really? Always so helpful. Cole’s a mover and shaker here in town.”

  “Samantha must love that.” Kate had heard Cole and Samantha married right out of college. By that time, Kate had been dating Brian for three years. High school friends pairing up had been old news.

  But with Cole? Okay, the news gave her a twinge or two.

  “They split up.” Sarah stirred more cream into her coffee. “It’s been tough
for him the last few years. He has custody of their daughter.”

  Cole Campbell, a single father? “Thought the mom always gets the kids. Does Samantha live around here?”

  “Nope. California, from what I hear. Anyway, Cole wants to move Gull Harbor ahead.” Sarah glanced at the street outside. “Make some changes.”

  “Things look just fine the way they are.” Kate took another bite of the sweet cheese.

  “We’ve had a rough few years, Kate. Shops have closed or changed hands. Michiana Thyme was sold. Did your mom tell you?”

  Kate shook her head, struggling to swallow. She always bit off more than she could chew. “Nope. She might be a little out of touch now.” Craning her neck, Kate stared down Whittaker at the combination gift shop and diner on the main corner. Been there forever. Now it was sold? Her contentment at being home unraveled around the edges. “I was looking forward to their stuffed French toast.”

  “And I would have been right there with you, not that I need it. Loretta retired and moved to Florida to be near her son William. No one wanted to take on the store.”

  “What’s going to happen to the place?”

  Sarah lifted a shoulder. “Town meeting pretty soon. Cole bought it. He’s got plans. Your mom never said anything? She’s always been so involved in Gull Harbor.”

  “She will be again. I have no doubt.”

  Sarah’s eyes softened. “She’ll be so glad to see both of you.”

  “Mercedes can’t come. Too much going on with her company.”

  At least that had been the excuse. Kate didn’t need to spell it out for her old friend. Eons ago, her older sister had borrowed an outfit from Sarah. The fluffy teal sweater and pants had been so pretty. After go-karting with friends, Mercedes returned it with oil stains. Never said a thing about it. Kate had been so embarrassed. Just another page from the book of Mercedes Kennedy. “I’m hoping Mercedes will be able to come soon.”

  “You Kennedy women are strong. Almost didn’t recognize you, Kate. Like the blonde hair.”

  “What was I thinking? Crazy, right?”

  “Maybe you need more crazy.”

  “Don’t know if I’m ready for that.” But change was bearing down on her, whether she liked it or not. This two-block street was all Kate had ever known in Gull Harbor. They’d hung out here at the Swirly Top, eaten Loretta’s special orange ricotta stuffed French toast at Michiana Thyme and grabbed pizza at Touch of Italy. All the local kids got part-time jobs in the shops during the summer. “I want it to stay just the way it is.”

  “I don’t know if that’s possible, Kate.”

  Her coffee had turned lukewarm. The cozy hazelnut flavor was gone and a chill stole through the glass window. “Boy, it’s cold. When will spring get here?” Kate pulled her hoodie tighter.

  “We had a long winter.” Sarah gave her a wry smile. “The ice floes didn’t melt until just a couple weeks ago. Beach is going to be wide this year. Hope people can afford to rent cottages.”

  By Memorial Day, families would be bustling from store to store with bulging shopping bags. At least, that's the way it used to be. “How's your business?”

  “Not bad. Course I have been taking more day-old pastries to the soup kitchens. Might as well have someone enjoy them, right? Gonna be here for a while? I'm sure the girls would love to see you. You probably have to get back, though. Husband, job, and all that.”

  Kate sucked in a slow breath, not quite ready to share the news. “So much depends on Mom’s condition. I’m freelancing now, you know. Healthcare blogs.”

  “Right, you told me the newspaper had a layoff.” A silence stretched until Sarah carefully swept crumbs off the table and into a napkin. “Well, then. You always liked to read, Kate. Come to our book group.”

  “Anybody I know?” Last thing she needed was a bunch of strangers asking questions.

  “Chili and Carolyn Knight, who teaches at the high school.”

  “Chili? Don’t think I would have passed Spanish without her.” Chili would quiz Kate about verb conjugations until she could recite them in her dreams. “Carolyn? You mean Miss Knight? Still single and teaching at the high school?”

  “Yep and then Phoebe and Diana. Both new to the area. You’ll enjoy them. Phoebe has a hair salon and Diana opened Hippy Chick, a clothing store. Kind of cute.”

  Being with other women might be good for her. “Maybe. Thanks for mentioning it.”

  Sarah looked pleased with herself. “Good. We're meeting next Wednesday. My house at seven.”

  Whoa. “But I haven't read the book.”

  “‘Bridges of Madison County.’ I'll get it to you next week.”

  “Oh, I can wing that one.” An old favorite, the novel was packed up in the garage of the condo, waiting for a destination address.

  The door to the kitchen slammed open, and two little boys tumbled out, barefoot with t-shirts untucked. “Mom, Mom!” the first little guy called out, running to Sarah. “Nathan won’t share!”

  “Mine! These are my dinosaurs!” The other boy clutched some plastic figures to his heaving chest. The unruly hair marked them as Sarah's children.

  “Double trouble.” Sarah stared them both down. “Justin and Nathan, can’t you say hello to Kate?”

  The boys looked like they might consider it.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi.”

  Sarah laid one hand on each boy’s shoulder. “Where's Grandma Lila?”

  Justin poked one finger back toward the kitchen. “Making something.”

  At that moment, a silver-haired woman appeared in the doorway, looking tired and more than a little frustrated.

  “Sarah, I tried but they’re bored.” When Lila threw up both hands, white flour flew. “Hi, Kate. Good to see you.”

  “Boys, we’re going to learn to share or your father will be very disappointed.” Sarah wagged one finger before turning back to Kate. “Their daddy is a very brave soldier.” The last was obviously said for their benefit.

  “You must be so proud of him,” Kate said. With his polished Italian loafers and weekly hair styling, Brian wouldn’t have dreamed of going over to the Middle East. “Was Jamie in the reserves?”

  Sarah nodded. “Called up, but he would have volunteered anyway. I’ve got a ton of chores ready when he gets back.”

  Kate checked the time. “I should get moving. Guess I’ll take a cheese crown for my mom.”

  Shepherding the two boys toward their grandmother, Sarah bustled back behind the counter to retrieve Kate’s cheese crown. “Mom, I think it’s nap time.”

  Both boys howled.

  Waving away Kate’s money, Sarah squeezed her hand. “Oh, don't be silly.”

  “I’ll see you…”

  “Next Wednesday,” Sarah supplied. “My house. Seven o’clock.”

  “Right.” Slotting something on her calendar felt good. Almost banished the embarrassment from running into Cole Campbell.

  After all, wasn’t he the one who should be embarrassed?

  Click here to enjoy life in Gull Harbor with Kate and her friends! Coming Home to You