Reunited in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 8)

by Cindy Kirk

  Krew laughed. “I knew they’d push you out of the house if they thought me staying was the other option.”

  “You manipulated the situation.” While it was amusing, she wasn’t sure how she felt about the tactic.

  “If you don’t want to go, that’s fine.” Krew made no move to back the car out of the driveway. “Since David and Hadley made the effort to welcome me to the neighborhood, I feel obligated to make an appearance.”

  “It’s been a long time since anyone invited me to a party.” Cassie gazed down at her hands. “At least, one that doesn’t involve my sister or mother and an obligatory invite.”

  “You’re making changes to your life, good changes. Let everyone see those changes. That’s the only way they’ll begin to look at you differently.”

  “Okay.” As he pulled the car onto the street and drove down the road, she studied his handsome profile. “I didn’t think football players were so astute.”

  A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Contrary to popular belief, we aren’t a bunch of over-muscled Cro-Magnons out on the field. It takes intelligence as well as strength to make it in professional sports.”

  “I’m sorry.” She found herself reaching over, lightly touching the soft sleeve of his coat. “That was unfair. I apologize.”

  “Apology accepted.” He slanted a glance in her direction. “I meant what I said earlier. You look amazing.”

  “I believe the word you used before was great.” She kept her tone light. “But I like amazing, too.”

  Whether it was the heated seats or the comfortable ride, Cassie felt herself relax.

  “Do you have any idea who will be there tonight?” he asked.

  Cassie had already given that matter some consideration. “Steve Bloom recently married Lynn Chapin, David’s mother. That means his sister and brother, as well as all of the Bloom sisters and their spouses, will likely be there. Of course, Eliza and Kyle are on everyone’s invitation list.”

  “What about your sister?”

  “Yes, of course. Lindsay and Owen are also part of that social circle.” Cassie lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “There’s probably more that I’m not even thinking of.”

  Krew only nodded, his gaze focused on the increasing traffic. “I ran into Izzie Deshler. She had nice things to say about K.T.”

  He’d deliberately changed the subject.

  Cassie understood. You could only talk so much about being an outsider. “What did Izzie say about him?”

  “She raved about how talented he is for someone so young.” His hands relaxed on the steering wheel. “I didn’t realize those screaming faces in the alley were his work.”

  “He was the youngest artist chosen to participate in the alley art project last year.” Cassie couldn’t believe she’d been blessed with such talented kids.

  “I know he’s got several years before he graduates, but I was wondering if he has an art school picked out.”

  Silence filled the car for several long seconds.

  “He’s continuing to build his portfolio.” Cassie knew K.T. had big dreams, and she didn’t want to squash them. But all the schools he was looking at were expensive. Grants and scholarships wouldn’t begin to cover the costs.

  “What about Braxton? What does he want to do when he graduates?”

  Cassie wondered if Krew was actually interested. If this was his attempt to ease her nerves about the upcoming party, it wasn’t working.

  “Brax is big into computer stuff. He’s talked about computer engineering. I’m not sure exactly what that involves, but it sounds impressive.”

  It also, Cassie thought, sounded expensive. Like a program that could last far beyond the four years she already couldn’t afford. Unless she sold dozens of houses on the road they’d just turned down.

  “Any chance their father will help with college expenses?” Krew’s tone seemed overly casual.

  Hadn’t Krew listened to a word she’d said about Eugene? Cassie shook her head. “I had to take him to court to get him to pay child support. So having him suddenly appear with a check for college is highly unlikely. Then again, you showed up.”

  She regretted the flippant remark the second she uttered it.

  A muscle in his jaw jumped. “I didn’t know I had a daughter.”

  The edge to his voice was one she’d put there with her thoughtless response. “You’re right. I’m sorry. The situations are totally different.”

  “I care about Dakota. I want the best for her.”

  “I know you do.”

  “That’s why I want to pay for her college.”

  “No.” Panic surged. “We’ve talked about this before, Krew.”

  “Now we’re talking about it again.” There was more puzzlement than irritation in his voice. “Help me understand why you’re refusing to let me help our daughter.”

  Our daughter.

  Her heart lurched.

  “Dakota is a bright girl. I don’t want to see her struggle to get an education when I have the means to help. Heck, if I had known about Dakota, I would have been paying child-support all this time, so all that money would probably add up to college tuition.”

  Cassie shut her eyes for a second. How could she tell him she worried if he started tossing money her daughter’s way, Dakota would prefer him over her without appearing childish? There was no way, because her reason for refusing was all about her feelings and fears. Not about what was best for Dakota.

  She expelled a breath. “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  Cassie nodded.

  “You’re agreeing to let me pay for her education?” Shock had his voice rising.

  “Yes.”

  “That’s wonderful. We’ll tell Dakota the good news together.”

  “No. You tell her. It’s your gift to her.” Cassie forced a smile. “She’ll be thrilled.”

  As Krew turned off the road onto the long lane, the house came into view.

  Instead of having a modern look with lots of glass, like the one where Krew was living, David and Hadley’s home had been designed to look as if it was constructed in the 1920s. She gazed admiringly at the multi-gabled roof through her realtor’s lens and knew that if this home ever went on the market, it’d be snatched up the same day.

  Krew parked behind a truck that Cassie recognized as her brother-in-law’s. By the number of vehicles in the driveway, it appeared they were late arrivals.

  As if sensing her hesitation, Krew made no effort to get out of the car.

  “Whenever you step outside your normal, whatever that normal is, it can be frightening.” His tone was conversational as he leaned back against the leather seat as if getting out of the car had yet to cross his mind. “But when your normal isn’t where you want to be, you have two choices. Stay mired where you’re at, or tough it out and forge a new path.”

  Cassie thought of the life she’d lived since high school. She knew people talked about her, gossiped about the mess she’d made of her life. She’d catch bits of it, usually accompanied with some variation of the statement, Such a shame, she had so much potential.

  What Krew was saying wasn’t anything she hadn’t said to herself when she’d sought out the job at the Daily Grind. When she’d scraped together the money and signed up for the real estate licensing class. When she’d squared her shoulders and swallowed her fear and made an appointment to see a psychologist.

  Coming to this party, stepping out as the woman she wanted to be, rather than the woman who’d disappointed so many people, including herself, was scary.

  One step. Dr. Gallagher had told her change began with a single step in the direction you want to go.

  Despite her racing heart, Cassie fluffed her hair with her fingers, checked her makeup in the car’s vanity mirror and turned to Krew. “What are we doing sitting out here? We’ve got a party to attend.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Krew didn’t know what to think when Gladys opened the door. Her hair was upswept in a style that re
minded him of a place where a bird would build a nest. Her flowing, robe-like dress was mostly black and white with splashes of orange.

  Her pale blue eyes glittered when they shifted to Cassie. “Don’t you look lovely this evening. Come in. Come in. As my mother used to say, we’re not heating the outside.”

  Once inside, Gladys motioned to a young boy to take their coats. The kid was big, but his pudgy face told Krew he wasn’t as old as he looked.

  “Can you accept tips?” Krew pulled several bills from his pocket. Though he was more on the conservative side with his money, he hadn’t forgotten those years when tips tossed his way had made a huge difference.

  “I-I think so.” The boy’s eyes darted to Gladys.

  “If someone offers, you may accept.” The older woman smiled at the child. “But you do not ask.”

  The boy nodded. “Gotcha.”

  Krew handed him his coat and then Cassie’s, along with two five-dollar bills.

  The boy’s eyes widened. “Gee, thanks.”

  Cassie’s gaze remained thoughtful as she watched the child leave the room. “He looks familiar, but I can’t place where I know him from.”

  “The coffee shop?” To Krew, it seemed to make the most sense.

  “He and his mom have the apartment next to where your sister used to live.” Gladys kept her gaze on Cassie.

  “Cody Treacher. The monster next door.” Cassie shook her head. “He isn’t old enough to have a job.”

  “He’s twelve. You’re correct. He isn’t old enough for a real job. But his mother struggles to make ends meet. In exchange for Cody’s help this evening, he and his mother will receive vouchers for free meals at Muddy Boots.”

  “How did David and Hadley find out about this kid?” Cassie found the puzzle pieces to this story intriguing.

  “I mentioned his situation to David when I received the party invitation.” Gladys’s sharp eyes shifted their focus to Krew. “His mother, Sissy Treacher—her maiden name is Janek--used to help me with my lines at the Playhouse. I believe if you mention her to Tessa, she’ll remember her.”

  For as long as Krew could remember, Gladys had been a star performer at the Community Playhouse. Back when there hadn’t been enough money for clothes and other things girls love, Gladys had “paid” Tessa to help her with her lines.

  It sounded as if she’d done the same for Cody’s mother. Now, she was helping the woman’s son.

  Neighbors helping neighbors.

  It wasn’t simply words in this community on the Door County peninsula, it was a way of life.

  Cassie cleared her throat. “That’s nice of you to help.”

  “Pshaw.” Gladys swept the air with a hand on which each finger sported a ring of some kind. “I’m not doing anything.”

  The older woman’s gaze narrowed as it went from Cassie to Krew. She lifted her hands, positioning them as if framing a picture. “Yes. Perfect.”

  Krew exchanged a glance with Cassie. “We should say hello to David and Hadley.”

  The we came out before he could stop it and rephrase, but Cassie didn’t appear to notice. Either that or she was as eager as he was to get away from Gladys.

  Thankfully, the doorbell rang and they were spared any further conversation.

  “Go. Enjoy yourself.” Gladys made a shooing gesture before moving to open the door.

  They’d taken only a few steps down the hall to the living room when Cassie leaned close to Krew. “Was it just me, or was there some weird gleam in her eye when she looked at us?”

  “I noticed it, too.” He kept his voice low. “What was that picture-frame thing she did with her hands?”

  “Not a clue. But what she’s doing for Cody and his mom is sweet.”

  “She’s a good person. That’s something I didn’t realize until after I’d left Good Hope.”

  Cassie cocked her head.

  “This community is full of good people. People who truly care about each other.”

  The second they walked into the large open living room with the massive stone fireplace, they were engulfed by those good people.

  Owen was one of the first to welcome him with a manly half hug and a slap on the back.

  “Marriage agrees with you,” Krew told him.

  While there had been some happy times between his sister and Owen, they’d never been a good fit. Lindsay made him happy, and God knew Owen needed it after what he’d endured.

  Sweet Mindy.

  No one should ever have to lose a child.

  “We’re very happy.” Owen’s arm remained around his wife’s shoulders, as if he found it difficult to keep from touching his bride.

  “You’re starting to pooch out.” Cassie’s comment had her sister’s hand moving to the swell of her belly. “March will be here before you know it.”

  Lindsay glanced down. “Ami’s due around the same time, and she looks much more pregnant than me.”

  “It’s also her second baby,” Cassie reminded her. “With Dakota, I barely showed at all. With Braxton, I looked like I was ready to pop months before I was due.”

  Cassie stopped suddenly, two bright spots of pink dotting her cheeks. “Anyway, you look terrific.”

  “You look nice this evening, too.” Lindsay smiled. “Red is definitely your color.”

  “I got this in Sturgeon Bay at the consignment store,” Cassie admitted.

  “I love that place.” Hadley stepped forward and gave Cassie a hug. “I’m happy you came tonight.”

  She extended her smile to Krew, but her focus quickly returned to Cassie. “Did you get this dress at the Christmas in July markdown?”

  As the three women talked about sales, Krew watched Cassie relax.

  David wandered over to join them and held out his hand to Krew. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.”

  The conversation was interrupted by Brynn and a huge dog nearly as large as she was.

  “Brynn Chapin.” David’s voice turned stern as his gaze settled on the animal. “What did your mother and I tell you about keeping Ruckus upstairs?”

  “He just came down to hear the announcement.” Brynn offered her father a sweet smile. “Ruckus is part of the family. As soon as you tell everybody that Mommy is going to have a baby, I’ll take him upstairs. I promise.”

  With the leash held firmly in one hand, Brynn crossed her heart with the fingers of her free hand.

  “Okay.” David expelled a breath. “If your mother is okay with making the announcement now, he can stay for a few more minutes. Then right back to your room.”

  For a second, it looked as if the child was going to argue. She must have thought better of it, because she only nodded.

  Moments later, David and Hadley had positioned themselves in front of the windows with Brynn beside them.

  Krew found himself standing beside Cade Rallis, who’d replaced Len as sheriff, and his wife, Marigold.

  “It looks like they’re ready to make some kind of announcement.” Cade glanced at his wife.

  The sheriff was taller than Krew, with broad shoulders and an athletic build. Krew wondered if he’d ever played any ball.

  “What would they have to announce?” Despite the light words, a watchful wariness had filled the pretty blonde’s eyes.

  “Maybe they’re moving away from Good Hope?” Cade rubbed his chin. “I don’t know what else it could be.”

  “Shhh.” Ami moved to stand beside her younger sister. “I want to hear this.”

  Lindsay had been right, Krew saw. The size of her baby bump didn’t begin to compare to Ami’s.

  His gaze slid to Cassie, whose gaze was focused on their hosts. He wondered how much of her not showing her pregnancy with Dakota had been first-baby stuff and how much had been hiding the fact she was pregnant at fifteen.

  Fifteen.

  If Anita had found out about him and come after him with both barrels loaded, he’d have deserved it. The fact that he’d been a kid himself didn’
t excuse his actions.

  “Hadley and I are happy that you could join us this evening.”

  “I’m glad, too,” Brynn piped up, her voice carrying easily. “So is Ruckus.”

  Laughter rippled through the room.

  Krew wished he could have known Dakota at that age.

  “When Hadley and I married, the plans were to wait a little while to start a family.” David paused and glanced at his wife.

  Their eyes locked for several seconds.

  “God, however, had other plans.” David chuckled as he glanced at Pastor Dan, then refocused on the rest of his guests.

  “What David is trying to say is, we’re pregnant.” Hadley lifted her hands. “Surprise.”

  Ami gave a squeal.

  “We’re extremely happy about this.” David grinned. “We wanted you here to share our joy.”

  “To answer your question, baby Chapin is due to arrive at the beginning of May.” Hadley glanced in Eliza’s direction. “The same time as Eliza and Kyle’s little one.”

  Beside Krew, Marigold stiffened and blinked rapidly. “They haven’t even been married a month.”

  At her low whisper, Cade pulled her close and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Our time will come.”

  There was a story there, Krew thought. He shifted his gaze, having no desire to intrude on what looked like a private moment.

  Krew wasn’t eager to battle the crowd who milled around David and Hadley, but he suddenly wanted to be somewhere else.

  He took Cassie’s arm. “Time to do some exploring.”

  Interest flickered in the blue-green depths of her eyes. “Where to?”

  Krew gestured toward the hallway. “The kitchen.”

  Several of his married friends on the team had recently built new homes. They were impressive, but he didn’t believe any of their kitchens were as fine as this one.

  “I’m not much of a cook.” Cassie moved to the island and ran her hand along the white marble countertop. “But if this were my kitchen, I think I’d learn.”

  He watched her gaze take in the double electric ovens, the gas range that was bigger and better than any range he’d seen and the cabinets that went all the way to the ceiling.