by Cindy Kirk
“Spirit of the season and all that.” Krew offered her a persuasive smile.
Her fingers curved around the bills. “Thank you. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.”
As soon as Krew stepped out the door, Axl placed his small hand in his. Though it was likely something he’d been conditioned to do while crossing streets, Krew felt his heart lurch.
It was as if Axl was putting his trust in him, counting on Krew to take care of him and keep him safe.
Krew tightened his grip around the little fingers. There was an ache in the area of his heart, and he knew he would protect this child with his life.
Despite Axl wanting to jump on every crack in the sidewalk, they made good progress until the entrance to the downtown park came into view. It wasn’t a large park by any standards—a few swings, an old-fashioned metal slide and a merry-go-round. The bushes shaped like animals and the ornate streetlights illuminating the area made it unique.
Axl tugged on his hand. “I want to go on the merry-go-round.”
“I need to call your mom first to make sure it’s okay.” When Krew released Axl’s hand to pull out his phone, the boy started through the black wrought-iron gate gilded with gold. “Stop right there.”
Reacting to Krew’s forceful tone, Axl froze as if playing a game of statue. The boy turned, his eyes large and very blue. He didn’t move a muscle.
Krew held up a finger as he brought the phone to his ear. “Cassie. I’ve got Axl, and we’re nearly to the Grind. Did your coworker show up yet?”
Cassie exhaled an audible breath. “Not yet. But I reached her. She says she’s on her way.”
“Do you mind if we stop at the park for a few minutes? I know you said Axl could wait in the shop until your replacement arrives, but this might give him a chance to run off some energy.”
“Is it too cold?”
Instead of tossing off an answer, he considered. “It’s chilly, but he’s got his hat and gloves on, and we won’t stay long. After a couple turns on the merry-go-round, I bet he’ll be ready to leave.”
“Okay.” Cassie hesitated. “Thanks for picking him up, Krew. If I’d had any other options, I wouldn’t have bothered—”
“It’s not a bother.” He cleared his throat. “I’m here to help. You can count on me. Remember that.”
By the time Krew and Axl arrived, it was feeling like a party inside the Daily Grind. Shortly before Cassie’s replacement arrived, Dakota walked through the door with K.T. and Braxton.
“I’m sorry,” Cassie said to Krew. “Dakota and the boys weren’t supposed to get back until seven. If I’d known they’d get back early, I could have had them pick up Axl.”
His eyes met hers. “It wasn’t a problem. Axl and I enjoyed ourselves at the park. Your youngest has an abundance of energy.”
Cassie chuckled. “Tell me about it.”
Krew turned to his daughter. “Do kids in grade school still go out to Cherry Acres?”
“They did when I was in third grade,” Dakota said.
K.T. and Braxton both nodded.
Krew slanted a glance at Cassie. “Did you hear about the fire?”
“I heard Roy’s house was a total loss.” Cassie sighed. “At least he made it out safely.”
Dakota and the boys exchanged glances.
“The lady at the day care said he was in the hospital in Sturgeon Bay, for smoke inhalation,” Krew said.
“He was.” Dakota glanced at her little brother, who was busy putting handprints all over the glass-fronted bake case. She lowered her voice. “I saw a local news alert on my phone on the way here. Roy died at the hospital.”
“Cardiac arrest,” Braxton added.
“Oh no.” Sadness washed over Cassie’s face. “Roy ran a tight ship on those tours, but he was always nice when he came into the Grind.”
“Does he have family?” Dakota asked.
Cassie’s gaze turned thoughtful. “A daughter, but I think they may have been estranged. I know she doesn’t live around here.”
“Well,” Krew rocked back on his heels, “it was great seeing all of you—”
Dakota’s hand curved around his muscular biceps. “You’re not going anywhere, mister.”
His lips curved at her teasing tone. “I’m not?”
“Not unless it’s bowling with all of us.”
Krew’s gaze shot to Cassie, but she only shrugged.
“They’re doing bowling bingo at Pin Chasers in Sister Bay tonight.” Dakota glanced pointedly at her brothers as if enlisting their support. “We called on the way back into town and signed up. We got the last five spots.”
Cassie’s brows pulled together in puzzlement. “I didn’t think you boys liked to bowl.”
“We do when there are prizes,” K.T. told her.
“The grand prize is a new MacBook,” Braxton said.
“You guys go.” Cassie tugged her youngest away from the bakery case glass. “I’ve been away from Axl all day. I don’t want to leave him with a sitter.”
“The brat can come along.” Braxton lifted the boy and flipped him upside down, making him squeal with joy. “They’ve got a concession area with real food. Since we’re running late, we can just eat there.”
Cassie thought of the small amount of money she had in her checking account. Money that would have to last her—them—until her next payday.
“Tonight is my treat.” Krew spoke before she could shut down the idea. “Food, bowling, shoe rental…all of it.”
“That’s nice of you,” Dakota said with a smile.
“Yeah, thanks,” Braxton told him.
K.T. gave him a thumbs-up.
Cassie thought about protesting, very nearly did, but then she caught his gaze. He flicked a glance toward Dakota, and suddenly Cassie understood. This was an activity they could do as a family.
“What do you think, Mom?” Dakota asked, two lines of worry between her dark brows at her mother’s silence.
Cassie placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I think it sounds like a lot of fun.”
Chapter Fifteen
“C’mon, Mom,” Braxton called out. “You can do it. Straight down the middle.”
“Whatever you do, don’t put it in the gutter.” K.T. chewed on the edge of his nail.
If Cassie could avoid sending her ball into the gutter and knock down at least one pin, their bingo card would be filled and eligible to be entered into the big drawing.
Krew watched Cassie’s shoulders tense. She wasn’t much of a bowler. All evening, the gutters had been her ball’s best friends.
Even though bowling wasn’t his game, either, Krew’s innate athleticism had proven to be key to his success.
Cassie stood there for several seconds, black ball in hand. He sensed just how much she wanted to pull this off. Her boys and Dakota continued to shout words of encouragement, but Krew remained silent, not wanting to add to her stress.
He would be here to support her, regardless of the outcome. Krew was mentally preparing what he’d say to her disappointed sons, and then she gave a heave and released the ball.
It made a thudding sound as it hit the shiny lane.
Cassie didn’t turn around, but stood and watched her ball’s progress from a front-and-center position just shy of the foul line.
For Krew, it was as if the world had flipped into slow motion. The ball chugged its way down the far right of the alley at the speed of a tortoise, precariously close to the gutter.
Like a sideline run, where one misstep would put you out of bounds.
Five feet to go.
Three feet to go.
Krew held his breath.
The ball reached the pins and toppled two.
The boys cheered and pumped their fists in the air.
“Way to go, Mom.” Dakota curved her thumb and finger, put it between her lips and whistled.
Cassie whirled, a look of stunned disbelief on her face. Then her lips parted, and the broadest, brightest smile Krew had
ever seen flashed.
He wasn’t thinking about anyone but her as he reached her, lifted her in his arms and spun around. “You did it.”
She looked at him, and suddenly she was that young girl on the beach, joy radiating from every pore.
His lips closed over hers in a kiss that had everyone hooting.
The hands she’d wrapped around his neck fell to her sides. Her rosy cheeks turned dark. She gave a little laugh. “I think you got caught up in the moment.”
“Wow,” K.T. said. “I’m glad I didn’t throw the winning ball.”
The comment had them all laughing, but Krew caught Dakota’s assessing look.
“How long until they draw for the MacBook?” Cassie asked.
“It’ll be at least another thirty minutes.” Braxton glanced at Axl, asleep on the rounded plastic seating. “We don’t have to wait.”
Cassie looked confused. “But they told us you have to be present if your card is called in order to win.”
“We probably won’t win, anyway,” Dakota said, her eyes dark and unreadable.
“I had a coach who told me that to win, you have to believe you’re going to win.” Krew slung an arm around Dakota’s shoulders. “I say we get some ice cream at the snack bar and wait. What do you say, oh daughter of mine?”
The tension on Dakota’s face eased in a smile. “I say that sounds like a stellar idea, Daddy-o.”
They ordered hot fudge sundaes, the bowling alley’s evening special. While they devoured the ice cream, Dakota told Cassie and Krew about her trip to Green Bay with her brothers earlier in the day.
“We picked up the art supplies K.T. needed, and Braxton got his computer stuff.”
“What did you get?” Cassie asked.
“A sweater to wear on Thanksgiving.” Dakota turned to Krew. “You’re going to join us, right?”
“If I’m invited.” Krew wanted to spend the day with Dakota and her family, but he hadn’t wanted to assume.
“Consider this your formal invitation.” Dakota’s smile faded as she shifted her gaze to her mother. “Before dinner, we need to get together and tell Grandma that Krew is my dad.”
Krew heard the tension in Dakota’s voice. From what he recalled about Anita Fishback, this might be a difficult conversation. “If it’s going to be a problem, I can skip Thanks—”
“No. I want you there,” Dakota cut him off. “We should have told Grandma before now.”
“I can tell her,” Cassie began.
Dakota shook her head. “My dad. My conversation.”
“I want to be there,” Cassie said.
“Me, too.” Krew didn’t want either of them having to deal with Anita’s sharp tongue alone.
“Can’t wait to watch the blowup,” Braxton said.
“It’ll be better than the Fourth.” K.T. grinned. “I love Grandma, but she has a short fuse.”
“She’ll understand,” Cassie said, but Krew saw the doubt in her eyes.
“We’ll do it tomorrow.” Dakota gave a decisive nod. “I’ll set up—”
“Shhh,” Braxton said. “They’re drawing the winning bingo card.”
They’d chosen this table specifically because they could hear all the winning announcements.
“—Lohmeier. Is Cassie Lohmeier present?”
“Yes.” Braxton shot a fist into the air. .
Cassie frowned. “Why did they call my name?”
“You have to be over eighteen to win. I put your name on the card.” Braxton motioned for her to go, then called out, “Over here. She’s right here.”
Cassie hurried forward, and the bald-headed man at the microphone beamed. “Congratulations, Ms. Lohmeier.”
“Wow.” Dakota leaned back in her seat. “We never win anything.”
“Axl won the Halloween costume contest,” K.T. reminded her.
“You won the lottery,” Braxton told his sister.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy.”
“You did,” K.T. agreed.
“When?” Dakota’s tone challenged her brothers.
Braxton jerked a thumb in Krew’s direction.
Dakota’s smile lit up her whole face. “You’re right. I did win the lottery.”
Cassie expected Krew to leave once they got back to the house. Instead, he lifted a sleeping Axl from his car seat and carried him inside. The little boy didn’t even wake when she washed his face and hands and put on his pajamas.
“He sleeps in here with you?” Krew kept his voice low as he studied the twin beds in the room.
“There’s only two bedrooms, and the older boys share the other one.” Cassie lifted a shoulder. “You know how it is. You make do with what you have.”
She tucked the blanket around Axl and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “Sleep well, little man.”
When Cassie straightened, she felt Krew’s eyes on her. She squared her shoulders. “It’s not an ideal setup, but once I get my real estate license, I’ll look for something bigger.”
“It isn’t that.” Krew waved a dismissive hand. “I slept on the sofa in the living room for most of my life.”
“What, then?”
“You. You’re amazing.”
“I am not—”
He stepped forward and took her hand. “Don’t put yourself down.”
“Are you two about—?”
Cassie turned, her hand still in Krew’s. Dakota stood in the doorway.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Dakota appeared flustered. “I was getting ready to leave and—”
“Don’t go just yet.” Krew smiled. “I have something I want to tell you.”
Dakota’s gaze shifted between her parents. “About the two of you?”
Cassie gave a nervous laugh and pulled her hand from Krew’s warm grasp. Though they hadn’t discussed when exactly to tell Dakota about her college tuition, she knew Krew was eager to ease Dakota’s mind. “This is all about you, and it’s all good.”
“All about me? I like the sound of that.” A tiny smile hovered at the corners of Dakota’s lips. “What is it?”
“Let’s talk in the living room. We don’t want to wake Axl.” It took Krew until he reached the doorway to realize Cassie hadn’t followed him. “Aren’t you coming?”
“It’s for you to tell.” Despite her casual tone, she felt her heart thunder against her ribs.
She didn’t know what to think when he returned to her side, took her hand and tugged her to the door. “It’s for us to tell.”
Cassie let herself be maneuvered onto the sofa, surprised when Krew sat beside her.
She could hear Braxton and K.T. rummaging through the cupboards in search of a late-night snack.
Dakota took a seat in the recliner with the broken spring. Knowing the chair as she did, she perched on the edge and offered them a tentative smile. “Now tell me before I go insane with curiosity.”
“Dakota, you and I both know how hard your mom works.” Krew paused and waited for his daughter’s slow nod. “She’s in the position many parents are in nowadays, wanting to do more for their children, but the money just isn’t there.”
“If this is about paying for school, I understand there’s no money.” Puzzlement furrowed Dakota’s brow. “That’s why I’m working, to save enough money so I can return to La Crosse.”
Dakota met Cassie’s gaze. “I know you’re doing the best you can. I’ll get the funds together eventually. Like you, I’m not a quitter. I don’t give up.”
There was no way for Dakota to know just how much those words meant to her.
Krew winked at Cassie before focusing on their daughter. “The thing is, your mom and I talked, and I’m going to pay for your education. Tuition, books, room and board. All of it.”
Dakota’s eyes went wide. She swallowed convulsively. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his thighs. “Your mom has been your sole support all these years. It’s onl
y fair I do my part.”
Did he realize, Cassie wondered, that he’d made it sound as if this was a team effort? He wasn’t giving himself proper credit.
“It’s very generous of your father—” That was as much as Cassie got out.
Dakota launched herself at them, laughing and crying.
“Thank you so much.” Her words tumbled out, her voice thick with emotion. “I won’t let either of you down. I promise.”
Overcome with emotion, Krew closed his eyes for a second as Dakota gave him a fierce hug. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too.”
Wiping her eyes, Cassie looked back and saw Braxton and K.T. in the kitchen doorway, watching the scene with inscrutable expressions.
K.T. shoved his hand into a bag of chips, then stuffed a bunch in his mouth.
For just an instant, Cassie saw the longing in Braxton’s eyes. Then her oldest son shrugged and said to no one in particular, “Told you she won the lottery.”
As the Lohmeier family appeared to be riding a winning wave, Cassie hoped that good fortune extended to the upcoming talk with her mother.
“Grandma and I are baking pies later today.” Dakota paced Cassie’s small living room. “I could have told her then. It wouldn’t have seemed so orchestrated.”
“I know.” Cassie blew out a breath. “But your dad insists on being there.”
Dakota grinned. “He’s stubborn.”
“Like someone else I know.” Cassie pointed to Dakota, and her daughter’s smile widened.
“Actually, I think it’s sweet,” Dakota said.
They both started at the sharp rap on the front door.
“I’ll get it.” Braxton was out of his room and opening the door before either Cassie or Dakota could even think about moving.
“I’m still not sure it’s a good idea for your brothers to be here.” Cassie spoke in a low tone to Dakota.
“We’re family.” Dakota’s voice softened. “Families stick.”
“Woo-hoo. Look what Krew brought.” Braxton held up a white bakery sack. “Doughnuts from Blooms Bake Shop.”
“Dibs on the frosted chocolate,” K.T. called from the bedroom, where he was entertaining Axl with a drawing program on the new laptop.
