Hometown Hope: A Small Town Romance Anthology

by Zoe York

  “It doesn’t hurt,” Kyle said. “I hate her, but I’m not hurt.”

  No one said anything. Minnie woke from her nap and stretched. With a yawn, she jumped from the counter and headed toward Brody.

  “My mother has nothing to do with anything. You guys know she left when I was young. My dad was a drunk. It was up to me to take care of my sister and brother after that.”

  Dead silence. Four pairs of eyes bored into him.

  “What the hell? You have a sister and brother?” Brody asked.

  “Dude, really?” Lance asked.

  “I haven’t seen them since I left home,” Kyle said. He could kick himself. Why had he let that out of his mouth?

  “Since you left for college?” Zane asked.

  “Yeah,” Kyle said.

  “Why?” Jackson asked.

  “Lots of reasons.”

  “Do you miss them?” Jackson asked.

  “It doesn’t matter if I miss them.” Kyle got up from the table and grabbed another beer from the refrigerator. When he sat back down, he kept his eyes on his beer bottle. “They’re better off without me.”

  “Did something happen between you guys?” Jackson asked.

  Kyle looked up at him. “No, I just left and didn’t want to go back. We weren’t close, that’s all. Nothing complex.” He stood, knocking several plastic tokens off the table. “I better get home. Violet might need me. I shouldn’t have left her alone with Mollie.”

  At the doorway, he looked back at their shocked faces. “Listen, can you not share this with the ladies? I don’t want anyone else to know. I don’t even know why I told you guys.”

  He didn’t stay long enough to hear if they agreed or not. He had to get out into fresh air or his chest might explode.

  When he was in his car, he sped out of Brody’s driveway and down the road toward town. He turned the music on loud and tried to shut off his thoughts. All these years he’d kept his past a secret. What had possessed him to admit to having a brother and sister? They would ask him more questions now. He knew they wouldn’t be able to let it go. What had he done?

  When he arrived home, he found Mel on the couch with the plans for his house unfolded on the coffee table. Mollie was asleep in her crib. Violet must have gone to bed.

  “Hey you,” she said. “Good night?”

  “Yeah. What’re you doing with the plans to my house?”

  “Just being nosy. I saw them on your desk and was too curious. It’s going to be amazing.”

  “If I can get it built, sure,” he said.

  “It’s a house for a full house. Get it, poker term. I know you went to play poker tonight.”

  “Did Violet tell you?”

  “No, she hardly talks to me. Very unfriendly. Women sometimes react that way to me. I’m used to it.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him like she was in a cartoon. There was definitely something wrong with this girl.

  “How did you know I went to play poker if Violet didn’t tell you?”

  “Your calendar was open on your laptop. Says “poker night” right in there. You guys play at Brody Mullen’s, right?”

  “You ever hear curiosity killed the cat?”

  She smiled. He could swear this girl turned into a cat the moment she left in the morning. Cats were nocturnal. Just right for night nanny positions.

  He went to the table and picked up his plans. “Have a good night. I’m going to bed.”

  “Night. Sweet dreams.” A voice like a cat purr. Further evidence.

  When he got to his room, he stared at his phone. Would he wake Violet if he texted her? He really wanted to talk to her. One night without her and he was a mess. The night with the Dogs had been a disaster. They were probably totally bewildered and worried he was about to go off the deep end. They were used to fun Kyle, not dark Kyle. Not Pig.

  I need to talk to Violet.

  He took a chance and texted her.

  You up?

  A few seconds later, a response came through.

  Yes. I’m hiding from Mel.

  She had my house plans out on the coffee table and was staring at them with her cat eyes like she wanted to commit them to memory.

  She has ZERO boundaries.

  These young people are weird. He pulled his shirt over his head and went to the window. There was no fog. The lights of town shone brightly.

  She’s not that much younger than me. I think SHE’S weird.

  I have a theory. She’s a cat. Like for real. One of those shifter deals. Think about it.

  A second later, her response came in.

  I concur with your theory. Cats are nocturnal. Perfect for a night nanny. We don’t know what she does when she leaves here in the morning. Maybe prowls for mice. Spends some time at the sandbox in the park.

  He shook with silent laughter as he texted back.

  That’s exactly what I thought. And, ew, on the sandbox. Remind me never to let Dakota or Mollie play in one.

  I missed you tonight.

  That surprised him. He stared at the screen for a moment, gathering himself.

  I missed you too. I should have stayed home with you. I kind of made a mess of it with the Dogs.

  Why?

  I told them some things I shouldn’t have and then clammed up and stormed out.

  It’s hard to believe they don’t already know everything about you.

  We’re guys. We don’t talk about real stuff.

  Why is that?

  Just because we’re guys. I guess? How should I know? I’m a guy.

  A pretty awesome guy, if you ask me.

  He would text her all night if he could. She needed her rest, as did he. If only he could get some without tossing and turning and thinking about Violet. He texted back.

  You’re pretty awesome yourself. Anyway, I’ll see you in morning. We should get some rest.

  Night, Kyle.

  Night, Violet.

  He pushed his phone aside and sat on the edge of the bed. What was happening to him? This woman had him thinking and doing things he’d never done in his life. He missed her after only one evening apart. For heaven’s sake, he’d seen her mere hours ago. The whole thing was silly.

  Was this what falling in love felt like? This longing that ached in his chest and mimicked homesickness? A terrible spinning only alleviated by her presence? The leap of his heart when she walked into the room?

  He brushed his teeth and got into bed. When he closed his eyes, he saw Violet’s face, her brown eyes soft and her mouth turned slightly upward when he’d amused her but she didn’t want to admit to it. He heard her tender voice as she murmured sweet nothings to Mollie. There in the dark room, he could almost detect the scent of her skin when she’d leaned close to take the baby from him. He’d never even held her hand, let alone touched her silky skin, yet he knew what she would feel like tucked into the crook of his arm as they drifted off to sleep.

  Tomorrow would contain Violet. That’s all he needed to know right now. Tomorrow would be here soon enough. Whether he fell for her or not didn’t matter. He could not have her. After their year was up, he would go back to living the way he used to.

  He drifted off to sleep and dreamt they danced under a starry sky by the sea with ocean breezes that smelled of jasmine.

  Kyle drove Violet, Dakota, and Mollie out to Brody and Kara’s for the football game. San Francisco was playing Los Angeles. He couldn’t wait for this game.

  They gathered in the Mullens’ game room to watch. The Dogs, Honor, Maggie and Kara were there, along with six-year-old Jubie. They all wore their Mullen jerseys, including the kids. He wondered if they made jerseys for babies. Mollie needed one.

  Brody’s Sharks won the coin toss and the game began with a failed pass to a receiver. A close up of Brody’s face revealed his steely eyed game face.

  Kara and Honor huddled together on the couch, ready to hold on to each other if Brody got sacked, or scream when the Sharks scored. Lance and Zane sat on the floor with their backs
against the couch and a bowl of chips between them. Dakota and Jubie played together in the back of the room with Legos. Jackson and Maggie sat together in the oversized chair, holding hands. Violet stretched out like a cat in front of the fire, looking relaxed. And beautiful. She’d grown even prettier since she’d moved in with him, having gained a few pounds, which she’d desperately needed. The pinched look around her mouth had softened. Her skin glowed.

  In his arms, Mollie arched her back and started in with her hungry cry. He knew it now like the back of his hand. Violet had been right. He could now decipher the various baby codes.

  Usually Kyle didn’t take his eyes from the game except to open another beer or fill his plate. Tonight, however, Mollie had other ideas for him. First, she had to have her bottle, half of which landed on his jersey during a burping session. Then she fussed until he picked her up and walked with her around the room patting her back until she let out a very unladylike toot. He missed both touchdowns in the first half, including an epic Brody Mullen fifty-yard pass. When Mollie finally fell asleep, he put her in her car seat. Turns out a baby could sleep anywhere in those things. He said a silent thank you to whomever had come up with the design, then grabbed a beer and plopped on the couch next to Honor. By that time, halftime had started.

  Kara turned down the volume. All eyes turned to him.

  “How’s it going with the baby?” Kara asked.

  “We’re doing great.” Kyle pointed at Violet. “Thanks to a certain person.”

  Violet ducked her head. Her hair fell over her cheek and glistened in the firelight. “Don’t listen to him. He’s taken to it like a champ.”

  “Never thought I’d see the day,” Zane said.

  “Me either,” Kyle said. Every time he thought of his conversation with Zane where he’d tried to talk him out of adopting Jubie, shame rushed through him. Never say never and all that. He’d basically told Zane his life was over if he adopted a child. How ironic that less than two months later he was walking a crying baby around the room instead of watching their buddy play football. Zane had the decency to keep that point to himself.

  His stomach growled. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate. Had Violet eaten? He’d told her on the way out to relax and not be on duty tonight, but her eyes kept skirting over to the baby.

  The women were distracted when Jubie and Dakota bounced over to ask if there was any dessert and could they have some. Kara smiled and rose from the couch. “I have a few frozen treats hidden in the freezer.” She held out her hands and they each took one. “Juice bars okay with the mothers?”

  “Fine with me,” Violet said.

  “Me too,” Honor said.

  Kara left with the kids. Honor moved to sit between Zane’s legs. They looked good together. Like sunshine. A pang of jealousy twisted in his gut. Would he ever be able to make something work with a woman? Not any woman, fool, Violet.

  Where had that voice come from?

  I’m not ready.

  So you say.

  Kyle poked Violet’s ankle with his foot. “Did you eat?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “You want me to fix you a plate?” he asked.

  “I can do it,” she said.

  He got to his feet and offered his hand. “Come on. You can make sure I eat the kale salad.”

  “You’ll like it,” Violet said.

  “Sure I will,” he said.

  As they passed, he glanced down to see Honor staring at him with one eyebrow lifted.

  The third quarter was about to begin when Honor trapped him over by the bar. “You and Violet seem to have patched things up.”

  “We kind of had to.”

  “She’s working out, then?”

  “Better than working out. She’s awesome,” he said. “I’d be lost without her.”

  “Interesting.”

  “What does that mean?” Honestly, Honor was such a know-it-all sometimes.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t get any ideas. Just because you’re in love doesn’t mean everyone is.”

  “Who said anything about love?” Honor popped a raspberry in her mouth.

  “You did.”

  “No, I didn’t. But now that you bring it up, you two are seeming awfully domestic. Perfect little family unit.”

  He spoke with his teeth clenched. “Stop it. She’ll hear you.” He looked over to the other end of the room. Violet knelt on the carpet next to Maggie and Jackson’s chair. Just then, she threw her head back and laughed. “She’s my nanny and a damn good one. That’s all there is to it.”

  “She looks gorgeous,” Honor said. “Like a new person.”

  “Amazing what happens when the burden of money problems lessens.”

  “Preaching to the choir, brother.” Honor picked up a baby carrot and shook it at him. “You two are good for each other. Ever think of that?”

  “You really need to be quiet,” he whispered. “Seriously.”

  “Sometimes situations happen for a reason. That’s all I’m saying. It’s beyond obvious how you feel about her. What’s stopping you?”

  “I love you, Honor. I do. But I swear to God, let this go.”

  She flinched and stepped backward. Her eyes sharpened into points that pierced through him. “Listen to me, Kyle Hicks. Whatever it is that has you hell bent on self-destruction and self-punishment—well, you need to work that out.”

  “You don’t know anything about me.”

  She stepped closer and spoke right into his ear. “You’re wrong, my friend. I know you. You think it’s not like looking in a mirror? I know exactly what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. You may have the rest of our gang fooled, but I know you hate yourself. I don’t know why exactly, but I can bet it’s something from your childhood. It’s time to figure it out and let go of whatever’s haunting you or you’re headed for a very lonely life. Do you hear me?”

  “Stop. Just stop. You don’t get to talk to me this way.”

  “You can bet your designer shoes I do. May I remind you who got into an actual physical altercation on my behalf when Zane was acting like an ass? That’s right. I know about that. Brody told me about you two rolling around on the floor because you didn’t think he was respecting me. I have just as much right to get into your business as you did mine. You know why?” She tapped him on the chest with her index finger. “I’ll answer for you. Because we love each other and that’s what friends do.”

  From the couch, Kara let out a scream. Kyle turned to look at the screen. Brody was flat on his back. A team of doctors and coaches rushed out to the field. From the television, the announcers described the scene.

  “Brody Mullen on the ground here. A particularly brutal sack from defensive end Marty Shell.”

  “Yes, he seemed to come out of nowhere,” the other announcer said.

  “I can’t tell for sure, but it seems like it might be a neck injury.”

  The footage of the incident replayed on the television. Shell slammed into Brody and knocked him several feet in the air. Brody’s neck twisted as he hit the ground.

  No, not this. Get up. You can do it. Just get up.

  Cut back to present. Brody remained on the ground. Was he moving at all? Kyle held his breath. Come on, man, move your legs.

  Kara stood before the television, her hands covering her mouth. Honor crossed the room to stand by her side.

  They all waited.

  Finally, Brody rose to his feet. The crowd cheered. Here, they watched in silence as the doctors helped him onto a cart that would take him off the field and into the locker room.

  The announcers continued their commentary. “Brody Mullen on his feet there, but it looks like the doctors don’t want him back on the field.”

  “He walked,” Kara said. “He walked onto the cart. That’s something.”

  No one needed clarification. They all knew the dangers of Brody’s profession.

  “Should I go to him now?” Kara asked. “Or wa
it for the call?”

  Honor slipped her hand into Kara’s. “Let’s wait for the call. I’ll take you into the city if he wants you there.”

  A few minutes later, Kara’s cell phone rang. “It’s him.” She left the room as she answered. “Hi, babe.”

  No one said anything for a few seconds until Jackson said what they all feared. “That was a serious hit to his neck. I didn’t know if he was going to get up and walk onto the cart.”

  Violet pulled her knees up to her chest. “That scared me so badly.”

  “Longest thirty seconds ever.” Honor sank onto the couch. “Not gonna lie, I have a bad feeling about this.”

  “Didn’t that player up in Washington have to retire from his neck injury last season?” Zane asked. “What’s his name?”

  “The defensive back?” Kyle asked.

  “Gordon Thomas,” Honor said. “He decided to retire after permanent nerve damage to his neck. Docs said it was too risky to play.”

  “But he’s a quarterback,” Maggie said. “Isn’t it totally different?”

  “A neck is a neck,” Jackson said.

  Kara came back into the room. “He’s okay. He hasn’t lost feeling anywhere, thank God, but best case he’s probably out for the rest of the season.”

  “Best case?” Zane asked.

  Kara nodded, her face bleached of color. “He said they’re not sure the extent of the damage.”

  Honor swore under her breath. “Is he freaking out?”

  “Yeah. Pretty much,” Kara said. “I’m going to pack a few things and drive into the city to be with him.”