A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  “No can do. I won’t make a promise I can’t keep. I don’t know what the future holds for us. But I will agree to consider this project.”

  She stood with a satisfied grin on her face and thrust out her hand. “Shake on it.”

  He acquiesced. “Okay.”

  “Good. Now get busy, and when you know the plot let me know, so I can start drawing.”

  He saluted his bossy sister. She clearly didn’t hear him say he would only think about writing the book. But she could be on to something. This kind of thing always worked in the movies.

  * * *

  Susan stared at the computer. She’d noticed something on the paper she’d notarized for Blake and couldn’t let it rest until she checked it out. A writer? He’d actually done it. It never occurred to her that he’d have used a pen name. But she hadn’t heard of his books. An online search had pulled up a title listed on his document. Up a Creek and at the Zoo. What on earth! Intrigued, she clicked on the title and read the back-cover blurb, then sat back her mouth agape.

  This was the story he’d talked about that day at the park years ago. But instead of making it a young-adult novel like he’d planned, it was a young reader’s book. As much as she wanted to forget Blake and move on, she couldn’t help being impressed with his creativity and success. Good for him.

  Not that she was jealous or anything, but his creative success made her seriously consider for the first time Betty’s offer to display her pottery. If Blake could be so successful with his writing, perhaps she could be as well with her pottery.

  She scrolled down the screen. From the look of things, Blake had been busy over the past six years with more than raising his daughter. Regret for what could have been washed over her. They’d missed out on a life together because he hadn’t trusted her enough to allow her to share in his hurt. Then again, he did have a kid with another woman. He’d done her a favor calling off the wedding.

  She clicked back to the form she’d been filling out and finished inputting numbers, pressed Print, then pushed away from her desk and snatched up the printed paper. The top of unfamiliar letterhead caught her eye. She pulled the page from beneath a book. It must have come disconnected from Blake’s paper. His address caught her attention. She could drop this by his place on her way home. Or mail it and be done with him once and for all. Would a house call be wise? No, definitely not.

  But the temptation to see his place and get a peek into his personal space was almost more than she could resist. Ack, what was she thinking? She wanted him out of her life for good, not to encourage him by stopping by his place.

  The last thing either of them needed was to confuse things between them. They must remain strictly impersonal, and a visit to his house was definitely personal. So why wouldn’t the temptation leave? She folded her arms on her desk and buried her head. There was nothing like being a walking, talking contradiction. She must get it together.

  Chapter 5

  Susan sipped an iced coffee and strolled beside Keira. Cody walked his dog Max in front of them along the river trail. Glistening sunshine reflected off the gently flowing water. “I wish Blake had stayed in Maine.”

  “You don’t mean that.” Keira raised a brow. “I know he hurt you, but can’t you find it in yourself to forgive and move forward? People do crazy things under stress.”

  “Of course I forgive him. But it still hurts, and I can’t forget what he did. How could he have a child with another woman and not even acknowledge it? Let’s face it, like you pointed out the other day, the man is great at running. First from his family and then from me.” Susan shook her head. “No way am I going to open myself up to that kind of hurt again.” She tucked her free hand into her pocket.

  “I understand, and I’m not suggesting you marry him. Only that you start from where you’re at, and stop looking backward at what could’ve been. From what I understand he’s sticking around for the summer, and I’d hate for you to get upset every time you run into him.”

  Susan resisted the urge to glare at her friend. Keira’s husband had been wonderful, and now she had the perfect fiancé. She didn’t know the first thing about being cheated on, dumped, or abandoned.

  “You’re too quiet. Did I overstep?”

  “No. I just don’t think you have any experience in this kind of thing.”

  “Maybe not exactly, but I do know what it’s like to fear and overcome. Seems to me you’re afraid to love again.”

  “What?” Susan stopped walking. “That’s nuts. This has nothing to do with love.”

  “Really? You haven’t had a steady relationship since Blake.”

  “I haven’t found the right man.” This time she did glare. She’d dated off and on, but none of the guys were right.

  Keira sighed. “Sorry for my lack of tact. Maybe we should talk about something else.”

  Susan rolled her head from side to side and forced herself to relax. It didn’t serve any good purpose to get angry with the one person who was always there for her no matter what. She resumed walking. “Thanks. How’re the wedding plans coming along? Have you set a date yet?”

  “Not yet. Pete would marry me today, but I thought a Christmas wedding would be nice.”

  “You sure about that? You’d have to travel in the snow. I know you’re working at overcoming your fear, but let’s face it, you’re not there yet.”

  “Hmm. Sounds familiar.”

  “Don’t go there again, Keira.”

  “Sorry.” Keira scrunched her face and called out to Cody to slow down. “You might be right. Maybe a fall wedding would be best. Not too hot or cold.”

  “True, but if you married this summer, you’d be with your man all the sooner.” Susan wiggled her brows. She’d always wanted a fall wedding herself, but clearly that would never happen. No, she was content to remain single and let her friends deal with the men in their lives.

  Keira’s face turned the shade of cotton candy. She shook her head. “Summer is way too hot and we wouldn’t have enough time to plan. Fall is looking better by the second. The trees are so beautiful that time of year. We could do an outdoor wedding at Pete’s house.” A smile covered her face but faded quickly.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “You and Blake had planned a fall wedding. I don’t want to dredge up bad memories.”

  Susan waved a hand of dismissal. She may never have a fall wedding, but her best friend would if she had anything to say about it. “No worries. Speaking of Blake, I have a paper that belongs to him and thought I might drop it by his place. What do you think?”

  “Is that something you’d do for any of your clients?”

  “Well, no,” she hedged. “But he’s not just any client.” She wanted him out of her life—period. Hand delivering the paper would guarantee he’d have no reason to pop by her office unexpectedly.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Treat him like everyone else. Unless you’re having second thoughts about him and you.”

  “Absolutely not!” Why couldn’t Keira get it through her head? No way, no how, would she ever get back with Blake.

  * * *

  Blake stared at the blank computer screen. What was his problem? Writing Pepper’s Adventures always came easily, but right now he couldn’t come up with a coherent sentence. Maybe he was going about this all wrong. In the past, the stories had formed in his mind before he wrote them. Maybe he just needed to give this project more thought, because he didn’t have a clue how to approach it.

  Katie peered over his shoulder and groaned. “What’s taking so long?”

  Blake pushed away from the computer and stood. “We need to get out of here and do something fun. Want to go rafting or hiking?”

  “No. Can Emily come over?”

  “Maybe you could invite her to go rafting with us.” Katie never
turned down an opportunity to do something with him. Seemed he’d been replaced.

  “Nah. Can’t she just come over?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. If he didn’t get out of this house he’d go nuts. “I guess that’d be fine, but make it for later. I’m going hiking. You sure you don’t want to come along?”

  “Yeah. I’m working on a drawing for our next book.” Katie followed him to the kitchen.

  “Really? I haven’t even started writing the story yet.”

  “I know, but this would work in any of our books. You’ll love it, but you can’t see it until I’m done.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Blake?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Was Mom a good artist?”

  “Of course she was. She taught you to draw from the time you could hold a pencil. Don’t you remember? Aunt Jessie told me how the two of you would sit side by side and draw.”

  Katie shrugged. “I kind of remember. But the memories are fading.”

  He rubbed her back. “Yeah. Memories have a way of doing that. I brought the scrapbooks, they’re on the shelf in my office. Maybe you should get them down. Sometimes a picture can jog memories.”

  Her face brightened. “Great idea.” She turned toward his office and stopped. “Where are you hiking?”

  “Depends.” He raised a brow. “You coming?”

  “I already told you no. Besides, now I want to look at the pictures.”

  “Then I’ll go to Icicle Ridge.” He’d never hiked there, but spotted it on a map listed as being difficult. He could use a distraction and a challenge to clear his head.

  “Okay. When will you be back?”

  “By four. Invite Emily over for dinner, and I’ll pick up pizza on the way home.”

  Katie grinned. “Emily said there’s a great gelato place in the village. Can we go there for dessert?”

  Give her a friend and food and she was happy. “We’ll see.” A frown tugged at his mouth. He wasn’t sure about the change in his sister. He was accustomed to her clinginess, but since meeting Emily she’d really come into her own. It felt weird, almost like she didn’t need him anymore. Of course, that was absurd. This must be what parents felt like as their kids grew older and didn’t want them around.

  “Thanks!”

  Blake chuckled. He hadn’t said yes, but Katie knew him too well. He couldn’t say no to dessert, especially gelato. After changing into his hiking clothes he grabbed his Mariners hat and day pack. He wouldn’t hike all the way up, but wanted to be prepared for the unexpected. “I have my cell. Call if you have any problems at all,” he said as he walked out the door, locking it behind him.

  * * *

  Katie and Emily giggled and spooned more gelato into their mouths as they walked along Front Street toward the park. Blake spooned a bite of chocolate gelato into his mouth and let it slide down his throat. Bavarian music from a nearby restaurant drowned out the sound of traffic crawling through the village.

  “This is so good. Thanks for bringing us here, Blake.” Emily grinned and ate another mouthful.

  Katie nodded. “He’s awesome like that. He loves dessert.”

  “Guess some things never change,” a female voice said.

  Blake stopped midscoop and looked toward the too familiar voice. “Susan. Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself. Hi, Katie. Emily.”

  “Hi, Susan,” Emily said.

  Blake looked from Emily to Susan. How did they know each other? He must have telecasted his thoughts because both of them laughed.

  “I taught Emily’s Sunday-school class a couple years ago.”

  “Yeah, she was lots of fun. Keira would help sometimes, too, and bring candy for prizes. That’s how my mom and Keira met.”

  Ah, everything was making sense now. He really needed to get back into church. It had been too long.

  Emily looped an arm through his sister’s. “You should come to our church.”

  Katie looked up at him with uncertainty on her face.

  He shrugged. “Maybe we’ll visit sometime.”

  “Where are you attending?” Susan asked.

  “We don’t go to church.” Katie spooned her last bite into her mouth.

  Susan’s jaw dropped.

  “What?” Katie looked at Blake with confusion in her eyes. “Did I say something wrong?”

  He tweaked her ponytail. “No, kiddo. Not a thing.”

  Doubt clouded Katie’s face.

  Emily dragged her forward. “Come on. You have to see this.”

  Blake didn’t stop the girls, but kept an eye on them as they wandered a little further up the street.

  “So, you stopped going to church?” Susan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Don’t judge me, Susan.”

  “I wasn’t.” The words came out defensively. “I’m just surprised.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. You were always so committed in your Christian faith.”

  “I’m still committed to God, but we were so busy between Katie’s gymnastics and life in general that we started going less and less until we stopped altogether.”

  “When did this happen?” Susan asked softly.

  Someone brushed past him, and he suddenly remembered they were standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk. He moved toward a vacant bench in the shade and sat. He could see his sister and her friend staring at something on a building. He looked up and noticed the clock on the side of the building doing an entertaining display.

  Susan sat on the opposite end of the bench. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I don’t know when we completely stopped attending. Like I said, it was a gradual thing.”

  “Does Katie still do gymnastics?”

  “Not since we’ve been here. We’re only here for the summer, so it seems like more hassle than it’s worth to get her signed up and everything.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you really?” He turned toward her.

  “I think so, at least regarding church. It’s not like I don’t have to make sacrifices every now and then to be at church. Believe me there are mornings I’d much rather sleep in, or just be lazy and hang out at home all day. But I’ve discovered starting my week off with worship in the company of others who share my belief gets things off to a good start. Plus I enjoy being around other Christians.” She grinned slyly. “At least I do most of the time.”

  Blake chuckled softly. “I hear you.”

  Susan sat silent as several minutes ticked by, then frowned. “I just realized how judgmental I sounded. I’m sorry for coming across like a holier-than-thou Christian. Sometimes, my mouth runs ahead of my brain.”

  He studied her face. The anger he’d seen the other day appeared to be replaced by remorse today. “Forgiven.” He resisted the desire to slide to the middle of the bench. Why’d she have to sit so far away? “May I ask you something?”

  “Okay, but I don’t promise to answer.” She shifted toward him and rested an elbow on the back of the seat.

  “Fair enough. I know you don’t trust me, and that I deeply hurt you when I left, but as long as I’m here, I was hoping we could at least be friends. I’ve missed you.”

  Her eyes widened, and her face shuttered. “I’ve been right here the whole time. You knew where to find me.”

  He nodded. His shoulders slumped. “I deserved that. I can’t undo the past, but I try not to repeat my mistakes.”

  Her face softened a little. Hope sprung up, and he leaned toward her. Would she agree to be friends?

  She sat straighter. “Speaking of mistakes. On my desk the other day, I found a paper that belongs to you. I meant to call and let you know, but I’ve been swamped. Should I pop it in the m
ail?”

  “Or I could stop in and pick it up.”

  “Mailing it would save you the trip.”

  Giggles broke into his thoughts, and seconds later the girls plopped down between them.

  Susan stood. “See you in church on Sunday, Emily. Bye.”

  Blake watched her walk away. He felt as if Susan was farther from him than she’d been when he lived on the other side of the country.

  Chapter 6

  “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.” Blake poked his head into his sister’s darkened room.

  “What time is it?” Katie groaned and rolled over.

  He flipped on the light. “Seven o’clock. I want to get to the village before all the tourists. So get moving. We’ll go out to breakfast later.” He tossed her covers off.

  “Sometimes I hate you.” She yanked the covers back.

  “You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean. Wear something comfortable, we’re going to be walking a lot.” He closed the door on his way out. Turning on the light was a strategic move, because in order for her to turn it off, she’d have to get out of bed. He knew that once Katie was up she couldn’t go back to sleep.

  He poured a mug of coffee and stood at the counter. An idea for the book had formed in his mind overnight, but he needed to refresh his memory before writing, and the best time to get out and about was before all the tourists flooded the village. Summer weekends were way too crowded to freely explore.

  Katie’s bedroom door opened, and she shuffled out to him. “This is cruel.”

  He pushed a small glass of orange juice her way. “Drink up. We won’t be eating for at least an hour, and I don’t want you passing out on me.”

  She rolled her eyes and gulped down the juice, then placed the glass down with a thud. “Happy?”

  “Immensely.” He put the mug and glass in the sink, ignoring his sister’s attitude. What had gotten into her anyway? She used to be game for anything. That was how they came up with the title for their series Pepper’s Adventures. “Grab your camera. You’re going to want some pictures of the river.” He strode into the bathroom and quickly brushed his teeth. Katie pushed in beside him and grabbed her toothbrush.