A Romance Rekindled (Heartsong Presents)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  God had been working on her where Blake and his sister were concerned, and it still smarted that she had hurt Katie when they first met. She’d been hurt by plenty of adults as a child, thanks to their preconceived ideas about her family. She hated that she’d done the same thing to another child. Determined to make it up to the girl, she grasped a small brush and dipped it into the paint.

  A smile touched her lips. She’d always loved this part of her creations. Somehow seeing the finishing touch made it all so fulfilling. With controlled stokes, she applied the paint.

  From what Julia said, Katie was a sweet girl. Susan had always had a soft spot for kids, and Katie couldn’t help that Blake was her brother. She painted the I bright yellow. Every girl needed a plaque with her name on it. But how would she manage to get it to her without encountering her brother?

  Several hours later an idea percolated and she headed for the car carrying the plaque in a brown bag. She pulled into Blake’s driveway and took a deep breath. All she had to do was run to the door and leave it on the mat without being seen. That wasn’t so hard.

  She opened the door, bag in hand, and sprinted to the door and bent to place it on the mat.

  The door opened and her heart sank—caught. She bolted upright.

  “Susan. What are you doing here?” Blake stood there looking incredibly handsome in jeans and a T-shirt.

  Her eyes widened, and she took a step back. “I made this for your sister.” She held up a plain brown gift bag. “It’s for her room. I was just going to leave it beside the door.” She thrust the bag into this hand and turned to leave.

  “Wait! Don’t you want to see how her room turned out?”

  “I...uh. Well...” She looked from side to side.

  He grinned and stepped out onto the porch. “Maybe you could visit again when Katie is here. She’s spending a couple days camping with Emily and her family, but she’ll be back later this afternoon.”

  Her shoulders relaxed, and she flashed him a small smile. “I’d like that. It sounds like your sister is fitting in nicely.”

  “Yes, Emily is like the sister she never had. Those two are practically inseparable.” He stepped out a little further and leaned against a post holding up the roof, his attention completely focused on Susan.

  Her heart raced at the intensity of his gaze. She toed a pebble. “Good for them. How’s the writing coming?”

  “Funny you should ask. I told Katie I’d write while she was away, and I’ve only written a little. There’s so much work to do on the house, and a lot of it needs to be done before the weather turns in the fall.”

  “I’d be happy to read what you have so far.” She shrugged. “Who knows, maybe I could help.”

  Surprise lit his eyes but he quickly pursed his lips and looked beyond her. She used to read his short stories when they were dating and had often encouraged him. He looked back to her and worked his jaw. “I don’t—”

  Susan frowned. “Never mind. I forgot I have someplace else I need to be. Sorry I can’t help.”

  “No problem.” His stuffed his hands into his pockets.

  She turned and strode to her car. She could feel his gaze follow as she fled. Susan called herself every kind of fool for going to Blake’s house. The house that would have been theirs if he’d only loved her enough. He’d purchased the property furnished just before his parents’ accident but had never actually moved in. The home had been rented out until recently. Seeing him standing there in jeans and bare feet with his hair tousled had sent her heart pitter-pattering, and that couldn’t continue to happen. She needed to stop letting him affect her like that.

  Oh, yes, she’d been tempted to go inside when he’d asked. If for no other reason than to see what might have been, but she couldn’t. “Lord, I know You want me to trust him, but how can I, when he won’t trust me? Trust is a two-way street.” She turned into her driveway, shut off the engine and just sat there. “He won’t even let me read his work. How can You ask me to trust a man like that?”

  Silence greeted her tirade.

  She thrust open the door and stepped out. Fine—don’t answer. She jammed the key into the lock and went inside. Cool air wrapped around her. The scent of vanilla wafted through the house, drawing her to the kitchen. What on earth?

  Chapter 10

  “Hello?” Susan tiptoed to the kitchen where pots and pans clanked. She pushed the swinging door and peeked around it. Keira stood in the center of the space, dusted with flour. “What are you doing?”

  Keira screamed and slapped her hand to her chest.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Keira recovered fast. “No worries. I’m baking your favorite cookies.”

  “Why?”

  “I thought they might cheer you up. You haven’t been yourself lately. Besides, you’re on vacation. Everyone knows you’re supposed to eat tons of junk food while on vacation.”

  “Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you’re baking in my kitchen.”

  “My oven is on the fritz. I didn’t think you’d mind. I brought all my own ingredients.” She pointed to a box on the counter.

  “So, where are these cookies?”

  Keira held out a plate and Susan wrinkled her nose. “What’s wrong with them?”

  “You’re not supposed to ask that!” Keira took a small bite and groaned. “I forgot the sugar.”

  Susan covered her face to hide a grin. “It’s okay. I need to cut back on sugar in my diet anyway.” She reached for a cookie.

  Keira slapped her hand. “Don’t eat those. They’re terrible. I’ll start over and have your favorites ready in no time.”

  “You don’t need to do this. I’m fine.”

  “You’re about as fine as a snowflake on a hot summer day.”

  Susan wrinkled her nose. “Huh?”

  “Oh, never mind. I was trying to say something clever, but I guess I failed.” She pressed the foot lever on the garbage can, and the lid popped up. She slid the cookies in the trash, then added the mix.

  “How about we order something from the bakery instead? There’s this new place down on Front Street, and I hear the German pastries are amazing.”

  “Better yet...” Keira grinned and looped her arm through Susan’s. “How about we go to The Gingerbread House. There’s still plenty of time.”

  Susan made a face. Would Blake be there? She’d left him at his place less than an hour ago, and he didn’t look like he’d be heading anywhere soon, but just the same. Then Keira’s words sunk in. “Plenty of time for what?”

  Keira wrung her hands and looked everywhere but at her. “Your date.”

  The words came out so softly she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. “I’m sorry, that sounded like you said my date.”

  Keira rushed past her to the hall closet and pulled out a white sundress. “Look, I know things are hard right now, but you need to get back out there.”

  She couldn’t be hearing her friend correctly. Keira would never—

  “I set you up with a man that Meghan recommended.”

  “You what? You mean Meghan, Laura’s cousin—Pete’s assistant?”

  Keira looked at her like she was an infant. Well, maybe she wasn’t making sense, but how could Meghan possibly know what kind of man to set her up with?

  “Yes. She got to talking to Pete about you at work the other day and told him about your breakfast a couple of Saturdays ago. One thing led to another, and she talked him into helping her.”

  “So that’s how you got messed up in this.” She dropped onto a dining chair and held her head in her hands. “What was your fiancé thinking?”

  “Maybe that since it worked out so well for us, a blind date might work out for you, too.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Her world had s
hifted and all her friends had gone loony. “I won’t go. Call him and tell him the date is off.”

  Keira crossed her arms and set her jaw. “No, it’s too late. Besides, you’ve been moping around this place all week and skulking about town since Blake arrived. It ends now. Either give Blake another chance or move on.”

  Susan stood and grabbed the dress from Keira’s hand. “White? I have a perfectly nice black number in the back of my closet.”

  “No. This is a fresh start. Wear the white.”

  Her friend had a good point. “What if I refuse to go?”

  “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering if you missed out on the love of your life.”

  Been there—done that. What were the odds of finding love twice? “I don’t know, Keira. This feels like a bad idea.”

  “I have it on good authority the man is great. Look at the bright side. If it doesn’t work out you’ll get a free meal out of the deal, and if it does...” Keira waggled her brows.

  Susan busted up laughing in spite of her annoyance. Her friend never did that, nor did she set people up on blind dates—especially without their permission. But turnabout is fair play. She had, after all, set up Keira and Pete on a blind date. “Fine.” She took the dress to her room and got ready. Thirty minutes later she slipped into a pair of black wedges and found Keira at the door talking with someone.

  “Thanks. I owe you. Bye.” Keira closed the door and turned with a bag from The Gingerbread House. “Holly picked these up for us.”

  “What a sweetie. You have her wrapped around your finger. I thought we were going to go there ourselves.” She snagged the bag and peeked inside. “Gingersnaps! My favorite.” She reached in the bag and pulled out one, then sat at the table.

  “Holly wanted to help when I told her about your situation. And she’s not wrapped around my finger.” Keira reached into the bag and grabbed a frosted gingerbread man, then sat across from her.

  “You told her?” Couldn’t a girl have any secrets? Did the entire town need to know the status of her love life?

  “Of course. She’s our friend. It would’ve been rude to not include her in your crisis.”

  Susan finished off the cookie then went to the cupboard for glasses. “Milk?”

  “Please.” Keira made a twirling motion with her finger. “Turn. I want to see how the dress fits.”

  Susan turned slowly.

  “It’s perfect. And I like the shoes, too.”

  “Thanks. I picked these up in Seattle the last time I was there.” She eyed the clock. Her date would be arriving soon. Good thing Holly had brought the cookies to them. They never would’ve made it back in time. Swallowing a groan, she left the kitchen to brush her teeth. She could at least make a good first impression.

  * * *

  Blake sat on the couch with his ankle propped on his knee, watching his sister walk to her room. “Five—four—three—two—one.”

  A scream sounded from Katie’s room. She stood in the doorway, jumping up and down. “I love it! How? When? It’s so cool!”

  Blake grinned and sauntered to her room. “It turned out pretty good, didn’t it? The lavender wall color is perfect in here. Susan’s suggestion was right on.”

  Katie stilled and looked around the room again. “Susan helped pick the color?”

  “Actually, it was her idea. I had something a little darker in mind, but this—”

  “Is perfect! I love it, Blake. Thank you.” She gave him a quick squeeze around his middle then looked up at him. “I’m surprised you took Susan shopping with you.” Her eyes held questions he didn’t care to touch.

  “She was at the store when I picked out the paint. Oh, and she also made the plaque over your bed.”

  “Really? Wait until Emily sees.” She reached for her cell and snapped a picture.

  Blake turned from the room rethinking the whole cell-phone thing. Getting her started at eleven probably hadn’t been his best idea, but Emily had her own phone, too.

  Blake settled onto the couch and closed his eyes. He’d have to come up with a way to thank Susan for her part in making his sister so happy. She’d mentioned needing more shelves in her studio. Maybe he could hang a couple for her. Then again she might not want him there. He leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling and noticed a water stain. A groan escaped his lips. It looked like he hadn’t had the roof replaced in time. Guess he’d be painting the ceiling soon, too.

  A little while later, Katie sat beside him on the couch and rested her head on his arm. “You’re the best brother ever.”

  Blake’s heart jumped to his throat, and his eyes burned. “Thanks, kiddo. You’re pretty cool yourself.”

  “I wrote a thank-you note and drew this for Susan. Will you give it to her for me?”

  Blake fingered the drawing—a pencil sketch of a nature scene. “Sure. How about we head into town for dinner? We can drop it by her place on the way.” He hesitated. He’d promised not to stop by uninvited again. Maybe they should try her office instead. If they hurried they might make it there before she closed for the day.

  They quickly got ready and headed out. A short time later they pulled into the lot for Susan’s office complex. “Come on. Let’s do this.” He got out and sauntered after his sister who rushed ahead.

  “She’s closed.” Katie’s shoulders drooped. “Now what?”

  Blake looked at his watch, then back at the hours posted on Susan’s window. “According to her sign she should still be here.”

  The door to the office next to hers opened and a woman stuck her head out. “If you’re looking for Susan, she hasn’t been in all week.”

  “Oh. Thanks.” He rested his hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Sorry, kiddo, but we’ll have to catch up with her another time. You ready for pizza?”

  She shook her head. “Actually, I’m tired of pizza. How about a burger? Emily said Gustav’s is good.”

  “Are you serious? That’s a sit-down place with menus and servers!” Had his sister lost her mind?

  “I know, but it’s supposed to be great, and let’s be honest, your cooking ain’t.”

  He stopped and put his hand on his chest. “You wound me.”

  Katie giggled. “Let’s put this back in the Jeep. We can walk from here.”

  “Fine. But don’t get too used to this. I’m more of a fast-food kind of guy.”

  She shook her head. “Maybe you could win Susan back if you asked her out to a nice meal.”

  A puffy white cloud covered the sun right then, dimming everything. He had as much chance of winning Susan back as that cloud did of dropping buckets of rain. He would settle for her trust. He unlocked the Jeep and waited for his sister to place her gift for Susan inside. After locking up, they stood at the crosswalk and waited for traffic to allow them to cross the highway.

  The village was hopping. Couples strolled along the cobbled sidewalks, and families meandered here and there. He opened the door to Gustav’s and welcomed the cool air as he stepped inside. He gave his name to the hostess then turned to sit on the waiting bench. His gaze slammed into Susan’s and held. The world seemed to come to a stop. “Hi, Susan.”

  “Hi, yourself.” She motioned to a man beside her. “This is Greg. Greg, Blake.”

  He nodded, but didn’t shake hands. His shoulders tightened. His appetite vanished. “You’re together?”

  Susan gave a quick nod. She fidgeted and shifted away from her date.

  Katie sat down between the adults. “We were just looking for you at your office. I have a gift for you.”

  “Really? That’s nice of you. Maybe I could stop by your place sometime and pick it up.”

  “Sure!” Katie grinned and slipped her hand into Blake’s.

  Just then Susan’s date stood as the hostess called his
name. “That’s us.”

  Susan followed Greg up the stairs and out of sight. Probably out of Blake’s life, too. His appetite was definitely gone.

  Chapter 11

  Blake stared out at the open field behind his house. The image of Susan sitting beside that man last week wouldn’t leave his mind. Why did he have to see her there? Things were so much better when he thought he had an inkling of a chance of winning her back, but now it seemed all hope was lost.

  It was clear she’d moved on. Why hadn’t she at least told him and spared him the shock and hurt of seeing her with another man?

  At least he’d finished writing the Christmas book for Pepper’s Adventures, although it turned out a bit less exciting than he’d hoped. He could console himself that his time here had not been a complete waste.

  He raked his fingers through his hair, which seriously needed a trim. Katie hummed from her bedroom—a sure sign she was in illustrating mode.

  He turned and looked around the house. The wood floor still needed refinishing, the kitchen appliances were from the seventies, and the walls were in serious need of repainting, but now that the roof and exterior painting were complete, maybe he could list the house. The sooner they left this place the better. He couldn’t live in Leavenworth knowing that Susan was with another man.

  “I’m done.” Katie skittered to him and held out her sketch pad. “What do you think?” Her eyes lit, and an expectant smile lifted her lips.

  Blake looked at the first drawing—color. Why were the illustrations in color? They were supposed to be black and white. He clamped his jaw tight, unwilling to crush his sister and take away the look of happiness on her face. He thumbed through the rest of the drawings and couldn’t help the smile that gradually replaced his first feelings of unease. “These are wonderful. Probably your best work yet. The colors are vivid and festive and the detail is impressive.”

  “Thanks.” She reached for the sketch pad.

  “You’re welcome.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “Katie, you’re supposed to keep the art the same in each book. This style is far more complicated than you normally draw. There is a lot more detail, too. I’m sorry, but you will need to redo these. And this time keep it black and white.”