by SJ McCoy
~ ~ ~
Angel smiled when she saw Kenzie coming out of the kitchen. “Hey. I didn’t think you did mornings.”
Kenzie smiled back. “I don’t usually. “I’m not what you’d call a morning person.”
Ben laughed as he came out after her. “That may be the understatement of the year.” Kenzie scowled at him, but he just shrugged at Angel and nodded.
“I don’t blame you,” said Angel. “You close the place down every night. I’m just glad to see you, our paths hardly ever cross.”
Kenzie smiled. “I know, I hate that. I still feel bad about how mean I was to you when you first came here. We should find a time to go for lunch or something.”
Wow. Kenzie had been the least friendly of all Ben’s friends when Angel had first come to Summer Lake—and that was saying something. They’d changed completely toward her once Ben and Charlotte had gotten back together. They were all friendly and welcoming now. Kenzie went out of her way to be nice whenever they ran into each other, but she’d never suggested getting together before. Angel grinned. “I’d love that, thanks. I can come back over here when I take my lunch break.”
“Nah,” Kenzie waved a hand. “I’ll come over to Four Mile, and we can have lunch at the plaza. I don’t have to be back over here till late afternoon. If you came here, you’d spend more time driving than eating.”
“Thanks, that’d be awesome.” Even as she said it, Angel had to wonder if it would ever happen.
“How about Wednesday?” asked Kenzie.
“That’d be great!” So, it wasn’t just an empty offer.
“Awesome. Give me your number, and I’ll give you a call Tuesday to make sure you’re still up for it.”
~ ~ ~
“What’s gotten into you?” asked Ben, once Angel had gone.
Kenzie frowned at him. “What do you mean?”
He laughed. “You know damned well what I mean, Kenz. Getting pally with Angel all of a sudden.”
Kenzie gave him that hard stare which he used to find quite intimidating. These days he knew it was just a cover, the tough front she put up to try to hide the big soft heart that she thought was a weakness somehow. “It’s not all of a sudden. I’m nice to her every time I see her, these days.”
“I know, but you’ve never gone to lunch with her before.”
Kenzie blew out a sigh. “Okay, okay. I’m not going to help you out in a morning anymore. Something about not being fully awake makes me soft or something. If you must know, I feel bad about the way I treated her when I thought she was making a move on you. I was hardly welcoming toward her, was I? And I know she’s coming out with all the girls on Friday night for Laura’s party, but I don’t know if she’s made any friends yet. It might be awkward for her, you know? I thought it’s be nice if I could have lunch with her one day before Friday.”
“You’re a sweetheart, Kenz.”
She scowled. “I suppose.”
“You are. You took April under your wing at Missy’s wedding. Now you’re doing the same for Angel. You’re awesome.” He had to laugh at how uncomfortable she looked.
“I just know how it feels to be on the outside, to feel like you don’t belong. I feel terrible that I treated Angel like an outsider, and that I tried to keep her on the outside.”
“Don’t give yourself a hard time. We all know why you did it, and besides, you weren’t the only one. Everyone was just looking out for Charlie and me.”
“That’s right. And now the two of you are married and unshakeable, it’s safe to welcome Angel into the fold. Next, we just have to find her a guy of her own.”
Ben nodded. “I think she’s working on that.”
“She is? Who?”
“Luke.”
“The pilot? The one she was dancing with at your wedding?”
Ben nodded. “Yeah. I like him. He seems like a good guy.”
Kenzie made a face. “But are you sure he’s interested? Surely he would have made a move by now if he was?”
Ben chuckled. “Not everyone has a whirlwind romance, Kenz. Some people take their time.”
“I suppose. And some people work all the hours God sends, too. Angel’s as bad as you are.”
“And I believe that Luke is the same.”
“Do you think we should help them along?”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“I don’t know. Is he coming to the wedding?”
“Yes, but Angel’s working.”
Kenzie grinned. “I could go behind the bar for an hour, help out so she can get out and at least dance with Luke?”
Ben smiled. “Told you you’re a sweetheart.”
“I guess I’m just going soft in my old age. So, do I have your permission to relieve her of her duties for a little while next Saturday night, if the opportunity arises to get her and Luke together?”
Ben nodded. “You do, but only if the opportunity arises. I don’t think you should go trying to engineer anything.”
The way she smiled worried him. “What makes you think I’d do something like that?”
He sighed. “Because I know you.”
Kenzie looked up as Michael came into the bar. “Yo, bro!” she called. “What are you doing here?”
Michael laughed. “I could ask you the same thing. It’s before noon. What are you doing here? Have you not been home yet?”
Kenzie scowled at him. “I’m here to help out. I do sometimes.”
Ben nodded. “It’s true. It costs me a couple of pots of coffee, but it’s true.”
Michael laughed. “Sorry. I only think of you as a night owl. I stand corrected.”
Kenzie grinned. “I want to know why you’re standing here at all. Where’s Megan? Why haven’t you brought her out for breakfast?”
“She’s at home, in bed, getting some rest while little Billy sleeps. I’ve just dropped Ethan off with Gabe and Renée, and I’m here to pick up some breakfast to take home.”
“Oh.”
He laughed. “Someday you’ll learn not to assume the worst about me.”
“Sorry.”
“That’s okay, darl’. You’re just looking out for Meggie. I get it.”
Ben left Kenzie to take Michael’s order and made his way out onto the deck. The main rush was dying down, but it was still busy. Pete and Holly had come and gone, as had Jack and Emma. Missy and Dan were sitting with April and Eddie.
“Hi, Ben,” April called when she spotted him. “Are you coming to join us?”
“I can’t, sorry. I need to get up to the lodge shortly. I just wanted to say a quick hello.”
“What happened to you last night?” asked Missy.
He laughed. “What happened to me? What happened to all of you, more like. I came back out to have a drink with you, and everyone had gone.”
“Aww. I’m sorry. There was no one left at all?”
“Just Cameron and Piper.”
Missy smiled. “The best man and the bridesmaid, a week before the wedding. We’ll have to watch them.”
Ben chuckled. “We will, especially if Pete and Holly are anything to go by.”
April gave him a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”
Missy laughed. “Pete and Holly were Emma and Jack’s best man and maid of honor. That’s how they met.”
“Really?”
Ben nodded. “Yep, and it wouldn’t surprise me if things go the same way between Cameron and Piper.”
“Wow!” said April. “That’d be cool. Piper seems really nice.”
“And so does Cameron,” said Eddie. “It’d be awesome if they both move here.”
Ben shook his head. “I think so too, but I’m not sure about this one. Piper’s already moved here, but Cameron couldn’t, not even if he wanted to. His business and his whole life is in Napa.”
Missy nodded. “Yeah. Everyone else has been able to move here easily when they wanted to. I don’t see how Cameron coul
d.”
Dan smiled. “No one thought I could, either, but it was easy in the end.”
“Yeah, but you were ready for a change, ready to leave that life behind. I don’t think Cameron is. When you get him going, that’s all he talks about. He loves his work, he loves the business, there’s no mistaking that.”
Ben nodded. “Much as we all enjoy seeing the next Summer Lake romance take shape and then bloom, I’m not sure that’s going to happen with Cameron and Piper.”
“That’s such a shame,” said April.
Eddie chuckled. “Maybe we’re all just too carried away with how things have worked out for us? Maybe we’re just going to witness a Summer Lake hook-up?”
Missy laughed. “You could be right there. Maybe it’s not the beginning of a beautiful love story. Maybe it’s just two beautiful people who are going to have a good time together for a couple of weekends.”
“What is?” They all turned, and Ben felt bad when he saw Cameron standing there.
“Oh, we’re just gossiping, don’t mind us,” said Missy. She looked guilty as hell. She was right. They were gossiping, and it wasn’t something Ben normally did.
He smiled at Cameron. “Are you here for breakfast? Can I get you some coffee?”
“That’d be great thanks.”
Ben resisted asking if Piper would be joining him. He had a nasty feeling that Cameron knew he and Piper were the subject of the conversation he’d caught the tail end of.
~ ~ ~
Laura sat in front of the mirror drying her hair. It was hard to believe that this time next week she’d be getting herself ready to get married. She couldn’t wait!
“Hey, lady. Do you mind if I borrow your office for a few?” Smoke stood behind her, holding her gaze in the mirror.
“I don’t mind at all. Are you going to call him?”
Smoke nodded. “I don’t know why I put it off this long, but it struck me as I was getting dressed. I don’t want to leave it any longer. I need to know if he wants to come.”
“Then go call him. I’ll call your mom when I get finished here.”
“Okay. Wish me luck. I’ll meet you in the kitchen when I’m done.” He bent to kiss her shoulder, but she turned her head and met his lips with her own. “I love you.”
“And I love you, lady.”
She smiled as she watched him turn and leave the room. She couldn’t claim to know how he felt, but she thought she understood. He’d only just been back on speaking terms with his parents when she’d first met him. They’d come a long way since then. He talked to his mom on the phone every week now, and things were good with his dad, too. But he never just picked up the phone and called him. She hoped with all her heart that his dad would say yes, that he’d go on the stag night. She gave herself a rueful smile in the mirror—wherever it might be.
~ ~ ~
Smoke walked out through the orchard and let himself into Laura’s workshop. He opened the door to the office and took a seat at her desk. He loved it out here. It wasn’t an office he could ever work in; it was too pretty, but it was so Laura. He felt at peace in her space. It calmed him somehow. He turned his phone over and over and over in his hands for a few moments, wondering where his dad was, what he might be doing right now. Then he sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. There was only one way to find out. He dialed the number and waited.
“Cole!”
“Hey, Dad.”
“It’s great to hear from you. How are you? Are you all ready for your big day?”
“We’re getting there. That’s what I was calling you about.”
“What? What can I do?”
Smoke smiled to himself. That was his dad, always believing that people would turn to him for help. “I don’t need anything, thanks, Dad. We’ve got it all covered.”
“Oh, sorry, son. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know, it’s okay.” Damn. This wasn’t going how he’d hoped. He shrugged his shoulders up around his ears and then let them down, trying to force the tension out of them as he did. This was supposed to be a good conversation, a happy call, a mending of fences. “I don’t need anything from you, but I would like something.”
“Anything. What is it?”
“Only if you want to.”
His dad chuckled. “Damn, son. I think we both need to relax a little, don’t you?”
Smoke smiled. “Yeah, I think that’d help things. And in a way, it’s what I’m calling to ask you. I’d love it if you wanted to come out for my stag night. I’d love you to be there as my dad and as my friend. I’d love to hang out with you, have a drink and share one of the most important nights of my life with you.” There, he’d said it all.
His dad was quiet for a long moment. Smoke started to wonder if he was trying to find the right words to refuse. When he did speak, Smoke could hear the tears in his voice. “I’d like that, too, Cole. More than you know.”
Smoke blinked as he replied. “It’d mean the world to me, Dad.”
“And to me.” His dad cleared his throat and Smoke heard him take a deep breath. “I’d like to think it could be us getting back to where we should be.”
“Me too.”
“So, where are we going? What’s the plan? What am I not allowed to tell your mother?”
Smoke laughed. “We’re going to Vegas. I was going to just have a quiet meal here at the lake, but Laura kind of challenged me to step it up a bit, so the guys have organized it all, and we’re going to Vegas on Friday night.”
“Wonderful. I’ll look forward to it. And don’t worry. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Smoke had to laugh. “I don’t plan to get up to much mischief.”
His dad laughed. “Who said I was talking about you?”
Smoke laughed with him. “I hope you’re not talking about fast cars and fast women?”
“You know me better than that. I’m talking about roulette tables, and you know how much your mother loves me playing those.”
“Okay, your secret will be safe with me.”
“Let me know the details—where you’re staying, where I’ll meet you. I’ll either come with Cameron, or I’ll make my own way there. I’m sure your mother will be taking the jet. She wants to get to the lake on Friday night.”
Smoke chuckled. “And don’t be surprised if she has some secrets of her own. I don’t know what Laura and the girls are planning.”
“Of course. And I mustn’t say a word?”
“That’s right.”
“This will be fun. You know she’s going to try and make me talk.”
“Be strong, Dad. You can hold out.”
He laughed. “I’ll do my best, but this is your mother we’re talking about.”
“Yeah. I’ll understand if she breaks you.”
“No. I shall stand strong for the sake of my friend, my son.”
Smoke swallowed the lump in his throat. “Thanks, Dad.”
“No, thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too. I’ll send you all the details.”
“Great. I’ll see you Friday.”
“Okay, see you then.” Smoke hesitated but didn’t know if he should say it.
His dad said it for him. “I love you, son.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
Chapter Twelve
As they were driving into town later, Laura’s cell phone rang, and she dug it out of her purse, hoping it wasn’t anyone she’d have to pick up for. She and Smoke had made the most of the morning together but had decided they should call Cameron and come down to the resort to see him this afternoon. She needed to catch up with the girls too and see how everything was coming along. She also wanted to check in with her mom and Aunt Chris. So, she really wanted to enjoy this last bit of time alone in the truck with Smoke.
He looked over at her and smiled. “Take it.”
She checked the display. It was Lawrence. She
shook her head. Shawnee had said she’d make him wait until Monday, but then Shawnee didn’t know what was going on. She thought Laura was only working on a necklace, she didn’t know about the engagement ring. Lawrence was probably getting antsy. She sighed. He could leave a message. She wasn’t going to be doing any more work on the ring until Monday.
Smoke raised an eyebrow. “Something you don’t want me to overhear?”
She laughed. “No. It’s not like that.”
“Yeah, right. I’m guessing it’s to do with your party, isn’t it?”
“No. If you must know it’s Lawrence.”
Smoke scowled. “What does he want? It’s weekend.”
She laughed. “My thoughts exactly, and why I let it go to voicemail. As Jack would say, chill out Smokey!”
He shook his head at her. “Sorry. I just want you all to myself while we can.”
“I know. I feel the same way. That’s why I didn’t answer. I think we both need to relax. We have to see everyone, there’s so much we still need to take care of. Cameron’s here. Piper’s here. We just need to roll with it. After the wedding, we’ll get a whole week to ourselves and no one will disturb us.”
“You’re right.”
She laughed. “Can I get that in writing, please?”
“Don’t push it.” He slowed the truck as he came to the four-way stop at the edge of town.
Laura’s phone beeped.
“Do you need to at least see what he wants?” asked Smoke.
She smiled. “It can wait. It can’t be anything too urgent.”
When Smoke brought the truck to a stop in the square, he groaned when he saw Missy waving and making her way toward them.
“Come on,” said Laura. “I thought we were going to relax and roll with it.”
“We are.” Smoke fixed a smile on his face. “See? I’m thrilled to be here.”
She laughed and opened the door. “Hey, Miss. What’s up?”
“Hey.” Missy looked at Smoke. “Do you mind if I borrow her for a minute? This is super-secret-squirrel girl stuff.”
Laura tried not to laugh as Smoke gave Missy his best smile. “No, not at all. You two go talk. I’ll go find my brother.”
