The Sound of Home
Page 26
Em’s mother was coming in from Australia to attend the twenty-week ultrasound where they were hoping they would find out the sex of the baby.
“It’s a busy life being an internet sensation,” he teased.
She gazed at the ceiling. “We need to change something with the Shostakovich remix. I just can’t put my finger on it yet.”
He smiled. In a matter of weeks, they had amassed thousands of followers online. There was quite an appetite for classical pieces remixed with modern electronic elements, and the world had fallen in love with the entrancing redheaded violinist at the center of each remix.
Em reclined on her side. “Are the guys coming over?”
“They should be here any second. I wanted to show them the finished carriage house, then bribe them with beer to help me put together the rest of the nursery.”
She kissed his neck. “Good plan.”
They had decided to pop the top of the carriage house and build a studio apartment on the second floor for when Em’s mother came to visit.
Em ran her hand over his chest and let her fingertips travel south toward his cock. “You smell so good.”
He smiled. He fucking loved her sex-fueled pregnancy hormones.
A knock on the front door stopped her hand’s descent.
“The guys are here,” Em said with a sigh. “I should probably put on more than just pearls.”
“I’m sure I could find a potato sack that could work.” He’d become more protective of her over the last few weeks. He blamed it on whatever was the male equivalent of pregnancy hormones. If another man even glanced Em’s way, he found himself ready to pounce on the unsuspecting guy.
Em threw him a dubious glance and padded into their bedroom. Along with finishing out the carriage house, they’d had the staircase professionally rebuilt and remodeled the master bedroom.
The Foursquare would always be his childhood home. But with Em making it her home now, the energy in the house had shifted. The Foursquare wasn’t the place he was forced to live. It was the place he chose to live, and he couldn’t think of a better place to start his family.
Michael made sure the door to the bedroom was closed, grabbed a hat, and made his way to answer the door.
“What the hell’s going on in there?” Sam asked.
Nick mouthed, “Holy shit, dude.”
Michael joined the guys on the porch. “Don’t let anyone tell you pregnancy is the pits, boys,” Michael said, pulling the ball cap over his tangle of ruffled hair. “I may be making two a.m. trips to Pete’s Organic Grocer for ice cream, bananas, bacon—”
Nick and Sam grimaced in unison.
“But, it certainly has its perks,” Michael finished, grinning like an idiot and not giving one single fuck.
“You and Em are the last hope for the ginger race. Science says we’re a dying breed. So, by all means, go make all the redheaded babies you two possibly can!” Sam added with a playful shove.
Michael shook his head and laughed.
Nick gestured to Em’s Foursquare. “Have the new owners moved in yet? You know, into the Foursquare you didn’t sell to me.”
They hadn’t even needed to put the house on the market. Mrs. G, the beloved retired Langley Park Elementary school teacher and current office manager for Ben Fisher’s architecture firm, had bought the home.
From a legal standpoint, it was a creative purchase. Mrs. G had paid for the Foursquare with funds from a trust set up for her goddaughter to which she was the executor. Mrs. G explained that her goddaughter was engaged in a “messy” breakup and needed to act with discretion. Had it been anyone other than Mrs. G, Michael would have been wary of the circumstances. But he’d known Mrs. G his entire life. If her goddaughter needed a home, he was happy to oblige.
“Dude,” Sam said with mock surprise. “You don’t like crashing at my place?”
“You know I appreciate your hospitality, buddy,” Nick said with a grin. “But now that I’m going to be in Langley Park permanently, I need to find a place that doesn’t include waking up to you singing, ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.”
“You have something against Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, Kincade?”
“You got the job?” Em asked, joining them on the porch.
“You’re looking at Kansas City Downtown Airport’s newest Director of Aviation,” Nick said with a grin. “I start next week.”
“Hearts are breaking at every port. Airports, that is. Captain Nick is putting down roots,” Sam said, clapping his friend on the back.
“Are you going to miss flying?” Em asked.
“I’ll still get to fly. I’ll run the airport, but I’ll also do some flight instruction. I may even pick up some corporate flights if the opportunity presents itself. Right now, I need to figure out a more permanent living situation.”
“Seriously, dude,” Sam said, “you’re always welcome at my place. You know that.”
“Wait a second,” Em said and shared a look with Michael. “Nick, you should move into our carriage house apartment until you find a place in Langley Park.”
“Absolutely,” Michael said, wrapping an arm around Em’s shoulders. “Em and I grew up listening to Sam belt out show tunes. It’s a miracle you’ve survived this long.”
Sam shook his head.
“What about your mom? Isn’t she arriving soon?” Nick asked. “Won’t she need the carriage house?”
“She can stay in our guest room in the Foursquare,” Em answered.
“If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it. I’m ready to jump when something goes on the market in the area—so I shouldn’t be in your hair for too long. I do have an aunt nearby in Mission Springs. She’s offered to let me stay with her, but that would involve weekly Euchre tournaments with her Junior League ladies. I politely declined.”
“Understandable,” Michael said.
“Really, Nick, it would be no trouble at all. You can stay as long as you need to,” Em added.
“Thanks, guys,” Nick said. “You know I love you, Sam. But with my new job and the crazy hours, it may be good to have a place to myself.”
Sam clapped Nick on the back. “Whatever works, bud. I’m just glad you’re making Langley Park your home.”
Michael gestured toward the door. “Let’s head inside. We can hammer out the details while we try to figure out how the hell to put this nursery together. Who writes these directions?”
But just as the group was about to go inside the house, a sedan turned onto Foxglove Lane and caught their attention. The car drove past them, but within a matter of minutes, it was back and pulled up in front of Em’s old Foursquare. There was a woman inside the car. She was wearing sunglasses and a hat. A long cascade of chestnut brown hair fell past her shoulders.
“Do you think that’s Mrs. G’s goddaughter?” Em asked.
“I’m not sure,” Michael answered. “I’ve never met her. Mrs. G said she’d spent a summer in Langley Park when she was sixteen. She worked at the Langley Park Community Center’s summer camp. Did you ever meet her, Sam? Mrs. G said you guys are the same age.”
Sam shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”
Nick stared at the woman. “I worked at the Langley Park Community Center’s summer camp when I was sixteen.”
“You did?” Sam asked. “How the hell did I not know that?”
“My mom sent me to stay with my aunt in Mission Springs. I pretty much kept to myself,” Nick answered, gaze locked on the mysterious woman.
The woman got out of the car and stared up at the Foursquare. She must not have noticed them on the porch and kept her gaze locked on the house. She was wearing a baggy sweatshirt and worn jeans. Nothing about her said look at me, but Nick couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Hello!” Em called out, stepping off the porch and crossing the yard as the men followed behind.
The woman let out a startled gasp, and her hands went up protectively.
“I’m so sorry!
We didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m Em MacCaslin. This is Michael MacCarron. We’re your neighbors. And this is Sam Sinclair and Nick Kincade. They’re our friends, and they live in Langley Park, too.”
The woman’s hands were shaking. She clasped them in front of her and produced a tight smile. “It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Lindsey—”
“Lindsey Hanlon,” Nick said.
“It’s Lindsey Davies, now,” she said, looking away. But she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring.
“Do you two know each other?” Em asked.
Nick had gone pale. “We both worked at the Community Center’s summer camp. That was the summer I was just telling you about.”
A blush crept up Lindsey’s neck. “I hardly remember that summer. It was such a long time ago.”
Lindsey took a step back. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve had a long trip. I’d like to get settled inside.”
“Of course,” Em said. “Were you able to get the key from Mrs. G? She’s your godmother, right?”
Lindsey nodded.
“Are your things being delivered today?” Michael asked. “If you need any help carrying boxes or moving furniture, just let us know. We’re happy to help.”
“There’s no moving truck,” Lindsey answered and took another step back.
A pregnant silence hung in the air.
“Well,” Em said, taking Michael’s hand. “You know where we’ll be. You’re welcome at our place anytime.”
Lindsey gave a quick nod then turned and hurried inside the Foursquare.
“I don’t think she remembers you, Nick,” Sam said.
Nick stared up at the house. “No, I know she remembers me. She only wishes she didn’t.”
Acknowledgments
It was an absolute joy writing this book.
To Chris and Kendra, who have been with me from the beginning, thank you. Thank you for listening to my crazy ideas. Thank you for providing spot-on edits and feedback. Thank you for always being in my corner.
To Dawn, who introduced me to the world of happily ever afters. My entire writing journey started with your kind gesture.
To Corinne and Tera, your careful eye and attention to detail made Michael and Em’s story stronger.
To Brandi, for helping me with the Star Wars references and dialogue.
To my mentor, friend, and gifted author, Michelle Dare, I don’t know where I would be without you. Thank you for encouraging me and guiding me through the beautiful world of romance.
To my father, Joe, who, in a million years, never imagined he would be reading romance novels written by his daughter.
To my husband, David. My true love. My best friend. My home.
And to you, the reader. It’s the highest honor and the most humbling gift to have you read my book. Thank you for visiting Langley Park. I hope you come back soon.
About the Author
If there’s one thing Krista Sandor knows for sure, it’s that romance saved her. After she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015, her world turned upside down. During those difficult first days, her dear friend sent her a romance novel. That kind gesture provided the escape she needed and ignited her love of the genre. Inspired by the strong heroines and happily ever afters, Krista decided to write her own romance series. Today, she is an MS Warrior and living life to the fullest. When she’s not writing, you can find her running 5Ks and chasing after her growing boys in her adopted home of Denver, Colorado.
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Also by Krista Sandor
The Langley Park Series
The Road Home: Book 1
The Sound of Home: Book 2
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Coming Soon
The Beginning of Home: Book 3
The Measure of Home: Book 4