Then He Showed Up
By Chris Campillo
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Chris Campillo
Kindle Edition
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the author.
ISBN: 978-0-9981911-0-2
Cover Photo ©Moustache Girl/Shutterstock and ©SFIO CRACHO/Shutterstock
Cover design by ©Sarah Hansen/Okay Creations
Editing by Chrissy Wolfe at EFC Services, LLC
For Fred – Thanks for showing me that real love comes after the epilogue.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Epilogue
Coming Soon
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Chapter 1
Kate Livingston raised her hand in the air, letting the wind push it back. She loved riding in her sister Maggie’s convertible, especially heading down the hills to Lake Travis. They sped past limestone bluffs, and overhead, enormous cotton candy clouds floated in the blue sky. No doubt about it, God had taken special care when He’d created Austin, Texas. For the first time in days, a smile—a real one—broke free.
She looked over and caught Maggie grinning. “What?” she asked, turning down the music.
“You. You look happy.” Maggie tugged one of Kate’s curls. “It’s been too long.”
Kate moved her sister’s hand back to the wheel. “I am happy. I’m looking forward to sailing.”
“You should be. You haven’t been on the boat since last fall. When was the last time you had a weekend with no responsibilities?”
Kate thought about it. “I can’t even remember. Am I dreaming this right now?”
“Nope. This is pure, fabulous reality. You don’t have to do anything today but have fun. Consider yourself a kid going to Disney World.”
That idea immediately reminded her of responsibilities. Kate pulled her phone from her purse.
Maggie gave her a condescending frown. “You called the kids this morning.”
“Charlie was asleep when I called. They’re on west coast time, remember? And besides, I need to warn Grace.”
Maggie sighed. “What would Grace need to be warned about?”
“They’re going to the Orange County Fair today. She has to watch the kids like a hawk. They cannot get separated.”
“Honey, the woman’s thirty years old, I think she can keep track of two kids. Besides, I bet that place deals with hundreds of lost children every day. Worst case, Madeline and Charlie go to someone in a uniform and get help. Lord knows, I’ve heard you preach this on more than one occasion.”
Kate rubbed her temples. “Maggie, they may know this, but let’s face it, if some pervert offers Charlie a foot-long, churro—”
“Ewwww!”
“Hush. The point is, if offered the right junk food, my boy would probably forget every one of my sermons. Call me paranoid, but I don’t want my child to end up on a milk carton.”
“Oh, good God, woman. Would you listen to yourself?” Maggie scowled. “Did you ever talk to your doctor about Xanax?”
“Listen. I’m just going to remind Grace. If they’re careful, nothing bad can happen.”
Maggie grabbed the phone and stuck it under her leg.
“Give that back!” Kate reached for her cell, but Maggie smacked her hand.
“Stop. We’re entering the NWZ.” Before she could ask, her sister answered, “The No-Worry Zone.
“Right,” Kate said under her breath. No worries. Like that could happen. Maggie didn’t know about the staff meeting yesterday where they’d announced budget cuts were coming. And by budget cuts, everyone knew they meant bodies. Great way to start the weekend. At least she had a big deal on the table. If she could land this project, she’d be safe. If not . . . Stop. You’re not going there. Not today.
Maggie turned onto a narrow, twisting road leading to the marina. At the first bend, Kate caught sight of the lake and forgot about her irritating sister. Her heart skipped when she saw the blue water surrounded by white bluffs. The sun reflected off the lake, creating thousands of crystals. “Look. It’s perfect.”
“Peter says there’s not much wind. Even with both sails up, we may end up simply floating.”
“We can stay in the slip for all I care. I just need to feel the motion of the boat, catch some sunshine, and maybe get my feet wet.”
Maggie patted Kate’s knee. “There’s my girl.”
When they reached the marina, Kate saw Peter and another man unloading his SUV. Ooooh, no. Oh no, Maggie. “Who’s that?”
“It’s Jack, Peter’s best friend from high school. He came into town yesterday. Peter must have invited him.”
Kate glared at her sister. “You are so full of it. You knew he was coming, don’t lie.”
Maggie shrugged. “Okay, so I knew.”
Kate threw her hands up in exasperation. “I thought this was supposed to be just the three of us. Just family.”
“Don’t freak out. This isn’t a fix up.”
“Right.” Kate yanked off her seat belt.
“I’m serious. The man lives in California. He’s just visiting. Peter didn’t even know he was coming.”
“So why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I knew you would react exactly like this, or worse, you’d back out of coming.”
Kate huffed. Maggie was right, but she’d never admit it. “Thanks for the heads-up.” She looked down at her cover-up, a faded, lime-green sundress with a pink flamingo pocket. The kids had been so proud when they’d given it to her last Mother’s Day. A precious token of love, fine for a day on the boat with family, but nothing she’d select for meeting a stranger. Her pink flip-flops really added a touch of class.
No one had noticed their arrival, so Kate checked the vanity mirror. Her short, auburn curls had been blown into a frizzy mess. Clown hair. She watched Maggie pull her long, blonde hair—the hair that had been whipped about just like her own—into a sleek ponytail.
Kate shook her head. “One day. Just one day, I’d love for you to be the sister with the great personality.”
“Oh, honey, women would die for
your curls.” Maggie pressed her lips into a tight line as she tried to pat down Kate’s hair.
“Leave it alone.” Kate swatted her sister’s hand away. She glanced at her reflection again and recalled for the umpteenth time her dad’s famous lecture:
“There are times in life when you can choose to run or you can stay and build character.”
“Screw it.” She flipped the mirror shut. “I’m building character.”
They left Maggie’s car and headed over to the men. “Hey, there’s my lady,” Peter called out. Maggie kissed him as he rested his hand on her hip. The exchange was simple, normal for a married couple, yet so intimate. A pang of loneliness shot through Kate’s chest.
Peter made the introductions. “Jack, this is Kate, Maggie’s sister.”
“Hey, Kate.”
“Hi.” She had to look up to see his face. His thick, brown hair was tousled. Sunglasses blocked his eyes, but she was drawn to his easy smile—confident and friendly. Whiskers, along with a faded polo and worn khaki shorts, proved he could relax on a Saturday. But he didn’t look shabby. More like he’d just flown in from Martha’s Vineyard.
Interesting. Her faded getup spoke of the YMCA community pool. Maybe it was the pink bird.
She looked over at the ever-lovely Maggie and Peter, aka Adonis. Sailing with the beautiful people, and I fill the quota for the Americans With So-So Looks Act. Oh well, didn’t matter. Good, bad, or ugly, she was more determined than ever to get to the NWZ. The sooner they got on that boat, the better.
She tried to lift one of the coolers, but it was too heavy. “Maggie, can you grab a handle?”
“I’ve got it,” Jack said. “Why don’t you get the red one? It’s lighter.”
“Thanks.” When he bent down to lift the chest, Kate noticed the V of his back. No love handles there, but he wasn’t lean. Just solid. I want to touch you. Good Lord, when had she become an ogler? She dashed to her assigned cooler.
Jack called out to the others, “Let’s get going. I want to check out this baby Peter’s always bragging about.”
“There she is,” Peter said with pride, pointing down toward the docks. “The Maggie May. Third slip on the left.”
Kate spotted the boat and grinned. No matter how many times she’d sailed, she was always taken aback when she saw it. The white hull and turquoise-blue sail covers made her think of a cottage in the Greek isles. Perhaps it was the sense of escape The Maggie May represented. When she sailed, worries and responsibilities were almost forgotten.
Jack stalled, and Kate almost bumped into him. “This takes me back.” He scanned the water, then eventually turned to her. “When Pete and I were young, we spent every hour we could sailing this lake.” He gazed out again. “Best part of my teen years.”
“So what do you think?” Peter asked.
“Hmm, she looks pretty small,” Jack teased. “I thought you said she was forty feet.”
“She is.” Peter turned to his friend and cocked his head. “Five feet longer than yours.”
“Sold that one, buddy. Wait till you see my new one.”
“Okay, boys,” Maggie interrupted. “Let’s quit worrying about whose is bigger and get on with it.”
Within thirty minutes, they were on the water. There was barely a breeze, so Peter used the motor to take them to the middle of the lake. They lounged on the three padded benches in the cockpit, listening to the guys reminisce about their wild misadventures as teenagers, while snacking on cheese and crackers. Dear God, it was delicious. Kate savored the Brie and Stilton, so much better than the cheese sticks that filled her fridge’s dairy drawer.
Jack sat at the stern, serving as helmsman—a gift from Peter. He had one arm resting on top of the wheel, and from time to time, he scanned the horizon, probably checking for other boats. The man was definitely in his environment, confidence personified.
Kate wondered if she ever came across as calm and confident. Probably in the checkout line at the grocery store. She took pride in the fact she could read about stars with cellulite while unloading her groceries, never once looking at the conveyor belt.
Peter and Maggie were on the third bench, opposite Kate’s. He rested against the cabin, with Maggie between his legs, reclining against his chest. They may as well have been one body, they looked so comfortable. Peter gently stroked his wife’s arm. Kate wondered if he was even aware of his action.
Memories of Ian hit her like a flash flood.
It had been one of their earliest trips on the boat. Ian was still healthy. Peter had mixed up some Dark and Stormies that turned out to be quite smooth. They anchored in a secluded cove and spent the afternoon swimming, laughing, and even dancing after a few more rounds. It was like old times for Ian and Kate, before the kids. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. He followed her around the boat, whispering all the things he was going to do to her when they were finally alone. Who knew rum was the secret to refueling passion in a ten-year marriage?
Much later, they sailed back to the marina under a full moon. The only sound, the splash of waves as the boat cut through the water. Kate leaned back against Ian, gazing in awe at the countless stars. He brushed his lips against her neck, then whispered, “I love you, Kate . . . always.”
“Bullshit.”
Kate jumped, smacked back into the present. Had she said that out loud? No, it was Peter. He was pointing at Jack. “I only went to one dance in high school.”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, but you made it count.” He turned to Maggie. “Got out in the center of the gym and started break dancing.”
Maggie fell over, snorting, and Kate couldn’t help but giggle. After a bit, even Peter laughed.
“What about you?” Jack asked, pointing between her and Maggie. “Either of you bust a move in the day?”
“That was definitely Maggie,” Kate shared. “Dance team captain extraordinaire.”
“Thank you very much.” Maggie kicked her leg up.
Jack turned to Kate. “So you’re not a dancer?”
She shrugged.
“Oh, she can hold her own, don’t let her fool you,” Maggie said.
“I’m sure you can.” Jack smiled.
It was a harmless statement, but something about the way he said it made Kate blush. Jumping up, she asked, “Anyone need a drink?”
“Hold up.” Maggie stopped her. “Peter, why don’t you make some Dark and Stormies?”
“You got it.” Peter stood. “How about you, Kate?”
She hesitated. “Will you drive us home?”
“Sure.”
Kate shrugged. “Okay, but just a small one.”
Peter tousled her hair. “That’s our Kate, always the wild one.”
“Hey, don’t give my sister a hard time.” Maggie’s smile betrayed her censuring tone. She leaned up and gave him a tender kiss.
Kate had to turn away. Why was her sister’s well-deserved happiness unnerving her so? She noticed Jack seemed uncomfortable as well. “I’m going to go lie out,” she announced, then grabbed her beach bag and made her way to the deck. She hesitated before removing her cover-up. Character, baby. She pulled off the flamingo frock, grateful she was wearing a one-piece suit that adequately covered her weaker spots. There wasn’t enough character in the world to get her to show her ass.
Maggie eventually joined her, bearing drinks.
“Thanks,” Kate said, taking one.
“What’s bugging you?”
“Nothing.”
“Something is. You never want to lie out. Hell, you’re the spokesperson for skin cancer prevention. Don’t you like Jack?”
“Sure. He seems like a nice guy.” Kate took a sip and sighed. “Mmm. I love this.” She took another, and then set down the plastic cup. She filled her palms with SPF 90 sunscreen and began smoothing the white barrier on her skin. “I can’t believe he and Peter lived through their teen years. Did you know Peter did all those things?”
“Yes. Now don’t change the subject. What’s both
ering you?”
Kate stopped applying the sunscreen and looked out over the water. Eventually, she spoke. “It’s just . . . I don’t know . . . lot of memories hitting me today.”
“Oh, hon’.” Maggie rubbed Kate’s back.
She knew Maggie was thinking this was about Ian’s death. For a second, Kate considered telling her sister the truth about “Saint Ian,” but it would serve no purpose. Nothing would change. Besides, thanks to an expensive therapist, Kate was starting to let it go. She wasn’t living in the house of forgiveness, but she’d made it to the driveway.
“It’s going to get better,” Maggie said, squeezing Kate’s hand.
“I know . . . It is better. I just have these moments sometimes.” Kate pulled free of Maggie’s grip. “All right. That’s enough. I never get a day like this, and I’m not going to waste it with a pity party.”
“Smart call. Now down this.” Maggie handed Kate her drink. “I guarantee it’ll make you feel better.”
Kate took another sip, wishing it were that simple. She handed the sunscreen to Maggie. “Do my back?”
“Sure.”
Kate jumped when Maggie squirted the cold lotion on her skin. “So what does Jack do?”
Maggie moved around to face Kate. “Jack’s a vice president at Gridion Industries.”
“No way!” Kate spun around and stared at the man. She turned back to Maggie. “That’s Jack Graham? Are you kidding me?”
Maggie shook her head, as if it were no big deal. She didn’t have a clue. Having the man who made all the location decisions for Gridion trapped on a boat was like winning the lottery for a person in economic development. Especially when layoffs were coming.
Kate looked down at her swimsuit. “Do you have something decent I can put on? I’ve got to take advantage of this, but I’m not going to impress him wearing this or the flamingo.” She reached up and fingered the nest of her hair. “Oh God, how am I—”
Maggie grabbed her wrist. “You’re not going to say anything. Peter says Jack’s a stickler about keeping business and pleasure separate. In all the years I’ve known him, I think he’s talked about his job maybe once or twice. You’ve seen how laid-back he is. He probably wants to be treated like a regular Joe.”
Then He Showed Up Page 1
