Love at First Laugh: Eight Romantic Novellas Filled with Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After

by Krista Phillips

  Not even Regina Jones, who had been by for her second home visit and granted him permission to take Cora Lee out of State.

  Tomorrow, he would fly to Mississippi with Kate and Cora Lee. She needed to go, even though she’d whined about it for days. She needed to face her fear. Stop letting it hold her back.

  He was one to talk. He still hadn’t let Kate get a canine within twenty feet of him. But this was different. Kate wasn’t pursuing her dreams. Dreams that clearly lay in Sweet Gum. The way she talked about the town, the people, her family…it was obvious she belonged there.

  Kate needed to go back to business school. Open her dream business.

  Even if it meant leaving Chicago.

  The thought pinched his heart.

  “Griffin!”

  Kate.

  His pulse spiked and he dusted his hands on a rag and came downstairs. Kate held a carrier on her shoulder. Cora Lee snoozed in her stroller. Was that fur poking out of the carrier? His stomach lurched. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s time to conquer your fear of dogs. All I’ve heard is lectures on overcoming my fear and going back home to face Travis. Go back to school. Blah, blah, blah. Well, put your money where your mouth is already. It’s time to stop running from wiener dogs.”

  “Kate, sometimes your pep talks have a lot of talk and not much pep.”

  She smirked. “Let’s start by touching an itty bitty fluffy poochie.”

  Griffin was six foot two and weighed 280 lbs. He only had 4% body fat. Fear of touching a dog locked in a carrier shouldn’t affect him. But his head spun and he grabbed his ear.

  “It’s okay. He won’t bite you. Walk to me. Trust me. One little touch. I’m not even going to take him out of the carrier.” Kate nodded, coaxing him to come. Like a dog.

  With each step, adrenaline raced through his veins and his breath shortened. All he imagined was this dog tearing off his ear. He made it a foot from Kate and she held the carrier up. “This is the biggest step. Reach into the carrier and pet the dog.”

  When was the last time he’d touched a dog? He was four. He slowly reached and hesitated. “I can’t. I’m a wuss.”

  “You’re not a wuss. You’re brave. Look at you taking on this whole little life. Even for a month, Griff. You were going to bury your sister alone. That’s courage. You’ve been coming home earlier against your father’s wishes. That’s definitely brave. How often have you disobeyed him? You shred at the gym daily. That’s crazy not brave. Bad example.”

  He chuckled, but his heart rate had slowed and the encouragement Kate shared gave him a little more strength. Did she really think he was brave? Finally the tips of his fingers touched the dog. “I did it. I did it, Kate!” He tried again. Rubbed the dog’s back with the tips of his fingers. It was only a skim, but still.

  She beamed. “Good.” She swung open the carrier and yanked the dog out by its ear.

  He jumped backward, shocked and surprised. “What?”

  “Stuffed.” She twirled the toy around with her fingers. “Tomorrow, you pet a real dog.” A satisfied expression settled in her eyes and Griffin stared at the toy dog.

  “You tricked me.”

  She scoffed. “I did no such thing. I said come pet the dog. And this is a dog. I never said come pet a live dog, now did I?” She tossed him the stuffed toy.

  He caught it and frowned. “Semantics,” he muttered.

  “But you did do it. Which shows progress. Now that you know you can touch a dog, you’ll be able to handle the real thing tomorrow.”

  “We fly to Sweet Gum tomorrow.” Take that.

  She cocked her head. “Believe it or not there are dogs in Sweet Gum too. Several live at my parents’ home, and Honey is attached to her two bird dogs.”

  “Do they run as wild as I gather Honey does?”

  “What do you think?” She pushed the stroller into the living room and tucked it into a corner. “I see you’ve been working on your guitars.”

  He glanced at his pants. “Yeah. It helps me think. Clears my mind.”

  “You ever thought of selling any of those?” She collapsed on the couch, stretching one leg up on the back of it. That seemed to be her signature style.

  “I sold two of them in my early twenties, but I didn’t have time to make a big deal over it. I had to finish college and go into the family business.”

  “Why? Why did you have to?”

  “I’ve been groomed to. That was the plan for me all along.”

  “By who?”

  Griffin settled at the end of the couch, Kate’s bare foot in his face. “My family. And I’m good at it.”

  “Are you passionate about it?”

  Passionate? “Sometimes. I like challenges.”

  “Building a guitar business would be a challenge. One I know you’d be passionate about. Create a website. Get the word out. You have a big circle of influence.” She slid her arms behind her neck, using them as a pillow. “Be brave.”

  Be brave. “You enroll in business school yet?”

  She tossed a pillow in his face for an answer.

  “I’m serious. Kate, how long are you going to sit on your dream? You gonna let some schmuck who was willing to let you foot his bill for college, then leave you when it counted rule over your life forever? No one should have that much power.” He knocked her leg off the back of the couch, grabbed her arms and pulled her into a sitting position to face him. “What are you waiting for?”

  “What am I going to do with a business degree, Griff? Open a grooming business in Chicago? There are nine thousand groom shops and dog walking services. And if I open up a shop here then…”

  “Then what?”

  She closed her eyes. “Then I’ve settled.”

  “No one wants to see you settle, but going to school is the first step. You are so creative. You’re wasting brain power by not going. Go to school. Here. Sweet Gum. Wherever. Then do what you love. Where you love.”

  She fell back onto the couch, covered her face with her hands. “I don’t want to go home and be pitied and talked about.”

  “By who? The ex?”

  “Travis.”

  “Whatever.” Why was she bent on making sure he was called by his name? Did she not want him to be the ex? “Why would anyone talk about you? It’s not like this happened two months ago.”

  “You don’t get small towns. They live to retell tragic stories. Remember when Travis up and married someone else? Left poor little Emma Kate to fend for herself.” She laid on a heavy and slightly ridiculous southern drawl. But what hit him most was she’d two-named herself. “Bless her she just ran off to Chicago to dress up and walk dogs. Poor thing. Guess she couldn’t make a go without Travis…and she’s not even married. Her baby sisters are married.” She stuck a finger down her throat and made a gagging noise.

  “I think you’re exaggerating.”

  She glared. “I cannot wait to introduce you to the South.”

  “So what? Who cares what people think?”

  Her eyebrows rose higher than he knew eyebrows could go. “Pot meet kettle.”

  She had a point. It struck like a branding iron. They sat in silence on the couch for some time. He wasn’t all that different from her. It soured his stomach. He wanted her to do the very thing he couldn’t. He couldn’t think about it any longer. “Kate?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sometimes I search YouTube to see if I’m on there running from a wiener dog.”

  Kate patted his knee. “Sometimes, I do too.”

  Two hours from Sweet Gum, and Emma Kate couldn’t stop fidgeting or bobbing her knees. Griffin kept giving her long side-glances which had her squirming further.

  Cora Lee had done great on the flight and now she was dozing in her car seat.

  “I should warn you I have a big family,” Emma Kate said.

  “Three sisters. Your mom and dad. Honey and the General—he was in the war. Fighter pilot but not an actual General. I had a two hour flight to ta
ke it all in.”

  Right.

  He switched radio stations. Classic Rock.

  They passed through the town square. Sidewalks were crowded with shoppers, but no one seemed to be in a hurry. She liked that about Sweet Gum. Missed the relaxed atmosphere.

  She messed with her hair that she’d left down, and she’d traded in yoga capris and Tshirts for a pair of denim shorts, sandals, and a tank top with a cardigan. And she’d worn a little more make-up than usual. “Hang a right. House will be a mile down on the left.” As they passed by rolling hills and homes, she pointed out two of her sisters’ houses. “And remember,” she said as they pulled into her gravel circular drive, “my—”

  “Mom is a hugger.” He put the car in Park and shifted in his seat. “Why are you so nervous? And what’s with the extra make-up and earrings?”

  She touched the silver hoops in her ears.

  “Are you trying to look good for the ex?”

  “Travis.”

  “Whatever. Is this to impress him? You don’t need to paint your face or wear jewelry to be beautiful, Kate. You already have that perfected. Okay?”

  Griffin’s words released the lever on a roller coaster ride inside. But past words hit her at the upside turn. “Not enough to be your type, though.” She waved off her snide remark when he frowned. “This isn’t about Travis. Or I don’t know. Maybe it is.”

  His jaw pulsed. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

  No. He didn’t. “I don’t want him back. I…want him to suffer a little. To regret tossing me away.” Heat flushed her cheeks. “Make sense?”

  “Not even a little.”

  Of course not. “Well, it would if you were a woman.”

  “Besides. You have a weekend boyfriend. I’m here to bail you out of a jam like you did for me.”

  “You’re not my boyfriend, Griffin. You’re my friend.”

  “How many male friends do you bring home?”

  “None.” She picked at her nails. No one would believe this was a platonic relationship.

  “So either be bold or do the chick innuendo thing.” He smirked and glanced up as her family flew from the front door and down the wraparound porch steps toward the car. Honey led the way in her floppy hat and pearls.

  “That’s Honey. I know it.”

  Emma Kate laughed. “Yeah, that’s Honey.” She bolted from the car and wrapped her grandmother in a monster hug. Griffin got out and hung back while Emma Kate hugged her parents and sisters. She’d missed them even more now that they were right in front of her.

  Dogs barked. Honey’s bird dogs came running.

  She whipped her head in Griffin’s direction. He clutched the car door ready to jump to shelter. Putting herself in his path to block the way, she hollered, “Elvis! Rebel! You old coots!” They covered her face in doggie kisses. She missed these babies too.

  She glanced at Griffin. He had a gaggy face going. What was that all about? Ignoring it, she turned to Honey. “Hey, Cora Lee isn’t used to dogs. Can we put them on the runners out back?”

  She’d saved Griffin from embarrassment.

  “Of course, baby,” Honey crooned. “But she’ll have to get used to them. I’m not leaving them on there for good.” Honey snapped her fingers, and her brother-in-law wrangled the dogs to the backyard.

  Honey’s sights landed on Griffin. Oh boy.

  “Well, what do we have here?” She stalked toward him. “You must be the boyfriend. With the baby.” Oh for crying in a bucket, she knew good and well that baby wasn’t his. Honey peered inside the open door at Cora Lee. “My but isn’t she as sweet as cotton candy. I could sop her up with a biscuit, I could.”

  He gave Emma Kate a quizzical look and she gave him a thumbs up. Poor guy would have to get used to southern sayings.

  “She’s gonna melt.” Honey undid Cora Lee’s car seat straps, easing her into her arms. She fidgeted but didn’t wake. Her dark hair had dampened, clinging to her forehead. He’d also have to get used to bunking in Satan’s lair—that’s how hot it was down here. The sound of cicadas chorused with squawks from two red-tailed hawks perched in the pine trees that flanked the property.

  Honey patted Cora Lee’s back. “Emma Kate told me about your sister. My condolences.”

  “Thank you.” He was met by the rest of the family. Griffin took the hugs and handshakes in stride.

  “Call me Bob and this Joan.” Dad shook his hand and Mama hugged the mess out of him. As expected, but he grinned and winked at Emma Kate, filling her belly with butterflies.

  “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Griffin. Make yourself at home here,” Mama said, dipping her chin while she eyed and smiled at Emma Kate.

  When Mama backed away, he caught Emma Kate’s arm, pulling her to his side and whispering in her ear, “That’s the knowing-face you females make. The deranged monkey look.”

  Emma Kate snickered.

  Inside, the house filled with chatter over the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. Mama and Honey had been baking. Desserts lined the granite counters.

  Cora Lee woke and stared at Honey, then scanned the room. Her lips puckered until she spotted Griffin and broke out in a smile. She held up her little hand and waved.

  Griffin beamed. The man had a killer smile.

  “Kate, did you see that?”

  “I saw it.”

  “Good girl,” he said and Cora Lee laughed and waved again before clutching a fistful of Honey’s pearls.

  “Now, child. All southern belles wear pearls and you’ll surely get you a pair, but for now you must learn to be gentle.” She removed Cora Lee’s iron grasp from the necklace. “Easy,” she cooed.

  “Griffin,” Dad said, “Emma Kate tells me you’re a basketball fan. We’re gonna play us a game after dinner. You be up for playing?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “Emma Kate can show you to your room,” Mama said. “I wasn’t sure if Cora Lee would stay with you or with her, or she can stay across the hall.”

  Honey passed Cora Lee to Emma Kate. “I don’t know what northern city folks do, but down here you don’t share a bed until you’re married.” She tossed Griffin a stern eye.

  His neck flushed.

  Emma Kate wanted to crawl in a hole. “We don’t share a bed, Honey. For lands’ sakes. Cora Lee can stay across the hall.”

  Missy Ann chimed in. “I brought over a Pack ‘n Play. But it’s in your room. You can move it.”

  “Y’all have had a long trip, so freshen up and then come on down for some lemonade. Griffin is in Missy Ann’s old room,” Mama added.

  Griffin carried their luggage upstairs and followed her into her bedroom. She put Cora Lee in the Pack ‘n Play and turned to Griffin. “So—”

  “I can’t believe your grandma basically told us no sex, in front of your entire family.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”

  Emma Kate shrugged. “It’s Honey. You get used to it. The night of prom—during family photos no less—she said, ‘Now, you two don’t even think about hanky-panky in the back seat of your car. Not only is it a sin, but you’ll wrinkle your dress, Emma Kate, and good southern women do not wrinkle their dresses.’”

  Griffin laughed. “You have Honey’s accent and inflections down pat.”

  “She has zero filter.”

  “She reminds me of someone else I know.” He playfully tugged at her hair and flopped on her childhood bed as if he belonged there. Her stomach quivered.

  “When you moved to Chicago for a change, did that include the name people call you?”

  Her cheeks turned pink. “Well…no. My name is Emma Kate. But I didn’t correct you that day in Fur De Leash.”

  “Why?”

  “Mostly I was astounded you even knew half of my name. I didn’t think you ever even noticed me.”

  “I did.”

  To steer clear of the big dog that terrified him, or other reasons? No. He’d made it clear she wasn’t the kind of woman he dated.
Still rankled. Old insecurities. In the end, she hadn’t been Travis’s type either. Hadn’t been enough.

  She rubbed her hands along her denim shorts.

  He cocked his head and studied her face until she wanted to squirm. “Emma Kate,” he murmured. Frowning, he shook his head. “I think I’m going to keep calling you Kate anyway. Would you mind?”

  “Not for what you’re paying me.”

  “But do you hate it?”

  “No,” she softly said. “It was weird at first but I’m used to it now.” Now, she liked it.

  “And it’s something no one else calls you which solidifies to everyone I am indeed your weekend boyfriend.” He winked. “Even your mom thinks so.”

  “Lemonade is ready!” Joan hollered.

  But he wasn’t. He wasn’t anything but her employer. Her friend. “Go on. Best get out of my room before Honey sees you or my dad shoots you. No boys allowed.”

  Griffin glanced out the window and pointed to the trellis “No boys ever climbed up to your window?”

  “Once, but it was Chris when he first started dating Angel Beth. Came right in and crawled into my bed thinking this was her room.” She shuddered. “Daddy nearly shot him twice. Once for sneaking into our house. And once for getting into bed with one of his girls. That’s when Mama gave us all the talk.”

  Griffin chuckled.

  “You laugh but it was pure torture.” She snatched a diaper, changed Cora Lee, and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s get lemonade and a juice cup.”

  Chapter 8

  Griffin sat on the dock at the pond stealing a minute to himself. Between family festivities including basketball last night and helping set up for the party tonight, Griffin’s past twenty-four hours had been a blur. He’d barely seen Kate. She’d been helping her sisters before attending a tea party with Honey.

  He’d strung dozens of pastel paper lanterns, including tons of pink ones. She’d love it. Pink was her favorite color. Everything about these people, this place—Kate—moved him. The house with all the vivid colors and richness…it was well-lived in and well-loved. What he’d always dreamed of as a kid. Giselle would have loved it.