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AFTERTHEACHESand pains caused by loading the car and hours of driving, Kate expected to toss and turn all night. Instead, only a few minutes after her head hit the pillow, she fell into a dreamless sleep. In the morning, she woke to a wave of déjà vu triggered by the scent of coffee. She herself had never developed a taste for it, but Damon hadnt been able to form the words good morning without a mug in his hand.
To combat the Texas summer, Gram kept the air-conditioning chugging at a temperature low enough to cool the hardwood floors. Kate slid her feet into music-note slippers given to her by a student at Christmas and padded to the kitchen to help with breakfast. She wasnt surprised that the door to Lukes room was still closed; he rarely got out of bed without parental prompting.
Gram, a natural morning person, beamed at her. Sleep well, dear?
Like a rock, actually. It was the best nights rest shed had in recent memory.
I was just about to scramble myself some eggs. Want some?
You made dinner last night. It only seems fair that I make breakfast, Kate counteroffered.
All right. Then I can work on my shopping list. Im running into town to pick up a few last minute items for the cookout this afternoon.
The two women ate breakfast in companionable silence. Afterward, Gram gathered her purse and keys, saying she wouldnt be gone long. She was just missing a few ingredients for the desserts she planned to bake.
Alone in the quiet house, Kate began unpacking some of her belongings into the closet and bureau. Shed been too drained last night. After making a substantial dentand finding a casual green-striped sundress that seemed appropriate for todayshe headed for the bathroom and showered. She used the blow-dryer with the door open, hoping the noise would jumpstart the process of waking Luke. When she knocked on his door, however, there was no answer, not even a mumbled go away.
She toyed with letting him sleep longer, wondering if that would improve his disposition today, but decided she wanted this opportunity while they were alone in the house to break the news about the welcome party. He might not react with enthusiasm, and she didnt want him hurting Grams feelings.
Knock, knock, she said as she pushed the door open.
He was out cold, his breathing slow and even, his shaggy hair going in all different directions, an uneven halo against the pale blue pillowcase. Without the scowl that was rapidly becoming his trademark, he looked a lot like he had as a little boy. Her heart constricted, a tight ball in her chest. She loved her son so much and wanted nothing more than to make his life better, easier. If only he could see that!
She sat on the edge of the bed, saying his name softly, then with more volume, jostling his shoulder.
One eyelid cracked open just enough for him to peer at her in displeasure. Whaddayawant?
To make you breakfast. And to talk. We saved you some bacon, she said coaxingly.
He hesitated, torn between two of his favorite activitiessleeping and eating. Playing video games was also in his top five, but she hadnt hooked up his gaming system last night. Maybe that could be his reward for being well-behaved today.
Why dont you put on some clothes and brush your teeth, she suggested, and Ill cook you some eggs. Scrambled with cheese?
He shook his head. Fried with the squishy yolk, so that the yellow runs everywhere when you cut it.
Okay. She rose, leaving the room and giving him some privacy. But she hesitated in the hallway, listening to make sure he actually got out of the bed instead of rolling over and falling back to sleep.
Just as she was setting his plate on the table, he appeared in the kitchen, wearing a pair of maroon shorts with an elastic waist and a charcoal-colored shirt that had once featured the name of a sports team. The letters had faded to obscurity after about a million washings, and tiny holes in the fabric were beginning to appear at the neckline and around the seams. He claimed the shirt was the softest piece of clothing he owned and wore it about three times a week. She really needed to find him a replacement before this one ultimately disintegrated. Although hed changed, he hadnt taken the time to brush his hair. It stuck out around his face in fluffy spikes.
She handed him a glass of orange juice. You sleep okay? Considering the coma-like condition shed found him in, it seemed like a safe opener.
No. The beds lumpy, and the outside noise is weird.
How did he not consider the gentle hum of crickets and tree frogs an improvement over planes landing and periodic car alarms blaring? Theres hardly any noise at all!
Thats what makes it weird. He stabbed into an egg, watching the yellow ooze across the plate as requested. Wheres Gram?
She went out for some groceries. And would probably be home any minute now, so Kate better get to the point. She invited some people over this afternoon for a cookout.
Luke scowled around a mouthful of bacon. You want me to spend my afternoon with a bunch of people I dont know?
Thats the whole point of the gathering, so we can get to know some of our new neighbors. Maybe start making friends.
I have friends. In Houston.
Well, we arent in Houston anymore. Gram was nice enough to take us in, and we owe her. Our actions here reflect on her, too.
So youre saying if we dont fit in, she might kick us out?
Of course not! Her grandmother would never resort to reverse extortion. Was he asking because he feared not being accepted, after the way most of his teachers had labeled him last year, or was he secretly hopeful, wondering if antics at Grams cookout could be his ticket back to Houston?
I expect you to be on your best behavior, she stressed. Do not screw this up.
Hurt flared in his eyes, but his tone was his default-mode sarcastic when he said, So youre saying I shouldnt hotwire the guests cars and do doughnuts in the back pasture?
After your stunt yesterday, you dont get to make jokes like that.
How long are you going to stay mad about that? It was just a stupid candy bar!
No, it was a destructive pattern of behavior. Then again, if she always acted as though she expected the worst of him, was she creating a self-fulfilling prophecy? Luke, I
Outside, a car door closed, and he shot out of his chair. Ill see if she needs help bringing in groceries. His gallantry was clearly motivated by an excuse to end the conversation, but Kate would take what she could get.
The screen door clattered as he hurried out of the house, and Kate heard Gram call good morning to him. Decades ago, Joan Denby had been able to coax Kate out of her shell when she was feeling abandoned by her father. Maybe now Gram could work her magic on a sullen teenage boy.
There were so few bags that Luke got them all in one trip. Kate offered to help put away the groceries, but Gram said to just leave them out for baking. She then made Lukes day by giving him permission to hook up his game console to the living room TV while the two women worked in the kitchen.
Once hed happily scampered off to lose himself in a digital quest, Gram raised an eyebrow in Kates direction. Am I wrong, or was there some tension between the two of you?
Once hed happily scampered off to lose himself in a digital quest, Gram raised an eyebrow in Kates direction. Am I wrong, or was there some tension between the two of you?
Always.
Gram patted her arm. Hang in there. The teen years are difficult. I seem to recall a certain summer where you and Crystal fell for the same lifeguard at the local pool and life as you knew it was over! She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead in melodramatic parody.
Kate chuckled in spite of herself. Okay, I suppose even I had my tantrums.
And you grew into a wonderful woman. Luke has a good heart.
I know. I just wish hed share it with people more often.
Gram disappeared into the walk-in pantry and returned with a sack of flour and an armful of spices. Do you want an apron to protect your dress? Its pretty. Brings out the green in your eyes. She beamed proudly. Youre sure to make a good impression in it.
Alarm bells sounded in Kates head, as jarring as a classroom of seven-year-olds all playing xylophones for the first time. Suddenly she recalled a phone conversation with Gram a few months ago. Her grandmother had gently hinted that Luke might do better with a male role model in his life and asked if Kate ever dated. When Kate had said no, Gram had dropped the subject. Now, Kate wondered if her grandmother had simply been biding her time.
Gram, this welcome party... Its not going to be a lineup of the countys eligible bachelors, is it? I told you, Im not ready for romance.
Her grandmother smiled sadly. I lost my husband, too. I understand. But youre in the prime of your life, with a lot of years left ahead of you. Damon wouldnt want you to be alone.
That answer did nothing to settle Kates apprehension about the party. Today isnt going to be you, me, and a dozen single guys between the ages of twenty and fifty, right?
You have your grandfathers active imagination. As I told you last night, I invited some families. Now, can we get started? Ive got several desserts I want to bake, and my oven will only hold so many things at a time.
Telling herself to quit being paranoid, Kate lost herself in the comforting rhythm of working alongside the woman who had taught her how to cook. The first dinner shed ever fixed for Damon had included her grandmothers chicken and dumplings recipe. The hours passed quickly. In seemingly no time, afternoon sun streamed through the windows and the kitchen smelled like a decadent bakery. Unfortunately, the kitchen was nearly as hot as the inside of a bakery oven.
At least outside there was a breeze. Kate covered long folding tables with vinyl tablecloths, glad she hadnt bothered with makeup. It would have melted away. They drafted Luke to dump ice into the drink coolers and pretended not to notice all the food he stole off the veggie tray. Beans simmered on the stove, and a vat of potato salad waited in the fridge. The smell of brisket cooking made Kates stomach rumble. While she waited for the grill to heat up so she could throw on some sausages, she opened a bag of tortilla chips and taste-tested Grams homemade salsa.
Gram handed her a cold water bottle, her eyes glinting with mischief. You might want this.
Kate nodded. Its a little hotter than I remembered.
Well. Everyone needs a little spice in their lives.
As Kate sipped her water, two vehicles came down the dirt road that led from the street to the farm. The second was a battered pickup; the one in the lead was a sedan that was probably older than she was but gleamed as if it were washed and waxed daily. As soon as it pulled to a stop, the back door opened. While the driver and front passenger were still dealing with their seatbelts, two blonde blurs of energy spilled out. Followed by a tall man with ink-black hair.
Cold water splashed over her fingers, making her realize she was squeezing the bottle in her hand. Gram! She couldnt keep the note of shrill accusation from her voice. That is Cole Trent.
Her grandmother ducked her gaze. Oh. Did I, um, forget to mention he was invited?
Chapter Three
A single glance across the shaded front yard confirmed the suspicion that had been growing inside Cole as his father drove. Joan Denbys granddaughter was indeed the beautiful blonde hed met yesterday. Two single moms with sons moving to Cupids Bow at the same time wasnt impossible, but it would be an unlikely coincidence. When the possibility had first occurred to him that the woman they were welcoming to town was the same one hed met at the gas station, hed discounted it because his mother had made it sound as if the newcomers son was closer to the twins age.
Then again, his mom had proven that her ethics were flexible when it came to introducing him to single women.
He had to admit, on some level, he was excited to see the blonde again. Judging from her tense body language as she talked to her grandmother, the feeling was not mutual.
Hey, its that lady! Mandy announced as the adults unloaded folding chairs and covered dishes from the car.
Gayle Trent glanced at her granddaughter. The older one, or the younger one?
Mandy frowned, momentarily perplexed that someone over thirty might qualify as young. The one with the ponytail. We met her yesterday. Her sons a big kid. He and Alyssa took a
I didnt take it! Alyssa interrupted, her face splotched with red.
Why dont we leave what happened in the past? Cole said, steering his girls away from his mothers blatant curiosity. He had not yet shared the Great Candy Bar Heist with her. Come on, lets go meet our hostess.
He tried to recall whether his mom had mentioned Joans granddaughter by name but drew a blank.
Sheriff Trent! Joan Denby waved him over with a smile. So nice to see youand your girls. Theyre getting so big. This is my granddaughter, Kate Sullivan. I hear the two of you have met?
Briefly, but I didnt catch a name. He set down the chairs he carried and extended his hand. Nice to officially meet you, Kate.
Her gold-green eyes narrowed and, for a second, he didnt think she would shake his hand. She did, but the contact was as fleeting as social protocol allowed.
Sheriff, she said stiffly.
He smiled. Please, call me Cole. Im off duty at the moment.
His parents had caught up to them and Mr. and Mrs. Ross, who owned The Twisted R ranch at the end of the road, were climbing down from their truck and calling their own hellos. Cole stepped out of the way, giving Joan a chance to proudly introduce her granddaughter. As Kate greeted everyone, her gaze kept darting nervously back to him. The lingering interest would be flattering if not for her apprehensive expression.
He was used to being well-regarded in the community and frankly unsure how to respond to her thinned lips and rigid posture. Did she somehow blame him for her sons actions yesterday? After all, if his daughter hadnt asked for the candy bar in the first place, Luke might never have swiped it. She certainly hadnt made excuses for her son, though. Shed responded to the situation with a directness Cole admired, marching her son back inside to apologize to Rick Jacobs and offer restitution.
Mom! The front door banged open, releasing an exuberant German shepherd into the yard. Luke Sullivan emerged on the wraparound porch. Theres some lady on the phone for you.