Reunited in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 8) Read online

  Reunited in Good Hope

  Cindy Kirk

  Copyright © Cynthia Rutledge 2018

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  When Cassie Lohmeier was fifteen, she never imagined she’d spend her thirty-fifth birthday dressed in a donkey costume schlepping drinks in the Good Hope town square.

  Of course, back then, thirty-five had been so old, just visualizing herself at such an advanced age had been impossible. Coffee shops like the Daily Grind, where she currently worked, hadn’t been in vogue. In fact, there hadn’t been a single coffee shop in town. If you wanted a cup of joe, you made it in a percolator or grabbed a cup at Muddy Boots.

  If shops like the Daily Grind had existed, she’d have likely considered working at such an establishment temporarily, or perhaps as a job to come back to during breaks from college. At fifteen, she had a dream. A dream that included graduating from high school and going on to the University of Wisconsin with the goal of getting a degree in finance. She’d wanted to eventually run her own business.

  If Cassie had to describe herself back then, she could do it in three words. Serious. Stubborn. Naïve.

  All three characteristics had contributed to her downfall. A slide into darkness that had started after a fight with her mother, when she decided to attend a party at the beach. When she’d—

  “I wondered when our paths would cross.”

  Cassie whirled, and the blasted tail of her costume hit the front of the wooden booth. It knocked her just enough off balance that she stumbled. Or perhaps it wasn’t the tail at all that had her fighting to right herself.

  It was the boy from that long-ago beach party who’d played a starring role in the destruction of her hopes and dreams.

  The benefit of being old—okay, so maybe thirty-five wasn’t ancient, but these days she felt every year—was that she was in better control of her emotions.

  She kept her face expressionless as she stared at Krew Slattery, NFL star and her crush from years back.

  The years had been good to him. His body was lean and hard, honed from hours in the weight room and on the field. Though he had to be nearly thirty-eight, his wavy hair was still dark without a hint of gray.

  That alone could cause her to despise him, as she’d found several wiry silver strands in her hair just that morning.

  Though dressed casually, from the Italian loafers to his Oakley sunglasses looped around his neck, he breathed money.

  When Cassie realized she was staring, she inclined her head and smiled politely. “What can I get you?”

  “Coffee. Black.”

  Of course. No latte or cappuccino for Mr. NFL Superstar.

  “Coming right up.” Cassie knew Krew had returned to Good Hope for the first time in twenty years earlier this month for the retirement of his high school jersey.

  She’d heard he’d been honored at halftime of the Homecoming game. Even with two boys in high school, there had been no reason to go. K.T. and Braxton weren’t into sports, and she wasn’t into setting eyes on Krew Slattery.

  “How’ve you been?”

  Cassie glanced around, coffee cup in hand, hoping Krew had directed the question at someone else.

  No such luck. But then, luck had never been on her side.

  Even though there had been a line at her booth all day, the traffic had disappeared. Probably because of the awards being given out.

  The Daily Grind had set up a booth in the town square as part of the Howl-O-Ween celebration, where pets paraded through the business district and best-costume prizes were awarded.

  “Great.” To be wearing a donkey costume while he looked so…rich and happy was like a knife to her heart.

  “I’ve been good, too,” he said conversationally, though she hadn’t asked. “Well, other than the injury.”

  A career-ending injury that had been talked about ad nauseum in Good Hope ever since it had occurred last month. When it had happened, Cassie had made no comments and contributed to no conversations for one simple reason. She couldn’t care less about Krew Slattery.

  “Momma.” With arms open wide, three-year-old Axl—dressed in Spider-Man pajamas—flung himself at Cassie.

  Trailing behind him, dressed as a gypsy, was her oldest child, Dakota.

  “He insisted we come by to tell you about the weenie dog.” Dakota cast a friendly smile at Krew, who still stood at the counter.

  Cassie couldn’t figure out why he hadn’t left, then realized he was obviously waiting to pay.

  After giving Axl a hug, she turned to Krew. “That’ll be two dollars.”

  He handed her a five-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”

  She took the bill. Refusing the tip would only prolong the interaction. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to thank him, so she settled for a forced smile and a nod before turning back to her children.

  Cassie crouched before the little boy, not an easy task in a donkey costume. She wished for the thousandth time that she’d gone with the milk maid, the only other costume available. “Tell me about the weenie dog.”

  “He was wearing a hot dog bun. I touched it, and it was soft like a real bun.” The boy had a slight lisp when he said his “s” sounds that she found adorable.

  Actually, Cassie found everything about her youngest son adorable. Though he was high energy, Axl was kind and sweet. He was nothing like his father. Though the toddler had inherited the shape of his mouth from his father, Clint Gourley, thankfully all the boy’s other features were from the Lohmeier side of the family.

  “Did the weenie dog win a prize?”

  Axl glanced up at his big sister.

  Only when she shifted her gaze did Cassie realize Krew hadn’t left. Her blood turned to ice when she realized the focus of his lazy gaze was no longer on her, but on Dakota.

  At nineteen, Dakota was a dark-haired beauty with an unspoiled freshness. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders in loose waves, and her eyes were large and commanded attention.

  “Frankie—that was the dachshund’s name—did win a prize,” Dakota confirmed, casting a hesitant glance in Krew’s direction. “In the small-dog division.”

  Cassie rose and was ready to ask Krew to move along when the owner of the Daily Grind and her boss, Ryder Goodhue, strode up.

  Dressed in his trademark black, Ryder had gone to school with Krew and considered him a friend. Of course, even if he hadn’t played ball with Krew at Good Hope High, he’d have been just as friendly.

  In Good Hope, strangers were considered friends you hadn’t met.

  “Nice to see you, man.” Ryder clapped Krew on the shoulder even as he shook his hand. “I hope Cassie has been taking good care of you.”

  Cassie held her breath. She needed this job. Really needed this job. If Krew somehow screwed it up for her, she—

  “Absolutely.” Krew lifted his coffee cup in a salute in Cassie’s direction. “I was just about to ask her for an introduction to this lovely young lady.”

  Krew’s amber-colored eyes settled on the girl. “You’ve waited on me before at Muddy Boots, but I don’t believe we’ve ever been introduced.”

  “I’m Dakota Lohmeier.” Dakot
a extended her hand, fingers dripping with rings and wrists encased in bangles, all part of her gypsy costume. “Cassie’s daughter.”

  Krew’s gaze sharpened. He slanted a barely perceptible look in Cassie’s direction before focusing his total attention on Dakota.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Krew’s voice oozed charm, and it took every ounce of Cassie’s control not to give him a smack in the side with her tail.

  Ryder’s presence was all that held her back. That and not wanting to give Krew the satisfaction of knowing he mattered at all to her.

  “I take it you live here in Good Hope?”

  On the surface, the question appeared to be innocent. A polite inquiry that anyone would ask when meeting someone for the first time.

  But Cassie didn’t trust Krew. And she didn’t like the way he was intently studying her child.

  “I am for now,” Dakota answered, apparently sensing nothing amiss in the question. “I was attending UWL—that’s the University of Wisconsin branch over in La Crosse—but I ran out of money, so I’m waitressing and living with my grandmother until I earn enough to go back.”

  Krew nodded. “I know UWL, and I know how it is to be short of cash. Even if my family had wanted to help me back then, they could barely afford to keep a roof over our heads. If I hadn’t gotten a football scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to go to school.”

  “That’s how it is for me.” Dakota appeared to regret her words the instant they left her mouth.

  No apology was necessary. As the oldest in a family with four children and a single parent, Dakota had grown up knowing there would be no money for college.

  “My mom still has three kids at home. My grandmother would like to help, but her money is tied up in her business. I don’t mind. Earning my own way makes me take my classes seriously.” As if determined to move on from the topic, Dakota shifted her attention to her mother. “I’d ask if you’re having a nice birthday, but—”

  Dakota gestured with one hand toward the booth.

  “It has been a good day so far.” Cassie spoke with a positivity that had been hard won. Several months earlier, she’d begun seeing a psychologist, and slowly but surely, she was pulling herself out of the dark hole that had been her home for what felt like forever. “The boys made me pancakes with chocolate chips for breakfast, and Axl drew me a lovely picture.”

  She tousled her son’s straw-colored hair, then glanced up at Dakota. “Tonight, you and I will toast Lindsay and Owen.”

  Lindsay was Cassie’s younger sister. This evening, Lindsay would marry Owen Vaughn in a small, intimate ceremony at Kyle and Eliza Kendrick’s home. Cassie had no doubt the two would have a long and happy life together.

  Despite having four children, Cassie had never walked down the aisle. Not once had she seen love shining in the eyes of any man she’d gone to bed with. She’d lived with Axl’s father for a couple of years. Not having booted him out the door when he…well, not ridding herself of him sooner was her biggest regret.

  “The wedding and reception will be a blast. I have a short shift today at the diner, so—” Dakota pulled her phone from her pocket and gave a little yelp. “I’m on duty in ten. You’re off now, right?”

  Dakota’s gaze dropped to her little brother, who was running an ancient Hot Wheels car up the side of the booth.

  “That’s why I’m here.” Ryder pulled his attention from his conversation with Krew. “I’m taking over now so your mother has time to get ready for the wedding.”

  Cassie didn’t waste a second, pulling off the green apron in a single fluid movement. She hadn’t realized it was so late. She had an appointment with hairstylist Marigold Rallis in fifteen minutes.

  She was about to grab Axl’s hand and bolt when she remembered her manners. “Thanks for letting me off early, Ryder. I really appreciate it.”

  “No worries.” Her boss waved a dismissive hand. “I’m glad you agreed to take this shift. I know how busy you are today.”

  She only smiled and turned as she took her son’s hand.

  “Happy birthday, Cassie.”

  The deep rumble had her pausing for just a second. She should have known better than to think—to assume—that Krew would let her have the last word.

  Unless she was prepared to dredge up dirty laundry—further sullying a reputation she’d only recently begun to rebuild—she needed to be civil. Besides, she was a mother, and it was up to her to set a good example for her children.

  She took a second to turn back and smile with faux sweetness. “Thank you.”

  “Hey, maybe we can meet sometime to talk.”

  Cassie blinked. “Why?”

  Krew slanted a glance at Dakota who, despite the need to get to her job, appeared to be listening intently to the conversation. “Old times.”

  “Thanks, but I’m pretty busy these days.”

  This time when she walked away from Krew, it was with her head held high.

  Cassie gazed into the salon’s mirror and blinked, not recognizing herself in the reflection.

  She and her sister were both dishwater blondes. Lindsay had been highlighting her hair since high school. Most months, Cassie could barely scrape up enough money to make rent, much less have extra for her hair. But doing the hair of the wedding party had been Marigold’s gift to Lindsay. The varying shades of blond and deep conditioning had Cassie’s hair shimmering in the light.

  “I love it.” She touched the soft wavy strands that had been accentuated with a crown of baby’s breath.

  Marigold studied her intently, then gave a satisfied nod. “You look fabulous.”

  “You’re a miracle worker.” Cassie breathed the words.

  “Hey, give me a little credit for the transformation.” Delphinium, known to friends as Fin, glanced over from where she was applying makeup to her sister Ami’s face.

  “I never guessed that mascara and a little color could make me look…so amazing.” Cassie shot Fin a smile. “Thank you.”

  She shifted her gaze back to Marigold. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

  “Our pleasure,” Marigold said with a decisive nod.

  “You’ve always been pretty, Cassie.” Fin’s gaze remained sharp and assessing. “You’ve just never let that light shine before.”

  Cassie shrugged and cast a glance at Axl, relieved the toys she’d brought along continued to keep his attention.

  “It’s going to be an amazing wedding.” Ami obligingly closed her eyes as her sister applied a light primer to her lids.

  The Bloom sisters—Ami, Delphinium, Primrose and Marigold—had been a part of Cassie’s and her sister’s lives for as far back as Cassie could remember. Their parents had been friends and had frequently socialized before Sarah Bloom died of leukemia and Richard Lohmeier was felled by a massive heart attack.

  Cassie would be Lindsay’s maid of honor, while Ami and another friend, Eliza Kendrick, would be bridesmaids. Cassie was under no illusions that Lindsay had chosen her because she was her closest friend. Though never spoken, Cassie knew she’d gotten the top spot because Lindsay couldn’t choose between Ami and Eliza.

  “Are we still meeting at Eliza’s house at five?” Cassie didn’t want to mess up.

  She’d planned to confirm the time with Eliza, but Eliza had already had her hair done and left by the time Cassie arrived.

  Unlike her and Ami, Eliza preferred to do her own makeup. There wasn’t a single doubt in Cassie’s mind that the results would be flawless, just like the woman herself. While many in town spoke of a softening in Eliza after her marriage and subsequent pregnancy, the business owner still intimidated the heck out of Cassie.

  “That’s the plan.” Ami’s lids remained shut as Fin worked her magic with a brush.

  “I can’t believe I’ll be the only one standing in front of the minister who isn’t pregnant.” Cassie laughed. “For once, I’ll be the skinny minny.”

  Ami, Eliza and Lindsay were all expecting babies this spring.
Since Ami already had one child, her baby bump was a little more pronounced than her two friends. In fact, because of the cut of Lindsay’s wedding dress, her sister didn’t even look pregnant.

  “I’d give anything not to be a skinny minny.” Marigold heaved a sigh.

  Cassie immediately regretted bringing up the pregnancies. She knew Marigold and her husband, Cade, the town sheriff, had been trying to get pregnant for more than a year without success.

  She wasn’t sure if Fin and her husband, Jeremy, were trying. But then, Fin had never been as open about her personal life as Marigold was.

  “It will happen,” Fin assured her youngest sister, her eyes as warm and supportive as her voice.

  Marigold lifted one shoulder, let it drop. “What I can’t understand is how some women, ones who can’t even afford the ones they have, can just pop another one out, while Cade and I—”

  Marigold shot Cassie an apologetic look, realizing a little too late that the type of woman she was describing fit Cassie to a T.

  Cassie had become pregnant the first time she had sex. After five years, when she had sex again, she’d gotten pregnant despite using a condom. Two years later, birth control pills hadn’t stopped her from becoming pregnant yet again. Then, four years ago, Axl had been conceived.

  “It’s okay, Marigold.” Cassie waved a dismissive hand and forced an offhand tone. “You’re right. It isn’t fair. Then again, what in life is?”

  Cassie tried to recapture the joy she’d initially felt when looking in the mirror. She reminded herself what Dr. Gallagher had told her when she’d called herself a failure who’d never amount to anything.

  The psychologist urged her to remember that her past didn’t determine her future. She was smart and young and healthy. There was no reason she couldn’t move forward and build a better life for herself and her children. Unless she chose to stay mired in the past.

  Cassie was still working on forgiving herself for past mistakes and was determined not to get off track. This time, she would not get involved with a man just because she was lonely.