Flying Home Page 5

  “She’s right, Matt.” Olivia broke the silence. “Your father uses that word all the time. It’s your turn, dear.”

  Matt looked at his mother and frowned. “Traitor.” He fiddled with his remaining letter blocks.

  Colleen drummed her fingers on the table until Matt raised his eyebrows and glared. “Oops.” She smiled. A frisson of pleasure coursed through her body at the intense gaze. “Sorry.”

  Matt slowly picked up a letter and placed it above the “T” in kaput. Then he placed the second letter, sat back, and picked up the pencil to record the score.

  “That’s ten points for Q,” he murmured.

  “Wait a minute.” Colleen stared at the unfamiliar three-letter word. “That’s not a word.”

  “I believe it is, darlin’,” Matt responded with a tight smile. “Q-A-T. Qat, a type of Arabian shrub.”

  Colleen crossed her arms and looked at the handsome face staring at her in amusement. She forced herself to concentrate on the smugness and ignore the handsomeness. “The shrub to which you are referring is spelled K-A-T.” Matt dipped his chin, in what for a moment she thought was submission. She should have known better.

  Instead, Matt leaned back on two legs of the chair, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of the sweatshirt. “This is an alternative spelling.” Again, he picked up the pencil to record his score.

  “Hey!” Colleen grabbed Matt’s hand, intending to prevent him from writing his score on the tablet. An unexpected jolt shot up her arm as his long fingers turned over and grasped her hand. She didn’t mean to, but when she jerked, her elbow bumped the game board, sending the letter squares flying.

  “Well, so much for that,” Stan declared. “I think Colleen was ahead anyway.”

  Colleen looked at the scattered bits of wood, her mind whirling with the unexpected jolt from Matt’s strong grip. “I’m so sorry. I…I was kind of clumsy, wasn’t I?” As she looked around the table, she managed a weak grin.

  “The game was just about over anyway, Colleen.” Olivia rose.

  “How about a nap, Livvy?” Stan wiggled his eyebrows at his wife.

  “Stan, we just got up.” With a shake of her head, she propped her arms on her hips.

  “Trees are trimmed.” He shrugged.

  “Well, I do have a good book up in the bedroom I’d like to finish.”

  Stan smiled and reached for his wife’s hand. “Okay, let’s go finish reading your book.”

  Colleen watched the couple leave the room. Stan and Olivia reminded her of her own parents. They shared the same intimacy, inside jokes, a history. She had never thought about something like that for herself, until… She turned her gaze to Matt.

  He put the last game pieces in the box and returned it to the drawer.

  “Well, I should call my sister and let her know what’s going on.” Colleen looked around the kitchen, suddenly uncomfortable being alone with Matt. A few flirty kisses were one thing, but her feelings were getting a little out of hand.

  “Good idea.” Matt fussed with the drawer.

  Colleen wandered into the hallway and found her purse on the bench. She reached inside and pulled out her phone, connecting the call within moments. “Can Rob come pick me up?”

  “Rob’s in court all day, Colleen. My neighbor’s staying with me ‘til he gets home.” Bobbi cleared her throat. “Um…is everything all right? They didn’t turn out to be weirdoes, did they?”

  A quiet laugh escaped Colleen’s lips. “No, they’re not weirdoes, Bobbi, they’re very nice people. I just thought I should be with you.”

  “I’m fine, big sis. No sign yet. Hopefully, the fog will lift before this little one makes his debut.”

  Colleen snapped the phone shut and sighed. She could do this. Over her career, she had stayed with all kinds of people and slept in all kinds of places. She could certainly stay with a nice family in a nice home in central California without…without what? She pondered. Losing control? A shiver ran up her spine. Maybe she was experiencing a midlife crisis.

  ****

  Colleen showered and changed into jeans and her last clean shirt. When she returned to the spotless kitchen, even the dog’s bed was empty. She wandered down the hall and into the den. A framed poster hung prominently displayed on the wall behind Matt’s desk. Odd she had missed it the night before, although she had been somewhat distracted.

  The words “Core Values—Honesty Integrity Loyalty Dependability” were written in calligraphy against a hand-painted background of almond trees in bloom. She couldn’t have picked more appropriate words to describe the man and family she was rapidly growing quite fond of.

  A laptop sat open on the desk, a picture of Tiny sprawled in the orchard as the screensaver. She tapped the space bar and a document appeared. Just as she leaned over the laptop and squinted to read the small type, a grunt came from the direction of the couch. She turned, surprised to see Matt sprawled there, one arm over his eyes. She should grab a magazine and leave, but the sight of him asleep proved irresistible. Careful not to bump him, she eased down next to the lanky body.

  In repose, Matt’s face was relaxed and a slight smile played about his lips. Colleen reached out and pushed a still-damp lock of hair off his forehead. Unable to resist, she stroked the soft hair. Leaving the soft waves, her fingers trailed across the dimple in his chin.

  Matt’s hand grabbed her wrist.

  Colleen jumped up but he pulled her back to the couch. “You rat.” She couldn’t believe she had been tricked. “You were playing possum.”

  His eyes opened. “You’re not the only one who can play games. Remember your payback this morning?”

  Colleen remembered only too well the unexpected jolt when she had pressed her lips to his. “What are you doing?”

  “I thought we’d go back to where we left off.”

  “Do you mean where we left off before you accused me of being a drug runner?”

  Matt laughed. “No, where you left off before you ran from me this morning.”

  With a gentle move, she leaned against his firm midsection and rested an elbow on his hip. She couldn’t help but smile at the ornery look on his face.

  His free hand reached up and cupped her face. “You are quite a beautiful and intriguing woman, Colleen McLachlan.”

  Colleen caught her breath. How long since she’d heard such a compliment? “Apparently, you don’t get out much,” she quipped.

  “I get out plenty. There’s just something about you…” Matt’s arms crept around her as he drew her toward him.

  ****

  The fog lifted by noon the next day. Colleen mentioned it at lunch. “There’s still a cloud cover so I’ll have to leave my plane here for a while.” She looked at Stan. “Is that all right?”

  “It’s out of the way in that building so it should be fine. Gives you an excuse to come back,” he added as he winked.

  “We hope you do come back,” Olivia agreed.

  “Thank you, you’ve all been so hospitable.” Colleen glanced over at Matt, quiet up to now. “My brother-in-law finished his court case yesterday so he should be able to get out of the office to pick me up.”

  Matt shook his head. “I’ll take you to town. I need to pick up a few things anyway.”

  After his declaration, Matt gave her the easy grin that just yesterday had her stomach doing flip flops.

  “Do you want to borrow my SUV?” Olivia asked.

  “No, thanks.” Matt leaned back his chair on two legs and stretched. “We’ll take one of my vehicles.” He smiled at Colleen, his eyes twinkling. “Colleen said she likes adventure.”

  Colleen surveyed the three as Stan hid a grin behind his hand and wondered at the amused expressions. “Give me a minute to gather my things.”

  “Meet me at the garage,” Matt called after her as she left the kitchen.

  Colleen walked over to the three-car garage at one side of the house, her purse and overnight bag slung over her shoulder. Although of newer constructio
n, the white brick and tile roof blended well with the older home. She approached an open garage door. Inside sat a dark blue convertible sports car.

  Matt leaned against the trunk, legs crossed at the ankles.

  “Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” Colleen walked around the small car, admiring it. Parked at the front of the car sat a Harley-Davidson Super Glide. She turned and looked at Matt, catching sight of a smile playing about his lips. “This is yours too?”

  “Which do you prefer—the Harley or the sports car?”

  Colleen surveyed the two, wondering which to choose. Either would be a rush. “Can I drive?”

  Matt crossed his arms. “The Harley? Are you kidding?”

  “I do have my motorcycle license.” She fluttered her lashes. You’re turning into a simpering fool, woman. Stop with the eyelash batting!

  “I’m not surprised. However, guys don’t sit behind women on motorcycles.”

  Colleen leaned against the front of the sports car next to Matt and crossed her arms, mirroring his stance. She thrust out her chin. “Why not?”

  “Just isn’t done.”

  “Okay, then how about the sports car?”

  Matt pursed his lips and stared at the floor, then lifted his gaze. “Can I see your driver’s license again?”

  Colleen swung a hand at his shoulder. He caught her wrist and pulled her in close. She caught a whiff of musky cologne and her heart rate sped like she was running a twenty-six mile marathon.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in for another heart-stopping kiss. A woman could get used to this.

  Chapter Five

  Colleen waved at Matt’s sports car pulling away from the curb. Tomorrow night’s dinner date seemed an eternity away. She sighed and pushed open the door of her sister’s ranch house. Glancing around the neat entry, she set her purse on the hall table. “Hello, anybody home? It’s your favorite sister.”

  “Don’t let Wendy hear that.” Bobbi’s voice drifted down the stairs.

  Colleen dropped her overnight bag at the base of the stairs before starting up. “I finally made it,” she announced from the door of her sister’s bedroom.

  Roberta Roberts—known to everyone as Bobbi—lay in the middle of the king-size bed, her short red hair sticking out in all directions. Pillows supported the huge belly on each side. Bobbi ran a hand through her hair, causing it to stick up even more and sighed.

  “Oh, man, you look miserable.” The corners of Colleen’s lips turned down in a sympathetic frown.

  “Thanks,” moaned her sister, “just what I need to hear.” She patted the pink-and-green flowered comforter. “Tell me about your latest adventure, especially the professor. Is he absent minded?”

  “Hardly.” Colleen picked up a pillow from the floor and propped it against the headboard. As she leaned back, she noticed the TV on the dresser was on. “What are you watching?”

  “Soaps,” Bobbi replied with a wave of her hand. “They just hook you and then reel you in. Before you know it, you’re wrapped up in their lives, and you can’t wait ‘til the next day to see what happens. Will Harold leave Charlotte when he finds out he’s not the father of her child? Or maybe Charlotte will leave Harold.” Bobbi threw her hands in the air and dropped them to the comforter. “And is it really Charlotte’s baby or was he switched at birth with Harold’s sister’s baby?”

  Colleen placed a hand over her sister’s and put a mock worried look on her face. “I’ll do what I can to save you but it may be too late.” With a grin, she leaned back against the pillow. “Got any butter pecan ice cream?”

  ****

  Four hours later, Colleen snuggled under the soft, flowered comforter in her sister’s guest room. Her thoughts drifted to the afternoon drive through the valley in Matt’s sports car. Whipping the low-slung car through the tight turns had been fun.

  What an enigma he was—scholarly, quiet, but with this wild motorcycle and sports car side. She shivered and pulled up the comforter under her chin. She fell asleep wondering where he would take her on their date.

  Later, she woke to the sound of muffled voices and bumping noises. She glanced around to see her room lay in shadow. Her eyelids drifted closed and she kept still, listening, and heard her brother-in-law’s deep voice talking nonstop. When the realization wriggled into her sleep-addled brain that only one thing would have them awake at this hour, her eyes popped wide open.

  Excitement coursed through her body as she threw back the covers and jumped out of bed. She rushed out of her room and into her sister’s.

  Robert Robert’s boxer-clad rear end protruded out of their bedroom closet. He tossed a large red suitcase into the middle of the room followed quickly by a smaller black one.

  Bobbi perched on the edge of the bed, hands clasped over her huge belly. “Just the small red bag in the front, Rob, not the whole set. I’m not going on vacation to Bermuda. I’m going to the hospital overnight. It’s the overnight bag, Rob.” She looked up as Colleen came into the room. “Help this man, Colleen. He’s gone off the deep end.”

  Colleen contemplated the bags and clothes strewn across the floor. This she could handle.

  “Rob.” Colleen used her best non-commissioned officer voice…the throaty, deep one that for years had snapped young recruits to attention.

  The attorney froze half in and half out of the closet. He turned and stared, eyes vacant. He stood barefoot, a wrinkled, pink dress shirt hung on him unbuttoned. An expensive-looking yellow tie was knotted crookedly around his neck.

  Colleen grabbed a pair of jeans off the floor. “Put on your jeans, a pair of shoes, and go down and get the car out of the garage.” She grabbed his chin and stared into his stunned expression. “Did you get all that, Rob?”

  Rob’s eyes widened. “Shoes and car. Got it.” He ran for the door.

  “Hey.” Colleen held out his jeans. “Your pants, Rob.”

  Rob grabbed the blue jeans, disappeared out the door of the bedroom, and stomped down the stairs. Somewhere near the bottom, they heard a tumble and a muffled curse.

  “Gee, I hope he made it.” Colleen looked at her sister and smiled.

  Bobbi gave a tiny smile as she pressed her hands over her swollen belly.

  ****

  By seven the next morning, Bobbi was in the final stages of labor. Colleen called Matt to cancel their date for that evening. As they discussed another potential evening, Wendy McLachlan appeared at the end of the hall. At the same time, a piercing scream came from Bobbi’s room. Colleen tossed her youngest sister a hospital gown, sputtered goodbye to Matt, and snapped shut her phone.

  “About time, Sis. Man, that sister of ours can scream.” Two hours later, her middle sister delivered a healthy eight pound baby boy.

  ****

  After a snack of vending machine coffee and crackers, Colleen left her sisters and went in search of a flower shop and some decent food. Glancing at storefronts, she eased her sister’s minivan down the main street of Almendra. The nurse directed her to a flower shop just across from the newspaper office. When Colleen realized she didn’t know where the newspaper office was, she asked a passing orderly, who told her right across from the flower shop.

  She also needed a good cup of coffee. The machine coffee on the maternity floor tasted like hot, used motor oil.

  Ahead on the right, she caught a glimpse of red foliage. A window display of colorful poinsettias drew her gaze to The Flower Basket and an empty parking space right in front. She zipped into the spot. The sooner she got the flowers, the sooner she could find a good coffee shop.

  The night had been long. After she’d dropped Rob and Bobbi at the emergency room entrance, Colleen parked the van. By the time she returned, Rob was being revived with smelling salts while Bobbi gave the intake clerk their insurance information.

  Men. Rob was a shark in the courtroom but regarding his wife’s condition, he was a goldfish, pretty to look at and just around for entertainment. Still thinking about her brother
-in-law in the delivery room, Colleen smiled as she opened the glass door to the flower shop. A bell tinkled overhead.

  “Good morning.” Behind the counter a woman with dark curls returned Colleen’s smile with a broad smile of her own. “How are you today?”

  “Desperately in need of a cup of coffee,” Colleen replied, eyeing the steaming sunflower cup on the counter with envy. The aroma of fresh coffee rose with the steam. “But first I need a bouquet for my new nephew.”

  The perky brunette bounced around the counter. “We can provide you with coffee, a bouquet, and—” She opened a bakery box at the end of the counter “—fresh-baked muffins. Have a seat.” She pulled a stool from against the wall.

  Colleen sank down, grateful to be off her feet. Her endurance was legendary regarding marathons, but her sister’s childbirth had exhausted her. “I don’t mind if I do.”

  The clerk disappeared into a back room and quickly reappeared with a mug of steaming coffee. “Milk or sugar?”

  “High test,” Colleen replied and took the flowered cup from the woman’s outstretched hands. As she lifted the mug to her lips, she closed her eyes. The rich aroma of roasted beans filled her nose. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

  “Have a muffin. The coffee shop down the street makes them daily. Blueberry, bran, chocolate chip… My name’s Steffi, by the way, Steffi Verrell.” The young woman reached across the counter and shook Colleen’s hand firmly.

  “My partner Grace is in the backroom.” She raised her voice, “Say hello, Grace!”

  A “hello!” drifted in from the back room.

  “She’s the bookkeeper.” Steffi lowered her voice. “When her nose is in the accounts books, she’s in another world.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing.” Colleen reached for a blueberry muffin and thought of Mr. Berk and his chocolate chip muffins. Maybe she should pick up a dozen and deliver them…kind of a thank you for their hospitality. And the delivery would give her a chance to see the younger Berk, she realized with a warm glow of anticipation.

  “So, you said you have a new nephew?” The young woman settled on a stool behind the counter.