Flying Home Read online

  “My sister had her second child this morning. I got into town yesterday, just in time.” Colleen took another sip of coffee and closed her eyes in bliss as the caffeine coursed through her body.

  “Did you fly into San Jose?” Steffi sorted through a collection of brochures spread out on the counter.

  Colleen broke off a bite of muffin and popped it in her mouth. “Usually I do. But I bought a little plane down in San Diego and flew up the valley. I intended to land at Mineta Airport but the fog moved in.”

  “That must have been scary. What did you do?” Steffi stopped in mid-sort, her dark eyes wide.

  “I landed at a farm a few miles out of town. Maybe you know it…the Berk Family Almond Grove?”

  “Of course, Mrs. Berk was an RN at the hospital where I work. She still volunteers. Lovely woman. Her husband is a flirt but a real cutie pie. The son’s a cutie pie too but he doesn’t flirt.”

  Colleen smiled into her cup as she thought of her recent adventures with the intense professor. So, flirting isn’t his habit.

  The doorbell jangled and a young woman breezed into the shop.

  “Donica, do you know the Berks?” Steffi went back to her work.

  “Do I! I would love to sketch Matt—that mussed-up hair the color of beach sand, mysterious dark brown eyes…” Donica sighed with a whoosh of air, one hand over her heart.

  Colleen’s body tensed. She studied Donica over the rim of her cup and her eyes narrowed. What did she expect? In a town as small as Almendra, a good-looking guy like Matt wouldn’t go unnoticed. She pushed down the evil jealous dragon stirring beneath her breastbone and smiled as the brunette thrust a hand toward her.

  “Hi, I’m Donica…one-third of The Flower Basket gang.”

  Colleen accepted the slim hand. “I’m Colleen…a new customer.”

  Grace joined the group and chuckled. “Always glad to meet new customers. Speaking of the Berk’s, Matt asked me about bookkeeping and I gave him a few pointers. He’s very nice.”

  As she chatted with the three women and the caffeine did its work, Colleen relaxed. She set the mug on the counter. “I really should get back to my sister. My brother-in-law is only beginning to calm down.”

  The women shared a smile.

  “Thank you so much. I can face the day now.”

  “Do you know what kind of arrangement you want?” Donica’s ponytail swung as she turned her head and looked toward the coolers next to the counter.

  Colleen studied the colorful display of roses in the cooler. Design wasn’t her strong suit. “I think a single rose.” She turned toward the women. “Make that two roses.” She waved a hand in the air. “With some green stuff.”

  “Pick a vase.” Steffi grinned and pointed to the shelves, “and I’ll add some ferns and ribbons. What color roses?”

  Colleen surveyed the beautiful roses—deep red, lavender, bright yellow, blush pink and white. “I’ll go with the lavender.” She nodded decisively then wandered over to the shelves covered with a vast array of vases and containers.

  Colleen’s gaze skimmed the shelves, looking for the perfect vase. A long narrow white vase with two angels stood on the top shelf. Perfect.

  “Matt’s not only good looking, he’s smart,” the accountant told her partners. “I barely showed him the new system before he had it.”

  “He went to Almond Valley College, didn’t he?” Steffi asked.

  “Yes, graduated with my cousin,” the accountant replied.

  Colleen tilted her head, one half of her mind on the vases and the other half processing the partners’ conversation.

  The three women were young, probably still in their twenties. She supposed Grace could have a much-older cousin. Colleen picked up the angel vase and returned to the counter.

  The other two women had disappeared into the back room, and Grace stood alone at the counter, separating receipts.

  “You say your cousin graduated with Matt?” Colleen noted with pleasure her cup had been refilled. She reached into her purse, pulled out her wallet and set down a credit card.

  “Yes, my cousin Ron. They used to play basketball together.”

  “When did he graduate?” Colleen lifted the coffee cup to her lips for another sip as she waited to sign her receipt.

  “Let me think.” Grace stared into space, deep in thought. “Why, I believe he graduated about ten years ago.”

  Colleen choked, the coffee tickling her throat. “He graduated ten years ago?” She continued to cough and reached for a napkin to wipe her lips.

  “Yes, I remember my cousin drove me to the grocery store to pick up things for his graduation party because I didn’t have my license yet.” Grace looked at her, her brow wrinkled with concern. “Are you okay?”

  Colleen dabbed up the drops of coffee on the counter. “I’m fine. Sorry about this.” She blotted a wet spot on her credit card receipt. “He must be a bit older than your cousin.”

  “Oh, no. They graduated from high school together too.”

  Grace took the angel vase and went into the back room.

  As shock numbed her thoughts, Colleen stared after the deliverer of devastating news.

  Matt graduated college ten years ago, that meant he was—thirty-two?

  Surely not.

  Colleen dropped her wallet in her purse and slumped onto the stool. An eleven year age difference. Who would have thought? Colleen McLachlan a.k.a. Miss Practical, Miss Follow the Rules…involved with a younger man.

  She was a cougar! Colleen stifled a groan.

  Grace returned, the vase wrapped in blue tissue paper and silver ribbon. “There you go, Colleen. Now don’t forget to pick up some of those muffins.” She handed her the arrangement.

  “Thank you, Grace. It’s lovely.” Colleen choked back a sigh and left the shop. She spied the coffee shop sign at the end of the block. Maybe she could catch Mrs. Berk at the hospital, give her the muffins, and avoid another encounter with the attractive younger Berk. Good idea, McLachlan. You’ve got yourself into this mess, now it’s time to get yourself out.

  ****

  Rain pounded against the windows of the garage as Matt polished the chrome wheels of his Harley and hummed along with the Christmas music on the radio. Just as well Colleen had canceled their date. Although the fog had lifted, a heavy rain moved in toward evening. He wanted their first date to be on the Harley. She would have no choice but to wrap her arms around his waist as they took the tight turns in the mountains. His bike didn’t have a sissy bar.

  Tiny appeared around the corner of the sports car, drops of rain glistening on his thick black coat. He flopped down on the rug next to the tool bench.

  “Hey, fella, what are you doing out in this?”

  “I think he was looking for you. He stood at the kitchen door and wouldn’t lie down so I let him out. I guess we both needed some fresh air.” Matt’s father closed the garage door and leaned on the tool bench.

  Matt stood and surveyed his progress. “What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a little damp to be riding a bike but what do I know?”

  “This front’s supposed to move through overnight. If the temperature gets into the fifties, I just might pick up Colleen on this.” He looked sideways at his father. “We had a date tonight but her sister went into labor so we postponed it.”

  Stan’s eyebrows shot up. “A date! You don’t waste any time, do you?” He shrugged. “Of course, she was here three whole days.”

  Matt dipped the cloth into the chrome polish and crouched beside the back wheel. “Very funny, Dad. I find her…” He searched for the right word to explain the stirring he felt every time he looked at Colleen. “Intriguing.”

  “Maybe you can find out if she’s really a drug runner.” Stan wrinkled his brow and stared off into space. “We should go search her plane. We could be arrested as accomplices, you know.” He shook his head slowly and placed a hand over his heart. “I don’t think your mother would last in jail.”


  “You’re hilarious, Dad. You should be on the stage.” Fighting a grin, he shot the older man a look. “The first one outta town.”

  ****

  The last rays of the setting sun lit the interior of Bobbi’s hospital room. Colleen rocked gently back and forth, Baby Ryan nestled in her arms. Down the hall, Bobbi and Rob enjoyed a romantic dinner, courtesy of the hospital cafeteria.

  She looked down at the swaddled bundle in her arms—Ryan Michael Roberts. “You have your Aunt Colleen to thank for not being Robert Roberts Jr.,” she whispered to the sleeping infant.

  He wrinkled his nose in response.

  “So did you hear?” She repositioned the baby. “I appear to be a cradle-robber, can you believe it?” Colleen fought the pervasive disappointment she had felt since learning Matt’s age. “Nobody’s perfect, little Ryan. Just when you think maybe, just maybe, you’ve met the perfect man, you find a glitch. I should have known. Of all people, I should have known.” She leaned her head against the back of the rocker and sighed.

  The door to the room eased open and a full head of snow-white hair appeared. “Can we come in?” mouthed Mick McLachlan.

  Colleen stood, careful not to jostle the baby, and smiled at her father, happy to see him. Her last visit with her parents had been in the spring, when they had traveled to see her in Florida. Even at forty-three, she missed the big man’s hugs. Somehow, his hugs always chased away her problems, at least for a little while. “Hi, Dad, come on in. Rob and Bobbi are at dinner. Come meet your new grandson.” She turned so her father could see the baby’s face, his tiny fists curled under his chin.

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek before he gazed down at the baby. He chuckled. “Look at that, he’s a boxer.” He took his forefinger and touched the tiny fist which promptly wrapped around his finger.

  “Hi, sweetie.” Maggie McLachlan came around her other side and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Hi, Mom.” Colleen leaned toward her mom and returned the kiss, enveloped by her mother’s signature scent of Chanel Number Five. “Isn’t he adorable? Want to hold him?”

  “Absolutely.” She reached out her arms and Colleen turned the baby over to her mother, who settled into the rocker. “Just precious.”

  Mick leaned over the chair’s back and smiled down at their grandson. “You could pass for the mother of this little one. You don’t look any different than you did when Colleen was born.”

  Maggie McLachlan, her auburn hair sporting only a few gray hairs, smiled up at her husband of forty-four years. “Thanks for the compliment, sweetie, but I think it’s time you got your glasses changed.”

  Colleen smiled as she listened to her parent’s banter.

  “They left you to baby sit? I’m surprised you didn’t have the little guy doing calisthenics,” a voice breathed in her ear.

  Colleen turned a sardonic eye on her youngest sister. “That’s better than taking him out to the bars, which is what you’d probably be doing.”

  “All in good time, all in good time.” Wendy dropped her black leather jacket and purse on the bed and sat next to them.

  Colleen plopped down on the other side of the bed and the two sisters watched as their parents uncovered the baby’s toes and played with them. “Did you have any trouble at the airport?” She glanced toward her sister just as Wendy fell backward onto the pillow with a huge sigh.

  “No, their flight from Honolulu was right on time. I got there the same time their baggage arrived. Perfect timing.” She made an OK in the air with her red-tipped fingers, her eyes closed and the other arm resting on her forehead.

  Colleen bit back a smart reply. Her sister wasn’t the most dependable person, but she always came through when they needed her. “Thanks for picking them up.” She patted her sister’s leg. “I was exhausted. I probably would have fallen asleep on the drive to the airport.”

  “That’s what I figured.” Wendy’s blue eyes popped open and she noticed the flowers on the nightstand. “Where’d the two roses come from?”

  “You and me. One from each of us.”

  “Thanks.”

  Wendy’s smile and twinkling eyes reminded Colleen of the Shirley Temple-like creature her sister had once been.

  “Finally, another man in the family.” Mick rounded the rocking chair and leaned against the window sill. He crossed his arms over his barrel-like chest and gazed down at his wife and grandson.

  “Dad!” Wendy propped herself up on her elbows. “What about all those times I went fishing with you? I did everything…except put the worm on the hook…and take off the fish …”

  At the exchange between Wendy and her father, Colleen chuckled. Of the three girls, Wendy had accompanied her dad any chance she could get. Bobbi was usually with her mother in the kitchen or the garden.

  “Exactly.” Mick bestowed a fond smile on his youngest. “No offense, girls, but sometimes a man just needs another man around. I know there were lots of times you talked to your mother instead of me. Men are no different. Sometimes, you just need someone to talk to who understands where you’re coming from.” The baby burped. “See, even Ryan agrees.” Mick nodded.

  Bobbi pushed open the door to the room with Rob close behind. “Hi, Mom and Dad. When did you get here?” Clad in a long robe, Bobbi kissed her father and hugged her mother. “So what do you think of the little fella?” She leaned over the rocker and tucked the blanket around the baby’s bare toes.

  Colleen contemplated the two couples as they hovered over the sleeping baby. She considered herself lucky to be a part of such a family and to share in her sister’s joy. In the past, she had flown in for family events and flown right back out again to another assignment. This time she had no assignment, and the realization made her chest clench. Although she was a part of this family, she wasn’t part of the inner circle. She was like the moon orbiting the earth—close enough to shed some light but not close enough to have any impact.

  “I have something for you and the baby, Bobbi.” Maggie glanced up at Mick. “Did you bring in the blue bag from the back seat?”

  Drawing out a groan, Mick slapped his forehead with his palm. “Darn, I knew there was something else besides the flowers, the candy, the diapers…”

  “Funny man.” One corner of Maggie’s lips turned down as she eyed her husband.

  Mick threw his hands in the air. “I’m going, I’m going.”

  “Dad, I’ll go.” With a quick move, Colleen jumped off of the bed. “If I don’t move, I’ll fall asleep.”

  “Their stuff is in my car. I’m driving the company vehicle.” Wendy rummaged through her red leather purse and pulled out a set of keys. “Front parking lot, Row B. You can’t miss it.” She grinned as she handed the keys to Colleen.

  “I’m afraid to ask.” Colleen inspected the keys. “What are you driving these days?”

  “Bright yellow SUV. Like I said, you can’t miss it.” Wendy flopped back on the bed.

  “Thanks, sweetie.” Mick winked at her before turning back to his new grandson.

  Colleen stepped out of the room and headed toward the elevators at the end of the hall. As she pushed the down button, a beaming young woman, a newborn in each arm, arrived in a wheelchair. Colleen waited as the nurse propelled the woman into the elevator and then followed them through the doors. She pressed the down button. Seconds later, a disheveled young man charged through the closing doors, trailing a large bouquet of helium balloons.

  “Sorry.” He grinned as he yanked on a beribboned pink balloon, bumping Colleen’s forehead.

  “No problem.” Colleen smiled at the couple as they exited on the ground floor. As the excited husband rushed through the revolving doors, the balloons caught in the opening behind him. The bouquet jerked him backward before he freed them and raced toward the parking lot.

  “That guy needs to calm down.”

  At the familiar voice in her ear, Colleen’s heart jumped. She whirled. “What are you doing here?” The corner
s of her mouth curled up as if they had a life of their own. She fought to pull them down and replace it with a friendly, yet cool, smile.

  “Just dropped off Mom for her volunteer shift. She brought in three boxes of cookies for the staff.” Matt shrugged into his well-worn leather bomber jacket as they strolled toward the revolving doors. “How’s your sis?” He squeezed into the compartment with her as they went through the door.

  Colleen shivered, whether from the sudden cold outside or Matt’s closeness she wasn’t sure. “Mother and son are doing well.”

  “Hey, where’s your coat?” Matt whipped off his jacket.

  Colleen stifled a moan of pleasure as the jacket, still warm from Matt’s body, settled around her shoulders. Matt’s arm circled her waist as they traversed the parking lot. Her thoughts raced as Matt continued to talk about his mother’s volunteer work.

  “Well?”

  Colleen’s head jerked up as they reached the SUV. “Did you say something?”

  “I said, tomorrow evening, dinner.” Matt stopped and gazed at the large vehicle in front of him. “Whose car…? Don’t tell me, this is your sister’s monstrosity, isn’t it?” He grinned as he leaned against the car and held out his arms.

  Words failed Colleen as she scanned his face, the brown eyes warm with affection, his lips curved up in a gentle smile. She unlocked the car and reached in for the blue bag, then shrugged out of the jacket and held it out to Matt. “Thanks.”

  Matt accepted the jacket and dropped his arms, one eyebrow raised as he considered her. “So does tomorrow night work for you?”

  “Well, actually…” Colleen fixed her gaze on a nearby light pole and debated the best way to break things off with Matt. She took a deep breath.

  Before she uttered one word, Matt pressed her up against the car. “Don’t even think about wiggling out of this, woman. I’ve got the Harley polished up, just in case the weather decides to cooperate.”

  “The Harley in December? Even in California that’s wishful thinking, isn’t it?” Colleen gasped as Matt’s body pressed against hers.

  “You never know.” He dipped his head, a mischievous glint in his eye.