Marry Me, Jackson (Best Friends To Forever Book 1) Read online

  “What was I thinking? Crazy, right?”

  “Maybe you need more crazy.”

  “Don’t know if I’m ready for that.” But change was bearing down on her, whether she liked it or not. This two-block street was all Kate had ever known in Gull Harbor. They’d hung out here at the Swirly Top, eaten Loretta’s special orange ricotta stuffed French toast at Michiana Thyme and grabbed pizza at Touch of Italy. All the local kids got part-time jobs in the shops during the summer. “I want it to stay just the way it is.”

  “I don’t know if that’s possible, Kate.”

  Her coffee had turned lukewarm. The cozy hazelnut flavor was gone and a chill stole through the glass window. “Boy, it’s cold. When will spring get here?” Kate pulled her hoodie tighter.

  “We had a long winter.” Sarah gave her a wry smile. “The ice floes didn’t melt until just a couple weeks ago. Beach is going to be wide this year. Hope people can afford to rent cottages.”

  By Memorial Day, families would be bustling from store to store with bulging shopping bags. At least, that's the way it used to be. “How's your business?”

  “Not bad. Course I have been taking more day-old pastries to the soup kitchens. Might as well have someone enjoy them, right? Gonna be here for a while? I'm sure the girls would love to see you. You probably have to get back, though. Husband, job, and all that.”

  Kate sucked in a slow breath, not quite ready to share the news. “So much depends on Mom’s condition. I’m freelancing now, you know. Healthcare blogs.”

  “Right, you told me the newspaper had a layoff.” A silence stretched until Sarah carefully swept crumbs off the table and into a napkin. “Well, then. You always liked to read, Kate. Come to our book group.”

  “Anybody I know?” Last thing she needed was a bunch of strangers asking questions.

  “Chili and Carolyn Knight, who teaches at the high school.”

  “Chili? Don’t think I would have passed Spanish without her.” Chili would quiz Kate about verb conjugations until she could recite them in her dreams. “Carolyn? You mean Miss Knight? Still single and teaching at the high school?”

  “Yep and then Phoebe and Diana. Both new to the area. You’ll enjoy them. Phoebe has a hair salon and Diana opened Hippy Chick, a clothing store. Kind of cute.”

  Being with other women might be good for her. “Maybe. Thanks for mentioning it.”

  Sarah looked pleased with herself. “Good. We're meeting next Wednesday. My house at seven.”

  Whoa. “But I haven't read the book.”

  “‘Bridges of Madison County.’ I'll get it to you next week.”

  “Oh, I can wing that one.” An old favorite, the novel was packed up in the garage of the condo, waiting for a destination address.

  The door to the kitchen slammed open, and two little boys tumbled out, barefoot with t-shirts untucked. “Mom, Mom!” the first little guy called out, running to Sarah. “Nathan won’t share!”

  “Mine! These are my dinosaurs!” The other boy clutched some plastic figures to his heaving chest. The unruly hair marked them as Sarah's children.

  “Double trouble.” Sarah stared them both down. “Justin and Nathan, can’t you say hello to Kate?”

  The boys looked like they might consider it.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi.”

  Sarah laid one hand on each boy’s shoulder. “Where's Grandma Lila?”

  Justin poked one finger back toward the kitchen. “Making something.”

  At that moment, a silver-haired woman appeared in the doorway, looking tired and more than a little frustrated.

  “Sarah, I tried but they’re bored.” When Lila threw up both hands, white flour flew. “Hi, Kate. Good to see you.”

  “Boys, we’re going to learn to share or your father will be very disappointed.” Sarah wagged one finger before turning back to Kate. “Their daddy is a very brave soldier.” The last was obviously said for their benefit.

  “You must be so proud of him,” Kate said. With his polished Italian loafers and weekly hair styling, Brian wouldn’t have dreamed of going over to the Middle East. “Was Jamie in the reserves?”

  Sarah nodded. “Called up, but he would have volunteered anyway. I’ve got a ton of chores ready when he gets back.”

  Kate checked the time. “I should get moving. Guess I’ll take a cheese crown for my mom.”

  Shepherding the two boys toward their grandmother, Sarah bustled back behind the counter to retrieve Kate’s cheese crown. “Mom, I think it’s nap time.”

  Both boys howled.

  Waving away Kate’s money, Sarah squeezed her hand. “Oh, don't be silly.”

  “I’ll see you…”

  “Next Wednesday,” Sarah supplied. “My house. Seven o’clock.”

  “Right.” Slotting something on her calendar felt good. Almost banished the embarrassment from running into Cole Campbell.

  After all, wasn’t he the one who should be embarrassed?

  Click here to continue reading Coming Home to You.

  More Books by Barbara Lohr

  Man from Yesterday

  Coming Home to You

  Always on His Mind

  In His Eyes

  Late Bloomer

  Still Not Over You

  Every Breath You Take

  Christmas Dreams and Santa Schemes

  Man from Yesterday Box Set I: Books 1-4: Sweet Second Chance Romance

  Man from Yesterday Box Set II: Books 5-7: Sweet Second Chance Romance

  About the Author

  Barbara Lohr writes sweet contemporary romance with a flair for fun. The clean, sweet Best Friend to Forever series is set in the Carolinas, where three high school friends discover that the best man might be the guy who’s been in your life since grade school.

  The Man from Yesterday books take place in a charming beach town where the second time around truly is better than ever. Although set in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, the Windy City Romance stories take readers on fabulous journeys of the heart to Savannah, Tuscany or Guatemala.

  Barbara lives in the South of the US with her husband and their cat, who insists that he was Heathcliff in another life. In addition to travel, her interests include golf, kayaking and cooking. She makes a mean popover. Friend her on Facebook or connect on Twitter. She loves to hear from readers.

  www.BarbaraLohrAuthor.com

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