Here For You, page 1
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Here For You
Copyright © 2020 by K.C. Wells
Editor: Sue Laybourn
Cover Art by Meredith Russell
Cover content is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
The trademarked products mentioned in this book are the property of their respective owners, and are recognized as such.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.
Chris Lomax swore he’d never return to Saugatuck, but nothing could have prevented him from coming home to the small lakeside town, not once he saw the news about the fire – and Hunter, the only person ever to steal his heart. He must make sure Hunter is okay, and service dog Lucy could lend a helping paw.
Firefighter Hunter Drake never expected to see Chris again. He thought he’d lost his best friend for good when Chris jilted Hunter’s sister at the altar. But right now Hunter needs to focus on his recovery. What he doesn’t understand is why Chris came back – and why he won’t leave.
The two men get to reconnect, but spending so much time together leaves Hunter confused and uncertain, especially when Chris reveals he’s both bi and in love with him. Hunter’s not sure what to do about that last part.
What Chris wants is for Hunter to forgive him.
What Hunter needs is to stop living in denial.
Yeah, as if it was ever going to be that easy...
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
A message from KC
About the author
Available titles
Dedication
This one is for Jason Mitchell.
Thank you for all the conversations, and for your invaluable help when it came to getting into Hunter’s head. I couldn’t have done this one without you.
Acknowledgment
A huge thank you to Jason Mitchell, Helena Stone and Debra Edwards.
Your observations, as always, were spot on.
You rock!
And a thank you to Parker Williams, for his invaluable knack of knowing exactly what a line needs to make it perfect.
Chapter One
Chris Lomax pulled up to the curb on South Maple Street and stared at the familiar signpost that marked the city limits of Saugatuck.
“There’s still time to change our minds.”
Beside him in the passenger seat, Lucy gave a soft whine.
“We could turn around, right now, and no one would ever know we’d been here. I could call Mom and tell her something came up.”
Whine.
“We don’t have to do this.”
Whimper.
Chris glanced at her, muzzle resting on her paws, her golden coat catching the early morning light. “You’re no help.”
Lucy raised her snout, turned liquid brown eyes on him, and gave a low woof before lowering her head and closing them.
He sighed. As if there had ever been a choice. “Okay, okay. I get the message. We’re going in.”
Lucy lifted her head again, shifted on her blanket, and rested her nose on his thigh.
He had to smile. “That’s you telling me it’s about time, isn’t it?”
Lucy was keeping quiet on that one. Smartass dog.
He put the car in gear, and pulled away from the sign. Lucy resumed her usual position, sitting up to look out of the window. The streets were quiet, which was as Chris had hoped, hence the 5 a.m. start. He drove along the peaceful roads, noting that nothing had changed. Not that he’d expected much transformation. It may have been five years since he’d last been in town, but this was summer, and the riverside quarter of Saugatuck was decked out in its usual finest garb. The influx of visitors annually tripled the town’s population of one thousand inhabitants, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before the drone of traffic shattered the tranquil morning.
“You’ll like Saugatuck, Luce. Just don’t go killing any bunnies that venture into Mom’s back yard, all right?” He loved how her ears twitched at the word bunnies. It never failed.
Then she gave him A Look, as if to tell him she was not a bunny-killer.
Bunny-chaser was nearer the mark. He had a feeling that if she ever caught one, she wouldn’t have the first clue what to do with it. It would be like presenting her with a dinner wrapped in a fur coat.
At the first sight of his parent’s B&B on Water Street, Chris’s stomach clenched. He knew they were expecting him—he’d made sure of that—but that didn’t decrease his apprehension. The freshly painted white picket fence brought back memories. Every spring when he was growing up, Dad had sent him out armed with a paintbrush and a tin of white paint, to spruce up the fence before the season started. Then the yellow shutters received the same treatment.
Chris drove along the front of the house and into the last remaining parking space allotted for guests. He switched off the engine. “This is it, Lucy. This is where I grew up.”
Like Lucy could care less about that. The car stopping could only mean one thing in her doggy brain—time for a walk. Unfortunately, that would have to wait.
“We’ll go to the beach and I’ll bring your ball. How’s that?” Her ears twitched again at one of her favorite words, and Chris felt a pang of guilt. “Later, I promise.” He got out of the car and came around to the passenger side to release Lucy. He stroked her head, and she leaned into him, gazing up at him with those trusting eyes.
No one ever loves you like a dog does.
He knew better than to use the front door—that was reserved for the guests—so he strolled along the side of the house, heading for the rear. As he approached, the back door opened, and there was Mom, shielding her eyes from the morning sun. “I thought I heard a car.”
Chris caught the faintest aroma of bacon, and his stomach grumbled. He hadn’t eaten breakfast, choosing instead to snack en route.
Mom let out a wry chuckle. “I guess you’ll be wanting breakfast.” Her gaze flickered down to Lucy, and as he’d suspected would happen, her expression softened. “Aw, she’s adorable. Is this Lucy?”
Right on cue, Lucy trotted up to her and pushed her nose into Mom’s hand.
Chris had to hand it to Lucy—her instincts were spot on. Mom was a sucker for dogs.
Mom stroked Lucy’s sleek head and scritched the back of her ears. “Aren’t you beautiful?” she said in a low voice.
“And she knows it.” Lucy also knew not to go seeking head rubs, but she wasn’t on her leash, so he could understand her taking advantage.
Mom chuckled. “Does she like bacon?”
“You are kidding, right? She’s a dog.”
“I’m just checking you haven’t got her on some special diet, that’s all.” Another scritch behind Lucy’s ears, and Lucy left out a barely-there woof. Mom straightened. “I suppose I’d better feed you some bacon too,” she added with a smirk.
“Only if you can spare it.” Chris recalled all the cars parked at the front. “Looks like you’re fully booked.”
She raised her eyebrows. “The guests don’t get bacon, silly. They get bagels and toast and cereal, whatever. And since when did I not have plenty of bacon in my refrigerator?” She peered at his hands. “Didn’t you bring a bag?”
“It’s in the trunk.” He hadn’t wanted to presume, not knowing how the reunion would go. He hadn’t seen them in five years, after all.
“Well, come on into the kitchen. Your Dad is preparing the tables. We don’t set out breakfast until eight.” He couldn’t help but notice her failure to tell him to bring the bag too. That wasn’t an incentive for his stomach to unclench.
Chris followed her into the house, stepping through the utility room with its washer and dryer into the light, airy kitchen, the sun filtering through the pale yellow blinds. The air was filled with the unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and Chris licked his lips.
Mom chuckled. “Help yourself. Shall I put out water for Lucy?”
“Thanks, that would be great.” He watched as Lucy found a warm spot on the red tiled floor where the sunlight poured in, and curled up, her nose resting on her paws. “That’s it, Luce. Make yourself at home.”
She raised her muzzle slightly at the sound of her name, then lowered it again.
Mom gazed at her fondly. “Is she one of the dogs you work with?” She grabbed a bowl from a cabinet, filled it with water, and placed it on the floor in front of Lucy. Seconds later, Lucy was lapping it up, spilling only a little.
“I train
Chris poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the large wooden table in the center of the room, watching as Mom bustled around, replenishing the fruit bowl, and placing assorted bagels into a basket. She hadn’t changed much: maybe there was a touch more gray in her hair than he remembered, and a few more lines around her eyes. He couldn’t blame her for not welcoming him back with open arms, not after the way he’d left—and the amount of time he’d stayed away.
The kitchen door opened, and Dad entered, coming to a halt a few feet from the table. “Oh. You’re here.” His expression was impassive.
Chris got to his feet. “Good morning.” He kept his hands by his sides, hating the feeling of awkwardness that pervaded the air.
His dad cleared his throat. “Glad you finally made it.” He extended a hand, and Chris shook it, unsure of how to respond. Dad coughed. “I’ll just finish up in the dining room, then I’ll join you.”
Lucy chose that moment to get up and wander over to him. Dad squatted and held out his hand. “This is Lucy, I take it.” Lucy did her well-if-you-insist-on-petting-me routine, and just like that, she had yet another new member of the Lucy fan club.
That dog collects hearts like some people collect coupons.
Dad smiled. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” Lucy nosed his hand again, giving another low woof as if in agreement. Dad stood, his smile still in place. Then he caught Chris’s gaze, and it was as if he’d flicked a switch. The impassive expression was back. He walked out of the room, and Chris was dismayed to find he was shaking.
“Chris.” He turned to face her. Mom offered him a tired smile. “Just so you know? He’s not going to give you the third-degree over what happened. Neither am I. You must have had your reasons for leaving the way you did, but if you don’t want to share them, that’s okay. That’s why we’ve never once asked you in any of our letters or emails. Once you’d gotten back in touch with us so we knew you were still alive, of course.”
That might not have constituted the third-degree, but her words contained a rebuke.
Chris sighed. “Not sure I could’ve explained back then.” He wasn’t certain he could explain now. He couldn’t envisage sitting his parents down and telling them the truth, because that would let not one cat out of the bag, but two, and they were the size of Maine Coons.
They won’t understand.
“But you’ve come back.” Mom tilted her head to one side. “For good?”
Oh, sweet Jesus, how do I answer that?
“I don’t know.” It was the most truthful response he could come up with. Before Mom could say another word, however, Dad came back into the kitchen and went over to the coffee pot to help himself. Mom got on with the task of cooking bacon, and Chris was amused to see Lucy’s nose twitching again.
Dad took the seat facing him, his hands wrapped around his mug. “Don’t suppose we have to ask why you’ve come back. I figured it was only a matter of time once you heard the news.” He cocked his head to one side. “I’m right, aren’t I? You saw the news about the fire. That’s what’s brought you running.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement uttered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Chris froze. “Sure, I saw it online. I keep up with all Saugatuck’s news.” His heartbeat raced.
Dad nodded slowly, his gaze unflinching. “But you’re not here to see how the town is doing.”
“Bob.” Mom was staring at him, her eyes wide. “You said you weren’t—”
Dad waved his hand at her. “I’m not gonna ask him why in the hell he did what he did. I don’t need to, and neither do you. We already know why, just like we know why he’s back—or should I say, who has brought him back here.” He put down his mug, then leaned back in his chair, his arms folded, staring at Chris as if daring him to speak.
Dear Lord, take me now. They couldn’t know. They just couldn’t.
Chris swallowed hard, his mouth dry. “I...”
Dad let out a heavy sigh, then leaned forward, his hands clasped in front of him on the table. “Do you intend on seeing Cally while you’re here? Because there’s something you ought to know before you go visit her.”
And just like that, Chris could breathe again. Of course they think I’m here to see Cally. “I was planning on seeing her, right after I’d seen you.” Bacon hissed in the pan, its aroma making Chris’s stomach growl.
There was that same deliberate nod. “But you’ll be wanting to see her brother too.”
Another hard swallow. “Hunter? Yeah, I was gonna catch up with him. He’s quite the hero, isn’t he?”
“He sure is, but that’s not why you want to see him.” Dad narrowed his gaze. “You still in love with him?”
What. The. Fuck?
Chapter Two
Chris couldn’t move. It felt as if every muscle had seized, pinning him to his chair. “Where did that come from?”
Dad merely arched his eyebrows. “We’re not blind.”
Mom cleared her throat. “What your dad is trying to say—and making a real mess of it,” she added, giving him a stern glance.
Dad raised his hands defensively. “Hey. I’m just saying what you’ve been dying to say for years.”
“Well, there are ways of saying things, and then there are ways.”
Dad snorted. “Like that makes a lot of sense.”
She sighed before turning her attention to Chris, her gaze sympathetic. “We always knew you and Hunter were close. Even as children, you were inseparable. And I’ll admit, I was... surprised when you and Cally decided to tie the knot.”
“Why? Cally and I grew up together.”
“Yes, but...” Her cheeks were flushed. “To be honest, we were sort of waiting for the day when you’d tell us you were... gay. So when you announced you were engaged, we—”
“When Cally announced they were engaged. Get it right, woman. Chris here said jack shit about it.”
“Bob!” Mom widened her eyes. Behind her, smoke rose from the frying pan, and Dad pointed to it. She whirled around and quickly turned off the gas under it. “Now look what you made me do!”
“What I made you do?” Dad rolled his eyes. “How is this suddenly my fault?”
“Will you two just stop?” Chris sighed heavily. “And for your information, I’m not gay, I’m bi.” It looked like those two Maine Coons had had enough of being cooped up in a bag. He gestured to the empty chair next to his. “Sit down, Mom. Leave the bacon. I’m not that fond of cremated bacon anyhow.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I kinda like mine crispy.” Dad’s eyes twinkled. “Bi, huh? Doesn’t that feel better? To get it out in the open?”
Chris was still too stunned to take it all in.
Mom pulled out the chair and sat down. “Did you really think we hadn’t noticed? The way you used to look at Hunter...”
“He doesn’t know, does he?” Dad interjected. “How you feel about him?”
“I didn’t think so, but if you two could see all that much, then now I’m not so sure.” Hunter certainly hadn’t said a word the night Chris left. He couldn’t have known. He wouldn’t have kept that to himself.
“Did Cally know how you felt about him?” Mom asked gently.
“No one knew!” Chris flung at them. “Well, I thought no one did. You two have sent me into a tailspin.”
“That’s why you couldn’t go through with it,” Mom concluded. “I guess you loved them both.”
And wasn’t that the truth? Sure, he’d loved them, but in completely different ways. “What’s so important about Cally that I have to know before going to visit her?” Anything to change the subject.
“That’s it? That’s all we get? ‘I’m bi’?” Dad scowled. “We’ve put up with a lot of shit since you left.”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Mom reproached him. “You know it wasn’t that bad, especially after Cally—” She clammed up. “Maybe you should talk to her about this. It would be better—”
“She’s married,” Dad burst out.
Relief coursed through him. “Remember I said I kept up with events? I saw the wedding photo. And I’m glad. She deserves some happiness.” There was plenty more he could’ve said about Cally, but he kept his mouth shut. During the last five years, he’d come to a few conclusions about the mess he’d made, and one of them was that all the blame didn’t necessarily lie with him.
