All the Shiny Things: A Kate Reid Novel (Kate Reid Series Book 1)

All the Shiny things

A Kate Reid Novel

By Robin Mahle

*Publisher’s Note
: This book was previously published as a two-part series,
Redwood Violet
and
All the Shiny Things.
Content has been modified to combine both books for this new edition, re-released under HARP House.

Published by HARP House Publishing

January 2016 (2
nd
edition)

(Original publication, September, 2013)

Copyright ©2013 by Robin Mahle

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Cover design: LLPix Photography

Editor: Hercules Editing and Consulting Services

THE NIGHTMARE

1

K
atie Reid
made her
way to the back of the plane through the pleasant smiles of flight attendants and chattering passengers. Lingering images of yet another unpleasant dream disrupted what had started out as a restful nap. When the metal cabinets in the galley rattled from mild turbulence, Katie instinctively gripped a handle to steady herself.

A flight attendant soon approached, displaying extraordinary balance, and placed a tray of clear plastic cups on the counter next to her. The water inside swished around in little waves. “Please, help yourself.”

A nagging thirst had taken hold and Katie found the relief she’d needed. After the third cup, her tongue no longer felt like cotton still clinging to its boll, but the water did little to quench the unnerving images that were still forefront in her mind. The dreams, more like nightmares, had been the cause of many sleepless nights lately.

Katie returned to her assigned row and was now standing next to a man who blocked her approach. “Excuse me.” He shifted just enough to allow her to squeeze back into the tightly packed row of seats.

“Are you okay?” Spencer sat in the window seat and was roused by her return.

“I’m okay; I just needed to get some water.”

“You had another dream, didn’t you? It wasn’t a question that needed asking, but his concern hadn’t waned since they started nearly two months ago and seemed to only grow deeper.

The corner of her mouth tilted up, followed by a shrug of her shoulders. Katie’s post-nightmare routine—leaping out of bed, eyes, full of terror—was becoming something of a habit to which Spencer was growing accustomed. Nevertheless, its occurrence during a brief nap was something new. It seemed her fatigue was crossing into new levels of desperation.

Overhead, the familiar ding and illumination of the seatbelt indicator signaled the plane’s descent. The left wing tilted up toward the blue sky, high above the clouds to make the turn into Eureka. The jet engine groaned and a swift drop in elevation sent a shot of adrenalin through Katie’s body. Her tolerance for flight had lessened significantly over the past few years.

When they boarded in Sacramento this morning, there wasn’t a spare seat on the plane and that was after the sold-out flight from her hometown of San Diego. Traveling from southern to northern California could be as difficult as a cross-country flight and it wasn’t over yet. They still had the forty-five minute drive to the suburbs where they’d planned to stay with Sam and her fiancé.

Katie hadn’t traveled to these parts for almost three years and it wasn’t something she relished. Sam’s wedding was the only reason that she found herself on this flight, dragging Spencer along. Her dearest friend had chosen to make her home very near where the two had grown up and had asked Katie to stand next to her at the altar.

“I’m glad your parents will be at the wedding. I know you weren’t happy when Sam invited them, but I think it’s important that you work to mend fences.” Spencer was all too familiar with their strained relationship.

Katie tightened her seatbelt and prepared for the landing, ignoring his comment.

Rio Dell was a small town and was even smaller when Katie and Sam were growing up. Everyone knew each other, and each other’s business. So, when Sam mentioned she had sent an invitation to Katie’s parents, it wasn’t a big surprise. Just her friend’s all too transparent plan to get the three of them in the same room. It could, however, be a plan she might regret.

The wheels made contact with the runway and the drag pulled it forward, bouncing the plane along in a rough manner. Relieved that she had touched ground, Katie opened her eyes and released the death grip she had on the arms of her seat.

“Come on, this’ll be fun.” Spencer could always be counted on to lighten Katie’s mood, even if his sardonic wit was a quality she only mildly appreciated.

“I’m looking forward to it.” She returned an equally caustic smile as they deplaned. Sam’s wedding was something Katie had been truly looking forward to, but coming back home, to this small town she’d been so desperate to leave, was at odds with that excitement.

In the baggage claim area, Katie spotted Sam in the distance and headed her way. Arms open and flashing her sparkling smile, Sam seemed thrilled at the sight of her old friend. Katie’s eyes brightened in response as she was both happy to see her friend and grateful the journey was over.

“Oh Katie, it’s so good to see you! How was your flight?” 

“You know me, I’m not much for flying, but I’m glad we made it. It’s great to see you too, Sam.”

Spencer collected the bags from the conveyor and approached the two of them. “Hi, Sam, long time no see.” The ensuing kiss on the cheek seemed a little uncomfortable for him.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that both of you could come,” Sam replied.

“Are you kidding? I’m the Maid of Honor. I couldn’t exactly miss this now could I?” Katie looked around for Sam’s missing other-half. “Did Jerrod come with you?”

“Oh, he’s driving around the airport, waiting for us to go out on the curb. He didn’t want to pay for parking.” Sam took hold of Katie’s hand and pulled her toward the terminal exit.

With raised eyebrows, Katie turned to meet Spencer’s similar gaze and whispered to him, “I told you he was cheap.”

» » »

After some pre-wedding celebrations, the day had arrived. In the dressing room of the church, Katie watched the fluttering of people in and out as they assisted the bride on her big day. The other bride’s maids, most of them work colleagues, busily slipped on their shoes and touched up their hair.

“Katie, can you help me find my garter? I can’t see it anywhere.” Sam scurried around in search of the elusive item.

“Don’t worry. I think I remember seeing it in the back of the limo. I’ll go grab it.” Katie returned a few minutes later, blue lacy garter in hand.

“I knew there was a reason I chose you to be my Maid of Honor.” Sam pulled the garter up to her thigh.

“In fairness, we have known each other for nearly twenty years. That could be part of the reason, too. But, I can only hope you’ll be half as good as I am when it’s my turn.” Katie smiled and grasped Sam’s shoulders, turning her in the direction of the full-length mirror. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you for always being there for me. I could not have asked for a better friend.”

Katie started to blot her eyes with her fingertips, careful not to smudge the makeup. “Stop it already. You’re going to have both of us blubbering like idiots in a minute.”

Sam’s mom entered the room, took one look at her daughter, and nearly burst into tears herself.

“Okay, Molly, we can’t have Sam messing up her beautiful face with tears,” Katie insisted.

“I know, I know.” Molly swatted at the air as if to brush away her emotions. “You’ve always been the sensible one, Katie. Never letting your emotions get the best of you. It’s we Fields women who can’t keep it under control.”

Molly was right. Keeping her emotions in check was something Katie learned from an early age. Her father had been an expert.

“Well, I’d better check on your dad to make sure he hasn’t frightened poor Jarrod away with talk of what would happen if his little girl’s heart gets broken. You know how he can get, Sam.”

Molly left the room and Katie was once again alone with Sam. She wanted to tell her about the dreams; ask her for advice, but this was not the right time. It was Sam’s day and she didn’t want her to worry.

“You’re very lucky to have such amazing parents. I’ve always thought that.” Katie fidgeted with the long flowing train of Sam’s gown. “I always felt like they were my parents too.”

“Speaking of parents, you are going to talk to them today, correct?”

“I’m sure the opportunity will present itself.” Her glib reply suggested otherwise.

The wedding planner burst through the door of the dressing room. “It’s time, ladies. I’ve gathered the other bridesmaids. Let’s get you down that aisle, Samantha.”

The stunning bride took a deep breath, waiting for assurance from her childhood friend.

“Everything will be fine,” Katie whispered.

» » »

The ceremony began and the minister cited passages from the Bible that were broad and non-specific, focusing on the importance of commitment and trust for the long journey the couple was about to begin.

It was in those words that Katie began to search for meaning and the path of her own future.

Spencer was pre-law and she had been studying social sciences when they met. Since then, they’ve been practically inseparable. That was almost seven years ago. After college, they moved in together and here they were now, four years later. Katie thought she would be the one in the white dress at this moment, but Spencer’s work as an intern at the law firm and studying for his bar exam seemed to consume most of his time. Katie didn’t object. She supported him completely and had her own budding career at the Foundation that kept her occupied. Nevertheless, she looked forward to the day when Spencer would pass the bar and start his career as a trial lawyer. Maybe then, she thought, they would get married and start a family.

“Um, Katie?” Sam looked over her shoulder with wide eyes. “It’s your turn.” Her voice sounded just short of panicked.

Katie returned to the moment. “Right. Sorry about that.” She approached the podium and unfolded the sheet of paper that had been neatly tucked away in the sash of her strapless champagne-colored gown.

As she proceeded to read Sam’s favorite poem, Katie looked out among the guests and there they were: her mother, elegantly dressed, perfectly coifed hair, slender—a vision for a woman in her late fifties; her father, slightly plump, balding, a heavily lined, but gentle face, lacking the sophistication evident in his wife.

Her eyes and her mother’s locked for a moment as a smile vaguely appeared on her mother’s face. The moment vanished and Katie continued, unmoved and her expression, unchanged.

» » »

With the reception in full swing, Spencer leaned in and whispered in Katie’s ear as they sat at the head table. “You know, you’re not supposed to look more beautiful than the bride.”

She pulled away and lightly slapped his shoulder. “What are you talking about? Sam looks amazing. You shouldn’t say that.”

“Yes, she does. But you’re the only one worth looking at to me.”

“Boy, someone’s hoping to get lucky tonight,” Katie replied. Spencer’s crooked smile and raised eyebrows made her laugh.

“Maybe you will, but we do have an early flight and I will need my rest.” Spencer held out his hand as the band began to play. “Care to dance?”

“Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” Katie replied, placing her hand in his.

A few brief turns on the floor and Spencer seemed to have his fill. “You want something to drink?”

“Sure.” He immediately headed toward the open bar and Katie took a seat at one of the tables. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a billowy white dress floating toward her. Sam dropped down in the seat next to her.

“My feet are killing me!” She slipped off one of her shoes and began rubbing her toes. “If I have to dance with another crazy uncle or distant cousin twice removed, I’m going to shoot myself! Honestly, I don’t know why my mother invited so many people.”

“I have to say,” Katie began. “It was a beautiful wedding. I’m so glad you had it here. Remember when we’d drive home on school breaks and pass this place?”

“I sure do. I’ve never forgotten about it. There’s something so majestic about the way this old hotel stands alongside the Redwoods. It’s like it was always meant to be here.”

Katie rose from the table for a look around. The ballroom glistened in the sun’s setting rays that reflected off the river below. The windows filtered the light in such a way as to make those dancing on the floor look as if they were floating; their feet submerged in the twilight. “Ah, there’s Jarrod. I’m sure my moves will pale in comparison to yours, but I shall do my best as the Maid of Honor to dance with the groom!”

» » »

The wait staff filed out, almost in unison and began serving the entrees as the dinner got underway. Spencer searched for Katie as she was the only one of the bridal party not already sitting at the head table. When she finally came into view, he motioned for her to take her seat next to Sam.

“Where did you run off to?”

“Sorry, I lost track of time. I was just taking in the view of the river. My parents brought me here a few times.”

“I noticed you didn’t talk to them before they left the church. Are they here?”

“No, I haven’t seen them. They must have decided not to come to the reception. I’m sure my father is busy with work and you know Mom. She’ll be off volunteering for the latest cause. No time for socializing, I guess.” Katie pretended not to be bothered by the fact that they hadn’t even said hello, or goodbye for that matter, but she knew it was of her own doing.