by Katie Ashley
I rolled my eyes. “Right. That makes it so much better.”
“It makes it a hell of a lot better for the working people of this town. This isn’t Atlanta, you know. We need more opportunities.”
“And you’re the savior who is going to bring them?”
“I’m going to sure as hell try. I just need you to work with me.”
“You flatter yourself if you would think I would ever sell you or any of your partners.”
Declan glowered at me. “Any other developer is not going to give two shits about the historical merit. They won’t care about my grandmother and her Historical Society friends making a fuss—they eat old ladies like that for breakfast. They’ll mow everything to the ground without a second thought. I’m the only one who will try to preserve some semblance of what Harris had. Unlike you, he appreciated my vision.”
At that moment, the door to Mason’s office cracked open, and my dad poked his head out. With our raised voices, I’m sure he and everyone else had heard most of our conversation.
I held my hand up. “I’m not selling to anyone, and I’m not renting the building.”
“So, you’re just going to let a perfectly good building rot and decay?” Declan shook his head at me. “That’s not what Harris would have wanted.”
“I would never let it fall into disarray, nor would I trust anyone else working in there.”
“Then what exactly is it you’re going to do?”
My gaze flickered over to my dad. At the hope burning in his eyes, I knew exactly what I was going to do. “You’re looking at Hayesville newest veterinarian!”
Chapter Seven
Three Weeks Later
“Oomph,” I muttered as I hoisted an over-packed moving box labeled Bedroom into my arms. With another grunt, I stumbled down the hallway and into the master bedroom. After depositing the box on the floor, I glanced around the chaos surrounding me. Two weeks ago when I’d stood in this room, Papa could be seen in every nook and cranny. After all, it had been his bedroom. But now all semblances of him had been wiped away and replaced with my possessions.
While I was in Atlanta working a two-week notice for Blue Pearl and packing up my condo, my family had prepared Papa’s house for my arrival. Even though it made me feel guilty, I was glad I didn’t have to help dismantling Papa’s possessions. The thought of emptying his closets and going through his drawers made me nauseous. Of course, I hated it for Mom and Dad and my siblings. I’m not sure how they managed to complete the arduous process in just two weeks. In between patients, I’d often get a text with a picture of a piece of furniture asking me if I wanted it. What wasn’t divided between us was donated.
It had been necessity, not nostalgia, that had led me to take my parents’ offer to move into Papa’s house. Since I didn’t want to stress Dr. Kisick’s heart condition with a heavy patient load, time was of the essence to get me to work in Hayesville. A tiny part of me felt somewhat relieved I wasn’t buying or renting. It made me feel like moving back home wasn’t so permanent. Like, I had an escape clause if things were just too much.
The announcement that I was moving to Hayesville had been met with shock and horror by my Atlanta friends and coworkers. “What the fuck?” had resonated most with my best friends. Most thought I should have waited a year since you’re not supposed to make any big personal or professional life decisions the first year after loss. Since my close friends knew my true aversion to Hayesville, they couldn’t believe I would actually put myself in the position of potentially seeing Declan every day. But I thought of what my therapist had said in regards to what she perceived as me constantly running from my past. There would never be true healing until I could coexist with Declan.
For the past week since I’d gotten back home, I’d been spending my mornings in the clinic. It was a way to ease in to the practice, introduce myself to my four-legged patients and their owners. After lunchtime, I’d come home and try to put my new life in order at the house. Considering the amount of boxes littering the bedroom, I still had a long way to go.
The clanging of the doorbell interrupted my work. Throwing a glance at myself in the mirror, I winced. After coming home from the clinic, I’d stripped off my bra and replaced my scrubs with yoga pants and a ratty T-Shirt. headed down the hall. When I opened the door, I was shocked to see Pauline standing on the porch with a hesitant smile on her face. “Hello, Peyton.”
“Hey there. How are you?” I quickly crossed my arms over my braless chest while I tried to wipe away any shock that might’ve been on my face.
“I’m just fine. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Oh no. I was just doing a little unpacking.” A nervous giggle tumbled from my lips. “I mean, I’m sure that’s obvious considering how I look like a bum.”
“You look just fine. Besides, the unpacking is the reason why I’m here.”
“Oh?”
Pauline nodded. “I figured you had your hands full with trying to settle in to Harris’s place.” It was then I noticed the picnic basket by her side. When I met her gaze again, she said, “I wanted to do a little something to welcome you back to Hayesville.”
“That’s so sweet of you. Please come on in.” It shouldn’t surprise me really. Pauline St. James had always been generous in so many ways. I’d missed her over the years. As I pushed the door open wider, Pauline stepped into the foyer.
After sitting the picnic basket down on the coffee table, Pauline opened it up and began empty its contents onto the coffee table. “Robert and I both think it’s wonderful you’ve come back home. We know how much it means to your parents. I know it would mean a lot to Harris as well.”
My chest constricted slightly at the mention of Papa. “Thank you. I hate it took his death to get me back.”
“Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways,” Pauline replied knowingly. An uncomfortable silence filled the air. “Anyway, I made you one of my chicken casseroles. I remember you really liked them.”
The pain in my chest ratcheted up again at the mention of the past. Forcing a smile to my face, I replied, “Oh, I didn’t like them; I loved them.”
Pauline laughed. “I remember you always ate seconds, and it wasn’t just because you were trying to be nice.”
“A lot of time might’ve passed, but I’ve never forgotten what an amazing cook you were.”
“You flatter me, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
“You’re welcome. There’s also a salad and some of my chocolate chip cookies.”
“Seriously, you are way too kind. I mean, I already feel indebted to you.”
“For what? A little casserole and some cookies?”
“I mean, how you went above and beyond with your care packages when I was at UGA.”
With a frown, Pauline asked, “Care packages?”
“You know, the goody box you and Robert sent me every month for my first year of school. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me. Each and every one was so thoughtful.” When Pauline continued staring curiously at me, I added, “I know I sent you guys a thank you note back then, but I wanted to tell you in person as well. Even after all these years I haven’t forgotten them.
“Peyton, Robert and I never sent you any care packages.”
An awkward laugh tumbled from my lips. “What do you mean you didn’t send them? I got a package with your return address every month. Even my roommate knew who the goodies were from. I used to have to fight her for the homemade cookies.”
“I’m not doubting you received them. But I can tell you with absolute assurance that we didn’t send them.”
Unease pricked its way up my spine. “If you didn’t send them, who did?”
“I think I have an idea.”
Since Declan’s sister, Danielle, and I weren’t particularly close, I couldn’t imagine who else from the St. James household would have sent them. And then it hit me. “Are you telling me that after jilting me at the altar, Declan sent me monthly care packages?” She w
inced at that one. She’d never been proud of Declan for that move.
“That’s the only explanation I can think of.”
The shock cascaded over me, causing me to shudder. Unable to form coherent thought, I uttered, “Wow.”
“I feel the same way.”
“You really had no idea?”
Pauline shook her head. “He never said a thing to us.”
Once again, all I could say was, “Wow.”
Closing the distance between us, Pauline took my hand in hers. “Peyton, I will never, ever condone what Declan did. Both Robert and I were deeply hurt and ashamed by his actions, which we vocalized to him back then. But I want you to know he has grown and matured so much. I worried after what he did to you, that he might be lost. For many years, he was. But something wonderful happened to him when Cam was born. I’m so very proud of the father he is, and the man he has become.”
Being rendered speechless was becoming par for the course in this conversation. With my emotions so jangled, I desperately wanted a drink although it was far from five o’clock. Had learning Declan sent me care packages in college changed my perception of him? Somewhat. At the same time, it couldn’t fully erase the pain he had caused. Hearing a glowing review of his character from his mother in a small way affirmed the idea that he had changed. But a tiny, petty part of me argued that Pauline was Declan’s mother, and of course, she would give him her approval.
Desperate to break the awkward silence around us, I squeezed Pauline’s hands. “I’m glad to hear that.”
With a tentative smile, she said, “I hope now you’re home for good you can forgive him and maybe come to see he isn’t the enemy anymore.”
The tide of good feelings towards Declan abruptly ended, and the petty bitch in me bristled at her words. Yeah, maybe I wouldn’t have seen him as the enemy had he not shown such disbelief that Papa had left the practice to me. Arrogance and I had never been friends. Thankfully, the somewhat genteel Southern lady residing somewhere inside me reigned me in. “We’ll see,” I responded diplomatically.
Before Pauline could reply, the front door blew open, and Becca came hustling inside with a box of Dunkin Donuts in one hand and drink container filled with two coffees in the other. The one almost semblance of civilization Hayesville could boast is we had a Dunkin Donuts. Well, it was ten minutes outside of town, but we didn’t sweat the small stuff. “All right slave driver, you have my help for two hours, but then I have to go home to cook dinner.”
At the sight of Pauline standing in my living room, Becca skidded to a stop. “Um, hi. I didn’t know you had company.”
Pauline waved her hand dismissively. “She doesn’t. I just ran by to bring Peyton a welcome back meal.”
Becca grinned. “That’s a pretty thoughtful gift since Peyton can’t cook.”
“Har, har,” I muttered. Sure, it was the truth I wasn’t known for my culinary skills. At the same time, I didn’t need my almost mother-in-law hearing any of my short comings.
Glancing between us, Pauline said, “Anyway, I’ll get going so you two can get to work.”
As we started to the door, I said, “Once again, I can’t thank you enough for the food.”
With a smile, Pauline replied, “You’re more than welcome. Let me know if Robert and I can do anything else.”
“I appreciate the offer, but you have already gone above and beyond.”
“Just know we’re here if you need us.”
Looking past me, Pauline said, “It was good seeing you, Becca.”
“Good seeing you, too, Mrs. St. James.”
After walking out onto the porch with her, Pauline gave me a hopeful smile. “Please think about what I said.”
“I’ll try.” While it might have been a non-committal reply, it was the most diplomatic thing I could think of to say. My emotions were far too jangled to say anything else.
When I went back into the house, Becca had a glazed donut in one hand while she rifled through the containers on the coffee table. “Excuse me, but that’s mine, thank you very much.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Like Pauline would care if you shared a bite or two with me.”
I swatted her away. “She’s a better person than I am,” I teasingly replied.
Although there were a million things I should have been doing to unpack, I was both emotionally and physically spent after Pauline’s visit. I grabbed a chocolate frosted donut and collapsed onto the couch.
Becca furrowed her brows at me. “Is this the portion of unpacking where you play the role of supervisor and boss me around?”
“I’m sorry. I just needed a break.”
“Having Pauline here was hard, huh?”
“Not really. It’s not like I’ve ever had a beef with her.”
“Then what is it?”
After inhaling the rest of my donut, I proceeded to relate the saga of the care packages. When I finished, Becca shook her head. “I really don’t know what to say.”
“So, it’s not just me wanting to make something out of nothing?”
“No, I’d say it’s pretty momentous Declan did that.”
I swiped a napkin off the table. “I seriously don’t need this right now.”
“Because you need for Declan to stay the villain in your narrative?”
With a scowl, I tossed my napkin at her. “Whose side are you on?”
“Yours. But I wouldn’t be a very good sister if I didn’t play Devil’s Advocate.”
“Trust me, I’m already doing it enough in my head.” An exasperated growl came from deep within me. “Why do I let this man have so much power over me?”
“Because he was your first love. He broke your heart and your trust,” Becca answered diplomatically.
“Right. That’s it.”
“But you are different person now and so is he. You’ve both grown and matured. Maybe it’s truly time to bury the hatchet.” When I opened my mouth, she shook her head. “And no, not in his back.”
“I was going to say his balls but whatever.” At my wicked grin, Becca laughed.
“Since I’ve been teaching, I always have one or two really pain in the ass kids. In the beginning of the year, I don’t see how I’ll make it through without losing my sanity. But then as time goes on, little things start to change, and they show me a different side of them.” She gave me a pointed look. “While there may be the odd psychopath or two, no one is really all good or all bad.”
Damn, my little sister had just emotionally owned me. “You’re absolutely right.”
“Although you hate to admit it,” she teased.
I laughed. “Yes, I am, but I’m also proud of how wise you’ve become.”
“I would say you were a great teacher, but we both know you’re an emotional mess.”
“Okay, that does it,” I grunted before smacking her in the face with a throw pillow.
“Oh, it’s on!” she cried before grabbing a pillow.
The next thing I knew Becca and I were engaging in an all-out pillow war like the kinds we’d had when we were kids. Of course, we didn’t quite have the stamina we had back then, so it ended rather quickly. Huffing and puffing, we lay on the couch trying to catch our breath.
“I’ve…seriously…got to start…working…out…,” I heaved.
“Ditto,” Becca panted. Turning her heads toward me, she grinned. “I’m so glad you’re back home.”
The familiar pang of guilt crept back on me. “I’m sorry, Becs.”
She furrowed her brows at me. “For hitting me with the pillow?”
I shook my head. “No. You totally deserved that.” I paused because this was something I had really struggled with. She’d lived without her big sister being present for at home for so many years, and nothing made that okay. Not by a long shot. “No, for being such a petty dumbass by staying away so long.”
“You didn’t just stay away because of Declan. You were chasing your dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Last time I checked, yo
u couldn’t do that here.”
“I could’ve made time.”
Becca smiled. “You didn’t need to make time to be here. You did the most important thing which was make time for us. Sure, I couldn’t drive five minutes and see you, but I always saw you.”
Her words should have made me feel better, but they didn’t. As tears pricked my eyes, I swallowed down the rising sobs. “I could’ve had more time with Papa if I’d come back home.”
“Come on, Peyton. I went away to school thirty minutes from here, and it was still hard finding time to see him. It’s the natural progression of things—the baby birds fly the nest. The most important thing was you were off making him proud by following in his footsteps. He loved his weekends in Athens and Atlanta with you.”
“He did?”
“He used to say it made him feel young again going to the football games at UGA, or to go to the Big City, as he called Atlanta.”
The guilt-ridden part of me always feared Papa was just pretending to enjoy coming to Atlanta. It felt like I was inconveniencing him taking him away from his home. But I know he’d loved seeing me too.
I swiped my index fingers under my eyes. “I still can’t fight this feeling I’ve wasted years of my life letting Declan have such a hold on me.”
“If you were living in a van down by the river, I might agree with you.”
I snorted at the thought. “Professionally I might have escaped the van, but I can’t help feeling like I’m there personally.”
Appearing thoughtful, Becca replied, “I wouldn’t say personally since you have great friends and a wonderful relationship with your family.”
“Then I’m romantically in a van down by the river?”
“Potentially.”
With a groan, I replied, “Damn, that’s grim.”
“You can always turn the van around.” She grinned. “Trade it in for house with a picket fence.”
“Trust me, I’d love to do that.”
“Mind over matter. The past is just the past. Declan isn’t the Big Bad Wolf creeping around to sabotage your future relationships.”
