Healing Hearts: A friends with benefits, small town romance (Hope River Book 3)

by Margaret McHeyzer

  “I need to make sure you’re okay. Go get changed for bed.” She stares into my eyes for a long moment, before giving me a nod and heading into her bedroom. A few moments pass, and she comes out to the living room, where I’m relaxing.

  “I’m okay,” she says.

  Standing, I take her by the hand, and lead her to her room. Toeing off my shoes, I flick them to the side, then I unzip my jeans, and slide them down. I pull back the covers, lay down, and reach for her. “What are you doing?” she asks as she crawls into bed with me.

  I pull her closer, and snuggle her into my chest. “I’m sleeping with you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you need me.”

  “No I…” she pauses, then says, “…I do.”

  “I know, Pop Rock.” Tabitha lays her head on my chest, and flings her leg over mine. I feel her shaking as she cries, most likely from all the events that have rocked her in the last few days. I don’t say anything. Instead, I’m simply here for her. Drawing lazy circles on her back, while holding her close to my body. Whether she knows or not she desperately needs me, and I refuse to let her down.

  Not now, not ever.

  Tabitha finally calms, and soon her silent sobs ease and she falls into a deep sleep. I follow her example, and before I know it, I’ve fallen asleep with the girl I love in my arms. Just the way it ought to be.

  Tabitha

  Stretching in bed, I reach for Charlie, but he’s not here. Instead, the delicious aroma of bacon is wafting through the room. My stomach growls, encouraging me to get up and find the source of the food. And Charlie.

  I look up at the white ceiling, and let out a sigh. Last night Charlie held me all night until I fell into a deep sleep. I knew he was there, and he made no move to have sex with me, although I wanted that badly. But I also respect what he wants from me. And he’s right. Sex has always been a coping tool for me.

  I grab my phone from the nightstand to check if anyone has called or messaged. In a way, I’m thankful no one has. Aunt May must be okay. Shit, I have to call Dad about the physiotherapist. What was her name again? I search through my phone, and find her name. That’s right Serena. I dial Dad’s number. “Hey, darling. How are you?” he answers immediately.

  “I think I’m doing okay. Aunt May made me leave the hospital yesterday, and Charlie was sweet enough to arrange dinner at his sister’s house. It was nice, you know?” I sit up in bed, and tuck some of my wayward hair behind my ear.

  “Hmm, this Charlie boy seems to have caught your attention. I want to meet him.”

  “Yeah, you already said that.” The smell and sound of the bacon sizzling makes me get up out of bed, and head into the kitchen. “So, I have the number of the physiotherapist. I’ll text it to you. Her name is Serena.” Charlie’s in boxer shorts. And only boxer shorts. Jesus, I love how strong, sexy and muscled his back is. And those damned tattoos. He has one snaking from his shoulder, down his shoulder blade and to the center of his back. I lick my lips, desperate to have my mouth all over him.

  “Excellent, thank you. What are your plans for today?” Dad interrupts my dirty thoughts of Charlie.

  “Well, Charlie is making me breakfast, then I’m heading back to the hospital. It looks like Aunt May will need to be there for at least the next few days.”

  “And work?”

  “I spoke to Hope briefly last night, and she said to not be worried about work. She’s got it all covered.”

  “Ah, I see. Is she a chef?” I burst into laughter. “I take that as a no?”

  “She can’t even boil water. But she can eat, and she’s not a fussy eater, thank God. But as far as cooking goes, nope, she can’t do that.” Charlie throws me a wayward, panty-dropping smirk over his shoulder. I gulp, desperate to have my hands and mouth all over him.

  Dad chuckles. “Well, not everyone has to cook. There’s plenty of cafes and restaurants around.”

  “No, not everyone has to know how to cook.” I look at Charlie, who’s shaking his head while smiling. “Anyway, is everything okay with you?”

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Just asking.” Charlie takes the very crispy bacon out of the frying pan, and pours in what looks like eggs he’s scrambled. “I have to go, Dad. Charlie’s making breakfast.”

  “He cooks but his sister doesn’t?”

  “Well, at least he cooks more than his sister,” I say, and wink at Charlie when he snaps his head to the side and narrows his brows as if he can hear Dad’s end of the conversation.

  “I’ll talk to you later. Love you, Tabitha.”

  I smile. “I love you too, Dad.” Hanging up, I place my phone on the counter, and walk up to Charlie, hugging him from behind. “Hey, sexy.” I bring my hands up, to rub over his chest.

  “Hi,” he replies as he bends his neck and kisses my left hand. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “I like that you were there. It was comforting and I felt safe. Thank you.” It really is bizarre. I’ve always known when a guy comes back to my place, or I go to his, there’s sex, then one of us leaves. But with Charlie last night, it was different.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving. I’ll get some plates. This looks so good. How are you able to cook but Hope can’t?”

  “Don’t think I can make anything fancy.”

  I look over his shoulder and notice the eggs aren’t nice and fluffy, more like tough and rubbery. But hey, at least he’s trying. The bacon is perfect, but the eggs… meh. I’ll eat them, because he’s tried. “Actually, correction,” I tease.

  As I turn to walk away from him, Charlie swats me on the butt with his hand. I give him a wink, and a small smirk. Charlie brings the bacon and overdone scrambled eggs to the table, while I set two plates, and get a jug of cold water from the fridge. “Do you want a coffee?” he asks.

  “Nah, not really. I think I’ll just stick to water this morning.” I sit opposite Charlie, with one leg up on the chair, and the other on the ground. “Thank you for making breakfast.”

  “Do you want me to take you to the hospital this morning?”

  “You don’t have work?”

  “Yeah, I do. I won’t be able to get to the hospital until sometime after lunch. I’m sorry, but I need to get things done.”

  “Charlie, don’t be sorry. With what you’ve been doing for me, you have no idea how grateful I am.” I scoop some rubbery scrambled eggs on my plate, and take three pieces of bacon, too. I’ll eat the eggs first, because I can end breakfast with deliciousness of bacon. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love bacon?

  “You know how we were talking about Hope and River’s wedding last night?”

  “Yeah.” Yuck, these eggs are terrible, but he made them for me, which is super sweet.

  “Are you positive you want to help with the catering? I’m sure I can get Hope to find someone else to do it.”

  “What? No, of course not. I’m happy to help, as long as Elle is in the kitchen with me. She’s so good, and she’s not pretentious.” I laugh. “Like chefs.”

  “Oh, is that right?” Charlie chuckles as he gobbles the eggs and bacon like he hasn’t eaten in days.

  “Chefs are egotistical maniacs.”

  “Aha.” Charlie nods.

  “And we think we’re above everyone.”

  “I see.”

  “Well, not me. Other chefs.” Charlie starts coughing, as if he’s choking on his food. “Hey! I’m not egotistical!”

  “Let’s go with that,” he jokes.

  We finish breakfast quite fast, and once Charlie’s cleaned the kitchen, he heads to the stable for a quick shower, while I get ready for my day with Aunt May.

  “Aunt May!” I say as I walk into her room, relieved and grateful that she’s looking better today.

  “Oh, you’re here early. What are you doing here?” Aunt May’s slurry speech isn’t too hard to understand. It just reminds me how vulnerable she is. How vulnerable we all are, I guess.

  “I’m n
ot going into work until I know you’re home and okay.”

  “Oh, well, Serena is coming by soon. I made it three steps yesterday, and I’ve been keeping up with the exercises. I’m determined to make it to the door today. You know, I’m feeling better.”

  I smile broadly. Aunt May saying those words is like music to my ears. I’m so glad. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

  “Oh yes, and it wasn’t the nicest.”

  I sit beside her on the bed, and move her hair away from her eyes. “Charlie stayed the night with me.”

  “Did he now? Did you two have sex? If you did, I hope you didn’t have sex in my bed… or on the dining room table. I have to eat there, you know!”

  I laugh louder. “No, we didn’t have sex.”

  “Phew, because I like that table, and I wouldn’t want to have to throw it away.” Aunt May hasn’t lost her sense of humor. “So, what happened?”

  I walk over to where there’s a small edge of the window. I look out to the brightness of the day, and really want to find the words to tell Aunt May. “I like him.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ve never been in a serious relationship, Aunt May.”

  “Who cares?”

  “I’m terrified.”

  “That’s exciting,” she says. I turn to look at her with confusion. “It is. Makes the heart tick faster, makes those moments with him worth more than you could ever imagine. Don’t take them for granted, Tabby.”

  There’s a knock on the door, and I’m unable to continue discussing this with Aunt May. She’s always been the most logical and level-headed person I’ve ever known. Serena opens the door, and sticks her head into the room. “Good morning, how is everyone today?”

  “Ready to go,” Aunt May says with vigor and enthusiasm.

  “I thought after yesterday you’d be ready to tell me to get out.”

  “Why, what happened?” I ask while giving Aunt May a look of what the hell.

  “May was whining about how she couldn’t do it.”

  I slowly turn to my aunt. My mouth is gaping, and my eyes are wide. “Whining? She didn’t tell me that.” Her face sours as she looks away.

  “It was hard,” she snaps.

  “If it was easy, you wouldn’t need me, would you?” Serena retorts.

  I swivel away, holding in my laugh because I like how Serena challenges her and won’t let her get away with anything.

  “Hmmm,” Aunt May grumbles. “Well, hurry up then.”

  “I’ll go make a phone call. I’ll be out in the hallway.” I leave her room, and notice down one wall a line of boxes containing flower arrangements. There has to be easily at least twenty bunches and bouquets of various flowers. Stacey, one of the nurses walks past. “Stacey,” I say stopping her from walking past. “What are these?” I point to the flowers.

  “They’ve been coming in since early this morning. They’re for May.”

  “They weren’t here when I walked into her room.”

  Stacey smiles and nods. “Yeah, they were. Well, those two on the end were only delivered about ten minutes ago, but the rest were here.”

  I’m blown away by the town’s generosity. “Thank you, Stacey,” I say, gobsmacked. There’s so much love here with these flowers.

  “How are you doing?” Stacey asks.

  “I’m doing okay, I’m being looked after.”

  “By Charlie? We hear he’s a good guy.” Small town gossip at its best right here. She places her hand on my shoulder. She’s taken my silence as I don’t want to confirm or deny any involvement with Charlie. But realistically, Hope River’s citizens will talk regardless of my verification. “If you need anything, let me know,” she offers as she keeps heading toward wherever she was going before I stopped her.

  “Thank you.” I take my phone out of my pocket, and call Dad. “Hey, two phone calls in one day. I’m a lucky man.”

  “Did you have a chance to speak to Serena?” I ask as I stand and stare at the flowers in awe. I know my aunt is loved, but I had no idea it was this much.

  “I did. And she’ll be starting her new job with May as soon as May’s out of the hospital.”

  “New job? What are you talking about?”

  “I’m getting a team together for May’s discharge from the hospital. I’ve hired Serena to work with her for as long as it takes, I have a speech therapist, and a nurse who’ll all be coming to the house. Speaking of the house, it’ll need some modifications…”

  “I’m already on that, Dad.”

  “Pass the charges onto me, I’ll take care of them.”

  I purse my lips together as tears well in my eyes. He really is trying. “I can pay for it.”

  “I don’t doubt it, but I’m going to. Whatever is needed, pass on all the invoices.”

  Lifting my free hand, I place it over my heart while leaning on the wall. “Dad, thank you. I’m honored you’re trying to be there for me, and for Aunt May.”

  “Honored? This is how it should’ve been from the day you were born, but it wasn’t. For that, I’m embarrassed and ashamed. Please, I know you’re stubborn, just like May, but please, promise me you’ll allow me to do this for her, and for you.” I nod my head, as I wipe the stupid tears rolling down my cheeks. “Darling? Are you there?”

  “Yeah, I am. And thank you again, Dad.”

  “Look, I do have to go, but I’ll email you the names of the staff I’ve hired, and all their details, okay? That way you’ll know who to expect. And they already know they’ll have to work with you and May to coordinate some kind of scheduling system so you’re not all on top of each other trying to help her.”

  “Thank you,” I say again, this time sucking in my happy tears.

  “I love you.”

  My heart fills with so much love it’s about to burst. “I love you too.” I know this isn’t all rosy, but Dad’s trying, and that is massive to me. The door opens to Aunt May’s room, and I see the walker, then Aunt May as she slowly shuffles out of the room. “Oh my God!” I screech when I see how proud she is.

  “I can go further,” she boasts as she pushes herself.

  I jump up and down, clapping and encouraging her. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Aunt May’s eyes narrow as she looks at the flowers lining the wall. “Now that’s ridiculous. What a hazard. Don’t they know an old lady is here with a walker?” There’s that sharp tongue of hers again.

  “Well, they’re all for you.”

  “For me?” she asks surprised. “What do you mean?”

  “The town just cherishes you so much, you’re getting lots of flower deliveries.” And just as I say flower deliveries, there’s another two bunches added to the many that are already here.

  She pulls her shoulders back a little, and holds her head higher. “Well then, I’d better get to walking again, so I can get around to saying thank you to everyone.” She turns and calls Serena over. “Work me harder,” she instructs.

  Serena looks to me with the biggest smile. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

  The nurses helped me load all the flowers into my car. At last count, there were thirty-one arrangements of bowls and vases. Some big, some small, some medium. I took all the cards off, and read them to my aunt. Her eyes filled with tears as I read them out, but she’s a tough old woman, and she didn’t cry. Well, not in front of me. Now, I’m on my way home for the night, and I’m totally spent.

  Charlie didn’t come by the hospital, which disappointed me, but I also understood, because he does have a lot of work to do, given he’s spent time supporting me.

  I pull into the long, dirt driveway and when I get to the top, I notice Charlie’s already home. He’s sitting on the porch, drinking something. When he sees me, he gets up, jumps off the steps, and comes to the car. “Hey, you’re not at work?” I ask.

  “I’ve been at work all day. I was wondering when you’d be home. How are you?” He wraps his arms around me, giving me a massive hug, then lightly pecks me on the cheek
.

  “Tired, but really hungry.”

  His eyes dart to the car, and he moves closer so he can have a better look. His brows are drawn in, but he smiles. “Are they all for May?”

  “Every single one of them.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Thirty-one in total. They’re everywhere ‒ in the trunk, on the seats, on the floor of the car ‒ everywhere!”

  “Let’s get these inside.” Letting me go, I feel the instant loss of his strong arms. But he opens the back passenger door, loads up as many bouquets as he can carry without squishing them, and heads up to the house. I’m not even halfway up, when he’s already out of the house. The smirk on his face tells me he’s up to something. I get to the foot of the steps, and stop. “What the hell?” I look to the right, and I notice there’s a huge section of the steps missing.

  “I’m making a ramp. But if I made a ramp going from the ground straight up, it would’ve been too steep for May to navigate while she’s still not as strong as she normally is. So, I’m making a wider, and longer ramp.”

  “You’re doing this for my aunt?”

  “I’m doing this for May and for you.”

  I feel my chin quiver as I hold in the emotions desperately attempting to escape. What a highly emotional day. Everyone has shown so much kindness, and it’s humbled me. “Thank you,” I say in a small voice.

  “No need to thank us.”

  “Us?”

  “I may have had some help. River and Hope.” I really don’t know what else to say. I feel like today all I’ve been doing is saying thank you and crying. “Come on, you need to relax.”

  The moment we’re inside, I see four dishes of food on the island counter. “Where did that come from?”

  “Well, those, and the ones in the freezer and the three in this fridge, and one in my fridge in the stable, have come from some of the town folks. Um, I have no idea who all of these people are, but they sure as shit know who I am. They came in, and brought all kinds of food. So, there’s enough food to feed us for about a month.”