One Hundred Goodbyes (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 9)

by Kelly Collins

  How did his sexuality end up in question? “Doc, I do women.” He could feel the heat of embarrassment rise to his cheeks. “Geez, you know what I mean. I’m just … just not comfortable around pregnant women.”

  Doc nodded. “They’re harmless really unless they don’t get something they crave. With my Phyllis it was French fries dipped in ice cream, but not just any ice cream. She had to have that fancy chocolate with chocolate chips ice cream from Häagen-Dazs. My Charlie was a pricey one but worth it. Survival will come down to being observant. All you need is to figure out what her thing is.”

  “Donuts.”

  Doc laughed. “See, you’re already ahead of the game.” He turned toward the room. “I’ll let her know you’ll take her home.”

  He rushed forward, almost knocking the cat from the chair. The kennel shook and the cat let out another primal big cat growl. Thomas turned around and picked the box up. “Quiet or no treats.” He really had figured out the damn cat and now he had to figure out the rest. “Doc, I’ve got a history that makes it impossible to take in a pregnant woman. Too many hurts and too many wounds. Can’t she go to the bed and breakfast?”

  “Booked full.”

  “What about the apartment over the bakery?”

  “You know that’s rented by Riley’s brother Baxter. Besides, no stairs. Her abdominal muscles are struggling to support the baby. The stairs will not be a good idea.”

  Thomas considered all the homes in town. Most were two stories. Those that weren’t were uninhabitable. There was the Williamses’ home, but their house was busting at the seams. He wouldn’t wish a night surrounded by eight children on anyone. Katie and Bowie’s house had a half flight of stairs so that was out. That was the case with Dalton and Samantha as well as the new house Luke was building on the shore.

  “Doc, please don’t ask me to do this.”

  Doc walked back to the chair and sat.

  Thomas took the same place beside him.

  “Son, I don’t have any choice. Sometimes we have to do what’s right for others even if it’s not right for us.” He set his hand on Thomas’s shoulder in the same manner his father would have done. “I can’t force you to take her in. She’s a stranger. We don’t know her.”

  Thomas laughed. “I didn’t think you’d ever met a stranger.”

  “You know the saying … a stranger is someone you haven’t met yet.”

  Elbows on knees, face in hands, Thomas rubbed the scruff of his jaw. “Eden is no stranger. I met her. I carried her here. She’s simply a friend in waiting.” He rose slowly to his feet. “Should we let her know she won’t be sleeping in her car?”

  “I knew you were a good lad.” Doc led the way into the exam room.

  In the corner sitting on a chair sipping a bottle of water was Eden. The discomfort was gone from her face. In its place was a beautiful smile.

  Sage and Lydia rose from the chairs beside her. “We’ll be heading out unless you need us,” Lydia said.

  “If you need anything, you know where to find us,” Sage added.

  They left Eden alone with him and Doc Parker.

  Thomas leaned uncomfortably against the counter several feet away while Doc took a seat to Eden’s right. She moved her head left to right as if looking for something.

  “Porkchop is fine,” Thomas reassured her. “She’s in the hallway. Do you want me to get her?”

  “Would you?”

  He was gone less than a minute and returned with the mewling animal.

  Eden opened the cage and nuzzled the cat, who seemed to talk to her as if she had a tale to tell.

  “Is that right?” Eden giggled. “A man rescued you and brought you to me?” She looked up at Thomas with gratefulness in her eyes. “Well, he rescued me and brought me here.”

  Thomas chuckled. “I’m not sure those are her words.” He glanced down at his fur covered T-shirt.

  Eden made a move to stand but winced and held onto her lower stomach. “This is a lesson in why donuts are bad for your health.” The cat jumped from her lap and moved around Thomas’s leg.

  He leaned over and picked the animal up. “In front of your mom you’re going to be nice but the minute she turns her back you’ll expose your razor-sharp claws.” He shook his head. “Typical woman.”

  Eden’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t have a high opinion of women, do you?”

  Doc looked back and forth as they spoke.

  “I let each woman I meet show me who they are.” He wasn’t sure how much he should say. Whether he should say anything at all. He would do the right thing because he was raised that way and Doc had played on those emotions, but she needed to know what she was getting when she agreed to stay with him. He wasn’t going to change just because of her. “And I’m rarely surprised.”

  “That must be a comfort. People shock the hell out of me all the time.”

  “Well, Eden. I brought Thomas in here because he has kindly offered to let you stay at his house until you deliver your child.”

  Her brown eyes narrowed until a crease furrowed her brow. “Oh no. I’m heading to Alaska.”

  “Now, Eden, we talked about this. It’s not safe for you to travel.”

  “While it’s not recommended, I’m not sure it’s unsafe. I’ll stop and move every two hours. I’ll drink lots of water. I’ll get at least eight hours of sleep a night.”

  “You’re avoiding the truth. There’s a major storm heading toward Fairbanks,” Doc reminded her.

  She seemed to wilt under the weight of his words.

  “Okay.” She glanced up and Thomas swore her lower lip quivered.

  If there was one thing he couldn’t handle, it was tears. He’d do anything to get a woman to stop crying. It took him two long strides to get to her, lower to his haunches and thumb up her chin. “Hey, it’s okay. Let’s box up that cat and I’ll get you to your new digs.”

  She took in a shaky breath. “You look like you want a houseguest about as much as you want the chicken pox.”

  “Given the option, I’d take the pox. At least I’d know what I was in for, but here we are. You need a place, and I’ve got one.”

  Porkchop had wheedled her way into his lap and every swish of her tale was a furry slap to his face.

  Doc rose and walked to the door. “Seems like you kids have this under control.” He looked over his shoulder. “Eden, I want to see you every day for the next week to check your blood pressure.” He pointed to the ceiling. “I live upstairs, and I’ll hear the bell when you come in.” He smiled and shook his head. “Not true. Lovey will hear the bell, and she’ll come get me.”

  “Lovey?”

  “My sweetheart, Agatha. Damn woman is crazy to love an old fart like me, but she does, and I’m not investing in therapy to cure her.”

  Eden let out a heartwarming laugh.

  Thomas didn’t want to like her, but he’d do just about anything to hear that sound again.

  “You kids be good. And Thomas … she probably likes fried chicken too.”

  Chapter Nine

  Eden

  As soon as the nice old doctor was out of earshot, Eden turned to Thomas. She couldn’t help but stare at his eyes. They were soulful eyes. Eyes that had seen a lifetime of emotion. Blue eyes the color of a stormy day ringed by moss green with specs of golden sunshine scattered throughout.

  “I’m so sorry you got roped into something simply because you were kind enough to come to my rescue. Rest assured, I don’t expect you to take me into your home.”

  He stood, and his body hovered above her like a giant oak tree shading her from the harsh overhead lighting.

  “While this is not what either of us had planned, I’m a man of my word, and I will offer you a place to stay.”

  Eden slowly pushed to her feet, cradling her belly for support. “No need.” She looked to the door. “Once I get Porkchop in her cage, I’ll get back on the road.”

  His hands came to rest on her shoulders. It wasn’t the type of pre
ssure that kept her in place but a touch of reassurance.

  “Not a chance.” He glanced toward the door. “That man is like a god in these parts. To disappoint him is like showing your parents a poor report card. I’m not about to earn an F in his eyes.” He leaned down and scooped up the cat, putting her back in her carrier. “You think she’ll be okay in your car while we grab a bite to eat or should we drop her off at the house?”

  It never occurred to her to question anyone’s kindness, but this man was a stranger. While he looked nice and was obviously respected by Doctor Parker, Eden didn’t know him. For all she knew, he could be the Colorado equivalent of Ted Bundy.

  “I don’t know you, and I’m not in the habit of staying with strange men, so if it’s all the same to you, I’ll grab my cat and be on my way.”

  She could see by his frown that he was grappling with indecision.

  “Tell you what. Let’s have some of that fried chicken Doc mentioned. The diner is just down the street. We can get to know each other a bit more. Happy to print out my resume and references. At this point, your situation calls for something more than status quo.” He picked up the carrier and headed for the door. “I’m not one to invite strange women to stay in my house either. It would appear we have that in common.”

  He stood at the door and waited for her to join him. As they passed the candy counter, Eden glanced at the selection for Good & Plenty but found the store to be lacking.

  She let out a little growl of frustration.

  “You okay?” Thomas turned to look at her, his eyes going straight to her stomach.

  She giggled. “Yes, just pregnant and craving something I can’t seem to find anywhere.”

  He smiled so wide she was certain the warmth of it would melt her into the floor. “I’ve got an extra package of donuts. Marge is holding the groceries until I’m finished up here.”

  Eden wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He’d obviously paid attention to her purchase since he’d helped her get chocolate covered troublemakers down from the shelf. “Those were my second choice, not what I really wanted, but an alternative to the little pink and white black licorice candies I crave like a crack addict.” She was almost embarrassed by her confession. She’d heard of plenty of cravings but no one she knew needed that box of candy almost as badly as she needed water, sleep, and sunshine.

  “Good & Plenty. I haven’t seen those in a lifetime, but I’m sure Doc can order them.”

  “Like I said, I’ll be on my way and out of your hair.”

  Thomas shook his head. “Let’s decide on the next move after dinner. If you won’t eat for you then at least eat for the baby.”

  She could never argue that logic. There was a lot she wouldn’t do for herself and a great deal she’d do for others. It’s how she’d gotten in this position in the first place.

  “All right. You drive a hard bargain, Mr.—?”

  “Cross. My name is Thomas Cross, but my friends call me Thomas.”

  “Are we friends now?” Something told her that being friends with Thomas would be an honor. What man picked a woman up off the street and carried her to the doctor? Then she remembered that Thomas was a fireman, so he probably did it out of a sense of duty rather than kindness.

  “Let’s make that happen. A person can’t have too many friends. Now how about that fried chicken?”

  At the mention of food, her stomach growled.

  They both let loose a laugh.

  “You kids be safe,” Agatha called from behind the counter.

  Eden looked at the sweet older woman who Doctor Parker called Lovey and wondered if a man would ever love her enough to give her a nickname.

  Thomas tucked Porkchop into the front seat of Eden’s car and promised the cat they’d be back soon. His hand went to the small of her back as he led her into the diner. She immediately liked the place. The jukebox in the corner lit up the space even though it was silent.

  Stepping into Maisey’s was like stepping into a scene from Grease. She half expected to see the clientele moving around in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. Instead, a sandy blonde bounced on her Keds towards them.

  “Hey, Thomas, you here for the blue plate special?” She followed them to a nearby booth.

  “Hey.” He looked at Eden. “Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. Are you in?”

  The waitress scribbled his order down and looked at Eden. “You must be Eden. Doc called and said you’d be coming by. Told Ben to cut down on the salt for your meal.”

  Eden’s eyes grew big. “Wow, news travels fast.”

  “My name is Riley, and I can tell you news in Aspen Cove goes from zero to sixty in about four seconds, but the people here mean well.”

  “So far, everyone has been wonderful to me.”

  “What’s the point in being anything else? Will that be two blue plate specials?”

  Eden nodded. “Sounds like it. One with less salt. Doctors orders. Can I have a glass of water please?”

  “You got it.”

  Riley disappeared into the back of the restaurant, which left Eden alone with Thomas in the booth. He looked at her for a moment and then frowned.

  “Geez, Eden, I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your condition when I chose the booth. Let’s move to a table where you’ll be more comfortable.”

  She looked at him like he’d sprouted a single unicorn horn. “Um, are you sure? I mean, I can make do here.” Her sister would have never thought to consider her needs but here was a man who had. Her world was topsy-turvy. She could have landed anywhere but happened to land in a slice of heaven.

  Thomas was already out of the booth and offering her his hand. He walked her a few feet away and pulled out a chair. The simple gesture brought tears to her eyes.

  He watched her swipe one away.

  “I’m going to put a quarter in the jukebox. Any requests? It’s all fifties music.”

  “Not really my era, so anything is fine.” She watched him walk away. Her eyes went straight to his fine-fitting jeans. The way his denim hugged his muscled thighs and curved perfectly over the globes of his ass.

  Eden really needed to focus on the problems at hand rather than create new ones. It was silly to fantasize over a man she could never have. She had to remember the way he’d looked at her the first time he’d seen she was pregnant. She wasn’t sure what she’d seen in his expression, but she got the distinct impression it wasn’t happiness, and it certainly wasn’t attraction. He’d responded to her in the same way she responded to bees or wasps. She cut a wide berth around them, hoping she wouldn’t get stung.

  While he leaned over the jukebox, she pulled out her phone and dialed her mother. There was a sixteen-hour difference, which meant her mom was probably up and drinking her morning coffee.

  The trill of an overseas ring echoed in her ear. She’d keep it short so she wasn’t forced into debtors’ prison for a call.

  “How’s the trip going?” her mother answered. She never answered with a hello. It was always straight to the heart of the matter.

  “I’m stalled a few hours outside of Denver.”

  “Car trouble? I told you to get a tune up.”

  “Mom, I can’t afford a tune-up. The car is fine, but I had a medical emergency.”

  There was a moment of silence. “The baby?”

  “Is fine, and I’m fine. Well, fine for now. Turns out my blood pressure is really high, and I’ve pulled a muscle in my stomach that sent me to my knees. The doctor here in town wants me to stay until the baby arrives, but I can’t.”

  She could see her mother gnawing on her lip in her mind. It was always how she worked out her problems. “Does your sister know?”

  “No, she’s no longer privy to my health updates.” Eden could feel her blood pressure rise. Could feel the heat of anger flush her cheeks. “I have nothing to say to her. I can’t believe she told me she didn’t want the baby.”

  Eden didn’t realize she’d raised her voice but obvious
ly she had by the heads that turned her direction, including Thomas’s. He punched in a few numbers and walked back toward her when the music began. “Chances Are” played through the speaker.

  “I’ve got to go, but I’ll text and let you know what my plans are.”

  “You should stay put, Eden. I don’t want anything to happen to my baby while you’re having someone else’s.”

  “Did it ever occur to you, Mom, that either way this was your grandchild?”

  “What are you saying? Are you keeping the baby?”

  “I’m not saying anything, and no, I’m not. How would that work out? Single mom. No job. No money. No hope. Talk to you later.” She hung up the phone at the same time Thomas took his seat. Seconds later, Riley swung by to drop off two blue plate specials and two glasses of water.

  Nothing was said for the first half of their dinner until Thomas broke the silence.

  “The way I see it is you’re in a predicament.”

  Eden let out a laugh. “You think?”

  He cocked his head to the side. “I meant with your current health situation.”

  She looked down. “It’s all related.”

  “You’ve been advised by a good doctor to stay put. I’ve been asked to lend a hand because I have a single-story rancher.” He pushed his potatoes around his plate. “I’m on shift at the station several days a week so my house is vacant during that time. In all honesty, it’s not that much of an inconvenience to me.”

  Each word came out as if it pained him. Why was it that she could see past his lies but could never see her sister’s?

  With her fork gripped in her hand, she took a bite of the green beans. The table was low compared to her stomach. Who needed a table when she had a belly that served as one? On any given day she could balance her food on top and shovel it directly into her mouth.

  She quietly contemplated his offer. There was no doubt she was in a pickle. A couple of hours was all she’d driven when her back seized up, along with her bladder. How was she supposed to make it another three thousand miles in her condition? Add to that a freak storm and it was like the universe was screaming at her to stay put.