by Kay Correll
“You’re not the boss of me.” Trevor sped off.
The boys raced off down the path to the lodge. Annie knocked once and entered Nora’s cabin.
“Annie, there you are. I’m glad you decided to come over. I put on the teapot and sent the boys off for cookies. More so they’d burn off some energy racing over there and back.” Nora gave her a quick hug.
“I figured I’d enjoy one of the last few Mondays I’ll have off. Once the busy season starts I’ll be open every day.”
“The busy season keeps us on our toes, doesn’t it?” Nora poured two cups of water and grabbed a box of tea.
They settled into their chairs and Annie browsed through the choices of tea, finally deciding on orange pekoe. She dunked her bag into the steaming water.
“I thought you were going to dinner with Nick tonight?” Nora took a tea bag from the wooden box.
“He cancelled. He’s gone to Houston. Another interview for the research job.”
“Oh.”
Annie could see the look on Nora’s face clearly said that she thought Annie was making a mistake with Nick. “I know what you’re thinking.” She let out a sigh. “And you’re probably right. I should have kept Nick at arm’s length. I will miss him when he’s gone. Which is ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Nora swirled her tea bag in her cup.
“I just… I can’t seem to break the years’ long connection I have with him. You’d think after he left me before, that I’d have been smarter this time. But, you know, there are moments when we’re together that everything just seems… right. Which is silly. He’s leaving.”
She was glad she hadn’t told Nora that Nick had kissed her. That was one memory she was keeping to herself. Wrapped up carefully to be relished and taken out later when she felt strong enough to savor it instead of letting it pain her. The kiss was something just between Nick and her, though it was rare to keep something from Nora.
“Sometimes we can’t help how we feel.” Nora interrupted her thoughts. “We just have to live with the consequence of our emotions.”
Annie looked across at her friends. “I’ve pretty much messed this one up, haven’t I?”
“You can’t help how your heart reacts. You can hide from it, but if the feeling is still there, then it’s still there.”
“It is still there...”
“Have you told Nick?”
“No, of course not. He’s leaving.”
“Maybe you two need to sit down and have a good long talk. At the very least you should tell him how you feel.”
“But we agreed we were just friends.”
“Is that how you feel? Like he’s just a friend?”
Nora was a tough friend to have. She always made her face the truth.
“No… he’s not just a friend. I have deeper feelings for him.” Annie admitted it for the first time, to herself and to Nora.
Nora reached out and squeezed her hand. “Then talk to him.”
Chapter 19
Beth rolled up her yoga mat and slipped it into her bag. Sophie leaned against the wall and tugged off her yoga socks and pulled on her shoes.
Beth looked around to make sure she hadn’t left anything. “Want to go grab a taco salad at Antonio’s?”
“Sounds good. The boys at your Mom’s?”
“Yep. Jason is going to run them home for me and said he’d stay if I wasn’t there yet. He insisted I ask you to go to dinner. He thinks I work too hard.”
“You do,” Sophie said matter-of-factly. “But you’ve always been an overachiever.”
“I am not.”
“Are so.” Sophie grinned. “Like valedictorian of our high school class, and also head of the yearbook… oh, and class president.”
“I… I just like to stay involved.”
“Okay, then how about editor of the yearbook in college, head of the student association, and… well, I don’t even remember what else.” Sophie shook her head, her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders as she slipped it out of the clip she’d worn for their yoga class.
“I— well, maybe I do volunteer a lot. But like I said, I enjoy staying involved in things.”
“That’s the understatement of the year.” Sophie grabbed her jacket. “Come on. We have two salads waiting for us with our names on them.”
They walked to Antonio’s and sat at a table near the window. Antonio took their order and Beth leaned back in her seat, sipping on a large glass of water with lemon debating on whether it would be too crazy to do yoga… then have a margarita. It just seemed wrong. No, she’d stick with water. “That was a good yoga session this evening.”
“It was. I’m glad we decided to take up yoga. I’m actually getting a bit better with it, I think.” Sophie reached for her water. “My balance is still ridiculous, though.”
Beth looked up and saw James Weaver making the rounds of the tables, talking to people. “Looks like James is already campaigning for mayor even though he hasn’t announced he’s running.”
“He hasn’t formally announced, but everyone knows he’s going to.” Sophie turned around and looked over to where James was shaking hands with a man at yet another table.
“Even though he’s only a few years older than us, for some reason he and Dobbs have become good friends. If he becomes mayor now that Manny had to step down, they’ll practically run the town. They’ll get everything their way, and only things they agree on will happen. If James had been mayor, I wonder if we’d have gotten the river walk. I like how Sweet River Falls still has its small-town feel, but really, the river walk was such a nice improvement, wasn’t it? Dobbs hated that it passed.”
“Dobbs does like to have his way. He’s been part of the town council for as long as I can remember. It will be a shame if James becomes mayor.” Sophie turned back around.
“No one else has said they were going to run.” Beth chewed her lip.
Sophie cocked her head. “I don’t like the sound of where this is going.”
“What? It’s not going anywhere. I’m just commenting. Someone should run against him.”
“Someone should.”
Beth laughed. “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t have time for that.”
She watched as James went to yet another table, shaking hands and laughing with the couple sitting there. He might not have declared himself, but it sure looked like he was campaigning.
“Beth… I don’t like that look on your face.”
She didn’t have time to be mayor. She had her boys and her job and the boy’s sports and her work at the lodge in the summer. Even thinking about it was crazy.
And she wasn’t crazy. Was she?
Sophie just looked at her from across the table and shook her head.
Chapter 20
Nick sat on the plane and stared out the window. Fluffy white clouds billowed into pillars alongside the plane. He munched on some kind of snack the stewardess had given him—the exact type of snack hadn’t even registered in his mind. They flew past towns nestled in the mountains looking like perfect miniatures below them.
Houston had given him an offer. A good offer. Oh, of course, he wouldn’t make as much as he did in private practice, but a good living. And he’d been impressed with their research facilities and excited to get started.
Yet he’d asked them to give him a few days before he gave them his answer. Which was crazy because it was just what he wanted.
But there was Annie to consider now. He couldn’t deny it any longer. He had feelings for her. But if he allowed himself to consider his feelings… where did that lead him? He’d be giving up the opportunity to do the research. To possibly help so many kids. It was selfish to give up the opportunity presented to him.
The stewardess came by to collect the plastic glasses and trash, and he put his tray in the upright position as instructed. He closed his eyes as they began their descent into Denver.
He had decisions to make. Hard ones.
Closing his eyes didn’t seem to he
lp. The choices danced before him, taunting him.
Annie looked at her phone for the hundredth time. She’d expected Nick to text her when he got back, but nothing. She straightened a stack of books and went back to the storeroom to get another bag of coffee beans.
“I’ve got things here if you want to leave.” Lindsey wiped at the counter at the coffee bar. “You’ve been pacing the store for the last hour or so.”
“No… I don’t really have anywhere to go. Just restless today, I guess.”
“Well, the offer stands. I could close for you.”
“Thanks, Lindsey, but I’m good. I think I’ll go up to the loft and get some work done.” She headed up the stairs, thankful to escape to the beautiful loft area. It was almost finished. She had the paperwork finished, ready to turn in to request the final inspection. She had just a few trim pieces to put up and do a final look around to make sure everything was set. Might as well do that now.
An order of lounge chairs and small tables was set to be delivered this week. She wanted plenty of seating up here. She’d ordered a long table for one wall and had put in extra electrical outlets for people to use to work and get internet. Everything was just as she’d imagined it. She’d be all set for the May Festival.
She carefully cut the last pieces of trim and trimmed out the last two windows. She stood back and looked at them in satisfaction. Her father had done a good job teaching her the tricks of making perfect corners with trim.
“They look great.”
She whirled around at the sound.
Nick stood in the middle of the loft. “Really good. The whole place looks nice. You did a great job.”
“We did a great job.” She smiled at him. “How did your interview go?” She couldn’t stand one more moment of chitchat, she had to know.
“It went… well. They offered me the position.”
Annie’s heart dropped, but she forced herself to recover and plastered on the most sincere smile she could manage, though she doubted it would fool Nick. “That’s great. I’m so happy for you. I know that’s what you really want to do. You’ll be able to help a lot of kids now.”
“I will.”
“When do you leave?”
“I leave the end of the first week of May. Right after classes are finished.”
A pang of disappointment stabbed her. “You’ll miss the May Festival and the grand opening of the loft. That’s a shame. You’ve worked so hard on it.”
He scowled. “I know, the timing is terrible. I hate missing the festival. I’ve been looking forward to it.”
“Well, some things are just not meant to be.” She wasn’t sure exactly what she was talking about. Wasn’t meant to be that Nick went to the May Festival? Wasn’t meant to be that there was anything between Nick and her?
Maybe Nora was right, though. She should at least tell him how she felt. Then, he could choose to do what he wanted. Choose his career again. Or maybe—
“Miss Annie. Miss Annie.” Connor came racing up the stairs. “Trevor is hurt. A car hit him. We were meeting Momma here. Help me.”
Terror gripped Annie’s heart. “Nick, come help him.” She grabbed Nick’s hand and started to hurry after Connor. Nick didn’t budge.
“Nick, Trevor needs you.” She tugged on Nick’s hand.
He stood frozen in place, a look of fear spread across his face. She reached up and slapped his chest with both her fists. “I need you. Please, Nick. It’s Beth’s son. Please.”
His eyes cleared, and he let her pull him down through the store and out onto the street. Annie didn’t know what was wrong with Nick or why he hesitated, but she didn’t really care right now. All she cared about was Trevor.
Nick raced across the street with Annie. He could see the boy lying in the street. A woman stood beside a car, crying and repeating, “I didn’t see him. I didn’t see him.”
“Get back, let Nick through. He’s a doctor.” Annie pushed her way through the onlookers.
He followed her and knelt beside the boy. Trevor opened his bright blue eyes, and Nick recognized the look. Pain. The boy was in pain. Those eyes were just like Billy’s had been. Trevor’s pain-filled eyes were more than he could handle. He halted, his hands shaking, and looked at Annie. He shook his head.
“Nick, I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you’re a doctor. You have the knowledge to help him. Please.” She whispered the words next to his ear and grabbed his arm.
He looked back at the boy, drawing on every reserve he had, disgusted with himself for his fear and indecision. This is what he’d become. But he wasn’t going to let Annie down. Or the boy. He sucked in a deep breath, trying to get oxygen into his lungs, into his brain, into his hands. Trying to function. “Okay, son. Let me check you out. You okay with that?”
“I hurt everywhere.” Trevor let out a sob.
“I’m sure you do. But you’ll be fine.” What was he doing making promises like that? He had no idea if the boy would be fine or not. Had he not learned anything from his mistakes?
Trevor closed his eyes.
Relief tiptoed in followed by guilt. It was easier for him to work with Trevor’s eyes closed, without his eyes beseeching him to make the pain go away.
After a quick exam, he was certain Trevor’s left arm was broken. Even he couldn’t doubt that diagnosis. He also had a probable concussion. He’d need a few stitches on a gash on that arm. A siren wailed in the distance. Thank goodness. The EMTs could take it from here. Trevor needed to be checked out thoroughly, and Nick didn’t trust his judgment and feared he’d miss something important.
The crowd parted and let the emergency workers through. They knelt beside Trevor.
“He needs to be checked for internal injuries and monitored for a probable concussion. Left arm—radius—appears to be broken. Laceration on his right arm.” And they should do any other test they could think of to make sure he was all right. “Don’t depend on my assessment, though.”
The EMT looked at him. “You a doctor?”
Nick just nodded. But he didn’t want them to depend on his findings. They needed to check the boy out thoroughly.
Annie was on her phone. “Yes, I’ll ride with him. Meet us at the hospital.”
“Nick, can you bring Connor to the hospital? We’ll meet Beth and Nora there. I’m going to ride with Trevor in the ambulance so he’s not alone.”
Annie and Connor came over to stand beside him. The older boy’s eyes were wide with fear.
“I told him not to cross in the middle of the street. We’re supposed to cross at the corners. He ran out between the cars. I should have stopped him.” Tears ran down the boy’s face.
“It’s not your fault, Connor. Don’t even think that.” Annie gave him a hug. “Nick?”
Nick kind of heard her, but couldn’t make himself respond.
“Nick.”
“What?” He tried to pull himself together.
“Will you drive Connor to the hospital?”
“Um, sure.” Though why she’d trust him with that responsibility was beyond any sane reasoning. No one should entrust their child to him.
Chapter 21
Nora rushed into the waiting room and right up to Annie, grabbing her hands. “Is he okay?”
“I’m not sure. He’s in the examining room now. Beth is with him.”
Nora raked her hair back from her face. “He has to be okay.”
“Nick was there and checked him out. Trevor does have a broken arm. And a pretty bad gash. Maybe a concussion. But Nick told the EMTs to check him for internal injuries and I don’t know what all.”
“Things can change in an instant, can’t they?” Deep lines of worry creased Nora’s face, and her eyes clouded with fear.
“He’s going to be okay. I feel it. I know it.” Annie wrapped her friend in a hug.
“Grams.” Connor pushed through the door of the waiting room, raced up to them, and threw himself in Nora’s arms.
“Sh. It’s okay.”
Nora held the boy and stroked his head.
“It’s all my fault. I should have stopped him. He ran into the street and that lady hit him with her car. It wasn’t her fault though. Trev wasn’t looking.”
“Connor, it’s not your fault. It was an accident.” Nora put her hands on Connor’s shoulders. “You understand? Don’t blame yourself.”
Nick followed in after Connor. “Any news?”
“Not yet. Beth is back with the doctors.”
“Connor, why don’t you come sit beside me and we’ll wait to hear from your mom?” Nora led Connor over to some chairs in the corner of the waiting room.
“You okay? You’re… well, you look really pale.” Annie stared at Nick.
“I’m fine. How are you holding up?” He shook his head, dismissing her concern.
“I just want Beth to come out here and say that Trevor will be okay. You think he’ll be okay, right?”
“I… just don’t know. I… couldn’t say.”
Annie didn’t like the look on his face. “Do you think something else is wrong?”
“I couldn’t make that call. He needs to be checked out.”
Beth came out into the waiting room, her face streaked with tears. Nora stood, rushed over, and gathered her daughter in her arms. “Is he okay?”
Beth nodded between sobs. “Yes, he’ll be okay. I’m sorry I’m crying. I’ve just been struggling to hold it together in there for Trevor and I’m just so grateful he’s going to be okay.”
Annie’s heart swelled with relief at the news that Trevor would be okay. She watched while her friend held her daughter and let her cry.
“It’s going to be fine. We’re all okay,” Nora said.
“He has to stay tonight. They want to monitor him for the concussion. He has a cracked rib and they need to set his broken arm. Stitches, too.”
“Poor little guy.” Nora pushed a lock of hair away from Beth’s face. “But the important thing is he’ll be okay.”
“Yes, that’s right. I was just so scared…”
