by Kate Hardy
“We’re on the same work schedule,” she commented, spotting Jack’s name on the schedule near hers.
“It’s not a coincidence,” he admitted, grinning. “Amy and you are purposely on the same schedule as mine. Didn’t see a reason to change it when Amy cancelled at the last minute. How else can I keep my promise if you and I are on different schedules?”
“How indeed?” At least she was guaranteed a friendly face during her shifts because Jack seemed to always smile. He was the most laidback person she’d encountered in a long time. Maybe ever. “Do most of the crew sleep or participate in the festival activities during their down time?”
“A mixture. Most take in a few concerts. But some hang around the camping area or leave the farm to check out local attractions.”
“Is that how you fell in love with the area?”
He hesitated a minute, then said, “Amy had a lot to do with that.”
If she’d had any doubt, there was her confirmation that there was something between her friend and Jack. She fought back a fresh twinge of disappointment that he was taken, reminded herself he was a doctor and she wasn’t interested anyway. Plus, she truly was pleased for Amy. She’d just met Jack and she already liked him.
“I’m happy for you.”
He stared at her a moment, then his eyes lit with surprise. “Not sure what Amy told you...” he chuckled as he continued “...but we’re just friends. I’m sure she feels the same.”
Heat flooded her face. Just friends. “Oh.”
“You thought she and I were more?”
Oh, good grief. Her face burned. Her ears burned. Could the ground just please open and swallow her now?
“Well, you did mention you were at her apartment,” she reminded him, trying to explain why she’d thought what she had.
“At a party she threw for a co-worker.” His eyes danced with merriment. “Nothing nearly as exciting as what you were imagining.”
“Too bad for you. Amy is a great catch.” All true, but even as she said it she had to remind herself yet again that she was not interested in becoming involved, especially not with someone in the same profession as Neil. No way.
“I agree,” Jack assured her. “Amy has been talking with my best friend for the past couple of weeks. Nothing would make me happier than if the two of them continue to hit it off.”
Amy hadn’t mentioned the best friend either. Had Taylor and her bestie really grown that far apart over the past few years? She’d been so wrapped up in trying to make her marriage work and ashamed of the situation in which she’d found herself that she’d not invested time into their friendship. Yet Amy had always been there any time Taylor had called, like when she’d finally filed for divorce.
Guilt hit her. She’d do better. Lots better. It had taken her the past year to build a foundation of who she was, who she wanted to be.
“So, nothing between the two of you?” she double-checked, just to be sure she’d understood correctly.
“Friendship.”
“I’m sorry.” She really was. Amy was the best person she knew and deserved the best of everything. Maybe Jack’s friend would prove to be worthy.
“I’m not.”
“Why’s that?” Her gaze locked with his and her breath caught. His eyes sparkled like sunshine dancing across lake water.
“Let’s just say—” he was looking at her as if she were the sweetest soda pop he’d ever wanted to taste “—I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
Awareness filled Taylor. Awareness that had nothing to with anything except good old-fashioned girl meets boy. Good grief. Her body didn’t seem to care about his taboo medical credentials and her ban against men.
Eek. Maybe she shouldn’t have been quite so ecstatic about her libido’s revival.
* * *
When Taylor’s brow lifted, her expression cautious, Jack chided himself for his admission. If he wasn’t careful, she was going to think he really was a stalker.
Was it considered stalking if her best friend had talked about her so much Jack had been looking forward to meeting her for weeks?
Longer.
She’d caught his eye years ago the first time he’d seen her photo. Something in her eyes, her smile had called to him. He’d been sad to learn she was married. When Amy had mentioned her divorced best friend was coming to work Rockin’ Tyme, he’d been intrigued, wondering if the real deal would intrigue him as much as her photo.
She did.
Taylor Hall was a beautiful woman. Thick almost platinum blonde hair, golden brown eyes, pouty lips, and a body he had to force himself not to think about. She was easily one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, but it was something in her eyes that had snagged his attention years ago and refused to let go even now that he’d met her in person.
He suspected that although her outside packaging was beautiful, the real beauty was hidden away like a secret treasure.
Jack introduced her to the crew, all of whom were friendly but really brightened when he told them she was Amy’s friend.
“Shame Amy’s not going to be here this year,” one said, giving her hand a hearty shake.
“Sorry to hear about her grandmother,” another commented.
Robert, a paramedic from a couple of counties away, grinned, stuck his hand out to Taylor, and eyed her in much the way Jack probably had.
“Tell me I’m the luckiest guy on the planet and you’re single?”
Jack’s gaze immediately shifted to Taylor’s to see how she’d respond to the man’s blatant flirting.
Eyes wide with surprise, she eyed him, then laughed softly. “I’m single.”
Looking upwards, Robert made a thankful gesture.
“But not looking for a music festival hook-up, if that’s what you mean by lucky.”
“A pity,” Robert said, eyeing her with a huge grin. “You and I could have had a lot of fun.”
Jack liked the paramedic, but currently he wanted to throttle the guy. “Ignore Robert. The sun gets to him real quick and he talks out of his head.”
Taylor laughed. “That explains a lot.”
“Besides, certain staff interactions aren’t encouraged.”
Robert eyed Jack as if he’d grown an extra head, and no wonder. “Never heard of it being discouraged, not here.”
There had been romances pop up between staff. Jack himself had met a few interesting women over the years that he’d enjoyed getting to know. But he didn’t want Robert having the wrong idea about Taylor.
She was off limits.
Next thing you knew, Jack was going to be beating his chest and acting like a fool. Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Okay, Casanova, back off and let me introduce her to Duffy.”
He and Duffy had worked numerous events together and he genuinely liked the fifty-something travel nurse who craved adventure almost as much as Jack.
“Duffy Reynolds is who you need to see if you have questions and I’m not around.”
“Or you could ask me,” Robert volunteered, earning a glare from Jack. “I’d be happy to help with any questions. Or to give a tour of the grounds.”
Glancing toward Jack first, Taylor smiled at Duffy and ignored Robert’s comment. “Nice to meet you.”
Once he’d shown her their “twenty-bed” operation, he asked, “You checked out the stages?”
She shook her head. “When I arrived, I went straight to the main medical tent, registered, then came here.”
“You camping?”
She nodded. “Amy and I had planned to tent together with maybe a trip to her place for showers and refreshing ourselves if the shower lines were too long. I’m camping solo now.”
“Don’t let Robert hear you say that or he’ll offer to share his tent.”
Her gaze lifted. “He was just teasing.”
> “Don’t you believe it,” Jack warned. “You so much as give him a smile and he’s going to be all over you in hopes of a festival fling. If that’s not what you want, steer clear.”
“Noted.”
Jack eyed her a moment, waiting for her to elaborate or say something further. “Is that what you want, Taylor?”
“A fling with Robert?” She shook her head. “I came to spend time with my best friend, not to have a fling.”
“That’ll make my job of keeping you safe easier.”
“He’s dangerous?”
Feeling guilty he’d given her that impression, Jack shook his head. “No. Just making sure I keep my promise to Amy to watch out for you. She wouldn’t be happy if I let someone break your heart while you’re here.”
“There is that,” she agreed, studying him. Smiling, Taylor’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re way more dangerous than Robert ever thought of being?”
He laughed. Yep, she was onto him.
“Come on, let’s walk around the grounds before it gets too crowded. People will be pouring in over the next twenty-four hours as this party gets started.”
* * *
Taylor had to admit she was impressed at the organization of the event. There were three main stages and several smaller ones. The five-night event offered everything from big-name pop stars to small-time local bands hoping to make it big someday. There were huge rows of food vendors and a shopping village made up of tents offering their wares. There was a comedy tent, a dance party tent, sponsored by a popular music television station, and a dozen more entertainment tents. Some tents were huge commercial numbers with electricity and some having generator-run air-conditioners even. And people. People were everywhere.
“It already looks crowded,” she mused, taking in the multitude checking out their surroundings prior to the first show kicking off. “How many more are expected?”
“They’re expecting about a hundred thousand attendees. By this time tomorrow night this place will be packed.”
Taylor nodded. She’d expected most of the festival-goers to be college-aged kids. Most were, but there was a huge variety of ages represented, even some young parents with two or three kids in tow and some who appeared to be older than Taylor’s parents.
“Most of what we’ll see in the medical tent will be dehydration and intoxication, but there’s always a mix of other things thrown in just to keep things interesting.”
Taylor knew security screened for drugs, but that where there was a will there was a way. Amy had told about some of the patients they’d seen over the years. Unfortunately, there had been a few overdose deaths.
“From what Amy’s told me, boredom shouldn’t be an issue.”
He laughed. “Boredom is what I hope for at these events.”
Taylor glanced his way. “Oh?”
“Boredom means everyone is having fun with no worries.”
“Ah.” Glancing out over the happy, energetic crowd, she nodded. “Then that’s what I’m going to hope for, too. Boredom.”
But glancing toward the man walking beside her, who was telling her about the different tents and upcoming acts as they made their way over to the main medical tent, Taylor suspected boredom was the last word she’d be using to describe the next few days.
Copyright © 2019 by Janice Lynn
ISBN-13: 9781488048104
A Nurse and a Pup to Heal Him
First North American Publication 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Pamela Brooks
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