Darling's Desire

by T. D. Hassett

  Chapter 7

  Darling headed back to the center of town, crossing her fingers that the pharmacy would be open so early on a Saturday morning. It was only eight thirty, but she couldn’t wait anymore. She had menstrual cramps, bloating, and a headache that was killing her. She’d felt too crappy to eat the country breakfast Madison had whipped up for everybody that morning. It had been almost impossible to keep from running straight from the breakfast room when he walked in all tousled hair and tight jeans. He hadn’t put a shirt on, and she couldn’t help but admire the tattoos covering his upper arms and chest. He looked all man. A spattering of hair covered his broad chest, and slabs of muscle flexed as he moved toward the coffeepot. Zach had been skinny and pale with the chest of a young boy. She shook the enticing thoughts away.

  One thing Ross had been right about was Link and Madison’s son getting them up at the crack of dawn. His shrieks echoed through the high-ceilinged house. They had tried to keep the baby quiet, but it was no use. Once she’d woken up, Darling knew her time of the month had come on strong, and there would be no going back to sleep. At least the pain distracted her from feeling like too much of an idiot. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed Ross. What the hell had she been thinking? His wife had died not that long ago, and there she was leaning into him and enjoying his taste, his strong arms, his smell. He had the intoxicating scent of cinnamon, mint, and something all his own that she wanted to absorb. Ugh, she was such a fiend. She should never have drunk that much wine; it made her way too bold. That and her anger at Zack calling. She’d made a fool of herself for sure in front of Ross, tearing up over a boy and then kissing Ross like that just hours later. Thankfully he would be leaving Sunday afternoon, and she’d likely never see him again.

  She parked her car in the practically empty lot and exhaled a sigh of relief upon seeing the OPEN FOR BUSINESS sign displayed in the pharmacy window. The door chimed as it opened to the small mom-and-pop drugstore. The pharmacy counter was at the back of the store, and the rows neatly contained the usual toiletries, sundries, tablets, and tonics. There were a couple other customers out shopping during the early morning. A cashier at the front and a lone pharmacist in the back made up the store’s staff. She checked a couple aisles before she found the sort of feminine painkillers and products she was on the lookout for.

  She heard two men talking in the next aisle. “Hey, Doc, I gotta tell you our baby girl is doing fabulous, and we owe it all to you.” The young man in khaki shorts and a blue golf shirt was talking to another young guy in jeans and a Uniontown Warriors T-shirt. T-shirt Man nodded his head. “I’m just glad the delivery went okay and everybody’s doing well. Heck, your wife did all the work.” He laughed at his little joke and headed toward the back of the store.

  Darling snatched up three products and followed T-shirt Man to the back checkout. He was chatting with the pharmacist, and when their conversation paused, she worked up the nerve to blurt out her question. “Can you tell me which of these would be best for heavy bloating, cramps, and…well, a headache that makes me want my eyeballs to explode?” She dropped her packages on the counter, looking at the doctor expectantly. His face started turning a bit red; he coughed awkwardly.

  The female pharmacist bit down on her lip and shook her head. Darling couldn’t figure out what was wrong with people in this town. It was a simple question. Finally the T-shirt-clad man cleared his throat and said, “For something like this I would talk to the pharmacist here.” He gave a quick wave and abruptly turned and headed out the exit.

  Darling glanced at the now laughing pharmacist, a woman about her age with dark red hair and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Her pale skin was turning pink from her mirth. “Look, I just want to know which one of these to buy if one’s better than the other?” Darling asked, beginning to get annoyed with the townies of Uniontown.

  The pharmacist took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh at you. It’s just I think you embarrassed poor Matt, and he’s my boyfriend, so that makes it extra funny to me.”

  Darling more confused than ever asked, “How can I embarrass a doctor asking about menstrual products?”

  “Because Matt Whitaker’s not really a doctor. He’s one of the town firemen and a paramedic. He just happened to deliver a baby that arrived faster than her folks could get to the hospital, so folks nicknamed him ‘Doc.’” Now the pharmacist was in a full giggle.

  Realization dawned on Darling. She felt ridiculous. How stupid she must’ve appeared. She had to laugh at herself, which was about the only thing that morning that made her cramps feel any better. “Oh my God, when I heard that man call him Doc and talk about delivering the baby, I just assumed, you know—obstetrician. I’m such an idiot.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s not like the whole town isn’t going to find out about it once Matt gets back to the firehouse and tells the tale. Ha! They’re all a bunch of gossips; you might as well have worn a shirt labeled, ‘I have PMS.’” She smiled and selected one of the boxes on the counter. “I’d go with this one. It will help with the bloating, and the acetaminophen is for the pain. Hopefully that combo will make you feel at least a little bit human.”

  “Thank you. I’ll try anything if it helps this. It’s miserable this month.”

  “No problem. Although, you may want to consider asking your doctor about going on the pill without breaks so that you wouldn’t have any periods if it’s that bad.” The young woman tilted her head sideways and looked Darling up and down a bit. “You’re Darling Roberts. You used to live here in the summers when you were a kid, huh?”

  “Yeah, how do you know me?” Darling waited with a slight smile on her face.

  “I’m Carrie, Carrie Reynolds. We always used to play together in the summer. My folks owned the grocery store here and the one in Granby. You and I used to go to the day camp in town, and we’d get a candy from my folks’ shop while we waited for your mom to pick you up. Wow, you just look so much the same, only grown up now.”

  “Carrie? Yes, I remember you. You dared me to go into the walk-in freezer at your parents’ store, and when I got all the way in, you locked it and made me swear you were the prettiest girl in the whole town before you’d let me out. I always got in trouble when we hung out.” Darling had to smile at Carrie’s raised eyebrows and wicked grin. “Oh my, and now you’re a pharmacist here, dating the fireman I just humiliated myself in front of, and you’re assuring me that the whole town is going to find out I have really bad menstrual issues. I guess you’re still a little bit of a hellion.” Darling finally paused to take in a breath.

  “Oh, there are a few ladies in this town who would give me a run for my money. Who knows, you might be one of them. I had heard your house was being cleaned out and put on the market so hadn’t really expected to see you here. At least not until June Bailey over at the grocery mentioned someone had come in buying a whole bunch of supplies and what not, and here you are.” Carrie nodded before ringing up her bottle of Midol.

  “Yes. I’ll be here at least through the summer. I’m just trying to figure out what to do with the house. I guess you heard about what happened.” Darling waited, watching several different expressions flit across Carrie’s face. She knew she was onto something when her childhood nemesis blew out a breath, sending a tendril of her hair out of her face.

  “Well, which version of what happened should we go with?” Her former childhood friend smiled mischievously. “The house is considered cursed. Your mom was last seen there, and that hasn’t left people’s memories. I also heard your grandmother was pushed off the balcony by some evil spirit that haunts the house. Then Carl Jenkins goes over to check on the dock, only to turn up at the top of the driveway, having fallen on his screwdriver a couple of times.” She paused dramatically before leaning closer to continue. “The more grisly version is that his corpse had been mutilated by the killer or eaten by coyotes. But the latest word is that now you’ve come
to stay with a few friends who are all some rock ’n’ roll people, having wild group sex and crazy parties with drugs at the lake house. Would it be one of those stories you thought I might’ve heard?”

  “I guess gossip is still a way of life around here. I should point out that the sheriff still hasn’t ruled Mr. Jenkins’ death anything other than a horrible accident, and my grandmother was a woman with poor balance in her eighties. A fall from a balcony isn’t all that odd; she could have been trying to fill the bird feeders and slipped.”

  Carrie paused, raised one arched brow, and threw Darling’s purchase in a small plastic bag. “Don’t worry about the small-town talk. It just gives people around here something to pass the time with. Maybe in a couple of days when you’re feeling a little less bloated and miserable, you and I can go out for a couple of beers and give them all something new to talk about.” Carrie swiped Darling’s credit card and finished ringing up her purchase. It was nice to know there was at least one friendly face in this town. Though Carrie was obviously still a bit wild. Then again, Darling hadn’t been out in so long she readily agreed and swapped phone numbers. After all, Madison and company would be leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Europe, and she’d be on her own again.

  Chapter 8

  Darling rolled her eyes again at Madison’s anxious tone. “Maddie, I’ve taken care of babies before. You and Link go enjoy a romantic dinner out, and little William and I will have dinner, play a few games, and cuddle up in front of some cartoons.”

  “I know he’ll be fine with you. I just feel bad leaving you here all by yourself. I mean, Ross will be off to some bar.” Madison’s lips parted as she deftly applied some eyeliner under both of her eyes and turned back from the mirror to her friend. “Too much?” she asked about her makeup job.

  “You look beautiful; you always look gorgeous. Have a wonderful night and quit fussing.” Darling looked over to Will, who was busy stacking blocks just outside the large bathroom door. He seemed such a happy toddler with his ready smile and chubby cheeks.

  Madison dropped her cosmetics into the bag and turned toward her son. “You gonna be a good little baby for Auntie Darling, aren’t you, Will?”

  He gurgled in response and clapped a couple of giant Legos together happily. “Okay, daddy is waiting downstairs.” Darling followed Madison down the flight of stairs into the open family room where Link and Ross sat facing each other on couches, each lazily sipping a bottle of beer. Both men rose politely at the sight of the girls coming down the stairs with baby William.

  Link was the first to speak. “Baby, you look amazing. I think I might be a little underdressed in jeans tonight.”

  Madison gushed prettily and kissed her husband with a quick brush of the lips.

  All eyes turned to Ross as if he was supposed to be speaking, and he shuffled a bit to the side awkwardly.

  “Oh yeah, um, Darling, you look real pretty too.” He took a hasty swig of his beer and sat back down.

  Crap, did he say something about our kiss on the dock last night? She really didn’t need her friends to know how foolish she’d been.

  “Last chance. You sure you got this? You’re not going to be bored and all staying by yourself with Will?” Madison turned from Darling and reached for her purse by the table at the front door.

  “No. I’m fine. You and Link go have that nice dinner and get away from this little one for a while.” She turned to her other guest. “Ross, there’s live music usually playing at the Melody Bar and Grill right at the center of town. Just take the car keys from the hook by the door.” Darling bounced Will on her hip a bit and cooed into his ear, making funny faces. She was looking forward to having the baby to herself for a little while. Link and Madison gave him quick kisses, reassuring him they’d be back soon, and he barely fussed at all, merely grunted a “Ma-ma” as his parents went out the door.

  “So what are you and the little squirt having for dinner?” Ross asked.

  “I hadn’t really thought about that. I suppose I could make some chicken picata, and I’ve got fresh asparagus that would be wonderful.” Darling put the baby down on the floor and pushed his little wooden train on wheels closer to him to occupy his attention for a moment.

  “Asparagus and chicken something? You ever feed a baby before?” He paused, putting his drink down. “Darlin’, babies don’t eat stuff like that.” Ross ran his hand through his hair, exasperation showing as he shook his head.

  “Well, I’m sure I can find something. Besides how come you’re some kind of baby expert? You don’t even have kids.” Darling walked toward the open kitchen area and poked through the refrigerator.

  “None I know about, anyway,” Ross quipped before adding, “Just kidding.” He followed her into the kitchen. “But I did practically raise my three younger brothers, and I can assure you when they get to this age, they don’t even have enough teeth to really be eating meats like that. You have to chop it up really fine. Or you just make something simple.” Ross began looking into the cabinets as if they were both on some sort of scavenger hunt.

  “Don’t worry about it. I can whip up some nice baked macaroni and cheese for Will and I. Go on out and enjoy the action at the Melody. I’m sure it will be a lot more fun than hanging around watching Sponge Bob.” She reached for the corkscrew pasta and set a pan to fill with water.

  “Well, how about I help you with the dinner thing since I need to eat and all. Besides, it’s a bit too early to hit the bar. I may not go out at all since I have a couple of books I’m skimming through.” Ross reached past her, gently brushing against her arm with his own as he turned on the rear gas burner, bringing small blue flames to life. Darling felt a little tingle of desire from the casual contact. She ripped the box open with more force than necessary, sending dried noodles clattering across the counter.

  “You a little nervous in the kitchen there, Uptown?” he said with a knowing smirk.

  Darling squared her shoulders and poured the macaroni into the pot of water. Damn cowboy. He knows his effect on women. She wished he would just get on with his night and leave her alone. She was much less crampy compared to this morning but still in a mood.

  “I just need a little more room in here. I have to get the cheese melted and toast breaded for breadcrumbs.”

  William toddled into the kitchen clapping his Legos together; the distraction seemed to stop Ross from whatever he looked about to say. He turned toward the little boy and gathered him up into his arms. “Little man, you’re quite the drummer. How about you and me get out of the little woman’s way and go practice together?” Baby Will slapped his Lego blocks faster as if excited by the upcoming music session. Ross carried him back to the couch only to return a moment later and grab a couple of old cast-iron pots from under the stove.

  Darling grated the cheese and added it to a saucepan with some milk and set it on low. With the butter melting she was feeling more in control. Okay, it was Ross’ presence out of her kitchen that was letting her think straight. At least until the banging started. She glanced out toward the family room to see Ross and Will each beating on her grandma’s pots with drumsticks, Ross trying to teach the baby a simple rhythm with little success. It was too much noise, but at least the baby was laughing and not crying. And better still—Ross’ sexy self was not hovering around her, sending her hormones into double time.

  Chapter 9

  Damn, that woman smelled good. And he was enjoying getting her riled up far more than he should. Heck, he’d be hopping on a plane with the rest of the group tomorrow afternoon, so he shouldn’t even be thinking about pretty blondes with perfectly darling names. But sure enough, he caught himself looking over at her as she whisked something in a pot on the stove. Baby Will was pounding away on their makeshift drum set; he even showed signs of having a little bit of rhythm.

  Ross liked kids although he and his late wife never got around to even talking about having some. Seemed like everyone he knew was popping out a baby these days. His brothers
each had a couple; even his lackwit nineteen-year-old brother Gary had stupidly become a father too young. Yet another mess in his family his money was smoothing over. He’d send money to the mother and get a trust set up, because however well-meaning his brother was now, he knew that the boy would never come up to scratch and do right.

  “Dinner is on, boys,” Darling called.

  “Okay, little man, we’ve been summoned.” Ross led the baby in to the table, little Will clutching his hands and toddling along unsteadily.

  Darling had set out plates of steaming macaroni and cheese, glasses of cold milk, and folded paper napkins for each of them. It looked downright domestic. He shook his head trying to remember ever eating such an intimate family-style meal with Lisa and couldn’t recall anything that even came close.

  “Up you go; let’s get you buckled in your seat,” Darling cooed to the boy while she struggled to get the safety straps sorted out. Ross watched for a minute before intervening. She really didn’t know much about kids.

  “You must have been an only child.” He pulled the plate out of reach. “You can’t just let him grab at that food; it’s too hot still. You have to mix in some of the cold milk to cool it down and make it creamier for the kid. And here, let me get that, it snaps at the chest, see?” He took over the high-chair harness and mixed the macaroni. Darling stood back a few feet, a scowl etched onto her pretty face. He was trying hard not to laugh at how cute she looked all disgruntled.

  “Aren’t you leaving for a night out soon?” she asked, tapping her foot on the wood floor.

  “Nah, changed my plans. I’m having far too much fun keeping this little guy alive under your care.”

  “Oh, please!” she snapped with a roll of her eyes. “I can do this, I’m not an idiot.”