by Jennie Marts
Cassie turned to the man in scrubs and smiled sweetly. “Sorry about my friend, she left her manners in her other purse.” Or in Edna’s case, her other bra. “Can you help us find a doctor?”
He sighed. “I am a doctor.”
Edna laughed. “Good try, buttercup. Now, why don’t you run along back to high school and help us get a real doctor in here.”
“I am a real doctor.” He waved his stethoscope in the air. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to administer some stitches to your friend here.”
Edna held up her hands. “All right, all right. You’re a real doctor. You don’t have to get all touchy about it.”
“Yeah, he gets that a lot,” Sunny explained.
“It’s his baby face,” Maggie added. She lay still as the baby-faced doctor cleaned her wound. “So, um, doctor, can you please tell me if you know anything about Jeremy Rogers? He was brought in a little bit ago with a gun-shot wound.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know much. I know he’s in surgery with Dr. Holliday, and I’m sure he’ll take good care of him.”
“Dr. Holliday? The veterinarian? He’s a people doctor too?”
The doctor chuckled. “No, the veterinarian is Dr. Holliday’s brother. I assure you the man operating on your boyfriend is a real surgeon.”
Geez. Small towns.
##
An hour later, the Pleasant Valley Page Turners sat in the family waiting room, anxiously anticipating the arrival of the surgeon with news about Jeremy.
Sunny had called Jake to update him. He was still at Jeremy’s, dog-sitting and waiting for the police to finish clearing the scene. He reported that Chewie seemed fine after the recent drama and had since eaten a coaster and half a throw pillow.
Drew and Dylan had shown up with a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt for their mom so she could change out of her blood-stained clothes. She now sat between Sunny and Cassie, her face scrubbed clean of makeup and a white bandage on her forehead.
Dr. Baby-face had given her some ibuprofen and instructions to take it easy for a few days, but an otherwise clean bill of health. She nervously tapped her fingernail against the wooden arm of the chair, noting a chip in the polish. She would take it easy when she knew Jeremy was okay.
Maggie sighed in frustration. “I just wish Dr. Holliday would come out and tell us something already.”
Drew leaned over and whispered to Piper. “Why is she waiting for the veterinarian?”
Piper shushed him. “The veterinarian is his brother. Dr. Holliday is the one working on Jeremy.”
The door of the waiting room opened, and the surgeon entered. All the members of the book club and Maggie’s sons stood up to hear the news.
Why they all stood up was a mystery. Maybe because when you get bad news, you’re supposed to sit down. If Maggie were standing, it was one more safeguard that the doctor would only deliver good news.
The doctor cleared his throat. “Good evening. I’m Dr. Holliday.”
Maggie held her breath, hanging on the doctor’s next words.
“And your friend, Jeremy, is going to be fine.”
The room released a cheer of joy, and Maggie sank into the chair, holding her hand to her mouth and letting out a sob.
The doctor continued: “The bullet went clear through and narrowly missed any vital organs. We had to open him up to determine if there was any internal bleeding. He’s going to be in some pain and needs to stay in the hospital for the next several days, but barring any unforeseen complications, he should make a full recovery.”
Maggie stood to shake the doctor’s hand. “Thank you so much. We really appreciate everything you did for him. When can I see him?”
“They’ve moved him to a recovery room on the second floor. It will be awhile before he wakes up, but you can sit with him until he does.” The doctor looked around the room full of people. “But only one at a time for now.”
Sunny pulled Maggie into a hug. “I told you he’d be fine. I’ve been telling you for years that if you’d just listen to me, I’m always right.” She smiled at her friend. “You go on up. We’ll be down here when you need us.”
Maggie hugged her. All she wanted right now was to be there for Jeremy when he needed her.
##
A door slammed down the hall from the hospital room, and Maggie jumped. She had been sitting in the chair next to Jeremy’s bed for the last hour, holding his hand and watching him sleep.
Jeremy’s eyes fluttered open, and he looked around the room. “Maggie?”
She leaned forward, hesitantly touching his shoulder. “Hey, Jeremy. I’m here.”
He took a deep breath and his eyes cut to the bandage on her forehead. “Are you okay?”
Leave it to Jeremy to take a bullet and then ask if she was okay. She smiled reassuringly. “Yes, I’m fine. Couple of stitches is all.”
“And Edna and Charlotte? Are they okay?”
Maggie nodded. “Edna’s fine. She’s in the best shape of all of us. They brought Charlotte down here and treated her for abrasions. She was pretty bruised up and a little dehydrated from being in the trunk all day. They gave her some fluids and bandaged her wrists and released her several hours ago. She said something about spending the rest of the night soaking in a bathtub with a book.”
Jeremy smiled. “That sounds like her. She loves to read. Maybe you guys could ask her to join your book club.”
Maggie gave him a look.
He grinned. “Too soon?”
“Not if you want to get shot again.”
Jeremy laughed, then held his side. “Wow. That really hurts.” He looked down at his bandages. “I know I’m supposed to be a big, tough guy and all that, but holy crap! That is some serious pain.”
Maggie poured him a glass of water and handed it to him. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Don’t ever leave me again.” His voice was soft and sincere, all kidding set aside.
Tears filled Maggie’s eyes as she looked down at him. She shook her head. “I won’t. I should have stayed that day. I should have given you a chance to explain. I should have trusted you.”
He reached for her hand, his voice thick with emotion. “Maggie, I create mind games for a living, but I don’t play them. Especially with you. This gunshot hurts, but it’s nothing compared to the pain of losing you. It broke my heart when I thought I’d lost you.”
Tears fell freely down her cheeks. “You didn’t lose me. I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
He reached up to touch her cheek, wiping away her tears. “Maggie, you mean everything to me. I am completely, madly, crazy in love with you.”
Maggie swallowed and squeezed his hand. “I love you, too, Jeremy.” She leaned down and laid a kiss gently on his lips.
His hand came up and fisted in her hair, dragging her mouth deeper against his. She kissed him back, fiercely and with all the emotion she could pour into one kiss.
He groaned, and she pulled back. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to ever hurt you again. I still can’t believe you were shot.”
Jeremy smiled and waved his hand. “Ahh, this is nothing. It’s just a flesh wound.” He winked at her. “Besides, I heard that chicks dig guys with scars.”
Chapter Twenty-five
It was a crisp Sunday morning. Maggie and Jeremy sat on her deck, enjoying a cup of coffee. It had been two weeks since the shooting, and the feel of fall was in the air.
Maggie pulled the plaid blanket tighter across their laps. She heard the tap of toenails and looked up to see Barney step out on the deck and give a bewildered look to the giant dog that was lying in his bed.
Actually, it was more like Chewie was lying on the bed, since his big body completely engulfed the smaller dog’s cushion. Barney tentatively pawed at Chewie, emitting a little whine, then curled up against the larger dog’s side, resting his head on his paws.
“Aww, aren’t they sweet?” Maggie tilted her face up
to Jeremy’s. “Have you decided if you’re keeping him or not?”
Jeremy chuckled. “Oh, I think that was decided the first day I brought him home. I’ve never seen myself as a dog person before, but now I really like having the big guy around. When he isn’t eating my household furnishings, he’s quite good company. And he amuses me.”
Maggie grinned. “I knew you were keeping him.” Her voice took on a more serious tone. “And how about the other one? Are you keeping her?”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing you mean Charlotte?”
Maggie nodded.
“She has agreed to stay on through the launch of the new system, but she is looking for another job. She’s expressed interest in moving to Seattle, and I told her I would give her a recommendation and do what I could to place her in another company.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy.”
Maggie looked into Jeremy’s eyes. He was a nice guy. And he was her nice guy. After the last few weeks, she was certain that Jeremy was the man for her. He really was someone she could trust.
Maggie had taken the last few weeks off work to be with Jeremy. She wanted to take care of him, bring him soup, and plump up his pillows. Whatever he needed, she wanted to provide.
They had spent hours talking, laughing and sometimes crying. But they had passed their time together and she knew that with him was where she wanted to be.
If falling in love was one of life’s games, she finally felt ready to get back on the field and participate again. Whether they were tossing a basketball on the court or immersed in a battle in a virtual world of computer characters, she knew she wanted Jeremy on her team.
On her team. As her partner. Having Jeremy by her side, she now saw her future with him as a game she couldn’t wait to play.
The End
Turn the page to read a preview of the next exciting book in the Page Turners series, Just Another Maniac Monday. This one is Edna’s story and you won’t want to miss this new adventure! http://amzn.com/B00KUSWE7Y
OTHER BOOKS BY JENNIE MARTS
Just Another Maniac Monday
Book 3 in the Page Turners Series
On Amazon
On Amazon UK
Another Saturday Night and I Ain’t Got No Body
Book 1 of the Page Turners Series
On Amazon
On Amazon UK
Be the first to find out when the newest Page Turners Novel is releasing and hear all the latest news and updates happening with the Pleasant Valley Page Turners Book Club by signing up for the newsletter at:
jenniemarts.com
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review!
Acknowledgements
There are so many people involved in producing a book and each one deserves my thanks.
First and foremost, I must thank my husband, Todd, for always supporting me and his consistent belief in my success. His steadfast love and strength keeps me going and I appreciate every night that he’s walked into the house and found me bent over my laptop, still in my pajamas and kindly offered to make supper. I owe my sons, Tyler and Nick, my gratitude for always listening to new plot ideas and marketing strategies and for making all of their friends purchase my books.
I have so many wonderful women who give up their time and expertise to proofread and edit my books. My undying thanks go out to: Linda Kay, Joelle Whinnery, Terry Gregson, Jean Slane, Lee Cumba, Julie Feuerbach and Carla Albers.
I have been blessed with an amazing group of writers who support each other and offer me their opinions and encouragement. My thanks go out to Lana Williams, Anne Eliot, Cindi Madsen, Marla Bell, the Pikes Peak Romance Writers, and the Colorado Indie Authors. Special thanks goes out to Michelle Major who has offered me countless hours of advice, encouragement, accountability, and a friendship that means the world to me.
Thanks to Arran McNicol of Editing 720 for his superb editing skills.
Finally, my books would not be complete without the incredible work done by The Killion Group on my covers and formatting. Thanks so much to Kim Killion and Jennifer Jakes for their advice, their fast and efficient work and their incredible creative talents that make my covers and marketing material look amazing. You girls rock!
About the Author
Jennie Marts loves to make readers laugh as she weaves stories filled with love, friendship and intrigue. She’s the author of the Kindle Bestselling romantic comedy, Another Saturday Night and I Ain’t Got No Body. Reviewers call her book “laugh out loud” funny and full of great characters that are “endearing and relatable.”
She writes from the mountains of Colorado where she lives with her husband, two sons, a parakeet, and a golden retriever named Cooper. Jennie enjoys being a member of (RWA) Romance Writers of America, the Pikes Peak Chapter of RWA, and Pikes Peak Writers.
Jennie is addicted to Diet Coke and adores Cheetos. She loves playing volleyball and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes or friends.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books , or Twitter at @JennieMarts.
Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and subscribe to her newsletter for the latest on new releases and to find out the current happenings with the Pleasant Valley Page Turners.
Just Another Maniac Monday
Chapter 1
Edna Allen grumbled as she pushed her ancient bones off the sofa and crossed the living room, her slippered feet slapping the floor with each step. Mondays were her lazy days, and even though it was close to noon, she was still in her pajamas and quite engrossed in her morning shows. Whoever was ringing her doorbell was interrupting the spinning of the prize wheel.
Her mind was busy calculating the difference between the current value of a vacuum cleaner versus a washing machine when she absently opened the front door. The remote control slipped from her hand and hit the floor as she took in the sight on her front stoop. Holding a red rose in one hand and a small dog tucked into the crook of his arm stood a ghost.
He looked like a man, but the man he resembled was dead. He had died a long time ago. Or maybe she was dead. Maybe she had stroked out between the bonus round and the Showcase Showdown and this was heaven. Maybe heaven was really just watching game shows in your pajamas all day and having the love of your life appear suddenly on your doorstep.
Except she didn’t feel dead. As a matter of fact, she could feel her heart beating strong and quick, threatening to pound free of her sunken chest.
And he sure didn’t look dead. In fact, he looked pretty good in a gray three-piece suit, his skin tanned and his once blond hair now pure white. Beyond his shoulder, Edna could see old Mr. Ferguson mowing his lawn and she knew there was no way that old coot would ever make it into heaven, so either she was still alive or there was a worse alternative.
If she was still alive, then Johnny Collins was really standing on her doorstep.
A hundred memories flooded her mind. She had dreamt of this moment a thousand times. She’d planned a hundred scenarios of what she would do. What she would say. But none of those clever thoughts came to mind as she opened her mouth to speak. “What in the Sam-Hill are you doing here?”
The ghost chuckled softly, the familiar twinkle in his crystal blue eyes. “You haven’t changed a bit, Eddy.”
Edna’s knees threatened to buckle at the familiar nickname that only one man had ever called her. “Of course I’ve changed. And more than a bit. The last time you saw me, I was a young girl. Now I’m an old woman. It’s been almost sixty years since you’ve seen me.”
“It feels like yesterday,” he said. “You look as beautiful as the first day I met you.”
Heat warmed her cheeks as she took in the sight of the first man she had ever loved. He stood around six feet tall and was well dressed. A satin square of royal-blue handkerchief poked from his breast pocket and the color matched his eyes. The eyes that had looked into hers and pledged to love her until the day h
e died. And she thought he had.
She blinked, tears filling her eyes. “Johnny? Is it really you?”
He nodded, a slow bob of his head, never taking his eyes off of hers. “Yes, it’s me. I’m really here.”
Choking back the emotion welling in her throat, she shook her head in wonder. “I thought you were dead.”
“I know. That’s what I wanted everyone to think.” His expression turned deeply sad for just a moment, then the charming smile returned as he tipped his head. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Edna wiped at the stray tear on her face and narrowed her eyes. “I haven’t decided yet.”
She nodded at the small dog under his arm. He was a cute little guy with big brown eyes and brown and white spotted fur. She recognized the breed as a Jack Russell terrier, but only because the dog looked similar to the one on Frasier. “What’s with the dog?”
He looked down at the pup and laughed. “I’m not sure. He found me a year or so ago and adopted me. No matter where I go, I can’t seem to shake him.”
She took a step back and motioned for him to come inside. Reaching out her hand, she brushed his arm as he passed. He felt real. And the moist slobber, where the dog had licked her outstretched hand, was definitely real.
The man walked into the center of the room and set the dog on the hardwood floor. Edna’s home was a sprawling ranch style with a full basement. The living room was large, with a hallway leading to three bedrooms. A tall archway led into a generous-sized kitchen with a big center island separating the cooking area from the dining area. An antique china hutch sat against the wall behind a round farmhouse table with chairs for six.
Depending on where you stood, you could see between the living room and kitchen. Edna had her television placed against the wall so if she were standing at the kitchen counter, she’d still see her shows. She had to turn the volume up loud enough for the neighbors to hear it, but she didn’t give two hoots what the neighbors thought.
