Lucky in Love on Hound Island

by Karice Bolton

  “So the kiss?” I asked.

  “It was awkward and unwanted on so many levels.” He smiled. “I was taken aback by the whole thing. She actually lives in Chicago so I never expected to see her.”

  “Your brother seemed amused,” I teased.

  “I’m sure he was.” Billy slowed at the terminal and rolled down his window to hand over the ticket.

  The timing was perfect, and we drove right onto the already-loading ferry.

  “We haven’t ever slept together if that’s what you’re wondering.”

  I nearly choked on my own breath. “I wasn’t sitting here asking myself that question. No.” But I might have asked it several other times. “But I’m glad you cleared that up.”

  He turned off the car and shifted in his seat to see me better as the ferry took off for Fireweed Island.

  “I know I sound all over the place when it comes to dating.” His eyes searched mine for understanding. “But the truth is, I don’t do it much. I’ve been so busy growing my business, I haven’t made it a priority.”

  “Is that all there is behind not wanting to date?”

  Pain etched his features and my chest tightened.

  “Yeah. Pretty much.”

  He might always be the happy-go-lucky guy around his friends, but I could sense there was a lot more behind his expression and his reason for keeping dating light or nonexistent as he claimed.

  “I guess where I’m going with all this is that I enjoy your company. Being around you is fun; it’s refreshing, even when you’re the walking wounded.”

  “But?”

  “There’s no but.” He touched my cheek, and I felt that familiar pull. “I hope we can keep finding excuses to see each other.”

  “You mean like emergency room visits?” I joked, and he laughed. “I’m in the same boat. I haven’t dated for a long time, and I’m not really looking for anything long-term so this spending-time-together thing with no expectations is nice. It takes the pressure off.”

  “For a whole week.” Billy smiled.

  “Yeah. See? I think I can handle something with that kind of time line.”

  The ferry pulled up to the Fireweed terminal, and I rested my head on the seat.

  It felt like Billy was trying to tell me something more or maybe I was imagining it. I thought back to the first time I ran into him with Lucky sailing through his food truck and hid a chuckle. Nothing about these encounters had been normal.

  “So how long have you known the doctor I’m seeing?” I asked.

  “Since I broke my wrist snowboarding a few years ago.”

  “Ouch.”

  “It wasn’t so bad.”

  “Of course, Mr. Macho Man.” I laughed and looked out the window as we drove into town. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees, and pumpkins had been placed at nearly every storefront. These islands embraced the seasons and even made the Laundromat feel welcoming.

  I let out a sigh, having to adjust my leg every few minutes or it got too uncomfortable, but it was getting to the point of wanting to jump out of the car.

  Thankfully, the doctor’s office wasn’t too far from the terminal. It was one of the newer buildings on Fireweed. There was an urgent care, a dentist, and a few other specialty clinics.

  Billy found a place to park and hopped out of the car as I opened the door and attempted to climb out myself.

  “Come on, make it easy on me.” Billy grinned, helping me out of the car and handing me the crutches. “I really don’t need to be scraping you up from the parking lot.”

  “The faith,” I joked as I hobbled into the building with Billy by my side.

  The doctor I was seeing was on the main floor, and I quickly checked in and took a seat while Billy held my crutches for me.

  The waiting room was bustling, and I wasn’t exactly sure how Billy got me an appointment so soon.

  “Want something to read?” Billy asked, scanning the latest gossip magazines.

  “Nah. Your company alone is entertaining enough.”

  Billy laughed as a nurse came out and called my name. Billy immediately helped me up, and I started wending my way on crutches toward the woman when I realized Billy had stayed behind.

  “You can come with me,” I told him, glancing over my shoulder. “Maybe I’ll get special treatment.”

  “You never know,” Billy said as he followed us back to the rooms.

  The nurse took down my information, checked my vitals and promised that the doctor would be right in before leaving us alone.

  The room was filled with diagrams and posters hanging on the pale-peach walls. A large ficus sat in the corner.

  “Do you think this counts as our second date?” Billy asked, smiling as he looked at the anatomy of a knee joint.

  “If you want it to, it could.”

  The doctor tapped lightly on the door and made his way inside the small room, introducing himself to me and instantly recognizing Billy.

  “Thanks for getting us in so quickly. I know your appointments book out there a bit.”

  “Anything for you.” The doctor shook Billy’s hand and took a seat on the stool. His salt-and-pepper hair made it difficult to determine his age. “So, I had a chance to look over your x-rays and go over the chart from the ER. I agree with their assessment, but I don’t agree with staying off your leg for quite so long.”

  “Oh, thank God,” I sighed out. “The thought of having to stay in bed for weeks has been killing me.”

  “I think you should keep it elevated for five or six days and then slowly begin to get back to your regular routine.” His eyes settled on my arm brace. “What is it you do for a living?”

  “I’m a pet sitter.”

  “Well, that could complicate it a bit. I want to keep you in the plaster cast for the next four to five weeks so getting leashes tangled in the crutches adds a bit of concern. And your wrist?” he asked.

  “It’s a sprain.”

  “Do you need me to write a note for your employer explaining the situation?” The doctor’s brown eyes were filled with compassion, and a few creases spread around his eyes as he smiled.

  “No. I’m self-employed. I might get one of my employees to take over my current job.” The thought of leaving Lucky made my heart literally hurt. Billy placed his hand on my shoulder, which surprised me, and I wondered if he knew what I was thinking.

  “Okay. That should work.” The doctor’s gaze landed on Billy’s hand and surprise filtered through his eyes. Billy really must have quite the reputation for staying unattached. “I’d like to see you back here in five weeks when we can fit you with a walking cast.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I was still reeling from the idea of leaving Lucky. There had to be a way to get through the next few weeks with crutches, a leash, and my new favorite friend.

  “Can I count on you as her escort then as well?” the doctor asked Billy.

  “Actually, he’s leaving in a few days for a road trip,” I informed the doctor whose expression fell slightly.

  “Is that so?” The doctor tilted his head slightly. “Alone?”

  “One lucky Lady is getting to go with him.” I grinned and the doctor looked confused. “He just got a cute little Pomeranian named Lady.”

  “Now that’s a surprise.” The doctor chuckled and Billy squeezed my shoulder. “And here I thought she might be the lucky lady.”

  I shook my head. “Nope. Not that lucky. In fact, this is only our second date, isn’t it”

  Billy groaned and shook his head, stifling a laugh.

  “What a way to make an impression, Billy.” The doctor stood, smiling and shook Billy’s hand and then mine. “I’ll see you, Miss Bailey, in five weeks. Good to see you again, Billy.”

  “Thanks again,” I called after the doctor.

  “Well, I’d take you out to lunch to finish off our second date, but you heard the doctor. Foot up for the next several days.” He helped me up and handed me the crutches.

  “That
’s okay. I need to start figuring out what to do about Lucky.” I shook my head. “The thought of leaving him and Hound Island just kills me.”

  “You don’t have to do either.”

  “How do you figure? You’ve seen the acrobatics that dog can pull. If I’ve only got one good leg…”

  Billy laughed as we walked into the hallway. “No doubt about it. You have an agile mutt, but there’s no reason you have to leave him if you don’t want. Your sister told me your parents planned to be here for three or four weeks and you’ve got this week covered so if there’s a few days at the end, I’m sure we can find some help to make it work until you get your walking cast.”

  My heart swelled with unexplained emotion. After all, Lucky wasn’t even my dog, yet I nearly wanted to cry.

  I looked away, hoping he didn’t notice.

  “You okay?”

  “Totally. Just got something in my eye.”

  He opened the door and the chill in the air made me shiver as I clunked my way down the ramp. I wasn’t ready to try the stairs and I think Billy was secretly happy I didn’t try to attempt it.

  “There’s something really special about the islands, isn’t there?” I asked, as he opened the car door for me.

  “There is.” He nodded, helping me inside. “I’ll be curious to see if it’s anywhere else in the country.”

  “I doubt it.” I smiled, and he closed the door, making his way around to the other side.

  The throbbing in my ankle was intensifying so I reclined the seat and laid back.

  “How’s your leg?”

  “It’s been better. But I think I could say that about life right now.” I turned to look at him and was caught off-guard by the mix of worry and sadness in his eyes. “While I love Hound Island, it seems the place has made me a bit of a hot mess.”

  His calming laughter filled the car, and my body immediately relaxed, the throbbing slowing to a dull ache. It was funny. Even his laugh was lovelier than I remembered. It was slowly starting to dawn on me that just about everything about Billy made me happy.

  “And you’re sure that’s the island?” he teased. The worry had been traded for amusement.

  “Possibly not.” I scowled. “How much have you and my sister been talking?”

  “Enough.” He pulled onto the road leading to the ferry terminal.

  “Enough to know I’ve always been a hot mess?”

  “I plead the fifth.”

  “You would.” My eyes began to get heavy, and I wasn’t sure if I’d make it back without falling asleep.

  As we pulled onto the ferry, my mind was racing with thoughts of Hound Island, Lucky, and Billy. It was like I couldn’t calm my mind. It was probably the medicine, but it was something I wasn’t used to. I looked out the window and saw the waves churning against the pilings and little splashes coming over the open-air windows where we’d parked.

  “It’s okay if you fall asleep,” Billy said.

  “I can stay awake,” I nearly whispered, feeling the exhaustion seeping through my system.

  He leaned over the console and softly kissed my forehead.

  “There’s no need to. I’ll take care of you.”

  Before his words had a chance to sink in, I fell asleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Several days had gone by and while I’d heard from Billy, I hadn’t seen him. He’d had to go to Seattle to take care of some last minute business details before his long road trip. I’d been mostly following doctor’s orders and staying off my feet, but there were a few times I’d gone out with Lucky and my sister.

  Right now, I was in the living room, sitting on the recliner with my foot propped up on pillows.

  “I think dad would love Billy,” Stacy said, plopping down on the couch.

  My eyes flew to my sister who looked oblivious.

  “Well, considering the two don’t have a reason to meet, I’d say it’s a rather moot point.”

  She shrugged. “I’m just saying.”

  I adjusted my leg on the pile of pillows and let out a sigh. “You do realize he’s leaving in like three days, right?” It was a fact that was impossible for me to shake. I’d wanted to pretend I wasn’t intrigued with Billy, but I wasn’t very good at lying to myself.

  The truth was that I thought he was endlessly fascinating, smart, and extremely sexy. I knew there was something hidden under the many layers of Billy that I might not ever uncover, but it made me wonder if what he was ignoring was the real reason he didn’t want to date.

  “And you’re leaving in two.” I clutched my heart. “Bet you can’t wait to spend your next vacation with me.”

  She ignored me. “Why won’t you let yourself imagine a little more than a date at a time with him?”

  “Well, let’s see. I don’t live here and he’s leaving town.”

  “But he’ll be back.”

  “And I’ll be gone, and I really don’t think he’s looking for anything serious.”

  “It’s not like you live in West Virginia. You live across the Sound from him, not across the country.”

  “We’ve been on two dates. One was out to dinner and the other was to the orthopedic physician. I don’t think that’s enough to start imagining a life together,” I scoffed. “In fact, if he heard us, I’d be absolutely mortified.”

  The doorbell rang, which completely startled me since I hadn’t seen anyone through the window. Lucky hopped off the couch and began doing his circles to the front door before my sister had a chance to get up.

  “Are you expecting anyone?” my sister asked, and I shook my head.

  “Lucky, quiet.”

  Lucky stopped barking and sat down as my sister opened the door.

  “May I help you?” she asked, glancing back at me before returning her gaze to whoever was in front of her.

  “Is Maddie here?” A woman asked.

  “No.” My sister shook her head. “It’s just me and my sister.”

  “I could have sworn this was the address my daughter gave me.”

  A car pulled up, and I saw Holly jump out of the passenger side as Maddie slowly hoisted herself out of the driver’s side.

  “Oh, there they are,” the woman said, sounding relieved.

  My sister turned away from the door and gave me a confused look, which I returned.

  “I’m assuming our little Tiffany is here since she’s not supposed to leave the house,” Maddie said, coming through the front door with a belly that looked like it needed its own zip code. “I hope you don’t mind us barging in.”

  “Not at all.” I shook my head and attempted to move from the chair, but Maddie shook her head.

  “You need to stay put.” She smiled as her sister came barging into the foyer with two large bags.

  “We thought since your sister came out here for a vacation, the least we could do is provide a little R&R,” Holly informed us just as the woman who we’d heard earlier came into the house with a big white bird sitting on her shoulder.

  My heart rate zoomed through the roof when I saw Lucky’s tongue suddenly start slowly tracing his chops.

  “Lucky come,” I commanded. “Luckeeeee come here.”

  He glanced over at me and begrudgingly hung his head, as he slowly walked over in my direction.

  “Sorry about my mom bringing Muppet. She’s a lot less codependent than she used to be with that bird but…” Holly rolled her eyes and set the large bags on the ground.

  “Quit using all your fancy psycho babble,” her mom said, petting her feathered friend. “I just like my bird.”

  My sister’s eyes skipped to mine as she tried to contain her laughter.

  “So, I’ve brought some spa things for facials, and we have a masseuse coming in about an hour,” Holly said, as she began emptying the bags.

  “We also picked up some food from the restaurant,” Maddie informed us.

  “I thought you said Hildie would be here?” their mom asked.

  “She’s coming.” Maddie
smiled, sitting on the couch, holding her belly. “She had to finish up a couple things at the lodge.”

  “Good.”

  I looked around the living room, amazed at how lively it suddenly became.

  “You guys really didn’t have to do this,” I told them.

  “But it’s so sweet you did,” my sister added and I laughed.

  “Stacy is doing a really good job of hiding her stir-craziness.” I grinned. “But I feel like she might be counting the days until she can get back to the job she hates.”

  “Oooh.” Maddie said solemnly. “You hate your job?”

  “I don’t love it.” My sister chuckled. “Actually, I like the job, not the people.”

  “That’s always fun.” Maddie nodded in understanding.

  Holly was busy unscrewing caps and popping lids off of all kinds of oils, clays, and lotions when I spotted Hildie pulling into the driveway.

  “Billy thought you and Stacy might really enjoy some sister-bonding time since things hadn’t gone as planned.” Holly moved her brows up and down. “And since you can’t go into the spa, we’ll bring the spa to you.”

  “Is he always that considerate?” I asked.

  “Pretty much.” Holly nodded. “Wouldn’t you say?”

  We turned to look at Maddie whose expression suddenly turned dire.

  “Is everything okay?” Holly asked, putting a tub of something on the coffee table.

  “My water just broke.”

  “Like broke broke?” Holly nearly screeched.

  Maddie furrowed her brows. “It’s not like we get a teaser first. Yes. It broke broke.”

  A cackle shrieked through the air, and I realized it was the bird, fluffing its feathers and hopping up and down on their mom’s shoulder.

  “Water broke,” the bird hollered. “Water broke.”

  Chaos suddenly erupted as their mother yelped and nearly ran in circles while Holly called 911.

  “What can we do?” my sister asked Maddie calmly.

  “I’m fine. Second time’s a charm.” She grimaced. “But you might need a towel for the sofa.”

  I laughed and shook my head as my sister ran to get a few. “That we can handle.”

  Maddie calmly picked up her cellphone and dialed. After a few seconds, she chuckled and merely said two words.