Hometown Hope: A Small Town Romance Anthology

by Zoe York

  “Give me a minute to put Pip in his kennel and get my things.” Scarlett kept her smile screwed on tight.

  She didn’t like leaving AK alone in the house. The other woman had to know Cole was at work. Why else would she be at the house in the middle of the day?

  Because this was planned.

  Scarlett’s hands slowed her packing up the basket.

  Of course AK would know Cole was at work. In her shoes Scarlett might choose to do the same thing to avoid her former lover.

  She glanced over her shoulder at Allie-Kate hovering in the doorway.

  AK hadn’t even asked why Scarlett was there. Probably because it was obvious between the town gossip and from the lingerie she’d tucked away in the basket.

  Engaged my ass.

  But Scarlett was powerless to do anything about the situation.

  “AK, if you could give Pip some water, that would be great?” Scarlett paused at the front door.

  “Whatever.” Allie-Kate shrugged.

  “I’ll let Cole know you stopped by.” Scarlett smiled, hefted her basket higher then exited out the front door.

  The door slammed shut behind her, almost slamming into her foot. A tickle went up her spine, and a general sense of unease wrapped around her.

  All of this was wrong.

  Scarlett tossed her hamper in the Jeep, got in and called Cole. The line went to his voicemail.

  “Hey, just so you know, AK showed up at the house and kicked me out. She was waving her engagement ring in my face talking about being your fiancé. Call me back, please?” She ended the call and started the Jeep just as a pickup driven by Mr. Hume pulled in behind the blue hatchback car Allie-Kate had arrived in.

  This wasn’t right.

  Allie-Kate was going to take advantage of Cole yet again by stealing away their stuff while he was gone. But Scarlett had no rights in this situation. She could call the cops, but what would they be able to do?

  Call Cole. Tell him the same thing she’d just done.

  She knew she had to leave, but she didn’t want to go far. Being alone was a horrible idea with her overactive mind feeding her all sorts of possible outcomes.

  They had a relationship. She and Cole were a couple. Before she freaked out about AK showing up, as they knew she would, she was going to talk to him.

  The tea room.

  The L.O.L.s would have cleared out by now and Ingrid was more than likely by herself. Scarlett could do with someone to talk to. Someone who’d probably heard the gossip and could talk her off the ledge.

  Ten minutes later Scarlett walked into the antique store and back to the tea room. Sure enough, Kasima was set up at a table with her laptop while Ingrid was wiping down tables.

  “Oh my God.” Ingrid stared at Scarlett with wide eyes. “You know?”

  “Do I know that Allie-Kate is back in town and claiming she’s still engaged to my—my boyfriend? Yeah.” Scarlett dropped into the chair across from Kasima and cradled her head in her hands.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that it’s official between you two.” Ingrid took a seat.

  “If you two are together, won’t Cole set her straight?” Kasima asked.

  “I hope so.” But Scarlett couldn’t help but think of his wishy-washy answer earlier.

  “What?” Kasima frowned at Ingrid.

  “Nothing.” Ingrid sat back, her hands up.

  “That face means you know something.” Kasima leaned forward.

  “What?” Scarlett’s heart pulsed in her throat.

  “It’s nothing,” Ingrid insisted.

  “Then tell us,” Kasima countered.

  “When Cole first got here and the L.O.L.s were on him about you he made a big deal of saying he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Is that something you two have talked about?” Ingrid’s brow furrowed.

  “Yes.” Scarlett swallowed. “We’ve talked about it several times. We’re together.”

  “Okay, then all you do is tell AK to take a hike and keep on being awesome. Right?” Kasima shrugged.

  “Right.” Scarlett stared at the table.

  It should be that easy, but she had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  * * *

  * * *

  The minute Cole stepped into the clinic the day went sideways.

  A patient from the day before popped their stitches. The cops arrived with a distressed woman whose dog had been in a fight with a coyote and won. All of this had to be handled between the regularly scheduled patients and while enduring the wide-eyed stares of his co-workers and pet parents. Everyone knew Allie-Kate was back.

  Just before lunch Cole couldn’t take it anymore and stepped out into the lot behind the clinic to catch his breath.

  Dr. Green and Mrs. Billy were loading up over on the livestock end of the building. Cole rarely had reason to go out to the other side of the practice. It was Dr. Green’s domain, and he’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the domestic pets now that Cole was there.

  “Cole.” Dr. Green leaned on the pickup and waved him over.

  Crap.

  What else could go wrong today?

  He glanced at his phone and Scarlett’s texts. Right now he couldn’t reply to her. He didn’t know what to say.

  “What can I help you with, Dr. Green?” Cole asked as he neared the truck.

  “I was going to ask you the same thing.” Dr. Green squinted at him and shielded his face against the sun.

  Cole shrugged. He didn’t know what he could do about Allie. This was her home, not his.

  “I heard that silly rumor about you being some kind of criminal,” Dr. Green said.

  “What?” That was news to Cole. He stared at the other man.

  “Yeah, I guess Allie-Kate’s mom got to talking to people at the pancake breakfast the other day, saying all kinds of off the wall things.” Dr. Green sighed and shook his head. “AK doesn’t fall far from that tree. I told them you’re no such thing, and I should know. Background checks don’t lie.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Green. I’m really sorry about this.” Sweat beaded along Cole’s spine. He wasn’t a criminal, but he came from them. How long until those facts colored people’s opinions about him?

  “Our second call got canceled.” Dr. Green glanced at Mrs. Billy. “I think we’ll stay close to the clinic today in case you need to take care of things. The Humes, they know how to stir the pot, don’t they?”

  “Someone ought to tell Bunny. She’d set them straight,” Mrs. Billy said with a nod.

  “That she would,” Dr. Green agreed.

  Cole didn’t think his problems could be solved so easily. And how fast would everyone’s opinion of him change if AK started talking?

  “You going to answer that?” Mrs. Billy asked.

  Cole grimaced and pulled his phone out. This time Scarlett had called him.

  What was he going to say to her?

  This was a shit time to be involved with someone new.

  Why had he allowed things to progress so fast?

  Why hadn’t he kept her at arm’s length when they agreed that was best?

  “Why don’t you take an early lunch, clear your head and I’ll cover for you?” Dr. Green suggested.

  “You don’t have to do that. My personal drama shouldn’t—”

  “It’s my practice. I’ll do what I want,” Dr. Green scoffed.

  “And you don’t want to argue with him.” Mrs. Billy thumbed at the old man.

  “Thanks.” Cole took a step back.

  Scarlett’s messages were weighing on him. He didn’t want to talk to her right now, but he needed to hear her voice. She’d called earlier. Maybe the recording would soothe him?

  He lifted the phone and listened to the message.

  “Hey.” That one word was full of so much anxiety he wanted to reach through the phone and hold her. “Just so you know, AK showed up at the house and kicked me out. She was waving her engagement ring in my face talking about being your fiancé. Call me b
ack, please?”

  There were so many pieces to that message he didn’t know what to process first.

  Scarlett wasn’t at his place, which he was both relieved to hear and disappointed. He needed space to figure this out, and he wanted to do that without hurting her.

  Allie was at his house. The house that was supposed to be theirs, but she’d never moved into. And she was claiming they were still engaged after calling it off. There was so much bullshit in that concept he didn’t know where to start.

  “Dr. Green?” Cole turned and jogged to the entrance leading to the livestock side of the practice.

  “Yeah?” Dr. Green stuck his head out of the door.

  “I need to take care of something that’s just come up—”

  “Go.” The old man waved his hands. “I’ve got this place handled.”

  “Thanks.” Cole sprinted back to the Buick.

  Had Allie returned his car? What about Caesar? And what happened to Pip in all of this?

  Cole pushed the speed limit on his way home, but by the time he arrived the drive was empty. All the blinds had been raised. He left them down.

  He got out and stalked up to the front door. It was unlocked in typical Allie fashion. He stepped inside to the sound of Pip’s barks.

  “Hey, buddy.” Cole went to the kennel and released the dog before turning to take in the place.

  Kitchen cabinets were open, some had been emptied. Some pillows from the sofa were gone. There were other odds and ends also missing, like the TV. He stalked into the bedroom, but it was mostly untouched. The linens were gone, which struck him as odd, but whatever. The room where he’d put her things and the remainder of the wedding presents was cleaned out.

  So Allie had shown up to get her stuff when she knew he wouldn’t be there. But Scarlett had. He was willing to bet Allie had reacted poorly. Whenever he caught her doing something or lying, she went off the deep end. Which was probably why she’d thrown the ring around.

  He lifted his phone to his ear.

  It was time to have this conversation.

  Cole hadn’t attempted to contact Allie since that first week when she’d left. He’d realized he was too pissed to handle it well, and she had her reasons for doing this.

  The line rang and rang before going to voicemail.

  He clenched the phone in his hand.

  She thought she could leave him then show up after he’d moved hundreds of miles for a fake relationship he’d committed himself to, and just not talk to him?

  Why had he ever thought he could be happy here?

  A white pickup truck slowed then turned into his drive.

  Great.

  Now this?

  Why couldn’t people here deal with their own problems?

  Why was everyone’s nose in his business?

  Garth got out of the truck and ambled toward him. Like most days he was in a polo, jeans and boots. His frown lines were more defined today as he closed the distance between them.

  “Afternoon,” Garth drawled.

  “What do you want?” Cole wasn’t in the mood to put up with this.

  “I’ve been hearing things this morning.” Garth came to a stop, his hands on his hips.

  “Congratulations.” Cole shoved his hand through his hair.

  “Wanted to know if there was anything I could do?”

  “What?” Cole was taken aback by the question, especially coming from Garth.

  “You and Scarlett are together. You and I have come to an understanding. I’m trusting that the things I’m hearing aren’t the whole truth. So, can I do anything?”

  Cole swallowed.

  He’d wanted somewhere to belong his whole life. He’d carved out a place for himself in St. Louis. He had friends, a job, a nice place, but he’d never had that sense of home. Moving to Ransom he’d found a peace he’d never had.

  “You okay?” Garth squinted at him.

  “You can’t help me.” Cole jerked around and stalked back into the house.

  He kept fucking things up. AK had run from him. Why should Scarlett put up with this mess?

  She was better off without him.

  * * *

  * * *

  By early afternoon Scarlett’s stomach insisted she go home to at least eat. Ingrid and Kasima followed her up to her place even though they both had a lot on their plates. What would Scarlett do without friends like them?

  She pulled into the drive and before her door was open both Benji and Garth had appeared on their porch looking in her direction.

  Of course they’d know.

  Everyone was probably talking about AK being in town and at Cole’s house.

  Scarlett didn’t want to talk about it with them. She was hurt and confused by Cole’s silence. The things Ingrid had told her she’d heard Cole say didn’t help alleviate the stress.

  But she and Cole were in a relationship. They’d agreed on that. It had to mean something.

  She was determined not to go crazy girl again. When he got off work, they’d talk about this.

  Scarlett got out of the Jeep and with the help of Ingrid and Kasima gathered her laundry.

  “Here, let us help,” Garth said as they closed in.

  “Please, not right now,” Scarlett begged. She couldn’t handle Garth’s know-it-all attitude right now.

  Garth took the basket from Kasima and frowned at Scarlett. He must have put on his extra stubborn pants that morning.

  Scarlett hefted the laundry higher then turned toward her house. Benji wisely kept his distance and got the door open for all of them to trek inside. She put the basket down on the old parson style dining table the guys had refurbished for her then shoved a hand back over her bun, giving it a tweak.

  “Hey? Come here.” Benji grabbed her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “We’re worried about you. That’s all.”

  “So you’ve heard?” Ingrid asked.

  “About which part?” Garth shook his head.

  “What have you heard?” Kasima asked.

  “I heard some bullshit about Cole being a felon,” Benji said.

  “He’s not,” Scarlett said.

  “Of course he isn’t. You think Dr. Green would blindly hire a felon on AK’s word?” Benji chuckled.

  “No,” Scarlett said softly.

  “I was in town when I heard AK was back and she’d cleaned out Cole’s house. I knew you were supposed to be over there so I drove by,” Garth said.

  “I was. God, that was awkward.” Scarlett covered her face with her hands. She rehashed her visit with AK for the guys and braced herself for Garth’s censure.

  “What’s Cole said about all of this?” Benji asked when she was done.

  “Nothing to me. He’s not answered my texts or phone call.” She sank into a dining chair.

  “He was at his place when I went by. Something’s not right,” Garth said.

  “Is this where you start in on I told you so?” She stared at Garth.

  “No,” he said.

  “I think—and I’m just a dude, so I could be wrong—but I think this is when we all need to keep our mouths shut and wait to hear from Cole,” Benji said.

  “I’d love to, but he’s not answering and I’m not going to show up at his work,” she said.

  “Have you tried lately?” Benji asked.

  “Not in a while.” Scarlett chewed her lip.

  “He was at his house a little bit ago,” Garth said.

  “Fine.” Scarlett grabbed her phone from her purse, got up and slipped outside.

  This was not a call she wanted to make with an audience.

  She sat on the top stair, aware that if she spoke loud enough, everyone would be able to hear her. It was the pretense of privacy that mattered.

  The line rang twice.

  He wasn’t going to answer.

  She closed her eyes.

  “Hey,” Cole said in a clipped voice.

  “Cole.” She was surprised he’d answered her at all.

 
“Need something?” A thread of annoyance wove through his voice.

  “I wanted to see how you were holding up. All this AK business—”

  “Yeah, it’s a shit show,” he said.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No, at this point involving you will only make it worse. Allie’s probably convinced herself that I’ve cheated on her.” He sighed heavily.

  “But she broke up with you.”

  “And now she’s claiming we’re still engaged, so I hear.”

  “You haven’t spoken to her?”

  “No, I haven’t.” The annoyance was growing.

  “Look, this might not be the best time, but I want to ask you about something.” Scarlett closed her eyes. All of this would pass, but she needed a tiny bit of affirmation.

  “This really isn’t a good time,” he said.

  “Did you tell Ingrid and the L.O.L.s you weren’t looking to get serious? That we’re casual?” They’d had a version of the relationship talk, but maybe it hadn’t been enough?

  “Scarlett, I was supposed to get married in—what? Thirteen days? I’ve known you for a few weeks. How can this be anything serious yet? We’re together. We like spending time with each other. What do you want me to say?” His voice was ragged and a little angry. “Maybe we should take a step back while I sort out this stuff with Allie?”

  “That isn’t what I want.” Scarlett’s body went cold with panic. She wished she was having this conversation face to face.

  “It’s what I want

  “Why are you being mean? This isn’t like you.”

  “You barely know me.”

  The call ended.

  She sat there, numb and confused, holding her phone as the cool fall breeze slid past her.

  Scarlett barely knew him?

  It felt like he was her other half. Like they fit. And now this?

  “Scarlett?” Garth’s steps thudded on the porch.

  “Just—not right now, please?” She had moments before she fell apart.

  Garth ignored her and sat down next to her, wrapping his big, strong arm around her waist.

  “Men are stupid,” he said.

  “You think?” She choked a laugh and the first tear fell.

  “If he was stupid enough to make you cry, there’s your proof.” He rubbed circles on her back. “I know I’m tough on you, but I just want to protect you. You give so much of yourself and you don’t hold anything back. You love him, don’t you?”