“I should get home.”
“Wait.” Riley fidgeted with the grated cheese shaker. “Grace wanted me to tell you something.”
Ian settled back in his chair and waited.
“She says don’t give up on Lily. Grace thinks you guys would make a great couple.”
“What Grace thinks doesn’t matter.” Ian shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with the conversation and impatient to get going. “If Lily isn’t interested, I’m not going to pine away. It’s no big deal.”
“Lily’s the first woman you’ve been interested in since you moved back home.”
“Yeah, well I’ve been a little busy setting up my practice.”
“I know, but now that you’re established…”
“Riley,” Ian cut in, “I can manage my own social life.”
“Right,” grumbled his brother. “Because there’s so little to manage.”
****
The committee heading up the organization of the Orchard Hill Pet Adoption Fair met in one of the rooms in the community building the next week. In spite of the fact that they’d just turned their calendars to March, the weather was bitterly cold and by the time she’d walked the few blocks from her shop to the building, Lily was frozen solid.
She came into the room hesitantly and took a seat in the middle of one of the tables, set up in a U shape. She didn’t see anyone she knew, so she began to read over the handout in front of her.
Someone slid into the chair next to her, and Lily was glad it was someone she recognized.
The petite redhead held out a hand. “You’re Lily, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she said shaking the offered hand. “And you’re Angel, right? I’ve heard you do some fabulous paintings.”
Angel blushed. “Thank you. I do my best.”
The artist had only recently moved to Orchard Hill. Lily had seen her at church a few times with her cousin Misty Green and lately with Jeff Bradley, the real estate agent whose office was near her shop on Blossom Street. “So how did you get roped into serving on this committee?”
“I adopted a stray when I first came here. It’s a long story, I’ll tell you another time. But Cherub, my dog, had to have some stitches removed and when I took her in, Ian told me about the adoption fair and I decided to volunteer.”
“That was nice of you.”
Angel shrugged. “It’s a good cause, and I thought it would be a good way to get to know people.”
“That’s true,” Lily agreed. When she’d moved here she’d made no attempt to get to know people outside of her work. She’d been filled with a fierce drive to show that she could make it on her own, to prove to herself that she could be independent.
Most of the committee had gathered, and the room was now filled with the noise of chatter and paper shuffling. Mary Kingsley, the chair of the committee, banged her gavel and called for order. Silence came by degrees, and just as everyone had settled in, the door opened one more time.
Lily looked up to see Dr. Ian O’Neil himself walking in. She turned her attention back to the papers in front of her and pretended not to see him, but it didn’t do any good. Angel waved him over and he slid into the empty seat next to her. He was two seats away from her, but Lily thought it was still too close. Fortunately, there was only time for a nod of acknowledgement before Mary began the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was for everyone to get an overview of the project. First, Mary asked them all to introduce themselves. After giving their name and occupation, each was supposed to share a favorite pet-related memory.
Lily racked her brain for a memory. The truth was, she’d never had a pet. Her father had been terribly allergic to animal dander. Too soon it was her turn.
“My name is Lily Robinson,” she began. “I own ‘Gilding by Lily,’ the salon on Blossom Street. I…I’ve never had a pet of my own, but when I was ten our neighbors’ cat had kittens. When they were old enough to be running around a little she invited me to come and see them. It was summer, and the kittens had a box on the sun porch of the house. There were five of them—three tiger-striped and two orange balls of fluff. They were all over the place, running, pouncing and wrestling. My neighbor caught one of them and let me hold it. It… it was very nice,” she finished lamely. Not much of a memory, but it was all she had.
Angel was next, and Lily was glad when Angel jumped in and started her own introduction right away. Almost everyone’s attention moved from Lily, but she caught Ian looking at her. She lowered her gaze to the table. He probably thought someone who’d never had a pet was strange.
It was a good thing she didn’t care what he thought.
She focused on Angel and the story she was telling about how she got her dog, Cherub. Then, it was Ian’s turn. Lily guessed she was about to hear a dog story, or possibly a horse story. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Ian cleared his throat and spoke out in his soft baritone voice. “I’m Ian O’Neil, and I work at the Orchard Hill Animal Hospital. When I was a kid, I wanted a dog more than anything. But we had a big family, and it seemed we were constantly on the run between piano lessons, sports practice, play rehearsals and just about anything else a kid could get involved in. So, my parents thought we wouldn’t be a good family for a dog. Still I had high hopes of getting a puppy for my twelfth birthday.
“When the day arrived, I was wildly excited. I kept listening for a puppy bark. I knew it had to be hidden in the house somewhere. When my mom handed me a wrapped box with air holes, I thought this would be it. I ripped the paper off and opened the lid.”
He paused and grinned at everyone. “It was a guinea pig. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted a dog, and I got a ridiculous ball of hair instead. I tried not to show it, but I was disappointed. Then, after I had the guinea pig for a while, I started to appreciate him. He couldn’t do tricks or run along with me while I rode my bike. But Stanley—that was his name—was an excellent listener. I told that poor creature every secret, every problem, every embarrassing moment I’d ever had. Plus, I found out that when they’re tame enough, guinea pigs are great cuddlers. Not that I cared about that when I was twelve.”
A ripple of laughter went around the room. Then the next person began their introduction, but Lily didn’t hear it. She was captivated by the idea of a twelve-year-old Ian and his guinea pig. Before she knew it, the introductions were finished and Mary was directing their attention to the handout.
Lily learned about the purpose of the adoption fair, which was not just to find the shelter animals good homes, but also to educate people about the responsibilities of owning and properly caring for a pet. They finished up by discussing what needed to be done to get ready for the fair, and the particulars of the next meeting.
As soon as Mary banged her gavel to close the meeting, a wave of chatter erupted. Lily quietly gathered her things and pulled on her coat.
“Bye, Ian, Lily,” said Angel. “I have to go. Jeff’s working late, and if I don’t make him go home, he’ll be at the office all night.”
“Are you walking?” Lily asked. “I’ll walk with you.”
Angel wrapped a colorful scarf around her neck. “All right.”
“I have a better idea,” said Ian. “I’ll give you both a ride. It’s freezing out there.”
“It’s only a few blocks,” Lily protested as she pulled on her mittens. “Your car won’t even be warm by the time we get there.”
“Still, with this weather, I’d rather ride than walk,” Angel chimed in.
Lily gave in, and the three of them went out to Ian’s car. Angel scooted into the back seat so Lily was forced to sit next to Ian. She noticed with satisfaction that the seats were as hard as concrete from the cold. Riding would not be any warmer than walking.
Apple Blossom Realty was their first stop. There was a light shining and Jeff’s profile could be seen through the window. Lily felt a twinge of jealousy as Angel slipped inside. Lily had no one waiting at home for her.
Bu
t that was the way she wanted it, she reminded herself. No one waiting for her, but no one to accuse her of being unfaithful when she went out by herself, no one to belittle her intelligence or magnify every mistake she made. It was better this way.
“So, you’ve never had a pet?”
Lost in her thoughts, Lily had almost forgotten about Ian. “No. I suppose you think that’s terrible.” She wanted to cringe at the sharp tone she heard in her voice, but she also didn’t want to start any cozy conversations with Ian.
“No. Not everyone should have a pet.”
“Are you saying I couldn’t take care of a pet?”
“No, that’s not what I said at all.” Ian pulled up in front of the shop. “Why are you determined to take everything the wrong way?”
Lily was filled with embarrassment. Suddenly she didn’t want to be known for her sharp tongue. “I…I’m sorry. Maybe I’m just afflicted with chronic crabbiness.”
Ian laughed as he turned off the car. “Maybe there’s a cure?”
“If you find it, let me know. Why did you turn the car off?”
“I was going to walk you to your door.”
“Why? You didn’t do that for Angel?”
“I knew Jeff was waiting for her. You’re going into an empty apartment.”
“Oh, please, this is Orchard Hill. I hardly think I’ll walk in on a burglar or something.” Irritation laced her voice.
“You never know. My mother would never forgive me if I didn’t walk you to your door.” Ian got out of the car.
Lily followed suit. “And just how would your mother know?”
“You never know.” He grinned at her. “This is, as you pointed out, Orchard Hill. Gossip spreads like wildfire in a small town.”
“Then I think it would cause more gossip for you to come up to my apartment.” Ha. Let him get around that one.
“Not if I don’t stay long.”
She gave up. It was cold and she wanted to be inside. “All right. Come on.”
She had to stifle a giggle when he answered with, “Thanks for the gracious invitation.”
She let him in by the side door and up the stairs to her apartment. The phone was ringing. She tried to hurry but as soon as she unlocked the door they heard the answering machine pick up. Lily took two steps into her apartment and heard her ex-husband’s voice.
“It figures you aren’t home. I suppose you’re out with some new boyfriend. There’s always someone with you, isn’t there. Well, you’d better call me back when you get home, and I mean it.”
The voice went on, and she stopped in horror, knowing that Ian was hearing every word of his venomous tirade. She wanted to stop the machine but was afraid if she cut it off, Ted would know she was home and call back.
Finally he ran out of horrible things to say and hung up. Lily wrapped her arms around herself, embarrassed, mortified beyond measure. Would Ian believe the horrible things Ted accused her of? Without turning around, she said, “Thank you for walking me up, Ian. I’ll see you at church.”
She waited to hear the door closing. Instead, she felt his hand on her shoulder. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“Was that your ex-husband?”
She nodded. Tears were welling up, choking her. She couldn’t speak.
“Does he call you often?”
She didn’t answer, hoping he’d go away. But instead, he shut he door and moved in front of her. He didn’t ask any more questions, just drew her into a hug. A hug that seduced her with its offer of comfort and support. She wanted to hide in the circle of his arms.
Instead, she said, “Don’t Ian. Don’t be nice to me.” She tried to push him away, but he tightened his arms around her, and she felt herself give in, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Ian held her and stroked her hair. He murmured soothing words to her, and it was more than she could take. The sobs she’d been holding in escaped.
Suddenly the phone began to ring again, shattering the stillness. Lily lifted her head and stared at it. It had to be Ted.
Before she could stop him, Ian picked up the phone. “Hello.”
There was a pause, and then she could hear Ted’s voice through the phone. “Who is this?”
“Who is this?” Ian countered.
“I want to talk to Lily. Get her on the phone.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“Who are you? Her boyfriend?”
“I’m a friend.”
Lily tried to wrestle the phone away. Ian wouldn’t let go. She could hear Ted’s voice, hear how angry he was. “Well, listen, friend, I need to talk to Lily.”
“Lily can’t come to the phone now. Can I take a message?”
“Yeah, I’ll give you a message.” She cringed at the language Ted used.
“That’s not a message I can repeat. If you want to talk to Lily, I suggest you learn a few manners. Until then, she doesn’t want to hear from you.” He hung up.
“Ian, how could you do that?” Lily cried. “He’ll be so angry now. There’ll be no reasoning with him.”
“Do you think he’ll call back?
“Yes!”
“Do you want me to take you to Grace’s house. I’m sure you can stay there for the night.”
“But what do I do tomorrow? Or the next day?” Lily ran her hands through her hair in frustration. Already the anxiety of dealing with Ted had her stomach tightening in knots. “I know you were trying to help, but you’ve just made everything worse.”
“He shouldn’t get away with talking to you like that,” he insisted.
Lily laughed, a harsh sound. “He doesn’t know any other way to communicate.”
“Is that why you left him?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. I left him because of the other women he was seeing.”
“You shouldn’t have to talk to him. Why is he calling you anyway?”
“I inherited a little money from an uncle. He thinks he deserves half even though it happened after the divorce.” Shut up Lily, shut up. You don’t have to tell him these things.
“You aren’t going to give him anything, are you?”
“All right, that’s enough. This is my problem and I’m the one who has to handle it.”
“So you’re telling me to go home?”
“Yes.”
His jaw was set in a stubborn line, and he didn’t move. What should she do? She had to get him out of here.
The phone started to ring again. Lily lunged for it, grabbing it before Ian could move.
“Go, Ian. I mean it,” she said in her sternest voice. “I don’t need your help.” He looked so worried that she relented a bit. “Please, Ian.” The phone rang again, vibrating in her hand.
“Is that what you really want?”
“It’s what I really want.”
He left, closing the door behind himself. She listened for his feet on the stairs to make sure he was actually leaving. When she heard the downstairs door close, she answered the phone.
“Well, it’s about time. Who was that jerk?”
Lily took a deep breath and prepared herself for battle.
TITLE
Orchard Hill: Volume One
Chapter Three
Outside, Ian stood by his car, not sure what to do. He’d been shocked by the phone call, the nasty things that man had said about Lily, the crude language…Everything in him was screaming that it was wrong to leave her. But she’d kicked him out. What could he do?
He slid into the car where he could at least escape the wind. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Grace’s number. No answer. Then he remembered that Riley said she was at her mother’s a lot lately. Ian didn’t have that number so he called Riley.
“Hey, Ian, what’s up?”
“Nothing good I’m afraid.” He explained the problem as briefly as possible. He tried not to give too many details, knowing it would embarrass Lily. “Can you have Grace call h
er and see if she needs anything?”
“Yeah, I’ll call her right away. Are you sure Lily’s all right?”
“I’m positive she’s not, but she won’t let me help her.” Ian was not the type of person to sit by when a situation called for action. The frustration of doing nothing had him on edge.
“Well, she does have a point,” Riley said. “Unless you’re signing on to be there for her 24/7, she has to learn to handle her ex by herself.”
Orchard Hill Volume One Page 16
