In the Doctor's Arms

by Carol Ross

  Margaret captured his gaze with a deliberate “Where she met you.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “ME?” FLYNN REPEATED.

  Margaret wore a satisfied expression, like she’d been waiting for him to catch up. “Yes, you. And those advanced courses. At first, I was worried about her being in classes where she wouldn’t have Hazel or Seth with her anymore. But you gave her a reason to go to school. I thought about seeking you out back then to thank you for being so kind to her, but I didn’t want to sound condescending, or put unfair pressure on you. Plus, I knew it would give away her feelings for you.”

  Flynn swallowed around a massive lump of regret and guilt, and focused on the nugget of hope she’d just given him. “Her feelings?”

  “When it comes to her heart, Iris is good at hiding. She had to be in order to get through what she endured. But I knew how she felt about you back then. A mother senses these things.”

  “You didn’t need to thank me—then or now. Iris was just as amazing in school as she is today. We were...friends.” Sort of. Not like they were now. Not like they should have been. “Looking back, I wish...” Flynn paused as the notion sank in that their relationship could have evolved so much differently. How would his life had gone if he’d asked her out back then?

  “I was an idiot.” The words hammered at his heart like a million regretful spikes.

  “You were a teenager,” Margaret countered kindly.

  “I was a teenaged idiot.” This was true. And he hated it. Margaret was right, a lot of teenaged boys were. And probably he wouldn’t have been as equipped back then to treat Iris the way he would now, the way he wanted to. He’d dated a bunch of girls, but he’d never been a great boyfriend, or husband, for that matter.

  Self-involved, inconsiderate at times, he’d had plenty of his own issues from growing up in the war zone that was his home. Being athletic and dating the prettiest and most popular girls had been his way of getting attention, of boosting his confidence. Neither of which his constantly bickering and self-centered parents had the time or energy to do for him. He’d learned so much in the ensuing years, about himself, about women and especially about relationships. Still, he couldn’t help but wish he would have acknowledged Iris’s amazingness back then.

  Margaret smiled and then echoed his thoughts, suggesting to Flynn that she’d intended this conversation to be about more than the wedding. “Most teenagers are, Iris being a rare exception. Not even Ashley and her friends could break her. They were so...horrible. I wanted to press charges at one point, or at least scare them, but Iris begged me not to. She said she could handle it. I think she was embarrassed, and afraid of what you’d think. Later she told me that because she’s a James, she didn’t think people would have much sympathy.”

  Flynn felt nauseated. She’d deserved his help if nothing else, then and now. His own childhood, as rough and lonely as it was, hadn’t been nearly as terrible as what she’d gone through. He’d always had school. Where he’d thrived. Sports, friends, girlfriends—he’d had it all. Yes, Iris had her family, but what else? A cat? And, later, if Margaret was to be believed, him?

  “She always seemed so confident, mature and above the fray. Looking back, she was a little intimidating.”

  “That’s her skill. She learned the hard way how to play up her strengths. She also knows how to avoid situations that might show her weaknesses.”

  Flynn thought about that for a few seconds. How had he not seen this sooner? This explained so much. She always declined his and Ally’s offers of hiking or fishing or biking... Jasper Lake came to mind, her reticence to partake in any of the activities. He’d thought she just didn’t like the outdoors. That was part of it, but Iris’s dislike of Rankins was based on way more than he’d presumed. He was worse than an idiot.

  “I probably would have screwed it up, anyway.”

  “Maybe,” Margaret acknowledged with a teasing smile.

  Flynn chuckled and glanced at Iris.

  “What’s your excuse now?”

  Despite the ache in his heart, Flynn pulled out his best charmer grin. “Margaret, that is an excellent question.”

  He looked at Iris again, wondering how best to approach this. Cricket was gone, but Todd Jessup was now chatting with her. Seth had told Flynn that he’d heard Todd asking around about her at the Cozy Caribou. That wasn’t going to happen.

  Two more figures he recognized appeared in his line of sight—Ashley and Faith seemed to be headed Iris’s way.

  “If you’ll excuse me? I think it’s time I tweaked my strategy where your daughter is concerned.”

  * * *

  “NICE WEDDING, HUH?”

  Iris smiled at Todd Jessup. “Yes, it was perfect.”

  And it was. Iris was beyond relieved that the difficult part was over. Standing up in front of everyone hadn’t been as grueling as she’d expected. Not with Flynn beside her. The dress helped; she knew she looked good.

  The real challenge had been holding back the tears as she watched her oldest brother marry the love of his life. Tag and Ally, however, radiated nothing but joy. Apparently it was contagious because despite herself, Iris had to admit she was feeling rather joy-filled herself.

  “Your brother is a lucky guy.”

  “He certainly is.”

  “But then he’s always been lucky where women are concerned. Good-looking girlfriends, good-looking cousin, good-looking sister...”

  Iris paused. Was Todd Jessup hitting on her? Todd had been a football player in school. A friend of Seth and Flynn’s, and a solid member of the in crowd, he’d dated and married a fellow A-lister and member of Ashley’s pack, Treena Scheck, a year out of high school. Two kids and five years later, they’d divorced. He’d never shown the slightest interest in Iris in high school. Then again, no guy had.

  “So, I, uh, I was asking around about you, and your brother Seth said he didn’t think you were seeing anyone.”

  A voice off to her left cried, “Iris, hi!” Iris turned to see Faith Monroe descending upon them, a much more somber Ashley by her side.

  The black pit in her stomach grew exponentially. That’s all she needed, to throw up in front of these women who had made her feel like this nearly every day of her high-school career. Tacking on her best fake smile, Iris braced herself.

  Faith went on as if they were old friends. “Oh, my gosh, I haven’t seen you since high school. Ashley said you were back.”

  “Hello, Faith. Ashley. I’m just here for a visit.”

  “That’s right, Hazel told me you were getting some kind of big-shot job. Are we supposed to call you Dr. James now?” While Hazel had disliked Ashley, she and Faith were friendly. Hazel always said it wasn’t in Faith’s nature to be truly mean. Where alpha Ashley led, Faith and a whole gang had followed.

  “If that makes you more comfortable, then by all means.”

  “Remember how we used to call you Stick back in school?” She tittered like it was a funny anecdote and not a cruel taunt. Did Faith somehow think the passing of years would make Iris nostalgic?

  “How could I forget?” Iris said, infusing her tone with plenty of sarcasm. “You guys were always so clever. So imaginative. And what you lacked in originality you made up for with persistence.”

  “Thank you!” Faith exclaimed. Iris had forgotten how sarcasm was wasted on Faith. “You certainly don’t look like a stick anymore, though, do you? Talk about a late bloomer! You’re so beautiful now—and stylish. Not like high school at all. I love your dress!”

  “Thank you, I think. But look at you! You’re the same, huh? It’s nice that some things don’t change.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” Faith agreed.

  “No small feat, either, considering how many opportunities you’ve had to grow and...evolve. It must have taken a lot of self-restraint on your part to resist. Very impressive
.”

  Todd chuckled.

  Faith’s smile faltered as she seemed to struggle with discerning Iris’s meaning. Ashley looked away.

  Todd’s expression was filled with fresh admiration as it landed on Iris again. “So, after the reception tonight a bunch of us are heading to the Cozy Caribou to sing karaoke.”

  “That sounds fun.” For you, she added silently. She’d had enough class reunion-ing to last a lifetime. She was trying to figure out how to move on when Flynn’s voice sounded over her shoulder. “That does sound fun, doesn’t it?”

  Iris frowned at him. “Umm...” What was he doing? Trying to encourage her to go out with Todd Jessup? How was that “helping”?

  Flynn slipped an arm around her, his fingertips shooting tiny sparks across her bare back. “Too bad we have plans.”

  That was better. Relief and gratitude fueled her grin. “Yep. Too bad.”

  Todd looked at Flynn. “Hey, Ram, how you doing, man? I have to say that even though I wouldn’t want to do it, you make this man-of-honor thing look pretty fine.”

  “Thanks, Jess,” Flynn responded using Todd’s high-school-football nickname, the same as Todd had done. “That’s probably wise on your part. Doubt you could pull it off,” he teased good-naturedly.

  “That is totally true, dude.”

  Faith eyed Iris and Flynn curiously. “I see that you two are still...friends?” She gave Ashley an elbow nudge. “We always thought that was the cutest thing, didn’t we, Ashley?”

  Ashley, to her credit, looked uncomfortable. Brittle smile, shifty eyes, she looked like she’d rather be somewhere else.

  Iris looked at Faith. “Yes, Flynn and I are—”

  “Friends?” Flynn repeated, and added a little chuckle along with a possessive embrace. “We are definitely that, aren’t we?” Dipping his head, he brushed his lips across her cheek and nuzzled her neck. Iris’s pulse shifted into overdrive even as anxiety churned inside of her. What was he doing?

  Tucked close to his side, Flynn zeroed his gaze in on her. “Can I steal you away for a minute?”

  “Sure.” Iris settled her face into a smile, not an easy task with Flynn draped all over her and enemies at her flank. Having her back was one thing; her being his fake girlfriend was something else altogether. Still, the gesture was sweet. If only it didn’t make her feel like fainting.

  Flynn gave the others a sheepish grin. “Honestly, I just want to dance with the most beautiful woman here. Excuse us. Have fun, you guys. Try the salmon. Talk to you later, Jess.”

  With his hand branding her bare back, he led her to the dance floor. Gentle notes of a popular love song filled the air, so Flynn gathered her in his embrace and made dancing seem as easy as everything else he did. The satisfied smile playing on his lips caused Iris’s heart to execute a slow cartwheel inside her chest. She should be used to this, to him, by now.

  Lowering her voice to a whisper, she said, “Thank you for that. I owe you one. It was probably a little over-the-top, but I appreciate your dramatic flair. I’m sure they’re still talking about it.”

  He dipped his head, and whispered near her ear, “I could not possibly care any less than I do about Faith or Ashley. And I only care about Todd in that I don’t want you singing any duets with him.”

  “I hadn’t planned to but...” Her throat went dry because his hand had returned to her back, where his thumb caressed the skin along the edge of her dress. “What are you doing?”

  “Dancing. Is there something going on between you and Cricket?”

  “What?” she answered, alarmed by the subject change. Did he know about the flying lessons? She wasn’t ready for anyone to know about that yet. “Like what? What do you mean by ‘something’?”

  Eyes narrowed and assessing, he clarified, “Are you two romantically involved?”

  “Oh.” She laughed, and then paused to process the question. She didn’t want to tell him the truth, but she also didn’t want him thinking that. “That’s not what’s going on,” she said, and then realized that she’d inferred that something was.

  “What is going on, then?”

  “Nothing. I mean, he is helping me with something. But we’re just friends. He’s practically like a brother to me, you know that.”

  “I do, I was just confirming it before I did something.”

  “What?”

  Then Flynn twirled her around and she could see that Ashley and Faith had been joined by a couple of other women, Lorna included. She also recognized Nicki and Pam, two nurses from the hospital.

  “Oh, I get it. They’re still watching, right?”

  Flynn chuckled softly, shifting his focus to meet her gaze again. His brown eyes seemed to burn into hers. “No, I don’t think you do get it,” he murmured. “But then again, I didn’t really get it, either.”

  “Get what? Flynn, what are you...?” Her question trailed off because he was staring at her mouth. The heat from her cheeks was apparently burning through to her brain because she could not think straight. Much less talk.

  “Maybe this will help.”

  Then his mouth brushed against hers in the sweetest, most perfect caress. Flynn was kissing her? Yes, he sure was, and his lips were velvety soft and completely perfect, and she couldn’t—she wouldn’t—think past that. Instead, she kissed him back, pressing her mouth more firmly to his. One hand came up to grip his shoulder. Before she could do more than that, his soft lips were gone.

  “Iris,” he whispered, “I’m...” He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers for a second before slipping a hand around the back of her neck. He pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead and tucked her in close again. “Give me a second.”

  Iris focused on trying to move air in and out of her lungs, but with her cheek pressed against his chest, every breath was Flynn-scented with hints of spicy soap and cedar boughs. Flynn had just kissed her. What did that mean? What did she do now? Panic welled inside of her because it couldn’t mean anything.

  A chuckle vibrated through him. “That should give everyone something to talk about, huh?”

  Of course, she realized, he’d kissed her for her, to help her. Thank goodness, he’d broken it off before she’d said something truly embarrassing. Her cheeks ignited with heat as she imagined herself clinging to him like a spider monkey on the dance floor.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder and she knew it was Hazel before her sister’s smiling face confirmed it. “Hey, Iris,” she said. “Ally is going to toss her bouquet in a few minutes.”

  Somehow, she managed to squeak out an answer. “’Kay, I’ll be right there.”

  Hazel departed. It took effort to drag her gaze up to meet Flynn’s. But he was grinning at her like he had the best secret ever and Iris felt her anxiety melt away like wax on a flame. Okay, this was a good thing. It didn’t mean anything. He’d been helping just as he’d promised he would. That’s why he’d asked about her and Cricket; he didn’t want to get in the way of anything. So why did her heart feel like it had just been stolen from her chest and attached to her sleeve? Because Flynn “helping” was a little too much of a good thing.

  * * *

  THAT KISS MEANT EVERYTHING. Flynn watched Iris take her spot with the other single ladies. Sure, it had been quick, but it was enough. Because it had definitively answered the question that had been burning between them for the last two-plus months. He’d seen the hammering of her pulse at the base of her neck, felt her tremble in his arms, the melding of her lips to his. It was the reaction he’d been hoping for, the one that so perfectly matched his own.

  And, oh, man... She’d kissed him back and he...he felt like doing a victory punch right there in the middle of the crowd. It had taken every last scrap of his willpower not to take her hand and whisk her away to somewhere private, where he could do it again. But better. And more thoroughly.

 
But the point here was that Iris could no longer avoid what was so clearly unfolding between them.

  * * *

  IRIS TOOK HER position in the back of the crowd as the DJ cranked up the single-lady song. She spotted Faith and Ashley in the middle row, behind Nicki and Pam. She figured all four of them for solid contenders in the bouquet bout. Iris was perfectly content to let them duke it out while she phoned it in from the last row. She needed a few more minutes to get her bearings, anyway.

  Hazel joined her, her knowing grin telling Iris she’d seen what had unfolded on the dance floor.

  Immediately confirming it, she leaned in close to her ear and said, “You and Flynn? I knew it! Congratulations!”

  “No, no, no.” Iris shook her head. “That was...” She waved her off. “I’ll explain later,” she yelled.

  Hazel frowned.

  The music quieted. Iris took the opportunity to check her phone. Even though she’d had all calls forwarded to another transport company, it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility to have an emergency large enough that Copper Crossing’s services would still be needed. Cricket was on call. She didn’t want Tag to have to deal with any distractions today.

  A loud drumroll ensued, along with clapping and laughter. Iris glanced up to see Ally turn around so her back was facing them. Ally was tiny, but she was strong and athletic, and Iris should have known she’d put some muscle behind it. Those were her thoughts as the bouquet launched high into the air. But then it was sailing straight toward her! Panic shot through her and she reacted. Grabbing Hazel by the shoulders, she ducked behind her sister.

  The crowd erupted in cheers as Hazel caught the flowers. The music switched to “Chapel of Love.” Iris blew out a relieved breath. Hazel held her prize aloft before executing an elegant bow.

  The crowd dispersed. Hazel turned on her with a questioning look. “What was that? It’s not a game of hot potato. You could have had it. It was headed right for you.”