“Happy birthday, Sis! What are you drinking?”
“I’ll have a glass of chardonnay.”
Tom, the bartender, was already in front of them, holding a bottle of wine.
“Your usual?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Bernie didn’t come in all that often, but Bread and Butter was her favorite chardonnay, and Tom always remembered. He poured a generous amount and slid the glass toward her.
“Happy birthday! This one’s on me,” he said.
“Oh, thank you!” Tom walked away and Bernie turned to her brother.
“Did you tell him it was my birthday?”
“I may have mentioned it.” Jack grinned as he lifted his glass and tapped it against hers. “Cheers!”
Bernie took a sip and then leaned back in her chair. It was nice to relax and have a fun night out with her brother. They ordered a platter of nachos and some chicken wings to share and when they were fully stuffed, Jack asked if she had saved room for cake.
Bernie laughed. “No. I’ve had plenty today. If you want dessert, though, go ahead.” Her brother’s sweet tooth was even bigger than hers.
“I saw Tom bring out a slice of chocolate cake before you got here. It’s pretty big for one, though. Will you have at least one bite?”
Their six-layer chocolate cake was legendary. It was rich and moist and smothered in thick chocolate frosting.
“I’m sure I could manage a bite or two.”
A few minutes later, Tom returned with the cake, which was topped with whipped cream and a single pink candle. He set the dessert down in front of Bernie and handed them each a fork.
“But this isn’t for me,” she protested.
“Just blow out the candle and then slide the cake over here,” Jack said.
Bernie did as requested, and took one bite before pushing the rest of it Jack’s way.
He was just about done when Bernie noticed a familiar face coming into the restaurant. The only empty seat at the bar was next to her as someone had just left. And now David was heading her way. He gave her a small smile as he slid into the seat.
“Still celebrating?” he asked as he saw the plate of cake crumbs.
“Yes. You remember my brother, Jack?”
David nodded. “Sure, we’re on the same hockey team too.”
“You are?” Bernie looked at her brother in surprise.
“Yeah, must be what three or four years now?” Jack said. He stretched in his chair and patted his full stomach. “It’s a great stress reliever.”
“What do you have to be stressed about?” Jack was one of the most laid-back people Bernie knew. She knew he played in an evening men’s league, but had no idea David did, too. She wondered how he fit it into a busy doctor’s schedule.
“Life in general can be stressful. I hide it well,” Jack said with a grin.
“It’s been really good for me, too.” David said. “Lets me get some exercise in and as you said, good for stress.” He smiled. “I wish I could make more of the games, though. It is a challenge sometimes with my schedule.”
“Do you work a lot of nights?” Bernie asked.
“Not too often, but sometimes I’ll pick up a shift. Like tomorrow. A friend had to go out of town last minute, so I’ll be working a double.”
“How’s Lindsey? Is she meeting you here?” Jack asked.
David’s face clouded over. “No, I’m meeting another doctor that I work with for a quick drink or two. Lindsey and I broke up a few weeks ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I hadn’t heard.” Bernie knew by the look that had flashed across Jack’s face that he felt awful for bringing it up.
David sighed. “It’s fine, really. It was a long time coming. We should have called it quits ages ago. Sometimes it’s just easier not to, you know?”
Jack nodded and Bernie looked at the two of them and felt irritated. Jack accurately read the look on her face. “I don’t think Bernie approves.”
“I don’t, actually. You’re just as bad, Jack. You’ve ghosted a girl more than once just to avoid having an awkward breakup.”
“Only when it was someone I’d only taken out a few times. Just seems kinder all around to do the fade away.”
“I don’t know about that.” Bernie turned her attention to David. “But I think it’s even worse to stay with someone that you know you don’t want to be with long term. It’s not fair to her. It gives false hope.”
David was quiet for a moment and then said, “Fair enough. But I really didn’t know it for sure until she started pushing for more of a commitment.”
Bernie shook her head in disapproval. “You two have a lot in common,” she said. “You’re afraid of commitment.”
“I’d get married tomorrow if I met someone that knocked my socks off,” Jack said. “I just have to keep dating until I find her.”
David laughed. “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I do think I might know it sooner if I met the right one. I thought I might feel that way eventually about Lindsey but it never happened.”
“Like I said, you two are a good pair.”
“What’s your type?” Jack asked him. “In case I meet someone who might be right.”
David thought about that for a minute. “I’m not sure I have a definite type, but so far, they’ve mostly been petite brunettes, and local. I don’t plan on leaving this area anytime soon, so that is important.”
Well, if she needed any further confirmation that she and David were not suited for each other, she had it. At five foot eight, no one would consider her petite and her hair couldn’t be any blonder. She was local, though—not that it mattered.
Bernie had, however, noticed another look that had crossed her brother’s face when he learned that Lindsey was suddenly single—interest. Though her brother showed interest in most attractive females and Lindsey was a pretty girl.
Jack nodded. “Okay, I’ll think about that. No one is coming to mind, but you never know.” He reached for the bill when Tom set it on the table and threw his credit card down. Bernie about died at what he said next. “So, what about Bernie? Do you have any single friends that might be good for her?”
David looked surprised by the question, too. “You don’t have a boyfriend?”
Bernie felt an urge to crawl under her seat. Why was it when people asked that question it often sounded like they were also saying, “What’s wrong with you?”
She forced a smile. “Nope, totally single.”
“She’s very picky,” Jack said and then quickly added, “as she should be, of course.”
“Of course,” David agreed. “What kind of guys do you like?”
“I don’t have a particular type when it comes to looks. I’m open. But I like a nice smile, friendly eyes. A sense of humor. Someone who is kind, has a good career. I mean, I don’t care what the career is, as long as they enjoy the work, if that makes sense?”
“It does.”
“I guess I’m just looking for a nice guy. I’ve dated some great guys, there was just something missing. It’s hard to explain.”
“No, I totally understand,” David said. He turned as a tall, very good-looking blonde man walked over to them. Bernie guessed it was his co-worker. “Bernie, Jack, this is Eric, another doctor from the hospital.” Eric reached to shake both of their hands and Bernie noticed with a sigh that he was wearing a wedding ring. Of course he was.
“Bernie, you ready to go? Eric you can have one of our seats.”
“I’m ready. See you both later.”
“Happy birthday, Bernie,” David said with a smile that reached his eyes and took Bernie’s breath away. She’d never seen that from him before. For a moment, the thought crossed her mind that it was too bad he preferred brunettes.
Chapter 4
Bernie had a feeling the Westons would be early for their three o’clock appointment with her and sure enough, they walked through the door at a quarter to three.
“I’m so sorry we’re early. We’re jus
t so excited to see what you all have planned. We can go bother Wade, though, if you’re not ready for us.” Mrs. Weston said. Mr. Weston stood quietly behind her, content to let his wife take the lead.
Bernie stood up and grabbed her purse. “I’m ready to go. We can head right over there.”
“Oh, good. I’ll just tell Wade we’re on our way then.” She went to walk into his office, which was connected to Bernie and Lily’s, but stopped when she heard Wade’s voice call out. “Have fun, Mom. I’ll see you when you get back!”
Mrs. Weston turned around. “Well, I guess we’re on our way, then…”
Bernie led them to the new barn building, which was one of the pet projects the parents had suggested that Wade and his siblings implement while they were gone. It really was a great idea, though. Everyone loved the rustic barn and it was big enough to hold much larger events than what the restaurant could accommodate in the dining room. With the expanded kitchen, one of the first projects they’d tackled, they were now able to cater parties of all sizes.
Bernie unlocked the door and they all stepped inside. She flicked on the lights and Mrs. Weston gasped.
“Oh, my stars! Lily has outdone herself. Look at this!” The room was beautifully decorated with glass centerpieces, and tiny twinkling lights danced all around the room as strands of them were draped everywhere. Side tables were covered with snow-white linens and were ready for auction items to be displayed. Pretty trees stood in all four corners of the room and were all lit up, too. Bernie explained what the hospital had planned and what they’d be serving. And then she told them about the silent auction and the live auction.
“Oh, we have to pop in to see that. Imagine bidding on a handsome doctor. How fun!”
“It is a clever idea,” Bernie agreed.
“You should bid on someone, dear. What a great way to meet a nice man!”
Bernie laughed. “Oh, I could never.” She didn’t consider herself shy, but she wasn’t brave enough to do such a thing.
“I would have loved to do that!” Mrs. Weston said. Mr. Weston cleared his throat and shot her a disapproving glance.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know I meant before I met you, of course!”
“All right, then.”
“So, let’s talk about Wade’s wedding, dear.” Mrs. Weston led Bernie over to one of the big round tables and took a seat. Bernie and Mr. Weston joined her.
“Lily has been handling most of the details for it, but I’m pretty familiar with everything,” Bernie said as she pulled out her pen and a piece of paper to jot down any notes she might need to pass on to Lily.
“Oh, I know, dear. And she’s doing a wonderful job. I know Wade and Maddie say that want to keep this on the small side, but there’s a few people I thought of that I know they’ll agree should be there.” She proceeded to rattle off at least a dozen names, family friends and cousins that Bernie suspected Wade hadn’t seen in years…or he would have invited them.
“And I have some thoughts on the menu. I think a carving station would be nice, and a pasta station where you pick out your own sauce. We went to a wedding that had those last year and it was just marvelous. I know Wade would love it.”
Bernie jotted it down but had to ask, “Have you mentioned any of this to Wade? I thought they had the menu set.”
“Oh, this will just be in addition to what he already asked for. He won’t mind.”
Bernie put a star next to her note so she wouldn’t forget to mention it to Wade and Maddie. They might not mind, but Bernie thought they should at least know about it!
Mrs. Weston glanced at her watch. “Oh, we’d better head back now. I told Wade I’d say hello and then I have an appointment at the spa for a facial.” As they walked out, Mrs. Weston sighed happily. “It’s good to be back. I don’t know where the time goes, though. When we retired, I thought I’d be bored and looking for things to do. It hasn’t been like that at all. We’re always busy.”
Mr. Weston nodded in agreement and Bernie smiled as they started to walk back. She’d noticed that he was very quiet and supposed it might partly be because it was easier to just let his wife talk. She was a bit of a chatterbox.
When they got back to the office, Wade chatted with his parents for a few minutes and after they left he called her into his office.
“My mother is up to something, isn’t she?”
“Why do you say that?” Bernie asked.
“She was being evasive. I asked her what she talked about with you. She said you showed her the barn and talked about the hospital gala.”
“That’s true, we did.”
“That’s it? Nothing else?” Wage leaned back in his chair waiting.
Bernie laughed. “She didn’t mention that we talked about the wedding and extra people she wanted to invite and the food stations she wanted to add?”
“I knew it! No, she didn’t. What food stations?”
Bernie told him what his mother had in mind and his expression shifted from irritated to thoughtful. “That’s actually not a terrible idea. I’ll run it by Maddie. It’s her call.”
“I can’t believe it’s just a few weeks away. How’s Maddie doing?” Most brides were stress balls as their wedding drew near but Maddie was always so calm and it was her second wedding, so maybe it was easier.
“She’s great. She was a little worried until her dress came in last week. It was the only thing she hadn’t crossed off her list. She’s ready now and so am I.” He grinned. “I can’t wait if you want to know the truth. It can’t come soon enough.” His phone rang and he turned his attention to the voice on the other end of the phone. Bernie went back to her desk, thinking about what he’d just said. That was how it was supposed to be, when you were so in love that you couldn’t wait to get married and make it official.
* * *
It had been another crazy day in the ER. David ran nonstop from one patient to the next. Before he knew it, the shift was over and he had exactly one hour to get home, shower, change and meet his friends at River’s End Ranch for the hospital gala.
Although his personal cell phone was in his pocket, he had the ringer off so that he wouldn’t be bothered throughout the day and wasn't expecting any calls anyway. So when Marybeth came rushing over to him, with a look of panic on her face he had no idea what the problem was.
"Did you talk to Clark? He said he's been trying to reach you."
"No, I haven't talked to him." David pulled his phone out of his pocket and saw that he had a bunch of missed calls from Clark. There was one voicemail and David quickly listened to it.
"David, it's Clark trying to reach you. I'm stuck in Denver. Missed my connecting flight due to weather delays and it doesn't look like I'm going to make it back in time for the gala. Any chance you could fill in for me? I really hate to let them down."
Fill in for him? David glanced at Mary Beth's hopeful face and realized with horror what Clark was asking him to do.
"So, did he ask you? Will you do it? We were really counting on Clark for this."
This was the last thing David wanted to do. He’d been looking forward to the gala as a relaxing evening with friends. He’d been planning to find something to bid on at the silent auction, not being one of those items. “I don't know. Clark is good at that sort of thing. I’m not. I don’t know that I’d do much for you.” He hoped that she’d say never mind. But no such luck.
“We’ll take what we can get and we’d be ever so grateful if you’d fill in. I’m sure you’d do really well for us!” Mary Beth looked at him with pleading, puppy dog eyes and as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t say no.
“All right. Just tell me what to do and I’ll be there.”
Chapter 5
When Bernie walked through her front door, twenty-three pounds of orange cat threw himself around her feet, nearly tripping her. She closed the door, set down her bag and scooped up Tiny to give him a hug. When she’d adopted him from a shelter as a kitten, he was already named,
as he was a scrawny, cross-eyed tiny little thing. He snuggled against her neck and purred loudly, allowing her to hold him for barely a minute before he squirmed to get down and ran straight to his food bowl.
Bernie laughed as she got out his food and put in the bowl. "And I thought you were just happy to see me."
She went upstairs to shower and change, and then spent about ten minutes staring inside her closet, trying to figure out what to wear. The hospital gala was a formal event, so cocktail-length would be appropriate. She was torn between two—a modest and elegant little black dress, or a lively and fun red lacy one. She decided to try on both and then decide. Once she had the black one on, she twirled in front of her full-length mirror to see all sides. It looked lovely, though a little boring. She hung it back in the closet and then slid into the other. The lacy red dress with its three-quarter length sleeves and pretty scoop neck was very flattering on, and definitely not boring.
She added strapless silver heels, her favorite pearl necklace and was just finishing her makeup when she heard a knock at the door. Perfect timing. It must be Melissa. Melissa was new at the ranch, and ran the bookstore in the Old West town. She lived just a mile up the road, so the two of them had decided to go to the event together. Bernie love to read romance novels, and she and Melissa had bonded over talking about books.
"You look wonderful! Come on in. I'm just about ready."
Melissa stepped inside and took her coat off. She was wearing a little black dress, similar to the one that Bernie had just tried on. Hers was anything but boring, though; it dipped in the back and had a sassy flare at the knee.
"Thanks.” Melissa appraised Bernie’s dress. “I love the red. It looks great with your hair." She looked around the room and Bernie was glad she’d remembered to tidy up the day before. She wanted the house to look its best for visitors.
Bernie's Birthday (River's End Ranch Book 22) Page 2
