Best Of My Love: (Love in Emerald Creek)

by N. D. Jackson

  “Alright, see you soon baby girl.”

  She froze at his affectionate words and quickly hung up the phone. She couldn’t deal with emotions right now. Shayna needed her. Her first call had been to her assistant to find the fastest way out of Hawaii and her second call to her business partner and good friend, Burke.

  “Just because you don’t sleep Dre doesn’t mean the rest of us have to suffer.” His gruff, sleep heavy voice still rang with amusement.

  “I guess it’s a good thing you insisted on becoming my partner then because this isn’t a social call.” She gave him a quick explanation of what had gone down and her future plans.

  “I’ll take care of everything until you get settled. Let me know what you need.”

  “Thanks Burke. Talk soon.” Dre stared at a spot on the bamboo floor until her vision began to blur, which she felt an appropriate metaphor for returning to Emerald Creek.

  Ten hours, four cups of coffee, one espresso and an hour long car ride later, Dre was storming through the doors of the Emerald Creek emergency medical center. Another new addition in town, she mused as her eyes took in the stark white walls, antiseptic scent and suspiciously chipper nurses. Her gaze swept over the waiting room, ignoring the inquiring looks from the chipper crew in pink and purple scrubs, before finally landing on the little munchkins she liked in spite of herself.

  “Auntie Dre!” Eli struggled from his seat but eventually wiggled down and his little legs sent him crashing into her not much longer legs.

  “Hey Squirt, how’s it going?” She wrapped the boy in a hug while her eyes studied Zoe, looking more somber and serious than her younger brother. A near mirror image of her mother. “Zoe babe, come here.” The little girl joined their hug, squeezing Dre tight enough to let her know just how much pain her stoic expression hid.

  “Mom’s not doing well,” she whispered and pulled back.

  Grabbing a kid in each hand she took a seat and pulled Eli onto her lap so they both faced Zoe. “Your mom is strong, she’s tough and she’ll pull through. I’ll make sure of it, okay?” She hoped they believed her words because she was pretty sure she was just talking from her ass. “When was the last time you guys had food?” At their simultaneous shrugs, she whipped a couple twenty dollar bills from her bag and handed them to Zoe. “I read the cafeteria is always open so you guys go get some food and make sure it’s actual food okay?” She didn’t know much about taking care of kids but she knew healthy, non-junk food was essential.

  Zoe nodded, bright red ponytail bobbing behind her in a lopsided wink. “We’ll get burgers and fries. Let’s go Eli.”

  “Don’t leave the building…hang on,” she went to one of the only too eager to help nurses and had one escort them down with explicit instructions not to let them speak to any man who approaches them. “Got it?” At the nurse’s nod a small smile touched her lips. “Great. And thank you.”

  With a puzzled look and a tentative smile, the pink clad nurse guided the kids away and Dre turned to stare at the door separating her from her best friend. Well closest might be more accurate since she hadn’t been good at maintaining any of her relationships while she built her business. She pushed the door open and stifled the gasp that wanted to escape. JT had really done a number on her. One eye was swollen shut, a huge gash split her slightly bigger than the top bottom lip while her right arm was in a cast along with her left leg. “Hey Beauty Queen,” she joked to lighten the mood, kicking herself when Shayna’s attempt at a smile caused her pain. “Sorry. What can I do?”

  Shayna’s eyes widened, in surprise at her abruptness or the formality Dre didn’t know and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “You’re here to help?”

  Dre rolled her eyes. “Of course I am dummy. You think I came all the way from Hawaii just to take out a hit on your husband? I can do that from anywhere. I got the kids covered, what do you need?”

  Shayna blinked and when her hazel eyes landed on Dre again, they filled with tears. “Just keep my babies safe.”

  She would always protect those kids. They were probably the closest she’d have to kids of her own. “I’ve already got that taken care of girl. You want some nice pajamas? Want me to sneak you a green apple Boone’s Farm? Send a nail tech out to you? I’m asking about you Shayna.”

  “If the kids are fine, I can worry about making myself fine.” Familiar hazel eyes begged her not to push anymore, and despite every instinct telling her otherwise, Dre nodded her agreement. “Thank you, Dre. I hate to pull you away from your vacation.”

  She quickly dismissed her friend’s words with a brush of her hands. “It was work and I only had a few days left. Don’t worry about any of that, it’ll get done. One last question, where is the asshole?”

  “Al arrested him.”

  She nodded, knowing that was likely. Her father was the Sheriff of Emerald Creek and had been for decades. He thought of Shayna as another daughter so she knew he’d come down hard on JT. One thing we agree on, she huffed, shaking her head when Shayna’s auburn brows rose in question. “Nothing. Want to see the kids?”

  “Still here?” Her split lip making speaking difficult but Dre only nodded.

  “They were waiting to see if I’d show up before calling DCFS but I swear those bitches had their fingers hovering over the phone,” she shook her head in disgust. “I sent them with a nurse to get some food with instructions that they’re not to talk to any strangers. At all.”

  Her smile was brief but she’d seen it. “Mama bear.”

  “Auntie bear, but you already know this.” She grinned. “I’m sorry this happened Shay.”

  “Me too.”

  That was the extent of her ability to offer comfort so she nodded and opened the door to poke her head out just as the kids rounded the corner with oversized brownies in their hands. And chocolate all over their mouths. “Guess who’s awake and asking to see you?” Two sets of grey eyes widened and chocolate covered mouths curled into smiles. “Just remember gentle and quiet, and don’t forget to tell her how pretty she looks.”

  Eli nodded and skipped in. “Hi Mommy you look very pretty. Are you okay?” His small hand landed on her cheek in a gesture far too mature for his young age.

  She let the kids spend a few minutes with their mom while she checked and sent emails to let her staff know what was happening. She’d need a temporary kit sent but for now she would focus on getting Zoe and Eli settled. Me as a nanny, who would’ve thought? “Okay Munchkins, we ready to head out?” At their worried expressions she softened hers. “We’ll come back to see your mom tomorrow. Promise.”

  They seemed satisfied with her answer and each kid took a hand as they left Shayna to heal in the medical center. “Will Mommy be okay?”

  She looked into Eli’s grey eyes and flaming red bangs growing a tad too long and stylish for a kid. “It might take some time but she’s gonna be fine.” That much was true. Though she’d chosen a dick like JT to give her heart to, Shayna was stronger than even she knew. Those wounds on the outside would heal and eventually the inside ones would too. The only doubt Dre had was whether or not she would take the jackass back.

  The ride back to Shayna’s house was quiet as both kids drifted off to sleep behind her, Dre’s attention went to the changes the town had experienced in her absence. Still a mom & pop town at heart, Emerald Creek still boasted colorful store fronts with decorations for every passing holiday. Redwood Street, the town’s version of Main Street looked the same only updated. But she had spotted a strip mall on her way into town and a few big chain restaurants she’d bet made life difficult for Gloria’s Good Stuff and the other local eateries. She never thought this town would succumb to big name stores and chains but nothing stayed the same forever, she supposed.

  Morning would arrive soon, bathing the town in sunlight but she knew that as much as the outside had changed—shinier stores, newer homes and shit was more expensive—Emerald Creek was still very much the same small town she’d left.

  N
ot that it was a bad town.

  It wasn’t.

  It just wasn’t home.

  Not anymore.

  Chapter Two

  Running a restaurant was hard damn work but Erick gladly put the work in every single day because it was his business, his name on the line. And because it allowed him to give his baby girl the life she deserved. If not for her he might have packed it in years ago and done the easy thing by working for someone else. Letting someone else worry about inventory and payroll and insurance and the thousands of other little things that cropped up every day to ensure he rarely had a moment of peace. Running his gastropub, Maverick’s, wasn’t always easy but he was proud of his business and the food he served. Every damn day.

  “You’re looking pretty deep in thought considering this joint isn’t even open yet.”

  He looked up and smiled at the grizzled old voice belonging to Sheriff Larson. Despite how things had gone down with Dre, the man never held it against him. Never bore him any ill will, which he could admit he found odd. Still he felt grateful for their friendship even though neither man ever talked about the woman who’d bonded them. “I’m always deep in thought, most people can’t tell because they’re so mesmerized by my beauty,” he joked, laughing at the Sheriff’s derisive snort. “Want something?”

  He shook his head, hands rubbing the salt and pepper stubble he’d forgotten to shave this morning. His smooth brown skin seemed pale, ashen and a thought occurred to Erick. Maybe he was sick. “Nah, I have to get back out there on patrol, make sure the good citizens know I’m watching,” he joked the same way he’d done when Erick had been a scrawny teenager trying to make it to third base with the Sheriff’s daughter. “I’ll be back when my shift is over but I wanted to let you know, she’s back.”

  “Dre?” Of course, Dre because who else would he be talking about? Your ex-wife, his inner jerk replied.

  “Yeah. Got in late last night or early this morning. Figured you’d want a heads up.”

  Why he figured that, Erick didn’t know. He’d been the asshole in the annihilation of his relationship with Dre, not her. “I appreciate it.” About a thousand questions came to mind for him to ask Al but he knew the man could no more answer those questions than he could. From what Erick could tell she never came back to Emerald Creek and he doubt she talked to him more now than she did ten years ago. He’d betrayed her trust and she had never forgiven him. You did the same thing, that jerk reminded him again. Like he could forget what he’d done. “How is she?”

  When he shrugged, Al looked his age. Every line and freckle appeared more pronounced with his dejected posture. “Don’t know, not really. But maybe you can find out for yourself if I can get her to agree to have lunch with me.” His smile was bright, as it always was, but this time Erick could see behind the rows of toothpaste commercial perfect teeth to see the pain he hid. Or tried to hide.

  “For both our sakes, I hope you get what you want Al.”

  “Thanks son.” He tipped his hand and turned on his heels to make his way back to the royal blue Sheriff’s vehicle the man had driven since Erick was a pimply faced teenager.

  For a long time after Al left, Erick stood behind the bar staring out the window. Dre Larson was back in Emerald Cove. Either hell had frozen over or the universe had finally answered his prayers and granted him a second chance with the only girl he’d ever loved until he’d fallen for his daughter.

  He doubted it would be that easy. Few things in his life had turned out to be easy, but a man could hope. And no matter what he’d get to see her again at some point.

  Maybe she wouldn’t still hate him. Maybe they could still be friends or learn to be friends again.

  And maybe pigs might fly out of your ass and land on the grill in back.

  He was really starting to hate that prick.

  “No school today?” Eli asked as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, his pink lips holding a pout because the little guy didn’t realize how unintimidating he looked in his Hulk pajamas.

  “You slept late kiddo. It’s past lunch time already.” She’d made the decision early this morning to keep them home since she remembered how quickly gossip traveled in a small town. No doubt her friends and their parents would try to pump the kids for information and she wasn’t quite ready to unleash her bitchy side on poor unsuspecting suburbanites. “The good news is that you get a free day.”

  His auburn brows crinkled in confusion. “What’s the bad news?”

  “You have to clean your room, it looks like you’re trying to grow something to become a superhero. What is it, ants?” He shook his head. “Spiders?” Giggling now, he shook his head again. “Pigs?”

  “Auntie Dre there’s no Pig Man!” He doubled over with laughter and she thought it just might be the sweetest sound she’d ever heard.

  “Then that’s perfect, you can be the first. Want to borrow my computer to write that script,” she asked playfully.

  “I’m too young.”

  She nodded as though she really had to think about it. “Got it. Well you just tell me when you’re ready, alright?” He nodded. “There’s food on the table.” She wasn’t much of a breakfast cook but she could cut up a mean fruit salad. It, along with bagels and muffins, might be too grownup for the kids but today it would have to do.

  “Strawberries? Can I have some?”

  Could he? “I don’t know, are you allergic?” Grey eyes slid downward, trying to appear innocent while lying. “Eat the other bowl. Your mom would never forgive me if you ended up in the bed next to hers.”

  Eli walked back to where she scrolled on her laptop, trying to snuggle in beside her but failing due to the giant bowl of fruit. “Help me,” he commanded without whining which impressed the hell out of Dre.

  She took the bowl and that was the extent of the help he required, using her legs to pull himself up and taking the bowl back. “Be careful you don’t drown in there.”

  “What’s drown?”

  “It’s when you breathe in too much water and die.” He gasped and she winced. “Sorry but it is.” Sugarcoating things wasn’t her strong suit but she had to remember these were impressionable minds.

  “Can we go see Mommy today?”

  She nodded and ruffled his already mussed hair. “Yep but not until tonight because you kids have things to do this afternoon.” She’d been surprised at all the tools available to keep parents from spending time with their kids. It was too bad for them because as a kid, hanging with her mom had been her favorite thing to do with computers coming a close second. “Where is your sister?”

  “In her room,” he rolled his eyes, “checking in with her friends. Like always.”

  She had to stifle a laugh at just how put upon he seemed. “I’ll heat up some bagels to go with that fruit, go tell Zoe to rise and shine,” she instructed, taking the bowl moments before it made a home on the light blue carpet. Shayna loved her pastels.

  “Okay!” And he was off, making Dre wish she had as much energy all day as he had the first hour of the day. “Rise and shine. Rise and shine.” He chanted happily as he climbed the stairs one at a time because his legs weren’t quite long enough to skip a few.

  With breakfast all taken care of and the kids clean and dressed appropriately, Dre felt pretty good so far. She’d even dropped Zoe off at soccer practice ten minutes early while also managing to duck and dodge the curious mothers huddled along the sidelines. And now she held Eli’s hand while they looked at guitars. She probably wouldn’t buy one today even though being in the music shop made her want one. Badly. She used to come to this little hole in the wall music store for piano lessons about ten thousand years ago but now it had expanded. There were private rooms, a second floor and a much larger selection. Then she spotted a mahogany Fender and she knew she had to have it. Pulling it down from the hook, she grabbed a nearby stool and strummed the chords in scale as she’d always done inside these walls.

  “You play Auntie Dre?”

  She smiled
up at Eli who was removing his own guitar from the smaller case. “A little. I took piano lessons here but I taught myself guitar a few years ago.” It soothed her when she needed it and cleared her mind when it became too cluttered. “I used to dream of being a rock star when I was your age.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  Kids are awesome. It would never occur to Eli that she didn’t have the talent or the look. Or whatever. “I can play instruments but I can’t sing.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Everyone can sing.”

  That pulled a laugh from her as she began to strum the chords to Wild World. “In the technical sense of the word yes, but I don’t do it very well. I don’t think I could even get you to buy my album.”

  His nose crinkled adorably. “What’s an al-bum?”

  Her gaze narrowed playfully. “The absolute best way to listen to pure music without all that crap that turns bad singers into not awful singers.” She smiled when he stumbled through the chords she played, watching her fingers so intently for a kid who’s face she still had to clean.

  “If you say so. Mom says you’re weird.”

  She laughed. “Your mom has thought I was weird since the day we met. She likes it though, don’t let her tell you any differently.” She winked as he went back for his lesson. Paying for her guitar, she sat in the back of the store playing any song she could remember until the hour was over. A grin appeared on her face as the music vibrated her body, making her feel a little more okay about being back here. It would never be totally okay, not without her mother and for a lot of other reasons too. But right now, talking to Eli and letting her fingers fly over the strings, she felt like maybe it wouldn’t be too awful either.

  When Eli’s lesson ended they hopped back in the car, picked up toasted subs so they could catch the last half hour of Zoe’s soccer practice. This is apparently my life now. Chauffeuring kids to lessons and practice. It was an odd sort of feeling, not necessarily bad but uncomfortable nonetheless. She did enjoy sitting in the grass where she’d smoked her first cigarette at age fourteen with Eli cheering on Zoe, and laughing at the furious blush that stained her cheeks. Boy did the kid love to chat.