Winter in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance)

by Anderson, Cindy Roland

  “Why didn’t you check on him?” McCoy asked quietly, barely controlling his voice. It couldn’t be his accident, could it? “Maybe the man needed the chance to forgive and move on,” McCoy ground out.

  Chanel sighed. “I know. I feel awful about that now, but things crashed in on me pretty quickly. I found out Chance had borrowed against everything we owned and I lost my house, the money I received from the insurance company for his Camaro, and some small investments I’d started for our retirement. I walked away with nothing, but I still had my job so I thought I’d be okay, until I found out I was expecting Trey.”

  McCoy rubbed her back in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. Car accident? T-boned a Jeep? The driver in a Camaro? The driver at fault was hopped up on meds and injured the other driver badly? No insurance. Things had imploded for Chanel and she had never found out who the other driver was. McCoy didn’t blame her, but he didn’t know quite how to handle this. He cleared his throat and managed to ask, “Where was this accident at again?”

  “Downtown Portland. Near Fisherman’s Wharf.”

  McCoy’s entire body went cold. He’d suspected she was talking about his accident the second she’d said her husband had hit a Jeep in Portland, but there was no refuting the truth now.

  Chanel stirred next to him. “McCoy?” She stared up at him so sweetly with her blue eyes. “You okay?”

  He shook his head and stood abruptly. His blanket fell to the ground. He mechanically picked it up and started folding it. Chanel rose to her feet, studying him. “What did I say? What’s wrong?”

  McCoy bit at his cheek so hard he tasted blood. Should he tell her? What good would it do? No. It would only cause her pain and she didn’t need that. “It’s nothing.”

  “It’s something. Talk to me.” Her eyes had a panic in them that tore at him.

  “We need to go inside. Trey might be up.”

  She studied him for a few seconds. “Can we talk more about this later?”

  McCoy swallowed and couldn’t meet her eye. “Yeah. It’s late and … I’m not feeling well at all. That shake.” He tried to force a smile as he spit out the lie. It wasn’t really a lie, his stomach churned and he didn’t know if the shake was going to stay down.

  Chanel nodded tersely, folded her blanket, and they walked quietly back through the yard and into the house. McCoy managed to say goodnight at her bedroom door, but he didn’t kiss her and the pain in her eyes was palpable. She’d shared things with him she’d never shared with anyone and because of a horrible connection that she didn’t even know about, he wasn’t able to help or comfort her. He was a worm.

  He walked to his room, closed the door, and just leaned against it. Chanel’s husband had been addicted to painkillers and had been the one to hit him at more than double the speed limit in his shiny Camaro. McCoy only had liability on his Jeep so his insurance company refused to do anything and if Chanel’s husband had lived he would’ve been in trouble for not having insurance, but the man had died.

  All the misery and pain of the accident rushed in on him. Not just the physical, but the depression, the worry over school and money and if he’d ever be successful or normal again. He felt anger at Chanel’s husband rise up in him. He hadn’t been able to blame the guy in the past—after all, how do you blame a dead man? But knowing that this was more than just one mistake, that the guy had chosen over and over again to put himself first, gave McCoy the permission he needed to let his anger out of the box and point it in this Chance guy’s direction.

  Then he thought of Chanel. She’d been married to a selfish, addicted man. Sorrow for what she’d gone through in her marriage and with her husband’s tragic death overcame the anger. He wanted to rush back to her room and take her into his arms, but he couldn’t do it.

  Chapter 9

  Things were strained between Chanel and McCoy the next morning. She alternated between anger at him and trying to understand what was going on. He didn’t want anything to do with her after her revelations, that much was clear. She wished he didn’t blame her for her husband’s actions, but obviously he did. She thought back through their conversation so many times it gave her a headache. The one thing she kept coming back to was he’d been understanding and kind until she’d said something about the car accident. He’d been injured in a car accident, maybe she’d dredged up the awful memories and that was why he was so distant.

  She made it through church with McCoy sitting stiffly beside her, until Trey climbed onto his lap then he relaxed a little bit and quietly distracted her son with picture books, coloring, and they both seemed to enjoy sharing the Swedish Fish Missy had bought for Trey. Sunday’s midday dinner was awkward as well. After the meal, she put Trey down for his nap then lay on the bed. She wasn’t going back out there to face McCoy, or Porter and Missy’s frustrated looks at the two of them. Hot tears traced from the corners of her eyes down to her hairline.

  A quiet knock at the door yanked her upright. She quickly wiped the tears away and prayed she didn’t look as horrible as she felt. She also prayed it was him and she could somehow make things right. She cracked the door, her bright smile fading as Missy peered at her through the crack. The tears quickly sprang up again. Missy took one look at Chanel’s face and pushed her back into the room, closing the door behind her.

  “What is going on?” she asked in a loud whisper.

  Chanel sighed and lifted her hands. “I don’t know. I told McCoy all about Chance last night and he’s changed. It’s like he can’t stand the sight of me now.”

  “That makes no sense.” Missy glanced over at Trey.

  “He’ll sleep through anything,” Chanel said.

  “I know. Cute little bug. I just want to squish him when he’s sleeping.”

  Chanel felt a surge of love for her cousin. They were closer than sisters and Missy truly loved Trey like he was her own. She was an angel.

  Missy gave her a hug and tugged her over to sit on the bed. “Let’s talk this out. What could you have said that would upset him this badly?”

  “You could tell he was upset?”

  “I haven’t seen him this down since after his accident.”

  Chanel straightened. “It’s got to be something to do with his accident. After I told him Chance had been killed in a car accident and injured the other driver, he got all stiff and hardly said another word to me.”

  Missy pursed her lips. “Maybe there are just too many similarities, you both being from Portland and all.”

  Chanel had the most horrible thought and her stomach dropped. She grabbed Missy’s arm. “When did McCoy’s accident happen?”

  “It was in November a couple years ago. I can’t remember the exact date, but right after Thanksgiving.”

  Chanel’s stomach was twisting in knots now. It couldn’t be. “He wasn’t driving … a black Jeep?”

  “Yeah. Did he tell you that?”

  “No.” Chanel swallowed and closed her eyes. “Missy. Chance hit a man in a black Jeep, two days after Thanksgiving.”

  Missy’s hand flew to her mouth. “No. It couldn’t be.”

  Chanel exhaled. “Oh, Missy. If it was McCoy.” She shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. “It can’t be, but if it was … will he ever forgive me?”

  Missy wrapped an arm around her. “It wasn’t your fault, sweetie. There’s nothing to forgive.”

  Chanel hung her head. She wasn’t so sure. “He said something about how I should’ve gone to talk to the other driver and given him a chance to forgive. Oh, Missy. I feel like it’s all my fault. Maybe it’s too late to fix this.”

  Missy squeezed her shoulder, but didn’t offer any words of encouragement.

  Chapter 10

  McCoy was pretty certain Sunday was one of the worst days of his life, until Monday came and things only got more awkward between him and Chanel as they tried to work together, while at the same time not interacting. Why couldn’t he just tell her that her husband had hit him in that accident? He
didn’t blame her for her husband’s actions, it was just such an awful coincidence he didn’t know quite how to broach the subject and put it behind them.

  On Monday, he was starkly reminded that he only had two more days to come up with four thousand dollars. It was never going to happen. So maybe it didn’t matter if he and Chanel couldn’t reconcile since he’d have to leave town and find somewhere else to work. Hopefully in a bigger city he could find a dental office that would bring him on or maybe the traveling pediatric offer would have to work, though that sounded miserable.

  His shoulders were so rounded by the end of the day he didn’t know how he continued to stand up straight. The patients were all gone and he wanted to escape. He walked pretty slow since the accident, but maybe he’d go on a long hike up into the mountains. Maybe he wouldn’t even come back and face that February first loan payment, or Chanel and the fact that he couldn’t take care of her. Heck, he couldn’t even talk to her.

  He came out of the back examination room and almost ran into Chanel. Putting his arms out to steady her, he felt the connection from touching her as always. He wanted to pull her into his arms and take and give comfort from her healing touch, but it wasn’t fair to her. He stayed strong and released his grip. The pain in her eyes ripped into him.

  “I’m all done,” she said quietly. “I’m going to head home and check on Trey.”

  “Okay.” Home. For a brief moment he’d thought they would have a home together someday. Life was bitter sometimes. If it was just the accident, he really thought they could work it out, but this debt hanging over him and the fact that his office would be closing soon and they’d both be without jobs or hope. He didn’t know how to work through that with anyone, even Chanel.

  “Do you … need anything?” She met his gaze and those blue eyes almost gave him hope that she could fix his problems and give him what he needed.

  Only you, he almost said. He bit his tongue and shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ll see you at Porter’s.” He couldn’t bring himself to say home. He really had no home. He never had. His parents had tried, but he’d rebelled and never felt welcomed there. Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Blake, and all of his cousins had tried, but he had no right to force himself into their family. Now he wanted a home with Chanel and Trey like he’d never wanted anything, but it wasn’t going to happen either.

  She gave a curt nod and strode past him. He heard the front door shut and sank down to the floor, his back pressing into the wall, his legs too weak to support this burden. Two days and he lost everything—his dental practice, his hopes and dreams, and worst of all, Chanel and Trey.

  He had no clue how long he sat there staring at the opposite wall. Chanel had done a really good job painting the office. Maybe the landlord would be generous and refund his deposit because of how nice it all looked.

  McCoy heard the sound of the front office door swish open. Chanel? He found a sudden strength he had no clue he possessed. He leapt to his feet and his limp was hardly noticeable as he rushed down the short hallway. She’d come back for him. McCoy might have nothing to offer, but he was willing to work hard. Would she relocate with him? Was he worth the risk to her?

  “Chanel?” Her name died on his lips as he came into the reception area and face to face with a man he had never seen before.

  “Sorry, no.” The man chuckled and extended a hand. “Dr. Joe Mason.”

  McCoy’s stomach clenched. The other dentist in town. Was he coming to cuss McCoy for taking his clientele? Well, at least McCoy could tell him he could have his patients back as McCoy would be without equipment to keep working in two days.

  “McCoy Wilson.” He shook the man’s hand, somehow unable to call himself doctor right now.

  “It’s great to finally meet you. I’ve had wonderful reports about you, young man.”

  “Y-you have?” McCoy shook his head to clear it.

  “Yes. My clients are telling me how fun you are with their children and how you’re fitting them in where I have no time.” He glanced around the office quickly. “But I have had some reports that your equipment is a little … rundown.” He licked his lips then plunged in. “I want you to be frank with me, son, because I’ve been there. How much debt do you have from school?”

  McCoy half-coughed. That was a pretty nervy question for anyone to ask, but another dentist would understand how hard it would be to get out of school, especially the extra time for pediatrics, without debt. He could have come close, without the accident. A fresh surge of anger at Chanel’s husband rushed through him, but now was definitely not the time to deal with that.

  “Well, sir. A lot. You see, I had a car accident and was uninsured and the man who hit me was uninsured. Long story short, I had medical bills that added to the usual school debt.”

  “Why didn’t you apply for a small town grant? The state of Montana has a few different ones you could have received.”

  “Excuse me?” Had he heard the man right? A grant, for dentists?

  “Nobody told you about that?”

  McCoy shook his head. He thought he was a pretty smart guy and had researched options, but this was something he’d never even thought of. Maybe because he didn’t like handouts and this kind of felt like one.

  “Small towns will quite often reimburse your school loans if you’ll agree to practice in that town for a certain number of years.”

  McCoy felt like he’d been gut-punched. It wasn’t really a handout if the town needed the dentist and he agreed to stay there for the time laid out. Heck, he’d stay here until they buried him, especially if they could help him with his student loans. He didn’t care how cold the winters were. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. Snow Valley did the same for me when I was starting out. The town council was so thrilled to have a dentist coming in so the people didn’t have to drive to Billings anymore.”

  “I never even thought of it.”

  Dr. Mason nodded his understanding. “So I have two proposals for you. I’ve talked with the town council and they’d like to meet with you and see what kind of agreement you can work out together. They’d like you to commit to at least ten years in the valley.”

  McCoy felt like he was in a dream. Help with his school debt? It was unbelievable.

  “I can see from the relief on your face that you like that.”

  “I can’t even say.” McCoy exhaled slowly. “Thank you, sir.”

  Dr. Mason nodded. “I feel you coming here is providential, son. As you’ve probably heard, I’m overloaded. I’d like to semi-retire, cut back to three to four days a week instead of six or seven.” His eyes twinkled. “Your expertise with pediatrics would be invaluable to my office.” He looked around again. “This place is pretty small. I have state of the art equipment and ample room for another dentist. Would you be interested in joining forces?”

  McCoy swallowed. “You’d want to … hire me?” It was what he’d been thinking of twenty minutes ago, but now the thought of having his student loans under control had given him a surge of hope. If he could ask the town council to convince the bank to give him a loan to pay off the payday loan, he could make a go of this on his own. With Chanel.

  “No,” Dr. Mason said. “I want to be partners.”

  Now that was an offer he couldn’t refuse. “But, sir. You can’t just bring on some dentist you don’t even know without making me buy in or something.”

  Dr. Mason grinned. “Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do. I thought about drawing up some paperwork and having you pay me over time for my practice, building, and equipment.”

  The building too? McCoy’s eyes were wide. He was going to have his own practice with new equipment and actually own property?

  “It’d be a decent boost to my retirement. I’ve prayed about it and I think it’s the best solution for both of us. But you need to get your own answer. Don’t let me tell you what to do.”

  “Do you have room for another dental assistant?”

  “Always.”
/>   McCoy barely restrained himself from hugging the man. “When do we draw up these papers?”

  Dr. Mason laughed. “How about you come in about seven tomorrow morning and we’ll start figuring it all out. Make sure it’s beneficial for both of us.”

  “Thank you, sir.” McCoy shook his hand again. Then suddenly, like a punch in the gut, he remembered the payday loan. “Sir. There is one more thing.” His throat clogged up. How could he ask more of this man who’d been so generous? Maybe he could just let the payday loan place take his equipment and kill his credit rating. But that felt so dishonest.

  “Yes?”

  “I, well, I made a mistake and used a payday loan type place to get the money to buy my equipment. A portion of the loan is due in two days.” He hung his head in humiliation. “Is there any way you’d talk to the bank with me? They won’t give me a short-term loan because I have no employment history.”

  “I’ll sign on the loan with you. I’ve known the Wilsons my entire life and they’re good people. We can just sell the equipment and pay it back off easily. You won’t need any of this at my office.”

  McCoy had never believed in fairy tales, but he started to wonder if this man had a wand or some pixie dust. Earlier today McCoy had only thought of him as the competition, now he was McCoy’s hero. “Thank you, again.”

  “Feels good to give back.” Dr. Mason nodded. “Don’t worry, as busy as my office is you’re going to more than earn your spot.”

  “I look forward to it, sir.” Hard work was definitely something he could do.

  After one more handshake, Dr. Mason left. McCoy glanced around the office. He’d be sad to leave it. He and Chanel had built it together and built a relationship in the process.