White Wedding for a Southern Belle

by Susan Carlisle

  Ashley clenched her jaw. She’d fought most of her life against being overprotected. To fight her own fights. After her childhood friend had been abducted it had seemed like her father hadn’t wanted to let her out of his sight. For years she’d had to beg to walk the two blocks to school. Even when he’d let her she’d caught him or her brother following her. It had taken going off to college to break away. She loved her father dearly but she would never return to that way of life. Having this doctor ride to the rescue wasn’t what she needed or wanted. She could take care of Marko and herself.

  Dr. Bradford said sarcastically, “So, if I understand correctly, I should have just stood by while they scared you into doing whatever they wanted you to do, which, by the way, was what?”

  “Marko doesn’t want the clinic to open. He believes it’s only here to keep tabs on him and his gang. You know, big brother watching and all that. What it amounts to is he’s afraid that if the people in Southriver have something positive, they’ll want more and stop letting him intimidate them. Push thugs like him out.”

  “That’s what you want too, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. I want to make this a good place to live.”

  “Admirable. But if you’re not careful you won’t be around to see it happen.”

  That might be true, but she’d spent so many years feeling cloistered and controlled, as if she couldn’t take care of herself, that as an adult she fought against it whenever it happened to her now. She wasn’t that brave in her personal life, always questioning her ability to judge if she was seeing the real person. Fighting to truly trust. Her being fooled before had destroyed someone’s life. She couldn’t let that happen again to her or anyone she cared about.

  “Look around you.” She reached out an arm and directed it toward the buildings across the street. “Those were all businesses when I was growing up. Criminals like Marko slowly drove them away. I won’t be driven out. This clinic is the first step in bringing people back.”

  “You have grand plans, Ms. Marsh.”

  “I believe in dreaming big.”

  “You have your work cut out for you.”

  “Maybe so, but when I ran for the city council I promised that I’d help make this area a better place to live and I intend to keep that promise.”

  “Even if it kills you?”

  She shrugged. “It won’t come to that. Let’s go in and I’ll show you around. Then we’ll get to work.” She turned toward the building. “By the way, don’t ever step between me and anyone again.”

  * * *

  Kiefer blinked. He’d just been put in his place by a woman who had been wearing a leprechaun outfit when he’d first met her. She didn’t recognize him. He was a bit disappointed. Then again, why would she? Their kiss had got to him but that didn’t mean she had felt anything.

  And what was this about working? He’d been told this was a meet and greet. He’d made plans for dinner tonight. Something about Ashley’s demeanor warned him that wouldn’t be a good enough excuse for leaving early.

  She walked toward the redbrick structure with large window frames painted white. It had a heavy-looking natural wood door that had obviously been refinished with care. On either side of it were pots full of bright yellow flowers. She looked back as if she expected him to follow her. When he did she pushed the door wider. After he entered she closed and locked it. Despite what he believed was her earlier recklessness, at least she was showing some caution.

  “The building used to be a hardware store,” she informed him. “This large area will be used as the waiting room.” All makes and models of wooden chairs were stationed around the room. “I have someone, Maria, coming in tomorrow morning to act as receptionist. She’s a good girl. Let’s go back here and I’ll show you what I have planned.”

  Kiefer didn’t say anything, just trailed after her down a long hallway that had obviously had new walls built to create smaller rooms on one side.

  “These are the examination rooms. I couldn’t make too many permanent changes because I had this building declared a historical one so it wouldn’t be torn down.”

  Was she a crusader about everything? Even buildings? He’d seen sound bites of her talking about revitalizing the area but he hadn’t known that included defending old buildings. In his mind, constructing more modern ones would have been more effective and energy efficient.

  “This is the supply room, where we’ll need to concentrate our efforts tonight.”

  Kiefer stepped into the room. It was piled high with boxes. More than a night’s worth of work faced them.

  “What’s all of this?”

  “Donated supplies. You’ll find they aren’t hard to come by. Manpower is. People are more than happy to give as long as it doesn’t require any real investment of time.” She stepped forward and opened a box.

  “Ms. Marsh, I’m sorry but I have another appointment at eight. I’ll get started on this first thing in the morning.” He had to stop looking at her mouth. Thinking of their kiss.

  She made a disgusted sound. “I don’t think you’ll have time for that tomorrow and I have scheduled meetings so I’ll be in and out.”

  “I doubt there’ll be so many patients that I can’t see to it over the next few days.”

  “You might be surprised. Were you told that this job would require long hours?”

  “I understand those. I am an ER doctor. The issue is that I wasn’t prepared to work tonight. I understood I was to come and see the clinic. Not set it up.”

  “Dr. Bradford, around here we all do what has to be done. Were you told you would have only one nurse?”

  “No. I was just asked to start work here the day after tomorrow.”

  “You have the date wrong. Tomorrow is opening day.”

  He’d be there ready to go in the morning. She seemed to set high expectations for herself and others. Kiefer didn’t need her reporting back that he’d not given his all to this project. He had to ensure this clinic ran smoothly.

  Shrugging out of his lightweight jacket, he conceded, “I can stay for a couple of hours now. We won’t get it all done tonight but maybe we can have at least one exam room operational. But first I have to make a quick phone call.”

  “Sounds like a plan, Dr. Bradford.”

  “Please call me Kiefer. After all, we have met before.”

  She tilted her head in question. “I don’t remember that.”

  “Now my feelings are hurt. It was at a St. Patrick’s Day party.”

  A look of concern came over her face. She studied him for a moment. “Really?”

  “You invited me to dance.”

  Ashley sucked in a breath. Her eyes widened. “You grabbed me in the hall.”

  “I’m sorry about that. Heat of the moment and all that.” Kiefer wasn’t going into why he’d kissed her. He also wasn’t going to let on how much he’d enjoyed doing so.

  “I should have slapped your face.”

  He shrugged. “Probably.”

  Ashley’s hands shook as she opened the first box. She glanced at Kiefer. He had been the one. The man whose kiss had turned her inside out. She’d pushed him away and had gone down the hall back to the party on wobbly knees. No kiss had ever lingered and stayed with her like his had. Even months later she could remember every detail. But could she trust him? Someone who just grabbed a stranger and kissed them?

  Kiefer looked at her. She turned away. Was he thinking of their kiss? Worse, laughing at her? She had to get past the moment and concentrate on the job at hand. What they had shared had been two adults being silly during a party.

  He wasn’t who she’d expected, on more than one front. She’d thought an older, more established doctor would be assigned to the clinic. The council had only agreed to support the clinic if she could work out an affiliation with the Savan
nah Medical Center. Only when she’d managed to make the connection had the plan come together. The six-month time limit meant the clinic had to look good from the first day and there could be no issues, like with Marko.

  Her next concern was that if the clinic did make a go of things, would Kiefer stay and run it after the six months were up? Or would he be like so many others? All her life she’d seen people wanting to help come and go in her community. Civic groups, church groups, private companies, all wanting to make a difference. The problem was that they never stayed long enough to make a real change. Slowly the strides forward would slide back to the way they had been. They came in and did their projects for the allotted time then left, never really committing to Southriver. Ashley needed people who would stay and be a part of the community. Someone who would have the same conviction about the community as she did.

  When she’d been elected from the Southriver district to serve as alderman, the establishment of close affordable medical care had been one of her main platform points.

  If there had been a clinic close by, Lizzy might have lived.

  The clinic was the first of many improvements Ashley planned to implement. The beginning of making restitution for not having been there for Lizzy. But she had to show success with this project before she requested funds for the next.

  * * *

  They spent the following few hours opening boxes. Kiefer would tell her where the supplies were needed and she would put them there. He was a clean-cut guy in an all-American way. Dressed in a knit collared shirt and jeans, which seemed worn enough that they might be his favorite, and loafers. He was a striking man. As much so as he had been on St. Patrick’s Day. He oozed confidence, but she knew from experience that he would need to gain acceptance in this neighborhood. His eyes were his most arresting feature. They twinkled with merriment. She should have remembered them, but it had been his voice that had pulled at her. That timbre when he said certain words made it special.

  Kiefer was a worker, she’d give him that. She had no idea what some of the items they were handling were or how they were used, but he seemed pleased to see each of them. On occasion she would catch him looking at her. It made her feel a little nervous. That kiss stood between them. Theirs was a business relationship and she was going to see that it stayed that way.

  “I’ll need to make a list of other things we need when we get this all finished,” he said.

  “Good luck with that. I had a hard enough time getting these donated.”

  “I know someone I could ask.”

  “Who’s that?” Ashley pushed another empty box out of the way.

  “My mother. She’s always looking for a cause. I’ll put her on it. It may take a while for us to get what we need, but we will.”

  “Your mother isn’t Maggie Bradford, is she?” She should have known. Last name Bradford. She’d been at Maggie Bradford’s party. Great. Another connection between them. Ashley knew his mother.

  “That’s her.”

  “She’s a smart woman. Very persuasive.”

  “Yeah. That’s Mom.”

  He didn’t sound that pleased. “She has a big heart.”

  A shadowy look came over his face. “Sometimes to her own detriment. That’s a characteristic the two of you share.” He picked up another box and headed out the door.

  What had he meant by that comment?

  Sometime later he looked at the large, expensive watch on his wrist. “I’m sorry, but I’ve gotta go. I’ll finish the rest of this tomorrow.” Picking up his jacket from where he’d hung it, he pulled it on. “Walk to the door with me. I want to make sure you close up.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve lived in Southriver all my life and I’ll still be here when you’re gone. So please don’t start trying to play hero.”

  “No hero here. Just put my concern down to having been there, done that, and humor me.” He stood at the door, waiting on her.

  What was that all about? She stopped what she was doing and followed him down the hall. Kiefer opened the front door. “Lock up.”

  “I will, but I’m going to wait here until you get into your truck. If any eyes are looking, they need to know you’re with me.”

  He started toward his truck. On his way he called, “This lot needs a security light.”

  “I’ll add it to the already long list.” She watched him climb into his late-model truck. It was a nice one and she was afraid it might not fare well in this neighborhood. Vandalism could be a problem. It also made him stand out as a visitor, and that could cause confidence issues with the locals.

  He waited with his headlights shining on her until she turned and went inside. Oddly, she liked his concern.

  CHAPTER TWO

  KIEFER SPENT SOME of the late hours of his evening contemplating the curiosity of life. Who would have thought he would ever meet the leprechaun again and, even more amazing, be working with her. Life took funny twists. More than once as they’d stored supplies he’d thought about their kiss. Had that just been a onetime incredible kiss or would all hers be like that, causing that instant fire of desire? He’d like to find out but something about the all-business Ashley Marsh had said that wasn’t going to happen. What a shame.

  He arrived at the clinic the next morning a couple of hours before opening time. A group of young men stood across the street even at that early hour. A ripple of alarm went through him and his gut tightened.

  Was Marko trying it again?

  Stepping out of the truck, he used his key fob to lock it and walked toward the front of the building. The roar of a car going too fast filled the air. By the time he had reached the door the men had started across the pavement.

  Surely these guys were just trying to intimidate him. Since the day he’d seen his mother beaten by the homeless man she’d brought home for a meal, he’d been on guard where people were concerned. He was a realist. Some people were bad by nature. Defenseless he wasn’t anymore and he’d sworn a long time ago that he would never again watch another person be hurt.

  Trash had been dumped in front of the door. Kiefer stepped in it to knock on the clinic door, all the time aware of the approaching group. His entire body was on alert as he formulated a plan if they attacked him. He vowed to get his own key today.

  “Hey, you looking for Ashley?” the guy who led the men asked.

  Kiefer slowly turned. “Yes.”

  “You’ll need to go around back. The door to her place is there.”

  Was the guy kidding him? Kiefer counted heads. Four to one. He wasn’t going to put himself into a position of being jumped. Before he had to make a decision about how to handle the situation, the door opened.

  “Good morning, Dr. Bradford,” Ashley said with a smile. She was already dressed for the day in a pantsuit, giving her a professional and approachable air at the same time. He recognized this persona from TV. The one where she was determined to get what she wanted.

  “Mornin’.”

  She looked around him. “Hi, guys. Everything’s okay. Dr. Bradford is going to be the clinic doctor. It opens today.”

  One of the guys said, “Okay, we were just makin’ sure you’re okay. Marko is spreading the word that he’s pissed about what you’re doing around here. We’ll get that trash cleaned up for you, Miss Ashley.” The guy dipped his head respectfully.

  “Thanks, Wayne. I appreciate that.”

  Kiefer shook his head as if confused. Then, indicating the garbage, he said, “Why do you put up with this?”

  “Because this is my home. I’m not leaving it because someone doesn’t like me.”

  She was a gutsy lady, Kiefer would give her that. Most of the women her age he knew were always looking out for themselves. How they could financially better their situation. Like Brittney. She’d certainly done a number
on him. It had turned out she’d married him because he was a doctor and would be able to give her a good life. When she’d found out Josh’s bank account was even larger she’d moved on to him. Now Kiefer had no use for women other than a casual night out and a few laughs. He couldn’t trust one not to use him. As far as he could tell, they all wanted the same thing. What they could get for themselves.

  “Come on in.” Ashley opened the door wide. “We need to get ready. Patients should be here soon.”

  “Those guys said you live in the back.” Kiefer followed her in.

  “That isn’t exactly right. The entrance to my place is there. I actually live upstairs.”

  “You don’t mind living above the clinic?”

  “It’s my building and my idea. The people around here needed a place to come for medical care and I had the space.”

  Kiefer was impressed. She really was committed to seeing her ideas work, even to the point of financing them. Outside of his mother, few people he knew were that devoted to anyone other than themselves. How much Ashley reminded him of his mother made him feel uncomfortable. Did all her work to better the world leave Ashley with any room for anything more in her life? Did she have a boyfriend? Want children? Something to care about besides her political agenda?

  That wasn’t his concern. He believed in helping people. His mother had instilled that in him, but he was still aware that some people would take advantage of you. His impression was that Ashley Marsh hadn’t learned that lesson yet.

  She was saying, “I’m sorry I’m not going to be much help today. I have a speech to give this morning, a committee meeting with the local businesses and then a council meeting tonight.”

  “I didn’t expect you to spend the day with me. I can handle the clinic. That’s why I was given the job.”

  “I’d hoped to be here but these meetings were already on the calendar and couldn’t be moved. I just thought I could help smooth things over with the community. My neighbors can be mistrusting until they get to know you.”