Forever This Time

by Ann B. Harrison

  “You can speak. Look at yourself. You spend almost every night baking bread instead of having a life. Not what I thought you’d do.”

  Aggie punched a pillow and threw it into the opposite corner of her chair. “I enjoy my life, thank you very much. Best thing I did, coming home and buying the bakery.” She stood up and straightened her white shirt. “Speaking of which, I’d better head off and start work or there won’t be any bread in the morning.”

  April got up and walked her to the door. “I worry about you too, you know. Both of us have no romance in our lives. Not the way to live up to our potential.”

  “Ah yes, but you’ve had the offer and I have my business to focus on.”

  “Are you telling me that no one has ever offered you the same thing?”

  Aggie pursed her lips, swallowed, and looked out over the darkened harbor where the lights twinkled over the moorings. “Right, off to work. Be good and give Drew’s words some thought. I know he still loves you.” She leaned over, kissed April on the cheek and hurried down the road to where her car was parked outside the family home.

  The lights were still on in the big house and if April leaned over her porch, she could see movement in the living room. Someone paced up and down by the big picture window casting a shadow over the pavement.

  ***

  Had he made a fool of himself offering April his heart so easily? Somehow it felt like it and it did nothing but make him feel like a love sick fool.

  “Drew honey, sit down. You’re giving me a headache pacing back and forth like that.” Gigi put her reading glasses on and picked up the magazine she’d been flicking through earlier. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here.”

  He stood staring out at the tail lights of his sister’s car as she headed off to work. “Nothing to talk about.”

  “Great. So everything must be going along fine then. Glad you’re happy. I must say, you do hide it rather well with that scowl on your face. Almost had me convinced otherwise.”

  He gave her a withering look. “You are not amusing.”

  “Really?” She took off her glasses and waved them in front of her. “I thought I was being deadly serious.”

  “I tried, Gigi. You said she needed a friend and I tried.”

  “The way she ran out of the house earlier, Drew, I think you may have tried a little too hard.”

  He ran his hand over his face, sighed. “I didn’t mean to come on so strong. I was going to ease her into dating again, but I got carried away. I scared her off.”

  “I doubt it would be for good. She has a lot of baggage that she can’t let go, honey. It’s going to take time for her to make a new life and accept that we mean the best for her. Don’t give up hope yet.” She folded her glasses before putting them down on the arm of the recliner.

  “I’m an adult, but when I’m around her I feel like a love sick kid again. Ridiculous way for a grown man to act, isn’t it? Do you have any idea how hard it is to concentrate with her at work?”

  Gigi smiled. “I don’t see that as a problem. It shows how much she means to you. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a love like that.”

  He gazed at her, something in her voice making him take notice. “Do you ever regret giving up your life in New York to come and live with us?”

  Her mouth dropped open while she digested his words. “What a question. Why would I regret it? You children have made me thankful every day that I have you in my life.”

  “But you’ve never married or even had a long term relationship. Not that I’ve seen, anyway. Surely you must want someone of your own?” A smile twitched around the corners of her lips and he had the horrid feeling he was going to regret asking that question. “No. I take it back. Your love life is not my business.”

  “I don’t mind sharing, Drew. You know that.”

  “I’ve told you I don’t want to know. It makes me happy that you may have someone though. The finer details you can keep to yourself.” A shiver of horror rippled over his skin and Gigi laughed, a sound that lifted his mood a notch.

  “If I must.”

  “I should go to bed. It’s getting late and I have a big day tomorrow.” He yawned and stretched his arms above his head, easing the kinks out of his neck. Her weird and sometimes inappropriate humor always had a soothing effect on him, even if it did make his mind go crazy with visions he’d rather not see. Best to get out of the way before she got carried away and told him what he didn’t want to know.

  “Sweet dreams, honey.”

  “Night.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and walked down the hallway to his childhood bedroom wishing he was somewhere else.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Drew popped his head into her room. “April, I need your help. Can you stay back for half an hour or so?”

  “I don’t know. The kids will be hopping off the school bus shortly. I’ve never left them alone after school before.”

  “Dad will walk up and get them. I already checked and he’s home and willing to do it. This patient couldn’t come in earlier and needs a dressing change for bad burns. She’s spent the last few months in Seattle in a burns unit and now she’s under our care but very anxious. Having you there with your calm demeanor could make all the difference, plus Liam told me you’ve had some experience with burns victims.”

  “Yes, I have. Not a lot, but I did a short stint in the burns unit in San Diego when they were short staffed. If you’re sure Atticus wouldn’t mind taking the children for me, of course I’ll stay.”

  “Thank you. It’s much appreciated.”

  When their patient came in, April showed her to the treatment room. As she handed the final dressing to Drew, she smiled at the nervous teen. “If you have any problems with this, I want you to come back immediately, Cora. Don’t worry about bothering us; it’s our job to take care of you. I’d rather deal with it straight away and not have you stressing out over it and gaining an infection. That’s the last thing you want to happen after all you’ve been through.”

  “Thank you, April.” She blushed and squeezed her mother’s hand as the last dressing touched her skin. Her shoulders visibly relaxed and she let out a sigh of relief.

  “That was much easier than having to go back to the mainland, Drew. We really are very grateful you agreed to take on Cora’s health care. Being off the island in the burns ICU has been hard for the whole family.”

  “I’m more than happy to help, Rowan. And it looks as though the burns will heal nicely. I expect a fair bit of scaring to begin with, but that will fade down over time.” Drew pulled off his gloves and patted Cora on the hand. “Good job, Cora. You took that one like a trooper. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dr. Drew. Guess I’ll see you in a couple of days to go over the whole thing again.”

  “We’ll be here. Make an appointment with Nancy, earlier in the day when April is on duty so she can help out. You take care now.”

  “Thanks, April.” Cora and her mother left and April started clearing the clinical waste away.

  Drew’s cell phone beeped and he pulled it out of his pocket, read the message aloud. “Can you please let April know I’ve taken the children around to see Arlo. I wanted to pick up some fish for dinner and would I please ask April to join us for a meal.” He held the phone out to show her he wasn’t joking.

  “It’s a school night. I try not to take the kids out because of homework.” Besides, she didn’t think she wanted to be in the same room as him after spending the whole day in his presence where the sexual attention made her question her own decisions. April needed to put space between them if she wasn’t going to go to bed feeling frazzled. It would be too easy to fall into a relationship, and then be gutted when he found out the truth about her. Realized she wasn’t the person he thought she was.

  His phone chimed again.

  “Apparently Gigi already helped them finish their homework and they don’t think you have an excuse to say no.” He grinned. “That message came from yo
ur kids.”

  She loved that his boyish enthusiasm hadn’t disappeared over the years. “Really? Who’s manipulating who here?”

  “I had nothing to do with it, but since they’ve made the move, I want to say something.”

  April threw the waste in the bio-hazards container and bit her lip. Did she really want to go over this again? He’d said enough the last time and it was still playing havoc on her emotions.

  “I probably came on too strong the other day and I apologize. Every word I said is true. Makes me a little bit pathetic, I know. There’s never been anyone else for me and that’s not going to go away just because you wish it to. I want you back, April, and I’m prepared to wait for as long as it takes for you to feel the same way about me.”

  “I…” The words stuck in her throat. Yes, she still thought about him, even dreamed of him, but she couldn’t tell him that. When things had gone bad with Rob, her dreams had been filled with Drew. Drew riding in on a white stallion to save her and the children. Drew taking her away from the violence and drugs back to Hope Island where she felt safe. In truth, it was what had kept her going and gave her the courage to finally leave her abusive husband. They’d all been nothing more than dreams because she knew deep down that she could never have him. Too much had happened in the years they’d been apart.

  “Just tell me that you still feel something, anything for me.”

  Her gaze softened and she smiled. He wasn’t asking for much, just a small sign. Should she give him that and hope that she could find a way to make her problems disappear? Was it worth the risk? Could she face letting him go again when he found out she wasn’t the person he thought she was?

  “I thought of you more than I had a right to.” And that might come back to bite her, because she couldn’t resist him when he smiled at her like that.

  ***

  It took all the strength he could muster not to jump up and down and shout at the top of his lungs. April wasn’t as immune to him as she’d led him to believe.

  Drew lifted her hands and held them close to his chest. She could probably feel the way his heart raced, but he didn’t care. He was over the moon with her admission. “You don’t realize how much that makes me want to race you out of here right now. I would cheerfully ditch my last few appointments to have the time alone with you.”

  “We both know you’d never do that to your patients, Drew.”

  “You’re right, but the thought is there. I’ll have to wait until we’re alone to show you how that makes me feel.”

  “Can we please not rush this? There are things you don’t understand about me. Things we need to talk about…

  “I don’t care. I know who you are, April—the real you. What you did before you came home isn’t important.”

  “It is. I did things I’m not proud of.”

  He pulled her close, and held her in his arms as if he was afraid to let her go. “I don’t care. We can work through those problems if and when they come up. It’s not important. All I care about is right here in my arms.”

  “What about the children?”

  “They’re part of you. Why wouldn’t I want them too?”

  “But they’re another man’s. Not everyone can cope with taking that on.” She pulled back. “I don’t want to run into a relationship that might not work now we’re older and supposedly wiser.”

  “I told you what I want and I said that knowing you have the children. We both had a life the last fifteen years, April, but that’s how it goes. I haven’t exactly been the retiring virgin myself.” He smiled and wiped his thumb over her bottom lip. “I’m not letting you go that easily, not again. The kids and I will get on fine, I’m sure of that. Leo is already getting under my skin and I can see a lot of you in him. Tilly seems to be warming to me as well. As for you and me and what we may have done, nothing we can’t deal with, I’m sure.”

  “We will see.”

  The phone on her desk rang and she picked it up, listened a moment then hung up. “Nancy has your next patient waiting.”

  “Thanks, we’ll continue this later. I’ll see you at home shortly then.” He wrapped her in his arms, leaned in, and ran his tongue over the cupid bow of her top lip and watched the heat shimmer in her eyes. It gave his heart a jolt to know he still had that kind of effect on her. She sighed into his mouth and he took advantage of her willingness to kiss her soundly. It took all of his will power to step back from her and leave the room, but knowing how she felt made it easier.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “It’s good to see you, April. Had a busy day, I hear.” Atticus handed her a glass of wine with his trademark smile and pushed a bowl of her favorite mixed nuts toward her.

  “Yes, but very rewarding none the less.” She sipped and moaned in pleasure. “That is good.”

  “Wait until you see the fish that Arlo gave us, Mom. Its huge!” Leo held his arms wide and April laughed.

  “It’s not that big. Try half that size, Leo.” Tilly shook her head at her little brother’s enthusiasm.

  “How is Arlo doing? I haven’t seen him in ages.” April picked out a couple of cashews and popped them in her mouth.

  Gigi turned from the kitchen counter and spoke. “He’s doing fine. The fish farm is coming along nicely. Out of season for oysters, but he has plenty of work to keep him occupied until he opens for business again in the spring.”

  Aggie walked into the lounge room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Arlo? What’s he up to now? Someone shake him out of seclusion did they?” She kissed the children and walked over to hug April. “Hey, didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

  “I was railroaded into dinner and no, Arlo isn’t here.” April blushed when Drew walked over and slipped his arm around her waist. Even after all their time apart, he still had the ability to make her hormones stand up and take notice. Keeping that from her friend and the family was going to be difficult and with that single move, Drew had made his intentions clear.

  Aggie blinked, then looked her in the eye. With a waggle of her eyebrows, she turned toward her father. “So, that’s the way things have turned out. Interesting.”

  “Don’t go getting carried away, Agnes. Let them be to find out how they fit in their own time.” Atticus sprinkled fresh herbs over his salad creation. “And for your information, your other big brother is doing just fine.”

  “It’s not normal, Dad. He should have outgrown that by now.”

  “We all have our problems, honey. and Arlo is managing just fine with his. He likes being on his own and I for one am happy to let him live his life how he wants. Understood?”

  “I hear you, Dad.” She picked a couple of olives off the salad he had arranged on a large platter. “Have you heard from the twins lately?”

  “I sure have. Lincoln is desperate to come home as soon as he graduates, but Snowden sounds like he’s planning on staying away forever. I miss those two boys.”

  “Isn’t Snow doing something with I.T.?” April put her glass down and stepped away from Drew. She didn’t want the children to think she’d suddenly fallen for her boss. It would be too hard to explain to them when she didn’t even understand it all herself. She wanted to ease them into a relationship. That was if it worked out.

  “They both are and doing well too. Linc’s already sold a series of interactive games, made himself a nice little nest egg in the process too. But my youngest son hates being away from the island. It’s been a tough few years for him at college, but he promised me he’d finish his course. Snowden, on the other hand, is in no hurry to settle down. If he had his way, he’d be a traveler for the rest of his life. Nobody would think those two were identical twins the way they act.”

  Atticus opened the cutlery drawer and passed Drew a handful of knives and forks. “Tilly, you can carry the salad to the table please, and Leo, you can take the condiments for me.”

  The children hurried to help out, arguing about who sat where before they each nabbed a chair either side o
f Atticus. He had fast become a favorite and April couldn’t blame them. He’d been her go to person when she was younger and she didn’t feel any different about him now.

  Gigi opened the oven, pulled out a baking tray, and placed it on a carving board. She peeled back the foil from the whole fish she’d baked, letting the steam out before she transferred it to a plate for serving. The aroma of lemon, peppers, and the salty tang of the ocean wafted out into the air. With a flourish, Gigi added cut wedges of lemon and lime to the edge of the plate and it was ready.

  “That smells so good.” Drew took it from her and placed it on the middle of the table. “Grubs up, everyone.”

  He held out a chair for April and she took her place. “Thank you.” She glanced at the children. “Did you two wash your hands?”

  A chorus of, “Yes, Mom,” rang out and she smiled.

  “You relax and don’t worry about the children, April. Enjoy your dinner.” Drew passed her the fish. “You deserve it after today.”

  “Thank you. It was worth staying back to meet Cora. Such a brave girl.”

  Drew nodded his head in agreement. “She is. Nasty accident out camping, but she should be fine if she takes good care of herself. So much easier for the family now she’s back home.”

  Gigi helped herself to a slice of fish as Atticus held the platter for her. “I have a batch of waffles ready for dessert, and some nice local honey to drizzle over them too if you’d prefer that over maple syrup.” She smiled at April. “I have a friend who keeps bee hives, April, and there’s a jar of runny honey on the counter for you to take home.”

  Drew coughed and looked down at his plate. April slapped him on the back. “You okay?”

  “Went down the wrong way.” He coughed again while Gigi laughed.

  “Mom says that’s impossible.” Leo looked at Drew, his eyes narrowed. “She says that’s a poor excuse for being caught not chewing your food enough.”