Not So New in Town

by Michele Summers

  “…and I think she’s planning to leave.” The urgency in Julia’s voice brought Brogan out of his self-pity stupor, along with the word leave.

  “Wait. What? Who’s leaving?” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Have you been listening to a word I’ve said? Wake up! I’m trying to tell you Lucy’s pregnant and leaving Harmony as soon as I have my baby.”

  Brogan sat up on high alert. His head suddenly clear as glass. “Leaving where? Where is she going? Who’s going to take care of her? Did she say when?” His hand tightened in a death grip on his cell phone. “She’s not going back to that dickhead Tony Tiger, is she?” The baffled, beaten feeling he’d been experiencing minutes before magically disappeared, along with the heavy guilt. Every thought centered on Lucy leaving.

  His Lucy leaving with his baby.

  Not if he had anything to say about it.

  Gone was the suffocating feeling, suddenly replaced by an overwhelming surge of freedom, sweeping from his head to his feet, breathing new life.

  Woozy, Brogan lowered his head into his hand. In the past, he’d kept his emotions locked away, always at a safe distance, but this time, his heart ruled and decided on a different course.

  He’d fallen in love with Lucy. Love. Off the chain, over the moon, can’t say her name, in love. And it scared the living crap out of him.

  Confronting his dad and running off to New York hadn’t solved a damn thing until this very moment. No longer would he allow his past to control his life. His pathetic dad, the screwed-up bigamist, had to live with the ramifications of his poor decisions. Brogan was not a screwup and had managed to keep the messy aspects of his life to a minimum. Yes, his career meant a lot to him, but he didn’t need it as a crutch to prove his worth. He needed Lucy. In just two short months, she’d become an intrinsic part of his life. He loved her and missed her…and he wanted his baby. He wanted it all.

  “…I don’t know the details. She hasn’t exactly shared her plans, but you need to hurry back. If Lucy means anything to you, come home and work something out.” Brogan refocused on Julia’s urgent message.

  “Lucy means everything to me. Everything.” Rearranging his work schedule in his mind, he said, “It’s gonna take me a few days to finish here, but I’m coming home. I’m coming home to Lucy. And, Julia, please don’t say a word to her.” Lucy had stopped trying to contact him three days after he’d left. He didn’t blame her. He’d treated her like shit. “I need to make this right. I don’t want to spook her. I’m sure there’s a voodoo doll with pins sticking in it, wearing my face.”

  “Provided by Wanda, no doubt. By the way, I think an offer is coming in on your house.”

  “That was fast.” Brogan shrugged off his dress shirt but couldn’t shrug off the feeling that selling his house was a bad idea. “Stall them. I need time to think.”

  “You do realize I’m having a baby in two weeks.”

  “Yeah, hold off on that too.”

  “My legs are crossed, but I’m telling you…this baby wants out.”

  Brogan massaged the back of his neck, thinking of how Julia had changed for the better. “Thanks, Julia. You did good.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” He heard the smile in her voice. “Now get back here, and don’t blow it. And, Brogan…you better not break my sister’s heart again, or I’m gonna have you run through town buck naked and barefooted.”

  She’d do it too. “I won’t give you any cause. I swear on my life.”

  “Good. Don’t make me regret being nice.”

  Brogan cracked a smile for the first time since confronting his dad at BetterBites. “I’ll text when I hit the road. Remember, not a word to Lucy.”

  * * *

  Lucy ended her call and typed a few notes on her iPad, pleased with the way her plan was falling into place. She’d already set meetings for presenting her marketing/social media package to three businesses in Blowing Rock, North Carolina: The Mountain Club Community Center, Speckled Rock Restaurant, and Hounds Tooth Lodge. All three sounded very interested in what she had to offer and looked forward to their meeting. Lucy planned to leave Harmony after Julia had her baby. Her due date was at the end of September, less than two weeks away. Once the baby was born, and everyone, including the baby nurse, was comfortably situated back home, Lucy would hit the road. Prepared for the next phase of her life.

  After a long conversation with her dad, Lucy had sold him on her business plan, and he agreed for her to live for the next eight months in his mountain home, working and growing her baby. Lucy looked forward to increasing her clients in the quaint, touristy mountain town. She’d be only a few hours from Harmony—close enough to stay in touch, but far away from Brogan…if he ever returned.

  Lucy scheduled an appointment with a nice hair salon in Raleigh for a fresh look and then called Grady to make sure her poor car was safe enough to drive to the nearest used car dealership, where she planned to dump it and buy something more reliable.

  Shutting down her laptop, she left her phone untouched on her desk. She had stopped waiting for a call that never came, and by leaving her phone, she was less tempted to check every thirty seconds or so. Somehow, Brogan would have to become a distant memory in order for her to survive the next five to fifty years. Of course, they’d have to share custody, but she hoped to be secure in her new life and over his harsh rejection before that day arrived.

  Clearing the depressing thoughts from her head, she went downstairs to prepare Julia’s dinner. Julia had surprisingly stopped with the useless lists of errands, and had even been sweet in sharing some of her pregnancy stories. If you can call vomiting four times a day, stretch marks, and weird cravings like salmon-covered ice cream sweet stories. Lucy wasn’t so sure. More likely, Julia was trying to scare her into never having sex again for as long as she breathed. Solid tactic, because it was working.

  Lucy put her fear of babies and single motherhood on the back burner as she prepared Julia’s meal of kale salad with grilled organic chicken. On the other hand, Julia had nagged, argued, and even pleaded for Lucy not to leave Harmony. Her idea of a big happy family included Lucy living here, where they could both raise their kids together. Seeing herself as Julia’s permanent maid and gofer made Lucy shudder. However, having friends and family around to help deal with the day-to-day of parenthood did hold some appeal. And she would miss Parker something awful, and even Julia. In their weird, stilted way, they’d formed a bond that was growing stronger every day. And Lucy was most proud of that. But the urge to conquer this chapter in her life on her terms compelled her even more. She could do this. She wanted her career by her rules. And by all that was holy…she was no longer loco!

  At the sound of a loud knock, Lucy headed for the front. As the door opened, Wanda and Russell stepped into the foyer. “Hey, what’s up?” she asked, surprised at seeing them both.

  Color infused Russell’s cheeks, and he shuffled his loafer-clad feet.

  “We’re here to visit Julia,” Wanda said, dropping her handbag on the bench.

  “Sure. Go on back. I’m fixing her dinner. You guys hungry?”

  “Nah, Russell’s taking me to the Dog later. You wanna come?”

  Lucy shook her head. “Got a big day tomorrow.”

  Displeasure pinched Wanda’s features. She had sided with Julia (a first!) in wanting Lucy to stay in Harmony and not move away. “Russell, head on back. I’ll help Lucy with dinner.” Wanda had no intentions of helping…more like lecturing and browbeating.

  “Okay, honey-bunny. Don’t be too long.” A look of pure terror dashed across Russell’s face before he moved toward the hallway. Lucy knew the feeling and felt sorry for him.

  “Aren’t you afraid of leaving them alone together?” Lucy whispered in a worried tone.

  Wanda grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her along to the kitchen. “Nope. He has repented for the err
or of his ways. Besides, after me, he has no energy left for anyone else.” She grinned like someone who enjoyed sex…a lot. “Now, what the hell do you have to do tomorrow that’s so pressing? You better not be sneaking out of town without telling anyone.”

  Tossing the salad, Lucy glared at Wanda. “No, oh bossy one. I’m getting my hair done, and I’m trading in my car. Need something more reliable. I’m becoming a mother, you know.”

  “All the more reason you should stay here, so I can check on you and lend a hand.” Wanda sat, plopping her elbow on the table with her head in her palm, looking unhappy and upset.

  Dropping the salad tongs, Lucy sat in the chair next to her. “Don’t you see? I have to do this on my own. I’m not moving very far, I promise. You can always come for a visit and stay with me. I’d miss you if you didn’t.”

  “How far?” Wanda narrowed her eyes. “Where’re you moving?”

  Lucy shifted in her seat. She’d hoped to keep her destination secret until she’d left and gotten settled. She didn’t want uninvited guests showing up unexpectedly, or the Harmony nosy bodies announcing her every move and wanting updates on her pregnancy.

  Lucy hedged. “It’s not completely decided yet, but—”

  “The truth.” Wanda crossed her arms.

  “As soon as it’s final, you’ll be the first to know.” Lucy held her breath, waiting for Wanda’s explosion.

  “Hmmm, and if you don’t, I’ll hunt you down and snatch you bald.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Better go check on Julia and Russell before I have to turn the garden hose on them.”

  “Thought Russell had mended his ways.”

  “He has. It’s Julia I don’t trust.”

  * * *

  Brogan slammed his car door in Julia’s driveway and moved up the walkway to the front door. Wanda and Julia had promised Lucy would not be home and they’d help him formulate a plan, since he’d screwed up royally. He wouldn’t blame Lucy if she spit in his eye and told him to go screw himself. He deserved worse.

  The door opened before he reached it, and Wanda stood there, wearing jeans, a red tunic with a plunging V-neck, and an impatient look on her face. “It’s about time. Get in here. We’ve got to fix this mess you made.”

  “Good to see you too.”

  “We don’t have time for pleasantries.” Raking her gaze over him, she said, “You’re gorgeous as always, but you already know that.”

  Brogan chuckled as Wanda pulled him down the hallway and then pushed him down into the nauseating pink chair next to Julia’s bed. Brogan greeted Julia with a weak smile.

  “Okay, let’s map out our plan.” Wanda handed him a pink pad and pen from Julia’s nightstand. “Take copious notes.”

  “Are we planning another D-Day invasion?” He shot them both incredulous looks.

  “We can’t rely on you not to screw this up,” Julia said, clearly exasperated with him.

  Brogan shifted uncomfortably. “Okay. What should I do to reach Lucy without her running? I need help in setting that up.”

  “You’re gonna need more than that,” Wanda mumbled under her breath.

  “What?” Brogan couldn’t afford any more surprises; becoming a father was all the surprise he could handle at the moment.

  Wanda shrugged and sat on the edge of Julia’s bed. “How you doing there, Little Mama? You don’t look so good.” She rubbed her leg.

  Julia shifted with a slight groan. “I’m fine. Just tired of feeling like a water buffalo.”

  “This won’t take long, and then you can rest,” Wanda said.

  Brogan handed Julia her water. “I appreciate all your help, Julia.” His voice was low.

  She squeezed his hand and smiled. “As long as you do right by Lucy, we won’t have any problems.” Brogan could read the threatening glint in her eyes, which said, Don’t screw up, dumbass. He nodded in agreement.

  “So, Lucy plans to move away after the baby is born. Your job is to stop her and convince her to stay here.”

  Paying attention, and suddenly starting to sweat, he asked, “Where is she moving?”

  “She won’t say,” Julia said, sounding hurt.

  “Let’s not dwell on that right now. It’s unimportant,” Wanda said.

  Tapping down his panic at the thought of Lucy leaving town, Brogan swallowed. “All right. Tell me how to stay one step ahead of her. That’s what I need to know.”

  “Write this down, Mr. Too Gorgeous to Live.” Wanda jabbed her finger at him. “You have a ring?”

  “Ring? No. Why?” He held the pen poised as he questioned Wanda.

  Both Wanda and Julia groaned together. “Because the only way you’re going to convince Lucy to stay is by giving her exactly what she wants. And for some strange reason, she wants you.” They both rolled their eyes at his wary expression. “Trust me. Do exactly as we say, and you’ll thank us later.”

  He couldn’t control the smile spreading his lips. He was being shanghaied by the best in the business. Brogan got busy writing. “Number one: do exactly as manipulating, vicious meddlers direct. Number two…” He looked up, pen poised.

  “Buy a ring!” they both chorused together.

  “And not from Walmart or Cheap Diamonds by the Dozen. You march your tight butt into Bailey’s or Tiffany’s and buy the prettiest ring they have to offer.”

  He smiled as he wrote. “Got it. What else?”

  “Call the hospital,” Julia said.

  “What does that have to do—shit!” Brogan jumped up. “Wanda, call the hospital and tell them we’re on our way, and bring some bath towels.” Shocked, Wanda darted her gaze from Julia to Brogan. “Julia’s water just broke.”

  “I’m on it!” Wanda reached for the phone as she raced to the linen closet.

  Brogan rummaged through a dresser drawer, pulling out a dry nightgown. He removed Julia’s covers and handed her the gown. “You want me to turn my back or something?” He was clueless on what to do next.

  Julia grabbed her belly. “Get this wet thing off me, and let’s go-o-o,” she groaned in pain.

  Shee-it.

  “Wanda, hurry up and get in here. I need your help.” Full-blown panic had set in.

  * * *

  “Huh?” Lucy reread the urgent text from Wanda. “Oh, oh!” She gave the guy processing her car papers a look of panic. “Those better be ready in one minute, because my sister is having a baby, and I need to get to the hospital.” Five minutes later, Lucy was racing out of the dealership parking lot in a nice used black VW Tiguan. No more compacts, because she needed room for her baby. Baby! Please Lord, let me get there in time for Julia. But first, she had to grab Parker from practice. Wanda had already texted him and told him to be ready.

  Both she and Parker raced through the automatic doors of the hospital and took the elevator up to the maternity ward.

  Lucy squeezed Parker’s cold hand. “Don’t worry, Parks. Your mom’s an old pro at this. She and the baby are going to be great,” she said, trying to convince both of them.

  Parker swiped his arm across his sweaty brow. “It’s not even her due date. She had another week.”

  “No worries. Sometimes babies come early. They’ll both be fine,” Lucy said, hoping she sounded confident, even though she shook like a baby bird on the inside.

  They raced to the nurses’ station to inquire if Julia was in labor. The harried nurse behind the counter looked up at a dry-erase board and shook her head. “Not yet. She’s in room 3102.”

  Lucy sucked in a deep breath as Parker tapped on Julia’s door. Wanda swung the door open. “About time.” She pulled them into the cramped room, where Julia was hooked up to monitors with an IV taped to her hand. The smell of baby lotion hit Lucy’s nose, and she noticed soft pink walls with bunny wallpaper border in green and white. Wanda handed a panting Julia some ice chips, Russell w
iped her brow with a damp cloth, and Brogan held her hand, murmuring something low—Brogan! The room started to pitch, and the bunny border swirled dizzily around her head.

  “Aunt Lucy? You okay?” sweet Parker, the only one to notice, asked.

  She patted his arm, trying not to grip it for dear life. “Yeah. Just need some air. I’m gonna step out for a sec. Go kiss your mom, okay?”

  Lucy stumbled from the room and sat in one of the metal chairs lining the hallway, with her head between her legs. “Miss? Are you okay?” a nurse asked, pressing her cool hand to Lucy’s shoulder.

  Lucy nodded between her legs. “Just feeling a little faint—”

  “Up.” The nurse grabbed her under the arm. “Lie down here.” She helped Lucy onto a gurney in the hallway and shoved a pillow under her feet. “How’s that?” she asked.

  “Better, much better,” Lucy said with her eyes half-closed.

  “Are you pregnant?”

  Both eyes flew open. “Um, yeah.” I’m carrying that toe jam, pond scum’s baby in there, holding another woman’s hand.

  The nurse nodded. “It’s not uncommon, but if it persists, you need to see your doctor.”

  “Sure. Will do.” Lucy started to feel better as anger fired up her blood.

  Wanda came bursting through the door. “Lucy. This is no time for a nap. Julia’s about to give birth. Come on.”

  Lucy rose slowly, checking for dizziness. At the sound of a loud, psycho scream, she slid off the gurney in complete fear. A doctor in scrubs blew past her, followed by the nice nurse, and disappeared into Julia’s room. Lucy froze, and her legs threatened to buckle. She couldn’t do this. She jumped at another roof-lifting screech.