The Moore Sisters of Montana: The Complete Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Ann B. Harrison

  He launched it down the shore and held his hands up as the dog spun around scattering sand over the pair of them.

  “He’s in his element. We love walking down here, and Hamish loves the water, too. I’m so glad we moved here.” April slipped a hand through his arm. “Take off your shoes and leave them on the path with my sandals. Roll up your trousers and make yourself comfortable. It’ll be fun, I promise.”

  David glanced into her joyful face and found himself doing as she suggested. He slipped of his shoes, peeled off the socks and stuffed them inside and felt the sand between his toes. He dropped his shoes and wiggled his toes trying to get used to the feeling of grit on bare skin. A pair of flip flops might have been a good idea. He made a mental note to put a pair in the trunk.

  “Don’t tell me you don’t ever do this?” April squealed as Hamish came bounding up and rubbed against her, Oscar right behind him. His fur dripped cold water against her bare legs and with a tilt of his shaggy head, he gave his whole body a rolling shake spraying water over the pair of them.

  “Hamish!” David threw his hands out to try and protect himself, but it was no use. Sandy drops of water sprayed over him, soaking his clean shirt, dribbling down his face and spotting his glasses. Oscar yipped and spun around in circles, excitement getting the better of him.

  A chortle of laughter burst out over his protests. He whipped off the glasses, reached into his pocket for a tissue to clean them.

  “Oh, David. I’m so sorry. He’s a big goof ball and doesn’t understand what he’s done.”

  Her blurry face came close to his. He could see she was struggling to hold back a smile and a quick flash of annoyance rose in his chest before he pushed it down, willing himself to be calm and roll with it. A grin surfaced before he could stop it. “It’s okay.”

  “Here, let me.” She took his glasses and whipped the corner of her t-shirt from her overalls and polished the dirty water off the lenses before holding them out. “You have water all over your face and in your hair. You look like someone’s forgotten to clean you after a water balloon fight.” She handed him his glasses and took the tissue from his hand, dabbing at his cheeks and forehead.

  “I doubt there’s much wrong with looking like this but I don’t think you’ll be that comfortable unless you’re tidy.” April ran her hand over his hair, brushing it back from his forehead and slid her hand over the back of his neck. A shiver went up his spine.

  *

  “There. That should do it.” She withdrew her hand and smiled.

  He really was the cutest guy, and what had just passed between them gave her hope for the future. David was no more immune to her than she was to him regardless of their differences. Thank goodness for crazy dogs and opportunity. Who would have thought it would be her big goofball dog that gave her the chance to develop this odd friendship into a relationship? Hamish deserved an extra treat tonight.

  She reached out and grabbed David’s hand. “Let’s walk for a while and work up an appetite. It might take the energy out of Hamish and Oscar, too, and that would give us a peaceful evening without them butting in. Hopefully they’ll fall asleep on the rug once we get back.” With his fingers twined in hers, they took a leisurely stroll down the shoreline. It only took a few minutes for her to notice he was losing some of his trademark stiffness and relaxing alongside her.

  “It’s so pretty out here. It must be gorgeous in winter with the snow up to the water line.” April dragged her foot in the water, watching the small ripples spread out over its surface.

  “It can be beautiful as well as a bit much when we get a heavy snow. I like it though; it’s so very peaceful in winter. Nice and white, it settles a blanket of quiet over the town, which I enjoy. That’s until it starts to melt and gets slushy underfoot. Not so pretty then.” He smiled. “Some years the edges freeze over but only on the shallow parts of the lake. Do you skate?”

  “I certainly do. I even brought my skates with me.” April leaned into him. “I know I’m going to love living here, especially having my sisters nearby.”

  “I gather you’re all very close to each other then?”

  “Yes, we are. Some days I’m sure you wouldn’t know it the way we bicker and boss each other around but that’s just the way we are. We can pick on each other, but woe betide anyone else that dares try that. They won’t know what they’ve started.” She let silence blanket them for a couple of hundred feet. He seemed to enjoy the quiet between them. “You don’t have any brothers or sisters?”

  He shook his head. “No. Only child, I’m afraid, much to my mother’s disappointment. I believe she tried but was only blessed with me.”

  “At least she managed that. She must be very proud of you and what you’ve achieved.”

  “She is but most of the credit has to go to both my parents. They made a huge sacrifice to give me the education they did.”

  “Was it always your dream to follow in your father’s footsteps and be a doctor?”

  He squeezed her hand. “Yes. From as long as I can remember, I wanted to do what he did, although I set my sights on working in a big hospital initially, or a private practice in the city. After I finished my residency, I decided to become a family practice doctor.” A sigh escaped his lips. “Dad was the quintessential family doctor. Kind, considerate, and nothing was ever too much trouble. I remember him going out in the most appalling weather in the middle of the night because a baby was colicky or a patient wasn’t doing as well as he expected.”

  “That’s nice to be so focused on his patients. I’m sure they must have appreciated him.”

  “I know they did. They told me every time I saw them in the early days. Now he gets a mention only when I try to change things for them, especially the older patients who were used to doing things the old way.”

  April guided him around a dead fish and hurried Hamish and Oscar away from it by throwing the stick again. “I’m sure you’re an exemplary doctor and they love you. People hate change. It’s human nature to dislike trying something new, especially the elderly. It takes twenty-one days to set a habit. Most people give up because it’s easier to go with the tried and true.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yep, it is.” Hamish came back with the stick and she picked it up. “Right, last one and then we need to make a move. Dinner is simmering on the stove and I don’t want it ruined.”

  When they got back to the path where their shoes sat waiting, David looked at his feet, frowned and let out a sigh.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can hardly put these back on with sandy feet.”

  “Don’t then. Walk back barefoot like I do.” April picked up her sandals, slipped the lead back onto Hamish’s collar and started walking down the road. He’d either follow her or put his shoes on first. His call.

  It took all of five seconds before she heard the footsteps behind her, the puffing of a little dog almost out of breath to slow her down.

  “Wait for me.” He jogged and caught up. “I think two walks in one day is a bit much for Oscar.”

  “Maybe we should have left him at my place.”

  David shook his head. “Not a chance. He would’ve carried on if we’d left him out. A slow walk back will give him a chance to catch his breath.”

  “Why don’t you bring him over some days to play with Hamish. Maybe he just needs to get out more often.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Of course you can. In fact, David, I insist.”

  *

  “Do you always boss people around like this?” He walked along beside her, his bare feet slapping on the pavement.

  “Only if they need it.” An elderly couple stood back and let them pass, looking pointedly at David’s shoes hanging from his hand.

  “I’m never going to hear the end of this.” He waved, said a cheery hello and kept on going.

  “Don’t worry about it. They’re probably not used to seeing you so casual. People will always find something
to talk about. The challenge of an unfulfilled life, if you ask me.” April crossed the street and walked down behind her shop to where David’s car sat parked. She scurried up the back stairs and opened her door.

  “Didn’t you even lock that while you were out?” He hurried up behind her.

  “No. I never lock my door. Only draws negative energy in anyway. And, I’ll tell you this, I’ve never ever had anyone break in.”

  “I hope you lock the shop door.” He brushed his feet on the mat before walking across her threshold into the riot of color that was her flat.

  “Of course. I’m not totally ignorant. My insurance wouldn’t cover me if I didn’t.” She grabbed a towel and rubbed down Hamish before letting him free of the lead and held her arms out for Oscar, giving him the same treatment. “Grab a beer or wine out of the refrigerator while I clean up.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  April put a plate in front of him and the rich smell of freshly prepared curry wafted to his nose. He leaned over his meal and took a deep sniff, letting the aromatics roll over the back of his tongue. “This is seriously good. Do you do your own spices?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m a serious curry fan and when you offered me dinner, I could hardly refuse.” He picked up his fork and took a scoop of curry, looking to see what kind it was. “Uh, beef or chicken?”

  “Try it for yourself and see if you can pick it.” She smiled at him and David lifted the fork to his mouth. The coriander battled for prominence with the bite of chili on his tongue. Not too hot but enough to warm his mouth. A subtle hint of lemongrass washed with black pepper followed leaving his taste buds in heaven. He chewed and swallowed.

  “That is seriously good curry. I might have to ask for the recipe for the paste. Mine isn’t quite so fragrant, so you’re using something I’m not.” He looked at his plate and found it hard to identify most of the ingredients. “So, you’ve got me. What kind of curry is it?”

  “Do you like it?” She gave him an impish grin.

  “Of course. It’s wonderful. Great texture but I don’t know what exactly you’ve used apart from the obvious.”

  “Vegetarian. Aubergine, or eggplant, to be exact.” She stabbed a piece of vegetable on her fork. “This is a finger eggplant, which is very mild and nutty and the rest is your big black beauty. Along with the obvious, as you say, other vegetables.”

  David didn’t know whether to be impressed or feel cheated that he wasn’t eating meat. Not one to scrimp on his veggies, he also wasn’t one to eat vegetarian either. Not that he had anything against it – it just wasn’t his thing.

  “I like it very much.” He sounded surprised even to his own ears.

  “Great. As I said, not a patch on Bella’s cooking but at least I get by.” She put her fork down and picked up her wine glass, her gaze intent on him. “So, tell me, David, why aren’t you married with a batch of kids running around your backyard?”

  He felt a stab of panic at her question. People didn’t usually put him on the spot like this but he was learning very fast not to underestimate anything April did. She was unpredictable as well as slightly odd. “Too busy I guess.”

  She nodded her head, a smile on her lips. “And here I thought you were going to say something lame like ‘haven’t met the right girl yet.’ Is that the only reason?”

  “Why, are you putting up your hand for the job?” He bit down on his tongue. Why oh why would he say something so ridiculous, so outrageous? She made him forget who he was half the time, and his mouth got carried away. “Sorry. Wine must be going to my head, along with that dose of fresh air. Too many changes in one day and my brain isn’t taking it well.”

  April leaned back in her chair and laughed. He didn’t think it was that funny but at least it broke the ice after his gaff.

  “You really are funny, aren’t you?” She wiped a finger under her eyes to dry the tears of laughter. “When we first met I had you figured for a stuffed shirt but I see now I was wrong. You’re a very funny guy when you let yourself relax.”

  “No, I’m not. My mother says I’m boring. I guess that comes from living alone for so long. I do have to admit to being set in my ways.”

  She gazed at him, picked up her wine and took a sip. “Who says that’s a bad thing? We all like continuity in our lives.”

  “True but I think I take it to the extreme. I don’t stray from the tried and true routine very much at all. Guess that could make me boring.” Why did he suddenly feel self-conscious?

  He was happy with his life. At least he had been up until now. Routine always suited him and his busy life. Perhaps the blonde fireball with flowers in her hair and the hippie lifestyle was going to blow that all out of the water for him.

  “Maybe it’s time to break the boring up into little chunks and see what happens. But you didn’t answer me really. Why are you still single, David?”

  *

  With the uncertainty in his eyes, she wondered if she’d gotten too personal. Sometimes the questions rushed out before she could engage her filter.

  “I could ask you the same thing, you know.”

  “And you should, too. I have no right to quiz you and give nothing in return.” She licked her lips. “Right, so there was this guy who I thought was ‘the one.’” She made air quotes before continuing. “Seems he was only a freeloader anyway but I couldn’t see it at first. I thought he was special, the artistic type. Kind of broody and deep, but no. He was just lazy, so I kicked his worthless butt out. Then there was this other guy who thought the best thing he could do was to change me, make me more like he wanted me to be.” She shrugged remembering how his mother had looked down her perfectly sculptured nose at April when they were introduced. She should have known then that relationship was doomed to die. “That kinda didn’t work out well for him either. Last time I heard, he was wooing the daughter of a fortune five hundred company owner and an engagement is imminent.”

  “I see.” He fiddled with his napkin and met her gaze. “There was someone once.”

  “What happened?” She leaned back in her chair and watched the play of emotions on his face. He was so easy to read; the pain, the confusion, as he remembered.

  “When my father got sick, I came back to take over the practice. It was what he wanted and I was happy to do it. We were a pretty tight-knit family so it was a given that I’d take over.” It was easy to see when the memories turned sour for him, the shutters came down on his eyes. “My girlfriend was on her way up the ladder, so to speak. She’d been offered a position in Seattle on a team by someone she admired greatly. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be in Cherry Lake because at that time my father’s illness was still not confirmed, at least the terminal side of it wasn’t.” He took a sip of wine and continued.

  “We agreed that Elise should stay and do what she did best. Climb the professional ladder.”

  The bitterness surprised April and showed just how much this woman had hurt him. “And what happened then?”

  “Dad was given a very short time to live and I couldn’t go back so I resigned my position and took over the practice. Elise wouldn’t budge, she insisted she stay in Seattle and we broke up. Now I live and work here while I try and figure out what direction to take with my life, and I don’t know what she’s doing.” The smile didn’t reach his eyes.

  “How long ago did that all happen?”

  “Hmm, Dad died about eighteen months ago I guess. I’ve gotten used to being back and I’ve settled into a routine.”

  “Do you like being home? No plans to go back to the city?”

  He stared at her. “That’s what I was trying to tell you before. I was never going to stay here permanently.”

  A stone lodged in her gut. “Right.” How was she going to deal with that news?

  “Cherry Lake doesn’t suit my life plan. I enjoyed living in Seattle and was doing well there. I plan to sell the practice, rent out my house, and return to pick up where I left off if that’s possible.”r />
  “If that’s what will make you happy, David. We’ll miss you though.”

  I’ll miss you.

  The strength of her emotion surprised her. She hurt.

  He nodded but didn’t look happy about it. Dragging out painful memories for another person to trawl through wasn’t exactly fun, but she appreciated knowing where she stood. And now she had to rally, tuck her tender emotions away.

  “Now, for a treat, I’m serving one of Bella’s creations for dessert. Nutty honey brittle ice cream. It’s to die for, I promise.”

  A hint of a smile crossed his lips. Lips she had every intention of testing out before the night was over, regardless of his sudden announcement. Her natural ebullience resurfaced. Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. At least that was the saying. She’d find out soon enough if it was true or not.

  “I think I’d like that. Thank you.” He tipped up his wineglass and drained it. “Did you want me to make coffee to go with it?” He glanced over at her coffee machine. “My machine is the twin of yours so it’s safe to let me loose with it.”

  “Sounds wonderful. We can snuggle on the couch and eat if you like while we talk about whatever comes up. Much more comfortable.”

  He eyed the purple monstrosity with a twitch of his lips as if it would bite him. “Sure.”

  As they sat amongst the bright patchwork of throw cushions, April pushed her ice cream around the bowl until it melted, just the way she liked it. She picked out the bits of toffee, crunching them between her teeth and let the shattered crystals melt on her tongue.

  “Tell Bella from me that she has a new fan for her ice cream. Does she sell it?” He ran his spoon around the bowl again in the faint hope of getting another taste.

  “Nope. But she does make it for us now and then, and sometimes Mari has it on the menu at the hotel. If I tell her she has a man drooling over it and it would make me look better if I supplied him with some to cement our budding relationship, she might take pity on me.” April had no qualms about letting him know she wanted something between them while she had the opportunity.