Springtime at Hope Cottage

by Annie Rains

  “Thank you but I can’t tonight. I have plans.”

  The older woman smiled, making wrinkles fold deeply at the corners of her eyes. “All right, then. Another time.” She patted Shadow’s head and then walked them to the door and thanked Tuck for putting up with her “goat of a husband” one more time.

  “Come on, Shadow,” Tuck called as he headed down the porch steps toward his Jeep. When he opened the door, his partner in crime jumped into the passenger seat, and Tuck closed her in. Then he got behind the steering wheel and pointed his vehicle toward his sister Halona’s flower shop.

  * * *

  Tuck never tired of walking into Little Shop of Flowers on Main Street. His every sense was accosted. The smell of fresh flowers, the blanket of cool air that kept them looking beautiful, and the explosion of color. Halona always had soft music playing in the background too. If Tuck couldn’t be out in nature, this was the next best thing.

  “Hey, stranger,” Halona said, walking out of the back room. She wore an apron with a fancy rose print. Her long dark-brown hair was pulled back into a low-hanging ponytail, the same as she’d worn it since she was a little girl bugging the heck out of him. “Done for the day?” she asked.

  “Just finished working with Mr. Sajack.”

  “Aw. How is he?” she asked.

  “Grumpy as ever.”

  Halona laughed as she peered at him from behind the counter. “Are you going to the cemetery this afternoon?”

  “Planning to.”

  It was Wednesday, and she knew him all too well. For the past two years, his routine had been to stop in here on the pretense of saying hello and to get a bouquet to bring to Renee’s grave.

  “Come on back. I’ll get an arrangement started for you.” She motioned for him to follow her to the back room.

  Tuck walked behind the counter where there was a table and chair set up for his nephew, Theo, to play after school. “Where’s Theo?” he asked, taking a seat.

  “With Mom and Dad. Mom is trying to teach him the Cherokee language.” Halona shook her head. “I tried to explain that his first language is English. If he won’t even speak that anymore, why would he repeat anything she says in Cherokee?” Halona picked up her shears and started nipping the stems off a handful of flowers.

  “No progress yet?” Tuck asked.

  Halona blew out a heavy breath. “Not much. Theo is still waking up crying for his dad most nights, and I wouldn’t wish that away for anything because that’s the only time I hear his sweet little voice.”

  Tuck’s heart felt like someone had given it a swift kick. His nephew had been diagnosed with selective mutism after his father, Ted, died the winter before last. Before Ted’s skiing accident, Theo had been a typical boy. The death of his father had shaken him though. It’d been hard on Halona too, even though she and Ted were already divorced when the accident happened. Irreconcilable differences, which Tuck still didn’t understand.

  “Still taking Theo to counseling?” he asked.

  Halona nodded. “I’m not sure it’s doing any good. Since Theo doesn’t talk, they just build with different types of blocks. Theo seems to enjoy it though, which is why I continue to take him.”

  “Well, let me know if you need a break. I can watch him one night for you. Give you a chance to sleep without having to get up with him.”

  Halona looked up from the arrangement that she was quickly pulling together. “Have I told you lately what an amazing brother you are?”

  “No, I don’t believe so.”

  “Well, you are. And I might just take you up on that offer. Being a single mom is no joke.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Halona narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on with you anyway? You have that look.”

  Tuck raised a brow. “What look?”

  “The one that says you have the weight of the world on your shoulders and you’re pretending like you don’t. You and Theo are a lot alike in that way, you know. You both internalize things. Maybe you should join in on his LEGO sessions. It might help.”

  Tuck smiled. “I just have a lot on my mind. I have a couple of new patients on my caseload. One is the woman staying at the inn with Kaitlyn Russo.”

  “Oh? I had heard Kaitlyn’s friend from New York was in town. Did she get hurt?”

  He nodded. “Yep. And now I’m her physical therapist.”

  “You make that sound like a bad thing. Is she hard to work with?” Halona asked.

  Tuck thought about his answer. Josie was feisty but the hardest part was the fact that he was unreasonably attracted to her. He didn’t have any experience providing therapy to a woman he had chemistry with. It was hard to touch her in a strictly platonic way when his mind was being less than professional. “She’s only here for a few days. I can handle it. I’m also picking up an eleven-year-old girl as a patient. Her mom recently died in a car accident, and there’s no dad in the picture. She’s living with her grandmother just outside of town.”

  “Poor thing,” Halona said. “You really do have the weight of the world on your shoulders. That’s why you need someone special in your life.”

  Tuck rolled his eyes. “Or maybe that’s why I don’t. I have enough to deal with right now, don’t you think?”

  Halona wagged a finger before pointing it at him. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not pulling that with me.” She had been his biggest cheerleader for getting back out there in the dating world over the last year. She’d tried to set him up with a number of her friends and was still trying every chance she got. “Renee would’ve wanted you to find love again.”

  He knew that was true. Renee had even told him so before she’d died. Finding love again had seemed like an impossible request two years ago but now he was beginning to reconsider. He might never find the kind of love he had with Renee but maybe he could find someone he enjoyed spending time with, to share life’s events with. That wasn’t so far-fetched.

  Halona cut some ribbon and tied it around the floral arrangement. “So when are you meeting this little girl?” she asked, thankfully dropping the subject of his dating life.

  “Tomorrow afternoon at Hope Cottage. She’s my last patient of the day.”

  “Well, I expect to hear all about it.” She handed the arrangement to him.

  “Thanks. They’re beautiful.”

  Halona nodded. “Of course they are. I’m the best florist in town. Also the only florist, but…” She shrugged as she trailed off. “Good luck with Kaitlyn’s friend and the girl. Just remember: If it’s going badly, compliment her hair or her shoes. If that doesn’t work, have chocolate on hand. It works with any age group.”

  “That is not sound physical therapy advice,” Tuck said, pushing back from the table and standing.

  “No, it’s advice on females.” Halona pointed at her feet. “Shoes or chocolate.”

  Tuck scrutinized his sister’s feet. “You’re wearing flip-flops. I can’t condone that kind of arch support when you’re standing on your feet all day. And I’m afraid I’m fresh out of chocolate.”

  Halona grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Then I’ll take a big-brother hug instead.”

  * * *

  “Popcorn—check. Wine—check.” Josie grinned at Kaitlyn in the sitting room at the inn.

  “Don’t forget our movie,” Kaitlyn said.

  All the guests were upstairs, Mitch was working at the police station, and even Mr. Darcy was snoring on the floor below them. It was just Josie and Kaitlyn, like the old days.

  “What are we watching?” Josie asked. She hadn’t even cared to wonder until now. All she knew was she was having a girl’s night with her BFF. They were going to eat, drink, and be merry.

  “Sleepless in Seattle.” Kaitlyn flashed a Blu-ray cover as she walked to the entertainment system and then slid the disc inside the player.

  “You have a thing for Tom Hanks,” Josie accused as she laughed. She’d already had a full glass of red wine over pizza. “I’m not sure
I understand it.”

  Kaitlyn giggled, more than a little tipsy now too. “He’s adorable.”

  “Don’t let Mitch hear you say that.”

  “Mitch has nothing to worry about. We’re solid.” Kaitlyn came to the couch and plopped down beside Josie. “And if we’re talking crushes, you have the hots for your physical therapist.”

  Josie hid her smile behind her wineglass. “No I don’t,” she lied. “Okay fine, I do, but it’s all very innocent. I mean, look at him. He’s stupidly gorgeous. It’s not even fair how good-looking he is.”

  Kaitlyn grabbed a handful of popcorn out of the tub between them. “I’ve heard that women around here actually get hurt on purpose so that they can be his patient.”

  Josie laughed until her ribs ached. “You’re kidding!”

  “No, it’s true. They don’t seriously injure themselves. It’s mostly exaggerated sprains, kind of like yours.” Kaitlyn raised her brows.

  Josie’s mouth fell open. “I didn’t fake my fall.”

  “That’s what they all say,” Kaitlyn teased. “But seriously, he’s hot and he’s a really nice guy.”

  “True, but I’m not looking for any kind of relationship, short-term or long-term,” Josie said.

  Kaitlyn gave her a long look. “Don’t you think it’s time to let go of the past?”

  Josie glanced over. “I have let it go. Really,” she added when Kaitlyn narrowed her eyes. “I gave up a child in college because I wasn’t ready to be a mom. Elizabeth is beautiful, smart, and healthy. She seems happy with her adoptive parents. It was the right thing for both of us.”

  “Why are you holding yourself back from finding a guy who can make you happy, then?” Kaitlyn asked.

  Josie sighed. “I don’t need a guy to do that. I am happy.” But she understood her friend’s question. She just didn’t have a good answer for it.

  “Fair enough.” Kaitlyn held up her hands. “Tuck probably isn’t your Mr. Right anyway.”

  Josie reached for a handful of popcorn. “Why is that?”

  “Well, for one, he’s a widower.”

  Josie gasped, letting the popcorn fall between her fingers and onto her lap. “What?”

  “He lost his wife before I knew him, and he only recently started dating again,” Kaitlyn told her. “A man with a broken heart and a woman with a guarded one probably aren’t the best match.”

  “My heart isn’t guarded,” Josie said, a little defensiveness rising in her tone.

  Kaitlyn reached for another handful of popcorn. “Well, it’s certainly not available.”

  Josie’s good mood suddenly dulled. “I never would’ve guessed that about Tuck. He seems so…normal.”

  “Well, of course he is. Losing your spouse doesn’t make you an outcast.”

  “I know that,” Josie said. “I just mean he smiles and jokes around. He seems happy.”

  Kaitlyn tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “Mitch says he’s doing okay. As okay as someone can be after losing the love of their life.”

  “I can’t even imagine.” Josie blinked up at the TV menu screen for Sleepless in Seattle. “I don’t think I can watch that movie now because Tom Hanks loses his wife. It’s too sad.”

  Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. So instead, they continued to eat, drink, and chat, their laughter eventually starting back up, making Mr. Darcy lift his head with an annoyed look.

  “I’m thinking I need a change,” Josie finally admitted, two glasses in. “And no, not in my love life.”

  “What kind of change, then?” Kaitlyn asked. The popcorn bowl only held a few unpopped kernels now.

  Josie lifted her shoulders, sloshing around the contents of the wineglass in her hand. “I’m not sure. I’m just not happy in my job since Bart took over.”

  “That’s no secret.”

  “And New York isn’t the same without you,” Josie said. “I’m thinking about applying for a new job. I want to write about something more serious than dating trends and makeup.” Or, if Bart had his way, articles that might be titled “Sex in the Sticks.”

  “Your article about romantic retreats last winter was good,” Kaitlyn said.

  “Thanks. But that was with Gary as my boss. Now that Bart has taken over, I just…” She shook her head. “I think it’s time for me to move on, you know?” The idea had been niggling around in the back of her mind but this was the first time she’d said it out loud. She didn’t like change. Keeping things the same was so much easier but she wasn’t satisfied anymore. Going to a job she didn’t love, writing articles that didn’t excite her, and coming home to a lonely apartment wasn’t fulfilling.

  “Well, this is exciting. And worthy of a toast.” Kaitlyn lifted her glass with an unsteady hand.

  Josie’s buzz from the wine was dulled by the adrenaline and excitement now shooting through her. She’d made up her mind and had said it out loud. She’d continue to work at Loving Life magazine while applying for other jobs as soon as possible. She was going to find a job she loved even more than when she first started working at Loving Life. It was time.

  She lifted her glass and touched it to Kaitlyn’s with a soft laugh.

  “To new dreams and new beginnings,” Kaitlyn said. “And hot physical therapists.”

  * * *

  The next day Josie met Tuck outside on the trail behind the B&B. She was wearing yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes—her typical wardrobe for an early morning jog. She missed those jogs, but walking alongside Tuck was nice too.

  For the first few minutes, all she could think about was what Kaitlyn had told her last night. Tuck had lost his wife. Josie didn’t know the details but it was tragic nonetheless.

  “You okay?” Tuck asked. “You’re quiet this morning.”

  She offered up a smile. “Just enjoying nature.”

  He gave her a curious look. “You are the same city girl I met a few days ago, right? The one who tried to kill me with a can of pepper spray?”

  That made her laugh. “The very same. Maybe I hit my head when I fell too.”

  Tuck grinned. “I could take you back to Dr. Miles.”

  “Not necessary.” She gulped in a deep breath of the fresh air. “I’m shocked that my knee is already doing so well. The swelling was nearly gone when I woke up this morning.”

  “I told you it’d heal up.”

  The tension she usually carried between her shoulder blades was less too. She’d slept like a baby last night and hadn’t rushed off this morning to get on the subway and get to the office early as she normally did in the city. “It’s so peaceful here. I should really start taking a vacation more often.”

  “Some vacation. You hurt your knee, and now you’re doing physical therapy with me.”

  “And yet I feel more relaxed than I have in a while. I even decided to start looking for a new job last night,” she told him.

  Tuck looked at her from under the ball cap he was wearing. “That’s a pretty big decision.”

  “It is. And it’s long overdue. I’m not leaving Loving Life magazine until I line something else up, of course, but I’m going to start putting out feelers.” Excitement zipped through her all over again.

  She’d also decided, as she lay awake in bed last night, that she might put up a profile on an online dating site too. She wasn’t looking for anything long-term. No, she’d decided a long time ago that she was married to her career and always would be. But she enjoyed going to cultural events in New York. She loved festivals and the theater, and hated going alone, which was more often the case now that Kaitlyn had moved away.

  “So this is what you do all day, huh?” she asked once they’d rounded the trail and were heading back to where they’d started.

  “Partly. I do a lot of stuff. Sessions usually consist of stretching, exercises, and something functional like walking.” He shrugged. “It all just depends on what my patient needs.”

  “I can tell you what I need,” she said without thinking.

&nbs
p; He looked at her with interest, his eyes narrowing just a touch. “What’s that?”

  Oh, there were so many things that came to mind. Things that Kaitlyn had warned her off of concerning Tuck.

  “A drink. I’m leaving to go back to New York tomorrow, and you’ve done a lot for me. Why don’t you let me buy you a drink to say thank you?” It rolled off her tongue casually, as if the invitation were no big deal. And it wasn’t, she told herself. Kaitlyn had already told her that Tuck wasn’t really on the market. She just enjoyed spending time with him. Indulging in a little more flirty banter before she went home was innocent enough.

  Tuck averted his gaze and focused on the trees. She watched him fidget with the silver chain around his neck, toying with a little charm that dangled at his chest. After a moment, he released it. “That’s really not necessary,” he said. “I’ve only been doing my job. You don’t need to thank me or buy me anything. It might look bad for me to be seen out on the town with a patient anyway. Unprofessional.”

  Josie forced a soft laugh even though the skin on her chest was burning hot. “Right. I understand. I hear that you have quite a lot of patients who want to date you.”

  “Oh?” Tuck looked over.

  “Yep. That’s what Kaitlyn says. I was just suggesting a drink, not a date though. Definitely not a date.” Because he was a widower. And she was leaving. And…

  “I see. Well, that’s good because I don’t date patients.” His gaze clung to her. “But if I wasn’t your physical therapist…”

  She blinked him into focus, her heart suddenly beating as if she’d downed three cups of espresso. That was an incomplete sentence. The writer in her wanted him to finish it. The woman in her wanted it too.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Tuck looked at his watch. Beverly Sanders and her granddaughter Maddie were running a few minutes late. He was glad they were meeting here at Hope Cottage because it was close to their home, and he found it to be an inspiring setting for the most unmotivated of patients.

  It certainly inspired him. That’s why he’d moved here. The little house and surrounding property on Blueberry Creek had awakened something inside him when he was newly widowed and looking for a fresh start. Ancient Cherokees had a practice of going to the water for purification. Coming from a mixed home, with a Caucasian dad and an American Indian mother, he didn’t exactly practice all the tribal traditions, but his mom had made sure he knew them inside and out.