The Core Four Series

by Stacy Borel

  “Did you say something, Annabelle?” Robin asked.

  I brought my eyes back up and tried to appear innocent. “No, sorry. I thought I had to sneeze.”

  They both gave me a quizzical look and brushed off my interruption. “Anyway, I’m going to Pink Lace after my shift to get some things that I think he might find, appealing,” she purred.

  “Yeah, what do you have in mind?” The other girl asked inquisitively.

  I peered back up through my lashes to watch the conversation. I wasn’t normally an eavesdropper, but I was curious. Ever since my first run-in with Turner, I’d started paying more attention to the rumor mill. As it turns out, Dr. Brooks seemed to be a lady’s man, which I pretty much already assumed. But apparently he’d made his way through the hospital staff and left a trail of swooning women. In fact, I’m convinced that besides Robin, I’m the only one he hasn’t shoved into a supply closet. Actually, I take that back. I would hope that he hasn’t screwed around with Gladys, the janitor, who is eighty years old, but you just never know with people.

  “I was thinking something red and silky and I’ll pull my hair up off my neck. He won’t be able to resist,” Robin proclaimed with complete confidence.

  Red silk? Sounded more like a cheap hooker outfit if you asked me. Turning back to my work, I blocked out the rest of their conversation. Hearing all of that brought me back to the day that he asked me out on a date. I had gone home wondering if I should have taken a chance and said yes. The attraction had definitely been there. The draw or lure, if you will, tried to suck me in to say yes, but hearing all of this gossip was my affirmation that sticking to my guns was the better choice. We would have had our date, and I’m sure it would have been wonderful, but I had no doubt Turner Brooks would have moved on to the next unsuspecting lady the very next day. Which was fine. Clearly that was his MO. I’d never knock a man for his game. However, since that day, I have done everything I could to avoid bumping into him around the hospital grounds. I didn’t do it because I worried he wanted to ask me back out. No, I had a strong feeling he wasn’t the type to ask a second time. It was more because he made me feel uneasy. There had been something I saw in his face that day, a mischievous undertone. He may be a healer, but there was a flash in his eyes that told me he liked to teeter on the edge of danger. I, Annabelle Shaffer, didn’t do danger. Nope, I colored within the lines. That’s where safety lies. I knew if I ever slipped outside of those lines, I welcomed the possibility of hurt. Because of that, I made sure I stayed inside of my protective bubble is where I controlled my future. I liked it there.

  High pitched female laughing brought me out of my thoughts and I glanced up at the two women still droning on about Robin’s life changing date. Blah . . . blah . . . blah. Whatever. I didn’t care to listen to it any longer so I finished up charting Cecile’s meds and I went to the L&D locker room to gather my things. When I slipped my purse onto my shoulder, I felt the vibration of my phone. Pulling it out, I looked at the screen. It was a text from Keegan.

  Keegan: Dress shopping 2morrow @ noon.

  Me: K. Should we meet at your place?

  Keegan: Nah. I’ll swing by n grab u.

  Me: Sounds good! See you then.

  Keegan and I had been hired on the same day to work in Labor and Delivery. I may have originally wanted Sports Med, but she had always wanted L&D. We worked side by side most of the time, but every once in a while our shifts crossed. Since working together, I’d become even closer to Keegan, which kind of was a rarity in and of itself. I didn’t let many in. But she had this way about her. One couldn’t help but trust her and love her. When she got engaged to Camden, Keegan didn’t waste any time picking out her bridesmaids. I was honored that she even felt close enough to ask me. Dropping my phone back into my purse, I silently cursed dress shopping. Hopefully the other two girls would agree on what we would wear and we could focus on Keegan and her wedding dress. I also sent a silent prayer up to the dress gods that she didn’t choose some God awful color like pastel blue or purple. I didn’t want to look like a cupcake.

  I went out to the parking garage and climbed in my car. The drive home was a relatively short one, which tonight I was very appreciative of. Pulling into my drive ten minutes later, I let myself in the front door and was immediately greeted by my cat, Chaz. His loud purr set me at ease and all the tension from the day slowly melted away with his light thrumming.

  “Hey, big guy, what have you been doing all day?” I bent down to pet his black and grey fur. He arched up against my palm and meowed at me. “Oh yeah? Sounds like you’ve been a busy boy.” I stood back up and dropped my bag on the floor. “Are you hungry?” I asked my overweight companion, and he let out a long and low bellow. He weaved in and out of my legs as I tried to make my way to the kitchen. It was a familiar dance we did every evening. He would dart around my feet, and I would try not to step on him. I was convinced that Chaz understood every word I spoke to him. He’d been my cat since before my parent’s death seven years ago and he was the only one that had been here for me when I was at my worst. I loved him and he loved me. At least, I think he loved me. Unless it was more because I traded food in exchange for a listening ear. Regardless, he gave me his attention and I appreciated it.

  After feeding Chaz, I went to the fridge and grabbed the bottle of merlot that I had opened the night before. Filling a glass half full, I walked down to my room, changed into black yoga pants, and a pink ribbed tank top and plopped on my bed, ready to call it a night. My kindle beside me had also become a friendly companion. I was an avid reader. I threw myself into sexy romance novels or dark paranormal ones every night before passing out. Sipping from my wine glass, I sunk down into my plethora of white down pillows and immersed myself into someone else’s life. A world that wasn’t my own and allowed me some comfort and solace. A place where I could let myself live on the edge and take risks. With each word that my eyes scanned, they grew heavier and heavier. My twelve hour shift had taken its toll, and the wine was quickly seeping into my blood. I hadn’t even finished a chapter before I was in a deep, dreamless sleep.

  Before I even opened my eyes, I felt a heavy weight on my chest. Then a small tap tap tap on my cheek. I fluttered my lashes open and was nose to nose with a very disgruntled Chaz. Looking at the clock by my bed, it read ten in the morning. Clearly I’d slept too late for his liking and he wanted to be fed, again. Stretching my arms high above my head, he jumped off of me and stood patiently by my door.

  “You know, waking up your owner isn’t very polite.” He blinked as if to say “whatever.” I sat up and rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. Geez, I must have been pretty tired. I didn’t normally sleep this late, but it was always welcomed when I did. Shuffling my way into the kitchen with Chaz traipsing behind me, I fed my bottomless pit of a cat, and turned to make a pot of coffee. I had a little bit of time to sit out on the deck and soak in the sun before Keegan would be here to pick me up.

  When the machine beeped, I fixed my cup of Joe just the way I liked it and stepped through the sliding glass door that was right off of the kitchen. A rickety old, wooden, rocking chair sat facing out towards an empty field with a few rolling hills. I know I should probably buy new outdoor furniture, but the idea of getting rid of this chair sent me into a tailspin. As I sat down, the wood creaked as if the small frame would give way and fall apart right under me. You see, this was my dad’s chair. Every morning he woke up before the birds and came outside and sat in this very spot. He would sip his coffee and read the newspaper.

  When I’d wake up, I’d come bounding outside and I’d sit on the railing across from him and we’d talk about anything and everything. There was a time when I used to crawl into his lap, but of course as I grew older and bigger, it just made sense that I graduated to a different spot. Daddy and I were close. I was never a girl that hated her father during my teenage years like everyone said would happen. I was the apple of Daddy’s eye, and he was my favorite person on earth and h
e was my best friend. Of course I loved my mom just as much, but we had a completely different relationship. I was just like her. I even looked like her with reddish blonde hair and aqua colored eyes. My parents were my everything. The mere idea of trashing something that was theirs, things that were part of my fondest memories, was never going to happen. Looking out over the green grass, I watched while the clouds made shadows of different shapes and sizes as they slowly moved on to another part of the field. I was mesmerized by the way things came and went, changing and molding to the atmosphere around it. I found it peaceful and slightly disturbing. I hated change. It was exactly why I was still in the same exact spot. In the exact same chair.

  An hour passed before I decided I’d spent enough time outside lost in my own thoughts. I had to get moving. Tossing what was left inside my mug over the edge of the deck, I turned and went in the house. Once ready, I had just enough time to get to the door before Keegan pulled up. I picked my purse up off the ground and locked the door behind me. Keegan smiled at me from inside the car, and something about it made me relax. I hadn’t been looking forward to the shopping trip, but seeing her made me remember that I enjoyed companionship and I really did need a girl’s day out.

  Climbing in the car, she gave me a very cheerful, “Hey, how’re ya doing?”

  “I’m good,” I replied. “Spent a leisurely morning out on the deck and got a little bit of sun.”

  She looked at me from the corner of her eye. “Yeah, your shoulders have a cute little pink tinge to them.”

  Ugh! I always burned. My red hair accompanied pale, white skin. Just another feature I’d inherited from my mom. During the summer months, my freckles came out in full force. They annoyed me. “Apparently, it’s time to start slathering on the sunscreen before I spend any length of time outside. Someone remind me why I’m still living in the south?”

  She laughed. “Uh, because the food is better and the guys are hotter.”

  “You’ve got the food part right. Maybe I should move to Seattle or Alaska where the sun barely shines. I could accept my paleness and live with my people.”

  “Your people?”

  “Yeah . . . albinos with see through skin.”

  She giggled. “You’re not albino, you weirdo. You do know that Alaskan people aren’t as pale as you’re making them sound, right? And you better not move. What would I do without you?”

  “First of all, yes, there are pale Alaskans. They live way up north . . . with the polar bears. And you’d be fine without me. You’d spend more time with that gorgeous, moody man of yours.”

  “I think you’ve been reading too many paranormal books. It’s the vampires that are that white. Also, time away could be a good thing. Believe me. He’s insatiable.”

  I turned to face her. “Are you actually complaining about the amount of sex you’re getting to have?”

  “No, I suppose not, but sometimes my little friend down there needs a break.”

  Now I was the one giggling. “We work around vaginas all day and you call it ‘your little friend’?”

  She shrugged. “Yep. But all of this brings me back around to a question I’ve wanted to ask you for a while. How come I’ve never seen you go out on a date? In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even heard you talking about a guy.”

  Inevitably, I’m always asked this question. I don’t announce that I’m not into dating, but people do take notice. “It’s just not something I’m interested in at this stage in my life. I’m getting myself settled into a new job, and figuring out my long term goals.”

  Her voice became softer. “Don’t any of those long term goals include someone tall, dark, and handsome?”

  “I just don’t think that’s in the cards for me.”

  “It could be if you opened yourself up to the possibility.”

  I turned to look out the window. We were heading into downtown Athens, and the historic buildings were passing us by. “You make it sound like a fairytale. I like being alone.”

  I saw her reflection in the glass. Keegan glanced over at me with sad, wistful eyes. A hand came over and grasped my own. “I’m here. I’m always going to be here, even if you just want to sit and not talk.” With a light squeeze she put her hand back on the wheel and focused on the road. I turned back toward her and gave her a small smile. We rode the rest of the way to the bridal shop in silence.

  When we arrived, I saw that Rowan, Keegan’s mom, Sarah, her little sister, and Donna were all standing on the sidewalk waiting for us. A little flutter went through my tummy at seeing Donna. Last time I saw her was the day I embarrassed myself during their baseball game. I may or may not have had a brief flash of Turner’s face run through my head too. I pushed it away just as another car pulled in. It was Macie. She had been Keegan’s best friend since they were kids, but she had taken a liking to me too. We’ve hung out quite a few times over the past year, and have gotten to know each other. I liked Macie. She was loud, colorful, beautiful, and easy to get along with. But what I liked best about her was she never held back about how she felt. It’s a quality that a lot of people are missing lately.

  As Macie stepped out of the car, she lifted her long brown hair off of her neck and fanned herself in a dramatic fashion. “Y’all know just what kind of madness it is to get married in the middle of a Georgia summer, right?”

  “Yes, but there will be plenty of icy drinks to keep the heat away and plenty of shade under the tent,” Keegan stated positively. Nothing was going to get her spirits down.

  “You better hope so, ‘cause I swear, you keep my ass out in the sun longer than ten minutes for you to say ‘I do’ I’m walking.”

  Keegan grinned. “You’d walk out of your best friend’s wedding?”

  “Does this look like a face that is kidding?” She pointed to her pout. “Never mind. Who can see my face when it’s melting off? Can we just get inside please?”

  “Yes, please,” I seconded.

  As we all walked in the door, Keegan hugged everyone that was there to support her. As she checked in with one of the front desk girls, Donna gave me a bright grin. “Hey there. Annabelle, right?”

  I nodded as she approached then welcomed me in a warm hug like we were relatives or old friends. “I thought so. I’m usually good with names, but I haven’t seen you in what?” She paused to think about it. “Well, I think it’s been about seven or eight months.”

  Donna was a typical southern woman. She dressed well, with perfectly coifed hair, and flawless make-up. Living in this region of the US, most of the female population treated each other like long lost friends, even if they were total strangers, when greeting one another. And of course everyone hugged everyone else. Donna’s small arms wrapped around me and her scent wafted through the air, covering me up like a warm blanket. She smelled so similar to what my mom used to smell like. Clean, almost like a fresh towel or sheet out of the dryer mixed with a hint of lavender. The smell hit me straight in the gut. I tried not to frown when she pulled away. All I wanted to do was bring her small frame back into me and breathe deeply.

  “So how are you, honey? Been stayin’ busy?” Her sweet-as-a-peach southern drawl was smooth, like a fine wine.

  I paused briefly to shake myself from the tears that wanted to work their way up. Swallowing down the lump that was forming, I reciprocated her smile. “I’m good, thanks for asking. Just working on the L&D floor like Keegan and taking on a couple extra shifts now and then.”

  “That’s right. Keegan said y’all worked together. How’re ya likin’ it?”

  Keegan started making her way toward the showroom floor and we all trailed behind her, the consultant leading the way. “It’s good. I didn’t realize how rewarding the work would be, but I really am happy with it.”

  She rested her hand on my forearm as we stepped into a wide space with wedding dresses and prom gowns galore. “That’s great, honey. I know the nurses that were there when I birthed all four of my boys were an invaluable asset to me. I’m so happ
y for you.”

  The mention of her sons brought my mind back to Turner. I had to admit I was quite taken by his poise, his blue eyes staring at me from across the kitchen. How his deep voice resonated in my chest. Him lifting me like I weighed nothing. He was still the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on. What in the world? My thoughts sounded like I had a crush on him. Crazy sauce! Someone coughed, bringing me back into the present.

  “Earth to Annabelle.” Macie snapped her fingers. “Do you want to try on these two dresses?”

  The little blonde consultant was holding up the options and I looked them over. Both were black, and both appeared exactly the same to me. Honestly, I didn’t care either way. It was Keegan’s wedding, so it’s her opinion that mattered more than mine, right? “Sure.”

  Macie went into one room with one dress, and I went into one with the other dress. What I tried on was a strapless A-line, satin cocktail number. The top was fitted around my chest, and the bottom flared out with black tulle. It was short, very light and flowy and probably wouldn’t make me too hot with the outdoor wedding. I doubled checked my appearance in the mirror before stepping out. Macie was already out, standing on a podium. Keegan was up, picking apart the flaws when I came into view. Stepping up next to her, Macie looked me over.

  “Should’ve tried that one on,” she declared. “This dress is way too itchy and I don’t like how the back poofs out. Makes my butt look bigger than it already is.” She turned, giving us a view.

  Her dress was also a black cocktail dress, but it had spaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline and pleating from the waist down to the knees.

  “What do you think, Annabelle?” Keegan asked.

  “Me? It’s your wedding. I’ll wear whatever you put me in.”

  “Oh shut up. No you won’t.” Macie glared at me. Not in an angry way, but more of a “shut your mouth or I’m going to kill you” sort of way. I glanced back and forth between the two of them and down to the dress I modeled.