Meeting Mrs Garret

by Raquel De Leon

  Natalie was beginning to suspect that her persistent crush wouldn’t just fade away. Odder than that, she was coming to realize she didn’t mind. Nothing with Maddie would ever be possible and that suited her just fine.

  Maddie had a family that loved her, and though her life with Adam wasn’t perfect, Natalie had faith that they would work things out. All Natalie wanted was to continue being around Maddie—happy, playful, smiling Maddie.

  Eventually her feelings would fade but, until then, she would bask in the pure joy she experienced while being around Maddie. It was a freeing decision, enabling her to focus on her work.

  *****

  Maddie nibbled her lower lip as she finished the lunch preparations. Brittney still hadn’t come down from her room.

  It was nearly noon, and she knew that Adam had already made the call—he’d been considerate enough to text her and let her know. Brittney’s continued absence made Maddie’s stomach churn with anxiety.

  She hated for Brittney to feel abandoned. Growing up, Maddie had sworn she would never be like her mother, never let her child be raised by nannies and shipped off to a distant boarding school.

  However, Maddie had never anticipated getting pregnant right after earning her undergraduate degree. If she and Adam hadn’t already been engaged, she probably wouldn’t have married him. She’d never liked feeling forced into anything.

  Her mother, though scandalized at her unwed and expecting state, had actually made credible arguments for full-time childcare and boarding school. There was no reason that Maddie had to give up either her child or her career. ‘Why, it’s a whole new millennium, Madeline! You can have whatever you’re willing to strive for.’

  It had been odd to hear coming from her mother, but Elizabeth Davison had always held an interesting mix of archaic and modern opinions.

  She’d felt guilty for conceding to her mother’s points, but she had wanted both. She’d loved her baby long before she’d given birth, but that hadn’t changed the fact that she’d wanted to be a doctor.

  It was then that she and Adam had had a serious discussion. Adam had always had so much ambition, but he’d agreed that their child was the most important thing in their lives. He’d picked an office job that wouldn’t take him far from home, leaving him available to take over primary care while Maddie worked on her medical degree and beyond.

  They’d agreed that, no matter what, birthdays and holidays were non-negotiable and could not be missed. That promise had helped assuage her guilt some… though in the early years of Brittney’s life, that lingering guilt had made it difficult for her to connect with her bright, sensitive child.

  She’d long accepted that Brittney’s emotional distance was her own fault.

  Eventually, Adam had been able to pursue his dreams and ambitions. He’d always kept their promise.

  Until now. She hated to think of how Brittney was feeling. And it was her fault, more or less.

  The front door opened, and Maddie shook herself from her thoughts. That would be Natalie coming in for lunch. Maddie hurriedly tugged her apron off and put it in its usual spot. She was just collecting bowls for the soup when the unmistakable sound of Natalie’s footsteps halted just inside the kitchen.

  “Brittney’s not down yet?” Natalie’s face was pinched with worry.

  “No,” was all Maddie managed to say. Her hands restlessly adjusted the bowls, stacking and unstacking them.

  Natalie’s expression shifted, sending Maddie determined look. “Why don’t you go ahead and serve her lunch? Do you have a tray or something? I’ll take it up to her.”

  Maddie nodded, moving quickly to retrieve a tray. She neatly deposit a plated grilled cheese and bowl of soup on its surface. She hesitated and added a glass of water, turning to face Natalie with an anxious smile.

  The determination on Natalie’s face lingered, bolstering Maddie’s confidence.

  “Let me. I’ve got this, Maddie,” Natalie said as she took the tray.

  Their hands brushed during the exchange, prompting Maddie to squeeze Natalie’s arm. “Thank you.”

  Natalie winked. “Be back soon.”

  Maddie clasped her hands as she watched Natalie go, hoping Natalie could cheer Brittney up, even if just a little.

  She paced anxiously in the kitchen as the minutes ticked by. Nothing could be heard from upstairs, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing.

  After what seemed an eternity, she heard movement on the second floor. She rushed forward toward the hall, halting in the doorway as her eyes peered eagerly up the steps.

  Natalie offered her a cheerful smile as she descended. Maddie’s shoulders slumped. She’d hoped Brittney would come down, but at least Natalie seemed satisfied with whatever had transpired.

  “She was very upset,” Natalie projected in a soft voice, “but when I told her that I’d love if both of you would join us for Christmas, she got really excited.”

  As Natalie drew closer, Maddie tentatively smiled. “I’m glad.”

  Natalie leaned against the wooden frame of the entryway, directly opposite of where Maddie stood. “Me too. It doesn’t fix things, but at least it helps.”

  A strong urge to hug Natalie, who had been incredible all week, hit Maddie. She curled her arms around herself.

  When Natalie abruptly straightened and stuck her hands into her pockets, Maddie couldn’t help but notice.

  She frowned. “Is something the matter?”

  Natalie cleared her throat and stared down at the floor. “Ah, nothing.”

  Maddie waited and watched her closely. Finally, Natalie’s dark eyes flicked upward.

  The jaunty sprig of fresh mistletoe made Maddie laugh. “How did that get there?”

  “Brittney boobytrapped a few spots for you and Adam,” Natalie mumbled.

  Affection filled Maddie’s chest to near bursting. Of course, Brittney would. She’d probably made Natalie help. Maddie bit her lower lip, enjoying the unusual rouge tinge to Natalie’s cheeks.

  She didn’t stop to think, zeroing in on a particularly red spot and leaning forward.

  Natalie turned to say something right as Maddie’s lips made contact.

  She still mostly caught Natalie’s cheek, but Maddie immediately pulled back. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Oops,” she murmured as she brought a hand up to cover her lips.

  Natalie was frozen. Her shoulders were hunched and stiff, and her lips were tight around the edges with how hard they were pressed together.

  Then, ever so slowly, she looked at Maddie.

  Maddie’s lips parted. That was a look she knew.

  For whatever incomprehensible reason, Natalie was attracted. To her.

  Her mind went blank.

  At once Maddie felt hyper-aware of everything around them. She could feel Natalie’s body heat even though it was a respectful distance away, and hear the slightly hurried breaths as they escaped Natalie’s soft, full lips.

  “I should really be getting to the clinic soon,” Maddie blurted out as she turned on her heel. She stopped just before reaching the door and abruptly turned back around. “Help yourself to lunch, it’s all ready.”

  Even in her hasty escape, she hadn’t missed the brief look of pained shame that had passed over Natalie’s face.

  Again, she halted. Natalie knew she knew, and if she left now, Natalie would be upset. She took a deep breath.

  “I’m looking forward to meeting your family. I’m sure Christmas with them will be lovely.” Her mouth remained open as she struggled with whether or not she should say anything more. She closed her mouth, unsure what else she possibly could say, let alone whether she should.

  Her mind raced. She couldn’t turn to face Natalie, but after a moment she did hear a nearly silent sigh of relief. At least she hoped it was relief.

  Maddie nodded to herself and started back toward the door. Mechanically, she tugged Adam’s coat on before retrieving her keys and phone.

  She waited until she
was safely on the other side of the door before bringing a trembling hand to her lips.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Natalie forced out a breath as soon as Maddie was out of sight. She was beyond embarrassed. She uncurled her hands and tugged them out of her pockets as she began pacing in the hallway.

  She’d seen it, that look of recognition on Maddie’s face while she’d been struggling to regain control of her body and its reaction to the completely unexpected and innocent kiss.

  It wasn’t fair, dammit. Not long before she’d returned to the house for lunch she’d come to terms with her feelings. She’d been content with no one but Reeve knowing about them, and determined to just enjoy Maddie’s company.

  One stupid accidental kiss had shattered her calm resolutions and brought something of her feelings to light.

  She’d already invited the Garrets for Christmas, and there was no way she could go back on that invitation. Even if she’d been caught doing something much worse, she would never rob Maddie and Brittney of the opportunity to celebrate with her family.

  All the same, she needed some space to both live out her embarrassment and take time to settle her thoughts. It was a good thing she’d gotten an early start on work, because leaving Sage Falls as soon as possible seemed like a really great idea. She would feel less guilt knowing she’d gotten some decent work done on the G-47s before her departure.

  Her pacing halted, and some of her anxiety eased. It would give her time and space to herself. She nodded, decision made.

  Natalie hurried up the stairs, only slowing when she had to pass Brittney’s room. She should mention that she was leaving. She flexed her hands a few times before tapping softly at the door.

  “Come in,” came Brittney’s muffled, disinterested voice through the wood.

  The small curling of Natalie’s lips was automatic. It had been interesting to finally see some of Brittney’s immaturity as Natalie spent time with the Garret clan.

  “Oh, Natalie.” Brittney sat up on her bed, looking and sounding more alert. “I thought you were Mom.”

  Something in Natalie’s chest twinged. She ignored it. “Nah, your mom already left for work.”

  Brittney frowned. “She didn’t come tell me she was leaving.”

  “Maybe she was worried about making it on time with all the snow.”

  “Right, yeah.” Brittney’s face cleared. “It always takes a while to clear the ice and snow from the windows.”

  Natalie’s head bobbed, though she had to swallow hard to keep from speaking. She didn’t want to tell Brittney that she’d taken the time to carefully de-ice all of Maddie’s windows before coming in for lunch. Maddie had been nice enough to let her free up some space in the garage for her El Camino, after all.

  “Listen, I came in here to tell you that I’m gonna go ahead and head back home now.” Natalie waited patiently for Brittney to absorb the words.

  Brittney was frowning again. “Already?”

  The one word was spoken evenly, but Brittney’s expressive eyes held a melancholy to them that Natalie didn’t like. She thought carefully. “Since you and your mom are coming for Christmas, I want to make sure everything is just right.” It wasn’t a complete lie—she did want to make the holiday better for the Garrets.

  “You’re sweet,” Brittney murmured with a soft smile that made alarm bells ring in Natalie’s head.

  “It’s no problem. Pops loves company.” Natalie kept her voice light, not wanting to encourage the signals she hoped Brittney wasn’t sending.

  Whatever energy Brittney had been feeling faded as she slumped back toward the headboard of her bed. “You know, I was going to come out to them on Christmas. I thought, for sure, we’d all be together and who could disown their daughter on Christmas, right?”

  Natalie smiled wryly. “I can tell you with a ninety-nine percent certainty they won’t disown you.”

  Brittney bunched up fistfuls of the comforter, not looking at her friend. “Ninety-nine percent isn’t a hundred percent.”

  “Okay, fine.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “Ninety-nine point nine, nine, nine, nine, nine—”

  Brittney cut her off with a laugh. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Only a tiny part of me really worries about that, I guess. I just… I don’t know. I don’t know why I’ve waited so long.”

  “It’s a tough choice, bringing people into a private part of your life. Especially when you’re such a private person. It’s okay, Brittney.”

  “You keep saying that.” Brittney looked up, her chin jutting out. “But I’m through waiting for the perfect time. I’m coming out to my mom on Christmas Day. It’s not my fault Dad decided work was more important.”

  “Britt, I’m sure it’s more complicated than that.” Natalie paused. From what she knew of Adam, she liked to think he had a good reason to miss what was obviously an important day for his family. “But I get what you mean. You do what’s best for you. That’s all any of us can ever do.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Natalie. Becoming friends with you is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

  The hopeful look in her eyes had Natalie leaning back. Brittney was obviously a little mixed up, her emotions high with the impending holiday and Adam’s absence. She was just looking to find a connection somewhere. That definitely couldn’t be with Natalie.

  Natalie smiled tightly and decided to ignore the comment. And the look. “Well, I’m going to gather my stuff and go. Let me know if you guys decide to come up to the city tonight or tomorrow, alright? I know Pops has room at his place and would be pissed at me if you guys rented a hotel.”

  “Alright. I’ll talk to Mom when she gets off of work. You’ll text me the address?” Brittney gave her a careful once-over.

  Natalie’s wave was awkward, even to her. “Yeah, of course. I’ll see you.”

  It didn’t take her long to collect her things, and as she strolled out to the garage, she fumbled with the fob Adam had given her to easily open and close it. The cold was making her clumsy.

  The door groaned in protest, and she stared at her car as she waited for it to go up. She stowed her clothes and tools on the passenger side and then started the car to let the heater warm up.

  As she idled in the garage her hand automatically reached for her phone. She selected a familiar number and sighed with relief when it connected.

  “Yo, Natalie. Sup?” The familiar voice grumbled good-naturedly.

  “Reeve? I’m picking up a twelve pack. I need to talk.”

  *****

  Maddie subtly shook her head before turning on her stool. Brooklyn was perched on the exam table, her hands anxiously rubbing over her knees.

  “Now I don’t care what that boy says, sweetie, you make him wear a condom. The next time might not be just a scare,” Maddie declared.

  The young woman blushed and ducked her head down, a pale hand rising up to nervously brush hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Dr. Garret,” Brooklyn shyly mumbled. She hesitated, lips parted and gaze averted.

  “And thanks for not talking to my mom about this,” she added.

  “Well, Brooklyn, you’re legally an adult and this falls under doctor-patient privilege.” Maddie gave her a gentle smile, her eyes twinkling. “That aside sweetie, you can do far better than Johnny Dean.”

  Brooklyn blushed again and ducked her head. “I don’t know.”

  Maddie studied her. “If he’s pressuring you into sex, he’s not the one for you. He should respect you and your choices.”

  “I said yes,” Brooklyn insisted, but wouldn’t look Maddie in the eye.

  Maddie sighed; her options were limited. She pursed her lips. “Sage Falls is a small town,” she began carefully, pausing as Brooklyn shot her a curious look. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the world is a pretty big place.”

  Brooklyn looked thoughtful. “I’ve been thinking about joining the military.”

  Maddie’s heart clenched at the thought of the young woman, who w
as the same age as Brittney, out and off in the world fighting other people’s wars. “If that’s what you want to do sweetie, then you should go for it.” She bit her lip and mentally sighed. “You should talk to Sheriff Louis, he used to be in the Marines.”

  “Really? I didn’t know that. Thanks again, Dr. Garret,” Brooklyn said as she stood with an enthusiastic bounce.

  The smile on Maddie’s face couldn’t be helped in the face of so much positive energy, and she stood to follow the young woman out. Brooklyn turned to offer a quick wave before disappearing through the door that led to the lobby.

  Maddie remained staring off into nothingness for a short while before finally returning to her office.

  She’d been lucky enough to be able to focus as each patient came in, but as soon as she was alone she’d been lost in thought. She wasn’t due another patient for at least another fifteen minutes.

  Of all the things in all the world she considered on a daily basis, Natalie potentially being attracted to her had never seriously been one. She kept thinking back to the few moments when Natalie’s jokes could have been flirting. Natalie had never been inappropriate, so those moments had been easily attributed to a burgeoning friendship.

  She bit her lip, unsure why her heart was pounding so fast. It was flattering to be the object of someone’s affection, but it wasn’t the first time that had happened to Maddie. Though, she conceded, it had been a while since she’d recognized that in someone she was close to.

  There was no denying she was close to Natalie, far more than she’d been to any of Brittney’s other friends. Up until lunch, she’d thought they could have their own sort-of friendship.

  Natalie’s feelings—feelings? Was Maddie blowing everything out of proportion? A simple bodily reaction didn’t mean that Natale had a crush or anything more complicated. Maddie, more than anyone, should know that.

  Oh, goodness, she could be such an idiot.

  She’d made things awkward by reading too much into things. It probably didn’t help that she and Adam had been having problems, though their marriage had hit the stride of being a loving friendship more than anything else since Brittney had hit puberty. It had been a long time since Adam had looked at her that way.