by Natalie Ann
“Maybe. I guess the next step is yours again.”
He leaned in and kissed her quickly, then picked up the treats for Sparky.
“I’ll be in touch,” he said, then walked out of her little home and called Sparky over from where the Groomsmans were still sitting at the table.
“Time to go home, boy,” he said.
Sparky hopped up into the front seat of the truck and settled himself in the passenger side. He sniffed the bag of treats and started to paw at them.
“No more for you. We both had our treats for the day.”
Small World
“Do you have time for me?” Dr. Max Hamilton asked as he walked across Celeste’s yard a week later.
She’d been outside hanging the sheets for the two rooms that were switching over guests today. Nothing better than fresh air-dried sheets in the summer. She prided herself on keeping with her grandmother’s way of doing things.
She used all of her grandmother’s recipes and even her decorating style, only with a modern twist. She tried her hardest to keep it the way her grandmother would have wanted.
After all, if it wasn’t for her grandmother, she wouldn’t be here today. She’d earned the “miracle” nickname long before she even knew what that word meant. Or could have guessed it would be applied more than once in her life.
Everything she did was always in honor of those who helped keep her safe, sound and healthy. She felt she owed them her life…literally.
“Absolutely. Let me just finish this last bit up. It was just too nice of a day to not offer to hang the sheets for my housecleaner. The cottage is open, go on in. I was just in there myself checking on things. I can’t wait to hear what you think.”
He walked over to the smaller house that she and Max were partnering in to check out the progress. A woman and two kids were walking with him now, so she figured she was going to meet the family, too. Even better.
She loved him as her doctor and was thrilled they could make this opportunity work. Deep down, it meant more that she was getting to know him as a person, and he was letting her into his life by bringing his family by.
She knew she was old-fashioned that way. So many in the world were busy trying to get ahead and pushing others out of the way in their climb to the top. Not her. No, life in the slow lane, old traditions, memories and honoring those that deserved it, if not respected it, is what she strived for.
An old soul. That was how she was referred to often. Maybe she was born in the wrong century.
Finishing up with the last sheet, she returned the basket to the B&B and then made her way to see Max.
“What do you think so far?” she asked.
“It’s coming along. It looks so different.” He turned and said, “This is my son, Davey, and my daughter, Lara. And this is Quinn.”
“Quinn is Daddy’s girlfriend now. She used to be our nanny. Well, she’s still our nanny, but now shares a room with Daddy,” Lara said, floating around the room like a butterfly. What a sweetheart.
Max sighed. “Lara is like a little magpie. Just ignore her. But yes, she’s correct. Though by the smile on your face, I’m sure you’re fully aware of the information you just received.”
“I am. Small towns and, well, Amber and I go way back. She was just a year behind me in school, but she had one heck of a crush on my brother Cole.”
Amber was one of Max’s physician assistants and took excellent care of Celeste, too. Amber liked to get involved with her patients on a personal level at times. Again, small towns, and she was so sweet and friendly that everyone was just attracted to her like flies to honey.
Actually, Amber was the one who’d had the great idea that Celeste and Max partner on a small B&B strictly for patients. A wellness retreat of sorts.
“Yes,” Max said. “Amber does like to keep up on the gossip. So what are the timelines here for the house with the contractors?”
“I decided to call it the cottage, since it’s so small compared to the B&B and less confusing all around for me. Still, they said another few weeks and it should be good to go. We can meet to set up prices soon and how we’ll handle the first few patients.”
“That sounds good. I’ll probably leave the running of it in your hands. But Quinn used to be a professional cook and baker, although now she just cooks for us. She’d like to help out and take the burden off you at times. Or when you need a break.”
“That’s sweet, and I think a wonderful idea. I’m sure your patients will actually appreciate the gesture. Something from your home to theirs in a matter of speaking. It’s a nice personal touch.”
Another reason she knew this partnership would work out so well. Someone else going that extra mile like she did with her guests.
“During the school year I’ve got to bring the kids to school and pick them up daily,” Quinn said. “I can easily prep food or drop off breakfast. Anything that you think will work. The same with baked goods and such. Homemade soups and casseroles that they can heat up themselves. I could focus on more medicinal foods since most of them are healing.”
An even better idea, now that Celeste thought of it. It would save her from trying to make two meals most of the time.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. We’ll get together soon and go over things once we get our first guest.”
Quinn was a cutie. A little on the small side, and no one that she would have pegged as a mate for Max. Kind of casual looking in shorts and a T-shirt with long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, little to no makeup on, but on the sweet side. Maybe adorable was a better word with her size.
She wasn’t sloppy or messy, but not overly feminine like Celeste was. Then again, not too many people wore dresses and skirts daily either, she knew that. But there was a homey quality to Quinn—a nurturing one, and Celeste felt that connection.
Celeste knew she was unique in that she always enjoyed being overly girlie. Doing her hair, dressing up, feeling like a princess at times. Just like her father used to call her. His little Miracle Princess. She liked to carry that title on too, the same as her grandmother’s recipes and ways of life.
“Speaking of healing,” Max said, “I want to check out the incision on your lower back before I leave. Hope its looking good.”
“They always look good. This is pretty sweet, you’re making house calls for me now,” Celeste said, grinning.
Max had removed two moles from her lower back months ago. Two more added to the ongoing list, unfortunately.
He returned her grin. Another thing she liked about him: he always seemed so happy. “You might have your first guest soon. Amber’s got people lined up just waiting for the go-ahead.”
“She’s good, I’ll give her that,” Celeste said. “I think this is going to be one heck of a profitable endeavor.”
“Oh look, a dog,” Davey said.
Lara started to move fast toward the front door that they’d left wide open, to see Sparky standing there eying everyone with his head tilted to the side.
“No, Lara. Never approach a strange dog. Everyone stand back,” Max said, walking in front of them.
“It’s fine, Max.” Celeste moved forward. “Did you come visit me, Sparky?”
“That’s Caleb’s dog, isn’t it?” Quinn asked.
Celeste turned. “You know Caleb?” She didn’t think anyone knew Caleb in Lake Placid.
“Well, no. Not really. I mean I was at my friend Mallory’s house a few days ago and Caleb was there with Sparky.”
“Mallory?” Celeste asked. She knew just about everyone in the area, but that name didn’t sound familiar to her.
“Mallory Denning. Well, it was Dexter, but it’s really Denning.” Quinn stopped and waved her hand. “Never mind. She lived with Trixie Miller for years. Mallory is engaged to Nick Buchanan, Trixie’s grandson.”
“Oh Trixie. I love Trixie,” Celeste said of the older woman who’d been a foundation to the Lake Placid community for years. “I thought Mallory was a family member
staying there? I remember her now. Long blonde hair, tall, really shy?”
“No, just a friend that moved here. Anyway, she’s engaged to Nick now.”
“I heard Nick moved to the area and was engaged, but guess I missed the whole story surrounding it. I remember Nick and his sister Rene from when they visited over the summers as kids.”
“Max and Nick have been bonding over software programs lately,” Quinn said. “Mallory and I took the kids out on Nick’s boat for a few hours. When we came back, Caleb was there and I saw the dog from a distance.”
“That’s right, Nick owns a software company,” Celeste said.
Small world. Looked like that was where Caleb’s meeting was a few weeks ago.
She didn’t know about a meeting this past week though, because she hadn’t heard from Caleb since he left her house last Saturday and said he’d be in touch. Guess his idea of being in touch and hers were completely different.
She was starting to wonder if he’d changed his mind, but since Sparky was here, probably not. Guess she’d find out soon enough when he came to get his dog.
But if he thought she was going to be welcoming him completely with open arms after not hearing a word from him in a week, he had another thing coming.
“So,” Max said, crossing his arms and smirking at her. “That’s the mystery man and dog you were having lunch with the other day?”
“Excuse me?” Celeste said, smiling at Max. “Never mind. Amber, right?”
“Of course.”
His Terms
Caleb waited about an hour and then decided to go get Sparky. All week he’d wanted to contact Celeste, which was odd for him since normally he could care less if he was around someone.
Not this time, though. This time he wanted to be around her. He wanted to see where they were heading and how fast or slow they could or would get there. He was sick of hearing the worry in his mother’s voice and knowing he was causing it.
He was fine. Or he was getting there, somehow, someway…on his terms.
Only he was clueless as to the next step. So he put it off until it was so much later that he was actually embarrassed over his lack of communication now.
He’d had a week to figure this out, but he still didn’t know what to say or do.
Sparky had been going nuts, trying to get out and take off to see Celeste for days. How he held the dog back was beyond him, but today Sparky decided he wanted out.
Between the nonstop barking and pawing at the doors, Caleb was ready to pull his hair out. So he opened the door and let Sparky go. Then looked at the clock and timed what he thought would be an appropriate amount of time to wait.
He couldn’t remember ever staring at a clock waiting to see a woman. That thought alone terrified him.
He’d thought he would have figured out what to say to her by the time he got to her house, but he was still coming up empty.
When he climbed out of his truck and saw Sparky under the tree and Celeste nowhere to be found, he had his first suspicion he’d better do some fast-talking. Too bad he’d never been a slick talker.
Normally, she was waiting with Sparky until he showed, but not today. In fact, the property almost had a heavy feeling in the air, but he pushed it aside as over-imagination.
A moment later the front door of the B&B opened, and there she stood, in a long floral skirt all the way to the floor, with a light yellow shirt. No hat this time, but her hair was still braided and hanging over one shoulder.
She was also minus a smile. Looked like he wasn’t getting any cookies today, either.
“You found your dog,” she said.
“I did. Sorry if he bothered you.”
“He never does. I had some baking to do for dinner tonight and he can’t come in the house. I offered my cabin since it’s cooler, but he seemed content to stay where he was.”
She was talking to him, but she didn’t seem as open and friendly today.
“If you’re busy, I’ll just gather Sparky and get out of your hair.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, and when she didn’t say anything he sighed, then walked over to his dog. “Come on, boy. Let’s go home.”
Of course Sparky had no intention of leaving, not when the normal routine wasn’t being played out. That didn’t stop Caleb from reaching down and trying to lift the dog’s back legs to get him to stand though.
Sparky just playfully growled and rolled over onto his back, belly in the air.
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Celeste said, watching the show. “Come over here while I get you a coffee and some cookies.”
“Don’t go out of your way,” Caleb said over his shoulder, bending down and trying to gather the wiggling dog. “I’ll just lift him up and carry him to the truck.”
Nothing seemed to be going his way when Sparky jumped up and started running laps around the yard. From experience, Caleb knew there was no way he was going to catch the dog.
He looked over at Celeste, at her stoic face and the mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “I guess a coffee would be good.” When she disappeared into the house, he looked at his dog and whispered, “Thanks. I owe you one.”
While Sparky continued to lie in the shade, Caleb and Celeste quietly sat on her front porch until it started to get on his nerves. The silence never bothered him before, but now he felt like he was the one in the doghouse.
“I’ve been busy,” he said, suddenly.
“That’s nice. So have I.”
“What have you been up to?” he asked, trying to get her to talk. Normally he didn’t have to prod so much.
“Oh, the normal. Cooking, cleaning, entertaining my guests. Running my business. You?”
Damn, short and curt answers. “I’m working on a big project right now. I lost track of time. I don’t work on deadlines, not really, but when I get immersed in things I can’t let it go until I get to a point I feel comfortable enough. I just got there yesterday. I haven’t taken one break all week. Haven’t even left the house.”
She angled her head to the side. “Really.” She started to smile at him, not a smile he was used to, either. “I met with Max Hamilton today. You know, the doctor I’m partnering with on the cottage next door?”
“That’s good. How’s it going?”
“It’s going well. I also met his children, Lara and Davey, and his girlfriend, Quinn, who is going to be doing some of the cooking for his patients.”
His face flushed. There was no stopping it. “I’m sure that will be helpful for you. When were they here today?”
“They left about twenty minutes ago,” she said, picking up a sugar cookie and nibbling on it. It was the first time she’d eaten one of her cookies in front of him. It was like she was toying with him now.
He felt his shoulders drop. He was never good at lying. “They recognized Sparky, didn’t they?”
Bright and wide, her smile filled her face. “They did.”
“Okay, so I did leave the house one day. But I was still working. And I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. I really have been busy.”
“I get that. I’ve been too. I guess I just thought…”
“Yeah. I know. I gave you that impression.”
“Have you changed your mind then?” she asked. “Because if you have, just tell me. I don’t like playing games or guessing all the time. I’m pretty tough and can take a rejection.”
He wasn’t rejecting her and didn’t want her to think that. Maybe if he was a bit more open, she’d understand.
“I haven’t dated anyone in a really long time. I like to be alone. I’ve come to depend on it, if not enjoy it. The thing is, I find myself not wanting to be so alone at times now. I just don’t know what to do about it.”
Her face softened as she reached out and held his hand lightly. “I get it. I’m sorry if I made you feel bad right now. It wasn’t my intention.”
“It wasn’t?”
“Well, maybe a little. You see, I thought after last Saturday we were
moving in a good direction and then, well, it just stopped. I think what bothered me the most was that Sparky hadn’t visited. I figured you were keeping him back so you wouldn’t have to see me. Please, whatever happens or doesn’t happen with us, continue to let Sparky visit. I enjoy his visits.”
He had done just that, but wouldn’t admit it. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel any worse than she felt, or admit something that would put him on her bad side again.
“So I’m going to ask you something I haven’t asked another woman in a long time.”
“What’s that?” she said.
“Can I take you out to dinner to make it up to you? A late dinner maybe, since I know you have guests to see to.”
“It’s hard for you to ask that, isn’t it?”
It shouldn’t have been, but it was. He hadn’t been in a relationship in longer than he cared to remember. He was terrified of memories resurfacing and wasn’t sure how he was going to face them.
“Yeah, it was.”
“But you don’t want to tell me why?” she asked, rubbing her thumb over the top of his hand. He felt every nerve pulsing at her touch.
“I’d prefer not to right yet. Maybe some day.”
“I’ll accept that answer for now. Let me see what I can do with my guests and their schedules and I’ll get back to you on a time for dinner.”
He set his cup down and stood up. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For understanding.”
He walked off the porch before she could say another word.
Social Skills
It took a few days, but Celeste managed to figure out the perfect day for her and Caleb’s date. It was the one night that she had two vacant rooms, and luckily the guests she did have had plans for dinner elsewhere. For once, she didn’t even have to cook.
But she still made sure there were the makings for sandwiches and a few side salads in case they changed their plans and came back. It at least took the guilt of worrying off her shoulders.