Restless Heart

by Rhonda Laurel

  “Really? The Gazette actually covers town news?”

  “Of course they do. Believe it or not, life does occur outside this hospital.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.” He took her hand and gave her a once-over again. “You really look good. Have you been working out?”

  She pulled her hand away. “I’ve developed a health regimen that works for me.”

  She’d always been a voluptuous woman and took pride in her appearance. She and Levi had been together three months before he started making subtle comments about her weight. It had become so exhausting trying to be perfect for him until she realized that men like Levi were always putting expectations on women because they weren’t happy with themselves.

  Her break up with Levi had sparked a whole lot of crying, and she went back to crappy eating habits. One day she’d decided to put down the bag of chips and soda and go for a jog, and it did wonders for her. She’d even bought herself a fancy exercise machine after watching an infomercial one night. She got fit for herself, and she liked her new look. And if men like Austin Holbrook flirted with her, it was icing on the cake but not validation of her self-worth.

  “You didn’t like to work out when we were together,” Levi continued.

  “And you thought exercise was a religion. I like to do it without the stress of someone yelling at me like a psycho personal trainer because I can’t do a push-up.” She scowled at him.

  “All great instructors yell passionately when they believe in something. And I believed all you needed was an extra push to lose the weight.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “It was more like verbal abuse. Just like trying to shame me because I wanted ice cream after dinner. Or pinching my stomach with salad tongs.”

  “I thought I was motivating you.” He looked at his watch. “I can take a few minutes for that coffee. How about we have dinner one night next week?”

  “I’ve been pretty busy. My schedule is packed for the foreseeable future.”

  “Then I’ll text you until you say yes.” He grinned. “How’s Blue? I’ve been meaning to stop by and visit him. Maybe we could take him to the park together? I miss him, and I’m sure he misses his dad too.”

  “He seems fine. Coming around may confuse him again.” She ran a hand through her hair. “Do you know where the fire victim is? I’d like to get a quote from her.”

  “Angela’s in no shape for visitors after the night she’s had.” He raised an eyebrow. “You sure you didn’t come here to see me?”

  A blonde nurse walked by and smiled at Levi. He tried to be inconspicuous, but she could see the interest in his eyes.

  “Latest conquest?” She motioned to the nurse as she sashayed down the hall in her blue scrubs like she was wearing an evening gown.

  “What? No.” He scratched at his five o’clock shadow. “We’re just friends.”

  “You have a lot of just friends.”

  “Let’s not do this. It was your paranoia that broke us up.”

  “No, it was you coming home smelling like another woman’s perfume that split us up.”

  “I told you—”

  “Let’s not do this again. I’m over it.”

  “You don’t mean that. I know you still miss us. It’s no reason to keep our boy away from me. You want to get back together. Why else would you have gone and given yourself a makeover?”

  “Excuse me?” Levi’s toxic, me-first energy had always been a specter looming in their relationship. He was good-looking, brilliant, and a gifted doctor. The confidence he first exuded when they met was intoxicating until she realized that was also his biggest flaw. She shivered when she thought there was a time when she’d wanted to marry him. “Whatever I did to myself, I did for me. I could have used some moral support from you when we were together. But I know now I never would have gotten what I needed from you.”

  Another nurse approached with a patient’s chart in her hand. “Dr. Warner, we need your authorization to do the blood work up on the patient in room five.”

  “I gotta go,” Levi said. “But I really do want to get together for that dinner.” He kissed her on the cheek and walked off.

  He never listened to her. He should have walked away defeated or at least taken back by her words. And worse, he was still trying to convince her that she was imagining things. The look the nurse had given him was subtle, but Savannah could read the signs. She’d spent many a day watching him being flirty with other women.

  Savannah took a deep breath and forged on toward the elevator. She would come back tomorrow and see if she could get an interview with Angela. She hadn’t accomplished anything she’d set out to do tonight. Both interviews were a bust, but she did get to see Austin in his boxers, so it wasn’t a total loss. She stood back as two nurses exited the elevator. They were so busy chatting, they almost ran her over.

  “Did you hear about the fire? Austin Holbrook rushed in and saved and the day,” the red-headed nurse with the ponytail gushed. “It’s too bad he got released. I would’ve loved to have shown him my bedside manner.”

  “I was hoping he’d need a sponge bath,” the blonde with the cropped hairstyle cooed.

  “I signed up for horse-riding lessons at the Southern Comfort. They have a waiting list.”

  “You already know how to ride.”

  “I know.” The pony-tailed nurse giggled.

  Savannah tried to control her gag reflex as she got on the elevator. Apparently, Austin had quite an effect on the ladies. Funny how she’d never run into him in town, but she’d bet he spent a lot of time on that ranch of his. The way the general public swooned over him, it was no wonder the man had a reputation as a ladies’ man. They eagerly lined up waiting to be his next victim.

  All she wanted from him was an interview.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The next morning, Austin put his coffee cup in the sink and turned on the faucet. He’d gotten up early as usual and began his day with a hearty breakfast and checking his emails. But for the first time in a long while he didn’t head down to the stables. Instead, he called his foreman Juan Carlos and asked if he could handle things today. Knowing daily operations were in good hands, he’d do some things around the house then go visit Angela at the hospital later.

  He’d tossed and turned all night, thinking of the excitement of the evening. Rushing into that shop when he heard Angela’s scream was an impulse reaction. He hadn’t once thought about getting hurt. Yes, the day certainly hadn’t turned out the way he’d planned, but it had gotten better when that reporter waltzed into his room. He hadn’t expected to react to her the way he did. Before he knew it, he’d been flirting and enjoying it. He hadn’t seen her around town. He wondered if she was a recent transplant to Harper’s Grove or if he’d just been out of touch with the latest happenings.

  He heard a vehicle coming down the road that led to his house. He strolled through the house and opened the front door to find Alex and the kids getting out of his SUV. But Peyton wasn’t with them.

  “Uncle Austin.” Chloe ran over, gave him a hug and handed him a box with a pink bow on it. “Are you OK? I heard you were in a fire.”

  “Yes, cutie pie. I’m just fine.” He smiled and gave her a squeeze. “There’s not much that can knock old Uncle Austin out.”

  “I brought you some cupcakes.” Chloe smiled. “I baked them myself.”

  “Thank you. I bet they’re delicious.”

  “Hey, Uncle Austin,” Noah said. “I heard you were a real superhero last night.”

  “It was nothing. Just helping someone in need.”

  “Does this mean you won’t be able to give me a ping-pong rematch?” Noah gave him a toothy smile.

  “I still have enough energy to defend my championship title, half-pint.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Why don’t you two go into the game room and see the surprise I have for you?”

  “Cool!” The kids ran through the house toward the game room.

>   The kids’ frequent visits were one of the reasons for the improvements he’d made around the house. He wanted them to feel at home when they came over.

  “Don’t make a mess if you’re going to get a drink from the mini-fridge!” Alex yelled after them. He looked at Austin. “What did you get them this time?”

  “I bought a bigger flat-screen, a game console, and a heap of games.”

  Alex laughed. “Bigger than the one you had? You could step into that thing and intercept a ball during those football games.”

  “The picture quality on this one is even better. Oh. I got them some of those virtual reality glasses too.”

  “You do know they’ll never want to leave your house, right?”

  “Fine by me.” He enjoyed the time he spent with the kids. He was a pushover for anything Chloe wanted to do, including painting his nails, while he and Noah talked about things like girls and science fiction movies.

  “Well, I guess that will come in handy when we watch the games. Everybody wins.” Alex smiled. “I hope you took my advice and got some rest last night.”

  “I did.”

  “Is everything OK? I thought you’d be at the stables by now.”

  “I thought I’d take the day off. Juan Carlos can handle things.” He took a bag from Alex. “What’s all this?”

  “Lunch. We stopped by the market and got a few things. Peyton and Grayson will be along after their art council meeting.”

  “Come on in. I’ll fire up the grill.” Austin ushered him inside. “Any updates on Angela?”

  “I called the hospital this morning,” Alex said. “She’s doing well.”

  “That’s good to hear. I’m going to stop by later and visit.” He put the bags on the kitchen island and started unpacking them. Looked like they were having burgers. Alex loved to grill.

  “There’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you about the wedding. We got so caught up in the announcement celebration we didn’t get a chance to talk.”

  He gave him a quizzical look. “OK, shoot. You know I’ll be there in the front row with bells on.”

  “I want you to be one of the groomsmen.”

  “Are you sure?” They continued onto the deck. He had a full cooking station by the grill.

  “Of course I’m sure.” Alex examined the propane tank. “Derek is going to be my best man. And I want you, Theo, and Grayson to be my groomsmen.”

  “I am honored. Let me know when I need to get measured for my monkey suit. Have you set a date?”

  “We were thinking six months from now. A nice summer wedding at the house.”

  “Why not have it here on the ranch?”

  “We couldn’t impose,” Alex replied. “You’ve already volunteered to watch the kids while we’re on our honeymoon.”

  “I have plenty of space, and it will be my wedding present to you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How did things go with your in-laws when you broke the news?”

  “They took it well. They said they were happy for me and said they’d come to the wedding.”

  “Sounds like they’re supporting you.”

  “They like Peyton. They know she’s not trying to replace Rachel, and I told them that it didn’t change our arrangement. They can still see the kids as often as they like.”

  “You’ve done a good job at keeping Rachel’s memory alive while having a great relationship with Peyton.”

  Alex nodded. “I want this to work. Thank you for the advice you gave me when we started dating. Being honest and the family counseling have helped us all tremendously.”

  “I was just speaking the truth. The two of you deserve to be happy. It’s an auspicious time for the Popovich clan.”

  Alex grinned. “Derek’s excited about being a dad again. Theo’s more focused now that he’s dating Aubrey. Serena’s happy being single. She sends her love, by the way.”

  He noticed how Alex watched him as he mentioned his sister. Serena was an exciting woman who’d made quite the splash when she came to town for a visit last summer. They’d done some flirting, but he hadn’t made a move. Neither of them were looking for forever, and he didn’t want to do anything that would strain his and Alex’s relationship.

  “Tell her I said hey.”

  “What about you? Any chance our happiness is contagious? How are things with Lucinda?”

  “She’s still raging about our breakup on the radio every chance she gets.”

  “What happened?”

  He laughed. “You know what they say, fools rush in.”

  “And you were in no hurry to go charging blindly through the gates of the unknown?”

  “In the military, we call that a suicide mission. But in relationships, it’s called taking things too fast.” He scratched at his beard. “She and I were on different wavelengths. I wanted to get to know her better, and she was already making long-term plans. We barely knew each other. It was way too soon for that.”

  Lucinda was fun, but he hadn’t felt those sparks with her. He liked having a natural connection with a woman. Something you just felt deep down inside without thought. It was a gut feeling that permeated up to the heart.

  “Were you interested?”

  “Somewhat. I thought she was lively and charming, just like she is on the radio. Turns out she only had that one speed. She’s on all the time. There was no depth to her.”

  “You’ll find the right person someday. But if I were you, I’d increase my dating efforts or Peyton’s going to fix you up with another teacher from her school.”

  “I did meet someone interesting last night. She—”

  Peyton and Grayson walked onto the deck, and Austin clammed up. Alex gave him a nod that meant they’d talk later.

  Peyton gave him a hug. “There’s the man of the hour.”

  “Let’s toast the hero.” Grayson held up a bottle of champagne.

  “It’s not a big deal.” Austin ran a hand through his hair, wondering how long it would take before he didn’t have to listen to this “hero” business anymore. “How was the committee meeting?”

  “Screw the upcoming art fair, your rescue was all anyone could talk about,” Grayson mused. “A few of the women actually swooned when they heard what you did.”

  “I love your heroics last night.” Peyton laughed and swatted Austin’s arm. “But what were you thinking?”

  Austin opened his mouth to answer, but she continued. This was a turnaround from all the fussing over him she’d done last night.

  “I know. I know. It was the right thing to do.” She paced the deck. “But it was still a reckless, brave thing to do. We could have lost you. You are such a boy scout.”

  He held up his hand like a scout reciting a pledge. “I promise never to do anything so reckless again.”

  “I don’t believe you,” she replied, squinting at him.

  Grayson rubbed his hands together. “I have more great news. And it involves you.”

  What had Grayson gone and done now? “Do I really want to know?”

  “While everyone was caught up in your act of valor, someone suggested we do something as a town to thank you. We mulled over some ideas like an Austin Holbrook Day. We could give you a key to the city.”

  “Is this town big enough to have a key?” Austin quipped.

  “Ha, ha. Most people wanted to have a parade.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Come on. It’s an awesome human interest story. A resident risking his own life to save a local business owner. You stopped the town from burning down.”

  “Now you’re just exaggerating.”

  Grayson held up his hands. “It could have if you hadn’t arrived in time…and the entire fire department was on vacation.”

  “You should have been a public relations person. You really know how to spin a tale,” Alex said as he put the burgers on the grill.

  “Look, this will be a good thing, Austin. We can call attention to the everyday heroes instead of
the ones we see flying around in capes in the movies. Real people doing brave things reinforces a sense of community. I can see it now. There will be lots of press and a party at the town hall.”

  “I’d like to change the subject.” He turned to Peyton. “Alex and I were talking, and I’d love it if you two had the wedding here on the ranch.”

  “Thank you!” She gave him a hug. “That would be perfect! But I could have sworn you and Alex were talking about your nonexistent love life when we came in.”

  “Uh.” The woman heard everything. She was going to be a great mom to the kids.

  “I’m just giving you a hard time,” Peyton said with a laugh. She pulled out her cell phone. “I’m going take a golf cart and snap some photos. There’s a spot halfway between here and the main stable building that catches really good sunlight. It would be perfect for a summer wedding. I can get some great photos at sunset.”

  Alex looked amused. “Babe, you do know you can’t take your own wedding photos?”

  “Watch me. I have to call my wedding planner. We can take photos by that clearing that’s really romantic at sunset on horseback. This is so exciting!” Peyton darted into the house with her phone.

  “That woman is insane.” Alex shook his head. “We hired a wedding planner, but Peyton does all the planning.”

  “Yeah, but you love her.”

  “With all my heart.” Alex smiled.

  “Isn’t love awesome?” Grayson interrupted. “But I’d like to get back to my mayor duties. Austin. We need to do something. Something like this could bring the town closer together. You see the community spirit that poured in after the opening of the clinic. Even the snooty residents came together for it and to visit the clinic, by the way.”

  “Yes, some of those fat cats actually mingle with the middle class they used to avoid.”

  “It’s something. The nouveau riche used to parade around town. I think the classism has scaled back a lot the past few years.”

  Alex chuckled. “Maybe. I think I actually saw Earl the Mechanic having lunch with Henry the Silicon Valley Tech Guy the other day. It made me want to break out into a Simon and Garfunkel song.”