by Kay Correll
Ashley took a brief medical history and examined Maggie. As Lucille had suspected, Ashley’s best guess was Maggie had the virus that was doing its best to hit just about everyone in town.
“You’ll feel better soon. Drink plenty of fluids and take it easy. You should feel better in a few days, but I’ll warn you, this virus really seems to wipe people out. Expect to be tired for a few days afterward.”
“Thanks for seeing me. I told Aunt Lucille it was probably the bug going around, but she insisted I come see you. She said it was better safe than sorry. I appreciate you fitting me in.”
Ashley didn’t want to admit there wasn’t much fitting her in involved in seeing her, but didn’t think it was smart to mention that.
She walked Maggie out to the waiting room. Lucille stood with a graceful swoop as only a southern-bred lady could pull off. “Is Maggie okay?”
“She’ll be fine with some rest.”
“I really appreciate you seeing us today. It was very kind of you.” Lucille grabbed her pocketbook and headed to the reception desk. “I’ll pay for Maggie’s visit.”
“I can pay for it, Aunt Lucille.”
“Nonsense. You caught this nasty virus because you came to visit me.” Lucille took out her checkbook.
“Call me if you have any problems or if you start to feel worse, okay?” Ashley turned to Maggie. The woman nodded.
“We’ll be going now. Again, thank you for seeing us.” Lucille took Maggie’s arm and they walked to the door. Ashley followed them and stood in the doorway with the sunshine spilling in on the polished vinyl floor.
Whit had been moping around the cottage all morning, in between leaving messages on Warren’s phone. A phone that was never answered.
“Look, Whit, you can stay here sulking all day, leaving message after message, but I’m headed to Coastal Creations to finish up the last of setting up your books. I have a bookkeeper coming by tomorrow to show her what I did, and you should be all set in the future. She’s going to come weekly at first to keep you on track.”
“I’m not sulking.” Whit slammed the cabinet a bit too forcefully to prove her point.
“Okay, moping then.”
Whit glared at him as he headed out the door.
Will took the long way to Whit’s shop, not because it took him past the clinic, but because it was a beautiful, sunny morning. That was the reason. As he approached the clinic, he saw Lucille standing in the doorway with a young woman. Ashley stood in the entrance talking to them. Before he had a chance to do a quick getaway, Lucille looked up and waved at him. He took a deep breath and crossed the distance to the clinic.
“Will, this is my niece, Maggie.”
The infamous Maggie. She wasn’t a bit how he imagined, not that he was interested in taking her out. Or anyone out. “Nice to meet you, Maggie.”
The woman nodded.
He stood awkwardly a few feet away from Ashley while Lucille sent him a strange look. He moved closer to Ashley… then Ashley sent a strange look. He pasted on a big smile and moved to lounge in the doorway right next to Ashley. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Go with me on this.”
He pressed a quick kiss against Ashley’s cheek and her eyes widened in surprise. “Morning, darlin’.” He used his best southern drawl. “Missed you last night.”
Ashley stared at him. “I…”
“I think it’s wonderful that you and Will are seeing each other again.” Lucille gracefully waved her hand their direction.
Ashley opened her mouth and before she had a chance to contradict Lucille, before he could even think clearly, he leaned over and kissed Ashley right on the lips. She must have forgotten she’d vowed she was done with him, because he would swear she kissed him back.
“I… ah…” Ashley pulled away, slowly, a bemused look on her face.
He thought she’d never looked more beautiful.
“I asked Will if he’d show Maggie around town.” Lucille smiled. “But he told me how you two were dating again. That’s nice.”
“Aunt Lucille, I wish you’d quit trying to fix me up.”
“I just want you to have a good time while you’re here and spend some time with people your own age.”
“I think you should probably get Maggie home now.” Ashley still look a bit bewildered and took a small step away from him. He refrained from moving closer to her again, though he wanted to. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss her again. Slowly. Thoroughly.
What was wrong with him? Ashley had made it clear there was nothing between them. Or had she? Her kiss just now hadn’t been an I’m-done-with-you kiss.
Lucille nodded to Ashley. “I should get Maggie home. Thank you so much, Ashley.” Lucille turned and led Maggie down the street toward her car.
Ashley whirled towards him. “What in the heck was that?”
Guess she’d gotten over that whole bemused, betwixt thing. “Sorry, Ash. She asked me to take out Maggie. I kept throwing excuses at why I couldn’t, and finally I blurted out that we were dating…”
“Great, just great. What’s the town going to think of me now? So now they think I’m dating you again, along with being a thief.”
He looked at her and stepped back, his heart lurched in his chest. Why did he keep putting himself in this position? The one where Ashley could crush his heart. “And which one is worse? Being labeled a thief, or people assuming you’re dating me?”
Her eyes widened. “No… I didn’t mean… I mean… I’m sorry, that came out wrong. It’s just… you kissed me and I wasn’t expecting it.”
“You kissed me back.” He stood his ground. “But, I think you’re right, Ash. We’re just wrong for each other. Next time I see Miss Sanderson, I’ll set her straight. Maybe I’ll even take out her great-niece.” Though he knew wouldn’t take Maggie out. He was done with women.
He turned and walked away from Ashley without another word.
Ashley watched Will walk away, refusing to acknowledge the feelings he’d flamed when he pressed that kiss to her lips. Her heart was a traitor and she’d kissed him back, lost in the moment. So she’d taken her dismay about her reaction out on him.
She knew she’d hurt his feelings when she said that remark about what would the town think of her now, but he’d caught her off guard.
Did she care if the town thought they were going out again?
All she wanted was the town to see her as a successful doctor. Being tied to her high school boyfriend again would only make them see her as the girl she used to be. She’d tried so hard and come so far. She wasn’t proud of herself and it sounded shallow, but dating someone whose ambition in life was being a bartender… well it didn’t fit into her plans.
Yes, she was shallow.
No, she was practical.
Besides, she assuaged her guilt, Will didn’t want to be in Indigo Bay and she did.
She turned to go back inside the clinic and put Will and his kisses behind her.
Ashley walked up to Jerri Lynn. “Well, that was unexpected… Miss Sanderson bringing Maggie here, I mean.” Hopefully Jerri Lynn hadn’t seen the whole kissing incident. That had been unexpected, too.
“Can’t hurt anything to have the town see Miss Sanderson bring her niece in here,” Jerri Lynn said thoughtfully.
Jerri Lynn was right. By afternoon the clinic waiting room was filled with patients again. Evidently Miss Sanderson’s endorsement was stronger than Vicki—Victoria Tanner’s—rumors. Ashley rushed around all afternoon seeing the much-needed patients. Maybe there was no need to call Doc Browning after all. She’d solved all her problems.
Well, except for the problem of the missing drugs, and she was the one who was under suspicion. Oh, and the fact that the town now all thought she was dating Will Layton again.
Will wasn’t sure if he or Whit was in the worse mood that night. They banged around the kitchen throwing dinner together, not saying much. Whit finally sank onto a chair, her eyes filled with tears. “I just�
� I just didn’t think Dad would leave me again. I thought he’d changed.”
Will went and knelt in front of his sister and took her hands in his. “I know you did. I’m sorry you got hurt.”
“Willie, it’s always going to be like this, isn’t it? I’ll take him back, he’ll convince me it will be different… then he’ll leave.”
“I’m afraid so, sis.”
A lone tear tracked down Whit’s cheek. It broke his heart to see his father still have this hold over Whit. The man was worthless as a father.
“Promise me you won’t let him fool you again.” Will brushed a tear away from Whit’s face.
“I won’t. I think I finally learned my lesson. Though I did think he’d truly changed this time. He’d been visiting a lot the last few years and moved back here to live a while ago. Then, when he got hurt saving that little boy…”
“What little boy? What are you talking about?” Will sat back on his heels.
Whit sighed. “He didn’t want me to tell you about it. He wanted you to forgive him without knowing what he did. He wanted to be accepted for just… I don’t know… for being himself, not because of anything he did.”
“What did he do?”
“He was in Charleston one day picking up some supplies I needed for the shop, and a little boy darted into the street. A car was coming and Dad jumped into the street and knocked the little boy to safety. Dad got hit by the car though. I heard all about his bravery from the boy’s mother. She was so grateful. It’s been a rough recovery for him. With the alcohol problem, he didn’t really want to get hooked on pain pills, so he’s mainly just gutted through the pain since he got out of the hospital.”
“I had no idea. I figured it was another drinking and driving accident…” Will was embarrassed that he hadn’t even bothered to ask Warren how he’d gotten injured. Though, now that Warren had hurt Whit again, a bit of his guilt was lessened.
“Things had changed with him. Well, I thought so anyway.” Whit got up and walked over to a small table by the window and grabbed a box of tissues. She snatched at one, and the box tumbled to the floor. She leaned down to pick it up, paused, and dropped to her knees. She reached under the couch then stood, her eyes wide, and held out an envelope. “It’s Dad’s handwriting.”
That was different. Warren didn’t usually leave a note, he just vanished. Will had no idea why Warren would change his ways now.
“It must have blown off the table and under the couch.” She hurried back to her chair and ripped open the envelope.
* * *
Whitney,
There was a sudden opening in a rehab clinic in Savannah where I’m hoping to get some intense therapy to get back on my feet sooner. I got a ride from Bill from the church. I didn’t want to bother you, you’ve already done so much for me.
This will give you and Will some time together without me interfering. I know he’s still angry with me, and with good cause. You two just enjoy your last few days together and have fun. Give my best to Will and tell him I love him.
I’ll call soon.
Love,
Dad
* * *
“He didn’t just leave…” Tears poured down Whit’s cheeks. “He went to rehab in Georgia to get stronger. I know Ashley had recommended that rehab place initially, but they hadn’t had any room for him.” Whit glanced at him with a fiercely protective look on her face. “I knew he wouldn’t leave me again. I knew it.”
Will stood and pulled a chair next to Whit. “I’m glad for you, Whit. Glad he didn’t run off again.”
Whit swiped at the tears on her face. “You think you could go see him before you leave? Try to work things out? Please? For me?”
“No.” Will shook his head. “Not for you. But I will go for me. I don’t make any promises, but I will go see him.”
“Willie, you know when I said you were a stubborn, pigheaded chump?”
“I remember.” He grinned at her.
“Well, you still are…” Whit smiled through her tears. “But you’re the best brother in the whole world.”
“You’re not so bad as a little sister, either.”
Chapter 16
Ashley arrived at the clinic bright and early the next morning. The phone had rung non-stop yesterday, and Jerri Lynn had cheerfully filled the schedule. They already had a full day of patients on the books for today. She smiled as she entered the clinic, full of hope for a great, if busy, day.
She walked into the clinic and saw Officer Moore talking to Jerri Lynn. He turned when she entered. “There you are Dr. Harden.”
“Officer, what can I do for you?” Ashley didn’t really want to talk to the man after he’d gone around town basically accusing her of stealing from other businesses.
“Well… my boss wanted me to come let you know in person.”
“Let me know what?” She stood facing the officer.
“Well… um… we caught the person involved in the robberies.”
“Oh, you mean you’re no longer going around town and asking other businesses if I’ve been in recently and if they are missing anything?”
“I was just doing my job, ma’am.”
“Is that so?” Ashley felt her blood pressure rise. “So basically letting the town know I was your prime suspect without a bit of evidence was good police work?”
“I… I’m sorry about that. My boss gave me an earful about my conduct. I was over eager and wanted to make a name for myself by solving the case. I’m new here, and… well, I wanted people to accept me.”
Ashley could relate to the fitting in part. “So, who was it?”
“It was a lady named Patricia Greene.”
“She used to work for Doc Browning.” Jerri Lynn’s eyes widened. “He fired her.”
“Well, she was here long enough to know to have a spare key to the clinic made, and she told us there’s an extra key to the medicine cabinet in a hollowed out medical book on the Doc’s bookshelf. She saw him get it one day.”
Jerri Lynn looked surprised. “I’ve worked for him for years and didn’t know he had one there.”
“Well, she confessed it all.”
“How did you catch her?” Ashley frowned.
“We caught her trying to fence some of Miss Layton’s jewelry. Then she admitted to taking the drugs. It seems she worked part-time at Miss Layton’s shop a while back, too. I will say that people aren’t too good about where they hide their spare keys around here, Miss Layton’s brother gave her a good talking to about leaving a spare key under a planter behind her shop.”
“Did you get all of Whitney’s jewelry back?”
“We did, but the drugs were already gone.”
“Well, at least you found who was responsible.” Relief flooded through Ashley that the theft hadn’t been her fault. She’d done nothing wrong. Nothing at all.
“Well, I better get back to the station.” Officer Moore stood looking uncomfortable and shifted from foot to foot. “I am sorry about my over-zealousness. Hope it didn’t cause any trouble.”
Ashley looked at the man for a moment, then held out her hand. “Apology accepted.” How could she blame the man for trying to fit in?
The officer shook her hand. “Thanks, ma’am.” He turned and left the clinic.
“Well, there’s some more good news for you.” Jerri Lynn smiled. “I’ll get your charts ready. You have a busy day. And I expect it will get busier when the news gets around they caught the real thief.”
Will left Whit’s shop that evening. He’d thoroughly yelled at Whit, in a big brother way, for having a spare key in such an obvious place. All her protesting about how safe the town was did nothing to appease him. She’d finally agreed to pocket the spare key and keep it at her cottage, like any sane business owner would. He was thrilled she’d gotten her jewelry pieces back, but worried that she’d hired this Patricia Greene person in the first place. His sister was great at making jewelry, but really was clueless about running a business and possibly n
ot the best judge of character.
Though she seemed to have Warren pegged this time. She’d been right about their father, and Will meant to keep his promise to Whit and go see Warren on his way back to Belle Island.
The new bookkeeper was in today, and she’d promised to come weekly and keep his sister on track. He’d filed the right paperwork to appease the Internal Revenue Service and filed an amended tax return for Whit. His job here was done and he could finally go back home.
He decided to swing by Sweet Caroline’s and say goodbye to Caroline before he left. He entered the restaurant and Caroline waved to him. Might as well have a piece of her pecan pie, too. There was no one to tell him he’d spoil his dinner. He sat at a table by the window.
“Hi, Will. I hoped you’d stop by before you left.”
“Of course.” He smiled at Caroline. It had been good reconnecting with her while he’d been back in Indigo Bay.
“How about a piece of pecan pie on the house?”
“I wouldn’t say no to that.”
Caroline returned with the pie and sat across from him. “So, you’re headed out soon?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“And what about Ashley?”
“What about her?” Will stabbed a piece of pecan pie with a little too much force.
“You two didn’t work things out?”
“You could say that. She pretty much thinks I’m the last person she wants to be seen around town with.”
“That’s not true.”
“That’s what she said.” He stabbed another bite of pie.
“You care about her, don’t you?”
He sat for a moment, debating how to answer her. “I… do. I guess I always will. But we’re different. And it seems like we bring out the worst in each other these days. Besides, she is so focused on staying here in Indigo Bay. It’s her mission to make the townspeople see her as a competent doctor. She needs that.”
“She thinks she needs that.” Caroline corrected him.