by Carrie Elks
Over Meghan’s dead body. She’d visit them instead. Because right now she was mortified.
Sliding his key into his own door lock, Rich looked over his shoulder, his gaze connecting with hers. He gave her an amused grin, then turned back, walking into his apartment and closing the door behind him.
“Mommy, can I turn on the television?” Isla asked.
“Don’t be silly, dear. We can do some drawing together. The television isn’t good for your eyes,” Meghan’s mom said, walking back inside her apartment. Her dad followed them, leaving Meghan standing alone in the doorway.
In an hour they’d be gone. And hopefully Rich wouldn’t hold their weird behavior against her. Thank goodness she only had to see them every couple of weeks – any more than that and she might lose her mind.
For the first time in a long while, she’d been able to breathe easy, without worrying about what they thought of her, or how she was letting them down again.
She was beginning to like that feeling.
5
It had been a week since her parents’ visit, and she hadn’t seen Rich at all. At first, she’d planned to apologize to him about her parents, but now it had been seven days since their visit, and it felt like too much time had passed. Instead, she’d suffer her embarrassment silently, and hope that he’d forgotten her parents even existed.
It was Sunday afternoon, and business was steady. She had three students working today, as well as Jeannie. and Meghan thanked her lucky stars that she’d agreed to stay on when Meghan had bought the shop.
“You should take a break,” Jeannie said, when the line at the counter had slimmed down to two people. “That little one looks like she’s going to burst if she doesn’t get outside.” Sure enough, Isla was staring at the beach, her legs swinging as though she couldn’t keep them still.
Meghan glanced at her watch. It was almost three. “Are you sure?” She hated seeing Isla mooning out of the window. Isla should be out there enjoying the spring sun, instead of stuck inside while her mom worked. Maybe she’d take a look at the schedule and see if she could fit in some more family time with her. As well as confirm her place at camp for the summer – because there was no way she could sit here every day for two months.
“I’m sure. Why don’t you head out to the beach? Let her paddle in the water. Take your phone, I’ll call if there are any problems.”
Meghan smiled. “You’re a lifesaver.” A little wade through the water and a sandcastle or two should cheer Isla up. Then they’d come back and finish the shift and head home for dinner. After a weekend like this one, Meghan was certain they’d both sleep like babies.
Isla’s mood lifted as soon as their bare feet nestled into the golden sand. The grains were warm against their soles – not too hot yet, though in a few months they’d probably be jumping like frogs to avoid getting their feet burned. Holding Meghan’s hand, Isla pulled her through the maze of towels and umbrellas, sun tents and volleyball nets. As they reached the water’s edge, she heard her name being called.
With a smile, she turned to see Autumn Paxton sitting on a towel with her baby, Skyler, who was kicking at the sand and giggling at the resulting spray. “Come sit with us if you have time,” Autumn suggested. “You know everybody, right?”
Meghan looked around, seeing familiar faces smiling up at her. She’d met Autumn through work – Autumn owned Paxton’s Pier, the old Victorian edifice that stretched from the boardwalk into the ocean, topped with restaurants and booths painted in pretty pastel colors. She’d used Meghan to cater for her recent naming day celebration for her baby, and had introduced her to her friends then.
“I think so.” Meghan smiled. “I know Ally, of course.” She owned the coffee shop a few buildings down from the ice cream parlor. “And Ember and Arthur are regular visitors to the shop.” Along with Ember’s gorgeous firefighter husband who always got the female staff in a tizzy.
“Well next to them is Brooke. She has a son who’s in middle school, and she’s married to Aiden Black, the director of the Silver Sands Resort.”
Meghan knew the resort well. In her fantasies she’d open a second ice cream parlor there one day. She just needed to make this one work first.
“And then there’s Harper with little Alyssa. She’s almost two. Her best friend, Caitie, who is also Ember’s sister-in-law, isn’t a huge fan of the beach, but I’ll introduce you some time.”
They all called out warm greetings to Meghan and Isla, and before long they were in deep conversation about how they were settling in, and about how welcoming the town of Angel Sands was.
“Mommy, can I go pick up some shells?” Isla asked. She’d brought a little bucket with her from the playroom.
“Sure. But don’t go too far. I want to see you at all times.”
“Promise.”
“She’s a beautiful little girl,” Autumn said, as Isla began to skip away. “She’s lucky she has your hair.”
“I hated being a redhead when I was younger,” Meghan said, sitting down next to Autumn, with half an eye on Isla. “I used to get all the same jokes about carrot tops. But Isla seems happy enough, the only downside is our skin. We have to slather sunscreen on or we burn at the sight of the first ray.”
“I’d kill to have skin as pale as yours,” Ally said, shooting Meghan a grin. She was gorgeous – tall and athletic, with tan skin and beautiful blonde hair that was pulled into a top knot. “And your freckles are to die for.”
A scream came from Meghan’s left. Her head whipped around and she saw Isla fall onto the sand, dropping her bucket as the shells she’d collected spilled out onto the golden ground. Her hands were holding her foot, and blood poured out of her heel. Without taking a breath, Meghan was up and running toward her, dropping down to her knees to check if she was okay.
“I stepped on something,” Isla gasped, sobs peppering her words. “It hurts.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Meghan tried to be calm, but the blood was pouring. “Try to stay still. Let me check your foot.” She winced when she saw the jagged edge of glass glinting in the sun. It was still half inside Isla’s foot, cutting a gash into her skin.
“I have water,” Autumn said, passing her a large plastic bottle. “You can use it to wash the wound.”
Isla cried louder as Meghan attempted to clean the sand and blood away from her daughter’s foot. It was taking everything Meghan had in her not to join her daughter. It looked so painful, and that glass was so damn big, too.
“What the hell are people doing leaving broken glass on the beach?” Autumn muttered.
“I need to take her to urgent care,” Meghan said, still wincing at the cut.
“I can go with you.”
Meghan shook her head. “It’s okay. I have my work van at the shop. I’ll carry Isla there and drive over.”
Autumn’s friend, Harper, joined them, her two year old daughter in her arms. “Go to Saint Vincent’s,” she urged. “My husband works there. It’s the best. I’ll call him. If he’s not in surgery he can come check on you.”
“That’s a good idea,” Autumn agreed. “It’s the closest ER. They have the best facilities there.”
“Mommy, are they going to operate on me?” Isla asked, her voice trembling.
“I don’t think so.” Meghan tried to sound reassuring. “But they need to remove the glass and sew you up.”
“With a needle?” Isla’s voice rose up an octave. “I hate needles.”
Meghan exchanged glances with Harper. Empathy flowed from her face. “You know what?” Harper said to Isla, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I hear they have amazing stickers for kids who are hurt. And the best doctors, too. They’ll make a huge fuss over you.”
“I love Saint Vincent’s,” Autumn agreed. “That’s where Skyler was born.”
“And Alyssa.” Harper smiled. “It’s very special.”
Isla slowly nodded. “I guess I can be brave.”
“That’s my girl.” Meghan gently
picked her up, kissing her hair because dammit she loved this kid so much. “Let’s go tell Jeannie we’re on our way to the ER.”
It was a beautiful spring day, but Rich had spent most of it beneath the bright lights of the ER, dealing with a heart attack, a home improvement accident, and two surfers who’d somehow managed to drift far out into the ocean, and had to be rescued by the Coast Guard. But right now he was taking a break, drinking coffee on the balcony of the fourth floor break room that overlooked the whole of Angel Sands and the coastline beyond.
The ocean was sparkling in the sunshine, and he tried to remember the last time he’d even made it to the beach. A few months ago? He could recall going to collect some driftwood for Belle for one of her college assignments, but that had been last summer.
It was crazy living so close to the beach and never actually getting to enjoy it, but his free hours always seemed to fill up quickly, never leaving time for relaxing or listening to the waves.
“Hey.” His friend, James, nudged him in the shoulder. He was wearing a suit with a short white coat over it. “Who said you could take a break?”
Rich grinned. “I didn’t know you were working today.”
“I’m covering a shift. It’s quiet, so I thought I’d grab a coffee. I’m about to head down to the ER actually.”
“You are, why?”
“Harper called. A kid she knows had an accident on the beach. She wants me to check on them.” James pulled his phone from the pocket of his white coat. “The kid’s name is Isla. She shouldn’t be too hard to find, right?”
“I know that name.” Rich’s brows knitted.
“Hey, at least we know you haven’t slept with this one.”
“Get out of here.” Rich shook his head. “I’m serious. I’ve heard it recently, but I can’t remember treating her.”
“It’s an unusual name.” James shrugged. “I’m going to head down and check on her.”
“I’ll join you.”
The waiting room was half empty when they made it back down to the first floor. Rich checked his watch. He’d managed exactly twelve minutes of a thirty minute break. It was some kind of record. Walking over to the triage desk, he checked the board.
Isla Hart. DOB 06/04/15. Foot injury. Consult Room 5.
Hart. Now he remembered. “That’s my neighbor’s kid,” he said. “Who’s covering her?”
“I was waiting for Simon to finish in room seven,” Lianne said. “But if you’re offering, you can take her. She’s a cute little kid.” She winked. “Her mom’s pretty, too.”
James’ phone started to bleep. Sighing, he checked the screen. “I gotta go,” he said to Rich. “Can you keep me updated so I can let Harper know how the kid is getting taken care of?”
“If Meghan says it’s okay,” Rich agreed.
“Meghan?”
“She’s the mom.” Lianne rolled her eyes. “The pretty mom.”
James winked. “The pretty mom, huh? Harper’s going to want more details about that, too.”
“There are no details.” Rich shook his head. “She’s my neighbor. Period.”
“Of course.” James was still grinning. “Let’s try and keep it that way. One stalker at a time is enough for any doctor.”
“Get out of here.” Rich shot him a dirty look.
“I’m going, I’m going.” James lifted his hands in surrender. “But send me that text. I want to put Harper in a good mood tonight.”
“Sure.” Rich’s voice was sarcastic. “I’ll help you improve your sex life, while you laugh at mine.”
Lianne lifted a brow. “It’s the story of your life.”
6
“Are you okay?” Rich asked softly, looking up as he finished sewing Isla’s foot. He’d been in and out of the consult room four times. First sending her for an x-ray to make sure there was no glass left in the gaping wound on her foot, then to reassure her as he cleaned her wound up.
And now he was holding Isla’s foot gently in his strong palm, and she was staring at him adoringly. Meghan had a feeling that most of his patients had the same reaction to him. There was something about his cool competence, and his gentle bedside manner that sent shivers down her spine.
What did they call it when you crushed on your doctor? Transference? ER Syndrome?
Maybe it was a normal reaction to seeing somebody make your kid feel better. That would be understandable, wouldn’t it? A mixture of gratitude and fawning for the knight in shining armor.
Whatever it was, she was hoping it didn’t last. She was way too cynical to fall for the hot doc who lived next door. She knew from experience that entanglements like that didn’t make life any easier.
They only complicated everything.
“You’re the bravest girl we’ve had in today,” Rich said as he passed the equipment he’d been using to the nurse next to him. “Probably all month, if I’m being honest. You should hear the way some of them scream.”
The nurse gave a little chuckle.
“I cried all the way to the hospital,” Isla whispered, looking almost embarrassed at her confession.
“Crying’s okay,” Rich assured her. “I would have cried, too.”
“And screamed,” the nurse said, giving Meghan a wry smile. “He’s definitely a screamer.”
Isla giggled, and it made Meghan’s heart feel warm. “You don’t scream, do you?” she asked Rich.
His eyes met Meghan’s, and a familiar shot of electricity pulsed through her. Dammit, why did he have to be so good looking?
She was trying to start a new life here.
“I prefer not to scream,” he said, pulling his gaze away. “It frightens the neighbors.”
Isla started to laugh again. “I’m your neighbor, silly.”
“You’re neighbors?” The nurse looked at Meghan for confirmation.
Meghan nodded. “We moved in the other week.”
“Nice.” The nurse placed a little sticker on Isla’s top. “You got your own hot doc next door.”
Rich rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”
Meghan tried not to laugh. Or to tell him that’s how their neighbors described him, too. He looked embarrassed enough at the nurse’s words.
“Okay. You need to keep the wound dry for a couple of days,” the nurse said, passing a leaflet to Meghan. “And Mommy will need to keep checking it to make sure there’s no infection. Keep it clean and no swimming until the sutures come out. If there are any problems, you can call us or…” she glanced at Rich, “just knock on your neighbor’s door. He knows what to do.”
“Are you trying to reduce my billable hours?” Rich asked her. Then he looked at Meghan. “But yeah, just hit me up.”
“Can I walk on it?” Isla piped up.
“Not for a little while. You need to keep your weight off of it to help it heal,” Rich told her. “We can give you some crutches to help you move around. They’re a little more useful than hopping.”
Isla laughed again, her eyes shining as she stared up at him.
A knock at the door made them all jump. The receptionist pushed it open. “Miss Hart? Your father’s here. Is it okay to send him in?”
Meghan’s chest tightened. She’d sent a message to her parents as soon as they’d arrived at the hospital. She knew they’d be worried about Isla.
“Sure.” She nodded. “He can come in.”
“Grampy’s here?” Isla asked, beaming. “For me?”
“I guess so.” Meghan tried to smile. She hadn’t seen her parents since their embarrassing visit last weekend. And now she was all too aware that she hadn’t apologized to Rich for their behavior. Maybe if she was lucky, he’d leave now and she could face her father alone.
But instead he lingered, even as the nurse started to put everything away.
When he walked in, Meghan’s dad headed straight for Isla, kissing her cheek and stroking her hair, asking how she was feeling.
“I stepped on some glass at the beach,” Isla told him, her face animated n
ow that her wound had been sewn up. “It went right up inside my heel. The doctor had to take it out. And then I went for a ray.”
“An X-Ray,” Meghan corrected softly. Her dad didn’t look at her at all.
“And now I’m all better except I have to have crutches. Everybody’s going to think I’m so cool at school.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling okay, sweetheart.” Her dad kissed Isla again. Then he turned to look at Meghan. “Can I have a word with you outside?”
She nodded, her mouth dry, following him out of the room and into the corridor. He stopped next to an unused monitor on wheels and sighed, his lips pursing together as he looked at her.
“How could you let that happen?” His voice was low.
“It was an accident. She was skipping and not looking where she was going.” Meghan ran her tongue along her dry lip, remembering Isla’s scream. “She was picking up shells. That was all.”
“And where were you?”
“Sitting about six feet away from her.”
“And not watching her.” He shook his head, his face reddening. “I told you something like this would happen. Maybe we should be thankful Isla didn’t go near the water and drown.”
“I was keeping an eye on her.” Meghan shook her head. Why was it he could rile her as easily now as he did when she was a teenager? “It was a horrible thing that could have happened to anybody. And she’s fine. The doctor said so.”
“It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t moved here. I knew you should have stayed in White City. Isla never got hurt there.” Her dad frowned. “I wish my mom had never left you that money.”
Meghan exhaled heavily. She was so thankful Grandma Louise had put the money into trust for her and Isla’s futures. For the first time in a long time, she felt free of her parents’ protectiveness and expectations. And yes, they loved Isla like nothing else, but she couldn’t live like this anymore.
Always knowing they were shadowing her a few feet behind.
“Isla’s fine,” Meghan said again. “Don’t make me regret calling you.”