“Isa, we’ve got Marlin,” Pete said, before turning back to Andrew. “By the way, I’m her brother. Jessica was also my sister.”
Andrew nodded. “I knew at some point we would meet. Jessica mentioned you when we were in high school.”
“Yeah.” He shrugged his shoulders. “She didn’t tell me anything about you.”
Isabelle flicked her hand toward her brother. “Pete, just go on. Get out of here. I don’t think Andrew plans on staying too long in town.”
“Good,” Pete said, as he pulled Marlin’s hands behind his back and snapped a pair of handcuffs around his wrist. “I’ll be back in about an hour or so to pick you up, Isabelle.”
“I’m not closing the clinic because of this,” she said defiantly. “Don’t bother coming back, Pete. I’ve got Norma here with me. We’ll be fine.”
Pete looked over at Norma, who was now sitting in the small chair near the door.
“I don’t know.” Norma shook her head. “Maybe we should just close for a couple of hours. The other doctors will understand. I’m not sure my blood pressure can take all this excitement.”
“Fine, you can go, but I’m staying. We might have a patient come in who needs our help. I can’t close the doors because Marlin had one too many drinks.”
Norma rolled her eyes and then left.
Isabelle walked over to Marlin and put a hand on his thin shoulder. “This isn’t like you. I hope we can talk once you’ve sobered up.”
Marlin didn’t respond as Pete pulled him out of the office.
Isabelle turned toward Andrew.
“All right. Let’s go to the other room and take a look at that foot. I also need to clean up your face.”
He looked over at the mirror and saw a small cut above his eye. It must have happened during the scuffle.
Once they reached the other room, Isabelle cleaned the area. “The good news is, it’s just a superficial cut. No stitches needed. Now, carefully swing your foot on the table so I can look at it.”
Andrew followed her instructions and watched as she examined his leg.
“Your toes are pretty swollen. What were you doing today?”
“Nothing much really.”
“Mr. Montgomery, it doesn’t help if you won’t tell me the truth.”
“The only thing I did was work out at the little gym in town.”
“What gym? Are you talking about that rat hole by the bowling alley?”
“It wasn’t that bad—”
“Fine. What, exactly, were you doing at the gym?”
“Trying to work out.” Andrew was growing annoyed. “What else do you do at a gym? I needed to feel my muscles burn for a little bit.”
“Did you do anything with your legs?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? Not even a squat?”
He threw up his hands. “Well, I did a few squats while I was lifting. It was no big deal.”
“Don’t you recall me telling you to stay off your foot, at least for this first week?”
“Yes, but I thought working out my upper body was fine.” He crossed his arms.
“Well, it wasn’t,” She pulled out a small circular saw and began to open up the cast. “Look at your foot. It’s really swollen. I guess I’ll keep this thing off and we can put you in a boot. Hold on.”
Isabelle walked out of the room and returned moments later holding up a large, black contraption obviously meant for his foot. It looked like something Iron Man might wear.
“Can I take that thing off at night?”
“Yes. Once you’re in bed, you can take it off, but don’t go walking around without it or I’ll have to put the cast back on.”
“Works for me.”
“Okay. Don’t move. Let me clean you up a little bit.” She lightly patted his leg before walking out of the room. The building was now very quiet, making it easy for Andrew to hear her as she returned.
“All right. Just hold still for a few minutes,” She began to wipe down his leg.
Andrew silently watched her. Isabelle’s face had grown softer since their first meeting. “Thank you, Isabelle. I really do appreciate you taking care of me.” He looked up at her. He hadn’t expected those words to come out of his mouth. Maybe it was the adrenaline. There was something about her that he liked. Something that drew him to her.
“That’s what I get paid the big bucks to do.” She slid the boot onto his foot and tightened the Velcro straps.
“Is there anyone in the building right now besides us?” Andrew asked.
She let out an uncomfortable laugh. “I’m not sure how to answer that question. Why are you asking?”
“Because I’m not going to leave you alone. It’s not safe. Besides, what you went through a little bit ago was pretty traumatic.”
“You can’t just sit in the waiting room all night. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Seriously, go home and get some rest. This is what I do. I’ll lock the front door and only answer if someone knocks.”
“Really? You fend off attackers with knives every night?” He cocked his head to the side.
“I didn’t mean that. I take care of people. Marlin is sick. If he was in his right mind, he wouldn’t have taken a knife to my throat. He’s a drunk who has had a hard life. Everyone in town knows about him.”
“I don’t know him.”
“You haven’t been around for a very long time.”
“I’m still not leaving you.” Andrew lay back on the table. “I’ll just rest in here.”
“Pete’s not going to be happy with you staying in the clinic with me.”
“Not worried,” Andrew responded, his eyes shut. He was still amped up, but laying down on the table also reminded him that it was in the middle of the night.
He could have left, but he wouldn’t have been able to go far. His conscience wouldn’t have let him leave Isabelle alone after she’d been attacked. Andrew knew he could be a dick sometimes, but he had also been brought up with certain values.
At some point, he must have dozed off. His eyes flew open. Someone was near him. He looked up just in time to see someone walking out of the room.
“Hey, what were you doing in here?” he called out, but there was no response.
Andrew rolled off the table. He found Isabelle sitting in her office, drinking a cup of coffee.
“Can I have one of those? I need some caffeine.” He pointed at her mug.
“Yes. Just hobble down one more door and you’ll see the coffee pot,” she responded, not taking her eyes off her computer screen.
When Andrew returned, he glanced at the clock, which showed it was now after five in the morning.
“Are you checking your Facebook page?”
“Um, no,” she said flatly. “Some of us have more important things to do than that.”
“Okay. What are you doing?”
“I’m looking at Marlin’s file. His behavior was odd tonight. He’s been in here a few times before, but always for pretty minor things. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, but he’s not the type of drunk to get violent. In fact, I don’t think he would even swat a fly if one flew into his house. He’s a nice man who just can’t seem to get his life together.”
“I’m not sure I would call pulling a knife and trying to attack someone just odd. He’s downright crazy. Thankfully, I was here,” he said, leaning back in his chair and putting his hands behind his head.
“You know, he’s a veteran. I’m sure you can find some sort of sympathy.”
“That still doesn’t justify what he just did. In fact, it makes me even angrier.”
“I could have handled him. I just screamed because that’s natural instinct,” she said, as she finally looked over at him. “I’m not sure it was necessary for you to throw him to the ground.”
“Sure. Whatever. It’s okay if you want to say it.”
“Say what?”
“Thank you,” he said, crossing his arms. “A simple thank you would sound really nice com
ing from you.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She took a sip of her coffee. Andrew followed suit.
They sat in silence for several seconds. Andrew kept thinking about Marlin, and Isabelle’s face when he’d entered the room. She’d looked shaken. He knew she probably thought she was fine, but the ordeal would leave some emotional scars.
Andrew cleared his throat. “Isabelle, is there someone else here right now?”
“There was a little bit ago, but now it’s just you and me.”
“Really? Are you sure?” Andrew looked back over at the door.
“I haven’t seen anyone. We have a cleaning crew that comes in around this time. Maybe I haven’t been paying attention and one of them is here.”
“Hmm.”
“Why do you ask?”
“I thought I just saw someone walk out of the room where I was sleeping. That’s all.”
Isabelle raised her eyebrows, and then turned back to her computer screen. Andrew pulled out his phone and scrolled through some of the many emails he’d ignored over recent days. There were a few bad jokes that had been forwarded from his idiot friends overseas. One of them caused him to softly chuckle.
Isabelle looked up. “That’s kind of annoying.”
“What’s annoying?” He dropped his phone on her desk.
“You laughing and not telling me what’s so funny.” She looked down at his phone and then back at him.
“Sorry. Can’t tell you. It’s not appropriate for a female audience.”
“Then why are you looking at it in my office?”
Andrew thought that was a fair question. Isabelle was hard to read, but he found himself starting to enjoy their conversation.
“To annoy you,” Andrew finally shot back, happy with his response.
“That’s what I thought.” She turned back to the computer, her face devoid of any emotion.
Andrew couldn’t help but watch her. She definitely resembled Jessica, but she was more intense. Jessica had always been soft and sensitive. Isabelle had more fire in her…and he found himself drawn to her.
“Why are you staring at me?” Isabelle asked. “That’s also very annoying.”
“I was thinking about Jessica,” Andrew said quietly. “You remind me a lot of her.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Isabelle got up from her chair and walked out.
Andrew thought about following her, but then decided against it. He sat in her office, drinking his coffee, until the sun came up, and then he quietly left and headed back to his parents’ house.
Chapter Fifteen
Three days later, he spotted her at the corner gas station putting fuel in her car. Andrew waved. Isabelle nodded in acknowledgment, and then abruptly returned the nozzle, got into her car, and drove away.
The following week, they walked past each other out near the main square. He once again tried to say something, but she turned and walked in the other direction.
It was now two weeks since the attack at the medical clinic. Andrew was sitting in a back booth at the bakery when she walked in. The only table open was the one next to his.
Isabelle looked at the table, and then at Andrew. “Hello, Mr. Montgomery. How is your foot?”
“Good. Thank you for asking.”
“Glad to hear.” Isabelle sat down in the booth and pulled out her cell phone.
Andrew cleared his throat. “You know, I don’t have anyone joining me. You are more than welcome to sit at my table, so we neither of us have to eat alone.”
“Thank you, but I think I’ll just sit over here.”
“Fine.” Andrew leaned back and motioned for the waitress. The older woman came scurrying over.
“Yes, Mr. Montgomery?”
“Olive, I think I’ll go with four eggs, over easy, a side of sausage, and grits. Can you also please tell me if our town doctor is ever nice to anyone?”
The waitress looked back at him, confused by his question, and then glanced over at Isabelle and pointed, a confused look on her face. “Do you mean Dr. Rodriguez?”
“That’s exactly who I mean. She definitely doesn’t seem to be the friendly type.”
The waitress winked at Andrew. “Well then, you should probably get to know her better because I think she’s very lovely.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Andrew got up and took the two steps over to her table. “What do you want to eat, Dr. Rodriguez?”
“You really should go back over there. I like to eat alone.”
“Nah. That would be the boring thing to do. I always like a challenge first thing in the morning.”
“Hmm.” Isabelle looked up at Olive, ignoring Andrew. “I’ll take my usual.”
Olive looked back and forth between them, and smiled before walking away.
“Andrew, you can go back to your table now.” Isabelle waved toward the now-empty booth.
Andrew stared back at her. He didn’t have any intention of moving back to his former seat.
She rolled her eyes. “Why are you staring at me again? Don’t you have anything better to do right now?”
He smiled. “You are so much like Jessica, but also very different. She would never have talked like that to anyone. She was way too nice.”
“I know.” Isabelle paused. “She was my sister. I’m very aware of what Jessica was like. We used to talk daily.”
Andrew suddenly felt guilty, and realized he had mentioned the one person who might make Isabelle leave. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up Jessica’s name.”
Isabelle toyed with her fingers. “It’s fine. Please just go back to your table. I really want to eat alone this morning. This is my time to think about the day ahead and get mentally prepared for working at the clinic.”
“Why?”
“Because I just told you…I like to eat alone every morning. It’s my time to think about the day.”
Andrew got up and returned to his table. The rest of his breakfast was uneventful.
His mother called as he was on his way out of the bakery.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“I just got in a shipment of new planters and I was hoping you could help me move them around the shop.”
“On my way.”
The flower shop was located just off the main drive, tucked between two taller brick buildings. He was sure his family owned the entire block.
His mom had three large cement planters she was trying to push outside. “Aren’t these cool looking?” She gazed up at him. Her hair was pulled back into a barrette that showed off her slender cheek bones.
“Mom! Just wait. I’ll move those things,” Andrew rushed over to her side.
“I know. I was just trying to help out.”
Andrew put the first planter on the dolly and moved it outside. It was heavier than it looked. He was moving the second one when he turned and came face to face with Isabelle.
“You again?”
“I’m walking home. What are you doing?”
“I’m moving these planters for my mom. Not that it’s really any of your business, since you don’t want to talk to me.”
“It is my business when I’ve repeatedly told a patient to take it easy on his foot and once again I see him moving something he probably shouldn’t be moving.” She crossed her arms. “Do you really want to end back up in my clinic again?”
“No. Fine. You can help me.”
“Good.” Isabelle shook her head and then bent down to help move the planter into place. The two of them handled the third together.
Andrew’s mom smiled from the doorway. “They look wonderful. Thank you both for all your help. Isabelle, please take these lilies. I just got them yesterday. It’s my way of saying thank you.”
Isabelle smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery. They’re lovely.”
“Mind if I walk with you?” Andrew asked.
Isabelle’s eyes softened. “All right. You can walk part of the way with me, but you shouldn’t be on your f
oot too much.”
Andrew set out next to her as they began to walk toward the residential area.
She cleared her throat. “You know, I was actually in town the weekend of the accident. I had come home early for spring break and surprised my family. Jessica was supposed to be driving my car that night, but for some reason she was with you instead.”
Andrew hung his head. “I’m sorry about the accident. I know I said I like a challenge, but I really didn’t expect to start a deep conversation with you back at the bakery. Her name just popped out of my mouth when I saw you.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Andrew. I said you’re the reason she’s dead. I didn’t mean because you were driving the car, but because I knew how much she cared about you. She would have wanted to be in the car with you that night.”
Andrew looked up toward the bright sky. It felt as if some of the clouds that had been hanging over him for so long were finally lifting.
Isabelle continued. “I knew you were coming home for the wedding, and I really thought I was mentally prepared to see you back in town, but then you were suddenly standing in front of me and it was a lot to take in, and trust me, I’m really trying to process everything. I’m sorry for being so rude.”
“Me too.”
“Unlike Pete, Jessica had told me about you. You do realize she had a crush on you, right?” Isabelle stopped and turned to face Andrew. “My sister really liked you. Her face lit up the night she spoke about you. I can still see her smiling back at me. It was beautiful.”
Andrew got lost in thought. “Yeah. I knew she liked me. I had a crush on her as well. Maybe even more than a crush. I thought she was perfect.”
“That makes me happy to hear. Maybe you and I should start over.” She thrust out her hand. “Hi, my name is Isabelle Rodriguez. I’m Jessica’s sister. I understand the two of you were close.”
Andrew took her hand in his and shook it. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Andrew Montgomery. Yes, we were close. I thought your sister was awesome.”
“What brings you back to town?”
“My brother and his brilliant idea to finally get hitched. What about you? What brought you back to Sable Falls?”
Suddenly, their conversation didn’t feel as stiff. Isabelle’s entire demeanor changed as they stood on the sidewalk laughing and talking for several minutes.
Stay Forever Page 10