When We Met

by C J Marie

  She flushed and stepped closer so her smooth skin was only inches away. He could smell the sweet scent of her perfume. “I might have had a little help with the directions. Olive.” He found the ability to smile as his fists pulsed. Should he touch her? Jo cleared her throat and shifted a bit before taking a seat on the bench. “I got your letter.”

  Zac dragged a hand through his hair and released a shuddering breath. “Good, I wasn’t sure when—”

  “I didn’t call.”

  Zac nodded as he took a seat next to her. Their legs brushed, and his skin burst into flames when Jo rested her hand on his knee.

  “My dad left me an inheritance, Zac.” The words blurted out of her mouth in a fury as if they’d been dancing on the tip of her tongue the entire time.

  Zac furrowed his brow. “What does that mean?”

  Jo sighed. “Emmitt knew about my dad’s money. He kept it from me all this time and was cashing in by forging my signature to invest in that clinic in Boston.”

  Zac’s blood boiled as regret at not punching the guy sped through his body. “He was stealing from you?”

  Jo scoffed, but didn’t deny it. “For two years he let me believe my dad lost everything. The day you showed up was the same day I found out. Zac, I was a mess, I could hardly see straight. Your letter was…wonderful. I didn’t know what to do, though, in all the chaos.”

  He didn’t wait for an invitation before he curled her hand in his. “I wish I would’ve known.”

  “So you could’ve given Emmitt a piece of your mind, macho?”

  He chuckled. “Maybe. Mostly because I don’t like the idea of you hurting alone.”

  “I needed to.” He stared at her with a pinched brow, too afraid to move an inch since Jo was tracing his knuckles gently. He didn’t want it to stop. “For years, I’ve followed, almost blindly, a man who led me to believe he knew best. Emmitt never let me fall, he never let me break, and you know what—that’s not right. I think my dad did it too, just in a loving way. When my mom left, he tried to make it so my heart never broke again. Over the years, I’ve forgotten how to pick myself up because I’d depended on someone else for so long. I trusted Emmitt so fully that I didn’t know I had an inheritance. Pretty pathetic.”

  “You’re not pathetic, Jo.”

  She shrugged. “It’s okay, because now I think I remembered how to pick myself up after breaking. I needed to hurt, Zac, so I could know without a doubt that my next decision was exactly what I needed.”

  Grit built in the back of his throat, and he had to swallow twice in order to speak. He squeezed her hand tighter. “And what decision was that?”

  “Well leaving the big city for a po-dunk town, of course.”

  Zac closed his eyes and released a pent up breath. “What are you saying, Jo?”

  Her soft palm cupped his far cheek so she urged him to look at her. “You, Zachariah. I chose you. If you’ll still have me.”

  Time moved slow and swift all at once as Zac caged her face and pulled her lips to his own. Like an electric shock, Jo’s kiss left a lasting impression on his senses as desperation and need mounted. His arms curled around her waist, until her body was pressed against his chest. Her fingertips ignited sparks against the back of his head as she tugged his hair. The taste of her on his tongue sent his head spinning. When he pulled back, his breaths came labored. Jo rested her forehead against his, and smiled through a swell of crystal tears in her eyes.

  “I’ll have you, Jo. I always will.”

  “Good, because for the unforeseeable future I don’t have a place to live. Although, Miss Maggie seemed to really like me, maybe she has room at the motel.”

  He laughed and kissed her forehead. “You’ve got a place, and it isn’t a motel.” He added small kisses to her fingertips before meeting her eye. “Jo, I don’t want you to give up any opportunities for me.”

  She tilted her head so the curves of her neck awakened his rapid pulse again. “Even if there was still an opportunity in Boston I would choose this, Zac. But, that doesn’t mean I didn’t make my own opportunity down here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, the clinic was struggling right? Dot only had limited funds to work her marketing magic and get qualified staff, plus with that nasty billing error, financially it wasn’t going to pull out. Well, that’s changed. The Gardeners found some hotshot investor from up north or something.”

  Zac’s eyes widened. “Jo, are you buying the clinic?”

  She grinned. “Partnering with Dot’s parents as a co-owner, actually. But yes. My dad left me the money for something exactly like this. His attorney showed me his will, and he specifically said use it to live the life I always wanted. He knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps, to open a place where people received care, but it was more like a big family. If you’re on board, it’s what I’d like to do.”

  Zac squeezed her shoulders. “It’s your money, Jo.”

  “Well, if we’re together, I think it’s important to talk about big things right? Get each other’s input and all that.”

  Zac didn’t know why the thought choked his throat until it was hard to breathe, but slowly he nodded and kissed her sweetly. “Yeah, Jo. I want to do it all with you, and talk about it all, even the small things. If you want my opinion, I couldn’t imagine you investing in anything better.”

  She kissed him with a passion that spoke of forever before leaning her head on his shoulder and together they watched the sunset over the massive oak tree.

  ***

  Morning light broke across her cheek. Jo groaned happily, especially when a warm, strong arm wrapped tight around her waist. She nestled closer to Zac’s body feeling lighter than air that she’d get to live in those arms day in and day out. Zac pressed a kiss to her neck before he settled against his pillow again and breathed steadily.

  Purchasing the clinic was underway, and she was supposed to meet with the Gardeners and their board of directors today. Zac was coming too. Emmitt was always involved in her choices, but this was different. Zac was a partner, he inspired her, encouraged her to do things she might not think she could do. Having him at her side was exciting, not restrictive.

  “What do you want to do today, since I’m supposed to be sick?” Zac muttered.

  Jo rolled over onto her side and brushed her hands along his bare chest before kissing his lips quickly. “You think they’re buying that?”

  He smiled, though his eyes were still closed, and shook his head. “Nope. If Dot and Olive know you’re here, then everyone else knows you’re here. But I’m the boss, so they can deal with it.”

  “I like it when you get all authoritative.”

  Zac laughed, and finally squinted against the light. “Well in that case, I have some ideas for tonight.”

  “Zachariah, Agatha would slap your mouth.”

  “Don’t tell her then.”

  Jo rested her chin on his chest when he rolled onto his back. “I wouldn’t mind staying right here all morning.”

  Zac threaded his fingers through her hair, and Jo believed it was becoming her favorite sensation. He studied her, and the sunlight broke along his dark eyes so the gold buried in the brown shone bright. “You’re going to be happy here, right?”

  She kissed his chest and nodded. “I would be happy beneath a bridge as long as you were there, Zac.”

  “Cheesy, but I like it.”

  “I’m not cheesy, it’s true.”

  He chuckled, and tightened his hold around her waist before pulling her over the length of him. Never mind, that was her favorite sensation. “It’s kind of funny thinking back to when we met. I didn’t think I’d be here.”

  Jo scoffed. “Speak for yourself. When I saw you, I told myself: now that guy, he’s a keeper. I’m slightly offended you didn’t feel the same.”

  Zac laughed and kissed her hard. “I bet that’s what you thought when you called me a hick. Trust me, I was looking, but the fact that I was pretty sure you wanted to
run me over sort screamed hands off.”

  “Well,” she said low and deliberate as she took one of his hands and pressed his fingers to her lips. “I’m glad you decided to touch, now. And you better not stop any time soon.”

  Zac brushed the hair off her face, and studied her for a long moment. “I love you, Jo.”

  She leaned in for a soft kiss. Smiling against his lips, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Zac. It might have been annoying at the time, but I’m really glad I crashed into your shop.”

  Epilogue

  Dot

  Oh, Mylanta!

  This wasn’t happening, and especially not today. Dorothy-Ann pulled off the side of the road, and stared at the massive sign shadowing the empty lot. That name, that business, that number. No. She shook her head so a few reddish curls slipped out from her pinned updo. The pale satin dress was sticking to her damp skin, but she wasn’t sweating because it was the last real heat wave before autumn.

  Dot clasped tight to the steering wheel of her cute Mazda, and peeled back onto the main road like a bat out of you-know-where. She sucked in a few long breaths when she pulled up to the drive that would wind its way up to the Cutler mansion. Seemed her gaggle of friends were making it a habit to use the Big House as wedding central. Caterers dotted the lawns, placing magnolias and baby’s breath all along the tables in simple, yet elegant centerpieces. The set up wasn’t as flamboyant as she might have it, but it suited Josephine and Zac perfectly. With a final breath to calm the stampede of her pulse, Dot parked, and headed toward the side door.

  “Heya Dorothy-Ann, Miss Olive was about to send out a search party if you didn’t show up.” Arnie said. The man was the Cutler’s groundskeeper and friend of everyone. He winked and pointed toward the winding stairs toward the upper level.

  “Thanks, Arn,” she breathed. “I made it with two minutes to spare, so everyone can just stop throwin’ fits.”

  Dot darted down the hallway where Olive’s mother, Bernadette, was slipping out of the master bedroom. “Dot, good to see you. Girl, you’re all flushed. Are you alright?”

  Ever since Rafe and Olive tied the knot, Bernadette Cutler had taken a chill-pill in a big way, and it sure made Dot extra fond of the woman. “I’m just fine, Ma’am. Had a little surprise along the road that’s all.”

  Bernadette grinned and nodded toward the room. “Well, you best get on in there. Wouldn’t suit not having the maid of honor for the wedding.”

  Dot grinned and shoved her way into the room. She calmed almost immediately. All her favorite ladies were in the room—well minus her own mother who was a lovely woman, but she was already settled outside. Olive looked beautiful in her matching dress and pinned hair, Jace radiant in all her sassy glory. Lily crouched over to help little Brin handle the basket filled with petals. Dot wasn’t so sure the toddler would be able to make it down the aisle without stumbling—she’d just found her feet, after all. Miss Abby from the clinic smiled as she patted Jo’s arm, and Agatha whispered sweetly next to Jo’s ear as she laid a soft curl along her shoulders.

  Jo turned at the vanity, the simple ivory gown hugging her curves in all the right places. Dot sighed. “Oh, Josephine, you’re a gem. Zac’s going to pass out.” Dot said. Olive nodded, but offered Dot a where-the-devil-have-you-been glance. “Sorry I was late, there was a little hold up on the way.”

  “No worries. I’m so nervous, no offense, but I’ve hardly noticed who’s here and who isn’t,” Jo said, clasping the sides of her face. “I can hardly believe this is happening.”

  Dot wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled at Jo through the mirror. “Well it is. And you’ve got one heck of a guy waiting for you down there. I knew it would take someone extra feisty to tie Zac down. Ready?”

  Jo nodded and slipped the small netted veil over her wavy hair that cascaded down her bare back. “Ready.”

  Dot dabbed the corners of her eyes, hoping her makeup wouldn’t smear too much when Zac held Jo’s face between his palms and kissed her like the world was about to take its final turn. The crowd cheered, and Dot’s heart swelled with love for her friends, while in the back of her mind he was there. Like some bad omen; how come his name had to appear on the happiest of wedding days?

  Zac and Jo raised their clasped hands and took their first steps as man and wife. The crowd was nearly pure southern with sun hats, lace gloves, and pearls. A lone Bostonian, Jo’s family attorney, clapped with the best of them. Perhaps it was a little sad Jo had lived so many years since her daddy died feeling so alone, but the smile on her face as Zac dipped in for another kiss gave Dot the feeling that Jo had found her place among the magnolias the same as anyone else.

  Dot listened to the banter, and pushed her fish around her plate at the bridal table, but not too focused on anything until Rafe asked about Jo’s no-good, dirty-rotten ex. Those types of conversation starters always caught her attention.

  “So when do y’all have to go up north?” he asked.

  Zac draped an arm around Jo’s chair and sighed. “We’ll fly to Boston first, sit in for the hearing, Jo is supposed to testify, then we’re heading to Maine.”

  Jo smiled, but it was a little sadder. “Sort of a drag way to start our honeymoon.”

  “Oh, no it’s not,” Dot insisted. “That dirtbag thinks he can pull those shenanigans with your money? He’s lucky it’s a stinking medical license hearing and not a legal court.”

  “Losing his license would be worse than jail to Emmitt,” Jo said. “Odds are it’ll happen too.”

  Zac kissed the side of her head. “Well, after that we don’t need to think about it again.”

  Jo sighed and leaned her head on Zac’s shoulder. “I look forward to that day.”

  Dot hoped the jerk lost his medical license. According to Jo, the doctor who’d intended to start the clinic but lost the chance because of Jo withdrawing her investment, was beyond peeved and out for blood for being deceived. At the very least, Mr. Emmitt wouldn’t be working in his dream world of cardiology anymore. Dot snorted in her water, thinking how the ex-lover would probably work in some slummy place like he’d told Jo their clinic was. Karma—she had a sense of humor sometimes.

  “Hey there,” Olive whispered as she handed Dot a sweet tea while the photographer snapped pictures of the Dawson family. “You okay?”

  Dot slurped the cool drink and nodded. “Yeah, all good.” Lily was rocking Brin who’d passed out after the ceremony—too much sugar too early in the morning for the sweetie pie—and Jace was talking with Rafe, August, and Will. Seemed safe to talk to Olive about something she might be the only one to understand. “Well, truth be told, Ollie, I saw something on the way here that about sent my heart shooting right out my downstairs.”

  “Vivid picture, but I got it,” Olive said with a grin. “What happened?”

  Dot glanced side to side as if the fate of the country rested on this single declaration. “Lanford-Hewitt Enterprises is constructing a new building right smack by the clinic!”

  Olive’s honey eyes widened. “Wait, Lanford as in—”

  Dot nodded so a few more curls slipped out. She didn’t even care if her red lipstick stained her teeth when she chomped on her bottom lip. “As in Sawyer’s company he bought right when he...”

  Broke up with her. That’s what Dot was thinking. Right when Sawyer Lanford broke up with her almost two years ago. The man who’d shredded her heart and soul, a guy she was supposed to ogle the way Jo was ogling Zac right now.

  “Well, maybe it’s just…his company. He could be expanding.”

  Dot shrugged. “Maybe, but…Ollie, his name was on the sign as the personal contact. His name.”

  Olive drummed her fingers. “Let me ask my daddy, he might know something since he’s basically got a hand in every business in town. You should check with yours too. If it’s close to the clinic, Dot—”

  “Don’t say it.”

  Olive didn’t listen. “He might be there because they want
to join forces with the clinic and its patients.”

  Dot had thought the same thing. Seemed mighty suspicious a pharmaceutical company with inhouse pharmacies put up shop next to one of the most popular clinics in Honeyville. Since Jo’s investment, and word of her special way with patients, the doors were open six days a week with two new physicians, a second physician assistant besides Jo, five nurses, including Lily whom Jo poached to come over to their bright and shiny world, and four medical assistants. Dot couldn’t have imagined a better scenario for her precious baby she’d helped create with her parents, and now Jo.

  Dot spent the rest of the evening enjoying the reception. Jace caught the bouquet, but Dot engorged on the fanciest caramel apples she’d ever eaten. She went home with an ache in her belly and a smile on her face once Zac and Jo were sent off in a flurry of white and pink petals.

  The smile remained through the week, even with the looming construction project across the street breaking ground. Since Jo wasn’t due back from her honeymoon for four more days, Dot had taken the liberty to handle more of the office work in the partner’s absence. It was well after nine at night, and there was a muggy melt of warmth in the air. Dot drove down the dark road, one streetlamp was out, and she’d planned to look the other direction as she drove by the construction site. Except the line of bulbs beaming on the advertised sign of the project cast golden streams across the pit. There in the gleam was a man—in a suit—just standing there.

  Dot stopped, and cursed herself for doing so when he turned around at the noise. Good heavens her window was down. She couldn’t remember how to send the dang thing up again because she was so locked on his face. He titled his head, peering into the driver’s window, before he smiled—cautiously.

  “Dot? Is that you?”

  She cleared her throat, but her voice still sounded like a bullfrog. “Sawyer. I didn’t know it was you—just noticed some odd guy standing there. Alone. At night.”

  Sawyer Lanford. Taller than her. Chestnut hair that swooped in all the right swoops. Kind eyes, a hilarious laugh that was contagious, and ears that poked out just a bit, but she’d always loved them. Oh, also he was a big scoundrel who pulverized hearts.