Guy Next Door (9781460341179)

by Tippens, Missy

  “What does she have?” Burt asked the doctor from the opposite side of the bed, his face weary.

  “Earlier today, the blood cultures came up positive for bacterial growth.”

  Luke’s heart lurched. “That can be deadly.”

  The doctor flipped another page over. “I won’t lie to you. This is serious. But I think we can remain positive.”

  “What about treatment?” Burt asked.

  “Ms. O’Malley thought the unusual organism looked familiar, but they’re not equipped to identify it here. They have to send it to the state reference lab. Thanks to her sharp eye, I’ve added another antibiotic and think we’re now on the right track for treatment.”

  Burt reached out and touched Grace, who stirred but remained too sick to open her eyes or respond. “How did she get it?”

  The doctor scribbled something on the file. “Probably contaminated food.” With a smack, he shut the file and slid it in its slot. “This infection is harder on the sick and the elderly. Let’s pray the meds are effective. We really need to get her through the night.”

  Luke felt as if he was underwater trying to suck in air. “And if she doesn’t get better tonight?”

  “Like I said, I’m remaining positive. With the new antibiotic, I expect she should turn around soon.”

  Should. Luke wouldn’t consider the alternative.

  As soon as the doctor left the room, Luke stepped to the window and dialed Darcy.

  “Is Grace okay?” she asked, a note of panic in her voice.

  “No real change.”

  Darcy sighed, sounding drained. “Well, I guess that’s good if she’s not worse.”

  “I called to thank you. The doctor told us you gave a tentative ID on what’s causing her infection.”

  “Yeah. If I’m right, then it’s definitely a God thing. I mean, what are the odds she would contract the exact same organism I had to identify on a final exam in school? And that I would recognize it by a Gram’s stain?”

  Humbled by how God was faithful even when Luke hadn’t been, he said, “I’m thankful. We’ll pray her through this.”

  “We will. I called the church, and they’ve already started the prayer chain.”

  “Thanks. You know, I’m grateful to you, too. You’re one smart woman.”

  “We’ll see if I’m right, hopefully by tomorrow if the test I rigged up confirms my suspicion.”

  Luke turned to lean his back against the wall and discovered his dad watching him.

  Maybe he was talking too loud. “So you’ll let us know?” he asked Darcy in a lower voice.

  “Of course. As soon as I know anything.”

  He didn’t want to hang up. Wished she could be there with him. “I’ll see you tomorrow, to set up at the church?”

  “Stay there with Grace. Bryan said he could do it.”

  Luke should be relieved. So why did anything having to do with Darcy and Bryan drive him half insane? “Okay. Tell Bryan I appreciate him helping you.”

  “Promise you’ll let me know if anything changes at the hospital? In the middle of the night, whenever, okay? I’ll come if you need me.”

  “Thanks. I will.”

  He hung up and found his dad with his head leaning against the wall, eyes closed.

  “Darcy said she’ll call us if she knows anything more on the infection.”

  “I appreciate her diligence.”

  Luke stood over his grandmother rubbing her hand. Lord, please give Darcy and the doctors answers, and please heal Granny’s body. Lord, I’ve been a slacker for a while now. Help me be more faithful in worship and prayer. I want to do Your will.

  “So who’s this Bryan?” Burt asked, startling Luke. “Noreen has mentioned him.”

  “A high school friend of Darcy’s. He’s actually become a successful musician and made a big donation for the auction.”

  “Generous of him. So why did you look so disgusted talking about him?”

  He’d have to watch himself better. “Didn’t mean to.”

  “A little of the green-eyed monster?”

  Luke couldn’t lie. His dad wasn’t stupid. “It’s complicated.”

  Burt gestured for him to have a seat. Luke pulled over a chair.

  “You know, son, I’ve found that when we say things are complicated, they’re usually very simple.”

  Luke shook his head and glanced away, fearing his dad would see the conflicted feelings that had been making him half crazy.

  Leaning forward, forearms on his knees, Burt angled his head, locking gazes. “For instance, it should be simple to admit you’ve cared for Darcy your whole life. Simple to admit you light up when you’re around her or talk to her. And though it may not be as simple to admit, it’s obvious you feel more for her than friendship.”

  “Dad—”

  “No, let me finish. Someone has to force you to face it. For whatever reason, neither you nor Darcy is able to acknowledge your feelings.”

  “I don’t want to mess up again. I nearly lost her friendship when I dated Chloe and Raquel. I don’t want to risk hurting Darcy and losing my friend.”

  “You won’t lose your friend. You’ll gain a lot more.”

  Mirroring his dad’s posture, Luke stared at the floor. “I’m not good at committed relationships. She needs someone who’ll treat her like she deserves to be treated, a good guy like Bryan.”

  “You’ve never had a relationship with someone you cared about so much. How do you know you won’t be good with Darcy?”

  Luke had never been perceptive enough to notice she had feelings for him. Apparently, he was a clueless fool. She deserved the perfect man, the perfect relationship, like she’d always dreamed of. Her perfect Prince Charming.

  He was certainly no Prince Charming.

  “Dad, I appreciate your concern, but I know what I’m doing. Besides, I have my new life in Tennessee.”

  Squinting, Burt leaned back, crossed his arms over his chest and examined Luke. “You’ve surprised me, you know. When you started law school I wondered if you could stick with it and succeed. I owe you an apology for that.”

  Luke had waited a long time to hear those words. He nodded, pleased for the recognition. “Thanks.”

  “I know I’m not good at saying how I feel, but I’m learning.”

  “Noreen?”

  “Yes, in fact, she’s been teaching me to open up. Has taught me a lot about myself. And…” He hesitated.

  For the first time in years, Luke felt a sense of closeness to his father. “And?”

  Burt looked up, concerned. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

  Luke felt as if he’d been slammed against the back of his chair. For some reason, though, the thought didn’t seem as out of the question as it would have two weeks ago.

  “Wow,” was all he could manage to say.

  “I know it’s quick. But one thing I’ve learned,” he said, nodding toward Grace, “is we need to live in the present. Not waste a precious moment of time.”

  Thinking of his mother’s battle with cancer, and now Granny’s illness, Luke knew his dad was right.

  Burt put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “I want you to know I’ll always love your mother. I’ve told Noreen that, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Luke nodded, his throat tight. He felt a sense of relief to know Dad hadn’t just marched ahead with a new life, pushing Mom into the past. “I appreciate you telling me that.”

  “We both miss Joan and talk about her often.”

  Luke looked into his father’s eyes, eyes that matched his. “I miss her so bad, and I still feel guilty that I didn’t come home more often while she was sick.”

  “Son, she didn’t want you leaving school.”


  “But I should have come, anyway. When she told me not to, I should have insisted.”

  “Your mom was proud of how you buckled down in college, how you worked and achieved your dreams. She wanted you to push ahead, to make your way without her health holding you back.”

  Working for that law degree, though, had been about more than simply achieving his dream. “I was determined to be successful, to prove you wrong.” Luke gave his dad a sad smile. “I’m afraid I put that desire before mom. And now, I look at my decision to stay in Tennessee after graduation, and wonder if that was a mistake. Because every time I’m home, I regret it. Sometimes, I wish I had come here instead.”

  Burt reached out and put a hand on Luke’s arm. “Son…”

  “Then I feel more guilty, because if I decided to come back to Appleton now, then staying in Nashville away from Mom was done in vain.”

  Shaking his head, Burt’s brow drew down in concern. “No, your time in Nashville was good for you. I see a big change in your confidence. Your mom was right in suggesting I not offer you a partnership right out of law school.”

  Luke stilled. Shook his head, thinking surely he hadn’t heard correctly. “Are you saying that’s why you never asked me to join you? Not because you thought I wasn’t capable?”

  “Of course you’re capable. Once you stuck with law school and did well, I knew, with your people skills, you’d be a good attorney. But your mom was afraid, with all those job offers you had, that you’d settle for coming home just because of her illness.”

  Leaning his head back, Luke let out a sigh. “I can’t believe this. I totally misunderstood. Was hurt you didn’t ask.”

  “Luke, I’m sorry. Joan and I assumed if you really wanted to move home you’d feel free to ask. Then you called, so excited about the other offers…”

  He looked at his dad, with the monitors beeping in the background, the sounds of nurses hustling around outside the door, and knew this was a big moment. But a difficult moment nonetheless. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to have an office beside you and a sign with both our names out front.”

  “Then do it. Join me as partner. In a few years, I want to semiretire to spend more time with Noreen. Down the road, the practice would be yours.”

  Luke had waited as long as he could remember to hear those words. Ever since he was barely old enough to read and sat at his dad’s desk, playing with the pens and pencils, trying to read huge law books, sounding out hard-to-pronounce words.

  “I know you’ve done well with Roger and are committed to him. But promise me you’ll at least consider my offer,” Burt said, looking hopeful, pleased.

  “I will.”

  “And remember, Noreen and I both love you. I hope you can be happy for us.”

  “I am happy for you.”

  His dad’s forehead wrinkled, lifting his brows in doubt.

  “I truly am.”

  Joy filled Burt’s eyes as he reached through the bed railing to smooth Grace’s blanket. “Lately, I’ve learned to appreciate what’s right in front of me. I hope you will, too.”

  Luke’s neck heated up. Was Dad talking about Darcy?

  “I know what’s rattling around in that head of yours.” Burt leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.

  “That I just bought a building and leaving Nashville would be complicated?”

  “You’re thinking about Darcy.” He leaned closer. “Don’t miss out on love simply because you’ve known her your whole life. Or because you think you’re not good at commitment. When the timing and the person are right, you’ll be perfectly able to commit. Like you committed to law school and proved me wrong.”

  Ideas exploded in Luke’s mind. So many possibilities. Possibilities he’d never dared imagine.

  An offer making Jordan & Jordan a reality.

  A wife—with long auburn hair and deep blue eyes, and two or three kids who looked exactly like her.

  Antsy, Luke moved to the window and stared at the darkening sky. His dad made him reconsider dreams from childhood. Made him want things. Crazy, impossible scenarios he shouldn’t want.

  Remember Chloe.

  No. He refused to remember Chloe.

  Yet he had to be careful. He had to be certain about his feelings for Darcy. Had to know without a doubt that he could change, could take a step forward in their relationship without hurting her down the road.

  For now, he would keep his dad’s job offer to himself and focus on Granny and the auction.

  * * *

  “I don’t believe it.” Darcy let loose a loud whoop that ricocheted off the lab equipment on Saturday morning as she stood in the hospital lab and peered at the test tube. She handed the tube to Lois. “Check it out.”

  Lois held it up to the light and stared at the bacteria’s faint umbrella-shaped growth pattern. “It worked!”

  “Yeah. I’m relieved.” Relieved she hadn’t made a mistake in giving the doctor a tentative ID.

  Her risk had paid off.

  Once she’d called the results to him and packed up the organism to send to the state lab, she headed upstairs to the ICU to check on Grace.

  As Darcy barreled through the waiting room doorway, she discovered Luke, alone in the room, slouched in a chair with his head tilted forward and eyes closed. He was either asleep or praying.

  Facing his piercing brown eyes and strong, square jaw sometimes required fortitude, so finding him resting proved a nice change. She approached, itching to brush back the hair that had fallen over his forehead. As she dragged her attention back to his face, golden-brown eyes met hers.

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Oh, you’re awake,” she stammered, her face burning at being caught staring.

  “Good morning.” Beard stubble and messy hair gave him a dangerous look. Dangerously appealing.

  “It worked.” Unable to contain her excitement, she laughed at his look of confusion. “The test we rigged up unofficially confirmed the organism is what I suspected. How’s Grace?”

  He stood and rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s great news. The doctor did rounds early this morning, and Granny’s shown marked improvement.”

  “So he thinks she’ll recover?”

  A devastating smile revealed even, white teeth. “Yes. And she was awake and talking by midmorning.”

  Darcy gasped and hugged him. “I’m so glad.”

  He wrapped his arms around her like old times. Comfortable. Not electrically charged like they’d experienced lately. Maybe they’d be okay after all.

  “They’re bathing Granny now,” he said. “Dad’s at lunch but will be back soon.”

  Mesmerized by the close proximity and his perfectly shaped, full lips, Darcy forced her gaze upward. This closeness was not going to be as easy as she’d thought. But she had to learn to handle being around Luke.

  She could do this. She’d already taken a big step toward moving forward—the upcoming date with Bryan.

  “Well…uh…tell Grace I’m thinking of her. If…you know…if she’s still awake, I mean.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For the diagnosis, of course. I love how unassuming you are.”

  When he was so close, she felt like spiderwebs clung to her brain. Better he think her unassuming rather than addled. “Oh, that. I’m just thrilled that she’s getting better.” She stepped away from him so she could concentrate. “I should go.”

  “Oh, sure.” He took a step away, as well. “But first, I wanted to tell you Dad and I had a good talk last night. Cleared the air.”

  “Good. I’m proud of you both for doing that.” She couldn’t help but wonder, though, whether they talked any more about working together—either in Appleton or Nashville. “So you feel yo
u understand each other better?”

  “Yeah, we both opened up. Talked a lot about Mom and Noreen. I feel like we’re on solid ground.”

  Possibilities ran rampant in her mind. Apparently, Luke thought it wasn’t Darcy’s business. She had to respect his wishes. “I’m happy, then.”

  He raked a hand through his hair. “I know I’d normally tell you everything we said. I can tell you more about the conversation later. But I have a lot to think about, some decisions to make first.”

  Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. “Okay, thanks.” She gave a tentative laugh. “I admit, I was wondering.”

  “I figured.” He smiled, pushed her hair back from her shoulder. “Our relationship has changed, but we’ll figure it out.”

  She nodded, her throat aching. Yes, they were both moving ahead and would eventually adjust. That didn’t make the in-between time easy. “Guess I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

  “Like I said, Dad will be back to the hospital soon to sit with Granny. I can help set up for the auction.”

  “Oh, okay. That’ll be great. Come to my house when you finish up here.”

  He brushed a stray hair off her cheek, so nonchalantly that she didn’t think he realized he did it. “I’ll be there.”

  She stood rooted in place, not wanting to leave, as if they could just stand there and pretend their lives were back to normal. Yet, like it or not, everything had changed with that kiss.

  “One more day until the auction is over,” he said with a gentle smile. “Then your life will go back to normal.”

  Once again, he spoke her thoughts, the two of them in tune with each other. “Yep. Yours, too.” She returned his smile and then slipped out of the waiting room. How in the world would she ever let Luke leave? How would she ever get over loving him?

  * * *

  “Oh, no,” Darcy said that afternoon as she carried an armload of auction donations from her dad’s office to her car.

  Luke closed his now-full trunk. “What’s wrong?”

  “I forgot to let Bryan know when and where to meet us.”

  Luke knew he should not feel irritated Bryan would join them. “He can meet us at the church in a half hour or so.”

  “Good idea.” She pulled out her phone and typed a text message, her fingers flying across the screen.