He nudged her with his knee. “Need I remind you that I’ve never been married? I don’t have issues.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you have more issues than most guys.”
He made a face as if he was offended. “I don’t have issues. I just know what I want.”
“You never want to get married.”
They sat in silence for a moment, her words ringing in the air.
Finally, she turned to him. “Jake, I know your mom left your family and it was hard on you boys. I saw what you went through. I lived it with you. Even as bad as it was, you, your brothers and your dad were always close. I really don’t understand how you can let her leaving your family rob you of one of the most wonderful experiences of life. It’s made you so dead-set against getting married. Most women out there aren’t going to be like your mother. They’ll be faithful and loving wives. A wife is someone you can count on. It goes beyond the sex and having kids. A husband and wife are a team. Your spouse is someone you can count on when nobody else in the world has your back. Forgive me for saying this, because I know your mom is gone, but she was wrong. She took the easy way out. And you shouldn’t have to keep suffering for her bad decision.”
The day his mom left the family, she’d tried to take the kids with her, but of course his dad had put up a fight. His dad had told her, “It may be your choice to divorce yourself from this family, but I’ll be damned if you’re going to take my boys.”
Two days after she’d moved out, his mom had crashed her car over on Highway 46. The police report indicated her car had drifted off the road and she’d overcorrected and lost control of her car. It had flipped several times.
She’d been pronounced dead at the scene.
Anna knew this part of the story. What she didn’t know was the part Jake had learned three years ago, when his father died. It had changed everything.
“What?” Anna asked. “You looked so far away there for a minute. We were talking about how I’m sure the right woman can help you see that your family history shouldn’t turn you against marriage.”
He wasn’t sure why he was going to tell her this, but how could he make her fully understand? But the words were spilling out before he could stop himself.
“When my dad died three years ago, you couldn’t come for the funeral.”
She frowned. “I know. I’m sorry, Jake. Hal was just so impossible when it came to you.”
“God, he was obsessed with the notion that you and I had something going on. It was kind of crazy, huh?” He shook his head as he remembered the no-win situation. “I’ve never told you this, but after my dad died, I learned something that floored me. It changed me. In fact, it turned my entire childhood and upbringing into a lie.”
Anna sat up, grimacing as she did so, but she turned her full attention on him.
“What was it, Jake?”
He took a deep breath, suddenly regretting opening up this line of conversation. But they’d come this far and Anna was the one person he’d always trusted with all his secrets. He’d managed to keep this one to himself for three years.
“My mom didn’t simply leave our family out of the blue. She had a good reason—my father had been seeing Peggy for at least a year when my mom found out about their affair. He kept their relationship hidden for two years, or at least he kept her away from my brothers and me, but he married her. You know how she made our lives hell when we were growing up. And then after the funeral, she couldn’t rest until she made sure that my brothers and I knew about her affair with our father.”
Anna’s jaw dropped.
“All those years, we thought my mom was the one who’d walked away from us, and my dad let us believe she was the villain, even after she died, when all that time our father had been living a double life. I just can’t get over what a screwed-up situation it was, and then there’s the added guilt of how my brothers and I vilified our mother because we believed she’d walked out on us.
“That’s why I don’t want to get married, because their bad marriage and my dad’s deceit ultimately turned our childhood into one big lie.”
She sat there watching him, taking it all in. “I’m so sorry that happened to you and your brothers. With both of your parents gone, I’m sure it must feel like a whole lot of unresolved business. But, Jake, I am imploring you not to let it continue to rob you of something that could be incredibly good for you.”
* * *
The following week, Anna was definitely on the mend. Her sprained wrist was still tender, but it was feeling remarkably better. She’d done light duty to give it a chance to heal. Now she was nearly back up to speed. Since she’d only been at the hospital for a little over a month, she wanted to make sure she pulled her own weight. She didn’t have time for an injury, but she was heartened when her coworker, Patty, had assured her that she and the others on the OB floor were happy to pick up the slack, such as carrying heavy supply baskets and equipment.
Even if they leaned a little heavy on the gossip sometimes, Anna believed that they truly had her back, even in the short time she’d been working at Celebration Memorial Hospital.
Of course, nothing came without a price. They were more curious than ever about what was happening with her and Dr. Lennox.
“Nothing is happening,” Anna told them.
And Patty maintained that the jazz festival lip-lock certainly didn’t look like nothing.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but he and I are just friends. I’ve known him all my life.”
Patty and Marissa exchanged dubious glances. “Looks more like friends with benefits to me,” Patty said.
“No. It’s not like that. If you don’t believe me, maybe this will change your minds—we both have dates tonight. In fact, we are double-dating.”
“Are you dating each other and going out with another couple, or...” Marissa asked.
“Or. He has a date and I have a date. Since our dates are both this evening, we thought it would work if we all went out together. You know how blind dates are. Anything to make them easier.”
Patty’s eyes grew large. “Did you fix Dr. L up on a blind date?”
“I did.” Anna had the sinking feeling she’d better steer this conversation in another direction. It was getting a little too personal; Jake wouldn’t be very happy if word got out and he traced it back to Anna as the original source.
“If you’re looking for candidates, keep me in mind,” said Marissa.
“Hey, I have dibs,” cried Patty.
“You’re both crazy,” said Anna. “But only in the best way.”
That evening as they walked into the bar inside Bistro St. Germaine to wait for their dates, Vicki Bright and Burt Jewell, Anna was hyperaware of the light pressure of Jake’s hand on the small of her back. It was more possessive than if he’d simply walked beside her, but not quite as intimate as if he held her hand or put his arm around her. But why was she even thinking about that kind of closeness?
The bistro—where Emily worked, but she was off tonight—was an upscale spot with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that folded open so that the bar and casual dining area spilled out onto the sidewalk outside the restaurant. The more formal dining room had tables in the back that were covered with crisp white linen tablecloths and sported small votive candles and vases hosting single red rosebuds.
As they approached the maître d’ stand, the soft strains of a jazz quartet and muted conversation buzzed in the air.
Anna was glad she’d worn her black dress—it wasn’t too dressy, but it still had an air of sophistication.
They were meeting their dates at the restaurant. The one thing to which Anna had held firm during this bet with Jake was that she would meet her blind dates at the location. She didn’t want strangers picking her up. What if the guys were real duds? Or turned out to be stalkers? Still, Anna made no apologies about playing by her own rules.
Vicki had driven herself tonight, too. Because of that, Jake and Anna had ridden together.
The bar was buzzing with people. Jake and Anna managed to grab the last two open seats. Anna ordered a glass of merlot and Jake had a beer.
As they waited for their drinks, Anna asked, “What do you need me to do to help you with the Fourth of July party? Because you’re going to be out of town next week, aren’t you?”
“I leave tomorrow.”
“Oh, really? I didn’t realize the conference was so soon.”
Hospital CEO Stan Holbrook had personally asked Jake if he would attend a medical conference on research and development and bring back the information to share with the rest of the staff. It was proof positive that Jake was on Stan’s radar and it seemed like another step toward securing the chief hospitalist position.
“Yes, I decided to fly in a couple of days early so I could spend some time with Bob Gibson, my mentor from med school. He’s retired and living in New Orleans now. I haven’t seen him in years.”
“Sounds like fun. Are you boys going to tear up Bourbon Street?”
Jake laughed. “Hardly. That’s a little too spring break for me. Besides, Bob hasn’t been doing very well lately. He’s been having some health problems. But he sounded good when I talked to him. He suggested we grab some dinner and then go listen to some jazz over on Frenchmen Street. It’s quite a bit lower-key than Bourbon Street. After that, it will be all medical conference all the time and I won’t have time for much sightseeing. But I’ll bring back some Mardi Gras beads for you if you want.”
“That’s sweet of you, Jake. Only if you have time to get them. Please don’t make a special trip into the drunken debauchery just for me.”
“I would go to the ends of the earth for you.”
There was something in his eyes that made her melt a little inside. It was an odd feeling because this was Jake. She wasn’t quite sure what to say. They’d always kidded around, but somehow this didn’t feel like a joke. A lot of things had felt different in the month since she’d been back in Celebration.
Or maybe she was reading too much into it after that kiss, which certainly hadn’t felt like a joke—
“I see Burt,” Jake said, staring at a point over Anna’s shoulder. “That must be Vicki.”
Anna turned around and saw her friend Vicki— actually, she was Emily’s friend. Emily had suggested Jake and Vicki might hit it off since she was smart, pretty and a busy, professional woman who seemed to be more committed to her work as an attorney than hunting for a husband.
Vicki was standing in the restaurant’s entryway, engaged in deep conversation with a bald man who was a little on the short and pudgy side. The two of them were already engaged in conversation, talking and laughing animatedly like old friends.
“Is that Burt in the brown jacket?” Anna said. “If so, the woman he’s hugging is my friend, Vicki.”
“Yep, that’s Burt. Do they know each other?” Jake slid off of his bar stool and extended a hand to help Anna down.
“I hope so. If they didn’t before they do now.”
Come to find out, they did know each other. They’d dated in high school, but had lost touch. What a small world, they marveled. It was a wonder that they hadn’t crossed paths before this since they both lived in the Dallas area and Vicki was an attorney who practiced family law; Burt was a psychologist specializing in family counseling. They may even have had clients in common.
Anna watched the years melt away for them right before her eyes. And she was happy for them, even if all branches of conversation seemed to lead back to remember that time when... or legal/family counseling shop talk. Even when Anna or Jake tried to steer the conversation toward something more inclusive, it managed to wind back around to a precious moment Vicki and Burt had shared.
Finally, after they had finished their entrées, Anna and Vicki excused themselves to the ladies’ room.
“What a small world, isn’t it?” Vicki said. “Burt was my big love back in the day. We lost touch after I found out that he’d gotten married. He’s divorced now.”
“Whew, what a relief,” Anna joked. “Since he’s here for a blind date. You know, the two of you should get together. Seems like that old spark is still there.”
She was sincere and she certainly hadn’t meant to sound snarky or jealous—God, no, she wasn’t jealous. She was inspired by the sweet rekindling of long-lost love. But Vicki must have interpreted it as a dig because she turned and looked at Anna, her mouth forming a perfect, soundless O.
“We have been so rude tonight,” she said. “Anna, I’m so sorry. The way Burt and I have monopolized the conversation tonight is just inexcusable.”
Anna put a hand on Vicki’s arm. “You have nothing to apologize for. I would love nothing more than to see you and Burt get to spend more time together. Really. I mean it. There’s nothing like a second chance at love.”
“Well, I feel just terrible. You went to all the trouble to fix me up with your friend, Jack—”
“Actually, it’s Jake.”
Vicki covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry. I’m really batting a thousand tonight, aren’t I?”
“The heart wants what the heart wants.” Anna smiled at her reassuringly. “You have absolutely no reason to be sorry.”
As they made their way back to the dining room, Anna wasn’t sure if the relief she felt was because she wouldn’t have to make excuses at the end of the night about why she couldn’t see Burt again or if it was because Vicki and Jake would not have a second date.
Chapter Seven
Jake had gotten back into town late the previous night after his trip to New Orleans for the weeklong medical conference. He hadn’t slept well. Actually, he hadn’t slept well the whole time he was gone. His mind kept wandering to places it had no business dwelling.
And then, dammit, once he’d gotten back into town, he was tempted to drive straight over to Anna’s house, because all he could think about was how he’d missed her.
Thank God common sense reigned, because he’d gone home and crawled into his own bed instead of going to her.
The first thing this morning, he’d texted her and asked her to meet him for lunch in the hospital courtyard.
Our table on the patio? he’d asked.
The table that was shaded by a large oak tree. The day was mild and clear, the perfect opportunity to sit outside and get some fresh air.
I’m so there, she’d responded. I’ve missed you. But then she’d qualified it with, We need to firm up July 4 party plans.
Now, as he walked toward her, he couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked, sitting at the table, soaking up the sunshine. Her auburn hair was pulled back off her face and when she looked at him and smiled, he saw that she wore hardly any makeup. She didn’t need it. She looked fresh and gorgeous without it.
“Hey stranger,” he said as he set his tray on the table. “Anyone sitting here?”
“I was saving that seat for someone very special,” she said.
He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “How’s it going? How’s your wrist feeling?”
“No problem,” she said, moving it in a circle. “It’s pretty much back to normal now. What’s in there?” Anna nodded toward the white plastic bag he carried.
“I brought you something.” He pushed it toward her. “Open it.”
She cast a questioning glance at him and he smiled at her.
“I think you’re going to like it.”
She opened the bag and peered inside. Then reached in and pulled out several strands of Mardi Gras beads and a CD.
“What’s this? Wait a minute—is this what I think it is?”
“You won’t believe this, but that reggae-jazz fusion group we saw at the jazz festival was playing at The Spotted Cat, a music club on Frenchmen Street. What are the chances? Here’s the CD they were talking about at the jazz festival.”
Anna held up the CD and examined it. “Are you kidding me? That’s crazy. And I love it.”
She was scanning the back cover
of the CD. “‘Love is in the Air’ is on it.” He noticed a flicker in her eyes.
“Yeah, there it is. I like that song.” He noticed that she didn’t meet his gaze. Suddenly, she was acting a little shy.
Keeping it light, he said, “I had to drag myself through the drunken debauchery to get those beads for you.”
“Thank you for compromising yourself for me,” she said, fingering the beads. She set the CD on the table and looked thoughtful as she traced the letters spelling out the name with her finger.
For a moment, the craziest thought crossed his mind—he would do anything in the world for her. What was happening between them? Because suddenly everything seemed different and the weirdest part was, it didn’t scare him. Neither did the fact that, right or wrong, he wanted to explore it a little more. He’d realized that over the week that he was gone.
“Oh, my God, did you get a card from Vicki and Burt?” she asked, suddenly seeming more like herself.
It took a moment for the names to register. “Oh, right, Burt and Vicki. Hearing their names together threw me.”
“Well, wait until you hear this. Did you get anything in the mail from them this week?”
“I had the post office hold my mail while I was at the conference. They’re delivering it today. Why? What did you get from them?”
“You have to see this.” She fished in her purse and then handed him a peach-colored envelope that was nearly the same hue as her scrubs. “I’m sure you got one, too, but I want to see your face when you read this.”
He squinted at her, hoping for a hint about what was inside. She looked as if she could hardly contain herself.
“Open it,” she said, gesturing toward the envelope.
Jake pulled out a white card and blinked at the picture on the front. It was Vicki Bright and Burt Jewell. Underneath the black-and-white photo, spelled out in bold, black letters, it said,
We’re getting married!
How to Marry a Doctor (Celebrations, Inc.) Page 8