by Natalie Ann
“Yeah, happiness. Home alone raising us. You sick half the time on top of it.”
Celeste sucked in a deep breath. “That’s low, Cole, even for you. Dad was there for me the entire time. You know that.”
“Yep, he was there for you. But not for Mom and not for me.”
He shouldn’t be laying this on her right now, but he was too far gone to stop. His father always favored Celeste. Always did everything for her. He got that, he understood it, but it didn’t mean that Cole didn’t exist, either.
Celeste took a deep breath. “You were always closer to Mom, Cole. I knew that, and Dad knew it. I think they split their time the best way they could. Dad loved us both. Mom loved us both. I get it—he put a lot of responsibility on your shoulders at a young age. He was wrong to do that.” She stopped talking and pulled out a chair. “Did you know Dad and I fought about that a lot?”
“What?”
“Yeah. I knew what was going on. So did Mom. She tried to talk to Dad about it, but you know how he was. He just wanted to make sure his girls were taken care of. He shouldn’t have put that on you at such a young age, but he did. I told him to stop. That it wasn’t fair and it wasn’t your job to watch over us so young. It was his job.”
He could just imagine how well that was received. No one told Big Bad Tom McGuire what to do. “What did he say?”
“He told me that sometimes in life we’re dealt a bad hand, and when that happened we have to figure out what to throw back, what to risk, and when to fold.”
“Dad never folded.” There were a lot of things he could say about his father, a lot of negative things he’d done, but giving up wasn’t one of them.
“No, he didn’t. Just remember that when you’re judging his decisions in life.”
“I’m not judging him.”
“Weren’t you?” She stood up and walked up to him, hugged him, and kissed his cheek. “Cole, you can’t plan your life out. You can’t make decisions on your future based on your past. Trust me, I know. I tried it and it almost backfired on me.”
He blinked his eyes a few times and watched her walk out. He understood what she was saying, but that didn’t mean he agreed.
More Going On
The next few weeks seemed to fly by without incident. Driving to work had been dicey a few times, but she was getting the hang of it. If she went slow enough, all was well.
Work was easy and each day proved she made the right choice moving here. Max’s practice was awesome, the staff was great, and she was slowly adjusting to Amber’s teasing ways.
Even the embarrassment from their one night out together had faded from her mind. Sort of. Though Amber did drive her point home Monday to Dena.
“So, Dena. Guess who had to bring Rene home Friday night?” Amber had said bright and early on that morning.
“Couldn’t have been you, since you always walk home or call me. Who?”
“Cole. How is it possible she’s been here all of one week and has run into him twice? I’m starting to think there is more going on.”
“Nothing is going on,” Rene said. “He offered to bring me home after I had a bit too much to drink.”
“Yep,” Amber said. “She said only one drink, but don’t think I didn’t miss you down your glass of wine the minute I pointed out Cole in the doorway. Admit it. You think he’s hot.”
“Who doesn’t think he’s hot?” Dena said.
There was no use lying, so Rene conceded. “Yes, he’s good looking. If you like the tall lanky type with a deep voice.”
Dena and Amber burst out laughing. Rene guessed she shouldn’t have described him quite that way.
“I’d ask if you got lucky, but since you live with your grandmother I know the answer to that,” Amber said.
It was hard for Rene to fight the blush that crept up her face, but she tried, only she didn’t succeed. “Hardly. His friend followed him to my place, and it’s not like I invited him in.”
“But you wanted to, didn’t you?” Dena asked, batting her eyelashes.
Maybe she did want to be the woman that would do that someday, but she didn’t and she wasn’t that person. Even if she lived alone, she knew she’d never have the courage to do it.
“You can think what you want,” Rene said, walking out of the room before they could question her again.
In the next few weeks Amber got a few more digs in about Cole, but it seemed she lost interest and was now spending her time busting on Max or Dena, so Rene felt free to breathe again and not watch every word out of her mouth.
“Rene,” Max said when she finished up with her last patient of the day. “Amber said you’ve got the cottage this week. Are you ready for it?”
“Sure am. It’s only one patient there right now. Mrs. Williams. Amber brought me up to speed on her procedure this morning. Liposuction and a tummy tuck, correct?”
“She took a taxi back to the cottage, and Amber has already talked to her once,” Max said. “Celeste stopped in to see that she was settled okay. She should be up and about just fine by now. I think she’s only here for a few days, then flying home. Nice lady.”
“I’ve got my kit with me and I’ll check all her incisions, then I’ll stop over in the morning on my way to work, too.”
“Let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
She went back to her office, shut down her computer, and grabbed the tablet. It was easier for the person on call to bring their tablet around with them. She was finally getting the hang of using it now. She’d never been a fan of electronics and still only read actual books she could hold. Paper books.
Walking around the office, she said her goodbyes to everyone and drove to the cottage, which was actually right on her way home, just a few miles away.
Pulling into the driveway, she parked and got out, grabbed her kit, and walked to the front door. She knocked once, but no one answered. She went to turn the knob and found it locked. No one told her what to do in this situation.
She looked over to the main house and saw all the lights on and made her way there. After she looked through the back door and saw Celeste, she rapped her knuckles quickly on the glass.
Celeste turned and wiped her hands on an apron and then rushed forward. “Rene,” she said, pulling her in and giving her a hug. “It’s so nice to see you. I was hoping I’d catch you. Amber said this is your week on shift.”
“Yes, it is. I’m sorry to bother you, but the doors are locked and I knocked, but Mrs. Williams isn’t answering.”
Celeste shook her head. “Amber forgot to tell you about the code, I’m guessing.”
“Code?” Rene asked. “Amber has been great about telling me things. I’m surprised she didn’t mention it.”
“Amber always has reasons for why she does things, but maybe she was just sidetracked and thought someone else told you. The back door has a security code that unlocks for me and the staff. It’s nine five one three nine.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you get back to dinner.”
“No problem,” Celeste said. “Stop over in the morning after you check on her. I’ll give you some treats to take back to the office.”
“Will do,” Rene said, excited. Celeste routinely sent baked goods in with whoever was on call.
Rene left and made her way to the back of the cottage, punched the code in, and then opened the door. It was quiet inside, but the lights were on. “Mrs. Williams. Hi, it’s Rene Buchanan from Dr. Hamilton’s office.”
“In the living room,” she heard.
Rene walked in and saw Mrs. Williams propped up on the sectional with a blanket wrapped around her, blinking her eyes open.
“I’m sorry if I woke you.”
“No worries. I’ve been dozing on and off. It’s just so cozy and comfortable here and there’s nothing on TV right now. Please, call me Carrie.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel really good. Celeste brought me over
some soup and I had a nice bowl of that and some crackers. I have to say, this was well worth flying here for this type of treatment. I wouldn’t get care this good back home.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Rene said. “Do you mind if I just make sure your incisions aren’t leaking?”
“Sure.” Carrie lifted her shirt and Rene looked around, but everything looked exactly as it should. “So where are you from?”
“Pittsburgh. A friend of mine recommended Dr. Hamilton years ago. When she had some work done this summer and stayed here, she convinced me to give it a shot. So far it’s been nothing but a wonderful experience. My husband joined me when I flew in for the consult a few months ago. He was nervous about me doing this alone, but Dr. Hamilton and the staff assured him I’d be well taken care of.”
“We aim to please. How many days are you staying?”
“My husband is in Burlington for business the day after tomorrow, so he is going to drive here and get me, and we’ll fly home together. It actually worked out perfectly.”
“Sounds like it was meant to be. Is there anything I can do for you or get you while I’m here? You’ve got the number to call me tonight if you need anything, correct?”
“I’ve got the number right here, but I’m good for now. Celeste said she’d bring some dinner over for me in about an hour and there are snacks here, too. I’m set. I feel better than I thought I would.”
“Most importantly, keep drinking and take food with your pain pills.”
“I will. Will I see you in the morning? Or one of the other girls? I can’t remember their names.”
“Amber and Dena. But you’ll see me.”
“That’s nice. Everyone is so sweet and nice there, but the other two, just between you and me, they’re a little much to take in. I’m sure it’s fine for most patients, but I’m more low key. I just want to come do my thing and be on my way. I don’t need all the laughing and coddling to relax me that some of the other people might need.”
“Everyone heals in their own way, Carrie. You just let me know what you need and I’ll be glad to provide it.”
Carrie tilted her head, her eyes a little glossy, either from the meds or a bit of pain, and said, “You’re so sweet. Sweet girls tend to get taken advantage of in life, or rolled right over. Don’t let that happen to you.”
Rene didn’t know where that was coming from but just smiled back. “Don’t worry, I won’t.” Even if it did happen to her often in life.
The next morning, Rene checked in on Carrie who was up and about and looking wonderful, if walking just a tad slow. Everything was going great and she’d had an easy night, so Rene said she’d stop back on her way home after work again.
She was at her car when she remembered to run over and get the treats from Celeste, so she quickly dashed across the lawn, tugging her hat down on her head. The wind was the worst part of the winter so far, she was discovering.
Celeste was opening the door for her as she ran up the steps of the back porch. “Come on in, quick. It’s blustery out. This time of year I hate making the walk from my cabin here in the morning.”
“I didn’t realize it would be that much cooler on the lake, but I should have figured that.”
“Just a few degrees make a difference.” Celeste stopped when her phone rang. “I’m sorry, let me just answer this quickly, and I’ll get your treats when I’m done.”
“No rush, I’ve got time.”
Celeste walked into her office and answered her phone while Rene looked around the kitchen. It was soothing in here. An older home, with modern touches, but welcoming. Like coming home every day.
“Damn, the wind is brutal today.” Rene turned to see who opened the back door. Her rotten luck, it was Cole. “Sorry, I thought Celeste was the only one in here—”
“Hi, Cole,” Rene said, fighting the flush on her face. She was remembering him lying on top of her in the driveway. Why did that have to be the first image to come to mind? Easy, it’s what she dreamed about last night.
“Rene. What are you doing here?”
“I was checking on a patient next door, and Celeste is going to give me treats to bring back to the office. You?”
“Picking up breakfast.”
“Do you always come here for breakfast?” she asked. She figured the least she could do was try to have an adult conversation. Anything to get the image of her drunk out of his mind, and help push her shyness away.
“Normally. She likes to spoil me.”
“That’s nice,” she said, starting to feel awkward with the way he was staring at her. She wanted to ask if there was something on her face, but was afraid to. Instead she stuffed her hands in her pockets and started to fiddle around.
“Sorry about that,” Celeste said, walking back in. “Oh, hi, Cole. Let me grab the pastry box for Rene and fill it up.”
“I’ve got time,” Cole said.
Rene stood there silently while Celeste filled a box with muffins. She couldn’t wait to get back to the office and have one. “Here you go. Oh hang on, one more thing.” She turned and pulled a bag out of the refrigerator. “These are for Max. Don’t let anyone else see them. I don’t trust Amber with them.”
“I won’t let anyone see this bag,” Rene said.
“Good. I know I can trust you. Thanks.”
Rene held the box up with the bag on top. “No. Thank you. See you after work. Bye, Cole,” she said, dipping her head.
He rushed forward and grabbed the door for her and then shut it when she left.
Rene all but ran to her car. She wasn’t even cold, not after the way Cole had been staring at her.
Everything
“So what was that all about?” Celeste asked.
“What are you talking about?” Cole asked, frowning.
“You were staring at Rene hot enough to start the fire in the hearth.”
“Don’t be cute,” he said, half-snarling.
“Hard not to be when I know I am.”
He rolled his eyes and asked, “Why did you call me here for breakfast? You never do. I always just stop over unannounced.”
“It’s a cold day out and I wanted to treat my favorite brother to a nice warm breakfast today. What’s wrong with that?” she asked, busying herself by spreading butter on a hot muffin just the way he loved it.
“Nothing, except you know I know better. You set me up,” he accused her.
“Guilty,” she said, giggling.
“How did you figure it out?”
“You mean, how did I figure out Rene is the one that is on your mind?”
He sighed. “Yeah. Let me guess, Amber told you?”
“Nope, not Amber. Next guess,” she said.
“I don’t want to guess,” he said, getting annoyed. He was afraid she was going to say something like she dreamed it. If that was the case, he was walking out the door because he was deathly afraid she’d accuse him of dreaming about it too, which he had been, but he wouldn’t admit it even with a gun to his head.
“You’re just no fun today. Here, eat your muffin while I fix you a coffee to go.”
He took the muffin and bit into half of it while she made his coffee in one of the many travel mugs she rotated for him. He stood there, stewing in silence, waiting for her to answer his question. He wanted to think it was eating at her that he wouldn’t ask again, only he knew differently. Nothing ever got under her skin.
“It was Trixie,” she said suddenly.
“Trixie Miller? Rene’s grandmother?”
Celeste turned and leaned against the counter, then handed over the mug. “How many Trixie’s do you know?”
He ignored her question. “What did she say?”
“Nothing more than how sweet and considerate my brother was to drive Rene home when she had too much to drink.”
“Yeah, that’s me, all sweet and considerate.”
Good thing Trixie didn’t know about how he lay on top of her granddaughter in the driveway that night. Or how
he’d cradled her in his arms and didn’t want to put her down. That it felt exactly as when he’d imagined being her hero. She wouldn’t think he was so considerate then.
“Don’t be snarky.”
“Why? I’m sure Trixie was when she said it. She’s always been that way.”
“Trixie does have a warped sense of humor, but in this case it was just an innocent comment. I’m the one who put two and two together that it was Rene. She never said anything else. Why, is there more to it than you’re letting on?”
“No,” he said quickly, stuffing his mouth with more muffin.
“Me thinks you protest too much and too quickly. Give me a little here to go on.”
“Why would I do that?” he asked after taking a big swig of coffee. “Aren’t you the one who almost skinned me alive when I wanted more information on Caleb?”
“True, but you still got it, didn’t you?”
“There’s nothing to say in this case. I stopped a guy from hitting on her in the bar, then brought her home when I realized she’d had too much to drink.”
“Oh really?” Celeste said, grinning. Too late, he realized he’d given more information than he had intended.
“Get that look out of your eye.”
“What look is that?” she asked sweetly.
“The scheming one you always get when you’re planning something. I’m not falling for it.”
“Ask her out.”
“Why would I do that? She’s everything I’m not looking for in a woman. I thought I had this conversation with you before.”
“She’s everything you need.”
“She is everything you think I need and nothing I want.”
“Liar.”
“I don’t need her,” Cole said instead.
“But you want her,” Celeste said, smirking at him again.
He ground his teeth and stood his ground, regardless of the fact Celeste was right, that Cole wanted Rene desperately—and secretly had for years. “Back off, Celeste. You’re fishing in a pond with nothing to take the bait.”
“Oh, that’s a good one. I’ll have to use that with Caleb sometime. Thanks. Ask her out,” she said again.