Everybody Knows (Sunnyside #1)

by Jacie Floyd

  “And it gets worse.”

  “How?”

  “He’s going to involve our fathers.”

  “Are you kidding me? My father! I don’t have a relationship with my father! And your father could squash Blaine like a bug.”

  “Right, but you told Blaine about your estrangement when you were with him. He said he thinks the good doctor will pay up to keep your picture off the front page of the tabloids and to continue to keep your relationship with him under wraps. And he thinks Dad will want to protect me.”

  “Why would any tabloid want to run pictures of me? I’m a librarian, for God’s sake!”

  “Hell-oo? I am in the pictures with you, and Prince Harry is there in the background, too.”

  “Well, holy crapola! Blaine doesn’t care who he ruins, does he? Is he trying to blackmail the Prince, too?”

  “He probably doesn’t have the balls to take it that far. I’m sorry. I probably didn’t handle it well as I should have.”

  “What would have been a good way to handle a blackmail threat? How much did he want from you?”

  “Half a million or help in getting him a couple of top shoots.”

  “That’s ridiculous! What did you tell him?”

  “I told him to go screw himself.”

  “Hah! Good one, but I guess he’s not going to do that.”

  “He said he’d rather screw me and get the money, too. Like either one of those things will ever happen. And he won’t be able to screw anyone if he tries to involve Dad. The Rock God’s a formidable force when he wants to be.”

  Wexley at his most intimidating would result in Blaine wetting himself. “I’d almost like to see that confrontation.”

  A timely tap on the door gave her a good excuse to end the call. Daxina stuck her head inside. “The new computers have arrived. Want to come down and make sure we got everything we ordered?”

  “I’ll be right there.” She’d put the potential problem of Blaine on hold for the moment. Nothing she could do about him until he let her in on what he was up to.

  Two days before his scheduled going-away party, Harper met Zach out at the abandoned Harvey place several miles out of town. The first weekday they’d been able to slip away at the same time in weeks. Eager to see him, Harper pinned on a fake smile when she realized it might very well be the last day they spent together.

  She left her car behind the dilapidated barn and rode to Springfield in Zach’s truck to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House. He had been to it before, of course—mandatory field trip in high school, he’d said. She’d been eager to see the house for months. Always a treat to see the result of true genius.

  Following the tour, they stopped for lunch at a little Mexican place off the beaten track then returned to the orchard to close out the world and steal some time for themselves. While they made slow, sweet love on a blanket under an apple tree, Harper could almost hear the sound of her own heart breaking. He’d be leaving soon, and they both knew it.

  As Harper snuggled in his arms, she smoothed her thumb over the furrow between his brows. “None of that. It’s a beautiful fall day, and we’re here for fun, not worry. No regrets.”

  “This is fun.” He pulled her tightly against him. “Naked is the best kind of fun.”

  “I suppose it is.” She turned away so he couldn’t see the sadness in her eyes.

  He gripped her chin and pulled her around to face him. “You don’t get to fret either, you know. What’s bothering you?”

  “I don’t want sex to be your only memory of me.”

  “It won’t be.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and on down her arm to link hands.

  “What else will you remember?” She hoped the question didn’t sound as needy to him as it did to her.

  “I’ll never forget the day you bolted out of your car ready to take my head off for diving in front of you to save Pippa. You presented yourself like a goddess in those six-inch heels with the sun blazing on your hair and your eyes flashing. And I’ll picture you in your element at the library. The way you chew your thumbnail as you concentrate in the middle of ongoing chaos. Looking all stern and determined when you stare down the town council. I’ll think of you sitting up in bed at night with Calliope in your lap, engrossed in your reading and looking so beautiful you make me want to sing. And you know I can’t sing worth a damn.”

  “Your one flaw.” She smiled through the tears.

  “You’re planted in my brain and in my heart. I’ll never be able to stop thinking of you.” Her hair had escaped from its ponytail during their lovemaking. Smoothing it away from her face, he kissed her cheeks in a kind of tribute. “With love and longing. And don’t think I’ll be gone forever. I’ll be back to visit, you know.”

  A tug of sadness squeezed her heart, but she had to be honest. “You’ll be here to see your family and friends. You might see me, but I won’t be the reason you come back. And you might not be back for years. And I might be gone by then. I might leave when my contract is up and return to Chicago or move on to Santa Fe, Boston, or Omaha. You know I never stay in one place very long.”

  “But you want to stay in one place, and you want that place to be Sunnyside.”

  “But they don’t like me here.” Despite her best efforts, her progress had been one step forward and two steps back. If she suggested a new idea, two people disliked it for every one of them that approved. Zach smoothed her path as often as he could, but she’d tried to fight her own battles rather than lean on him. If Blaine caused trouble for her after Zach left, she’d find herself on the outside looking in again. “And I don’t know if I’ll like it here without you. You’ve been my supporter and my buffer with the town. Without you, who knows? I’ll see how it goes.”

  “You act like you don’t have any friends.” Worry lines were stamped all over his face. “But you do, you know. There’s Daxina, Claire, Cora, Liam, Brady, Rachel, and Cassie. The list goes on. The kids all love you. The parents have come to appreciate you, too. The library rocks because of you. You’ll be just fine without me.”

  “You’re right. I will.” His words of encouragement fell flat, but she would be all right. Because she always was. The people she loved went away. Or she went away. But the love remained. And this wasn’t the discussion she wanted to have on what was possibly their last day together. “Let’s get dressed. There’s something I want you to buy me.” A final gesture.

  “I’m okay with all of that except the ‘get dressed’ part.” The hand that had been roaming her body gathering sensory memories moved to cup a breast. Rubbing a thumb over her nipple, he leaned down and flicked it with his tongue. “I like to keep these in full view for the rest of the day. And this. And this. Yep, clothes really get in the way.”

  She acquiesced. Of course she did. Savoring every moment, they took their time making love again. But the day wouldn’t stand still and nearing dusk, they dressed and rejoined the real world. “We’ll have naked again tonight,” she said, as he buttoned his shirt. “But I want to enjoy the rest of the day with you in public. And going public means clothing is not optional.”

  They climbed into his truck, leaving her car there again. “Fasten your seatbelt.” He always said that when they got in a vehicle together. He had good reason to be squeamish on the subject. He wouldn’t risk any more deaths while he was behind the wheel. She doubted if he could stop himself from trying to keep her safe. From trying to take care of the world. An endearing quality really, even with its slightly neurotic undertone.

  “Buckled up.”

  “What is this thing you want me to buy you?” he asked when they were on the highway. “I already gave you the ultimate gift of a cat, you know.”

  “I love Calliope, but this is something else. Guess what it is.”

  “I couldn’t possibly.”

  “It’s round.” She provided a hint, knowing she could get him to play.

  “And hard?”

  “Yes.”

  �
��Like jewelry?” His voice carried a little worry. “A ring?

  “Not even close.”

  “Hard, you said. Solid? Like a rock?”

  “Hollow, like a gourd.”

  “Ah, is it orange?”

  “Yes, and very popular this time of year.”

  He glanced over at her. “Really? You want a pumpkin?”

  “Of course, doesn’t everyone? And only one person has ever bought me a pumpkin before in my whole life. Two pumpkins in one lifetime isn’t too much to ask for, is it?”

  “Who bought you the first one?”

  “My stepfather, when I was six. He didn’t have any idea how to carve it. It was quite lopsided. He probably had the butler do the messy parts, but I loved it anyway.”

  “Your stepfather has a butler?”

  “Yes, but don’t change the subject. Lopsided pumpkins are the best kind.”

  “So I’ve heard.” He cut a glance at her and smiled. “Sunnyside has a jack-o-lantern carving contest for the big Fall Festival right before Halloween.”

  “No, I’m not carving mine. Not yet anyway. I do know a thing or two about pumpkins, even with my limited experience. It would start rotting right away. I may look into how to make a pie for Thanksgiving. And save some seeds to grow next year and dry the seeds to eat as a healthy snack. There will be many uses for this pumpkin that will remind me of you.”

  “Then we’ll get two. One to carve and one to eat.”

  “I want to pick them out myself. From a real pumpkin patch.”

  Which made the request simple enough because there was a pumpkin patch not far away. Zach turned into the public driveway by the barn. They played in the maze and drank apple cider and argued over which pumpkin shapes and sizes were the best.

  And as Harper climbed back into the truck, he again reminded her to fasten her seatbelt while he stowed her purchases behind her. Harper’s most perfect day ever. One filled with mental images and flavors she would always remember and cherish.

  On the way back to the Harvey place, she looked at him for a long moment, soaking in his goodness and beauty, with only a hint of sadness that he’d been hers for such a short time.

  Sometimes the right person came into a life just when they were most needed. Like he had come into hers. She hoped she’d made a similar impact on him, but he was so self-contained and so protective of everyone that it was hard to guess the depth of his feelings for her.

  He would be off on a great adventure. One that he’d wanted and needed for a long time. And one that exerted his independence in a way that would set him free.

  What a lovely thought to have just as an oncoming truck flew over an incline, veering in front of them, racing out of control, screeching and sliding and flipping over.

  Zach plowed into a tree trying to avoid the vehicle and totally freaked out.

  “Harper? Harper!” He couldn’t keep from repeating her name when she didn’t answer him immediately. Eyes glazed, she blinked as she looked up at him. “Baby, are you all right?”

  “I am.” She rubbed her forehead where it had a big bump.

  “No, you’re not. Let me see that.” He moved her hand away and tilted her head toward the remaining light. Blood oozed down the side of her face. He needed to lay her seat back, but doubted if anything in his truck was working properly. Including him. “This is going to need stitches.” He kept a first-aid kit in his glove box, but it was jammed and wouldn’t open even when he pounded on it. His hands shook as he took her pulse.

  “Can you do it? Stitch it up?”

  “Yes, but not here. I don’t have my bag. I need to get you to the hospital.” He located some napkins in a carry-out sack from yesterday’s lunch and pressed them to her forehead.

  Pulling out his phone, he maintained a firm grip on his control. Harper needed him. He wouldn’t let her down. Dialing nine-one-one, his gaze remained on her face. With the call completed, he felt beneath her hair, looking for any other bumps. “Do you know who I am?”

  “Yes, you’re the golden-boy doctor of Sunnyside, Illinois.”

  He tried to smile but failed miserably.

  “Honestly, Zach. I’ll be fine. I was wearing my seatbelt.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “You always remind me to. This is nothing like before.”

  He couldn’t bear the thought of before. He had to concentrate on the now. “What day is it?”

  “Thursday, two days before your going-away party.”

  “Very thorough answer.” He kissed her and patted her check, but the gash on her head continued to bleed. “Wait here for a minute. I hate to leave you, but I need to check on the other guy.”

  “I was thinking about going out dancing, but if you prefer, I’ll wait here instead.”

  Her attempt at humor was a good sign. “Do you know any songs? Can you sing one for me? As long as I can hear you, I know you’re all right.”

  When she opened her mouth, the song that came out was Yellow Submarine. He smiled at the choice then muscled open his door. As soon as he was on the ground, he realized he was shaking.

  “Son of a bitch!”

  In his heart and in his head, he knew this accident wasn’t anything like the first time. No dead bodies in his backseat or permanently damaged women in his front seat. Harper would have a slight scar at her hairline, but she was all right and wouldn’t be disfigured or crippled for life, thank God. It had been a close call.

  But the guy in the other truck didn’t appear to be moving, and that scenario was all too familiar. “How many damn times can this happen in one man’s life?”

  As he pried open the door of the wrecked truck, the sound of Harper singing slightly off-key in the background helped him calm down. Setting aside his personal emotions, he slipped into his professional persona before he looked at the guy’s face and winced. Walt Sherwood. A farmer in his fifties with a bad track record. Lived in Grayville, the next town over, with his sister and her teenaged son.

  The smell of alcohol poured off him, along with the stink of sweat, urine, and blood. He hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt and went through the windshield on impact. With a sick certainty that there would be no sign of life, Zach groped futilely for a pulse. “Such a waste.” When will people learn? “Sorry, Walt. Nothing I can do for you.”

  His stomach threatened to reject the tamales he’d consumed earlier, but he forced them to remain in place. Returning to Harper, who was on her third run-through of the Beatles classic, he called his brother, his insurance company, and a tow truck. A police car arrived at the same time as the ambulance. And then Josh pulled up, hopping out of his truck to rush over and lend assistance.

  Zach wrapped his arm around Harper and kissed the top of her head. “You can stop singing now. The EMTs will check you out to make sure you didn’t hurt anything we don’t know about, slap a bandage on your cut, and then take you to the hospital.”

  Her hand sought his. “I’d rather stay here with you.”

  “I know, but you need to have your head examined.” He realized how the statement could be interpreted when she tried to laugh. “Not in a psychological way, but you’ll need some stitches. I have to stay here to give a police report. Josh will follow you to the hospital and take care of you. He’s the best, I promise. I wouldn’t let him near you with a needle if he weren’t.”

  “Better than you?”

  “In this case, yes.” Zach’s fingers were shaking so badly that he doubted if he was capable of washing his hands let alone apply sutures. “Don’t tell him I said so.”

  “I heard that,” his brother said.

  With Josh and the EMTs looking on, he kissed her goodbye before they lifted up the gurney. And then, because he needed the contact, he held onto her just a little too long. Thank God, she was all right.

  As the emergency vehicle took off down the highway, he turned to Josh. “Follow them. I’ll get the cop or the tow-truck driver to pick up her car before I go to the hospital when I’m done here. Don’t let Harper le
ave until I get there.”

  “You have her keys?”

  “I got ‘em out of her purse before they put her in the truck.”

  Bemused, Josh looked at him with a little smile. “You and Harper are serious, huh? I thought you were just fooling around. Is she alright about you leaving?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure who’s okay with what, but that’s not my biggest concern at the moment. Take good care of her.”

  Josh nodded. “The best.”

  “Go. Now.”

  “Sure, big brother.” He hesitated. “It’s just... are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It’s Harper who needs attention.”

  “That whole situation was a little too close for comfort, don’t you think? And too familiar? Similar to the last time you plowed your vehicle into a tree? Before I drive off, I want to be sure you’re okay. Let me call Dad or Rachel or someone to come out here with you.”

  “I’m fine!” he insisted. “We’ll talk it to death later if you want. Just go! Harper needs your help now.”

  As soon as his brother left, Zach moved behind a tree and threw up. He supposed he’d stop shaking sooner or later, but it might take a while.

  His recurring nightmare. The worst thing he could imagine was not being able to save a life. The second worst was the inability to fix things, the inability to make them right. The third was being unable to take care of someone he cared about. So this was the trifecta. The last time these things had combined had been the worst day of his life. He didn’t think he could stand it if it ever happened again.

  The sooner he could leave Sunnyside, the better off he’d be.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. When he checked it, he got the message he’d been waiting for. He’d be leaving for Syria on Sunday.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Zach shocked Harper by driving her home from the hospital, escorting her into her house, and closing the door behind them. Not dropping her at the curb, not ducking in through the back, not pretending he was dropping off a pizza. Just straight up the walk with his arm around her and through the door like a normal couple.