Smitten Book Club

by Colleen Coble

  She took two calming breaths and said, “I’m really so sorry to bother you on Thanksgiving Day. I bit down on a walnut that, unfortunately, had part of the shell still attached to it.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get you fixed right up.” He grabbed an instrument. “I normally have an assistant help me, but since it’s Thanksgiving, I couldn’t get in touch with anyone.” He turned around and flashed a warm smile.

  Lia’s mouth involuntarily dropped to her chest.

  Joey Oliver blinked. “Elliana, I didn’t realize . . . My brother didn’t say . . . Well, how are you?”

  Lia finally clamped her mouth shut and swallowed hard. Then she laughed. Her heart pounded, but not because she was seated in a dentist’s chair—because of Joey Oliver. The man she had given her heart to in grade school and never gotten it back.

  If only he knew.

  “Boy, it’s good to see you. How long has it been?”

  Forever.

  “Fifteen years? I’ll bet you’re married with ten kids by now.” He kept smiling. “I remember when I used to pull your hair and call you carrottop.”

  That’s when she and Anne of Green Gables had established a lasting bond.

  “I see you still read it,” he said, pointing to her book.

  “Yep. I admit I have white-coat syndrome. The book calms me down.”

  “No worries here. I’ll be gentle.”

  Something about the way he said that made her stomach leap.

  “Listen, how about I get you fixed up here and then we go for coffee and catch up?”

  He must have given her a dose of something. She was going to coffee with Joey Oliver? After all this time? If she was dreaming, she didn’t want to wake up.

  Mountain Perks was closed for Thanksgiving Day, as was everything else. Joey pulled his car in front of it, got out, and walked over to Lia’s VW.

  “Looks like we’re out of luck for today. And my schedule is crazy this week. Maybe next week we could get together for coffee and talk about old times?”

  Then she remembered. “I have a teachers’ conference next week. I’ll be gone to Morristown.”

  “Well, I’ll just have to call you. But we’ll do this thing.” He shot her another grin over his shoulder as he walked back to his car.

  Lia watched him drive off and tried to digest all that had happened. Joey Oliver was back in town. Unattached, evidently, or he wouldn’t have been planning coffee with her. Would he? Reality set in. He still thought of her as a good friend from back in the day. Was that all she’d ever be to him?

  Or could it be that the meaning of her name, My God has answered me, was finally happening?

  Joey walked into his brother’s house and threw his leather coat across the sofa. “Hey, you didn’t tell me the patient was Elliana Burton. That was a nice surprise.”

  Sam shared a glance with his wife, Suzie, flipped the switch on the remote, and shrugged. “Oh, that’s right. You two were best buds when you were little.”

  “We were, though she’d get awful mad at me when I pulled her pigtails.” Joey laughed, grabbed a stick of celery, then sagged onto the sofa.

  Sam took a bite of pumpkin pie. “She’s a nice gal.”

  “Married?”

  Suzie settled on the side of the chair beside her husband. “Nope. Engaged once, but called it off.”

  “Really?”

  Sam and Suzie exchanged another glance.

  “Now, don’t you two get any ideas. Elliana is just a friend. A very good friend. We have a history.” He winked. “Besides, I’m not ready for another relationship.”

  “Did you tell her about—” Before Suzie could finish her question, Grace, Joey’s five-year-old, stepped into the living room, blond pigtails dangling down her shoulders, blue eyes filled with tears.

  I can’t find my baby. Her hands, dimpled and petite, awkwardly signed the words. Her mouth puckered, eyebrows drooped. She climbed into Joey’s lap.

  “I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.” Joey popped the last bite into his mouth and signed back. He pulled Grace into his arms, smoothed back her bangs, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He looked up at Suzie. “To answer your question, we really didn’t get that far. I just told her I joined Sam’s practice and was back in town. She paid her bill and that was that.” He decided to keep the promise of a coffee date to himself.

  Grace snuggled into her daddy’s arms, and her eyelids grew heavy.

  “Looks like somebody’s ready for a nap,” Sam said.

  Joey smiled and lovingly stroked the little girl’s hair. “I know what you two are thinking.”

  “What do you mean?” Sam asked.

  “You know what I mean. You think I shouldn’t encourage her signing.”

  “Look, Joey, she’s your daughter. I’m sure you’re doing what you think is right,” Sam said.

  “I told you. The counselor said it was Grace’s way of holding on to her mom. If she lets that go, she’s afraid she’ll forget.”

  “She’s five years old, Joey. She has no hearing problems. It’s strange for her to communicate this way when she’s perfectly capable of talking and hearing.”

  Joey looked away. “That’s just it. She’s tuned others out for so long, I don’t know what she really is capable of hearing anymore.”

  “You need to get her back to a counselor. Set her up with someone in town, or go to Burlington or Morristown.”

  “They told me she’d come out of it when she was ready. I can wait till then. She doesn’t need more therapy to confuse her.” Joey stood from the sofa with Grace cradled in his arms and carried her into her room, glad for the excuse to escape. Once he’d laid Grace down and placed the covers over her, he asked Suzie if he could get some lunch.

  Suzie jumped up. “Oh, sure! I saved your plate, and there are plenty of leftovers. Want me to help?”

  “No need, Suzie. I know where everything is.” He headed for the kitchen, then turned back around. “Listen, I want you and Sam to know how much I appreciate you letting us stay here for a few weeks until I can find something for Grace and me.”

  Suzie waved her hand. “You know you can stay as long as you like. We love having a little girl around the house. Stay till after your house is built, if you like.”

  Joey was already shaking his head. “No. We won’t intrude on your privacy. Plus, I think Grace and I need some time to settle into the new town and all that.”

  He pulled his covered plate from the fridge and heated it in the microwave. He couldn’t quite get past the feeling this was all temporary. They’d stay in Smitten awhile and see how business worked out, how Grace adjusted, and go from there.

  As the microwave heated the food, the smell of turkey and spicy dressing filled the room, making his mouth water. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. The timer went off, and he let the plate sit a minute.

  Sam and Suzie were his only family. His parents were both gone. Though his wife’s parents were still living, they spent their days traveling abroad and didn’t have time for grandchildren. He and Grace had heard from them just once since McKenzie’s death last December.

  He carefully pulled his hot plate from the microwave, grabbed some silverware, and sat at the table. Not only did Grace need to be around family, he needed it too. The job opportunity had come at a great time. He hoped things worked out in Smitten.

  Thoughts of Elliana popped into his head. He hadn’t remembered her eyes being such a deep chocolate brown. And her hair had turned a deep auburn. It suited her. He shrugged and picked up his fork.

  She had changed since her school days, that much was certain.

  The smell of coffee reached Lia as she entered the bookstore where the book group met. Natalie Smitten never failed to treat them to coffee from Mountain Perks. Lia said her hellos, grabbed a cup of coffee, and found a seat next to her good friend Heather DeMeritt and the warm fire.

  “I haven’t had a chance to talk to you. Guess who’s back in town?”
<
br />   “Who?” Heather asked, wide-eyed, coffee cup perfectly still in her hands.

  Knowing Heather loved a good mystery, Lia looked around the room to make sure no one was listening. She leaned ever so gently forward and mouthed the words Joey Oliver.

  The surprise on Heather’s face satisfied Lia immensely. She eased back in her chair. Then she grew warm waiting on Heather’s response. She didn’t know if it was from the fire or growing panic. “What am I going to do?” She began to fan herself with her book.

  Heather chuckled. “You’re going to enjoy it, that’s what. How long is he here?” She took a sip from her drink.

  “He joined his brother’s dental practice.”

  Heather choked on her coffee.

  “Okay, you two, what’s going on?” Molly Moore scooted her chair into the inner sanctum.

  “Joey Oliver is back in town,” Heather offered.

  “The Joey Oliver?”

  “The very one,” Abby Gray said as she stepped up to join them, blond hair flipped out Meg Ryan style. “I saw him when I went to the grocery this afternoon.”

  “Love is in the air.” Heather grinned.

  “Heather, he’s not interested in me and you know it.”

  “Things change. People grow up. You never know,” Molly said with a singsong flare.

  Lia shoved back the hope that Molly’s words brought on. Could Joey ever think of her in that way?

  “Let’s talk about something else,” she said.

  “Well, I brought this for you.” Abby handed her A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship by Pearl Chambers.

  “Are you still reading that thing? I thought you gave up any hope of finding clues to the Chambers treasure there.”

  The girls knew that talk of hidden gold was probably just a Smitten legend . . . but if it did exist, it was Molly’s husband, Curtis, who had been the last living descendant—and now Molly could certainly use a gold mine if her business was to survive.

  “If you and Heather didn’t find anything, I sure won’t,” Lia continued. “I’m no good at decoding anything.”

  “Think of it like those hidden pictures you find in children’s magazines. Those were so much fun.” Heather’s blue eyes gleamed. She radiated sheer joy and hope about everything. If the grocery store had no milk left, a huge snowstorm was about to hit, and you didn’t get your milk, no worries. With a sparkle in her eye, she would give you half of hers.

  “Besides,” Abby said, “you never know—it might impact your love life like it did for me and for Heather.”

  Lia barely managed not to roll her eyes. “I’ll give it a try.”

  “Okay, ladies, time to get started,” Natalie said.

  Lia opened her copy of Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. She loved this book and wished she could be more independent and daring, like the heroine.

  Everyone settled into the discussion, and Lia’s mind eventually wandered over to the other book in her hand. She was so clueless about men. Maybe Abby was right . . . maybe she would learn something to help her understand the mind of Joey Oliver . . .

  Men cannot appreciate the fine art of interference from a gentlewoman, but a mother can accomplish a great deal.

  PEARL CHAMBERS, The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

  CHAPTER TWO

  I’d heard you’d moved back to town.” Martha Burton followed Joey Oliver back through the dental office maze.

  “Yeah. Good to see Elliana last week.” He motioned for her to slide into the chair. “So what seems to be the problem, Mrs. Burton?”

  “Oh dear, please don’t call me Mrs. Burton. I’ll think you’re talking about my mother-in-law. Besides, we’re way past that. So glad you’re back, Joey. I always liked you.” The look on her face made him think he’d missed something in the conversation.

  “Thanks, Mrs.—Martha.”

  She smiled and settled comfortably in her seat.

  “So what’s happened with you over the past several years? We lost track.”

  “Open your mouth, please.” He looked thoroughly around her teeth. “So where is the problem?”

  “Oh I, ahh, righ’ ’ere.” She pointed, but struggled to express herself with her mouth so wide open.

  Clearly, there was an upside to his business.

  “Okay, I see.”

  Upon further investigation and x-rays, he couldn’t see a problem at all. And when he told her, she didn’t seem surprised.

  She chuckled as she got out of the chair, upholstery squeaking in protest. “I guess I just imagined it. Sure glad you were here to check it out.” She patted his shoulder.

  Joey made a note in her file.

  “So where are you staying?”

  “My brother’s house. Just till I find a place, though. I need a temporary place for my daughter and me until we can build in the spring.”

  “Daughter?” Her eyebrows shot up. “Are you married?”

  “No. My wife died last year.”

  Mrs. Burton reached over and grabbed his hand. “I’m so sorry, son.”

  He could tell she meant it.

  She thought a moment. “Hard to find temporary lodging around here unless you stay at one of the inns.” Then her eyes widened, and she snapped her fingers. “I know just the place for you. It’s an upstairs two-bedroom apartment in a big historic home. Simple furnishings, but very nice. The landlord is very agreeable and easy to work with.”

  Historic meant old, but he could live with that. It would only be temporary. Could be just what he was looking for. He wanted his own place, where he and Grace could work through their pain of loss together in privacy.

  “When can I see it?”

  “I happen to know that the current renter is moving out the first of December. You could move in right afterward.”

  “Is it a rental you’re handling?” he asked.

  “Something like that.” There was a hint of mischief in her smile. “How about you call me on Friday.” She pulled a card from her purse and scribbled down her number. “Does your daughter go to school?”

  “Yes, kindergarten. I haven’t enrolled her yet.”

  “Great. This place is close to Smitten Elementary.”

  It was sounding better all the time. “Okay then, I’ll give you a call,” he said, raising her card with the number on it.

  Tuesday morning seemed to move at a snail’s pace for Lia. The kids were restless and so, it seemed, was she.

  She glanced around the room, thankful for the bright colors and chalkboard paint where she allowed her students to get creative with their artwork. She loved how she’d made the classroom her own.

  “And let’s spell this color, class?” Lia held up the red card and waited for the class response.

  “R-e-d,” the children said in unison, legs swinging, fingers fidgeting.

  Just then someone knocked on the door and opened it. Principal Hunt stood with Joey Oliver and a petite replica of him, right down to the thick head of blond curls.

  “Ms. Burton, this is Grace Oliver. She will be joining your class.”

  Lia’s head began to swirl. Joey was in her classroom. With his daughter. That meant he had a wife. The fantasy she had been building up in her mind came to a crashing halt.

  “Ms. Burton?” Mr. Hunt looked at her as though to ask if she was all right.

  “Yes, of course. Nice to see you again, Joey—um, Mr. Oliver.” The heat rushed to her face, most certainly staining her cheeks the color of her auburn hair. He had always teased her about that when they were teenagers. She looked at him, and he winked at her.

  “No white coat today,” he said with a smirk.

  She smiled. Then, on shaky knees, she scrunched down in front of Grace. “Nice to meet you, Grace. I’m sure you will like it here.”

  Grace smiled and signed, Thank you.

  “Oh.” Lia stood to her feet.

  “She’s not hearing impaired,” Joey said, “but it’s how she communi
cates. If you know any sign language, it would mean a lot to her if you tried to communicate with her that way. We can talk more about this after class.”

  “I know some sign. I’ll do what I can.” She looked at Grace and signed, You’re welcome. Now her curiosity was piqued, but she’d have to wait to find out the particulars.

  Mr. Hunt and Joey said good-bye and left the room with Grace watching after them.

  Knees still a bit wobbly, Lia said, “Class, I’d like to introduce you to our new student, Grace Oliver.”

  “Hi, Grace,” they said in unison, all wiggles and darting attention spans.

  Lia pointed her to a seat, and they continued on with their lesson on spelling colors.

  She hadn’t noticed so much the first time she’d seen him, but Joey hadn’t aged much. Still had that mop of thick, unruly blond curls and crinkle lines around his shiny blue eyes. And a smile that could melt the snow off Sugarcreek Mountain. She imagined his life with a family. His laughter, his teasing . . .

  Todd, a chubby boy with black glasses and a green-and-yellow shirt bearing the University of Vermont’s Catamount logo, asked to get out of his seat for a drink of water, setting off an avalanche of thirsty children. While they shuffled up to the water fountain for their drinks, Lia pondered the fact that Grace appeared to know how to spell all her colors, but only revealed them through sign language. Fortunately, Lia had taken some classes in sign language to help with the hearing impaired ministry at church, so she was able to communicate with the little girl.

  Lia continued to watch over her students. “Don’t crowd the line, Maddox. Zoe and Abby, no talking, please.”

  Joey had seemed genuinely happy to see her, if only for a moment. But she couldn’t think about that anymore. He was married and had a little girl.

  “Okay, class, back to your seats. Please get out your writing tablets. We’ll practice writing our names.”

  One little girl’s hand shot up.