by Molly Evans
“Thanks, Beau. I knew I could count on you.”
“Always, sweet. Always.”
Thirty minutes later Beau had massaged and made several adjustments to Aurora’s back and the relief was significant.
“I think this is a reminder for you to be more careful, and that you’re not ready to go gallivanting across the country—even if it is with your mother.”
“You mean it’s a lesson.”
It felt akin to being sent to the principal’s office, but that ended when Beau placed a finger under her chin and raised her face to his.
“No, I don’t like that term. Too punitive. An ‘opportunity for growth’—that’s what I like to call these little life experiences.” His brows twitched at that.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not. I’ve been through enough pain to last me the rest of my life. I’m not giving in to it. I’m not letting it get me. I am just acknowledging I may have to adjust my game plan now and then.”
“You’re so positive, Beau! How can you be positive after the devastating blows life has handed you?”
“It ain’t easy, my sweet.” He stepped a little closer to her and drew her against his chest, holding her as if she were a fragile thing. “But if life hadn’t delivered those blows I wouldn’t be holding you in my arms right now, would I? The same is true for you. Maybe we had to go through the tough times alone in order to find each other now.”
That silenced her. The pain of it. The truth of it. Without the car crash and ensuing difficulties she wouldn’t be here right now with him, falling in love with him in a way she’d never thought possible. And she was falling for him—she couldn’t deny it.
“How are we going to deal with this? I mean—”
“I know you’re a planner. Every nurse I know is. But right now there’s no plan, no schedule of events. We live in the moment.”
“Then—”
“We just see. We wait, see how things go, and in the meantime we enjoy ourselves.” He kissed her temple, then her cheek, his breath warm on her skin. “Thoroughly.”
Warmth spread from her lower abdomen outward and settled in her chest. Never mind falling—she was so in love with Beau already. When he said stuff like that to her it didn’t help her resolve not to give in to the feelings in her heart.
“I see.” A frown crossed her face as she remembered something she’d been going to do tonight. “Rats. I was going to take Tammie’s yoga class this evening, but I don’t think I could drive to town.”
“How about I drive you? Chloe and I can hang around while you stretch. Then I can ice it afterward.”
“Again with the ice?” A smile tried to work its way across her face and her heart lightened a bit. Spending time with Beau and Chloe was never a bad time.
“No hot tub for you tonight.”
“I’m not getting into a giant bowl of ice water either.” That was not happening.
A chuckle escaped his throat. “No. Just ice packs will be fine.”
“Okay, then. I accept your offer to drive me to class.” Another thought occurred to her. “People will see us going in together and make assumptions. Are you ready for that?”
In small towns like this, any sort of activity—no matter how innocent—was subject to speculation and gossip. Stopping the fire after it was a raging inferno was impossible.
“I’m good.” He nodded and seemed not bothered. “I know the truth. So do you. That’s all that’s important—if you’re okay with being seen with us.”
A slight frown crossed his face. She almost didn’t see it, but it was evident he did have some concerns, too.
“Oh, absolutely! I didn’t mean to imply anything like that.” She placed a hand on his arm, offering him reassurance. “I just wanted to give you the opt-out in case you were...you know, bugged by it.”
“Hardly.”
Unhappy baby squeals caught their attention.
“Let’s go see what kind of mischief the little miss has gotten herself into.”
They entered the waiting room and found Chloe had bounced herself into a corner. After scooping her up and planting sloppy kisses on her neck, making her squeal in delight, Beau tucked her against his side, ushered Daisy out and locked the office behind them.
Then he stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth hanging open, shock etched on his face. He looked at Aurora.
“What happened out here?”
“What do you mean? It looks fine to me.” Aurora looked around at the parking lot. The perfectly groomed parking lot that only hours before had been torn up from one end to the other.
“The gravel. It’s all where it’s supposed to be.”
“Oh! I almost forgot. I called Tim Verner to see if he could bring one of his graders and go over the lot. I hope that was okay?” She chewed her lower lip, hesitating. Had she overstepped her boundaries as the office nurse?
Beau looked at her and shook his head. “Okay? Are you kidding me? It’s fabulous! Just look at this place. It looks better than new.”
The warmth that had been circulating in her chest pulsed hot and deep within her. Pleasure and joy at his response thrilled her. “Oh, good.”
“There’s only one problem I can see right now.”
His eyes widened, and he gave her a look she wasn’t able to quite figure out.
“What’s that?” Everything looked fine to her.
“I’m probably going to be doing free back adjustments for Verner for the next year to make up for it.”
“He wouldn’t do that, would he?” She hadn’t thought of that.
“No, I’m teasing.” He finished buckling Chloe into her seat then turned to Aurora. “I probably shouldn’t do that, but it’s so much fun to see that pink color in your face. Reminds me of the old days, when anything I said to you made you blush.”
“Just stop, you.”
She gave a playful push against his arm, but he caught her hand before she could pull it away. He reeled her in and brought her close against him.
“Never.” His eyes darkened as he looked down at her mouth, seconds before he pressed his lips to hers.
Heart fluttering, Aurora lifted her face to his and reveled in the simplicity of the kiss and felt herself falling over the edge of that cliff she’d sworn never to approach again with such careless abandon as she had in the past. Here she was, teetering on the edge, and no longer caring if she fell as long as she was falling into Beau’s arms.
“Let’s get you to class, so you’re not late.” Beau squeezed her arms and pulled away.
“It’s okay. It’s Tammie teaching it. She won’t get upset.”
“In my experience I’ve learned it’s best never to annoy a redheaded woman. Knowing Tammie as well as I do, I think it’s doubly important.”
“Good point. Let’s go.”
After a short ride to the community center, they walked in together to the great room where many activities took place. Several people acknowledged them, and she recognized others she hadn’t seen for years. From school, from church, and from various other times in her life.
Turning back to Beau, she gave a nod, choking back the sudden nameless emotion trying to squeeze her throat shut. “See you after the class.”
“Okay. Have fun—just don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t.” She watched as he took Chloe into the children’s playroom and closed the door, then grabbed a yoga mat and joined the others.
“Nice to see you could make it, Aurora.” Tammie was sitting on a mat at the front of a class of about ten ladies of varying ages.
“Yes. Sorry I’m a few minutes late, but I needed a lift.”
“Hmm... Yes...” Tammie nodded at where Beau could be seen through the window of the children’s room. “A handsome ma
n always gives me a lift, too.”
She winked as the other women chuckled at her small joke.
“Okay. Let’s take a deep breath in and blow it out, then another one...and hold.”
Once the class began in earnest Aurora focused, tried to follow the instructions and let the soothing sound of her friend’s voice help her let go of the tension and the knots in her back.
Beau’s words about living in the moment helped, and she pushed away all the stress of the day and the last few months with each breath she took.
* * *
Beau watched, trying not to look like he was watching, as the class moved through varying positions. He tried to tell himself he was just keeping an eye on Aurora. He was concerned about her back, about her safety. Watching her was only reassuring him that she was okay, given the condition she had been in earlier today.
Yeah, right.
His tongue was all but hanging out and it was all he could do not to stare. Hard.
The sight of her stretching, the moves she made and the focus on her face took his feelings for her to a new level. Well beyond what he’d thought he’d feel again for a woman. The new pulse in his chest, the recent smile on his face and, frankly, the aching throb in his groin. All new. All wonderful. All because of Aurora.
He was living again.
This was what they could be doing every week—working in their community and being a family. Together. Though guilt still took refuge in his heart, its stronghold had been breached since Aurora had landed in his life. Again.
Chloe stood on her feet, balancing against a little table, and squealed at him, then took a few stumbling steps toward him.
“You’re trying to walk, baby?”
A grin shot across his face and his heart thrummed as he watched his baby girl try to take her first step. All wobbly legs and flailing arms, she hooted with excitement.
“I wish Aurora could see you right now.”
A cramp in his heart killed the smile.
I wish Julie could see you right now.
His phone rang, jerking him out of his musings, and his heart almost stopped as he read the number.
“Hello, Darlene.”
He closed his eyes, bracing himself to talk to his mother-in-law. The sound of her voice was so close to Julie’s that he’d had a difficult time talking to her in the days after Julie’s death. Each time she called it got easier, but right now it was like some demon had dragged him back in time.
“Beau. Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering when you could bring Chloe over for a visit. We haven’t seen her for a few weeks, and I miss that little darling.”
“Of course. You know you can see her any time.”
They made arrangements for the following afternoon, for Chloe to spend several hours with her grandparents. He wanted her to know them, and know her mother through them, though it was still hard for all of them.
Puzzled at the bitter feelings suddenly swirling inside him, he took a breath and blew it out, like Tammie was teaching in the class. Maybe he should sign up for one, too.
Minutes later the ladies rose from their mats, bundled them up and left the room. He gathered Chloe and met Aurora in the great room again, well aware that a number of people observed his actions.
“How was it?” he asked Aurora as she approached.
“Wonderful. Thanks for—”
Chloe interrupted by leaning toward Aurora and holding her arms out.
“Looks like she wants to go to you.” Beau adjusted his position, to pull her back, but she insisted, crying out and wiggling to get her way.
“Oh!” Aurora held her hands out to the baby. “You want to come have a visit with me, do you?” Chloe rewarded her with a delighted squeal. “Well, there’s a happy girl now.”
“Indeed.” Beau released Chloe to Aurora’s arms and for the first time in months felt the release of the strain of being a single parent. “Looks good on you.”
“Yes... What?” Aurora’s eyes popped wide, and she gaped at Beau.
“You look like you should have a baby in your arms.” He shrugged and she closed her mouth. “I’m just saying you look comfortable with her, and she likes you. She doesn’t ask just anyone to hold her.”
“I see that.” Aurora adjusted the baby more comfortably on her hip as they left the building, knowing full well they were being watched.
“Does it bother you?”
“A little.” After they’d left the building she looked up at him. “I’m finding I’m less bothered than I thought.”
“Good. Then it’s okay if I do this.” Before he thought better of it he leaned over and kissed her on the mouth, leisurely, exploring her mouth, until Chloe had had enough and bashed him in the nose with her fist.
“What was that for?” Aurora asked, her eyes soft and searching his for answers.
“Because you’re wonderful, and I thought you should know it.”
He cleared his throat. Was this the right time to say it? Was this the right time to say anything? What about his desire to live in the moment, not to plan too far ahead? Out the window when he kissed her.
“Oh. Thanks. You’re wonderful, too.”
Beau finally got a clue as he watched her reposition the baby again. “Here. Let me take her. Holding her is not good for your back.”
He took Chloe from Aurora’s arms and tossed her a little into the air, eliciting an excited scream from her.
“Beau, be careful.”
“It’s okay. I’m not going to drop her.” He tucked Chloe against his side and then pulled Aurora close to his other side.
This is the way it’s supposed to be, he thought. This is what I want, and somehow, some way, I need to help Aurora see it, too.
* * *
The last few weeks before Brush Valley Day had been a bustle of activity. Though she and Beau had spent a lot of time together at the office, their private time together had been limited. Neither one of them had pushed to repeat the intimacy of their one night together, sensing the need each of them had for space, time to think and make decisions. Beau had said to see how things went and they were. Cautiously.
As Aurora left her apartment the day before Brush Valley Day a hint of crisp fall air teased her face and tugged a strand of hair across her face. Fall was her favorite time of the year. Summers in Pennsylvania were hot and muggy, winters were too cold, and her feet didn’t thaw out until spring.
Fall was peace. It made sense. The energy in the air was filled with comfort. Things were the way they were supposed to be. The intense energy and flurry of summer wound down. Leaves turned vibrant, earthy tones in this valley in the heart of the Appalachian Mountain range. No matter where she turned, beauty surrounded her.
Standing for a few moments on the stairs, she looked around, taking in the staggering beauty of the early morning. She stood there and looked at the rolling hills surrounding her. A dark-winged crow warbled a morning greeting to her. Overhead, a flock of geese in classic V formation made their way from their northern summer climes to their wintering grounds far to the south.
A hint of tears filled her eyes as the beauty of nature surrounded her, filling her with a bittersweet pain. She could take in this scene every day if she chose to. All she had to do was reach out to Beau, let go of her past, and take his hand to build a new future with him.
She snorted. That was all?
Carrying on with her morning duties as she did every day, Aurora opened the door, turned on the lights, cranked up the cooling system and fired up the coffee pot. She’d have to talk to Beau about offering coffee to patients and their families, hot chocolate for the kids, when the practice got busier.
Just as she was going through the mail from yesterday, she stopped.
Was she planning on being there when thin
gs got busier? That thought paused her heart for a few seconds. She hadn’t planned on it originally. Now...?
She could easily envision herself working with Beau, helping to grow the practice, spending weekends with him and Chloe, watching her grow too.
Tears filled her eyes at the thought that everything she’d ever wanted was within her reach. A relationship. A marriage. A family. All of it. Right there.
Dismissing her tears, and her thoughts of a fantasy long past, she took a breath and tried to put it aside.
It’s only fall that’s making me this way. It’s the change of seasons. Always gets to me.
Reaching for her notebook, which was getting fuller every day, she wrote it down. Maybe Cathy would want to institute having refreshments when she came back. Her maternity leave was going to be ending soon. Aurora added that to her list of things to do. Call Cathy to see when she was going to return to work.
Call Cathy to see when Aurora’s life was going to change again. Call Cathy to see when she had to move, find a new job, leave everything she’d grown to love.
The tears she’d thought she’d set aside managed to push themselves to the front again, insistent that she deal with them. Right now.
As she sat down the unmistakable click of Daisy’s nails neared the desk. Her insides began to tremble, feeling the excitement of seeing Beau first thing every morning.
The phone rang, and out of reflex training Aurora answered it. “Brush Valley Medical Clinic. May I help you?”
* * *
Lunch arrived with a new patient, just before they were ready to take a break.
“Can I help you?” Aurora looked up, then grinned. “Wait. I know you, don’t I?”
The man’s face was familiar, but at the same time not. Narrowing her eyes, she studied him.
“You sure do, if you’re Aurora Hunt.”
The man was about her age, and had a few sun-kissed wrinkles on his face. He was dressed in work jeans and dirty work boots, looking like he’d just come in from a barn. He removed the cowboy hat and peered closer at her.
“Recognize the eyes?”
“Tim?” Aurora moved out from behind the desk. “Tim Verner, you ole cowboy. Thank you so much for sorting the car park. How the heck are you?”