Juliet's Journey To Love (The Great Smoky Mountain Getaways Book 1)

by Elsie Davis

  “Good thing for you, or you’d have been grounded six times over. You don’t follow directions very well.” Juliet grinned at her patient, making sure he knew she was teasing. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

  “No, thank you. You’ve been amazing. Even if I hadn’t known you’re a nurse, it would’ve been my first guess. You have an incredible bedside manner.”

  “Why thank you, kind sir. I can’t believe how quickly you’re recovering.”

  “It could be the virus strain gets weakened as it’s passed from person to person. Sorry, if I look a little worse for wear.”

  “I think you look great,” she said, a sudden flush making her face feel warm and prickly. Her professionalism had clearly gone out the window. “I mean, you look fine. You know what I mean. You’re probably right though, about the weakened strain,” she said, embarrassment causing her to ramble.

  “Thanks. Nice to know we agree on something. The me-being-right part.” He winked. Jake was doing his best to look like he was recovered, but to Juliet’s trained eye, he was still in a weakened state. And most certainly not the overpowering presence she’d come to expect.

  “Lunch will be ready in about thirty minutes. Do you think you can eat anything?” Juliet headed for the kitchen, pausing at the entrance to turn and wait for his answer.

  “A small plate would be great. Whatever your cooking smells delicious and definitely has me thinking about food again,” Jake said, rewarding her with a warm smile.

  “That’s awesome. Do you want to play cards until it’s ready?” She wasn’t above pressing her luck to draw him out, and with his health returning, she wouldn’t be here much longer.

  “Maybe later this afternoon. There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about,” he said, his quick and easy response surprising.

  “Okay. Hang on, and I’ll be right back.” Juliet couldn’t help the curiosity consuming her as she checked on the casserole baking in the oven. She quickly returned to the living room to find out what he wanted to discuss.

  “Come sit down,” he said, patting a space on the sofa next to him, the move totally out of character.

  “Now you’ve really got me curious.” She crossed the room and sat in the chair next to him, preferring to keep some distance between them if she intended to focus.

  “I don’t bite,” he said, glancing at the spot at the other end of the sofa and then back at her.

  “That’s not what I heard. Laura thinks you’re all grizzly bear.”

  “Maybe I’m one of the nice bears. Like Yogi,” he said, a genuine grin appearing.

  “Maybe, but I think I’ll play it safe and stay here.” She shrugged. “So, what you want to talk to me about?”

  “I got an email today from someone in town. They—”

  Juliet held up her hand. “Wait, what? How did you get an email here?”

  “I have a sat phone, and it’s connected to the internet.” Jake acted as though it were information she should already know.

  “And you didn’t think to tell me? What if I had needed to reach somebody when you were sick? Not a smart move, mister.” Not to mention she could have been in contact with the real world this entire time.

  “No one asked. And you all were enjoying your woodsy experience. I didn’t want to ruin it for you,” he teased.

  Juliet picked up the pillow on the chair and threw it at him. “Thanks a lot.”

  Jake caught the pillow and set it aside. “Nice shot. But as I was saying, I got an email that said the doctor in Hollow Creek left town. Seems he took a city job in New York and just walked out, leaving the clinic without a medical professional to tend patients. The town has no one right now, and the closest medical office is over fifty miles away in Gatlinburg.”

  Juliet frowned. “That’s terrible. If an emergency arises, there’s no one to help them.”

  “Exactly. I got to thinking about what you said about your job and city life and looking for a change. Why don’t you apply for the job?” Nothing he could have said would surprise her more. Jake was asking her to stay in Hollow Creek. Of course, it was her nursing skills that prompted the suggestion and not her.

  “I’m sure they’ll be looking for a doctor— something I’m not,” Juliet said, knowing it was true. Every clinic had to have a doctor in charge.

  “Hollow Creek is a small town and just inside the Tennessee border, so your license is valid to practice. I reckon they’d be thrilled to have you, doctorate or otherwise.” Jake was pressing her to apply, but he didn’t understand the way things worked.

  The idea was tempting but not realistic. “I don’t know. It would completely uproot my life.” She needed to derail his train of thought, but the words wouldn’t come out. It was nice to consider the possibilities, even if only for a short while.

  “But you said you were looking for a change and that you wanted to shake things up in your life. Now’s your chance,” he insisted.

  “That it would. I don’t know. It’s not that easy of a decision.” Especially considering she had a lucrative job back in the city, even if she didn’t enjoy it as much as she once did. She loved nursing and helping others, but the endless sea of nameless faces grew tiring. A small community would be amazing. But this was her life, and a snap decision wouldn’t be smart.

  Jake stood and crossed the room in silence. When he turned back to face her, his expression was filled with determination. “I think you’d be perfect for the clinic. Make it conditional and tell them it’s only temporary. It would give you a chance to see what you think. It would be a win-win for you and the town as it would help tide them over until they found someone else.” Temporary sounded ideal.

  “Too bad you aren’t doing the hiring,” Juliet said, laughing. Jake had a way of making it sound like an opportunity she’d be crazy to let pass.

  “I’m sure anyone who met you would love you. I mean, love what you bring to the table,” Jake corrected.

  “Wow. Grizzly Jake paying a compliment. I’m impressed. Maybe it’s time I stopped thinking of you as Grizzly Jake and stick with Jake.”

  “I would consider it an honor.” He grinned, shooting her a wink.

  This was a fun, teasing side of Jake, one she was having trouble adjusting to. Even his scruffy beard and shaggy hair were growing on her. And if Jake was coming out of his shell, what did it mean in terms of him embracing life and letting go of the pain that held him trapped here in the cabin?

  More and more, Juliet played with the idea God must have sent her to Hollow Creek with a purpose. A purpose that was starting to look as if it included the town—and Jake.

  Staying here would give her the chance to focus on others instead of her own shortcomings—like failed relationships and failed leadership duties. Maybe this was something she could get right. “You know what? I think I will apply.” She nodded, growing stronger in the decision. It’s not like it meant she would get the job.

  And it would be weeks before she heard, giving her a chance to really think it over and see how she could make it work and what changes it would mean. And it would give her time to talk to her boss about a short leave of absence. A temporary trial period sounded heavenly, even if just for a change in her daily routine. Maybe it was what she needed to rediscover her joy in nursing.

  “Since you’re feeling better, do you think perhaps you can drop me in town? I’ll stop in at the medical center to put in an application.” If it’s meant to be, she’d get the job. If not, then she’d wait for God’s plan to reveal what was next in her life.

  “That’s great.” Jake beamed. “There’s only one problem.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The truck’s not working yet. My attempts to fix it yesterday were umm…delayed.” He looked embarrassed to remember the condition in which she’d found him.

  “Maybe later, we can work on it together,” Juliet offered.

  “We?” he asked, coming to stand next to her.

  “We. I know a thing
or two about engines. Including one in old 1940 classic Ford,” she added for good measure. Juliet had been one of the two women brave enough to take shop class with the other guys in high school. It had turned out to be a blessing more than once when her own vehicle stopped working.

  “You continue to surprise me at every turn,” Jake said, nodding.

  “Good. There’s more in store where that came from.” Juliet found herself praying she did get the job if for no other reason than to see more of Jake. To help him, of course. Because she couldn’t forget, no matter how genuine and kind he was, or how much she was beginning to care for him, nothing could ever come of any attraction that stirred up to life.

  They simply weren’t on the same walk in their spiritual journey.

  Besides, he’d made it crystal clear he wasn’t emotional available to anyone. Jake was happy as a loner. Or at least he thought he was.

  8

  “Jake, lunch is ready,” Juliet called out, putting the food on the table. It had taken a little more time than she thought, and by now, he had to be starving. When he didn’t answer, she went to find him, only to discover he wasn’t in the cabin. That left the outhouse or the barn. She’d lay bets the man was in the barn working on the truck.

  Without her.

  She made her way to the barn, finding Jake right where she expected to see him—hunched over the engine of the truck. “Lunch is ready. And I thought you were going to let me help you.”

  “I hadn’t realized you were serious about helping,” Jake said, shooting her a disbelieving glance before tossing a wrench in the toolbox. “Let me just get this last piece off, and then I’ll be ready to drop in the new clutch. After that, it might be nice to have a second set of hands to help hold the parts in place while I put the starter and the transmission back in.” Judging by the grease marks on his face, he’d needed her help getting the old parts out as well.

  “Not a problem. The clutch always seems to be in a tough spot. I don’t know why they can’t design engines where we can get to everything easily. My dad would love this vintage truck. He’s usually got some late model vehicle in the garage that he’s working on. I think the current project is an old Chevy. He restores and sells them.” Juliet had spent many hours working with her father and had basked in every minute of his undivided attention, his smile of approval one she’d constantly sought out. It wasn’t easy being a preacher’s daughter.

  “Sounds like a great hobby,” Jake said from under the hood.

  “It is. Maybe the secret to a happy marriage is having great hobbies, not just being equally yoked,” Juliet said, laughing. It was an interesting thought that gave her pause—one she’d reflect on later.

  “That sounds more reasonable to me,” Jake said, stepping back from the truck, the old clutch in his hand. He tossed it on the tarp. “Let’s eat.”

  They walk side-by-side back to the cabin. Jake made a beeline for the sink and started to scrub the grease off his hands. Using some of the orange degreaser popular with mechanics, he finished in no time.

  Moving to the table, they sat down next to each other. Juliet looked up at him and smiled. She reached out to touch his face. “You have a spot of grease you missed.” Using her napkin, she wiped at his forehead.

  “Now you know why I have a beard. I’m sure there’s more in there I’ve missed.” Jake laughed, picking up his own napkin to wipe his entire beard.

  “Do you ever shave it off?” she asked, curious why anyone would want to have that much hair on their face all the time.

  He grinned. “Nope. I trim it occasionally but don’t see the reason to go to the trouble of cutting it. It’ll just grow back again.”

  “I see.” She didn’t, and it made her wonder about him all that much more. “Not hiding behind it are you?” she pressed.

  “Hiding from what?” he asked, managing a what-could-you-possibly-mean expression.

  She shrugged, deciding to test his limits. “Yourself, maybe.”

  “Don’t go there, Juliet,” he said, tossing his napkin back on the table.

  She took his hand in hers, surprised when he looked down at where their hands were joined but at least he didn’t pull away. Instead, he looked at her, a question in his gaze.

  Juliet closed her eyes. “Father God, we thank you for this glorious day and thank you for the food we are about to receive for the nourishment of our bodies. Thank you for bringing Jake into my life and for the blessing he was in helping me to get healthy. In Jesus’ almighty name, we pray, Amen.”

  She squeezed his hand one last time before she let go and picked up her fork to start eating. “I know you don’t want to talk about your personal life, but you mentioned your wife died. I wonder if that’s why you live out here now? I like you, Jake. And I would like to understand you better—perhaps to be a blessing to you.”

  “To be a blessing to me, would be not to pry.”

  “It’s not prying. It’s helping someone in need.”

  “Let’s agree to disagree.” Jake wolfed down the rest of his lunch in silence. Scooting back his chair, he took his plate to the sink to rinse it off and set it on the counter.

  Juliet was at a loss for what to say, hating that she’d crossed boundaries that only served to build a higher wall between them. “I’m sorry, my intent is not to upset you. I’ll be out in a minute to help drop in the new parts as soon as I rinse the rest of these dishes and clean up.”

  “Fine, and thanks for lunch.” Jake headed out the door, pausing only long enough to look at the basket of flowers sitting on the coffee table. His expression darkened, the exact opposite of the effect she’d hope to have on him.

  They finished working on the truck, and Juliet was waiting for Jake to put away the last of the tools. In an odd way, the realization her time at the cabin had come to an end brought her no joy. Despite a few setbacks, Jake had been determined to get it fixed. Whether fueled by the hope she’d put in an application and soon help the town out of their dilemma, or whether to get rid of her—she wasn’t sure.

  They headed back toward the cabin. “I appreciate you taking the time to run me to town. Maybe it’ll be a good chance for you to pick up extra food supplies, considering the three of us came by unexpectedly and used up a lot of your resources.” Juliet laughed, still trying to ease the tension that had cropped up between them.

  “I was thinking the same thing. So, what are your plans, besides putting in an application at the medical center? I realize my getting sick put a kink in your hiking plans.”

  “Well, I’m sure it’ll take weeks before I hear anything back, so I was thinking about finding my way back to Memphis. Then if I need to come down for an interview, I can drive here. It’ll be more convenient that way.”

  Jake shot her an odd expression. “Or you could just stick around town and wait to hear from the clinic.”

  “I do have the vacation time available, but I may need the car to go back and forth during the interview and hiring process.” Juliet drew up short, spotting a blur of red darting across the field off to the right.

  “Look,” she said, pointing toward the animal. “It’s a fox. Do you think it might be the same one?” There was plenty of wildlife out here in the woods, but their fox would always hold a special place in her heart.

  “It wouldn’t surprise me. In fact, I think you’re right. This one’s still sporting a small limp on the same injured leg.”

  “Why is she stopping to watch us? Do you think she’s come back to tell you thanks?” Juliet asked, excited at the prospect.

  Jake shook his head. “That’s a sweet thought, but then totally in character for you.”

  Another compliment—except it sounded like a backhanded one. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She couldn’t help but dig deeper, not because she wanted to hear him sing her praises, but because getting him to talk would help her learn more about Jake. If she was leaving, she was also out of time to help him. Unless she got the job. And if she did, it would be a clea
r sign she was supposed to be here, and then she could help Jake. After all, he was the one who told her about the job in the first place.

  “You figure it out. I’m going to grab my camera and get some pictures.” He was gone before she could answer.

  Jake returned and started to adjust the dials on the camera, and then started clicking away, taking picture after picture of the fox who, strangely enough, hadn’t left. “Will you add her to the pictures on the wall?

  He paused, looking up at her as if wondering what to say.

  “It’s not like it isn’t obvious you’re the one who took the pictures hanging in the cabin. They are quite beautiful.”

  “It’s not something I go around telling people. But yes, they’re mine. And yes, if I can get a good shot, I’ll hang one,” Jake said, confirming her suspicions.

  “Do you think if I left you my email address, you could send me one? I’d love to have it printed and put on the wall. It’s kind of a special moment I like to cherish forever. I’ve actually touched that fox, which makes it personal.”

  “Sentimental much?” He grinned. Jake returned to snap a couple more photos before they stood silently together, watching the fox amble off across the meadow. “Come on, we should get going. I’ll drop you at the clinic, and you can make whatever arrangements you need to.” Jake was clearly eager to be rid of her.

  “Sounds good.” She finished packing what few belongings she had in her backpack, and it wasn’t long before they were ready to leave for town.

  Jake headed down the bumpy road. Although, it was more like a path with worn-down grass and ruts. He wound his way through the property, the tall trees, blanketed in green with hints of yellow as the temperatures started to change, fall just around the corner. An occasional bird crossed in front of them as they flitted from tree to tree. The place was peaceful, and Juliet couldn’t help but drink in the beauty, storing it up as a treasured memory.