Pining for Pierce (Hart’s Creek Stories #10)

Chapter One

Harley

“You’re sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Yes, Mom.” I do my best not to sound fed up, and in reality, I’m not. It’s just that I’m just tired of answering the same question. “I’m gonna be fine.” I glance at my dad and he smiles back, rolling his eyes. He’s not as fed up as he looks, either. He just wants to get going.

“Come on, Bridget. If we don’t leave soon, we’re gonna miss our flight.”

Mom checks her watch and lets out a sigh. “I guess,” she says, sounding doubtful, and for a second, I wonder if she’s about to change her mind and announce they’re not going after all. Considering they’ve been planning this trip for months, that would be ludicrous, and I step closer, giving her a hug.

“Everything will be okay,” I whisper in her ear, and she nods her head.

“I know,” she says, leaning back and cupping my cheek with her hand. Her eyes are the same light blue as mine, and although her hair is a shade or two darker, there’s not a trace of gray among her blonde curls. “I just worry about you.”

“There’s really no need. I’ll be too busy working to get into any trouble.”

“Don’t overdo it, will you?” she says, finding something else to fret about, and I shake my head.

“No, I won’t… now, you really must go.”

“Yeah, we must,” Dad says from the other side of his car, watching as she climbs into her seat before he turns his gaze on me again. “Take care of yourself, Harley.”

“I will. And have fun.”

He chuckles and gets in behind the wheel, closing the door and starting the engine before Mom can find another reason to delay their departure. She’s been fussing all week, panicking about the slightest things, regardless of the fact that she’s the one who came up with this idea in the first place.

“I’ve never been to Europe…” I can remember her words, even now. We were having dinner, sitting in the kitchen, and Dad and I looked at each other, wondering what she had in mind.

“And?” he said, eventually.

“It would be nice to go, don’t you think?”

“Sure,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. He wasn’t taking her seriously, and that was his first mistake, because the next evening, when they got back from work, she presented him with a series of itineraries, making it clear that not only was she serious, but she’d been doing her research.

“This one starts in Dublin,” she said, handing it over to him. He frowned, studying the sheet of paper she’d clearly printed out, and then glanced down at the bottom.

“You wanna go away for a month?”

“We won’t see much of Europe if we don’t,” she replied.

Dad gulped and took the next piece of paper she offered. “Paris?” he said, managing a smile.

“It starts there and ends in Lisbon.” Mom seemed to have memorized the destinations. “Each tour takes in about ten European cities, but I think I like this one the best.”

She handed over the final one – her favorite – which evidently started in Madrid and finished in London.

“You really wanna do this, don’t you?” Dad examined the last sheet of paper before looking back at her.

“Absolutely.”

I couldn’t help smiling, because although Dad might have been taken aback, I knew he’d give in to her. He always did.

Which is why I’m waving them off to the airport.

“Don’t forget to turn on the alarm at night,” Mom says, leaning out the window as Dad turns the car around.

“No, Mom.”

“I’ve left plenty of food in the refrigerator.”

“I know. You told me twice already.”

“And if you have any problems, you can always ask Pierce what to do. I know he’ll be busy minding the store for us, but he’ll help you.”

“I’m sure he will.”

She smiles, and I wonder how she can have forgotten I spent four years at college, miles away from her, or Pierce, fending for myself, without anyone needing to stock up my refrigerator, or remind me to set the alarm… not that I had one.

I mean… what does she think is going to happen in the next four weeks?

Nothing I can’t cope with, that’s for sure.

Dad sets off down the driveway, both of them waving out the windows, and I heave a sigh of relief as I wave back, before going inside the house. I’ve got another thirty minutes before I have to leave for work, and as it’s Friday, I know it’ll be busy. Fridays always are, but today will be worse than usual because Doctor Singleton won’t be in. There are some people in the town who might say that’s a good thing. He’s a lot less popular than Doctor Dodds – especially with the younger generation of patients – and I can see why. Doctor Singleton is very set in his ways, and speaks his mind too freely sometimes, regardless of who he insults. However, his absence means we’re bound to be rushed off our feet, and Doctor Dodds will probably be impatient. He’s normally even-tempered, but when he gets busy and stressed, he can snap, just a little… and although he usually apologizes afterwards, I’m not sure I’m in the mood. I’ve had too much stress to deal with over the last few days, with my parents getting ready to go away.

What I need is some peace and quiet, although I know I won’t get that today, and I sit up at the island unit in the kitchen and finish my coffee, before loading my cup into the dishwasher. Mom insisted on clearing everything else away before she left, even as I was still trying to finish my toast, while protesting that I was perfectly capable of putting the breakfast things into the dishwasher. That thought makes me smile, and I stand for a moment, just enjoying the silence, and then let out a giggle as I head for the refrigerator and open the door. As predicted, it’s loaded with food, and I quickly study what’s inside and decide I’ll make myself a stir-fry tonight. It’ll be quick, and after a day like today looks set to be, I think I’ll need that.

The drive from Willmont Vale to Hart’s Creek only takes around ten minutes, and I park my red Honda outside the doctor’s office, which overlooks Hart’s Green. To get there, I have to turn down Beech Road, going behind the sheriff’s office and the public library to get to the small parking lot. Fortunately, it’s deserted, although I know Doctor Dodds will be here. He walks from his home in Cedar Street, but I know he’s here because the door is open, and as I step inside, I can hear him humming.

“Good morning,” I call out, stashing my purse in the bottom drawer of my desk, and quickly scanning the reception area to make sure everything is as it should be.

“Morning, Harley. How are you?”

“I’m fine,” I say, going into his office, and smiling across at him. He’s sitting at his desk, studying his computer, although he looks up at me, his dark eyes twinkling slightly as he returns my smile. I’ve never known his exact age, but I imagine him to be in his early-thirties, dressed in his usual attire of a button down shirt, over gray pants. He hasn’t yet put on his white coat, but I know he’ll do that soon, and he pushes his fingers back through his almost-black hair and tilts his head to one side.

“I don’t suppose you’re making coffee, are you?” he says, raising his eyebrows, hopefully.

“I might be.”

“In that case, I’d love one.”

I roll my eyes. “I suppose… just this once.”

He chuckles, because he knows just as well as I do, that making the coffee falls to me more than anyone in this place… and that I don’t mind in the slightest.

The lunch room is at the end of a corridor, off of which are the restrooms, and once in there, it takes no more than a few minutes to fix us two coffees, which I bring back with me, depositing mine on my desk, and taking his in to him.

“Thanks,” he says as I put it down. “You’re a lifesaver. I have a feeling today is gonna be hell.”

“Me too.”

He sips his coffee. “Have you got any plans for the weekend?” he asks, making conversation.

“My parents have just gone away, so I’m gonna make the most of having the house to myself tomorrow, and then on Sunday, I’m meeting Pierce.”

“Is that your boyfriend?”

I feel a pang of regret as I shake my head. “No. He works for my parents, and he’s an old friend of my brother’s.”

Doctor Dodds smiles and says, “So he’s holding the fort at the antiques store?”

“For the next four weeks, yes.”

“And you’re seeing him on Sunday to check up on him?”

“No. We often go out together… as friends.”

He nods his head. “I see,” he says, like he can tell I’d like there to be more to it than that.

Before he can ask, I back up toward the door. “I’d better get to my desk before your first patient arrives.”

He turns to his computer. “That’s Taylor Newton, isn’t it?” he says, switching screens. “She’s bringing in her baby boy for a check-up.”

I have no idea, but I imagine he’s right and I give him a smile before heading out to the reception… doing my best not think about Pierce.

Okay, so I’m looking forward to seeing him on Sunday, just like I always do. But I know it’ll be hard when I want so much more than he’s willing to give. It’s been like that for years. Too many years. That’s why I was so thrilled when my parents offered him a job and somewhere to live. I’d been worried, you see… worried he might move away, like my brother did. To be honest, I thought he might even follow Ben to New York. It wouldn’t have surprised me. The two of them have been inseparable for as long as I can remember. He didn’t go, though. Much to my relief, he stayed here in Hart’s Creek, working for my parents in their antiques store on Main Street, and living in the apartment above.

Not that it made any difference to ‘us’. Because there is no ‘us’. I’m firmly in the friend zone as far as Pierce is concerned. I’m Ben’s little sister, and no matter how much I long to be more, I don’t think it’ll ever happen.

The door opens, just as I’m letting out the longest of sighs, and Taylor walks in, carrying her baby in her arms. He’s about six weeks old, I guess, although this is the first time I’ve seen him, and I smile up at her, noting his shock of blond hair, and the cute little dungarees he’s wearing.

“The doctor will be with you in a minute. Do you wanna take a seat?”

She nods her head and I send Doctor Dodds a notification that Taylor’s here before returning my attention to her.

“How’s he doing?” I ask, nodding toward her baby.

“He’s fine, thanks,” she says. “He slept for five straight hours last night.”

“You must feel almost human.”

“Almost,” she says, smiling, just as the door opens and Doctor Dodds steps out.

“Hello, Taylor,” he says, coming over to her as she gets to her feet. He’s put on his white coat, making him look every inch the professional that he is, although he smiles down at the baby, placing a hand on his head. “How’s Jude getting along?”

I hadn’t realized that was the baby’s name, but I like it and I watch as Taylor murmurs a reply and follows Doctor Dodds into his office, the door closing behind them.

Once I’m alone again, I take the opportunity to tidy the magazines on the small table in front of the chairs, and to straighten the books and toys in the children’s play area before I return to my desk and sip at my coffee. I’ve only just put my cup down when the main door opens again, and in walk Cooper and Mallory White. I recall Mallory’s phone call yesterday morning, and her desperation to see the doctor. She wasn’t worried or anxious. She was just… well, desperate. I could hear it in her voice, but if you couple that with the smile on her face, I have a pretty good idea why they’re here. With clasped hands, they walk straight up to my desk and Cooper says, “We have an appointment at eight-forty-five.”

I nod my head. “Sure. The doctor won’t be long.”

Mallory smiles up at him, her eyes alight, and they take a seat. I watch them, noting how they lean their heads close together – his dark to her blonde – and I recall their wedding, which was just a couple of months ago, back in March. My parents and I were invited, even though we’re not residents of Hart’s Creek. I guess my job here, and their ownership of the antiques store, gave us a reason to be there… and it was a lovely day. Pierce was in attendance, too, along with his father, and that just made the day even more special as far as I was concerned…

The main door opens once more and I sit up in surprise as Laurel Hanson comes in.

“I’m sorry I’m so early,” she says. “But I had to drop Addy at school, and I thought I may as well come straight here.”

“That’s fine. I’m afraid you’ll have a bit of a wait.”

“I don’t mind… just as long as I can use the ladies’ room.”

“Of course.” I smile up at her. “You know where it is.”

She nods her head and disappears down the corridor. Mallory and Cooper are whispering to each other, barely aware of Laurel’s arrival, it seems, and I finish my coffee, wondering if I’m right about their reason for being here, and whether that had anything to do with their honeymoon. They didn’t take it straight after their wedding, but they went just after Easter, although I don’t know where to.

Laurel returns, re-fastening her ponytail, as she spots Cooper and Mallory. They notice her for the first time, too, and she takes a seat beside them.

“Are you okay?” she says, sounding concerned, her eyes darting from one to the other.

“We’re fine,” Mallory replies.

“Brady didn’t mention either of you being unwell.”

“Because we’re not,” Cooper says, and Mallory sits forward, leaning in slightly.

“Neither of us is sick,” she says. “We’re here because I’m pregnant.” She whispers that last word, although I still hear it, and smile to myself, knowing I was right, although I’m surprised she’s been willing to reveal the truth so soon. In my experience, most people prefer to keep news like this to themselves for a while.

Laurel grins, letting out a slight yelp of excitement as she places her hand over her own slightly swollen belly. “How far along are you?” she asks.

“Not very. We only found out yesterday.”

Laurel glances from Mallory to Cooper. “I’m guessing you didn’t mean to tell me?”

“Probably not,” he says, pulling Mallory close to him. “But there’s no way I could have kept it from Brady, so…”

Laurel chuckles, shaking her head. “No, you couldn’t. But do you want me to tell him, or do you wanna do it?”

“I’d like to tell him, if that’s okay with you?” Cooper says.

“That’s fine. I promise I won’t mention it.”

“I’ll tell him today,” Cooper replies. “So you won’t have to keep it to yourself for long.”

“Thank heavens for that. It’s so exciting, I’m not sure how I would have managed.” They all chuckle and then Laurel sits back slightly. “He’s gonna be so pleased for you… assuming…” She falters over her words. “I mean, assuming it was planned, and wasn’t…”

“It was planned… mostly,” Cooper says, and Laura chuckles. She obviously understands what he means, even if I don’t.

“So…” she says, “are you gonna carry on living above the clinic?”

Cooper shakes his head. “No. It’s not practical. To be honest, we’d already started looking for somewhere else before the wedding, but now we’re gonna have to up our game.”

“You’ll stay in Hart’s Creek, though, won’t you?” Laurel sounds worried, although Cooper sets her mind at rest with a smile.

“Of course we will. In fact, there’s a house just a few doors away from yours that we’re thinking of looking at.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. I only got a call from the realtors last night, so we haven’t had a chance to talk it through yet, but…”

“Oh, but having you as neighbors would be great,” Laurel says. “And Brady would be thrilled.”

“I know. He’s not the only one,” Cooper says. “Just think of all those late nights, chilling on the back porch with a beer.”

“Late nights?” Mallory says, looking up at him as Laurel chuckles.

“You won’t get many of those once the baby’s born,” she says, still smiling. “Trust me, all you’re gonna want to do is sleep.”

Mallory laughs and rests her hand on Cooper’s chest. “See?” she says. “I told you.”

He pulls her close to him. “I know. I was only kidding. Besides, based on how tired you are these days, I’m pretty sure late nights are a thing of the past for us.”

“You’re getting tired already?” Laurel says, looking at Mallory.

“You bet. We noticed it almost as soon as we got back from Bora Bora. It was one of the clues that made us do the test in the first place, but I didn’t realize it would be this bad. Honestly… I keep falling asleep at my desk, and I can barely stay awake beyond about eight in the evening.”

“So… it’s a honeymoon baby, is it?” Laurel says, tipping her head to one side.

“Who knows?” Cooper says. “It could have happened anytime.”

They all laugh and Mallory says, “The tiredness is one of many things I want to talk to the doctor about.”

“Oh?” Laurel asks.

“Yeah. I want to check whether it’s gonna get better anytime soon. It’s proving difficult at work. Although I suppose I didn’t need to come here, did I? I could’ve just asked you.”

Laurel smiles and says, “I don’t know. I think it’s always best to get a professional opinion. Pregnancy isn’t the same for everyone… or even for the same person, when they’re doing it the second time around.”

“Is this time different?” Mallory asks.

“Yeah. Very.”

“There’s nothing wrong, is there?” Cooper says, sounding concerned. “That’s not why you’re here?”

“No. I’ve just come in for a check-up.”

Cooper seems to sigh out his relief and then says, “Do you know what you’re having yet?”

Laurel shakes her head. “No. We’ve got another couple of weeks until we find out.”

“Do you have a preference?”

“No… but I know Brady does, before you say anything.”

“He’s told you then?”

“Yes. I know he’s told you, too. He wants a girl. I’m pretty sure Addy will, too. So, there’s no pressure.”

“Does that mean you haven’t told Addy yet?”

“Not yet. We’re gonna wait until we know what we’re having, and tell her then.”

Mallory opens her mouth to say something, just as Taylor comes out of the doctor’s office, still carrying her baby. The doctor follows and immediately invites Cooper and Mallory into his room. They go through, although Mallory takes a moment to admire Jude, and then the door closes again.

Laurel stands, taking a peek at Jude, who seems to be asleep.

“Isn’t he the cutest?” she says, and Taylor smiles at her.

“We think so.”

“How’s Nate taking to fatherhood?”

“He’s loving every second.”

At that moment, the main door opens and Remi and Gabe Sullivan come in. As usual, they’re smartly dressed… him in a dark gray suit, and her in black pants and a pale pink blouse. Remi works in the library, which is just a stone’s throw away, so she didn’t bother with a jacket. They make a very attractive couple, although the timing of their arrival couldn’t be worse… at least from their perspective. Remi takes one look at Taylor’s baby, and despite her best endeavors, her struggle becomes clear. Fortunately, Laurel and Taylor are still deep in conversation and don’t notice her discomfort as she turns her dark head, averting her gaze. Gabe’s fully aware of the situation, though, and steers her toward the chairs before coming over to me.

“We’ve got an appointment at nine-thirty,” he says. “We’re a little early, but we’re impatient to get our results.”

“It’s okay. There’s only Mrs. Hanson in front of you.”

Gabe nods his head and goes to sit beside his wife, putting his arm around her. They’ve been here a couple of times now… to talk to the doctor, and for various tests. The results came in yesterday, and I called Remi just after lunch to let her know and make this appointment for them. As with most tests – and their subsequent results – I’m involved in ensuring they get sent off, and notifying everyone involved, when they come back in. That means I have a vague idea of what’s going on, and while I may be sworn to secrecy, I also know there’s no medical reason for Gabe and Remi’s struggles to conceive. The test results are all completely normal… evidently. Naturally, I have no idea what the doctor will say to them, or how he’ll help them move forward, but I hope he can… and I hope things work out for them.

Jude suddenly lets out a loud cry, and Taylor makes her excuses to leave, while Laurel sits back down, giving Remi and Gabe a smile, but clearly choosing to respect their decision to sit separately. It’s not long before Mallory and Cooper come out of the doctor’s office, full of smiles and holding hands. They’re gazing into each other’s eyes, evidently pleased with the outcome of their meeting, and don’t have time to speak to Laurel before she’s called in by Doctor Dodds. The reception falls quiet again, and I turn my attention to my computer, to give Remi and Gabe some privacy, if nothing else. I also allow my mind to drift to thoughts of Pierce, a smile touching at my lips, like it usually does when I think of him… because even if things aren’t how I’d like them to be between us, at least I’ll get to spend Sunday afternoon with him. And that’s better than nothing.