12. Nolan
12
NOLAN
N olan had stood in the middle of the town center for a few minutes after Laney left with her parents, completely at a loss as to what to do with himself. He wandered around town blindly, thinking through what had just happened. The look on Laney’s face had him worried. She’d shared with him how hard it was to go against her mother’s wishes. And from his observation, her mother was none too happy to see Laney wrapped in his arms.
Thirty minutes later, he arrived back at his SUV, a pit in his stomach. Why had he allowed himself to fall so hard for her? He should have known better. She’d almost married someone right before she came back to Sugarville Grove. How could he have thought it a good idea to spend time with her again?
Now he would pay the price. This was what happened when a man let his heart lead instead of his head. For God’s sake, he was a professor, a scholar. How could he be this stupid?
He’d almost reached his vehicle when he heard his name and looked over to see Max and Logan headed his way.
Max clapped him on the shoulder. “What happened to your date?”
“Her parents showed up. They didn’t seem too pleased to see Laney and me—in an embrace. She left with them. I have a bad feeling about this.”
Logan nodded, looking sympathetic. “Come on, let’s go get a beer and some food at the Moose. We can talk through it.”
“Yeah, okay,” Nolan said.
The three of them walked the short distance to the bar and grill, weaving in and out of the crowds still milling about after the tree lighting. When they arrived, the hostess said they were full in the dining room but they could sit at the bar.
Soon, they were seated three abreast at the mahogany counter. The bartender, Jimmy, was a guy they’d gone to high school with.
“If it isn’t the Hayes brothers,” Jimmy said. “How are you guys?”
“Good,” Max said. “Thirsty.”
“What can I get for you?”
They ordered beers and a few appetizers to share. Nolan wasn’t at all hungry. His stomach felt as if someone had painted the lining with black tar.
Jimmy quickly had beers in front of them and left to wait on Charlie Kane, the woman who owned the pizza shop. Even in his distress, Nolan noticed how Max’s gaze lingered on Charlie for a second or two. He put that aside to think about later. Right now he was too miserable to think about anyone’s love life but his own.
“Tell us exactly what happened,” Logan said, sounding like an attorney.
Nolan explained the situation, including Laney’s weakness for pleasing her mother. “And we’re so new. She’s probably thinking how foolish she’s been to get so involved with me so quickly. I bet she ends up leaving with them before Christmas.”
“You seem to have gotten pretty far ahead of yourself here,” Max said. “You don’t know that’s how she’s feeling.”
“But she wouldn’t even look at me as she walked away,” Nolan said. “I’m such an idiot.”
“Whoa now,” Logan said. “You’re not an idiot. You just really like her, and this is scary.”
“I think I’m in love with her. I don’t think I ever fell out of love with her,” Nolan said.
“No shocker there,” Max said. “You talked about her for years after that summer.”
“We had this talk earlier that being back together was fate. Meant to be. All that.” Nolan rubbed his forehead. “But maybe she’ll think it’s all foolish. You know how it is when you’re in a bubble with someone and it suddenly gets burst?”
“I saw the way she looks at you,” Max said. “I think it’s a thick bubble.”
“Yeah, and my sense about her is that she’s stronger than she looks or thinks she is,” Logan said. “She’s been through a lot and she’s vulnerable, but that’s not really relevant.”
“Nor is her mother’s opinion,” Max said. “No way. She’s crazy about you.”
“You have to have a little faith in her and yourself,” Logan said. “What you guys have is special. You didn’t imagine it.”
“I hope you’re right,” Nolan said. “Because I can’t help but think I’m about to have my heart crushed.”
“This isn’t the same as Jill,” Max said. “Not to be rude, but she never looked at you the way Laney does. And you never looked at Jill the way you do Laney.”
Jimmy brought out chicken wings and nachos, along with some utensils. His brothers dug in but he nursed his beer, still too upset to eat.
“I think this has more to do with Dylan than Jill,” Logan said, wiping hot sauce from his chin with a napkin. “You’ve held yourself back in friendships and relationships since his death.”
“What are you saying?” Nolan asked. “That I’m afraid to get hurt so I don’t get close to people?”
“Something like that.” Logan reached for another wing.
“I thought you were a lawyer, not a therapist,” Nolan said grumpily.
“I think he’s right,” Max said. “You’ve never been the same since that happened.”
“We were talking just last night about how Laney’s kind of brought you back to life,” Logan said.
“She has,” Nolan said. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy.” That wasn’t true. He knew exactly when. His fourteenth summer.
“Anyway, she seemed pretty serious about staying and buying the bookstore,” Max said.
“Yeah, man. This is all going to be fine.” Logan patted his shoulder. “You’re going to be married and lame like Luke is before we know what happened.”
Jimmy asked if they wanted another beer, but they declined.
“We’re all driving tonight,” Max said.
“Yeah, it’s super slick out,” Jimmy said. “Someone just said there was a bad accident out on Fox Hollow Road. Not far from the inn. It was a cab. Took both the driver and the passenger to the hospital over in Millhaven.
“What did you say?” Nolan’s heart skipped a beat. “Not far from the inn?”
“That’s right,” Jimmy said.
A cab. Near the inn.
“Laney was at the inn with her parents.” Nolan’s mouth had dried up, making it hard to speak. “She might have taken a cab back to town.”
“Did he say anything about the passenger?” Max asked, his usual merry expression completely somber.
“Hey, Roger,” Jimmy yelled down to the guy at the end of the bar. “Did you see who the passenger was?”
“Not really,” Roger said. “Other than that, she was wearing a red coat and had long brown hair.”
Nolan’s stomach dropped. “Laney was wearing a red coat.”
“Okay, let’s not panic,” Logan said. “Try her cell.”
Nolan’s hands shook so badly he could barely pull up her name from his contact list. He waited, praying that she picked up, but it only rang and rang. Finally, he gave up and resorted to a text.
Are you okay? Heard there was an accident and I’m worried.
No reply, of course. Because it was her, he knew it.
“You need to take me to the hospital,” Nolan said. “Now.”
His brothers sprang up from their stools. Logan tossed some cash onto the counter, and the three of them headed out into the cold night.
He had no memory of the drive to the hospital, but somehow Max got them there. The three of them burst through the hospital’s doors and headed to the reception desk.
A young woman wearing thick glasses looked up as they approached. “Can I help you?”
“We’re looking for Laney Gray,” Nolan said. “She was in a car accident.”
The receptionist typed into her computer. “Yes, she was brought in by ambulance and admitted immediately. She’s currently in surgery.”
“Surgery? For what?” Nolan gripped the counter so hard his fingers were starting to go numb.
“I don’t have the specifics, but the surgeon will come out to give an update when they’re able. I’d suggest you go up to the surgical waiting room just down the hall there.”
Max thanked her before steering Nolan away from the desk. Once there, they sat side by side. Logan pulled out his phone. “I’m going to text Mom and Dad.”
No sooner had Logan texted than his phone rang. “It’s Mom.” He answered. “Hey, Mom.” He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s necessary. We’ll stay with him.” Logan paused, nodding. “Yeah, okay. We’ll see you soon then.”
“Mom and Dad are coming to wait with us.” Logan put his phone in the pocket of his jacket and sat down beside them.
“Of course they are,” Max said.
“Why isn’t anyone telling us what’s going on?” Nolan asked.
“A doctor or nurse will come out soon, I’m sure,” Max said, in a tone that didn’t sound at all sure.
Their attention was drawn to the doorway as a couple rushed inside. It was her parents, Nolan realized. White as sheets. He stood to greet them.
“Do you know anything?” Penelope asked him.
“No. Other than she’s in surgery,” Nolan said.
“We should never have let her go out in this weather,” Penelope said.
“It’s not your fault,” Nolan said. “The roads this time of year can be treacherous.”
Tucker Gray stepped forward, offering to take his wife’s coat. “Honey, sit. I’ll get us some coffees.”
Nolan led a very shaky Penelope over to one of the chairs, then introduced her to his brothers.
Penelope gave them each a stiff smile. “You all look like your father. I went to high school with him.”
“Very cool,” Max said. “Were you guys friends?”
“In a way,” Penelope said.
Tucker came back with three coffees, apologizing when he realized Nolan’s brothers were there. “Do you guys want coffees?”
“No, no, we’re fine. Just sit,” Max said.
“How did you know where she was?” Penelope asked Nolan. “And how did you beat us here?”
“It’s a small town, Mrs. Gray,” Max said. “We were having a beer at the Moose and someone there had witnessed the accident.”
Penelope sat up straighter. “What did he say exactly?”
“Not much,” Max said. “The ambulance took them both away. He couldn’t tell the extent of their injuries.”
“This is a nightmare.” Penelope looked over at her husband. “I told you this was a bad place for her.”
Tucker didn’t respond, merely bowed his head.
The doors to the waiting room opened once more, and Nolan’s parents entered. His mother rushed to him, taking his hands. “Is there any news?”
“No, she’s in surgery,” Nolan said grimly before turning to accept his father’s hug.
His father’s gaze settled on Penelope. He placed both hands briefly on her upper arms. “Penny, it’s been a long time.”
Nolan was surprised by Penelope’s bright smile as she looked up at his father. “You look well, Walter,” Penelope said.
“You do too. I wish we were meeting again under different circumstances.”
“Me too. This is my husband, Tucker,” Penelope said.
“Good to meet you.” Nolan’s father took his mother’s hand, bringing her forward. “This is Grace. My wife.”
His mother, being Grace Hayes, embraced Penelope as if they were old friends. “I’m a good friend of Edna’s.”
“Yes, I know who you are.” Penelope stepped backward, her expression unreadable. “She speaks of you often.”
“I’m so sorry about the accident. Is there anything I can do?” Grace asked.
“Oh my God, I forgot to call Edna,” Penelope said, starting to cry.
“I’ll call her,” Grace said hurriedly. “Just sit tight.”
His mother got up to call Edna from the hallway. As she swept out of the room, Luke, Abby, and the kids arrived.
“Uncle Nolan!” Jack called out, running toward him.
“Hey, buddy.” Nolan scooped Jack up for a quick hug. “Isn’t this past your bedtime?”
“Yeah, but Mama said we had to come and support you,” Jack said, resting his head on Nolan’s shoulder. “But I have my jammies on under my jacket.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Nolan set Jack back on his feet.
Sophie gave Nolan a shy smile. “Hi, Uncle Nolan.”
“Hey, doll.” He held out his arms, and she hugged him tight.
“Is she hurt really bad?” Sophie asked.
Nolan knelt to her level. She’d lost her mother just last year, which would make her ten-year-old brain worried the same could happen to Laney. “She’s in surgery, but the doctors are taking good care of her. We’ll know more in a bit.”
Lily clung to Abby’s hand, her wide eyes full of worry. “Will Miss Laney come back to the bookstore? Because we like how she reads to us.”
Nolan’s throat tightened. “I sure hope so, kiddo.”
“What can we do?” Abby asked.
“Just wait with me,” Nolan said. “And thanks for coming.”
Abby turned to Penelope and Tucker, offering a warm smile. “You must be Laney’s parents. I’m Abby, Nolan’s sister-in-law. And these are our children, Sophie, Jack, and Lily.”
Luke extended a hand to Tucker. “Nice to meet you. I’m Luke Hayes.”
“Likewise,” Tucker said. “This is my wife, Penelope.”
Penelope’s sharp gaze lingered on Luke for a moment before she gave a small nod. “It’s good to meet you. Edna told me about your recent wedding. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’ve been blessed,” Abby said.
Grace returned, announcing that Edna was on her way. Everyone settled in. Grace and Abby kept the kids entertained with a game his mother had brought. The woman thought of everything. Across the room, Walter and his brothers spoke in low tones. Tucker and Penelope held hands, pale and tense.
Nolan sank into a chair not far from Laney’s parents as he heard Tucker say to his wife, “They’re clearly a close family.”
Penelope nodded, her gaze lingering on Grace, who had pulled Lily onto her lap. “And there are so many of them.”
Nolan almost smiled at her vinegary tone. Laney had described her well. Prickly but funny.
Penelope looked at him. “Why are they all here?”
Nolan shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed. The Hayes family didn’t do anything quietly and often all together. “That’s how we roll. The Hayes family sticks together, no matter what.”
The minutes ticked by, one after the other. Nolan prayed silently through every one of them.
Edna came running in, out of breath. “Is there any news?”
“She’s in surgery,” Tucker said, embracing his sister-in-law. “So we’re just waiting to hear from the doctors.”
Edna hugged Penelope. “I’m so sorry.”
“I knew she shouldn’t come here,” Penelope said. “Nothing good could come of it.”
Ignoring her sister’s comment, Edna eased into a chair. “How’s the cab driver?”
No one had thought about him, Nolan realized with a guilty jolt.
“We don’t know,” Penelope said. “Right now, we’re too worried about Laney to care about the man who nearly killed her.”
“The roads can be slippery,” Edna said. “Black ice is common around here.”
“Then he shouldn’t have been driving a cab,” Penelope said, sharply.
Just then a doctor in scrubs stepped into the room, a clipboard in hand. Nolan shot to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest as the others followed suit.
“Are you all here for Laney Gray?” The doctor’s gaze traveled the room.
“Yes.” Nolan stepped forward, his legs shaking. “Is she okay?”
“Who here are relations of Ms. Gray?”
“Us. We’re her parents.” Tucker and Penelope both rose to their feet. “Please tell us if she’s all right.”
The doctor offered a small, reassuring smile. “She’s stable now. Laney sustained blunt abdominal trauma in the accident, which caused her spleen to rupture. We had to perform emergency surgery to remove it.”
Nolan’s chest tightened. “What does that mean?”
“It means she’s going to be fine. The spleen isn’t essential for survival, though it does play a role in the immune system. We’ll monitor her closely for signs of infection, but most patients recover fully with no long-term effects.”
Penelope exhaled sharply, her hand fluttering to her chest. “And the surgery? No complications?”
“No complications. She did well. She’s young and healthy, which helps. She’s still in recovery and will remain there until she wakes up. Once she’s stable, we’ll move her to a room, and you can visit her—two at a time.” The doctor’s gaze swept the lot of them, standing around like kids at a schoolyard waiting for instructions from a teacher.
“How long will that be?” Nolan asked.
“Recovery can take about an hour. A nurse will come find you when she’s ready to receive visitors.”
“Thank you.” Tucker’s voice cracked as he shook the doctor’s hand. “We appreciate everything you’ve done for our daughter.”
Penelope murmured her gratitude as well, but Nolan was too overcome to speak.
“She’s going to be back to normal in no time.” Max wrapped an arm around Nolan’s shoulders. “It’s all going to be okay.”
Nolan nodded, but his gaze stayed fixed on the door. All he wanted was to see her, hold her in his arms.
What if she didn’t want to see him? Maybe her mother had convinced her to come home.
He ached to be with Laney. At the same time, he feared what he would learn once he did.
Nolan’s family left after the good news about Laney, leaving him alone with Tucker, Penelope, and Edna in the waiting room. He offered to get snacks and something to drink, but no one wanted anything. For something to do and to escape the awkwardness, he wandered out into the hallway, walking aimlessly until he found a vending machine. He bought a diet soda for himself, taking a few deep breaths before returning to sit with Laney’s parents.
He plopped down next to Edna, who looked up briefly before returning to the paperback she must have had in her bag.
Penelope flipped through a magazine. Tucker had his eyes closed, resting the back of his head on the wall behind him. Now that they knew Laney would be all right, the tension in their faces had eased as it had in Nolan’s chest.
He opened his soda but didn’t drink it, setting it on the table beside him. Fatigue had started to creep in, but he was determined to wait until she woke up.
“You don’t have to wait,” Penelope said tightly. “Maybe come back in the morning. We’re her family. We can take it from here.”
Taken aback, it took him a moment to think of what to say. “Thank you, but I’m staying until she wakes.”
Tucker’s eyes fluttered open, and he sat up a little straighter before placing his hand on his wife’s knee.
“I was surprised to see your entire family here,” Penelope said, her gaze as sharp as a predatory bird. “It’s not as if they know her.”
“They met her at my mom’s cookie decorating party, and they immediately liked her. For obvious reasons. She’s pretty great.” Nolan’s tone had grown cold. He was tired of this woman’s open hostility. “But mostly, they know she’s important to me. Which means she’s important to them. That’s how it is in my family.”
“It’s kind of the way it is in Sugarville Grove,” Edna said. “People take care of their own.”
“Isn’t that terrific? What a great community. Right, honey?” Tucker turned toward Penelope. “Isn’t that what you meant to say?”
“Nolan’s family is a family who gives back a lot to the people in our town,” Edna said. “I can’t think of anyone who’s ever said an unkind word about any of them.”
“How nice.” Penelope folded her hands in her lap, gazing behind Nolan as if she were studying something on the wall.
Edna’s brow creased as she stared her sister. “Penny, what’s wrong with you? Laney loves it here. Why do you care where she lives?”
“I don’t,” Penelope said.
“You just don’t want her to live here. With me.” Edna’s voice was quiet but brittle, evoking the image of icicles in Nolan’s mind. “But I don’t understand why.”
Penelope didn’t say anything for a moment. “She’s my daughter. Not yours.”
“Is that what this is about?” Edna asked. “My relationship with her threatens you?”
“Weren’t you quick to sweep in and offer to take her home with you?” Penelope asked. “To heal. Isn’t that what you said?”
“It sounds like me.” Edna played with the crystal she wore on a chain around her neck.
“She could have healed at home with me. That’s all I’m saying,” Penelope said. “Instead of you using this unfortunate incident to your own advantage. You’ve been trying to get her back here for years. You can’t tell me you haven’t tried to lure her back here with promises of the bookstore.”
“I’ve invited all three of you to visit. Why’s that a crime?” Edna asked.
“It’s not,” Tucker said. “We’re just shaken up. What happened at the wedding was such a shock. And whether or not Laney’s happy here or not and whatever this is between Nolan and her—it’s a shock to us. That’s all. It’s as if a year went by since we saw her when it’s only been a few weeks.”
Penelope’s lips twitched, obviously thrilled to have her husband’s support.
Edna continued to fiddle with the crystal around her neck. “And for the record, I didn’t have any ideas about Laney buying me out of the shop until she arrived. You should see her there. She’s a natural.”
“That’s true,” Nolan said, before realizing he should keep his mouth shut. This was not his business. In fact, he should leave.
“Do you really think this is what she wants?” Tucker asked Edna.
“I can tell you this. She shines when she’s at work, and she smiles more than I’ve ever seen her smile when she’s with Nolan. That’s all I need to believe this is the right thing for her.” Edna closed her paperback and set it next to Nolan’s soda can on the table. “But ultimately, it’s up to her what she wants to do. She’s a grown woman, Penny.”
“I’m not Penny anymore.” Penelope glared at her sister. “I left that sad little girl here. I’ve no intention of bringing her back any time soon. And all this talk of looking out for one another here in Sugarville Grove? Where was all that community support when we needed it? No one helped us out. They left us out there with Dad. Don’t you remember how cold and hungry we were most of the time?”
“I remember,” Edna said. “But you’re wrong. Walter Hayes and his family helped us. Don’t you remember that Christmas?”
Penelope drew in a sharp-sounding breath, then went still, staring blankly into space. “I’d forgotten that.”
“I haven’t. I’ll never forget it,” Edna said. “That’s the stock this one here has running through his blood.” She nodded toward Nolan. “This one’s a Hayes, through and through.”
Penelope’s gaze flickered briefly to Nolan before she returned her attention to Edna. “When I think of this place, I think of hunger and that frigid shack we lived in and never having anything pretty to wear. I don’t want that for my daughter.”
Edna cocked her head to the side, her eyes glistening. “I understand. But that’s not how it’ll be for her here. We were poor. And our father was distant and stern. But that has nothing to do with Sugarville Grove and everything to do with him.”
“And the bottle,” Penelope said.
Suddenly it all made sense to Nolan. No wonder Penelope was so against this place. To her it represented her sorrowful, tragic childhood. Which was not the experience his father had had growing up here. The Hayes family represented everything Penelope never had. For them to have shown up tonight probably felt like a slap in the face. A reminder of the family Penelope and Edna never had.
Perhaps that’s why Laney’s mother had liked the idea of Josh. His family was rich. He ran in the right circles. And he had nothing to do with Penelope Gray’s past, only her present.
Before he could contemplate that further, a nurse entered the room and walked over to them. “Laney’s awake. She’s asking for her mother.”
Penelope leaned forward, a look of hope on her face. “She did? For me.”
The nurse nodded. “Yes, would you like to see her?”
“Yes, please.” Penelope rose to her feet, reaching for her husband’s hand. “We’ll both go in, if that’s all right?”
“Sure thing.” The nurse asked them to follow her.
After they left, Nolan and Edna sat side by side.
Would Laney ask for him? Or was he a fool? Sitting here, thinking they were soulmates when it only took her mother’s disapproval to change Laney’s mind?
“It doesn’t mean that,” Edna said, as if he’d spoken out loud. “A girl just wants her mother when she’s unwell.”
“Yeah, sure.” Nolan shifted, uncomfortable in the hard chair.
“Penny called me earlier to tell me Laney gave her the what for. About you, that is. She said Laney seemed sure that what was happening between you was special. The real thing.”
His heart surged with hope. “Really?”
“Yes. Our Laney’s finally learned how to stand up for herself instead of doing whatever her mother wants. She’s grown since she came here. As painful as it was to learn the truth about two people she trusted, it’s given Laney a great gift. It was time for her to make her own destiny, not fulfill what her mother thought it should be.” Edna patted his knee. “Have a little faith.”
He closed his eyes, weary. “Thanks, Edna. Laney and I were in this little world of our own and suddenly it was shaken up. The moment I saw Laney’s reaction to her mother, I thought I may have lost her.”
“And then this happened, which only made Penelope all the more intent on bringing Laney home. But none of that has anything to do with you and Laney. You two have to stick fast to what you believe to be true, no matter what anyone else says.”
Penelope and Tucker returned to the lobby. It was obvious that Penelope had been crying, but Tucker had a sweet, relieved smile on his face.
Nolan and Edna stood to greet them. “How is she?” Nolan asked.
“She’s very well,” Tucker said. “Spleen-less but other than that, she’s our same perfect girl.”
“Laney asked for you to visit next,” Penelope said to Nolan. “But you can’t stay too long. She needs to rest.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nolan turned to Edna. “Do you want to come with me?”
Edna put her hand on Nolan’s arm. “No, that’s all right. You two lovebirds chat first, and then I’ll come kiss her good night.”
“We’re going to head back to the inn,” Tucker said.
“I’ll drive you home,” Edna said to Nolan. To Tucker and her sister, she said, “Don’t worry about us. Just get some rest.”
Tucker and Penelope gathered their things. Nolan gave Edna a quick hug. “I won’t be long.”
To his surprise, Penelope turned to him. “I’m sorry if I was rude. She’s my little girl. And this place has a lot of baggage for me. But you clearly care about her.”
“I do.”
“Treat her right, do you hear me?” Penelope asked. “If you hurt her, I swear to God, I will end you.”
Nolan swallowed. “I have no intention of hurting her.”
“Good. See that you don’t.” Penelope slung her expensive-looking handbag over her shoulder. “Night. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Tucker nodded farewell and took his wife’s hand to escort her out of the room.
Edna gave his hand a quick squeeze. “Go see your girl.”
He didn’t need another invitation.