6. Nate
Chapter six
Nate
I was jarred from my sleep by the sound of my phone ringing. I jumped up in surprise to grab my phone, and my hand knocked my cup of cold water over, spilling its contents all over the nightstand by my bed.
"Dr. Reynolds!" boomed Mayor Fletcher's unmistakable voice. "Hope I didn't wake you, son. Got some big news!"
I winced, pressing the phone tighter to my ear. It was barely eight a.m. on my day off, but Tom Fletcher had all the restraint of a golden retriever on steroids.
I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the morning raspiness, while I grabbed a towel out of the bathroom. "Good news, I hope?"
"The best! Word has been spreading about your engagement. And you know how we do things here in Rivermint Cove. We're throwing you lovebirds an impromptu party down at the community center tonight at six. The whole town will be there to congratulate you!"
I felt a shiver of sheer panic. Of course, they were. That was what made this town so endearing and frustrating at the same time. Everybody always wanted to be in everybody else’s business.
I took a deep breath, conjuring every ounce of false enthusiasm I could muster. "Wow, Tom, that's mighty thoughtful of you. Susan will be tickled pink."
We exchanged a few more niceties before I ended the call with a promise to see him tonight. As soon as the line went dead, I groaned and let my head fall into my hands. This charade was getting out of hand faster than I anticipated.
I texted Susan and told her about the engagement party to see if she had any plans. I agreed to pick her up at five thirty.
Deciding some fresh air would be good for me, I laced up my running shoes and headed out the door, jogging my usual route through Rivermint Cove's tree-lined streets. My brain buzzed with thoughts, the steady beat of my running rhythm doing little to silence them.
Midway through my run, I found myself in front of Amelia's Flower Shop. I hesitated a moment before I pushed the door open. The tinkling bell announced my entrance.
I scanned the abundant array of dahlias, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers before spotting Amelia herself behind the counter.
She was arranging a bouquet with expert precision, her auburn curls bouncing with each movement.
"Hi there," she said cheerfully, turning to face me. "What can I help you with?"
I smiled back at her. "Just looking for something to bring to Susan for our engagement party tonight. I think she likes carnations and daisies. "
Amelia’s eyes flickered with recognition. "Ah yes, Tom told me about that this morning. Let's see what we have here." Amelia moved towards a display of vibrant flowers, and I followed her. As she carefully chose stems and arranged them into a bouquet, I couldn't help but admire her skill and passion for her craft.
All right then, here you go." She placed the bouquet into my hands, the petal edges were a soft mix of white and pink.
"Thanks," I said, admiring the bunch of flowers in my grasp.
I left the flower shop, and the sight of an antique store next door caught my attention. A ring. I needed to get Susan a ring. I wondered if the store might have a reasonably priced old engagement ring.
With a nervous sigh, I pushed open the heavy oak door to the antique shop. I saw a little jewelry display case, and there it was, the perfect ring to match Susan’s vintage chic style.
After a quick shower and shave, I hopped in my silver pickup and headed across town to the little blue Victorian house where Susan had grown up. I could envision her there on the porch. Her petite frame swallowed up by one of her oversized cardigans, eyes wide with anxiety behind those black-framed glasses.
Sure enough, there she was, pacing the weathered boards like a nervous cat. She stopped when she saw me, pressing a hand to her chest. I climbed out and met her at the bottom of the steps. I handed her the flowers, hoping it would lighten the mood.
"Hey there, fiancée," I said, flashing her a crooked grin.
She laughed, but it came out tight and breathy. “I think my mom is watching us from the window,” She mouthed barely above a whisper.
"They’re beautiful. Thank you." She stepped forward, putting on a show, and wrapped her arms around my neck. I hugged her back gently, hyperaware of her body pressed against mine. She smelled like lavender.
We broke apart, and our eyes met briefly before quickly darting away.
"Shall we get going?" I held out my arm and she wrapped her arm in it.
We walked to my truck, and I opened her door to let her in, then hurried around to the driver’s side.
We drove through the quiet streets of Rivermint Cove, past the rows of tidy shops and colorful Victorians. Susan fidgeted with the hem of her dress, sneaking glances at me.
"So..." I said, trying to break the ice. "How does it feel to be the most talked-about couple in town?"
She let out a shaky laugh. "Oh, you know. Just dandy."
We pulled up to the community center, and balloons and banners proclaimed, in bold letters, "Congratulations!" I swallowed hard.
I reached for her hand. She turned to face me, her eyes wide and questioning.
"Before we go in," I interjected, reaching into the glove box. "I got you something."
She gasped as I pulled out the tiny antique box, opening it to reveal a delicate gold ring studded with tiny diamonds.
"It' s just for show," I said quickly, seeing her shocked expression. "I mean, we need to sell our story, right?"
"Nate," she whispered, "it's... it's beautiful." Her hand trembled slightly as she held it out, allowing me to slide the ring onto her finger.
"Well, it's showtime!" I exhaled deeply. "We have to either give the performance of a lifetime or be forever humiliated. No pressure, right?" I playfully smiled at her, not entirely sure that we could convince everyone in Rivermint Cove of our "true love."
"None at all," she quipped back, her voice thick with sarcasm. I could see little beads of sweat forming on her eyebrows.
I cut the engine, jumped out of the truck, and walked around to open Susan's door. She eyed me with surprise, and I simply offered her my hand with a teasing smile: "Well, a lady shouldn't have to open her own door, right? Especially not for her own engagement party.”
Mayor Fletcher came bustling out a huge smile on his face. "There they are!" he boomed. "Rivermint Cove's favorite couple!"
I wrapped an arm around Susan's waist, and she leaned into me, trembling ever so slightly.
This was it. No turning back now.
We were quickly swept inside to a crowd of chattering townsfolk. Everyone wanted a piece of the newly engaged couple.
"How did he propose?"
"Have you set a date?"
"Can I see the ring?"
I fumbled through our rehearsed stories, my arm tight around Susan's waist. She clung to me like a life preserver, nodding and smiling timidly at each prying question.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Baxter plodding through the crowd. Susan had told me that it was Frances’s week to watch him. Susan’s face lit up at the sight of the basset hound. She knelt down, letting Baxter slobber happy kisses on her cheek.
"There's my favorite library dog," she murmured, tension easing from her shoulders as she ruffled his ears. Baxter leaned into her touch, tail wagging lazily.
Susan seemed to draw strength from the simple joy of Baxter's company. Some color returned to her cheeks. Her eyes met mine, a flicker of determination now mingling with the anxiety there.
I helped Susan to her feet. Baxter trailed after us as we made our way through the well-wishers. Then, I noticed a familiar figure watching from the edge of the room.
Tiffany. Her sharp eyes tracked our every move. She wore a tight smile as she glided over.
"Nate. Susan." Her eyes darted back and forth between the two of us. “Congratulations on whatever this is.”
Her words were laced with bitterness. I felt Susan's fingers dig into my arm.
"Thank you, Tiffany," I said briskly. "We appreciate you coming."
"Of course." Tiffany's gaze raked over us. "I simply had to see it with my own eyes."
Her smile turned icy. The threat in her voice was clear.
Susan's grip on my arm tightened as Tiffany sauntered away. I let out a shaky breath, trying to ignore the cold pit of dread forming in my stomach .
"She knows something's up," Susan whispered.
I nodded, my jaw clenched. We'd have to be extra careful around Tiffany from now on. One misstep and she could bring our whole charade crumbling down, and I couldn’t let Susan be humiliated.
Just then, I caught a snippet of conversation from across the room. Two women were huddled together, casting glances our way. I recognized Rosie, the owner of Rosewood Cafe, and her chatty barista, Lila.
"It seems rather sudden, doesn't it?" Lila was saying in a loud whisper. "They've barely been dating a few months."
"Mmhmm," Rosie agreed. "And we all know how Nate feels about commitment. This whole thing is rather suspect if you ask me."
I tensed. Their speculative whispers echoed through the room. A few other guests glanced our way curiously.
Susan paled, lower lip quivering. I squeezed her hand, trying to offer reassurance. But inside, my anxiety churned.
How were we going to maintain this act with the whole town questioning us? The cracks were already starting to show, and it had barely been a day.
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"There's my favorite couple!"
Emily emerged from the crowd, face alight with enthusiasm. She threw her arms around both of us.
"I'm so thrilled for you two!" she exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear. "We're going to be sisters for real now, Susan!"
I relaxed slightly, grateful for Emily's flawless performance. Maybe we could pull this off after all.
Emily's support provided a brief respite, but my underlying worry still lingered.
Just then, Mayor Fletcher stepped up to the microphone at the front of the room. He tapped it twice, sending a burst of feedback through the speakers.
The chatter died down as all eyes turned to him.
"Good evening, folks!" he bellowed jovially. "As you all know, we're here today to celebrate a very special occasion."
He gestured to Susan and me, beckoning us forward. We shuffled to the front of the room, my palms slick with sweat.
"The engagement of our own Dr. Nathaniel Reynolds and the lovely Susan Marie Phillips!" The room erupted into applause. I forced a smile, trying to ignore the guilt welling up inside me.
The mayor launched into a lengthy speech, waxing poetic about our "magical love story" and how it embodied the spirit of Rivermint Cove. With each embellished detail, my heart sank further.
We were deceiving these kind people - my neighbors, my patients. And they were showering us with unconditional support and joy.
After an endless stream of platitudes, the mayor finally wrapped up his speech. "To Nathaniel and Susan!" he proclaimed, raising a glass. Murmurs of "congratulations" and "cheers" rippled through the crowd.
I murmured a weak thank you, unable to meet anyone's eye. Mercifully, the attention shifted away as the music started up again.
Susan let out a shaky breath beside me. "That was..."
"Yeah," I muttered.
I scrubbed my hand over my face, emotions churning. The room suddenly felt stifling.
"I'm sorry, Susan, but I need some air," I said. Without waiting for a reply, I slipped out the back door.
I stepped outside into the cool night air, taking a deep breath to try and clear my head. The guilt was eating away at me. I walked around the building close to the park and leaned against the brick wall of the community center, staring up at the stars.
I didn’t really think things through when I blurted out the fake engagement. Now, the whole town was invested in our relationship, and I couldn’t help but feel bad.
I heard the door creak open. And Susan walked around the corner, her blue eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?"
I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know. This whole situation..."
She nodded, coming to stand beside me. "It's a lot. We could just tell everyone it was a prank. Laugh it off."
“And let Tiffany have a hay day. No, I just felt a little guilty, but it’s been nice having Tiffany off my back, and you're not such a bad fake fiancée.”
The faint sound of music drifted outside. I turned to Susan, holding out my hand. "Dance with me?"
She looked surprised but took my hand. I drew her close as we swayed slowly to the muffled melody.
At first, we were both stiff, hyperaware of the lack of space between us. But gradually, we relaxed, our bodies finding an easy rhythm.
Susan rested her head on my chest, and I caught a hint of her floral shampoo. Unthinking, I wrapped my arms around her slender frame. She fit against me like two puzzle pieces .
For the first time that night, my worries faded away. All I could focus on was the woman in my arms. The woman I was starting to see in a very different light.
Just then, Susan glanced up at me, eyes shining. And she smiled. Not the tense, fake smile from earlier, but a real, radiant one that made her nose crinkle.
We heard the door bang open suddenly, shattering the moment. Tiffany stormed out, clutching her phone in her hand. We were hidden around the building, but she spoke loud enough for us to hear.
"I'm telling you, it's a sham!" she hissed into the phone. "And I'm going to prove it."
My blood turned to ice. The peaceful solitude Susan and I had been in burst abruptly.
As Tiffany stalked off into the night, I met Susan's worried gaze. I had a feeling that our lives were about to get a lot more complicated.