9. Madeline
Chapter 9
Madeline
“ P aging Madeline Torre. Madeline Torre. Please report to Love Beach Brews after your shift. I repeat, Love Beach Brews. And don’t say no, Maddie!”
I giggle at hearing Candee call my name through the hospital PA system. You won’t get away with that at any other hospital, but here? Love Beach has its own rules.
“Looks like I’m going to the bar tonight.”
Sarah, my head nurse, chuckles next to me while we finish logging the last of the reports. “Looks like. There is no saying no to Candee Baylor.”
“You’re telling me.”
My phone buzzes with a text and I pull it from my pocket.
Ryan: Is this still your number?
Me: New phone, who dis?
Ryan: Corny comeback. Yup, still you
Me: Glad I’m so memorable
Ryan: Are they dragging you out tonight?
Me: Are you calling for gossip?
Me: Or afraid I’m going to spill the beans on other details?
I’m ecstatic that he’s reaching out right now. We fell into a quick teasing banter over text messages years ago and maybe that’s how I should have started things again this time around. After leaving his house, I had no idea what to do all week or how to approach him. And after a run in at Cakeology I now know there is going to be no avoiding us . I know he needs so much more from me this time around and I owe him a hell of a lot more. Leaving the way I did, during the Spring-Break-A-Thon and so abruptly after saying I was staying, was absolutely wrong in every way. I went back on every word I gave and now I have a lot to make up for. I know what needs to be done but it’s not quite finished yet. I want everything in line and then I’ll bring it to him. In the meantime, I’m going to show up. Reach out. Be there and be present. I want him to feel I’m all in, not just hear it. Because since I’ve been back here in Love Beach? I know this is where I want to be.
“Let me guess,” my head nurse says and it draws my attention from my phone. “You're smiling like a schoolgirl at your phone right now so you either just saved a ton on your car insurance.” I snort laugh. “Or that’s Ryan Donnelly .”
My breath leaves me and I close my eyes, spinning in my chair to face her completely. “That obvious, huh?”
“It was obvious to me what was going to happen before you even arrived here. I’ve heard the stories of you two. Your love was on display for everyone. You were the hero couple of the town and everyone adored it.”
“Oh god, I’m sure they hated me when I left.”
She shakes her head. “That's just it. They didn’t. They understood why you left but I think they always knew you’d come back. And when it was announced you were the travel nurse filling the spot here, well, you might as well know they’ve already booked the church for you two.”
I laugh and shake my head. “This town has such a way about them, huh?” I sigh. “When Candee called me, it gave me the push I needed. I was afraid to come back. Afraid to see him, or worse be told to leave. But now that I’m here? It feels right.”
She smiles. “I’m glad to hear that. You’re a wonderful addition to our team every time you're here. Also, I may have someone to fill the travel nurse position and I won’t hesitate to add you to payroll and the website as our head nurse practitioner. So just say the word.”
My phone goes off again and my eyes widen at his words.
Ryan: Just remember the rules. You give out details? I discipline.
I look at Sarah. “Word.”
“Know what the best part about today was?”
I sip from my wine glass and look at Candee. “What?”
“Being able to call you and say, ‘meet me out’ instead of having to plan a weekend trip or schedule a flight to find out where you are.”
I smile and lean into her. “It is pretty great being close to you again.”
We’re down at Love Beach Brews and nothing has changed since I’ve been here last. It’s still a cute, beachy theme bar with amazing music and even hotter wait staff.
“Who’s the new bartender?”
“Oh, that's Wells. He’s a brewmaster, Isaac hired him last summer. He’s dating Vienna, who you’ll meet tonight. He’s also got the sweetest little girl but let me tell you, he was not prepared for the fire he found in the women of this town.” She laughs. “Vienna is wild and doesn’t hold back. And Marigold’s cousin, Poppy? She’s another firestarter.” She laughs. “Quite literally if you believe the rumors.”
“She’s the one dating Jace?”
She nods. “She spotted him and didn’t let him out of her sight until she sealed the deal.”
“Ladies, I hope you're going to behave tonight. I’d hate to have to throw out Love Beach’s finest for getting too rowdy.”
“Here he is! My favorite son-in-law.”
Isaac has approached the table with a tray full of drinks and begins putting them on the table. “Let’s drop the in law and don’t tell Maddox.”
She tsks him and asks, “What’s all this? We didn’t order these.”
“Your daughter just texted me and said they’re two minutes out and to have drinks ready.” I smile at his sweet demeanor and the fact that he’s dropped everything to cater to his girl and her family. “And they also want you drunk.” He places two shots in front of me.
“Me? Why?”
“Because they want all the gossip on you and the chief, duh.” He rolls his eyes like he’s annoyed he had to explain it to me and it makes me laugh.
“Well, no gossip from me. I was warned about spilling details.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I slap my hand over my lips. Candee turns to me with excitement in her eyes and Isaac pulls a chair out placing his arms on the table and leaning towards me. I laugh out loud at the two of them.
“Guess we didn’t need shots at all.”
“Party’s here!” There is a commotion at the front entrance of the bar and I see the girls walk in. They’re gorgeous with deep tans, cute cut off shorts and smiles from ear to ear. They’ve got love written across their faces and everyone knows it. That’s what makes them so beautiful.
“Saved by the bell.”
“Not even close. We’re on pause for right now,” Candee chastises me and stands, signaling the girls to our table. I stand too and give Reece the biggest hug.
“I’m so happy to see you again! My mom was so lonely without you.”
I smile. “I was, too. And you look so great!”
She does a little twirl before falling into Isaac and giving him a kiss. The way these two look at each other melts my heart. I’m introduced to Marigold, Vienna and Poppy and Isaac takes his leave.
“Okay, we’re going to get right down to it. The town has already caught us up on the fact that you showed up at the fire station unannounced, Ryan caused a ruckus at the hospital, you went to his house late at night and now you two haven’t been seen together at all. So, start talking.”
I widened my eyes at Candee. “You weren’t kidding. This town moves fast.”
“And so do you. Start talking.”
I snicker as the girls all lean in closer. To the other patrons in the place, I bet we look like we’re planning something outrageous. And maybe we are. I guess I have to be if I want Ryan to know I’m serious.
“Okay yes, all of that is true. I showed up at the station because I needed to see if he would be happy to see me. He came thundering into the hospital when Ted got hurt on a call. I did go to his house only for him to ask me to leave and?—”
“Whaaat!” they all screech but I put my hand up signaling them to let me finish.
“Andddd besides the run in at your bakery,” I nod to Marigold, “we haven’t seen each other since, but he did text me today.”
Candee puts her hand out expectantly. I know what she wants so I dig in my purse for my phone and hand it to her.
“This is embarrassing.” I cover my face with my hands.
“What's embarrassing?”
“I'm forty years old and I’m acting like I have my first crush.”
“Oh girl, it’s not a crush. This is love and you know it. And this is why you wanted to move back here, to get what you were missing. Relationships and not just with a man. You need girlfriends. I told you, I want to be able to call you and show up in ten minutes, not book a flight.”
“Mmhm. What she said.” Vienna throws her shot back and twists in her seat, raising her hand. “Drinks on aisle five!” I giggle at her antics but I see Wells acknowledge her with a look that makes me blush.
“You’re a tease and he fucking loves it.” Candee is swiping through the text messages.
“Read it for the class!” I cover my eyes again as Poppy calls out and Candee reads our text thread from earlier. The girls are giddy and jump around in their seats.
“I fucking love this!” Poppy claps her hands after each word. “We're a part of history here girls.”
“I agree. I’ve heard the tale of a long lost love since I moved here and to be sitting here with you right now? You’re famous!”
I bark a laugh. “I wouldn't go that far.”
“So the real question is… how good is he in bed?”
“Whoa, whoa!” Wells makes quick work of placing more drinks in front of us and clearing away the empties. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence until I am well on the other side of that bar.”
“Don’t worry baby, I'll reenact everything she says tonight.” Wells pauses for a moment while Vienna whispers something to him before he hurriedly leaves our table.
“You guys are too cute.”
“You’re changing the subject. Answer the question.” Candee places my phone down. “And we won't say that you gave details unless you want to be disciplined.”
“Yeah, because that sounds hot as fuck,” Reece chimes in.
“Like mother, like daughter,” I laugh and then sigh, making a show of sitting back in my chair and almost sliding out of it. “He’s fucking amazing.” They squeal and I sit up straight, shushing them. “He’s demanding and in charge.”
“As expected from a chief of a department.”
I nod. “But he’s sweet and unselfish too.”
Poppy interjects, “By making sure you get yours first, yes, yes, carry on.”
“And best of all? I don’t feel any kind of reservations when I’m with him. I’m not thinking, ‘does he like me? Am I too heavy? Is my ass too big?’ I’m just me and he’s just him and there’s nothing I can do wrong.”
They look back at me, with heart eyes and full smiles and every doubt I had about coming back here is instantly erased.
I reach for Candee’s hand. “Thank you for knowing better than me. You’re a true friend and I couldn't ask for anyone better.”
“That’s the wine talking!”
I laugh. “It’s not! It’s true and it’s time I let him know.” I pause. “Sarah told me she’d take me on full time.”
“Well no shit she did! Who do you think told her to do it?”
I shake my head. “That's one item checked off the list. I’m going back down to the Love Beach Realty tomorrow to speak with Saige. I signed a ninety day contract to carry me through the Spring Break crowd but I want to sign a year lease on my place. So a job and place to live are secured. Now I just need him to fall in love with me again.”
“And how are you going to do that?” Candee asks.
“Just go suck his dick. They all love you after that.”
“Poppy!” We all double over in laughter.
“Or you can make dick hats for him like Marigold does.”
“Stop it! He asked me to!” Marigold defends him.
Candee grabs the two shots in front of her and throws them back at once. “My son puts hats on his dick?”
“Don’t ever say that again, Mom.” Reece makes it sound like she’s going to throw up.
“Oh yeah,” Poppy perks up while nudging her cousin, “and we’re not talking normal hats. We’re talking about special handmade ones, like something that would fit on a cucumber.”
I’m laughing so hard I almost can’t catch my breath. I’ve missed this closeness and it’s cementing the fact I need to be here. And stay here. “This has been one of the best nights I've had in a long time, so thank you.”
“Just think. This is just the beginning. We’re going to have so many more years of trouble in this town together.”