Chapter Thirteen
Travis grinned at Retta as he pulled off the highway and joined the line of cars at the coffee shack. She had her appointment with Trip this morning and he’d brought her up to town early so that they could stop here.
She grinned back at him from the passenger seat. “I know you enjoy your coffee, maybe even as much as I do, but I don’t think I’ve seen you this excited before.”
He chuckled. “I’m excited for you to try it.”
“What do you recommend?”
“Anything’s good; you can’t go wrong. But knowing your sweet tooth, you might like the white chocolate mocha.”
“Ooh, that does sound good. What are you going to get?”
“I’m hoping that they have some Kona – they don’t always have it.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t need to look so torn. You can share mine if you want to try both.”
“Aww.”
He laughed. “Aww, what?”
“Just … you. You’re so …” She tilted her head to the side as she searched for the right word.
He pulled the truck forward as the line moved.
“There is no one word to describe you, you’re kind and generous and … you take care of … it’s not just me. You’re the same with everyone, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I like to see my people happy. Although, even if it’s not just you, it is especially you.”
She shook her head with a smile. “Thank you.”
He shrugged as he pulled forward again and put his window down to order.
Once they were back on the road, Retta sighed happily as she breathed in the smell of her mocha. It made him laugh.
“You don’t just drink it, do you? You make a whole experience of your coffee.”
“I do. I’ve told you before that my time with my coffee in the morning used to be the best part of my day.”
He glanced over at her. “But it’s not anymore? What’s the best part of your day now?”
“Any time that I get to spend with you,” she answered without hesitation.
“Now I’m the one who gets to say aww.”
She laughed. “It’s true. I know it might sound sappy, but I didn’t mean it that way – I’m just being honest.”
“I feel the same way, darlin’.”
“How far is it to Trip’s office? We’re going there and not to the hospital, right?”
“Yep. It’s just up there.” He pointed through the windshield. “We’ll be there in a minute. And you’re sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”
“No. I’ll be fine. I … I appreciate everything you do for me, Trav. I hope you know that. But I need to feel like I’m still my own person, too.”
“I get it. I’m not trying to force myself on you. More like I want to make sure that you won’t feel like I abandoned you if I run over to check in with Deacon. Text me as soon as you’re done, and I can …”
“No. I’ll just wait. You do what you need to do. If I’m finished before you come back, I can sit in the waiting room and read – that’s what doctor’s offices are for. I’m sure I won’t be the only one.”
He chuckled. “You might be surprised. Trip likes to run a tight ship. He likes to keep things moving and on time. Although, I don’t know if that’s the case at the moment. He’s had some staffing issues lately. I don’t know who’ll be working in the office.”
“Either way, I’ll be fine.”
When he pulled into the small parking lot, he gave her a puzzled look. “Are you worried?”
“No.”
He turned in his seat to face her. “Then what? Your mood just changed.”
She made a face. “You’re too perceptive for my own good.”
“I’m just in tune with you, darlin’. What’s wrong?”
She blew out a sigh. “It’s stupid. When you talked about Trip having staffing issues, the first thing I thought you meant was that I should apply for a job to work for him.”
“Nope, not what I meant; that idea didn’t even occur to me.”
“I realized that almost as soon as I thought it, but then I felt like maybe I should do it anyway.”
“Why? I’m not tracking.”
She shrugged. “I’ve done office work before; I could probably do well and help get him organized.”
“Are you saying that you want to?” He was totally lost.
“No. I’m saying that I feel … guilty maybe, working with you on the cabins. I have no experience with … decorating, or whatever we want to call it. Am I just latching onto you and what you’re doing? Should I be going out and trying to build more of a life of my own?”
He leaned on the console and cupped her chin in his hand. “If that’s what you want to do, then yeah. You should do whatever you want to. But if you’re thinking that us spending so much time together might get old – I don’t see that happening, not for me, anyway. I’m enjoying it and … you know what, fuck it, I’m going to say it. I’m hoping that we’re going to be together for the long haul. That what we’re doing is laying the foundation for the place. I like the idea that fifty years from now, when we’re welcoming guys to come and stay at the cabins for a time out, we can tell them how we put the place together. I like that it’s us doing it – not just me.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.
When he lifted his head, she was smiling. “Thanks. I love that idea. I’d love to think that it might work out that way. Although, don’t you think fifty years is a bit optimistic?”
He chuckled. “Nah. We’re just getting started. Give it another decade or two and people will be living well into their hundred and twenties and longer.”
She laughed. “I hope you’re right.”
“You’ll just have to stick around to find out, won’t you?” He checked his watch. “But for now, we’d better get you inside.”
He hung back while she checked in with the receptionist – a woman Travis hadn’t seen before. It hit him that he wasn’t keeping up with Trip as closely now that Retta was here. He decided that he’d ask him to come down for dinner one night soon.
The woman behind the reception desk told Retta that Trip would be with her in about ten minutes, and she looked up at him. “You might as well get going.” She held up the tray with her mocha and the vanilla cappuccino that he’d picked up for Trip. “I promise I’ll give him his coffee and not drink it myself.”
Travis laughed, and the woman behind the desk smiled at them. “You’re his friend, Travis?” she asked.
“That’s me.”
“He said to tell you that Deacon’s waiting, you should go, but he’ll see you when you get back.”
He had to laugh. Trip knew him too well – he knew that he’d hover here with Retta. “Okay. I know where I’m not wanted. I’ll go.”
“Aww.” Retta caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. “You know that’s not true.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I do. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ve told you – there’s no rush. I’ll be here.”
~ ~ ~
Retta watched him walk out of the office and back to his truck. She laughed when he drove right by the window and waved before he pulled away.
The woman behind the desk smiled at her. “Trip said that he might not leave you.”
“I wasn’t sure he would, but he has other errands to run.” The woman seemed nice. She was around Retta’s age. She didn’t strike her as the stereotypical doctor’s receptionist; she was friendly, and she wore jeans and what looked like a band T-shirt.
They smiled at each other, and Retta wracked her brain for something to say.
“Are you from here?” she asked after a few moments.
“No. I grew up in Pennsylvania. I’ve lived all around the country. Believe it or not, I used to be a lawyer.”
Retta raised her eyebrows. Going from lawyer to a doctor’s receptionist seemed to her like a move that must have a story behind it, but she didn’t want to ask.
The woman smiled. “I gave it up. I lived that life, made the money, suffered the stress, the divorce, and the burnout.”
“I see.”
The woman laughed. “Sorry. I’ve only been here for a few weeks – in Montana. I only started work here last week. I’m not sure that I have the hang of the job yet. I’m good at the organizing part, but not so much the people part.”
“You seem like you’re doing fine to me. Maybe a little too well. I tend to think of people who work in a doctor’s office as being less … friendly.”
The woman smiled. “Me too. That’s why I’m not sure that I’ll be a fit for the job. I’m Shelly, by the way. Nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Are you from here? I know your husband is – Trip told me that they grew up here together.”
Retta had just taken a sip of coffee and almost choked on it. “I … Travis isn’t … we’re not married.”
Shelly’s eyes widened. “Crap! I’m sorry. I just assumed. When Trip said that you were coming in, he said that his best friend, Travis was bringing his woman. I thought he meant you were his wife. And honestly, the way you two were with each just other now… I thought you were.”
“No. We …” She looked around before she continued. “We haven’t even known each other that long.”
“Wow! Well, I know it’s none of my business, but if I were you, I’d hang on to him. He seems like a good guy, and I know that Trip thinks the world of him. I don’t even know Trip that well yet, but I know he’s a good judge of character. He doesn’t suffer fools and he’s as honest as they come.”
Retta just smiled. She didn’t know what to say.
Shelly made a face. “Sorry if I just embarrassed us both.”
“No. You’re fine. I … thanks.”
She was relieved when a door opened, and an older gentleman came out. He went to the desk to make a follow up appointment, and Retta clung to her coffee cup and the tray on her lap with Trip’s coffee. Married? She hadn’t even considered the possibility. Then again, if Travis was talking about them still being together when they were over a hundred, the idea shouldn’t surprise her too much.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Trip until he was standing next to her chair.
“Hey, Retta. Are you ready to come in? Want me to push you?”
“Oh. Thanks. Err, yes please.” She held his coffee up. “I can pay you for the ride when we get there. Trav said that you enjoy vanilla cappuccino so …”
“Thanks.” He wheeled her into his office and looked back at Shelly before he closed the door behind them. “Everything okay out here?”
“Yep. I emailed you the list for the rest of the day. Oh, and Dawn over at the hospital called. Can you call her back when you get the chance?”
“Do you know what she needs?”
“She has a question about one of the patients. She said it’s not urgent.”
“Okay, thanks.”
He closed the door to his office and positioned Retta across the desk from his chair. He went and sat, and she put the coffee in front of him.
“Thanks.”
She laughed. “Travis said you’re welcome.”
“So, how are you doing?”
She blew out a sigh. “Sick and tired of being confined to this chair. I’m hoping that you’ll say I can start spending more time on my feet now.”
He nodded slowly. “I’m hoping the same, but I have a few questions for you before we get to that.”
“Okay.”
“How’ve you been doing with the non-weight bearing?”
She laughed. “You know Travis, and Callie, don’t you?”
He smiled. “I do. I take it that means that you’ve been in the wheelchair more than you would have if you were by yourself.”
“I have. But I’m good on the crutches. I know how to use them.”
“I’m sure you do. It’s the osteoporosis that has me concerned. It’s not going to prevent the fracture from healing, I just want to be sure that we don’t start weight bearing too soon.”
She nodded. “I know, if it weren’t for that, I’d be putting up more of a fight but …”
Trip smiled. “You’re smart enough to know how it works. A couple more weeks of frustration now is nothing compared to setting yourself back.”
“Yep. So, what’s the verdict?”
“I’d like to see you carry on as you are for another couple of weeks. Use the crutches when you can’t stand the wheelchair anymore, but for the most part …”
“Keep my ass sat in here,” she said with a rueful smile.
“I’m afraid so. In a couple of weeks, we’ll be able to remove the cast, and at that point we’ll see what we’re dealing with.”
“Maybe a walking boot and crutches?”
“Maybe.”
She met his gaze. “And physical therapy. I know a lot of people dread it, but I can’t wait.”
“Yes, but you mustn’t overdo it. I know with your background, you’re used to daily training regimes, but you can’t push too hard.”
“I won’t. I know about rest, too.”
He smiled. “And I know that a certain friend of ours will be doing everything he can to make sure that you take it easy.”
“He’s awesome.” She said it before she stopped to think.
“I’m glad you think so. I know he feels that way about you.”
It struck her for the first time that Trip might feel protective of Travis. Travis was so capable, so confident, that she hadn’t thought of it from that perspective, but it made sense – friends looked out for each other.
She met Trip’s gaze and held it. “It’s very much mutual. And … I want to reassure you. I don’t really know what I’m doing. I don’t know where this is going, but I’m hopeful. To tell you the truth, I’ve been mostly concerned about myself – he’s so self-assured. But … I think I’m messing this up. All I’m trying to do is tell you that I care about him. I know you do, too. I’d never intentionally hurt him.”
Her cheeks were red when she was done, but it felt important to explain it to him. She knew how close they were – that they’d been close since they were little kids.
Trip smiled. “Thanks. I didn’t need you to explain anything. I can see for myself. I don’t mind telling you that I’m hopeful about how things might work out for you guys.”
“Oh … I …” Now she felt embarrassed.
He held his hand up to stop her. “You didn’t need to say anything. You don’t owe me – or anyone else – any kind of explanation. But I’m glad you told me. He’s my best friend. If you’re going to be part of his life in the way I think you are, I hope that’ll make us friends too.”
“I hope so. I like that idea.” She gave him a rueful smile. “Especially if as my friend, you won’t give me too hard a time if I want to speed along my recovery.”
He laughed. “I’ll look out for your best interests – whether you see it that way or not. That’s what friends do.”
~ ~ ~
Travis waved over his shoulder as he left Deacon’s office. He could have stuck around for longer, but he wanted to get back to Trip’s office and pick up Retta.
“Don’t be a stranger!” Deacon called after him. “Candy wants to invite you guys over for dinner soon.”
Travis turned back and went to lean in the doorway to Deacon’s office. He waved the tickets to the fundraiser dinner that he’d just paid Deacon for.
“I reckon this will have to do for dinner for the time being.”
Deacon frowned. “Why? Are you saying you don’t want to come over? Or you don’t think Retta would? From what Candy said, the two of them got along like a house on fire.”
“No! It’s not that. Retta said the same. I don’t think we’ve got any worries about them becoming friends.” He chuckled. “It’s not her – it’s me.”
“In what way?”
“I … I love the idea of having dinner with you guys, but I’m not in any position to invite you over just yet. You know me – the best I’d be able to offer you is frozen pizza and a bag of salad. Cooking isn’t my thing. And from what she says, and what I’ve seen so far, Retta’s a damn good cook, but I don’t think she should be on her feet that long, so …”
He trailed off when he realized Deacon was grinning at him.
“What?”
“You don’t have the hang of it yet, do you?”
“Of what?”
“It’s not a tit for tat kind of thing. It’s not ‘take turns inviting each other.’ And it sure as hell isn’t judging each other for what’s on the menu. You’ll learn soon enough – it took me a while. Hanging out with each other as couples is no different from hanging out with each other as the guys. Anything goes. All that matters is spending time together.”
Travis held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Damn. I guess I have some catching up to do.”
Deacon laughed. “You do – and I don’t mind telling you that I like it that I’m the one to help you see it. I never thought I’d want to do any of the coupley shit again, but I love every minute of it with Candy. Ace and Ari are a law unto themselves. And you … you’ll get comfortable with it in no time, but you care so much – about everyone – that you’ll try to get it right for a while. If ever you’re worried about getting it wrong, give me a shout. I’ll set you straight.”
“Thanks, Chief.”
“Not a problem. But go on. You don’t want to leave Retta alone with Trip for too long, she might decide she’d be better off with the good doctor.”
He laughed as he left – he wasn’t worried in the least.