Chapter 6
Chapter Six
HARPER
“ I ’m so sorry!” I climb into Tucker’s truck, then lean over to kiss his cheek. “And thank you times a million.”
“It’s not your fault that my sister is a flake.”
Now, I sock him in the shoulder, and he fakes like it hurt, making me smirk.
“She is not a flake, you big meanie. She’s sick.
” I glance out the passenger window as I reach for my seat belt and notice Blake walking past on the sidewalk.
He’s not looking at me, so I can’t wave at him, but holy shit, he looks good in those scrubs.
He’s not wearing his white coat, and I knew his biceps would fight against the sleeves. Don’t even get me started on his ass.
Holy walking sex.
I haven’t seen him at all since that very early morning last week when he came into the NICU. I’ve had about six million moments of regretting turning the man down. It’s like he’s a magnet, and I’m … literally anything drawn to magnets. But I am not ready for a man. Even Blake.
I just don’t trust.
Them or myself, if I’m being honest.
“I don’t want to ride around in a car with a sick woman,” I continue as he pulls away from the hospital. “But I know it’s early as hell, so thank you for coming to pick me up.”
It was my last night shift, and now I can sleep and enjoy a couple of days off.
“I’m up early as fuck anyway,” the eldest Hendrix brother reminds me. “How’s the new job going?”
“Great so far,” I say with a sigh as I lean my head back against the seat. “The people are nice, and there haven’t been any issues.”
“Good. Let me know if I have to beat anyone up.”
I snort and wrinkle my nose at him.
Tucker is the quintessential big brother. He will harass the hell out of Ava and me, but if anyone even looks at us sideways, he’ll break their nose.
“You’re funny. None of the babies need to be beaten up, tough guy.”
He snickers at that.
“I really need to get a car.” I sigh. “I can’t depend on the Hendrix Taxi Service every single day anymore.”
“I’m taking my truck in for an oil change today,” Tucker says. “The owner of the shop usually has something hanging around for sale. Want me to ask him when I’m there? ”
If memory serves, from what Ava said, that would be Blake’s brother.
“Actually, yes, please. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just reliable. I’m not the motorhead that you are.”
“Well, it’ll be reliable if it comes from Brooks. He’s excellent. I’ll see if he has something. Just shoot me a text when you wake up later.”
“Awesome, I’ll do that. Thanks.”
Tuck pulls up in front of Xander’s house, and I open the truck door.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Let me know if you need anything,” he says and shoots me a grin before I slam the door shut. He waits until I have the front door unlocked before he drives away.
I don’t know how I got so lucky to be folded into the Hendrix family. And it absolutely was luck.
One day, in the seventh grade, Ava and I smacked right into each other in gym at school. Fell on our asses. I got up first and offered her a hand. From then, we were inseparable. We texted when we weren’t together, spent most of our free time together, and she often had me over to her house.
Mostly because my parents were junkies who didn’t pay attention to, or give a shit about, what I was up to as long as I stayed out of the way. A couple of years after meeting Ava, my parents both died in a car accident, and Greg Hendrix brought me right into his family.
Greg’s wife, Lita, left when Ava was quite young. I don’t really know much about her. Ava doesn’t remember her.
Now I know that Greg had to have gone through a lot of work with the legal system to keep me. It was likely expensive and exhausting, but he did it. And they all claim me as theirs.
I kick off my shoes and immediately climb the stairs to my bedroom, where I strip out of my scrubs, toss them in the hamper, and take a shower.
Once I’ve dried off and dressed in my pajamas, I stop in the middle of the bedroom and chew my bottom lip.
I’m hungry. I should eat something.
But I’m also freaking exhausted.
The bed is way more enticing, so I crawl under the covers, and within minutes, I’m asleep.
It’s clear that Brooks and Blake come from the same gifted gene pool. Tall, broad, muscular, dark hair and eyes. Brooks has a bit of a grumpier look about him, while Blake is quick to smile.
Both hot as hell.
“This is nice,” I say as I sit in the driver’s seat of a little SUV. It’s not new and smells a little musty, but it’s clean.
No tears or burns or raccoons living in it .
Score.
“It’s perfect under the hood,” Brooks says. “Runs great. It’ll need better tires for snow before winter hits, but I can help you out there. The former owner just never came back to claim it.”
“Are they going to hunt me down to steal it back?” I ask.
Both Brooks and Tucker laugh at me. I scowl up at both of them.
Rude.
“I’m serious!”
“No,” Tuck says, shaking his head.
“I think they moved out of the area,” Brooks adds. “I’ve taken care of the title. It’s ready to be sold.”
“I’m going to take it around the block.”
Brooks passes me the key fob, and I start it up. The men step back as I put it in gear and pull out of the parking lot.
He’s not wrong. It drives nice, and there are no weird noises. No dashboard lights on.
It seems to be a nice used car. I’ll toss in an air freshener, and it’ll be good to go. No, it’s not fancy at all, and there’s a dent in the side door. I’ll definitely want new tires before the next winter, but it’s only spring.
There’s time to handle all of that. And I don’t have to go to car lots and deal with haggling for something else.
This is easy. In my budget.
Did I mention easy ?
I pull back into the spot I vacated and smile when I step out of the car.
“Sold.”
“Nice,” Tucker says with a nod. “I’ll let you guys handle the details. Unless you need me, Harper?”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks.” I hug him, then follow Brooks into his office so we can arrange the payments, and he can sign the title to me.
The other upside to this whole arrangement? It takes less than an hour from start to finish.
I slept until early afternoon, and then Tucker came to get me to bring me into Bitterroot Valley to meet with Brooks.
Now that I have my own ride, and the freedom that goes along with it, I want to explore the adorable downtown area a bit. Aside from the hospital, I haven’t really spent much time in this cute town in many years.
Driving down the main street, I see some cute restaurants, a flower shop, and a dress shop. There’s a bakery that I’ll have to try—still haven’t kicked the sugar addiction—and there’s the bookstore.
Extra score? It’s right next to a coffee shop.
“This is my lucky day,” I murmur to myself as I park in front of Billie’s Books, cut the engine of my new-to-me vehicle, and climb out into the fresh spring air.
I love that the trees are budding and the days are getting warmer and longer. I plan to go for a hike tomorrow. I don’t care in the least that it’s still muddy around here .
Pushing through the door of the bookstore, I take a second to absorb it.
This is freaking amazing.
There are inviting chairs by the front windows for anyone who wants to sit and read. There’s even a dog bed beside one, which makes me smile.
The table in the front of the store has stacks of new releases, along with some older titles that I recognize. One of the books has a sign saying it’s this month’s book club read.
Do I want to join the book club?
Maybe.
I bet Ava would do it with me. That would be awesome.
“Welcome in,” a woman calls out, and I glance toward the checkout counter in the back and wave at the gorgeous brunette smiling at me. “Are you looking for anything special?”
“Just looking for right now,” I reply. “And can I just say, I freaking love your store? This is amazing.”
“Thank you,” she says as she walks toward me on heels that make me swallow hard. I never mastered the art of walking on stilts.
This woman is truly stunning. Her perfect curves are dressed impeccably in what even I know are designer clothes. Her dark hair has that beachy wave look, and her makeup is perfect.
I would like to be her when I grow up.
“I’m Billie,” she says, holding out her hand to shake. “Billie Gallagher. ”
“Ah, so you’re the owner. Unless another Billie is hiding around here.”
“That’s me,” she replies with a chuckle. “I’m so happy you found us.”
“Me, too. I just started working at the hospital a couple of weeks ago, and I finally have time to wander around downtown.”
“Oh, where did you move here from?”
“I’m originally from Silver Springs.” She smiles at that. “But I lived away for about ten years. A lot has changed.”
“You’re not kidding. Well, if you decide that you need something specific, just ask. I’m around, and Emily is, too. She’s stocking shelves on the other side of the store.”
“Over here,” Emily calls out, waving a hand, making me chuckle.
“Got it. I do have a question about book club.”
“Oh my God, join our Spicy Girls Book Club,” Billie says, getting excited. “Our next meeting isn’t until next Friday, so you have time to read it. This month is Steel by Eva Simmons. It’s a delicious motorcycle club romance that will make you sweat. Trust me. So good.”
“I do enjoy a motorcycle club romance,” I reply with a grin. “I’ll buy two copies and make my bestie join with me. It won’t be hard. This is totally her vibe.”
“ Yes ,” Billie says, just as the bell over the door dings, and a stunning redhead walks in with an enormous black dog at her side. “Skyla, this is our newest book club member. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. ”
“Harper,” I say.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you. This is my sidekick, Riley.” Skyla shakes my hand, and I immediately fall in love with her voice. It sounds like music. “You’ll love the book club. We have sweet treats from the Sugar Studio and talk about all the spice.”