Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
“Laurie, you’re an angel! How shall I ever thank you?” ~Louisa May Alcott , Little Women
T he crisp autumn air pinked Nat’s cheeks as she walked, hand clasped in Noah’s through Fall Fest. It had been a week since the accident. He was still healing but was okay for a stroll through the festival. He had an apple dumpling to buy his girlfriend and some public kissing to do, after all.
Downtown Perry was closed to traffic. The windows of Main Street businesses were bedecked with red, orange, gold, and brown leaf wreaths. Clay pots with orange and red mums flanked each doorway. Rows of tables where vendors sold fall-themed food, goods, and products lined the closed streets. Children laughed as they weaved through clusters of wandering attendees. Country music hummed from the stage at the other end of the street.
“You did an amazing job with this!” Nat praised her friends as she and Noah approached the information booth being staffed by Carmen and Summer.
“It was all Summer,” Carmen said, tipping the brim of her orange Staff hat to Summer.
“Thank you.” Summer blushed.
Nat’s lips tugged up for her friend. “This is a huge accomplishment. So much business flowing into downtown because of it.”
“Yeah, Todd texted. They’ve been slammed at the brewery, bakery, and the wine bar. I feel like I should go over there.” Noah rubbed his hand against the back of his head.
“Todd put us on strict orders to not let you go near any of your businesses until next week. You’re still recovering.” Summer wagged her finger, going full mama bear on him.
“ Oh , we’re following Todd’s orders now, are we?” Nat waggled her eyebrows.
Summer’s eyes narrowed. “Hush you, or I’ll tell your mom about my friends and family discount on wedding planning services.”
“Too late, my mom has sent me three Pinterest links this week.” Noah laughed, pressing a kiss to Nat’s temple.
Clearly their moms were team “Nat and Noah.” Her heart soared. They could hold hands in public. They could kiss in public. Why on earth had she hesitated?
“I’ll be good, though. Tell Todd I’ll listen to him and my doctor. If not, my gorgeous girlfriend will kick my ass.” His eyes shined with happiness as he looked at her.
The doctor had told Noah that he could go back to work next week but to take it easy. No heavy lifting, which had put a damper on their sexy activities. Although, Nat didn’t mind. It was just nice to go to bed each night with Noah and wake up most mornings with him. There were still mornings when she woke up without him. It was okay because she’d come downstairs to his kitchen, where fresh coffee waited for her along with a smiling Noah and breakfast. It had only been a week, but the benefits of being out in the open were endless.
Leaving Summer and Carmen, they moved through the crowds and located Elle and Clayton in line for apple dumplings.
“There you are.” Clayton hugged Nat and then turned to Noah. They did a fist bump and then the back-slapping, man-hug thing.
Nat noticed a slight wince flash across Noah’s face as Clayton slapped just a little too hard. She’d like to pretend it was because he forgot his friend still had healing broken ribs, but she suspected it was because Nat had slept at Noah’s since he had been released Sunday afternoon. Clayton was supportive of their relationship, but he was still a big brother. The four finally had that pizza Wednesday night when Elle and he had come over to Noah’s. Nat’s favorite kind of guests were the ones who brought pizza and the puppies.
“We’ll get the dumplings and some water if you two want to grab us a table.” Elle gestured across the street to the standing high-tops and folding round tables tucked beneath a large tent in the town hall parking lot. Hands clasped, they found an empty round table and claimed it. There may have been mild public kissing as they waited for Elle and Clayton.
“I need to see Dr. Owens!” A shrill voice yanked Nat out of her love bubble.
Looking up, she saw Mrs. Lewis amble toward their table. Her wrinkled face pinched in determination.
“Mrs. Lewis, my dad is at the clinic. He’ll be here shortly,” Nat offered, standing up to greet the woman.
“I said I wanted to see Dr. Owens.” She placed her hands on her hips and eyed Nat. “The Dr. Owens who helped my grandson.”
Nat’s head ticked to the right. “Your grandson?”
“Douglas! Where are you?” she shouted.
Doug shuffled up to his grandma. His bruised face was scrunched in apology. “Mr. Wilson, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. Grand has warned me about my speed demon ways. I am so sorry you got hurt because of me.”
Noah rose, reaching out a hand to Doug. “Thank you. I’m just glad we’re both okay.”
“And I’m sure we’ve learned a lesson.” Mrs. Lewis tutted at her grandson.
“Yes, Grand,” he said sheepishly.
Mrs. Lewis turned to Nat. “Thank you for helping him, Dr. Owens.” She stepped close, wrapping her frail arms around Nat and squeezing tight. “You’re a good girl…you’re a good doctor.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lewis.” Nat pulled back. “But Dr. Owens is my dad. You can call me Dr. Nat.”
Doug ran his fingers through his black hair revealing the stitches at his hairline. “I told my Grand all about you. How you kept me calm and patched me up at the scene. How you helped Mr. Wilson.”
“I am just so grateful to you, Dr. Nat.” Mrs. Lewis teared up. “After Doug’s parents died four years ago and my husband passed last year, he’s all I have. Thank you for making sure I keep him.”
Emotion fluttered in Nat’s chest. If anyone understood the power that grief had on a heart, it was her. Had Mrs. Lewis’ reluctance to see Nat rather than her father been more about holding on to what was familiar after losing so much already? Had it been less a proclamation on Nat but rather a desire to hold on to what she knew? Nat wasn’t sure, but what she was sure of was second chances. About moving forward when mistakes had been made.
“Thank you, Dr. Owens.” Mrs. Lewis hugged Nat tight before she took her grandson’s arm and wandered away.
Noah looped his arms around Nat’s middle, pulling her close to his chest. “That’s my girl.”
She tipped her head up. “I love being your girl.”
“And I love being your everything.” He pressed his smile to hers.