Chapter 46
Cole
“I’ve had my eyes on the Robin’s Nest for quite some time,” Saul says from his spot on the sofa across from Josh and Delia.
It’s been an hour since Saul first called Lydia to rat me out for fainting, and the five of us are now settled around the coffee table in our living room. As soon as we walked in the door Lydia started fussing over me, insisting that I sit down and practically force feeding me orange juice. I tried to remind her that she was supposed to be resting, but she just pretended not to hear me then went to refill my glass. I’ll admit, I get slightly distracted watching her go. She’s wearing an olive-green tank top that doesn’t quite cover her bump, and the effect that tiny sliver of exposed skin is having on me makes me want to pull her away from all the people suddenly crowding our house and kiss her breathless.
“The location, the family-friendly vibe that so many bed and breakfasts lack,” Saul continues, “not to mention a new chef and a hotshot manager who’s used to running a hotel four times the size. The potential is exponential.”
“So what exactly are you saying?” Delia cuts in. “That you want to buy the Robin’s Nest and keep us on as staff? We only just got ownership of it.”
I force my gaze off Lydia’s retreating form and redirect my attention to the conversation.
“He doesn’t want to buy it,” I reply for Saul, actually excited about his idea. “He wants to invest in it.”
“I know you must be hemorrhaging money,” Saul continues. “Yes, your grandmother left you the inn, but she was behind on a ton of repairs. You need a new roof, almost every room needs updated furniture, more than one fireplace is in need of repair, not to mention you’ll need a hefty marketing budget if you want to attract new guests. You can’t just slap a fresh coat of paint on the place and call it good.”
Josh flushes, and I remember his paint splattered clothes from earlier. Saul must be spot on.
“How do you know all this?” Delia utters in dismay.
“Because,” Saul shrugs, “I made an offer for the place a few months ago. Your grandmother told me no, said she had someone else in mind for the place.” He sighs. “I tried to tell her that as is, the place is a money pit, but she didn’t see it that way. She’s a smart woman, your grandmother, but her soft heart gives her a blind eye in some respects.”
“What’s in this for you?” Josh speaks for the first time. “I mean, why do you want this place so badly if it’s a money pit?”
“Simple. My wife Josie and I stayed at the Robin’s Nest on our honeymoon. We went back recently as a celebration of our fortieth wedding anniversary. When she saw the state of the place, she asked me to buy it and restore it. I may be a crude businessman, but I’m a softie when it comes to my wife. Not to mention, I happen to have plenty of money with which to fund a money pit. I’m also confident it will make me lots of money in the long run.”
The doorbell rings, and we all turn towards the door in surprise. “Don’t worry,” Lydia, who hasn’t been back since she went to get me more orange juice fifteen minutes ago, calls from the kitchen, “I’ll get it. You all just keep talking shop.”
Suspicion starts to rise in me. What exactly has Lydia been doing all this time? I don’t have to wait long to find out. A few seconds later Lydia walks back in the room and behind her comes…our midwife? What is she doing here?
“Gabby?” I stand to greet her, my confusion clearing as I see she has a medical bag in her hand. My eyes swivel to Lydia who smiles innocently up at me. “Let me guess, you’re here to do some sort of medical check on me.”
“That I am,” Gabby says cheerfully. “You’re not my usual type of patient, but I do have some basic nursing training under my belt. I should at least be able to tell you whether or not you have a concussion. ”
“She’s just exchanging cervixes for pupils,” Lydia offers cheerfully. “They both come down to dilation.” She laughs at her own joke. I do not.
“Lydia.” I turn with a low growl. “I need to talk to you,” I gesture to the hall, “in private.”
Lydia purses her lips, but follows me. “Gabby,” she says on her way out, “why don’t you go to the guest room, and we’ll meet you there in a minute for his exam.” I just tighten my jaw and continue to the hall.
“Why did you bring Gabby here?” I say the second we’re alone.
“You know why I brought her. You need medical attention.” Lydia sets her hands on her hips, staring me down. I tell myself I do not find this cute.
“I’m fine.”
“Why are you so against getting medical care for this, Cole?” She sets her jaw stubbornly. I stare at her for a second, then run a frustrated hand through my hair. “It’s embarrassing, okay? I’m a 28-year-old guy who keeps fainting. It’s embarrassing,” I repeat for good measure.
“Cole,” Lydia’s face doesn’t soften, “that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard. So what, you’re a guy? Are guys somehow able to control the involuntary functions of their bodies better than women? Is that what you’re saying, Cole?”
“You know that’s not what I’m saying,” I begin, but she cuts me off.
“Let me tell you something, Cole Jacobson. You want to know what happens to men who are too embarrassed to address their health issues?”
“They end up dying?” I say with an annoyed sigh. This is all Saul’s fault. He just had to tell Lydia about me fainting.
“No. Well, maybe, but that’s not what I was going to say. What I was going to say is that they get yelled at by their wives for being idiots. Do you want me to yell at you?”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing right now?” Amusement quirks across my lips.
“Oh, I’m just warming up.” Lydia cocks her head. “Although,” she steps closer immediately invading my space with her vanilla scent and hypnotizing eyes, “maybe, I shouldn’t yell. Maybe I should just tell you that against my better judgment I actually like having you around. So yes, I’m going to push you into getting a health check you don’t want, because I stupidly want to keep having you around.” She places her hand on my forearm sending a rush of sparks through my whole body. “Besides,” her voice softens with vulnerability, “you’re always the one taking care of me. Maybe for once I want to take care of you.” She looks up at me, her long lashes on full display, then slowly raises her other hand and rests it on my chest. Suddenly I’m not mad at Saul anymore.
“Lydia Jacobson,” my voice comes out husky, “are you trying to use your feminine wiles against me?”
Her lips bow into a satisfied smile. “You think I have feminine wiles?”
I bend down, positioning my mouth right by her ear before replying. “In. Spades.” Her answering shiver makes me forget the bizarre fact that there’s a midwife waiting in the next room to check my vitals. I lift my hands to her shoulders, gently pushing her back against the wall then trapping her there with my kiss. A second later her hands encircle my neck, and I can’t keep mine off her any longer. I move them to her hair, her back, that irresistible sliver of skin below her tank top. She moans and my pulse skyrockets with the need for more of her. All of her.
“Uh, guys,” Gabby’s amused voice ends our kiss as fast as it started. With a squeak of embarrassment Lydia pushes me away, her face adorably red.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Gabby.” She fumbles around, adjusting her top to cover her stomach, but it just slides right back up. Good top.
“Don’t be.” Gabby shoots us a mischievous look. “Kisses like that are what keep me in business.” Lydia’s blush darkens, but I just chuckle. “Anyway,” she goes on, “I hate to break things up, but I have approximately five minutes before I have to go. I just got called into the hospital.”
“Oh, too bad,” I can’t keep the smile off my face. “Well, thanks anyway for coming. I’ll see you out.”
“Hold on,” Lydia places a restraining hand on my bicep, “she said she has five minutes. You’re not getting out of this, Cole.” She crosses her arms across her chest, and her top rides up a little higher. Dang she’s cute.
“Fine,” I sigh, “let’s get this done. ”
Lydia smiles in satisfaction. “Great. Gabby, lead the way.” Gabby turns to head back to the bedroom. Lydia starts to follow, but this time I hold her back.
“I’ll do the medical check,” I tell her in a low voice, “but you better believe I plan on picking up where we left off once she’s gone.”
“Cole,” there’s that blush again, “my brother is here! And Saul.”
“I guess we’re kicking them out then.”
She can’t stop the delighted giggle that escapes her. “Josh is making us dinner,” she tries once more to protest.
“I’m only hungry for one thing.”
Her lips part in a soft gasp, and fire shoots through me.
“Guys, seriously,” Gabby stands in the doorway shaking her head. “Five minutes.”
“Right, right.” Lydia shakes her head, then pushes me forward.
As I settle onto the bed a few seconds later, all I can think is that if Gabby gets out a stethoscope, she’s going to be in for a surprise because I’m pretty sure my heart is busy pledging its permanent allegiance to Lydia. It’ll be like that scene in The Santa Clause where Tim Allen’s heart is beating the rhythm of “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” except my heart is playing “My Girl” by the Temptations. They thought they had sunshine.
It’s this line of thinking that explains why at first I don’t register the concerned expression on Gabby’s face. She’s already listened to my heart and is removing the blood pressure cuff from my arm when I finally notice the crease of her brow.
“Everything okay, Gabby?” I ask, not worried despite her solemn face. She’s probably about to tell me I need to drink more water or something. Next to me Lydia stiffens, and I reach over and squeeze her hand reassuringly.
“Your heart rate is quite low,” Gabby says carefully, “and I could maybe explain that away with you being a runner, but you pair that with the fact that your blood pressure is also low and you’ve had a few fainting episodes and,” she sighs, “I mean, I’m not a doctor, but as a former nurse I’d say those three things are cause for concern. Though on the plus side, I see no signs of a concussion.”
“I’m just hypoglycemic,” I hurry to explain. “I forgot to eat today, that’s all.”
Gabby frowns. “Have you had any other weird symptoms of late, Cole? Weight loss? Increased thirst? Going to the bathroom more often?”
Now I frown. “I mean, maybe I’ve lost a few pounds, but I’ve been pretty stressed lately. There’s been a lot going on. And I drink a lot of water, sure, but that’s good for you.” I clear my throat, “And obviously, since I drink a lot of water, I go to the bathroom a lot. None of these are a big deal. I’ve got it under control.”
Gabby purses her lips. “Cole, again, I’m not a doctor, but I think you need to go see one.”
“Wait,” Lydia speaks up, “are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting? That Cole has– ”
“Diabetes. Yes.” Gabby nods. “I see diabetic mothers all the time. I know the symptoms.”
“But I’m 28,” I protest. “I can’t just be diabetic all of the sudden.”
“Adults get diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than you think. It’s an autoimmune disorder, so things like stress or a virus can trigger it.”
I stare at her, unable to compute what she’s saying to me.
“We don’t know for sure that’s it,” Lydia speaks. “This is all just conjecture.”
“True,” Gabby nods, “but I highly suggest you see a doctor, Cole. Diabetes is manageable as long as you get the treatment you need. It’s not something you can just ignore and hope it’ll go away.”
I feel hollow at her words. It’s not a big deal, I try to tell myself and yet, it feels monumental. Diabetes. Insulin shots. Diet changes. Constant fear of having some sort of diabetic episode. Brokenness settles over me. I’m sick. What if Lydia doesn’t want me anymore? I’m not even sure how much she wants me now.
“Cole, it’s going to be okay,” Lydia’s voice in my ear pulls me out of my downward spiral. She slips her hand into mine and squeezes. I force myself to smile down at her, not wanting to show weakness.
“I know.” I hope she doesn’t hear the false cheer in my voice. “I can handle this.” The worry crease between her brows only deepens.
“ We can handle this,” she corrects and something loosens slightly in my chest. I pull her into my chest and let the warmth of her body pressed against mine soothe my soul.