Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

B ella

The phone had lit up twice during my drive. I was terrified to look at it.

But I had.

And regretted it.

It felt as if a noose had been wrapped around my neck, slowly stealing my life’s breath. Soon, I would be driven in a darkness that I’d never recover from. Either madness or death. Or maybe prison at this point.

I stood all by myself in front of Poppy’s Diner, still trying to make up my mind what to do. With life. With Joel. With Cally.

With Jagger. Sweet and damaged Jagger.

Up until this point in my life, I’d been determined and had a single path laid out ahead of me. I’d reveled in the organization and that had kept me from ending up on drugs or on the streets. I’d become so focused that no one had been able to break through my emotions. The plan had been perfect in my mind.

Graduate high school with honors with scholarships in hand.

Graduate college at the top of my class.

Head to medical school.

An internship on the East Coast at the best hospital.

After that it was all about working to become highly respected while buying a nice condominium that I could call my own.

Never had I entertained becoming anything but a surgeon. I certainly hadn’t entertained working in a small town, but that’s what I was doing.

I also hadn’t anticipated marrying an asshole.

Was it the appeal of Danger Falls?

Partially.

Suddenly, I felt homesick, although Baltimore had never really felt like home. It was more like a stopping place where I could spread my wings before moving on. The whirlwind romance with Joel had changed everything. He’d orchestrated that happening. But at least I’d met a wonderful, goofy chick and developed a lifelong friendship.

I needed to talk to her like I used to, sharing our hatred of certain people and laughing over silly rom-com movies while drinking wine. The feeling became overwhelming. I backed away from the crowds of people purchasing holiday gifts and munching on cookies while they walked, pulling out my phone.

The ugliness of the text I’d received nearly broke my resolve.

Unknown: Soon, you little slut. Soon.

Unknown. Why was Joel bothering? Because he was smart. He knew that I’d start taking screenshots of everything he sent, maybe even recording the phone calls. I’d been too shaken up before to do so. Hissing, I shifted to Esme’s phone number, trying to break the cycle of abuse with just one text to start.

Me: Hey, girl. I need wine. Lots of wine. I have so many things to tell you. You should take a vacation and come visit. It’s beautiful here. Call me later.

She was likely busy with the late lunch crowd, her skills as a renowned chef garnering her accolade after accolade. I was so proud of her accomplishments. I felt a little comfort, a slight tether to the life I’d once had. I shoved my phone away, taking a deep breath of the crisp air. It was a beautiful afternoon and I refused to allow any asshole to spoil my new adventure.

As I walked the sidewalks leading to the diner, people waved, many people I didn’t know saying my name. I’d seen the article in the local newspaper, something they still produced on actual paper. I’d even seen a few old-style metal boxes on a couple of corners where you could slip in a few quarters and purchase a copy.

Then there was the scent of fresh pastries and coffee, colorful flags and of course every store was decorated to the hilt for the upcoming holiday. If you were the kind of person who didn’t get a warm feeling in your heart, then it wasn’t beating. But that wasn’t the reason I was considering staying and abandoning my entire life’s plan.

The reason was Jagger.

Were we in a real relationship? I had to think no at this point, but it seemed we were headed there. I felt truly comfortable in my own skin when I was around him. That told me a hell of a lot about the man.

His strength.

His determined actions.

His heated passion.

Even his gruffness.

Maybe I would thrive with a different atmosphere. And allowing the possibility of finding love. Maybe.

There were a whole lot of maybes and even more questions, but if I didn’t consider taking the position of the town doctor, I’d never know. In the few days of waiting tables, my feet and legs were killing me. Even more than when I’d stood on my feet for an entire day doing surgery. Plus, as embarrassing as it was to admit, I was a klutz when it came to serving food. For all the intricate surgeries I’d performed, I couldn’t walk a tray full of food through a busy dining room to save my life.

I glanced inside the entrance door to Poppy’s, already seeing some familiar faces. At least with Poppy and the others, I could get the truth on Doc Welby’s place.

And maybe sneak finding out a little information on Jagger in the process.

I walked in and my mouth instantly watered from the delicious smells floating through my system. From baked apples to homemade Christmas cookies, this was one of the warmest and most welcoming places I’d ever walked into.

“Bella. Good to see you again. Would you like a cup of coffee?” Poppy noticed me immediately.

“I would. It’s still chilly out there.” While Jagger had insisted he purchase me some warmer clothes, for some reason the wind was biting today.

“Move over, Gerald,” she told one of the customers. There was a seat in between him and the guy he was talking to. “Let a lady and true hero sit down.”

Gerald glanced over his shoulder and gave me a toothy grin.

But he moved.

Poppy wiped the area and placed a new coffee mug down just as I sat down. She was eyeing me the entire time she was pouring coffee. “Are you settled into the town?”

I laughed. “First time I’ve ventured out by myself.” Thankfully, my SUV hadn’t been damaged from my stupid antics of trying to get away.

“Well, perfect time of year. Of course summer is good too. The whole town is talking about you guys.”

“Ugh. Don’t tell Jagger that. Or as my daughter calls him, Mr. Grumpy.”

“He can be a little obtuse.”

“That’s a word,” I told her.

“Where’s that adorable daughter of yours?”

“At daycare at the restaurant.” I poured in some cream, taking a few seconds to stir it. “Can I ask you a question, Poppy?”

“You can ask me anything, honey. Shoot.”

“Doc Welby’s office. Is it nice? Will I be happy taking over his practice?”

She laughed and I could tell she was brimming from excitement. “Doc Welby really was the doctor for almost everyone in town. Sure, they went to Roanoke or Salem if they needed specialists or a hospital, but he knew everybody by their first name. Hell, he birthed some of the people who still live here as adults. He just had a way of making you feel special, especially when he used to make house calls. Those were the days.”

“House calls?” I thought about the medical bag I’d carried with me for years. Maybe the chaotic mess of my life was really a moment of serendipity.

“He sure did. It’s been a while, but I know some of his older patients were grateful. I think you’ll like his place. His wife made certain there were some feminine touches. You’re thinking about taking him up on his offer?”

“I’m still thinking. I thought I’d just drop by and see the place.”

Poppy refilled several customers’ coffee before returning to me. “That’s exciting news. He’d love to see you and we’d love to keep you here.”

“Why? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind at all. Easy answer. You’re good for Jagger. I know. I’m a bit of a mother hen, but with his dad’s cancer, Jagger’s mom right by his side no matter what country they’re in, Jagger needs someone to look after him.”

How many times had I blushed since arriving in town? More times than I could count and I’d never felt compelled to blush before. I’d never really had a reason. “Why do you think I’m good for him?”

“Oh, come on. That man is so broken the pieces are rattling around in that rugged body of his. His dad once said he’d suffered the most. I mean to be captured near Christmas and then watch his fiancée die at the hands of the insurgents who’d taken them captive does split a person in two. You know? He’s blamed himself ever since.”

It was obvious she thought he’d told me. I was horrified that he’d suffered so much, trying my best not to react when my stomach was doing flipflops. I nodded, but felt the color drain from my face. There was no sense in letting her know he couldn’t set the ghost of this girl free just yet.

“Why blame himself? He didn’t lure them to these bastards. He didn’t perform the ugly deed.”

“You like him a lot.” Poppy grinned in a knowing way. “I’m glad to see that.”

“Yes, I do, but no one deserves that level of guilt.”

“No, they don’t. I don’t know all the details, but evidently Jagger took her off the base, which was considered unsafe. He was almost court-martialed for it. His dad didn’t tell me everything.”

My God. Why the hell had the man mentioned the tragedy to anyone in the first place?

“Anyway, pretty much everyone in town thought Jagger might die a lonely man. Then you came into town and suddenly there’s life inside him. A bright light just waiting to come out and shine. All because of you and that cute little girl of yours.”

She had me laughing. “He’s kind of special.”

“I’m glad you think so,” she said, winking. “Go see the doc. You have a good man on your hands, just one that’s a little rusty in being a human being. Can I get you anything to eat?”

“No, but I wouldn’t mind taking one of your famous cherry pies home for dinner.”

I was still sick inside, finally starting to understand why he felt as if he would hurt me.

“Of course, girl. Let me get it boxed up for you.”

As she walked away, I couldn’t help wondering whether he would ever be free of her ghost. If not, I wouldn’t be able to compete with that.