Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Jackson

Friday flew by. I attributed my good mood to the fact that I had closed three cases that day, even though I knew at least half of it was because I was looking forward to seeing Allison again. I had long been the fifth wheel at Greg and Janet’s dinners. Fiona and I were the only two single people regularly included. Allison wouldn’t be there as my date, but it still felt good to bring someone with me.

Allison texted that I’d need to pick her up from the clinic, as she wouldn’t have time to run home after work to change. When I got there, ten minutes after they should have closed, I heard the muffled sounds of an argument from inside. I pulled the front door open, ignored Beverly completely, and strode straight through the door that separated the waiting room from the clinic.

Allison was in the hallway with a man towering over her, cussing her out. Her shoulders sagged with relief when she caught sight of me.

I walked straight to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. “What seems to be the problem?” I asked, my tone clipped. I was inwardly seething at the way he had been speaking to Allison, but I was good at my job, and part of that meant staying calm in the face of pressure.

The man—Frank Cross, as it turned out, a man I’d arrested twice for DUI and once for domestic assault—turned around and immediately flushed with embarrassment. “Oh, sorry, Jackson,” he said. He shook his head and rolled his eyes, jerking his thumb toward Allison. “The new girl here is refusing to give me the medicine I need. I’ve been in every day this week asking for refills and she won’t give them. I’d like to file charges. That’s got to be a crime, right? Medical neglect or something?”

I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself to keep it under control. “If by ‘new girl’ you’re referring to Doctor Bell, I’m assuming there’s probably a medical reason she’s not filling the prescriptions you’re asking for. Doctor?” I addressed her, making sure I modeled the respect she was due.

She took a breath. “That’s right. As I’ve tried explaining to Mr. Cross every time he’s come in, his prescriptions aren’t appropriate for his condition. They’re also highly addictive and have a plethora of potential side effects with long-term use. I’ve offered other combinations that are less dangerous, I’ve offered help getting into rehab, and I’ve offered referrals for procedures that would likely eliminate the pain he’s feeling so that the meds aren’t even necessary. Mr. Cross,” she said, her face softening. “I know this is hard, but we’re talking about your life. You can’t continue like this.”

Frank’s face reddened again. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” he hollered, jabbing her with his finger. “I’ve been getting by just fine, and I’ll keep getting by if you’ll just do your damn job and write the scripts!”

“That’s enough,” I said, stepping in between the two of them. “Frank, you’re out of line. At this point, Dr. Bell could press charges against you. ”

Frank stepped back, shocked. “I didn’t do nothin’!”

“You’re verbally harassing her, and I just saw you jab her with your finger,” I said evenly. “You’re crossing the line, Frank, and with your history, no one’s going to go easy on you. Now, according to Dr. Bell, she’s offered you three alternatives. Which one will you be taking?”

His face turned even more red. “I’ll tell you which one. None of them! I’m going to go find me a real doctor. Kept coming here out of loyalty to Doc Rogers, but it ain’t worth it anymore. I don’t know what they were thinking, hiring a Bell. Bells are no-good trash. Ain’t never done anything good for this community. You’re probably just like your mama,” he said. Then he snarled at Allison as he kicked the metal trash can in the hallway.

It was getting harder and harder to keep my professional demeanor. “It’s time for you to leave,” I said. “And, Frank?”

“What?”

“I don’t ever want to hear you speaking about Dr. Bell that way again, you hear me?”

“It’s a free country,” he said. “I’ll speak about her anyway I want.”

“Not in front of me, you won’t.”

The warning in my eyes must have made him realize I was serious. He spun around and walked out, muttering under his breath the whole way. I followed, keeping him in sight until he was out of the building. Then I locked the door behind him.

When I turned around, I saw Beverly smiling smugly. I walked over to her, my arms crossed. “Beverly, the next time a staff member here— any staff member—is being verbally harassed, you need to call for law enforcement immediately. You know Frank has a reputation for getting hot under the collar, and he’s desperate for narcotics. That could have escalated into a dangerous situation quickly. I’m disappointed you were content to sit here and watch the show instead of helping your colleague.”

Her mouth dropped open, but she was too shocked to say anything. Which, frankly, I was glad about.

I walked through the doors to the back of the clinic and started looking for Allison, who had disappeared from the hallway. I found her in an exam room, typing on her laptop. Her hands were shaky, her smile even more so when she looked up at me.

“Just a sec,” she said with a bit of a wobble in her voice. “I just need to document all of that in his chart. Then we can go.”

“Take your time,” I said. I crossed over to the exam table and hopped onto it, studying her from across the room.

She was the ultimate professional, but it was clear the scene had gotten to her. I got the sense it was important for her to complete her routine though, to document whatever she needed to so she felt like she had a little control over the situation. Or maybe I was projecting my own feelings onto it. Either way, I waited for her to finish before checking on her.

“Okay,” she finally said, closing the laptop. “I’ll grab my things and we can head out.”

“You want to talk about it first?”

“Not really,” she said, shaking her head and then letting out a breathy sigh. “Two years.”

“Two years?”

“That’s how long my contract is. I’m less than a month down. I’m not sure I’m going to make it.” She gave a tired laugh, looking more weary than I had seen her since she had come back.

“You’ll make it,” I said, though a new unease hit me. I had never thought about her contract being temporary.

Two years was a long time, but what then? She had said this was where she was supposed to be, but that didn’t mean she was supposed to stay forever. Of course not. Allison was smart and ambitious. She wouldn’t be content settling into a small-town clinic and passing out narcotics like they were candy. She’d want more for her life.

Which meant, in two years, I’d likely lose my best friend all over again.

I forced thoughts of Allison leaving out of my head as we drove out to Greg and Janet’s house. Peace settled into my heart as the familiar sight of the valley came into view. Once she’d gotten out of the clinic, the weariness had vanished from Allison too.

“I wish I would have had time to change,” she said, glancing down at herself. “Do you think this will be okay for dinner?”

I looked over at her in the passenger’s seat, trying to notice the clothes themselves instead of the way they highlighted her perfect figure. But the more I tried not to notice, the more I did. It was a simple, professional outfit—a light-gray skirt with an ivory top and a little sweater over it. It reminded me of something a librarian might wear—a very sexy librarian, though clearly, that wasn’t the look Allison was going for.

“Um.” I cleared my throat, turning back to the road in front of me. “You look great.”

“I get nervous meeting new people,” she blurted out.

I looked back over at her. “They’ll love you.”

“I’m trusting you,” she said, giving me a tentative smile. “I could use some friendly faces in town.”

“Well, you’re about to meet the best of the best,” I said, trying to reassure her as we pulled in and parked. “Trust me.”

“I do,” she murmured softly.

Two simple words that hit me like a brick. I felt honored to have her trust—and determined to keep it by not screwing anything up.

I hopped out and opened the truck door for her. She was clearly still nervous as we walked up Greg’s long driveway. The encounter with Frank had made us late, and my truck was at the very back of the line.

“There’s a lot of people here,” she said, eyeing the vehicles.

“Not too many,” I said. “Greg and Janet, of course. Daphne—she’s Janet’s daughter and Greg’s stepdaughter—and her husband, Emerson, and their daughter, Eileen. Fiona, who you already know. Willa, Daphne’s best friend, and Cole, Willa’s fiancé.”

“Oh.” Allison’s eyes got big, and she lifted a hand to her mouth. “Willa. Of course. I just realized who you’re talking about. She was all over the news. I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together.”

“You’ve had a lot on your mind,” I said.

“That’s the truth.”

The front door flew open, and Fiona’s familiar form stepped into the frame. “Hurry on up, Jackson!” she called. “And introduce me to that pretty girl you’ve got with you!”

“Sorry,” I apologized below my breath. “I told Greg we’re just friends, but there may be some assumptions.”

“It’s fine,” Allison said, waving it off. “Why, Fiona Flanagan!” Her face lit up as she stepped onto the front porch. “You haven’t aged a day!”

“Well, my my!” Fiona peered at her. “I heard we had a certain Doctor Allison Bell back in town, but I can’t hardly believe my eyes! You’ve grown up into a real pretty young lady, and successful too!” Fiona grabbed her into a strong hug. “I’m real proud of ya and so happy you’re back.”

“Thank you,” Allison said when Fiona released her. “It’s really good to see you too.” Happiness shone in her eyes, making me even more glad Greg had invited her.

“Come meet everyone,” Fiona said, waving her in. She turned to whisper to me. “I took care of the punch. Don’t tell Janet.”

“Your secret’s safe,” I promised, putting my hand over my heart.

Fiona winked at me and turned around, leading the way.

“What does she mean?” Allison whispered.

“She probably means she spiked it,” I answered under my breath. “She’s always adding whiskey to everything.”

Allison’s eyes grew worried. “Does she have a drinking problem?”

“Nah,” I said, waving her off. “More like a Janet problem. They love each other, but they’re like oil and water. Fiona likes poking at her and loosening her up.”

“Gotcha,” Allison said, relieved. “That sounds like the Fiona I remember.”

“You two stop whispering back there,” Fiona complained. “Makes it too hard to listen in on what you’re saying. Daphne, this is Allison Bell! I’ve known her even longer than I’ve known you!”

“Any friend of Fiona’s is a friend of mine,” Daphne said, stepping forward to say hello. She gestured to the adorable baby on her hip, a tiny thing with solemn eyes and a headful of red hair, just like her mother. “This is little Eileen.”

“Eileen,” Allison said, recognition dawning on her face. “Wait. You must be Eileen Sullivan’s daughter. Except, Jackson said Janet is your mom. I’m sorry. I’m all mixed up.” Confusion and embarrassment clouded her features.

“Both are right,” Daphne said in the soft voice she always used when speaking of her late mother. “Eileen was my mom, but my father remarried after she died. Janet raised me.”

“Oh, I see,” Allison said. “You look so much like her.”

“You knew her?” Daphne’s face lit up.

Allison nodded. “Not well, but I do remember her. She volunteered at the library. She was always very sweet.” Her voice was soft, like Daphne’s.

Daphne’s eyes grew misty, and she pulled Allison into a hug. “I don’t have any memories of her, so I always enjoy hearing other people’s. We’ll have to talk sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

“Come on. Mom and Willa are in the kitchen,” Daphne said, dragging Allison away from me. But Daphne turned around and gave me a knowing smile and a nod of approval as she did.

I felt my face go red. I’d have to correct a lot of assumptions, it seemed.

“Hey, man,” Cole said, coming over to shake my hand. “Good to see you.”

“You too.”

“This is the first time you’ve brought a girl to a family dinner.” He gave me one of his serious looks. Of course, Cole was almost always serious. Willa was the only one who ever seemed to make him laugh.

“She’s just a friend,” I repeated, knowing it was a phrase I was going to have to repeat a hundred times.

“Sure she is,” he said, crossing his arms.

Emerson meandered over to join us. “Leave him alone, Cole,” he said, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

“Aw, come on,” Cole complained. “You didn’t leave me alone when I was denying my feelings for Willa, now did you?”

Emerson grinned. “That was different.”

“How?” Cole demanded.

“I don’t know,” Emerson said, laughing. “It just was. Maybe it’s more fun to tease you than it is to tease Jackson.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “Come on,” he said, turning back to me. “What’s the deal?”

“There’s no deal,” I said. “Allison and I have known each other since we were kids, but we’re just friends. We made a pact and everything.” I attempted to laugh it off.

“A pact?” Emerson asked, now suddenly curious. “To just be friends?”

“Best friends,” I said, nodding.

Emerson and Cole exchanged looks and started cracking up.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

Cole shook his head. “It’ll never work.”

“Ten bucks says they’ll kiss before the Fourth of July,” Emerson said.

Cole scoffed. “I don’t take bets I know I’ll lose.”