In the Doctor's Arms Read online

  “Thank you. I love kids.” Iris glanced toward the group of giggling children. “This is going to be you pretty soon. You must be so excited.”

  Sonya sighed. “And nervous. Now that the time is close I realize how little experience I have. How do you know what to do with them? Like that game you were playing. My parents never played games with me.”

  “Hmm. When you grow up in a big family like ours you get together a lot and kids are just always around. I used to babysit my little cousins when I was a teenager. They’re fun and I guess if you pay attention they’ll let you know what they like. My personal strategy is to keep them as engaged as possible—play games, talk to them, make them laugh.” Iris could tell from the look on Sonya’s face she wasn’t convinced. Iris didn’t envy the fear and uncertainty Sonya had to be feeling. Reaching out, she laid a hand on Sonya’s arm. “Don’t worry, you’ll know what to do. That maternal instinct will kick in and you’ll be a pro in no time.”

  Sonya tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace. Iris’s heart went out to her. Easy for her to say when she wasn’t the one facing it. Pointing toward the picnic table, she said, “Hey, do you want to meet some of my family? Lots of moms over there to give you first-hand advice, more than you probably want. Emily, mom of Violet and Brady, baked cookies and my cousin Janie made some delicious brownies. Janie has five kids, aged eighteen to infant, including that set of twins there.” Iris pointed in the general direction of Gabe and Finn. “She’s an expert in motherhood. Plus, we’ve got chips and dip... Oh, and a fruit tray.”

  Sonya’s smile went a little wider and almost reached her eyes. She nodded. “I’d like that.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “SO SONYA THINKS we’re engaged now, too?” Iris repeated what Flynn had just told her as they strolled hand in hand along the path that fronted the bay. Iris had taken a long lunch. She’d gotten sandwiches to go from the Cozy Caribou and met Flynn at the hospital on his break. Given his shifts at the hospital and Iris trying to find her replacement at Copper Crossing, this was the first opportunity they’d had to be alone since they’d returned from DC two days ago. “We managed to ease our way out of one fake relationship only to get into another, much more serious fake one?”

  “I’m sorry.” Flynn grimaced. “But I ran into her again at the hospital yesterday morning. I don’t know if ‘running into’ is apt because I had the feeling it was on purpose on her part.”

  A gentle, balmy breeze blew in from the water as they neared the spot where Iris had seen Sonya. “I ran into her yesterday, too. Like right here, in the afternoon. I introduced her to everyone. She seemed a little better, less despondent.”

  “I agree. But that’s...”

  Flynn took the bag from her hand and set it on the table. “That’s what?” she asked.

  “I don’t know... She was asking questions about our relationship and making me nervous. I felt like I needed the added layer of protection of an engagement. I really am sorry, but please don’t make me tell her the truth.”

  Iris laughed and gripped his hand a little tighter. “Flynn, it’s fine. After everything you’ve done for me, I’ll do as much pretending for you as you need.”

  “Thank you. Hopefully, she’ll be gone soon, and it won’t matter. She can’t stay here forever.”

  Why not? Iris wondered, but didn’t ask the obvious question because Flynn was putting his arms around her. Eyes blazing, dimpled smile in place, Iris felt that now-familiar warmth spread through her. Would she always feel this way in his embrace? He dipped his head and kissed her. Question answered, she thought, as joy and affection blasted through her like a million sparks from the most brilliant fireworks show. He broke off the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers for a few long seconds. She liked how he always seemed as affected as she did.

  “We need to talk about what we’re going to do.”

  Iris swallowed nervously and nodded. She knew this was coming but it hadn’t stopped her from worrying. What if Flynn had been thinking about the difficult logistics, too, and realized it wasn’t worth it?

  “What about not doing this?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean how about not pretending anymore? Listen...” He pulled back to look at her and the intensity she saw in his eyes had her already agitated heart jumping. “I know this is going to seem fast, but I feel like I’ve wasted so much time where we’re concerned. I love you. I’m so in love with you, Iris. It’s like all the loose ends in my life feel tied when we’re together.”

  Relief washed over her fast and hard and left her a little dizzy. She gripped his shoulders. “It’s not too fast,” she assured him. She’d been in love with him for more than a decade. “I lo—”

  “Hold on.” He held out a hand to halt her declaration.

  “Let me finish and then you can tell me you love me, too. I think this is worth the wait.”

  “Fine,” she answered with a playful huff and an eye roll.

  “Here’s the thing... I’ve been thinking about this a lot. We’re facing more than a year of a long-distance relationship. But when you’re visiting Rankins and when I come to DC, I want us to be together, you next to me, me beside you. In fact, I want to wake up next to you in the morning and fall asleep beside you at night. I want to make you breakfast and I want you to kiss me when I have to leave at whatever gruesome early hour in the morning it is.”

  Okay, so he was right, that had been worth waiting for. Joy pulsed through her veins, flowing into every inch of her body. She’d never experienced this kind of happiness in her life. Ever. Contentment was the best she’d hoped for. Academic success, the job of her dreams, those were good, satisfying accomplishments. She’d believed that was enough. Now that she’d tasted this kind of euphoria, she finally understood.

  Love. It hugged her heart and made her feel whole and complete at the same time. Like she could float away. She didn’t think there was anything she wouldn’t do for this man. Tears formed, burning her eyes, and she realized it was the first time in her life she’d ever cried tears of joy. A short burst of laughter followed at the thought.

  “I want to do that as your husband.”

  She nodded. “I want that, too.”

  “Good. Okay, go ahead.” Flynn’s smile was brighter than the sun and even more beautiful.

  She laughed and shook her head. “I love you, Flynn.”

  He nodded, and despite his usual confidence, he looked relieved, too. “Good. That’s so...perfect, actually. Will you marry me, Iris? You’re all I want.”

  “Yes, I will. Of course I will. I can’t wait to marry you.”

  He pulled her to him and hugged her close. “Shortest fake engagement ever.”

  “Even shorter than our fake relationship.”

  * * *

  IRIS WAITED FOR Ashley in the Donut Den. Nervous energy churned in her stomach, and not in a good way. She couldn’t stop the fleeting thought that she was being set up. Like the prom scene in Carrie, where Carrie’s classmates pretend to be her friend and then humiliate her in front of the entire school. If Faith and Lorna came through the door along with Ashley, Iris didn’t know what she’d do. Unfortunately, she lacked Carrie’s telepathic powers.

  She couldn’t help but feel relief when a lone Ashley dashed through the entrance, spotted Iris and hustled over. Exhaling a single sharp breath, she said, “Sorry I’m late. My babysitter flaked on me and I had to run the kids out to Mom and Dad’s. I try not to ask them too often, you know what I mean? I don’t ever want them to think I’m taking advantage.”

  “You’re fine. It’s only a couple of minutes.”

  Swinging an enormous purple-and-white striped bag from her shoulder, she let out a little yelp and an “Oh, no!” before smacking a hand to her forehead. “I did it again.”

  “You did what again?”

  “I left my
bag at Mom’s and brought the baby one with me. My brain still isn’t fully functioning since Devon was born. And the poor little mite was up for hours last night...” Ashley dropped the carry-on-sized bag onto a chair and began rummaging around inside it. “Which means I don’t have my wallet.”

  “Do you need some money? I can buy your coffee.” Iris held her cup aloft.

  Ashley looked up and frowned at her. “You already ordered? You were supposed to let me buy you coffee.” She shrugged out of her jacket and Iris noticed a brown stain on her wrinkled blouse. No makeup, faded leggings, messy ponytail—Iris couldn’t wrap her brain around how different Ashley seemed than the perfect, put-together femme fatale she’d been in high school.

  “I got here a little early, so...”

  “Motherhood steals your brain cells, but it also...channels them in very helpful ways. It forces you to levels of ingenuity you would not believe.” Ashley dove into her bag again. “This is not the first time I’ve done this, so I’ve taken to stashing emergency cash in one of the pockets. Plus, it’s nice, in case I forget to leave money for the babysitter and she needs to buy something.” She waved a handful of dollars in front of Iris. “I’ll be right back.”

  Iris watched her. As she chatted with Hailey, the young woman working behind the counter, Iris couldn’t help but notice how engaging she was. When Ashley turned on the charm, she was magnetic. Hailey produced a box and began filling it with pastries. Ashley came back to the table with an extra-large coffee and an assortment of goodies.

  Tossing Iris an enticing grin, she said, “You’re not going to make me eat alone, are you? I hate that.”

  “Me, too, actually.” Iris smiled, grabbed a napkin and chose a bear claw.

  Ashley removed the lid from her cup and picked up the creamer. Iris had never met anyone who put as much cream into their coffee as she herself did. It was disconcerting to have anything in common with Ashley Eller. Iris considered making small talk but decided to let Ashley take the lead.

  The fact that Iris was even here facing down her past was a milestone. She credited her courage to braving so many Alaskan elements, physical and mental, over these last weeks. And flying an airplane. Admittedly, there was a little bit of Flynn-related engagement confidence mixed in there, too. They were going to make the announcement to everyone at their regular James family Sunday dinner.

  Ashley took a huge bite of her donut, then another, and one more before wiping her mouth with a napkin she plucked from the dispenser.

  “Sorry, I skipped breakfast.” Ashley finished off the donut and took a chug of her coffee. She then chose a glazed huckleberry muffin and began peeling away the paper. “I can’t wait to find a job. I adore my children, but we all need to get into a routine. Between the divorce and the move, it’s been mayhem.” She sighed. “This single-mom thing is challenging, not that Roy was any help when he was around, which is a big part of why we got divorced and why I need a jo—” Eyes wide, one hand went up and made a chopping motion at the air as if to cut off her sentence. “Which is not why I asked you here. To talk about the job. I mean, I want the job, but I’m not begging or pressuring you for it or anything.”

  Iris gave her a reassuring smile and started to say she understood, but then Ashley’s diaper bag fell over. An object toppled out and hit the floor with a thud. The lid flew off the container and a million Cheerios skittered across the floor.

  Ashley covered her face with a hand while Iris tried not to laugh. She stood but an efficient Hailey was already hustling around the counter, broom in hand. “I got it. Don’t worry.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Ashley said. “I can do that.” She reached for the broom.

  “Don’t be silly.” Hailey waved her off with a kind smile. “This is my job.”

  “Thank you, Hailey.”

  Iris couldn’t help but feel the tiniest twinge of compassion. Ashley was a hot mess. A hot mess of someone trying at least, Iris reminded herself as she tore off a chunk of her own pastry.

  Hailey soon departed, not a trace of cereal remained. Ashley seemed to fortify herself with another long pull from her cup. She set it down. “I’m sure you’re curious about why I wanted to see you.”

  “I am.”

  Dropping the half-eaten muffin onto a napkin, Ashley wiped her fingertips and then folded her hands on the table in front of her. She fidgeted with her chipped nail polish before meeting Iris’s gaze head-on.

  “Here goes. Iris, I owe you the hugest apology. I know you can probably never forgive me and I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. I was such a nasty person in high school. And I’m...” She trailed off with a shake of her head. “I’m so, so sorry about the way I treated you. It keeps me up at night.”

  Iris stared blankly. She opened her mouth to respond, then closed it again to give it some more thought.

  “Like days, if not minutes, after Bette was born it hit me. The thought of anyone treating her how I treated you makes me sick to my stomach. For the last six years I’ve thought about tracking you down and apologizing. It didn’t feel like something I could do over the phone and then I thought why would she even talk to me? If I were you, I would hang up on me. I certainly don’t think I’d be here listening to me, either. But then again, I’m not kind and classy like you are. Like you’ve always been.”

  As shock settled over her, Iris did more staring.

  Ashley went on, “I was so jealous of you.”

  That produced an involuntary snort of disbelief. “You were jealous of me?”

  “Yes! Gah! I wanted to be smart like you so much.”

  “Um...”

  “You know my dad’s an engineer?”

  At Iris’s nod, she continued, “He wanted a son so badly, a smart boy like he is. Like my cousin Derrick is. He got three girls instead, two artistic scatterbrains like our mom. But Callie and Stef don’t care what he thinks. Why would they? They’re both incredibly talented. But me, I didn’t get their artistic abilities. And I didn’t get my dad’s brains, either. I’m... I’ve always felt like such a nothing.”

  Iris was taken aback. “But you’re so... You were the most popular girl in our class.”

  Ashley glanced away for a second before meeting Iris’s gaze again. “I know, but who cares? I mean, I know I was pretty. I am pretty,” she corrected quickly, like she didn’t believe it anymore but was trying to convince herself. “It was the only thing I had back then. It was...” She smiled but it looked more like a grimace. “It was the only thing I thought I had. I’m realizing, slowly, that I do have other gifts. Despite how I might appear this morning, I’m organized, efficient and I can multitask like no one’s business. I’m calm under pressure. All of that helps make me a good mom. And I was a good wife. Roy couldn’t have run that car dealership without me—in fact, he’s figuring that out. His cheating had nothing to do with me.”

  Iris didn’t know what to say. It was a lot to process.

  “There’s something out there for me, I just need to find it. I’ve been seeing a therapist. I feel like I’ve taken myself apart and now I’m putting the pieces back together, but the way I want them.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Iris managed a smile. “I was jealous of you, if it makes you feel better. I wanted to be pretty.”

  “Well, you got your wish, didn’t you? Your beauty spread from the inside out.”

  “Ashley, that’s a really nice thing to say.”

  “It’s true.” Ashley smiled again, and it looked so heartfelt, so genuine, that Iris was struck with the thought that Ashley was so much lovelier now, too, than the high-school beauty queen she’d been. Ashley’s beauty, it seemed, was spreading inward.

  “Once you hit rock bottom, it’s easy to be honest. You probably don’t remember, but Flynn and I started going out right around the time you two became close. I couldn’t handle it. I came unglued. I used to ask hi
m to study with me. Looking back, that would have been pointless because we didn’t have the same classes. I used to complain that he spent more time with you than he did me. Which he did, by the way, did you know that? Because being the obsessed teenage girlfriend that I was, I kept track.”

  Iris shook her head. “I didn’t know. But it wasn’t like that with Flynn and me. We were just study partners. Friends.”

  “No, you weren’t.” Ashley barked out a laugh. “I mean you both thought that’s all you were because you... I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Because Flynn was a teenage boy and neither of you could see how amazing you are. But I knew you’d end up together someday. And if you didn’t, it would have been a tragedy.”

  * * *

  SUNDAY DINNER WAS a long-standing tradition in the James family. It had been going on for as long as Iris could remember. This week, Aunt Claire, Bering and Janie’s mom, was hosting.

  Two picnic tables had been placed end-to-end outside in a freshly mowed expanse of the grassy yard that fronted her home. Another table was next to that. Lawn chairs were scattered about where people chatted and finished their melt-in-your-mouth pork roast and potato salad. Laughter and teasing mingled with the joyful squeals of the kids, who were playing a game of whiffle ball a short distance away.

  Talk soon turned to the assortment of pies laid out for dessert. Iris fidgeted in her seat beside Hazel. Hazel slid her a knowing smile. There was something about sharing a room with your sister that invited the sharing of confidences. She’d told Hazel about the engagement the night before. Flynn had already informed Doc, who sat beaming beside Ally at the next table.

  “Where’s Flynn?” Hazel whispered.

  “Talking to Mom and Dad.”

  “Such a gentleman. I found out before Mom and Dad?”

  Flynn had insisted on speaking to her dad first even though Iris felt like the tradition was a little antiquated.