Summer on Lovers' Island (6 page)

“Oh. Stitches. Yeah, I know. I was hoping you could do it and save me a trip to the ER.”

Lizzie circled his wrist with her fingers and led him into the first exam room. “You'd better sit down,” she said gently. “You look like you're going to faint.”

It was enough to pull him out of his stupor and he shook his head, looking up at her clearly. “I don't faint at the sight of blood,” he replied, his tone suggesting the very idea was preposterous. He'd be damned if he'd explain that it was her turning his brain to mush rather than any blood loss.

She raised one eyebrow. “You sure?” She moved to a cupboard and took out a tray. “When was your last tetanus?”

“Tetanus?”

“You hurt your hearing as well as your hand?”

He heard the smile in her voice and tried to relax. “No, ma'am. Last year. I was updated last year.”

“Well, I can forego sticking you with a booster, then. Lucky for me I still get to poke you when I freeze your finger.” Her smile looked a little bit smug, he noticed, liking the way her lips titled a bit at the corners as she teased him. He found the hint of sassiness crazy sexy.

In no time flat she'd given him a local anesthetic and grabbed a suture pack and was sitting on a rolling stool putting four stitches in his finger.

“Nice stitches.”

“And you're done.” She pushed back and peeled off her gloves. “Keep it clean and I'll take those out for you next week.”

“I can take them out myself, you know.” He sent her a sarcastic grin. “Easier than putting them in.”

She shrugged. “You're the doc. But you're also a man, and you'll want to take them out before they're ready.”

She was right, not that he'd admit it out loud.

She was up and tidying and he was still sitting on the chair. “You need something else, Josh?”

Did he need anything else? He couldn't think of a thing. Not one single plausible reason to keep her with him a moment longer. Except …

“You settling in okay?” It was a fair question, right? She'd only been in town a few days.

She put the used needle in the dispenser and dropped the rest of the mess in the garbage can. “What's this, the end-of-the-first-week debrief?”

“Jeez. Just making conversation. Sorry I kept you late. You probably have plans.”

She laughed, the sound a little brittle for his liking.

“Plans? In Jewell Cove? Just me and a glass of chardonnay. Real exciting.”

She didn't make it sound like a good thing, and he definitely didn't want to pry. He got up and made his way to the front door but turned at the last minute. She was behind the reception desk again, the phone receiver to her ear as he raised his hand in farewell.

She fluttered her fingers and smiled, the sharpness of a moment before gone. His heart did a little lurch again. Being attracted to her would be such a mistake. She was a coworker. And she was temporary. He got the distinct impression that she'd rather be back in the big city than killing time in his hometown. Hell, that smile and fluttering of her fingers was about as warm as she'd been the entire week.

But it had been warm enough to fuel something he hadn't felt in a long time. And that was very, very inconvenient.

*   *   *

July Fourth was as big of a deal in Jewell Cove as it was anywhere else in America. Lizzie'd seen that right away when she'd arrived in town, her suitcases piled into the back of her convertible, at the end of June. Red, white, and blue decorations appeared all week: flags, bunting, flowers, the works. By the time the actual day rolled around, celebrations were in full swing. Lizzie found herself accompanying Charlie and Dave to several events beginning at noon, charmed despite herself at the cheerful, patriotic mood that enveloped the town.

The mayor, a crusty ex-fisherman named Luke Pratt, made a speech in Memorial Square, the statue of Edward Jewell looking on approvingly. There was a tribute to the members of the armed forces and the announcement of the Most Patriotic Display for local businesses, which went to Cover to Cover Bookstore for their window featuring the Declaration of Independence as the centerpiece with a huge stars and stripes collage as a backdrop. All day long there were special events. A hot dog barbecue in the square; face painting sponsored by the local store Treasures. There was to be a ball game at the park between the current high school team and alumni and games for the younger kids down on the wharf where, incidentally, Sally's Dairy Shack was giving out free soft ice cream with special tickets handed out by members of the business association.

Dave was just finishing his cone when he looked over at Charlie and Lizzie. “Okay, you two. I've suffered through speeches and the two of you oohing and aahing over flowers and God knows what else. It's time for some manly pursuits. Can we head over to the ball game? The first inning just started.”

Charlie looked pained, but Lizzie nodded. “That sounds like fun.” She never made a big deal of it, but she and her dad had often enjoyed watching the Sox play and she liked the game. It was one of the things she'd missed this past spring. Besides, it was sunny and hot and what better way to spend the day than at America's favorite pastime?

Dave, bless him, looked relieved. “Charlie told Josh we'd show up to the postgame barbecue, so we can head over there afterwards.”

Lizzie put her tote over her shoulder and hesitated. “Maybe I'll just head back home after the game. I don't need to play third wheel.”

“Don't be silly,” Charlie argued, nudging her elbow as they walked to the clinic where they'd parked. “Half the town was invited, including Robin from the office. Besides, I know for a fact that Sarah expects you.”

Lizzie frowned. “How do you know that?”

Charlie laughed. “Because I ran into her at the grocery store and she said to be sure I brought you with us.”

Lizzie didn't argue. She could always make up an excuse later if she didn't want to go. Right now she was actually having fun. The sun was hot on her hair, her nose was sweating just a little bit around the nosepiece of her sunglasses, and she was thirsty for water now that she'd finished her vanilla soft-serve cone.

The ball field was behind the high school, northwest of the waterfront. Cars already filled the school lot, and when they reached the bleachers the game was under way. The scoreboard read 2–0 for the high school team in the second inning, and the alumni were up at bat.

Sarah's daughter, Susan, ran up to greet them. “Mom says to give you these.” Susan handed over three ball caps, brown ones that said:
Old Dogs
. “She said you have to cheer for the old guys.”

Charlie laughed. “Your uncles aren't exactly old.”

Susan shrugged. “They're no spring chickens.”

Lizzie burst out laughing as Susan ran off again. “I like that kid,” she said, taking the hat and pulling her ponytail through the hole at the back as she placed it on her head. “What are they calling the high school team?”

Charlie pointed at a teenager standing nearby, watching through the fence. His ball cap was red and said:
Young Pups
on it. Lizzie grinned. “Cute,” she said, chuckling a little.

They made their way into the stands, Charlie and Lizzie picking seats while Dave bought them sodas from someone with a big cooler. Lizzie had just popped the top on a root beer when one of the “old-timers” struck out, causing lots of good-natured trash talk to erupt on both benches. “That's Josh's cousin Bryce.” Charlie nodded toward the burly player making his way back to the dugout. “He's the police chief. Boy, he's going to have a hard time living that one down.”

The next batter was Rick Sullivan, who Charlie pointed out was Josh's brother-in-law and had a prosthetic hand. Lizzie watched curiously as Rick gripped the bat, his prosthetic at the bottom, his other hand above it. The first pitch came in slow, and Lizzie saw Rick scowl as he stepped out of the batter's box, refusing to even swing. “Come on, Danny,” he groused. “No wimping out just because I'm a cripple. Might as well bring out that fastball like you do for everyone else on the second pitch.”

She swore the kid, Danny, blushed on the mound. Rick stepped back inside the box, dug in his front toe, and waited.

Sure enough, the next pitch came zooming in, a perfect fastball. And Rick swung, connecting with a sharp crack as the ball went just over the shortstop's head and dropped in front of the left fielder, giving him a single.

The pitcher kicked his foot in the dirt and hoots and howls came from the other bench. “He had your number, son!” More laughs and high fives, and Rick had a ridiculous grin on his face as he stood next to the first-base bag.

Josh was up next. Lizzie couldn't deny that her pulse gave a little jump as he strode out from the on-deck circle and swung his bat a few times. Hot damn, he looked good in ball pants. The gray material hugged his butt perfectly, making her mouth go dry, and the shirt emphasized his lean waist and broad shoulders. He sent the pitcher a crooked grin, tapped his batting helmet with his knuckles, and put one foot in the box while the other one remained out, taking his time. “Now Danny,” he called, “I don't need that fastball. I kind of like the inside curve, if you don't mind!”

Shouts erupted from both benches. “Don't listen to him, Dan!” mingled with laughs, and everyone on the benches had smiles on their faces.

Lizzie remembered that Josh's right hand still had stitches in, but he didn't seem to be favoring it any. His batting gloves would give him some extra padding, she supposed. And she admired his perfect form as he finally put his back foot in the box, raised his left elbow, and got ready for the pitch.

Josh's face had lost all traces of teasing and was perfectly focused as Danny wound up for the pitch. He'd known exactly what he was doing, she realized, as Danny didn't throw the curve but instead hit him with another fastball, straight down the middle. It was just what Josh had wanted, wasn't it? Because he took a mighty swing and she watched as the bat came around, his hips swiveled, and torso and shoulders rotated in perfect form as he followed through. The ball went up, up, and long, heading for the fence. The fielders ran back, but it was too late. The ball sailed over the fence, bringing in two runs and tying up the game.

The team lined up for high fives as Josh rounded home, and the high school team's faces showed a new determination. Dave laughed. “I think those Young Pups thought they'd walk away with it, but they've got some competition. I heard Josh, Rick, and Tom were all on the State champion team back in the day.”

Local star, hometown hero, Jewell Cove's favorite son.
Lizzie scowled a little. She was sorry about his wife, of course, but gosh, it certainly seemed like Josh Collins had had an all-American dream upbringing. He was damn near Mr. Perfect.

At the seventh-inning stretch, Lizzie made a point of reapplying sunscreen while Dave went down to the bench and Charlie sipped on ice water to keep cool. “Are you okay?” Lizzie asked her. “It's a lot of sun. We don't want you getting sunstroke.”

“I'm okay. The breeze has come up a bit and it's helping.”

“Say the word and we can go somewhere cooler. With air-conditioning.”

Charlie laughed. “And miss this? Not a chance.” Charlie lifted her hand and sent a wave to a woman behind the visitors' bench.

“Wow, who's that?”

Charlie looked over at her. “Oh. That's Josh's other sister, Jess Sullivan. She was doing the face painting this morning. You haven't met, have you?”

“She's stunning. Holy cow.” Very pregnant, Jess Sullivan was still one of the most gorgeous women Lizzie had ever seen.

“I know, right? She's married to Rick. The guy with the prosthetic. She owns Treasures, the purple store on Lilac Lane. Rick runs it with her and paints, too. On glass.”

“The stuff we saw at the gallery that day?”

Charlie nodded. “That's his. Oh good, Jess is coming over. I'll introduce you.”

It shouldn't have made her nervous to meet Josh's sister, but it did. It was funny. Everywhere she went, everyone she met … she felt like she had to pass some sort of test. It was the weirdest thing. She didn't usually have a confidence issue.

But then again, that was all before she'd lost her dad, lost her edge, and screwed up.

“Jess, hi! This is my best friend in the whole world, Lizzie Howard. Liz, this is Josh's sister Jess.”

Jess smiled warmly. “Good to finally meet you. Josh said you stitched up his finger the other night.” She rested her hand on the fullness of her belly.

“He took on a utility knife and the knife won, I'm afraid.” Lizzie smiled. Jess had a warm, easy way about her that Lizzie liked. “When are you due?”

Jess sighed. “Another month. Second trimester was a breeze. I'm heading into the ‘let's get this show on the road' stage now.”

Lizzie laughed. “You haven't dropped yet, so it'll be a while.”

Jess winced. “That's what Charlie told me just before she went on her maternity leave. My mom calls every day, too, to ask how I'm feeling.”

“Josh is really going to be surrounded by babies in a few months, isn't he?”

“My cousin has a seven-month-old, too. Lots of babies these days.”

Jess took a moment to cheer a play and then turned back to Lizzie. “You're coming over later, right? Rick's grilling ribs and Sarah's made enough potato salad to feed both teams and there's all sorts of food.”

“I … I'm not sure.”

Charlie elbowed her. “She's coming,” Charlie informed Jess. “Don't mind her. She's being all new and stuff.”

Jess laughed. “Like you were, Charlie? You didn't come out of your shell until Dave dragged you out of it.” Jess looked at Lizzie. “Charlie was so quiet for her first few months here. But we've gotten to know her a lot better since Christmas. She even took a knitting class I ran in March.”