Page 35 of Hold Me Instead (Elmwood Falls #1)

“Did you see the bow tie on this one? They put the number forty on it,” she said, tilting the plate toward him. “Shoot. I’m sure sugar isn’t on the ‘approved’ list from the doctor.”

As if in challenge, his eyes went from the plate, to her, and back. He picked up the cookie, removed its cellophane wrapper, and bit, chewing as he looked out of the front window.

Charlie stared at the plate. She really needed to be better at looking out for him. This wasn’t helping at all, encouraging unhealthy behavior.

“One cookie won’t kill me,” Daniel said softly.

She blinked rapidly, cleared her throat. “Everyone’s been asking about you. It’s the busiest year yet, I think. So many people sending their congrats on forty years, and well-wishes that you…that you get better soon.”

His gaze stayed on the cookout.

“We even had a couple vendors run out of stuff a little while ago, can you believe it? And the raffle entries have been steady. We’ve raised a lot of money so far.”

“Damn it,” Daniel grumbled, as cookie crumbled all over his lap.

“Oh, here.” Charlie pulled a small wad of napkins from the zippered pocket of her fleece.

“Thank you,” he said, the veins on his hand more pronounced, the joints of his fingers stiff and slightly bent as he took them from her. Focused on cleaning up his mess, he continued, “Zachary looks comfortable out there.”

She found Zachary with a magnetic pull, a gray fleece over his T-shirt, the sleeves shoved up his forearms as he worked the grill.

His smile was gentle as he talked to an older couple, nodding and laughing with them as though he hadn’t been gone for years.

Fitting right back in, while everyone felt the significance of his presence.

Working alongside him again made her happy.

He’d been smiling all day, embracing everything with such love and care.

He'd brought her food when he noticed she hadn’t stopped moving all morning.

And well, there were a few times their eyes met across the way, when his smile turned mischievous and his eyes scanned her body in a way that let her know he was thinking about their kiss too.

Charlie nudged the vent, directing the heat away from her face. “Mm-hmm,” was her reply.

“Has he been following orders?”

She chuckled. “ Yes.”

“I was preparing myself for the building to be repainted or something,” he muttered.

“Just the inside. Ocean blue. One wall is bright stripes, surprisingly,” she said, smirking.

“Oh, that sounds like your doing,” he said, gifting her a small smile. “I can’t go in there yet. I’m not…” He shook his head, forced a small cough into his fist as he tripped on the words.

“That’s okay, Daniel,” she said softly, watching him. His focus was on the trees, the sky, everywhere but her. “We don’t have a ‘welcome home’ banner up yet anyway.”

He smiled at his lap. “Thank you. For taking care of everything.”

“Of course.” Charlie bit the inside of her cheek.

She gripped the steering wheel, the cool leather sturdy under her hands.

“Daniel, I’m really sorry.” She sensed him turn toward her.

“That this happened, what you’re going through.

I feel like it’s my fault. Things have been so nonstop, and I could’ve been doing more. ”

His hand on her shoulder stopped her, and she looked into his tired eyes. “Charlie. This wasn’t your fault.”

“I mean—”

“No. Don’t take credit for something so spectacular,” he said.

Her laugh was short. “I hear you, and shit, I didn’t want this to be about me. I—”

He shook his head. “So many factors went into this. Even I…even I can’t take full responsibility. Genetics, and life, and all that.”

Her nods were small, her blinking rapid. “I just feel like I let you down,” she whispered.

His fingers squeezed her shoulder, firm in their gentleness. “No. You never have, Charlie. It’s not in your nature. ”

Her nose pricked, her eyes welling up when she saw the same in his. She stretched across the seat and hugged him, carefully, awkwardly, a small sob escaping her as he squeezed her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re home,” she whispered.

He choked out a sound in reply and kissed the top of her head, a gesture he’d done after her graduation that had made her feel like the familial bond between them was mutual. It had carried her through until now, yet this one was worth even more.

When they separated, she dabbed her eyes, and he did the same with the corner of a napkin. They both chuckled in relief.

“I hope Jeanie grabbed more cookies, if there were any left,” he said as he gestured out the window, where his wife approached.

Charlie laughed and stepped out to help her settle in the driver’s seat.

“Here, my love, I got us both some tea,” Jeanie said, handing him a cup. “Our son grilled veggies for us to bring home too. And look! Little popcorn balls shaped like animals.” She held one up, then tossed it into a canvas tote.

“Where did this come from?” Daniel asked, looking at the bag itself.

“One of the vendors. Picked out a few things for the dogs while I was at it. They had the cutest bandanas—”

“Did you get more cookies?” This, while he started rifling inside like a kid trying to contain his excitement.

She squinted at him. “Yes.”

He winked at Charlie.

The picture of the two of them warmed her as the wind howled around them. “Alright, kids. Get some good rest tonight, yeah?”

Jeanie patted Charlie’s hand. “You too, sweetheart. Stay warm! ”

Charlie shut the door with a wave before she walked back to the cookout. She felt lighter, now that she’d cleared the air with Daniel—or at least done a light sweeping. Seeing him here, as he observed his son helping out in a way he probably never dreamed possible, brought a new wave of hope.

“Dr. Harris?”

She had just reached the first tent when she heard her name, looking up to find a man who looked a little younger than Daniel holding a cup of coffee, standing alone. His fair skin was pink with cold. With a swish of his puffy coat, he reached out a hand.

“Ned North. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, well…” She shook his hand, racking her brain to place him. “And you.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” He gestured around. “You’ve put on a nice event.”

“Thanks.” She hesitated. “Is this your first time here?”

“No, no.” He grinned, like she was missing out on some joke. “First time here, but I know what a great place it is. How lucky for Dr. Lee he was able to have such a wonderful veterinarian on staff with him.”

She gave a small smile. “You’re a friend of his?”

“Hope to be.” He stepped closer, holding out a business card.

“Our company owns a few clinics in the area, and we’re actually looking for a veterinarian to lead one of our teams. Not too far from here actually, we hope to be a sister clinic with this one.

But my research has been pointing me in your direction. ”

“Oh, I’m not looking to leave.”

He held up a hand. “Things change. Please keep us in mind, is all I’m asking. I won’t take up more of your time, but you have my info. ”

She shook his hand, his rough grip firm.

As he walked away, she flipped the card over to see Neptune Corp in thick, bulbous letters.

Her head whipped up to locate him, but he’d disappeared among the groups of people wandering between the tents.

She could find him if she wanted, but what would she say?

I hate your company . Why are you here ?

It was shady, to compliment her, to have learned about her. To try to poach her at her own event? Especially now, when they needed her most, she had no intention of leaving.

As she watched Zachary talk with patrons at the dog adoption tent, she couldn’t help but feel lucky. Things were falling into place in a way she hadn’t dared to imagine.

Their practice was in good hands, because of the great team they made.