Page 36 of Hold Me Instead (Elmwood Falls #1)

Zachary

Zachary stepped away from the rescue’s tent with a happiness he hadn’t felt in years.

He was grateful Cory had called him over to answer questions from interested people, if only to witness a family lean into their consideration of adopting a senior dog.

Their six-year-old daughter had fallen in love with a sweet old cocker spaniel, and the two had been cuddled in the grass ever since.

“Sheila, thanks for covering for me,” he said when he returned to his station.

“No prob, Dr. Lee,” she said, adding patties to prepped plates. “There’s a guy over there looking for you, though. I didn’t catch his name. I’ll hang here until you’re back.”

“Oh.” He looked at the cluster of tables where she pointed, spotting someone sitting on his own, surveying the crowd around him. “In the gray hat?”

She nodded, so he wound his way over, spotting Charlie at the raffle booth, talking with Jasmine animatedly. He smiled at her unfazed, bouncy spirit, but his grin grew when she noticed him watching, and that blush raced over her face and neck .

“Hey there, I’m Dr. Lee,” he said, a chipper energy in his voice he hardly recognized, as he reached the lone guest. “I believe you were looking for me?”

The middle-aged man stood. “Dr. Lee!”

“Hope I’m not interrupting,” Zachary said as the man held out his hand.

“Not at all. You’re stopping me from going back for more sweets, in fact,” he said with a grin. “Ned North, from Neptune Corp. Nice to finally meet you.” He gestured to an open chair across from him.

Zachary’s descent into the seat slowed as he remembered the letter in his pocket. He swallowed. “Actually, you must be looking for Daniel Lee. I’m his son. Zachary.”

Ned leaned back in the chair, his green coat puffing around his shoulders. “I didn’t realize you were working here too. What a surprise! Well, I’m happy to talk with you as well, if your father can join us.”

“He’s out sick at the moment. I’m filling in for him.”

“Oh. Sorry to hear that.”

“I can have him contact you when he returns?” Zachary offered reluctantly.

“I was hoping to meet him in person. I’m passing through on my way to Illinois and Ohio, so this cookout seemed like a good opportunity for us to meet in a more casual capacity.”

“I see.”

Ned tapped his fingers on the table, a slow, studying rhythm. “You’ve heard of us? Beyond our candy line, I mean.”

Zachary nodded. “Have friends whose practices were bought out by your company because they could no longer compete with large corporation prices. ”

“We rescue struggling clinics and allow them to keep serving their community.”

“Some of them might look at it that way,” Zachary said.

“Some?”

“Not all.”

Ned’s smile was too wide—perfect for a second set of teeth. “I’m gathering which way you lean.”

Zachary shrugged. “As you can see, we have a large community supporting us already. We don’t need you to save us.”

“Your father might have a different view on it.”

“My father and I often do.”

Ned’s nod was slow. “Well, I am sorry I missed him. If you could let him know I stopped by, I’d appreciate it. When he’s feeling up to it, I’d love to chat with him over the phone at least. I’m not sure when I’ll be back in the area.”

Zachary clenched his jaw, released a quiet breath through his nose. “Of course.”

They stood at the same time, Zachary stretching his height as they did the perfunctory handshake. He didn’t like to use his stature against people, but Ned didn’t seem like “people.”

“Cute event, by the way,” Ned said, gesturing around them. “Nice to see such great turnout in this weather.”

Zachary’s nod jerked. He watched Ned meander through the booths, even stopping by the adoption tent, as though he was a participant instead of a leech. He scrubbed a hand over his mouth as he mumbled, “Fuck.”

“Dr. Lee?”

He sighed, straightened, and turned. “ Dr. Zachary Lee, yes.”

The woman in front of him grinned, rubbing her sable-brown hands together for warmth.

A rust-orange silk-and-knit headband showed off a knot of curls and dangling earrings that swayed as she nodded.

“You’re the one I’m looking for. I’m Cleo, Charlie’s friend.

” She held out her hand, metal from skinny rings cool among her chilled, slender fingers.

“Cleo,” he repeated. “Right, you have a shop on Main?”

“I do. Welcome back. It’s great you could attend this year, especially for Charlie. I was worried she’d overdo it what with everything.”

“She still might have. I don’t know that I helped very much.”

“She’s interacting with people instead of running around, so that’s a good sign. And a lot less stressed than a few weeks ago.”

“Good,” he murmured. Somehow, his eyes had found Charlie, showing off a vendor’s bandanas to a client and their husky.

“I have something for your parents, if you don’t mind?”

Zachary turned at the amused tone, finding Cleo grinning as she held out a small kraft bag. Her eyes darted to where his had been, then back.

“It’s some local tea I know they like, and one of your dad’s favorite candles.”

Zachary blinked rapidly. “He has a favorite candle?” He noted the sticker on the bag with the shop’s name and pulled out the candle and studied it as though it held secrets.

Cleo shrugged. “Sometimes your parents mix it up and try new ones, but I figured old reliables would be best right now.”

As sweet as the image sounded, it conflicted with childhood memories of his dad coming home from work after staying late, only to recount the day with his mom or go into the basement to research solutions for his patients.

“Right, okay. I’ll make sure to give it to them. That’s very kind of you.”

She shrugged. “It’s the least I could do. I was relieved to hear his recovery’s going well.”

“Thanks.” He paused, fiddled with the handles. “So my mom comes in often?”

“Both your parents. I’d met your dad briefly over the years, but when Charlie told him and Jeanie about my shop, they came to the grand opening to show support. They’ve been regulars ever since, it’s very sweet.”

He rubbed his chest, a pressure the weight of Maple’s head setting in.

His parents had always loved attending games, watching him and Sandra compete through high school.

His dad had missed a few but made a huge effort in spite of his work schedule.

And his mom had adjusted her hours at the bank, rarely missing an event.

A memory long forgotten returned though, of his parents making a point to attend some of Jordan’s major track and field meets, cheering in the stands alongside Zachary.

He realized he was watching Charlie again as she chatted with local pet hotel reps. She had on a striped knit hat, her hair in a loose ponytail over her shoulder, cheeks pink from the snapping breeze.

“Oh, helloooo there, Doc.” Amber loped into position next to Cleo—who was studying him—and nudged his arm with her knuckles. “Pretty great work our girl did, huh?”

“Yeah, amazing, actually.” He looked between the two women, Cleo huddled in a bulky gray sweater, Amber wearing a black fleece and standing hands on hips. “What? ”

Cleo grinned.

Amber adjusted her black ball cap. “We didn’t get to chat much the other day, since my cousin so rudely rushed me out of the clinic.”

“You mean, had your dog examined,” he supplied, fighting a chuckle.

She waved away the detail with her hand. “How’s it going, working under Charlie?”

He cleared his throat. Under Charlie . “Going well.”

“Are you following her protocol?”

“Yes.”

“How long will you be in town?”

“Not sure.”

“Are you trying to take over, kick her out of the running?” Amber ignored the elbow jab from Cleo.

“What?” He looked between Charlie’s two bodyguards. “No, that’s definitely not my intention. Does she feel that way?”

“She works her ass off and would do anything for the people she cares about.” Cleo gave Amber a look she clocked but continued anyway. “She loves your dad. And this place. She doesn’t need someone else coming in with their Jedi mind games.”

Cleo shook her head, and with reluctance, said, “Mind tricks .”

“I know, Amber,” he said. “Wait, who used mind tricks?”

“Just, don’t be a dick. I know you’re”—she flicked a hand up and down as she scanned his body—“ tall . But you’ll have to answer to us. Not just us two, there are others.”

“Okay, maybe a little less moxie in your morning coffee tomorrow,” Cleo said .

“Trust me.” When they both looked at him, he continued.

“I admire the hell out of Charlie. Sure, the arrangement was awkward at first, but we’ve sorted it out.

We…” He saw her by the adoption tent, squatted next to that little girl and the cocker spaniel.

“We work really well together. The last thing I want to do is hurt her. She’s my friend. ” The word sounded insufficient.

He watched as Charlie coaxed the dog to stretch for a belly rub, and the little girl’s face lit up when she got to try. Charlie beamed, and she stood, spotting him. Her smile was contagious and grew as they stared at one another.

It was hard to remember why he’d told himself not to pursue whatever this was with her. Not when she looked genuinely happy to see him. That morning, his resolve had crumbled instantly. All he wanted was to stay in her orbit.

Her expression faltered when she registered Cleo and Amber.

Cleo waved as though there was nothing unusual about the three of them together. Amber stared at him with a frown, but as she scanned his face, a smile broke free. She laughed, almost maniacally, as Charlie hustled over.

“What are you saying to him?” Charlie demanded, slightly winded, reminding him of her strong dislike for running.

“She was being supportive,” Cleo said as she unwrapped a piece of gum.

“That doesn’t make me feel better.”

“Nonsense, little sugar butt,” Amber said. She threw an arm around Charlie. “Only making sure our guy Zachary knows how amazing you are. And he does.”

Charlie’s eyes widened .

“Yes, he told us quite frankly that he admires you as a veterinarian,” Cleo supplied.

Eventually, Charlie softened. He wasn’t sure if it was from those words or if it was relief that he hadn’t spilled the news about their kiss.

That had to be at the root of her panic.

It wasn’t his place to share it anyway, though he wondered what intensity Amber would aim his way once she found out.

She’d probably pull the classic “ If you hurt her …” threat, which he’d fully expect and appreciate.

He was feeling the same way—about himself.

He swallowed, his throat dry, his breath stuttering. No one else noticed he had tripped himself up. That he’d realized for certain his feelings for Charlie were more than friendly, and not just a one-off. That he’d been searching her out all day like a sunflower seeking the sun.

Her light touch pulled him back.

“Um. What?”

“Cleo and Amber are leaving,” Charlie said.

“It was nice meeting you,” Cleo said.

“Doc, keep up the good work,” Amber added.

Charlie rolled her eyes as they hugged her goodbye and left. She faced him, keeping a respectable distance. Which felt too far.

This is bad .

“Everyone will be packing up soon. We’ll store tents inside for tomorrow’s early pickup, but most of the staff is here so it should go quick.”

“Okay.”

She looked tired and windblown, but her pale skin and red cheeks made the green of her eyes sparkle. “We kicked ass today,” she whispered. “I don’t have the final count from all the booths, but it’s the best year we’ve had. I can’t wait to tell your dad.”

“Harris, that’s awesome.” He wanted to hug her. “You should be proud.”

“Thanks.” She beamed. “So you admire me, huh?”

“Hell yes.”

Her blush overpowered her wind-kissed cheeks.

“You deserve to hear that,” he added.

“I admire you too,” she said softly.

He straightened, felt the confidence that had dwindled that last year or so trickling back. Felt like he belonged.

He stepped closer, grinning as she looked up with wide eyes.

“We still on for dinner?”

She nodded.

He couldn’t wait.