Page 7 of Hold Me Instead (Elmwood Falls #1)

He huffed. “The schedule’s packed, I’m guessing?”

“Oh, yes,” Maura tittered. “Tomorrow and Tuesday we’ve sorted. Dr. Fletcher’s been amazing, stepping in. Have you met him? He’s manning the ‘haunted lab’ area.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“He’s wonderful. Works mostly at the emergency hospital, but he’s filled in for your dad and Dr. Harris from time to time. He knows our routine, and the clients love him.”

Zachary looked away, irritation growing at this faceless guy who’d swooped in, covering patients and volunteering for the community event.

“Dr. Harris and I are trying to figure out the rest of the week after he’s gone. You know how these graduates are getting multiple offers, so they’re all snatched up. Plus, we’re not the only ones short-staffed in town. I’m sure you’re experiencing the same in Chicago—”

“I can do it.”

Maura paused. “Do what?”

Zachary looked around, as though a neon sign would flash Good Idea! at him in support. Instead, a ghost fell free of its adhesive and floated from the ceiling onto the desk. He met her gaze. “I’ll fill in for my dad.”

Maura clasped her hands around his. “Oh, Zachary, really? Dr. Harris will be thrilled,” she added quietly.

That sounded like a stretch.

“Are you sure that’ll be okay with your team?” she asked as she walked over to the fallen ghost and stuck it to the front of the counter .

He looked at Maura and considered telling her the news. She was like an aunt, and a master at getting things out of him. Under these circumstances though, he held strong.

“This is a perfect time, actually,” he said. “I’m not expected back for a while.” Or ever .

Miraculously, Maura didn’t question him further. Instead, she squeezed his hands again. “Zachary, that would be amazing. Having you back?” Her eyes misted, and she patted his cheek.

“We may have to hold off on those,” he teased as he pointed to her hand on his face, secretly appreciating the affection.

“Nonsense.” Maura added a pinch, then turned and greeted more trick-or-treaters.

His mind raced, struggling to make sense of his offer.

He could easily slip into the role, help out, make up some excuse for taking time away from Chicago.

It was good for him to remain busy. Keep everyone off his back about being home.

Speaking of…he looked around and realized he’d lost Sandra and Alex.

Maura grabbed his shoulder. “Maybe you’ll catch Dr. Harris? She’s manning the spooky operation tables. I’m sure she’d love to hear the news from you.”

“What news?”

Zachary turned to find Charlie emerging from the front desk.

Today, her hair was twisted into a braid, with flyaways that floated in a halo effect.

The cat ears were back, this time with the added touch of drawn whiskers and a triangle on the tip of her nose.

She wore a snug midnight-blue knit sweater, depicting a black cat with gold eyes and a full moon, tucked loosely into a pair of high-waisted jeans.

Her eyebrows raised above large glasses frames, this pair a solid black with a slight cat-eye style.

Those subtle details were intentional, and apparently, he knew to look.

“Is Daniel okay?” she asked.

Zachary straightened, the concern in her voice gutting him. “Yes. But I’m going to fill in for him. Here. Starting this week.” Firm, to the point. No need for emotions to get involved .

“We have Monday and Tuesday covered,” she replied, voice thin.

“Great. I’ll start Wednesday.”

She glanced at Maura, who was busy cooing over a family’s bumblebee toddler and their matching golden retriever. “I don’t think that’s necessary,” Charlie said.

He stepped toward her, his over half a foot difference in height causing her head to tip back. She widened her stance and put her hands on her hips. Slid them down her sides. Then crossed her arms.

“Look,” he said. It took less effort than expected to soften his voice. “You’re in a bind. Let me help out until stuff settles. We both know things only get busier with the holidays. It’ll be even harder to find someone available on short notice.”

She turned her head, probably to decide how to tell him to "shove it" amid children, but suddenly, Maura gripped both their arms, whipped open the half-door by the front desk, and shoved them behind it.

“Charlie, we’re low on candy. Would you mind grabbing the extra bags I stashed in the kitchen? Take Zachary with you so you can sort out details. It’s so wonderful having you home.” Maura smiled at him and tossed her hands in a shooing motion .

He started to walk, but stepped on Charlie’s heels.

She hopped forward and gifted him a deadly scowl, and he raised his hands in apology.

A huff and a whole lot of muttering poured from her as she turned and hustled down the narrow, dimly lit hallway, cackles and howls carrying from a speaker in the back.

Zachary followed to the small staff kitchenette.

It was as outdated as he remembered, with pairs of plain, orange-hued oak cabinets above, and below, a small white tile countertop.

Peeling black-and-white laminate flooring was bathed in a green glow from an illuminated skull set atop the fridge, but he barely registered that before realizing Charlie was bending forward and reaching so far into the lower cabinets, he was sure she’d find Narnia.

He shook his head slightly when he realized she was still muttering to herself, guaranteed it had to do with him and not how far she had to search for that candy, with her nicely rounded ass in the air.

He slammed his eyes closed and turned toward the doorway as though he’d caught her stripping.

Then that idea raced through his mind, and suddenly, the kitchenette was stiflingly warm.

This was Charlie, an old friend. He knew her when she was basically a kid.

Not that their three-year difference was significant anymore.

“Maura’s got quite a grip on her,” he landed on. Yes , neutral territory . That’s good . Just stop looking at Charlie . He swallowed. Was my voice lower than normal ?

The cabinet door smacked shut, followed by a cool breeze as Charlie brushed past him.

He smirked, the chill in her demeanor not what he was used to from her, but certainly a distraction he was interested in seeing. In only a few strides, he caught up and landed in the office she shared with his dad .

Huh . That was something he hadn’t considered in his hasty decision to work here. Seeing her day-to-day was one thing, but knowing they’d have lumps of time where they’d be crammed in this tiny room together…He couldn’t decipher the odd jolt of energy it sent through him.

She closed the door, muffling Halloween tunes and sugar-filled shrieks.

He looked around the cramped room. Two solid wood desks were positioned under windows on adjacent walls, ensuring plenty of chair collisions.

Both computers cycled through screensavers of pets in costumes, and the plain white window shades were drawn so the lamps draped in cheesecloth cast an eerie glow.

There were piles of boxes stacked in the corners, and around one desk in particular—his father’s.

He sighed. “Dad’s still doing this with the files?”

Charlie plopped the bags of candy on her desk, then turned to face him. “This is actually better than it was,” she said, arms crossed again.

“Better?” Zachary looked around the room in disbelief. Veterinary magazines were strewn on top of a few boxes, papers on and in between them. Never files for the patients, his dad would assure him. “ Just financial bullshit , I know where everything is ,” he’d say. It made Zachary’s chest tighten.

“Please tell me he’s had someone sort the important stuff,” Zachary muttered.

Charlie stared at Daniel’s desk, brow furrowed. He waited.

“You working here. It’s obviously temporary,” she said finally.

“Obviously.” He could’ve toned down some of his disgust.

Her eyes jumped to his. “No one’s forcing you to do this.”

He held up a hand with a small nod of apology. “I’m here to help. ”

A beat of silence, then, “Tomorrow, noon. We’ll meet while I’m on lunch.”

“I can come in the morning, stay for the day.”

She was already shaking her head. “I told you we have tomorrow and Tuesday covered.”

“Yes, well, this looks like plenty to get a jumpstart on,” he said, gesturing to the boxes.

Her gaze followed, and she nodded in relent. “It’s a frightening pile.”

“That’s putting it lightly.”

He saw a quick tug of a smile, but she straightened her face and her stance. “Zachary, are you really going to work with us?”

Her intentional phrasing made him pause.

He was particular about work, and he didn’t doubt that she remembered him rambling on about what he’d do differently from his father.

He’d often push the envelope to try and introduce new things, only to be met with resistance.

So it was a fair question. As far as his answer… he realized it wasn’t so simple.

“I’m here to help,” he said again.

Her eyes darted between his, then she turned back to the desk, muttering once more. She scooped up the bags and stepped toward him.

“Tomorrow then,” she said.

“Tomorrow.”

Silence.

Charlie flicked her fingers from beneath the giant bags of candy. “You may go.”

He dipped his head, fighting a smile. “Nice costume, by the way. Looks familiar.” He gave a little flick to a cat ear.

“Although, this is new,” he said, his fingertip adopting a mind of its own, grazing her soft, whisker-painted cheek.

As though it hadn’t been six years since seeing each other.

As though they were still friends. As though he had every right.

“Sorry,” he whispered, though he found the move hard to regret.

Charlie froze, eyes wide, and then blinked rapidly. She threw in a scoff, scanning his body. “Yeah, well, great job with yours. Get a toy sword and call it a day, huh?”

He looked down, having completely forgotten about the sword Alex insisted he wear.

Tucked into his belt loop, the plastic thing was so lightweight and short against his long legs, it hadn’t phased him.

Good thing I didn’t lose it , little guy would’ve been crushed .

But he scoffed in return. “All a knight in shining armor needs.”

She burst out a laugh, a one syllable sound that made him uneasy. “Of course that’s all you think you need. An accessory. You can’t even open the damn door!” She yanked the handle and swung open the door with a clumsy juggle of candy, and marched into the hall.

Zachary slowly pressed his fist on the doorjamb as he watched her, his body sliding to lean against it as his fingers went to his hair. Music and voices carried from the rest of the building, sounding much happier than the little bubble he’d just been in.

“Oh, and Zachary?” Charlie barely turned her body his way but definitely directed her glare.

Her eyes scanned him, and she straightened, but the severity of her look had lessened.

“I’m running the meeting, remember. This isn’t an opportunity to jump back into the way things used to be. ” With that, she left.

The reminder she was the woman taking over the practice smacked into him. Yes, she should take the lead. She was determined to do so. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t have a say in his father ’ s practice .

His fingers slid together with the memory of her soft skin.

It didn’t matter how long he’d been gone. He was ready to prove he was needed.