Page 16 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls (Ivy Falls #3)

PIPER

The Next Chapter

As the saying goes, this town wasn’t big enough for the two of us.

Even though we’d agreed to be friends, I still tried to avoid the new doctor.

But every time I did an errand, went out into the square, I’d run into him.

Most of the time I said very few words as I passed him on the street or in the cereal aisle at Minnie’s Market.

He was always kind, offering up a soft smile that made my heart flutter against my own will.

My plan to ignore him, and those gorgeous blue eyes, for the next few months was going to be about as easy as getting Old Mrs V to slow down.

I wiped the thought of him from my mind and focused on Dex, who stood still as Maisey took measurements for his costume.

Since I’d seen him in the square, his attitude had changed.

Instead of questioning every revision to a line in the script, where he needed to stand during blocking practice, he eagerly agreed to whatever I told him.

Urged other kids to pay attention when I was talking.

Who knew a little kindness, and a few free donuts, could elicit loyalty in a twelve-year-old?

Maisey worked her magic, standing the kids in a line and using her tape measure to get all the details right. When I’d mentioned last week how the theater’s wardrobe department was in rough shape, she’d eagerly volunteered to help out.

After college, she’d worked for a few fashion designers in Nashville.

Even talked about creating her own ready-to-wear line focused on separates, but when Ada first arrived, and then Jordan came quickly after, she fell in love with being a mother.

She never spoke of it, but when we wandered in and out of dress shops, she took her time examining hems. The materials used.

When she had time again, I had no doubt she’d go back to designing.

Ferris and Silvio worked on constructing the sets near the rear stage door.

They traded their regular barbs until a new voice floated into the mix.

I moved around the curtain and came to a stuttered stop.

Ford filled most of the doorway with his wide shoulders.

A backward baseball cap covered his dark hair.

Clutched in his arms was a load of lumber and his biceps flexed under the weight.

‘Hey.’ The hesitancy in his voice warned he wasn’t sure how I’d feel about seeing him.

‘Hello. What are you doing here?’

‘I saw Silvio and Ferris near the square yesterday. They said they were volunteering to build sets for the show. They needed help, so I offered my services.’

‘Services?’

‘I am a man of many talents, Piper.’

He was not giving me that bashful, yet way too cute, smile .

No. This guy was off limits. So why was it that every time he looked at me, my insides burned like I’d swallowed a damn blowtorch?

‘Fine. Listen to Ferris and Silvio and don’t get in the way. I’ve already had one trip to the community health center and had to deal with an annoying doctor.’

His booming laugh filled the air and Silvio’s head snapped toward us.

‘Doc, I thought you were here to work, not flirt!’

I loved that his cheeks went pink as he hitched his thumb and said, ‘Duty calls.’

‘Okay. Good,’ I mumbled like an idiot as I walked back to the kids. As I jogged down the stairs at the side of the stage, Maisey waved me toward her.

‘I hear our friend from the P&P is filling in for Doc Sheridan? That’s an interesting development.’

‘Yes, and just so you know, because everyone runs their mouth around here, he was at Memorial Springs while I was there.’

Her supportive smile said I didn’t need to share any more.

The minute I returned to Ivy Falls after rehab, Maisey came to the Huckleberry Lane house.

She sat her butt down on the edge of the newly constructed porch and refused to leave.

We talked for hours, and not once did she treat me like some wounded animal she needed to fix.

Instead, she invited me along for walks with her kids, on ice cream dates and trips to the movies.

Thanks to town gossip, she knew everything that had happened when I’d come home, how royally I’d messed up, but she never pressed me for any kind of explanation.

Silently and sweetly she showed up every day, returning to the same supportive friend from my childhood.

I was damn lucky to have her and I didn’t tell her that enough.

‘How are you feeling about that?’ she said.

‘At first, when we recognized each other, it was weird. But now?’ I shrugged.

‘Go on,’ she pressed.

‘According to him, and Beck, he was in and out of the room in a few minutes. I didn’t speak to him and he never examined me. And the way he jumped right in to help Mrs V at the café proves he wants to help this town. That can never be a bad thing.’

She tapped her chin. ‘If I remember the story right, he told Beck to talk to you. That the doc had been in places where people had severe injuries, been unconscious, and it helped to hear their family talk. Know they were there.’

‘Yes. That aligns with what I’ve been told about his work overseas.’

‘Don’t you think traveling that far off is interesting?

Wouldn’t you like to know more?’ Maisey was about as subtle as a slap to the back of the head.

‘Ooooh!’ She beamed like the damn Christmas tree they lit near town hall every year.

‘You could be friendly. Invite him to “Music in the Square” next weekend.’

‘No way. My plate is too full of other distractions, and the last thing I need to do is encourage the hot doctor.’

‘So you do think he’s hot?’ Her sneaky gaze moved to where Ford was helping Silvio lift another piece of wood, those damn biceps flexing again.

‘Don’t you have more kids to measure?’ I pressed.

‘You are zero fun, Piper Townsend. What you need is a little excitement in your life. I think a handsome doctor could be the right medicine.’ She giggled at her own joke.

‘My life is simple and uncomplicated. I like it that way.’

She must have heard the catch in my voice. ‘I shouldn’t push. When you’re ready, you’ll do what’s right for you.’

‘Thanks, Maise. I do need more time.’

She gave me a distracted smile that said something else was on her mind.

‘How are you? Are the kids sleeping any better?’

‘A little.’

‘But…’ I urged.

Her shoulders sank. ‘Being here. Working on the costumes. It’s reminded me how much I love fashion. That I miss the imagination of it all. Dreaming up new designs in my head. Thinking about the right fabrics and thread.’

‘Have you considered going back to work? You’ve talked a lot about creating your own line.’

‘Ada and Jordan are still too young.’

‘That doesn’t mean you have to stop planning. Thinking about what comes next.’

I let my gaze wander to the stage where the young actors scurried around. How my chest warmed as they worked on their lines. Practiced the basics of the choreography.

‘Maybe when the kids go to school full-time.’

‘Whenever it is, I’ll be here to support you in any way I can.’

She pulled me into a quick hug.

‘I can’t thank you enough for helping out,’ I said.

She inched back and patted my cheek. ‘It’s my pleasure. Now let’s talk about Dex’s costume.’

I answered a few questions about hem length, and whether the chimney sweeps needed suspenders. A few minutes later the entry doors to the theater opened. Diego from Gold Star Properties walked down the main aisle and gave me a beckoning wave.

When I reached him he said, ‘Do you have a minute?’

‘Sure. We can sit at the back of the theater.’

Once we found spots in the upholstered red chairs, he pulled out his phone.

‘I got an email this morning from a young couple who live in Atlanta but are interested in moving to Ivy Falls. They were in town a week ago, looked at that apartment you liked several times, and want to sign a lease. You’ve been wanting to move for a while, and I could tell you liked the space.

’ He scrubbed a hand over his mouth. ‘Don’t tell Beck I said this, but I think it’d be a good spot for you.

If you want it, you need to make a move. Today.’

Well, crap. That was unexpected. Of all the places I’d seen, the small apartment was the best fit.

It was already furnished, and the way golden light streamed in through the sliding glass door in the late afternoon was beautiful.

I had already pictured myself sitting out on the balcony and having coffee on cool autumn mornings.

It was just two units, so I hoped it would be quiet, peaceful, with only a single neighbor.

Beck said he wanted to talk more about me moving out, but Diego’s arrival felt like a subtle push to make a decision. I imagined walking past the building on my way to the P&P or the café, regret crowding my chest because I hadn’t jumped at the opportunity to make it my home when I had the chance.

‘You’re right. Ever since you showed it to me, I’ve been thinking how perfect it is. I’ll take it.’

‘Great! Come by the office later this afternoon and we’ll sort out the paperwork.’

‘Can you… not say anything to my brother for the moment. I want to tell him on my own.’

‘Sure. I’m happy you’re doing this and,’ he gave me a confident nod, ‘I’m proud you’re taking this step.’

‘It took a while, but I’m glad I’m here.’

His smile widened as we shook hands.

My own place.

A chance to start the next chapter.

Excitement zinged through my veins but quickly faded. Now I had to go home and tell Beck what I’d done.

He’d have a hard time letting me go, but no matter how much he wanted me to stay, I was ready to finally be on my own. It was a step I had to take, and I needed him to believe in me this one last time.

My work schedule meant I could return to the house on Huckleberry Lane by the late afternoon. It allowed me a few peaceful hours to clean up and start dinner before Torran and Beck came racing in the door from work.