Second Chance Romance. Jill Weatherholt
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Inside the ER, Jackson approached Nurse Sara. With a clipboard in hand, she scribbled something with a red pen. She stopped and looked up. “Hi, Jackson. I’m glad you made it safe. Steve took the victim back to see the doctor.” She winked and flashed an overly whitened smile. “Did you find out her name?”
He handed her the purse he’d retrieved from the scene of the accident. “I don’t feel comfortable going through a woman’s things. You go ahead and check out her driver’s license.”
She took the bag and dumped its contents onto the counter. “Here it is. Her name is Melanie Harper.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know of any Harper in the area, do you?”
“I can’t think of any.”
Sara made it her business to know everyone’s business. If she said there weren’t any Harpers in these parts, there weren’t.
“According to the license, she has a Washington, DC, address.” Sara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You said you found directions to Phoebe’s house inside her car. That must be where she was going.” She scooped the contents back into the purse.
He reached for his phone. “I’m going to step outside and call Phoebe. If Dr. Roberts comes out, tell him I’ll be right back.” He headed toward the back entrance and prayed Phoebe was either at The Coffee Bean or at home. Just like him, she wasn’t a fan of tech gadgets. She didn’t even own a cell phone, which made it difficult to reach her sometimes.
Outside, the storm had passed, and a glimpse of the sun slipped between the drifting clouds. Autumn in the valley was his favorite time of the year. He hit the number two on his phone and took a seat on the only dry bench in the courtyard. It was under a roof, but the warmth of the sun tapped his face. He glanced at his watch and saw it was 12:30 p.m. Since The Bean’s first day, his mother and Phoebe had made the decision to open only for breakfast and lunch. He hoped the afternoon crowd was winding down so Phoebe would pick up.
“The Coffee Bean. This is Phoebe.”
Phoebe’s voice always brought a smile to his face. After his parents’ deaths, she’d been like a mother to him and a grandmother to his daughter, Rebecca. His mother and Phoebe had grown up together and had opened The Coffee Bean as co-owners. When his mother had died only a year after his father, she’d left her ownership to Jackson. Over the years, he remained a silent partner, since Phoebe wanted to run the show on her own.
“Phoebe, it’s Jackson.”
“Well, hello there, Mr. Daughtry.”
No matter her circumstances, Phoebe was always full of joy. Jackson loved that about her. “Were you expecting company today?” The last thing in the world he wanted to do was cause Phoebe pain, but he had to tell her about Melanie.
“Yes, my niece, Melanie,” she answered. “You’ve heard me speak of her.” Dishes clanked in the background. “She’s the successful divorce attorney from Washington, DC. The one who never takes a vacation.”
He remembered. Phoebe had tried to convince her niece to visit Sweet Gum for years, but she’d always been too busy. He knew that she’d made partner at her law firm at an unusually young age. He thought she had a family, but maybe he was wrong. Something had happened last year, but Phoebe never wanted to talk about it. He wasn’t the type to get into people’s business, so he’d never pursued the subject.
“Jackson? Are you there? Is everything okay?”
His chest felt heavy. “It’s Melanie.” He gazed across the courtyard. A squirrel scurried through the fescue, toting a nut in its mouth.
“Melanie?” The dishes stopped clanking. “What happened?”
Jackson knew Phoebe better than most, but he wasn’t quite sure how she would react to the news. “She’s been in a car accident.” He paused to give her time to take in the news.
“Oh my word! Is she okay?” Phoebe asked, releasing short breaths into the phone.
“She was unconscious when I pulled her from the car.”
“Unconscious!”
“Please calm down and let me finish. There’s a serious cut on her forehead and one on her cheek. Though I don’t know if she has any internal injuries or a concussion. She’s in the ER with Dr. Roberts.”
“Thank God he’s on duty. He’s the best. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
“Why don’t you stay put? I’ll pick you up. You shouldn’t drive when you’re upset.”
There was no hesitation. “Don’t be ridiculous. It will take longer. Besides, I want you there with Melanie until I arrive.”
He’d learned years ago not to argue with her. “Please take your time. The rain has stopped, but the roads are covered in wet leaves. It’s very slick. Be safe.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve been driving these roads since I was a teenager.” Phoebe hung up without saying goodbye.
Jackson turned and walked inside the hospital. He hoped to get a little information on Melanie’s condition from Sara, but he’d probably need to wait for Phoebe so they could both talk to Dr. Roberts.
Once inside, cleaning agents infiltrated his nose. He spied Sara chatting with a handsome young doctor. Jackson took a seat in the waiting room and prayed for the next ten minutes.
Finally Sara walked toward him. He stood and met her halfway. She brushed her blond bangs away from her eyes. “Dr. Roberts is ready to speak with Phoebe when she arrives.”
Jackson ran his hand across his chin. It was rough. He never liked to shave on his days off. One fewer thing to do. “How’s Melanie? Has she regained consciousness?”
Sara pursed her lips. “I’m sorry, Jackson, but you know I can’t talk to you about her condition. Neither can Dr. Roberts. You’ll have to wait for Phoebe.”
The young nurse disappeared through the ER doors, leaving behind a trail of potent fragrance.
Within a couple of minutes, Dr. Roberts appeared. Jackson had always admired him. With salt-and-pepper hair and slightly slumped shoulders, his experience was evident in his face and manner of speaking. He still worked five days a week and even made the occasional house call, if needed. He’d been on the staff at Sweet Gum Memorial for decades. He was not only an excellent doctor but also a pillar within the community.
“Dr. Roberts, it’s good to see you.” Jackson rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. Another tension headache was setting in.
The doctor smiled and extended his hand. “It’s good to see you, too, Jackson. It’s been a while. How’s your sweet little girl?”
Jackson shook his offered hand. “She’s great. Thanks for asking. This year she started afternoon kindergarten. She’s a voracious reader.”
Dr. Roberts nodded. “That’s great to hear. Books can open up an entire world to a child.” He cleared his throat. “Now, back to the patient. You know the confidentiality laws prohibit me from talking to you about Melanie’s condition. Once Phoebe arrives, I’ll fill you both in if it’s okay with Phoebe. She’s next of kin, so she’ll make the call. I know you’re worried, so I’ll say only that you can relax.”
“That makes me feel better.” Although she was just a stranger, there was something about Melanie. He wanted to protect her. He wasn’t sure where these feelings were coming from. Maybe it was because of her relationship to Phoebe. What else could it be?
“Speaking of Phoebe, how is she doing these days?”
Jackson noticed a sparkle in Dr. Roberts’s eye when he asked about Phoebe. Many years had passed since Phoebe’s husband had died. Jackson always hoped for a spark to ignite between her and the doctor. He’d love to see her enjoy