Need You Now (Love in Unknown)

chapter 2





Mel tried not to rush around like a crazy person on her first morning of work at Unknown Family Clinic. She didn’t exactly achieve success. After years of being late, trying to find that shoe she knew she saw the day before or running back because she forgot her keys, she should have known to plan for extra time. By the time she arrived at the stately white Victorian mansion that served as Unknown’s only doctor’s office, Mel was a little out of breath. She refused to look in the mirror in the front hall; she didn’t want to confirm her fears that the carefully put together brown pencil skirt and blue blouse were rumpled and her cheeks rosy from nerves and exertion.

“Can I help you?” The drawled words reminded Mel of over-sugared tea that clung to the back of your throat after you took a sip. She turned in the direction of the voice, coming from the room just off the entrance where the reception desk sat. A woman, a few years older than Mel, sat behind the desk. A cloud of hair-sprayed blonde curls around her head. There was something vaguely familiar about her, but Mel couldn’t quite recognize her with the caked on layers of make-up.

Mel put on her best Southern girl “company” smile. “Hi,” she said, putting a little twang in her own voice. “I’m the new doctor.”

The woman’s face went stony with politeness. “Oh. Yeah. Cuttin’ it a bit close, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, it’s just been one of those mornings.” Mel’s smile never faltered. “Is Dr. Booth in his office?”

The woman stared at Mel for a second, eyes narrowed as if she were searching for something. “You’re Micah Carr’s kid sister. The freaky genius girl who skipped a bunch of grades.”

Freaky? Okay. And she hadn’t skipped a bunch of grades. Just two. She still couldn’t remember who this was. Then again, she’d done her best not to pay attention to the swarm of girls that buzzed around her brother and Gage in high school. It had been easier not to try to learn their names, considering how soon they were gone. She spent too much time with her head in her books for them to take any notice of her. “Yes, Micah’s my older brother. I’m sorry, but I don’t remember your name.”

It was really hard for Mel not to get a petty little frisson of satisfaction when the woman looked mildly offended at not being immediately recognizable. Oh, the small town diva. She’d forgotten this particular joy of living in Unknown.

“I’m Sandra. Sandra Jones. I was head cheerleader at Fortune High for three years.”

Mel vaguely remembered the cheerleaders from when she’d gone to watch Micah and Gage play football, but she’d never paid much attention to them as none of them had been in any of the advanced classes she took. Luckily, she was saved from having to respond by a door opening and a masculine throat clearing. “Is that my little Melody?”

“Doc Booth!” A genuine smile stretched across Mel’s face as she rushed to hug the man who’d taken care of her family since before Micah was born. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Let me take a look at you.” Hands roughened by time gripped her shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “Pretty as the day you left for that fancy Yankee school of yours. Thought we’d never get you back down here.”

She shook her head. “You know my mama wouldn’t let me stay away from Unknown forever. Besides, you promised me when I was twelve I could come and work for you just as soon as I had my medical license.”

Augustus Booth chuckled. It was a warm, deep laugh that reminded Mel of the lazy summer afternoons she’d spent following him around, hanging on his every word, ready to absorb any information she could like a fresh pad of gauze. “Well, I’m glad to have you back. I hear that brother of yours is taking over at the bakery. Surprised Emma didn’t dig her heels in on that one.”

“Oh, she probably would have, except that Micah brought his son with him. So we know she’ll be taking it easy and she also gets to play grandma.” Mel knew nothing less could have ever gotten her mother to relinquish any of her responsibilities at Carr’s Cakes. “Thanks for calling us, Doc. I know Mom told you not to, but Micah and I are the only ones as bull-headed as she is.”

“As smart as you are pretty. I’m just glad you and Micah will be able to make her slow down. I hate to see a woman her age looking so tired.” Doc Booth, a good thirty years older than her mother, looked a little worse for wear himself. Of course, he should have retired ten years ago. He’d been waiting for her to be ready to start her own practice, but she hadn’t finished her residency until a few months ago and she’d wanted to be fully credentialed before coming home.

“Don’t worry about Mama; we’ll watch out for her. And now that I’m back, maybe we’ll be able to persuade you to take Clara on that trip to Europe you’d been promising her since before I was born.”

Dr. Booth had the good grace to blush at the mild reproach. Medicine wasn’t so much a profession for him as a vocation. As the only doctor in town, he’d sacrificed a lot of family time so he could take care of the citizens of Unknown. “Well, you know where everything is. Not much has changed around here in the last ten years. I’ve set up one of the upstairs bedrooms as your office. I’ll keep mine for a while longer. Don’t think I’ll be able to quit cold turkey.”

A snort behind them reminded Mel that Sandra still sat behind the desk.

“And Sandra here can show you where any supplies you might need are when Anna’s not around.”

“Anna? She’s not still your nurse, is she? I would have thought she’d have run off by now,” she teased, knowing full well the older woman would have to be carried out of the office in a casket before she’d leave. Mel loved Doc Booth’s long time nurse and keeper, Anna Humphrey. Anna had been fresh out of nursing school when Mel started lurking around the practice as a skinny little eight-year-old. When Doc Booth was busy, she’d shown Mel some of the basics of first aid. All of the nurses Mel worked with since graduating med school were always impressed that she treated them with such respect, and it was all due to Anna.

“She’s proud as she can be that our girl’s finally coming to work here.” Doc Booth put an arm around her shoulder and began to lead Mel toward his office. The spacious room, once the library of one of a long-dead oil baron, held the same oversized mahogany desk that had been there as long as Mel could remember. Built-in bookshelves lined three of the four walls, the shelves almost groaning under the weight of medical tomes. The other wall, dominated by a large picture window, was filled with photos and degrees.

Out of habit, Mel flopped down into one of the soft, well-worn chairs kept for any visitors who stopped by just to chat. He took the chair opposite, his expression growing serious.

“What’s wrong?” Mel asked. While he was fantastic at delivering bad news to patients, when Doc Booth was talking to people who knew him, his face was an open book.

He sighed. “Word’s gotten around town that you’ll be taking over for me.”

“Of course it has.” Mel laughed a little. “Between my mother and your wife and the rest of the gossips in town? Everyone knew half an hour after I got off the phone with Mama.”

“You’re probably right about that. But not everyone is…thrilled, shall we say, about you being the new doctor.”

Mel frowned, trying to pick apart the phrasing. “About me as a person or me as someone other than you?”

He hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “A little of both, I suppose. I’ve had several patients tell me they’re concerned about your age. That they’d feel more comfortable with someone with a bit more experience. Others have said they don’t want to go to a female doctor.”

“Seriously?” The words came out before she could stop them. That possibility had niggled at the back of her mind before she’d agreed to come home, but she hadn’t thought it would actually be a problem. “What am I, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman? It’s the twenty-first century. What’s wrong with a young female doctor?”

“I know you’ve been up north for ten years, but you know the people here. More than anything, they hate change and they hate anyone who does something out of the ordinary. You’ve always been different from the other girls raised here. Now you’ve come back and you’ve got more education than most anyone else in town and that makes them nervous.” Doc Booth shook his head. “I wish I could say this was going to be easy, but it won’t be. They’ll fight it until they get to know you. I just want you to be prepared.”

Prepared. Okay. A heads up was nice. Not having to worry about it would be better. It certainly explained Sandra’s attitude. Girls in Unknown who stayed in town after high school didn’t usually go to college, let alone medical school. Neither did the men. Those who went on to higher education usually ended up staying in the city.

She straightened her shoulders. “They should be the ones you warn, Doc. I’m a Texas girl. My family’s lived in Unknown longer than most. I don’t plan to give up just because some close-minded people wouldn’t know a good thing if it smacked them in the face.”

“You’ll do just fine, honey.” The old man chuckled. “I’ll do what I can to ease the road for you, but I doubt you’ll need it. You’re one of our own and you’re here to help. People will see that soon enough and I’ll finally be able to take Clara on that European vacation.”

#

Caine loved his job. It was what he’d been born to do. But he never stopped getting a kick out of coaching Little League baseball. The team he coached, the Rangers, was the same team he’d played for as a kid. No matter how busy he was, he insisted his secretary keep his scheduled open so he could make the twice weekly practices and games.

He loved working with the kids, especially on days like today. Hot Texas sunlight beat down on the old field as the boys threw back and forth, working on their limited catching skills. Gage, his assistant coach, crouched down to correct one boy’s attempt at a curve ball. The rich smell of freshly cut grass mixed with the stench of sweaty kids in the humid late spring air. In the distance, he could see the gazebo and maze his grandfather built as a memorial to his ancestors James and Susan Maddox, the founders of the town. James married Susan on the spot where the gazebo stood. It was a testament to the power of love and family that ran deep into the roots of Unknown, into him. God, he loved this town.

“Okay, guys. Let’s line up for batting practice.” A herd of nine-and ten-year-old boys ran to be first in line behind the plate. “Come on, fellas. Half of you grab a base and we’ll practice our fielding while we’re at it.”

The boys at the end of the line dispersed, racing to their favorite positions. Grinning in satisfaction, Caine walked up to the pitcher’s mound where Gage was setting up the pitching machine they’d bought for the team. A basket of balls sat at his feet.

“Ah hell,” Gage muttered. “Look who’s up first.”

Caine glanced over at the boy walking up to the plate, wooden bat trailing behind him. The helmet he wore swamped his small head, making him look like a little bobble head doll. Teddy Allen, the smallest—and klutziest—kid on the team, got into his batting stance, a look of comical determination on his face.

Caine shook his head. “He’s trying his best. Poor kid can’t help it if he’s got two left feet.”

"I know. Still feel bad for him." Gage loaded the first ball in, then dialed back the speed. "Can't be easy for him to be that clumsy."

Teddy swung and missed the first ball by a mile.

"Okay, Ted, it's okay." Caine jogged over to the boy and stood behind him. "Let's try relaxing this shoulder a bit. Remember, keep your eye on the ball and swing before it gets to you."

Stepping back, Caine nodded to his brother. Gage loaded the second ball and it came hurtling toward the plate. Teddy swung blindly. Caine's jaw almost dropped when he heard the sharp retort of bat connecting with ball. The boy looked just as stunned.

“Go, Teddy. Run to first!”

The boy took off as fast as his short legs could carry him. Then, as if in slow motion, he tripped over his cleats and tumbled to the ground. Caine was already running, even before the cry of pain echoed around the field.

Biting back a curse, he dropped to his knees beside the boy. Teddy wasn’t crying, but his thin face contorted in agony as he cradled his arm.

“Hey, buddy. You’re okay. It’s okay. Let me see your arm.”

Caine did his best to stay calm. In the background, he heard Gage keeping the other boys back. Gingerly, he felt Teddy’s wrist. Almost immediately, a whimper of pain escaped the tightly clenched mouth. “That really hurts, Coach.”

“I bet it does, man. Come on. Looks like we’re gonna have to take you to the hospital.” He started to pick the kid up, then stopped. Having to be carried off the field by the coach wouldn’t do anything to help Teddy’s reputation with the team. Instead, Caine helped him to his feet, keeping an arm around his thin shoulders.

“Gage, I need you to call Mrs. Allen and tell her to meet us at the hospital. I’ll drive him over there. The rest of you, stay here with Coach Gage until your parents show up." Caine didn't even need to look behind him to know that his brother had the situation under control.

By the time Caine lifted him out of the truck in front of the hospital, Teddy's face was pasty white and drenched with sweat. Even though Caine knew from experience the poor kid had to be in a lot of pain, he was impressed at how stoic Teddy remained. No crying, no moaning. The only sound he made came when he got out of the truck.

Leading the boy into the Emergency entrance, Caine looked around for a doctor. The county hospital was small. Doctors from the four small towns in the area took turns staffing the emergency room while three full-time doctors took care of the long-term patients. Eyes lighting on a white coat, Caine started to usher Teddy forward.

"Excuse me? My friend here had a bit of an accident and I—" Caine stopped in his tracks as the doctor turned around. He hadn't registered the long, chestnut-colored ponytail before, and the coat concealed the body he used to know better than his own. Big hazel eyes blinked up at him, looking just as surprised as he felt. Melody Carr.

Here.

Now.

Hell.

This was not how he’d pictured their reunion. The delusional part of him hoped that she’d be happy to see him, maybe even rush into his arms. From the horrified look in her eyes, he didn’t see that happening any time soon.

That expression was so polar opposite to the first time she’d seen him. She’d been all of two, sitting in the Carrs’ living room playing with a stuffed bear. The second Micah walked through the front door, dragging Caine behind him, Mel’s little face, wreathed in smiles and chocolate curls, lit up. He hadn’t known what to do when she immediately latched onto his hand and demanded he “pay” with her. Used to a little brother, he didn’t know what to make of this foreign little female creature, but one look into those big hazel eyes and he was a goner.

Mel recovered faster than he did. She focused in on the boy at his side, ignoring Caine. She turned a dazzling smile on, her eyes soft with sympathy. "Uh-oh. I'm Dr. Carr. Can you tell me what happened here?"

“I’m Teddy. I…tripped. At practice.” Teddy gritted out the words through clenched teeth, his voice breathless with pain. For a nine-year-old, he was a tough little guy.

Mel nodded, leading them over to one of the four beds set up in the small ER. Before she could do it, Caine lifted Teddy up onto the bed then sat down beside him. Mel probed at the injured arm gently but efficiently. “I’ll have to take some x-rays, but it looks like you’ve got yourself a broken wrist.”

“Does…does that mean…I can’t play baseball this season?” The whispered question tore at Caine’s heart.

Mel gave the boy a kind smile. “Probably not, buddy. At least not the regular season. You’ll probably have to be in a cast for six weeks, but we’ll make sure it’s an extra cool one, I promise.”

For the first time since the accident, a little sob escaped the boy. “I’m sorry, Coach. I really wanted to play for you this season.”

Emotion clogged Caine’s throat. Brave kid. He had a lot of heart. “Hey now. None of that. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. You’re a kid, bud. By the time we were your age, Coach Gage and I each had broken two bones and had probably fifty stitches. Just because you’ve got a war wound doesn’t mean you can’t still help out with the team.”

“Really?” Teddy sniffed, brown eyes swimming in tears.

“Really. There’s always room for someone who’s willing to help out, maybe be the bat boy.” He smiled at Mel. “You should ask Dr. Carr here about being the bat boy. She used to help out on the Rangers when we were little. Best bat girl the team ever had.”

Mel’s lips tilted up in the imitation of a smile for Teddy’s benefit, but Caine saw her eyes close off. Before they could say anything more, Teddy’s mom hurried in and began fussing over her son. Caine stepped away, letting Mel and Mrs. Allen take over, but he didn’t leave. Sitting in the waiting area, Caine didn’t take his eyes off Mel. He’d known that she was in town for over a week now, but seeing her here, in her element, made everything much more real.

Over an hour later, Mel walked Mrs. Allen and Teddy toward the door. “Thank you for bringing him here, Coach Maddox,” Mrs. Allen said. “We really appreciate you taking care of him.”

“Not a problem. I told Teddy he’s welcome to still come to practice and help out with the team as soon as he’s feeling up to it. We’d love to have him.” Caine reached out and ruffled Teddy’s sweat-drenched hair.

Mel obviously expected him to leave when the Allens did. But he couldn’t leave without talking to her.

“Hi.” The word sounded lame even as he said it, but too many other words swirled around in his head for him to be smooth.

“Hello.” Her voice was clipped, her arms crossed over her chest, the sleeves of her lab coat pulled tight. She uncrossed them in a self-conscious gesture, looking as unsettled as he was. “What are you still doing here?”

He tried to give her a charming smile, but he knew his nerves probably got the better of him. “I wanted to talk to you. To thank you for taking such good care of Teddy. He’s a sweet kid. Extremely clumsy, but sweet.”

“Just doing my job. Which I really need to get back to so…”

She turned to leave, but he stopped her, lightly catching her wrist. “Wait. Please.”

He got an eyebrow raise, but she didn’t continue to try and leave, so he counted that as a small victory. A quick zing of pleasure darted up his arm from where his fingers circled the soft, fragile skin just above her rapidly beating pulse. “Look, Mel, I know things ended badly between us, but I’d love to take you out for coffee or something after your shift. You know, to say thank you for helping out with Teddy.”

Great, Maddox, hiding behind the kid. Real classy. He waited anxiously for her response, holding his breath. After being away from her for ten years, Caine didn’t want her to leave just yet.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. I have my life and you have yours, Mr. Mayor. It’s better for everyone if we keep both separate. Besides, I was just doing my job. I don’t need your gratitude.”

The logical side of him knew she was probably right, so he let her walk away. This time. The good thing about living in a small town was you couldn’t avoid someone forever. Eventually, she’d have to talk to him and listen to what he had to say.

#

Mel locked herself in an on-call room the first second she could. Every painful memory from the summer after her freshmen year in college came flooding back. She’d known she couldn’t avoid Caine forever, but she hoped that she’d have the opportunity to pick the when and where. She certainly never expected to see him in the emergency room, worrying about a little kid from the Little League team he coached. The bastard didn’t even have the grace to be at a disadvantage. He was like a freaking saint, at least according to Mrs. Allen. It sure as hell didn’t help that every nurse kept going all swoony over him, even after he left, talking about all the good he’d done for the town since he’d been elected.

All these years apart and in her head, he was anything but a saint. Part of her thought that he would still be the spoiled, self-involved trust fund baby he’d been that year at Brown. It would be so much easier to keep on hating him if he was still the college kid who’d hurt her instead of a mature, responsible man.

It definitely didn’t help that mixing in with the man he was and guy she knew in college was the memory of the boy she’d first fallen in love with. She’d never been super into the whole fairy tale thing, but as a little girl she’d firmly believed Caine was Prince Charming come to life. Even when he and Micah and Gage were teasing her, he always made sure to include her in their games. She’d ended up being such a tomboy because followed the boys everywhere just to be close to Caine.

When she agreed to move back to Unknown, Mel thought she’d moved past her history with Caine. Instead, all the long dormant emotions came rushing back, hitting her faster than a shot of adrenaline to the heart. At one point, she’d been ready to devote herself to him, but when she needed him most, he’d run off to spend three weeks partying in St. Croix with his frat brothers. All of the pain and sadness of that betrayal was back and she just had to learn to work through them. She’d done it twice before and she’d do it again. It had been a lot easier when she didn’t run the risk of seeing him every day, but she could do this. Yeah.

Oh, who was she kidding? This sucked.