Page 56 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Sixteen

FORD

Shoot My Shot

I’d only been in one serious relationship. Sydney was in my medical school class. We shared the same study groups. Struggled with parts of the pharmacology curriculum. Slowly our classmates found other places to study until it was only the two of us quizzing each other and drinking way too much coffee.

It was reassuring to have her around. To know she was tackling the same kinds of stress as me. What we had was safe. Comfortable.

When the time came to talk about where we wanted to do our residencies, she hinted that she wanted to follow me. Thought it was time for more of a commitment. A week before Match Day, when we’d learn about where we’d do our residencies, she asked me point-blank if I was going to marry her. In that moment I clearly saw what a future with her would look like. It was exactly what my parents wanted: children, a dog and a white picket fence.

Having that sobering vision freaked me out. Syd deserved more than I could give her. So instead of a ring, she got an apology and a not so suave breakup.

That cramping in my chest I’d felt with Sydney, I was convinced would happen with every woman I met, but as the music played, Piper’s hand tucked into mine, my breaths came easy. I’d even have called them light.

The band moved from a Johnny Cash song to an upbeat Luke Bryan tune. The crowd hooted, hollered and stomped their feet. Skirts spun in colorful chaos. Boots sashayed across the floor in thick, measured steps. I swung Piper out and pulled her in, doing a quick cradle turn before reeling her back into my side.

‘Holy crap. You can really dance.’

‘I may have had a little practice, but it’s no “Step in Time”.’

That earned me a laugh that I swore almost shot me straight to the moon.

When Janice first told me about the ‘Music in the Square’ event it sounded small-town hokey to me. The more I thought about it though, the more I pictured seeing Piper. Asking her to dance. Chances were she’d say no, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t willing to shoot my shot.

Once I heard the music from my balcony, I walked out to the square. Booths lined the block selling everything from beer to kettle corn to lemonade. Rows of black smokers sat on the sidewalk, people eager to try the local brisket and barbecued pork. Picnic tables covered in bright yellow gingham spread out across the brick-paved street. On an elevated stage near the fountain a five-piece band played one of their first songs.

Every few steps, I got a smile or a hello from a patient. It was wild how I’d only been here five weeks and already knew so many names and faces.

My gaze flicked over the crowd and my heart sank when I couldn’t find Piper.

Earlier, I’d heard her and Maisey giggling through the walls. When the conversation stopped, and her door slammed, I waited a half an hour before I made my own exit.

I checked every booth. Scanned the dance floor. Still no Piper.

I moved outside the square and toward town hall. At first, all I heard was Dex’s voice singing out.

Man, the kid was good.

I followed the sound and was treated to Piper’s own voice a few seconds later. Goosebumps rippled across my skin as her laughter, and encouraging words, floated out of the gazebo. My intention was to stay in the shadows, only watch for a moment. But then she spun straight toward the stairs, and I stepped out to make sure she didn’t take a tumble. As I cupped her against my chest, the feel and scent of her sent me on another rollercoaster drop.

‘Dex is getting really good. He’s going to blow everyone away during the performances,’ she said.

‘That’s a credit to you.’

We followed the crowd around the floor in a quick two-step, changing positions and shifting our bodies in time to the music. The more we moved, the more eyes followed us.

From across the dance floor, Greta watched us curiously. Miss Cheri stood near the gazebo, giving me a pleased-as-punch grin. Barb and Susan passed us more than once. Their lingering and hesitant gazes saying more than they wanted.

The one stare that never wavered belonged to a guy with sandy-brown hair and a determined scowl. When I’d first met Piper’s brother in the hospital, the fear he wore made him appear much older. Now he just looked… pissed.

‘We’re drawing attention,’ I said, tipping my chin in Beck’s direction.

‘So what. Are you having fun?’

Fun. This was more than that. This was an erotic fantasy come to life. Being able to press my fingers against her skin. Hold her this close. Yeah, I’d be dreaming about it for weeks.

‘I’m having a blast,’ I said.