Begin Again (11 page)

“You can pet and play with a hamster. If you hold them, they'll become tame. I just got one myself. There's even an exotic vet right around the corner on Pleasant who I happen to know is the best and is very reasonable.”

The guy looked at his wife. “I think it's a good idea. Dogs live a long time, and neither one of us has a lot of time to spend with a puppy.”

The girl nodded. “And a cat might bother my allergies.” She smiled and looked at Maisie. “Thanks. You may have just saved us a week's worth of debating.”

“No problem. Let me know if you two need anything else. Chocolate chunk cookies are on special today: buy one, get one free.”

She left them to discuss if they should go to the pet store after they finished eating just as Ryan walked into the diner wearing a purple polo and dark jeans. She thought back to his beige living room and shook her head at the irony.

“You're here early tonight.” She paused while he sat down at the counter. “Be right back with your pie.”

“My last patient canceled. I think I'll try a cheeseburger and soda with the pie tonight.”

Surprised, Maisie smiled. “Sure. You want home fries, too?”

He thought about it for a couple of seconds. “If you'll share some with me.”

She laughed, “Afraid of consuming too many fats at once?”

He nodded. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Let me get that guy's coffee refilled, and I'll get your order placed.”

“No hurry.” He winked, making her heart race.

• • •

Ryan looked around the diner and came to find he'd grown quite fond of the place. Not only did he get to see the woman he was falling in love with, but also the place had a warmth and a history that made him feel as comfortable as his favorite pair of jeans. He chuckled to himself. If someone would have told him a few months ago that he would frequent a pink and gray diner with cookie pictures pasted on the walls, he would have thought them insane.

He recognized the other regulars around him and felt he was a part of this small community. His home. Maisie's home. Nothing had ever felt so right, including his relationship with her. Whatever it was. He looked at Maisie chatting with a customer. The sunlight hit her jade eyes and turned them into sparkling jewels. If all he could have with her was what they had now, he could live with that.

Maisie walked over to him and placed a large plate of Southern cooking in front of him. “Here you go. Enjoy.” She snatched a few of his fries and winked, making him laugh.

• • •

The next couple of days were much busier at the clinic. Ryan had interviewed a promising applicant. She could only work part time, so he wasn't sure how that would work, unless he hired another part-time person to make up the difference.

As soon as Ryan got home from his pie-eating routine, he noticed a white, medium-sized car parked in front of the house. He unlocked the door and stepped into the foyer. He almost dropped his keys when Jacob came out of nowhere.

“Surprise!” Jacob said as he leaned his crutch against the chair and walked across Ryan's living room. “My ankle is better. I think I'm able to drive now. My insurance company sent me a rental until my repairs are finished.”

Ryan knew his friend was eager to get back to Illinois, to be back in his own house again. “Man, there's no rush. You still have that cast on your arm. My home is your home.”

Jacob shook his head. “I've stayed long enough, my friend. Time for me to hit the road.”

Ryan saw his determined look and knew there was no changing his mind. “This time, please be
careful
.”

Jacob saluted him, “Scout's honor. I'll even give you a call when I get back safely.”

“That might mean something if you'd ever been a scout.”

Jacob smiled.

“Alright.” His mind was made up, no use trying to change it. “You want to stay for dinner and head out in the morning?”

“No, I don't want to drive in the rush-hour traffic.” Jacob walked toward the door and then turned. “Good luck with Maisie. She is sweet.”

“Thanks. And you stay away from Kate. That woman is poison.”

Jacob threw his head back and laughed. “Got it.”

Ryan watched with a nervous eye as his best friend drove away slowly. He'd miss having him around, though it would be nice to get back his routine.

• • •

“Did you like the movie?” Cady asked Maisie as they left the dark theater.

She tossed the half-empty bucket of popcorn and her empty cup in the trash. “Yeah. Did you?”

“A movie about friends and shoes? Of course!”

Cady jiggled her keys when they got to the parking lot.

Maisie looked over at her sister. “I'm glad you talked me into coming. It's been a long time since we had a sister date.”

Cady unlocked the car and smiled, “Too long, honey. We need to make this a regular thing.”

“So, I heard from Dad.” She paused to fasten her seatbelt. “Thanks for not telling them about Ryan.”

Cady grinned, “There's nothing to tell is there?”

Maisie looked out her window. “I like him. We're great as friends.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“I mean, we have gotten closer, and he makes me happy when I see him.” She paused. “It's when I'm away from him that I have my doubts.”

Cady put on her turn signal and turned onto their street. “What do you mean?”

Maisie pretended to examine her fingernails. “I don't know. I still have sadness in my heart. A sadness that I'm afraid will never disappear completely.”

Cady reached over and put her hand on Maisie's arm. “It will. I promise.”

She wanted to change the subject, and the only thing she could think of was the fact that she'd almost saved enough to start looking for her own place. “I'm thinking of going house hunting this weekend. I only need about a thousand more and I'll have enough for a nice down payment.”

“If you're ready, I think it's a good idea.” She paused to park the car. “As much as I love having you live with me, I understand you wanting your own space.”

Wow, she'd actually thought her sister would argue about her wanting to move.
Maybe I'm not the only one who needs privacy.
“Thanks for understanding. I'm sure you and Sam are ready to have your house back to yourselves.” Maisie reached for the door handle.

Cady reached over and put her hand on her arm. “Wait. I have something to tell you. I was going to tell you earlier, but I chickened out.”

Maisie raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Not the therapy talk again.

Cady put her hands in her lap and took a deep breath. “I'm pregnant.”

Maisie's mouth fell open. Of all things, she didn't expect to hear
that
. Her sister and Sam had said they never wanted to have kids, that they weren't the parenting type. So it was surprise and not envy that left her speechless. Well, maybe a teeny-tiny bit of envy.

Cady's lower lip trembled. “I'm sorry. I know it's unfair.”

Maisie hugged her sister. “No Cade, I'm okay. Just surprised, that's all.”

Cady looked at her with watery eyes. “It wasn't planned, but we're happy about it now that the shock has worn off.”

Maisie smiled and wiped the single tear that had slid down her sister's cheek. “Well then, I'm happy, too.”

Cady smiled. “Really? Because I want you to be, so much.”

Maisie nodded. She felt genuinely happy for her sister. “Yes. How far along are you?”

Cady placed a hand over her stomach. “Just six weeks. You are the first person to find out. Mom and Dad don't even know.”

“You don't have to worry about my feelings. This is your life, and it has nothing to do with my loss.”

Cady nodded. “I think you're on a good start to healing.”

Maisie hoped with all her broken heart that she was right.

“He'll be just fine. Once the antibiotics are finished, I'd like to see him again for a follow-up next week. You can schedule your appointment when you check out,” Ryan told the guinea pig's owner.

The woman zipped up the carrier her pet was snuggled inside of. “Thank you so much.”

She exited the room, and Ryan went over to the stainless steel sink to wash his hands. As he was getting a paper towel, there was a knock at the door.

He turned to look, “Yes, Alice?”

“I'm afraid that the part-time lady you were thinking of hiring has just taken another job offer. We're back to square one, and I only have one week left before we leave for Arizona.”

Ryan sighed. “Call the temp agency. We may have to try our luck there.”

“Okay, boss,” Alice said with an apologetic look.

• • •

Maisie slipped on her blue jeans and an ivory lace shirt. She'd tossed and turned all night, but this time it wasn't from nightmares. This morning it was clear what she wanted to do. She walked upstairs to grab a cereal bar and coffee then headed out the door. After putting her car into drive, she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Hopefully Ryan would think it was a great idea for her to be his new assistant, because she'd finally decided it was what she wanted.

She devoured her breakfast, being careful not to get anything on the shirt she had borrowed from her sister. By the time she pulled up to the clinic, her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty.
Here goes nothing
. She opened her car door and walked up to the small building that could be her new place of employment.

When she stepped inside on the tile floor, she didn't expect to see the cute twenty-something girl with brown ringlets and bright red lipstick sitting behind the desk.

“Hello, you can sign in right here,” the girl said as she pointed to the paper in front of her.

Maisie couldn't speak. Her heart sank. She was too late.

The girl stood up and looked down at the floor around Maisie's legs. “Did you bring your pet in or picking one up?”

Maisie shook her head. Finally finding her voice, she managed to squeak out, “I'm here to see Ryan.”

The girl eyed her as if sizing her up. “Oh, you mean Doctor Hottie? He's in with a stray baby owl. Cutest little thing … ”

Maisie stared at her, not listening to what she was saying. All she'd heard was Doctor Hottie, then the rest was just white noise.

“Never mind,” Maisie whispered and turned to leave.

“Wait, did you want to make an appointment?”

Maisie turned to look at the brunette bombshell and shook her head. She pushed the exit door open and swallowed oxygen as if she'd been stuck in an airless tunnel.

She knew she had feelings for Ryan and cared about him, but it wasn't until the girl behind the desk had called him “Hottie” that she realized how deep those feelings had become. Feeling stupid, tears stung her eyes as she pulled her car away from her dream job and any chance of a future with Ryan.

• • •

Ryan came out of the exam room to check on the temp. She was a little immature for his taste, but maybe she'd be okay once Alice finished training her. He walked over to the computer to find her filing her nails. Was he paying her for this?

When she didn't say anything, he cleared his throat. “Any messages?”

Tiffany smiled. “None. How am I doing?” She batted her fake eyelashes like something was in her eye.

Ryan pointed to his own eye. “You okay there?”

She frowned. “Yes.”

Ryan laughed to himself. He wasn't an idiot. She was attracted to him. She would have been the type of girl he might have dated back in Illinois, but now he only had eyes for Maisie. No woman would ever compare.

• • •

After changing back into her plain T-shirt, Maisie drove to the diner, disappointed. Good thing she hadn't given Ginger her notice. She had been about to make a life-changing decision, and it had backfired. The gray feeling of the drizzling rain matched her mood perfectly.

Once they were caught up on customers, she dragged Lola to the back to tell her what happened at Ryan's clinic.

“Did you ask him about it?” Lola asked in disbelief.

Maisie bit her lip. “Not exactly. What would I say? Oh Ryan, I know you already hired some gorgeous girl that apparently likes you, but I want the job. Oh, and I want you, too.”

Lola shrugged. “Yeah, why not?”

Maisie let out a groan. “Because I could never ever say those words to him!”

Lola took the salad dressing out of the fridge. “I thought you were supposed to be honest in relationships.”

“We're not in a relationship. We're … we're … ”

Lola giggled. “Friends, remember? At least that's what you keep saying.”

Maisie groaned. “When he comes in, will you take care of him? I don't think I can face him right now.

Lola chomped on her gum and narrowed her eyes as if deep in thought. “I will, but he's not going to like it. You know, I've had the apple pie here, and it's not
that
good.”

Lola walked away, leaving her even more confused.

When Ryan walked inside the diner right on schedule, he looked tired but still handsome. Always handsome. She had to face him.

• • •

Ryan couldn't remember a day he felt so exhausted. He took a deep breath and put a smile on his face for Maisie. She had enough to deal with and didn't need to worry about him.

“So did you find someone to replace Alice yet?” Maisie asked later, as they walked out of the diner together.

The rain was like a fine mist coating them with tiny dots of water.

“I did.”

Maisie nodded. “That's good.”

He returned her nod. “Yeah.”

They both stood at Maisie's car, their clothes getting damp from the misty rain.