Huckleberry Hearts (8 page)

Cassie nodded. “You're right. Good doesn't exist exclusively inside our little Amish community.”

“There are eight billion people out there,” Dawdi interjected from the sofa.

“Now, Felty,” Mammi scolded. “Not a peep.”

The doctor turned and grinned at her grandparents. “Some of the finest people in the world are right here in this room.”

A warm liquid traveled through Cassie's veins. Dr. Reynolds was making all sorts of points with her tonight. Was he doing it on purpose?

Loudly scraping her chair out from under the table, she stood and marched to the fridge. “Would you like more chicken, Doctor?”

His eyes widened as if he'd found an extra present under the Christmas tree. “There's more?”

She stifled a giggle and pulled two pieces from the plastic bag. “Do you like drumsticks?”

“I would die for a drumstick.”

This time she did giggle.

He smiled back at her. “Have pity on me. I haven't had good fried chicken in a long time.”

“I think you'd better come over more often, Doctor,” Mammi said, breaking her own rule. “Your mamm wouldn't want you to waste away to nothing.”

Cassie laid both drumsticks on Zach's plate. He picked one up and offered it to her. “I don't want to hog all the food.”

She raised her hands and backed away. “I wouldn't dream of it. I'd rather not see you cry like a baby.”

It wasn't fair, the way he smiled and made Cassie's insides feel like they were doing a square dance. “You're right. I would cry like a baby. This is just like my mom used to make.”

“I will have Felty get you a bottle of my peaches for you to take home,” Anna said. “There's nothing like home-bottled fruit to warm your insides.”

After Cassie made sure there was no danger of his trying to give her one of the drumsticks, she sat back down. “Does your mother live in California?”

Furrowing his brow, he paused mid-bite and gazed at her. The emotion didn't last long, whatever it was. He put down his half-eaten piece of chicken. “She still lives in the house where I grew up. In Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world.”

Cassie raised her eyebrows. “Garlic capital? I didn't smell anything when you came in.”

He chuckled. “I bathe regularly.”

“What about your dad? Do you have brothers and sisters?”

“My dad's gone, and I have two older brothers. They both work out of the country doing big and important things.”

“Your mamm must be very proud of you,” Dawdi said.

“Of course she's proud,” Mammi said. “Her son's a doctor. Isn't that a wonderful thing, Cassie?” Mammi and Dawdi obviously wanted to be more involved in the conversation than they pretended they did.

Cassie curled her lips and glanced sideways at Dr. Reynolds. “Wonderful gute, Mammi.”

“Does she live by herself?” Mammi asked. “You said you hoped a doctor would check on her just like you wanted to check on me.”

A shadow flitted across his face. “As soon as I finish my residency I'm going back there to be close to her. She called me earlier tonight and told me she broke her arm falling off a ladder.”

“Oh no,” Cassie said. “That's terrible.” And it truly was. She could see it in his face.

“She wanted to clean the rain gutters. I keep telling her to save the hard jobs for me.”

“I'm sorry,” she said. “I'm sure it's difficult being this far away. I wish there was something we could do.”

His expression softened. “I wish there was something I could do. She's got all these paper roses she's supposed to make for some bazaar, and she's only got one hand. I even offered to fly home and help, but she thinks I'd make a mess of them.”

“I could knit a cover for her cast,” Mammi said.

“That's very kind, but I don't think—”

Mammi sat a little taller as if ready to start knitting at that very moment. “I've got weeks and weeks to do nothing. I'd be happy to knit a cast cover for your mamm. I would knit a beanie, but I know it doesn't get cold in California. And a cast cover will protect her arm if she bangs it against the wall.”

Cassie smiled to herself as she pictured the doctor's mom pounding her cast against the wall just to test out her cast cover. Dr. Reynolds's eyes danced as he glanced at Cassie. She smiled and nodded, encouraging him to accept Mammi's offer. They'd all be happier if he did.

“That's very kind of you,” he said.

“Wonderful gute,” Mammi said. She took a small notebook and pen from her apron pocket. “What is her name and address? I'll mail it to her as soon as it's done.”

“Julie Reynolds, 1420 Montoya Street, Gilroy, California.”

Mammi carefully jotted down the information. “What is her favorite color?”

“Uh, I have no idea.”

Propping on one elbow, Mammi reached down and retrieved her knitting bag from the floor next to the recliner. “I have some pink left over from a baby blanket I made for the auction. I'll use that.”

“Auction?” Zach asked.

Mammi took an empty set of knitting needles from her bag. “There's an auction next week to raise money to help pay Miriam Sensenig's medical bills. She was in a car accident three weeks ago and her neck is a mess.”

The corners of Zach's mouth drooped. “The Amish don't have insurance. That's one of the first things they told me at the hospital.”

“It's all right,” Mammi said. “We're tough. We can handle it.”

“I'm sure you can. But tell me more about this auction. Do they raise enough money to even make a dent in the bills?”

“Jah,” Cassie said. “Lots of Englisch come, especially when we have a haystack supper.”

“Wait. Haystack supper? Englisch? Those aren't terms I've heard before.”

“You really do need a tutor.” Cassie felt immediately sorry for opening her mouth. It wasn't very nice of her to remind him that she'd flat-out refused to be his tutor.

“I really do,” he replied, teasing her with a look of mock longing.

She returned his smile, glad she hadn't offended him then quickly wiped the smile off her face. Why was she enjoying his company so much? This was Zach Reynolds, frat boy, party animal, and leader of Finn McEwan's little hook-up club. If she showed any chink in her armor, the charming Dr. Reynolds would try to seduce her faster than an Amish mammi could knit a pot holder. She'd be just another one of the many girls who had been taken in by his good looks and movie-star smile.

Mammi pointed the sharp end of her knitting needle at him. “Dr. Reynolds, you must come to the auction next Saturday. Everybody will be there, including Cassie's family. You really should meet . . .” She seemed to reconsider whatever it was she was going to say next. “You really should meet the bishop.”

“Oh,” Zach said, “does the bishop need to approve me?”

“Something like that,” Dawdi offered at the same time that Cassie said, “No, not at all.”

Zach's gaze traveled from Dawdi to Cassie and back again. “Is it permitted for me to come? I'm not Amish.” He forced her to make eye contact. “I'd really like to come, but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.”

“Stuff and nonsense,” Mammi said. “We'll feel downtrodden if you don't come.”

“Downtrodden and depressed,” Dawdi added, though he seemed more delighted than anything else.

Zach shrugged and flashed a cocky grin. “I'd love to.”

Cassie gave him a polite smile. What did she care if he came to the auction or not? He could be as persuasive as he wanted to. She would never sleep with him.

“Of course, I won't be going, with my foot the way it is,” Mammi said. “But Felty can show you around.”

Zach reduced his chicken to a pile of bones on his plate. “That was delicious. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.” He scooted his chair back from the table. “Now that I've eaten my weight in chicken and rolls, I'd better get going. I've got a long day of acne and warts tomorrow. The life of a dermatologist.”

“Is that the kind of doctor you want to be?” Cassie asked.

He shook his head. “A pediatrician. I love kids.”

She hadn't expected that. Zach Reynolds didn't seem like the kind of guy who had any use for children.

Mammi held out her hand. Dr. Reynolds immediately went to her and took it. “Denki for coming, Doctor. I'll be able to sleep much better tonight seeing how well things are going.”

Zach patted Mammi's hand reassuringly. “If you need anything else, Anna, call me.” He took a business card from his pocket and wrote something on it before handing it to Mammi. “Here is my direct number. Call me anytime. If I'm with a patient, I won't answer, but I'll be in touch as soon as I can.”

Cassie's heart leaped to her throat. “Oh, no, Doctor, that isn't necessary. We'll be fine. Mammi won't need to call again.”

“Jah, I will,” Mammi said. “Several times.”

“But you're tough, Mammi, remember?”

“Not that tough. It will do my heart good to see the doctor again.”

Cassie turned to Zach. “It's really not necessary, Dr. Reynolds. We can't ask you to—”

“Miss Coblenz, please don't worry. I want to make your grandmother as comfortable as possible.”

Miss Coblenz
. It sounded so distant, as if there were a wide, yawning chasm separating them.

And that was the way she wanted it. He wouldn't dream of trying to make her one of his conquests if they were on opposite sides of the universe.

Dawdi handed Dr. Reynolds his coat and beanie. “We'll see you at the auction, Doctor.”

Dr. Reynolds acted as if he were looking forward to it. “You will, Felty. What time should I pick you up?”

Cassie's heart leaped in alarm. “You don't need to do that.”

“It's my pleasure, unless you'd rather not. I'm not putting any pressure on you.” He cleared his throat and looked at Dawdi. “Maybe it's best if I meet you there.”

“Pick them up at four o'clock,” Mammi said.

Dr. Reynolds eyed Cassie as if waiting for her consent, but she couldn't very well tell him no. It wasn't as if it were a date or anything. Mammi and Dawdi were the ones who had asked him, and it wouldn't be very nice to refuse the doctor's offer. She managed a weak smile and nodded.

He returned her smile and put on his coat. “Okay. Four o'clock.” After an awkward silence of him staring at Cassie and Cassie staring at the floor, Dr. Reynolds leaned casually against the door. “Miss Coblenz, I know it's cold, but do you mind coming outside for a minute?”

She had to concentrate very hard to keep from choking on his invitation. Certainly he wasn't going to ask her out, was he? She studied his expression and saw nothing there to give her alarm. He'd behaved himself very well tonight. She'd trust him as far as the porch.

He must have sensed her hesitation. He curled the corners of his mouth upward, showing a hint of bright white teeth. The look suited his face very well. “I don't bite.”

She forced a casual laugh. “Yes, I know.”

I know?
Oh sis yuscht,
what a stupid thing to say.

“Good-bye, Anna, Felty. Call if you need me.”

“You can be sure we'll need you,” Mammi said.

Cassie followed him outside, not even bothering to take her coat. The cold would force him to keep the conversation short.

Earlier, Dawdi had lit the lantern that hung on the peg outside the front door. Zach took it from the peg and trudged down the porch steps to the dark shape that must have been his car. Or was that her car?

Two identical Honda Accords, same silver color, same style, and as far as Cassie could tell, same year sat side by side in Mammi and Dawdi's lane.

Dr. Reynolds motioned to her car, which she could tell was her car by the sparkly crystal angel that hung from her rearview mirror. “Your car, I assume?”

Cassie's jaw dropped. She inclined her head in the direction of the other Honda. “Yours?”

He chuckled at the look on her face. “My dad bought this car brand-new twenty-one years ago. All three of us boys drove it to high school. It hasn't been in one accident, and considering what a bad driver my brother Drew is, it's kind of a miracle.”

“I can't believe we have the exact same car.”

“We have matching red scarves and matching Honda Accords. It's spooky,” he said, his eyes dancing in the lantern's glow.

She gave her car an affectionate pat. “My air-conditioning doesn't work anymore.”

“I've reupholstered the driver's seat with duct tape.”

Cassie folded her arms around herself to ward off the cold. “It was a struggle getting up Huckleberry Hill.”

“Me too. I almost drove backward down the hill and gave up.” After gently setting the lantern on the top of his car, he gave her a tentative smile, shrugged off his coat, and wrapped it around her shoulders. She tried to refuse it, but he shook his head and backed away. “I don't want you to catch cold.”

Surrendering to the welcome warmth, she tugged the coat tighter around her, catching a whiff of cologne that still clung to it. It smelled earthy, like the mossy woods on a rainy morning. It was all she could do not to bury her face into the folds of fabric and breathe it in. Better to escape to the safety of the house.

“Thank you,” she said, “but I really should go in.”

Frowning, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and studied one of the footprints they'd made in the snow. “Can I ask you something?”