Paper Hearts (23 page)

G
ETTING COFFEE TURNED OUT
to be a lot more difficult than Abigail expected. With Jacob’s bag, Kate’s pajamas, and Junie’s teddy bear in the passenger seat, she’d pulled into the lot behind The Book Nook, parked the truck, and taken a deep breath. She’d considered closing the shop for the day, but with all the excitement over the hearts, it would be terrible timing. Instead she’d had Mallory call in a few part-time employees, and she was assured all would be fine.

“I’ll take care of it, Abigail. You just go make that doctor fall in love with you,” she’d said. Abigail didn’t have the energy to correct her. Admittedly, she hadn’t given much thought to her own sad situation since Jacob first got the call about the accident. It was kind of nice to worry about someone besides herself for a change.

Now, standing in her office, Abigail waited for Aaron to bring
her coffee. She’d decided not to go out into the store for fear of getting sucked into the paper heart craziness, and she really just needed to get the coffee and go.

Someone knocked at the office door. Aaron? Abigail swung the door open and Gigi entered her office without ceremony, followed by Doris and Ursula.

“What happened, dear?” Gigi said, taking her hands. “Mallory said you were in an accident?”

“No, not me. Jacob’s sister and daughter.”

“Ohhh.” The three ladies went wide-eyed.

“The doctor’s sister,” Doris said.

“Yes.”

“We call him Jacob now,” Gigi corrected.

Abigail shrank under the weight of their stares. “Or Dr. Willoughby. Whichever.”

“How about ‘spawn of Satan’?” Ursula harrumphed.

Abigail pulled her hands out of Gigi’s grasp. “He’s not so evil.”

Gigi’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s right. I heard he saved a little girl’s life in here yesterday. The whole town is buzzing about it.”

Abigail wasn’t surprised.

“So he’s not kicking you out anymore?” Doris clapped her hands together.

Where was Aaron with her coffee? “No, nothing’s changed. He’s just . . . different than I thought.”

The three ladies all leaned back with a unified “Oh?”

“I can’t get into it now. I told them I’d be back with Junie’s teddy bear and fresh clothes.”

“So you’re running errands for him now?” Ursula put her hands on her hips.

If only Aaron didn’t move at a turtle’s pace. Abigail walked toward the door, intending to check his progress. Aaron entered before she reached it, holding three large cups of coffee in a drink carrier. Abigail took them without a thank-you and pushed past
the three women, leaving them, she was sure, to speculate on this turn of events.

For Abigail Pressman’s entire opinion of the good doctor had seemed to change overnight.

And if she knew the Valentine Volunteers, that meant speculation.

But she couldn’t think about any of that now. Instead she drove back to the hospital, her memory replaying last night’s events in a continuous loop. She didn’t know what the Willoughby family had been through, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Her heart broke for the little girl, for Jacob
 
—even for Kate.

And as she pulled into a parking spot, she heard herself say out loud, “Maybe I could help them find whatever it is they’re looking for.”

She shook the ridiculous thought aside. Who did she think she was? She wasn’t in the business of playing God
 
—not for herself and certainly not for handsome doctors. She gathered the things she’d picked up at his house and headed inside.

As she made her way down the hallway, Hailey Martin popped out from behind the desk. “Abigail?”

She and Hailey had gone to school together. They both grew up here in Loves Park, and Abigail had to say she couldn’t think of a better nurse for the Willoughby family.

“Hey, Hailey,” Abigail said, slowing her anxious pace.

“You came in with the Willoughbys last night, right?” Hailey’s brow furrowed the way a nurse’s did when she had bad news to deliver.

“Has something happened?”

“Oh no, everyone is okay
 
—they’re all resting, I think.” Hailey looked away like she was checking to see if anyone else was around. “I’m not supposed to say anything.”

Abigail’s throat went dry. “Hailey, what is it? Is it Junie?”

Hailey shook her head. “The other one.”

“Kate?”

“Abigail, how well do you know her?”

Abigail shrugged. “Not that well. Why? She’s just staying with Jacob for a little while, I think.”

“We had to take some X-rays.” Hailey pressed her lips together as if she was summoning the professional in her. “We found some concerning things.”

“What kind of things?”

Hailey looked away. “I probably shouldn’t say.”

Abigail frowned. “Hailey, what’s wrong?”

“There appears to be a history of . . . abuse.”

Abigail pictured Kate in her mind’s eye. She didn’t know her well, but Kate generally seemed happy and laid-back. “Are you sure? She seems fine to me.”

Did Jacob know about this?

“We’re pretty certain. We tried to discuss it with her, but she wasn’t receptive at all.”

“What kind of history?” Abigail didn’t have a lot of experience with battered women, but if she could help her new friend, she’d like to try.

“She’s had several severe bruises consistent with being beaten. Her collarbone was broken, and from what I can tell, this isn’t her first concussion.”

Abigail’s stomach dropped. She never would’ve guessed that about Kate.

“Why are you telling me this, Hailey?”

“Her brother doesn’t seem to be doing very well. He was in the chapel this morning, and with his little girl’s leg
 
—I just couldn’t tell him. I saw pictures of the car they were in, Abigail. They’re lucky to be alive.”

Abigail sighed, suddenly anxious to get back to them, to make sure everyone was okay.

Hailey smoothed her ponytail, looking nervous. “I shouldn’t have told you.”

Abigail was pretty sure Hailey had violated all kinds of codes and oaths in sharing this with her.

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone, Abigail. I could lose my job.”

Abigail let out a nervous sigh. “Then why did you say it?” Abigail certainly didn’t want to be rude, but she didn’t like having this information.

“Someone needed to know. Someone who cares about her.”

Sadly Abigail wasn’t sure she was worth confiding in. What in the world was she supposed to do now? Pretend she didn’t know? Bring it up with Kate? Tell Jacob?

She slung the bag over her shoulder, hugged the teddy bear, and started down the hall. When she reached the room, the door was partially open and a familiar voice met her before she could go in.

Kelly.

The woman had set her shiny black bag on the end of Junie’s bed and now stood beside Jacob’s chair, rubbing his back with her perfectly French-manicured hands.

Abigail stopped short before walking through the door, thankful they hadn’t seen her. Her eyes fell to her own hands, wrapped around Junie’s bear. Dried paint lined her fingernails and her knuckles wore a fading coat of primer.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here last night, Jacob. I’m sure you really needed someone to be here with you.”

“Abigail was here.”

She stilled at the mention of her own name.

“She was?”

“She drove over with me.”

A long pause, and then finally Kelly responded. “Well, good.
Do you think you’ll be up to finalizing some building plans later on?”

“You’re not supposed to be here on Saturdays, Kelly.” Then it was Jacob’s turn to pause. “But I’m glad you are. Why don’t you keep things going with the renovations for a while? I think I need to be here with Junie and my sister.”

“Of course,” Kelly said. “That’s what I’m here for. I think you’re making a wise choice to keep moving forward. I’ll handle everything for now. You just take care of your girls.” She glanced sideways through the door and started when she saw Abigail. “Why don’t I see if I can find us some coffee?”

“I think Abigail is bringing some,” Jacob said as Kelly turned toward the hallway.

She kept her gaze locked on Abigail’s as she headed for the door. Jacob didn’t turn around, but even from his profile Abigail could tell he wasn’t in good spirits. She understood why Hailey didn’t want to disrupt him with any more bad news than he was already processing. Still, Abigail was more certain than ever that something else was at play here. Kids broke bones. Junie was going to be fine, yet Abigail didn’t see any trace of relief on his face.

Now, standing nearly a foot shorter than high-heeled Kelly, Abigail wanted to crawl under a rock or run to the mountains and hide.

Kelly closed the door, keeping her tone even and her voice low. “I heard you spent the night here.”

Abigail swallowed, stuttered, and mumbled all at the same time. “Yes.”

“That’s just wonderful of you to be a good neighbor like that. I’m sure Kate appreciates you for being such a good friend to her.” Kelly swept her hair behind her shoulders and leveled her eyes. “As for Jacob, however, I can take it from here.”

Abigail’s expression must’ve matched her inner confusion, but she said nothing.

“Jacob is a very special man, and he needs a certain kind of woman right now. I’m sure you’re wonderful in your own way, but you’re young and inexperienced. He needs to be cared for, and sadly, I’m not sure you have the skills required to do that.” Kelly made a superior, condescending face. The kind of face Abigail wanted to punch.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” she said, trying to keep her tone as even as Kelly’s.

“No, I don’t think there has,” Kelly said matter-of-factly. “You don’t have to say a word. Your little crush is obvious, and it’s very cute, but you should know that he’s not available. Are we clear?”

Abigail nodded.

Kelly took the coffee, the bag, and the teddy bear with the two paper hearts pinned to its chest. “Wonderful. It was so nice of you to bring us coffee. I’ll be sure they get these.”

Abigail swallowed the lump forming in her throat, willing away that left-out feeling that plopped her right back in middle school.

Kelly put a hand on the door but quickly turned to face Abigail again. “I almost forgot. Jacob’s letting me handle things for a little while, and we’re moving ahead with the renovations.”

“I figured as much,” Abigail said, though she desperately wished against it.

“He’s authorized a larger budget, so we’re going to do phases one and two at the same time. No sense dragging out the construction, is there?”

“I don’t understand.”

“We’re going to need your space vacated sooner than we originally thought.”

Abigail’s heart wrenched. “How much sooner?”

Kelly’s lips pulled into a tight smile. “I think we can give you three more months.”

Abigail’s jaw went slack. “Three months?”

“That’s being generous. I could have you evicted the first of
next month.” Kelly stood a little taller, no doubt to make herself seem even more powerful.

“Does Jacob know about this?” Abigail’s voice sounded annoyingly mouse-like in her own ears.

Kelly laughed. “What do you think?” She held up the drink caddy. “Thanks again for the coffee, Abby.”

Abigail watched as the wretched woman disappeared into the hospital room where she herself was apparently no longer necessary.

My name is Abigail.

T
HIS WEEK’S MEETING
of the Valentine Volunteers had gotten off to an odd start. The women all gathered around the charts they’d created for Abigail, but nothing was clicking into place.

“We’ve never had this much trouble finding potential matches for someone,” Doris said, worry in her tone.

“Not everyone is meant to be matched, you know,” Ursula said from across the room. She sat in Gigi’s armchair with a plate of cookies and a cup of tea.

“I just can’t believe that,” Gigi said. “Abigail is such a sweet girl. She’ll make a wonderful wife. We just need to find her the right match.”

Ursula crunched. “Well, it wasn’t Duncan. She didn’t even bother to cancel their date
 
—she just didn’t show up.”

Doris made a face.

“What’s that for?” Ursula asked.

“I don’t blame her. That Duncan was a little strange.”

Ursula cozied into her chair, a content smile on her face. “Duncan served his purpose.”

“Making sure she never goes on another date again?” Evelyn sat tall like a supermodel in the armchair at the back of the room.

Tess laughed. “Good plan.”

Ursula’s narrowed glare shut Tess right up. “Showing Abigail what she doesn’t want will make it a lot easier for her to recognize what she does.”

The room stilled.

“That’s almost brilliant, Ursula,” Tess said, doing nothing to hide the surprise in her voice. “So you do care about Abigail finding a match.”

Ursula scoffed. “Let’s not get carried away. I just love a good challenge is all.”

Gigi didn’t like it when they got off track. She clapped her hands together three times. “Ladies, back to the task at hand.”

A collective sigh wound its way around the perimeter of the room.

“What am I going to tell Teensy?” Gigi had promised Abigail’s mother results. Perhaps she’d spoken too soon. She didn’t anticipate all of this professional turmoil getting in the way of Abigail’s nonexistent love life. This should’ve been much easier than it was.

The door opened and everyone gasped. “Teensy?” Gigi whispered.

Ursula had the best vantage point to see who was there. “It’s Abigail,” she hissed, gathering the papers and shoving them into manila folders, sliding the charts behind the sofa.

But it was too late. Abigail stood before them, a horrified look on her face. “What’s all this?”

“Abigail, it’s so good to see you.” Gigi attempted to steer her into the kitchen, away from the evidence, but the younger woman would have none of it.

She turned in a circle, back toward the hub of their operation.
“Why do you have my picture here?” She walked over to Doris and took the top paper off the stack. Her photo was stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

“It’s our selection process, of course,” Tess stammered. “You know how picky we are about who joins the Valentine Volunteers.”

Abigail flipped to the paper below hers in the stack. Gillian Moore’s photo was next in line, but underneath her picture, Doris had written
MATCHED
in bold red letters. Gigi had always thought Doris should be more discreet.

Worried glances crisscrossed the room, and Gigi put a hand on Abigail’s arm.

“What
is
all this?” she asked, pulling away.

“Abigail, we can explain,” Gigi said.

“You don’t have to. I think I get it. All of this wanting me as a Volunteer was just a way to find me a match. Poor, pathetic Abigail Pressman, on her way to dying alone.” Abigail plopped down on the sofa, dejected.

“That’s not it, dear.” Gigi sat next to her. “It’s true that we want to find you a match. But you have potential to be a wonderful addition to the Volunteers.”

“A wonderful addition with no prospects and, soon, no business.” Abigail looked as though she might cry at any moment.

“That can’t be. The hearts are wonderful. I was there this morning, and there was a line out the door.” Gigi patted her hands.

“I gotta hand it to you, kid. Using the hearts was genius.” Another crunch from Ursula.

“I can’t take credit for that. It just sort of happened.” Abigail had a faraway look in her eyes as if she were remembering. “All I wanted was to find out who the couple is and what happened to them. I wonder if they know how lucky they are.”

Gigi studied her for a long moment. Clearly something besides love was bothering this girl. “What is it, dear?”

“They gave me three months.”

“To live?” Doris jumped to her feet. “What do you have?”

Abigail held up a hand. “No, Doris, not to live. Three months in my building.”

Gigi gasped. “They can’t do that.”

“They can. I can’t stand that Kelly. And
Jacob
! I can’t believe I ever felt sorry for that man.”

“I thought you were making some progress, though I suppose being a local hero has its perks. He must feel like he can move up his timeline now.” Gigi sighed. “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry.”

“I’m just so confused. I’ve worked so hard for my store. Why isn’t it helping?”

“You did say you thought this was going to be a year of change,” Doris reminded her.

“Yes, but I don’t want that change to mean I lose everything.” Abigail let out a long sigh.

“Can’t you talk to Jacob?” Gigi asked. “This Kelly woman doesn’t have the final say.”

Abigail looked like she’d already given up. “She said he put her in charge for now.”

Ursula stood. “You get on over there and tell him you’re not leaving. This is business. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Pressman, and keep your head in the game.”

Abigail looked at Ursula. “I’m not like you. I don’t have the fight-or-die gene.”

“No, you have the idealized version of what it’ll mean to run a business. But you should know by now that business is messy. You’ve got to fight for what you believe in. You have to fight for the things that are worth fighting for.”

Abigail stared at Ursula for a few long moments as if considering what she had said. “I appreciate your help, but I don’t appreciate you trying to find me a match. Obviously, this isn’t a very good time for me to have a relationship. I’m too angry to care about much else.”

“Oh, honey, there’s never a good time for a relationship.” Doris giggled. “The best ones are the ones you don’t have any time for at all. Because you steal the time and all the moments matter.”

Abigail wore a defeated expression. She glanced at the easel. “Right, but it looks like you’ve come up empty anyway.”

The others looked away. At their hands. At each other. Anything to avoid meeting her eyes.

“Promise me you’ll stop trying to find me a match. Let’s focus on someone else for a while, okay?”

Silence fluttered through the room.

“Okay?” Abigail sat up straighter.

They all mumbled in agreement.

“Thank you. I’m sorry
 
—I have to go. I need to think this through.”

Gigi saw Abigail to the door, and when she returned, a dark cloud seemed to have filled the room.

“Don’t look so sad, girls,” Gigi said. “I think I know why she doesn’t want us to match her.”

“Because she doesn’t want us to match her. There’s no more reason than that.” Ursula had returned to her chair. Now she polished off the last of the cookies on her plate and appeared likely to go to the kitchen for more.

“No, because she’s stopped believing in love,” Gigi said. “Simple as that.”

Doris glanced at the easel. “Can’t say I blame her.”

“But deep down, she does want to be loved. We simply need to work harder.”

Ursula’s sigh was loud and disruptive. “You really should listen to me, Gigi. The doctor is the perfect match for our girl. But we’ve got to crush his business before love will blossom.”

“What in the world are you talking about, Ursula?” Evelyn said, putting a voice to the expression on each of their faces.

“You can’t stand the doctor,” Tess added.

Ursula waggled her heavy eyebrows like a child with a secret.

Gigi crossed her arms. “Ursula. I admit the other night at the concert, the thought did cross my mind, but did you hear Abigail just now? Were you sitting in the same room we were?”

“I did, Gigi, which is why I’m shocked you didn’t pick up on it. Hatred is one tick mark away from love. That girl hasn’t been so passionate about anything else since the day we met her.”

“She’s passionate about her business,” Tess said. “Not the doctor. Though I can’t figure out why. He’s just so good-looking.”

“Tess. Focus.” Gigi clapped her hands. “Despite a fleeting hope that he could be, the doctor is not her match. Besides, why would crushing his business before it even starts cause any kind of love to blossom?”

Ursula leaned back in the armchair. “That’s for my benefit. I’m still mad at him for rejecting my offer. Fact is, once I crush him, Abigail can help him pick up the pieces.”

“It’s going to be hard to crush him now that he’s gone and saved that little girl’s life. Did you see he was on the front page of the paper this morning?” Doris reapplied her bright-pink lipstick. “Shame. They could’ve done an article about that concert in The Book Nook, but he went ahead and stole her lightning right out from under her.”

Gigi sighed and turned to the others. “Girls. Let’s put our heads together. Surely there’s someone we’ve overlooked.”

Doris sighed. “There isn’t, Gigi. I think Ursula might actually be onto something.”

Gigi shook her head. “It’s out of the question.”

“Do you have a better suggestion?” Ursula stared at her, but Gigi’s mind drew a blank. And not for lack of trying, which was what she’d been doing for weeks.

What if Ursula was right and their unfortunate circumstances were the only thing keeping Abigail and the doctor apart? He
had
shown a kind side of himself the other night, helping Abigail retrieve all those chairs.

“Fine. The doctor could probably use a good meal right now,” Gigi said, feeling a bit like a traitor.

“And we’ve been known to ask our newest recruits to make those deliveries,” Tess pointed out, most likely remembering the numerous house calls she herself had made in the last two years.

“Very good, then. It’s settled,” Gigi said. “We make dinner for the doctor, and Abigail delivers.” She looked at Ursula. “And we’ll see if Ursula is right about the unlikeliest of pairings.”