Rick held up his hands in mock surrender. “You have no idea how much I’ve tried. It always ends up in an argument and I back down. Not worth my marriage as far as I’m concerned. You need to suck it up and play along or find yourself a girlfriend. Now that’s a novel idea.” He looked over the garden and the people milling around. “You could always hit up Bella’s sister. What’s her name, Anna, Ailsa…”
“April.”
“There you go. You’re already onto it. She looks, um, interesting. It might keep Susan off your back for a while. I’m sure nothing would come of it because she sure doesn’t look like your kind of girl.”
“And what exactly is his type?” Jake stared at Rick.
“You know, pencil skirt, stilettos, prim hairdo, and black framed glasses. Secretarial type that doesn’t crack a smile very often.”
“That’s how you see me? Prudish and boring?” He wasn’t anything of the sort.
Organized, slightly fussy, but never prudish. He was a doctor for goodness sakes. He couldn’t afford to be a prude nor the slightest bit judgmental.
“Well, you’re not exactly hippie-style like April, are you?”
“That’s hardly surprising. Nobody in Cherry Lake is like April.” David watched as she laughed loudly, tucked a blonde curl behind her ear and rearranged the fresh flower crown she wore. It suited her, made her look like a nymph that had just come from a sunlit forest. The only thing missing was her gossamer wings.
The curve of her lips, the rosy cheeks, and bright shining eyes made him think of warmth and sunshine, frolicking in the hay on a summer’s day. She smelled of summer, a fact he only just now realized. An uncomfortable heat simmered in his belly and he looked away.
“She’s something, alright.” Jake grinned at David.
“No. Don’t even go there.” David saw someone else he knew arrive and went to greet them, desperate to get away from his two observant friends. He could hear their laughter behind him and he was doomed from the start. “You know I’m not here for the long haul.”
“Could have fooled us.”
After avoiding April for most of the afternoon, he wasn’t surprised to find her by his side over dessert. “Hey.”
“April, hi. Enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, I am. Such lovely people here. They make me feel like I belong.” She sat down beside him on a bench seat under the big shady tree. “I love this yard. I think I’m going to miss having my own little green area living in the flat upstairs over the shop.” She turned to him. “Do you have a yard?”
“Uh, yes, I do. I have someone take care of it for me. Too busy you see.”
“Fair enough. You must lead a busy life being the town doctor.”
“It’s what I enjoy doing. My father owned the practice and when he was taken ill, I took over.”
“It must be rewarding to continue something he started.” She lifted her skirt and tucked it under her legs, leaving her bruised leg in the open air.
“That’s looking a lot better. What have you been putting on it?”
“Arnica. I have a pot of it that I take everywhere.”
A giggle followed by a squeal filled the air. “Connie.” His favorite godchild toddled toward him. David reached out and she tumbled into his arms. “Hey there, gorgeous girl. How are you?” He kissed the plump cheeks as her little legs kicked against him. “Where have you been?”
Susan wandered over. “She was over at Dad’s and has only just woken up. Can you take care of her for a moment while I get her something to eat? She’ll be starving, poor little munchkin.”
“Sure.” Her soft baby smell triggered a sense of loss in him.
If Elise hadn’t left, David was sure he’d be a father by now. But maybe not. If he recalled, she wasn’t particularly motherly even though at the time he’d brushed that part aside convinced he would be able to talk her around. What woman didn’t want a child with the man she loved?
“You, Connie my girl, are the cutest little pudding I’ve seen.” April tickled the little girl under the chin. “She’s so adorable, David. I can’t believe how happy she is.”
“I know. The only time I’ve seen her upset is when I have to stick her with a needle.” He ran his hand over the blonde bouncing curls.
“Oh really? That makes two of us then. Not the most memorable thing I’ve had done to me either.”
“I had no choice.” Even if he hadn’t taken a slither of satisfaction in the act, he would have done it anyway. “You know that.”
“I do, and I can’t thank you enough for helping sort out that bookcase. You should come and have a look how it all turned out. The shop looks amazing, even if I say so myself. I’ve had enquiries already for the decorating service I’m offering.”
“Thank you for the flowers. It was very kind of you and I didn’t expect them.” His skin tingled and if it was possible for a man to blush, he was doing a great job of it.
“You’re very welcome. I thought you deserved the first delivery from Wildflowers and Lace after what you did for me. And if you want to make it a weekly delivery, just let me know.”
Connie wriggled from his arms and headed toward her mother calling out. “Momma, Momma.”
“Over here, baby girl.” Susan waved and started to cut up a sausage for Connie.
David gave his attention to April again. “Let me think about it. Perhaps give me a price and I can let you know.” He gave her a smile as a scream ripped through the air.
Chapter Eleven
April shot to her feet and was over at the barbeque before she could think a coherent thought. She picked up the squealing child and ran with her to the kitchen to
