Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) (24 page)

Nicole crossed her legs and flipped her foot back and forth. “You’re the only one in denial about Zack. The whole town knows you’re totally into him.”

“I think you should leave.” Jezzica walked over and opened the door. “Don’t you think it might be wise to pick a guy who’s into you, instead of making a fool of yourself?”

“Sweetie, I have no intentions of coming across foolish.” Nicole left, her strut indicating she’d accomplished her mission.

Jezzica’s momentary regret was not having a door she could slam behind that woman.
The nerve. The…the.
Steam should have been rising from her scalp. If she didn’t want him, why should it matter? But she did care. Jezzica drew in a deep breath. What was she going to do about it? Nothing until she talked to Dr. Ellie—she needed to think this through. Except waiting wasn’t her thing.

Chapter Thirty-nine
 

Logan sat in a chair he’d pulled closer to Zack’s hospital bed and was in the process of filling him in on the latest news from the precinct when Evelyn, a physician’s assistant, whisked into the room.

“It’s a gorgeous day out.” She wrapped a blood pressure cuff around Zack’s arm.

“A lot of good that does me—stuck in here.” Zack waved his other arm toward the window.

“It’s a proven fact, men make the worst patients. Be thankful you’re being so well cared for.” Evelyn removed the cuff. “Now relax and don’t look at the needle.” A slight smile crossed her lips as she poked him and filled the syringe with blood.

“What happened to the blood you took yesterday? Are you expecting some big change between then and now?” Zack rubbed his arm.

“See you both later.” Her efficient steps echoed on the tile floor. “You behave yourself and I’ll put in a good word for Doc to release you,” she called over her shoulder.

“I encountered Nurse Ratched last year.” Logan laughed, cracking up at his own humor. “Anyway, Mick called and reported his bartender had been held up at gunpoint, after hours.”

“Since when does Mick allow someone else to tend his bar?”

“Mick wanted to visit his parents, and hired this guy to take over while he was gone.”

“This already smells fishy.”

“Exactly, so I personally went out to take a statement from this new guy, Sal Lewis. He never saw a gun, but the robber had his hand in his jacket pocket and it looked like a gun. I asked if he could describe this person. And Sal stuttered and finally claimed the robber had a ski mask on. So I asked him what this ski mask looked like, and he about lost it.” Logan shook his head. “I finally told him, ‘Buddy, here’s the way I see it. You tried to put one over on Mick. Now, either return his money or I’m taking you in.’ This Sal started crying and apologizing to Mick. He pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket. He was short two hundred dollars. But being Mick hadn’t paid him for working, they agreed to call it even.”

“That has to be one of the dumbest stories I’ve ever heard. There really isn’t any cure for stupidity. I take it Sal isn’t a big-time crook?”

“We ran his prints—he’s clean. But you should’ve saw Mick’s face. I doubt he’ll be taking any more trips for a while.” Logan pushed the chair back into the corner of the room. “Better get going.”

“Don’t give my office away—I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Never happen.” Logan passed Doc on his way out. “Hey, Doc.”

Doc nodded to Logan, and flipped the chart open as he moved to Zack’s bed. “X-rays look good. Let me listen to your breathing.” Zack leaned forward and flinched as Doc placed the cold end of his stethoscope against his back. “Sounds good.”

“So when do I break out of this place?”

“With conditions. I want to see you in one week, and no jogging or running until then.”

“Done. I need a release to return to work.”

Doc nodded at the stack of folders and laptop on the
over-bed table. “Looks like work followed you.”
He chuckled, and scratched his scruffy beard. “Desk duty. No chasing after the bad guys.”

“What if I need to take a statement from someone?” Zack wanted to return to life as close to normal as possible.

“Use good judgment.” Doc made a few notes, closed the chart and pushed the pen in the pocket of his white coat. “Thelma will have your paperwork ready—give her about an hour.” Doc shook Zack’s hand. “Take it easy.”

“Will do.” Zack sighed. That was not what he wanted to hear.

He held his phone contemplating getting home when Thelma stuck her head in the door. “If you need a ride, I’m leaving as soon as I finish your paperwork.”

“You’re an angel.” He hadn’t wanted to take Nicole up on her offer.

With papers signed, Evelyn wheeled Zack out the front door of the hospital. Thelma pulled up in her Shelby Fastback, and Zack climbed into the passenger seat of the candy-apple red classic Mustang. “Wow, this is some kind of a car.”

“A wedding gift from my husband.” Pride beamed in her smile. “Let’s get you home.”

Zack settled against the seat back. “Appreciate the ride.” Everyone should be as upbeat as this petite woman in the driver’s seat, sporting a caring smile that complimented her fluff of orange hair.

“How’s things with you and Jezzica?”

“It’s not. After this last fiasco, she’s done.” He barely knew Thelma, but she had him opening up like she’d ripped the paper off a package.

She shot him a look over the rim of her glasses. “And you’re leaving it at that?”

“Not like I have a choice.” He shrugged.

“If you want her—go after her.” She gave him another pointed look.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know—”

“Well, I do. You call her—invite her to dinner.”

“Think so?”

“Honey, I’m not that old, and I’ve raised my own. If there is one thing I’ve mastered in—it’s young love.” Her laughter rang through the car as she pulled up in front of his cottage. “This one is yours, if I’m not mistaken?”

Zack doubted she was ever
mistaken
about much. “It is.” He reached over and gave her a hug. “Thanks for everything.”

“You make that call and let me know how it goes.” She gave him
the look
once more. He heard her laughter as she pulled away.

Zack unlocked his front door and hit the shower to wash away the smell and residual effects of the hospital. He sat on his deck with a cup of coffee. He’d received conflicting advice—if only he knew who to listen to. He punched Jezzica’s number into his cell and heard the ring on the other end.

Chapter Forty
 

Jezzica gave a carton of books a shove with her foot. She sliced the tape with a box knife and held a book to her face, inhaling the scent. She owned one of the new Kindles, but nothing could replace the texture and thrill of holding a book in her hands.

She emptied three cartons of new arrivals onto the shelves, and then turned to the carton she’d been eagerly waiting to empty. Although a round display table stood ready, she didn’t want to risk these special edition books being seen before the grand opening, when she would read the story for a circle of children. She was opening in two days and it was time.

Tasha came bouncing in from the coffee shop. “Oh, Aunt Jezz. Those look amazing.” Tasha picked up one of the stuffed replicas of the hero in Anne’s story.

Jezzica smiled at her niece and hoped the shop’s customers would find the little fluffy dogs as appealing. “Samantha custom ordered those—they’re adorable.”

“I love the little tag on its collar that says ‘Charlie.’ Maybe Samantha will sign the books for the grand opening?”

“I hadn’t considered that. Maybe sign Anne’s name and by her daughter—”

“Yeah, something like that. Anyway, will you come over to my shop and let me know what you think?” She sat the small stuffed dog back into place.

“Okay, but we need to get to the inn soon. Dr. Ellie’s meeting me there early, and I already canceled on her earlier this week.” Jezzica pushed the box of books under the table, and placed a cover over the entire display before following her niece.

“It’s perfect.” Jezzica looked at the new sign overlooking the counter. “Latte La Tasha. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Her niece’s shop had become an extension of her own dream.

“Come with me.” Tasha took her aunt’s hand and literally danced out the door of her shop. “See the latte cup?” She pointed to the sign above the entrance.

Jezzica laughed at the way Tasha was almost jumping up and down with excitement. Yet she could hardly contain her own eagerness now that the grand opening was so close. “It’s fantastic.”

“I might not be able to breathe again until Saturday. What if I fail?” Tasha’s eyes grew wide, as though entertaining the possibility for the first time.

“Tasha, you’ve been preparing for this venture for years—it’s a sure win.” Jezzica hugged her niece. “We better be on our way—you want to ride with me?”

“Cool. I just need to grab my things.”

Jezzica went through the archway back into the bookshop, and smiled at the gleaming interior, grander than anything she’d imagined. She grabbed her bag and hoped Dr. Ellie had a miracle or two. Zack had become too important to her.

“Do you really like the name of my shop?” Tasha broke into her ponderings.

“Very much.” She chuckled, recalling her nieces hush-hush over the names. “Has your mom seen the sign yet?”

“Not yet. But I’ll probably tell her once she sees Lauren’s sign. The name we came up with for her shop is perfect.”

“Care to share?” Jezzica knew Tasha wasn’t about to tell her the smaller bookstore’s name.

“Good try.” Laughter teasingly sparkled in her eyes.

Jezzica entered the inn’s driveway and pulled into the valet lane. She exchanged her car for a claim ticket, and thanked the doorman as they swept on into the lobby.

The reception area was sweetly scented with arrangements of fresh flowers scattered about the room. The roar of the waves created an enchanting backdrop through the open windows, and across the room Dr. Ellie sat on one of the sofas, chatting with Abby. “Tell Lauren I’ll be in soon.”

“How about the name of Lauren’s shop?” Tasha taunted her.

She waved to Dr. Ellie and followed her niece. “The suspense wins.”

They passed the gift shop and stood in front of Lauren’s bookstore. Jezzica looked at the sign over the shop’s door. She shook her head as her delighted smile segued into a soft laughter.

Catylen strolled out the door of the shop. “Isn’t that the most perfect name?”

“I see your two daughters put their heads together. Latte La Tasha and now La Ren Books. I love it.” She laid her hand on her sister’s arm. “I’m going to have a short session with Dr. Ellie, but I’ll be here for the official opening.”

“We wouldn’t think of starting without you. You go and take as long as you need.”

Jezzica found Dr. Ellie still sitting near a window and took the seat that Abby had vacated.

“How’s the grand opening shaping up?” Dr. Ellie sipped her drink.

“Unbelievable. And Tasha has done wonders with the latte shop.”

“Founder’s Day is a huge event and this year’s promises to be the biggest yet.”