A/N: Thanks to all those readers leaving reviews – I love your feedback and totally appreciate you taking the time :) Here's the last part of the first summer. If all goes to plan, Summer 1993 will begin in about a week's time :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see Prologue)

Chapter 3

Wednesday 12th August 1992

George and Wade came to see Zoe most days, even if it was only for a little while. When the boys went 'adventuring' together, as Harley called it, which usually involved fishing or climbing trees or some such, Zoe wasn't allowed to go. Harley always liked her to be in sight of the doctor's office or their home. Week days, that meant sticking to the town square, and weekends, playing in the house or the back yard. Zoe loved the chance to run and play silly games, or just to talk and share jokes with the boys. They were both so nice to her, more so than the boys she knew back home. She said as much to Harley once and he laughed, saying it was because their mothers were raising them right.

Zoe wondered sometimes about Wade's mom, especially on days like today when only George came by to see her. The first time it happened, he told her why Wade couldn't come, and after that, Zoe never asked again.

"Zoe?" he called as he came rushing into the doctor's office. "There you are," he declared as she came into view.

"Wow, you look... different," she said, coming over for a closer look.

"Very smart there, George Tucker." Mrs H smiled from behind her desk.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said politely. "I gotta go with my folks today to see my grandma. I didn't want you to wonder why nobody came by, so I ran down to tell you."

"Oh. Wade's not coming either?" she checked.

George shook his head sadly and Zoe bit her lip. A moment later, George said he really did have to go but he'd see Zoe tomorrow for sure.

After he was gone, Zoe sat for a long time thinking about Wade and his mom. There seemed to be a lot of days when her illness was really bad. Wade tried not to show it in front of his friends, but every so often something would be said to remind him and then he would look so sad.

Before long, Zoe had an idea in her head. She pulled her money from her pocket and counted it carefully, then she let Mrs H know she was just running down to the bakery for a minute.

When she got there, Zoe went right up to the counter and peered in through the glass at all the best treats. She wanted to get something good, but much of anything really nice seemed so expensive.

"Can I help you, Zoe?" asked Agnes with her usual kind smile.

"Yes, please. I, uh... I was hoping to buy some cookies, but... well, do you have a smaller box?" she said awkwardly.

"Well, you don't have to buy a whole box with all the kinds, honey," Agnes told her with a chuckle. "You know you can just have one or two of whatever's your favourite."

"Oh, well, they're not for me," Zoe explained. "I wanted to get one of each kind in a box because I don't know what kind Mrs Kinsella would like."

A look came over Agnes' face that Zoe wasn't sure she understood. She almost looked like she might cry, and her voice was so soft and shaky when she spoke again. It was a good thing that she came around the counter and crouched down to Zoe's height or she might never have heard her at all.

"A gift for Jacqueline Kinsella? Oh, sweet child," she said, smiling wide. "You know, what? I have a special deal on cookies, just for today," she said, suddenly in motion again as she grabbed up a big box stuffed full of all kinds of cookies which she showed to Zoe. "This box right here is just a dollar."

"Only a dollar?" Zoe checked with wide eyes. "For the whole box?"

"That's right. It's a very special one day deal and only for my very favourite customers," she said with a wink as she took the dollar that Zoe eagerly held out to her and handed over the box of cookies that was almost too large and heavy for the little girl to carry.

"Thank you so much, Agnes," she said happily, grinning at her purchase.

"You're so very welcome, sweetie," the baker replied as she watched Zoe leave.

Just as soon as she got back to the practice, Mrs H asked Zoe what she had bought and why. When Zoe explained, Mrs H got that same misty look that Agnes had worn, and something similar happened an hour later when she got the chance to ask Harley if he would please take her over to Wade's house when he was done with his patients. He agreed immediately, even going so far as to ask Mrs H to rearrange his last two appointments, since they weren't urgent, and leaving early to take Zoe over to the Kinsella place.

Zoe started to feel uneasy about half way there. She wanted to see Wade and she wanted to give her gift to his mom, but suddenly she was worried that she was doing the wrong thing. Maybe Wade wouldn't want her showing up at his house. Maybe his mom wouldn't want visitors. Maybe they didn't even like cookies. Actually, that was silly, because she already knew that Wade definitely did like cookies.

"Zoe honey, are you okay?" asked Harley after he pulled the car up outside the house and looked across to the passenger seat to see her chewing on her bottom lip.

"You think it's okay that we came?" she checked, looking up at him. "I wanted to do a nice thing but I don't know if it is anymore."

"It definitely is, sweetheart," Harley assured her with a kind smile. "I'm sure Wade will be happy to have you visit with him for a change, and I know that Jacqueline does love cookies," he said, tapping the box Zoe held tight in her lap yet. "But you know, if she's having a... a bad day," he said gently then, "she might not be so hungry or want to talk very much. That won't mean she's not pleased with her gift or glad you came, honey, it's just... well, she's very sick. You understand?"

Zoe nodded solemnly and then they finally got out of the car. They headed up the porch steps, just as the front door slammed open and shut again, an older boy rushing past them without a word.

"Jesse?" Harley called after him, but he didn't look back. "I guess they're all taking it hard and handling it in their own way," he added with a sigh, encouraging Zoe to go forward.

The front door hadn't properly closed behind Jesse, so Harley gave a courtesy knock and then let himself and Zoe inside, calling 'Hello?' into the house.

It was Wade who came rushing to see who was there. Zoe felt bad the moment she saw his eyes were red. He had been crying, though she knew he would deny it if she said anything, so she didn't.

"Dad's not here," he told Harley and Zoe. "Momma's resting on the couch."

"Is your mom up for a short visit, Wade?" Harley asked him gently. "Zoe here has brought her a gift."

The boy's eyes shifted from Harley to Zoe and then he slowly nodded, hurrying back the way he had come down the hall, leading the guests to his mom. When they got to the doorway of the cosy living room, Wade had already climbed up onto the couch beside the lady that had to be his mother.

Zoe couldn't help but stare at Jacqueline. She looked tired but not really as ill as Zoe thought she might. She was very pretty and yet she looked a little like Wade too. She wore a brightly-coloured scarf on her head and smiled widely when she saw her guests.

"Well, now, who's this lovely young lady come to visit little old me?"

"Jacqueline, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Zoe."

Zoe tripped forward almost dropping the box in her arms which she duly presented to Wade and his mom.

"I bought you some cookies," she said nervously. "I didn't know which kind you liked so there are all kinds in the box."

"Oh, well, aren't you a sweetheart?" said Jacqueline, smiling all the more. "Why don't you come on over here and let me get a better look at you," she said, encouraging Zoe forward some more. "Well, I've heard so much about you, Zoe, I feel I know you already. Wade talks about you all the time."

"Not all the time," he muttered, looking a little embarrassed.

Zoe giggled, she couldn't help it, putting the box of cookies down on the coffee table when Jacqueline asked her to. She started blushing herself when Wade's mom told her how pretty and kind she was, but that was okay. Zoe was only glad to know she had done something good.

"I'm afraid I couldn't manage a cookie right now, but I'll be sure to try some later on when I feel a little better," said Jacqueline then, "but I'd like very much to see you all dig in and enjoy yourselves."

Wade didn't need telling twice, prising the lid off the box in a second and reaching for his favourite kind. Zoe followed suit and Harley said he didn't mind if he did as he took a seat in the armchair and dug in also.

"Thanks," said Wade, firing crumbs at Zoe without meaning too.

"You're welcome," she told him, even as she dusted herself off.

It was worth it to see both her friend and his mom smile like that.

.

Friday 21st August 1992

After spending so much time with George and Wade, Zoe really missed them when they had to go back to school. She regressed back to sitting in the doctor's office, reading her books, and chatting with Mrs H. It was fine and Zoe actually enjoyed it for a couple of days, then she really started missing her friends.

It was lunch time when she heard Harley and Dr Breeland talking and then saw them shake hands. Harley came out of the other doctor's exam room, taking off his white coat and smiling at Zoe.

"Well, it seems Brick is happy to deal with the appointments for the rest of the day," he explained. "So, Zoe, I know I won't be as much fun as George Tucker and Wade Kinsella, but would you like to spend an afternoon with me, honey?"

"Sure." Zoe nodded and smiled.

The next thing she knew, they were walking down the street and Harley was asking her what she would most like to do about lunch.

"Could we go to The Butter Stick?" she asked. "Agnes makes the best pastries."

"Pastries for lunch?" Harley chuckled. "Well, this is your day, so I guess that'd be alright."

They hadn't spent as much time alone together really having any fun until today, and Zoe was surprised by how much fun she really did have. Harley was a nice man, she knew that from the start, and he was trying to be fatherly, she supposed, but he had been working a lot and understood she wanted to spend time with kids her own age rather than hanging around with adults all the time.

Still, this particular day, they spent all afternoon together, eating at the bakery and then walking around town, with Harley telling Zoe stories from his own childhood, pointing out spots that mattered most to him. She was amazed by how interesting it all was and almost wished they had done this sooner.

"Well, here we are home again," said Harley as they circled back around to the house. "I have to say, I'm not sorry to be done walking."

"I had fun today," said Zoe as they climbed the porch steps together. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, honey," Harley smiled at her, opening up the front door and letting them both inside. "I'm not working tomorrow either, at least, I'm not supposed to be. I was thinking, how would you like to have those friends of yours over here? We could get some food together, dig out the old board games, make a party of it if you want to."

"A party, for me?" asked Zoe, wide eyed and grinning. "But it's not my birthday."

"It doesn't have to be a birthday for a party, especially in Bluebell," he told her easily. "Besides it won't be much of a party with only four of us, but it can be special. It'll be a Zoe party."

She laughed at that and nodded madly, clearly loving the idea. There was a moment when she hesitated and then suddenly threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around Harley and hugging him tight.

"Thank you," she told him sincerely.

She missed the tears in Harley's eyes as he replied; "You're welcome, honey."

.

Monday 31st August 1992

It was a strangely sad day for Zoe Hart when she had to leave Bluebell. When she arrived, she wasn't sure how she was going to get through the weeks in such a strange place, but now it almost felt like home somehow. She was going to miss the warm sunny weather, the time spent with Harley, the good food at the Butter Stick, and the company of her friends.

George and Wade were in school until 3pm, and Zoe had to leave at 2pm. It meant she wouldn't see them again this year and that made her more sad than she ever could have expected. She hadn't seen half so much of them this past week, not since Harley had let the boys come over for what he called her 'Zoe party' more than a week before. She missed them already and knew it would only be worse when she got home to New York.

"Okay, all packed up," said Harley, closing the trunk of the car on Zoe's luggage. "Time to go, I guess."

Zoe nodded, standing up from the porch steps and taking a last look at the house she had called home all summer long. She would miss that place too, along with so many other spots in Bluebell, and so many people too. With a sigh, she moved to get into the car, when suddenly she heard a familiar voice yelling her name.

"Zoe!"

"Wade?" she said, turning to look.

He came pelting towards her so fast, Zoe wondered if he would actually be able to stop before he ran right into her, but he managed it, coming to a halt an inch in front of her. He was a little breathless and kind of red in the face.

"Easy now, Wade," Harley advised. "Get your bearings. Say, shouldn't you be in school a while longer yet?" he asked then, checking his watch, even though he was already sure of the time.

Wade looked from Zoe to Harley and back, clearly considering what he wanted to say. Eventually, he nodded his head, looking a little guilty.

"I couldn't let Zoe go home without saying goodbye, could I? You gonna tell on me, Dr Wilkes?"

Zoe stared up at her father with the same pleading expression as Wade, until Harley sighed.

"I suppose I can't really have you getting into trouble when all you're trying to do is be a good friend to my daughter," he admitted. "But come along now, say those goodbyes, because Zoe has a flight to catch, and her mother won't be happy if she misses it."

"Oh, the present for Mom," said Zoe. "I forgot."

"I'll get it, you say goodbye to Wade now," her father advised, heading back inside to get the box from the table where it had been left behind.

"George was supposed to come too," said Wade, laughing even as he explained, "but he was too chicken to break out like I did," he said, rolling his eyes.

Zoe giggled, she couldn't help it. She was so happy that either one of the boys had cared enough to come see her one more time. In a brave moment, she pushed herself forward and wrapped her arms right around Wade.

"Thank you for coming to say goodbye. I'm going to miss you, Wade Kinsella."

"I guess I'll miss you too, Zoe Hart," he told her, patting her on the back.

When Harley came hurrying down the steps again, gift in hand, the kids flew apart and Zoe got herself into the car as quickly as she could. As Harley drove away, she turned to wave out of the window at Wade, who waved back with all his might. Zoe had to admit, her first summer in Bluebell had gone very well indeed.

To Be Continued...