Sorry for the delay in getting this up. I was trying to work through this next section and then my schedule got crazy. Our dear friends in Bluebell are trying to dig out of the mess, but it's not easy going. On the up side, there's a new member of the Wade and Annie's family to meet. Hope you like him!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hart of Dixie.

Chapter 14: Sunset Soon Forgotten

"I really stepped in it."

Annie looked over at Lavon as he drove. Wade had to be pissed at her. He had every right to be. Way to make a good impression with Zoe too, she thought. The girl probably would run all the way back to New York just to get away from Wade's jerk of a sister. When would she learn to stop shooting her mouth off?

Lavon nodded, "That you did."

"I feel bad. I gotta apologize to Wade…and probably Zoe too. I know it ain't any of my business. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut."

Lavon chuckled. The chance of that happening was slim. Annie looked up at him as he laughed.

"What's so funny?" She knew exactly what was so funny, but was offended by his response. He could at least try to be sympathetic.

He gave her a look as if to say, you're joking, right? They were pulling up to the Senior Living Center now and Annie was happy to get out of the car. She pulled her hair out of the ponytail and looked in the mirror to fix her hair. She'd planned to fix herself up a bit more before seeing her grandfather but circumstances did not allow for it. She pulled the handle and opened the door.

She grimaced over at Lavon who was still amused by her comments. "Thanks for the ride, Mr. Mayor."

Lavon laughed even more, "Any time. Give my best to Mr. Lee."

"Yeah, will do," she grumbled before shutting the door.

He was still laughing as he pulled away. Annie rolled her eyes and then walked up the path towards the entrance. Her grandfather would understand, she told herself. Closing the door behind her, she headed to the nurses desk so she could track him down.

Nathanael Lee was enjoying his book on the screened in back porch. At the age of 83 he was one of the most mobile and alert residents of the Bluebell Gardens Senior Living Center. Able to get by with the use of only a cane, he still enjoyed taking his morning constitutional around the grounds; though his pace had slowed as of late. Nat had decided to move into the newly constructed assisted living facility not long after his wife died. It was not an easy decision given it meant his two grandchildren would then live full-time with their ne'er do well father, but he hadn't been sure he was a better alternative having given up his driver's license not long after his wife's death due to his poor eye sight. Even after he left the plantation, he made it a point to keep his late daughter's two children close and they knew he was there if ever they needed him.

The nurse's aide showed Annie out to the porch and he perked up from his book when he heard the screen door. A bright smile filled his face when he saw his granddaughter, the spitting image of her mother at that age.

"Anna Lee, look at you!" he called out to her. He placed his book on the side table and stood up with his arms opened to her.

"Granddaddy!" she exclaimed skipping over to his open arms, just as she always had.

He released her, but held onto her arms taking her in. "My, you are a sight for sore eyes."

He sat back in his chair and patted the one across from him. "Have a seat. Wade told me you were comin' in for his big deal."

She relaxed into the chair. "It went really well. You'd be proud."

"I'm always proud of you two." Her grandfather sat back in his chair and smiled. "Though I've been wonderin' if your brother's recent choices have anythin' to do with a certain pretty doctor. He's pretty mum on the subject, but I'm no fool."

Looking at him was a glimpse of Wade in fifty or so years - the same eyebrows over the same green eyes. And his lips pulled up slightly more on one side as he smirked too.

Annie nodded slightly, "I think you're right, granddaddy. He's pretty happy and I'd say Zoe is a big reason why."

"I met her, you know?" Hamilton leaned forward as if he was letting her in on a secret. "Wade doesn't know."

"How'd you manage that?" She asked laughing.

"Oh Dr. Hart comes by here once a week to visit certain folks and volunteers over at the senior center too. She started comin' by after that unfortunate incident with your brother. When I heard it was she and that she was Harley's daughter to boot… Well, I made it a point to make her acquaintance." He gave her a crafty smile.

Annie laughed more before asking him with the same sneaky tone her grandfather was using, "And does she know who you are?"

He looked at her as if she had asked something unpardonable. "Why yes, I introduced myself," he paused and the sly smile returned, "I just many not have mentioned any of my relations."

Annie broke into a full giggle. "Granddaddy!"

"Oh I suppose I could have told Wade, but I haven't had much of a chance." He looked only mildly remorseful.

The nurse's aide returned then with Nat's medication. After the brief interruption, he relaxed back in his seat.

"So, sugar, are you gonna tell your granddaddy what has you all out of sorts?" he peered over his eyeglasses at her.

"Nothin' gets passed you, does it?" She sighed.

"Not when it comes to you and your brother." He answered. "Now c'mon, tell me all about it."

Annie let out a sigh and slumped further into her chair. "I've been in Bluebell less than 24 hours and I think I've already stirred up a whole bunch a trouble."

He let out a hearty laugh at that. "Well, you wouldn't be Anna Lee if you didn't."

Her bottom lip came over her top one as the glum expression took over her face. "I really didn't mean to. In the first instance I really didn't do anything, though Wade doesn't seem to believe me. All I did is say hi to George. Lemon Breeland just hates me…"

"George Tucker?" her grandfather interrupted.

"Yes."

"Hmmm," he mused. "That boy still sweet on you?"

"No!" she exclaimed before she began to back pedal thinking about Wade's words this morning and the events of the night before. "Well, maybe… I don't know. But I didn't do nothin' improper."

"Anything," he corrected her. His efforts to correct their grammar over the years had failed miserably. He blamed their father.

"Yes, sir… Anything improper." She repeated. She became more mindful when she spoke. "I just want to be friends with George, like when we were kids."

"Anna Lee, as I recall you and George Tucker were more than friends. Remember, I caught you two kissin' in the barn."

"That was years ago!" she exclaimed. "And it's not like George and I ever really dated. You and Grandma wouldn't allow it…"

She was fully flustered and he could not help but laugh.

"You were awful young and your grandma and I were right," he chuckled. "But my point is that it's dishonest to say you and George were only friends."

She looked down at her hands, "I suppose. But like I said, that was years ago. He's been with Lemon for over a decade. And besides George and I would never work. I have absolutely no desire to stay in Bluebell and settle down."

Nathanael Lee knew his granddaughter well enough to see it was useless to argue with her. She had made her mind up on how things were supposed to be, and he was not going to get her to change her mind. Still, he was not sure she was being honest, with him or even herself. Annie and George had a kinship. But, his granddaughter was like a feral horse, happy to run wild - free from the domestication of her predecessors. And growing up the way she did it was understandable that the idea of being tied down would scare the pants off of her.

"I just want us to be friends. George gets me, and not many people do."She sounded wistful.

Her grandfather leaned forward and patted her hand. "Well, sugar, that may not be possible. But if George is as important to you as you claim…"

Annie grumbled, "Wade already said I need to talk to George and make it things clear."

"I have to agree with Wade on that," he said.

Annie sighed dramatically. "I know. I'm gonna talk to him."

"That's my girl." He smiled as he sat back in his chair. "Now what other trouble have you been up to in the past twenty-four hours?"

Annie looked down at her hands, "I kinda stepped in it this mornin' with Wade and Zoe. I really gotta learn to hold my tongue"

He could tell she really felt bad so he worked to hold back his laughter. He nodded, "Go on."

She retold the story of this morning that preceded her visit. By the time she finished, part of him wanted to laugh imagining Annie and the other felt for Wade.

"Well you don't need me to tell you what you need to do here, do you?" he said kindly.

She shook her head and bit her lip. "No, sir. I know I need to go apologize to Wade… and to Zoe."

Her grandfather nodded his head and said nothing as he waited patiently.

She slowly pulled herself out of the chair. "And I should go do that now."

He stood up and gave her a hug. "That sounds about right. Make sure you stop in to see me before you go, maybe come with your brother."

She nodded into his chest. "I will. Love you, granddaddy."

He released her and kissed her forehead. "Love you too, sugar."

He walked her out before heading down to the dining room for lunch. Lord deliver us from Annie, he thought and chuckled to himself.

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Zoe continued to play with the pancakes on the plate. Reality had finally come crashing down. She knew Wade and she would have to deal with the possibility of the New York fellowship at some point, but the high they had been riding was so delicious she did not want to come down. And here was the thud. Zoe knew Wade meant it when he told her he wanted to figure this out, but she also could tell he had doubts she would stay. Not such an unreasonable response given how much she had talked about going back to New York since she arrived. She had spent most of life thinking being the best cardiothoracic surgeon was all that mattered. The trouble was now something else, someone else was beginning to matter more than she ever imagined. She continued playing with the food on the plate and was so lost to her thoughts that she didn't hear Lavon come in the door.

She only emerged when he patted her shoulder. "You alright?" he asked.

She nodded unconvincingly. "Yeah, are you?"

Lavon did not bother pretending he did not know what she meant. He shrugged slightly and then leaned against the counter. Zoe decided she would rather hear about what happened with Lavon and Lemon the night before than stew in her thoughts.

"What happened with Lemon?"

Lavon's face was resigned. "I know you think I came outside last night just to find Lemon so I could come to her rescue, and you're probably right. But don't worry, nothin' happened. Once she got in the car all she talked about was how she had always loved George and he was all she ever wanted, but Annie was always there and she can't be Annie. It was pretty clear her throwing herself at me was more a reaction to seeing how George was with Annie and less about any feelin' she has for me. I get it now – she only comes to me when George ain't there."

Zoe winced in sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Lavon."

He just shrugged again. "S'Alright. I wished I'd figured it out sooner. I thought there was somethin' special there – between us. As it turns out that's not the case."

Despite what he said, Zoe could see how much it hurt him. She got off her stool and went over to hug him. Lavon appreciated it and rested his head on top of hers, needing the support.

"You okay?" she asked with concern.

He simply shrugged again. Lavon did not know how to feel. Yeah, he was hurt but it was more complicated than that. For so long he had believed that if it were not for George, he and Lemon would be together. But it was not as easy as removing George from the picture. Lemon's feelings for George and all that he signified to her were rooted deep. It was if George represented everything she wanted her life to be – stable, dependable, model citizen – the postcard picture. All her issues with her mother tangled up into that. Lemon had been right about one thing – she was not Annie. Annie has the girl who never gave a rat's ass, Lemon was the one that cared too much about what others thought. In his estimation, neither was a definition for a well-adjusted life. He was sad for her - and for himself.

Bringing himself out of his head, he realized he hadn't answered Zoe's question. He did not feel like sharing all of it with her, he needed more time to work through it all. He gave Zoe a quick squeeze before releasing from the hug. He headed over to the fridge to get himself some iced tea and answered her.

"Yeah, I'll be alright. Just gotta move on, is all."

He poured the tea and put the pitcher back in the fridge. Zoe took to her stool.

"I'm guessing that won't be easy." She said sympathetically.

"Naw, but I'm sure I'll survive."

He leaned back against the counter again and drank down half the glass. Zoe smiled at him.

"You're an amazing man, Lavon. I know you're going to find someone just as amazing as you."

Lavon did his best to smile back at her, but he continued chewing on the events of last night. The smile evaporated from his face.

"The killer was just coming back into the Jammer last night and seeing how George was acting around Wade's sister. I could understand why Lemon acted that way, I couldn't really be angry. Hell, how could I? I basically did the same thing to DeeDee."

Zoe spoke then, "Wade said Annie doesn't feel the same way as George."

Lavon let out a sardonic laugh. "I think Annie doesn't believe George and she would ever work – and so she just shuts it out. I don't think that is the same as not having any feelings for him."

Zoe reflected on what he said and wondered if it was true. "Are you angry with George?"

Lavon thought about it and then shook his head, "If I were mad at him, I'd have to be mad at myself. You can't really control who finds their way into your heart."

Zoe could not help but think about Wade when he said that. She certainly did not plan on him being in hers, and although she had not said it out loud she was falling in love with him.

Lavon knew where her mind had gone. "Did you and Wade talk after we left?

Zoe shook her head, "Not really."

"Are you mad at Annie?"

Zoe thought about Annie's words as she walked into the kitchen that morning. While she was not thrilled that Annie was butting in, she could not be upset. Annie was not wrong. She slowly shook her head.

Lavon chuckled. "That's the thing about Annie."

He nudged her shoulder. "C'mon. I'll buy you lunch at the Rammer Jammer."

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Annie rehearsed the various conversations she needed to have in her head. She headed towards the Rammer Jammer first. The conversation with Wade was the easiest. He would be annoyed, but accept her apology and all would be forgiven. It was also a good bet that he would help smooth things over with Zoe, making that conversation less of a concern. She thought she might try to talk to Lemon too. If Annie could convince her that she had intention of trying to get in between George and her maybe that would help things. The one she had the hardest time with was George. That one was the tough one. The idea of ever hurting George had always preempted her from ever having this conversation. She tried to think of how to talk to him, but kept coming up short. By the time she reached the Rammer Jammer she was no closer to figuring out what to say to him.

This instantly became a bigger problem when she walked in and saw George slumped on a stool at the bar. Annie looked at Wade who rolled his eyes the minute he saw her – could she have worse timing? But before she could quietly back out the door George saw her and perked up.

"Aww there's our girl, Wade. Annie, Annie, Annie…" he trailed off repeating her name. He was drunk.

"Hey George," she greeted him with wide eyes directed at Wade. She started motioning her head towards his office. "Wade, you got a minute?" She asked.

She needed to get his forgiveness a.s.a.p. so she could get the scoop on why George was hammered in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. Wade nodded and pointed towards the "Employees Only" door.

"Yeah, sure. George, you alright hangin' here a few minutes?"

George nodded lazily before picking up the beer in front of him. "Yup. I'm not goin' anywhere."

Wade eyed him with concern before heading back to his office with Annie. Once he had closed the door, Annie started with her rehearsed apology.

"Wade, I am SO sorry about this mornin'. I had no right to say anythin' 'bout you and Zoe. I just want you to be happy and sometimes I say things I shouldn't. I'll apologize to Zoe too if you want. I really like her and I don't want to cause any problems for you two. She's really good for you and I really didn't mean to put you in a bad position. I really am sorry…"

Wade started shaking his head and let out a sardonic laugh before he cut her off. "It's alright. I know."

She looked at him with her best penitent expression. "Sorry," she said one more time before going in for the forgiveness hug that generally followed in these situations.

"It's alright, but can you please TRY to keep yer mouth shut?" he laughed lightly.

She nodded into his chest. Wade pulled away then and his face said he was already on to the next issue.

"I got bigger problems now."

Annie furrowed her brow. "Yeah, what's up with George?"

Wade let out a deep breath. "Well it seems that Lemon really let George have it this mornin'. He went to smooth things over and she gave him an earful about you."

Annie squeezed her eyes shut thinking of all that Lemon might have said, but that didn't stop Wade from continuing.

"Oh it gets worse. She ended up tellin' him that she had a thing with Lavon while he was in New York. Sounds like it was her payback for how he acted around you last night. I can't tell if they broke up or what's goin' on, but it sounds pretty messed up. I don't think he knows whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt."

"Lemon and Lavon?" she said incredulously.

"Yeah, go figure." Wade said shrugging his shoulders.

"I was gonna go see Lemon after I talked to you and Zoe. Try to get her to understand I'm not tryin' to steal George." Annie explained.

Wade's left eye narrowed slightly, "Not sure that's such a great idea right now. Besides, it sounds like she took off for her cousin's place in Mobile."

"Lemon's gone?"

Wade nodded, "According to George, she had her bags packed before he even got there this mornin'."

Annie slowly shook her head as she absorbed it all. Wade patted her shoulder and started toward the door.

"I'm gonna take George back to his place. Can you stay here and watch the bar while I'm gone? Shelly'll be here in a half hour."

A light bulb went off in her head when he said that. Annie grabbed his arm. "Wade, let me take George home."

Wade looked at her like she had three heads, "In what universe is that a good idea?"

"Look, I gotta fix this. Let me set things straight with George."

The look she gave him said he could give her a little credit, but Wade was not having any of it.

"Now? Are you serious? He's hammered." Wade said incredulously.

Annie knew in her gut this was what she needed to do. It might be a long night, but all of a sudden she knew what to do. Her face was set when she looked Wade directly in the eyes.

"I got this." She said determined.

Wade knew that face. And although he seriously doubted this was a good idea there was no way he was gonna stop her. He put his hands up in defeat and let her pass him out the door. Then they heard the commotion coming from the bar. When they rushed back into the bar they saw Zoe trying to restrain George from grabbing Lavon, who was backing away with his hands up. Wade hurried passed Annie and put George in a Nelson hold to restrain him. Annie moved in front of Zoe and looked up at George.

"George, let me take you home now. Okay? No need to go makin' a scene. That's my job, remember?" She joked to try and lighten the mood.

George relaxed a little and tried to shake Wade off of him, albeit in a sloppy, drunk way, "Fine," he said but Wade hadn't budged.

George tried to look over his shoulder at Wade who still had a firm hold of him. "Wade, c'mon, let me go."

Wade slowly relaxed the hold he had on George and looked to Annie, "You sure about this?"

Annie let out a sigh before she grabbed the keys to George's truck off the bar with one hand and George's arm with the other. Heading out the door, Annie looked over her shoulder at Wade with a face that showed a little hurt and a lot of seriousness. "I said I got this. Have a little faith, would ya' please."

Wade watched Annie help George into his truck. He blinked his eyes hard and shook his head. It was only his second day of running the Rammer Jammer which was more than enough to fill his mind. But on top of that his life was bubbling over in every direction. The conversation with Zoe this morning weighed on him as it undoubtedly did her too. The looming news of the internship troubled both of them. Lavon looked like someone could knock him over with a feather and was trying to piece together why George had lunged at him. George was drunk in the middle of the afternoon because Lemon, upset about Annie, told him about her relationship with Lavon before up and leaving town. And now Annie was driving George home and asking Wade to trust her. Jesus Christ, he thought.

The two of them stood in front of him waiting for him to tell them what was going on. Before Wade could speak, Shelly walked in. Thank God she was early. He motioned for Lavon and Zoe to sit.

"Give me a minute. I gotta get Shelly set up and then I'll fill y'all in."

Without thinking, he gave Zoe quick kiss before walking into the back with Shelly. Zoe touched her lips. It had not solved their problems, but it made her feel a little better. Looking over at Lavon, she could see his confusion. She pushed the thoughts of her and Wade from her head for the moment. He was having a worse day than she was. She sat next to Lavon and for the second time that day asked him if he was okay. Lavon nodded, but the look on his face was so dazed she did not believe him. It was pretty clear that George knew about Lavon and Lemon, but everything else was not pretty murky. No one could blame Lavon for being lost.

It was not long before Wade returned. He relayed what George had told him, which was not a clear picture. Lavon's sadness from this morning was replaced by hurt and some anger. Zoe and Wade looked at him with concern as he sat there quietly taking it all in. From his perspective Lemon's reason for telling George about their relationship was retaliation, not because of any regard she had for Lavon. He was just a casualty in their relationship drama. The events of past 24 hours convinced him that whatever he and Lemon had was really over. He said as much to his two friends at the bar before he pushed his stool back and slowly stood. He opened his mouth again but then paused before any words came out. He took a deep breath and then looked at his two concerned friends.

"I think I need some time to myself. Zoe, you mind gettin' a ride with Wade?"

"Of course not," she told him as she touched his arm. "Are you sure you want to be alone?"

Lavon nodded. "Yeah, I am. I'll catch up with y'all later," and then walked out the front door.

After Lavon had left Wade leaned over the bar and cupped her face in his hands. "I know we gotta talk and things ain't figured out. But with everything else that's goin' on, I can't think straight. Only thing I know is I don't wanna screw things up with us."

Zoe looked at him and nodded. "Me either."

He let out a deep breath and rested his forehead against hers. "Can that be what matters right now and we'll deal with the rest of it when it comes?"

She nodded again gently, "Yes."

Wade kissed her softly before pulling away. "Hang out for a while?"

She smiled and let out a deep breath. "I was really hoping you would say that."

What do you think? A lot is going on all of a sudden... Next chapter, Annie and George have a long talk.

Please let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!