SURPRISE! Wow. I'm just as shocked as you that I finally – finally – managed an update. It's been quite a while, hasn't it? I kept getting comments, alerts, messages… And so far, I'm really loving this season of Hart of Dixie. So I decided to make an effort to find the time to update and have rekindled my excitement about this story.
I'll be just as surprised as ever if anyone is still reading this but fingers crossed you are! Thank you so much for being supportive of this story and acquiring to my whereabouts. You're all wonderful!
THINGS I OWN: The most precious yorkie puppy ever in life. THINGS I DON'T OWN: Hart of Dixie.
"Did you wipe down the counters?" Wade asked Shelley as he re-filled the napkin holders lined up along the bar in front of him.
"Yep," Shelley answered, popping her gum, her arms crossed.
"Polish 'em?"
"'Till they shine."
"Get all the glasses out of the dishwasher?"
"Even put 'em away in the rack, lined up all nice and neat and everything."
"Any water spots on 'em?"
"Oh for cryin' out loud!" Shelley finally exclaimed. "It's barely 9 o'clock in the morning! It's all just gonna get dirty again!"
"We're cleanin' this place up," Wade answered, returning the napkin holders to tables. "The health inspector could walk in here at any time and we'd be screwed." Shelley made a face.
"Your house might be a pigsty but the bar ain't never been below standards," she retorted. "Though I'd be curious to see your place these days. Bet it's at least as tidy as that new shirt you're wearin' now that you're datin' Zoe."
"Waterspots?" Wade asked again, exasperated with Shelley.
"None!" Shelley retorted. "I wiped 'em all off before I put 'em on the rack. You can see right through every single one." Tom Long came bustling through the door then, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead even though the morning temperature was relatively cool.
"How's outside lookin,' Tom?" Wade called.
"Picture-ready," Tom answered. "I took out all the trash and nailed down that loose railing while I was at it."
"Good work," Wade nodded in appreciation. "How about tacklin' the back alley while you're at it?"
"Sure thing, boss!" Tom said eagerly, already heading for the back door.
"Boss?" Shelley asked with a raised eyebrow. "Since when does he work here?"
"Since I have him a side job two hours ago," Wade answered. "He can take Wanda someplace besides the Burger Shack with what I'm payin' him. 'Sides, with it gettin' to be spring and all, someone had to look after the front and since its up to me to keep the inside runnin,' I had to hire someone." Shelley narrowed her eyes. Something was going on with Wade.
"Zoe got anything to do with this?" she asked, figuring Zoe was usually behind any sort of major change Wade made.
"Like I said, the health inspector…"
"Was in here two weeks ago and gave you a 96," Shelley interrupted. "Near perfect. So don't feed me that line of bull. Why are we working our fingers to the bone so early in the day?"
"Because I'm the boss and I sign your paychecks," Wade reminded her, tired of her questioning him. That did the trick. She spared him a dirty look before she turned and stomped off, snatching her dirty rag from a nearby table as she passed. He finished putting the napkin holders back then returned behind the bar. He drummed his fingers on the counter, thinking of what else he needed to do. The bell chimed again and he looked up to see Lavon.
"Bacon, egg and cheese biscuit to go, extra bacon," Lavon said, settling onto the stool in front of Wade. "And a large coffee."
"To go?" Wade asked. Lavon always ate his breakfast at the Rammer Jammer. "And extra bacon? Better not let Doc find out. Won't she just blastin' you 'bout your cholesterol?" Lavon narrowed his eyes at Wade.
"Lavon Hayes ain't scared of Zoe Hart and if Lavon Hayes wants extra bacon, then that's what Lavon Hayes is gonna get. And not that it's any of your business, but I have a meeting bright and early, trying to stop that mega store from building on the outskirts of town." Wade called back Lavon's order to the line cook.
"How's that goin' anyway?" he asked, leaning on the counter once more.
"George found a loophole," Lavon answered. "We went and got all the land owners out that way who's property the store would border to sign a petition. Even got your daddy to sign. With 100% opposition, they can't build. So no megastore for Bluebell." Lavon looked rather smug.
"Good. I won't too worried 'bout them runnin' me out of business – people still need a place to drink booze and watch football – but they woulda run the Dixie Stop right to the ground." Lavon nodded his agreement.
"The hardware store, gas station, probably even the bakery," he said, listing off the businesses he and George had managed to save with their petitions and loopholes.
"Just for the record, you are so scared of Zoe," Wade told him as he poured Lavon a large coffee to go.
"So are you," Lavon countered. Wade just shrugged good-naturedly. She was tiny but she could be fierce when she wanted to be. He only wished he had the good sense to get out of her way when she did wind herself into a temper, but she was cute when she was mad and he couldn't resist the urge to poke her just a little more when she was fit to be tied. The line cook called out that Lavon's order was up. Wade grabbed the bag and handed it to him.
"You know, this place sure is clean," Lavon commented, dropping a few bills on the counter to cover his breakfast. "Not that it's ever dirty, exactly. I'm just used to the bar being a little stickier."
"Zoe and her dad are coming in for lunch," Wade confessed, careful to keep his tone low so Shelley wouldn't overhear him. Lavon burst out laughing.
"If there is a God in Heaven, my meeting will be over in time for lunch," he said. "Wade Kinsella meets the parents."
"Is that why we're doin' all of this?" Shelley burst out, appearing out of thin air with a tray full of dirty dishes. "Because Zoe's dad is comin' in for lunch?" Wade could only look guilty. Shelley grinned broadly. "Wait 'till I tell Zoe!" Wade sighed and Lavon laughed.
"I'll see you folks later," Lavon said, heading towards the door. "Right around lunchtime, I reckon." Wade huffed and Shelley laughed loudly before Wade snapped at her to get to work. He was nervous enough without having Shelley teasing him at every turn.
He knew his nerves were somewhat misplaced. Zoe had once worshipped her father, but now their relationship was strained at best. But still – Dr. Ethan Hart was Zoe's father and he was Zoe's boyfriend. And he was Wade. He may have grown up a lot in the months since Zoe came into the picture, but his reputation preceded him in Bluebell and he was sure there were more than a few people in town willing to strike up a conversation with Dr. Hart about his daughter and her boyfriend.
"Oh! Hi, Dr. Hart! Nice to see you again!" Lavon's too-loud voice boomed through the bar. Wade spun on his heel just in time to see Lavon shaking Ethan Hart's hand and shooting Wade a 'did you hear me?' look. Wade gave him a minute nod to let him know he did, indeed, hear him. He hoped against hope Zoe would come breezing through the door at any moment, all the while knowing she wouldn't as she was seeing his father in her office that morning.
"Thanks again for the ride out to your plantation yesterday," Ethan was saying.
"Anytime," Lavon replied. He glanced at Wade, a bit of a grin on his face. "I really wish I could stay for breakfast, but I'm afraid I've got mayoral duties to take care of this morning." Wade rolled his eyes, deciding like he always did when he was irritated with Lavon that he wouldn't be voting for the man in the next election. He watched as Ethan made his way toward him. His silent prayer that Ethan would sit at an empty table so a waitress could serve him went unheard as the man sidled up to the bar. Wade sighed inwardly and decided to just bite the bullet.
"Mornin,' Dr. Hart," he said, sliding a menu in front of him. "Can I get you somethin' to drink? Coffee? Sweet tea? Fresh squeezed orange juice?"
"Cup of coffee would be nice," Ethan answered as he picked up the menu, sparing a glance for Wade. Wade turned to the coffeemaker and busied himself with pouring what he hoped would be the best cup of coffee Ethan would ever have – at least while in Bluebell. He could feel the doctor's eyes on him.
"Here you go," he said, sitting the mug down in front of Ethan. He grabbed a creamer and sugar from nearby. "Ready to order?" Ethan looked at him, studied him for a moment.
"My daughter says the pancakes are good. She also recommends the biscuits and gravy. What do you suggest?" Wade felt like he was being asked a test question he didn't know the answer to.
"Our biscuits and gravy are hard to beat," he said confidently. It was his mother's recipe – no one could top it. "Pancakes ain't bad neither. Tell you what, why don't I have the cook fix you up a plate of biscuits and gravy with a short stack on the side?"
"That's more carbs that I've eaten in years, but when in Rome…." Wade put in the doctor's order, adding instructions to rush it. When he turned back to the counter, he had no choice but to engage the man in conversation. "So how are you enjoyin' Bluebell so far?"
"It certainly is quaint," Ethan replied, still studying Wade. Wade caught the sarcasm in his voice. It reminded him of Zoe when she first got to town. Somehow though, he didn't think the quirky small town would grow on Ethan the same way it had Zoe.
"Can I get you something else while you wait?" Wade asked. He squirmed uncomfortably and reached for his own mug of now cold coffee.
"The coffee will do, but I'd be happy to discuss your relationship with my daughter." Wade choked on his coffee.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"Zoe told me you're her boyfriend. I was given strict instructions to stay away from here until our lunch date but she's already furious with me so I decided what's one more indiscretion and came to pay a visit to the man my daughter is calling 'boyfriend.'"
"Oh… Well… Um…" Wade fumbled to find something to say in response.
"She seems happy. She said you treat her well, have been looking out for her since the day she got here."
"My mama raised me to be a gentleman," Wade replied. "And sir, no offense, but Zoe needed all the looking out for she could get when she first moved her. Still does, to tell the truth. She can stitch up a wound just as neat and tidy as you please but when it comes to changin' a fuse…"
"A fuse?" Ethan questioned.
"To the fuse box. We share one out on the plantation. It's older – you overload it and it blows. She's always blowin' fuses with her girl tools and that fancy coffeemaker she's got."
"I'm sure she didn't have to worry about that in her loft in New York."
"Probably not," Wade agreed.
"The owner of the bed and breakfast – Mrs. Jones? – she seemed to know you well." Wade started to pray for an interruption, any interruption, to take him away from this conversation. Mrs. Jones did know him well. And she wasn't his biggest fan. "Apparently you and her daughter used to have a bit of a relationship before you broke the girl's heart."
"We were young," Wade said by way of explanation. "It really wasn't so much a relationship either. I mean, it was a long time ago and I made some bad decisions…"
"We've all made our share of bad decisions," Ethan said, saving Wade from further trying to explain while not revealing that actually, he and Tracy Jones had been nothing more than friends with benefits and the benefits had expired when she'd caught him fooling around with Ellie Martin behind the Rammer Jammer. "Mrs. Jones did say you were 'smitten' with my Zoe though."
"Sir, I care an awful lot about your daughter," Wade told him sincerely. "She drives me crazy five days out of seven, but I wouldn't have it any other way." He wanted to turn the tables and discuss the man's relationship with Zoe, point out that while his previous reputation didn't boast well for him as the boyfriend, Ethan as a father didn't fare much better but he didn't. He preferred to be on Zoe's good side, especially while her father was in town.
"I'm told she's doing well here, thriving, even, according to her mother."
"She had a rough start but she's comin' around," Wade replied. "Bit of a culture shock for her."
"Not to mention a downgrade in medical practice," Ethan added.
"It's not the surgical wing of New York's finest hospital, but she's had her share of interestin' cases," Wade said. "Delivered a baby with complications during George Tucker and Lemon Breeland's engagement part. Then there was that farmer she saved after his tractor accident. She found out what was making the football team sick. And she's takin' care of my dad which can't be easy." Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with your dad?" he asked.
"Cirrhosis of the liver," Wade answered somewhat begrudgingly. Had it not been Zoe's father he would have told him to mind his business. "Which brought on liver cancer."
"Advanced?"
"Seems to be. He's opted not to seek treatment."
"Well I'm sorry to hear that," Ethan said genuinely. "He's in good hands with my daughter though."
"He is," Wade confirmed. He was saved from further discussion with the arrival of Dr. Hart's food. He excused himself, never happier to see George Tucker walk in and take a seat. "Breakfast is on the house if you can come up with a plan to keep me busy."
"Why?" George asked. He glanced around at the bar that was slowly filling up with people in for their usual morning meal. "Well, I guess business is pretty slow today." Wade decided to ignore George's sarcasm.
"Zoe's dad is sittin' at the counter havin' breakfast," he told him. "He won't supposed to be here 'till lunchtime – with Zoe. I'm pretty sure he thinks Zoe's too good for me. Which she is but I don't need to be reminded of that. I've never even met a dad before. At least not one chasin' me off with a shotgun. What am I supposed to stand up there and talk about with him?" George burst out laughing.
"You're freaking out," he announced, more than amused at his friend's predicament.
"Am not."
"Are too," George retorted. "I feel like I should get my camera out – Wade Kinsella meets Zoe Hart's father, a man who, as you have already pointed out, is not carrying a shotgun. At least not yet. This needs to be documented for posterity."
"And here I thought you was my friend," Wade muttered, making George laugh again.
"You know, come to think of it, I reckon Dr. Hart could kill you and cut you up into little tiny pieces real nice and neat, with his surgical background and all. He'd even have access to the supplies to clean up and disinfect the crime scene so there isn't so much a speck of evidence. Heck, his daughter probably could too."
"You're payin' for breakfast," Wade informed him, making George laugh yet again. He turned to walk away.
"Wade! I haven't ordered yet!" George called after him.
"You're gettin' the usual," Wade called back. "I should spit in it," he added to himself before giving the cook George's order. He checked in on Dr. Hart, refilled his coffee and was never more relieved to see the entire group of Belles, including Lemon Breeland, walk through the door.
"Getting busy," Ethan commented.
"Always is," Wade said with a grin. As he went to work pouring coffee for the Belles he said a silent thank you that Dr. Hart was at least seeing firsthand how successful his bar was, despite an owner with no college education.
"Zoe?"
Zoe looked up from the charts she was updating to find Addie standing in the doorway of her office. "Your….I mean, Dr. Hart…" Addie stumbled over her words, trying to land on the right phrase.
"Dad," Zoe supplied, realizing her predicament. "For now, we're calling him Dad." Addie gave a guilty sort of smile.
"Well, your dad is in the waiting room. He'd like to see you if you're free."
"Send him back," Zoe directed. "And FYI, we're only calling him 'Dad' for now. It's subject to change."
"Of course it is," Addie mumbled as she walked out the door. Zoe continued working, deciding to at least seem busy. She heard voices and moments later, Ethan tapped on her doorframe then stepped inside.
"You're here early," Zoe said by way of greeting.
"I've already seen all there is to see of the town this morning. All that's left is the doctor's office." Ethan looked around the office. "It's… quaint. I keep using that word but it's the only thing I can come up with to describe Bluebell."
"It doesn't look like much, but it gets the job done," Zoe replied, feeling strangely defensive of the practice despite having made the exact same judgments her first days in Bluebell. Except she'd liked to use the term 'backwards' to describe the town. It still crept into her vocabulary every now and then when a new, strange Bluebell tradition she hadn't experienced yet crept up.
"It doesn't look like there's much by way of diagnostic tools," Ethan commented. "I assume patients who need further testing get sent to Mobile?"
"We can do basic imagery," Zoe told him. She was proud of the fact that their little town had an x-ray machine and an ultrasound. From what she'd learned about small town medicine, that was a rarity. "But for anything more extensive, we do refer patients to Mobile. Or Pensacola, depending on the circumstances."
"Any interesting cases this morning?" Ethan took a seat in the chair across from Zoe's desk.
"Routine checkup on the Jeffersons' newborn twin girls, a case of strep throat and the Tarelton twins found the first poison ivy vine of the season and promptly rolled around in it. All and all a diverse and exciting morning." Zoe realized as she listed off her patients that instead of being bitter that she wasn't cutting into their chests, she actually meant what she'd said about diverse and exciting.
"I met a young woman who spoke highly of you at the – Dixie Stop? You delivered her baby."
"Mabel," Zoe confirmed. "She was my first patient. I delivered her little girl at the Breeland's during an engagement party. Did an episiotomy and everything. Totally ruined Brick's couch which was great. She named her daughter after me – Eleanor Zoe. Ellie's due in next week for a checkup come to think of it." Ethan studied Zoe with the same eye he used to scrutinize test results of a patient he was about to operate on. "What?" she demanded after several moments. Ethan shook his head.
"Nothing," he said, shelving his thoughts for the time being. "You were right about the biscuits and gravy at the Rammer Jammer. Delicious. The pancakes weren't bad either." It was Zoe's turn to study him but with an eye that was more accusatory than thoughtful.
"You had breakfast at the Rammer Jammer?" she questioned. Visions of her father judging Wade and the rest of Blue Bell or at the very least, being his usual high maintenance self, played out in her mind. "Doesn't the bed and breakfast serve breakfast? I mean, it is a bed and breakfast which usually means there's breakfast…"
"I behaved myself," Ethan said, holding his hands up in a peace gesture. "That Wade of yours was busy. I didn't have much of a chance to talk to him."
"It is the only place to go for breakfast besides the Butter Stick," Zoe said. "And as you now know, the food is fantastic – although not calorie-free. You need to pop in a Jillian Michael's DVD after you've eaten there. But Wade works really hard and he does a great job. I mean, did you meet Shelley? Sweet girl. But a little insane. That's what he has to work with…"
"Zoe," Ethan interrupted. "Take a breath." Zoe stopped and breathed in.
"Sorry," she said. "I got a little carried away. It's just… I know how you are. Wade isn't a doctor or a lawyer or some super powerful businessman so you automatically consider him a lesser man…"
"Now hold on," Ethan interrupted again. "No one said anything of the sort. I've only met him briefly, but he seems like a decent guy. Your mother speaks highly of him, at least."
"Well he did save me from a crazed, drug-dealing guy that I was sort of dating while Mom was visiting for Thanksgiving," Zoe retorted. "Not that you'd know anything about that little adventure."
"Your Mom filled me in."
"When?" Zoe asked. "You didn't even know I had a boyfriend until you showed up here yesterday."
"I called her last night," Ethan answered. "I had let her know I was coming to visit, she asked me to check in, let her know how you're doing. I asked her if she knew about Wade and she was off, telling me how much she liked him. Wade mentioned you were treating his father. Cirrhosis of the liver?"
"Advanced," Zoe confirmed. "And Type 2 diabetes and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. He's opted to forgo treatment so we're focusing on palliative care. He was in this morning, actually. He likes to make his appointments bright and early, before business hours."
"He'll die without treatment. He knows that, right?"
"Of course he does! I'm a doctor. It's part of my oath to give my patients all the information I can about their condition as well as all their treatment options and prognoses. Do you really think I'd leave out the part where Earl dies without treatment?"
"Forgive me," Ethan replied, appearing a lot more patient with Zoe than he felt. "I forget that you're no longer a student of medicine but an actual, practicing doctor."
"Well you did miss my journey through medical school."
"Why don't you show me your practice?" Ethan asked, tactfully changing the subject. "Then we can head to lunch." Zoe studied him for a long moment, trying to figure out his motives.
"Fine," she finally said. She stood and led the way down the hallway and to the waiting room. It was empty. Addie was seated behind the desk. "This is Addie, the best secretary ever," she said. "Addie, this is Dr. Ethan Hart, my father."
"Nice to formally meet you, Dr. Hart," Addie said, standing and offering her hand. "We've grown fond of your daughter around here. Took a while, but she's grown on us." Addie winked at Zoe who gave her a scowl in return.
"Zoe does speak highly of Bluebell," Ethan said politely.
"Shall we continue?" Zoe asked, eager to get her father away from Addie before he said anything offensive about the town, the practice or – tour was quick as the practice was small. She quickly showed him the exam rooms and what few diagnostic tools they had, even stopping by the supply room for good measure. She stopped outside Brick's office and knocked on the doorframe before entering.
"Brick, I'm going to lunch. But before I go, let me introduce you to my – father – Dr. Ethan Hart. Dad, this is Dr. Brick Breeland, my partner."
"Partner?" Brick asked Zoe with an amused sort of expression before turning to Ethan. Zoe made a face at him behind his back. "Pleasure to meet you," he said. "Your body of work is impressive to say the least."
"Thank you," Ethan responded. Zoe could sense tension building in the room though she couldn't place why. "I'm sure your own body of work is impressive in its own way."
"For a small town doctor, it's not bad," Brick shot back but with a smile Zoe had learned was a weapon among Southerners to make even the most offensive comment seem coated in sugar. "Your daughter is an impressive doctor as well – but I'm sure you know that. Her real father, Harley? He was one hell of a doctor. He was also a great man."
"Real father?" Ethan asked, immediately on the defensive. "Just because she has his biology doesn't mean…"
"You'd have a lot more leg to stand on if you'd be around for Zoe here," Brick interrupted. Ethan opened his mouth but Zoe, who had been thrown by the sudden shift in conversation and left momentarily speechless by Brick's out of character protectiveness over her, regained her composure.
"We should get going," she said, taking her father by the elbow. "Wade will be waiting for us." She could tell both Ethan and Brick wanted to say more but Zoe managed to guide him out the door before they could.
"Where does he get off?" Ethan erupted as soon as Zoe got him outside. "Implying that I wasn't your father…"
"You implied he was nothing more than a two-bit doctor in a one horse town who slaps band aids on paper cuts," Zoe pointed out.
"Well that's about right, isn't it?" Zoe scoffed.
"If he is, then so am I," she reminded him. "If I've learned anything in the months that I've been here, it's that general medicine isn't just about band aids on paper cuts or calamine lotion on a poison ivy. It's about getting to know your patient, knowing how many cats they have or that they win the pie contest at the fair every year. You develop a relationship with them. You care about them. And in turn, they trust you with their overall health – and the health of their families. That's a huge responsibility, taking care of someone's entire family. Even if it's just a band aid or calamine lotion and not as impressive as a heart transplant or quadruple bypass."
Ethan looked at her. "Are you considering – staying – in this place?" he asked, deciding to get right down to one of the things he'd come to Bluebell to discuss with her. "Are you considering throwing away all that talent to treat mosquito bites?" Zoe sighed. That was the million dollar question.
"I don't know," she admitted. "It's something I need to think about."
"You can't just go through years of school and residency only to work 9-5 in an old converted house."
"I work 8-5 – and nights and weekends, when someone needs me," she corrected him, thinking back to how her mother had encouraged her to follow her heart over Christmas while her father was standing there encouraging her to be logical. She knew how to be logical. Following her heart though – that was something she was learning a little more about day by day.
"I'm just saying you're too good for this – too good of a doctor, a surgeon. Why would you give that all up to work alongside a condescending brute of a man seeing patients with diaper rash and the common cold?" Ethan stopped on the sidewalk to look at her. "Is it that boy?" he asked. "Is he the reason you're considering staying?" Zoe had had enough. She turned to face him head on.
"You realize you don't have a leg to stand on in this, right?" she asked, her temper and voice rising. She momentarily forgot she was in the middle of Bluebell's town square. "You haven't been a part of my life in years. Even before you knew I wasn't your daughter, you weren't there for me. I've spent my entire life trying to get your approval, trying to get you to pay attention to me. I wanted to be a surgeon because you told me to be a surgeon. Maybe I wanted to be a GP instead. Or a fashion designer. Or even a freaking astronaut. But I didn't because you told me I wanted to be a surgeon.
"Just now? With Brick? It's not that he doesn't have a resume of fancy surgeries to compare to yours. It's that he called you out on abandoning me. He knows a thing or two about what it feels like to be abandoned and while he can be the biggest ass this side of the Mississippi, he's a damn good doctor and a good person. He knew and respected Harley Wilkes and he's one of the only connections I have to the man I didn't even know existed until I graduated med school.
"And whether or not I stay in Bluebell when my year is up? That's my decision. It's mine. It'll be the first decision I make on my own, for the right reasons, in a very long time. If I stay, it won't be because of Wade or Brick or the practice or even to spite you. It will be because I want to." Zoe paused to take a breath.
"I think it's best if you head back to the bed and breakfast, pack your things, and head to the bus stop. The next bus to Mobile leaves in about an hour. I'm sure there's a patient with a blockage or an embolism that needs your help. Meanwhile, I have what seems to be a case of strep throat coming into my office at 2:00."
Zoe turned on her heels and stomped away, ignoring the calls of her father and the stares of the rest of Bluebell. She stormed into the practice, grateful to find both Addie and Brick had left for lunch, and locked herself in her office. It wasn't until Addie beat on her door two hours later to let her know her next appointment was there that she remembered she was supposed to meet Wade for lunch.
It was well past dinnertime when Zoe finally returned to the plantation. Ethan had called her at least a half dozen times and the town had been buzzing in her wake over their showdown in the town square. She spied Wade's figure sitting on her porch steps and felt her stomach turn over, a mix of the butterflies she always felt when he was around and apprehension. She had texted him to say she was sorry for missing lunch and he'd replied with a 'don't worry about it' but that had been the extent of their conversation. She was sure he knew all about what had transpired between her and her father.
"Hi," she said softly as she approached him.
"Hey," he said just as softly. She climbed the stairs and sat down beside him, just a fraction of space between them. "How you doin'?" he asked.
"Won't be the first – or last – time I'm the center of Bluebell's gossip web." She could see Wade's half grin in the weak moonlight that managed to filter down through the clouds that were rolling in.
"I was startin' to think I needed to come find you," he said. "It's gettin' late."
"It was easier to sit in my office, doors closed, curtains drawn, than to face the rest of Bluebell," she admitted. Wade wrapped an arm around her and she took it as an invitation to rest her head on his shoulder. She felt the tension and stress of the day melt away and couldn't chase away thoughts about how right it felt, sitting on her front porch in the dead of night in the middle of nowhere Alabama, with Wade, as the wind started to pick up and tree frogs croaked, the scent of rain in the air. They stayed like that for a while, long enough for the moon to disappear completely behind thick storm clouds and the wind to go from a light breeze to something a little more sinister.
"Zoe, I don't want you to stay here because of me."
Wade's words cut through not only the darkness but Zoe too. She lifted her head from his shoulder and felt his arm tighten around her to keep her close as she did. They had been dancing right up to this conversation for a while now, always changing the subject before they broke open the surface. Now, there was no way around it.
"I'll tell you the same thing I told my dad," she said, being sure to look him in the eye. "If I stay here, it will be my decision. I won't lie and say that you won't have any influence in making it. But while you're the only person I sleep with in Bluebell, you're not the only person here that I care about. So you will play a part in my decision. But so will Lavon. Rose. Earl. Even Addie and Brick. Tom Long. Shelley. The Tarleton twins. All those babies I've delivered. What I decide – whatever it is – will be my decision."
"I just don't want to hold you back," Wade said quietly. Zoe could hear a hint of pain in his voice. "I don't want you to give up a dream you've had your whole life and stay here, only to regret it later." He moved just enough for him to look right in her eyes. "I don't want you to resent me."
Zoe leaned forward and kissed him softly. "This dream I have of being a surgeon? I'm not even sure it's my dream anymore. It may have never been my dream to begin with. And I could never, ever resent you. You make me happy."
That's when it hit her.
Wade made her happy.
Wade made her heart speed up and the rest of the world slow down and sometimes even fall away. He made her feel safe, like nothing, not the wind blowing in a line of storms or her own person demons, could hurt her. He made her feel cherished, treated her like she was the most precious thing in the world to him.
She was in love with Wade.
The realization made her smile.
"What?" Wade asked, brushing her hair back from her face. Zoe shook her head, still smiling.
"Nothing," she said. She wasn't ready to say those words yet but she knew she would soon and found herself hoping he felt the same way.
"Sure 'bout that?" he asked. Zoe nodded and leaned in for another kiss. This time, Wade pulled her into his lap but instead of escalating things to a more physical level, he held her to him, content to have her close. They both instinctively knew their clothes would remain on tonight.
"You make me happy too, Zoe," Wade whispered before kissing her cheek. Their moment was interrupted by a long, low rumble of thunder that made Zoe jump. Wade chuckled. "It's just a storm rollin' in, Doc."
"Isn't it supposed to be severe?" Zoe asked. "Tornados maybe?"
"Strong storms, not severe, no tornadoes," Wade clarified. He found Zoe's fear of thunderstorms amusing. He also didn't mind that they made her tend to hold on to him a little tighter. He liked feeling needed by her. A flash of lightning lit up the sky. "How was Daddy's appointment today?"
"Quick," Zoe answered. "I did some blood work and checked his glucose levels. They were a little high so I gave him a shot of insulin to bring it under control. I also upped his pain medication. Not too much, but enough to make a difference. I don't want him to get dependent on it but I don't want him to suffer either."
"Ain't you just the bearer of great news?" Wade asked.
"I wish I could tell you better news," Zoe said. "I hate that I spend so much time telling you how bad things are for him."
"I'm just glad it's you treatin' him," Wade told her. "With Harley gone, he'd have never let Brick touch him." It thundered again, this one a little closer.
"Here you are, slowly losing your father while I fight in town squares with mine. You must think I'm the most selfish person in the world." Wade shook his head.
"I don't think you're selfish," he said. "I think you've been hurt and have every right to be upset."
"But you also think I should try to work it out with him."
"Try being the operative word. But no pressure."
"If he hasn't left Bluebell, I'll try to talk to him tomorrow," Zoe said, resigning herself to the fact that she did need to try to have a civil conversation with the man.
"He's still here," Wade confirmed. "He got Tom Long to drive him out here to see if you were home then stopped by my place to see if you were there. He said he'd be back tomorrow." Then Wade grinned mischievously. "But maybe you should lure him into the town square, put on a sequel to today's performance. I'm sure the old ladies would love to find out how it all ends."
"Shut up," Zoe said, playfully shoving his shoulder. "Although you do know how I love to be the center of Bluebell's gossip chain."
"We could give them somethin' to talk about," Wade said. "Like maybe this…" He pulled her to him to kiss her deeply. He was just starting to think that maybe clothes would be coming off tonight when a brilliant streak of lightning lit up the sky, followed quickly by a loud crack as the wind kicked up even more.
"We should go inside," Zoe said, already pulling away from him. Rain started to fall, big, heavy drops promising a downpour was imminent. He allowed her to stand then followed her inside. Another clap of thunder, this one the loudest yet, boomed out, causing Zoe to jump. Wade chuckled again at her fear of thunderstorms.
"It's okay," he told her, putting a hand on the small of her back to guide inside. "I've got you."
The song title for this chapter is "All I Ever Wanted" by Chuck Wicks
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