A/N: Thanks for the most recent reviews - always much appreciated. For those that were hoping for Planksgiving, it is coming. In fact, everybody is home in Bluebell for the occasion right now!

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 10

"Zoe, honey!"

Harley enveloped her in a hug the moment she was within reaching distance. He was just so happy to see her, Zoe honestly thought she might cry. She never got such a wonderful welcome from her mother, and though her dad, Ethan, had been a little more effusive when she was younger, it had been a long time since he really seemed like he cared.

"Oh, I couldn't be happier to have you here," said Harley as they parted, smiling so much, it seemed as if his face might split in two with the force of it.

"I'm happy to be here too," she assured him. "I mean, a little nervous, you know, with all these people that you want me to meet..."

"Don't you worry none, Zoe, because I know everybody is just going to love you."

"I hope so," she said, nodding her head, as Harley insisted on taking her bag for her and they headed into the house.

"You have a beautiful home," she told him politely, though honestly, she didn't have to lie at all.

Sure, the decor was old-fashioned and it was certainly nothing like any place she had ever seen in New York, but it was pretty and well-kept, not to mention bigger than she thought it would be. Zoe hadn't entirely known what to expect in Bluebell, but it was as beautiful as a picture postcard so far.

"You know, I'm surprised you didn't have George Tucker drive you over," said Harley, as they ascended the stairs one behind the other. "Save you a little gas money and all the trouble of finding your way."

"Oh, it was fine, really. I had plenty of money for gas and it wasn't so hard to get here. Besides, he and Lemon were already giving Wade a ride, and I wanted to set out so early... it was just easier to come in my own car."

That part was a lie, though only a partial one. She could have waited and come home with her friends if she had wanted to, it wouldn't have been such a big deal, but Zoe couldn't bring herself to share the back seat of George's car with Wade.

Just last weekend, a fight over his dinner date and her boyfriend had ended in some pretty explosive sexcapades, something that Zoe felt just awful about in the cold light of day. It was so bad, that when she woke up, she just didn't know what to do. When she realised Wade was stirring, she faked sleep, in the hopes he would just leave.

It took a while, but in the end, it had worked. She waited, silent and still, while he got out of bed, got himself dressed, and made to leave. At the last moment, he came back, and Zoe held her breath as he leaned over her and whispered, 'Someday I'm gonna tell you how I really feel about you,' then softly kissed her cheek and left the dorm, the door clicking shut in his wake.

A part of Zoe had wanted to get right up and run after him, ask him what he meant. For four days after, she had the chance to talk to him, if she really wanted to. She knew where he worked and where he lived. As he told her more than once, if she wanted him, she knew where to find him, yet she never did. In fact, she actively avoided him, at every opportunity, and managed it so well, she had barely had a glimpse of him from that night to now.

"Well, this is it."

She snapped back to reality, blinking hard, just in time for Harley to open up a door and present a bedroom to her. It was her room in his house, the one he had specially decorated and furnished. It wasn't exactly how she pictured it and certainly nothing like what she would choose for herself, but Zoe had to admit it was beautiful, in an old-world, small-town kind of a way, anyway.

"Thank you so much, Harley," she told him with a genuine smile. "This is great, really."

"It's the best I could get done for you, Zoe, but if there is anything at all you wanna change, you feel free to go right ahead. After all, this is your room, whenever you want it. You should have it just exactly as you please."

He meant it, she knew he did. Harley Wilkes was, without question, the most accommodating host, insisting she tell him what she most liked to eat for breakfast and such, so he could ensure he had plenty in. Then he started talking about Planksgiving again, assuring her that if she would rather not be involved in all of the activities, that would be fine, but she was welcome to do just exactly what she wanted while she was in town.

"I apologise, I will have to be in work for some of your visit. Being a doctor and all, well, it's not exactly the kind of job where you can just take the week off or anything."

"I understand that." Zoe nodded. "I mean, your partner, Lemon's dad, he'll want some time with his family too. Everybody has to do their part, right? Especially in a small town like this."

He seemed pleased to realise she understood how things were, almost proud of her perhaps for being so selfless. Zoe wondered if he realised quite how used to being alone she was. Her mom was always travelling or attending events, there were whole months of Zoe's childhood when she wouldn't see Candice at all. Not that she felt like talking about that right now. This was one Thanksgiving she was going to spend with people who cared about her, having the kind of family, community, fun time that people were supposed to have on the holidays.

"I appreciate your understanding, Zoe," he told her then, leading the way back downstairs, so she might get a full tour of the house. "Because I should actually be at the practice in just a few minutes. Now, I shouldn't be more than a couple of hours, at least, I hope not, but I really should go..."

"Then go," she told him easily. "I can hang out here for a while, or I might even take a walk and look around a little. Apparently, everybody is really kind and welcoming here," she said with a smile, quoting him directly from an earlier conversation.

"They are that," he agreed, without pause, "but don't you go getting yourself settled in too fast, honey. I would like to have the honour of introducing you around a little."

"Oh, well, you know, if you wanted, I could come across to the practice with you?" she suggested after a moment's consideration. "Obviously, I don't expect to sit in on your appointments with patients, but I could hang out in the waiting area, maybe even learn something worthwhile?"

If she thought he was wearing a big smile before, it was nothing compared to the one that took over Harley's face when she said that.

"I would love for you to come along with me, Zoe," he said happily, an arm around her shoulders, squeezing her to him. "I am so proud of my daughter and what a wonderful doctor you're gonna be someday."

Zoe felt her cheeks flush from more than the warm weather. She hoped she turned out to be as great as Harley thought she could be. She was most certainly going to try. When it came to her studies and dreams of being a doctor, Zoe knew she could feel proud of her achievements so far. It was her personal life and relationships that she felt less good about. Things she had said and done more recently that she hoped her father never got to hear about.

After a quick freshen up, Zoe headed out into town with Harley, smiling and nodding as he explained about all the local landmarks, from the Butter Stick where a person could get the best buttermilk muffin in the state to the gazebo that was older than Harley himself or anyone else in Bluebell.

"Out here in the square is where we'll gather tomorrow for the celebrations and the fish fry," he explained, only stopping in his effusive explanations to make similarly effusive introductions between Zoe and all the curious townsfolk that wandered into their path.

All in all, it must have taken a good half-hour to get from one side of town square to the other, there were just so many people eager to meet Zoe Wilkes. Not that she minded at all, since everybody was so welcoming and kind. She had half-expected at least a few to be less friendly, either because she was a Northerner and an outsider or because she was an illegitimate child. Apparently, the small-town Southerners could be a lot more open-minded than Zoe ever thought possible.

"Wow, that was intense," she said as they arrived at the practice. "You have so many neighbours and friends."

"I am blessed that way," Harley told her, "and now, here are a couple more friendly faces for you to meet. Zoe, I would like to introduce our receptionist, Mrs Emmeline Hattenbarger, and my associate, Dr Brick Breeland."

"Pleasure to meet you both," she said politely, shaking hands with one and then the other.

Almost immediately, Mrs Hattenbarger had to take a phone call, but Dr Breeland seemed eager to talk.

"So, the famous Zoe that I've been hearing so much about, and not just from your daddy either. My Lemon has been waxing lyrical about you for weeks now, as if you were the second coming or some such."

"I'm really not that big of a deal." Zoe shook her head, all full of modesty, as she knew she knew she ought to be. "Not that I don't appreciate Lemon being so nice. She's a really great friend. She and George have been so supportive since I started at U of A."

"I don't doubt that at all." Dr Breeland smiled. "My little girl has always been a sucker for anybody in need. Oh, of course, you must know this young man too."

Zoe turned around fast when Dr Breeland gestured over her head. In fact, two men were coming through the door, one much older looking, who Zoe had never seen before in her life, supported by another younger guy that she most definitely knew. "Wade, hi," she said awkwardly, praying to anyone who would listen that he wouldn't say anything at all embarrassing in front of her dad or anyone else.

"Zoe," he replied, nodding once, before putting his full attention on Harley. "Hey, doc. You think you could take a look at ol' Earl here? He's twisted his ankle pretty bad, I reckon."

"Of course, you bring him right on through here now, Wade."

Zoe watched as the three men went into her father's office together, then barely had a chance to blink before another patient arrived who was ushered into Dr Breeland's office, before he disappeared too. She turned around to find she was completely alone, even Mrs Hattenbarger having vanished when she wasn't looking.

"And then there was one," she said to herself, heaving a sigh.

"I heard it said that talking to yourself is the first sign of goin' real crazy."

She turned around fast when Wade spoke from over by Harley's office, closing the door behind him with a click.

"I'm pretty sure there have been plenty of signs before this one that I'm turning into a crazy person." Zoe shook her head, moving to sit down on one of the many empty chairs in the waiting area. "Is the guy okay? Um, Earl?"

Wade shrugged his shoulders. "I guess so. Don't know for sure 'til the doc's done with his checks."

He hovered a bit, like he wasn't sure whether to sit or stand, then finally took up a chair opposite where Zoe was, his elbows resting on his knees as he leaned forward.

"Zoe..."

"Wade..."

They spoke right over each other and then laughed at how dumb they had been.

"You go," she told him, since she barely had a clue what she had been going to say to him anyway.

'Sorry' seemed pointless, and if he asked what she was apologising for, she wouldn't really be sure anyway. There was no reason for her to be mad at him anymore and nothing she could really accuse him of. After all, the last time they were together, she had started what happened, and though he left while she was sleeping, at least as far as he knew, it wasn't as if it was the first time.

"Uh... I guess I just..." he stammered a bit, moving to run a hand over his hair and then his face. "Hell, I don't know, Zoe. This thing with us..." he trailed off, glancing at the office doors and lowering his voice before he went on. "It ain't like I'm complainin' about what we've been doin', but like you said a while back now, I'm not so sure it's the healthiest way to go on, and now, we're sittin' here, with your daddy and mine right in the next room..."

"Woah, hold on a second," she said, hand held up to cease his talking. "Your dad? Earl is... That was your father?"

Wade nodded. "What's the matter, doc? All put out that I didn't introduce you? 'Cause the thing of it is, I'm not really sure what I'd say if I did. Can't exactly say you're my girlfriend, not when Judson Lyons is prob'ly runnin' around thinkin' you're so dedicated to him."

There was a nasty edge to his voice when he said it that Zoe hated to hear. The problem was, she couldn't exactly blame Wade. For all that he had a reputation with women - and according to Lemon, George, and Harley, not to mention his own remarks on the subject, he absolutely did - Zoe couldn't exactly say she had been messed around by Wade Kinsella. She seduced him that first night. She started things between them almost every time anything had happened. He wasn't innocent in the whole thing, not at all, but Zoe knew very well that the balance of blame tipped way more in her direction that it did in Wade's own. Besides, he was a free agent to do what he wanted. As he just pointed out, Zoe was the one who was supposed to be in a relationship with somebody else.

"Wade, I... I'm so sorry," she admitted then. "I just didn't think-"

It was as far as she got before the office door opened and Harley's voice could be heard calling for Wade to come on in. Apparently, Earl had requested his son's presence when all the necessary medical information was being imparted. Zoe watched him go, feeling sick to her stomach. She was such an idiot. Of all the people in the world she was trying not to be like it was her mother, and yet, in everything she had been doing lately when it came to Wade Kinsella, Zoe could see nothing by the traits of Candice Hart. Using a guy for sex, cheating on another guy to do it, and lying about it to everybody else. It was nothing at all to be proud of, that was for sure.

"Sorry to just leave you all alone like that, Zoe," said Mrs Hattenbarger, returning to the desk. "Things get a might crazy here from time to time. You doing okay?"

"Uh, sure, I'm fine." Zoe nodded, painting on the usual fake smile that always fooled everybody - she had become a pro at that in her almost twenty-two years. "Um, Harley and Dr Breeland both have patients. Wade came in with his father," she explained, when Mrs Hattenbarger checked her appointment book with a frown. "He hurt his ankle."

"Honestly, that man," she said, shaking her head but smiling all the same. "I swear, he's been more accident prone since he gave up the hard stuff than when he was on it. Still, he's better off without it, I know that much, and Harley has been so good and patient with him these past few years. It's not been easy on any of them. I'm sure you've had chapter and verse from Wade on the whole thing. That family sure have suffered. It's why I never make any judgements where that boy is concerned. Who can blame him for living the way he does, being a little wild and such? Losing his momma at ten years old and then watching his daddy climb into a bottle. It's not as if his brother even stuck around to help raise him. Not that I'm blamin' Jesse exactly but... Oh, excuse me, hon."

Her attention was once again taken by the telephone, leaving Zoe sat by herself, just staring at her father's office door with her mouth open in shock. Everything Mrs Hattenbarger had just told her about Wade was news to her. She vaguely recalled Lemon saying his family had its share of tragedies, but no more than that. Zoe never asked Wade about it and he never tried to tell her the tale. Not that they really got the opportunity for any kind of deep conversation, not with the type of relationship they had.

Before she could fully process all that she had just learned, Zoe noticed the door opening again and hopped to her feet. First Wade emerged, supporting Earl again, though he looked a little brighter now and his foot and ankle were safely strapped up. Harley followed them out, advising rest and keeping weight off the ankle, plus trying for what must have been the second or third time to prescribe some pain pills.

"I don't need nothin' like that, doc," he said firmly, making a cutting motion with is free hand. "No, sir. I didn't get off the bottle just to get myself hooked on no drugs. I seen those documentaries on the television. I ain't endin' up like that."

As Wade helped his father to manoeuvre to the door, the shirt that had been tied at his waist came loose and fell to the floor. Zoe rushed to grab it, feeling stupid as she held it out to Wade, who would barely look at her.

"Thanks," he muttered, taking it from her and throwing it over her shoulder.

"And who's this pretty young lady?" asked Earl, refusing to go even when Wade tried to urge him forward.

"Well, this here is my daughter," said Harley from behind them. "Zoe, honey, this is Earl Kinsella. Earl, my Zoe."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Pleasure's all mine, little lady," he told her, shaking the hand she offered.

"Come on, Dad, we gotta get you home now," Wade said then, half-dragging Earl away from the scene and not even sparing Zoe so much as a second glance.

It hurt, somewhere in her stomach, as if somebody just upped and kicked her right there. Zoe wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or throw up, but she had a feeling both could happen any second if she didn't make a real effort to stop it. When the outer door finally closed behind Wade and Earl, she felt Harley's hand at her shoulder and snapped out of her daze.

"You wanna spend some time with Emmeline here, Zoe, learning how the practice is run, while I take care of a few things?"

"Sure, yeah, that would be great," she told him, forcing the fake smile back onto her lips and swallowing hard to ensure she didn't give in to the emotions racing around inside her.

She really didn't mind hanging out at the practice a while, learning all she could for her future career as a doctor, but she knew her concentration was going to be seriously impaired. Wade was going to be on her mind, even more than he had been before, and he wasn't going to go anywhere until they got a chance to talk again. She could only hope it would be sooner rather than later.

To Be Continued...

A/N2: So, just in case you're not getting the alerts (because I know emails from this site have been hit-and-miss lately) or if you just check manually on a Friday because you know that's when I update, please be aware that next week's chapter will actually be posted on Wednesday (29th Nov) instead. In the meantime, reviews are lovely to receive ;)