Fool's Gold - A different take

"Ouch!" Caleb jerked back, rubbing his shoulder and throwing the doc a confused look. "What gives?"

"I'm sorry, Caleb," said Seth. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"'S not like you, doc. Not like you at all." Caleb, shaking his head, reached for his shirt and pulled one arm through, then the other. "Serves me right, though, for talking out of turn about Miz Fletcher. She's too smart to fall for the likes o' that fly-by-night." Seth grunted and busied himself by disposing of the syringe and washing his hands. Caleb continued buttoning his shirt. "You say this is good for ten years?" Caleb eyed Seth vigorously washing his hands, his back to Caleb. He rubbed his shoulder again. No, indeed. He shouldn't ought to have tweaked the doc about Miz Fletcher, especially when he had a needle in his hand. He stifled the grin that was threatening. Anybody with eyes could see how the doc longed for Miz Fletcher. And who could blame him? Fine looking woman. A fine looking woman. And he privately thought she was crazy about the doc. Ol' Frank Fletcher'd been dead for awhile now, and o' course the doc's wife's been gone even longer…ten years or more, if Beverly was to be trusted. No reason not to, even if the local gossip put her with the night deputy every once in awhile. Caleb wasn't a prude. And he didn't think Miz Fletcher was, either. But she was a lady. And that's how Caleb knew she wouldn't have any truck with that devil of a captain, no matter how handsome. Caleb would bet a day's fishing that she preferred the doc over anybody else. Maybe even two days' worth. "Hey, doc! You say this shot's good for ten years?"

Seth turned off the tap and shook his hands dry, then reached for a paper towel. "A-yuh. Next time you catch a rusty hook in your thumb, you won't have to rush in for that." Seth jerked his head toward Caleb's shoulder.

Caleb grinned. "That's good news, doc." He hopped off the examination table and tucked his shirt into his pants. "Captain Everett pulled out of port this afternoon," he said casually. Seth grunted. "Miz Fletcher biked over to say goodbye."

"Did she," said Seth in a tone that he hoped implied supreme disdain.

"A-yuh. Biked off after a few minutes. Headed home, I expect."

"Why tell me? We're through here."

"A-yuh. Just thought you'd like to know. See ya 'round, doc."

"See ya."

Seth watched Caleb close the door behind him. So Jessica had gone to see him off, eh? That could mean any number of things. He couldn't keep the image of Everett grabbing her up in the street and kissing her out of his mind. It flashed at all the most inopportune times. Jessica had seemed pleased, more than, if he was being honest. He feared their friendship had gone on so long that she could only see him as a friend, a harmless old man, a eunuch. A companion she could cook with, play the odd chess match with, take the rare trip.

He loved her. How could he help himself? Was there a woman more inquisitive, more aggravating, more charming and lovely than Jessica? She was lively and pert, with a sharp wit and a tender heart. He only wished he'd tried a little harder, before their friendship solidified. He'd been with her when Frank died*, and her grief touched him deeply. He hadn't known Frank all that well. Seth had been friendlier with his older brothers, but he knew him to be a good man. And if he'd had any doubts, they were erased by the love and concern he showed for Jessica. The man had all but asked Seth to look after her.

Seth had been glad to do it at first, thinking it a kindness for the Fletcher family, but soon enough he began to know Jessica and like her on her own merits. Falling in love with her had been so gradual that by the time he realized it, he was in too deep. He loved her deeply, selflessly. If she had wanted David Everett, Seth would have kept his reservations to himself, kissed her on the cheek, and wished her well. And his heart would have broken.

He knew she was intrigued by him, even flattered. Who wouldn't be, having an old beau drop in, fresh and exciting, a man who wasn't afraid to express his appreciation for you. Oh, Seth complimented her, frequently, but he was like an old pair of boots compared to the dashing figure Everett cut. He'd fit right in with Jessica's new life.

But there was something about him, something a little phony, a little off. Jessica had sensed it, and she'd conveyed a little of that feeling to Seth. He'd been careful to agree with her without seeming too critical of the man. He was proud of himself for that.

"Doc?"

"What?"

"I'm just letting you know I'm leaving for the night. No need to take my head off!"

Seth sighed. "I'm sorry, Beverly. I shouldn't have snapped. I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Why don't you just go by the house and talk to her?" Beverly let the doc splutter for a minute or two, then held up her hand. "Doc, I've coddled you along now for awhile because I thought you'd get around to doing something sooner or later. Now hold on," she said as the doc opened his mouth to speak. "You've been taking your time, and that's admirable. You and Jessica have a wonderful friendship. And, before you start harping on me, I'm not one who thinks men and women can't be friends. I just happen to think that you can't be friends with Jessica. You love her, doc. It's as plain as the nose on your face. Now why don't you go over there and do something about it?"

"What if…" he trailed off.

"Faint heart never won fair lady, Seth Hazlitt. Now you get yourself over there and tell her how you really feel. Every woman deserves to hear that, and at least you'll know for certain." Seth grudgingly admitted to himself that Beverly had a point. "I know you know I'm right. Now, shoo. Go on, now."

"Alright, alright. It's on your head if I make a derned fool of myself." And lose the most important friendship I have in the process, he thought morosely.

"You know I'm right," Beverly said primly. "You'll see."

She watched as Seth removed his lab coat and hung it on the peg. He turned to the mirror to straighten his bow tie and smooth his hair. He glanced at her reflection and she gave him an encouraging nod. He took his keys out of the top drawer of his desk and nodded smartly to her as he walked out.

Beverly breathed a sigh of relief. The woman was plain crazy for him. She was just waiting for him to make the first move. Beverly furrowed her brow. At least she hoped Jessica was crazy for him. If not, she'd have to start looking for a new job.

Seth banged in the back door, nearly knocking Jessica over in the process. Jessica stumbled backward and Seth caught her in a firm grip.

"What were you doing out there in the driveway?" Seth was looking at her so queerly. She felt a strange churning in her belly, like butterflies. "Seth?" she said faintly.

Seth tightened his grip on her shoulders and leaned in slowly, so slowly, then he kissed her.

Jessica felt rooted to the spot. It was a warm, loving kiss, filled with a passionate ardor she'd suspected was inside him. She wriggled her shoulders, and when he dropped his hands and pulled back, she drew him in her arms and deepened their kiss. They stood in her kitchen, the dusk deepening around them, warm and safe in each other's embrace.

Epilogue

"I'm sorry, Jess."

Jessica laughed. "You don't have to keep apologizing, Seth." She turned to look at his profile. "I had no objection, if you recall." She winked at him, and he squeezed his arm around her and drew her that much closer to him.

"And I'm grateful, Jess." He nuzzled her ear.

"I'd just like to know what got into you!"

"You can thank Caleb and Beverly later. Mostly Beverly. She talked some sense into me, but if I'm honest." He looked at Jessica and she raised her eyebrows. He stared at the floor. "It was seeing you with David Everett," he said softly.

Jessica lifted his chin with a gentle finger. "Oh?"

Seth nodded. "When he…kissed you…in the street, I thought, well. There she goes. All my hope is lost. How could I compete with a dashing captain who spent his life hunting for buried treasure? But then, when we hiked Spooner's Mill, you…confided in me. And Jess." He looked into her eyes. "I tried to be the best friend I could to you. I hope you know that."

"I do," said Jessica quietly.

"I began to hope, then, at least that you wouldn't run off with David and our life could go on as it had before. But Caleb told me you'd been down to see Everett at the dock, and he told me you didn't stay long. And Beverly, well, she told me to get myself over here and declare myself once and for all."

"You certainly did that!" Jessica laughed merrily, and Seth was tempted to gather her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but he resisted. Nice and easy does it, every time**, he hummed to himself. He wanted to savor this time with her, he wanted to woo her as she deserved. "Seth?" she asked, as she snuggled in more closely to him. "What are you thinking?"

Seth grinned and tightened his hold on her. "I'm thinking I'm going to give Beverly a raise."

A/N: Thanks to the guest reviewer who inspired me to take a different approach to this idea.

*Read To Be Frank by KarlieQ.

**Nice and Easy - a song recorded by Rosemary Clooney