Page 35 of Craving Cooper

“Ahh… I see.”

“Mallory… this is Peony and Ryan…” I stop talking, realizing the mistake I was about to make. “I was gonna say Peony and Ryan Andrews, but Peony kept her maiden name when they got married, so she’s still Peony Hart.”

Mallory looks up at me and says, “That wasn’t at all confusing, Cooper.”

Everyone laughs, which makes the baby stir, and Ryan rubs his back, whispering softly, and kissing his head. For a second, I feel another pang of something, and although I’m not sure what it is, I’m not going to question it. Today has been weird enough already.

Chapter Nine

Mallory

The Fall Festival is everything I thought it would be… and more.

It’s an explosion of oranges, yellows, reds and greens, all mixed into one celebration of everything the town has to offer at this time of year. There’s so much on sale here, from home-made cakes and fudge, to stained glass, locally grown vegetables and fruits, and hand-knitted children’s toys. It’s like stepping back in time, but in a nice way, and I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since we arrived.

Naturally, that’s mostly to do with the man walking beside me. I’m so used to seeing him in scrubs, and occasionally in jeans and t-shirts, it took me by surprise when I opened the door to find him standing there in a button-down shirt, open at the collar. I wanted him to take my hand… or better still, to pull me in to him and kiss me. But we’ve got all afternoon, and hopefully all evening, too. There’s no need to rush things. We’re together, and that’s all that matters.

“Do you want to—” he says and I turn, looking up at him, just as he spins around. There are two people standing right beside him, and although I hold back slightly, I can’t help noticing how good they look together. The woman is probably around the same height as me, and although she’s also got blonde hair, it’s not as blonde as mine. It’s a lot wilder, though, worn in crazy curls and ringlets. I’ve always wanted hair like that, but have never been able to achieve it. The man beside her looks to be about the same age as Cooper, and I have to say, he’s gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as Cooper, obviously… but gorgeous. He’s carrying a baby, strapped to his front in a baby carrier, his arm resting on the infant’s back, in the most adorable way, and just for a second, I can’t take my eyes off of them.

“We’ve been calling to you,” the woman says, getting my attention and looking up at Cooper.

“Sorry. I was distracted.” Was he? To be honest, I’ve been distracted myself, looking around at everything… and I feel a little guilty for ignoring him.

“Clearly,” she says with a smile, looking at me. “We haven’t met before, have we?”

I step forward just slightly so I feel more like I’m a part of their group, returning her smile. “Not unless you’ve had any dental work done in the last three months.” She hasn’t. I know that already. I’d remember her hair, if nothing else. “I’m Cooper’s receptionist.”

I’d like to say I’m also his girlfriend, but it seems too soon for that particular label.

“Ahh… I see.”

Cooper turns to me. “Mallory… this is Peony and Ryan…” He suddenly stops talking, looking at the two of them. “I was gonna say Peony and Ryan Andrews, but Peony kept her maiden name when they got married, so she’s still Peony Hart.”

I can’t help smiling again as I look up into his bemused face. “That wasn’t at all confusing, Cooper.”

We all laugh, and the noise makes the baby whimper. Ryan rubs gentle circles across his back, cooing in his ear, and then he kisses his head. It’s a beautiful sight to see, and for a second or two, we’re all mesmerized.

“It makes more sense when you get to know us,” Peony says, her eyes fixing on mine. “Which I’m sure you will now.” I don’t think there can be any mistaking her meaning, and I love the fact that, even if Cooper and I haven’t publicly acknowledged our relationship, his friends seem to have already accepted it… and me. There’s something welcoming about that, but before I can say anything, she returns her gaze to Cooper, who coughs to clear his throat.

“Was there a reason you were trying to get my attention?” he says.

“Only that Laurel called to let me know she’d hurt her back. I haven’t been able to get over there this week, because Rory’s had a bit of a cold, and I didn’t want to give it to her. I figured it’s the last thing she needs, on top of everything else, but do you know if she’s okay? Has Brady told you what’s going on? Laurel keeps saying she’s fine when we talk on the phone, but you know what she’s like.” She rolls her eyes, smiling, and Cooper smiles back.

“As far as I know, she’s getting better.”

“She is,” I say, and everyone turns to me. “I saw her yesterday when I went to fetch some milk. She was walking to the school to fetch Addy.”

“And?” Cooper says, tilting his head, like he’s urging me for more details.

“And she seemed fine. She was a little stiff, but she said she’s a lot better, and that Brady’s been looking after her.”

“That’s not an enormous surprise,” Peony says with a chuckle.

“Of course it isn’t.” Ryan puts his arm around her, tilting his body so he doesn’t crush their baby, and she looks up into his eyes. “We all do whatever it takes to care for the women we love. Isn’t that right, Cooper?”

We all turn to look at the man beside me, and I notice the cutest blush creeping up his cheeks. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out, and to save him from having to make an obviously uncharacteristic public display of affection, I nudge in to him and say, “I’m sure it is, but to get back to Laurel, she said she’d be here today. I remember her mentioning that Brady had to work, but that she’d be bringing Addy, just for an hour or two.”

Peony turns to me, nodding her head. “I’ll have to call her,” she says, pulling her phone from the back pocket of her jeans before she looks up at Ryan. “I can find out what time she’s coming and we can meet up. We need to talk about when she’ll be able to get together to discuss their wedding plans.”

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