Page 89 of Jagger

Never had I entertained becoming anything but a surgeon. I certainly hadn’t entertained working in a small town, but that’s what I was doing.

I also hadn’t anticipated marrying an asshole.

Was it the appeal of Danger Falls?

Partially.

Suddenly, I felt homesick, although Baltimore had never really felt like home. It was more like a stopping place where I could spread my wings before moving on. The whirlwind romance with Joel had changed everything. He’d orchestrated that happening. But at least I’d met a wonderful, goofy chick and developed a lifelong friendship.

I needed to talk to her like I used to, sharing our hatred of certain people and laughing over silly rom-com movies while drinking wine. The feeling became overwhelming. I backed away from the crowds of people purchasing holiday gifts and munching on cookies while they walked, pulling out my phone.

The ugliness of the text I’d received nearly broke my resolve.

Unknown:Soon, you little slut. Soon.

Unknown. Why was Joel bothering? Because he was smart. He knew that I’d start taking screenshots of everything he sent, maybe even recording the phone calls. I’d been too shaken up before to do so. Hissing, I shifted to Esme’s phone number, trying to break the cycle of abuse with just one text to start.

Me:Hey, girl. I need wine. Lots of wine. I have so many things to tell you. You should take a vacation and come visit. It’s beautiful here. Call me later.

She was likely busy with the late lunch crowd, her skills as a renowned chef garnering her accolade after accolade. I was so proud of her accomplishments. I felt a little comfort, a slight tether to the life I’d once had. I shoved my phone away, taking a deep breath of the crisp air. It was a beautiful afternoon and I refused to allow any asshole to spoil my new adventure.

As I walked the sidewalks leading to the diner, people waved, many people I didn’t know saying my name. I’d seen the article in the local newspaper, something they still produced on actual paper. I’d even seen a few old-style metal boxes on a couple of corners where you could slip in a few quarters and purchase a copy.

Then there was the scent of fresh pastries and coffee, colorful flags and of course every store was decorated to the hilt for the upcoming holiday. If you were the kind of person who didn’t get a warm feeling in your heart, then it wasn’t beating. But that wasn’t the reason I was considering staying and abandoning my entire life’s plan.

The reason was Jagger.

Were we in a real relationship? I had to think no at this point, but it seemed we were headed there. I felt truly comfortable in my own skin when I was around him. That told me a hell of a lot about the man.

His strength.

His determined actions.

His heated passion.

Even his gruffness.

Maybe I would thrive with a different atmosphere. And allowing the possibility of finding love. Maybe.

There were a whole lot of maybes and even more questions, but if I didn’t consider taking the position of the town doctor, I’d never know. In the few days of waiting tables, my feet and legs were killing me. Even more than when I’d stood on my feet for an entire day doing surgery. Plus, as embarrassing as it was to admit, I was a klutz when it came to serving food. For all the intricate surgeries I’d performed, I couldn’t walk a tray full of food through a busy dining room to save my life.

I glanced inside the entrance door to Poppy’s, already seeing some familiar faces. At least with Poppy and the others, I could get the truth on Doc Welby’s place.

And maybe sneak finding out a little information on Jagger in the process.

I walked in and my mouth instantly watered from the delicious smells floating through my system. From baked apples tohomemade Christmas cookies, this was one of the warmest and most welcoming places I’d ever walked into.

“Bella. Good to see you again. Would you like a cup of coffee?” Poppy noticed me immediately.

“I would. It’s still chilly out there.” While Jagger had insisted he purchase me some warmer clothes, for some reason the wind was biting today.

“Move over, Gerald,” she told one of the customers. There was a seat in between him and the guy he was talking to. “Let a lady and true hero sit down.”

Gerald glanced over his shoulder and gave me a toothy grin.

But he moved.

Poppy wiped the area and placed a new coffee mug down just as I sat down. She was eyeing me the entire time she was pouring coffee. “Are you settled into the town?”

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