Page 63 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
“Then stop poking at me,” he said.
“You all but told me to leave her alone that night at Hairy’s,” Moira said, “which I respected because you’re her best friend and know more about what’s going on with her.”
“She doesn’t need everyone asking things of her,” he said. “She has a lot on her plate.”
“That isn’t an answer,” Matt said, sounding like the lawyer he was. “All we know is Lucy suddenly returns, looking sickly. She wasn’t able to drive her car last night for some reason, which prompted you to take a day off work today.”
Leave it to Matt to lay it all out. “Dammit, don’t box me into a corner here. I gave her my word.”
“Her parents don’t even know what’s going on,” Moira said, letting her hand fall away from his arm. “Neither does Mom. Although Mom said Lucy and Ellen had a huge fight yesterday about the calendar.”
“Look,” he said, holding up his hands. “She just got back to town, and while she remembers you guys, you’re not…her friends.”
“Everyone needs support,” Moira said. “I told her I’d like to be her friend last night.”
“Like any of us are good at letting people in,” Andy said, rolling his eyes, not wishing to outright tell Moira to dial back the fangirl thing she had going on with Lucy. “We Hales are as tough as they come.”
“We’re getting better,” Natalie said, putting a hand on her hip. “I’m back with my ex-husband, after all. And Matt is getting married.”
“What about me?” Moira asked. “Don’t leave me out because I’m still single.”
“You left behind a dead-end job for something better,”Matt said, raising his hand for a high five. “Back in the day you might have sucked it up and stayed just to spite your boss.”
Moira’s hand smacked Matt’s so hard his brother winced. “I told Natalie when we were driving over here, but Jill encouraged Evan Michaels to consider me for the director position of the Artemis Institute here in Dare Valley. Being connected to a man like Evan and a company like Quid-Atch would open up big doors for me.”
Andy put his hands on his hips. “Jill strikes again. Be good to have you back home. Danny would be over the moon to have another aunt in Dare Valley.”
“I know,” she said, a smile crossing her face. “I decided the pros outweigh the cons. I could finally get a nice house with a view of the mountains, and whenever I miss city life, I can just drive back to Denver and stay with Caroline. Of course, I haven’t met with Evan’s CFO yet, but I’m going to knock him dead.”
“If you do knock him dead,” Matt said, rubbing the red spot she’d left on his hand, “call Andy Cakes here so he can resuscitate him.”
They all chuckled a little. Matt even bumped into Andy playfully.
“We’re here for you, Andy,” Moira declared.“Allof us are here for one another. That’s why I pulled a calf muscle trying to keep up with you.”
Andy crouched down to look at her calf, but she shoved him away.
“Yousaidyou’d pulled a muscle,” he said, giving her an exasperated look.
“It’s fine,” she said, making a show of shuddering. “I’m not going to let my brother check out my muscles. Even if he is a doctor.”
Andy ran his hand through his hair, realizing he was sweaty. He probably stank too. “Fine. Put some ice on it when you get home and take an ibuprofen.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” she said in a nasally voice.
“I need to get going,” he said, checking his watch. “Danny needs to be picked up soon.”
“I can grab him and take him back to the house with me,” Natalie offered. “Blake would love the company. Besides, Touchdown and Rufus could have a doggie play date.”
Andy never understood why dogs had to have play dates. He appreciated the need to socialize animals, but the word just weirded him out.
“I don’t know,” he said, thinking about Lucy. He’d have to face her sometime about the kiss he’d stolen. Part of him wanted to delay the inevitable conversation, but that would only make things fester.
He’d learned in his marriage that conflict was like an infection. With early prevention, the effects subsided with little harm to the patient. Delay treatment, and things turned ugly.
He didn’t want to have to use the paddles to resuscitate his friendship with Lucy.
They were all watching his struggle as intently as if it were must-see TV, so he shot them a look. “Fine. I appreciate the offer.”
