My One and Only (Ardent Springs Book 3) Read online

  “I don’t know,” she said. And she really didn’t. David had been the first in a long line of guys who’d fallen squarely into the bad boyfriend category. “If I dig deep enough, I’m sure it has to do with like attracting like.”

  Cooper strolled into an adjoining room that Haleigh assumed to be the kitchen, giving her a prime shot of his killer ass. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked over his shoulder before returning with a sweating longneck and a bottle of water that he passed her way. “If you’re going back to that crappy person thing, I’m calling bullshit.”

  “Do you know why I became a doctor?” she asked him.

  “Nope,” he said, taking a draw off his beer. The action drew attention to his full lips pressed against the mouth of the bottle.

  She wondered what they’d feel like pressed to her.

  Sensation prickled up her neck at the images flashing through her mind. Vivid, detailed images that sent heat pulsing to her core.

  What the hell was wrong with her today? She’d just apologized for using the man thirteen years ago, and here she was, treating him like a side of beef in her mind.

  “I am so messed up,” she said.

  “You became a doctor because you’re messed up?”

  “Um . . .” she hedged. “No. I just . . . My mind wandered for a minute.” Haleigh cleared her throat to buy time. “I became a doctor because my mother had high expectations and I was determined to meet them. Med school was my version of go big or go home. I liked the prestige of the occupation and thought for once I could make my mother happy.”

  Cooper studied her with a tilt of his head as if searching for some deeper motivation at the back of her skull. She hated to tell him, but there was nothing deep about it. Simply put, Haleigh was a shallow people-pleaser. And a sucky one at that.

  “I don’t believe it,” he said.

  “I’m not surprised, but facts are facts. The act of becoming a doctor was nothing more than me chasing the shiniest brass ring I could find.”

  The confession, something she’d long feared but never spoken aloud, scraped another layer off her fragile ego, making Haleigh feel as if her skin had been flipped inside out, leaving her exposed and raw.

  Though uncomfortable, the experience was also oddly liberating.

  “No way,” Cooper said, dropping into the chair he’d been standing next to. “I watched you deliver that baby last night. Nothing that happened in that room was about some brass ring.”

  Haleigh took a seat on the black leather couch.

  “Just because I had selfish motivations for becoming a doctor doesn’t mean I’m not good at my job. I bring babies into the world, making sure they and their mothers come through the ordeal healthy and happy. The point is that what I do doesn’t change who I am.”

  “Wrong,” he argued. “If you were a crappy person, healthy and happy patients wouldn’t be a priority.”

  “Believe what you want.” She spun the top off the water bottle. “I think I know me better than you do.”

  “Could you make more money doing your job someplace else?” he asked.

  That one was easy. “Of course I could.”

  “Do you know your patients’ names?”

  “Do you know how long it takes to grow a baby? I spend months getting to know them, Cooper. I couldn’t not know their names.”

  “So they aren’t just a means to an end? There to give you something to do that makes you feel better about yourself?”

  These rapid-fire questions proved nothing.

  “What’s your point?”

  “You, Haleigh Rae, are a good person,” he said, pointing the beer bottle at her chest. “In fact, you’re a better person than I am. A superhero almost.”

  Now he’d gone way off the deep end. “You’re being ridiculous.”

  “I’m right on this one,” he said with a wide grin that deepened the dimple in his chin. “Who refused to let Jessi leave the hospital without a safe place to go?”

  “She’s a homeless girl with a new baby to take care of.”

  “And you took care of both of them,” he pointed out. “You made sure she got the applications she needed to get insurance for both of them, and even when you figured out that they might be invading your life, you were more concerned about Abby’s feelings than your own. Does that sound like a horrible person to you?”

  Though she hated to admit as much, the man had a point. Her actions did appear to be those of a somewhat generous person.

  “Maybe I’m just trying to make up for being such a crummy person all these years,” she mumbled.

  Cooper leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You keep telling yourself that, doc. And I’ll keep setting you straight.”

  Cooper whistled an upbeat tune as he perused the Mamacita’s menu.

  “Someone has his happy panties on today,” Spencer said over his menu. “What’s up with the whistling?”

  “Nothing,” Cooper said. “Can’t a guy whistle when he wants to?”

  “Not when he’s whistling a show tune.”

  Cooper’s mother had conned him into watching Oklahoma with her the week before, and the surrey with the fringe on top song had been stuck in his head ever since. “How do you know it’s a show tune?” he asked his friend.

  “Everybody knows the surrey with the fringe on top song,” Caleb McGraw said, drawing the attention of both his lunch mates. “What can I say?” He shrugged. “The McGraws are big supporters of the arts.”

  The McGraws were one of the richest families in Louisiana, owners of a giant media conglomerate that would one day belong solely to Caleb. Which made the fact that the heir to a fortune held down a steady gig selling ads for their local paper, the Ardent Advocate, even more bizarre. Cooper hadn’t known the younger man for long, seeing as he’d only arrived in town the previous winter.

  Caleb was married to Snow of the Curiosity Shop, though exactly how they’d gotten together remained a mystery to Cooper. The guy had just shown up one day, claiming to have been in a long-distance relationship with Snow, and on New Year’s Eve, the pair tied the knot.

  Though not a mechanic, Caleb shared Cooper’s appreciation for old cars, and the two had become fast friends from the first time they met, haggling over a ’56 Ford pickup at an auction.

  “Can we get on with ordering lunch before you two burst into song?” Spencer asked.

  “Sure,” Caleb said, giving Cooper a sideways look. The melody started again, this time as a chipper hum.

  Seconds later, Spencer joined in. They’d just finished describing the fancy ride when the waitress approached and they all cut the tune.

  The young girl with the swinging black ponytail looked perplexed. “Were you guys singing?”

  Spencer shook his head. “No. No singing going on here.”

  By sheer willpower, Cooper and Caleb kept straight faces as she took their orders and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “You two are a bad influence,” Spencer said. And just like that, the revival ended. “How’s the fundraiser looking?”

  In just over four weeks the first classic car rally fundraiser benefiting the Ruby Restoration Committee, a citizen group trying to save the local theater, would kick off in the Ruby Theater parking lot. A few months back, Cooper agreed to plan the event, even though at the time he wasn’t on the committee.

  “Good.” Cooper nodded. “The Cars for Sale slots, which as you know are the higher moneymakers, are selling steadily. We picked up two from Clarksville last week. Lorelei has a handle on the food vendors, and Kickin’ 96.5 will be on site from noon to two doing live broadcasts from the event.” Bringing in the local country station had been his best idea by far, and Cooper mentally patted himself on the back for the rare stroke of genius. “The block at the Ridgetop Inn is going quick, so I’m looking at the Deerfield on Highway 11 as a lodging backup.”

  Conversation paused as the waitress returned with two bowls of nachos. “Your food should be up any seco
nd,” she said.

  “Much appreciated,” Cooper replied with a wink. The waitress blushed and nearly tripped over another server as she backed away from the table.

  Caleb shook his head. “Snow’s right. You could flirt with a tree stump.”

  “I think he dated one once,” Spencer said, dipping a chip into salsa. “She left him for a squirrel with bigger nuts.”

  “You’re just jealous that your nuts are about to be in a sling till death do you part.”

  “That’s right,” Caleb said. “I hear you’ve got six months left to live.”

  Cooper remembered his promise to Lorelei and cringed. So much for acting surprised. Evidently, she’d told Snow the good news as well. Who’d passed the secret on to her husband.

  “Is there anyone that woman hasn’t told yet?” Spencer asked on a sigh. “Did she take out an ad in the Advocate?”

  “I directed her to Brenda Jo, who handles the public announcements.” That Caleb managed to say this with a straight face amazed Cooper.

  Spencer threw his hands up, but the smile gave him away. No matter what she did, and Lorelei had done some bone-headed things, her intended groom would always forgive her. The thought made Cooper think of Haleigh. Half the town considered Lorelei Pratchett irredeemable, when she hid a heart of gold. At the same time, Haleigh Rae was looked upon as a shining example of all that was good, while condemning herself for being a terrible person.

  He still couldn’t believe she’d said that. So her motives weren’t always selfless. That didn’t make her a bad person any more than going to church every week made someone a good person. Actions were what mattered.

  “So what do you say?” Spencer said, jerking Cooper from his wayward thoughts. “You up for playing best man?”

  “Hell yeah,” Cooper said, proud to be asked for the second time around. “Tux me up. I’m ready.”

  The groom turned his attention to Caleb. “Lor says I have to drag two guys up there with me. You willing to be my number two?”

  Dark brows shot up Caleb’s forehead. “You serious?”

  “Sure.”

  “Well, then count me in,” Caleb replied. “I’d be honored.”

  “Good,” Spencer exhaled. “That means my part of the planning is done.”

  As the waitress returned with their food, Cooper raised his beer bottle for a toast. “Here’s to many years of wedded bliss.”

  His plate hit the table in front of him with a thud. “You’re engaged?” the young girl cried.

  “Not me,” Cooper said and pointed the bottle at Spencer. “Him.”

  “Oh.” Dark lashes fluttered as the other two plates landed in front of their owners. “That’s good,” she said, dropping the large tray to her side. “You let me know if you need anything else.” With a long look at Cooper, she added, “Anything at all.”

  Once the girl was out of earshot, Spencer burst out laughing. “Anything at all, big boy,” he feigned in a girlish voice.

  Cooper had no intention of taking the pretty little thing up on her offer, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t goad his friend. “It isn’t my fault I’m the only one left to handle all the pretty girls.”

  “Right,” Spencer answered. “If by handle you mean date until they start talking commitment and then running like hell. We both know that you’re holding out for one particular woman.”

  “About that.” Cooper rested his elbows on the edge of the table. “Looks like Lorelei isn’t the only one who has trouble keeping secrets around here.”

  “Are we talking about that OB doctor?” Caleb asked, earning the attention of his table mates.

  “Who told you?” Cooper asked.

  Caleb sliced into his enchilada. “Carrie.”

  Spencer’s ex-wife. Odd how all sources led back to one person.

  Cooper zeroed in on the groom. “And how would she know, Spencer?”

  “Dude, you can blame me all you want, but every thought you have shows up on that ugly mug of yours. You haven’t fooled anyone about your feelings for Haleigh Rae since middle school.” If Spencer was right, then how had Haleigh managed not to notice? “She’s back now,” Spencer continued. “You need to make your move, buddy.”

  He’d been toying with the idea since Haleigh left his house the night before. She was definitely attracted to him, so he had an advantage there. If he’d known buffing up would do the trick, Cooper would have spent his teen years lifting weights instead of tearing apart carburetors. But he wanted something more than physical from Haleigh, and short of a drastic career change on his part, didn’t see how they could ever match up on any other level.

  She dealt with life and death. He dealt with nuts and bolts. She was educated and refined. He was countrified and clumsy. Ironically enough, the only thing Cooper really had going for him was a total lack of resemblance to the guys she typically dated.

  “I know what you’re doing,” Cooper said, preferring to keep his thoughts on Haleigh to himself. “Married guys trying to recruit one more into the fold.” He tucked his napkin into his shirt collar. “You’re not getting me, buddy. Go hunt up some other poor sucker.”

  Spencer gave Caleb a bored look. “Twenty bucks says he’s married within a year.”

  With a nod, Caleb said, “I give him six months.” He grinned. “The big ones always fall the hardest.”

  “Keep it up, fellas.” Cooper picked up a taco. “I’ll prove you both wrong.”

  Chapter 6

  Haleigh needed coffee, and she needed it now.

  After her conscience-cleansing visit with Cooper she’d returned home exhausted and ready to sleep for possibly the first time in days. Too bad the universe had other ideas. A late-night call pulled her back to the hospital shortly after two for a difficult delivery that ended with a C-section at four in the morning.

  Though she was home by six, adrenaline had kept her going for another forty-five minutes before she’d crashed just as the sun peeked through her curtains. But her peaceful sleep had been invaded by a very vivid dream. One in which a bare-chested mechanic with devastating green eyes and a mouthwatering body put Haleigh through a highly pleasurable workout.

  The sensations had been so real that she’d awoken with a gasp, sweaty, aching, and wanting more.

  “My brain hates me,” she mumbled, shoving tangled waves away from her face. “Stupid libido.”

  Ten minutes later, she used the kitchen counter for support while waiting for Abby’s Keurig machine to do its magic. The smell of caffeine helped open her eyes, but it was the piercing cry that brought Haleigh to full alert.

  “What the—”

  Rounding the corner into the hallway, she met Jessi coming out of her room with Emma in her arms. “I don’t know what’s wrong,” she said. “I’ve changed her and tried to feed her, but she won’t latch on. She did it great before we left the hospital, but now it’s like she can’t figure it out.” Wide brown eyes bored into Haleigh as if she had all the answers. “I’m doing it wrong, aren’t I? I’m doing something wrong!”

  Nursing wasn’t really Haleigh’s territory and, oddly enough considering her line of work, neither were babies. That’s what nurses and pediatricians were for. Haleigh dealt with the mothers, got the babies out, and then handed them off to a person qualified to handle them.

  “We can figure this out,” she said, hoping beyond reason that she could find a solution despite her brain feeling like mush. “The hospital sent home bottles, right? Those little premade ones they give to newborns?”

  Jessi vigorously shook her head. “The nurse was adamant that I breastfeed. It’s the best thing for her.”

  “Not feeding her at all would be worse.” Haleigh charged into the baby’s room, half looking for bottles and half trying to outrun the headache-inducing screams. “Here we go,” she said, finding the bottles in a box beneath the changing table. “Try this.”

  The young mother hesitated. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure,” Haleigh answ
ered. “I’m a doctor.”

  Not a pediatrician, but Jessi didn’t need to think about that.

  “Right. But don’t we need to warm it up? Do that test on the wrist thing?”

  If Jessi already knew so much, why was she asking Haleigh? Taking the bottle back, she said, “Let’s run it under hot water. In the meantime, have you tried a pacifier?”

  “Of course I have,” Jessi snapped. So Haleigh wasn’t the only person who needed a nap.

  Without another word, Haleigh marched into the kitchen with Jessi close behind—heaven forbid she spare anyone else’s eardrums—and flipped on the hot water. “How long should it take?” she asked.

  Jessi stopped her shushing long enough to say, “You’re the doctor. Shouldn’t you know?”

  “My experience with babies happens while they’re still inside their mothers. Warming bottles doesn’t come up much at that point in the process.”

  “You’re more clueless than I am,” Jessi accused. “Here.” She rolled Emma into Haleigh’s arms. “Let me do it.”

  Shocked to find the angry bundle in her care, Haleigh followed her instincts and began swaying from side to side. Desperate to stop the screaming, she slid a knuckle between the baby’s quivering lips. Emma quieted instantly.

  “How did you do that?” Jessi asked.

  An excellent question. “I don’t know.”

  Emma continued to nuzzle for several seconds before showing signs of a returning fit. “I can’t fool her much longer,” Haleigh said.

  “Almost there.” Jessi drizzled three drops on her wrist, then looked to Haleigh. “I think it’s good.”

  “Here.” Haleigh extended her free arm. “Let me check.” The formula felt more room temperature than warm, but at least it wasn’t cold. “Feels okay to me.”

  “Take your knuckle out and let’s see.”