Brooke
I groan to myself realizing the god awful noise is my alarm telling me I need to get up for work. I roll my stiff neck and jump out of bed. My body is stiff and aches because I haven’t been working out much lately and I’m definitely feeling it. After a few quick stretches, I go straight to my closet to figure out what I’m going to wear today. I’m really tired from the crazy dreams I kept having last night. I feel like I hardly slept. Every time I would fall into a deep sleep I would envision Vaughn on the beach looking lost and scared. His expression was pained, and I have no idea what brought it all on. My big strong, independent soldier was scared, and then to make matters worse, I walked out on him. He scared the shit out of me. At the time I felt like I did what I needed to, but how am I going to get him to open up to me if I walk out on him when he needs me? He must feel like he can’t trust me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. As much as I want to figure this all out, I need to focus on getting myself ready for work.
I grab my favorite floral print jumpsuit and lay it out on the bed. It’s bright with fun colors and it makes me smile. Plus, it’s really comfortable, and comfort is something I need today. I also need to feel confident, and nothing makes a woman feel more confident than a sexy ass matching panty and bra set. I grab what I need and head to the bathroom to get ready. I can’t help but notice the quiet. This house used to be filled with hustle and bustle, and now there’s not a sound. My mom is on vacation from school. She’s probably still sound asleep in her bed while my dad is already at work. Dawson, Remy and Keaton have all moved out, and now I’m about to move too. I’ll need to have music or something going in my house. I’m not sure I can handle this quiet.
Forty-five minutes later I walk out of the bathroom dressed, with my hair in a twist, and my makeup done to perfection. I make a smoothie for breakfast, throw a lunch together, and run out the door. When I get to the car I realize I haven’t checked my phone yet this morning.
Vaughn: I think Brody is sick.
I wonder what could be wrong with Brody. He’s only had him a few weeks, but you can tell he’s totally attached to his dog. You can tell by the way his face lights up when he sees him that he adores him.
Brooke: Why do you say that?
I put the car in drive and take off toward the clinic. I need to see what we have going on today. I want to be prepared to squeeze him in if need be.
Vaughn: Are you sure you want to talk about my dog’s shit this early in the morning?
I’m driving now, so I can’t text him back. I hit the call button on the screen to dial him instead. “Hello.”
“I can’t text you anymore. I’m driving to work, and yes, I want to hear about his shit. I’m a vet, it’s what I do.” I roll my eyes.
“Fine. It was runny, and he went twice this morning, barely making it out the second time.” I hear his chair creak. He must be in his office. I can picture him leaning back in the chair with his leg crossed at his ankle, looking all sexy.
“Are you in your office?” I bite my lip.
“Yes.” He sounds confused.
“You’re leaning back in your chair, aren’t you?” I need to stop picturing him shirtless, looking all sexy. My panties are getting wet.
“Ummm, yeah. Why?”
I shake my head. “Never mind. Back to the dog. Did he eat anything he shouldn’t have?”
“Not that I saw. There was no trash on the floor when I got home.”
I pull up to the red traffic light and pinch the bridge of my nose. “It could be a number of things. Keep an eye on it, and if he doesn’t improve, call me and I’ll have you bring him in.” He could be upset he saw us fight. He could be worried about what he saw on the beach with Vaughn. I don’t tell him that because I don’t want to cause added stress, but I’m really hoping it’s just nerves.
The person behind me beeps their horn, letting me know the light has changed and I need to wake the hell up. “What was that?”
I sigh. “The guy behind me. I’m tired and wasn’t paying attention to the light.”
“You need to focus on driving. I’ll let you go.” He sounds sad.
“Call me later and let me know how he is.” And how you are too. I don’t say that last part, but I want to. I’m afraid if I push him too hard, he’ll continue to push me away. He sounds so tired, I’m sure he’s not sleeping any better than I am. I again try to push thoughts of Vaughn out of my head for now. He’s right, I need to focus on driving, and I can’t do that if I start to worry about him all over again.
I pull up to work with about ten minutes to spare of us opening. Dr. Kramer and Courtney’s cars are already here. I climb out and unlock the front door, letting myself in. “Good morning,” I call out, trying to figure out where everyone is.
“Hey.” Courtney comes to her desk carrying a cup of coffee that she made in our one cup brewer. “Are you all right?” she asks, looking concerned.
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep too well last night, but I’m okay.”
“Do you want to do lunch today and we can talk?” She gives me a warm smile and I can tell she’s hopeful that I’ll lean on her.
“We’ll see how the day goes.” I give her a small smile and head to find Dr. Kramer. I walk to the back to find him with one of our many pets. “How is Pretty Kitty?” Yes, someone named their pet Pretty Kitty. I can’t help but giggle at some of the names people chose for their animals.
He pets her head and scratches her chin. “Much better today. I think it’s time she goes home.”
“Oh good. I’ll have Courtney place the call to notify the Harrisons that they can pick her up.”
“Thank you.” He looks up with a small smile.
“Dr. Kramer, are you okay?” He looks extremely tired and very pale. I press my hand to his forehead and he instantly pulls away.
“Don’t you start too. I just had to endure Courtney’s rambling on about my health. I’m fine, just a bit tired.”
With my hands on my hips, I give him a look that tells him I’m not buying it, but I say nothing, giving him a chance to speak up. When he continues working and ignoring me, I have no choice. “Dr. Kramer, we have worked together for a few years now, and I’ve known you since I was little and I brought that sick stray cat into your clinic. Do you really think for one second I’m buying your ‘I’m fine’ line?”
He sighs. “Okay, so I’m not feeling too hot today. And before you say anything else, yes, I very much remember the little blonde girl that strolled into the clinic crying because the kitty was sick. The care and concern in your eyes told me you would be treating animals someday, and here you are, but what am I going to do? Tell the animals not to be sick today?”
“Really? I am a veterinarian now. You have no excuses. I’ve been helping you treat animals long enough that I would think you trust me at least a little.”
“Oh dear, it has nothing to do with trust. I trust you with these animals wholeheartedly, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be here to treat them just the same.”
We can hear patients coming in with their owners as we wrap up our conversation. Courtney must have opened the doors. “Fine, but I’ll be keeping an eye on you, and you will take a lunch break today,” I demand, not caring if it upsets him. This man is like a second father to me, and I’ll be damned if I don’t take care of him.
After a few hours of seeing our furry little patients, I tell Courtney to order us lunch in. We can sit in the break room and chat, that way I’ll be able to keep an eye on Dr. Kramer, who happens to be moving a bit slower than usual today. I asked him to please make an appointment to see my father, and he said he would if he wasn’t feeling better in a few days.
“Lunch is here,” Courtney calls into the back. We both peel off our gloves from working with a dog and toss them into the bin.
“Thanks, Courtney. Come on, Dr. Kramer. I ordered you your favorite soup.” He turns to me with a smile.
“You’re a stubborn girl, Brooke, but thanks.” We walk into the break room together. He takes his soup and crackers from the table, thanking Courtney. “I’m going to eat in my office. I have some paperwork to take care of. I’ll see you ladies shortly.” He walks out of the kitchen.
I shake my head. “I’m worried about him. He doesn’t look good.”
“I know. You didn’t look too hot yourself this morning. What’s going on?”
I turn back to her. “I’m sorry, what was that you said?”
“Really? What is with you? One minute we’re supposed to be getting together for a game night, and the next I’ve heard nothing more from you about it and then you come in looking exhausted.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I look down at the salad in front of me, and as delicious as it looks, I’m losing my appetite. “I’m not sure how much I should tell you, but I’ll tell you this. It appears Vaughn has some issues settling back in after his last tour.” The look on Vaughn’s face flashes through my mind.
I’m so deep in thought when Courtney talks I’m not hearing her. “Hey! I said is there something I can do to help?”
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured out what to do myself. I feel so bad and I need to figure out how to fix it.”
“What do you have to feel bad about? You didn’t send him over there.” Her brows are furrowed.
I swallow a bite of my salad, trying to fight my loss of appetite. “I walked out on him after one of his flashbacks. He scared me and I didn’t know what to do. I told him I needed space and he would see me at dinner. Now he’ll never trust me to open up.”
“Oh Brooke, don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not an easy situation to deal with. You need to apologize and explain to him that you didn’t know what to do. He’ll understand.”
“I don’t know. He showed up at my mom’s for dinner and sat with my brother the entire night. I know the dinner was for my brother and future sister-in-law, but it felt like he was ignoring me.” I lean my head in my hands. “I think I’ve fallen for him.” I let out a slow breath. “I’ve liked him for so long now it didn’t take much once we started connecting, and now I fear I’m going to lose him.”
“Have you told him?”
I shake my head no. “What am I supposed to say? ‘Hey, I’ve had a secret crush on you since the first time we met years ago and I now I think I love you.’” I close my eyes. “God, I sound stupid.”
“No, you don’t, and I wouldn’t be so sure he doesn’t feel the same.”
“I have to get back to work. My next patient will be here soon.” I get up, toss my salad, and storm out of the kitchen to the bathroom.
***
Work has dragged by today. I couldn’t help but keep an eye on the clock because I’m really excited to go see this house I’m hoping to rent. I hurry on my way to meet Remy, Keaton, and the landlord. This was his grandparents’ house, and now that they’ve moved on, he wants to rent it until he decides if he’s going to sell it or move into it himself. He’s promised me the house is mine for at least a year, maybe longer if I so choose. The location is perfect. It’s about fifteen minutes from Mama, fifteen minutes from work, and twenty minutes from Vaughn. Now I just have to pray the house is in good condition.
I pull into the driveway to see Keaton’s truck already here. He and Remy must have driven together because they’re standing on the lawn talking to the landlord and Remy’s car is nowhere to be found. I jump out of my car and hurry over to introduce myself. “Hi guys.” My brothers each hug me and I hold out my hand to the gentleman. “Hi, I’m Brooke.”
“Hi, Brooke, it’s good to meet you. Your brothers were just introducing themselves and asking a little about the house.”
I smile up at my brothers. “Thanks, guys.”
Remy puts his arm around me. “We were just explaining that we want to make sure our baby sister is well taken care of.” Good Lord, I blush. They act like I’m a kid and not a grown woman.
Mr. Daily comes to my rescue. “Come on, let me show you around.” He opens the door to the house and we step inside. “I updated the furniture in the living room and the dining room table is new.” Both sets are nice. The living room has dark furniture, not really my style, but seeing how it requires me to only furnish my bedroom, I’ll take it. The dining room table is small but seats four. The kitchen is an eat-in kitchen, it doesn’t leave room for a table much bigger than that. I’m looking around the kitchen when I hear Keaton ask him to see the attic space. Mr. Daily walks off with him and Remy stays with me.
He leans on the counter next to me. “What do you think?”
“It’s cute. I love how open the living room and kitchen are. The small snack bar separating them are perfect for extra seating, and yet I can talk to guests while I cook.”
He pulls away from the counter. “Let’s go check out the bedrooms. There are two of them back there.” I follow Remy to the back of the house where, sure enough, there are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. One bathroom is in the hallway and it’s a full bath with a shower tub combo. It’s not big, but it’s nice. There’s a shower curtain already hung up with a liner.
“You can change that if you would like, I thought it showed nicer with a curtain hung.” I jump, not realizing Mr. Daily was behind me.
“It’s fine. I’ll leave it up to you. If you want to take it down to save it, you can. I don’t mind buying one.” He smiles but says nothing.
The guest bedroom is small, but would work as an office or kid’s room. I chuckle at my thoughts. Vaughn and I are barely talking and kids come into my brain. Yikes. I sigh, saddened by the thought that I miss him. I move onto the master, which is a bit bigger than the second room. It has a walk-in closet and its own bathroom. Again nothing overly huge, but it will work until I decide to buy or build a house. This is a cute starter house, but not where I would want to stay…not unless Keaton could do some serious adding on.
Keaton comes walking into the room. “Mr. Daily, will you give us a few minutes.”
“Certainly. I’ll be in the kitchen.” He walks out of the room and Keaton closes the door.
He turns back to me. “The house is in good shape. The windows are outdated, as well as some of the flooring, but I don’t see anything that would say don’t rent from him. I wouldn’t recommend you buy the house without planning on doing renovations, but to rent I think you’re fine.”
I sigh. “The location is great and the price is right. It’s not the house of my dreams, but I think I could make it home. The question is, do I keep looking, or do I take it, because I haven’t seen much else out there to rent.”
“Listen, sis, there’s no rush for you to get out of Mom and Dad’s house. I mean, I get you’re a grown woman and you want to be on your own, but it’s not like you have to be out by a certain time.” Remy leans on the door. “Why don’t you tell him you’re going to take the weekend to think it over and you’ll get back to him on Monday?”
“Good idea. Then it will give me a chance to browse around a bit more too to see if anything new has popped up. If it were a bit bigger and a little less outdated I would be all over it, but I don’t want to be locked in here for a year and be miserable.”
“Exactly.” Remy pulls the door open and the three of us walk out to the kitchen where we find Mr. Daily sitting at the kitchen table on his phone.
He looks up when we approach. “Thank you so much for your time. The house is lovely, but before I make any decisions I’d like to sleep on it. Can I get back to you on Monday?”
He stands up holding his hand out. “You can, but I’m not holding it for any one person. I’ve had others look at the place too and the first person to say they want it and pass the background check gets it.”
“I understand. I’ll be in touch. Thank you again for your time.” We all shake hands with the guy and start to head out the door.
Mr. Daily stops Keaton. “Can I ask, did you find anything I should be concerned with?”
He sighs. “Not really. The floors in the kitchen and the windows are outdated. The windows especially will need replacing soon. They’re getting drafty and need new insulation. The attic seemed to be dry and well insulated, that’s always a good thing. It’s a fine home. I’m just not sure Brooke feels it’s the home for her.”
“I understand. Thank you for your input and for coming to see the house.”
I hug my brothers goodbye and head home for dinner with my parents.